#not all opinions are created equal

[kentucky-daisey]

a rant about family and dated beliefs, alternatively titled “I’m so tired of trying to explain why people should care about other people and maybe do a little research sometimes”

The holidays are weird because you see family you haven’t seen in months and there’s always a bit of reconciling the person you remember with the person in front of you.

I love my dad, but every time he expresses his opinions about certain things, I realize he’s not quiet as liberal as he insists he is. He’s not a bad person, but his opinions are definitely coloured by his age. It also doesn’t help that he starts each expression of his beliefs with “I haven’t dug too deep into BLANK, but--”. 

This specifically came up when he bought a book about Harry Potter for white elephant and he was surprised no one wanted the book because, you know, JK Rowling is a huge transphobe. A few days later, we were out walking and he brought the book up and, when I explained why no one wanted it, his response was: “Now, I don’t know a lot about JK Rowling, but I respect how she stands by her convictions.” According to him, people are too easy to give in to pressure and apologize when they don’t actually mean it. To which I pointed out that people are upset with her not just because she’s a transphobe (which is shitty and an entirely valid reason not to support her) or that she won’t apologize (which is also shitty), but she’s now doing it unprompted and has apparently discarded her reputation of beloved children’s book author for aggressively transphobic woman who won’t shut up about her deeply upsetting and harmful opinions. There are plenty of shitty people in the public eye who haven’t apologized or who have done so disingenuously (Woody Allen, Roman Polanski, Johnny Depp, etc). The difference is that I recognize their shittiness and they have, for the most part, faded into the background, oftentimes shamed into backing off at least enough to be easily ignorable. JK Rowling is not in the same camp. We all know she has awful opinions. People have told her as much. instead of keeping those opinions to herself, as most reasonable people do when they are told that said opinions are entirely out of line, insensitive, and have actively ruined millions of people’s relationship with an important piece of media that was a world wide cultural phenomenon (this is JK specific), she’s doubled down. 

It’s disappointing. On multiple fronts.

1. I’m almost thirty (ugh) and haven’t read Harry Potter in at least a decade. I’m just not interested.

2. JK Rowling’s been very public in her hate and the blanket “people should stand by their convictions” is old fashioned and doesn’t take into account the impact certain people’s convictions/opinions can have and how damaging they can be. How crushing. It’s not that hard to look up.

3. When you’ve got two queer kids, you think you’d be a little more considerate. I’m admittedly not out in an official capacity, but it’s a pretty open secret in my family and this certainly doesn’t make me want to tell him any time soon.

He also doesn’t get why my sister and I are adamantly against Jordan Peterson and tends to makes light of it every time he brings it up (I’m never the one to do it because why the fuck would I?)

While I entirely believe people have a right to their opinions and can totally stand by them however much they want, not all opinions are created equal and I have every right not to listen to said opinions if I don’t want to. It’s when people’s opinions are harmful or damaging or outright wrong that I have an issue. I am not perfect, but I will always try to do better, and I am not a better person by simply ignoring transphobic or misogynistic or xenophobic etc. opinions, especially when voiced by people with influential and highly visible platforms such as JK Rowling or Jordan Peterson or Marjorie Taylor Greene or Jason Kenney or whoever the fuck else. This is even more important now. The Overton Window has shifted dramatically to the right and people are becoming more and more comfortable saying things regardless of the impact they might have. 

My mum is of the same mindset and even has some questionable opinions when it comes to trans people that are generally exhausting to listen to. The difference is I see her far more often and have gotten very good at steering the conversation away any of the above (she’s very much out of sight out of mind and feels my sister and I are overreacting to the JK stuff without making any effort to look into it). Unfortunately, they are both baby boomers and they’re go to move is to get angry whenever someone disagrees with them.

All of this is to say that everyone has the right to their opinions, but it doesn’t mean they are free from consequence. Things change, society changes. What used to be acceptable, might be looked at in a different light than it used to. If someone has a valid reason for not supporting someone, respect that. Cancel culture is not “that guy disagrees with me about my favourite book/movie/pair of pants”. If a person is getting cancelled (and I really hate using that term), it’s because they’ve done something considered socially/ethically/professionally etc. unacceptable. If a person hates a whole group of people simply for using gender neutral pronouns (Jordan Peterson), not is confused by, but actively hates, they are an asshole and deserve your anger. If a person refuses to acknowledge a person’s chosen gender identity and views them as less than human for it (JK Rowling), they are an asshole and deserve your anger. If a person takes over a company, allows people who were banned for hate speech to return and removes any safeguards that were put in place to make said company usable for as many people as possible while standing up against those who are actively trying to cause harm (Elon Musk), they are an asshole and deserve your anger.

You can love people even if you disagree with them. You can (should) even create boundaries for yourself to maintain your relationships in a way that keeps you safe and comfortable. I would encourage it! It’s up to you to decide what you’re willing to let go and when things have gone a step too far. But it is important, if not necessary, to stand up for what is right and protect those who need it, including yourself. 

Boycott that book/movie/social media site. Punch that Nazi. Vote in your local, provincial, and federal elections. Just make sure to do good, be good, and always try to make the world a little bit of a better place.

Happy holidays.

[jimmyspades]

"You look pretty in pink." JAMES SPADER as Alan Shore in BOSTON LEGAL (2004-2008) 🩷

[lunozapp]

chat

[fingertipsmp3]

I will never have friends like the friends I had in secondary school ever again. And in some ways this is a good thing

[st5lker]

if there was a bigender pride flag that wasnt ugly i would make a marika/radigon bigender icon. like i know thats not exactly right but thats what the deal with those two is to Me.

[purgaytorysupremacy]

I am going to be an absolute nerd and this is fairly well-known now but it broke my brain as a teenager steeped in gender essentialism and it’s this exchange in Persuasion by Jane Austen:

and it’s basically the op but in Regency Era English lol and, for me, who grew up in a family and a community really really attached to traditional gender roles, it was the first time this idea of “consider the source” was presented to me. and also challenging the idea that these sources are the only sources. like go find something written by a woman and see if it’s the same, yk? or if that’s all you read, maybe that’s saying something too.

anyway I think about it literally all the time.

[misogynistic person who is biased against women and favors men in all circumstances] wow it's so crazy that in literally every show and book and movie ever made all the male characters are likable and sympathetic but all the female characters are shallow and irrational... obviously this is the fault of the writing and nothing to do with me

[a-b-riddle]

Part 10

Can't stop thinking about reader realizing she fucked up.

"What?" You asked, unsure if you heard him correctly. "I did stuff for Simon." He opened his mouth slightly before shutting it, almost as if he was afraid to argue with you. He was. "I did things for Simon." You repeated. "I did."

You took pause. Racking your brain for examples to throw in his face. You had always tried to be the best girlfriend. and look where it had gotten you. You were always the one to reach out, to plan dates. The only one to manage your time equally among all of them even if it meant stretching yourself then.

But the more you thought, the more you came up short.

"I definitely treated Simon the same." You defend.

Here lately you had been spending more time with the others than Simon. Every evening was the same without fail. He would call you no later than 9, asking if you were busy. Sometimes you were already out with the others, but in the instances you weren't Simon would ask to come over. An excuse of not being able to sleep.

When he first gave you that excuse, you expected him to be using it as just an excuse to come over and fuck you.

But he didn't.

Not that night. Or the next.

The third time he did fuck you. He was a man, not a saint after all. You weren't sure if it was because he was the last one you got around to being intimate with, but it just felt different. The others were great. Letting you turn your brain off and letting them take control.

Where the others took the reins, Simon guided you. It was more like dancing than fucking. Your bodies working in harmony with one another. He would listen intently to each little moan or staggered breath you took. Wouldn't take his eyes off of your face when he ate your cunt. Wanting to take in every reaction you would give him.

He had created a flow of how to fuck you. A way to ensure he pulled several orgasms from you before you practically passed out from exhaustion. You would try and switch things up with different positions and giving him head, but Simon was a simple man. Once he found a way that worked, he stuck with it. He let you indulge. Spicing things up, but he always made a home in between your thighs at some point.

It had been like that ever since. Over and over again like clock work, he would call. He wouldn't always fuck you. Mostly either one or both of you complaining about a hard day and insisting on just having the company of the other. However, it wasn't until Mere had made a comment on why she hadn't met Simon yet.

It was like finally noticing something on a commute you took everyday. Day in and day out you came across it without every really taking note. How oblivious you had been.

Simon had only came over at night. Although he would bring take out or cook dinner with you, he had never taken you out on a date. Not even so much as a cup of coffee-- tea in his case.

You pressed him about it one night.

You seem pretty busy during the day. Plus, that's when I catch up on sleep was his reasoning and you didn't press him.

Simon had always complained about not being able to sleep. You didn't mind the company. So whenever he called and you were free. That's just how the relationship had been between you two. You both seemed satisfied with the dynamic.

"It was just different with me and Si," you defended. "He didn't need any help from me or ask it." You wanted to say he hadn't been as needy as Johnny, Kyle or John, but kept that opinion to yourself.

"Or did he just not feel like he could ask you?" Kyle's question gave you a moment of pause. Your mouth falling open. Appalled at the suggestion.

"Don't try and turn this around on me." You narrow your eyes at Kyle and his audacity. You were the one who was hurt. You didn't like being the victim, but in this scenario you were. "If Simon had any issue he would have said something."

"Like you did with us?" He asked. His boldness growing. "And I'm not trying to turn this around on you, I'm just saying that there everyone had their issues in not communicating on what was really going on. I should have told you how I felt, they should have told you and you should have told us."

"Oh," you said, head tilting to the side and condescension lacing your tone. "So when was I supposed to do that? When John was snapping at me or Johnny had his tongue buried inside of me. God knows you weren't exactly answering my texts and Simon had been the only one I didn't have issues with."

"But you still came to him about us." Outed was the only word fitting enough to describe how you felt. You had tried to keep your relationships separate as well as the issues and frustrations that came along with it.

"He told you?" You asked, feeling embarrassed and, somewhat, fearful about what exactly Simon had said to them. The asshole was just so easy to talk to. For someone who was so reserved, you found it second nature to open up to him. "When?"

"Any chance he got." Kyle huffed. The confession shocked you. If anything, yes, maybe John would have been the one to tell the boys to fall in line if he knew they were falling short, but Simon? The man who couldn't ever be bothered to plan a date?

"I don't understand." You shook your head as if that would jumble the pieces of your thoughts well enough that they would somehow fit together; painting you a clearer picture. "Simon... he..." His words echoed in your mind. Even now they still haunted you. A ghost reminding you of your naivety. "He said some really shitty things."

"I know." Kyle's face fell and you could almost see the anger flicker in his eyes before it extinguished into something more solemn. "He knew he was the last thing holding you to us. Severing that tie would make it easier for you to lease."

"Losing you wasn't easy." You replied through clenched teeth. Tears prickling your eyes. "Is that what you think? That this has been easy for me?"

"I don't think it's been easy, but I know it's the truth." A small part of you knew he was right. And you hated him for it. "Simon was the only one putting in any effort on our end. He was the only reason we didn't lose you sooner." He took your hand in his. Rubbing small circles in your palm. Something he did to soothe. Funny how now the gesture was breaking your heart. "If it's any consolation, he didn't mean what he said."

You scoff, tears now falling as you pull your hand from him. "Just because he didn't mean it, doesn't mean it's not true." You cross your arms over your chest. No longer giving him the chance to try and reach out again.

"Do you think any of us actually felt that way about you?" Kyle asked, his tone a mixture between disbelief and sorrow. He knew Simon's words were meant to cut, but their actions had made his declaration deem true.

"You didn't exactly prove otherwise." The confirmation causes him to falter, not knowing what to say, how to comfort you. It was like somewhere along the way he had lost the knowledge on how to treat you, how to care for you. It was like he didn't know you, but still loved you all the same.

It was killing him.

After several uncomfortable moments of silence, he spoke. "I know John told you we were all on our own in terms of fixing this. But I want you to know that we all regret how we went about things. How we treated you was unacceptable and there is truly no excuse. I can only hope that you let us have the privilege in at least trying to make it up to you."

You let out a breath. Your chest aching as a sob threatens to bubble to the surface.

You swallow it down.

"So I take it then Johnny is taking the same route as Simon?" You couldn't blame him. You had put the final nail in the coffin of your relationship. Fucking and leaving him like that... Not to mention all the details Kyle gave you of the aftermath. No doubt Johnny would feel like being forgiven was pointless by now.

"Johnny is chomping at the fuckin' bit." He laughed. "If Simon and Price weren't keeping a leash on him right now he'd be here right now and I don't think we could get him out of here a second time."

"Well three out of four then." You sighed. "I just can't believe it got this far." Shaking your head, you leaned back against the cushions "I mean, I get that all of you had your own lives, families and stuff going on... But even then, I can't believe Simon found it so easy to say those things. Looking back, yeah, I wasn't girlfriend of the year, but I wasn't a bad girlfriend."

Silence.

"Kyle?" He bit his lips. He wanted to say something. "Kyle." You pressed. "Out with it."

"You don't need to bring it up."

"Fine." You said, but technically didn't promise anything.

"And it's not your fault for forgetting." Your patience was growing thin. Your emotional battery was low and even with a good nights rest you knew it would take a while before it recharged. "Fuck," Kyle rubbed his face, contemplating best how to tell you. "The night you called Simon..." he explained. "It was April 25th."

You waited, not completing grasping what he was trying to say.

April 25th...

What was so damn special about April 25th that made Simon so fucking angry? You didn't buy the whole 'letting you go thing', so it had to be something

Why that day?

April 25th: not an anniversary or a birthday. Not Easter or Christmas. Simon really didn't celebrate Christmas given what happened to Tommy, Beth and Joseph.

Joseph...

Fuck. Joseph.

Your throat felt fight.

What had you done?

He probably just got home from the cemetery when you called to cry about Johnny. Fuck.

Joseph's birthday.

Simon was a man that didn't do a lot of sentimental things. But every year, on Joseph's birthday he would visit his nephew's plot with a toy. You didn't know what he said or how long he stayed but he indulged you once. Telling you he just went, sat by with the toy next to the headstone for a bit before leaving.

Simon was reliving one of the happiest days of his life that was now tainted. And you complained about Johnny leaving after fucking you.

"Oh my God." You drew out shakily. Kyle could see the tears beginning to form. Horror manifesting in your eyes. "What the fuck?"

"You didn't know." He tried to soothe as if that were some sort of excuse.

"I forgot." Confessing it out loud felt like a spike going straight through your chest. "How the fuck did I forget?" Kyle didn't know what else to do. Fuck whatever awkwardness and boundaries you would set before fully accepting him back, he pulled you to his chest, allowing you to sob.

You weren't sure how long you had sat there. Kyle's arms enveloping you as you released it all. Eventually you did subside. His shirt marked with evidence of your tears and snot.

"No wonder he fucking hates me." You said it so softly, so broken, Kyle's heart broke for you.

"Simon doesn't hate you." His attempt of soothing you was admirable, but you knew it wasn't true. How could someone not hate another person after that? Forgetting the birthday of your brutally murdered nephew to call and bitch about not getting cuddled after sex. "If he did, he wouldn't have made sure you got home okay after your date. And the guy at the club-"

"He told you about that?" You shouldn't have been shocked. After all John knew.

"Only after he asked to standby in case bail was needed." He tried to joke. "The point is, there is coming back from this." Taking his thumbs, he brushed away the stray tears that hadn't made it to his shirt. "For all of us."

[lady-raziel]

“Fallout TV show retconned New Vegas-“

Stop. Listen to me. Look me in the eyes. “Canon” isn’t real. I’m completely serious. It’s whatever you want it to be. This franchise is rooted in games where you literally choose what ending you want based on your actions. Please, please for the love of god tell me that this whole time some of you have not been deciding that in games with multiple endings there is actually one “real” ending and all the others are “not canon.” If you really want my opinion half the fun of this whole series is that EVERY SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IS EQUALLY “VALID.” It’s time to kill the Todd Howard in your head and realize that literally no one is stopping you from choosing what to believe is part of this series. Incorporate every game, including the ones that never got made and only exist as details on the wiki. Or don’t. Decide that only the first two games and New Vegas are real and pretend 3 & 4 don’t exist. Create a new timeline in your head where EVERYTHING happens BUT Fallout 3 and yet Fallout 4 still fucking happens. Incorporate the fan theories you like and disregard the ones you don’t. Add your headcanons. Just MAKE SHIT UP. It doesn’t fucking matter! And that’s beautiful!!!! War never changes but goddamn canon sure will, but only if you believe!!

[goldendoodlerlockerlove]

I finally did it! :D

I don't know what took me so long but here ya go:

Updated ship chart! Now with side characters lol 🍔💖✨

As with the last chart, characters on multiple lines are polyam ships, characters that have an age gap should be assumed as adult depictions, and the last jar is a free for all to include your favorite rarepair!

This is intended for fun, so all I ask is please no character or ship bashing when you reblog/repost. If you don’t like a ship then leave the jar empty. I hope y’all enjoy!

[originalwinnerfanfish]

Well, I did it

Megatron - I love his tfp design. Probably one of the best iteration of Megs. He is huge, heavy armoured, his face covered with scars… He doesn’t looks like an ordinary military leader who is only capable of giving orders, but like real warrior who can destroy any enemy with his bare hands.

So, in the WOF version, he definitely shares some features with Princess Burn, not only because of his might, but also because of his horns shape and dirty-dark scales (that absorbed blood of his enemies)

Starscream - Boy, I hate him so much 🤣… but in the good way, trust me! In my opinion, when the show's creators make you feel such strong negative emotions towards a villain, it means they've done a great job. Also, I think that his animation in the show was absolutely incredible, because even though he's a 3D model, he still manages to move like a 2D character, which is amazing!

I feel that in my design he still looks more like a skywing, than an icewing (which is kinda logical)

Soundwave - This one was tricky. I couldn't figure out what his mask would look like, so I just made his face a really dark color. I think Soundwave has both gifts of the nightwings, and he’s equally great at telepathy and a future vision. So he doesn't really need equipment to predict enemy movements, which makes him an ideal communicator in the WOF setting. His Laserbeak is part of the armor enchanted by Shockwave, and it might also allow him to open portals (but I'm not sure with this one)

Shockwave - My favourite evil genius. He would definitely have animus magic and mind reading. I think Shockwave is the only one who has advanced the study of magic so far, precisely because he combined it with scientific knowledge and created safer methods of using it, that don't damage the mind. It's like if a Mastermind got animus magic in books.

I also like to think that he didn't heal the damaged part of his face just so that his enemies would fear him more)

Dreadwing - This man deserved better! It's really a shame that he was removed from the show so quickly due to financial problems. It would be great if his arc got a proper conclusion in season 3.

Considering that I didn't want to make him a hybrid, it was difficult to choose a suitable color palette. So let’s just say, that I tried my best😅

I don’t think that he would have any nightwing powers, but honestly it doesn’t even matter - this guy can make a bombs, what else does he need to be cool

Arachnid - Did anyone even doubt that she would be a hivewing? Damn, she even got her own “Othermind” virus. Her design was the easiest to work with - just a little poisonous ass (suspiciously similar to Maleficent).

Just like Starscream, I hate her, but in a good way. She's one of the creepiest characters in the entire series, who’s acting like a fucking heartless monster, especially with Arcee, but even so, there's always was something mesmerizing about her. I just really like strong female villains

Knockout - Wery bright and charismatic guy, definitely one of my fav cons!

I tried to draw him as handsome as possible. Worked a lot on the face shape and coloring, and as for me it turned out pretty nice (finally).

Most decepticons think Knockout is as stupid and lazy as all the other rainwings. And it's not like he completely disagrees with that. Of course he’s not stupid and lazy, but if it’s means less dirty work on the battlefield, well, he’ll continue act like a tipical rainwing

(I also believe that Megatron keeps him as an “art”)

Breakdown - Fun fact: "Operation Breakdown" was the very first thing I saw in this series. And it was an interesting experience for 8 year old me. Maybe that's why I'm so scared of eye gouging scenes in movies now…

I think that he didn't have any siblings initially due to his parents nature, and even after meeting Bulkhead, he felt uncomfortable among the other mudwings. And this is why he later chose the side of the decepticons. And maaaaybe because of one cute rainwing influence)

P.s.

I think that, being mostly nightwings and icewings, the decepticons are much more concerned about purity of their blood and rarely accept half-breeds into their ranks.

During the war, there were many animus dragons among decepticons, which is why they have so many artifacts that allowed teleportation and communication at a distance. But, honestly, I still can't imagine what Nemesis would look like in this AU

[lunozapp]

5000 likes!

[blakeswritingimagines]

How They Worship You

Aegon: He prioritizes quality time together, whether it's through shared meals, adventures, or quiet moments together. He prioritizes physical intimacy and expresses affection in ways that make you feel cared for and desired. He prioritizes your well-being, from emotional support to practical assistance. He plans special surprises and gestures to show you how much he cares. He prioritizes your opinions and feelings and works to build a healthy and equal partnership based on mutual respect.

Aemond: He expresses his support and loyalty to his partner through small and big gestures, such as making you your favorite meal, planning outings and adventures together, or simply holding your hand and reassuring you of his love and devotion. He works hard to build a stable and secure relationship by being a reliable presence in your life, and by consistently showing up for you in all aspects of life, whether it's career, personal life, or the bedroom. He always strives to make you feel safe, heard, and loved, and to be the best version of himself for you.

Jacaerys: He worships his partner by prioritizing your happiness, needs, and desires. He makes sure you feel loved and appreciated by demonstrating kindness, respect, and affection. He is present and engaged when you speak, and he makes an effort to listen with his whole being. He supports your goals and dreams, and he is open to exploring new experiences with you. He prioritizes communication, honesty, and understanding, and works to build trust and deepen connection. He takes time to express his love and admiration and cherish every moment spent together.

Lucerys: He worships his partner by doing small acts of kindness, such as offering a warm cup of tea, giving a massage, or writing you a heartfelt letter. He makes an effort to be thoughtful and proactive, remembering important dates and occasions, and surprises you with unexpected gestures. He takes time to learn your love languages and adapt his behavior to make you feel loved in the ways that resonate most deeply with you.

Rhaenyra: She strives to be a safe and reliable partner, someone you can trust and depend on. She shows up for you through action, not just words, and follows through on her commitments. She is open and honest, and communicates clearly, respectfully, and openly with you. She is willing to compromise and find mutual solutions to problems, and she approaches conflicts with an open mind and a willingness to listen and learn. She works to strengthen your connection and build a partnership based on mutual respect and equality.

Daemon: He worships his partner by making time to spend together, whether it's going on dates, having intimate moments, or simply enjoying each other's company. He prioritizes your comfort, security, and stability, and works to create a safe and supportive environment. He is willing to compromise and make sacrifices for the sake of the relationship, and he tries to be forgiving and understanding when mistakes or conflicts arise. He prioritizes physical touch and makes sure to express his desire through physical connection.

Alicent: She honors your boundaries and respects your space, understanding that you need time to yourself and independence like anyone else. She expresses her love and appreciation through both words and actions, such as planning dates and leaving notes to let you know you are on her mind. She prioritizes your well-being, offering support and assistance whenever she can. She is committed to personal growth, both for herself and for the betterment of your relationship. She is always open and communicating, not only to listen but also to be vulnerable and express her feelings.

Helena: Her devotion to her partner goes beyond anything simple. She ensures that you feel safe with her, both physically and emotionally, and she works to create a secure and stable foundation for your relationship. She is dependable and consistent, following through on her words and actions. She shows respect for your autonomy and individuality, allowing you the space and freedom to be yourself. She takes an interest in your hobbies, passions, and pursuits, and she celebrates your successes. She makes an effort to maintain intimacy and connection, both physically and emotionally, and she prioritizes spending quality time together.

Harwin: He surprises you with small gestures of affection like buying your favorite snacks or leaving love notes. He plans fun date nights and makes sure you feel pampered and prioritized. He also makes an effort to spend quality time with you, engaging in activities you enjoy and actively listening to your thoughts and feelings.

Cregan: He expresses his love through small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness, such as getting your favorite dish, giving you a comforting hug, or surprising you with a small gift. Additionally, he makes an effort to prioritize your emotional and physical well-being. He helps with housework and other tasks and makes sure you have adequate rest and time to relax. He is supportive and understanding during challenges and setbacks and offers comfort and assurance when you need it. Overall, he makes it his priority to make you feel loved, valued, and respected at all times.

Criston: He expresses his love through acts of service, like making you your favorite meal or doing small gestures to make your life easier. He surprises you with unexpected gifts or experiences that reflect your interests and bring joy. He makes an effort to learn about your love language and communicate in a way that resonates with you. He prioritizes quality time together, whether it's a romantic date night or simply cuddling on the couch. He shows vulnerability and a willingness to grow and learn with you, and he makes it a priority to be a safe and supportive space for you.

[goldenhickeysandramen]

Tae in Jeju

I woke up to this tweet:

I couldnt help but reply cause while I respect the fandom prefering to overlook the real dynamics between Vminkook and cling to the idea that everything is rosy (I wont argue against that).... I am not willing to tolerate some "ot7" accs portraying Tae as a victim, especially - as a moot well pointed - after the behinds have been recently leaked (with that Jimin's comment), while remainging silent early in august (when Jk was even harsh with his comments… my honest boy!)

For years, the BTS content we've consumed has often pushed the narrative that all the boys loved equally e/o and were equally emotionally connected—a notion the fandom embraced wholeheartedly.

But most of us know, in reality, that's not possible.

Vminkook are a trio who grew up together and love e/o on a very family-like level. That said, it doesn't mean they connect emotionally in the same way or share the same interests.

Tae joined a trip that was originally planned by Jimin and Jungkook and I think the editors have made it clear throughout that this, while not a problem, was not the initial idea of the show, nor of Jimin and JK.

Although Jimin mentioned inviting the other members, everyone except Taejoon was already enlisted during the Jeju filming. This seems more like an excuse since Tae – in my opinion, wrongly – complained about the situation (what did you expect Jimin to say?)

There are times when one might not want some friends to join plans they've made with someone else for various reasons. The same applies here.

Jikook arranged the show and the activities they wanted to do together during the BTS-SOLO era, just as Tae did with the Wooga Squad, where he clearly was more in sync with the banter and group dynamics. No one complained about that cause understood wooga is Tae's real-life friends.

Why couldn't Jikook have this show just for themselves if that was their intention? It was their plan, and they were looking forward to spending time together.

There’s no reason they should HAVE to be enthusiastic about another friend joining for the whole trip, especially if it wasn't part of what they originally envisioned.

The editors have given us a glimpse of the real atmosphere in Jeju, whether SOME FANS like it or not.

The boys are honest. They may sometimes have to ‘sugarcoat’ reality, look for plausible justification for certain things (like Jimin did), or not show certain things... but they don't lie to us.

It's people's own fault for misunderstanding the members' personalities and behavior so much, as they tend to listen to or read what others (army/solos/cult leaders) say instead of paying attention to the boys themselves.

That said, everyone can still see that they had a great time and enjoyed each other's company in Jeju.

And when Tae got tired of Jikook's inside jokes or playful banter, he simply withdrew, creating his own space, completely at ease, as he has done during the years, with Koomi or other members.

That’s their true bonding—being comfortable enough to be themselves and do what their feel

Reality of vminkook isn’t shaped by the fandom—it’s simply what it is. Whether army likes it or not.

[djuvlipen]

Hey

I know there are many, many things happening in the world right now and there is only so much time, energy and money people can invest in social justice but with the advance of fascism in Europe - 84 fascists from 12 different countries were elected to the European Parliament this year - and with the news of a 15yo Romani teenager dying during a police confrontation in England last week, I have compiled a list of different human rights organizations dedicated to helping Romani people in Europe.

Please donate if you can!

💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️

🇪🇺 Roma Education Fund

The Roma Education Fund (REF) is an international foundation established in 2005 and dedicated to closing the gap in educational outcomes between Roma and non-Roma. With an active and growing network of representative offices across Central, Eastern, South Eastern Europe and Turkey, REF provides grants and scholarships to entities and individuals who share its belief in quality, inclusive education and desegregated schools and classrooms. The Roma Education Fund is active in countries such as: Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Russia.

🇪🇺 European Roma Grassroots Organization (ERGO)

ERGO Network mobilizes and connects grassroots, national and international organisations and individuals who share a set of core values to create the courage, capacity and  opportunities to combat antigypsyism and Roma poverty; strengthen Roma civil society participation in decision-making at grassroots, national and European level and commit governments and European institutions to effective social inclusion and anti-discrimination policies, standards and funds for Roma.

🇪🇺 European Roma Rights Center (ERRC)

The ERRC is the largest transnational Romani rights organization in Europe. They provide judicial and financial help to Romani people facing poverty, police brutality and racist violence all across Europe

🇷🇴 Resource Center for Roma Communities Foundation (RCRC)

The operational activity of RCRC includes training programs, consultancy and comprehensive community development in Roma communities. The grantmaking activity of RCRC has involved managing grants and scholarship programs, including the administration of the European Union’s and EAA grants programs focused on health, vocational training, small infrastructure and income generating activities.

🇨🇿 Cesta Von

Cesta von (This Way Out) organization is based in Slovakia. Their Omama program works with the very youngest Romani children in particular. Their aim is a big and important one – extricating the inhabitants of the segregated settlements from the vicious circle of intergenerational poverty. The program targets the development of the intellect, motor skills and social skills in an attempt to increase the chances of children from socially excluded localities at living better adult lives. One of the main conditions for choosing the Omamas is that they must be Romani women who know the excluded locality well (source).

🇪🇸 La Fundación Secretariado Gitano (FSG)

The FSG develops all kinds of actions that contribute to achieving the full citizenship of Roma persons, improving their living conditions, promoting equal treatment and preventing all forms of discrimination, as well as promoting the recognition of the cultural identity of the Roma community.

🇪🇸 La Asociación Nacional Presencia Gitana

Presencia Gitana is dedicated to confronting and correcting negative opinions about Spanish Romani people. They promote all kinds of initiatives and projects to ensure that Spanish Romani people's basic needs and fundamental rights are met and guaranteed, work to promoting Romani culture and advocate for the providing of historical reparation for Spanish Romani people.

🇫🇷 ANGVC

The ANGVC (association nationale gens du voyage citoyens) is a French Romani-led organization whose goal is to fight anti-Romani racism and to improve the living conditions of French Romani people and travellers. They provide judicial help to Romani people victims of environmental racism and police brutality, organize workshops to raise awareness about anti-Romani racism and are now leading a project dedicated to educate people about the Romani genocide, which still hasn't been recognized by France.

🇬🇧 Roma Support Group

The Roma Support Group offers free advice for Roma communities on financial inclusion, debt, welfare benefits and housing. They promote Romani arts and culture, fight for the improvement of mental health within the Romani community and helps Romani people victims of racism.

🇬🇧 Romano Lav

Romano Lav is a grassroots Roma community organisation based in Govanhill, Glasgow. They organize youth-led events including artistic and cultural performances, workshops, exhibitions and educational events.

🇬🇧 Luton Roma Trust

The Luton Roma Trust provides advice to British Romani people about housing, employment and education, helps them find jobs and accessing healthcare.

💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️💚🦔💙❤️

[awkuni]

༻⋆ 。𝓹𝓼𝔂𝓬𝓱𝓸 𝓴𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻, 𝓺𝓾’𝓮𝓼𝓽-𝓬𝓮 𝓺𝓾𝓮 𝓬’𝓮𝓼𝓽 ? ♱

⤷ “ in his opinion, nothing could ever compare to the rush he got by seeing the glossy trepidation bloom in the coruscating bulbs of your iris. ”

part of k.tober ノyandere!scaramouche x fem!readerノnsfw — mdni. murder. knife play. unprotected sex. mirror sex. fingering. hair pulling. choking. dacryphilia. overstimulation. orgasm denial. creampie. degradation ( use of ‘whore’ ). wc .. 3959.

a shake of your head sealed your decision. the coursework was piling up on you and you needed to take all the time you could get in order to finish it by the tight deadline, you had no time for matters such as—

“the party will be so much fun! c’mon, you need to loosen up a little bit…” your friend spoke over the phone, the excitement in her voice prevalent, even if it was locked behind a screen. she had been trying to convince you to attend this halloween party for weeks on end now, but you were set in stone about your decision.

“i can’t,” you firmly state. it was tempting—so tempting. “i-i have t—”

“scaramouche is gonna be there…” your friend coos, and you know that this is her way of bribing you. it was silence on your end for a couple beats as you thought about what he just said.

scaramouche was probably one of the most attractive men you have ever ran into, and it’d be an understatement to just say you were starting to fall for him. every time you took a quick glance at him in the hallways you swore you could feel your heart jump into your throat.

you snap out of your childish daydreams to formulate a response, but you didn’t have time to even open your mouth. the last thing you heard was a sharp ‘think about it’ from your friend, before the call’s screen disappears before you. you click your tongue, throwing yourself onto your bed and staring at the ceiling.

on one hand, you had the opportunity to finally have a break from all the stress that had been weighing up on your back and crushing your brittle mentality. however, on the other hand, you would be in for hell if you didn’t complete this task. you had been working on it for a week straight, and you were determined in your mind to just see to it until it’s completion.

however, you don’t know what overcame you, but you somehow had a change of heart—you didn’t know when and you didn’t know why. currently, your head was resting against the wall, the bass of the grating music drilling holes into your skull. you had only managed to down a couple shots until you started feeling sick, and you already started reminding yourself to never drink on an empty stomach.

being separated from your friends made you feel slightly uneasy. you couldn’t even remember the last time you saw them, all of you had started to split up the more you all drank, your mind becoming hazy as you tried to piece together the events which lead you to this very moment in time. your mental timeline was all over the place, and you wanted nothing more than to return to the comfort of your own bed and sleep everything off.

from across the room, you make eye contact with none other than scaramouche, which almost makes you spit out your drink. you had completely tuned out of whatever this drunk man in front of you was rambling about, instead focusing on admiring the pure beauty which painted his flawless features.

his eyes had a faint glint in them as the lights of the room gleamed off of the vibrant indigo hues. his jaw was chiseled to perfection, as if he was crafted by the very gods which created this world. you hadn’t even noticed that you were staring until he turned to your direction, looking you with equal amounts of unshaken adoration. the smirk that crawls onto his face gives you a harsh awakening as you ground yourself back to reality, eyes flitting back to the male in front of you.

“you know… you’re real pretty, you got a boyfriend?”

you could feel your body warm up as you grew more anxious, not exactly wanting to talk to this guy anymore. you could feel scaramouche’s glare still on you, and your eyes kept floating back to him. whatever magnetic field scaramouche had on him, you found yourself endeared. you rarely felt like this, however scaramouche easily had that effect on you.

you were so lost in thought that you had forgotten to answer his question until you felt a hand grip your arm. you give him a swift shake of your head, breathing in deeply in order to muster up the courage you needed to walk away.

“i feel a bit off, can you excuse me…?”

you worm your way out of his grip, letting yourself take a breather as you make your way to the bathroom, clicking your tongue. you probably shouldn’t have had that much to drink, as you started feeling nauseous. your eyes flit over your figure in the mirror, sorting yourself out until you heard a harsh, desperate scream coming from the main living room.

your brows furrowed in confusion at the sounds of panic, the thudding of rushed steps and the slamming of doors not exactly appealing to you. you swiftly shut the door to the bathroom as people began rushing upstairs, locking it and leaning against it as a precaution.

fear and dread start to weigh heavy on your heart. the shouts and cries of people was blood-freezing, if the goosebumps rising on your skin didn’t make it evident. the alarm bells started ringing in your head—what if you didn’t make it out of here alive? you wouldn’t see your friends or family ever again, and the mere thought of that left a bitter taste in your mouth.

each soft gasp of air you took in burned your dry throat, your heart dropping to your stomach and making you even sicker than you were already feeling. your whole body was trembling from terror, down to the very core of your being and sinking it’s claws deep within your roots. you can feel the familiar sting of tears welling up in your eyes, your brain being so full of cotton so you can’t even process a simple thought.

you had never felt this way before—you were always a person who thought, there was never a time that you weren’t overthinking about anything. however, at this moment in time, your brain had fizzed into naught, incapable of concentrating or even forming a physical thought. your lungs strained as you tried to control your breathing, bile rising in the back of your throat.

your hazy vision flits around the room, the sounds of outside dulling down as your racing heartbeat begins to thud in your ears. the thudding of slow footsteps treading up the stairs made you flinch, and the knocking of a fist on the door immediately made you shoot up, swiftly turning around as your feet carried you back a couple steps.

the knocking wasn’t exactly forceful, nor was it aggressive in any nature. it was simply a sign that someone was out there. you somehow manage to find your voice, yet it was wavering and barely even stable.

“w-who is it?”

“it’s me, scaramouche. there’s nobody else, you’re safe.”

you look under the crack of the door, his shadow obscuring the dim light of the hallway. you were fighting a war in your head, but your physical body moves faster than your mentality and you bring yourself to the door, hand going to the lock and twisting it. your hand was trembling as it closed around the handle of the door, your whole body freezing. was this really the right decision? you couldn’t fully trust him right now, you had to be cautious.

yet, none of that mattered anymore as you found yourself opening the door, peering through the crack timidly. your eyes widen at the sight that solemnly graced your vision.

it was in fact scaramouche, however he was drenched in dark crimson liquid—which didn’t take a genius to deduce that it was blood. it was splattered on his figure like paint, as if he had just finished meticulously lineating a perfect picture on a battered canvas. as if he had created something beautiful out of something ugly.

the sharp knife he held tightly in his hand made your body flinch in a cold sweat and you immediately went to shut the door again, however it seemed he was ahead of you and he used his free hand to hold the door open, leaving a messy splotch of scarlet on the clean wood.

“don’t,” he spoke in a soft tone, contrasting the serrated soul which laid behind his dull eyes at this very moment. “don’t lock me out.”

“what did you do?!” your voice keened into a shaky cacophony of concentrated panic. sheer horror flooded every brittle bone in your body as he pushed the door open, despite your strong protests. you had put every ounce of your strength into keeping it as closed as possible, but clearly it wasn’t enough.

your feet carried you back, desperate to keep a safe distance between you and scaramouche. his crazed mind clearly didn’t care, the red stains on his face giving you a warning of how much your life was endangered just by being in the same room as him. you choked on your breaths as his melodic tone rang out in your ears again.

“don’t you see? i did this for you.” his touch was as gentle as his words, the metallic substance being smeared on your skin held an essence of sweet saccharine. it was hypnotic, and you found yourself unable to pull away as he comes closer, and closer, forcing you to take stumbling paces backwards until you hit the cold ceramic on the edge of the sink. “there’s nobody between us now, don’t act like i’ve been completely clueless. i know how much you want me, and i did you a favour.”

he brings the sharpened edge of the knife against the apple of your cheek, teasing you by dragging the freezing metal down your face, adoring the way you shuddered. in his opinion, nothing could ever compare to the rush he got by seeing the glossy trepidation bloom in the coruscating bulbs of your iris. the blade stinged you slightly, and he places it on the counter in order to not startle you any further.

he swirls the blood around your cheek, acting as if you were now his canvas as he mixes the paint into the hues on your cheek. he was impairing the silken innocence of your expression, dirtying you with the aftermath of his sinful deeds. “i got rid of the obstruction in our way, and now we can be together freely, hm? you didn’t like that man anyway, did you?”

you found yourself unable to answer his question, his looming presence crushing down on your fragile frame. it was mind crushing, brutalising your mentality and preventing you from thinking rationally. you felt as if you had no control over yourself anymore, blankly staring up at him with a shaken look.

he brushes your hair out of your face, letting out a condescending chuckle upon seeing the state he reduced you to. he’s so close to you now, close so that you could feel his staggering breaths fanning against your quivering lips. you can feel every twitch in his expression, every tug of his lips as they contorted into a smirk. you felt your breath being withheld from you the longer you gazed into his dilated eyes.

his lips graze against yours lightly, rippling the waters as a look of pure longing started to wash over the indigo pools of admiration. the way your throat bobbed as you swallowed down the lump which formed in the back of your mouth.

the next moment you blinked, the harsh string of tension snapped, and his mouth was on yours almost immediately, stained hands beginning to roam your body. he was greedy, desperate to ravish the entirety of your being. he guides your movements with a hand on the back of your neck, keeping you still and allowing him to taste you fully.

your lips merged with uncoordinated passion, the magnetic attraction you felt earlier coming into full force as you pulled yourself closer, desperate to indulge yourself in this moment a little longer. his hand on your cheek descends to your leg, crawling its way up your thigh and grasping it bruisingly, using the leverage to pull your hips flush against his.

his tongue writhes it’s way into your mouth, a stifled moan escaping your lips at the action. you felt your composure melting, your tongues intertwining in a dance of yearning as they fought for dominance. resistance on your end was futile as scaramouche easily managed to direct the kiss into his best interest.

you pull away momentarily, gasping for the air which you had been deprived of. after fulfilling your lung’s pleas, you attempt to lean up and kiss him again, but he seemingly had different plans for you.

his lips trail down your jaw, descending down to your neck as he nips and sucks at the sensitive flesh, creating a harsh purple blemish on your skin. the whine that came out of your mouth was involuntary, yet it didn’t matter to him. his breath hitched as his groin stirred with desire. it burned in the pit of his abdomen, erupting a wildfire which seeked to consume the entirety of his body.

“you have no idea… no idea what you do to me.” he rasps out next to your ear, resting his forehead on your shoulder as he hikes the hem of your skimpy dress up to the plumpness of your hips, revealing your underwear all to his greedy eyes. his finger rubs down your slit through the fabric, the gasp he manages to pull out from your lungs only feeding into his ego.

you feel yourself going weak in the knees, suddenly sporting a throbbing need of arousal for scaramouche. your hips instinctively roll into his touch, a soft mewl spilling from your lips as you craved more of his touch. you could feel yourself getting wetter the more he teased you, and you doubt that you’ll be able to hold yourself together any longer. every inch of your being was now aching for more of his touch. he had you wrapped around his finger without even trying.

you tilt your head to face him, looking at him with a pleading tint in your eyes. your lips part silently, only to whisper out a half-hearted ‘please’ as you grasped onto his wrist for stability, tugging him closer to your throbbing core. he sucks in a breath through his teeth, eyes flitting between you and your trembling lower half.

he exhales sharply, deciding to yield into your desires. he pulls your panties to the side, spreading your glistening folds with nimble fingers. he feels drool pool underneath his tongue at the sight of how wet you are for him. his finger drags up your slit, pressing down against the swollen jewel which crowned the top of your labia. he slowly begins to massage it in circles, admiring the way your hole began to clench around virtually nothing. it was all a game to him, seeing how desperate he could make you until you inevitably break from pleasure.

he presses a warm, burning kiss to the side of your neck before he gathers your juices on his ring and middle finger, slowly pressing them into your cunt.

the whiny moan you cried out was like a desperate prayer for him to continue. it was like you were handing over a medal of acquiescence to him, and he would gladly wear it on his sleeve for all to see. it would be like his very own medal of honour, bestowed upon him by the one person he put above everything else. he can feel his heart skip a beat, slamming against his ribcage as he carefully begins to pump his fingers in and out of your sopping pussy.

it was as if your cunt was crying out to him with the lewd squelches his fingers made, begging to be filled wholly by him. it was so alluring—the feeling of your velvety walls clamping down around his fingers, practically suffocating them, was so addicting. he could only imagine what it would feel like to finally stuff you full of his cock. his self-restraint was slowly crumbling, and he didn’t know how long he would be able to hold back.

he hooks his fingers deep inside of you, up against a particularly spongey spot which had you reeling, eyes rolling back so far you could see stars bursting into supernovas. you found yourself gasping, struggling for air as he continued to scissor your abused hole open further. your mind was in a hazy mess of foggy lust. you’re barely able to see through the mist and into reality with how good his fingers felt. your eyes fluttered, looking at him with a half-lidded gaze which he could read like an open book. the way you started letting even more moans out spurred him on, and he could almost taste your impending climax on the tip of his tongue.

just as you brushed against the edge, he pulled his fingers out of you roughly, the pleasure dissolving within your reach. you let out a disappointed mither, grinding your hips up into thin air, chasing a release which was slipping through your fingers by the minute.

“shh, stop goddamn complaining. i’ve got you…” he grumbles, digging his hand into your hips and making you swivel round, forcing you to bend over the sink. he brushes your hair out the way, planting a kiss to the back of your neck as he tugs on the waistband of your panties, letting them flutter down your legs, pooling at your ankles.

heat spreads across your body from your chest like raging vines, infecting every pore of your body which exuded the strong stench of arousal. your elbows brace themselves on the cold porcelain of the sink, yet your strength begins to falter once the rustling sounds of him discarding his pants shoots through your eardrums.

your teeth grit together upon feeling the head of his cock press up against your dripping pussy, collecting your copious amounts of slick. it was embarrassing how much he turned you on, but to him it didn’t matter. he felt a gleaming warmth in his chest knowing that he was the only one that was able to reduce you to this state you were in right now.

your hands grip onto the edge of the sink for stability, a loud moan fighting its way past your lips as his hips thrust unceremoniously against you, his cock almost splitting you in two. his hand rests on the small of your back, encouraging you to arch it for him. you whimper, the new angle ensuring that his tip hit hard against the deepest areas of you, which drove you insane.

the cloudiness of your vision clears as you blink it away profusely, only to reveal your fucked out features in the mirror before you. you were in total disarray, your makeup smudged from your tears and lipstick smeared due to his greedy kisses. you can practically hear the way his face contorts into a smug expression upon seeing the plight on your face.

you couldn’t bare to look at yourself anymore, letting your head hang low as you struggled to regain your bearings. scaramouche observed you with unwavering mirth, a hand trailing up your spine delicately and watching your delicious shudders.

what wasn’t so delicate is the way he fisted a lock of your hair, forcing you to look at yourself in the mirror. it was almost aggressive—demanding in a way. he wanted you to see how much of a slut you were for him, all dumbed-down and unable to comprehend a word.

“don’t be shy… look at how much of a whore you are f’me. don’t look away.” he leans down to coo in your ear, letting go of your hip to grab his blade which he previously dropped, tauntingly dragging it up your arm and pressing the blunt side against the column of your throat.

your jaw drops, letting your mouth part as you shamefully moan, blurry eyes staring into your own reflection. tears spill from the corners of your eyes out of bliss, your cunt clenching down on him. it was like his own panacea, a carefully concocted elixir to bring him the rush he so desperately craved from you.

it was deplorable how quickly you were going to cum from him treating you so degradingly. your legs began to tremble as your voice teeters on a higher pitch, blood thrumming with pleasure as he continues to plow into you. without warning, you cum on his cock, cunt clenching down on his length as you let out a borderline pornographic wail, eyes rolling back into their sockets and you swear that fireworks are exploding before you.

a shuddering gasp is what escapes you as you slowly come down, only to realise that he hasn’t stopped, nor does he plan on stopping any time soon. his eyes focus on your dazed expression, so clouded by lust that its almost pitiful. he drags the knife down your side, pressing the cold metal into your thigh just to make you jolt.

overstimulation soon dawns on you, and you’re suddenly hyper-aware of every twitch of his cock in the confinements of your walls. his thrusts grow more sloppy at the fluttering of your walls and the way your eyes drifted to him in the mirror. the look in your eyes drove him crazy; the way you were looking at him tiredly, half lidded and overcast with sexual ardour.

he drops the knife, letting it clatter on the floor. his hand comes up to wrap around your neck, pulling you back against his chest as he rests his sweat-beaded forehead against your nape. he lets out a guttural groan, letting go of your tousled hair and bringing his hand down to your swollen clit, tracing it with expertise and serving it just the right amount of pressure to have you cumming for a second time.

you had no time for respite between your orgasms, feeling the sharp claws of euphoria dig deep into the back of your mind. it burned down the back of your thought, the savoury release sending your mind into overdrive. your mind was empty, all that filled your wallowing thoughts was the way scaramouche’s girth was messily pumping in and out of your tight hole.

with a breathy moan, scaramouche comes undone, your cunt sucking him in so deliciously it was as if it was begging to milk him dry. he bottoms out inside of you, spilling his warm, sticky cum into your womb. it felt almost heaven sent—a sensation that nothing would be able to top. he found himself getting addicted quickly.

however, he wont force your body to break under him. not today. so, he reluctantly pulls out of you, leaving you to almost collapse against the sink, if it wasn’t for scaramouche swiftly wrapping his arms around your waist.

“so good… n’ you’re all mine now, aren’t you?” he whispers with dripping devotion into your ear, and all you can manage to say is a garbled noise of agreement, along with a heavy-headed nod. for now, he was satisfied with the limp weight of your tired body in his arms. in this moment, his world dissipated into nothing, and he found contentment in nuzzling into your scent as you drifted off. the thought of the dead body in the living room weighed nothing on his conscience, his mind filled with you, and you alone.

[csuitebitches]

book review: Stolen focus by Johann Hari

Major learnings from this book. It basically talks about focus, why and how we’re losing it. Why can’t we pay attention anymore? Are we individuals to blame or our systems? 

There will be a time when the upper class will be extremely aware of the risks to their attention (caused by tech, social media, our current generation) and the masses, with fewer resources to resist the temptation of technology, will be manipulated more and more by their computers. 

Multitasking is a myth. What actually happens when we multitask is that we “juggle” between tasks. This results in incomplete tasks, higher error rates, less focus, less creativity and memory decreases. 

Sleep is extremely important, especially sleeping according to nature - when the sun sets and sun rises. If the whole world slept the way we are naturally programmed, we would have an economic earthquake. Our economic systems run on sleep deprived people. 

Reading online and reading print has a huge difference. Reading online creates tendencies of skimming and scanning text. This prevents our brain from focusing intently on one story at a time, which print allows you to do. You also remember and understand things from printed texts better. 

Empathy. Certain research suggests that reading fiction and novels improves empathy, because you are immersing yourself in another character’s life for a while. Empathy has played a huge role in human advancements. If a group of white people did not realise that colonisation was wrong, if men did not realise that women deserve equal rights, we would not have independent nations nor be close to gender equality today. 

There are multiple types of paying attention. Focused attention is one thing. But day dreaming and letting your mind wander with no distraction (that is, being alone with your thoughts) is equally important. Some of the most important breakthroughs in human history were because the inventors were not actively focusing on solving the problem. 

Being on social media = giving a free pass to be manipulated. No thoughts, opinions, desires that you have are original. They have all been fed into you by social media and the online world. It is by their design that we cannot focus. 

Leaked internal records of Facebook show that they are aware that their algorithms exploit the human brain’s attraction to divisiveness. 64% of people, for instance, who join extremist groups join because FB’s algorithm directly recommends too. “Our recommendation systems grow the problem.” Zuckerberg eventually terminated the unit that was studying this. 

Diet and attention. The diet we consumed today is a diet that causes regular energy spikes and energy crashes. Our food does not have the nutrients we need for our brains to function well. Our current diets actively contain chemicals that seem to act on our brains almost like drugs.  

Be careful about reading research, especially when it’s funded by the industry itself. For 40 years, the lead industry funded all the scientific research into whether it was safe, and assured the world that it was. Lead later turned out to severely stunt your ability to focus and pay attention and that you are more likely to get ADHD. 

We define success broadly as economic growth. Economies should get bigger, companies should get bigger. Growth can happen in two ways - either the companies find new markets or they persuade the existing consumers to consume more. If you can get people to eat more or to sleep less, you’ve found the source of economic growth. It results in people working overtime, not having enough time with family, friends and themselves, stress and anxiety prone, lack of sleep and bad health, etc. 

Conclusion: use precommitment to stop switching tasks, try to focus more on intrinsic motivation than extrinsic, go off social media periodically (say 1 month at a time) and then extend those breaks; everyday spend 1 hour in walking in silence (no music, conversations or people- and if this is in nature, even better) to connect with yourself, 8 hours of sleep every night, build on slow practices like yoga, cut out processed food, take your PTO!!