#webster technique

[foundationsfamchiro]

Discover The Best Chiro Near Me: Foundations Family Chiropractic

Introduction:

When you're experiencing pain or discomfort in your body, finding a reliable and skilled chiropractor nearby is crucial for your well-being. If you're searching for a trusted chiropractic clinic in your area, look no further than Foundations Family Chiropractic. With their commitment to providing exceptional care, state-of-the-art techniques, and a patient-centered approach, they are the go-to chiropractors near you.

The Importance Of Chiropractic Care:

Chiropractic care is a natural and holistic approach to healing that focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. By utilizing manual adjustments and other non-invasive techniques, chiropractors aim to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall health without the use of drugs or surgery. Regular chiropractic visits can have numerous benefits, including pain relief, improved posture, increased flexibility, and enhanced overall well-being.

Discover Foundations Family Chiropractic:

Foundations Family Chiropractic is a leading chiropractic clinic dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal health and wellness. With a team of highly trained and experienced chiropractors, they offer personalized care that addresses each patient's unique needs. Whether you're suffering from chronic pain, sports injuries, or seeking preventive care, their comprehensive range of chiropractic services is designed to restore and maintain your health.

State-Of-The-Art Techniques:

At Foundations Family Chiropractic, you can expect the latest advancements in chiropractic care. The clinic's chiropractors stay up to date with the most recent research and employ cutting-edge techniques to deliver effective treatments. From spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy to corrective exercises and nutritional counseling, their approach combines traditional chiropractic methods with modern innovations to ensure optimal results.

Patient-Centered Approach:

What sets Foundations Family Chiropractic apart is their patient-centered approach. They understand that each individual is unique and requires personalized care. During your initial consultation, their chiropractors will conduct a thorough examination and listen attentively to your concerns. This comprehensive assessment allows them to develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Convenience And Accessibility:

Foundations Family Chiropractic's convenient location and accessibility make them the perfect choice when searching for a "chiro near me." Their clinic is easily reachable from various neighborhoods, providing ease of access for those seeking chiropractic care in the area. With a friendly and supportive environment, they prioritize your comfort and strive to create a positive experience during every visit.

Conclusion:

When it comes to finding a trusted chiropractor near you, Foundations Family Chiropractic stands out for their exceptional care, state-of-the-art techniques, and patient-centered approach. With a commitment to helping patients achieve optimal health and wellness, their team of highly trained chiropractors delivers personalized treatments tailored to your specific needs. If you're searching for a reliable chiropractic clinic in your area, visit Foundations Family Chiropractic and experience the transformative benefits of chiropractic care. Take the first step towards a healthier and pain-free life today.

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[germanpostwarmodern]

During the 1960s numerous subsaharan African countries gained independence from their colonial rule, a process that put an end to a grim period of history during which European rulers conquered and subjugated African peoples and tribes. But the African independence movement not only shook off the shackles of foreign rule but also initiated a boom in modern architecture that has gone largely unnoticed outside of Africa: as a sign of modernization and ambition conference centers, administrative buildings, universities, high rises and luxury hotels were erected, predominantly as concrete constructions and under the aegis of European architects. The employment of the latter obviously came at the expense of local building traditions and techniques but at least local climate conditions were accounted for, a concession that resulted in expressive details and unusual forms.

Over time these buildings have nonetheless fallen into disrepair and often lost their initial purpose. Against this background and in view of their obscurity beyond Africa the architect Manuel Herz at the ETH Zurich initiated a research project focused on Ghana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya and Zambia. The result is the monumental compendium „African Modernism: The Architecture of Independence“, originally published in 2015 by Park Books and presented here in its second edition from 2022. On 640 pages the volume documents a stunning selection of buildings, cities and architects that are expertly captured by photographers Iwan Baan and Alexia Webster. In an unconventional move they go beyond the purely architectural documentation and also take into account the everyday life and hence demonstrate the lively goings-on in and around the buildings.

In light of these qualities the present volume is a highly recommended opportunity to get familiar with African post-independence architecture and hopefully only the starting point for increased interest and research into the architecture of the continent.

[v-akarai]

References in Servamp

Arabian mythology

Jinn. Ch. 16

Greek mythology

Elpis. Ch. 75

Moirai. Ch. 108

Pandora. Ch. 130

Pygmalion. Ch. 123

Pandora's Box. Ch. 97

Japanese mythology

Gashadokuro. Ch. 129

Kitsune. Ch. 3

Raijin. Ch. 85

Norse mythology

Baldr. Ch. 39

Bifröst. Ch. 88

Brunhild. Ch. 88

Fimbulwinter. Ch. 40

Freya. Ch. 65

Frey. Ch. 131

Gleipnir. Ch. 101

Hati. Ch. 91, 131

Hod. Ch. 39

Hliðskjálf. Ch. 96

Idunn. Ch. 65

Loki. Ch. 15

Mimir. Ch. 29

Mjölnir. Ch. 53

Ragnarök. Ch. 101, 122, 131

Sigurd. Ch. 101

Thor. Ch. 41

Yggdrasil. Ch. 42

Biblical references

Abel. Ch. 8

Adam. Ch. 128

Boaz and Jachin. Ch. 42

Eden. Ch. 21

Eve. Ch. 1

John the Baptist. Ch. 122

Judith. Ch. 147

Lucifer. Ch. 135

Noah. Ch. 145

Nod. Ch. 29, events

Hinduism

Asura. Ch. 57.5, 89.

Tarot

The Fool - Mahiru. Ch. 50

I. The Magician – Night trio. Ch. 41

II. The High Priestess – Mikuni. Ch. 42

V. The Hierophant - Shuhei. Ch. 77

X. Wheel of Fortune - Junichiro. Ch. 53

XII. The Hanged Man - Tsurugi. Ch. 50

XV. The Devil – Shamrock. Ch. 72

XVI. The Tower - Touma. Ch. 47

XVII. The Star - Iduna. Ch. 73

XVIII. The Moon - Yumikage. Ch. 69

XX. Judgement - Mikuni. Ch. 144

Literary references

 "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" Lewis Carroll. Ch. 3, 4, 7, 19, 98, 122. Misono, Lily, Dodo, Mitsuki, Yamane, Hattori, Mikuni, Bad B and Good B.

"As You Like It" William Shakespeare. Ch. 10, 38.5. Mikuni's spell.

"My Fair Lady" English nursery rhyme. Ch. 10 Mikuni's spell.

"Dracula" Bram Stoker. Ch. 12, 30. Hugh.

"Romeo and Juliet" William Shakespeare. Ch. 23, 34. Hyde, Ophelia.

"Faust" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Ch. 29 Johannes.

"Through the Looking-Glass" Lewis Carroll. Ch. 29, events. Mikuni, Johannes.

"Julius Caesar" William Shakespeare. Ch. 23, 84. Hyde.

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" Robert Stevenson. Ch. 23, 37. Hyde, Licht.

"Macbeth" William Shakespeare. Ch. 24, 31. Kuro, Saint Germain, Mahiru.

"Night on the Galactic Railroad" Kenji Miyazawa. Ch. 26, 142. Higan, Tsubaki.

"The Little Prince" Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Ch 30, 67. Kuro, Mahiru, Sloth demon, Gear, probably Jeje.

"Hamlet" William Shakespeare. Ch. 33, 34. Hyde, Ophelia.

"The Phantom of the Opera" Gaston Leroux. Ch. 36 Licht and Hyde technique.

"Peter and Wendy" James Barry. Ch. 44, 56, 74. Tsurugi, Touma, Mahiru.

"Ring a Ring o' Roses" nursery rhyme. Ch. 53 Junichiro's spell.

“Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens” James Barry. Ch. 53, 75. Tsurugi, Touma.

"Death in Venice" Thomas Mann. Ch. 55 Gilbert technique.

"Total Eclipse" a play by Christopher Hampton. Ch. 55 Rayscent's technique.

"The Morning of the Last Farewell" Kenji Miyazawa. Ch. 57.5 Tsubaki.

"Spring and Asura" Kenji Miyazawa. Ch. 57.5 Tsubaki.

"The Catcher in the Rye" Jerome Salinger. Ch. 62 Shuhei.

"Four and Twenty Blackbirds" Agatha Christie. Ch. 62 Shuhei's spell.

"Metamorphosis" Franz Kafka. Ch. 62 Shamrock technique.

“The Nighhawk's Star” Kenji Miyazawa. Ch. 62, 76. Shamrock technique.

"Rock-a-bye Baby" an English lullaby. Ch. 70 Touma's spell.

“Schlafe, mein Prinzchen, schlaf ein” lullaby. Ch. 70 Touma's spell.

"Who Killed Cock Robin" an English nursery rhyme. Ch. 70 Yumikage's spell.

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" Lyman Frank Baum. Ch. 70, 88. Tsukimitsu brothers’ spells.

"Daddy-Long-Legs" Jean Webster. Ch. 74. Dark Night Trio, Touma.

"King Lear" William Shakespeare. Ch. 86. Hyde.

"The House of the Sleeping Beauties" Yasunari Kawabata. Ch. 86. Iori.

"The Divine Comedy" Dante Alighieri. Ch. 118, 120, 121. Niccolo, Ildio, Gluttony demon.

“A Brute's Love” (人でなしの恋) Edogawa Rampo. Ch. 122 Mikuni, Lily.

"Coppelia" ballet Leo Delibes. Chapter 122 Mikuni, Lily.

"Salome" Oscar Wilde. Ch. 122, 147. Mikuni, Lily.

"Turandot" opera by Giacomo Puccini based on the play by Carlo Gozzi. Ch. 129, 136. Lily.

"The Tempest" William Shakespeare. Ch. 131. Licht and Hyde.

"The Old Man and the Sea" Ernest Hemingway. Ch. 134 Hugh.

"Flowers for Algernon" Daniel Keyes. Ch. 135 Hugh.

"Jane Eyre" Charlotte Brontë. Ch. 136. Hokaze.

"Madama Butterfly" opera by Giacomo Puccini. Ch. 136. Lily.

"Hansel and Gretel" the Brothers Grimm. Ch. 140. Faust and Otogiri.

"Girl Hell" Yumeno Kyusaku. Ch. 147. Mikuni, Noah.

Music

"Für Elise" by Ludwig van Beethoven. Ch. 34

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Johann Sebastian Bach. Ch. 125

Sonata No. 17 "Tempest" by Ludwig van Beethoven. Ch. 131

Movies

"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946). Ch. 131

"Life is Beautiful" (1997). Ch. 131

I believe this list can be expanded. Somewhere I’ve written only chaps when some reference was mentioned for the first time and omitted all further mentions.

Special thanks to hello-vampire-kitty, joydoesathing and passmeabook, because some works wouldn’t be included in the list without their observations.

[versethetic]

NOT PERFECT. JUST LOYAL.

i like to keep things real here so i tend to share my slight struggles with loa so that others who’ve gone through the same thing don’t beat themselves up over it.

but i’ve actually only fully understood what it means to live in imagination for a little while now;, and then put it to good use just a couple weeks ago.

despite knowing about the law for over a year…💀

OVER. A. YEAR…💀💀💀

even then, i got so caught up in making the images in my head perfect, or making sure i’m “saying the right affirmations" which obviously didn't help my case

i love reading loa posts because they make me feel nice and inspired and just remind me of my power but i somehow equated that as me overconsuming info and then i would spiral within my own head.

i would barely think of my desires as mine and when i did for only a day or two, i’d then turn around and believe that i wasn’t doing enough, that i need to affirm more or visualize for an hour and walk through every step of my day in my new perfect life or else it wouldn't manifest.

loyal according to merriam webster is "unswerving in allegiance"

all the way up until a couple weeks ago, i was not loyal to the idea that my imagination is all i need. i was not loyal to the idea that the 3d means absolutely nothing in terms of “getting” what you want, because there was nothing for me to get. now, i have become loyal to already having my perfect life.

i am that bitch. i am the prettiest princess. i am the smartest in school. i am the most famous. but i didn't need to have the perfect mindset with loa to realize it.

do you see where i’m going with this?

IMAGINATION IS ALL YOU NEED

granted, i had my days after this realization where i still struggled with techniques or accepting my new life as mine, but now i know that if i don’t identify with these things, it has not a single setback on my manifestations.

no matter what i was feeling, i told myself “i have it, my life is perfect, i am calm, i have it in imagination, the old senses are dead to me, i know what’s in my mind is the real truth”

when loa blogs say that you know you have it, it’s not some cheap trick they spew out because everyone else is saying it. if you imagine what you want, it’s officially set in stone. what you think comes to life.

the 3d is the afterimage, the product of a movie you directed, wrote, produced and starred in. you just need to stick with this fact through thick and thin, sleet or snow.

YOU are what the 3d answers to.

YOU are what the mirror reflects.

YOU decide how simple things are for you.

if you woke up and the old senses in front of your human eyes still show something you don’t like, are you gonna take that as a fact?

when you know and are loyal to the fact that your godly brain is showing you that devoted sp you have? that grand big mansion you live in? that whole new life you’re dwelling in?

NO. you’re not. think of you and you're 4d as BFFs who'll never separate, who tell each other everything and have those bff necklaces and go everywhere and do everything with each other. or imagine you're a ceo and your 4d is a loyal secretary who never asks questions and simply obeys whatever you tell it to do, because it trusts YOU. it works for YOU. however you wanna see it, you and your 4d are locked in 🔐🤞, okay? it is not separate from you, it does not seek guidance or information from anywhere other than YOU.

IT IS YOU.

and it took me a long time to see that.

it might be hard at first and the acceptance might not always be there. but i am making a conscious effort to at LEAST continuously tell myself that my imagination is all that matters. to at LEAST believe that what i want is already mine, and that’s the LEAST you can do as well.

your journey does not have to be perfect. your mindset does not have to be perfect. your feelings do not have to be perfect. mine definitely weren't. you just need to be loyal to your imagination.

[axemetaphor]

This was originally a Discussion Post assignment in my Editing II class, but I loved writing it and really wanted to share. Our assignment was to pick one of four offered shorts/short films and analyze them in the context of film directionality, continuity of motion across cuts/shots, depth of frame, composition and use of distance. Throughout the piece I cite from two different assigned readings. Full bibliography available at the bottom. It has been edited slightly to fix mistakes and streamline it for Tumblr.

I have chosen to analyze the fight sequence between Ekko and Jinx from Arcane Season 1 Episode 7, The Boy Savior, as it is an excellent example of condensing both time and space via use of very precise staging and montage techniques. It’s also an excellent summary of both characters’ personalities, past together, and development. Every element of the scene is catered towards this purpose, from the composition to the directionality to the sound design, and I will be discussing all of that here.

From the first shot we are set up to see Jinx as dangerous. She steps towards the camera, staring directly at the audience, both things discussed in Which Way Did He Go? Directionality of Film Character and Camera Movement and Subsequent Spectator Interpretation as “the spectator will perceive the character’s movement towards the lens as [them] being aggressive… ‘hostile or threatening’” (Egizii et al, 5). In addition to this, throughout the sequence, Jinx, the antagonist, is seen moving from right to left, while Ekko, the protagonist, moves left to right. While having the two be diametrically opposed in this way serves on a surface level to emphasize how different they are, it can also serve a second purpose:

“…the side of the screen on which a character resides in a scene may provide further insight into why movement from the left to right is seen as positive or natural. When discussing Alfred Hitchcock, Ebert (2004) states, “He always used the convention that the left side of the screen is for evil and/or weaker characters, while the right is for characters who are either good, or temporarily dominant.” For this reason, a character who is good, and is on the left, or “evil” side of the screen should strive to laterally move to the right side of the screen, and this movement could be perceived as positive or natural, while the opposite feelings will be experienced by an audience witnessing a character moving from the right or good side of the screen toward the left or evil side” (Egizii et al, 10).

This sequence from Arcane follows this directionality quite closely; Ekko begins on the left side of the screen and steadily works his way rightwards to a stationary Jinx. Her right-to-left movements do not move her forward in space, rather, movements of her arm and her bullets travel right to left across the screen. This is purposeful from even the first few shots: Ekko’s metronome begins its rhythm by a swing from left to right, while Jinx’s gun is lifted from her side in a right-to-left motion. It’s worth noting, however, that for both of these characters, they are using their left hands. Culturally, there are many stereotypes about left-handed people; most basely, being left-handed is historically associated, at least in Western societies, with wickedness or wrongness. Merriam-Webster posits the reason to be “[l]eft-handed people comprise only 10 percent of the population, and the preference for the left hand demonstrated by the popular minority was attributed to demonic possession, leading to accusations of witchcraft.” However, I would also like to note that, within my lifetime, I have also seen left-handedness to be associated with intellectualism and sharp-mindedness—both traits it can be argued Ekko and Jinx possess, both being inventors.

A majority of the motion in this sequence is lateral; even when Ekko is advancing on Jinx, the camera is locked to him. He does not seem to approach during the flashback, only at the end during the realtime fight, and even then, it’s such a quick flash that it does not read as aggressive, a direct contrast to Jinx’s slower approach. Rather, his movements feel decisive, determined; this is something explored in Which Way Did He Go? as well. “Lateral movement in either direction is also argued to be more decisive than movement to or away from the camera (Giannetti, 2011). Giannetti states that a character seen moving from left to right or right to left across the screen is seen as a character of action due to the speed of the motion across the lens, unless, of course, that horizontal movement is captured using an extreme long shot, where the action of crossing the frame would require a longer amount of time” (Egizii et al, 11-12). Ekko as “a character of action” is mainly portrayed moving left to right, and upward across the screen, bar one moment at 1:13, where he ducks down to dodge Jinx’s bullet. This directionality is important as well, because:

“[M]ovement upwards or downwards on the screen is seen as having potential impact upon the spectator’s psychological interpretation of a character (Giannetti, 2011). Giannetti posits that onscreen movement in an upward direction can make a character seem stronger or more dominant, while downward movement of a character can be construed by the audience as a character being weaker or subservient. Kuleshov (1974) goes even further in his assessment of the impact of vertical movement, suggesting that quicker vertical movement in the upward direction can be interpreted by the audience as a character having strength, while slower upward movement toward the top of the frame can signify that a character is weaker. Similarly, Kuleshov points out that quicker downward movement by a character can be interpreted as he or she possessing weakness, while slower movement toward the bottom of the frame can be seen as a character being stronger. Thus, the combination of speed of character movement and direction of character movement might actually interact with one another to create a general statement about a screen character’s strength or lack thereof” (Egizii et al, 5)

Ekko as a child is seen in slow-motion as he leaps upward, triumphant sword in his left hand, but the adult Ekko we see in the final fifteen seconds rises much, much faster, bar one shot in extreme slow motion that serves to emphasize how far above Jinx he is. When he crouches down to avoid being hit, he’s moving slowly, and the audience is given a close shot of his snarling face to emphasize his determination.

The composition of shots serves to both condense and exaggerate the space between them, especially in the montage flashback sequence. For a majority of this we are not given spatial context, the characters removed from their environment into a more abstract colored texture-space. Because of this, we are forced to focus entirely on their emotional states, and acknowledge this moment is not real, though it may once have been. In the few times we are shown wider framing of their interactions, the gulf between Ekko and Jinx within the flashback seems massive; within the broader context of the show, this is something that serves to remind the audience of Ekko and Jinx’s past together. When they were young, Ekko was often coming up short, not as ‘good’ as Jinx. We don’t see much of his potential skills earlier on in the show, but it’s implied here that he often lost to her in their games as children. By interspersing elements of present day, not only are we reminded of the gravity of the situation, but we are also reminded of their growth—and their changed attitudes towards each other. By juxtaposing their emotional reactions with different elements of their past lives, Arcane slips into the Kuleshov Effect as it plays with “the Russian formalist concept of the syuzhet—the stylization of plot using flashbacks and so forth…” (Collington, 124).

From this flashback, extending the time between them, the audience is given the emotional gravitas of the situation, even completely devoid of the context of the show. This is the sequence a friend of mine sent to me to convince me to actually sit down and watch it. Without the overarching narrative the viewer still understands just how important this one moment is to both characters through both that extension of time and the modernist shot-countershot montage (Collington, 125). This was my experience with the scene, and I have found that gaining the proper context to the scene only added even more depth and offered concrete evidence of details I had picked up on before.

With the narrative in mind, though: this sequence excellently portrays just how far Ekko has grown, and just how much Jinx is stuck in the past. From the fact she makes no advance towards him past the first shot of her staring him down (which could be interpreted as her aiming to follow her sister, Vi, until Ekko steps into her path) to the way she still fights the same way she did as a child, it makes clear one of the core theses of Arcane: Jinx has not changed from her immature, impulsive, idealistic child self. She’s accrued more trauma, for certain, but she has not changed fundamentally—has not allowed herself to change, to grow up. This is something obvious even in the lyrics of Dynasties & Dystopia, playing throughout the flashback, if the lyrics are viewed from Ekko’s perspective: “Everything I know, I am, you should go and save yourself. Thought you had my number, huh? Congratulations: played yourself.” The fact Jinx doesn’t recognize how much everything has changed, herself included, is baked into everything about the scene, including the fact that the majority of the sequence is interspersed with anachronistic flashbacks. In a way she still views herself and Ekko as children. She behaves like he’s going to make the same choices he would have as a child, and pays the price for it.

This is not a mistake only Jinx makes, though. At the very end of the sequence, as Ekko pins her down to punch her, his fist falls from right to left, and it’s only when he catches a glimpse of her face and freezes that his fist moves left to right. Hurting her is still hard for him, stopping mid-fight is much easier, emotionally speaking. When paired with the knowledge that Jinx’s facial animation rig is custom-built to slip between the sharper features of Jinx and the softer features of Powder, we know that he stopped because it was Powder looking up at him, not Jinx (Arcane: Bridging the Rift, 2:38). In a way, he, too, still sees her as her childhood self, even though earlier in The Boy Savior he denies this repeatedly in conversation with Vi, telling her multiple times that Powder is gone. Jinx is meant to embody many things, duality being one of them: due to her rig shifting between Powder and Jinx as personalities, part of her is stuck in the past; physically there is some element of her brain that has frozen as Powder forever. In that moment, as she loses the fight, she is that same scared naïve child he once knew. And he can recognize that enough to give him pause, something she takes advantage of, dropping a grenade right next to them: a reminder for the audience that Powder was and is as dangerous as Jinx.

Bibliography:

Egizii, Mark et al. Which Way Did He Go? Directionality of Film Character and Camera Movement and Subsequent Spectator Interpretation. Cleveland State University, 2012. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228448619_Which_Way_Did_He_Go_Directionality_of_Film_Character_and_Camera_Movement_and_Subsequent_Spectator_Interpretation

Collington, Mark. Animation in Context. Bloomsbury Academic, 2016.

Riot Games and Fortiche Studios. “The Boy Savior.” Arcane. Netflix, 2022.

Merriam-Webster. Sinister and Dexterity: The Left Hand of (Supposed) Darkness. Article. Year Unknown. https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/sinister-left-dexter-right-history

League of Legends (Riot Games). Arcane: Bridging the Rift. Documentary. Youtube. Timestamp 2:38

[canonical-transformation]

(first | previous | #untitled shenhe game)

Your name is Shenhe and you are at the top of a cliff, locked in mortal combat with a boar.

If you fall from the cliff, you will lose precious hours that you need to make noodle soup for your friend Yun Jin.

If the boar falls from the cliff, the meat will be improperly tenderised.

> strike decisively

As the boar charges towards you, you coil your legs and lunge.

There is no margin for error. You must end this in a single strike, if possible.

(ℹ️ This battle is a series of 5–7 skill checks. Past results under the cut.)

> mind be purged. world be saved.

There will be five to seven tests. Five successes will ensure that you defeat the boar without either of you falling off the cliff. (Be warned. If a sixth or seventh test is necessary, these will be extra-difficult.)

Status as of posting:

Wisdom 🌘 — success

54.8% "corps and door" ✔️. Next highest at 11.3% "gore and VIOLENCE" ❌, 11.3% "door and dour" ❌. [i]

A knock on my door // I'm met with a boar // Its backup is poor // not even a corps

Perception 🔎 — success (barely)

34% 7 stripes ✔️. Next highest at 32% "no boar facts, Shenhe. only VIOLENCE." ❌

[i] Merriam Webster IPA pronounciations.

[rin-and-jade]

A Cup, and A Thread: A Post About System Communication

Hey, you know classic string telephone? The one made with two plastic cups and a piece of yarn, i suppose you recognize that old-school science toy? It's one of the simplest inventions that showcases how messages are sent from one place to another!

This little invention is very fitting to explain how inner communication works, so i hope today's theme of analogy will help you understand all of my messages im about to share, with a twist of a fiber.

There's a lot of things i want to address on this topic, thanks to all my 8 great friends who had helped me gather a variety of insights on what seems to be the problem, i have the answers right here that will be shared to the community, because of them!

You know what communication is?

I sure do, but let's both revise on what it means, according to Merriam-Webster, it's defined as..

"a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior."

It also means "a technique for expressing ideas effectively."

..Alright, we should be in the same page now, but, do we actually know what counts as 'good' communication in system context? After some examination from the given data, it was a resounding "No." This can also mean many may not have a clear idea on it, which will also be addressed.

Okay, tell me please?

Before i do tell, remember that communication is diverse, with no perfect or right way to do so. Just like animals, where different species use unique methods to pull it off, means can systems have their own unique styles too.

There are a few examples we see in animals; like how some use pheromones to talk to its own kind, while some read off from their signature body languages, and some use tones or cues that is meant to be recognized specifically, to each their own meanings.

So, good communication means ensuring that everyone in the system can understand and receive messages effectively which eases functioning and cooperation, regardless of how frequent or indirect the communication may be.

For us, systems have unique internal methods of communication that are based on how our brains function, not having any unique features in animals. These methods are very personal, so find what works best for you.

Here are the common styles so far:

Verbal: Where you talk aloud, or in a media like notes.

Abstract vibes: Where you speak no words, which encompasses feelings, or concepts, or ideas, that can be "felt" instead of heard or seen.

Images: Where the share of messages are conveyed through memories, expressive actions or symbols that are projected in the mind.

Direct thoughts: Where an internal dialogue is present, parts communicate using this inner voice, that can vary in different accents and intonations.

The media represents a lot of the stereotypical kind, direct thoughts, while the rest are less recognized. These four kinds are not limited to, but are the ones often represented, they are equally as important and real.

It's important to note that alters within a system can have different communication styles, or the collective may share the same style. You can't force yourself to use a particular kind, so focus on practicing and mastering your style.

..But there's many problems!

Which is why it's a good idea to educate yourself and find proper solutions in order to resolve them. I know some of them at best, as there might be issues i have not heard of, though will still be shared.

Consider a clear communication between two alters with an example of both cups, connected to the string with no obstructive noise at the background while exchanging messages, one conveys the content clearly, and the other hears and received with maximum clarity/understanding. This will be our main example that will be used to compare with the problems that usually arise in this topic.

The problem with multi-talking

Now, to explain interruptions from another part would be like having an extra string-attached cup tied to the middle of the initial cup, now with two inputs and one receiver, the messages will overlap each other and become obscured.

This can be resolved by being aware, then slowing down when talking and take turns between each other to avoid clashes which can easily overwhelm or confuse the receiver, or even the sender itself since losing track of thought or words can happen.

The problem with worser performance from stress

When stress happens, this can sometimes mess up your state to receive messages, imagine that outwards stressors had pulled and tugged your thread, now a bit twisted out and weak, which still can be used to communicate and hear, but now in a weaker clarity.

Because parts communicate mostly from internal ways, our brain networks are responsible to allow when activities inside (that doesn't necessarily involve system things) can happen. Just like how imagination runs in a mind that's wandering off, stress alerts you instead, snapping off from any safe or calm activities until the 'threat' is resolved.

You can gain temporary clarity by calming yourself down and bring all your focus to send your messages if any responds, if it doesn't happen, it would be best to wait it out until you naturally feel at ease once more, or solve the issue at hand and try again afterwards.

This may not work when you are in a fight or flight response, if you do got cutted off and need to contact anyone from inside, try using strong triggers to probe a response.

The problem with ineffective communication

It is like talking to a part who uses a rubber strand instead of cotton string as its mediator. Threads can conduct finer vibrations that can preserve the original verbal message, while rubber can represent for those who use vibes, as they're more broad and less specific. So if they attempt to talk to you with rubber, you might not receive it's message well,

This can be solved with having another part that are flexible or able to decipher, or find the middle ground where both can exchange better. (e.g. texts)

The problem of talking outside your subgroup

This is where it gets tricky, because there is a notable difference in communication where it's easier to converse inside your group while it's harder to converse outside of your group. What i mean by group is they are the people you meet and talk the most and have easy time communicating.

Imagine that the same group has the same length of the thread, the shorter, the better it retains or transfers message with no effort. Talking outside of your group would require you an extra pair of string telephone, but this time the thread is long as you're talking to another neighboring group, who isn't directly related with you.

Suggestions varies from trying different medias to contact with and see what works best, or rely on someone who have direct relations with the group you mean to interact with, acting as a bridge. Lowering barriers by consenting to get closer in co-conscious might do the trick too. Long term solution would be building ties to strengthen communication. (can also work with layers, better if you can 'travel' there to get direct interactions)

The problem with front and innerworld disconnection

It is normal to be out of contact from the inside when you're fronting, since this would mean you put down the cup to focus doing task or role job. To remedy this, try finding a moment to sit down or close your eyes, and feel yourself going back to your mind, since in order to contact those inside, you must lightly disconnect from the real world to focus better inwards.

The problem with having aphantasia

As if you heard the noise from the cup, but you're not sure where that sound is coming from nor aware of your surroundings as this condition blinds you visually (can vary from mild to severe, blurry/vague mental images to blank respectively).

Your innerworld is still there, using visualization is one way to immerse in, start relying on your tactile awareness, or your 'radar' that is, since it is possible to detect parts in your proximity. Rely on tangible medias such as texting or notes to keep track of things.

The problem with external noise

Having a comorbid of something, such as ADHD, autism, or OCD can create a mental chatter that exists in the background constantly.. if not most of the time, imagine that the location of the telephone is somewhere bustling, now it is harder to tell which one is intrusive, random chatters, or an alter's voice.

There is not a lot to say except learning how to separate those noises from your people, it is done best by slowing down and voice your messages wide and clear to create a distinction from such background chatter, making it easier to differentiate.

Other conditions like depression and anxiety can also affect the clarity and ease of communicating.

The problem with distinguishing others

For those with comorbids and aphantasia, this can make it much harder, though still possible! One last problem with communication is sometimes not knowing who is who, which creates obstacles in different ways. Imagine that there are multiple cups lined up to you as the receiver, this creates difficulty on pinpointing whose speaking. Thus, having problems on replying back or made sure if the first sentence relate to the second one, or it belonged to someone else.

The only solution there is, has to be a long term one. As you're suggested to slowly collect and recognize different speech pattern, assigned vibes of other parts, when they usually reply or what topics/mentions brings them up, and different accents or tone if any.

It is not required to 'know' physical attributes or what they look like, but this one will help a ton and usually the easiest way in distinguishing who is who. The solution is to go through a trial and error (arrange all the attributes you like/feel connected to, and see what sticks) and document all the findings somewhere, incase you're forgetful/difficulty memorizing.

Special mentions

It is worth knowing that communication is greatly affected by your state of mind + physical health, the conditions you have, the maturity of the alter in communicating skills, and the style you or the collective dominantly have.

That being said, having the same role, or source, or how old or new an alter is doesn't generally affect the ease of exchanging messages.

Lastly, inner communication also obeys similar rules to how conversation works in real life, this can be taken from examples:

The proximity of the talker you're with affects how much you can understand what is being said. It makes sense that you need to focus harder to hear what the mumbles meant when they're further away from you.

Being with people you can vibe along always results in a better and more effective exchange, as you don't have to explain twice for them to get the message. (mutual understanding)

How loud the environment is also affects how focused/undisturbed you are within a conversation, and it takes effort to separate the background noise to catch what they're saying.

People also have their own ways of expressing their message, some are more dominant in body language or etc. This is why it is important to recognize and understand what it means. You will always have your own dominant way of socializing, but this doesn't mean you can't learn other ways, partially.

Now comprehending the concept of system communication does become easier, right? This should serve as a good framework to start building and understanding connections.

One last phone call

I hope everything i have said here has been loud and clear, if there is a problem that has not been mentioned that needs fixing, give this string telephone a tug and i'd answer your call alright?

May this post address all the things you need more than a hotline help centre and leave with full satisfaction.

If you please, i will now indulge in the whole history of telephone strings, join me if you wish! Did you know it's originally made of tin can instead of a plastic cup?

-- The next post that will be out: all about introjection. Stay tuned!

- j

[writtenbygracewilliams]

Ranking my fics from this year

This is for funsies and also my own rankings of my own fics. If you have a fave, I would love to hear what and why. Also thank you so so so much.

[This is only new works I’ve posted on ao3 this year, up until The People We’re Made Of which I only posted yesterday. All are complete. No tumblr drabbles are included, nor is my baby Obligated].

15. Last Night

Written in 48 hours of January 2020, I pulled this Calum Hood x Jake Peralta one shot from the vault. It’s not my best writing, but it’s fun. I’m loyal to my unhinged crossovers, but it was the only one I posted this year!

14. Beautiful Night

Also from the deep vault, this was a Mashton one shot written in late 2022. It’s a bit left field, and mashton are easily the least popular 5sos ship, but I do love soft and fluffy so this is that. Soft bois, as the series is titled.

13. you only wanna love me in the dark

This is very emo and angsty mcdanno, which is sometimes what we need, but it makes me sad :( it’s based off the PeachPRC song Secret, that I had on repeat for weeks after it came out and related to a bit too much.

12. Appropriate Workplace Behaviour

Mcdanno I’m sorry for another low ranking, especially because I do really love this one shot. This is where the ranking got harder. It’s silly goofy fun, and one of my go to feel good fics. Chin is an icon, Lou is as sassy as ever, and Joons and Tani are traumatised. Steve and Danny just love each other, that’s not a crime. (It might be.)

11. My Delicate Flower

A sequel to @sissytobitch10seconds fic! As a long time mpreg lover, I was deeply hooked on the idea of Anthony carrying Hyacinth and had soooo much fun expanding on this idea and universe. I have another follow up very slowly moving along in my drafts.

10. Never Been Kissed

The sequel to Strawberry Kisses, this is another silly goofy feel good short story. This is a bit crack, but honestly had such a fun time writing and creating this fic and thus spreading the Nikki Webster agenda. Also, farm life Kanthony???? Yes.

9. Laws of Attraction

This isn’t even my favourite suits fic that I’ve written (though it’s still the only one I’ve posted 😭) but I value not only it being my first suits post, but also the speed at which I wrote and posted it. I overthink things a lot and lock fics in my vault, so writing, editing and posting in under two weeks was liberating for me. It is peak stupid idiots to lovers marvey.

8. Alignment

There is such tight competition in the top ten I love all my darlings, so it’s a shame this is as high as mcdanno got. I actually wrote this mid 2023, a year before I posted it, but it holds a special place in my heart for lots of reasons. It’s the longest fic I’d written and finished in a while, helping get me back into the groove of multi chaps, and it’s also the first thing I’d done using my beloved world building from ease but in a completely new fandom and setting. Soulmates will always be my fave trope.

7. touch me ‘til I find myself

White Collar!!!! Neal Caffrey and David Siegel are in love, it’s true. I had lots of fun exploring their relationship, and how and why David is in many ways the only perfect person for Neal. I want to do it again.

6. Strawberry Kisses

Narrowly missing out a top 5 spot, Strawberry Kisses (and Never Been Kissed) were incredibly self indulgent and supported by the lovely @newtonsheffield. This fic reignited my childhood in a way that made me soft and gooey on the inside. Nikki Webster you will always be famous.

5. Ignorance Is Bliss

Maybe it’s recency bias, because I just reread this a couple days ago, but I truly love this fic. It’s written quite differently to most of my other stuff, which made it fun. One of my favourite things about writing is exploring techniques and styles, and this allowed and captured that. I’m also an ABO lover, and writing Kanthony ABO in a way that felt very authentic to canon was so enjoyable.

4. Bittersweet

The first Bridgerton fic I posted!!! And it’s lesbian!!! And I wrote and posted it within 24 hours!!! Of course it made the top five. I’m an Edwina lesbian truther, so Franwina felt like a natural experiment to do. Had fun, might revisit the ship in a less emo setting.

3. Ja Pense A Toi

TAFFREY. MY BABIES. Truly no one will ever understand what Neal Caffrey and Gordon Taylor mean to me, but I am trying to spread the agenda. I have two more WIP’s for them, but I digress. Writing their adventures in Paris felt very natural, and I like to think that the two versions of Neal I have (him with Siegel or Taylor) are the devil vs the angel in him.

2. The Compensation Explanation

Maybe a left field choice, as the only big bang theory fic I have posted and probably ever will post. It’s the first thing I posted in 2024, which is sentimental in itself, but this one shot is just special. It’s sad, a little angsty and soft around the edges. It’s a story of being comphet from a deeply religious upbringing and mother, even if she always has and always will love you deeply, and about both the mother and son grappling with relationships—her with god and her son, him with his mother and boyfriend. It feels like a hug in fic form, and it’s one of my own things I reread the most.

1. To Commandeer a Husband

It would be unfair to put anything except this baby as number one. It was my longest (completed) fic in years. The first Bridgerton fic I wrote, how I got my first mutual and beta on here (@tofanasmuse thank you ilysm) and fundamental in building so many parts of my community. Even if it was largely built out of my bottom Anthony agenda and powerful women kink; I love these characters, their dynamics and their relationships so much. Also, writing a Whistledown to start every chapter was so much fun. I promise I’m working on a benophie sequel lol.

Thank you to anyone who read anything I wrote this year, let alone this post that is mostly just for fun. I wanna turn this into a game??? Everyone please rate your fics from the year, I’m so curious and I think it’s fun. You can rank them using whatever metrics you want. You can rank WIPs, smaus, tumblr fics, whatever you like!

I’m tagging @newtonsheffield @hydriotaphia @tofanasmuse @harnitbee but please truly anyone can do this I promise the last thing I’m doing is gate keeping. Let’s all celebrate the year we’ve had, and art we’ve created!

–GW xo

[thealogie]

One of my favorite scenes in any version of Macbeth is the feast scene. A great actor can make Macbeth go mad, even if Banquo isn’t present, but I do like seeing the ghost.

Please tell me: in the Tennant version, is Banquo’s ghost There™️?

The ghost wasn’t physically present and that was appropriate for this production where even the witches were mostly psychological.

On reflection, it was probably my favorite scene of the whole play. Max Webster utilized this really cinematic technique of changing the lighting abruptly between when Macbeth sees the ghost and when we snap back to reality and there’s nothing there. Macbeth was center stage the whole time reacting to a ghost that he was seeing in a corner so the scene becomes about his interior life rather than the ghost. My god did Cush Jumbo and David Tennant eat this scene up. She was a mixture of concern and anger and trying to smooth things over while showing cracks. He flipped back and forth so beautifully literally the most unhinged guy you’ve ever seen and someone still trying to hold it together. Chef’s kiss. Best banquet scene I’ve ever seen

[characterswithcolorsnamesfight]

Best character with a color name

Round 1 Poll 40

Ruby is "dark red" according to Merriam-Webster

From the submitter :

*Name with double meaning incoming! That is so cool!

Akane (あかね) means madder.

So madder red is a colour you get when you use the root of the plant called Eurasian madder for dyeing. It's a moderate to strong red.

But madder can also be the superlative of mad like in madness? A mad red, a madder red (more violent red) and a madder red (the colour from the dyeing technique).

[realcleverscience]

Autonomous Robotic Surgeons

I've been writing about this for a while. I know some people hate the idea, but I suspect that that's because it's new and unproven. But consider the possibilities: Most surgeries involve a lead surgeon and assistant surgeons. Imagine if we could change that to one human and one robot. That could quickly ramp up the number of surgeons available, which means less wait-time for your surgery. It will likely also bring down medical costs, esp as times goes on. (I may not like the idea of a robot surgeon, but I might opt for it if the surgery will cost only $20k instead of $40k.) For developing nations that are short on skilled doctors and which have high numbers of rural residents, this is a potential game changer. It could mean the difference between suffering and getting a surgery at all. (The robot may just do the surgery on its own, or it may tele-communicate with a doctor elsewhere to collaborate.) The availability of more doctors and advanced AI diagnostics can also mean finding and treating diseases much sooner, before they start producing serious problems.

Additionally, robotics only improves over time. Unlike humans, which take a long time to gain knowledge and skills, robots learn programmatically and by sharing knowledge (every robo-surgeon can easily share what they 'learned' with the other robo-surgeons, so they all get better with each procedure.) This will ultimately mean safer surgeries, less intrusive surgeries, fewer mistakes or accidents, faster healing time, better health outcomes, more time for researching more advanced medical techniques, and more.

Anyways, the fact that DARPA is interested in this tells me two things: 1. It is difficult. 2. It is feasible.

~~~

Within three years, the research team hopes to demonstrate a robotic surgical device capable of removing tumors from the trachea and prostate without the intervention of a surgeon. The team also foresees this research applying to uterine fibroids, bladder tumors, spine procedures, and brain cysts, among other clinical applications. As described in the ARPA-H proposal, these would initially be demonstrated in simulated conditions and not on live patients...

Webster said one of the progress milestones will involve having the robot make situationally aware statements like, "I think I should cut here, with the goal of removing this volume of tissue." A human surgeon would then confirm or adjust the action. These interactions will be aggregated to continue to improve robotic performance to the point of fully independent autonomy.

"Creating a system that can learn from human surgeons - and continue to improve performance - will be a game changer," Herrell said.

[foundationsfamchiro]

How Foundations Family Chiropractic Can Help Improve Posture For Everyone

Welcoming a new bundle of joy into the world is undoubtedly one of life's greatest joys, but it can also come with its challenges. Colic and reflux are two common issues that many babies face, causing sleepless nights and endless crying spells. Fortunately, there is an alternative solution to medication that may help your baby find relief: baby chiropractic care! In this article, we'll explore how a visit to Foundations Family Chiropractic and their expert baby chiropractor Dr. Grewal can make all the difference in your little one's health using the Webster Technique for pregnancy and beyond. Let's get started!

The Role Of Baby Chiropractor For Your Baby's Immune System

As a parent, you're likely always looking for ways to keep your little one healthy and happy. Did you know that baby chiropractic care can play an important role in supporting your baby's immune system? When the spine is aligned correctly, it allows the nervous system to function optimally, which can help improve overall immunity.

During birth, there can be significant stress on a baby's delicate spine and nervous system. This stress may cause misalignments or subluxations in their spine that could lead to nerve interference. By visiting a trusted baby chiropractor like Dr. Grewal at Foundations Family Chiropractic, these misalignments can be identified and corrected through gentle adjustments.

Correcting spinal misalignments not only helps with colic and reflux but also positively impacts the body's ability to fight off illness and disease by improving communication between the brain and organs of the immune system. In fact, research has shown that regular chiropractic care for babies may even reduce instances of ear infections!

Seeking pediatric chiropractic care for your little one is an effective way to promote optimal health from day one!

Dr. Grewal - The Best Baby Chiropractor At Foundations Family Chiropractic

Dr. Grewal is a highly trained and experienced chiropractor who specializes in pediatric care at Foundations Family Chiropractic. With years of experience under his belt, Dr. Grewal has become one of the best baby chiropractors in the area, with many satisfied parents attesting to his expertise.

At Foundations Family Chiropractic, Dr. Grewal takes a holistic approach to wellness for babies and children alike, focusing on not just treating symptoms but getting to the root cause of any issues that may arise.

Dr. Grewal's gentle touch and patient demeanor make him an excellent choice for parents looking for compassionate care for their little ones. He has extensive knowledge in techniques such as Webster Technique, which can help optimize fetal positioning during pregnancy and promote optimal health throughout infancy.

Parents can trust that their child's health is always in good hands with Dr. Grewal at Foundations Family Chiropractic. His commitment to providing personalized care ensures that each child receives individualized attention tailored specifically to their unique needs.

If you're looking for a caring and knowledgeable baby chiropractor, look no further than Dr.Grewal at Foundations Family Chiropractic!

Understanding The Basics Of The Webster Technique For Pregnancy

The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique that aims to help optimize fetal positioning during pregnancy. It was developed by Dr. Larry Webster, who believed that misalignments in the sacrum and pelvis could prevent optimal fetal positioning.

The technique involves gentle adjustments to the mother's lower back and pelvis, aimed at restoring proper alignment and reducing tension in the surrounding muscles and ligaments. By doing so, it can create more room for the baby to move into an optimal position for birth.

Many pregnant women seek out chiropractors trained in the Webster Technique as part of their prenatal care. By addressing any imbalances or restrictions early on, they may be able to reduce their risk of complications during labor and delivery.

It's important to note that while there is anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of this technique, more research is needed before it can be considered a proven therapy for improving fetal positioning.

If you're interested in trying the Webster Technique during your pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider about finding a qualified practitioner near you.

Webster Technique: A Safe And Effective Way To Optimize Fetal Positioning

In summary, visiting a baby chiropractor can be an effective way to help your little one with colic and reflux. Dr. Grewal at Foundations Family Chiropractic is considered the best baby chiropractor in town, with years of experience helping families achieve their health goals.

For expecting mothers, the Webster Technique is a safe and non-invasive method that has been shown to optimize fetal positioning for easier deliveries. If you're looking for natural ways to support your child's immune system and overall well-being, consider scheduling an appointment with a baby chiropractor who specializes in pediatric care.

At Foundations Family Chiropractic, we believe that every family deserves access to quality healthcare that supports their unique needs and preferences. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate care in a comfortable environment where everyone feels welcome. Contact us today to learn more about our services or schedule your first appointment!

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[genericpuff]

Quick question: Which brushes do you use for the gouache looks of Lore Rekindled and if they are available/have alternatives for Medibang? It looks really pretty and I have been trying lineless artstyles lately, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

For coloring, literally just the Gouache brush that comes with Clip Studio! And the Gouache A Go Go brush from the Kyle Webster set. If it helps, we also use a canvas texture overlay in post-production.

Releasing the Rekindled brush set is on our to do list for 2024, I've been wanting to release it for a loooong time but I want to ensure it's fully fine-tuned before doing so, as there are still times when I adopt new brushes or techniques into the workflow. I'll see about making it compatible with Medibang as well if it's simple enough to do :' )

[zee-nan]

Forensic Science - History and Evolution

Forensic Science, in other words criminalistics or criminology, involves the implementation of scientific techniques and protocols that assists in decision making in the field of criminal and civil law. This broad field of study involves different scientific practices such as the analysis of DNA, fingerprints, blood stain patterns, firearms, ballistics, toxicology, etc. Throughout the investigation, scientists gather, examine, and analyze the different evidences that has been provided to them. Some scientists prefer to travel to the crime scene for a better perspective and to collect the evidences by themselves, while others take up the role in the laboratory for a better analysis and research on the evidences provided to them by some other individual. Apart from being experts in the laboratories, forensic scientists also act as expert witnesses in the court of law working for either the prosecution or the defense.

The main essence of forensics lies in the investigation of crime and crime scene. Although, have we ever thought about the history of forensic science? Its origin? When were the techniques first came into use? OR, who were the first personnel to excel in this field of study? We have…. right? Presenting a brief history of forensic science.

The history of forensic science needs exploration as this topic itself was not discussed as much in the earlier times as it is now. The word forensics has originated from the Latin word “forensis” which means forum. Forensics is usually used in collaboration with a field of authority that is associated with the legal system. In a nutshell, forensic science is the application of scientific methods and techniques to matters under investigation by a court of law.

In ancient period, the style of death was naturally assumed by the condition and the site of death of the victim or the dead body. Let us say, a man had been found in a water body. It was usually assumed to have been drowned, while a man lying in a bloodied condition along the road side was assumed to have fallen and perhaps be dragged by a horse. Suspicion toward the motive of murder and the statement of the layman against a possible murder outweighed all other facts and when all else failed, heinous torture was done to get possession of a proper confession.

However, the exact origin of forensic science is still undetermined.  Majority of the experts have concluded presumptively, the origin was in China in the 6th century, or maybe earlier. The belief of this conclusive statement is based on one of the earliest known mentions of the concept, found in a book titled “Ming Yuen Shih Lu”.  

During the 7th century, fingerprints were put to use as a method of identification. According to the studies, a vendor was able to recognize a specific customer who was indebted to him by apprehending his fingerprints on a bill.  A judge in that case, was convinced of the prints as inarguable authentication, and set an example of forensic science in action. In the year1659, the word “forensic” found its way in the Merriam- Webster Dictionary.   

After publishing Traite de Poisons int the year 1813, Professor Mathew Orfila, a specialist in medicinal chemistry, was renowned as the Father of Toxicology. He is the first, who’s known to use a microscope for the assessment of blood and semen stains. Moreover, two Italian surgeons, named Fortunato Fidelis and Paolo Zcchia, laid the foundation for modern pathology. They were successful in doing so by studying the changes in the body’s structure because of sickness. The applicability of forensic science increased with the emergence of the 17th century along with other scientific developments.

In 1880, fingerprint analysis was used to link incidents to suspects, that marked a step forward in the evolution of forensic science. Henry Faulds and William James Herschel proposed a ground breaking theory on the uniqueness of fingerprints, which made fingerprint analysis possible. This study attracted huge support from worldwide experts, and it was ultimately recognized as the crucial evidence during court proceedings. During the crime scene investigations, Francis Galton and Edward Henry, put into practice, the technique proposed by Herschel. Sir Francis Galton first invented the technique to classify fingerprints.

The inspection of evidence from firearms such as guns, which is used in crime scene investigation is known as forensic ballistics. When a bullet is fired from a gun, microscopic markings of gunpowder are left on the bullet as well as the case of the cartridge. The markings of the gunpowder left on the bullet, act as aggravated fingerprints. Henry Goddard of Scotland Yard in 1835 was the first person who used the ballistic analysis to link a bullet ta murder weapon.  

The field of study that deals with how chemicals, substances and situation can harm living organisms specifically humans and animals is regarded as Toxicology. It revolves around studying the symptoms, detection and treatment of a human/animal body which is exposed to rigorous poisoning. In 1838, a Scottish chemist named James Marsh successfully applied the techniques of toxicology. Later on, this method was proven effective during the investigation of a murder case.

The development of newer forensic procedures for evaluating evidence exploded in the early 20th century. As a result, law enforcement authorities realized the need for specialized forensic investigator teams to gather and analyze evidences. Edmond Locard, “Sherlock Holmes of France” was a renowned forensic scientist of the 19th century. Locard is considered as the innovator in this field of research and had made significant influence in the development of criminalistics (along with the partnership of Joseph Bell and Archibald Reiss). Locard’s Exchange Theory, a basic principle he developed, is crucial for today’s law enforcement. In his theory, Locard stated that “when a person comes in contact with an object or another person, a cross-transfer of physical material can occur”. The world’s first forensic laboratory in Lyon, France established in 1910, had Edmond Locard as its director. His writings include no reference of “exchange principle”. However, he did say, “It’s impossible for a criminal to act without leaving signs of his or her presence, especially given the severity of the crime”. The term “PRINCIPLE OF EXCHANGE” first appears in 1940 in the book named Police and Crime Detection, and it was developed from His observations. Furthermore, there have also been many innovations during this period in some specific areas. For example, Karl Landsteiner was awarded the Noble Prize for his work on blood groups in 1930, as he was the first to divide human blood groups into four different categories. The study of blood further helped investigators in proceeding with their analysis of the crime scene. Scientists at the Aerospace Corporation in California in the 1970s, developed a scanning electron microscope method for the easy detection of gunshot residues. Other tests to check saliva, sperm, urine and sweat were developed in the mid-1990s.

The growth of forensic science has been aided by increased computational capacities. Photographs which are of high resolution and are essential for the proceedings of a murder case can now be saved and processed more easily due to increased computational and storage capacities. Criminology mostly works with the idea that resolves around the moto - “every case is different”. This idea generates a primitive conflict between researches focused on generalizable theories and professional crime reconstruction practices. On that account, it is essential to get hold of a long-term perspective while considering the probable opportunities and recommendable future directions in the field of forensics.  

While, it can be seen that the application of physical, natural, and social disciplines to legal issues is referred to as forensic science and the history of this field is very old. The first application of this field goes back to the history of ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt. The previously applied basics of criminology have not changed over the years and while it can answer how of a crime being committed, it can never solve the why. Analyzing a crime scene includes the intervention of human factors as well as scientific methods and procedures to get to the root of the incident that has occurred. While the evidence has the voice of their own, human intervention translates those evidence in the court of law ensuring justice is always served.

[titleleaf]

Experiments In Early Victorian Skincare: Shaving Soap, Part One

- And how does it feel, not being fetched for drops nor drawers? - Miserable, sir. That is my job you are shaving away. (AMC's The Terror, s01e07, "Horrible From Supper")

(Crossposted to Wordpress as usual)

We have some great period resources describing contemporary techniques for shaving and grooming, and they shed a little light on how landsmen, at least, were taking care of their facial hair. (If you're only interested in maritime personal care, this post gets a bit into the weeds on terrestrial soap manufacture, so be warned.) From The gentleman's companion to the toilet, or a treatise on shaving, credited to "a London hair-dresser" in 1844:

There are many soaps which are puffed off as "the best article manufactured for shaving" -- a "beautiful preparation for softening the beard," &c. &c.; but some of them are utterly worthless. All soaps are to be avoided which contain any considerable portion of alkalie; they make a light frothy lather that will not stand on the face, and they will much annoy you by those irritating pains, which are frequently felt after shaving with a bad razor. The soap which I have invariably found to be the best is Naples soap; it produces a beautifully mild creamy lather that will soften the beard, and will render shaving an agreeable operation, and is best calculated to allay those smarting sensations which an indifferent razor produces on a tender skin. There is a great deal of white honey used in the manufacture of Naples soap, and I need not say that there is nothing of a more mild and soothing nature.

Writing in the tail end of the previous century, Benjamin Kingsbury says exactly the opposite in his Treatise On Razors:

[...] Naples soap, so much admired by some persons, on account of the strength of it’s lather, is extremely defective. Of all the shaving soaps in present use, there is not one whose component parts are so irritating and injurious as the soap which is called by this name. It is the most caustic, and, of course, the most destructive to the skin, of all soaps and, in truth, to the production of a needless quantity of lather from a small portion of it, the soundness of the skin of the person using it is completely, and necessarily, sacrificed. [...] the best soap for the purpose of shaving which I have yet made, and which I always use, is the Olive-Soap, composed, in great part, of olive oil, and uniting the advantage of a durable lather with the power of softening and healing, rather than irritating, the skin of the person using it.

(What a drama queen.) Great, cool, but wtf is Naples soap? Thomas Webster's 1844 Encyclopaedia of Domestic Economy describes it as a "strong soft soap, scented; it comes to us in pots. In this era it's still an imported good, so recipes for imitation Naples soaps appear in contemporary books aimed at individual household consumers rather than commercial soapmakers. (Accordingly, these recipes generally seem to involve re-milling or otherwise rebatching existing soaps to add fragrance or combine the qualities of component commercially-available soaps.) Particularly among these imitation recipes, authentic Naples soap seems to be associated with the fragrances of rhodium, ambergris, and musk.

(from the 1844 Illustrated London News, Vol 4, Issue 95. Curious about the disreputable inferior-quality soaps touched on here!)

An 1835 chemical analysis suggests at least one variety used mutton fat as a base fat and potash as its saponifying agent, which is in line with what our London hair-dresser says about lye soaps' insufficient lather. (The existence of this analysis really amuses me -- it seems like people in the US and UK were curious about what really went into this particular import.)

From William Brande's 1848 Manual of Chemistry:

The soaps of potassa are distinguished from  those  of  soda by remaining soft; common soft  soap is frequently  made  with fish  oil.  Naples soap is a perfumed potassa soap made with lard.

Interestingly, I'm not seeing anyone else mention the "white honey" that our London hair-dresser attributes to the ingredients list here, but honey is a pretty common additive in natural soapmaking, so I'm not about to write it off entirely.

Soft Naples soap isn't the only soap used for shaving in this era -- any number of toilet soaps seem to have been in use, and at least some of these used regular soda lye. Rather than jump right in with potash lye, I wanted to make one of these first.

Shaving Soaps: Take One

Modern home soapmakers have a huge range of tools available to them that even commercial soap manufacturers of the 1840s did not -- digital scales, laser thermometers, Crockpots, electric stoves -- so in this case rather than reconstructing period methods I'm going to try and translate those techniques to a modern toolset.

First, I made a batch of tallow shaving soaps with soda lye/sodium hydroxide -- apart from the use of tallow, this was a thoroughly modern recipe, incorporating a range of vegetable oils to fine-tune the consistency and conditioning powers of the resulting bar. I used equal parts coconut oil and beef tallow, supplemented with sunflower oil, castor oil, olive oil pomace, and unrefined cocoa butter; the only other notable ingredient was powdered clay, both for cleansing powers and increased slip. (You could use white kaolin clay or off-white bentonite clay for a lighter-colored bar; I worked with French green clay because that's what I have on hand most of the time, so my bars ended up a pretty attractive sage-green color. Some people claim that the inclusion of clay dulls their razor blades, but I don’t know that I’m using any given razor blade for long enough for that to matter, and I didn't find it to be a problem when using.)

[Here's where I'd put a photo of these bars in the mold... IF I HAD ONE... so you'll have to settle for this store link.]

What's this bar like to shave with? I'm going to be honest: it's really nice, to the point where I'm considering using it as basically a leave-on mask. I shave with a safety razor and  occasionally a wet-dry electric razor, but I don't use a brush to lather up, so I just used my hands with this bar on damp skin; there wasn't a really fluffy voluminous lather, but it made for a really sleek and easy-to-navigate shaving surface and a pretty damn close shave without much friction. The clay component adds a little satisfying tooth to the shaving experience while leaving my face feeling really clean and non-greasy after.

So clearly I like it ,and I've gotten nice feedback from others. But it's not a Naples soap. It's not made with potash lye. What might a more authentic Naples shaving soap look like? If there are other modern takes on a soap like this, I'm having a hell of a time finding them under the search engine optimized-shadow of the Florida-based Naples Soap Company.

What makes a Naples soap?

So to review we're looking for: soft soap, scented soap, animal fat base, and critically, that potash lye mentioned earlier. Potassium hydroxide is an entirely new beast to me -- in soapmaking, it can be used alone or in tandem with sodium hydroxide to create a softer soap, up to and including straight-up liquid soaps.  I felt like a horse's ass putting together that, yeah, "potash" really does just come from "pot ash", and "potassium" is just halfassed Latin for the same. If your mental image of old-timey soap making is Almanzo Wilder in the Little House books you're on the right track -- making soft soap was an annual thing for many homesteaders, and the potash was sourced from the previous year's collection of wood ashes.The resulting jelly-like soap got stored in a barrel and doled out as needed. Common salt or table salt could be added to the soaping process for hardness, but in a Colonial American or homesteading context I can't imagine that was always economically feasible.

The barrel approach is in line with what I'm seeing modern soapmakers describe with soft olive oil-based Castile soaps -- you can dilute your soap goo right out of the gate to the consistency of a Dr. Bronner's-type liquid soap (though Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 soaps are made with coconut and palm kernel oil to supplement their olive oil content these days) but more water means more potential for spoilage, so keeping around a jar of goo and diluting it as needed is a more shelf-stable option.

Period soap recipes are made at scale -- measuring ingredients in pounds, not ounces,  and in particular testing the strength of lye solutions by measuring their density against that of a fresh hen's egg. (This method apparently goes back to the sixteenth century and can be used as a rough-and-ready test for a number of different solutions -- for more, check out this post by Homestead Laboratory or this historical overview of the egg test's use in brewing and mead-making from A Booke Of Secretes.

I'm not making my own lye, whether soda or potash, and in fact I prefer to fuck around with lye as little as possible. (Over the course of this project I had the revelation that this is 100% because of the chemical burn scene in the movie Fight Club.) But it behooves me to get familiar with potash lye soaping.

(from The Critic, Vol. XIII, No. 322, 1854)

Shaving Soaps: Preparing For Take Two

So what am I making for my second round here? Instead of a soap cut from a bar or popped out of a mold, I want to make the equivalent of a soap in a pot -- something soft-textured that can be lathered in its container but that's also portable. The descriptions of shaving soap as "soft" don't do me a lot of good -- *how* soft are we talking? Are we talking soft like jelly, like the OG Colonial-style soft soap made with exclusively potash, or just not rock-hard? It's possible to strike a balance between rock-hard and goo-soft by combining both types of lye (what the SoapMaker tool calls a "cream" soap) but I'll need to dig into industrial soap writing from our era to get a sense of whether that was a contemporary historical practice on the initial processing level rather than by rebatching together lye soap and potash soap later.

I’m going to hit up tools like SoapCalc and Soapee's lye calculator for guidance even as I experiment, since soap I'll be sharing with friends isn't a place I want to fuck around with caustic material. Potash lye by itself  apparently makes a great soft soap with a consistency I've seen compared to Vaseline (or more bluntly, lumpy goo) but in modern soapmaking terms it's a hot process (HP) soap. Instead of undergoing the saponification process over time as it rests in the mold, hot process soap saponifies while being steadily heated in a vessel like a slow cooker; it still needs to cure afterward, but there's no need for zap-testing and in theory it's usable right out of the gate. HP soaping is new to me as well, and it means I had to get my hands on an estate sale Crock-Pot.

Which fats do I want to use? 100% beef tallow will make a stable and extremely hard soap (even when made with potash) but not with a lot of conditioning or cleansing power; so would 100% palm oil, for that matter. (I did get my hands on some sustainably-sourced palm oil for soaping, but I'm planning on holding off on using it for now.) Olive oil-based soft soaps are gentle and conditioning but don't generate a lot of lather. All these distinct properties of various fats are pretty much how soaps made with oil blends came to be, and those multi-oil soaps are attested elsewhere in the Early Victorian era; one recipe for imitation/homemade Naples soap

I want to put together a scent blend that approximates or is inspired by the notes listed above: rhodium, ambergris, musk. Only problem: What the fuck is rhodium? Later in the Victorian era, George William Septimus Piesse describes it as follows in his Art Of Perfumery:

When rose-wood, the lignum of the Convolvulus scoparius is distilled, a sweet-smelling oil is procured, resembling in some slight degree the fragrance of the rose, and hence its name. At one time -- that is, prior to the cultivation of the rose-leaf geranium -- the distillates from rose-wood and from the root of the Genista canariensis (Canary rose-wood) were principally drawn for the adulteration of real otto of roses; but as the geranium oil answers so much better, the oil of rhodium has fallen into disuse, hence its comparative scarcity in the market at the present day, though our grandfathers knew it well. One cwt. of wood yields about three ounces of oil.

So yeah, for an adult man in 1879, rhodium as a rose-adjacent fragrancing element must have seemed pretty retro. Perfect for this guy's hypothetical grandfather, though. The equivalent listing for rose-leaf geranium describes it similarly as an adulterant or potential alternative for rose otto. The bad news is, rose otto is still wildly expensive, and rosewood itself is now under substantial environmental protection restrictions... as is ambergris. I've got two options in my back pocket here -- fragrancing soap with rose geranium, maybe paired with botanical musk or a synthetic ambergris, or finding myself a nice modern fragrance oil. I... would rather do the former than the latter, but eh, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

What qualities am I looking for in the soap itself? What makes a good shaving soap? People have different preferences when it comes to soap lather consistency, especially if you're used to an aerosolized shaving cream. We're looking to strike a balance; lather that’s mild and creamy but not slimy, conditioning and lubricating but not leaving a residue behind. Given my druthers I'd like to make a couple test batches, looking to fine-tune these various qualities, but just how that's going to work out for me will remain to be seen.

So, yeah, soap. Shaving soap. What about the actual process of shaving with it? What's the razor situation? What about the daily ablutions of officers and average seamen? What about muttonchop maintenance? What about the wild world of Early Victorian shaving literature? More on that soon as I document my cold boy hot process soaping. Tune in next time for: goo.

[jester-in-agony]

James Black's wife Anne died in 1838; and in 1839, while Black was in bed from an illness, his father-in-law Shaw broke into Black's house and brutally attacked him with a club. Black's life was saved by the family dog; he survived, but his eyes were severely damaged by the attack. He went north to seek medical advice, where his eyes were further damaged by the inept ministrations of a Cincinnati, Ohio, physician. When Black returned to Arkansas he discovered that his father-in-law had sold his business and property, illegally, and disappeared with the cash.

Black lived on a local plantation for a couple of years until, Dr. Isaac Newton Jones took him into his home. Black lived with the Jones family for the next 30 years. He attempted to pass on his knife-making secrets to Daniel Webster Jones, but unfortunately he could not remember the technique. Jones would later become Governor of Arkansas. James Black died on 22 June 1872 in Washington, Arkansas.