#technology is the empathy killer

[andreai04]

His ugliness was the stuff of legend. In an age of affordable beauty, there was something heraldic about his lack of it.

The body was meat. Case fell into the prison of his own flesh.

Power, in Case's world, meant corporate power. The zaibatsus, the multinationals that shaped the course of human history, had transcended old barriers. Viewed as organisms, they had attained a kind of immortality. You couldn't kill a zaibatsu by assassinating a dozen key executives; there were others waiting to step up the ladder, assume the vacated position, access the vast banks of corporate memory. But Tessier-Ashpool wasn't like that, and he sensed the difference in the death of its founder. T-A was an atavism, a clan. He remembered the litter of the old man's chamber, the soiled humanity of it, the ragged spines of the old audio disks in their paper sleeves. One foot bare, the other in a velvet slipper.

Case had always taken it for granted that the real bosses, the kingpins in a given industry, would be both more and less than people. He'd seen it in the men who'd crippled him in Memphis, he'd seen Wage affect the semblance of it in Night City, and it had allowed him to accept Armitage's flatness and lack of feeling. He'd always imagined it as a gradual and willing accommodation of the machine, the system, the parent organism. It was the root of street cool, too, the knowing posture that implied connection, invisible lines up to hidden levels of influence.

"No," he said, and then it no longer mattered, what he knew, tasting the salt of her mouth where tears had dried. There was a strength that ran in her, something he'd known in Night City and held there, been held by it, held for a while away from time and death, from the relentless Street that hunted them all. It was a place he'd known before; not everyone could take him there, and somehow he always managed to forget it. Something he'd found and lost so many times. It belonged, he knew—he remembered—as she pulled him down, to the meat, the flesh the cowboys mocked. It was a vast thing, beyond knowing, a sea of information coded in spiral and pheromone, infinite intricacy that only the body, in its strong blind way, could ever read.

[dreamsandcozygames]

My Favorite Time Loop Games

I've been playing a lot of games involving time loops lately, so I thought I'd recommend some of my favorites!

(The descriptions are from Steam.)

I Was A Teenage Exocolonist:

Spend your teenage years on an alien planet in this narrative RPG with card-based battles. Explore, grow up, and fall in love. The choices you make and skills you master over ten years will determine the course of your life and the survival of your colony.

The Choices You Make, Make You

Growing up in humanity’s first extrasolar space colony means navigating a new world full of wonder, danger, and beauty. Explore the wilderness, study, fall in love, discover strange creatures, and deal with the consequences of your actions. Your choices will directly affect the lives of your friends and the fate of the colony. What kind of world will you help make? Will you survive to enjoy it? Why do you remember doing this before?

Growing Up on an Alien Planet

You have your whole life ahead of you. Will you spend it studying in school, or diving into the intriguing flora and fauna of this new world? Will you introduce space-age technology, or live in harmony with nature? Will you battle massive beasts, or nurture future generations? Realized in brilliant watercolor, the world of Vertumna is yours to explore.

Your Pasts and Your Futures Matter

Everything you learn and experience will make you and your colony stronger. You will thrive and you will make mistakes. These formative moments - your memories, decisions, and friendships - become collectible cards you carry with you. Each season brings new obstacles on Vertumna. The battle cards you earn from your experiences give you new options for overcoming these challenges, whether that is navigating relationships, learning new skills, exploring the planet, or staying alive. Every decision counts, during this life and the next.

How Many Lives Will YOU Live?

The cosmos is full of incredible mysteries, and your ability to remember your past lives is one of them. There are dozens of different endings to your story. How many lives will it take to save both your colony and the planet? Are you ready to wake up again?

Features:

Use memories of past lives to explore 800+ story events.

Discover more than 250 battle cards as you grow up on an alien planet.

Play your best hand in challenge encounters to ace your math test or escape from a wild snapbladder.

Make friends, fight with your parents, go on dates, fall in love, and save the colony.

29 wildly different endings based on the choices you make each month.

Pick from 25 colony jobs, like goofing off as a depot clerk, or surveying the valley.

Grow into 15 skills, including bravery, toughness, organization, and empathy.

Get to know 10 dateable characters, including dog-boys, aliens, hot politicians and stone cold killers.

In Stars and Time:

Live with the ever-present burden of being trapped in a time loop only you can know about in this turn-based RPG. Create a better future for you and your friends. Find hope where there is none left. Pray to the stars and free yourself from time.

What would you do if you were forced to relive your failures over and over again?

In Stars and Time tells the story of Siffrin and their adventurer friends—a found family bound together by fate in order to end the tyrannical reign of an evil king. But as victory is just within the party’s grasp, a tragedy occurs, the clock resets, and they have to do it all again.

As Siffrin’s the only one who notices this loop, each new start wears away at his cheerful veneer, yet he keeps going in hopes he can end this temporal tragedy once and for all.

In Stars and Time is a time-looping RPG adventure. With each loop, Siffrin gains a new perspective on the world around them, opening up new solutions to puzzles and allowing them to make better choices in conversation. Equip memories as armor, pray to the Change God to improve your team’s capabilities each loop, and challenge deadly foes to Rock, Paper, Scissors as Siffrin seeks the truth.

Our Adventurers:

Siffrin (he/they): Stressed, depressed, and under duress. (Don’t worry about it. They’re doing fine.) The punmaster protagonist of our neverending tale.

Mirabelle (she/her): A caring and nervous housemaiden mysteriously blessed by the god she so ardently follows.

Isabeau (he/him): Defender with a heart of gold. Cares dearly for his people and his friends.

Odile (she/her): The mature and nonsensical researcher studying…something. (No, she will not tell you what it is.)

Bonnie (they/them): Wait a minute, who brought this kid along???

Features:

Save the world through the power of Rock, Paper, Scissors in strategic turn-based RPG combat encounters.

Ignore the limits of time and space to fix your past mistakes by repeating the same two days over and over again.

Equip the memories you have of your friends to make your party stronger in combat.

Watch the fate of this world unfold as you escape the twists and turns of this endless(???) loop.

Eat samossas with your friends!

Get heckled by a cheeky ethereal being of infinite starlight.

Pray to a god for good luck in your travels. You’re gonna need it.

Slay the Princess:

You're on a path in the woods, and at the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Princess.

You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of the world.

She will do everything in her power to stop you. She'll charm, and she'll lie, and she'll promise you the world, and if you let her, she'll kill you a dozen times over. You can't let that happen. Don't forget, the fate of the world rests on your shoulders.

You're not going to listen to him, are you? We're supposed to save princesses, not slay them...

Features:

Fully voice-acted by the impeccable Jonathan Sims and Nichole Goodnight.

Hand-penciled art - every background and sprite is drawn traditionally with pencil and paper by Ignatz-winning graphic novelist Abby Howard.

A princess. She's very bad and you have to get rid of her for all our sakes.

No, the Princess isn't a “cosmic horror,” whatever that is supposed to mean. She's just an ordinary human Princess, and you can definitely slay her as long as you put your mind to it.

Don't even think about trying to romance her. It won't end well for you.

Hopefully you won't die. But if you do, you'll die a lot. Be careful and stay focused on the task at hand!

A branching narrative where what you say and what you believe determines both who you are and how the story unfolds. Though I wouldn’t recommend taking any paths outside of the one I lay before you.

A new roleplaying experience from the creators of Scarlet Hollow.

[azure-firecracker]

Hey! X-Files ask! What’s your favorite niche episode, or episode that a lot of people don’t care for that you really enjoyed?

<3

Ooh what a fun ask! I’ll make a list:)

Ghost in the Machine - Objectively not a good episode but I find its campiness very charming and the outdated technology is hilarious. Also my family named the AI/the machine Florence and I love that. Plus Scully’s an action hero in this episode and that alone makes it a rewatch for me.

Aubrey - Underrated! A really good monster of the week with twists that I genuinely didn’t expect. Plus a wonderful climax (I feel that Scully to the rescue will be a common theme on this list…sue me), and an EXCELLENT score!

Død Kalm - I don’t like this episode but I do regularly think about the fact that Scully saved them through note taking.

Revelations - SO SLEPT ON! This episode deals with Scully’s character in such interesting ways - her religion and how that intersects with her skepticism, her science, and her relationship with Mulder. We rarely get to see her in the hero’s role so that was a nice change, but I also loved the way this episode turned her and Mulder’s dynamic on its head and examined not only her relationship with belief but Mulder’s relationship with belief in her. And the ending is phenomenal. God.

Grotesque - Another one that I really think should be talked about more! What a fascinating look into Mulder’s psyche - how his empathy and obsessive tendencies make him amazing at getting inside killers’ minds but it takes such a TOLL on him and everyone who loves him. This is such an intriguing side of his character that I wish we got to see more.

Teliko - I despise this episode, but the climax is near and dear to my heart so for that reason I will always rewatch.

Kill Switch - My most recent watch! I know this episode was wacky and kind of bad, but it was such a good time. The AI was ridiculously campy and outdated. Esther was a hilarious one off character. Mulder’s AI subconscious dreams were HYSTERICAL (don’t worry Mulder I would dream about kickass karate Scully too). And this episode is a whump girlie’s paradise, so there’s that too😌

Thanks for the ask!

[mcflymemes]

PROMPTS FROM CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION *  assorted dialogue from season 1 of the show, adjust as necessary

you want to be different? pin me up against a wall; lay one on me like you mean it.

it could be four minutes. could be four days.

if you stay, with my right hand to god, you will never regret it.

i need you to roll up your sleeve and give me a pint of your blood.

how do you know all this crap?

it's our job to know stuff.

there are other ways to tell, you know.

i'm a scientist. i like to see it.

you're standing in my crime scene.

people leave us clues. they speak to us in thousands of different ways. it's our job to make sure we've tried to hear every single thing they've said.

stop flirting with me.

i can't believe i used to live in a place like this.

and here i had all this respect for you.

i come here for calamari.

well... that's good news.

no way. use your own hand.

you just compromised our investigation.

i guess you just have to be on the wrong end of an affair to understand.

look... could we have a truce?

blood's like my grandfather. never lies.

are you hitting on me, david?

you may not like where it takes you.

i think our killer was counting on that.

maybe i saw you perform.

what do you got for me? i could use a rush.

you don't owe me anything.

wow. you look so... normal.

when are we going to talk about what happened?

you'll have to excuse me.

somebody left a message. i need to see the rest of it.

you guys will never get it, will you?

you know, you can joke all you want. it's your ass on the line.

life's like holding a dove. you hold it too hard, you kill it. hold it too soft, and it'll fly away.

you look a little tired.

something very wrong happened in this plane.

now you want to go down that route?

please tell me you have something.

it took five people to kill him. it would have only taken one person to save his life.

you have empathy for her. you want someone to pay for what was done to her. that's normal.

you want to sleep with me?

how do you know about that already?

whoa. somebody likes their job.

hey! this has nothing to do with you!

why is it every time we meet you're wanting me to take my clothes off?

you weren't in your office.

you don't have a worry that technology is gonna make us obsolete?

next time, why don't you try talking to me instead of going around behind my back?

what the hell are you doing?

i don't know whether i'll help you or not.

i don't mean to stare.

am i disturbing you?

what are you so afraid of?

you could be a little more supportive.

you just love that, don't you?

i would never doubt your word.

how a person does one thing is how a person does everything.

so are you thinking what i'm thinking?

someone's bitter.

you're awake. i hate you.

i slept like a baby yesterday.

do you need a hand with that?

are you looking for work?

you can't read anymore?

i can't drink any more coffee. my body clock is so screwed up.

what do you drive?

how much do you make so you can take care of me?

caught in the act.

every day we meet people on the worst day of their lives.

i wish i were like you. i wish i didn't feel anything.

what do you do for fun?

[strangerstime]

While I'm working on the storyboard for the Red Flags music video, I decided to draw Moon in different states of mind, since I rarely take the time to draw him for some reason. The first look is the appearance after Lunar and BM formed a new kind of code. I don't know for what reason some people forget that all characters are robots that primarily have their personality and behavior influenced by code, but their overly "lifelike" attitude contributes to this confusion, I suppose.

So code mix and fuse are two different things. If you're comparing the two, you're forgetting that in fuse, the characters in Steven Universe were sort of one person, but could always unfuse. With code it's a different thing - you can't make two codes work properly unless you optimize them and turn them into one. It's like if you press one button, but two opposite actions happen at the same time! It was the same thing with Moon. He wasn't a "personality", but he gradually formed one when Lunar and BM realized they couldn't be in the same body "equally". After all, BM reacts to blood and wants to hurt people, while Lunar is the opposite of him.

So they worked hard, selecting only those lines of code that they were willing to accept. In other words, they removed the killer BM code, but they left the ability to analyze the killer/kidnapper database. Or Lunar's softness they took out, but the caring and empathy they left in, and so on.

After some analysis and work, eventually Lunar and BM disappeared, leaving an improved version, Moon, in their place.

He became much more mature, stern, and attentive. You could say that Moon is the perfect balance between the two of them. He's taken over his younger brother's care from Lunar, but he's also taken over BM's curiosity, but in a slightly different way - he's become interested in reading, science, and technology. For the most part, Moon is very serious and calculating, but due to the emotional nature of the two of them, he can sometimes get angry or lulled into complacency.

He perceives the world through his own eyes, but bases his conclusions on the memories of his predecessors. Moon adjusted the memory, deleted unnecessary moments, and mixed the same memory but from different angles.

In fact, I'm very fond of Moon! Too bad I have so little time to devote to each of them….. But I will try to share more details in the future!

[problematic-alter-culture-is]

Cw ramcoa

I know someone just sent an ask, but problematic alter culture is apparently I'm not welcome in most system spaces anymore. Im here to figure out what our religious trauma is and see if what we went through can be labeled Organized Abuse, but everyone I ask ignores me. It seems people might think I'm lying about our experiences. They refuse to help me or even just to listen, even if that's their "branding" online.

I can't even retain gathered information on RAMCOA. Everything goes in one ear and out the other, which is not helped by my despised source, low empathy, and inability to properly use modern technology. I need people to answer my fucking questions for once. Do any of you even understand the terms you're spouting, or do you want to gatekeep the labels for your experiences because to you what I went through "wasn't enough" to.warrent the consideration? You're all cowards. (☔: it feels like if it's not occult to trauma specifically then it's seen as less than in the community.)

I don't care if I'm mean or if I'm grasping at straws here. I'm here to fulfill my purpose, protecting the system from digging up traumatic memories and piecing together the fragments of our history myself. I don't care who i hurt in the process. I'm here to serve this system and this body alone. [Written by Habit.]

(☔: Slowly realizing the concerning amount of cannibal, serial killer, and abuser introjects in this system... Whoopsies /lh)

-🍖🌾

.

[galerymod]

Yanks! How to kill Donald Trump!

It is evident that the piece is satirical in nature; it is implausible that any reasonable person would desire the demise of an orange, hairy, elderly individual who exhibits no signs of empathy. mod

The Mexico method

Trump has recognized it! Mexico doesn't necessarily send its elite to the USA: "They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists." Use these resourceful human resources from the south and hire one or two pistoleros to put an end to "El Trumpo", as they call him down there. Somehow his death can be chalked up as collateral damage in the "war on drugs". But hurry, before the wall is finished! Big plus: Mexican hitmen rarely charge more than

more than 1000 pesos per head.

The world war method

Perhaps a little time-consuming, but tried and tested: Simply goad your new leader into a world war, give him hope of global domination with early victories, and then fail so mercilessly until he poisons and shoots himself in his Trump bunker with Melania. Disadvantage: A few hundred million other people die too. Advantage: You can feel like a morally superior people afterwards after a proper reappraisal.

The Kennedy method

A president who is not part of the political elite and indulges in liberties with the ladies? Something goes through the back of your mind, doesn't it? Exactly: it's time for a reboot of another American entertainment classic! It doesn't have to be Dallas and a Lincoln convertible again, and it can be a bit more violent - technology has made some progress in this area. But beware: you have to be prepared for Oliver Stone to take on the material.

The Indian blanket method

You should know how to get rid of unpleasant redskins, dear Americans. Problem: Trump certainly won't accept simple blankets as gifts, they would have to contain his gold-embroidered face as well as smallpox. Advantage: It's inconspicuous - you won't notice any major external changes in him.

The Beau Rivage method

A little elaborate, but the result is genuine German workmanship. Arrange a meeting with Donald Trump in one of his hotels under a pretext ("We need to talk about your back taxes ..."), mix a colorful drug cocktail into his alcohol cocktail and wait until the belligerent president falls to the floor with a resounding *trump*. Put the corpse in a full bathtub, inform the press and sneak away. Forge a farewell letter to boost credibility: "This was suicide. The best suicide ever. It was definitely me. Trump out!"

The Booth method

The shooting of Abraham Lincoln in Washington's Ford's Theater went off without a hitch and is crying out to be repeated. Problem: Donald Trump would never voluntarily enter a theater in his life. However, we have it on good authority that the carnivorous head of state does the honors every Tuesday night at the U-20-only strip club "Nasty's". One of the exotic dancers could distract Trump with a particularly patriotic lap dance, while another uncorks a well-shaken bottle of champagne from behind ...

The Goldfinger method

You know the quality of German murder not only from the History Channel. Because we have, of course, also provided the best Bond killers. Role models all of them! And the Manhattan Midas, who never runs out of gold, no matter what he paws at, using the old Goldfinger method - could it be more fitting? No!

The total crash method

Psycho against psycho! Let Air Force One poach a young pilot from Germanwings, and soon the only impact still coming from President Trump will be in the Rocky Mountains ... Possible downside: stricter air safety laws, increasing restrictions on civil air traffic, uncertainty among travelers, anger among the people, protest vote, fascism, shit!

The pussy method

A plan that will only work if all American women, who D. Trump considers "at least a 6", go along with it: Attach dirty miniature bombs (ACME Anti Grabbing Device™) to your primary and secondary sexual characteristics and wait for the pre-feminist leader of the free world to come near you. One tender assault and a discharge later, you should be rid of your greatest adversary.

The point-and-feather method

500 million jokes, taunts and excessive exaggerations could not prevent Donald Trump's election victory. But there is one hairdo-Hitler-small-hands-pussy-grab joke from which Trump will not recover. He will laugh and be ashamed at the same time. Problem: Only TITANIC is in possession of this nuclear Ulk - and will only hand him over for a high transfer fee. So: Better scrape your dollars together, Yanks!

Gaitzsch / Riegel / Wolff

[ryangero]

Black Mirror: Men Against Fire (Panel presentation)

Men Against Fire uses the alien-like “roaches” to signify otherness in the human race. The soldiers are equipped with neural implants known as “Mass,” which distort their perception of the roaches, making them appear as grotesque, subhuman creatures. The dehumanization of this group of people explores the real-world issues of racism and xenophobia throughout history. 

Men Against Fire presents a near-future eerily similar to our current society. The episode portrays technology as both a humanist and post-humanist practice by exploring how advanced technology impacts human behavior and ethics. The soldiers’ neural implants provide tactical information and enhance their abilities. While this technology is initially presented as a tool to protect soldiers and accomplish missions more effectively, this takes a turn as it is revealed that the technology manipulates soldiers’ perceptions of the roaches. The military employs this technology to make the soldiers more efficient killers, exerting control over human thought and behavior. This post-humanist element also illustrates how technology can erode empathy and lead to the devaluation of human life when applied without ethical considerations. 

Typically, alienation might be seen in the traditional sense - where a group of non-human beings or robots are dehumanized and representative of the othering of people. In Men Against Fire, humans of the same species are dehumanized and turned against each other, making the otherness and monstrosity purely artificial. 

Men Against Fire uses political metaphors to address geopolitical concerns related to military conflicts and the manipulation of public perception. Annabel Jones, executive producer of Black Mirror, pointed out how refugees in Europe are being described as “swaths” of people in the media (‘Black Mirror’ Season 3: Michael Kelly on “Men Against Fire,” Trump and PTSD – The Hollywood Reporter). The roaches in the episode of black mirror reflect how media can often portray immigrants as pests or insects that “infest” the country. Dehumanizing these groups of people allows the government/media to justify the incredibly inhumane actions that occur regarding immigration. 

As Jablonski explains in his article about race and science fiction in Star Trek, the genre often uses the othering of a non-human species as a “vehicle for themes of human diversity, conflict, and reconciliation…” (2). Men Against Fire uses science fiction to speculate a future where advanced technology blurs human perception and ethics. It serves as a cautionary tale, revealing how technological advancements can erode innate human character and bring up ethical dilemmas. The growing integration of augmented reality into our technology is a jarring sign that a future resembling Black Mirror could be closer than we think.

Critical thinking questions:

Are there any parallels between the dehumanization of the roaches in the episode and real-world instances of dehumanizing based on race, class, nationality, etc.? Any of where technology/media is used?

"Men Against Fire" is just one example of dystopian science fiction within the "Black Mirror" series. What do you think motivates the creators of the show to depict such bleak futures? How do these dystopian visions help us reflect on our own world and the trajectory of technology and society? Are they cautionary tales, or do they serve other purposes?

 If you were the writer, how would you have ended the episode differently? Would you offer a more optimistic resolution, or would you stick with the dark and ambiguous ending?

@theuncannyprofessoro

[gardengnosticator]

KAL movie notes

The Point Man. korean action film about kidnapped missionaries in afghanistan during the war on terror. classic jingoistic schlock. foreigners are all bad, the west are all good except for the occasional outlier politician messing things up for the cool ROK army. really interesting to see such a classic us style action set piece translated into a different cultural framework yet be so strikingly similar i got a headache. classic terrorist movie set-pieces where they have the terrorist disguised as a woman in a burka to cause more injuries in a suicide bombing, the afghan government being incredibly corrupt and incompetent, a hard nosed soldier who was traumatised seeing innocent people die in the war on terror (but not the afghan people). mindless trash in that classic action movie style designed to glamorise the intervention in the middle east.

The Boys. a docudrama??? hard to say as its based off a real case but the opening text crawl made a huge effort to say how far away from the source material the film is. a detective moves to a new precinct where an old robbery homicide case catches his eye. he finds out his predecessor forced a confession out of three innocent teens and had them framed for the crime so its his job to bust this corruption scandal wide open. the ending ��where are they now” credits says no one in the police was ever penalised for jailing three kids for 16 years so… bit of a downer even when the do the celebratory freeze frame of everyone turning out okay.

Don’t Buy The Seller. thriller about a serial killer who shops for online deals, meets the seller, murders them, sells their goods, rinse and repeat. after selling a faulty washer to a interior designer she goes around giving him negative reviews which interrupt his killing spree because aint no one trusting some 1 star guy selling an IMac, so he seeks her out. intense and a pretty unique setting for a thriller, way way better than a lot of the “technology lets killers get ya” narratives ive seen from the west. the final confrontation is wack, the killer gets smashed through windows, hammered in the head, shot with a nail gun, thrown from a building and still lives. so outlandish i was like completely shocked every time the guy gets up. pretty bloody and brutal overall but defs not a horror or something too gory for a mainstream audience to see.

Remember. a thriller about a korean retiree with dementia seeking vengeance on colonial japan for their crimes alongside in his words korean traitors. again more simple nationalistic spiel but with a john wick esque style badass grandpa murking imperial japanese war criminals. hes also hip and plays starcraft with his young hip friend who works at TGO Fridays with him. the dementia angle is a neat framing device since he makes it clear he has to seek revenge on the japanese army before his own body lets him forget what he and his family endured. some very subtle digs at ROK and the JSDF launching joint military drills as the trigger for him to remember. the officials and ex soldiers he kills are all just 2d villains, the corrupt governor who sold out koreans to japanese soldiers, the academic who frames japans colonisation as “modernising korea”, a politician who claims communism is worse than imperialism (wild moment since the film does not give him any redeeming moments to justify his anticommunist stance) all very easily dislikable and valid targets so at no point does the audience feel any sort of empathy which i vibe with, fuck imperialist collaborators am i right? also the main target is a ex JSDF general called Tojo Hisashi who is campaigning to get rid of article nine of the japanese constitution and render them able to engage in open war, subtle i know.

[legilimensims]

What also pissed me off about this is all the shit Giulia’s family got, especially her sister Elena. She was called a “satanist”, people and even right-wing politicians suggested she was to be investigated, she was the cause of her sister’s death because she “turned her back on god” - her instagram profile is swamped by these sort of comments and suddenly all of the attention wasn’t on the umpteenth femicide and the killer's subsequent actions, but on a mourning family and their personal lives, their personal beliefs, it really looked like people where trying to find every excuse under the sun to justify the actual murderer. Giulia’s family is still being demonized for turning their mourning into a national outcry, for daring to speak the words “toxic masculinity” and “patriarchal society”, for daring to appear on tv instead of staying at home in silence ("They want fame!! They are capitalizing on Giulia's death!! They are ready to go into politics!! It’s all leftist propaganda to impose an extremist ideology to the detriment of the good, white, catholic men!!!" "What about the immigrants!!"). This is Italy and it hurts living in a country like this. Allow me to share the words of Giulia’s father Gino, spoken earlier at her funeral:

«I address men first, because we should first demonstrate that we are agents of change against gender violence. We speak to other males we know, challenging the culture that tends to downplay violence from seemingly normal men. We should be actively involved, challenging the diffusion of responsibility, listening to women and not turning our heads at even the slightest signs of violence. Our personal action is crucial to breaking the cycle and creating a culture of accountability and support. To those who are parents like me, I speak from the heart: let's teach our children the value of sacrifice and commitment and also help them to accept defeats. Let us create in our families that climate that favors a serene dialogue so that it becomes possible to educate our children to respect the sacredness of every person, to a sexuality free from any possession and to true love that seeks only the good of others. We live in a time where technology connects us in extraordinary ways, but often, unfortunately, isolates us and deprives us of real human contact. It is essential that young people learn to communicate authentically, to look into the eyes of others, to open themselves to the experience of those who are older than them. The lack of authentic human connection can lead to misunderstandings and tragic decisions. We need to rediscover the ability to listen and be listened to, to truly communicate with empathy and respect. School has a fundamental role in the education of our children. We must invest in educational programs that teach mutual respect, the importance of healthy relationships and the ability to manage conflicts constructively to learn to deal with difficulties without resorting to violence. Violence prevention begins in families, but continues into classrooms, and we must ensure that schools are safe and inclusive places for all. The media also plays a crucial role to conduct responsibly. The spread of distorted and sensationalist news not only fuels a morbid atmosphere, giving space to looters and conspiracy theorists, but can also contribute to perpetuating violent behavior. Calling yourself out, looking for justifications, defending the patriarchy when someone has the strength and desperation to call it by its name, turning victims into targets just because they say something that perhaps we don't agree with, doesn't help to break down barriers. Because we can only emerge from this type of violence which is only apparently personal and senseless by feeling that we are all involved. Even when it would be easy to feel absolved. I ask political institutions to put aside ideological differences to jointly address the scourge of gender violence. We need laws and education programs aimed at preventing violence, protecting victims and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. Law enforcement agencies must be equipped with the necessary resources to actively combat this plague and the tools to recognize the danger. But in this moment of pain and sadness, we must find the strength to react, to transform this tragedy into a push for change. The life of Giulia, my Giulia, was cruelly taken from us, but her death can, indeed must, be the turning point to put an end to the terrible plague of violence against women. Thank you all for being here today: may Giulia's memory inspire us to work together».

Between the 11th and 12th of this month, Giulia Cecchettin, a 22-year-old Italian girl, disappeared alongside her ex boyfriend, Filippo Turetta. Today, 18th November, her body was found in a lake 140km from where I live.

For six days, we were told that they ran away together, despite the fact Giulia was supposed to graduate from university on the 16th. That we shouldn't jump to conclusions, that there wasn't any proof he had killed her, that we were crazy for even thinking it. When a video of him beating Giulia up until she was bleeding came out, newspapers were filled with declarations from his family saying he loved her, he would never do anything to hurt her, he was just a little possessive and jealous.

We all knew. We all fucking knew since we read the words "ex boyfriend".

Giulia is the 103rd woman victim of feminicide in Italy in 2023. 103.

Meanwhile, Giulia's sister Elena, who has had to spend the last week making as much noise as possible because that was her only hope of finding her sister, was asked if the family was ready to forgive him. Newspapers talk about how good of a guy he was, they carefully avoid saying he murdered her, they refer to them as a couple. I've lost track of how many men have taken time to comment "not all men" under posts about Giulia.

Not all men, but all women.

If you live outside of Italy, you probably won't hear of this news. You probably don't know how pervasive victim blaming is in Italian news stations, how bad the statistics of feminicide are. So, please, reblog this post. Demand justice. Say Giulia Cecchettin's name.

Se domani non torno, distruggi tutto.

[monsterkong]

Breaking News: America’s Fight Against PFAS and Other Invisible Killers

🗞️ In today’s world, the scariest threats are often invisible. Case in point: PFAS contamination in America’s groundwater. Up to 95 million Americans are at risk, yet many remain unaware of the dangers these Forever Chemicals pose.

Why Is This a Problem?

PFAS don’t just disappear. These chemicals accumulate in the environment, finding their way into our water, food, and even our bodies. They’ve been linked to chronic illnesses, and the situation worsens with microplastics and pharmaceuticals adding to the toxic load.

Mike Dillon, an environmental advocate, shared an alarming statistic: Over 50% of women in the U.S. aged 18-45 are on pharmaceuticals like birth control, which eventually enter water systems. These contaminants are now being found in vital organs, affecting fertility and overall health.

The Role of Innovation

To combat these threats, Mike’s team at AirWater Healing has pioneered technology that creates water from air. These atmospheric water generators can transform homes into safer environments, protecting families from polluted water supplies.

What’s Next for America?

Change won’t come overnight. Mike cautioned against expecting quick fixes, urging instead for systemic reform. “We need to destroy old systems and rebuild with empathy, prioritizing people over profits,” he said.

Conclusion

America stands at a critical juncture. The battle against Forever Chemicals, microplastics, and air pollution requires bold action and innovative solutions. Mike Dillon’s message is clear: we must act now. 💪

🌟 Join the conversation. Share this post and explore solutions at AirWaterHealing.com. Let’s make America healthy again—one step at a time.

[a4hospital]

Dr. Aruna Ashok: Beaming with Hope for Ovarian Cancer Patients

Dr. Aruna Ashok, the clinical director of A4 Hospitals and Fertility Centre, has emerged as a sign of hope for ovarian cancer patients through her steadfast commitment and empathetic approach. With more than two decades of experience as a fertility consultant and counselor, Dr. Aruna has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by women battling ovarian cancer. Her recent decision to shave her head in solidarity with ovarian cancer patients on World Ovarian Cancer Day (May 8)  is a testament to her dedication to raising awareness and supporting those affected by this disease.

Ovarian cancer is a complex disease that affects thousands of women worldwide. It occurs when abnormal cells in the ovary begin to grow out of control and form a tumor. The exact cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but factors such as age, family history, and certain genetic mutations can increase a woman's risk of developing the disease.

Despite its prevalence, ovarian cancer is often referred to as the "silent killer" because its symptoms are subtle and can easily be mistaken for other conditions. Symptoms may include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and frequent urination. Because these symptoms are often vague and non-specific, ovarian cancer is often not diagnosed until it has reached an advanced stage.

However, with advancements in medical technology and increased awareness, the prognosis for ovarian cancer patients has improved significantly in recent years. Early detection and treatment are key to improving outcomes, and women are encouraged to speak to their healthcare providers if they experience any symptoms or have a family history of ovarian cancer.

Dr. Aruna's work with ovarian cancer patients extends beyond medical treatment. She is known for her compassionate approach and her ability to connect with patients on a personal level. Her decision to shave her head was not only a gesture of solidarity but also a way to show her patients that they are not alone in their fight against cancer.

In her recent interview, Dr. Aruna shared the story of a patient who successfully delivered a child after battling ovarian cancer. This story is just one example of the many lives that Dr. Aruna has touched through her work. Her dedication to her patients and her commitment to raising awareness about ovarian cancer make her a true beacon of hope for all those affected by this disease.

Standing Together on World Ovarian Cancer Day

Dr. Aruna expressed her support for women battling ovarian cancer. "On this World Ovarian Cancer Day, I want to convey to all the women fighting this disease that you are not alone. We stand with you in this journey," she said. Her decision to shave her head was a symbolic gesture of solidarity, aiming to raise awareness about the challenges faced by ovarian cancer patients.

A Personal Journey with Cancer Patients

Dr. Aruna Ashok's journey with cancer patients is deeply personal and profound. It is a testament to her empathy, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her patients' well-being. One of the most memorable experiences in her career was her encounter with her professor's wife, a gynecologist, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at an advanced stage. Despite presenting with only minor complaints, the diagnosis came as a shock and changed the course of her treatment dramatically.

"As a young doctor pursuing my post-graduation, I found myself deeply involved in the care of my professor's wife. I spent nearly six months by her side, witnessing firsthand the physical and emotional toll that cancer takes on a patient," Dr. Aruna recalls. It was during this time that she realized the importance of providing not just medical treatment but also emotional support to cancer patients and their families.

"The experience with my professor's wife left a lasting impact on me. It taught me the value of empathy, compassion, and the importance of treating each patient as an individual with unique needs and challenges," she reflects. This experience also shaped her approach to patient care, influencing her to provide holistic care that addresses not just the physical symptoms of cancer but also the emotional and psychological aspects.

"Over the years, I have encountered many more cancer patients, each with their own unique story and journey," Dr. Aruna shares. One such patient was a young woman who came to her with abdominal pain. An ultrasound revealed a large ovarian mass, raising suspicion of cancer. Despite the daunting prospect of surgery, the patient opted for the procedure without hesitation, displaying remarkable courage and determination.

"My interaction with this patient was a profound experience. I was inspired by her strength and resilience in the face of adversity," Dr. Aruna says. Her attitude towards her diagnosis and treatment taught Dr. Aruna a valuable lesson about the power of positivity and determination in overcoming challenges.

"Through my personal journey with cancer patients, I have learned valuable lessons about life, resilience, and the human spirit," Dr. Aruna reflects. Her experiences have shaped her into not just a skilled doctor but also a compassionate healer who goes above and beyond to provide the best possible care to her patients.

Advancements in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Over the years, there have been significant advancements in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Dr. Aruna highlighted the availability of bold and effective therapies that can cure and correct the disease. "Recently, I had a patient who successfully delivered a child after battling ovarian cancer. This is a testament to the progress we have made in treating this disease," she remarked.

Courage and Determination of Patients

Dr. Aruna recounted the story of a young patient who exhibited remarkable courage in her battle against ovarian cancer. "When she first came to me with pain, an ultrasound revealed a large ovarian mass. Despite the daunting prospect of surgery, she opted for the procedure without hesitation," Dr. Aruna said. The patient's resilience and determination inspired Dr. Aruna and her team.

Support and Solidarity

Dr. Aruna emphasized the importance of early detection and seeking medical help promptly. She praised the patient's family for their unwavering support, especially during the challenging period of chemotherapy. "Her husband and family shaved their heads in solidarity with her, demonstrating their love and support," Dr. Aruna shared. This act of solidarity helped the patient feel less isolated in her battle against cancer.

A Message of Hope

Dr. Aruna offered words of encouragement to all cancer patients. "I know the emotional trauma and depression you may experience, but with advancements in medical science and strong social support, you can overcome this challenge," she said. Dr. Aruna's message of hope and resilience resonates deeply with all those battling ovarian cancer, inspiring them to face their journey with courage and determination.

Dr. Aruna Ashok has shared her wisdom and emotional aspects of cancer patients without exaggeration and making it close to reality. Her act of shaving her head symbolizes solidarity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by cancer patients.As we observe World Ovarian Cancer Day, let us remember Dr. Aruna's message of hope and resilience. Her work serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us to stand together in the fight against ovarian cancer.

[peterbrusso]

Major Mack Swift Tech Ninja: Classified Mission Adventures, Book 2 from Peter Brusso on Vimeo.

In this sequel, Tech Ninja: Mack Swift's Classified Mission Adventures, Mack is vacationing with lover Hailin when a new threat emerges: Aerospace engineer Maximo Gordillo develops stealth "Mule" cruise missiles and glide pods enabling undetectable drug delivery for Mexico cartels. If Maximo provides his ghost missiles to cartels, they could smuggle narcotics with total impunity, dominate markets, and unleash anarchy globally. Accidentally uncovered by Norski, this crisis compels Mack's spec-ops team to leverage new tech like invisible/silent drones and facial recognition "Killer" drones, fused with ancient warrior skills, on a manhunt spanning encrypted Pentagon briefings to lightning raids on Cartel assets and mansions.

Amid threats to geopolitical stability, Mack battles intimate demons, too, when the love of his life is abducted, dredging up agonizing memories that could emotionally paralyze his crusade. From encrypted data trails to armed mansion showdowns, can Mack neutralize missile guidance systems and destabilizing networks before trauma cages shatter his leadership?

When the final raid culminates in rescuing traumatized prisoners from a Cartel compound, Mack encounters sheer evil that causes him to flee the clean-up phase of the mission, thus abandoning his responsibilities. What sight or remembered terror could derail this consummate soldier? Can Mack reconcile technological prowess with psychological shadows before deeply personal storms overwhelm global security storms?

In this pulse-pounding thrill ride, defending civilization and a hero's soul both hang in the balance. Mack Swift confronts threats to life as we know it on multiple fronts wired to his very essence - the worst imperiling all he loves. If courage and moral clarity fail against dystopian challenges within and without, humanity crumbles. But if virtue fused with empathy prevails, hope springs eternal. This is Mack's trial and redemption!

[valentinsylve]

Do you really need a snuff film To believe that this could happen to me? Does it really take a snuff film For the world to show a little empathy? It's been happening every day for four centuries The only thing that seems to change is technology A cop kills me in a snuff film And says I resisted his authority A stranger kills me in a snuff film And says he saw a potential threat in me Who believes that I'm able to kill a heavily armed man With nothing more than the strength of my skinny piano hands? And are you gonna wait for Shaun King To tweet the snuff film before you march for me? My ghost will be too busy haunting The jury that let my killer walk scot-free I'll be the gust that blows the burning cross and lets the fire spread When every white hood is reduced to ash, and the whole Klan is dead Who's gonna film that instead?

From The Cocker Spaniels Are Still Alive, and So Are You, released August 13, 2021

I… dont want to do that? I know what happened what good does it do

[fearsmagazine]

FROM THE SHADOWS - Review

DISTRIBUTOR: Stonecutter Media

SYNOPSIS: Enigmatic leader of the Hidden Wisdom cult, Dr. Joseph Cawl , and eighteen of his followers die in a suspicious fire. Five young survivors, suspected of igniting the blaze, reach out to paranormal researcher Amara Rowan in hopes of uncovering the real cause of the blaze. When they expose the truth behind the disappearance of Cawl’s partner, Dr. Leonard Bertram, they become the target of a deranged killer who is dead set on terminating them all.

REVIEW: FROM THE SHADOWS mixes smartphone footage, computer conference footage and traditional cinematic narrative to present a tale of spiritual academics who unleash an ancient power that threatens to destroy things. It’s an awkward mix of narrative and visual styles that becomes a bit confusing and is more of a classic b-movie horror tale.

There’s nothing new to the plot, I’ve seen one version or another of it over the years regardless of the visual style. The story doesn’t capture many of the more current genre themes. Survivors are taken out one by one, and as it is whittled down to the core few mysteries are revealed. At their university library location Amara and her colleague are under attack by phantom creatures. As he tries to assist her and the folks on the computer he endeavors to keep them from getting in. The story is slow paced due to a lot of talking heads grinding exposition out. Much of it is explaining what is going on for what is supposedly the audience’s benefit.There are “ancient” images, V-Tech, that tap into this mystical power, which was the cause of the fire and unleash these spirits. AT one point one of the characters brings in a Native American element to the story. Some of the dialogue is a bit rough, such as “this is a scary situation and we need to figure this out together.” There is nothing that makes these characters stand out and I couldn’t find a hook for my emotions or any empathy for them.

The film’s production values are utilitarian. Talking heads and sequences that feel like late night infomercials, cut together with Amara and her assistant doing things and looking at screens.. As such, the film frequently flips between aspect ratios to accommodate the formats. They play with a variety of formats sometimes it doesn't make sense, especially for the horror sequences where characters are just yelling at screens. Many of the locations are adequate, some look like computer backgrounds and there is a sequence with Doctor Dré that appears to be thrown together on short notice, his wardrobe looks like what he walked in wearing. The visual effects were okay, looking like 90’s computer game animation, especially the shadow people. The physical effects and creature designs by Vincent J. Guastini are interesting and thought it could have been shot more effectively. At one point in the film they ask Amara to focus on a series of images. Of all the different artistic styles and artists, even computer generated images, these didn’t have any gravitas.

I appreciated the sound design and enjoyed the score by composer Alan Howarth. The score covers a lot of the film, the driving force of the film’s atmosphere. The two work in tandem to enhance the film’s scares.

The film is carried by the acting talents of Keith David, Bruce Davison and Selena Anduze. The rest of the cast comes across as a collection of horror character cliches waiting to be murdered. They spend most of the time creating a limited number of facial expressions in an attempt to hold the audience’s interest.

FROM THE SHADOWS feels like an old school horror film bogged down by an attempt to be clever by adapting it for new technologies. As they are not hard fast with their use of the technology format, it might have added a bit more energy if they shot some more traditional styles for the other characters. The film is definitely a better film than many of the genre submissions I review for the festivals, it did take me a few views to get through.

CAST: Keith David, Bruce Davison, Selena Anduze, Jim Thalman, Claire Mack, Ester Tania, Ian Whitt, Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, and T-Money. CREW: Director/Screenplay - Mike Sargent; Screenplay/Producer - Michael Kuciak; Producers - Michael Alden, Stacia Fernandez, Ian Holt, & Tom Polum; Cinematographer - David Landau; Score - Alan Howarth; Editor - Ryan Kelly; Production Designer - Alanis Jarlson; Special Effects Makeup - Vincent J. Guastini; Sound Designer - Cece Hall OFFICIAL: fromtheshadowsfilm.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/FilmFTS TWITTER: N.A. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/2w2EFQNnYpE?si=wn3poWc4gQ4ypBrg RELEASE DATE: Premiere in LA Sept 19th & in Theaters Sept 22nd, 2023

**Until we can all head back into the theaters our “COVID Reel Value” will be similar to how you rate a film on digital platforms - 👍 (Like), 👌 (It’s just okay), or 👎 (Dislike)

Reviewed by Joseph B Mauceri

[renee00124]

*WHATEVER... JUST DON'T CALL ME LATE FOR DINNER!*

Saying that I am a woman of ill repute etc., is exactly what this hideous program of nonhuman humans are saying about not only me but others within a Standard Operating Procedure, used to effectively mobilize communities to harass targets.

Frankly I suspect that they have or are trying to actually program this false reality into people they have interviewed, or hope to use, who diabolically become useful to discredit me in a Court setting or even possibly, use a programmed puppet to harm me by the high-tech ability to subliminally influence this sinister perception.  The patented mind invasive tech at their disposal is no joke!  We all know the "Organized Community Stalking, factually use people to disrespect targets in our communities, a.k.a., "Citizen Volunteers" to destroy credibility combined with the use of patented mind control technology massively in full use today literally under the radar with no one exempt.  

After one of these mentally disturbed men, trying to cover up their horrific program, which reveals how truly sick they really are, began promoting that I am "Common Trash" the modus operandi was clear. This pathetic insult came after I made it clear, how disgusted I am with them and that I and many women targeted are not a sexual fetish for these twisted men, that is the result high-tech voyeurism around women who then become sexually fascinated due to 24/7 monitoring and no privacy to shower, dress or undress. To show how effective this type of degradation programming is, serial killers and militaries are programmed to hate in a similar way causing death without conscious.

I can guarantee that if they ever come into the open, which they constantly threaten, it will be only after using PATENTED mind control technology on people they interviewed during their diabolical, fruitless search, for dirt. Because of this awareness, I actually created two blogs on this topic.

https://lnkd.in/gsqmk7j7

https://lnkd.in/gFxGaqq

I have never in my life been a prostitute and do not fit the narrative.  However many targeted document that this program are trafficking women, and children, which they tried with someone dear to me.  Thank God, my awareness curtailed their goal, which was to essentially blackmail the person with jail hoping to turn on me.  

And, frankly speaking, if some poor soul, man or women, ended up on this path for whatever reason, they deserve empathy, understanding and compassion for the human frailty in life. The fact is, the only person they hurt are themselves while these serial, hideous, human monster's hurt anyone they can for personal gratification and desperate efforts designed to keep the truth of who and what they really are hidden.

The oldest trick in the book, portray the girl as a no good whore and everybody will despise her...