#scientific studies require dedication

[jessieren]

Stupid work has distracted me from the important business of Tux Tuesday…

But oh boy is it nice to see all that hotness on my dash 🥰

Normal service will be resumed shortly.

In the meantime here’s someone hot looking extremely smart…. and very hot

[spikedlynx]

I think everyone overlooks just how SMART Grunkle Stan is. No, he isn’t smart in the same way that Ford and Dipper are but he is incredibly intelligent all the same.

Stan taught himself PhD level mathematics and physics without the internet. I’m going to say it again. He taught himself what people dedicate their entire lives to without help from the internet. Or a real support structure either as he was always on the run. Yes, it took him 30 years. But it takes someone 21 years to do it NOW. Which makes it all that more shocking.

Sure he had the first journal as a guide. But that was one of three. Not only that but it was meant for personal notes, which means that the math and schematics part of it may not have been all that clear cut. How many of you use shorthand or references to specific events in your notes/hoyrnals.

To further illustrate how amazing that is here are two images of formulae I took off the web. The first one is a calc image and the second is a quantum physics one. Both of these would have been used frequently in Fords studies. So not only would ford have to understand what these formulae meant, he’d have to understand how to use them and make MATH with it.

Going back to the fact that it’s the first journal in Stan’s possession. We don’t know how accurate that journal was. Cause you know how the scientific process requires you to do multiple renditions of it to make sure that it’s right. Yeah, Ford had Bill in his head guiding him but there could be many factors that affect the equations. Like dimensional differences or the “weirdness” quotation of the area. So assuming that Stan was working with about 80% of accurate data, that means that he’d still have to figure out why the other 20% didn’t work and where it went wrong and how to fix it. Again. He’s doing this ALONE, in secret, and very much trying to stay unnoticed bc he is a wanted man.

And then there’s the fact that Stan probably has a somewhat, if not incredibly detailed list and understanding of the law just memorized. The way to break the law well and get away with it is to know where the loopholes are. A lot of it is in the charisma and poker face, but he needs to at least be able to read fine print and understand it. Idk how many of you read the fine print in stuff but it’s incredibly jargony and the run-ons and long sentences make it hard to comprehend.

So yeah. I think we all need to appreciate Stan’s brilliance more.

[cyten0]

A Symphony In Crimson

Act 1: A Movement in Black

Chapter 9

The house has been much nicer this time around. It feels like everyone is working together a bit better, there’s a closer bond of trust. The others were quite surprised by Bonnie’s marksmanship! But honestly, all of them seem a little stronger.

The first floor has been a breeze really. Which is good, since it means you haven’t had to take any hits really. Nothing to try and cover up. Plus, the party has taken less hits, which means less temptation. Stars you’re hungry.

You’re sitting down for snacks when Odile does their coinflip thing with Isa. Looks like they lost this time.

▲ “What was that about, madam?”

◆ “Ah well. I asked the Favor tree to win my next coin flip.”

✿ “Huh?”

◉ “Such a silly favor.”

◆ “Purely for scientific reasons. I wanted to see if there was anything to this Favor tree business. As we can see, apparently not much.”

The others look a little disappointed by that, and you’re just a little hurt for some reason, as usual.

▲ “… Well you didn’t put any belief into it, so of course nothing happened! Sif actually told me a bit about that!”

Huh! Oh right! You did!

◆ “Really? Tell me more.”

Oh STARS yes, you get to talk more about this, it’s so cool! It still hurts your head to talk about, but it’s SO WORTH IT!!!!

✦ “Using favor trees, and the right steps, you can call energy from the stars! The trees aren’t the only way, but its certainly one of them! But in order to do so, you have to care about what you’re wishing for, otherwise they won’t feel compelled to answer you. You can do all the steps perfectly right, and not get a thing! But if you care enough, you can get something even if you do nearly every step wrong.”

✿ “Woah! That’s so cool!”

◆ “I’ve never heard this before…... Oh, Is this a field of study from your homeland?”

Oh, they remembered! They must have spent some effort doing that. You nod.

◆ “Fascinating. How effective is this method?”

Heh, time to shock them all.

✦ “Well, it might not have been a favor tree, but. I bet the king used a similar method to get Timecraft!”

◉ “WHAT!!!”

▲ “Oh Crab!”

◆ “You’re Certain?”

✦ “Like I said, That power comes from the stars. It’s no coincidence his armor is decorated with them.”

✿ “Oh yeah! The poster!”

◉ “Does that mean ANYONE could do that? And be just as dangerous?”

No it’s not that good but… Hm… It hurts your head but...

✦ “No. Getting that much power would not only require an insane commitment, but would require really lengthy, costly, and complicated rituals that would take months in order to draw from enough stars.”

◉ “Oh thank change.”

▲ “Makes you wonder about his motive though…”

Huh. Isa’s right, it does mean the king is awfully dedicated. Big wishes like that take effort…

A wish like that is probably why your here, right? But you still need more information. This gives information as to what it is, but it doesn’t make sense why you’d be here. Your wish was way too small, can’t be that. If only you could read that book in the storage room, the picture on the cover makes you think it might be about wishcraft.

But trying to remember a language from barricaded memories of memories is a few steps of separation too many. And your head still hurts a TON from yesterday.

Ah well. You’ll figure out, bit by bit. Your making progress! It’s only been… Hm. You haven't kept track how many times you’ve looped. Might want to ask loop about that. Anyways, it’s time for snacks, and you’re super hungry! You’ll try and cut down just a little bit, but that’s gonna be a tall order.

>>>

You’re in the library. Your eyes got caught by the diary again, and Mirabelle is reading it out again. Then the others start talking about the country. It’s hard to listen to it again.

✿ “Still…. The name of that country…. What was it again?”

▲ “Oh, I think it was something like A-”

You all suddenly get a massive headache as Isa tries to say it! Your head feels like it’s going to split open it hurts so blinding much! It hurts so much you can only see red! You cover your eyes so they don’t notice. It hurts it hurts it hurts!!!!

But…. Then… The pain…. Subsides…..

You look up. That. Didn’t happen last time. What… Odile. She stopped Mira from interrupting?

✿ “Ow. Crab, that hurt way more then I thought.”

◉ “Ow ow ow… Madam, why did you let that happen?”

◆ “Gems, that hurt…. Siffrin?”

She… She did that for you…? Just so you’d have a chance to? You really don’t deserve that. Others shouldn’t have to hurt for your needs. But….

✦ “….. Starts with an A. Heh. It’s something!”

The others give puzzled looks, as you slot the diary back into the bookshelf. That one. That helps a lot more then just Siffrin. That’s for all of them.

>>>

You’re on the third floor, in the room with the person doing bodycraft again. Key is obtained, but you’re a little bored, so you decide to take a look at the closet.

▲ “Oh, look at this shirt! It’s the same material as your cloak, right Sif?”

◆ “It looks very warm. I’m surprised you managed to wear it all through summer.”

Right. This cloak was one of the first things you ever had. You never questioned it much.

✦ “It’s actually quite cool? Never get hot in it really.”

◉ “Really?”

▲ “...Sif, mind if I take a look real quick?”

Huh! You're a little nervous to have him so close, but… Okay. The only wounds you’ve taken are covered up well enough, so it… Should be fine, right?

You nod. Isabeau kneels and takes a hold of your cloak lifting it up and examining. it. You can feel his breath against your body, feel the warmth exude from him, hear his heartbeat so keenly, smell his body and it’s taste, feel the slight tugs and motions as he handles the fabric... It’s hard to focus.

▲ “… Holy Crab… This is some impressive work.”

✦ “Huh? What do you mean?”

▲ “Okay, starting on the simple side, It’s got a very interesting stitching style. Not very Vaugardian at all, and seems to focus on being highly durable. Like, borderline armor durable. It’s even fireproof. Difficult to pull off. Plus it’s been treated to be stainless as well.”

◉ “Huh! That’s some good traveling cloths.”

▲ “Oh that’s just the beginning. Someone decided to take this already impressive cloak, and literally stitch craft into the fabric. And not just a little, there’s a bunch! Self repair, temperature regulation, it even adjusts to your size! And to top it off, while you can’t tell normally, some of the fabric inside glows a little in dark places, showing some interesting patterns!... Hey, they even sewed a little butterfly emblem on the inseam!”

✿ “Woah! That sounds REALLY fancy!”

▲ “Honestly Sif, this cloak alone is practically worth an entire village?!? Where did you even get this?”

… You don’t speak. You remember Siffrin was important in his homeland. Guess you got an idea how important.

▲ “… Oh. Hey, it’s alright! I’m sure they’d be happy with how you’ve used it.”

✦ “… Yeah.”

The others are confused, but you move on. It’s fine.

>>>

Got the third floor handled, and got food at the bathrooms. Odile didn’t interupt this time, even though you ate a lot during the snack breaks, maybe because of the increased trust? And now you’ve obtained the Keyknife! And are back at the entrance…

Hm. You wonder. You’re curious about that statue. You remember Mira mentioning that these statues are connections to the Change god. Who’s is the one that blessed you?

✦ “Hey, Before we go ahead, I want to check something”

◉ “Huh? Okay, let’s go!”

>>>

You’re back in the statue room. You’re not expecting anything, but you ARE curious about it. You take a closer look.

Hm. Not to judge but… Oh, Looks like the others are judging instead.

✿ “Can noses look like that?”

▲ “Wow, it’s left eye is somehow above the right brow.”

◆ “I can’t tell if it’s smiling or frowning.

You notice Mirabelle is oddly quiet. You had suspicions but...

✦ “...Mirabelle?”

◉ “I… I was trying to make it look nice and gentle…”

▲ “CRAB, MIRA WE’RE SO SORRY!!!!”

✿ “SORRY WE SAID YOUR STATUE SUCKED!!!!”

◉ “It’s alright…. I’ll get my revenge on you all someday.”

The others shudder, and you smile a bit.

Hm. So this is Mirabelle's statue, huh? A connection between her and the change god, the only one unharmed in the house, and the one that gives you this blessing each time...

✦ “Mira, can you put your hand on the statue?”

◉ “Um? Okay, sure?”

She puts her hand on the statue, and suddenly, the room shifts!

You’re both pulled into that strange realm again! But. You’re still here? You havn’t been teleported, you’ve been brought…. Elsewhere.

You look around. It’s nothing but pure white as far as you can see. There’s a faint humming, in that sound only you can hear.

There’s a figure approaching. You don’t know what to do! Wait is that?

◉ “Euphrasie?”

Is that the name of the Head Housemaiden? They seem a little surprised, but then…

❍✿ Incorrect buzzer

❍✿ “mirabelle!!! i can't believe u can't recognize me ಠ_ಠ"

They’re wearing Bonnies face now?

◉ “Wait you changed shapes?!? Are-”

❍◉ “yay!!! o(≧▽≦)o got it so fast! it’s me! The Change God ＠＾▽＾＠”

You’re stunned. You can’t move. Wait, Mirabelle’s crying!

❍◎ “oh no don’t cry! i didn’t want to make you cry (╥﹏╥)”

◉ “I’m so sorry!!!! For not changing enough, for being useless, for lying and making everyone think you blessed me, for-”

❍▲ “nonono you’re all good! ( : ౦ ‸ ౦ : ) i’m not worried about any of that. you’re a-okay!(≧◡≦) “

◉ “Huh?

❍✿ “if I was upset, i wouldn’t have helped you all earlier! (⁀ᗢ⁀) but I did because I’m rooting for you. both of you!”

H-huh! They… they are?… Mirabelle dries her tears, and seems happier.

❍◆ “i’m about to tell you something, that you won’t remember for a lot of reasons. well, your brain won’t, but your heart will!!!”

❍▲ “it’s true that, as the Change God, i can’t do much to help you all. but i feel okay with that, because you all have the real power! you’re really strong mirabelle! ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ”

❍◎ “just the will to change things is enough to do anything! and look how far you’ve gotten without my help!o(>ω<)o but if that’s not enough…”

The figure’s form dissipates, revealing a single, small, cloaked figure, with the face of the statue from earlier. For a brief second, their voice feels different.

❍ “You are loved, mirabelle. i see you changing, even if you do not. you are always changing, evolving, growing. and even if you’re not, that’s ok. Because life might be about changes, but sometimes it’s about staying right where you are, sometimes. i’m proud of you, and i love you!”

She looks at them not sure what to say. You’re just happy to see her happy at this point.

❍ “and i love this stupid face you made me and i’m never letting anyone destroy it!!! got it?”

Mirabelle gives them a hug. The figure seems surprised! But allows it.

◉ “….Thank you. You’re not what I was expecting, but I’d expect nothing less. Thank you so much…”

❍◎ “hehehe…. euphie is right, you’re super stinking cute!”

Mirabelle lets go, and wipes away her tears.

❍✿ “okay! that’s your special god call! i’ll send you back now, but i’ma chat with your friend here a little more!”

◉ “Huh? WAH-”

In a blink, Mirabelle is gone. It’s just you and the change god now…

Their disguise melts. Their form shifts. Their cloak billows out and grows to tower over you. Their face pure shadow. As they speak, their demeanor shifts, ever so slightly. Their voice echoes in the unheard sound only you hear. The space fills with twirling shapes.

❍ “Sorry to keep you waiting. But I wanted to talk to her first. She needs those words desperately, and has been waiting for them from me for a while now!”

✦ “I-I um!”

❍ “It’s alright!!! I know. I know. About the island, about the timeloops, about who you are and... It’s okay…. I-I’m sorry I can’t help you much! It made me very happy to see my little gift helped make you happy!!! Y-You’ve been through a lot.”

You… They care. They care? And they did know? They know and… and you’re crying. You’ve stopped holding your eyes in shape, your horn is out, your heart glows, you just collapse. And you’re crying.

❍ “I um!! okay, maybe you just need a second to let it out a bit? Oh, I’m not very good at this….”

They give you a hug. You can barely breathe through the tears. They know what you did, this being that cares so much for life, and yet… Hearing them say it, hearing them tell you they care even despite everything...

❍ “...You know, for a lot of people, I’d be kinda upset at the whole ‘locking a major place of change in time’ thing, but I know you’re trying, and you don’t want to do that. Just like you didn’t want to hurt those on the island… I’m sure you’ll find a way to fix it, and you’ll make good use of the time. I’m rooting for you.”

✦ “I-I!!… thank you…I don’t know if I deserve it though….”

❍ “…. I have a message from my partner. A patron of your home.”

Huh?!!!

They pull back a bit, still holding you, looking you head on with their void of a face. And sing, in the voice of the stars:

Oh dear and precious fallen star

We’ve seen you travel, long and far.

Through trials filled with pain and fear

We know you’ll hold to all that’s dear

So sing your song, o mournful Dove

But know that you have always been Loved.

You… You feel hands. Hugging you. Not the change gods, but ones that feel… familiar… Feel kind. Feel like…

You see tears drip down from the Change Gods hood. They’re crying? Why are they crying for you? You killed so many… you don’t deserve it...

❍ “You have always been loved. Not as Siffrin, but as you….”

They pull you close again. Your tears mix with theirs as they pool into the space below you.

❍ “Y-Your cloak was made so you could wander the streets... Your tinkers tools so you could make things yourself…. That device in your pocket to show you the world when it wasn’t safe for you to be out... That gun so you could defend yourself even when you didn’t trust yourself up close... Your skill with music was taught because it helped you talk and they wanted to hear your voice… and…. And….”

You can’t… You can’t stop crying…. They… were for you? All along? But…. But…

❍ “And I wish I could have done something!!! You shouldn’t have had to deal with any of this!!! So please, please!!! Don’t forget that!!! Don’t forget that people have loved you always, no matter what!!!”

❍ “…You’re so young. So young for what you are. You shouldn’t have to suffer like this.”

You… you hug them back. Stars, you need to hug them. You need to hold them close. You wish you could hug these figures you barely remember, tell them you’re sorry, wish you could remember who they were. Wish you could remember why they cared for you. And… at the very least, you’ll hold close someone. You need to hug SOMEONE. The Change God hugs you tighter.

❍ “...I… Can’t keep you here for much longer. So. Don’t worry, I’ll give you the keyknife as many times as you need it, I’ll wait for you to get out of this, and… I’ll be rooting for you. Okay? Just promise me, you’ll remember what I said?”

You struggle to speak through your tears. You… really were loved…

✦ “…Yeah. I will. T-Thank you…”

You feel them fade away, as the room starts to form.

You put yourself back together as it does. Physically at least. But the tears aren’t stopping. You turn towards Mira. She’s crying a little too.

✿ “HEY!!!!”

▲ “Mira, Sif! Are you both alright?!”

◉ “What… just happened? I can’t… Siffrin?”

You can’t speak. You can’t stop crying.

▲ “SIF?!? Are you okay? Say something!!”

✦ “S̴̯̕orry! I just… I…”

You can’t help but laugh. You… You feel a bittersweet mixture of joy and sorrow. You don’t know how to process it at all.

◉ “I think we experienced something… Incredible? But I can’t remember it anymore.”

You do. You’ll never forget. You won’t let yourself. You take a deep breath, and dry your tears.

◆ “Are you alright now Siffrin?”

✦ “I… Yeah. Come on. We have a king to beat.”

You smile. It’s bittersweet… You want to remember them. So badly now. They loved you, they cared for you. And you can’t even remember a thing about them…

No. One more memory surfaces. They said… they said…

It takes strength to see what you want from the world. Don’t give up on it ever.

You HAVE to find a way to remember them. You can’t let them be forgotten, not a second longer, not when you’ve gotten so close… But… You’ll need help… and there’s only one person who’d try. Who COULD help.

It’s time to meet the king.

✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸✸

...There’s a look in Stardust's eye.

This loop was doing so good. They’re all happy. They deserve that. They’ve been at this for a while, even if they aren’t aware of it. And the change god was very kind to say that. But…

Stardust isn’t thinking clearly. They haven't been for a while. The last two they remembered clearer because you fed them proper food, but it’s not easy to get that. And you have this sinking feeling things are going to take a turn for the worse. Very fast.

You hope you are wrong.

[balshumetsbaragouin]

Lore Post: God of Knowledge and Wisdom

I did promise we'd get more information about him soon, and here it is. I figured since we're talking about curses, and just read the notes of one of his servants, he should get a bit of a spotlight. So, here comes the overview for the God of Wisdom!

Generally considered the God of Wisdom and Knowledge, Eulas is also known as Kunnzkapp among the Yetis of the Malproksime Frostiĝinta where he rules Magic and mageworkers in addition to his typical domain. Consequently, a common epithet of his is The Archmagis in areas that deal diplomatically or are under the rule of Malproksime Frostiĝinta.

The most commonly worshiped deity of scientists and historians alike, his specific purview creates a unique situation in the Zone. Although few dedicate themselves exclusively to the collection of and maintenance of knowledge, because the act of knowing and learning itself are under his command, he’s one of the more powerful deities in the dimension. Additionally, all professions that require specific knowledge or long years of study see many individuals that venerate or pray to this Divine daily. This means doctors and lawyers, but also many tradespeople and craftspeople in specialized arts like metalworking, glassblowing, and engineering.

His Temples see more curtailed worship than would be expected for so powerful a deity, however, scholars and his servants are fervent in their worship, and even regular simple prayers to remember where you’ve misplaced an object grow his influence. As a result, his Relics and Divine Works are abundant throughout the Local Zone, and take the form of everything from books of rare knowledge to instruments and implements that aid in completing tasks.

Among the most important of his Servants duties is the collection and sequestering of dangerous knowledge. This often, though not exclusively, takes the form of collecting Relics that can manipulate aspects of reality. His most powerful Incarnations have the ability to erase the knowledge of something from existence. This form of sequestration is only done in the most extreme circumstances, as the God loves the proliferation of knowledge as much as the collecting of it, and most of his Incarnations are obsessed with teaching as much as learning. Prominent Servants and Incarnations are themselves Aspects of human concepts as well as pieces of the Divine, so his influence is wide-spread and numerous.

Outside of the various monk/priest castes in every major area of the Local Zone, the greatest collection of his worshipers is at the Universitato de Sorĉado found in Malproksime Frostiĝinta. Indeed, the highest proportion of worshipers is found in that territory in general, as the Yetis dedicate themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and scientific advancement.

[pure-ablution]

Can you talk more about how you plan your goals and what you want to achieve in the future, the mindset and attitude, and how you stay focused and maintain momentum?

To me, discipline and proper planning are the most important aspects of achieving my goals. I can only maintain momentum whilst I’m up in the air; if I allow myself to droop, even for a little while, it feels impossible to get up again. I have my routines and rituals because I’ve committed to them and they ground me, they keep me focused. I’m not the sort of person who can put something down and pick it back up again easily—I have to stick to it consistently, and I’ve found that that’s the best way to see results anyway.

I plan things carefully, but I don’t let myself get caught up in the planning stage. I knew a boy at school who spent so long creating the most perfect, scientifically proven and effective, beautifully formatted study plans for the run-up to his final exams, and he ended up failing all of them—because he’d spent so long planning that in the end, he didn’t have the time to actually study. I think that a lot of people can accidentally let life fly by without them, and a lot of people think that their lives have to be put on pause whilst they achieve some goal or another: for instance, they say that they can’t go out and start a new social life or learn how to do their makeup until they’ve lost weight. This is silly—you should be staggering your goals and plans so that they work simultaneously with one another, or at the very least, take on a logical pattern.

For example, I sat down at the start of my serious dedication to my appearance, with a printed picture of my face in front of me, and devoted an hour to really scrutinising hard and determining what was really necessary. I judged which surgeries and procedures were needed and what was excessive, and then planned them out to a sensible order. It made no sense to have a rhinoplasty done before getting my orthodontic work, because my teeth could shift my new nose entirely out of joint, so I prioritised having my teeth fixed first of all, and planned to reassess once my lower face had begun to settle into shape. I had my lips blushed six months before I had them filled, so that the colour had time to settle and the filler wouldn’t blanch out my natural lip colour. I bought new skincare products in a staged process, starting with cleansers and prescription treatments and ending with masks and devices, because I didn’t want to overload my skin with too much at once, and I wanted to work in a systematic way.

I give myself a very strict timescale for planning, I use a plain notebook and pen to create charts and checklists, and then I force myself to get the ball rolling before I start to second-guess myself and make amendments. I don’t waste time with fancy computer programmes or journalling techniques that require time to master, I just keep things plain and effective, and I focus on the action over the documentation. Currently, I’m nowhere near the end of my plan and I still have courses to complete and competitions to win, and I want to graduate with honours and offers, to get engaged and married, to have children. In the nearer future, I have my baptism scheduled and the end of my conversion process, I have some places to visit and things to buy, I need to have my braces taken off and start booking consultations for my rhinoplasty, and I’m going to take my intermediate certificates for the languages I’m learning. I’m always working towards the next step and I think it’s important that you’re able to not only identify your goals, but also be able to break down the steps you need to take to reach them, and get started as soon as possible.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New cosmic distance catalog could unlock the mysteries of universe formation

A new catalog providing information on millions of distant galaxies, which determines their distances with unprecedented precision over a field of view and depth never before explored, has been published today.

The catalog is the result of The Physics of the Accelerating Universe Survey (PAUS), an international collaboration led by the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), dependent on the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), which involves 14 institutions across six countries—including the University of Portsmouth.

Collected over 200 nights between 2015 and 2019 using the PAUCam camera on the William Herschel Telescope in La Palma, this catalog is now available on the PAUS website and the CosmoHub web portal.

Covering a vast sky area of 50 square degrees, similar to an area of approximately 250 full moons, the catalog includes data for 1.8 million astronomical objects. These insights will enable astronomers to create more accurate maps to understand how structure forms in the universe and to study dark matter and dark energy.

Enrique Gaztañaga, Director of the PAU Survey and Professor at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, said, "The PAU Survey offers a groundbreaking approach to creating cosmic maps, made possible through the design and development of a novel instrument and a dedicated survey to collect and analyze data in ways never done before. It has been a privilege to collaborate with such a talented and dependable group."

The accelerated expansion of the universe is attributed to dark energy, which constitutes about 70% of the universe, yet its nature remains a mystery. The PAU Survey offers new insights into this enigma, providing an accurate and comprehensive characterization of millions of galaxies up to distances of more than 10 billion light years.

This catalog is a valuable resource for the astronomical community, aiding in the scientific analysis and calibration of other cosmological surveys.

The PAUCam camera was specially designed to accurately measure galaxy distances, enabling the study of the universe's expansion under the influence of dark matter and dark energy.

The project builds on existing deep images from the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Lensing Survey (CFHTLenS), carried out with the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in Hawaii, and the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS) carried out with the European Southern Observatory's VLT Survey Telescope in Chile. By combining these datasets, PAUS has achieved highly accurate distance and time information for deep space objects.

This catalog represents a significant advancement in cosmic research, with its extensive data offering photometric redshift measurements that determine the distances of galaxies as they appeared billions of years ago.

To achieve these measurements, the PAU camera employs 40 filters across different colors, representing narrow bands in the optical spectrum. This technique involves photographing the same field multiple times through various color filters. As objects move away from us, the light they emit experiences a redshift, shifting towards the red end of the spectrum. In astronomy, redshift is crucial for calculating the distance of an object from Earth.

David Navarro-Gironés, Ph.D. student at ICE-CSIC and first author of the paper, said, "The precision in measuring galaxy distances depends on the number of filters you use, as each filter provides different information about the galaxy.

"The great advantage of PAUS is that it combines information from 40 different filters, allowing for highly accurate distance measurements. This level of precision is crucial for the study of the structure of the universe, which in turn requires data from a large number of galaxies."

The release is detailed in two articles published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: one measuring distances and another one on calibration of the PAUS data.

In the coming months, the team will also present an ongoing study on galaxy clustering and intrinsic galaxy shape alignments, contributing to a deeper understanding of how our universe formed and evolved.

IMAGE: The William Herschel Telescope in La Palma, Spain. Credit: PAUS team

[hcenvs3000f24]

Unit 2 Blog Post

I have always been captivated by the night sky. Craning my neck upwards to witness their beauty is something I have been doing for as long as I can remember. As a visual learner, my ideal role as an environmental interpreter would be in a visually captivating environment; a national park where the aurora borealis lights up the night sky. The perfect setting to showcase to visitors the mysteries and wonders of the natural world.

(Creative Commons CC0, Image From: https://pixabay.com/photos/aurora-borealis-nothern-lights-1156479/)

My role as an environmental interpreter would not just entail relaying facts -it would be about creating connections between the environment and visitors' personal experiences. According to Freeman Tilden, “one of the key principles of interpretation is that it must relate to something within the visitor's personality or experience; otherwise, the message will feel sterile.” Whether it’s a visitor’s first encounter or their hundredth, my job would be to help them see these experiences in a new light. As Tilden noted, “Interpretation is an art form that combines many disciplines.” Whether I’m explaining the science behind a natural phenomenon, or the cultural stories associated with the aurora borealis. My goal would be to make elements of nature evoke strong personal emotions in the visitors.

 One of the most fascinating aspects of being a nature interpreter is its blend of art and science. My job as a nature interpreter would allow me to bridge the gap between my scientific knowledge and presenting it to the public. I am deeply artistic, and I study science. I would design educational programs - nature walks, workshops, and live demonstrations. I also aim to appeal to different learning styles. What works for me, may not work for others, and I want that experience to be inclusive to everyone. Whether designing stations with video and audio, information booths with tactile displays, or paths dedicated to self-exploration; my role as a nature interpreter would allow me to turn curiosity into a lifelong love for nature, making a meaningful impact on how others experience and understand the world around them.

My ideal skill set would require strong communication skills. Conveying complex scientific ideas engagingly and understandably would be fundamental. Additionally, a good grasp of the local ecology is also fundamental. Understanding ecosystems and the northern lights would enable me to provide accurate and relevant information and answer questions effectively. Finally, adaptability is something I strive for. Each day, an audience may present unique challenges, so being flexible in my approach would allow me to engage diverse groups effectively and respond to different learning needs. It allows me to reflect on my role and become an improved nature interpreter.

The role of an environmental interpreter is one role where I see the possibility of being in one day. When I picture myself in a career that drives a passion inside me, this one comes to mind. I have so much love and passion for nature and the environment around me, and I constantly want to share my knowledge about life with those around me. I am still confused about my future career, but nature interpretation may be a new pathway.

(Myself at the Peace Arch Provincial Park, British Columbia)

[inkofamethyst]

July 19, 2024

Restarted the bioinformatics course and ughhhhhhhhhh. The command line is hard. Vim sucks. (read: I am largely unfamiliar with both the command line and vim.) Tbh I might just skip the homeworks because I don't think I'm able to find answer keys for them, meaning I can't check my work. So it goes with a free, youtube-based "class". I might just stick with the theory lessons for now and work with my postdoc in August on application. What I really want is to get a new laptop. Apparently black friday is the best for deals, but I'll see if I can manage to get one before school starts.

Otherwise making decent progress in lab. Doing a lot of histology (sectioning, staining, microscopy) which is going well enough.

I don't think I want to continue with academia after getting my phd. For many reasons. One main one is my mental health. I decided not to pursue theatre professionally because I knew that the requirement to always be a superlative would drain me and because of the lack of job security. Both of these are prominent components of an academic's professional lifestyle. While I know my PI manages a relatively healthy work-life balance and even seems to have a vibrant home life, I fear he may be the exception.

This is fun. Doing my phd at one of the world's top institutions is fulfilling! I am receiving scientific training at a high level. I am interfacing with some of the smartest people I've ever met all the time. I get to dedicate years toward the study of a passion project. I'm even building my financial literacy and managing to put money away. So I don't think it will be a waste.

And it's not like I could never return to academia. A previous mentor of mine has managed it. I could even teach on the side if I got the itch. But the publish-or-perish, soft money insecurity is not for me, I don't think. Weathering attacks on academic freedom and the tenure process is not for me. I think I want something more boring. I think I want a job that is just a job. Maybe even something that actually helps people.

I think my parents are now kind of hoping I'd go all the way, though. I know they'll support me regardless, but every time I've expressed doubts, my mom has told me to stay on the ride for as long as it will have me. Which I agree with to some extent. But I think setting goals and revising them is an important part of life. And it seems I may be revising the ones I set when I applied.

Noticeably cooler as of yesterday. I was so cool last night I was even able to turn off my box fan for the night. Thankful for that.

I'm also thankful for the luck involved in getting into the only program I applied to with more straightforward industrial applications.

[edit: for clarification, i most certainly am not interested in consulting. however. while i reserve the right to look for consulting jobs in the future to get that bag should i deem it necessary, i also believe that others have the right to ridicule me for that decision.]

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Passant Rabie

Published: April 11, 2023

When Dr. Makenzie Lystrup was sworn in as the new director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center last week, she didn’t take her oath of office on the Bible or the U.S. Constitution, but rather on a tome revered by space enthusiasts everywhere: Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot.

The book, published in 1994, is named after an iconic image of Earth, snapped by the Voyager I probe, that depicts the planet as a small speck smothered by the emptiness of space. That photo inspired astronomer Carl Sagan to write: “Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us.” For many, the book serves as a reminder of humanity’s place in the universe and the need to preserve our home planet, which makes it similar to holy scripture for a newly appointed NASA director.

On Thursday, when Lystrup chose to place her left hand on a copy of Sagan’s book while being sworn in by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, a photographer captured the moment, and NASA Goddard’s social media shared the image.

The constitution does not require that government officials be sworn in using a particular text, just that they “shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution.” Most U.S. politicians and officials end up using the Bible.

But over the years, many officeholders have improvised while taking their oath. In 2018, Mariah Parker was sworn in as a member of the Athens-Clarke County commissioners with her hand placed on a copy of “The Autobiography of Malcom X.” When former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland Suzi LeVine took her oath in 2014, she put a hand on her Kindle. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to Congress, took his oath in 2007 using the Quran.

Sagan is a revered figure in the space sciences community for his pioneering contributions to space exploration. “Like many astronomers and space scientists, my passion started with watching Carl Sagan’s ‘Cosmos’ on public television as a child,” Lystrup, who is a planetary scientist like Sagan, said in an emailed statement. “Sagan worked very hard to make science accessible and meaningful to everyone, and ‘Pale Blue Dot’ emphasizes the importance of exploring our universe and understanding our home planet.” 

“Given its personal significance to me and how its message resonates with the work we do at NASA Goddard on behalf of the world, it felt apropos to include it in the ceremony,” she added.

Lystrup will be the first female center director of the Goddard Space Flight Center, which includes a primary campus in Greenbelt, Maryland, as well as Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, the Katherine Johnson Independent Verification & Validation Facility in West Virginia, the Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, the White Sands Complex in New Mexico, and the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Texas.

Goddard is home to the nation’s largest concentration of scientists, engineers and technologists dedicated to Earth and space science, according to NASA.

[scotianostra]

Janet Elizabeth Macgregor was born on January 12th 1920 in Glasgow.

Not a name the vast majority of you will know, but I love finding the unsung heroes, and Jane Macgregor is certainly in that category, her work has definately helped save countless women's lives.

Born as Janet Elizabeth McPherson in Glasgow, Betty, as she became known was just 7 when her mother died from tuberculosis. Betty attended school at Bearsden Academy, going on to study medicine at the University of Glasgow during the Second World War, graduating in 1943. It was there she met Alastair Macgregor and they married a year later. She did her house jobs at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Western General Hospital.

During the next few years she raised their four children and worked part time in child welfare clinics. In 1958 Alastair was appointed to the regius chair of materia medica and therapeutics at Aberdeen University. Betty became a research assistant in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, run by Sir Dugald Baird, regius professor of midwifery, who was famed for his compassion and social awareness.

It was in 1960 that it was decided to embark on a schedule of cervical testing for the entire area, Dugald Baird, inspired Macgregor to research the origins of cervical cancer and to concentrate especially on all the women - and in particular disadvantaged women - of the north-east.

Macgregor brought to the project a dedication, determination and considerable medical skills that ensured her programme worked efficiently. Diplomacy was also required, as all the GPs had to be written to (often repeatedly) in Aberdeenshire to obtain their approval so that smear testing could commence. Macgregor created a comprehensive call-and-recall system that broke new ground with its findings.

It was done so expertly under her supervision over the first five years there was such a decrease in the cervical cancer in the area and she had comprehensively proved her case. Betty was a superb cytologist and it has been commented, "the most delightful person. Without a doubt, she saved many lives."

It was not a period when priority was given to such a lengthy and complex medical programme: politicians had other demands on public funds. It was the way Macgregor organised the tests that brought the programme so much renown. Everything was meticulously documented and recorded with great care and attention. After five years she had assembled such powerful scientific evidence that other health authorities throughout the UK immediately adopted her system.

Her work brought Macgregor much esteem within the medical profession. She was much honoured by several of the Royal Societies and was a most distinguished president of her own medical association from 1980-83. During that presidency of the British Society of Clinical Cytology (BSCC), she published a book about improving the smear-test programmes nationally. It became a medical best-seller and sold 15,000 copies in its first edition and 10,000 in its second.

A memorable evening was held in 1985 whenBetty retired from Aberdeen University.

But this most active lady did not slip gently into retirement. She had bought a house on the Isle of Seil, off the coast at Oban, but Prof Templeton suggested she join a Birthright Programme he was initiating at the university. It was to research into pre-cervical care and patients who had slightly abnormal smear tests. "Betty accepted immediately and was as focused and enthusiastic as ever," he said. "She bought a house back in Aberdeen and did three days a week here and then travelled back to the west coast.

Macgregor wrote several medical books and was a regular contributor to the British Medical Journal. She was awarded the OBE in 1984/

It wasn't all work fior this dedicatec lady, Macgregor was devoted to her family and enjoyed taking her grandchildren sailing around Seil. She had her own yacht and loved the spectacular scenery of the west coast. 

Betty Macgregor developed Alzheimer’s disease and died of cerebrovascular disease on 8th October 2005 at the Lynn of Lorne Nursing Home, Benderloch, near Oban.

[oxythedigiguy]

My headcanons for what happens after Survive:

After meeting Lopmon, Shuuji's father uses his political influence to try to normalize Kemonogami in society (his job isn't stated in the game, but with the way he acts, he must have either money or influence, probably both).

Haru founds an organization dedicated to help integrate Kemonogami into society. This means helping kids get used to their partners, studying and categorizing different Kemonogami, etc. All the main group works in this organization, of course.

Shuuji helps with research, focusing mostly on trying to recover different Kemonogami cultures from before the Master took over. He's best friends with Ryo.

Ryo works with kids, especially those who have trouble understand or accepting their partners. He's like a therapist, in a sense.

Aoi is in charge of administrative work. Given her grades and intellect, Haru offered her a research job, but she declined it.

Minoru takes care of field research in the Kemonogami world, which hasn't fully merged with the human world yet. He helps with categorizing Kemonogami.

Saki works as a medical assistant. Kids and Kemonogami have to undergo different tests in order to find a more scientific explanation to their bond, so she takes care of helping with the materials and taking notes.

One of the requirements put on the organization by the government is to cooperate with emergency services, and this is what Kaito does. Whenever there are Kemonogami related problems, he's the one to take care of them. When there are too many problems for one person, he contacts the others and takes whoever is free with him.

Miu is on communications duties until she finishes her studies. Her goal is to be able to help educate Kemonogami on human disciplines, and she's working hard to get her degree. She's gotten to know Miyuki a lot better and they're really good friends now.

Takuma is the face of the organization. Haru figured he himself wouldn't be great at explaining things in simple terms. Since Takuma has this mix of seriousness and charisma, he decided to have him take care of anything public related, like TV appearances and such.

Aoi dated Kaito for a while, but they broke up eventually. She's dating Saki now and they're living together.

Takuma and Minoru developed a very obvious crush on each other but they kept trying to reconcile their feelings with the concept they had of their friendship. They kept overthinking it for months until they finally confessed and started dating. It's a bit messy, but they're managing to make it work.

[aetherceuse]

⟢ - Notes on Ultra Beasts, Ultra Humans, Ultra Space & 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

The existence of Ultra Space and its inhabitants is highly confidential, top secret information, and is heavily guarded by international government and several law enforcement bureaus.

All information regarding the existence, and accessibility, of other dimensions, was completely theoretical, rooted in scientific conversation that did not have a great deal of credibility, until the early 80’s.

The discovery, and study, of Lusamine and several other Ultra Humans that had appeared across the globe, led to the creation of the Bureau of Cross-Dimensional Anomaly Investigation, BCDAI. BCDAI cooperates with regional governments and interpol in order to conduct studies, gather information about these unknown entities, track them, and potentially contain them. The safety and welfare of all people and Pokémon were taken into consideration when forming this division, out of concern of what visitors from other dimensions could do to the world.

Lusamine’s adopted parents played a major role in BCDAI, submitting countless papers and studies on Lusamine’s growth, her unusual intelligence, and her unique biology.

By the time Lusamine was in her early 20’s, her research began to focus on Ultra Space, under the watchful, strict eye of BCDAI. This, of course, greatly limited the amount of work she could do, and so her research grounded to a halt— she refocused on conservation efforts, technological innovation, and other humanitarian work.

With the hopes of winning the bureau’s trust, Lusamine volunteered to work with BCDAI, requesting more legal clearance, with the promise of all future work regarding Ultra Space being kept completely confidential.

Once Aether was founded in her 30’s, focused research into Ultra Space began once more; the creation of the Aether Paradise’s artificial island was done entirely to keep this top secret work away from prying eyes.

Through a series of political events and drama, Lusamine is elected the head of BCDAI, giving her access to all records of Ultra anomalies across the globe, and turning the Aether Foundation into the primary organization for Ultra Space research funding.

Tensions between BCDAI and interpol were stoked when Lusamine began to dispute the legality of agents probing into the Aether Paradise without proper clearance, due to the island existing in international waters. At the time, nothing unethical or illegal was being conducted, but Lusamine still required privacy and confidentiality of her own work, claiming that it did not fall into any particular laws covered by BCDAI.

After some time, BCDAI was restructured in order to move away from being an investigative bureau for Ultra Space; they wished to move their focus onto the welfare and protection of fallers. Lusamine then stepped down from the division entirely, wished to break ties, stating that she no longer wished to be a subject of government research. Lusamine is stripped of security clearance for information on fallers. BCDAI is dissolved. Hard drives are wiped and files are burned. Certain top secret documents on fallers and dangerous varieties of Ultra Beasts are preserved. The Faller Protection Agency is formed.

Lusamine independently formed her own dedicated branch of Ultra Space research through the Aether Foundation, along with a team meant to do what the former BCDAI no longer wished to do: watching the fluctuation of Ultra radiation across hotspots, and tracking the appearance of Ultra Beasts.

Unlike interpol and the Faller Protection Agency, the Aether Foundation uses certain technologies to keep track of the appearance of Ultra Beasts, and approaches people who have made contact with these creatures in order to assure that their existence is kept confidential. Aether also keeps an eye on wormhole activity, so that closer studies can be conducted, and potential Ultra Beast appearances can be recorded— in the hopes that the beasts can be captured and contained.

As of current day, Ultra Space, Ultra Beasts, and Ultra Humans are still highly confidential topics. The common man does not know that they exist. People who are exposed to anything involved Ultra Space are going to be approached, spoken to, and put into a position where they are signing a non-disclosure agreement, and consenting to keeping contact with one of the many organizations keeping a watchful eye on the worlds beyond this dimension. Information about Ultra Space is often scrubbed from social media.

Those closest to Lusamine and the Aether Foundation, and those who conduct their own research on inter dimensional travel, likely know about Ultra Space and Ultra Beasts to a certain capacity, but the Aether Foundation still holds MANY, MANY secrets— hence why Interpol is currently trying to investigate both Lusamine and Aether as a whole.

[kuramirocket]

Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez (1959-2021): The Mexican Astrobiologist Who Shaped Our Understanding of The Planet Mars

Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez was a talented and internationally recognized chemist and astrobiologist who worked at NASA. Navarro-Gonzalez is known for his work with other researchers to study the planet Mars. He made fundamental contributions to several fields related to Astrobiology, the origin of life, and life in extreme environments. Among his many accomplishments, he helped lead the team that identified ancient organic compounds on Mars. He was a Co-I on the SAM instrument onboard NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory and on the HABIT instrument onboard ESA’s ExoMars mission. He was also on the Curiosity Mars rover team. His research blended laboratory simulations, fieldwork, and theoretical modeling in transdisciplines in chemistry, physics, and biology. This sort of dominance is unusual and requires a dynamic and intellectual curiosity beyond normal boundaries. He identified the role of volcanic lightning in the origin of life on Earth. He has established one of the very best laboratories in Latin-America.

He has published 137 papers, 4 edited books and over 225 abstracts. Among the most significant contributions are those that deal the detection of organics in Mars-like environments from cold (Antarctica), temperate (Atacama) and hot (Mojave and Libya) deserts on Earth.

Navarro-Gonzalez was born in Mexico City on April 25, 1959. He earned a bachelor’s in biology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) where he became full professor in 2002, and a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Maryland at College Park. Dr. Navarro-González established the Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and Planetary Studies of the Institute of Nuclear Science at UNAM. 

Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez was the first recipient of the Molina fellowship award. This prize recognizes outstanding scientific achievement. He was also the recipient of the 2009 Alexander von Humboldt Medal and the World Academy of Sciences Award in Earth Sciences.

He died on Jan. 28, 2021 due to Covid-19-related complications.

In honor of his service, NASA named a mountain on Mars after him. The mountain stretches 450 feet (120 meters) tall, “Rafael Navarro Mountain” is located on Mount Sharp in northwest Gale Crater.

Rafael Navarro Mountain

“Rafael was a good friend and dedicated scientist, and it has been a privilege and honor for our Mars exploration team to work with him over the years" said the principal investigator of Curiosity’s SAM experiment.

“We are truly honored to have a prominent hill named after our dad; it’s his and our dream come true to see this happen,” wrote Navarro-González’s children, Rafael and Karina Navarro Aceves, in a statement to NASA.

“Our dad was an accomplished scientist, but above all, a great human being who managed to balance work and family."

Sources: (x) (x) (x) (x) (x) (x)

[medcadre]

How to Become an Aspiring Medical Professionals in the US?

Aspiring medical professionals in the US embark on a rigorous and rewarding journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and a passion for helping others. 

Here's a comprehensive guide to becoming a medical professional in the United States:

Educational Requirements:

a. Undergraduate Degree: Complete a bachelor's degree in any major, but it's recommended to focus on science-related fields like biology, chemistry, or physics to prepare for medical school prerequisites.

b. Medical School (MD or DO): Earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Medical school typically takes four years and involves a combination of classroom learning, laboratory work, and clinical rotations.

2. Premedical Preparation:

a. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): Take and score well on the MCAT, a standardized test that assesses your scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills.

b. Shadowing and Volunteering: Gain hands-on experience in healthcare settings by shadowing physicians, volunteering in hospitals, or participating in research projects.

c. Extracurricular Activities: Demonstrate your commitment to healthcare and community service through extracurricular activities related to medicine or public health.

3. Medical School Application:

a. Strong Academic Record: Maintain a high GPA in your undergraduate studies, particularly in science courses.

b. Letters of Recommendation: Secure strong letters of recommendation from professors, mentors, and physicians who can attest to your academic and personal qualities.

c. Personal Statement: Craft a compelling personal statement highlighting your motivations, experiences, and aspirations in the medical field.

4. Residency Training:

a. Match Process: After medical school, participate in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) to match with a residency program in your desired speciality.

b. Specialization: Residency training typically lasts three to seven years, depending on the speciality, and provides in-depth clinical training under the supervision of experienced physicians.

c. Board Certification: Once you complete a residency, you become eligible to take and pass the board certification exam for your speciality.

5. Licensure and Continuing Medical Education:

a. Medical License: Obtain a medical license from the state where you intend to practice.

b. Continuing Medical Education (CME): Commit to lifelong learning by completing CME courses to stay up-to-date with the latest medical advancements and maintain your license.

6. Career Options:

a. Physician: Choose from a wide range of medical specialities, such as internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, family medicine, or psychiatry.

b. Physician Assistant: Work under the supervision of a physician to provide comprehensive medical care.

c. Nurse Practitioner: Provide primary and specialized healthcare services independently or in collaboration with physicians.

d. Other Medical Professionals: Explore various healthcare professions, including dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, and audiologists.

Once you are ready to join organizations to offer your services, you need a platform to help you get a job. Check MedCadre, and you will get what you seek as an aspiring medical professional. 

How does MedCadre help Aspiring Medical Professionals?  

MedCadre is a one-stop solution to find the right job for you. The platform helps aspiring medical professionals get placement in the medical field. 

All you have to do is visit the website, click on the form, and fill it out with relevant information. Once we verify your Resume, we will get back to you. 

Becoming a medical professional in the US is a challenging yet fulfilling career path. With dedication, perseverance, and a passion for helping others, you can make a significant impact in your patients' lives and contribute to advancing healthcare.

Submit your Resume to MedCadre to enhance your career in the medical profession.

visit our site by clicking the link: https://medcadre.com/careers

[daisychainsandbowties]

(trying to find the right poses)

What would you say are the preferred lightsaber forms of our dearly beloved disaster trio? (and also Mary and Shannon)

For me, I can see Beatrice switching between the elegance of Makashi and the unbreaking wall of Soresu (the little overachiever would of course be more than capable of using more than one form) (and that fight in chapter 2 of LB had total Soresu vibes from Bea).

And Ava, who is always so aware/absorbed/active in the Force, I can see leaning more into Niman to compensate between use of the force and the actual physical demands of the form. Or maybe Ataru, because of how she already automatically leans into the Force to enhance her natural movements, it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for her to take it further in her lightsaber form (and also the little energizer bunny isn't exactly the type to stay contained. she totally has ketamine-gremlin-yoda vibes)

Lilith, I can see with Forms V or VII (or both, considering her proficiency with a blade). I can see her leaning into the physicality required for Shien/Djem So, as well as the practicality of it for both saber and blaster combat. But also Juyo, for the aggressive chaos and sheer strength of body, mind, and will it requires to sustain (and I cannot unsee the parallels between her and Maul).

What do you think?

oh you are wonderful for getting me thinking seriously about this. i trained in kendo for years as a kid, so usually i meld that and my karate to write (sword)fighting scenes, but this is giving me so much more to work with.

so, thinking on the lighsaber form of the star wars au cast:

Mary would definitely use form 5. probably both variations. she fought extensively during the Clone Wars & would have seen the value in a lightsaber form that prioritised deflecting blaster bolts over duelling.

she wouldn’t have gravitated towards Soresu, i think, because she is naturally more aggressive than that, and she wants options available to her for initiating conflict, as opposed to responding to it. Shien is excellent for fighting in battlefield conditions. like Soresu in its emphasis on deflecting blaster bolts, but also more assertive - often redirecting those bolts into other opponents, or environmental hazards.

the Djem So side of things she would be less, but still somewhat, practiced in. she'd see the value in aggressive close combat duelling tactics, but ultimately her preference is for Shien. Djem So is her go-to for fighting other lightsaber-users though, because it offers a solid set of options, but relies less on the kind of wild acrobatics that many other Jedi employ.

she is not so accomplished at Djem So as in Shien, mostly because she’s not a natural duelist, specialising in battlefield command, usually fighting among Republic Clone Troopers. Mary also, even before Order 66, carried and used a blaster in addition to her lightsaber.

Shannon: Soresu. Shannon is a very Obi-Wan Kenobi/ Luke Skywalker character. she’s dedicated to the beliefs of the Jedi - she is about balance, harmony, hence why she has a green saber - and Soresu exemplifies the Jedi philosophy.

it is also incredibly useful in a variety of situations (all about exposing minimal targets to the enemy, thinking of Luke practicing en-route to Alderaan); it’s resilliant and adaptable, and as a diplomat - probably one of the few Jedi who were called in to deal with complex scientific issues (read: the time when Shannon ended up in a star wars equivalent of the movie “Alien” along with Mary, back in their early days together) Shannon would have favoured Soresu as a defensive form.

she’s a self-sacrificial sort of person, too, and you can see Soresu in the way that she defends Ava from Crimson in chapter 1 (an echo of Obi-Wan in A New Hope). i think she almost took Niman after mastering form 1 back in her padawan days, but something (Mary) changed her mind about spending 10 years studying it. 

Bea: oh! i definitely think that Bea is melding different forms together (certainly she’s borrowing aspects from her Jedi and her Sith training).

so yes, she uses Makashi on the Sith side of things (because it is Lilith who retrains her in the lightsaber after she is tortured; she has to adapt to her shattered elbow, which will always be weak. hence why Makashi - a (frequently) one-handed fighting style - is an ideal style for her to fall back).

i think she is trained in Soresu, but she had to abandon it - again, because of her injury - though she retains the tactical instincts of that style, despite adapting to a more aggressive outlook. Soresu requires too much dual-dexterity.

instead of Soresu, Bea picks up Ataru. the force-assisted acrobatics and the fluidity of it suit her perfectly - plus the aggression. she’s all about sliding through an opponent’s space, slipping past their guard, or simply coming at them from an angle they don’t expect. the combo of Makashi - THE duelling form - and Ataru would i think be Potent. both elegant, but Makashi playing into her calculating, strategic side - all about the footwork and controlling yourself AND your foe - plus the explosive power of Ataru and also its use of the Force, which, as we all know, Beatrice is incredibly powerful with. bringing out the blunt-force side of her fighting instincts. i think the ch 2 pit fight showcased her ability to balance aggression with manipulation, and also to come at her opponent with vicious speed and end the fight swiftly and efficiently (a hallmark of Ataru)

Lilith: you’re totally right. i think 100% Lilith would use form 7 - and Juyo specifically. she’s not trained in the same way as others, & i think was pretty swiftly thrown into battle after mastering form 1 and being taught elements of Makashi (which she later perfected, just because she could) but in her heart she’s a form 7 practitioner.

it requires both immense aggression, a level of viciousness, and also a focus on emotion and domination. i think from what we see of Lilith’s fighting style she is MUCH more brutal than Beatrice (her fight style resembles Kenpo karate)

Juyo is described in one of the novels as a form filled with “malignant grace” <- could we describe darling dearest Lil any better?? in ch. 2 her leaping attack really exemplifies the sudden volatility of form 7.

it also requires a lot of internalised Force energy, which, considering Lilith’s unique relationship with the Force (and her augmentation with magick) would be ideal for her. it also LOOKS messy, but it is, in fact, astonishing grace hidden inside of staccato movements. considering Some Plans i have, that would suit Lilith perfectly - yes, she seems like an untamed thing, but she is in fact as deft and calculated as Beatrice, and Juyo allows her to use her fury to her advantage, and also her overwhelming physical prowess, because she really IS probably the most physically adept out of all of them.

Ava: i think for Ava i spoke in ch 1 about her being absolutely angelic with the lightsaber, and also Ava knows physics. she loves acrobatics and she ADORES aerial acrobatics, specifically - particularly aviation and ship manoeuvers. she knows g-forces and how not to pass out while pitching and rolling in atmosphere.

so i think she is a pure Ataru practitioner. form 4, with its focus on acrobatics and dynamic movement, would appeal to her desire to move and to fly and to be rooted anywhere but into the ground. it is also incredibly offensive (a good echo of Ava’s ‘i’m more of a punch-first type girl’ comment). and it DOES emphasise the force, but specifically for movement.

i think Ava, depending a lot of Shannon’s incredibly Force-abilities, would lean into the more embodied side of the Force - speed, agility, and a no-holds-barred offence would absolutely suit Ava - though, of course, Ataru is really incredibly dependent on the practitioner’s strong connection to the Force, which early-star wars au Ava does not have.

but yes the quickness of it, the jumping and the almost phasing through space with Force-enhanced speed, all of it would suit Ava. i think, probably, she will have to adjust eventually to learn some techniques for dealing efficiently with blaster-bolts and projectiles. i think also there’s an extent to which Ava’s use of Ataru is tempered somewhat by her training in Soresu, from Shannon. i think she leaned into the beauty and the ferociousness of Ataru, but now that she doesn’t have her Master anymore there’ll be an element of melding those styles together, learning to protect herself because Shannon - who always, always protected her - has stood between Ava and her death for the last time. 

[sharlenedablogger]

What is STEM?

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. These four fields share an emphasis on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. And together they make up a popular and fast-growing industry.

Most STEM workers use computers and other technology in their day-to-day jobs. Many also use the scientific method to test hypotheses and theories. Most STEM jobs are in high demand but suffer from a lack of qualified candidates.

STEM is necessary for growing the economy and staying globally competitive. As society innovates and technology advances, the need for professionals who understand how these technologies work and who can propose practical solutions continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calls STEM careers "tommorow's job," emphasizing the importance of these unique industries. Today, STEM jobs are in high demand, and many are projected to stay in demand for several years. At the same time, STEM professionals are in short supply, which is why so many colleges — as well as the U.S. government — are imploring students to study STEM. This high demand for computing professionals makes sense if you consider how much of our lives have become reliant on some form of digital technology. It’s how we communicate and keep in touch. It’s how we entertain ourselves. It starts the engines in our cars; in medical practices, it keeps us alive; it drives massive segments of our economy; and for better or worse, advances in digital technology will continue to control the future direction of our society. As our daily lives become more reliant on software and digital devices, jobs in computing will become increasingly more important.

Engineering and Physical Science is the next largest category of in-demand STEM careers. These are careers like Orthodontists, Petroleum Engineers, Biochemists, Nurse Anesthetists, Civil Engineers, and Cartographers. Yes, cartographers—map makers—are still a thing and they earn a median salary of $63,990. (Cool, I know.) These types of careers have much less to do with computers and more to do with rolling up your sleeves and getting elbow deep in real work, with real results that you can see right now.

Life Sciences and Mathematics are much smaller fields than the previous two, but they make up the third most significant chunk of STEM careers. These two fields involve the more theoretical STEM careers that account for only a small amount of the demand for STEM professionals. These are careers like being a Clinical Research Associate or an Economist that—while still in demand—might be harder to find a position in. However, these are by no means your only options when it comes to STEM careers. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer working with computers, building robots, drawing blueprints for skyscrapers, or developing groundbreaking medicine. If you can make it through a STEM program in college, there’s a STEM career for you. 

Going through a STEM program is pretty intense. It requires a lot of dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice to make it all the way through. No matter how, this style of education builds the skills and mindsets that employers find incredibly valuable. And since the demand for STEM professionals is so high, employers in STEM fields are willing to offer some of the most generous starting salaries that recent graduates can get.