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Leonardo da Vinci’s Tetrahedron

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Brugmansia The True Form of “Banana Fish” and its Disturbing Validity

Akimi is one of those authors that deserves high praise for the amount of research she performed coupled with a heavy dose of believable liberal artistic license. If your are going to create a story based on mind-control-drug conspiracy you sure had better do a lot of homework to make it something that could possibly be real.

When it is revealed in manga volume XI that the terrifying drug Banana Fish is from the plant brugmansia her skill in research is highlighted as this is not only a real plant, but all of the effects from ingesting it are reminiscent of the horror highlighted in this particular story. 

This is what brugmansia typically looks like, there are 7 other species all of which have the same trumpet-like flower in various colors ranging from yellow to purple. All species are listed as extinct in the wild (why this is I did not research).

Its toxicology cites that almost every part of the plant is poisonous, with the most concentration of toxicity being in the seeds and leaves of the plant. Symptoms from its ingestion typically are hallucinogenic, variations of altered states of mind, paralysis and afterwards nausea, migraine and in some rare instances amnesia. There are many, many articles surrounding the plant and the aftermath of various individuals ingesting it, some of them reminiscent of Akimi’s description of Banana Fish (everything from catatonic dullness to violent behaviors leading up to self destructive tendencies).  

One excerpt that I am particularly drawn to concerning the real effects of brugmansia is from An Encyclopedia of Shamanism on page 69 and 70. 

“Brugmansia induces a powerful trance with violent and unpleasant effects and sickening aftereffects, and at times temporary insanity… Brugmansia preparations induce full sensory visions and experiences with sight, taste and sound that can be quite terrifying and distressful. The specific effects of Brugmansia vary with plant, preparation and the individual drinking it. Generally the plant induces a deep and violent altered state initially, during which the individual may need to be restrained. The individual slips into a stupor, with eyes fixed and mouth closed, then in approximately fifteen minutes the whole body goes into convulsions, with eyes rolling and mouth foaming.”  “Eventually the physical distress passes and gives over to an extended sleep that is interrupted with sudden waking visions (hallucinations).”

So this particular South American plant used for thousands of known years by the indigenous cultures on the continent does have more terrifying effects than pleasant when ingested, which is why every last article I have read concerning the plant only the most trained and skilled people of various cultures ever administer it.

Brugmansia is a real plant of nightmares on its own without any added layer of fiction, but combined with an author with a touch of fantasy the jump to weaponization by certain governmental interest groups is not unbelievable. 

A mutant strain of this plant most certainly occur naturally or be engineered, so it may be actually possible that Banana Fish could exist, or even in the same world… Banana Fish could be engineered again. 

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戻る道すがら、香水製作に関する情報が蓄積しないのは、匂いを描写する言葉が足りないからだと閃いた。調香師が本当の意味で話し合えないのはそのせいなんだ。途方もない情報の浪費だよ。ある分野の律速段階（複数の段階をへて進行する化学反応で、変化速度がもっとも遅い反応段階。この反応速度で全体の反応速度が決まってしまう。）がたんなる言葉の不足だなんて意外や意外だけど、考えてみたら、科学者は研究しながらどんどん言葉をつくっていくんだよね。 I leave, struck by the dearth of collective intelligence in perfume composition owing to the lack of words: they can’t really discuss things with each other, tremendous waste of intelligence. Amazing that the rate-limiting step in a field should be mere words, never thought of it, though I guess in science we’re minting them all the time as we go along.

チャンドラ・バール『匂いの帝王　天才科学者ルカ・トゥリンが挑む嗅覚の謎』“The Emperor of Scent: A Story of Perfume, Obsession, and the Last Mystery of the Senses (English Edition)” Chandler Burr

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間違いなく、香水文化はかなりの部分までゲイ文化だ。だが、なかにはそれを禁句だと考える人々もいる。ゲイは馬鹿げたステレオタイプの男らしさにうんざりして、キャロンのすばらしい香水、＜アルポナ＞を買ったりしはじめた。実際、ゲイ用の香水は多くない。変だよね。ジャン・ゲランは、当時のガールフレンドのために＜シャマード＞を調合したといっている。へえ、と思って調べてみると、たしかにそのとおりだった。要するに、グラースという土地では、いまだにゲイに対する偏見が根強いのさ－－ゲイだという理由で香水学校に入学できなかった若者もいたんだ。目障りだったのさ。でも、ゲイがどうしたっていうんだ？顧客にゲイが多いなら、"社員"に何人かゲイがいたほうが便利なはずじゃないか。でも、彼らは代わりにイギリス人を雇うんだ。ファッションはゲイのもので、ゲイが牛耳ってるのにね。 Obviously, perfume culture itself is to a great degree gay culture, though some people think you’re not supposed to say it. Gay guys were bored with all these stupid hairy-chested male fragrances and went out and bought Alpona, by Caron, which is wonderful. Actually, there aren’t many gay perfumers. It’s weird. Jean Guerlain said, ‘I composed Chamade for my then girlfriend,’ and I thought, ‘Right.’ Turned out it was true. I mean, it’s not weird in that the Grasse milieu is still completely homophobic—I know one young guy who was not taken in perfume school simply because he was gay. Mind you, he was also a raging pain in the ass, but so what? The thing is, all their customers are gay, and you’d think it would be to their advantage to have a few around ‘in house.’ But instead they get Englishmen. Fashion is gay. We’re living under a gay dictatorship;

チャンドラ・バール『匂いの帝王　天才科学者ルカ・トゥリンが挑む嗅覚の謎』“The Emperor of Scent: A Story of Perfume, Obsession, and the Last Mystery of the Senses (English Edition)” Chandler Burr

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Morgan @ChillPolyamory

1. How long have you been polyamorous or been practicing polyamory?

Practicing ethical non-monogamy since 2012. (I say ethical non-monogamy because I’ve encountered many people who treat polyamory as a phase and/or who abuse poly structures and the people within them. So I consider ethical non-monogamy to be a form of lifelong polyamory that is focused on consent and rigorous communication.)

2. What does your relationship dynamic look like?

I practice non-hierarchical non-monogamy, where every partner is on equal footing, regardless of longevity in my life or the degree to which we’re committed. Currently, I am living with a partner, I have a long distance partner, and 2 intimate platonic partners (with whom I express affection physically maybe once a year). My time is usually spent more with my nesting partner because of the nature of living together and working from home, but our love doesn’t overrule love with anyone else. I’m not currently dating, but I’m staying open to spontaneous play or new relationships whenever an important person appears.

3. What aspect of polyamory do you excel at?

I’m pretty damn great at communication, and preventative protocol (not just for safe sex practices, but also putting up before-care and after-care plans to minimize emotional strife between metamours.)

4. What aspect of polyamory do you struggle with?

I struggle to be respectful of people who engage in unicorn hunting (I know some individuals consent to it and enjoy being unicorns, but my only interactions with these couples has been aggressive, objectified me and ignored my needs. So I struggle to keep an open mind when a potential partner’s poly scenario reminds me of a painful past encounter.)

5. How do you address and/or overcome those struggles?

Today, as hard as it might be, I respectfully decline to enter a relationship with a hierarchical structure of any kind. It’s just not compatible with my needs and my love style. That said, one of my partners is hierarchical solo poly (they’re sort of grandfathered in), and we’ve discussed that when he meets his next primary partner, I might close the romantic part of our relationship. But that’s ok because we’ve communicated up front and we both want to respect each other’s needs. Overall, this keeps me safe and minimizes conflict, but it does narrow my dating choices.

6. In terms of risk-aware/safer sex, what do you and your partners do to protect one another?

Since skin contact can spread some STIs, I only play with people I trust to be honest with me, and to regularly test themselves. For new or intermittent partners, we don’t engage in fluid exchange other than saliva. I broke this boundary 2X in the last 6 years, and both times I was very inebriated. So I also avoid getting very drunk on dates with new partners. For longer term and regular partners, we share up-to-date STI results with everyone in our core polycule whenever anyone gets a new partner. Even when metamours have STIs, none of us have contracted anything because we rigorously communicate. When it comes to poly safe sex, it’s so much safer than when I was trying “dating around” in serial monogamy. Because we all know each other, we aren’t just putting on our own seatbelt, we’re protecting everyone in the car.

7. What is the worst mistake you’ve ever made in your polyamorous history and how did you rebound from that?

My worst mistake was trying hierarchy with veto power. I was so fearful when I entered poly, that I latched on to the word “primary” and demanded I have veto power over anyone in the polycule. I hurt a lot of metamours during this time, making them work to impress me or else they lose their relationship. I learned that it’s not ethical to non-consensually wield power over anyone in the polycule (and forcing someone to agree with ultimatums is not enthusiastic consent, therefore it’s not consensual.) By letting go of my harsh rules and holding people with an open hand, my heart has softened and I’ve experienced much deeper and more sustainable love (with 99% less drama).

(Bonus: Do you have any groups, projects, websites, blogs, etc. that you are involved with that you would like to promote?)

Every Sunday I share an IGTV video series called Chill Poly. I started this over the summer, preferring IGTV to YouTube because the latter censors conversations about sex/sexuality. This series is a form of community service, and community building. @chillpolyamory

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Support Inclusive Polyamorous Representation at  https://www.patreon.com/PolyRoleModels

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Four cards drawn at random from the Sacred Geometry Cards for the Visionary Path. 

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Itsu from pleix on Vimeo.

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Sometimes (Music by Kid606) from pleix on Vimeo.

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Discodeine - Aydin from pleix on Vimeo.

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天使がふたり、降りてきて、力をくれた。力足らずの私に。

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I hope that my practicing polyamory with absolute confidence and pride could be someone's emotional support.

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私が自信満々にポリアモリーをやっていることが、誰かの心の支えになりますように✨

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ゲ イ の 男 た ち は 、 男 優 が ス ト レ ー ト で は な い と い う 疑 念 が 少 し で も 生 じ た ら 、 そ の 男 優 が 出 て い る ス ト レ ー ト 向 け の ポ ル ノ 、 つ ま り 男 女 の セ ッ ク ス を 描 い た ポ ル ノ を 探 す 。 そ の 男 優 が 女 性 と セ ッ ク ス し て い た ら 、 そ れ が ス ト レ ー ト で あ る こ と の 確 か な 証 拠 と な り 、 疑 念 は 払 拭 さ れ る 。 毎 週 、 複 数 の 男 と セ ッ ク ス を す る と い う 3 6 歳 の ゲ イ が 、 こ う 語 っ て い る 。 「 オ レ は ス ト レ ー ト 向 け の 動 画 ば か り 見 て る よ 。 何 人 も の 男 が １ 人 の 女 と や る 輪 姦 ポ ル ノ が 好 き な ん だ 。 と く に ヨ ー ロ ッ パ の ポ ル ノ が い い ね 。 男 の そ ば に 男 た ち の 体 が あ る っ て い う の が 、 見 て い て 心 地 い い ん だ 。 男 を 救 え る の は 男 た ち だ け さ 。 も ち ろ ん 、 画 面 の 中 央 に い る 女 は 見 な い よ 」

オギ・オーガス、サイ・ガダム『性欲の科学 なぜ男は「素人」に興奮し女は「男同士」に萌えるのか（原題：A Billion Wicked Thoughts: What the Internet Tells Us About Sexual Relationships ）』

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In a sense, to write is a visual act—to put letters on a page, to create lines with a pencil or a pen. There’s a very definite visual moment. The page is a visual field and that’s one of the elements of writing . . . The minute you start to look at what you write, there’s a whole set of visual possibilities that opens up.

bpNichol (1987) ‘Visual Poetry’ in ‘Interview with Fred Gaysek’, Artviews Vol.14, No.1. (1987-1988) Toronto, Canada: Visual Arts Ontario, pp.21-23.

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例えばイタリアでは、精神病院が廃絶され地域精神保健の仕組みが作られたが、そのとき問題にされたのは、精神病院という施設から出るという脱施設化にとどまらず、施設化の論理自体を問うような脱制度化であった。それは、分断された状況下での個別な治癒や社会復帰を目指すのではなく、生きていると感じることができるような「生活の場」をいかに集合的に創り出すかという批判的かつ実践的な運動としてあったのだ。その過程で気づかれたのは、「奪われている（privato）」のは集合的主体性であり、自分たちの手で丸ごと世界を形作る力能であり、そうした力能を現働化しうる場としての＜地域＞だということに他ならない。

奥野克巳、石倉敏明 編『Lexicon 現代人類学』

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人類学者ジェームズ・C・スコットは、東南アジアの丘陵地帯「ゾミア」に生きる山地民を調査し、彼らの社会を特徴付けている狩猟採集、焼畑、無文字といったこれまで「原始的」とされた諸特徴が、実は稲作と文字による国家システムの統治と管理から逃れるための抵抗の技術であり、集団の自律性を守る政治的選択の帰結であると論じた。

奥野克巳、石倉敏明 編『Lexicon 現代人類学』

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https://www.instagram.com/p/Brn3x6_FnB2/