#applications of isolation transformers

[millysastroblog]

⚡️Solar return chart 2022⚡️

Hello I’m am back with SR Chart observation as I promised from 2022, these are just personal observations and experiences if you haven’t experienced any sorts of things that’s complete fine. These are not facts neither predictions so don’t panic and think that the same situation will manifest for you. Alright ??? 😉

yeah let’s just get into it ! 🫶🏽

⚡️Cancer Rising:

This placement literally made me emotionally expressive and MOODY more than ever. From the start of that year i stayed at home for literally 3- 4 months after I dropped out of school. I very much enjoyed being at home with my family, cooking, cleaning doing domestic stuff . It was very interesting how the people in my environment started being very supportive and protective over my well-being like those of a little child. I definitely expressed my emotions openly : like randomly crying , huge outburst of laughter , or simply smiling a lot. I felt more caring and nurturing towards others . Thought about moving out surfaced a lot. Cancer is a very comforting energy but since it’s ruled by the moon there a lot of drastic unstable changes that could occur in once live.

⚡️Moon , North Node in the 12th house:

This placement brought a profound sense of isolation and introspection. I found myself naturally drawn to solitude, spending hours meditating, practicing yoga, or simply enjoying peaceful moments in nature. It felt like a spiritual awakening—connecting deeply with my intuition and exploring dreams that often felt like messages from a higher source. Meditation and Manifestation became a daily practice. While these moments of stillness were empowering, they also highlighted an inner restlessness and a desire to understand my true purpose. This phase was about healing, embracing the unknown, and surrendering to the flow of life.

⚡️Sun, Neptune, Jupiter in the 10th house:

Career and life path became the central focus during this time. I found myself dreaming bigger, envisioning a life where my efforts and aspirations aligned perfectly. I applied to different companies and got a new good job, I was in my hustling and bag area it was pretty good and productive year. I started thinking about the impact I wanted to have in the world like how I wanted to be perceived and what achievements I wanted to be known for. It was all about refining my goals, building a stronger work ethic, and setting the stage for future success.

⚡️SR Rising in natal 3rd house:

Communication became a major theme since I had went to a lot of interviews, had to reintroduce myself to different people which pushed me out of my comfort zone. Also writing job applications, or reconnecting with siblings, it felt like the universe was nudging me to refine my voice and share my thoughts more clearly. Short-distance travels were frequent, giving me a sense of curiosity.

⚡️Venus, Mars, Pluto in the 8th house:

Now these placements fucked meee upppp and I really mean they fucked my life up and turned it to 180

With Pluto being in my 8th house, the intensity of this year was amplified 10x. The 8th house rules transformation, trauma, money, intimacy, and taboo topics, so this energy hit hard. At the start, I was determined to open a bank and savings account, but it took forever with endless complications. I became obsessed with earning money—whether through my own efforts or others' help. Mars pushed me to focus on loans, investments, and financial security, while Venus amplified my desire for deep, soul-bonding relationships, intimacy, and, let’s be real... a lot of … Pluto, however, had other plans, flipping my world upside down. It made me face every fear and trauma regarding death, losing loved ones, intimacy, change, love, and even illness. I got sick for six months straight, lost friends, stability, and other things. It led to a mild depression, but in true 8th house fashion, I rose stronger. Now, I feel like Wonder Woman nothing and no one can shake me. I survived the storm, and that’s power. 💪🔥

⚡️Saturn in the 9th house:

Soo with this Saturn placement your girl has been hustling for good grades in school to not fail for the year. like since then I hated going to school bc it very stressful, and bad for my well-being , like I was always tense and stressed bc of school, in our normal societal living that is very much expected from us but honestly I just wasn’t having it. And even when i changed to another school it was the same shit like the environment and people were very cold ,strict and depressing I honestly didn’t had a nice time at school but at least I was motivated to study and learn as much as I can but at the end I decided to rather drop out because it was fucking with mental health. Also traveling long as hours for work and school purposes drove me crazy, that’s an area where I have been very disciplined at but It definitely took patience and determination to get there ;) .

⚡️Uranus, Chiron in the 11th house:

Guese who tf lost all their friends suddenly ??? And had a hard time fitting in new social groups because they felt different from everyone else:

🙋🏽‍♀️

(but no for real the energy is 10x intensified bc I have it natally additionaly Saturn is transiting my natal 11th house so yeah 🙁) not only did I loose most of friends but when engaging with different kinds of social groups I felt so uncomfortable and weird, like I had a very detached feeling. I hated to even be surrounded by groups of ppl that don’t hold the same value to mine or I that I can’t engage in intellectual topic of my interest. I was mostly bored asf when in interactions and stoped giving a fuck about trying too fit in and please their expectation and needs, I surely saw also trough the fake persona of a lot of ppl that I encountered and distanced myself even more. But It was that easy being all alone and isolated.

[kseniyagreen]

Character's special things in Fangs of fortune and their meaning

I realized that almost all the main characters have a special item that symbolizes (and contains?) a certain part of the hero’s soul - supplanted/forgotten/unknown.

And almost all of these items break at some point. But it is from this break moment that the path of assimilation of this lost part begins.

Bai Jiu and his paranormally spacious box. Just like Bai Jiu himself - keeps much more secrets than you can imagine looking at him from the side. Can even contain an additional person. (I don't remember the fate of Bai Jiu's box, if someone remembers it would be interesting).

Wen Xiao and baize token. For a long time, the Wen Xiao felt like an application to this relic, helpless without it, and only after it broke and she spent 300 years to grow a new one, it really became her own. (Frankly, her whole arch has a large unused potential. It could be made much more powerful if they didn't have to dance between censorship and the desire not to obscure the main BL line)

Li Lun and his drum. The gift of youthful love and a symbol of the innocence and some childish spirit, later converted into weapon. It breaks when Li Lun occupies the body of Bai Jiu - the body of the child - and begins the path of some real transformation.

Zhuo Yichen and his blue cloud sword. It breaks when Yichen's inner contradiction is revealed - and then, like with baize token , he creates a new sword. And creates it with the help of Zhao Yuanzhou - so this new sword is a “product” of their love, not predecessors.

Zhao Yuanzhou and his umbrella. Correct me if I remember wrong, but Yuanzhou's umbrella also breaks on the same day as the sword? And from this day we never see Zhao Yuanzhou completely losing self -control (he was close at the moment when people attacked Yichen, but resisted).

Pei Si Jing and a doll of her brother. Pei Si Jing all her life built her identity on the role of the sister-defender. But in the end, she herself killed her brother. And this fundamentally leaned her ability to fight the demons. The memory of her brother, busy with magic and tied to a doll, was her cruttle for a long time - more likely not as his soul, but as part of her soul tied to her role as a sister. But at that moment when she gained courage to fight the demons herself, this crutch breaks.

(I also don’t remember exactly, but did Ying Lei have this thing for teleportation? And it also broke at some point?)

And I find this whole theme of "Sometimes you need to break to become a whole" closely related to experiencing yourself as anomalies.

When you have a part in you that causes a painful contradiction, we tend to isolate this part, as if to put in a separate box. And get out of there only for a while and in an urgent need. And it seems that this mental "box" is felt as protection, but at the same time it is a prison.

Ultimately, it usually has to be broken. And even when you are really ready for this, it can be felt in the moment as a risk of self -destruction, final loss of yourself. Although in fact, it is after this that you can find yourself fully.

[mollyrosaria]

Moth Infection AU

If you come in contact with an infected’s wings and get their scales in or near any entrance to your body (I.E. Mouth, ears, eyes, nose) you become infected and slowly over the week turn into a moth hybrid.

The kind of moth you become is different for everyone and completely randomized, you could turn into a Southern Flannel Moth, a Grain Moth, an Atlas Moth, a Luna Moth, or a Madagascan Sunset Moth, the possibilities are only as vast as the number of species of moths.

Wings will sprout from the infected’s back and antenna will sprout from their forehead, they will grow extra arms which is very painful during their transformation. Their wing size correlates with the size of their body allowing them to fly.

They also gain an attraction to light when it’s night time and if they are not careful can end up lost very easily or disoriented if they live in bright areas such as cities.

their tongues become proboscis as well, and they gain a craving for nectar and sugary liquids.

There is no caterpillar stage, though most will go through a cocoon stage if applicable to the species they become. Hybrids of Species who bury themselves in the dirt instead of making cocoons will often suffocate to death if they do bury themselves, and it is recommended that they bundle up in dark blankets to satiate that urge to bury.

People who do not get the more favorable kind of moth species when they are infected often will hide themselves out of shame, and attempt to hide their moth features the best they can or attempt to remove them themselves, which is VERY dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death if not preformed by a professional.

Moth Hybrids also tend to turn nocturnal as you may be able to guess, which, along with every other symptom they receive, can majorly throw them off of a normal life.

Though some species of hybrids are more accepted than others, there is still a stigma surrounding the Moth Hybrids, and most avoid any and all contact with them. This leads to isolation and finding community within the Moth Hybrids.

Some hybrids will purposefully infect people they love or like so they don’t have to be separated by the fear of turning or by societal expectations or fear.

And some will actively seek out moth hybrids to assist them with getting infected, as they strongly desire to turn, whether that be for the ability to fly, or to be a cool moth hybrid. Some of these infection-seekers end up disappointed with their species of moth they receive and quickly regret it, as they do not look as beautiful as they envisioned, however, most who seek out the infection know the risks of not getting a particular flattering species, but simply do not care.

[almondenterprise]

The Difference Between Low, Medium, and High Voltage Switchgear

Switchgear plays a critical role in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power. It ensures safe and efficient operation by controlling, protecting, and isolating electrical circuits and equipment. But not all switchgear is created equal — low, medium, and high voltage switchgear are designed for different voltage levels and applications.

Understanding the differences between these types is crucial for electrical engineers, electricians, project managers, and anyone involved in power systems. In this article, we break down what sets them apart in terms of voltage range, components, applications, design, and safety considerations.

What is Switchgear?

Before diving into the differences, let’s clarify what switchgear is.

Switchgear refers to the combination of electrical disconnect switches, fuses, or circuit breakers used to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. It is essential for de-energizing equipment for maintenance and for clearing faults in the power system.

Classification by Voltage Level

Low Voltage Switchgear (LV)

Voltage Range:

Up to 1,000V AC (typically 400V/690V in 3-phase systems)

Key Components:

Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs)

Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs)

Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

Contactors and relays

Busbars, metering, control panels

Applications:

Residential and commercial buildings

Data centers and office spaces

Light industrial automation

Control panels and motor control centers (MCCs)

Characteristics:

Compact and easy to install

High frequency of operation

Relatively simple maintenance

Often enclosed in modular panels

Standards:

IEC 61439

NEC (National Electrical Code)

Medium Voltage Switchgear (MV)

Voltage Range:

1kV to 36kV (sometimes up to 72.5kV)

Key Components:

Vacuum circuit breakers (VCBs)

SF₆ (sulfur hexafluoride) insulated switchgear

Current and voltage transformers (CTs, VTs)

Protective relays

Grounding switches

Applications:

Electrical substations

Large factories and industrial plants

Railways and airports

Renewable energy farms (wind/solar)

Characteristics:

Higher insulation and safety requirements

More robust protection systems

Often installed indoors or in compact outdoor enclosures

May use gas-insulated or air-insulated designs

Standards:

IEC 62271–200

IEEE C37 series

High Voltage Switchgear (HV)

Voltage Range:

Above 36kV (commonly 66kV, 132kV, 220kV, up to 765kV)

Key Components:

SF₆ circuit breakers

Air blast or oil circuit breakers (older systems)

Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)

Disconnectors and earthing switches

High-end protection relays and SCADA integration

Applications:

National and regional power transmission networks

Power generation plants

Interconnecting large substations

Critical infrastructure (e.g., large data centers, airports)

Characteristics:

Complex installation and high-cost infrastructure

Requires rigorous safety procedures and specialized training

Often installed outdoors or in GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear) format

Includes extensive monitoring and automation

Standards:

IEC 62271–100 (HV circuit breakers)

IEEE C37.06

ANSI C37 series

Safety Considerations

Always follow local electrical codes, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and conduct routine maintenance regardless of switchgear type.

Conclusion

Choosing the right switchgear type is critical for ensuring safe and efficient power distribution. Whether you’re designing a residential panel or a high-voltage substation, knowing the difference between low, medium, and high voltage switchgear helps you make informed decisions about equipment, safety, and performance.

Mastering this knowledge isn’t just good practice — it’s essential for anyone serious about a career in the electrical field.

[alchemicaldesignquery]

Overwatch Design: Hazard

It's been a while.

Now that the 6v6 test is slowly winding down (a month and a bit of solid testing and queue times is more than I expected to get in, honestly) and the Dev team is looking toward the next iterations (Moth Meta Classic and Min 1/Max 3, both of which are going to be less ideal versions of the format), I thought it prudent to go into another deep dive about the most recent hero release, and lemme just say-

This fuckin' guy.

There is a lot to like about Hazard; predictable mobility (A Winston jump + fair Doomfist rocket punch) , limited kit application (Bone Spurs + Not-ridiculous Dmg Reduction), space making (all of the above) and with some quirky weaknesses (Wall climb's odd slow down at the tail end is perfect for sleeps/knifes/walling). Overall, a really strong foundation with few/fixable adjustment zones.

And then there's the God. Damn. Wall.

Look, I enjoy Tank. It's been my main since jump, back when I mistakenly thought Mei's Wall was as good as a barrier and kept blocking my team off from being killed and allowingtheenemytohealbehindmywallandcontesttheobjectiveforfree-

(I was a Reinhardt main and didn't know it yet)

So it stands to reason I'm going to be a bit more harsh about my Tank critiques in design. Albeit, the recent slew of Tank releases has also been a bit concerning across the board, but that's another discussion- especially given most of Hazard's kit is very solid with plenty of potential.

But I cannot stress enough how bad it is to provide a front line presence, who is going to be spending the majority of their time not glancing back at their teammates to see what they are doing?

A totem mechanic with collision.

There is a very very very good reason why Mei is not a Tank.

Because if you thought getting walled off from shooting the enemy was bad, having your sightline artificially blocked so you can't heal, help, move, or adjust due to the same is worse. Significantly more so when it's your own teammate (even if unintentionally 99% of the time) doing it.

Where you go, I can't follow

"Drop the Wall!"

Totems are mechanics that can be deployed to produce various effects in the game. Some examples:

Baptiste's Immortality Field

Illari's Pylon

Soldier's Biotic Field (technically)

Symmetra's Teleporter/Turrets

Barriers

Most of these function quite well, with some allowing for destruction, and thus, interactivity between heroes. Totems play an important role in design, allowing for the detachment of some of a Hero's kit potential, into a separate component; an avatar representative of some of their potency, at the cost of a more simplified (and counterable) interaction or-

Totems can be destroyed, blocked, avoided, or misplaced depending heavily on player interaction and input

But when a Totem possesses collision, the stakes increase to a rather significant degree; there is no longer room for error, as the totem's very existence represents both resistance and obstacle to everyone in the match.

This isn't to say Collision Totems can't be done well?

Mei's Ice Block, for instance, is a fairly balanced and well executed example. The context here is that Mei converts herself into the Totem, removing the potential for the rest of her kit in favour of achieving a more resilient state. That transformation comes at such a significant cost, that the scenarios in which it is useful are isolated, even niche. This gives the ability Texture in a way many other mechanics in the game can't hope to achieve.

And Mei's Ice Block can still severely hamper her own teammates.

Collision Totems need to be handled carefully and the why of it all comes down to a sticky topic where Player Input (or Skill if you want the gameplay translation) is concerned: Precision.

A player's ability to be precise is a huge measure of Player Input, allowing for fantastic gameplay moments, highlights, and unmistakable expressions anyone can recognize-

-but when mechanics like Collision Totems are highly dependent on precision to achieve even nominal success?

You've gone and created a situation in which even just learning the hero, is going to frustrate players. Learning is, by nature, imprecise and the road to minimizing how detrimental your gameplay is on your teammates is going to build an unnecessary level of frustration onto the hero.

There's a reason people referred to Mei as Satan in Overwatch 1.

Broad MMR is filled with people learning; not just the hero they are playing, but heroes they are playing against, and with as well. To climb in ranks, MMR, or just Player Input, you will make a lot of mistakes.

In a game like Overwatch, with a boatload of variance at every level, that learning could take (has taken for many of us) years.

Hazard's Wall represents, not just a Collision Totem, in the same sense as Mei's own Ice Wall, but a super-amped up version of it that multiplies the frustration for all.

I really hate that Mole Hill

It isn't as big as Mei Wall. It isn't as imposing as Mei Wall. It isn't as confusing as Mei Wall (multiple pillars each with their own health pools but no distinct visual effect to represent this before being damaged)-

-but hooooo boy howdy does it do a lot more than Mei Wall ever could!

Persistant knockback on contact

Burst Damage on contact

Anti Mobility on contact (no wall climb)

Omni-placement (not land-locked)

And that's in addition to the standard blockading effects of a Mei Wall. As a Totem, Jagged Wall provides far more impact when on the battlefield against enemies, to the point it can be considered as useful and engaging as a Torb turret, which is to say-

Jagged Wall's effects are broad enough in application that it must be considered in every teamfight at the same level of detriment as powerfully automated totems like Immortality Field and Turrets

Trying to operate outside of that paradigm, makes it very difficult to navigate a teamfight (especially from a Divey Tank with mobility to boot) given it can appear very suddenly to ruin plans, engagements, and retreats.

But that...was sort of the design goal. It's frustrating playing Tank and having an inanimate object counter large portions of your kit, but we've got experience with that. It's a familiar frustration at least.

It's when the Hazard is out ahead or mixing it up with the enemy (as one does when Tanking) and you are attempting any of the following as his teammate:

Healing (him or your fellow teammates diving with him)

Supporting (discords, immo fields, suzus, life grips, etc.)

Tanking (6v6 format makes duo with him a significant gamble)

Finishing off low enemies

Sniping

Trying to navigate narrow corridors or tight confines

Free movement/Mobility in a teamfight

That "appear very suddenly to ruin plans, engagements, and retreats" becomes an unacceptable level of frustration in the design.

A Collision Totem appears, decreeing that the engagement has now changed and/or ended, not because the Hazard was purposefully trying to end it, but because the Wall appeared and blocked off LoS for any number of the possibilities listed above.

Wall takes the agency of your teammates and puts it as a secondary priority to a Tank who cannot afford to look around and take into account the dozens of ways in which his teammates might be trying to leverage their own mechanics, kits, and Roles, to achieve success.

A Hazard is more likely (and well within expectation) to Wall himself off from an enemy trying to kill him when he's low, than rely on the healing from his teammates. It just so happens to, inadvertently, interfere with many of the other possible plans his teammates might have had for engagement purposes.

And, to reiterate, this is less of a problem (but still one) the higher in 'Skill' or Rank one gets, but learning takes time and mistakes happen while you learn, which is a far far closer experience to the vast majority of the Overwatch Playerbase. The fact it's going to cost your teammates their own opportunities too is what makes it bad design.

So what can be done?

Honestly, removing the Wall entirely could yield some really positive results.

I know it's a unique mechanic for the Tank Role (even if not for the game itself), but the isolated potential wrapped up in that Totem could be repurposed towards large portions of his kit, expanding both his mobility, engagement potential, and Texture to make him an ideal Tank.

Without Wall, there's room to increase Violent Leap's versatility, both in the initial Leap as well as the Slash (both of which are separate activations). Increasing his ability to change directions or linger in the air between the two stages of the ability, could significantly refine his engagement potential, while allowing for a stronger knockback the longer he lingers between each stage (and maintaining the counter element of it) or activating Spike Guard briefly to absorb enemy CDs/Burst hits before the slash.

His Wall Climb as well, would benefit from a versatility and potency boost; losing the wall means losing the awkward use of climbing it to reach higher ground...which feels like a waste of the ability where other Tanks with similar mobility can achieve most high grounds just fine off a single CD.

Allowing him to perch on vertical surfaces, or gain further height at the cost of climbing slower, or even resetting the first stage of his Violent Leap at the apex of the climb would all be beneficial to his gameplay.

Give his Spike Guard knockback, for isolation and space-making potential. Heck, allow Spike Guard to add temporary increased Knockback for up to 2s if it damages an enemy.

Give his Ultimate a little extra root time.

Allow Bonespurs to persist on the field for upto 1-2s (this....might be too much for the engine to take, but the idea is still solid theory).

All of it is plausible and clarifies his uniqueness as a Tank-

-if you just. Get Rid. Of the Damned. Wall.

Overall, it's superfluous to the rest of his kit, with very little kit cohesion and can be removed without impacting the rest of his gameplay much at all. It's a bit of bloat that is very easily snipped off in favour of cleaner, adjustable changes that make his gameplay more unique.

And you also get rid of the overly frustrating elements that were never meant to go on a Tank to begin with.

[milfstalin]

Dialectical materialism is the world outlook of the Marxist-Leninist party. It is called dialectical materialism because its approach to the phenomena of nature, its method of studying and apprehending them, is dialectical, while its interpretation of the phenomena of nature, its conception of these phenomena, its theory, is materialistic.

Historical materialism is the extension of the principles of dialectical materialism to the study of social life, an application of the principles of dialectical materialism to the phenomena of the life of society, to the study of society and of its history.

When describing their dialectical method, Marx and Engels usually refer to Hegel as the philosopher who formulated the main features of dialectics. This, however, does not mean that the dialectics of Marx and Engels is identical with the dialectics of Hegel. As a matter of fact, Marx and Engels took from the Hegelian dialectics only its "rational kernel," casting aside its Hegelian idealistic shell, and developed dialectics further so as to lend it a modern scientific form.

"My dialectic method," says Marx, "is not only different from the Hegelian, but is its direct opposite. To Hegel, ... the process of thinking which, under the name of 'the Idea,' he even transforms into an independent subject, is the demiurgos (creator) of the real world, and the real world is only the external, phenomenal form of 'the Idea.' With me, on the contrary, the ideal is nothing else than the material world reflected by the human mind and translated into forms of thought." (Marx, Afterword to the Second German Edition of Volume I of Capital.)

When describing their materialism, Marx and Engels usually refer to Feuerbach as the philosopher who restored materialism to its rights. This, however, does not mean that the materialism of Marx and Engels is identical with Feuerbach's materialism. As a matter of fact, Marx and Engels took from Feuerbach's materialism its "inner kernel," developed it into a scientific-philosophical theory of materialism and cast aside its idealistic and religious-ethical encumbrances. We know that Feuerbach, although he was fundamentally a materialist, objected to the name materialism. Engels more than once declared that "in spite of" the materialist "foundation," Feuerbach "remained... bound by the traditional idealist fetters," and that "the real idealism of Feuerbach becomes evident as soon as we come to his philosophy of religion and ethics." (Marx and Engels, Vol. XIV, pp. 652-54.)

Dialectics comes from the Greek dialego, to discourse, to debate. In ancient times dialectics was the art of arriving at the truth by disclosing the contradictions in the argument of an opponent and overcoming these contradictions. There were philosophers in ancient times who believed that the disclosure of contradictions in thought and the clash of opposite opinions was the best method of arriving at the truth. This dialectical method of thought, later extended to the phenomena of nature, developed into the dialectical method of apprehending nature, which regards the phenomena of nature as being in constant movement and undergoing constant change, and the development of nature as the result of the development of the contradictions in nature, as the result of the interaction of opposed forces in nature.

In its essence, dialectics is the direct opposite of metaphysics.

1) Marxist Dialectical Method

The principal features of the Marxist dialectical method are as follows:

a) Nature Connected and Determined

Contrary to metaphysics, dialectics does not regard nature as an accidental agglomeration of things, of phenomena, unconnected with, isolated from, and independent of, each other, but as a connected and integral whole, in which things, phenomena are organically connected with, dependent on, and determined by, each other.

The dialectical method therefore holds that no phenomenon in nature can be understood if taken by itself, isolated from surrounding phenomena, inasmuch as any phenomenon in any realm of nature may become meaningless to us if it is not considered in connection with the surrounding conditions, but divorced from them; and that, vice versa, any phenomenon can be understood and explained if considered in its inseparable connection with surrounding phenomena, as one conditioned by surrounding phenomena.

b) Nature is a State of Continuous Motion and Change

Contrary to metaphysics, dialectics holds that nature is not a state of rest and immobility, stagnation and immutability, but a state of continuous movement and change, of continuous renewal and development, where something is always arising and developing, and something always disintegrating and dying away.

The dialectical method therefore requires that phenomena should be considered not only from the standpoint of their interconnection and interdependence, but also from the standpoint of their movement, their change, their development, their coming into being and going out of being.

The dialectical method regards as important primarily not that which at the given moment seems to be durable and yet is already beginning to die away, but that which is arising and developing, even though at the given moment it may appear to be not durable, for the dialectical method considers invincible only that which is arising and developing.

"All nature," says Engels, "from the smallest thing to the biggest. from grains of sand to suns, from protista (the primary living cells – J. St.) to man, has its existence in eternal coming into being and going out of being, in a ceaseless flux, in unresting motion and change (Ibid., p. 484.)

Therefore, dialectics, Engels says, "takes things and their perceptual images essentially in their interconnection, in their concatenation, in their movement, in their rise and disappearance." (Marx and Engels, Vol. XIV,' p. 23.)

c) Natural Quantitative Change Leads to Qualitative Change

Contrary to metaphysics, dialectics does not regard the process of development as a simple process of growth, where quantitative changes do not lead to qualitative changes, but as a development which passes from insignificant and imperceptible quantitative changes to open' fundamental changes' to qualitative changes; a development in which the qualitative changes occur not gradually, but rapidly and abruptly, taking the form of a leap from one state to another; they occur not accidentally but as the natural result of an accumulation of imperceptible and gradual quantitative changes.

The dialectical method therefore holds that the process of development should be understood not as movement in a circle, not as a simple repetition of what has already occurred, but as an onward and upward movement, as a transition from an old qualitative state to a new qualitative state, as a development from the simple to the complex, from the lower to the higher:

"Nature," says Engels, "is the test of dialectics. and it must be said for modern natural science that it has furnished extremely rich and daily increasing materials for this test, and has thus proved that in the last analysis nature's process is dialectical and not metaphysical, that it does not move in an eternally uniform and constantly repeated circle. but passes through a real history. Here prime mention should be made of Darwin, who dealt a severe blow to the metaphysical conception of nature by proving that the organic world of today, plants and animals, and consequently man too, is all a product of a process of development that has been in progress for millions of years." (Ibid., p. 23.)

Describing dialectical development as a transition from quantitative changes to qualitative changes, Engels says:

"In physics ... every change is a passing of quantity into quality, as a result of a quantitative change of some form of movement either inherent in a body or imparted to it. For example, the temperature of water has at first no effect on its liquid state; but as the temperature of liquid water rises or falls, a moment arrives when this state of cohesion changes and the water is converted in one case into steam and in the other into ice.... A definite minimum current is required to make a platinum wire glow; every metal has its melting temperature; every liquid has a definite freezing point and boiling point at a given pressure, as far as we are able with the means at our disposal to attain the required temperatures; finally, every gas has its critical point at which, by proper pressure and cooling, it can be converted into a liquid state.... What are known as the constants of physics (the point at which one state passes into another – J. St.) are in most cases nothing but designations for the nodal points at which a quantitative (change) increase or decrease of movement causes a qualitative change in the state of the given body, and at which, consequently, quantity is transformed into quality." (Ibid., pp. 527-28.)

Passing to chemistry, Engels continues:

"Chemistry may be called the science of the qualitative changes which take place in bodies as the effect of changes of quantitative composition. his was already known to Hegel.... Take oxygen: if the molecule contains three atoms instead of the customary two, we get ozone, a body definitely distinct in odor and reaction from ordinary oxygen. And what shall we say of the different proportions in which oxygen combines with nitrogen or sulphur, and each of which produces a body qualitatively different from all other bodies !" (Ibid., p. 528.)

Finally, criticizing Dühring, who scolded Hegel for all he was worth, but surreptitiously borrowed from him the well-known thesis that the transition from the insentient world to the sentient world, from the kingdom of inorganic matter to the kingdom of organic life, is a leap to a new state, Engels says:

"This is precisely the Hegelian nodal line of measure relations in which at certain definite nodal points, the purely quantitative increase or decrease gives rise to a qualitative leap, for example, in the case of water which is heated or cooled, where boiling point and freezing point are the nodes at which – under normal pressure – the leap to a new aggregate state takes place, and where consequently quantity is transformed into quality." (Ibid., pp. 45-46.) 

d) Contradictions Inherent in Nature

Contrary to metaphysics, dialectics holds that internal contradictions are inherent in all things and phenomena of nature, for they all have their negative and positive sides, a past and a future, something dying away and something developing; and that the struggle between these opposites, the struggle between the old and the new, between that which is dying away and that which is being born, between that which is disappearing and that which is developing, constitutes the internal content of the process of development, the internal content of the transformation of quantitative changes into qualitative changes.

The dialectical method therefore holds that the process of development from the lower to the higher takes place not as a harmonious unfolding of phenomena, but as a disclosure of the contradictions inherent in things and phenomena, as a "struggle" of opposite tendencies which operate on the basis of these contradictions.

"In its proper meaning," Lenin says, "dialectics is the study of the contradiction within the very essence of things." (Lenin, Philosophical Notebooks, p. 265.)

And further:

"Development is the 'struggle' of opposites." (Lenin, Vol. XIII, p. 301.)

Such, in brief, are the principal features of the Marxist dialectical method.

It is easy to understand how immensely important is the extension of the principles of the dialectical method to the study of social life and the history of society, and how immensely important is the application of these principles to the history of society and to the practical activities of the party of the proletariat.

If there are no isolated phenomena in the world, if all phenomena are interconnected and interdependent, then it is clear that every social system and every social movement in history must be evaluated not from the standpoint of "eternal justice" or some other preconceived idea, as is not infrequently done by historians, but from the standpoint of the conditions which gave rise to that system or that social movement and with which they are connected.

The slave system would be senseless, stupid and unnatural under modern conditions. But under the conditions of a disintegrating primitive communal system, the slave system is a quite understandable and natural phenomenon, since it represents an advance on the primitive communal system

The demand for a bourgeois-democratic republic when tsardom and bourgeois society existed, as, let us say, in Russia in 1905, was a quite understandable, proper and revolutionary demand; for at that time a bourgeois republic would have meant a step forward. But now, under the conditions of the U.S.S.R., the demand for a bourgeois-democratic republic would be a senseless and counterrevolutionary demand; for a bourgeois republic would be a retrograde step compared with the Soviet republic.

Everything depends on the conditions, time and place.

It is clear that without such a historical approach to social phenomena, the existence and development of the science of history is impossible; for only such an approach saves the science of history from becoming a jumble of accidents and an agglomeration of most absurd mistakes.

Further, if the world is in a state of constant movement and development, if the dying away of the old and the upgrowth of the new is a law of development, then it is clear that there can be no "immutable" social systems, no "eternal principles" of private property and exploitation, no "eternal ideas" of the subjugation of the peasant to the landlord, of the worker to the capitalist.

Hence, the capitalist system can be replaced by the socialist system, just as at one time the feudal system was replaced by the capitalist system.

Hence, we must not base our orientation on the strata of society which are no longer developing, even though they at present constitute the predominant force, but on those strata which are developing and have a future before them, even though they at present do not constitute the predominant force.

In the eighties of the past century, in the period of the struggle between the Marxists and the Narodniks, the proletariat in Russia constituted an insignificant minority of the population, whereas the individual peasants constituted the vast majority of the population. But the proletariat was developing as a class, whereas the peasantry as a class was disintegrating. And just because the proletariat was developing as a class the Marxists based their orientation on the proletariat. And they were not mistaken; for, as we know, the proletariat subsequently grew from an insignificant force into a first-rate historical and political force.

Hence, in order not to err in policy, one must look forward, not backward.

Further, if the passing of slow quantitative changes into rapid and abrupt qualitative changes is a law of development, then it is clear that revolutions made by oppressed classes are a quite natural and inevitable phenomenon.

Hence, the transition from capitalism to socialism and the liberation of the working class from the yoke of capitalism cannot be effected by slow changes, by reforms, but only by a qualitative change of the capitalist system, by revolution.

Hence, in order not to err in policy, one must be a revolutionary, not a reformist.

Further, if development proceeds by way of the disclosure of internal contradictions, by way of collisions between opposite forces on the basis of these contradictions and so as to overcome these contradictions, then it is clear that the class struggle of the proletariat is a quite natural and inevitable phenomenon.

Hence, we must not cover up the contradictions of the capitalist system, but disclose and unravel them; we must not try to check the class struggle but carry it to its conclusion.

Hence, in order not to err in policy, one must pursue an uncompromising proletarian class policy, not a reformist policy of harmony of the interests of the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, not a compromisers' policy of the "growing" of capitalism into socialism.

Such is the Marxist dialectical method when applied to social life, to the history of society.

As to Marxist philosophical materialism, it is fundamentally the direct opposite of philosophical idealism.

2) Marxist Philosophical Materialism

The principal features of Marxist philosophical materialism are as follows:

a) Materialist

Contrary to idealism, which regards the world as the embodiment of an "absolute idea," a "universal spirit," "consciousness," Marx's philosophical materialism holds that the world is by its very nature material, that the multifold phenomena of the world constitute different forms of matter in motion, that interconnection and interdependence of phenomena as established by the dialectical method, are a law of the development of moving matter, and that the world develops in accordance with the laws of movement of matter and stands in no need of a "universal spirit."

"The materialistic outlook on nature," says Engels, "means no more than simply conceiving nature just as it exists, without any foreign admixture." (Marx and Engels, Vol. XIV, p. 651.)

Speaking of the materialist views of the ancient philosopher Heraclitus, who held that "the world, the all in one, was not created by any god or any man, but was, is and ever will be a living flame, systematically flaring up and systematically dying down"' Lenin comments: "A very good exposition of the rudiments of dialectical materialism." (Lenin, Philosophical Notebooks, p. 318.)

b) Objective Reality

Contrary to idealism, which asserts that only our consciousness really exists, and that the material world, being, nature, exists only in our consciousness' in our sensations, ideas and perceptions, the Marxist philosophical materialism holds that matter, nature, being, is an objective reality existing outside and independent of our consciousness; that matter is primary, since it is the source of sensations, ideas, consciousness, and that consciousness is secondary, derivative, since it is a reflection of matter, a reflection of being; that thought is a product of matter which in its development has reached a high degree of perfection, namely, of the brain, and the brain is the organ of thought; and that therefore one cannot separate thought from matter without committing a grave error. Engels says:

"The question of the relation of thinking to being, the relation of spirit to nature is the paramount question of the whole of philosophy.... The answers which the philosophers gave to this question split them into two great camps. Those who asserted the primacy of spirit to nature ... comprised the camp of idealism. The others, who regarded nature as primary, belong to the various schools of materialism." (Marx, Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 329.)

And further:

"The material, sensuously perceptible world to which we ourselves belong is the only reality.... Our consciousness and thinking, however supra-sensuous they may seem, are the product of a material, bodily organ, the brain. Matter is not a product of mind, but mind itself is merely the highest product of matter." (Ibid., p. 332.)

Concerning the question of matter and thought, Marx says:

"It is impossible to separate thought from matter that thinks. Matter is the subject of all changes." (Ibid., p. 302.)

Describing Marxist philosophical materialism, Lenin says:

"Materialism in general recognizes objectively real being (matter) as independent of consciousness, sensation, experience.... Consciousness is only the reflection of being, at best an approximately true (adequate, perfectly exact) reflection of it." (Lenin, Vol. XIII, pp. 266-67.)

And further:

– "Matter is that which, acting upon our sense-organs, produces sensation; matter is the objective reality given to us in sensation.... Matter, nature, being, the physical-is primary, and spirit, consciousness, sensation, the psychical-is secondary." (Ibid., pp. 119-20.)

– "The world picture is a picture of how matter moves and of how 'matter thinks.'" (Ibid., p. 288.)

– "The brain is the organ of thought." (Ibid., p. 125.)

c) The World and Its Laws Are Knowable

Contrary to idealism, which denies the possibility of knowing the world and its laws, which does not believe in the authenticity of our knowledge, does not recognize objective truth, and holds that the world is full of "things-in-themselves" that can never be known to science, Marxist philosophical materialism holds that the world and its laws are fully knowable, that our knowledge of the laws of nature, tested by experiment and practice, is authentic knowledge having the validity of objective truth, and that there are no things in the world which are unknowable, but only things which are as yet not known, but which will be disclosed and made known by the efforts of science and practice.

Criticizing the thesis of Kant and other idealists that the world is unknowable and that there are "things-in-themselves" which are unknowable, and defending the well-known materialist thesis that our knowledge is authentic knowledge, Engels writes:

"The most telling refutation of this as of all other philosophical crotchets is practice, namely, experiment and industry. If we are able to prove the correctness of our conception of a natural process by making it ourselves, bringing it into being out of its conditions and making it serve our own purposes into the bargain, then there is an end to the Kantian ungraspable 'thing-in-itself.' The chemical substances produced in the bodies of plants and animals remained such 'things-in-themselves' until organic chemistry began to produce them one after another, whereupon the 'thing-in-itself' became a thing for us, as, for instance, alizarin, the coloring matter of the madder, which we no longer trouble to grow ill the madder roots in the field, but produce much more cheaply and simply from coal tar. For 300 years the Copernican solar system was a hypothesis with a hundred, a thousand or ten thousand chances to one in its favor, but still always a hypothesis. But when Leverrier, by means of the data provided by this system, not only deduced the necessity of the existence of an unknown planet, but also calculated the position in the heavens which this planet must necessarily occupy, and when Galle really found this planet, the Copernican system was proved." (Marx, Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 330.)

Accusing Bogdanov, Bazarov, Yushkevich and the other followers of Mach of fideism (a reactionary theory, which prefers faith to science) and defending the well-known materialist thesis that our scientific knowledge of the laws of nature is authentic knowledge, and that the laws of science represent objective truth, Lenin says:

"Contemporary fideism does not at all reject science; all it rejects is the 'exaggerated claims' of science, to wit, its claim to objective truth. If objective truth exists (as the materialists think), if natural science, reflecting the outer world in human 'experience,' is alone capable of giving us objective truth, then all fideism is absolutely refuted." (Lenin, Vol. XIII, p. 102.)

Such, in brief, are the characteristic features of the Marxist philosophical materialism.

It is easy to understand how immensely important is the extension of the principles of philosophical materialism to the study of social life, of the history of society, and how immensely important is the application of these principles to the history of society and to the practical activities of the party of the proletariat.

If the connection between the phenomena of nature and their interdependence are laws of the development of nature, it follows, too, that the connection and interdependence of the phenomena of social life are laws of the development of society, and not something accidental.

Hence, social life, the history of society, ceases to be an agglomeration of "accidents", for the history of society becomes a development of society according to regular laws, and the study of the history of society becomes a science.

Hence, the practical activity of the party of the proletariat must not be based on the good wishes of "outstanding individuals." not on the dictates of "reason," "universal morals," etc., but on the laws of development of society and on the study of these laws.

Further, if the world is knowable and our knowledge of the laws of development of nature is authentic knowledge, having the validity of objective truth, it follows that social life, the development of society, is also knowable, and that the data of science regarding the laws of development of society are authentic data having the validity of objective truths.

Hence, the science of the history of society, despite all the complexity of the phenomena of social life, can become as precise a science as, let us say, biology, and capable of making use of the laws of development of society for practical purposes.

Hence, the party of the proletariat should not guide itself in its practical activity by casual motives, but by the laws of development of society, and by practical deductions from these laws.

Hence, socialism is converted from a dream of a better future for humanity into a science.

Hence, the bond between science and practical activity, between theory and practice, their unity, should be the guiding star of the party of the proletariat.

Further, if nature, being, the material world, is primary, and consciousness, thought, is secondary, derivative; if the material world represents objective reality existing independently of the consciousness of men, while consciousness is a reflection of this objective reality, it follows that the material life of society, its being, is also primary, and its spiritual life secondary, derivative, and that the material life of society is an objective reality existing independently of the will of men, while the spiritual life of society is a reflection of this objective reality, a reflection of being.

Hence, the source of formation of the spiritual life of society, the origin of social ideas, social theories, political views and political institutions, should not be sought for in the ideas, theories, views and political institutions themselves, but in the conditions of the material life of society, in social being, of which these ideas, theories, views, etc., are the reflection.

Hence, if in different periods of the history of society different social ideas, theories, views and political institutions are to be observed; if under the slave system we encounter certain social ideas, theories, views and political institutions, under feudalism others, and under capitalism others still, this is not to be explained by the "nature", the "properties" of the ideas, theories, views and political institutions themselves but by the different conditions of the material life of society at different periods of social development.

Whatever is the being of a society, whatever are the conditions of material life of a society, such are the ideas, theories political views and political institutions of that society.

In this connection, Marx says:

"It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness." (Marx Selected Works, Vol. I, p. 269.)

Hence, in order not to err in policy, in order not to find itself in the position of idle dreamers, the party of the proletariat must not base its activities on abstract "principles of human reason", but on the concrete conditions of the material life of society, as the determining force of social development; not on the good wishes of "great men," but on the real needs of development of the material life of society.

The fall of the utopians, including the Narodniks, anarchists and Socialist-Revolutionaries, was due, among other things to the fact that they did not recognize the primary role which the conditions of the material life of society play in the development of society, and, sinking to idealism, did not base their practical activities on the needs of the development of the material life of society, but, independently of and in spite of these needs, on "ideal plans" and "all-embracing projects", divorced from the real life of society.

The strength and vitality of Marxism-Leninism lies in the fact that it does base its practical activity on the needs of the development of the material life of society and never divorces itself from the real life of society.

It does not follow from Marx's words, however, that social ideas, theories, political views and political institutions are of no significance in the life of society, that they do not reciprocally affect social being, the development of the material conditions of the life of society. We have been speaking so far of the origin of social ideas, theories, views and political institutions, of the way they arise, of the fact that the spiritual life of society is a reflection of the conditions of its material life. As regards the significance of social ideas, theories, views and political institutions, as regards their role in history, historical materialism, far from denying them, stresses the important role and significance of these factors in the life of society, in its history.

There are different kinds of social ideas and theories. There are old ideas and theories which have outlived their day and which serve the interests of the moribund forces of society. Their significance lies in the fact that they hamper the development, the progress of society. Then there are new and advanced ideas and theories which serve the interests of the advanced forces of society. Their significance lies in the fact that they facilitate the development, the progress of society; and their significance is the greater the more accurately they reflect the needs of development of the material life of society.

New social ideas and theories arise only after the development of the material life of society has set new tasks before society. But once they have arisen they become a most potent force which facilitates the carrying out of the new tasks set by the development of the material life of society, a force which facilitates the progress of society. It is precisely here that the tremendous organizing, mobilizing and transforming value of new ideas, new theories, new political views and new political institutions manifests itself. New social ideas and theories arise precisely because they are necessary to society, because it is impossible to carry out the urgent tasks of development of the material life of society without their organizing, mobilizing and transforming action. Arising out of the new tasks set by the development of the material life of society, the new social ideas and theories force their way through, become the possession of the masses, mobilize and organize them against the moribund forces of society, and thus facilitate the overthrow of these forces, which hamper the development of the material life of society.

Thus social ideas, theories and political institutions, having arisen on the basis of the urgent tasks of the development of the material life of society, the development of social being, themselves then react upon social being, upon the material life of society, creating the conditions necessary for completely carrying out the urgent tasks of the material life of society, and for rendering its further development possible.

In this connection, Marx says:

"Theory becomes a material force as soon as it has gripped the masses." (Marx and Engels, Vol. I, p. 406.)

Hence, in order to be able to influence the conditions of material life of society and to accelerate their development and their improvement, the party of the proletariat must rely upon such a social theory, such a social idea as correctly reflects the needs of development of the material life of society, and which is therefore capable of setting into motion broad masses of the people and of mobilizing them and organizing them into a great army of the proletarian party, prepared to smash the reactionary forces and to clear the way for the advanced forces of society.

The fall of the "Economists" and the Mensheviks was due, among other things, to the fact that they did not recognize the mobilizing, organizing and transforming role of advanced theory, of advanced ideas and, sinking to vulgar materialism, reduced the role of these factors almost to nothing, thus condemning the Party to passivity and inanition.

The strength and vitality of Marxism-Leninism is derived from the fact that it relies upon an advanced theory which correctly reflects the needs of development of the material life of society, that it elevates theory to a proper level, and that it deems it its duty to utilize every ounce of the mobilizing, organizing and transforming power of this theory.

That is the answer historical materialism gives to the question of the relation between social being and social consciousness, between the conditions of development of material life and the development of the spiritual life of society.

3) Historical Materialism.

It now remains to elucidate the following question: What, from the viewpoint of historical materialism, is meant by the "conditions of material life of society" which in the final analysis determine the physiognomy of society, its ideas, views, political institutions, etc.?

What, after all, are these "conditions of material life of society," what are their distinguishing features?

There can be no doubt that the concept "conditions of material life of society" includes, first of all, nature which surrounds society, geographical environment, which is one of the indispensable and constant conditions of material life of society and which, of course, influences the development of society. What role does geographical environment play in the development of society? Is geographical environment the chief force determining the physiognomy of society, the character of the social system of man, the transition from one system to another, or isn't it?

Historical materialism answers this question in the negative.

Geographical environment is unquestionably one of the constant and indispensable conditions of development of society and, of course, influences the development of society, accelerates or retards its development. But its influence is not the determining influence, inasmuch as the changes and development of society proceed at an incomparably faster rate than the changes and development of geographical environment. in the space of 3000 years three different social systems have been successively superseded in Europe: the primitive communal system, the slave system and the feudal system. In the eastern part of Europe, in the U.S.S.R., even four social systems have been superseded. Yet during this period geographical conditions in Europe have either not changed at all, or have changed so slightly that geography takes no note of them. And that is quite natural. Changes in geographical environment of any importance require millions of years, whereas a few hundred or a couple of thousand years are enough for even very important changes in the system of human society.

It follows from this that geographical environment cannot be the chief cause, the determining cause of social development; for that which remains almost unchanged in the course of tens of thousands of years cannot be the chief cause of development of that which undergoes fundamental changes in the course of a few hundred years

Further, there can be no doubt that the concept "conditions of material life of society" also includes growth of population, density of population of one degree or another; for people are an essential element of the conditions of material life of society, and without a definite minimum number of people there can be no material life of society. Is growth of population the chief force that determines the character of the social system of man, or isn't it?

Historical materialism answers this question too in the negative.

Of course, growth of population does influence the development of society, does facilitate or retard the development of society, but it cannot be the chief force of development of society, and its influence on the development of society cannot be the determining influence because, by itself, growth of population does not furnish the clue to the question why a given social system is replaced precisely by such and such a new system and not by another, why the primitive communal system is succeeded precisely by the slave system, the slave system by the feudal system, and the feudal system by the bourgeois system, and not by some other.

If growth of population were the determining force of social development, then a higher density of population would be bound to give rise to a correspondingly higher type of social system. But we do not find this to be the case. The density of population in China is four times as great as in the U.S.A., yet the U.S.A. stands higher than China in the scale of social development; for in China a semi-feudal system still prevails, whereas the U.S.A. has long ago reached the highest stage of development of capitalism. The density of population in Belgium is I9 times as great as in the U.S.A., and 26 times as great as in the U.S.S.R. Yet the U.S.A. stands higher than Belgium in the scale of social development; and as for the U.S.S.R., Belgium lags a whole historical epoch behind this country, for in Belgium the capitalist system prevails, whereas the U.S.S.R. has already done away with capitalism and has set up a socialist system.

It follows from this that growth of population is not, and cannot be, the chief force of development of society, the force which determines the character of the social system, the physiognomy of society.

a) What Is the Chief Determinant Force?

What, then, is the chief force in the complex of conditions of material life of society which determines the physiognomy of society, the character of the social system, the development of society from one system to another?

This force, historical materialism holds, is the method of procuring the means of life necessary for human existence, the mode of production of material values – food, clothing, footwear, houses, fuel, instruments of production, etc. – which are indispensable for the life and development of society.

In order to live, people must have food, clothing, footwear, shelter, fuel, etc.; in order to have these material values, people must produce them; and in order to produce them, people must have the instruments of production with which food, clothing, footwear, shelter, fuel, etc., are produced, they must be able to produce these instruments and to use them.

The instruments of production wherewith material values are produced, the people who operate the instruments of production and carry on the production of material values thanks to a certain production experience and labor skill – all these elements jointly constitute the productive forces of society.

But the productive forces are only one aspect of production, only one aspect of the mode of production, an aspect that expresses the relation of men to the objects and forces of nature which they make use of for the production of material values. Another aspect of production, another aspect of the mode of production, is the relation of men to each other in the process of production, men's relations of production. Men carry on a struggle against nature and utilize nature for the production of material values not in isolation from each other, not as separate individuals, but in common, in groups, in societies. Production, therefore, is at all times and under all conditions social production. In the production of material values men enter into mutual relations of one kind or another within production, into relations of production of one kind or another. These may be relations of co-operation and mutual help between people who are free from exploitation; they may be relations of domination and subordination; and, lastly, they may be transitional from one form of relations of production to another. But whatever the character of the relations of production may be, always and in every system they constitute just as essential an element of production as the productive forces of society.

"In production," Marx says, "men not only act on nature but also on one another. They produce only by co-operating in a certain way and mutually exchanging their activities. In order to produce, they enter into definite connections and relations with one another and only within these social connections and relations does their action on nature, does production, take place." (Marx and Engels, Vol. V, p. 429.)

Consequently, production, the mode of production, embraces both the productive forces of society and men's relations of production, and is thus the embodiment of their unity in the process of production of material values.

b) The First Feature of Production

The first feature of production is that it never stays at one point for a long time and is always in a state of change and development, and that, furthermore, changes in the mode of production inevitably call forth changes in the whole social system, social ideas, political views and political institutions – they call forth a reconstruction of the whole social and political order. At different stages of development people make use of different modes of production, or, to put it more crudely, lead different manners of life. In the primitive commune there is one mode of production, under slavery there is another mode of production, under feudalism a third mode of production and so on. And, correspondingly, men's social system, the spiritual life of men, their views and political institutions also vary.

Whatever is the mode of production of a society, such in the main is the society itself, its ideas and theories, its political views and institutions.

Or, to put it more crudely, whatever is man's manner of life such is his manner of thought.

This means that the history of development of society is above all the history of the development of production, the history of the modes of production which succeed each other in the course of centuries, the history of the development of productive forces and of people's relations of production.

Hence, the history of social development is at the same time the history of the producers of material values themselves, the history of the laboring masses, who are the chief force in the process of production and who carry on the production of material values necessary for the existence of society.

Hence, if historical science is to be a real science, it can no longer reduce the history of social development to the actions of kings and generals, to the actions of "conquerors" and "subjugators" of states, but must above all devote itself to the history of the producers of material values, the history of the laboring masses, the history of peoples.

Hence, the clue to the study of the laws of history of society must not be sought in men's minds, in the views and ideas of society, but in the mode of production practiced by society in any given historical period; it must be sought in the economic life of society.

Hence, the prime task of historical science is to study and disclose the laws of production, the laws of development of the productive forces and of the relations of production, the laws of economic development of society.

Hence, if the party of the proletariat is to be a real party, it must above all acquire a knowledge of the laws of development of production, of the laws of economic development of society.

Hence, if it is not to err in policy, the party of the proletariat must both in drafting its program and in its practical activities proceed primarily from the laws of development of production from the laws of economic development of society.

c) The Second Feature of Production

The second feature of production is that its changes and development always begin with changes and development of the productive forces, and in the first place, with changes and development of the instruments of production. Productive forces are therefore the most mobile and revolutionary element of productions First the productive forces of society change and develop, and then, depending on these changes and in conformity with them, men's relations of production, their economic relations, change. This, however, does not mean that the relations of production do not influence the development of the productive forces and that the latter are not dependent on the former. While their development is dependent on the development of the productive forces, the relations of production in their turn react upon the development of the productive forces, accelerating or retarding it. In this connection it should be noted that the relations of production cannot for too long a time lag behind and be in a state of contradiction to the growth of the productive forces, inasmuch as the productive forces can develop in full measure only when the relations of production correspond to the character, the state of the productive forces and allow full scope for their development. Therefore, however much the relations of production may lag behind the development of the productive forces, they must, sooner or later, come into correspondence with – and actually do come into correspondence with – the level of development of the productive forces, the character of the productive forces. Otherwise we would have a fundamental violation of the unity of the productive forces and the relations of production within the system of production, a disruption of production as a whole, a crisis of production, a destruction of productive forces.

An instance in which the relations of production do not correspond to the character of the productive forces, conflict with them, is the economic crises in capitalist countries, where private capitalist ownership of the means of production is in glaring incongruity with the social character of the process of production, with the character of the productive forces. This results in economic crises, which lead to the destruction of productive forces. Furthermore, this incongruity itself constitutes the economic basis of social revolution, the purpose of which IS to destroy the existing relations of production and to create new relations of production corresponding to the character of the productive forces.

In contrast, an instance in which the relations of production completely correspond to the character of the productive forces is the socialist national economy of the U.S.S.R., where the social ownership of the means of production fully corresponds to the social character of the process of production, and where, because of this, economic crises and the destruction of productive forces are unknown.

Consequently, the productive forces are not only the most mobile and revolutionary element in production, but are also the determining element in the development of production.

Whatever are the productive forces such must be the relations of production.

While the state of the productive forces furnishes the answer to the question – with what instruments of production do men produce the material values they need? – the state of the relations of production furnishes the answer to another question – who owns the means of production (the land, forests, waters, mineral resources, raw materials, instruments of production, production premises, means of transportation and communication, etc.), who commands the means of production, whether the whole of society, or individual persons, groups, or classes which utilize them for the exploitation of other persons, groups or classes?

Here is a rough picture of the development of productive forces from ancient times to our day. The transition from crude stone tools to the bow and arrow, and the accompanying transition from the life of hunters to the domestication of animals and primitive pasturage; the transition from stone tools to metal tools (the iron axe, the wooden plow fitted with an iron coulter, etc.), with a corresponding transition to tillage and agriculture; a further improvement in metal tools for the working up of materials, the introduction of the blacksmith's bellows, the introduction of pottery, with a corresponding development of handicrafts, the separation of handicrafts from agriculture, the development of an independent handicraft industry and, subsequently, of manufacture; the transition from handicraft tools to machines and the transformation of handicraft and manufacture into machine industry; the transition to the machine system and the rise of modern large-scale machine industry – such is a general and far from complete picture of the development of the productive forces of society in the course of man's history. It will be clear that the development and improvement of the instruments of production was effected by men who were related to production, and not independently of men; and, consequently, the change and development of the instruments of production was accompanied by a change and development of men, as the most important element of the productive forces, by a change and development of their production experience, their labor skill, their ability to handle the instruments of production.

In conformity with the change and development of the productive forces of society in the course of history, men's relations of production, their economic relations also changed and developed.

Main types of Relations of Production 

Five main types of relations of production are known to history: primitive communal, slave, feudal, capitalist and socialist.

The basis of the relations of production under the primitive communal system is that the means of production are socially owned. This in the main corresponds to the character of the productive forces of that period. Stone tools, and, later, the bow and arrow, precluded the possibility of men individually combating the forces of nature and beasts of prey. In order to gather the fruits of the forest, to catch fish, to build some sort of habitation, men were obliged to work in common if they did not want to die of starvation, or fall victim to beasts of prey or to neighboring societies. Labor in common led to the common ownership of the means of production, as well as of the fruits of production. Here the conception of private ownership of the means of production did not yet exist, except for the personal ownership of certain implements of production which were at the same time means of defense against beasts of prey. Here there was no exploitation, no classes.

The basis of the relations of production under the slave system is that the slave-owner owns the means of production, he also owns the worker in production – the slave, whom he can sell, purchase, or kill as though he were an animal. Such relations of production in the main correspond to the state of the productive forces of that period. Instead of stone tools, men now have metal tools at their command; instead of the wretched and primitive husbandry of the hunter, who knew neither pasturage nor tillage, there now appear pasturage tillage, handicrafts, and a division of labor between these branches of production. There appears the possibility of the exchange of products between individuals and between societies, of the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, the actual accumulation of the means of production in the hands of a minority, and the possibility of subjugation of the majority by a minority and the conversion of the majority into slaves. Here we no longer find the common and free labor of all members of society in the production process – here there prevails the forced labor of slaves, who are exploited by the non-laboring slave-owners. Here, therefore, there is no common ownership of the means of production or of the fruits of production. It is replaced by private ownership. Here the slaveowner appears as the prime and principal property owner in the full sense of the term.

Rich and poor, exploiters and exploited, people with full rights and people with no rights, and a fierce class struggle between them – such is the picture of the slave system.

The basis of the relations of production under the feudal system is that the feudal lord owns the means of production and does not fully own the worker in production – the serf, whom the feudal lord can no longer kill, but whom he can buy and sell. Alongside of feudal ownership there exists individual ownership by the peasant and the handicraftsman of his implements of production and his private enterprise based on his personal labor. Such relations of production in the main correspond to the state of the productive forces of that period. Further improvements in the smelting and working of iron; the spread of the iron plow and the loom; the further development of agriculture, horticulture, viniculture and dairying; the appearance of manufactories alongside of the handicraft workshops – such are the characteristic features of the state of the productive forces.

The new productive forces demand that the laborer shall display some kind of initiative in production and an inclination for work, an interest in work. The feudal lord therefore discards the slave, as a laborer who has no interest in work and is entirely without initiative, and prefers to deal with the serf, who has his own husbandry, implements of production, and a certain interest in work essential for the cultivation of the land and for the payment in kind of a part of his harvest to the feudal lord.

Here private ownership is further developed. Exploitation is nearly as severe as it was under slavery – it is only slightly mitigated. A class struggle between exploiters and exploited is the principal feature of the feudal system.

The basis of the relations of production under the capitalist system is that the capitalist owns the means of production, but not the workers in production – the wage laborers, whom the capitalist can neither kill nor sell because they are personally free, but who are deprived of means of production and) in order not to die of hunger, are obliged to sell their labor power to the capitalist and to bear the yoke of exploitation. Alongside of capitalist property in the means of production, we find, at first on a wide scale, private property of the peasants and handicraftsmen in the means of production, these peasants and handicraftsmen no longer being serfs, and their private property being based on personal labor. In place of the handicraft workshops and manufactories there appear huge mills and factories equipped with machinery. In place of the manorial estates tilled by the primitive implements of production of the peasant, there now appear large capitalist farms run on scientific lines and supplied with agricultural machinery

The new productive forces require that the workers in production shall be better educated and more intelligent than the downtrodden and ignorant serfs, that they be able to understand machinery and operate it properly. Therefore, the capitalists prefer to deal with wage-workers, who are free from the bonds of serfdom and who are educated enough to be able properly to operate machinery.

But having developed productive forces to a tremendous extent, capitalism has become enmeshed in contradictions which it is unable to solve. By producing larger and larger quantities of commodities, and reducing their prices, capitalism intensifies competition, ruins the mass of small and medium private owners, converts them into proletarians and reduces their purchasing power, with the result that it becomes impossible to dispose of the commodities produced. On the other hand, by expanding production and concentrating millions of workers in huge mills and factories, capitalism lends the process of production a social character and thus undermines its own foundation, inasmuch as the social character of the process of production demands the social ownership of the means of production; yet the means of production remain private capitalist property, which is incompatible with the social character of the process of production.

These irreconcilable contradictions between the character of the productive forces and the relations of production make themselves felt in periodical crises of over-production, when the capitalists, finding no effective demand for their goods owing to the ruin of the mass of the population which they themselves have brought about, are compelled to burn products, destroy manufactured goods, suspend production, and destroy productive forces at a time when millions of people are forced to suffer unemployment and starvation, not because there are not enough goods, but because there is an overproduction of goods.

This means that the capitalist relations of production have ceased to correspond to the state of productive forces of society and have come into irreconcilable contradiction with them.

This means that capitalism is pregnant with revolution, whose mission it is to replace the existing capitalist ownership of the means of production by socialist ownership.

This means that the main feature of the capitalist system is a most acute class struggle between the exploiters and the exploited.

The basis of the relations of production under the socialist system, which so far has been established only in the U.S.S.R., is the social ownership of the means of production. Here there are no longer exploiters and exploited. The goods produced are distributed according to labor performed, on the principle: "He who does not work, neither shall he eat." Here the mutual relations of people in the process of production are marked by comradely cooperation and the socialist mutual assistance of workers who are free from exploitation. Here the relations of production fully correspond to the state of productive forces; for the social character of the process of production is reinforced by the social ownership of the means of production.

For this reason socialist production in the U.S.S.R. knows no periodical crises of over-production and their accompanying absurdities.

For this reason, the productive forces here develop at an accelerated pace; for the relations of production that correspond to them offer full scope for such development.

Such is the picture of the development of men's relations of production in the course of human history.

Such is the dependence of the development of the relations of production on the development of the productive forces of society, and primarily, on the development of the instruments of production, the dependence by virtue of which the changes and development of the productive forces sooner or later lead to corresponding changes and development of the relations of production.

"The use and fabrication of instruments of labor," says Marx, "although existing in the germ among certain species of animals, is specifically characteristic of the human labor-process, and Franklin therefore defines man as a tool-making animal. Relics of bygone instruments of labor possess the same importance for the investigation of extinct economical forms of society, as do fossil bones for the determination of extinct species of animals. It is not the articles made, but how they are made that enables us to distinguish different economical epochs. Instruments of labor not only supply a standard of the degree of development to which human labor has attained, but they are also indicators of the social conditions under which that labor is carried on." (Marx, Capital, Vol. I, 1935, p. 121.)

And further:

– "Social relations are closely bound up with productive forces. In acquiring new productive forces men change their mode of production; and in changing their mode of production, in changing the way of earning their living, they change all their social relations. The hand-mill gives you society with the feudal lord; the steam-mill, society with the industrial capitalist." (Marx and Engels, Vol. V, p. 564.)

– "There is a continual movement of growth in productive forces, of destruction in social relations, of formation in ideas; the only immutable thing is the abstraction of movement." (Ibid., p. 364.)

Speaking of historical materialism as formulated in The Communist Manifesto, Engels says:

"Economic production and the structure of society of every historical epoch necessarily arising therefrom constitute the foundation for the political and intellectual history of that epoch; ... consequently (ever since the dissolution of the primeval communal ownership of land) all history has been a history of class struggles, of struggles between exploited and exploiting, between dominated and dominating classes at various stages of social development; ... this struggle, however, has now reached a stage where the exploited and oppressed class (the proletariat) can no longer emancipate itself from the class which exploits and oppresses it (the bourgeoisie), without at the same time for ever freeing the whole of society from exploitation, oppression and class struggles...." (Engels' Preface to the German Edition of the Manifesto.)

d) The Third Feature of Production

The third feature of production is that the rise of new productive forces and of the relations of production corresponding to them does not take place separately from the old system, after the disappearance of the old system, but within the old system; it takes place not as a result of the deliberate and conscious activity of man, but spontaneously, unconsciously, independently of the will of man It takes place spontaneously and independently of the will of man for two reasons.

Firstly, because men are not free to choose one mode of production or another, because as every new generation enters life it finds productive forces and relations of production already existing as the result of the work of former generations, owing to which it is obliged at first to accept and adapt itself to everything it finds ready-made in the sphere of production in order to be able to produce material values.

Secondly, because, when improving one instrument of production or another, one clement of the productive forces or another, men do not realize, do not understand or stop to reflect what social results these improvements will lead to, but only think of their everyday interests, of lightening their labor and of securing some direct and tangible advantage for themselves.

When, gradually and gropingly, certain members of primitive communal society passed from the use of stone tools to the use of iron tools, they, of course, did not know and did not stop to reflect what social results this innovation would lead to; they did not understand or realize that the change to metal tools meant a revolution in production, that it would in the long run lead to the slave system. They simply wanted to lighten their labor and secure an immediate and tangible advantage; their conscious activity was confined within the narrow bounds of this everyday personal interest.

When, in the period of the feudal system, the young bourgeoisie of Europe began to erect, alongside of the small guild workshops, large manufactories, and thus advanced the productive forces of society, it, of course, did not know and did not stop to reflect what social consequences this innovation would lead to; it did not realize or understand that this "small" innovation would lead to a regrouping of social forces which was to end in a revolution both against the power of kings, whose favors it so highly valued, and against the nobility, to whose ranks its foremost representatives not infrequently aspired. It simply wanted to lower the cost of producing goods, to throw larger quantities of goods on the markets of Asia and of recently discovered America, and to make bigger profits. Its conscious activity was confined within the narrow bounds of this commonplace practical aim.

When the Russian capitalists, in conjunction with foreign capitalists, energetically implanted modern large-scale machine industry in Russia, while leaving tsardom intact and turning the peasants over to the tender mercies of the landlords, they, of course, did not know and did not stop to reflect what social consequences this extensive growth of productive forces would lead to; they did not realize or understand that this big leap in the realm of the productive forces of society would lead to a regrouping of social forces that would enable the proletariat to effect a union with the peasantry and to bring about a victorious socialist revolution. They simply wanted to expand industrial production to the limit, to gain control of the huge home market, to become monopolists, and to squeeze as much profit as possible out of the national economy.

Their conscious activity did not extend beyond their commonplace, strictly practical interests.

Accordingly, Marx says:

"In the social production of their life (that is. in the production of the material values necessary to the life of men – J. St.), men enter into definite relations that are indispensable and independent of their will, relations of production which correspond to a definite stage of development of their material productive forces." (Marx, Selected Works, Vol. I, p 269).

This, however, does not mean that changes in the relations of production, and the transition from old relations of production to new relations of production proceed smoothly, without conflicts, without upheavals. On the contrary such a transition usually takes place by means of the revolutionary overthrow of the old relations of production and the establishment of new relations of production. Up to a certain period the development of the productive forces and the changes in the realm of the relations of production proceed spontaneously independently of the will of men. But that is so only up to a certain moment, until the new and developing productive forces have reached a proper state of maturity After the new productive forces have matured, the existing relations of production and their upholders – the ruling classes – become that "insuperable" obstacle which can only be removed by the conscious action of the new classes, by the forcible acts of these classes, by revolution. Here there stands out in bold relief the tremendous role of new social ideas, of new political institutions, of a new political power, whose mission it is to abolish by force the old relations of production. Out of the conflict between the new productive forces and the old relations of production, out of the new economic demands of society, there arise new social ideas; the new ideas organize and mobilize the masses; the masses become welded into a new political army, create a new revolutionary power, and make use of it to abolish by force the old system of relations of production, and to firmly establish the new system. The spontaneous process of development yields place to the conscious actions of men, peaceful development to violent upheaval, evolution to revolution.

"The proletariat," says Marx, "during its contest with the bourgeoisie is compelled, by the force of circumstances, to organize itself as a class...by means of a revolution, it makes itself the ruling class, and, as such, sweeps away by force the old conditions of production...." (Manifesto of the Communist Party, 1938, p. 52.)

And further:

– "The proletariat will use its political supremacy to wrest, by degrees, all capital from the bourgeoisie, to centralize all instruments of production in the hands of the State, i.e., of the proletariat organized as the ruling class; and to increase the total of productive forces as rapidly as possible." (Ibid., p. 50 )

– "Force is the midwife of every old society pregnant with a new one." (Marx, Capital, Vol. I, 1955, p. 603.)

Here is the formulation – a formulation of genius – of the essence of historical materialism given by Marx in 1859 in his historic Preface to his famous book, A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy:

"In the social production of their life, men enter into definite relations that are indispensable and independent of their will, relations of production which correspond to a definite stage of development of their material productive forces. The sum total of these relations of production constitutes the economic structure of society, the real foundation, on which rises a legal and political superstructure and to which correspond definite forms of social consciousness. The mode of production of material life conditions the social, political and intellectual life process in general. It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines their consciousness. At a certain stage of their development, the material productive forces of society come in conflict with the existing relations of production, or – what is but a legal expression for the same thing – with the property relations within which they have been at work hitherto. From forms of development of the productive forces these relations turn into their fetters. Then begins an epoch of social revolution. With the change of the economic foundation the entire immense superstructure is more or less rapidly transformed. In considering such transformations a distinction should always be made between the material transformation of the economic conditions of production, which can be determined with the precision of natural science, and the legal, political, religious, aesthetic or philosophic – in short, ideological forms in which men become conscious of this conflict and fight it out. Just as our opinion of an individual is not based on what he thinks of himself, so can we not judge of such a period of transformation by its own consciousness; on the contrary this consciousness must be explained rather from the contradictions of material life, from the existing conflict between the social productive forces and the relations of production. No social order ever perishes before all the productive forces for which there is room in it have developed; and new, higher relations of production never appear before the material conditions of their existence have matured in the womb of the old society itself. Therefore mankind always sets itself only such tasks as it can solve; since looking at the matter more closely, it will always be found that the task itself arises only when the material conditions for its solution already exist or are at least in the process of formation." (Marx, Selected Works, Vol. I, pp. 269-70.)

Such is Marxist materialism as applied to social life, to the history of society.

Such are the principal features of dialectical and historical materialism.

J. V. Stalin Archive

[aperture8]

BG3 - Digital Characterbook

I will start with the result of the MBTI. I had to use a translator because my English is terrible and there was so much text :D

It's a wip because I'm still trying to put the different parts of the puzzle together...

The Myers-Briggs test was developed by Katharine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Myers, both lay psychologists. The test is based on the psychological type theory developed and published by the Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung in the 1920s. Jung differentiated between extroverted and introverted types. The Myers Briggs test, which is frequently used in the USA for personnel selection, picks up on these characteristics and supplements them. The test uses a questionnaire to determine whether an ‘applicant’ is more introverted or extroverted. If the result were an ‘ENTJ’, which stands for a mixture of the personality factors extraversion, intuition, thinking and judgement, then this would supposedly be a born leader: they are decisive and good at recognising and correcting inefficient processes.

Don't forget the MBTI has a lack of validity and is most likely so popular because of the Barnum effect; As with horoscopes, the description of the type is kept vague and flattering so that everyone recognises themselves. I used the MBTI and the Enneagram System just for fun to describe Ardreyth's personality. You really shouldn't take this kind of test serious.

The Result:

INJT - The Architect

I-INTROVISION

or you could say: solitude as a kind of protection. Ardreyth's introversion manifests itself not only in her tendency to seclusion. Withdrawal or complete isolation brings with it a certain strategic advantage in order to be able to analyse undisturbed (focusing on intuitive thinking (N)). For example, Ardreyth likes to practise at night and alone, not only to recapitulate the fighting mistakes of the day's training session, but also to develop new fighting techniques independently of Callimar. She keeps these secret from the other students and never presents them publicly (knowledge is seen as power that is accumulated and not shared). Ardreyth favours strategic thinking and rational decision making, withdrawing from chaotic or emotional contexts to calmly explore patterns, risks and solutions. Her introversion reinforces her emotional distance even from Callimar, who is the only one she trusts conditionally.

N-INTUITION

Her strength in this area comes from her ability to recognise hidden patterns and develop long-term strategies that others miss. Ardreyth notices the secret rebelliousness of a young priestess against the Mother Matron, who is secretly defiling the offerings to Lolth. Instead of exposing her, she skilfully draws attention to an older rival by manipulating the evidence. In the long run, the young priestess proves more useful to her. Years later, she uses this priestess to sabotage a ritual that would have posed a threat to House Mizzrym.

T-THINKING

Ardreyth's decisions are based on cool rationality, even if they are morally questionable. Emotions are deliberately suppressed in order to achieve her goals. Her thinking is not characterised by coldness of feeling, but rather a survival strategy in Drow society. Every decision is a strategic move in her quest for power and autonomy. She does not shy away from sacrificing lives in order to obtain valuable information and destroy relationships in order to strengthen or weaken existing systems.

J-JUDGING

Ardreyth's "judgments" act like a kind of armor in an unpredictable world. Through their tendency to plan, document, and systematically control everything down to the smallest detail, they transform chaos, threat, and ignorance into strength, influence, and security. Their gift lies in taming the uncontrollable. INJTs dislike chaos, not out of fear, but because it seems inefficient. Ardreyth's control becomes a tool to save time and energy; they use it to impose their will on others, but it also serves as a shield that conceals their vulnerability. The tragedy here is that the more perfect her plans are, the tighter the shackles are, she becomes a slave to her own systems.

Ardreyth could be described as a clever strategist who, over the years, has become very good at playing the drowish power poker… but this strategic talent also isolates her. As an INJT, she doesn't think much of Lolth's willfulness… but her quest for control clashes with her DU heritage, which drives her to impulsive violence.These strategies could actually free her if she would learn to trust herself and not just her plans.

Next part will be the Enneagram

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: daily transits 7/30

Tuesday, 7/30, the astrological influences present to us this dynamic interplay between initiative, expansion, healing, and the potentiality of addressing emotional challenges. The day begins with the Gemini Moon conjunct Mars, promoting a burst of energy and new ideas, followed by a conjunction with Jupiter that encourages ambitious action. The heart-centered Venus-Chiron trine provides an opportunity for deep emotional healing, though the evening’s Moon-Saturn square may bring about feelings of isolation and melancholy.

Key Influences

Gemini Moon Conjunct Mars (2:00 a.m.): Initiative and Energy: This early morning conjunction between the Gemini Moon and Mars ignites a surge of mental energy and initiative. Mars brings action and drive, while the Gemini Moon enhances curiosity and communication, making it an excellent time for new ideas and planning.

Gemini Moon Conjunct Jupiter (3:44 p.m.): Expansion and Optimism: By mid-afternoon, the Moon’s conjunction with Jupiter amplifies our desire to expand and take risks. Jupiter’s influence brings optimism and enthusiasm, encouraging us to pursue ambitious plans, though it’s important to consider potential risks.

Venus Trine Chiron (23°31' Leo–Aries): Emotional Healing: The day’s main influence is the harmonious trine between Venus and Chiron. This aspect facilitates healing of emotional wounds, particularly those related to love and relationships. With Chiron recently stationed retrograde, the potential for deep inner healing is heightened, enabling us to address and mend past hurts.

Gemini Moon Square Saturn (11:41 p.m.): Emotional Challenges: Late at night, the square between the Gemini Moon and Saturn may bring about feelings of isolation, restriction, or emotional heaviness. Saturn’s influence can highlight our fears and insecurities, making it a challenging time emotionally.

Integrating The Influences

Morning Initiative: Channel Energy: Utilize the early morning surge of energy from the Moon-Mars conjunction to initiate new ideas and plans. This is a productive time for brainstorming, starting projects, and engaging in activities that require mental agility and action.

Afternoon Expansion: Seize Opportunities: The Moon-Jupiter conjunction encourages ambitious action and expansion. While optimism is high, it’s important to balance enthusiasm with a realistic assessment of risks. This is a favorable time for launching new ventures or pursuing goals with confidence.

Heart-Centered Healing: Embrace Vulnerability: The Venus-Chiron trine offers a powerful opportunity for emotional healing. Engage in activities that promote self-love and compassion. Reflect on past relationship wounds and consider ways to heal and grow from these experiences. This alignment supports transformative emotional work and can lead to profound insights and healing.

Evening Reflection: Acknowledge Feelings: The Moon-Saturn square in the evening may bring up feelings of loneliness or emotional heaviness. Use this time for introspection and self-care. Acknowledge any challenging emotions without judgment and consider practices that promote emotional resilience, such as meditation, journaling, or seeking support from loved ones.

Practical Applications

Morning Routine: Active Planning: Start the day with activities that channel the energy of the Moon-Mars conjunction. Engage in planning, problem-solving, or physical exercise to make the most of this dynamic influence.

Afternoon Engagement: Ambitious Actions: Use the optimistic energy of the Moon-Jupiter conjunction to pursue goals and opportunities. Focus on projects that require enthusiasm and a broad vision. Remember to consider potential risks and plan accordingly.

Healing Practices: Self-Compassion: Embrace the healing potential of the Venus-Chiron trine by engaging in practices that promote self-love and emotional healing. This could include therapy, creative expression, or spending time with supportive loved ones.

Evening Self-Care: Emotional Resilience: Prepare for the emotional challenges of the Moon-Saturn square by prioritizing self-care in the evening. Reflect on your feelings and seek comfort in activities that promote emotional well-being. Be gentle with yourself and allow space for any difficult emotions that arise.

follow for more astro insights like this and head on over to @quenysefields or instagram sensualnoiree to book a session with me :)

[embodiedfutures]

Day 8: Our Volunteer Application

How do we invite people into something sacred and make sure they’re truly ready to hold it with care?

This was the question we asked ourselves while developing the new volunteer application process for the Embodied Futures Collective (EFC). After years of doing things differently through Better Future Program (BFP), we knew this next chapter needed to feel more intentional, more relational, and more aligned.

In BFP, almost everyone who applied was accepted. There was no interview. No cohort. Just an open door and a lot of trust. And while that openness made space for some incredible people, it also welcomed others who didn’t truly resonate with our values. While there was an onboarding process in BFP—with pre-recorded trainings and systems in place for volunteers to complete asynchronously—it often meant that people could move through it in isolation, without opportunities for deeper connection. Without communal entry points, volunteers were dropped straight into the work. Burnout was common, connection decreased over time, and cohesion suffered.

So for EFC, we chose a slower, more thoughtful path.

We began by revisiting the original BFP application. Many of the questions still held value, but we knew we wanted more than just reflections on identity or political theory. We wanted to understand people’s intentions. Why are they coming here? How do they hope to show up? What does this space mean to them?

This focus on intention is not arbitrary. One thing that has remained true in every iteration of our work is our unwavering commitment to uplifting the leadership of those most vulnerable. Most of our youth, if not all, are multiply marginalized. Black, disabled, trans, chronically ill, caste-oppressed, neurodivergent. This is not a space for theory alone; it is a space that holds real people with real histories of being harmed. And so, when someone steps into EFC, they are stepping into a space already shaped by survival and care. We must be careful. We must be discerning. Because anything less risks retraumatizing the very people this space was built to protect.

As Baaba (she/her) noted, “Intentions within the collective space are important, especially for those who are not marginalized.”

Rojan (she/they) agreed, suggesting we include a question about why someone is applying to EFC in the first place, an entry point into deeper discernment. Persie (they/it/any) built upon that, asking what applicants think EFC actually is, reflecting on past confusion from folks who misunderstood our purpose altogether.

And Caspian (he/him) reminded us that vulnerability should be welcomed. Rather than pressuring people to have all the “right” answers, we want to invite transparency. As he shared, “I’d prefer that someone say they haven’t heard of or practiced transformative justice, than feel like they need to be an expert... That’s just another chance to offer them a resource.”

These conversations helped shape our updated EFC written application, which asks about alignment with our collective values, clarity of intention, skills and gifts, and what someone hopes to both offer and learn. We also made sure that every question could be answered in writing or through a video submission, honoring different communication needs.

But we didn’t stop there. We added a new stage: the interview.

As AMW (any pronouns) said, the written application is just a “taste test”—a first impression. The interview is where we meet the full person: their voice, their tone, their presence, their questions. It’s a deeper, more conversational space to explore alignment, clarify unclear answers, and begin building a relationship.

The goal of the interview is not perfection. It’s presence. We want to know who you are, not just what you’ve read. How you listen. How you reflect. How you dream.

Finally, we’ve structured the overall process to unfold in four steps:

Written or Video Application – A snapshot of your values, intentions, and interests

Live Interview – Text or video format, your choice; a deeper exploration of who you are

Onboarding Cohort – A multi-month orientation into the collective, built around relationship and learning (more to come soon!)

Final Cohort Gathering – A welcoming session to transition from cohort member to fully fledged volunteer, with space to reflect and celebrate

This new process is slower by design, as we’re not just building a volunteer program. We’re building a Collective. A home. A place to dream, to contribute, and to heal.

And it all begins with a single question: Why do you want to be here?

[thekingofgear]

Sam Petts-Davies's Setup for Thom's 'Everything' Tour

A photo of the setup, shared by Sam on his instagram account with the caption "tour begins tonight. i’ll be parked at front of house with this box of esoterics for the duration. it’s going to be something really special."

Thom's solo tour has just begun with a show in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Sam Petts-Davies is along for the ride!

Since Radiohead's earliest shows, there's always been at least a few effects added by an engineer at the FOH (front of house) mixing desk to keep the band's sound clear and coherent. With Radiohead, that role was filed by Jim Warren. Even after Thom started bringing pedalboard full of vocal effects on tour, Jim continued to apply additional effects including plugins such as the Waves C4 multiband compressor for vocals. You can find more info on Jim's work in these posts.

For The Smile, even fewer hardware effects were needed at the FOH desk, in part due to Thom's expanded vocal pedalboard. In 2022, the Smile's mix engineer mainly relied on plugins from an Avid VENUE S6L-32D digital desk, supplemented only by a TUBE-TECH CL 1B Tube Optical compressor (presumably for Thom's vocals).

It's clear that when Thom is performing totally solo, a different approach is needed. But it's hard to imagine that any past FOH setup has been so full of hardware effects! And not just effects, but also modulators and an usual mixer, as we'll see....

For those who don't know, Sam initially served as a engineer under Nigel during the recording of Junun in 2015. He subsequently did engineering work on Spectre, A Moon Shaped Pool, and on the strings for the OKNOTOK singles. In 2018, he co-produced the soundtrack to Suspiria with Thom, and apparently Thom was a fan because Sam received a full production credit for Thom's soundtrack to Confidenza. He also produced both of the Smile albums released this year: Wall of Eyes and Cutouts.

For comprehensibility, we've divided the setup into four sections: the core, the modular, the pedals, and the rack. We'll start with the core setup.

Core Setup

This section is the nexus: receiving input from Thom's stage setup, sending it through various effects, and mixing it all together. The Matrix Mixer is using to both mix together and feedback the various effects in Thom's eurorack setup. The Yamaha DM3-D appears to be the central mixing console for the entire setup. Despite its small size, the Yamaha boasts 22 channels and a huge range of built-in effects, and on top of that it can also run VST plugins.

Death By Audio Echo Master delay

? Electro-Harmonix 45000 looper

Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape delay

?

Erica Synths Matrix Mixer

Yamaha DM3-D Digital Mixing Console

Modular Setup

In the decade since Thom first used a Make Noise Shared System Plus to process his voice and piano, his eurorack effects setup has expanded quite a bit! The Shared System is designed to be both a sound generator and an effects processor, and since then Thom has created dedicated setups for each of those applications. This setup is the effects processor, with lots of delays, filters, and reverbs, plus some LFOs and CV sources to modulate those effects. The additional Doepfer case that Thom has on stage, might have some of his sound generators, but knowing Thom it could just as easily be even more Make Noise Echophon delays.

Row 1 (left to right):

Make Noise Maths (unused)

Intellijel Planar² joystick

Xaoc Devices Belgrad dual filter (unused)

4ms Dual Looping Delay

4ms SISM: Shifting Inverting Signal Mingler

blank panel (4hp)

Row 2 (left to right):

4ms QCD: Quad Clock Distributor (unused)

Soma Lyra8-FX (unused)

Make Noise Echophon delay

Make Noise Erbe-Verbe reverb

Vermona TAI-4 transformer-isolated I/O

Row 3 (left to right):

Intellijel µMIDI interface

Make Noise Richter Wogglebug random generator

Make Noise MULT

Make Noise QPAS dual filter

Rossum Electro-Music Panharmonium spectral resynthesizer

? Make Noise Memophon delay

Vermona TAI-4 transformer-isolated I/O

Row 4 (left to right):

Make Noise Morphagene sampler

Mannequins Three Sisters filter

Mannequins Just Friends

Qu-Bit Aurora reverb

Earthquaker Devices Afterneath reverb

unknown module (2hp)

Xaoc Devices Kamieniec phaser

It appears that these are Thom's Rows 1 and 2 are kept in a Doepfer A-100P6 Suitcase 6U case. Rows 3 and 4 are kept in a Doepfer A-100PB Suitcase Base case. The modules on row 4 are impossible to identify at this angle, but Make Noise style knobs are clearly visible on the left-most module.

Pedal Setup

Furman M-8Lx power supply

? Radial Engineering EXTC-Stereo reamp

Eventide Pitchfactor

? Hologram Chroma Console

Empress Effects Reverb

Rack Setup

We'll double back on this one once we have a better photo...

Edit (Feb 27, 2025): added missing bits of gear to the lists.

[frank-olivier]

From Knots to Quantum: A Cultural and Mathematical Transformation

Shiing-Shen Chern was born in Jiaxing, China, in 1911, during a time of great change and upheaval in his homeland. From an early age, he displayed a remarkable aptitude for mathematics, and his journey in the world of differential geometry began at Nankai University and Tsinghua University, where he laid the foundation for his future academic endeavors. Chern's education took him to Germany, where he pursued his graduate studies at the University of Hamburg under the mentorship of Wilhelm Blaschke. It was here that Chern's passion for geometry flourished, and his doctoral research on the theory of webs marked the beginning of a brilliant career in mathematics.

Chern's contributions to differential geometry are vast and profound. He made significant advancements in the calculus of variations, the theory of differential forms, and the study of characteristic classes. His most celebrated achievement, the Chern-Weil theory, provides a powerful framework for constructing and understanding characteristic classes, which are essential tools in algebraic topology and differential geometry. The introduction of Chern classes revolutionized the study of complex manifolds and algebraic varieties. These classes capture the topological and geometric intricacies of these spaces and have become indispensable in various branches of mathematics. Chern's proof of the generalized Gauss-Bonnet theorem further solidified his place among the greatest geometers.

Beyond his mathematical prowess, Shiing-Shen Chern played a pivotal role in fostering mathematical exchange and collaboration between China and the Western world. In the mid-20th century, as China emerged from a period of isolation, Chern became a key figure in re-establishing mathematical connections with the international community. Upon his return to China in the 1980s, he took on the task of revitalizing mathematical research and education. Chern founded the Mathematical Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which became a hub for mathematical excellence and international collaboration. His vision and leadership attracted mathematicians from around the world, fostering a vibrant and diverse intellectual environment.

Chern's dedication to nurturing the next generation of mathematicians is evident in his establishment of the Nankai Institute of Mathematics at Nankai University and his later contributions to Zhejiang University. Through these institutions, he inspired and mentored countless students, many of whom became leading mathematicians.

Shiing-Shen Chern's influence extends far beyond pure mathematics, significantly impacting the field of Topological Quantum Theory (TQFT). TQFT is a fascinating area of mathematical physics that explores the connections between topology, geometry, and quantum mechanics, and Chern's contributions have been instrumental in its development.

Chern-Simons theory stands as a testament to the deep interplay between geometry and quantum theory. Named after Shiing-Shen Chern, Simon Donaldson, and James Simons, this topological quantum field theory is a masterpiece in mathematical physics. Chern-Simons theory assigns complex amplitudes to manifolds and knots, relying on the Chern-Simons form, a differential form derived from the curvature of connections on principal bundles. The Chern-Simons action functional, a central object in the theory, captures the geometric and topological aspects of manifolds, providing a powerful tool for understanding quantum systems. This theory finds applications in various areas of physics, including knot theory, quantum gravity, and condensed matter physics, offering insights into topological phases of matter.

Chern's work on characteristic classes, particularly the Chern classes, has been instrumental in the study of topological invariants, which are crucial in TQFT. These invariants remain unchanged under continuous deformations of manifolds and play a vital role in classifying topological phases. Chern classes, along with other characteristic classes, provide a rich toolkit for constructing and analyzing these topological invariants. The Chern-Simons invariant, derived from Chern-Simons theory, is a prime example with far-reaching implications. It distinguishes different 3-manifolds and connects to knot invariants like the Jones polynomial, which are of great interest in TQFT.

Chern's contributions to differential geometry have also influenced the study of quantum states and their geometric properties. The geometry of the space of quantum states, known as the projective Hilbert space, has become an important research area in mathematical physics. Chern's work on complex geometry and Kähler manifolds provides valuable insights into the structure of these spaces and their associated geometric invariants. Additionally, the concept of Berry phases in quantum mechanics, arising from the geometric properties of quantum state spaces, is connected to Chern's work on connections and curvature. These geometric phases find applications in quantum computing and quantum information theory.

The interplay of mathematics, history, and cultural exchange is captured in the documentary "Taking the Long View" by George Paul Csicsery. The film portrays Chern's life, his enduring legacy, and the tapestry of his contributions to mathematics and the cultural exchange between East and West.

Taking the Long View - The Life of Shiing-shen Chern (George Paul Csicsery, 2000)

Knots have been an integral part of human civilization for thousands of years, dating back to ancient times when they were used for practical purposes such as sailing, fishing, and weaving. However, the systematic study of knots as a mathematical discipline is a relatively modern development that has evolved over the centuries, intertwining with various scientific and intellectual pursuits.

In ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and China, knots were used for practical purposes, such as securing objects, creating fishing nets, and recording information. The ancient Inca civilization in South America even developed a sophisticated system of recording information called "quipu," which used knotted strings to encode numerical data and possibly even more complex information.

During the Renaissance, knots continued to play a role in various crafts and trades, but the mathematical study of knots as a distinct field was not yet established..

The 19th century saw significant advancements in mathematics and physics, and it was during this time that knot theory began to take shape as a mathematical discipline. One of the pioneering figures in this field was the Scottish physicist and mathematician Peter Guthrie Tait. In the 1870s, Tait and his colleagues, including Thomas Kirkman and C.N. Little, embarked on a project to classify all possible knots with a given number of crossings. This effort, known as the "Tait Conjecture," aimed to create a table of knots and links, which would serve as a foundation for understanding their properties.

Tait's work laid the groundwork for the systematic study of knots, and he is often considered one of the founders of knot theory. He introduced the concept of "alternating knots" and developed techniques for distinguishing and classifying knots based on their diagrams.

In the early 20th century, mathematicians continued to build upon Tait's work and made significant contributions to knot theory. James Waddell Alexander II, a prominent American mathematician, introduced the concept of "knot invariants," which are mathematical quantities that remain unchanged under various deformations of a knot. These invariants provided a powerful tool for distinguishing and classifying knots.

Another influential figure during this period was Max Dehn, a German mathematician who made important contributions to the study of three-dimensional manifolds and knot theory. Dehn introduced the concept of "Dehn surgery," a technique for modifying three-dimensional spaces by cutting out and gluing back solid tori, which has deep connections with knot complements and the topology of three-dimensional spaces.

The mid-20th century witnessed a revolution in physics with the development of quantum mechanics. Surprisingly, this new branch of physics would have profound implications for knot theory. In the 1980s, the discovery of the Jones polynomial by Vaughan Jones, a mathematician working in the field of operator algebras, marked a significant turning point.

The Jones polynomial is a knot invariant that assigns a Laurent polynomial to each knot or link. It was initially discovered in the context of von Neumann algebras and subfactors in quantum physics, but its significance for knot theory was quickly recognized. The Jones polynomial provided a powerful tool for distinguishing knots and led to the development of other knot polynomials, such as the HOMFLYPT polynomial, which further enriched the theory.

The connection between knot theory and quantum physics deepened with the emergence of topological quantum field theories, mathematical models that describe the behavior of quantum systems in terms of topological and geometric properties. Edward Witten played a pivotal role in this development.

Edward Witten's foray into knot theory began in the late 1980s, a period marked by significant advancements in mathematical physics. Witten, already renowned for his contributions to string theory and quantum field theory, turned his attention to the intricate world of knots and links, seeking to understand their topological and geometric properties. Witten's interest in knot theory was not merely academic; he sought to uncover the deep connections between knot theory and quantum physics.

Shiing-Shen Chern's work in differential geometry and topology provided a crucial foundation for Witten's exploration of knot theory. Witten's groundbreaking insight was to relate Chern-Simons theory to knot invariants, such as the Jones polynomial. He showed that the Jones polynomial could be obtained from Chern-Simons theory, providing a physical interpretation for this important mathematical object.

Witten's exploration of knot theory has led to a deeper understanding of the role of knots and links in quantum field theory. He has studied the behavior of quantum fields in the presence of knotted configurations, revealing the intricate interplay between topology and quantum phenomena. This research has opened up new avenues for understanding the mathematical structure of quantum field theories and their connection to knot invariants.

Witten's research has explored the geometry of quantum state spaces, known as projective Hilbert spaces. He has used geometric and topological concepts, such as Kähler manifolds and Berry phases, to understand the structure and behavior of quantum systems in these spaces. This work builds upon Chern's contributions to differential geometry and topology, particularly in the study of complex manifolds and their geometric properties.

By building upon Chern's mathematical foundations, Witten has revealed the deep connections between geometry, topology, and quantum phenomena, opening up new avenues for research and a deeper understanding of the mathematical structure of the physical world.

Prof. Edward Witten: Knots and Quantum Theory (Institute for Advanced Study, April 2012)

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

[multifandomfanboy]

Magnus Protocol Filing System

All of you really liked my numerically-sorted list of Magnus Archives statements by their case numbers, so I’ve decided to do something similar for the Magnus Protocol, but this time sorting it by 4 6 different categories. 

As I am writing this only the first 2 episodes have come out, I will try and keep it updated the best I can (don’t be surprised if I stop updating it and suddenly start updating again months later, I’m just like that). 

==========================

Category (CAT)

Meaning currently unknown

==========================

CAT1 - MAGP1, MAGP6, MAGP10, MAGP12, MAGP14, MAGP15, MAGP16, MAGP18, MAGP20, MAGP24, MAGP26, MAGP35

CAT123 - MAGP31

CAT13 - MAGP19, MAGP22, MAGP23, MAGP38

CAT2 - MAGP3, MAGP5, MAGP7, MAGP8, MAGP17, MAGP21, MAGP25, MAGP28, MAGP29, MAGP30, MAG32, MAG33

CAT23 - MAGP1, MAGP11

CAT3 - MAGP2, MAGP4, MAGP9, MAGP13, MAGP27, MAGP36, MAGP40

==========================

Rank 

Meaning currently unknown

==========================

RS - MAGP30

RAB - MAGP1, MAGP20

RABC - MAGP38

RB - MAGP5, MAGP6, MAGP9, MAGP10, MAGP12, MAGP13, MAGP14, MAGP15, MAGP16, MAGP18, MAGP25, MAGP27, MAGP28, MAGP29, MAGP31, MAG33, MAG35, MAGP36

RBC - MAGP1, MAGP2, MAGP8, MAGP19, MAGP21, MAGP22, MAGP23, MAGP24, MAGP26

RC - MAGP7, MAGP11, MAGP17, MAGP32

RCA - MAGP40

C - MAGP3, MAGP4

==========================

DPHW

Meaning currently unknown

==========================

1137 - MAGP19

1147 - MAGP17

1375 - MAGP24

1475 - MAGP32

1565 - MAGP16

1567 - MAGP2

2153 - MAGP36, MAGP38

2155 - MAGP1

2167 - MAGP40

2275 - MAGP10

2365 - MAGP33

2374 - MAGP18

2377 - MAGP5

2474 - MAGP25

2534 - MAGP20

2578 - MAGP28

3338 - MAGP7

3354 - MAGP9

3366 - MAGP8, MAGP30

3536 - MAGP23

4254 - MAGP21, MAGP29

4426 - MAGP14

4463 - MAGP26

4488 - MAGP22

4622 - MAGP13

4728 - MAGP12

4778 - MAGP35

4824 - MAGP6

5246 - MAGP11

5257 - MAGP1

5535 - MAGP27

5555 - MAGP31

6451 - MAGP15

7494 - MAGP4

8175 - MAGP3

==========================

Primary Classification

The horror itself

==========================

Agglomeration (miscellany) - MAGP7

Architecture (landmark) - MAGP21

Architecture (liminal) - MAGP8

Baby (demonic) - MAGP24

Building (angry) - MAGP32

Carousel (toy) - MAGP38

Collection (blood) - MAGP4

Dice (bone) - MAGP9

Disappearance (undetermined) - MAGP5

Doppelgänger (interdimensional) - MAGP17

Drowning (subterranean) - MAGP29

Entrapment (virtual) - MAGP36

Exhaustion (athletic) - MAGP26

Experiment (brain) - MAGP22

Food (gorging) - MAGP25

Gambling (application) - MAGP13

Hunt (aristocratic) - MAGP15

Infection (full body) - MAGP3

Injury (needles) - MAGP6

Integration (organic) - MAGP31

Kidnapping (carriage) - MAGP27

Mascot (incarceration) - MAGP35

Mascot (kids) - MAGP10, MAGP12

Memory (derelict) - MAGP18

Puppet (reanimation) - MAGP40

Reanimation (partial) -  MAGP1

Tattoo (corpse) - MAGP11

Tattoo (influencer) - MAGP16

Transformation (canine) - MAGP19

Transformation (dysmorphic) - MAGP23

Transformation (eyes) - MAGP1

Transformation (full) - MAGP2

Transformation (pier) - MAGP33

Transformation (snake) - MAGP14

Transformation (tattoo) - MAGP20

Transmutation (human) - MAGP28, MAGP30

==========================

Secondary Classification

The events surrounding the horror

==========================

arboreal - MAGP3

cardiac - MAGP16

ceremony (academic) - MAGP28

compulsion - MAGP11, MAGP15, MAGP18

compulsion (disgust) - MAGP25

compulsion (tape) - MAGP26

computer (hardware) - MAGP31

congregation - MAGP7

consumption - MAGP27

corruption (entropy) - MAGP21

delusion (exhaustion) - MAGP24

disappearance (parent) - MAGP38

doppelgänger (infection) - MAGP23

dysmorphic - MAGP2

fate - MAGP9

fear (children) - MAGP40

fear (void) - MAGP33

frenzy - MAGP12

growth (crystalline) - MAGP19

horde - MAGP14

hunger - MAGP8

isolation (experimentation) - MAGP36

imprisonment (existential) - MAGP22

intimidation - MAGP6

invitation - MAGP5

isolation (urban) - MAGP30

key (metaphor) - MAGP29

murder - MAGP10, MAGP17

musical - MAGP4

N/A - MAGP32

regret - MAGP1

retaliation - MAGP35

self-destruction - MAGP13

social media (Imfluencer) - MAGP20

trespass - MAGP1

==========================

Data Type (Apparently no longer being used)

Gone again?

==========================

999 Call - MAGP6

Chat Log - MAGP1

Coursework - MAGP8

Email - MAGP1, MAGP7

Email Exchange - MAGP11

Insurance Claim - MAGP12

Internet Blog - MAGP5

Journal Entry - MAGP3

Letter - MAGP4, MAGP27

Magnus Statement - MAGP9

TV Interview - MAGP10

Video Call - MAGP2

Voicemail - MAGP13

[thegreathomestuckreread]

okay. i think perhaps the terrible, terrible moment has arrived. i need to find a new photo editing program

photoshop elements 8, my beloved dedicated photoshop elements 8 from the free software disc that came with my wacom bamboo tablet in 2012, is no longer opening certain types of gif files

it's possible it was never capable of opening these gifs idk, it's specifically gifs with a lot of frames that aren't opening, like the painting gifs from chicory a colourful tale, or the plot point gif from homestuck beyond canon

there is also the fact that a very long time ago i started having issues with the scroll bars not moving properly and needing to use specific shortcuts to scroll around. so the writing's been on the wall for a while, this is a sixteen-year-old program that was bound to stop working eventually and the time has come for me to finally grit my teeth and find something new

please if anyone has any recommendations for photo editing programs i would appreciate it

relevant information:

i already know about gimp, paint.net, pixlr, and photopea. i am looking for something more fully-featured and not browser-based (needs to be an application that can be downloaded, installed on my computer, and used offline)

i'm willing to pay some for something good but only a one-time fee for full ownership of a program i refuse to engage with subscription services

also down for some yo ho ho if anyone has resources for that

i need something that has both strong photo editing tools and illustration tools because i use both of those (although moreso the photo editing tools)

needs to be able to open large gifs with lots of frames, as well as save to gif format with robust options

needs a transform tool that can turn anti-aliasing on and off freely. it can't be turned off in pse8 and that has been annoying for editing pixel art, which i need to do a lot for making homestuck upd8 video thumbnails

needs to be able to flip/rotate/etc. specific layers without having to do that to the entire image. pse8 can only do flips like that with the entire image, i've been cutting layers into a new document flipping them and repasting them back into the original document to get around it which is very annoying

need to be able to see the whole image when using the liquefy tool, not just the layer i'm working on. pse8 will pull the single layer you're working on into an isolated popout window with a white background to use the liquefy tool so you can't see whether it's proportionally correct to the rest of the image

hmmmm that's all i can think of rn. thank u for reading this post it came out way too long lol and thank u for suggestions if u have any!

[spectralpixelsredone]

RWBY Theory: The Strange Semblances of Fiona Thyme and Xanthe Rumpole and Their Potential Against Salem

In the world of RWBY, Semblances are manifestations of a person’s Aura, reflecting their soul and granting unique abilities. Fiona Thyme’s Pocket Dimensions and Xanthe Rumpole’s Golden Touch stand out as particularly strange and powerful Semblances, with mechanics that suggest eldritch or reality-altering potential. This analysis explores the workings of these Semblances, their theoretical capacity to harm or defeat Salem—an immortal being cursed by the Gods—and their overall power level, emphasizing their unusual and potent nature.

Fiona Thyme’s Pocket Dimensions: A Spatial Anomaly

Fiona Thyme’s Semblance, Pocket Dimensions, allows her to absorb and store objects into a personal pocket dimension through physical contact, later releasing them intact. Its spatial manipulation and vast capacity mark it as a uniquely powerful ability with strange, almost eldritch implications.

Mechanics and Functionality: Fiona can absorb matter into herself via the palm of her hand, as seen in Volume 7’s “Worst Case Scenario,” where she stores an entire military truck filled with supplies. She can release these objects whole, as demonstrated in “Refuge” when she absorbs and releases a map during Mantle’s evacuation. The Semblance’s upper limits are unknown, but its ability to handle large objects suggests an extraordinary capacity. The requirement of physical touch is a key limitation, necessitating direct contact to activate the ability.

Eldritch Qualities: Pocket Dimensions defies conventional physics by creating a personal spatial void within Fiona, capable of storing massive objects without apparent strain on her body. This ability to manipulate space, effectively removing and restoring matter, evokes the reality-warping powers associated with Remnant’s ancient magic, such as the Gods’ creation of realms like the Ever After. The notion of a “pocket dimension” suggests a connection to otherworldly forces, as it operates outside the normal constraints of physical space.

Potential Against Salem: Salem’s immortality, granted by the God of Darkness, allows her to reconstitute her body after destruction, as seen when she reforms after being disintegrated. Fiona’s Semblance could theoretically harm Salem by absorbing her entirely into the pocket dimension, effectively trapping her in a spatial void. If Fiona could touch Salem—a significant challenge given Salem’s magical prowess and Grimm-enhanced abilities—she might isolate her from Remnant, preventing her from causing harm. However, Salem’s magical nature might allow her to manipulate the pocket dimension or escape, especially if it lacks the divine permanence of the Gods’ Vaults. Alternatively, Fiona could absorb critical objects Salem relies on, such as magical artifacts or Grimm pools, disrupting her plans indirectly.

Power Level: Pocket Dimensions is exceptionally powerful due to its versatility and scale. Its ability to store objects as large as a cargo truck suggests potential combat applications, such as absorbing enemy weapons, projectiles, or even environmental hazards like collapsing structures. While primarily used for utility in the series, its theoretical combat potential—e.g., releasing heavy objects as projectiles or trapping enemies—makes it a high-tier Semblance. The touch-based limitation tempers its power, requiring Fiona to close distances in battle, but its spatial manipulation places it among Remnant’s most extraordinary abilities.

The strange nature of Pocket Dimensions lies in its ability to bend spatial reality, making Fiona a walking anomaly capable of altering the battlefield in ways that defy natural laws. Its potential to trap or disrupt Salem hinges on overcoming her magical defenses, but its sheer versatility underscores its eldritch potency.

Xanthe Rumpole’s Golden Touch: A Transformative Curse

Xanthe Rumpole’s Semblance, Golden Touch, allows her to permanently transform objects she touches into gold, a power with both tactical and symbolic weight. Its irreversible nature and material-altering capabilities give it a uniquely destructive and strange quality.

Mechanics and Functionality: Golden Touch transforms any material Rumpole touches into gold, as seen in RWBY: Before the Dawn when she renders one of Carmine Esclados’ sai useless by turning it into soft, malleable gold, and later transforms Neptune Vasilias’ jacket to immobilize him. Her eyes flash gold during activation, signaling the Semblance’s use. The transformation is permanent, with no known ability to revert affected objects, and is limited by the need for physical contact. This ability can disable weapons due to gold’s softness and immobilize opponents by hardening clothing into heavy, rigid metal.

Eldritch Qualities: The permanent transmutation of matter into gold evokes mythological and magical themes, drawing parallels to the cautionary tale of King Midas and the fairy tale of Rumpelstiltskin. This ability to fundamentally alter the physical properties of objects suggests a connection to ancient magic, as it manipulates matter at a structural level, bypassing the natural composition of Remnant’s materials. The irreversible nature of the transformation adds an almost cursed, supernatural quality, as if Rumpole’s touch imposes a metaphysical change that defies reversal.

Potential Against Salem: Golden Touch’s potential to harm Salem depends on whether it can affect living beings or magical entities. A Reddit discussion on r/RWBYcritics speculates that if Rumpole could touch Salem and turn her entirely into gold, it might incapacitate her by rendering her body immobile, effectively “killing” her in a physical sense. However, Salem’s divine curse ensures she cannot die until she learns the value of life and death or Remnant ends, suggesting she might regenerate from a golden state, as she does from other forms of destruction. If the Semblance only affects non-living matter, like clothing, Rumpole could immobilize Salem temporarily by turning her attire into gold, hindering her movement. However, Salem’s magical abilities, such as energy manipulation or Grimm reconstitution, could counteract this effect, either by shedding the affected material or using magic to negate the transformation. The Semblance’s touch-based limitation makes it difficult to apply in combat against a being as powerful as Salem.

Power Level: Golden Touch is a high-tier Semblance due to its ability to permanently neutralize weapons and immobilize opponents. Its combat applications are significant, as seen when it disables Carmine’s sai and traps Neptune, but its reliance on physical contact limits its versatility against agile or long-range fighters. The permanent nature of the transformation makes it uniquely devastating, as affected objects are rendered useless indefinitely. While not as broadly versatile as spatial manipulation, its ability to alter matter at a fundamental level places it among Remnant’s most potent and strange Semblances.

Golden Touch’s strange and powerful nature lies in its irreversible transmutation, which carries an eldritch weight akin to a divine or cursed power. Its potential against Salem is limited by her immortality and magical defenses, but its ability to disrupt physical objects makes it a formidable threat in skilled hands.

Conclusion

Fiona Thyme’s Pocket Dimensions and Xanthe Rumpole’s Golden Touch are among RWBY’s strangest and most powerful Semblances, each with unique mechanics that suggest eldritch connections to Remnant’s ancient magic. Pocket Dimensions manipulates space itself, allowing Fiona to absorb and store vast objects, potentially trapping Salem or her resources in a spatial void, though its effectiveness depends on overcoming Salem’s magical resilience. Golden Touch permanently alters matter into gold, offering the potential to immobilize or disrupt Salem, but her immortality likely renders it a temporary setback. Both Semblances are high-tier in power due to their reality-altering capabilities, with Pocket Dimensions excelling in versatility and Golden Touch in permanence. Their strange, almost supernatural mechanics—spatial voids and irreversible transmutation—mark them as eldritch forces, capable of challenging even a being as formidable as Salem, though her divine curse poses significant obstacles to their success.

[worldpharmatoday]

Innovative Stem Cell Therapies: Transforming Regenerative Medicine and Patient Care

In recent years, stem cell therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in regenerative medicine, offering patients innovative ways to support healing and recovery. A fundamental shift is occurring in healthcare—one that moves away from traditional, one-size-fits-all pharmaceutical solutions and toward personalized, biologically driven approaches. Physicians are now harnessing patients’ own stem cells to promote natural healing, offering a minimally invasive alternative to major surgical interventions.

At the forefront of this movement is Cell Surgical Network, a pioneering organization that emphasizes patient-driven regenerative medicine using a patient’s own cells. By leveraging autologous stem cell therapies, doctors are unlocking new possibilities for individuals seeking alternatives to conventional treatments.

The Power of Personal Stem Cell Therapy Unlike traditional pharmaceutical interventions, which rely on mass-produced solutions, personal stem cell therapy utilizes a patient’s own cells to promote healing. This represents a paradigm shift in medicine, aligning with the body’s natural regenerative mechanisms.

The process of isolating a patient’s stem cells is relatively straightforward and minimally invasive. Stem cells are typically harvested from adipose (fat) tissue through a minor outpatient procedure. Once extracted, these cells can be reintroduced into areas of the body where healing support is needed. Because the cells originate from the patient’s own body, concerns over rejection or adverse immune reactions are significantly reduced.

This biological and patient-specific approach to medicine is gaining traction across multiple fields, including orthopedics, neurology, cardiology, and longevity-focused medicine.

Why Patients Are Choosing Stem Cell Therapy The growing demand for minimally invasive medical solutions is driving the adoption of stem cell-based approaches. Patients are increasingly looking to avoid major surgical interventions and long recovery periods. Whether they are dealing with orthopedic challenges, neurological conditions, cardiovascular concerns, or are focused on longevity and performance, individuals are seeking options that align with how the body naturally repairs itself.

Traditional medicine often follows an “off-the-shelf” model, where patients receive standardized pharmaceutical treatments that may not address the root cause of their concerns. Stem cell therapy, by contrast, offers a highly personalized approach, working in harmony with the body’s own healing systems.

Key Areas Where Stem Cells Are Promoting Healing Stem cell therapy is being integrated into multiple areas of medicine to support the body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate tissue. Some of the most exciting applications include:

Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Patients experiencing joint discomfort, soft tissue injuries, or degenerative orthopedic conditions are turning to stem cell therapies as an alternative to surgery. Athletes and active individuals are leveraging regenerative medicine to support recovery and performance without long downtimes.

Neurology Researchers and clinicians are exploring how stem cells can be used to support neurological health and function. There is growing interest in regenerative strategies that focus on neuroplasticity and the body’s ability to maintain and repair nerve tissues.

Cardiology Personalized stem cell approaches are being studied for their potential to support cardiovascular health. The idea of using the body’s own cells to promote healing represents a major departure from traditional pharmaceutical-based interventions.

Longevity and Performance-Based Medicine The use of stem cells in age management and performance medicine is gaining attention as people seek to optimize their health and vitality. Regenerative techniques are being explored for their role in enhancing cellular function, recovery, and overall well-being. A Fundamental Shift in Medical Practice This patient-centered approach to regenerative medicine represents a fundamental shift in how healthcare is delivered. Rather than focusing solely on symptom management, stem cell therapy emphasizes healing as the primary outcome. This shift aligns with the way the body has been designed to heal naturally, making regenerative medicine one of the most exciting frontiers in modern healthcare.

For physicians, integrating stem cell-based protocols into their practice offers a cutting-edge, biologically consistent approach that complements traditional medical techniques. Networks like Cell Surgical Network are helping clinicians stay at the forefront of this medical revolution, providing education, research, and patient access to minimally invasive regenerative solutions.

Conclusion The move toward patient-specific regenerative medicine is transforming the pharmaceutical and medical industries. With an increasing emphasis on biological healing rather than symptom suppression, stem cell therapy is redefining the standard of care. Patients and physicians alike are recognizing the benefits of utilizing the body’s own regenerative capabilities, paving the way for a new era in medicine—one where healing takes precedence over intervention.

As demand for minimally invasive, patient-driven solutions continues to grow, stem cell therapy stands at the forefront of a revolution in personalized medicine—one that is reshaping how we think about health, recovery, and longevity.

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How Can Legacy Application Support Align with Your Long-Term Business Goals?

Many businesses still rely on legacy applications to run core operations. These systems, although built on older technology, are deeply integrated with workflows, historical data, and critical business logic. Replacing them entirely can be expensive and disruptive. Instead, with the right support strategy, these applications can continue to serve long-term business goals effectively.

1. Ensure Business Continuity

Continuous service delivery is one of the key business objectives of any enterprise. Maintenance of old applications guarantees business continuity, which minimizes chances of business interruption in case of software malfunctions or compatibility errors. These applications can be made to work reliably with modern support strategies such as performance monitoring, frequent patching, system optimization, despite changes in the rest of the system changes in the rest of the systems. This prevents the lost revenue and downtime of unplanned outages.

2. Control IT Costs

A straight replacement of the legacy systems is a capital intensive process. By having support structures, organizations are in a position to prolong the life of such applications and ensure an optimal IT expenditure. The cost saved can be diverted into innovation or into technologies that interact with the customers. An effective support strategy manages the total cost of ownership (TCO), without sacrificing performance or compliance.

3. Stay Compliant and Secure

The observance of industry regulations is not negotiable. Unsupported legacy application usually fall out of compliance with standards changes. This is handled by dedicated legacy application support which incorporates security updates, compliances patching and audit trails maintenance. This minimizes the risks of regulatory fines and reputational loss as well as governance and risk management objectives.

4. Connect with Modern Tools

Legacy support doesn’t mean working in isolation. With the right approach, these systems can connect to cloud platforms, APIs, and data tools. This enables real-time reporting, improved collaboration, and more informed decision-making—without requiring full system replacements.

5. Protect Business Knowledge

The legacy systems often contain years of institutional knowledge built into workflows, decision trees, and data architecture. They should not be abandoned early because vital operational insights may be lost. Maintaining these systems enables enterprises to keep that knowledge and transform it into documentation or reusable code aligned with ongoing digital transformation initiatives.

6. Support Scalable Growth

Well-supported legacy systems can still grow with your business. With performance tuning and capacity planning, they can handle increased demand and user loads. This keeps growth on track without significant disruption to IT systems.

7. Increase Flexibility and Control

Maintaining legacy application—either in-house or through trusted partners—gives businesses more control over their IT roadmap. It avoids being locked into aggressive vendor timelines and allows change to happen on your terms.

Legacy applications don’t have to be a roadblock. With the right support model, they become a stable foundation that supports long-term goals. From cost control and compliance to performance and integration, supported legacy systems can deliver measurable value. Specialized Legacy Application Maintenance Services are provided by service vendors such as Suma Soft, TCS, Infosys, Capgemini,  and HCLTech, to enable businesses to get the best out of their current systems, as they prepare to transform in the future. Choosing the appropriate partner will maintain these systems functioning, developing and integrated with wider business strategies.