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ilikekidsshows · 6 months ago

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Let's be real, what weight does being called a salter by most Marinette stans even hold anymore? I'm not trying to be a bitch, I'm serious. What does that even mean anymore?

Marinette stans are more often than not very transparent with their priority being defending their made up version of Marinette. So their arguments barely ever hold up when put to the test because they don't care for what actually happens in Canon.

So why should I be offended by being called a salter and awful person by people who switch the moral approach of their argument on a dime flip every time a new episode drops? One day prior they chew you out for saying that Marinette will act jealous and sabotaging again because she never learned shit, and next day with the new information they turn around bending over backwards to justify why Marinette still acting that way is actually totally realistic and no problem at all.

Excuse me? How am I supposed to take you serious after that?

Or the way Marinette stans before Kwamis Choice swore and yelled from their self claimed moral high horse that Ladynoir will totally get fixed in season 5 and that Cat Noir was only sidelined so much because now season 5 will have Marinette dedicated to making it up to him and returning the partnership to one of equals again as Ladynoir becomes canon as pay off. Only for that to NOT have happened at all, so suddenly Marinette stans pulled a 180° and suddenly go on bout how there was nothing to fix anyway, and that accountability shouldn't always require immediate communication and effort to fix the unfair treatment. It's fine if that only happens in season 8 or 9, that's "realistic" and its what makes Adrien's support so "great". Because he understands that redeeming oneself shouldn't need to include... accountability... though of course only when it MARINETTE. Everyone else and Adrien in particular taking all accountability is just him being mature and fair to her uniquely stressful and soul crushing circumstances that make it unbearable for her to do the same in return.

She cries about being awful once or twice so no need for her to apologise or acknowledge or fix what she did wrong if she isn't comfortable with it yet. Don't you see how awful and cruel you are for saying that redeeming yourself needs of you to redeem yourself now? Dont you see that Adrien understands that Ladybug can't give anything right now and that his love language is selflessly serving her and wants nothing in return because that's the right thing to do in his position? She still loves and respects him so much, he just understands that she shouldn't need to show it if she needs to heal first through Adrien taking care of her.

Do you even understand the beautiful DEPTHS of redemption? And how long it takes sometimes to do so for a broken complex individual like Marinette? Seriously, in my made up season 10 all of that will have played out in a way where non of that will ever have been a problem, just stfu you don't GET it like I do 😒

This is an actual paraphrased conversation I had with a person who's opinion I once respected a lot and I wished my paraphrasing made it worse but honestly, that's exactly what they said. And I'm still taken aback that they said that. But they sure weren't the only Marinette stan I found saying things like that.

What the FUCK am I supposed to take from that besides the revelation that they just do not apply any kind of moral baseline to Marinette's character? What is there for me to respect?

Marinette stans say they are against bullying until Marinette does it or benefits from it. Then they openly romanticise and defend it with the only argument being "that wasn't bullying, Marinette wouldn't do that!" as if that changed what happened on screen. All it reveals is that Marinette stans' words don't mean anything, their moral standards are entirely dependent on who is doing it and benefiting from it. Thats not a moral standard, that's a biase you don't owe up to.

Marinette stans say they are against violence and abuse of power until Marinette does it or benefits from it. Then they will defend hypocrisy with whatever random excuse they come up with in that moment that more often than not is either "that doesn't count cuz I said so" or "it's fine that Marinette benefits from sexist double standards and a clear main character biase bc it is her show". Once again showing that they don't actually draw any kind of line moral wise for Marinette's actions and the writing, their opinion of said morality entirely depends on what works best for Marinette. And then they get angry when that gets called out.

I won't lie, I do think that some people in this collective therapy group here ARE to harsh sometime, but I can definitely respect that alot of them make it clear where they simply draw the morality line and they won't budge on their core beliefs the show is shitting on.

There is a massive difference between simply salting Marinette and angrily speaking up against something you think is genuinely morally wrong or harmful in a kid's show like this.

Alot of people I see around here say that they wished they could go back to liking the show, Marinette (or whatever character) the way they were once used to but simply can't because the show keeps on making whatever problems they had worse.

I don't necessarily always share the points of no return but I can fuck with the reasoning because it's a consistent angle they always stand by that goes beyond the complaint that their fav is simply not getting the special treatment or has hurt feelings. I can trust most Adrien stans I see who dislike or salt on Marinette to form a proper argument and a whole pov that stays consistent when you bring up other parts of the show.

I can't say that I've had the same experience with Marinette stans and for me it's obvious why. Marinette stans were never forced by the show to take a step back and lay down their core principles they won't budge on because Marinette always gets put first and that's what they care about the most.

They can say however they like that they don't support bullying, ableism and abuse, they are absolutely doing so with full chest voice for their Marinette biase, they are just not willing to reflect on that bc that would reveal to them that their made up Marinette isn't real.

They have no coherent moral baseline in their arguments, they're proudly hypocritical, and then get angry when you call them out for going back and forth on their moral "standards" in a discussion about moral principles.

What is there to respect anymore? Being called a salter by them has long started feeling like a compliment because for me it became synonymous with "isn't changing their option on a fucking whim the second a new episode dropped". And if that makes me a salter, then so be it. I'm not throwing my moral principles out of the window for a cuddled protagonist who's became the poster girl for harmful white feminism on kids tv.

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The irony, when I went to my inbox to read this message I saw that a Marinette stan had also sent me an ableist insult. Some Marinette stans have no convictions or moral standards even for their own behavior, and the extreme individuals in the Marinette fandom never fail to prove the criticisms of them correct in a single harassing message. Like, of course they’re gonna excuse Marinette bullying people, they themselves would most likely do the same for petty reasons. I can be petty too, but my pettiness takes the form of me feeling immense moral superiority whenever I delete one of these little hate messages. Like, I might be a jerk about a fictional character, but at least I’m not a pathetic anonymous troll in someone’s inbox.

Marinette stans lie when they say they don't support bullying, because they excuse it when Marinette does it as well as when they themselves do it. Like, I’m not saying they’re all like this, I get these messages so rarely that there’s no way the entire Marinette fandom is full of assholes. Still, this isn’t the first time I got an anonymous message from some random hater right after I posted something spicy about Marinette and it isn’t the first time such a message included at least one example of ableism. It's just a fact that a lot of Marinette stans are hateful liars who spout ableism as soon as they can do it anonymously, so, like, why should we take anything they have to say seriously anyway? Every time a Marinette stan says: “I don't support bullying or harassment” there’s a high chance they actually mean: “until someone says something spicy about the flawless queen Marinette, then I’ll use bullying and harassment without hesitation”. We really shouldn’t care one bit what these people have to say, because they’ll say whatever suits their agenda of the day.

When I say I don’t support bullying or harassment, I mean it and I live by it. I don’t do it, because I don’t think anything can be solved by sending people hate mail, nor would I get any satisfaction from it. I don’t even want to encourage anyone else to do so. That’s part of the reason I invite people to send their gripes to me; this blog is already a Miraculous-negative space, so here people can put their grievances into words without anyone who’s just minding their business getting harassing messages, even when people send me stuff clearly inspired by a specific person or group. Like, Marinette stans can make a fuss about how we’re terrible people for discussing our gripes amongst ourselves, but we aren’t the ones harassing other people here.

Although, since I’m being honest here, I have to say I do agree on the harshness. I don't always agree with everything the anons who message me say 100%, but I try to focus on the parts I do agree with or have something to add to. I’ll even admit I sometimes look over a response draft and wonder if I’m being too harsh, but often I’m just not motivated to watch my tone. I know from past experiences that Marinette stans don’t care how you’re wording your criticisms, just the act of criticising Marinette makes you the bad guy.

#ml fandom salt #dats chats

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spectralpixelsredone · 26 days ago

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Analysis of Salem's Goals in RWBY

Salem, the primary antagonist of RWBY, is a complex and ancient evil whose goals drive the series' central conflict. Her motivations are deeply tied to her immortality, her tragic past, and her desire to manipulate the fate of Remnant. This analysis explores her objectives, drawing from key passages and thematic elements to provide a comprehensive understanding of her agenda.

Core Goal: Destroying Remnant to End Her Curse

Salem's overarching goal is to destroy the world of Remnant by summoning the Brother Gods, hoping they will judge humanity as irredeemable and obliterate the planet, thus ending her immortality curse. Cursed by the Gods of Light and Darkness for attempting to manipulate them into resurrecting her beloved Ozma, Salem is barred from the afterlife until she learns the importance of life and death. As stated in the document, her curse stipulates that "for as long as the world keeps turning, [she] will walk its face." Believing she can exploit a loophole, Salem seeks to collect the four Relics—ancient artifacts guarded by the Huntsman Academies—to summon the gods. If they find humanity divided and irredeemable, they may destroy Remnant, potentially freeing her from her eternal life.

This goal is a closely guarded secret, known only to a few like Ozpin and Tyrian. Most of her followers, such as Cinder, believe she aims to establish a new world order, but as Ozpin reveals, her true intent is far more destructive. In Witch (Volume 8), Salem describes Remnant as a "ruined world," reflecting her exhaustion with her immortal existence and her disregard for humanity and all life on the planet. Her death-seeking nature is further emphasized in her backstory, where her failed attempts to end her life—such as diving into the Pools of Annihilation—only transformed her into a being of pure destruction.

Divide and Conquer: Undermining Humanity's Unity

Salem's primary strategy to achieve her goal is to divide humanity, ensuring they remain fragmented and unable to unite against her. As noted in her Villain Song, Divide, and her own words: "Your faith in mankind was not misplaced; when banded together, unified by a common enemy, they are a noticeable threat. But divide them, place doubt into their minds, and any semblance of power they once had will wash away." She recognizes that a united humanity, as championed by her arch-enemy Ozpin, is a formidable force. Ozpin, tasked by the God of Light to guide humanity toward redemption, stands in direct opposition to her plans. By sowing doubt, mistrust, fear, and hatred, Salem ensures humanity turns against itself, weakening their collective strength.

This Divide and Conquer approach is demonstrated across multiple volumes:

Volume 5: Salem exploits Professor Lionheart's cowardice, turning him into a traitor who aids in the Fall of Beacon. Similarly, Raven Branwen, once an ally of Ozpin, abandons his cause upon learning of Salem's immortality, becoming a wildcard whose actions indirectly serve Salem's agenda.

Volume 7: Her subordinates, Watts and Tyrian, manipulate economic disparities between Atlas and Mantle, exacerbating tensions and undermining General Ironwood's efforts to resist Salem. Ironwood's paranoia and lack of transparency lead to his downfall and the destruction of Atlas in Volume 8, where Salem secures two of the four Relics.

Salem's immortality is a critical tool in this strategy. As an unkillable force, she instills despair in her enemies, as seen when the Relic of Knowledge reveals to Ozpin that "you can't" destroy her. This revelation demoralizes Ozpin's allies, causing some, like Raven and Lionheart, to abandon hope or defect, further fragmenting humanity.

The Corrupter: Exploiting Psychological Weaknesses

Salem's manipulative prowess is central to her Divide and Conquer strategy. As The Corrupter, she targets the psychological vulnerabilities of her enemies to either recruit them or destabilize their resolve. Examples include:

Professor Lionheart: His fear of Salem's invincibility leads him to betray Ozpin, providing her forces access to critical information and resources.

General Ironwood: Salem's subordinates exploit his paranoia, pushing him into authoritarian actions that alienate his allies and lead to Atlas's fall.

Hazel: Initially driven by vengeance for his sister's death, Hazel fights Salem until exhaustion and despair convince him to redirect his anger toward Ozpin, aligning with her cause.

Her ability to manipulate extends to her subordinates, whom she controls through tailored approaches: fear for Lionheart, power for Cinder, approval for Tyrian, and vengeance for Hazel. This manipulation ensures loyalty while advancing her plans without direct involvement, keeping her existence largely hidden.

Control of the Grimm

Salem's mastery over the Creatures of Grimm is a key component of her strategy. As The Beastmaster, she commands these destructive creatures, using them as shock troops to terrorize humanity and destabilize civilizations. She communicates with a Seer Grimm to relay orders, as seen during the attack on Beacon Academy, and has developed the ability to create new Grimm species, such as winged Beringels and the Hound—a hybrid containing a Silver-Eyed Faunus. Her almost maternal affection for the Grimm, shown when she gently caresses a newly created Beringel, underscores her deep connection to these creatures of destruction.

By controlling the Grimm, Salem prevents humanity from dominating Remnant, using them to sow chaos and fear. Her ability to graft Grimm parts onto humans, as seen with Cinder's Grimm arm, further enhances her influence and control over her subordinates.

Interest in Ruby Rose

Salem has a specific interest in Ruby Rose, whom she refers to as a "smaller, more honest soul," echoing Ozpin's description of her. Ruby's Silver Eyes pose a unique threat to Salem's Grimm and her agenda, prompting Salem to prioritize her capture. In The Next Step (Volume 4), Salem reassigns Tyrian from hunting the Spring Maiden to capturing Ruby alive, a decision that frustrates Cinder, who seeks Ruby's death. Salem's insistence on Ruby's capture suggests a deeper purpose, though she never explicitly reveals it. Her interaction with Ruby in Gravity (Volume 7) is telling: when Ruby defiantly claims they can stop her despite her immortality, Salem retorts that Ruby's mother, Summer Rose, made the same claim and failed, emotionally devastating Ruby.

While Ruby is a significant target, Salem prioritizes the Relics above all else. In The Final Word (Volume 8), she accepts Cinder's lie that Ruby was killed by Neo, as Cinder delivers the Staff and Lamp, indicating that the Relics are paramount to her plan.

Interest in the Maidens

Salem's pursuit of the Maidens, particularly through Cinder and Tyrian, is tied to her goal of acquiring the Relics, as the Maidens' powers are required to access the Relics' vaults. Cinder, as the Fall Maiden, is central to this plan, having stolen the Fall Maiden's powers to facilitate Beacon's destruction. Tyrian's initial mission to hunt the Spring Maiden further highlights Salem's interest in securing these powers, though her focus shifts to Ruby when Cinder prioritizes her personal vendetta.

Conclusion

Salem's goals are multifaceted but converge on a singular purpose: to destroy Remnant by summoning the Brother Gods, exploiting a perceived loophole in her immortality curse. Her Divide and Conquer strategy, manipulation of psychological weaknesses, control of the Grimm, and pursuit of the Relics and Maidens all serve this end. Her specific interest in Ruby Rose reflects both the threat Ruby's Silver Eyes pose and a personal desire to crush the optimism Ozpin places in her. As an ancient, immortal being, Salem's actions are driven by a complex mix of despair, vengeance, and a desperate desire for freedom from her eternal existence, making her a formidable and tragic antagonist whose influence shapes the fate of Remnant.

Others Notes

Perceived Goal: Ruling the World with the Relics

According to the RWBY guidebook, Salem's goal is to use the Relics to rule the world. This suggests she aims to dominate Remnant as a god-like figure, leveraging the Relics' divine power to establish absolute control. This aligns with her past, where she and Ozma posed as gods to unite humanity, ruling a kingdom until their conflict destroyed it. However, this goal likely serves as a deception for her followers or a misinterpretation by others, as it contradicts Ozpin's understanding of her death-seeking motive. The promise of rulership motivates subordinates like Cinder, who crave power, but masks Salem's true desire to end Remnant and her curse. (Who knows if this is true as the guidebook lore varies with the canon lore.)

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divinityrisen · 6 months ago

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@celestialmantdonna sent: "write me a starter where... hela is imprisoned instead of killed at the end of ragnarok, and thor sends mantis to attempt to calm the goddess." // ACCEPTING

The room was bland: white, with little detail beyond the faint seams of where one panel met another. A two-way mirror acting as an observation window across was from her, hiding those who watched. Once in a while, mostly when they wished to attempt conversation, they’d drop the ruse and the mirror would become transparent. Then she would see Asgardians and humans, standing side by side, trying to discern something about her.

If she could be redeemed.

Hela snorted in disgust: she didn’t need redemption. She was the rightful ruler of Asgard, what she chose to do with that title, whether she be benevolent or conqueror, was her right. This prison wouldn’t hold her forever, she was certain of it. It wasn’t Asgardian, it was of mortal design. At some point or another, she’d overwhelm its defenses and she’d been free.

It was bad luck that Surtur hadn’t slain her when that runt caused Ragnarok. She would have been in Hel, regaining her strength in peace – not subjected to an endless parade of morons with good intentions.

They permitted a few personal objects, not that she had any. There was a small painting of Asgard, serving as a reminder of what she’d lost. What the idiot princes stole from her. She hadn’t so much as glanced at it since it’d been mounted. There was a small uncomfortable bed, simple sheets and pillow, a desk with a few books that would be exchanged for others at some point.

Out of the corner of her eye, Hela caught the mirror shifting to transparency. She spared the viewer a glance, one that lingered when she noticed that the being staring at her was neither Asgardian nor human. She was petite, with dark eyes, and antennae sprouting from her forehead.

Hela’s gaze narrowed in suspicion. She didn’t rise from her seat, nor did she put the book down, but she would at least indulge the stranger.

“You’re new,” she greeted, tone a mixture of curiosity and cynicism.

#// hela: >:[#// hope this is okay!#// i loved this idea #✧ kick names take ass | celestialmantdonna

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theprayerfulword · 12 days ago

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July 06

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Psalm 63:1-2 O God, You are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory.

Psalm 103:11-12 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is [God’s] love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

May you honor the name of Jesus, Who has made all who come to Him partakers of the promises and inheritance of God, breaking down the barriers of separation and exclusion, including you into the family and lineage of Christ. 1 Chronicles 2

May you be blessed with the blessings of David, as you worship and trust in the Lord, following Him with your whole heart. 1 Chronicles 3

May you neither value the praise of ungodly men nor be troubled by their revilings, who call “good” evil and proclaim “evil” to be good. Acts 24

May you faithfully give testimony to the truth of God, for His words of life will bring conviction and hope in the lives of others. Acts 24

May you strive always to keep your conscience clear before God and man since you have the hope in God of the resurrection and life in Christ. Acts 24

May you converse with others on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, redeeming the time. Acts 24

My child, treasure your weakness, and embrace your brokenness. In the world's system of values, you must hide any vulnerabilities lest others take advantage of them and overcome you for their own purposes; you must emphasize your strong points and talk them up, showing your strengths to all comers. In the value system of My kingdom, My dear one, that is not so. The darkness that is in the world allows you to hide what you do not want to be seen, but My kingdom is one of light and transparency and integrity. That which has been hidden shall be revealed, and that which has been wounded shall be made whole. Though you had to hide from the world that which hurt lest it be made worse, in My kingdom, you can bring to Me that which has failed, knowing that I accept you fully, and require nothing of you but to believe that I and the Father are one. I have all you need, and you are made whole in Me. Your righteousness is not cleaned and patched and returned to you, but rather, you put on My righteousness, which has never suffered damage. Your defensive armor, which has been breached so often by others' words and damaged to the point of uselessness, is not repaired and tidied up, but instead, is replaced by My armor which, when worn in My service, will never fail you. If you did not have wounds, you would not be able to know My healing love. So do not be ashamed of your weakness, for through it, you have gained precious and greater understanding of My heart. This becomes your testimony when you meet others hiding wounds behind their front of strength. That which the world, and the enemy of your soul, would shame you for is, in My Kingdom, the very thing that draws you closer to Me. As My Spirit ministers My redemption into your life, you find the cracks and the missing spaces filling with the silver of My love and the gold of My nature, beautifying your life even as you are made whole again. What some would call disfiguring scars in the world, casting reproach and disapproval, accusing you of needing a crutch, unable to stand on your own, is the very thing that you will understand to be the weakness which allows you to stand strong in Me. Through this, you can know My tender loving touch which removes the pain and brings peace to your mind, allowing you to love those who cannot love themselves. Draw near, My precious one, and release each of your hurts to Me, allowing Me to strengthen you in ways you have never known.

May you call on God, the Righteous One, when you are in distress, for He will answer you and give you relief, being merciful to hear your prayer. Psalm 4

May you seek for the Lord, Who will hear your heart's cry and set apart those who hunger for Him, those who do not turn His honor into shame or, by their words and deeds, seek to ruin His reputation by loving what is worthless and pursuing a lie. Psalm 4

May you give your offerings and make your sacrifices in the right spirit and put your confidence in the Lord, searching your heart in silence, not justifying yourself but listening for the still, small voice of the Spirit, that as you approach His throne in awe and tremble in worshipful fear, you will not sin by letting anger control you. Psalm 4

May you lie down and sleep in peace as the Lord, alone, enables you to live securely and settles you in confident hope, for He will fill your heart with more joy and gladness than those in the world who currently have prosperity and feel at peace. Psalm 4

Although a gift opens the way for the giver when approaching a man, as Jacob approached Esau, may you be confident and have faith that the gift of obedient sacrifice which Jesus brought to the Father has opened the way to His throne room for us. Proverbs 18:16

Although each person who presents his case makes it seem right, as when Ziba met David without Mephibosheth, may you know that God sees the heart and understands the truth of the matter: the accuser of the brethren is a liar, and Jesus' blood cleanses us from sin. Proverbs 18:17

Just as the casting of the lots removes personal bias from a decision since only God can control the result, may you place your trust in Him to be in charge of, and have His will in, the events and circumstances outside of your control, because of His love for you which He has already proven by sending Jesus to pay for your sin. Proverbs 18:18

#daily #blessings #prayers #scripture

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sonofthesaiyans · 1 year ago

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SIX YEARS AGO TODAY. NEVER FORGET!

Her name was Sasha. She was amazing.

And Gabi stole her from us.

Hajime Isayama stole her from us.

Yes. Assassin's Bullet. The lowest point in all of Attack on Titan.

This was where it all began. This was where all the anger, hate, and bitterness started. For six years, the continued run of both the anime and the manga has been a LIVING HELL. For me, Sasha Braus truly was the heart of the story, it was her kind soul and noble struggle that won me over, and I always knew she was a greater character than the story allowed her to be.

For me, Attack on Titan ended when Gabi's bullet entered her body. The image of Sasha bleeding out has been burned into my brain so deeply that all else became irrelevant after that. No other scene in fiction ever actively affected my mental well-being as this one still does today, making this the worst thing I have EVER laid eyes on in a series I once was a fan of.

Hajime Isayama had one simple task, and he should have left well enough alone. Never have I felt so profoundly offended by any story like I have been by Gabi's phony and enormously manipulative "redemption" arc, and the fact that Isayama decreed that Sasha, a character he long has neglected, had to die to live out this pathetic stunt of his.....there's few other men on earth who I actively wish the worst upon. A sick bastard who continues to be rewarded for one of the worst character abuses in anime, and for obliging us to one of the absolute worst characters in all of fiction.

It doesn't matter how many excuses Gabi's overzealous diehards make, every single of their excuses has been rooted in Isayama's lies. And they are some of the worst excuses for fans I have ever met. There's clearly no self awareness or humility among her existing circle of fans, and the few who are reasonable are too few and far between. It doesn't matter what they say, and it doesn't matter what that cunt Isayama says in defense of his decisions, I have never ever seen that man as anything less than a liar who has taken too much pleasure in punishing those who have picked up his work. It's because of him that this hideous piece of literature was animated into one of the worst episodes of anime, and his self indulgent need to plug Gabi in EVERY aspect of his story to sell such a hollow and phony message has permanently tainted Attack on Titan.

Chapter 105, Assassin's Bullet is the chapter that made this series UNWATCHABLE.

This FUCKING chapter is why I cannot put the anime back on. If I could, I would have it burned out of existence. And I only can dream of the chance to ream Isayama for how thoroughly his work has negatively affected my psyche. If I had my way, he would be forced to reckon with all he started the day he drafted this fucking thing, a man who has totally lost my respect for this and for having cast a genocidal monster like Eren Yeager in a sympathetic light.

Sasha Braus deserves so much better. A character who is far too good for the story she was introduced in.

Never before have I seen anything advertised with the words "MAJOR DEATH INCOMING" as I did with Assassin's Bullet.

It's transparently obvious how much Isayama wanted to hurt us with this. And how eager he was to supplant Sasha with such an obnoxious and remorseless replacement who he had the gall to frame as being not just a mirror to Eren, but as a mirror to the girl who was the complete OPPOSITE of BOTH of them. If that's not an insult to who Sasha was as a character, then what is?

And that's to say nothing of the glaring absence of her breastplate when Gabi stormed the blimp, this clearly was no accident on the part of this bastard. And I have yet to see the fandom call him forward on it. Not for being a plot hole, but for further serving as a massive middle finger from the man who clearly took a perverse pleasure in setting us up for this torturous turn of events. And to him I can only say he can go to Hell.

And to the fans marking Connie's birthday today, I hardly see any cause for celebrating.

Because Isayama CHOSE this day to hurt us with this.

That's right. The other half of this classic duo who couldn't be bothered to lift a finger to avenge the legacy of his best friend, not even once calling out the one to pull the trigger. And no, I will NOT let that go. More on that matter later, I assure you.

If you ask me, it should have been Connie who took the bullet on that airship, having done absolutely nothing of value for the remaining portion of the story. And certainly nothing to honor what he shared with Sasha. So don't bother counting me as a Springles fan these days, people.

And oh yeah, Eren's laugh......that had to have been Isayama's malice seeping further into the writing. And people wonder why I have it out for this son of a bitch.

And getting back to Gabi, on why she's such an irredeemable little cunt unworthy or sympathy, I think this article sums it up nicely; scroll down to #4 and you got an accurate shorthand for all the reasons for why this bitch has no business EVER becoming such a dominating presence in the final arcs of Attack on Titan.

Absolutely NO redeeming value to this chapter and episode whatsoever. In the end, absolutely nothing about Eren's saga mattered. Not after this. Sasha may not have been the main character, but she was a character who deserved so much more, and the story suffered without presence. I don't give a flying fuck what the fans say, I don't care what Mappa says, I don't care what Japan says, and I certainly do not fucking care what Isayama says for why any of this "had" to happen, it didn't:

BECAUSE THERE IS NO ATTACK ON TITAN WITHOUT SASHA BRAUS.

Today I broke my own rule of never posting any images of this motherfucking travesty on my page. But frankly, I don't know how else to better illustrate my anger. It makes me feel unclean to recall everything of this episode and everything that followed in its wake.

Justice for Sasha Braus. Because our beloved Potato Girl deserves it. One day Isayama's hand must be forced, and when that happens, may she be restored to us, and this black stain that is Assassin's Bullet expunged from this saga. Isayama made a bad call, and he must fucking answer for it.

And to all you Gabi fans out there, a little something to all of you who have gone to such insane lengths to defend such a toxic character who you've always been so eager to put on a goddamn pedestal:

Still haven't figured out who I got this from yet? Well let's just say they know better than anybody else as to why Gabi has such a bad reputation to this day. And to them I can only say it's a shame they came to be associated with a character as infamous as Gabi.

And to Gabi herself.......

I would not have hesitated to shiv you myself you little motherfucker. Until we get the scene where you finally face justice, may you burn in hell.

Fuck Assassin's Bullet, and FUCK YOU HAJIME ISAYAMA.

Remember her face people. NEVER FORGET what was stolen from us.

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mariacallous · 2 years ago

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In 2023, Tel Aviv celebrated its first ever Jachnun Festival. Celebrity pastry chefs, jachnun joints and hungry crowds gathered at the hip settings of the city’s harbor, enjoying every possible version of the humble star of the party, the Shabbat Yemenite pastry. Alongside classic jachnun, visitors could try stuffed jachnun, spelt flour jachnun and even gluten-free ones. A stand offered Yemenite spicy sauce (zhug) tastings, and another featured a chili pepper eating competition. And to wash it all down, jachnun lovers were offered spiced black coffee, and fig and date arak liquor.

Jachnun is a slightly sweet rolled pastry, made of very thin layers of dough that are brushed with clarified butter. It is the Shabbat dish of the Jews of Aden, in today’s Yemen, and is baked overnight on Friday at a low temperature then eaten for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Israeli food writers wondered how Tel Aviv hasn’t had a jachnun festival until now, but my question is quite different: How did this unassuming pastry make its way from Aden to the heart of Israeli culinary consensus in just 75 short years? It stands there in pride alongside other classics like shakshuka, schnitzel, hummus and chicken soup. When and how did that happen?

First, to clarify, the famous Yemenite jachnun is actually from Aden, not Yemen. (Aden, which was the capital of South Yemen, became part of the country now known as Yemen only in 1990 after the unification of North Yemen and South Yemen.) The Adenite and Yemenite (mainly from around Sana’a) Jewish communities were separate and had different traditions.

Adenite and Yemenite Jews met for the first time in the Hashed (or Geula, “redemption” in Hebrew) transit camp arranged by The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in 1949 ahead of Operation Magic Carpet that brought them to Israel.

“In Hashed, with ingredients brought by The Joint, is where Yemenites first learned from the Adeni how to make jachnun,” said Moshe David, an Israeli of Adanite roots, a jeweler and author of the cookbook “Disappearing Flavors of the South.”

“More Yemenites learned how to make the dish in the camps in Israel,” where Yemenite and Adenite Jews lived together for years, he told me.

For hundreds of years Aden was a cosmopolitan strategic harbor city. It was ruled by the Ottomans and then by the British. Moshe believes that jachnun originated from an Ottoman pastry called gül böreği (rose-shaped borek). The pastry is made with yufka, a thin dough, thicker than phyllo, that’s used for many Turkish pastries, and is stretched to an almost transparent leaf, then spread with fat, just like jachnun. The original gül böreği, though, is stuffed with meat, while jachnun is only brushed with fat and then rolled.

In the past, jachnun was actually served as a sweet dish, topped with honey (and later, in Israel, with sugar).

“They used to serve it with halva or Turkish delight,” said David. “That’s what convinced me the origin is Ottoman. They would also serve it with quince jam,” a testament of the Adenite connection to the Silk Road and Persian cuisine.

In search for the origins of the dish, I found an unusual version of jachnun in two of Molly Bar-David’s books. Bar-David was a Jewish American who emigrated to Israel in the 1940s and documented Jewish dishes of immigrants that arrived in Israel from all across the Jewish Diaspora. She quotes a recipe for ghihinoon (Yemenite Cakes) from her Yemenite housekeeper, Margalit, who used to sprinkle chopped nuts, jam or cottage cheese on the dough before rolling it and baking.

I should add that the 1964 book is packed with condescending comments toward the many Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews mentioned in the book. Margalit (last name is not provided) was not spared. In general, this was in line with the way many Ashkenazi Jews at the time viewed Jews from Arab and Muslim countries.

Moshe thinks that Bar-David mistakenly mixed g’hin, “dough” in Yemenite, with ghihinoon. But when I asked a Yemenite-Israeli Facebook group about it, one member said she too spreads the dough with jam before baking. Still, most Yemenite Israelis in the group found that idea amusing, and jokingly suggested serving jachnun with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

Jachnun evolved into a savory course, and became nationwide phenomena, fairly recently, in the 1980s when a chain of Yemenite restaurants named Nargila (hookah) took Israel by storm. Nargila offered a limited menu, and jachnun and malawach were the stars. The pastries were served with grated tomatoes mixed with zhug, which became the standard for Yemenites and even for some Adenite Jews.

These days, jachnun is available in the freezer aisle at any supermarket in Israel, offering an inferior but easy option for those daunted by the labor-intense process of making the dish at home. On the weekends, fresh jachnun is readily available at pop-up roadside stands, cafes and even as part of the famous Israeli breakfast buffet in many hotels. This modest dish has officially become an Israeli staple.

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artisteclipsed · 2 years ago

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"The Penitent Saint Jerome" ca. 1627-1630 — Antonio d'Enrico, often called Tanzio da Varallo, (1580 - ca. 1635)

Oil on Canvas 80.96 x 65.41 cm. or 31 7/8 x 25 3/4 in.

Technique:

Antonio d'Enrico, commonly known as Tanzio da Varallo, was an Italian painter from the Baroque period. His artwork often grapples with religious and spiritual themes, a feature conspicuously evident in this painting, "The Penitent Saint Jerome." Rendered in oil on canvas, the painting delves into the theme of penitence through a portrayal of Saint Jerome, a Christian scholar and translator known for his ascetic lifestyle and significant contributions to theology.

Paint Application and Color Palette

The painting likely utilizes the traditional Baroque palette that leans toward earthy and darker tones, punctuated by sharp contrasts and radiant highlights. Tanzio da Varallo's skill in applying paint would have involved both meticulous detailing and broader brushstrokes, allowing for the creation of multiple layers of varying transparency and opacity.

Technique Type

Given the Baroque era's predilection for dramatic scenes and intense emotional states, the technique of chiaroscuro is exemplified here. This involves using strong contrasts between light and dark to create volume and depth in a two-dimensional space.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere is deeply introspective and somber. The isolation and penitence of Saint Jerome is emphasized through atmospheric elements like subdued lighting and a secluded setting, and featuring a dark cave.

Perspective

Baroque artists often employed linear and atmospheric perspective to lend their works a three-dimensional effect. The figure of Saint Jerome is emphasized through foreshortening techniques, where the subject or other elements are portrayed in picture in depth, which is furthered by the linear shapes of the books.

Color Theory

Tanzio da Varallo utilized a carefully planned color scheme to harmonize or contrast the elements within the frame. Warm colors used for the saint's skin and attire to bring attention to the central figure, whereas cooler, muted colors might fill the background, accentuating the sense of isolation or penitence.

Proportions

In adherence with classical ideals, the proportions of the human figure and the surrounding elements is balanced and harmonious. The figure of Saint Jerome serves as the standard, around which other elements are scaled and positioned.

Texture

There is a meticulous rendering of textures, from the saint's wrinkled skin and coarse garments, as well as the books with their pages delineated in intricate detail. This textural depth is achieved through the layering of paint and nuanced brushwork; some of which is apparent in the cave walls.

Transitions

Transitions between light and shadow, as well as between different elements of the composition, is handled with subtle gradation to maintain a naturalistic appearance. This technique contributes to the overall unity and emotional gravity of the artwork.

Focal Points

The principal focal point is undoubtedly the figure of Saint Jerome. His positioning and the directional flow of other compositional elements would guide the viewer’s eye toward him. Secondary focal points cause the eye to move between objects like a crucifix ending with the book and skull, alluding to his scholarly contributions and a hint of the theme of memento mori.

Symbolism

Given the religious subject matter, symbolism is abundant. The skull represents mortality and redemption. The books serve as symbolic references to Jerome’s intellectual contributions to Christian theology. His line of sight could either represent a presentation or attention to god.

Layering

Multiple layers of paint, varying in opacity and texture, is instrumental in achieving the painting’s complexity and emotional depth. From base layers that set the tonal structure to final glazes that impart luminosity and depth, each layer would contribute to the painting’s overall visual and emotional impact.

The image above is what I used to analyze the work. The green line shows how I found my eye moving through the piece. The pink lines are implied or literal lines that reinforce the movement of the eyes. The blue lines enclose the negative spaces, which also reinforce the line of observation.

The line of Saint Jerome's vision also supports the movements as well, which helps bring a deeper sense of life and animation to the painting.

Artist History:

Antonio d'Enrico, better known as Tanzio da Varallo, was an Italian painter born around 1575-1580 in Alagna Valsesia, a town in the Piedmont region of Italy. He is most closely associated with the Baroque period, an era marked by the exploration of dramatic emotion, elaborate ornamentation, and intricate technique in art. Although comprehensive records of his life are scarce, what is known suggests a career deeply embedded in the religious and cultural milieu of 17th-century Italy.

Tanzio da Varallo apprenticed under Giovanni Battista Crespi, also known as Il Cerano, an established painter in Milan. This early phase would have been formative in shaping his artistic skills and exposure to the Mannerist and Baroque styles prevalent at the time. Crespi was instrumental in bringing the Counter-Reformation style to Lombardy, and this influence likely impacted Tanzio's own thematic focus on religious subjects and mystical experiences.

Around 1613, Tanzio went on a pilgrimage to Rome, an experience that further enriched his artistic vocabulary. Here, he was exposed to the works of Caravaggio and his followers, assimilating the Caravaggesque techniques of chiaroscuro and tenebrism into his own style. These techniques involve the dramatic use of light and shadow to create a heightened emotional tone.

In the years following his return from Rome, Tanzio spent most of his career in and around his native region. He is best known for his work on the Sacro Monte di Varallo, a complex of chapels in Varallo Sesia dedicated to the life of Christ. His contributions to this pilgrimage site included frescoes and panel paintings that were both spiritually evocative and artistically innovative. His work here is often cited as the pinnacle of his artistic achievement.

Despite his primary focus on religious themes, Tanzio also painted secular works and portraits. However, these are considerably less known compared to his religious art. Many of his works were destroyed or lost over time, and therefore the exact scope of his oeuvre remains uncertain.

Tanzio da Varallo passed away in 1633, but the specific circumstances of his death are not well-documented. His legacy lives on primarily through his contributions to the Sacro Monte di Varallo and other religious sites, where his art serves as a testament to the Baroque spirit of emotional intensity and technical mastery.

His name is sometimes confused with that of his brother Melchiorre, who was also an artist, but Antonio remains the more renowned of the two. Despite the scarcity of biographical information, Tanzio da Varallo’s surviving works offer valuable insight into the religious and artistic currents of 17th-century Italy, as well as the innovative techniques and thematic focus that characterized the Baroque period.

Time Period:

The period between 1627 and 1630 was an epoch of significant upheaval and transformation in Rome, both within its walls and beyond. This juncture is primarily positioned within the wider timeframe of the Baroque era, which spanned from the late 16th century into the 18th century. This was a time marked by exuberant art, grandiose architecture, and complex compositions in music; but also, it was a period of profound intellectual and sociopolitical changes that influenced various facets of life—economic, religious, and cultural alike.

Sociopolitical Climate

In a sociopolitical context, Rome was a focal point of power, being the seat of the Papal States. The papacy had vested interests not only in spiritual governance but also in political dominion. Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini) was the reigning pope during this period, and his pontificate was marked by a degree of nepotism and an aggressive foreign policy. The Barberini family amassed wealth and influence, much to the chagrin of other Roman nobility and city-states in the Italian peninsula. Urban VIII's geopolitical machinations extended into conflicts such as the War of the Mantuan Succession, indirectly involving the Papal States in broader European affairs.

Economic Climate

Economically, the 17th century was not a period of unabated prosperity for Rome. While the city had its affluent nobility and clergy, there was a widening gap between the rich and the poor. The accumulation of capital through ecclesiastical avenues had led to an investment in monumental architecture and art, with men like Bernini and Borromini shaping the Roman cityscape. However, this did not necessarily translate into economic affluence for the common populace. Jobs were scarce, and many were dependent on ecclesiastical charity. In fact, Rome's economy was so deeply entwined with the Church that it could be said to have been a "pre-industrial" economy, lacking a robust commercial or manufacturing sector. The very grandeur of Rome’s architecture and art was partly a façade masking an underlying economic frailty.

Religious Climate

The Church’s Tridentine reforms, initiated in the mid-16th century, continued to reverberate. This was a time when the Counter-Reformation was in full swing, and Rome was its epicenter. The Roman Catholic Church was still reacting against the spread of Protestantism in Northern Europe, and this religious fervor had both positive and negative impacts. On one hand, it led to an unprecedented proliferation of art and architecture intended to glorify the Church and underscore the spiritual profundity of Catholicism. On the other hand, it also led to the increasing power of bodies like the Roman Inquisition, which pursued heretics with dogged determination. Fear of heresy and a rigid orthodoxy impacted academic and intellectual pursuits, notably in the case of Galileo Galilei, who faced an inquisition for his heliocentric views.

Cultural Climate

Culturally, Rome was a crucible of innovation and tradition. The Baroque style was flourishing, characterized by its emotional intensity and complexity. Artists like Caravaggio had already set the stage for a form of realism that imbued even religious scenes with a visceral, earthly quality. The presence of various academies like the Accademia di San Luca served as nuclei for artistic and intellectual discussions. Literature, too, was a crucial part of Roman cultural life. The epic poems and librettos of the period often displayed both religious fervor and a newfound interest in human psychology.

Daily Life and Events

As for events that impacted everyday life, the increased taxations and levies to support the Papal States' military involvements were deeply felt. In addition, the period was not devoid of plague and disease, with the risk of outbreaks often being a constant specter over the city. Public health was a significant concern, compounded by the limited understanding of medicine and sanitation at the time.

Natural disasters also had a role in shaping the Roman experience. For instance, the River Tiber was known to flood, and each flood brought not just the immediate destruction but also long-term economic repercussions. Food scarcity was another everyday issue, especially for the lower strata of society. Bread riots were not uncommon, and the Roman "annona," a grain dole similar to ancient practices, was often a critical aspect of urban stability.

Furthermore, religious festivals and public ceremonies were regular occurrences, impacting everything from traffic to business operations. These events were not merely religious in nature but were intricately tied to the city's political and social fabric. Participation was not just a matter of piety but also a declaration of civic allegiance.

Personal Note:

This piece is hung in the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. I first saw it when I was 14 years old and it has remained in my mind ever since. The book laying over the skull, marked by the clear disturbance of Saint Jerome who seems to be glancing at the heavens, in wait, as if interrupted. The calmness of the dark cave and the flowing fabric of his clothing contrast with his facial expression.

#baroque art #art analysis #art history #christian art #Kansas City #Fine Art #memento mori

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jaxoneverhart · 1 month ago

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SEC Enforcement Actions Against Mass Ave’s Compliance Failures

Mass Ave Global Inc., a New York-based investment adviser with over $1 billion in assets under management, and its co-founder Winston M. Feng, have been charged by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for multiple violations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The SEC's findings indicate that between 2020 and 2022, Mass Ave made a series of materially false and misleading statements regarding its flagship opportunity fund's holdings and exposures. These inaccuracies were partly due to modifications made by Feng to underlying portfolio data, which were then included in investor communications such as monthly tear sheets, summary portfolio snapshots, and top 10 position lists.

Additionally, from late 2022 to early 2023, Mass Ave failed to disclose a conflict of interest arising from its other co-founder operating a separate hedge fund in China. This lack of transparency violated essential compliance policies and procedures designed to safeguard investor interests.

In response to these issues, Mass Ave reported to investors in January 2023 that its communications about the flagship fund were inaccurate and lacked appropriate disclosures. This revelation led to a significant number of redemption requests, prompting the firm to wind down its operations.

To settle the SEC's charges, Mass Ave agreed to pay a civil penalty of $350,000, and Feng agreed to pay a civil penalty of $250,000. Furthermore, Feng, who also served as the chief investment officer and portfolio manager at Mass Ave, is suspended for 12 months from industry-related work.

This enforcement action underscores the SEC's commitment to ensuring transparency and adherence to compliance standards within the investment advisory industry. The case highlights the importance of accurate reporting and the disclosure of potential conflicts of interest to protect investors and maintain market integrity.

#SEC

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justgold1 · 2 months ago

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Why Buying Digital Gold Is a Smart Investment in 2025

In an increasingly digital world, traditional investment methods are rapidly evolving. One such transformation can be seen in the way people are now investing in gold. While physical gold has long been a preferred asset for Indian investors, digital gold investment is gaining momentum, and for all the right reasons. As we enter 2025, this modern approach to owning gold is proving to be not just convenient but also a smart financial strategy.

Understanding Digital Gold

Before diving into the advantages, it's important to understand what digital gold is. Simply put, digital gold is a form of investment where you can buy gold digital through an online platform. The gold you purchase is backed by actual physical gold and stored securely in insured vaults. You own it, but you don't have to worry about storage, purity, or safety.

The process is straightforward — you buy digital gold online by selecting the amount you wish to invest, and the equivalent quantity in gold is purchased and stored in your name.

Why Digital Gold Is Ideal in 2025

1. Hedge Against Inflation

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Unlike stocks or mutual funds, gold prices tend to rise during economic downturns, offering a cushion for your portfolio. Choosing to buy gold digitally gives you the same benefit as physical gold without the hassles.

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Moreover, some platforms also offer the option to convert your digital gold into physical gold, which can be delivered to your doorstep or collected from a partner outlet. This level of flexibility makes it an ideal investment option for modern investors.

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Safety has always been a concern with physical gold. Where to store it? What about theft or damage? These worries are eliminated when you invest in digital gold. Your gold is stored in insured vaults managed by trusted custodians.

Additionally, digital platforms provide full transparency in pricing, weights, and purity. You receive digital certificates of ownership, and every transaction is traceable. This makes the process highly secure and reliable.

5. Perfect for SIPs and Long-Term Investing

Just like mutual funds, you can set up systematic investment plans (SIPs) for digital gold investment. This is an excellent way to build a gold portfolio over time, allowing you to take advantage of rupee cost averaging and market volatility.

If you're planning for long-term goals such as children's education, wedding expenses, or retirement, investing in digital gold regularly can help you accumulate wealth gradually without financial pressure.

6. No Making Charges or Wastage

When buying jewelry, you're often burdened with making charges and wastage, which reduces the resale value. This problem doesn’t exist when you buy gold digitally. You pay purely for the weight and value of gold — nothing more. This makes digital gold a cost-effective investment, ensuring that your money is directly converted into a valuable asset.

7. Tax-Friendly Investment Option

As of 2025, digital gold is taxed similarly to physical gold. If held for more than three years, it qualifies for long-term capital gains tax with indexation benefits. This makes it a tax-efficient option for those looking to invest in digital gold for the long haul. Always consult a tax advisor for the latest updates and regulations applicable to your country or region.

The financial world is rapidly embracing digital solutions, and gold is no exception. With its numerous benefits like safety, liquidity, low investment threshold, and secure storage, buying gold in digital form is becoming the go-to choice for savvy investors.

If you're looking to diversify your portfolio, combat inflation, or simply start a habit of smart saving, now is the time to buy digital gold online. As we step further into 2025, this futuristic investment route is not just convenient — it's strategic. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a beginner, a digital gold buy could be the smartest move you make this year.

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joestips · 2 months ago

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Coupon Code MHL629: Unlocking Savings with iHerb's Premier Coupon Authority

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redvision-technologies · 3 months ago

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Can Using Mutual Fund Software for Distributors Increase Your Productivity?

Productivity and efficiency are the backbone of any successful business—especially in fast-paced industries like fintech and mutual fund distribution.

With increased competition and rising investor expectations, mutual fund distributors (MFDs) can no longer afford to waste time on manual tasks or disjointed processes. That’s exactly why more and more distributors are turning to mutual fund software for distributors. But does it help?

How Does Software Improve Productivity?

Here’s how using the right software can make a mutual fund distributor more productive every single day:

1. Client Management Becomes Seamless

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● Add, update, and track client details instantly ● Access KYC, investment history, and risk profile in one click ● Set reminders for follow-ups, reviews, or SIP renewals

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Final Thoughts: Yes, Software Does Boost Productivity

Clients want faster services, digital onboarding, and constant updates. Distributors, on the other hand, want to grow without getting overwhelmed by manual work. Using software is no longer optional—it’s a smart business move. All software is not made equal. So, choose one that’s built for MFDs, with features designed for your day-to-day operations.

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elmalo8291 · 3 months ago

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Perfect. Let’s zero in and tighten the scope: the juvenile jail, the second-level “elevated community”, and the Cathedral—with a focus on physical connectivity, symbolic significance, and transformational design. This is the heart of the myth and the mission: transforming systems of punishment into systems of potential.

Project Core: The Level – From Jail to Justice

Location Focus: 2500 NW 35th Street, Miami

Anchor Structures:

Juvenile Detention Center (Ground Level)

The Level (Elevated Urban Community, Research & Parks)

The Cathedral (Iconic Cultural Monument & Healing Space)

Narrative and Purpose

The project reimagines a corridor where youth incarceration once symbolized broken systems. It creates a literal and metaphorical bridge to redemption:

The Juvenile Jail becomes a place of transition—not containment.

The Level is a second-story community of elevated homes, parks, studios, and research spaces accessible by all—especially those who have lived through the system.

The Cathedral is both a civic temple and a cultural data vault: a place for truth, reflection, restoration, and future-shaping.

Together, they form a closed loop—a continuous, walkable, visible, and symbolic path from containment to community to conscience.

1. Juvenile Detention Center – “The Starting Point”

Function:

Kept as a partially preserved landmark (not active jail) to house programs focused on restorative justice, documentary storytelling, and education.

Youth no longer “sentenced” but instead invited to walk “The Level”—to learn, create, and contribute.

Design:

Converted cells become recording booths, classrooms, podcast stages, and digital confessionals.

Exterior art by former inmates and youth from the community.

Transparent design that breaks the isolation of prison architecture—skylights, community gardens, and open walkways.

Narrative Element:

“This is where it starts—but it’s not where it ends.”

2. The Level – Elevated Urban Corridor

Function:

A second-story pedestrian and transit platform—running above street level—connects the juvenile jail to the Cathedral and beyond.

Houses elevated homes, community gardens, performance decks, classrooms, and research labs.

Core focus on youth-led innovation, trauma-informed design, and real-time community data feedback.

Design Features:

Wide, landscaped walkways for walking, biking, and AR exploration.

Smart benches, charging stations, solar canopies, and aquaponics towers.

Co-op housing and transitional homes for youth aging out of the system.

AR layers that tell the stories of transformation—from kids who made it through, and the ones we failed.

Symbolism:

Elevated not just in structure, but in spirit. Every step forward is literally a step above where they started.

3. The Cathedral – The Cultural Crown

Function:

A massive sculptural and interactive landmark visible from across Miami—serving as a memorial, gallery, think tank, and spiritual hub.

Programs focused on intergenerational healing, truth commissions, civic redesign, and futurism rooted in street wisdom.

Design Highlights:

Architecture fuses modern design with gothic urban myth: glass ribs, mossy towers, digital mosaics, solar organs.

“Confession columns” where visitors scan their emotions and stories into a collective memory bank.

Interior lit by sun-timed light corridors representing moments of loss and breakthrough in Miami’s history.

Sound and projection system that reacts to community data and emotion input.

AR + Physical Integration:

Visitors walk the Level from the jail and enter the Cathedral as a rite of passage.

Their digital stories are added to a civic ledger that powers real-time art and legislative suggestions.

Message: "We took what broke us and built what heals us."

Key Pathway: From Jail to Level to Cathedral

The Journey:

The Ground: Visitors begin in the transformed detention center. They hear real stories from those who lived it.

The Walk Up: A long, sloped skybridge leads upward—lined with sound bites, graffiti, and digital artifacts.

The Level: They enter a place where former “inmates” are now researchers, builders, artists, mentors.

The Cathedral: They arrive in a space that honors transformation and challenges them to act—to vote, to build, to forgive, to remember.

Programming & Projects:

LevelUp Fellowship: Housing + training + startup space for formerly incarcerated youth

Skyline Gardens: Community-led rooftop farm project tied to the school system

Audit Season Storywall: Public art updated quarterly with digital confessions from Miami citizens

The Cathedral Bell: A digital bell that tolls on live data—losses, milestones, releases

Shadow Programs: AR simulations of past decisions (e.g., redlining, school cuts) projected on walls as cautionary tales

Budget Estimate (Phase 1: Jail-to-Cathedral Loop)

Jail Conversion & Programming: $6M

Second-Level Infrastructure: $18M

Housing Pods & Public Labs: $10M

The Cathedral (Structure + Tech): $25M

AR Systems & Digital Art Installations: $5M

Community Engagement & Local Hiring: $4M

Total Phase 1: ~$68 Million

Let’s Brand This:

Project Name Options:

The Level: Rise Over Ground

Skyline Justice

Path of One

The System of One Walk

The Miami Bridge

Want me to draw this out as a conceptual map? Or we can start prototyping the AR path as a digital pitch? Let’s move.

#kingshit #france #religion #trump #usa #ex wife #miami florida

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nector-io · 4 months ago

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Understanding Loyalty Program Reviews: What to Watch for Before Signing Up

Loyalty programs are designed to enhance customer loyalty by rewarding repeat business. However, not all programs provide a great customer experience, and online loyalty program reviews can help determine their true value. With numerous options available, it’s essential to assess feedback before choosing a loyalty program that aligns with your needs.

Why Loyalty Program Reviews Matter

Customer Reviews serve as valuable insights into a program’s effectiveness. By analyzing feedback, potential members can evaluate the user experience, value proposition, and overall satisfaction levels. Genuine online reviews act as social proof, helping users make informed decision-making choices about joining a program.

Key Areas to Focus on When Reading Loyalty Program Reviews

A. Ease of Use & User Experience

A user-friendly program ensures a seamless experience. Look for feedback on:

Ease of use (website navigation and mobile app usability)

Program interface (intuitive dashboard and simple point tracking)

Member accessibility (availability of services across platforms)

B. Reward Value & Relevance

A loyalty program should offer reward value that aligns with customer interests. Reviews can help assess:

Relevant rewards (tailored to customer segments)

Reward redemption process (ease of using earned points)

Earning points efficiency (how quickly rewards accumulate)

C. Customer Support Quality

Efficient customer support is crucial in resolving issues. Consider reviews discussing:

Responsiveness (quick replies to member inquiries)

Issue resolution (effectiveness in solving problems)

Support channels (availability of phone, chat, and help centers)

D. Program Transparency & Clarity

Programs should be clear about their terms and policies. Reviews should highlight:

Transparency in program rules (no hidden fees or misleading clauses)

Clear communication (regular updates and policy changes)

Honest reward structures (no unexpected limitations)

Red Flags to Watch Out For

A. Excessive Negative Reviews

A high volume of negative reviews mentioning similar complaints suggests potential program flaws. Look for recurring issues such as:

Difficulty in redeeming rewards

Poor customer service experiences

Unclear terms and conditions

B. Unrealistic Claims & Guarantees

If a loyalty program makes unrealistic claims, it might be a scam. Be cautious of:

False advertising (exaggerated reward value)

Unsustainable models (rewards that seem too good to be true)

Misleading guarantees (unverified claims of success)

C. Lack of Recent Reviews

If a program has few or no recent reviews, it may indicate:

Outdated feedback that does not reflect current policies

Declining program quality

Lack of active participation from users

How to Spot Fake or Biased Reviews

Fake or biased reviews can distort a program’s reputation. Spot them by:

Checking for generic language (vague, overly positive wording)

Looking for balanced feedback (real reviews mention both pros and cons)

Review verification (genuine reviews often provide specific details)

Beyond the Stars: Digging Deeper into Reviews

A high star rating is not always enough. Consider:

Reviewer perspective (does the feedback apply to your needs?)

Qualitative feedback (detailed explanations of experiences)

Context (understanding why someone left a positive or negative review)

Making an Informed Decision

By evaluating key factors from loyalty program reviews, you can make an informed decision about whether to join. Look for consistent trends in:

Customer satisfaction levels

Program reliability

Long-term value of rewards

Conclusion

A well-researched loyalty program experience leads to better customer satisfaction. Platforms like Nector provide detailed reviews to help users make informed choices when selecting a loyalty program. Always read reviews carefully to ensure you’re signing up for a program that truly benefits you.

Connect with us for more insights👇🏻

#loyalty program #loyalty program services #customer loyalty #customer services

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rose-mason-talk · 5 months ago

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Gold Tokenization: How a Gold-Backed Token Is Created

Introduction

Gold as a representation of wealth and a stable store of value has survived the test of time. Traditional gold investments are challenged by issues like storage costs, security issues, and liquidity. Thanks to blockchain technology, gold tokenization has become a viable alternative whereby clients can own and trade digital representations of gold-backed assets. This process allows for transparent, secure, and accessible ways of buying, selling, and storing gold. But what exactly goes into the making of a gold-backed token? Let's explore the gold tokenization processes step by step.

What Is Gold Tokenization?

Gold tokenization is the process of converting physical gold into digital gold tokens on a blockchain. Each token corresponds to a definite amount of physical gold stored in a vault securely. Unlike traditional gold investment, where buying and selling need touts, gold-backed tokens allow smooth seamless digital transactions that offer better liquidity and fractional ownership. They are real gold-backed and give investors a sense of comfort that these are bricks of real value while using the transparency and efficiency of blockchain.

How Does a Gold-Backed Token Work?

A gold-backed token serves to bridge the gap between conventional gold investment and the digital world. When an investor buys a gold token, they technically purchase a fractional ownership in a gold reserve physically stored within a secure facility. With every transaction being registered on a blockchain network in an open manner, the legitimacy of the token is preserved against fraud. Additionally, gold-backed tokens could provide holders with the option to redeem their tokens for actual gold, easing the burden of managing their assets.

The Process of Creating a Gold-Backed Token

1. Allocation of Gold Reserves

The basis of gold tokenization service is the actual gold backing the tokens. Leading institutions or custodians keep the gold in highly secured vaults, ensuring it is protected and accounted for. There are stringent measures for transparency such as public reporting and regular audits regarding existence and quantity.

2. Required Compliance and Legal Framework

Verifying the authenticity of the value of tokenized gold assets is a must-under rule of financial regulations and global industry standards. Each jurisdiction defines certain rules that look at various acts of fraud, prostitution, or any other crimes under its purview. Legal documentation proving the ownership of the underlying gold must be made available by token issuers along with provisions of clear redemption policies for investors.

3. Blockchain and Smart Contract Development

In effect, developers set up a smart contract once the gold reserves are in place within a blockchain network such as Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain. The major features of the token are defined in the smart contract: supply, redemption mechanisms, and security features. The blockchain keeps every transaction immutable and verifiable, thereby erasing any chances for manipulation.

4. Minting and Distribution of Tokens

The process of token minting takes place after the smart contract deployment according to the quantity of gold held as reserves. For instance, when a company holds 1,000 ounces of gold and issues tokens against one gram each, a total of 31,103 tokens are issued. These tokens are then sent to investors using exchanges, private sales, or through financial institutions.

5. Clear disclosure and auditing

To have investor confidence in it, regular third-party audits are conducted to verify that there are reserves of gold equivalent to the amount of tokenized gold. This should be documented through transparency reports throughout the period to allow account and return to the original agreement. This step helps to provide protection against fraud and builds confidence in the tokenized gold system.

Benefits of Gold Tokenization

Tokenizing gold has numerous advantages compared to the traditional form of gold investment. Blockchain security goes through transparency and decentralization, therefore increasing the levels of security on the one hand, while 24/7 trading with no limitation imposed by actual delivery enhances liquidity on the other hand. Fractional ownership means that an individual can purchase investable units of gold even when they cannot afford full bars or coins. This makes gold investments accessible to a wider range of investors.

Alongside its advantages, gold tokenization faces regulatory uncertainties in various countries. The legal framework concerning digital assets is still under evolution, resulting in compliance challenges. In addition to that, issuers should continuously ensure secure gold custody and regular audits. This in itself poses another problem: mainstream adoption, as many traditional investors still do not understand blockchain-based types of assets.

Future of Gold Tokenization

The advancement of blockchain technology is expected to incite greater acceptance of gold-backed tokens. Financial institutions are increasingly interested in tokenized assets, while governments are formulating rules around this novel investment model. The tokenization of gold could revolutionize the precious metals market, offering an ultra-convenient, secure, and efficient way to invest in gold.

As digital finance evolves, assets backed by gold might find their way into decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems. They could be pledged as collateral for loans, be used in yield farming strategies, or form part of a diversified digital asset portfolio. Their very nature-giving easier access and liquidity-can help in wider scale adoption among institutional and retail investors as well.

Blockchain interoperability will help the cross-platform interoperability of gold-backed tokens, increasing their usability in global transactions. With the uptake of tokenized gold by the business and financial-technology world, gold will increase its stature as a digital asset that is stable and inflation resistant over the years.

In addition, governments are considering regulations to support innovative investment models, while financial institutions explore tokenized assets. The gold tokenization market stands to reshape the precious metals market by providing an extremely seamless. safe, and efficient method for investing in gold.

Conclusion

Gold tokenization marks an important step in modernizing gold investments. Gold-backed tokens combine the reliability of physical gold with efficiency in utilizing blockchain technology, presenting a secure and more liquid alternative to traditional gold ownership. As more investors realize its advantages, gold tokenization is expected to become a major financial instrument and, thus, revolutionize how gold storage and trading will be undertaken in this digital era.

#Gold tokenization #rwa tokenization #asset tokenization #gold tokenization services #technology

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