#rising up out of the depths of the world wide web

[scientologisabethmoss]

What a beautiful, sunny Good Friday! A perfect opportunity to think about how Colin Jost supposedly payed for Nicole Cliffe’s abortion when they were both at Harvard!

[minna-drama]

Shattered — Seiun

TW: Murder, Seiun regressing back to her old self, blood

Seiun stood frozen in the doorway of her apartment, her heart racing and a chill creeping down her spine. The dim light of the room flickered like a dying flame, casting long shadows across the floor. She blinked, struggling to comprehend the scene before her.

Astre lay sprawled on the ground, his eyes wide and unseeing, blood pooling around him, dark and stark against the pale wood. Seiun’s breath caught in her throat as she took a step forward, the sound of her footfall echoing in the silence. The world around her felt distorted, as if she were trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake from.

Flashback Fragments:

Images surged through her mind, chaotic and fragmented. A blur of laughter, a soft touch, the warmth of his embrace. But then, shadows crept in—a heated argument, her own voice rising, sharp and cruel, cutting through the air like a knife. Then, darkness.

Another flash, this one clearer: a glint of steel, the sharp edge of a knife reflecting light. She was cooking, wasn’t she?The moment felt surreal, like a scene from someone else’s life. Seiun could almost hear their voices, an argument spiraling out of control, but the details slipped through her fingers like sand.

Then the final image, too visceral to forget: the knife plunging down, over and over. Was it her hand that held it? She gasped, her mind racing. No, it couldn’t be.

Back to Reality:

Seiun shook her head, desperately trying to clear the fog. She staggered back, her eyes darting around the room, landing on the mirror hanging on the wall. A flicker of movement caught her eye, and she turned, her breath hitching as she caught a glimpse of herself.

Her skin was slick with blood, a crimson stain creeping up her arms, and a terrible realization settled in her gut. She was covered in it. The reflection staring back at her was a stranger—a monster.

“No… no, no, no!” She stumbled backward, her heart pounding as fragmented memories churned in her mind, each one more twisted than the last. “I… I came home. I found him like this!” She clutched her head, fingers tangling in her hair as panic surged through her.

But in the depths of her heart, a whisper of doubt took root. Did she really? She closed her eyes, wishing the image of Astre bleeding out on the floor would disappear, wishing she could wake from this horrific dream. Yet, the blood on her hands felt all too real.

A few fleeting moments passed, and Seiun found herself on the floor, her back against the wall, trembling. She pressed her palms against her eyes, willing the memories to return, to make sense of the chaos that surrounded her.

“What happened?” she muttered, the question echoing in the hollow silence. “What did I do?”

Her mind slipped again, drawing her deeper into a spiral of confusion and despair. She thought of the life they had built together, the laughter, the love. But what if she had shattered that?

In that moment, the shadows closed in, her fragmented selves wrestling for dominance. “You didn’t do it,” one whispered, while another sneered, “You did. You always do.”

As the personalities fought, a deep sense of despair settled in. Seiun could feel herself losing grip on reality, her sanity slowly slipping away.

She was trapped in a web of her own making, and as the weight of her actions pressed down on her, she could only cry out into the void. “Astre!”

But the only answer was the echo of her own voice, a haunting reminder of the life she had lost. With every heartbeat, the darkness grew closer, threatening to consume her whole.

Seiun was left alone in the wreckage of her mind, haunted by the vision of a bloodied love, a reflection she could no longer recognize. The fractured pieces of her sanity began to shatter, leaving her to grapple with the monstrous truth: What if she was the one who had taken it all away?

@sugarthebee

[citynewsglobe]

[ad_1] Baek xx chapter 55has captured the creativeness of followers world wide with its intricate storytelling and dynamic characters. Chapter 55 stands out as a pivotal second within the sequence, pushing our beloved characters into uncharted territory. As readers flip every web page, they discover themselves immersed in a mix of stress, emotion, and revelation that retains them coming again for extra. This chapter is not only one other installment; it’s a turning level that deepens our understanding of key themes and character arcs. Be a part of us as we unpack the layers woven all through baek xx chapter 55 and discover what makes this episode so compelling. Abstract of chapter 55 Chapter 55 of baek xx unfolds with gripping depth. The characters are confronted with surprising challenges that check their resolve. We see the protagonist grappling with inner battle, making selections that may ripple all through future chapters. Moments of vulnerability come up, revealing hidden fears and aspirations. The narrative takes a pointy flip when key relationships are put to the check. Tensions rise as misunderstandings create rifts between allies. Surprising alliances kind, hinting at deeper connections amongst characters. These shifts set the stage for thrilling developments in subsequent episodes. Visually placing scenes illustrate emotional stakes completely, drawing readers right into a whirlwind of emotions and reactions. Every web page compels you to delve deeper into this intricate world crafted by the creator. Main themes in chapter 55 Chapter 55 of baek xx dives deep into the complexity of relationships. The stress between characters reveals each vulnerability and energy. Every interplay showcases a battle for energy, belief, and understanding. One other theme is sacrifice. Characters are confronted with troublesome selections that problem their morals. These choices spotlight the lengths one goes to guard family members or obtain private objectives. Isolation additionally performs a major position on this chapter. Many characters grapple with their solitude, craving for connection but fearing betrayal. This inner battle provides layers to their growth. The exploration of id resonates strongly as nicely. As secrets and techniques unfold, characters confront who they honestly are versus who they mission to others. It’s a robust reflection on self-discovery amid chaos. These themes intertwine seamlessly, weaving collectively an intricate narrative that retains readers engaged and questioning what lies forward. Evaluation of key scenes and their significance Chapter 55 of baek xx is wealthy with pivotal scenes that deepen character dynamics. One second stands out—when the protagonist faces an ethical dilemma. This scene not solely reveals their inner battle but additionally serves as a turning level for future choices. One other key scene happens through the confrontation with an antagonist. The stress is palpable, showcasing each characters’ motivations and fears. It’s right here the place we see vulnerability beneath bravado, including layers to their relationship. Moreover, refined interactions amongst supporting characters present context and texture to the narrative. These moments spotlight themes of loyalty and betrayal, enriching the reader’s understanding of overarching conflicts. Symbolism additionally performs a vital position on this chapter’s scenes. Objects or settings seem laden with which means, reinforcing emotional stakes and enhancing reader engagement by way of visible storytelling components. Comparisons to earlier chapters Chapter 55 of baek xx stands out for its emotional depth in comparison with earlier installments. Earlier chapters typically leaned closely on motion and plot development, whereas this one delves into character introspection. The pacing shifts noticeably as nicely. Earlier chapters rushed by way of occasions, however right here we see a deliberate tempo that enables moments to breathe.

This shift offers readers time to soak up the characters’ struggles and motivations. Character growth is one other side price noting. In previous arcs, protagonists have been outlined by their objectives or conflicts. Chapter 55 peels again layers, revealing vulnerabilities that make them extra relatable than ever earlier than. Moreover, themes launched in prior chapters resurface with larger complexity now. The intertwining narratives create a richer tapestry that invitations deeper evaluation and engagement from followers who've adopted the sequence intently. Conclusion: Chapter 55 of baek xx is a wealthy tapestry woven with intricate themes and compelling narratives. Every scene invitations readers to replicate on their very own experiences, making it relatable and thought-provoking. The character growth showcased highlights profound transformations that resonate deeply. This chapter acts as a pivotal second within the storyline, setting the stage for future developments. Readers are left considering the implications of key occasions launched right here. The mix of emotion and motion retains followers engaged, anticipating what comes subsequent. As discussions round this chapter flourish in varied boards and social media platforms, it’s evident that baek xx continues to seize hearts and minds alike. Participating with fellow followers enhances appreciation for its depth. FAQ’s What's baek xx about? Baek xx explores complicated emotional landscapes, intertwining private struggles with broader societal points. Who're the primary characters in chapter 55? Key characters embrace [insert character names], every enjoying a major position in shaping the occasions of this chapter. How does chapter 55 evaluate to earlier chapters? Chapter 55 builds upon earlier arcs whereas introducing new conflicts and resolutions, showcasing character progress and thematic depth. [ad_2] Supply hyperlink

[dzinesoniya]

Will ChatGPT Replace Search Engines? What’s next for SEO?

We’ve all experienced the magic of search engines. Just type in a question or topic, and voila, you get a list of answers in less than a second. But now, with AI models like ChatGPT stepping into the spotlight, some are wondering if traditional search engines will still be relevant. How will this change the landscape of search optimization? 

Let’s explore this topic together and see what it means for you, your business, and SEO.

The Rise of Conversational AI

When ChatGPT and similar technologies became popular, they opened up a new way to interact with information. Rather than clicking through links, you can now engage with a chatbot that can answer your questions directly. This seems like a dream come true, right? However, while these AI models can provide immediate responses, they don't always have the depth and breadth of information that search engines gather from many different sources.

Consumers will still need various perspectives, and that’s where search engines shine. They compile data from all over the web, offering everyone a richer experience. Sure, ChatGPT can provide quick answers, but how often do you double-check facts or look at similar articles for more clarity? People might start leaning on chatbots for simple queries, but when it comes to important decisions or deeper dives into topics, traditional search engines will still hold their ground.

ChatGPT vs. Traditional Search Engines

To understand this, let’s first look at how both ChatGPT and search engines work. When you type a query into a search engine like Google, it scans the web for pages that match your question. It shows a list of results, and users click on the most relevant one to find the information they need. The process is quite straightforward: search engines prioritize keywords, backlinks, and a range of factors to give users the best results.

On the other hand, ChatGPT doesn’t provide links or a list of web pages. Instead, it responds directly to your question with a detailed answer, often summarizing multiple sources of information. It’s more like having a conversation with a knowledgeable person than sifting through different web pages.

While it’s true that ChatGPT offers a more direct and personalized way to find information, it’s not likely to make search engines obsolete anytime soon. The reason is simple: search engines index the entire web, making it easier to access millions of pieces of information. ChatGPT, however, only works with the data it has been trained on, and it can’t access real-time information or updates.

So, Will Search Engines Become Obsolete?

In short, not really. While the way we search for information may change, the need for reliable and diverse sources isn’t going anywhere. Search engines are built to connect users to a wide array of information, which AI currently cannot fully replicate. It’s less about replacing old methods and more about integrating new technologies to make the search process better.

What does this mean for SEO? Marketers will need to adapt to these changes. However, the core principles of SEO—like creating quality content and building backlinks—will remain as crucial as ever.

The Future of SEO: Adapting to Change

As we move forward, SEO strategies will likely be influenced by how tools like ChatGPT evolve. Here are a few key trends to keep in mind:

User Intent Will Be Key: Understanding what users are looking for will be more important than ever. Rather than simply focusing on keywords, brands must think about what users want to achieve with their search. This shift means creating content that answers real questions and meets users' needs convincingly.

Quality Over Quantity: In a world awash with information, high-quality content will stand out. Brands should aim to create resources that are not just keyword stuffed but genuinely useful. This focus on quality is exactly what Dzinepixel- the best SEO company in Bhubaneswar emphasizes.

Voice Search Optimization: As AI models gain popularity, voice search will likely grow. People are becoming comfortable asking questions out loud instead of typing them. Optimizing for voice search means targeting conversational phrases and answering questions directly.

Embracing AI Tools: SEO professionals can use AI technology for insights into user behavior and content performance. While ChatGPT might provide quick answers, leveraging AI’s predictive capabilities can help brands stay ahead of the game.

Local SEO Matters More: As more people rely on their devices for immediate needs, local SEO will be crucial. Ensuring your business appears in local searches can be a significant advantage. 

Final Thoughts

The landscape of our digital world is changing, but it’s doing so gradually. ChatGPT and similar AI tools can enhance how we interact with information but don’t replace traditional search engines. As businesses and marketers, staying informed and adapting to these changes is essential.

Embrace new technologies while keeping your SEO strategies sound. In the end, providing value to your audience will always be the best way to stay ahead—be it through a chatbot or a search engine. The world of SEO will continue to evolve, but its essence will remain unchanged, driven by the ever-pressing need for quality information. Happy optimizing!

[login360seo]

A Beginner's Guide to Web Designing Courses in Chennai

Are you passionate about creating stunning websites and bringing digital dreams to life? If you're looking to start a career in web design, Chennai offers a plethora of opportunities. In this beginner's guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about web designing courses in Chennai. Whether you're a novice or looking to enhance your skills, this guide will help you find the perfect course to kick-start your journey in the world of web design.

Why Choose a Web Designing Course in Chennai?

Chennai, known for its booming IT industry and educational institutions, is an excellent place to learn web design. The city offers a range of courses that cater to different skill levels, from beginner to advance. Here are some reasons why you should consider a web designing course in Chennai

1. High Demand for Web Designers: With the rapid growth of online businesses, the demand for skilled web designers is on the rise. A web designing course can open doors to various job opportunities in top IT companies.

2. Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses in Chennai cover a wide range of topics, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and popular design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

3. Experienced Instructors: Many institutes in Chennai have experienced faculty who provide hands-on training and real-world insights.

4. Affordable Fees: Compared to other metropolitan cities, Chennai offers quality education at a relatively lower cost.

What to Expect from a Web Designing Course?

When you enroll in a web designing course in Chennai, you can expect to learn the following:

1. Basic Web Designing Principles: Understand the fundamentals of web design, including layout, color theory, typography, and user experience (UX) design.

2. HTML and CSS: Learn to create and style web pages using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).

3. JavaScript: Get introduced to JavaScript, a powerful scripting language used to create interactive and dynamic web pages.

4. Design Tools: Gain proficiency in design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Sketch to create stunning graphics and layouts.

5. Responsive Design: Learn to design websites that look great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.

6. Project Work: Most courses include practical projects where you can apply your skills to create real-world websites.

The Pros and Cons of Signing Up for a Web Design Course

Enrolling in a web designing course in Chennai can offer numerous benefits:

1. Skill Enhancement: Gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills that are essential for a successful web design career.

2. Career Opportunities: Open up a wide range of job opportunities in web design, graphic design, and front-end development.

3. Freelancing: With the skills acquired, you can also work as a freelance web designer and take on projects from clients around the world.

4. Creativity: Web designing allows you to express your creativity and bring your ideas to life through visually appealing websites.

Conclusion

A web designing course in Chennai is a stepping stone to a rewarding career in the digital world. With the right training and guidance, you can master the art of web design and create websites that stand out. Whether you're looking to work for top companies or start your own freelance business, Chennai has the resources and opportunities to help you succeed.

Explore the web designing courses offered by Login360 and embark on your journey to becoming a proficient web designer. With dedication and the right training, you'll be well on your way to creating beautiful, functional websites.

By following this guide, you'll be well-equipped to choose the best web designing course in Chennai and start your career in the exciting field of web design. Happy learning!

[siliconsignalsblog]

Internet of Things (IoT) Embedded Hardware Design Challenges

Role of Embedded Systems in IoT

The process of equipping objects with sensors, actuators, and processors is known as the Internet of Things (IoT). It involves hardware board design and development, software systems, web APIs, and protocols, all of which work together to create a networked environment of embedded systems. The ability of technologies to connect across various platforms, devices, and networks in this connected environment is generating a web of communication that is transforming the way we engage with the outside world digitally. Connected embedded systems are altering how we interact and behave with our surroundings, with our homes, with our communities, and even with our own bodies.

Commercial systems with a wide range of functions, such as vending machines, smart kiosks, AC controllers, connected cars, hotel bill printers, etc., are examples of embedded systems that are all around us. Therefore, when it comes to designing these embedded IoT systems, they must be made for a specific purpose and have attributes of a well-designed product, such as a processor that is dependable, low power consumption, and secure architecture. It is not simple to design an embedded IoT hardware system, though.

Challenges of Designing an Embedded IoT Hardware System

In the IoT ecosystem, designing hardware for embedded devices necessitates careful, in-depth planning. The reason is that creating a hardware system for Internet of Things (IoT) enabled devices presents a number of difficulties for embedded designers. Some of the difficulties in designing embedded IoT hardware systems are listed below:

● Lack of necessary flexibility for running applications over embedded systems:

With the rising demand for connected devices, embedded systems need to work with heterogeneous devices and adapt to different networking architectures to cope-up with new functionalities and performances in the real-time environment. Due to this situation of increasing technology adoption and deployment of new applications, embedded system designers face several problems in terms of flexibility while developing embedded IoT systems such as:

Problems in ensuring smooth integration of new services

Difficulty in adapting to new environments

Frequent changes in hardware and software facilities

Issues in packaging and integration of small size chip with low weight and lesser power consumption

Carrying out energy awareness operations, etc.

● Security crisis in embedded system design:

All the IoT hardware products need to perform securely in the real-time embedded environment. Since all the embedded components operate in a highly resource-constrained and in physically insecure situations, engineers often face problems in ensuring the security of these embedded components. These systems have to be designed and implemented to be robust and reliable and have to be secure with cryptographic algorithms and security procedures. It involves different approaches to secure all the components of embedded systems from prototype to deployment. To know about these approaches, click here.

● High power dissipation of embedded system design:

Another increasingly aggravating limitation is power dissipation of microprocessor hardware design for getting the best performance out of real-time applications and devices. The persistent challenge is how to deploy an embedded system with an increasing number of transistors and with an acceptable power consumption ratio. There are two causes of high power dissipation in designing low-power embedded systems:

First, because the power dissipation per transistor is increasing with the increase in gate density, the power density of system on chips is set to increase. Thus, the engineers must reduce overall embedded systems’ power consumption by using efficient system architecture design rather than relying on process technology alone.

Second, engineers focus on better performance with low power consumption by increasing the frequency of the system, which burns more power. Engineers need to pay more attention to design choices as well.

● Problems of testing an embedded system design

For ensuring a reliable product design, conducting in-depth testing, verification, and validation is another challenge.

Embedded Hardware Testing: This is similar to all the testing types where embedded developers use hardware based test tools. This refers to the embedded hardware tested for the system’s performance, consistency, and validation as per the product requirement.

Verification: Ensuring whether functional verification has been implemented correctly or not.

Validation: Referring to ensure whether the product matches with the requirement and passes all the quality standards.

● Inadequate functional safety of safety-critical embedded systems:

Functional safety is considered as a part of a product’s overall safety. Embedded systems are considered as generalized control systems, which perform various control functions that require autonomy, reconfiguration, safety, fault-tolerance and need to eliminate all the unacceptable risks to meet functional safety requirements. These considerations highly influence their use in applications, where many functional loops are competing for the design of computational resources due to which, a number of timing and task-scheduling problems arise.

● Increased cost and time-to-market:

Apart from flexibility and security, embedded systems are tightly constrained by cost.

In embedded hardware design, the need originates to derive better approaches from development to deployment cycle in order to handle the cost modeling or cost optimality with digital electronic components and production quantity. Hardware/software code-designers also need to solve the design time problem and bring embedded devices at the right time to the market.

If you are looking for supporting hands to assist with transformational experience in embedded systems design for IoT hardware devices, then connect with us. Silicon Signals has more than 20 years of experience in providing high quality embedded solutions and services, supporting customers in North America, Europe, and Asia regions.

From silicon design to embedded systems prototyping and from product development to deployment and sustenance, Silicon Signals maps the journey of its customer by extending hardware and embedded software design services like system modeling and design, rapid prototyping, analytical verification, embedded system deployment, and much more.

Looking for hardware design solutions to drive efficient embedded product design?

Contact us now

[pythonait]

Achieve Excellence with the Best Python Training in Bangalore at AchieversIT

Introduction In the fast-paced world of technology, Python stands out as a versatile and powerful programming language. It is the preferred choice for developers and organizations alike due to its simplicity and wide range of applications. If you are in Bangalore and looking to enhance your skills with the best Python training, AchieversIT is the place to be. This article explores why AchieversIT offers the best Python training in Bangalore and how it can elevate your career.

Why Python Training is Vital Ease of Learning Python’s clear and readable syntax makes it an ideal starting point for beginners. Its simplicity allows new programmers to grasp essential programming concepts quickly and efficiently.

Versatility Python is used in various fields such as web development, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, automation, and more. Its flexibility ensures that Python expertise is highly sought after across different industries.

Growing Job Market The demand for Python developers continues to rise as more companies integrate Python into their operations. Learning Python opens up numerous job opportunities and positions you for a lucrative career.

Why Choose AchieversIT for Python Training in Bangalore? Comprehensive Curriculum AchieversIT’s Python training program is designed to cover all key aspects:

Basics of Python: Introduction to syntax, variables, and data types. Control Flow: Detailed study of loops, conditionals, and functions. Data Structures: In-depth coverage of lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets. Object-Oriented Programming: Thorough understanding of classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism. Modules and Packages: Efficient code organization and reuse. File Handling: Techniques for reading from and writing to files. Error and Exception Handling: Strategies for debugging and exception management. Advanced Concepts: Including decorators, generators, and context managers. Libraries and Frameworks: Practical applications of NumPy, Pandas, Flask, and Django. Project Work: Real-world projects to apply theoretical knowledge and build a portfolio.

Expert Instructors AchieversIT boasts a team of experienced instructors with extensive industry backgrounds in Python programming. They bring real-world knowledge and practical insights to the classroom, ensuring students gain a deep and comprehensive understanding of Python.

Practical Learning Approach AchieversIT emphasizes hands-on learning through practical exercises, projects, and case studies. This approach ensures that students can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving skills and preparing them for industry challenges.

Benefits of Studying in Bangalore Technological Hub Bangalore, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, is a major center for technology and innovation. The city’s vibrant tech ecosystem provides an ideal environment for learning and professional growth.

Industry Connections AchieversIT’s strategic location in Bangalore allows it to maintain strong connections with local tech companies. These partnerships offer students opportunities for internships, industry projects, and workshops, providing valuable practical experience and enhancing employability.

Unique Features of AchieversIT State-of-the-Art Infrastructure AchieversIT offers a modern learning environment with advanced technology. High-speed internet, up-to-date software tools, and well-equipped computer labs create an optimal setting for interactive and effective learning.

Flexible Learning Options AchieversIT provides both classroom-based and online training options to cater to diverse learning preferences. This flexibility allows students to choose the mode of learning that best fits their schedule and needs.

Proven Success Rate AchieversIT has a strong track record of producing successful graduates who have gone on to secure positions in top tech companies. Alumni testimonials highlight the institute’s commitment to quality education and its significant impact on their career development.

Success Stories from AchieversIT Alumni Many students have achieved remarkable success after completing their training at AchieversIT. Graduates have secured positions in leading tech firms, benefiting from the comprehensive training and industry connections offered by the institute. These success stories underscore AchieversIT’s excellence in delivering top-notch Python training.

Conclusion For anyone seeking the best Python training in Bangalore, AchieversIT is the ultimate choice. With its comprehensive curriculum, expert instructors, hands-on learning approach, and strategic location, AchieversIT provides the best Python training in Bangalore. Enroll at AchieversIT today and take the first step towards mastering Python, setting the stage for a successful and rewarding career in the tech industry.

[5borodigital]

NYC Digital Agency: Your Gateway to Online Success

The Diverse Services Offered

NYC Digital Agencies are like one-stop shops for all things digital. They offer a wide range of services, including web design and development, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, pay-per-click advertising, content creation, email marketing, and more. By tailoring these services to meet the unique needs of each client, these agencies ensure that businesses can harness the full potential of the digital realm.

Strategic Expertise

One of the key advantages of working with a NYC Digital Agency is their strategic expertise. They don't just execute digital tactics blindly but start with a well-thought-out strategy. They conduct in-depth market research, competitor analysis, and customer behavior studies to formulate a customized plan that aligns with the client's goals. This strategic approach allows businesses to make informed decisions and achieve long-term success in the digital world.

Cutting-Edge Technology

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and keeping up with the latest technology trends is a challenging task. NYC Digital Agencies are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technologies, ensuring that their clients stay ahead of the curve. They continuously adapt to emerging platforms and technologies to provide businesses with the best solutions for their digital needs.

Creativity and Design

Web design is often the first impression that a customer has of a business. web design agencies excel in creating visually appealing, user-friendly websites that leave a lasting impact. They understand the importance of aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that the client's online presence stands out in a crowded marketplace.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

NYC Digital Agencies rely on data to guide their strategies. They track and analyze key performance metrics, providing clients with insights on what's working and what needs improvement. By making data-driven decisions, these agencies can optimize campaigns and achieve better results for their clients.

Effective Communication

In the hustle and bustle of the city, effective communication is paramount. NYC Digital Agencies are known for their open lines of communication. They work closely with their clients, keeping them informed about progress and results. This collaborative approach ensures that businesses have a clear understanding of their digital marketing efforts and can make informed decisions.

Adapting to Trends

The digital world is in a constant state of flux, with new trends emerging regularly. NYC Digital Agencies are experts at adapting to these trends and harnessing their potential for their clients. Whether it's the rise of social commerce, the importance of mobile optimization, or the growing impact of video content, these agencies stay at the forefront of industry shifts.

Measurable ROI

Ultimately, the success of a digital agency is measured by the return on investment (ROI) they deliver to their clients. NYC Digital Agencies are committed to achieving tangible results. They set clear objectives and use data to measure progress. Whether it's increased website traffic, higher conversion rates, or a boost in online sales, the ROI is always in focus.

[dot--mirror]

Unveiling TikTok Trends: Your Ultimate Source - Web-Page.net

In today's fast-paced digital world, staying up-to-date with the latest social media trends and updates is crucial. TikTok, the short-form video platform that has taken the world by storm, is no exception. If you're eager to stay ahead of the curve and want to delve into the world of TikTok trends and updates, look no further than Web-page.net tiktok blog. In this comprehensive article, we will explore TikTok's influence on the social media landscape, discuss the most recent trends, and provide you with valuable insights to keep you informed.

The Rise of TikTok

TikTok, originally launched in 2016, quickly gained popularity, especially among younger audiences. Its unique format of short, engaging videos set to music appealed to users seeking quick entertainment. Over the years, TikTok has evolved, attracting users of all ages, celebrities, and even businesses.

Today, TikTok boasts over a billion monthly active users worldwide, making it a powerful platform for individuals and brands alike. Its algorithm-driven content delivery system ensures that users are exposed to a wide variety of content, making it an ideal platform for discovering trends.

Web-Page.net: Your TikTok Trend Authority

At Web-Page.net, we understand the importance of staying informed about TikTok trends, whether you're a casual user, content creator, or a business looking to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our mission is to be your go-to source for TikTok trends, updates, and the latest social media news.

TikTok Trends Explained

TikTok is a platform known for its rapidly changing trends. Whether it's a viral dance challenge, a cooking hack, or a new meme format, TikTok trends can explode in a matter of hours. It's essential to keep up with these trends, especially if you're looking to gain followers or grow your brand on the platform.

Web-Page.net regularly compiles comprehensive lists of the hottest TikTok trends. From the latest dance crazes to trending challenges, we've got you covered. We break down each trend, providing insights into why it's popular, how to participate, and the impact it's having on TikTok culture.

The Latest Updates

TikTok is continually evolving, with new features and tools being added regularly. Our team at Web-Page.net stays on top of these updates, ensuring you're always in the know. Whether it's a new video editing feature, advertising option, or algorithm change, we provide in-depth analysis and practical tips on how to leverage these updates to your advantage.

How to Stay Ahead of the Digital Curve

With TikTok's dynamic nature, staying ahead of the digital curve can be challenging. However, Web-Page.net is committed to helping you navigate this ever-changing landscape. Here are some strategies to ensure you're always in the loop:

1. Regularly visit Web-Page.net: We update our content frequently, so bookmark our site and check back often for the latest TikTok trends and updates.

2. Follow us on social media: We share timely updates and insights on our social media channels. Don't miss out – follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

3. Subscribe to our newsletter: By subscribing to our newsletter, you'll receive the latest TikTok news and trends directly in your inbox.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TikTok has revolutionized the social media landscape, and staying informed about its trends and updates is essential for both individuals and businesses. Web-Page.net is your trusted source for all things TikTok, ensuring you're always ahead of the digital curve. Bookmark our website, follow us on social media, and subscribe to our newsletter to access the latest TikTok trends and updates. Embrace the world of TikTok with Web-Page.net, your ultimate source for TikTok trends and news.

[thorntonkrell-blog-blog]

Yup, 1928 was the watershed moment for silent films. I think because I'm not sure what a watershed is. At first, I thought it was a flush toilet which certainly revolutionized both enginereing and hygiene. The unfounded rumor is that the flush toilet was invented by John Crapper which is why we say we're going to the "john" to take a "crap".

The Crapper story is an example of a mythological, figurative watershed.

So what is a literal watershed which we can turn into a figurative watershed when we understand what the literal meaning is so we can apply it to the figurative etc.

According to my nephew Mick, who is an engineer, the term watershed comes from an area of land that drains water into a specific river or body of water just like if you are nuts enough to climb to the top of a mountain and dump your canteen in such a way that some of the the water falls on one side of the mountain and the rest falls on the other side it will come to pass that the water on one side although originating from the same canteen as the water on the other side will flow into one watershed where as the other one will flow into a different watershed and thus drain into entirely different rivers or lakes or creeks or whatever.

(Maybe you're familiar with conversing with engineers who try to make things "simple' for us without realizing that heir grasp of "simplicity" is much different than ours.)

Figuratively, then, a watershed moment is an event such as a revolution or a court decision that changes the course of history.

The end of the square wheel for example was the begining of the round wheel although the square wheel is to this day figuratievly recreated in the minds of all of us who are "out of our depth."

Here are a few watershed moments from my lifetime.

The release of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album in 1967, which is often seen as a watershed moment in the history of popular music, as it marked a major shift away from traditional songwriting and album production styles while turning rock and roll into a predominantly "white" art form which in turn inspired the reactionary rise of hip hop in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which not only changed the face of popular music, but also had a significant impact on fashion, language, and cultural norms. Ya feel me?

The introduction of the iPhone in 2007, which revolutionized the way people use and interact with smartphones, and set the stage for a new era of mobile computing. It took me until 2021 to catch up with my phone so as in many instances as the world around us changes some of us, particualrly those of us who are "out of it" miss the boat while ignoring both the writing on the wall and the elephant head on the wall until we are nearly trampled by the inevitable stampede. The launch of the World Wide Web in 1991, which transformed the way people access and share information, and had far-reaching implications for everything from commerce to politics. Human behavior.

The #MeToo movement, which emerged in 2017 as a response to widespread sexual harassment and assault in various industries, and sparked a larger conversation about power dynamics and gender equality leading to the downfall of Harvey Weinstein and the re-evaluation of the Hollywood Babylon and casting couches that shamefully prevailed in the film industry even before, during and after the watershed of sound.

These watershed moments as far sweeping as they are do not compare to our own personal water shed moments when everything changed in our lives....births..deaths.....marriages...failures...triumphs and on we go

Doot Doo.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has dramatically altered the way people live and work, and forced individuals and societies to confront a range of complex ethical, social, and economic issues.

The launch of the World Wide Web in 1991, which transformed the way people access and share information, and had far-reaching implications for everything from commerce to politics and which eventually led us to writing communities like ABC tales and publishing opportunities like KDP. All of which I hope leads you to my books Full Filler and Fill Fuller which represent personal watershed moments for me. The #MeToo movement, which emerged in 2017 as a response to widespread sexual harassment and assault in various industries, and sparked a larger conversation about power dynamics and gender equality leading to the downfall of Harvey Weinstein and the re-evaluation of the Hollywood Babylon and casting couches that shamefully prevailed in the film industry even before, during and after the watershed of sound.

etc.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has dramatically altered the way people live and work, and forced individuals and societies to confront a range of complex ethical, social, and economic issues.

In a social or political context, a watershed moment might be a significant event, such as a revolution, a major election, or a groundbreaking court decision, that fundamentally changes the course of history. In a personal context, a watershed moment might be a life-changing event, such as a marriage or a career change, that alters the trajectory of an individual's life.

onelinecross@yahoo.com Can you identify a watershed moment in sports, in muisc, in technology in human behaivour Certainly!

A few examples of watershed moments in different fields are:

Sports:

The 1960 Rome Olympics, where Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay) won the gold medal in boxing, marking a turning point in the sport's popularity and cultural significance. The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union, which not only represented a major upset in the sport, but also had broader political implications as a Cold War symbol. Music:

The release of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album in 1967, which is often seen as a watershed moment in the history of popular music, as it marked a major shift away from traditional songwriting and album production styles. The rise of hip hop in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which not only changed the face of popular music, but also had a significant impact on fashion, language, and cultural norms. Technology:

The introduction of the iPhone in 2007, which revolutionized the way people use and interact with smartphones, and set the stage for a new era of mobile computing. The launch of the World Wide Web in 1991, which transformed the way people access and share information, and had far-reaching implications for everything from commerce to politics. Human behavior:

The #MeToo movement, which emerged in 2017 as a response to widespread sexual harassment and assault in various industries, and sparked a larger conversation about power dynamics and gender equality. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has dramatically altered the way people live and work, and forced individuals and societies to confront a range of complex ethical, social, and economic issues.

onelinecross@yahoo.com How about archiitecture and transportation Sure, here are some examples of watershed moments in architecture and transportation:

Architecture:

The construction of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in 1997, which is often cited as a watershed moment in contemporary architecture due to its innovative design and use of materials, as well as its role in revitalizing the city of Bilbao in Spain. The completion of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010, which is currently the tallest building in the world and represents a major achievement in engineering and construction. Transportation:

The invention of the automobile in the late 19th century, which transformed the way people travel and interact with their environments, and had profound impacts on urban development, energy consumption, and social norms. The development of commercial aviation in the 20th century, which revolutionized long-distance travel and enabled unprecedented levels of global connectivity and mobility.

onelinecross@yahoo.com what wqas the watershed moment for slavery The watershed moment for slavery was the abolitionist movement, which gained momentum in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and ultimately led to the legal abolition of slavery in many countries around the world.

In the United States, one of the key watershed moments for slavery was the Civil War (1861-1865), which was fought in part over the issue of slavery and ultimately resulted in the passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.

In Britain, the abolitionist movement gained traction in the late 18th century and led to the passage of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807, which prohibited the British slave trade. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 then abolished slavery throughout the British Empire, including in its colonies and territories.

Other countries and regions around the world also had their own watershed moments for slavery, including the Haitian Revolution in 1791-1804, which led to the establishment of the first independent black-led nation in the world and the abolition of slavery in Haiti, and the Dutch abolition of slavery in their colonies in 1863.

onelinecross@yahoo.com What was the watershed moments for Napoleon, Hitler, Cleopatra, JFK and Marilyn Monroe Here are some watershed moments for each of the individuals you mentioned:

Napoleon:

The Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, which is widely regarded as Napoleon's greatest victory and solidified his power as emperor of France. Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, which marked the end of his reign and led to his exile to the island of Saint Helena. Hitler:

Hitler's appointment as chancellor of Germany in 1933, which allowed him to consolidate power and begin implementing his policies of Nazism and anti-Semitism. Germany's surrender in 1945 and Hitler's subsequent suicide, which marked the end of World War II and the downfall of the Nazi regime. Cleopatra:

Cleopatra's alliance with Julius Caesar in the mid-1st century BCE, which allowed her to maintain her power as queen of Egypt and expand her territory. Cleopatra's defeat by the Roman general Octavian (later known as Augustus) in the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE, which led to her suicide and the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt. JFK:

JFK's election as president of the United States in 1960, which represented a generational shift in American politics and ushered in a new era of American leadership. JFK's assassination in 1963, which shocked the world and had far-reaching impacts on American politics and culture. Marilyn Monroe:

The release of Monroe's breakthrough film, "Niagara," in 1953, which established her as a major Hollywood star and sex symbol. Monroe's death by overdose in 1962, which marked the end of her career and cemented her status as an enduring cultural icon.

onelinecross@yahoo.com watershed moment for Elvis and professional wrestling Here are some watershed moments for Elvis Presley and professional wrestling:

Elvis Presley:

The release of his first single, "That's All Right," in 1954, which introduced his unique blend of rockabilly, blues, and country music to a wider audience and launched his career as a recording artist. Elvis's appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956, which was his first national television appearance and helped him gain even more popularity with young audiences. Professional wrestling:

The formation of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1948, which unified various regional wrestling promotions and established a standardized set of rules and procedures for matches. The creation of WrestleMania by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1985, which brought together top wrestling stars from around the world for a massive, pay-per-view event and helped make professional wrestling a mainstream form of entertainment.

[brooklynislandgirl]

It is not often that Beth savours the meat of jealousy, the way its shreds get caught in her teeth in this moment or presses against her gums. She could spend the next hour tearing it apart yet never find herself adequate to the task. She, least of all her Kin, is built to endure but not in the same ways. Too frail a human heart. Somewhere in the back of her mind comes the scoff, the unspoken I told you so. The cost of burying the derision isn't affordable. So instead she runs her tongue along the mismatched ivory behind her lips. Sharp tips scraping against wet muscle. Sweeps something away. Maybe herself. She isn't volcano red, but rather rust. Quiet in the blood, an ocean breaking into nothing. Nothing he can reach with those flickering stares. Ones that rise and fall and eventually only fall into the crevices that hold none of her depths. She can hear the splintering between them. And the ticking of the clock. The cars on the street. The silence of his breath. The muddled murmur of the pair behind them with no succinctness, just white noise. Better than the stalemate between them, no pieces moved, no sacrifice, no pawn. She glances askance and waits to see if someone is standing there with a black narrative card with dialogue picked out in paler font. It wouldn't be first phantasm seen out of the corner of her eye. Though in truth, she has to make note that she sees more than that too. Jonathan reminds her of the great houses that cluster just deep enough that they can't quite see Gotham beyond the bridges. Stone towers, covered in ivy whose roots are maybe too rotten from lack of light, an edifice that crumbles at the edges. Jonathan reminds her of the the dozen or so cadets that attempt every year to scratch and claw their way into the Admiral's good graces ~as if the man had any~ and should, just as easily, come and go without leaving so much as a scuff on the marble floors. Jonathan who- -gouges the faintest flinch from her when his voice wends its way around her, all midnight silk that clutches to its chest the a hoard of secrets, and chokes just a small breath from her. There's just enough pause for her focus to find it's way to his lips. So much fuller than her own and she realises now her proportions are just a touch off. That they seem thinner in profile. More pliable. She smiles. One that belongs in the water, swimming very fast, toward a floundering man. She wonders if Jon knows just how close he is to drowning. Her answer is cut on the haole-bias. "None of that 'shocks' me, Jon. Not when you only have to look around. Bowery, East End, Slaughter Swamp, Crime Alley. School-to-prison pipeline in Gotham is five times what it is in Metropolis an' other cities of comparable size. Between Blackgate Penitentiary an' Arkham…" Her hands come up, splayed wide. The star-chart lines of her palms are deep etched, there's just the faintest webbing between those small, slender digits. "Maybe instead of breeding and torturing animals who can't advocate for themselves, treating them in ways that would violate every human rights ethic imaginable, you offer death row inmates a commutation of sentence if they volunteer to undergo the processes and experiments. Clinical trials on the very people you're trying to treat seems far more effective to me than using helpless animals." Sunset shades the golden sand of her skin tone, suffusing her eyes with a spark, a gleam she's never shown in the first few weeks of class. This may also be the most she's spoken, the thoughts connecting faster in process. Hands come down, bridge on the tabletop, and she leans slightly forward. "World's already over crowded as it is, for once people ought to give something back, in the name of science and medicine, instead of take, take, take."

Kintsugi is not split so finely. Even the liquid that cages her sclera — (His life is a study in the phrase 'No time wasted,' he documents the shifting tides of her face. From his first word, though the compressions and extensions of vocal cords is a discomfort, he documents.) — glimmers with riches beyond wealth. Where did she go?

Documenting. From his first word, she documents.

Early frosts are not reputable for their tenderness. Jonathan Crane's climate is an eternal one; it breathes the shimmery afterglow of waning sunlight kisses and blanket white. A cotton dream, which warps the earth into something 'snowglobe.' All his layers thereunder are too familiar with razor-rain cruelty, and the way living things turn to cement there. Smell the fresh, bitter zip of ozone before it steals your olfactories. Meet his stare: now you stand in Oymyakon, Russia.

So he watches her go, retracting like roots of withering Salicaceae, and distantly wonders (in such a way as he has not done for a long time) about this effect which has haunted him, under various presentations, lifelong.

“That is,” (Perhaps finally, after a too-long quiet. All the hall is clashing vowels and puncture- metal-sounds, peers meddling through alternate studies.) “the point.” Jonathan ('Jon,' still half relaxed to his chair) doesn't offer much else by way of explanation for dragging moments. Instead, those glacial things behind his polished Alain Mikli's flutter once again to the tabletop. It's funny. A twitch at his structural pout reflects this. He recognizes an equation she's drawn, perchance unknowingly, in her departure: one becomes two, then two becomes one, and one. Both left with a mystery spoil to signify, ironically: something opened.

His eyes avert again. Squiggles scrawled across notebook paper nonsense. If and when he's mindful of the brain's common inability to separate its distractions from subconscious meaning, he might say there are curious revelations in the nonsensical. Presently, he just goes on, documenting.

“You find the excess breeding and subsequent caging of rodents, done for 'scientific purposes' — prodding; shocking; conditioning, nevertheless — inhumane.”

Now he looks her in the eye. Just enough dryness, there: a lace thread that trails his diminutively pristine, somewhat peculiar elocution. It renders intentions unclear.

“How would you start your own experiments?” Curious. A gamble. Risks, like these, are not yet familiar to his name. Experiment.

[jayasree111]

Latest Movies and Web Series

Latest Movies and Web Series: A Visual Feast for Entertainment Enthusiasts

Are you a true entertainment aficionado? Do you revel in the thrill of the big screen and the captivating narratives of web series? If your answer is a resounding "yes," then you're in for a treat! In this article, we're diving into the world of the latest movies and web series, exploring their ever-growing popularity, Latest Movies and Web Seriesdiverse genres, and the unparalleled excitement they bring to our screens. From heart-pounding action to tear-jerking dramas, and from laugh-out-loud comedies to mind-bending mysteries, the realm of entertainment has something for everyone.

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The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Entertainment

In the digital age, the way we consume entertainment has undergone a dramatic transformation. Gone are the days of waiting in long lines at the movie theater or being restricted to the programming schedules of traditional television. With the advent of streaming platforms, entertainment is now at our fingertips. From the comfort of our homes, we can access a treasure trove of the latest movies and web series, allowing us to binge-watch to our heart's content.

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Streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu have revolutionized the way we access and enjoy content. With their vast libraries and original productions, they offer an unparalleled variety of choices. Whether you're into edge-of-your-seat thrillers, heartwarming romances, or thought-provoking documentaries, these platforms cater to every taste.

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One of the remarkable aspects of the current entertainment landscape is the incredible diversity in genres. From epic fantasy sagas that transport us to mystical realms, to gritty crime dramas that keep us on the edge of our seats, the range of options is staggering. This diversity ensures that there's always something new and exciting to explore, satisfying both mainstream audiences and those with more niche interests.

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Whether you're curled up on the couch streaming the latest web series or sitting in a darkened theater awaiting the start of a blockbuster, the experience of watching movies and web series is nothing short of enchanting. It's a journey that takes us to different worlds, introduces us to fascinating characters, and elicits a wide range of emotions.

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[chaseatinydream]

pirate king (58) || atz

You sit in the sickbay, quiet, uncomfortable as San moves around without a word. There’s the clatter as he mixes something, from the smell, probably some sort of herbal salve to prevent infection, but that’s not the most important thing right now. Even more important than your hand. Even more important than your pain.

You tongue the inside of your cheek nervously. San is practically stomping around the room, his movements only increasing in volume with every second that passes, you can clearly see the wound up tension building in his shoulders. That intimidates you, but you need to at least try to make everything okay.

It’s the least you can do.

“Master?” You begin, hesitantly. San doesn’t respond first, whether he can’t hear you or he’s plain ignoring you, you don’t know, but you swallow the lump in your throat and call, louder this time. “Master?”

San freezes, hands hovering over the work table. Suddenly lost for direction, aimless, without purpose. “What.” His voice is curt, short, trembling and when he finally turns around to meet you, his eyes scream “what” even louder, and you’re shocked to see that tears are clinging fiercely to his lashes, refusing to fall.

The sight stings like a whip to the face.

“Master–” You begin to say, desperate to fix this somehow, but San doesn’t look at you, fingers digging into the wood of his work table so hard that his fingers turn white. He’s angry, no, furious with you, that much is obvious.

How are you supposed to make things right?

You merely watch in silence as San takes three deep breaths to compose himself, the furious expression vanishing only to be replaced by an emotionless mask of steel. You’re not sure which one you prefer, the tension between the two of you merely thickens like growing smog. He continues smashing the marigold petals with more force than necessary, the sound of mortar meeting pestle going clack-clack in your ears like an ominous echo.

The sharp smell of potent marigold paste fills your nose, but its familiar scent isn’t comforting you, instead you close your eyes and try to will the pain in your hand – and in your heart – to go away.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Wha-” You say, confused for a second before you realise, oh, that’s what he’s talking about. You had your reasons, sure, but speaking them out loud suddenly seems way too daunting a task for you to handle. You fumble around for the right words, but they don’t come to your mind.

“I said,” San repeats, through gritted teeth this time, and the fury makes his voice tremble. “Why didn’t you say anything about the bleeding?”

You press your lips together for a while, keep silent. Trying to figure a way to phrase your reasoning into words seems impossible at the moment and your head hangs while San doesn’t say a word either, the tension only growing between the two of you.

San finally finishes preparing the poultice with lips drawn in a tight line, his eyes don’t meet yours as he steps over to you with a bandage in hand. Crouching before you, he continues to avoid your gaze even when he picks up your hand with the utmost gentleness, as though he can’t bring himself to translate his rage into a physical form.

Your heart squeezes painfully in your chest.

He swipes a finger over the skin around the wound, taut expression unchanging, and a shower of tiny flakes fall to the ground. They look like snowflakes.

What are those?

“What are those?” San echoes your thoughts brusquely, curiosity clashing with some attempt to remain upset. You frown, confused, bend down to squint at the small shapes. But then San shouts in horror, staring at the hand that he has clasped in his.

Shocked, your eyes instinctively follow his gaze to the wound on your hand, and what you see terrifies the hell out of you.

“Master!” You scream, panicking. Everything is going haywire. “My hand… it’s–”

San cradles your hand urgently in his, as if that would be of any help to you, but it only ends up doing the opposite. The two of you can only watch in terror as a crack splits down the tip of your index finger, tiny web-like patterns splintering across the skin. Your heart leaps into your mouth, but before the two of you can do anything about it, your index finger breaks off completely, falling to the ground and breaking clean in half.

What?

San’s eyes dilate at the sight, his breath leaving him in unsteady, terrified pants. You feel no pain, but your heartbeat resounds in your ears, like a faint echo. You’re so calm you’re surprised and, raising your hand curiously, you see more cracks already starting to appear along the skin of your knuckles.

“Chin Hae!” San screams, alarmed, but you don’t hear his voice, instead you simply continue to stare at the webbed fissures blossoming across your hand, down to your wrist. The skin turns an earthy brown before your eyes before they fracture into tiny pieces, falling away like chaff blown away by the winds.

There’s another crack, a sharp breath, and then your entire hand falls to the ground.

It shatters into a thousand pieces.

You sit there, stunned, staring at the broken shards that had used to be part of your body. Where warm blood had once flowed through, you only feel empty pain there, a phantom ghost of what had used to be.

Instinctively, you try to wiggle your fingers.

Nothing moves.

There’s no blood, no nothing. Just a mere stump where your hand used to be, clay fusing with warm flesh at the joint of your wrist.

“I… I need to tell Captain.” San trips over his own words, stumbles over his own feet as he stands to make for the door. But the fingers of your remaining hand find his wrist, encircle it ever so lightly, that is enough to stop him dead in his tracks.

“No.”

San whirls on you, with wide eyes, you can still see shock in the depths of them. It’s clear that your master knows that this is a problem way out of his depth, one that he has no ability to resolve. “Are you crazy?” He demands fiercely, but you can hear his voice breaking. Guilt washes over you, but you force it down and meet his eyes with more calm than you should have.

“You can’t.”

Your voice doesn’t break.

“Why?”

San is furious, he’s powerless and yet here you are, taking away the only thing he can do, calling for help. He wants more than anything in the world to save you, needs to save you. He won’t give up, but you can’t let him tell anyone; most of all your captain.

“– you’re going to die if we don’t do anything about this, Chin Hae! You’ve been coughing blood, having nosebleeds, and now? I didn’t do anything about it and look what happened to you! I’ll be damned if I let you die after all this time, Hongjoong-hyung would be able to do something–”  

You waver for a second, the will in you crumbling. You just want someone to know, someone to help you, but you stay resolute in your decision, immovable as stone. Suddenly, the words come to your lips too easily.

“It wouldn’t change a damn thing.”

There’s a second of stunned silence between the two of you.

“What?” San repeats after you, he looks stupefied that you’d say such a thing. Then the words begin to tumble from your lips, razor sharp knives that tear into your master’s heart with each stab.

“What could he possibly do about this? I know he’s the Pirate King and all, but do you really think a mortal man with a mere blessing could save me from breaking into pieces?” You spit contemptuously, rising to your feet. Your words burn but you’re hollow inside, you continue speaking even as San’s expression turns more and more hurt. “Don’t lie to me. I was created by gods, San. Captain is human… he’s weak, powerless… He can’t save me.”

“He–” Your master begins to say, but even he falters ever so slightly in the face of the unconquerable odds laid bare in front of him. How could a mortal ever solve a problem of such a scale?

For the first time in his life onboard the Treasure, he doubts his captain.

Seeing him waver, you press forward, spilling empty words you don’t believe. “Besides, Captain has so much to deal with already, and it’s not like I’m dying or anything. Stop over-exaggerating, master.” You roll your eyes, get to your feet, and the sound of a tiny sob escaping your master behind you nearly breaks your heart. Why do you feel like crying? “Do you really want to make Captain take on more burden than he already has? It’s not his fault that you aren’t a good enough healer to cure me.”

A soft wail leaves your master’s lips, but you hold your head high and step into your shared bedroom tucked behind the infirmary, slamming the door shut behind you.

And for the first time, you lock it.

Finally, with no eyes on you, you sink to the ground and begin to cry, quietly into your sleeve. Sobs pulse in your chest, tear at you from the insides, struggle against you like the wings of a bird, but you suffocate them. You can’t let anyone hear.

But you’re scared.

You’re so, so scared.

You’re going to die.

And no one can help you.

“Please… no, that’s an order. I order you not to die, Chin Hae. I… no… I won’t be able to bear it if any of you die so please…”

Don’t die.

As if to mock you, something warm and coppery begins running from your nose once again, dripping into your lap, turning your shirt red. You raise the stump where your hand used to be to your nose and blood smears across it, turning it crimson. For a moment, it looks your hand had truly been amputated.

How you wished that were the case.

I’m sorry, captain.

I think I won’t be able to keep this promise.

[scrapironflotilla]

The more I read about WW2 the more it seems it was significantly decided by materiel and logistic advantage. While I know these forces also played significantly into battles in WW1, to what extent did military tactics alter these advantages for each side? Did one side significantly outperform the other consistently (accounting for materiel/manpower advantages?)? Did war tactics significantly play into the outcome of the war? (running out of space) is this something debated significantly (1/2)

significantly academically or on which there is a general consensus? also thank you for all your contributions to your blog - I am grateful to keep on otherwise mostly forgotten (american) history from it. (2/2)

I don’t think many people real my long-form answers but here’s another one anyway.

So, this is a really good question that touches on a couple of important things about the First World War. I’ll do the usual thing and focus on the Western Front here, and some of the things I’ll talk about are relevant in other theatres, like Gallipoli and Salonika. But other theatres, particularly Palestine, Mesopotamia, the Caucuses and large parts of the Eastern Front all varied greatly from the Western Front and had their own unique character.

To what extent did military tactics alter these advantages (materiel/logistical) for each side? You’re hitting something important here, but it’s the other way around. The logistical and supply situation had a huge impact on the tactics used by each of the armies during the war. Once a nation had set it strategic goal, the realities of the situation had to be grappled with to find a method of achieving that goal. Joffre, von Moltke and French all had to fight with the armies they had in 1914, not the ones that would eventually decide the war in 1918. Those armies looked very different from those of four years before.

The supply and logistical systems determine what an army could actually do on the ground. And on a crowded battlefield like that of the Western Front, supplying the enormous numbers of troops with everything they needed was a logistical nightmare. By 1918 each British infantry division required about 1000 tons of supplies a day (equal to about 100 train carriages worth) and that number would rise dramatically when involved in any fighting. France and Germany each had over 100 divisions in the West and the British up to 60. As you can imagine keeping them supplied with day to day was hard, preparing stockpiles for a battle required even more effort. During the Somme fighting in 1916 the British needed about 20,000 tons of supplies a day, mostly ammunition, to keep the offensive going on a 12-mile front. The railway systems were barely adequate to get this amount of stuff to the front and the movement of supplies from railhead to fighting troops was totally insufficient.

What I’m trying to say here is that even when planned months in advance, what armies could do was determined, in part, by what they could support logistically. If you want to attack on a broad 20-mile front, but can only provide enough shells to properly bombard 12 miles of the front you have a choice. Do you limit your attack to a 12-mile front, with all its own drawbacks, or do you attack on a broader frontage with less artillery preparation and support?

But on the flipside if you’re the Allies in mid-1918 you can afford to be a little more wasteful with supplies because with the backing of the British, French and US economies you have an abundance of supplies to use, and a reliable method of getting them to where they’re needed.

Did one side significantly outperform the other consistently (accounting for materiel/manpower advantages?)? Not really. The thing about military innovation, whether that’s technological or tactical, is that’s a didactic and syncretic process. It involves a sort of back and forth with your opponent as new tactics or technology introduced will be countered by the other. You can see this evolving process clearly during the war through the development of trench networks from rudimentary straight lines in late 1914 to increasingly complex webs in 1916 and then the elastic defence in depth of the German army in 1917, characterised not by trenches anymore, but by mutually supporting outposts in a defence in depth. The same process was at work with the artillery as tactics caught up to science with things like sound ranging, flash spotting, meteorology and artillery pre-registration. Infantry tactics evolved as new weapons were tested. Trench mortars, flame throwers, light machine guns and a variety of grenades, not to mention chemical weapons, and their implementation were all a result of this process.

At different points throughout the war you can see the introduction of a new technology which renders some tactics obsolete or inadequate, and the other side gropes around for a solution until one is found. Tanks come to mind here. There were technological and tactical answers to the tank which both took time and blood to figure out. But it wasn’t really until the Hundred Day’s campaign that one side was clearly dominant over the other consistently.

Did war tactics significantly play into the outcome of the war? Like most answers in history, it’s one factor among a wide array. I think you can say that by mid-1918 the Allies had tactical doctrines across the branches, infantry, artillery, air, that when used together in joint operations the German army could not counter. But, coming back to the first point about supply, the Allies were able to arrive at an operational and tactical method that relied heavily on an abundance of materiel. Germany, whilst it could supply its army, didn’t have anywhere near the same level of surplus, in either men or material, to allow it to fight the same kind of battles the Allies could. Their tactics relied more on their strongest asset, their infantry, and operational surprise. I’ve written elsewhere about the Battle of Amiens and how it demonstrates the two strands of operational thinking, but the core of it is that you have to fight with the army you have in front of you, not the one you want. The Allies could rely on technology that could be replaced, typified by General Monash when he wrote “So long as battal­ions have thirty Lewis guns, it doesn’t very much matter what else they have.” Germany didn’t have the same industrial base to rely on, and so much more of their innovation had to go towards the best use of what they did have.

is this something debated significantly academically or on which there is a general consensus?  think there’s a general consensus amongst Commonwealth historians that the Allied armies outfought Germany in 1918, but there’s a lot of debate about how good any one army was. For a really good discussion of the British army I’d say look at Paddy Griffith’s Battle Tactics of the Western Front: The British Army's Art of Attack. It’s a well-rounded look at how the British fought on the Western Front and with criticism and praise where each are due. For a look at the German army the book is probably Bruce Gudmundsson’s Stormtroop Tactics: Innovation in the German Army¸ which is very good on the German army, but takes some inaccurate swipes at the British along the way.

[jafndaegur]

Noise of Rain | Chapter Two

Inside My Soul, I Hear You Calling

Sesskag

｡☆✼★━━━━━━━━━━━━★✼☆｡

Sesshomaru’s brow arched and slowed his stride. The overwhelming stench of familiar hanyou approached at an alarmingly fast pace. His footsteps paused completely and he tried to sort the odd feelings that wormed in his chest. 

It had been a long time since he had last seen the little Shikon Jewel group. He didn't know the exact time—that was a human thing. But Rin had grown a bit, and the seasons had changed from the balmy to near-cold.

And all through that time he'd not heard a peep of Inuyasha or his group. It was as if they'd disappeared completely from the earth.

"M'Lord?" Rin called from her spot next to Jaken, her skippy step half-hearted.

Sesshomaru’s brow furrowed as the dirt road kicked up dust and the wind blustered about them.

If it wasn't for the scent of utter desperation and surprising lack of hostility—the daiyoukai would have drew his sword before a heart beat.

Face to face with the horrid truth, Sesshomaru watched with growing alarm as Inuyasha sunk to his knees the minute he landed. His forehead touched the ground and his hands rested palm down against the earth. His body heaved, breathless, and his voice rasped.

"Please," he wheezed. "Please Sesshomaru."

"Get up you stupid brat," Sesshomaru gripped the boy's collar and yanked him up.

Inuyasha sat back on his heels, displaying the full front of his face. Hollow cheeks, sunken eyes, dulled bronzed color to once belligerent glare, the half demon hardly looked recognizable with a characteristic face fallen to the world. No fight, no charge, the hanyou was a shell.

"Please Sesshomaru, you have to help us find—"

"I will do nothing if you continue to snivel, Inuyasha," he snarled.

"Sesshomaru, Kagome is gone." Inuyasha pressed on. "You, bastard, are literally our last chance. It's been...it's been too long. We've searched, and searched, and—"

Sesshomaru flexed his fingers, not appreciating the discomfort roiling in his belly. "Have you considered, little brother, that she may be dead? If significant time has passed, I doubt she's been on holiday." However even as he spoke these words, he felt angered and uncomfortable. The idea of the little miko being dead was not pleasing. 

Inuyasha stared, appalled.

Sesshomaru continued smoothly, eyes hooded and corners of his mouth tugged down. "But she is not as inept as you believe either. She can take care of herself. Unlike you she is not a child."

The smallest of sparks flitted through the hanyou's glower before it disappeared. His gaze swung to the side and grew laden with guilt. "Kikyo came back. Alive. Normal. The same time Kagome disappeared. We—I—started looking the moment we knew something happened."

"Hn." Sesshomaru doubted that his little brother started his search so soon. But the undead priestess being alive made things troubling. There was one way for her to regain her humanity… "What do you know?"

Inuyasha's ears perked up. "There were no signs of struggle. She didn't put up a fight, all of her things were neatly tucked away at our camp, she'd left while we were sleeping. There's no trace of her scent, Miroku has looked for her aura. It really is almost like…"

"So you have nothing useful then." Sesshomaru sneered. 

Inuyasha bared his fangs. "Look. I checked on the other side of the well. You know...where she lives."

Sesshomaru had the vaguest idea, not the exacts, but enough to follow. Not that he would say—especially to Inuyasha.

"Her scent is stale. Her family is worried. She hasn't been back home in a long long time."

Turning on his heel, the daiyoukai gave his attention to his steward. "Jaken. Take Rin and head north. Make camp there. This Sesshomaru will find you once this has blown over."

"M'lord!" The imp screeched, but whether it was in affirmation or indignation, Sesshomaru could care less. 

"Lord Sesshomaru, please find lady Kagome," Rin chirped out, her expression scrunched with worry.

He nodded and looked over her shoulder. "Where was the little priestess last?"

"We were somewhere unfamiliar. A mountain range to the west, we'd been going that way to find a shard. Maybe three days by foot from here. But we had to stop, there was a bad evil presence there."

He would start there then. He did not say goodbye. He did not promise anything. Sesshomaru flew off with a gust of wind in his wake, his mokomoko trailing behind him.

…

The little miko disappeared the same day that he and his group had passed through the area. Sesshomaru recognized their own path and the path that they had once taken as well. When they had crossed ways however and he had checked on them, something had been off about the girl.

He couldn't place what. But it was dark and alluring, a radiance quite different than her reiki but perhaps not as suiting. As he had observed it more with his youki, he couldn't find a word or placement for it. So he left it alone. The presence clearly was not harming her.

But if he'd said something that day, parted with a word, would she have still disappeared? Was that aura within her something he should have warned her about? Not that he cared.

His body phased through a surprising barrier guarding the mountain range. The energy seeped in anger, the strong hatred spread through mountain range was alarming. No pure evil aura, as far as he could tell, the only thing he detected was resentful energy.

He landed on a high outcropping, a bright yellow patch on the dark grey mountainside having caught him off guard. When he observed the area, he realized it was sheet upon sheet of yellow talismans. Not unlike the ones that the monk with Inuyasha used. But these...Sesshomaru’s nose wrinkled. These were written with blood.

We can't stop, Sesshomaru followed the trail of talismans leading him along the wall. The blood on the talismans, without a doubt, belonged to the miko. Their trace lured him with a tumultuous power drawing him closer and closer. We won't drop. 

He stood at the epicenter of the mountains, a steep crevice before him—it's maw stretched wide. How far it went down he couldn't guess. But he noted the strand of talismans that appeared from the dark depths and lined one on top of the other up the wall. Like a rope.

Sesshomaru lifted his brow with a disdained calculation. The only questions now, how did she end down there, and why all the bizarre talismans?

The bloody writing had darkened and faded, the smell faint and on its last legs of detectability. So Kagome hadn't been in these mountains for a while, his guess was she left around the tail end of the warm season. 

But where would she go—if not home or his brother?

A pulse surged through the air, a reverberation that rattled his teeth and caused his bones to shake with a single word. "Follow." Sesshomaru would not heed a command save his own, however after piecing apart the summons, he detected Naraku's aura and his brother's. So the spider had made a move. But the strange emulation of power was not his. It was new and foreign, something that had a strong tantalizing irregularity that beckoned him closer.

Light surrounded him and Sesshomaru sped in the direction of the scents, his blood rising in excitement—the overwhelming joy of a hunt starting to circulate through his veins. He appeared with gust and gale, his sword drawn. Except the the battlefield was not what he expected. 

Dead saimyosho littered the ground, along with various unidentifiable incarnations. They were not mutilated or in any way harmed. Just cold and prone. While Inuyasha and his group fought to disperse the miasma on ground level, the overwhelming sound of a fife echoed through the air in a haunting and lilting call above the dark cloud. There, at the center, were two forms. 

One was a figure dressed in a pale grey yukata and and dark green haori. Dark, inky hair wavered dangerously while fingers danced over the flute with ease. The music clawed through the air, while midnight tendrils danced around the figure in the sky. The flutist reverberated with overwhelming power and energy. 

Sesshomaru’s eyes widened.

No more smiles you fake.

As Sesshomaru sped closer, his heart pulsed violently as the song summoned his. Bright, glowing crimson eyes lured him in closer. His pulse raced in his veins.

Thus—

The second figure at the epicenter was a writhing Naraku. His body trapped, quite appropriately, in a web of the dark inky tendrils produced by the melody of the fife. They twisted him and rendered him like a puppet, manipulating him like strings until a small but dazzling orb was produced from the hanyou. The orb. The Shikon Jewel. The figure fished the jewel back to themself—herself, Sesshomaru noticed as he grew closer. The scent of miasma no longer blocking it out with the growth of his proximity.

His eyes widened, the familiar smell bracing his senses. He hurried faster, shouting. Shouting what? A warning? A command? A plea? So unlike him.

But the darkness that warped Naraku into something unnatural, the darkness that she commandeered—it was unlike her.

She raised her arm to the air, the round and complete Shikon now clutched in her fingers.

—the hands of the clock that passed the twelve—

The resentful energy violently lashed through the air and into the jewel. In an instant it darkened. Time paused

—will pierce the starry sky,  as crimson eyes flashed to azure as the jewel dispersed into dark flecks of dust.

The woman stared at him as the pieces fluttered away, as Naraku howled angrily, as the world around them quieted.  

"You have a lot to explain," Sesshomaru growled, "Miko."

Her brow furrowed and lips pursed, her eyes screamed outragers drive me nuts. "Ah Sesshomaru. I've a hard time believing this is concern speaking. No offense."

His lips curled in distaste. 

"Hold that thought," she smiled sheepishly as the red steeped back into her eyes.

Outragers drive me nuts. 

The dark tendrils flashed into ravenous fury, attacking Naraku again without relent this time. Sesshomaru lurched forward, intent to prove that with his power and sword would be the demise of the spider.

She laughed as the resentful energy tore Naraku to pieces instead. She flashed the daiyoukai a girlish grin as the spider hanyou fell to the earth below. With a satisfied nod, she wiped her hands on the hem of her haori.

"Defeat Naraku, check. Shikon Jewel wished away? Check. Miasma gone to help them down there?" She gestured down to Inuyasha and her old friends below, now watching with disbelief as the poison cloud faded with the death of its creator. "Check."

He stared at Kagome with a narrowed wary gaze.

"How's that for just a shard detector?"

The raging howl of the underdog.

[f107group4]

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧!

Have you ever seen this epic battle between Jack Sparrow and the legendary Kraken? Let’s meet the real-life origin of the horrifying Scandinavian mythological sea monster — the Giant Squid (Architeuthis).  

CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom: Animalia  

  Subkingdom: Bilateria

     Infrakingdom: Protostomia

        Superphylum: Lophozoa

           Phylum: Mollusca  

              Class: Cephalopoda  

                 Subclass: Coleoidea

                    Superorder: Decabrachia

                       Order: Teuthida

                          Suborder: Oegopsina

                             Family: Architeuthidae  

                                Genus: Architeuthis  

                                   Species: Architeuthis dux

(ITIS, nd)

BIOLOGY 

A Global Sensation

Squids can be found in all the marine waters of the world, usually in continental and island slopes (see picture below). Some species occur in neritic and oceanic zones. However, salinity is a limiting factor for squids. In general, they prefer salinity concentrations between 27 and 37‰. They are also rare in tropical and high polar altitudes since colder temperatures are more favorable for them (Vaughan, 2000; Jereb et al., 2010). 

(Wikipedia Common, 2014)

Given these factors, many oceanic species undergo diel vertical migrations within 200 to 1000 m depth. During the daytime, their habitat range extends from 200 to 700 m with some deeper-living organisms at 600 to 1000 m depth. When nighttime comes, they ascend to the uppermost 200 m (Jereb et al., 2010). 

Insides, Out!

(Pechenik, 2015)

A squid can easily be distinguished by its external anatomy. The body is bilaterally symmetrical. It has an elongate, cylindrical, and soft body with fins on each side of the mantle (posterior end). The mantle covers the mantle cavity that houses the internal organs. Also, they have ten appendages (eight arms and two longer tentacles) stretching anteriorly from the head. These extremities have suckers or hooks, making them powerful tools in seizing prey (Jereb et al., 2010). 

(Weaver, 2012)

Squids are under Phylum Mollusca, but its ancestral mollusk shell was reduced to the gladius or pen (see picture above). A pen is a chitinous structure usually rigid but others are thin and flexible. This loss led to the development of a strong muscular mantle that is very useful for fast swimming, specifically through the help of the funnel (Jereb et al., 2010). 

The way they move is also the way they breathe! When squids respire, water goes into the dorsal mantle opening to the mantle cavity, bathes the pair of ctenidia (gills) with oxygenated water, and goes out through the funnel on its ventral side. The discharged water completes respiration, carries urine and metabolic wastes, and enables burst movement called jet propulsion. They also use their funnel for excreting ink (dark viscous fluid) and female reproductive products (eggs and egg masses) (Jereb et al., 2010). 

With an active locomotory system, their circulatory system should be efficient. Squids have a close circulatory system with a systemic heart, two branchial hearts, and developed arteries, veins and capillaries that delivers blood to and from their muscles and organs. Aside from this, short bursts and escapes became more feasible because these organisms are ammoniotelic. They excrete ammonium ions (by the gill epithelium and renal appendages) to the surrounding water; thus, making it less dense (Jereb et al., 2010). The water is basically giving them a lift! 

(Chokky, 2019)

Squids have a highly developed nervous system. In contrast with the molluscan nerve ring, they have a large brain and peripheral connections. They also have a remarkable vision. Their large eyes are comparable to a vertebrate, with a lens that focuses images on the retina. Moreover, the nervous system also has control over their ability to change colors. Chromatophores are pigment-filled sacs in the skin that can expand and contract. Controlling the size of these cells can lead to changes in color and even create patterns (Jereb et al., 2010).

Just Wanna Chill

Scientists believe that it is unlikely for a giant squid to survive in the tropics. In the warm waters, its blood cannot contain enough oxygen suffocating the squid. It will rise to the surface waters, but will not be able to dive and return to the deep. (Vaughan, 2000).

Away from Tsimosa’s

Most of the reproduction of giant squid is unclear. They are thought to replicate only once during their hypothetical life period of five years. In the posterior end of the mantle cavity, females have a single median ovary. Females develop a lot of eggs about 0.5-1.4 mm long and 0.3-0.7 mm wide weighing 5000 grams numbering millions. Then the eggs pass through paired, convoluted oviducts then exit via the oviducal glands, and large nidamental glands that produce substantial amount of gelatinous material (Vaughan, 2000).

 Unlike other squids, a male giant squid do not use the hectocotylus to transfer sperm. Instead, the spermatophore is released from the penis and sticks out through the funnel. The male directly injects sperm packets into the arms of the female (Roper, 2018).

It is not known how the eggs are fertilized. Researchers hypothesize that the sperm will pass through her arms to internally fertilize the eggs or spermatophores now in the arms of the female will cause the ovaries to release jelly-bound eggs that she carries in her arms. Then the sperm senses the eggs nearby and migrates to fertilize the eggs in that direction. 

Food Habits

While scientists did not observe a giant squid feeding, the stomachs of squids washed up on beaches were cut open to see what they had recently eaten. Giant squids often consume deep-water fish and other squids including their own kind. They will also attack schools of fish from below, rising rapidly into shallower waters to catch a meal before retreating away to safer depths (Roper, 2018).

 By using their two long feeding tentacles, they capture their prey. To grip the prey, the tentacles are shot out. The suckers take hold of the prey on the tentacle tips and the tentacles contract, taking the prey to the arms. The arms then subdue the prey further, dragging it towards the big, sharp beaks. A huge collection of muscles operates the beaks that allow them to bite through just about anything that the squid might catch. But before being digested, the giant squid's bite-sized bits of food require more shredding. The tongue is fitted with an organ known as the radula, lined with thin, file-like rows of teeth. Before the tongue forces it down the esophagus to the digestive organs, the radula further shreds the meal (Vaughan, 2000).

 A Calamari Buffet

(Rebloggy, 2014)

The adult giant squid has very few predators. The sperm whale is the strongest and perhaps the only one. They have many predators, mainly deep sea fishes, as babies and juveniles. Once giant squids get past a certain size, they have outgrown the size of most of their possible predators (Vaughan, 2000).

 In the stomachs of sperm whales, scientists have discovered beaks of giant squids. as well as other undigested bits of a giant squid . In addition, beach-stranded sperm whales were found with sucker marks on their skin, battle wounds large enough that they could only have been inflicted by a giant squid (Roper, 2018).

RELATIONSHIP WITH HUMANS 

Humans have limited information about the giant squid as this mysterious cephalopod has kept its secrets well guarded. However, since the giant squid, like any other squid species, has a sophisticated nervous system and a large brain, scientists have shown great interest in studying this gigantic cephalopod (Marinebio, 2020). 

Also, a giant squid's flesh is said to contain ammonium ions. These ions aid the animal in maintaining its buoyancy, particularly at greater depths like in the ocean’s twilight zone. Although the ammonium ions help the animal in its buoyancy, it gives its musculature a bitter taste which is inedible to humans— making this animal of no interest as a fishery commodity (Jeber & Roper, 2010).

Nevertheless, giant squids are considered keystone species in the deep-sea food web as deep-diving whales, e.g. sperm whales, prey on them.

WHAAAT THE FACTS!!

We have already been very much fascinated with this creature. But wait, there's more! We are yet to spill some teaaaaa 🍵! Here are four WHAT THE FACTS about Giant Squid that you should know!

1. It’s “SQUID”, not “squid”

Giant squids are the largest invertebrates on Earth. According to evidences, giant squids can grow up to a maximum length of about 43 feet - about the same size of a regular bus. They also have gigantic eyes, about the size of a basketball, that allows them to see on their lightless deep-sea environment.

2. Not a coffee, but 3-in-1

Giant squids have three hearts. Like any other squid, giant squids also have a median heart that pumps oxygenated blood throughout the body, which it receives from two smaller ones that pump blood through the gills.

3. The BIGGER, the BETTER

For these creatures, size does matter. Giant squids are said to have penises that are about a yard long, no wonder female giant squids are bigger compared to male - to handle BIG troubles just in case love rings the bell.

4. Do not Dunk n' the Donut

For our last tea, we are serving it with a sweet treat -a giant squid's brain! The brain of a giant squid is donut-shaped. But it's not as fancy as you think. Its esophagus passes through the hole in the middle of its brain making every meal very critical for this creature. Unbroken pieces of food can rub against its brain and cause damage.

 References

Chokky. (2019). Big Brain Markiplier [GIF]. Tenor. Available from: https://tenor.com/view/big-brain-markiplier-gif-14835823

ITIS. (n.d). Architeuthis dux  Steenstrup in Harting, 1860. Available from: https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=556512#null

Jereb, P. & Roper, C. F. E. (eds). (2010). Cephalopods of the World. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of cephalopod species known to date. Volume 2. Myopsid and Oegopsid Squids. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No. 4, Vol. 2. Rome, FAO. 605p. 10 colour plates.

Jereb, P., Roper, C. F. E., & Vecchione, M. (2010). Introduction. In: P. Jereb & C. F. E. Roper (Eds.), Cephalopods of the World (pp. 1-33). FAO. 

Mancini, M. (2015). 20 Freaky Facts About the Giant Squid. Available from: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/63719/20-freaky-facts-about-giant-squid

Marinebio. (2020). Giant Squid. https://marinebio.org/species/giant-squid/architeuthis-dux/

National Geographic Society. (n.d.). Giant squid. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/g/giant-squid/

Rebloggy. (n.d.). Squid vs Whale [GIF]. Available from: http://rebloggy.com/post/gif-black-and-white-under-the-sea-squid-squid-vs-whale/92281691430

Pechenik, J. A. (2015). Biology of Invertebrates (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. 

Weaver, T. (2012).  Pen of the extant squid Loligo by Dr. Isobell Bennett [Photograph]. NC Museum of Natural Sciences Research Blog. Available from: https://naturalsciencesresearch.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/some-cephalopods-inking-about-squid-pens/

Wikipedia Common. (2004). File:Architeuthis distribution.png. [Photograph]. Available from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Architeuthis_distribution.png