#respect for IDIC

[ryannorth]

this forum does not exist but if it did I would HOPE they'd respect the IDIC ethos as introduced in 1968's "Is There In Truth No Beauty?" during the original series' third season

[pavel-chekov-appreciator]

I want better for Sybok.

I want a world where he got a fighting chance to do anything but become a cult leader. I’ve seen aus where he becomes a counselor and I can’t stop thinking about it.

No gods, no Sha-Ka-Ree, no cult. Just a kid who knows his history. Who researches Surak, and the world before him, and finds himself dissatisfied with present day Vulcan’s interpretations of his teachings. Unable to see the logic in following one ancient man’s words with no additional input or thought. Is this truly the best way for them to live? His mother didn't think so. He doesn't think so either.

He’s young, and he has big ideas and a lot of charisma, and a lot of inner pain from losing his mother and being suddenly told the way she was raising him was wrong. He quickly earns a reputation as a troublemaker. Indulging in blatant displays of emotionalism, just to prove his point, that he smiled and nothing bad happened, he cried and he felt better after.

He’s dissatisfied and ostracized and convinced there’s a better way to be living.

He fucks off at 18-not quite banished, but so strongly encouraged to leave that he might as well have been-and goes to a college on Earth, because the federation is a post-scarcity society so he has his basic needs met and he just wants to figure himself out, and where better to do that than a college campus, as far away from Vulcan society as possible. On his step-mother's home planet, where he knows at least a little of the culture, the language, what to expect.

He sees the school counselor a lot, and gets a lot out of their sessions. Takes some psychology courses and ends up getting really passionate about it.

Teaches himself to embrace his emotions while acknowledging that it’s very easy to be ruled by them. Utilizes aspects of traditional Vulcan control combined with the human practice of mindfulness to understand his emotions and control his strong impulse to act on them, without completely rejecting them. Knows he is choosing not to control his emotions, but he can and should control the actions he takes in response to them to avoid hurting himself or others. Knows that understanding why he feels a certain way can help him understand himself better.

Lives his best life and studies psychology to help other people find the same joy and peace he has, in whatever form that takes for them.

Then he finds out his baby bro basically told the VSA to fuck off and that dad more or less disowned him for joining Starfleet. Feels so damn proud of him for standing up the their parents like that.

Reunites with his brother after years of separation.

It’s rocky at first, but after both being disowned they’re all the family the other has left now, and they both do really care about each other.

Spock doesn’t understand Sybok’s choices, but he doesn’t need to understand them to respect them; Sybok is clearly still exercising some degree of control over himself, he even still meditates, he’s just controlling himself less, and differently, and his mind is more at peace than it’s ever been before. Sybok doesn’t really understand Spock’s continued dedication to logic either, but he respects it too, because clearly it still means something to Spock in a big way.

They make peace with each other, and their differences, and with the fact that their parents and society have rejected them. That Sybok did everything “wrong” and Spock did everything “right” and yet they both ended up in the same place; on Earth, with mom ignoring their calls, because she loved them both but she loves her husband more.

And ultimately he enrolls in Starfleet medical to become a ships counselor, because he still takes great joy in doing things he knows dad would hate, and because he wants to specialize in trauma and grief counseling and Starships need a lot of that, and because getting a new perspective on life from being around humans helped him a lot and he’s rejected a lot of philosophy that he found unhelpful but IDIC is something he still believes in; he wants to be around as many different ideas and perspectives as he can to improve himself and his practice, and Starfleet is a great way to do that.

Getting to follow his only remaining family into space is just a bonus.

[startrek-eridani]

Are all the characters’ sexualities set in stone or are they up for interpretation(specifically for the characters that aren’t part of the triumvirate)

Amazing ask on Pride Month ✨🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

I think like most things in fandoms and with Star Trek: Eridani in general, you can interpret pretty largely.

Soon, we will have a post about the LGBT characters among the rest of the crew (outside of the main triumvirate) for pride, but of course, in a fan project, headcanons can cohabit!

I think the few things that are "set in stones" (notice the " ") are the fact that Wane Perry uses They/them pronouns, as well as the sexuality of the triumvirate, since David has a "coming out" arc in S2, Joanna is said to have dated a girl in her youth, has had a boyfriend that also shows up in S1 and she and Saavik have this ongoing will-they-won't-they romance that becomes real romance in S4 (spoilers here haha), which is why I say they are respectively bisexual and a lesbian. Then again, if you see and write Joanna as pan instead of bi, or want to explore Saavik on the ace or aro spectrum, go all in!

Additionally, David Marcus is written here as gay, and has an arc about it because even if it takes place in the future, his story is one that would have been told on 1995 tv and reflects both that period and the fact that real actor Merritt Butrick was, from what I've read, a gay man who died from the medical complications of AIDS in 1989, at 29 years old. This was meant as a remembrance and hommage for him.

Tl:dr feel free to headcanon was you want in the spirit of IDIC. Happy Pride and thanks for the ask! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🖖✨

[hopecomesbacktolife]

I’m a religious syncretic, I love both Star Trek and LOTR ✨ you’re welcome to join me if ya want! we have:

-high holidays (threshold day, sub rosa day, middle-earth new year, hobbit day, 7/9 day, durin’s day, etc)

-sacred music (shire theme, star trek theme, rohan theme, stiv theme, edge of night, beyond antares, nature’s reclamation, etc)

-special foods (po-ta-toes, italian [food], strawberries with cream, mint juleps, appreciation for a good ale, etc)

-guiding principles (IDIC, valuing food+cheer+song above hoarded gold, equity and equal rights for all, friendship and love and hope, doing good for goodness’s sake, being true to yourself, science appreciation, gorgeous textiles, enjoying a simple/comforting life, nature conservation and respect, anticapitalism, etc)

-icons (uhura, arwen, spock, aragorn, frodo, ben sisko, kira nerys, eowyn, etc)

-beautiful lyrical texts (LOTR, the silmarillion, unfinished tales, the wounded sky, spock’s world, etc)

and more!

[red-moon-shine]

Tears of a broken promise

They were currently at the port they were reunited to say goodbye to eachother before they go into their respective misions,the ambience was tense in betwen the two o them they hadn´t talked since the discussion that they had last night.

He was nervous not dearing to speak as he waited for his elder brother to at least say something not receiving any answer he was going to speak,when suddenly a warm embrace took him by surprise.

The elder one was hugging him tighly almost making him suffocate hiting a bit his older brothers back to idicate that it was enough to wich he let go letting him breathe.

''what got to you so suddenly?''

He asked looking to his brother who to his surprise had a warm but wide smile in his face smile he hadn't seen in a really long time,not since their other family members passed away.

''im just a bit happier than this last days thats all''

Said the older before ruffling his fluff or rather hair making him chuckle he hadn´t seen him this energic and overall happy since a long while it almost felt off,but he wasn´t going to question it at least not now.

''if you say so''

Claimed the younger one as he just stared at his old brother hearing a 'ejem' coming from behind him looking at a certain masked irken that came with him just to make sure he didn't lated much.

''are you two done over there?''

Questioned the masked one looking at them with a deadpan expresion that could be senced troughout the plastic mask.

Both looked at eachother him looking more melancholic felling like he should say something but his brother moved before he could say something,moving towards the masked irken who looked a bit paniked at the sudden aproach.

''what are you-hmph!''

He had almost no time of reaction before he was hugged with such force he was even lifted off the floor hitting the taller one´s back to indicate he was suffocating under his grasp,the older one let go afther laughing abit as the other recovered from the bear hug.

The older one really had no reason to do that but he still did,the younger one weanwhile also laughed at this scene looking as the masked irken recovering and sending a dead stare at his brother as if they were enemies to wich his brother only smirked amused.

''Mis hurry up! we have to go!''

Soon the taller one was called an female irken with a lizard like apearence was calling him to come as she moved some samll metalic boxes inside the spceship.

''thats my call…looks like is time to say goodbye''

Said the taller one as the other two noded,he smiled at them before going for another hug,strange comming of him that he was very touchy that day since he usually disliked fisical touch.

This time he hugged both of them softly in diference to before,the younger one corresponded aswell as the masked one afther a couple of seconds.

''take care you two,ok?''

Was what he said before letting go off them,he patted both of their heads a bit to the disgust off he masked one who pushed his hand grumbling to wich the taller one only giggled.

''MIS!''

The taller one was going to say something but the angry scream of the irken of before made him jump and turn around to shout aswell.

''coming!''

An unamed planet were irk had an still operating investigation center or that was till they sent an almost screaming help mensage to the central,so a small rescue team was sent in case it was a trap.

he waved at them as he was leaving smiling brigtly,both waved back,the younger one left things unsaid but if they saw again maybe they could talk it out,but he couldn´t help but have a bad felling about this.

.

.

.

They had been traveling since a couple days now,the travel was about to end as they were aproaching the destination.

The rescue was more regarding the investigation that was on that rather small investigation center of the desertic planet than to rescue the investigators and scientist of the place.

Cruel maybe,but at this point they couldn´t risk it this was one of the last investigation centers hidden away and that was far away from irk and wich was still accesible.

The rescue team consisted of 5 memebers 2 elite pilots,an mechanic,an exterminator and a rebelious xeltrian,quite a weird combination if things had to be said.

Once they were on close proximity off the planet they were warned by the pilots as a call to be ready for the landing were their mission will start.

They landed safely afther that,once on the sanded ground of the planet he felt an rather agonaizing pinch on his neck almost like it was a burning red needle being puntured on his neck.

It wasn´t the first time he felt that kind of pain that came associated with the fact of now being part of the xeltrian hive mind,but he thought this signal probably came from amber the xeltrian that was with them.

But due to no signal of life outside it was obvious something went wrong and they had no time left and due to the abcent of any form of ship they probably escaped given the oportunity or the one´s that could.

Soon he learned he was wrong in thinking the signal came from amber.

.

They aproached to the base prepared for the worst since once close they could see the base rather dismanteled like they tried to get everything to get out of the planet as fast as posible.

Ignoring this they decided to enter the base looking around in watch of survivors for now only finding corpses some under fallen debry,something truly went wrong in there.

Once they reached the center and most important part of the investigation center they found with horror that everything was destroyed leaving nothing of research behind everything was destroyed.

He couldn´t help but curse under his breath as he saw this mass destruccion and bodys of all the scientist and researchers being trown everywhere some even hanging above their heads.

All their reasearch was gone but maybe there were still something to save,as they started to look around in watch of something they could save they had no clue they weren´t alone in fact being watched.

Saeri his cousin and the mechanic of the team soon in one of the corpses found an ipad that was mayorly intact only having a cracked screen.

''hey! found something''

''what is it?''

''its an ipad it has the screen cracked but it seems intact''

''good…if we can´t find anything else we'll take that and leave''

Was their converstion as he still looked for anything else they could safe meanwhile amber guarded atentive to any sort of danger.

As saeri got the ipad out of the body´s hands a sudden but low growl only him and amber heard made act of presence they got pale as they also received a transmission trhough their flagella.

They weren´t abble to warn saeri before a rank 4 xeltrian ran straiaght towards her,even if saeri reacted fast and shielded herself with an arm,what she didn´t take in count was that the xeltrian riped a part of her arm off.

She let out a loud pained scream as she fell to the ground with only a part of her now dislocated arm left as the other one was being swalowed by the monster known by the name the silent death.

Amber attacked knocking off balnce the rather more small xeltrain in coparicion taking saeri in her arms and runing being followed by him short afther since he had to make sure they had a way to distract that beast.

He closed doors and halls to try and slow down the rank 4 who started following them opening and opening gate afther gate and door afther door with only brute force.

Amber and saeri ran out fisrt being followed by mis who had closed the principal gate of the base which was more resistent and will take a while to destroy.

''someone has to distract it''

Said amber kinda the obvious somethng had to entertrain the rank 4 so that the others could go safely back to irk.

''im going to,i know how…''

Sighted mis prepared to sacrifice himself for the safety of the others,upon hearing this saeri tried to go down of amber´s arms but amber hold on tight.

''no! were not letting you here!''

''…it´s the only way…im sorry…''

Were mis words with a heavy heart as he loocked at the gate as shounds of broken metal were heard from the inside of the base.

''amber go now the rank 4 won´t late that much on reaching and breking the frontal gate…''

Amber only noded as saeri was still triying to get of her arms as this happened,amber started runing with saeri on her arms going far quickly.

''NO! MIS!''

Was the onle thing he could hear saeri sayas they went away sighting a bit sad,he took out his weapon and shot it staright onto the floor on a specific place.

He could hear a 'pip!' come from the sand as the floor now iluminated with tiny blue doted lights that blinked quickly making some sort of patern.

Now his gaze was taken quickly by the sound of the frontal gate being hit repeadly with extreme strenght being slowly but surely open seing as the blades of the rank 4 pierced the door.

His heart rate was speeding up fast almost feeling as if his heart will jump of his chest knowing the iminent death aproaching not by the rank 4 itself but by the mines he just activated.

The inside of his head was a disaster full of thoughts,regrets,with fond and bad memories,feelings and emotions,as he most likely was seing his life pass before his eyes.

Even if he didn´t realice at first due to feeling numb his shaking legs betrayed him making him fall on his knees being unable to get up,he experienced this kind of fear before and he didn´t like it in the bare minimum.

In his trys to calm down he inhaled and exahaled all the air in his body,now a bit more prepared his flagella wen out transmiting a signal to amber before starting a soft signal to the rank 4.

Said rank 4 went out trowing the gate down and finally coming out with a blood chiling roar,he walked out slowly now facing him it´s eyes full of hunger and anger,it growled at him as it received the signal he was sending.

Both looked at each other eye to eye with a firce glare,but one of their gazes softens and looks lost into the void of the sunrising sky.

He was sorry,really sorry,he once again broke the promise he made to her sister before she departed that he would be there for his brothers.

Now he was about to leave this world wich meant leaving take his only alive brother left behind…

Bitter tears fell off his face as he forced a smile into his facial expresion,he was sorry for everything he was sorry for absolutly everything,he was sorry…

At the sound off a last 'pip!' from the mines,the rank 4 charged at all its speed preparing its claws to decapiatate him,he was ready.

''saeri!''

afther that it all turned white.

.

.

.

They were close to reaching the ship in fact she could see it from a distance,saeri wasn´t cooperative still trying to jump off her arms and finally being abble to when she stoped runing when a transmision hit her

''we have to go back!''

''saeri no!''

''we can´t leave him! not like this!''

''saeri he´s gone!''

She stops her path upon hearing this slowly turning towards her,saeris face was covered in tears that rolled down her face non stop.

''i know…yet we have to try…''

Before she could continue walking or letting her answer something a loud boom was heard from the distance both seing a fire and smoke structure formed in the distance were the investiation center used to be.

She acted fast runing towards saeri and tackled herto the floor using her body as a shield in counter of the electromacnetic shockwave that followed.

But as spectated nothing just nothing,a great pair of metters they found the dead body of the rank 4 complitly destroyed and in another couple of meters they found the only thing left of him.

Once done they watched in horror as there was nothing but smoke left the truth making itself evident it was all nothing more than ashes now.

.

As they were back they watched for anything that could signal he had survived somehow,this hope being unrealistic and nothing more than a dream.

His PAK was still mildly intact but it was unfunctional completly shut down,upon this decovery a pained and deep in sorrow scream from saeri was heard meters away as bitter tears fell from both off their faces.

''making a hole in the floor wont make them come back faster…''

He truly was gone.

.

.

.

Back on irk he awaited kinda inpatient walking left and right as he awaited for the ship to return at the port,yet he wasn´t alone like last time being acompained by his masked companion.

''i know,i know,im just nervous''

Was their short conversation as the awaited moment finally arrived the ship in were his brother and cousin departed had arrived afther a week since he returned to irk.

He went as close as posible waiting impatient hoping to see his brother again seing as the ship landed waiting as the ship now opened its gate to let the tripulation out.

Saeri was the first to come out tho she looked lost in thought her eyes being abscent of any kind of shine and most importantly he noticed that a piece of her arm was missing.

He worried upon seing this something must have went wrong he didn´t hecitate any longer and sproached her almost triping onto his own feet.

''saeri!''

''take…?''

Saeri raised her head off the floor to see him noticing the others cast on his arm wich meant it was broken,she worried upon seing this tho she lowered her gaze again.

''saeri! wha…what happened?…your arm…''

''it was ripped off…''

Was her simple answer that make him worry even more he didn´t said a word just staring at her with worry.

''what happened to yours?''

''it was just an accident nothing to worry…''

She was going to talk when upon the sound of movement he got distracted looking inside the ship in watch for his brother seing the pilots come out and later on amber who hold something in her arms but no clue of his brother were abouts.

''were´s mis…?''

The question saeri was fearing to come was made she only stared at the side blinking fast as if she was triying to contain her tears thing wich confused him.

''he´s gone…''

Was amber´s short but certain answer,upon this revelation he was taken aback quite not beliving what he just heard.

''what…?''

''he is gone take….he is dead…''

He went pale breathing heavily while bitter tears of remorse and frustration started producing in his eyes,he was going to say something until he saw that what amber was the only remain of his brother being his now unfuntioning PAK.

Silent decorated with a face of authentic horor and tears of complete and uter pain feel down his face,his legs failed him falling to his knees.

His cousin followed him kneeling down in front of him and hugging him gently while she also started criying in join to him.

''im so sorry…im really sorry…''

''no…''

Were her words as he finaly broke down crying his heart out while he hugged her back as they both cry amber holds her tears.

.

Meanwhile at the conmosion his masked companion comes closer noticing the scene not quite understanding what was happening until he notices the object in ambers hands realization hitting quick.

But despite none of them knowing someone watches this being mis or rather his soul who looks with eyes full of sadness repeating words of sorry no one can hear as tears run down its face.

Was all he could muster felling his troath dry and closing a bit out of nowhere knowing perfectly the reason as his eyes start to feel anoyed by something aswell,he clenches his fist as a form to mantain composure.

.

As bitternes and grief revolved in the ambience people observes the whole thing uravel without interrupting.

'at the rise of a new sunrise a hero says goodbye…'

Says a female voice to it´s left wich happened to be his mothers soul voice she also looked sad but she wasn´t as emotional as him.

'it´s time to go back…'

Upon hearing this he sighs and cleans his tears and nods taking a last glance again saying an apology before they both depart into the horizon.

[junewongapologia]

I know it's been lost in the many, many annoying years of ST writers deciding Vulcans are bad and contemptible for having what amounts to just really visible cultural differences from humanity, but I really like how... Culturally Vulcan Spock is.

His colleagues have like a fixation on his mother's heritage but... he grew up culturally Vulcan on Vulcan and his human mother all but states in Babel that she's basically assimilated into Vulcan culture because she agrees with its ethos. In all of TOS Spock considers himself Vulcan.

He's... very well adjusted and settled in so he is, he's a guy who sacked off the VSA to join a pseudo-military against the wishes of his pacifist dad and on the ship he plays Vulcan musical instruments with his human colleagues, and keeps a room full of Vulcan cultural artefacts that presumably remind him from home. (I get that this is half-retconned in the movies - most explicitly in ST V 🙄 - and also pretty inconsistently written in TOS but it's still there!)

Idk it's kind of sad to me that the Vulcans are literally the innovators of IDIC and they've been flanderized into these isolationist bigots because the stoicism/pacifist vibes can be kind of confused and off-putting to people.

Like. List of Vulcans we actually meet in TOS:

Spock

Spock's dad, ambassador to Earth, married to a human in some weird 60s sitcom couple dynamic, in-text reason he is estranged from his half human son is literally stated outright as being because he thinks Starfleet is too militaristic and he's a pacifist - like most Vulcans.

T'Pring - Spock's fiancée/wife, breaks up with him because it seems like too much of a hassle to be married to a celebrity, never seems to have any issue with his parentage, clearly thinks he's Vulcan since she divorces him via Vulcan ritual (logical, fight to the death) and not Human ritual (illogical, loopholes/contacting your local divorce lawyer)

Stonn - has two lines, neither of them are about Spock.

T'Pau - kind of maybe says something bigoted ("they say thy Vulcan blood is thin"), but then pulls strings to get the Enterprise off the hook for disobeying orders at the end of the episode, presumably as a favour to Spock, who she knows is going through a rough time, or out of respect for Not-Really-Dead Jim.

Surak - from a war torn civilisation five hundred years ago, still less bigoted towards other species than McCoy lmao

I might be so wrong about this but idk I just like Spock's room full of unabashed Vulcan shit, and I think ST has ignored and wasted opportunities for interesting stories bc they're kind of obsessed with deconstruction of everything about TOS/the ST universe to the detriment of anything else including the actual original ethos of Starfleet.

[romanakeysmash]

Oh!

from The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin:

"The First Mobile, if one is sent, must be warned that unless he is very self-assured, or senile, his pride will suffer. A man wants his virility regarded, a woman wants her feminity appreciated, however indirect and subtle the idications of regard and appreciation. On Winter they will not exist. One is respected and judged only as a human being. It is an appalling experience."

When I say that The Left Hand of Darkness explainded my asexuality to me, I refer to this passage specifically.

The book, to those unaware, is a science fiction novel about a planet (here called Winter) whose society is functionally agender and asexual for the most of the time. The fragment that I quoted comes from the chapter "The Question of Sex" (heh) and is written with the future (gender-binary) explorers in mind.

My first thought when I read it was "I would feel great as the First Mobile on Winter actually! Nothing appalling in being respected and judged only as a human being!"

My second thought was "Obviously, I'm asexual and therefore don't feel the need for my sex appeal being appreciated." It was when it clicked for me why I could never understand why people care about this gender thing so much. "Detached from gender" is a great term for what I have always felt. I mean, I guess there is a reason why people connect sex (both as an action and as "biological sex") and gender so often and why I don't care much about any of them.

Anyways, The Left Hand of Darkness is a great book in genaral (just be aware that it was also written in the sixties), but I specifically feel great respect for Ursula Le Guin for managing to explain me my lived reality with her fun little "hey, wouldn't it be crazy if there were people who are like, asexual and agender?" thought experiment. Like, she really Did get it right, huh.

i feel so seen!!

(twitter thread)

[inventedworld]

INFINITE COMBINATIONS

Parris Goebel is the choreographer of the moment.  As dancers go she’s a polymath, drawing on references and techniques from as disparate sources as traditional Polynesian styles and hip-hop. One of her dances draws from the Siva Tau, a traditional Samoan war dance.

Hold that thought.

Multiple Nobel science prizes awarded last year went to researchers who required multi-disciplinary backgrounds to do what they did. The chemistry prize went to chemists who were really computer scientists. Stepping back from their achievement, we see that the three award winners relied on databases previously amassed by thousands of other chemists.

And…hold that thought, too.

In creative expressions of all sorts, we have always experienced news works inspired by unexpected sources, or at least sources that may not have captured mainstream attention yet. But in the era of instantaneous information distribution, we have finally arrived at a moment where a profoundly deeper ocean of ideas have the potential to be influential. The truism that artists should create based on what they know still holds true. To wit, Van Gogh painted a wheat field in motion because he saw wheat fields in motion in real life.  It’s not a stretch to imagine a choreographer similarly inspired by similar sights. It’s also not a stretch to think that medical researchers might be inspired by what were once impossible inventions of science fiction. The point here is that ideas are no longer bound by time and space and opportunity. In fact, since you’re likely reading this on a hand-held device, you’re intimately aware of just how many ideas are pulling at your attention right now. Too many, most likely.

In the original Star Trek (shout out to fellow Trekkers!), the founder Gene Roddenberry floated an idealistic concept that largely shaped the moral center of the show. He called it “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations”. As a physical object, presented in an episode called “In Truth is there no Beauty?” , the IDIC medal implied something that our future culture would value enough to serve as the basis for a high honor. As a story element the award never really caught on—we don’t see it again in the series (it was kind of a hokey clunker, if we’re being honest)—but as a narrative concept, it became the soul of something that continues to resonate for those who care to listen.

As a concept it’s also a surprisingly concise way of capturing the whole point. In fact, it’s prescient. Expertise in any discipline or skill demands focus and repetition and insight. Innovation requires expertise that has the wisdom to draw lessons from other disciplines. That requires not only an openness to otherness, but a curiosity and respect for otherness—infinite diversity in infinite combinations, in other words. This is, ironically, something that’s been happening automatically through genetic mixing for about two billions years. Genes, which are essentially just information coded into molecules, recombine. That recombination enables evolution, which is effectively the process where something new emerges from the stuff that already exists. 

Taken as a weather vane for the future of innovation, the forecast looks exciting. With essentially limitless combinations, one can imagine untold discoveries in science, art, culture, and even political thought. But endless opportunity does not always enable endless innovation. More tools do not make a better artists. Let’s also not pretend that the advent of Artificial Generalized Intelligence presents serious risks to this process. (Next month’s blog discusses a key aspect of cultural transformation due to AGI. Mark your calendars!) The challenge is in being both selective and disciplined about how to approach creative work. Ideas by themselves will not generate great work. Everyone has a great idea for a movie, but most people never figure out how to do the monstrously hard work of making one. Simultaneously, we are now all capable of encountering the most esoteric information at all times, in just about any format and at just about any level of depth and complexity that we may want to pursue. We must make choices. Not everything possible is worth pursuing, but figuring out which unexpected pursuits might deliver something moving and meaningful is now a fundamental part of the process of making anything. 

@michaelstarobin

facebook.com/1auglobalmedia

[wundergeek]

One of the dudes at my kung fu school is being really sweet and earnest in trying to support me about starting HRT, since I've been worried about how people will react.

(To be clear, everyone was chill and supportive when I came out as trans and changed my name three years ago But being NB, I know that there are going to be folks who are weird in a well intentioned but clueless kind of way)

Anyway, he just sent me this message and. Like. If a 50+ white guy martial artist can be like this, it gives me hope that maybe it won't always be this terrible.

The text:

Thought of you the other day watching Star Trek Voyager.

And the Vulcan IDIC.

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

From ChatGPT:

The Vulcan IDIC, or "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" is a concept from the Star Trek universe, specifically from the Vulcan culture. It represents the idea that the vast array of differences in the universe, whether in terms of species, philosophies, or cultures, is a source of strength and beauty. The symbol of the IDIC is a circle overlaid with a triangle, with a gemstone in the center, representing the harmony of diversity within unity.

The IDIC is a core value of Vulcan philosophy, emphasizing the value of understanding, respecting, and embracing the differences that make up the universe, rather than seeking to eliminate or homogenize them. This concept signs with the Vulcan principle of logic, as diversity is seen as a necessary component of a complete and logical understanding of the universe.

[tjnewsnigeria]

The Federal Government of Nigeria has rolled out several initiatives to empower citizens and stimulate economic growth across various sectors. Whether you're a student in need of financial assistance, an entrepreneur looking for business loans, or a skilled artisan seeking further training, these initiatives are designed to provide the support you need. Below, we've outlined 11 key initiatives, along with their respective websites where you can apply or register. 11 Key Federal Government Initiatives 1. Student Loan Scheme The Student Loan Scheme provides financial aid to students pursuing higher education in Nigeria. This initiative aims to make education more accessible through favorable loan terms. nelf.gov.ng   2. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative This initiative promotes the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional fuels. pci.gov.ng   3. Consumer Credit Corporation The Consumer Credit Corporation offers financial products designed to improve consumer access to credit, making it easier for individuals and businesses to obtain the financing they need. credicorp.ng   4. Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDiCE) Program The iDiCE program supports Nigeria's digital and creative industries by providing funding, training, and resources to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. boi.ng/iDiCE   5. Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) SUPA focuses on upskilling artisans across Nigeria, offering advanced training and certification to enhance their employability and income potential. SUPA.itf.gov.ng   6. Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) NIYA is a youth empowerment initiative that offers programs aimed at developing leadership skills, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement among young Nigerians. NIYA.ng   7. National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP) NATEP identifies and nurtures young Nigerian talents, providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills on a global platform. natep.gov.ng   8. Micro and Small Business Loans This initiative offers loans to micro and small businesses, providing them with the necessary capital to grow and scale their operations. boi.ng/micro-business   9. Housing Initiatives The Federal Government's housing initiatives focus on providing affordable housing solutions across Nigeria, with an emphasis on building sustainable communities. fha.gov.ng/ongoing-projects 10. NDDC Internship Scheme This internship scheme offers young Nigerians practical experience across various industries, enhancing their employability. nyis.nddc.gov.ng     11.Nano-Business Support The Nano-Business Support initiative provides financial assistance to small-scale businesses, helping them establish and grow their enterprises. tucnigeria.org.ng     FAQs 1. How do I apply for the Student Loan Scheme? You can apply for the Student Loan Scheme by visiting nelf.gov.ng . Be sure to check the eligibility requirements before applying. 2. What is the focus of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative? The CNG Initiative aims to promote the use of Compressed Natural Gas as a cleaner alternative to traditional fuels. You can register at pci.gov.ng . 3. Who is eligible for the Micro and Small Business Loans? These loans are targeted at micro and small businesses looking to expand. Eligibility criteria and application details can be found at boi.ng/micro-business . 4. What support does the Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDiCE) program offer? The iDiCE program provides funding, training, and resources to support innovation in Nigeria's digital and creative sectors. More details are available at boi.ng/iDiCE . 5. How can I participate in the NDDC Internship Scheme? To participate in the NDDC Internship Scheme, visit nyis.nddc.gov.ng and complete the application process. Conclusion These Federal Government initiatives provide essential support across various sectors, ensuring that Nigerian citizens have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

Whether you're seeking education funding, business support, or skill development, these programs offer valuable assistance to help you achieve your goals. Explore the initiatives that apply to you and take advantage of the opportunities they present

[kcscribbler]

1, 4, 5 and 11 💛

list 3 positive things about your current fandom(s)

For the ST fandom: I love that, in the true spirit of IDIC, we all have a healthy respect for each other's interpretation of characters and relationships.

For the Loki fandom: I love that for the most part, they have been highly welcoming of someone writing in the fandom for the first time. Particularly as I lean toward writing an ambiguous gen for ships rather than smut, it's been a hugely pleasant surprise to have that much engagement on my fics.

For the Good Omens fandom, I love that there's plenty of gen/QPR/aro/ace representation in addition to everything else

4. say something nice about a ship you don't ship (it can be another ship in your fandom, a mutual's OTP, etc)

I don't personally ship AOS Kirk/Spock/McCoy in any way, as I feel like the AOS triumvirate just hasn't had enough screentime to really grab me that way, and that the full intention of the AOS was to bump McCoy in favor of inserting Uhura. (Which I don't hate in and of itself, either.)

But I love that this isn't the same for a lot of my mutuals, and that I can live vicariously through them.

5. something you see in fics a lot and love

I'm a big fan of the "Jim Kirk is a stack of books with legs" trope in TOS. I also love seeing that being pulled into AOS, though I think it's probably a lot rarer there.

11. if you're a writer or artist, what fic or piece of art are you proud of making?

I'm personally proud of The Last Dream, my emotional-aftermath-of-STIV fic.

It was cathartic at a time when I needed it to be, and I overall just ended up mostly happy with it, which isn't always the case. Curse of being a perfectionist.

Thanks so much for the asks!

Full Ask List Here

[geekns]

(you cannot control what others do or do not)

This should go without saying, but apparently it doesn't, so...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Even if it's a shitty one. Yes, even then.

If my opinion is different than yours, then it doesn't mean that I hate you. To be fair, it also doesn't mean that you hate me...it depends entirely on how we react.

The question seems to be: what is the adult, rational thing to do when we disagree with someone?

If you can state your viewpoint rationally (and without throwing poo), then go for it. Reblog with your side. Ask if they knew about x information, sure. But be respectful. And realize that not everyone will come to the same conclusion as you even with the same information. And not everyone will fit inside the box that you try to put them in.

Not everything is A vs B. Sometimes there are other viewpoints that you might not have even realized existed.

If you decide to interact, you must realize that the other viewpoint has the right to equal air time. They are not ever obligated to agree with you in any shape or form. If they block you, that's also not an automatic win (or a loss). That's a boundary that you should respect.

If you start trolling, calling names, flaming, making fun of the ones who have a different opinion, leaving snide comments insinuating that their opinion is invalid and/or must be evidence of x negative emotion, or--heaven forbid--telling someone to kill themself! Then you are the one actively engaged in hate. This behavior is not in fact rational or justified. It's just not. It's rude and immature.

Please understand: nothing is ever completely black and white. They probably agree with at least some of your points (shocker, I know). Yes, you will have some opinions in common!

They might even have contradictory info and statistics. Can you be willing to modify your opinion based upon that new info? Can you agree to disagree? Can you see from multiple sides simultaneously? Can you grow?

If you need to live in an echo chamber and have zero interest in IDIC, then block the people who disagree with you. And leave it at that.

Blocking means "leave me alone." It means "I need space, so I'm setting a boundary." It can mean "your argument was stronger than mine." It can also mean "your argument was so weak." It can mean "I don't care."

Always remember that disagreement in a mature debate is not meant as a personal affront in and of itself.

Fuck, in a true debate, the two debaters don't always get to choose which side they are arguing! There may be times that you might not even agree with what you are quoting, that isn't the point. Hiding contradictory information because it disagrees with your conclusion is not a valid tactic. And it's most definitely not about emotion; it's about rhetoric and learning to adapt.

There are people in this world who say shit just to get a reaction out of you, regardless of what they personally think, because they like to watch the drama. (My father is one of these assholes lol.)

Yes, you are entitled to your opinion, and yes your hurt feelings are understandable and natural. That does not make them a license to be a dick. Those strong emotions do not mean that you're a better person or that your points are the only ones that matter. They do not equal moral superiority in any shape or form. Only rational information is truly relevant.

If rational information is making you feel a strong emotion...maybe that's something that you need to think about (calmly) and reassess.

You are allowed to change your opinion. You are allowed to not change your opinion. The same is true for the other party!

People are allowed to reblog other people's content, 100%. People are allowed to ask questions in other blog's inboxes. But again...trolling, name-calling, flaming, taunting, and death threats? Not cool. Ever. It's not "being nice." You don't have the right to "educate" others on anon. It's bullying, plain and simple.

If this is the choice you have made, you have lost the high ground and any appeal to authority because you decided to throw a tantrum.

Don't throw a tantrum. Don't demonize based on fear. Do more research. Make peace with the fact that not everyone thinks the same way. Let it go. Accept diversity. Life will go on.

[antimony-medusa]

Hi, @milkforartist! I think we have slightly different notions of how to treat someone respectfully, in this case. I'm well aware that twitter thinks that constantly asking about boundaries is in an attempt to be respectful, but I think it leads to a couple of things which end up making the fandom worse for both creators and the people in the fandom.

In this case, people were asking about things that really did not need to be said, and I think you could figure out for yourself it it's ethical to depict someone that way. One of them was asking about if it was okay to draw Phil with scars, which is like. Hm. Okay. A) do you normally have people being mad about things like that B) are you really going to draw philza with flawless skin if he says no C) are you gonna go around yelling at people for scars now? I don't think that question needed to be asked. So, as someone who is not a new viewer, that's merely an annoying questions that Phil patiently answered (or ignored, he ignored one of them today).

The thing is, Phil gets asked about these things so often, for such random minutia, and he's not in the habit of laying down specific nuanced answers about what is or is not okay. His answer is pretty much always "do whatever, don't be weird," which you would know if you'd been in the stream before, or if you just looked at the fan art he likes. If he had a habit of being really nitpicky about art, I could see it as a decent thing, but he just has not? He's given no indication that you need to ask about things like that, and he's given no indication that he's particularly interested in weighing in on things like that.

I have anxiety, and I constantly have to fight back the need to ask my friends if I'm annoying them. And I have to fight that impulse because it's annoying to be asked things like that repeatedly when you've given no idication that you are actually annoyed. Asking obvious questions is something that's annoying to do repeadly, which is something that I've had to learn (i'm autistic). Asking Phil questions that can obviously be inferred from his entire history so far falls pretty close to the category of asking questions that are answered in the FAQ. I know that people are doing it innocently, but it is still annoying. Just use your brain about it.

So in this case it was just annoying. But I feel fairly strongly that we should not be asking people about boundaries for actual sensitive subjects, because a) I don't think that we should be bringing these things up, b) we should not be asking these things while someone is At Work and unable to get out of the conversation.

If you are asking about an actual sensitive subject— let's say age regression, so something that someone might have feelings about seeing themself depicted that way— I do not think that the experience of saying "I wrote you age regressed do you like it", "I found this fic of you age regressed are you mad" or "I want to write you age regressed is it okay" is that different. In all cases you're already making it clear that someone has been thinking about them in a way that many people might find odd or have feelings about, and then you're saying "okay make a judgement on this right now, this sensitive thing that I'm asking you about". That is rude to do to a human person, to bring up.

And if you do this on stream? Where someone has to hear it and respond to it? You're giving someone no way to get out of the conversation, and you're doing it in front of an audience. It would be outstandingly inappropriate to go up to the coffee shop barista while she is working and say "Can I write a story of you age regressed", while everyone in the line hears this and stares at her, and I do not think it is that much different to do to a streamer.

If you have an actual sensitive topic, and you want to be respectful, I sincerely think that it is more respectful to think to yourself about if it's ethical to write this, and if it's ethical to write it where the creator can see it, or if it's fine if it never leaves Ao3, or if it should be archive locked, or if you should talk about it on twitter, etc, or if you should actually not do it—just work that out in your own brain— and never bring it up to the creator. Phil is not on twitter, he is not on Ao3, he never has to know about these things, and throwing them in his face is rude, in my view. He never had to know about the age regression fics before you brought them up, you're not making his day better. That's not respectful.

And I heartily disgree with the notion that the fact that people pay for TTS means it's okay to say whatever, as if the notion that if you're being paid for it you as an employee need to put up with whatever shit the person paying you throws at you. If it would not be appropriate to say for free, the fact that money is thrown in does not change that.

With three people asking Phil subtle points of his boundaries via TTS within 25 minutes of the beginning of his stream, I am clawing at the walls. Are we in hell. Have we not heard all of this before? Has this not been discussed? Do you really have to ask the streamer if it's okay if you draw him with a missing eye? What are you saying about injuries and disabilities when you bring this one up like he's going to bring a moral hammer down on it? Do you really think he's gonna say no, because when has he ever said no to these things, or are you just putting down a sop to your conscience? Is this necessary?

Begging people to embrace the idea that they are not drawing comissions for streamer's approval, they can draw fanart for other fans. I'm on my knees here. This is so incredibly overfamiliar, to barge in and ask for the specifics of his thoughts on body horror and injuries, and this is so unnecessary. Just think to yourself about if it's appropriate or not, and maybe don't put it in the main tag if you think maybe it's over the line. He'll tell you if he thinks it's over the line. He's seen his cubito covered in blood and gender bent with prodigeous boobs and twinkified and holding his friends as babies. I think he's gonna be okay with scars.

If the streamer's approval is so important to you, you are welcome to go through his likes and target your art that way. If you want to draw something that you don't know if he'd like, then why are you looking for his approval. You are not a comissioned artist! You are not a friend! You are a fan drawing things for the enrichment of fans, Phil is not even on twitter even to check the art any more. Are you honestly concerned about this or are you just bothering someone so you can have a clip you can wave at people? Do you think a clip is going to satisfy people eager to cancel? He's BUSY. Let him play block game I am BEGGING you. Just use your brain and give up on this need to get dadza to approve of you. Please. PLEASE.

[hellodarjeeling]

@floppymcfluff Hey, thanks for asking! A few months back I saw a Trek palmistry shirt online and loved the design but wanted to try my hand (no pun intended) at converting it into a pillow. Here is the end result! I tweaked some of the design elements and my embroidery could use some work, but overall I’m pleased with it. It was lots of fun to work on and kept me busy :)

[chameleon777-me]

Dear #StarTrek fans, I am pleased to #announce that Club #IDIC Chronicles: #Episode 18 - Coming Together In Chaotic Matrimony! is now available for viewing! The episode can be found in the Club IDIC Chronicles playlist and that playlist is on my #youtubechannel: The Stormin' Latter-Day Saint. In this episode, we look at 'You Are Cordially Invited' from #StarTrekDS9 and discuss many things, including: *What we think about #love. *Love, #relationships, and #friendships in the different Star Trek shows, both old and new. *The #wedding of Jadzia and Worf and the #chaos leading up to it. *Worf's poor luck with women. *Worf's attachments to his Klingon #heritage and his #Human upbringing. *How important it is to show #respect to different #cultures when in love with an individual from a different culture whether it be within Star Trek, any other sci-fi film, or real life. *The different aspects of the Klingon #culture. *What true friendship and love is, involves, and how the world would be so much better if people were more unconditional with showing love to others. *How different cultures, including the #Neurodivergent culture, approach love, relationships, and marriage. *How #selflove is the most important love of all. @startrek @startrekonpplus @terryfarrell63 @visitornana @podsundaydinner @glass.stars.project @syfy.sistas @deep.space.garak @deepspacepride #together #unity #lovewithoutboundaries #lovewithoutlimits #care #relationships #alien #education #ValentinesDay2022 #marriage #love #relationships #friendship #diversity https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ5DgGVvKX2/?utm_medium=tumblr

[rawr-gorg-smash]

This is the dumbest shit I’ve ever seen.

In Star Trek, most religion is gone. Especially from Earth. There are literal alien races where they have more than 1 gender. Or where genders change. Sure, hasn’t happened where human characters have gone through on-screen transitions yet, but the UFP is literally all about pluralism. Well, human-centric pluralism. And William Riker would fuck a pangender octopus if it sat still long enough.

There is a total expectation that cultures ought to be completely respected and not disrupted unless there is consent for contact, and consent can only be given by that culture’s actions and development. Breaking this taboo without serious cause is considered beyond abhorrent. It’s literally called the Prime Directive.

Women can literally do anything they want in Star Trek. There are women in command staff, women engineers, women security officers, women heroes, and women villains. Sure, Star Trek, The Original Series didn’t have all of this, but as years went on, it featured more and more heavily as the universe evolves.

The Vulcan peoples, whose salute she’s trying to use, literally hold a tenet about IDIC: Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Sounds pretty woke to me, pal, and in the best ways.

Also, on the most superficial level, the Vulcan salute puts palm out - this looks like a British Vulcan saying, “Up yours!” And, if a Vulcan read this headline, even they might not get emotional enough to say that, but I imagine an eyebrow raised so high it’d look like a new hairline.

Incredible.