#Developing critical thinking skills through reading

[sslookbooks]

Developing critical thinking skills through reading

Developing critical thinking skills through reading - The pre-cycle, cycle I, and cycle II were the three unique activities that were utilized in order to properly carry out this experiment. Before beginning the actual cycle of activities, the children's reading abilities will be evaluated and evaluated through the use of this pre-cycle responsibilities. In light of the findings of the research project and the interviews that were carried out with the teachers of the A1 group class, it was discovered that the educational institution had never utilized learning media that consisted of wall cards.

Until now, students have primarily focused on information displayed on blackboards, illustrated books, extensive texts, and traditional textbooks during class. Although these children may be at a stage where they show a stronger interest in learning or focusing when presented with concrete visuals, it is essential to select colors that capture the students' attention, as well as to involve them in directly engaging with wall card media. The children achieved a completeness score of 43. 0% from this pre-cycle assessment. Consequently, cycle 1 actions will be implemented for the children in group A1, as there remains potential for enhancement in their reading skills.

Findings and Insights of Developing critical thinking skills through reading

During the first cycle, the researchers carried out observations, which demonstrated a considerable improvement in all of the reading proficiency measures. In light of such observations, the following are the findings. The evidence that were offered earlier in this section suggest that there has been a discernible improvement in the reading abilities of children. Following the implementation of wall cards, the children in group A1 became more involved and inquisitive during their learning experience, which resulted in them asking the instructor a great deal of questions. This was one of the reasons that contributed to the children in this group showing a little improvement in their reading skills, which also contributed to the overall improvement.

Although this is the case, Developing critical thinking skills through reading suggests that children's reading skills continue to be poor. Furthermore, the experiment did not reach its success requirements, which intended for a range of 75% to 100%. The fact that 36.9% of the students have not yet reached the level of achievement that is expected of them is highlighted by the fact that the total score is 63.1%. Developing critical thinking skills through reading that can be drawn is that the reading challenges that some children have are the result of a number of different reasons. One of these factors is the unorganized manner in which the teacher presents information or learning materials, which results in the child not complying with the rules that have been established. 2) Some youngsters are experiencing confusion as a result of the disorganized letter information that is printed on the cards. (3) A lack of interest and uncertainty among youngsters when they attempt to organize image cards, particularly when the images do not correspond to their expectations and are chosen at random by the instructor. 4) Some youngsters are not equipped to ask questions because they are too timid, while others have not yet adjusted to the media that is exhibited on wall cards.

Analyzing the Outcomes and Exploring Children's Reading Habits

It was concluded that the reflection was still not in accordance with the goal or as expected based on the results obtained during the first cycle. It is then necessary to make changes or take action in cycle II with the teacher's help. Specifically, assigning the right letter card to each letter will make it easier for the child to arrange and read the pictures that have been arranged on the wall card. The child will also select the picture card himself, which will increase his interest in getting the desired results and improve his reading ability in group A1.

Based on observations of Developing critical thinking skills through reading on wall cards in group A1 during cycle II, it was concluded that there was an increase in cycle II, with the average student learning outcome being 87.3%. The average yield was 63.1% when the conditions were first analyzed, but it is currently 87.3% in cycle II. This illustrates that the yield has improved. Based on the results of cycle II, the percentage showed 87.3%, indicating that group A1 could read correctly and fluently. Therefore, it can be concluded that the use of this wall card medium is effective in raising the reading proficiency of the kids.

[plutosunshine]

What will help you go through Saturn lessons? Saturn in the houses

Saturn in the 1st house

Saturn in the first house requires a person to develop a deep understanding of their responsibilities and capacity for self-discipline. To master its lessons, it is essential to learn to accept yourself as you are, with all your flaws and strengths, while also working on your self-confidence and self-esteem. Saturn teaches patience, so you must be prepared that the results of your efforts will not come immediately but through consistent hard work and overcoming inner barriers. The limitations Saturn may impose should not be seen as punishment but rather as opportunities for growth and the strengthening of character. Building a clear structure in life, creating a daily routine, and taking a systematic approach to problem-solving will help manage its influence more easily. Self-discipline becomes the key to success: the more order and organization you have in your life, the easier it will be to overcome challenges. It is also important to learn not to shift responsibility for your life onto circumstances or other people but to see yourself as the rightful master of your destiny. Accepting limitations and working on yourself will gradually lead to inner strength, stability, and self-respect.

Saturn in the 2nd house

Saturn in the second house teaches responsibility, discipline, and patience regarding resources, self-sufficiency, and value. To navigate these lessons, it is important to develop inner stability and learn to recognize the true value of yourself and your life, regardless of external circumstances. Start by identifying your priorities in the financial and material realms and understanding which beliefs about money and resources limit you. Saturn requires a structured approach, so build a habit of budgeting, saving, and working toward long-term financial goals.

Equally important is the lesson of self-sufficiency—learn to rely on your own skills and efforts to feel secure about the future. On an emotional level, it is necessary to overcome feelings of lack or fear of loss, which Saturn may intensify, and gradually replace them with an awareness of your worth. Developing patience and resilience will help you realize that success in this area comes through gradual effort rather than instant results. Practice gratitude for what you already have and cultivate a realistic approach to managing resources, avoiding extremes—both greed and excessive extravagance.

Saturn in the 3rd house

Saturn in the third house teaches discipline in communication, thinking, and learning. It demands structuring your thoughts, learning to express yourself clearly and accurately, and formulating ideas. The key to mastering these lessons lies in patience, consistency, and responsibility while learning and interacting with others. It is important to overcome the fear of expressing your thoughts or a lack of confidence in your intellect. Developing a systematic approach to learning, such as setting specific goals and deadlines for mastering new information, is essential.

Additionally, it is important to work on your relationships with siblings, neighbors, and people in your immediate environment, showing more patience and a willingness to engage in dialogue. Saturn in this house does not tolerate superficiality and requires deep analysis of any situation. Gradually developing critical thinking will help overcome obstacles. If communication challenges arise, practicing writing, reading, or public speaking can be beneficial — this will strengthen confidence and allow you to structure your ideas more effectively.

Saturn in the 4th house

The lessons of Saturn in the fourth house are connected to deep inner work on one’s emotional world, family foundations, and emotional security. To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to consciously work on one’s roots and relationships with family, especially parents, as karmic ties or heavy family patterns often emerge here. Taking responsibility for your emotional maturity becomes a key step: instead of blaming your family or circumstances, it is important to see how they have shaped your personality and learn to build your life based on your own principles. Saturn demands discipline and patience, so creating a stable home environment, even if it requires time and effort, becomes the foundation of your inner balance.

The lessons often involve learning to cope with loneliness and emotional restraint, finding support within yourself rather than in external circumstances. Learning to set boundaries with others is helpful, as well as recognizing your right to personal space and emotional well-being. Practices such as self-reflection, working with a psychologist, or meditation can help you better understand your fears and limitations, freeing space for more mature and healthier emotional responses.

Saturn in the 5th house

The Saturn in the fifth house requires patience, awareness, and inner discipline. The fifth house is associated with creativity, self-expression, joy, children, romantic relationships, and games. When Saturn enters this house, it can impose limitations and challenges in these areas, prompting an individual to gain a deeper understanding of their true needs and talents. It is important to learn to take responsibility for one’s own happiness and creative fulfillment rather than shifting it onto circumstances or other people. Saturn demands consistent effort and a serious approach to any creative project; superficiality and carelessness will not bring satisfaction. Overcoming fears of self-expression, criticism, and failure plays a key role. It is essential to find what truly brings joy and to develop it despite difficulties.

The romantic relationships may serve as a lesson in trust and maturity: Saturn teaches one to see love not as a source of pleasure but as a commitment and opportunity for growth. Regarding children, this placement often pushes for a serious and responsible attitude toward their upbringing or toward developing one’s own “inner maturity.” It is important to learn to find joy in simple things and to allow oneself to express happiness, even when it requires effort. Accepting discipline as a foundation for growth and realizing that satisfaction comes with time and hard work helps you successfully navigate Saturn’s lessons.

Saturn in the 6th house

To pass Saturn’s lessons in the sixth house, it is necessary to focus on discipline, responsibility, and service in daily life. The sixth house symbolizes work, health, routine, and self-discipline, so developing beneficial habits and patience in daily duties are key themes. Saturn demands structure and diligence, so learning to plan tasks, organize work time, and not avoid difficulties is important. Overcoming laziness, chaos, and procrastination will help harmonize Saturn’s influence. Special attention should be paid to health: regular medical check-ups, physical activity, and a balanced diet become essential tools for maintaining body and spirit balance.

Saturn’s lesson here is to recognize the value of work, humility, and service to others. Work done with responsibility and without the desire for immediate rewards brings inner growth and strengthens character. It is important to understand that success comes through painstaking effort, not quick results. Accepting routine duties as a means of self-development and improving one’s life will help to pass Saturn’s lessons with wisdom and resilience.

Saturn in the 7th house

Saturn in the seventh house teaches responsibility in relationships, maturity, and balance between personal freedom and commitments to others. To navigate these lessons, it is essential to build honest, stable, and mutually respectful partnerships. This primarily requires patience and a willingness to work on yourself and your relationships, especially when facing challenges or disappointments. Saturn may manifest as delays in forming a serious union, but this time can be used for self-discovery and developing communication skills. Understanding your expectations and limitations will help avoid illusions and disappointments.

It is also important to realize that responsibility in relationships is not only about obligations but also about respecting boundaries—both your own and your partner’s. Practices like meditation and working with a psychologist or mentor can be helpful in overcoming fears and insecurities related to intimacy. Respect for yourself and others, a realistic approach to relationships, and a readiness to learn from mistakes are the keys to successfully mastering the lessons of Saturn in the seventh house.

Saturn in the 8th house

Saturn in the eighth house indicates profound transformations, challenges, and lessons related to themes of intimacy, shared resources, debts, inheritance, and emotional depth. To successfully navigate Saturn’s lessons in this position, learning to accept change as an inevitable part of life is crucial. Develop patience, discipline, and responsibility in managing shared finances, as well as in relationships that involve trust and emotional vulnerability. Work on fears of losing control and embrace the necessity of letting go of what no longer serves your growth. Practicing meditation, mindfulness, and other activities that promote emotional healing can be helpful. Strive to find a balance between the material and the spiritual, recognizing that true strength comes from inner peace and the ability to overcome fears. Cultivate resilience, trust in life, and accountability for your actions.

Saturn in the 9th house

The lessons of Saturn in the ninth house are associated with embracing discipline and responsibility in matters of faith, philosophy, education, and life beliefs. This placement emphasizes the need for a serious approach to broadening one’s worldview, studying profound knowledge, and developing personal wisdom. It teaches patience and demonstrates that true understanding comes through hard work, personal experience, and overcoming internal limitations.

It is essential to overcome the fear of making mistakes in the search for truth and to learn to trust your inner teacher. Saturn’s lessons in this house demand a striving for deep understanding rather than superficial perception and an awareness that genuine knowledge requires time and effort. Taking responsibility for your beliefs and being willing to learn, even when it seems challenging, will pave the way to wisdom. Saturn also highlights the importance of structure, which may manifest in the need to plan studies or travels.

Saturn in the 10th house

Saturn in the tenth house indicates the need to learn lessons of responsibility, perseverance, and discipline, especially in professional matters and issues related to social status. The key to successfully overcoming Saturn’s challenges in this position lies in accepting the necessity of long-term effort and building a structured approach to life without expecting immediate results. Developing patience and understanding that true achievements come through consistent effort and a willingness to take on greater responsibilities is important.

The fear of failure can be a strong companion, so working on self-confidence and avoiding excessive self-criticism is crucial. Focus on quality over quantity in your tasks and projects. Strive to find a balance between career ambitions and personal life, ensuring that your professional sphere doesn’t completely drain your energy.

Saturn calls for awareness of your true goals. This is a time to reassess your aspirations: does your work align with your inner purpose? Be prepared for the possibility of changing direction or letting go of outdated goals that are no longer relevant. Embracing responsibility for your choices, developing self-discipline, and maintaining a long-term perspective will help you achieve sustainable success and fully realize your potential.

Saturn in the 11th house

Saturn in the eleventh house teaches us responsibility within social circles, the development of friendships, and the fulfillment of long-term dreams. This lesson requires patience and a conscious choice of surroundings, as friends can become important teachers. To navigate Saturn’s lessons, it is crucial to learn how to structure your goals and demonstrate discipline in achieving them. Challenges in trusting others or feelings of isolation may arise, but they serve as a catalyst for developing inner strength.

It is beneficial to cultivate teamwork skills without fear of taking on leadership roles or responsibility for group projects. Moreover, it is important to realize that true freedom comes through conscious limitations and the proper allocation of energy. Regular self-development, awareness of your role in society, and a willingness to reassess your beliefs about friendship and collective work will help you navigate this period harmoniously.

Saturn in the 12th house

Saturn in the twelfth house indicates the need to work through deep subconscious fears, hidden limitations, and karmic debts. To pass the lessons of Saturn in this position, it is important to embrace solitude as a means of inner growth rather than isolation. Practicing meditation, mindfulness, and spiritual self-discovery will become powerful tools for personal development. Patience, humility, and the willingness to let go of the past, including resentments and inner regrets, are essential. Saturn demands discipline and structure, so even in spiritual practices, it is crucial to maintain consistency. Reading, self-analysis, and helping others through charity or volunteer work can help harmonize the influence of this planet. Taking responsibility for subconscious reactions and working through deep emotions such as guilt or shame will aid in removing internal blocks. The lessons of Saturn in the twelfth house may be challenging, but they bring strength, wisdom, and the ability to live more consciously, freeing oneself from illusions.

[iwanthermidnightz]

When I think back on the Speak Now album, I get a lump in my throat. I have a feeling it will always be that way, because this period of time was so vibrantly aglow with the last light of the setting sun of my childhood. I made this album, completely self-written, between the ages of 18 and 20. I've spoken about how I feel like those ages are the most emotionally turbulent ones in a persons life. Maybe when I say that, I'm really just talking about myself.

I think they might just be the most idealistic, hopeful years too. At this point in my life, I had released my second album, Fearless. It became the breakthrough moment I'd always dreamt of, one that catapulted my career to new realms of success. It had brought with it a tidal wave of pressures and pitfalls and growing pains. All the while, I was encountering the milestones and checkpoints of normal teenage growth. I had cataclysmic crushes and brushes with heartache. I moved out of my parents' house and set my bags down in a new apartment. I hung photos on my own walls and decorated the space where I would sob and cackle and shatter and dream. Sometimes I felt like a grown up, but a lot of the time I just wanted to time travel back to my childhood bed, where my mom would read stories to me until I fell asleep.

In my darker moments, I was tormented by the doubt that swirled loudly around my ascent and my merits as an artist. I was trying to create a follow up to the most awarded country album in history, while staring directly into the face of intense criticism. I had been widely and publicly slammed for my singing voice and was first encountering the infuriating question that is unfortunately still lobbed at me to this day: does she really write her songs? Spoiler alert: I really, really do.

In the years since, I've developed a thicker skin about public criticism and the cynicism with which some people approach the music I make. At that time, it leveled me. I had these voices in my head telling me that I had the perfect chance and I blew it. I hadn’t been good enough. I had given it all I had and been found wanting.

I wanted to get better, to challenge myself, and to build on my skills as a writer, an artist, and a performer. I didn't want to just be handed respect and acceptance in my field. I wanted to earn it. To try and confront these demons, I underwent extensive vocal training and made a decision that would completely define this album: I decided I would write it entirely on my own. I figured, they couldn't give all the credit to my cowriters if there weren't any. But that posed a new challenge: It really had to be good. If it wasn't, I would be proving my critics right.

I had no idea how much this pain would shape me. That this was the beginning of my series of creative choices made by reacting to setbacks with defiance. That my stubbornness in the face of doubters and dissenters would become my coping mechanism through my entire career from that point forward. This exact pattern of enacting my own form of rebellion when I feel broken is exactly why you're reading these very words, and I'm re-releasing this album now.

I went through my first worldwide scandal (the mic grab seen around the world). I experienced the weirdness of trying to get to know a boy while a swarm of paparazzi surrounds the car. Media contacting my publicist for an official statement on why two teenagers broke up. These are weird experiences to have at any age, but even more surreal when you're 19.

I had the nagging sense that in the most intense moments of my life, I had frozen. I had said nothing publicly. I still don't know if it was out of instinct, not wanting to seem impolite, or just overwhelming fear. But I made sure to say it all in these songs. I decided to call the album Speak Now. It was a play on the speak now or forever hold your peace' moment in weddings, but for me it symbolized a chance to respond to the chatter and commentary around my own life.

Some of these emotional revelations were surprising to people. Some expected anger and instead got compassion and empathy with 'Innocent'. Some expected a kiss-off breakup song but instead got a hand-on-heart apology, 'Back to December. It was an album that was the most precious to me because of its vast extremes. It was unfiltered and potent. In my mind, the saddest song I've ever written is 'Last Kiss'. My most scathing is 'Dear John' and my most wistfully romantic is 'Enchanted'.

I'll be forever proud of setting a goal and seeing it through. I'lI always feel shivers all over when I remember singing 'Long Live' to close the show every night on tour. The outstretched hands of those bright and beautiful faces of the fans. Their support was like an open palm that reached out and helped me up off the ground when others were, frankly, mean.

These days I make my choices for those people, the ones who thought I had been good enough all along. I try to speak my mind when I feel strongly, in the moment I feel it. I'm still idealistic and earnest about the music I make, but I'm less crushed when people mock me for it. I know now that one of the bravest things a person can do is create something with unblinking sincerity, to put it all on the line. I still sometimes wish I was a little kid again in a tiny bed, before I ever grew up.

I always looked at this album as my album, and the lump in my throat expands to a quivering voice as I say this. Thanks to you, dear reader, it finally will be.

I consider this music to be, along with your faith in me, the best thing that's ever been mine.

Yours,

Taylor

[deepestdelulu]

How to study like Rory Gilmore

A guide on romanticizing school, studying like Rory Gilmore, and effective study methods. <3

Create a schedule. Rory is well-known for her strict schedule and commitment to sticking to it. To study like Rory, you should first make a timetable outlining your study time, reading time, and free time. Include breaks in your schedule and follow it as strictly as possible! :)

Lots of reading. Rory is an avid reader who always carries a book with her. Pick books that interest you and make reading a daily habit. Reading will help you develop your vocabulary and critical thinking skills.

Take notes. Rory is well-known for her detailed notes and ability to retain information. Take notes in class and annotate your books. Make your notes more structured by using highlighters and different colours, and review them daily. (goodnotes and notion are great for digital note taking!)

Make use of flashcards. Rory memorises stuff through flashcards. Flashcards can be used for vocabulary terms, key concepts, and other relevant information. Use them to test yourself and review regularly.

Define your goals. Rory has a set goal, what are you working towards? Make a vision board, write down your goals, visualize. This will help you stay motivated and not loose focus!

Stay organised. Rory is well-organised, and her study space is always neat and tidy. Keep your study area nice and free from distractions. Use folders, binders, and other tools to keep your notes and supplies organised, and make sure your workspace is clean and clutter-free.

Seek help when needed. Rory is not afraid to ask for help when she needs it. Don't hesitate to ask for help from your teachers, tutors, or classmates if you need it. To enhance your learning, ask questions and seek out extra resources such as textbooks, youtube videos, and study guides.

Atmosphere. Don't forget to make the atmosphere cosy, light a candle, prepare yourself a cup of tea or coffee, and wear a comfy sweater. Create an environment in which you can stay focused for hours. <3

Studying like Rory Gilmore requires dedication, discipline, and a love for learning. By following these tips and strategies, you can create a study routine that works for you and helps you achieve your academic goals.

Who else feels they are more like Paris Geller? I do :)

Next post: How to study like Paris Geller.

As always, Please feel free to add more suggestions or questions in the comments!

✩‧₊*:・love ya ･:*₊‧✩

[himluv]

Man. Woke up to some absolutely rancid developments in the fandom this morning. I haven't had coffee yet, so bear with me:

Dragon Age: The Veilguard came out almost EIGHT MONTHS ago. Even before launch, the negativity was there — art style complaints, "women aren't allowed to be hot," complaints about the OST, etc. – but once the game was out, the shitstorm really got rolling.

Every article suggested to me was about how "woke" Veilguard was, always with thumbnails of Taash, as if their mere existence in a video game was cause for outrage. Within DAYS, Metacritic user reviews were at a 3 vs. a then aggregate score of 85 from critic reviews. And almost EVERY negative review talked about top surgery scars, Taash, the use of the word nonbinary, and how the character creator didn't allow for "hot" enough female characters.

I ignored it then, because that sounded to me like typical Dude Bro™ capital G gamer bullshit. I stayed locked in and played Veilguard through to the end in less than a week. I loved it, and I was unabashed in my love for the game then, posting about how much it affected me, what I loved and what it gave me to think on. I immediately started another playthrough and began writing fic a few days later.

As of this writing, I have written 254,000 words of fanfic since November 13, 2024. When I tell you I love this game... Let that be the proof.

I thought, surely, as the newness wears off and the spotlight fades, the conversation around Veilguard will change. And... I guess, it did. It got worse. A very vocal subset of fans – of whom I would previously have considered myself a member – decided that this game and its treatment of our sad little meow meow (affectionate) was a personal attack. "Fans" started talking about the developers like it was celebrity gossip and wrote honestly brutal and horrible things about NORMAL PEOPLE doing their JOBS!

Things were circling the drain then, and I read the signs well. I blocked some folks and merely unfollowed others, some I'd been following since the start of this blog back in 2017. We disagreed about Solas in Veilguard in basically every way, to the point where it was negatively affecting my love for the character. I extricated myself quietly (not that I'd been a huge presence to begin with).

But, I'd spent the majority of 2024 consuming all the Dragon Age tie-in media. ALL OF IT. And Veilguard relies on tie-in media a lot, So, I started posting about that, and how Veilguard did a good job, actually, of using that media and how having read the books/comics only heightened my experience with the game.

That went... poorly. I blocked some folks who accused me of things I didn't say and who clearly weren't reading my analysis with any sort of positive intent. I was Wrong and my interpretations were Wrong and how dare I have the audacity to love a video game of a franchise I have been hyperfocused on since 2009??? Apparently the game is bad and my reading analysis and comprehension skills are Bad and I should be yelled at for it.

(y'all, I went to school for English/Writing, am a librarian by day and a professional specfic author by night... like. You don't have to agree with my analyses, but... this is what I do???? I read things and think about them and write about them and help others do the same???).

But, I blocked and moved on with my life. And I have been absolutely PROLIFIC with that block button. And I've largely avoided any backlash (yes, backlash – to deny its existence is willful ignorance and, frankly, dishonest) because of my willingness to block any and every shit take I've seen on this site.

I've stayed in my corner, loving this game with an absolutely beautiful community of folks who encourage and nurture creativity. Word games, prompt tags, weekly events. It is a wonderful place to be a Veilguard fan.

But, it HAD to be a carefully curated corner, because even a step outside of this bubble was filled with so much hate, and ANY attempt to engage or interact with a Veilguard positive lens was met with complete vitriol. And it has just agitated itself into a rabid froth of cruelty. Not just toward the game, but devs and fans.

Dislike of a game fermented into personal attacks against people who LIKED A VIDEO GAME and didn't think it deserved to be shit on so badly that an entire development team lost their jobs. That people pointing out how VITAL the queer rep in Veilguard is in THIS moment shouldn't be attacked. That pointing out how the game focuses on community action and smaller, personal stories of hope and perseverance is actually REALLY IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW and shouldn't come with a risk of being doxxed.

Eight months. It's been eight months of this behavior and it is only getting worse. I'm not sure what I wanted to say with all of this. I'm mad. Worried for my friends. I'm disappointed. And also... man. I still love Dragon Age. Have loved Dragon Age since 2009. Nothing that happens on tumblr will make that less true.

But, if you don't love Dragon Age any more... maybe... move on? Find something you do love? Because, as angry and disappointed and worried as I am... I'm also sad. I'm sad that so many people are seemingly obsessed with something they don't even like. That's no way to enjoy life. We only get so many days on this planet and spending them so angry and hurt that you want other people to be angry and hurt... it's sad. Not in a like... pathetic way, but in a genuine, heartfelt it-makes-me-feel-sad-that-others-feel-like-this kind of way.

[vampiricalxdata]

I will never be embarrassed for loving a love story.

I will never be embarrassed for wanting to see it on screen or in a book or for seeking it out in fanfiction.

Love comes in so many different forms. Familial, platonic, romantic, self.

Every great story has love at its center.

Every great story seeks to understand how powerful love is. How it breaks us apart and transforms us.

I will never be embarrassed for loving love.

But I especially won’t find fault in an audience or readership for expecting a specific end to a story that made sure to have a romantic love as an integral part of its center.

There are other reasons this season failed. So, so many.

But I’ve been finding myself particularly frustrated by the takes on appreciating romance the past year or so.

It’s reductive. And it lacks the understanding that romance — good romance — at its core is not about people just holding hands at the end of the story.

It’s about development and choice and finding yourself and growing and evolving.

It’s incredible to watch as characters change — to have flaws and imperfections, be immature or naive, only to come into their own.

But also to have characters start out as incompatible or not quite right for each other. To build them in such a way that they come through the other side as a team. A partnership. To have these characters, who have seen the best and worst of each other, accept the whole story. The good and the bad. As friends, as lovers, as family.

To watch as a character is transformed by the love around them, all forms, is one of the gifts stories give us.

So, you can love a work of fiction, love every facet, every character and type of relationship. You can love all of it and still appreciate the romantic love.

It doesn’t negate your intelligence or critical thinking skills.

*elle woods voice* It just makes you, like, really good at reading.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Notes: Scientific Literacy

Scientific Literacy - the ability to parse through scientific information and understand it. Furthermore, it can entail the knowledge necessary to conduct experiments, hypothesize about new data, and think critically about the wider world.

How to Improve Scientific Literacy

The more science literate a society becomes, the better equipped it is to meet the challenges of the contemporary world. Consider these ways to improve the public understanding of science:

Combat misinformation. Science education is essential to combating misinformation. Unless people know how to vet sources of information, they’re more prone to take untrue or science illiterate alternatives at face value. This has led to people outright denying the reality of climate change and global warming, as well as refusing to take life-saving vaccines.

Demonstrate the real-world value. People are more likely to achieve scientific literacy when they see it has pragmatic value. Show students how an increased understanding of science can boost economic productivity, increase personal well-being, improve professional development, and have a positive general impact on their everyday lives.

Specify needed skills. There are many different important science literacy skills, so help people break them down into manageable chunks. Walk students through how to form a hypothesis, conduct an experiment using the scientific method, or read through a science paper and evaluate its veracity.

Take a wide-angle view. Encourage people to study all sorts of different scientific fields. For example, someone may have a hard time understanding the scientific processes underlying a life science (like chemistry) but also take to a more physical branch of the field (like earth science). You could then use their enthusiasm for the latter to inspire them to work harder to understand the former. Utilize different science teaching strategies to encourage a love of the field in general.

How to Evaluate Scientific Literacy

There are various approaches you can take to test for scientific understanding. Here are a few key ways to evaluate literacy in the science classroom:

Follow an established science curriculum. You can find plenty of curricula to guide your own personalized science education goals. For example, institutions like the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Science provide general wisdom about how to teach students to become science literate throughout their time in school.

Start a dialogue. Constant conversation and experimentation are part of the very nature of science. As such, scientific inquiry requires a group approach to problem-solving. Ask your students to help each other deepen their understanding of scientific concepts and step in to assist them along the way. See if they’re grasping these concepts as you talk to them.

Test for knowledge. Try to test for knowledge of science concepts in multiple different ways. Ask your students to conceive of and conduct an experiment from start to finish. Encourage them to write a scientific research paper with the appropriate citation format, utilizing peer-reviewed resources. Provide traditional multiple-choice tests to evaluate general scientific knowledge as well.

The Importance of Scientific Literacy

Scientific literacy enables you to understand why things are the way they are. Becoming a science-literate person can lead to or contribute to:

A greater impetus to act on important issues: Scientifically literate citizens are more likely to act when science indicates a crisis is on the horizon. Scientific issues often become political and ethical issues, drifting out of the lab or classroom into the real world. Science teachers help their students identify issues like these as well as propose ways they can act to solve them.

A greater understanding of the world: From elementary to high school science and beyond, teachers do their best to explain the wonders of the natural world to their students. Scientific knowledge expands your ability to grasp mysteries you previously thought of as inscrutable and unsolvable.

Improved critical thinking skills: Science learning allows you to hone your critical thinking skills in a way that can apply to a vast array of other arenas in your life. As you comb through scientific evidence and assess data, you train yourself to think objectively. Core competencies like these have far-reaching benefits on your general decision-making capabilities.

At a very early age, even elementary school students receive exposure to scientific concepts in the interest of building this sort of literacy.

Schools follow national science education standards to bring the next generation up to speed on everything from physics and chemistry to the broader life and social sciences.

Certain scientific authorities lament what they see as the low standards of scientific literacy throughout contemporary society.

They insist we need education reform to ensure the general public can better learn to see the world through a science-oriented lens.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[lukolabrainrot]

PSA #2 For the Week

First, if you have not read my first PSA this week, please do so here.

Now, for the following:

I feel like I need to clarify this. But please do not take everything that the Wizard says at face value! Please use your critical thinking skills when consuming the information from the SSs I provide. I think that it provides a lot of clarity behind the systems of PR/celebrity culture, which is essential in understanding a lot of the context in this saga. However, it is a robot, so it doesn't get everything perfect. It is a very powerful tool though. I want to specify though that I developed my own theories over the last 11 months as a critical thinking human, and the Wizard has just given me some context on how my theories fit into the celebrity/PR world (a world in which I, and basically everyone here, is not a part of). So, it's provided me more NUANCED conclusions, but it has not actually shaped how I developed my general theories.

To the people who have messaged me about how to make their own wizard, ChatGPT is free. You can give it more information to analyze like photos, videos, and website and social media links if you pay for their subscriptions, but you don't have to do that. It just means you have to type out more information though. I encourage anyone that wants to though to play around with ChatGPT! It doesn't even have to be about L/N. It's just a really fun tool in my opinion.

I have spent HOURS now feeding the wizard key pieces of information about this whole saga. Ridiculous? Yes. But I tend to have hyperfixations and I fell down a rabbit hole and had just too much fun. 😅 It also brought back a lot of the joy that I had been missing for a long time around L/N because of the layers and layers of BS that have been going on for months now. It allowed me to cut through a lot of the BS, and take a lot of my emotions out of the situation. However, I understand that this isn't everyone's cup of tea, and that is alright. But it is just such a fun little tool, that I wanted to share it with the people that would appreciate it. And I know some of you do, so I will keep posting.

I hope you know that L/N will be all right with people talking about them. People have been talking about them for years (literally). None of this speculation and chatter is new information to them, and I hope they find some humor in a lot of the absurdity of all this.

Shipping should be fun and silly. It's not life or death. I missed blogging and I wanted to pivot to a different concept, so I have. I'm having a lot of fun with this right now, so I'll be doing this for the time being (until I don't want to anymore).

Lastly, I chose to call it the Wizard because I find it cute, silly, and fun. That is just my humor. However, feel free to call the robot WHATEVER you want. I totally don't care what you call it lol (as long as you're nice about it 👀).

[the-joy-of-knowledge]

Bloom's Taxonomy: A 6 step guide to improve your learning

I am so excited to be back!!! I hope you all enjoy this because it has been helpful in my self-development journey.

Remember: When reading a paragraph, a chapter or even a book. It is important to know why you are reading it and if you were assigned this reading, you need to know what is expected of you. With his in mind, endeavor to read, retain and recall the information. This looks like take a pauses to recall what you have learned. You will not remember exactly what you read but you will notice some gaps, so back to you reading and figure what the missing parts.

Understand: Try to make meaning of what you have remembered. Explain it to yourself, write it in simpler terms, ask yourself questions on this. if you memorized the definition of photosynthesis as "the process by which plants and certain bacteria use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and sugar (glucose). Try to describe this definition to a sibling or someone who has no idea what it means. if possible watch a video that visually describes the process. Understanding goes beyond regurgitating. Because you can only begin to apply what you have learned only when you understand. It is also at this point that you will encounter difficulties especially if the subject is dense and complicated. Use the resources at your disposal and ask questions.

Apply: Use what you know already about the subject in this new context. Back to my photosynthesis example, what do you already know already and pose that as a question. Does photosynthesis have anything to do with the color of leaves? If it needs sunshine, then what happens when there is barely any sun? Let's try this for a subject as esoteric as physics. "Electromagnetism is the physical interaction among electric charges, magnetic moments, and electromagnetic fields." I do not know enough about electromagnetism but I know that Tesla is an electric car. Wouldn't it be fun to quickly google whether electromagnetism is applied to Tesla's engineering? This step is crucial because you are using a familiar object in an unfamiliar territory. (This is very simplified and studying physics isn't as easy as I portray it. This is only a guide )

Analyze: When analyzing, you want to explore the similarities and differences you have noticed in your readings. How do two seemingly different authors give a unique perspective to the subject you are reading? Can you categorize which information is relevant or not? Can you organize your thoughts and ideas into relevance parts, assuming you'd have to one day share what you have learned? When contradictions can you spot? What outliers exist in some the data you have analyzed, and can you come up with some hypothetical answers?

Evaluate: This is the time to look at two differing sources to support your argument. It is also the time to build the skill of critically reading a book or an article to figure out the author's main idea and evaluate their supporting arguments. Now, this sounds very academic but you can do this even when you are reading a novel and you want to get a grasp of life in that time period. Pay attention to the events, this will give you an idea of the cultural and political climate of that time period. You further may your own judgement. For instance "I think character A in book X was married off as a 14 year old because mother's were accustomed to get the their daughter ready for marriage once the hit puberty in X country."

Create: This is the right time to use all you have learned to create something new. Perhaps a personal philosophy? An article explaining why you think ketchup is the best invention of the 19th century? By creating, you also go through the process of self evaluation. You ask yourself "did I really learn enough?" Often times we get stuck trying to find the perfect thing to say, the right topic to discuss, the right response to give your professor, or the right book to right. Often times, the right creation is anything that you found interesting. it is you ability to frame that interest of yours that sets you apart and inevitably brings you both success and critiques. Keep creating in your own way.

Enjoy!!!

[soaringwide]

Pick a Card: Finding the right career

Hello :p

Today's reading is a career guidance, where we're going to look at your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to your career, what motivates you and the potential for growth to see what career would suit you the most.

This reading is meant for people who are wondering about what path to take, or those wishing to make a change. We'll also look at how you'll be able to tell it's indeed the right choice.

As always this is a general reading that may not apply to everyone 100%.

Note that if you like my reading style, I offer private readings. You can learn more about that in my pinned post.

Pile 1

Cards: 5 of Cups, 6 of Swords, Justice, the Lovers, 2 of Cups, 3 of Pentacles, 9 of Swords, 5 of Swords, Knight of Swords, King of Wands, Knight of Wands, Ace of Swords, Knight of Cups, 6 of Wands

It seems you are not that driven by money, but rather, by a strong sense of righteousness. It seems you are well aware of the human pains and struggles. You know how fragile life can be, and you think it's important to do something meaningful, not only for you own sense of purpose, but also for the sake of others.

Really, where other would pursue careers for fame or money, for you it's just about following your truth and speak your mind and heart. There is a real quest for meaning and doing what's right and a relentless pursuit to leave what doesn't align with truth behind. Where other would just accept what's not fair as something that cannot be changed, you refuse to take that stance and strive for change.

However, I see that you have a hard time with social or collaborative jobs. You don't like mingling with people, a networking event is probably your own personal hell, and you'd rather work on your own without having to rely on anyone's opinion. Could be a problem in your line of work since it's showing up strongly in this reading. It's also possible that you tend to be very critical of those around you, because you see their flaws clearly, and it's stopping you from seeing the good in people.

You are motivated by the idea of building something worth marveling for. You want to create something that will inspire and educate those around you and have a long lasting impact on your community. You want to be seen as a reference, and even though you don't want to have other people put their nose in your work, you still want to contribute to humanity's knowledge with the results of your hard work. There is the idea of a common effort towards a greater goal.

However, for you it'll be important to develop some skills. The cards point at some inner work that have to do with putting yourself down, devaluing yourself by comparing yourself to others. It's a source of great despair for you and something you need to work on. People are not metrics, we are all different in one way or another and comparing yourself to others the way you're doing it is actually detrimental to the quality of your work, as well as your well-being. It's also possible that all the conflicts in the world affect your mental health a great deal, connected to what you witness in the world. It will be important to keep going and not burn yourself out.

There is a lot of raw potential for growth in the realm of ambition and leadership, which it seems you haven't fully embraced yet. You can be a figure of authority in your field, leading with your sharp mind and ambitious assertiveness. You have the potential to be a strong willed, determined professional that can't be stopped by anything and will tackle the most difficult project.

For these reasons, I think the career it's pointing at has to do with the realm of communicating ideas, perhaps writing, academia or journalism. You will be able to cut through lies and outdated ideas with your words, seeking to bring clear communication. There is again the idea of service made to others, led by your sense of purpose and thirst for truth. This career would put you in the public eye where you would be celebrated openly for your work and ideas. I see this pile as someone who investigates, either matters of the world, society, politics, economics or science. In all cases, it allows you to combine your cleverness, your empathy and ambitious nature.

Finally, you'll be able to tell it's the right path for you because it will ignite your passion. You won't be able to think of anything else but the task at hand, and what to do to achieve it. The greater the challenge, the more fiery your determination will be. It will definitely not be something you hesitate on and will feel like a calling.

Pile 2

Cards: the Emperor, Judgement, 2 of Pentacles, Page of Pentacles, 5 of Pentacles, the High Priestess, 9 of Swords, King of Pentacles, 10 of Pentacles, the Hierophant Rx, the Tower, the Hanged Man, 3 of Cups, 8 of Swords, Queen of Pentacles, 9 of Wands, 7 of Swords

Your qualities when it comes to this career are about being a reliable figure in the life of those you help. The helping aspect comes up strongly as it will show in this reading, and basically it already show in your strengths. It's like you help people come to life again in some way. You are strong when it comes to leading the way towards transformation, and have a strong impact on people. They can sense they can come to you for support and you give a vibe of wisdom and order.

However, it seems that you are also quite inexperienced and this is making you hesitate quite a lot. There is probably a strong learning curve when it comes to this career and you're not quite there yet. You may be lacking something, whether its the status or the resources, in order to fully embody your qualities. So it seems your situation right now is a weakness, and that it's not so much coming from you.

What drives you is, again, the desire to help those in need, those in pain who don't know where to get help from, when it seems there is no way out or hope left. You see their pain clearly and it somehow motivates you and gives you a sense of purpose in life. You might be religious or spiritual in some way and this feeds your motivation to help and care, like some type of mission.

When it comes to skills you can to develop here, there is a need to remain detached in the face of adversity to not let it submerge you, perhaps to let go of your own fatalistic vision of life. There is a lot of talk around you, and perhaps you listen to the words of others too much and it's making you confused and directionless. You must get your mind in order and be firmly set into your own stability, by being pragmatic and protective of your own well-being. Stop listening to everything everyone says and remain grounded in your own judgement.

So all that is telling me that your career has to do with helping the sick, be they mentally or physically impaired. You show up as a very nurturing figure, someone who wish to see people thrive and get back to health, and I see you surrounded by people with bandages, or people who are disabled in one way or another (again for some of you it could be mentally or physically). Your future career may be nurse, rehabilitation or support worker, or even doctor of some kind.

It seems that for some of you, this career will be embraced after you've been somewhat forced by life to take a different turn, something you hadn't anticipated and shows up as a surprise. For others, it could simply mean that you will be surrounded by catastrophic accidents and unforeseen circumstances, and I'm picturing an emergency room when I'm writing this. Like, you will be forced to grow because the chaos surrounding you will call for someone to do something, and you've got what it takes to do so.

You will know this is the right path for you after contemplating your decision for a long time. You'll mull over your choices and options, and even discuss it with loved ones in order to make sure its the right one for you because you don't take it lightly as it will come with some type of sacrifice for your time and energy. Basically you'll need to dedicate yourself fully to this and you know this. But overall, once you're decided, you'll be very happy of your choice and eager to enjoy the good sides that comes with the job.

Pile 3

Cards: 8 of Swords, 2 of Pentacles, 3 of Swords, 9 of Wands, King of Cups, the Fool, the Star, the Empress, 10 of Swords rx, 2 of Swords, Death, 5 of Wands, Page of Pentacles, 10 of Pentacles, the Magician, Judgement, 7 of Cups

When it comes to your strengths, you're someone who can fuel themselves with the shit that life throws at them, never fully loosing their balance. You know how to get yourself out of tricky situation where you're blinded, and you're able to transmute your pains and power through the difficulties, never giving up even when it seems all odds are against you. What makes other abandon just make you angrier and more determined to succeed. You are extremely resilient and this gives you an outlook on life that anything is possible. If something doesn't work you discard it and move on to the next thing.

However, it seems you are sometimes too eager to try something new without committing to one thing for a long time. You're a Jack of all trades and it's hard to get you stay in the same spot for long. It's like, you keep wanting to try to see if this path is better than this one, or if this thing would be more exciting than this other thing, and so on. You emotions also tend to shift easily and influence the way you see things, it's like, you feel things so intensely it's overwhelming and that's just the way you function and it's hard to live differently.

When it comes to what drives you, you get a great sens of purpose coming from beauty and aesthetics, or even arts. The path towards beauty and pleasure, is the highroad to heaven for you. You are truly an aesthete at heart, and want nothing more than to honor what you find sublime in the world, as for you it is the purpose and the meaning of life.

When it comes to what skill you can develop, you got two cards signifying blockage and defeat, which makes me think this has a lot to do with overcoming you own issues surrounding your creative expression, which stem from your mind. It's like, nothing is really getting in your way but your own thoughts. You have trouble releasing your perceived failure so you're stopping yourself from trying anything different, fearing it will only confirm your loss. Perhaps that's the reason you keep switching things all the time, because can you really fail if you never tried until the very end?

There is a deep potential for growth though, and it has to do with the way your compare yourself to either other people, or to your own ideal self. It's like, you've got this image in your mind of what you should achieve and you're tormenting yourself for not being able to achieve it. What you don't understand it's that it's counter productive and that you have to put an end to this way of thinking. You need to break the pattern in order to be free.

All of this makes me think that your job has to do with some type of artistic or creative career where you bring ideas into the world, pulling them from a space unique and special to you. The idea of transforming things, putting values into question, bending rules is also quite important, as well as is the idea of communication to a larger audience. I will also add that you might not box yourself into just one type of creative expression, but rather  dabble into many different things. It seems you are  not so much passionate about one medium but rather as I said earlier by the pursuit of beauty in all its form, so I totally see you trying out different things and it seems that you'll be good at most of them naturally.

You will know it's the right path for you because it'll allow you to have a vision. It's like, you'll find a tiny window with a tiny opportunity and it'll ignite you mind, making you think about all that's possible in every different direction, and the legacy you could leave. It's really all about triggering your long term motivation and what will make you want to dedicate your life, or long time anyway, to. As we saw earlier, you have commitment issues regarding your creative pursuits so this will have to do with sticking to it in the long term, even if that means doing multiple things in parallel or taking breaks and coming back to things.

[toshkakoshka]

already rambled about this to oomf on here about CAB but im here to throw it in again.

when reading the book i never took to thinking that aureliano was genuinely in love with remedios. the book describes him as feeling empty growing up, developing an obsession with making fishes and also closing himself off socially from the world. when he found himself infatuated with remedios, i initially thought: “here’s a guy with too much time on his hands and a fucked up line of thinking.” in the sense that— in aureliano’s pedophilia, i was looking at it through an outside lens and not in the lens aureliano would see it.

granted its much easier to dismiss aureliano’s attractions as the usual pedophilic obsessions— in the book there isn’t a striking development to their relationship that actually states about both of them falling in love. would it have needed such a graphic display though? as graphic as jose arcadio and pilar’s sexual affairs? as intense as aureliano segundo and petra cotes’s shared love? ggm isnt afraid to critically show the way attraction can intensify between two cousins, two siblings or even an underaged boy with a grown woman, why would he stop between a little girl and a man? (because this type of relationship just isn’t ever going to be possible.)

but then the show like… revealed it to me. aureliano’s point of view— immersed in the continuous and more obvious visualized versions of the book, reminding me that aureliano’s strange behaviors, as was everybody else’s, were not unwarranted, and were manifested from metaphor and symbolism.

and so we are told the story of how he falls in love with a little girl. only, even if he does fall in love, this isn’t a love story. that was not ggm’s intent, after all. aureliano fell in love, taught her things, married her, but we aren’t given details as to how their relationship was developed over the time that let them consummate their marriage up to the point she died so brutally. instead we’re given the details of how she affected the buendias as a whole.

the family was happy. they felt hope for the first time, their days brightened up by the sight of her as she tended to everybody in the house. “the house became full of love” and it overflowed with joy the moment remedios moscote moved in with them.

and in turn, that made aureliano happy. he loved life more as a result. he looked at her and realized he should keep going.

so when i look at this after looking back to those chapters and episodes, thinking of the reasons as to how it lead him all the way up to here, i realize that aureliano is stunted.

he’s stuck in the perpetual state of pain jose arcadio left him in. when the family fell apart, so did he, and he confined himself to his room, making little fishes as his handiwork over and over until he perfected their shapes. he had to become a big brother, to grow into a smaller version of a parent, to arcadio and amaranta. and as time passed, his ability to cope only grew more desperately (as did his skill) especially as things got worse for everybody in the house.

so it was only natural that he fell in love with a little girl. he fell in love with her innocence, her purity, the love she gave and took back. he fell in love with childhood. he felt like he could heal his inner child through being with her.

and he was reminded that could never happen. not when she died, pregnant with his children. he threw her into a world she was not ready to be thrust into, at an age where she only got her first period or still played with dolls, it was aureliano’s own fault for doing this to her, as he did himself.

she died growing up too fast.

[boiledkwamaegg]

I think it just clicked with me why when I first saw Faenil I thought they were really neat. they delve into the science aspect of Elder Scrolls which I feel like not a lot of OCs do unless they study Dwemer stuff or are House Telvanni. and I LOVE the slight sci-fi aspects Elder Scrolls has cuz if feels like no other fantasy series does that.

LONG ASS RAMBLE TIME!!! I'm putting most of it under a cut again. I'm gonna power through some other interesting asks today as well. But yes!!! I'm glad you sent this because I am so fascinated with the sci-fi themes in this series too! I guess when I started thinking about Faenil as a concept, I figured that a flesh mage should definitely know quite a lot about biology and medicine in order to properly work with their craft. But then I came across a problem - why would a society built around magic need a science-based doctor when there's alchemy and restoration magic?

I vaguely remember reading some story within one of the games (forgot which one it was) where someone gets sick and someone drives themselves mad trying to find a cure - so clearly there are limitations to restoration and alchemy when it comes to healing, but it's kind of left up for interpretation.

So here's where my own stupid headcanons come in. I mean, if a cure disease potion cures a contracted disease, kinda like an antibiotic, and restoration magic helps with closing wounds, then what do you do when there's something else wrong with your body? What if magic isn't always an available option? What do you do when someone has cancer, or even a benign tumor - what do you do when someone's appendix is about to burst - what do you do when someone has a heart condition - or diabetes - or failing organs... the list is endless, and I'm sure highly developed societies within fantasy settings have people who are specialized to figure these things out! And what's better than mixing magic with science?

I know in the games magic is pretty mechanical in the sense that most of it is only meant to aid you through combat, but the combat in the games is objectively pretty simple and boring, and I'm sure there are other unique ways to apply magic to the daily lives of people in Tamriel. What if you can use something like detect life (alteration) similarly to an x-ray? What if you can enchant medical instruments similarly to weapons and apparel? Could you create something like NSAIDs out of common alchemical ingredients? Can frost magic be used to freeze organs? Could you defibrillate someone's heart with dual shock magic? I have so many ideas. I'm especially obsessed with the notion that surgeries are so intricate that they might as well be considered magical rituals with the way poor preparation and the wrong tools will lead to a complete catastrophe. And obviously cleanliness and proper sterilization is vital to pretty much anything medical wise - but this is also a medieval fantasy land where medicine is still very experimental and understudied, so things will go wrong a lot! So, with that being said, I don't have to feel bad for not being a medical expert - I dropped out of medical school twice but at least I get to live my dreams through this fucked up and evil altmer OC haha

Thing with Faenil is that despite their absolute dogshit interpersonal skills giving a different impression, they ARE intelligent, not only because mages are a class built on intelligence, but because a doctor needs critical thinking skills; they need to be able to problem solve and they need to be highly analytical. So, while they are pretty inexperienced with the things they come across in Skyrim, they are constantly taking notes in their little journal and figuring out the easy way around taking down some new type of enemy or solving some weird dungeon puzzle. For example, I don't think Faenil has ever seen dwemer contraptions before, but they have definitely studied the dwemer from books and applied some of their mechanics to prosthetic limbs, so it's gonna be fun to explore how they will tackle something like a dwarven centurion considering they will most likely try to analyze its design to find out how to turn it off and then come up with a strategy to get to it. And, of course, they will realize eventually that teamwork is essential, just like it was with their work back in Alinor, and it will hopefully be pretty satisfying when Faenil gets an idea and everything falls into place just right every once in a while.

All this to say, Faenil is also one of those annoying "get destroyed by facts and logic" type people LMAO they will literally taunt a god in their face, get struck by lightning, and say it proves nothing.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

what are Leona's strengths?

[Referencing this post!]

Hey, so 💦 I wanted to address some of the recent asks I've been receiving. I'm glad that people seem to have really enjoyed the original post on Leona's flaws. However, I want to make it clear that I do not intend to make summary posts on every Twst character's strengths/flaws. I feel like it's a false dichotomy to label traits as good or bad to begin with. Something that's good in one scenario might be bad in another. Other traits are neutral but may be bad in extremes (either too much or too little of it). I don't like the idea of strictly sorting things into these black and white categories.

Additionally, I don't want people depending on these posts instead of taking the time and energy to think about it themselves. I feel like once I start responding to these types of "What are [X]'s flaws/strengths" questions, I'm going to be asked to do it for everyone in the cast, and I just don't want my blog to be flooded with this when I'd rather be discussing other things. You as an individual should have your own interpretations of these characters instead of looking at someone else's summarized thoughts on the topic.

The same goes for anyone intending to write these characters; don't entirely rely on someone else's interpretation to inform your own. Reading a list of traits from a list won't help you understand or write them any better; you have to look at the canon materials or other fan works, interpret them through your own lenses, and develop your own takes on the characters. You have to learn the skills and put them to practice, consider the situation you're writing and think about how this would change things. That's not something you're going to achieve by asking for very generalized advice. The only thing I could reasonably pass on is to do your own research and avoid falling into the characterization extremes (ie making them "too nice" or "too mean"). You'll have to determine everything else out for yourself.

I apologize if this was something that people were looking forward to reading… I received many other asks expressing interest in this and was very overwhelmed by them, on top of everything else in my inbox. I just don't feel that things like this should be spoonfed to us, as it is not conducive to critical thinking and independent thought.

I did want to reply to a couple of these asks I received, but ONLY because those had a little more to discuss besides just asking that I make a list of flaws/strengths for an individual character. Please keep an eye out for those if you're interested ^^

[glowup-princess]

ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʜᴇᴅʏ ʟᴀᴍᴀʀʀ

i must admit that she is one of the most inspiratión for me <3

Hedy Lamarr is a fantastic role model for her combination of beauty, intelligence, and innovative spirit.

1. Cultivate Intellectual Curiosity

Hedy Lamarr was not just a movie star; she was an inventor whose work on frequency-hopping communication laid the foundation for technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. To be like her:

Learn Continuously: Read widely about science, technology, arts, or any field that excites you. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy are great starting places.

Embrace Problem-Solving: Identify problems in your environment and think about creative solutions. Consider keeping a notebook for ideas.

2. Pursue Your Passions

Hedy balanced her acting career with her scientific endeavors.

Explore multiple interests, even if they seem unrelated. For example, if you enjoy the arts, pursue them while diving into STEM, business, or another field.

Dedicate time to your hobbies and work toward excelling in them.

3. Prioritize Self-Expression

Hedy was admired for her style and confidence.

Develop Your Style: Find clothing, makeup, and hairstyles that make you feel your best. Experiment until you discover what works for you.

Build Confidence: Confidence comes from knowing yourself and being proud of yourself. Practice self-love and positive affirmations.

4. Develop Critical Thinking

Hedy questioned conventional thinking and challenged norms.

Practice critical thinking by analyzing the information you encounter and seeking evidence before forming conclusions.

Join debates, participate in discussions, or write about topics you're passionate about to sharpen your analytical skills.

5. Stay Resilient

Hedy faced numerous challenges, from personal struggles to having her ideas dismissed during her lifetime.

Embrace Failure: See setbacks as opportunities to learn.

Stay Determined: If you’re passionate about something, keep pushing forward, even if the path isn’t easy.

6. Network and Collaborate

Hedy collaborated with composer George Antheil to develop her frequency-hopping technology.

Surround yourself with inspiring and supportive people.

Seek mentors or collaborators in areas you want to grow.

7. Take Care of Your Health

Hedy maintained her beauty by taking care of herself.

Focus on physical health with regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Cultivate inner beauty by managing stress through meditation, mindfulness, or creative outlets.

8. Advocate for Your Ideas

If you have a vision or project, be bold about sharing it, as Hedy did with her inventions. Develop your communication and persuasion skills to bring others on board.

We love being pretty and extremely intelligent <3

pt.2?

Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated <3

[lesbianalanwake]

hello! I have been reading through your posts on Alan Wake and I saw that you're a therapist? I was wondering, do you think Alan has narcissistic personality disorder, or do you think there's something else going on? I know it's a popular interpretation in the fandom but I want to hear from an expert. Also glad to hear your OK!

I'm a school counselor for ages 4 to 8. 😭 I don't diagnose; I make educated guesses for the purposes of offering advice or adjusting how I work with a kid, or using verbiage like "shows characteristics of x."

but this is make-believe land! so: setting aside ethical considerations of those kinds of diagnoses, the armchair assignments of "narcissistic personality disorder" from Internet denizens is ridiculous. everyone needs to shut up and stop throwing words around.

that being said, pre-Bright Falls, Alan is depressed and burned out, while also naturally being a bit of a grouchy introvert (nothing wrong with that - I am also a grouchy introvert). it's a case of poor communication skills between people who otherwise mean well. like, textbook depression and lack of communication, and if I was a therapist and he and Alice came to me it would take maybe a 20-minute conversation to suss this out. any non-hack, non-agenda-driven clinician worth their salt could (so, not Dr. Hartman).

I've mentioned before that post-arrival at Bright Falls, Alan experiences what is essentially supernaturally-driven brain damage and mental illness (amnesia and psychosis). but the heart and origin of it is that Alan experienced a sudden windfall of success, enjoyed it for a time but grew to resent the pressure of performing on demand for non-intrinsic reasons (something that all creatively-inclined people have to deal with), grew to hate something that he had previously loved, and experienced the massive mood drop of completing a project and having a period of heightened emotion come to an end. developing a mental resistance after something like that is perfectly normal. but he handled it poorly and failed to communicate these feelings as they were developing, so Alice and Barry, each with their own baggage, misunderstood and mostly saw that Alan was struggling with something he loved. so they used the wrong type of encouragement and help - "you'll get to writing again" "you'll be successful again" - which Alan's depressed brain with self-worth issues heard as "your writing and success is the main catalyst for our love and attention, and therefore anyone's respect or affection is dependent on this." which exacerbated the problem and the mental resistance, and because none of them are exceptionally gifted at communication or emotional intelligence, the problem could not resolve with time.

all of this is reflected in Alan's experiences with the Dark Place - normal problems ghoulishly come to life in demented funhouse mirror fashion, and really just boiled down to a need for worth to be affirmed as intrinsic rather than production-dependent.

this is why Alice returning to the Dark Place for Alan, and Alan's realization of it, is so critical. he threw himself into hell for his wife, but was at such a low point that he didn't think anyone would do the same for him - an incorrect assumption and an exaggerated supernatural example of a cognitive distortion.

prescription: a long beach vacation with a lot of sun, maybe some Zoloft, and nobody is allowed to talk about writing outside of therapy sessions for at least a year. would've fixed them right up.