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mariacallous · 1 year ago

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A lawsuit filed Wednesday against Meta argues that US law requires the company to let people use unofficial add-ons to gain more control over their social feeds.

It’s the latest in a series of disputes in which the company has tussled with researchers and developers over tools that give users extra privacy options or that collect research data. It could clear the way for researchers to release add-ons that aid research into how the algorithms on social platforms affect their users, and it could give people more control over the algorithms that shape their lives.

The suit was filed by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University on behalf of researcher Ethan Zuckerman, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts—Amherst. It attempts to take a federal law that has generally shielded social networks and use it as a tool forcing transparency.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is best known for allowing social media companies to evade legal liability for content on their platforms. Zuckerman’s suit argues that one of its subsections gives users the right to control how they access the internet, and the tools they use to do so.

“Section 230 (c) (2) (b) is quite explicit about libraries, parents, and others having the ability to control obscene or other unwanted content on the internet,” says Zuckerman. “I actually think that anticipates having control over a social network like Facebook, having this ability to sort of say, ‘We want to be able to opt out of the algorithm.’”

Zuckerman’s suit is aimed at preventing Facebook from blocking a new browser extension for Facebook that he is working on called Unfollow Everything 2.0. It would allow users to easily “unfollow” friends, groups, and pages on the service, meaning that updates from them no longer appear in the user’s newsfeed.

Zuckerman says that this would provide users the power to tune or effectively disable Facebook’s engagement-driven feed. Users can technically do this without the tool, but only by unfollowing each friend, group, and page individually.

There’s good reason to think Meta might make changes to Facebook to block Zuckerman’s tool after it is released. He says he won’t launch it without a ruling on his suit. In 2020, the company argued that the browser Friendly, which had let users search and reorder their Facebook news feeds as well as block ads and trackers, violated its terms of service and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. In 2021, Meta permanently banned Louis Barclay, a British developer who had created a tool called Unfollow Everything, which Zuckerman’s add-on is named after.

“I still remember the feeling of unfollowing everything for the first time. It was near-miraculous. I had lost nothing, since I could still see my favorite friends and groups by going to them directly,” Barclay wrote for Slate at the time. “But I had gained a staggering amount of control. I was no longer tempted to scroll down an infinite feed of content. The time I spent on Facebook decreased dramatically.”

The same year, Meta kicked off from its platform some New York University researchers who had created a tool that monitored the political ads people saw on Facebook. Zuckerman is adding a feature to Unfollow Everything 2.0 that allows people to donate data from their use of the tool to his research project. He hopes to use the data to investigate whether users of his add-on who cleanse their feeds end up, like Barclay, using Facebook less.

Sophia Cope, staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group, says that the core parts of Section 230 related to platforms’ liability for content posted by users have been clarified through potentially thousands of cases. But few have specifically dealt with the part of the law Zuckerman’s suit seeks to leverage.

“There isn’t that much case law on that section of the law, so it will be interesting to see how a judge breaks it down,” says Cope. Zuckerman is a member of the EFF’s board of advisers.

John Morris, a principal at the Internet Society, a nonprofit that promotes open development of the internet, says that, to his knowledge, Zuckerman’s strategy “hasn’t been used before, in terms of using Section 230 to grant affirmative rights to users,” noting that a judge would likely take that claim seriously.

Meta has previously suggested that allowing add-ons that modify how people use its services raises security and privacy concerns. But Daphne Keller, director of the Program on Platform Regulation at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, says that Zuckerman’s tool may be able to fairly push back on such an accusation.“The main problem with tools that give users more control over content moderation on existing platforms often has to do with privacy,” she says. “But if all this does is unfollow specified accounts, I would not expect that problem to arise here."

Even if a tool like Unfollow Everything 2.0 didn’t compromise users’ privacy, Meta might still be able to argue that it violates the company’s terms of service, as it did in Barclay’s case.

“Given Meta’s history, I could see why he would want a preemptive judgment,” says Cope. “He’d be immunized against any civil claim brought against him by Meta.”

And though Zuckerman says he would not be surprised if it takes years for his case to wind its way through the courts, he believes it’s important. “This feels like a particularly compelling case to do at a moment where people are really concerned about the power of algorithms,” he says.

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literaryvein-reblogs · 1 month ago

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Hi! Idk if i can ask this or not, but do you know how the p0lice investigate a missing person?

Thanks 𖹭𖹭

Writing Notes: Police Investigation of a Missing Person

Once the police department receives a call about a missing person, its response will depend on the circumstances of each case:

People who are elderly, children under the age of 13, people suffering from a mental or physical condition, or possible victims of a crime are considered “special categories.”

Police consider these populations particularly vulnerable and will immediately take action in searching for the missing person.

However, missing people who do not fall under these categories will not receive as much attention. This is because people over the age of 18 legally do not have to return home.

“Unless we can prove that there was an involuntary disappearance, we just file paperwork,” said Giacalone, former NYPD sergeant.

In all cases, the local precinct where the case is reported will handle a case first.

Conducting the Search

Utilizing a trauma-informed approach, interview the last person to see the missing person, where possible and obtain information on any additional key witnesses that may have been identified

Determine if the services of an interpreter are required

Utilize the body-worn camera as appropriate

Obtain a complete and accurate description of the person, including clothing, identification, vulnerabilities (including medical and/or mental health conditions, and current emotional/physical state), and possible destinations

Confirm the place last seen (PLS) and time, or last known place (LKP) and time, if known

Obtain a photograph of the missing person, if available

Transmit the photograph electronically to platoon members, relevant units and agencies, both internal and external

If the reportee and missing person are or have been involved in an intimate relationship

Search the home and the immediate area thoroughly

If permission to search the home or adjoining property is not granted notify a supervisor and add the details to the original eReport

Provide the description and all other pertinent information to the Communications Operator to relay to the field

Phone RMS - Ops as required and provide all pertinent information to ensure that a new missing person eReport is generated

If the missing person is not found within a few weeks, the precinct will hand off the case to the Missing Persons Squad, which will continue working on the case.

On special category cases, police will devote as many resources as possible to the search. They may choose to issue an AMBER Alert or a Missing Vulnerable Adult alert to draw attention to the case.

Police can also turn to media publications or their own social media platforms to ask for help.

Other agencies can also help. The National Autism Association, for example, recently released a toolkit on how to search for children with autism. The report makes specific recommendations for both parents and first responders.

Police will keep searching for a missing person until they can close the case.

Some Procedures

Child Apprehension Warrants

Obtaining a Search Warrant

Death Investigations

Building Checks and Searches

Vulnerable Person Registry

American Sign Language and Language Interpreters

Rewards

Gathering/Preserving Evidence

Marine Response

Use of Police Dog Services

Victim Services

Unidentified Vulnerable Person

Intimate Partner Violence

Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System

Child Abductions

Persons In Crisis

Property – General

Emergency Incident Response

Emergency Management & Public Order Response

Body-Worn Camera

News Media

BOLOs and FYIs

Internet

Service Communication Systems

Social Media

AMBER Alert - a co–operative effort between police, the media and the Ministry of Transportation to provide early notification to the public where a person under 18 years of age is believed to have been abducted and where circumstances lead police to believe that the abducted person is in danger of serious bodily harm or death and there is enough descriptive information about the abducted person, and/or the abductor, and/or the abductor’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help in locating the person. An AMBER Alert will have a duration of 5 hours following activation, unless cancelled or extended.

Last known place - the last substantiated (by clues or evidence) position that the missing person was known to be.

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs ⚜ Police Procedural

Hi, this is perfectly fine to ask! The exact police procedures vary depending on the location. Here's a summary from just two sources. You can go through the links for more details. But consider other sources depending on the setting of your story. Hope this helps with your writing!

#anonymous #writing reference #writeblr #writers on tumblr #creative writing #literature #dark academia #writing prompt #spilled ink #light academia #mystery #crime #fiction #writing ideas #writing inspiration #writing resources

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lillaydee · 2 months ago

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Shhh!!! Part 17

Celebrity!Joel Miller / F Reader

A reluctant celebrity contractor who has closed his heart for love meets a celebrity-hating Cafe on Wheels owner...

She HATES him. Thing is, he couldn't get enough of the coffee she makes...

Tag List:

@kirsteng42 @peelieblue @harriedandharassed @joelalorian @vickie5446 @inept-the-magnificent @maried01 @brittmb115 @peedrow @lovefreylove @jessthebaker @bunniboo0015

Let me know if you would like to be added/removed from the tag list.

Dividers by the awesome @saradika

Header by Moi cause I learned how to use Canva! Yay me!

WARNINGS: Grumpy Joel (The Last of Us), Protective Joel (The Last of Us), Good Parent Joel (The Last of Us), Joel is Bad at Feelings (The Last of Us), Alternate Universe - No Cordyceps Outbreak (The Last of Us), Joel Needs a Hug (The Last of Us), Celebrity Joel Miller, Fluff and Angst, Eventual Smut, I'm Bad At Tagging, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Tags May Change, Hurt Joel (The Last of Us), Jealousy.

SERIES MASTER LIST

Part 16

***Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Any legal documents in this chapter is purely imagined, so please don't come after me if they don't sound legit or would not be legit in any way.***

This must be a mistake.

He told you he loved you. He asked you to move in with him.

But then he stopped responding to you. They all stopped responding to you. Even Maria.

What happened? What happened between his declaration of love and this piece of document being handed to you? Heck, he was very much responsive up to the point where you sent him the confirmation of your flight.

Did he change his mind?

Oh wait, wait. You silly woman. Maybe this NDA was different. Maybe this was necessary because you were now officially in a relationship with him, moving in with him, maybe there were just things that he needed you to be quiet about? It still stung that he wouldn’t trust you with his private life, but if that was the case then maybe it’s not too bad?

But he promised you he would never make you sign an NDA. He promised you that.

You tried to read the document, but upon reading the first line, your sight turned blurry. Tears were falling thick and fast down your face. Frank took the document from you, reading it.

“What is it?” your Uncle Bill asked.

Frank hesitated to answer, warily looking at you and your Uncle Bill, before softly responding, “It’s an NDA Bill.”

“For what?” your Uncle asked, raising his upper body with a wince. You quickly got up and helped raise his bed so he could sit more comfortably. Frank was still silently reading the document, his hand over his mouth.

“Confidentiality Agreement for the Dissolution of Romantic Partnership between Joel Christopher Miller (Party 1), and Lily Ann Stevens (Party 2)” he finally read out loud.

Your Uncle’s head snapped towards you before moving towards the young man who had brought the document in.

“Term 1 – Confidentiality. Both parties agree not to disclose any information regarding the relationship between Party1 and Party 2 by any means, including but not limited to verbal, written, electronic, or any other form of communication.”

The room was silent.

“Term 2 – Party 2 agrees not to contact Party 1 or Party 1’s family members or associates at any time, directly or indirectly.

“Term 3 – Party 2 agrees not to seek, claim, or receive any financial benefit or compensation arising from the relationship with Party 1, including but not limited to alimony, one off payments, TV or Film rights, book sales, interviews, or any other means possible.”

Frank looked away, as if unable to read any longer.

Your Uncle Bill looked at you, shocked to be hearing this. “Did you two break up? I thought he asked you to move in with him?”

“Er, please Miss,” the man chimed in, looking rather nervous. “You are not allowed to say anything about the relationship,” he reminded.

“She hasn’t signed it, she can say whatever the fuck she wants to say!” your Uncle boomed. “You sit your pathetic ass down and wait, quietly!”

The man sat down, looking as if he would rather disappear.

“Beanie?” your Uncle looked at you, trying to get your hand to hold. You held your head down.

“I guess he changed his mind,” you whispered.

Your phone chimed. You scrambled to get it, desperately hoping that it was him.

It was your Mom.

Mom: Beanie, sweetie? Is this true?

She linked an article to her text.

Tess Servopoulos and Joel Miller back together, and (GASP!) ENGAGED?

And there it was, a picture of the two of them holding hands in downtown Austin, Joel laughing with his old friend, while you were sitting here wondering why he had you served with an NDA.

After months of being seen fiercely protective of and madly in love with his Barista Lady, Joel Miller has seemingly returned to an old flame, finally confirming years of speculation about their relationship. For years, it was said that the two were an item, but Servopoulos’s sudden move to Texas put a stopper to that rumour mill. And now, the two seem happy to finally share their love with the world, spending some time publicly walking hand in hand while getting lunch together.

And not only that, Servopoulos seems to be sporting a shiny new accessory on a very important finger. Could our hunky, most eligible ‘single Daddy’ contractor finally be off the market?

Another picture followed, a profile of Tess holding a phone to her ear, a sparkly, massive, beautiful diamond ring on her finger.

The texts from your Mom kept coming in. And then the calls. You ignored them all.

Behind you, your uncles were bickering.

“Give me that, I’m the lawyer.”

“Bill, I have a PhD. I can read a document if it’s written in English.”

“It’s Law lingo! I should read it so we don’t get confused. Give it to me!”

You looked at the man who brought the document in, a young, green bean of a thing. He looked at you with such pity in his eyes you couldn’t stand it.

So he went back to Tess. After declaring his love for you. After asking you to move in with him. He went to Texas, got back together with Tess, and didn’t think to tell you. Instead, he decided to go full on drama and hand you an NDA to let you know he was done with you.

So much drama. He might as well have hired a fanfare to escort the young man, let the world know.

So Celebrity.

This, from a man who told you he hated being a celebrity. The man who knew you hated celebrities. Who worried that you would find his fame too overwhelming.

He did this. Rather than contact you himself.

And he thought you were going to profit from your two months relationship with him.

You were right to hate celebrities after all. You really thought he was the exception.

How wrong you were. How stupid you were. You had lived your life a strong, independent woman with values. Values you held on to. Principles. Ones you didn't discount for anyone. And you threw all of it away to be with him. Because he had managed to convince you that he wasn't like the other celebrities.

Well, turned out, he was just a great actor. Was he even a contractor?

Never, in all your life, had you been insulted like this.

How high and mighty of him. How arrogant. How hurtful.

“Beanie, we should contest this. Make an amendment so that HE could not profit from your relationship either. You know how they can be, what if he sells a biography or something?”

“No.”

“What?”

You got the document from your Uncle, picked up the pen the man had offered you, and signed it. You placed the document back into it’s envelope and handed it to the young man, who thanked you, apologizing profusely for putting a cloud over your head before leaving.

“Lily, sweetie,” Frank whispered. He stopped there. What else could he say?

“Beanie…” your Uncle Bill started, but he too, was lost for words.

“Excuse me, I have to make a few phone calls.”

Joel left the hotel far earlier than he needed to. You were due to arrive at 11.45 tonight. He stopped at a grocery store, getting you the ramen you liked, just in case you got hungry and didn’t feel like going out or ordering in, those little milk cookies you couldn’t seem to live without, he even got you a cowboy hat, as cheesy as that may be, just because. He wanted to make sure you were as comfortable as you could be while he was out working the next day. He didn’t know how he was going to leave you in the hotel room to go to work, but that’s a problem for the next day.

He was far too excited to see you. He hadn’t seen you in 12 days. Okay, that’s a lie. He saw you three days ago, but that didn’t count, not where his mind was at. Fuck he missed you. His body ached from lack of proper sleep. Sleeping with you in his arms was just… and when you spooned him instead, oh… never, in his 46 years on this earth had he ever thought he could ever be the little spoon. But there he was, craving to be spooned by you.

And those hugs you gave him. Every single day, he came home to a simple question from you at the garage entrance. Big hug or little hug? And by God he always, ALWAYS asked for the big hug. There was just something about those big hugs from you. Made him feel like he was safe, protected, loved.

God he’s so in love with you. He never thought the day would come. Heck, he didn’t know this was what true love felt like. He had genuinely thought he was in love with Laura. Now, he understood that while he had been in love with her, she wasn’t in love with him, and all these years later, he could finally see the signs. If only he knew better then.

But he couldn’t regret what he had with Laura. Laura gave him Sarah. And Sarah brought him Ellie. And now, Ellie brought him you.

His life was complete.

He was truly in love. He loved you, and you, in return, loved him right back. And it showed.

He stopped at the florist near the hotel, getting you the biggest bouquet of sunflowers he could get, wishing so much that the time would fly by faster. Even in his excitement, there was an unsettling in his heart. You texted him the day before confirming your flight. And then nothing. No texts, no calls. All his communication attempts with you went unanswered. Tommy tried calling. Nope. Nada. Sarah and Ellie tried calling. Silence. Ellie and Dina stopped by your truck after school, it wasn’t there. Ellie and Sarah drove to your apartment that night. All was dark and quiet. Even Maria couldn’t reach you. Angela couldn’t. No one could reach Bill or Frank either. Joel kicked himself for never taking your Mom Jenny’s number. He had only talked to her through your phone. So had the girls. He didn’t even know where she lived, the cheeky woman giving different answers every time he asked.

By evening, Ellie realized that you had blocked her. You had blocked everyone.

Joel had to fight the urge to fly back to see if you were alright himself. But he’s sure you were alright. If something had happened, you would have told him, surely?

Everyone was equally concerned as he was, were you sick? Did you get in trouble? Was your phone broken? But that didn’t explain no one being able to find you. Tommy even called the hospital looking for you. No one under your name had been registered. Sarah and Ellie kept trying. Maria kept trying. Angela kept trying. Nothing.

Maybe you were busy, Tommy coaxed. Maybe you were trying to surprise him. Maybe your phone was broken. Maybe someone stole your phone and blocked everyone as not to be found. Let’s just wait until you got there.

The one person who didn’t seem to care at all was Tess. She had simply rolled her eyes and walked away any time your name was mentioned. It was odd. She didn’t ask about you at all, despite meeting you. Every time he started to talk about you these few days, she interrupted and directed the conversation elsewhere. He couldn’t understand it. But he will set things right with her. It was important to him that you and she get along.

Joel waited at the arrival hall for you, leaving Tommy in the rental, a bouquet of sunflowers in his arms, a cute latte coloured cowboy hat on top of them. He himself was wearing one, tipped low over his brows so that he wouldn’t get recognized, heart beating so fast to see you again. Sarah and Ellie were on Face Time with him, both anxious to see you, hoping to God you were alright.

Passengers from LAX began to trickle out. No sign of you.

Midnight. 1am. 2am.

Tommy found Joel standing in an almost empty arrival hall, his face crestfallen.

You had deserted him.

“Seriously Joel, you need to pay attention! You almost nailed my foot to the floor! What the fuck?” Tess hissed, glad that cameras were not filming at that very moment.

Joel placed the nail gun on the floor, taking his gloves off. He hadn’t slept in days. He flew back to LA Friday evening to find you but couldn’t. Your apartment was empty. Your coffee truck was parked in the garage. But you were not there. He went to Bill’s, Frank’s, even asked Tony if he had seen you. No one has. Tony said you simply drove off Wednesday evening, didn’t say anything to anyone. He flew back to Austin with the heaviest of hearts, snapping at everyone who dared breathe near him.

“Come on,” Tess offered him a hand. “Let me buy you lunch.”

He took it, and she didn’t let go. “Just so you don’t go attacking people left and right when we go out,” she said, stepping outside, reminding him how he almost punched someone for trying to coax him into putting on ChapStick.

For the first time in days, he laughed. He laughed so hard remembering that day. There were people milling around in the streets. He saw a few with their phones out. He tried to take his hand away, but she held fast. “Don’t go attacking them for taking pictures Joel. Relax.”

“Penny wouldn’t mind if they start thinking we’re dating again? Didn’t she almost leave you the last time that happened? You had to chase her all the way here?”

“She put a ring on it,” she joked, waving her brand new ring, “I think we’re okay.”

He huffed a laugh. They had a quick lunch together, Tess talking about anything but you, trying hard to distract him. He was glad for it, quite aware that his heartbreak was affecting everyone around him. He Face Timed the girls every night, both of them worried about you, wondering if they had done something to push you away, wondering if cancelling with you to be with Tess that weekend was too harsh, if they made you feel like you didn’t belong.

He couldn’t, for the life of him, get you out of his mind. He spent his sleepless nights in tears, leaving you messages, begging you to call him back, asking you what he had done to deserve this. That he loved you, he missed you, that he needed you. Please baby, call me back.

He tried emailing. Email failed to deliver. He called again and again. The ringing never stopped. Not even voicemail. He knew you blocked him. He just didn’t know why. He needed to know why.

And with Tess, Joel was made very much aware that she didn’t welcome any thoughts of you, that much was obvious, but he couldn’t help himself. He was obviously down, and it showed. Painfully so.

“Joel, did you hear what I said?” she snapped him out of his thoughts when they finally got back to the site.

He was clearly out of it, looking at her face questioningly.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re thinking about her again aren’t you?”

“Tess… I don’t…”

“Snap out of it, Joel. If she’s such a great woman, why’d she ghost you for no reason? If she loved you, she wouldn’t do this to you. To the girls.”

“What do you have against her? The girls told me you didn’t make any effort with her. After all these years of trying to get me to date again, and you shut her out? What’s up with that?”

“I didn’t get a good vibe from her, okay? I think she’s playing you. And I was right. Here you are, moping around because she ghosted you. No offence, Joel. But if she is indeed your great love, she wouldn’t treat you like this. So I don’t want to see all this pitiful heartbreak, not when it’s about her. She doesn’t deserve your tears, Joel. Move on. She left. She broke your heart. Forget her.”

Joel kept quiet. He didn’t like this side of Tess. Heartbreak? Move on. It was all black and white with her. And the fact that she said she didn’t get good vibes off you, he just didn’t buy it. Something was not right, he just didn’t know what. She had never been the type to judge someone based on a ‘vibe’. In fact, she used to laugh at people who believed in healing crystals and chakras. So why was she so determined to hate you based on a ‘vibe’?

His phone chimed. A text from Sarah. With a link to an article. He read it, shocked to see how fast the article was published. That picture was taken less than an hour ago. Suddenly her insistence of holding his hand made him wonder.

“Well,” he said, showing Tess the article. “You may just get your wish Tess. There’s no way she will ever come back to me now. We’re engaged, apparently. Tell me you don’t have anything to do with this. Tell me you didn’t hold my hand on purpose for them to take this picture Tess.”

“What?” Tess looked at the phone, her expression changing to one of shock. “No, I swear I didn’t. I promise you Joel. I honestly just didn’t want you to get mad at people. Joel, you know I wouldn’t do that to you. I have never done that to you. You know me.”

“Then tell me the truth. Why are you so negative towards Lily?”

Tess sighed.

“Laura. I just didn’t want you to be hurt again. You fell too fast and too hard for this Lily, Joel. I guess I just… I was terrified for you.”

“You think I fall too fast?”

“Joel, you asked this woman to move in with you. After two months. You had googly eyes for Laura the first time I introduced you two. She was clearly not into you, and you went for her hard anyway. And I know we didn’t plan on things happening the way they did but look what happened. I just don’t want you to get hurt again Joel. I swear. You’re the brother I never had. Just looking out. Please believe me.”

“You didn’t know Lily, Tess. Trust me, you would’ve loved her if you gave her a chance. But I guess you’re right. She ghosted me, I guess I didn’t know her as well as I thought I did,” he said. “I just need time. Just… don’t bite my head off if I’m not over her. I need time, Tess. And I’m not giving up hope. Even Tommy, the girls, Maria, they all thought this to be strange of her. She’s not like this. And we may have only dated for two months, but I spent months before that gathering the courage to ask her out, and the girls have known her years. Something must’ve happened. I’m not giving up just yet. If you are really my friend, Tess, endure this sappy old man for a while. I need this.”

Tess felt bad. She hugged her old friend, the one who had been with her through thick and thin, and nodded. She will hold her tongue on Lily, she told him, earning her a sad smile from him.

Joel woke up with a start, his daughters banging on the door.

“What?” he croaked. He hadn’t slept much, getting maybe three hours this time, having landed in LAX at midnight. He couldn’t sleep even when he got home, thinking about how empty his bed was without you in it. It’s been a whole month, and he was still haunted by your memory. It must have been around 4 am when he finally fell asleep.

They burst into his room, looking excited.

“Lil’s truck, it’s back! Tony just texted us!”

Joel jumped out of bed, running into the bathroom, all fatigue forgotten.

“Why are we being loud?” Tess chimed in, coming out of the guest bedroom.

“Lil’s truck, it’s back. We’re going over.”

Tess wanted to say something, but decided not to, getting dressed instead to come with.

Joel practically flew through Saturday morning traffic to get to the rec centre. No one dared say anything. No backseat driving today. He didn’t even pull the hand brakes when he parked, jumping out of the truck as soon as it stopped. The girls followed, leaving Tess to get everything sorted with the truck. The three of them ran around the corner to get to the food trucks, Joel’s heart beating in his mouth as he saw the familiar truck parked at its usual spot.

Tony was putting the chairs out, cringing a little when he saw them.

“Sorry girls, I spoke too soon.”

“What? What do you mean?” Sarah asked, looking around for you. The truck looked empty.

A man popped up, placing some paper cups on the racks next to the till, jumping outside and opening the storage hatch.

Joel walked towards him.

“Dave,” he called out.

Dave looked around, his expression changing when he saw Joel.

“She’s not here, Joel,” Dave told him. “She’s gone man.”

“Where? Where is she?”

Tess walked up, finally catching up to them. Dave saw her and scoffed.

“Really? You brought her here? Why? You want to shove her in Lil’s face? You left her and got engaged within days and now you come looking for her, bringing your new fiancée along? Are you fucking kidding me?”

“No, we’re not engaged. That was a rumour. Not true.”

Dave rolled his eyes. “There were pictures Joel. You guys looked pretty happy and in love to me.”

“Dave, how long did you work for Cleo? You know how the media works.”

“And I held his hand to stop him from running amok on them. I’m engaged to someone else. I swear.”

“Where is she, Dave, please.”

“She left. I promised her I won’t blab, and after all she did to help me out, I’m keeping my words man.”

“What do you mean? What did she do for you?” Ellie asked.

Dave pointed at the truck. “She sold me the truck and her apartment for a steal. Just to help me start over. I own my own little business now. After what I did to her, she still helped me. And for that, I will always keep her secrets.” He turned around and began to unload the tables and chairs, telling Joel to go home.

“Will you at least tell me if she’s still in LA?”

“No. She’s not.”

Joel sat in Angela’s office listening to the ramblings, not really listening to anything. He couldn’t wait for this whole thing to be over. Sitting still was a problem for him these days. When his body stilled, his mind went straight to you. So this, sitting in a meeting while the people around him rambled on and on about the events to come, this was torture. He just wanted to get back to the site and work. Hammer something. Get his mind filled with noises so he wouldn’t think of you.

His thoughts stopped when people began rising, the meeting over. He jumped up to his feet, turning around to leave.

“Joel?” Angela called out. “Will you stay a bit? I need to talk to you about something.”

Joel turned to Tess and Tommy, “Wait for me outside?” The two nodded and left the room. Joel faced the agent, a quizzical look on his face.

“How are you doing? You okay? They tell me you’ve been distracted at work.”

“I’m fine.”

She came up to him. “Come on, Joel. This is me. How long have we known each other? Spill.”

“Nothing to talk about,” Joel insisted. “Is that all? I need to get onsite.”

“Joel,” she said, pulling his hand. “Sit down for a bit, please? This is important.”

He drew a deep breath and sat on the couch. Angela sat next to him, facing him.

“I know you miss her. Everyone can see it. But you can’t let this affect your work. It’s not only unprofessional, but also dangerous Joel. You could get someone hurt. You could kill someone. We’re all worried about you. I wouldn’t bring it up if the others didn’t notice, you know this.”

Joel leaned forward, rubbing his face. “I just need to know why. What did I do? I thought we were doing great. We were gonna move in together. And then it all just…” he covered his face with his hands, willing himself not to cry. “I just need to know why.”

Angela shuffled closer to him, putting her arm around his broad shoulder, rubbing his arm. “I know,” she coaxed. “I know. I’m sorry. It’ll get better,” she said, “I promise.”

“You know, if you need some… tension relief, I can help with that,” she whispered, turning his face towards her, licking his lips.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Joel pushed her off, standing up, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

“I was just trying to help, Joel. It’s not like we have never done that. Just saying, I’m here if you need me. You’re single, I’m single, isn’t this what we do?”

“No, it’s not. Not for a long time, never again.” He grabbed his jacket and stormed out.

“What happened?” Tess asked, clocking his annoyed look.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he huffed, beelining towards the exit.

“Mr Miller,” a young man called out.

“WHAT?” Joel barked.

“Sorry sir, just wanted to give you your copy of the latest NDA. We’ve just gotten it stamped. Here you go, sir,” he said, giving him the envelope.

“What NDA?” Joel looked flummoxed, taking the envelope, opening it. His whole body froze when he read the content.

“What is it?” Tess asked. Tommy read the document over Joel’s shoulder.

“Confidentiality Agreement for the Dissolution of Romantic Partnership between Joel Christopher Miller (Party 1), and Lily Ann Stevens (Party 2),” he read out loud. “You broke up with her? I thought she ghosted you?”

“She did,” Joel said, turning the page. The NDA was signed. He signed it. But he didn’t. His signature was there, but he didn’t sign it.

He stormed into Angela’s office, the woman startled to see him back, Tess and Tommy flanking him.

“What the fuck is this?” he shouted, tossing the document on her table.

Angela’s face turned chalk white. She started speaking but only came out with garbled words.

“You asked me to… you said…”

“No, I did not. Did you serve her with this? Is this why she ghosted me?”

Angela was still trying to string a complete sentence together when her door opened again. A younger man with a cast on his left wrist walked in, a credit card in his right hand.

“Hey Aunt Angie, this one is all maxed out too… I need another card…” the man stopped talking, his face turning white when he realized who was standing in his aunt’s office.

Joel found himself staring at the face of the man who pulled you out of his truck all those months ago, the one who injured you.

Part 18

#joel miller fanfiction #joel miller x reader #the last of us fanfiction #joel miller #tlou fanfiction #joel miller x you #Celebrity!Joel Miller

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oneirophasia · 3 months ago

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I like thinking about how The Murderbot Diaries could be adapted. I enjoy the conceit that much or all of the footage/animation is technically in first-person - but, true to character, Murderbot frequently prefers to hijack drones and other environmental cameras as an emotional distancing mechanism, allowing changes in POV to communicate its emotions without forcing Murderbot to explicitly comment on them. :D Visual media obviously want less narration than literature (sometimes to its detriment), but fortunately Murderbot has the excuse of lacking a Watson or anyone else it's willing to talk to, especially for half the first book, so there's plenty of justification for a minimal level of snarky cyber-noir commentary. The tonal contrast between its internal monologue and everything it actually says is important!

Treating the "camera" as an explicit extension of Murderbot's perspective also slightly simplifies the problem that a lot of the action and dialogue happens in a way that's tricky to convey passively in only two senses. For one, people talk to each other regularly not just vocally, but over the feed. How can that distinction be made clear to the audience without constantly having to say so? Audio is the most obvious choice; maybe the dialogue has processing effects that give it a subtle electronic tint. Earlier scenes could establish the convention by showing augmented humans continuing to talk by closing their mouths and using subvocal jaw movements, accompanied by the processing change, setting up that association to use without the visual cue later. It'd be important that the effect be distinctive without making the dialogue incomprehensible, since music and sound effects would also still be part of the mix. But "the feed" isn't just one feed, either - not everyone uses the same public channel, and sometimes that's plot-relevant. I remember in Rogue Protocol there was a moment where Murderbot has a brief conversation with someone - I think it was Abene? - which starts vocally, then moves to the feed, then to a private channel. The same people are speaking, or else you could use that to imply the change, but it's important to the audience that other people in the group who aren't currently speaking can only hear some of it. How do you communicate that efficiently? "Sounds digital" is one thing, "sounds digital but in two or more distinct and consistent ways" is another level and outside my limited AV knowledge. (If Murderbot is narrating when other people are around we might also need tone for "asides no one heard but the audience", but that isn't anything new at least.)

That's relatively trivial compared to the broader problem that Murderbot, specifically, is constantly talking to and hacking computer systems. That's at least half of its job and plot participation, but it's also a core part of its characterisation as an insubordinate non-human that makes it a compelling protagonist, so "just write it out of the script" would clearly betray the spirit of an adaptation. I don't know if you've thought about how much effort directors went to until someone (possibly on Sherlock) figured out how to just present text messages on-screen in a dynamic and legible way? This is worse. Viewers don't necessarily need as much information as readers get, but I just finished Exit Strategy and was paying attention to what I was actually imagining visually while Murderbot:

Remotely contacts a gunship using false authentication so it won't notify its human crew

Casually disables security devices and erases itself from recordings

Distinguishes systems by which organisation they belong to, how much access it has to them, and whether they have an active human operator

Sorts personal memories to edit into a highlights reel

Briefly redirects a secure call at a critical moment

Fakes a glitch in decorative holography

Exploits the perimeters of security systems that don't directly communicate with each other to evade pursuit

Monitors transit traffic to deduce enemy movement and change plans accordingly

Hijacks all the drones in a large room and blocks attempts to regain control

Reclassifies enemy combatants mid-engagement

Secures a pilot bot in the middle of being destroyed by killware

Creates bait to lure said killware into a subsystem that can be physically disconnected

Good thing I was imagining a broadly POV camera framing anyway, because none of this is happening physically, and Murderbot isn't experiencing it through human-analogous senses. The challenge is to communicate all of that without impeding the story it's meant to support, without the advantage of being able to control pacing through text. The usual trope for creating visual interest in the visually-unexciting activity of "using a computer" is to portray it as happening physically anyway in a metaphorical cyberspace, but I don't think that actually works in this case, because remember: a lot of this happens during climactic action scenes, and blocking fight choreography can be disorienting enough as it is without also constantly flickering into virtual reality just long enough to flip an imaginary switch. It makes more sense to me to represent it as more of an augmented reality overlay, which... the problem there isn't really that that sounds like creating an entire imaginary UI, which isn't different in principle from set design making sure all the buttons are labelled consistently on the spaceship console, the problem is that usually the audience isn't watching through the console. You'd need to treat the HUD elements as normal and use them at least often enough that when they become important the audience will be ready to follow along without exposition, but cluttering the screen can be distracting enough when you're playing an game and is probably even worse in a non-interactive medium.

#the murderbot diaries #thinking out loud

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clannfearrunt · 6 months ago

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some Shark guys biology musings from the span of the past year or so. Don't ask me what their hands are shaped like I'm basically re-inventing it every time I draw it right now

The gills have closed up forming a buccal pouch filled with blood vessels, now used for thermoregulation rather than gas exchange. They might pant out of their mouth when particularly hot/out of breath, but because sharks will also gape their mouth to communicate stress/aggression they tend to avoid it whenever possible. Their faces don't have a lot of muscles to form detailed expressions; the extent of facial expressions for sharks tend to be seen through the openness of the eyes and mouth.

Here's a rough thing of the evolution of terrestrial sharks:

The bulk of modern terrestrial sharks can be found on the eastern half of the Big Continent (I'm not naming it bc what if SQL names their landmasses officially), where crocodilians have gone extinct. The other lineages of salamander sharks can also be found along the many islands stretching across the ocean off to the southeast of the continent as well. None of them are in traditional cephaling territory but lmao

Crocodile sharks are. Well. They're a group of larger freshwater sharks that frequently occupy a crocodile-like niche. Smaller species can be confused with salamander sharks, but they're much more resistant to desiccation and can wander away from water to look for food and new territory. This is where true endothermy begins cropping up in terrestrial sharks; the largest extant species don't bother with it, but several smaller guys seem to have developed it independently of each other.

The Haye are an iconic megafaunal predator of the so-called Mollusk Era. Lots of mythologies around them I'm sure. It used to be believed that they were the Shark folks' closest living relative, but modern research has found that to be untrue. They're endothermic and can be found even in fairly cold regions, but usually don't stick around for the winter in polar regions.

Mud Hounds are a diverse group of mid-sized, endothermic terrestrial sharks. Pictured is a beloved little digging guy usually known as dorghai. Many species rely on their keen sense of smell and electroreception to track their prey; they get their name from the common behavior of sticking their nose into wet mud to feel for the electric signatures of smaller burrowing prey. Even species that don't make active use of their electroreception often retain the ability. Seems they just haven't gotten around to losing it quite yet, even though electroreception isn't very effective in air. The Shark folk are no exception; some people report being able to "feel" active thunderstorms or faulty electronics. With practice they can actually do fuck all with it, but for most people it's just an occasional vague annoyance.

I didn't draw other examples of the group Shark folk are in, dubbed the walking hounds, because they're the only living member of the group. The reason for the group developing bipedalism isn't known right now. Also, I tend to draw Sharks standing fairly upright, but the most natural standing posture for them is more raptorial. Upright postures are associated with alertness/nervousness, or temporarily trying to take up less space in crowded areas. It becoming a default/preferred posture is seen commonly in "city" sharks used to living in high density areas with smaller species.

Yeah or an anxious city shark. Lol

#Squid 2 the evolution of the squid #splat bio #Conarts #well. i guess i would. tag.#splatoon ocs #LOL....#long post #ok the posture thing isn't completely right upright default postures are also seen in sailors. crowded/small areas = want to take less spac

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earlofbats · 9 months ago

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Discotechs died with the collapse of the gay party scene, the Reagan administration, the rise of the LGBT community and gay liberation movement.

In Disco Elysium disco fell as Revachol lost its independence and the grasp of the moralintern, coalition and the economic disparity of capitalism shut its jaws around the people.

EDM, electronic dance music birthed from the ashes of the discotech and new club music was born, similarly ADM, Adonic Dance Music is starting its journey into the main stream.

This places culturally and phonically Disco Elysium sometime in the mid to late 80s or even Early 90s.

Now I wanted to figure out what music was on Speedfreak radio:

DJ mesh says:

"...AND DE FACTO THE FASTEST MUSIC IN ALL OF R-R-REVACHOL R-ROCK CITY. ALL YOU HOOLIGANS, DOWNTOWN DRIFTERS, SIDEWAYS SALLIES AND POWERSLIDING PIERRES."

The only song we hear on Speedfreaks radio is described as:

"If, when a motor-carriage's engine was ignited, it could drive by its own accord off to a high mountain and there write a song -- perhaps it'd be something like what you're hearing now."

We know that the music is rock and it's fast and has the essence of something a car would write as well as a clear association with car culture.

Similarly around the mid to late 80s metal rock music was gaining popularity in the mainstream.

Including a subgenre of metal known as speed metal.

Anyway, I'm not a huge metal fan, in fact I'm a complete noob when it comes to the genre.

But I've done my best collecting some metal from the time period that I think would be played on Speedfreaks FM and would be to Kim's tastes.

As well as a few more anachronistic additions plus some songs just for fun.

The mix isn't quite done so if you have recommendations leave em in the comments or notes!

Also check out my similarly done Disco Mixtape.

Also also check out my Kim fic I'm working on.

#disco elysium #kim kitsuragi #speedfreaks #fun facts #Judas Priests lead singer is openly gay #one of the first metal songs ever was Helter Skelter by the Beatles #harrier du bois #harry du bois #Spotify

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covid-safer-hotties · 6 months ago

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Also preserved in our archive (Updated daily!)

Researchers report that a new AI tool enhances the diagnostic process, potentially identifying more individuals who need care. Previous diagnostic studies estimated that 7 percent of the population suffers from long COVID. However, a new study using an AI tool developed by Mass General Brigham indicates a significantly higher rate of 22.8 percent.

The AI-based tool can sift through electronic health records to help clinicians identify cases of long COVID. The often-mysterious condition can encompass a litany of enduring symptoms, including fatigue, chronic cough, and brain fog after infection from SARS-CoV-2.

The algorithm used was developed by drawing de-identified patient data from the clinical records of nearly 300,000 patients across 14 hospitals and 20 community health centers in the Mass General Brigham system. The results, published in the journal Med, could identify more people who should be receiving care for this potentially debilitating condition.

“Our AI tool could turn a foggy diagnostic process into something sharp and focused, giving clinicians the power to make sense of a challenging condition,” said senior author Hossein Estiri, head of AI Research at the Center for AI and Biomedical Informatics of the Learning Healthcare System (CAIBILS) at MGB and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “With this work, we may finally be able to see long COVID for what it truly is — and more importantly, how to treat it.”

For the purposes of their study, Estiri and colleagues defined long COVID as a diagnosis of exclusion that is also infection-associated. That means the diagnosis could not be explained in the patient’s unique medical record but was associated with a COVID infection. In addition, the diagnosis needed to have persisted for two months or longer in a 12-month follow-up window.

Precision Phenotyping: A Novel Approach The novel method developed by Estiri and colleagues, called “precision phenotyping,” sifts through individual records to identify symptoms and conditions linked to COVID-19 to track symptoms over time in order to differentiate them from other illnesses. For example, the algorithm can detect if shortness of breath results from pre-existing conditions like heart failure or asthma rather than long COVID. Only when every other possibility was exhausted would the tool flag the patient as having long COVID.

“Physicians are often faced with having to wade through a tangled web of symptoms and medical histories, unsure of which threads to pull, while balancing busy caseloads. Having a tool powered by AI that can methodically do it for them could be a game-changer,” said Alaleh Azhir, co-lead author and an internal medicine resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system.

The new tool’s patient-centered diagnoses may also help alleviate biases built into current diagnostics for long COVID, said researchers, who noted diagnoses with the official ICD-10 diagnostic code for long COVID trend toward those with easier access to healthcare.

The researchers said their tool is about 3 percent more accurate than the data ICD-10 codes capture, while being less biased. Specifically, their study demonstrated that the individuals they identified as having long COVID mirror the broader demographic makeup of Massachusetts, unlike long COVID algorithms that rely on a single diagnostic code or individual clinical encounters, skewing results toward certain populations such as those with more access to care.

“This broader scope ensures that marginalized communities, often sidelined in clinical studies, are no longer invisible,” said Estiri.

Limitations and Future Directions Limitations of the study and AI tool include the fact that health record data the algorithm uses to account for long COVID symptoms may be less complete than the data physicians capture in post-visit clinical notes. Another limitation was the algorithm did not capture the possible worsening of a prior condition that may have been a long COVID symptom. For example, if a patient had COPD that worsened before they developed COVID-19, the algorithm might have removed the episodes even if they were long COVID indicators. Declines in COVID-19 testing in recent years also makes it difficult to identify when a patient may have first gotten COVID-19.

The study was limited to patients in Massachusetts.

Future studies may explore the algorithm in cohorts of patients with specific conditions, like COPD or diabetes. The researchers also plan to release this algorithm publicly on open access so physicians and healthcare systems globally can use it in their patient populations.

In addition to opening the door to better clinical care, this work may lay the foundation for future research into the genetic and biochemical factors behind long COVID’s various subtypes. “Questions about the true burden of long COVID — questions that have thus far remained elusive — now seem more within reach,” said Estiri.

Reference: “Precision phenotyping for curating research cohorts of patients with unexplained post-acute sequelae of COVID-19” by Alaleh Azhir, Jonas Hügel, Jiazi Tian, Jingya Cheng, Ingrid V. Bassett, Douglas S. Bell, Elmer V. Bernstam, Maha R. Farhat, Darren W. Henderson, Emily S. Lau, Michele Morris, Yevgeniy R. Semenov, Virginia A. Triant, Shyam Visweswaran, Zachary H. Strasser, Jeffrey G. Klann, Shawn N. Murphy and Hossein Estiri, 8 November 2024, Med. DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.10.009 www.cell.com/med/fulltext/S2666-6340(24)00407-0?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666634024004070%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

#long covid #covid is airborne #mask up #public health #pandemic #covid #wear a respirator #wear a mask #covid 19 #coronavirus #covid is not over #covid conscious #still coviding #sars cov 2

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kangaracha · 2 months ago

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DAYBREAK; chapter 9

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pairing lee know x reader

genre smau, dystopia AU, angst, hurt/comfort, slowburn romance, hope/hopelessness, life goes on, ordinary life during extraordinary times

summary independant entertainment doesn't make money, everyone knows that - not dancing, not boxing. not without a company's name attached to it and the soul ripped out of it so that it can only sit on the stage bleeding. you knew you never should have agreed to get involved in his studio, that the bills would pile up and the income would run dry, that the government would come knocking telling you to shut up and sit down...but it makes him so happy, to be able to dance. it gives him a reason to stay. you don't know what you'd do without that.

taglist OPEN

previous | masterlist | next

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CASE #468203 - L/N Y/N

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

INTERVIEWER #73-583: Interview begins at 15:02 at Sacred Heart Community Hospital. You are L/N Y/N, employed here for four years, three months, twelve days?

L/N Y/N: Yes

- Do you recall the event described on the document in front of you?

- Yes. Most of it.

- Can you describe to me what happened on that day?

- Uh. Yes. Uh. I was on overnight...a patient came in...close to midnight, I think? He came into the emergency room, they were busy so they called some of us down to assist. He was - he'd been in a fight somewhere, but he refused to tell anyone what happened. I can't remember the injuries - extensive bruising, a fractured wrist? And I stitched a laceration above his eye.

- Did he give you his name? Any identifying information?

- He said his name was Chris, but he wouldn't give us his last name.

- Do you remember what he looked like?

- No. He had curly hair, I think.

- You don't remember the injuries, names, or faces of your patients?

- It was nearly two years ago.

- But you remember that this particular patient came here on that night.

- The document reminded me. And I remember him because he disappeared. Most patients don't disappear.

- Okay. What happened after you provided him with care?

- I admitted him to a ward on hourly observation for head injury and requested scans. I don't think I did all of the checks...and I think the scans were denied. Anyway, before dawn I came back to the room and he was gone. The window was open and he'd stolen some stuff from a cupboard in the room - I alerted a patrol team in the emergency room, and then I had to go back to my other patients, so I never heard anything else about him.

- And you never saw him again?

- No.

- There is camera footage of an unidentified nurse talking to him on a routine observation and obscuring the view of the camera in the room, minutes before he disappears. Do you know anything about that?

- No. I didn't do all of the checks.

- You weren't so sure about that before.

- I never had a conversation with him after I stitched his face up.

- The cabinet records showed that the door was legitimately unlocked. Do you have any idea how he could have gotten past the electronic lock on the cabinet without breaking it?

- I don't know how to get past an electronic lock without a key.

- You didn't see him near the cabinet, or hear him ask about it or any of its contents? You didn't notice any personal effects on him that would have aided him in theft?

- No. I just stitched him up and put in the care plan.

- Did you notice that the camera was obscured by the TV when you came into the room that last time?

- No. I was just looking for the patient.

- Okay.

- Y/N, have you ever come into contact with, or associated with, someone who is disconnected from the surveillance network or a known advocate for a rebellion movement?

- Not knowingly, but-

- So yes.

- Anyone is allowed to come into this hospital. We don't know who they are.

- Do you report any suspicious activity that you witness?

- Yes. Of course.

- Did this patient ever exhibit any behaviour that you thought was suspicious?

- No. I would have reported him if he did.

- You didn't think the injuries were suspicious?

- People come in off the street worse than that all the time.

- What about the man that brought him in?

- I never saw the man that brought him in.

- Did you hear or see anything about the rebel attack that occurred fifteen minutes away from this hospital on that night, before or after you treated the patient?

- I think I only heard about it the next day.

- You seem to only remember very specific details about this case.

- It was two years ago.

- You should have known there would be an investigation on a patient gone missing under suspicious circumstances and recorded everything you knew.

- There was an investigation when it happened that was closed. I didn’t think it would come up again.

- So you don’t remember the attack?

- Not really. Not until you brought it up.

- You treated several patients from that attack that night.

- Injuries from fights aren't unusual. I don't have time to ask every patient exactly what happened if it's busy. I think I thought it was just another fight in the factory lines or something, until I saw the news the next day.

- So you are aware that it happened? And that he is a rebel soldier?

- I assumed the next day that that's where most of my patients came from. I don't know anything about him.

- Okay.

...

- You own a dance studio several blocks from here, correct? You teach lessons as a secondary income?

- I rent a studio. I only have one regular student there.

- Your regular student is Yang Jeongin?

- Yes.

- Did you teach a second student in the last two months?

- I had one new student for, uh...two lessons, and he brought a friend with him for the second one. They didn't book any more though.

- What were the names of those students?

- The one that booked the lesson was Chan. I don't remember the other one's name.

- It seems unlikely that you wouldn't remember the names of only three students.

- He never booked, he just showed up on the day. Chan paid for him.

- The audio record shows that you didn't ask for his name when they entered the room either. Did you ask for it at all?

- I would have asked for it at some point. Maybe Minho did - he was teaching that lesson as well.

- Lee Minho, the other owner of the studio?

- Yes.

- Y/N, are you aware that there are very few audio logs recorded from any time in the last three years that you have spent in that studio?

- No? I mean, I wouldn't-

- There is significant interference with audio logs from that location for both you and Lee Minho, and your students. There are also no cameras available in the building; which I have flagged as a violation with the federal surveillance bureau.

- I mean...we play music most of the time we're there? Is that it?

- We don't have a lot of time there in between work, so we just turn the music on and start dancing as soon as we arrive.

- So you are not aware of any participation from yourself in conversations in lieu?

- No. We don't talk in the studio, we just work.

- Were you aware of the lack of working cameras?

- We've reported it to the building manager.

- Are you aware of the repercussions of neglecting to report any non-compliance with surveillance laws that you witness, including conversations in lieu and missing cameras in a building?

- A fine or the work camps, right?

- Yes.

- Are you aware of the consequences of lying to an officer of the law, including officers inducted under the Anti-Violence Task Force act?

- The camps?

- Correct.

- With that in mind, do you have anything else you would like to add to the record?

- No.

- Okay.

- That concludes the interview.

---

TAGLIST

@kokinu09 @rainfallingfromthesky @keepswingin @rylea08 @puppysmileseungmin

@thatonedemigodfromseoul @bokkiesplace @amyyscorner @dearly-somber @kayleefriedchicken

@realrintaro @estella-novella

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mitigatedchaos · 1 month ago

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Congratulations! You are now an elf, along with your friends, associates, cherished family members, and however many other humans you think should be elves. You will live healthily for up to 400 years, after which you will age until the end of your natural lifespan at age 500.

You have futuristic sci-fi health coverage which can collect you by rocket pod from most parts of the Earth's surface. (It does not cover, for example, the Mariana Trench.) Most injuries can be healed completely, although particularly severe injuries might require years in a regenerative coma.

In which technological environment do you spend most of your time?

1 - Stone Age - Living in a hut or perhaps a cave, hunting animals or working the land with stone tools, with perhaps some domestic animals. There's no other way to get quite so close to the land.

2 - Fake Medieval Europe - Nominally this style of living is like medieval or renaissance Europe. Travel is by horse or by sail. There are no electrical devices, but there are printing presses. You will probably spend a lot of time farming. Guns are sufficiently crude affairs that it's 50-50 on whether you'd be better off trying to kill someone with a sword or spear instead.

3 - Steam Power & Telegraphs - Locomotives are steam-powered. Factories are steam-powered. Cars are steam-powered. Electrically-driven refrigerators are available. Long-distance communication is by telegraph, or by landline telephone - if you can pay for it. Record players are a thing.

4 - Fake 1960s - Gasoline-powered cars, diesel locomotives, and long-distance jet aircraft are available. Computers generally consist of one or more large units the size of a refrigerator, possibly with a cathode ray-tube terminal. Color television is available if you have the money.

5 - Fake 1990s - There are personal computers with CPU speeds measured in Mhz and 800x600 screen resolutions - these can be connected to a dial-up Internet. DVDs are available. Cell phones exist, but are limited to flip-phones at most, and don't include cameras.

6 - Fake 2010s - High-speed Internet, streaming services, 4K flat-screen televisions - no ChatGPT.

#polls #tumblr polls #elf posting

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dankdungeonsrpg · 3 months ago

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Synthesizer Nostalgia

Recently...

NAMM (the National Association of Musician Merchants) happened. It's a trade show for instruments that gets all sorts of YouTube coverage, particularly by channels interested in synthesizers.

This year something that I think is very very cool was shown... The Behringer BX1

This thing is amazing!

It's a recreation of Yamaha's 1983 DX1 instrument, which is legendary.

For starters it was the first FM Synthesizer, the first (I think) form of digital synthesis. The DX1 was also a beast, it effectively stacked two powerful synths on top of each other, allowing for layered, more complex sounds. A feature that didn't become standard until the '90s. It also had a key bed with polyphonic aftertouch, a feature not event standard today! (but we are starting to see more instruments with it in the last few years) Oh, and it was $14k ($45k adjusted for inflation).

Yamaha put out an excellent video about it if you want to hear it/know more:

youtube

Another notable thing about the DX1: only 140 were ever made.

The Sound of the '80s

Okay so the DX1 was kind of unobtainable, but its smaller (relatively) brother the DX7 was not. While it didn't have any of those rad features I mentioned, and was wildly difficult to program, the DX7 was still a first wave FM synth. It could do all sorts of things synths couldn't do before.

This became...a very big deal. It basically defined the music of an entire decade:

youtube

But There's More!

Did I say the Behringer BX1 was a clone of the Yamaha DX1? Well it's not just that. It's actually more than that!

See, the one big downside of digital synths is they tend to sound...cold. It's hard to describe, but their predecessors, analog synths, have a much warmer sound. I don't want to dwell on this because it's a lot but one way manufacturers can make a digital synth sound warmer is by using some analog components in it, particularly the filter.

Behringer knows this and decided to make their BX1 with analog filters, and not just any old analog filters, but the chips Yamaha used on their other legendary/expensive/small production synth: the CS80:

youtube

The instrument that scored Blade Runner.

Wait...Isn't This An RPG Blog?

Well that's just it, when I saw/read about/heard this thing I got the same feeling I had when I saw the Dolmenwood kickstarter.

Retro TTRPG people and retro synth people have a similar need. They both want to harken back to a distant time (the 70s/80s) and to tinker with the devices that produced these feelings.

One uses dice and mechanics to experience a kind of gameplay. The other uses filters and DCOs to experience a kind of music.

WotC becomes Roland Necrotic Gnome becomes Dreadbox B/X (as a system) becomes FM Synthesis The Moldvay Box Set becomes the DX7 Suddenly the Volca FM is an OSR darling retro clone.

okay so maybe it would make more sense to compare B/X to an analogue subtractive synthesis method instead of a digital additive one, but whatever

Dolmenwood is a recreation of an excellent old system with a lot of new features and ideas. The Behringer BX1 is a recreation of an excellent old synth with a lot of new features and ideas.

Bringing Back The Old School

These days the OSR is not only releasing new modules/systems/supplements, but importantly, its making them more accessible than ever.

OSE is a perfect example. It's a rewrite, but what a rewrite! It is so much easier to learn B/X with OSE than with the original books. Similarly, most (though certainly not all) classic modules don't hold a candle to the adventures coming out right now.

Accessibility is a big thing in the synth community as well.

Although in matters of pricing...we are talking about electronic instruments vs books, so bear that in mind.

An original DX1 goes for over $150k, but that BX1 clone? Probably going to cost $1,200. Behringer is also known for its Deepmind 12 synth, a $800 (sort of) clone of the '80s analog powerhouse known as the Juno 106.

youtube

Important to point out that many people go the virtual route for their classic synth clones as well. Software can (pretty accurately) emulate almost any vintage synth (and certainly any digital one). These can cost over $100 but that's still a total bargain.

Plus, you're looking at way more features on these modern units, not to mention software programmers. Creating sounds on these modern devices is way easier than their vintage counterparts...kind of like how OSE is way easier to grok than B/X.

Also, like the OSR, there isn't only one company making retro clone synths. Many companies (even the WotC equivalents) are making little retro affordable instruments. Others are taking old ideas and using them to inspire new products. Again, not unlike the OSR, NSR, or indie ttrpg sphere in general.

From both the OSR and the synth community the thing I always hear is: "this is the best time to be part of this hobby" and I think that's just great!

More Alike Than We'd Like

Worth noting as well that just like the RPG community, the synth community has drama.

Behringer particularly has come under scrutiny for creating clones of modern devices produced by other companies. While I don't feel informed enough on the situation to speak on it, there are been just as many YouTube videos and blog posts on the topic as any OSR kerfuffle.

The Future/The Past

Maybe I'm just a nostalgic kinda guy but I'm so excited to get my hands on more vintage inspired synths and more vintage inspired games. They can teach us that old ideas still have value and can benefit from modernization.

But before I do any of that...I think I have a line on a cheap Laserdisc player and some giant disk copies of the first two Bill & Ted movies...

#rpg #indie ttrpg #osr #synthesizer #behringer #yamaha dx7 #behringer bx1 #OSE #necrotic gnome

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stalkerofthegods · 1 year ago

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Lord Morpheus/Somnina deep dive info

Lord Morpheus is active in lives, he is a kind and gentle god, always having his worshipers/devotees in his mind, he is amazing.

Herbs • Poppy, Poppy trees, poppy seeds, ivory, Dandelion seed, Chamomile, mugwort, lavender, jasmine, passionflower, basil

Animals• Bats, Nocturnal animals, Cats, Fireflies, Moths, Butterfly, Racoons, Wolves, Crows, Halcyon birds, sheep “counting sheep” (my personal thinking)

Zodiac • None, I couldn't find any evidence, perhaps Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, or Pisces because they were born in the winter.

Colors • Black, Blue, Gold, Purple, Silver, Red, some folks like associating neon colors and grey. I also think white.

Crystal• Amethyst, Herkimer Diamond, Scolecite, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, and gemstones associated with dream magick

Symbols• Horns (he passes through a horn gate each night), Portals, gates, feathers, wings, skeleton keys, stars, night, ivory, tea, baths, sweet coffee

wear in their honor • sleep masks, PJs, slippers.

Diety of• of dreams, of sleep

Patron of• from/shape (his name translates to that, and shapeshifts in dreams.), messages to the unconscious, prophecies to the unconscious, influencing people unconsciously, hypnotizing, dreaming about the future, daydreaming, dream jobs, human shapes, hallucinations of humans, meditation, desire, hope, insomnia, opium-based medication, lucid dreaming, imagination, schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like disorders or illnesses, creativity, astral travel, encouragement, communication, divination

Element• Water, air

Offerings• Honey, honey cake, wine, fish and incense, Melatonin, Sleep-related gemstones and crystals, Skulls, Dream Catchers (ethnically obtained), Any type of stress reliever, and sleep indulgent tea, Ivory and/or Horn items, Sleep-related spells,

The imagery of his associated animals, Feathers, demon imagery(?), imagery of his animals, offerings of things like moths, butterflies, skulls, and feathers (ethically sourced), melatonin gummies, skeleton keys, Dream Pillows (herbal satchels filled with lavender to place under your pillow for better sleep)

Devotional• Track your dreams on a calendar, Keep a dream journal, Get enough sleep, Turn off your electronics 1 hour before bed (gets you in deeper sleep faster), Perform a night ritual, Learn about lucid dreaming and practice it, Write a letter to Morpheus before going to bed, Prayers related to Morpheus, Prophetic inducing herbs, Creating a playlist for him with songs that help you sleep, drink mugwort or chamomile tea before bed, set and try to stick to a night routine, write letters or jokes to him, write stories/a book, wear or dress your bed in his associated color, keep crystals for him on your bed or bedside table, have a bath or shower before bed, speak to him before you sleep, go to a sleepover to his honor, washing your bed sheets, cleaning up ur bed, try making your own melatonin, practice divination, try controlling ur dreams

Ephithets• Μορφευς, Morpheus, Shaper of Dreams, Sandman, Mildest of the Gods, Balm of the Soul, Oneiros, Kai’Ckul, Lord L’Zoril, Shaper of Forms, Lord Shaper, Prince of Stories (The Sandman, Neil Gaiman), Dream Giver, Sleep’s Guest, Lord Shaper, Father of Dreams, Lord of the Night, He Who Tells Mortals Stories, Formshaper, Shadowmaker

Equivalents (alike not the same)• Niorun (Norse), Angus (Celtic), Caer (Celtic), Bes (Egypt), Tutu (Egypt), Morpheus (Greek), Somnina (Norse).

Signs their reaching out• Sudden floating in dreams, better dreams, sleeping better, seeing him in dreams.

Vows/omans• Perhaps wedding vows.

Number• 1, 6, 7

Morals• Morally lawfully neutral follows the gods' bidding.

Courting• no one, but is seen as Iris's husband in some literature,

Past lovers/crushes• I couldn't find any, I think he is Ace? But that is not anyone's business. He is ‘said’ to date Iris because of always being togetherer

Personality• Morpheus is a very chill and comprehensive God. He’s understanding and he’s happy to help out if he can. He doesn’t ask for much when you worship him, as long as you’re making an effort he’s fine.

Home• Erebus, in the Underworld

Mortal or immortal • Immortal

Fact• Some say they were able to “heal”,

Curses• Insomnia, your dream of the ‘good future’ being wrong, your hopes and dreams crashing down, no dreams (If u like your dreams), feeling anger towards you in dreams and just in general. Your baby wakes up with a nightmare. The back/neck problems you wake up with.

Blessings• Good sleep, having good dreams, and your children going to sleep.

Roots• Ancient Greece, born probably in Tarturas

Friends• Iris, Zeus, Hermes, Hera, messengers in general.

Parentage• Pasithea and Hypnos, some say he came from Hypnos asexually, some say from Nyx asexually, I think Nyx.

Siblings• Oneiroi, Icelus, Phobetor, Phantasus

Pet• None.

Children • None

Appearance in astral or gen• often depicted with wings, he changes into whatever shape is needed at a given moment, decided as a young man in art, and has one ear with wing and one to hear with. He looks like he has short hair.

Festivals • I couldn't find any, I would say hibernation month, and just celebrate being able to sleep when animals are hibernating.

Season • winter

Day • I would say Saturday because I get the most sleep on Saturday, no school, and no worries, I couldn't find a historic one, or just make a day for him, many people do that for minor gods.

Status• Greek Minor god/personification, a part of the Oneiroi, and the leader of the Oneiroi. plays a major role in day-to-day life. He is a Cthonic deity

What angers them • Insulting them,

Music they like• I would think Sleep Music, Sleep Asmr

What they like • sleep.

What they dislike• I would say physical touch since he disappears all the sudden when he is almost being touched, I think he only touches those he ‘is okay with’ as a sign of trust or adornment because I heard a person back then say they use to get tapped by them

Planet• Moon (phase new)

Tarot cards• The Four of Swords and the Tower, message card (based on sleep and messages, each their own.)

Reminds me of• sleep, the good resting kind of sleep

In my opinion • they are pretty rad, and strangely I've been having shit sleep, ain't he just a sweetheart.

Scents/Inscene • Opium, Lavender, Jasmine, Chamomile, Sandalwood, and any other calming scents

Prayers•

Ever-shifting Morpheus, lord of the Oneiroi who bring us our dreams, true or false. Morpheus, swift-soaring courier, twilight messenger of the gods, kind one, dweller in the shadowed land of dreams, dark-winged god who shapes the visions of the night, who tells the tales that must be told, who strips us bare of secrets, who clothes hard truths in subtle raiment, child of the black night, child of the shrouded dark, in the realm of illusion you are king. Morpheus, harbinger of change, concealer of clues, you bury bits of truth among our wishes and fancies; with your aid can we see into the mist of the unknown, with your aid can we find the hidden pieces of the self. Morpheus, I praise and honor you.

With a whisper I call you, o Morpheus, lord of dreams, greatest amongst the Oneiroi. I call to you as Hypnos draws near.

Phantasos, ancient messenger who crafts wonder into form who conjures in our minds a tapestry otherworldly. Greatest molder and master of lights, many-shaped, you cross the night and take on any face or voice any hue or sound you so desire. I ask you, my lord: shield me from pain and fear in my dreams, let no anguish burden my heart as I sleep. This only I request: that within your great creations I may rest and through your hand I may find safe haven. That my words may reach you, o Morpheus whispered though they may be as Hypnos draws near.

Links/websites/sources •https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpheus

https://www.thecollector.com/morpheus-greek-god/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Morpheus-Greek-mythology https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hypnos https://despena.gr/morpheus-the-ancient-greek-god-of-dreams/https://kreweofmorpheus.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=174762&module_id=305302 https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/morpheus-greek-god-dreams-who-delivered-messages-gods-mortal-world-002318#google_vignette How Ancient Egyptians Interpreted Dreams - UnEarthed Penn Dream Angus: The Celtic God of Dreams (The Myths) - Amazon.comAmazon.com Caer Ibormeith - Thoughts on PapyrusThoughts on Papyrus Who is Niorun? - Northern Tradition Paganismhttps://greekpagan.com/tag/morpheus/

HUGE HELP FROM

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

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