#Planetary Conservation

[raffaellopalandri]

World Earth Day: Confronting Capitalism and Indifference in the Planetary Crisis

In this annual celebration of the World Earth Day, we are compelled to confront a stark reality: our planetary home, a delicate and intricate system of interconnected biophysical and ecological processes honed over eons, faces an unprecedented crisis. Image taken from Internet This exigency is not merely a matter of isolated environmental perturbations, but rather a systemic unraveling driven…

[delicatelysublimeforester]

Earth Month and Indigenous Resurgence: Reclaiming Our Place in the Circle of Life

[theplotmage]

Principles and Laws of Magic for Fantasy Writers

Fundamental Laws

1. Law of Conservation of Magic- Magic cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed.

3. Law of Equivalent Exchange- To gain something, an equal value must be given.

5. Law of Magical Exhaustion- Using magic drains the user’s energy or life force.

Interaction and Interference

4. Law of Magical Interference- Magic can interfere with other magical effects.

6. Law of Magical Contamination- Magic can have unintended side effects.

8. Law of Magical Inertia- Magical effects continue until stopped by an equal or greater force.

Resonance and Conditions

7. Law of Magical Resonance- Magic resonates with certain materials, places, or times.

9. Law of Magical Secrecy- Magic must be kept secret from the non-magical world.

11. Law of Magical Hierarchy- Different types of magic have different levels of power and difficulty.

Balance and Consequences

10. Law of Magical Balance- Every positive magical effect has a negative consequence.

12. Law of Magical Limitation- Magic has limits and cannot solve every problem.

14. Law of Magical Rebound- Misused magic can backfire on the user.

Special Conditions

13. Law of Magical Conduits- Certain objects or beings can channel magic more effectively.

15. Law of Magical Cycles- Magic may be stronger or weaker depending on cycles (e.g., lunar phases).

17. Law of Magical Awareness- Some beings are more attuned to magic and can sense its presence.

Ethical and Moral Laws

16. Law of Magical Ethics- Magic should be used responsibly and ethically.

18. Law of Magical Consent- Magic should not be used on others without their consent.

20. Law of Magical Oaths- Magical promises or oaths are binding and have severe consequences if broken.

Advanced and Rare Laws

19. Law of Magical Evolution- Magic can evolve and change over time.

20. Law of Magical Singularities- Unique, one-of-a-kind magical phenomena exist and are unpredictable.

Unique and Imaginative Magical Laws

- Law of Temporal Magic- Magic can manipulate time, but with severe consequences. Altering the past can create paradoxes, and using time magic ages the caster rapidly.

- Law of Emotional Resonance- Magic is amplified or diminished by the caster’s emotions. Strong emotions like love or anger can make spells more powerful but harder to control.

- Law of Elemental Harmony- Magic is tied to natural elements (fire, water, earth, air). Using one element excessively can disrupt the balance and cause natural disasters.

- Law of Dream Magic- Magic can be accessed through dreams. Dreamwalkers can enter others’ dreams, but they risk getting trapped in the dream world.

- Law of Ancestral Magic- Magic is inherited through bloodlines. The strength and type of magic depend on the caster’s ancestry, and ancient family feuds can influence magical abilities.

- Law of Symbiotic Magic- Magic requires a symbiotic relationship with magical creatures. The caster and creature share power, but harming one affects the other.

- Law of Forgotten Magic- Ancient spells and rituals are lost to time. Discovering and using forgotten magic can yield great power but also unknown dangers.

- Law of Magical Echoes- Spells leave behind echoes that can be sensed or traced. Powerful spells create stronger echoes that linger longer.

- Law of Arcane Geometry- Magic follows geometric patterns. Spells must be cast within specific shapes or alignments to work correctly.

- Law of Celestial Magic- Magic is influenced by celestial bodies. Spells are stronger during certain astronomical events like eclipses or planetary alignments.

- Law of Sentient Magic- Magic has a will of its own. It can choose to aid or hinder the caster based on its own mysterious motives.

- Law of Shadow Magic- Magic can manipulate shadows and darkness. Shadowcasters can travel through shadows but are vulnerable to light.

- Law of Sympathetic Magic- Magic works through connections. A spell cast on a representation of a person (like a doll or portrait) affects the actual person.

- Law of Magical Artifacts- Certain objects hold immense magical power. These artifacts can only be used by those deemed worthy or who possess specific traits.

- Law of Arcane Paradoxes- Some spells create paradoxes that defy logic. These paradoxes can have unpredictable and often dangerous outcomes.

- Law of Elemental Fusion- Combining different elemental magics creates new, hybrid spells with unique properties and effects.

- Law of Ethereal Magic- Magic can interact with the spirit world. Ethereal mages can communicate with spirits, but prolonged contact can blur the line between life and death.

- Law of Arcane Symbiosis- Magic can bond with technology, creating magical machines or enchanted devices with extraordinary capabilities.

- Law of Dimensional Magic- Magic can open portals to other dimensions. Dimensional travelers can explore alternate realities but risk getting lost or encountering hostile beings.

- Law of Arcane Sacrifice- Powerful spells require a sacrifice, such as a cherished memory, a personal item, or even a part of the caster’s soul.

[foldingfittedsheets]

Department of Gravitational Conservation (DGC)

Gravity Compliance Division

8154 Drivel Ave.

Gimmick, Tumblr

February 25, 2025

NOTICE: FIRST WARNING

Dear @foldingfittedsheets

It has come to our attention that your monthly gravitational usage has exceeded the suggested limit. Our analysis notes a 23% increase from last month's usage, placing you 14% over the suggested limit.

We at the DGC take the environmental concerns surrounding gravitational usage very seriously, but it is common for consumers to exceed their limit occasionally. As this is a first warning, there are no penalties involved as outlined in our departmental guidelines. We simply ask that you try to be more mindful of your usage in the future, as increased demand puts a strain on planetary resources. We've included some helpful tips below.

Activities that may be increasing your usage:

Repeated incidents of struggling to get out of bed (classified as gravitational resistance)

Repeated incidents of objects falling from your hands (classified as gravitational hoarding)

Statements such as "I'll just sit down for a moment" or "Just a quick nap" that devolve into much longer periods than originally stated (classified as gravitational dependence)

Thank you for your patronage.

If you feel this violation was sent in error, please submit an appeal letter to the DGC.

Sincerely,

Joshua T. Maile

Senior Compliance Officer

Department of Gravitational Conservation

Please do not attempt to circumvent this notice by floating away, as it is a violation of your contract and is punishable by orbital banishment.

Look Joshua,

I know it’s not your fault but the bureaucracy I’m dealing with lately is astounding. I have a waiver due to my chronic fatigue that allows me leeway on both GR and GD. You need to check with other departments before sending these things, it’s just careless.

Best,

Fitted Sheets

[seesree]

Astrology Observation(Vedic Astrology) 🔞

1)Venus Girls are one of the biggest bitches ever. They will act nice to your face but have a lot of shit to say behind your back, they are such pussies. I have encountered many Venus girls who hang around their so called “friends” and talk a lot of smack about them later. I remembered Claire Nakti said in her Dhanishta Video that Venus girls use men for money and I think that applies to all people.

2)Our Venus nakshatra can tell us what type of planetary dominant men/women we are attracted to like (for example, I have Venus in Ashwini then that means I am drawn to Ketu dominant men )

3)Mars Boys like to play the victim card and have serious mommy issues. Besides that they have serious issues with woman because they have been cheated on by their girlfriend and they carry that pain with them and abuse others

4)Mars Woman are not afraid to offend masculine energies(esp men)

5)Sun Woman have 2 sides either they are introverted, quiet and have a few friends(reminds me of twilight sparkle) or they are completely bonkers, and loud and energetic

6)I have noticed Mercury woman can be quite manipulative and like twisting narratives and creating false narratives. They are very cunning and very intelligent

7)Sun/Saturn Woman are real boss ladies

8)Uttara Asadha natives are non committable and feel uncomfortable with relationships. They also have a sense that there is no one for them in the world so they prefer not wanting to be in a relationship

9)Moon Woman either very conservative or liberal

10)Moon Girls are so annoying and they like to indulge in what other people are doing. They also have serious emotional problems and can suffer from bpd(and etc)

11)Chitra Woman got the vibes of a mean girl but are genuine so nice

12)Rahu Woman are literally the real life manifestation of Ariel From The Little Mermaid. Rahu is linked with obsessive behaviour and these woman have serious obsession when they like someone even if they are technically bad for them, they don’t see them red flags

13)Pushya Woman have such a glow to their faces

14)Jupiter Men are toxic and remind me of those toxic brown boys memes, they are also pretty dumb

15)Sun Men can easily influence other men

16)Out of all the 3 Ketu Ruled Nakshatra, Ashwini is the most angelic and have a very angelic appearance too

17)Jyestha Girls are either very sweet and u feel a need to protect them or they are complete assholes and toxic

18)Most Social Workers are Ketu Natives, I always wonder why Ketu natives are so present in the field of social workers.

19)Mars Men are p*ssies

20)Ketu Men have such big gawk gawk 🍆

Note: not everyone is the same so keep in mind other placements in our chart can change us so apply if it matches ur experience

[punksocks]

To Tame The Untamable: Lilith & Obsession:

*just based on my experiences, only take what resonates

**This is more so the like analysis portion, for synastry & placements that trigger obsession see part 2

Black Moon Lilith is fascinating. Even in her presence in your birth chart, she’s less of a planetary body and more of a philosophical (I.e. mathematical) point. She’s elusive and hard to pin down, and yet her influence is permeating. Similar to how Scorpio placements bleed through a birth chart like ink bleeds through paper. Lilith has a distinctive presence (Lilith’s energy is especially felt with hard aspects- square/opposition/conjunct to the angular houses -1st,4th,7th,10th).

Lilith is so weighted yet so elusive, and that is definitely a cornerstone of why she triggers such obsession in others. Even in her original mythology, her husband, Adam, couldn’t control her - and she was made for him ! There’s something inherently rebellious and hard to categorize about the impact of her energy. She’s dark, sultry, and heavy. She’s the eternal antithesis of the traditional feminine. Because she’s always sitting in this outsider energy, there’s an inherent challenge to power that is attached to her presence.

There’s something shocking about what she brings to the native’s energy. She swings in extremes so that people with heavy Lilith placements are often derided for being so outside of the norm. Too s*xy, too opinionated, too smart “for their own good”, for having too much of a strong impact in general. The reality of the situation is that Lilith is here to show you how to live outside of a traditional lens and embrace this energy you already have. She’s here to help you step into your power (while keeping your approach balanced and not over indulging in it, of course).

…So… what’s the deal with the men?

I had to restart this paragraph like 3 times lol. From the top, we live in a society ! Lol

Social roles have certain social rules depending on cultural structures. I often wonder what all of this, all of these dynamics would look like if the gender fluid or the matriarchal societies didn’t get so eroded by colonialism but obviously that’s an essay for another day lol. The dominant culture is a not so distant run off of conservative religious power structures. So as a result, our sort of default social standards are set to be white, patriarchal, heteronormative, and many other strict social categories in line with those ideals. The more you culturally align with these ideals by default the more power you tend to have. And, through a sort of simplified lens, to be socialized within, or at least in closer proximity to those ideals can create a curiousity about those on the outside. Those who cannot and do not align with those defaults have this something else. Something else about how they exist in the world, sometimes on the outskirts, does compel people that are committed/used to living within these strict categories.

There’s something about people with that outsider energy, that exude this inherent wildness that sort of captivates the attention of those that don’t have it. Like an it factor with a bit more darkness attached to it. I think there’s a power in like finding your identity outside of these circles. And when any sort of feelings come into play it can make things more volatile. I think the grip that Lilith tends to pull on guys lies in the power dynamics at play in many relationships in -patriarchal- society. If she’s uncontrollable does that mean you have any power at all? It can be dizzying to be vulnerable in a relationship and lose any of the power/control you’ve had your whole life (I assume lol, I’ve never been a man and they know how I feel about them lol).

I think that’s why relationships tinged by Lilith energy/synastry can quickly become a lot. A lot of passion, a lot of drama, a lot of vying for power. When you’re a femme, much of your social power lies in your attractiveness (even when it comes to stuff that should be neutral like getting a job, or getting a fair chance if you get in trouble, etc). And I think it’s so interesting that Lilith has such a strong effect on the girls. She makes you attractive and gives you power but makes you damn polarizing and makes the power you have into this double edged sword.

On the flip side (Mm yes very 90s of me), this is just shadow side energy. Which is to say Lilith doesn’t make anyone do anything. Her energy just exposes the other side of people (all people, but that’s another essay for another day). If a man, any person really, was going to have positive intentions towards you Lilith energy wouldn’t warp this. She just shows you the darkness some people try to hide. If you’re dating someone and they try to cross your boundaries and get controlling after the second date- this was always going to happen, they just were compelled to try to box you in earlier than they may have intended with someone else.

But yeah in summary, Lilith triggers obsession in others because entitlement. Whoever is acting this way had those controlling and obsessive tendencies all along- it was just brought to light. And when someone shows you who they are, take it from me, it’s best to listen.

Disclaimer: 1. This is a generalization of how things can go, not how they always have to go, so yknow grain of salt 2.With great power comes great responsibility, stay safe out there y’all :0 3. Ok so we live in a society lol, and so we have a lot of social conventions we tend to be used to by default. Romanticize even. And I definitely think obsession is one of those conventions. Desire can be enticing. To want to be wanted. But if it’s taking over your life? I don’t think that should be aspirational. I think everyone wants someone to be obsessed with them until they actually are then it’s this wild uncontrollable thing -and frankly that’s terrifying. (We’ve seen the show You right? It tends to go bad lol.) Live your life ofc, just be careful not to romanticize ab*sive/controlling tendencies in others because it’s unhealthy at best and dangerous at worst. Just my two cents.

(Also omg this whole thing took me so much longer to write than I intended lol, thank you so much for the support everyone <3!)

[thunderheadfred]

In the last few weeks of rulings, SCOTUS has begun to dismantle the administrative state, legalize bribery, and devastate the government’s ability to regulate corporations. Today, the conservative supermajority - two of whom should have recused themselves for obvious conflicts of interest - have ruled that a president has absolute immunity for “official acts” in office, which Trump’s team argued before the court could include assassinating political rivals and introducing fake slates of electors. Trump will likely not go to trial before the election in any of the major cases against him, not for leading an insurrection, not for rigging the election in Georgia, and not for espionage.

If he is elected he will dismiss all charges, pardon and release insurrectionists, and immediately replace everyone in Washington with sycophantic loyalists. The people who barely stopped him from launching nuclear missiles whenever he felt like it will not be around to stop him on a second go around.

Trump openly wants military tribunals and death sentences for his political opponents. He wants concentration camps for immigrants. His jet was just spotted parked next to Putin’s on an isolated portion of tarmac at Dulle’s airport for two days. He has stolen nuclear secrets and sold war plans to foreign nations. He has offered one billion dollars to oil companies and promised to overturn every measly environmental protection we have standing between us and planetary collapse. He is part of a vast existential threat to democracy worldwide, and that is not a conspiracy. It’s all right there.

I don’t care if Biden dies tomorrow and his corpse is hauled around Weekend at Bernie’s style by his cabinet. He’s still the better choice. Not voting is a vote for Trump. A vote for RFK is a vote for Trump.

We live in unbelievable times. Vote accordingly.

[doomsayersunited]

A Decade Of Doom!

I started this blog ten years ago to compile the growing evidence that our planet would not longer be able to sustain human life by 2050, thanks to our continued, capitalist-fueled efforts to destroy all the systems we rely upon to sustain life. The first thing I put up here was this essay, on February 20, 2014. Now, a decade later, I thought it might be "fun" to look at what's changed: 1) Earth Overshoot Day

In 2014, "Earth Overshoot Day" (the day that humanity collectively consumes more resources from nature than it can regenerate over a year) was August 19th. Now, in 2024, Earth Overshoot Day is August 1st, 2.5 weeks earlier. At this rate and assuming things don't accelerate (even though they are likely to), Earth Overshoot Day will be around June 17th by 2050. 2) Biocapacity Biocapacity is the amount of resources contained on the planet required available to sustain life, measured by area. In 2014, I calculated that the planet had a biocapacity of 1.7 hectares per person. By dividing the total available biocapacity today in 2024 with the current global population as I did then, it now appears that there are just 1.5 hectares of planetary resources left per person to extract all the materials needed to sustain life, as well as all the area available to dispose of waste. That's a 12% loss over ten years. At that rate, we can expect to lose another 30% of biocapacity by 2050, going down to just 1.05 hectares per person by then, and that's assuming that the rate of biocapacity loss does not accelerate further and that the global population suddenly stops increasing after a run of non-stop increases spanning five centuries. Oh, also a reminder that the average human requires 2.7 hectares of land to sustain its current consumption habits/levels. So. 3) Individual Conservation To illustrate the futility of individual conservation at this point in the apocalypse, let me give you an example: If you were: a fully-vegan localvore living in a one-bedroom apartment with nine other people and using 100% renewably-generated electricity; who did not ever use motorized transportation of any kind or buy new clothing, furnishings, electronics, books, magazines, or newspapers and recycled all the waste you generated that was recyclable, you'd only require 1.4 hectares of biocapacity to sustain yourself. That is close to the kind of lifestyle extremism it would take to live sustainably. Deviate from that level of stoicism even slightly (say by living in a two-bedroom apartment with three other people instead of a one-bedroom apartment with nine other people and taking a single, four-hour roundtrip flight, once a year) and you're now consuming 1.6 hectares of biocapacity, which means you're using more resources than the world has available for you if everything was divided evenly among everybody. Of course, biocapacity, like all resources, are not divvied up evenly among everybody, which is why there are currently 114 different armed conflicts happening worldwide - the highest number of armed conflicts since 1946. 2023 was the most violent year in the last three decades. 4) Other Signs Of The End Times In my 2014 essay, I referenced the work of geologist Dr. Evan Fraser, who studies civilization collapse. In his book Empires of Food, Dr. Fraser noted common signs of a civilization about to collapse, which began to appear about two decades before it all goes completely to hell. Those signs were: -a rapidly-increasing and rapidly-urbanizing population We've added 700 million people to the planet since I began this blog in 2014. And where is everyone moving to?

-farmers increasingly specializing in just a small number of crops " "As farm ecosystems have been simplified, so too are the organisms that populate the farm.  A farm that specializes in a limited number of crops in short rotations does not, for example, look for plant varieties that do well in more complex rotations with intercropping.  A beef feedlot operation wants breeds that gain weight quickly on grain diets and does not want cattle breeds that digest well pasture grasses and thrive in all year outdoor environments on the range." The result? Recent estimates put the loss of global food diversity over the last 100 years at 75%. Over the 300,000 species of edible plants that exist, humans only consume about 200 of them in notable quantities, with 90% of crop plants not being grown commercially. -endemic soil erosion Climate change and the need to raise more crops have combined to increase the rate of agricultural soil erosion globally. Back in 2014, when I started blogging about the end of everything, the UN had already determined that there was only enough fertile soil left to plant 60 more annual crops. So, by 2074, we won't be able to grow food, full stop. This of course comes at a time when the global population continues to increase, and with it the need to grow more food. If projections are accurate, we will need to increase food production by 50% over the next three decades to feed everyone. -a dramatic increase in the cost of food and raw materials When I started this blog in 2014, I noted that 2011-2013 had seen the highest food prices on record. So what's happened since then?

It's important to point out here that the current food price spike started in 2020, so if Dr. Fraser's calculations are correct, the food system will collapse sometime around 2034, taking civilization with it. I closed my debut essay on this blog with a quote from the (now deceased) climate scientist Dr. James Lovelock, who advised a Guardian journalist to "enjoy life while you can. Because if you're lucky it's going to be 20 years before it hits the fan." That interview was published in 2008. We have four years left to enjoy.

[whyohwhydoris]

Andor After Action: Perrin Fertha

I kind of want to go through a bunch of Andor's characters and say how I feel about where they started and ended. This time, I'm turning to Perrin, who is probably the most curious character for me.

Perrin is a minor, nebulous character. And yet, the few things we know seem to point to someone deeper. He was a political firebrand. A party boy. He correctly assessed Tay as weak, and adeptly ran the social life of Mon Mothma Senator from Chandrilla.

We know that he is depressed. He outright says it. We know he isn't a reactionary conservative. He aids Mon too much, and thinks too often of the political dimensions of life. We know he is well connected. He dines with people who are personal members of the Emperor's "inner circle", planetary governors, and elite politicians. We know he has a military career. That he believes in wealth with tact, not ostentation. That he dislikes criminality and the flagrant disregard for rules and laws.

And yet, there seems to be something there. Something which isn't miles away from who Mon is. We see them share moments. See him support her efforts.

And, in the end, we see him bundled up with Sculden's wife, disheveled, drinking - and clearly unhappy. It is hard to know why. Maybe it is the state of the galaxy. Maybe it's Mon? After all, it is juxtaposed with her and Vel at breakfast. With a certain sense of tension or acceptance, but not happiness, within Mon herself.

It is hard to say. I think he yearns for something, but lacks the will or ability to take it. That something is broken within him. That it was broken by the life he was forced into. By Mon, in a way - whatever the prestige of her office, there is no denying the failure of her personal life. That part of their rift is that he could have been so much more, but isn't. And yet, there seems to be a sense of sadness between them in their parting.

I'm not overly fond of the idea of spin-offs for Andor. Especially not shows. But I would be interested in a novel which explored Perrin's life. He poses so many questions that too many are quick to dismiss in their thirst for messianic and heroic archetypes. And life isn't like that. It is full of Perrins. And if we hope to build better futures, they are the people we must understand. The ones we must be able to convince. Because I believe - amidst his depression - he can be convinced.

[notwiselybuttoowell]

The world’s oceans are in worse health than realised, scientists have said today, as they warn that a key measurement shows we are “running out of time” to protect marine ecosystems.

Ocean acidification, often called the “evil twin” of the climate crisis, is caused when carbon dioxide is rapidly absorbed by the ocean, where it reacts with water molecules leading to a fall in the pH level of the seawater. It damages coral reefs and other ocean habitats and, in extreme cases, can dissolve the shells of marine creatures.

Until now, ocean acidification had not been deemed to have crossed its “planetary boundary”. The planetary boundaries are the natural limits of key global systems – such as climate, water and wildlife diversity – beyond which their ability to maintain a healthy planet is in danger of failing. Six of the nine had been crossed already, scientists said last year.

However, a new study by the UK’s Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the Washington-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Oregon State University’s Co-operative Institute for Marine Resources Studies found that ocean acidification’s “boundary” was also reached about five years ago.

“Ocean acidification isn’t just an environmental crisis – it’s a ticking timebomb for marine ecosystems and coastal economies,” said PML’s Prof Steve Widdicombe, who is also co-chair of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network.

The study drew on new and historical physical and chemical measurements from ice cores, combined with advanced computer models and studies of marine life, which gave the scientists an overall assessment of the past 150 years.

It found that by 2020 the average ocean condition worldwide was already very close to – and in some regions beyond – the planetary boundary for ocean acidification. This is defined as when the concentration of calcium carbonate in seawater is more than 20% below preindustrial levels.

The deeper in the ocean they looked, the worse the findings were, the scientists said. At 200 metres below the surface, 60% of global waters had breached the “safe” limit for acidification.

“Most ocean life doesn’t just live at the surface,” said PML’s Prof Helen Findlay. “The waters below are home to many more different types of plants and animals. Since these deeper waters are changing so much, the impacts of ocean acidification could be far worse than we thought.”

This had, she added, huge implications for important underwater ecosystems such as tropical and even deep-sea coral reefs that provided essential habitats and nursery grounds for the young of many species.

As pH levels drop, calcifying species such as corals, oysters, mussels and tiny molluscs known as sea butterflies struggle to maintain their protective structures, leading to weaker shells, slower growth, reduced reproduction and decreased survival rates.

The authors underlined that decreasing CO2 emissions was the only way to deal with acidification globally, but that conservation measures could and should focus on the regions and species that were most vulnerable.

Jessie Turner, director of the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification, who was not involved in the study, said: “This report makes it clear: we are running out of time and what we do – or fail to do – now is already determining our future.

“We are coming to terms with an existential threat while grappling with the difficult reality that much suitable habitat for key species has already been lost. It’s clear that governments can no longer afford to overlook acidification in mainstream policy agendas,” she said.

[showrunnerihardlyknowher]

I'm really digging your latest 50's inspired couple! Is there a fic to go with it? I'm dying to know more about their lore, esp the giants. (:

I'm glad you like them so far!! They're fun to play around with.

They don't have a fic to go with them at the moment. I'm gonna be so real with y'all, when I create something it's purely based on vibes and one very specific scene in my head, and then I worldbuild around it lmao. So this is all subject to change but the working lore at the moment is this:

The reputation of humans precede them even before they discovered space travel, and most intelligent species do not view them kindly. It's why no one has ever bothered to make formal contact with them prior and once it was discovered that humans were able to leave their solar system, everyone just kinda groaned.

Anita is part of a small crew on a ship off on a current mission to explore a newly located planet and determine if it's hospitable enough for any kind of human use (living, farming, etc). While there are a few women who work within the space program itself, Anita is the only woman in her crew, and because this is still the 1950's she's constantly directed to stick to the more feminine/lighter tasks. When they land and get settled, her captain basically tells her to go on and pick some pretty flowers while the men do the real work, which is why she's separated from her group initially.

Unbeknownst to the humans, this planet is already well known and documented by most other extraterrestrials. In fact, the whole place is basically one giant conservation effort as many of its lifeforms are endangered and needs help getting back on the mend to avoid total planetary death. That's where the giants come in - park rangers, more or less. They keep an eye on population growth/control, cull any invasive species, care for wildlife until its mature enough to survive on its own, forbid any other space species from altering the ecosystem.

So when the rangers find the human base camp...yeah, they're not happy. Humans are greedy, destructive things; hell, they've already gone and killed the surrounded flora! They've been here for a week and have done a year's worth of damage! And since humans are so low on the totem pole anyways, the rangers waste no time culling them rather than just writing a citation and fine. They're not worth the bureaucracy. They aren't able to kill all the humans, though, but they're very adamant on hunting down the last stragglers before they can do something stupid and wreck the planet anymore.

Meanwhile, since Anita was away from the group, she was inadvertently spared for the time being. She nearly got herself eaten by a carnivorous plant before she was saved by a ranger herself. Unlike his coworkers, he doesn't outright kill her for being an invasive species. She's a pretty little thing and frankly no one told him he had to, so he's not gonna. His excuse is that he's keeping an eye on her to make sure she doesn't singlehandedly deforest half the planet or whatever and...hey, Anita might be a bit apprehensive about him, but at least he's nice enough. She thinks, anyways.

[witchyintention]

Witchcraft in the Digital Age

The 21st century didn’t just bring us smartphones, social media, and memes—it also ushered witchcraft into the technological spotlight. With the power of Wi-Fi and a little keyboard magic, witches from all over the world can connect, learn, and cast spells in ways that our broomstick-riding ancestors couldn’t have dreamed of. Let’s explore how the digital age has revolutionized witchcraft, from online covens to the rise of TikTok witches, and everything in between.

From Grimoires to Google Docs: Sharing Knowledge in the Digital Realm

In the pre-internet days, learning witchcraft often required finding a mentor, stumbling upon the right dusty book in the back of a shop, or deciphering cryptic information passed down orally. Now, a quick Google search can teach you how to cleanse your crystals, create moon water, or banish negative energy—all without leaving your couch.

The internet has democratized access to witchcraft, tearing down barriers that once kept this knowledge elusive. Blogs, YouTube channels, and digital libraries offer endless resources on every kind of practice imaginable. Whether you’re into Wicca, Hoodoo, traditional witchcraft, or chaos magic, there’s a treasure trove of information waiting to be explored. This accessibility has also helped reclaim and preserve marginalized magical traditions, giving practitioners a platform to share their practices and connect with others.

Hashtag Hexes: Social Media and the Rise of the Digital Witch

Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest have given witchcraft a visually stunning makeover. Witchy influencers share photos of perfectly curated altars, short how-to videos, and aesthetic spell tutorials that look as good as they (hopefully) work. But it’s TikTok, affectionately nicknamed “WitchTok,” that has truly taken the digital cauldron by storm.

On WitchTok, creators share everything from beginner tips to elaborate rituals, often condensed into bite-sized videos with trending audio tracks. Want to learn about planetary correspondences or the best herbs for protection spells? There’s a TikTok for that. Need a quick guide to reading tarot? Someone’s already made a video with helpful graphics and snarky commentary.

While WitchTok has made witchcraft more accessible and engaging for younger generations, it’s not without its quirks (or curses, depending on who you ask). Viral trends like the infamous “hexing the moon” incident highlight the occasional clash between traditional practitioners and younger, less experienced witches. However, these moments also spark important discussions about respect, responsibility, and the need for deeper knowledge.

Digital Covens: Finding Your Community Online

Gone are the days when witches had to rely solely on local communities or secret gatherings to find their covens. Today, online forums, Discord servers, and Facebook groups have become virtual meeting spaces for witches of all paths. These digital covens offer a space to share spells, ask questions, and support one another, all while sipping tea in your pajamas.

The inclusivity of online spaces has been a game-changer for those who might not have access to in-person communities. Witches in conservative areas, individuals with disabilities, and those who prefer solitary practice can still feel connected to a broader magical network. Platforms like Reddit’s r/witchcraft or specialized apps like Amino provide spaces for open dialogue, mentorship, and collaboration.

Of course, online communities have their challenges. Differing opinions, misinformation, and the occasional “gatekeeper” can make these spaces tricky to navigate. But for many witches, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

The Curse of Misinformation

While the internet has made witchcraft more accessible, it’s also created a breeding ground for misinformation. Not every TikTok spell or Pinterest graphic is accurate—or safe. Some “quick fixes” can lead to unintended consequences (like burning cinnamon on charcoal and nearly setting off the fire alarm) or appropriating practices without understanding their cultural significance.

It’s become increasingly important for modern witches to verify their sources, cross-reference information, and approach their craft with respect and curiosity. The digital age might make learning easier, but it also requires a critical eye to separate authentic wisdom from clickbait magic.

The E-Commerce Boom: Spell Kits, Crystals, and Online Witch Shops

The rise of e-commerce has transformed how witches gather their tools. Need ethically sourced sage, a crescent moon-shaped candle, or a deck of oracle cards? Etsy, Amazon, and countless independent online shops have got you covered. You can even have spell kits delivered to your doorstep, complete with instructions and pre-measured ingredients.

While this convenience is undeniably appealing, it’s also sparked debates within the community. Concerns about over-harvesting herbs like white sage, the exploitation of crystal miners, and the commercialization of spiritual practices have led many witches to seek sustainable and ethical alternatives. Supporting small businesses and researching sourcing practices are key ways to ensure your magic aligns with your values.

The Rise of Witchcraft Apps and Digital Tools

In the digital age, there’s an app for everything—including witchcraft. Astrology apps like Co-Star and The Pattern provide daily horoscopes and personalized birth chart insights, while moon phase trackers help witches plan their rituals around lunar cycles. Tarot apps, spell planners, and even virtual altars make it easier than ever to integrate magic into everyday life.

These tools are especially useful for witches on the go or those looking to organize their practice in a more structured way. However, as with all technology, it’s important to balance convenience with mindfulness. After all, no app can replace the personal connection and intuition that lie at the heart of witchcraft.

Social Justice and Activism in the Digital Age

The internet has also amplified witchcraft’s role in social justice and activism. Modern witches often use their platforms to advocate for causes like climate change, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights, blending their magical practices with activism. Hexing political figures, creating protection spells for protestors, and fundraising for marginalized communities are just a few examples of how digital witches are making their voices heard.

This intersection of magic and activism has strengthened witchcraft’s position as a tool for empowerment and resistance. The digital age has given witches the power not just to connect with each other, but to amplify their collective voices and effect real-world change.

The Future of Witchcraft in the Digital Era

As technology continues to evolve, so too will witchcraft. Virtual reality rituals, AI-powered tarot readings, and blockchain-based spell trading might sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, but they’re closer than you think. The digital age has opened up endless possibilities for innovation, creativity, and connection in the magical community.

But even as witchcraft embraces the future, its essence remains timeless. At its core, magic is about intention, connection, and transformation—whether you’re casting a spell by candlelight or clicking “like” on a WitchTok video.

Witchcraft in the digital age is a vibrant, dynamic blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation. It’s a world where hashtags meet history, and technology bridges the gap between solitary practitioners and global communities. While the digital realm presents its share of challenges, it’s ultimately given witches a platform to thrive, connect, and reimagine what it means to practice magic in the 21st century.

[autolenaphilia]

Image id: a photograph of subcomadante Marcos with a text quote attributed to him, reading: "All cultures forged by nations—the noble indigenous past of America, the brilliant civilization of Europe, the wise history of Asian nations, and the ancestral wealth of Africa and Oceania—are corroded by the American way of life. In this way, neoliberalism imposes the destruction of nations and groups of nations in order to reconstruct them according to a single model. This is a planetary war, of the worst and cruelest kind, waged against humanity."

I was browsing the blog of a white maoist, and this quote hit me like a truck. Like omg this is literally just a fascist rant about soulless "globohomo" taking over the world, like this is something straight out of a book Alain De Benoist or the other "ethnopluralist" nouvelle drouite writers.

Like this is criticizing capitalism from the right, from a conservative/reactionary perspective where capitalism is bad because it destroys "traditional culture". And it mindlessly accepts the idealistic concept of "the nation" as something timelessly, ahistorically real, instead of a concept made up by 19th century europeans and then exported to the rest of the world.

It's nonsense that is the ideological product of a movement (the EZLN) that is not a working class movement at all, but based in the rural peasantry.

Like I ranted about this before, but this is the perfect example of how the rehabilitation of nationalism has poisoned the thinking of the average "leftist."

[mariacallous]

Launched between August and September 1977, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are the oldest and most distant probes built that are still active. They are also the only probes to have left our solar system and venture into the wider expanses of space. The secret to their long life? Nuclear power. But at some point, their mission will end.

The Voyagers began as planetary missions. Their goal was to carry out the so-called Planetary Grand Tour—that is, to visit the four outer planets of the solar system through a series of flyovers. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all got a new face thanks to the probes’ robotic cameras and their many scientific instruments.

The icy giants Uranus and Neptune, in particular, were studied for the first and only time in history by Voyager 2, while successful observations of Jupiter and Saturn were the basis for subsequent interplanetary missions to these worlds, such as Galileo, Juno, and Cassini-Huygens. Voyager 1, on the other hand, had Titan—Saturn’s largest moon and one of the most intriguing satellites in the outer solar system—as its primary target.

Once the Voyagers’ planetary journeys were over, it was possible to begin a new mission phase. After their last planetary stops, both probes reached escape velocity for the solar system, allowing them to be released from the sun’s gravity. Since 2012 for Voyager 1, and 2018 for Voyager 2, they have become interstellar. We know this because after those dates, sensors on the probes showed that charged particles from the sun became less numerous and energetic than those detected from the galactic environment. This was a golden opportunity to study the boundaries of the solar system and the environment outside of it.

The Secret to a Long Life

Reaching such a distance is only possible with the right energy source. Many probes use solar panels, but if they move too far from the sun, they become useless (the farthest probe that uses them is the Juno probe orbiting Jupiter). The secret of the Voyagers lies in their atomic hearts: both are equipped with three radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs—small power generators that can produce power directly on board. Each RTG contains 24 plutonium-238 oxide spheres with a total mass of 4.5 kilograms.

Plutonium-238 is an unstable isotope, which means it undergoes radioactive decay. The plutonium atoms in the RTGs release alpha particles—comprising two protons and two neutrons—and these hit the RTG canister, heating it up. The heat is then converted into electricity.

But as time passes, the plutonium on board is depleted, and so the RTGs produce less and less energy. The Voyagers are therefore slowly dying. Nuclear batteries have a maximum lifespan of 60 years.

In order to conserve the probes’ remaining energy, the mission team is gradually shutting down the various instruments on the probes that are still active. For example, in October, Voyager 2’s plasma science instrument—which measures electrically charged atoms passing the probe—was turned off; the same device on Voyager 1 was turned off in 2007 due to a malfunction. These instruments were used to study charged particles in the sun’s magnetic field, and it is precisely this detector in 2018 that determined that Voyager 2 had exited the heliosphere and become interstellar.

Four active instruments remain, including a magnetometer as well as other instruments used to study the galactic environment, with its cosmic rays and interstellar magnetic field. But these are in their last years. In the next decade—it’s hard to say exactly when—the batteries of both probes will be drained forever.

[flyingfish1]

OTTAWA — [Canadian] Green Party Leader Elizabeth May is urging U.S. counterpart Jill Stein to end her presidential campaign and endorse Kamala Harris to help prevent a Donald Trump victory.

May told the Star on Friday that a second Trump presidency would present a catastrophic threat to climate policy, women’s rights, democracy and world peace, as she broke from Canadian political convention by putting her full-throated support behind the Democratic candidate just days before the highly contested presidential election, in which votes for Stein in battleground states could be a decisive factor.

“We know you hate Democrats — we know that — but this is a planetary concern,” she said of Stein, the Green Party candidate for the U.S. presidency, in an interview with the Star.

“What happens to climate if Trump gets another term? What happens to democracy if Trump gets another term? What happens to women’s rights if Trump gets another term?”

May’s comments came in response to a statement issued by European Green parties on Friday that also called on Stein to withdraw and endorse Harris, arguing the stakes “could not be higher” in a race that’s “too close for comfort.”

[...]

While the Liberals and Conservatives have largely avoided weighing in on the U.S. election, both May and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh have warned against the prospect of a second Trump presidency. May said she is pleading with Stein’s supporters to “think twice” and consider voting for Harris in order to stop the existential threat she says Trump represents.

[riakhou]

what is the most frustrating thing in taxonomy in the worlds of this?

WHERE DO I START WITH THIS ONE.

Riakhou are fairly simple, taxonomically. Sure, they've had a lot of genetic modifications but since their homeworld was likely destroyed in the supernova explosion of their sun, we don't have enough material on them to actually... put together the phylogenetic tree of their homeworld and see exactly which parts of them bring them closer to which branches of said tree. If we had we could probably have some fun with that but oh well.

You know who is NOT simple though?

Gileñavu. Affectionately known as Turtle-Deer-Whales.

And the fact that their government will not let us see what they're hiding in the ocean! /j

Anyway. Gileñavu! They are genetically more similar to Cetaceans (who live on Eisheza, the PLANET NEXT DOOR) than to some species on their own homeworld. And this isn't even scratching the surface of it, oh no. According to some scientists there is a chance they could probably produce an infertile hybrid (like a mule) with some whales (Maybe Rorquals/Balaenopteridae). That’s how similar they are to whales. Not their shells though. Their shells are a symbiotic organism more similar to rest of l'Nouan life than Gileñavu are. Sort of like if a coral lost most of its life adaptations and relied on another species to sustain it. (NOT SO FUN FACT. While a gileñavu could survive without its shell with proper care (the shell is fused with its spine, so it would end up paralysed), the shell cannot survive without its host).

But gileñavu pre-sapient ancestors also had those shells, so that symbiosis has been going on for AT LEAST 950,000 years, maybe more. Scientists don't even know where to START with this one. Unfortunately, because l'Noua does not have dry land anymore, and also because gileñavu authorities can be very conservative and distrustful of alien scientists, archaeology there is extremely hard.

We do know that Gileñavu are descended from.... well, ungulates that lived on l'Noua back when it still had dry land, but as the planet flooded most species re-evolved aquatic adaptations. This is also where gileñavu antlers come from. Somehow the appeal of a rack on the head was strong enough to let this trait be passed on for millions of years, even if it's very impractical in water.

^ A prehistoric terrestrial Gileñavu ancestor, from way before the icebergs melted and the planet flooded.

Anyway. What IS the deal with gileñavu?!

Is it like carcinisation where just like all arthropods become crabs all big sea mammals become whales? Or like that bird that re-evolved from being extinct? Did something happen in planetary history that we might not know about that explains it? WHO KNOWS! NOT US!

The most common theory is that. An asteroid brought life (or life building blocks) to Eisheza and l'Noua. That it split in two and hit both and this is why life on those two planets is so similar. But a counter-argument to this is that life-building-block bearing asteroid would have come so long ago that even if these two planets developed life from the same building blocks! Unless the asteroid was also somehow carrying blueprints for life to develop which is yet another can of worms.

Every planet has its own weird little niches that are fascinating and that some may find baffling. Like some Wuvumian "trees" whose cells don't have a nucleus making them the largest known 'prokaryotes' we know of.

Or a certain anhydrous lifeform found by asteroid miners that can shift between an active slime-mold like form and a dormant crystalline form making them as resilient as tardigrades.

Or various forms of life found in the atmosphere of a gas giant in a star system nearby (so far only photographed).

TL;DR:

Riakhou are not the worst offenders here. Gileñavu are. As for other life forms we probably have not gone deep enough to discover all the weirdness that will cause us to write long winded lamentations on our hatred of taxonomy and evolution.