#Early Learning Documentation system

[ccssmanagementsoftware]

Streamline Your Childcare Centre with Xap Technologies' Innovative Tools

Managing a childcare centre involves a lot of moving parts, from scheduling to documenting children's progress. That's where advanced child care applications come in, offering solutions that simplify your daily operations. At Xap Technologies, we provide cutting-edge child care applications that help both educators and parents stay connected, organised, and focused on the children’s development.

Our childcare booking system is a game-changer for busy childcare centres. With this system, parents can easily book and manage their child’s attendance, while staff can access real-time schedules and ensure everything runs smoothly. The childcare booking system reduces the time spent on administrative tasks, allowing your team to focus on providing high-quality care. Whether it's for scheduling, cancellations, or reminders, our system ensures seamless communication between parents and childcare providers.

In addition to the booking system, our Early Learning Documentation system provides a streamlined way for educators to track and document each child's learning journey. This system allows staff to easily capture developmental milestones, learning progress, and key moments. The Early Learning Documentation system offers a digital platform where educators can create detailed reports and observations, giving them a comprehensive view of each child's growth. This system not only helps improve the learning experience but also ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.

At Xap Technologies, we believe in simplifying childcare management so that educators and staff can focus on what truly matters – the children. Our child care applications, childcare booking system, and Early Learning Documentation system provide the tools needed to enhance both operational efficiency and the learning environment. Reach out to Xap Technologies today to discover how our innovative solutions can support your childcare centre’s growth and success.

Source

[ayeforscotland]

What is Dataflow?

This post is inspired by another post about the Crowd Strike IT disaster and a bunch of people being interested in what I mean by Dataflow. Dataflow is my absolute jam and I'm happy to answer as many questions as you like on it. I even put referential pictures in like I'm writing an article, what fun!

I'll probably split this into multiple parts because it'll be a huge post otherwise but here we go!

A Brief History

Our world is dependent on the flow of data. It exists in almost every aspect of our lives and has done so arguably for hundreds if not thousands of years.

At the end of the day, the flow of data is the flow of knowledge and information. Normally most of us refer to data in the context of computing technology (our phones, PCs, tablets etc) but, if we want to get historical about it, the invention of writing and the invention of the Printing Press were great leaps forward in how we increased the flow of information.

Modern Day IT exists for one reason - To support the flow of data.

Whether it's buying something at a shop, sitting staring at an excel sheet at work, or watching Netflix - All of the technology you interact with is to support the flow of data.

Understanding and managing the flow of data is as important to getting us to where we are right now as when we first learned to control and manage water to provide irrigation for early farming and settlement.

Engineering Rigor

When the majority of us turn on the tap to have a drink or take a shower, we expect water to come out. We trust that the water is clean, and we trust that our homes can receive a steady supply of water.

Most of us trust our central heating (insert boiler joke here) and the plugs/sockets in our homes to provide gas and electricity. The reason we trust all of these flows is because there's been rigorous engineering standards built up over decades and centuries.

For example, Scottish Water will understand every component part that makes up their water pipelines. Those pipes, valves, fitting etc will comply with a national, or in some cases international, standard. These companies have diagrams that clearly map all of this out, mostly because they have to legally but also because it also vital for disaster recovery and other compliance issues.

Modern IT

And this is where modern day IT has problems. I'm not saying that modern day tech is a pile of shit. We all have great phones, our PCs can play good games, but it's one thing to craft well-designed products and another thing entirely to think about they all work together.

Because that is what's happened over the past few decades of IT. Organisations have piled on the latest plug-and-play technology (Software or Hardware) and they've built up complex legacy systems that no one really knows how they all work together. They've lost track of how data flows across their organisation which makes the work of cybersecurity, disaster recovery, compliance and general business transformation teams a nightmare.

Some of these systems are entirely dependent on other systems to operate. But that dependency isn't documented. The vast majority of digital transformation projects fail because they get halfway through and realise they hadn't factored in a system that they thought was nothing but was vital to the organisation running.

And this isn't just for-profit organisations, this is the health services, this is national infrastructure, it's everyone.

There's not yet a single standard that says "This is how organisations should control, manage and govern their flows of data."

Why is that relevant to the companies that were affected by Crowd Strike? Would it have stopped it?

Maybe, maybe not. But considering the global impact, it doesn't look like many organisations were prepared for the possibility of a huge chunk of their IT infrastructure going down.

Understanding dataflows help with the preparation for events like this, so organisations can move to mitigate them, and also the recovery side when they do happen. Organisations need to understand which systems are a priority to get back operational and which can be left.

The problem I'm seeing from a lot of organisations at the moment is that they don't know which systems to recover first, and are losing money and reputation while they fight to get things back online. A lot of them are just winging it.

Conclusion of Part 1

Next time I can totally go into diagramming if any of you are interested in that.

How can any organisation actually map their dataflow and what things need to be considered to do so. It'll come across like common sense, but that's why an actual standard is so desperately needed!

[seiwas]

two-part something (shouto x reader)

wc: 1.3k

contains: christmas, holiday parties, santa, mid-20's pro-hero!shouto x assistant!reader

full fic sequel: three-part honesty

a/n: just a lil writing exercise on shouto! first time writing him hehe

shouto’s late to his agency’s holiday party tonight. 

he breathes out, warmth floating as white puffs from his lips. the heating system on his office floor has been turned off, subtext directed solely to him: whoever’s here today, at this time, shouldn’t be.

his fingers move deftly around his waist, routinary—utility belt unbuckling as he reaches his desk. 

the venue for tonight is on one of the lower floors—a function room where briefings and press conferences are normally held. the number of attendees has grown compared to last year’s, sidekicks doubling and staff tripling; expected, given the agency’s projected growth next quarter. 

this is the agency’s third move since humble days in a rented studio unit (one shouto stubbornly and adamantly paid for fully, on his own), but one thing’s invariably stayed the same—

shouto’s office has always existed in its own space, whether tucked in a corner or spread out over an entire floor.

and wherever that space is, so are you. 

he settles in his seat, leather creaking as he twists to stretch his back. it’s been a long night, being dispatched earlier for an emergency downtown. his hand reaches for the folder on his desk, fingers swiping to release the yellow paper clip on the far left corner—evidence of your presence. 

since being hired as his assistant five years ago, you’ve devised a system for shouto that he now deems essential to keeping his entire agency afloat. his own urgency for paperwork hinges on the color of your paper clips (blue for next month, green for next week, yellow for tomorrow, and red for now).  

he should listen to you; the details of this evening’s take-down can be set aside for tomorrow—tomorrow, when everyone’s allowed to clock-in midday for the sake of tonight’s festivities. knowing you though, you’ll still show up early, if only to go over his desk, ensuring to swap that yellow paper clip for red. 

if he finishes this now, you won’t need to ensure anything; in all the years you’ve been his first and only assistant–a perfect match for how much of a workaholic he is–you might actually opt to sleep in for once. 

besides, it’s more productive if he gets it over with; crimes and mishaps never take breaks to party, after all—even during the holidays. 

that’s what he’ll tell you, at least. 

the party’s more for everyone else than him, anyway. 

he clicks his pen, letting out another puff of warm air as he spreads the document in front of him: 

page 1: basic information. identification details, time markers, a summary of the take-down. 

page 2: breakdown of events. scene-by-scene, additional comments, a two-beat knock on his door. 

then comes your voice, soft, unsure—

“sir?” 

—before you step inside, heels clicking against the natural stone finish of his office floor. 

he looks up, wide-eyed, piercing gray and blue. 

your gaze flits to the papers in front of him, eyebrows scrunching before you sigh. there’s an all-too-familiar smile on your face, a quiet chuckle brought about by how characteristic it is of him to be in this situation right now. 

“sir, that report is tagged yellow.” 

he shifts, looking at your paper clip; without a word, the leather of his seat crinkles again. it’s like this with shouto sometimes, you’ve come to learn: a non-response is a response on its own.

when his eyes meet yours, you shiver. 

goosebumps litter the sides of your arms, the decision to forego your blazer leaving yourself exposed to the chill of tonight’s office air. you try to hide it, but some things are impossible to keep from shouto. 

of course he notices your jaw quivering. 

“are you cold?” he stands up immediately, already moving halfway out from behind his desk.

“i’m okay, sir,” you stop him just as quickly, hands motioning for him to stay where he is.

two beats of silence find him tilting his head, gaze as intense as it’s always been pointed towards you. 

“shouto.”

“pardon, sir?” you step closer, leaning forward. 

“call me shouto.” 

the red fabric in your hand almost slips from your hold. 

this isn’t the first time shouto’s insisted on you using his name—he offered it up the moment he hired you, and the day you searched store after store for his thrifted leather chair during the agency’s second move; he’s suggested it plenty over the years, a casual reminder that it’s no big deal—if the world can call him shouto, so should you. 

pro-hero shouto, top three in the charts. 

pro-hero shouto, late to his agency’s holiday party because of paperwork—his tendency to be a workaholic. 

pro-hero shouto, asking you to call him shouto, but not in the way the world does. 

his eyes don’t leave yours as you blink, swallowing down your feelings (inappropriate, you tell yourself). 

“shouto.” you repeat. 

he nods slightly, a small, imperceptible lift to the corners of his lips. there’s an awkward pause as he looks down to the papers on his desk then up at you again.

“the party,” you clear your throat, smoothing out the fabric between your fingers, “you’re running late to your own party, si–shouto.” 

he tilts his head again, confused, “is this party not for everyone else?” 

you blink—he’s got you there. 

“i guess that’s true,” you sigh, chuckling. a pause, “that report is still yellow, though.” 

blue and gray land on white, bond papers spread out on his desk. he could argue with you, but where has that ever gotten him? you’ve kept him in check for years—it’s how he’s managed to stay on top of things. 

he looks down at his jumpsuit, the same shade of blue since he was 15. not much has changed with the design of his hero suit, just an overall sleeker design fit to match his age. the utility belt still exists, albeit more compact and less clunky; a similar modification was done to the straps that run down the sides of his chest. 

if anything, the biggest change is how the suit has molded around him—shoulders more defined, arms large enough for the fabric to cling onto it. shouto’s build has always been lean, but the areas of defined muscle stick out more evidently now that he’s older, much taller and wider.  

“i don’t have a costume.” he pouts.

you grin, stepping closer to his desk, hips digging into the edge. the red santa hat unfurls from your hands as you wave it in front of him—a perfect match to the shades of his hair. 

he blinks before you catch it, the slight curve of his lips as he leans forward, dipping his head low enough for you to reach the top of it. you tiptoe just a bit when you open up the hat to place it over his head.

you’re gentle with your touch, fingers running through the strands of his hair lightly; you tuck them neatly underneath the fluffy white rim of the santa hat. 

(it’s warmer near him, you notice—his quirk regulating a circumference of heat around himself that extends to you right now, you know. but you’re confident you’d still feel your own version of it–on your cheeks, down your neck–even if he weren’t). 

the hat sits perfectly atop his head, much like anything else that’s on him. when you lean back, moving away to take a better look, you notice it—

midnight blue, the backdrop on shouto’s floor-to-ceiling windows, littered with speckles of white—the first snowfall, and one you stand in awe of.

—gasping at the sight. 

you’re still so near when your eyes light up, zeroing in on the view behind him. you can’t help it, that smile on your face, bright and pretty, he thinks; it’s a short moment, but he feels it, a two-part ‘ba-dump’ that resounds in his heartbeat. 

a/n: they thrift the chair bc it's real leather so buying a new one is just no-no + he texts natsuo otw home after the party that he feels a bit funny! (it's just his feelings 😭)

comments, tags, and reblogs are greatly appreciated ♡

[glowettee]

°❀⋆executing your comeback plan (the actual doing part) - part 4/5 °❀⋆

1st post 2nd post 3rd post

posted by: glowettee

hey study angels! ♡

okay so we have this gorgeous plan, but now comes the real tea - actually making it happen! don't worry though, i'm going to break down exactly how to execute your academic glow-up strategy. this little guide will help you make this comeback actually stick!

♡ week one survival guide

this is literally the most important week:

day 1:

set up your study space (make it cute but functional!)

organize all materials by subject

create your new schedule in your planner

gather all missing notes/materials

reach out to study buddies

first week priorities:

stick to your new schedule (even when it's hard!)

document everything in your progress journal

identify early challenges

celebrate small wins

adjust as needed

♡ making the daily grind actually work

consistency is literally everything:

morning routine:

wake up 30 mins earlier than usual (i know it's tough but trust me)

quick review of today's goals

prepare your study space

get in the right mindset (i do positive affirmations in my mirror)

organize materials for the day

during study sessions:

start with the hardest subject (when your brain is fresh!)

use the pomodoro technique (25 mins study, 5 mins break)

actively engage with material (no passive reading!)

take aesthetic but useful notes

check understanding after each session

evening wrap-up:

review what you learned

prep for tomorrow

update your progress tracker

clean your study space

set intentions for tomorrow

♡ active learning techniques that actually work

just reading isn't it, bestie:

the explain-it method:

teach concepts to your stuffed animals, family or friends

record voice memos explaining topics

write explanations in simple terms

create examples from real life

make connections to things you know

practice makes perfect:

solve problems without looking at notes

create your own practice questions

do past exam questions

explain concepts to study buddies

make concept maps

♡ dealing with motivation dips

because they're gonna happen:

when you're feeling unmotivated:

look at your progress tracker

remind yourself why you started

take a cute study break

change your study location

reach out to your study support squad

do something small but productive

emergency motivation boosters:

change up your study playlist

try a new study spot

use different colored pens

take a short walk

message your study accountability partner

reward yourself for small wins

♡ handling setbacks

they're part of the process:

when things go wrong:

take a deep breath (seriously, do it)

identify what happened

adjust your strategy

reach out for help if needed

remember this is temporary

get back on track immediately

prevention strategies:

regular progress checks

weekly schedule reviews

maintaining backup plans

keeping support contacts ready

staying ahead of deadlines

♡ progress tracking system

make it cute but keep it real:

daily tracking:

concepts mastered

time spent studying

questions/confusion points

wins (big and small!)

areas needing more work

weekly review:

compare to previous week

adjust study methods

celebrate improvements

plan next week's focus

update long-term goals

execution is where most plans succeed or fail. it might feel weird at first, but stick with it and you'll see the glow-up!

xoxo, mindy 🎀

[blackstarlineage]

The Kingdom of Benin: An In-Depth Analysis of Africa’s Architectural and Cultural Marvel

Introduction: Benin – A Symbol of African Sovereignty and Innovation

The Kingdom of Benin (circa 1180–1897 CE) was one of the most advanced African civilizations, renowned for its sophisticated governance, military power, artistic mastery, and economic wealth. Located in modern-day Nigeria, it was ruled by the Oba (king) and had a highly organized social and political structure.

From a Garveyite perspective, the study of Benin is essential because it represents:

Black political and military sovereignty – The Benin Empire successfully resisted foreign interference for centuries.

Black artistic excellence – The Benin Bronzes are among the greatest artistic achievements in world history.

Black economic independence – Benin controlled trade in the region, managing its own wealth and resources.

The destruction of Benin by the British in 1897 was not just an act of war—it was an attack on Black civilization itself. By reclaiming the history of Benin, Black people today can learn the importance of self-governance, economic power, and cultural preservation.

1. The Origins and Early Development of the Kingdom of Benin

A. The Foundation of Benin

The Kingdom of Benin was founded by the Edo people, who established settlements in the region as early as 900 CE.

The city of Igodomigodo, the earliest known Benin settlement, evolved into a powerful kingdom under the leadership of the Ogiso dynasty (kings of the sky).

By the 12th century, the kingdom was reorganized under the Oba (king) system, which centralized power and expanded Benin’s influence.

Example: Oral traditions say that the Oba lineage was established when Prince Oranmiyan of Ife was invited to rule, linking Benin to the Yoruba Kingdom of Ife.

Key Takeaway: African civilizations were not random tribes—they were organized states with dynasties and governance systems rivalling those of Europe and Asia.

2. The Political and Military Strength of Benin

A. The Power of the Oba and the Benin Government

The Oba (king) was the supreme ruler, believed to be divinely chosen, and held absolute political and spiritual authority.

Beneath the Oba was a highly structured government, including advisors, chiefs, military commanders, and economic administrators.

The kingdom had an organized legal system, including courts that handled disputes and protected citizens' rights.

Example: Oba Ewuare the Great (1440-1473) expanded Benin’s territory and restructured its government, creating a model of centralized African governance.

Key Takeaway: African states had advanced political systems that ensured stability, justice, and expansion.

B. Benin’s Military Superiority

The Kingdom of Benin had a powerful army, organized into specialized units:

Cavalry units that patrolled the kingdom’s borders.

Infantry forces armed with swords, spears, and poisoned arrows for combat.

Fortified city walls, which made Benin City one of the most secure capitals in Africa.

Example: The Walls of Benin (constructed from earthworks and stretching over 16,000 km) were four times longer than the Great Wall of China, making it one of the largest man-made structures in history.

Key Takeaway: A nation without a strong military can not protect its sovereignty and wealth.

3. The Economic Prosperity of Benin

A. Control Over Regional Trade

Benin was a major economic power, controlling trade routes across West Africa, the Niger Delta, and the Atlantic Coast.

Its economy was built on gold, ivory, palm oil, textiles, and slave trade (before rejecting European exploitation).

Merchants from Portugal, the Netherlands, and England sought trade agreements with Benin, recognizing its wealth and strategic importance.

Example: In the 15th century, Portuguese traders documented Benin as a well-organized state with wealth beyond their expectations.

Key Takeaway: Before European colonization, Africa had self-sufficient economies that did not rely on external aid.

B. The Benin Bronzes: Africa’s Greatest Artistic Masterpieces

Benin was known for its bronze, ivory, and wood sculptures, which depicted Obas, warriors, and historical events.

These artworks were made using the lost-wax casting technique, an advanced metallurgical method that predated similar European techniques.

The Benin Bronzes were not just art—they were historical records that documented the kingdom’s culture, politics, and achievements.

Example: The British looted over 4,000 Benin Bronzes in 1897, which are now displayed in European museums, proving that Africa’s cultural heritage was stolen.

Key Takeaway: Africa had artistic and cultural achievements equal to or surpassing those of Europe and Asia.

4. The Fall of Benin: Lessons for Black People Today

A. The 1897 British Invasion: The Destruction of Black Sovereignty

The British sought to exploit Benin’s wealth but were met with resistance from the Oba and his warriors.

In 1897, the British launched a full-scale invasion known as the Benin Expedition, burning Benin City and looting its treasures.

The Oba Ovonramwen was exiled, and the kingdom was incorporated into the British colonial system.

Example: Over 4,000 Benin Bronzes were stolen and are now kept in European museums, despite calls for their return.

Key Takeaway: Colonialism was not about "civilizing" Africa—it was about destroying African independence and stealing its wealth.

5. The Legacy of Benin and the Garveyite Call for Rebuilding Black Power

A. Reclaiming African History and Cultural Artifacts

The looting of Benin’s treasures is a symbol of how European powers stole Africa’s wealth and history.

Black nations and Pan-African movements must demand the return of stolen African artifacts and preserve their historical sites.

Example: Nigeria has been demanding the return of the Benin Bronzes, with some museums beginning to return them after decades of pressure.

Garveyite Perspective: Africa must reclaim its cultural identity and teach its true history, not the colonial version.

B. The Economic and Political Lessons of Benin

Economic self-reliance is key – Benin controlled its own resources and trade before European interference.

Military strength is necessary – Without strong defenses, Black nations remain vulnerable to foreign exploitation.

Political unity is power – The Oba system kept Benin strong for centuries, proving that organized leadership leads to prosperity.

Example: Modern African nations must control their economies, build strong governments, and protect their cultural heritage.

Garveyite Perspective: Black unity, self-governance, and economic independence are the only paths to true liberation.

Conclusion: Will We Rebuild the Greatness of Benin?

Marcus Garvey once said:

“A race without authority and power is a race without respect.”

Will Black people continue to let foreign nations define our history, or will we reclaim our legacy?

Will we allow African wealth and art to remain in Western museums, or demand its rightful return?

Will we repeat the mistakes of Benin’s downfall, or build new Black-led economies, armies, and governments?

The Choice is Ours. The Time is Now.

[angxl-k9]

I have a sincere and genuine question (one which you are free to ignore)

But I wanted to ask about why you’re pro endogenic/willogenic/nontraumagenic etc.?

I dont ask to stir controversy, but rather because i think I want to understand more about it all and am reaching out to see others experiences in why they believe/see the world how they do

In my early exposure to/learning about systemhood I was taught a lot by those who don’t really like/believe the nontraumagenic claims. As I see more and more of the community and its variations- I find myself more unsure about what is or isn’t true. I ask here instead of consulting the internet because finding clear research on the topic has been increasingly difficult for me and I find I’m not sure exactly where or how to look

Obviously you are probably not the information god of this subject, but i guess I’m looking mostly for your outlook/view on things to just really hear from others in the community on a subject I’m struggling with

hey anon. the biggest reason i’m pro-endo is because i’m part of a mixed origins system. but, i see that that probably isn’t a satisfactory answer to most people wanting to learn more hahaha

the second biggest reason is, well, i am not anyone else nor am i in their brain, so i cannot tell if someone is telling the truth about their experiences or not. therefore, i have to take what people say at face value. if they say they’re a system, i have no right to tell them no, they’re not. that right only belongs to them, and to some extent their psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist.

another reason: the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. just because there is little research into endogenic systems doesnt mean they’re not real. there’s not much undeniable evidence of aliens yet people still believe that they exist. why? because like the human brain, the universe is infinitely complex and we just don’t have the time, money or equipment to study every single aspect of it, especially if those aspects don’t pose an immediate threat on us as humans. endogenic systems themselves aren’t being hurt by their plurality, unlike with did/osdd systems who face severe symptoms with their disorder. in a medical perspective, there’s not much point researching something that isn’t harmful. did and osdd need research so that the systems with those disorders can actually function. endogenic systems with disorders, if they have them, usually have disorders that are already being researched all the time, such as autism, adhd, ocd, bpd, (c)ptsd, etc. so there are already people trained in dealing with those disorders that can help endogenic systems with them, as they would help anyone with them.

however, in saying all that, there actually IS research on endogenic systems, just not as much perhaps as disordered systems. i’ve found some research papers that i like and think are unbiased and fair, so i’m going to make a google doc with links to them, or to where you can download them, and that will be at the bottom of this post. i do think these papers do a lot of help for the endogenic community, especially against sysmedicalists and anti-endos who rely solely on medical evidence and research in order to believe in something (which i absolutely disagree with, i believe we should take what people say about their identity and just believe it without needing ten medical papers to back it up).

i hope this brings a little clarity to my stance on endogenic plurality, and obviously this is just my stance. there are many other systems out there who have different and perhaps better reasons for believing in endogenic plurality. if you’re on reddit at all, i highly highly encourage you to go to r/plural and have a look around there. the people there are so lovely and many of them would love to give you even more resources.

anyway, i hope you have a great day anon, and i hope you find the answers you want about endogenic plurality!

here is the document

and another link to a spreadsheet of more resources

[sophiethewitch1]

I wonder how the batboys would be with a reader with a MAJOR interest in foreign languages. I'm not just talking about knowing several languages, I'm talking about a reader who's also capable of using the basics of so many languages that people don't really tend to learn or even know exist (can you imagine casually speaking Burmese or Catalan in front of the boys??), and they know how to read numerous writing systems. Imagine if the Reader's room is just full of language textbooks and their phone is full of language apps

They'd be incredibly impressed, of course. They all know their fair share of languages, considering their job/hobby/personal exercise routine, but the level of effort and care you put in is astounding.

Tim, despite himself, immediately gets competitive about it. He needs to be on the same level as you, and understand you in all ways. And if you love something as much as you love languages, he needs to love it the same way too. So, get ready for quizzes and competitions galore. He probably adds you on Duolingo, even if you didn't give him your contact details, the little stalker. He wants to win (you).

Dick's absolutely over the moon if you decide to research his family's preferred dialect of Romani. He'll happily teach you and you'll have many quiet, whispered conversations together. The language is quite romantic (it is actually a romance language), just like he is, and he probably starts flirting with you all the time in Romani. Just, constantly hitting on you, but in a way only you can understand, so he doesn't get too embarrassed. Flirt back using his mother tongue, and you'll have a swooning Dick Grayson on your hands.

Damian sees this as a grand opportunity to invite you closer into his space. His family has connections in all of the Middle East and further, and he's got access to thousands of ancient documents in hundreds of languages. Is very smug every time you ask him for his help or a book you think he might have. Which, of course, he does. Even if he doesn't he'll have it soon, so don't go asking the others, alright?

Jason 'number one Shakespeare fan' Todd suggests you start learning some old English with him. And like actual old English, not early modern English like Shakespeare actually used. Enjoys reading classic Russian novels like Dostoevsky in the original text to you. Will also quiz you, but in a chill, uncompetitive way.

[whencyclopedia]

The Gifts of Isis: Women's Status in Ancient Egypt

An inscription on an Egyptian papyrus dating from the 2nd century CE relates that the goddess Isis, bestowing gifts on humanity at the beginning of time, gave as much power and honor to women as she did to men. This brief passage reflects not only the ancient Egyptian value of balance, but the high-status women enjoyed in ancient Egypt.

Although they never had the same rights as males, an Egyptian woman could own property in her own name and hold professions that gave her economic freedom from male relatives. Girls whose families could afford the tuition were educated along with boys beginning around the age of 7 and many went on to professional careers. Women could serve as clergy, practice medicine, handle money, travel alone for business purposes, and make real estate transactions. Most women, however, were groomed for marriage, became homemakers, and were taught by their mothers to cook, clean, sew, and weave.

A wife was entitled to one third of any property that she owned jointly with her husband and, on her death, could will her property to anyone she wished, male or female. Egyptian women were equal in the court system and could act as witnesses, plaintiffs, or defendants (as one would understand those terms today). Women were accountable for crimes they committed and would have to stand trial the same as any man.

The equality of the “gifts of Isis” did not mean, however, that women had completely equal rights with men; only that they were regarded as equals under the law. Egyptian society was patriarchal and hierarchical but, even so, offered women more rights than almost every other ancient civilization. This paradigm was observed from at least the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3150-c. 2613 BCE) until the fourth century and the rise of Christianity.

Education

Until the age of around 4, boys and girls were kept under the care of their mothers, usually residing in the women’s quarters of a home. After that age, boys began to learn their father’s trade or were sent to school, depending on the social class of the family. Girls remained with their mothers unless the father chose (and could afford) to send her to school. The Egyptian curriculum included astronomy, geography, mathematics, music, medical applications, reading, religion, writing, and physical education, among other subjects. Scholar Rosalie David comments:

Royal tutors taught some of the nobles’ children together with the king’s offspring, and future officials for the home and foreign services attended special training schools. Despite this hereditary pattern in the professions, some children of humble origin were able to receive education alongside the sons of the wealthy and powerful and to pursue important careers. However, education was not free, and each family was expected to pay in kind; in country areas, they would have offered the produce of the land. (205)

The” children of humble origin” could include girls if their parents could afford the cost and recognized either a certain aptitude or family need. An example might be a business the father wished to keep in the family and so wanted his daughters educated as accountants or supervisors, knowing he could trust them, but there is documentation of highly educated women who became career professionals such as Merit-Ptah, the royal court’s chief physician c. 2700 BCE and the first female doctor in world history known by name.

Women’s opportunities in ancient Egypt were determined by their social class, just as men’s were, having nothing to do with gender. Scholar Barbara Watterson notes:

The fact that, unlike women of most ancient civilizations and also of some modern countries, ancient Egyptian women enjoyed the same rights under the law as ancient Egyptian men, goes a long way towards explaining their relatively high social position. “You have made a power for the women equal to that of the men,” words written in praise of Isis, and quoted in a papyrus of the second century AD, might have been written with this in mind; and the point is one that many scholars have commented upon. The de jure rights of an ancient Egyptian woman depended on her class in society and not upon her sex. The king of Egypt was chief lawgiver and upholder of the law; and in theory everyone in Egypt, both male and female, noble and peasant, was equal under the law and had the right of access to the king in order to obtain justice. In practice, as might be expected, some, notably the rich and powerful, were more equal than others. (34)

Although the opportunity under the law was there for women to receive an education, however, did not mean that every woman could afford to seize it and many, if not most, may not even have been aware of their rights. Egypt was, generally speaking, an insular society and, especially in rural areas, a young girl may not have known that education was even a possibility. There is ample evidence, however, through correspondence, that many women could read and write even among the majority who married and raised a family.

Continue reading...

[cisthoughtcrime]

I’m interested in learning Latin, where would you suggest I start?

So exciting! I'll try to keep this short:

I recommend starting with this very short informal intro, especially if you don't have a strong grasp on technical terms about grammar (most textbooks take that for granted). Latin grammar follows a rigid organisational system and the earlier you understand how it works, the easier it will be to learn the rest of the language. The 18-page PDF in the link uses English examples and practice questions to go through basic Latin grammar concepts and tables. It doesn't go through less basic things like participles or conditional clauses, but it does explain everything you need to know in order to learn those more easily. It also includes a hyperlinked list of good online resources for self-taught Latin and Greek students.

If you want to work through a textbook, Wheelock's Latin is probably the most widely used and comes with a lot of accompanying resources and guides (even though the official website looks older than Rome). Ecce Romani may be a bit more approachable and there are plenty of unofficial online lessons and guides made to go along with it. Those are my top two personally; I know some people like Latin Via Ovid because the practice texts are adapted from an actual ancient text about different myths, but imho I don't think it's as good a starting point if you're teaching yourself from scratch. Keep in mind that they'll all follow different formats for conjugation/declension tables, which can make it a bit confusing to switch between them; the short intro in that first link is a good way to understand how these charts work well enough to use them no matter the format.

There are tons of free resources online, even including full recordings of lessons, live study groups to join, communities with forum posting, and written-out explanations. For any individual concept that's troubling you, there are almost definitely multiple youtube videos of someone in front of a whiteboard saying it differently from the textbooks. Again, there's a good list included in that first document.

For practice in reading and understanding without deliberately translating, it's fun to try reading Latin translations of books you already know well in English, like Harrius Potter, Hobbitus Ille, Winnie Ille Pu, Alicia In Terra Mirabili, and many, many more, most of which are free on Archive and/or can be bought as physical copies.

However, this will be much more rewarding once you've built up some vocabulary and grammar, and might be frustrating or discouraging if you try the long ones too early, especially since they sometimes use words irregularly to convey modern meanings.

There are also a handful of recently-written stories in Latin targeted at students who like this kind of practice more. The German Netflix series Barbarians has all the Roman characters speaking in real Latin, and listening to it with subtitles can help build your ear for what sounds right.

Those are my recs for where to start! If you're stuck on something and can't find a good explanation, you can also send me an ask about it and I'm always happy to lay out how I think about it (even if my response times are irregular).

Good luck and enjoy!

[bestanimal]

Round 3 - Reptilia - Podicipediformes

(Sources - 1, 2, 3, 4)

Our next order of birds are the Podicipediformes, commonly known as “grebes”. They are composed of one family, Podicipedidae, and 6 living genera containing 22 species.

Grebes are aquatic birds, though they do not have webbed feet, instead having lobes that come out the side of each toe. They cannot fly well, and they prefer to escape predators by diving under the water and swiftly swimming away. Their feet are set far back on their bodies, making them well suited for paddling and diving, but not for walking on land. Most species can not walk on land and spend their entire lives in the water. Grebes can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and usually reside in freshwater habitats during the warmer months, some migrating to marine habitats along the coast in the Winter. Those that can fly only do so at night to avoid being detected by predators. Most grebes eat aquatic invertebrates such as crayfish, while some larger grebes have long, spear-like bills adapted for catching and feeding on fish and amphibians.

Grebes are perhaps most famous for their elaborate courtship displays, which involve the pair performing synchronized duets and dances on the water’s surface. Some species do a "penguin dance" where the male and female stand upright, breast posturing out while they run along the water's surface, in a display of athleticism and agility (see gif below the read more). Some species perform a "weed dance" in which both partners hold pieces of aquatic vegetation in their bills. There is also the "weed rush" in which partners swim towards each other, necks stretched out with plants in their bill, and just before colliding position themselves upright and then swim in parallel. If the female decides the male has danced well, they will mate on floating vegetation. Females lay two to seven eggs on a floating nest, either at the water’s edge or anchored to reeds some distance from shore. If the parents have to leave the nest for a time, they will cover the eggs in weeds to hide them. Incubation can last nearly a month. Once the whole nest has hatched, the chicks climb on one of their parent's backs, as they do not quickly take to the water as well as waterfowl. Both parents take care of rearing their young. One parent usually dives for food while the other carries the young on the surface. After four weeks the chicks begin learning to swim, but will still return to their parents’ backs for safety.

Grebes belong to the clade Mirandornithes, which they share with flamingos. Basal members of Mirandornithes, such as Juncitarsus, existed in the Eocene before the two orders diverged, but it is not known when the split occurred as transitional grebe fossils are rare. True grebes do not appear in the fossil record until the Late Oligocene or Early Miocene, around 23–25 million years ago.

Propaganda under the cut:

Some grebes eat their own feathers to aid in digestion, as the soft feathers will protect their digestive system from sharp fish bones and invertebrate exoskeletons, and also act as a filtering “plug” to hold bones in place until digestion. They will even feed feathers to their young.

Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) (image 4) feathers were formerly used as decorations on hats and earmuffs, and they were hunted in the Eastern United States in the 19th century.

Ecologist Anne LaBastille documented the decline of the Atitlán Grebe (Podilymbus gigas) over a period of 25 years. The Atitlán Grebe was a large, flightless grebe that looked like a giant Pied-billed Grebe. The decline of the Atitlán Grebe began in 1958 after Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) were introduced into Lake Atitlán for fishermen to catch. These invasive species reduced the crabs and fish which the grebes depended on for food and killed grebe chicks. The population of the Atitlán Grebe declined from 200 individuals in 1960 to 80 in 1965. Anne LaBastille made efforts to establish a refuge in 1966, where the species was able to rebound. Unfortunately, after the 1976 Guatemala earthquake, the refuge’s lake bed fractured and began to drain. By 1983 only 32 individuals were left, many of which were hybrids with the Pied-billed Grebe. The last two birds were seen in 1989, and it was declared extinct by 1990. The same fate happened to the Colombian Grebe (Podiceps andinus) in 1977, and the Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus) of Madagascar in 2010, also due to the introduction of invasive fish and loss of habitat. Lake-dwelling grebes are especially vulnerable to extinction as they usually only live in one or a few lakes, and are not quickly able to disperse elsewhere.

The Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) is the smallest species of grebe, ranging from 21–27 cm (8.3–10.6 in) long and weighing 112–180 g (4.0–6.3 oz). They have a breeding call which has been compared to the sound of a horse whinnying.

Western Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis) have a “ticking” alarm call that is only used to signal to their chicks that danger is near. If on their parents’ backs, the chicks will hide their heads and go silent. If the chicks are old enough to be in the water, they may dive and swim away to hide.

The Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) (image 1) has 4 pair-bonding ceremonies: the discovery ceremony, the weed ceremony, the head-shaking ceremony, and the triumph ceremony. The discovery ceremony begins with advertising displays, which include an upright posture, erect "horns" and sounding their advertising call. Then, they will both engage in bouts of penguin dance and preening. The discovery ceremony is to ensure correct species identification, sex, and compatibility. The weed ceremony follows the completion of a successful discovery ceremony. The male and female will dive, retrieve weeds, and rise in synchronisation. The pair will come breast-to-breast with their weeds then turn side by side to continue swimming. The weed rush can continue multiple times until both individuals are satisfied. Finally, the head-shaking ceremony and triumph ceremony are performed for primarily established pairs.

The critically endangered Hooded Grebe (Podiceps gallardoi) is most threatened by the American Mink (Neogale vison), which was introduced to Argentina after the minks escaped or were released from fur farms. Between 2010 and 2011, when the minks were first introduced, they killed more than half the adults in a breeding colony of two dozen nests. Between 2012 and 2013, just one mink killed 15 adults and 7 juveniles at El Cervecero and 10 adults and 5 chicks at the C199 colony in La Siberia plateau. They are also threatened by the overgrazing of domestic sheep (which leads to erosion), territorial Flying Steamer Ducks (Tachyeres patachonicus), and predation by Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus).

Around 30% of grebe species are threatened, as they are shy birds particularly sensitive to human disturbance. Boats, even just the waves from them, may destroy floating grebe nests or scare the parents enough to cause them to abandon the nest. They are vulnerable to habitat loss, entanglement in fishing nets, and the introduction of invasive species such as predatory fish.

[aamputation]

SVSSS AU ... Benevolent System 0.4

related to [THIS] Shen Yuan art and -> [1st][2nd][3rd][5th]

Shang Qinghua is no stranger to his own misery. Having reincarnated into the world of his own Proud Immortal Demon Way, he had quickly learned that setting the world of his web novel in one full of wank and shitty porn tropes was a terrible idea. But that wasn’t the worst part. No, the worst part was that he had been reborn as a canon fodder character, the snake-like traitor destined to be tossed aside and murdered by the very demon king he’d become a traitor for in the first place!

But what really irks him now is not his imminent demise. It’s Wu Shuang Huang Gua—Peerless Cucumber.

Shang Qinghua has always been overly aware of Peerless Cucumber—this ridiculous, scathing, critic with an endless vendetta against his web novel. Everything the guy wrote cut to the quick with the sharpness of a blade, each flaw magnified and publicly mocked. Shang Qinghua always knew that Cucumber was an online force to be reckoned with, even if the guy was one of the few he could count on to help pay his bills! What he hates to admit the most about the persistent bastard even now, is that Shang Qinghua actually likes the guy. Yes, his reviews were scathing and harsh and sometimes they made him cry when he was at his lowest—frantically typing out absolute garbage just to pay his bills—but beneath all the vitriol Shang Qinghua sees the guy’s intention. Cucumber had been around since the beginning, after all. He remembers the first few reviews, excited while praising his world-building and his plot hooks, rooting for Binghe and overall positive. Anything negative in those early days were primarily critiquing his actual grammar like a real beta reader or editor would, and Shang Qinghua had been so grateful for the feedback.

When he’d fallen on hard times, he’d had to lose his artistic integrity to write what paid the bills. He’d been so afraid that he would lose his favorite supporter, that Cucumber-bro—as he’d taken to calling the faceless guy in his head—would abandon him and his story entirely as the things that Cucumber-bro’s had loved the most took an unfortunate backseat to the typical YY stallion genre smut tropes. He’d been surprised but ecstatic that his favorite reviewer hadn’t up and left as the guy continued to review, chapter after god-awful chapter, but Shang Qinghua despaired that he’d lost the beloved excitement from Cucumber’s reviews. Partially for himself and partially as a way to keep some integrity, he’d promised himself that when he’d finished Proud Immortal Demon Way, he would somehow get the world-building document he’d been compiling into Cucumber-bro’s hands, as a way to thank him for being such a loyal fan-turned-antifan; for sticking by his side even through the rough patches.

(There were times, dear reader, that Shang Qinghua had felt so downtrodden and alone, that he would go back to re-read those initial reviews from the beginning chapters, if only to feel that kind of uplifting support again.)

When he’d accidentally electrocuted himself with cup noodles while trying to finish the real final chapter—the one without a cliffhanger, that is—only to find himself as an infant in another world, he’d despaired losing the one potential friend he’d had in a long time. Growing up as Shang Qinghua with a solemn, insistent System dictating his life through mandatory missions was unbearably lonely, even after meeting Mobei-Jun—and oh, his ideal man in the flesh was perfect, even all beat to shit—leaving him to long for the days of opening his inbox to yet another scathing, bitchy message from his favorite anonymous person.

Shang Qinghua realizes something’s off when he’s poring over intake forms after the latest acquisition for Cang Qiong’s libraries. Part of his duties as An Ding’s Peak Lord is handling trade agreements and the Sect’s import-exports. Both Qing Jing and Ling You had requested a significant number of new texts this time, although the former’s request was not as much of a surprise as the latter. Normally, such documents just gave him anxiety, but for some reason the fact that the Beast Peak was requesting books of all things rather than the usual feed or other tools captures his attention. The overlap is bizarre, and he squints at the name of the text that appears on both Peaks’ lists, frowning in confusion.

Now, it’s been a while since Shang Qinghua has reincarnated into PIDW, but as the author of the damn universe he can’t remember including the Complete Compendium of Beasts: Volume 1 in his canon. Dropping the intake forms and adding to the already massive mess on his desk, he calls for his head disciple Yan Qi. He requests she bring him a copy of one of the requisitioned Bestiaries, and of course as efficiently as ever, she gets it into his hands within minutes. He examines it, curious as to what makes this Bestiary so special that not only the Beast peak is requesting it, but the Scholarly peak as well. At first glance it’s nondescript, but well bound. Paper being as expensive as it is, it’s clear that this is a luxury item, specially designed for cultivation sects or wealthy patrons. His curiosity gets the best of him, and he opens the book. 

The first thing that strikes him is the overwhelming level of detail. There are illustrations—meticulously drawn, filled with sophisticated textures. Each entry chronicles a creature, beast, or monster that had appeared in the original text of Proud Immortal Demon Way—analyzed in painstaking detail. Descriptions of these beasts are paired with psychological analyses of their behaviors, notes about ecosystems, hierarchical structures, and even speculation about the emotions of each creature. The Proud Immortal Demon Way he’d written didn’t have such elaborate and creative lore about these creatures in the text. Sure, they were mentioned in passing as stepping stones for his son’s growth and development, but not anywhere near this level of detail. One particular illustration catches his eye: a massive, mythical beast called a Veilclaw Phantasmal Stag. Its spindly antlers somehow glow, its body translucent as clouds of mist billow around it; twisting and bending as though the tendrils might lash out and strangle him from the very paper itself. The description accompanying it is just as meticulous—its behavior, the way its hooves leave no trace in the world, even how its mournful cries can influence the mind. 

“Wait a minute…" Shang Qinghua mutters to himself, his breath catching, "this… I never actually put this one in PIDW.”

Shang Qinghua remembers creating this creature. The only reason he hadn’t included it was because he hadn’t wanted Cucumber-bro to berate him for the obvious comparison to Shishigami from Mononoke Hime. The Veilclaw Phantasmal Stag only ever existed in his massive compilation of world-building notes, never making it into his actual web novel text as a true canonical creature. And yet…

“Ho- How does the author know about this? Did… did my notes somehow become canon?”

That’s a scary thought.

Feverishly, he reads on. What strikes Shang Qinghua the most as he reads is the way each entry is written. The entries aren't cold or dismissive, but passionate, lively. Thorough, yes, but never dry or boring. There’s a love for these creatures that is so genuine Shang Qinghua can’t help but wonder what kind of person the author is, and honestly kind of wants to meet them, this person so enamored with the fauna of his world. The footnotes are even more bizarre, seemingly the author’s afterthoughts. It gives him minor tonal whiplash but it’s still just as brilliant, pointing out subtle contradictions in Shang Qinghua’s web novel’s lore about similar creatures, snarky and pointed. The writing there, tucked in those footnotes, feels... familiar; personal. The tone is scathing, yes—ridiculously so, actually—but there is also a deeply intimate understanding of Shang Qinghua’s world-building; a hint of nigh omniscience that he hasn’t experienced from anyone else aside from himself, as the author and creator of this universe. No one besides him should have this kind of encyclopedic knowledge…

As he flips through the other pages, each one more well-researched than the last, something clicks in his head.

Shang Qinghua frantically searches for the author’s name and upon finding it, drops the bestiary as if it has burned him.

Wu Huang. 

Peerless Cucumber. 

The bitchiest, most critical, most sarcastic, and most self-righteous anti-fan of his work; the biggest Binghe-stan and the ultimate hater of anything papapa, the most loyal of all and the only one he could count on to pay his bills. And now—now—Cucumber-bro is somehow here, in the same world Shang Qinghua is trapped in, living out the very thing the guy had spent countless hours tearing apart.

What–and he cannot emphasize this enough–the fuck!?

[1st] | [3rd] < > [5th]

shout out to adornedwithlight for the reblog banner

[ccssmanagementsoftware]

Effortlessly Manage Your Childcare Centre with Xap Technologies' Advanced Solutions

Running a childcare centre comes with its challenges, especially when it comes to managing bookings, documentation, and communication. That’s where free childcare apps come in. Xap Technologies offers innovative free childcare apps that streamline daily operations and make managing your centre much easier. These apps are designed to help both parents and staff stay connected, reducing administrative workload and allowing for more time focused on the children.

One of the standout features of our technology is the childcare booking system. With our childcare booking system, parents can easily book and manage their child’s attendance online, while staff have real-time access to up-to-date schedules. The system also sends automatic reminders and helps avoid double bookings, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. This integrated booking system not only simplifies scheduling but also improves communication with parents, making them feel more involved in their child’s childcare experience.

Additionally, our Early Learning Documentation system allows educators to track and record each child’s learning progress. With this system, teachers can easily document milestones, activities, and developmental progress in real time. The Early Learning Documentation system ensures that every detail is captured, making it easier for educators to plan personalised learning experiences for each child. This system also simplifies compliance with educational standards and gives parents easy access to detailed reports about their child’s growth.

At Xap Technologies, we provide childcare centres with the tools they need to improve efficiency and offer a high-quality learning environment. From our free childcare apps to our robust childcare booking system and comprehensive Early Learning Documentation system, our solutions help you focus on what matters most: the children. Contact Xap Technologies today to see how our solutions can transform your childcare operations!

Source

[butts-bouncing-on-the-beltway]

Oh, also, I really hope that this point isn't news to anyone, but if you don't already have a basic understanding of what it means to develop information security, now is the fucking time.

Critically, I want to see people being responsible in how they interact with:

A) the dissemination of information and the correction or disruption of misinformation

B) privacy related or personal data (of themselves, but ESPECIALLY of others who you could unknowingly harm)

C) pictures and visual media

D) your bodies: not a good time to start leaving traces of yourself where they shouldn't be, e.g. blood, saliva, etc

E) triangulatory/tangential information (you know that guy who can tell where you are by the weather descriptions? That's an extreme example very few people can pull off, but you'd be horrified how little info I need about someone to correctly interpret whole sections of their personal history and data)

F) other people. If you have never formally done so, find a conflict resolution/group facilitation class with a local organizing group or community college. Start learning what healthy boundaries (flexible, but neither porous nor rigid) look like for you. Pick a communication style to cultivate so you can be consistent in how you navigate stressful moments. Figure out what it means to you to share space with others with intention. (And yes, there is no one way to do this, but every one of us will need to find our most secure version, whatever that is, ESPECIALLY those of us who are already vulnerable here due to past trauma, neurotype, TBI, healthcare/wellbeing needs, etc)

I'm a really open book in a lot of ways, and yall might rightly look at that and go "butts you're one to talk about infosec"

And yeah. Yeah. But like.

I know what you know. I made those choices on purpose or at the very least addressed the aftermath of the accidents with intention. I also know what I did to be protective of myself and my info, and you don't know those things. You should know how to do them for yourself though, because it will help you understand why I can have done what I've done over the years and still say this now.

It matters what people know. It matters how easy that knowledge is to revisit. It matters how much of that knowledge is heresay vs documented and verifiable. It matters what contrary information is ALSO known. It matters what interconnected information about OTHER PEOPLE is known. It matters when you haven't said anything at all versus when you said a bit versus when you said a LOT. It matters when you say a lot without saying anything at all.

Information gathering is about putting together puzzle pieces. It's slow work, and it involves a massive amount of resources to do comprehensively and at scale. Information security is about making the gathering process not worth the investment such that the gatherers give up before they are able to put together enough pieces to do real damage. This is what "need to know" means.

For example, in a healthcare practice, it is a HIPAA requirement that access to protected patient info be limited to those who have a clinically relevant reason for accessing it. This means that certain system credentials or permissions will reveal varying amounts of protected information about a person. While one MIGHT be able to put together enough puzzle pieces for certain minor information gathering from early stages (e.g. where someone will be a the specific time of their appt), one likely cannot identify deeper and more vulnerable levels of information (who is the appt with and what is it for?)

This kind of layered buffer is most important when people who AREN'T PERMITTED (permited as in able to do without effective correction/consequence, not permitted as in legally or appropriately authorized to do) to access this info are trying to access it. If someone is permitted (e.g. if person with the appropriate credentials/access permission discloses it voluntarily or if a subpoena is ordered, etc) then the level of access is less protective - they will typically simply access the level of info they need if they will be permitted to.

But there are further layers still of information security. For example, you can tie up a LOT of time forcing authorized bodies to refresh and specify their authorization over and over again, each time appropriately only providing the exact level of disclosure they have required of you. The more specific the information they are looking for, the easier it is to bury so deep down that they literally cannot access it even if they are looking right at it.

I was taught to write documentation "like at any time it could be read out by the patient in front of you, or by another provider asking us to justify a treatment, or in open court by order of a judge". For a year, my supervisor had me write four copies of every piece of documentation I ever made. My personal copy (burned upon completion of the billable note), my "soft note" that removed all protected/identifiable information from the narrative (e.g. names, ages, genders, specific diagnoses/conditions), my "hardnote" which removed anything "heresay" which had been self-reported by the patient unless I could professionally verify it), and lastly my billable note which I understood needed to offer "detailed justificstion" for the used (and named) interventions which cannot be used to work backwards and interpret the originating care conversation.

The only note that ever gets read by anyone but myself is the billable, because they others are never retained long enough to be seen by others, even if they do have the appropriate access. It becomes very difficult for someone to use the hard data they are capable of getting from me, voluntarily or by force, to actually confirm context. This is a similar principle when orhanizers compartmentalize need-to-information.

So start learning what it looks like to cordon off each layer of infosec you're about to implement in your life. What it will look like to grant someone access to a new layer.

Be responsible. We protect us.

[glowettee]

˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚maintaining your academic glow-up (forever!) - part 5/5˚₊‧꒰ა ♡ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

1st post 2nd post 3rd post 4th post 5th post

posted by: glowettee

hey academic angels! ♡

we've made it to the final part of our grade recovery journey! now that you're back on track, i wanna talk about how to keep that academic glow permanent. because we're not just trying to fix one grade - we're creating a whole new you! and we want it to last as long as possible <3

♡ creating your prevention system

catch problems before they happen:

early warning signs:

feeling confused in class more than usual

taking longer to complete assignments

procrastinating more than normal

losing interest in subjects

feeling overwhelmed easily

skipping study sessions

quick intervention steps:

review your notes daily (even if just for 15 mins!)

keep a confusion log for each class

schedule regular check-ins with professors/teachers

maintain your study buddy system

track your understanding weekly

stay ahead of readings

♡ building sustainable study habits

because we're in this for the long haul:

daily non-negotiables:

review today's class notes (make them pretty but useful)

preview tomorrow's material

update your planner

check for upcoming deadlines

organize materials for next day

celebrate small victories

weekly must-dos:

deep review of tough concepts

organize notes and materials

plan next week's study schedule

check assignment progress

connect with study group

reflect on what's working

♡ maintaining your academic aesthetic

looking cute while studying actually helps:

your study space:

keep it clean and organized

update inspiration board regularly

maintain good lighting

rotate study locations when needed

keep supplies stocked and cute

create seasonal study vibes

your materials:

color code consistently

update planners weekly

maintain digital backups

organize notes beautifully

keep supplies aesthetic but functional

create pretty study guides

♡ long-term success strategies

thinking ahead like the queen you are:

grade monitoring:

track all assignments and tests

calculate grade scenarios

maintain grade goals

document improvement patterns

celebrate progress milestones

adjust strategies as needed

knowledge building:

connect concepts across subjects

create master study guides

maintain concept maps

build on previous learning

develop deep understanding

share knowledge with others

♡ emergency preparation

because life loves to throw curveballs:

your emergency kit:

quick review sheets for each subject

backup study materials

digital copies of everything

contact list for help

stress-relief techniques

backup study locations

preventive measures:

stay ahead in readings

maintain good notes

keep organized files

build support networks

practice self-care regularly

maintain work-life balance

♡ mindset maintenance

keeping your academic confidence high:

daily practices:

positive study affirmations

progress appreciation

growth mindset exercises

self-care routines

gratitude journaling

visualization exercises

long-term mindset:

view challenges as opportunities

celebrate all progress

maintain high standards (but be kind to yourself)

focus on growth, not just grades

build academic confidence

stay curious and engaged

maintaining success is like maintaining your favorite aesthetic - it needs constant care and attention, but it's so worth it!

final thoughts:

trust your systems

stay consistent

keep things cute but functional

maintain your support network

celebrate every win

keep growing and glowing

thank you for joining me on this journey! remember, you're capable of amazing things, and one bad grade doesn't define your academic story. keep shining, keep studying, and keep being absolutely amazing!

stay brilliant and beautiful!

xoxo, mindy 🎀

[transmutationisms]

sorry if you've answered this before, but how do you keep track of all your readings? do you have a crazy well organised zotero system? how do you take notes?

I use zotero yes but it's not particularly organised. I have folders for each of my grad classes (when I had those) and then I try to make new folders whenever I'm looking at a new subtopic or body of literature.

it's really an imperfect system though, like truly you don't have to be a professional organising wizard to make this work. for example here are six real folders that exist in my zotero and will do permanently:

Lamarck &c <- secondary literature about Lamarck; some of Lamarck's own works

Lamarck 20thc <- specific clump of early 20th century literature on Lamarck that is usually considered to be secondary literature but that is also occasionally useful to me as primary literature

Lamarck biog <- archival documents pertaining to Lamarck's life; some of Lamarck's own works

Lamarck primary but not authored <- primary biographical sources on Lamarck but nothing he wrote himself

Lamarck primary <- a misnomer, this one means primary sources written by other people who happen to be relevant to things I want to say about Lamarck

5033 <- classwork & term paper pertaining to Lamarck from 2019

these collectively account for maybe 20% of my zotero library and the rest is in similar condition. it's fine because Eye remember the years-long process of that ⬆️ happening and so those folders are still useful mental collections for me. don't let getting organised stand in the way of actually reading things you want to read lol.

when I take notes on nonfic I prioritise reminding myself what page numbers I can find key ideas on. occasionally I write out a full quote but usually my notes look more like this (real copy/paste from the last thing I had open):

145 q about how much influence these doctors had in strengthening the medical profession prior to 1914; focus on their contributions to professional reform. Campaign to abolish the position of health officer in 1870s, aftermath of Medical Reform Act of 1892, efforts to reform pharmacy and nursing. Physician-legislators played an important part in the reorganisation of the medical field post 1870s, but their ability to do so was hindered by the demands of a political career and the expectation that they served as rural spokesmen. 170 narrow focus of professional goals made it hard to equate them with social improvement. The structure of Third Republic politics limited the power of parliament to alter the social forces that regulated progress in the health professions

like the point isn't to learn special journallingg techniques, it's just prompts so I can go back and find things when I'm like "wait who the fuck was saying something about parliamentary structures and doctor careers..?"

I do all my note-taking in zotero as well because then I can text-search all of it in one place with the books themselves (the ones I pirate anyway, which is most).

so the key techniques here for me really boil down to 1) group things together however will make most sense when I'm prompting myself in the future and 2) make it all text-searchable. I don't have some steel trap memory lol I just try to work around what I do have as best I can.

[thetimesofindia]

As US shuts doors to global talent, India must open its own wider

America’s strength has long come from attracting the world’s brightest minds and backing them with deep pockets and bold research institutions. But in a stunning act of self-sabotage, President Donald Trump is dismantling that advantage—visa by visa, budget cut by budget cut. For India, this could be a turning point. For the US, it’s a slow-motion collapse of one of its greatest engines of innovation.Harvard University, long considered a global leader in education and research, has had its authority to enrol international students revoked. Over $2.7 billion in federal research funding has been frozen. MIT has cut back on graduate admissions and laid off research staff. The University of California system is suing to protect funding. Projects in cancer research, climate science, and quantum computing are being disrupted or shut down entirely. Although a federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration’s actions against Harvard, the chilling effect remains. The message to international students and researchers is clear: they are no longer welcome. And it’s not just about visas—this is about dismantling the infrastructure that made the US a science and technology superpower.

This decline is especially tragic given the historic accomplishments of American research institutions. Public investments in university science have given us not just medical miracles and digital revolutions, but entire industries. Funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) helped spawn biotech, cleantech, and nanotech. DARPA grants for defence R&D gave us GPS and the early internet.

These are the roots of the US innovation economy. Undermining them is like ripping out the foundation of a skyscraper mid-construction.More than half of Silicon Valley’s startups had at least one immigrant founder. A third of those were Indian. My research at Duke, Harvard, and UC-Berkeley documented that Indian entrepreneurs have founded more Silicon Valley startups than immigrants from the UK, China, and Taiwan combined. These companies didn’t just create wealth—they created entire industries and hundreds of thousands of American jobs.That pipeline is now shutting down.

Years of restrictive immigration policies, chronic green card backlogs, and now open political hostility have driven away many of the world’s best minds. Enrolment by international students is in steep decline. Top-tier researchers are heading for friendlier shores.Now, Trump is gutting the very universities that have fuelled America’s innovation economy for generations. The same institutions that gave birth to Google, GPS, and gene editing are laying off faculty and cutting lab budgets. NIH and NSF grants—the lifeblood of American science—are being frozen or slashed. And students who once saw the US as the pinnacle of opportunity are looking elsewhere.The economic cost is massive. International students contribute over $40 billion annually to the US economy.

They pay full tuition, rent housing, buy food, and many go on to launch companies and file patents. Research funding supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across every state and underpins the industries of tomorrow.The strategic cost is even greater. America’s lead in artificial intelligence, biotech, and clean energy depends on its ability to attract and retain global talent. Undermining this system doesn’t just weaken universities—it threatens the US’s position in the global economy.And it’s not just the research funding that’s under attack—it’s the people who bring that research to life.

For decades, the US enjoyed the greatest free lunch in the history of education and entrepreneurship as the smartest students from India, China, and across the globe came to study here. They didn’t just learn—they stayed, built companies, and created jobs. Now, Indian students are rethinking whether the US is still the best place to study or build a future. With its increasingly uncertain immigration policies and declining openness, it is no longer the obvious first choice.India, in contrast, is becoming more capable of absorbing and advancing global talent. Its research institutions are demonstrating world-class capabilities. The country has produced affordable vaccines, pioneered frugal engineering, and launched space missions on a fraction of Nasa’s budget.

It has a growing startup ecosystem, access to global capital, and one vital asset China lacks: a democratic system that supports openness, debate, and collaboration.India is not yet ready to replace the US as a global research superpower—but it is well-positioned to inherit the talent and energy America is turning away. But seizing the opportunity will require more than goodwill. India will need to invest in its research infrastructure, improve its regulatory environment, and incentivise public-private collaboration. It will need to create pathways for Indian-origin scientists abroad to return—and for foreign researchers to come. Most importantly, it must treat research not as a luxury, but as a national priority.Trump could help make India great again.