#common classification

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

*tries to organize my thoughts*

*remembers i'm not in school and therefore beholden to neither heaven nor hell nor any man's grading system*

*joyously shredding & tossing all my carefully arranged 3x5 mental notecards into the air like so much beige confetti. raising my arms in victory, cheering raucously until i accidentally inhale bits of homemade confetti*

(*coughing up itty bits of paper like a cat evicting a hairball with a firm understanding of tenants' rights*) wait wat happens next

[redbootsindoriath]

Fëanorian Week 2023, Day 5: Curufin (or Celebrimbor, rather)

I have a similar problem with Curufin as I do with Caranthir: he’s just kind of there a lot of the time and kind of the only description of him is that he’s a mini version of Fëanor (and I was already going to be drawing Fëanor).  The one very notable thing he did was be father to Celebrimbor, who did plenty of notable things, including having a striking and vivid death (as opposed to Curufin who just got killed without detail or ceremony during the same battle as the other two C’s).  Therefore Celebrimbor gets to steal his dad’s day of Fëanorian Week.  Sorry, Curufin stans.

[megaraptormenace]

Right, fuck um-ing and ah-ing about it: I’m an Indoraptor. I don’t think I have exactly the same proportions of creature in the film I mean, I didn’t even end up with decent claws ;>, but I don’t think I’m terribly far off. Dunno if that should be fictotherian, otherkin or some mysterious third thing, but hey, do what you want forever starts at home!

[godsfavoritescientist]

So there's this webserial called 'worm' about a world where superpowers started suddenly showing up in the 70's, and I'm trying so hard to think of a way to merge it with the stans-and-fidds 70s-and-80s plot events. The thing is, powers are caused by going through a traumatic event, and the powers are tied to both that event and to the person's various issues in ways that sometimes seems cruelly ironic. So you see my dilemma here, with there being so many options for events that could've given these guys powers

[thebotanicalarcade]

n15_w1150 by Biodiversity Heritage Library Via Flickr: Lindenia : Gand [Belgium] :Impr. F. Meyer-van Loo,1885-1906. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/50916688

[omegaphilosophia]

Understanding Partially Public Goods: Excludability and Rivalry

There are several things that could potentially be considered public goods but are not due to various reasons. These goods may be excludable (meaning access can be restricted) or rivalrous (meaning consumption by one person reduces availability to others) to some extent. Here are some examples:

Broadcast Television: While television broadcasts are non-excludable (many people can watch the same program simultaneously), they are not entirely non-rivalrous. Limited advertising space and time slots mean that the more viewers a program attracts, the more revenue it generates. Therefore, broadcast television is not a pure public good.

WiFi in Public Spaces: Publicly available WiFi in parks or airports is often considered a public good because anyone can access it freely. However, it can be limited by factors such as bandwidth, speed, and user restrictions, making it partially excludable and rivalrous to some extent.

Clean Air: Clean air is typically regarded as a classic public good because it is non-excludable and non-rivalrous. However, localized air pollution can affect air quality in specific areas, making it somewhat rivalrous on a regional scale.

Public Transportation: Public transportation systems aim to provide accessible services to everyone. Still, they are not entirely non-excludable, as users typically need to pay fares, and they can become congested during peak hours, introducing rivalry for seating and space.

Online Information: Information on the internet is often considered a public good because it can be freely accessed by anyone. However, some content is protected by paywalls, and high-quality, specialized information may require subscriptions or fees, making it partially excludable.

National Parks: National parks are intended to provide natural beauty and recreational opportunities to all. However, access to some areas may require entrance fees or permits, rendering them partially excludable.

Social Media Platforms: Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter offer free access to users worldwide. However, they are not pure public goods because users' data and content contribute to their revenue through advertising and data monetization.

In these examples, the classification of goods as public or non-public depends on factors like the degree of excludability and rivalry. While they exhibit some characteristics of public goods, they are not entirely non-excludable and non-rivalrous, which is the hallmark of pure public goods like clean air or national defense.

[emile-hides]

Again, I don’t know what’s happening in my brain, but I’m sorting all the Koopas by Shell Type (both canon and headcanon for diversity sake) and I’ve decided these guys are all part of the same genus

[bat-connoisseur]

a worm and a hooves mammal are not mutually exclusive things. I believe you could be both

alas,

they very much are 😔

[felinefractious]

Hello! I am making a genetic cat picrew and i wonder if there's any guides on different white patches or tortoiseshell patterns. I am planning to do different types of tortoiseshell and white patches so I'm wondering-

Oh this is very fun…

Here’s a selection of diagrams demonstrating typical white distribution patterns and the classifications or nicknames which may be used to describe them.

Note that terms like harlequin, van and so forth are moreso used by registeries to describe phenotype. When it comes to genotype your basic white spotting is going to be…

No white (ww, wwg)

White gloving (wgwg)

Below 50% white (Wsw, Wswg)

Above 50% white (WsWs)

Dominant White (Wdw, Wdwg, WdWs, WdWd)

The possibilities are pretty much endless so have fun with it, especially when you get down to the little random markings. Here are the white pattern tags for the blog that you can peruse for inspiration:

bicolor white

harlequin white

van white

other white

mitted white

I don’t have as many visual resources for tortoiseshell but here’s a diagram @amber-tortoiseshell made illustrating the effect white spotting has on the standard tortoiseshell distribution.

The less white there is the more mottled the appearance, the colors sporadic and mixed in a manner than can be described as brindled. As white is added these patches increase in size and definition until they become distinct blotches.

The split face is a common tortoiseshell marking. The face, paws and tail also tend to sport larger and more distinctive patches of color even if the rest of the body is pretty well brindled.

Here are the tortoiseshell tags for the blog that you can peruse for inspiration:

black tortoiseshell

blue tortoiseshell

chocolate tortoiseshell

lilac tortoiseshell

cinnamon tortoiseshell

fawn tortoiseshell

I’d love to see it when you’re finished! Let me know if you have any more questions!

[farmerstrend]

Top 10 Best Beef Breeds In Kenya

Kenya is home to a diverse range of beef breeds that are highly regarded for their meat quality, adaptation to local environments, and cultural significance. Here are the top ten best beef breeds in Kenya and their key characteristics: 1. Boran Beef Breed The Boran is a breed of beef cattle that is indigenous to eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya. They are known for their adaptability…

[ddarker-dreams]

Understatement.

Wanderer x Reader.

Warnings: None. Word count: 1.2k.

Your bag carries plenty of essentials. 

Stationery, lip balm, keys to your apartment; stuff of that nature. Then there’s your personal favorite, a wallet embroidered with dandelions — your hometown’s flower — into the fabric. It’d been sent to you without a return address on your birthday, shrouding the gifter in mystery. All of these items accompany you on a day-to-day basis. 

That aside, this list has another unifying factor. Each object is inert. Completely still. Incapable of moving without an outside force. Now, this isn’t a revelation that’ll shift society and be recorded in history books for generations to come. It’s common sense. A concept children grasp before they even know what ‘gravity’ is. 

As for why you’re taking a lengthy mental inventory of your belongings… 

Well. 

Something in there is moving. Rustling about, the vague outline of its body pressing against the aged leather. 

Your response is slow. Cautious. You begin by pushing yourself away from your desk, creating distance between you and this potential threat. The Vision fastened along your waistband thrums, ready to act. Numerous theories whir around your mind like a sandstorm. Is this a prank in poor taste? Cyno had mentioned an investigation into scarabs being placed in student’s bags, although nothing serious had come from it. Maybe it’s a gadget or some elemental reaction— 

—Your cognition grinds to a halt when a head pokes out, undoing the bag’s clasp in the process. 

…

…

…

“Oh!” The creature exclaims while freeing itself. “Um… hi!” 

The room’s natural lighting gives you a better idea of the creature’s appearance. Its wings keep it suspended midair, each enthusiastic flap scattering your notes. Large, doe-like eyes consider you, gleaming with childlike curiosity. If not for the prominent horns atop its head, you might think it’s a bat, but that classification doesn’t quite fit. 

Whatever it is, you sense no hostility. 

“Hello,” is your hesitant reply. 

It looks around, fixating on the items displaced from your desk. 

“Ack, I’m sorry,” it apologizes. It lands carefully on your desk and lowers its head, as if ashamed. “I didn’t mean to make such a mess… I’ve just been excited to meet you.” 

“Don’t worry, this is nothing. I’ve been meaning to reorganize my stuff, anyway.” 

For some reason, you can’t find it within you to fault this seemingly well-meaning yet clumsy guest. Its naivete is reminiscent of a certain explosion-obsessed girl from back home. In truth, this entire ordeal doesn’t even breach the top five strangest experiences you’ve had in recent times. 

… Alright, perhaps it’s a contender for the fourth slot. 

Suddenly, your guest straightens up. “Wait! I haven’t introduced myself yet. We can’t be friends if I haven’t introduced myself… you can call me Mini Durin. And I already know your name. You’re [First].” 

“Yeah, that’d be me,” you cover a budding smile with your hand, not wanting your giddy guest to mistake it for mockery. “So, Mini Durin… you said you’ve been wanting to meet me? Why’s that?”

Mini Durin ambles his way toward the edge of your desk. 

“You’re important to my first friend,” he declares. “At least I think so. He only has the nicest things to say about you, like how you’re not ‘as insufferable as most,’ and that ‘your presence is tolerable.’” 

That’s what Mini Durin considers ‘the nicest things’ to say about someone…?! 

The conviction with which he speaks affirms his sincerity. 

“It sounds like you trust this friend a great deal.” 

Mini Durin nods. “I do. That’s how I ended up in your bag… I got separated from him earlier. Luckily, I spotted you. I knew you’d keep me safe. And now we even get to be friends!” 

That explains why your bag felt heavier coming home than when you left. 

“You got separated from him?” Frowning, you scoot your chair closer. “Where at? We can go looking for him, if you want. He must be worried.” 

“Oh. I didn’t think about that.” 

Mini Durin mulls over your offer for a few seconds, adding, “What if he’s mad at me? He was working hard on another gift for you, but I went and distracted him.” 

“Friends can sort stuff like this out,” you reassure. Then, a pause. “Huh. Did you say ‘another gift?’” 

Mini Durin tilts his head. “You didn’t know? The pretty flowers on your—” 

A rapid knock on your door cuts him off. 

You both turn your attention toward the booming sound. Huffing, you cross your arms over your chest. It’s late in the evening, who in their right mind would treat your front door like a drum? You shoot your unexpected guest an apologetic look, promising a swift return.

Some choice words sizzle on your tongue as you swing the door open, only to be met by an equally irate figure. 

Your eccentric classmate, the Wanderer, stands before you. There’s a slight flush to his cheeks like he’s been physically exerting himself. The telltale sign of Anemo settles down around him, his hat reappearing in the process. He soon mirrors your exasperated posture, one hand on his hip, the other readjusting the brim of his hat. 

“I could’ve flown to Inazuma and back in the time it took you to answer,” is the courteous greeting he goes for. 

“Hello to you too,” you greet. “Was there something you needed? Or are you just making your debut as a percussionist known to the entire nation?”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course there’s something I ‘need’, genius.” 

“And what would that be?” 

“I’m looking for a small, talking dragon,” the Wanderer deadpans. “Ring any bells?” 

You blink. “Are you referring to Mini Durin?” 

“Just how many dragons are you acquainted with?” 

“I mean, I am from Mondstadt,” you shrug. A realization then creeps up on you. “Hold on. Does that make you this ‘first friend’ I’ve heard so much about?” 

The Wanderer freezes. You observe as he processes this information in real-time, along with the implications that come with it. Though his muscles are tense, he keeps his visage impassive. The occasional twitch of his eye is the only detail betraying his panic. 

“... On second thought, you can keep him.” 

He swivels on his heel to make a hasty retreat. 

You lurch forward without thinking, your hand latching around his wrist. He snaps his head around to meet your gaze, almost knocking you over with his hat in the process. A well-timed dodge protects you from the potential headache. In the light of the setting sun, the Wanderer’s porcelain complexion is dyed in crimson hues. Though he’s maintaining eye contact, something tells you it’s a struggle. 

“Hey,” you use your free hand to poke his flushed cheeks, to which he grimaces and bats at it like a cat. “Come inside. I’ll make up some of that awful, bitter tasting tea you like.” 

He inhales through his teeth, likely weighing various excuses. You bat your eyelashes and offer your brightest smile. As the seconds pass by, you can feel his resolve weakening. With a scoff, he frees himself from your grasp, the ease in which he does so confirming he’d been your willing hostage. 

The Wanderer wordlessly strolls past you and into your home. 

Humming, you follow close behind him. 

Just ‘tolerable’, huh? 

[lackadaisycats]

This is kinda a stupid question, but what type of hat that Victor is wearing?

It's not a stupid question at all. The simple answer is that it's a cap.

They were quite common at the time as workaday wear for a laborer, as sportswear, as flashy collegiate fashion, and as something basic you'd stick on a young boy's head. Sometimes they'd come in leather or suede, but more typically they'd be made of woven fabric like wool, tweed, or serge. Many designs have a button on top where the wedge shaped fabric segments comprising the crown converge. 'Flat caps' are sewn with a different, boxier panel pattern eliminating the button.

Caps got sort of egregiously puffy/floppy in the 1920s (along with a lot of other egregious things about the 20s). Below is Babe Ruth wearing what would have been considered fashionable at the time. Viktor's is pretty conservative by comparison.

The less simple thing to answer is specifically what type of cap. There are a lot of variations, classification is a little hazy and loose as far as I can discern, and the parlance for them has changed over the past 100 years. For instance, you'll see a lot of people calling them 'Gatsby hats' or 'newsboy hats' now, but they were definitely not referred to as the former within the 1920s, and the latter is doubtful. I haven't seen any old catalog entries list them that way. Mostly they were called golf caps, cabbie caps, driving caps, or sports caps.

[headspace-hotel]

the TERF i saw last night that was posting in the "conservation" tag had this post on their blog

----------

---------

the blog was a side-blog of a popular terf blog, it was called "eco feminism" something I forget but they were trying to...connect with other terfs in the biological sciences?

...except they're not in the biological sciences, they're trying to "how do you do fellow STEM" with elementary school biology concepts that have been outdated for 50 years.

"how and why biological classifications are formed" is one of the thorniest, most complicated and debated topics in biology with many open unsolved problems.

Nowadays, organisms are classified into groups almost exclusively according to the information their genetics provides about their most recent common ancestors. Phenotypic traits that can provide information about the evolutionary history of a group are called character states, and they can be considered to "diagnose" or define a clade, but character states are used to support the grouping of organisms into a single clade, NOT the other way around.

For example, lactation has been recognized as evidence that all living mammals share a common ancestor that is not the ancestor of any other living animal (that is, mammals are more closely related to each other than to anything else). However, the definition of "mammal" is not "animal that lactates." A non-mammal could convergently evolve lactation (arguably, several already have) and would still not belong to "mammals," and a mammal could evolve to not lactate anymore and would still belong to "mammals."

This is why a shared trait is not by itself considered diagnostic of a clade, and taxonomists have to use a great deal of caution because their interpretation of organisms as belonging to a group will affect how they interpret those organisms' traits.

Today's taxonomic system does not just group organisms by similar traits. Traits often are lost or evolve several times separately.

"Biological classification" does not actually mean anything except "organism #1 and organism #2 have a more recent common ancestor than #1 and #3 do." Two organisms being classified as more closely related than another doesn't mean they share more phenotypic characteristics. This has been the dominant approach for decades.

Now, for my favorite part of this post:

I struggled to grasp what was meant by "that ridiculous argument they have about fish not being real" for a a solid few seconds before I realized that "they" doesn't refer to scientists, it refers to trans people.

this person thinks "fish aren't real" was made up by trans activists

[thebotanicalarcade]

n220_w1150 by Biodiversity Heritage Library Via Flickr: Histoire naturelle des végétaux: Paris,Librairie encyclopédique de Roret,1834-1848. biodiversitylibrary.org/page/47402675

[cubbihue]

Would Peri try or wnat to make Dev a fairy? Seeing where Dev comes from, his living situation, and that anxiety of that when Peri has to eventually go away, Dev would still be raised by his father. I don't think Peri would want that, especially seeing how Dev craves a parent figure and love even if he doesn’t show it

Dev's family situation is, unfortunately, a very common one. The kind of situation that would be a question in a "Classification of Godchildrens" Pop Quiz. There's several hundreds just like him!

While Peri does sympathize with Dev, he's not going to offer or even mention the idea of living in Fairyworld.

Besides, he was taught that a Fairy Godparent is not supposed to fix a child's situation, but encourage them to make wishes instead. If a child was too happy, after all, then there'd be no need for Fairy Godparents! And if there were too many happy kids, then there'd be less food for fairies.

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