#source: suf

[your-incorrect-quotes]

A: B, what is wrong with you?!

B: Oh you know, the usual.

[starlitcen]

⋆ pink pearl / volleyball icons | genderfae ; 500×500 ; square ; for anon

like and/or reblog if you use !

[howlsofbloodhounds]

Hey..Catholic Delta.

To be more specific, his creator is apparently Filipino. According to Google, the majority of Filipinos are Catholic.

Sans was Underground, and seems to have been raised and born there. So even if the Mt.Ebott of Ultratale/Vitaltale was in the Philippines, Sans likely would’ve been somewhat removed from the human cultures and customs above.

However, Beta would not have been—he could’ve been grown and raised in the Filipino culture and customs.

Meaning he could’ve likely grown up and been raised Catholic, and after Sans absorbed his SOUL years later and Beta starts remembering more about his life and culture, he could’ve started sharing these memories with Sans via dreams and through their fusion as Delta.

And if Beta clings to his faith as a source of hope and familiarity, that could likely show up in Delta. Especially if Delta starts remembering a life he— and the body he’s in—never actually lived, and Sans has no clue about any of it.

It could lead Delta to feel torn between these two worlds, and start questioning his faith.

Since Sans has no experience with human religions and Beta was a child at the time of his death, Delta may experience religious influence more as emotional imprints and memories rather than strict doctrinal belief.

Religious guilt and sin. Beta may have internalized ideas of sin, penance, and the fear of disappointing others, especially authority figures.

Since Delta experiences overwhelming survivor’s guilt and struggles with the belief that he failed people he was supposed to protect, this could mirror the Catholic concept of mortal sin and the need for repentance.

Even though Sans himself may not believe in sin, Beta’s influence might cause Delta to view his perceived failures as moral failings rather than circumstantial.

The Catholic belief in forgiveness and redemption could create a longing within Delta to atone for past actions.

Beta may subconsciously associate helping others with seeking absolution, even if Delta doesn’t consciously think of it in religious terms. Acts of service, self-sacrifice, or trying to prevent others from suffering might reflect this.

Beta might have grown up believing in the traditional Catholic concepts of the afterlife. Memories of fearing Hell or longing for the promise of Heaven may linger in Delta’s mind.

Considering Delta’s experiences with the Underground’s soul mechanics, this could lead to existential confusion.

Delta may struggle to reconcile what he knows about monster souls, determination, and the Underground’s mechanics with Beta’s belief in eternal judgment.

He might question if monster souls face the same fate as human souls or if Sans is truly “soulless” in the eyes of a human God.

Beta’s memories might resurface when Delta feels vulnerable or overwhelmed.

Carrying or wearing symbolic items like a small rosary, a crucifix necklace, or even a Sampaguita flower (symbolizing purity and resilience) could provide comfort, even if Delta no longer actively practices the faith.

During moments of distress, Beta’s muscle memory might compel Delta to trace the Sign of the Cross or whisper a simple prayer like the Hail Mary or Our Father. It may not always be a conscious choice, but more of a grounding mechanism.

Memories of Filipino Catholic traditions like Simbang Gabi (night masses leading up to Christmas) or Holy Week re-enactments may bring bittersweet comfort.

Delta may find himself longing for the vibrant community gatherings and comforting rituals that Beta once cherished.

In an attempt to feel connected to Beta’s past, Delta may prepare traditional Filipino holiday foods like bibingka or puto bumbong during Christmas, or observe Undas (All Souls’ Day) by lighting candles and reflecting on those who have passed.

The Catholic value of serving others and the Filipino concept of Bayanihan (community support) may influence his actions.

He might go out of his way to help others, particularly those he perceives as vulnerable or suffering, as a way to channel the selflessness that Beta admired.

Delta’s Catholic-influenced ideals of forgiveness and redemption could fuel his resentment toward Killer. He may see Killer as someone refusing to seek redemption or atone for his actions.

Sans, who never had human religious beliefs, might feel frustration or confusion at the intrusive thoughts of guilt, punishment, and the concept of sin that Beta’s influence brings.

Delta may find himself rejecting certain aspects of Catholic doctrine while still clinging to the comfort of familiar prayers and rituals.

During moments of vulnerability, Delta might worry that the suffering he and those around him experience is divine punishment.

However, the more rational side of him — influenced by Sans’ perspective — might push back against this, creating an internal tug-of-war.

Over time, Delta may learn to separate Beta’s childhood understanding of religion from the more complex adult perspective he’s developing.

Rather than viewing God as an all-judging figure, Delta might find comfort in the Catholic teachings on grace, mercy, and unconditional love. Delta may ultimately find peace in honoring Beta’s cultural and spiritual roots without feeling bound by dogma.

Lighting candles for the dead, practicing kindness, and appreciating the beauty of community and resilience could become personal spiritual acts, rather than strictly religious ones.

Also, given the HC that Beta grew up with an abusive or neglectful family, it’s very likely that Beta could have been deeply involved in Marian devotion given his circumstances, particularly in the face of abuse, neglect, and extreme fear.

According to Google, in Filipino Catholic culture, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is incredibly significant, and children in difficult environments often turn to Mama Mary for comfort, protection, and a sense of maternal love — especially when their own families are abusive or absent.

Coming from a neglectful or abusive household, Beta could have idealized Mary as the ultimate, kind, protective mother figure. He might have prayed to her often, believing she could offer the nurturing and unconditional love he didn’t receive at home.

After falling into the Underground and becoming separated from or having to leave Toriel, Beta may have clung to his Marian devotion more desperately.

Prayers like the Hail Mary or the Memorare (“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary…”) would have been comforting mantras in moments of fear or despair.

In the darkness of the Underground, the idea of a gentle, watchful presence like Mary could have brought Beta strength.

Catholic teachings often emphasize Mary’s suffering during Jesus’s Passion and death. For Beta, who endured fear, pain, and eventual death, this might have made Mary feel deeply relatable. He may have believed that she understood suffering in a way no one else could.

Even as Beta fought for survival, Marian prayers may have lingered in his mind. He might have whispered them for courage during terrifying moments or when hiding from threats. The belief that Mary intercedes for those in need would have brought him comfort.

Upon his death and the entrapment of his soul in a jar, Beta’s connection to Mary may have become complicated.

Feelings of abandonment or confusion — questioning why his prayers weren’t answered — could leave him struggling with resentment or doubt. He might fear that even Mary, whom he saw as his protector, ultimately could not save him. Or didn’t want to save him.

Despite that, the deeply ingrained need for her comfort would remain. Echoes of past prayers and a yearning for her presence might be an underlying part of Beta’s emotional landscape, even after fusing with Sans as Delta.

While Sans would have no frame of reference for Marian devotion, Delta would likely retain some of Beta’s subconscious reliance on it.

In times of extreme stress or despair, Delta might instinctively recall Marian prayers or clutch at a symbolic item like a small rosary that Beta once owned.

Delta, with Sans’ pragmatic view of the world, may struggle to understand the spiritual comfort Beta once found in Mary. He might dismiss it as childish or naive, yet find himself unable to completely sever the emotional attachment.

Over time, as Delta works through his trauma and comes to terms with Beta’s past, he may gradually reclaim some of the peace that Marian devotion once offered.

Even if he doesn’t fully believe in the religious doctrine, the act of prayer itself — especially to Mary, a symbol of comfort and protection — could remain a grounding mechanism.

Delta might unconsciously seek out objects like a small Santo Niño statue (representing the Christ Child) or a Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia pendant, items that Filipino Catholics often keep for protection. Beta’s memories may give these symbols a lingering sense of safety.

During moments of grief or remembrance, Delta may light a candle, say a prayer, or even observe traditions like All Souls’ Day (Undas) — not strictly out of belief, but as a way of honoring Beta’s roots and coping with loss.

Given that Delta experiences flashbacks and/or dissociation, running his fingers over rosary beads might serve as a tactile grounding method, echoing Beta’s coping mechanism.

Delta may eventually confront the question of why Beta’s prayers weren’t answered. Through this, he might come to a more nuanced understanding — not of a world where prayers are simply granted, but one where resilience, love, and memories endure.

While Delta may not fully embrace Catholic beliefs, continuing small acts of Marian devotion might become his way of showing Beta — and himself — compassion.

Speaking to Mama Mary may become less about seeking divine intervention and more about finding a quiet moment of reflection and emotional release.

[saintmelangell]

Rather than seeing Christianity as a new invention, seeing it as one of the paths that Judaism took—a path as ancient in its sources as the one that rabbinic Jews trod—has a majesty of its own. Many Jews were expecting the divine- human Messiah, the Son of Man. Many accepted Jesus as that figure, while others did not. Although there is pre- cious little pre-Christian evidence among Jews for the suf- fering of the Messiah, there are good reasons to consider this too no stumbling block for the “Jewishness” of the ideas about the Messiah, Jesus as well. Let me make clear I am not claiming that Jesus and his followers contributed nothing new to the story of a suffering and dying Messiah; I am not, of course, denying them their own religious creativity.I am claiming that even this innovation, if indeed they innovated, was entirely within the spirit and hermeneutical method of ancient Judaism, and not a scandalous departure from it.

Daniel Boyarin, The Jewish Gospels : The Story of the Jewish Christ

[novantinuum]

Your analysis of Steven has me on the fucking floor. I just akdjfksmgmsjdjkajd this poor boy. I'm glad he got therapy

YEAH dhdhdhfhhff it’s like

being a fan of steven q. universe (he’s been my favorite of the show for Eons) in the pre SUF days was wild bc like most people watched him and were all “haha silly little half gem boy yee haw” and barely wrote anything steven-centric in fics and then there was me in the corner, writing “steven quartz universe is really really traumatized and probably deals with PTSD from all the crap he’s been through, he’s a Way deeper character than most of the fanbase gives him credit for and I Have to talk about him” on the walls in red paint whilst many people OVERTLY told me I was wrong and was taking him and by proxy the show too seriously

and then steven grew up and SUF aired and rebecca sugar and crew said “no you’re right he really DOES have PTSD from all of this, and now we’re finally gonna talk about it” and i shouted ‘thank you’ with my whole ass heart, bc I just Knew I was right for taking the details they laid out in his story arc seriously

there is soooo much fascinating meta to chew on with this character and I will never be over him, he’s genuinely one of the most canonically nuanced characters (as in, nuanced in the SOURCE material and not just in fanon) I’ve gotten the pleasure to muse over and write fic about in all my years of fandom.

I hope I’m still out here writing steven universe meta when I’m ninety years old bc this really is the show that keeps giving <3

[realpinkdiamondsstuff]

ok, so I just want to preface this by saying sorry-_- I had completely forgotten to post about this but Anyway

The famous holiday post from my last poll:

WHY ARE THE DIAMONDS THE WAY THEY ARE IN THE STORY AND HOW DID THEY END UP LIKE THEY DID(ESP WHITE)

Disclaimer:my source is the series+movie+SUF and the book End of an Era, but mostly what I can remember and what i extrapolated from the source material. If I do any mistake, i might cover it up later. I'm writing this at 00:15, so it may be wonky. Also, English is not my first language, so You have been warned.

Part one: The diamond authority as a whole

The Diamonds are an integral part of steven universe and a quite peculiar set of characters. We, to this day(january 2025) have little to no idea about them:their origins, their history, the intricacies of their relationships and how they came to be the most powerful characters and rulers of a galaxy. But this is intentional: Rebecca Sugar stated on multiple occasions and showcased often that Steven is supposed to be the central character of the show, the POV of everything, we only know to the extent that Steven knows. If they made entire episodes or talked too much about the past, these characters would have stolen the show. If we see everything through Steven eyes, then we must realize WHAT the Diamonds are in relation to HIM: his FAMILY. The Diamonds, and I dare say even the Diamonds authority as whole, are an entire allegory for FAMILY and FAMILY DYNAMICS. And WHAT'S the theme of the series as a whole? F-A-M-I-L-Y. I may be rushing a little bit, but I could expand on it later on: of course Steven couldn’t shatter them, beat them to a pulp, bubble them,etc. They are a TOXIC and DISFUNCTIONAL family, and all the hurt they've done is just an echo of what goes on between them. Steven is forced to confront these people, and it's his peacefulness and refusal to resort to violence that really brings a breath of fresh air in the room and opens to the possibilty of change(another huge theme of the show) . Sure, a final boss fight with any of them, especially White, would of have been SO COOL, but this is not what the creator wanted to express in the story. This closeness to them due to Steven POV and the family dynamic is what gives off that bittersweetness that gave the Diamonds a huge fanbase, but this shouldn't distract people from the fact that, even told plainly by the story, that the Diamonds ARE bad people. The colonizing thing was way too far fetched imo(will explain later) but that's just the tip of the iceberg of fucked up shit that is within them, and the only person i cam empathize with is Pink, as she was just a child in the care of the worst people in the world.

Alr, i am very tired, so this will do for now. I will continue this and get more details(if I can) as soon as possible. I just feel like not enough people know about the unique perspective and role the Diamonds have in Steven Universe, and they tend to treat them as just engame villains that should have been killed. The story did go in a specific intentional direction, and I felt like paying homage to that. I find this so interesting!

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading; Wednesday, April 10, 2024

march 27_april 10

VENERABLE HESYCHIUS OF JERUSALEM (C.408)

He was a priest-monk renowned in the Eastern Church as a theologian, biblical commentator, and preacher. He played a prominent role in the 5th-century controversy on the nature of Christ and was acclaimed as having annotated the whole of sacred Scripture.

Serving as a priest in the church in Jerusalem c. 412, Hesychius gained repute as a theologian and catechist so that by 429, he was recognized by chroniclers and the Orthodox Mēnologion (lives of the saints liturgically arranged by month) as the pre-eminent biblical interpreter and teacher of the church in Jerusalem and Palestine.

Most of Hesychius’ writings have been lost, although scholarship in the second half of the 20th century continues to identify more of his works hidden among Greek manuscripts and Latin translations. His biblical commentaries include interpretations of the Old Testament books of Leviticus, Job, Isaiah, and Ezekiel. A celebrated moralistic annotation on the Psalms that had long been attributed to the 4th-century spokesman for orthodoxy, Athanasius of Alexandria, is now acknowledged as Hesychius’. Some earlier commentaries of probable authenticity contain germinal terminology of the heterodox Nestorians.

As a biblical exegete, Hesychius generally followed the allegorical method of the 3rd-century Christian theologian Origen of Alexandria. Hesychius’ preoccupation with symbolism led him to deny that a literal meaning could be found for every sentence in the Scriptures. In order to avoid heretical interpretations of Scripture, he rejected such philosophical terms as person, essence, or substance to express doctrine on the nature of Christ. On this point, he allowed only the term logos sarkotheis (“the word made flesh”), a biblical concept. Against the diminution of Christ’s divinity by Arius and his Antiochene followers, he veered toward the view of the Monophysites.

Credited with the earliest known liturgical addresses on the Virgin Mary, Hesychius also wrote a church history after 428 that controverted Nestorianism and other heretical beliefs. This text was incorporated into the second Council of Constantinople proceedings in 553. The works of Hesychius were published in the series Patrologia Graeca, J.-P. Migne (ed.), vol. 27, 55, and 93 (1866).

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica

THE MONKMARTYR EUSTRATIUS OF THE KIEV NEAR CAVE (1096)

Martyr Eustratius of the Caves was born in the eleventh century at Kiev into a wealthy family. As an adult, he received monastic tonsure at the Kiev Caves monastery, after giving away all his possesions to the poor. Saint Eustratius humbly underwent obediences at the monastery, strictly fulfilling the rule of prayer and passing his days in fasting and vigilance.

In 1096 the Polovetsians captured Kiev and ravaged the monastery of the Caves, doing away with many of the monks. Saint Eustratius was taken into captivity, and was sold into slavery with thirty monastic laborers and twenty inhabitants of Kiev to a certain Jew living in Korsun.

The impious Jew tried to make the captives deny Christ, threatening to kill those who refused by starving them. Saint Eustratius encouraged and exhorted his brother Christians, “Brothers! Let none of us who are baptized and believe in Christ betray the vows made at Baptism. Christ has regenerated us through water and the Spirit. He has freed us from the curse of the Law by His Blood, and He has made us heirs of His Kingdom. If we live, we shall live for the Lord. If we die, we shall die in the Lord and inherit eternal life.”

Inspired by the saint’s words, the captives resolved to die of starvation, rather than renounce Christ, Who is the food and drink of Eternal Life. Exhausted by hunger and thirst, some captives perished after three days, some after four days, and some after seven days. Saint Eustratius remained alive for fourteen days, since he was accustomed to fasting from his youth. Suffering from hunger, he still did not touch food nor water. The impious Jew, seeing that he had lost the money he had paid for the captives, decided to take revenge on the holy monk.

The radiant Feast of the Resurrection of Christ drew near, and the Jewish slave owner was celebrating the Jewish Passover with his companions. He decided to crucify Saint Eustratius. The cruel tormentors mocked the saint, offering to let him share their Passover meal. The Martyr replied, “The Lord has now bestown a great grace upon me. He has permitted me to suffer on a cross for His Name just as He suffered.” The saint also predicted a horrible death for the Jew.

Hearing this, the enraged Jew grabbed a spear and stabbed Saint Eustratius on the cross. The martyr’s body was taken down from the cross and thrown into the sea. Christian believers long searched for the holy relics of the martyr, but were not able to find them. But through the Providence of God the incorrupt relics were found in a cave and worked many miracles. Later, they were transferred to the Near Caves of the Kiev Caves monastery.

The prediction of the holy Martyr Eustratius that his blood would be avenged was fulfilled soon after his death. The Byzantine Emperor issued a decree expelling all Jews from Korsun, depriving them of their property, and putting their elders to death for torturing Christians. The Jew who crucified Saint Eustratius was hanged on a tree, receiving just punishment for his wickedness.

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

ISAIAH 26:21-27:9

21 For behold, the Lord comes out of His place To punish the earth's inhabitants for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no longer cover her slain.

1 In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea. 2 In that day sing to her, “A vineyard of red wine! 3 I, the Lord, keep it, I water it every moment; Lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day. 4 Fury is not in Me. Who would set briers and thorns Against Me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. 5 Or let him take hold of My strength, That he may make peace with Me; And he shall make peace with Me.” 6 Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, And fill the face of the world with fruit. 7 Has He struck Israel as He struck those who struck him? Or has He been slain according to the slaughter of those who were slain by Him? 8 In measure, by sending it away, You contended with it. He removes it with His rough wind on the day of the east wind. 9

Therefore, by this, Jacob's iniquity will be covered; and this is all the fruit of taking away his sin: When he makes all the stones of the altar like chalkstones that are beaten to dust, wooden images and incense altars shall not stand.

GENESIS 9:18-10:1

18 Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. 20 And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. 21 Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. 24 So Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his younger son had done to him. 25 Then he said: “Cursed be Canaan; A servant of servants He shall be to his brethren.” 26 And he said: “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem, And may Canaan be his servant. 27 May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant.” 28 And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. 29 So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years; and he died.

1 Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood.

[revenant-coining]

SUF Source Flags

[pt: SUF Source Flags /end pt]

[IDs: 2 rectangular flags with 7 equally-sized horizontal lines. color in this order from top to bottom: light purple, pink, pale orange, red-pink, pale orange, pink, light purple. in the center of the flag is a pale orange circle outlined in red-pink. in the center of the circle of the first flag is a Steven Universe Future logo. End ID]

Steven Universe Future Source Flags

[transfemlogan]

https://www.tumblr.com/transfemlogan/728883764913176576/the-entire-point-of-the-asides-was-2-showcase?source=share

can u possibly expand on this post a bit more? im just a tad bit confused

I will try my best!

The Sanders Asides were "smaller episodes so you all didn't have to wait as long in-between the main Sanders Sides content! These "Sanders Asides" will still take place in the canon and chronology of the main series. They'll also allow us to explore other ideas that we otherwise might not have found a place for in the main narrative" (tweet)

&, for whatever reason, i cannot find the video, it might've been in a patreon stream(?), but he has also stated that they were episodes showcasing Thomas' and the sides' life Off-Screen. However, you don't really need anyone to say that, because if you watch the samller series, that's Literally what it is.

The asides are supposed to be disconnected from the main series. It's in the canonical timeline, but it's not Sanders Sides. It's additional content. It's sort of like watching Steven Universe Future, after Steven Universe, but also nothing like that.

Obviously, it's very obvious that it's Thomas' life off camera but for newer viewers it'll still be confusing. Imagine watching SUF, & then halfway through the series, it gets renamed to "Steven Universe", despite it not being... Steven Universe.

The Sanders Asides still have the title sequence that say "sanders asides". Imagine clicking what you presume to be Steven Universe, only for the title sequence to say "Steven Universe Future" and it to Be SUF, but Rebecca Sugar keeps calling it Steven Universe and acting like it's the main series, but it isn't. It's the epilogue. She also hasn't said why she changed the name.

Imagine if Toby Fox changed Deltarune's name to Undertale, despite explicitly saying it's Not Undertale. Imagine if everyone started calling Monster High G3 "Monster High G1". You'd be fucking confused!

Imagine watching a series on Youtube and the creator explicitly says "smaller episodes [...] in-between the main [...] content" only to turn around and start referring to it as the main content, when that was never what it was in the first place.

Now. I know why he changed it: because it stopped being "smaller episodes". It was never smaller episode, in the first place, but it especially isn't now. And it explores canonical narratives, that I promise you, they could've (and should've) explored in the Main Narrative (looking at you, WTIT).

That was the entire issue w/ the asides to begin with and something I criticised from the start, but that's not the point. Why the Hell would you Change the name of your side series to match up with the main series. & then not say anything. Like is he not thinking about new viewers? Does he only care about it being referred to as main series content? I'm lost & confused.

Watching a series that was full of vlog-like episodes & then half way through it switches POV & concept is ... WEIRD. You don't want to be reading a first person book that changes into third person, randomly, half way through the 2nd book, without warning.

I know it'll probably be fine in the end & its his series, who cares, & its not like Thomas actually gets any new viewers (/j), but it upsets me that the side series gets completely thrown out because Thomas simply Wants it to be called main series content.

[financialeducationsip]

What is IDCW in Mutual Funds? A Complete Guide for Investors

Investors in India have long considered mutual funds as a reliable vehicle for building wealth. Among the various terms associated with mutual fund investments, one that often raises questions is IDCW, formerly known as Dividend Option. In this detailed guide, we break down everything you need to know about IDCW in mutual funds, how it works, its types, tax implications, and when it may be suitable for your investment strategy.

Understanding IDCW: Income Distribution cum Capital Withdrawal

IDCW stands for Income Distribution cum Capital Withdrawal. It is a mutual fund plan in which the fund house distributes a portion of the scheme’s profits (or capital, if needed) to its investors at periodic intervals.

The term "IDCW" replaced the earlier term "Dividend Option" after a regulatory change by SEBI to better reflect the actual mechanism—since mutual fund dividends are not paid from profits alone, but may include a withdrawal from the investor's own capital as well.

How Does IDCW Work in Mutual Funds?

When you invest in a mutual fund IDCW plan, you are eligible to receive payouts as and when declared by the fund house. These payouts are not guaranteed, and both the amount and frequency are subject to the availability of distributable surplus and fund manager discretion.

When the IDCW is declared:

The Net Asset Value (NAV) of the mutual fund reduces by the amount distributed.

The number of units you hold remains unchanged.

Your overall investment value may decrease due to capital withdrawal.

For example, if the NAV before IDCW is ₹25 and the AMC declares an IDCW of ₹2, the NAV will drop to ₹23 post-distribution.

Types of IDCW Options

Mutual funds usually offer two sub-options under the IDCW category:

1. IDCW – Payout Option

Under this option, the declared amount is paid out to the investor via bank transfer. This is suitable for those looking for periodic income, such as retirees or individuals who rely on investments for cash flow.

2. IDCW – Reinvestment Option

In this case, instead of paying the IDCW amount to the investor, the mutual fund reinvests the same amount back into the fund and allocates additional units to the investor. The total value remains largely the same, but the number of units increases.

Tax Implications of IDCW in Mutual Funds

One of the critical aspects of IDCW is the tax treatment, which changed significantly after 2020.

1. Taxation on IDCW

From April 1, 2020, IDCW is taxed in the hands of investors.

The distributed amount is added to your total income and taxed according to your income tax slab.

Mutual funds deduct TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) at 10% if the IDCW exceeds ₹5,000 in a financial year.

2. No Indexation or Capital Gains Benefit

Unlike growth option redemptions, there is no benefit of long-term capital gains or indexation with IDCW. Hence, it can be tax-inefficient, especially for those in higher tax brackets.

When Should You Choose IDCW Option?

The IDCW option is suitable in the following scenarios:

Need for Regular Income: Ideal for retired individuals or those needing supplementary income.

Short-Term Horizon: If you’re investing for a shorter period and prefer cash in hand rather than waiting for capital appreciation.

Low Tax Bracket: If your total income is within the exemption limit or falls in the lower slab.

However, for most investors, especially those in higher tax slabs, the Growth Option is more efficient due to the power of compounding and capital gains tax benefits.

Drawbacks of IDCW Option in Mutual Funds

While IDCW may appear attractive, especially with regular payouts, it carries several downsides:

1. NAV Reduction

Every IDCW payout reduces the NAV of your investment, directly impacting growth.

2. Tax Inefficiency

Since payouts are added to your taxable income, they may increase your tax liability significantly.

3. Uncertain Cash Flow

IDCW is not guaranteed. Fund houses may skip distribution if the fund does not have sufficient distributable surplus.

4. Loss of Compounding

Periodic payouts break the compounding chain. Growth option allows your money to work for you uninterrupted over time.

Regulatory Changes Around IDCW

SEBI’s renaming of "Dividend" to IDCW in 2021 aimed to bring transparency and align terminology with the actual functioning. It helped clear the misconception that mutual fund dividends are similar to company dividends. In reality, IDCW often includes the capital of the investor, not just profit.

Further, SEBI has mandated that mutual fund advertisements must carry appropriate disclosures clarifying that IDCW reduces NAV and is not assured.

Conclusion: Should You Opt for IDCW in Mutual Funds?

While the IDCW option may seem lucrative due to its payout feature, it may not be suitable for all. If your goal is wealth creation, minimizing tax, and benefitting from compounding, then the Growth Option is the better choice.

However, if you're looking for stable income, are in a lower tax bracket, or have short-term financial goals, IDCW could serve a purpose. Always assess your financial needs, risk profile, and consult with a mutual fund advisor before making a decision.

[ellipse-society]

🪷 - what’s ur most obscure/unusual introject source?

Hmm I mean most of our introjects come from pretty popular sources(mostly hoyoverse introjects in particular) so this is a hard one. The least popular/weirdest fictives I guess would be either Charlotte from Charlotte's Web or Morgan le Fay from The Magic Tree House series you can choose which is the best to answer this question lol. For nonfictional introjects we've got an introject of a couple of our childhood suffed animals and one of the moon(that counts right?).

[21st-century-minutiae]

A prefix is a language modifier that is added to the start of a word root to make a new word, like 'pre' in 'prefix' or 'af' in 'affix. or 'suf' in 'suffix.'

A suffix is a language modifier that is added to the end of a word root to make new word, like 'est' in 'greatest,' or 'esque' in 'picturesque.'

And infix is a language modifier that is added in the middle of a word to make a new word. Unlike prefixes and suffixes, formal English does not have any infixes, but informal English has a few which serve to change stress patterns and emphasis. "Abso-fucking-lutely" is a crass way to say "absolutely" in a manner that provides a connotation of extreme and obvious degree. In this case, "abso-fucking-lutely" serves as both an affirmative answer to the question, and a self-demonstrating example of the same. This, combined with the juxtaposition of a semi-formal environment (a classroom setting) and an inappropriate word (the 'fucking' infix) is a source of humor, as this is a legitimate situation to violate the social mores against cussing.

linguistics professor: so we've covered prefixes and suffixes. does anyone know what an infix is?

student: abso-fucking-lutely

[novantinuum]

Fandom: Steven Universe Rating: Teen Audiences Words: 1.8~ Summary: Steven can’t help but dread the undefined cocktail of emotions that trigger this newest power… 12 shorts, each delving into Steven’s developing opinions and feelings about his “pink mode” in SUF.

Chapter 12: A scene set a few days after The Future.

Welp, this is the end, folks! Thank you so much for your patience over the years with this one.

Enjoy!

___

Even a good two hundred miles into today’s leg of his road trip, the emotional exhaustion of this morning’s therapy session lingers heavy like a mounting thunderstorm over his head. His mind’s horizon is a murky greyish-green, and his thoughts are like scattered bands of moisture hovering up within those dark clouds. That moisture… with every passing minute it swells at the seams more and more, threatening to break the seal of his self-imposed silence and stream on through, manifesting as a torrential downpour of stress that’s destined only to overwhelm him. The logical part of him knows these unwanted thoughts will fester if he doesn’t acknowledge them, knows they’ll get caught up in the updrafts and spin into icy granules of hail that— once it finally plummets to earth— carries a far more destructive potential than its liquid kin. But there’s another facet of him— vacant and stubborn— that simply doesn’t care. After all, it’s not like the alternative is any more attractive.

In stark contrast, the real weather is drop-dead stunning. Because of course it is. The leaves are finally starting to turn, the stratosphere is spotless, and a light breeze anchors the temperature at a manageable 68 degrees.

It just doesn’t seem fair… that the world surrounding him gets to be so lush and light and beautiful while his mental space still feels like a nightmare some days. And yes, yes— ‘he really shouldn’t be so hard on himself, he’s come such a long way since March,’ blah blah blah— he knows.

He knows.

So how long will he have to put up with this constant maelstrom of mental crap?

It’s stupid, but he guesses a naive part of him believed that this road trip would fix him. That if he simply removed himself from the source of his traumas, the clouds in his sky would immediately clear… like Beach City itself was somehow the progenitor of his demons, and not his own mind.

Clutching the wheel a little tighter as he eases his way through the road’s bend, Steven sighs, his fingertips pressing visible indents into the worn pleather grip. Hmm. Maybe what he needs right now is some musical distraction. Eyes still glued to the road, he fumbles his right hand across the dashboard, feeling around for the tape deck’s play button.

As he sinks into the blissful auditory embrace of one of his custom mixtapes over the next few miles, the mental diversion is almost enough to make him forget about all the open, weeping wounds today’s talk session left.

Almost.

Unfortunately, the mood is pretty much shattered when one of the original Sadie Killer and the Suspects songs turns on.

“Don’t be scared, it’s the afternoon,” the speakers blare, the sound of his own guitar lines evident in the backing music, “Don’t be scared ‘coz pretty soon we’ll be—”

Steven smashes his pointer finger against the pause button, a dull ache settling at the pit of his stomach. Damnit, he completely forgot this mix had that one on it! Why’d he have to be subjected to this today, of all days? It just doesn’t seem fair, especially when his initial involvement and eventual separation from that band was literally the topic he brought to his therapist for discussion today! And yeah, compared to the rest of his problems this one is tiny and stupid and petty, and he really just oughta give it up and stop feeling upset about it. But like… he was a part of Sadie Killer, y’know?! He was a founding member. He played at their first few gigs… and when he wasn’t on stage, he was working double time in the back as their devoted roadie. Not to mention, he recorded some extra backing guitar for the final cut of like, half of their songs. And even when the demands of his Gem ambassador work pulled him away from being an active participant, he still considered himself one of their biggest fans.

So why is it, then, that when they decided to break up the band they never once thought to consult him? To even give him warning?

It’s prolly ‘cause they never actually wanted you as a part of their group anyways, the bitter, most miserable corner of his brain spits, a concept that— after so many productive sessions with his current therapist— he immediately recognizes as false. But entertaining the thought for even half a second is bound to have its consequences, which is how he finds himself spiraling a swift descent into the foreboding aura of crisis.

His heart begins hammering against the confines of his rib cage as that familiar, nauseating heat rises within his cheeks.

Oh, no, no, no no no— come on, it’s been so many days since he’s had a flare-up! He can’t break his streak now! And over this? At least turning pink over reminders of his many near deaths or that time he turned himself in to Homeworld for Mom’s war crimes or whatever makes sense, but this-?? Over all these silly little teenage insecurities he should’ve moved past ages ago?

Why does all this ‘recovery’ junk have to be so damned hard?

Why can’t he just be better?

His shaking form now wholly enveloped in that familiar, nauseating pink, Steven pulls aside at the next gas station he spots. Stars, h-he… he can’t let himself get this worked up in the driver’s seat. Not today. Not again. He rolls into an open spot at the furthest edge of the lot and shifts into park.

Deep breaths, Universe, he prompts himself, shaking his hands as if vying to kinetically sweep this energy right out of his system. Deep breaths. There’s no life threatening dangers here.

Sadie… Buck, Jenny, and Sour Cream… the way they communicated the band’s break up to him was unideal, but they didn’t mean to make him feel like he didn’t belong. They’re his friends, they would never do that to him. They all knew how much he cherished their act, so they probably dreaded the thought of having to issue the news to him at all and kept putting it off. It wasn’t anything personal. It’s just… human. It’s flawed, and it’s messy, and yes, it hurt him deeply— but if he wants to carve out a more balanced way of life for himself, he’s gotta learn to coexist with that feeling.

He wants this.

He craves this, he swears he does.

So why, then, can’t his whole, unified self get with the program and stop flooding his system with so much raw, unbridled diamond power that he could probably hurl this whole car straight to West Keystone? The Gem war’s over! He doesn’t even need this sheer level of hyper-vigilance anymore! Can’t he just rest?!

Still flushed pink, Steven lets out a dull huff of frustration, folding his hands together into his lap. All right, then. His usual trick of shaking it out isn’t working. It’s clearly time for more of that mindfulness technique his therapist taught him.

“Back straight… activate your diaphragm… now, breathe in for four. Out for eight. In for four, out for eight. That’s it, yes. Very good, Steven. Keep breathing. Now, focus on the fullness of your lungs… on the faint whistling of your nose as the air passes across the turbinates. Focus in on your present, on the pull of the Earth beneath you… on every muscle that’s still resisting this calm. Clench them tight— and then one-by-one, from the crown of your head to the very tips of your toes, release.”

His once frantic heartbeat slows to a resting lull. The tension drains from his aching shoulders. His breath falls even. Behind his eyelids little flickers of light play out a now familiar scenario, one that exists on a plane of consciousness halfway between a daydream and a memory:

He sits cross-legged before his gem, both halves of himself mirrored in their expression and posture. The Gem— manifesting in flat colors and harsh edges that are desperate to mimic the shadows and softness of organic life— looks all but identical to how he appeared that day, a timeless relic of traumas long past.

The Gem merely stares at him, unblinking. Unfeeling. Except… given the warm rush of pink that’s made its home within his veins, that clearly isn’t true, is it?

“You’re upset,” he says to this part of himself, a blunt observation.

Silence. His counterpart’s gaze wavers for a good while as he contemplates this allegation. Then, his lips parting:

“So are you.”

His cheeks flush, caught off guard by the cutting accuracy of the Gem’s statement. Because as much as he’d like to blame all his problems on this imagined personification of his Gem heritage and all the power contained therein, Steven Universe only exists as an amalgam, the combined sum of his parts. And those parts may have fallen dreadfully out of sync as of late, but an emotional overreaction can’t just proliferate out of control without a root to stem from.

And that root… is him.

Stars, it’s always been him. Why else would this Gem have fought so hard to save his life back in White’s head, even risking his loved ones in the crossfire if it meant carving his way back to him?

Deep inhale.

“I am, you’re right,” he nods. “I’m upset about a lot of things. And that feeling can be so hard to be okay with. But what I do know… is that we’re not living in a war zone anymore. We’re safe. I’m safe. You can rest now, I promise.”

He opens his arms in invitation, a metaphysical olive branch to this part of himself. The Gem’s brow creases inwards… ever so slight, almost unnoticeable. And then, surging forwards, he envelops him in the most fiercely passionate hug he’s ever experienced.

“You’re safe,” the Gem all but breathes in his ear. “I’m safe…”

Steven’s eyes snap open, sensing that overwhelming aura of pink finally draining back to the diamond at his core. He gives an exhausted exhale, dropping his head against the top rim of the steering wheel as he takes a moment to recover from such a huge spike of adrenaline and hard-light. And then his stomach gurgles.

Frowning, he checks his phone for the time. Past noon already. He was hoping to make it to Charm City before stopping for lunch, but it won’t hurt anything to grab a quick snack here, now would it?

He returns to his car a few minutes later with a bag of BBQ Chaaps and a fresh bottle of water, rejuvenated and ready to hit the road again. His thumb jabs the play button on his tape deck as he shifts into reverse. That same ol’ Sadie Killer and the Suspects song starts on up again.

This time, however— the violent squall in his mind having since settled into a light, manageable shower— he resolves to at very least hum along.

[why5x5]

From my shul's latest weekly newsletter:

Drash v’DaSh – A Shabbat Message and Greeting “Bridge Over Split Waters”

Keriat Yam Suf, the wondrous splitting of the Sea of Reeds that allowed Bnei Yisrael to finally proceed to safety, and the subsequent ultimate demise of their Egyptian pursuers in those same waters, is no doubt one of the most glorious moments in early Jewish History. The Midrash Tanchuma identifies ten distinct miracles that were bestowed upon the Jewish people at the Sea, while in the Hagada at the Pesach Seder, we count as many as two-hundred-fifty plagues that afflicted the oppressive Egyptians at that same juncture.

When we wish to describe a task requiring heroic effort - including Parnasa (financial success) and Shiddukhim (marital success) - we liken it to Keriat Yam Suf. The Talmud states that the ordinary maid-servant experienced the Divine Revelation at the Sea in a manner unrivaled even by the prophet Yechezkel, whose own quintessential vision of the Chariot in “Maaseh Merkava” is so mystifying that its study is limited to a select group of individuals. The Gemara in Zevachim, also cited by Rashi in his commentary to Chumash, says that Keriat Yam Suf – along with the defeat of Amalek - was what motivated Yitro to rejoin his family and convert to Judaism. Indeed, another Midrash states that the report of Keriat Yam Suf – or perhaps the sound of the splitting itself – was heard from one end of the world to the other, causing all of its inhabitants to tremble in awe and panic. It is no surprise then that the Talmud should require that one who sees the places of traversal of the Sea is obligated to offer praise and thanksgiving before the Almighty.

Yet, while “splitting of waters” is a miraculous phenomenon associated with the Sea in Sefer Shemot, the first instance of splitting waters in fact occurs in Sefer Bereshit at the beginning of the Bible’s account of creation:

And G-d said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.' And G-d made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. And G-d called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.

Though it is the division of waters that features prominently in creation, it is the regathering of waters that is ultimately necessary for purification. In the third book of the Bible – Sefer Vaykira – we are instructed:

Nevertheless a fountain or a cistern wherein is a gathering of water (mikveh mayim) shall be clean; Chazal note that the expression mikveh mayim requires the coming together of multiple water sources (taking their cues from the earlier verse in Bereshit, “yikavu hamayim – let the waters gather to one place”).

Sometimes, splitting may be necessary as a measure for safety and security, but ultimately it is fusion rather than fission that restores and repairs.

[johnchiarello]

Sunday sermon [Text]

Sunday sermon    1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suf… Source: Sunday sermon [Text]

[thejakeformerlyknownasprince]

@m1sosazai

what's the complex conversation about wonder woman 2017? 👀

Literary/academic sources include:

‘A Different Kind of Power’?: identification, stardom and embodiments of the military in Wonder Woman (Baker, 2018)

Battle Scars: Wonder Woman, aesthetic geopolitics and disfigurement in Hollywood film (Kirby, 2018)

Wonder Woman (2017): An ambiguous symbol of feminism (Ghaisani, 2019)

Of sexism and ableism: Wonder Woman’s (ab)use of disability (Prorokova-Konrad, 2023)

Tumblr posts include:

Now I have to ask- WHY do you hate Pacific Rim?

Okay, fair warning, this is about as bitter and salty and small-minded as day-old caviar. But. My bitter, salty (probably fishy) opinion:

Pacific Rim is only a good movie because it's a well-written story about robots punching monsters.

That's it. That's all there is to the movie.

I started out merely disappointed by Pacific Rim. We went gaga for the preview materials that promised these unique well-rounded character pairs and trios with these idiosyncratic robots from all these different Pacific nations... And then the movie itself is about some bland white American guy who pilots a robot named a racial slur, the second most fleshed-out team is bland white Australian guys, and the Chinese team is there, kind of, in the background, but don't worry they're going to die first. The "character-driven story" turned out to be "various characters take turns punching aliens" but, sure, whatever, I love the MCU so why not.

The day I went from "Pacific Rim is overrated" to "Pacific Rim is the worst thing that has ever happened to human civilization, I'm extremely normal about this" was the day I saw a Tumblr post suggesting we replace the Bechdel test with the Mako Mori test. Because Mako Mori has her own plot and doesn't kiss North Carolina at the end, making her a whole new type of feminist icon.

To which I was like:

We are talking about the same movie here, right? The Pacific Rim that can't even pass the Bechdel test? The Pacific Rim that's all about might-makes-right, the Pacific Rim that has ONE speaking role for ONE female character in its (from IMDB) 50-person cast? The Pacific Rim that repeatedly puts its only female character in danger and has her rescued by first Idris Elba then North Carolina? THAT Pacific Rim?

Is there a different Mako Mori I haven't met? Because the one I've seen a) has a character arc driven by deciding whether to obey her father or follow her heart, which is as inoffensive and stale as an unblessed communion wafer, b) does nothing that Ellen Ripley didn't do 30 years earlier, but with about 5% of the character depth Ripley got, and c) stands there in silence looking sad as two men punch each other over the question of her virtue.

Any post assuming this movie invented the idea of "small Asian woman kicks monster ass" needs to learn its damn history. Especially the ones acting like her being physically small is somehow a feminist bonus. There's something embarrassingly ahistorical about the whole thing.

And look. I get how we got here. I know how easily Tumblr backs you into a rhetorical corner of "calling a story Good can never mean merely 'enjoyable'; calling a story Good must mean 'virtuous'". Until next thing you know you're arguing that actually, shipping Obi-Wan/Darth Vader is a net good for all of society, because gay divorced middle-aged tyrants who use supplemental oxygen and murdered their exes in a custody dispute over the one kid (out of two) they actually care about deserve to see themselves in sci fi too! You only end up in that corner because half the time you're arguing against someone who says that shipping Obi-Wan/Darth Vader is literally the same thing as supporting father-son incest, so your real reasons for shipping them (1. foe yay, 2. old man yaoi) seem wildly insufficient.

Much of what I see about Pacific Rim seems neck-deep in the "it's not allowed to be a Good Movie unless it single-handedly dismantles the patriarchy" fallacy. There's nothing progressive about shipping two dudes best known for chopping off each other's body parts with laser swords. And there's nothing progressive about a movie having its only female character hug the male protagonist at the end instead of kissing him. You're allowed to like a thing just because it's well-made, without acting like a bog-standard normatively-broey action flick somehow invented a new form of feminism. Anyway, "Pacific Rim is a perfectly fine movie" is the hill I will die upon, heretical though it may be.