#some way to use those two to get to high precision machining; and then you might also need a HUGE capital dump in order to get political

[horizontwinflames]

Horizon AU: Twin Flames - Isaac's final armor and weapons variations (Zero Dawn Act). Text transcription under the cut after the images!

REPOST, EDIT/USE OR FEED MY ART TO AI ISN'T ALLOWED

Edit: Updated some text on the Oseram and Banuk arts.

You can read Isaac's lore here: [LINK]

Will he use those variations in the story? Yes! :D hehe. Also, in this AU only Aloy wears Oseran armor while only Beta wears Carja armor, because Oseran's armor is too heavy and noisy for Beta's stealth strategies, while Carja's armor is too weak for Aloy's melee fighting style.

This AU has an ongoing fanfic! You can read on Ao3: [LINK]

Text transcription:

Ravager's cannon: It gives Isaac the ability to fire rapidly like a Ravager can, but with much more precision. It can also do charged-up shots for more heavy damage. This is the most noiseless ranged weapon from Isaac, allowing the charged shot to be used for sniping. Up to two coils can be equipped.

Stalker Blade Tail: The swiftest and lightest melee weapon from Isaac's arsenal. It's the best pick to fight against lightweight machines and stealth attacks. Its thin shape and ability to spin and move up and down (at an angle of about 120 degrees) can also be used for precision attacks (e.g., to take off machine components or stealth-stabbing humans).

Nora's stealth armor: The natural materials of this armor allow Isaac to camouflage better within the natural landscape. The lack of metal pieces also helps reduce noise while moving. This armor is resistant to shock and ice damage but weak against fire and corrosion damage. Up to three weaves can be equipped.

Thunderjaw’s Disk Launcher: Isaac can use the disks like a Thunderjaw can or launch them at a high speed. It’s not an easy weapon to use, as its recoil can destabilize Isaac if he’s in movement, and it has a very slow recharge, but it’s the heaviest damage dealer from the arsenal. Its firepower can make big explosions and great area damage. Up to two coils can be equipped.

Thunderjaw’s Tail: It is the second heaviest and slowest melee weapon Isaac has, but when used correctly, it can cause great damage to his targets, destroy some types of human constructions, stun machines, and even kill humans on the spot. Its shovel-like shape also allows Isaac to throw objects away (with very poor precision) or even yeet Aloy and Beta to help them reach places or to aid in some fight strategy.

Oseram's tank armor: Made of the best Oseram hard leather and steel, this armor greatly protects Isaac, making him much more resistant to various damage kinds. However, the materials weigh him and consequently slow him down, thus making him sink underwater, and he needs to use more energy for his leaps and high jumps. This armor is highly resistant to corrosion and fire damage but has some weak spots for ice and shock damage. Up to three weaves can be equipped.

Bellowback’ Snout: This weapon is an adapted version of the Bellowback’s ranged elemental weapon for Isaac. It gives him the ability to shoot fire or acid projectiles. It can also be used as a close-range defense weapon; hence, it can be used as a flamethrower or acid jet-like gun as well. Up to two coils can be equipped.

Stormbird’s Tail: Isaac can use this weapon like a Stormbird: an electric whip-like melee weapon, still keeping the shocking damage but in a much smaller range and potency. However, if not used cautiously, the whip can get stuck in places or be grabbed by bigger machines. This tail is also useful for Isaac to balance himself while climbing or walking in places such as metal columns in ruins. Isaac must have this tail equipped to be able to swim underwater correctly.

Carja’s speed armor: The sisters arranged the traditional Carja clothing adornments in a way that makes Isaac more aerodynamic, and the lightness of the materials also helps Isaac run faster, leap further, and jump higher than he normally could. Although pretty, the materials of this armor aren’t made for battle, leaving Isaac vulnerable to all kinds of damage - especially physical damage. Up to three weaves can be equipped.

Scorcher’s Mine Launcher: Aside from the normal mines a scorcher can use, this version of its weapon also has the option to use stick mines. Either version of ammos can be used on battle strategies of timed controlled explosions, as the mines won’t explode until they get hit. These mines have two versions: fire and electric explosions. Up to two coils can be equipped.

Frostclaw’s Front Paw: The closest Isaac will get to “grabby hands” so far. It’s the biggest physical damage dealer but the slowest melee weapon due to its heavy weight. Isaac can not just inflict heavy damage but also use the big hand to grab huge objects and machines way bigger than him. This weapon is so heavy that it may destabilize him during curves at high speed, compromise his balance while climbing, and increase the needed energy to sprint, jump, and leap.

Banuk Power Armor: The Sobecks learned with the Banuk crafting how to improve the energy flow and distribution on a machine. This armor increases Isaac's total stamina energy and reduces the needed charge to sprint, jump, or leap. The improved energy flow also helps increase the damage from Isaac’s melee and ranged weapons. However, the increase in the energy flow makes Isaac heat up way faster if not used correctly. Up to three weaves can be equipped.

[mourning-again-in-america]

which civilization had the greatest metallurgical skill/knowledge? which civilization had the best metallurgy? which civilization had the best geological potential for metallurgical prowess?

[faithfulren]

arcade fun

in a lively arcade filled with neon lights and bustling crowds, you and your competitive boyfriend, katsuki bakugo, embark on a fun-filled date.

----

the neon lights of the arcade flickered in vibrant hues, casting a lively glow over the bustling crowd. the sounds of clinking tokens, cheerful chimes, and triumphant shouts filled the air. you glanced around, feeling a rush of excitement as you took in the sight of various arcade games lined up in rows, each one promising fun and competition.

beside you, katsuki bakugo, your ever-competitive boyfriend, scanned the area with a determined glint in his eyes. "alright, where do we start?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

you grinned, pointing towards a row of claw machines. "how about there? i’ve always wanted one of those stuffed animals."

katsuki's smirk widened. "piece of cake," he said, already heading towards the machines. you followed, feeling a mix of anticipation and amusement. katsuki was always up for a challenge, and you knew he’d put his all into winning something for you.

as you reached the first machine, katsuki inserted a token and grasped the joystick with practiced ease. "watch and learn," he teased, his eyes focused on a cute, plush bear nestled among other toys. He maneuvered the claw with precision, lowering it down towards the bear.

you held your breath as the claw descended, gripping the bear tightly. it lifted the toy halfway before it slipped free, falling back into the pile. katsuki growled in frustration, his competitive nature kicking in.

"don't worry, katsuki. you’ll get it," you said encouragingly, placing a hand on his arm.

he shot you a determined look. "damn right i will." He inserted another token, his focus even sharper this time. after a few more tries and some choice words muttered under his breath, the claw finally grabbed the bear securely, lifting it and dropping it into the prize chute.

katsuki retrieved the bear triumphantly, handing it to you with a proud grin. "told you I'd get it."

you accepted the plush toy, your heart swelling with affection. "thank you, katsuki. it’s perfect."

he wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close. "anything for you," he said softly, his usual gruffness giving way to a rare moment of tenderness.

with the bear safely tucked under your arm, you and katsuki moved on to other games. you challenged each other to a racing game, laughing as you both tried to outmaneuver the other on the virtual track. katsuki’s competitive streak shone through, but he didn’t mind when you managed to win a round or two.

next, you found yourselves at a basketball hoop game. katsuki’s intense focus returned as he aimed for the high score, his muscles flexing with each shot. you cheered him on, your admiration growing with every successful basket.

finally, you ended up at a dance machine. katsuki hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing at the flashing arrows on the screen. "you sure about this?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

you giggled, grabbing his hand and pulling him onto the platform. "come on, it’ll be fun!"

as the music started, you both began to follow the arrows, your feet moving in sync with the rhythm. katsuki stumbled a bit at first, but soon found his groove, his movements becoming more confident. you danced together, laughing and enjoying the moment, the world outside the arcade fading away.

when the game ended, you both caught your breath, katsuki’s competitive spirit still evident in his grin. he pulled you into a quick, strong hug, a rare moment of tenderness for him. "i had fun," he admitted, his voice gruff but sincere.

you smiled back, feeling warmth spread through you. "me too. thanks for coming."

he gave you a quick kiss on the cheek, a gesture that surprised you both. "don’t get used to it," he teased, but there was a hint of fondness in his eyes.

as you left the arcade, walking side by side, you felt content. today had been special, a day filled with laughter and playful competition, a side of katsuki that few got to see.

[cyber-corp]

A review of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Part 3

By a guy who initially had no interest in this series whatsoever

For the longest time, I had absolutely zero interest in watching, reading, or even engaging with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. The tone seemed too bombastic, the humour too out of leftfield and the fanbase too obnoxious. But after watching the anime adaptations of parts 1 and 2 and becoming interested in the rest of the series (and reading a bit of Steel Ball Run, which I quite enjoyed), I decided to read part 3 of JoJo, Stardust Crusaders, out of a morbid curiosity.

What I didn’t expect was a full-on and astounding journey across the world that never lets up and never slows itself down to think. And I felt mesmerised by every single page, every line of dialogue, and every illustration.

Stardust Crusaders’ main JoJo is Jotaro Kujo, a stoic Eastwood-esque high school (?!?) delinquent who likes telling women to piss off and has a special ability known as a Stand called Star Platinum, able to release a flurry of brutal punches at will and do with absolute precision.

All six of the Crusaders themselves (which does include the dog. don’t worry about it) have their own unique Stand and abilities, each of them named after a different Tarot card. Joseph Joestar, (who has skipped DILF birth and went straight to GILF birth), is easily my favourite of the six, as even though he’s gracefully aged and matured, he’s still the same old silly goober from all those years ago. Polnareff is my second favourite, I initially felt indifferent towards him, but soon began to adore this comical Frenchman and his entire arc.

The plot of the story follows the Crusaders on an eventful journey to Cairo, as the number one hater from Phantom Blood, DIO, has returned after 100 years, leeching off of Jonathan Joestar’s body. We don’t get to see much of him until the final confrontation, where he nearly convinces Polnareff to join him, kills Kakyoin by stopping time with his stand THE WORLD, takes Joseph’s soul, and squashes Jotaro with a ROADOROLLA. The only reason he loses is that Jotaro is so unreasonably buffed that he can move while DIO’s stand is active, giving him the opportunity to ORAORAORA him into next Tuesday.

I personally feel that DIO might just be the best villain not just in JoJo, but one of the best entirely. His ability to get his own way and his burning desire to end the Joestar bloodline from Part 1 has been amped up to 11, and it makes him, along with his Stand, THE WORLD, nearly unstoppable. He’s a blunt force with no humanity, and does whatever suits his needs. People either fall against him and perish, or fall with him and submit themselves to his grace. He’s become quite the behemoth when you compare him to what he was doing in Part 1. From kicking dogs to forcing someone he doesn’t know to drive after Jotaro and psychologically torturing them. How far the haters go…

If I could use one word to sum up Stardust Crusaders, it would be “ambitious”. It’s nearly double the length of the first two parts combined, and nearly thrice as varied in setting and tone. From Japan, to the gleaming cities of Singapore to the slums of India and the sandy deserts of Arabia, it nearly stops to sit in one place. Hirohiko Araki has stated that he was less inspired by the other shonen comics of the time and more into road movies like Around The World in 80 Days, which gives this part such a unique international flair. There’s also 2 dozen enemies the guys have to face along their way to Egypt, some of which provide interesting looks into the main characters’ inner machinations, and some are monkeys who smoke and commit sexual assault.

The overall theming of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is humanity’s insane ability to overcome seemingly impossible odds in order to become greater, and this couldn’t be more prevalent than in Stardust Crusaders. DIO is a cruel, unrelenting beast who has already sacrificed his own humanity in order to further achieve his goal of ending the Joestar bloodline once and for all. This makes him a perfect mirror to the Crusaders, who plan to stop DIO in order to prevent Jotaro’s mother, Holly, from dying. This motivation based in love of course triumphs over all, and also leads to one of the greatest spurs within the entire medium of manga.

Stardust Crusaders is full of genuine heart, wit, and genuinely kicks ass all the way through. Reading it is truly unlike anything else. It’s a pastiche of shonen tropes, gothic literature, westerns, 80s action flicks and so much more. I can truly see now why JoJo has the reputation it does. If this was the only part of JoJo ever written, it would still be fantastic.

A true celebration of humanity from beginning to end. Go read it if you can.

[ritcchamadayo]

This came to mind so

What Twst Characters Would Use as A Weapon (Mafia AU!)

Heartslabyul

Heartslabyul is known for being a strict organization. Every little mistake goes unnoticed, and will be judged by their boss himself.

Riddle Rosehearts

He definitely uses his scepter as a short range weapon, like a polearm would. But, just in case, he'd like to keep a handgun on his hip at all costs so he can fight against longer ranged enemies. Definitely something elegant, a rather old model but definitely shows Riddle's personality.

Ace Trappola

Handguns, definitely handguns. He can even dual-wield, if he wants to. He's not always precise and wastes a lot of bullets, (much to the dismay of Riddle and the Heartslabyul finances) so make sure to pack more spares and get him aim training! He's surely a force to be reckoned with if he hits those shots.

Deuce Spade

Ah, the classic baseball bat with spikes. He nailed the spikes in himself- and it doesn't look as neat as he wanted, but oh well. He'd usually let Ace or someone else take the kill but he won't hesitate to bludgeon someone when needed.

Cater Diamond

Assassins pop up when you least expect 'em, honey. He'd be all over you on parties and celebrations, giving you gifts and calling you nicknames- until you find his signature jewel-embedded, poison laced folded knife ledged between your chest. Cay-cay's here to slay-slay, and i mean literally!

Trey Clover

Definitely the mom- i mean supervisor of the gang. He'd usually watch from the back lines, and then use his medium-range sniper rifle to snipe off some heads with precision when you least expect it. Don't underestimate him though, he's still got you beat on hand-to-hand combat when needed!

Savanaclaw

An unruly bunch, to say the least. Chaos always follows behind their footsteps, as their leader, the Great King of Lions, executes high-risk high-reward bounties perfectly.

Leona Kingscholar

Who needs weapons? Only herbivores. Leona would face guns with his own bare hands, pouncing forward with the speed and agility of a Lion and knocking his enemies out of balance, swiftly destroying their gun *and* their skulls. Out of all the gang leaders, he's the least likely to die assassinated because of his instincts and reflexes.

Ruggie Bucchi

Watch out, cuz this guy's got a machine gun! Despite his scrawny stature, he's strong enough to hold down an area by making it rain bullets, effectively cleaning the way for Leona to pass through. Although, he'd never use it unless he knows there are no civilians in his line of fire. Shishishi, It's always better to get your boss through clean and unscathed, cuz blood on laundry is god awful!!!

Jack Howl

He owns a pair of silver brass knuckles! His speed and agility almost matches those of Leona himself, and Jack prides himself in his pack. He'd go on bounties with a big group, and if they ever get into a gang fight with the other gangs, he'll be sure to run to your rescue if you're getting beaten up!

Octavinelle

The mafia group behind the infamous Mostro Lounge industry. They affiliate themselves with blackmail and infiltration, and most of the time for monetary gain. They're led by a capitalist, after all.

Azul Ashengrotto

Does he fight? Sometimes, maybe. But he's usually breaking out deals with other companies and families while his two bodyguards stand behind him, ready to strike whenever. So, i guess his weapon of choice are Jade and Floyd? But he'd land the killing blow using the sharp edge of his scepter, a clean shot to the heart and blood staining the octopus ornament on the scepter. You better accept his business proposition, unless you wanna end up dead!

Jade Leech

This particular Leech twin doesn't like to get his suit dirty. He'd be manning the long-range sniper rifles and precisely taking out enemies quick and silent enough to not out himself. He's the one to go on most infiltration missions for Azul, so he also has high precision on using a handgun with a silencer. Don't cross this one, cuz you're going down and nobody's gonna know.

Floyd Leech

The full opposite of Jade, Floyd would rather crack someone's skull open instead and bathe in their blood. Floyd leads the more violent missions, and also in charge of torture. He has a pair of brass knuckles with elegant eel engravings given to him by Azul and Jade, and he loves them! But sometimes, his *real* knuckles are enough to break someone. Or would you rather he use his teeth instead and chomp off your flesh?

Scarabia

Possibly the richest gang around. Their leader, Kalim Al-Asim, acts as their front face in public scenarios while his right-hand man, Jamil Viper, does all the dirty work and cleaning behind everyone's backs.

Kalim Al-Asim

Knowing Kalim, he's probably forgotten to bring a weapon. It would be hard to imagine a name as big as Kalim's to not gather attention though, and there would be a lot of assassination attempts. Luckily for him, Jamil always hides a nifty shotgun for him if he ever gets cornered. Just one quick aim to the head, and boom- But this rarely happens, because Jamil's here to intercept before they could even see Kalim!

Jamil Viper

Jamil, Jamil, Jamil. Part bodyguard, part housewife /what. He's always looking out for the gang! But underneath all that, he's a crafty assassin out for your blood. He knows every single way to take someone out, be it using firearms, poison, sharp objects, or even his own fists. Though, his weapon of choice is a revolver! It's only thanks to Jamil that Kalim gets to live without a care, and Kalim loves Jamil like his own family.

Pomefiore

You wouldn't think there'd be elegance in the art of murder. Think again, with Vil Schoenheit now on the case! Pomefiore specializes in providing any type of poisons and drugs to whoever dares to strike a deal with them.

Vil Schoenheit

Don't be fooled by his intoxicating beauty, darling. Because most likely, the sweet scent of his perfume is also toxic! Vil has grown quite the resistance towards poison, and he always knows which one to use for which types of occassion. You better believe when i say each crime scene left by The Queen, always looks as beautiful as he is in his craft.

Rook Hunt

Vil Schoenheit's personal bodyguard. You don't see him beside the great Vil all the time, but rest assured, he's lying in wait with his bow and arrow aimed to your head. One misstep, and it'll cost you your life. Even a slight graze from the arrow would kill you, as a hunter never forgets to lace their arrows with the finest poisons and anesthesias. He was part of the Savanaclaw gang once, but after a scuffle between the two leaders, Rook decided to join Pomefiore in pursue of beauty and elegance.

Epel Felmier

Definitely not the most elegant one in the group, but 200% deadly. He prefers the head-on way of charging into battle with a bat or a metal pipe, but Vil taught him how to make use of his looks and kill more cleanly. Act like a maiden in need of assistance, infiltrate their defenses. And when you least expect it, a shotgun to the back will be your end. He still comes home all drenched in blood though, in Vil's dismay.

Ignihyde

The main gang for technological advances and info-broking. In addition to their human forces and the ever-adept technology team, they also have the forces of a couple dozen war robots if you ever cross their way!

Idia Shroud

Fighting? No no no, no way. Some shut-in like that wouldn't have the physical capabilities to go on front line fights. Instead he leads his gang to technological advances and innovations, most of the time making and rigging his own set of firearms from the confines of his room. But if anyone ever tries to assassinate the leader of Ignihyde gang, if they aren't killed by the security system, Idia himself will finish you off with his signature electric gun. Get ready to be fried to a crisp!

Ortho Shroud

Despite still being young, Ortho replaces his brother on the front lines and spreads his words to the gang. A being of technology himself, he's rigged to the brim with ground leveling firearms and first aid tech to help the team out. Just give him 10 seconds- his firing beam will level cities in a blink of an eye. But Ortho isn't allowed to use the beam without Idia's direct order, and Idia doesn't want any trouble with any other gangs, so shooting smaller beams with his fingers would work better.

Diasomnia

A well-feared gang. Diasomnia holds power to higher-grade firearms because of their leader, Malleus Draconia, and his royal upbringing. Diasomnia has privileges to firearms harder to procure, and typically just looks like royal guards instead of a gang.

Malleus Draconia

Malleus rarely gets into fights due to his position. Most of the time, Diasomnia's forces will be hard at work while he strategizes from atop his throne. But if he's forced to fight for his life, he would pick up his antique handgun. The wood carving simply bleeds elegance, and you should be thankful if your last sight was The Malleus Draconia pointing his gun at you while he towers above your beat-up body. Goodbye, Child of Man. This should teach you to never cross Diasomnia.

Lilia Vanrouge

Right hand man to Malleus himself, but he prides his work on assassination more than being on the front lines. His signature weapon is a cleaver, and you'd know it's the work of one Lilia Vanrouge when the victim have multiple slash wounds all over their body. He's been around in Diasomnia for so long, everyone suspects he's older than he looks- even his skills and experience way surpasses the rest!

Sebek Zigvolt

One of Malleus's bodyguards. He traditionally has an AR at hand just like Silver, but he uses a Revolver when the AR isn't in use. Typically you'd choose small, unnoticeable guns as Mafia to not get caught, but Sebek shows his domination over his enemies with his choice of firearms. He'd usually go for the attack, while Silver defends.

Silver

One of Malleus's bodyguards. He traditionally has an AR at hand just like Sebek, but he also uses a baton as a weapon of choice. He'd usually go for the defense, and leaves Sebek to attack and get rid of enemies. Silver specializes in defending and protecting, so if you're ever in trouble, Silver will make sure you live to see the next sunrise!

[spagheddiesquash]

OK. OC COMIC LORE INFODUMP AHEAD

WANNA KNOW ABOUT MY OC THING? YOU ARE IN SO MUCH LUCK…

so as some of u know im making a comic. with some ocs in it. ive mentioned it several times before. this post is where i will finally tell some details regarding it.

so basically its about a time traveler who winds up in the year 2012, and his time machine breaks, so now he’s stuck there until he can fix it or find a new one.

these r the two main guys:

(NOTE: there is a math error on venn’s height. hes actually around 190 cm. when i was figuring it out i accidentally calculated for 5 feet 3 inches instead of 6 feet 3 inches)

(another note: a lot of metric will be used bc its a scifi comic and science uses metric a lot)

anyway so yeah. venn is the time traveler guy i mentioned earlier. josh happens to be walking by as venn’s time machine breaks, offers for him to stay at his place for the time being, and so. thats how the story is kinda set into motion.

NOW FOR SOME OTHER STUFF. WORLD STUFF.

ok so, in this comic’s universe there are two main organizations for time travel. the ICTTA (International Committee for Time Travel Affairs) and the ITB (International Time Board). the ICTTA (also referred to as simply the Committee) make all of the different rules and regulations regarding time travel. now, the Committee’s members consist of specialists in time law. These people don’t do any of the actual time travel, they just know the laws regarding it. To make decisions a bit more fair, any time something is being voted on, they also get votes from the ITB, who are made up of actual time travelers.

some more on the ITB: in order to join, you need to have been a registered time traveler for at least two years. also, venn is on the board as well!!! usually you have more influence if you’ve been a member for a long while and have contributed a lot. There is also the High Board, which have the final say in decisions of the the ITB. They’re a small part of the Board, made up of like 5-ish people typically, and in order to become a part of the High Board, you need to be invited, and if you ARE invited, its like. a HUGE deal. like Pinnacle of your Whole Entire Career kind of moment that most time travelers aspire to experience.

some more on becoming a time traveler: so in order to procure a time machine and use it, you meed to be a licensed time traveler. how do you become licensed? by going to school for it!!! 6 long years of mostly physics and history, as well as some general time travel ettiquete. usually straight after high school. once you finish that, you are officially a time traveler. you have the job for life and technically speaking, you work under the ICTTA. the way its a job is basically you go on missions and you get paid each month. there are some benefits, like how youre given free housing and can get discounts on stuff.

some notes on time machines: in this universe, they arent the big elaborate ones you step into. rather, theyre handheld devices that are usually the size of either a nintendo wii or an ipad mini, depending on how recent the model is. the Committee provide their own time machines for free (which is what a lot of younger time travelers opt for), but if youd like your own from some other place, they typically cost a lot of money. there are some older models that can come secondhand for a bit cheaper, though. venn uses one of those.

SOME ADDITIONAL NOTES:

the “future” isnt really the future. it’s the widely accepted Universal Present Year, or UPY. when time travel was first invented, a present time had to be established in order to mark what counts as either the Past, Present or Future. There is also a UPD/T which is the same thing but more precise, down to the date and time.

in the UPY of 2148, (venn’s year of origin) everyone is under 24-hour surveillance everywhere. you may think that time travelers can get out of this, however, measures have been taken specifically to prevent this from happening. see, once you become a time traveler, you get assigned someone to basically follow you around wherever you go and make sure you dont do anything illegal. these people are typically nicknamed “watchovers,” and they are known to be very annoying, pushy, nagging people.

24 hour clocks are used in time travel because its a lot more convenient.

things that the ICTTA makes rulings on: general things regarding the act of time travel, splits in timelines and timeline taxonomy (theres a list of events the Committee deem “chronologically significant” which get their own letter or number in a timeline’s classification if they are diverted from. an example would be stuff like historic court rulings or famous political assassinations), whether or not to go back in time and erase an event and its collective memory by the public (i.e. the invention of the flying car), etc etc.

the identity of the person who invented time travel is confidential, so as to prevent something like assassination.

NOTES ON THE SETTING:

it is a city called Rose City. its somewhat based on new york, mainly because new york is the city i know the most about, but i digress. anyway, both venn and josh are from this city, just born in different years. josh was born in 1989 (so if he was real he would be 35 currently) and venn was born in 2114 (which, if he were also real, would make him exactly -90). below is some visual stuff.

SOME OTHER STUFF:

very big things to remember when time traveling:

blend in as much as possible, try not to change the timeline (incurs a fine, the severity of which depends on the severity of the alteration)

dont tell anyone you are a time traveler

dont bring anything back with you without express permission

if you are going to the future, TELL NO ONE WHAT YOU SAW. if you are going to the past, do not tell them of the future.

leave no evidence of assassination. (sometimes time travelers get hired to kill people from the past for specific reasons. it’s kind of rare, but when it happens it can only happen if it is voted on by the High Board.)

THERE IS PROBABLY MORE IM FORGETTING LORE WISE ABOUT ALL OF THIS BUT YEAH. MAKING ALL OF THIS INTO A COMIC, HOWEVER IM CURRENTLY DRAFTING IT. couldnt wait to explain my ocs to u guys so i figured id just make an infodump post abt them….

IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS SEND ME AN ASK!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE I LOVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT MY OCS. who knows. maybe ur question might remind me of some lore i forgot to mention??? it can also be about little things tho like “what are their favorite foods” or “what are their birthdays” or something. you can also ask abt all the rest of the lore tho!!! will probably reblog with some more soon.

[forgottengodfrey]

House Calainon's Interrelationships

since im now playing not just one but two whole families myself (except edmund s/o to you!), i thought id do some meta things to sort of elaborate on things a bit but esp talk about the internal relationships between various siblings so without further ado...

GODFREY ON AMIRA

there are seven years between amira and godfrey. growing up, he always thought of her in semi-mythical terms: so much older and more sophisticated, she was also (he assumed) destined to be the next witch of calainon, carrying on an ancient tradition. yet, while godfrey found himself shunted off by his grandmother in favor of his sister, these things were never to her the sanctified ideals they were to him, and after his mother died and when godfrey became old enough he began to have to fend largely for himself. while his family still sheltered him, he found soon that the closest link amongst the unit was that between the two women, excluding him and his squalling little brother.

this was a moment that forever cracked something in gofrey and amira's relationship. godfrey knew they worked together, but he would never again trust her to place his or tristan's sakes upon the same echelon of her own -- and he would do the same for her only insofar as it would benefit their house, for he still saw its traditions as sacred and, with the death of their grandmother, it was the three siblings against the world with amira as their high priestess.

while godfrey does not entirely trust his sister, he trusts in her ruthless self-interest. godfrey is a fairly astute judge of character, something which coupled with his cunning, has formed the cornerstone of his survival, and he understands that amira will do whatever it takes to seize and cling to power something she equates with safety -- and something he has in turn chosen to galvanize. he, after all, also longs for power, but his need is a very different thing, wishing not to propel himself to the apex of power, so much, as to wield it like a weapon to purge this world of evil. this is not, however, a plan he has ever entirely shared with his sister, knowing that she would turn against him if she knew his true plans for her son. instead, he has chosen only to share with her a partial truth: that he, too, wishes to see edmund enthroned as emperor.

godfrey views amira as his stoutest ally, and he is aware that she sees him largely as a tool t which she is entitled since it is she who has raised him so high, but in that that is precisely how he is using her in turn, he tries not to let this bother him. he does find her somewhat frustrating as she is not so clear-sighted in her ideals -- those being few and far between -- and he views her goals of wishing to find security in life, as petty and self-serving, while believing his own -- of plunging the world into apocalypse -- to be noble and selfless. but he plans to keep his secrets to the bitter end, allowing her to see him simply as a machinator and a soft-hearted older brother and uncle -- he does not realize quite how aware she is of the fact that he's done his utmost to cut her out of his heart.

im just gonna come out and say this -- their relationship is 100% toxic. when i do her relationships ill talk a bit more abt this, but neither entirely trusts e/o and they're both using e/o, and they both know it. but also they trust e/o more than anyone else bc no one is as ruthless or as singleminded as e/o. in some ways they're mirror images of e/o. they both admire and revile their reflection by turns, but when they have a unified goal, they know no one can get sm done for them as e/o. its when their goals diverge they both know they must tread carefully for the other is absolutely ruthless and likely won't hesitate should their sibling get in their way...they ultimately bring out what is worst in one another.

GODFREY ON TRISTAN

godfrey was five when his youngest sibling was born, losing their mother shortly thereafter. godfrey isn't sure if tristan can truly remember her or not, but he's been determined that one thing tristan would know is hope. while the rest of them mouldering in near-despair, godfrey would sneak the near-starving child some bread and tell him all the lofty tales their mother used to tell. yet, even this relationship is perhaps not so pure as one may hope.

godfrey does truly love his little brother, but he loves him for their mother's sake; he cultivated him for his own. godfrey was well aware by the time their mother died that he and tristan would be more or less on their own, with amira and their grandmother forming an unbreaking bond and trhusting them the boys out into the cold. but godfrey didn't intend to freeze. he didn't mean to let tristan do so either, and he knew that as tristan grew, he'd prove a great asset to him. while his love is certainly genuine, he also feels that tristan owes him, viewing his little brother almost as his leal swordarm, and cultivating in him a wish to please.

it is from godfrey that tristan has inherited his idealistic nature, and it is smth that godfrey has also v specifically cultivated in him. this was not, however, for selfish reasons. godfrey is, in his own way, a zealot willing to do most anything to feed a better world, and he wished to see his little brother as the first citizen of that new world he would forge, a final gift to their mother. he also wanted to prove that he could, indeed, put good into the world, and tristan was -- to borrow a phrase -- the first pancake.

before edmund, you see, i sort of think godfrey saw tristan as the future's hero through whom godfrey would see the world restored to good. edmund, however, presented an even more promising candidate, and i do think that godfrey abandoned tristan a bit when edmund was born. while tristan never knew what godfrey was planning, precisely, he knew that he'd once been the center of his brother's world and had somehow lost his shine, leaving tristan feeling rather adrift. godfrey is only partially aware of this and, while he cares about his little brother, the truth is that he simply cares about the future he's going to create, more. if tristan must be the first casualty, so it must be. godfrey believes that, after all, he is ultimately doing this for everyone's good: tristan's included.

godfrey still feels tristan will have an important role to play, as his strong right arm and swordhand, and as edmund's eventual sworn shield. he does believe there is a good likelihood that tristan will die in pursuit of this cause, and while that will break godfrey's heart, he believes it would be selfish of him to turn away bc he might lose a brother, even if his brother is indeed a good man. the future is simply more important than any one life.

nonetheless, were he to inadvertently facilitate his brother's death, it would be the chiefest of his many sins and, while godfrey doesn't fully appreciate this, it would cause him to spiral. the truth is, godfrey is just as guilty of taking tristan for granted as his mother and sister are guilty of taking godfrey for granted -- a thing for which godfrey has never forgiven them. edmund is his hope, but tristan is ultimately godfrey's guidepost and advisor when it comes to remaining on the straight and narrow, and he would lose his way without him. but the irony of this is that godfrey cannot see it.

[doodlebob54]

Im giving some head canon's about peasful and other characters

- Peasley

He is very good with romance and flirting but gets easily flustered . He's queer(i think that is how you spell it. I'm not sure about the pronouns). First crush, Luigi, plus it's the first time he got rejected. Second on is Fawful, but he wanted to start as friends to earn each others trust. Peasly needs to keep it a secret because he is afraid of what will happen if someone finds out. Their entire relationship is peasly: i can fix him, fawful: i can make him worse. his nickname is peas. He is fake blonde. Actually, he has purple hair like his mother .Has British accent

-Fawful

Bad at flirting, trying his best , usually makes dinner /Peasley is bad at cooking/ hes an Asexual and gay[yes they exist] doesn't trust the prince fully. He lives with his half-brother Popple , doesn't get easily flustered. Underneath those glasses are two pale blue eyes. Both Peasly and Fawful have massive egos. He still misses Cackletta, and sometimes, he likes to think what she will say if she sees him right now, but it can also be a scary thoth. Fawful likes mustered and Peasly likes mayonnaise. Peasly and Fawful, more like ADHD VS AUTISM. He also likes working on his machines when not in the shop. Fawful nickname is faff. Has a German accent

-Popple

Popple is bisexual and has a small crush on local designer Mimi. He lives with his lille, bro ... on the couch, to be precise. Is the biggest peasful shipper supporting his little bro all the way, helps paying bills legally? Will spy on their date to make sure everything goes smooth and no one figures them out will be a distraction if necessary. Claimed that he dated before, no one believed him. Gives dating advice to faff. Has French accent.

-Queen Bean/Magnificent (that's the name i gave her)

Is bisexual preference for girls, Peasly mom doesn't know about the relationship between her son and Cacklettas minion. Her personality is Queen Coral and Princess Blaze( both from wings of fire) combined loves sparkle objects and colours oringe and purple American accent.

-Mimi

Works as the fashion designer,recently moved in Bean Bean kindom obsessing over boys gives of sassy aunt vibes adores curling her hair and decorating it, nearly always wears high heels and gloves has at least one thousand dresses extremely arrogant. She is bilingual, knows Japanese English and French, and uses all types of makeup.

-Cackletta

She is dead, so whatever

[amarantine-amirite]

Impostor Syndrome

The following is an interview that came from the last issue of Divergent magazine before the failure of MyntBank.

It's a well-known fact that autistic people struggle with job interviews. During interviews, an autistic person must mimic a neurotypical person all the time. Hiring managers watch for signs of dishonesty, which sometimes look like symptoms of autism.

Many argue that job interviews inherently select against autistic people in favor of neurotypicals. Some people go as far as to say that any autistic person that gets a job after completing a successful job interview was almost always hired by accident. Those who disagree with this theory argue you don't need to mimic a neurotypical that much when you already have the job. You just need to mimic part of the time. If you do a good enough job, you don't have to mimic a neurotypical at all. Coworkers will put up with your weird behavior just because you're good at your job.

Today, we're talking to Judith (not her real name), a 24 year old college graduate on the spectrum who had accidentally been hired by MyntBank on two separate occasions.

Divergent: Can you describe the interview process for MyntBank?

Judith: I got my job at MyntBank through a new grad rotation program. Two minutes before the scheduled interview time, the person who contacted me with the interview information told me her colleague will do it instead of her, but he is up to speed. Right out of the gate, he says that we have to do it one way due to an unstable internet connection. He talked nonstop for precisely one hour.

He referenced news stories that people wouldn't talk about after a few weeks that were at least 3 months old. He targeted his speech not to me, but to a large audience. I asked if it was a recording and then I signed off.

I must've done something right because I got the rotation job. They didn't even ask for my transcript.

Divergent: What was the internship like?

Judith: My rotation began with Business Intelligence for Equity Research, next I worked in ML Engineering for Business Banking, and finally, Data and Analytics for Derivatives. I learned something very important: capital markets executives view ML engineers as smart, data scientists as lazy, and business intelligence as complainers.

Now, you would think that capital markets executives have respect for data scientists because we're the ones uncovering fancy new ways for the Bank to make money. Well, you would also be wrong. They don't really understand us. We exist outside the hierarchy of analyst, associate, and managing director, but at the same time are paid at the same echelon as the people high on the food chain.

Data science is not a job that has a lot of fires. If anything, you start the fires that the ML engineers and risk managers have to put out. Everybody thinks that scientists do nothing because they don't have to hustle.

The C-Suite people brag about working 60, 70, or even 80 hours a week. They think that those who aren't working 75 hour weeks are lazy. They are diametrically opposed to working smarter instead of harder. Good luck getting them to understand that the mandate for a data scientist is to follow the evidence where it leads and think about stuff. The work of a data scientist suffers if they have to hustle.

Divergent: How did you go from your internship to a full time position with Mynt?

Judith: During my data analytics rotation, I got a term project requiring me to look for signals representing unusual market behavior. The Bank prohibited anybody from using pip install on their machines because a disgruntled employee in the back office used pip install to load libraries that they use to build a virus that crippled the KYC system. Getting rid of pip install meant that nobody could use Python for their work anymore. Given that Python is the coding lingua franca of the finance world, this decision would spell disaster for the organization.

Because the Bank got rid of pip install, I had to write my own imbalance sampling algorithm to finish the work on my project. I implemented it in such a way that it had a linear run time. I deployed the imbalance sampling algorithm for the first time right before a long weekend. It took 72 hours to train the model I was working on, which meant my computer was running all weekend. Upper management interpreted that as me burning the midnight oil over a holiday weekend.

I got invited to a lunch interview with the head of the data analytics department. They considered me for a role with the signal integration working group. Lunch included some salad and mashed potatoes with peas mixed in, supposedly to "test the emotional maturity of candidates." Even though I got very upset about the peas touching the potatoes, I still got a full time job with that group.

Divergent: Was it easier to manage your autism during your internship or during the full-time job?

Judith: A month into my new job, they came up with a new rule requiring masks on zoom calls. The rationale they gave us was that employees feel there is less discrimination between nice looking versus bad looking people. Wearing a mask puts video call participants all on the same level.

There's a problem with that. Masking on zoom calls robs employees ability to read lips. I have a disability that impairs my ability to process spoken language. We don't have captions on our zoom calls because captioning introduces its own privacy concerns as the video conferencing system we used at the time records dialogue to generate the captions.

I am far from the only person who has this issue. That working group had seven people, three of them are deaf, and the other four (myself included, by the way) had neurological disabilities where they need to see the mouth for communication.

I keep the "I'm having dental work done" in my pocket for skipping meetings . It's perfect. Nobody questions it and everybody can relate to it. I used that excuse for the first time, but I didn't get the reaction I expected. "Stop eating so much crap".

I couldn't understand what anyone was wearing because everyone was masked and there were no subtitles, so I accidentally agreed to this signal processing project where I had to decompose time series of alternative indicators for a given market (in this case, the derivatives market) into constituent signals, overlay the results against that of a synthetic best or worst case scenario, and develop a modeling strategy to predict whether the current picture would evolve into a good or bad scenario.

It was interesting, but it raised a lot of questions that require a lot of labor to get the data to answer them and you don't always know whether or not you've gone down a rabbit hole. Usually, you can surmise when you're going to go down a rabbit hole before it actually happens, but you can't do that here because you don't know what you don't know. It was also a really sensitive project. If you end up down a rabbit hole and out of sight of the main idea, it has the potential to be catastrophic.

Divergent: How do they find out they hired you by mistake not once, but twice?

Judith: I had to present my results on a surprise call. I couldn't for the life of me explain my analysis methods to the banking regulator. If you struggle to explain your analysis method to the regulator, you're cooked. Their first inclination is to look for signs of dishonesty.

Regulators don't like modeling strategies that involve lots of steps. They don't like stuff that's poorly explained. They really hated my explanation of my modeling strategy because it sounded suspiciously like market manipulation.

The bank got fined $14 billion that they had to pay by close of business the following day. They didn't pay up. It takes their billing department in Cameroon 18 months to pay for stuff and that includes fines.

After they finally got that fine paid, they decided that the whole debacle was my fault. They called me into this meeting with a bunch of executives. They had the CEO at one under the table and me at the other, and all of them glared at me. It was pretty horrifying.

They said they tried to fire me but it didn't go through. The head of human resources looked into it a little bit further and it turned out that I have been hired by accident for both the internship and the full-time role. the head of the internship program spoke up and said I accepted the offer of employment before the computer glitch that sent out the letter was rectified. The head of the data analytics department admitted to hiring me because, as he put it, "I could only remember her name because she caught food in her boobs."

Divergent: Have you been able to find a job since then?

Judith: Not really, no. I've been working with an employment counselor, applying to whatever jobs I can find, and I'm struggling to get a callback. I don't know if it's because the people at Mynt have blackballed me or if the market dried up. I hope I get something soon.

[canis-rex-lupus]

GUYS I HAVE TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY. MY OLD PSYCHONAUTS OC. RIGHT NOW

his name is

philbert funk.

this is him right here in fact. it's very old art but i still like it. there will be even more art of him later in the post...

click the read more to learn his JUICY backstory ok?

ahhhh good to see u. so glad ur interested in my philbert let me tell u about him.

PHILBERT!!! FUNK!!!! was an employee at psychonauts hq, and a hell of a good one at that. he was an inventor slash researcher, like otto mentalis, who he even got to work with on occasion. he'd invent psychic gadgets to enhance existing powers - things like telekinesis extender headbands that let you pick up more objects at once or telepathy mufflers shaped like earmuffs to get some peace and quiet without having to stick around in an isolation chamber (you can guess who that one was for). he was a quick learner and a hard worker who refused to let ANY job of his turn out less than perfect. real high standards - maybe worryingly so. he skipped a LOT of sleep to keep up his momentum. he was ambitious, VERY ambitious, and liked to test the limits of both his inventions and himself.

problem is, when you make overperforming your baseline, people expect a hell of a lot more out of you than they should - and most certainly more than he could deliver. the popularity his work earned him turned out to be more of a curse than a blessing as he worked himself to the bone trying to invent more and more impressive things to win approval again and again. what started out as a simple curiosity and love for science turned into the desperate need to keep things up lest he disappoint everyone.

philbert funk flew too close to the sun.

one of his greatest fascinations was animal telepathy - he had none. he'd always been, admittedly, BURNINGLY jealous of those who could speak with animals, as zoology was a special interest of his for...well, forever. so the idea occurred: what if there was a way to fabricate the power by making your dna more compatible with the animal you want to communicate with? if your brain chemistry is altered to be more similar, maybe it would be easier to make the connection for those who don't do so naturally, like himself. he creates a big elaborate machine meant to intertwine your dna with an animal by having it read the animal's pattern and then manipulating your dna to its shape. around summer 1981 he test runs it in front of everyone in a fancy tech demo using a goat, his favorite animal!

IT DOES NOT .... go well.

he comes out with a goat face, the goat comes out with a HUMAN FACE, both are in critical condition cause hello it's a machine that TWISTS YOUR DNA, everyone freaks. phil is immediately written off as a danger to himself and others and fired as soon as he's stable enough to leave the infirmary. blacklisted too. he's made to leave and no one sees him again....

.....UNTIL!!!!!!!

couple years later, now 1983 (just a few months after raz gets into the biz officially), otto sends raz on a little fetch quest to an old building on the edge of the woods - it used to be a facility for testing gadgets or scientific studies or whatever but it went out of commission due to budget cuts shortly after phil was fired and hasn't been touched since. it's a cut and dry mission. go find the place, get the tools otto wanted, come back. right?

ummm. wrong. cause tools aren't the only thing in there.

that's right babey. the funkatron has been hiding out in there for YEARS! two of them. to be precise. living off scraps and whatever he can find in the woods, all to stay and try to fix his machine so he can turn himself and poor greff normal again, hoping it would be enough for the psychonauts to forgive him and maybe, just maybe, take him back. and GOD does he look ROUGH!!!!

like the pic implies he doesn't actually feel all that messed up about what he did to himself (though he does feel bad for greff -- he gave that thing a human consciousness and now it has to be self aware forever) cause like. hey! it didn't go exactly as planned but it was one hell of a scientific feat. he just wishes he hadn't been so stupid and reckless; he lost the respect of his compatriots and idols AND lost his dream job, and rightfully so.

despite not outwardly showing a lot of guilt (still being able to be lighthearted about it and all), raz sees for himself that poor phil's mind is a MESS. it's a courtroom and the same hearing happens over and over and over. prosecution shows off the memories of the day of the machine demo as evidence, no one's there to defend him, he admits guilt, repeat cycle. the judge always gives him a chance to say something else but he ALWAYS pleads guilty. he is, but hanging onto the guilt forever isn't gonna help anyone so raz has to jump in and be his defense lawyer and do a sick phoenix wright like maneuver to finally convince him to break the cycle, pointing out that while he IS at fault he's not helping anything by dwelling on it and he needs to move on. raz finally gets philbert out of his............... funk B) IM the funniest guy on earth it's me.

raz does a lot of convincing and phil pulls off his best puppy eyes and it ALMOST doesn't work but greff steps in to vouch for him (he DID dedicate the past two years of his life just to try and help it) and hq agrees to take him back and get him on a rehab and therapy program since...he. hasn't talked to any human beings in 2 years he needs a little re-acclimating. while he's getting used to normal life again he gains some new interests like gardening! and crochet! since they don't really want him engineering again quiiiiite yet... but i think he's welcomed back after an initial period of wariness and he works hard to earn back people's trust and finally keeps a healthy work life balance 😋 and from then on he joins the ranks of the psychonauts' cool old guy club

THAT is my philbert story... thank you oh so much for listening. i just remembered about him today and i got so excited. psychonauts ocs are oh so much fun

[nextlaw]

Ontario DUI: Can You Trust Breath Test Results?

Breathalyzer tests are vital in Ontario DUI cases but can be inaccurate. Police use these devices to check a driver's BAC. They see if it exceeds the legal limit. But, debates and legal challenges arise due to possible errors. This article explains breathalyzer tests. It covers their role in Ontario DUI cases, factors that affect accuracy, and ways to challenge the evidence. Its goal is to raise awareness about their limitations.

How Breathalyzer Tests Work

Breathalyzers estimate BAC by measuring the alcohol in a person's breath. When a person drinks alcohol, some of it enters the bloodstream. It makes its way to the lungs. As the blood passes through the lungs, the body exhales alcohol that evaporates into the air sacs. There are two main types of breath-testing devices used in Ontario: 1. Approved Screening Devices (ASDs): These are portable devices used for roadside testing. They provide a pass, warn, or fail result rather than a specific BAC number. 2. Approved Instruments: These are advanced machines at police stations. They get precise BAC readings for court use as evidence. Ontario relies on the Intoxilyzer 8000C for breath testing.

Legal Limits and Testing Procedures in Ontario

The legal BAC limit for fully licensed drivers in Ontario is 0.08%. However, drivers can face penalties at lower levels: - 0.05% - 0.08%: 3-day license suspension for a first occurrence - Over 0.08%: Criminal Code charges There is zero tolerance for novice drivers and those under 21. When law enforcement pulls over a driver on suspicion of impaired driving, the typical procedure is: - Roadside screening with an ASD if the officer has a reasonable suspicion of alcohol consumption. - If the driver fails the ASD test or shows clear signs of impairment, they are arrested and taken to the police station. - At the police station, the driver must provide at least two breath samples on an approved instrument, usually about 15-20 minutes apart.

Factors Affecting Breathalyzer Accuracy

While breathalyzers are widely used, several factors can affect their accuracy: Calibration and Maintenance: Breathalyzers require regular calibration and maintenance to ensure accuracy. Improper calibration can lead to false readings. Residual Mouth Alcohol: Recent alcohol use, burping, or regurgitation can leave alcohol in the mouth. This may cause falsely high readings. This is why officers are supposed to observe the subject for 15-20 minutes before testing. Medical Conditions: Some conditions, like acid reflux or diabetes, can affect breathalyzer results. Interference from Other Substances: Some foods, medications, and oral hygiene products may affect breathalyzer readings. User Error: Improper use of the device by the officer can lead to inaccurate results. Environmental Factors: Temperature, air pressure, and electromagnetic interference can affect some breathalyzer devices.

Accuracy Rates and Margin of Error

Minor discrepancies can be significant in DUI cases. This is especially true for readings near the legal limit. For example, if a person's BAC is 0.07% but the breathalyzer shows 0.08%, it could mean the difference between an admin penalty and criminal charges.

Challenging Breathalyzer Evidence in Court

Given the potential inaccuracy, breathalyzer evidence can sometimes be challenged in court. Some potential grounds for challenge include: Lack of Reasonable Suspicion: The officer must have suspected the driver had alcohol for the initial roadside test. If this can be disputed, the subsequent evidence may be excluded. Procedural Errors: If the police did not follow proper procedures, the results could be invalid. For example, they must observe the driver for a required time before the test. Calibration and Maintenance Issues: Improper records of the breathalyzer's calibration or maintenance could doubt its accuracy. Right to Counsel: In Canada, individuals have the legal right to speak to a lawyer before providing a breath sample at the police station. If this right is violated, the breathalyzer evidence could be excluded. Technical Issues: In some cases, expert testimony has been used to challenge the reliability of specific breathalyzer models. For instance, in a 2014 case, charges were dismissed after an expert testified about flaws in the Intoxilyzer 8000C.

The Importance of Legal Representation

Given the complexities of breathalyzer evidence and DUI law, it's crucial for those charged to seek experienced legal help. A knowledgeable DUI lawyer can: - Examine the circumstances of the stop and arrest for any procedural errors. - Review breathalyzer maintenance and calibration records. - Consider potential alternative explanations for high readings. - Assess whether your Charter rights were respected throughout the process. - Potentially challenge the admissibility or reliability of the breathalyzer evidence in court.

Conclusion

Breathalyzer tests are key in enforcing impaired driving laws in Ontario, but they are not infallible. Various factors can affect their accuracy, and several potential avenues exist for challenging breathalyzer evidence in court. If you face a DUI, Impaired Driving, Over 80 or a Refusal to Take a Breath Test charge, it's crucial to understand your rights and the potential limitations of breathalyzer evidence. Seeking prompt legal advice can ensure the best possible outcome in your case. https://youtu.be/j6BUC1dLPq8 Read the full article

[fxproptech]

The Two-Edged Sword of Algorithmic Trading (Algo Trading)

The past several years have seen the automation of financial markets undergo a sea change. The underlying theme for this change has been led by algorithmic trading. Today, almost every investor, from the institutional one to the smallest trader, finds it hard to resist the temptation of using algorithms for speed, precision, and efficiency in trade execution. Indeed, as in any technology, though the benefits are massive, underneath the complexity there lies pitfalls that must be appreciated if the full impact of algo trading on the financial ecosystem and its participants is to be enjoyed.

The pure form of algorithmic trading involves the use of computer algorithms to fully automate the trading process. In other words, it will give way for these algorithms to follow a certain set of rules and parameters in making trades that have to be executed on real-time market data. It may optimize numerous things, from maximization of profits or minimization of risks to executions with minimum market impacts.

The history of algo trading can be traced back to the late 20th century, with its foundations in the early electronic trading systems that started appearing in the 1970s and 1980s. Still, it was not until the early 2000s that algorithmic trading really came to the fore, impelled by improvements in computer power, the growth of high-frequency firms, and increasing accessibility to real-time market data.

The Rise of Algorithm Trading

The major reason why algo trading has grown to be so exponential is that it can process reams of data, turning them into trades at speeds unimaginable to any human trader. Such speed, in financial markets where prices change in milliseconds, might make quite a big difference in an opportunity cost or in a missed profitable trade.

Furthermore, algorithms can run 24/7 without getting tired; therefore, they are most suitable for the global markets that never sleep. They can further rid us of emotional biases of human traders. Fear, greed, overconfidence—these are all emotions that can lead you to act irrationally, but algorithms, being purely logical, nullify such pitfalls.

Another large benefit is the ability to backtest strategies. Before an algorithm is used in live trading, it can be run on historical data to see how well it would perform. This enables the trader to tinker with his or her strategy in a bid to enhance its strength and ability to withstand different market conditions.

The Human Element: Designing and Monitoring Algorithms

While algo trading may seem to be a purely technical affair, the human element is there. After all, algorithms are not written by themselves, but by people who then keep an eye on them. It creates one interesting dichotomy at the very root of this: while algorithms can eliminate some of the human mistakes from trading, in fact, they are still subject to the mistakes and prejudices of the people who create them.

An effective trading algorithm is designed by being well-versed in the financial markets and computer science. It usually starts from developing a trading strategy and then realizing this strategy in a form of rules that an algorithm will employ. Such rules might be derived from technical indicators, statistical models, or anybody's guess at machine learning techniques.

After deploying the algorithm, it has to be constantly monitored and adjusted to keep its effectiveness. The market is highly dynamic, and what was in effect today or even yesterday may not be in effect tomorrow. For this reason, traders and developers have to be vigilant, ready to step in to correct deviations from expected behavior at any time.

Risks and Challenges

Although algo trading has a large number of advantages, there are also great risks related to it. One of the major problems that may arise is an unforeseen consequence: algorithms are sometimes capable of acting unpredictably, specifically in cases of those market conditions with which they have not been initially designed to deal. This can cause a "flash crash" in the market, where it plunges suddenly, only to recover again just as suddenly.

An outstanding example occurred May 6, 2010, when the U.S. stock market had a flash crash that sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average to lose almost 1,000 points in just minutes. Later, this event was ascribed to high-frequency trading, but it was seen as warning other potential dangers of too much reliance upon automated systems.

Another danger is the possibility of market manipulation. Though regulations are in place to outlaw such activities, the current modern market has vulnerabilities that algorithms can exploit unintentionally. Some algorithms are created to benefit from market inefficiencies, which though not necessarily illegal, could still effect market stability.

Also, the sheer volume of trades by algorithms in combination with speed makes it way worse regarding market volatility. With just one mistake trade, or a bug in the system, such algorithms can set off a whole chain of reactions which may spiral out of control really fast in a fully automated marketplace.

The ethical concern

Algorithmic trading growth comes with important ethical dilemmas. With markets getting ever more automated, there is mistrust that the benefits of algo trading flow overly to the large institutions at the expense of other small investors. For example, high-frequency trading firms can afford to invest in the very fastest technology and processes of acquiring the very best data, giving them very large advantages over individual traders and very small firms.

This has created a debate about fairness in the financial markets. Some argue that algo trading is just a natural progression of trading technology and that, in essence, most anyone with the needed resources can partake. Others feel it just tilts the playing field toward whoever has the most advanced technology—who can, thus, exploit the system to their advantage.

This opacity also poses an issue in terms of transparency. The companies developing these algorithms regard them as their secret, closely guarded, proprietary treasures. This lack of transparency can make it challenge for regulators to learn precisely how the algorithms are operating and that indeed they are not participating in unethical and possibly illegal practices.

The Future of Algorithmic Trading

These future algorithmic trading shall run under these light features brought about by the development of technology. One of the greatest features shall be attributed to a greater use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These have the potential to make algorithms much more sophisticated and able to learn from their gaffes, potentially lowering some of the risks associated with rule-based algorithms that are traditional.

AI algorithms are able to sift through large volumes of unstructured data, from news articles to social-media posts and even satellite images, to make more informed trading decisions. It therefore empowers more nuanced and adaptive trading strategies to better handle the intricacies of contemporary financial markets.

The second trend is the democratization of algo trading. New platforms and tools have made algo trading so much more accessible to individual traders. Retail traders now have access to different new platforms to enable them to create and deploy their own algorithms without necessarily having to understand the programming about the financial markets. This may level the playing field slightly, but it also increases the risk of inexperienced traders deploying badly designed algorithms.

Conclusion: The Two-Edged Sword Algorithmic trading is more of a double-edged sword when it comes to finance. On one hand, it offers huge benefits in terms of speed, efficiency, and the ability to lay off trading decisions free from emotions; on the other hand, it adds new, major risks and challenges. That has to be managed carefully.

For those in algorithmic trading—be they developers, traders, or regulators—this presents a need to strike a balance: to accept the advantages emerging through technological innovations while also keeping an eye on technology's possible perils. As a matter of fact, with market change, the human influence in the design, monitoring, and regulation of these algorithms will be more pronounced than ever.

Finally, the algorithms could process the data and make trades even more quickly than any human could, but the wisdom and judgment that come along with human experience could never be replaced. In the high-octane world of finance, where fortunes can be made and lost in mere milliseconds, the balance between human intuition and machine precision will prove crucial in order to navigate successfully this new landscape.

[beato001]

The Best Glucose Meter for You

Blood glucose monitoring is crucial, and it is being used day in and day out in the process of better controlling diabetes. After one is diagnosed with diabetes, it must become a matter of priority to get good glucometers, because without it, monitoring blood glucose regularly cannot be possible. If you have been recently diagnosed with the condition or want to upgrade your present device, the best way to work with your diabetes is to choose what’s best for you. Herein, we will discuss the best glucose meters available — based on factors such as accuracy, ease of operation, and price for a glucometer. We are also covering a bit of information on continuous glucose monitoring systems and the ways they can enhance one’s health.

Understanding Glucometers

A glucometer, otherwise referred to as a glucose meter, is a device used to tell the quantity of glucose in your blood. It is an important device for people suffering from diabetes in that it helps them monitor their blood sugar levels and, thereby, manage their disease rightly. Broadly, there are two types of blood glucometers in the market: the traditional blood glucose meters and the more modern continuous glucose monitors.

Considerations to Make When Choosing a Glucometer

1. Accuracy : Basically the reason for acquiring a glucometer machine is to have the right readings. Look for those that have been validated by the competent authorities, and those with positive user reviews in this preciseness.

2. Ease of Utilization : A glucometer should be pretty easy to use, even for those who may not be so much tech-savvy. It should come with features like large displays, good navigation, that is, no use of buttons or a minimum number of buttons to enhance such utilization.

3. Sample Size and Testing Time : Current designs of glucometers require very small samples of blood and can produce test results within seconds. This ensures convenience and minimizes discomfort to the user.

4. Memory and Managing Data : The ability of the glucometer to save readings and compare them to results over some period of time is very important. Some of these can even connect to apps or cloud services to assist in management and sharing with healthcare providers.

5. Cost and Insurance: The cost of the Glucometer can vary drastically. Take into consideration the cost of the device and the cost of the strips , as well as what your insurance will cover.

6. Special Features: There are meters that offer added features such as testing for ketones, alternate site testing, or high-low reading alarms.

Top Glucometers in the Market

1. Dr. Morepen Gluco

This is where doctor-recommended Dr. Morepen Gluco can be of great help. It is precise, easy to operate, and has a sleek design with an oversized display for easy reading. It also comes with memory functionality, which retains readings for a period in order to monitor blood sugar levels.

2. BeatO CURV Glucometer

It is peerless in design and smart connectivity. The BeatO CURV Glucometer is connected through an app on mobile phones, enabling users to collect data on readings and, when necessary, share the readings directly with healthcare providers. It provides relevant health insights.

The BeatO SMART Glucometer is compact, portable, plugs into your smartphone, and yet it provides fast and accurate readings, along with another very nice feature: data syncing to the BeatO app, which allows for health management at ease on the go.

4. RGB Sinocare Safe Accu 2

The Sinocare Safe Accu 2 is valued for its high accuracy, being very user-friendly, and requires only a small drop of blood before it delivers its results in just a few seconds. In addition to that, it has big display space and holds many readings.

5. **AccuSure Sensor Glucometer

The AccuSure Sensor Glucometer is a dependable choice for anyone in need of a basic device. This meter has the advantage of providing results quickly, plus it is easy to navigate for any age group. It further features a backlit display for perfect reading environments with low illumination.

6. Contour Plus Blood Glucose

The Contour Plus Blood Glucose meter is appreciated for its accuracy and highly advanced features. It only requires a very small sample size of blood and gives accurate results in seconds. It also has a smart feature that enables second-chance sampling if the first taken sample is insufficient

If you are looking for a more advanced feature set or would simply like the peace of mind, the Contour Plus Elite Blood Glucose meter will be a good pick. Accurate to the hilt, with an astute app for data tracking, the device further extends with advanced usability towards alarms for both high and low values, which certainly increase its safety.

 Glucometer Model, Price Range, (INR) Test Strip Price ,INR per 

Dr. Morepen Gluco 800–1,200 ,10–15 

 BeatO CURV Glucometer 1,300–1,800 ,15–20 

 BeatO SMART Glucometer 1,000–1,500 ,15–20 

 RGB Sinocare Safe Accu 2 ,800–1,200 ,8–12 

 AccuSure Sensor Glucometer 600–1,000 ,10–15 

 Contour Plus Blood Glucose 1,000–1,500 ,20–25 

 Contour Plus Elite Blood Glucose ,1,500–2,000 ,20–25 

How to Use a Glucometer

It is straightforward to use a glucometer, but there are correct steps to follow so as to get accurate readings:

1. Wash Your Hands : Dirty hands can give false results.

2. Prepare the Device : Insert your test strip in your glucometer.

3. Pierce Your Finger : Use the lancet to get a small drop of blood.

4. Apply Blood to the Strip : Touch the edge of the test strip to the drop of blood. The glucometer will draw in the sample.

5. Wait for Results to Appear : Allow the glucometer to take a second to display the count of your glucose level.

6. Note the Count: Write down the result in a log or application program that will store past test results for future reference.

Conclusion

The best glucometer for you would, therefore, be the one that best serves your needs, preferences, and budget. Some of the more traditional glucometers available on the market are the Dr. Morepen Gluco, BeatO CURV Glucometer, BeatO SMART Glucometer, RGB Sinocare Safe Accu 2, AccuSure Sensor Glucometer, Contour Plus Blood Glucose, and Contour Plus Elite Blood Glucose — each boasting its own degree of accuracy and user-friendliness for the price one is willing to pay. Those, though, who have an interest in overall monitoring will find a continuous flow of data in CGM systems such as the Freestyle Libre 2, with some added conveniences.

You need to take into account readability, accuracy, ease of use, sample size, memory, and price when choosing your device. Proper and consistent monitoring with a good glucometer or CGM system is the hallmark of good diabetes management, one being able to make appropriate health decisions, always under the advice of his or her doctor, in determining the best glucometer for his or her unique needs and how to use it the right way to ensure the most accurate readings.

[gothprentiss]

Any/all of the following for the fic writer's ask game please!

21, 22, 23

hi! this took a while because i had to rustle up my big draft from summer (sparse posting year this year, i'm realizing) and then figure out where i'd actually stowed the thing. harrowing! i thought i'd lost months of work and research!

21. Share your favorite piece of dialogue

omitting here the long handwringing session over how much i struggle and suffer with dialogue, which i am bad at and struggle with and suffer over and so on. i spent a lot of this summer trying to write conversation with tv prosody & patter, which i find very difficult. most of the time i write dialogue with the hope that the fic around it will justify it lol. oh look i didn't omit very much did i. anyway, this is from my big draft-- i find claudia so hard to write.

“Oh my GOD.” Claudia slid slowly down the doorframe and sunk her head between her knees. Muffled: “Myka, you have to be nice to me. I drank, like, enough coffee to kill a horse, maybe by drowning, to get myself up here. I think my heart rate’s like 200.” “What? Why?” “Like, for the other kind of liquid courage. High-octane liquid stupidity or something.” “That’s still alcohol.” “Fuck! Don’t—see! This is the thing! You’re supposed to be correcting me! I’m not supposed to be up here to—to ask you why you’ve been—ignoring everyone and sneaking around with artifacts. It’s—” She sighed, still in her knees, then rolled her head up to stare horizontally at Myka. Her hair was slatted over her face but she didn’t seem to notice. “It’s not supposed to be you doing that.”

23. Share the final version of a sentence or paragraph you struggled with. What about it was challenging? Are you happy with how it turned out?

from A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism: “In many ways, I’m glad not to be a product of your age,” Helena said quietly. “The horizon of my aspirations— it would have been quite close, and well-defined. I might have busied myself building larger and larger spinning contraptions, obsessing over wormholes… but instead I thought, if time were manipulable, then it would be totally manipulable. Either it would be traversable in the same way as space, as the two would be cognate laws, or it would be traversed as a matter of substitution between those parts of uniform space and attendant time which were, theoretically, precisely the same.” She pursed her lips, somewhere between pouting and musing. “It could have been quite good for simple travel, too, if one had a fondness for whistle-stop tours.” Myka had wondered why Helena’s time machine didn’t work like H.G. Wells’. Her hypothesis had been that Charles simply didn’t get it, and had made some shit up instead. But no— it had been the first attempt. It was easy to see, in that light, how the Time Traveler was Helena all along, a daring cosmopolite of space-time; a relic of an optimistic youth.

i remember starting this whole bit of the fic with the desire to write a philosophical conversation between myka and hg that was actually functional (jury's still out for the final chapter lol), and also a really deep desire to use the word cosmopolite (an extremely self-serving hat tip to victorian cosmopolitanism). i think i'm good with how the metaphysics angle turned out-- relatively legible, and i don't reread it and wonder what the fuck i thought was going on lol-- and i like the whistle-stop tours line even though it feels somewhat impenetrable now (idea being you could travel anywhere but only for the time that the time machine permitted). idk! i think i struggle to balance my deep belief in the natural complexity of... well. complex things with my desire to be an efficient writer and communicator. i think this is one of my better moments or at least a foundational learning moment.

[kiltyswitch]

A Ride of Thanks

This may be the last ride of the season. The weather just happened to smile on us. I'm thankful for the day; for the weather; for my family; for my wife's love, generosity and support; for my near-perfect motorcycle (for the purpose); for my warm comfortable protective gear; for my ability to ride; for my interest in motorcycling; for my passion for the activity; for my good fortune to live in an area so conducive to this particular form of recreation; and the wherewithal to make it happen.

That's a lot of thankfulness.

Two motorcycles, a father and his Son. Some of the most motorcycle-conducive roads in the hemisphere. We kit up and leave from our cozy cottage on the river. Heading north out of my adoptive hometown. Bracebridge could well be the subject of a Norman Rockwell painting. This town of 16,000 souls is blessed with more waterfalls within its town limits than any other municipality of its size in North America. On our way North, our first order of business is to turn off the Main Street onto High Falls Road. This thoroughfare is the perfect blend of new smooth pavement, sweeping curves, hundreds of feet of elevation. Not to mention scenery; and this weekend, crowned by the Autumn colours at their absolute peak. A sculptor couldn't have crafted a more perfectly proportioned model to place in the middle of the prettiest cottage country in the world.

We take The King's Highway #11 north ( yes, King, that's what the sign says, crown and all), past Huntsville. We turned west onto Highway #518. This highway was resurfaced the previous year, transforming it into a physicist's dream of g-force, adhesion, velocity, gravity, and ensuing engineering. All those theories I don't pretend to understand. That Newton guy was onto something.

I tuck in behind my Son on my nimble V-Strom, bowing to his skill, and his Honda VFR's larger displacement and precise handling. The leaves dance; disturbed in the wake of his rear tire. A pirouette intended for us, as if to urge us on in support of today's endeavour. A brief reprieve after their descent from their brilliant earlier display, before their eternal sleep.

On to Orrville, and the quaintest coffee shop east of Seattle. Not a Bistro, oh no, a Barista no less. Seemly in the middle of nowhere. At the convergence of some of the most significant motorcycle roads in this, my neck of the woods. A welcome stop on our journey. Apparently we are not the only ones to claim exclusivity. We begrudgingly admit it doesn't exist solely for our pleasure. Judging from all the helmets, jackets and boots, we are not alone in our route planning. Right off the bat we are approached by three like-minded enthusiasts mounted on an eclectic mix of Yamaha, BMW and Ducati. They are already inquisitive and complimentary on their way towards us across the parking lot.

"Is that the Interceptor?"

"Oh, it's the 25th Anniversary Edition."

It doesn't hurt my feelings in the least their accolades are directed towards Sam's bike instead of mine. I'm proud of and happy for him.

Spirited banter ensues...cubic centimetres; handling; power to weight ratios; lean angles; chicken strips ( if you have to ask). The topics continue on to routes of choice; close calls; comparisons of severity of past injuries.

This age-old form of one-upmanship soon exhausts itself as we don our helmets; eager to test limits of man and machine on the next leg of today's adventure as the trio fills the void inside the Barista vacated by us. The ritual of emptying bladders and refilling of same with hot Maple Latte specialty coffee.

Where to next? Parry Sound, Rosseau, Peninsula Road towards Port Carling?

Could life get any better on this iconic Autumn day in the heart of my beautiful Province within the immense splendour of the Dominion of Canada?

Wayne Ross

p.p. Kilty Switch

[ideallegaltranslation]

Difference between interpreting service and translation service and its advantages.

There is a big difference between an interpreting service and a translation service. Interpreting service is interpreting what the speaker said in the target language in real-time, while translation service is translating a text from one language to another. The translation is a long and difficult process while interpreting is a short and spontaneous process. Translation service in dubai is one of the best translation services &  has some advantages over interpreting service.

What is the difference between interpreting and translation services?

The distinction between interpreting and translation services is often unclear. While some people consider them the same, others see them as two entirely different services. In truth, there is a significant difference between the two.

Interpretation services in Dubai involve converting spoken words from one language to another in real-time. This means the interpreter must listen to the speaker and immediately repeat what they said in the other language. Translating written text from one language to another is a translation service. Either a machine or a person can carry out this.

The primary distinction between live interpreting and written translation services is that the former provides a service. While translators do not require the same level of expertise, interpreters must be aware of cultural differences and have the flexibility to adapt to various situations.

What are the advantages of using an interpreting service?

There are many advantages to using an interpreting service. The most obvious advantage is improving communication with those not speaking your language. This can be very helpful, for instance, when traveling or conducting business with people from other countries and needing to be able to communicate effectively with them.

Interpreting services can also help to improve cultural understanding. By providing a bridge between people of different languages and cultures, interpreters can help to create a more open and understanding world. This can be especially important when people from different cultures must work together.

Finally, interpreters can help to reduce misunderstandings. By accurately translating what people are saying, interpreters can help avoid confusion or miscommunication. This can be especially helpful in legal or medical contexts, where clarity and precision are essential.

What are the advantages of using a translation service?

Using a translation service has many benefits. The most obvious benefit is probably its ability to aid in interlanguage communication. You can also use a translation service to understand documents or websites that are written in a foreign language. A translation service can also be a great way to get around if you're visiting a foreign country.

How do you choose the right service for your needs?

Knowing where to begin when looking for the best service to meet your needs can be difficult. After all, there are many options, including local businesses and online services. Therefore, how do you pick the best one for you?

When making your choice, there are a few things to consider. Consider your needs for the service first. What are your main concerns? What qualities are you seeking in a service? Once you know that, you can begin limiting your options.

Another thing to consider is your budget. How much are you willing to spend? Again, many services are available, and you can find something to fit any budget. Just compare prices and ensure you're getting the best deal.

Finally, it's critical to think about the service's quality. The team's level of experience? What sort of feedback has the service gotten? How do they stack up against the opposition? You can make sure you're selecting a high-quality service that will meet your needs by doing some research.

Ideal Legal Translation is a leading legal translation company in Dubai, catering to clients in the Gulf and globally. With their team of certified translators and extensive experience in the field, they provide top-notch legal translation services. Their translation offices in Dubai are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources, ensuring accurate and precise translations of legal documents such as contracts, patents, and court papers. Whether you require certified translation services dubai for personal or business purposes, Ideal Legal Translation is committed to delivering high-quality translations while maintaining strict confidentiality. Their expertise and professionalism make them the trusted choice for legal translation in the Gulf region and beyond.