#shadow blogs

[hubwalker1]

Cold Fusion

[Split off from THIS]

"Well they're focused more on that." She points to the illusion climbing the wall. The sounds of their rifles, the flash of their muzzles and the smell of black powder filled the air. "How do you want to handle this? Just rush the gate and try clobber everything inside, or maybe we land behind the gate and try and sneak in. Of course I'm open to suggestions if you have any, but whatever we do we should do it quickly."

[lbigreyhound13]

Silhouettes, Part 7

Continued from this

Sven, Dagny, and Kari could only stare in shock at the sight of one of their beloved aunts falling to the ground with this mysterious new demon...grabbing at their aunt's chest.

"AUNT NALA!" Dagny shouted as she tried to run toward the former Warden...only to be held back by her brother and sister.

"Dags, no! There's nothing we can do for her!" Sven yelled keeping a firm on his sister's arm.

"We have to--" Kari tried to say before she was interrupted. She looked out of the corner of her eye only to see the Warden and the new demon falling to the ground.

"RUN!!" Sven shouted. He led his sisters, the dragons, Aria, Indigo, and his dragons away from the falling demon.

When she finally fell to the ground, the children of Chief Grey felt the ground shaking behind them before the demon made impact causing them to fall to the ground on their hands and knees.

"AUNT NALA!!" Sven, Dagny, and Kari shouted.

-------

Grey and Brandt flew back on Shadow toward the front gate through the clouds of dust. It was hard to see anything, but the water on her eyes definiitely helped somewhat to be able to see a little bitter in the large dust cloud.

It wasn't long before a loud noise was heard as Nala fell to the ground with the Glassmaker, which appeared to fall down next to her. However, Grey didn't care. Neither of them did as they urged Shadow to go faster.

There was dust everywhere, and she could smell the smoke that spread throughout the city. The Chief's heart pounded as she coughed trying to look for any signs of Sven, Dagny, Kari, or their dragons. All she and Brandt cared about was finding their three children. Both of them silently agreed that Sven, Dagny, and Kari came first. The Rebellion had to wait. She couldn't help but think about to when there were 2 other times she found a loved one lying down dead in a battlefield...Greg and her own father.

"No!" she thought to herself as she shook the head of the negative memories. "No! They're going to be fine!"

She was suddenly jolted out of her thoughts when Brandt placed a hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

"We'll find them, I promise," he said gently. "They're just like us. They will be fine."

Grey smiled in return gripping his hand in appreciation. "I know, I know," she replied, "but...I can't help but worry. I mean...I am their mother."

Brandt's smile widened. "Damn right, you are," he said, "and now let's make sure our kids are safe."

Shadow urged Shadow to go faster, and sure enough, they were able to reach the front. It was easy to see that Nala and the Glassmaker had fallen to the ground with a thundering boom.

"SVEN!!" Grey shouted.

"SVEN!!" Brandt shouted.

"DAGNY!!" Grey shouted again. "KAR!, WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"KIDS!!" Brandt shouted again.

[beepboopappreciation]

Is this anything

[quei]

The ultimate lifeform vs shadow

[girlwithrituals]

30 THOUGHT-PROVOKING QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU BECOME MORE SELF-AWARE

❦ how much self-control do i have with things that i know are bad for me, but tend to indulge in?

❦ how do i respond to someone who is different from me or whose ideals and beliefs i don't agree with or understand?

❦ how do i deal with being misperceived or misunderstood?

❦ how do i respond when someone judges me, makes fun of me, or calls me names?

❦ how do i deal with other people's mistakes and unpleasant behavior?

❦ how do i deal with people who have hurt me in the past?

❦ how do i spend my free time?

❦ how do i deal with negative people?

❦ how do i deal with stressful situations? do i tend to worry a lot? what else do i do?

❦ how do i deal with inconvenient life situations?

❦ how do i respond to situations that i have no control over?

❦ how do i deal with negativity in my environment?

❦ how do i deal with challenges in my life?

❦ how do i respond to situations that force me to get out of my comfort zone?

❦ how motivated am i to change my life for the better?

❦ how much do i follow through on what i preach and talk about?

❦ how do i deal with uncertainty, the unknown or a future event that i have no control over?

❦ how do i respond to obstacles, hardships, and "bad" things that happen in my life?

❦ how do i respond when i don't get what i want?

❦ how fulfilling is my everyday life?

❦ how do i respond to new ideas and new ways of thinking?

❦ how do i respond to bad or inconvenient news?

❦ how do i deal with the violence, hate, and suffering in the world?

❦ how do i recharge, rejuvenate, and replenish my energy?

❦ how much do i prioritize spending time and energy on myself and on my passions?

❦ how do i deal with change? new job, new house, new lifestyle, new people, new rules, new technology...do i tend to avoid it, welcome it, fear it, like it, complain about it, stress out about it, worry about it?

❦ how do i deal with emotional pain?

❦ how do i respond when plans change or plans get cancelled without my say so?

❦ how do i respond when i make a mistake or when i fail at something?

❦  how do i deal with rejection?

[nova-rpv]

death leech shadoo.....

design by @galaxylover06

[ohnoitstbskyen]

re: Somerton

Not for nothing, but I think we should remember that James Somerton's fans and subscribers are normal people, just like you. They are people who received his output in good faith, and extended to him a normal amount of grace and benefit of the doubt, which he took advantage of.

I don't think it's helpful to respond to the exposé on Somerton with sentiments along the lines of "wow, how could anyone ever think THIS GUY'S videos were any good, ha ha ha, how did he ever get subscribers?" because 1) you have the substantial benefit of hindsight and a disengaged outsider perspective, and 2) it's a rhetoric that creates a divide between you (refined, savvy, smart, sophisticated) and Somerton's audience (gullible, unrefined, easily taken advantage of, terrible taste), which is a false divide, with a false sense of security.

Somerton's success happened because he stole good writing. He found interesting, insightful, in-depth work done by other people, applied the one skill he actually has which is marketing, and re-packaged it as his own. He targeted a market which is starving for the exact kind of writing he was stealing, and pushed his audience to disengage from sources that conflicted with him.

Hbomberguy makes this point in his exposé video: good queer writing is hard to find and incredibly easy to lose. The writers Somerton stole from were often poor or precarious, writing freelance work for small circles under shitty conditions, without the means or the reach or the privileges necessary to find bigger markets. And, as Hbomb demonstrated, when people did discover Somerton's plagiarism, he used his substantial audience to hound them away and dissuade anyone else from trying to hold him accountable.

He stole queer writing by marginalized people, about experiences and perspectives that people are desperate to hear more about, and even if his delivery and aesthetics were naff, his words resonated with people because the original writers who actually wrote them poured their goddamn hearts and souls into it.

Somerton also maintained a consistent narrative of persecution and marginalization about himself. He took the plain truth, which is that queer people and perspectives are discriminated against, and worked that into a story about himself as a lone, brave truth-teller, daring to voice an authentic queer perspective, constantly beset by bigots and adversaries who sought to tear him down. As @aranock, who works with some of the people he targeted, writes in this post, Somerton weaponized whatever casual bias and bigotry he could find in his audience to reinforce his me vs them narrative (usually misogyny and various forms of transphobia), which is what grifters do. They find a vulnerable thread in a community and pull on it. And while you may not have the particular vulnerability that he exploited, you do have vulnerabilities, and they can be exploited too.

People felt compelled to support him, even if his work was sometimes shoddy, because he presented himself as a vulnerable, marginalized person in need of help, he pulled on that vulnerable thread.

Again, he has a degree in marketing, and just like propaganda, nobody is immune to marketing.

YouTube as a system is set up to push for more, constantly more. More content, more videos, more output, more more more more, and part of Somerton and Illuminaughty's success was their ability to push out large amounts of content to the hungry algorithm, even if it was of inferior quality. The algorithm rewarded their volume of output with more eyeballs and attention, and therefore more opportunities to find people who were vulnerable to their grift.

It is a system which quite literally rewards the exact kind of plagiarism that they do, because watch-time and engagement are easily measurable metrics for a corporation, and academic rigor is not. There is pressure to deliver, and a lot of rewards to gain from cutting corners to do it.

Somerton and Illuminaughty and Internet Historian are extreme and very obvious cases, so blatant that you can make a four hour video essay exposing what they've done, but the vast majority of this kind of plagiarism isn't going to be obvious - sometimes it might not even be obvious to the people who are doing it. Casual plagiarism is endemic to the modern internet, and most people don't get educated on what the exact boundaries are between proper sourcing and quoting vs plagiarizing. We had an entire course module at my university aimed at teaching students the exact differences and definitions, and people still made good faith mistakes in their essays and papers that they had to learn to correct during their education.

All of this to say: it is extremely easy in hindsight to call Somerton's work shitty and shoddy, his aesthetics flat and uninspired, and to imagine that as a sophisticated person with good taste and critical faculties, you would never be taken in by this kind of grifter. It is extremely easy to distance yourself from the people he preyed on, and imagine that you will never have to worry about your fave doing your dirty like that.

But part of the point of Hbomberguy's video is that plagiarism is extremely easy to get away with, and often difficult for the average person to spot and call out, and with the rise of AI tools blurring the lines even further, it is not going to get any easier.

So I think we should resist the temptation to think of Somerton's audience as people with bad taste and poor faculties. We should resist the temptation to distance ourselves from the perfectly normal people he preyed on. Many times in your life, a modestly clever man with a marketing degree has fooled you too.

On a personal note, by the same token, I am resisting the temptation to assume that I am too good to be vulnerable to the systemic pressures that produced Somerton and Illuminaughty. No, I've never made a video by word-for-word reciting someone else's work, but I know for a fact that I could do a better job of double-checking my work and citing my sources. I feel the exact same pressure to get a video out as fast as possible, I have the exact same rewards dangled in front of me by YouTube as a platform, and I can't pretend it doesn't affect my work. To me, Hbomb's video felt like a wake-up call to do better.

[foolnamedjoey]

Cheesy but I do not care

[tarot15]

[glitchedcosmos]

Season 3 prediction

[silverformymonsters]

Messmer + close ups

[narfin-frood]

best friends five ever

[project-sonadow]

haha, just kidding guys! we don’t ship them with anyone!

[cephalosaur]

Hebrews 10:1 "The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship."

Colossians 2:17 "These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."

"Do you know why I named you 'Shadow'? Because without light there's only darkness, but a shadow will show you where to find the light. Do you understand?" (Maria Robotnik, Sonic X Shadow Generations)

1 John 1:5 "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."

[ranpo-v-world]

[Around 7 pm, Vizerxa gently wakes Ranpo by petting his hair. She's holding a couple thick coats, gloves, boots, and a scarf, all in ranpo's size. She doesn't know how well he can tolerate the cold and doesn't want him to be uncomfortable in Salha.]

"It's almost time for us to go. 're you ready?"

( - @the-fox-and-the-shadow ) (sending this 5 hours early so i dont forget about it entirely lmao)

mmm…. yeaaaahh……

[cyberclouddream]

Your Secret Self in the 12th House

Aries in the 12th House - Taurus Rising

They tend to keep secrets about their inner daredevil. While they play it cool and collected, there’s a wild side itching to burst free—think sneaking off for a spontaneous road trip or trying extreme sports in secret. They might also hide their competitiveness, pretending they don’t care while actually keeping score of who’s winning in life. Plus, they could be harboring some guilty pleasures, like indulging in reckless online shopping binges when no one’s watching.

Taurus in the 12th House - Gemini Rising

They often hide secrets about their love for comfort while secretly fantasizing about radical change. Underneath that cozy facade, they might daydream about ditching their 9-to-5 for a nomadic lifestyle, craving the thrill of the unknown. They could also be keeping a stash of self-care products—think expensive face creams or luxury candles—while downplaying their indulgent side. Additionally, they might harbor feelings of envy toward friends who seem to live carefree, all while maintaining a chill, easy-going persona.

Gemini in the 12th House - Cancer Rising

They tend to keep secrets about their inner chatterbox, often drowning in thoughts they don’t dare voice. Beneath their friendly demeanor, they might be hiding a tendency to overanalyze every interaction, worrying that they’ll be misunderstood. They could also be engaging in secretive communication—like using anonymous accounts to share their opinions or seek validation without risking their reputation. Plus, they may hold back on expressing their true feelings, fearing that doing so will lead to vulnerability that they’re not ready for.

Cancer in the 12th House - Leo Rising

They often hide secrets about their emotional turmoil, presenting a bold front while wrestling with intense feelings. While they come off as confident and social, they might be quietly harboring past heartbreaks or family drama that they don’t want to share. They could also fantasize about a life where they can escape their responsibilities and be free to express their emotions without judgment. Plus, they might keep a hidden stash of sentimental items—like letters or mementos—that remind them of their deeper feelings and past experiences.

Leo in the 12th House - Virgo Rising

They tend to keep secrets about their inner critic, often hiding their doubts behind a confident mask. While they seem to thrive in the spotlight, they might be grappling with imposter syndrome, fearing they don’t deserve the accolades. They could also be secretly nurturing creative dreams that they feel too shy to pursue, fearing they won’t be taken seriously. Plus, they may keep their desire for admiration under wraps, needing validation from others yet afraid to admit it out loud.

Virgo in the 12th House - Libra Rising

They often hide secrets about their perfectionism, presenting a calm demeanor while battling internal chaos. Beneath their organized facade, they might have a tendency to obsess over minor details, worrying that they won’t measure up to expectations. They could also be secretly struggling with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if anyone really sees their worth. Plus, they might hide a stash of self-help materials—books, podcasts, or videos—that they consume in hopes of bettering themselves while keeping their struggles out of sight.

Libra in the 12th House - Scorpio Rising

They tend to keep secrets about their relationship fears, often projecting charm while grappling with deep-rooted insecurities. While they come across as easy-going, they might be wrestling with jealousy or fear of abandonment, not wanting to reveal how much it affects them. They could also be hiding their true opinions about people they love, not wanting to rock the boat. Plus, they may secretly yearn for independence but struggle with the idea of going against their people-pleasing nature.

Scorpio in the 12th House - Sagittarius Rising

They often hide secrets about their emotional intensity, putting on a brave face while feeling deeply vulnerable inside. They might be nurturing secret desires that feel taboo, such as unconventional fantasies or interests that they fear might alienate others. They could also be battling a fear of being truly known, preferring to keep their deeper emotions hidden from view. Plus, they might keep a journal filled with dark thoughts or musings, using it as a safe space to explore what they can’t express out loud.

Sagittarius in the 12th House - Capricorn Rising

They tend to have hidden secrets about their thirst for freedom, often masking it behind a façade of responsibility. While they appear grounded, they might be dreaming of a life filled with adventure and spontaneity, yearning to break free from their daily grind. They could also be keeping their more radical beliefs hidden, fearing that their unconventional ideas won’t be well-received. Plus, they might harbor a fear of commitment that they keep to themselves, worrying that settling down will stifle their free spirit.

Capricorn in the 12th House - Aquarius Rising

They often keep secrets about their vulnerability, appearing stoic while struggling with feelings of inadequacy. Beneath their ambitious exterior, they might harbor a fear of failure that they keep locked away, wanting to project an image of control. They could also be concealing a rebellious streak, secretly longing to break the rules they’ve set for themselves. Plus, they may be hiding a desire for emotional connection, fearing that showing their true selves will weaken their carefully constructed facade.

Aquarius in the 12th House - Pisces Rising

They tend to have hidden secrets about their sense of alienation, projecting an air of confidence while feeling isolated underneath. They might conceal their unique beliefs and perspectives, worried that others won’t understand or accept them. Additionally, they could be struggling with a sense of belonging, hiding their insecurities about friendships despite being surrounded by people. Plus, they might have secret dreams of making a radical change in their lives, wanting to embrace their individuality but unsure of how to do so.

Pisces in the 12th House - Aries Rising

They often keep secrets about their vivid imagination, masking their emotional depth behind a confident persona. While they may project an image of strength, they could be escaping into daydreams or creative pursuits to avoid facing reality. They might be nurturing artistic talents that they fear won’t be recognized, keeping their creations hidden from the world. Plus, they might also be wrestling with feelings of inadequacy, wanting to shine but struggling to believe they can.