#It seems to be more than study and instruction method

[breakingthewordcages]

Also, can we talk about how it took years for Hama to invent bloodbending, but Katara figured it out in a single evening, just by becoming aware it was possible and seeing a brief demonstration?

[pomrania]

Worldbuilding concept: there was a cosmic war or disaster, and the surviving gods excised from themselves the trauma it gave them. Maybe for the completely understandable "we don't want to suffer from this any more", maybe because a traumatized god is a danger to the world around them. Regardless of the reason, those formerly-deific chunks, the traumas of gods, became literal monsters.

For a variant, replace "gods" with "powerful spirits", or even "mythic heroes of days long past".

Plot hooks:

a researcher wants to study the known monsters, figure out what trauma each of them represents and what bits are shared with other monsters, and use that information to learn something about the cosmic disaster. Aside from the obvious quests of "observe / capture some monsters", why might someone want the nature of the cosmic disaster to remain unknown, and what would happen if that bit of knowledge gets revealed?

a god regrets unleashing "their" monsters on the world, and instructs their followers to focus on destroying those particular monsters. Again aside from the obvious quests, what happens if all those monsters are destroyed? Is the trauma unleashed onto the surrounding area, or does it return to the god; and if so, how is the god changed by their trauma coming back to them? Is there a method of destroying monsters that would prevent either outcome?

after a natural disaster, new monsters are observed. Were they always there, or are they newly-excised trauma; and if it's the latter, was it caused by the natural disaster, or did it cause the natural disaster? Can new disasters change the forms of old monsters? What if somebody wants to test their theories by causing their own disaster?

a doctor claims to have discovered a mortal-safe version of what the gods did aeons ago. They're secretive about their methods, but the results are undeniable: their patients feel better, and have tiny easily-contained monsters representing their traumas. Is this all a scam (possibly even a sinister plot) involving mind control and monsters who are way less harmless than they seem? Is it genuine but insufficiently-tested, and going to go horribly wrong (in one way or another) at the worst possible moment? Even if everything works as promised, what happens if someone's monsters are stolen to be used against them?

[kiragecko]

Do you think Cass's writers KNEW how harmful Babs' teaching methods were?

Cass and/or Babs fans who have read the first Batgirl series and/or No Man's Land, what do you think?

I'll get into the details in a moment, but my guess is they were trying to write Babs as a fallible mentor, but were ignorant about just how much damage she would realistically be causing. I'd like to get second opinions, because I've spent enough time studying communication with nonverbal people that I no longer know what people actually KNOW.

Anyways, here's the stuff I want to know if you guys think is intentional:

When we first meet Cass, Babs is trying to teach her to read. Babs is showing her the word 'stop' and getting Cass to sound out the letters. This is ... not a good idea.

Some of the errors Cass makes (starting with a 'd' sound and correcting to 't', for example) suggest that Cass is still learning HOW TO MAKE SOUNDS. She's still teaching her body how to shape her mouth and throat, when to vibrate her vocal cords - the physical aspects of speech. That's HARD, and deserves focus so it can be learned properly!

We later learn she only knows a small number of words. She's still learning to associate sounds with meaning. That's HARD, and deserves focus so it can be learned properly!

She's also still learning to match letter shapes to sounds. THAT IS ALSO HARD AND DESERVES FOCUS SO SHE CAN LEARN IT PROPERLY!

By conflating reading, speech, AND understanding, Babs is making Cass' job MUCH MUCH more difficult! Each of those, and a dozen smaller aspects of communication, all need months of prioritization, without competition from other aspects.

-

Throughout Batgirl, Babs pressures Cass to read. Cass is still learning to parse meaning from the words downloaded into her head. She struggles to organize them into sentences. She struggles to understand the nuances of what other people are saying. Once again, these are all important things that she should be encouraged to focus on! Reading is nice, but at this point it shouldn't be the priority. By ignoring the skills Cass IS building, and pushing Cass towards competing skills she doesn't have the prerequisites for, Babs is slowing down Cass' progress and providing negative feedback loops.

-

Babs seems to equate reading with communicating. Possibly because of her past as a librarian and the obvious value she gets from reading. Possibly because her current job is as an information broker and hacker. Possibly because her own disability limits her physically, and reading and writing has become necessary for interacting with the outside world. Possibly because she is living vicariously through the new Batgirl. And possibly because her eidetic memory suggests she thinks in words and can't actually imagine thought in other ways.

Cass is probably never going to use reading as a primary communication method, and would have benefited froma learning regimen that works with her skills, rather than pushing through her weaknesses.

-

Here's the stuff I'm pretty sure was intentional:

Babs calls Cass stupid for not being able to read during a high pressure situation that is triggering Babs. This is obviously wrong, and she feels awful about it.

Babs is frequently impatient with Cass' progress, and sometimes accuses her of not trying, or not caring enough. She makes comments in front of other people without thinking. These are all shown as problematic and hurtful.

-

Here's the things I think Babs did right:

Babs sets up a computer system that can be navigated by voice, and can interpret vague instructions. It provides visual, as well as verbal, information for everything Cass asks about. Cass is never pressured to use a different system.

Babs mostly allows Cass to explore, and builds lessons around Cass' interests. She integrates life skills into her lessons, and actually does a REALLY good job at helping Cass build enough of a foundation to start getting curious about the world.

She usually backs off when Cass gets stubborn, which lets Cass recover, and keep some agency.

She MOSTLY doesn't co-opt Cass' growing friendship with Steph. She supports them, and doesn't try to use Steph to push Cass in the directions Babs wants her to go.

Other than stuff around speech and literacy, I actually think the writers did a good job of writing a flawed but caring mentor who actually helped more than she harmed.

-

What do you guys think?

[kolibruy]

🪼🫧🪼🫧🪼

New character!!

A gentle moon jellyfish who has devoted her whole life to caring for others. She does her job flawlessly: there has never been a child to whom Wendy has failed to find an approach. At the same time, her methods are as gentle as possible: no one would have remembered that the sensitive Wendy had ever raised her voice. We can say that she even exceeds her duties: she manages not only to take care of every orphaned child, but also to teach them (how could such a young Mobian have so much knowledge? Could her love of reading have affected her so much?).

More information ↓

🪼🫧🪼🫧🪼

In her free time, Wendy prepares new interesting lessons. To do this, she spends all her money and goes a long way to bring the orphans a new exhibit to study. Wendy read aloud a lot of books to the children: these were not only instructive fairy tales (sometimes of her own writing), but also informative encyclopedias about the whole world around her (unsurprisingly, if she was also the author). However, Wendy keeps her distance from the rest of the teachers: it seems that she had a lot more fun with the children than with the adults. She had few possessions of her own, but something in a small locker was lost away from prying eyes: a tutu and pointe shoes. Wendy liked many aspects of human culture, and she especially liked ballet.

Also, thanks to her, the orphans have a new tradition, which Wendy saw among the earthlings: celebrating birthdays. There was no such annual ritual on Mobius, but Wendy independently arranged dates for each child and organized a small celebration for everyone.

She was always in a good mood, always ready to help, and was always very quiet and thoughtful: I wonder what was in her head? Everyone, even someone like her, had to have their own secrets... right?

Abilities: At first glance, the Chaos did not endow Wendy with any power. However, not everyone knows that she can breathe underwater: that's why children have always had a wide variety of specimens to study in the form of shells and corrals, Wendy collected them herself. Despite the fact that she is a jellyfish, she can't give an electric shock, even a very weak one. However, some parts of her body can glow in the dark: children loved to sit with her in the semi-darkness and listen to fairy tales, not being afraid of the dark. These abilities are unlikely to help her protect her students from danger if necessary: nevertheless, a hundredfold physical strength or supersonic speed is more suitable for this.

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Fateful Love in Motion

Translations may not always capture the exact nuances or tone of the original text. Expect grammatical errors and inaccuracies.

2024 General Election (JP)

ღ Prologue

That night, upon arriving at Ōoku.

Mai: "Nngh, come on!"

I was desperately trying to climb the mansion wall.

Kanetsugu: "What are you doing up there? Get down."

Mai: "Kanetsugu? Whoa!"

Kanetsugu caught me as I lost my footing.

Kanetsugu: "If you're going to fall in a panic, don't climb in the first place."

Mai: "S-Sorry."

Kanetsugu: "So, who gave you this idea?"

Mai: "Huh?"

Kanetsugu: "Who helped you?"

Mai: "No one! I just wanted to get out of here."

Kanetsugu: "You mean you were trying to escape without any plan? That's a sloppy move for a princess."

Mai: "But I couldn't stand it! I understand my responsibility to take over the family, but it's only possible with the right partner."

Mai: "It's not okay to get close to someone you don't respect or date multiple people simultaneously!"

Kanetsugu: "You're right. Your point is valid."

Mai: "Really?"

Kanetsugu: "But if you're dissatisfied, don't act impulsively. Plan your moves and outsmart those around you."

Kanetsugu: "If you're that determined, I can at least help you become wiser."

Mai: "You're not going to tell my father?"

Kanetsugu: "Your methods are wrong, but I agree with your stance."

Kanetsugu: "Even if you're a princess, your dignity as a person should come first."

Mai: "………"

(He respects me not just as a princess but as a human being.)

It was from this moment that I started to like him.

The very next day, his lessons began.

Kanetsugu: "Your father has instructed me to educate you through Chinese poetry."

Kanetsugu: "However, the essence of poetry and songs is not merely their beauty; it lies in their spirit and passion."

Kanetsugu: "Understand the thoughts and emotions of the poet, and make them your own."

Mai: "Got it!"

A few days later一

Kanetsugu: "Are you an idiot? You can't even distinguish between Mencius and Confucius."

Mai: "Ugh. Please, one more time!"

Kanetsugu: "You seem to have more guts than I thought."

Mai: "It's because you're serious about teaching me. I want to give it my all in response."

Kanetsugu: "That's the only thing I'll praise you for."

(He smiled for the first time.)

I immersed myself in studying, wanting to see him smile again.

Sometime later一

Father: "Enough is enough. If you have time to read books, choose a husband!"

Mai: "With all due respect, Father, this is for our family's sake."

Mai: "If I lack education, I won't be able to pick a good husband. The quality of the husband directly affects the quality of the heir. It's a serious matter, you know?"

Father: "Kuh. You've become unusually clever!"

I let out a sigh of relief as his footsteps faded away.

Kanetsugu: "I see. That was a good comeback."

Mai: "It's the first time I've outwitted my father! Although, it seems like it'll be the first and last."

Kanetsugu: "Is your escape plan ready?"

Mai: "Yes. I'll leave for the port tonight and set sail."

Mai: "That's why you should escape with me!"

Kanetsugu: "What?"

Mai: "I love you. I've made preparations so we can be together."

Kanetsugu: "What are you saying?"

Mai: "I'll become even smarter to avoid being caught. I'll do anything to live with you."

Mai: "I love you."

Kanetsugu: "........."

Kanetsugu: "I have no right to be with you."

Mai: "Huh?"

Kanetsugu: "If you leave the palace, you will lose everything. Initially, I intended to dissuade you from escaping."

Kanetsugu: "But I grew attracted to you and became selfish, not wanting to give you to another man."

Kanetsugu: "So I taught you how to survive. Someone as insincere as I am doesn't deserve your love. And yet..."

Kanetsugu: "I don't want to give you to anyone else. I want you in my arms."

Mai: "Please, love me!"

Unable to hold back, I hugged him, and a sweet scent filled the air.

Mai: "I don't think you're insincere. The fact that you helped me when I was about to flee without a plan remains unchanged."

Mai: "So please, live with me."

We kissed over and over again, pledging our love to each other.

ღ Collection Events Masterlist

[rigelmejo]

On a lighter note. If you're a language learner browsing forums and sites, some fairly chill ones to check out:

Chinese-Forums.com: there are a lot of good study suggestions on here, and people who have shared their progress and stuff they did to study X skills. Even if you are not studying Chinese, a lot of their discussions can apply to learning other languages. And if you've ever been on some japanese learner forums where people tended to attack more over "study MY way, not X way," this forum has much less of that. So I've found the ideas shared on here have also been useful for applying to how I study other languages. Some great tips on reading here.

forum.language-learners.org: this site may be easier to find posts for, if you go to a web search site (google, duckduckgo, searx.space) and search this site's name as well as the question you have. So for example "language-learners.org how to improve reading skill" or "language-learners.org listening reading method." This forum has posts by many language learners, who share experiences with study methods, progress they've made, language challenges and study methods and how they went progress wise. It's very useful for looking up study methods and how they've worked/not worked for people, and seeing people's progress they share. The forum seems a bit less ready to attack others compared to some subreddits on reddit.

reddit.com/r/dreamingspanish: Dreaming Spanish is a youtube channel and website that teaches Spanish through pure comprehensible input designed lessons (and the creator designed the lessons for Automatic Language Growth, but people use DS in a variety ways including as practice to supplement explicit study so the community is somewhat open to people studying DS in ways besides purely comprehensible-input). The subreddit is more focused on pure ALG method, so no looking words up and no trying to translate in your head and no explicit vocabulary and grammar study, because that's how DS instructs students to study using it. But their study suggestions still work very well with other study methods, so if you are a learner doing a lot of explicit study like anki flashcards and textbooks, the Spanish resources suggested on DS subreddit are still useful for practicing listening to Spanish or reading Spanish. It's also cool to see people share their progress doing an ALG method, and a lot of people on DS subreddit share how they're doing, what they've done so far, progress during different stages. I did a lot of digging a while back, to try and see if any learners who did the ALG method shared WHEN they spoke, and how they improved their speaking over time. And also, when they found content made for native speakers understandable. DS subreddit has a lot of learners sharing that stuff - when they started speaking, how they're practicing it, how it's improved over time, when they could understand X content and how well they could understand it and how it's improving.

Heavenly Path Notion Site: excellent resource for finding recommendations of content to read/listen to in Chinese. I think their ranking of difficulty on their website is incredibly useful, and matches well to my own experiences. Their recommendations for how to start learning to read Chinese are also super solid, from mentioning Pleco and graded reader options to suggesting when to transition to materials for native speakers around (1000-2000 words learned/HSK 4) and which materials to start with (their Newcomer recommendations are way easier than the novels I started trying to read with). MoonIvy has posted recommendations on Heavenly Path, and shared their progress on reddit and other forums as well, and their journey and progress learning is something I'm hoping to follow along after lol. They're a great example of progress through reading Chinese. There's other people involved in Heavenly Path who also made amazing progress, someone shared they read SaYe within a few months of starting to learn Chinese, then increased novel difficulty from there! If you are learning to Chinese and wish to eventually read webnovels, I highly encourage you to check out this site and start working on reading as soon as possible. Their guide on reading has a place to start for anyone (beginner graded reader suggestions even if you only know 300 words like Mandarin Companion, and up), and if you follow that guide I do think it's entirely reasonable you will be reading a novel for kids by the end of the year (like TuTu DaWang) and a webnovel by an author you love in 2 years (or sooner, if you read a lot or aren't an absolute beginner... after all, I read some of a Priest novel within 1 year, and some people who referenced Heavenly Path's recommendations read bl webnovels Within the first year of studying). Reading that novel you love in Chinese is not an unobtainable goal, it's something you can do in 1-2 years. Please check out Heavenly Path's recommendations for a path to achieving that, with reading material that may not feel as hard as if you randomly selected novels.

[rendy-a]

Chiming in~

Here to request a yandere! Rook (and/or Epel) with their darling in a P.E. setting? (Could be like a joint class or smth-)

Well, well. Here it is, my first attempt at a Yandere request. I hope you like it!

It was a strange day indeed when you, the magicless Prefect of Ramshackle dorm, were invited to join flying class.  You had questioned Coach Vargus when he gave you the news but all he told you was, “Cheer up!  If there are any problems, I’ll solve them with my prodigious muscles!”  The shiny smile he flashed you did not reassure. 

To your great surprise, this WAS a flying class you could participate in.  The topic of the day was carrying passengers while flying.  “While solo flying is a great way to hone your personal strength, there are times when you might be required to carry a passenger.  Medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, even certain thrilling Spelldrive strategies are all reasons you might fly double.”  Vargus smiles widely at the large crowd gathered.  It seems you were not to only participate in your first flying lesson, but it would be a rare joint class between first years and third years.

“Carrying an incapacitated passenger is more difficult than flying with a conscious person.  Third years pair up with a first year and practice your medical carry!  I expect you’ll give your juniors lots of tips for when it is their turn to fly!”  You are nervous but also pleased that you were all to be ‘dead weight’ in this exercise.  You laugh a bit to yourself, knowing you had worried about putting your partner at a disadvantage but with this assignment, your lack of flying knowledge wouldn’t matter at all.  Only now you had to find a partner.  Even though you were only to be carried, you worried no one would want to pair up with a magicless partner.

As you stand there, unsure of your position in this joint class, you jump as you feel a hand on your shoulder.  “Ah!” you yell in surprise, turning to look at the smiling face behind you.  Although you’d never met him before, Rook Hunt had such a reputation around campus that you’d certainly heard OF him.  From the very first moment you set eyes on his smiling face, you’d felt that reputation was well earned.  He looked at you with that easy smile fixed on his face, his sharp eyes taking in your reaction as though it was a most fascinating study and he the researcher.

When your reactions stilled, he deepened his smile and spoke, “Bonjour!  How fortunate I am to reach your side before you’ve been chosen.  Certainly, I implore you to accept my request to be my partner.”  Then he holds out his hand in a flourish.  You are rather embarrassed by this display of dramatics in PE class, but you do need a partner, so you smile awkwardly and place your hand in his own, “Sure, I’ll be your partner.”  He grasps your hand, and you think he takes a sudden inhale of breath but before you can process that Coach Vargus is shouting instructions for your activity. 

It turns out there is a surprisingly complex method to determine how to fly double.  It involves a disappointingly large amount of math.  You hadn’t anticipated the need to measure your height and pop it into a formula to determine the minimum length broom to bare your weight safely, but you were willing to give it a shot.  “So, Hunt sir, my height is,” you began before seeing Rook had appeared at your side holding a broom.  He smiles at you coyly, “Non, there is no need to say.  Of course, I have already determined your height and computed the proper broom length.”  You look at him startled for a moment and then flash him an impressed look, “You can tell how tall I am from just this little bit of time standing together?  That’s some skill you have there!”  He returns you a mysterious smile and holds out the broom for you to mount.

You do toss a leg over the handle but then look questioningly back at your partner, “Should I be riding like this?  Aren’t I supposed to be, I don’t know, like…” and you finish your statement by making a gesture indicating a flopping posture.  He laughs heartily at your pantomime, “My, your performance is très bon!  I thought for a moment you were truly knocked out.  What a trickster you are!”  You laugh a forced chuckle, embarrassed at his overreaction and the attention it was pulling to your group, “Yup, that’s what all my friends call me.  Hey, Trickster, show us that one again.  Ha ha ha.”  His gaze sharpens and he asks carefully, “Why then I shall call you that too.  Oui?  Mon Trickster?”  You give him a shrug as thought to say, ‘do what you want’ and place a hand behind your head as you laugh awkwardly.  You feel the pleased smile he returns is far more than the silly nickname deserves but hey, whatever makes him happy. 

“In turn, Mon Trickster, won’t you call me by name?” the senior asks you with a fox sharp smile, “We are partners now, are we not?”  You again give another shrug and hold out your hand to shake his, “Sure thing, Rook.  Partners it is.”  He returns your handshake with vigor and at the end, squeezes your hand unusually long with an appraising look.  “What are you doing?” you ask curiously.  “Why I’m taking measure of your hand size, of course.” Rook replies.  You can’t tell if he is joking or not.  “What could you possibly need to know my hand size for?” you laugh off the situation.  Rook gives you a mysterious smile and only replies, “Oh, you’d be surprised how things become useful.”

---

A whistle blows and Rooks eyes travel easily to Coach Vargus where he stands.  “Time to switch tasks!” he yells from below.  Rooks sighs and pulls his dear Trickster (a pet name! très magnifique!) tighter in his arms.  He’d easily convinced his naïve dove to allow him a bridal carry as a convenient way to complete their task.  Coach Vargus had even praised the choice (Builds muscles in the arms!), to his amusement.  Rook couldn’t have cared less about workout efficiency or learning life-saving rescue techniques; all that mattered was squeezing one more second into this flight, one more moment where he could keep you in his arms and imagine you were his own. 

Alas, seconds do not last.  He settles you both on the ground and smiles at your nervous expression.  Were you embarrassed to be seen in such an intimate hold by your classmates or had you instinctively sensed the danger of having a predator so close at hand?  Either answer was beautiful in its own way.  Rook would like to have asked you for the answer but knew such a question would only create unwanted distance between you.  He’d bide his time and observe, it was in his nature to do so.  You believed so innocently that this class was your first meeting, and for you, it was.  He though, he’d been watching you for weeks.  When the time was right, well, he’d already taken your measure.  He now had a good idea what size ring you’d need.  Or shackle.  Either way would bring its own enjoyment; just you, him, and the hunt.

“Second task!” Coach Vargus bellows.  “Being carried as dead weight is a great workout for a flyer but it does nothing to build your own strength!  In task two, we will be doing something that requires effort from both participants!”  With a flourish of his hand, Vargus summons a large obstacle course from the ground.  A second flick of his wrist sets it in motion.  It is immediately obvious to you what he meant about effort being needed from both parties.  You could tell by the path of the course how you’d have to shift your weight together or in counterpart to navigate certain obstacles.  Moving on your own would only cause you both to be caught up in the traps and knocked from the broom.  At least you had Grim.  While he wasn’t exactly what you’d call cooperative, at least you were familiar enough with each other to be relatively in sync.

“Grim!” Vargus bellows, “You are excused from this exercise.  As much as I’d like to have you hone your small body, your lightweight will make it impossible for a partner to balance with you.”  Your mouth falls open in shock but Grim has no such trouble, “Mwrahaha!  The Great Grim wins again!  See you later suckers!”  His parting remarks earn some return jibes from your fellow first years but Grim remains unbothered as he departs.

You shake your head sadly but not that surprised.  These things just always seem to happen to you.  “Um, he.hello.” You turn around to find a lilac haired boy trying to gain your attention.  “If you don’t have a partner yet, would you like to pair with me?” he asks in a sweet voice and smiles at you cutely.  You are surprised to find such a gentle boy in a school like NRC.  And also, quite a bit charmed.  You smile at him gratefully, “I’d love to be your partner.”  You introduce yourselves and you give Epel some of the tips you’d learned from Rook in your first task.  For a moment, you imagine you see Epel glare over at where Rook stands in the distance with the third-year class, engaged in their own second task.  It was an intense look, but you couldn’t quite place it; was he jealous of the third year’s skill?  Before you can quite puzzle it out, his gaze returns to you.  He gives you a cute tilt of his head, causing his tied back hair to sway gently, “We should get practicing, Prefect.”

It was great to have a partner who had chosen you.  You had secretly feared standing there alone at the end and having Coach Vargus force someone to pair up with you.  Now, you had Epel, and he was such an attentive partner too!  Though he was the mage and you were just a magicless student, Epel was constantly asking your opinion on things and taking your advice.  “What do you think about that section?  We could…just push through.  Go full throttle!  Or…or we could be safe and do it slow.  Wha..what do you think?”  You turn to your partner.  Epel is trying to look as though he is focused on the course, but you can see the way he watches you intently out of the corner of his eye.  You smile to yourself, pleased that he is so considerate and yet not putting you on the spot.  “I think we should take it easy.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?”  You beam back at him and the corners of his mouth fall for a moment before a charming smile settles on his face.  “That’s just what I was thinking.  We are so in tune!” 

The obstacle course is difficult, but you know, if you are honest with yourself, that Vargus set a fair course for your beginner’s level.  You especially enjoy flying with Epel.  There are times when you think he is getting frustrated, watching the aggressive flying of other students but you are quick to reassure him.  “Don’t worry,” you say as you lean back and pat his hand, “Our method is just as good as that wild, show-off one.”  He gives you a tight smile; worried, you think.   Not you though, you have confidence in your partnership!  In the end, you are fine.  You don’t pass each obstacle without effort, but you only end up dumped from the broom a few times at each obstacle before you managed to suggest a good strategy to work your way though.  And Epel always takes your suggestions.

Finally, your feet touch the ground, the task being finished.  You jump off the broom and give Epel a little sideways hug.  “That was so much fun!  It really is great being able to fly.  I’m glad I had someone like you for a partner to do this with me.”  Epel gives you a dreamy smile back, “Yeah, I’m glad to have been able to be with you too.”  You smile and wave before setting off towards the main campus and your next class.

---

Epel watched you go sadly.  That was…well actually, it was a rather mixed experience.  There were times when Epel had nearly lost his cool.  When a Savanaclaw student made a mocking copy of the cute smile he’d given the Prefect, he’d nearly flown over to throw hands at him.  BUT! he’d caught himself in time, maintaining his sweet and cute persona.  If that was what the Prefect wanted from him, that is what he’d be for them.  He’d change himself in any way to please them.  For now.  Next time, he’ll start working on changing them.  Not a lot!  But over time, he was sure he could mold the Prefect into the perfect partner for a macho guy like him.  Afterall, he’d changed for you so its only fair that you change for him.

[tagthescullion]

The Undead Diary of Luke Castellan

Fandom(s): Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Rating: T

Summary: It's not Luke's fault the Underworld is understaffed and some of its doors connecting with the living world are left unattended.

Chapter 1 - Chapter Two - Chapter Three - Chapter Four

AO3 link

Chapter Five

“Right,” Maria said. “Not as bad as one would’ve expected.”

I wasn’t up for debating my issues with my father, so instead, I studied the bouncy balls. Only Hermes could be as immature as to suggest a thing of the sort as a travel method. Either that, or he truly intended to pretend they were some random crap I found on my way to make a new mess of things if Maria and I were apprehended by an irate Lord of the Dead.

After an awkward minute in silence, Maria suggested we wait until tomorrow to travel.

“You’ve had enough excitement for a day,” she told me. “Better rest before returning to the US, yes?”

I considered, then shook my head. “The sooner we get back, the better.”

It was pointless to postpone the inevitable. Besides, I knew Maria wanted to see her son; I’d never really appreciated my mother’s affections —she was, and still remained, a source of discomfort to me—, but it was cruel to keep Maria from Nico. 

Maria shrugged. “All right, then. But let us pack some things, just in case.”

I’d had enough experience with quests, official or not, to know whatever provisions we took would end up destroyed, lost, eaten by monsters, or simply pointless, but if it made her feel better, I wouldn’t mind some sandwiches for the way.

Our source of food was a small shop in the little town twenty-five minutes away walking. I guessed that’s where Maria had got the stuff she’d been feeding us these past few days, but that left me with more questions than answers. 

“Wasn’t money different back when you…?” I left the question open. Back when she’d died.

“We used a different currency,” she said. Her steps were swift despite wearing uncomfortable-looking shoes and the terrain being uneven next to the road. “But when I woke up, and got to the house, the safe had Euros. It must’ve been the tenants who look after the house. They must’ve converted whatever money was there in case a family member visited.”

She seemed all too sure that tenants wouldn’t just run off with whatever fancy shit they saw on a  marquess’ safe. I was a bit baffled by that theory, though. I doubted greatly that the tenants even knew how to get to the safe, and had access to it, but that left few other options.

Her family was mostly gone, and her parents had died long before Euros were a thing. Had Hades been responsible for the money switch? Had it even been an exchange of currency or had the King of the Underworld just decided to leave a budget for his former lover out of some kind of affection? 

Was that even allowed? He was supposed to keep order in the Underworld, looking the other way was one thing, but helping Maria out?

It took tripping over a rock to make him realize he was making a face.

Who cared, right? Either way, the money was enough to get them food, new clothes —his were gross, and Maria’s looked way too old-fashioned—, and, despite Luke's eye-roll, sunscreen.

“I hate the sun,” Maria admitted. “I burn easily.” 

Back in the house, Maria found two travelling bags, not too big, and divided their things. 

“Now,” she said, as she refolded a blouse —not very tidily, house chores weren’t her thing—. “How do these bouncy-things work?”

“The instructions were…” I thought of a good description for my father’s words. “Not too clear. Think of where you want to go, so I guess we just think of Long Island, or in your case, think of Nico, he should be in Camp. That way, we’ll land nearby.”

I twisted one of the bouncy-balls in my palm. It was pink, green and blue —hideous— and surprisingly cool to the touch.

I was still trying to come to terms with Hermes having helped —if reluctantly—, and about having to face the consequences of my past choices.

I hoped even if Maria thought about her son as strongly as possible, if I thought about a place a little way off Camp, I’d have some time to mull over how to approach anybody, were we to run into other demigods. 

I really did hope I could just drop Maria off and walk off to think of a better plan, but while not full-on summer season, it was already close enough to it to assume a satyr or two might be making their slow approaches with new demigods in tow.

While I was musing the best way to get close to Camp but not too close, Maria finished packing. 

“I can’t fold this properly,” she complained, frowning at a shirt she was trying to fit in her bag.

“Trust me, with the amount of monsters lurking in the US,” I reassured her. “Wrinkles in clothes are the least of our worries.”

She didn’t look too pleased about that —whether about being swarmed by monsters or the fact that ironed clothes weren’t a priority to modern society, who knew—.

“Okay,” she said, grabbing her bag and testing its weight. “Let’s go.”

A shiver ran down my spine. I felt both determined to be done with the whole ordeal, and terrified of what could happen.

“Let me carry your bag,” I offered as we crossed out into the yard once more. 

“Thank you, but there’s no need.” She shook her head. “If we run into these monsters, you’ll have to fight them. I can’t use anything other than a rifle, and I haven’t found a single one of them here. Somebody must’ve taken them away.”

We stood in front of the wall while I considered that this seemingly delicate woman could shoot rifles. I was mildly annoyed at whoever had taken them from the house, it would’ve been helpful to have a weapon on us.

“So we think of…” she said, bringing back our focus to the task at hand.

“You think of your son.” I replied. “I’ll think of Long Island, let’s hope that’s enough to get us close.”

I twisted the bouncing-ball on my hand, thinking hard of the hills and farms near Camp Half-Blood.

I glanced at Maria who was staring at the wall in front of us with fierceness, her hands clutched on her bag’s handles.

Home, I thought, turning my head to the wall too. I want to go home.

I threw the ball against the off-white paint.

It was as if the wall had swallowed it. From the place it had disappeared, glowing threads started spreading, connecting each other.

Between the threads, the luminosity filled the paint until we were staring into a blurry, ever-changing image on the other side. 

I held his hand out to Maria, who took it softly.

Together, we walked into the passage. 

I hoped I could do so assuredly, but the uneasiness of coming face to face with my old enemies again loosened my determination.

Right as I was about to step into the passage, half a step before Maria, the hills and farms in my mind were replaced by the image of a young, curly-haired girl. Innocent, cheerful, hands sticky with cheap ice-cream that had melted during a hot summer day.

There was one enemy I did need to see.

I opened my eyes to a sloped terrain, overflowing with oaks. I took a step back into a laurel plant.

“It smells like…” Maria tried to place the perfume. “Eucalyptus.” 

I frowned.

I walked forward until I found a better viewpoint.

The hills were taller than they’d have been in New York. I could see a highway somewhere in the distance. The sun was too high in the sky, we’d gone off much further West than we should’ve.

“Where exactly are we?” Maria asked, having followed me.

“This isn’t Long Island.” I turned to look at her. “We’re in Northern California.”

[burgeoning-ambition]

Finally a first language laddering post! In the near future I hope to start posting updates to my personal studying, maybe accompanied by study materials for others to use if I have the time! But first, I wanted to post an introduction.

Transcript of the images below the cut!

Language Laddering!

An Overview

I recently made a post asking about interest in me posting my personal Japanese -> Korean language laddering study journey and resources. And a lot of people seemed interested! Let's start off with an introduction to language laddering itself, since people may not have heard of it, or may not recognize this name for it! For my own personal stuff, I hope to post updates to my studies along with some resources as regularly as I can manage!

What is Language Laddering?

Language laddering, as I'm using the term, is a method of language study in which you use one target language (TL1) to learn a second target language (TL2). Basically, you cut your native language out of the equation and study in a target language!

How I Ladder

There are several methods you can use that I'd say count as language laddering, but I'm only going to go super in-depth into the methods I personally use!

If you study this way and have a specific method you love that I didn't mention, please mention it in a comment or reblog! I'd love to hear more methods.

Reading Japanese textbooks for Korean

Getting access to resources in Japanese is definitely harder because of international shipping, but I'm able to find store listings that offer sample pages! I've been using these until I can get the money to actually buy them.

In the meantime as I wait to get fully Japanese texts, I use the speaking pen from Learn Korean With BTS, haha- the speaking pen reads the book in four languages, and Japanese is one of them! So I just listen to it like an audiobook instead of reading the English!

Using apps and websites made by and for Japanese learners

While my Japanese dictionaries and apps are all in English, my Korean dictionaries and apps are all in Japanese!

I use an online Japanese-Korean dictionary on my phone, and when I practice grammar and other concepts in Korean, I use Japanese websites for Korean learners.

Recently, I've been using the site ハングルの森 to review basic grammar. I've been getting a pretty strong hold on Japanese grammar terms, too, which is exciting for more fully laddering!

Laddering languages in the way I choose to can be a very fun way to learn a new language and study one you've already been working on, but it doesn't work for everyone!

People who enjoy learning grammar and reading about how language works may enjoy it because they can learn grammar the way it's taught in their target language rather than how it's taught in their native language! This can be exciting, it's interesting to see how different languages teach concepts and learning grammar terms in a TL can open grammar-related doors! If you're a linguistics nerd like me, grammar-related doors are super exciting.

However, if you struggle a lot with understanding language instruction, and classroom language learning is really difficult for you, then it may only make things harder to try and use your TL's classroom language learning material for a new TL.

And that's okay! Not every learning method is for everyone. Learning through immersion may be easier and less frustrating if you struggle with classroom learning!

And guess what?

You can still ladder languages when doing immersion learning! Watching something in your new TL with subtitles for your stronger TL is one good way you can combine immersion learning with laddering!

I hope to post more about language laddering, although it will probably be pretty catered to my own personal study! People can feel free to send asks about anything specific they'd like to know! (Although I certainly am not an expert, so I can't answer everything)

Also, I know this post was SUPER text heavy, so thank you for making it to the end! I hope it wasn't too droning to read ^-^ Good luck with language laddering if you decide to try it!

[gulyas069]

So I’ve read Orientalism, The Wretched of the Earth, Discourse on Colonialism and Black Skin, White Masks now and I’m only partially convinced. Orientalism was a great study, a bit long-winded but stated a thesis and provided the evidence, convincingly argued. Also lines up very neatly with Ideologiekritik. The only thing that I’m sceptical about is the assertion that in other so-called “area studies” there have been breakthroughs shaking off the shackles of colonial thought, whereas that never happened in “Oriental” studies. It would probably be hard to argue from a materialist standpoint that there simply is a different quality in imperial interests in the subject of Orientalism compared to other regions. Additionally, it could’ve been made more clear how some of the older examples of Orientalism actually feature in its genesis.

The Wretched of the Earth I found significantly less insightful than I expected, given its prominent standing. It seems to me like it can’t decide between being instruction, study or teleology. It’s hard to discern whether he is making an argument, a prediction or a normative assertion. There are certainly (next to) no examples given to fortify Fanon’s statements. The critique of the national consciousness as an endpoint of the anti-colonial struggle is a good chapter, though here, too, I’d expect further elaboration on what is actually supposed to be the goal. Only the psychological studies in its last chapter stood out to me, which leads to Black Skin, White Masks: this one is (almost) entirely a psychological study of the black Antillean and his interactions with white society, and as such necessarily also delves further into the psychological relation between black and white. It’s very insightful and more importantly: well-argued. The psychological methods employed are probably long outdated, but nevertheless I’d even go as far as saying that it would probably be productive for modern therapists to read it to get a greater understanding of interacting with non-white patients. At worst you’d gain no new subject information but still a renewed awareness of the difference in psychological relation to white society in people of various ethnic backgrounds.

Discourse on Colonialism is in of itself fairly good, but sadly heavily polemic. I’m sure it would serve very well as a speech (which I assume it was originally written as) or a pamphlet, but it’s not study. It gives some very good starting points for a study though: how does Nazi race ideology resemble colonial race ideology? Are its origins actually to be found here? How does Nazi violence differ from or resemble colonial violence? These are all questions that need further study (I've actually been doing some very rudimentary research and there seems to be less literature on this than I expected) and while I think that Discourse on Colonialism is a powerful tool for spreading ideology, there isn't much theory.

[auddityy]

trumpism is actually a great instruction in branding. i think he's genuinely falling out of fashion for the final time in his life but i think studying his career and public persona/mode of communication is an excellent insight into "how to brand".

you have to literally believe and say you are number one and have something to back that up that is either actually of supreme quality or be of an unknown quality to anyone other than your customer, who is 1. such a small minority that they can't sink your public brand to the majority of your audience 2. so rich that they essentially pay a 100% or more markup for the exact same product that poor people use, but with an upper class brand on it - this is exactly what he did with his first big success, trump tower. he bragged that it was made with the absolute premium in materials to the most amazing standards. construction crew said that the materials were the cheapest possible. the trump tower customer was so rich that they would pay more than double in rent simply to be associated with what was said to be the best. the people who couldnt afford it never lived there and could never find out there was no difference. thus there was no proof - he advertised a supreme product and delivered an adequate one.

like its that simple. you have to say, with apparent conviction, that you are the best and then deliver something at least adequate to someone who doesn't know that what they have isn't better than average. you can actually deliver the best, but the most profit is to be found in delivering something adequate, which is what all "number ones" do - none of them ever overdeliver. people who actually deliver the best are number twos, or even lower - they invest so much in the product that their profit and therefore growth falls behind those who cut corners.

the physical difference between "the best" and "adequacy" isn't actually percieved at all by most people. number ones create the feeling of overdelivering through emotion rather than physical substance in the product. saying something is amazing, high quality, and simultaneously having lots of others saying the same thing, generates way more interest and loyalty than physically having a superior product and remaining quiet about it.

i'm thinking about this because the two number ones in regenerative agriculture p*lyface and GJ follow the same method of branding - essentially trumpism. "i'm the best", "i'm amazed at the quality of my product", saying so loudly and often, without ever specifying their own failures or mistakes, unless they fit into a narrative of being long-past (no longer affecting quality of current product) and being a learning experience that actually improved the product.

GJ lost over 200 sheep, more than 90% of his flock in 2023 - nothing about that to be found anywhere online. the only reason i know is because i talked to his wife intimately in person. for over 20 years he's advertised them as the most hardy sheep in the US, and still does, despite losing ALL of the original flock he's built over 30 years... but he repeats many anecdotes of mistakes from 20 years ago that made him a better producer.

also, never responding to critics unless it's in a disparaging way. trump is famous for insulting critics in crazy dramatic ways, but all number ones do this. polyface does it to the USDA, vegans, people who disagreed with their stance on covid/vaccines. GJ does it to conventional people in his comments or just whoever he sees as he's traveling.

when you inspect closely it is not completely honest, and seems to be lacking integrity. i wonder if honesty and integrity are considered virtues because everyone else being "honest" and "having integrity", in other words damaging their own brand, benefits the number ones who don't do that. everyone making themselves harmless gives the few willing to be sharks free reign.

this sounds like it's coming from a place of jealousy. i don't really feel jealously i am just learning the choices i'll have to make. i will have my own business/brand and i could make the choice to follow the trumpist branding strategy, and have the successes it entails...

[hexjulia]

"Let the young child takes risks and exercise his imagination, and enjoy doing so, even if it what it produces isn’t always deadly serious. It’s easy to correct exuberance; barrenness can’t be conquered, no matter how hard we try. I have least confidence in a boy whose talent is constrained by self-critique. I prefer raw material that is richer and more abundant than seems necessary. The years will melt it down, method will smooth what is rough, parts will be rubbed away by experience, provided there is something that can be chiselled and trimmed. And such metal will exist, provided we do not slice the sheet so thin that deep engraving breaks it. [...] It’s also worth remembering that the innate ability of boys can actually diminish as a result of excessive criticism. They lose hope, suffer disappointment, grow to hate their studies and, worst of all, attempt nothing because they are fearful of everything. This is familiar to farmers who think that pruning should be withheld while a plant’s leaves are still young, because they seem to ‘shrink from the blade’ and are not yet able to endure scarring. The teacher of young boys, then, should be an amicable sort, one whose corrections, which are naturally annoying, are expressed gently. He should by turns praise, tolerate and correct (always with an explanation), and even clarify the lesson by inserting something of his own. Sometimes it will be helpful for him to dictate entire themes for the boy to imitate and occasionally even love as his own. But if the composition is so deficient that it isn’t worth correcting, I have found it useful to explain the theme again and have the boy write a fresh version, telling him he can do better. For nothing makes effort more enjoyable than hope. Criticism should be age-appropriate, and assignments must be set and corrected in accordance with the students’ abilities."

from Oratorical Instruction by Quintilian in Ancient Rhetoric by Thomas Habinek.

[burnwater13]

Boba Fett piloting a speeder bike while a member of his Sand people tribe jump from another speeder bike. Image from The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1, Episode 2, The Tribes of Tatooine. Calendar from DataWorks. Concept art by Christian Alzmann.

Grogu was very excited. Daimyo Fett had agreed to tell him the story about teaching some of the Sand people how to ride speeder bikes! Grogu could just imagine how it went. A quiet, thoughtful space, where they could gather together, study a ‘how to’ guide, check the owner’s manual, and review their knowledge using the speeder bike simulator that came with every bike. 

Fennec had cackled when Grogu explained that to her and the Daimyo asked her in a rather annoyed voice if she didn’t have anything better to do. 

“Sure, Boss, I have plenty of other things to do, but what could be better than hearing this story again?”

Before the Daimyo could scold her or apologize to Grogu for the cackling or even look to the Mandalorian for assistance in dealing with her, Fennec was gone. 

Grogu laughed at that. Fennec really must have had some Jedi training. She was an expert at disappearing and Grogu was always impressed by her technique.

“Pay no attention to her, young one. The Sand people do not use traditional environments for educational purposes. All of their learning methods are practical and hands on.”

The Daimyo seemed both proud of that and a little disappointed. Grogu felt that was his fault. After all he’d met the Sand people several times on Tatooine and knew that they didn’t bother with a lot of technology. That was why he was so interested in the story of how they learned to ride the speeder bikes. He figured that if they could learn, then it shouldn’t be a problem for him. 

“It wasn’t that long after they had accepted me as being worth tolerating that we ran into a problem with some spice runners. I was with the tribe, being instructed on the use of a gaderffii. You know, that stick you’ve seen Sand people carrying with them? It is a very versatile weapon and takes great discipline and skill to wield effectively. Let me assure you, I wanted to learn how to use it, but I was by no means the best student of the technique. I was too impatient.”

Grogu kept his face as neutral as possible. He knew that Daimyo Fett was Mandalorian. That his father had been a Mandalorian bounty hunter and that they had both run a foul of the Jedi during the lead up to the Clone wars. Grogu had been deemed to young/small to participate in those events but he had still been compelled to study them at the Jedi Temple. According to Jedi lore, Mandalorians were incapable of patience. If they had been, then they would have had fewer conflicts with the Order because they wouldn’t just shoot and ask questions later.

“While I was learning, some of the children noticed a sound that they had never heard. The men investigated and then a call was made to arm the camp. Not me of course. I was not a member of the tribe. I was their charge, a responsibility, not a trusted member of the family.”

Daimyo Fett took a deep breath and then sighed.

“It was a Pyke Syndicate spice transport and they used high power weapons against my care takers, causing many deaths and much misery. But they were able to get away from us. I was determined, as I helped the injured and fallen, to stop that from happening again.”

Grogu sighed and hung his head. He understood just what that felt like. He was glad that Fennec wasn’t there to joke about any of it, because it wasn’t funny. But maybe that’s why she disappeared. She knew the difference between sad and funny. 

“I convinced the Sand people to let me go after them and I walked into Tosche Station. I found some Nikto biker gang members harassing some folks there and ended up with their speeder bikes, which I brought back to the tribe. After that, well, teaching them how to use the bikes was a bit more complicated. You know that their language isn’t merely spoken. You must use other signals and to be fair, I was by no means fluent in it. There were some missteps. I hate to say it, but the concept of forward and stop seemed to elude them for sometime. It was very hard not to laugh, but you know the Sand people are very sensitive in situations like that.”

Grogu nodded his head. He remembered when Cobb Vanth refused to drink from the black melon and his dad shamed him into it. After that the marshal learned to go with the flow a bit better, but Grogu was never going to forget how aggravated the Sand people had become at him. 

“Hey Boss, did you get through the embarrassing part yet? If you did, the rancor trainer said he’d like it if the kid visited with the rancor. Apparently he’s been too restless and wants the kid to have it take a nap.”

Fennec was back. Both Grogu and the Daimyo jumped at the sound of her voice and then they started laughing.

“Of course. I’ll join you, young one. Your father will be back shortly and we will have a traditional Mandalorian meal.”

“Ooh. Yum. Bone broth and tiny crackers. Count me in Boss.” 

Grogu was going to have to ask Fennec to tell him stories the next time he was there. The Daimyo’s stories were good, but Fennec had a way of sharing information that was very entertaining. Funny even. Yeah. Exactly.

[sesshy380-rp]

(continued from here)

Bakura’s reaction was…unexpected. Okay…maybe the wink had been a bit excessive. At least Kat was alone again and not in a confined space with them. That was a good thing…right?

Kat released the breath she hadn’t realized until now that she’d been holding. She looked at the pile of apparel. It was just clothes. So what if they were modern? She should be able to figure this out. She’d seen a few souls in the Duat wearing these same things.

She set the article that Bakura had shoved into her hands off to the side, then picked up a different one. A top of sorts without sleeves. She pulled it over her head and brought it down. It fit snug against her body, but in a comfortable way. It was almost like being hugged by a garment, and she actually liked it.

A hand appeared between the curtains, holding what appeared to be another piece of apparel.

"You will need that too."

Need? Were certain garments a requirement in this era? She decided not to question and took the article from Bakura’s waiting hand, which quickly retracted once it was empty.

Kat held it up in confusion. It was small, and there were three distinct openings, one larger than the other two. She studied it for a long moment, rotating it and trying to figure out its purpose and how it was meant to be worn. She tried to recall if she’d ever seen anyone wearing something like this before.

Actually, she had. There was that one time she’d encountered an older gentleman who looked so lost and confused about where he was. He’d actually been a bit too excited to see her (and his enthusiasm was a bit frightening). He’d called himself a…what was that word? Ee-jip-tol-o-jist? Whatever that was. After several questions (and getting too personal when trying to look beneath her tail), the man had gone crazy and begun stripping off layers of attire until he was standing in only a single garment, then rushed off into the fog while laughing like a kid at play. This small piece of material looked similar to what he had left on.

She took a moment to figure out how one was meant to put it on, and after some trial and error between methods, managed to get it on. It was a bit tighter than when a shendyt was wrapped, but like the top, she found it wasn’t really uncomfortable.

She studied her reflection. Modern souls always seemed to be wearing more, and based on her encounter with that crazy man, it appeared that they layered their apparel much in the way royalty did. She looked at the article Bakura had given her before they rushed off. Another top of sort it seemed. She pulled it on, like the other one, then checked her reflection again. It fit much like how her dress had, with longer sleeves and hanging off one shoulder. It was also red…like the thief’s own top. She tried to not think about whether or not it meant anything. Bakura had hastily grabbed it from the pile, so most likely it was just the first thing that caught their eye.

Something was still missing. She sorted through the pile, until she found a few articles that resembled shendyts. One in particular caught her attention because of the way the layered ruffles of material appeared to bounce a bit. She used the same technique as when she put on the smaller article by balancing on one leg and stepping into it one foot at a time (only this time she didn’t have to worry about matching legs to individual holes).

A final look at her reflection left her feeling satisfied. Too bad she didn’t have all the adornments she’d seen some of the souls wearing. She found she was fond of the copious amounts of metal and spikes some wore.

She looked to her feet. She’d been instructed to remove her sandals before entering. She had a feeling those would have to be replaced as well. For now, she needed to make certain she was adequately dressed. She peeked through the curtain, not wanting to reveal herself if somehow she’d still forgotten something.

She looked towards Bakura. “Can you tell me if this is good enough?”

((@nb-lesbian-tkb))

[nursingwriter]

¶ … obese patients have more psychosomatic illnesses following surgery than non-obese patients have. The writer explores research about psychosomatic conditions and obesity and then proposes a study including the methodology. The psychological aspect of psychosomatic illness will be studied using a case study method. The study will include participants who are obese as well as participants who are not obese. There were five sources used to complete this paper. Obesity has been reported as an American epidemic. The most recent research on obesity statistics indicates that 65% of Americans are overweight. A large percentage of those are considered obese with a BMI of more than 30(Dahm, 2005). Many diseases and health issues have been linked to obesity over the years. Heart problems, knee and other joint issues, diabetes and cancer have all shown proven correlations to obesity in the American population. The health issues that are related to obesity can also create the need for surgery. Whether it is surgery for cancer or a gastric by-pass, surgery on obese patients is performed daily throughout the nation. One of the most important aspects of recovery from surgery is the mental attitude of the patient. Patients that are upbeat, willing to follow post-op instructions and eager to get back on their feet generally fare better than those who are stressed and feeling poorly. Psychosomatic illness and disorder can occur during the post-op phase of recovery. When a recovering surgical patient believes that he or she is ill, whether it is a real or imagined illness their recovery can become obstructed. Psychosomatic issues are common among the obese pre-op patients according to research. While little research has been conducted that directly address the question of post operative psychosomatic issues among obese people, there have been many studies conducted with regards to obese people, obese patients, psychosomatic illness and disorder and obesity and psychosomatic illness. The literature concludes there are overwhelmingly seeming ties between the issues which does not conclusively answer the question about obesity and post op psychosomatic illness, but points in the direction of a need for further study about the issue. One study found that eating disorders among the obese is common. The binging and purging are symptoms of the disorder in which the participant believes that they can control their lives by controlling the food that goes into and come out of their body. The study used 75 subjects that were drawn from a pool of volunteers that were advertised for through local newspapers and college student notification. All subjects were female and were between the ages of 20 and 69 years old (Boulton, 2005). The group of volunteers was divided into eating disordered and non-eating disordered. While the study itself was focused on researching the eating disorders themselves the study noted a significant number of those reporting eating disorders were overweight or obese (Boulton, 2005). Another study examined the impact of rapid weight loss by previously obese patients on their marital satisfaction. The resulting data provided conflicting results as to the incidence of psychosomatic illness in obese patients (Wampler, 2000). A third study worked to identify psychosomatic family traits in the families of obese patients. Harkaway and her associates (Doherty & Harkaway, 1990; Harkaway, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1989; Harkaway & Madsen, 1989) have conceptualized the problems of weight gain, loss, and maintenance systemically. This conceptualization is consistent with earlier research on psychosomatic families (Minuchin, 1977), demonstrating that family dynamics play a critical role in both brittle diabetes and anorexia in adolescents (Health, 2000)." The research team came to believe that obesity may be based in the desire to control the family. According to the researchers the desire for control translates into telling family members what to eat and using food as a way to control intimacy. This is done through the use of psychosomatic illness in which the obese person feels and believes that he or she or various family members suffer from unproven disorders or diseases that can be assisted by eating (Health, 2000). The basis for these study results is based in an exhaustive literature review conducted by the research team. Psychosomatic illness and disorder has been shown to be responsible for many conditions including chronic pain (Merrick, 2005). One study found a strong correlation of past abuse and the psychosomatic incidence of chronic pain. In other studies it has been shown that there are significant correlations between past abuse and adult obesity. While it does not show a direct link there can be a summation that the prevalence of past abuse among the obese might also create an environment that can create psychosomatic illness and disorder (Merrick, 2005). The most likely reason for this connection between abuse and chronic pain is the notion that strong negative emotions are repressed by the person in the emotionally painful moment of abuse. In holistic therapy, where the focus is on integrating body, feelings, and mind, we often find such feelings "hidden in the tissues and organs of the body," causing not only pain but also actual disease. In a multidisciplinary treatment of a patient with chronic pain, it is therefore necessary to remain open to the possibility that the root cause may not be visible initially and that it may indeed be quite ugly (Merrick, 2005). " Given the possibility that psychosomatic and emotional elements contribute to and are present in many diseases it is important to distinguish between primary pain, (organic) and secondary pain (which can be psychosomatic) (Merrick, 2005). Another study examined the use of coronary medications in patients with heart disease and depression. The study found that patients who had illness that was psychological by nature were not taking their beta blockers and other heart medications as prescribed, which increased the possibility of their having a future incident related to their heart issues. The study included men and women who had been diagnosed with and were being treated for heart problems (Tucker, 2005). The study further divided the group into those who had been diagnosed with depression and those that had not been diagnosed with depression. Those who were not taking depression medication but had a diagnosis of depression proved to be less diligent about taking their prescribed heart medication as well. While this study was primarily for the purpose of researching depression and medication compliance the results can be extrapolated to understand that those with disorders that are psychological in nature are more likely to place themselves at risk for physiological issues as well. (Tucker, 2005) It is important to be able to determine when a patient has a psychosomatic illness or disorder as compared to a biological and physiological disorder. The purity of the study will depend on being able to define between the two. One recent study detailed the differences and provided a list of elements that are commonly associated with psychosomatic behaviors and disorders. If the patient demands excessive attention, it could indicate a psychosomatic situation. The patient or the patient's family members calling the physicians office many times over a short time or showing up without a scheduled appointment may indicate there is a psychosomatic background for the patients' complaints. In addition "the patient may go to the emergency room unnecessarily. The patient is seeking validation of physical suffering. Usually the patient is also trying to convince the clinician that the symptoms are severe enough to warrant more tests and/or more medication. " Another indicator that the problems are more mind-based than body-based is if the patient refuses to comply with a carefully planned treatment. In this case the physician will have discussed the symptoms, the preferred treatment and any medication or therapy needs the patient has. Together they will create a plan of action to treat the patient but the patient not only ignores the agreed upon treatment plan but also continues to seek out other opinions from other clinicians or Emergency Room physicians. The patient may begin to accuse the doctor of mistreating him or her as the doctor continues to point out that there is no biological bases for the symptoms. The patient may insist on having prescriptions written for narcotics or muscle relaxants. This can also happen in a drug addict situation but in a psychosomatic situation the patient believes that the pain or problem is real and is demanding the medications not out of an addictive need for the drug but because they believe they need them to take care of the psychosomatic illness. Finally the psychosomatic patient will insist that tests be ordered which are unnecessary. The symptoms of psychosomatic illness are clearly defined and will play an important role in the study of obesity in post op patients and the incidence of psychosomatic disorders. Post operative patients are often given many directions to follow. They are asked to comply with diet restrictions, exercise steps and follow up visit schedules to follow. Several past research studies have shown that people who are obese may be more likely to suffer from psychosomatic illness and that psychosomatic illness may have an impact on how compliant the obese person is following surgery. References Boulton, Martha (2005) Exploring alexithymia, depression, and binge eating in self-reported eating disorders in women. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care Dahm, Lori (2005) Obesity update: are we getting any thinner?(Special Report) Private Label Buyer Merrick, Joav (2005) Psychosomatic reasons for chronic pains.(Editorial) Southern Medical Journal ____(2006) Obese people may be more sensitive to pain.(NEWS Breaks)(Brief article) Nutrition Today PORTER, LAWRENCE C. WAMPLER, RICHARD S (2000) Adjustment to Rapid Weight Loss. Families, Systems & Health Rubin, Jay J. (2005) Psychosomatic pain: new insights and management strategies.(CME Topic: Psychosomatic Pain) Southern Medical Journal Tucker, Miriam E. (2005) Depression tied to poor adherence to cardiac Rx: results of two studies show that use of aspirin and -blockers was lower in depressed patients.(Psychosomatic Medicine) Clinical Psychiatry News METHODOLOGY This study will seek to determine whether or not obese post operative patients have a higher incidence of psychosomatic disorders and illnesses than non-obese post op patients have. Need for study The need for this study is evidenced in several ways. There has been a lot of research done regarding obesity. There has been a lot of research done about psychosomatic illness and disorder, however there has been little research done about the incidence of psychosomatic illness in post op obese patients. This is an important question to answer for several reasons. The post operative care of any patient can be time consuming and costly. If a patient has psychosomatic issues along with the biological recovery issues it can mean additional physician visits, additional, medications and therapies and additional time spent on the patient that could have been better utilized. With the ever increasing need to keep insurance costs to a minimum it becomes important to curtail time used on patient visits that are not necessary, including visits based on psychosomatic events. In addition it is important that the patients recover with as few complications as possible. Past literature does indicate that obese patients already have a higher incidence of psychosomatic illness. This can translate into non-compliance with post-operative instructions according to one recent study. This non-compliance could reduce the effectiveness of treatment as the patient does not comply with basic needed steps to recover. The need for the study become evidence when it will impact the future recovery of obese post op patients thereby reducing cost to the consumers as well as the medical profession. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM There have been many studies done on the different elements of this issue but there has not been research conducted on the actual question about the possible correlation of all of the elements combined. This study will address the direct question. METHODOLOGY There were several possible research methods that were examined and rejected for this study. The final decision was that the survey method will be used for this research. It is important to understand why other methods were rejected to understand why the survey method was chosen as the best for this particular project. There are many methods that can be used in the field of research. Among the more popular methods used are the survey, the case study, the literature study and the experiment. Each of these methods has strengths and weaknesses and they are individually applicable to research as they match up with the study need. In the case of literature reviews it is a popular method when one wants to further investigate something that has already been scrutinized. Literature revises are useful when a topic is historic or extremely popular and the research team wants to analyze what has already been discovered about it. It is conducted through the use of seeking out published studies on the topic and analyzing their results. With this method it is important to seek out studies that yielded different results so that the current study can remain pure. This method was not acceptable for the study that will be conducted regarding the psychosomatic incidence in obese post op patients when compared to the incidence in non-obese patients because little to no research has been conducted on the topic. For a literature review to be effective it is important to be able to gather a cross section of studies and evaluate them against each other to draw a conclusion. If little to no research has been done the analysis will be incomplete. CASE STUDIES Case studies are valued because they allow the individual case to be studied in depth and at length. A case study allows for conversations that can be very open ended and for length observations that can answer questions more in-depth that many other methods can do. Case studies are excellent forms of research for many studies but for this one it will not provide enough data to be able to provide an accurate portrayal of the situation. Experiments are another respected source of research. There are many experiments conducted each year in the field of research. Research has assisted the field of medicine in the development of procedures, medications and improvements to treatments. Experiments allow a hypothesis to be tested first hand and provide actual observation of the hypothesis in motion. In the case of this study however, an experiment would not be feasible as it is testing the post operative incidence of psychosomatic disorder in obese patients. For the purpose of this study the research team will use a survey method. The survey will be completed by physicians and surgeons that have been involved in the post operative treatment of patients who are obese and patients who are not obese. The population for this study will be physicians. The participants will be those who send back the survey and it is completed correctly. The participants will be located through hospital rosters. The surgeons and physicians will treat adult patients and will be sent a pre-information packet asking if they would be willing to participate in the study. There will be 50 pre-information packets sent out with a one month window to have the answers back. Of those who agree to participate the survey questions will be sent with instructions on filling them out. They will be asked to assess five post op obese patients and five post op non-obese patients each. The survey will be divided into three sections. The first section will gather general demographic information. It will ask the physician's background, specialties, number of completed surgeries this year if any, number patients within the practice and type of services offered. The second section will examine the patient's profiles. It will address each of the 10 patients that the physician will evaluate. The name of the patient will not be asked to be able to maintain the privacy of the patient in question and to eliminate the need to obtain permission for that patient's information to be used in the study. In addition there will be no identifying questions asked about the patient. The patient's history, age, weight, and need for surgery will be asked for and the date of the completed procedure. The third section will be the most involved and will ask the doctor to detail how many post operative visits were provided, including in the hospital. It will ask what those visits were for on an individual basis. This means the doctor will be asked to describe the visit and its purpose and its date. The doctor will also be asked to answer as to whether or not the patient fits any of the following criteria: Was the patient displaying any of the following behaviors? If so which ones? Demanding excessive attention. The patient or spouse may assault your office with repeated phone calls or may show up in your office without an appointment. Alternatively, and more dramatically, the patient may go to the emergency room unnecessarily. The patient is seeking validation of physical suffering. Usually the patient is also trying to convince the clinician that the symptoms are severe enough to warrant more tests and/or more medication (Tucker, 2005)." Malcompliance with carefully planned and discussed treatment (Tucker, 2005). Anger and false accusations about "mistreatment." For this reason, always have a chaperone even if the patient brought a spouse or friend. Relentless pursuit of muscle relaxants or narcotics (ie, drug-seeking behavior). Convincing you to order or perform invasive tests or procedures after other evaluations yield no diagnosis. Thereafter, imagined side effects or actual complications may occur. The clinician is seen as the perpetrator of the procedure, becomes responsible for many additional symptoms, and remains "joined" to this patient. This may explain why some surgeons often give unwarranted and extraordinarily generous disability and impairment "rewards" to histrionic patients who are unhappy with the outcome of an operation. Perhaps this is given as a remedy to appease a dissatisfied customer and to avoid potential litigation. However, the unwarranted legitimization of disease could ultimately strengthen an unfounded lawsuit from a patient rendered "totally disabled (Tucker, 2005)." The doctor will be asked to track the post op visits, treatments and follow up for six months before sending the survey back. DATA COLLECTION At the seven-month mark the surveys that have been received will be individually accessed with the information being logged into a data base to determine the outcome. LIMITATIONS OF STUDY The research team has to depend on the physicians to be diligent in the survey completion and the return of the surveys. They are also being asked to pick the patients which takes the control of random selection away from the research team itself. CONCLUSION The need for this study is evident. The cost factor of psychosomatic illnesses may be reduced if it can be determined whether or not the obese patient population has a higher incidence of psychosomatic illness in post op. If it does then future steps can be taken to better prepare the obese patient population for surgery to reduce the incidence of post op psychometric illness. REFERENCE Tucker, Miriam E. Read the full article

[prototechsolutionsblog]

Building a Safer Future: The Role of Virtual Reality in Construction Training

The construction industry is one of the most dangerous sectors, with high injury and fatality rates due to falls, equipment-related accidents, and hazardous working conditions. Traditional training methods, such as classroom lectures and on-site apprenticeships, often fall short in fully preparing workers for high-risk situations. This is where Virtual Reality (VR) is transforming construction training, offering a safe, immersive, and highly effective learning environment. In this blog post, we’ll explore how VR can revolutionize safety training for construction workers, reducing risks and improving efficiency.

The Need for Advanced Training in Construction

Construction sites are inherently hazardous, and new workers often lack the necessary experience to navigate these dangers safely. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the leading causes of fatalities in construction—commonly known as the “Fatal Four”—are falls, being struck by objects, electrocution, and being caught in or between hazards.

While traditional training approaches, such as safety videos, manuals, and supervised on-site training, provide foundational knowledge, they have limitations. On-site training can expose workers to real dangers, while theoretical training lacks practical engagement. VR bridges this gap by simulating real-world scenarios in a risk-free virtual environment.

How VR Enhances Construction Safety Training

1. Immersive Learning Experience

VR training immerses workers in a 3D environment that replicates real construction sites. Trainees can practice navigating high-rise structures, operating heavy machinery, and responding to emergencies without any actual risk. This hands-on experience is far more engaging than reading manuals or watching instructional videos.

2. Risk-Free Environment for High-Risk Scenarios

Many construction hazards can’t be safely replicated in traditional training settings. VR allows workers to experience dangerous situations—such as equipment malfunctions, structural collapses, or extreme weather conditions—without real-world consequences. This exposure prepares them to react appropriately in actual high-risk scenarios.

3. Improved Retention and Muscle Memory

Studies show that people retain information better through experiential learning. VR engages multiple senses, reinforcing knowledge and developing muscle memory. Workers who repeatedly practice safety protocols in VR are more likely to recall and apply them correctly on-site.

4. Standardized Training Across Teams

In large-scale construction projects, ensuring consistent training across teams is challenging. VR offers standardized modules that can be accessed by all workers, ensuring uniform safety protocols and procedures regardless of location or experience level.

5. Real-Time Performance Feedback

VR training systems can track a worker’s responses and actions in real time. Supervisors can analyze data on reaction times, decision-making skills, and adherence to safety procedures, allowing for targeted feedback and improvement.

6. Cost-Effective and Scalable Training

While the initial investment in VR technology may seem high, it ultimately reduces costs by minimizing workplace accidents, insurance claims, and project delays. Additionally, VR training can be deployed at scale, making it a cost-effective solution for construction companies with large workforces.

Key VR Applications in Construction Training

1. Fall Prevention Training

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. VR simulations teach workers how to properly use harnesses, navigate scaffolding, and identify fall hazards, significantly reducing risks on-site.

2. Heavy Machinery Operation

Operating cranes, forklifts, and excavators requires precision and awareness. VR training allows workers to practice machinery operation in a virtual setting, preventing costly and dangerous mistakes during actual use.

3. Electrical Safety and Hazard Recognition

Electrocution is another major risk in construction. VR scenarios help workers identify live wires, follow lockout/tagout procedures, and handle electrical equipment safely.

4. Emergency Response Drills

From fire outbreaks to structural failures, VR can simulate emergencies that require immediate action. Workers can practice evacuation procedures, fire suppression techniques, and first-aid responses in a controlled environment.

5. Site Navigation and Spatial Awareness

Large and complex construction sites can be difficult to navigate, especially for new workers. VR training helps employees familiarize themselves with layouts, hazard zones, and emergency exits before stepping onto the actual site.

The Future of VR in Construction Training

As VR technology advances, its applications in construction training will continue to expand. Features like AI-driven training modules, haptic feedback suits, and multi-user collaboration will make VR an even more powerful tool for workforce development.

Additionally, with the rise of remote work and digital construction planning, VR can be integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM) to enhance project visualization and coordination among teams.

Conclusion

Virtual Reality is reshaping the way construction workers are trained, offering a safer, more engaging, and more effective approach to high-risk job site education. By simulating real-world hazards, reinforcing safety protocols, and providing hands-on experience, VR training reduces workplace accidents and improves overall efficiency in the construction industry.

As construction companies continue to embrace digital innovation, VR training will become a standard tool for workforce preparation. Investing in VR safety training today means building a safer, more skilled construction workforce for the future.