#ultimate mathematician

[smimon]

this is your blog, and so the decisions are yours to make. also i hope the problems you face will become easier to manage and your pain eases soon.

Thank you for your kind words anon! That's very sweet of you ^^ maybe today will be a slightly more bearable day knowing that there are people out there wishing me well 👌

[berylian]

Yeah it literally just depends on how you interpret what the parentheses implies

[phantomyre]

Vincent may be aware of the multiverse

Firstly-- credit to @XTurkValentine (Twitter) who graciously shared this information with us. They connected with mathematicians and asked them to deduce what was written in Vincent's basement, and what they discovered seems to imply something fascinating about Vincent... According to the math professors who studied this image, Vincent used a mixture of several mathematical equations, including the following: Calculus with integrations, differential equations, summation notations, probability, statistics, complex analysis, physics, etc. What's more interesting is that there's evidence of quantum mechanics. For example: ∫f(ϕ(x))dx: represents integrating a function over a space

P(A)=P(B)P(A∣B): describes conditional probabilities of events

In other words-- this all suggests that Vincent is aware of the multiverse as well as how different events are affected by them. His awareness of how the planet functions may even be similarly in tune with what Sephiroth knows. This further implies that there is a small chance Vincent is also aware of Chaos and his ultimate fate when it comes to the planet's function. Granted, he may not have the whole picture as much of that should still be hidden in Lucrecia's missing files. Nevertheless, if all of this tracks, this implies that Vincent may not be quite as oblivious as he was in Dirge of Cerberus.

[cafejulii]

Currently thinking of how hxh 1999 had that additional phase in the hunter exam in which Kurapika almost gets himself and the 24 other applicants killed for Leorio's sake, albeit, indirectly.

All the applicants had to work together to restart an abandoned battleship so they could evacuate the island they were stationed at, as it was about to be about to be hit by a massive hurricane. The storm was to leave everything, including the entirety of the island, underwater.

Everyone was assigned specific tasks by Hanzo and Kurapika who acted as co-captains. The problem was, that not only did the ship need to be powered, but it was stuck in three specific places. The hull of the ship especially, so much so, that they had to use the ship's ammunition instead of regular explosives to free it; the majority of which were underwater. Leorio was assigned to retrieve them using the only diving suit available on board, and though he managed to get them all up to the surface; he gets knocked unconscious while coming up by debris that fell due to the minor explosives used to free the other two portions of the ship.

As the storm grew closer, Kurapika ended up becoming mostly in charge of giving out commands to everyone as he was the mathematician of the group, calculating the impact and angle of the explosions from the captain’s pit and also taking note of when the storm was to hit.

It is also around this time that Hanzo tells him that Leorio never came back, meaning he was almost dead. At the very mention of this, Kurapika begins to severely panic despite the fact they are almost free; the last thing they needed was Kurapika's command and ignition from the captain's pit to free the hull so they can all escape.

In reality, all Kurapika needed to do was push a single button. Gave out a single command. But yet, he just stood there, in complete despair, as Hanzo was screaming at him through the intercom to stop waiting because they had just a single minute left.

It was only until Killua realized what was going on, and told Kurapika that Gon successfully brought Leorio back and instantly; he snaps out of the daze he was in and confidently gives the final instructions to everyone so the ship could leave just in time.

The plot twist, though, was that Killua was not 100% sure if Gon ever actually returned with Leorio. He just saw Gon proclaim he was going to dive in to save Leorio (and had faith that it would happen because he has faith in Gon) but it was ultimately a lie to get Kurapika out of his head for the benefit of everyone on board.

(I mean, yes, Killua was right but still?!)

This fact alone makes me really wonder: if Killua hadn’t said that, would Kurapika have given the final orders in time? Or would he have waited one more minute just for the slightest chance? A minute in which they absolutely did not have.

This entire episode creates such a brutal moral situation, and honestly, it really sounds like the version of the trolley problem in which that single person on the tracks is someone you care about. I know this arc isn't canon, as a lot of scenes in the 1999 version aren't, but if I EVER hear y’all say that Kurapika doesn’t care about his friends, especially Leorio…..lord.

[thatswhywelovegermany]

Wenn es gar so dunkel ist in deinem Leben, sieh doch einmal nach, ob es nicht am Ende daher kommt, daß alle deine Fensterläden verschlossen sind.

If your life is so dark, just take a look and see if it isn't ultimately because all your shutters are closed.

Johannes Kepler (1571 – 1630), German natural philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, optician and Protestant theologian

[max1461]

Physics, math, and computer science involve similar kinds of intellectual labor, a kind which I broadly enjoy, and I think ultimately a part of what drew me to math so much more strongly than these other fields is that I like it's culture much much better. I find the culture of mathematicians lovely, and spending time in their spaces generally makes me happy (which, in addition to being interested in the content, is why I recreationally read MathOverflow—it's fun to listen to mathematicians talk!). On the other hand I find the culture of physics moderately offputting and the culture of tech deeply offputting, with the exception of certain pleasant oases.

[sugar-grigri]

This chapter is an equation 

You: ooooooookkkk Loulou not only are you late but now you see 'plus' in the chapter name so Fujimoto magically becomes a mathematician 

Well, yes, and quite simply because the main theme of part 2 is identity, and what is an identity made up of ? A cluster of facets 

So let's break it down...

Some people interpreted the fact that Denji noticed the curry buns being promoted as a sign that his identity was being devalued 

I find it interesting to bring this up because I think we need to take the analysis further 

Denji's identity isn't devalued, it's literally halved 

Chainsaw Man is part of Denji's happiness, and he starts smiling again the moment his path crosses that of a demon.

But you can take the magnifying glass and see even further, you have to deconstruct each square because there is no dialogue, the message is captured in the image 

Denji smiles when he sees this demon, caught up in his euphoria, he has the reflex of wanting to pull on his cable but stops in his tracks.

Note the cutting, Denji's finger is pointing at himself, and his puzzled look in the third frame signifies a question:

Am I the one who should intervene ?

Am I the man/demon of the situation ?

Am I still Chainsaw Man? Or should I continue to be ?

Let's skip ahead a few pages, this page still brings up Denji's dilemma: should he become Chainsaw Man or continue his normal life with Nayuta? 

Denji can no longer be Chainsaw Man for fear of losing Nayuta, so almost to make up for the half he lacks, he ingests food in his effigy. 

Far from a harmless act...

For one thing. As I've already said, Denji works with the concrete, and with his senses. Not only is food important to him, but it allows him to project himself and think. Whether to measure a proposition or even express a dream (eating steaks), but also in the question of his identity.

Not only did Pochita and Denji rub shoulders when they were both hungry, but their connection is above all sensory, even anatomical. The demon is Denji's heart, and literally ingesting Chainsaw Man allows a semblance of connection, and a re-appropriation of his identity for Denji.

But eating has another, deeper meaning that connects Nayuta and Denji. Once again, follow me into the more complicated part 

I had already analyzed the fact that Nayuta and Denji were more than brother and sister, in the sense that Makima's murder follows the stages of childbirth in reverse.  

The chainsaw, the instrument of maternity, is already busy slicing the joint of Makima's pubic bone, the place from which her power derives, the ultimate anatomical element of maternity. 

Then he becomes one with Makima, devouring her, literally holding her in his womb - the stage of pregnancy. 

These stages merely announced that Denji was pursuing a creative, even salvific act, enabling her to give life to a second version of herself. 

In my opinion, everything in this chapter refers to Makima, from the kitchen in the background to the fact that they're having fun watching a film, and even the bath scene makes sense. 

Makima had a very sensitive sense of smell; Denji had already mentioned in part 2 that he had been told he smelled like a dog.

We can see why, since he literally washes himself with his dogs, which Makima adores and which are predominant in this chapter. 

Let's take the "plus" again, plus is to be understood in a first sense. When Denji had begun to claim his dreams before fighting Makima, he had said that he now wanted more than a normal life (normal life +), that he wanted to be Chainsaw Man. 

He had claimed his full identity as + Chainsaw Man. 

But if Nayuta predominates in this chapter, it's also to evoke two meanings 

Firstly, the normal life Denji imagined had something extra that he hadn't considered when he awoke in front of Kishibe: having a little sister, i.e. + a little sister. 

Nayuta's very existence is a +1, both in Denji's entourage and in the sense that she is the second reincarnation of the demon of domination. 

But the "+" has much more to offer, so let's continue 

When Nayuta says this, the interpretation must be negative, i.e. we must remember what she means, especially in this "be happy too".

For Nayuta, there's no doubt that this normal life is more than just normal, it's a happy life. 

For her, being with Denji is the most important thing, promising to stay with him for life; for her, the fact that he has her (i.e. +1) is the literal equation of happiness. 

Nayuta's answer isn't just in her words and gestures. Despite her sleep, she tries to make the two sign, and ends by reaching out her arms to invite him to embrace her. Because a hug can only be given by two people.

That's why I brought up Makima so much, because the demon of domination pursues the exact same line of reasoning. 

Because a plus isn't just a plus, it can also be a cross (yes, it's twisted, but follow me).

We go straight back to chapters 93 to 95 with the confrontation between the demon of domination and Denji (i.e. before Makima gave birth to her second version). 

When Makima thinks she's done with Denji, she starts talking directly to Pochita. 

The demon of domination had always banked on the only entity she didn't think herself superior to (i.e. her equal, +1). 

Her source of happiness was to find an entourage, even if it was only considered by ONE being. 

I thought Nayuta's gesture was very similar to the way Makima had cuddled Pochita.

And I think her gesture is even more important than we think. 

When Makima cuddled Pochita, she did so with just one hand, whereas when Nayuta contemplates her future life, her future, she places both hands on it as if she were embracing the entity she loved completely. 

Including Pochita and Denji (+)

That's +1 compared to her previous life 

AND IT'S NOT OVER 

Obviously, the chapter isn't over, so we'll continue with this cursed plus 

With the weapons discussion

I'm just going to repeat this dialogue. Not only do the weapons fully evoke the question of their identity, there are several of them, belonging to several overlapping species (+1).

But above all 

Barem says this: 

And this is where the biggest difference lies between what Barem and Chainsaw Man think 

Barem refers directly to God, the creator (the cross is taken up again, Chainsaw Man is full of Christian references), creator also means to create, so +1

The one who creates, as Nayuta's presence literally shows, as well as the domination demon's theory of happiness, is the fact that Chainsaw Man is more capable of creating than destroying. 

Which may seem strange at first glance, given that Pochita had wiped out most of the big demons (i.e. -1). 

Except that, not only is Chainsaw Man made up of Pochita + Denji, i.e. two beings that add up, but if he is capable of eliminating beings, i.e. their death, he can also be understood as the one who dictates their birth, as Angel had pointed out. 

+ is none other than the symbol of creation, but also of connection with others and happiness. 

Barem is content to reason by subtraction; all species exist to subtract, whereas Chainsaw Man works by balance: although he can delete, he can also create.

All it takes is one + to turn this normal life upside down.

[pinazee]

If you’re so smart, then why are you dead?

To start, heres a list of scientists that some characters were named after:

Lisa Meitner (physicist, bad bitch)

Otto Hahn (physicist)

Kurt Gödel (mathematician) (shawn was sort of correct with the pronunciation)

Robert Goddard (physicist)

William Shockley (racist)

I thought this was an accident because James seems to snicker after but apparently it was planned by Dulé’s stand in Gyle (Gile?)

Gus really should have known this was Avogadros number if he took any kind of chemistry.

Were they originally going to have Shawns mom a cop too and thats why he said he was born with “an extra normal amount [of paranormalevolance]. Two cops to be exact.” I have a vague memory of someone mentioning it on a commentary.

I wish they had let Juliet have a little more participation in the solve and therefore the victory. Or better yet, gave her a separate case to solve on her own so we saw her really get a win under her belt. She could still ask Shawn for advice, or maybe while he’s doing his whole psychic episode bit to give her a clue she solves it without him, and Shawns left standing impressed. But also, you’re telling me that she wasn’t the primary when she went undercover at the sorority??

The way Dulé says “i never got carsick a day in my life!” ABSOLUTELY SENDS ME

But what really made the Gusters keep him from going? Was it just their overprotectiveness? Was shawn really his only friend? Are they still trying to protect him from the truth?

Somehow i got it in my brain that Shawn was responsible for Gus not getting in. I think i headcanoned that so hard i made it feel true lol i thought Shawn knew the whole time (i mean he must have seen Gus practicing and being extra anxious about something) and he somehow convinced his parents that Gus wouldn’t have been happy there. maybe part of that was true, but little Shawn just didn’t want him to go.

Either way, if the Gusters were actually concerned about quality of life, then they chose Gus’s happiness over his success which is such a juxtaposition to Shawn and his dad.

Or maybe they visited the school and saw a kid getting shocked and said fuck that.

Here’s another instance of Gus looking for where he went wrong in life. If only he’d spelt aggiornamento correctly, if only he’d gone to Meitner. Gus seems so unhappy with himself, and theres this underlying narrative happening that Gus might actually be depressed. Like in 9 lives when he’s convincing himself he’s happy, or in down the stretch when Shawn says Gus needed a victory more than him at the moment. This poor guy spent so much of his life being told he would go far, that he could do anything, so when he didn’t, he felt like a failure. And I don’t think that was his parents fault necessarily, i think he put that pressure on himself, simply because it was expected. He was the gifted kid who burned out, and now he’s settled into something safe, reliable, and unfulfilling.

Then you have this chess match with Shawn and Henry and we see Shawn demonstrate his own genius. But the juxtaposition here is that shawns pressure was external. Shawn also had the potential to go far but that ultimately isn’t what he strives for. Shawn just wants to have a good, fun life. Probably because his dad sucked the fun out of everything (let the kid call the knight Dwight, jesus henry).

Sidenote: I’m obsessed with finding this blonde guy in the background now haha

[commsroom]

Hello. It occurred to me recently that Hera is the only character of the main cast who is not named for an engineer/physicist/mathematician. Do u think this has any significance regarding her role on the team and her character, or not really?

(Also, the wiki says she's probably named for the Greek goddess Hera which has interesting connotations if it's true. There was also a NASA probe called Hera at some point I'm pretty sure, but I don't know which is the more likely namesake. I just enjoy the names in W359 because I am a physics student and it's fun to hear character names in all my classes.)

hi! i think the answer is kind of... yes and no? like, gabriel urbina has said his process of naming characters is first to choose a category to pick surnames from, to narrow down the options (so, in this case, famous scientists), and then to find given names that he thinks sound good with those surnames. so i don't think symbolism is the purpose, and i don't think it needs to be. but hera, obviously... doesn't have a last name. and so the way she was named (both in and out of universe) is different, and i think that does represent something.

first: hera is the mother program of the hephaestus. the hera of greek mythology is the mother of hephaestus and cast him out of the sky. the allusions are obviously intentional. (as are other mythology names in the show, but that's another topic.) second: a lot of real world things relating to space are named for mythology, and clearly cutter agrees that's how it should be done. but also: goddard's AIs share the same naming scheme with their spacecrafts. hera, rhea, eris, enlil, perseus, hyperion vs. hephaestus, hermes, tiamat, urania, valkyrie, sol. in one sense, this marks them as company property, people who are treated as equivalent to technology.

but, third: from a writing perspective, gabriel urbina has also said he only started getting a sense of who hera was when he started writing for michaela swee in the second episode; there's such a difference in how she's written just between those first two scripts. you can even see in the first recording script that her name was stylized HERA, as if it stood for something, like a much more standard AI character might have been named. which goes so far against what her name actually ended up representing that it retroactively becomes an in-universe microaggression.

and so, fourth: despite all of that, the real thing that makes hera's name stand apart is that it's a chosen name. it's offered to her, but not the way a name is given - it's a bribe, with the understanding it can be taken away from her. rachel says she can see what else is available if hera "has a problem with the etymology or any of the allusions," which is kind of interesting. but hera chooses to be hera. i don't think it's a stretch to say she has a deadname and a chosen name: that she has to introduce herself every time in a way that amounts to "i prefer to be called hera" and that her name is treated as optional and conditional, a reward for good behavior. if hera wanted to take a middle or last name, she would be choosing those, too.

i think ultimately names in wolf 359 are less about categorization and/or symbolism and more about identity. names are symbols that represent and contain the people who claim them. how people are referred to, when, and by whom - as well as how people refer to themselves by name as an act of self-determination, a reclamation of identity, or in defiance - is all central to the themes of the show. and, from that perspective, i think how hera is named (and what her name means to her, how she has had to construct and fight for parts of her identity that others are given as a default assumption) is significant, but i don't think it really sets her apart from the others when their names are treated in similar ways thematically.

[bleachbleachbleach]

Heyo!

I was just thinking last night about historical swords and I suddenly remembered that German swords historically were extremely regulated, probably in a reasonable attempt to limit the amount of violence. (Places like Japan were notoriously specific on who could be allowed swords, which is what led to the development of samurai culture, but Europe was notoriously... Lax lol.)

So what the commoners of Germany did was forge what were technically giant knives, because they needed to protect themselves on the roads while the nobles had the actual swords. What differentiates an actual sword from a knife was, according to those laws, mostly the hilt.

So the peasants of Germany made these swords with wrapped hilts and beak pommels and one sided blades, often a bit curved.

Now how is this bleach related, you ask?

Because zangetsu's original form was that of a giant knife. Like, yeah, we do make jokes about how it's nothing like the normal katanas, brute force weapon for a brute force guy, but it is cool in the context of Ichigo being the uncivilised ryoka boy from the spiritual middle of nowhere charging in to defy and deny the tradition of the upper class ruling gotei with their proper and legally gained asauchi forged zanpakuto.

One made by the founder of a people who originated in medieval Germany who, at the time, thought Ichigo had no right to a true sword or the truth of his noble heritage. So he gave him a giant knife with a curved one sided blade and a wrapped hilt and a beak pommel.

I just thought that was so cool, but there's no way it was intended otherwise kubo would never have used that original bankai guard.

How fun! I feel like there's definitely pieces of canon that can be brought into this conversation, though I am not personally invested enough in Ichigo's sword lore or in Nimaiya to collect them. But it makes me think about Byakuya's critique and/or observations of Ichigo's bankai; the notion (which is perhaps notional, even within canon? I genuinely feel like the Gotei was really just spitballing the idea of "constant-release type zanpakutou"); Nimaiya's whole spiel about asauchi.

Though given the flexibility of form for zanpakutou and the fact that a good many shikai become no longer sword-shaped, I do question whether shinigami perceptions of what constitutes a "proper" sword would be as rigid. I kind of like the idea that Academy students and shinigami who don't have shikai actually do, because their vision of what a sword is is much closer to, well, a sword. But as you get deeper in your own sauce as a shinigami, something happens in your brain and what fits within the definition of a sword becomes incurably much more expansive.

Kind of like if you're reading a history textbook, history is this defined, chronological thing, but if you're a historian, history is "WELL..." Or if you're in a math class, math is discrete and plug-n-chug. And if you're a mathematician, math is "WELLLLLLL..."

Is a sword a piece of steel, or is it some weird guy in your head proclaiming cryptic shit like "you cannot see the back of your own head..." while it rains backwards and the spindles of a crescent moon touch, who really knows, who can say

(Meanwhile, Joe Shinigami is like, "Wait, it's the first one, isn't it? The steel one?? It's definitely the piece of steel??? Also that ryoka guy has a giant cleaver so I'm calling in sick for this one, lads.")

Which honestly might explain why all the top dog shinigami are ultimately pretty willing to incorporate Ichigo into their worldview, despite his being an obvious and very strange anomaly. If you look at his, like, resume, or his education history, none of him would make sense. But if you just skip over that and see him as someone who is legible because the nature of zanpakutou and shikai and bankai train you to expect this kind of shit... It's all part of the classic Gotei paradox where the Gotei is rigid and bound to all kinds of strange hierarchy except when it's not and everything is proceeding on vibes alone!

[crookedkryptonitebeliever]

this might be a touchy subject and you don’t have to answer but, as one myself, how would Yves act with a chronically ill/physically disabled person? or even someone who constantly deals with chronic pain that is debilitating for everyday life? btw i love your writing, no matter how cursed. 🤍

Yves feels his heart wrench whenever he sees you break down in tears, frustrated at yourself for not doing as well as other able-bodied people, frustrated that you have to surrender your autonomy at times to Yves. He truly does, he hates to see you in such a state. While he doesn't mind, even prefers you to be dependent on him due to his strong caregiver personality, Yves doesn't want it to be at the cost of your happiness.

He will read up on all the papers published about your illness or disability. Past and modern ones, there must be a pattern or some sort that he could identify. Yves will try his best to find a cure or at least something that will improve your symptoms greatly.

But the first thing he will get done is to talk to you. Discuss what you ultimately want; is it freedom you seek? His undying support? The unyielding truth that Yves will stay by your side no matter how bad it gets? Do you want to keep fighting for yourself, or do you want Yves to do it for you?

You will have the latest, cutting-edge prosthetics if you're struggling with an amputated limb or body part. All the helpful, relevant, accessible gadgets will be installed in the house in hopes of making your life much easier and giving back the level of independence you need to maintain your mental health. Yves will remember all your appointments for you, that fills his planners up. Your dosages, your medication, and the procedures of your treatments.

He will remind you, pre-pack your pills, and help you with your IV drip. Yves is very careful with his tone and words, he knows the stress, humiliation, and pain that come with living as a chronically ill person can easily set you off. Everything can be overwhelming, he does not want to see tears of anger or hopelessness in your eyes. It's not your fault, you never wanted this and it just happened to affect you.

Yves spends nights perusing through all experimental treatments, weighing between the risks and benefits. He will present his carefully curated selection to you, but he makes sure to pace it out appropriately. Because if he were to show you thousands of pages of medical reports, chances are you're going to be upset, overstimulated, and angry at him. You have very limited energy and focus, he needs to get his words as concise and accurate as possible.

Watching him kneel with you on the bathroom floor, as you experience your seventh vomiting tonight, truly shocked you. Understandably, you're in such a terrible state, that you've barely gotten any sleep for the past month. But Yves sleeps even less, he is always awake, always looking after you. Ready for any emergencies and constantly preparing items or foods that will ease you. Yet, he looks glowing, as if he wasn't caretaking a bleeding ball of misery. His hair is always silky and brushed, no bags under his eyes, and his movement is still crisp. And he always knows what to do, much better than you or your practitioners.

He knows your body well enough to administer his own dose of painkillers, going against doctors' orders and obtaining drugs that fully alleviate your pain. Strategically timing your doses so it won't be too hard on your liver. Taking your blood samples himself and ran them through his own trusted pathology lab, potentially proving that your doctor might have misdiagnosed you. Maybe you wouldn't need to suffer, Yves could find a cure.

You were very apprehensive at first when Yves suggested that he does his own testing. He has no credentials, why should you trust him? The doctors have much more experience than him and they went to school for this. You're not trusting a random to cut you open either, he's a mathematician, not a medical doctor or a surgeon-

You were dumbfounded when he produced his own certifications and licenses. Proving that he worked in hospitals, researched institutes, and even published his own medical papers that universities used as teaching material for decades. Everything he presented is legitimate, he even demonstrated the validity of them by your request. You could call his universities and they will all confirm his contributions, You can confirm with the government and the relevant boards, you can search for him anywhere, and early pictures of him will resurface.

He looked so different. Yves looked unremarkable in them with short hair. He looks unhappier and more exhausted, though. Makes you wonder how old he really is.

But that was all. You cannot find further information on Yves other than the ones he allows you to know about.

So you reluctantly let him stick a needle in you, only to realize that he's done. You blinked multiple times and darted your eyes from your arm and his gloved hands holding vials of blood. Unlike the usual nurses or doctors, you can't feel the needle going in or out. Yes, you saw it, but it was unbelievably fast.

Your jaw dropped as he didn't even need to palpate your arm. Yves just calmly inserted the syringe, gathered what he needed, and finished. You didn't experience any bruising later, which was astonishing with the speed he was working with.

He labeled them and packed them in a plastic bag with a biohazard symbol on it and into a padded envelope. Yves disposed of his gloves and washed his hands.

You expected him to enlighten you. Tell you stories while he was in the field, brag about his accomplishments, complain about difficult patients, anything! You needed to know more! Just who the hell is he?

But all he did was smile, give you a kiss on the forehead, and help you back to your room.

[bionicle-ramblings]

Something I wish was touched on more in the books:

Vakama's mathematics skills. We know all Ta-Matoran are mathematicians, which they needs to be so they get the right angles and measurements for masks, and we know math for them is like a second language

Imagine if, while the Toa Metru are in the archives due to the flood, someone asks how big the archives really are. Whenua says they span across Onu-Metru, mostly, but there are some linked to other Metrus. When asked about the size in miles, EVERYONE is shocked to hear Whenua AND Vakama answer, the two also surprising each other because they get the same answer. Whenua asks how Vakama knows and Vakama admits he just estimated how long the tunnel they were in was, then estimated the size of Onu-Metru and some other Metrus like Ga-Metru and even the Coliseum, and then converted the feet into miles. Everyone has their reactions. Onewa is quietly impressed and annoyed at having a sometimes genius on his team, Matau thinks Vakama is a nerd but is trying not to fall head over heels, Nokama and Nuju are impressed, and Whenua has some more respect for Vakama

Imagine Matau, Nokama, and Vakama seeing the squad of Vahki in Po-Metru and when Matau says there are hundreds, Vakama murmurs that it's actually just two hundred and fifteen. Cue some, "For real? Right now?" Eyesnfrom Matau and Nokama before Vakama gives his plan for how they get past them

Imagine if, during the Hordika arc, in the way Bomonga uses the archives and the knowledge of them to help Whenua not give in to his urges, Norik does a similar thing by wondering what angles the rafters are on from where he and Vakama are standing. Vakama, knee deep in his pain and despair, doesn't want to indulge the Rahaga's "nonsense," but Norik plays coy and half-lies that he's a little rusty on his math and just wants to see if his guess is a good one. Vakama relents and gives the angle as they walk. Rinse and repeat with Vakama growing more reluctant to partake in Norik's game, but Norik ultimately reveals that he's only doing it because he knows it'll help them both; rather than stewing in something emotional and digging a hole that can't be climbed out of, focusing on something more cognitive like the mathematics that comes so easily to Ta-Matoran and Ta-Metru locals will help Vakama focus because he will not be able to save anyone, let alone himself, if he's mulling over what's happened to him and what he did to cause it. After a while of more walking, Vakama, seeing Norik stop by a statue, asks NORIK if he knows the height of the statue, getting petty because he suspects Norik was possibly BS-ing and genuinely curious to see what Norik still knows, and Norik admits he has an estimate, and that's based off of how tall a Toa is and how many of a single Toa it would take to be as tall as the statue. When Norik gives his answer, he asks Vakama about his method of estimating and how it compares. Vakama, not to gloat, uses a similar method, but it's based on how tall a Matoran is and how many Matoran heigh it is. Regardless, the two get a similar answer, as Vakama "swotches" to Norik's method and gets an answer close to what Norik had. It's Norik's turn to try and not gloat, as he asks Vakama how he feels, now that he's more or less been distracted. Vakama, realizing he got played, begrudgingly admits he does feel a little bit better, but doesn't appreciate being tricked. Norik only tells him that he didn't really trick Vakama, just gave him a tool to help him, if he needs it

Imagine, while he sees the horde of visorak, Sidorak gives the number of roughly a thousand, but when his back is turned, Vakama says there's actually MORE than a thousand, much to the surprise of Roodaka. He doesn't give his reason for how he knows, only saying he just does

Idk, I just love the idea of Vakama being so attuned with math, mainly because I hate math🤣

[lunarubra]

Hello! I invented the ultimate time machine! But it has some problems, it can go back in time as far as you want, or to the future.

BUT! if you try to go between 1880-1939 it won't allow you. Same if you want to travel to recent eras, 1995-2023.

Call your favourite character, oc/ship and travel with them across the time (except the aforementioned years.) Let me know where you landed!

You can create a moodboard or only tell me, where you are ❤️.

Just press the button.

@justrainandcoffee Flor, this was such a fun exercise, even though I might have gotten a bit carried away! I’m a huge history geek and have countless time periods I’d love to explore or send my characters to experience.

Hypatia!Jiyan AU

First on my list would be the Byzantine era, when the power center of the Western world was the Byzantine Roman Empire. I’m sure Jiyan would have thrived in this setting, especially in Alexandria, where academic and scholarly pursuits were widely accessible to women. I imagine her working at the Library of Alexandria, surrounded by the greatest minds and texts of the ancient world. For anyone interested in this period, I highly recommend the movie Agora (2009). It tells the story of Hypatia—a philosopher, mathematician, and atheist whose life was tragically cut short by religious extremists (Christians) when they destroyed the last vestiges of pagan knowledge. Her dedication to learning, even under constant threat, reminds me of Jiyan’s character in many ways.

I’d also love to set something in Renaissance Italy. Italy’s major cities became beacons of culture, and Venice was a vibrant hub for artists, scholars, and traveling theatre troupes. I can easily picture a young Jiyan, a Venetian professor deeply invested in the arts.

I have many more ideas but I should stop here for now... xD

[ab--n]

HAAAPY HALLOWSEVE .. I LOVE YOUR ART, IM GOING TO WRAP IT UP IN A BLANKET, PUT IT IN A BASKET AND SEND IT FLOATING DOWN THE STREAM IN THE MIDDLE OF A DARK, RAINY, COLD NIGHT. HAVING TO SAY GOODBYE TO MY BABY (your art) BECAUSE IM BEING CHASED BY A HOARD OF CONSERVATIVES WITH THEIR PITCHFORKS AND TORCHES… MY BABY (your art) WILL END UP BEING TAKEN IN BY SOME POPE THREE TOWNS OVER AND GET RAISED BY HIM, UNTIL THE POPE DOES AND MY BABY (your art) SETS OFF TO FIND ME ONLY TO FIGURE OUT THAT I AM IN FACT DEAD WITH A TOMBSTONE SAYING “Dead Liberal number 1027”. MY BABY (your art) WILL END UP DESTROYING CONSERVATIVES AND SAVING THE WORLD IN MY HONOUR…..

But yea uh happy Halloween :33!!

𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓶𝓮…? 👨‍❤️‍👨

(This is a joke, please,… or is it?)

Happy Halloween to you too Dj!! and no. (To the proposal) As a thank you here's some facts about my fangan cast lol

-Micheal Sebasi(Ultimate Mortician) is unable to leave their hair alone, he as bleached it so many times that at this point, it unsalvageable.

-Sean Denis's (Ultimate Baker) beta designs portrayed him as an albino. (He was shot too once.)

-Khali Abdullahi(Ultimate Meteorologist) is colorblind, she only found this out when she realized that Micheal hair is not in fact piss yellow but light green.

-Momo Ciani (Ultimate Safety Inspector) shouldn't be allowed to touch any animal because that poor thing might die due to his strong grip.

-Nikki Paltrovien(Ultimate mathematician) can watch human centipede without flinching or gagging at all.

-Terrence Alexander (Ultimate child caretaker) was a former gang member and has a criminal record.

-Diana Bahlog(Ultimate Executioner) is somewhat resistant to ingesting cleaning supplies.

-Kiyozi Tomoka (Ultimate Ice skater) is incredibly sassy in his native tongue and has shit talks about the rest of his classmates to his older sister.

-Tophy Anderson's (Ultimate Bassist) bandmates are her childhood friends and helped her go no contact with her family. (She lives with her younger and older brother.)

-Sam Keteron (Ultimate Cheerleader) is completely face blind, so naturally she isn't able to recognize Micheal (or hell a majority of the cast) for the life of her.

-Mia Kunami (Ultimate Biologist) despite being shy and quite timid, is good friends with a lot of people especially Kilan.

-Formelaa Unimo(Ultimate Tailor) is actually my favorite character and I love to write his dialogue whenever I have to chance to.

-Courtney N'dego (Ultimate Soldier) is basically the mother of the group but like... In a teen mom way.

-Saezi Aishaf (Ultimate Unlucky Student) can play piano quite well, just that each time when he wants to play it. The piano is not tuned properly.

-Milo Xidhio (Ultimate Acrobatic) is a bit of hoarder and use to steal stuff from others occasionally. I say they are the most morally gray in the cast.

-Amanda Wiliiam (Ultimate Pop Sensation) has the biggest inferiority complex and sets high expectations of herself to the point where they can actually hurt her. Luckily, she has Her.

-M.K (Ultimate Butler) is indeed a robot similar to MonoBononi but he has free will. So he has a shock collar to make sure he listens.

-MonoBononi (Ultimate Captain of the Blimp) are a single entity but they have two bodies so that monochrome effect can take place. (Sorry if this doesn't sound coherent, I am on painkillers)

[ewanmitchellcrumbs]

I am so tired of the TikTok-ification of fandom. By this I mean the disingenuous reblog comments of "yassss, slay, bestie" that are a barely concealed ploy for the recipient to engage with your work too. The story didn't mean anything to you, if you even read it, you're just playing the popularity game.

I am so tired of the competitive nature of fandom, and how unsupportive others are. If you see someone is about to publish a fic or write for a certain character, instead of offering words of encouragement or helping to nurture their story, you rush to post your own. You have to be first, god forbid the attention not be on you.

I am so tired of the pressure to network, having to be up everyone's arse constantly. You're in so many people's DMs, how can you possibly hope to foster a meaningful connection with anyone, when you've got so many different conversations going at once? But it's not about that, is it? It's about making sure you're seen, that you stay relevant.

I hate the falseness, the pressure, the fact that it is more about cultivating numbers than honing your craft. Where is the passion for your craft? When did notes and follower count become the goal? We are writers, artists, not mathematicians.

I am insular by nature, I find what modern fandom has become so very stressful. I appreciate that the crux of this post is weighted in negativity, but ultimately for those that do take the time to engage with me in a meaningful way, who foster actual friendships, who care more about the story they want to tell than marketing their brand - you know who you are - thank you. You make this hellscape worth sticking around for. Please don't let what fandom has morphed into snuff you out.

Edit to add: this post serves as my own personal vent/commentary regarding behaviour of fellow creators in fandom that I have been privy to. It is not a critique of behaviour of readers.

[women-throughout-history]

Hypatia of Alexandria

Hypatia of Alexandria, a brilliant mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher, lived in the 4th century AD. Born around 370 AD, she was the daughter of Theon of Alexandria, a renowned mathematician and philosopher. Growing up under her father's guidance, Hypatia developed an extraordinary understanding of mathematics and science, which laid the foundation for her remarkable career. By around 400 AD, Hypatia had become the head of the Platonist school in Alexandria, where she lectured on mathematics and philosophy. Her teachings were particularly focused on Neoplatonism, a philosophical school founded by Plotinus in the 3rd century AD. Neoplatonism posited that there was an ultimate reality beyond human comprehension, and advocated for a life of philosophical and spiritual exploration to understand this reality. Hypatia's teachings were notable for their scientific rigour, emphasising empirical observation and logical reasoning. Hypatia's influence extended far beyond her academic circle. She was known for her charismatic lecturing and intellectual presence, attracting many students, including prominent Christians like Synesius of Cyrene, who later became the Bishop of Ptolemais. The correspondence between Synesius and Hypatia reveals deep admiration for her intellect and guidance in scientific matters, including the construction of scientific instruments like the astrolabe and the hydroscope. As a pagan living in a predominantly Christian society, Hypatia's position was complex. She was seen as a symbol of intellectual resistance against the rising Christian authority. The political climate in Alexandria during the early 5th century was tumultuous, with tensions between the Roman authorities and the emerging Christian leadership. Her close association with Orestes, the Roman prefect of Alexandria, further complicated her standing with the Christian community led by Cyril, the patriarch of Alexandria. Tragically, Hypatia's life was cut short when she was brutally murdered by a mob of Christian zealots in 415 AD. The exact motivations behind her murder remain debated, but it is clear that her intellectual prominence and perceived threat to Christian authority were significant factors. Despite the loss of her original works, Hypatia's legacy endures through her contributions alongside her father. She assisted Theon in his commentaries on Ptolemy's "Almagest" and Euclid's "Elements," ensuring that these foundational texts were preserved and accessible to future generations. Hypatia also wrote commentaries on Diophantus's "Arithmetica" and Apollonius's "Conics," which, although lost, are remembered for their impact on the development of mathematics and astronomy. Hypatia's life and work represent the intersection of science, philosophy, and the struggle for intellectual freedom. Her dedication to knowledge and education continues to inspire scholars and students, highlighting the enduring importance of intellectual inquiry in the face of adversity.