#resilience to external shocks

[internationalwomenday]

Launch of the SIGI 2024 SIGI Regional Report for Southeast Asia: Time to care (CSW68 Side Event).

Watch the Launch of the SIGI 2024 SIGI Regional Report for Southeast Asia: Time to care (CSW68 Side Event)!

Care systems in Southeast Asia rely heavily on women's unpaid work. But demographic, educational, and economic shifts are increasing the demand for paid care. What does this mean for women in the region - and what challenges lie ahead? This event will explore the care economy's transformative power to accelerate women's economic empowerment, while strengthening Southeast Asia's resilience to external shocks.

Hosted by Korea, the OECD Development Centre is organising a CSW68 Side-event to launch the SIGI 2024 SIGI Regional Report for Southeast Asia: "Time to Care". The side-event aims to delve into the root causes of gender inequality in Southeast Asia and explore potential solutions, particularly in formalising the care sector. 

The SIGI 2024 SIGI Regional Report for Southeast Asia: Time to Care underscores that discrimination remains most pronounced within the family. Traditional gender roles continue to confine women to caregiving responsibilities, while men are expected to assume the roles of family providers and decision-makers. 

Hosted by Korea, the OECD Development Centre is organising a CSW68 Side-event to launch the SIGI 2024 SIGI Regional Report for Southeast Asia: "Time to Care". The side-event aims to delve into the root causes of gender inequality in Southeast Asia and explore potential solutions, particularly in formalising the care sector. 

The SIGI 2024 SIGI Regional Report for Southeast Asia: Time to Care underscores that discrimination remains most pronounced within the family. Traditional gender roles continue to confine women to caregiving responsibilities, while men are expected to assume the roles of family providers and decision-makers. 

The event will feature a panel discussion where speakers will share insights on how gender-transformative policies and innovative programmes in the care sector can challenge established gender norms, promote women's rights, foster gender equality, and drive sustainable development. The event will also explore pathways for collective action, involving policy makers, lawmakers, grassroots organisations, philanthropy, and the wider development community. Together, these stakeholders can accelerate progress toward realising Sustainable Development Goal 5 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the Southeast Asian region.

Related Sites and Documents

Concept note and programme Flyer

[indigenouspeopleday]

Understanding and Building Indigenous Peoples Resilience to Climate Shocks (UNPFII Side Event).

The event will share findings from the recent World Bank study "Understanding and Building Indigenous Peoples' Resilience to Climate Shocks," which presents a framework that identifies key drivers and enablers that support Indigenous Peoples' resilience to climate and other external shocks.

Increasing geopolitical tensions and the alarming rate and impacts of climate change have reinforced the need for innovation and urgent action. Indigenous Peoples are critical partners in global efforts to stop climate change and protect nature. At the same time, the deep interconnection with nature to sustain their ways of life make Indigenous Peoples disproportionately vulnerable to a changing climate. The event will also host a panel discussion with representatives from regional Indigenous Peoples organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia—Foro Indigena de Abya Yala (FIAY), Mainyoito Pastoralists Integrated Development Organization (MPIDO), and Center for Indigenous Peoples' Research and Development (CIPRED)—to explore their perspectives on the study's findings and on resilience strategies for Indigenous Peoples. The side event offers an opportunity for a deeper understanding into how Indigenous Peoples themselves perceive resilience, and their perspectives on the key drivers and enablers of such resilience. It also involves grasping the values that form the foundation of the Indigenous perspective and the goals they strive to achieve.

Watch the side-event "Understanding and Building Indigenous Peoples Resilience to Climate Shocks" (UNPFII Side Event)

[mahboimahboi]

NEIGHBOR BUDDY x M!Reader (Featuring Actor Mackenyu)

Fluff

You slammed the door of your room shut, while stomping your way to the balcony, huffing at the sound of your mother who's still screaming at the top of her lungs, angry that you went out last night again without permission and to top it off you went drinking. That was the first rule your mother ever wanted you to follow, but considering just how your head is made of rock, you always went against her laws and always obeyed nothing. At first it was just an impulsive thought, going out with your friends, but it soon became a habit and this type of situation between you and your mother became more of a routine. Well, you can't blame yourself, your mother is too strict for literally everything. You wanted to live your life not just stay around in your house and play prison jail. That is just suffocating.

Soon, after a few minutes, the noises died down and you let out a breath that you didn't know your were holding. You sighed through your nose, thanking the heavens that it is finally over. You just don't understand why your mother is specifically too harsh on you, when you're siblings both could do the same thing, but could avoid getting into trouble every single time. So, what difference does it make when you do it? You're literally a grown up already. In your 20s, to be exact, yet you're mother still treats you like an overgrown sized baby.

Usually, your anger would have seeped out and you'd start rampaging inside your room, but the sight of your handsome, tall, buff and everything hot and sexy neighbor, you couldn't help, but let your anger vaporize in just a second. It was the only sight you'd ever need to calm you down.

Mackenyu, your neighbor crush, noticing eyes on him, meets yours and gave you a smile. He waves his hand at you (so cool), while you did the same thing in reply to him. He soon catches the tiniest hint of sadness in your eyes and grew a little concerned. Just like always, he'd move across the street to get to you and climb from the ladder that was located near the railings of your room's balcony. "Your mom caught you again?" He asked you, his voice deep and calming, brows furrowing upon his worry. You nod your head, not saying a word. "Figured. You're such a naughty boy, Y/N. Can't say I dislike that fact about you." He commented, making you blush, but externally all you could ever do is just scoff.

"I can't just stand being with this family anymore. It's crazy how it's madly obvious that they have their favorites yet continue to state that they treat us all equally. What some pure bullshit." You complained to him, Mackenyu hopping inside to get to your side and sat on the bench, the male inviting you to take a seat beside him. You complied, before getting shocked when the buffer sized male wrapped his arms around you and started to caress your back.

"You know the thing I admire the most about you, Y/N? It's that even if you realize the mistakes they did to you, you still stay strong and resilient. You're so brave, Y/N." He said, while tears started to prick the side of your eyes. "If you want to run away, my house is always free." He said, you looking a bit confused.

"But, your house is just across ours." You told him in reply, hearing a soft chuckle from the other male.

"I never said which house, Y/N." Your eyes widened and looked up at him like a dog getting a new owner.

"You don't mean...?" Mackenyu nods his head and you throw yourself at him with so much joy that all you could ever think of was just how excited you are to finally be able to leave this hell of a house. "Yes, yes! I'll start packing." You said and immediately ran to your room and quickly did a heavy packing after locking the door to your room.

"That's my boy."

[probablyasocialecologist]

Agroecology is not just about farming and growing food; it means combining social justice, ecological science, and indigenous knowledge. Overall, it is a holistic system in which ecosystems and agriculture work in harmony to produce food that is both environmentally sustainable and safe for consumption. As an approach, agroecology prioritises not just yields of crops, but the health of ecosystems, the well-being of communities, and people`s sovereignty over their food systems. For small-scale food producers, agroecology is a beacon of hope. It promises a way out of the vulnerability imposed by monocultures and the dependency on external inputs such as chemical fertilisers, hybrid seeds and pesticides. Agroecological systems are inherently diverse, which means they are more resilient to the pests and diseases which can decimate food systems at a local level. They are also resilient to the market shocks that can disrupt local economies and cause crises further up in the food system. They encourage farmers to cultivate a variety of crops, an approach which promotes nutritional diversity in diets, and a safety net in the face of adversity. Furthermore, these practices strengthen community bonds, as farmers often work together: sharing knowledge, seeds, and labour. Food sovereignty is at the core of agroecology. This is because agroecology promotes the right to healthy and culturally appropriate food, which is produced through ecologically sound and sustainable systems. 

[schizoidvision]

7 Reasons Why Schizoids May Exhibit Greater Resilience to Adult Trauma

While individuals with schizoid personality dynamics are not immune to experiencing trauma, they often appear to handle traumatic situations more effectively than others, and often appear less affected by traumatic events compared to others. This isn't to say that they are entirely immune to trauma, but rather that their unique psychological makeup can enable them to manage adverse conditions more effectively. This resilience is largely due to their unique psychological defenses, which not only help manage immediate emotional distress but also prevent them from becoming retraumatized in the face of new stressful events. Here’s a closer look at how these mechanisms contribute to their resilience...

1. Early Childhood Adaptations:

Individuals with schizoid dynamics often develop defense mechanisms very early in life. These defenses are primarily geared toward managing overwhelming emotions and protecting the self from emotional pain. Such early adaptations lay a foundational resilience that can be particularly effective during stressful adult experiences. These early adaptations form a protective barrier that shields them throughout adulthood, making them less susceptible to the long-term effects of traumatic events.

2. Emotional Detachment:

A hallmark of the schizoid personality is a significant level of emotional detachment. This isn't just a preference for being alone but a deep-seated mechanism to guard against deep emotional disturbances. By maintaining emotional distance, schizoid individuals can often prevent traumatic events from deeply affecting them, as their emotional response is muted. By maintaining a certain emotional distance, they are less likely to be impacted deeply by traumatic events, which in turn reduces the risk of retraumatization.

3. Intellectualization:

Frequently, those with schizoid dynamics employ intellectualization, analyzing and rationalizing emotions instead of fully experiencing them. This approach allows them to view traumatic events more as abstract problems to solve rather than experiences that might overwhelm them emotionally. Intellectualization allows individuals with schizoid dynamics to process traumatic events through a rational and analytical lens, rather than an emotional one. By conceptualizing trauma as a problem to be solved rather than an emotional experience to be endured, they can prevent the full impact of trauma from affecting their psychological state.

4. Depersonalization:

Depersonalization involves feeling detached from one’s emotions and sense of self. For schizoid individuals, this might mean that traumatic events feel less personal and thus less threatening, helping them to compartmentalize and manage their emotional response more effectively. Depersonalization also helps create a sense of detachment from one’s own emotions and identity, which can be particularly useful in traumatic situations. This detachment means that trauma is perceived as less personal and direct, thereby buffering their core self from the emotional shock and preventing retraumatization.

5. Fantasy and Dissociation:

Many individuals with schizoid dynamics use fantasy as a coping mechanism, retreating into their inner world where they can control outcomes and experiences. Alongside dissociation, which creates a mental separation from the traumatic event, this strategy serves as a buffer against fully confronting and experiencing trauma. Thus, reducing its emotional impact and helping to prevent subsequent trauma responses.

6. Self-Sufficiency:

Typically, schizoid individuals are highly self-sufficient, often preferring to rely on their own resources to solve problems. Their independence can sometimes be misinterpreted as them being unaffected by trauma or misconstrued as indifference, but it’s actually a form of self-protection that prevents external influences from exacerbating their trauma. Their inherent self-sufficiency means they often deal with emotional distress internally, without relying on external validation. Meaning that they tend to internalize and manage their difficulties privately, without external support.

7. High Tolerance for Emotional Stress:

The continuous use of these defense mechanisms contributes to a high tolerance for emotional stress. Over time, the continuous use of these defense mechanisms builds a high tolerance for emotional stress. Schizoids become adept at managing and mitigating the effects of traumatic experiences, maintaining mental stability despite external turmoil. This can prevent these events from triggering deeper psychological crises.

In Summary…

These psychological strategies and traits collectively explain why schizoid individuals are less impacted by traumatic events in their adult lives. Their ability to detach, intellectualize, and manage emotions internally creates a robust framework for emotional resilience, in the face of potentially traumatic events. It’s essential to recognize that their apparent lack of impact from traumatic events doesn't mean they don't experience distress; rather, their coping mechanisms are often internalized and not easily observable. Stressful events can be more psychologically impacting than emotionally impacting due to their tendency for emotional detachment. Understanding these dynamics is essential for recognizing the unique ways in which schizoid individuals experience and handle trauma.

Video From My YouTube Channel: Why Schizoids are Less Affected by Trauma in Their Adult Lives

[techramonic]

Yellow is a Collective: An Analysis on John's shirt in "Elephant"

Disclaimer: This analysis is limited only to commentary and analysis as a means to reflect and understand the characters and the internal and external factors that affect their decisions and actions, this is true rationality. Just like all of my posts, I am detached from the media I write about and solely focus on the characters to understand their backgrounds and psychology, for others to gain insight. There is no room for me to romanticize anything I write because I am only here to explain in my understanding. Thank you.

Gus Van Sant's movie leaves a lasting impression on its viewers through the use of simple and complex symbols that generate layers upon layers of interpretation. A particularly interesting symbol in the film for me is John's shirt. To some, it may seem like a normal shirt chosen by the stylists to make John stand out more as a character, but I believe it carries a more profound meaning. This stylistic choice can be interpreted differently when considering various aspects of the film and John's character.

On the surface level, yellow is a color symbolically tied to youth, representing the naivety and confusion of navigating a world painted with unsightly colors of upset, terror, anger, hatred, and pain. Throughout the film, John is consistently confused. From start to finish, he is confused by his personal life, the events about to unfold, and the events that have already transpired. He reacts in ways where it seems as if he doesn't fully comprehend anything, yet he still tries to make sense of them because, as humans, it is innate for us to seek solutions to our problems and an answer to all our questions. This drive gives us a sense of purpose in a seemingly pointless world, which is where the aspect of optimism comes in.

Yellow is a complex color with connotations related to various emotional states, symbolizing either happiness or shock. It represents the line between humanity's optimism and its terror and confusion when disrupted. John embodies humanity itself and how it copes with everyday mundanity by using shallow optimism to mask the fear of uncertainty. When faced with the reality of its own cruelty, humanity withdraws in terror and recoils from the pain it has inflicted upon itself. It becomes confused, shocked, and horrified by its own selfish capabilities, finally becoming aware. It is now awake.

Moving unto the bull symbol on John's shirt where it is double entendre. The bull represents not just violence and power, but also resilience and sacrifice. It embodies humanity's vulnerability to succumb to cruelty and brutality due to its innate selfishness, driven by its insatiable desire to consume. This desire is rooted in both the deprivation and misunderstanding and a yearning to be understood. The bull symbolizes the relentless pursuit of power, driven by societal constructs that perpetuate these selfish desires. Though despite facing cruelty, people still show resilience amidst the challenges, remaining steadfast despite disruptions. However, this resilience often directs us to sacrifices, as humans tend to fulfill society's selfish pleasures, which they have systematically created for themselves.

With this, John's shirt is a complete epitome of humanity and it's attraction to both chaos and peace.

[fantasyfantasygames]

Combo review: The Dark Room and Pitch-Black Time Machine

The Dark Room / Pitch-Black Time Machine, Rob Knight, 2016/2018

In 2016, Rob Knight released a thoughtful, investigative RPG entitled The Dark Room (TDR). In 2018 he released an extremely different game entitled Pitch-Black Time Machine (PBTM), using the exact same rules word-for-word. I figured I'd review both of them in one post.

In TDR each of your characters have walked into the titular room and found themselves with each other, despite entering the room in different years. When you exit the room, you're at one person's era. You try to resolve someone's issues (external and internal), and then walk back into the room and do it again in someone else's era. Once everyone's issues are solved, people can finally go back to their own eras. The mystery of the room's how and why is never resolved.

PBTM, on the other hand, is a party horror. Your inebriated characters cram themselves into a darkened closet on a combination of "seven minutes in heaven" and a phone booth stunt. When they tumble back out it's into a weirdly fractured universe where one of their issues has gone rampant, causing horrible trouble for everyone. Every time they confront one successfully, the world rearranges, until they finally end up in a world better than they left it and burn down the house with the closet. Tone-wise it's a mix of Buffy and Harold & Kumar.

There are three "layers" to the rules, and to the characters you build with them. The Issues layer deals with problems in the character's lives. It's the most innovative part of the system. Rather than just a description or a rating, Issues have mechanical hooks that let the GM generate opposition dice pools and relevant NPCs. They also provide the PCs with tainted bonuses, building negative effects even as they provide dice Success doesn't erase Issues, but instead transmutes them, turning down the negative side effects, healing weakness and building resilience.

Talents and Statistics provide more standard systems. You could run the game with just Issues, but Talents provide your character's background and anything that would fall under Advantages and Disadvantages in GURPS. Statistics provide the usual six modern attributes (str/agi/sta/int/cha/per) on a 20-80 rating and some percentile skills. The Statistics layer is either extremely phoned in, or is a reasonable case of whipping up a generic system when you don't need anything more complex. Honestly, you could run a game without the Issues layer and have a very typical older modern-era game, but that would be like using Unknown Armies without the shock gauges or Rolemaster with no crit tables. Issues are what make this system sing.

Overall I'm impressed by the difference in tone between the two games despite using the exact same system. The art does a lot to help reinforce that. Both are black and white line art, but TDR is thin-lined historical sketches and PBTM is thicker-lined and more cartooney, kind of caricature-ish. (I talk art good.) A little research revealed that it's the same artist at different points in their career, and pre/post transition, which is kinda cool. Even without the art, the text really conveys a very different game, and Rob did a great job finding two settings that precisely fit the same set of rules.

x

[purple-crusader]

Third day of Stephcass Week is here. I had a few ideas what to write that would be compliant to the DC canon and decided on an interaction that I think totally should've happened during pre-New 52. With a sprinkle of angst, because such were the times.

STEPHCASS WEEK Day 3: Canon compliant

Word counter: 885

@stephcassweek

Cass leapt from rooftop to rooftop, soaking up the Gotham atmosphere, that she hadn't felt for so long. She returned to the city for the first time in over a year, since she had left to Hong Kong, to work with the Batman Inc. under the name Black Bat.

But before she was Black Bat, she was Batgirl. The name has not been left alone, Cassandra gave the moniker, earlier sported by their mentor Barbara Gordon, to Stephanie Brown. Cass did not have many friends before leaving Gotham (and even now that list wasn't that long), but Steph had a special place among a little group she did have. She saw her as an incredibly resilient woman, who could be trusted with the mantle.

She also knew that the blonde woman was kinda lost on life at the moment. Leaving your friends and family after a fake-out death for a year, returning home and getting hit with the rest of their little dysfunctional family drama from Bruce's passing was a lot to endure. Cass thought that maybe being Batgirl would give her a foundation she needed in her life at that moment.

The dark-haired vigilante did not contact Steph during her time abroad, which was probably a mistake. A bigger mistake would probably be seeing the woman, without warning, especially since she was supposted to leave the city yet again the next day. It would all probably lead to a bigger mess inside her best friend's head but... she could not resist checking if she's doing alright.

She got info from Tim where the woman lived at the moment, a small apartament in downtown Gotham, near the Gotham University. She sat on the external side of the window and knocked on it. She waited a minute, before the blonde woman finally showed up in her PJs. She was visibly pulled out the middle of her sleep, but a strike of energy went through her body, when she was her friend.

"CASS?!?!" The woman screamed, letting her friend in. She did not let her say anything and immediately hugged her tight. Cass could feel that blondie spent some time on gym when she was not around. "Oh my God! Cass... Cassie! What are you doing here?!" She said enthusiastically. "Why the fuck did you not speak to me once during the last year?!" She said a bit less enthusiastically. Cass saw that her body went through a plethora of different emotions - happiness, anger, shock, excitement. She knew it's gonna end up like this.

"I think... we need to catch up." The dark-haired vigilante said and pointed to the window. Stephanie should have probably propsed staying in her apartment to make the talk quicker, so she could soon go to bed and get a much needed sleep before the big exam she had the next day. She did not do that, instead went straight to her bedroom, changed into her costume and soon the two women glided through the air.

It brought back memories of when they were younger and played rooftop tag, which became a routine for them during patrols. As they jumped from building to building around the city, without concrete aim, Stephanie was talking non-stop, telling Cass everything that happened in her life during the woman's absencję, at times maybe even too much. Cass wasn't complaining, she genuinely missed hearing her friend talk. It was their dynamic, Steph was the talker, Cass was the listener.

They finally stopped on the top of the clocktower, from where they could see the whole city. Cass has carefully plopped on the verge, her legs hanging freely, Stephanie joined her.

"And what about you?" The blonde woman asked. "You found any nice guy in Hong Kong? Or maybe a girl?" Steph smirked, nudging Cass with her shoulder, the dark-haired woman blushed.

"No... I didn't find anyone." She started. "I met new friends. From Batman Inc. I... worked with my mother, for a bit. We're getting better finally I think." She finished her sentence, Steph still smiling.

"Don't want to tell more? Okay, I'll push it out of you tommorow, or some other day. We have time." Steph said. Cass quieted down, feeling embarrassed. Stephanie could feel something was wrong. "Everything alright?" Steph felt a slight sting.

"I'm coming back to Hong Kong tommorow." Cass finally muttered. Steph felt worse.

"W-what? Again? And what, you're gonna be quiet again for the next year and then come back here to give me some hope, then leave?!" Steph did not want it to sound as offensive as it did, but she could not stop herself. Cass felt the guilt settling in.

"I had to get data for a mission back there. And... I wanted to see you. See Tim." Cass said. Steph saw her friend was torn and decided to tone herself down. She still felt like someone stabbed her in the heart.

"Well then, it was nice seeing you..." Steph stood up, getting ready to jump off the tower. "And one more thing, if you wanted to ta-" She did not finish her sentence, as she noticed Cass already vanished into the night. Probably when the blonde woman turned her back while standing up. "I could expect that." She said to herself sadly and pulled out her grapling hook.

[moonshynecybin]

the anastasia gifs you reblogged…… rosquez anastasia au….. god this is all i’m going to be able to think about….. vale as the clever conman and marc as the lost prince suffering from memory loss is going to haunt me actually

the thing about anastasia is i love it….

literally YES valentino is a charming con man who used to work at the palace and he secreted prince marc and his brother alex away in the heat of the bolshevik rebellion… marc of course hits his head (unfortunately marc behavior) while escaping and suffers from amnesia… often he has dreams of the family he left behind… alex reaching out for him from the train as it pulls away… ghosts dancing in his mind…

anyways! fast forward to however many years later and valentino is like hey. this kid looks a lot like the young prince. we could do something with that. (ie: make a LOT of money from the exiled prince alex who is holed up with relatives in spain and has been desperately searching for his brother for x number of years.) there are scenes of marc in front of a painting of himself as a kid. there are long flirty arguments between marc and vale on a train. there is santi (who else tbh) and vale trying to teach marc his family history and him knowing a weird amount of detail already… the awareness he may be the real deal creeping in… there is vale teaching marc to dance and getting wayyyy too into it. and like. holding him so close and just kind of swaying… anyways they show up in spain and alex is immediately like okay. that is my brother. maybe the iconic music box scene where marc knows the lullaby their parents always sang to them…

and vale who is fully in love and fully in denial and he knew this was coming but some part of him is still shocked is basically like haha! gimme the money i have to go immediately bc he CANNOT. be in love with a prince that’s bananas. and he’s going to nobly leave marc to be with his brother (marc is SO happy to see him. just something in him settles immediately) and then rasputin (forgot. that this movie has an external antagonist. sorry. rasputin IS trying to kill marc. so it goes.) is going to come after marc so he comes back to rescue him and marc is like. i love you. you moron. and vale’s resilient internal confidence comes back (he didn’t want to lose marc so he left first so when marc says i love you he’s just like oh okay! i’m good now.) and they get marriedddddd and fuck nasty every single day forever amen

[untoldreader]

Kara Danvers

Masterlist

Immortal Devotion: Epic Love-

1. A Fateful Encounter

In this chapter, the reader and Kara Danvers have a chance meeting that sets their destinies in motion. The initial connection between them sparks a sense of intrigue and possibility.

2. Sparks Of Destiny

Their bond deepens as they spend more time together, discovering shared interests and values. However, unforeseen obstacles arise, testing their connection and forcing them to confront challenges they never anticipated.

3. Unveiling Secrets... Unleashing Chaos

As their relationship progresses, secrets from both their pasts come to light. They must navigate the revelations and decide whether their love can withstand the truths they uncover.

4. Unexpected Allies

Their love faces various trials and tribulations, both external and internal. They must confront external threats and internal conflicts that put their devotion to the test.

5. Bonds... Severed Or Strengthen

Amidst the challenges, their bond strengthens. They find solace and support in each other, growing closer as they face adversity together.

6. In The Face Of Danger

A shocking revelation disrupts their lives, thrusting them into a dangerous situation. They must rely on their love and bravery to navigate the perilous circumstances.

7. Love's Resilience

Their love is tested to its limits as they encounter setbacks and heartache. They must find the strength to persevere and overcome the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart.

8. A Leap Of Faith

In a pivotal moment, they are faced with a difficult decision that requires them to take a leap of faith. They must trust in their love and make a choice that will shape their future.

9. Shadows Of Doubt... The Betrayal Within

Doubt and uncertainty creep into their relationship, casting shadows on their once-solid foundation. They must confront their fears and address lingering doubts to find their way back to each other.

10. Embracing The Light

Amidst the darkness, they find a glimmer of hope and light. They rediscover the strength of their love and embrace the path forward together.

[forthesanityofstorytellers]

just finished my Tumblr homework (reading through your pinned post and OC intros now that I've followed you) so it's COMPLIMENT TIME

I deeply appreciate your commitment to linguistic worldbuilding. The aliens have alien words and concepts, and they get translated poorly sometimes good for drama good for realism good for character dynamics

"You can kill him all you want" is such a banger concept. I truly appreciate that kind of resilience as a powerset, the ability to treat something that would stop most other people as either a mild inconvenience or better something you lean into for mind games points. Few things are better than leaning into the knife at your throat just to see the one holding it flinch away.

If I am correct in assuming that Kashi is the protagonist of The Hunter, the contrast between the two presentations (plot and character) is deeply compelling. The relationship between an alien and the planet upon which they are. There is no loyalty innate in it, so why would I feel betrayed to hear that she would "carve a path" through our planet when she owes us no more than a wanderer owes the desert, and yet. I read so much pain in those bare snippets and I want to see it tended. (Good job getting this much strong reaction with fewer than 100 words)

While I've got you with the nice words, I also have some curious words, about Kashi and Jules. You say in his intro that Rod has very few friends, but what about them? Inter-world transit does not seem conducive to strong relationships, so how have they fared on that front, and does that change over the course of their stories?

AHHHHHHHHHHH

Forgive the time between getting this and answering it, I just spent the last few days just:

OKAY, first to your curious words:

They're...Okay. SO. Jules is sort of a frenemy of his. They're not necessarily friendly with each other, but they're not excessively antagonistic. They're more...indifferent to each other unless one of them needs something that the other can provide. They both know that a knock-down, drag-out fight would be less than ideal, use up a lot of energy and power for both, and ultimately would get practically nothing done except being exhausted (mostly Jules, although the mental toll of getting that many of his clones busted would make him want to throw up, probably). So they have more of a...working relationship more than a friendship. They keep this status quo throughout their relative stories, and once she achieves her goal of getting home, she basically cuts all communication and he won't hear from her again unless he hunts her down. Even then, since she's home and no longer needs his help for anything she may just kill him to get him out of her face.

For Kashi, however, they have an interesting friendship. Neither of them would call it that tho, lol. Rod was basically the one that took care of her directly after her pack was murdered and kept her alive until she could claw her way out of the shock (and several other states of mind) that followed. After that, Kashi got her chance to help him through an equally traumatizing experience of his own, and she returned the favor by not letting him get killed or go too far during his period of manic dissociative destruction. So, these two are basically besties that refused to be separated and will go to the depths of hell for the other, but he will also relentlessly nag her because he thinks it's funny and likewise she'll kill him just for being annoying (knowing that he'll come back, of course). And really, nothing is going to change that. They're both content to stay on earth for one reason or another, and I'm sure that if one of them did actually take off to another world, they'd somehow convince the other one to come with.

ALSO

THANK YOU for the nice words!!!! I've got a history of being indecisive about the linguistic part of my worldbuilding, so tysm for that being at the top of the list, lol!! I really really enjoy constructing the languages but extra external validation is always nice 😂 And Rod definitely treats it as an inconvenience - it still hurts him, but since it's not permanent he'll usually let someone think they've killed him and then bounce back into the picture later to delight in their shock. And yes, Kashi is the MC of The Hunter, and again tysm for your nice words there. The Hunter has been one of those I really want to work on more but as soon as I start The Gremlins creep in and tell me no one actually would want to read it (despite the fact that I've gotten a number of people that's given me positive feedback on Kashi and a few that have already said they like the concept 😅)

TYSM for reading and taking time to send in all the words!!!

[sheplayswithlifee]

Stacey's journey through Britechester Uni unfolded with its share of unexpected turns. Graduating with a solid B average, she embraced the challenges of dorm life, finding herself in a peculiar situation with her roommate Raphael. Despite initial reservations, Stacey eventually acquiesced to his advances, leading to a revelation that would reshape her path – she was expecting a child.

The shock of impending parenthood settled differently for Stacey and Raphael. Stacey, initially neutral about the prospect of motherhood, grappled with the reality of the situation. Raphael, on the other hand, welcomed the news with genuine joy, eager to step into the role of a father.

Bracing herself for what she anticipated as disapproval, Stacey shared the news with her parents. However, their unexpected reaction caught her off guard. Instead of anger, Kennedi and Omari exchanged a knowing glance and offered a supportive response. "You're an adult," Kennedi remarked, a smile playing on her lips, reinforcing the understanding that Stacey's choices were her own.

Meanwhile, Stacey's close friend Lea embarked on a parallel journey into motherhood, navigating the experience with her husband without the drama of external complications.

As Stacey prepared to introduce her parents to Raphael, tensions flared briefly. Omari, initially skeptical, had reservations about Stacey's choice of a partner. However, as time unfolded, he softened, gradually coming to terms with the impending changes.

The New Year's Eve celebration marked a joyous occasion, a prelude to Stacey's triumphant graduation from college. Returning to the comforting embrace of her parents' home, Stacey prepared for the next chapter. With an apartment on the horizon, she began to weave together the threads of her life, culminating in a surprising career turn. Landing a role as a judge in Tomarang, Stacey embraced the future with a newfound sense of purpose and resilience, proving that her journey was one of growth, acceptance, and uncharted success.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Aaron Sibarium

Published: Apr 2, 2024

In a mandatory course on "structural racism" for first-year medical students at the University of California Los Angeles, a guest speaker who has praised Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel led students in chants of "Free, Free Palestine" and demanded that they bow down to "mama earth," according to students in the class and audio obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

Lisa "Tiny" Gray-Garcia, who has referred to the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks as "justice," began the March 27 class by leading students in what she described as a "non-secular prayer" to "the ancestors," instructing everyone to get on their knees and touch the floor—"mama earth," as she described it—with their fists.

At least half of the assembled students complied, two students said. Gray-Garcia, a local activist who had been invited to speak about "Housing (In)Justice," proceeded to thank native tribes for preserving "what the settlers call L.A.," according to audio obtained by the Free Beacon, and to remind students of the city’s "herstory."

The prayer also included a benediction for "black," "brown," and "houseless people" who die because of the "crapatalist lie" of "private property."

"Mama earth," Gray-Garcia told the kneeling students, "was never meant to be bought, sold, pimped, or played."

So began a long and looney lecture that shocked some students at the elite medical school and has led to calls for an investigation. Wearing a keffiyeh that covered her entire face, Gray-Garcia, a self-described "poverty scholar," led the class in chants of "Free, Free Palestine" as faculty and staff looked on in silence, according to people in the course and contemporaneous text messages reviewed by the Free Beacon.

One of the onlookers was Lindsay Wells, a pediatrician at UCLA and the director of the mandatory first-year course, "Structural Racism and Health Equity," who did not respond to a request for comment.

Gray-Garcia later referred to modern medicine as "white science" and inveighed against the "occupation" of "Turtle Island"—that is, the United States—before asking students to stand for a second prayer. This time, nearly everyone rose.

When one student remained seated, according to students in the class, a UCLA administrator, whom the Free Beacon could not identify, inquired about the student’s identity, implying that discipline could be on the table.

"The net effect was that UCLA staff intimidated first-year medical students into participating in a religious service in derogation of their own personal beliefs," UCLA’s Jewish Faculty Resilience Group wrote to university chancellor Gene Block on Sunday.  "There needs to be an urgent and thorough external review and investigation of the [medical school’s] curriculum and systemic antisemitism."

UCLA and Gray-Garcia did not respond to requests for comment.

The surreal spectacle is the latest controversy to envelop the "Structural Racism and Health Equity" class, launched in the wake of George Floyd’s death as a part of the medical school’s "anti-racism roadmap."

The course became the subject of a civil rights complaint in January after it separated students into race-based discussion groups—one for white students, another for African Americans, and a third for "Non-Black People of Color." UCLA cancelled the exercise after a Wall Street Journal editorial highlighted the complaint.

More unwanted attention came in March when the Daily Wire published portions of the course’s syllabus, which includes units on "settler colonialism" and recommends a podcast about "Indigenous womxn’s health." Students are also urged to read an essay, "Decolonization is not a metaphor," that describes the "epistemic, ontological, cosmological violence" of "the settler."

Gray-Garcia’s talk offers a window into the way these concepts are shaping the classroom experience at one of the top medical schools in the country—and raises serious questions about how that school vetted a speaker with a long history of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic posts.

"When u resist after decades of relentless poLicing [sic], killing & terrorizing," Gray-Garcia tweeted on Nov. 1, "that’s not ‘terrorism’ that’s justice."

Israel, she declared in 2018, is "amerikkklan."

News of Gray-Garcia’s lecture comes as the Department of Education is investigating UCLA over a string of anti-Semitic episodes on campus, including an incident in which students bludgeoned a piñata with a picture of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s face. "Beat that f—ing Jew," one student allegedly shouted. In a separate incident, UCLA moved an event with former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni online due to threats of protests.

Beyond her anti-Israel posts, Gray-Garcia’s writings include a book called How to Not Call the Po’Lice Ever and a poem, "Dear KKKolumbus," dedicated to black people killed by law enforcement.

"Pop - Pop/Our babies have been shot," the first stanza reads. "By these occupying armies called KKKops."

==

Students and their families pay tens of thousands of dollars to go to this school and be mandatorily subjected to this insane trash.

Lawsuits. Lots and lots of lawsuits.

[knight-of-redemption]

Thel Vadam_Arknights verse info

File no. XXXX

I.D.- Thel Vadam

Alias- Arbiter; Kaidon

Class- External Operator, no class assigned.

Gender- Male.

Combat experience- At least 30 years

Birthplace- Sanghelios

Birthdate- December 10th

Race- Sangheili

Height- 240 cm

Oripathy status: Constant examination reveals lack of Originum presence in bloodstream and body cells, showing possible Oripathy inmunity.

Physical Examination

[Physical Strength] Excellent.

[Mobility] Good.

[Physical Resilience] Excellent.

[Tactical Acumen] Excellent.

[Combat Skill] Excellent.

[Originium Arts Assimilation] None.

Analysis: Medical tests have shown presence of a dual heart circulatory system, which provides amounts of oxigen so big that grants the individual with unparalelled energy into his daily activities. The absence of Originum particles and a possible inmunity to Oripathy could be attributed to this unique circulatory composition.

Archives

Archive I

The living proof that there exist intelligent life among the stars, the arrival of Thel at Rhodes Island sparked both fascination and shock among the other operators. Beign taller than anyone else, his imposing frame accentuated by his advanced armor makes him look like a knight from a movie. As time went on both allies and enemies of Rhodes made their own stories about him, trying to explain in their own words such an anomaly.

Archive II

Vadam lacks the ability to harness Originum arts, however he compensates this with his natural and unique strengths compared to species at Rhodes, and enhanced by the use of very advanced equipment and weaponry manufactured by his race and others he claims to kept as trophies from battle. Both his natural strengths and the tools at his disposal have proven to compare and even surpass originum arts in some cases; allowing Vadam to fight alongside operators without suffering any disadvantage in most scenarios.

Archive III

Thel claims to have served most of his life into a theocratic cultural hegemony, known as 'The Covenant'. Where, similar to Rhodes Island, several species formed an alliance to become a powerful military force; the difference beign this alliance was interplanetary. While he doesn't tell in much detail how was his actions while serving such hegemony, he claims to had at one point his personal army. While its imposible to confirm such claims, he has demonstrated enough experience in battle to back up at least part of them.

Archive IV

Most operators are intimidated by his imposing frame and keeps their distance, but the few that managed to get close to him have noticed a particular desire to help those in need. By the way he talks about family, seems like he doesn't have any back in his homeworld, and those who manage to overcome the fear and approach him gets his unconditional support. Like an old uncle willing to adopt everyone into a family he never had before....

Archive V_Top Secret.

-PROYECT SALVATION-

Since the initial medical exams in his arrival. It was a surprise for the medical team the nule presence of Originum in his bloodstream despite beign exposed to it. Later examinations confirmed his inmunity to Oripathy, which began a serious debate in the medical community. Should the cause of this particular anomaly be studied further and replicated to offer a possible cure to Oripathy? Or could the meddling with an outworld nature create something even worse? Only time will tell.

[workersolidarity]

🇷🇺🇨🇳 🚨

RUSSIA, CHINA AND BRICS PREPARE MASSIVE BLOW TO US DOLLAR DOMINANCE WITH LATEST CURRENCY MOVES

The BRICS trade organization, with the backing of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China, is preparing a major blow to U.S. dollar dominance in the global economy with an expanded payments system for trade between nations that will not be pegged to the U.S. dollar, according to reports in the Russian media.

The report, published in Russian news outlet Ria Novosti, stated that a new decentralized, blockchain-based international payment system, known as BRICS Pay, will make it possible to bypass Western sanctions while boosting the economic influence of BRICS, BRICS member states, as well as developing countries that trade with BRICS nations, while accelerating efforts to create a new international trade currency.

The United States sees these developments as a direct threat the U.S. dollar and its status as the World's reserve currency, according to the news outlet, with one of the main goals of the BRICS organization being the avoidance of International dependency on the U.S. dollar for trade outside the Western sphere of influence.

Already, 95% of trade between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China is conducted in Yuan and Rubles.

This kind of trade, conducted outside the U.S. dollar, "increases solvency and economic resilience to uncertainties and external shocks," says Shen Yi, the Chief of the BRICS Research Center at the Development Research Institute of Fudon University, as quoted by Ria Novosti.

“Objectively speaking, the diversified development of the international monetary and payment systems is consistent with the changing trends in the distribution of power and the general direction of evolution of the global system,” Yi noted in an interview with the Russian news outlet.

The news agency says the next step in this development is "our own system of international payments."

Recently, Russian Presidential Assistant, Yuri Ushakov, announced the intention of the BRICS commonwealth to create a payment system using a blockchain-based digital currency, with the purpose of developing a modern, effective payment service (BRICS Pay) intended to make international payments between countries "convenient, cost-effective, and most importantly, free from political influence."

"We need to completely move away from the peg [of international trade] to the dollar and Western instruments like [the] SWIFT [payments system]." Ushakov added.

Experts point to a BRICS payment system as a method of avoiding the sanctions of the United States and its Western allies, emphasizing that BRICS countries, and countries trading with BRICS member-states, will be able to perform mutual payments while avoiding the U.S. dollar, weakening the currency's role as the backbone of international payments and the world reserve currency.

The report also adds that a decentralized cryptocurrency payment system based on blockchain technology would be far more difficult to track, helping countries to avoid secondary sanctions while trading with nation-states under economic assault by the West like the Russian Federation.

Furthermore, a BRICS payment system will become a direct competitor to the Western-dominated and controlled SWIFT payment scheme, strengthening multipolarity in global finance and undermining the dictats of the United States and the European Union, while increasing the financial and political heft of the BRICS organization and its members.

According to Yaroslav Ostrovsky, a specialist in the strategic research department at Total Research, “If this project is implemented, its participants will switch to their own currencies in international payments, without the dollar and SWIFT terminals. At the same time, it is planned that countries outside the bloc will also be able to use the new system. The synergistic effect from such interaction will strengthen the position of BRICS in the global economic system."

Setting up such a payment system will take time, with financial experts suggesting it could take upwards of a year for debugging and implementing the payment scheme, while some experts say the system could become the basis for a future, single, BRICS supranational currency, and perhaps even a direct challenger the U.S. dollar's position as the world's reserve currency.

The new payment system, as well as any future BRICS currency, are a part of a process for which BRICS aims to become a global organization, trade union, and international financial association in direct competition with the Western-dominated international trade system, based on the U.S. dollar, that is currently wielded as a weapon against the adversaries of the West through its sanctions regime and it's control over International institutions.

#source

#photosource

@WorkerSolidarityNews

[strings2book]

Vectors in the Void: A Captivating Saga of Life, Love, and Historical Tumult

Title: "Vectors in the Void: A Captivating Saga of Life, Love, and Historical Tumult"

"Vectors in the void" is a rich and sweeping saga that spans decades and continents, entwining the life of Zara with the tumultuous historical events of the 20th century. In this review, we'll explore the layers of this compelling narrative and how it skillfully weaves together personal stories with the backdrop of significant historical events.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭'𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞

The book begins with the birth of Zara on a day marked by the Indian Freedom Struggle, setting the stage for a life filled with eventful twists and turns. Her childhood in the picturesque hill station of Murree during the pre-Partition era introduces readers to a bygone world filled with colonial charm and intrigue. The author effectively transports the reader to this era, immersing them in the sights, sounds, and sentiments of the time.

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭

The narrative seamlessly incorporates major historical events such as the Holocaust, the Second World War in Europe, and the births of India, Pakistan, and Israel into Zara's life story. These events shape her worldview, as they do for many during that period. The author's ability to intertwine personal and historical narratives is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

𝐙𝐚𝐫𝐚'𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲

As Zara grows from a schoolgirl into a mature woman, the book delves into the complexities of her life. Her prudent marriage in post-Independence India, her involvement in business and Swatantra Party politics, and her encounters with external events like the Sino-Indian conflict and the Proclamation of Emergency all contribute to the tapestry of her life. Zara's resilience and adaptability in the face of these challenges make her a compelling protagonist.

𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚

The book also delves into the intricate web of family dynamics. Zara's role as a mother to twin daughters with contrasting needs - one beautiful and brilliant, the other sickly and artistic - presents a relatable exploration of the complexities of parenthood. The unexpected communication that conveys a shocking truth adds a layer of mystery and intrigue to the narrative.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲

The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Zara connects with a celebrity in London. This subplot introduces elements of hope and suspense as readers wonder whether it will revive a precious bond or shatter a fragile family. The author skillfully uses this thread to keep the reader engaged and emotionally invested.

𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲

The storytelling in this book is a masterful display of narrative art. The author effortlessly ties together diverse events, places, and characters into a cohesive and captivating saga. The book's ability to transport readers through time and space, immersing them in various historical and cultural contexts, is truly commendable.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬

It is a captivating and thought-provoking narrative that skillfully combines personal stories with the backdrop of significant historical events. Zara's journey is both relatable and inspiring, making her a protagonist readers can root for. The book's ability to seamlessly weave together diverse elements into a cohesive narrative is a testament to the author's storytelling prowess. Whether you're interested in history, family drama, or personal growth, this book offers a compelling and enriching reading experience. It's a captivating saga of life, love, and historical tumult that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.