#we need more recognition for women in science

[pillarsalt]

hi! i was wondering your opinions on how hrt affects the body? i hold a lot of radfem beliefs but i am trans (taking testosterone). would being a woman to you have to be completely about chromosomes? for example, trans men years on T do not have the same genetic makeup as cis women. same with trans women on E, their genetic makeup would be very different to cis men, and would more correlate to cis women. does this factor in who you consider female/male or having experience as women?

Hi there, thanks for reaching out.

Firstly, I think you may be a bit confused. Taking exogenous hormones does not affect your genetic makeup. Your dna will stay the same unless you're exposed to something extreme like radiation - this is a good thing because dna mutation is bad for you and causes cancer! Your genetic sex is immutable, a person with XY chromosomes cannot have their dna altered to have XX chromosomes instead.

Hormones will affect the expression of your genes, for example turning on facial hair production in women who are taking testosterone. This is why those patterns of facial hair, even in women, differ from person to person. The genes for it were already there, but hormone replacement therapy uses the endocrine system to change what signals get sent to your genes to tell them what features to express.

Beyond chemically induced genetic expression, there are particular physical features in males that do not occur in males, and vice versa. This is a feature of the /ancient/ evolution of sexual reproduction. Despite the variety of metaphysical beliefs about identity and personhood, the truth is that humans evolved to reproduce between two sexes, and human beings cannot change sex. Every cell of your body has your sex encoded within it. This affects us physically in many ways. I and most feminists believe that this fact should be irrelevant to any person's ability to pursue their passion, be themselves, and love who they love. Even so, recognition of biological sex is something important. This is really critical in a medical context. For example: men who receive a blood transfusion from a pregnant or recently pregnant woman have an increased risk of death by transfusion-related lung injury. Another example: tracheostomy tubes differ in size depending on sex due to dimorphism in average tracheal diameter. A women who is reported as a male risks considerable injury by having a male sized tracheostomy tube forced into her windpipe. A considerable amount of medications differ in dose effectiveness and side effects based on biological sex. Something as straightforward as a heart attack has different symptoms depending on if the patient is female or male. Denial of biological sex is dangerous, and as it stands, medical science has not advanced enough to change the biological sex of an individual. If you are born male, you will stay male for your entire life. You say that a transwoman who has taken estrogen is more genetically similar to a woman, I'm sorry but that simply isn't true. A male person will always be more genetically similar to other males than to a female person.

Determination of sex is very simple, it's about the easiest genetic test to do. They have kits for high school classrooms to try out ffs. We need to leave the "meaningful sex change is possible through medical intervention" thing in the past, all we accomplish with that is giving people false hope and an unattainable goal to fixate on. Sex is real and immutable, I wish it didn't matter, but it does.

And why it matters is, maleness and femaleness have become inseparable from certain stereotypes and assigned qualities by societies in human history. Overwhelmingly, the male people subjugate the female people. Since men, male humans, discovered womens' ability to give birth could be taken advantage of, it was capitalized upon. And this is the foundation of patriarchal society. Religions were founded to justify this as the will of god. To deny that women have historically been persecuted due to their sex is, well, misogynistic. There is no "woman feeling" that makes us targets for child marriages, FGM, trafficking/prostitution, and other horrors from the minute we're born and even before. No, it's the sex we were born with that makes the world think it can decide our fate. In fact, the way that people treat male children differently from female children is so different so early, that we are genuinely unable to study human behaviour unaffected by gendered expectations. This is what feminists are talking about when they discuss "socialization". There is not a single man on the planet who knows exactly what it's like to see the world from a woman's eyes, no matter how feminine that man is. Womanhood isn't something you can achieve or acquire through effort: you were either born a woman or you weren't, just like you were either born with detached earlobes or not. It's so simple.

All that to get to my final point: Yes, I believe the definition of womanhood comes down to biology, because anything beyond that is a meaningless stereotype. Women can do anything, be anyone, look any way they want, go through any experience they do. The one thing they have in common is that they are female adult human beings. There is not way to fail at being a woman or do it wrong, you just are. Womanhood is the experience of having been a female person in this world, and nothing else. There are certain things only female human beings need, like abortion and female contraceptive rights, access to spaces where we can be safe from our subjugators (male human beings), and the ability to define ourselves and fight for our collective rights.

(At this point you may object and point out that male people who identify as trans women are also subject to violence and scorn from men: unfortunately that is often the case, but this does not make male people who identify as women, well, female. We need solutions for them that do not involve requiring women to sacrifice our comfort and safety for the sake of a particular subset of men, because of the inherent risks involved and the fact that women do not owe men anything even when those men have it bad.)

One last thing: my opinion is that prescribing exogenous cross-sex hormones is unethical (so are all elective cosmetic medical procedures but that's a post for a different day). I understand the distress that gender dysphoria inflicts on people, however the ill effects of hrt are too numerous to condone. The huge increase in risk of stroke with estrogen, heart disease and uterine atrophy with testosterone, and the way that trans medicine studies are notorious for losing followup with patients after a year or less... it's short sighted and frankly, financially motivated. The amount of trans patients who are prescribed hormones without access to an endocrinologist, it's honestly infuriating. People deserve the best care possible, not lab rat bullshit where they cut you loose when it's not working out. I won't judge anyone for what they do to themselves to cope with distress, but I want everyone, especially girls, to be aware of the lifetime effects medical decisions may have, and that you also can find happiness within yourself without hurting your body.

Thanks again for your question, be well ✌️

[anhed-nia]

BLOGTOBER 10/6/2024: THE I SPIT ON YOUR LADIES' NIGHT MISOGYNATHON, PART 1 - BLINK TWICE AND DON'T WORRY DARLING

Sometimes during Blogtober I'll watch some movie that so activates my pattern recognition that I have to watch several other movies in a row, and then the entry is like this. In this case it is all the fault of BLINK TWICE.

I am perennially interested in stories about insidious forms of sexual abuse, and I thought this was OK. Spoilers be here, if you're worried you could skip to the image from DON'T WORRY DARLING below, although I don't know how surprising BLINK TWICE really is. Well, maybe it's surprising enough that the fucking studio put a fucking trigger warning on the beginning of this fucking R-rated movie like I'm a little fucking baby, but ANYWAY. It is rather obviously about how Channing Tatum is a recently-disgraced techbro who is continuing to do extremely bad things to the women he lures to his tropical island. Part of me wondered if this whole movie weren't some sort of warning shot at Jared Leto about the island cult he has or is trying to start, but in any case it is very entertaining. It's sort of odd to do what is kind of a heavy rape movie and make it this funny, but I supposed there ought to be some alternative to just extreme confrontationalism--although there is a dash of that here too.

There is also a dash of some sort of magic realism that didn't seem that well integrated. That the island is full of snakes whose venom just so happens to counteract the techbro's experimental rape drug--and he knows this--is a little too on the nose for me, a little too Eve and the Serpent, kind of silly. And if you're a genius with unlimited resources, why would you chose a place that's full of these problematic snakes for your island where you have to use this one drug for your rape orgies? Yeah, sure, he could have realized this too late and wasn't willing to cut his losses, but it all seems very convenient.

I also had a problem with part of the basic setup: Zoe Kravitz directs Naomi Ackie as this loser millennial who is first seen watching an apology video by Channing Tatum who has become notorious for doing some unspecified Armie Hammer-type shit. Then Naomi sneaks into this gala where she meets him and immediately accepts an invitation to his isolated island, and like *maybe* what you learn much later is supposed to explain why she has absolutely no misgivings about this, but in the meantime you have to spend quite a lot of time wondering what kind of person she is, that she's down for this. Her acceptance of him should mean something. Either she's so naive she believes public apologies from powerful men, or she's suffering from so much internalized misogyny that she doesn't believe other women, or she loves bad boys, or she's hypnotized by his wealth, or...something. I really wanted an excuse because whatever it is would majorly inform her whole character. We all have pretty specific assumptions about people who defend Johnny Depp, there are specific motivations behind that behavior. I just felt like the whole story needed more justification from the jump. Although that said, it is very amusing for a movie about a rape island.

Anyway, while I was watching BLINK TWICE I started to wonder if Olivia Wilde felt ripped off by it. Even though DON'T WORRY DARLING is a science fiction film, it has essentially the same plot: A rich, charismatic techbro invents a little elite paradise for his friends and supporters where they can enjoy perfect control over women. And I'm suddenly realizing this segment is also going to be fairly spoilery, so sorry if you haven't seen this one either but the twist ending actually IS surprising, even if the movie otherwise wears its debt to THE STEPFORD WIVES on its sleeve. But perhaps the most surprising thing of all is that I actually sort of like DON'T WORRY DARLING, and I might be the only person in the world to say that.

I don't even know if I can justify my affection for it, but I am comfortable at least saying that even if it's not great, it doesn't deserve the heaps of abuse it got. In this cold, weird, '50s-flavored thriller, Florence Pugh and her husband Harry Styles live in a remote Southwestern cul-de-sac that houses all the bright young men who work on the mysterious "Victory Project". None of the too-perfect housewives knows what the Victory Project actually is, though everyone is way oversubscribed to the idea that glorified cult leader Chris Pine is somehow building a better future. Inevitably, Florence Pugh figures out that the women are being controlled somehow, which revelation causes some fabulous hallucinations and her eventual action hero rebellion.

I get the problems with this. The story is overly familiar, poor Harry Styles produces absolutely nothing resembling a recognizable character despite his earnest efforts, and worst of all, the movie just misuses its time. The revelation that this is not a Stepford-type project, but rather an underground virtual reality experiment for incels and their kidnap victims is honestly pretty cool. It's interesting! Interesting enough that they shouldn't have saved it for the very end, they should have found a way to integrate it into the main narrative more; instead there are too many repetitive scenes of Florence Pugh being argumentative, which all have forgone conclusions.

But meanwhile, DON'T WORRY DARLING establishes a very sharp, edgy tone that keeps you (or me, anyway) in a reasonable state of suspense and claustrophobic anxiety. I've been trying to analyze where this comes from and I think part of it is just the sound, which is often excellent (if occasionally over the top). There's a certain kind of ambient tone used in the little cloistered homes that makes me smell ozone and feel pressure in my ears. And I think most of the performances are very good, especially Florence Pugh of course who I just love. I love her because I think she could beat my ass. It's like, fucking Scarlett Johansson has been foisted upon the world as an action hero and she just seems so slow and dull and unconvincing. Meanwhile Florence Pugh is scrambling up a gravel road barefoot at alarming speeds and I totally believe it. Even in MIDSOMMAR she's just so fucking physical, and did you see that wrestling movie she made, FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY? It's really good, you should watch it. She could kick anybody's ass.

[pumpumdemsugah]

It's very crazy

I'm not as well real about chattel slavery as I'd like to but I know a fair amount, especially about the Caribbean vs the rest of the world but it's just mental to me how this has been twisted. It went from talking about how race science was used to gender Black people as different and beastly and recognition that this is racism and fiction, to that gendering being treated as inherent attributes of our bodies so we're GNC and we need to pretend its transphobia and discard why and how Black people are seen as unfeeling animals. Slave masters spent their time coming up with reasons for how Black people weren't humans, not modern ideas around gender. Please read if that pisses you off.

Something (cis Black women experience transphobia) that's an opinion ( a shaky one imo) is being pushed as a moral imperative and necessity for Black women to see our experiences as and if you don't, regardless of your politics it means Black people that agree can dog pill you and talk about your Black womanhood in a way I don't even see white supremacist immediately jump to but this is solidarity.

It's a political stance. One I don't hold or I think is helpful, especially when you look at the crackheaded behaviour of white trans women against Black women, and how many of them happily saying " say her name " purely for their white peers but this is sisterhood & solidarity and not white entitlement? Do white trans people know more about us? Because I've not seen that. They've decided to not learn anything about us. Is that solidarity for you ? They're very comfortable bringing us up though, relevancy be damned bring out the Black trump card

The number one reason I see Black women come up, is as a jumping off point for someone white to talk about their gender feelings. Quite frankly, a lot of western white trans people hide behind the culture war attacks to avoid taking responsibility for how deeply racist they are about Black women because if everyone doesn't agree the fascist win! but isn't it funny it doesn't work the other way for us if we take issue? Unless of course that Black person is ripping into another Black person that doesn't think that view makes sense. Its then you ' listen to Black women '

I still remember this post by a white British trans woman very happily talking about how Black people have bigger bones and linking it to gender and saying Black women have male bone density so blah blah I'm valid and that's when I knew, we're political shields being used by racist to feel better about themselves cause they view us as inferior, not sisters in arms. I even read the study being referenced and it was about osteoporosis in different races of women and didn't come to a big Black bone conclusion but that if you weigh more and work outside you typically have a heavier frame, both characteristics found in the Black people that were a part of the study but Black women didn't have different outcomes than other women and lots of Black women had smaller frames but Black people have diverse bodies types like all humans, is not what this racist took from that because they needed to feel normal.

The fun thing about being a Black woman, is our issues are so fucking crazy that when we do take a stand it's extremely easy to accuse us of whatever ism. Race traitors by patriarchal Black men for talking about misogyny is a firm classic. Can't talk about Black Femicide without white supremacists using it as fodder for anti-Black racism. The suggestion Black women should be nice about either of these issues because it can be used by people that don't care about Black women is a feature of Black female oppression. There's no way to do this without pissing someone off, including Black people that think you should tread lightly

I'm related to Black men and I don't care what they think so the guilt for this simply doesn't exist and the idea i should take a stance for the benefit of white internet people is crazy lol especially one that's not backed by reading

It's historical revisionism and misogynoir

This isn't sisterhood but using the credibility and activism of Black people for white people that don't know how to defend themselves but are too fucking lazy to learn anything that's not a short post on social media.I'm not enabling laziness or white entitlement.

It's like that post where someone said vitamin C fucks with your medicine when it's grapefruit juice can fuck with your ADHD meds because of how info gets distorted online. The truth gets transformed into misinformation and what was once helpful looks nothing like it's original form

[cipheramnesia]

if t4t is a thing why are Ts obsessed with being considered men/women. Why cant there be men/women and transmen and transwomen. Clearly yall recognize theres a difference. Why not just embrace it instead of demonizing the rest of society for also recognizing theres a difference between trans people and cispeople.

Thank you for sending me this ask. It is an opportunity presented to me to get into the underlying assumptions which are used around transphobia and in general recruitment into authoritarian groups committed to maintaining oppressive hierarchy!

1) "If t4t is a thing why are [transgender people] obsessed with being considered men/women?"

A few things are going on with this opening question. In a broad sense, it's drawing a line over t4t relationships have a kind of inverse correlation to general trans rights, which isn't correct. The kind of relationship someone is in doesn't reflect some kind of de-prioritizing of them being deserving of equal rights and fair treatment.

The phrase "obsessed with being considered" is interesting to work with. What's being talked about here is the long running struggle for trans people to be recognized as people in general. It includes being treated with the same legal rights and protections as other people, it also includes not being socially ostracized, not being subject to disproportionate violence, not being used as clowns or jokes, having access to medical care. It also includes expanding both the legal and social idea of sex and gender in ways that accommodate both modern science and social changes, and which are meant to reduce gender inequality across the board.

For example, if we can recognize that gender has greater variance than male/female, it has the double effect of both reducing social and legal barriers to equality between men and women generally, and expanding these kinds of recognitions to include intersex and nonbinary people. If we understand that gender is complex enough that a reductive "M/F" marking on a paperwork isn't adequate, it means fewer people can be singled out for specific biases in circumstances such as medical treatment or employment. Your doctor needs to know what your insides do, but they don't need to have an M/F on a form for that. No employer should need to know your gender to make a hiring decision, and so on.

Anyway, all of these complex legal and social and medical and etc issues affect us, trans people, and others, every day. However, the underlying narrative in the ask here is simplifying this as merely obsessed over what other people think. This kind of reductive shorthand is a pretty common route that radical right recruiters like to use. For example, the detailed and complex nature of sex and gender, and the myriad ways they are neither binary, nor strictly fit into a clear male/female division is commonly reduced to "trans people think sex isn't real."

Last, but not least, is the assumption that trans people think about gender in the binary of man/woman. Perhaps some do, but not myself, and there's quite a lot of trans people that don't fit any binary at all who are also affected by the various systems that maintain gender as binary and hierarchical.

Which means that the answer to this question is "we aren't" but also the question itself is so steeped in specific underlying assumptions that a direct answer legitimizes them. It's not just that the answer to the question is "we aren't" it's that the context of the question is wrong. It's meant to draw the topic into the grounds of "what trans people want other people to do" rather than "we would like greater equality with regard to sex and gender overall, and better medical care for everyone."

2) "Why cant there be men/women and transmen and transwomen. Clearly yall recognize theres a difference. Why not just embrace it"

This one is fun, because it's taking something that is already part of a more complex idea of gender, and inverting it. Again, it's still trying to fix this as strictly men and women, which is really fascinating with how much I try to beat the drum about sex and gender not being limited male or female. But, okay, we know they're trying to keep this as a binary argument and that's a fallacy from the jump.

The idea here is that there should be separate but equal categories of "woman and trans woman" and "man and trans man." But a system that both addresses this and is inclusive rather than exclusionary already exists. We have a broad gender category of woman or man, and this can include cis, trans, intersex, and others. Rather than trying to separate out woman or man as categories which can only include an idea of gender which, when you get down into the construction of gender, doesn't exist, a more useful tool is to understand that woman or man are both broader categories which can include multiple versions of those genders. Not only that, but it allows us to more usefully understand how gender isn't always reduced to male or female. Intersex can exist as its own category to include trans as a subset. Nonbinary can exist as a category to include trans masculine / feminine as a subset, and so on.

The underlying assumption here is that "recognizing genders are different" means "recognizing that if you are trans you should be excluded from any cis gender" and so again the answer here is "we already do that" but the assumption is wrong enough that there's no way to answer it yes or no with out legitimizing the idea of gender as exclusionary and reductive.

3) "instead of demonizing the rest of society"

In this case "demonizing" really just means "people who are openly bigoted experience relatively minor public disapproval while continuing to promote bigotry."

And "the rest of society" is akin to the previous assumption in that it has a framework where there are "trans people" and "society" and the two are separate. It additionally contextualizes "all of society" as equivalent with "opposed to trans rights" while in reality it's typically people with transphobic views who are in the minority.

Lastly, it includes the idea that trans people, as a relatively small percentage of the global population, have the ability to "demonize" the entirety of all global societies which, once you think about the idea that trans people are some fully united group around the world oppressing a generic and homogeneous non-trans society, it's clear this entire statement is patently absurd.

4) "for also recognizing theres a difference between trans people and cispeople."

This is basically a rehash of earlier items, but the false assumption here is that just because we understand sex and gender can have significant variation from binary male or female does not mean it is equivalent to the exclusionist reduction of "biological man/woman" and binary genders only. It's possible to recognize differences in people in ways that are oppressive or in ways that promote equity. The "recognized" difference this anon is talking about is the oppressive version, but by equating all differences as functionally the same, they are trying to create a narrative where these differences maintain systemic oppression, rather than reduce it.

Anyway, thank you for the added stimulation anon, it's been awhile since I dissected a bad-faith ask to demonstrate how hiding underlying assumptions in seemingly simple statements can be used to direct people towards authoritarian positions, without appearing to do so. As we can see, most of these questions, if addressed on their own terms, require engaging with gender view a lens of systemic oppression. If we don't unpack these innate details, it can be very easy to be drawn into debate on the grounds of the oppressor's assumptions, and follow what seems like a logical pathway to authoritarian ideals.

Note also how short and simple each statement is. By reducing complex ideas to very simple statements, it makes it a little more difficult to peel back the layers and see the intent. It also is designed to direct your attention away from looking for those underlying assumptions. By making it more difficult to consider complex ideas and easier to draw you in to conversing in a way which accepts those ideas, the question itself becomes a kind of rhetorical weapon.

(I haven't checked this over for grammar or consistency)

[sjerzgirl]

Men have historically hated to give credit to women who discovered or invented anything before them. This absurd insecurity needs to come to an end. Let's help it by telling others about this brilliant woman.

“Since her death in 1979, the woman who discovered what the universe is made of has not so much as received a memorial plaque. Her newspaper obituaries do not mention her greatest discovery. […] Every high school student knows that Isaac Newton discovered gravity, that Charles Darwin discovered evolution, and that Albert Einstein discovered the relativity of time. But when it comes to the composition of our universe, the textbooks simply say that the most abundant atom in the universe is hydrogen. And no one ever wonders how we know.”

—

Jeremy Knowles, discusses the complete lack of recognition Cecilia Payne gets, even today, for her revolutionary discovery. (via alliterate)

OH WAIT LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT CECILIA PAYNE.

Cecilia Payne’s mother refused to spend money on her college education, so she won a scholarship to Cambridge.

Cecilia Payne completed her studies, but Cambridge wouldn’t give her a degree because at that time there was not much exposure for women, so she said to heck with that and moved to the United States to work at Harvard.

Cecilia Payne was the first person ever to earn a Ph.D. in astronomy from Radcliffe College, with what Otto Strauve called “the most brilliant Ph.D. thesis ever written in astronomy.”

Not only did Cecilia Payne discover what the universe is made of, she also discovered what the sun is made of (Henry Norris Russell, a fellow astronomer, is usually given credit for discovering that the sun’s composition is different from the Earth’s, but he came to his conclusions four years later than Payne—after telling her not to publish).

Cecilia Payne is the reason we know basically anything about variable stars (stars whose brightness as seen from earth fluctuates). Literally every other study on variable stars is based on her work.

Cecilia Payne was the first woman to be promoted to full professor from within Harvard, and is often credited with breaking the glass ceiling for women in the Harvard science department and in astronomy, as well as inspiring entire generations of women to take up science.

Cecilia Payne is awesome and everyone should know her.

Read More 👉👉👉https://araniea.com/a-98-year-old-kentucky-woman-with-over-230-great-great-grandchildren-meets-her-great-great-great-grandchild-for-the-first-time-in-an-amazing-photo-with-6-generations-in-it/

Photograph: Schlesinger Library.

[reimonenqhaircare]

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[imichelledesrosiers]

GRANTS

MASTERY JOURNAL - WEEK 10 Film entertainment is one family with different tasks. Being a film writer is one thing, being a Filmmaker is another thing. Since we have to we, as a screenwriter we have to learn all the processes. Here we are leaning “The top film grants list and resource for filmmakers.” It has been said at the beginning of “Studio Binder” “looking for funding for your film is often harder that making the actual movie.” The waiting is long and sometimes discouraged. However, there are other funnel as resources we can use to find the most exhaustive film grants, that will teach you, either you are going after a short film grant, feature, or documentary grant, you will know which one you want to apply for. And how to use the funds to your advantage. There are the ten top we have to look for. Among those ten ones, let’s dive in to find the 3 best and perfect film grants we want to use the most. - GRANT FELLOWSHIP & LABS — The Lowdown on Film grants. According to “Studio Binder” FILM GRANTS are usually unrestricted funds, services, or equipment that can be used for the development, production, or distribution of a project. They do not have to be repaid. It is more beneficial for independent filmmaker because they have freedom to use the funds without restriction and we don’t have to repay it. however, there is a price to earn the funds. For instance, we have to participate in film festivals to earn awards, recognition, and film’s credits, or we have to be part of service commitment with film fellowships, which are for artists writing on themes of science. They may require a residency and the committee on the project, and must award your project to earn the grants from “Sloan Foundation” which is a part of the “Sundance,” Tribeca and San Francisco Film Festivals.” For this, the requirement is to attend the “Mentor meetings and labs and the living cost must be covered for three months. FIRST-TIME FILMMAKERS, First-time filmmakers give the opportunities to all writers, producer, and or theater, to make it if they have writing publishing, and or theater scripts. That program encourages them to grow in the film industry standard such as: Panavision or Abel Cine-Tech. it is a “No one left behind opportunity.”

EVERY VOICE IS UNIQUE – Every voice is unique gives female filmmakers in various branches the opportunities to create a balance in the visibility on screen in order to represent females behind the camera and those in

executive positions. I consider that as one of the great opportunities for women in power to expose their talents in the film industry. Those are my three preferences because as novice in the film industry we need something that could help us to move forward and encourage to keep writing and make a career out of that.

[saltyvsparrow]

My thoughts while watching the movie M3gan

This is not a review, nor is it a plot synopsis, although it will give away parts of the plot. So if you are worried about spoilers, maybe don't read this before watching this movie. Think of it more as a text version of Mystery Science Theater.

The perpetual pets took furby and made it more terrifying. It's angry little fists and horrifying mouth and teeth. The app that lets you feed it virtual food until the toy shits kibble, WTF? Do they reuse the poop? Are the parents forced to purchase a poop subscription? Is it edible? Can you put whatever you want in there for it to poop out?

Does any toy company actually have kids play testing toys? Has that ever been a real thing? Oh no, she forget to implement the parental controls. Clearly if they only needed to be implemented, she had designed and coded them, so why weren't they implemented? 2nd primary owner still means second, and how does this resolve the problem of there being no parental controls? Pressuring children into giving demonstrations, real good role modeling. M3gan's fingers remind me of the hot dog fingers from Everything Everywhere All at Once. At least Gemma is getting some recognition most women in the work place don't. But why is Legal negotiating her contract? Oooh now we get attachment theory and being role models! I bet M3gan will let her eat whatever she wants. But what happens when Katy develops adult diabetes? What about that M3gan? Katy's social skills are going to be using M3gan to dominate the other children. M3gan's got poltergeist tech? New trick, using GPS to convince adults that they don't need to worry about where you are because they will be able to use it to find you. I suspect that Holly adopted Brandon, or he is a step child. Holly has some sort of denial going on. Will Brandon be the first to die? I think yes. M3gan is going to MAKE Brandon cry, and maybe die? "She's paired with me. She won't play with anyone else" is very creepy sounding. How many kids are enrolled at this special outdoors school? That is a lot of stuffed animals around that tree. Is Brandon going to try and rape M3gan? The first thing he does is start talking off her clothes. This just goes back to my thoughts at the beginning, when I wondered if they would decide to make boy robots too, or just give the boys the girl robots? Then what is going to happen to those kids when they go through puberty? What will happen to the robots? So I guess the police are going to assume the missing part of Brandon's ear is from the car running over him? Is Katy afraid of M3gan now? Or does she know M3gan will be key to Katy's dominance over others in the future. Oh. M3gan killed the dog and has already learned she needs to be careful when disposing of bodies. She didn't need to push Brandon, Katy. Bwahahaha was this movie inspired by the La Roux song? Please tell me we get to hear that song in it's full techno glory later in this movie. M3gan is faking the dog noises isn't she? Or did she just record the dog while she killed him?

[isabellatomasblog]

Introduction to Afrofuturism: The Power of Music and Janelle Monae’s Impact 

Afrofuturism is something I was not previously familiar with. In fact, before taking this course I had barely even heard of the term. However, upon a deep dive into the creative and mystical world that is Afrofuturism I realized I am actually far more familiar with it than I originally thought. Another and more simple way to describe Afrofuturism is the Black speculative arts. It’s the music, storytelling, art, literature, and cinema of science fiction and fantasy of the African diaspora. It’s a world where our beliefs are suspended and magical realism transforms us to another world. Afrofuturism is what inspires a lot of activists because it focuses on real world issues and possible solutions. This is very present in Octavia E. Butler’s work, specifically in Parable of the Sower, a story set in almost the same year as today. However, what’s really fascinated me about Afrofuturism is its music and the history behind it.

Both Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce can be considered Afrofuturistic artists. For Lamar this is very evident in the music video for “Alright” in which he is shown to be flying in a magical realism type of world. Lamar describes real world experiences such as depression, faith, police brutality, the struggle of oppression, and a burning sense of optimism. On the other hand, Beyonce embodies Afrofuturism in a more mystical type of way. In her 2017 Grammy’s performance she embodies this nurturing love Goddess element. She displays her pregnancy almost like an accessory to display how she has embodied the magical realism of Afrofuturism. Beyonce is adorned in slow silk like clothes and is featured dancing with other women. Both Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar are very big artists with a huge following. And while they do Afrofuturism justice, somebody who really stands out as a modern day Afrofuturism pioneer is Janelle Monae.

Janella Monae is a severely underrated artist in general but especially when it comes to her recognition of Afrofuturistic world building. I see so many other artists praised for their storytelling through albums and songs but Monae is by far the most clever in my opinion. In her early works she played an android called Cindy Mayweather. Cindy Mayweather wore a black suit and placed a lot of emphasis on featuring herself as more androgynous, more covered and concealed. Monae goes by she and they pronouns and her music shows a clear connection to real world themes such as LGBTQ identity. Robots are an especially interesting choice since androgyny is sometimes compared to being an other worldly thing, like an android. It doesn’t fit the norm and neither does any of Monae’s work in Afrofuturism. There are also many parallels between the Black experience and robots such as hypersexualization and the theme of being bought and sold the way enslaved people were. Monae does a really fantastic job with the world building in her Metatropolis. Visual music videos like “Tightrope” are pleasing to look at and they serve as a mirror to our world and its problems.

In her later work, Monae made the switch from Cindy Mayweather to an android called Jane 57821. Jane feels more liberated, more sexually free as she wears less restrictive clothing. This is clearly a commentary on the male gaze and patriarchal beauty standards. Jane takes sexualization into her own hands turning it from an oppressive regime to one of rebellion. But there is also a darker side to Jane as she is cleansed of anything that makes her aberrant; her womanhood, her sexuality, her blackness, her rebellion. This is evident in “Dirty Computer” where it is made clear that Monae’s own intersections are seen as something that needs to be erased. It reflects the idea that in our world there are still people that want to harm those that stand out and are different despite the progress we may have made. Overall, Monae is a very underrated artist in my opinion. She deserve more phrase beyond just within a single community because she herself stands for some many different things; women, nonbinary people, queerness, etc. Her storytelling alone makes me wonder why it appears that people have stopped talking about her.

[panbai-international-school]

Promoting Gender Equality and Diversity in Mumbai's A-Level Education

Introduction: Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders

In the pulsing city of Mumbai, the revolution is being swept through the world of education, changing the way we think about education and removing barriers which have hindered the advancement of gender equity and inclusion in the A-level educational system. When we begin this journey, we must understand the importance of creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere where everyone, regardless of gender or ethnic background, can flourish and succeed. This commitment to inclusion can be seen in the best international schools in Mumbai and plays an essential role in promoting diversity and ensuring equality across all children.

The Evolution of Gender Equality in Education

Gender equality in education has long been a problem, with differences in access, opportunities, and outcomes prevailing across diverse societies. In recent years, however, there has been a shift in the way we think about education, with stakeholders realising the importance of giving equal educational opportunities to everyone.

Bridging the Gender Gap

In the past, gender stereotypes have perpetuated the belief that specific fields or subjects are more appropriate for certain genders than others. However, programs focused on gender mainstreaming have resisted these stereotypes by encouraging girls to take on traditionally male-dominated fields such as engineering, science, technology and maths (STEM). Through targeted interventions, such as workshops, mentorship programs, and awareness campaigns, Mumbai's A-level institutions are working hard to close gender gaps and encourage young women to pursue their educational and career goals without any restrictions.

Promoting Inclusive Learning Environments

Beyond tackling gender inequality, Promoting diversity and inclusion in the classroom is crucial to creating holistic and global citizenship for students. By embracing cultural diversity, accommodating different learning needs, and encouraging an ethos of belonging to all students, educational schools in Mumbai are creating the basis for a more equal and peaceful society.

Initiatives Driving Change

Empowering Girls Through Education

Empowerment starts by educating. In recognition of this, Mumbai's top A-level institutions have put in place a range of programs to help girls and equip them with the necessary tools and resources to excel academically and professionally. From scholarships to leadership training, the initiatives aim to remove barriers and allow girls to succeed with confidence and vigour. This dedication to empowering students can be seen in the commitment to the top-ranked schools in Mumbai, which place a high value on the whole-of-person development and success of each student.

Gender-Responsive Teaching Practices

Effective teaching extends beyond the presentation of information and involves creating an environment for learning where each student feels respected and appreciated. Through gender-responsive practices in teaching, educators in Mumbai are using diverse perspectives, confronting gender stereotypes, and encouraging the ability to think critically, which allows students to confront stereotypes and accept diversity.

Advocacy and Policy Reform

Advocacy is a crucial factor in bringing about system-wide change. In Mumbai, activists, political leaders, and educators are working together to push for policy changes that encourage gender equality and diversity in education. By engaging in discussions, promoting awareness, and advocating for policies, these actors are shaping the education landscape and paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.

The Impact of Gender Equality and Diversity in Education

Empowering Individuals, Transforming Communities

The effects on gender diversity and equality in the field of education go well beyond the walls of the classroom. By empowering people to reach their full potential, education can be an engine to transform society and the economy. When more females and those from marginalised groups are able to access quality education, they're better prepared to end the vicious cycle of poverty. They also give back to their communities and help drive sustainable growth.

Fostering Innovation and Creativity

Diversity is the key to innovation. Through embracing a variety of perspectives, thoughts, experiences, and perspectives, schools in Mumbai are encouraging an environment of innovation and creativity that boosts progress and creates prosperity. When students with different backgrounds get together to share their experiences and learn from one another, they not only enrich their learning experience but can also contribute to the overall development of society.

Conclusion: Towards a Brighter Future

In the end, encouraging the equality of women and men in Mumbai's A-level education isn't just an ethical obligation but an investment in the future. By eliminating boundaries, challenging stereotypical beliefs, and encouraging individuals and their families to be empowered, we can create an inclusive and fair society in which everyone is able to flourish and contribute to the common good. Let us all work together to break boundaries, inspire transformation, and help build a better future for generations. This dedication to encouraging inclusion and excellence is demonstrated by the best international schools in Mumbai that provide a beacon of creativity and potential in the education environment.

[sprinkles0322]

-What I Learned This Year-

I am 33 today, tonight to be specific. Sitting at the bar of a favorite restaurant in White Plains, and pondering how I made it this far. I felt so determined to destroy myself, for so long. 33 feels good. Today feels good. Life feels right. There have always been and will always be tough times, but recently times have been calmer. But I have come to learn that "good times" and "bad times" exist simultantously. No one can know how many days they get, and I am in the surprisingly common predicament of having been here for more days than i thought I would be. I have also learned that things only work if you work them. This is true for all things, on all levels. Manifestation is an exchange of energy, focusing the mind on tethers not yet conceived by science, and adding pressure to those tethers with focused energy generated by work. I have learned that people who want to be there for you, will be there for you, even if they are not able to offer "value". The people who give a whole fuck about you will be there in anyway that they can be. Subsequently, one should only give their attention to people who do give "a whole fuck" about them. In the long run of life, nobody else will be there when you truly need them and so, arguably, is not worth effort. That being said, I have also learned that very few people are "worth the effort", and that people's worth is not why one should be kind. Niceties are cheap, vague, and convenient. I do not believe in the disensing of kindness for praise or recognition. Kindness should be given because it is how love is spread throughout this world. It is the rent we ay for being here eaach day. To err is human, to take care of each other is divine. It is the year 2024, very few things are original. Most of our ideas, designs, vaguest ideas had been concieved before our ancestors' ancestors walked the Earth. We knew in our earliest days that the planet was round, and that the giant celestial bodies of both fire and ice were equally important to our planet's functions. We knew these things before we could comprehend the rotation of the planets. Also - I am not better or worse than anyone else. Most people are confused and on auto-pilot, believing whatever is told to them in a convincing tone from someone they view as smarter than themselves. This is a drastic oversimplification, but the point remains true. Dad always said "not everybody thinks like you" - we have added to this in these 30 years. "Not everybody thinks like you do, and not everybody thinks at all." I have learned that many men say they want strong women. Many times, that boils down to owning a strong woman. To having her concede to him, the one who is ultimately in charge on virtue of his cock alone. One of the most unfortunate revolations of this life thus far has been just how many men subconciously wish to break a strong woman. Men will show you their intentions quickly, believe them when they show you the first time. If someone tells/show you that you are not a priority to them, you must leave immediately. They will call you sensitive, emotional, and cold. givve these thoughts no glue, and keep it moving. Understand this - being done with someone's bullshit or abusive behavior will never make you the cold one. They were cold when they betrayed your trust, broke your confidence, and expected you to deal with it. Take your warmth with you, and they will immediately notice their own icy emptiness.

[thelatestbyte]

Cesarean Section Through the Ages

By: Anna K. Bergendy

Twitter: @annakleopatra.art

Introduction: Early C-Sections

Cesarean section surgeries, or c-sections, have a long history dating back to 320 BC, with the first recorded successful procedure in 1500 AD. The practice may be as old as mankind. Before the advent of modern surgical techniques, anesthesia, and antiseptic practices, cesarean sections were primarily used as a last resort in situations where the mother had died, or was dying during childbirth, and the primary goal was to save the life of the infant. C-sections often appear in myths, reflecting the fascination with saving both mother and baby through miracles or medical intervention. The term "cesarean" likely comes from the Roman term caeso matris, meaning “cutting a fetus from the maternal womb,” and is often mistakenly attributed to Julius Caesar. Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, enacted the Lex Cesarea, a law mandating fetal extraction from the maternal uterus in cases of maternal death. This law aimed to provide a chance for the baby to survive and, if not, to ensure an individual burial. In this article, we primarily focus on European history in the 19th and 20th centuries.

An illustration of the birth of Julius Caesar from 1506

Despite a popular legend suggesting Caesar's birth via c-section, historical evidence indicates it is highly unlikely, as his mother, Aurelia Cotta, lived many years in good health after his birth.

Source: Wikipedia

The earliest explicit record of a cesarean surgery is found in the Persian national epic, the Shahnameh. The epic, covering the history of ancient Persia, recounts the poetic, yet realistic, story of Princess Rudaba giving birth to her exceptionally large son, Rustam.

"Birth of Rustam", detail of an illustration

Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The reasons for performing cesarean sections were explained by a combination of medical, cultural, and religious factors. The 19th and 20th centuries were marked by a significant scientific boom, which transformed various fields. Medical science progressed significantly during the 19th century, with notable achievements such as the introduction of anesthesia, the formulation of the germ theory of disease, and the recognition of bacteria as the culprits behind infections. The 20th century brought about a revolutionary shift in medicine with groundbreaking discoveries like antibiotics, including penicillin, fundamentally altering healthcare practices.

The tuberculosis epidemic across Europe was a major public health concern in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The physical symptoms of tuberculosis on women were absurdly romanticized as pale skin and fragility were sought after traits at the time.

Tuberculosis can sometimes affect reproductive organs, including the deformation of the pelvic area. Pelvic tuberculosis can lead to inflammation, scarring, and damage to the fallopian tubes or uterus. In severe cases, it may result in pelvic adhesions or obstruction, potentially affecting fertility or complicating pregnancy. A generation of women having been affected by tuberculosis called for a desperate need to significantly improve the efficiency of c-section procedures. Birth by cesarean section became increasingly common in the 19th century. Up until the 20th century, the number one reason for its use was underdeveloped pelvises as a result of tuberculosis:society could no longer afford cesarean section to be nothing more than a last resort.

The story of Anna Margaretha Adametz

This story serves as a poignant illustration of the resilience of both mothers and medical practitioners amidst the challenges posed by tuberculosis. Anna Margaretha Adametz was born in 1795 in the Duchy of Holstein, and she was the wife of a Bohemian tailor. Due to childhood tuberculosis, she couldn't walk until she was 12 years old, and she had an extremely narrow pelvis. Despite all the potential risks, it's safe to assume that she desired to become a mother more than anything in the world and would do anything to make her dream happen. She first got pregnant at the age of thirty and, within the next eleven years, underwent a total of four c-sections without any form of anesthesia.

She went into labor for the first time on June 16, 1826. For two days, she could not birth her baby, and her midwife called for a local team of doctors who could not help her despite their best efforts. In the end, with Mrs. Adametz’s consent, Dr. Zwanck, a surgeon from a nearby town, performed a cesarean section on her on the morning of June 18. Unfortunately, her baby did not survive. Despite having a high fever, it’s been noted that she was able to do the laundry by July 20. Dr. Zwanck advised her not to get pregnant again, as it would certainly be fatal. Three years later, she was expecting another baby.

Dr. Zwanck would not perform another surgery, so he recommended Professor Christian Rudolf Wilhelm Wiedemann in Kiel. At this time, Wiedemann was already planning his retirement, but learning about this case, he was ready to perform her now-second c-section with the help of his nephew and assistant Gustav Adolph Michaelis. Michaelis was a true pioneer of scientific obstetrics with great empathy for pregnant women. He performed extensive research on birth difficulties associated with a narrow pelvis. Walking in the footsteps of Ignác Semmelweis, Michaelis was one of the first obstetricians to implement the practice of chlorine handwashing to prevent childbed fever.

On a candle-lit night on January 20, 1830, Mrs. Adametz’s second surgery began. Despite the lack of anesthesia, she fearlessly rejected her limbs getting tied down. During the five-minute surgery, attendees noted that she did not make a sound. The surgery was successful, but the baby girl tragically passed away when she was 32 days old.

Two years after the second surgery, on March 28, 1832, she was ready to undergo the procedure for a third time. The surgery was successfully performed by Michaelis, but the baby boy passed away in infancy, too, due to scarlet fever.

Her last and final cesarean section took place on June 27, 1836. Mrs. Adametz was 41 years old at the time. The medical team was certain that she would not survive another procedure. A couple of doctors and twenty students witnessed Michaelis perform a medical miracle by candlelight. This time the surgery took 29 minutes. A perfectly healthy, nearly 9 lbs baby girl was born. Mrs. Adametz’s incredible struggle had finally paid off: she could raise her baby to adulthood. The baby girl was baptized on July 24th. She was given the name Frederike Caroline Luise Cäsarine. Christian VII, King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Schleswig and Holstein, upon hearing about the incredible birth story, became the godfather and sponsor of Frederike. She lived a long life and got to tell her mother’s heroic story to her grandchildren.

*

Sometimes, there is unfair societal pressure on women that potentially lead to feelings of inadequacy or judgment for those who undergo cesarean sections. By sharing forgotten stories of medical pioneers and fearless mothers, we would like to challenge the invalidating idea that women who undergo them are less committed or strong. In tracing the historical journey of cesarean sections, we discover the indomitable spirit of individuals facing extraordinary challenge

VARIOUS TYPES OF STORIES ARE HERE

[jcmarchi]

Study: New Deepfake Detector Designed to be Less Biased - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/study-new-deepfake-detector-designed-to-be-less-biased-technology-org/

Study: New Deepfake Detector Designed to be Less Biased - Technology Org

With facial recognition performing worse on certain races and genders, algorithms developed at UB close the gap.

The image spoke for itself. 

University at Buffalo computer scientist and deepfake expert Siwei Lyu created a photo collage out of the hundreds of real faces that his detection algorithms had misclassified as fake — and the new composition clearly had a predominantly darker skin tone.

Deepfake detection algorithms often perform differently across races and genders, including a higher false positive rate on Black men than on white women. New algorithms developed at the University at Buffalo are designed to reduce such gaps. Image credit: Siwei Lyu/UB

“A detection algorithm’s accuracy should be statistically independent from factors like race,” Lyu says, “but obviously many existing algorithms, including our own, inherit a bias.”

Lyu, PhD, co-director of the UB Center for Information Integrity, and his team have now developed what they believe are the first-ever deepfake detection algorithms specifically designed to be less biased.

Their two machine learning methods — one which makes algorithms aware of demographics and one that leaves them blind to them — reduced disparities in accuracy across races and genders, while, in some cases, still improving overall accuracy.

The researchDownload pdf was presented at the Winter Conference on Applications of Computer Vision (WACV), held Jan. 4-8, and was supported in part by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). 

Lyu, the study’s senior author, collaborated with his former student, Shu Hu, PhD, now an assistant professor of computer and information technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, as well as George Chen, PhD, assistant professor of information systems at Carnegie Mellon University. Other contributors include Yan Ju, a PhD student in Lyu’s Media Forensic Lab at UB, and postdoctoral researcher Shan Jia.

Ju, the study’s first author, says detection tools are often less scrutinized than the artificial intelligence tools they keep in check, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be held accountable, too. 

“Deepfakes have been so disruptive to society that the research community was in a hurry to find a solution,” she says, “but even though these algorithms were made for a good cause, we still need to be aware of their collateral consequences.”

Demographic aware vs. demographic agnostic

Recent studies have found large disparities in deepfake detection algorithms’ error rates — up to a 10.7% difference in one study — among different races. In particular, it’s been shown that some are better at guessing the authenticity of lighter-skinned subjects than darker-skinned ones.

This can result in certain groups being more at risk of having their real image pegged as a fake, or perhaps even more damaging, a doctored image of them pegged as real. 

The problem is not necessarily the algorithms themselves, but the data they’ve been trained on. Middle-aged white men are often overly represented in such photo and video datasets, so the algorithms are better at analyzing them than they are underrepresented groups, says Lyu, SUNY Empire Professor in the UB Department of Computer Science and Engineering, within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

“Say one demographic group has 10,000 samples in the dataset and the other only has 100. The algorithm will sacrifice accuracy on the smaller group in order to minimize errors on the larger group,” he adds. “So it reduces overall errors, but at the expense of the smaller group.”

While other studies have attempted to make databases more demographically balanced — a time-consuming process — Lyu says his team’s study is the first attempt to actually improve the fairness of the algorithms themselves.

To explain their method, Lyu uses an analogy of a teacher being evaluated by student test scores. 

“If a teacher has 80 students do well and 20 students do poorly, they’ll still end up with a pretty good average,” he says. “So instead we want to give a weighted average to the students around the middle, forcing them to focus more on everyone instead of the dominating group.”

First, their demographic-aware method supplied algorithms with datasets that labeled subjects’ gender — male or female — and race — white, Black, Asian or other — and instructed it to minimize errors on the less represented groups.

“We’re essentially telling the algorithms that we care about overall performance, but we also want to guarantee that the performance of every group meets certain thresholds, or at least is only so much below the overall performance,” Lyu says.

However, datasets typically aren’t labeled for race and gender. Thus, the team’s demographic-agnostic method classifies deepfake videos not based on the subjects’ demographics — but on features in the video not immediately visible to the human eye.

“Maybe a group of videos in the dataset corresponds to a particular demographic group or maybe it corresponds with some other feature of the video, but we don’t need demographic information to identify them,” Lyu says. “This way, we do not have to handpick which groups should be emphasized. It’s all automated based on which groups make up that middle slice of data.”

Improving fairness — and accuracy

The team tested their methods using the popular FaceForensic++ dataset and state-of-the-art Xception detection algorithm. This improved all of the algorithm’s fairness metrics, such as equal false positive rate among races, with the demographic-aware method performing best of all.

Most importantly, Lyu says, their methods actually increased the overall detection accuracy of the algorithm — from 91.49% to as high as 94.17%.

However, when using the Xception algorithm with different datasets and the FF+ dataset with different algorithms, the methods — while still improving most fairness metrics — slightly reduced overall detection accuracy.

“There can be a small tradeoff between performance and fairness, but we can guarantee that the performance degradation is limited,” Lyu says. “Of course, the fundamental solution to the bias problem is improving the quality of the datasets, but for now, we should incorporate fairness into the algorithms themselves.”

Source: State University of New York at Buffalo

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[frontproofmedia]

Frontproof Media 2023 Boxing Awards: Who is the Fighter of the Year?

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By Hector Franco

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Published: January 03, 2024

2023 turned out to be a stronger than anticipated year for the sweet science. The most demanded fight of the last half-decade finally took place in Terence Crawford’s demolition of Errol Spence. Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia showed that boxing doesn’t need to have world titles on the line to sell PPVs.

Amanda Serrano took it upon herself to demand women be allowed to fight in three-minute rounds, with championship fights for the full 12. Showtime’s relationship with boxing officially came to an end. YouTube and social media influencer boxing seem like they’re here to stay, and Saudi Arabia has established itself as a destination for boxing for the foreseeable future. 

The sport is still plagued with the same issues of inactivity, especially when it comes to fighters on the pound-for-pound list. Also, boxing’s fractured nature, ranging from promoter to state to country, has managed to keep the subject of drug testing a work in progress. 

Frontproof Media will look at some of the best of 2023, highlighting those who deserve and have earned recognition. 

Fighter of the Year

Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue

In most instances, the Fighter of the Year award is one-sided, with one candidate ahead of the pack. 2023, however, has had multiple fighters worthy of the crown, and this year, we will give credit to two fighters who separated themselves as the best in the sport, pound-for-pound. Those two are Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) and Naoya Inoue (26-0, 23 KOS). 

It’s rare for Fighter of the Year honors to be awarded to two fighters; however, it’s happened a handful of times. Over Ring Magazine’s century-plus history, it has given the prestigious award to two pugilists five times, most recently, in 2020, when Teofimo Lopez and Tyson Fury won. 

Crawford dismantled Errol Spence over nine rounds for the undisputed welterweight championship in one of the greatest pay-per-view performances in history. Although Crawford only fought once in 2023, how he dismantled Spence on boxing’s biggest stage in a legacy-defining match gave him an upper hand over nearly every other fighter. 

After becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion, Inoue moved up to super bantamweight and faced what many considered to be the number one fighter in the division, Stephen Fulton. Much like Crawford’s victory over Spence, Inoue demolished Fulton over eight one-sided rounds in one of the premier showings of the year.

For some, what gives Inoue an edge over Crawford is that he also earned undisputed status by stopping Marlon Tapales in 10 rounds. It’s difficult for any fighter to have back-to-back near-perfect performances, and while Inoue didn’t look as good against Tapales as he did against Fulton, he was still dominant. 

Crawford and Inoue earned distinctions as undisputed champions in two weight classes in 2023, and no matter who you have sitting at the number one spot, they both showed the gap between them and everyone else. 

Honorable Mentions: 

Amanda Serrano

Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (46-2-1, 30 KOs) did more than most in 2023. She became the undisputed featherweight champion, defended her titles twice against two top opponents in her division, and became the first women’s boxer in over a decade to fight in a scheduled 12-round championship match featuring three-minute rounds. 

Few fighters in the sport are as active as Serrano, and at 35, she continues to push herself physically as she plans to head back into mixed martial arts in 2024. 

Leigh Wood

The United Kingdom’s Leigh Wood (28-3, 17 KOs) is arguably boxing’s most exciting action fighter. His fights deliver drama and knockouts. In 2023, Wood lost his WBA featherweight title to Mauricio Lara, then won it back in a rematch just a few months later. He ended the year by stopping two-time featherweight champion and UK rival Josh Warrington. 

Typically, when a fighter suffers a loss, it will disqualify them from Fighter of the Year consideration, but, in Wood’s case, he was able to avenge his loss in a short time and garner arguably the biggest win of his career. Wood may not be on any pound-for-pound lists, but he is one of the best featherweights in the world and is always a must-watch whenever he fights. 

Fight of the Year

Amanda Serrano vs Erika Cruz

02/04/2023

2023 doesn’t have a fight that was levels above the rest, such as Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo or Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Erik Morales. Still, there were numerous outstanding fights, all within the same range of excitement. Several fights could have been given the Fight of the Year award depending on the day asked and which fight was seen most recently. Ultimately, Frontproof Media chose Amanda Serrano’s war with Erika Cruz (17-2, 3 KOs) for the undisputed featherweight title as 2023’s Fight of the Year. 

For pure, sustained action from start to finish, Serrano’s battle against Cruz is difficult to top as the two traded for nearly every second of each round at the Madison Square Garden Theater. A headbutt in the third round added to the fight’s intensity, with blood coming down from Cruz’s hairline, leaving her face, opponent, and the ring drenched with blood. 

Ironically, the fight could be used as an argument for continuing to have two-minute rounds in women’s boxing, as Serrano and Cruz each threw nearly 1000 punches over the 10-round distance. Much like Serrano’s fight with Katie Taylor in 2022, her fight with Cruz is perfect for showing skeptics of boxing in general how exciting the sport can truly be. 

Honorable Mentions: 

Luis Nery TKO11 Azat Hovhannisyan

02/18/2023

Devin Haney WUD12 Vasiliy Lomachenko

05/20/2023

Jaime Munguia WUD12 Sergiy Derevyanchenko

06/10/2023

Rafael Espinoza WMD12 Robeisy Ramirez

12/09/2023

Knockout of the Year

Junto Nakatani wko12 Andrew Moloney

05/20/2023

Japanese two-division champion Junto Nakatani’s 12th-round knockout over Andrew Moloney for the vacant WBO super flyweight title was the perfect amalgamation of all facets of the sweet science. The left hand landed by the southpaw champion was perfectly timed, and with Moloney moving into the punch, it was brutal and, in the immediate aftermath, a bit frightening. 

Honorable Mentions: 

Yoenis Tellez WKO10 Livan Navarro

12/15/2023

Zhilei Zhang WKO3 Joe Joyce

09/23/2023

(Featured Photo: Naoki Fukuda)

[padhaicrew]

Exploring the Range of Courses and Specializations Offered at IIS University

In the vibrant city of Jaipur, where educational excellence meets empowerment, IIS University stands tall as the epitome of the best girls' university in Jaipur. Founded in 1995, IIS University has consistently been at the forefront of providing a diverse range of courses and specializations tailored to meet the academic aspirations of young women. Join us as we embark on a journey to explore the rich tapestry of academic offerings at IIS University.

A Spectrum of Knowledge: Diverse Courses for Every Passion

IIS University takes pride in offering a spectrum of courses that cater to a wide array of academic interests. From the core sciences to humanities, technology to arts, the university provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. This diversity ensures that every student can pursue their passion and carve their unique academic journey.

Best Girls University in Jaipur: Specializations that Define Excellence

What sets IIS University apart as the best girls' university in Jaipur is not only the variety of courses but also the depth of specializations offered. Whether it's delving into the intricacies of Forensic Science, exploring the realms of Economics, or immersing oneself in the world of Journalism, the university provides specializations that align with the evolving demands of the professional landscape.

Unveiling the Academic Tapestry: Key Specializations

Science and Technology: IIS University offers specialized programs in areas such as Botany, Biotechnology, Nanoscience & Technology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science & IT, and more. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed in the ever-evolving fields of science and technology.

Arts and Humanities: The university's commitment to holistic education is evident in its diverse offerings in Fine Arts, Visual Arts, Performance Arts, English, Sociology, Political Science, History, and more. These programs foster creativity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for the arts and humanities.

Business and Finance: Recognizing the importance of business acumen, IIS University provides specialized courses in Business and Financial Studies. These programs prepare students for the dynamic world of finance, entrepreneurship, and management.

Excellence Accredited: Recognition by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)

IIS University's pursuit of academic excellence has been recognized by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), where it stands as a beacon of quality education. This accreditation reaffirms the university's commitment to maintaining high standards across its diverse range of courses and specializations.

Beyond the Classroom: Holistic Development through Extracurricular Activities

At IIS University, education is not confined to textbooks and lectures. The best girls' university in Jaipur encourages students to engage in a plethora of extracurricular activities, complementing their academic pursuits. These activities, ranging from sports to community service, contribute to the holistic development of each student.

Conclusion: Crafting Futures, Inspiring Excellence

In conclusion, IIS University's range of courses and specializations reflects its commitment to providing the best in girls' education in Jaipur and India. As the best girls' university in Jaipur, IIS University stands as a testament to academic excellence, offering diverse programs that empower young women to carve their paths in the ever-evolving world of knowledge.

[historydailyfrancischappellblack]

BRITAIN'S FIRST FACTORY ACT BECOMES LAW ON AUGUST 29, 1833

Image: Children lining up for work outside a factory in the late nineteenth century

August 29, 1833 — The United Kingdom's historic first Factory Act became law today and was much needed.

Women and children faced a grueling workload and positively inhuman conditions, especially in the textile industry, as thousands of factories were built across the country to meet the burgeoning demands of the Industrial Revolution.

 Apart from working incredibly long hours – often through the night – workers had to use dangerous machinery that could, and frequently did, cause serious injuries. And if an injured person caused production delays, they would be severely punished.

 That applied in some cases even after the tired victim had been heavily fined or even, in the case of a child, beaten for arriving late for work.

 Without any regulations to protect them, young children would be forced to work extremely long and dangerous hours, often because their impoverished parents needed money to feed the family.

 Word began to spread about the appalling conditions in Britain's factories, and campaigns for improvement sprung up, leading to the 1833 legislation. It was opposed by Tory Members of Parliament and, of course, by the factory owners, who feared that any change might slow production and cut profits.

 By today's standards, the reforms were modest and, in any case, applied only to the textile industry. The principal provisions of the Act declared that:

* Children under nine must not be employed in textile factories.

 * Children between the ages of nine and thirteen must work at most eight hours and be provided an hour lunch break.

 * Children between the ages of nine and thirteen could only be employed provided they also had two hours of education daily.

 * Children under eighteen must not work after 8:30 p.m. and before 5:30 a.m.

 * Children between the ages of fourteen and eighteen must work twelve hours a day or be given an hour's lunch break.

 No rules were established to protect adult male workers, and only four factory inspectors were appointed to enforce the law nationwide!

 A Factory Inspector's report around this time sheds light on some conditions. He wrote:

"I took the evidence from the mouths of the boys themselves. They stated to me that they commenced working on Friday morning, May 27, at 6 am and that, except for meal breaks and one hour at midnight extra, they continued working on Saturday evening, having been two days and a night thus engaged.

 "Believing the case scarcely possible, I asked every boy the same questions, and from each received the same answers."

 Examples of subsequent court records show that in 1862, John Jones, who ran a factory in Wales, faced a fine of £1 for "employing three young persons and one female after 6 pm."

 Another Welsh factory owner, Samuel Harris, was accused in the same year of "employing two young persons and two children after 2 pm on a Saturday." The charges were dropped when he paid £1.14 shillings costs.

 A new Factory Act in 1844 decreed that children aged eight to 13 could work six hours a day. Night work for women was banned.

 In 1847, it was ruled that women and children under 18 could not work more than ten hours daily.

 Then, the 1901 Factory Act raised the minimum age for workers to 12 and ruled that this would apply everywhere, not just the textile industry.

 Despite the limitations of the 1833 Act, it did at least create the beginnings of a much-needed system of government control and offered, as one historian put it, "the first recognition that the common laborer needed state protection from the full might of unbridled capitalism."

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