#How to move from india to Australia

[migration-agents-australia]

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[fanficmanic]

Saturday Snippet

It's officially Saturday in my part of the (edge of the) world, so here's a small snippet of something I'm working on.

“Did you know that American men ranked 8/10 in a study on the Worst and Best Lovers in the World?” Buck asks, making Bobby choke on his water, while Eddie, Chim, and Ravi look at him with mild intrigue.   “What are you talking about, Buck?” Hen asks, and she already knows she’s going to regret it.  “I found a study online, done to rank the best and worst lovers in the world.” Buck says, pointing at her with his phone. “And it doesn’t only cover men; it also ranks women as well. Although, it doesn’t talk about the other genders, so that’s a point against them.”  “And how did you come across this study, which I’m sure is very scientific and done for research purposes only?” Chimney asks, crossing his arms over his chest. “And how do Korean men rank?”  “Unfortunately, it doesn’t mention Korean men or women.” Buck says, earning a scoff from Chim, then he turns to face Eddie. “Or Mexicans as well.”  “India?” Ravi asks with fake nonchalance, making Bobby throw him a look of mock betrayal.  “Indian men ranked 7/10.” Buck says, then turns to look at Hen again. “Same as American women.”  “What countries does this study cover?” Eddie asks with a raised eyebrow. “And you still haven’t answered Chim’s question.”  “Uh, let me check.” Buck says as he takes a look at his phone, obviously reading over the presumed study. “Australia, South Africa, United States, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and New Zealand.” 

“So, basically, less than 6% of the countries in the world?” Hen asks, making Ravi gape at her quick math abilities.  “That’s not the point, Henrietta. The point is, American men rank quite high, according to this study.” Buck says, his arms still moving animatedly.  

[weirdly-specific-but-ok]

south africa but i've never been there also i'm drinking

HELLO MAGGOTS this is the good omens mascot here hello hello. my psychiatrist just spent today telling me how I won't be able to be out in college when it starts in May and I'll be misgendered etc etc it's all a good time. So my solution:

My darling cousin @imchronicallyonlinesowhat (the one who thought Sir Terry Pratchett looked like Sudha Murthy, was a kindly old woman and was married to Neil Gaiman because their book cover fonts were similar, OG maggots know the PAIN) who lives in South Africa asked me to make a South Africa post. FYI, she's moving to Australia for college, so you can be assured I shared my Australia posts with her she is SO prepared she won't say marmite instead of vegemite and she knows the Wibbles are inherently sexual. SOUTH AFRICA (I've only had a teeny weeny bit of cheap ass wine so far):

There a lot of white people there it's ineffable. There are enough of them there that my cousin regularly talks about not ever marrying someone who doesn't have some masala.

Afrikaans is a gorgeous language. I thought my cousin was showing me her Afrikaans notes once. She wasn't. It was her English notes, she just has the most illegible yet neat handwriting in the world.

They don't say yo but they say YOH and it sounds very much like a bass drum.

People at my cousin's school pump their hands in the air while saying jesus-jesus.

There's a trio of white boys that rule the school kind of like a genderswapped mean girls. They all look the same haircut-wise, they're Catholic and they're called the Triumvirate.

I'm realising here that my knowledge of South Africa is limited to cuzzy's school. But the wine is shit and I promised my blood-relative so I am continuing.

The books are fucking expensive and so everyone has to pirate shit. This sounds like the US.

Everyone is TALL. Like VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY TALL. The standard of height is insanely different from India. TALL.

If you don't have a last name you're going to get into legal trouble.

The no hat no play rule applies here as well as Australia apparently.

The wine cost like 2.5 dollars in USD if my conversion rates are correct, it smells like battery acid and tastes of rotted grapes. Nothing to do with South Africa, it's just that I cannot remember a single other thing about South Africa other than it's a country in Africa that's presumably in the South.

My braincells are already frying. For my cousin's sake, I'm going to compile all my Australia posts here so that she knows what to expect! Australian maggots your continent is about to be graced with the Good Omens Mascot bloodline. Notably the one with the Sudha Murthy fuck up so that's doubly fun. @howmanyholesinswisscheese, @im-a-sentient-magic-carpet, @madfangirlontheloose @obsessed-sketches @drconstellation and any other Aussie maggots be prepared and welcome her.

Toot Toot Chugga Chugga by the Wiggles is an Ineffable Husbands Song

Deaths in Australia in 2015, an ask

VEGEMITE IS NOT MARMITE, another passionate ask

Pt I Australia but I've never been there

Pt II Australia but I've never been there

Oh I hate cheap wine. @imchronicallyonlinesowhat I hope you appreciate this, blood of mine. I'm such a great cousin.

[sea-owl]

Oh no sorry not the isekai AU. The AU where due to circumstances each of the Bridgerton’s lost their loves. An example I think Daphne lost Simon because she was too late to the dual and Anthony shot him in the shoulder. Simon left the country after that. All the Bridgerton’s lost their partners in similar ways (Anthony married Edwina and Kate left to go back to India, Penelope vanished after Colin found out she was Lady Whistledown etc.). Then somehow the siblings traveled back in time to Daphne’s entrance to society. I was thinking what if instead of keeping a cool head about everything and thinking about how they are going to approach their true loves slowly instead the siblings just snap.

I'm so sorry anon but I really don't know which au this is. It sounds like a good au, but if I wrote it out I can't find it. I have the vaguest guess but im unsure if it was one of mine or someone else's, but I have the vaguest memory of an ask that included a part that said Simon gifting Daphne a piece of jewelry that was actually an heirloom passed down to all Duchesses of Hastings before he left England but she was getting married to the prince instead. Again I don't know if that one was mine or someone else's, I feel like it might be @thekatebridgerton but I'm not 100% sure.

But we can start a new one!

So let's start with the bad endings.

Saphne: For this one I'm thinking the duel happened just a bit earlier. Anthony and Benedict knew that Daphne would go to Colin to get any information so they purposely gave him the wrong time for the duel. This led to Daphne arriving after Simon losing the duel and getting shot in the shoulder. Daphne tried to chase after him but her brothers dragged her home instead. Per their agreement Simon left the country after that. Daphne did end up getting married to the prince but she was never truly happy in that marriage, she was content at best with a few moment of happiness with her children here and there. She never did fall in love with the prince, and moving so far from her family did make things harder at times but like most things in her life Daphne learned to adapt to the cards that were handed to her.

Kathony: Anthony and Kate could never let themselves stop putting duty first. Anthony could also never get over his fear of dying young. In the end Anthony had married Edwina and Kate had left back to India. During their marriage Edwina and Anthony were cordial at best but when Edwina heard of her sister leaving a part of her blamed herself and another part blamed Anthony. They both did their duty and had one son, but after that they both came to an agreement where they would find pleasure and possibly happiness outside the marriage. So long as they were discreet. Edwina had met her true love in one scholarly Mr. Bagwell who she would later remarry once she was widowed. Anthony threw himself even further into the role as the viscount, though there were times he would look while ridding to see if a familiar rider would appear out of the mist just like she did all those years ago. Kate on her side did return to India and cut contact from her family. She bounced around from governess job to governess job, keeping herself busy so she does not dwell on thoughts of the past, and people she loves but would prefer not to remember for her own emotional sake.

Benophie: The news of Sophie's arrest had been brought to Benedict's attention later that day. Had he been a little bit faster, or had the news got to him just a little bit sooner, he would have been there when Posy took the blame for the item Sophie was said to have stolen. Araminta, who was losing control over both Sophie and Posy did not like that and both ended up getting sent to Australia where they stayed after their sentence was done. While they could have gone back to England if they raised the money for it neither wanted to risk facing Araminta again. They ended up changing their names when starting over. Benedict always kept a close eye on any news of former convicts returning to England. Praying any of them will lead him back to Sophie.

Polin: Things were getting heated on both sides of Penelope's life. The hunt for Lady Whistledown continued, becoming even more intense. More guards were haunting the print shop where she used to go, and she has heard more than one whisper of spies keeping eyes out in ballrooms. Meanwhile as Penelope someone had found out about her Irish Catholic heritage from Portia's side. Prudence and Philippa were spared due to them being married already and Felicity was still young enough they could hide her away until it blew over but Penelope and Portia took the hardest blow. Despite the fact that Portia converted years ago for her survival and Penelope was never raised catholic. To be honest she should not have been that surprised when Colin finally caught her in that church, dressed as a maid. They argued, screamed at one another, which turned into a very intense kiss. After Colin said he needed to think. Penelope had thought he hated her now and surely he would turn her in? Colin legit just needed a moment to think, he was given a lot of information in one day, and he was already protective over Penelope when news other family broke out, now it was just intensified. He was going to propose marriage the next day. What Colin did not know that the column Penelope was going to send out would be her last one. She later disappeared into the night, and he spent years looking all over the world for her, chasing down any lead, not knowing that she had hidden herself away in America.

Philoise: After her conversation with Anthony, Eloise lets her fear of commitment win and decides to return to London without marrying. Phillip takes the rejection gracefully, quoting that he did invite her to see if they suit. They did not, and he was not going to push her. Eloise's heart broke, though, when the twins asked why she was leaving tears in their eyes. In London, life continued on, Eloise found things to occupy her time, movements that she wanted to help move forward, and while she enjoyed pushing for change, she still felt her life was rafher lonely. She was never truly happy in London, never was, and often found herself itching to run just like when she was younger. Then, one day, many years later, during a society event, she would rather not be at a Sir Crane was announced. Eloise was taken aback because her Sir Crane wouldn't be caught dead in London. And it wasn't her Sir Crane, rather it the son of her Sir Crane. Oliver didn't say much to Eloise but did stop by to call on her the next day. He gave her a bouquet of medow cranesbill. "A final gift from my father," Oliver told her.

Franchael: After the death of John, both Francesca and Michael had mental breakdowns. All Michael could think to do was run while Francesca dug her heels in at Kilmartin estate and kept it running. When they reunited years later, both refused to talk about John and what happened to their friendship, despite the fact that's what they needed to do. Being reunited, Francesca became aware of this sexual tension that has been simmering between her and Michael. Still upset that her husband and unborn child were taken from her, she found herself wanting to walk down a wicked path. Well widows are more ignored by society so why doesn't she have some fun? She falls into bed with Michael. They still don't talk. Not only is Francesca discovering her physical intrest in Michael but some feelings she rather ignore are emerging too. They still don't talk. Francesca discovers that Michael has malaria and has attacks from it every so often. They still won't talk. One of these attacks ends up taking Michael's life and Francesca ends up right back where she was all those years ago. The man she loves is dead and she's pregnant. Only this time Francesca has to hide away, but her baby makes it. Thanks to Janet and Helen they organize papers so the boy is considered legitimate and the new earl of Kilmartin. Francesca loves her son sometimes she wishes his father were there so she could tell him she loved him too.

All the siblings have regrets in their lives by the time they pass on. None of them ever really found that love match Violet used to describe what she had with Edmund. Oh, they had their great loves, despite how fleeting they were. Some did marry, some chose to remain unwed. But none of them expected to wake up on their past selves bodies. After poking around they discovered the year is 1813, Daphne is in her on third year in the marriage mart and the Duke of Hastings has just passed, leaving his title to his only son.

Several thoughts hit at once.

Simon was due to return to England soon. Kate would follow a year later. Sophie was currently trapped with Araminta. Penelope was debuting this year. Phillip was currently at Cambridge. Michael was in the army.

Their loves were so close. They lost them once but never again.

[witchyintention]

Pagan Pulse: Social Media Revolution

In a dramatic turn of events, the United States has officially banned TikTok, a move that has left millions of users searching for alternatives and ignited a surprising cultural rebellion. The unexpected winner? A Chinese app called Red Note (小红书 Xiǎo hóng shū), which has become the new digital haven for Americans looking to reclaim their online communities and creativity. This seismic shift comes as Pluto, the planet of transformation and upheaval, makes its long-anticipated move into Aquarius, a sign known for rebellion, innovation, and collective action.

TikTok Ban Sparks Outrage and Exodus

The U.S. government’s decision to ban TikTok, citing national security concerns over its Chinese ownership, has caused a ripple effect across the digital world. For years, TikTok has been a hub of cultural innovation, a platform where users across the globe shared everything from viral dances to political commentary. Now, as its American user base is cut off, the platform’s future hangs in the balance.

The ban has sparked intense debates about freedom of expression, government control, and the global reach of digital platforms. Many view the move as an overreach that disrupts communities built over years of shared content and creativity.

The Astrological Connection: Pluto in Aquarius

Pluto’s recent transition into Aquarius has set the stage for a cosmic upheaval that mirrors the dramatic changes unfolding in the digital world. Known as the planet of transformation, Pluto governs profound systemic shifts, while Aquarius rules innovation, rebellion, and collective progress. Together, these energies are driving a sweeping transformation in how we connect and create online.

As I noted in an earlier article on Medium, Pluto’s Big Move into Aquarius: 20-Year Cosmic Shift:

"Last time Pluto graced Aquarius, we saw the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. Think societal upheaval, revolutionary ideas, and technological innovation that reshaped human history. This energy doesn’t tiptoe — it bulldozes."

True to form, Pluto’s influence in Aquarius emphasizes decentralization and the redistribution of power. As TikTok users migrate to alternative platforms like Red Note, this shift embodies the Aquarian spirit of collective action and a desire to innovate beyond traditional systems.

Why Red Note? A Symbol of Resistance

Red Note’s sudden popularity is as much a statement as it is a practical shift. Its origins as a Chinese platform make it a poignant choice for Americans responding to the TikTok ban. The app’s rise demonstrates the resilience of digital communities and their willingness to embrace new platforms to stay connected.

This migration reflects a broader trend of users rejecting centralized control in favor of alternatives that align with their values. The collective embrace of Red Note signals a powerful act of defiance against perceived governmental overreach.

Global Ripple Effects

The U.S. isn’t the only country where TikTok’s future is in jeopardy. Nations like India and Australia, which have also restricted TikTok in the past, are closely observing the American exodus. Early reports suggest that users in these countries are exploring Red Note and similar platforms as potential replacements.

Meanwhile, TikTok is already feeling the impact of losing its U.S. audience. Without the vibrant contributions of its American user base, which has been central to its global appeal, the platform’s dominance faces significant challenges.

The Future of Social Media in the Age of Aquarius

Pluto’s influence in Aquarius is just beginning, and its energy will continue to challenge traditional systems and hierarchies in the coming years. The TikTok ban and the rise of Red Note may be the first of many transformations in the digital space. Decentralized platforms, user-driven movements, and unexpected alliances are likely to shape the future of social media.

For now, Red Note stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the resilience of online communities. Whether it becomes the next global sensation or a temporary refuge, its rapid ascent underscores one undeniable truth: the social media landscape is undergoing a revolution, and the people—not governments—are leading the charge.

As the age of Aquarius unfolds, one thing is clear: the digital world will never be the same. Follow @paganpulse for More like this.

[gallery-of-madness]

It's Not Unbroken Anymore, How Do I Get It Back The Way It Was Before?

Or, how Emily finds JJ after a grueling case leaves the team with images of slit wrists and bloody bathrooms after a survivor takes her own life.

tw's for explicit suicide descriptions, and for JJ having a breakdown.

a/n: please take care of yourselves. you are loved, no matter what, trust me <3

signed, a survivor.

suicide hotlines:

emergency services: 112 (EU, Australia, India...), 911 (USA, Canada) 999 (UK & Ireland)

Australia: 13 11 14 (Lifeline also has a chat option)

Belgium: 1813

Brazil: 188

Canada: 988

UK: 111 (option menu 2), 0800 689 5652.

USA: 988 .....

The blonde darted from the scene the moment she saw her. The bathroom door of the one survivor left. The bathroom door of the girl who lived, despite the gruelling things she’d witnessed a week earlier.

The bathroom door of the girl, pale and bathing in crimson with still-dripping gashes running the length of her forearms.

JJ didn’t need – didn’t want – to see the scene, didn’t want to face the fact that the girl she caught in her arms six days ago at the precinct was lying lifeless in the bathtub.

She smelled it the moment the door opened, iron attacking her nose. And she knew she was going to see the whole thing, regardless. So, she took a breath and stepped into the tiled room. There was a mirror above the sinks in front of her, and she vaguely registered the deer-in-headlights look she wore. Her boots made a soft splashing sound as she inched further, the water only leading her to the windowed wall to her right.

She looked down and saw dark pink.

Her eyes moved up before she could thinks, and she noticed the softly running faucet, overflowing the tub where a body-

And then, she saw her dead sister and heard the dripping of the faucet and overflowing tub in her childhood house. Her breath hitched.

She had to surpress a gag, hand clasped on her mouth as her eyes darted around the room

She recoiled, turned on her heels and bolted before physically running into some person that blocked her way out of this nightmare. Because that body in there? Not the surviving girl she’d held. It was Roslyn, everything too similar and too real for JJ’s mind to stay grounded to the present.

Right now, she was a scared 11-year old, at risk of freezing solid with no one to thaw her.

Chest heaving and eyes flitting, well, everywhere, looking for an exit to this mess, she collected herself and tried to make a run for it.

Not on Emily’s watch.

She’d seen the whole ordeal; she was the one to not shout clear when they searched the house, eyes landing on the dark-haired girl that took her own life. She left the room once her colleagues were in, because she just saw herself at 15. Or at least how she thought she would end up at 15, after her abortion; after her church and mother refused to look at her without disgust and disappointment colouring their faces when they found out 12 days later, the abortion not having been complete and an infection running rampant in her pelvis.

She’d buried the razor a week later, and burnt the letter while she smoked a cigarette, and told no one.

She was outside, pacing the front lawn and trying to breathe whan JJ all but barreled into her, crazed look in her eyes and breathing faster than was healthy, and Emily had known that she’d seen it – her – too. The blonde stumbled back and straightened her back, looking everywhere but at Emily. She wasn’t even sure if JJ could really see her. She tried calling out her name, JJ, Jennifer, Agent Jareau…

Nothing.

So, Emily did what her instincts told her, and reached out to hold her girl.

Big mistake, apparently, because JJ violently pushed her away, screamed at her to go away and she’s dead and I can’t help her anymore I can’t save her I was too late leave me the fuck alone!

She screamed until her lungs had no more air to expell, until her legs buckled and she balled her fists.

And Emily moved. She walked towards the blonde, walked past her and then turned so she stood behind her before she lowered herself into the grass. And JJ was still furious, at some force beyond anyone’s control, and hitting her chest because she couldn’t breathe. The brunette took hold of her wrists from behind her girl and crossed JJ’s arms over her chest, the blonde never giving up the fight. Emily managed to hold her, though. She held her arms secured, and then went and put her own arms over JJ’s and pulled her into her own front, and tightened her grip.

It wasn’t a hug.

It was raw and violent, ugly tears and broken pieces and screams of despair on a sunny Tuesday morning, its cozy warmth a shrill contrast.

They sat there, a mess of thrashing limbs and whispered reassurances, until JJ slowed her flailing. Until the glaze that settled over her irises cleared up enough for her to see the world unblurred. Until she registered the pressure of arms around her torso. Until the iron in her nose got replaced by the scent of freshly washed linen and herbal shampoo. Until JJ managed to heave a breath, sob and cough at the same time, and until she heard Emily’s soft whispers into her hair.

And if anyone saw the brunette’s tear stained face, and the intermittent soft kisses she placed on the top of JJ’s head, they didn’t acknowledge it.

Eventually, after what felt like ages, they slowly untangled their arms, and JJ turned her body and all but smushed her face into the crook of Emily’s neck, breathing in the scent that was so distinctly her to chase away the last traces of iron and rust.

Emily snaked her arms around the blonde’s torso, this time soft and gentle, and slowly swayed left to right as JJ’s sobs turned into muffled breaths against her neck.

She didn’t tell her she was okay, that everything is going to be okay, because it wasn’t. She wasn’t okay, and the trauma of Roslyn’s suicide was still too raw to make that promise.

‘I got you. I’m here. You’re here.’

[onepagelovestories]

I made a discovery/theory that I thought I might share in case it's of use or interest to anyone else!

How big is Valisthea?

TL;DR - It's just Scotland, Cymru (Wales), Ireland, and England but flipped upside-down and photo bashed a bit.

These are just purely my observations, so I'm throwing them into the void!

So, for fan fiction purposes (and just general peace of mind), I really wanted to figure out exactly how big the twins were, considering how insanely quick everyone moves around. This is obviously true for video games in general but I felt it a lot more in FFXVI than other comparable games imo.

There's not a ton to go off of, just some throwaway dialogue lines here and there that give you the general sense that you can move from one location to the next in a day or two primarily by foot (chocobos are a whole other side tangent, as is the Enterprise or whatever the hell Dominants are capable of).

Some of those specific references include;

The trip from Rosalith to Pheonix Gate and back taking an expected 5 days total (with Clive, Tyler, and Wade arriving that night despite the detour through the marshes),

The boat ride from Port Isolde to Drake's Breath taking 3 days,

Someone from the hideaway referencing that they leave for Lostwing each day for work. (Couldn't find the exact example don't quote me on that one.)

Twinsides/Origin being "Hundreds of Leagues" away from The Hideaway

There's probably a few others, but most of the other examples I could find were open to interpretation, merely implying that travel took place in the same day but could be interpreted to have been spread out over longer were it not for 'video game logic and scale'.

That being said, I like things being a little more grounded for head canon purposes and wanted to know how much down time was reasonable in and between trips back and forth.

In general, I feel like the game should have been spread out over the full 5 years. But understanding game development limits, I get why that'd have been a nightmare! So the time skip makes sense practically, and I just choose to headcanon that events are a little more spread out. (Like them taking the full year in 873, from Clive and Jills rescue to destroying Drakes Head, rather than a couple of weeks like it seems in game.)

Shout out to this reddit post for doing an awesome estimate based on an average measure of the aforementioned "hundreds of leagues" quote. This was my starting point.

They concluded that Valisthea was likely closer in size to India or Australia, which I like a lot in terms of Valisthea being a full-scale continent. However, it does mess with the timeline a lot.

Also, I'm from a large country so my sense of what is a "reasonable" distance is pretty thrown off compared to a lot of other places. A 2-5 hour (200-400km) car ride to another city is nothing in my head until you realize that distance would take 1-4 weeks to walk or even ride (Horse metrics. Again chocobos are weird and probably a bit faster due to being all terrain and more robust than horses but are also birds so I don't know what endurance levels carrying heavy loads would be like).

Soooo, I began looking for European contemporaries since the game is very eurocentric (and all the criticisms that come with that).

Which led me to the realization that Valisthea is literally just the UK and Ireland, but flipped.

Now. Am I 100% certain this is what the devs did? Of course not. Is it so damn close that I'm 99.9% certain? Yes. Storm is Britain, and Cymru. The Northern Kingdom and the Iron Kingdom are Scotland but broken up. And Ash is Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Major cities or points of interest all have approximate real-world contemporaries and even follow geographical features on the map in that there are matching rivers, topography and even highways.

The biggest giveaway to me was Pheonix Gate just literally being London, as well as Norvant Valley matching exactly in shape with an upside down Bristol Channel (which would put Caer Norvent in Swansea). Even The Greatwood lines up relative to a major national park (forgive me UK peeps, it's hard to tell from a map alone if that's all one giant forest or several parks smooshed together).

So, if we're working off that assessment, with the quote from Tomes where he mentions that Valisthea is a small continent, then the time/distance ratio makes a lot more sense!

Of course, by our world standards – the UK alone does not a continent make.

But I'm honestly ok with that? I'd rather the land mass be small to match the timeline rather than warp the timeline to match the land mass.

So, here's a list of some of my estimated real-world contemporaries for all major landmarks on the Valisthean Map. Of course, they don't line up 1-1, and are not at all reflective of the locations themselves. It's all just for a relative sense of scale.

Rosaria;

Martha's Rest - Oxford

Eastpool - Reading

Pheonix Gate - London

Rosalith - Cambridge

Port Isolde - Peterborough (ignoring that it's not on the coast)

Deadlands

Cid's Hideaway - Stratford-Upon-Avon

Clive's Hideaway - Birmingham

Sanbreque;

Lostwing - Tauton

Caer Norvent - Swansea

Northreach - Exeter

Oriflamme - Kingsbridge

Kingsfall - Salisbury

Dhalmekian Republic;

Kostnice - Leicester

Drake's Fang - Sheffield

Dhalamil - Derby

Dravozd - Wolverhampton

Tabor - Shrewsbury

Boklad - Lampeter

Ran'Dallah- Tregaron

Waloed;

Shadow Coast - Belfast

Eistla - Kinnegad

Edge of Infinity - Westport

Ravenwit Walls - Wenagh

Stonhyrr - Cork

Other;

Twinsides - Fishguard

Kanvar - Chester

Drake's Breath - Ipswich

Dzemekys - Aberystwyth

Going off of those locations, I was able to get the rough time/distance of certain trips (using google maps metrics in pure walking hours not how long it took them because of *variables*)

Routes;

Rosalith to Pheonix Gate: 86km, 20hrs

Hideaway to Pheonix Gate: 172km, 39hrs (to Martha's Rest: 67km, 15hrs; +Eastpool: 41km, 9hrs; then to Pheonix Gate: 64km, 15hrs)

Hideaway to Oriflamme: 295km, 68hrs (Hideaway to Lostwing: 184km, 43hrs. What shortcut Cid?? +Northreach: 48km, 11hrs; +Oriflamme: 63km, 14hrs)

Lostwing to Caer Norvent: 199km, 46hrs (Benedika and Co were at that fort for days, not hours. Also, how hard did Cid knock Clive out if it took more than a week to get back to the Hideaway after the Garuda Fight?)

Shadow Coast to Stonhyrr: 755km, 171hrs. (Shadow Coast to Eistla: 169km, 38hrs; +Edge of Infinity and back: 181km, 41hrs x2; +Stonhyrr: 224km, 51hrs) meaning crew were gone in Waleod for WEEKS.)

So, all in all a bit longer than in seems in game but still well within range given that they probably shaved off arbitrary travel days for narrative flow.

That being said, I love the potential of more "down time" moments. And it really shows just how often/long everyone would be gone from the Hideaway at any given moment.

It puts into perspective Gav's side quest, "You keep sending me wherever you need to, I'll keep going. Safe in the knowledge that I'll have a home to come back to." And how they all remark that they never seen each other, or how much their trips away together were really meaningful.

(Also kinda excuses the fact it took Clive and Jill 5 freaking years to get together. They were too busy walking everywhere!)

Is it possible to just pop down to Martha's for a quick supply run? Yes. But unless you're on a chocobo, you're camping out at Three Reeds then staying the night at the Inn before heading back. It's more of a 4-7 day trip rather than an afternoon and back.

Anyhow, I hope this all makes sense!

Now, time to go write about Clive/Cid camping overnight in the Greatwood together on Clive's first real night of freedom. 😭😭😭

[tricitytimes]

How Devinder Singh Gill Started in Mohali and Built a Global Business Empire

From the lanes of Mohali to international real estate markets, Devinder Singh Gill has carved out a reputation as both a bold entrepreneur and a visionary leader. But success, as with many high-profile names, doesn’t come without scrutiny. While he’s earned applause for his business achievements, recent attention has also brought his name into the spotlight of controversy.

So who is Devinder Singh Gill, really? A self-made real estate magnate? A strategist with political access? Or a public figure navigating both acclaim and criticism?

Let’s take a closer look at how his empire began — and why the world is watching.

The Mohali Origin Story

Devinder Singh Gill started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 23, right in the heart of Mohali, Punjab. At a time when most young professionals are still exploring career options, Gill had already stepped into the real estate sector with a vision: to transform how people experience housing and infrastructure in growing cities.

In those early years, Gill earned a name for launching practical, people-first housing projects that offered transparency and value. His work in Tricity (Mohali, Chandigarh, and Panchkula) positioned him as a credible force in local development — not just another businessman, but a change-maker.

Expanding to a Global Stage

Once established in North India, Devinder Singh Gill rapidly scaled his operations. His business expanded into Dubai, Canada, and Australia, tapping into the demand for luxury living and NRI-focused investments. His international ventures kept the same core values: quality, trust, and strategic innovation.

Projects under brands like Sky Heights elevated his profile further, making him one of the few Indian real estate developers to create impact both at home and abroad.

Education Sector Involvement: Chairman of Two Colleges

Beyond business, Devinder Singh Gill Mohali has made significant contributions to the education sector. He serves as the founder and chairman of two colleges:

Sri Satya Sai College (B.Ed)

Siddhi Vinayak College

These institutions focus on empowering the next generation of educators, with a strong emphasis on offering free education to underprivileged girls. Through these efforts, Gill has helped hundreds of young women pursue professional degrees and brighter futures — reaffirming his commitment to social equity and community development.

This blend of entrepreneurship and educational philanthropy further expands his legacy, proving that success is not just measured by wealth, but also by impact.

Political Links and Public Scrutiny

According to a recent Medium blog titled “Who is Devinder Singh Gill and Why is He in the Spotlight of Controversy?”, questions have arisen around his political affiliations and administrative connections — particularly his previous role as OSD (Officer on Special Duty) to the Punjab Finance Minister.

The blog notes that while his supporters see him as a visionary with strong administrative knowledge, critics argue that his rise was too fast — raising questions about influence and proximity to power. His name has surfaced in political discussions and real estate debates, though no formal charges have been made public.

This attention has only added to his public profile, blending business success with political speculation.

Beyond Real Estate: A Brand of Vision and Ambition

Despite the controversies, Gill remains deeply focused on growth. He’s expanded into areas like farmhouse development, liquor retail, and lifestyle branding, always ahead of the curve. As the first person to open a modern liquor store in Chandigarh, he redefined industry benchmarks — another bold move in a pattern of disruption.

Gill’s model of leadership emphasizes:

Strategic risk-taking

Diversification of investments

Empowering youth through mentorship

Conclusion: Devinder Singh Gill — A Complex, Global Figure

So, how did Devinder Singh Gill rise from Mohali to the global stage? Through smart decisions, bold ventures, and an unrelenting pursuit of growth. But with visibility comes scrutiny — and Gill is now navigating both admiration and controversy in equal measure.

Whether viewed as a real estate pioneer, an education advocate, or a figure of public curiosity, one thing is clear: Devinder Singh Gill’s journey is far from ordinary. His story, rooted in Mohali, continues to unfold on an international scale — driven by ambition, influence, and undeniable impact.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

Do you know why Indians in particular (and I suppose, new age spiritualists) believe in things like homeopathy or ayurveda(like ashwagandha)? I've always found it so odd, even growing up in india. It's clear that some of these beliefs are marketing schemes, like saying A2 (Indian cows) milk > A1(foreign cows) to the point that they sell A2 cow milk and butter at 10x-20x the price of A1 cow milk. All because of "Vedic" practices (prayers and conducting rituals) of cow rearing. We know that ayurveda especially has no clinical or empirical evidence. It's all anecdotal. But even I was taught to believe that turmeric is a good antioxidant and is great for colds. In reality, only about 2% of turmeric is absorbed by your body. Are indians just more gullible because of Hinduism or is it just willful ignorance because they want to feel some sort of superiority in their spirituality?

Lots of love, thank you for continuing to post!! 💛💛 Hope you're doing well.

A big chunk of it may well be the lack of penetration of criticism and mockery of these superstitions, both for cultural and language reasons.

There's a saying that "sunlight is the best disinfectant." This isn't literally true, it's a metaphor for the notion that exposing ideas to the light of scrutiny, examination and refutation helps to break down and destroy false or bad ideas.

To some extent, the persistence of these superstitions may be that they've not been well exposed to public view to the extent many others have been.

Islam has in its doctrine, the curative and medicinal properties of camel urine. To the extent it's packaged and sold as medicine in the present day solely because in multiple hadiths, Muhammad prescribed camel urine for ailments. People don't know about this, don't believe it or start making excuses about "natural remedies" and the limitations of "western medicine." Even while the World Health Organization calls for people to stop drinking it.

Outside India, there's a certain anti-western chauvinism, coupled with a fetishization of "exotic" cultures. Which is really just the Appeal to Nature and Appeal to Tradition fallacies. But are ripe to be exploited by con artists (e.g. Deepak Chopra) for sale to the credulous who mistake their trendy credulity for "open mindedness." Even though the same people would never be so gullible about superstitions based on Xian mythology.

What this means is that a protective bubble forms around these superstitions because attacking primitive, superstitious nonsense hogwash becomes a "racist" attack on a "culture." You're allowed to - and encouraged to - criticize and attack Xian faith-healing, but not Hindu faith-healing because that's just intolerant of a "culture." Note that this means they want Indian culture to be mired in primitive superstitions.

Internal to India, I think a big part is just that it's so dominant and there isn't the tradition of secularism - separation of church/religion and state - which means religious faith holds more sway. Coupled with more explicit moves in recent years to mirror Islam in offence and fragility regarding "blasphemy" - see the whole "Sexy Kali" thing, for example.

In contrast, in the US, there's been legal challenges mounted against homeopathy as fraud and false advertising under consumer protection laws. If there's no evidence of efficacy, government safety organizations in countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand either don't allow a product to be sold as "medicinal," or don't allow it to be sold at all.

I don't know enough about Indian law to know how robust Indian safety or consumer laws are in terms of leveraging them to call out the same kinds of fraud, but what you're saying about the milk suggests they might not be. It's essentially a claim of "magic milk," given there could be no scientific test that such a claim could survive.

So, there's this absence of pressure from both internal and external. And as we know from evolution, it's pressure which drives change.

People need to be willing to treat Indian and Hindu superstitions the same as they treat Xian superstitions and other unscientific bunk, rejecting attacks on the basis of "racism" or "blasphemy" or "intolerance" or all the usual shit. But I think there also needs to be avenues culturally and legally within India to start challenging the assertions being made. I don't know enough about Indian society or culture to know how much of a superiority complex may be at play, but there is likely an element of ignorance, not necessarily wilful, just regular old ignorance, because of the pervasiveness and persistence of these ideas.

Of course, people are still free to believe stupid shit. But that doesn't mean it should get special, elevated status or be allowed to commit acts of rampant fraud.

[prehistoricnerds]

On today's topic I was thinking to talk about how earth got her continents and what they looked like before they split up. To understand this event we must go back around 330 million years ago when earth started forming its first lands. It was due to the fact that earth was different back then. Mainly saying there was nothing but oceans. Then something started to change. From the deepest parts of the ocean started rising hot, massive and dangerous volcanoes filled with hot and melting lava. The climate was hot, almost oven like and so when lava mixed with water the first lands begin to form. From early earth moments ocean life was first. Then land begin to form. We had typical continents:

Africa

Eurasia

North America

South America

India

Australia

Antarctica

It looked like this:

As you can see all the continents were stuck together forming Pangea. The pangea was surrounded by Panthalassa. Panthalassa was huge ocean taking almost all earth water source but despite huge water source on earth during that time ocean turned out to be much safer than land. You see during Lopingian era mother nature decided to make some pretty gruesome and deadly predators like gorgonopsians know as earliest Sabertooh animal. Reaching to almost 3 feet long their long canines could tear through flesh like a knife.

While creatures like this were walking on land it was more calm in the ocean. With most dangerous sea monsters dead leaving us with small sharks and small octopus. It's important to mention that when we think about prehistoric fish we would go to say most obvious like sawshark (Helicoprion) or megalodon but don't worry. Those scary looking fish were dead by Lopingian era but we will go back to those creatures in later topics. Going back to our land thank god we didn't exist during that time. Not only because of the predators but because most of the land was either like desert and first trees were just forming. The land was getting more green and beautiful but still something was missing to come to existence. Something like perhaps not constantly changing climate or no predators who would kill us on spot. Either way it was too early for humans to become a thing. Moving on yes Lopingian era was in fact possibly the most brutal time on earth. Some people might say it was almost alien like

[pynkhues]

yeah, I live in LA and it’s a huge issue here. The governor is trying to pass an extra 10-15% incentive to bring filming back, which should hopefully help quite a bit? It puts LA more in line with other major cities with incentives, I think. The pandemic and the strikes just really accelerated what was already happening because people assumed that filming would always happen in LA even without enough incentives.

I hope this doesn’t affect iwtv. I wouldn’t think they’d delay because all this tariff stuff is so unpredictable and vague, and changing everything to film in the US seems like it would be massively expensive. Plus, all the tariff stuff they’ve put out only mentions tariffs on movies, not tv shows. But yeah it would be nice if the president weren’t an idiot.

(x)

I hope it does help, anon, and thank you for your insight! Tax incentives really do seem to be the best way to attract production, and that 10-15% increase I think would bring it up to 30% from what I'm reading? Which is genuinely competitive. Australia's got one of the better global ones for production in that it's roughly 40% for films going to cinema, and 30% for everything else (TV, straight-to-streaming, etc.), although I know they're looking at adjusting some of that.

Co-production treatise are also significant, so I was really interested to read that that was one of the ideas being talked about by the industry (even if it sounds like this administration isn't going to move on it). The US has never really been involved in official co-productions - the whole idea of them was to give the rest of the world a chance to compete internationally, but they're also a form of soft-diplomacy to have countries creating art together. Australia's been doing them for decades, but it actually just signed a big one with India last year, and while a part of that is because Australia wants Bollywood to start shooting here (they actually do already, but this has formalised it), it's also absolutely working in-line with other trade incentives between the countries too to sort of grease the wheels, I guess, of soft diplomacy.

So yeah! I was just really interested to read that there seems to be quite a few LA producers wanting to get co-pro treatise up too, particularly when the tariffs are sort of the antithesis of what a co-production is and does.

But fingers crossed none of the tariff talk affects IWTV. With how quickly the government has already backflipped on some of it, hopefully it's not going to move ahead at all really anyway.

[reviewofpolitics]

China’s Hydrogen Bomb and the New Cold War

In a world increasingly defined by multipolar tension, China’s rapidly evolving nuclear capabilities are more than a military flex—they’re a geopolitical signal. The recent developments surrounding China's hydrogen bomb arsenal have reignited concerns not just about arms proliferation, but about a broader return to Cold War-style competition. Except this time, it’s not just Washington and Moscow in play—Beijing is rising fast, and it’s playing by new rules.

The Hydrogen Bomb: Power and Prestige

Unlike atomic bombs that rely solely on fission, hydrogen bombs use a two-stage process involving both fission and fusion. The result? A weapon that can unleash destruction on an exponentially larger scale. The U.S. and Russia have possessed these devices since the 1950s. China, for its part, tested its first hydrogen bomb in 1967—an early sign of ambition. But for decades, its nuclear posture remained relatively modest and defensive.

That’s changing. Fast.

Recent U.S. intelligence and satellite data suggest that China is not only modernizing its nuclear arsenal but also expanding it—aggressively. Missile silos in Xinjiang. New mobile launch systems. Hypersonic glide vehicles. And most concerning of all: highly compact hydrogen bomb designs that can be MIRVed (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles), enabling a single missile to carry multiple warheads.

From Minimal Deterrence to Strategic Expansion

China once adhered to a policy of minimum deterrence—keeping its nuclear arsenal just large enough to discourage an attack. But today, that doctrine is being quietly replaced. Analysts believe China is aiming for a credible second-strike capability, the gold standard of nuclear deterrence, which ensures a retaliatory response even if an opponent strikes first.

This shift changes everything.

It means China is no longer content with being a regional power with a symbolic deterrent. It wants global influence backed by hard power—and it’s willing to risk escalation to get there.

Why This Signals a New Cold War

During the original Cold War, the U.S. and USSR engaged in a relentless arms race, not just to build nukes, but to shape ideology, influence, and global norms. What we’re seeing today echoes that era—but with 21st-century dynamics.

Tech-Driven Tensions: The new arms race isn’t just about nukes—it's about AI, cyberwarfare, space militarization, and hypersonics. China’s nuclear push is just one pillar of a broader strategic shift.

Multipolar Complexity: Unlike the binary U.S.-Soviet Cold War, today’s conflict includes more actors (India, North Korea, Iran) and more flashpoints (Taiwan, the South China Sea, space).

Opaque Intentions: China’s political system makes its military intentions harder to read. Unlike NATO, Beijing doesn’t publish detailed defense white papers or engage in transparent arms control dialogue.

How the West Is Reacting

The U.S. is now reassessing its nuclear posture, funding modernization of its own arsenal, and boosting cooperation with allies like the UK, Australia (through AUKUS), and Japan. Missile defense systems are being recalibrated. There’s also increasing urgency around arms control talks—though Beijing has so far resisted joining trilateral disarmament discussions.

Some worry that escalating nuclear posturing could lead to a Thucydides Trap—the idea that rising and established powers are destined for conflict. Whether that conflict is cold or hot may depend on how the world responds to China’s next moves.

Conclusion: Cold War 2.0, With Chinese Characteristics

China’s hydrogen bomb developments aren’t just about military hardware—they're a message. A message that Beijing is no longer a quiet observer in the nuclear order, but an assertive actor aiming to rewrite the rules. The New Cold War isn’t coming—it’s already here. And this time, the weapons are faster, smarter, and more destabilizing than ever.

Whether diplomacy, deterrence, or something darker prevails may depend on whether the world recognizes this early warning for what it is: a high-stakes turning point in global security.

চীনের হাইড্রোজেন বোমা এবং নতুন শীতল যুদ্ধ

আজকের বহুমুখী বৈশ্বিক উত্তেজনার জগতে, চীনের পরমাণু শক্তির দ্রুত উন্নয়ন শুধু সামরিক শক্তি প্রদর্শন নয়—এটি একটি ভূ-রাজনৈতিক সংকেত। হাইড্রোজেন বোমা নিয়ে সাম্প্রতিক অগ্রগতি আবারও উদ্বেগ সৃষ্টি করেছে, কেবল অস্ত্র ছড়িয়ে পড়া নিয়ে নয়, বরং শীতল যুদ্ধের মতো প্রতিযোগিতার এক নতুন রূপ ফিরে আসছে।

হাইড্রোজেন বোমা: শক্তি ও মর্যাদা

হাইড্রোজেন বোমা একটি দুই-পর্যায়ের প্রক্রিয়ায় কাজ করে—যেখানে ফিশন ও ফিউশন দুইটাই থাকে। এটি পারমাণবিক বোমার চেয়ে অনেক বেশি শক্তিশালী। যুক্তরাষ্ট্র ও রাশিয়া ১৯৫০-এর দশক থেকে এই ধরনের বোমা তৈরি করেছে। চীন তার প্রথম হাইড্রোজেন বোমা ১৯৬৭ সালে পরীক্ষা করে। কিন্তু দীর্ঘদিন ধরে চীনের পারমাণবিক নীতি ছিল সংযত ও প্রতিরক্ষামূলক।

কিন্তু এখন পরিস্থিতি বদলাচ্ছে—খুব দ্রুত।

যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের গোয়েন্দা তথ্য ও স্যাটেলাইট চিত্রে দেখা যাচ্ছে, চীন তার পারমাণবিক ভাণ্ডার শুধু আধুনিক করছে না, বরং দ্রুত বিস্তৃত করছে। নতুন মিসাইল সাইলো, মোবাইল লঞ্চার, হাইপারসনিক অস্ত্র এবং ছোট কিন্তু মারাত্মক হাইড্রোজেন বোমা যা একাধিক লক্ষ্যবস্তুতে আঘাত করতে পারে।

ন্যূনতম প্রতিরোধ থেকে কৌশলগত সম্প্রসারণে

চীন একসময় ন্যূনতম প্রতিরোধের নীতি মানত—শুধু যতটুকু দরকার ততটুকু অস্ত্র রাখা। এখন সেটা বদলেছে। এখন তারা এমন শক্তি চাইছে, যাতে কেউ আগে হামলা করলেও তারা পাল্টা জবাব দিতে পারে।

এর মানে চীন শুধু আঞ্চলিক শক্তি নয়—এখন তারা বৈশ্বিক ক্ষমতার খেলায় নামছে।

কেন এটা নতুন শীতল যুদ্ধের ইঙ্গিত দিচ্ছে

পুরনো শীতল যুদ্ধে যুক্তরাষ্ট্র ও সোভিয়েত ইউনিয়ন একে অপরের সঙ্গে অস্ত্র প্রতিযোগিতায় লিপ্ত ছিল। এখন সেই চিত্র ফিরে আসছে—তবে আরও জটিল ও প্রযুক্তিনির্ভর আকারে।

প্রযুক্তিনির্ভর প্রতিযোগিতা: কেবল পরমাণু অস্ত্র নয়, এখন এআই, সাইবার যুদ্ধ, মহাকাশ এবং হাইপারসনিক অস্ত্রও এই প্রতিযোগিতার অংশ।

বহু-শক্তির সংঘর্ষ: এখন শুধু যুক্তরাষ্ট্র-চীন নয়, ভারত, উত্তর কোরিয়া, ইরান এবং দক্ষিণ চীন সাগরও এই সংকটের অংশ।

চীনের অস্বচ্ছ কৌশল: চীন তাদের সামরিক পরিকল্পনা খুব গোপনে রাখে—এটা বিশ্বের জন্য একধরনের অনিশ্চয়তা তৈরি করছে।

পশ্চিমা প্রতিক্রিয়া

যুক্তরাষ্ট্র এখন নিজের পারমাণবিক নীতি পুনর্বিবেচনা করছে। মিত্রদের সঙ্গে সহযোগিতা (যেমন AUKUS), প্রতিরক্ষা ব্যবস্থা হালনাগাদ, এবং অস্ত্র নিয়ন্ত্রণ আলোচনা আবার গুরুত্ব পাচ্ছে। যদিও চীন এখনো এই আলোচনায় সম্পূর্ণভাবে যুক্ত হয়নি।

উপসংহার: চীনা বৈশিষ্ট্যের সঙ্গে নতুন শীতল যুদ্ধ

চীনের হাইড্রোজেন বোমা শুধু অস্ত্র নয়—এটা এক ধরনের বার্তা। চীন এখন নিয়ম বদলাতে চায়। নতুন শীতল যুদ্ধ শুরু হয়ে গেছে, এবং এই যুদ্ধ আরও জটিল ও বিপজ্জনক।

चीन का हाइड्रोजन बम और नई शीत युद्ध की शुरुआत

आज की दुनिया में जहाँ कई शक्तियाँ उभर रही हैं, वहाँ चीन की परमाणु क्षमता में तेज़ी से हो रहा विकास सिर्फ़ एक सैन्य प्रदर्शन नहीं है—यह एक साफ़ संदेश है। हाल ही में चीन के हाइड्रोजन बम से जुड़े घटनाक्रम ने फिर से चिंता पैदा कर दी है कि क्या हम एक नए शीत युद्ध की ओर बढ़ रहे हैं।

हाइड्रोजन बम: ताकत और प्रतिष्ठा

हाइड्रोजन बम ��रमाणु बम से कहीं अधिक शक्तिशाली होता है, क्योंकि यह फिशन और फ्यूजन दोनों प्रक्रियाओं का इस्तेमाल करता है। अमेरिका और रूस के पास 1950 से यह तकनीक है। चीन ने पहली बार 1967 में हाइड्रोजन बम का परीक्षण किया था। लेकिन लंबे समय तक उसकी नीति रक्षात्मक और सीमित थी।

अब सब कुछ बदल रहा है—बहुत तेज़ी से।

अमेरिकी खुफिया रिपोर्ट्स और सैटेलाइट चित्रों के अनुसार, चीन अब सिर्फ़ अपने हथियारों को अपग्रेड नहीं कर रहा, बल्कि उन्हें बड़े स्तर पर बढ़ा भी रहा है—मिसाइल साइलो, हाइपरसोनिक वाहन और एक ही मिसाइल से कई बम गिराने वाली तकनीक (MIRV) शामिल हैं।

न्यूनतम प्रतिरोध से रणनीतिक विस्तार तक

पहले चीन सिर्फ़ इतना परमाणु हथियार रखता था जिससे दुश्मन हमला करने से डरे। अब वह नीति बदल चुकी है। अब चीन ऐसी क्षमता चाहता है कि अगर कोई देश पहले हमला करे तो वह ज़रूर जवाब दे सके।

इससे पूरी रणनीति बदल जाती है।

अब चीन सिर्फ़ क्षेत्रीय ताकत नहीं रहना चाहता—वह वैश्विक शक्ति बनना चाहता है और इसके लिए जोखिम उठाने को तैयार है।

क्यों यह नई शीत युद्ध की निशानी है

पुराने शीत युद्ध में अमेरिका और सोवियत संघ हथियारों के साथ-साथ विचारधारा और वैश्विक प्रभाव के लिए लड़े थे। अब वही इतिहास दोहराया जा रहा है—लेकिन नई तकनीक के साथ।

तकनीकी दौड़: अब सिर्फ़ परमाणु नहीं, बल्कि एआई, साइबर युद्ध, स्पेस हथियार और हाइपरसोनिक मिसाइलें भी मैदान में हैं।

बहु-ध्रुवीय संघर्ष: अब संघर्ष में भारत, उत्तर कोरिया, ईरान और ताइवान जैसे नए खिलाड़ी भी हैं।

गोपनीय रणनीति: चीन अपने इरादों को छुपाकर रखता है, जिससे अन्य देश असमंजस में रहते हैं।

पश्चिमी देशों की प्रतिक्रिया

अमेरिका अपनी परमाणु नीति पर फिर से विचार कर रहा है। UK, ऑस्ट्रेलिया (AUKUS), और जापान के साथ मिलकर वह अपनी सैन्य तैयारियाँ मज़बूत कर रहा है। साथ ही हथियार नियंत्रण की बातचीत भी ज़रूरी हो गई है—हालाँकि चीन अब तक इस वार्ता में शामिल नहीं हुआ है।

निष्कर्ष: चीनी शैली की नई शीत युद्ध

चीन का हाइड्रोजन बम केवल एक हथियार नहीं है—यह एक संदेश है। अब चीन केवल दर्शक नहीं रहना चाहता, वह दुनिया के नियम बदलना चाहता है। नई शीत युद्ध शुरू हो चुकी है, और इस बार यह पहले से भी ज़्यादा ��ेज़, ज़्यादा स्मार्ट और ज़्यादा खतरनाक है।

#China #HydrogenBomb #Geopolitics #NuclearWeapons #ColdWar2 #GlobalSecurity 

#ChinaMilitary #WorldPolitics #DefenseNews #NuclearArmsRace #StrategicPower 

#IndoPacific #USChinaTensions #ChinaNews #NewColdWar #MilitaryTech #InternationalRelations

[inspofromancientworld]

Ancient Seafaring

By listfiles/Kanguole - Own work, based on file:map of Sunda and Sahul.png and usingCoastline from Natural Earth 1:50m Physical Vectors125m depth contour derived from 2-Minute Gridded Global Relief Data (ETOPO2) v2, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, using gdal_contour (from GDAL)., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=127823375

Earliest evidence that hominids took to the sea on boats was from tools and trace evidence left on a rhinoceros skeleton from about 631,000-777,000 years ago, likely to the Philippine island of Luzon, the largest island of the Philippines. At this time, Homo erectus was most likely the voyager. At that time, with the lowered sea levels because of the ice sheets that pushed as far as the 40th parallel in some places, covering maybe 30%, drawing water out of the oceans. While this made it so that many of the islands off of the southern tip of India were joined together, reaching the Philippines would have taken at least a short sea voyage.

It wasn't until about 65,000-53,000 years ago that Homo sapiens crossed what is now known as the Wallace line to reach what is now Australia. The winds at the time would have been favorable for what would have been at least a 55 mile (88 km) journey with no land in sight. Winds would have changed about 58,000 years ago, making the crossing much more unlikely, which points to a single period of colonization of Australia.

By Cat's diary (猫猫的日记本) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34243737

About 35,000-32,000 years ago was the beginning of maritime trade networks as evidenced by Philippine and Wallacea obsidian appearing one nearby islands, though exactly how people traveled by sea isn't know, whether by rafts or dugout canoes. These trade routes likely began by following the coastlines and moving by between line-of-sight islands.

The earliest evidence of whaling appears around 6000 BCE in Korea. Most likely, the method involved many small boats to cut the whale off from the ocean and herding it to land with noise and perhaps arrows.

By Obsidian Soul - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=75764398

Between about 3000 and 1500 BCE, with the use of catamarans, outrigger ships, and tanja or crab claw sails, the Austronesian people began leaving Taiwan and colonizing islands as far reaching as Easter Island and New Zealand to the east and Madagascar in the west. They also supported a trade network that was the precursor of the Maritime Silk Road, which began in the 2nd century BCE. These trade routes gradually began using the monsoon winds, which would blow in one direction for half the year and switch directions in the other half, making it possible for bulk trading and for the Maritime Silk Road to develop. Maritime trade routes grew safer than overland routes due to a lack of bandits, improved navigation technologies, and lack of 'extortionate tolls by local potentiates.'

By Pavljenko - Own work using:Map first shown in Bellwood et al. (2011) and taken from Benton et al. (2012), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116424449

Evidence of the spread of Austronesian people is evident in the languages spoken on the many islands they reached. There are many words that are derived from Sri Lankan or south Indian languages, such as the various words for 'ship' including paṭavu, paḍava, padau, folau, halau, and wharau. Austronesian peoples used advanced navigation techniques, using both constellations and the timing of stars rising over the horizon to navigate. There also appears to have been a 2,000 year pause in expansion, to about 700 CE, when the Polynesian people group moved into the Cook Islands, Hawaii, Easter Island, and Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The Chinese began trading with the Austronesian peoples during the Han dynasty (220 BCE-200 CE), calling them 'Strange Things of the South' (Nánzhōu Yìwùzhì — 南州異物志). Despite this, or maybe because of it, they didn't develop their own navy until the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE).

[doom-nerdo-666]

On the subject of exploring different places on Earth, i wonder if we could make a list of specific countries and types of locations. Even if they're maps for multiplayer or a horde mode. Basically, "Doom World Tour" and there's probably other places to add. Like where would you add an hospital, a dock area or mall area? I feel it's worth thinking of countries fist and then those establishments. ALSO: Because of 1 How Hell can corrupted places and make things strangers and 2 Doom not being that realistic/serious: We could be somewhat "geographically innacurate" with some maps like specific locations or landmarks being closer to each other than usual. Just pretend Hell is making Earth weirder.

Or you could also use portals maybe, to justify going from one type of place to another but still within the same country.

But i had some ideas:

New York: A basic idea, with a giant Lady Liberty's head thrown on Time Square, while the background shows her statue missing the head; Also, can't forget the subway with moving trains that can kill both you and the demons

Texas: You have a basic town with buildings that look like a wild west setting and a farm with wheat and a barn

Japan: You have the city area with neon lights and then a Shinto shrine area with Toriis and blossom trees; An obvious easter egg is posters and art referencing stuff like Berserk or Fist of the North Star but with Doomguy and demons (Might as well do something similar for other countries that also had their share of pop culture just because)

France: You see the Eiffel tower covered by tentacles and some nice towns and cities; What about Notre Dame too?

Australia: Maybe have an underground/cave town based off Coober Pedy but is actually a made up place with its own name; Also, a wild life area obviously

Italy: The Pisa tower is leaning a bit more than usual and you also have the Vatican; There could also be a circus

Greece: Mainly for the ancient Greece setpieces

Germany: One obvious thing is a nod to Wolfenstein

Egypt: Because it's an obvious idea

Africa: I wanna try 2 ideas where one part of the map is a large savanna and another is a jungle full of trees

Mexico: No yellow filter, we make a town look as colorfull as possible; Also, Dia de los Muertos references

Norway: Mainly for an obligatory snow away with a village and some slippery ice floors that you can play with; Also, Christmas stuff

UK: The Big Ben could be part of the map's events like the clock is moving at a certain speed and if it strikes midnight, something happens

Brazil: You could have a beach area, then an area resembling a favela

Spain: Just so you can pretend you're playing bull fighting with charging Pinkies or Barons lol

India: I guess some references to Hindu cultures is expected

China: You have the great wall of China, then also Hong Kong and maybe a dock area

There's probably more ideas to think of.

EDIT 2: Other ideas include a graveyard, haunted mansion, disco club and nuclear plants.

ALSO: A football stadium where there's a recreation of the "Cybie vs SMM" fight in a large field while the crowd goes wild.

Edit: let me just mention these 2 posts of mine

Something about a building of stacked stuff, like a "mega structure"

And something about DE's podiums

[fortressofserenity]

If Mortal Kombat is a British game

As I said before about what would happen if Mortal Kombat was made in Britain instead, while it would have some of the same problems that plague regular American Mortal Kombat it would also have peculiarities of its own due to the new cultural context. Somebody like Jax would easily be African-Caribbean, then again if Ed Boon’s own mum had moved to Britain instead with the Latin American community being smaller there than in America and possibly smaller still before that a British Ed Boon would’ve inevitably assimilated to the larger African-Caribbean community. He may not but this is a logical plausibility, due to Jamaica’s and Barbados’s ties to Britain.

Instead of the Immortals composing the Mortal Kombat theme, it would be Massive Attack and this is one such band with a good number of African-Caribbean musicians in it. If I’m not mistaken and I could be misremembering things, but Maxim Reality of the Prodigy is said to be the son of Jamaican immigrants. This proves my point that given the way multiculturalism turned out in Britain and even if there was a black presence in Britain before, most of it either stems from the Caribbean or from Africa itself so Jax Briggs would easily come from the former.

Tanya is technically Edenian but given Britain had colonies in Africa and the Caribbean, that she could’ve been more readily coded as either West African or African-Caribbean. The logical conclusion would have both Mileena and Kitana be coded as coming from Hong Kong, well the Edenian analogue to it and Edenia itself would’ve taken on a rather different character if Mortal Kombat was made in Britain instead. Inevitably, many Earthrealm characters would come from Britain proper. Also Mortal Kombat would’ve ended up more like Warhammer 40K, even if it still has some of the same trappings as regular American Mortal Kombat does.

Warhammer 40K is a science fiction game born and bred in Britain, but as what somebody else wrote that it has undertones of imperial decay. Given Britain stopped being a superpower in the mid-20th century that makes the descent into grim darkness all the more telling, especially when it comes to that nation gradually losing its colonies one by one. Some of the earliest to leave are Ghana, India, Pakistan and Nigeria, some of the last to leave are the Gambia, Barbados (now that it’s a proper republic) and Hong Kong, which returned to China. So British Mortal Kombat would be a cross between regular MK and WH40K by then.

Maybe not exactly but to give you an idea of how culture changes the context and sensibility of the story, since Warhammer 40K is the byproduct of a post-imperial Britain where all the grim darkness stems from a decaying empire. Okay, I’m not too well-versed in WH40K but because Warhammer is a British (by)product and one that hinges on imperial decay that a British Mortal Kombat would also have similar themes concerning the six realms, so it would be more like what would happen if Games Workshop created a Warhammer fighting game. It wouldn’t be a proper Warhammer fighting game but tonally and thematically closer to it in some regards, particularly the six realms that it would play out more like a fantasy version of what the British Empire was like.

Nightwolf is Native American but if Mortal Kombat is a British game, should he appear largely as he is in regular Mortal Kombat, he’d probably come from Canada and be First Nations. But this would inevitably lean on British Mortal Kombat’s undertones of imperial decay, given many of its colonies became independent and a handful of them are semi-independent as it is with Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica, though the last one wants to be a republic real badly. Johnny Cage wouldn’t have been a showy Hollywood star, but more like a brash public figure of some sort.

As for the guest characters, these would most likely involve quintessentially British figures like Judge Dredd, Judge Anderson and Strontium Dog. All three of them are 2000AD characters by the way, not that Britons are entirely ignorant of American pop culture. If Mortal Kombat was born and bred in Britain, it would inevitably include these three in some capacity. Regular Mortal Kombat features a number of guest characters that are clearly from American media franchises and brands, that Mortal Kombat is born and bred in America so it’s inevitably going to have an American perspective and take on things.

So regular Mortal Kombat wouldn’t have the same undertones of imperial decay as British Mortal Kombat would tend to, since America is the current reigning superpower in this day and age. Comes to think of this way, Warhammer 40K could be seen as a British Star Wars in that both of them take inspiration from Dune when it comes to things like supernatural powers, decaying empires and the like. But as Star Wars is the byproduct of an America, it’s going to have an American sensibility and play into American history in some unconscious way, despite George Lucas’s best intentions.

The Rebels are parallel to the Americans that revolted against Britain during the American Revolution, with Britain as the Evil Empire itself. America itself actually has a desert, that Luke Skywalker could’ve easily been raised in Arizona instead. Would his sister Leia been a Boston Brahmin or a member of the Southern Gentry by then? But it does make you wonder how much American culture figures into Star Wars, perhaps in ways Lucas himself wouldn’t have readily recognised for what it is.

While Dune’s Caladan and Arrakis are amenable to British sensibilities regarding British history (you could swap Caladan for Britain and Arrakis for Australia), the fact that Star Wars has rebels fighting against an empire is evocative of American history. Warhammer 40K is thus a British Star Wars without even trying, because it also takes inspiration from Dune but due to the cultural context it developed in a different direction. Albeit one involving imperial decay, which would inform a British Mortal Kombat. It’s not hard to see how cultural context changes the way games are developed, right down to themes and sensibility.

If Mortal Kombat had been developed in Britain instead and remained a British game, while it could have some of the same trappings as regular Mortal Kombat does it would end up as the closest to what would happen if Games Workshop put out a fighting game. Especially when it comes to themes of imperial decay, except that it would be played straight compared to Warhammer itself. Especially with Jax being Jamaican, Nightwolf being Canadian First Nations and Kitana coming from a Hong Kong analogue that British MK would be a kind of commentary on the fallen British Empire.

[charlesandmartine]

Monday 11th November 2024

It's moving on day again today, this time to the Barkly Homestead. Our route has now left the Stuart Highway, and we are heading East towards the coast, but these are small steps. But we are jumping ahead. Just before the junction of Stuart and Barkly is a remnant from the past, one of the eleven telegraph repeater stations. We had planned to visit this place today because it was on our route, so on the advice of the man in the tourist information centre, who said it was open everyday, we expected no impediments to this rudimentary plan. How wrong can one be? It transpired that the site would be open but not the buildings. But that's not a problem because our caravan site has a key said the reception lady. You can't leave the place open, it would be trashed, she said. Just sign here and place a deposit of $20 cash. Well, we don't have cash, we said. Sorry, no key then. So we had to go into town to the post office and draw cash. Then, back to the site and collect key. Go visit Repeater Station 10 km away, return key 10 km, collect twenty bucks, all done! Simple.

The Telegraph Line was completed in 1872, a remarkable feat considering Stuart had only surveyed the route ten years previously. Some 1800 miles in length, 36,000 poles and an awful lot of wire. The project was conceived and planned by Sir Charles Todd, who was by training a mathematician and astronomer working initially at the Greenwich Observatory, but needed telegraph to communicate between observatories. So he was inspired by the concept of linking Southern Australia to India and on to England. The repeater stations received a morse message, then it would be relayed to the next, and so on until it reached London. It would take in the region of 7 hours to send and receive a telegraph message in London from Australia, which made a huge improvement on the previous record of some three months on a package ship.

The buildings had long ago been stripped of any technology, but it was easy to imagine how they were used, from the kitchen and dining areas to the telegraph room, bedroom and storage areas. When the centre finally closed in the 1930s due to technology changes, and then sold in 1951, finding one room being used as a butchers shop! All very interesting and good to see the fruition to our Mr Stuart's endeavours and the works of the ingenious Sir Charles Todd.

Before finally leaving Tennant Creek, we ticked the last box in the Lonely Planet Guide and visited the oldest Catholic Church in the region. Built in 1937 and looking remarkably pretty despite its corrugated iron components and, more importantly, appeared like it was well used. Then, driving briefly back up the Stuart to the intersection with the Barkly Highway, we passed over the Tennant Creek, which gave its name to the town. It is still possible to see the old crossing over the Creek which is a reminder of what the old, unsealed pre-1943 road would have been like where traffic had to go virtually down to the level of the water to cross over. Very much like a ford at home.

Our journey to Barkly Homestead was just 212 km, so we had arrived by 3.30. The decision to stop here for a couple of nights was made out of necessity; it was too far in one journey to make it to our next location. However, there was no choice in the matter of location as this is the only accommodation along this route. A comly little place, home to tourists, tradies, and truckies alike. Very limited in the self-catering department, but we shall cope.

We have really enjoyed our time at Tennant Creek despite all the bad press it had from pretty much all those we spoke to. As a town, it clearly has its problems. There weren't that many people in the post office, but two of them had ASBO tags on their ankles. But a lot of investment has been made in this clean town: large outdoor swimming pool, new library, bowling club, hospital, mens and womens clinics. Let's hope things improve for these people.