#it can be avoided if they don't use it probably

[rockermazy]

I came here from listening to EclipsedVO's Youtube Short covering this post. People here in the comments are saying "water is wet". As someone who was raised as a fundie Christian, I don't know whether to cry or freeze - I'm too tired to shake. This is news to me. I needed this validation in the form of a research study. Christians are taught "the parent who spares the rod, hates his own son" (Proverbs 13:24) It is something you *know* is wrong as a kid, even though you are taught by every Christian adult, teacher and pastor that it is right, And you are alone to steep in your own... rage? Confusion? Vendetta? Especially when the punishment was given as a misinterpretation of mistakes and forgetfulness as outright rebellion. When I actually tried to obey and failed. ----

What most people call "common sense" does not exist in Christianity. For the secular, the truth wraps itself around reality. That kind of truth is subject to amendment as more is learned about reality. For Christians, reality wraps itself around a predefined "Truth". This "Truth" is seen as incorruptible, divine and never wrong. This means that if any evidence is found contradicting said "Truth, such evidence is assumed to either stem from error, insincerity or the direct influences of the Devil himself. I suspect this is probably why some users were asking OP "if there were any benefits found to spanking" and others accused the researchers of having a "bias". To anyone on the outside, these queries seem barbaric. To the Christian, the existence of evidence contradictory to their "Truth" warrants scrutiny - with suspicions of either insincerity or error in research. ----

I had come to believe that the only reason I turned out as a "good person" as an adult was the blind, overkill punishment I'd received as a child - and learning to remind myself that any thought that comes naturally to the mind is sinful (minkind's sinful nature) - unless it is about God, or towards the goal of doing God's work, or meditation about God. This was literally the reason I swore as a teen that I'd never have my own kids: no one deserves to learn to hate themselves for 80 years just to get into Heaven. I figured if children come from Heaven, they should probably stay up there for their own safety. Why dirty a child just to scrape their skin raw to become clean again? Only to risk losing them forever? No person who values themselves would endure that - they'd be doomed to Hell. I figured only the fear of Hell could make a person reject themselves daily, as Christ commanded. It worked for me - But I wouldn't want to put anyone else through that if avoidable. I am dumb. I really, really needed the "water is wet" study right now. I needed someone in the YouTube comment section to say if "you aren't old enough to talk, then you aren't old enough to understand why you were hit. And if you are old enough to talk, you can actually talk." It was only after listening to the Short that I recalled hearing somewhere that hitting animals results in said animals being difficult to rehome. So normal people usually avoid hitting their pets. And the animals don't even speak. But humans... Humans can friggin' talk. They can reason. I needed all of this. I don't think a normal person can fully appreciate how Christianity rewires the brain's ability to think straight. I needed this research for my deconversion. One more nail in the coffin that is too big for my arms to span. A very useful nail.

Now a new study looking at 400,000 youths from 88 countries around the world suggests such bans are making a difference in reducing youth violence. It marks the first systematic assessment of whether an association exists between a ban on corporal punishment and the frequency in which adolescents get into fights. 

[tarotchariotpickyourcard]

Your red flags - PAC

I'm going to be problematic. 🥰 (me and probably you at some point)

Who's ready for some Sass?

You ready to know your little red flags? I'm callin' you out.

Note: This is definitely for entertainment purposes, not to be taken too seriously, and probably what you could be like if you weren't doing great. Or very stressed. lol.

Pick a number between 1 - 3

That is literally it. My red flag is i'm lazy. I ain't collecting pictures for you to choose from. 🙄 Good luck. there. I high-lighted it for you. Does that help?

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

GROUP 1

Shufflemancy song: Panorama (hard life)

"Don't be mad at me" 👀

Identifies with the evil stepmother in cinderella (I'm kidding)

Writes a pros vs con list on love interests (or keeps a record of what they feel wronged about 😭)

Oh nooooo, false promises 😅😂 Putting words in other peoples mouths, twisting what has been said. You'll be pointing the finger, saying they said something crazy but you're the one who said it😭 But they can't remember because it was like, 10 months ago. Emotional manipulation is something you gotta hold back from 😬

Steals the last ice-cream. (major red flag if you ask me)

Don't over do it with drinking, you look like you could say some mean things😭 Don't regret what you say the next day

NOOOOOOOO queen of swords with 7 swords reversed my fingers are tripping typing this, please, don't tell me the honest truth. Don't tell me how it is, you think you're being honest but it's so meaaannnnn. Stop being mean to meeeee.

Deep down you just secretly enjoy the power you might hold because it makes the other person vulnerable from the truth. You're not the vulnerable one then... 👁️ 👁️

"I'm just being real" 👀 "Just saying it how it is" 👀

I think this might happen when you feel at a disadvantage, or like someone has something over you.

You can be a bit of a gossip can't you 👀 I see you.

Might be a bit of a runner. Avoidant attachment.

Covers up vulnerabilities with harsh jokes. 👀

Might be a bit judgemental of certain fashion choices - Ironically, i'm not judging you for that. You're free to judge. I mean, I hate salted caramel. Why do people like it so much? Just like you might hate someones shoes. But maybe don't be so loud about it.

You make people worry and need to impress you.

Man, I'm actually scared of you!!! I'm goiiinnnnn

////////////////////////////////////////////////

////////////////////////////////////////////////

GROUP 2

Shufflemancy song: daydreamers - Call Me Up

I just inhaled a big whiff of air. Hahahahaha

So you're the type for a late night meet up eh? Well.

7 of coins and the star... That's a lotta talk, for someone who ain't doing the thing. What's it been, a year now? That's a neat idea, I've heard it for the past 6 months though and you've not really made a move.

Same with relationships 🙊 If you really wanted to go for it you'd be ace at stringing someone along 👌 (No I'm not encouraging that 😭)

"If I had the money" - "If I was more confident" If this, if that 👀

You end things too early. Giver up-er. You get anxious if something is developing, or goes a little too fast for you.

I love your 131 ideas. 👀

Rejects before they can be rejected. 👀

Slow to move but quick to end 👀 Might have burned a bridge or 2

Feigns emotional connection but is actually really distant 👀

People think you're friends but you think you're acquaintances 👀

Can be cold

Ghosts people 👀

Thinks about the one that got away 👀 (opportunity, person, job)

Doesn't chase, is chased, and probably gets confused when they don't chase you 👀

Like Hades in that one film, sudden outburst of rage. Didn't learn to regulate emotions (Hey no judgement, we all know what contributes to that).

Still talks about that one thing they achieved one time 👀

Literally buys star stickers to use to praise themselves like in school

Keeps things casual but people want more from you (any relation)

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

GROUP 3

Shufflemancy: the 1975 - sincerity is scary

Thinks you can be friends after a break up (I mean, maybe you can. Most people wouldn't I think)

Your spirit animal is Matty Healy (Yes I am laughing)

"I'm not like the other girls/guys"

Lmaoooo we have a shadow side pick me 😂

Might have issues with control, want to be popular. Still believes in hustle culture

Weirdly Thinks red flags are green flags

Thinks they are a green flag - is not 😭

Thinks being single is peace (listens to that current trend online) - only fuelling their own unhealthy thoughts and alienating themselves

Lovers and 4 of cups made me HOWL, I am GASPING like a fish for water - I MADE AUDIBLE NOISE. GUYS. STOP😭

I promise that this is not always you, but like, again, when you're in a bad place or stressed or whatever - but-

NO. YOU ARE NOT TOO GOOD FOR EVERYONE. Ahhhhh

Rejects people out of pride, really over inflated ego 😭 Grandiose sense of worth in the dating pool

I'm getting tiktok fem girl vibes of: the guy needs to earn lots of money and it's in to act like a princess and of course you deserve nothing less etc but extreme 😭 Like getting really into a way of thinking about your gender or role, and expectations of partners.

Or

TikTok guys talking about "high value men/women" 😭 *puts hands to own neck and makes noises*

Judges people by money or employability 👀

High, overbearing expectations that ignore actual emotional connection and true intimacy or desire of the heart 👀

Always has to buy the next popular thing (You're gonna make your collective couple wallet cry)

Congratulations 3's I think your red flags are brighter than group 1 lol

May you be emotionally stable, and experience healthy love😭 You are worthy just as you are, yes, regardless of outer things. And so is your future partner. Ok? They deserve love whether they're rich or not😭

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

That was hilarious, thanks everyone.

Ahh.

And no, I didn't pick a group. I'm not crazy. 😏 (See what I did there?)

*Walks into distance, red light fading*

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[juniperwoodwell]

—Serve Me Well—

He uses you as he pleases with no care for the consequences after.

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

Pairing: Morpheous X F!Reader.

Warning: 18+, oral (m receiving), dream sex, angst, blow job, noncon?, degradation (if you squint) Not proofread. No use of Y/n. Cheesey ending with fluff.

Word Count: 3k

A/N: I have no idea what this is, but once I started writing, I couldn't stop. This is probably shit, but I'm trying to get back on my game with writing Smut. I hope it's enjoyable for y'all.

❤️🤎💙 -JW

He rutted his hips against me, chasing a high. His cock slid in and out with precise movements, his hands on my hips as he brought them to match his thrusts. He was a mess behind me, panting and groaning and whining. It felt good but I had to stay quiet. This was the agreement after all. I was just a warm body for him to take whenever he wanted. This...King. I was his Whore.

"Fuck" I hissed out, my face buried against the pillow as the tip of his cock hit that sweet spot. He gripped my hips tighter, crescent shapes forming on the supple skin as he felt me clinch around him. He groaned and leaned forward, biting the meat of my shoulder. His release was coming quickly as his movements got more intense, sloppy. The sound of skin on skin became louder and so did he. He hid his face in the crook of my neck as he always does.

"You are perfect."

he'd groan out, hot breath fanning over my face.

"You serve me well,"

he'd pant, then he'd slam his hips against mine, making me cry out into the pillow beneath me as I came around his cock. His hips slowed to hard, deep thrusts until his cock pumped hot white ropes of cum inside of me.

"You are mine"

he'd mumble into my hair as he'd grind his hips against me, not wasting a drop of his release.

Then he'd pull out slowly, making us both moan as the loss. He'd snap his fingers, I'd be cleaned up and a pair of panties would be on me. And he'd be fully clothed again, I lifted my head and looked at him. My bones ached, we had been at this for three hours...four rounds of insatiable hunger.

"What would you like this time?" He'd ask, no emotion in his voice. Right, my payment...

I sighed and sat up, my breasts on full display. Exactly how he liked it.

"I don't know, My Lord." I hated using that title for him, I know what I am to him. Nothing but his Whore, but he could be so gentle and sweet with me that I sometimes wish we could be more than what we are.

That's it. That's what I want. I nodded slowly to myself, he stood there. Watching. Even in the darkness of the room, he was enchanting. "I take that back. I do know what I want." I paused, mulling over the words.

"Go on?"

I took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed, my eyes locked on his. "I would like to indulge in a fantasy of my own..." he raised a brow, unsure of where this is going.

"With me?" He asked, I nodded in response.

"No, you may not." His voice was dark and held cruelty in it. I wanted to argue and tell him that wasn't fair. But it was fair, I'm nothing more than a glorified sex toy to him.

I stood from the bed, my chest almost brushing his. "Okay. Then, fifty, in cash." My tone now serious, I avoided showing my disappointment. It was only a silly hope.

He reached into his coat and pulled out the money, he lifted my hand with his own and placed the cash in my palm. I looked down and it was a $100 dollar bill.

"I said fifty?" He rolled his eyes, "I can take it back if you don't want it." I quickly pulled my hand back with the cash. "No- no, I'll take it, thank you sir." He nodded then turned towards my bedroom door, as he opened the door to leave he glanced over at me. "You were very pleasant as always. Money is no object to me, so ask me for more and you shall receive it. You deserve at least that much." Then he was gone.

I groaned and collapsed on my bed, the cash clenched against my bare chest.

I'm not sure when I drifted off to sleep but I wasn't upset by this. Whenever I couldn't have what I wanted while I was awake, I'd find it in my sleep.

My hips rocked back and forth on his lap, his cock filling me completely as I rode him slowly. His head lulled back, my hands on his shoulders as I took what I wanted. The warm sun shining down on us, a breeze chilling my hot skin. We sat on a pretty white chair. His hands held my thighs tightly. He made no sounds, aside from the heavy rise and fall of his chest as he tried to catch his breath.

"You feel so good, my King. So good. You're filling me to full" I'd praise, keeping the same languid pace, I leaned forward and kissed his neck, indulging in leaving marks over the pale skin. Watching bruises bloom. He'd groan quietly at my words, like they'd pleased him.

I had been bringing him slowly to the edge now, all I needed was to clench around him and he'd tip over. I lifted my head from his neck and suddenly, the dream was over.

I groaned as I stared at my ceiling, "Fuck." I cursed, tears welling in my eyes from frustration. "I'll never get to finish that stupid dream." I sat up, the sun now shining through the curtains. It was time to start my day but I felt as though I would not be enjoying it. I threw on a t-shirt and padded through my apartment. Once in the kitchen I turned the kettle on and watched as it boiled the water. I felt the air around me shift, I looked over my shoulder.

"You're back. Already? But I haven't even had my tea yet" I turned towards him fully and crossed my arms. He looked disheveled. His cheeks were flushed and his hands seemed to shake slightly. He approached me slowly, his voice low as he spoke. "Is that what you wish to have?" He asked, I looked at him confused. "Your dream." He refused to elaborate more, but i understood. My cheeks flushed red.

"I-...no, well. Yes. But you said no, so no." I stuttered out, I stepped back until I was against the counter.

"So gentle. And sweet. Self indulgent but soft." He stepped towards me then placed his hands on either side of the counter, cageing me in. He tipped his head forward then kissed the spot behind my ear. I hated how quickly my body reacted to him. His head lulled to the side to give him more access, which he gladly took with a hum. He kissed gently, unlike his normal way of biting and leaving hickeys. He wasn't kissing to claim, he was kissing to...savor.

"I believed your fantasy may have been one of power. Of getting back at me for using you too roughly." He spoke between kisses. His head lifted and he kissed the corner of my mouth. "I didn't think that perhaps, all you wanted was something gentle, a little control but not to be controlling, but to make it pleasurable for us both."

I nodded, I gave him nothing more than that. "Take what you want, then leave please. I have to get on with my day."

He pulled back, I swore I saw a hint of hurt or offense in his cold demeanor. His face was soft in the morning light.

"I Want Nothing." He glared at me now. I did offend him,

"Then why are you here? You only come here to fuck me then leave. To use me however you please, never caring about how rough you can get or how often you leave me to care for myself or finish the job." I started to get heated, once the words started they didn't want to stop. He stepped back and I followed. Anger boiling in my chest, "do you know how often I have you lay there after you leave to make myself cum? Do you know how difficult it is to piece myself back together after you've ruined me completely? There are some mornings where I have to call off work because I can't physically get up because I'm so sore." I ranted, my anger growing when I saw a flicker of a smirk on his lips, like he was proud of himself. "You're a selfish bastard, you know."

This changed his demeanor quickly. The air was charged with something I shouldn't see. "Selfish?" He scoffed. His tall figure, towering mine. "Selfish. You ungrateful human. You only have the life you do because I allow it. You aren't on the streets, selling yourself for money now. You could even be called respectable. And all I ask from you is to be the only person who gets to have you." His hands gently gripped my biceps as he stared into my eyes. "And I'm selfish?– I only returned to allow you to have your fantasy. To take what you needed, but...I've changed my mind." His voice was low and held power in it and for the first time, I was actually afraid he might hurt me. Intentionally.

He moved quickly, shoving me down to my knees. His hands moved quickly to pull his cock free from his pants, it was red at the tip and leaked precum. He stroked himself before nudging the head of his cock against my lips, smearing the precum over them.

My hands were shaking as I gripped his thighs, "open" he ordered, and I obeyed with zero resistance. I stuck out my tongue and he rubbed his cock against it, groaning quietly. I closed my lips around the tip and sucked it hard, his hands flew to my hair, gripping tightly. I looked up at him through my lashes and he wore an expression of fury when his eyes met mine.

He held my head and forcefully shoved his cock down my throat until my nose was nuzzled against his pelvis, I gagged at the intrusion and tears slipped from my eyes. I groaned in surpised and pain but he didn't seem to care as he began fucking my throat. His eyes never leaving mine even as my vision began to blur from tears, I could still see the anger in him. I gagged every time his cock hit the back of my throat and every time it seemed he got deeper. Drool dripped from my chin onto the floor, he picked up the pace, his hips thrusting faster and harder. I wanted to sob and stop him but all I could do was claw at his thighs. "Ahh..you take me so well, slut. You disappoint me, I gave you a new life and you repay me with anger and sass." His voice was airy as he panted and moaned. "Perhaps you'll learn your lesson"

He shoved his cock deep inside my throat, my nose smushed against him as he came. I was forced to swallow it all, and it seemed for a moment it wouldn't stop. But when it did he yanked my head back, his cock slipping out. My tongue stuck out to lick his tip and he groaned, caressing the back of my head. My chest was heaving and I hiccuped from lack of air, he tucked himself away then knelt in front of me.

He gripped my chin tightly, gave me no other option than to look into his eyes.

Now full of something soft, the anger was no longer visible. "Take a deep breath." He said softly, his other hand slid down between my legs. His fingers caressed my heat and he smiled. A real, honest smile. I took a deep breath, and another one. But I got distracted by his gentle eyes. "For someone who seems to hate me...It certainly feels as though you enjoyed yourself." I groaned at his words, not in pleasure but in defeat. I lifted my shaking hands to his face and placed them on his cheeks, my breathing was still fast but I took one last deep breath and pulled him forward. My hips ghosting over his, his breath fanning my face. He didn't hesitate, his lips pressed against mine in a fury of need. He wrapped a hand around my back as he sat down on the floor, his back against the island. His lips never leaving mine as I straddle his legs. When my body pressed against his, I could feel his cock already hard again. I moaned into the kiss, my fingers combing through his hair, his hands gently holding my waist.

I pulled away and gasped for air, his lips kissed my temple as I caught my breath.

"Can I indulge now?" I whispered, too afraid to break the moment. I refused to meet his eyes but he forced me to. "Yes." He said in a single breath. As though he had been the one to ask.

I smiled softly and he took in a sharp breath. But I didn't ask him why, I just moved to undo his pants and pull his erect cock from its confine. I licked my lips, tasting him still on my tongue as I slowly pumped his cock in my hands, I moved one hand between my thighs and felt the wetness on my panties. So I pushed the panties to the side and slipped two fingers inside, my head tilted back as I stroked his cock and fuck myself on my fingers. I gathered some of my slick then smeared it over his cock, I watched his eyes dilate and it was gratifying. I used both hands to get him off, the pace increased quickly until I could feel his thighs shaking beneath me. He bit his lip to hold in his moans. I shook my head and kissed him. Swallowing his moans, this tongue taking the liberty of dominating mine. I removed my hands from him immediately and pulled back from the kiss and to my surprise he let out the most pathetic whine I had ever heard. It made my thighs clench.

I was done playing now, so I lifted my hip, pulled my panties to the side and slid down on him in one motion. My eyes rolled back in my head and his nails scraped my hips as he bit onto my shoulder. I exhaled a shaky breath and met his hooded gaze.

I expected something harsh and mean to be reflected in them. But they were blown wide in lust, in utter appreciation as I began to roll my hips. His hands helped guide me.

He kissed my collarbone as I threaded my hands in his hair. "You feel lovely," he praised quietly. He was gentle, I knew in an instant he could be fucking me until I was nothing but a sobbing puddle on the kitchen floor. And yet, he allowed me to lead. Allowed me to set the pace.

"Thank you, My Lord-" he placed a finger against my lips. Right– I'm not supposed to speak.

"Do not use my title. I'd prefer if you called me by something else at this moment." He moved his finger and pressed his lips to mine in a brief kiss that I chased when he pulled back. "Say my name." He asked. I smiled, my hips slowly down. "Morpheus."

His breath shuddered and his grip tightened. "Again." He rutted his hips up to meet mine and I gasped out his name "Morpheus!"

"That's better." He set the pace now, his hands controlling my hips as he thrusted his to meet mine. My hands curled in his hair and my back arched the head of his cock kissed my cervix with practiced ease.

"Morpheus" I chanted, his name on every breath I exhaled. He watched his awe as I took what he gave. Not because I had to out of obligation, but because I wanted to. And that made him hunger for my release.

His eyes darkened and he slammed my hips down harder now, hitting that spot over and over again. My head fell forward into the crook of his neck. "Can I cum? Please, Morpheus. Please" I begged, my arms tightened around his shoulders. "Yes, let go for me. You don't need to plead." He kissed my head, rocking my hips just how he knew I needed and then the waves crashed over me, my back arching and my head thrown back as screams of his name echoed off the kitchen walls. His release followed mine as he stilled our movements, my hips sputtering slightly as he filled me full of his cum. His head fell forward against my breasts. Our chests heaving and falling.

As we came down from our highs, his fingers kneaded the skin of my hips then caressed my ass, squeezing and pulling at the flesh.

"I am sorry." He spoke, voice muffled in my chest. I opened my eyes and looked down at him, he pulled back and rested against the island. "Perhaps...we should change the terms of our agreement."

I nodded, "perhaps we should...anything you want to change in particular?" I asked, running my hands over his clothed chest, picking at the soft fabric as I waited. His cock softened inside but neither of us wanted to move yet. "You sound very pleasant when you're loud...I'd like to hear your sounds. All of them. And, use my name for everything unless you intend to tease me with power play." I chuckled, making him grunt from overstimulation. "Yes, my Lord." I teased, then leaned forward and placed a soft kiss against his lips and smiled as he chased for another one when I pulled back. "You must always...kiss me whenever I come to see you." He demanded, but no power in his words. "Even when we're angry at each other?" He nodded, "Especially then."

We decided to get off the floor and I took my hand. Guiding me toward the bathroom, my legs wobbled but his grip on my waist kept me firm against him.

"What are you doing?" I asked, he said nothing and turned on the bath. It filled the room with steam as the tub filled with water. He took hold of my waist and kissed me again and spoke softly, "I am changing another thing. You will be taken care of. Not just cleaned in an instant and left to put yourself back together." He shook his head, his tongue running over his bottom lip. "No...You shall be put together again after I take you apart. Because that is what you deserve. I will soothe the aches I cause, I will clean the mess I have made. And you...will be embraced by care."

I bit my lip and my chin quivered. "That's all I wanted...I didn't mind letting you take me whenever you pleased. What I didn't like was to be thrown away after like I was only a toy to be played with."

His eyes softened and a look of regret filled his eyes. "I know...it was cruel of me. I'm sorry. I took my emotions out on you. That was not fair. And then to deny you of one request, you never disobeyed. Never asked for anything. That was most unfair." He kissed the side of my head then began to take off my t-shirt. It slid over my head with ease then he helped me step out of my panties. He stepped back and looked me over. A smug smile of satisfaction on his lips.

After the bath, he wrapped me in a warm towel and guided me out into the living room. He wrapped his arms around me as we stared out of the large window. His chin sat on my shoulder. "From this day on... you are mine." He said it with intense purpose, and I smiled. "I always was."

[fresh-bag-of-ham]

Again, I would not say that the three red lines policy 'worked' as it was intended. "The analysis indicates that too rapid a tightening of financing restrictions may impact normal business operations and lead to a debt crisis." (x) Tier 1 city prices were unaffected and remain high, the rest of the market crashed, China began weakening/rolling back the policy in 2023, and are now trying other policies to prop up their housing market because they ultimately caused the crash they were trying to avert.

After reading more, I'm inclined to think that the policy that more directly contributed to a reduction in property (land) speculation was the new rule that undeveloped land after 1 year would incur a fee of 20% of its value, and undeveloped land after 2 years could be seized by the state without reimbursement. China doesn't have property tax, so before this rule there were literally no holding costs for land, and AFAICT this was the majority of the debt spending that got Evergrande into trouble. This is policy related to land speculation though, not built homes, so again it's pretty different from the problem we're talking about in the US.

Second, as I argued in my first reply, speculation exacerbates the housing affordability crisis and ought to be duly addressed but it is ultimately a symptom downstream of our underlying housing shortage.

You don't have to take my word for it though, or even Forbes' word for it. The people doing the housing profiteering don't mind telling you exactly why they're able to make so much money at it:

"Chronic undersupply". "Structural undersupply". They expect housing to be a good long-term portfolio investment because people need it, there isn't nearly enough of it, and it takes a long time to build more of it.

Regarding your study that did not broadly find a housing shortage, this video addresses a slightly different proposition but explains the problems with the study's use of vacant homes as its metric. (disclaimer: I do not have access to read the study itself).

The video also discusses the problem with simply looking at national numbers in aggregate. Just because ~142 million homes exist, it doesn't mean they're the right size or in the right place for the needs of people today. See also: a granular analysis of where the 4.8M "vacant" vacation homes in the US are located --

We can try to redistribute the 15 million vacant homes that exist, but putting every 3-season mountain cabin in Maine or lake cottage in Northern Michigan on the housing market will not help the nurses and techs that the hospitals in Portland or Metro Detroit are trying to hire find an affordable place to live with a tolerable commute.

This is my general quibble with the study as well. They found almost no cities with housing shortages except at the very lowest income levels, but they based this all on census data. Well, sure, because if I can't find a house where I want to live and I have enough money, I will probably leave and find somewhere that does have a house for me. It may not be where I want to live, it may cost me a job that I would have taken otherwise, etc., but it's not shocking to me that they didn't *literally* measure more households than houses in this study. People generally avoid being unhoused at all costs, and the census doesn't measure people who wanted to live somewhere different but couldn't. The study found a shortage of housing for the very lowest income levels because those are the folks who've been priced out of every housing market and can't relocate their way back in.

The idea of fixing the housing crisis by filling these 15M vacant homes doesn't take into consideration locations of job opportunities, commute times, transit access, social services access, GHG emissions, people's existing support networks, etc. etc. etc. It is not a solution that will let us avoid building substantial amounts of new housing in places where there is actually demand for it.

Could you explain the abundance movement I feel like they popped up outta nowhere after Mamdani got the nom

they're a little older than that but only barely. utterly astroturfed "movement" intended to market right-wing economic policy to progressives. has basically no grassroots support whatsoever. a large segment of it is former neoreactionaries who are trying to distance themselves from that movement since it evolved into the alt-right and some working class people got involved, because these are people who hate working class people.

basically, they're trying to hijack the democratic party the same way they tried to hijack the republican party- which they largely succeeded at, but they view as a failure because the neoreactionary movement lost a lot of it's original anti-populist character when it became mainstream.

like literally the "abundance mmovement" is just flowery progressive-sounding language to market "cut taxes for the rich and deregulate businesses" economic policy that's literally all it is.

[stayalittlelonger143]

𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓.

(fic number 4)

(pics go to their rightful owners)

Pairing: BoxerRoomate!Minho x Fem!Reader

Warnings: swearing, mentions of fighting, suggestive language and actions, lee know is mildly injured,

Sumarry: Your cold roommate, Lee Minho, keeps you up at night with all his boxing. you do something about it only to receive a crazy confession.

Word count: 862

𝐀.𝐍: SURPRISE!!! This probably isn't an original idea, but i hope you enjoy it.

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵

Minho was never one for long conversation, or never one to even talk to you without good reasoning. But he was your roommate, 'he can't just avoid talking to me, right?' Wrong, he knew exactly how to ignore you and get away with it.

Maybe it was the difference in genders? The way he would only loosen up around the boys, that might be it, right?

Maybe he found you annoying? after all, it was like you were monitoring his every move like a mother.

Either way, he IS your roommate, so he has to come out of his room eventually.. right?

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵

You tried falling asleep, you check the time; 11:43 P.M. you check again, 12:58 A.M. you check again, 1:43 A.M. you stuff your face in your pillow and try again, after a while you check the time; 3:27 A.M.

Eventually, you growls and throw your legs off of your bed and storm to his room. your hand hovers over his doors handle as you listen to the aggressively sounding punches in his room.

You knock once, no answer, twice, no answer, a third and final time; no answer. you scoff and hesitantly decide to open the door.

"Hey Minho." You lean on his doorway. You just watch him punch the bag aggressively and pause. "Minho." You repeat, trying to grab his attention; still no answer. "Lee Minho!" You yell.

"What?! can't you see I'm fucking busy Y/N?! Go fucking bother Jisung!" He yells back, turning around to face you. He looked exhausted; his hair disheveled and messy, his eyes dull and dark, and his body littered in cuts and bruises.

"What the fuck happened to you, Minho?" You gestured to his arms, he throws off his boxing gloves with a little more force than necessary. "How about you stay out of my business, Y/N? Look, I don't know if you knew this, but not everything is about you."

"Well no fucking kidding, Min. I asked what happened, and that had nothing to do with me."

"Exactly, mind your goddamn business." He growls, and you cross your arms, pushing yourself off of the wall. He sits down on his bed, you step further into his room, and grabs his arm, staring at his moderate to severe injuries.

"I've asked once, and I'll ask again; what happened?"

He stays silent, contemplating his decisions. "Tell me." He sighs rather irritabily and leans back on his bed. "Got fucked up at a bar, some pussy started talking shit." One of his calloused fingers run over a mild gash on his palm.

He waits for your response, his eyes stay fixated on his hands, his expression stoic yet expecting. "What'd he say?" You ask hesitantly, not intended to overstep. He shrugs, "Something about Chan, it all happened so fast."

"Well.. can I at least help you?" He looks up at you, finally meeting your gaze. "I-I mean, your injuries." You quickly clarify. He stares at you, then his hands.

He sighs, "Fine." He grumbles. "But don't enjoy it too much." You nod, going to the bathroom to grab the first aid kit. You come back and sit next to him on his bed, rambling and pointing about everything you'll need to use and how bad it'll hurt.

But Minho? He wasn't listening at all.

"..Does that sound okay?" He zones back in. "Yeah, sure, whatever, just be careful." You nod, and he takes off his shirt. You try your hardest not to stare as you begin bandaging his arm.

After a few moments of silence, you break it. "So, I have a question.." He hums, watching your every move. "Why are you always avoiding me?" He inhales sharply. "I was never avoiding you, Y/N."

"Then.. that doesn't make sense, what do you mean?" He looks down at you. "I just.. I dont know how to explain it. Just drop it."

"Alright.." You agree. more silence passes, you carefully apply the antibiotic to his wounds and he hisses. "For someone who's a boxer, this seems to hurt a lot."

"Zip it, bitch." You immediately go silent and continue patching him up.

He thinks whilst you wrap a bandage on his arm. "I've never hated you, Y/N," You look up at him with big eyes. "I could never hate you."

"Then why do you avoid me?" He runs a hand through his hair. "It's complicated.. just know I'll never hate you, okay?" You nod. "Alright, Min." You smile.

One thing led to another, and while you were cleaning a cut on his face, he'd lean in and kissed you. You froze, your eyes big and unbelieving.

He brought one bandaged hand to the back of your neck, holding you close. "It's complicated because," He says between slow kisses. "I love you."

You freeze again, your lips still attached. You pull away slowly, staring him in the eyes. "Aren't you gonna say it back, Y/N?" You scramble to put your thoughts together. "Uh, yeah! um, I-I love you too, Minho."

He pulls you closer and leans back on his bed, pulling you on top of him. "May I let you show you just how much?" You nod.

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵

taglist: @channiesbaby1433 @strhwa @azzryel @afararraaaa @yourarabkogal @pants-for-free123 @brwnieb1ts (safe travels mads!) @luvmunchies @seungluver

[nocturnal-stims]

Do you have any tips on how to avoid accidently promoting gen AI when you're making gifs or reblogging art?

The answer is: it's tricky! I've definitely gotten duped a couple of times since I get most of my videos from instagram, and it's an AI-infested cesspit now, so don't feel bad. Here are a couple of things that have helped me:

1. Don't interact with obvious gen AI "artwork". For every second you spend looking at it, the algorithm takes note and starts feeding you more of it. Don't look, don't click, and definitely don't comment unless it's to warn others.

2. Immediately unfollow anyone on any platform who admits to using gen AI (or was outted as using it knowingly) and block them. Don't even bother calling them out as it will count as engagement and give them an algorithmic boost.

3. Vet your sources. If you want animal videos of rare, seldom-seen species, find a respected photographer who has the equipment and practical experience to take detailed, high-quality shots with perfect lighting and depth of field. Look for wildlife rehabilitation experts, rescuers, and volunteers working at sanctuaries.

4. Never interact with huge, faceless content farms that don't credit artists. Use a reverse image search or other tools to trace the art back to the original artist if you have to. (I admit I have not been as diligent about this in the past as I should have been).

5. Read the comments. That has saved my bacon more times than I can count.

6. Get to know people. Talk to artists and writers in the fan community and art circuit, make friends with them, demonstrate basic empathy for them as actual human beings with lives outside of the internet instead of dismissing them as automated content-spewing machines.

That's probably the most important thing. It's us against the machines.

Edit: have some blinkies

Edit 2: if a blank blog tries to interact with you, block block block

[adhd-community]

do you ever stop feeling like you’re too much? i’m 19 and have always, my whole life, felt like i’m too loud, too messy, too forgetful, too hasty, too obnoxious… you name it. does that feeling ever go away?

Does it go away?

Oof. Honestly, I dont think so. Self-doubt of any variety rarely just vanishes as we get older. Mostly it lessens or just rebrands (e.g. "I'm too old"). I'm in my mid-30s and I still get hit with feeling "too much"... but it is definitely better than it was for me at 19! I think mostly because I have learnt ways of working with my patterns of negative self-thinking through therapy etc, and also because I have worked on surrounding myself with people who don't make me feel like I'm a pain.

In terms of the negative self talk - I have some starter info and advice for you below based on my own journey with this recurrant thought.

Dealing with the feeling that "I'm too much"

... starts with understanding the thought process.

When you feel this way, you are likely collecting examples of awkward or uncomfortable moments in your mind and labelling them as "things that happen because I am built wrong".

So to get to this thought "I'm too much" your brain has to:

Perceive a situation as awkward or "bad"

Decide that this was a Big Problem with Big Consequences that needs to be worked on - not just a one-off, forgettable moment ("They probably hate me now")

Conclude that YOUR ACTIONS are to blame for the situation, and compare your actions against a hypothetical ideal ("It's my fault - if I had just done x, it would have been fine! Others would have done it correctly.")

Globalised the thought by saying that it's not just this one situation - it's all situations you have been in ("I always do this")

Made it personal to YOU, not just your actions (e.g. "I am 'too much' as a person. I am difficult to be around.")

Thats a lot of steps to take from the initial moment that started the thought process!

The important thing here is not to just take the conclusion "I'm too much" as fact and letting it eat away at us. We need to recognise the thinking, pause, and go back through the thought process, skeptically questioning each step.

E.g. "Do I KNOW it was awkward/ difficult for the other person, or am I just assuming? Is it as bad as I feel like it is or have I made it bigger in my mind?" etc

This is a habit and the more you do it, the more 'automatic' it gets.

When I am having an especially hard time with it, here are some things I find it helpful to remind myself of:

Social situations can be weird and awkward and uncomfortable. That's normal and that's okay. It doesn't mean you did anything wrong.

ALL people forget things, make hasty decisions they regret etc. We are just hyper aware of it because we know it's more likely to happen to us and so we put much more pressure on ourselves to avoid these situations. It's okay to just shrug, say "oh well", and move on sometimes.

No-one has ever fallen in love with someone and said "I don't know what it was about them... I guess they were just really good at not forgetting things - it set my heart alight." You are so much more than a single skill or trait.

People like different things. YOU see these traits as negative but others may see "loud" as life of the party, "hasty" as spontaneous, and "obnoxious" as fun and entertaining.

You don't need to be a different person in order to be liked - I don't know who said it first but "if someone feels like you're too much, they can go find someone less"

[yourfaithfulauthor]

Hey I saw your post about your Soap fic and although I'm not in the area of Scotland that I think Soaps from (I'm wayyy north) I hope it brings a little reassurance that Americanisms in fics never bothered me outside of dialogue for non-americans. I mean obviously I don't speak for everyone or all Scottish folk but honestly I find poor use of gaelic or Scots to be more annoying than Americanisms.

Also, I would love to hear where you placed Soap? (Maybe just the general area to avoid outing Neil Ellice's home town, and ofc i understand if you dont want to reveal it at all). I always thought his accent sounded like it came from around Paisley or somewhere around the South West of Glasgow.

Anyway, it's really touching that you would throw yourself so thoroughly into researching Scottish dialects and Scottish Catholic mass. There's still a lot of damage here about dialects, accents, class, and colonialism - so it really does mean a lot to see your enthusiasm and dedication to appreciating the culture your writing about.

Sorry, this is probably rambly and a bit too over the top, but please, I promise I do mean what I've said genuinely. I hope you have fun writing your fic and that you get many comments and kudos, and I'm glad to be sharing the CoD fandom with you.

This is the first ask I've gotten in years that wasn't a bot, thank you so much T.T Also thank you for being so sweet!

One: I am absolutely enamored with Scottish culture atm. I was born in the 90s when the Irish cultural boom was big in America, so I know a loooot about Ireland. And I was in high school during the English Invasion on Tumblr (Dr. Who, Sherlock, Dan and Phil, charlieissocoollike, etc.). But I never considered Scotland. And I'd be lying if I didn't say it started as hornyposting for Neil because whyyyy does he purr those lines so deliciously?

ANYWAY

There was this excellent Reddit post going through the myriad Edinburgh accents, so I definitely went Edinburgh first. But listening closer I hear that broadness that Glasgwegian accents seem to favor. So I actually have to change the scene now. -sob- I considered looking further south to see if I can clock anything else but I'm so woefully out of my depth. I'd have to listen to hours of Scottish interviews with, like, footballers to finally pin it down. ...which I may do. Undecided how crazy I want my boyfriend to think I am.

Re: Neil's hometown, my comment was just because we're near the same age and I know I would personally hate being stalked online, so I googled the one query and left it at that. No info, no need to go looking further lol.

Re: bad use of Scots/Scottish phrases - it grinds my gears mega-ultra reading fanfiction with Soap sometimes because I find that when you get into writing accents phonetically, you tend to lean into unconscious bias.

Soap uses a few choice phrases, right? "Pishin it doon" (We use that description in America, too, "it's pissin' outside". We also say it's "spitting" for a very light rain where the drops are infrequent), "steamin' Jesus", and "creepin' Jesus." I'm trying to think of other phrases he might use but I'm too lazy to check the "All Soap's dialogue" YT video I have pulled up.

Point being (who's rambling now?), I think that Soap himself isn't overusing Scots either. Call it code-switching if you will, but if he's not canonically saying the phrases, I'm reticent to put them in my fic.

I'm big, BIG on research and since the CoD boys are basically "action figure with tragic backgrounds", I think what little crumbs of characterization we get are even more important. Depending on if you're a purist for characters (meaning OG vs reboot have separate pasts) or what I call "reform" (mix those shits together!), I think it matters even more. Since we got way more characterization from OG by way of supplementary material and more characterization from dialogue in the RB, I'm in the reform camp to allow for a far more fleshed out set of characters.

Anyway thank you so much for the kind words! I'm so glad my silly post reached you and heartened you, and thank you for buoying me! I'm having a ton of fun doing this research, even if it feels a leetle creepy to go and research someone's probable actual church or apartment to get the visuals for the scenes haha.

[triplecrocodilian]

i think my thing about "toxic" spamtenna is, like...

i DO believe they started their partnership trying (MUTUALLY!) to screw each other over. like... it's business, and both of them were probably desperate in some way- tenna with oncoming obsolescence, spamton with deals he made in his past that may (and presumably did) come back to bite him

and even after they actually liked each other and were Together, that doesn't mean the relationship evened out to a completely smooth ride. there were undoubtedly arguments, probably even bad ones, and there were pretty severe power pulls in both directions

if we look at things objectively, Tenna (representing television as a whole) is this titan of media that's basically ruled the world for... how many years at that point, if we think part of this happened in 1997? like..... if i'm not horribly mistaken, gen x is sometimes referred to as "the TV generation" and that's a level of at least FORMER respect and accolades that you can't really avoid

meanwhile Spamton is this representation of the RAPID march of technological progress that, for all intents and purposes, is poised to supersede not just television but EVERY form of media and communication. nevermind that he's just a spam email (if "just" is a word that's suitable to use when talking about what is probably the most prolific form of digital communication in the world), to someone like Tenna he must be terrifying just for the implication of what he could DO to tenna if allowed to keep growing unimpeded

so i DO think there was likely fear, suspicion, inadequacy, etc on both sides of that equation. in their respective chapters tenna oscillates between fawning behaviors and frustrated passive aggression (plus, you know, actual aggression), spamton is self-absorbed at the best of times and inscrutable at the worst. it's fair to say that in both instances there were extenuating circumstances that led to their behaviors, but based on how they handle stress there's no way there WEREN'T arguments between them, maybe even full-on fights. business is MESSY, business between people who are emotionally invested in each other is MESSY, and then there's an entire power struggle stacked on top of that

but you don't get as HURT as the both of them are if you weren't genuinely invested in each other emotionally. even if you choose not to see them as romantically involved (which is fine! people do it in the opposite direction all the time, you're allowed to wear un-shipper glasses even if i personally feel like they're meant to be interpreted as Canonically Exes), you can't really deny that these two were SO deeply tangled up with each other that the breakup (romantic or otherwise) left permanent scars on both of their psyches. BOTH of them feel abandoned, BOTH of them feel betrayed by one another, and if everything was "strictly business" then hey, business is business baby!

idk, the level to which these two are still to this day OBSESSED with each other to the point of making digs and comments completely unprompted reads as more than just a professional relationship where they were trying to pull the wool over each other's eyes. and to be honest, i don't even KNOW that it was a wholly manipulative relationship- given how Tenna behaves, i can absolutely see his focus on spamton "ripping him off" being his way to try and distance himself from how involved they really were with each other. obviously the dude has some emotional issues he needs to work out, obviously he handles a lot of difficult emotions with repression

(Vee Hoffmann voice: Artifice)

but the idea that they both kept up this "fuck you, i'm getting mine no matter what" attitude when all the ACTUAL evidence points to Spamton and Tenna both being SO entangled with each other is odd to me.

i haven't seen it a lot, and tbh i think it's very fun and funny seeing art where both of them are grab-assing thinking "man i'm really working this guy over, joke's on him" (only to wind up having their respective

Oh.

Oh.

moments in the next panel)

but for christ's sake, Spamton bought a wedding ring. that seems like a pretty advanced level of no-fucks-given and manipulation from the guy who explicitly told Kris he wasn't going to force them to take him to the Neo body

[cinnamontoastcrunch-15]

HELLO today's @wolfstarmicrofic prompt is estranged!

(710 words.)

"Right, I'm not doing this anymore," Sirius starts out of nowhere, standing in the middle of the common room and making a beeline for Remus. Remus looks up, alarmed, the quill falling from his hand. "Come on." He gestures with his head to the stairs, and Remus knows that there's no way out of this.

Sirius isn't going to let him keep avoiding him.

With a sigh, Remus shoves his parchment away and follows Sirius dutifully up the stairs and into the dorm.

As soon as they get inside, Remus pushes the door shut and leans against it, watching Sirius with a frown. Sirius stands in front of him, running a hand through his hair and letting out a concerning, heavy sigh.

"I'm not doing this anymore," he repeats, gesturing to Remus. "This weird fucking decision to cut us, cut me, out of your life." Remus arches a disbelieving eyebrow, irritation well and truly setting in.

Really?

"So now you give a shit? Now you don't want to be estranged? Don't be a hypocrite, Sirius."

Sirius laughs. It's an awful laugh. A hollow, frustrated sound. Not the laugh Remus has missed more than anything.

"Are you joking?" His voice starts to raise, eyes burning into Remus. "Me?! You think I'm being a hypocrite?! You're the one who started pushing us away!" He starts to pace, words falling out. "James said you probably just needed a bit of space so, fine, I gave you space! I didn't say anything! I let you be, and I sucked it up! Then we came back, and you started giving me these weird fucking looks, like you were upset with me?!"

"I am!" Remus shoots back. "Of course I fucking am! What were you expecting?!"

"I don't know, an explanation?!" Sirius turns back to him, planting his feet and folding his arms.

"I didn't get an explanation from you!" Remus argues.

"An explanation for what?!"

"Why you didn't show up!" He shouts, finally forcing Sirius to lapse into silence.

"What?" He says eventually.

"Don't act like you don't know, Sirius! I sent you, like, five letters! If you didn't want to come and see me, you didn't have to, but the least you could do is reply! Tell me why!" He shakes his head, balling his hands into fists and taking a deep breath. "It's the worst the full has been in a long time. I was scared. I needed you. I needed you to tell me that I was going to be okay!"

"That's- no, you didn't want us there," Sirius says quietly.

"Don't do that," Remus says, voice breaking. "You know I did. I wrote to you so many times."

"I didn't get any letters," Sirius answers breathlessly. "Not from you, anyway."

"What d'you mean?"

"Your dad wrote to me," Sirius explains, his voice a little shaky. "He- he said you'd begged him not to tell us. He said you didn't want visitors." Remus blinks, taken aback. "I wrote back. I wrote to you. I asked if you wanted me there at all, I said I was right here if you needed me. I promised you'd be okay. I swear I did."

Remus doesn't say anything. He doesn't know what to say. His head is fucking reeling.

"I- Christ, Rem, I was so fucking scared. Nobody in your house would pick up the phone, I wasn't getting any letters... The last I'd heard, you were half fucking dead!"

"Sirius..." He trails off, completely lost for words.

Sirius looks up at him, looking about as lost as Remus feels. He takes a step towards Sirius, slightly unsure. Thankfully, Sirius seems to understand the urge more than Remus himself, closing the distance between them and pulling his boyfriend into a hug. Remus practically collapses into him, feeling Sirius' grip around him tighten. The desperation, the repressed fear, the confusion of it all overwhelms Remus, opening the floodgates before he can stop himself. He well and truly falls apart in Sirius' arms, sobbing into his shoulder as Sirius holds him in a way he had been desperate for since he woke up after the full, alone and in pain.

"You're okay," Sirius murmurs, one hand gently running through Remus' curls. "Everything's okay. I'm not going anywhere."

[ketsuarting]

Do we actually know where the Brugang lived or is them living together in one house just one of those headcanons? Because I actually don't think they'd all live in the same house.

Bruno: definitely owns some kind of comfy apartment that he takes care of well. You can tell that he isn't really used to so little space, his old home, while cheap, was pretty spacious especially for two men after his mother left.

Fugo: probably lived with Bruno for a bit, but moved out soon enough into maybe a roof apartment. I know he used to be rich and there are definitely luxuries he misses, but I suspect that any kind of his own flat would be a freedom he never experienced before. He probably moved out too soon if anything. But he insisted and Bruno doesn't like leveraging his authority without ample reason, and while he might've found excuses in the beginning he'd run out of them eventually.

Abbacchio: he... Says he has a place. But he crashes as Brunos a lot and when he isn't there he's probably in some bar or alley getting shit faced. I know that the story treats his alcoholism a little like a passive fact, but I think that just means he is a high functioning addict that's very very very good at lying. Yes even to his friends. Addicts lie to their family to spare themselves the shame . When I feel particularly angsty I imagine that Abbacchio can't afford a flat with his alcohol habits.

Narancia: lives with fugo. Tried to move out but fugo won't let him and gets very upset whenever it gets brought up. Narancia studying so hard with fugo started when fugo had a whole spirale about narancia having no skills to actually run a household with. He couldn't even do basic math to keep his finances in order!!! Narancia will crash at Mista and Brunos, tho he avoids sleeping in the same house as abbacchio,mainly because the other is a very insufferable person to share a flat with and Brunos place is already cramped.

Mista: owns his own place and will sometimes invite his friends over but keeps a pretty healthy distance on it, unlike Bruno who gave all of them a key and encourages them to use his flat if necessary, Fugo who treats his home more like a safe house and Abbacchio who SAYS he has a place but really.... Where the hell is it. Why has no one ever seen it then?

Giorno (if the crew didn't implode a week after him joining): stays at the dorm but would also crash at Bruno's a lot, which Bruno would be happy about because I don't think he handles the days Abbacchio or Narancia aren't there well. Visits Mista and Fuego regularly too. Would probably enter through the window for perfectly valid reasons.

[enquire]

Disability Pride Month 2025

Once again, this is late pride month art haha. My spoon levels have been fluctuating a lot the last couple weeks, but I was finally able to get back to this one and finish it.

This Tsurugi and Yamato come from a story I wrote called The Yamato I Used to Be, which I wrote for Disabilty Pride month last year. That fic is a little personal to me, as it draws from some of my own experiences as a disabled person and explores disability grief. This is mostly on Yamato's side, and the changes he's experienced and how he feels about them, something he's processing alongside Tsurugi during a chess match.

If you didn't know, there is a disability pride flag, and I think it's very pretty. If you want to learn more, I've left some info below, along with some of my own headcanons/interpretations of the DRA cast when it comes to this topic.

I spent some time looking into the symbolism and the creator this month: The disability pride flag was created by Ann Magill, and was redesigned later thanks to community input; with the visual elements changed to better accommodate those with color-blindness and visually-triggered disabilities.

Gold: Neurodiversity (Ex: Autism, dyslexia, Tourette's, etc cognitive/intellectual conditions)

Here's what all the colors represent:

Red: Physical Disabilities (Ex: Arthritis, MS, spinal injuries, amputations, etc)

White: Invisible Disabilities and Undiagnosed Disabilities

Blue: Emotional and Psychiatric Disabilities (Mental Illnesses such as Depression, Anxiety, etc)

The faded black background represents grief for those victimized or lost to ableism-fueled violence/abuse, along with the rage and protest against mistreatment.

Green: Sensory Disabilities (Ex. blindness, deafness, or other sensory conditions)

(note, there's a lot of overlap between these colors. Cerebral palsy, for example, could fall under red and gold. Also, many of us have comorbidities, including myself-multiple colors apply to me.)

I know neither disability pride month or this flag are obscure, by any means, but I rarely see it in art; frankly, I hardly see disability pride art in fandom spaces in general. (Compared to LGBTQ+ pride month for example) Honestly, I've never drawn it myself, and I've been a little hesitant to be more well-proud-about it, haha. I think this is something that can happen a lot for me when it comes to interpretations and headcanons surrounding characters, too. It can be intimidating to share this kind of stuff!

The multi-color design includes all six standard international flag colors, representing the widespread and global nature of the community. The colors, along with the diagonal band, represent light and creativity cutting through darkness; the barriers that isolate or separate us from the rest of society.

On that note, if you've made it this far, (thanks!) and here's some of my own interpretations and headcanons for the DRA cast when it comes to this topic. Some of these have come up in fics, conversations, or art before, but not all probably. Not going to go through all of my reasonings today to avoid more rambling or spoilers, but maybe I'll go into it more if people are interested.

disclaimer: if you don't see them this way, that's completely understandable. Some of these have more clear evidence than others, and almost none of them are undeniable.

Tsurugi: PTSD or CPTSD, Autism, hemiplegia or hemiparesis. (I have seen probably the most different interpretations and headcanons for him. He's fascinating) On the autism side, I feel like a his rigid mindset as well as how he interacts with others would neatly be supported by him being autistic. Also, I like headcanoning him with RBF / not being the best at breaking eye contact/making expressions or using body language that don't come off as aggressive/angry even when he isn't. Worth noting that there's a lot of overlap between PTSD symptoms and Autistic traits.

Yamato: AuDHD (I find myself putting this guy in different positions ability/personality/circumstances wise depending on the story and enviornment tbh... But I like to incorporate his ch.5 self and give him things like communication issues, brain fog, poor memory, or other things I experience, depending on where he's at.)

Yuki: DID (I won't get into the rest, but it is clear that this guy experiences dissociation at the very least, this is something we can see happen multiple times during the story IMO) Sometimes I give him autistic traits too, to be totally honest. It's... not always on purpose- I think my autism slips into the characters I write sometimes. /hj

Kinji Uehara: Autism (particularly on the affect and socializing side. He seems to interact best with others one on one and enjoys thoughtful conversations; could seen as be highly empathetic and also possessing a flat affect.)

Haru being ADHD and Kakeru having Anxiety

(I blame my friends for making me think about these two HCs)

I'll be so real, I feel like so much of the DRA cast can easily be viewed as neurodivergent... they just, do not act very neurotypical IMO okay?

Anyways, that's enough rambling. I'm being brave and sharing my niche interpretations so be kind to me /silly (Also, feel free to share your own headcanons, thoughts, and ideas/theories if you'd like) Maybe if this goes well I'll do a proper post about it someday. Either way, I can say you'll probably notice some of these in my fics.

[chidoroki]

Wind Breaker ch184-185

I love how gently he gets Natsuki to apologize. He doesn't shout at her nor does he twist her arm (literally or figuratively) forcing her to do so. He just confirms he saw the whole ordeal and trusts that she'll speak up and that glance is all it takes. She complies because she knows it's the right thing to do, regardless of this whole mess being a mistake or not, but also kinda out of fear too I feel like? And I'm sure Sakura sees how terrified she is as well and is trying to resolve this issue as peacefully as possible.

And I think that's why he decides to restrain this fool in such a swift and easy manner. While I have no doubt that Sakura could easily knock this dude out with one punch, causing a brawl to break out while the rest of this guy's buddies are standing by would probably only scare Natsuki more. Not to mention that Sakura would have to focus on protecting her then too.

Again, I believe Sakura could solo such a fight against all these guys with ease and still keep Natsuki safe, but it's best not to traumatize this poor girl further. Tossing in the threat works just fine though.

Thank heavens Kotoha slid her number into his phone all the way back in ch34/ep11 so this little moment can happen and relieve some anxieties. I wonder if they've actually ever texted before this and if so, what about.

Little detail that I'm only bringing up because of the events of ch187 but Sakura is still consistently avoiding using Kotoha's name, even in his own thoughts. Unintentionally, of course, since he didn't even realize doing so.

Oh sweet child, why and how long did your incompetent mother leave you alone like this for? On second thought.. nevermind. Don't tell me. I'm curious but I fear knowing will make me even more upset.

Honestly.. yeah. Once someone so important burns your bridges, it's hard to open up and let people in again. You gotta do what you can to protect yourself, ya know? The thought of being alone for all your life hits hard and I kinda wish it didn't.

Bless Sakura for admitting that he's just as scared as she is. Not only does it put him and Natsuki on even ground, but also sorta confirms Kotoha's assumption about him from way back in ch1, when she's like "I said you were alone, but I can tell that you're not alone because you want to be."

I love how this one panel reflects the river onto his face, almost as if it's showing the cracks in his tough guy facade and allowing his feelings to seep through.

No truer words have ever been spoken. These townspeople will absolutely warm up your heart and treat you like family. It's hilarious that Sakura is telling her this as if it's a major threat and how Natsuki's visibly worried about it actually happening.

His precious smile!! Powerful enough to add several years onto my life! God, he's so adorable when he wants to be! I'm so happy that Sakura learned to accept everyone into his life and how he's simply thriving off of all their love. He definitely deserves it!

Even after all the heart to heart chatter, he still gives Natsuki the power to make her own choice on what she wants to do and I think that's pretty great. Telling her that she should at least give other people a chance first also reminds me of Kotoha's advice (ch1/ep1) to Sakura about meeting the Furin kids before getting so hellbent on becoming the top of the school all by himself.

Sakura's Piggyback Services are back in business. How many times is this now? Off the top of my head I remember old lady Chiyoko and then Kiryu once as well.

Once more with the gentle nudge to apologize which I welcome just as much as the first time. It also helps Natsuki start off on a better foot with everyone if she's truly gonna give them all a chance.

Oh girl, if only you knew. You'd be so proud to hear him share advice similar to what you once gave him.

Ah hell, who am I kidding, she is proud. Thankful even, that Sakura managed to bring Natsuki back and successfully talked some sense into the kid.

Pfftt help! They really are so similar, it's adorable how quickly Natsuki became Sakura's little shadow. I really hope our boy takes the time to visit the orphanage more after all this.

Sakura being obsessed with omelet rice will never not be funny.

I know it wasn't too long ago but I vividly remember bouncing in my seat at work upon realizing that we were indeed FINALLY getting into Kotoha's backstory! Even now it feels kinda surreal to think about but I'm so very thankful for everything we got.

It is absolutely because Kotoha's been a total sweetheart this entire story that I simply never imagined she would be such a little menace (affectionate). Well, up until Sensei mentioned a couple chapters ago that she used to be as feisty as Natsuki, but still.

The usage of this sludge imagery to represent her buried feelings was real nice too. Again, would've never guessed she was such an angry child, like granted she occasionally gets annoyed at Umemiya in the present, but I just chalk that up to typical sibling behavior and nothing too serious.

Sweetie you can be my angel or my devil.

Another thing I really like is hearing how drastically her inner thoughts contrast her spoken words, like Kotoha truly doesn't want to come off as rude, but the anger she feels is overpowering her rational mind. I hope that the anime includes them whenever these chapters do eventually get adapted, since I've seen others that just leave out internal monologues all together. Anyways, Ume remains the sweetest boy alive.

My god, her anger is just so intense and unfortunately for her I kinda love it? like yeah, of course I don't want to see my girl snap like this but these panels convey it so well, from the bubbling sludge to the sheer amount of force Kotoha slams that wallet down the ground and that look of pure rage on her face. Damn.. it's wonderful.

And I know it would've totally ruined the moment, but I half expected the wallet to bounce right into Ume's face with how high it flew back up into the air..

[wasdaring]

“  it's  not  ...  it's  not  a  bad  thing,  avery,  ”  he  said,  a  sigh  escaping  his  lips.  he  just  worried  about  her,  and  he  didn't  know  how  to  convey  that  into  words.  he  knew  he'd  fucked  up,  but  he  didn't  want  anyone  else  hurting  her.  he'd  always  known  she  was  kind,  but  it  was  to  a  fault.  he  tried  to  avoid  voicing  his  concerns,  though,  as  he  didn't  want  to  upset  her.  “  yeah,  well  ...  don't  get  used  to  it,  ”  he  teased  back,  a  grin  spreading  across  his  lips.  “  i'm  fine,  avery,  ”  he  insisted  once  again.  it  didn't  surprise  henry  that  he  worried  about  her,  but  it  did  make  him  feel  guilty.  he  knew  he  probably  sounded  hypocritical,  worrying  about  her  while  declaring  she  needn't  worry  about  him,  but  he  didn't  care.  the  way  he  viewed  it,  he  wasn't  deserving  of  her  concern  in  the  slightest.  “  i  just  ...  i  want  you  to  worry  about  taking  care  of  yourself.  ”  he  chuckled  lowly,  a  nod  of  agreement  following.  “  sure,  okay.  you  can  totally  argue  if  it's  bad  ...  which  ...  it  will  be.  maybe  you'll  tire  yourself  out  from  the  arguing.  ”  he  eyed  her  pinky  for  a  moment  before  reaching  forward  with  his  own  and  nodding.  “  deal.  ”  henry  dropped  his  hand  and  nodded,  moving  to  turn  around.  of  course  he  was  going  to  turn  out.  they  weren't  together  anymore.  he  didn't  have  any  reason  to  look.

"You always make that sound like it's a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with being kind, Henry." She would always be the person to go the extra mile for anyone. She didn't have it in her to turn away from someone that needed her. The amount of people she patched up without asking questions was proof of that. "At least you can admit I'm right about something." She teased and looked away. It was easy to fall back into patterns with him, but she knew it was dangerous. "I do worry about you, Henry. I can't help it. I can't turn it off." She wanted to sometimes. Too many nights had been spent worrying and wondering where he was, but the answers never came. She stepped to the dressed and pulled open the drawer. The smell of him hit her fast, and she closed her eyes to breathe it in before picking a familiar blue shirt. "I think I can agree to that, but I am keeping the ability to argue if it's bad." She held out her hand and extended her pinky to him. "Deal? And then turn around. I need to change."

[white-hole-station]

[Headcanon]

The space program took a whole month off of development after Tektite's accident, so that Slate could have the time to perfect their leg. They'd already been working on articulated flaps for in-atmosphere steering for Feldspar's ship - conserves fuel to not use jets for that - and hey, an artificial ankle is just another type of flap to articulate, right?

Gossan wasn't so sure - especially with Slate's full-tilt approach to experimental engineering, at odds with Tektite's trepidation - but all of the founders agreed that the program could wait until their neighbour was back on their feet. And to Slate's credit, Gossan had never seen them show as much sheer methodical focus, before or since. This was somebody's limb here, after all: their ability to move of their own accord, their ability to get out and about in the community and do the things they love, their ability to still feel like their body is their own. Slate was hardly about to phone it in, or risk any wild experiments when it came to Tektite's comfort and requirements.

It took several iterations, and several difficult test walks around the town square gripping Slate's arm, but together the pair of them worked out a final model that's been serving Tektite well to this day.

(...Of course, the dedication and focus that so pleasantly surprised Gossan only made Slate's awkward avoidance of them after their own accident sting even more. Was it really that hard on their poor guilty conscience, to think about doing something similar for a friend, instead of darting their gaze away just short of Gossan's face?)

[meowstix]

i think i've talked abt this before on discord but like, i don't Get tsubasa's dark power arc i think. i just... don't get how it pertains to tsubasa as a character. even after rewatching s1 i still don't get it. like, okay, we have a few different concepts to work with here.

how and why tsubasa got the dark power

the dark power as a desire for power and winning for the sake of winning

a secret third thing that is largely irrelevant to our discussion (and largely nonspecific to tsubasa or the dark power, though frankly the dark power is a very nonspecific thing anyways) but it exists and i can yap about if prompted (warning: i WILL get very off track)

when i first watched metal masters, my assumption was that tsubasa got the dark power because he was involved with dark nebula. this would sort of make sense but also not really, seeing as how he wasn't actually on their side. this interpretation is seemingly completely unintended, but i kind of prefer it to the actual explanation, which is that tsubasa... got it from fighting ryuga?? because the dark power is like covid but really selective i guess.

this brings us to the question of why tsubasa specifically, which is the big thing that's hanging over this whole arc for me.

so like, for tsubasa the dark power is all "GRAHHH i must WIN!!!!!" right? but that's... not relevant to tsubasa's character up to this point at all. his focus on things such as getting stronger and winning are generally at a pretty normal level generally, and while there are a couple possibilities here... both of them are quite clearly not the case.

first up, seemingly the most tsubasa ever cares about winning in s1 is when he's up against ryuga, which is reasonable given that he's a major threat. so, maybe frustration at not being able to stop him, right? the problem here is twofold. while certainly a lot would have been avoided if tsubasa was able to defeat ryuga before battle bladers, that fight is not the root of the dark power. instead it's the one during battle bladers, where kyoya was the only one to get obliterated by ryuga afterwards (and benkei i think but also the show doesn't count him as part of the Getting Beat By Ryuga Club)

secondly, this is not a situation tsubasa is put through in baku- by the time a threat like ryuga pops up again his arc is over and he gets basically written out of the rest of the season. and of course, as i said, the dark power is about winning for the sake of winning- not something tsubasa particularly cares about.

the second possibility i only thought about during my rewatch of s1 and frankly would've been an insane move for this show (albeit a potentially really interesting one)

i think if i were tsubasa and someone told me this only to find out later they were talking about their son i would have turned them into a pile of blood on the spot. of course this is quite clearly not what the writers were going for, because if it was we would've seen tsubasa lash out at ginga, and also i just don't think the writers would do this especially considering fury.

i kinda had more when i first started writing this post but i had to go eat dinner partway through writing it and forgot some of what i was gonna say, or atleast how to say it. oops.