#ThinkTank

[pink-struct]

[Dr. 8 Valentine's Day Card]

Happy early Valentine's Day! Featuring Dr. 8!!

This card is recommended be enjoyed with the song included.

Note: I used the projector slide effect from the FNV: OWB opening sequence on the border.

[mangor]

… the Neuronal-esophageal synapsis …

[mubashir2]

What distinguishes PIIA’s approach to international affairs from government-affiliated research institutions?

The Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) stands out from government-affiliated research institutions by maintaining independence in its analysis and policy recommendations. Unlike state-backed think tanks, PIIA operates autonomously, allowing for unbiased, critical perspectives on global and regional issues. It fosters academic freedom, encourages diverse viewpoints, and engages with scholars, diplomats, and policymakers to promote informed debate.

Learn more: PIIA

[orthotv]

🔆 ONLY 12 DAYS LEFT! Pune Trauma Operative Course 2025

🔆 THE BIGGEST OPERATIVE TRAUMA COURSE IS HERE!!

🗓️ Date: 21, 22, 23 March 2025 📍 Venue: JW Marriott, Pune

➡️ Click here to Register: https://tinyurl.com/OrthoTV-PTOC2025

↔️ HIGHLIGHTS • 🩺 20 Live Surgeries • 📚 Insights from JBJS/OrthoEvidence • 🏫 10 Surgical Schools • 🖊️ 10 Interactive Master Classes • 🗣️ 12 ICL & KEYNOTE TALKS • 🗣️ 8 TraumaX talks • 🛠️ 6 Halls of Hands-on Workshops • 🔥 6 Fireside Chats • ⚙️ 12 Compli-Con Sessions • 🎓 3 Beginners Guide Sessions • 🔊 3 Symposium • 💪🏻 2 PTOC Fight Club Sessions • 🦈PTOC Shark Tank • 💉 Implantology Classes • 💡 Think Tank Sessions • 🌏 70 National & International Faculty and much more!

🔆 Organizing Team

🔅 MENTOR 👨‍⚕ Dr. K H Sancheti

🔅 Organising Chairman: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Parag Sancheti

🔅 Course Chairman: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Mohit Bhandari

👨‍⚕ Co-Chairmen: 🔹 Dr. Chetan Pradhan 🔹 Dr. Atul Patil 🔹 Dr. Chetan Puram 🔹 Dr. Warid Altaf 🔹 Dr. Sachin Tapasvi 🔹 Dr. Kaustubh Shende

🔅 Scientific Chairman: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Sandeep Patwardhan

🔅 Joint Secretary: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Neeraj Bijlani

🔅 Organising Secretary: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Ashok Shyam

🅾️ Organised by: AASI & Sancheti Institute 🤝 Media Partner: OrthoTV

[ptitolier]

Europe at a Crossroads: Between Dependence and Strategic Independence

Europe has spent decades relying on soft power, diplomacy, and transatlantic alliances to ensure peace and stability. But today, that balance is cracking.

The recent meeting between Macron and Trump at the White House was more than just a political encounter—it was a wake-up call.

- Trump’s rhetoric on NATO shows that US support is not guaranteed.

- The war in Ukraine has exposed Europe’s military vulnerability.

- Strategic autonomy remains an unfulfilled promise, not a reality.

For decades, Europe played the role of mediator, positioning itself between global superpowers. But can it continue to do so without real strategic influence?

The EU now faces an impossible choice:

- Continue as a diplomatic power, risking irrelevance.

- Invest in a stronger military, without becoming a secondhand replica of the US or Russia.

- OR find a new, third way—a vision where power is built through resilience, stability, and influence, rather than domination.

The problem? Right now, Europe lacks:

- A unified military strategy beyond NATO.

- A coherent foreign policy without internal divisions.

- The economic leverage to compete with the US or China.

So, what’s the path forward? Can the EU shape its own destiny, or is it doomed to remain a strategic satellite?

In my latest analysis, I explore these questions in depth. Read the full breakdown here:

"Want more in-depth analysis on Europe's strategic challenges? Follow my latest articles on Medium, where I break down current events with a sharp, critical perspective. Join the conversation and explore what the future holds for Europe’s global influence."

Macron challenges Trump on NATO: What does it mean for Europe?

During their latest meeting, Trump exaggerated, Macron corrected him. But behind this diplomatic exchange lies a deeper issue: Europe’s fragile strategic autonomy.

Maria Stenroos’s article on Yle ("Macron keskeytti ja korjasi Trumpia, joka liioitteli tahallaan", Feb 25, 2025) highlights Europe’s struggle to maintain influence between a volatile US and an aggressive Russia.

Can the EU shape its own future, or will it remain a strategic satellite?

[aliciawestch]

Made a new friend today!! She said her name was Giffany, but I can call her Giffy! She's soooo sweet and cool!! She was showing me the best place to sneak away to smoke LOL. need to get back to work though. Something's up with the Tanks again!

[scottdavenportphoto]

Mirrorless Mover Camera Backpack by ThinkTank

If you are thinking of adding the Mirrorless Mover Backpack to your kit or other ThinkTank or MindShift products, please consider using my affiliate links. Referral purchases help support independent photography gear reviews like this.

I have been working with a ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover backpack for the past couple of months. This versatile camera backpack definitely has a space in my camera bag lineup… and they are finally shipping! In this article, let’s take a deeper look at this backpack.

Why Use The ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover Backpack

Photographers have several camera bags because each one serves a particular purpose. I’ve been using the Mirrorless Mover Backpack for a couple of months and it’s certainly got a space in my photo bag lineup. The Mirrorless Mover Backpack is lightweight, comfortable, and secure making it a great choice for serious photo activities where you need several lenses with you. I’ve been reaching for this backpack when I am in an urban environment or embarking on a lighter outdoor activity. I need a few lenses and a couple of bodies to capture the images I need… but my larger packs are simply overkill or don’t suit the environment I’m in.

The ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover Backpack is also a great travel companion. You can pack a healthy amount of your photo gear plus a laptop or tablet and the pack fits comfortably under an airplane seat and easily in an overhead bin. I used the backpack on a cross-country flight and it was a perfect balance between having the gear I needed and being economical with space and stowage.

Overall Thoughts

I found the ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover Backpack comfortable to wear. It has a well-padded anatomical back panel and padded shoulder straps, which offer plenty of adjustability to suit how you like to have a pack drape on your shoulders. The backpack travels extremely well. It easily fits under the seat on airplanes.

I also found working with the bag easy. The inner chamber has a lot of configurability. I’ve used this backpack on several different outings and changed up the compartments to suit the gear I needed to take. The lighter gray interior also makes it easy to find items, as most camera and photography equipment is black. Accessing the outer pocket for a laptop or tablet is fluid as well. I like that the pocket zippers only go down partially, so there is no risk of items spilling out.

The build quality and construction of the Mirrorless Mover Backpack is top notch. That’s no surprise to me. I expect that from ThinkTank and MindShift products and this backpack met my expectations. The included rain cover is a very nice touch. The backpack is made with weather resistant material, yet having another layer of protection at-the-ready if the weather turns is always appreciated.

Ample Storage And Organization

The Mirrorless Mover Backpack has two stowage areas, the main compartment and the front pocket. The key specifications are:

Exterior Dimensions: 11” W x 16.5” H x 9” D (28 x 42 x 23 cm)

Internal Dimensions: 10” W x 15.5” H x 4.75” D (25 x 39 x 12 cm)

Total Volume: 18 Liters

Front Pocket Volume: 5 Liters

Weight: 2 lbs. 13 oz (1.3 kg) including all dividers and rain cover

Check ThinkTank’s website for the detailed specs.

The main compartment is extremely configurable. I’ve used this pack on several different outings, from short city walks to light outdoor activities to cross-country trips. The main compartment is easily reconfigurable to carry the gear I needed for each trip… and I usually had room leftover. In the photo here, I have:

1 full-frame body w/ 24-70mm + hood attached

1 crop-sensor body (no lens mounted)

1 16-35mm lens

1 20mm lens

DJI Pocket Osmo, Rode mics, spare batteries, battery chargers, cables, and power adapters

A few examples of what fits in the main compartment from the ThinkTank website:

1 Standard Mirrorless Body, 4 to 6 lenses, small accessory bags

1 Standard Mirrorless Body and zoom trifecta with 70-200mm f/2.8 attached with hood extended

1 Standard Mirrorless Body, 2 lenses; flash, light jacket

The front pocket is more than just a front pocket. The 5 liter pocket can hold a light jacket or other personal items. It also has a dedicated padded laptop/tablet sleeve that accommodates most 14” devices. The pocket also has a small zipper pouch for items like batteries and memory cards. The mesh cover makes it easy to see what’s in the zipper pouch.

The backpack also has two expandable side for items like water bottles or a tripod. The backpack does not have straps or a tripod foot “flap” to center-lash a tripod to the back of the bag. Your tripod will be side-mounted.

Build Quality, Comfort and Ergonomics

As with all gear from ThinkTank, the Mirrorless Mover Backpack has solid construction. The backpack has a durable water-repellant coating, 3-ply bonded nylon stitching, and sturdy YKK RC zippers. The interior dividers strike the right balance, being sturdy yet flexible, and soft so they don’t scratch your gear.

The shoulder straps are well-padded and have an adjustable sternum strap. The anatomically designed back panel sits well on your back, has a waist stabilizer strap, and a lumbar pass-through for the ThinkTank Pro Speed Belt (not included with the backpack). The weight-centered top handle is strong and well padded for comfort. The chest and waist straps distribute the weight evenly, reducing fatigue.

Stylish Design

The Mirrorless Mover Backpack is highly functional, and it also looks fantastic! It’s got a sleek design, handsome but not overly flashy. The backpack comes in four accent colors, Cool Grey, Coast Green, Marine Blue, and Campfire Orange. The color schemes make it suitable for professional settings as well as casual outings. It's a bag you’ll feel good about carrying around… and knowing your gear is well-protected.

Pricing & Availability

The list price for the ThinkTank Mirrorless Mover Backpack is US$149.75 and is available now. Choose from one of the four color schemes offered.

Parting Thoughts

I’m very much enjoying using the Mirrorless Mover Backpack. I’m looking to it as my go-to backpack for some extended travel where my trusty rotation backpack is too bulky and frankly overkill for the types of photography I’ll be doing.

I will highlight this… When you’re packing a mix of heavier and lighter items, stow the heavier items toward the bottom of the bag. Weight distribution is important so the backpack will sit upright when put down, especially with a laptop or tablet in the front pouch. If the bag is top-heavy, it tends to tip over when put down.

[retops]

shave it for later

[broken-emotionalmess]

This is also what being the younger sibling is like

Something interesting about the rare occasions that Sam and Dean actually talk about their childhood or their parents that I've noticed is how it reveals really how little Sam knows about his own family. Like in s1 when they have to return to their childhood home after Sam has a vision he asks Dean how much he remembers of the night their mother died. Dean tells him he carried him out the house and Sam is shocked at this development; clearly this was a day that they haven't talked about at all. Despite that night being the foundation of what drove John and Dean to even start their relentless hunt in the first place, it was always this unsaid thing that Sam never understood to the same level as they did.

Later in the episode Dark Side of the Moon in s5 Sam is put in the position of a passive observer to Dean's memory of a moment with their mother. Even in this good memory Mary has an argument with John over the phone and Sam is suddenly struck with the realisation that their life pre-Mary's death wasn't this ideal picket-fence family dynamic he thought it was. John and Mary's relationship was strained and even before the age of four Dean was 'cleaning up' their father's 'messes' (as Sam calls it). To me its such an interesting concept because no wonder Sam felt like the odd one out in the family (and this is not considering the whole demon blood freak thing). He was constantly in the position of hovering on the cusp of understanding this unsaid past, which is the key to understanding Dean and John themselves. No wonder he wasn't inclined to be a hunter; to him Mary was was an absence of a mother, and yet to John and Dean it was at the very core driving them to relentlessly peruse this lifestyle.

And its frustrating because neither John or Dean seem to ever want to acknowledge of even try to understand this position Sam's in. Dean continues to berate him for 'abandoning his family', when really Sam was being suffocated under a lifestyle that had been forced upon him, forever unable to fully understand the all consuming grief that came from Mary's death like John and Dean did. To me this idea seems to culminate in Dark Side of the Moon, which is also an episode where Dean frustrated me the most. Because of course I understand why Sam's memories of running away from home and going to Stanford being considered as good memories would hurt Dean - family is everything to him. But it really shows how Dean just refuses to even try to understand Sam's perspective in this. These aren't good memories to Sam because he abandoned his family, they're good memories because they are the pockets of moments in his life where he has ever felt any agency over himself. Sam tries to explain himself to Dean but no it's about as good as justifying your actions to a wall and this is something that Dean has held over his head since the pilot. And then he's apparently so angry that he throws away the amulet Sam gave him?? My god, like I wasn't already screaming at my screen.

These complexities to their relationship really wouldn't bother me so much if every time these interpersonal issues were brought up they weren't resolved with Sam having to acknowledge that he was the one in the wrong. Like I get Flagstaff obviously dregs up some real bad memories for Dean of their father but come on, Stanford?? Surely after this many episodes we can understand that Sam was just perusing something he wanted to do for once. What's worse is that all Sam really wanted out of it from his family was for Dean and their father to be proud of him. He compares their situation to 'normal families' saying that most families would be overjoyed that their son got a full ride to Stanford. And that's really at the crux of all he ever wanted from them... Anyway sorry this is deeply unstructured I just have some Thoughts occasionally whilst watching Supernatural for the first time in 2023. Currently on the first chunk of s7 and jesus the whole shit with Amy is the other Dean thing that has made me yell at him in frustration but I won't open that can of worms. I swear I do love Dean and his messed up complexities... I just like Sam more and find him to be a more sympathetic character (which I am beginning to think is an unpopular perspective but what do I know; I've been watching this show for like a month).

[liamphotoatl]

(Liam Photography Podcast)

[sucka99]

[kramlabs]

[royaleway]

Unlocking Success: Why Good Things Take Time - A Lesson in Patience

In the fast-paced digital era, where instant gratification is the norm, the phrase "good things take time" may seem counterintuitive. However, we at Royaleway firmly believe that this timeless wisdom holds the key to unlocking unparalleled success. In this article, we delve into the profound impact of patience on achieving excellence and how embracing this virtue can elevate your personal and professional endeavors.

[orthotv]

🔆 Only Three Weeks to Go! Pune Trauma Operative Course 2025

🔆 THE BIGGEST OPERATIVE TRAUMA COURSE IS HERE!!

Rooms at Venue Hotel Filling Fast Register Soon

🗓️ Date: 21, 22, 23 March 2025 📍 Venue: JW Marriott, Pune

➡️ Click here to Register: https://tinyurl.com/OrthoTV-PTOC2025

↔️ HIGHLIGHTS • 🩺 20 Live Surgeries • 📚 Insights from JBJS/OrthoEvidence • 🏫 10 Surgical Schools • 🖊️ 10 Interactive Master Classes • 🗣️ 12 ICL & KEYNOTE TALKS • 🗣️ 8 TraumaX talks • 🛠️ 6 Halls of Hands-on Workshops • 🔥 6 Fireside Chats • ⚙️ 12 Compli-Con Sessions • 🎓 3 Beginners Guide Sessions • 🔊 3 Symposium • 💪🏻 2 PTOC Fight Club Sessions • 🦈PTOC Shark Tank • 💉 Implantology Classes • 💡 Think Tank Sessions • 🌏 70 National & International Faculty and much more!

🏃🏻‍♂️ Hurry! Limited Seats Only! 🔆 Organizing Team

🔅 Organising Chairman: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Parag Sancheti

🔅 Course Chairman: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Mohit Bhandari

👨‍⚕ Co-Chairmen: 🔹 Dr. Chetan Pradhan 🔹 Dr. Atul Patil 🔹 Dr. Chetan Puram 🔹 Dr. Warid Altaf 🔹 Dr. Sachin Tapasvi 🔹 Dr. Kaustubh Shende

🔅 Scientific Chairman: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Sandeep Patwardhan

🔅 Joint Secretary: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Neeraj Bijlani

🔅 Organising Secretary: 👨‍⚕ Dr. Ashok Shyam

🅾️ Organised by: AASI & Sancheti Institute 🤝 Media Partner: OrthoTV

[ptitolier]

The Tightrope of Peace: Between Strategy and Naïveté

"Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to manage it by other means." — Johan Galtung

Europe has long treated peace as an assumed reality, something guaranteed by treaties, diplomacy, and economic interdependence. But in a world where power dynamics shift rapidly, can peace be sustained without a solid strategic foundation?

2025 has already shattered many illusions:

- Trump and Putin are negotiating a peace in Ukraine—without Europe at the table. If the continent is excluded from discussions on its own security, can it still be considered a major geopolitical player?

The U.S. is eyeing Greenland, a move that could create a second front of crisis, forcing NATO to confront an unprecedented dilemma: What happens when its strongest member becomes unpredictable?

- Europe, caught between these forces, faces a choice: remain a passive spectator or take concrete steps to secure its long-term stability.

Building Peace: A Question of Strategy, Not Hope

Peace has never been a natural state of the world. It is not simply the absence of war, but the result of deliberate action. Every lasting peace—Westphalia (1648), Versailles (1919), Yalta (1945)—was achieved not through idealism, but through a balance of power, deterrence, and cooperation.

Yet today, Europe risks confusing pacifism with passivity.

It has neglected its military and energy sovereignty.

It has assumed treaties and institutions alone would maintain stability.

It has relied on alliances that may no longer serve its best interests.

But peace is not something we inherit—it is something we build.

Five Key Actions for a Sustainable Peace

If war is often triggered by imbalance, then peace depends on Europe’s ability to prevent those imbalances. This does not mean militarization, but rather creating conditions where war is no longer in anyone’s interest.

- Strengthening Strategic Autonomy – A unified European defense, standardized infrastructure, and a robust cybersecurity strategy

- Expanding Independent Diplomatic Alliances – Engaging with non-aligned powers (India, Japan, Brazil) and reducing dependency on Washington and Beijing

- Achieving Economic Sovereignty – Securing critical resources, reducing energy dependence, and investing in European defense and technology industries.

- Deploying Proactive Diplomacy – Encouraging early conflict mediation and fostering cultural and scientific cooperation to build long-term stability.

- Strengthening International Law – Reinforcing the credibility of institutions like the UN and the EU in global conflict resolution.

These are not alternatives to military defense but preemptive measures to prevent crises before they escalate into wars.

The Real Question: Can Europe Be a Credible Force for Peace?

"The tightrope walker doesn’t fall because they move, but because they stop."

Europe is at a crossroads. It can take responsibility for its own security—not to wage war, but to prevent it—or it can continue relying on external powers, hoping they will protect its interests.

So, what does peace really mean in the 21st century?

Can a continent that depends on others for defense truly shape its own future?

Is NATO still a safeguard for stability, or is it becoming an outdated framework for European security

Should Europe build a new peace strategy, rooted in strategic sovereignty rather than passive diplomacy?

Full article: How Europe Can Build Peace Without Falling

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