#post modernism functioned in other continents.

[thedevotionaltour]

i havent even read enough gl to justify the feelings and emotions i have about kyle i just have the lovers heart and also something wrong with me. and my projection. in my mind he's just like me. and he would have loved college vending machine frozen cheeseburger and heating it up in the microwave at 1 in the morning because he was bored and didn't want to work on a drawing assignment on 20" x 30" paper that was due tomorrow in his freshman year. he would have loved going to the club to push off finals work that's creating the worst stress known to man in his brain. and he would love to annoy the fuck out of his roommate when high and avoiding homework on a saturday.

[jayrockin]

Centaur Aliens Lifespan: 80 years Adult weight: 500-1000 kg Adult height: 2.5-4 meters Visual range: near infrared to blue Diet: Obligate hypercarnivores Centaurs' evolutionary ancestors were savanna pack predators who used ambush to hunt prey, nomadically following prey animal herds as they traveled round the global continent every year. Modern centaurs emerged when they started to use tools to help with hunting and land management, eventually resulting in some groups settling down and becoming reliant on fishing, animal agriculture, and food preservation to survive. Centaurs remain obligate hypercarnivores, meaning approximately 70% of a healthy diet is meat and animal products, but they opportunistically supplement their diet with grain, starchy tubers, and small amounts of roughage and vegetation. Similar to humans, centaurs have a bisex reproductive system with an inseminator sex and gestator sex who gave birth to live young, but functionally are more akin to Earth's marsupials. Centaur’s distant ancestors had larvae that lived in the soil like grubs before pupating into adults, and their viviparous silk eating clade first emerged after parental care of the larval stage evolved. While other members of their clade have development and pupation both happen in-utero, centaur litters leave the womb early and feed on their parent’s nutritive silk until they are large enough to pupate, spinning a cocoon on their parent’s back. They emerge as an imago, resembling a miniature adult with the physical capacity of an six-week old kitten. Centaurs are pseudo-eusocial, with a social structure hierarchy somewhat similar to meerkats. At its most basic level a clan consists of one matriarch, a female who is responsible for bearing the clan's young; the entourage, who are the matriarch's partners and usually mostly male; and the clan's "workers," who are not involved in reproduction. These non-reproductive clan members are generally either the matriarch's children, childless relatives, or individuals married in for their skills or political purposes. Read more about centaur biology on my janky eternally work-in-progress website here, or look at the old centaur reference post here. PATREON | STORE | Runaway to the Stars

[missmayhemvr]

How Europe underdeveloped Africa and its legacy

first and formost before i break this down, this is not a post for white people to express their guilt, or savoir complex or love of historical revisionism. you'll not just be blocked, you'll go on a block list on this post, don't do it to yourself, i wont even have to be the one to do it. secondly this is a covering of the broad themes, lessons, and understanding within the book and what we should learn from it. third, i will often talk from my own perspective from which i will round to a larger context.

part 1- history and anthropology

As someone who has grown up black in the us, i grew up with a particular understanding or idea of Africa, the slave trade and the way America and Europe came about. you hear about tribal or ethnic disputes in the context of modern Africa and hear quite a lot of blatantly racist things about Africans. which caused me to get very into history, to which you learn when it comes to Africa there's not a lot of great places to start. this is something quite similar to the various indigenous peoples of the Americas as well. this has always been presented to me as a fault of Africans for not having history and is a long standing idea of white intellectuals from the 1800s to the Joe every man of today. the truth is Africa has history, there's no land, that has no history and Europe just devalues histories not associated with itself. there's a absolute glut of kingdoms, empires, languages, historical traditions, governing styles, cultural roles, trade networks etc etc. the fact of the matter is, that there's just very little Europeans want to learn about Africa that isn't to colonial ends, even today.

This is something Walter covers in great detail, to such a point that even as someone that has been purposely elbows deep into listening to everything i can find on African history i still had to go look up various pre-colonial kingdoms and figures. there is not a region of Africa that he doesn't take time to address in at least some detail, from Oyo and Ashanti on the west African coast, to the north of the Maghreb with Morocco and Algeria, east to the great lakes region, the horn of africa and south to the Zulus, koi koi, and Nguni peoples and kingdoms. The extensiveness to which he covers material forms of production, trade, and methods of historical preservation of culture, the types and breath of items, created and traded all through like cloth, glass, iron working, artistic ventures like bronze sculptures of benin and food production and cultization and the formations of various styles of rule, early democracy, and other such information put to bed nearly all of the non-nonsensical ideas that africa was a grand continent without progress, innovation, or skills and everything great, large, or more complex than rubbing to sticks together came from europe or arabs.

The book delves quite deep into the mythology of intense african slavery and violence which would be later used by europeans to justify colonization of africa to each other, said colonization, i will swing around back to much as the book does.

The middle passage, the triangle trade, the atlantic slave trade, these are all names for the event that was one of the chief reason to the economic and scientific take off of europe that would lead to industrialism, with the other being the colonization of the americans. stolen land and labor pushed the european world from not much a concern to anyone but those who had to deal with the crusades to the paramount power that controlled nearly all the sea trade, and held large swaths of territories of the world. we all know most of that, but walter ask the question on the other side of that coin. what did the slave trade do to africa? and why did they participate? the short answer is it changed the entire way african economies functioned and lessened the possibility of growth not just of kingdoms over territories, but of production and developement of sectors such as iron working, glass making, and agriculture. and in a very literal sense was one of the earliest forms of the phenomenon known today as brain drain and depopulation. we quite literally will never know the amount of people stolen or killed for slavery, we only know that as the rest of the world experienced high population growth africa and the americas started to experience intense depopulation. these phenomena weren't incidental they were known, and admitted as purposeful by figures qouted in the book. The african leaders at the time how ever were stuck between a rock and a hard place, many noted not just the importance of guns, but also recognized the importance of population growth at the onset. the game however being rigged from the start would have taken a miracle to over come. japan was the one country to escape colonialism in most meaningful senses, and that was because the dutch taught them how to produce guns and would trade with them "almost" as equals. these are also things addressed by rodney, the sale of arms was often highly lopsided, with Portugal and dutch traders only being willing to trade badly produced or broken guns, low quality powder and shot for slaves. this would not change until europeans would learn of other african products that they could make us of in their markets as raw materials such as ivory or kola nuts, this change would not happen for quite a while and mainly after the Europeans had already built their industrial bases and had taken total control of trade routes and begun to flood African markets with "cheap" products. the combinations of factors both purposeful and accidental shifted the African economies into a near total reliance on Europe economically and militarily but not yet politically. these are all expertly researched and explained to a point it is nearly impossible to refute any points. This points are all also something i can confirm from nearly every single source that ive looked into on African history.

part 2 -colonial "development"

This is a portion of history ill admit to doing my best to stay away from, generally much of my knowledge on it till this book has been on what happened with various kingdoms that fell in the late 1800s and early 1900s or by the various oral and 3rd hand accounts of what peoples familes, parents and even political elites went through. ill be frank, i did not go into the depth of the horrors of what happened with slavery, slave raiding, and its secondary effects, for this section and the next ill have to go through quite a lot. ill try to tone it down as best as i can, but on some of it even the implied parts are going to be horrid. I believe it is however important to face those head on, to truly understand the so called "white mans burden" or the reality of what that meant was.

colonialism meant making the final step, taking africa politically and physically. europe made the leap whole heartly to take all of africa, land, people, and any potential valuables, resources and to exploit everything they could get their hands on to the fullest extent possible. i do not use anything in the prior sentence lightly. Europeans like to play word games and often, the idea that they ended slavery in any meaningful sense is false, and ill come back to that in the final section. during the period of colonial control europeans destroyed just about anything of the prior rulers they could, and stole anything they could. theres a likelihood in my mind that theres many and african sculpture, painting, and cloth or glass work that sits in the home of a collector that got rich off the stolen plunder of africa. these includes many villages, cities, and palaces and shires and places of worship and places of craft. whole cities were destroyed such as kumasi, taking with it histories, architectural stylings and methods of production.

during this period was the final shift from internal political and economic growth to purely serving the empires to which ones lands belonged. no longer would rulers push for education reforms or challenges on religious bodies to strengthen any part of the nation, it was a total transformation into a form of state slavery. this is as metaphorical as literal, europeans would begin to change agriculture to be primarily centered around cash crops and mining labor to which labor was forced. people were made to pay taxes in the modern sense through the wages made through said labor. these taxes were in turn used primarily to fund the upkeep of oppressive forces and funding the check books of colonial governors, an insanely tiny portion of these funds were used for anything besides extracting wealth and resources.

the various governments put little to no money, research, or development into anything but cash crops and pulling things out the ground. the only times they put money into schools, training or even medical resources for people in African, it was for better wealth extraction and always the bare minimum. i believe (don't have the book in front of me rn) west Africa (from west of chad and south of Algeria) only had one university until the late 50s. the industrial sector of Africa was near completely killed, Africans in settler areas were not allowed to own even small scale industrial machinery such as cotton gins or fruit oil extraction machines, in non-settler state areas generally only peoples brought into Africa for the purpose of being a separated class of petite boug representatives for the colonizers were allowed to own industrial machinery. electricity was mostly for those same classes of individuals, hospital access, education access, pretty much anything you need for a community to survive esp in the modern era was highly restricted from Africans. To say that Europe "developed" Africa in any sense is beyond a bold faced lie, and it was something ,Rodney points out, that Europeans were quite proud of until they started to face push back for the level of humanity and exploitation they were facing. Once they started to get pushed out they changed their tune to the lie of African development and modernization. just like the lie of ending slavery for moral reasons and invading Africa to end slavery. Speaking of ending slavery in Africa, Rodney points to several figures who openly gloated about how they ran their colonial post or corporate holdings as slave plantations. king Leopold is one of the more famous examples of it, but far from the only one, many took delight in their cruelty. famine became endemic in regions that were the origins of many foods and cultivates crops, as all the agricultural process that could be shifted to cash crops were. Roads and trains ran from the mines and plantations to the seas and very little else. Various things needed to export raw materials were built with slave labor, like a airport in Kenya built by hand, no machinery via forced labor of Kikuyu peoples

Europe's only goal in Africa was land and profits, the same as in the Americas. genocide, slavery, starvation campaigns were common tools of colonizers in Africa all the way up to today, which i will re-address in part 4.

part 3 - education, traditional and political

Education is a very clear and important part of modern life, but also for building a nation, and self dependence, so it is of no wonder than colonizers thought that it should be restricted in Africa in regards to Africans. The various quotes and framing that Europeans used to dismiss the idea that Africans should have access to any form of formal education sounds exactly like quotes pulled from the most vicious of slavers of the prior centuries in the US and Haiti. One of the most prominent ideas that was education would "spoil" Africans, was a sentiment was also expressed by slavers. this section of the book is very much facts and figures on just how little access to education there was, how little funding went into it vs the amount of profits coming out of the various regions as well as how this was over come. two of the prime ways that was done according to the book and much of what Ive heard prior, was through the use of missionary schools or independent schools. These schools were primarily funded not by the colonial governments but by the peoples seeking education, their families, and so on, with the expectation that those educated would teach the rest of the family. education how ever was shown to not really pull people out of poverty nor to really give African peoples the possibility of positions of power or influence. this was such a near universally a rule, Amilcar Cabral, revolutionary leader and agricultural engineer even spoke to his personal experiences with being educated far beyond the man in charge of him yet having zero say in his job, his boss was renownly a dumb man. This was not an uncommon thing. Rodney goes well into it, and this just exemplifies how Europeans only saw Africans as a source of cheap and "unskilled labor". Access to education even if funded by the peoples seeking education themselves was clamped down on sharply once revolution was on the wind. Those who know the patterns of history though would have known that the clamping down made that worse, it simply accelerated the wants for education, as well as for independence.

part 4 - modern Africa and modern euro/america

When the cards started to fold on empire they took many different routes to lessen the fall for power, France tried blowing thing up and killing cattle and destroying things needed for civil life, a all call for genocide against Algerians. Britian, Portugal, most of them tried the same things, but they were pushed out in some ways, and when that became obvious they turned to the small group of political insiders they rapidly trained to take over in their stead. for those that weren't under the control of the colonizers they turned to the coup and military dictatorship. very few of the revolutionary leaders of africa were able to stay in power, many turned toward methods some would call authoritarian. without the context of what was going on and how unstable the situation was for these leaders and just how quickly and violently these revolutions could be overturned, it would be easy to take these figures as just becoming despots without reason, some of them really did become despots who just started functioning as neocolonial cops. This brings us to the modern era, and the current method of colonialism not just in africa but much of the world, Neocolonialism, or as i like to call it "home rule".

European nations were not ready to give up control, but they decided they would be willing to give up the appearance of direct rule. economic decisions, the political direction of countries, borders, very little of the modern africans situation was not directly decided on by europeans or americans. financial institutions such as the world bank and IMF lend these governments that had to try and start building actual nations with functioning economies loans with interest rates they would not be able to pay back in time, with conditions that made it even hard to meet the internal goals or pay back the loans and additional conditions of economic control by the IMF for failure to pay these loans. colonial governments such as France forced nations like Mali to pay taxes till recently, and nearly all the colonial powers set the trade rules between them and their "former" colonies in Africa. very few leaders were able to chart much of a path for progress or development that met the needs of the people before these various things snatched much of the independence back away from the people, pushing Africa away from shifting toward an agricultural sector that feed the people and an industrial sector capable of growing the economies or a scientific sector able to make adjustments or provide notable push in any direction. Fifa has more say in policy when they decide to host in a country than the people or even large segments of the governments of Africa. Nkrumah and Rodney both in their respective titles showcase this well, however neither would live to see much past the end of overt colonial rule.

Today there is a larger push against neocolonial rule and economic control than prior, organizations such as BRICS, china's one belt one road policy, and smaller grass roots works and various coups have shifted us to a different situation in Africa than what it has been in for the last 80+ years. However this is not a wholly different situation to that my grandmother would have heard of. much of the continent is still very much under euroamerican influence, the us of slave labor or near slave labor conditions is still a significant factor in the economic relationship between Africa and its former colonizers, which is seen very strongly in the Congo and in coco production. Africa is still yet to industrialize in a manner that matches its needs and this is generally at the behest of its colonizers, and in the majority of the continent the colonial capitalist ventures still own land and resources they stole and murdered their way into, settler property relations have also been solidified in places like south Africa. i would believe that Rodney would say that say that Africa still has a long way to go if he was still around.

The themes of the book were quite complex, and it was refreshing in many ways to be presented with such a sober look into Africa. Read the book, understand what its saying and try to use a similar level of consciousness, nuance, and thought in your day to day analysis of the world around you, and we may have a chance at fixing this ship.

To depart from the contents of the book, i would like to address the white man in the room. Europe, its role in history and its modern role in history, like I've said at the top, not time or place for white people tears. I'm going to be brutally honest, and I'm going to combine the thoughts and finding of not just Nkrumah and Rodney, but also figures like Fanon, Malcom X, Kwame Ture,Rev Martin Luther king Jr and many others of the course of Africana histories and philosophies.

Europe, more particularly Western Europe, has spent the last few hundred years visiting horror on horror on the world, when it comes to the modern era, they simply have not stopped. the damage Europe as a bloc has done, much like the amount of people who were enslaved or killed for the slave trade, will never be full accounted for and that tab just keeps growing. There is no sign of it slowing or stopping. Empires don't like to stop existing, this is something those interested in history know very well. The problem is that Europe cannot be honest nor up front about this, be it the League of nations or the EU and America, or even in the face of the UN, Europe and its Settler states it spawned is just as addicted to domination and profit seeking at all cost as it was 100 years ago which was no different when the slave trade began. Europeans/ White people as a whole as still strongly in the belief that they have a moral high ground to speak to the rest of the world when the truth of the matter is for nearly 500 years, white peoples flying European flags have been histories biggest villains. even in the 21st century, Europe's role on the world stage has been that of a vampire. sucking the life from others to sustain itself. it is still violently racist and xenophobic, which is ironic for peoples who have literally invaded the vast majority of the world, nor is it any more moral or upright today than on the eve of colonialism in the Americas or Africa or any other portion of the world. the EU can barely come together today to denounce blatant acts of genocide and white people are finger waging about anti-LGBT laws in places they couldn't point to on a map (im not happy about anti-lgbt shit, im trans bi and poly this shit actually tears me up). Europeans and their settler offshoots boast about the safety of their cities while actively being the cause of the violence elsewhere. This is all to say Europes fucking evil ya'll, which we should all know at this point, but to further it, they aren't really going to stop as that's what its designed to be. these nations aren't going to suddenly produce radical leaders who are going grow morals or empathy and compassion and move us closer to a just world and fight climate change and help develop the global south or anything like that unless some extreme changes happen, not just among the ruling classes, but the everyday person because like i noted, its policies are racist and colonial and imperialistic, but that really only last not just because people aren't willing to guillotine people over it, but because a substantial enough portion of the populace that they care about are happy to be that way or are passive about the suffering of black or brown people or poor people. they will accept the idea the x group of brown people are homophobic or terrorist( never questioning what terrorist even means) and accept that they should constantly be bombed or killed or have their land and resources stolen, which if people cant see the parallels to the largest slaving nations going and invading under the guises of ending slavery and the nations the mainstreamed homophobia across the world and did acts of political terror across the globe going and claiming those are valid reasons to do what they do idk how to help you. your average white American or European is truly no more curious or wanting to actually learn and have dialog about African cultures than isrealis are about Arab culture, nor are they any less willing to throw white supremacist ideas about these peoples onto them. Those last things are not problems i really know how to solve because we are constantly shown even in internet spaces the white supremacist notions of the "other" will animate people into heinous actions, harassment, doxing campaigns, etc without POC even having to say a word against people. Unless White people yes in the monolithic have a substantial cultural and economic shift, you'll keep producing hitlers and leopolds, guilt will not push you, your nations, or your friends and families into a more positive role.

if it could, slavery would have done it, colonialism would have done it, the holocaust etc. you guys have to change, you must . Peace.

[1ore]

speaking of deserts, im sad this article isn't available to read publicly because it whips ass, but i can do what i always do. quote heavily

From 'Without Form and Void: The American Desert as Trope and Terrain' by John Beck:

The Hebrew word tohu is usually translated in two ways. It can denote an arid wilderness, a desert, and it can refer to chaos. In this latter sense it is usually paired with bohu, which signifies emptiness, desolation, formlessness, confusion. Tohu-bohu, desert and desolation, chaos and confusion, or “without form and void,” as it is translated in Genesis. Chaos itself denotes a vast chasm, an abyss; in other words, it is a gap. Yet can a gap be without form, since it exists as the opening between things, as the interval that separates? [...] the abyssal chaos, which is also an arid wilderness, is far from being the vacuum of worthlessness it is often read as being. It is, instead, the ground of potentiality, the necessary generative stuff of creation. The void, then[...] is a place rather than a nonplace, and, as the place where God performs His differentiating acts—dividing earth from sky, sea from land, day from night—it is the location of differentiation itself, the place of infinite multiplicity. An actual desert place is thus burdened with a double conceptual significance: it is read at the same time as evidence of an absolute void and as the place for boundless free play, and deserts invariably elicit responses of both terror and ecstasy, of disgust and liberation. The idea of a desert, then, at least in cultures that draw upon Hebrew and Christian traditions, involves a cluster of notions including vacancy, expansiveness, and fearful potentiality. Not surprisingly, actual deserts carry the burden of this metaphorical overlay, a burden that manifests itself not just in the artistic responses to the physical space but in the institutional practices that govern its economic and political uses. The impact of this metaphorical construction of landscape is nowhere more pronounced than in the deserts of the southwestern United States.

[...] From the overarching conception of the desert as vacancy, at least five main rhetorical tropes emerge[...] first, that acceptance of the desert’s emptiness, and thus its uselessness, allows the space to become the venue for unhindered experimentation, a testing ground both physical and spiritual. Second, the desert is a metaphor of apocalypse, evidence of the ultimate wasteland. Third, the desert is often apprehended as the limit to reason, its vastness and tendency to alter habits of perception making it a physical challenge to expected modes of comprehension. Following from this, the desert can become either a venue for an escape from modernity, an elemental alternative to the rational order of “civilized” life, or, conversely, representative of the chaos of an unordered primal “nature” that must be resisted and expunged. Finally, as the American desert lies within the economically emergent post–World War II “New West,” the desert can increasingly be seen as representative of aspects of contemporary capitalism: a space without boundaries, unhindered and unregulated by old practices and habits[...]

[...] What is striking is how these rhetorical constructions accommodate both negative and positive readings at the same time. The desert is glorious and horrible, a refuge and a danger, horizonless and thus a threat to sanity, and so on. These paradoxes not only appear irresolvable, they tend also to be intrinsic to the ways in which the terrain is put to use, both figuratively and literally. This is a space of everything and nothing, a space of visual intoxication and invisible toxicity. In this ostensibly most exposed of environments, exposure functions, perversely and disturbingly, as a form of concealment.

---

[...] For a nation concerned with agricultural expansion as the primary civilizing force, hitting arid lands meant that “the project of mastering the continent seemed to have reached a non-negotiable limit. By all the conventional standards of value and habitability, the desert was an irrational environment, a betrayal of abundance fulfilled everywhere in North America."[...]

[...]The American desert, like its biblical counterparts, could be a site for testing, for challenging and overcoming the temptations of civilized life. While the desert became, after the mid-nineteenth century, a site of economic value due to the discovery of minerals, by the turn of the century monetary gain was not the only attractive force drawing people toward a reconciliation with the desert West. Growing dissatisfaction with American capitalist culture among the well-off, educated middle classes made the deserts inviting as a purgative space of romantic sublimity and aesthetic purity. Even as the evangelism of Progressive irrigationists began to display an increased confidence in the possibility of redemption for the terrain through cultivation, as if technology could finally fill the gap and convert the land to the righteousness of agriculture, aesthetes like Rutgers art historian John C. Van Dyke were writing about the visual splendor of a land that should remain untouched by base economic interests.

The conflict between contesting impulses toward either exploitation or conservation of the land is, then, present from the beginning of U.S. interest in its desert dominion, yet both positions derive at least part of their authority from the imposition of ideas of vacancy onto the terrain. Both read the space as empty and see this emptiness as its source of value, whether it be to extract from, build upon, or contemplate as evidence of some cosmic truth. Yet this notional vacancy, saturated as it is in the Hebrew and Christian traditions of desert iconography, functions also as a form of selective blindness that eliminates consideration of native inhabitants, indigenous traditions, and other, alternative spiritual and utilitarian values that may have prior claim to the land. Speculators and aesthetes alike need the tropes of emptiness and uselessness in order to validate their construction of the landscape as available space. Do the Pueblo Indians, for example, see the terrain they have inhabited for thousands of years as a gap, a vacancy, a howling wilderness?[...]

---

[...]Given the persistence of desert readings that seem to find apocalypse in the terrain even before the military managed to enact one, is it possible that the landscape somehow invites thoughts of destruction? For a topography that reveals to the human gaze the elemental resistance of the nonhuman to recuperation must then suffer the vengeance of a frustrated conqueror. Is the pursuit of desert destruction an implosion of anxiety in the face of the inscrutable landscape? Faced with a space that refuses settlement and that, in its taciturnity, overturns the logic of expansion and ownership, reason folds in on itself and results in the mentality summed up by the now infamous comment of the general during the Vietnam War that “we had to destroy the city in order to save it.”[...] Could the desert, as a particular topographical site, stand for the terminal point in an entire history of U.S. pursuit of a tabula rasa? Such a history would include, but would not by any means be exhausted by, policies of deforestation, the extermination of Indians and of buffalo, the gridding of the territories, and the marking-off of national parks as managed wilderness. Manifest destiny is here rewritten to mean an unlimited attack on the desert as Other, which culminates in the desert as all-encompassing, the obliterated, uninterrupted space of absolute power.

[...]This is precisely what Leslie Marmon Silko’s Tayo, traumatized by battle and captivity in the Pacific, perceives in a moment of clarity as he cries with relief “at finally seeing the pattern” that connects the alienating deterioration of his southwestern Laguna Pueblo community and military operations overseas:

He had been so close to it, caught up in it for so long that its simplicity struck him deep inside his chest: Trinity Site, where they exploded the first atomic bomb, was only three hundred miles to the southeast, at White Sands. And the top-secret laboratories where the bomb had been created were deep in the Jemez Mountains, on land the Government took from Cochiti Pueblo: Los Alamos, only a hundred miles northeast of him now... There was no end to it; it knew no boundaries; and he had arrived at the point of convergence where the fate of all living things, and even the earth, had been laid.

The apocalyptic power of America’s nuclear weapons has not only been achieved by yet another assault on Indian sovereignty, cordoning off and irradiating great swathes of terrain; this power has, in an inversion of crushing irony, brought everything together in one final communion. After Los Alamos, “human beings were one clan again, united by the fate the destroyers planned for all of them, for all living things; united by a circle of death that devoured people in cities twelve thousand miles away, victims who had never known these mesas, who had never seen the delicate colors of the rocks which boiled up their slaughter.”

[cosmosis-mitosis]

WELCOME TO:

RANDOM LATE NIGHT COSMIC POSTING (when this post was written, I’ve been having fun with the scheduling function) AS THEY THINK ABT THEIR OLD OCS

Parliament (also a continent in my dnd universe, I LIKE CONNECTING MY WORLDS RAAAH) is a place of MODERN MAGIC and FUN and is essentially earth. It’s like getting transported to a different world yknow

Anyway people of Parliament can align with various Goetic demons (kind of a religious thing? Kind of like a zodiac thing, it’s weird but I’m working on it) to.. varying degrees. Some take it incredibly seriously, others don’t and view it kinda like, well, a zodiac sign.

A character of mine dates one of them. Because ya !!!

[kind-of-genius]

Rambly, stream-of-consciousness thoughts while watching Campaign 3 Episode 55

the elven king of Uthodurn stated Ludinus hoarded artifacts. did he attempt to continue the Factorum Malleus project with scraps of relics scrounged from expeditions into Aeor?

using the natural, heightened magic below Molaesmyr, did he attempt to fuel the cobbled together machine? and during a previous Apogee Solstice, he attempted to free Predathos with a similar ritual, but it failed and corrupted the forest?

The Eve of Crimson Midnight formed the modern Cerberus Assembly, and Ludinus stepped in to stop the carnage between mages from the Julous Dominion and Dwendalian nobility.

Did Ludinus suggest the name? It is stated that the mages named it after the Age of Arcanum group of the same name. It is possible the other mages knew of the original Cerberus Assembly because of their noble ties and potential family history to those who survived the crash of the flying city Zemnis during the Calamity. But it is also possible Ludinus remembered them from his time as Athodan.

"[Ludinus] began a very forthright and functioning member of society. Then, as time went on, he began to become frustrating for some people. There was tension with him and the various temples..."

The approach of an earlier Apogee Solstice perhaps made him more irritable?

The motherfucker immigrated to Molaesmyr! From Issylra! One of the least populated, most isolated, and most mysterious continents on Exandria! A likely story for someone who may have survived the fall of Aeor and was trying to hide his incredibly long history...

Additionally, Isslyra houses Vasselheim. Vasselheim withstood the Calamity. Did Athodan wait out the Calamity there, then move to Molaesmyr? Or did he just lie about his origins?

Regardless, his immigration to Molaesmyr seems to be a mark in the box for Ludinus is Athodan. That seems to support the magically prolonged lifespan theory I originally posited, less the consecution one.

Did he immigrate there because he noticed that was where a leyline nexus would be, much like the nexus over the Hellcatch? Did he attempt to free Predathos then, using the wellspring of natural magic below Molaesmyr (rather than arcane cores?), but failed? Ending up only in corrupting the Savalirwood and the fall of Molaesmyr?

Did Ivaadel befall a similar fate to Molaesmyr? Has Ludinus been nuking cities in his attempts to free Predathos with the relatively primitive technology and arcanum of post Calamity Exandria?

Legitimately, I am becoming more and more convinced Ludinus is Athodan, and his mysterious origins prior to Molaesmyr only have me believing it harder.

[sanchoyo]

okay, ONE more tmm post. MEW AQUA. It's WEIRD. (moreso in the 2000s anime than tmmn. hear me out and go on a lore trip with me. I have Screenshots and Thoughts.)

The mew aqua rod:

weird that it was found on a dig, a relic from the ancient aliens. who also were stated to have MADE mew aqua (or, at least, that's the THEORY ryou & keiichiro have. considering we never hear an alternative, I'm assuming we should take this as Fact)

Later of course we find out the 'big mew aqua/true mew aqua' is within deep blue/masaya's body, not a Giant Crystal. But it begs the question: what were the alien's doing with it so long ago? The answer given by canon is this:

NO, ICHIGO, WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT IT. Because Despite it outright being stated... if the mew aqua rod if ANCIENT, as old as when the aliens were on earth? (either 300 million~600 million years?) they would've had NO WAY TO PREDICT HUMANS POLLUTING EARTH, LET ALONE EXISTING! And I say mew aqua has to be as old as the mew aqua rod because the rod's main (and ONLY) function we see is to channel and use mew aqua. (well. okay, it glows, too, and makes mew aqua into bubbles. this thing would be great at parties)

At the time of the aliens leaving Earth, it was a MESS, mass extinctions due to natural disasters... mew aqua could have been a way to try and fix those, but it was so extreme that it couldn't, I guess? Or maybe it needed time to sort of...ferment to grow stronger? (genuinely cannot think of a better way to put this but I think yall get the idea) I think this idea is backed up by how LONG it took Deep Blue to form after the aliens left their world. if he could have fixed stuff, why not make him a vessel sooner? why wait until modern day when the earth is already messed up? why spend SO long in space/on another planet if you got a Guy Who Can Fix That Pretty Easily? did it need time to Cook? like, he supposedly is either the source of it somehow, or created BY it and gets his powers from it (he...does seem surprised the mew aqua is within him, too, by the way. which is Strange and will always be weird to me)

WHY DIDN'T HE?

WHY DIDN'T YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT??

he then proceeds to open a portal to a planet that is likely lightyears away with mew aqua (fun new ability for mew aqua from tmmn) and say he is going to use his power (which comes from mew aqua) to REARRANGE THE CONTINENTS. we also know mew aqua was strong enough to 1. bring people back from the dead 2. accelerate plant growth 3. turn Retatsu into a MERMAID 4. defeat basically any chimera anima in an instant 5. transform ringo into a mew mew with no previous dna injection/pendant 6. showed Retatsu a glimpse of the ancient world, and probably several other things I'm forgetting??

mew aqua is incredibly OP. like. if the ancient aliens did make it, and have the mew aqua rod to use it, I do NOT think they were using it ~just in case a species evolves here on this planet and pollutes it!~ I think that is 100% Retatsu feeling guilty in the moment for human pollution (same, girl, I get it) I think it's more likely they were trying to fix the disasters already happening. (and it needed more time to get strong enough to actually do that I guess? Clearly it didn't work back then to fix the disasters, or worked verrrry slowly. a few thousand to a few million years slowly) I appreciate ryou and keiichiro also using terms like 'this is our hypothesis/theory!' because they DON'T know for sure.

it also begs the question of how there's a BUNCH of FRAGMENTS OF IT if masaya's body currently holds the majority/big piece right before the finale when he uses it (if we're imagining it was once one BIG thing/collective power source) and how they got scattered into SO many pieces before that?? what...HAPPENED, way back in ancient times? 👀

also, I've said it before, but it could imply an ancient alien magical girl. I mean, someone's gotta swing the mew aqua rod around 👀 (or it could've just been a tool back then, and adapted to Ichigo's powers by turning bright pink and sparkly, but that is a considerably more boring answer)

These things will Keep Me Up At Night

[rainafoxfire]

[Originally authored by Sparrowinthebranches/ Bonesofaphoenix]

[To view the complete work and additional information, please purchase her book "The Lavender Herbal", available in both E-Reader and Paperback formats]

[Reblogged from ladybonetiern (no longer active)]

I am not a certified Botanist, Naturopathic Doctor, Homeopathologist, Herbalist, Apothecary, or any other professional having to do with the healing world of plants. I am not a professional. I do not, and will not claim to be a professional or to hold any of these titles. I am nothing more than an individual with 10+ years experience in self study and semi-formal training in a non certified environment. However, I will be using mostly sources written by professionals, or people well experienced in these fields, and doing my best to cite accurate materials and scientific studies.

That having been said, as with the group I was teaching, I encourage discussion, participation, and cross referencing of materials. Feel free to take everything posted in these classes with a grain of salt and a lot of cross-referencing. In fact, I insist you do so and I also ask that if you find discrepancies within these lessons, that you make them known to me so that I may correct the information in order to reduce spreading inaccuracies, as in this field, such things can be dangerous.

I also heavily recommend that you do not attempt any of these remedies we’ll be discussing, or attempt self treatment and diagnosis without FIRST consulting an actual medical professional who is trained and certified to help you and properly assess your health and the impact any treatments may have on it.

[To view the complete work and additional information, please purchase her book "The Lavender Herbal", available in both E-Reader and Paperback formats]

What is Herbal Medicine exactly?

Though I personally prefer the term “Homeopathy” (though the correct definition is far from my personal usage of it), the practice of using plants as medicine also goes by many names: Natural Medicine, Organic Medicine, Heroic Medicine, Natural Remedies, Woman’s Medicine, Wise Healing, a type of Holistic Medicine, Folk Medicine and many others. I’ll leave it to you to decide which you’d like to call it by, but for the sake of uniformity I’ll be calling it Herbal Medicine throughout our lessons.

But I still didn’t answer your question did I? Herbal Medicine, to put it simply, is the medicine of the people.

From the beginning of time man has both revered and utilized plants and herbal Medicine is believed to be the oldest known therapy used by humankind. Various forms of it have been discovered around the world from China to India and on our own Continent of North America, and information on herbs and their usage has been passed down from generation to generation in many ways; through stories, in books in music and several other methods. Our ancestors used it, our neighbors used it, our grandmothers probably used it, and people today around the world still use it. When used correctly it is simple, safe, cheap, effective, relatively side effect free, and easier to maintain and obtain than modern medicine.  

Right now, at this point in the evolution of humankind, we are living in the best time to be using and learning it. Why? Because we have one major thing that our ancestors did not. Today we have a better understanding of science and bodily functions which leaves us in a better position than our ancestors to understand and utilize the healing power of plants and their potential as multi-functional treatments for ailments. Believe it or not, if it wasn’t for the retention of Herbal Knowledge throughout the centuries, we wouldn’t even have some of our modern medicines as some of the most common modern medicines are derived from the same plants we seek to use in their natural forms.  

Herbal Medicine as a holistic medicine also comes in several forms that fit a wide range of beliefs and practices.

Some may choose to use the Allopathic where Allopathy seeks to heal by producing symptoms opposite of what the patient expresses; others like the Homeopathic approach wherein Homeopathy seeks to heal through producing the same, or “worsening” the symptoms the patient expresses; Some people prefer to use sense therapies such as the aroma-therapies, other’s topical and more massage based healing, and even more prefer the use of ingested materials in their various ways; Some believe that in order to be effective,  you must use the chemical approach wherein herbs are researched to determine the basic ingredients and classified according to their group of chemicals; Others believe that in order to be effective, the energetic approach as used in Ayurveda, must be taken wherein herbs are considered to affect the body’s energies. Even the spiritualist approach is sometimes taken where the herbs are purported to affect the soul or spirit before the body.

There’s many more types and a wide range of beliefs that use Herbal Medicine in a wide range of ways, these are some of the most, and least common. However, through the multiple methods of Herbal Treatment, no matter what approach to Herbal Medicine is taken there are always the same base principles.

The first being that Herbal Medicine usually seeks to choose herbs that restore a person’s “vital balance”, thus aiding the body in healing itself and not just suppressing the symptoms of the illness as most modern medications often do. Herbal Remedies assist in invoking the body’s inherent healing powers and are used to treat many different types of health issues and views illness or disease as the body’s instinctive protective effort to rectify any imbalance instead of as an adversary to be conquered or suppressed. Therefore, a homeopathic practitioner will select a therapy devised to encourage the body’s innate healing abilities with the intent is to restore the body to its natural healthy balance.

It also operates on the principle that illness is specific to each person. As the emotional and mental components of the illness are just as significant as the physical symptoms, a detailed case history is important. All herbal medicine therapies are tailored to each individual and a practitioner of Herbal Medicine will often gather information about the individual regarding not only the specific details of the illness but also about their lifestyle, eating patterns and character traits before choosing a remedy; it is quite likely that no two people will receive exactly the same remedy for the same condition.

But it is important to note that there are disadvantages of using Homeopathic treatments as well.

The main disadvantage is that today’s population wants a “quick fix”. They are happy to be given a pill or cut open and are usually oblivious to the long term side effects of Modern Medicine, especially when used in conjunction with other Modern Medicines. Those of us who have extensively studied Herbal Medicines know that there is no “Quick Fix” when it comes to them, and that each treatment takes time; more time than some people are willing to take, and it’s quite common for a person to temporarily feel worse before feeling better depending on the approach taken to the remedy.

Another disadvantage is that Herbal Medicine cannot completely replace the need for Modern Medications, especially in emergency situations or in cases where the patient suffers from an incurable disease or other ailments that Herbs are not strong enough or capable of treating or correcting. That being said, however, the use of herbs can compliment modern medicine in situations where the administration of Homeopathic medicine can alleviate the symptoms of such ailments in the long term in a cost effective and relatively side effect free way.

Which brings me to side effects. Remember the “relatively side effect free” phrase earlier? That’s because no medicine is completely side effect free, including Herbal Medicine. It is important to note that Herbal Medicine runs some of the same risks as Modern Medicine, and sometimes they can contain more risks.

Although Herbal Medicine is relatively safe and very rarely an overdose will result in death or severe disability, there are still symptoms one can express that signals the overuse of the herb, or remedy, that can be considered “overdosing”. Some plants are only safe in small dosages before one runs the risk of “overdosing” or experiencing negative side effects; Allergies are a main concern as everyone is allergic to something and herbs are in no way different in this aspect; Herbs can also be contaminated during growth by pesticides and other chemicals (which is why most people will recommend you buy your herbs from Organic Retailers or not at all). Another is that they may not work in conjunction with other medicines (herbal or modern) and one may override the effect of the other, or not mesh well and produce other unforeseen complications.

Because of the risks that are inherent with the use of herbs, it is unadvised that you rely solely on self treatment, even if experienced. In fact, most practitioners stress the importance of cross-consultation between someone specializing in Herbal Medicines, and Modern Doctor before beginning self treatment, as well as being completely open and honest with both parties about conditions and other medications, herbal or non. Not doing this can sometimes result in minor to severe problems, even if the person self-treating is highly experienced.

Extra information regarding this course:

Bibliography, Resources, and Information

Toxic Plant Index

Medical and Herbal Terminology

Herbalism as a Legal Medical Practice in the US

[babyspacebatclone]

I saw a post about something, and it’s been ruminating in my head.

It hurts most for me because of my chronic conditions - especially those that aggressively my Executive Functioning Disorder.

But it’s such a fucking horrible message for just - everyone.

No-one can ever be too busy - if they care, they would make time.

Just. No.

Fucking no.

Imagine a typical United States nuclear family, two working parents, two kids.

It’s flu season, the eldest child is in basketball, the younger child has to go to an after school learning center because of general help.

How many things can go wrong with this family in December?

What if one of the parents is fired because of job complications related to the breakdown of Twitter, Meta et al., because those disasters are going to affect public relations in every industry in a ripple effect that is already being felt throughout Silicon Valley.

Who does what if one of the kids is sick, the other still had commitments, but both parents are still working but with mandatory overtime.

And the grandparents have work of their own, because they’re still not approaching the distancing retirement age.

Where does this family find the hours to reconnect with family across the continent, their church, their hunting buddies, their book club?

How many commitments is the average modern adult expected to maintain???

This lie of “if you cared, you’d make time” fucking hurts regular physically and neurologically typical individuals overwhelmed in a society that has systematically removed supports and blamed them for it.

How does it harm those who needed additional supports anyway?

We care.

We fucking care.

But we are overwhelmed.

Physically abused on a cellular level by exhaustion, unending cycles of illness we cannot take time off to recover from, and the very support institutions we previously relied upon to maintain connections burning before our eyes.

We fucking care.

But we don’t have any time left to use, let alone make.

[sa7abnews]

What is Angelman syndrome? Colin Farrell’s son is living with this rare disease

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/16/what-is-angelman-syndrome-colin-farrells-son-is-living-with-this-rare-disease/

What is Angelman syndrome? Colin Farrell’s son is living with this rare disease

Actor Colin Farrell is launching a new foundation to raise awareness of a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome, so that his son and others with the disorder will have more support and resources as they transition into adulthood.”I want the world to be kind to James,” Farrell, 48, told People magazine ahead of his son’s 21st birthday in September.”All the safeguards that are put in place, special ed classes — that all goes away, so you’re left with a young adult who should be an integrated part of our modern society and, more often than not, is left behind.” COLIN FARRELL TEARS UP WHILE SPEAKING ABOUT HIS 20-YEAR-OLD SON WITH RARE NEUROGENIC DISORDER: ‘HE’S MAGIC’The syndrome was first described in 1965 by physician Dr. Harry Angelman, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).It is a disorder of the nervous system, which helps control movements, thoughts and behaviors, as stated by Cleveland Clinic.Most cases are caused by a random genetic change during early development, which means those who are affected usually have no family history of the disease, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) adds.STIFF PERSON SYNDROME PATIENTS SHARE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE WITH THE RARE DISEASE”Angelman syndrome is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from the loss of function of a specific gene called UBE3A, which plays a crucial role in brain development,” Dr. Issac Molinero, pediatric neurologist at Ochsner Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, told Fox News Digital.The genetic changes that occur with Angelman syndrome lead to significant challenges, including severe intellectual disability, communication difficulties and characteristic behavioral patterns, such as frequent laughter and smiling, according to Molinero.Dr. Dana Price, pediatric neurologist and director of Angelman Clinic at NYU in New York City, described the disorder as a “spectrum.”It can include “low muscle tone, developmental delay, poor gait, seizures (ranging from febrile seizures to refractory epilepsy), constipation, poor sleep and challenging behavior,” she told Fox News Digital in an email.The condition causes delays in development for the children it affects.Newborn babies may have trouble latching on or swallowing milk, and after a few months, they may not be able to lift their heads, according to Cedars Sinai.They may also miss the milestones of sitting up alone, crawling, standing up by themselves or taking their first steps.THE GIRL WHO CAN’T SMILE: HOW A RARE DISORDER BECAME A YOUNG WOMAN’S ‘GREATEST GIFT’Infants can develop microcephaly, a condition where their heads are characteristically smaller compared to other children of the same age, per NIH.”Generally, developmental delays associated with Angelman syndrome will become noticeable around six to 12 months of age,” Molinero told Fox News Digital.Silence is another hallmark clue, experts say. The baby may be able to say words like “Dada” and follow simple commands, but won’t be able to put together complete sentences or have a verbal conversation, according to Cedars Sinai.At age 2 or 3 years old, some children may start to have seizures, Mayo Clinic notes.One typical hallmark of the syndrome is unprovoked fits of laughter, along with frequent smiling and hand-flapping movements, according to NIH. Children with the disorder often have short attention spans, with most having difficulty sleeping or needing less sleep than normal.PENNSYLVANIA MOM SEEKS ‘PERFECT MATCH’ BONE MARROW DONOR TO CURE DAUGHTER’S RARE DISORDER: ‘CRUCIAL NEED’The sleep issues tend to improve as the child gets older, but the limited speech, intellectual disabilities and seizures may continue throughout life.Although most people with the condition can’t speak, they learn to communicate in other ways, such as gesturing, and may be able to understand a simple conversation, according to NORD.Doctors diagnose the condition based on blood tests that look for the genetic mutation, experts say.The syndrome is often misdiagnosed, as initial symptoms can be confused with more well-known diseases like autism or cerebral palsy, according to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation.Children are often not diagnosed until they are 3 or 4 years old, when they have already started pre-school, experts say.The rare disorder only affects roughly 500,000 people worldwide, Molinero noted.Those with the condition have a normal life expectancy, according to NIH.”Although there is no definitive cure for Angelman syndrome, proactive early intervention through therapies, educational support and community resources can significantly enhance the quality of life for affected individuals and their families,” Molinero said.Depending on symptoms, treatments may include various medications for seizures, sleep, mood, reflux and constipation, Price added.Those with the disorder may also receive various types of therapy to learn how to communicate non-verbally, to manage hyperactivity and to improve balance.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER”This is a very exciting time to work with the Angelman Community, because drug companies are working to develop precision medicine to turn on the missing gene (UBE3A),” Price said.”Genetic treatment with precision medicine is such a revolutionary prospect — for the first time, we would be treating the disease, not the symptoms.”For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/healthThose who have a family member with Angelman Syndrome or are affected themselves can visit an Angelman Clinic or the Angelman Syndrome Foundation’s website at https://www.angelman.org.Fox News Digital reached out to the Colin Farrell Foundation for comment.

[dental-aburas]

Dental Implants: Revolutionizing Dental Care

Dental implants have emerged as a groundbreaking solution in modern dentistry, offering a reliable and long-lasting option for individuals with missing teeth. Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, dental implants provide a permanent foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. This article delves into the science, benefits, procedure, and considerations surrounding dental implants.

The Science Behind Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, typically made from titanium, which are surgically embedded into the jawbone. Titanium is biocompatible, meaning it is not rejected by the body and can fuse with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This fusion forms a strong and stable base for the artificial tooth, ensuring durability and functionality.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Natural Look and Feel: Dental implants are designed to mimic the appearance and performance of natural teeth. They integrate seamlessly with the jawbone, providing a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures.

Enhanced Comfort: Because they become part of the jawbone, implants eliminate the discomfort associated with removable dentures. They do not slip or shift, offering a more comfortable and secure fit.

Improved Oral Health: Unlike traditional bridges, dental implants do not require the alteration of adjacent healthy teeth. This preservation of natural teeth promotes overall oral health. Additionally, implants help maintain jawbone structure, preventing bone loss and preserving facial contours.

Durability and Longevity: With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. They are made from durable materials designed to withstand the forces of chewing and other oral activities.

Convenience: Implants eliminate the need for adhesives or special cleaning routines required for dentures. They also allow for normal brushing and flossing, integrating effortlessly into daily oral hygiene routines.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The process of getting dental implants typically involves several stages:

Initial Consultation: During the first visit, the dentist evaluates the patient's oral health, discusses their medical history, and takes X-rays or 3D images to assess bone structure and determine implant placement.

Implant Placement: In the next visit, the dentist surgically places the titanium implant into the jawbone. This procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia. After placement, a healing period of several months is necessary for osseointegration to occur.

Abutment Placement: Once the implant has fused with the jawbone, an abutment (a connector post) is attached to the implant. This abutment will hold the replacement tooth or teeth.

Crown Placement: The final step involves fitting a custom-made crown onto the abutment. The crown is designed to match the color, shape, and size of the natural teeth, providing a seamless and natural appearance.

Considerations and Risks

While dental implants boast a high success rate, they may not be suitable for everyone. Certain factors can affect the success of the procedure:

Bone Density: Adequate jawbone density is crucial for implant stability. In cases of significant bone loss, bone grafting may be necessary before implant placement.

Overall Health: Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders can impact healing and integration of the implant.

Smoking: Smoking can impede healing and increase the risk of implant failure.

It's important for patients to have a thorough consultation with their dentist to evaluate their suitability for dental implants and discuss any potential risks.

Conclusion

Dental implants have revolutionized dental care, offering a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for those with missing teeth. Their ability to mimic natural teeth and improve oral health makes them a preferred choice for many patients. As technology advances, dental implants continue to evolve, promising even more effective and accessible options for tooth replacement in the future.

[pragueeventeryofficial]

Meetings are the cornerstone of business growth and decision-making. But when conducted in the right environment, these meetings transform from mere discussions to collaborative experiences that can set the tone for monumental decisions. Enter Prague – a city that offers a harmonious blend of history, culture, and modern business infrastructure, making it the ultimate locale for hosting impactful meetings.

Historic Halls vs. Modern Meeting Spaces:

Prague’s landscape is dotted with diverse venues that bring their own unique charm to business meetings:

Historic Halls: Imagine discussing future strategies in a baroque hall, where every corner whispers tales of ancient European diplomacy. These venues, like the Lobkowicz Palace, provide an ambiance imbued with gravitas, helping anchor discussions in a grand historical context.

Modern Spaces: On the other hand, establishments like the Prague Congress Centre offer state-of-the-art facilities, with ultra-modern amenities, ensuring meetings are efficient and tech-driven.

This choice between the historic and the contemporary allows businesses to set the perfect tone for their discussions.

Prague Eventery’s Expertise:

With a city as diverse as Prague, having a guide can make all the difference. Prague Eventery, with its intricate understanding of the city’s pulse, ensures that every meeting is tailored to the client’s specific needs:

Location Scouting: Whether you desire a view of the Vltava or the proximity to the bustling Old Town Square, the perfect venue is handpicked.

Technical Mastery: From seamless video conferencing across continents to high-definition presentations, every technical detail is flawlessly executed.

Ambiance Creation: Lighting, acoustics, and décor – every element is tweaked to perfection to create the desired atmosphere for productive conversations.

Real-Life Scenario – A Meeting to Remember:

Last summer, a multinational pharmaceutical company approached Prague Eventery to organize a high-stakes meeting. The objective was to finalize a groundbreaking merger. Given the gravity of the situation, Prague Eventery proposed the Clementinum’s historic halls, an architectural marvel and once a part of the Charles University.

During the event, attendees were treated to a seamless blend of history and modern business amenities. Post-meeting, a private chamber orchestra played classic Czech compositions, allowing attendees to relax and reflect upon the day’s discussions.

The result? A successful merger and a memorable experience that attendees still fondly recall.

Extended Services – Making the Most of Prague:

While the meeting is pivotal, the overall experience of attendees is equally crucial. Prague Eventery ensures that attendees are treated to:

Guided Tours: A stroll through the historic Old Town, or a private tour of the Prague Castle, ensuring attendees experience the city’s essence.

Networking Events: Organized at iconic locales, these events blend business with pleasure, allowing attendees to forge lasting connections amidst Prague’s beauty.

Culinary Experiences: From traditional Czech cuisine to global delicacies, attendees are taken on a gastronomic journey that delights and surprises.

Conclusion:

When business meets culture in a setting as rich and diverse as Prague, meetings transcend their primary function. They become experiences that shape decisions, foster connections, and leave an indelible mark on attendees. With a partner like Prague Eventery, businesses can unlock the true potential of what a meeting in Prague can offer.

[hillslicensing-blog]

Wild West Inspired: The Cultural Significance of the Western Leather Biker Vest

New Post has been published on https://ashipwreckinthesand.com/wild-west-inspired-the-cultural-significance-of-the-western-leather-biker-vest/

Wild West Inspired: The Cultural Significance of the Western Leather Biker Vest

Western Leather Vest: A Reminder of American Ruggedness

American design is rich, but the western leather vest represents the West’s character. More than just apparel, this famous garment represents American tenacity, independence, and individualism. From the frontier, it tells stories of adventure, the wild, and the people that shaped the American West.

The Western leather vest was initially made from cattle hides to protect cowboys from the elements and ranch life. Its sleeveless design made saddle movement easy, and its sturdy material could sustain open-range wear. This functional vestment eventually became an emblem of Western ethos, representing toughness, durability, and indomitability.

The Western leather vest has changed as the West itself has changed. Since cattle drives and cowboy culture began, the vest has evolved. After railroads crossed the continent and the open range closed in the late 19th century, the cowboy’s role in American society changed. However, the leather vest remained a Western classic, honoring the cowboy’s tradition.

The film industry revived the Western leather vest in the 20th century. Western’ tales of heroism, adventure, and frontier conflict captivated audiences. Playing cowboys, outlaws, law enforcement officers, and gunslingers in leather vests reinforced the vest’s association with Western rough individualism and uncontrolled spirit. Cinema helped transform the Western leather vest from utilitarian apparel to an American icon.

Subcultures of the 20th and 21st centuries love Western leather vests. Bikers, singers, and artists enjoy the vest’s rebellious vibe. The vests’ intricate embroidery and different patinas let users define themselves while combining their background and narrative.

The Western leather vest is versatile and stylish for all ages. New designers and craftspeople mix traditional craftsmanship with new aesthetics inspired by its rich history. The attire captures the Western character by honoring its traditions and appealing to modern tastes.

The Western leather vest is honored beyond fashion in cultural ceremonies across the American West. Participants in rodeos, powwows, and Western cultural festivals wear leather vests as badges of honor, symbolizing their connection to the region’s history and values. Each vest’s distinctive wear patterns and embellishments tell a story of adventure, effort, and love of the country.

The western leather vest is a canvas. With exquisite beadwork, embroidery, and tooled leather motifs, artisans create vests that mirror Western culture. These vests are fashion, identification, and heritage statements that connect wearers to the American frontier.

The Western leather vest is a timeless fashion piece that can adapt to changing trends. It is versatile enough to wear with jeans and cowboy boots for a Western-style or with modern clothes for rustic sophistication. Its popularity comes from its capacity to connect the past and present, giving wearers a piece of the renowned American West.

Beyond its physical presence, the Western Leather Vest has meaning. It represents the American spirit and honors those who risked everything to create the nation’s future. It has the marks of pioneers, cowboys, and others inspired by the West’s wild landscapes.

The Western leather vest is a powerful symbol of American identity that reminds us of our past and present. It represents the West’s allure of freedom, adventure, and individualism.

Western Leather Vest Accessories for Authentic Style

Embracing the Western leather vest as a wardrobe staple brings up a world of design alternatives that merge raw American West appeal with modern trends. This flexible piece, steeped in history and infused with a frontier spirit, can be accessorized to convey personal expression. Select complimentary pieces that enhance its ageless charm and add authenticity and flair to your ensemble to maximize its potential.

Choose the proper undergarments to accessorize a Western leather vest. A button-down denim shirt or white cotton tee lets the vest shine. Choosing between these alternatives can transform the attire from casual to polished for evening gatherings or special occasions.

Consider how neckwear enhances the vest’s style. Traditional embellishments like turquoise stones or silver accents can give elegance and cultural importance to a silk bandana or handcrafted bolo tie. These accessories honor the American West and spark conversation by sharing a story of craftsmanship and history.

Selecting bottoms is vital to coordinating the appearance. Dark, fitting jeans provide a classic, subtle base for the vest’s toughness. Pair the vest with leather chaps or pants for a bolder cowboy look at rodeos or western events. The vest’s texture and the leather leggings’ smoothness form a stunning, confident outfit.

Footwear is another crucial accessory for the Western leather vest. Cowboy boots, with their unique form and complex decorations, are ideal. Choose boots with intricate stitch patterns, brilliant colors, or traditional leather to match your taste. The correct boots complete the look and anchor it in Western traditions.

Hats and belts increase the vest’s charm. Western wear’s practicality and charisma are enhanced by a wide-brimmed cowboy hat, either felt or straw, depending on the season. Adding a belt, especially one with a prominent buckle, draws attention to the waist and highlights the vest’s form. Choose accessories that enhance the vest rather than conflict with it.

When chosen carefully, jewelry can enhance the vest’s look without overpowering it. Silver items, mainly Native American or Western ones, fit the vest’s heritage. Cuff bracelets, rings, or chain necklaces can sparkle the outfit, turning the leather’s toughness into sophistication.

Layering enhances the Western leather vest’s adaptability. In cooler weather, the vest looks nice and attractive with a long-sleeved plaid flannel shirt or woolen sweater. This method extends the vest’s season-long wearability and enables imaginative combinations that represent the wearer’s style and individuality.

Finally, personalizing the western leather vest makes it yours. Personal stories, affiliations, and interests can be expressed through patches, embroidery, or pins. Even minor touches add to the vest’s narrative, turning it into a wearable art piece that exhibits individualism and Western spirit.

The Western leather vest symbolizes the American West’s enduring allure. It can add rustic appeal to your clothes or give you a cowboy impression. You can create a Western-inspired outfit that showcases your personality by carefully choosing complementary elements and personal accents.

[thecarebuddy]

Unveiling the Marvels of MRI: A Window into the Human Body

Introduction:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become a cornerstone of modern medical diagnostics, offering unparalleled insights into the inner workings of the human body. This advanced imaging technique utilizes powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed and accurate images of organs, tissues, and structures. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating world of MRI, shedding light on its benefits, applications, and how it continues to revolutionize healthcare.

1. Non-Invasive and Painless Imaging:

One of the key advantages of MRI is its non-invasive nature. Unlike invasive procedures, such as surgeries or biopsies, MRI allows for detailed internal imaging without the need for incisions or radiation exposure. It is a painless procedure that eliminates the discomfort associated with invasive investigations. This makes MRI a preferred choice for patients, providing valuable diagnostic information without unnecessary physical stress or trauma.

2. Exceptional Soft Tissue Contrast and Detailed Imaging:

MRI stands out for its ability to provide exceptional soft tissue contrast, surpassing other imaging modalities. It produces highly detailed images of organs, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the brain, enabling healthcare professionals to detect abnormalities with remarkable precision. With its superior tissue characterization, MRI plays a vital role in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, tumors, and cardiovascular diseases.

3. Versatility and Wide Range of Applications:

MRI's versatility is reflected in its wide range of applications across various medical specialties. From neurology to orthopedics, cardiology to oncology, MRI has revolutionized diagnostic capabilities. It can detect brain tumors, evaluate spinal cord injuries, visualize joint abnormalities, assess cardiac function, and detect breast cancer, among many other applications. The ability to capture multiple perspectives and provide multi-planar images makes MRI an indispensable tool for comprehensive diagnostic evaluations.

4. Imaging without Ionizing Radiation:

Unlike other imaging techniques like X-rays or CT scans, MRI does not involve ionizing radiation. Instead, it relies on powerful magnetic fields and radio waves, making it a safer option, particularly for pediatric patients and individuals requiring repeated imaging studies. MRI's radiation-free imaging also allows for safer monitoring of conditions over time, minimizing potential health risks associated with cumulative radiation exposure.

5. Advancements in Functional MRI (fMRI):

Functional MRI (fMRI) is a specialized MRI technique that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood flow and oxygenation. It has revolutionized the field of neuroscience and cognitive research by enabling scientists to map brain function and understand complex processes. fMRI has significant implications in studying brain disorders, mapping neural connections, and guiding surgical planning in areas involving critical brain functions.

6. Evolving Technology and Future Possibilities:

MRI technology continues to advance rapidly, leading to enhanced image quality, reduced scan times, and improved patient comfort. Innovations such as open MRI machines accommodate patients with claustrophobia or larger body sizes, ensuring a more comfortable experience. Additionally, ongoing research and development are exploring the potential of functional and molecular imaging, promising exciting breakthroughs in early disease detection and personalized medicine.

Conclusion:

MRI has transformed the landscape of medical diagnostics, offering remarkable capabilities in non-invasive imaging, exceptional tissue contrast, and versatile applications across medical specialties. With its radiation-free nature, MRI ensures patient safety while providing detailed insights into the human body. As technology continues to evolve, the future of MRI holds even greater potential for advanced diagnostics and personalized healthcare. The continued advancements in MRI will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of medicine.

It is all about the significance of MRI technology and how it is important for determination of perfect diagnosis of several diseases including lethal disease of cancer. Searching for best MRI center in Indore is the best option for you in effort of perfect and accurate diagnosis of deeply rooted diseases like cancer and other disorder that can’t be diagnosed without MRI scanning.

[foodandbeverages]

Protein Water Market - Outlook On Emerging Application, Revolutionary Trends & Potential Growth Strategies 2033

According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the protein water market is projected to be worth US$ 1,187.1 million by 2023. From 2023 to 2033, a CAGR of 8.3% is predicted to be achieved. By 2033, it is expected to provide an estimated US$ 2,634.9 million in value.

Growing demand for ingredients that add value to the end product in the food & beverage industry is a key driving force. It is aided by consumers' desire to try new food items with distinct flavors and textures.

Due to intense competition in the food & beverage industry, manufacturers have improved the taste and quality of their goods. It is set to result in expansion of the protein water market.

The global functional food industry has expanded significantly. It has resulted in a constantly increasing demand for protein water from fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and people looking to boost their protein consumption while staying hydrated.

Protein water offers additional health advantages and nutrients in a bottle of water at a reasonable price. The property is making it a good choice for modern consumers.

In place of other packaged food & beverages having less nutritional value, it serves as an excellent supplement. Protein water also offers consumers a whole range of health benefits in a single container.

Recent years have seen a significant rise in terms of demand for protein-rich diets as a result of changing lifestyles and increasing health consciousness. Protein water improves nutrient absorption, which boosts immunity and prevents health problems. By strengthening the immune system, it also aids in overcoming restlessness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

However, consumption of protein water is not enough as it is packed with significant protein punch. It misses the mark to meet the recommended daily intake of protein.

Shifting to protein water as a primary source of protein and energy might strip off the body. It can also affect the carbohydrates and proteins, which are necessary for post-workout recovery. It is one of the key factors restraining growth in protein water demand globally.

View our PDF Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-17121

Key Takeaways from Protein Water Market Study

The protein water market expanded at a     CAGR of 5.1% during the     historical period from 2018 to 2022.

The United States protein water market is     anticipated to broaden at a robust CAGR of 7.3% in the next ten years.

China protein water industry is likely to     be valued at US$ 208.4 million     by 2033.

India protein water market is estimated to     elevate at a CAGR of 4.4%     from 2023 to 2033.

By source, the plant-based protein segment     is predicted to generate a share of around 70% by the end of 2023.

“It is anticipated that in the projected time frame, worldwide per capita spending on food & beverages will increase. Consumers today have become more concerned with the ingredients in their meals. They have started reading the ingredient lists on numerous products. It has further led to the introduction of novel goods such as protein water with essential elements tailored to certain needs.” – Says a lead analyst.

Competitive Landscape

Existence of significant national and international competitors might fuel the competitive environment of the global protein water market. To increase shares and profits, manufacturing companies are primarily focused on extending their global footprints.

They are expanding their production capacity throughout numerous continents, including Europe, Asia, and North America. It is as a result of the accessibility and availability of providers of raw materials. Leading businesses are also using mergers & acquisitions and new product launches as important competitive strategies.

Key Market Developments:

In 2021, Protein2o     collaborated with Spikeball. It was Protein2o's first nationwide     sponsorship. It resulted in Protein2o being featured on the side-lines of Spikeball     ESPN broadcasts, on social media, and in the hands of their athletes. The     collaboration increased Protein2o's visibility among millennials and gen-Z.

In 2021, Ready     announced a joint venture collaboration with Highmark Health. It aims to     improve the health and nutrition of athletes living in areas serviced by     Allegheny Health Network, a provider system of Highmark Health.

Get More Valuable Insights into Protein Water Market

Future Market Insights (FMI), in its new offering, provides an unbiased analysis of the global protein water market presenting historical demand data (2018 to 2022) and forecast statistics for the period from 2023 to 2033.

The study incorporates compelling insights on the global protein water market based on product type (ready-to-drink/ liquid & ready-to-mix/ powder), flavor (original/ unflavored, flavored), packaging type (bottle, sachet, box, tetra pack, pouch, bottle can), source (plant-based protein, animal-based protein), distribution channel (commercial/ food service, retail/ household/ B2C, airport retail, travel retail, online sales), and region.

[sharkrack]

Architecture

Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing buildings or other structures. The term comes from Latin architectura; from Ancient Greek ἀρχιτέκτων (arkhitéktōn) ‘architect’; from ἀρχι- (arkhi-) 'chief’, and τέκτων (téktōn) 'creator’. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural symbols and as works of art. Historical civilizations are often identified with their surviving architectural achievements.

The practice, which began in the prehistoric era, has been used as a way of expressing culture for civilizations on all seven continents. For this reason, architecture is considered to be a form of art. Texts on architecture have been written since ancient times. The earliest surviving text on architectural theories is the 1st century AD treatise De architectura by the Roman architect Vitruvius, according to whom a good building embodies firmitas, utilitas, and venustas (durability, utility, and beauty). Centuries later, Leon Battista Alberti developed his ideas further, seeing beauty as an objective quality of buildings to be found in their proportions. Giorgio Vasari wrote Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects and put forward the idea of style in the Western arts in the 16th century. In the 19th century, Louis Sullivan declared that “form follows function”. “Function” began to replace the classical “utility” and was understood to include not only practical but also aesthetic, psychological and cultural dimensions. The idea of sustainable architecture was introduced in the late 20th century.

Architecture began as rural, oral vernacular architecture that developed from trial and error to successful replication. Ancient urban architecture was preoccupied with building religious structures and buildings symbolizing the political power of rulers until Greek and Roman architecture shifted focus to civic virtues. Indian and Chinese architecture influenced forms all over Asia and Buddhist architecture in particular took diverse local flavors. In fact, During the European Middle Ages, pan-European styles of Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals and abbeys emerged while the Renaissance favored Classical forms implemented by architects known by name. Later, the roles of architects and engineers became separated. Modern architecture began after World War I as an avant-garde movement that sought to develop a completely new style appropriate for a new post-war social and economic order focused on meeting the needs of the middle and working classes. Emphasis was put on modern techniques, materials, and simplified geometric forms, paving the way for high-rise superstructures. Many architects became disillusioned with modernism which they perceived as ahistorical and anti-aesthetic, and postmodern and contemporary architecture developed.

Over the years, the field of architectural construction has branched out to include everything from ship design to interior decorating.