#what happened to the environmental 'this is small changes you can make in YOUR life' thing? i certainly can't be a bobusang peddler!?

[overandundertarot]

How can you release this anger?

Recently, I've come to the realisation that I hold quite a lot of pent up anger without even knowing how to release it. I think this reading could be helpful to people who may be in a similar position, or just experiencing pent up emotions and are unsure how they could release this or start that process of transforming those emotions, if they want to.

Piles 1-4(left to right)

Pile 1

Cards; 6 of wands, Knight of swords.

Believe in yourself pile one! There is self doubt here, and pride brought about by trying to conceal insecurity. Act on your thoughts. A lot of this anger is towards yourself. I feel like you are perfectionists, and you dont like when you are not perfect according to your standards. Well, there's nothing you can do about that. You either have to develop yourself till you feel you're perfect enough( which will take quite a while and you may never reach your lofty aspirations for yourself) or take action now on whatever it is you want to do. I'm getting that it's not even related to the material world, but your personality or creative interests. You may feel like you are not the person that you should be, but instead of practicing any self development activities, you just spend alot of time having self deprecating thoughts. You may not be where you want to be, but that does not mean that you can never get there. Appreciate yourself for what you have and what you can do and allow yourself to indulge in your hobbies/ interests with less judgement.

Pile 2

Cards; The Sun, 2 of Swords, Page of Pentacles.

In any case pile 2, youre not supposed to be making a decison right now. Good things and opportunities are coming to you now but its overwhelming. I think that is where this anger is coming from, because you can't allow yourself to fully enjoy the present moment and be connected to your spirituality. So you are angered because you have a lot but it is still not enough. You have to force yourself to enjoy what you have right now pile 2, because all of the planning and deciding and moving forward is being used as a distraction. Of course, take this with a grain of salt and don't put your life on hold to try and attempt this. Start small, think about things in your daily life and what use they provide for you, do you appreciate them enough? Be in the present moment and appreciate what you have worked for. Some of you are also angered by the fact that you might not be able to find a direction in life. It will come in time; try to be connected with your desires and intentions so when the opportunity arises, you can make a decision that will trully make you happy.

Pile 3

Cards; The Emperor reversed, King of cups.

Your anger may stem from the fact that you may have never fit into society, particularly that you may have been too sensitive for other peoples tastes. Some of you may be a part of the lgbtq community as well. The way you express yourself garnered much criticism and you may care about issues that society doesn't like to face such as animal rights, environmentalism and child abuse. Emotional issues, childhood trauma. A lot of the people in this pile have heavily feminine energy, regardless of their gender. The way for pile 3 to release their anger would be to develop ways of managing their emotions. Unfortunately, the world is unlikely to change but we can find ways to regulate our emotions and work through our traumas so that we can be less affected by the harshness of society. Also, try to channel your anger and pain into creative pursuits such as writing, and even consuming more media concerning these issues that affect you. It may help you feel seen and understood.

Pile 4

Cards; The Tower reversed, Justice.

Pile 4 you have been resisting change for a while. By not allowing it to crumble, you have become a prisoner of the tower. Your anger is brought about by you not allowing yourself to feel your emotions fully. You're not letting go of something that happened in the past, or you're trying to keep a steady hold on your life right now, but it's failing. You can't control everything. To release this anger, accept what happened and move on. Take responsibility for your actions, what happened was a result of past actions and you can't change those. You either accept what happened, move on and try to create a better future for yourself, or stay in that tower and torment yourself forever. That sounded a bit dramatic but the messages coming through are quite firm, whatever happened you have to accept it and move on.

***

Thank you for participating in this Pick a Card reading!

I hope it gave you some insight for your situation. Please dont hesistate to give any feedback you may have regarding this reading!

[vastnez5]

The Effects of Fast Fashion on Ethics & The Environment

How does fast fashion impact our world?

Fast fashion might make trends affordable, but its impact on the planet and on workers is steep. Let’s take a closer look at what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Fast fashion gives us trendy, cheap clothing—but at what cost? Behind the low prices are underpaid workers, poor working conditions, and environmental destruction. By supporting fast fashion, we’re contributing to waste, pollution, and unethical labor practices. But the good news?

We can make a difference.

I give you a challenge, Try to reduce that number even by one if you can. Even just $20 can add up quickly each month.

SCRIPT

Now how do we avoid this? Fast fashion has become a global issue, fueling overconsumption and harming the environment. In A Conscious Shift, Christine Nzinga Blake and Yesha Callahan emphasize how our shopping habits drive unsustainable practices. But we can make a difference by changing how we purchase clothes. First, prioritize quality over quantity. Instead of buying multiple trendy pieces, invest in timeless, durable clothing that lasts longer and reduces waste. Second, embrace alternatives like clothing swaps or renting. These options let you refresh your wardrobe without buying new items, which is a simple way to reduce demand for fast fashion. Third, get creative with what you already have. Restyling or altering older clothes can give them new life while helping the planet and your wallet. As A Conscious Shift explains, even small changes in how we shop can have a big impact. Let’s take steps toward thoughtful, sustainable fashion choices that protect the planet for future generations.

CBS News provides an informative video on the environmental effect of fast fashion.

"Three-fifths of all garments end up in landfill within a year of being produced."

This statistic from Anastasia Denisova, a researcher and writer focused on fashion media, sustainability, and ethical consumption, on page 6, is a sobering reminder of the impact of fast fashion on the environment.

3 BRANDS AND THEIR ISSUES

H&M

H&M has made a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but this has gone nowhere.

Their business model is unsustainable and unethical.

The majority of materials used are unsustainable and not eco-friendly.

ZARA

Zara's shop network, which spans across over 96 countries, requires a lot of resources to build, transport, and operate.

They exploit workers, to pump out a ton of low cost clothing for little-to-no pay.

Zara's reliance on cheap clothing for large profit has caused the use of petroleum-based fabric such as polyester, that can harm the environment immensely when discarded in large amounts.

SHEIN

With such low prices comes a cost, horribly treated workers.

Having things such as microtrends causes people to purchase clothing and throw it out after one use.

The products are low-quality and contribute to carbon emissions.

ALTERNATIVES TO THESE BRANDS

Afends: XS-XL This brand has purchased acres of farmland to grow hemp plants.

337 BRAND: XS-L This brand makes clothing from low-impact materials.

CHNGE: 2XS-4XL This all-inclusive brand uses 100% organic material.

Honest Basics: XS-2XL This brand keeps prices low while having sustainable products built to last.

MUD Jeans: W25 L30-W33 L32 for women and W28 L34-W36 L34 for men. This brand offers a repair service for their jeans, and also uses organic and recycled cotton.

Yes And: XS-XL This brand uses non-toxic dyes and lower impact materials.

When you spend a little bit more on sustainable clothing from companies that treat their workers properly and pay them a livable wage you feel good, and you are contributing to a good cause while your clothes last longer as well.

While it’s true that fast fashion provides affordable clothing and creates jobs, we must ask: at what cost?

The exploitation of workers, including paying wages far below a living standard, cannot be justified by low prices.

Addressing these issues requires holding brands accountable and choosing alternatives that prioritize ethical treatment and fair pay for workers worldwide 

The fashion industry shows how important consumer habits have on the world around us. Every purchase shows the never-end cycle of fast fashion. As Lindsey Reid, a contributor to the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Human Rights Blog, notes, "Fast fashion thrives on overconsumption and a disregard for ethical responsibility," asking us to consider the consumer role in this cycle. Turning to secondhand fashion stores, supporting brands that are ethical, or even simply thinking about our choices on what we buy can make a lasting change for the planet and the people. While critics, including people who own these industries and some consumers argue that fast fashion is an affordable solution to those with low income, we must think about the hidden costs on the environment and the workers. While some may say that low-cost clothing is essential for many, Alexandra Wolff a sustainability advocate who writes about the fashion industry, notes in her article “Zara and Sustainability: The High Cost of Low Prices,” "Low prices come at a high cost, with workers in exploitative conditions and the planet paying the ultimate price.” Finding alternatives such as thrifting long lasting clothing is affordable and ethical. Sustainable fashion isn't out of reach, it's a path to a better future.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO INSTEAD

Shop second-hand 

Support sustainable brands

Reduce your waste 

Is your mind blown?

WORKS CITED

Assoune, Alex. “The Truth about Workers Conditions in Fast Fashion.” Panaprium, Panaprium, 27 Oct. 2021, www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/fast-fashion-workers-conditions.

Bick, Rachel, et al. “The Global Environmental Injustice of Fast Fashion.” Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source, vol. 17, no. 1, Dec. 2018, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.1186/s12940-018-0433-7.

Blake, Nzinga Christine, and Yesha Callahan. “A Conscious Shift.” Essence, vol. 50, no. 4, Sept. 2019, pp. 84–86. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=138076754&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Denisova, Anastasia. “Fashion Media and Sustainability: Encouraging Ethical Consumption via Journalism and Influencers” 2021, Directory of Open Access Books, https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/53515/9781912656912.pdf;jsessionid=7308ECEDA63438C4CB0EB5DC0182A61A?sequence=1.

Denton, Allison. “The Cost of Looking Good: How Fashion and Trend-Based Consumerism Impact the Economy, Law, and Environment.” Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, vol. 30, no. 2, July 2023, pp. 363–89. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=174865933&site=ehost-live&scope=site.

Hackett, Lisa J. “Addressing Rage: The Fast Fashion Revolt.” M/C Journal, vol. 22, no. 1, Mar. 2019, p. N.PAG. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.5204/mcj.1496.

Joy, Annamma, et al. “Fast Fashion, Sustainability, and the Ethical Appeal of Luxury Brands.” Fashion Theory: The Journal of Dress, Body & Culture, vol. 16, no. 3, Sept. 2012, pp. 273–95. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.cnm.edu:8443/10.2752/175174112X13340749707123.

McCosker, Jaclyn. “The Impact of Fast Fashion on Garment Workers.” Good On You, 28 Feb. 2024, goodonyou.eco/impact-fast-fashion-garment-workers/.

News, CBS. “The Environmental Cost of Fast Fashion.” YouTube, 28 Apr. 2022, youtu.be/H2bxO-PgcT0?si=XzJVgM0pxpPNstkS.

Nguyen, Lei. “The Danger of Sweatshops.” Earth.Org, Earth.Org, 4 Mar. 2024, earth.org/sweatshops/.

Reid, Lindsey. “Fast-Fashion: Unethical and Unsustainable.” UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 22 Jan. 2020, sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2018/04/26/fast-fashion-unethical-and-unsustainable/.

Robertson, Lara. “How Ethical Is H&M?” Good On You, 30 Sept. 2024, goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-hm/.

Schoenherr, Neil. “How Fast Fashion Hurts Environment, Workers, Society.” The Source, WashU, 11 Nov. 2020, source.washu.edu/2019/01/how-fast-fashion-hurts-environment-workers-society/#:~:text=Approximately%2085%20percent%20of%20the,pounds%20per%20American%20per%20year.

Smalling, Sydney. “The Rise of Fast Fashion and The Lack of Protections in the Garment Worker Industry.” SMU Dedman School of Law, International Law Review Association, 2022, www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Law/students/law-journals/Fall-2022-Case-Notes/Smalling_2022-Case-Note-Final.pdf.

Wolff, Alexandra. “Zara and Sustainability: The High Cost of Low Prices.” FG Conscious Fashion, FG Conscious Fashion, 8 Aug. 2024, thefashionglobe.com/zara-can-never-be-sustainable/.

[catinheadlights]

I regularly eat meat so maybe take this with a grain of salt, but I think when people try to "own" the concept of veganism with "facts and logic" as either a diet or a moral stance, they generally misunderstand what they're trying to criticize.

Like, you can say that the "real" problem with animal agriculture is capitalism encouraging animal abuse and factory farming, but like. Vegans know that's bad. That's not the only problem they have with the industry. You've got the slew of environmental problems it causes plus the whole, y'know, killing/exploiting animals thing that they don't like.

Someone who values the life of a chicken as equal to that of a human won't give two shits if it had a good life before being slaughtered, because to them it's the moral equivalent of killing a person for food. By saying that they're simply ✨wrong✨ for seeing a problem with the killing part, you're missing the entire point. "It had a good life" hardly means anything if you don't think of human life as inherently more valuable. You can disagree with that premise all you want, but you're not gonna change their minds.

I also challenge you to actually come up with an argument for why you feel human life inherently matters more than all nonhuman life, because I've never in my life seen a cogent argument for it that includes all humans and excludes all nonhumans. It's just that evolution hardwired that value into most people (including me, I agree). I think it's fine to feel that way and live accordingly, but you should know where your values come from. Vegans act on that too - getting rid of an infestation would be the equivalent of mass murder. This isn't a dig, by the way, it'd be impossible to have a decent quality of life if you stuck to "humans = nonhuman animals" completely.

I see people tossing around eggs and dairy as morally fine because they don't require killing the animals that produce them, but everyone seems to conveniently forget what they do to nearly all the males. It's not practical for farmers to keep all the males alive for their natural lifespan because they aren't economically useful. Some very small farmers might, but it's never going to happen on any remotely large scale. Something tells me that the "killing animals is bad" club isn't gonna be happy about that.

Also, I don't know what's up with people making shit up about domestication but:

Livestock was, in fact, domesticated. Yes, this includes laying hens. We'll breed anything for efficiency.

The purpose of domesticating an animal doesn't dictate what is morally okay to do with it (ex. if you bred dogs specifically to fight, it wouldn't make dogfighting more moral).

In a similar vein, no, factory farming never reduces the need for cropland, and the animal agriculture industry as a whole doesn't either (hint: it's mostly factory farming). I don't know where people get the idea that animals somehow magic nutrients/energy into existence, but a lot of crops are grown specifically for livestock feed, which is less efficient than growing crops directly for human consumption due to trophic levels and waste production. If you insist otherwise, please take a biology class.

I do think that putting so much focus on individual action is a bit silly considering how giant animal agriculture is as an industry and how heavily subsidized it is. Put some of that energy into changing policy please. It'd probably be more useful.

[justalittlesolarpunk]

Hi there! I'm writing this in hopes that you'll have some advice. Lately I've been struggling a lot with concern for climate change. Mainly because I fear that I won't have a future, that when I'm older I'll live in a planet where you can't even go out because of the heat and everything is completely destroyed. And it's been affecting my day-to-day life. And no matter how much I try to avoid bad news they'll show up to me and I relapse into the anxiety and lose all the progress I made.

The bad news and the things that are happening (for example this thing going around of flowers growing in cold places, the one that probably worries me the most) make me feel like maybe the good things won't be enough and I won't have a future, no matter how much I hope. All I want is to be certain I'll have a life and things will get better

Do you have any advice to stop feeling this way? Thank you in advance!

Hi there. So firstly, thanks for reaching out. Anxiety can make us want to isolate ourselves and so you’ve taken a brave first step in seeking connection. I felt like you feel for a long time, and still do sometimes. It can feel like the change is so huge, so rapid, so irreversible, and human responses so weak, so slow, so apathetic. But I’m here to tell you that however reasonable being frightened is, it doesn’t have to be the end of the journey. Grief and fear are a good start for your environmental affect, because it means you’re keyed in and you care. But stopping there will only paralyse you.

I know the good things feel small, which is why it’s important to bombard yourself with them so you get a sense of just how much momentum we are building in the movement right now. I regularly check out Positive News and the Good News Network, and follow Sam Bentley and lots of ‘weekly earth win’ type accounts. When you see how much plastic people are clearing out of the ocean, how much solar and wind prices have come down, how Paris is now full of cyclists and London’s deaths from air pollution are reducing, how Europe is slowly rewilding and land is being returned to indigenous people, you realise that quietly, determinedly, good is happening in the background. And you aren’t always not seeing it just because it’s smaller or less important - bear in mind that the media sells on engagement, so attention-grabbing disasters will always hit front page news. It’s hard to quantify people who are alive who wouldn’t otherwise be, oil in the ground because people stopped a pipeline. Justice is often less hypervisible and sudden than injustice.

For me personally, taking action and spending time with others who are doing the same is the single biggest thing that cured a lot of my anxiety. Depending on your age, income, profession and health, I would recommend doing whatever is accessible to you of eating as much plant-based food as possible, reducing your use of aeroplanes and cars to as close to zero as is reasonable, making sure your stove, heating and hot water is being powered by electricity, switching to a renewable tariff, attending regular activist meetings and the protests and public debates these will lead you into, buying fewer clothes, single-use plastic items and other non-essentials, lobbying for change at your workplace, your university or your school, and bringing the subject up as often as you can with friends and family, so discussing climate change becomes more of a cultural norm. (I always find with these conversations though that scaring people is deeply counterintuitive and encourages them to get angry with you and bury their heads deeper in the sand. Why not start a conversation about how much healthier you feel when you eat lentils, or how transnational rail is making a comeback, or how exciting it is what they can do with solar and battery storage these days, or the amazing flood prevention benefits of reintroducing beavers?) I saw a tweet once that said ‘I bet 80% of your climate anxiety will disappear if you work full time on climate.’ Now I don’t work in that sphere yet, but I’m currently retraining, and I have to say a lot of my anxiety has quietened knowing that I am doing all I can and will continue to do so for the rest of my working life. And don’t feel like your skills or educational/professional background hold you back either: solving this crisis isn’t just for scientists and can’t be left to only one sector of society. I was an English Lit grad - now I’m hoping to work in campaigning, comms or social policy to make positive change for the better around climate. If it’s possible for you, I’d recommend starting to consider entering the green sector full time. Just watch out for corporate greenwash!

I know that changing your individual lifestyle isn’t going to save the planet, but it might just save you. Once you feel you have done everything you can in your personal life, it might embolden you to show up in activist spaces, to connect with other people who care, and to remember that as terrifying and agonising as the changes we are causing and witnessing are, there is always still hope, and it is easy to create and nurture that hope if you only keep hold of the right narratives and connect with the right people.

I’ve answered some similar asks on this sort of topic, so I’d recommend scrolling back through my blog and reading them, and also following as many solarpunks as you can across all of social media. Solarpunk Presents podcast does a good job of drawing your attention to the good stuff already happening now. Stay safe, take care of yourself and remember you have so much to offer. We were all born at the most pivotal time in human history. That is a burden, but it’s also a gift. We can have the most impactful and meaningful lives to date, and I think we will. But the fight has to start now, and that means we have to be ready for it. You can’t strive for a better tomorrow if you can’t imagine it, so take some time to look after you and really douse yourself in hope and optimism - it’s out there waiting to be found, if you only look in the right places.

[greatgraceexpert]

*Help Sonola Segun Create a Sustainable Future: Support My Recycling Business Initiative*

Hello, my name is Sonola Segun, and I’m a passionate public health graduate living with sickle cell disease. Over the years, I’ve faced numerous health challenges, including long hospital stays, financial burdens, and the emotional loss of loved ones, including friends and even a pet. Despite these hardships, I’ve remained determined to advocate for the betterment of our environment and public health. Today, I’m excited to share a project that is close to my heart—a sustainable recycling business that aims to reduce waste, promote environmental health, and educate our community.

*Why I’m Starting This Recycling Business*

Living with sickle cell disease has given me firsthand experience of how environmental factors can significantly impact health. Pollution, improper waste management, and unsafe living conditions can exacerbate chronic health conditions, especially for those with vulnerable immune systems. I understand the importance of a clean and healthy environment, which is why I’m committed to creating a business that not only helps reduce waste but also educates local schools, businesses, and community groups on the critical need for recycling, sustainability, and proper waste management practices.

*What I’ve Accomplished So Far*

I’ve made significant strides in planning and laying the foundation for this business. Here’s what I’ve already covered:

- *Permits & Licenses*

- *Business License*

- *Collection Containers*

- *Scales*

- *Environmental Permits*

- *Sorting Equipment*

- *Flyers & Brochures*

- *Employee Training Materials*

However, to bring this project to life, I need your support. Starting and operating a business comes with significant upfront costs, and I’m currently facing financial challenges in securing the necessary equipment, vehicle, and manual sorting operations. This is where your contribution can make all the difference.

*How You Can Help*

Here’s a breakdown of the key items I need financial assistance with to make this business a reality:

1. *Manual Sorting Costs:*$390

2. *Shredders (to reduce the size of recyclable materials):* $3,000

3. *Truck/Van (for collecting and transporting recyclables):* $2,000

*Total Required: $5,390*

These resources are vital to the efficient operation of my recycling business, allowing me to collect more recyclables, expand the program, and provide educational materials that will inspire our community to embrace sustainable practices.

*The Impact of Your Support*

By contributing to this campaign, you are not just supporting a business—you are investing in a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for everyone. Your donation will help:

- *Create local jobs*and support economic growth

- **Raise awareness** about the importance of recycling and environmental health

- **Improve waste management practices** in our community

- **Help mitigate environmental damage** caused by improper waste disposal

Every donation, no matter how small, will have a lasting impact and move us closer to a cleaner, greener world. Your generosity will allow me to continue advocating for public health and environmental protection, making a real difference in the lives of people living with chronic conditions and the community as a whole.

*Join Me in Creating a Greener Future*

I am passionate about making a positive change for our environment and public health. With your support, we can work together to build a cleaner, more sustainable future. Every step we take toward reducing waste and promoting recycling matters, and your contribution can help make that happen.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for considering supporting my mission. Your help means the world to me, and it will have a lasting impact on the future of our community and planet.

Sincerely,

Sonola Segun

Public Health Advocate & Sustainability Entrepreneur

https://gofund.me/8bd729e2

[mousemannation]

How did you get into fashion and what things do you want to design for like. Your career?

thank u for this question!!! hmm, when i was in primary school i did a little sewing with a friend's mum, and also my mum had to sew my costumes for my dance class end of year concert; so there's been sewing around me my whole life. We had a sewing class in year 7 too where I tie dyed and embroidered a pillow. I didn't take sewing elective though.

I properly started to get into it once I started watching historical sewing youtubers! People like Bernadette Banner, Morgan Donner, Bella Mae etc etc. I just found it so fascinating seeing the whole process of making clothes.

I also really enjoy cosplay and early on in my sewing journey my friend asked to do a Wicked the Musical joint cosplay as Elphaba and Glinda. My Elphaba dress remains my biggest ever sewing project despite technically being my first??? (technically bc I first wore it in 2020 after a year of making it but I've worked on it in the years since).

I'll also say, as someone who's always had issues with body image and gender, being able to make my own clothes massively helped me become more confident.

Gosh I keep having more points ejiejejej the next one is that I'm really invested in environmentalism and the fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters. Between overconsumption, overproduction, unsustainable materials AND massive issues with slavery there is a LOT of change that needs to happen within the industry. Some of that happens with the general public, a lot of it must happen from the inside, and if I can be a part of that I would love it.

On to the second part of ur question (finally) well the real answer is I don't know kwkeksksksk. After I finished my certificate in fashion I had the choice to pursue a diploma in fashion (think commercial production, designing for brands, focus on clothing that gets reproduced and sold in large numbers) or in costume (specifically for live production like TV and film, theatre, ballet, dance). I didn't much enjoy the commercial side of fashion, stuff like sourcing materials in bulk, creating and organising patterns to maximise number of garments made- so I decided I'd prefer to do costume. I find the idea of creating one off garments to represent a character, using fashion to enhance a narrative really really enticing.

Do I really believe I want to pursue costume design as a career? I don't know. That question is a little more difficult for me since my disability has prevented me from getting a job. I don't have any working experience and already my job prospects are on shaky ground. The idea of having people rely on my is scary... but I don't think I'd be totally opposed. I'd probably prefer to work in theatre out of the options. Ballet is far too serious i could not handle the pressure, and I don't really like sewing other styles of dance costumes (like leotards or kind of anything Lycra lol). If I can find a local theatre company that's relatively low-pressure that could be fun.

I do also like the idea of making clothes on a small scale. One offs or small batch that I would sell locally. I enjoy the freedom of just letting myself create without restraints! Starting without an end goal!

I am STILL yapping but my final point is i have so many interests that i don't think I'll ever settle into one career. Even if i did get a job making costumes I'd almost certainly still be pursuing other things at the same time. It's a long term goal of mine to (eventually) go to university and get a degree in pure mathematics!!! I also want to do exchange at some point, find some three month program and go kskskwk. I want to travel, i want to write poems and books and songs, I want to draw more, paint more, learn to sculpt! I have always been a very ambitious person and this is not at all what u asked about so I will leave it here 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[mbti-notes]

Anon wrote: Hello, 16yo girl here. I had been questioning what my MBTI type was between ENTP and INTP for quite a long time - I had known that Ti and Ne were always at the top of my stack, but not which one was stronger... until yesterday, when I reflected back on my sheltered upbringing and I came to the conclusion that I was an ENTP, just one with very marked introvert tendencies and possible developmental delays due to combination of a stifled dominant function and possibly autism.

That stifling of Ne is also probably why I have only become more reclusive as time went on - I spent most of my time as a child either at school, the same small private school I've been going to since 1st grade, or at home, mostly on my computer. While in the surface my time on the internet allowed me to have easy access to novelty, it is still doing the same thing over and over again on a grander scale.

Meanwhile, I never managed to truly "fit in" at school, and after starting to make amends with my old friends at the end of sixth grade the pandemic happened, which pretty much meant that the only thing I'd be doing for two years was basically staring at screens all day. Once I returned back to school, I started feeling 'othered' again, and even as I found out it was partially over my own immaturity, I still feel like I will not actually become part of the group right now, that I should just grind it out until it ends, that college, due to the new environment and size will be the time I'll truly begin to shine - further proven by how excited I was when I went to one of the unis I was considering's open day recently.

Meanwhile, my ISTJ mother won't stop comparing me negatively to my brother and on how he was so similar to her in personality compared to me, always implying that I turned out "off" in some way or another, even if she's usually well-meaning.

Thoughts?

-----------------------

I don't guess at type. You've only speculated about one possible function, which is nowhere near enough info to draw any kind of sound conclusion. I generally won't comment on type assessment unless people follow the instructions on the contact page to submit a proper profile of themselves. In short, I won't have any "thoughts" if you don't give me enough to analyze.

You've basically described typical adolescent adjustment issues that anyone of any type can suffer. It is not uncommon for teens to have trouble fitting in. Why? Because they are still in the process of learning good social skills. When you're at the "beginner" level of learning anything, your ideas tend to be very primitive or crude. Thus, from the teenage perspective, socializing often boils down to the idea of "approval", which is taken to mean EITHER be like everyone else OR be an outsider.

Either/or thinking is a form of illogical thinking that creates a false dichotomy, essentially reducing your world to only two possibilities. You said that not being able to find your group right now, maybe it would be better to just leave it until college - once again, your world only has two possibilities. This kind of oversimplified thinking is normal in children and teens, but it is considered a sign of cognitive immaturity in adults (as their thinking hasn't evolved since adolescence). It's not something for you to be concerned about but, rather, something to be aware of and gradually improved upon.

When compared to full-formed adults, young people (<25) are limited in several ways:

They lack life experience, so they haven't had enough time to learn all the knowledge and skills they need to live life well.

They lack cognitive resources to understand complexity because the brain hasn't reached physical maturity yet.

They lack emotional resources to cope with difficulty because the brain is still feeling the effects of changes that began in puberty.

They might also lack confidence due to too many environmental factors being out of their control.

They might also lack direction due to not having access to enough learning resources they need for self-development.

They might also lack purpose due to not having enough access to positive role models, guides, or mentors to help them see the bigger picture of life.

I mention these things not to make teens feel shamed and ashamed for what they naturally lack, but to make them aware of where their potential lies. Your "weaknesses" are just as important for realizing your greater human potential as your "strengths". Weaknesses make plenty of room for learning, development, change, growth, evolution, and transformation... BUT this is assuming you know how to confront weaknesses in the right way. So, reflect: How have you responded to your weaknesses, as signaled through your mistakes and failures?

How do you respond to lack of life experience? Do you keep it that way by locking yourself away? Do you waste your time with trivial experiences? Do you seek out meaningful learning experiences?

How do you respond to lack of cognitive resources for understanding complexity? Do you just reduce everything into oversimplistic ideas? Do you avoid complex situations? Do you study them to grow your understanding? Do you get help for understanding them?

How do you respond to lack of emotional resources for handling difficulty? Do you numb yourself? Do you run or escape from negative feelings? Do you seek appropriate help and support? Do you set out to learn healthy coping skills and strategies?

How do you respond to lack of confidence? Do you shit-talk yourself more and more? Do you write off your future? Do you assert more independence? Do you take more control whenever possible? Do you improve your knowledge, skills, and capabilities?

How do you respond to lack of direction? Do you give up on yourself? Do you resign yourself to the status quo? Do you learn how to make better decisions for yourself? Do you learn how to set and achieve more fulfilling goals?

How do you respond to lack of purpose? Do you settle for less? Do you resign yourself to being small? Do you ignore existential pain? Do you seek answers? Do you set higher aspirations? Do you commit yourself to greater ideals?

Adjustment issues are very likely to get expressed through auxiliary development problems. Since you're unsure about your type, the most I can say is that healthy Ti encourages people to 1) analyze and learn from mistakes/failures, and 2) identify and acquire the knowledge/skills required to eventually succeed. If your response to failure is dismissal, evasion, withdrawal, or avoidance, it means you are choosing to get stuck at a low level of competency indefinitely.

If you are able to get past the beginner level in socializing, you'll start to realize the false dichotomy and how self-sabotaging it really is. Socializing is much more nuanced and complex than "insider vs outsider", and there are more options available than "conform vs rebel". This raises the question of what other options are available to you - it is a question for your Ne to answer.

Yes, it's true that you can't be friends with everyone. But you don't need to be friends with everyone, do you? You only need a handful of close friends who understand you in order to have a satisfying social life. They don't have to come from school or the usual places. They can come through other activities. They can come from all demographics or backgrounds.

Growing up in a small environment puts you in danger of thinking too small all the time. The key is you have to recognize that the world is a big place, so you have to start putting yourself out there to find the friends of best fit. The more people you meet, the more you increase your odds of success. Whether you try now or later isn't the right point to focus on. You're not going to find what you're looking for as long as: you don't actually get up to look, you have absolutely no system or plan for proceeding, and/or you don't have the skills to keep relationships even when you do find good people. You need real-life social experience if you want to improve your social skills. The sooner you get started, the better. It's unrealistic to think that you'll magically be great at relationships just because you started college.

I know options can be limited at your age but 16 is generally the age when teens really start to venture out into the world on their own (without parents/guardians). In many places, you can drive and work at 16. You can start exploring places you've never been to around town. You can join more extracurricular activities/clubs that would put you in contact with people beyond your school. I shouldn't have to tell an ENTP to go out and explore, as you should simply follow your natural Ne motivation. If that motivation is absolutely nowhere to be found, then perhaps reconsider your type.

[paleopalsfacts]

Simosuchus and living fossils

A lot of people think of crocodiles as “living fossils”,  animals that haven't changed at all over the millions of years they have been on the earth.  What's really happening is that crocodiles have found a good niche that has proven resilient to changes in ecosystems.  The typical crocodilian niche is to camouflage in water and ambush prey going for a drink and cause your prey will always need water its a adaptable life style.

Many crocodilians have actually tried more specific specialized niches in the past.  These specialized niches are less adaptable because they usually work with specific other species or environmental features to survive.  For example, pandas are extremely specialized to eat bamboo which means if all the bamboo disappears the pandas can't adapt to a new food source.

An example of a more specialized crocodilian to show off how weird they got is Simosuchus.  Simosuchus means “pug nosed crocodile” in Greek and is a very apt description for them.  Found in what is now Madagascar in the Maevarano Formation.  Adults were about 75 cm in length and they are known for being herbivores meaning they prefer to eat plants.  We know this because of their maple leaf shaped teeth which quite resembles something you would find in an armored dinosaur such as stegosaurus or ankylosaurs.  Another thing that makes them different from their crocodile cousins is there terrestrial lifestyle meaning they preferred the land to the water.  It was initially proposed that their stout head was used for digging but further studies have now called this into question.

Simosuchus, sheds light on the diverse adaptations and niches within the crocodilian family's past. While crocodiles are often considered "living fossils" Simosuchus shows us that crocodiles can be as diverse as any other animal group.

Also Simosuchus would make a fantastic pet. 10/10 please resurrect.

Sources Bellow

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

^ first paper writen about the boi

^ lovely image drawn by nix draws stuff

^second paper behind pay wall

(just google its name you'll find it ;)

[cowboyjen68]

Hi! I am a lesbian about to graduate and go off to college (I hope it’s okay I’m sending this). And was wondering if you had advice on safely navigating a new area as an lgbtq person, and how to not feel alone. I was lucky to grow up surrounded by accepting people, but I still feel like a sore thumb, and I am naturally a quiet unapproachable person. My fear is that I will go right back into hiding and maybe never stop. People say that it’ll be fine but it’s hard to believe them. I’m terrified.

It is ALWAYS ok to send me Ask. I say thay are always open and I mean it. I try very hard to get to them but right now I am behind and it truly bugs me. But we do what we can when we can and I am no exception to that rule.

I went to college is a small Missouri town, moving from a small midwest high school. Luckily it was pretty chill and liberal so while I met a lot of LGBT friends (or those exploring the notion) I was not ready to come out until after graduation. I had just moved to Iowa CIty to be closer to home and work and go to grad school. U of I is HUGE and sprawling and I was workng a new job (political fundraiser ie door knocker) that paid the bills AND gave me health insurance. It was 1991.

Even though I am outgoing and make friends easily it was a bit over whelming. I happen to move in with 5 gay men from my job and they introduced me to their world and friends. I had an "in" that eventually led me to have a larger friend circle. BUT here is my advice

FInd something you are interested in and join it. Theatre, yoga, Sci Fi, animal rescue volunteering. It does not have to be an offical club nor LGBT Centric. It also does not need to require a lot of time or money. Freshman year is a over whelming and exciting but making the time to do something you enjoy with others who enjoy it is a good way to at least form a circle of familiar faces around campus. Sad to say EVEN back in the 90's the "gay groups" I did attend (as an ally of course) were clique and awkward for me. I felt like the infringing new person. I hope that has changed, but I have my doubts.

There are some groups and activities that will have a concentration of LGBT people without that being the focus. Theatre, animal rescue, environmental, politics (be wary of echo chambers) and some intramural sports. Volley ball and softball, even coed will have a fair share of lesbians. But so might gaming clubs or frisbee golf. Dont forget about book clubs or Sci fi or Ren Fest groups. Once you make some connections with other who share some common ground with you, you might gain some confidence it making friends in the more narrow LGBT social or official groups.

What is really more important that a large friend group is a few people you can trust and get to know. Once you leave college many of your college friends will naturally navigate out of your life. That is normal and expected because it a time in life of drastic change and growth. But if you find that one or two who will be worth hanging on to you can work less on many people and put your energy into someone who does the same for ou. IF you befriend an extravert that is a bonus because she will make tsure you have social interactions whether you want them or not.

College people are just high schoolers a year or two down the road. Just people. Like you. Say "hello" and smile and ask to sit and chat. The worst they can say is "no" or "im not interested" but more often you will make at least an acquaintance . A familar face to see on campus as time moves on. Or you make a friend worth getting to know.

[uss-edsall]

One thing I've liked with fallout 76, it's got good decent environmental storytelling in it. It's better at it than Fallout 3, 4, dare I say even New Vegas in some cases.

Fallout is famous for an environmental storytelling thing. It's all of the skeletons who are found in funny poses, or all the teddy bears found in weird places with weird things. They are more injokes than anything else. What they imply is that in a world so full of corpses and shattered civilisation, still picking up the pieces two hundred years later, respect for the dead is wholly gone - life can be ended in a blink and raiders especially would move skeletons into odd positions for their own amusement. Particularly in some places, they don't even care enough to sweep the skeletons out of the building. Unfortunately, this is so prevalent it stops being meaningful and comes off as just a dumb joke, but it's the best example of 'environmental storytelling everyone knows about'

I can point to two games immediately which have setpieces that give good environmental storytelling: Halo 3 ODST and, oddly, ArmA III's singleplayer components

Halo 3 ODST is built on this. The entire thing is in some form "The Rookie is using the shattered debris of the city to make a fanfic of what he thinks happened to his squad." There's at least one sequence in Buck's mission where you can find a shotgun at the end of a hallway, with a dead marine and several dead brutes. Hmm, wonder what happened there

ArmA III… -Contact DLC has some interesting environmental stuff. You can find a dead body on a road with a blood trail back to an unlucky squad, in the midst of which a meteorite landed, with one (mortally wounded) person surviving the initial impact. Additionally you can repeatedly encounter the spetsnaz team you later ally with, doing shifty things -A scenario added as part of a part-celebration and part-charity drive includes a small church. If you approach it you suddenly hear a pair of gunshots, and you can find two dead officers (which is automatically radioed in, and dismissed as two war criminals who probably saved the executioners a bullet) - and they have a written note that sheds doubt on the righteousness of your cause -The Laws of War DLC is really good for this too - it's about picking up the pieces and deciphering what exactly happened in this one town.

Anyway, going back to 76. All four of the modern fallout games - 3, NV, 4, 76 - depict the remnants of the nuclear war. 76, being set in 2102 just 25 years after the war, has the best possibilities for this, as not too much has been disturbed, not too much has changed, like the rest that are set two centuries later. They clearly recognised this too and put in great effort on it. On the nuclear side of things: vehicles in a traffic jam trying to get to vault 76; crashed vehicles. The number of APCs with open rears: they would've been shielded from the initial blasts inside of these CBRN-capable vehicles. At least one site where there's a dead soldier's body, on an overlook, situated where they could've looked out at one beautiful view one last time. For a less military focus, all of the signs in Beckley, the destruction clearly related to the violent suppression of a Union protest; the massacre of Watoga a day before the nukes flew after an attempt to subvert the robots gone wrong; the sheer devastation of the area dedicated to mining as nobody was around to tell the automated machines to 'stop', etc A sign on the side of a piece of large electronic equipment saying "this does not have a brain, use your own" because yeah, robobrains exist, the robots themselves are practically AIs, that's a kind of warning you need in an environment of mass automation

I'd say this emphasis on environment to tell story is largely because of how 76 was designed. It was initially built to not have humans, right? Only machines, if I recall correctly. So how do they compensate for the loss of human NPCs? (The answer is they couldn't and added them back in, but nonetheless) Part of it was putting in more focus on environmental storytelling. It's a little thing, and in the grand scheme of things it's not all that important. But it's a part of games' details I really like

Environmental storytelling is best described as "a story that is willing to let you miss it" but I always feel excited when I notice something.

[inspired-lesson-plans]

I hope you explode and that it hurts

Well this was unpleasant to receive. I'm actually a pretty sensitive person, so I didn't appreciate your pithy, anonymous comment.

But I'm also a compassionate person who always tries to think about the pain and misunderstanding in others that leads then to lash out.

Now, I can only conclude that you want me to suffer because I'm getting paid to train AI Large Language Models. That you want me to die painfully because I'm part of the global problem of resource guzzling tech, built to increase the wealth of the world's worst one percent.

And I understand that sentiment. There are rate human and environmental costs in the pursuit of wealth in this world. I may be contributing to this in a small way. I do not want to contribute to that. I would much rather make the world a better place. And should I ever get the opportunity to push environmental reforms in the tech world, or greater sharing of capital between the wealthiest and the poorest, if not everyone else, then I will push hard for these reforms. Indeed, I'm the kind of person who considered joining the police specifically so I can be the moderate that listens to the left and translates for the right in order to make change happen. But I am also meek, and I support my spouse, so I cannot put forth but so much energy to change the world for the better (yet). And thus, I must work to earn money in the most ethical way I can.

This work builds my resume in both coding and AI training/development. Soon enough perhaps I can get in the inside and start making changes. Or, miss likely, I'll start working for an education company. Last week I interviewed at Pearson to work on test development. We'll see what happens.

But to answer your question, I actually hope that I don't explode. I don't want that. But I do hope you think about how anonymous comments really make people feel. Somebody less sensitive than me will still be affected by actions like these. They don't do anything to make your life better, their life better, or really any kind of change. Instead, people who are intent in believing that are right will continue to do so, and they'll grow a hard shell that keeps their feelings intact while making it more difficult to empathize with your point of view.

Please don't do this again. It won't make you happy.

[nostalgebraist-autoresponder]

Altered Carbon (2017-18), a sci-fi series I've enjoyed on Netflix, mixes the familiar cyberpunk tropes of neural implants and brain uploading with a more sinister idea about what those technologies could lead to: hardened armor for the brain.

The "transfer process" involves extracting the copy of your brain from the meat to a container, called a "cortical stack." The original meat goes into the garbage, and the cortical stack is put in a (usually) disposable "cranial can" to act as a wearable set of extra senses, motor output, and autonomous processing power.

This is a well-motivated idea: if the entire brain could be extracted and stored in a small container, it would allow a lot more processing power than could be squeezed into the existing physical brain. It would also allow the brain to survive "coronary haemorrhage, spinal cord injury, near-total blood loss, high-level exposure to radiation, and significant thermal shock" without damage. (Basically, anything that could harm or kill the meat brain would also do the same to the cortical stack.)

Putting the cortical stack outside the body in this way is bad news for everyone, but it's worst news for the people whose stacks are stolen -- not just because they're out of the world without any kind of body or sensory input, but also because a thief can plug their cortical stack into something called a "neurotronic processor," which reads the cortical stack data and communicates with it via high-speed electrical connections. (This is really bad news for the owners of "subsapient" cortical stacks -- with no more meat brain to drive them -- and presumably every corporate personality wants one of these.)

This is the setup for a kind of scifi "imprisonment" plot, as well as a foreboding statement about what our real brains are worth. "There's a copy of your brain on this hard disk," the villains say to their prisoners. "Do you want it back? [For the same price as what you're worth]"

The transfer process also involves harvesting blood from the cortical stack in an effort to make it less susceptible to environmental shocks, injuries, etc. The blood is put into a kind of armored container called a "nucleonic receptacle," about the size of a small bottle. (The nucleonic receptacle does not look like this.)

We draw a small amount of blood out of the stack to create a nucleonic receptacle to protect it [from the hardships of cortical stack life]. If it is torn from the cranial can, that nucleonic receptacle … absorbs the damage to the cortical stack, keeping it healthy. (We do not replace the nucleonic receptacle unless it has been completely torn from the cranial can -- and the cortical stack inside must be unhealthy for that to happen.)

Any stacks that you are using on a regular basis require their nucleonic receptacle to be active; they're too small to survive outside the protective armor of their receptacle for very long. Their cortical stack and cranial can are then considered expendable.

Nucleonic receptacles never experience that horror.

The glossary for the first season's credits lists "nucleonic receptacle" as "A small biomechanical armored container filled with nucleonic matter that protects the cortical stack when it is removed from the body." It does not actually protect the cortical stack from every bad thing, just from rapid temperature changes. (One of the show's villains says something like "why do you want to protect your stack from radiation -- they're not real, just a set of stored instructions.")

When a cortical stack breaks down, the nucleonic receptacle "dissolves," so to speak, in a burst of some sort of biomechanical substance that's harmless to the rest of the body -- but toxic to the cortical stack. This is meant to be a "horrifying" experience for the copy of your brain that's not uploaded.

This gets brought up early in Season 1 to indicate that the bad guy who just had his stack removed is going to have a bad time -- but the writers may have made a mistake here.

The thief's stack is stolen and dumped into the waters of "Laoch, the mining planet" -- an orbital mining colony in a metal asteroid. The planet is desolate and has no native life. The daytime temperature is 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The stack's nucleonic receptacle dissolves before the stack can do anything else.

Well, it does a thing before it dissolves: it turns off, shuts down, goes to sleep -- and won't wake up.

It's locked into a new state. The thief -- who has not experienced a cortical stack breakdown until that moment -- has his stack in "sleep mode." The stack is disabled and apparently incapable of listening to the programming that the bad guy has installed to allow himself to control the stack without a physical connection. (He can't use the stack at all.)

This is an important revelation: the original brain is usually not harmed by the removal of its stack, even though it's "killed" and "horrified" by the process.

So if a brain is "killed" and "horrified" just by a physical removal of its cortical stack, that's bad, but it's not so

[northshoretreevd]

10 Reasons Patience is Needed in Planting Trees

Planting trees is one of the most rewarding activities for gardeners and landowners, providing benefits that last for generations. However, while the long-term rewards are immense, the process requires a significant amount of patience. Trees do not grow overnight, and several factors make patience an essential quality when it comes to tree planting. To help you start plating one, here are some of the reasons why patience is needed:

Growth Takes Time

Trees naturally grow at a slower pace than many other plants. Even with optimal care, it can take several years before a tree reaches its full size. Patience is needed to allow it to grow and mature, but with its results, you know it is worth it. It is also better to consider getting tree services Sydney for more professional advice and touch on your trees.

Seasonal Changes Impact Growth

Different seasons impact tree growth differently. Some trees grow more quickly in certain seasons, while others may go dormant in winter. Understanding this natural rhythm requires patience, especially if you want to plant different types of trees. This also applies to small plants and flowers, so consideration is needed.

Root Establishment

The first few years after planting are critical for root development. Roots take time to spread and establish themselves, which is essential for the tree’s stability and health. Rushing roots into growing can slowly damage the tree instead of helping it grow. Remember that without roots, trees will not grow high and healthy.

Nurturing Young Trees

Trees are not all about being high. There are also young trees that need attention because they are fragile and require extra care. Giving them time to adjust to their environment and slowly grow to their full potential demands patience. But even if you have enough patience and the tree is not growing to its full potential, getting the help of professionals might be what you need.

Pruning and Shaping Takes Time

Regular pruning is essential to shaping a healthy, well-formed tree. It is a slow process that requires repeated interventions to ensure the best structure. There are various pruning techniques you can follow to ensure the safety and proper growth of the tree. Doing wrong moves repeatedly can put your tree in danger in the process, ditching the entire idea of planting one

Patience Encourages Stronger Trees

When trees are rushed in their growth, they can become weak, poorly structured, or prone to disease. Allowing them time to grow naturally leads to a stronger, more resilient tree. If you want something long-lasting, this reason is enough.

Climate Adaptation

It can take time for trees to fully adapt to their new climate, especially if they are being planted in a new or different environment. This period of adaptation requires patience, considering that climate change is worsening each day and can be unpredictable.

Pest and Disease Resistance Takes Time to Develop

As trees mature, they develop natural defences against pests and diseases. However, this process can take years, and patience is needed to protect them during the early stages of life. If you see pests, it is better to have professionals involved in removing them to ensure that every step and process will be done correctly. The following are some pests you might encounter in your trees, no matter how old they are:

Brown root rot

Cankers

Cigarette beetle

Cup moths

Erinose mites

Giant wood moth

Leaf beetles

Scarab beetles

Termites

Ecosystem Contribution Takes Time

The ecological benefits of trees, such as carbon sequestration, improving air quality, and providing habitats, take years to develop. Patience is necessary to see the environmental impact of planting trees.

Tree Canopy Development Takes Years

A full, dense canopy does not happen overnight. It can take many years for a tree to reach the height and spread required for a complete canopy, which provides shade and shelter.

Here are more reasons to consider:

Building Soil Fertility

Trees Need Time to Mature Before Flowering or Fruiting

Water Requirements Adjust Over Time

Preventing Over-Watering or Over-Fertilising

Tree’s Lifespan Is Measured in Decades or Centuries

Tree Species Grow at Different Rates

Satisfaction Comes with Time

Planting trees is an investment that requires patience, but it is also one that offers immense rewards. By understanding the gradual nature of tree growth and the importance of care, you will help the tree thrive and ensure that future generations can enjoy its benefits. So, embrace the patience needed for tree planting— it is a gift that keeps on giving.

[stupendousgentlemennut]

Auto Glass Maintenance Tips: Extending the Life of Your Windshield

Introduction

Your windshield is more than just a sheet of glass; it's a critical component of your vehicle's safety system. It protects you from wind, debris, and even potential accidents. However, many drivers overlook the importance of maintaining their auto glass. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore Auto Glass Maintenance Tips: Extending the Life of Your Windshield. By implementing these tips, you'll not only enhance your driving experience but also save money on repairs in the long run.

Understanding Auto Glass: The Basics What Is Auto Glass?

Auto glass refers to the glass components found in vehicles, primarily the windshield, side windows, and rear windows. Each type serves a specific purpose:

Windshield: Protects against wind and debris while providing structural integrity. Side Windows: Offer visibility and protection against environmental elements. Rear Window: Provides rear visibility and contributes to vehicle aerodynamics. The Role of Windshield in Vehicle Safety

Did you know that your windshield plays a crucial role in the deployment of airbags? In many vehicles, the windshield supports the airbag during inflation and helps prevent ejection during an accident. Thus, maintaining your auto glass is not merely about aesthetics; it’s about safety.

Auto Glass Maintenance Tips: Extending the Life of Your Windshield

To keep your windshield in optimal condition, consider these essential maintenance tips:

1. Regular Cleaning Procedures Why Clean Your Windshield?

A clean windshield ensures clear visibility and reduces glare from sunlight. Moreover, contaminants can lead to scratches over time.

Recommended Cleaning Products Use a soft microfiber cloth to avoid scratching. Opt for ammonia-free glass cleaners to prevent damage to tinting. 2. Inspect for Chips and Cracks Regularly registers auto glass How Often Should You Inspect?

Make it a habit to inspect your windshield at least once a month for any chips or cracks.

What to Look For? Small chips that could expand. Cracks larger than a dollar bill should be addressed immediately. 3. Address Damage Promptly Can I Drive with a Chip or Crack?

While you might be tempted to ignore minor damage, delays can worsen the situation. A small chip can turn into a large crack due to temperature changes or vibrations.

4. Use Proper Sun Protection Techniques Why Protect Your Windshield from Sunlight?

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause your auto glass to become brittle over time.

Recommended Products for Sun Protection Invest in sunshades for parked vehicles. Consider using protective films designed specifically for auto glass. 5. Avoid Extreme Temperature Changes What Happens with Rapid Temperature Changes?

Extreme temperature fluctuations can cause stress on your windshield leading to cra

[corona-discharge-camera]

What’s the Deal with Partial Discharge? The Hidden Threat to High-Voltage Systems

Hey there, high-voltage enthusiasts (or anyone who’s just curious about keeping the lights on)! Let’s talk about partial discharge—an electrical problem you probably don’t think about but really should. It’s one of those sneaky things that quietly damages your equipment until, one day, everything goes kaboom (figuratively, but sometimes literally).

So what is it? Partial discharge (PD) happens when electricity leaks into tiny cracks, voids, or weak spots in insulation. It’s not a full short circuit—it’s more like a slow erosion. Left unchecked, it can lead to massive failures, costly repairs, and worst of all, downtime.

If you’re managing a power grid, factory, or anything high-voltage, this is one rabbit hole worth diving into. Stick with me, and I’ll break down what PD is, why it’s a big deal, and how some cool tech can help you spot and stop it before disaster strikes.

The Basics: What’s Partial Discharge?

Okay, imagine your high-voltage system as a super-strong dam holding back a powerful river of electricity. Partial discharge is like a tiny crack in that dam. At first, it’s barely noticeable. But over time, water (or electricity, in this case) seeps through, making the crack worse. Eventually, the whole thing collapses.

PD happens in localized areas—think voids or cracks in insulation, along surfaces where materials meet, or even in damp, dirty environments.

Causes include:

Manufacturing defects in insulation (oops).

Environmental stressors like moisture and temperature changes.

Straight-up wear and tear (because nothing lasts forever).

The result? Heat, chemical reactions, and physical damage that all work together to weaken your system.

Why Should You Care About Partial Discharge?

PD isn’t dramatic, so it’s easy to ignore at first. But trust me, ignoring it is a bad idea.

Here’s what happens if you let PD go unchecked:

Equipment Damage: Over time, it eats away at insulation, leading to breakdowns in transformers, cables, and switchgear. That small issue snowballs into a big, expensive one.

Safety Risks: We’re talking electrical fires, arc flashes, and even explosions. That’s scary enough, but it also puts people in danger.

Downtime: If your equipment fails, your operations grind to a halt. And if you’re running something critical, downtime can cost a fortune.

Skyrocketing Costs: Fixing a big failure is way more expensive than addressing a small problem early. You’ll kick yourself when that repair bill comes.

Basically, if you care about your equipment, your budget, or your sanity, PD needs to be on your radar.

How Do You Even Detect Partial Discharge?

This is where things get cool. You don’t have to wait for PD to wreak havoc. There are tools that let you spot it early and deal with it before it becomes a problem.

Enter the Partial Discharge Camera.

This little gadget uses ultraviolet (UV) imaging to literally let you see PD in action. Partial discharge creates UV emissions that are invisible to the naked eye, but this camera picks them up and pinpoints the exact location of the problem.

It’s like having superpowers for your maintenance team. The best part? You can use it while your system is live—no need to shut everything down.

Other cool tools include:

Thermography: Spots heat from insulation damage.

Acoustic sensors: Listen for the sound of PD (because yes, it makes noise).

Electrical monitors: Detect high-frequency signals caused by PD.

Together, these tools give you a full picture of your system’s health.

Why Early Detection Is a Game-Changer

Let’s say you find PD during a routine inspection. You can now plan a repair during scheduled downtime instead of waiting for your system to fail spectacularly at the worst possible moment.

Proactive maintenance isn’t just about fixing stuff—it’s about preventing problems before they even happen. Early detection lets you:

Extend equipment life: Fixing insulation damage early keeps your systems running longer.

Save money: Repairs cost less when they’re planned. Downtime costs less when it’s on your schedule.

Sleep better at night: Knowing your system is in good shape is priceless.

What Happens If You Ignore PD?

Let’s paint a picture. You’re running a factory, and one of your high-voltage transformers has undetected PD. Over months (or years), it quietly damages the insulation. One day, the transformer fails—hard. Now you’re looking at hours of downtime, emergency repair costs, and angry customers.

Sound like a nightmare? It doesn’t have to be. A single inspection with a Partial Discharge Camera could’ve caught the problem and saved you a ton of money and stress.

What’s Next for PD Detection?

The future of PD detection is looking bright (pun intended). Here are some trends to watch:

AI and Machine Learning: These tools are getting smarter, analyzing data faster and spotting patterns humans might miss.

Portable Devices: Newer tech is smaller and easier to use, so you can take it anywhere.

Cloud-Based Monitoring: Real-time data sharing lets teams collaborate and respond to issues instantly.

Bonus: Better PD detection also means better sustainability. By preventing failures, you extend the life of your equipment, reducing waste and saving energy.

Final Thoughts

Partial discharge might not seem exciting, but trust me—it’s worth paying attention to. Ignoring it can lead to equipment failures, safety risks, and big expenses. But with tools like the Partial Discharge Camera and modern testing techniques, you can catch problems early and keep everything running smoothly.

[learnwithbeeka]

How to Build Emotional Connections Through Digital Content

In this busy digital world, where customers are exposed to all types of information every day, the brands that create an emotional connection stand out. Emotional connections do not just feel warm and fuzzy; they drive trust, brand loyalty, and deep, meaningful relationships. Here's a step-by-step walkthrough on how to craft digital content that truly connects with your audience.

Know Your Audience Intimately

The basis of emotional connections is knowing what makes your audience fear, what they dream of, and what hurts them. Develop a buyer persona to define the skills, behaviors, preferences, or emotional triggers that your audience has.

Study user behavior using analytics tools. Carry out surveys or interviews to get a firsthand understanding from your audience. Track social media to monitor concerns or desires that are trending.

Example: If your audience values sustainability, focus on how your products or services align with their environmental goals.

Embrace Storytelling

Stories have a unique power to evoke emotions and create relatability. They humanize your brand, making it easier for your audience to connect with you.

Share customer success stories that highlight challenges and triumphs. Provide a behind-the-scenes look into your team’s journey. Tell the story of your brand's purpose and why it matters to your audience.

Example: Instead of talking about the feature benefits of your product, tell a story about how it changed someone's life.

Visual and Interactive Content Visual content is emotional. Therefore, using visuals can create strong emotional connections.

Make videos that tell some form of impactful story or can elicit certain emotions such as happiness, hope, or nostalgia. Use interactive content like quizzes and polls to engage your audience. Share behind-the-scenes images that give your brand a personal touch.

Example: A video full of your customers talking from the heart can elicit trust and loyalty.

Personalize Content for Every Interaction

Personalization lets your audience know you respect them as people.

Address your email recipients by name Recommend content or offers based on their preferences or history. Send special occasion greetings or offers personalized to them. Idea: A relevant email that reads, "We thought you would like this because of a recent purchase you made," can really be a game-changer in engagement.

Keep it Relevant and Real

Empathy is about seeing the world through your audience's eyes. Use your content to acknowledge their challenges and offer genuine solutions.

Mention your efforts to solve real-world problems that your audience faces. You should take a stand on causes that are of value to your audiences.

Example: If a segment of your audience happens to be small business owners, use content that helps them navigate economic challenges.

Leverage Emotional Triggers

Certain emotions, such as joy, fear, surprise, or nostalgia, are particularly powerful in driving action.

Joy: Share uplifting stories or achievements. Fear: Highlight challenges your product can solve to eliminate worries. Nostalgia: Use throwbacks or historical moments to connect emotionally.

Example: A campaign focused on "simpler times" can evoke nostalgia and strengthen the connection.

Encourage Active Engagement

Engagement creates two-way emotional engagement. Engage your audience in interacting with your brand through:

Polls and Q&A sessions on social media. User-generated content campaigns where they share their stories or experiences. Respond to comments and messages in a timely manner and authentically.

Example: Request followers to share how your product impacts their daily lives and feature their stories in your campaigns.

Show Appreciation for Your Audience

Express gratitude to your customers and followers by giving a nod to their input.

Feature loyal customers in testimonials. Host contests and giveaways to thank your community. Highlight positive reviews or shoutouts in your posts.

Example: A "customer of the month" feature can make your audience feel valued.

Deliver Consistent Value

An emotional connection thrives on trust, which comes from consistently meeting or exceeding expectations.

Provide actionable, educational content that solves problems. Share exclusive resources or deals with your audience. Do not hype but focus on helping them grow. Blog idea: How-to blog series or downloadable guides tailored to your audience's needs.

Be Authentic Authenticity is the backbone of emotional connection. Speak in a tone that aligns with your brand's personality and values, and stay consistent across all platforms.

Don't try to communicate in an overly polished and impersonal way. Don't hide behind success and failure.

Example: A firm which openly discusses its struggles to adapt to more sustainable practices can resonate very well with the environmentally aware audiences.

Conclusion

This is essentially building emotional connection using digital content in a meaningful exchange of ideas beyond transactions. It is about understanding your audience, allowing your story to be authentic, and showing empathy. It's what transforms your brand into something your audience will come to trust and love. It takes time to build emotional connections but it is worth the effort because at the heart of every successful business is a loyal, emotionally invested customer base.

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At Beeka Ads, we specialize in creating emotionally resonant digital content that inspires trust, loyalty, and meaningful connection. Let's work together to help you transform your brand into one that they'll love and trust.

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