#hierarchical inclusion

[talkingnumbers]

Hierarchical Inclusion Man!

Mathober Day 9: Hierarchy gave me the excuse to do this which I may have wanted to do for years. This is just a rebranding of the Living Doll from the animated The Tick series. Hierarchical inclusion is the number concept that each number contains smaller numbers. If you have 9 blocks, you have enough to give me 8 or 7. Later on we'll call that well ordered. (Well, sort of.)

[josis-teacup]

Leading Candidates The Next Pope: Who Are The Frontrunners to Succeed Pope Francis?

Source

Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines)

Currently the betting favorite at 3:1 odds, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, 67, is considered a strong contender to continue Pope Francis's progressive agenda.

Tagle, an advocate for inclusion and evangelization, has significant experience leading the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and was a trusted figure in Francis's inner circle.

AN: upon further research he heavily opposes abortion and same sex marriage

Pietro Parolin (Italy)

At 4:1 odds, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, 70, is one of the most experienced Vatican officials. In his role as the Vatican's Secretary of State since 2013, he has played a major part in diplomatic affairs, including sensitive negotiations with China and Middle Eastern governments.

Parolin is seen as a moderate theological candidate, someone who could provide stability while still maintaining some of Francis's reforms. His deep ties to Vatican bureaucracy make him a strong contender for those who favor continuity.

Peter Turkson (Ghana)

Currently at 5:1 odds in betting markets, Cardinal Peter Turkson, 76, is a well-known figure in the Church's social justice circles. As former head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Turkson has been vocal on issues such as climate change, poverty and economic justice.

Turkson's election would mark a historic moment as the first African pope in centuries. The most recent African pontiff was Pope Gelasius, who served from 492 to 496 AD. Born in Rome to African parents, Gelasius was known for his extensive theological writings and strong advocacy for charity and justice for the poor.

Peter Erdő (Hungary)

A leading conservative candidate, Cardinal Peter Erdő, 72, is currently at 6:1 odds. A respected canon law scholar, Erdő has been a strong advocate for traditional Catholic teachings and doctrine. He previously served as head of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences and has emphasized theological orthodoxy.

For those seeking a return to the conservatism of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Erdő would represent a major shift away from Francis's approach.

Angelo Scola (Italy)

At 8:1, Cardinal Angelo Scola, 82, is a long-standing papal contender. He was among the favorites in the 2013 conclave that ultimately elected Pope Francis. Scola, a former Archbishop of Milan, has deep theological roots and appeals to those who support a more centralized and hierarchical Church.

His traditionalist stance makes him a strong candidate for those looking to pivot away from Francis's reforms, but his age may work against him.

[writers-potion]

heyo got any tips on writing gangs?

Writing Gangsters

Organized Crime vs. Gangs

Although the terms are used interchangeably, there's a difference between organized criminal networks and gangs.

Organized crimes have focuses on material gain and therefore has a more hierarchical leadership structure.

The activities of gangs are usually more fragmented, opportunistic and based on individual contacts, more entangled with the personal lives of its members.

Of course, if a street gang become powerful enough, large enough and resourceful enough, it comes a full-blown criminal organization.

Background: Time, Place, Economic Condition

Research into the characteristics of the time and place where your gang is.

Oftentimes, gangs form when the economic conditions of a country/region is down. People, especially those who are marginalized, are disillusioned which can lead them to make desperate choices.

It's important to note that many gangs are formed initally to serve as the "police" in a neighborhood where no police would enter because (for some reason) they feel as if there's nothing they can do.

Gangs may start with a "good" reason, but it just so happens that eventually they become the very thing they sought to get rid of.

Compelling Character Motivation

With the socio-geographical context as backdrop, give your characters a clear reason why they would join and stay in a gang.

A young teen may join a gang out of pure whim, maybe for money, but eventually it's going to have to be more than that.

Idolization - an older sibling is in the gang

Inclusion - connection with others is so wanted due to a lack of it in a dysfunctional family

Stability - feeling secure in a neighborhood where gangs seems like a viable option; if a gang is already terrorizing the area, joining it may seem like a way to protect one's family

Financial security - jobs may seem out of reach; it si high risk and high rewards but your character may be that desperate

Ambition/thirst for power/revenge

+ Yes, someone may join the gang because they don't want to work a regular job and want quick money, but I wouldn't say they are lazy. From what I understand, gangs require work...

A developmental Model of Gang Membership (use for character arc):

Research:

National Gang Center FAQ: https://nationalgangcenter.ojp.gov/about/faq#0-0

Gang Life Insider Article: https://amuedge.com/the-various-dangers-of-gang-life-an-insiders-perspective/

NY Gang Slag: https://nypost.com/2012/10/28/a-to-z-deadly-slang-by-gangs-of-new-york/

Gangster Short Stories you can Read Online

‘Johnny Mnemonic’ by William Gibson

‘Vice Grip’ by Matthew A. Goodwin

‘Dolan’s Cadillac’ by Stephen King

[captain-athos]

I have a problem getting as into Bellini as the rest of the fandom bc his specific brand of cowardliness is so intensely familiar to me bro is the guy who gets himself a platform via general virtue signalling just enough to show how inclusive and progressive he could be but refuses to clarify on how progress might actually be achieved and backs out the second things get hairy and gets everybody else pepper sprayed. Like I do love him, anyone who’s read any of my fics would be able to see that but I do have trouble meow-meow-ifying him.

I mean imo there’s a reason you have representations of both conservative and progressive politics that kind of fucking suck in conclave and there’s a reason Vincent never clarifies which “side” he’s on and the reason is he’s the secret third option which is that the whole church is fundamentally fucking broken and no amount of progressive or conservative shaped bandaids are gonna fix those boo-boos because the system itself breeds corruption and selfishness and hierarchical oppression

[motherpriestess]

Remembering Mother-Kin: The Forgotten Foundations of Society

When we think about family trees, inheritance, or even last names, most of us instinctively imagine them being passed down through the father’s side. It’s so common in today’s world that we rarely question it. But what if I told you that this wasn’t always the way of things—and that for vast stretches of human history, many societies followed a very different path?

Enter the world of mother-kin, also known as matrilineal kinship—a system where lineage, inheritance, and identity are traced through the mother.

What Is Mother-Kin?

In a mother-kin system, descent moves from mother to daughter, not father to son. Children carry their mother’s name, and property is passed down through the female line. This structure doesn’t simply shuffle roles—it reorients the entire way a community thinks about family, wealth, power, and belonging.

In contrast to today’s largely patrilineal systems, where men hold the reins of family legacy, mother-kin societies placed women at the center—socially, spiritually, and economically.

A Deeply Rooted Tradition

Far from being rare or isolated, mother-kin systems were once widespread. Cultures in:

Australia

Africa

India (the Dravidians)

Melanesia and Micronesia

Indonesia

Ancient Egypt

The Lycians of Anatolia

...all had strong traditions of matrilineal descent. Some of these traditions endured into the classical and even Roman periods.

In these societies, women often held key positions of leadership—as high priestesses, heads of clans, keepers of the home and food supply, and stewards of communal memory. Yet, importantly, this did not mean men were disempowered or oppressed. Rather, the dynamic was complementary, not competitive—a harmony often lost in later, more rigid patriarchal systems.

The Spiritual Connection: Goddess and Kin

Anthropologist Robertson Smith proposed a connection between Goddess worship and mother-kin societies. This makes intuitive sense: when life itself is understood as emerging from the body of the Mother, it follows naturally that descent would be traced through women, and that the divine would be imagined in feminine form.

Goddess-based religions thrived alongside mother-kin systems. Women were not only mothers and clan leaders—they were spiritual leaders, priestesses, and mediators of the sacred.

Why Did These Systems Decline?

As history progressed, invasions, conquests, and shifts toward militaristic, hierarchical governance often brought with them patriarchal ideologies and male gods of war and authority. In places like Mesopotamia, matrilineal structures were gradually replaced by patrilineal rule. The Goddess was dethroned or made subordinate to male deities. Women’s roles were diminished from central figures to supporting roles—or erased entirely.

Were These Societies Matriarchies?

This is a key point: matrilineal does not mean a mirror image of patriarchy. Mother-kin systems were not about female dominance. They did not seek to reverse oppression or suppress men. Rather, they reflected a different way of organizing society—one rooted in interdependence, balance, and shared power.

In mother-kin cultures, wealth was rooted in what sustained life: the home, the food, the land. Women, as stewards of these, held natural influence—not through force, but through contribution and continuity.

Why This Matters Today

Understanding mother-kin societies is about broadening our perspective on what is possible.

At a time when family systems are changing, gender roles are being questioned, and communities are seeking more equitable, inclusive, and nurturing models, revisiting mother-kin can inspire us to imagine something different:

A world where inheritance isn’t about control, but care.

A world where both women and men are valued, not based on dominance, but on relationship and contribution.

A world where spirituality honors the feminine, not just the masculine.

A Legacy Worth Remembering

Think of mother-kin as a cultural memory—a whisper from the past that says, “There is another way.”

It’s about reclaiming what was wise, healing what was broken, and building something more balanced for the future.

In a time of disconnection, dominance, and division, the lessons of mother-kin remind us that we come from a line of women who once held the world together—and perhaps, with care and consciousness, we can again.

[ayjadasblogforeverything]

Cardinal-O-Mat Data Science

Soooo I wanted to learn something data sciency. And I stumbled over David Kriesel's Wahl-O-Mat analyses and wanted to do the same but different. I, like you maybe, have stumbled over the cardinal-o-mat. Logical conclusion: Let's do data science without mama (I'm so sorry!) but with the cardinal-o-mat! (Of course, I also have done this with the Wahl-O-Mat.)

The Cluster Heatmap

Here we have a cluster heatmap. (Isn't she pretty? Actually not so much, there's a lot of grey there...)

On the right side, you can see the names of the cardinals, and on the bottom, you can see the names of the theses. (I was too lazy to make them look pretty.) Red means disagree, blue means agree (for colorblindness reasons). Grey means either that the cardinal was explicitly neutral to the question or that there was simply no data on his position regarding the thesis in the cardinal-o-mat.

The theses are as follows (in order of appearance in the cardinal-o-mat):

I'll spare you and not list all the cardinals' names.

female_deacons: Women should be admitted to the diaconate.

same_sex: Same-sex couples should continue to be allowed to receive blessings outside of liturgical celebrations.

celibacy: Priestly celibacy should become voluntary.

vetus_ordo: The celebration of the Old Latin Mass should remain restricted for the sake of church unity.

vatican_china: The secret agreement between the Vatican and the People's Republic of China on the appointment of bishops should be upheld.

synodal_church: The Catholic Church should be a synodal church in which more emphasis is placed on participation, inclusion and joint decision-making.

climate_change: The Catholic Church should get involved in climate protection because it is committed to God's creation and the protection of the most vulnerable.

humanae_vitae: The Catholic Church should reconsider its position on contraception.

communion_unmarried: Divorced and remarried persons should be admitted to communion in individual cases.

german_synode: The German Synodal Way, aiming at reforming the doctrine of faith and morals, should be regarded positively overall.

covid: Church closures and vaccination recommendations during the Covid-19 pandemic were right.

islam: Interfaith dialogue with Islam is important.

What do we see here?

Roughly speaking, the closer two cardinals or two theses are shown in the map, the more similar they are, and the further apart in the map, the more dissimilar. Because of this closeness of similar cardinals/theses, we get these blocks of blue and red (kinda. I mean, it could be much worse.).

I want to emphasize that I did not sort this by hand. Rather it was sorted by an algorithm with respect to a certain metric (here the Jaccard metric), which measures the "distance" between the cardinals and theses. The method used is (divisive) hierarchical clustering. At each step, a cluster is divided into two subsets such that their distance is maximized. You can see these steps in the lines on the top and left side. This is called a dendrogram.

What do we learn from this?

Damn good question! The amount of things to learn is somewhat limited, if we look at the amount of neutrals and non-opinions, also considering I did not seperate those two.

Since this is a non-serious setting, I think we can reasonably infer that a cardinal that has spoken in favor of a couple of the theses is also generally more open to those he has not voiced an opinion on, and similarly for the conservative ones. If you look at it like this, then it becomes quite clear that the blue, so the generally more open minded cardinals are in the majority. I would have loved to have a cardinal-o-mat for the previous conclave, because I have the hypothesis that there, the conservative cardinals might have had the majority and I would love to test this.

Something I find funny is that one of the theses that is most liked is the synodal_church one, which is about participation and joint decision making. One of the least liked ones is the german_synode one (only one agreement, thx Marx my homie), which tries to do exactly the participation and joint decision making.

I don't know what else we learn from this, I just think that a cluster heatmap is a neat way of visualising the positions of the cardinals wrt to the theses and since it is somewhat sorted, we learn something about their relation with each other.

If you can explain to me why there is this red block in the left bottom corner, please do! I thought it might have something to do with the metric I used but the map always looks similar or worse.

Also, maybe someone can explain to me which metric to use when.

[covenofvenus]

Happy Tuesday Lovelies & Acolytes,

Pluto goes direct today in Aquarius (Nov 19 2024) and will stay there until June 2043.

Plutonian energy is intense, deeply generational and ancestral especially in its connection to intergenerational traumas, ancestral patterns, generational shifts and ties. It is a planet of deep transformation, representing the hidden and often uncomfortable truths, it challenges us to confront the darkest parts of ourselves and the world, burning away what no longer serves us, to allow for spiritual and personal rebirth. Pluto’s connection to the eighth house ties it the inter generational and psychological inheritance passed down through families, such as generational patterns, emotional or spiritual wounds passed down through family linage, ancestral healing, and deep karmic cycles encouraging us to break free from destructive ancestral patterns. Pluto helps us on our soul evolution, on our journey towards growth and self mastery.

Aquarius is an air sign ruled by Saturn (structure and discipline) and modernly by Uranus (rebellion & innovation) it governs themes of technology, humanitarianism, collective consciousness, individuality and progress. Aquarius values freedom, equality and intellectual advancement, challenging the status quo to envision a better future. Pluto in Aquarius represent the destruction and transformation of outdated societal structures, to build a more innovative, inclusive and equitable future. It sígnala a shift from power concentrated in the hands of a few to power shared amongst the collective.

Key Themes of This Transit:

🔥Technological Revolution - this will likely bring revolutionary advancements in technology, artificial intelligence and space exploration. It will also force us to confront the darker sides of technology, such as privacy concerns, surveillance and ethical dilemmas around AI.

🔥Collective Power & Humanitarianism - this transit emphasizes the collective empowerment of communities and the redistribution of power. It will challenge hierarchal systems, promoting equality and collaboration. Grassroots movements, activism and collective efforts to address global challenges will gain momentum. It’s a call for humanity to work together for the greater good.

🔥Rebellion against Oppression- Aquarius is the sign of rebellion and innovation. Pluto’s energy will expose oppressive systems and power imbalances, sparking revolutions and reforms. This could manifest in political uprisings, societal shifts and the dismantling of outdated ideologies.

🔥Redefinition of Individuality and Identity- Aquarius governs individuality within the collective. Pluto presence here challenges us to balance personal freedom with collective responsibility. This could bring shifts in how we define identity, individuality and inclusivity in a globalized world.

🔥Spiritual Awakening and Collective Consciousness- Aquarius is associated with higher consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. Pluto’s transit here can spark shifts in collective awareness, encouraging people to embrace universal truths and interconnectedness. It challenges individuals to rise above ego-driven motives and align with greater good.

The Shadow Side of Pluto in Aquarius

💧Technological Overreach - While technology will advance, there’s potential for misuse, such as increased surveillance, loss of privacy and ethical dilemmas around AI and bioengineering.

💧Rebellion without Purpose - The rebellious energy of Aquarius combined with Pluto’s intensity, could lead to chaos, extremism and movements that lack clear direction or focus.

💧Alienation & Isolation - Aquarius values intellectual connection but it’s detachment can lead to feelings of alienation, especially as technology reshapes human interaction.

Pluto’s transit through Aquarius throughout the next 18 yrs heralds a time of profound transformation, innovation and collective empowerment. It calls on humanity to confront its shadows - technological, societal and environmental - while embracing a future built in equality, progress and interconnectedness.

By aligning with these energies, we can navigate through this transformative era with better awareness, adaptability and purpose.

If you have any planets in Taurus or Scorpio, Pluto will be squaring that planet. Squares in astrology are metaphysical symbols of growth through conflict. They highlight where tension exists in our lives, pushing us to integrate opposing forces, overcome challenges and evolve spiritually. While they can be challenging, squares are ultimately transformative, offering the gift of resilience, self mastery and balance.

If you have any planets in Leo, Pluto will be opposing that planet. Oppositions in astrology represent polarities that invite integration and harmony. They challenge us to balance opposing forces, fostering growth, awareness and wholeness. While oppositions can feel like tug of war, they ultimately guide us toward unity within duality, helping us align with universal principles of balance and interconnectedness.

If you have any planets in Aquarius, Pluto will be conjuct that planet. Conjunctions in astrology represent unification, amplification and potential synergy that metaphysically symbolize the fusion of energies. They act as initiators of significant life events or internal transformations. It creates a focal point of awareness, where a specific area of life or inner experience demanda attention or development. This creates a merging of energies into a singular potent force that can be harnessed for transformation, manifestation and growth. While they will amplify the strengths of the Pluto, they also challenge us to balance their energies harmoniously, offering profound opportunities for personal and spiritual evolution. Check your birth chart for house placement, to get a better clarity on what that might be.

Fixed Signs Get Ready For Big Life Changes !!!

[dailyanarchistposts]

What’s the general attitude anarchists have of neighborhood/community watch organizations?

In my experience, neighborhood watch programs are really nothing more than narcs, off-duty police, superiority-complex-ridden people that try to be police, and then the occa-sional person who just wants to make sure no one is being harmed. It’s this last group of people that give me hope for watches, and I think community watches can fit nicely with anarchism; it’s volunteer, there are different watchers every night (or week or whatever), and no one has authority over others. The Highway Helpers in Iowa and other states are slightly reminiscent of this organization (volunteers drive around the highways in trucks with car-repair equipment and help anyone in need, free of charge). I can easily see some anarchist societies having such organizations (people patrolling to make sure no one is harming another or being harmed), and I have heard Christiania has similar coordina-tion among residents, although I can’t confirm this. But with incidents like that of the recent Trayvon Martin shooting and many others like it, there’s legitimate concern regarding these watches. On top of the original question, what do all of you think?

blq

Don’t forget—a neighborhood might need a fire watch, a medical watch, a kiddy watch... a garden watch in freezing weather if folks are away... there are a lot of negative connota-tions because of the way it gets used. That doesn’t keep us from using it for constructive purposes...

Old folk hasn’t been seen in a few days? Did s/he fall down and get hurt?

rby

I mean, as of right now, the term “neighborhood watch” carries a lot of baggage—usually that of property owners, middle-class professionals, and small entrepreneurs banding together to keep certain elements out of their neighborhood. This usually translates to harassing poor people, young people, and people of color (and especially combinations of the three).

But the organizational structure is plenty anarchistic in theory, sure. It’s non-hierarchical and based on mutual aid. The problem is the context in which it occurs.

To clarify, when I say that “the organizational structure is plenty anarchistic”, I mean it in the sense that you could use a similar organizational structure for wildly different things, such as the ones illustrated in Asker’s comment—CopWatch, community defense vigilantes committees, emergency response networks, etc.

The Neighborhood Watch, as it exists today, is obviously totally incompatible with any kind of anarchist society or organizing, but that much should be obvious since they’re basically amateur cops.

asr

To offer an alternative answer: I can’t really imagine how a neighborhood asr watch could ever be anything but a threat to us, much less a helpful aspect of an ‘anarchist society.’ It seems to me that even if the form a neighborhood watch took were totally inclusive, par-ticipatory, and whatever, that wouldn’t matter. There are plenty of organizations that work like that, (rotary clubs, alcoholics anonymous, even some workplaces) but I would never think to link those organizations to the anarchist project. In each case their purpose is opposed to mine or at least unrelated.

As far as I can tell, the purpose of a neighborhood watch is surveillance: they try to make sure that any crime that occurs in a certain area is observed, so that it will be easier for the police to deal with it. The assumption is that the neighborhood watch somehow has the ability to determine what behaviors are appropriate within a certain area (a side note: what the fuck is a neighborhood?).

In a situation where there are police available, people who do this are straight up snitches. In a situation without police, I guess they would simply be nosy ass-holes. I certainly can’t think of any stateless group I have read about where people thought that one of their biggest problems is that people are committing crimes without being observed.

To complicate this, I can think of some situations where we might want to organize in a somewhat analogous way, given the reality that right now we live in a world with lots of enemies. For instance, copwatch, neighborhood defense committees, barricades—things that might help us keep police out of places...

[tlacatecctzin]

The Decline of the "Left" in Regards to Women's Issues: A Radical Feminist Perspective

In recent years, the decline of the "left" in addressing women's issues has become increasingly evident. This erosion is not only a matter of policy but also a deeper ideological shift that has led to a significant misunderstanding of feminism, the inclusion of trans and other queer (TQA+) people into the feminist movement, and the queer takeover of anarchism. As radical feminists, it is crucial to analyze and critique these developments to reclaim and refocus the movement on the liberation of women.

The Misunderstanding of Feminism

Feminism, at its core, is a movement aimed at dismantling the patriarchal structures that oppress women, for our liberation.

However, contemporary leftist circles often misunderstand or intentionally obscure this goal. Instead of focusing on the material conditions and systemic issues that women face, there is a tendency to dilute feminism into a broader, less defined struggle for "equality" that fails to address the unique challenges women encounter.

Neoliberalism and modern leftist ideologies have changed the definition of feminism from women's liberation to "equality" for "women" within existing structures.

However, equality for women in this system is not only impossible but could never be real while supporting queer ideologies, capitalist systems, or generally liberal politics.

This misunderstanding undermines the movement's potency and distracts from the primary goal of eradicating patriarchal oppression.

Inclusion of Trans and Other Queer People into Feminism

The inclusion of trans and other queer identities into the feminist movement has been a contentious issue. While the fight against all forms of oppression is crucial, conflating gender identity with the distinct biological and social realities of women can obscure the specific nature of women's oppression under patriarchy.

As radical feminists, we recognise that the inclusion of trans women in female-only spaces and discussions often shifts the focus away from issues that uniquely affect women, such as reproductive rights, sexual violence, and economic inequality.

This shift not only muddles the objectives of feminism but also compromises the safety and integrity of female-only spaces, undermines the well-being of women and girls, and dilutes the definition of what it means to be a woman.

The Queer Takeover of Anarchism

Anarchism has historically been aligned with radical feminist principles due to its opposition to hierarchical and oppressive structures. Anarcho-communism advocates for a classless, stateless society where resources are shared equitably, and power dynamics are dismantled. These principles naturally complement the feminist struggle against patriarchy and the liberation of women from systemic oppression.

However, in recent years, the increasing focus on queer theory within anarchist circles has overshadowed the discussion of women's liberation. The inclusion of gender theory, and the prioritization of queer and trans issues, often clashes with the foundational principles of anarcho-communism.

Mutual aid emphasizes the importance of collective support and solidarity within communities. It is rooted in the idea that individuals and groups should help each other to achieve common goals, particularly in the face of oppression. The focus on individual identity and the fluidity of these illegitimate identities, promoted by queer theory can fragment this collective approach, diverting attention from the systemic issues that affect women as a class and weakening the solidarity needed to dismantle patriarchy.

Direct action, another key tenet of anarchism, involves taking immediate, grassroots actions to address injustices and bring about social change. This approach requires a clear understanding of the specific oppressions and systemic issues faced by different groups. The prioritization of queer and trans issues often shifts the focus away from the direct actions needed to address women's unique struggles, again, such as fighting for reproductive rights, combating sexual violence, and achieving economic equality.

Anarchism seeks to abolish all forms of domination and corrupt authority, but the promotion of queer theory within the movement has introduced new forms of ideological conformity and social policing, where dissenting views on gender identity are often silenced and met with violent threats. This undermines the anarchist commitment to free thought and open debate.

Moreover, I must repeat that the inclusion of trans women in female-only spaces and discussions often shifts the focus away from the systemic oppression of women.

The prioritization of queer and trans issues within anarchism can dilute the movement's ability to address and dismantle the patriarchal structures that fundamentally oppress women. To truly advance the cause of women's liberation, it is essential to realign anarchist principles with a focus on the material conditions and systemic issues that women face, ensuring that the struggle against patriarchy remains central to the movement.

Reclaiming Feminism for Women

To counter these trends, radical feminists must assert the primacy of women's liberation in feminist discourse and practice. This involves a return to the roots of feminism, emphasizing the unique experiences and challenges women face under patriarchy. It is essential to create and protect female-only spaces where women can organize and discuss their issues without the intrusion of broader, less focused agendas.

Moreover, radical feminists should critically engage with leftist movements to realign them with the goal of women's liberation. This involves challenging the ideological shifts that have led to the marginalization of women's issues and advocating for a feminism that is uncompromising in its focus on dismantling patriarchy.

The decline of the "left" in regards to women's issues is a pressing concern that radical feminists must address. By understanding the roots of this decline and actively working to reclaim feminism for women, we can revitalize the movement and continue the fight for true liberation.

[astarions-musings]

Our system spent this morning browsing some online plural communities, and it brought us down a little to hear about all the struggles and hardships that a lot of systems are going through. So I wanted to send some good vibes and positive experiences with our plurality out into the world, so a few people out there can be reassured and reminded that there's a happy life ahead of you. Being the change I want to see in the world, and all that ❤️

Our system is coming up on the third anniversary of our plural awakening, after many years of learning to support and nurture the different 'parts of ourselves' before we realised that we're actually separate people. And with every year that passes, our system becomes more comfortable, more interconnected, more mutually supportive, more welcoming for new headmates, and generally more comfortable to spend our lives together with. Our life in the external world has gradually become more peaceful and stress-free as well, so I honestly think our fourth year of plurality is gonna be our best one yet ❤️

Our system is very large (somewhere between hundreds or thousands of people), with one 'designed driver' (our less hierarchical phrase for a host) who's usually in the fronting room by default, a rotating cast of 20-50 headmates who currently feel like spending time at the front, a large number of people who want to generally vibe near the co-front and enjoy the life we're sharing together, and a very large number of anonymous headmates chilling in the background and doing their own thing. Our designated driver often ends up front-stuck in public spaces (as our form of masking), but in private and around people we feel safe around, we can switch on demand within one or two seconds. In the course of an average day, lots of us might come to the front for a while (to listen to some music, watch a fun show, spend time out in nature), then tag out for a while and enjoy the ride while our designated driver handles everyday life. Music is especially helpful for facilitating those switches, since we can either listen to our own playlists as a fronting anchor if we want to vibe at the front for a while, or put our system-wide playlist on shuffle and use that as rapid-fire fronting triggers to help a wide range of people to enjoy time near the front for a while. Honestly, music is one of the biggest things for our system's mental health ❤️

At this point in time, our system's internal community is doing pretty well. Most of us are broadly in agreement about our values and ideals, with a shared goal to live a peaceful and stress-free life where our young ones can live safely and our trauma holders can slowly unwind. Sometimes there's friction here and there about the execution of those goals (such as people who want to work hard towards building a happy life for us, clashing with people who want to slow down and rest), but I don't think intentional harm or conflict is something that really happens for us. It's sometimes tricky to navigate situations where people have clashing needs (such as spending time with our family vs. avoiding our past abusers), but every day, our system has more and more practice with navigating those situations. Most of the time, our day-to-day struggles are stuff like "There's 1000 different hobbies we could be spending time on, and different people want to enjoy different things." Living as a family unit can be tricky sometimes, but when our biggest challenges are "How do we share the front to have fun today?", it really puts things in perspective ❤️

Also, we're feeling more and more welcome in our social life with every passing day. We're out as plural around all of our friends, in our workplace (which is unusually plural-inclusive), in most of our local social groups, and with a couple of choice family members that we trust with that information. We have a whole bunch of plural friends online, and a couple of systems that we hang out with in person on a regular basis. Our system has a bunch of wonderful relationships with other plural systems, in which each of us individually can have our own wonderful relationships, as well as our system-wide connections with the people we trust. It would be nice if we had even more opportunities to front openly as ourselves, but those are slowly getting more and more common, with each passing day. It's tough sometimes, but it's also really wonderful as well ❤️

I don't have anything specific in mind for this post, and I honestly have no idea who might need to hear this right now. But I just want to share some positivity with the rest of the plural community, in case someone needs a reminder that it's not all doom-and-gloom. Y'all can have a good life together. Y'all can enjoy yourselves together. And eventually, your day-to-day challenges will be as simple as sharing the remote and agreeing as a group about how y'all want to enjoy yourselves today. There's a good life ahead of you, and I want you to remember that ❤️

[horizon-verizon]

I might be wrong, but I think that the Faith of the Seven seems to be a catholic form with protestant doctrine. Externally Catholic in terms of its rituals, clergy, and hierarchical structure. Internally Protestant in terms of its focus on personal faith, moral simplicity, and individual accountability.

Not gonna lie, I know next to nothing about "moral simplicity" when it comes to Protestantism like I have a better idea of with the rest. Still, I looked stuff up. Skip to the part abt the Faith of the Seven's way of worship if you want, but I wouldn't recommend it.

.............................................

Protestanism vs Catholicsm vs Anglicanism

Protestant doctrine (yes, most of the sects under it) consist of the beliefs that:

The Bible is the ultimate religious truth and authority. The only one you need.

All can act as "priests" for themselves, as in interpret & access the Bible to communicate directly with God.

Only or mostly by believing in Christ as the Messiah and God, can you "saved" from eternal damnation in hell. It's only through faith itself that you really need to receive that salvation, not paying people (though with some sects say that you have already been saved or damned from before you were born....Calvinism).

*[Martin Luther and other 16th century people]* Jesus' death saved all of us already (the sign of God's grace towards us), and thus you don't have to "earn" your salvation but just stay believing Jesus died for you

Catholic doctrine says [Brittanica]:

it's a combination of good works and faith in Christ's death for sins/God (living a virtuous life, seeking forgiveness for sins, indulgences)

the original sin (Adam and Eve and the snake), is a hereditary and universal moral defect of human beings that makes them incapable of achieving their destiny and "even incapable of basic decency", or forever in danger of moral failure, needing God's grace (which is in the form of Jesus' sacrifice)...thus a strict adherence to authority

And maybe you'd then be describing something closer to the English Anglican church...but without the head of such being the monarch in Westeros, since the Head of the High Septon. Anglicanism is a current "attempt" at both versions of Christianity:

[Wiki] "The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is the name given to a number of related prayer books used in the Anglican Communion."

[Brittanica] "In form they deal briefly with the doctrines accepted by Roman Catholics and Protestants alike and more fully with points of controversy. The articles on the sacraments reflect a Calvinist tone, while other parts intimate Lutheran or Catholic positions. They are often studiously ambiguous, however, because the Elizabethan government wished to make the national church as inclusive of different viewpoints as possible."

[Brittanica, post 1888] "Anglicans attempt to balance the clerical point of view with forms of authority that include the laity. Even bishops are rarely able to function without the advice and consent of other clergy and laity"

[Brittanica, post 1888] "It [The Anglican Communion] respects the authority of the state but does not submit to it, and it equally respects the freedom of the individual. The Anglican Communion does not seek to evade the challenges of the world or to live a life separate from it. Basing its doctrines on the Bible, the Anglican Communion allows a remarkable latitude of interpretation by both clergy and laity."

[Anglican Communion, post 1888] "An important caveat is about this question is that if you ask three Anglicans about doctrine you’ll get five different answers! Anglicanism’s greatest strength - its willingness to tolerate a wide variety in Anglican faith and lifestyle - is also the thing that provokes the most debate among its practitioners."

[Anglican Communion, post 1888 ] "The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are used very regularly in Anglican worship, the Athanasian Creed is used in worship less often, but is considered to set out the classic understanding of key Christian doctrines about the nature of God and the person of Jesus Christ."

The Catholic Church and many Protestant denominations accept both the Apostle and Nicene Creeds; the latter, just not the indulgence part. IDK abt Anglican indulgences, if that's a thing, but I'd assume not. It matter s because apparently, recitations of the Apostles' Creed requires monetary or "plenary" indulgences 7 the recitation of what the Nicene Creed/hail Mary/Sunday prayers gives requires one to attend mass in church or go to an oratory where you give to the indulgence.

.............................................

Faith of the Seven Worship

[AWoIaF.Westeros]

The Faith has a number of holy books. The most important one is The Seven-Pointed Star, which contains the Maiden’s Book. The Seven-Pointed Star tells, among others, about the history of the Faith. Septons who cannot read or write memorize prayers, rituals, and ceremonies, and are able to recite long passages from The Seven-Pointed Star.

But there's really no deep lore on their faith and what defines faith in the same way as Christianity bc there is no "Messiah", or savior figure who specifically dies for humanity's egregious sins in its mythology or cosmology.

All you seem to do is go the the Sept to pray, listen to recitations of the book, listen or join in singing hymns, and believe in the Seven. But neither does it have that "flexibility" or toleration of a variety of its own faith or respecting an individual's or a clergyman's freedom of "interpretation", which Anglicanism really strives for, not doctrinally.

If you're thinking of show!Catelyn, she's a Seven worshipper in a old-gods based lands and had to conform or adapt herself to the people's customs and ways of thinking while also holding to her own faith in some way, finding compromises...she's not really a rule we could go by for the actual doctrine of the Seven and if she's doing "personal faith", that's again bec she's more or less alone there.

Even still, sufficient worship of the Seven, as I mentioned but didn't emphasize, MUST take place in the sept like how worship MUST take place in Catholic churches. But then again, I have never heard of worshippers having to pay indulgences or something like that in order to receive blessings or be able to stand/sit and hear any sort of "creed" or prayer. And then again, there's a heavy implication of one needing faith validated by going to church and respecting authority and being tested in one's faithfulness through mortal/corporal means or denial that really edges it out towards Catholiscm...so...

[ethanswgstblog]

Blog Post #6 3/13

How does the concept of the cyborg challenge traditional boundaries of identity and gender?

According to Donna Haraway, she claims that her idea of the cyborg challenges traditional conceptions of identity by hiding the distinctions between male and female, nature and culture, and human and machine. The cyborg is "a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction," according to Haraway in A Cyborg Manifesto, and it radically changes what constitutes women's experience (Haraway 1991). She promotes a flexible and constructed understanding of selfhood by portraying the cyborg as a hybrid being, rejecting essentialist ideas of identity based on biology. Haraway challenges conventional Western dualisms that have historically been employed to uphold tyrannical institutions. According to her, "a cyborg world might be about lived social and bodily realities in which people are not afraid of their joint kinship with animals and machines, not afraid of contradictory viewpoints and permanently partial identities" (Haraway, 1991). With this viewpoint, she imagines a post-gender society in which collaboration and affiliation rather than strict classifications determine identity. As a result, Haraway's cyborg provides a radical framework for deconstructing conventional gender assumptions and valuing diversity in the construction of identity.

How does gender influence the structure of white supremacist online communities?

Online white supremacist systems are significantly shaped by gender, which both reinforces conventional gender hierarchy and integrates liberal feminism to broaden the cause. Although Stormfront.org and other online forums are still dominated by men, they incorporate women in ways that both contradict and reinforce white nationalist beliefs. According to Daniels, "The women at Stormfront expand white supremacist ideology and potentially make the movement more inclusive by incorporating key elements of white liberal feminism into their rhetoric"(Daniels, 2009). Women are able to participate while maintaining male domination in these digital settings thanks to this paradoxical participation. Therefore, although women's involvement in white supremacist discourse has grown in modern times, the hierarchical makeup of the movement has not changed significantly.

How has the internet transformed the participation of women in white supremacist movements?

By giving women more possibilities to participate while upholding male domination, the internet has drastically changed the role of women in white supremacist movements. Women are now allowed to participate in conversations, produce content, and even moderate forums thanks to websites like Stormfront.org. The gender bias of the movement, however, continues to limit their participation. Daniels draws attention to this paradox by saying that "the presence of the ladies-only forum speaks to the overriding male dominance of the site and online communication as a whole, but the emergence of a ladies-only space provides for some participation by white women at Stormfront"(Daniels, 2009). Although women are increasingly able to influence white supremacist rhetoric, their contributions are frequently limited to upholding tradition rather than questioning male power.

How do digital simulations of femininity reinforce traditional gender roles in cyberculture?

By showcasing hyper-feminized, visually idealized female characters that adhere to traditional beauty standards, digital representations of femininity like the virtual news presenter Ananova reinforces traditional gender norms. In order to make technology seem more accessible and non-threatening, these digital characters are frequently made to be "user-friendly," which aligns technology with femininity. As O’Riordan argues, "Simulations like Ananova work...to fortify—sometimes desperately—conventional understandings of the (hyper) feminine," (O’Riordan, 2000). This upholds a binary conception of gender in which women are expected to adhere to conventional norms of accessibility, passivity, and beauty and even in virtual spaces instead of questioning them.

Daniels, J. (2009). Gender, white supremacy, and the internet. In Cyber Racism: White Supremacy Online and the New Attack on Civil Rights (pp. 61–90). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Haraway, D. J. (1991). A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century. In Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of Nature (pp. 354-359). Routledge.

O'Riordan, K. (2000). Gender, technology and visual cyberculture. In Cyberculture: The politics of the internet (pp. 243-254). Sage Publications.

[sarkariresultdude]

France Government Job Result: Recruitment Process and Outcome

 France has a nicely-established public employment device that guarantees transparency and efficiency in hiring for authorities jobs. The outcomes of presidency task recruitments play a critical function in shaping the careers of people searching for strong and prestigious positions in numerous ministries and public establishments. This article offers an in-intensity analysis of the French government activity recruitment manner, the declaration of effects, and what applicants can assume in the course of each level.

France government job merit list and cut-off marks

Understanding the French Government Job System

The French authorities operates thru a hierarchical system where exceptional administrative bodies oversee recruitment for civil service positions. The 3 number one branches of public carrier in France consist of:

The State Civil Service (Fonction Publique de l’État): Includes ministries, authorities agencies, and critical administrative places of work.

The Territorial Civil Service (Fonction Publique Territoriale): Comprising nearby government our bodies together with municipalities, regions, and departments.

The Hospital Civil Service (Fonction Publique Hospitalière): Covering employment in public hospitals and healthcare establishments.

Each of these categories has a distinct recruitment gadget and choice method, which guarantees benefit-based hiring and fairness in employment possibilities.

Recruitment Process for Government Jobs in France

The French civil provider recruitment manner follows a rigorous and aggressive shape. Most positions require candidates to bypass concours (aggressive tests), which verify their information, abilties, and aptitude for public service roles.

1. Announcement of Job Vacancies

Government task openings are published in professional bulletins, government websites (including the French Public Service Portal), and specific recruitment systems. These announcements offer info inclusive of eligibility standards, application methods, examination codecs, and key time limits.

2. Application Submission

Candidates have to submit their applications on-line or through postal offerings, depending at the recommendations furnished by way of the recruiting authority. They are required to offer files consisting of:

A precise CV (Curriculum Vitae)

Cover letter

Academic certificate and transcripts

Proof of nationality (for positions reserved for French residents or EU nationals)

three. Written Examination (Concours Écrit)

Most authorities jobs require applicants to take a written examination, which checks:

General know-how

Analytical talents

Subject-precise expertise

Legal and administrative know-how

Some concours are tremendously aggressive, with hundreds of applicants competing for limited spots.

Four. Oral Examination (Concours Oral)

Shortlisted applicants from the written exam circulate directly to the oral test phase. This involves an interview with a choice panel that assesses the candidate’s capacity to communicate effectively, their motivation for joining public carrier, and their know-how of governmental regulations and management.

Five. Practical or Psychological Tests

Certain positions, inclusive of regulation enforcement, customs officials, and healthcare roles, may require additional realistic tests, clinical examinations, or mental exams to decide candidates’ suitability for the process.

6. Merit-Based Selection and Final Ranking

The final choice is based on overall performance in all evaluation tiers. The authorities assemble a rating list of a hit applicants, and the best scorers are provided job placements.

Announcement of Government Job Results

The announcement of effects follows a transparent technique to make certain equity and accountability.

1. Publication of Written Exam Results

The effects of the written exams are generally posted on-line on legitimate portals. Candidates who pass the written test obtain invitations to the next stage, which may additionally consist of oral interviews or practical checks.

2. Interview and Final Selection List

After the oral examination and different assessments, a final benefit listing is compiled. This list is commonly published on authorities websites, and a hit applicants receive legit confirmation thru e mail or postal mail.

Three. Appointment and Training

Successful candidates are appointed to their respective posts and can undergo education before assuming complete duties. This training duration varies depending at the task role and sector.

Appeals and Re-Evaluation

Unsuccessful candidates have the right to enchantment their effects in the event that they consider there have been discrepancies in the assessment process. Appeals may be filed with the applicable recruitment government, and in a few cases, candidates can be allowed to request a review of their exam papers.

Challenges and Opportunities in the French Government Recruitment System

Challenges:

High Competition: Due to the advantages and activity safety presented by government jobs, the concours are extremely competitive.

Lengthy Selection Process: The whole manner can take numerous months or even a yr, inflicting delays for candidates eager to begin their careers.

Complex Application Requirements: The documentation process can be cumbersome, requiring applicants to offer vast paperwork.

Opportunities:

Job Security and Stability: Government jobs in France offer lifetime employment blessings, pensions, and career development.

Equal Opportunity Employment: The recruitment system is advantage-based totally, ensuring equity and accessibility to certified applicants.

Diverse Career Options: With positions to be had in management, healthcare, regulation enforcement, training, and more, applicants can discover a lot of career paths.

[bitchesgate3]

I honestly think it was Larian's intent and goes with Larian's design principles that you are open to headcanon the companions as bi/pan, gay, or straight. And it's not invalidating to their characters at all.

On the one hand, I think Larian is becoming nicely inclusive, but the company isn't well versed in newer terminology. "Poly" in game amounts to noncomittal hookups, which to me is false advertising and demonstrates a lack of understanding of concepts like non-hierarchical poly. Which was the type of poly I was hoping for.

Likewise, I do think they equated pansexuality as a "doesn't matter what gender you are" sexuality. Which fits neatly into the ability for the player to romance all companions without having them talk specifically about their attractions in a way that could invalidate other potential headcanons. (However, Gale, Wyll, and Shadowheart all talked about heterosexual relationships in EA and 0 gay/lesbian relationships. So in a way, this "pansexuality" interpretation also allowed them not to mention the characters' openness to homosexuality, which is a cop out.)

Pansexuality is not represented as the lack of straight or gay attraction. Pansexuality is an attraction to many things about people in combinations that exist outside the conventional binary. An attraction to any number of physical and social traits across any and all genders.

Portraying it as "I'm into you," without specifics, is not intentional representation. The closest thing we get is Lae'zel's come on that is reasonably applicable to all Tavs in game (whose come on worked for me as a bi/pan person). The other companions just suddenly find themselves in love with Tav after being good enough friends. What do they actually like about Tav? That they are nice?

Because of this superficial understanding of pansexuality, they call the characters pan, but what they meant and intended was simply the fact that the companions are romanceable no matter what character you play.

There is an unfortunate element irl in how people interpret bisexuality. That once a bi person gets with someone, their partner determines their interpreted sexuality. Hence what I believe Larian was going for with "pan" characters who you could still headcanon as gay or straight. Which is not what pansexuality is at all.

I say all that to mean: don't let anyone tell you that you can't headcanon the characters as a specific sexuality or identity. Substantiate it with moments in game and how you've played your Tav. Enjoy the story you craft. It's likely how Larian intended for you to play.

[iostocracy]

Liberation and Exclusion

Just realized I never posted my text on Exclusionism here despite teasing it, oops.

"Progressive queer politics aims to liberate, but the process of liberation is not an unified one, not by a long shot, and while praxeological and theoretical distinctions exist in a multitude of different ways and divide the movement in a scattered distinction of different strategies and views, I would like to propose that the most significant distinctions divide it into only two. The progressive movement, as it aims to undo the oppressive hierarchical structures of present society can articulate itself in two ways, one which is liberatory and another which is only progressive by relative terms. This issue is more generally the issue of liberation, separatism and exclusion, where liberation here refers to a progressive movement that aims to undo the societal restrictions on the individual movement of self creation and subjectivity, and separatism to the myriad of movements that aim to liberate people on the basis of asserting the “sovereignty” of an established identity and thus basing itself also on exclusion as it is required to first establish that same identity. The former is a liberatory tendency, that frees the individual of conservative restraints on their own self, while the latter is progressive only insofar as it opposes present conservative structures, but is itself a formalisation of a conservative structure, that in relying on labels and exclusiveness prevents individual self-assertion and the free flow of self-creation. To present this in Deleuzian terms, liberation is a process of deterritorialization, while separatism and exclusionism represent a reterritorialization of the queer process.

Exclusionary politics, and a reliance on an exclusivity of certain modes of action, self-identification, and being in relation to certain identities are not a liberatory politics within the queer movement, to the contrary, what is represented then is a strictly reactionary mode of thought. Separatism, which relies on exclusion for its existence, becomes a potentializing force of reaction against queer self-expression, it encloses the queer movement into a strict delineation of being that serve to repress queerness, in engaging in separatist discourse and exclusionist behaviour one is engaging in a deeply anti-queer politics. Rather than engaging in the enforcement of labels and strict categories, the queer movement, if it wishes to be truly progressive, -that is, to combat conservatism’s repressiveness and allow the self-assertion of queerness-, cannot tolerate exclusion and separatism. The queer movement must be inclusive, but more than that it must be freeing, focused on the liberation of flows of desire rather than the assertion of labels. The issue of exclusion comes when the labels themselves are reaffirmed for the sake of liberation instead of the individual itself being liberated. The issue then turns around the axis of the term and the objective of the “progressive” struggle turns to defending it, the whole process makes the label rigid and locked, and whatever progress is attained is attained not for individuals who can be free, but for the label itself which imprisons individuals by nature. The whole process of affirmation becomes alienating, people are taken from their own queerness into being categorised and organised, progress remains in the realms of ideas, while in the material, people are shamed and repressed for moving against the decided organisation of the labels.

The issue of intra-LGBT bigotry is also one that mostly stems from exclusionism, from the enforcement of strict differentiations and barriers within queerness, it arises because it is a process of systematisation, as an exclusionist system it needs to affirm itself -as an ideal- and so bigotry becomes a tool of it. That so many exclusionists also tend to hold bigoted ideas shouldn’t be surprising when the purpose of bigotry is to maintain an exclusion and a separation. The progressive movement shouldn’t then seek to crystallise identities and affirm them as identities as its main form of struggle, but instead seek to liberate the flows of individual movement against the enforcement of strict roles and systems."

Read the rest here: https://ioooo.substack.com/p/liberation-and-exclusion

[capitalism-is-a-psychopathy]

Title: Wassail and the Capitalist Conundrum: Nurturing Narcissism in Modern Markets

Wassail, a traditional drink of festivity, serves as an apt metaphor for the intoxicating allure of capitalism. As wassail warms the body, capitalism fuels ambition, but not without consequence. It creates an environment where narcissism, sociopathy, and bullying can flourish, overshadowing healthier personality traits.

Capitalism thrives on competition and self-interest. These principles, while driving innovation, also reward those who exhibit traits like narcissism and sociopathy. Individuals with these traits often excel in environments that value assertiveness and risk-taking, sometimes at the expense of empathy and cooperation. The capitalist system, by prioritizing profit over people, inadvertently elevates those who manipulate and dominate.

The mechanisms of capitalism—such as hierarchical corporate structures and market-driven incentives—often fail to penalize unethical behavior. Instead, they may inadvertently reward it. Narcissists, with their charm and confidence, can rise swiftly through the ranks. Sociopaths, unburdened by conscience, can make ruthless decisions that benefit the bottom line. Bullies can use intimidation to maintain power and control.

To shift this paradigm, we must recalibrate the metrics of success. Organizations should prioritize emotional intelligence and collaboration. Implementing policies that reward teamwork and ethical behavior can create a culture that values healthy personality traits. Encouraging transparency and accountability can deter manipulative behaviors.

Educational systems also play a crucial role. By fostering environments that emphasize empathy and cooperation from an early age, we can cultivate a generation that values these traits. Encouraging diverse leadership styles and promoting inclusive decision-making processes can further dismantle the structures that enable toxic personalities to thrive.

In conclusion, while capitalism has been a powerful engine for growth, it must evolve to support a more balanced set of values. By celebrating the wassail of human potential—our capacity for empathy, collaboration, and ethical leadership—we can create a system that nurtures the best in us all.