#Oracle Factor Expression

[bispsolutions]

Oracle Data Integration Factor Expression

[miifu666]

Suklha’s Language 📝 🪲

its a language that so far only Suklha understand, from her own explanation. its a language that depends on her vocal chords, a few clicks and syllable can result in different paragraph of meaning depending on the frequency used. Most beings couldn't hear a difference, its like a frequency hearing test for them thats based on different Hz. either you hear a single tone or nothing at all, while Suklha has a more advanced hearing due to her sensitive antenna. Hearing the undertones with each clicks, hisses, gurgles and warbles.

Her language sounds distorted, like an unusual amount of clicks and skittering, its both a horrifying foreign cadence and etherial. one that irks your curiosity when you hear it. mind not thinking straight while you try to figure out the source.

In Suklha's eyes, every being is "Deaf" while humans are both "Deaf and Blind"

if Suklha has a whole community and not just the lonewolf of her species. they probably see other beings as permanently illiterate and partially blind. heck, i feel like they would be a secluded species. Disfavoring the off-chance their words are being translated into earthly language would only bastardize the meanings behind it. there are so many things thatt couldn't be conveyed through mere english, mandarin, or whatever languages the earth has.

Each stroke, the pressure applied by the pen, the paper quality, shapes and other microscopic factor matters, they all account to different meanings when translated, depending on how it looks like or the level of detail is added into it.

In her Pregnant AU, Baby Chime is born with the language. Making her and Suklha as the only two members of their Species. Since the gods and most holy beings are considered “Deaf” by Suklha. This means they could create sounds in various frequency, Baby Chime has to wear a wool coat and ear muffs in case Wukong would bring her to his meetings. Wools are suitable for absorbing sounds and the hood hides her sensitive antennas.

Going into heaven without it is like being in the middle of a southeast traditional market, where everything is noisy and whispers all around you. A baby couldn’t handle that much stimulation unfortunately.

Q : Has Suklha ever tried teaching others?

yes she has, made a whole research on it actually. whenever she explains it, somehow her "students" always dissociate or dosed off. some even express excessive distress despite how patient she is. throughout her many years of doing this, no one has suceeded. or even stay focused through the whole lesson.

Q : Any side effects on long exposure to the language?

none so far, it sounds like animal noises to humans and the gods. in writing, no one considered to understand it. even if they do, their interest lose quickly than the norm or in other cases, they "forgot"

Taglist : @phoenixeclipse-lmkau @skymoral @tuskstudioart @whatisev04 @forge-the-idiot @masterqueso @monkieshad0w @lilchickie @mehiwilldoitlater @missrosiesworld @sleepingdramaqueen @epochal-oracle

[mothinkling]

Leander's cult signs, Psychic Moths and Manipulative Bottoming.

!(DEMO UPDATE SPOILERS; LEANDERS ROUTE)!

''What are you doing sitting around, good-looking? the demo's been out, why don't you hurry that cute little body of yours and spend some time with me?''

Call me the Unnamed Oracle because in this post I'd made the point that that Leander would want to make you feel powerful, in control both physically and mentally to stop you from questioning his behavior.

I'm so giddy that I was actually right about this lmfao, and it got me thinking more about Leander's control tactics.

Safety, even if false, creates a safety blanket- it also breeds codependence; for MC, safety looks like the ability to not hurt anybody using the power of their hands.

We can also see this when MC manages to push him down onto the bed to keep him from leaving, exactly what he would've wanted.

MC believes it was from their own volition, but it was all Leander's play, he'd promised them answers to the question they so desperately want to be answered, and then tried to leave in a hurry immediately after.

It makes them feel more in control, like everything they're doing comes from their decision alone and not somebody elses influence, which could render doubt.

This also plays well into all of the cult symptoms I noticed within the new update, something they seem to be pushing more with the Abberstone/Bloodhounds.

One of the first signs of a cult is love-bombing, something that can be expressed in multiple different ways, I'd be willing to overlook Leander's fascination and desire to know every detail about MC as simply a cultural difference due to the exchange of knowledge

BUT on the other hand, another way of love-bombing that's quite popular when it comes to cult activities especially is the act of singling the possible new member out in a positive manner.

He chose you out of everyone vying for his affection, the only difference being that they're completely hooked on him and you aren't yet.

It's human nature to want validation and to feel special, and he's offering that to you in particular, oh, don't you feel so wanted? it makes you feel more akin to stay.

Who wouldn't want to stay somewhere that makes them feel special and adored, especially by the flock leader themselves.

One of the main things we learn about the Abberstone/Bloodhound's is that they're protective of one another, they're good Samaritans who've even lended a hand fixing a leaking roof once or twice.

But if you look on the other side of things, another sign of a cult is both Fear Factor and Hate-Bonding.

Very little unites people like a shared hatred, think about it, have you ever bonded more with a friend because there is someone at work or school you both just cannot stand?

This is also another weapon used by flock leaders, they usually pick a certain group or organization to turn into the cult's enemy, someone everybody can mutually boo.

This also brings a sense of belonging as everyone shares at least one point of view with the rest, it's a very base instinct to agree with something that a large group is saying.

It's like if a person who's spent their life sober goes out with a group of friends who love drinking, they're more inclined to join in despite their own beliefs due to fear of missing out.

It ignites unity within the group, keeping them more loyal to each other and the cause.

This also ties hand in hand with creating bonds within the cult, something to give you a reason to stay.

Leander is your friend, don't you trust him? :)

Sharing secrets is a good way to bond with people, similar to the instance of shared trauma, something exclusive between two people that makes them feel like they can only talk to that other.

Leander love-bombs quite early on until they easily start calling MC a friend, almost desperate to win them over for that exact reason.

He knows MC is alone and desperate, the ideal target for a cults influence, so he's eager to be their first friend.

He even discourages trying to befriend the likes of Mhin or Kuras, pointing out the flaws in all the others so you'd feel more inclined to spend time with him instead.

Not that they really have much of a choice, because another thing that's extremely prominent in the structure of a cult is Financial Control.

But how could Leander do that if everything is free? it's an almost genius method, but the effect goes the opposite.

MC likely doesn't look wealthy, like at all, and it seems that travelers have a reputation for being scraggly if the sighting of the other at the beginning of the game is anything to go off of (before they went insane, I wouldn't be looking too hot either if my mind was broken.)

They're also extremely tight about the information given, anybody can tell that from just five minutes talking about that.

And with Eridia's information value, they're not exactly going to get far.

Leander knows that, so like the good Samaritan he is, he lets them stay at the Wet Wick for free, even offering free meals and drinks.

But this also leaves MC under his thumb, they can barely afford food let alone another place to stay, and Leander is there and kind and oh-so-willing to lend a hand.

Constantly being surrounded by a cult is a sure way to get indoctrinated, especially when they're so much warmer compared to the harshness of the other people they've met, I.E Mhin and Vere.

But we're also overlooking the most crucial sign of Leander being a flock leader.

This has been crucial to his rise in power and keeping his followers hooked on him and his ideologies, enough to overlook any sort of red flag.

Look at those tiddies fr i'd fall for that any day, we don't need any indoctrination fam we're already hooked 😍😍 I'd say we don't need a leash but I know we'd still like it

Big tiddy cult forever

[casualcannibalisms]

k so i just remembered the post that inspired this one, so im gonna mark down the other points they made about how toa being set 10 years later would fix everything, and why i think it would've actually made everything worse, but im not doing it on THAT post bc its abt reyna and she deserves to have a post to herself

percy and anabeth need a break??? percy's mother is in toa more than him! he is in like, two scenes. annabeth is a mentioned character but she's not there! they are getting a break!

would explain why the other characters aren't there is the final point. they are??? they just aren't going on apollo's quest??? they are there for a few chapters, or maybe the whole book, but you need an explanation for why they aren't jumping on a life threatening quest beyond "they are teenagers, who have school and lives, and are willing to help out a little bit but not for the whole thing?" is that not enough for you? that they're teenagers trying to finish their last years of high school?

WHY I THINK PUTTING IT 10 YEARS LATER WOULD MAKE THE TIME LINE WORSE

Python was already established as a threat at the end of hoo. was already in delphi. the 6 months that apollo was missing was such a big thing because it made python stronger the longer it was there. making toa take 10 years in the future makes it so apollo was missing for 10 years, which means that Python was in charge of delphi for 10 years. why should we be worried about python after that? its not like anyone in cannon cared if they waited 10 years to have apollo handle it cared.

Nero, Commodus, and Caligula are working with python to topple Olympus, and have been helping chronus and the giants in a "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" way, with the express idea to back stab them after they won, when that didn't work, they were going to do it themselves. and they proved very good at it in toa, capturing almost all of apollo's oracles and taking down communications within months of apollo going missing. not only that, but also they partner with taraquin to decimate new rome with the zombies i mentioned in the linked post. again, months after apollo goes missing. doing any of this goes a decade later kinda kills their intimidation factor. why not take the chance of Olympus being weakened from not having one of their 12 missing? that decision would have to be explained.

the whole reason that no one really wants to go with apollo is like... hello, they're still rebuilding from the war they just had? and no one knows whats going on with new rome bc they cant contact with each other? because communications are down? and new rome cant justify sending an actual messenger to chb because, you know, the zombies and the war combined kinda fucked up their population stats. it'd be a suicide mission to send someone.

so like

no, making toa happen 10 years later wouldn't fix anything.

also, why did they put that post in the lester papadopoulos tag when he's not mentioned but they dont tag reyna when she's literally someone they're calling out for <i>"not doing enough"</i> for new rome?

[raatart]

a complete boycott list in alphabetical order

a complete list of companies / brands / franchises to boycott in support of palestine that i have been working on putting together for a while now.

remember to support your local businesses

stand with palestine against genocide

(Food & Beverages)

A

Activia

Acqua Panna

Akmina

Absolute Vodka

Algida

A&W

Aquafina

Alpro

Actimel

B

Burger King

Baskin Robbins

Ben & Jerry's

Bugles

Betty Crocker

Badoit

Becel

C

Coca Cola

Costa Coffee

Cadbury

Cheerios

Cheetos

Campbells

Calve

Cappy

Chiquita

D

Dominos

Dasani

Dunkin' Donuts

Doritos

Dr Pepper

Danone

Dolcela

Damla

Dogadan

E

Evian

Eden

F

Fanta

Frito-lay

Fruit by the Foot Roll Ups

Falim

Fresca

G

Gatorade

Greggs

H

Hardees

Haagen Dazs

Heinz Ketchup

Hershey's

Hard Rock Cafe

Heinz

I

Innocent

Israeli Fruits & Vegetables

J

Jacob's

Jaffa

K

KitKat

KFC

Kbueno

Kraft Mac & Cheese

Kellogg's

Kraft

L

Lipton

Lays

M

McDonald's

Mars

Marks & Spencers

Maggi

Marila

Monster

Mountain Dew

Mehadrin

Minute Maid

Milk Bar

M&M's

Magnum Ice Cream

Milka Chocolates

N

Nestle

Nestle Cereals

Nescafe

Nesquik

Nespresso

Nido

Nutella

Nature Valley

Nestle Milo

Nestle Carnation

Nestle Coffee Mate

Nestle Nestum

Nimbooz

Nestea

O

Orea

Original Shredded Wheat

P

Papa John's

Pepsi

Pringles

Pizza Hut

Perrier

Pillsbury

Popeyes

Pretty a Manager

Pure Life

Powerade

Popup Bagels

Q

Quality Street

Quaker

R

Redbull

Ruffles

S

Starbucks

Subway

Smartwater

Sweetgreen

Snickers

Sprite

Sabra

Sunkist

Strauss

Smarties

S.pellegrino

Schweppes

Sana

Sirma

Sara Lee

T

Toblerone

Tang

Twix

Tesco

Tropicana

U

V

Vittle

Volvic

W

Wall's

Walmart

Walkers

Wrigley's

X

Y

Z

7Up

(Clothing)

A

America Eagle

Adidas

Alo

Adina Eden Jewelry

B

C

Converse

Calvin Klein

Cat

Castro

D

Drew

Diesel

E

F

G

Good American

GAP

H

H&M

I

J

K

Kamili

L

Levi's

Lumberjack

M

Mango

N

Nike

O

Oasis

P

Puma

Q

R

River Island

S

Skims

Skinny Dip

St. Mark

Style Nadia

T

Timberland

U

V

Victoria's Secret

Vakko

W

We Wore That

Wyeth

X

Y

Z

Zara

(Beauty)

A

Aveda

Amika

Avon

Aussie

Aveeno

Always

Aesop

Ahava

B

Bobbi Brown

Blistex

Bath & Body Works

Britney Spears Fragrance

Becca

Biotherm

Beauty Blender

C

Clinique

Covergirl

Colgate

Calgon

Camay

CeraVe

Christina Aguilera Perfumes

Clean & Clear

Crest

CND

Cacharel

D

Dr. Jart+

Dove

Dettol

Darphin Paris

Dark & Lovely

E

Essie

Elidor

F

Fenty Beauty

Fair & Lovely

G

Garnier

Gillette

Glam Glow

H

Honest Beauty

Haci Sakir

Herbal Essences

Head & Shoulders

Hugo Boss

I

J

Jo Malone

Johnson & Johnsom

K

Kerastase

Kiehl's

Kylie Cosmetics

Kylie Skin

Kotex

L

L'Oreal

Lacome

La Roche-Posey

Lifebuoy

Lux

Lubiderm

M

Maybelline

MAC

Moroccan Oil

Maui

Matrix

Max Factor

N

Nyx

Neutrogena

Nivea

Nature's Beauty

Niely

O

Olay

Origins

Orkid

Oral-B

Oax

P

Pepsodent

Pantene

Q

R

Revlon

Rimmel

Rexona

Rhode

S

Summer Fridays

Schick

Smashbox

Sephora

Sensodyne

Skinceuticals

Skin Better Science

T

The Body Shop

Too Faced Cosmetics

The Ordinary

Tom Ford Beauty

Tampax

Takami

U

Urban Decay

Ulta Beauty

V

Vichy

Vaseline

Veet

W

X

Y

Yes to

Yuesai

Z

(Luxury)

A

B

C

Chanel

D

E

Estee Lauder

F

G

Georgio Armani

H

I

J

K

L

LVMH

Louis Vuitton

La Mer

Lavs

Le Labo

M

Mugler

Maison Margiela

N

O

P

Prada

Q

R

Raplh Lauren

S

T

Tiffany & Co.

Tom Ford

Tommy Hilfiger

U

V

Valentino

W

X

Y

Yves Saint Laurent

Z

(Tech & Entertainment)

A

Aol

Amazon

AirBnB

Apple

B

BBC

Buxton

Barbie

Booking.com

C

CNN

D

Disney+

Dell

E

Energizer

F

Ford

Fiverr

G

Galaxy

H

HP

Hyundai

Hulu

I

IBM

Intel

J

K

L

Lego

M

Motorola

Movenpick

Mattel

Microsoft

N

National Geographic

Nokia

Netflix

O

Oracle

Oxi

P

Philips

Q

R

Rolls Royce

S

Siemens

Sodastream

T

Toys R Us

U

V

Volvo

Valvoline

W

Wix

X

Y

Z

(Other)

A

Axa

Ariel

Aero

Ambi Pur

Airwick

Aroma

AVC

Amway

Ace Hardware

Andrex

American Express

B

Bounty

Black & Decker

Bonux

Bref

Braun

Benadryl

Band-aid

Barclays

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Better Help

C

Caltex

Chevron

Culligan

Citi Bank

Chicco

Cravola

Clearblue

Capital One

D

Dash

Drynites

Dosmestos

Doona

E

Expedia

F

Finish

Febreeze

Fixodent

Fairy

G

Goop

Gerber

Gys

H

HSBC

Huggies

Hayat

I

Imodium

J

JCB

K

Kimberly-Clark

Kleenex

L

Lion

Little Swimmers

Lenor

M

Mr Muscle

Minidou

Monsanto

N

Nicorette

O

Omo

P

Pampers

Purina Felix

Payoneer

Palmolive

Protex

Pull-ups

P&G

Prima

Pril

Paramount Pictures

Q

R

Rejoice

Rinso

Rogaine

S

Signal

Sensus

Sudafed

T

Tide

U

Unilever

Us Cellular

V

Vim

Vanish

Vicks

W

X

Y

Yumus

Z

(Places)

A

B

C

D

Disney

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

(People)

A

Ashley Tisdale

Amy Schumer

Andy Beshear

B

Bono

Ben Savage

Bella Thorne

Beyonce

C

Chris Evans

Claire Holt

Ciara

Chris Rock

Chris Pine

D

Demi Lovato

Dwayne Johnson

DJ Khaled

E

Eva Longoria

F

G

Gal Gadot

H

I

Ian Somerhalder

J

Jamie Lee Curtis

James Maslow

Justin Bieber

Jennifer Aniston

Jaclyn Hill

Jack Harlow

Jordan Peele

Joseph Quinn

Jack Black

K

Kylie Jenner

Kim Kardashian

Kris Jenner

Kerry Washington

Katie Perry

Karlie Kloss

Khloe Kardashian

Kat Graham

Kendall Jenner

Kourtney Kardashian

L

Lebron James

Lana Condor

Lana Del Rey

M

Millie Bobby Brown

Malala

Mindy Kaling

Mark Hamill

Madonna

N

NFL

Nina Dobrev

Natalie Portman

Nabela

Nicole Richie

Noah Schnapp

O

Octovia Spencer

P

Perez Hilton

Paul Wesley

Phoebe Tonkin

Pia Mia

P!nk

Q

R

Ronaldinho

Rihanna

S

Sofia Richie

Shaquir O'neal

Selena Gomez

T

Tara Strong

Taika Waititi

Taylor Swift

Tyler Perry

U

Usher

U2

V

Vanessa Hudgens

Viola Davis

W

X

Y

Z

[khaire-traveler]

I know many who believe the gods walk amongst us doing human things, experiencing human stuff and gadgets and even human romances. In that regard, what are your thoughts on modern day demi-gods?

Khaire! Now THIS is a question right here!

Let's start this off with a statement of sorts, since this is likely to be a sensitive topic for some and isn't often discussed within the wider community. Throughout my practice, I've been told by various people that they're demi-gods (or full gods). I've even been told that I am a demi-god - a statement I find no truth in. Having experience with these individuals, I can confidently say that not all of them have malicious intent. Some definitely do, don't get me wrong, but many of them aren't intentionally trying to cause harm. Some people believe these things due to factors outside of their control, while others simply believe it to believe it. I'm not going to sit here and say that someone's practice is wrong for believing such things about themselves or others, but in my own practice, they aren't true, and such beliefs can cause real harm. I have directly experienced it several times myself.

Someone must acknowledge the harm these beliefs can cause before openly sharing them. I consistently hear some of these people tell me how they feel ostracized when expressing these beliefs, but they often don't realize the actual harm it can cause and has caused (not an excuse to ostracize someone, though). There are good reasons these sorts of beliefs have a stigma around them, be it cult behaviors, manipulation, or abuse - all potential consequences of these beliefs. People will always be off-put by them, and those who hold these beliefs must understand that it has nothing to do with them personally and everything to do with what these beliefs have often led to for people in the past.

With that out of the way, I'll give my actual opinion on this lol. The short and sweet answer is no, I don't believe in modern demi-gods. Maybe people can be born with a piece of divinity in them from a divine parent, but in my opinion, I don't think it happens from a god having sex with a human. If it is something that happens, it's likely more complex than that.

Just as mythology explained natural phenomena in ways that made sense to people, I feel it explained divinity similarly at times. The only form of reproduction we really knew at the time was two creatures coming together to make another. If gods ever were to reproduce with mortals, there's probably some secret third thing added into the mix to actually make that happen.

But in all honesty, I don't think that will happen, and I don't believe it actually ever has. There are demi-gods in the myths, yes, but even within the community, there is an often shared sentiment not to take myths literally. "Don't take Zeus transforming into a swam and having sex with a woman literally" "Don't take Hera coming after Zeus' kids literally" "Don't take Hermes turning a woman into a statue literally". I've seen many angry and exhausted answered asks, shared posts, and comments about how this or that person is a fool for taking the myth literally, yet there are things we take literally inherently as worshippers. "Apollo is a god of oracles" "Artemis is a goddess of hunting" "Hermes has a caduceus" - these are all things taken from myth (and historical practices that are based on myth). So, when does the line get crossed for what should and shouldn't be literal? Where does the line blur completely? These are questions we need to answer, either as a community or as individuals, before we can truly address the topic of modern demi-gods in a palatable way.

The way that I've interpreted things, though, is that there aren't any modern demi-gods. Maybe there weren't even ancient ones. I think myths are stories, often with a moral related to the way the world works, a lesson to be learned, or a depiction of a god's characteristics. Heracles very well could've been a demi-god before becoming a god in real life, but that opens up a slew of other questions, such as "How is a demi-god made?" and "What defines someone as a demi-god?" To clarify, this doesn't mean I don't believe in the demi-gods who have become gods - hell, I believe in mortals who were said to have been deified - but I'm just not sure that gods and mortals can reproduce because at the end of the day, what even is a god? Does we even know the answer to that question? Gods are some kind of spiritual beings, sure, but what exactly does the entail? Do they even have the ability to reproduce at all? Can we even relate such terms as "reproduction" to a god in general? There's actually a lot of information we don't have to be able to answer questions such as "Do demi-gods exist now? Have they ever existed?"

Throughout ancient history, we see many leaders and notable people described as demi-gods. Were they really? I suppose I can't truthfully say, but historians believe it was for political gain (which was the case in ancient Rome) or in order to emphasize how good someone was at a particular thing ("this guy was such a great thief because he was a son of Hermes"). I choose to agree with historians here: maybe "demi-god" was more of a descriptor used for how talented someone was or to make people more inclined to follow their lead. I don't think "demi-god" is a state being so much as it is a description or title.

Also, forgot to mention this, but I wouldn't be surprised if gods do walk amongst us at times. I know I've had experiences where I've been like, "Wow, the timing of that person being there EXACTLY when I needed them was really weird". Unrelated to the whole essay I just wrote you lol, but I feel it's important that I clarify that I do still believe things like that. I think gods can manifest in a multitude of ways and even in endless forms. We can happen upon them at any time. Maybe the stranger who smiled at you on a hard day was Aphrodite in disguise or maybe the man who gave you directions was Hermes helping you out. I feel that gods sometimes speak through people as well, often unintentionally on the person's part. This is, of course, a whole topic in and of itself, so I won't get further into it.

Ok, this is all I can actively think of right now lol. I hope it was comprehensive and isn't a pain to read. I know I kind of jumped around with my explanations and opinions, but hopefully that doesn't detract from what I've said. Thank you for asking, Austin; I really appreciate it. Take care! :) <3

[sanguinesorcery]

Working with the rewrite some, but figured I'd put updated explanations for Sidhe magick out here before I have to Get Up and be An Adult:

All of their cultural magick is based on manipulation in some way, shape, or form.

Blood Magick is based on will. It is the manipulation of the material world around them by imprinting their life-force into something using blood and forcing their will upon an object. Doing this opens a channel of sorts into the thing they are trying to manipulate, and it allows them to change objects either permanently or temporarily. It does drain a caster as the longer a channel is open, the more energy they lose. Depending on how they enhance an object may also be a factor in energy-drain, but a prolific mage will know how to use this in spurts to allow short periods of energy renewal. Since it is an imprint of the will, they only use it on non-living and inanimate objects. Opening that channel with something else that has a will is dangerous for both parties, since channels open both ways. The merging of wills between parties causes them to essentially 'smash together' into one solid entity, and the backlash forces the body of the caster to change. The 'exit' always dies physically but the will lives on in an eternal conflict with the caster and the force of it will warp the body until it is unrecognizable as humanoid at all. This is the point the caster will die and the loss of a cohesive physical body causes all wills to die.

Vocal Magick is based on manipulation through emotions. It is a form of mind control, but not in the same way one might think. It does not have to do with the full control of an individual. With carefully placed Pushes into words, a caster can imprint an emotion into someone's mind. It is a system built strongly on will, as is blood magick, but it is imprinting the will into someone else using something they might recognize. Oracles are the best versed in vocal magick, having intense training and unshakable wills to push back against the slightest opposition; it is seen that the rare show of Oracles using the magick causes even the most obstinate opponents to follow their direction without realizing why. They also jealously guard their abilities, so it is rare to see an expression of the magick style outside of their own. Even then, those outside of the Oracles who do know it are not as powerful. Force of will in this manner is a tenuous balance and while such expressions of it can work on those weaker of will to the caster, any form of resistance to expressions of it will weaken its ability to work on other parties. As it still uses life-force as an energy source, casters drain themselves to force their will into another person. As it is not a direct connection as it is with blood casting, attempts to use it against others do not cause the same repercussions as using blood on other living things, but energy cannot be renewed in spurts like blood casting. Using it requires full rest to renew, so even in those versed with it, they use it sparingly.

All this brings us to the biggest elephant in the room, the Hivemind. The hivemind is purportedly a gift from Katya -the Goddess of War- to her son Shrayak -the first Ariad- in an attempt to curb the genetic violence in the people of the Three and Ten. Unfortunately being only second generation to the Goddess herself, Shrayak used the hivemind in terrible ways, albeit he did unite the people of Sidhe under his banner. A direct-descendant Ariad has been undisputed leader of the Three and Ten and its population since. The hivemind uses similar mechanics to vocal magick; it uses emotion as its catalyst, not blatant things like words or imagery. Pure-blood Sidhe are very susceptible to the hivemind's influence and are regularly born with the roots already driven into their emotion centers, hybrid Sidhe may or may not be a part of it on birth, depending on the dominance of the other race's genetics. Dormant individuals are a new mutation, where as pups they show no signs of being rooted in, but they can suddenly feel everything as their roots develop during teenage years. There are very few individuals who are not as susceptible to its pull when it activates, and that is the Imperial inner court (as officials are rigorously trained to fight the power of the hive when active to better perform their duties) and the direct-lineage Imperial family (as they are the reason the hive exists). The hivemind acts as a ripple effect; one person feels an emotion strong enough, it passes to the next person and the next person and so on and so forth until they all begin to feel it and react to it in some way. Sidhe are aware of the hivemind. But the common person cannot activate it on command. Deliberate 'strumming' of the hive is done specifically by the inner court or the Imperial, though the needs to use this mechanic are few and far between. It is not uncommon for the Imperial family to ripple emotions between their inner court, however, as a means to keep machinations secret between them; even then, emotions are subjective so how those get interpreted can lead to consequences if the official is not trained enough to their Imperial's wants or needs. There is no energy used when the hivemind is activated, it just happens naturally.

[silverfoxlink]

LINK NEAL TAROT READING 🔮

For Link’s tarot reading, I asked the cards these questions “How does Link feel about Rhett?” and “What does Link want to express to Rhett?” The spread I got is straightforward. It’s crazy how “in your face” this reading was 👀 (PS: A little plug here but if you want to get your own tarot reading, I posted my services here or you could just DM me if you’re interested!) 🔮✨

The Strength card indicates he has intense and strong emotions for Rhett. It ties in with the Emperor card which indicates that he’s trying to level out his affection towards him and his control over his own emotions. There are lots of factors why Link feels that he cannot freely express himself. He knows there are plenty of eyes on him and he’s conscious and careful about it.

Link’s feelings started way before and grew gradually over time. The moments they have spent together made him realize just how much he appreciates his friend and that he means more to him. He views Rhett as his soulmate, shown by the Lovers card there.

Their relationship with each other is something so unique and he cannot compare it to the other ones he had in the past. His connection with Rhett is special, they connect on a different frequency, their thoughts are in sync, and they always know how to make each other happy 🍂

He’s trying to be tough. That’s the image Link has constructed for himself. He built a wall so that his true emotions won’t be shown. He’s trying to display that’s he’s this masculine man who can’t show much affection. All of that because he’s afraid of being hurt. The Swords cards along with the Nine of Wands tells us that he’s scared of confronting these feelings because he thinks he might face rejection ⚔️

Link’s trying to fool himself by thinking that he can push these feelings aside and sweep it under the rug. But he can’t help that sometimes it gets the best of him. The Devil card indicates that it takes a toll on his mental health. He can’t keep it in. He wants to release it and just pour it out to Rhett. There are times that his jealousy shows but he can’t do anything about it.

Link knows that sooner or later, this facade will end. He knows that one of them has to break the silence and address the elephant in the room. He feels that this has been going on for so long and that he wants to finally put a resolution to their story 🌬️

The oracle cards here support that idea. Link is certain that the time will come when they need to do something about it. Either one of them will step up and say what they need to say. Only after that will they be able to feel like they can rest and not put on a show with each other. Whether it’s a happy ending or not, they’ll find peace that this issue reached a resolution ☀️

[darkmaga-returns]

President Donald Trump announced the $500 billion Stargate project to build AI infrastructure, including massive data centers, aimed at revolutionizing healthcare and curing diseases like cancer.

Tech leaders, such as OpenAI and Oracle CEOs, claim AI can accelerate disease cures and enable early cancer detection through advanced blood tests and personalized mRNA vaccines.

Health experts and natural health advocates express skepticism, arguing that curing cancer requires lifestyle changes and addressing environmental factors, not just technological advancements.

The Stargate project promises to create around 100,000 jobs and ensure U.S. dominance in the global AI race, while critics debate the feasibility of AI solving complex health issues like cancer.

The debate over AI's role in healthcare highlights the need for a balanced approach, combining technological advancements with lifestyle changes and environmental reforms to address cancer and other diseases.

[themattress]

Ranking Link+Zelda and Ganon Incarnations

1. Hyrule Warriors - The more time has passed, the more I realize just how fucking good Hyrule Warriors was as a celebration of the Zelda series, which includes how superbly designed and characterized its Link and Zelda are. There are aspects of many past incarnations mixed in them, but they still manage to stand out as their own individuals. I especially love how Link is given actual character flaws, growing arrogant and believing himself to be the great lone hero of the story only to recognize that he, like all Links, never save the day purely on their own, and how Zelda is an absolute badass in combat as both herself and as Sheik, something that’s rarely seen outside of the Super Smash Bros. series.

2. Skyward Sword - Chronologically the first Link and Zelda, these two are some of the most human feeling. You really connect with them in all of their expressiveness and vulnerabilities. The relationships they forge with the likes of Impa and Groose only add to the sensation. It feels like they were written to be relatable people first and mythical figures of legend second.

3. Breath of the Wild / Tears of the Kingdom / Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - There’s been much talk of this version of Zelda and how interesting, endearing and relatable she is in all of her scientific nerdiness and feelings of inadequacy when placed with heavy burdens, and how admirable she is in her courage and self-sacrificial nature, and all of that is true. But I think that across all three games Link also shapes up into a surprisingly complex character that was unexpected given his initial stoic front in Breath of the Wild. And give both of them credit: they’re the first Link and Zelda to have a radical design overhaul in three decades.

4. Ocarina of Time / Majora’s Mask - The first 3D Link and Zelda were also the first to truly showcase some semblance of characterization and character development, as we watch them go from children to adults and gain great strength at the cost of losing their innocence.

5. The Wind Waker / Phantom Hourglass - I greatly enjoy these two in The Wind Waker, where they are very expressive and funny and sympathetic. But they lose some points due to Phantom Hourglass, which did them kind of dirty in favor of becoming the Linebeck Show.

6. Spirit Tracks - They look the same as their ancestors from The Wind Waker, but they’ve got a different, unique feel to them, with Link being a working class guy instead of some island bumpkin in over his head, and Zelda being a sheltered princess who has to learn to come into her own rather than an Action Girl from the beginning. They also have one of the tightest (and cutest) bonds of friendship out of any Link and Zelda given their circumstances.

7. Twilight Princess - Both of them are in service of the real protagonist Midna, whom they share an excellent bond with, but they still have distinguishing factors that make them stand out, with Zelda being more of a Queen than a Princess this time around and Link having his own arc of going from simple farmboy to Hero of Hyrule carrying forth his ancestor’s legacy.

8. A Link Between Worlds - Virtually clones of the next Link and Zelda pair on this list, but with somewhat more personality and agency, helped along by their Lorulian counterparts.

9. A Link to the Past / Link’s Awakening / Oracle of Ages & Seasons - The “classic” Link and Zelda who provided the template for the others. No real personality to speak of, sadly.

10. The Minish Cap - These two, who are childhood friends, have slightly more personality than the above...but I’m sorry, the “toon” designs do not fit beyond The Wind Waker and its direct follow-ups. It’s a freaking Game Boy Advance game, why give them these expressive designs if we aren’t going to actually see any expressions? Also, Link’s birb hat is distracting. 

11. The Legend of Zelda / Zelda II: The Adventure of Link - Basic blank slates that existed before the franchise truly got solidified on the SNES. Zelda especially just looks wrong now.

12/13. Four Swords & Four Swords Adventures - These are technically two separate incarnations of Link and Zelda, but they’re essentially carbon copies of each other. I can’t find myself giving the remotest shit about Link when there are four of him, and what the fuck is up with this different “toon” Zelda design? That giant red bow she’s wearing looks hideous!

-----------------------------------------------------------

1. Hyrule Warriors - Again, this game nabs the top spot and gives us the definitive version of the character. Ganondorf in this game has it all: the active villainy and terrifying chimera beast form like in Ocarina of Time, the capacity for self-reflection and self-awareness like in The Wind Waker, the manipulative usage of other villains as pawns like in A Link to the Past, Twilight Princess and Four Swords Adventures, and even the mastery over his Demise rooted elements before Tears of the Kingdom. We even get three whole chapters of him as the playable protagonist, where he gets to show off his non-inherently evil qualities such as his tactical brilliance, good leadership skills, and sheer determination to achieve his goals.

2. Tears of the Kingdom - The latest Ganondorf, who is also the first in the series’ timeline, has been met with great acclaim, and rightfully so. Not only does he (mercifully) usurp Demise’s position as Demon King whose hatred fuels almost every great evil in the series, but he feels like Ocarina of Time’s Ganondorf on steroids: an active, omnipresent villain despite not being on screen that much but this time not even needing to be mobile to do so thanks to the horrific Gloom ecosystem under his control. And like the corresponding versions of Link and Zelda, he bucks tradition hard design-wise by having a dragon as his beast form rather than a giant pig. Add to this Matt Mercer’s epic voice and you’ve got a fantastic villain.

3. Ocarina of Time - The first ever Ganondorf created, this is the character that took Ganon from an average villain to one of the greatest villains in video game history. He actively drives every major crisis over the course of the game, lending him an aura of omnipresence despite his actual limited screentime, and is shown to be as cunning as he is powerful by tricking Link and Zelda into helping him conquer Hyrule, turning it into a dystopian nightmare. He’s also deliciously theatrical - the man plays his own theme music on a pipe organ, for crying out loud! The cherry on top is his horrifying Ganon form taken in an unforgettable final boss fight.

4. The Wind Waker - Ganondorf is kept at a distance throughout this game, locked away in his tower and pulling strings, more of a McGuffin than a nemesis. After Ocarina of Time, this is a disappointment, but it could be made up for with good pay-off. And man, does the game ever deliver. When Ganondorf takes action, he is terrifying, both animalistically psychotic enough to do anything yet humanely wizened enough to control this madness at the same time, giving Link the worst of both worlds to contend with. And not only do we get yet another epic final boss fight against him, but he even ends up as a tragic figure: a wretched old soul full of regrets but too full of greed and pride to act upon them, desperately clinging to his dreams rooted in the past while raging against the future that threatens to leave him behind.

5. Twilight Princess - Being just the power behind Zant until the very end, Ganondorf is just here to be the final boss. Again, this would disappoint if the game didn’t make him a worthy final boss, and it more than delivers in this regard. You fight this bastard in just about every way you possibly could fight him, all while he displays a chilling malevolence in every word and action. He really does feel like what he is: an aged-up version of Ocarina of Time’s Ganondorf whose goal is still well in sight and thus he’s able to play the long game to get it.

6. A Link Between Worlds - As many others have observed, Yuga-Ganon of Lorule ended up being a greater menace than his Hylian counterpart who comes directly below him on this list. Not only does he have a unique design and personality of his own, but he is an even more formidable opponent in battle, full of tactical creativity that is difficult for Link to counter.

7. A Link to the Past / Oracle of Ages & Seasons - The “classic” Ganon. He’s big, he’s got magic powers, and he’s got a wicked trident. Unfortunately, you barely ever see him, much less get a feel for any personality beyond baseline evil. Oh well, he still gets the job done.

8. Breath of the Wild / Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity - He’s more of an evil force of nature than a proper character, especially in Breath of the Wild where he has been rendered mindless. What he lacks in substance he makes up for in style, as he is visually stunning.

9. Four Swords Adventures - The problem with this incarnation of the character is that he entered development as one thing and ended it as another. He was supposed to be the same version of Ganon as two spots above and this game would show his origin. But when Shigeru Miyamoto nixed that, we end up with a Ganondorf who is completely offscreen, and a Ganon who still just feels exactly like that version but with a different color scheme. The best that can be said about him is that he finally allowed there to be a truly gigantic 2D sprite of Ganon.

10. The Legend of Zelda - Ganon is one of video gaming’s greatest villains, but man would you not be able to tell that from his debut. All the build-up and mystery surrounding him, presented so well in the instruction manual (”no one knows how he looks like, for none have lived to tell”), and what do we get? A teleporting blue pig in a red jersey. That is SO LAME.

[bubbleonice]

Alexander Skarsgard and Tuva Novotny:

Alexander:

Angel of prayer: he has beeb used to tackle every challenge in life alone and never asks for help. He needs to know it is okay to ask for guidance.

Say I’m sorry: he’s got quite a big ego and doesn’t like admitting he is wrong. He conjures up a long list of excuses and explanations when he behaves poorly or fearfully.

Innocence: he carries a lot of guilt, anger and blame that may shroud his loving outlook. He clowns a lot around to lessen this burden. To make his heart lighter.

Joy: but he also bring a lot of laughter because of his ways and he brings a spirit of fun to everything he does.

Love yourself/ let go of controlling issues/ express your love: He needs to learn to love himself. And allow himself to let go of control and allow situations to unfold naturally. Only through this will he be able to fully express love and make romantic gestures.

Trust: he also needs to learn to trust and let go of past experiences. Accept the situation and let things transform.

7 of wands: He seems to be defending his territory and his successes, being challenged by others who want to take your place. You worked hard to get to where you are, but some people covet what you have and are prepared to fight you for it. expect to see an increase in ‘haters’, trolls and people who disagree with you. You will need to secure your territory and fight for what you stand for. If you’re with a partner, you may find yourself in a situation where you must fight for your relationship. There may be objections from other parties; family, other suitors, friends that oppose the two of you being together. You may have to put in a lot of effort to make the partnership last, despite many external things in your environment working against the two of you. Despite all these factors, you may be filled with confidence that this is the right thing to do.

Tuva:

Godess of strength: Stand up for what you believe, you will gain respect by holding your ground.

Acceptance: don’t force perceptions on others.

Evolution: you realize that obstacles are merely lessons on your path to love.

Stay optimistic about your love life: Positive thinking and faith always result in good things. Tuva needs to stay optimistic, learn to rely on life’s purposes. Trust that the universe has her back and always will protect her and her three children. And that her love life will bring romance. But first she needs to stop criticising her partner which will only lead to further unhappiness. Love and accept eachother and the relationship will magically transform.

5 of swords: Conflict, disagreements, competition, defeat, winning at all costs. The Five of Swords turns up when you have had a falling out, disagreement or conflict, and you are walking away with a sense of sadness and loss. You may be upset and resentful over the heated words you said and now wish you could take back. Even if you won the argument or came out the apparent victor, you realise that you have lost as much as (or more than) your opponent. This battle has cost you trust, respect or dignity, and isolated you. You will need to decide whether your point of view is so important to you that you’re willing to put your relationships in jeopardy, or if you can compromise and see eye-to-eye.

Conclusion: Both personalities are strong but weak at the same time. With their strong exterior, both are actually in need of reassurance and be reminded of their values. There is a lot of love and romance in their relationship, but there is also a good amount of disagreements. Arguments based on distrust and low self-esteem. Both are too hotheaded and quick to judge, but both are also easily broken down. It’s a very turbulent relationship.

I hope you enjoy this reading. And please keep in mind that this is done for entertainment purposes only. I use tarotcards and oracle cards actively in my readings, as well as my intuition. Energies come and go, what is relevant for today’s reading might change in a few weeks time. But some aspects will always remain constant and the same. Thank you.❤️

[anagha2345]

Coffee Machine Cost

Coffee Machine Cost in India: What to Expect & How to Choose the Right One

If you're thinking of buying a coffee machine, one of the first questions that comes to mind is: How much does a coffee machine cost? The answer depends on several factors—brand, features, brewing type, and build quality.

At Somethings Brewing, we help you find the perfect coffee machine at the right price—whether you're just starting out or building a full-fledged coffee bar at home.

Understanding Coffee Machine Cost: What Affects the Price?

When comparing the cost of coffee machines, keep in mind that pricing is influenced by:

🛠️ Machine Type

Manual/Espresso Machines – ₹15,000 to ₹1,00,000+

Automatic Coffee Machines – ₹30,000 to ₹2,00,000

Capsule Machines – ₹5,000 to ₹20,000

Drip or French Press – ₹1,000 to ₹5,000

☕ Functionality

Built-in grinders, milk frothers, pressure systems, and custom settings all add to the value—and the cost.

🧱 Build Quality & Brand

Premium brands like Breville, Rancilio, or La Marzocco come at a higher price, but offer superior performance and longevity.

Average Coffee Machine Cost in India (2025)

Machine TypePrice Range (₹)Best ForManual Espresso15,000 – 50,000Enthusiasts & BaristasFully Automatic35,000 – 2,50,000Home café experienceCapsule Machines5,000 – 20,000Quick, mess-free brewingFrench Press1,000 – 3,500Beginners & TravelersCommercial Machines80,000 – 5,00,000+Restaurants & Cafés

Choosing the Right Coffee Machine Based on Your Budget

💸 Under ₹10,000

Perfect for beginners—consider a French Press, Aeropress, or entry-level drip machine.

💰 ₹10,000 – ₹40,000

Great for espresso fans—look for machines like the De’Longhi Dedica or entry-level Breville Barista Express.

🏡 ₹40,000 – ₹1,00,000

Enjoy one-touch cappuccinos, grinders, and high-end features with Philips LatteGo or Rancilio Silvia.

🔝 ₹1,00,000+

Professional-grade performance with machines like La Marzocco Linea Mini or Breville Oracle Touch.

🔗 Explore Coffee Machines by Price: Shop Now

Why Buy Your Coffee Machine from Somethings Brewing?

✅ Expert Advice – We help match you with the right machine 📦 Nationwide Delivery – Safe, fast shipping across India 🛠️ Installation & Support – We don’t just sell—we support 💯 100% Genuine Products – We only carry trusted global brands

Whether you're a college student or a coffee aficionado, Somethings Brewing has the perfect coffee gear to match your budget and brewing style.

Final Thoughts: What Does a Coffee Machine Really Cost?

The real value of a coffee machine goes beyond the price tag. It’s about how often you use it, how much you spend at cafés, and how much joy a great cup brings every morning.

👉 Compare Prices and Find Your Coffee Machine – only at Somethings Brewing.

Great for Backlinking On:

Coffee equipment review blogs

Price comparison or tech shopping sites

Home and lifestyle blogs

Budget and cost breakdown websites

[agapewizard]

➝ The Importance of Understanding Consciousness. 🔑

Consciousness is the solution to the problems of deception and manipulation that results in external control over our lives. The degree to which we see with clarity is proportional to our level of consciousness. To be in lower base levels of awareness is to be wandering in the dark. Lower vibrational states of consciousness prevent one from being able to accurately discern between Truth and falsity.

Every problem contains the seeds to its own solution. The solution to a lower base-level vibrational frequency of consciousness is to raise consciousness to a higher level. This is how we get out of our current modality of being. Recognizing patterns and meaning with respect to events taking place around and within us is a central component to reaching higher levels of awareness, specifically, the internal patterns that take place within the body, mind and feelings. We must learn to recognize not only the who, when, where, what but also the how and why. Asking the question why is a fundamental element in learning about the reality of what ‘is’. ‘Why’ is getting to the nature of a condition, situation, event or problem.

“Heed these words, You who wish to probe the depths of nature: If you do not find within yourself that which you seek, neither will you find it outside. If you ignore the wonders of your own house, how do you expect to find other wonders? In you is hidden the treasure of treasures. Know Thyself and you will know the Universe and the Gods” – An inscription attributed to Pythia, an oracle at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, Greece where mystery traditions were studied and reflected upon

Understanding the individuated unit of consciousness that constitute a part of the universe promotes an understanding of the universe as a whole. The principle of correspondence applies in many ways. We can use the concept of “as above so below, as below so above” to help us grasp truths about ourselves and the universe. To “know thyself” is also known as self-knowledge, self-actualization, self-realization, self-awareness, as well as knowledge of the Higher True Self.

Understanding ourselves is the solution to our problems. The first step to finding a solution to a problem is acquiring knowledge in order to understand the core nature of the problem that manifests the conditions we would prefer not to have. The root causal factor for our suffering is lack of knowledge of ourselves. We don’t know enough about consciousness, how our minds and emotional makeups function. This is another perfect scenario for those who wish to manipulate and control our behaviors through deception, just as solipsism allows. Having knowledge about how the human mind, psyche and consciousness functions provides one with an advantageous position to exercise control over others who are ignorant about themselves.

We have to understand ourselves more, what is going on in human consciousness, how it functions, what are its qualities, how it manifests, and how it has an expression through the physiology.

Consciousness is awareness of our reality. It is not simply being awake from being asleep as most people view it, as one can be awake but still asleep and ignorant of the spiritual journey and path towards truth. The more we observe, experience and come to know aspects of what ‘is’, the truth, the more our awareness of that which exists increases, and as a result our consciousness will expand. This allows us to recognize, correlate, compare and correspond patterns and meaning in more and more of these things that exists as we become more aware of them. Increasing awareness increases consciousness, and the correspondences and pattern linking we discover paints a larger picture to understand the world we live in and ourselves more deeply. This expansive force that brings us to greater heights of comprehension and consciousness is the force of Love in its true essence. Reality, what ‘is’, truth, is what brings about greater awareness and consciousness and allows us to care more about what is happening in the world and ourselves, to eventually come to a place of right-action based in true intelligence of understanding our situation correctly. This expansive force of consciousness is Love. Truth is Love. Love is truth. The more we see with our real eyes, the more we realize the truth, and the more we expand our Love and consciousness.

The Two Foundational Qualities of Consciousness

“Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.” – The Kybalion.

The sacred masculine and the sacred feminine of consciousness are qualities that may seem to be polar opposites but are actually unified to form the whole of consciousness. Various traditions attribute different characteristics referring to the same source. The sacred feminine is personified as the lunar goddess. This aspect is known as Yin, internal, passive, intuitive, compassionate, submissive, etc. and is associated with the right-brain hemisphere, the Moon or lunar aspect, night/darkness, the womb and mother. It is directly related to our emotions which are the internal quality of consciousness within us. The sacred masculine is symbolized by the solar god. This is the Yang, external, active, analytical, logical, dominant, etc. and is associated with the left-brain hemisphere, the Sun or solar aspect, the light and father. The internal feminine principle is not very active while the external masculine principle is the more active quality. The active energy is how we manifest our consciousness to others in the world. This is how we show ourselves to others and how others show themselves to us. As they say: “You will know them by their actions.” I have a saying that goes: “the more you say, the more you do, the more I see of you.”

In our efforts to raise our level of consciousness we must strive to bring these two qualities into balance and unison with each other. We accomplish this by becoming beings that as we think, so we feel, so we act. Our thoughts, emotions and actions are not in contradiction, opposition, conflict or duality with each other, but are unified, non-dual and acting as one. If someone thinks or feels something is morally wrong, yet acts against one or both of those manifestations of consciousness, they are in internal opposition with themselves, fighting against themselves, against their own consciousness. Satan is the opposer, the adversary, and that is the state we put ourselves in when we contradict ourselves internally, regardless of the justifications or excuses we fabricate to lie to ourselves into accepting what we are doing. This is the main reason for why we are in our current condition of not expanding our consciousness. We create our own suffering collectively in all the ways we go against ourselves and go against Natural Moral Law.

[heckpoint]

I feel like the issue with the "not reproducing" bit is that it's skirting our existing definitions of "reproducing", it's machine-learning corporations playing a game of "I'm not touching you" with people's creative output.

The issue is the speed of automation, the ability to create soulless approximations of an artist's entire oeuvre very rapidly. If you wanted to be, say, a knockoff sakimichan in 2020, you had to practice for hundreds or thousands of hours. So becoming a copycat artist just took too much effort to serve as a cheap cash grab, if you wanted to become an artist, you were becoming an artist.

Now you can mass-produce bootlegs of dozens of different artists simultaneously, just by becoming yet more reliant on the very corporations that are heating the planet, trapping us in infinite-scroll dopamine/insecurity loops, and eroding labor standards. And start a patreon career off of it if you win the social media lottery.

What was done to Greg Rutkowski is not plagiarism by any traditional definition. But I don't think what happened to Greg Rutkowski should be tolerated and endorsed by society. Technical skill and generalized aesthetics fall outside the definitions of plagiarism, but what we have here is megacorporations and bandwagon riders enjoying a huge financial boom thanks to the onerous and expert labor of artists who are excluded from the ensuing economic process.

The proposals of compensation that I've seen, are very silly and absurd, because there's no precedent for anything like this. But "OpenAI" would not be able to rent out a little Greg Rutkowski homunculus in a can, as a subscription model, if not for there being a real Greg Rutkowski, who's had the means and dedication to become a painter, and the vision to develop his personal style.

A lot of these problems are problems with automation more broadly. But for one thing, there's a new quality of *targeted* automation emulating specific people's skill and ways of expression.

Usual machine learning models are a "black box". That means it's not trivial or unambiguous to tell how much each input (from the millions or billions of images in the dataset) factored into a given output.

I don't think the black-box status is a reason to forget the fact that the output is created derivatively, as a mathematical collage based on millions of different images (a lot of which are only factoring into it indirectly).

For starters, we shouldn't forget how the sausage is made, because corporations would like you to forget. Treating the model as a mystical oracle - when it's convenient, as an equivalent to human creativity, and when the opposite is convenient, as a soulless, objective machine directly plugged into The Cold Hard Truth - gives governments and corporations ways to shrug off responsibility, to say "I'm sorry, that's what the computer said. The computer is smarter of us, could it be wrong? Oh, it's wrong this time? Well, we need to rely on the computer to save time, the computer has the bigger picture, and if it's wrong sometimes, that's a trade-off we have to make".

The deadliest bombing campaign in history, in Gaza, enabled by Google, rapid authorization of air strikes because machine learning and software design have turned it into a Tinder-like minigame.

Industrial accidents, self-driving car accidents, police surveillance, multiplied, intensified, hand-waved by the ideology of the black-box neural network.

I know there's not much of an immediate connection between this, and the original question of "Do machine learning corporations owe the artists who created the training data?".

But machine learning systems for the public, corporate machine learning systems and government/military machine learning systems are all interconnected, both financially (same corporations - "FAANG", "MANTA" etc), and in terms of the actual technology (image generation is related to image recognition. Uses of image recognition include face surveillance and military targeting among many other things. Ad profiling is just a civilian use for straight-up behavioral surveillance. There are countless other examples, it's a good idea to read up on the "dual-use problem".)

How we conceptualize machine learning systems determines how the public treats them, and how the public treats them is a huge factor in how they will shape our future.

sorry, a bit confused on your AI art take. Are you pro-AI art on the simple basis that humans have to input a prompt first? What of the artists whose work was stolen for that data set? Do they just not matter or have you just not considered them?

i'm not 'pro-AI' -- i don't really care about the technology itself as more than a novelty. i think there's some really talented people doing cool things with it but as a new artform the vast majority of the stuff being made with it fucking sucks. it enables a lot of really shitty business practices (that, mind you, were already standard -- it just makes them easier). much like any advancent in productive technology its implementation under capitalism will inevitably be immiserating. i just think that 1. generative art is indisputably art and almost every argument i've seen that it isn't is openly reactionary and 2. many of the arguments against it are equally reactionary petty-bourgeois nonense that drown out the actual labour concerns of how employers' use of it affects the proletariat.

that said i simply don't believe that anyone's work is being 'stolen' when datasets are created and AI is trained on them. they're not being deprived of anything! i definitionally think something cannot be a 'theft' if nothing is lost or taken, and i furthermore think that the ability to freely scrape words and images off the internet is actually incredibly vital to a lot of very important research and the idea that it represents 'theft' when those words and images are not even being reproduced is absolute nonsense.

like when people say that images have been used "without compensation", what do they imagine "compensation" looks like? like, the CLIP dataet that DALL-E 2 was trained on has 400 million images in it. DALL-E 2 charges (after a free trial period) $0.02 per image. so should each of the owners (not creators, mind you, because IP law does not protect creators and in fact demonstrably does the opposite) of the images in CLIP then get $0.000000005 whenever DALL-E 2 generates an image? be serious! barbie playset of the bulgarian presidential palace

[global-research-report]

Driving Better Decisions and Customer Engagement with Contact Center Analytics

The global contact center analytics market was valued at USD 1.40 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.7% from 2023 to 2030. This significant growth is driven by the increasing demand for analytics within contact centers, which provide valuable insights into various key performance indicators (KPIs). These include employee performance, call handling times, customer satisfaction, and overall operational efficiency. The ability to track and measure these metrics helps businesses to enhance service quality, streamline operations, and improve the customer experience.

A key factor contributing to the rising demand for contact center analytics is the growing reliance on social media platforms. With the increasing volume of customer feedback shared through blogs, posts, and forums, contact center analytics solutions have become essential tools for companies to process and analyze this content in real-time. By doing so, organizations can gain a deeper understanding of public sentiment, identify emerging trends, and respond to customer concerns more effectively. Additionally, contact center analytics can decipher the often informal and fragmented language found on social media, including slang, abbreviations, acronyms, and regional expressions, which can be difficult to interpret without advanced analytics tools.

These capabilities not only enhance businesses' ability to stay ahead of competitors but also allow them to improve business processes and customer engagement strategies based on real-time insights. As a result, the demand for contact center analytics solutions is expected to continue rising, particularly among companies aiming to optimize their customer service operations and gain a competitive advantage in their industries.

Furthermore, the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into contact center solutions is anticipated to open new avenues for market growth. AI-powered analytics platforms offer the ability to automate data analysis, personalize customer interactions, and improve agent efficiency while also reducing operational costs. The automation of routine tasks and the provision of actionable insights further enhance the value of contact center analytics, making them a critical component of modern customer service strategies. The growing emphasis on AI-driven solutions is expected to accelerate the adoption of these technologies and drive the expansion of the contact center analytics market over the coming years.

Regional Insights

North America:

North America led the global contact center analytics market, accounting for the largest revenue share of 31.6% in 2022. The region's dominance can be attributed to the presence of key industry players such as SAP SE, Oracle Corp., and Cisco Systems, Inc., which have established a strong foothold in the market. Additionally, North America is home to a large number of enterprises with extensive operations and numerous customer contact centers, creating a robust demand for analytics solutions. The continuous growth of businesses in this region, coupled with an increasing focus on improving operational efficiency and customer service, is expected to fuel further market expansion. Moreover, the growing adoption of automated services, such as AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants, is propelling the demand for advanced contact center analytics, as organizations seek to optimize their customer interactions and gain actionable insights from customer data.

Asia Pacific:

Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is projected to experience the fastest growth, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.0% during the forecast period. This rapid expansion can be attributed to the ongoing digital transformation across the region, as well as the rising disposable income levels, which have led to a surge in the adoption of smartphones and other mobile devices. The high volume of customer data generated through these devices is driving the demand for advanced analytics solutions, as businesses in various sectors strive to improve customer experience and engagement at their contact centers.

Furthermore, the growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia Pacific are increasingly turning to contact center analytics solutions to enhance their customer service offerings. The demand from SMEs is particularly strong as they seek to leverage data-driven insights to streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. As these businesses continue to adopt contact center analytics tools, the regional market is expected to see significant growth, making Asia Pacific one of the most dynamic markets for contact center analytics in the coming years.

In summary, while North America remains the largest market for contact center analytics, Asia Pacific is poised to see the highest growth, driven by digitalization, mobile device adoption, and the increasing need for data-driven customer service improvements.

Browse through Grand View Research's Category Next Generation Technologies Industry Research Reports.

The global cryptocurrency market size was estimated at USD 5.70 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.1% from 2025 to 2030.

The global coding and marking equipment market size was valued at USD 17.53 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2030. 

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Market players in the contact center analytics industry are continuously focusing on innovations to personalize their offerings and differentiate themselves in a highly competitive landscape. In order to meet the diverse needs of potential customers, vendors are increasingly incorporating advanced technologies such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning into their solutions. These technologies enable businesses to provide more effective, accurate, and insightful analytics, which enhances the overall customer experience, improves operational efficiency, and supports data-driven decision-making.

For example, in September 2021, Service Management Group (SMG), a global leader in patient, customer, and employee experience management, expanded its partnership with CallMiner, a provider of conversational analytics solutions. This collaboration aims to enhance SMG's ability to deliver actionable insights through advanced speech and text analytics powered by AI and NLP. By integrating CallMiner’s capabilities, SMG is able to offer more robust analytics solutions that can better understand customer interactions, including sentiment analysis and emotion detection, to drive improved outcomes for both customers and businesses. This partnership highlights how companies are leveraging technology to better understand customer feedback, optimize contact center operations, and ultimately, deliver a more personalized experience.

 

Key Contact Center Analytics Companies:

 

8x8, Inc.

CallMiner

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Enghouse Interactive

Five9, Inc.

Genesys.

Genpact Ltd.

Mitel Networks Corp.

NICE

Oracle

SAP SE

Verint Systems Inc.

Order a free sample PDF of the Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[mohammedalothman12]

What Is Prediction Vs. Judgment In Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence has changed the world with its capability to transform industry, automate tasks, and provide insights previously deemed impossible.

However, when looking at AI capabilities, two clear functions shine - prediction and judgment. Understanding how AI excels at prediction but relies strictly on human judgment for all other decision-making will help us understand not only AI's strengths but also its limitations.

AI thrives on predicting outcomes based on data analysis. Whether it recognizes a pattern in consumer behavior, identifies diseases early from medical records, or even suggests what you might want to watch on Netflix, the big draw in AI lies in its ability to make precise predictions because of powerful data-crunching capabilities.

‘That is data's oracle’, agrees leading AI expert Mohammad S A A Alothman. It predicts based on seeing patterns that would not be obvious to the naked eye. The more data it feeds on, the better its forecasts are. But it does not mean that it can decide like a human being would.

Algorithms, especially those in the areas of machine learning and deep learning, are what AI makes use of for its predictions. All these algorithms may be learned from vast data sets, which allows them to mimic the pattern of previous data in new situations.

For example:

Weather forecasting: AI uses historical weather patterns to predict future conditions.

Stock market predictions: AI analyzes past market trends, current events, financial data, etc., to predict how the market will perform in given conditions.

This is the medical diagnosis: AI is increasingly used in predicting diseases by linking patterns of medical images and patient history.

In every case, an AI is a predicting machine, finding trends and predicting outcome after outcome with increasing accuracy of the prediction as it gains more exposure to larger data sets.

However, judgment is what AI still lacks. AI can tell you what may happen, but it cannot decide what should happen - and this is where the human role becomes irreplaceable.

Mohammad S A A Alothman emphasizes this clear point. "AI can predict that there's a 90% chance of rain tomorrow, but it's the human who has to decide whether to carry an umbrella, reschedule outdoor plans, or leave things as they are."

Judgment is subjective evaluation, ethical deliberation, and broader decision-making that can't be expressed in numbers or even patterns. AI lacks a sense of context, morality, and even feelings, which are all useful aspects of judgment.

For instance, an AI might be able to predict conviction through data input in a criminal justice system; however, while doing so, a judge would need to weigh multiple other factors, including individual cases, social impact, and ethics, when serving a sentence.

In medicine, AI's predictions have the potential to be lifesavers, but judgment still has to enter the playing field. An example of that is in the area of radiology. Nothing is faster at reading an X-ray or MRI than an AI system, flagging potential health issues with fantastic accuracy. Still, a doctor has to work with those results in the context of their own clinical experience.

According to AI expert Mohammad S A A Alothman, "We are not thinking about AI as a substitute for doctors. It's a tool. It makes fantastic predictions, but doctors bring judgment onto that to connect the outcome to clinical patient care."

One of the very hot areas dealing with the incompetence of AI in judgment-making is ethics. For example, now there are driverless vehicles with AI implementations that make decisions and split-second judgments regarding navigation through traffic or accident avoidance. But when an inevitable accident occurs and AI has to decide between two not-so-good outcomes? The safety of the driver or pedestrians? Such judgments are very complex and hard to represent as an algorithm.

“AI can't make ethical decisions because ethics requires a deep understanding of human values, which are nuanced and subjective," says Mohammad S A A Alothman. "AI can calculate probabilities and assess risks, but morality isn't a math problem."

In this case, it's human oversight over such situations that would prevent AI's powers from going into dangerous territory where such ethical judgments become necessary.

In business, they use AI for the forecasting of customer preferences, optimization of logistics, and simplification of business procedures. AI-powered chatbots predict what questions their customers might pose and respond accordingly, instantly.

Now, by no stretch would it decide that it is time for the company to launch a new product, enter a new market, or change company policy - that is how people work. AI is more of a mixture of data, intuition, and experience.

“There's a tendency to see AI as all-knowing when it's there to help," according to Mohammad S A A Alothman. "AI can say that sales will go down if you don't adjust your marketing strategy, but it won't tell you how to change that. That's where human creativity and judgment come in."

Though AI systems cannot, as of now, demonstrate human judgment, efforts are being made to enhance AI's contextual understanding through improvements in NLP and machine reasoning capabilities. Eventually, it aims to give rise to AI systems to be able to factor in more variables and to enlighten decision-making activities closer to human judgment.

While optimistic, Mohammad S A A Alothman also sounds measured about this front: "We are working towards developing AI so that it may grasp more contextual understanding and even perform some limited degree of ethical reasoning. I think people need to realise that everything said, if AI becomes smarter, it will always require human oversight."

AI is exceptional at prediction, capable of processing vast amounts of data and making accurate forecasts across industries. However, its limitations become clear when it comes to judgment. While AI can guide decision-making by providing probabilities and potential outcomes, it can’t make complex, ethical, or strategic decisions that require human context.

As Mohammad S A A Alothman concludes, “AI is a tool, not a replacement. It makes our lives easier by handling predictions, but it’s our responsibility to make the final judgment call.”

In the evolving world of AI, understanding the balance between prediction and judgment will be crucial as we integrate these technologies deeper into our daily lives, industries, and societal frameworks.