#try doing something productive and educational and constructive

[badolmen]

I feel that there’s a world of difference between “fandomizing real world politics and tragedies” (in my understanding - applying ‘fandom’ to, well, real world politics and tragedies eg. shipping war criminals or writing rpf for victims of traumatic events) and “making fandom art which acknowledges real world politics and tragedies” (in my understanding - political cartoons/art with a particular flag/etc.).

I’m not saying that the latter can’t be insensitive or in poor taste depending on execution but also…idk it’s weird to see tumblr activists freaking the fuck out over art of dunmesh senshi bringing food to Gaza. I can’t believe that’s the hill you want to kill (your own allies nonetheless!) on. We have people writing smut for about specific IOF soldiers or shipping Palestinian journalists, like, is the comic imagining a fictional character showing up to help people in a horrific situation really what you want to call tone deaf and insensitive?

[whoresidentevil]

Leon and Your Hair

a/n: I haven't written in years so this is very experimental 💀 I'm open to constructive feedback!

Also, I wrote this with the reader having type 4 hair in mind but I tried to make it as texture-inclusive as possible :)

General: 

Leon himself takes pride in his hair and appearance in general which is one of many ways you guys relate to each other.

 I imagine your shared bathroom would be full of hair products and tools more than anything else, though most of it is yours.

Leon isn't ignorant, he knew how important hair is to your culture way before you got together. Because of this, he respects how much effort your maintenance requires.

RE2:

This man 100% uses all your stuff every time he comes over. You start wondering if these containers have a hole at the bottom of them or something. Eventually, Leon just starts buying the shampoo/conditioner combo you use for himself at home because it's doing wonders for his hair. Plus the scent reminds him of you, it's a win-win.

Leon had nice hair before, but your presence in his life introduces him to products like deep conditioner, hair oils, etc that just elevate it further.

When you get your hair braided or styled Leon always wants to be the first person to see it! He even goes out of his way to pick you up from the salon so he can shower you with compliments right after. 

If he has time I can see Leon sitting in the salon with you for however many hours it takes the stylists to be done. He sits there flipping through the hair magazines he took from the waiting area, turning the pages over to you every couple of minutes. "Babe, you should try this next time." with the most genuine smile on his face. Even if it was some atrocious 90's editorial style, you smile and nod at every single one.

RE4:

Once Leon starts going on long missions he's unable to be your personal chauffeur 24/7, so he'd definitely want you to text him pictures every time you get your hair done. He always sets them as his phone wallpaper to have an updated photo of you everywhere he goes.

During his training I doubt he'd have the luxury of technology though, instead opting to get a Polaroid of you every now and then in the mail. He always makes sure to compliment you on something in the letters he sends back and keeps the latest Polaroid somewhere in his pockets while the older ones are tacked to his wall. (poor guy misses you so much)

When he's home with you he realizes how much he missed your silk pillowcases and bed sheets. He didn't think they were actually helping his hair and skin until he had to sleep in crazy locations during training/missions and noticed the difference. he silently thanks you for that.

RE6/ID/DI:

After so many years of being together, Leon knows about all your hair preferences, favorite styles, and even things he hasn't seen you in yet. (our boy is educated 👏🏾).

Sometimes you ask him to help pick what you'll do with your hair next which either ends with him saying "You look beautiful no matter what" or showing you very specific photos he found on Google.

It's been years since you've paid for your own hair because Leon insists on taking care of that for you. It doesn't matter how much it costs, he has no problem with it as long as you are happy.

He'd go into the beauty supply store with you and know exactly where to go and what to get, even reminding you not to forget some things along the way.

Leon has a huge soft spot for your natural hair, whatever texture it may be he's whipped for it. Loves being able to touch your hair (with permission) and probably asks to help you on wash days so he has an excuse to do so.

speaking of which, I can see wash days becoming an intimate thing for you two as you get older. He'd help you shampoo in the shower as a form of affection, or you're sitting in his lap while he helps you detangle when your arms get tired.

If you have locs I can see Leon looking up a tutorial on how to do retwists to help you out. Even if you tell him time and time again that you'd rather have your loctician do it he insists you give him a chance. Turns out he's not half bad at it and you let him do it a few times a year.

[athenaluciscaelum]

Pairing: Dante x Reader

Rated: General

Words: 1436 word

Warning: None

Disclaimer:

This is my first blog for writing anything to be open for public scrutiny, so be kind, I do not intend to take any scrutiny for task I'm doing out of my passion, and I am not getting paid for anyway. A constructive criticism in right tone can be welcome. But anything unkind or disrespectful or homophobic or any hate shall be deleted. I do not entertain such things and I do not mind simply deleting them. This being said I will try my best to put trigger warning rightfully in every post but if sometimes, I miss something. You can let me know and educate me on topic respectfully and I will add it promptly.

How he knew?

Let's Rock!

The neon sign reading "Devil May Cry" flickered at the crack of dawn in the not-so-well-off part of the city, situated beside a strip club called Love Planet, which barely helped its image. Not that Dante was one to care about image. But now and then, Dante thinks about the life he witnessed as a child. He was raised on the outskirts of the Red Grave city, with big fields and flowers surrounding Sparda's mansion, the mansion was adorned in a Victorian style. It was a home Sparda and Eva built. After 2000 years of roaming the realm of humans when Sparda’s eyes caught a lady of such elegance that he felt what he hadn't felt in 2000 years: love. Offcourse , he felt platonic love and sympathy for human being, but love that one year, burned their skin, made them smile even in the darkest times. It was different, it was something he never thought he wanted, but that's what now he needed. This led him to settle down and build a family. Or that's how it was in Dante's mind.

Dante thought of his parents' great love and him and his brother being the product of that love. He entertained the idea for a second if he would ever feel such a burn. He let out a huff as he raised his hand to pick up a magazine from his face; it was a Playboy magazine. He sighed, not that he was exactly in the mood for anything of the sort, but he was bored and this was the closest magazine to him. Knowing his lazy self, he settled for it.

Dante lowered his feet from the top of the table to the floor and sat in a chair. He looked around; beer and whiskey bottles littered the floor, magazines and books were all around, posters were chipping off the wall, and the place smelled gloomy with dust everywhere. Pizza boxes made the place stink. His spine lowered, he put his face in his hands and he ran a hand across his face and felt his stubble. He heard a word in his mind, "old," and for the first time, he thought, "It is all so boring, what am I doing with my life?"

Nothing a walk won't fix, right? Not that he had any job or cash on him to entertain himself with strawberry sundaes, pizza, booze, or flirting with random women at a bar. Anyway, a walk it is, he thought.

It was early morning. Dante stood up, dusted his pants and put on his clothes. He went to the bathroom; he never liked looking at himself in the mirror. But he splashed some water on his face, his stubble was way too grown for his liking, making him look older. The word "old" echoed in Dante's mind. He shook his head, brushed his teeth, and grabbed his coat from his leather couch. Dante walked through the city. It was too early for anything to be open or anything to happen, not that he wanted to see anyone in particular or was looking for something. Dante looked around and found a public library. For the first time, he felt his heart speak to him. Just. Go. In. Dante frowned, was it my heart? Or my demon? Certainly, something smells sweet, unlike a demon stench. This lured him; he always thought how Sparda knew that Eva was 'the one' after so many years.

Dante suddenly cut the line of thought. Why should I care? I exist, so he knew, how? Is irrelevant. Dante walked in, the clock struck at at 08:00 AM. He didn't expect anyone to be there and to his satisfaction, no one was. Good. Very good. This he likes.

Dante strolled through the rows of books. To him, books never smelled great or soothing like Trish and many book lovers claimed. All he smelled was dust, gloom, and old paper.

As Dante walked through the rows, he could swear he saw someone sitting in a row surrounded by piles of books. His heart made the decision, his feet made him walk to this 'someone', before he could even comprehend he was standing in front of this sweet-scented person whose eyes looked up at him curiously from where they were sitting on the floor surrounded by books. They blinked at Dante, head out of the book, their voice small, soothing and Dante couldn't help but just stare. His heart beat strong, and his skin burned. He wasn't sure himself. He just stared.

And they spoke, "Ummm....do you want something?"

Dante looked away from them; his icy blue eyes wanting to take in the form before him more, but he played it cool.

Dante spoke in his usual carefree tone, "No... I was just bored...."

You were so quick to jump to conclusions; he was in the library and bored, so he liked books, you deduced. Or you just wanted to push your favourite novel on someone. You spoke genuinely cheered, "Well, try reading 'Count of Monte Cristo' by Alexander Dumas; it is certainly full of drama! And you look like you like theatrics with your elegant coat and those boots!"

You grinned and suddenly realized you were rambling as you saw Dante's face in a little frown and eyes surprised. You covered your mouth and internally cursed yourself, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to assume! I-I-I-I..." And your words failed you, after reading books all day only to fail.

Dante smiled, and let out a chuckle, he smiled genuinely for a long time and spoke cooly, "You're full of suprises...."

You eased and felt comfortable, you stood up and smoothened ensemble you choose for the day. Dante just stood their taking in you form. Usually people who did not knew Dante personally which were very few, they stayed away from Dante, he has image he maintained and he was intimidating in general, not that he was much into interaction, only strager who ever came close to him willingly were men or women interested to take on to handsome devil for a good night. Anyway...you smiled extended your hand with friendliness and smiled, "I am Y/N, nice to meet you, what is your name, mister?"

Dante snapped out of staring at you discreetly, he was too overwhelmed by the scent. He smiled and took your hand in his to shake, ohho so soft and delicate hands, "I am Dante, no need for mister....just call me Dante."

You stumbled and felt embarrassed, "ohho...right...Mister Dante... I mean Dante...right...."

Dante leaned against a book shelf trying to be cool..Athena looked around and took out the book, 'The Count of Monte Cristo', she handed it to Dante, "Here...read it...you will certainly enjoy it, the main character name in the book is Edmund Dantes... something common between you two." You smiled, so effortlessly...Dante looked down at book and run finger through his hair, "Hmm...as much as I will like it, I do not have library membership to get it issued..." You nodded, "Ohho....come with me..." You held his hand without second thought, he was lil suprised how natural and easy everything felt with you, he smiled, he felt your soft hand grip against his rough leather gloved hand, would you mind if he just felt your hand, just a little? Before he can decided, you both were outside the library near the locker, you took out your satchel and handed him your hard copy of the book, "Here." You looked at the clock at the entrance of the library read 09:00AM. You panicked, "Shoot! My lecture starts in fifteen minutes, I got to go!" You started to dash off without second thought. Dante called out, "Wait, sweet cheeks!" You blushed at the name and turned embarrassed, also little shocked, "What? I'm in hurry..." Dante held up book in his hand, as he spoke, "How am I suppose to return this, after I am done reading?"

You mentally smacked herself for giving her precious book without a way to get it back, but somehow it was so easy and cozy around Dante, she spoke in hurry, ready to haste, "I am here everyday from 07:00AM to 08:45 AM and 04:00PM to 06:00PM, except weekends...!" You said it and ran as fast as you could.

Dante looked down at book, it has your scent lingering on it. Now he has to finish book as soon as possible, after all he gotta return it back. He smiled to himself.

As he walked back home with new 'hope', Dante sighed, 'so that's how he knew.' And now Dante knows it too.

Tags: @marshmallows-and-champagne

[maxdibert]

Hogwarts's security is funnier in the videogames, there are bottomless pits, lava rivers and murderous armors 😂

Since you know a lot about gender theory and such, what do you think of feminist/progressive readings of works that weren't written with that intention at all? I mean old media made mainly by cishet white men.

I'm a big fan of the old crusty Disney films, and while people tend to underestimate them, it's weird when some try to pretend that they're some kind of "feminist masterpiece" when again, they were mainly made by men who weren't ashamed to belittle the women that worked with them.

I really like this question. I’ve always been critical of Disney. Yes, there are some films I genuinely like, but not for their traditional values or sugar-coated romances. I appreciate them because they focus more on adventure or friendship. Interestingly, these are usually the least successful and most underrated movies in the Disney canon. Films like Lilo & Stitch or Brother Bear are great examples of stories where the main theme isn’t romantic love, but rather human (or non-human) connection and emotional growth.

Take Brother Bear, for instance it may seem anecdotal in this analysis, but it carries a powerful symbolic message: a young man who must take on a caregiving role and emotional responsibility for a child. This subverts the traditional pattern of the male hero who either runs from affection or sees it as a weakness. But, of course, these kinds of narratives don’t sell as well as the ones about princesses waiting to be rescued, suffering from Stockholm syndrome, or trading their voice to attract a man. Oh well.

When analyzing gender in mass media, it’s essential to start from a basic idea: most female archetypes —even those that appear less harmful or slightly feminist— are built from the male gaze and desire.

The most recognizable ones are the classics:

The Virgin: the innocent, kind-hearted girl.

The Mother: the moralizing figure who emotionally supports others.

The Whore: the femme fatale, the sexualized and dangerous woman.

These archetypes operate as patriarchal fantasies repeated ad nauseam in the collective imagination. “Good” women —devoted, nurturing, and revolving around the male protagonist’s wellbeing— are rewarded by the narrative. “Wild,” hypersexual, ambitious, or simply independent women are punished… unless they redeem themselves by fitting into one of the former molds.

Even when a female character seems to break the mold, she often still functions in service of male desire. The ultimate example: the manic pixie dream girl: an eccentric, charming woman whose sole function is to rescue a man from his existential boredom. She has no agency of her own, she’s only interesting insofar as she transforms him.

In these kinds of stories, women aren’t companions: they’re accessories.

Now, do fictions created by men exist that, even without an explicitly feminist agenda, manage to break gender stereotypes? Yes. Are they perfect? No. Can they still be meaningful? Absolutely.

Not every piece of fiction has to be a feminist pamphlet to be useful in terms of representation or to question the traditional narrative order. Some works break with expectations, propose alternatives, and generate new imaginaries. And in a world where fiction is a massive tool of socialization, that is deeply political.

Fiction constructs ideology. It educates, normalizes, indoctrinates. That’s why totalitarian regimes have always invested heavily in visual and narrative propaganda. And that’s also why capitalism has perfected the entertainment machine as a tool for cultural production. What we consume influences how we think. And how we think shapes how we live.

For me, the clearest example of how to build narratives that respect emotional diversity and break with sexism is Studio Ghibli. While Disney teaches us to look for princes and romanticize passivity, Ghibli offers something else: personal adventures, companionship, connection to nature, and a deeply empathetic view of the world.

Ghibli’s protagonists are girls and teenagers, not adult women sexualized or princesses designed to be pleasing. They’re brave, sensitive, sometimes warriors, sometimes witches, sometimes just regular workers, sometimes fantastical beings, sometimes lost, sometimes driven. They don’t seek love: they seek meaning. They don’t need a boy to rescue them, just a companion to walk with them.

And Ghibli’s boys are far from the alpha male stereotype: they’re gentle, calm, empathetic. They’re there to support, not dominate. They’re allowed to express their fears and emotions. In Ghibli films, female characters don’t have to give up their sensitivity to be strong, nor their strength to be sensitive. That’s radically subversive because it allows them to be fierce, independent, rebellious and powerful, and to be emotional, caring, and vulnerable at the same time. They don’t have to suppress their humanity to be protagonists. Their emotions are their strength.

This is revolutionary in narrative terms because most of the time, the only way women are allowed to be leads is if they strip away every trace of humanity to become machines that emulate toxic masculinity. So having well-rounded female characters who can encompass everything is vital.

Beyond animation, television has also given us some surprisingly groundbreaking female representations. One of them is Xena: Warrior Princess. She wasn’t just a woman fighting as the lead in her own story, her bond with Gabrielle transcended simple camaraderie and suggested a much deeper intimacy, without needing male validation.

Then came Buffy, which completely broke the mold. Despite Whedon being a creep, Buffy was revolutionary: all the female characters were active, powerful, layered. Buffy wasn’t just the “Chosen One”: she was a teenager who fought without giving up her emotional life. She wasn’t a “strong girl” in a masculine way: she was strong in a human way. That marked a whole generation because, again: Buffy is the hero without giving up her feelings or vulnerability. And vulnerability is a key word when talking about gender: in patriarchy, men are never allowed to be vulnerable, and women are seen as weak for expressing emotions.

Outside of that, cinema has also given us gems that stand the test of time:

Ripley in Alien remains an unbeatable example of a female lead in sci-fi and horror. She’s not a “masculinized woman”, she’s complex, empathetic, and brave.

Sarah Connor in Terminator turns her pain into strength.

Thelma & Louise is a story about female freedom and breaking imposed desires.

Muriel’s Wedding brilliantly deconstructs romantic longing and identity-building.

Fried Green Tomatoes, though directed by a man, retains the heart of a women’s story told with sensitivity, sisterhood, and power.

The Color Purple portrays oppression and female emancipation from the margins.

The gender of the writer or director matters, but it’s not everything. There are men who have written terrible female characters, and women who’ve done just as badly. The key lies in narrative intent, in the gaze, in the kind of world being built.

Is the female character defined by her relationship to a man? Does she have agency? A narrative arc? Contradictions? Can she be strong and cry at the same time? Those are the relevant questions because they’re asked with gender awareness. For example, does the story include different types of women representing diverse femininities? Are all those experiences given agency, or are some ridiculed and others glorified?

Representation isn’t just about sex or ethnicity. Representing different forms of femininity —and subversive masculinities— is essential. Penalizing patriarchal elements narratively is key if we’re to consider a work truly breaking stereotypes. And for that, it doesn’t matter whether the writer is a man or a woman—, nyone can fall into the same traps.

[sirfrogsworth]

@vanriblogs asked for some product photography advice and it is easier to make a post rather than trying to fit everything into a reply.

Plus this might be of interest to other folks as well.

This is an example of her products.

I like your product photos a lot. Making a compelling photo of something semi two-dimensional is difficult. Adding interest with a neat background goes a long way and you do a great job of not making it too distracting.

Another approach... since you can't make your products more three dimensional, you might consider placing them on objects that are more three-dimensional.

It sounds to me like your biggest issue is mitigating unwanted reflections. Which is actually like 90% of the problem solving involved with high level product photography.

The easiest technique is to go outside on an overcast day. The world would be your light source and the only reflections would be of your camera which you have to deal with no matter what. But this kind of lighting is a little boring and weather is not very reliable.

Glossy items create what are called "image-forming reflections" on their surface. That means a picture of your light source covers your product. So what you have to do is make the light source attractive rather than the product. And typically that is done with gradient lighting.

And the way you create these gradients is by projecting a ball of light onto diffusion material. (Though for tall cylindrical objects like bottles, you would project a vertical strip of light.)

The light slowly fades away through the diffusion material which causes gradients like in this photo of my $8 gas station Aviator knockoffs...

The lenses reflect a distorted view of my light source.

Softboxes use a homogenous diffusion approach. Every inch of the surface area outputs the same intensity of light. But this kind of diffusion you are intentionally creating a hotspot that graduates away.

The industry standard gradient diffusion material is Lee 216 or Savage Translum. It's a bit pricey but a roll lasts forever. The Savage is a little thicker and more heavy duty. The Lee doesn't hold up as well but is easier to craft into different modifiers or you can hang either brand off a light stand with a boom arm. Karl demonstrates using diffusion material for gradients in this video.

If you can't afford the expensive stuff right now, you can double up tracing paper and get a similar effect.

All that said, I actually think there is another light modifier that would be perfectly suited for your particular products. And I know I look like a huge Karl Taylor fanboy (because I am) but he really is the only one doing high quality education about this stuff and he is one of the world's top product photographers.

So you might try... the Karl Taylor Light Cone!

I know that looks like a late night informercial product for photographers, but it really does work as advertised.

It is a great way to get rid of all unwanted reflections with the small exception of your camera lens which can usually be removed easily in Photoshop. The idea of the light cone is it completely surrounds your products with gradient light sources

It comes in three sizes. Big, medium, and smartphone. I think you can use the medium with your camera and the size of your products.

If you can't afford it right now, you can construct it out of tracing paper or similar diffusion material, but I'm not sure if that would be hard to get standing upright. Though you can actually turn the cone sideways too. You just have to get creative and problem solve with the space and equipment you have available. As long as you understand the principles the rest is just trial and error.

Depending on the object, you may need up to 3 lamps to get a good result but I think you can get by with two for now. It is very important they are all identical and have the exact same bulb. You will get more control if you can find lights that project a smaller ball of light onto the diffuser. That way you can back them off to make the ball of light bigger or move them closer to make it smaller.

Karl has a series of tutorials on the V-Flat World website.

Karl also has an entire education platform and you could subscribe to for a month and cancel when you have learned what you need to know. I have learned more from Karl than just about any other photographer so I can vouch for the quality of the info there.

His YouTube page has a few shorter and less in-depth product photography videos that you might find helpful as well.

Just so I don't sound like a Karl Taylor marketing robot, I also really like Martin Botvidsson. He isn't as good of a teacher, but if you are good at learning by watching others do the thing, you can absorb some good stuff from him. He also works in a much smaller space which might be useful to observe.

And Workphlo has some tutorials as well along with some surfaces you may find useful.

Now, the one thing that is important to keep in mind...

These folks all have the fanciest cameras and the fanciest lights and one of the biggest complaints they get is, "I don't have expensive gear, how am I supposed to get good photos?"

And then they constantly have to explain the principles of lighting never change and you can get good results with desk lamps and a smartphone.

Here is a video from Karl proving this point while doing a wine bottle shoot with desk lamps.

Don't fall into the fancy gear trap. You can work with what you have. It just takes a little patience and a lot of trial and error.

I took this stapler photo with a smartphone and two $40 video lights.

And these bottles too...

It was the knowledge in my brain that got these results. Fancy gear can make it much easier and it is more necessary as you get into more complicated setups, but that is something you grow into over time.

In any case, I wish you luck.

Feel free to ask questions if you run into a speed bump along the learning curve.

[prodigalwitch]

Im so thankful for every rad fem. Yall for real carry the feminism. I literally hate hate hate how nowadays feminism caters to men, watered down to some „um I’m just happy I can vote, we should be glad we’re making progress” like girl how long was voting a thing before we were allowed. Or „not all men are bad!!!” After every post simply just stating men do xyz, if misogynistic men were minority then the system wouldn’t look like that. Black on white. Easy as that.

No, I don’t need to coodle him because patriarchy hurts him too and it’s not all men. All men benefit from patriarchy (be it simple „at least he doesn’t beat me/rape me”), not being actively bad person doesn’t make you a good person. Period. And no I’m not villainising men when I hold them accountable and bring up their part in the system.

The same with including trans people into everything. Like sure, dress how you want, act feminine - I don’t care. But you can’t be mad that biological women don’t feel comfortable around biological male and want women only spaces. Like?? Stop throwing transphobia nonsense on women just trying to be comfortable. Besides the point that gender is just a construct and it’s kind of off putting that someone sees how women are treated and oppressed and decides that „wow this is what I wish to be” have some decorum. They’re profiting out of you catering to gender norms.

No, im not a „fake feminist” because I don’t support women in sex fields. I want them out of there, I want them to be able to freely and comfortable be able to earn a living without objectifying themselves for male gaze. Women are not products to be bought. And no I’m not a „false feminism” when I tell you that you should de-center men from your life. Housewife fantasy is a one thing but believing that your life’s worth lays in a man is another. Get a grip.

Generally, if you want to fight against something but your actions don’t make them mad - it’s not enough, it doesn’t bother them. It doesn’t work if you coddle into the system calling it fighting against.

Sorry for ranting. Feel free to disagree. Just know I appreciate you lots and lots. LOVE TO ALL RAD FEMS YALL ALWAYS SAFE AROUND ME. SPEAK LOUDER AND CLEAR.

Hey thanks for your message! if you haven't already, you should check out the redfem library! the more educated and conscious women, the better.

[jollybirdtheorist-new-art-blog]

UPDATE!note. or apology? I dunno mixed signals

Hello. I'm back? It's been a while? Or maybe not ADHD makes time move funny.

Sorry I disappeared school work made my brain short circuit. But that's not really the only thing on my mind.

I wanted to pick up a new hobby. Writing (y,know fanfics, au's, fantasy worlds/realms.) and I'm still working on it but I think i've hit a wall?

I felt so much motivation starting and daydreaming about said project...but now I'm burnt out? Its weird because I'm too tired to do the things I actually like? Not only that but when I'm writing I don't feel that my stories turn out too good- or good at all actually.

I'm writing but the finished products feel weird or not right they almost feel cringe even. I know The word cringe is unkind and I hate it to oblivion- but that's the only word I can use to describe my scrapped works.

How do I start liking my works?

How do I get better at doing the things I love?

.

.

Truth is I don't know.

I have no clues either.

But I'm still not giving up either, I'm going to continue trying, reading, analyzing and trying until I get skilled enough to create a Story worthy of my own Admiration!

But until then I'll continue to be 'cringe'. Even if my works suck right now I've gotta start somewhere!

Guidelines/ simple rules and boundaries (for safety reasons!)

• This brings me to my next point actually, I'm going back to shitposting. Or really actively posting. The timing will be sporadic/ mostly unpredictable. But I am determined to make good content not only for my enjoyment but for others whom share my hyper fixations and people who just stumble upon my blog.

• I'm still somewhat a beginner artist and writer with no clue what they're doing so be patient with me. If you are to give me criticism may it be detailed and constructive.

• I also occasionally like doing crackships for fun. And as I said I have slightly different headcannons from the usual viewer. If you're confused about anything regarding my ships you may drop a question (or multiple questions!) in my inbox so that I may clear up any confusions!

•Please do NOT jump to conclusions if I accidentally offend anyone without realizing.( I know this rule sounds confusing but I'm setting it for good reason)

•I set the rule above ⬆️ . Because the Internet is full of all kinds of things I might not be knowledgeable in. If I accidentally make a mistake, use some terminology wrong or something I can't think of yet. please correct me or educate me instead of arguing or tryna attack me online. (Though I haven't got into any trouble of that sort during my time here I feel as if this is a necessary rule to set early.) I am an open minded individual and I choose to respect anyone whom shows me respect. If there were to be any situation I cannot resolve with logic or simple explanation I'd rather agree to disagree instead of blocking someone.

I am here to have fun, and to make friends or connections. Not fights.

I Am NOT pr0shipper. I do not condone ships with actual abusive relationships (they make my guts squrim in a very uncomfortable way). I also don't condone pedos/ chromo's (believe me I've had uncomfortable encounters with such folks before.)

If you stuck to the end of this post good job! I'm proud you made it! I hope you have a beautiful week!♥️

[daggerzine]

Don’t Need You: the herstory of riot grrrl Documentary Film Review (Urban Cowgirl Productions-REVIEW BY DINA HORNREICH)

If punk hardcore was considered a totally aggro-male/hyper-masculine super aggressive pressure cooker of a mosh pit fiasco, then why would girls fight their way to the front for inclusion in this fiery cauldron of fearsome frustration? Because the double-standard that “girls can be sad, and boys can be angry: but girls can’t be angry, and boys can’t be sad” is total bullsh*t! But that’s the manufactured party line that gender essentialist ideology perpetuates which has created “the pink tax,” “glass ceilings,” and other artificial barriers to gender equity in the “marketplace.”

As I’ve already articulated: Riot Grrrl (& Queercore/Homocore) were another sub-counterculture which uniquely adopts a loud (often campy) Punk idea that is overtly informed by more academic feminist and queer approaches as a deliberate artistic movement involving the work of Bikini Kill, Babes in Toyland, Mecca Normal, Team Dresch, Pansy Division, and Tribe 8. The “Don’t Need You” documentary looks specifically between an Olympia, WA and Washington, DC nexus involving a so-called “third wave feminist” revolution suggested by this ad hoc collective of bands (i.e. musical artists) like Bratmobile (Alison Wolfe), Bikini Kill (Kathleen Hanna), Heavens to Betsy (Corin Tucker), Chalk Circle (Sharon Cheslow), Bonfire Madigan Shive, Ian Mackaye (Fugazi), and Calvin Johnson (Beat Happening) whose daringly outspoken efforts succinctly captured a mid-90s feeling for appropriating a “punk attitude” in order to submit their “[love rock] revolution girl style now!” ethos which co-existed regularly with “twee” and “chickfactor” spheres. If you can recall the Halo Benders’ lyric about “Looking is free, but touching is gonna cost you something…” then you should be able to catch up pretty quickly on their vibe?!

While there was also a feminist self-defense CD compilation in 1995 called “Free to Fight!” this film also does a good job capturing the spirit of this movement which has minimally inspired a strain of Girls Rock Camps. It also helps to remind me of when I started more seriously contemplating these iterations of feminist movements when a professor I had in college read to her classes the introduction to her then forthcoming book, Third wave agenda: Being Feminist, Doing Feminism which offered a key scholarly piece about the riot grrrl movement (by Jen Smith who gets mentioned in the documentary). 

I remember this new idea of “third wave” feminism very well; mainly because after our instructor finished reading her introduction she looked directly at our room full of students and said “you are on your own!” And to my dismay, she was kinda right about that; but being excluded from her feminist efforts still left me a lot to ponder. It fostered me another gateway to understanding two certain realities that I continue to grapple with: females need to be educated and we need to have professional careers for financial wellness. Furthermore: those are non-negotiable facts, and punk (as an overtly hostile domain of intense masculinity) offers preparation for trying to fit into the cut-throat competition of this “rat race” – and other realities of living in the "mosh pit" of this ever resilient “man’s world.” In fact, Heavens to Betsy's song, "White Girl" remains anthemic for me on my personal journey as it reminds me that changing the world starts by looking inward.

As such, the film further validates an iterative need for DIY efforts in self-expression and creativity that challenges the artificial social constructs that Arlie Russell Hochshildso eloquently articulated in The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling. This is because culture, politics, and emotion are crucial considerations, especially in this 21st Century; and punk has always been a  perfect outlet for articulating those issues for lost girls, troubled boys, and everyone in-between (or beyond)! And the ongoing backlash (and litany of distortions) that we continue to face for trying to raise these challenges, only further reinforces our need for furthering these efforts. Resisting “cancel culture” and similar attempts to dismiss our efforts as “fashionable” (or otherwise temporary “fads”) isn’t always easy; but the fact that women are outliving men (or are otherwise required to be more self-sufficient than previous generations of women) means that we have no choice but to keep on living! Fortunately, NYU Libraries(and others) are helping us to do that.

[tailored-casettetapes]

Hello Tumblr!

This is a sort of intro post since it’d probably make sense to make one of these before actually starting to post anything.

As you can see, my user here is Tailored-Casettetapes, but you can call me Rain!

TW: Mentions of sensitive topics/Mature Themes.

A few things about me include that I LOVE art in all forms. Writing, Drawing, Painting, Televised Productions- just anything to do with people using their awesome minds to create something their own. If you couldn’t already tell from my username, I am a MASSIVE hopeless romantic, and I’m also one for dramatics and emotion, so beware lol. I’m a bit on the emo side, like enjoying dark aesthetics, colors, and clothes- and I listen to almost ANY genre of music. If it slaps it slaps (the only one I CANNOT tolerate is Country Music). Another thing about me and my page is that it is a SAFE PLACE for ALL, no matter their backgrounds and identities. So long as you are kind and respectful, I shall return it tenfold- so please don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for certain content, and if you still don’t feel comfortable, that is just fine as well. Do you boo!

Speaking of my content, I will likely be making this page into a Fanfiction page! I’m usually not comfortable with sharing my writing, ESPECIALLY not on the internet- but with the relatively kind and understanding Fanfiction Writers and community that I’ve seen, I think I would like to finally put myself out there! With that- I also wouldn’t mind and actually love any tips or constructive criticism (but ACTUAL criticism, don’t be a hater, it isn’t cute) so feel free to leave any tips if you’d like after you’ve read my writing!

Now, I don’t know how a lot of the formatting for Fanfics works here since I am just a reader and don’t tend to look much deeper, but I believe the following would be a Masterlist? If that’s not what it is, just pretend it’s a “What Fandoms I am into and willing to write for” list, as well as my do’s and don’t for potential requests in the future.

Fandoms I am in and willing to write for!

Arcane.

A little bit of Attack On Titan/Shingeki no Kyojin.

A Series of Unfortunate Events.

Blue Lock/Burū Rokku.

Corpse Bride.

Some DC (Mainly Batfam, Superfam, y’know).

A little bit of Dead Plate wouldn’t hurt anybody.

Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Dune.

Final Fantasy (Primarily 7 and 15).

Fire Emblem: Three Houses (and maybe a little outside of that).

Fullmetal Alchemist/Hagane no Renkinjutsushi.

Genshin Impact.

Gokurakugai/Paradise District.

Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, AND Marauders (yes I’m crazy for being in all 3).

Hunger Games.

Some Hunter X Hunter/Hantā × Hantā.

BARELY any Kaiju no. 8/Kaijū Hachigō.

Legend of Zelda.

Lies of P.

Marvel Universe.

Mouthwashing (probably no shipping or romance ones other than ‘x reader’ anything else is probably fine lol)

My Hero Academia/Boku no Hīrō Akademia.

Pokemon.

Resident Evil (Primarily 2 and 3 but I could maybe do a bit of 8).

Sally Face.

Silent Hill (primarily 2).

Some Soul Eater/Sōru Ītā.

Star Wars.

Teen Wolf (first season, still watching lol)

The Mazerunner (first two-ish movies)

The Promised Neverland/Yakusoku no Nebārando maybe.

Tokyo Revengers/Tōkyō Ribenjāzu.

Trigun Stampede/Toraigan Sutanpīdo.

Umbrella Academy.

Voltron: Legendary Defender.

Wuthering Waves.

A little bit of X-Men.

Jujutsu Kaisen/Sorcery Battle.

If You can believe it, I'm in a LOT more fandoms, these are just general ones for now.

Now for the Dos and Don’ts of what I’ll write!

Dos:

I will write for ANY identity of the LGBTQ+ community.

I will write for any body type and shape.

I will write for any Skin Tone, Ethnicity, and Religious Alignment.

I will write for any disability.

I will write for most tropes, unless they go against my don’ts.

I will try my very best to write for any and everyone that I can, but please understand that if I am not educated on said topic it will likely take longer since I want to represent it the best that I can. If I don’t feel comfortable in my ability to deliver something correctly, I will let you know and apologize in advance. Thankfully for the most part, I can fulfill most.

I will write any ‘x readers’ and any ships so long as they don’t go against my don’ts.

I will likely write my personal blurbs and headcanons for characters, and even put yours out there and into a story if you’d like, just let me know!

I will write fluff, angst, comfort- anything EXCEPT smut. I’m ok with a little spice, but I don’t feel comfortable writing any smut yet sorry!

I will write a blank canvas Y/N, with nothing specified unless a requester wants something specified. Otherwise? Y/N is a mannequin for you to mold into yourself or whoever you’d like.

I will write Platonic fics and blurbs!!! I love myself a good sibling, parent to child, or bestie fic, and we don’t get them often!

Will write stories with Pregnant readers or characters, but NOT the forced pregnancy trope.

I will ONLY write consensual ships and x readers, the only time I'll consider any non-con is if, once again, it's trauma or an event that pertains to something bigger and isn't romanticized.

I'm willing to write about some gore and violence, probably not the most descriptive but at least a general idea depending on what it is.

Don’ts:

I will not be writing any hateful and discriminatory rhetoric UNLESS if it is for the plot and is not romanticized, but even then, it will be mild.

I will not be writing smut.

I will not be writing for ships or tropes that POSITIVELY reinforces or fantasizes/romanticizes (Meaning that if said trope is intended to be part of a story and is treated accordingly as wrong and unjust/trauma and working through it. And there is GROWTH from it rather than just an SA scene for no reason, THEN I will consider going over these topics. For example, I would be willing to write a scenario where said person is suffering from the trauma of one of these events, but again IT WILL NOT BE ROMANTICIZED, I AM NOT A BOOKTOK GIRLIE.) Rape/Sexual Assault, Abusive Relationships both Physically and Mentally, Child Abuse, Incest, Grooming, Excessively Gory Scenarios, etc.

I WILL NOT WRITE PROSHIPS!!! PROSHIPPERS DNI!!!

I will not write about extremely problematic figures, not like fictional characters, more so if someone wants an actor or a person for me to write about and that person is just EW.

I will not write for inappropriate age gaps (for example, a 17 year old with a 20 year old isn’t ok, thanks)

One thing I'd also like to mention is that I won't JUST do x reader fanfic. I'm happy to do character x character or just small stories and headcanon stories, too! Maybe if I like posting here, I'll even post stories on my own ocs, but that's probably far in the future!

So that covers everything! At least, all that I can think of right now. I hope to get out a few One Shots and Blurbs of whatever just to get the creative juices flowing and get some traction, but I’ll be sure to take requests as soon as I can!

I don’t have the most free time, so if I post at all it will likely be sparingly. I hope I can free up soon, but this is the reality now.

I look forward to sharing my writing and style with others, and I hope I can create an enjoyable space for all lovers of Romance and Love!

[biblioflyer]

Section 31: The Movie (No Spoilers Review)

Long time followers will not be surprised to learn I didn't like it. Why might surprise you though. Normally my shtick is constructive criticism and analysis, and I'm going to try really hard to say on the rails, but I really didn't like this movie.

Look, I made a certain kind of peace with the notion that this would not be my kind of Star Trek story when it was announced. So I tried to be in the right mindset. In some ways I was pleasantly surprised in how it dialed back the nihilism and atrocity apologia quite a bit.

For once Section 31 is not attempting to solve the problem of an existential threat to the Federation through a half baked Xanatos gambit featuring rationalizations for genocide that don't really stand up to any serious scrutiny. So there's that. If we're grading on a curve, maybe assigning Star Trek what in education world we refer to as Individualized Education Plan, the absence of a poorly conceived moral justification for genocide is worth at least one star.

But anyway, I was mentally prepared for a story about people who are very much not Starfleet and I was prepared not to hold this against the film just because it wasn't my Star Trek.

Except it was boring. I wasn't invested in any of the characters or their stories. I suppose this also kinda, sorta functions as an origin story for Rachel Garrett and the iron nerve that would see someone choose to lay down their life for their principles not once, but twice even after being offered a reprieve from imminent death. But its all just so cliched and dull. It also doesn't really sell the idea that Garrett is someone with the capacity to go solemnly and knowingly to her certain death because its the right thing to do. Section 31's Garrett is a junior officer babysitting a gang of unstable criminals. She never really pays a price for choosing her Starfleet principles and the conclusion of her arc is that she's a bit cooler under pressure and less uptight for having stared down mortality.

It wildly gyrates from John Wick to Suicide Squad to Guardians of the Galaxy, and just never develop any fondness for any of the characters. The fight scenes are too long, the choreography doesn't do anything I find all that novel or impress me with the skill of the actors or their stunt doubles, and I don't feel whatever tension or uncertainty I assume I'm supposed to feel. The final bought of fisticuffs does up the ante in terms of how much violence a Trek fight will show but that kind of made it worse in that the extra bit of ick doesn't actually compensate for the lack of suspense.

Ultimately, its a film that unsurprisingly leaned into many of my complaints about Discovery. Which I think is actually an underrated show that is hated for the wrong reasons. But it often suffers from bizarre and self contradicting story logic, a shallow sense of the core principles its trying to espouse, and rather boring and drawn out fight scenes that just seem to eat up time. Fisticuffs are not new to Trek, but for the most part other shows just get it over with because with their less elaborate sets and FX, there's only so much they could do to make the fights visually interesting if the fights weren't narratively interesting.

I assume the people who are constantly complaining about political correctness or wokeism will find something to complain about, but it really doesn't have any of the shallow idealism of Discovery and I actually find I miss it. Discovery's first season in particular had a lot to say about struggling to remain decent in indecent circumstances, but Section 31 only sort of has anything to say.

Where it does have anything to say, I suppose maybe if you squint there's a subtle retcon where Terran evil is no longer genetically predetermined as alluded to in S3 of Discovery, but rather a product of a monstrous society that makes people into monsters in order to survive. Codas like "there are no righteous tyrants" (and I'm paraphrasing because I don't feel like going back to pull the exact quote) feel significant but its frankly pretty vestigial as moral messaging goes because the Terran Empire is so cartoonishly evil and nonsensical in how its institutions operate.

And anyway, I don't know who that message is for? The handful of internet edgelords who fully acknowledge they want a Caesar to "cross the Rubicon" who probably aren't going to watch this movie anyway because Trek, especially modern Trek doesn't glorify and center their Hobbessian worldview? It just feels like the sort of empty, placeholder philosophy that anyone can get behind and anyone can feel like it represents them and their virtues and assume its an explicit condemnation of whatever real world figure they hate. Which just feels so cowardly and dull.

When it comes to storytelling about trying to be a good person amidst terror and horror, Section 31 like Discovery and Picard, is just Diet Expanse. Or maybe in this case, its the Guardians of the Galaxy without any mirth.

Star Trek Into Darkness is no longer my least favorite Star Trek movie.

[solvixtech]

Why Niche Software Product Development Is the Future

Generic software solutions often fall short, personalization and specificity have become the cornerstones of successful digital transformation. Businesses no longer settle for off-the-shelf platforms that attempt to do everything yet master nothing. They are seeking tailored digital tools that align with their unique workflows, goals, and customers. Enter the niche software development company — a focused powerhouse that builds products with precision.

The Evolution of Software Product Development

Software product development has evolved significantly over the past decade. Initially, businesses adopted monolithic systems to digitize operations. But as markets matured and customer behaviors became more complex, so did the need for hyper-targeted software solutions. Whether it’s a fintech platform with built-in compliance or a telemedicine app with multilingual access, today’s businesses demand flexibility and domain expertise.

That’s where a software product development company earns its value — not just by building software, but by engineering outcomes.

Why Niche Software Is Disrupting the Status Quo

Generalized software development tries to serve all industries equally. But a healthcare company doesn’t operate like a logistics firm. A boutique fitness app doesn’t share requirements with a construction management system. While these sectors might all need scheduling, reporting, or inventory features, the way they use them — and the value they derive — differs wildly.

A niche software development company offers domain-specific knowledge, making the development process faster, more accurate, and less prone to misalignment. These companies understand regulatory hurdles, user expectations, and operational nuances that would take generalists weeks to grasp. The result? Products that are not only functional but deeply intuitive to the end user.

Product-Market Fit Begins with Deep Understanding

The goal of any software product is to meet a real-world need. But identifying that need requires more than just technical skills — it requires industry insight. Niche development teams conduct focused discovery workshops, consult subject-matter experts, and dive into use-case scenarios unique to the domain. This approach minimizes scope creep, reduces iteration cycles, and improves the time to value.

Unlike broad service providers, a software product development company that specializes in a particular vertical can map user journeys with surgical precision, eliminating bloat and enhancing usability from day one.

Innovation Is Easier in a Focused Field

Contrary to popular belief, innovation thrives under constraint. When development is tailored for a specific niche, there’s greater clarity in purpose, and thus more room for creative problem-solving. You’re not trying to build a “one-size-fits-all” dashboard — you’re building the right dashboard for a specific audience, whether that’s factory floor operators, remote educators, or biotech researchers.

That focus enables niche developers to innovate within very refined boundaries — something generalist teams struggle to do. The results? Streamlined interfaces, automation that truly matters, and features that feel native rather than forced.

Scalability with Strategy

There’s a myth that niche software lacks scalability. In truth, well-architected niche platforms are often more scalable than bloated, multipurpose solutions. When you begin with a focused architecture — microservices, modular components, or industry-standard APIs — you can extend functionality without disrupting core operations.

A forward-thinking software product development company builds with flexibility in mind, enabling future growth, cross-platform integration, and long-term sustainability.

Post-Launch: The Role of Continuous Improvement

Software isn’t just launched — it’s lived with. After deployment, real-world feedback pours in. A niche development partner is uniquely positioned to respond to these insights rapidly. They already understand the business logic, user personas, and domain-specific KPIs. This allows for efficient iteration, whether it’s fixing bugs, adding features, or enhancing performance.

Generalist firms may need additional context before implementing changes. Niche teams, on the other hand, can dive right into optimization without re-learning the product every time.

Choosing the Right Development Partner

When evaluating potential partners, businesses often focus on portfolios and tech stacks. While these are important, what matters more is how well the developer understands your industry. Look for companies that:

Specialize in your vertical or adjacent sectors

Offer consultative discovery and strategy phases

Have case studies relevant to your use cases

Prioritize long-term product lifecycle management

Working with a niche software development company gives you the strategic edge of both technical depth and contextual intelligence.

The Future is Verticalized

The next decade will belong to vertical SaaS and specialized platforms. From legal tech and edtech to proptech and agritech, every sector is undergoing digital transformation — on its own terms. Companies that understand and cater to those unique demands will thrive.

By aligning with a software product development company that knows your market inside out, you’re not just commissioning a product. You’re partnering with a team that speaks your language, anticipates your needs, and delivers tools designed specifically for your success.

Conclusion

Software is more than a utility — it’s a strategic differentiator. Businesses that invest in tailored, well-thought-out digital solutions position themselves to lead, not follow. That leadership begins by choosing a development partner who doesn’t just build code — but builds with clarity, vision, and domain mastery.

Whether you’re launching a new platform or modernizing a legacy system, trust a niche software development company to guide you. Because in the race for innovation, context isn’t just helpful — it’s everything.

[valleygirlmukuroikusaba]

esports demonstration meta usually takes place in the farming simulator zone. so on top of the exisal hangar bc its a vantage point where danger is easily looked out for and where the farm quickly able to be restored from damage costs due to exisals and monokuma fucking up every makeshift facility that gets built every 20 minutes

even while tuning in as listeners and guests for whichever esports mf is around

they still need to be doing something productive to make the most out of the speedrun record so usually working on the farm while discussing

tsumugi is positioned to educate keebo, rantaro(gonta is there to keep him from leaving.) and shuichi to learn to apply their good pattern recognition proficiency to things outside of their niche.

having to learn and.

think critically

and not just recognize things and suggest things just on hunch alone. but to process and understand with the whole process of consolidating the data of recognizing sequences, locational data and correlation.

korekiyo’s usually not around bc he would just give out the answers since he’s already studious so he has little to no struggle with it and shuichi/keebo/rantaro actually need to figure shit out on their own

anyways korekiyo’s usually in kokichi’s esports demo meta because he can actually recognize which of the suggestion soup is actually good.

kaito, himiko, kaede, miu, angie, maki, ryoma, tsumugi are regulars who rotate in and out for kokichi’s demo meta tho.

its never a big gathering since that would halt progression with finding glitches and exploits. its usually like. 2-3 ppl kinda

and kokichi still collects and reviews long distance communication logs so kokichi does get new information outside of a specific meta anyways

korekiyo usually is able to recognize better ideas once someone comes up with something actually useful.

kokichi like always gatekeeps his ideas so he’s just mostly there to keep ppl on-topic or challenge ppl to as incentive to get ppl to come up with more unorthodox ideas.

esports demo meta called “funniest ideas competition”

doesn’t have to make sense just make up bullshit.

best ideas are usually just the worst ideas after 70 attempts at coming up with the worst ideas

that are only 20% better than that first horrible idea. but we get somewhere eventually

and if korekiyo approves then we got a new based speedrun meta that can be handed over to kaede and tenko to coordinate

kaede still mostly works on organizing first aid, rescue teams, and establishing makeshift facilities and shelters that don’t account for huge loss of materials/wasted energy after being destroyed by exisals or other factors.

also coordinating backdoor access to future unlockable content by substituting scaffolding with easily breakable material

by distracting exisals that are working on construction

and having ppl shove piles of debris from broken makeshift structures into the scaffolding.

for the higher floors in the school. stocking up on weaponry from maki’s laboratory and miu modifying them to be explosive works for trying to blow shit up from inside the building but is extremely dangerous for most unless maki is the one tearing down the walls

but if they manage to ravage a exisal and use scraps to make a ballista in the farmsim zone they can create new entrances into the school from the outside.

which seems to be pretty effective but absolutely requires maki’s permission before being used by anyone else tho. angie is there instead if maki is absent

tenko’s demo meta is more. validating ppl’s frustrations and getting more heated feedback of things ppl aren’t accounted for that they consider a big deal that they otherwise won’t bring up in tsumugi-kokichi-kaede’s demo metas in respect of trying not to escalate conflict and waste time by getting to caught up in the spur of the moment.

and if there’s a handful of ppl around they absolutely are going to be working on the farm lest ppl actually start trying to hurt eachother from unrestrained rage

yeah anyways the farming simulator speedrun was important this is why

[nigelgriersg]

Nigel Grier Shows How Small Businesses Can Lead in Sustainability

Nigel Grier, a small business owner who works between Singapore and Perth, feels that sustainability is not just for big players. In Nigel Grier Shows How Small Businesses Can Lead in Sustainability, he describes how a small venture can lead. Having a background in Ecological Design and Engineering, Nigel provides concrete tips for constructing enterprises that coexist with nature, demonstrating that true change may be small-scale.

1. Small Changes Add Up

Nigel Grier, you don’t have to be a big company to do a lot of good. Small businesses could start by simply changing something that will reduce wastage, energy consumption, or pollution. This could be changing to energy-saving lighting, reducing packaging, or the use of recycled materials. A consistent ordering of small steps will add up to meaningful consequences.

For instance, Nigel’s own business employs the use of natural air flow and daylight in order to minimize the use of air conditioning and lighting. Such little adjustments are positive for the planet – and the pocketbook as well.

2. Being Small Means Being Flexible

The ability to adjust quickly is one of the best strengths of a small business. In contrast to months or years to adjust their systems, huge corporations can do so, but small businesses are not able to act promptly. Nigel Grier, this flexibility makes it possible for small businesses to experiment with new sustainable ideas, learn from the mistakes made, and improve themselves.

Whether it is trying out a new eco-friendly product or switching suppliers to one that has better environmental practices, small enterprises can be quick and set the pace for others.

3. Connect with the Community

He is of the view that strategic relationships built at a local level are an essential ingredient towards a successful and sustainable business. Smaller businesses are usually closer to the communities than are huge firms. This makes it easier to hear what people are concerned with, such as clean air, green spaces, and less waste, and fulfill these needs.

He tends to collaborate with local builders, designers, and farmers in developing projects that are good for both the people and the planet. He urges other owners of small businesses to create good local networks and develop together based on mutual values.

4. Education and Awareness Matter

Many people want to live their lives more sustainably, but they do not know where to start. He writes that small businesses can take a significant role by sharing what they have learnt. From social media, workshops, or talking to customers, such small businesses can help to raise awareness.

Demonstrating to others how eco-friendly selections exist outside school settings, small businesses can make others follow suit. It is not about being perfect, it is about doing— about becoming a leader through action and having an example to others.

5. Lead with Purpose

Lastly, Nigel Grier says that the most important thing is to lead with a clear purpose. Sustainability mission can act as a compass that would guide thinking about the product to the service, for the customer. People will tend to back up companies that care about something other than profit.

The small enterprises have a special place, and they can contribute to making a greener future. By small steps, community connections, flexibility, and purpose, they can be doing the vanguard on sustainability. Nigel Grier is a demonstration that with a heart and action, even a minor business can do major things.

[nvidiawatchdog]

Is now the right time to buy Nvidia?: what you should look out for

Week 16, Q2

Sunday, 10:45pm

April 28, 2025

Author: John

Friendly readers,

Over the past weeks Nvidia's stock price has been deeply affected by government regulations such as tariffs and export restrictions. This event has mainly been the reason Nvidia stock isn't doing so well in 2025, and has led me to answer the question "is now the right time to buy Nvidia?"

Nvidia started as a hardware tech company but has now grown to develop a platform where its software helps make the hardware perform better. When it to comes to GPUs Nvidia is at the forefront and no other company even come close to what Nvidia is producing. Nvidia's platforms like CUDA and Blackwell are used in every industry like AI training, manufacturing, Engineering and construction e.t.c.

Apart from the government restrictions on Nvidia to sell it chips to china, Nvidia has seen a demand accelerate for it most advanced chips. Sources say that demand is so high it not going away anytime soon, but analyst still worry that the government trying to use Nvidia as a pawn in it's trade war will force the Chinese to work through gates which they never would have. Rising local competition in china suggest that this is already happening and Huawei is leading this race in china.

Nvidia management is filled with the most competent people in tech, with the CEO that has been with the company since its inception and one who is at helm of the company's success. Nvidia has been rank among the top 10 best places to work and this is evident in the amount of time on average an employee spend with Nvidia.

If you are look to buy or sell Nvidia stock my verdict is yes. Nvidia has gone far in it's development of technology that is necessary in running our world but, it still has a long way to go and the company knows this and it is reflected in every new product they launch. The stock price might be down significantly today from it all time high but as far as I can see the company's fundamentals hasn't changed and the technology they develop touches every aspect of our lives it is something to believe in.

The question is do you believe?

Your favorite monitor

John (CEO)

DISCLAIMER

NVIDIA Watchdog is not associated with the NVIDIA Corp. NVIDIA Watchdog does not own any NVIDIA shares. Every information and opinions provided is for educational purpose only and reflects the opinions of the authors. Author's opinions are based on information that is considered reliable. Always ensure to do your own research. Past performance does not denote future result and NVIDIA Watchdog does not guarantee any outcome or profit. Numbers mentioned may fluctuate depending on when you are reading this post.

Company logo and pictures used belong to their respective copyright holders. NVIDIA Watchdog displays them for editorial purposes only.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Tomorrow I will be talking about " why investors should not worry about Huawei new chip release". C ya!

[jaidonschool]

Stream of consciousness reflection after mtndao

Stream of consciousness reflection:

I choose not to embody a common archetype Though it grants harmony, belonging, social role It is not truth. There is more to decision making, understanding the world, etc. When given the choice out of curiosity I usually choose a less known option Maybe my goal is to make the best choice, and I need complete information to do so Maybe I would rather feel the edge of my existence than get lost in societal flow Exploration > established paths. Because I have to cope when the boundaries are too established Maybe I'm afraid of foresight. I'd prefer not to know who I will be in 1 year. I want to be special, above the standard path: wife, picket fence, dog… This is the pinnacle of thousands of years of societal evolution. But if I accept that is the point of life, I will be depressed at its lameness…

Agency low level throughput Agency premium few clients Digital products 9-5 employee Mtndao gave me a dream. And I am alone again

I'm not as wealthy as I thought. I used to be a starving dog, starving to help someone with my design skills. Now we have a big fish and are less diligent. But more confident. And evolved mindset. These options will shape me. But what is the point? What shape is the goal? Happiness? Wealth? Relationships? Skill? All? Balance? Growth?

Some happy time for myself Monetary shelter The long game: expanding the scope of possibility, improving efficiency, and enlightenment: purification of mind, education, consolidating pragmatic knowledge for psychophysiological health, and constructive comportment within the cutting edge matrix.

A humanist, lifeist, technologist take

Happy with nothing [minimalist room] A hunter [primitive human in the rain]

This whole discussion is to alleviate internal conflict The competing desires in my mind and my new worldsim update The social pressure of job/status/wealth My personal pressure to be unique, great, loved Is this the boundary between the absolute and the relative? Yin and yang? Internal and external?

Perhaps this itself is the challenge, the art To life life with a whole heart

What is the question I'm trying to answer?

Humans have mental bandwidth beyond the survival algorithm. Maybe it's a curse.

Lifestyle [business] vs performance [business]… Perhaps I only focus on survival, because I have no better answer. Capitalism: Tension for competition and survival creates Tapping into society, business, getting embedded in the machine, funneling resources to your kind.

Feel capitalism, survival mode Without forgetting:

Essential human jobs that aren't monetarily benefited (mothers, teachers)

Environmental destruction

Wealth inequality

Short term thinking

Monopoly

Exploitation

Social alienation

Don't be a scammer

I already exploit myself, alienate myself, devalue essential human jobs, forget the environment. I am on the bad side of monopoly and wealth inequality, so this won't be an issue until I'm on the other side.

I want to reduce the mental burden of choice. Meaningfully decrease choices. To do this I can:

Decide via dice

Decide via big picture ranked priorities

Decide via d/acc or EA …

Just one of those slow days Type II fun is not always fun Just keep pushing and it will be worth it We have to do something with this life, don't we? Is it about the money? It can buy lifestyle, awe, status, releif – it kinda is - it's kinda about everything All this thinking gives the illusion of control, when action and chance plays a large role

…

Perhaps by curiosity I walk down the path to the end just to know what's real. I did that with service design. With 312. And where did it get me. Am I happy with what happened? It was a good use of school. But I certainly don't want to do that again.

I am now interested in money, business

…

This was my first ever task in Service Design, a general prequarter assignment writing exercise. But I still feel very much the same way even after 5 years

For some reason, it makes me happy to think I haven’t changed much. Maybe it’s because I’m more scared of change these days

I think the core of it is here: “an easier path to determine the optimal society is found in focusing on "mechanics of humanity": subjective moral truths inherent in being alive, conscious, and human. Similar to how smiling makes you happier, working from this moral overlap is a self fulfilling prophecy that shapes perception and reality, in so embracing the limitations of being alive in the most healthy way.”

What I say becomes true, like a fake smile Making the right decision is a matter of clarity and alignment When you don't know, try When it comes to my career path, I say "making cool things with friends" - I believe it can happen!

[craftingtableus]

How to Choose the Right STEM Toys for Your Child

STEM toys are becoming more and more popular with parents who want to help their kids learn important skills in science, technology, engineering, and math. These toys help kids be creative, solve problems, and enjoy learning. But with so many choices out there, picking the right STEM toy can feel overwhelming. This guide will give you simple tips to choose the best STEM toys for your child’s age, interests, and learning stage.

Know What Your Child Likes

Before buying a STEM toy, think about what your child enjoys and what they are good at. Every child is different. Some like building things, while others might enjoy computers or robots. Watching how your child plays can give you a clue about what they like best.

If your child loves building towers with blocks, they might enjoy toys like construction sets. If they like gadgets or computers, coding games or robot kits could be a better fit. Picking a toy that matches your child’s interests will make learning more fun.

Pick the Right Toy for Their Age

Choosing a toy that fits your child’s age is important. Toys that are too hard might frustrate them, while toys that are too easy can get boring quickly.

Check the age recommendation on the toy’s box. Here’s a quick guide:

Toddlers (Ages 1-3): Choose simple, colorful toys that teach basic ideas like shapes and numbers.

Preschoolers (Ages 4-6): Look for hands-on toys like simple building sets or science kits.

Kids (Ages 7-10): Try more advanced toys like robot kits or electronic circuit sets.

Preteens and Teens (Ages 11+): Choose more detailed projects like coding kits or STEM electronics kits.

Choose Toys That Teach Something

STEM toys should be fun, but they should also teach your child something new. Look for toys that build useful skills like:

Solving problems

Thinking creatively

Understanding logic

Learning basic coding

Trying out experiments

Reading product reviews can help you find toys that are both fun and educational.

Toys That Let Kids Be Creative

The best STEM toys let kids use their imagination. These toys don’t have just one way to play—they let kids build, create, and try new things.

Building sets, coding platforms, or modular kits that allow kids to create different projects are great choices. Toys like these keep kids interested and help them learn to think in new ways.

Make Sure the Toy Is Safe

Safety is always important. Check that the toy is made from non-toxic materials and doesn’t have small parts that could be a choking hazard, especially for younger kids.

Look for safety labels like ASTM, CE, or CPSC. Durable toys made from good-quality materials last longer and can handle rough play.

Easy to Use (and Some Parent Help)

Some STEM toys, like electronic or coding kits, might need adult help. Think about whether you have time to join your child during playtime.

Look for toys with clear instructions and online guides. These can make it easier for both you and your child to enjoy the toy together.

Set a Budget

STEM toys come in different price ranges. You don’t need to buy the most expensive one. Many affordable toys work just as well.

Read customer reviews and compare toys to find the best one for your budget. Sometimes, it’s better to buy a toy that can be used in different ways instead of several single-purpose toys.

Make Learning Fun

The best STEM toys are both fun and educational. Kids learn better when they enjoy what they’re doing.

Toys with lights, sounds, or games can make learning more exciting. Learning platforms with rewards and challenges can also keep kids motivated.

Types of STEM Toys to Explore

To pick the right toy, it helps to know about the different types of STEM toys:

Building Sets: These help kids design and build things. Examples are LEGO sets and magnetic blocks.

Coding Toys: These teach kids about programming through games and robots.

Robotics Kits: Kids can build and program their own robots, learning about mechanics and coding.

Science Kits: These let kids do simple experiments to learn about chemistry, physics, or biology.

Electronic Kits: Kids can build circuits and gadgets to learn how electronics work.

Math and Logic Games: These improve thinking and problem-solving skills through puzzles and strategy games.

Encourage Ongoing Interest

Kids’ interests can change over time, so look for toys that can grow with your child. Toys that can be expanded or upgraded keep kids engaged as they get older.

Joining STEM clubs, workshops, or online groups can also keep your child excited about learning. These groups let kids share ideas and learn together.

Conclusion

Picking the right STEM toy means thinking about what your child likes, making sure it’s the right level for their age, and checking that it’s safe and educational. The goal is to make learning fun and exciting for your child.

A great option is the STEM electronics kit from Crafting Table. Their Python Starter Kit is perfect for older kids and teens who want to learn about coding and electronics. This kit teaches Python programming and electronic circuits, helping kids build important skills while having fun.

Choosing quality STEM toys can give your child a head start in science and technology, preparing them for future success.