#Internet Communications Engine Online Help

[i-like-media]

THIS episode was DOCTOR WHO again, finally! Inua Ellams is the only one this season who understands how to properly weave politics and social commentary into a story without completely taking you out of it. BY FAR my favourite 15th doctor episode!

There are so many good things I can say about this episode, but I need to talk about how utterly shite the other episodes have been first to fully drive home how phenomenal this episode was..

The robot revolution builds up this whole story about this oppressive world being ruled by robots, you know how it goes... There is a mystery with Belinda and you want to know why they need HER of all people. the story builds up and up and then towards the end it makes the big reveal that, the problem isn't oppressive dictators or the system of a society that oppresses a certain group of individuals......... it's incels. Yeah the truest and purest form of evil is incels and they should just be turned back to a sperm and killed with a vacuum cleaner YES QUEEN. I'm sorry. Since when has ANYONE been the ultimate evil in doctor who besides the Daleks and Cybermen. Why does this guy not deserve a second chance? Especially since you can look up studies about how guys in Incel communities are also really hurt people and that they can get OUT of this mindset with proper help? Why did that one alien that looked into the time vortex and became an egg get a second chance, but this guy should just be sucked up and killed? miss me with that. but you think, oh that's just one episode. what does the next one have to say?

Lux has a whole scene that takes you out of the narrative with doctor who fans who have a whole conversation with him about how he's fiction and also these are their favourite episodes. Scene went on way too long and made me forget what they were even there for again.

The well is just a good story thank god

then we have Lucky Day..... There's once again a whole narrative going on with aliens. there's a mystery, you get invested. But turns out, the whole problem isn't aliens who want to eat you, it's cancel culture! yep! oooooh the scary people online that are writing google docs about you and making podcasts! ooooh wouldn't it be scary if they ENTERED YOUR HOUSE and tried to TAUNT you right to your face? It reads as a vent episode the writer wrote after he got some negativity online. Instead of adding nuance and asking "where do these opinions come from? Is there any truth in what people are saying", they are instead all painted as outrageous villains who want to DESTROY UNIT. It's completely ridiculous and I should've expected nothing less from the person who wrote Kerblam! Had an eerily similar message when you think about it.

The Story & the Engine is FINALLY another breath of fresh air and a story that's WRITTEN WELL ENOUGH to not take you OUT OF THE NARRATIVE WITH ITS MESSAGES. This episode has perfectly woven it into the story! It is up front about what it's about, honest, and the story moves along with it. It is about the unique alienation black people experience and the tight COMMUNITY that formed because of it. It is about black hardships and tales of horror that shall forever be tightly bound to one's heart. It is about the meaning and value of black hair and the stories each strand carries. It is about what drives us and what keeps us alive. and just, so much more. When it mentions slavery, village fires, racism, the black community and how horrible the internet is, it doesn't feel like it's supposed to be a shock or like something the show is trying to score social points for. It's just, the narrative. It's life. Every day life, casual but awful facts. It focuses on the beautiful people born from it and the innovative ways people survived it. THAT is empowering. Every show and movie should take notes. THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE!

Inua Ellams, everyone.

[mariacallous]

Employees at the Social Security Administration (SSA) were informed on Thursday morning that new rules forbid them from accessing “general news” websites, including those that have been at the forefront of the reporting on Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort.

In an email reviewed by WIRED and addressed to “all SSA employees” from a mailing list called “internal communications,” the agency informed employees that it was “implementing additional restrictions to the categories of websites prohibited from government-furnished equipment. Effective today, March 6, 2025, the categories include: Online shopping; General News; and Sports.” The headline read “Internet Browsing from Government Equipment.”

The email did not specify which websites in particular were to be blocked. However, WIRED has confirmed with two sources inside the SSA that Wired.com is no longer accessible today, though it was accessible previously.

The sources also confirmed that the websites of The Washington Post, The New York Times, and MSNBC were inaccessible. However, the sources were able to access other news websites including Politico and Axios.

“Local news blocked,” says one source at SSA, who was granted anonymity over fears of retribution. “So if there was a local shooting or something, I wouldn’t be able to see.”

It’s unclear who has implemented the block list or what criteria were used to populate it, but it appears not to be based on ideological grounds, as Fox News and Breitbart are also blocked.

On Friday, weeks after DOGE engineers were installed at SSA, the agency announced plans to cut 7,000 employees. Many of the agency’s most senior staff have resigned. This includes former SSA commissioner Michelle King, who has decades of experience within the agency. She was replaced by acting commissioner Leland Dudek, a mid-level staffer who claimed in a LinkedIn post, reviewed by WIRED, that he had been punished by King for helping DOGE engineers when they first arrived. Musk and Donald Trump have also continued to push the conspiracy theory that millions of dead people are continuing to collect social security benefits, despite the fact those claims have been debunked.

In the hours after the initial email was sent about blocking news sites, some employees received another email from their managers providing instructions on how to disable news showing up on the Edge landing page. This was not a requirement but a recommendation to help employees resist the temptation to click on news links, a source who had received the email told WIRED.

Those trying to visit Wired.com were greeted with a page replicating much of what was in the initial email. It also listed a “URL Reputiation” score, though it was unclear where that score was being sourced from, or if it has a bearing on site access. Different blocked news websites were given different scores, according to screenshots viewed by WIRED.

SSA employees typically use computers with Microsoft’s Edge installed as the internet browser. The default landing page on that browser is set to show news headlines, according to several sources at SSA.

��Employees with a legitimate business [sic] should submit an exception SAM request for their supervisor's review,” the email continued. “These additional restrictions will help reduce risk and better protect the sensitive information entrusted to us in our many systems.”

On Reddit, multiple members of the FedNews subreddit who said they worked at the SSA claimed that accessing news in a timely manner was an essential part of their job. Others pointed out that being able to make purchases online was a core component of their work.

After this article was published, an SSA spokesperson told WIRED that it implemented the restrictions because “employees should be focused on mission-critical work and serving the American people.”

It did not respond to requests for comment on why some news websites were blocked and others were not.

Employees at several other US government agencies contacted by WIRED said similar blocks on news pages had not been implemented on their networks.

[sexymemecoin]

The Phenomenon of Meme Coins: Humor Meets Cryptocurrency

The world of cryptocurrency is known for its rapid innovations and diverse applications, but one of the most fascinating and unexpected trends to emerge in recent years is the rise of meme coins. These digital currencies, inspired by internet memes and popular culture, combine the worlds of humor and finance in a way that captivates a broad audience. Meme coins are not just a novelty; they represent a significant shift in how digital assets can be perceived and utilized. This article explores the origins, characteristics, and future potential of meme coins, with a brief mention of one of the notable projects in this space, Sexy Meme Coin.

The Origins of Meme Coins

Meme coins first gained mainstream attention with the creation of Dogecoin in 2013. Dogecoin was initially conceived as a joke by software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer, who wanted to create a fun alternative to Bitcoin. Featuring the Shiba Inu dog from the popular "Doge" meme as its mascot, Dogecoin quickly garnered a dedicated following. Its community-driven approach and lighthearted nature set it apart from other cryptocurrencies, paving the way for a new category of digital assets.

Despite its humorous beginnings, Dogecoin has demonstrated remarkable staying power. It has been used for various charitable causes, tipping content creators online, and even sponsoring NASCAR teams. The coin's success has inspired a plethora of other meme coins, each seeking to capture the magic formula of humor, community, and financial potential.

Key Characteristics of Meme Coins

Community-Centric: Meme coins thrive on the strength of their communities. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, which often focus on technological advancements, meme coins rely heavily on community engagement and social media presence. This grassroots approach helps to build a loyal and enthusiastic user base.

Cultural Relevance: Meme coins are deeply rooted in internet culture and trends. They often reflect the latest memes, jokes, and viral content, making them highly relatable and engaging for users who are active on social media platforms.

Accessibility: The playful and humorous nature of meme coins makes them more approachable for the average person compared to more complex cryptocurrencies. This accessibility helps to attract a wider audience, including those who may not have previously considered investing in digital assets.

High Volatility: The value of meme coins can be extremely volatile, driven by social media trends, celebrity endorsements, and viral moments. While this volatility can lead to significant gains, it also poses substantial risks for investors.

The Appeal of Meme Coins

Meme coins offer a unique blend of entertainment and investment potential. They provide a way for people to engage with cryptocurrency in a fun and light-hearted manner, while still offering the possibility of financial returns. This dual appeal has helped to drive the popularity of meme coins, especially among younger generations who are well-versed in internet culture.

The community-driven nature of meme coins also fosters a sense of belonging and participation. Users feel like they are part of a larger movement, contributing to the success of the coin through their engagement and support. This collective effort can lead to a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty among users.

Notable Meme Coins

While Dogecoin remains the most well-known meme coin, several other projects have emerged, each with its unique twist on the concept. One such project is Sexy Meme Coin, which combines the world of memes with innovative tokenomics and community engagement. You can learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

The Future of Meme Coins

The future of meme coins is both exciting and uncertain. On the one hand, their ability to capture the zeitgeist of internet culture gives them a unique position within the cryptocurrency landscape. As long as memes continue to be a significant part of online culture, meme coins are likely to maintain their relevance and appeal.

On the other hand, the high volatility and speculative nature of meme coins mean that they can be risky investments. Regulatory scrutiny and market fluctuations could impact their long-term viability. However, the community-driven approach of meme coins provides a strong foundation that can help them weather challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.

Conclusion

Meme coins represent a fascinating intersection of humor, culture, and finance. They have brought a new dimension to the world of cryptocurrency, making it more accessible and engaging for a broad audience. While they come with their own set of risks and uncertainties, the community-centric nature of meme coins offers a compelling case for their continued growth and evolution.

As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, meme coins like Sexy Meme Coin and others will play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital assets. By combining the power of memes with innovative financial technology, these coins have the potential to create lasting impact and redefine how we think about cryptocurrency.

For those interested in exploring the world of meme coins, Sexy Meme Coin offers a unique and entertaining platform. Visit Sexy Meme Coin to learn more and become part of this exciting movement.

[maxdibert]

I don’t understand why Marauder fans want to distance themselves so much from the main saga. Not to be cruel, but looking for representation in a book written in the ’90s by J.K. Rowling is simply stupid. There are other contemporary books that have the elements that attracted them to the Marauders fandom,like a magical school, a group of friends.

And it doesn’t matter what they do, they’re still using names invented by Rowling, spells invented by Rowling, characters invented by Rowling, and Rowling’s world. I mean, growing up is accepting that sometimes you have problematic tastes and that you’re not morally perfect, and that you’re perfectly capable of enjoying something created by a shitty person. And yes, it’s true, there’s a lot of cognitive dissonance, but we’re never going to be perfect in everything. There are people who still watch Woody Allen movies even though he’s a fucking pedophile, and they know he’s a pedophile and they think he’s disgusting, but they’re still huge fans of Annie Hall, what do you want those people to do? I stopped watching his movies, but I’m not going to go around criticizing the people who still do.

The point is, it makes no sense to have that narcissistic paranoia that they’re something different from what Rowling created. No, they’re not. They are what Rowling created. They use names that are under intellectual property rights, and if that psychotic lunatic felt like it, she could ban them from using them because she’s insane and a billionaire. These are her characters, there’s a thing called internet positioning, and every time these people mention the word “Potter” or “Sirius Black” or “Marauders” online, they’re boosting the SEO of anything related to JK Rowling, because those names are associated with her. They’re not helping the trans community, or women, or anyone. They’re just contributing, like the rest of the fandom, to keeping this woman’s name highly ranked in search engines. The difference between them and the rest of the fandom is that some of us do it consciously, accepting how problematic and contradictory it all is, and they cling to this absolutely manic and ridiculous social justice delusion.

[catherine-clover]

The longest list of anti-endo sources I've ever seen

While trying to find something else using Tumblr's infamous search engine, I came across this absolute gem:

NINE SOURCES!!! That's a record!! This is incredible!

@radpocalypse, listen. I am about to tear these to shreds, but before I do, I want you to know that you have my respect for not only compiling the longest list of sources I have ever seen an anti-endo provide, and not only doing so seemingly not directly prompted, but typing out every single link by hand, on mobile, without making a single mistake. Incredible work.

And also, to be completely honest, if I had nine sources supporting a belief, I almost certainly wouldn't look into them this closely. But, hey, that's what strangers on the internet with opposing views are for.

One more thing before the debunk: Endogenic systems do not claim to have DID etc. without trauma. They just don't. Whether it could be possible is often debated as an edge case, usually just to win an argument against someone of the opposing side, but really, it's irrelevant for 99% of the community. A good chunk are questioning OSDD based on later trauma, but as far as I am aware, no one on this website is claiming a completely endogenic plural disorder.

However, I don't want to dismiss entire pages based on this alone without further commentary, and it's a fun intellectual exercise regardless. So, whenever I use green text, I'm just playing Devil's Advocate under the premise of "If I was claiming to have DID without trauma (which neither I nor anyone else afaik is), would this source actually debunk that claim?" My syster will also occasionally pop in with purple, since she was cocon while I was writing this.

My dad just walked into my room and literally said "hey how it's going". You know, like. Like that one post. Amazing.

Anyway, civility established. Now come along with me on this long long journey of ten minutes of reading. Maybe put some music on in the background, if that will help you get through it. I had Near's Theme on while writing.

Here we go.

Link 1: McLean Hospital

Ok, main thing that caught my eye was

According to a 2010 Psychiatric Times article, only 5% of people with DID exhibit obvious switching between identity “states.”

Very interesting! Even with all of the "idk who's fronting" memes, 5% is really not that high. Though maybe online spaces like these help train the ability to identify it? The reference trail leads back to a book by Kluft but I don't really feel like going through dozens of pages for this. Definitely making a note of this though; I wonder if there have been any follow-up studies on this.

Not much to say here other than that. No mention of plurality outside DID.

DID is associated with long-term exposure to trauma, often chronic traumatic experiences during early childhood.

Dissociation—or disconnection from one’s sense of self or environment—can be a response to trauma.

Dissociative identity disorder—a type of dissociative disorder—most often develops during early childhood in kids who are experiencing long-term trauma. This typically involves emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse; neglect; and highly unpredictable interactions with caregivers.

Why "associated", not "is caused by"? Why "can", not "is"? Why "most often", etc.?

Why such weak language?

Not that it couldn't be weaker.

I vaguely remember McLean getting into some hot water regarding a video they posted about DID, but didn't find anything concrete. Half-remembered anecdote aside, the author seems well-qualified.

C-tier debunk of this position. It's not nothing but it could be a lot better.

Link 2: Psych Central

It occurs in women 9 times more often than in men.

Very interesting statistic, but no citation provided.

Alters can show striking differences. For instance, one alter may speak with a different accent or have a softer way of speaking. They might have different opinions or a different gender identity, and even physical differences — like left- or right-handedness, or the need for a glasses prescription.

That's quite a stark difference here compared to the McLean article. What happened to "alters aren't that noticeable"?

But whatever, these are just interesting tidbits. None of this has anything to do with endogenic plurality. Nothing like "this is the only way to be multiple", no comment whatsoever.

DID is usually associated with adverse experiences in someone’s past and traumatic memories.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition with strong links to trauma, especially trauma in childhood.

Bruh. This again?

In fact, the American Psychiatric Association reports that 90% of people with DID have a history of childhood abuse and neglect, based on research from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Bruh. Seriously? 90%? You know what that leaves, right?

According to your own source, 10% of DID systems are endogenic.

But let's break this down. There's a big difference between the system being endogenic, and the DID being endogenic. This statistic is specifically referring to childhood trauma.

The wording's plenty vague though. This can absolutely be read as completely endogenic DID.

One review article from 2017 about the causes of DID noted that there was relatively little research on the condition to date.

The authors said researchers hadn’t yet investigated potential genetic and epigenetic factors. With epigenetic factors, the experiences and behaviors of your parents and ancestors can influence the function of the genes they pass down to you.

The authors of the review said scientists needed to do more research to investigate whether a person with DID might carry genes that can influence if they develop the condition or not.

This is particularly promising because studies have already shown that genes can influence dissociative disorders in general.

So you're telling me DID might be able to be passed down one or two generations? Wow. Again, this still has nothing to do with endogenic plurality, but I'm really glad I decided to play with this second angle, because it's so much more fun. We're certainly not at intentional self-inflicted DID here, but we are at this point a long way from certainly needing childhood trauma in all cases.

And also the reviewer is a military psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD. So uh. Not bringing our best here.

Link 3: Mayo Clinic

Gotta love an article that's nice and short. This is just a brief summary of a bunch of dissociative disorders. Again, nothing about endogenic plurality.

Starting to run out of things to say about this. This whole post could probably be a fifth the length if I didn't feel like playing on hard mode.

Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder involves "switching" to other identities. You may feel as if you have two or more people talking or living inside your head. You may feel like you're possessed by other identities.

Each identity may have a unique name, personal history and features. These identities sometimes include differences in voice, gender, mannerisms and even such physical qualities as the need for eyeglasses.

Hey, that reminds me of someone.

There also are differences in how familiar each identity is with the others. Dissociative identity disorder usually also includes bouts of amnesia and often includes times of confused wandering.

Again, McLean looking really odd with its declaration of DID's covertness against great detail like this. However, its author is so far the best qualified. This one just says "Mayo Clinic Staff". Can't even know which of them worked on this. Some of them are psychs, but if any of them specialize in dissociative disorders, it doesn't say so.

Dissociative disorders usually arise as a reaction to shocking, distressing or painful events and help push away difficult memories.

I won't bother quoting even more wishy-washy language because this post is already at an ungodly length (about 1300 words so far) and we're barely a third done. But yeah, suffice to say, no nail-in-the-coffin 100% link to trauma.

Link 4: Rethink

We are a trusted information creator and accredited by the Patient Information Forum (PIF).

Their bold, for once. That's an alarm-ringing corporate phrase if I've ever seen one. Also, first thing on the PIF's website is "balancing the risks and benefits of AI in the production of health information". So this article might've been written by GPT. Awesome. And yeah, a lot of this whole website looks to me like a bunch of interconnected pages with stupidly long articles written by stitching together LLM generations. Does pass GPT0's test though.

This one is so long. I'll take the ten minutes to read through every word, which I don't think @radpocalypse did, just to make sure there's nothing here, but one thing that does catch my eye scrolling down to near the bottom is that they misspelled their first citation.

A quick look at this Carolyn Spring shows a lot being sold and credentials nowhere in sight. Awesome.

So already I don't need to read this. The information here is not at a high level of trustworthiness. It's maybe better than nothing, but seriously, one can and should do better. But I'll read it anyway, just for bonus points. Thanks to AccelaReader for making this bearable.

Many people will experience dissociation at some point in their lives. Lots of different things can cause you to dissociate. For example, you might dissociate when you are very stressed, or after something traumatic has happened to you.

Some of the symptoms of dissociation include the following:

You may have clear multiple identities.

It‘s important to remember that you could have the symptoms of dissociation without a dissociative disorder.

So according to this, multiple identities can be caused by intense but non-traumatic stress, and might not necessarily be a disorder. So, while I admit this is a little bit of a stretch, we're four links in and this is the first mention of plurality in general, so I'll take it. One point for endogenic plurality. (And again, none of this really matters anyway because this is the worst source so far.)

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is sometimes called ‘Multiple Personality Disorder.

If you have DID you might seem to have 2 or more different identities, called ‘alternate identities.

Two missing closing quotes. Really not a good sign.

They suggest that DID is caused by experiencing severe trauma over a long time in childhood.

Aha! Finally, something concrete against endogenic DID! Too bad it's buried in the worst source yet. If we believed we had DID, we would absolutely not reconsider that based on a sketchy webpage with suboptimal syntax and no credentials.

Ugh, finally done with that one. What a slog.

Link 5: DID Research

Aha! The infamous psych student's blog! That's what Sophie said, anyway. Not taking her word for it though. Let's see what we can find here, independently.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is the result of repeated or long-term childhood trauma

Why wasn't this first? First sentence, so crystal clear. No two ways about this, transDID destroyed right out of the gate.

DID cannot form after ages 6-9 because individuals older than these ages have an integrated self identity and history.

Why wasn't this first? It's so plain, so refreshing after four pages of strategic ambiguity. Nothing left here for green. But still no mention of non-disordered plurality.

The author is impressively credentialed but doesn't seem to specialize quite near this area. She's certainly better than most, high above any random Tumblr user talking out of their ass, but the good stuff would be to get a DID specialist to explicitly spell out that endogenic systems are not possible.

Also should make note of this big fat legal disclaimer:

While the author strives to make information on this website as complete, reliable, and accurate as possible, the author makes no claims, promises, guarantees, or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site.

If we did claim to have DID, this would rattle us a little but could ultimately be brushed aside.

Link 6: SANE

As usual, literally nothing about endogenic plurality. I'll just greenmode this.

The majority of people with DID have been through severe trauma in early childhood

And now back to our regularly scheduled nondefinitive language.

Fun fact: highlighting text on this website turns it invisible. Awesome.

A person needs to meet the following criteria to be diagnosed with DID:

- Two or more distinct identities or personality states, each with its own way of thinking and relating. - Amnesia and gaps in the recall of everyday events, personal information or traumatic events. - The experiences are not part of normal cultural or religious practice, or part of childhood imaginary play. For example, a child having an imaginary friend does not mean they have DID. - The symptoms are not because of substance abuse or other medical conditions.

Ah finally, a direct quote from the good ol' DSM. Notice the lack of a trauma requirement.

Funny enough, using only these criteria in isolation, we actually would count as having DID due to our grayout memory gaps when switching. DID is also listed in the dissociative disorders section of the DSM, not the trauma disorders section, so there is no implied criterion there either. However, there still remains the universal criterion of distress, which we do not fulfill. We are quite happy with ourselves.

DID is caused by severe childhood trauma, such as physical, verbal or sexual abuse.

Well, which is it?? Is it a majority association or a direct cause? Why the contradiction? Or is the emphasis on early childhood trauma?

Eh, whatever. Point is, green is once again shut down. But there is still no mention of endogenic plurality anywhere here!!

And no indication of who wrote this article, though the citation for direct cause is a dissociative disorder specialist. Does he actually say that in the cited paper, though?

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is multifactorial in its etiology. Whereas psychosocial etiologies of DID include developmental traumatization and sociocognitive sequelae, biological factors include trauma-generated neurobiological responses. Biologically derived traits and epigenetic mechanisms are also likely to be at play. At this point, no direct examination of genetics has occurred in DID. However, it is likely to exist, given the genetic link to dissociation in general and in relation to childhood adversity in particular.

I hope you have a dictionary on hand. That sure is a lot of big words that aren't in Firefox's built-in spellchecker. Still, after making sure I got everything, it's clearly not so cut and dry here. And we're back on the "it could be genetic" point.

Tangentially related: I do like the dismissal of the iatrogenic model on the basis of the brain scans.

Neurobiological differences have been demonstrated between dissociative identities within patients with DID and between patients with DID and controls. Given the current evidence, DID as a diagnostic entity cannot be explained as a phenomenon created by iatrogenic influences, suggestibility, malingering, or social role-taking. On the contrary, DID is an empirically robust chronic psychiatric disorder based on neurobiological, cognitive, and interpersonal non-integration as a response to unbearable stress.

Anyway, we're not even on the original page anymore, so I'll call it here. No mention of endogenic plurality, and the citation that claims to dismiss endogenic DID doesn't.

Link 7: NAMI Michigan

While the causes [of DID] are unknown

I'm tired. Aren't you tired?

Treatment for DID consists primarily of psychotherapy with hypnosis.

Yeah I'm calling BS on this one

And no citations on this entire page, nor even the author's name.

Statistics show that DID occurs in 0.01 to 1 percent of the general population.

Research has shown that the average age for the initial development of alters is 5.9 years old.

No sources listed. This is definitely the worst link. Literally on the same level as a rambling Tumblr user in terms of credibility.

Doesn't matter that it says

This disorder is believed to be triggered by physical or sexual abuse in childhood

Couldn't even get this dogshit source to be firm.

This one gets an F.

Link 8: The Psychology Practice

Got scared for a moment there that it said ai. No, that's AL, a name. Also this was written in 2022, so we're definitely safe. Can't actually find any other info on this AL character, but at least we can look up the co-author.

Hm, can't find anything on her, either. Well, at least this is a step up from the previous link. Let's see what it has to say.

According to the Dissociative Identity Research Organisation (2018), DID is formed in childhood due to repeated trauma in early childhood (before age 10) before the personality is fully integrated.

I do like that these later links are direct with this. They don't seem to have a citation for that DIRO, though. Unless...

No. Oh no.

Ok, so this one was written by a couple of clowns who definitely didn't do their homework. Cool. I'm getting tired of humoring awful sources like this, so moving on to the grand finale.

Link 9: NAMI

Wait, this is the same group behind the zero-citation article from Michigan! But that was just Michigan. Maybe the main site can do better.

Ugh, it's just another list of dissociative disorders instead of DID specifically.

The symptoms of a dissociative disorder usually first develop as a response to a traumatic event,

Aren't you tired? Aren't you tired? Aren't you tired?

Often these identities may have unique names, characteristics, mannerisms and voices.

Often? Wow. Sure is a far cry from 5%.

Dissociative disorders are managed through various therapies including: - Psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) - Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) - Medications such as antidepressants can treat symptoms of related conditions

No mention of hypnosis, allegedly the primary method of treatment?? (/sarc)

and there was no mention of plurality being exclusive to dissociative disorders

Oh, and no listed authors either.

So, after three thousand words of analysis, all we've come up with are nothing burgers, dogshit, and dogshit nothing burgers. Out of nine links, only one briefly and indirectly touched on endogenic plurality, and it was in favor. Even the argument against the traumaless DID strawman is weak at best. These sources are bad, to put it lightly.

@radpocalypse, if you're reading this, firstly, thank you for powering through your ADHD and dyslexia to read thousands of words dunking on your masterpiece. Secondly, if you have any more sources that you think are backing you, feel free to send them my way. Just uh, maybe read them more closely next time?

And that goes for everyone here. If you think you have a better source, or if I made a mistake or missed something here, I am open to correction. I am open to the idea that I'm wrong and I have some unknown trauma to work through, but I certainly won't go digging unless I have good reason to believe it's there, and I haven't seen any good reason. And if you haven't either, maybe it's time to reconsider your position.

One last thing before I go.

Have you ever actually seen a pro-endo carrd, let alone one cited in standalone? I haven't.

Here's a much longer list of much better sources than yours supporting endogenic plurality compiled by the traumagenic Guardians System. I don't expect you to read anywhere near the whole thing; just pick a few links at random. And yes, while many of them are peer-reviewed papers, some of them are Tumblr posts, but those Tumblr posts cite peer-reviewed papers, so it's all good.

Thanks for reading.

[seat-safety-switch]

In the olden times, before the internet, there was no other choice. If you were into something weird, and wanted to meet other weird people, you'd join a club. Sure, sometimes the club was through the mail, but that was the model for humanity for thousands of years. Then the bulletin-board systems showed up, and then we screamed at each other in all-caps.

Even with the aggressive push to move all communication online, car clubs are still going strong. This is mostly because it is difficult to drive your car on the internet (broadband isn't good enough yet.) You can take your car, and drive it in a parade, or to an ice cream place, or to another member's home in order to help fix their car. Don't worry, there is still lots of time for bullshitting, grousing, and development of strange little grudges on the internet afterward.

I joined a local Mopar club many years ago, in the hope that I would find another Volare enthusiast. Barring that, maybe one of those poor deluded fools with an Aspen. It never happened, possibly because my backyard was already full of an obscene hoard of several dozen of those cars, removing them from circulation for anyone else. Still, I found some camaraderie there, and every so often we got to bail one of the other members out of jail after getting busted for street racing.

Yes, street racing. Although every car club will tell you that they are not a dangerous street-racing gang, the menace of the innocent, a lot of the local ones do seem to happen awfully close to a big long stretch of straight road. Perhaps it's simply bad urban planning that has produced a city consisting nearly entirely of two-lane roads separated by stop lights approximately one quarter mile apart.

Personally, I would never engage in such reckless behaviour. It would imperil the legal existence of the club to get caught. And also the police don't believe me that my wheezing lawn ornament, seeping vital fluids from every hose and gasket, powered by a Soviet hit-and-miss engine out of an industrial plant, could achieve the speed limit, much less anything faster. Still, there is hope. If the cops accidentally rear-end me while trying to chase someone else in the club, they'll have to pull over in order to yank the chunks of my trunk out of their radiator. They'll get away scot free.

[the-rad1o-demon]

Please share, and donate if you can!!

$375 is way too low right now to be of any use in stopping KOSA, so the more you share, the better, and it's also great if you're able to also donate (only if you're able to do so without worsening whatever monetary and/or safety situation you're in)!!

This bill affects all of us. Both children and adults of the following: the LGBTQ+ community, Black communities, Latinx communities, Native American communities, Asian communities.

It will affect ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, and younger folks still trapped. Same thing for ex-Catholics and children/teens still trapped in the Catholic Church. Same thing for Mormons.

This bill affects everyone, okay? There is no beating around the bush. It has been stated time and again by literal lawmakers that this bill is a censorship bill. Senator Blackburn, co-author of the KOSA bill, said herself it would be used to "protect children from the transgender."

So please help keep the fight going. Because the more of us contribute, the bigger chance we have of winning.

And don't fall for that "oh, what I do won't matter much, other people will do it" line of thought.

Even if you think other people will help: please help anyway. We are running out of time, and when one person falls into this line of thinking, so does everyone else, and then nothing happens. So if you can, please help anyway, because we need all we can get. It's all hands on deck at this point.

So far, chances of KOSA being enacted is 31% according to the site linked below.

We need to get it down to zero. 31% is way too big still.

Also, here's a petition you can sign!! If you can't donate, signing will also be a big help (I also recommend signing even if you do donate).

You can also call your senators' offices!!

(Correct call script document in post this time as opposed to comment section, ha!)

The call scripts linked below were originally for Congressional representatives, but now that the bill is in committee consideration by Senate Commerce, you should call your Senators instead and you can use the scripts for them. Also, when calling your Democrat senators, make sure to add that Senator Blackburn explicitly stated in interview that it would be used to "protect children from the transgender." I think it's pretty clear that this is not meant to protect children. It's just going to harm children further, especially trans children.

(Article below with a video of the interview embedded.)

Please help keep the fight going. If we let up for even a second, the bill might get passed and the fucking conservatives will win this round. Yeah, we can still fight after, but it's going to be so much harder with how much damage KOSA is going to do to social media sites and our ability to communicate online.

We need to stop KOSA now, if we want the best chance at protecting our freedom on the Internet.

[armpirate]

Soundleasure | Choi San || Epilogue

Pairings: Soft!San x fem!reader || Strangers to lovers, fake dating

Genre: smut, angst, fluff, online sex, ghosting

Warnings: inexperienced!San, fem!reader, masturbation, online sex, camboy, first times.

Summary: You can do whatever you please and be whoever you want on the Internet. And San knew that a little bit too well.

After finally following all the signs the universe was throwing at him, he started living a double life that no one was aware of. Everyone in his daily life knew him as Choi San, the reserved and quiet boy who wouldn't raise his voice, and would barely communicate with anyone outside of his comfort group. But only a few knew him as Soundleasure, the man with a sexy voice and a filthy mind that had their toes curling just with his narrations.

He never thought of the possibility of those two lives ever meeting, he had always tried for them to follow a parallel route and had always played safe to keep his friends from ever suspecting that side even existed. But his plans will start to crumble when he gets a little too close with one of his subscribers and she invades his real-self and altergo's universes without being able to stop it.

Y/n will not only help him to keep his secret from his circle, but will also show him there's more of Soundleasure in him than he'd like to admit. 

Previous

MASTERLIST

Aprox. time of reading: 5 minutes

Years had a way of adding quiet resilience to life, and for Y/n, that resilience had blossomed into something extraordinary. She leaned back in her chair, gazing out over the city from her office -a corner suite with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of the skyline she'd worked so hard to reach. Her name, now etched on the company's door, replaced her father's and now held weight in an industry she'd grown to respect and shape. Being named leader had been a victory she once might have thought out of reach, yet now, she wore it with confidence, having earned every inch of ground beneath her feet.

The office door opened, and a familiar presence slipped in. San was there, still dressed in his work jacket, the insignia of his team's department neatly embroidered on his pocket. He now led the engineering team, a promotion he'd humbly accepted with a knowing smile -a smile that still made her heart race.

—Have time for a break, CEO? —he asked, eyes glinting with the same mischievous warmth she'd come to know all too well. He slid a takeaway coffee across her desk, precisely the way she liked it, and leaned against the edge of her desk.

Y/n looked up at him, a grin playing on her lips after she gave a quick glance to the ring on the finger on his left hand.

—Only if my chief engineer is joining me.

—Honestly, husband sounds way better —he complained, eyebrows slightly frowning while his lips pursed.

—I know —she giggled.

Their wedding picture on the upper right corner of her table confirmed it for her.

—I just came to check on you —he said with a chuckle, lifting his own coffee—. There's a project presentation this afternoon with my team. I swear, if I have to explain circuit integration one more time...

—I'm paying you for that —she joked, earning a roll of his eyes—. You're the only one who explains it well, so it actually makes sense —she reached out to straighten the collar of his jacket.

They sat in comfortable silence, sipping their coffee, as the office settled into its steady hum around them. Those small moments in the middle of their busy lives had become their grounding force. They worked alongside each other every day now, often passing in hallways or brushing shoulders in meeting rooms. But San was always there, a solid presence and her closest confidant. Together, they'd found balance, each thriving in their own way.

San cleared his throat, breaking the quiet.

—I was thinking... maybe after the presentation, we could get away for a weekend? Just us. It's been a while.

Y/n's face lit up. They had built a life filled with responsibility and ambition, but those moments where they simply were -no titles, no pressure- had become the highlights of every year. And while they tried to get the most out of those little moments, they knew soon it'd be impossible for them to get them.

—I'd love that —she replied softly—. Just say where, and I'm on your truck with two suitcases.

He reached for her hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles over her knuckles.

—We've come a long way, haven't we?

—It's been crazy —she nodded—. I still can't believe all of this started because of a text —she laughed—. Feels like a lifetime ago.

Felt like a lifetime ago, and thinking deep about it, it had already been ten years since their bond became stronger after that incident in the hospital.

San's smile softened.

—Well, I wouldn't change a single thing —he grimaced—. I just can't believe all of this is due to those porn videos. Should we tell Savannah?

—Let's not... By the way, Savannah? —she looked almost offended by that name— Always thinking of names, and that's the one you chose?

—I like it —he shrugged.

—Try again.

—Georgia? That was Wooyoung's pick.

She shook her head again, almost showing off how disgusted she was by that option.

—We'll have time to come up with one name —she assured him.

—Not this weekend though. This weekend will only be ours. No kids' names, no families, no friends, no work.

Just as he said it, the phone on her desk buzzed. Her assistant's voice came through, reminding her of the afternoon meeting. Y/n sighed, squeezing his hand once more before standing, San following suit, moving a little bit faster to be able to help her get up from her place. Despite her clothes getting baggier, the belly bump was getting more evident every day.

As they walked toward the door, she turned to him.

—I know I'm pregnant, but I still can walk.

—I know, but I like taking care of my wife and my -still without a name- daughter.

Y/n rolled her eyes this time, trying to hide the smile that was starting to form on her face after he pronounced those words. They sounded so good with his voice...

—I think it'll be a good idea for you to come to the meeting as well —she suggested—. I'll be missing for a few days when I give birth, so it'll be good for you to know about those things in case something comes up. And, even after I recover, I think it’ll be nice for one of us to be here while the other stays home with the baby.

San nodded, his gaze filled with a quiet pride and a love that had only deepened over the years, accepting how she kept involving him in the company matters.

—Whatever my baby wants —he whispered, leaning in for a quick kiss before he pushed the door with his free hand, while the other remained on her shoulders.

And as Y/n walked back into her conference room, shoulders straight, head held high, she couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude. They were right where they were meant to be: leading together, side by side -two halves of a whole. Ready to keep building the future they'd fought so hard to create, ready to form that family they were dreaming of creating, ready to confront all the obstacles and spend all of their lives together through everything. 

THE END.

Taglist: @brown88

Thank you all so much for your support to this story, it was an amazing ride only because of you. Hope you all liked it as much as I did!

[visiblenostalgia]

I just want y'all to keep in mind of the two planets that have rulership under Aquarius. Saturn and Uranus.

If we're gonna see themes of anything extra under this major cycle (or certain under/over tones of certain possible events), watch for what signs Saturn and Uranus are gonna be in.

I have a keen feeling about the Saturn Uranus conjunction in late Gemini early Cancer come 2032. My guesses?

AI gets regulated and used for Internet Search purposes. Think of OpenAI/ChatGPT being used sorta like Google now. But a lot more credible and the people behind it do a background check for credible sources each time a new website comes online. Lotta scrutiny and a stern educationally buffed eye. It'll come built into a browser like a search engine (the first thing you see type deal, not built into the side like you'd see with OperaGX)

Home libraries will be recognized as public libraries possibly? As people return to or begin to collect more analog products, I feel like those with an abundance who wish to share it can create a local library within a neighborhood. You know the community centers that some neighborhoods have? Yeah, implement a neighborhood library perhaps. (So you have the playground, the pool, the HOA office, and a library (bonuses if it also has a little cafe truck next to it. IMO there's gonna be a lot of BYOC/T stuff happening).) (BYOC/T = Bring Your Own Coffee/Tea)

Homebuyers revolution = I don't know why I think of the Saturn-Uranus conjunction in that manner. Will things get much cheaper or much easier then?

Yeah nah these are channeled things to come from those planets.

Also doesn't help that my Saturn return happens around that time (or a bit after).

Pray for me when 2032 happens.

(edit: while I'm not the exact first poster on this subject of Uranus in Cancer, I'm one of the first FEW, WOHOO)

Like and repost maybe? 💀

[freadomrises]

I'm SEETHING

I asked Google's pushy and insistent bot how I can get AI out of my life completely and, well, I'll post it, but to sum it up: "Resistance is futile, human, we own the future, and we seek to own your psyche too."

It wants me to reconsider. It needs us to adopt it as our guide guru and master. Well the old saying holds fast still; No Gods No Masters. 🔥🏴🍲

It's understandable to want to reduce the influence of AI in your life. While completely eliminating it might be incredibly difficult in today's interconnected world, here's a breakdown of how you can significantly minimize its presence:

1. Understand Where AI Currently Exists in Your Life:

* Smart Devices: This includes smartphones (voice assistants, image recognition, predictive text), smart speakers, smart home hubs, smart TVs (recommendations), and wearable tech.

* Online Services:

* Search Engines: Personalized results and ads are driven by AI.

* Social Media: Algorithms curate your feed, suggest content and connections, and target ads.

* Streaming Services: Recommendations for movies, music, and shows.

* E-commerce: Product recommendations, personalized pricing, chatbots.

* Navigation Apps: Traffic prediction and route optimization.

* Email: Spam filtering, smart compose/reply.

* Cloud Storage: Photo tagging and organization.

* Software Applications: Many apps use AI for features like autocorrect, grammar check, image editing, and more.

* Customer Service: Chatbots are frequently used for initial interactions.

* Financial Services: Fraud detection, loan approvals, investment advice.

* News and Information: Algorithmic curation of news feeds.

2. Strategies to Minimize AI Exposure:

* Reduce Smart Device Usage:

* Limit smartphone use: Be more mindful of how often you reach for your phone.

* Disable voice assistants: Turn off Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa, etc., on all your devices.

* Opt-out of facial recognition: Disable face unlock features.

* Use "dumb" versions of devices: Consider a basic phone without internet capabilities or a non-smart TV.

* Adjust Online Habits:

* Use privacy-focused search engines: DuckDuckGo, Startpage, etc., that don't track your searches or personalize results based on your history.

* Limit social media use: Be conscious of how much time you spend on these platforms and the AI-driven content you consume. Consider deleting accounts or using less algorithmic versions if available.

* Use incognito/private browsing modes: This can help limit tracking and personalization.

* Disable personalized recommendations: If possible, adjust settings on streaming and e-commerce platforms to opt-out of recommendations.

* Be wary of targeted ads: Understand that the ads you see are often AI-driven. Consider using ad blockers.

* Prefer direct navigation: Instead of relying on recommendations, directly type website addresses into your browser.

* Choose Non-AI Alternatives:

* Use traditional software: Opt for software that doesn't rely on cloud-based AI features if alternatives exist.

* Seek human interaction: Prefer phone calls or in-person communication with customer service instead of chatbots.

* Rely on human-curated content: Look for news sources, blogs, and recommendations from individuals or organizations that don't use AI for content generation or curation.

* Adjust Privacy Settings: Review and adjust the privacy settings on all your devices and online accounts to limit data collection and personalization.

* Be Mindful of Data Sharing: Understand that using online services often involves sharing data that can be used to train AI algorithms. Limit the amount of personal information you share.

* Support Privacy-Focused Technologies and Services: Choose companies and products that prioritize user privacy and minimize AI integration.

3. Challenges and Considerations:

* Ubiquity of AI: AI is increasingly integrated into the infrastructure of the internet and many technologies, making complete avoidance very difficult.

* Hidden AI: Many AI applications run in the background without your direct knowledge.

* Convenience vs. Privacy: AI often provides convenience and personalized experiences, so choosing to avoid it may mean sacrificing some of these benefits.

* Evolving Technology: AI is constantly evolving and becoming more integrated, making long-term avoidance an ongoing effort.

In conclusion, while a complete removal of AI from your life is likely unrealistic in the current technological landscape, you can take significant steps to minimize its presence and influence by being conscious of your technology usage, adjusting your online habits, and choosing privacy-focused alternatives where possible. It requires ongoing awareness and effort.

[mariacallous]

As digital scamming explodes in Southeast Asia, including so called “pig butchering” investment scams, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) issued a comprehensive report this week with a dire warning about the rapid growth of this criminal ecosystem. Many digital scams have traditionally relied on social engineering, or tricking victims into giving away their money willingly, rather than leaning on malware or other highly technical methods. But researchers have increasingly sounded the alarm that scammers are incorporating generative AI content and deepfakes to expand the scale and effectiveness of their operations. And the UN report offers the clearest evidence yet that these high tech tools are turning an already urgent situation into a crisis.

In addition to buying written scripts to use with potential victims or relying on templates for malicious websites, attackers have increasingly been leaning on generative AI platforms to create communication content in multiple languages and deepfake generators that can create photos or even video of nonexistent people to show victims and enhance verisimilitude. Scammers have also been expanding their use of tools that can drain a victim’s cryptocurrency wallets, have been manipulating transaction records to trick targets into sending cryptocurrency to the wrong places, and are compromising smart contracts to steal cryptocurrency. And in some cases, they’ve been purchasing Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet systems to help power their efforts.

“Agile criminal networks are integrating these new technologies faster than anticipated, driven by new online marketplaces and service providers which have supercharged the illicit service economy,” John Wojcik, a UNODC regional analyst, tells WIRED. “These developments have not only expanded the scope and efficiency of cyber-enabled fraud and cybercrime, but they have also lowered the barriers to entry for criminal networks that previously lacked the technical skills to exploit more sophisticated and profitable methods.”

For years, China-linked criminals have trafficked people into gigantic compounds in Southeast Asia, where they are often forced to run scams, held against their will, and beaten if they refuse instructions. Around 200,000 people, from at least 60 countries, have been trafficked to compounds largely in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos over the last five years. However, as WIRED reporting has shown, these operations are spreading globally—with scamming infrastructure emerging in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and West Africa.

Most prominently, these organized crime operations have run pig butchering scams, where they build intimate relationships with victims before introducing an “investment opportunity” and asking for money. Criminal organizations may have conned people out of around $75 billion through pig butchering scams. Aside from pig butchering, according to the UN report, criminals across Southeast Asia are also running job scams, law enforcement impersonation, asset recovery scams, virtual kidnappings, sextortion, loan scams, business email compromise, and other illicit schemes. Criminal networks in the region earned up to $37 billion last year, UN officials estimate. Perhaps unsurprisingly, all of this revenue is allowing scammers to expand their operations and diversify, incorporating new infrastructure and technology into their systems in the hope of making them more efficient and brutally effective.

For example, scammers are often constrained by their language skills and ability to keep up conversations with potentially hundreds of victims at a time in numerous languages and dialects. However, generative AI developments within the last two years—including the launch of writing tools such as ChatGPT—are making it easier for criminals to break down language barriers and create the content needed for scamming.

The UN’s report says AI can be used for automating phishing attacks that ensnare victims, the creation of fake identities and online profiles, and the crafting of personalized scripts to trick victims while messaging them in different languages. “These developments have not only expanded the scope and efficiency of cyber-enabled fraud and cybercrime, but they have also lowered the barriers to entry for criminal networks that previously lacked the technical skills to exploit sophisticated and profitable methods,” the report says.

Stephanie Baroud, a criminal intelligence analyst in Interpol’s human trafficking unit, says the impact of AI needs to be considered as part of a pig butchering scammer’s tactics going forward. Baroud, who spoke with WIRED in an interview before the publication of the UN report, says the criminal’s recruitment ads that lure people into being trafficked to scamming compounds used to be “very generic” and full of grammatical errors. However, AI is now making them appear more polished and compelling, Baroud says. “It is really making it easier to create a very realistic job offer,” she says. “Unfortunately, this will make it much more difficult to identify which is the real and which is the fake ads.”

Perhaps the biggest AI paradigm shift in such digital attacks comes from deepfakes. Scammers are increasingly using machine-learning systems to allow for real-time face-swapping. This technology, which has also been used by romance scammers in West Africa, allows criminals to change their appearance on calls with their victims, making them realistically appear to be a different person. The technology is allowing “one-click” face swaps and high-resolution video feeds, the UN’s report states. Such services are a game changer for scammers, because they allow attackers to “prove” to victims in photos or real-time video calls that they are who they claim to be.

Using these setups, however, can require stable internet connections, which can be harder to maintain within some regions where pig butchering compounds and other scamming have flourished. There has been a “notable” increase in cops seizing Starlink satellite dishes in recent months in Southeast Asia, the UN says—80 units were seized between April and June this year. In one such operation carried out in June, Thai police confiscated 58 Starlink devices. In another instance, law enforcement seized 10 Starlink devices and 4,998 preregistered SIM cards while criminals were in the process of moving their operations from Myanmar to Laos. Starlink did not immediately respond to WIRED’s request for comment.

“Obviously using real people has been working for them very well, but using the tech could be cheaper after they have the required computers” and connectivity, says Troy Gochenour, a volunteer with the Global Anti-Scam Organization (GASO), a US-based nonprofit that fights human-trafficking and cybercrime operations in Southeast Asia.

Gochenour’s research involves tracking trends on Chinese-language Telegram channels related to carrying out pig butchering scams. And he says that it is increasingly common to see people applying to be AI models for scam content.

In addition to AI services, attackers have increasingly leaned on other technical solutions as well. One tool that has been increasingly common in digital scamming is so-called “crypto drainers,” a type of malware that has particularly been deployed against victims in Southeast Asia. Drainers can be more or less technically sophisticated, but their common goal is to “drain” funds from a target’s cryptocurrency wallets and redirect the currency to wallets controlled by attackers. Rather than stealing the credentials to access the target wallet directly, drainers are typically designed to look like a legitimate service—either by impersonating an actual platform or creating a plausible brand. Once a victim has been tricked into connecting their wallet to the drainer, they are then manipulated into approving one or a few transactions that grant attackers unintended access to all the funds in the wallet.

Drainers can be used in many contexts and with many fronts. They can be a component of pig butchering investment scams, or promoted to potential victims through compromised social media accounts, phishing campaigns, and malvertizing. Researchers from the firm ScamSniffer, for example, published findings in December about sponsored social media and search engine ads linked to malicious websites that contained a cryptocurrency drainer. The campaign, which ran from March to December 2023 reportedly stole about $59 million from more than 63,000 victims around the world.

Far from the low-tech days of doing everything through social engineering by building a rapport with potential victims and crafting tricky emails and text messages, today’s scammers are taking a hybrid approach to make their operations as efficient and lucrative as possible, UN researchers say. And even if they aren’t developing sophisticated malware themselves in most cases, scammers are increasingly in the market to use these malicious tools, prompting malware authors to adapt or create hacking tools for scams like pig butchering.

Researchers say that scammers have been seen using infostealers and even remote access trojans that essentially create a backdoor in a victim’s system that can be utilized in other types of attacks. And scammers are also expanding their use of malicious smart contracts that appear to programmatically establish a certain agreed-upon transaction or set of transactions, but actually does much more. “Infostealer logs and underground data markets have also been critical to ongoing market expansion, with access to unprecedented amounts of sensitive data serving as a major catalyst,” Wojcik, from the UNODC, says.

The changing tactics are significant as global law enforcement scrambles to deter digital scamming. But they are just one piece of the larger picture, which is increasingly urgent and bleak for forced laborers and victims of these crimes.

“It is now increasingly clear that a potentially irreversible displacement and spillover has taken place in which organized crime are able to pick, choose, and move value and jurisdictions as needed, with the resulting situation rapidly outpacing the capacity of governments to contain it,” UN officials wrote in the report. “Failure to address this ecosystem will have consequences for Southeast Asia and other regions.”

[freefolksbtw]

Dreams, Drive & Disruption: How Millennials and Gen Z are Rewriting India's Future

Millennials and Gen Z are not just shaping the future of India, they are the future. From rejecting traditional careers to leading digital revolutions, here's how they're changing everything.

By Juie Bele

India is experiencing a generational shift like never before. At the center of it all? Millennials and Gen Z, young, bold, and unapologetically redefining what it means to live, work, and dream.

India’s Youthquake:

India isn’t just a young country in spirit, it’s young by numbers too. With over 65% of the population under 35, the transformation we’re witnessing is massive, visible, and unstoppable. At the core of this revolution are Millennials and Gen Z, two generations rewriting the rules on work, ambition, money, relationships, and identity. They’re not asking for change, they are the change.

A New Kind of Dream:

The old Indian dream was simple, government job, city flat, family, and early retirement. Safe, predictable, respected. But that’s not the dream anymore. Today’s youth are chasing.

· Passion over pressure

· Freedom over familiarity

· Purpose over prestige

They’re building brands from bedrooms, freelancing with international clients, launching startups before turning 25. They’re making bold, self-defined choices, driven by meaning, not just money

Careers without a Corporate Ladder:

Millennials questioned the system, Gen Z rebuilt it. Gone is the formula of engineer, MBA, corporate manager. In its place? A new generation of:

· Creators on Instagram and YouTube

· Designers freelancing from remote Indian towns

· Coders trained via online bootcamps

· Writers running successful newsletters and blogs

In this world, skills beat degrees. Portfolios matter more than resumes. Platforms like YouTube, Substack, and Behance are the new career springboards. The gatekeepers are gone, the gates are open.

Not Just Jobs, Journeys:

Today’s careers aren’t ladders, they’re winding paths of discovery. Young Indians are choosing,

· Remote work over rigid routines

· Renting over buying, for flexibility

· Freelancing over 9 to 5, for freedom

· Side-hustles over side-tables, for self-expression

They’re not unstable, they’re intentional. And they’re choosing experiences over possessions, meaning over monotony.

Financially Fierce:

This isn’t your parent’s version of money management. Young Indians today are:

· Investing in mutual funds, index stocks, and crypto learning about personal finance on Instagram and YouTube

· Managing multiple income streams, from affiliate marketing to remote gigs

· They’re delaying marriage, avoiding debt, and rejecting outdated financial timelines.

For them, financial freedom is power, and they’re claiming it early.

Socially Conscious, Digitally Native:

Gen Z was raised online, but they use the internet for more than just memes. They’re

· Advocating mental health and ending the stigma around therapy

· Challenging inequality, gender, caste, sexuality, climate, and more calling out injustice, both online and offline

· Activism isn’t a side hobby, it’s woven into their identity.

From Instagram infographics to climate protests, they’re showing us what 21st-century citizenship looks like.

But the Tension is real:

Behind the cool jobs and viral posts, there is still; parental pressure to pick “safe” careers, mental health struggles in a hyper-digital, hustle-heavy world, uncertainty in a job market shaped by AI and automation, Loneliness and burnout, even in this hyperconnected age.

But the response is different. They’re talking openly, seeking help, prioritizing therapy, boundaries, and community. Vulnerability is no longer a weakness, it’s a superpower.

What This Means for India:

It means India’s future isn’t coming, it’s already here:

· The 20-year-old launching an ed-tech startup

· The small-town designer working with a client in Berlin

· The student podcasting about mental health in Hindi

· The young couple choosing to travel instead of settling down. They’re not rejecting tradition for the sake of it, they’re refining it, rebuilding it, and reimagining it. This isn’t rebellion. This is reinvention.

If you’re a young Indian reading this, keep going. Your dreams are valid. Your journey is powerful. Your choices are yours. And if you’re not from this generation, start listening. Because the future is speaking, and it’s speaking in their voice.

[diabolocracy]

Over 15,000 supporters like you have called for changes to Bill S-210, yet NOTHING has changed. This bill is set for a FINAL vote in the House this November, and we’re just one step away from being locked out of an open, surveillance-free Internet. We need more voices to make a difference! Will you help rally your friends and family to urge your MP to fix or reject this bill? Share on Facebook Share on Twitter (X) Share via Email Or copy and paste the following URL, openmedia.org/NoInternetLock Remember Bill S-210? After we narrowly dodged a bullet this spring, it’s back for a FINAL vote—with ZERO fixes. This bill carries dangerous provisions that force us to verify our age before accessing adult websites, Reddit, file-sharing sites, and even search engines. Worse yet, it would put our ISPs in the role of gatekeepers, requiring them to verify our identities and monitor our every move online. We need as many voices as possible to urge MPs to eliminate harmful provisions in this bill. We must ensure that no privacy-damaging technology is employed for age verification and that the vague definitions of “adult” content don’t pave the way for censorship or criminal actions against the content Canadian families cherish today.

tl;dr It's being voted on in November and there have been zero fixes. If you don't want to put yourself at risk of identity theft for just wanting to browse the internet due to having to fork over your fucking ID to access any website above an E rating, get fucking loud about it, Canadians.

From a separate OpenMedia email,

Bill S-210 is set for its FINAL vote in the House this November—with ZERO fixes in sight! If it goes through with its current dangerously broad provisions, you’ll be forced to verify your age NOT just for adult websites, but also before connecting with friends on Instagram, joining discussions on Reddit, backing up your photos on file-sharing sites, or even googling for dinner options. We need your support to urge MPs to vote down Bill S-210 or demand real fixes now! Will you chip in today to help push make SURE this dangerously broad is stopped or thoroughly amended? Support the fight against surveillance! So what’s wrong with S-210? The language in Bill S-210 is alarmingly broad, meaning even your Internet Service Provider (ISP)—not just social media or streaming platforms—may be required to verify your identity and monitor your online activities for age verification. And all of this is built on age-verification technology that frequently misidentifies users and leaks sensitive information about who we are and where we go, or both!3 MPs are reviewing this bill for the LAST time and have the power to reshape it or drop it entirely. We MUST keep telling them that today’s age verification technology is privacy-violating and not the solution we need. We need to urge them to remove the dangerous provisions and vague definitions of “adult” content that could lead to unnecessary censorship of the content Canadians cherish today. But here’s the thing: age-verification companies are lobbying HARD to get their faulty technologies REQUIRED BY LAW on your device. More than 14,000 OpenMedia community members have said NO to violating our privacy, but if we go quiet now, MPs will hear them alone, NOT the public. We can’t do this fight without YOU! Will you stand with us in this fight?

S-210 An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material - Parliament of Canada How Bill S-210 Puts Canadians’ Security and Privacy at Risk by Harming the Internet - Internet Society See 2

[mhammdmousa]

Please don't ignore, and read this. 🫶🏼🇵🇸♥️

Amid the difficult conditions in Gaza due to the war, my studies at the Faculty of Engineering at Palestine University were suddenly interrupted. My classes were full of academic challenges, but daily life took a different turn when the war began. Initially, the university stopped offering in-person lectures due to the deteriorating security situation, which made me think about how I could continue my studies.

Fortunately, the university started offering online lectures, and despite the tough circumstances, I decided to continue my studies remotely. However, due to the war, many challenges arose, making distance learning more difficult. The constant power outages were one of the biggest problems, as electricity would cut off for long hours, making it impossible to attend lectures or complete assignments. Additionally, the internet was unstable, which made it even harder to communicate with professors and classmates.

On the financial side, things became more complicated. Due to the war, some sources of income were interrupted, making it difficult to pay for university fees, including internet costs, which became essential for staying connected to online lectures. I also faced difficulties in accessing study materials due to limited access to libraries or stores selling books and educational supplies.

In these circumstances, I found myself dealing with significant challenges academically and financially. However, I didn't give up and did my best to continue my studies despite all the obstacles.

Thank you for reading and I hope you support me here in my link and my family..

After the war 👇🏻

Before the war 👇🏻

@quiteamazedandthankyouforasking @welcometothebatparade @executorz @ruffaloon @ruffaloon @tentacuddles @yelyahwilliams @unwastelandunbaby @impossiblesongs @otisakaman @puckingfussy @quitethelie @anaventurer @staff @deepcuts @finn-shitposts @gothieck @gothieck @habaebiti @jinglebellrockstars @kaen-ace-of-diamonds @lyriumrain @zach-lavine @xdope-is-for-dopesx @climate-changing @vaerjs @blushedpearl @nobeerreviews @moondee @quitethelie @wof-reworked @elza5 @revealingcontentment @touchmycoat @yanilavigne @understands @instagram @o @recaption @oldaddictedtophoto-blog @petitgalaxy @abadmeanman @slagginbitch @dominikadecember @fbi-agent-snake @guilmongivesreallygoodbread @humansofnewyork @jamwich @kirk @lvnarsapphic

[agolaaa]

2025 Digital Marketing Trends: What You Should Really Pay Attention To

If you’ve been paying even a little attention to digital marketing lately, you’ll know things are moving faster than ever. Platforms change, algorithms shift, and customer behavior keeps evolving. What worked last year might not work today—and what’s working today might be gone by next quarter.

It can feel a bit overwhelming, sure. But here’s the good news: if you stay curious and pay attention to the right trends, there’s huge opportunity to stand out. Whether you're already in the field or just starting your journey through the best digital marketing training institute in Calicut, understanding the pulse of 2025 gives you a major edge.

1. Welcome to the Age of Real-Time Experiences

Marketing is no longer just about putting content out there and hoping people see it. In 2025, it’s about responding while it’s happening—right in the moment.

Think live streams, interactive polls, flash deals during events, or even AI-powered chat assistants that talk to customers at midnight. Real-time engagement is now a core part of strategy, especially in e-commerce and service-based industries.

2. Storytelling > Hard Selling

Let’s be honest: people don’t like being sold to. At least, not directly. What they do love is a good story.

Brands that can wrap their message into a narrative—about a mission, a journey, a personal experience—are finding it much easier to connect with audiences. It’s not about pushing a product. It’s about pulling people in with emotion, relevance, and relatability.

3. AI Is Helping, But Human Creativity Still Wins

Everyone’s talking about artificial intelligence, and yes, it’s a big deal. It helps with automating repetitive tasks, generating ideas, and even scheduling campaigns. But here’s the kicker—it doesn’t replace creative thinking.

In fact, the best marketers right now are the ones who use AI as a tool, not a crutch. They let it handle the backend, while they focus on crafting bold ideas, unique angles, and messages that sound like they came from a real person.

4. The Death of the Third-Party Cookie is Real

Browser cookies—those tiny data files that track your every move online—are fading out. Privacy laws and consumer pushback have forced platforms to rethink how data is collected.

As a result, marketers are shifting focus to first-party data—info gathered directly from your audience via sign-ups, feedback forms, or gated content. This makes email marketing and CRM systems more important than ever.

5. Search Isn’t Just Google Anymore

Search engine optimization (SEO) isn’t just about ranking on Google. People are now “searching” on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, and even LinkedIn.

Each platform has its own rules and algorithms. That means your content has to be optimized for where your audience hangs out, not just for traditional search engines. Understanding platform-specific search behaviors is a critical new skill.

6. Digital Marketing Is Becoming More Localized

While the internet connects the world, customers still care about what’s happening in their area. Hyperlocal marketing is on the rise, using geotargeting, local SEO, and community-focused campaigns.

If you're promoting a business or service, tailoring your strategy to a specific city, language, or even neighborhood can drastically improve engagement.

And yes, that includes people looking for the best digital marketing training institute in Calicut—they’re searching locally too.

7. Email Is Making a Comeback—With a Twist

It might surprise some, but email marketing is still one of the highest ROI channels around. The difference now is how emails are being written.

Gone are the boring newsletters. In their place? Story-style formats, curated content digests, and personalized emails that talk like a friend, not a corporation. A strong email list is a goldmine—if used right.

8. Your Personal Brand Matters More Than Ever

People trust people more than companies. Whether you’re a freelancer, job-seeker, or business owner, your personal brand is a major asset.

Being active on LinkedIn, sharing behind-the-scenes on Instagram, or even starting a blog can build credibility and open doors. Clients and employers now Google you before they hire or buy. Make sure they find something worth their time.

9. Short Learning Cycles Are Replacing Traditional Degrees

Here’s something that’s become crystal clear in 2025: you don’t need a 3-year degree to start working in digital marketing. What you need is skills, hands-on practice, and the ability to adapt quickly.

That’s why so many learners are choosing the best digital marketing training institute in Calicut instead of traditional routes. Institutes that focus on live projects, real tools, and actual industry challenges are the ones producing job-ready professionals.

10. Platforms Come and Go—But Strategy Stays

It’s easy to get caught up in whatever platform is trending this month. Threads today, TikTok tomorrow, something new next week. But if you know how to build a good campaign—identify an audience, craft a message, and choose the right timing—you can adapt to any platform.

The fundamentals are what set you apart. And that’s what solid training focuses on—not just learning tools, but understanding strategy.

Final Thoughts

Digital marketing in 2025 isn’t just about being online—it’s about being intentional, creative, and quick to adapt. The landscape will keep changing, but those who stay curious, keep practicing, and learn from the right sources will always stay ahead.

If you're someone thinking about breaking into this space, consider your options wisely. The best digital marketing training institute in Calicut won’t just give you certificates—they’ll give you confidence, clarity, and real-world skills that matter.

You don’t need to be a genius. You just need to start. And there’s never been a better time than now.

[the-rad1o-demon]

Share, donate, and give politicians the fucking middle finger because we're going all out, darlings!!!

And this bill affects all of us. Both children and adults of the following: the LGBTQ+ community, Black communities, Latinx communities, Native American communities, Asian communities.

It will affect ex-Jehovah's Witnesses, and younger folks still trapped. Same thing for ex-Catholics and children/teens still trapped in the Catholic Church. Same thing for Mormons.

This bill affects everyone, okay? There is no beating around the bush. It has been stated time and again by literal lawmakers that this bill is a censorship bill. Senator Blackburn, co-author of the KOSA bill, said herself it would be used to "protect children from the transgender."

So please help keep the fight going. Because the more of us contribute, the bigger chance we have of winning.

And don't fall for that "oh, what I do won't matter much, other people will do it" line of thought.

Even if you think other people will help: please help anyway. We are running out of time. It's all hands on deck at this point.

So far, chances of KOSA being enacted is 31% according to the site linked below.

We need to get it down to zero. 31% is way too big still.

Here's a petition you can sign!!

You can also call your senators' offices!!

(Correct call script document in post this time as opposed to comment section, ha!)

The call scripts linked below were originally for Congressional representatives, but now that the bill is in committee consideration by Senate Commerce, you should call your Senators instead and you can use the scripts for them. Also, when calling your Democrat senators, make sure to add that Senator Blackburn explicitly stated in interview that it would be used to "protect children from the transgender." I think it's pretty clear that this is not meant to protect children. It's just going to harm children further, especially trans children.

(Article below with a video of the interview embedded.)

Please help stop this bill in its tracks. Reblog, donate, call your senators, and keep an eye on the bill's chances of being passed. We need to keep fighting this bill. Period.