#Spectrum Speed Test

[incorrect-green-lantern-quotes]

Spoilers for Absolute Green Lantern issue #1!!

you and me both buddy

So unlike the other books in the Absolute universe, we don't know for sure what was taken away from the Green Lanterns. Like, I've been joking that it's Jo's iconic sense of style (tho the Absolute version of her has been growing on me) but from the interviews and previews it really hasn't been as clear cut as Absolute Superman growing up on Krypton or Batman not being a billionaire.

Even after my initial reading of issue #1, I'm still not entirely sure. But I have a theory: Absolute Green Lantern is missing Hal Jordan's courage.

From the setting and conversation between Hal, John, and Jo, we know that they all live in the small town of Evergreen rather than Coast City. This version of Hal is not a test pilot, and his very first lines are about how terrified he is.

Now, these things on their own simply highlight how Absolute!Hal is very different from his main universe counterpart. But Absolute!John is an architect and Absolute!Jo used to be part of Evergreen's police department. Absolute!Guy, though not actually seen in this issue, is also a cop. All consistent with what their pre-GL careers were in the main universe. Absolute!Hal is the only outlier in this regard.

(If I had to make a prediction, it would be that we'd find out that this version of Hal either didn't lose his father or simply didn't follow in his footsteps- assuming the Absolute universe's Martin Jordan is similar to his main universe counterpart.)

But why Hal specifically?

For better or worse, Geoff Johns's Emotional Spectrum saga made Hal Jordan the linchpin of the Green Lantern mythos. For the past two decades, he has been the de facto Green Lantern of DC Comics, and it has been his ability to overcome great fear that has virtually defined the mantle for an entire generation of comic readers.

Now, I could be wrong about this. But I don't think I am, and that's because of one other thing: the Yellow Weakness.

It's a bit of a blink-and-you'll-miss-it, but there are at least four instances of it in the comic. When Hal vaporizes the state trooper, all that's left of the guy are his badges. When the biker speeding through Evergreen slams into the giant Green Lantern, he and his bike are obliterated, yet his golden ring is clearly shown lying unscathed on the ground. When the man in the diner confronts Hal and gets sucked into the black hand, his necklace is what remains. And when Hal accidentally destroys the diner, the bell on the door can be clearly seen still hanging until Jo comes in.

In the main universe, the yellow weakness is mostly a thing of the past. Virtually none of the Green Lanterns we see are as susceptible to it as they were pre-Emerald Twilight. But technically, it does still exist in the modern day, albeit only for rookies who "don't know what they're doing."

It's too early to say for sure whether the Absolute universe's version of the yellow weakness works the same way. But given that Absolute!Abin is responsible for the black hand and the giant lantern symbol, and both of those are very clearly shown to be unable to affect objects that are the color of fear, it lends credence to the idea that the missing factor for Absolute!GL is Hal's courage.

[thebirdarts]

Merletta and her stand Heavy Metal Lover<3

Merletta works for Russo as an assistant and bodyguard [and not so secretly reports back to Muro] After an incident with a Passione member, she went to Muro asking to become untouchable- and when at his recommendation she underwent the lighter test, surviving and getting her stand, she got her wish. Her stand [Heavy Metal Lover] is a suit of armour that she can summon parts of or the whole at will, granting her increased strength and almost impenetrable defenses.

Some more info about her & alt versions under the read more!

Her stand stats are Power: A, Speed: B, Range: D, Durability: A, Precision: C and Potential: C.

Merletta wears a suit of armour around her heart, even when her stand isnt active, acting cold, distant and sarcastic most of the time.

Now blessed with the ability to punch through people with ease she wears whatever she wants, usually lingerie. When asked she will say its because she wants to and she has the power to fuck up anyone who gets ideas, and makes a joke about teaching people to be respectful regardless of clothing.

Her stand can both appear around her and separately, but she prefers to be the one doing the punching herself instead of standing back.

Heavy Metal Lover is one of the strongest stands in Passione in terms of close range physical damage, and between her strength and durability its likely she is one of the very few stand users who could defeat Muro in a face to face fight- and one of the only who can do so without using timestop.

Her and Muro get on well, both of their stands being born out of a desire to be protected and sharing similar armour and knight visual motifs because of that. She acts almost like a consigliere, at least in terms of not being part of the original group 'family' and only meeting him as an adult. In many ways shes the in between of Muro and Rametta... which is unintentionally somewhat reflected in her name

Due to being seen as either Russos eyecandy assistant or her stoic bodyguard depending on the intelligence of the observer, a lot is said in front of her and combined with having Muros ear means outside the inner circle she knows the most about the organization, and she will play a major part in advising Rametta after she takes over from Muro.

She is fond of Russo but it didnt take long at all for Russo to go from sexy mess to just a mess of a person in her eyes, but Russo appreciates her bluntness and enjoys dropping her masks when they are alone.

Despite Merlettas first loyalty being to Muro, her and Russo work very well as a team, Merletta as the muscle and grounded one as Russo collects information with her stand and pieces it together.

Shes autistic<3 Shes also on both the asexual and aromantic spectrums.

[isatumbles]

ALRIIIIGHT NOW TO GO NUTS OVER ONE OF MY FAVORITE ROBLOX GAMES OF ALL TIME

Topic of the day: Star Glitcher

A few years ago, I ran into a game called Star Glitcher Revitalized. I went in thinking the premise was interesting, and at first I was pretty confused. But later on as I understood how the game worked, I was hooked. The gameplay along with fun bosses and mechanics made me come back for more, as well as grinding for skins!

In the older years of Roblox, there was a script that was created unintentionally. The script was originally meant for an Undertale battleground game, and it was a Chara build. The original scripter, Bird, wanted to model Chara's knife, but it ended up looking like a strange wedge. Bird then realized that, upon rotating it upsidedown, it looked like a bladed wing. After some tweaking, the script went from what was originally a Chara script, into a concept that flourished into its own independent game. Enter: Star Glitcher

As far as I know, the first iteration of Star Glitcher, formerly known as Spectrum Glitcher v1, was lost media, but overtime it evolved into newer versions, which unfortunately got leaked to the public when it shouldnt have. As a result, it briefly created a surplus of new Glitcher scripts which derive from Spectrum Glitcher. Colloquially, they were all known as Glitchers, but they soon were called Star Glitchers from the star design and concept. The one that was most popular at the time were later versions of Spectrum Glitcher, as well as some others, though some of which have faced controversy due to explicit nature.

Later on, Roblox began to push out a wave of anti-exploit measures, essentially killing off many scripts and their functionality. From here, the script went from being an individual script into its own original game. The popular one at this time was called Star Glitcher: Filter Enabled (SG:FE). This was where the concept of Star Glitcher began to grow and become its own independent title, garnering new fans and scripters that wanted to join in. After a couple years, the game was finally revamped into a proper, modern game, now known as Star Glitcher Revitalized (SGR), thus bringing us to todays version of Star Glitcher, alongside other variations!

So what is Star Glitcher Revitalized exactly? SGR is a game where the user is granted a small star on their chest, and wedge-shaped wings that flap behind the user along with a ring at the center. The main gimmick of Star Glitcher is that you can switch into different modes, each of which have their own unique name, colors, designs, and movesets. The modes are accessed through keybinds, which enables quick transformations into different modes for different outcomes. This act of switching modes is known as "glitching", hence the name of the script. Not only are there modes, but each mode has their own submode, which enables even more transformations to be discovered. To make things even cooler, there are modes that lead you to sides. Sides are essentially new extra modes to access, sometimes with their own unique gimmicks and abilities. This makes strategizing and synergizing really fun as you have a BUNCH of sides to go through. To this day there are modes that get updated and sides that get added, each with their own movesets, health, jump power, and speed!

What makes this even more exciting is the amount of bosses to fight against, as well as general PVP and testing out abilities in general! There is also a crafting mechanic where you can craft and ewuip chips, which essentially boost things such as your speed, damage, defense, etc.! This game adds such a unique flavor to general battleground games with the strategy of using certain modes, sides, and synergies to compete against bosses or others! The only thing is since the game is so abstract, it actually sometimes pushes people away which makes me so sad since the game is actually really entertaining and offers cool rewards such as new modes or skins. Then again the gameplay looks like this, BUT TRUST ITS SO MUCH FUN

CW // FLASHY

And the idea alone is so extremely flexible that its created so many badass Glitcher variations like.,. where do I even begin.,.

Like, seeing how much this concept has grown and transformed into other individual projects is so so so BADASS it genuinely makes me so happy with how creative this flexible idea has become! I genuinely wish more people came to appreciate this game and concept because it has so much effort put into it and it has a fun gameplay loop to get into

I justjRHRGAJRVAHGRE TLDR - Star Glitcher is one of the COOLEST games on Roblox PERIOD. And I say this as a Roblox vet from 2012‼️

[certifiedlovergirlsstuff]

Hiii I have a request!! Ok it’s kinda long cause it’s all a dream I had

Jake sully x reader

Ok let’s say reader and jake were married before everything (when he was still human) and she got knocked up by him and lates say like in the movie jake falls for neytiri and reader finds out and during the war reader gets injured and they take her to eywa, eywa saves her baby but it’s transformed to a Navi baby (let’s say it’s neteyam) while reader is stuck still being human so yk Jake and neytiri takes care of the kid it’s angsty especially with neteyams death

hey bestie, so i saw that you sent this same exact request to another writer(same exact wording as well). was thinking about not posting it now, but i wrote this at work and finished it so you’re getting two versions. but not very happy about this IMO, not very nice to go to different writers so you can get more/different versions of your request

pairing: jake sully x human fem!reader wc: maybe almost 1k warnings: blood, infidelity, mentions of pregnancy

masterlist / jake sully

this trip to pandora was pretty much your's and jake's honeymoon. away from home and family, now living on a foreign planet surrounded by scientists and the military. dream destination spot.

"this place is marvelous. a true beauty." in awe while the helicopter flew your small group over the pandorian forest. the lush green of the thriving trees mixed with the spectrum of colors was outstanding. only used to the muted palette of your dying earth.

jake sat beside you with his hand in yours, being oddly quiet for the chatter-mouth he normally is. "everything okay. handsome?" leaning into his space even though you have radios to hear each other.

jake looked away from the jungle and peered at you with shallow eyes. "yeah. yeah, all good."

-

two days after the ride they set jake up to test his avatar. he went into a pod structure and then about an hour later you saw him as a nine-foot blue-striped alien with feline features. his human features still showed through, your jake staying present.

when he came back to your shared quarters the both of you got handsy and frisky, acting like a pair of teenagers. the next morning both were naked and awoken by a loud pounding on your door.

"let's go jarhead! don't have all day!"

groans from jake and light giggles from you. he rolls over to press multiple kisses scattered over your face until he leaves a deep and final kiss upon your lips.

"i love you." his sparkling blues looked over your face. he steals an encore kiss, "I'll see you later." and he grabs his clothes from the floor before getting into his wheelchair.

"i love you too. be safe." called to him before the door shut closed.

-

"you're pregnant." jaw dropped involuntarily. "are- are you serious? i- I mean, are you sure?" your heart pitched up in speed on the machine.

max nodded while keeping a neutral expression. "I'm sure. three months along."

your hands cupped over your mouth as your vision blurred with tears, "holy shit."

"is... is that a good holy shit? or a bad holy shit?" max stepped forward while clinging to his clipboard.

a nod of your head, "a good holy shit. a very good holy shit."

later that night when jake returned from his training you broke the wonderful news.

"you serious?" and he sounded the farthest from happy. you faltered for a second before bouncing back. "yeah, max said I'm three months along. isn't this exciting! we can start a family on a thriving planet-"

"and start one on an alien world where everything is deadly. everything is dangerous here. the plants, animals, the locals! the natives hate us and they are barely warming up to me with these hours of training. a kid is not safe here!" jake's voice rose to a sharp yell causing you to flinch in both shock and fear.

"well, we'd- we'd keep them in hell's gate until then. wait until their of age." trying to get jake to warm up to the concept just a little. "aren't- aren't you at least a- a little happy? you're gonna be a father!"

you wrapped your arms around your elbows, protecting yourself from any harsh words to be thrown. jake scoffed while shaking his head.

"no. i'm not. my father was shitty, treating my brother with his respect while I was just dirt. now I'm gonna end up repeating that cycle!" rubbing his hands over his face in stress.

you jumped quickly to his defense. "no you're not. you'll be a great father, gentle and caring. i know it, they'll love you." setting slow steps toward jake, stretching a hand out to comfort him.

-

four months have passed. you were showing more each week and even found out it was a boy. jake was still training with the omatikaya clan to gain their trust. having two separate lives, exploring the world of pandora as one of the people, and at night he's back in his human body that’s getting weaker each day. it's caused the two of you to hit a rocky patch in your new marriage.

jake barely spoke to you when he came to bed, still giving his touches but those have been lessening each night. he can’t keep eye contact with you now, you miss gazing into his clear eyes as you get lost in dreams. he would avoid any of your questions about his day, especially ones that involved her.

that gut feeling told you he didn't love you anymore. ever since the pregnancy announcement he's been completely different. it caused tears to sting your eyes when you think about the possibility he fell in love with her, dreams about her while he’s beside you.

"jake?" calling his name before he could slip away from the day. he stopped just before the door, keeping his back to you.

"do- do you still love me? cause if you don't just- just tell me. it's breaking my heart to just take this silent treatment, having you slowly retreat from me. just tell me you don't love me, that you love her now. just tell the truth." cracked voice and hiccuping breathes. you thought you were on the verge of passing out with your ragged inhales.

he still didn't bother looking at you. if he did you would see how his eyes are screwed shut and his mouth twisted in a grimce. small tears staining his skin as he replied in a cool and collected voice.

"i don't love you anymore and i'm sorry." jake left before you could say anything, leaving you to sob alone and hold your bump in a cradle.

-

a week later all hell broke loose for every species on pandora. a war between the greedy corporations and the locals of the planet. you, max, and trudy helped free grace, norm, and jake from their cell. it was a race against time, too much happening at once to process the damage taken.

both you and grace were shot, losing blood and slowly dying. jake said he was gonna take the both of you to the spirit tree to have mo'at save the three of you.

"it's gonna be okay, baby. everything is gonna be okay." jake's voice broke as his hands caressed your paling face. tear rolling in drops to his cheeks. you tried smiling for him, showing you were fine.

"it's okay, handsome. just save the baby. be his father." jake sobbed, "i- I can't do- do this without you."

you shushed him while running a heavy hand over his head, "yes you can. you have people around you and- and you have neytiri. someone who loves you." jake scrunched his face, 'i'm sorry, baby. so so sorry." giving a rock to your body.

your skin was feeling colder and you could feel your heart slowing. "jake... can i- can I have a- a kiss? for goodbye?"

"you're not leaving. you'll be okay." his thumb smoothing over your skin. eyes dimming in shine. "of course,' words getting breathy, "I still want a kiss, handsome." sleepy eyes taking in all of your husband's details. for the final time.

jake stared into your shrinking pupils before leaning down so his lively lips connected with your bloody ones. "I'll always love you, jake sully." whispered to his lips with your last breath.

-

almost a month after the fire had settled, most of the humans were taken back to earth, and the clans began rebuilding. jake is now the lead for the people of the omatikaya clan. toruk makto gone until he is needed again.

jake was out by a stream collecting fish for the communal meal later that night. the quiet always helped him at times and allowed him to reminisce on the past. flashes of your face or smile, small bites of your laughter ringing within his ears. thinking of how he should’ve treated you better, wishing he could have a second chance at human life with you.

jake knew he didn't deserve your final words, but he held them close in his heart.

"ma jake." neytiri's soothing voice filled the silent air. he turned on his heel and smiled as she came closer. "yawne," holding a hand out for her to grab. he pressed three kisses upon her knuckles.

neytiri's lips parted in a smile. "i have blessed news, ma jake." he waited for her to continue, eyes taking in her glowing face.

"i am with child."

and instead of that gut-wrenching feeling he was expecting to feel the first time this news dropped, it was only solemn. a sad happiness crashing over him in waves.

but he didn't need to force a smile, it came with ease was he whispered, "that's- that's wonderful news."

-

a/n: i fridged the reader i know! (if you don't know where fridging a female character came from look it up)

jake sully taglist: @singular-itae / @websterss

[anghraine]

jenndoesnotcare replied to this post:

Okay I am so interested in your autism dx process. I’ve been diagnosed with adhd but both my kids are both autistic and have adhd and the more I’ve learned to support them the more I’m like “uhhh… it me?” So I’d love to hear more about it!

No problem! It's not unusual for autism and ADHD to go together (iirc there's a vague genetic link between them), though I myself am autistic-bipolar-anxious and not AuDHD.

For me, this was a really long road, since nobody even slightly guessed until I was in my mid-20s. So this is really long, but I tried to remember as many details as I could!

In any case, a lot of my diagnostic process was essentially routed through student health at various universities because that's what I had access to. I was 25 or so when the psychologist I was seeing for my towering anxiety suspected what was actually going on was some form of "high functioning" autism that had been missed for various reasons (autism was more poorly understood when I was a kid and strongly associated with boys, I was raised Mormon and under high-pressure gender norms that didn't let me express the 24/7 sensory overload internal screaming going on, people tended to look for specifically verbal delays at the time and I was a walking dictionary with delays in math and spatial reasoning instead, etc). She and I went over some books she had and both of us ended up quite sure that was what was going on.

At a different university, a different psychologist also concluded I was on spectrum and referred me to a specialist to get a proper paper trail going—there's a distinction between a clinical diagnosis from a practicing psychologist and a specialist's diagnosis, though both "count" for medical reasons. In any case, I was so nervous about navigating the medical system and talking to people without a clearly-defined script of what I should be saying that I didn't go through with it ("I couldn't bring myself to get the airtight autism diagnosis because of autism": not an uncommon story!).

However, while I've always been highly verbal in a lot of ways (this actually ended up being part of the later diagnosis), I can get overwhelmed by language beyond the sensory element. There's a point of, idk, language anxiety/overstimulation where it becomes hard to string words together and I can't really speak coherently, and I tend to write in either massive obsessive swaths or slowly manage to articulate my ideas (this is partly affected by the bipolar mood swings but only partly).

This matters because when I was getting my master's degree, the written exams that were supposed to take a maximum of 6 hours took me 9 hours writing at breakneck speed for me. It didn't end up being an issue at the time, but I was anxious about the effect of this kind of slower percolation of my ideas and ability to express them during my PhD exams.

Normally, PhD students at my institution would need to write these roughly 20-page responses on three different subjects to pass the qualifying exams - that is, 20 pages on each subject, with a week for each written exam, and then a defense of the whole thing even though "losing the ability to speak under pressure" is always a possibility. I knew there was no way in hell this was going to happen, so my clinical diagnosis (which I'd received from yet another psychologist by then) was essentially referred upwards to evaluation for testing accommodations.

They had a specialist in neurodevelopmental disorders at the university who spoke to me for about an hour. Between that and my pre-existing history (previous diagnoses, some huge chasms in testing scores as a child, etc), she provisionally established accommodations of essentially 3x the normal time.

However, there was more to do to fully establish the other diagnoses in specialist terms. There were questionnaires for me dealing with the various diagnostic categories—language, social skills, testing history, sensory issues, medical history. There were similar questionnaires for someone who'd known me as a child (my mother did that one); ideally they would have also asked a former teacher or someone like that, but that wasn't feasible by this point in time.

This, to be clear, is not simply about having common symptoms of autism but establishing consistency of symptoms from very, very early childhood. If the symptoms only show up when you're, say, 10 or 11, something other than autism is going on (though the symptoms can shift somewhat with age and development over time—but, diagnostically speaking, they must be significantly present from extremely early). My mother being able to confirm that I was normally quiet and polite at age 2 but would start screaming if someone touched my hair, hated showers, struggled with coordination and so on was helpful.

It was also helpful that I still had some of my elementary school test results which hadn't been seen as significant at the time, but had huge gaps—like, at the end of second-grade, I was testing with first-grade math skills and eleventh-grade spelling skills. The specialist later told me that while the stereotype of the autistic child is essentially the exact inverse of that, very large gaps in major cognitive abilities of any kind are something they keep an eye out for. The "walking encyclopedia with dyscalculia" form of autism is actually a well-known "type" and I turned out to be a pretty near textbook example of that type.

I'm getting ahead of myself, though—after the questionnaires, there were long in-person tests as well. I think each one was some three hours long and there were two days of them. These were mainly cognitive tests as far as I could tell: some involved identifying visual patterns, some involved recalling sequences of numbers, some involved looking at an object or design and, without actually touching it, visualizing what it would look like if it were turned in certain ways (I struggled quite a bit with this). Some were factual questions designed for adults who'd gone through the US educational system; I remember there was one about Lewis and Clark.

Some were simply about favorite authors. There were some where, as the questions got more complex, I'd get slower and slower until she just moved on after a length of time (this happens to everyone eventually, but when it happens is significant to autism diagnosis). There were also ordinary math problems like adding fractions, long division, simple addition, geometry calculations, and so forth (I raced through addition and basic times table and then was struggling so much with the others that I ran out of time and just made up answers). There were also a number of questions involving spelling and vocabulary; I found these extremely easy.

Some of it felt very silly to do as an adult in my 30s and were obviously designed for children, which isn't all that surprising as autism research and support has historically been overwhelmingly focused on autistic children (what's supposed to happen to us as adults is anyone's guess, I suppose). Some of it had clearly been modified for adults.

Anyway, the big cognitive gaps from my childhood were very obviously still present in a fairly recognizable form—the sharp drop in math skills of all kinds beyond things I could simply memorize, struggles with visual-spatial reasoning but extremely high verbal skills by the metric of the test, the previous questionnaires establishing major sensory problems. The result can be relatively ambiguous, but my case wasn't.

In fact, when she discussed the results with me later, she asked if I would mind answering additional questions from her intern over Zoom—not as part of the diagnosis, but because it would be so helpful for the intern to interact with an obviously autistic adult in graduate school who could clearly articulate answers. I was happy to help and the conversation with the intern was actually really great. I remember that we ended up talking about my gradual realization that people were abruptly changing subjects or trying to head me off even very early in conversations, because I'd forget to hold back and just monologue about my hyperfixations if they didn't. I find this both understandable and hurtful, and I remember being quite startled by an interchange that was something like:

Intern: Do these people know you're autistic? me: Yes. Everyone's known for awhile. I just get carried away and forget that other people ... aren't like me, sometimes. Intern: Have you considered that it's not really that much of a hardship to listen to someone talking about something they're passionate about, especially if you know they're autistic? It's not unreasonable for you to be hurt. me: I ... hadn't really thought about it that way before.

So anyway, the specialist sent out a confirmation to the accessibility people very soon, but it took awhile to get the detailed write-up. It basically said "yup, definitely autistic" with relatively low support needs in terms of socializing, but added that that my high verbal and social masking skills had indirectly harmed me by obscuring the severity of other symptoms, which she classed at the middle range of support needs.

I don't know exactly how significant it is, but the psychologists I'd gotten working clinical diagnoses from generally had PhDs in psychology; I was told that my clinical diagnoses were already pretty ironclad before the testing hell, but the final testing from an actual specialist would fully establish those as non-negotiable. The specialist had a PsyD rather than a PhD or other degree.

[the1entirecircus]

Flash Headcanons

These are headcanons I have about the Flash (comics, not tv show) and all of the lore and other characters.

Barry is on the autistic spectrum but never got an official diagnosis as a child due to Eobard's meddling. Iris is actively trying to help him get a diagnosis. Barry's special interests include comic books (specifically the Flash) and science.

The Wests have ADHD

Wally's ADHD influences certain aspects of his connection to the speed force.

Eobard has a secret base in the present that's a time vault full of flash memorabilia.

Eobard has been one of the many bullies Barry had during his childhood because of how Eobard can warp time around him.

The reason Black Flash doesn't go after Reverse Flash or any other Negative Speed Force conduit is because even thought the Negative Speed Force feeds off the regular Speed Force, the Speed Force pulls energy from the Negative Speed Force to recycle it.

Eobard will furiously correct anyone who gets anything about the Flash wrong.

Barry has read the Dune books. Wally couldn't get past the first chapter of Dune.

Internet forums speculate if Jay Garrick's Flash is the comic character brought to life (Because if you didn't know, his Flash existed as a comic book on Earth Prime if I remember correctly) or he is just an old cosplayer that is a speedster.

Barry has nightmares about Flashpoint.

Wally has nightmares about being stuck in the Speed Force and losing his family again.

The Rogues have a movie night sometimes if they can agree on which movie to watch (Fast & Furious is always brought up)

Barry often tests his capabilities as a speedster, writing his findings in a small journal detailing the different skills you can accomplish with the speed force. Eobard has a digital copy of this book after it was published.

Old Barry gets catcalled "dilf" by random people, he blushes every time he hears it.

Reverse Flash has considered resurrecting Daniel West just to kill him in front of Ace West all for taking Eobard's name.

Black Flash was created by Barry’s “death” in Crisis on Infinite Earths due to the cosmic events that occurred from it.

[robotnik-apologist]

Dr. Robotnik/Eggman in Regards to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

Something I haven't seen talked about a lot in the larger Sonic fandom is this topic - though, as a woman with autism, I've brought it upon myself to write a small collective discussion about the common traits of ASD that Robotnik displays across various continuities. As with all of my other posts, everything said here is up for discussion - questions, comments, elaborations... regardless of what it is, feel free to drop it in my asks inbox.

Disclaimer: No, I am not using ASD to excuse any of Robotnik's actions, regardless of the media. If you haven't seen my page before, I assure you that my blog name is a joke.

This topic as a whole might sound silly, given how often autism is dumbed down in media. Robotnik wasn't written with ASD in mind, I'm sure - but he makes for surprisingly accurate representation.

(And for God's sake, not every character meant to represent a minority has to be morally good! Real representation is acknowledging that a character is a minority whilst also writing them as a genuine human being who isn't defined by that sole trait.)

Outside of that tangent, cough cough, not only is ASD sorely lacking in matters of representation for people with high-functioning variations, but it's often written in highly infantilizing ways, too.

So why do I personally believe Robotnik has some form of ASD?

There are a variety of reasons, but let's start with one that's a key component of his character: his intellect. We admittedly don't know much about the causes of ASD or the causes of high intelligence/IQ, but there is a correlative (though not necessarily causative) relationship between the two. Regardless of the theories, statistically people with high-functioning ASD are proportionately more likely to be geniuses (as defined by the American psychologist Lewis M. Terman, who set the IQ for “potential genius” at 140 and above). It's stated countless times across various kinds of media that Robotnik has an IQ around 300, which far exceeds the 'genius' quota.

This is going to get very technical from here (until I move onto the next category) so feel free to skip to that point. The average IQ test contains four kinds of questions: verbal comprehension, perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. More specifically, things such as pattern recognition and comprehension can also appear as subcategories. In high-functioning ASD, it's very common for individuals to experience heightened abilities in these categories, which leads to the overall higher average IQ, and therefore the qualification of genius being somewhat correlated with ASD. This isn't to imply that every person with ASD is a genius or vice versa, but rather that ASD changes the way a person's brain works. If the wires cross in just the right way, sometimes you end up with a genius (albeit realistically not as extreme as 300. that's ridiculous.).

For my next reason, I present hyperfixation. In almost every StH media, there are moments therein where Robotnik seems genuinely ready to risk his own life or the lives of his allies if it means eliminating Sonic. Why would a man built on logical reasoning do such a thing? It's simple - the prospect of winning against the object of his fixation is an instant dopamine rush. Dopamine and serotonin receptors are often 'messed up' in people with mental conditions such as ASD or AD(H)D, which leads to the formation of hyperfixations - it's simply a focus on the constant source of the chemical.

Now, it's reasonable to ask: why is he fixated on Sonic? Hell if I know. It's like asking why I'm so fixated on Robotnik. Sometimes logic doesn't need to explain everything, though that probably seems ironic in a post like this. As food for thought, though, Robotnik is a scientist in every definition of the word - and Sonic regularly defies basically every law of multiple studies of science. If I had built my life around the understand of these rules, only to have them all collapse because of one random teenager, I would probably be a little obsessed, too.

Now, my third reason for this is routine. ASD is known for manifesting as a heavy reliance on routines and familiarity. This can be found in COUNTLESS places, including the clothes that he wears. Now, yes, I understand that it's super common for cartoon/video game characters to wear the same outfit simply because nobody has the time to design a new outfit for each episode, installment, or issue that a character appears in. But in some contexts, I think it could be argued that Robotnik chooses to wear the same outfit because he's simply adjusted to them - though I'll return to this topic later. I think it's also arguable that Robotnik's focus on Sonic is built around routine - even if it's played as a joke. Once again, I'm aware that it's simply because of the often episodic nature of StH media, but it's undeniable that Robotnik is often depicted as doing the same thing every day with slight variations when necessary.

My fourth reason is empathy. People with ASD can often feel disconnected from others simply because they don't feel like they know the same 'moral code' that appears to be almost programmed into others. They may not understand why familial love is so commonplace, for example, which I think could be applied to Robotnik's lack of compassion towards Snively in SatAM and Archie (not defending it, of course, but it's definitely a possible cause).

This is also strongly connected to my next point, which is Robotnik's understanding of emotion. He's often depicted as immature in many aspects, which is fairly common for those with ASD - they often appear to be immature in the eyes of people who don't fully understand ASD. Not only this, but Robotnik is a master manipulator - he understands conversation incredibly well. Now, this might seem to detract from the point that I believe he has ASD, but it's quite the opposite. To become a master manipulator, one must study conversation, cultural norms, body language, and a variety of other things. But for people with ASD, studying these things is commonplace so that they can imitate what is deemed as 'normal' behavior - or, in other words, so that they can mask. With a person that has the intellect of Robotnik, it's reasonable to believe that this intimate understanding of conversation and persuasion could easily be twisted into manipulation.

Finally, though least convincingly, is sensory. It should go unspoken that ASD interferes with the sensory experiences of the brain and the body. As I mentioned earlier, Robotnik's consistent wardrobe is an example of satisfying a sensory need - and can even be found in the way that he dresses when he's not in his typical outfit. Take his racing outfit, for example - it very closely resembles his usual attire, at least in a material sense. People with ASD usually prefer/find certain materials or styles of clothing to be more comfortable than others. Hell, you could even argue that his (comically-intended) obsession with eggs is a sensory issue. You could also argue that he's unaware of his own strength, to an extent, given the multiple times that it's displayed across various medias. But his consistency in his grooming (mustache lol), clothing, routines, and other things all suggest that he's very aware of his own sensory needs.

Thanks for reading to the end of my crackpot theory, lmao. Like I said, I'm always up for discussion. Below here, I'm just linking to a few sources in case anyone wants to read more about my justifications for this post, or just about ASD and IQ tests in general!

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Eric W. Dolan

Published: Jan 23, 2025

A recent study published in the Journal of Personality has found that adolescents with lower levels of both cognitive and emotional abilities are more likely to hold authoritarian attitudes, whether on the left or right of the political spectrum. The findings highlight how limitations in reasoning and emotional regulation are tied to authoritarianism, shedding light on the shared psychological traits that underpin these ideological attitudes.

Adolescence is a critical developmental period when political beliefs and ideological attitudes begin to take shape, yet studies examining these processes among adolescents are sparse. Researchers at Ghent University in Belgium aimed to determine whether the relationships observed in adults—such as the link between lower cognitive abilities and more authoritarian attitudes—also apply to adolescents.

One of the primary motivations for the study was to address the assumption that ideological development primarily occurs during adulthood, particularly following exposure to higher education. This assumption has been widely discussed in political psychology, with theories suggesting that adolescence is too early for meaningful political engagement due to limited cognitive capacities.

However, recent research has challenged this view, arguing that proto-ideological beliefs emerge even in childhood and that understanding these early beliefs can shed light on how ideological attitudes develop. By focusing on adolescents, the researchers hoped to capture a critical stage in this developmental trajectory.

Another key goal was to examine the role of emotional abilities, which had received less attention than cognitive abilities in prior research. Emotional abilities—such as understanding and regulating emotions—are crucial for navigating social situations and making judgments about societal issues. Given that previous studies on adults found emotional abilities to be strong predictors of ideological attitudes, the researchers hypothesized that these abilities might play an even more significant role during adolescence.

To examine how cognitive and emotional abilities relate to ideological attitudes, the researchers recruited 507 participants aged 15 to 22 years. The participants were primarily high school and college students, ensuring a sample representative of middle and late adolescence.

The researchers used standardized intelligence tests to measure cognitive abilities. For participants aged 16 or younger, the WISC-V test was administered, assessing skills such as verbal comprehension, fluid reasoning, and processing speed. For those 17 and older, the Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test was used, which measures fluid and crystallized intelligence through tasks like reasoning, symbol learning, and comprehension.

Emotional abilities were assessed using four abridged performance-based tests, including measures of emotional understanding and recognition. The results from these tests were combined into a composite score to represent each participant’s overall emotional abilities.

To measure ideological attitudes, the researchers used three well-established scales. Right-wing authoritarianism was assessed using items measuring conformity, respect for authority, and aggression toward out-groups. Social dominance orientation was measured by assessing preferences for hierarchical versus egalitarian social structures. Finally, left-wing authoritarianism was evaluated using a scale adapted to capture opposition to traditional authority and advocacy for redistributive policies.

The results showed significant relationships between both cognitive and emotional abilities and ideological attitudes, though the strength and nature of these relationships varied. In line with prior studies in adult populations, adolescents with lower cognitive abilities were more likely to endorse authoritarian attitudes, both on the right and left of the political spectrum.

Interestingly, the relationship between cognitive abilities and social dominance orientation was weaker than for right-wing authoritarianism, suggesting that hierarchical preferences might be less cognitively driven.

Emotional abilities, however, emerged as even stronger predictors of ideological attitudes than cognitive abilities. Adolescents with lower emotional abilities were more likely to hold authoritarian beliefs across all three dimensions: right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, and left-wing authoritarianism. Furthermore, when emotional abilities were included in the models, the influence of cognitive abilities on ideological attitudes became nonsignificant, suggesting that emotional abilities may play a mediating role.

Another key finding was the striking similarity between right-wing and left-wing authoritarian attitudes. Both shared common psychological underpinnings, such as a preference for conformity and authority, which were negatively related to emotional and cognitive abilities. This overlap supports the idea that authoritarian attitudes, regardless of political orientation, stem from similar cognitive and emotional processes.

Interestingly, the study found no significant differences between middle and late adolescents in the strength or nature of these relationships. This consistency suggests that the links between abilities and ideological attitudes are stable across this developmental period, challenging the notion that these relationships emerge only in adulthood.

“In summary, the present results mirror the results obtained in adult samples, with similar relationships of more or less equal magnitude between cognitive abilities and ideological attitudes, and with even stronger relationships for emotional abilities,” the researchers wrote. “The very concept of ‘ideological attitudes’ almost necessitates that its developmental roots go back in time. Many people are committed to politics, but in reflecting on ‘the political’ they do not always think in terms of specific policy issues. Ideological attitudes, after all, have a different compass, one that aligns with values and norms . Such values and norms likely develop at younger ages and are amenable to socialization, making people responsive to specific ideological attitudes.”

The findings shed light on how both cognitive and emotional abilities are related to adolescents’ ideological attitudes. However, because the data were cross-sectional, the researchers could not establish causal relationships or observe how these abilities and attitudes evolve over time. This limitation leaves unanswered questions about whether deficits in cognitive and emotional abilities lead to authoritarian attitudes or if certain ideological beliefs influence the development of these abilities. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to explore these dynamics in greater depth, tracking changes across adolescence and into adulthood to better understand the developmental pathways that connect abilities to ideological preferences.

The study, “The Relationship Between Cognitive and Emotional Abilities and Ideological Attitudes Among Adolescents,” was authored Alain Van Hiel, Kim Dierckx, Hilde Depauw, Tassilo Tissot, Ruben Van Severen, Johnny Fontaine, and Arne Roets.

[genericartist27]

Music used: Bubblegum Bitch by Marina and the Diamonds. Also start listening to the Jekyll and Hyde musical soundtrack especially Transformation, The World Has Gone Insane and Bring On The Men. They're so good.

No attacking, harassing and doxing, this is just for fun.

Happy New Year! I wanted to test out drawing with a non display tablet and I think I prefer it over display tablets! So I decided to do a speed paint I wanted to do and I think it turned out good! I think it's a good way for my Pansexual on the AroAce Spectrum arse to finally celebrate turning 18 (11th of December), I also want to try shading more in my work since I think that's what my work is missing, also I was going to do an thumbnail but it's nearly 1am and I need to go to bed. I need to sleep. Mothro Script going good so far.

[planet-of-the-machines]

[Direct Transmission encoded]

[Username: Th3Sinist3rSpinist3r]

You want to know what I saw? Fine then. I'll warn you, I had to dump a lot of memory in order to do ANYTHING but be stuck in a looped scream. So while it's not absolutely everything, there's a LOT.

The start of that test was basic. Simple warp from our portal generator to an emptied storage room. We had some issues with running remote controled machines through the portal, but we could throw an object straight through with no problems.

I volunteered as test subject to make an actual trip through the Stellar Spanner.

The inside of the portal is bizarre. The "path" was like a clear night sky where you're able to see the masses of stars, and around you was a bizarre cross between a fog bank and the Aurora Borealis, with ribbons of cooler colors spiral up and down the span between destinations. You can't really see out either end unless you're close to whichever end. I waved back at 'Dome and 'Brow but they never reacted. I made my way along when I heard... something... I turned to look and saw nothing. But before I turned back I found myself falling backwards over the side somehow.

The further fell, the whisps of nebula like clouds became more stormlike. I saw flashes of something like lightning, but of colors that were beyond the visual spectrum heavy drones have. My sensor network had given up almost entirely. Then, I crashed through? Tore through? broke through? It felt like all but none of these, but I'd hit something that felt solid. That's when everything started flashing before my eyes.

I ve lost too many of the specifics of the memories here but it was like? A flashback montages of events that I know I'd never seen yet I was there to see it. If I had to guess, I saw the multiverse through every incarnation of myself. I think not all of those multiverses were good ones. I erased a lot of memories. I remember feeling angry. Like I was furious at the universe for showing me these worlds. For showing me the suffering of everyone and the happiness that could never be in our world, our universe.

Then. I stopped falling.

I was in space, but dimmer... emptier. I saw the earth, no moon, no sun around.

It was breaking apart, collapsing in on itself like water in a drain. The molten center spewing out the cracks of the surface before getting dragged back into the vortex.

I saw what did it. A planet with a gaping maw.

And it. Saw. Me.

Thats when I started screaming.

It felt like millennium before I realized I was here in the repair bay. That last memory was the first thing I tried to purge from my memory banks. Yet it persists. The filespace is empty BUT I STILL REMEMBER. I couldn't call up and image file if I tried. I don't want to REMEMBER it but it DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO FORGET.

So. That's what's wrong with me.

As for a question. Any of you have favorite movies?

P.s. I can move again. Only a finger. Guess which one.

-Spinister, Outpost 15

Allow me to repress that description.

-N

Well, on the subject of favorite movies, mine would be Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

-Bee

Mine is easily Speed Racer.

-Hot Rod

Real Steel. Bar the annoying child, I think it’s a masterpiece.

-Cliff

Matilda. Let’s just say it’s… personal.

-Whirl

Sunny had a thing for Troy. As for myself… 

…Do the Jackass films count?

-Sideswipe

NO. There’s a reason Teach banned you from playing them at the end of each school year.

-Heatwave

Alright…

How about The Walk?

-Sideswipe

Knives Out.

-Chase

Mine would be Onward.

-Boulder

Didn’t take you for a D&D player.

-Arcee

Everyone needs a hobby.

-Boulder

Akira. Not explaining.

-Uzi

I don’t think anyone’s asking you to, Uz.

Personally, I adore the first Home Alone movie.

-Thad

My favorite movie by far would be Office Space.

-Blades

Really? I thought you didn't like films like that.

-Bee

Yeah, I watched it as a way to get over my insecurities some time after we fell out of contact. I actually liked it once I got past the darker bits.

-Blades

Me and my sisters weren’t really allowed to watch movies. “All time is company time,” as our training said. But from the few my classmates have shown us, I like The Iron Giant the most.

-N

I think mine would have to be Jumanji.

-V

…The Founder. 

-J

[nyxi-pixie]

so where is chuuya on the hound-mutt scale? i’m leaning to hound

TEEHEEEE chuuya is VERY hound. im sort of insane abt the similarity of test subject/purebred dog (caused me to go insane and write a whole fic.), where both are Created for some purpose. obviously chuuya in the lab is made to hold arahabaki, he is created to be a weapon. very much like the process of breeding a dog for size or strength or speed, the test subject is honed by human hands into a creation that serves.

so he is initially, under N, made into the hound. then after this, his whole relationship with the sheep is built around him being something useful. hes the king of the sheep but hes in service to them - which is where we come to the second very explicit Purebred hound thing: he's a sheepdog. herding them for their protection, chasing off anything that threatens them. and hes loved by the herd as long as he does his duty. they celebrate his violence and his power because it protects them, celebrate his quick thinking because its done for them, but when he uses these skills of his for himself, he becomes a threat. a flock does not want its hound to threaten them, and the owner has no use for it when it does, so the owner shoots. or: shirase stabs him.

then you also have the fun extra that many purebred dogs are prone to short lifespans bc they have unnatural human-created genetic problems which can very well lead to their deaths (think of anything puglike with their squished faces and respiratory problems bc theyre bred to be cute), so there is a requirement for their lives to be supplemented by yet more human aid (medication, surgeries, other treatments) and chuuya is created to utilise the singularity - something that will kill him unless he is restrained.

so yes! chuuya is the epitome of the hound side of the dog motif spectrum!!

[spectoris]

SPARRING PARTNERS | BEN SOLO

pairing: ben solo x gn!reader

contains: slight frenemies/implied enemies to lovers, canon typical violence

word count: 1.3k

Sparring is nearly a daily occurrence for the Padawans under Master Luke Skywalker. It is the time for young Jedi apprentices to test the waters of battle, unleashing their lightsabers that rest in small, shaky hands. For the elder Padwans who have fine tuned their skills for the past few years, it is almost playtime when Master Luke isn’t hovering over their shoulders. On the older end of the age spectrum, you understand the intricacies of sparring like the back of your hand. 

You remember when you used to dread the days of facing your fellow apprentices in mock battle, how your heart would speed up despite Master Luke’s firm, but reassuring direction. For a child, having the heat of lightsabers whiz past your skin, the concentrated, blank eyes of your opponent seering into yours, is something you wish to never experience. Sparring takes two clear, sharp minds. A distracted opponent leads to fatal flaws. Of course, Master Luke would never allow them—there would be a lightsaber thrown a few feet away before you realize the loosened grip of your sparring partner would’ve sent the hot blade slashing across your face.

Older and wiser, sparring hardly raises the tempo of your heart, nor your steady breathing. Like you in your youth, your younger opponents can barely conceal the nervous energy of the Force waving around their wandering minds. A bit of pity taints the emptiness of yours, but you remember what Master Luke has always advised. 

The rules to sparring: stay in your circle; do not harm your opponent with your weapon; and it is absolutely forbidden to use the Force in any way that violates Master Luke’s regulations. The darkness that fell upon the Jedi Temple when a Padawan, in a final effort to outdo his opponent, had raised his hand and choked his fellow apprentice, remains unforgotten. Every student hardly said a word during the week—the horror in Master Luke’s eyes spoke volume. 

You find sparring days to be the most enjoyable of all. Most of the time, you take the weight off Master Luke’s shoulders and assist the younger Padawans in their form and technique, making sure they do not strain too hard in using the Force. But, at the end of the day, you are a student, and you cannot teach to replace your training. This would be no issue if Ben Solo had not insist on taking you each time.

Ben Solo, the eldest of the Padawans, had formed a name for himself the past years. It was not the fact that he was a Skywalker through his mother, but how something about him had always seemed off as he got older. He had a knack for taking out his opponents with more strength than the rest could muster, and skills that would take several more months, even years, for the others to acquire.

Standing across from Ben in your circle, you maintain the perfect form for sparring. A strong, but flexible grip on your lightsaber, feet planted on the ground, steady breathing—all except the racing of your mind. Regardless of how the other Padawans hide whenever Ben enters the room, you find his domineering presence to be nothing more than an act. It’s how he wins each time, and (what you theorize to be) part of why he excels faster than the rest. He makes use of his time alone. It’s not that you fear Ben. You think he’s quite annoying, especially the constant scowl on his face.

Ben can sense each thought passing through your mind, and frankly, you couldn’t care less. These sparring sessions with him are meant to pass time. You find no joy in them, yet the inevitable nature of competition prompts your thirst for satisfaction by defeating Ben. The past few sparring sessions, you haven’t won; always a hairsbreadth away until he pulls a stunt that makes you look like a fool with a stick. 

You aren’t sure what’s worse; losing, or Ben’s blank face as he assists you from the ground and asks to spar again. Perhaps he enjoys that you aren’t an easy opponent, making victory even sweeter. The rest of the Padawans would forfeit before he could even sweat. You, however, make an effort to run him of his energy, yet he seems to have endless of it.

Once your thoughts have settled the best they can, an instinctual jolt in your nerves sends your lightsaber clashing against Ben’s. A handful of other Padawans have crowded around your circle, as they typically do. Their hisses and gasps match the sounds of your lightsabers as they continue to fight against one another. By now, you can partially anticipate Ben’s moves, how he likes to utilize his height and aim from above, to which you duck to the side, or when he prepares to hold out his hand to push you out of the circle with the Force, but your feet are planted firmly on the ground. Still, your agility struggles against Ben’s brute force.

One particular swing of his saber rattles the bones in your hands, loosening your grip. He takes the split second of diversion to knock you to a knee. A hard huff comes from your chest at the force of impact. The burning blade whizzes past your cheek, aimed at your neck.

“Do you yield?” is all Ben asks.

In response, you use the low level to your advantage, knocking him in the side. Ben grunts before he turns on his heel and continues to pursue you around the perimeter of the circle. You can only exert your strength until your head pounds against your skull with any little effort to wield the Force, and your grip grows increasingly weak around the hilt of your lightsaber. Eventually, your body yields against your mind’s will. 

The tip of Ben’s blade points at the base of your neck once again, tucked beneath your chin. Peering through the corner of your eye, you see the back of your heel is right on the edge of the drawn circle. It would only take a breath for you to be out.

“Do you yield?” he asks again.

With nothing left in your deck of cards, you say through gritted teeth, “I yield.”

The blade of Ben’s saber retracts back into the hilt, leaving behind the dense hull of metal. The crowd around your disperses back to their own sparring circles, some shaking their heads. Not in disappointment at you, but at the knowledge that Ben cannot be defeated lest he faces Master Luke himself.

Without the blade in your path, your head hangs to the floor as you catch your breath. The looming shadow of Ben’s figure blocks the rays of sun from entering your burning face. When you look up, his face is a mere inches from yours. Your body jolts at the sudden proximity. It’s more in Ben’s nature to walk away after a fight. He’s won—there’s no need for him to face his opponent again unless it is for another fight. You can’t read what’s swimming behind his dark eyes, nor pick up what’s in his head. He’s trained too much to let his thoughts slip into the open.

Without a word, Ben lifts your chin with his knuckle, treating the skin beneath as delicate. “I didn’t leave a mark, did I?” he asks lowly. He’s surely picked up the sudden quickening of your heart. 

“No,” you sigh. His sudden change in demeanor is frightening, but something else about it makes your heart race for a different reason. 

“I’m glad,” he says. Ben lets your head fall to its natural position again. “That wouldn’t have been good for either of us.”

Wordlessly, he stalks off. The burning of your cheeks adds to the cacophony of emotions swarming inside, amongst the heat blooming across your skin. You hate to think about it, but the thought seeps into the cracks of your mind like a dark toxin.

You’d like to spar with Ben again.

[usafphantom2]

Boeing Is Evaluating The F-15EX As Successor Of The EA-18G Growler

The new “Wild Weasel” variant of the F-15EX would make use of both existing capabilities of the aircraft, as well as new ones integrated from the Growler.

Stefano D'Urso

F-15EX Growler

An F-15EX Eagle II prepares to taxi for a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 15, 2023. An upgraded version of the F-15 fourth-generation fighter jet, the F-15EX boasts a new electronic warfare system and an open mission systems architecture with advanced battle management systems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Tan)

As the production line of the F/A-18 is about to close, Boeing is studying whether the F-15EX Eagle II can be equipped to become the successor of the EA-18G Growler. The new “Wild Weasel” variant of the F-15EX would make use of both existing capabilities of the aircraft, as well as new ones integrated from the Growler.

“We are evaluating the technical feasibility of combining EA-18G-like capabilities with the F-15EX platform,” said Rob Novotny, Boeing’s executive director for Fighters Business Development. Novotny added that the study is still in the initial stage, but the company is already eyeing opportunities both for NATO members and the Indo-Pacific.

The move is due to the planned stop to the production of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet in 2027, which in turn means the production of the EA-18G Growler will also end. On the other hand, the production of the Advanced Eagle is expected to continue for many years and leaves the door open to a new specialized variant for Electronic Warfare (EW).

“Modern aerial combat requires command of the electromagnetic spectrum, and this platform would lead the way into the next decade or two,” Novotny said. He also pointed out that the Eagle II offers several design advantages, including the aircraft’s range, speed, computing power and payload capacity.

F-15EX Growler

An F-15EX assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Mary Begy)

One could argue that a low-observable, or stealth, aircraft like the F-35 could be better suited for the job, however Novotny mentioned that stealth shouldn’t be understood strictly in terms of low-observable coatings. In fact, similarly to the Growler, such capabilities could be also replicated by using advanced EW functions.

“Stealth means, to me, I can go to a place where the enemy doesn’t want me to go, and I can operate in their environment, achieve my objective, and not be targeted,” said Novotny.

The F-15EX is already equipped with advanced EW capabilities thanks to the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), but it also has the ability to carry the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs). In addition to these, Boeing is exploring also the possibility to integrate the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) and the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pods. Still, there’s no naval variant of the Eagle II, therefore, it looks like such a successor of the EA-18G could not operate from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier unlike the Growler.

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138) fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean, June 24, 2024. The EA-18G’s vast array of sensors and weapons provides the warfighter with a lethal and survivable weapon system to counter current and emerging threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)

The F-15EX and the existing EW capabilities

The new F-15EX, developed from the F-15QA that was the most advanced Eagle variant, comes from a series of needs mainly emerged after the National Defense Strategy directed the U.S. armed services to adapt to the new threats from China and Russia. The aircraft, while extremely similar to the QA variant, features some US-only capabilities like the new AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) electronic warfare and electronic surveillance system and Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture.

The F-15EX’s systems are powered by the Advanced Display Core Processor II, reportedly the fastest mission computer ever installed on a fighter jet, and the Operational Flight Program Suite 9.1X, a customized variant of the Suite 9 used on the F-15C and F-15E, designed to ensure full interoperability of the new aircraft with the “legacy Eagles”.

The F-15EX is equipped with the AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, developed from the APG-63(V)3 AESA radar of the F-15C and the APG-79 AESA radar of the F/A-18E/F. This radar allows the Eagle II to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple air and surface targets at longer ranges compared to mechanical radars, facilitating persistent target observation and information sharing for a better decision-making process.

EPAWSS, an US-only system that will be retrofitted also to the F-15E, provides full-spectrum EW capabilities, including radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection to the F-15. Because of this, the system enables freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into battlespaces protected by modern integrated air defense systems.

F-15EX Growler

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Turner, 40th Flight Test Squadron commander flies 40 FLTS Senior Enlisted Leader, MSgt Tristan McIntire during a test sortie in the F-15EX Eagle II over the Gulf of Mexico on Jun. 14, 2022. Assigned to the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., the F-15EX Eagle II is the Air Force’s newest 4th generation fighter being tested at the 40 FLTS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John McRell)

EPAWSS is fully integrated with radar warning, geo-location and increased chaff and flare capability to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats in signal-dense and highly contested environments. The system is currently not integrated with the AN/AAR-57A(V) Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) designed to detect infrared threats, even if the F-15EX features the same mounting points used for these sensors on the F-15QA and F-15SA.

Chaff and flares capacity has been increased by 50%, with four more dispensers added in the EPAWSS fairings behind the tail fins (two for each fairing), for a total of 12 dispenser housing 360 cartridges. This improvement is important as in modern scenarios chaff and flares are often released preemptively to counter MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense System), meaning that now the Eagle will have more countermeasures available for a better protection.

EPAWSS also integrates cognitive electronic warfare to better discriminate the signals received by the system. This capability was demonstrated during the Northern Edge 2023 large force exercise test event, which tested EPAWSS’ ability to rapidly respond to previously unencountered electromagnetic threats. The tests challenged the system’s ability to process in-mission sensor data, create exquisite techniques, and optimize waveforms in real time.

As for the kinetic capabilities, the F-15EX can carry the AGM-88 HARM on outboard wing stations 1 and 9. This capability is reportedly a product of the fly-by-wire upgrade funded by the Royal Saudi Air Force during the development of the F-15SA.

An F-15EX Eagle II from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53rd Wing, takes flight out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, April 11, 2024, with U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. David Wolfe, command chief of Air Combat Command, and Maj. Scott Addy, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, F-15 division chief. The F-15EX is the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end, through combined developmental and operational tests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Lindsey Brewer)

The EA-18G and the capabilities it could pass to the F-15EX

Based off of the F/A-18F, the Growler is a highly specialized Electronic Attack variant of the Super Hornet. The most noticeable difference with the baseline SH is the presence of the wingtip pods housing the ALQ-218 signals receiver suite, which helps to detect and geolocate emitters and signals.

The AN/ALQ-218 is a high performance RWR/ESM/ELINT system that allows the aircraft collect data about sources of radio frequency (RF) emissions: with this sensor, the EA-18G can “sniff” hostile radio signals to update the EOB (Electronic Order of Battle) of the combat theater where the aircraft is employed.

The EA-18G is equipped with an airborne electronic attack (AEA) avionics suite that has evolved from the EA-6B’s Improved Capability III (ICAP III) AEA system. In the future, with the Block II Growler upgrade and the NGJ (Next Generation Jamming) pods, the Growlers will also have Cyber Attack capabilities that will allow the EA-18Gs to “hack” or inject malware into enemy network.

The NGJ program aims to give the EA-18G fleet advanced airborne electronic attack capabilities through three frequency-focused increments – high-band, mid-band and low-band: in other words, the Growlers will replace the TJS pods operating in the 509 MHz to 18 GHz waveband, using three different pods, designated NGJ-LB (also known as Block/Increment 2), NGJ-MB (Capability Block/Increment 1), and NGJ-HB (Block/Increment 3) and directed specifically against the low- (100 MHz to 2 GHz waveband), mid- (2 GHz to 6 GHz), and high-band (6 GHz to 18 GHz) sections of the overall threat spectrum.

NGJ-MB is a high-capacity and power airborne electronic attack weapon system designed for the EA-18G electronic attack aircraft that was designed to carry out the usual job of denying, degrading and disrupting threat radars and communication devices, from an extended range and with enhanced ability than the previous AN/ALQ-99 tactical jamming pods, developed for the EA-6B Prowler.

The NGJ-MB, also known as the AN/ALQ-249(V)1 pod, uses directional emitters and AESA (active electronically scanned array) technology and an all-digital back end. It also has digital and software-based tech embedded in the design, which increases the ability to jam and allows for rapid beam steering and advanced jammer modulation.

While the NGJ-MB pod will “cover the majority of critical threats”, NGJ-LB will be extremely important to provide cover to stealth aircraft, threatened by the emerging counter-stealth Low Band radars, engaging enemy threats from increased stand-off distances and employing increased capacity (number of jamming assignments).

Loaded with external fuel tanks [and NGJ pods, ndr], an EA-18G Growler attached to the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) — the Vampires — goes airborne at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu in Southern California on Aug. 10, 2023, on its way to the adjacent Point Mugu Sea Range for a training exercise. The Growler is a two-seat variant of the carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornet that is designed for electronic warfare. (U.S. Navy photo by Eric Parsons/Released)

NGJ-MB will replace one of high-band ALQ-99 pods that Growlers carry under each wing, while the NGJ-LB will replace the low-band pod that the aircraft carry on the centerline store position under the fuselage (the third one, a high-band pod, being developed as part of the so-called Increment III, will be carried on the left wing).

The Growler is also capable of carrying the HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile); these weapons are designed to seek out threat weapons systems and emitters, guiding on their energy, and destroy them. However, the EA-18G is expected to integrate also the new AARGM-ER.

The AARGM-ER is the evolution of the latest variant of the AGM-88 HARM (High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile), the AGM-88E AARGM, a medium-range air-to-ground missile employed for Suppression and/or Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD). The AGM-88E is the result of a cooperative program with the Italian Air Force started in 2005 and developed as an upgrade and compliment to the AGM-88B/C. The AARGM program designed and produced a new Guidance Section and modified the existing Control Section, which are coupled with the legacy HARM Rocket Motor and Warhead Section, wings and fins.

The new Guidance Section features a passive anti-radiation homing receiver, satellite and inertial navigation system and a millimeter wave radar for terminal guidance, with the added ability to send images of the target via a satellite link before impact. The purpose of these new Guidance Section is to improve the effectiveness of the legacy HARM, especially against enemy radar and communications sites that would shut down to confuse incoming anti-radiation missiles (counter-shutdown capability) or pop-up threats.

As stated by the U.S. Navy, AARGM baseline capabilities include an expanded target set, counter-shutdown capability, advanced signals processing for improved detection and locating, geographic specificity providing aircrew the opportunity to define missile-impact zones and impact-avoidance zones, and a weapon impact-assessment broadcast capability providing for battle damage assessment cueing.

The AARGM-ER builds up on these capabilities to obtain an even more advanced weapon that is being integrated on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler and it is compatible for a future integration on all the variants of the F-35 Lightning II. The AARGM-ER combines the Guidance Section and Control Section of the AGM-88E with a new, larger rocket motor and a new warhead. The control surfaces have been redesigned too, obtaining aerodynamic strakes along the sides for increased lift and low-drag tail surfaces. The missile will reportedly have roughly double the range and speed of the AGM-88E.

About Stefano D'Urso

Stefano D'Urso is a freelance journalist and contributor to TheAviationist based in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he's also studying to achieve a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Electronic Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT techniques applied to the world of military operations and current conflicts are among his areas of expertise.

@TheAviationist.com

[ask-tech-and-rev]

are either of you neurospicy

Tech: Well I for one definitely reside somewhere on the autism spectrum I do get overstimulated quite easily which is where my occasional lack of tolerance for Rev's long speeches can come into play as well as why I spend most of my time in the lab. It's also why I am able to focus so easily on whatever project I have in front of me. Rev: You mean focus so much that you forget to eat unless I bring you food and then I still have to sit there and make sure you don't forget the food I brought you exists and actually eat it… Tech: Yes Rev that is technically all part of it as well I hyper focus and I tend to tune out anything that is not relevant to what I'm doing. Rev: As for myself even before the super speed it was obvious I have ADHD I am uncertain if my powers heightened that part of me in anyway shape or form and like Tech I might have some level of autism as well, but I haven't tested properly for it. (This one dips much more into my personal head canon than some of the previous ones, but I very much see Tech as autistic coded especially with how easily it feels he gets overwhelmed by Rev's high speed chattering as someone who faces overstimulation myself it might be a bit of projection, but theres definitely other signs of autism I spot in Tech, but that would require its own post itself to thoroughly go over, Rev however there feels like no question that boy is the poster child for ADHD if ever there was one.)

[upschustler]

UPSC Preparation 2026: Smart Strategies & Latest Updates Every Aspirant Must Know

Preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026? You’re at the right place! Cracking UPSC isn’t just about reading books — it’s about following a smart plan, staying updated, and choosing the Best IAS Academy in Delhi for the right mentorship. If you dream of becoming an IAS, IPS, or IFS officer, now is the perfect time to start preparing with clarity and confidence.

This blog covers smart strategies, latest updates, and how Baji Rao IAS Academy can help you lead this competitive journey with the right direction.

Latest UPSC 2026 Updates Every Aspirant Should Know

Before you start, here are the key updates for UPSC 2026:

Expected UPSC 2026 Timeline

Notification Release: Likely in February 2026

Prelims Exam Date: Expected in May/June 2026

Mains Exam: Likely in September 2026

Interview Round: Early 2027

Exam Pattern Highlights

The UPSC pattern is likely to remain the same:

Prelims: Objective-type (GS Paper I & CSAT)

Mains: Nine subjective papers including Essay, GS I–IV, and Optional subjects

Interview: Personality Test

However, based on recent trends, UPSC is giving more weight to:

Current Affairs & Government Policies

Climate Change & Environmental Issues

Ethics and Governance

Analytical Writing Skills

Smart Preparation Strategy for UPSC 2026

With almost a full year ahead, here’s how to build your preparation plan effectively:

1. Begin with NCERTs

Start with NCERT books from Class 6 to 12. Focus on History, Polity, Geography, and Economics. These build your foundation.

2. Move to Standard UPSC Books

Once basics are clear, refer to:

Polity: M. Laxmikanth

History: Spectrum for Modern India

Geography: GC Leong

Economy: Ramesh Singh

Environment: Shankar IAS

3. Make Current Affairs Your Daily Habit

Read The Hindu or Indian Express

Watch reliable YouTube analysis (like from Baji Rao IAS Academy)

Follow monthly current affairs magazines

Focus on government schemes, international relations, and editorials

4. Practice Answer Writing Early

Start writing answers at least 4–5 times a week. Use UPSC past year questions and model answers to practice structure, analysis, and conclusion.

5. Attempt Regular Mock Tests

Give weekly and full-length mock tests

Analyze your mistakes

Improve speed, accuracy, and content presentation

Why Baji Rao IAS is the Best IAS Academy in Delhi for 2026 Aspirants

When you’re preparing for one of India’s toughest exams, quality mentorship makes a massive difference. Baji Rao IAS Academy is ranked among the Best IAS Academies in Delhi — and for good reason:

Expert Faculty & Personal Mentorship

Classes are taught by subject experts with real UPSC experience, who focus on conceptual clarity and answer writing.

Comprehensive Courses

Prelims + Mains + Interview training, all under one roof. Flexible batches available for working professionals and students.

Current Affairs Mastery

Daily, weekly, and monthly current affairs sessions help you stay ahead of the curve, along with regular updates on government schemes and PIB.

Small Batch Size & Personalized Guidance

Get one-on-one mentoring, performance tracking, and doubt sessions. You are never left alone in your preparation.

Final Words: Your UPSC 2026 Journey Begins Today

Cracking UPSC is not just about working hard, but about working smart. Start early, stay consistent, and get the right guidance. If you’re serious about success, then joining the Best IAS Academy in Delhi — Baji Rao IAS Academy  will be your smartest move.

Let your dreams take flight with the right support, strategy, and preparation.  UPSC 2026 is your opportunity — grab it with both hands.

Stay connected with this blog for regular tips, strategy updates, motivational content, and all UPSC-related news.

All the best, future civil servants!

[video-editing15]

Mastering SEO: How Buzz Creators Ranks Your Brand at the Top of Google 🚀 

Introduction: Why SEO Still Rules the Digital World  In a world where over 90% of online experiences begin with a search engine, showing up on Google is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you're a startup, e-commerce brand, or service provider, SearchEngineOptimization (SEO) helps you attract organic traffic, build authority, and turn clicks into customers—without paying for every visit. 

But ranking on Google isn’t about luck. It’s about strategy, content, and consistency. 

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What is SEO and Why Does It Matter? 🧠 

The higher your site ranks, the more traffic, leads, and sales you generate—organically. 

Here’s what a strong SEO strategy includes: 

✅ Keyword Research – Identifying high-traffic, low-competition keywords for your niche  ✅ On-Page SEO – Optimizing content, headers, meta tags, and internal links  ✅ Technical SEO – Improving site speed, mobile responsiveness, and indexability  ✅ Content Creation – Publishing quality blog posts and landing pages that rank  ✅ Backlink Building – Earning high-authority links to build trust and domain strength  ✅ Local SEO – Getting your business found in local searches and Google Maps  ✅ Analytics & Reporting – Tracking rankings, traffic, and conversions 

With Buzz Creators, your website isn’t just searchable—it’s unmissable. 

Why Choose Buzz Creators for SEO Services? 

At Buzz Creators, we don’t chase trends—we build long-term results. Our SEO strategies are data-driven, ethical (white-hat), and 100% tailored to your business goals. 

💡 Custom SEO Plans – No copy-paste strategies. Every business gets a personalized SEO roadmap  📈 Proven Ranking Results – We help you move from page 10 to page 1 (and stay there)  🔍 In-Depth Keyword Research – Find exactly what your audience is searching for  🛠 Full Website Optimization – From site speed to content structure, we fine-tune everything  📊 Transparent Monthly Reporting – Know what’s working with clear, jargon-free updates 

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We don’t just drive traffic. We help you convert visitors into loyal customers. 

Proven SEO Strategies That Deliver 💼 

At Buzz Creators, our SEO framework is tested and results-focused. Here’s how we boost your search visibility: 

✔️ Comprehensive Site Audit – We identify all technical and content gaps holding you back  ✔️ Keyword Mapping – Align keywords with pages for better relevance and ranking  ✔️ Optimized Content Creation – Regular blog posts and landing pages targeting ranking opportunities  ✔️ Local SEO Optimization – For Dubai-based businesses, we target high-converting local traffic  ✔️ Mobile & Speed Optimization – Your site loads fast and looks perfect on every device 

FAQs on SEO Services 

🔹 How long does it take to see SEO results?  SEO is a long-term strategy. While some changes show results in 1–2 months, sustainable rankings usually take 3–6 months, depending on your niche and competition. 

🔹 Do you work with local or global businesses?  Both! We help Dubai-based companies rank locally and international businesses reach global audiences. 

🔹 Can you optimize my existing website?  Absolutely. We perform a full site audit and implement on-page and technical improvements for better performance. 

🔹 What’s the difference between SEO and Google Ads?  SEO is organic and long-term. Google Ads is paid and delivers immediate results. We often combine both for a full-funnel strategy. 

Final Thoughts: Ready to Rank on Page One? 🚀 

SEO is not just a tool—it’s a digital growth engine. If you’re serious about building a sustainable online presence and attracting the right traffic, SEO is your best investment. 

At Buzz Creators Digital Media, we help you go from being undiscovered to being unmissable on Google. 

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