#amygdala cloud

[yourexpectedsatisfaction]

２４.０６.２０２５

[１７:０６]

Ｒｕｓｓｉａ, Ｋａｍｃｈａｔｋａ.

Ｌｅｎｔｉｃｕｌａｒ ｃｌｏｕｄｓ.

[jcmarchi]

AI & Big Data Expo: AI's impact on decision-making in marketing

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/ai-big-data-expo-ais-impact-on-decision-making-in-marketing/

AI & Big Data Expo: AI's impact on decision-making in marketing

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In a presentation at AI & Big Data Expo Global, Jason Smith, Chief Digital Officer of Publicis Groupe, shared insights into the role of AI in reshaping decision-making processes within the realm of advertising and marketing.

The focal point of Smith’s presentation was a strategic experiment conducted by his team to explore the potential of AI in reducing noise and bias inherent in decision-making. Smith began by addressing the common perception of decision-making and the often-overlooked influence of human biases and external factors.

“Let’s recognise that we’re not the best at making decisions, that there are some issues when we make decisions—just as there are some issues when AI makes some decisions,” said Smith.

Smith advocates for combining the strengths of both human and AI decision-makers.

The strategic experiment involved a comprehensive analysis of the human decision-making process, where the team pitted AI against a human team in running a Facebook travel campaign. Smith delved into the intricacies of the human brain’s dual components—the amygdala for intuitive thinking and the prefrontal cortex for reasoning.

Notably, Smith drew attention to the concept of “noise,” a term he differentiated from bias, describing it as the variance in decision-making that introduces inconsistencies. He supported this with examples from various professions, such as judges delivering differing sentences based on external factors.

The challenges within the marketing and advertising space were highlighted, particularly the difficulty of managing a vast number of variables—illustrated by a campaign with a staggering 83 million variations.

“There’s no way that a human can realistically go through 83 million [ad variation] combinations,” said Smith. “AI is better at picking out important signals in large data sets.”

Initially, the results of the strategic experiment showed humans outperforming the AI-optimised campaign, However, the AI campaign quickly pulled away:

While acknowledging AI’s flaws — including bias — Smith advocated for a collaborative approach, envisioning a balance between human intuition and AI assistance. He highlighted the importance of recognising human limitations and leveraging AI to reduce decision-making flaws.

The presentation concluded with key takeaways, encouraging the recognition of human decision-making limitations, leveraging AI to reduce flaws, and finding the right balance between human input and AI assistance.

See also: Ampere Computing: Unlocking a Path to the Sustainable Cloud

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with Cyber Security & Cloud Expo and Digital Transformation Week.

Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here.

Tags: ai, ai & big data expo, ai expo, ai marketing, artificial intelligence, digital marketing, jason smith, marketing, publicis groupe

[crimson-and-clover-1717]

There’s no chaos, there’s no drama…

Chaos and drama are Ed’s baseline.

His childhood home.

His experiences on Hornigold’s ship.

Probably the early days as Blackbeard as Ed built a reputation.

And then Ed became so talented at creating the theatre of fear, controlling the chaos and drama to his own ends, he was able to cocoon away, and for a time was probably glad not to feel it directly…

‘The feel of not to feel it When there is none to heal it…’

And now Ed’s numb.

Because it’s all Ed’s known; his brain is built around it. The adrenaline, the cortisol. Without it he feels hollowed out, a ghost.

But think of what Ed’s asking for. Chaos - disorder, panic, confusion. Ed thinks he would rather feel such emotions than safety. He’d rather die in the sturm and drang than live in ennui. Because it’s familiar. He doesn’t know there is anything else. Chaos is familiar, boredom is death.

But Ed doesn’t really want chaos and drama. He wants novelty, serendipity, originality. And he wants love - to receive and experience it. It’s just Ed has only felt the centres of his brain light up by the negative. What he begins to realise on Stede’s ship, and then through meeting Stede, is that the same (better) stimulus can occur from positive experiences.

Ed’s immediately drawn to the knickknacks, overkill, and lunacy. You see the awe and wonder at the auxiliary wardrobe. The delight at finding someone to play dress up. The seventh heaven of the lighthouse fuckery. The dizzy delight of that damn good marmalade. The relief of unburdening to someone who cares. And it just keeps getting better… beautiful clothes, moonlight compliments, conversation and foot-kicking, lazy breakfasts, flirty swordplay, nighttime story-telling, treasure hunts, co-captain brandies… it’s all hitting Ed’s amygdala over and over.

And at the centre of it all is Stede understanding every part of Ed intuitively. Stede explains, ‘Guys like Blackbeard live for adventure… it’s like nourishment for them.’ But Stede doesn’t plan a raiding party, he plans a day of fun. He understands how Ed needs variety better than Ed.

When Stede leaves, Ed tries so hard to recreate the feeling through food and textiles and an on-deck sing-song, but returns to the chaos and drama after being made to feel unworthy, unsafe of any other life. It’ll never again be enough, though. It wasn’t enough before; just a holding place for where a real life could’ve, should’ve been, and Ed knows that now.

In the end, Ed doesn’t choose drama and chaos - he actively revolts against it because he realises it’s killing him. Instead Ed chooses a quiet life in an inn in some backwater with Stede. It’s enough.

The slow whimsy and delight in the everyday is what Ed learns to appreciate. As Roach says, ‘We eat, but how often do we taste?’. Ed can find novelty in the ordinary because Stede knows how to see idiosyncrasy in the seemingly mundane. After all, a successful raid is returning with a half-dead plant now displayed in pride of place.

Stede’s the god of small things really, and whilst he does have an eye for the extravagant, his baseline is set in the minutiae. Stede can inspire wonder in a shared cup of tea. And that’s what Ed needs - to watch the clouds and sunset for the beauty, and feel the quiet wonder of everyday life.

[hungwy]

Nothing but the stirs of squirrels and robins in the trees and the lazy gliding of the river around stones. The wind was warm and carried the smell of rotting leaves. A few vultures circled like mobiles under the clouds. I think I felt my amygdala stop

[chaoticpuff17]

Amygdala

masterlist

part 18

Namjoon’s showing up at the restaurant had not been a part of Margot’s plan, and Yoongi’s resulting reaction had been a less than ideal outcome to their outing.

The ride back to the penthouse was tense and silent, Yoongi’s hand’s clenched around the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckled turned white. The entire interaction at the restaurant had left him with a vein in his forehead throbbing so badly that Margot was half afraid that it was about to burst. The other worry that kept playing through her head was that he was going to turn the car around and punch Namjoon in the face.

Despite the dark cloud that remained around him the entire journey back to the penthouse, Yoongi didn’t say a word the entire time. The entirety of his focus remained on the road. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing Margot had yet to see. She hoped for everyone involved that it wouldn’t blow up in their faces, but from what she knew of Yoongi, if he was still anything like the Yoongi that she had known, it didn’t bode well for any of them that he was stewing in his anger.

Yoongi’s anger had always run cold. He didn’t react rashly. If he was going to retaliate for the incident today, it would be well thought out, and he would strike where it hurt. It was the disadvantage to Yoongi’s particular brand of anger. At least when someone lashed out in the moment, it was over without any time for them to plan out something worse, but Yoongi would think through the cause of his anger and the target of it and find exactly what would hurt most when he retaliated.

Margot hoped that he wouldn’t strike back, but she also knew he was unlikely to forget what had happened.

She had started coming up with contingency plans the moment he’d shoved her into the car. She wasn’t confident that any of them would work, but she at least had contingency plans if she needed them which she had the very distinct feeling that she would. Placating had worked to get him out of the restaurant without any punches being thrown, and she was hoping that it would work again once they made it back to the penthouse. If there was anything that Margot had experience in, it was the art of placating people.

Growing up, her own parents had been constantly at odds with one another, and it had been Margot and her sister’s jobs to help smooth things over. It hadn’t worked in the long term, their parents deciding to split up when Margot was in high school, but she couldn’t help but think that that had been for the best. The pair had had a penchant to ruin anything they touched including their own lives and their children’s, but the skill of smoothing over turbulent emotions which was going to server her very well if she planned on surviving Yoongi and his delusions.

Yoongi continued in his seething silence as they arrived back at their building. Silently, he dragged her out of the car and to the elevator which had turned out to be a horribly awkward ride as Yoongi remained silent the entire time, quietly fuming and adding onto Margot’s anxiety.

The silence was slowly killing her, but she was too afraid of what would follow once it was broken. She didn’t know what Yoongi was thinking, but her own wild imagination had come to the conclusion that it was something horrible. Yoongi’s tight grip on her hand hadn’t helped to ease her anxiety either. His grip was almost bruising in its intensity as though he was afraid that she would slip away from him the moment that he let go. To his credit, that particular fear wasn’t all that delusional. If Margot had had her way, she would have run for the hills already.

As they entered the penthouse, Yoongi slammed the door behind him, one of the few outward signs of his current dark mood, and released Margot’s wrist as he stalked into the kitchen. Here in his own space Margot noted that he looked less like the predator and more like a puffed up kitten.

Slowly, Margot followed him into the kitchen tentatively calling out to him with the modicum of confidence that had returned to her.

All thoughts of Yoongi looking like an angry kitten quickly fled as he turned his gaze towards her. He hadn’t looked at her since dragging her out of the restaurant, and she was frozen in place by what she saw in them. She didn’t think that she’d ever seen such anger in Yoongi’s eyes, not even when he had realized that she was trying to flee from him. Yes, he had been angry then, but something about this was different. This held something darker and more territorial, and it was narrowed in on her.

Before she could react, Yoongi was striding back across the kitchen towards her, reaching her in only seconds. His hands came up to frame her face, eyes searching for something there though she didn’t know what.

They stood there for what felt like ages, Yoongi’s gaze focused in on Margot and Margot staring back in wide eyed apprehension until finally Yoongi spoke.

“I didn’t like seeing his hands on you.”

“Namjoon’s hands?” She asked, speaking slowly and carefully as though to a feral animal. She wasn’t entirely sure that Yoongi wasn’t one in this situation.

“Don’t.” Yoongi hissed, thumb brushing across her cheek bone in a motion far gentler than his tone. “Don’t say his name.”

“He’s just a friend.” She kept her tone even and placating still uneasy by Yoongi and his actions.

“He wants to take you away from me.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Don’t patronize me, Mari-ah. I know what he wants to do. I saw the way he tried to play hero.” Yoongi’s hands fell away from her, one of them running through his hair in a hurried motion that left the strands falling in all directions.

“He’s a cop.” Margot pointed out. “Playing hero is literally part of the job.”

“I saw the way he looked at you.”

She scoffed at that. As nice as Namjoon was and as much as Tae-il might like for her to date a young man just like him if not Namjoon himself, nothing had happened between them apart from the fake date he’d taken her on to get her out of talking to Yoongi that one evening.

“And how does he look at me?” She asked, crossing her arms under her chest and waiting for Yoongi to answer.

He scowled, crossing his own arms over his chest. “You know how he looks at you.”

“He’s a friend, nothing more.”

Yoongi chuckled, a twisted little smile on his lips though the expression had no joy in it, only bitterness. “He’s a man, Mari-ah, and you are a beautiful woman.”

“You’re jealous.”

He bristled at that, his whole body tightening up at the accusation. “I have nothing to be jealous over. You’re my woman, and he can’t have you.”

“I’m not your woman or anyone else’s for that matter.” she pointed out. “You kidnapped me. That doesn’t make me your woman. Technically speaking it makes me your prisoner.”

Yoongi’s gaze narrowed, his jaw clenched. “You’re mine, jagiya. You were mine the moment I laid eyes on you again.”

She sighed deeply, tucking a stay strand behind her ear. “That’s not how that works, Yoongi. You don’t get to unilaterally decide we’re in a relationship just because you want us to be in one.”

Yoongi paused, looking at her strangely as though her words were too ridiculous to comprehend. “Jagiya, this is forever. What we have will be forever.”

“We don’t have anything.”

He sighed deeply. This was an argument he had a nagging feeling they would continue to have until Margot gave up her delusions of leaving.

“What we have is everything, jagi. I love you, and you love me.”

She spluttered out a noise that was more of a squack than anything else at that. “I certainly do not!”

“Jagi…” The warning was clear in his tone, but Margot proceeded on, all previous caution thrown to the wind in favor of her current indignation.

“You can’t just decide that I love you even if you have lost your damn mind! You are a fully grown man not some delulu twelve year old! You have to realize how crazy you sound!”

“Mari-ah.” he cautioned again not liking where this was going at all.

“I would literally rather step on glass again than be here with you!”

Yoongi’s gaze hardened, his jaw set as he fought to reign in his own growing temper. “That’s enough, Mari-ah.”

“I would be lucky if Namjoon wanted to take me away from you! At least he’s not fucking delusional!”

Yoongi cut her off, one hand reaching out lightning quick pulling her in by the back of her neck as he ducked down to press his lips to hers.

A small “eep” escaped Margot at the unexpectedness of the action, and she stood there frozen as Yoongi’s lips moved fervently against her own. It was passionate and frenetic. It was both jealous and tender, conveying all of the emotion that Yoongi didn’t have the words to say in that moment.

Yoongi had certainly been touchy before since coming back into her life, but he had never crossed the line towards intimacy like this. She knew his intentions. He’d made them more than clear especially after kidnapping her from her home, but he had not acted on any of his delusions in such an intimate way until now, and Margot didn’t quite know what to do with herself.

It wasn’t as though she’d never been kissed before. She had, but she’d never been kissed by Yoongi, and that had been something of a dream of hers back in her college days. Her crush on Yoongi had been a dream that she had let slip away as the years went by and had been completely crushed as soon as he’d walked back into her life as a delusional criminal. As much as her mind knew that this was wrong that it wasn’t what she wanted, another part of her that was still that girl from college was swooning.

No one had ever kissed her like this before. No one had ever kissed her with such passions, such need. He held her as though she was something precious, as though she was going to slip away if he moved even an inch away, and the part of her that was a romantic swooned a little more at that, but as Yoongi pulled away, resting his forehead against hers as they both caught their breath, the part of her that knew who and what he was took over.

She brought her hands up to grip his wrists, gently beginning to pull his hands away from her and was mortified to realize her hands were shaking as she did.

“Enough, Mari-ah.” He rasped, staring deeply into her eyes as he did. She opened her mouth to say something, but Yoongi shook his head, stopping her before she could get a word out. “I can take a lot, Mari, but I can’t listen to you say you hate me. I can’t listen to you say how you would prefer another man. Please, Mari-ah.”

She nodded dumbly, still a little dazed from the suddenness of his actions and a little taken aback by the vulnerability in his eyes. In that daze, it suddenly hit Margot that he was entirely serious. He couldn’t stand to hear her talk about Namjoon as an option. He couldn’t stand to hear her say she hated him. He might have been delusional about her feelings, but his own were one hundred percent genuine. He actually had feelings for her.

She had thought that every declaration of love, every affectionate gesture had been a product of his delusions. She had assumed, or rather hoped, that with time he would snap out of his delusions. He would realize that he didn’t know her any more, that he certainly didn’t know her well enough to be in love with her, but that wasn’t the case.

Staring into his eyes in that moment with him staring back into hers, Margot had the horrible sinking realization that Min Yoongi was deeply, madly in love with her.

“Fuck.”

[lynnlovesthestars]

Masterlist- Baldur's Gate 3.

Hello my stars, since my brain went from somewhat sane to "How can I live without Astarion" I decided to put everything I've been posting in a masterpost.

Also I'm opening my requests, right now I'll be writing only about Baldur's Gate, but later I might venture in other fandoms. At the bottom of this masterpost, I'll leave the requests rules.

This being said, whether you are here to look for a treat, or to request your fantasies, what can I do for you?

My prompt list. (currently under maintenance)

Kofi, patreon for those who'd like to tip!

dd:dne infos for those who might be interested in finding out how it works.

Requests questions!

Taglist form. for those who wants to get tagged.

Work in progress page.

Other places where you can find me:

@lynnloves-thestars (the one where the follows come from aka my primary blog)

Astarion Acunin:

Scars: Astarion x Reader. Angst. Set in act 3. "When your fears catch up to you"

Blood: Astarion x Reader. Part 2 of scars. Angst, fluff. Set in act 3. "How long does it take to heal those scars?"

One and Only. Astarion x Reader. Smut, fluff, lil of angst. Post act 3. "No one will ever love me like you do"

The sun, the moon and the stars. Astarion x Reader. part 2 of One and Only. Angst, fluff, smut (kinda). Post act 3. "When he thought he couldn't ask for more, you gave him back his freedom."

I wandered lonely as a cloud. Astarion x reader. Hurt, comfort, fluff, eventual smut. Set in act 2. "Let's pretend just for a few hours that we are okay, that we fell in love."/ Golden Daffodils (chp 2)

Why? Astarion x reader. Angst, hurt/ comfort, something similar to fluff. "Why? Why? Why?"

-Tick, tack, ah.- Astarion x OC (Lynn). Hurt no comfort.

Amygdala- Astarion x OC (Lynn). fluff, angst, a bit of confort?. "pain comes in many ways"

Serendipity - Astarion x OC (Lynn) fluff?. "astarion was supposed to have a meal and ended up catching feelings- or something like that."

Golden- Astarion x Tiefling!reader. angsty?, lots of thinking, self-doubt, avoidance. "the huge tear in his shirt caught your eye again, and you decided to give him a reminder that someone cared about him." (somewhat pt 2 of "Why")

Avoid- Astarion x Wyll. Angsty. Prompt 11.

Wisteria- Astarion x OC (Lynn). Fluff, smut, angst. Set post game. "In an universe where they don't end up together while tadpoled, Lynn comes to the conclusion that he loves Astarion."

Sleep tight- Astarion x OC (Lynn) fluff.

Lesson One- Astarion x GN!reader. Fluff.

other beginnings

mess

kiss me slowly

dadstarion crums

stealth check failed

the veil- prologue, 1,

Karlach Cliffgate:

Bedsheets. Karlach x reader. Requested. Fluff. Post act 3. Ticklish adventure.

Wyll Ravengard:

Sleepless. Wyll x Reader. Smut, fluff if you squint. "Everyone is asleep, and all he can think about is not next to him."

Headcanon: anal. Smut.

Something. Wyll x reader x Gale, poly, fluff. They are something.

Avoid Astarion x Wyll. Angsty (check under Astarion)

Seasalt. Wyll x reader, smut

Gale Dekarios:

Arabella - Songfic, fluff. Prompt: 169 “Oh, fuck. Do that again.” 

Something. Wyll x reader x Gale. Fluff. (look up!)<3

Tea- Gale x reader. Drabble. A tea to fall in love.

Shadowheart:

TBA

Lae'zel:

TBA

Halsin:

TBA

Jaheira:

Dinner is served. smut.

Minsc:

TBA

other characters:

"Let me show you how this will benefit you"- Gortash x OC (see more on post), smut- check TWs.

HC bg3 men with caring Tav

HC bg3 x durge, refusing bhaal

Request rules:

My requests are currently open, of course there's some rules I'd like to enforce so all of the readers, as well as me, are comfortable.

-no nsfw from anons or ageless accs

-no abuse from the romantic interest with the intent of having them fall in love (I see you Stockholm syndrome lovers, but this is not the place), while the mcs trying to murder each other before kissing it's our fav trope here, abuse it's not.

-no dubcon or noncon

-no b3stiality, no inc3st, or minors characters, even if aged up.

-and yk the usual do not interact warnings.

-can definitely use prompts, one liners, tropes, whatever comes to your mind for the request, and I'll try my best to fulfill them.

Navigation tags:

#lynn: updates ☆ (updates on what im working on, or published content)

#ask: lynn ☆ (answers to the asks I get)

#lynn: i wandered lonely as a cloud (ff related tag)

#vault: lynn ☆ (what I posted)

#asklynn☆: request (requests fulfilled)

[plusdanshii]

care and ivory wraith part 1

(aka care’s religious awakening, how/ why she became a nun. MAJOR story flashblack fic. very really long. cw for piss but its not important)

the blood moon that changed care’s life. care’s first and only encounter with ivory wraith, something that still gives her nightmares years after it happened. the encounter that solidified, cemented, and crystalized her phobia of penetration. want to make it clear that care was still petrified of penetration before the encounter and that, if she never met ivory wraith, i think her fear would’ve slowly but surely abated over time. that’s all but impossible for her now. she will/ would never allow anyone to put anything inside of her (except for bailey of course). it’s just too scary. it would hurt her so much. theres no way.

whatever happened earlier in the day, is all faint and fuzzy. she’s sure she went to school, and that she went to work afterwards, but she cannot fill in the gaps for them. if she tried really hard she might remember being grabbed the hair and having her head slammed into the lockers that day but it happened so frequently back then, she could be misremembering. and about what happened after school. it’s all so shadowy, she half remembers knocking on the doors of the mansions on danube. half remembers teaching someone about something. the only thing she remembers vividly about the entire day is that whatever job she did gave her 150 euros. that was the most someone had ever given all at once for one job and more importantly— now she had enough for rent that week.she also remembered the immense, sublime relief that washed over her afterwards.

and, she remembers coming home earlier than usual that day. the sun was still setting. to care, the sky seemed to stretch out further than it usually did. it seemed so vast and beyond her on this particular day. she likes to look up at the sky from time to time but this time felt a little different. the walk home felt different. the sunlight that hit her had enveloped her in this warm, rejuvenating embrace. and the sky looked so pretty. a blanket of orange, with yellow hues and purple and pink clouds blossoming like a bouquet all across it. at this point care hadn’t been introduced to religion of any kind, but she could only describe that sky of that day as being nothing other than divine. she does not remember entering the orphanage, the last memory of that day is her crawling into bed after a bath.

the night however is entirely and thoroughly etched into her long term memory. each second from 12pm to 6am is branded in her amygdala with the searing hot iron of trauma. she hates that her memory is so good. she despises it. it’s only made her life harder than it already is, than it needed to be.

there is no other kind of dread that can compare to the dread, the bottomless, immeasurable, and abysmal feeling of having your body be completely puppeteer’d by something otherworldly. in all of her years, of everything she had experienced up to that point, of everything she experienced after that point. it’s her most horrid memory.the feeling of being dragged out of what otherwise could’ve been her best nights sleep in years. of looking into the mirror and discovering that she is not in control of any part of her body, and that her eyes are a sickeningly unnatural bright blue. of crawling out her window and floating onto the ground. of having to watch your own body move and behave so inhumanely. movements horrifically bizarre, and this only being the start of the night.

no matter how hard she tried her body just would not obey. once she figured out whoever’s controlling her must be taking her to the lake. even in her hysteric panic she had half the mind the understand she should probably be saving her energy for whatever’s about to happen to her. what she remembers vividly too, is being freezing cold and drenched in water. after being forcibly kicked out of her mind, whatever took control and dragged her here led her into this lichen infested cave sealed underneath the lake. she didn’t have time to process anything she had just been through.

“you belong to me” that was the first thing it said to her.

as it turns out being possessed really depletes your physical energy. even though in this moment care’s mind was a locomotive running at full speed with a busted brake lever her body might as well weighed ten thousand tons. “run away” “stand up” “crawl away” “move” even though she had regained control of her body, still it would not obey.

with her mind running at razing speeds, and her body not operating at all, the night seemed to stop and drench itself in this nightmarish, stupendous slowness.

it’s as if she had unlocked some kind of higher state of cognizance, but only for this one moment. she had never been so aware of what was happening to her, of what was going to happen to her. she was both present and so far away, what was happening right now was both a toy house she was peering into; playing out a crude scene with the worn out dolls of her childhood, and the most painfully corporeal, tangible situation of her life. the sound of her chastity belt shattering was something that crushed part of her soul. it was also like the sound of the fragile skin of a balloon loudly popping; the balloon being her sanity.

after this she was preparing for the excruciation of a lifetime. the anguish and agony of having your vaginal walls breached and your hymen torn apart. it was coming. that was the only thing left to happen to her this night. it was going to happen and she wasn’t prepared, physically or mentally, but she was awaiting it. awaiting for something worse than death. waited and waited, but it never came.

tentacles wrapped around every lib, two assaulting her tender breasts and nipples, one relentlessly fondling her ass. and this dreadful, horrendous corporal apparition positioning it’s gigantic cock in front of her bare pussy. “please dont hurt me”, she remembers squeaking out, as if to preserve what little oxygen she had left in her lungs. “i promise you endless pleasure, is this not enough?” it had giggled, as if amused beyond belief, and grabbed her by neck and squeezed.

“this is it. this is how im going to die.” again awaiting the incredible pain that was about to spear and spilt her alive, but again nothing came. the wet, unbearably cold hand on her neck tightened. instead of piercing her insides like she was so sure it was going to do, instead, it seemed to angle itself to rub the tip of its cock on her clit. slowly. carefully. deliberately. she has no idea whats gong on, whats happening to her. everything is so close and far away. and she can feel herself getting wet and wetter, but the hand on her throat seems to have disappeared from her senses. is she breathing right now? would it have made any difference?

the pale figure speaks but care is not listening. the simulation it’s forcing on her is extremely distracting. she was aware that someone else touching you feels better than touching yourself but, she had no idea it was so overwhelming. it really isn’t even doing all that much as well. it’s just barely moving its hips. and yet to care it feels like shes being touched by every hand in doltown. every part of her body feels searing hot, from the top if her head, to her steaming cheeks, down to her fingertips and toes. coil in her belly, threatening to snap at any moment now.

with the lack of oxygen flowing to her brain her orgasm had come and hit her so hard she thought she really died. she didn’t feel the hand remove from her throat or anything, for blissfully long seconds all she saw was white and heard nothing. it didn’t last as her overly sensitive pussy was still being gently assaulted. she remembers most of all it looking is delighted at the torture it’s putting her through. she’s done nothing and yet it’s so intent on making her suffer sexually. it’s pressing down on her clit with more force now. moving quicker.

another orgasm is wrung out from her. much more intense than the first. a second death, and she pissed herself. still, her gentle defilement continued. the plae figured leaned in closer to her, and she grasped onto its shoulders like a lifeline. in return it settled its hands onto her waist, even traced circles on the spot; a cruel imitation of a lovers embrace. she came and pissed herself many more times. after this she only remembers sobbing in its arms, begging it to stop and it only cooing and laughing. how many times she came, she had no idea, but she was so sore at the end of the bight she was sure her clit would never feel anything again.

eventually morning came, and her assault stopped. she very vaguely remembers swimming up to the surface. freezing cold, soaking wet, and petrified; care walked back home to the orphanage. taking the secret passage out of the forest she saw the temple first on her way back and sobbed— she would’ve dropped down on her knees and pressed her forehead in the concrete sidewalk from sheer respite if she weren’t naked. the temple. the temple. she had never been so relived to see something familiar on her way back home.

even after all of this care was still ware of the place that she lived in so didn’t linger long. stuck to the shadows and hurried to her room where she passed out from relief and respire.

[thechaoticfanartist]

“People that you don’t ever think could, can become awful people, Master. You don’t know, and I don’t either,” she told him quietly.

Obi-Wan could see the deeper meaning to her words. “You’re not talking about yourself,” he noticed.

“Who else could I be?” Grim asked. “I’m the only story I don’t know.”

-The Clone Wars Gets A New Victim, Part II: The Clouds, Chapter 17: Haunted by Darkness

Tag List (let me know if you want to be added or removed) : @padme--amygdala @soclonely @mrfandomwars @jgvfhl @starlonkedd @andorlorian @togrutanduin @jedi-valjean @one-real-imonkey @traygaming @keoxus @veiled-in-stars @sentineljedi @spicysucculentz @it-was-rose @thejediprincessqueenofnaboo @veradragonjedi @arrthurpendragon @shrinkthisviolet @thebrainofocto @forloveofcodywan @mandalorian-general

[trevlad-sounds]

Sleep Space 9

07.10.2024

Please Close Your Eyes-Heaven On The Fourth Floor-00:00 Kosmischer Läufer-Die Weisse Rose-02:29 Kilometre Club-Blah Andy-07:36 Desolate Horizons-Each Star Whispers with Hope-08:44 Metric System 1981-Down To The Sea-11:01 Navaja Opinel-Neighbours Don’t Like Fentanyl-13:09 Neil Cowley Trio-Death of Amygdala-16:05 Ian Hawgood-i drove through the night-20:13 Elinch-grau eight-21:41 HEAVY AXE-TOMORROW-25:12 anthéne-by design-30:22 Mint Deluxe-Pomerau-36:01 Paper Relics-Time To Start (Album Version)-42:24 Glåsbird-Infinite Cloud-46:48 dynamo-human color-51:02 Djane Ki-An Eyelid in my Ear feat. Innocent but Guilty-56:05 little forest-glow-59:17 James Bernard-Californian Swells-1:02:28 Far away Nebraska-Verso un nuovo giorno-1:07:20 Gollden-make me feel-1:12:08 zakè & Tyresta-Departing Day-1:14:44 Ann Annie-Drift Creek-1:18:44 Ed Herbers-Splashdown-1:23:08 Rjania-Lost On Panthallassa-1:27:04 The Green Kingdom-Forgotten Futures-1:31:01

[power464646]

I'm surprised people were fooled by that picture of Titan's controller edited onto the sea floor. You think that thing could survive 38.5 megapascals of pressure? It couldn't even survive that incident back in 2013 when your friend Aidan from high school threw it against the wall of his older brother's mancave/garage wall after going 0-3 against you in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and stormed off in a volatile, pained concoction of arrogance, jealousy, and shame brewed up by his amygdala and whatever else of his neurochemistry puberty wasn't done with yet. You feel guilty, or at least think you do, no matter how straightforward it is to rationalise that nothing is your fault. To be more precise, you feel guilty that you have neither the courage nor the vocabulary to ask what his problem is. He himself, even less to answer. It's obvious that this outburst wasn't all over getting thrashed in a video game, though, or at least that this only catalysed something inevitable. A private dread weighs on him like storm clouds thick with portent of flood, dread that his parents have planned out his future for him. He feels emasculated by this, that at your age the chrysalis into autonomy has not graced him yet (though, hindsight being what it is, you better recognise it as a hemimetabolous series of ecdyses), and offended to think his parents might presume to have him all figured out more than he himself does. His grades are good, make no mistake, and so are yours, but what difference does that make? Really, what does that change? You both know the school system is just an ornamented maze for laboratory rats. The night grows old, and Aidan doesn't come back out of his room except to bid you goodbye when you head off. There's no spite in his voice, as if he determined already he'd find no relief in it, but the shame hasn't waned. You haven't the heart to tell him that he just sucks at fighting games. Like, Jesus Christ, Aidan. He played Kid Buu, for crying out loud.

You don't talk much anymore. A photo from his last birthday party before you both graduated is somewhere on your bedside table, buried under half-read novels and medication receipts you haven't gotten around to throwing out after they'd finished being important. Last you heard he was changing his degree, away from the path his parents were hoping to send him down. You never really heard what to.

[foxgloveinspace]

@a-little-lynx tagged me in - on repeat playlist, on shuffle. First 10 tracks, tag 10 people. Thanks! (I... don't know what playlist to use so I'm just gonna use my yearly playlist ig. I put new to me music, new music, music from shows/movies I've watched during the year, and my all time favorites I go back to all the time on my yearly mixes).

I have no music taste, I have what makes the adhd brain wooly worms that live in my head happy. They dance around instead of tickle my skull sadly.

@manletsexual @kyloreno-911 @excelsior9173 @blue-lollipops-and-ice-clouds @wrath-of-medea and anyone else who wants to do this! and as always if you don't want to do this then no pressure at all! <3

[luxuryunpluggedpodcast]

How To Overcome Fear Meditation: A Journey into the Unknown

Fear is a universal emotion — one that every human being has encountered in some form or another. Whether it’s fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the future, or even fear of success, this potent emotion can paralyze progress and dampen our spiritual and emotional well-being. Yet, when approached with presence and awareness, fear can also become a doorway into profound growth and transformation.

In this article, we delve into the spiritual practice of Fear Meditation and explore exactly how to overcome fear using mindfulness, breathwork, and heart-centered awareness. This is not about eliminating fear completely — because fear, in many ways, serves a purpose — but rather about learning how to sit with fear, understand it, and transmute it into inner strength.

Understanding the Nature of Fear

Before we begin our journey through Fear Meditation, we must understand what fear truly is.

Fear is a primal response designed to protect us. It originates in the amygdala, the part of the brain that governs emotional reactions and survival instincts. In ancient times, fear kept us alive in dangerous situations. However, in modern life, our fear is often psychological rather than physical — yet the response is the same.

We fear the unknown, we fear change, and we fear loss. But most fear is mental projection, a story our mind tells about something that hasn’t even happened.

How to overcome fear starts with recognizing that you are not your fear. You are the awareness that observes the fear.

The Role of Meditation in Overcoming Fear

Meditation provides a safe and sacred container to witness fear without judgment. It gives us tools to slow down our racing thoughts, regulate our breath, and connect to a deeper sense of self that is not governed by fear.

Through Fear Meditation, we invite fear into the space of compassion and curiosity. Instead of running from it or suppressing it, we lean into it. And in that leaning, we begin to transform.

What Is Fear Meditation?

Fear Meditation is a form of mindfulness or guided visualization meditation that focuses specifically on fear. Unlike general meditation, it encourages you to bring your fear into full consciousness and work with it intentionally.

This process involves:

Becoming aware of where fear resides in the body.

Identifying the root cause or trigger.

Using breath, visualization, and affirmation to transform the fear.

Learning to meet the unknown with grace rather than resistance.

How To Overcome Fear: Step-by-Step Through Meditation

Let’s walk through a powerful and effective practice of Fear Meditation — a meditative journey into the unknown:

Step 1: Prepare Your Space

Find a quiet and peaceful place where you will not be disturbed. Sit comfortably on a cushion or chair with your spine straight. Close your eyes and place your hands gently on your knees or heart.

Step 2: Breathe with Intention

Begin by taking deep, slow breaths. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for 4, exhale for 6. Repeat for several minutes. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, calming your mind and body.

As you continue to breathe, say silently:

“I am safe in this moment. I am grounded. I am present.”

Step 3: Name Your Fear

Bring to mind a specific fear you are currently experiencing. It could be fear of public speaking, fear of financial instability, fear of being alone, or fear of illness. Name it.

Now ask yourself:

“Where do I feel this fear in my body?”

Maybe it’s tightness in your chest, a knot in your stomach, or tension in your jaw. Place your hand over that area and breathe into it.

Step 4: Visualize the Fear

Imagine the fear as a shape, a color, or a cloud. See it clearly in your mind’s eye. Now, slowly begin to shift the energy around it. Imagine it softening, changing colors, or dissolving in light.

Say to the fear:

“I see you. I honor you. I am here to listen.”

This step is not about getting rid of the fear, but transforming your relationship to it.

Step 5: Use Affirmations

As you continue breathing, begin to repeat one or more of the following affirmations:

“I am stronger than my fear.”

“I walk with courage and clarity.”

“My fear is a messenger, not a master.”

“I trust the unknown.”

These affirmations rewire your subconscious beliefs and help shift your emotional state from fear to empowerment.

The Spiritual Side of Fear

Fear isn’t always the enemy — it can be a spiritual teacher. It shows you where your growth edge lies. Fear reveals the places where love has not yet reached.

In the teachings of many spiritual traditions, fear is considered a necessary challenge on the path to awakening. In Buddhism, fear is seen as an illusion of the ego. In Christianity, perfect love is said to cast out fear. In yogic philosophy, fear (bhaya) is one of the primary obstacles to liberation.

Thus, learning how to overcome fear is not just emotional — it is deeply spiritual.

Real-Life Transformations with Fear Meditation

Thousands of people around the world have used Fear Meditation to change their lives. Consider these real-world examples:

A woman with chronic anxiety began meditating daily and was able to reduce her panic attacks by 80%.

A startup founder terrified of failure used guided Fear Meditation to build the confidence to pitch investors and grow his business.

A cancer survivor used meditation to face her fear of death and discovered profound inner peace in the process.

The secret? Consistency, self-compassion, and the courage to go within.

How to Integrate Fear Meditation Into Your Daily Life

To make the most of this practice, consider the following tips:

1. Daily Practice

Even five minutes of Fear Meditation a day can create significant shifts. The consistency signals your subconscious that you are choosing peace over panic.

2. Keep a Fear Journal

After your meditation, write down any insights, sensations, or emotions that came up. Over time, you’ll notice patterns and progress.

3. Combine with Breathwork

Deep diaphragmatic breathing is one of the fastest ways to calm fear. Practice breathing techniques such as box breathing or alternate nostril breathing before meditating.

4. Use Sound or Music

Soothing music, Tibetan singing bowls, or binaural beats can enhance the meditation experience and help release stuck energy.

5. Seek Community Support

Joining a meditation group or online community can provide accountability and shared growth. Sometimes the greatest healing happens in shared vulnerability.

Final Thoughts: The Gift of Facing Fear

Ultimately, the practice of how to overcome fear is a return to love. Fear disconnects us from our truth; meditation brings us back. When you sit with your fear rather than run from it, you begin to realize that fear is not a wall, but a doorway.

Through the sacred art of Fear Meditation, you learn that fear is not your enemy — it is your invitation to deepen into presence, courage, and wisdom.

Let this journey into the unknown be your path to freedom. And when fear arises again — as it surely will — you will be ready.

With breath. With stillness. With love.

Bonus: 5-Minute Guided Script for Fear Meditation

You can record this in your own voice or listen to it slowly:

“Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in. And exhale completely. Feel the ground beneath you, supporting you. Now bring to mind the fear that’s been weighing on your heart. See it. Name it. Feel it. Now breathe into it gently. Say with love: I’m here for you. I am stronger than my fear. I choose courage over comfort. I trust the unfolding of life. With each breath, feel the fear melting into light. With each exhale, let go. You are safe. You are free. You are loved.”

[alexanderequilibrium]

Fear Is the Mind-Killer

Fear is a con. A scam. A cheap parlor trick that convinces you it’s keeping you safe, when all it’s really doing is keeping you small. You feel it tighten your chest, cloud your judgment, make you hesitate when you should move. And once it has you—really has you—you don’t even realize you’ve stopped living. Just existing. Stuck in the loop. Safe. Dull. Half-asleep. But you call it practical, responsible. The biggest lies are always the ones we tell ourselves.

Frank Herbert nailed it: Fear is the mind-killer. Not just poetic, but scientific. When fear takes over, the brain short-circuits. The amygdala hijacks the controls, pumps your system full of adrenaline, and shuts down critical thinking. You’re no longer making decisions. You’re reacting. And reaction isn’t living. It’s surviving. If you stay in that state too long, you start mistaking survival for a life. You don’t take the trip. You don’t have the conversation that could change everything. You don’t make the move that might shake up your world. Fear shrinks the possibilities down to what is safe, what is known. The world stops feeling infinite. It becomes just a handful of cautious steps in any direction.

You can see it in so many people. They let fear write their script. They let it say no before they even ask what if. They stay in their comfort zones, avoiding the unknown because it might be difficult, messy, unpredictable. Fear keeps them comfortable. It keeps them bored. It keeps them stuck.

But the best things, the real things—the nights that stretch longer than they should because no one wants to leave, the words that cut through the noise and actually mean something, the moments that remind you exactly why you’re alive—those only happen when you tell fear to get out of the way and do it anyway. When you step into uncertainty. Not because you’re fearless, but because you refuse to be controlled.

This isn’t about being reckless. It’s about refusing to be small. It’s about knowing that fear is a bad narrator—one that overestimates risk and underestimates the cost of playing it safe. The only way to beat it is to see it for what it is. And then walk through it. Because in the end, fear doesn’t protect you. It just keeps you from the best stories you’ll never get to tell.

Alexander Equilibrium

[waywardmentalitydonut]

Mastering Emotions Through Meditation: A Path to Mental Stability

Emotions are like waves—sometimes calm, sometimes stormy. During tough times, anxiety, sadness, and frustration can feel overwhelming. But what if, instead of being swept away, you learned to float? Meditation doesn’t suppress emotions; it helps you understand and transform them.

My Journey: From Darkness to Light

A few months ago, I hit rock bottom—facing career failure and depression. For six months, life felt stuck. Then, a friend introduced me to meditation, saying the Universe holds answers to our struggles. Initially skeptical, I decided to try. The first few days were tough—five minutes felt like an eternity. But with patience, I saw a shift.

Meditation allowed me to step back from my emotions instead of being consumed by them. It helped me detach from negativity, develop self-awareness, and build resilience. If you're struggling emotionally, meditation can be a powerful tool to regain balance and peace.

Meditation & Emotional Mastery

As I continued meditating, small but significant changes emerged: increased focus, deep relaxation, and most importantly, hope. Here’s how it helped me:

Self-Awareness: I realized that emotions don’t control me; I control them.

Emotional Resilience: Instead of drowning in problems, I saw them as temporary challenges.

Gratitude & Positivity: I began appreciating life’s beauty, resisting negativity.

Living in the Present: Life hadn’t stopped—I had. Now, I stay mindful and engaged.

How Meditation Transforms the Brain

Scientific research shows that meditation rewires brain structures for better emotional stability:

Shrinks the Amygdala (Fear & Stress Center): Reducing fear, stress, and anxiety.

Strengthens the Prefrontal Cortex (Self-Control & Focus): Enhancing logical thinking and emotional regulation.

Grows the Hippocampus (Memory & Emotional Intelligence): Boosting mindfulness and emotional stability.

Best Meditation Techniques for Emotional Stability

1. Mindfulness Meditation

Helps you observe thoughts without judgment.

Enhances body awareness and deepens breathing.

Promotes emotional balance by acknowledging and letting go of distractions. How to do: Sit in a quiet space, focus on your breath, and visualize thoughts as passing clouds.

2. Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta Meditation)

Fosters compassion and emotional resilience.

Encourages self-love and reduces anger. How to do: Sit comfortably, place one hand on your chest and another on your stomach. Repeat affirmations like “May I be happy, may I be peaceful,” while visualizing loved ones.

3. Candle Gazing (Trataka)

Enhances concentration and calms the mind.

Reduces overthinking and emotional restlessness. How to do: In a dark room, place a candle at eye level, 2-3 feet away. Focus on the flame without blinking. When your eyes water, close them and visualize the flame internally.

4. Pranayama (Breathwork Meditation)

Controls emotions through breath regulation.

Calms the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety. How to do: Try the “4-7-8” technique—inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Repeat a few times.

How Meditation Strengthens Emotional Stability

1. From Reaction to Response: Trains the brain to pause before reacting impulsively. 2.Enhances Emotional Intelligence: Increases self-awareness and emotional control.  3.Releases Emotional Baggage: Encourages a non-judgmental approach to past traumas.  4.Strengthens Neural Plasticity: Rewires the brain for calmness in stressful situations.

Daily Meditation Routine for Emotional Stability

Morning: Start with 5-10 minutes of Pranayama (Anulom Vilom or Bhramari) before meditation to clear mental clutter and balance emotions.

Mid-Day: Take a 2-minute pause to observe your emotional state and reset.

Evening: End your day with loving-kindness meditation to cultivate positivity and peace.

Final Thoughts

Emotions are unpredictable, but meditation empowers you to navigate them with ease. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, frustration, or sadness, meditation is your gateway to emotional mastery. Start small, stay consistent, and embrace the transformation. For more details click here

[relationshipreboot]

You wake up at 3 a.m., heart racing, palms sweaty, and a tidal wave of thoughts crash over you like a relentless storm. You’re not alone. Anxiety is a common experience that affects millions, but understanding what happens in your brain when you feel this way can empower you to manage it better. In this article, we will delve into the science of anxiety, unpacking the complexities of how it impacts your mind and body, and providing you practical advice to navigate through it. Understanding the Core Issue The Biological Basis of Anxiety At its core, anxiety is a natural response to stress. When you perceive a threat—be it a looming deadline, a public speaking engagement, or a life change—your brain activates the amygdala. This almond-shaped structure is crucial for processing emotions and is often referred to as the brain's "alarm system." The amygdala sends signals to the hypothalamus, which in turn triggers the fight-or-flight response. This results in the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones prepare your body to react to the danger, increasing your heart rate, sharpening your senses, and giving you a surge of energy. However, in the absence of a real threat, this response can spiral out of control, causing myriad challenges. The Role of Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that facilitate communication between neurons. Two key neurotransmitters involved in regulating anxiety are serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Serotonin, often dubbed the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, helps stabilize mood and feelings of happiness. Low levels of serotonin are associated with increased anxiety. On the other hand, GABA acts as an inhibitor, calming the nervous system and reducing feelings of anxiousness. A deficiency in GABA can lead to heightened anxiety levels, creating a vicious cycle that is challenging to break. Cognitive Patterns and Anxiety Anxiety isn't solely a biological issue; it also involves cognitive patterns. Often, our thoughts can exacerbate anxiety. For instance, if you constantly think, "What if I fail?" during a presentation, you may trigger your body's anxiety response even before stepping onto the stage. This thought process can become a habit, leading to chronic anxiety. The interplay between thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses paints a complex picture of anxiety that is not only influenced by our biology but also by the way we interpret and react to the world around us. Practical Tips and Strategies Mindfulness and Meditation One of the most effective ways to counteract the overwhelming nature of anxiety is through mindfulness and meditation. Taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breath or engage in guided meditation can help quiet the mind. It brings your attention back to the present moment, creating a break from the relentless worries that often flood your thoughts. Consider starting your day with five minutes of mindfulness. As you sit quietly, focus on your breathing. With each inhale and exhale, visualize your anxiety dissipating like clouds in a clear sky. Over time, this practice can train your brain to respond differently to stress. Physical Exercise Regular physical exercise can significantly counteract anxiety. When you engage in activities like running, yoga, or even a brisk walk, your body releases endorphins—natural mood lifters. Exercise not only reduces stress hormones but also stimulates the production of serotonin, helping to create a more balanced emotional state. Aim to incorporate at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your daily routine. Find activities you enjoy; whether it's dancing, gardening, or hiking, the key is to get moving! Establishing a Routine Anxiety often thrives in unpredictability and chaos. Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of structure and control, helping to mitigate feelings of anxiety. Simple tasks such as setting regular wake-up and sleep times or scheduling moments throughout your day for breaks can help create a framework that reduces stress.

Try to include activities that are enjoyable in your routine. Perhaps you set aside an hour on Sunday afternoons to cook a new recipe or read a book. Healthy Eating Habits Your diet significantly impacts your mental health. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds, can support brain health and reduce anxiety levels. Similarly, incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels, leading to fewer mood swings. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which can heighten anxiety symptoms. Instead, opt for herbal teas, particularly those known for their calming properties, like chamomile and lavender. Seeking Professional Help If your anxiety feels unmanageable, seeking the support of a mental health professional can be incredibly beneficial. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have been shown to be effective in helping individuals reframe negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies. Consider speaking with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. They can equip you with tools to better understand your anxiety and provide individualized strategies to cope with challenges. Real-Life Examples The College Student's Panic Take Sarah, a college student who experiences anxiety during exams. The night before her finals, she finds herself unable to sleep, plagued by thoughts of failure. This heightened anxiety leads her to focus solely on all the things that could go wrong rather than what she has prepared for. After attending a mindfulness workshop, Sarah learned to channel her thoughts. She allocated ten minutes each night before bed for deep breathing and visualization. By consciously shifting her focus away from worry and towards self-affirmation, she felt more at ease on exam day. Over time, her anxiety around tests diminished significantly. The Professional's Dilemma Then there’s Tom, a young professional who often felt paralyzed by anxiety at work. His anxiety stemmed from the fear of making mistakes during critical presentations. Rather than allowing himself to spiral into self-doubt, he decided to seek help from a therapist. Through therapy, Tom learned CBT techniques that helped him view his fears from a different perspective. By reframing his thoughts, he transformed his anxiety into a source of motivation. His once paralyzing fear has now turned into an opportunity for growth, and he now approaches presentations with confidence. The Stay-at-Home Parent Lastly, there’s Jenna, a stay-at-home parent grappling with anxiety as she juggles family responsibilities. The chaos of managing a household often left her feeling overwhelmed. In seeking to regain a sense of control, she adopted a structured daily routine that included dedicated time for self-care. By setting aside moments each day for hobbies and exercise, Jenna found that these small acts of self-nurturing had a profound impact on her mental well-being. The routine brought a sense of peace amid the busyness of family life. Overcoming Challenges Recognizing Triggers Understanding your anxiety triggers is crucial. Take time to reflect and identify patterns that contribute to your feelings of anxiety. Keeping a journal can be a helpful tool. Write down situations that heighten your anxiety levels, and note how you respond to them. By recognizing these triggers, you empower yourself to develop targeted coping strategies. For example, if you find that crowded places induce anxiety, creating a plan for addressing this—such as practicing relaxation techniques before entering a crowded space—can significantly help. The Importance of Support Don’t underestimate the power of social connections when it comes to managing anxiety. Lean on friends and family for support. Open dialogues about your feelings can help relieve the burdens of anxiety. You might be surprised by how many people have walked similar paths and can offer comfort or advice. Consider joining a support group.

Sharing experiences with others who understand your struggles can be incredibly validating. Together, you can explore coping mechanisms, share success stories, and provide encouragement to one another. Practicing Self-Compassion It’s easy to fall into the trap of self-criticism when battling anxiety. The key to overcoming challenges related to anxiety is to practice self-compassion. Remind yourself that feeling anxious is a human experience, and it doesn’t define your worth. Make it a habit to speak to yourself kindly. When anxiety hits, instead of scolding yourself for feeling unwell, try gently acknowledging your feelings. Phrases like "It's okay to feel this way" and "I will get through this" can shift your inner dialogue, fostering resilience and hope. Conclusion Navigating the science of anxiety and what happens in your brain can feel daunting, but there’s hope. By understanding the biological and cognitive underpinnings of anxiety, you can better grasp why certain situations trigger feelings of stress. Implementing practical strategies—like mindfulness, physical activity, healthy eating, and seeking support—enables you to reclaim your narrative from anxiety. Remember the stories of individuals like Sarah, Tom, and Jenna as you forge your own path. Struggles with anxiety do not define you; instead, they are a part of your journey toward growth and healing. Rest assured that, with patience, self-compassion, and the right tools, you can cultivate a life where anxiety no longer holds you back. Together, we can strive toward a more mindful existence where fear is acknowledged but not allowed to reign. You are not alone in this journey, and a new perspective is always within reach.

[dustedmagazine]

Illusion of Safety — Float (Full Spectrum)

Water is the canvas on which life scatters its myriad forms. It’s also the vehicle for nature’s wrath. Within water’s covalent structure, placidity and chaos swirl in a perpetual duel. For the 40th anniversary of his ineffable Illusion of Safety project, Daniel Burke wanted to demonstrate his reverence for this mercurial substance. “I was always in water,” he says, “swimming and later scuba diving, always fascinated not only by the feel of it…but also the sound of it: wave, flow, bubble, crackle, and hiss.” His awe is matched by his realization that climate change begets extreme weather events, and he wanted to represent this powerful but deadly aspect of water in his work: bomb cyclones, storm surges, record-breaking rainfalls, intense blizzards. Float is how Burke reconciles water’s many temperaments. He conjures its calm mirrored surface, the hypnotic splattering of its droplets, its rage-filled violent surges, and the melancholy dance of its foggy vapor across a single extended soundscape.

The initial incarnation of Float was an immersive 16-channel audio experience with video accompaniment. To witness it must have been like being copilot to Mother Nature, as the audio-only stereo mixdown is indelible and haunting on its own. Its fluid frequencies seep between the synapses to secure a home in our collective amygdalae. Burke has woven a multi-hued tapestry from water recordings spanning the spectrum of hydro-human experience: raindrops, thunderclaps, waves, drips, gurgles, and misty sprays. Environmental field recordings add a sense of immediacy and immersion. Burke places us amid the storm, he submerges us in the stream, and he dips our toes into the ocean’s salty waves. His own instrumental recordings, primarily electronics and piano, tie the narrative together. Ambient and noise music conjure a host of water metaphors; Float rises above metaphor; it tells the story of water and the asymmetrical nature of our relationship with the substance. Our survival depends on it, but we don’t appreciate it. We exploit it, and it can destroy us. 

Illusion of Safety has taken many forms over the decades Burke’s been active. His list of collaborators is lengthy. For Float, he’s acting solo, harmonizing with the water itself. This is a personal relationship for him, one that becomes more important as the impact of climate change becomes ever more apparent. As the music reaches its noisiest point and electronic clouds beget distorted peals of thunder and static, Burke is appealing to our lizard brains. We should respect water’s power, even fear it. He punctuates this thought with the title of the piece. What happens when we don’t float in water? We don’t survive.

Bryon Hayes