#intelligence amplification

[frank-olivier]

Humanity Amplified: The Emerging Era of AI Integration

The transformative ascent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a narrative of sustained innovation, culminating in a technology that is redefining the boundaries of human capability. Unlike the oft-perceived notion of an overnight breakthrough, AI's evolution is the result of a fifteen-year journey of enhancing data analysis, computational power, and refining neural network architectures. Pivotal milestones, such as AlphaGo's triumph and the pioneering application of GPUs in deep learning, have illuminated AI's vast potential in navigating complex problems, thereby solidifying its position as a burgeoning partner in human progress.

AI's current state is marked by its emergence as a versatile predictive tool, adept at deciphering the intricacies of human decision-making with unprecedented accuracy. This predictive capability, underpinned by the governing scaling laws, promises to democratize access to knowledge and expertise, thereby empowering a diverse array of individuals. The forthcoming integration of AI as a personalized "co-pilot" – offering bespoke learning pathways, medical advisement, creative inspiration, and emotional support – heralds a future where technology is inextricably intertwined with the human experience.

A forthcoming critical juncture is the development of AI systems endowed with expansive memory capabilities, poised to transform interactions from ephemeral exchanges to profound, long-term relationships. Concurrently, the diminishing cost of computational power sets the stage for a global AI adoption, transcending linguistic and geographical divides. Notably, the anticipated support for a broader spectrum of languages underscores AI's potential to bridge cultural chasms and foster a more interconnected global community.

The future human-AI interface is characterized by the evolution of AI into a deeply empathetic and introspective conversational companion. Enhanced by its capacity for "Chain of Thought" processes, AI will engage in reflective and iterative response refinement, marking a significant leap towards crafting interactions that are both productive and profoundly personal. This novel plane of communication, facilitated by AI's real-time comprehension and response to human emotions and needs, will redefine the paradigms of creation, collaboration, and connection.

To fully leverage AI's transformative potential, embracing a multifaceted mindset is paramount. In an era where collective intelligence is amplified by ubiquitous connectivity, proficiency across a broad spectrum of technical and social disciplines will distinguish the most impactful individuals. This necessitates a balanced approach, combining specialized expertise with a breadth of knowledge, to innovate at the intersections of disparate disciplines.

As humanity embarks on this extraordinary journey, it is evident that AI's true potential lies in its capacity to elevate and enhance the human experience. By embracing this transformative power with a curious, adaptable, and multidisciplinary mindset, we can ensure that the dawn of the AI era illuminates a future marked by increased brightness, compassion, and wonder, ultimately enriching the lives of all individuals.

Mustafa Suleyman: An exclusive interaction with Microsoft's AI CEO (Times Techies, November 2024)

Sunday, November 17, 2024

[pwnyta]

The other day I was trying to sleep but instead I thought about what kind of like... super powers Ivo and Stone would have.... which turned into a whole AU.

Like people who have powers are called EVOS. The powers arent necessarily genetic they can just happen in anyone but also relatives tend to have similar powers? Or something. The population is a 50/50 EVO/NonEVO

Theres also no Mobians... theyre just EVO humans in this AU. Sonic Knuckle and Tails just have Speed, Strength, and Flying EVO powers. Shadow has Teleportation.

Ivos power is Amplification. Allowing him to radiate and/or touch someone to power up their EVO power.

When his power is working on others it causes glowing lines to form on the body as well as making the persons eyes glow. If used too much too quickly it can cause someone to lose control.

I wanted his power to be something unrelated to his intelligence but also be a power people would want to exploit with it so I thought a support power like this would be perfect. Gerald also had a similar power which is why GUN did what they could to get Ivo in their ranks.

Because his power is completely in his control (he must be conscious for his power to work and he can fully control the radius & power of the amp so it cant be manipulated.) so he can hold it over peoples heads to get what he wants.

NonEvos are often recruited into military positions because the military can Bio Augment them and give them kinda... lesser/general abilities (like super soldiers.) they dont augment EVOS because theyre afraid of giving people too much power...

Stone was thought to be NonEVO and the test they give new recruits ran negative but its only because his ability is almost impossible to detect. His power Technopathy lets him communicate with and control machines, he used his ability to skew his results and got augmented powers as well.

His desire to work with Ivo comes from 'meeting' some of Ivos inventions. Theyre much more intelligent then most machines and very sweet despite being killing machines technically. Theyre also VERY loyal to their creator so he doesnt try to manipulate them.

More and more Stone relates more to Ivos Badniks than the humans hes around. Like the Niks he becomes completely loyal and loving to Ivo.

When Ivo Amps Stones power it connects him to basically every bit of tech within his controlled radius. The first time he does it it doesnt end well (they were at the GUN compound in Ivos lab.... it was a lot of tech and a lot of information).

Ivo may or may not be completely infatuated with Stone.... 's circuit board-like Bot Amp lines. But if he were it would only be because the lines are cool cuz he likes tech and no other reason. [citation needed]

uhmmm... YA.

[herenvibing]

thinking abt the fact that we don’t really see gojo actually throw hands all that much in hidden inventory. he instead relies heavily on usage of blue in an offensive capacity (since he hadn’t accessed red), and the assurance that nobody can touch him thanks to infinity. pure arrogance and belief in the power granted to him by his bloodline. pretty much the only time we see him physically attack anyone is when he kicks that guy who kidnapped kuroi. a god need not stoop to the level of mortals, after all.

and then he was killed (mostly) by a non sorcerer who relied solely on his own physical strength, dexterity and tactical intelligence.

and now in the future/present, for a pretty large portion of the manga, we see him mostly using actual martial arts in combat, and while he still leans on infinity to bolster his defense, he’s also made himself difficult to hit by just how fast he is. red comes around when he feels like showing off, purple when he wants to play rough, but beyond that it’s just pure unbridled mma. that 15 hit wing chun combo he delivered to miguel? he never would’ve done something like that as a teenager. he uses blue a bit in an offensive capacity during the fight with hanami and jogo, but when domain amplification comes into play, he switches pretty seamlessly to hand to hand and doesn’t give either of them anything even resembling a fighting chance; he only uses domain expansion when he realizes how outnumbered he is, and EVEN THEN it’s for less than a second, the rest of that fight is, again, pure hands. it isn’t until the fight with sukuna that he really starts to lean again on his jujutsu; even in that fight he had Sukuna outclassed with his skill in martial arts. Bro went from not bothering to get his hands dirty to being inarguably the greatest hand to hand combatant in the verse, second only (maybe) to Maki. 

gojo didn’t just steal toji’s fit and his kid. he stole his martial prowess too.

[a-very-tired-jew]

Microsoft Cyber Attack Assessment of the I/P Conflict

This was sent my way by a cyber security colleague recently. Microsoft put out an assessment of cyber attacks associated with the I/P conflict and determined that the IRI has had a massive hand in them. Yes we know Russian bots are present whenever this type of conflict happens, but to have a full breakdown of what IRI backed groups (government and non-government) are actively spreading misinformation and committing attacks is good to know. I find this chart particularly interesting.

Fig. 1. Chart depicting the various active cyber groups and their personas online. Cotton Sandstorm is the most active group and if you look on the far right of the chart you will see that they have Jewish Peace Advocate listed as one of their online personas. The report indicates that there are active IRI cyber groups masquerading as Jews and/or Jewish groups online and spreading misinformation (keep in mind this report is from February 2024 and we don't have a public report regarding the continued cyber attacks and misinformation campaign). From the report:

During this phase, Iran’s influence activity used more extensive and sophisticated forms of inauthentic amplification. In the first two weeks of the war, we detected minimal advanced forms of inauthentic amplification—again suggesting operations were reactive. By the third week of the war, Iran’s most prolific influence actor, Cotton Sandstorm, entered the scene launching three cyber-enabled influence operations on October 21. As we often see from the group, they used a network of social media sockpuppets to amplify the operations, though many appeared to be hastily repurposed without authentic covers disguising them as Israelis. On multiple occasions Cotton Sandstorm sent text messages or emails in bulk to amplify or boast about their operations, leveraging compromised accounts to enhance authenticity.

...

Iran’s targeting of Israel during the Israel-Hamas war has increasingly focused on stoking domestic conflict over the Israeli government’s approach to the war. Multiple Iranian influence operations have masqueraded as Israeli activist groups to plant inflammatory messaging that criticizes the government’s approach to those kidnapped and taken hostage on October 7.17 Netanyahu has been a primary target of such messaging, and calls for his removal were a common theme in Iran’s influence operations.

...

There's a lot to the report and I highly recommend you read it. Hopefully another one comes out, apparently these are biannual, this summer with a spring time assessment. Please keep in mind that this war has had a ton of propaganda and bad actors masquerading as good ones. There's so much misinformation out there regarding Israel and Jews that is being amplified by people who want us dead, and when we point this out we're quickly silenced. But more and more the evidence supports the idea that manipulation and misinformation is playing a larger role.

And we told you.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/security-insider/intelligence-reports/iran-surges-cyber-enabled-influence-operations-in-support-of-hamas#section-master-oc1474

[punkpandapatrixk]

[PPA Masterlist] [corresponding PAC]

🏖Your Own Standards of Beauty ★ Concept Affirmations

🏖prototype🏖

I AM a prototype of a new kind of beauty. A kind of beauty that is genuinely confident. In fact, that is the secret to my magnetism. I am not in a competition with anybody else. I AM my own standard of beauty. I empower others to be just like me. This is confidence like the world had never seen before.

I AM a prototype of a new kind of glow-up. A kind of glow-up that breaks the fourth wall. In fact, I am well-aware of the fact that we're all living in a simulation. In this Game of Life, I get to be the best in everything. I effortlessly get the best of everything.

I AM the prototype of a new way of being. A way of being that's deeply rooted in spiritual intelligence. It's only natural that I grow myself to become the best version of my highest Soul Expression. Sooner than later, the whole world is going to be filled with beautiful people just like me and it will be such a paradise to live in.

🏖standard🏖

I AM a new standard of Humanity. A Humanity that respects individuality before the society. I am the microcosm of a society whose people are spiritually and mentally healthy. I live in a society that celebrates authenticity instead of fakery. I raise the standards for an honest self-expression. I inspire others to be just the same.

I AM a new standard of bravery. A bravery that's deeply rooted in my service to the Light. I bring Light into this world. The world around me morphs itself to match my high vibrations. My high vibrations elevate others so they liberate themselves. I declare now that I AM living in a world of Truth and Freedom.

I AM a new standard of Reality. I am authenticity. I am truth. I am free from all bondage. I am rationality. I am reasonability. I am creativity. I am joy. I am empathy. I am what Humanity is all about. As long as I'm happy, it doesn't matter that my existence is an anomaly. This is MY Reality. And I choose to connect with those that are like me.

🏖 integration🏖

I declare the integration of Light and Dark in me. I balance my Yin and Yang. I vibrate closer to Christ Consciousness. I express both Feminine and Masculine aenergies. I am balanced in my mind body and spirit. I embrace both positive and negative qualities unapologetically. I utilise all of my attributes to create a better, stronger me.

I declare the amplification of my positive qualities. My attributes of Light empower myself and the world around me. I heal myself and the world around me from trauma and suffering. I create joy in the world as I live. I banish poverty-mindset as I express my liberty. I AM a divine being of the Light.

I declare the temperance of my negative qualities. My attributes of Dark empower myself and the world around me. I shield myself and the world around me from the manipulation of evil forces. I raise spiritual intelligence in the world as I speak my Truth. I refuse to be complicit in stupid injustices. I AM FEARLESS in the face of false judgement and rejection.

☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・. ☆♪°・.

[Patreon] [Paid Readings]

[tohwitchesduels]

LOSERS BATTLES OF WITCHES DUELS - Battle 34: Amity Blight vs Augustus Porter

Disclaimer: This is not a popularity contest or which character you prefer, in this tournament, you decide who is stronger/better/smarter/etc. opponent.

information for both opponents under the cut to those who don't know what they can do in their battle:

Because of how lengthy both of their profiles I won't be getting into deeper details on what they can do and just put links in their names:

Amity Blight:

Amity Blight naturally specializes in Abomination Magic the most, but she does so capacity in knowing spells of other tracks like Plants and Illusion, but it's very limited.

Amity and Gus are overall good friends. They're not exactly close but they certainly care about one another and don't hold any real grudges anymore. So this battle between them is more fun and rather focused more on wanting to go to the Semi-Finals as a wild card rather than anything personal.

Amity is a very skilled, talented, cool-headed, and pragmatic fighter. Hardly does she lose composure when battling even strong opponents, displaying plenty of agility and athleticism (as shown in her battle with Hunter and Grom, which is also given considering she was a former captain of the grudgby team at Hexside), and can be both a powerhouse using plenty of strength or a mastermind coming up with tricks on the fly while outsmarting her opponents with her skillset. Very dangerous, and even more so once she puts more passion into her battle. Hardly there are any weak spots or flaws in her battling style, but she can still be overpowered. Abomination Magic in particular feels to be weaker than Construction Magic for example, and it can be rendered useless when dealing in an environment with no mud. Granted Amity holds abomination goo with her so at most, she's going to be weakened. Amity is capable of controlling any slime or mud she comes in contact with.

Amity does wield a Palisman named Ghost and according to herself, she's a "safe flyer". This means she's overall pretty proficient and skilled in her flying capabilities, but at the same time, it means she's not a real aerial ace like Luz or Hunter for example. She's skilled enough to not easily fall off by herself, but as proven in her battles with Hunter (both EL and TTT), she's not fast enough to necessarily avoid being hit in midair. Granted she can still be faster than average and have better reflexes than average, but still not enough to beat some real aerial aces. She is proficient in staff-wielding, being capable of using it to enhance her own spells.

Gus Porter:

Gus Porter is a prodigy when it comes to illusion magic. Prodigious enough to skip a few grades and even defeat the coven head of illusions with his sheer raw power. Gus displays insane potential and a big imagination when it comes to his magic. Now his powers are still limited by his own imagination and creativity meaning his illusions for the most part can be used mostly for deception and distraction, but during this tournament, Gus finally revised his own skill to find even offensive capabilities of his powers. While Gus did display the willingness to study other tracks, he ultimately never did due to his reassurance in being a master illusionist how easy it comes to him, and how much he can do with illusions alone.

One must know how intelligent Gus is during his battles. He can easily fool and toy with his opponents thanks to his illusions and Gus is also not afraid to either mock or straight-up torture his enemies during his battle just to get the results he needs, and has more than enough raw power to pull his schemes to their fullest. It's worth noting that when Gus feels extreme emotions, his magic only gets amplified, however, the side effects could be that Gus actually loses control over his own powers and gets to be the victim of them too, though thankfully to the magical amplifier from Graye, the risk of that is lesser.

Gus does possess a Palisman and is known to be an utter speed demon. Gus doesn't fly in a traditional sense like most other competitors due, to preferring to surf in the air, but this only further allows him to still cast spells while midair, which mixed with his capacity to trick his opponents more dangerous. It's hard to tell however how good he is in combat with his staff, but it appears he knows how to battle with it if he still used it as a means to fight in LR when briefly facing Hunter.

One of the artifacts I allow Gus to have independently regarding whether or not his opponent also has any supportive gear is the looking glass earring he got after he defeated Adrian. The magical amplifier allows Gus to further concentrate his raw power into specific abilities he has a hard time pulling on his own and even enhancing them in the process, growing more powerful.

Amity and Gus are overall good friends. They're not exactly close but they certainly care about one another and don't hold any real grudges anymore. So this battle between them is more fun and rather focused more on wanting to go to the Semi-Finals as a wild card rather than anything personal.

Return to Masterpost

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: mars, jupiter, & saturn meet

As we step into Wednesday 8/14, the cosmic energies are intensifying with Mars conjoining Jupiter in the sign of Gemini at 16 degrees. This conjunction is forming a powerful square with Saturn in Pisces, which is currently at 17 degrees. As the week progresses, these aspects will significantly shape the astrological landscape, leading to dynamic and potentially transformative events.

Key Aspects and Developments:

Mars Conjunct Jupiter in Gemini: Mars, representing speed and action, joins forces with expansive Jupiter. This alignment suggests an increase in momentum, particularly in areas governed by Gemini—communication, information, and mental agility. Expect a rapid pace in these domains, which could lead to potential misunderstandings or conflicts, especially with Mercury in retrograde.

Mars and Jupiter Square Saturn: The square aspect to Saturn introduces a sense of challenge or restriction. This is where the energy shifts from pure momentum to a more focused, determined effort. Saturn’s influence demands discipline, structure, and a cautious approach to the enthusiasm and ambition fueled by Mars and Jupiter.

Formation of a T-Square: As the weekend approaches, Venus moves into the same dynamic, opposing Saturn and squaring the Mars-Jupiter conjunction. This forms a T-square, a challenging astrological pattern that often brings tension and the need for resolution. Venus’s involvement suggests that relationships, values, and resources may come under scrutiny, requiring balance and adjustment.

Mercury Retrograde and Uranus Influence: The week also sees Mercury retrograde squaring Uranus, adding a layer of unpredictability and potential disruption, particularly in communication and technology. This aspect, combined with a Kazimi (when Mercury is in the heart of the Sun), emphasizes breakthroughs or sudden realizations, albeit through chaotic or unexpected events.

Full Moon and Uranus: The Full Moon, with its square to Uranus, culminates this energetic buildup, highlighting a need for change or a shift in perspective. This Uranian influence could bring about sudden shifts or liberating experiences, reinforcing the theme of breaking free from outdated patterns.

Archetypal Themes:

Speed and Amplification: The Mars-Jupiter conjunction in Gemini accelerates mental processes, communication, and data exchange. This could lead to quick decisions, bold statements, or conflicts arising from hastiness. However, the positive side includes increased confidence, courage, and a sense of victory in overcoming challenges.

Pressure Cooker Dynamics: The square from Saturn introduces a testing period where strength, determination, and focus are required. This aspect suggests a need to channel the high energy of Mars-Jupiter into disciplined and constructive efforts. It’s a time for heroic perseverance in the face of obstacles, whether expected or unforeseen.

Overcoming Obstacles: The combination of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn signals a time to overcome hurdles through intelligence, discipline, and hard work. Whether these challenges were anticipated or not, the key lies in steadfast effort and strategic planning.

Structural Reformation: The Jupiter-Saturn square, amplified by Mars, points to a period of restructuring or reorganization. This could manifest in personal, professional, or societal frameworks, necessitating decisive actions to rebuild or reform systems that no longer serve their purpose.

Necessity as a Catalyst for Innovation: Saturn’s restrictive influence often forces creative solutions. As constraints become apparent, particularly in areas related to Gemini (communication, technology, information), the necessity to adapt or innovate becomes a driving force.

Practical Applications:

Stay Grounded: With the rapid pace and potential for misunderstandings, particularly in communication, take time to think before you speak or act. Patience and clarity will be your allies.

Embrace Challenges: View obstacles as opportunities for growth. The pressure cooker environment created by Saturn’s square may feel intense, but it’s also a chance to demonstrate resilience and determination.

Be Open to Change: The Uranian influence suggests that surprises or sudden shifts are likely. Embrace these as opportunities to break free from old patterns and move towards greater freedom or innovation.

Reevaluate Structures: Whether in personal habits, relationships, or professional endeavors, consider where reorganization or restructuring is needed. This is a time to build stronger, more sustainable foundations.

follow for more astro insights like this and head on over to @quenysefields or etsy sensualnoiree to book a session with me :)

[nightingale2004]

Twilight oc: The Santana clan

Sebastian Santana

Age: 30 (when he was turned), late 700s (now)

Personality: flirtatious, charming, intelligent, bold, patient, calm, loyal, confident, dramatic, blunt, clever, passionate, protective

Looks:

Species: Vampire

Gift: Hypnosis

Clan: the Volturi (formerly), Santana clan/the Iceland clan (now)

Mate: Ingrid Santana

Clan members: Ingrid (wife), Sonya (adopted daughter), Sheamus (adopted son), Andromeda (adopted daughter)

Jewelry/items: golden wedding ring, cross necklace

Extra: Sebastian was turned by one of the few members of the Volturi clan when they first formed. Sebastian stayed with and served with them using his abilities to benefit the Volturi. But when Carlisle came to the Volturi, they became close friends and soon after Carlisle left, so did Sebastian and he traveled the world living amongst the human throughout the decades that have passed but still keeping in touch with Carlisle. Then, one day, he met his mate Ingrid along with a few other people, and together, they formed their own clan and lived in Iceland as a new family.

○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●○●

Ingrid Santana

Age: 28 (when she was turned), 300s (now)

Personality: strict, serious, caring, strong-willed, generous, compassionate, patient, protective, motherly, loyal, determined, passionate, calm, wise

Looks:

Species: vampire

Gift: Super scream

Mate: Sebastian Santana

Clan: Nomad (formerly), Santana clan/ Iceland clan

Clan members: Sebastian (husband), Sonya (adopted daughter), Sheamus (adopted son), Andromeda (adopted daughter)

Jewelry/items: silver knot cuff, silver wedding ring w/ an onyx gem

Extra: Ingrid was turned by a Nomad vampire. After she was turned, she didn't want to hurt anyone, so she went on the "vegetarian" diet and continued to live in Iceland by herself in isolation. Then one day, she met Sebastian who was traveling around in her area. After that, they got to know each other and found out that they were mates. But Ingrid was more cautious and fell slowly for Sebastian but in the end she fell hard for him. After centuries of being with him, they became a clan together and over the years that clan grew and they became a family

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sonya Santana

Age: 17 (turned), late 40s (now)

Personality: protective, confident, level-headed, serious, caring, loyal, passionate, intelligent, resourceful, clever, cunning, patient, determined, distant, cold, strict, blunt

Looks:

Species: Vampire

Gift: ice, snow, and frost manipulation

Mate: Alec Volturi

Clan: Santana clan/Icelandic clan

Clan members: Sebastian (adopted father), Ingrid (adopted mother), Sheamus (twin brother), Andromeda (adopted sister/sister-in-law)

Jewelry/items: silver earrings, black leather gloves, chain necklace w/ a blue gem

Extra: Sonya and her twin brother Sheamus were originally from in the UK during the 1970s. Before Sonya and her brother became vampires, they were a part of a band with Sheamus as the lead singer and Sonya as his partner in crime and his manager. Then one night after a concert they performed at, both Sonya and Sheamus were shot by a enraged fan but before their heart stopped beating, Sonya and her brother were found by Sebastian and Ingrid and turned shortly after. Then both Sheamus and Sonya became part of the Santana clan.

◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇♡◇

Sheamus Santana

Age: 17 (turned), late 40s (now)

Personality: sarcastic, loyal, bold, artistic, confident, playful, creative, laid-back, charming, flirtatious, lazy, optimistic, warm, impulsive, sneaky, mischievous, rebellious, stubborn

Looks:

Species: Vampire

Gift: Sound amplification

Mate: Andromeda Santana

Clan: Santana clan/Icelandic clan

Clan members: Sonya (twin sister), Sebastian (adopted father), Ingrid (adopted mother), Andromeda (wife)

Jewelry/items: guitar case, silver necklace w/ guitar pick, brown leather notebook, brown multilayer leather bracelet w/ a music note charm, silver fidget ring, silver wedding ring, leather feather beaded pant charm

Extra: Before he and his sister became vampires, they came from humble beginnings. Sheamus and his sister Sonya grew up in an orphanage after they were left there by their parents as children. Around the age of 12, Sheamus quickly learned how to play acoustic and electic guitar along with also becoming a rather impressive singer with his twin sister by his side. Then, shortly, they both gained minimal fame and popularity in the UK throughout a short amount of time. But then, when they were murdered, they were turned by Ingrid and Sebastian and joined them and became a clan.

☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□☆□

Andromeda Santana

Age: 18 (turned), mid 90s (now)

Personality: fierce, snarky, feist, quick-witted, adventurous, spontaneous, creative, overconfident, protective, caring, curious, cautious, calm, free- spirited, determined, passionate

Looks:

Species: Vampire

Gift: Transmutation

Mate: Sheamus Santana

Clan: Mexican clan (formerly), Nomad (formerly), Santana clan/Icelandic clan (now)

Clan members: Sebastian (adopted father), Ingrid (adopted mother), Sheamus (husband), Sonya (sister-in- law)

Jewelry/items: star earrings, silver wedding ring w/ a diamond, brown leather bracelet w/ a feather charm

Extra: Andromeda originally lived in Mexico, where she was turned by one of the members of the Mexican coven. When she was a newborn, she showed promise quickly and gained Maria's favor. But when she found out what was happening to the newborns, she knew she was next, so she snuck out and ran away from her clan becoming a Nomad. During that time, all she fed on was human blood until she met the Santana clan who was cautious of her at first except for Sheamus but took her in and she became a part of their family and even became closer with Sheamus romantically. She also didn't adjust easily to the new diet but she endured and eventually grew comfortable with it but she still struggles to keep it together along with the twins.

[exhaled-spirals]

« Imaginez les remarques que pourrait faire un observateur. . . de notre espèce, . . . comment elle se transforme, comment elle se consume depuis un siècle environ. Il aurait grand sujet de se divertir à nos dépens en constatant le curieux retournement de nos efforts inventifs contre nous-mêmes. Tandis que nous croyons nous soumettre les forces et les choses, il n'est pas un seul de ces attentats savants contre la nature qui, par voie directe ou indirecte, ne nous soumette, au contraire, un peu plus à elle et ne fasse de nous des esclaves de notre puissance, des êtres d'autant plus incomplets qu'ils sont mieux équipés.

. . . Et ne parlons pas des odeurs, des bruits que vous endurez, des trépidations, des courants de toute fréquence, des nourritures synthétiques, que sais-je ! Et quant à l'intellect, mes amis, quant à la sensibilité. . . on vous soumet l'esprit à une merveilleuse quantité de nouvelles incohérentes par vingt-quatre heures ; vos sens doivent absorber, sans un jour de repos, autant de musique, de peinture, de drogues, de boissons bizarres, de spectacles, de déplacements, de brusques changements d'altitude, de température, d'anxiété politique et économique. . . que toute l'humanité ensemble, au cours de trois siècles, en pouvait absorber jadis !. . . Cependant que la politique aligne nos multitudes, leur fait donner la main ou dresser le poing, les fait marcher au pas, voter, haïr ou aimer ou mourir en cadence, indistinctement, statistiquement.

La machine économique est, au fond, une exagération, une amplification colossale de l'organisme. . . et nous pouvons suspecter. . . qu'il se produira, dans l'âge qui vient, une dépression des valeurs intellectuelles, un abaissement, une décadence comparables à ceux qui se sont produits à la fin de l'antiquité ; la culture à peu près abandonnée, les œuvres devenues incompréhensibles ou détruites. . . toutes choses malheureusement très possibles [si] les moyens de possession et de jouissance, l'incohérence imposée par la fréquence et la facilité des impressions, la vulgarisation immédiate et l'application aux productions, aux évaluations et à la consommation, des fruits de l'esprit, de méthodes industrielles, finissent par altérer les vertus intellectuelles les plus élevées et les plus importantes : l'attention, la puissance méditative et critique, et ce qu'on peut nommer la pensée de grand style. . .

Nous vivons sous le régime perpétuel de la perturbation de nos intelligences. L'intensité, la nouveauté, dans notre époque, sont devenues des qualités, ce qui est un symptôme assez remarquable. Je ne puis croire que ce système soit excellent pour la culture. Sa première conséquence sera de rendre ou inintelligibles ou insupportables toutes les oeuvres du passé qui ont été composées dans les conditions toutes contraires et qui exigent des esprits tout différemment formés. »

— Paul Valéry, "Notre destin et les lettres", conférence donnée le 17 février 1937

[wingedshadowfan]

i've spoken about this before but let me dissect one of the most controversial fourth wing paragraphs:

Tairn puts us into position, hovering about twenty feet aboveground as Liam flies for the gryphons above us, wielding spears of ice into the injured wyvern’s throat. Blood streams as the wyvern falls from the sky with an ear-piercing cry.

liam's signet is farsight, so how was he wielding ice?

possible theories:

marked ones have two signets and that's just liam's second one (i don't like this theory, it makes them too op and they already have the advantage of being immune to melgren's battle outcome foreseeing powers when there's at least three of them together; i also don't like the possibility of xaden's second signet being mind reading, if marked ones really have two)

it was just a mistake and it was meant to be another third year who was wielding the ice spears and not liam since ice wielding is rather common (i don't like the idea that there was such an obvious mistake left in the book since liam's signet being farsight has been mentioned multiple times, all in that same stretch of chapters - before breaking into lilith sorrengail's office for war games, when he tells king tauri at the reunification party, when they arrive at athebyne and he sees the venin)

saying 'liam' is a figure of speech and it was actually his dragon deigh who was wielding the ice spears since her name means 'ice' in scottish gaelic (i like this one but we don't know for sure if grown dragons can do things like that, we know they have their own magic - like tairn keeping violet seated, or some but not all dragons sensing the wards faltering meaning some might have powers related to weaving/unweaving wards, like mira/nadine do - but its extent is still unclear to us)

my theory:

liam was wielding ice himself - his only signet is farsight, and his ice wielding is some crazy form of lesser magic that he developed himself and kept secret!

supporting evidence/explanation:

Since Dain told me about the patch denoting his top secret signet, I’ve been paying close attention to the patches other cadets have sewn into their uniforms. Most wear them like badges of honor, but I recognize them for what they really are—intelligence that I might one day need to defeat them.

-violet's comment on the importance of knowing someone's signet or abilities (because we know from liam and garrick's patches that they can also denote wielding weapons or riders' hand to hand combat strengths, not just their signets)

I notice not for the first time that other than his Fourth Wing and wingleader emblems, he doesn’t wear the patches others are so fond of displaying.

-xaden not wearing his signet/combat skill patches, then saying this later on in the book:

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone about the time-stopping,” Xaden asks as we head back into the tunnel, but it feels an awful lot like a command. “It’s not just for your safety. Rare abilities, when kept secret, are the most valuable form of currency we possess.”

if ice wielding isn't as rare then why did liam not do the exact opposite and keep his farsight a secret instead (lying his signet is actually ice wielding)? probably because farsight is not as useful in direct combat and he's easily underestimated when he says his signet is just farsight, which is exactly xaden's point

“And your gift?” King Tauri asks Liam. “Farsight, Your Majesty,” Liam responds. Melgren’s eyes narrow on Liam’s exposed rebellion relic, then rise to his sash. “Mairi, as in Colonel Mairi’s son?”

liam is incredibly good at hand to hand combat, and with his lesser magic being ice wielding, he made shish kebab out of that wyvern, so i'd say keeping that ability secret (and only showing it in front of other marked ones and violet in a life vs death battle) was a good call.

the biggest plot holes here are that we don't know much about lesser magic yet:

we know mage lights, speed, voice amplification, etc are lesser magic multiple people have learnt to wield (so far we've seen only marked ones do it but it's probably because riders are taught to do it in later years): so what are the extents of lesser magic? is ice wielding even possible as lesser magic? if wards for example can be both lesser magic (xaden warding violet's door) all riders are taught in their third year, and a signet at the same time (mira's), then so can ice wielding

if so, wouldn't that mean many people can just learn to do it (ice wielding as lesser magic)? so did liam teach himself? or did someone else teach him and only him? when? how? because we're left with the impression that ice wielding isn't a rare signet but we've never heard of anyone having it as lesser magic - it's probably quite hard, and maybe liam isn't as good at it as those who have it as their signet

[queen-of-onychinus]

Introduction

[ACCESSING CLASSIFIED FILE…]

[SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL: OMEGA]

[USER AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED]

[AUTHENTICATION ACCEPTED]

[OPENING FILE: HUNTER #0027 – "REYNA"]

[WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS WILL BE LOGGED AND PROSECUTED]

HUNTER’S ASSOCIATION – CLASSIFIED DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Reyna (Codename: Nebula)

FILE ID: HA-0027

CLEARANCE LEVEL: Classified

STATUS: ACTIVE | High value asset

AFFILIATION: Hunter's Association (Current)

EVER (Formerly, CLASSIFIED)

RANK: Captain - LEVIATHANs squad

CURRENT LOCATION: [REDACTED]

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA:

AGE: 27

HEIGHT: 5’9”

BUILD: Athletic, Lean, Enhanced Physiology

HAIR COLOR: Teal (dyes often)

EYE COLOR: Icy Blue

SUBJECT HISTORY – RESTRICTED ACCESS

ORIGINS: Subject was born to two EVER Group scientists specializing in Biotech and Evol Energy research. Following the Chronoshift Catastrophe, which resulted in mass destruction, her mother was confirmed deceased. Her father survived and continued work under EVER, becoming the lead researcher in cardiac protocore augmentation—one of the organization's most controversial and highly classified projects.

At an undisclosed age, subject was forcibly entered into experimental trials, wherein a specially engineered protocore was implanted within her cardiac structure. This resulted in significant amplification of her Evol abilities, leading to her designation as an elite bounty hunter within EVER’s ranks.

Codenamed "Nebula," subject was deployed to countless missions to track and retrieve rogue protocores—either by acquisition through underground trade networks or by direct elimination of individuals in possession of them. Her success rate was recorded at 90.7%, marking her as one of EVER’s most effective assets.

However, classified records indicate an unauthorized departure from EVER Group. Subject engaged in covert contact with an internal informant (Identity: KADE, Status: DECEASED), securing forged identification and transport out of EVER jurisdiction. Subject’s departure was not without consequence—intelligence confirms that her informant was eliminated by EVER operatives within 72 hours of assisting her escape.

Reyna successfully integrated into the Hunter’s Association, assuming command of LEVIATHANS, an elite squad specializing in high-risk missions and operations. Despite her tactical proficiency and leadership capabilities, concerns remain regarding potential retaliation from EVER Group and the long-term stability of her protocore enhancements.

EVOL CAPABILITIES – HIGH THREAT LEVEL

PRIMARY EVOL: Plasma Manipulation

SUBSET ABILITIES:

Starfire generation

Plasma shields

Fusion bursts

Augmented endurance

NOTE FROM THE HUNTER'S ASSOCIATION:

Despite the subject’s efficiency in field operations and squad members exhibiting high loyalty to her command, her past affiliation with EVER remains a point of concern. Continuous monitoring is advised to prevent potential conflicts of interest. Despite it all, the subject is a critical asset for the Association.

[FILE LAST UPDATED: [REDACTED]

[AUTHORIZATION: HUNTER’S ASSOCIATION OMEGA-LEVEL CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR FURTHER ACCESS]

[END TRANSMISSION…]

OOC: Credit for the dividers goes to @firefly-graphics

[mask131]

The gods of Gaul: Rosmerta

After a god of abundance, a goddess of abundance !

Rosmerta is a purely Gallo-Roman goddess. Not that she did not start as a Gallic goddess, mind you! For sure she was originally a goddess of Gaul – her very name is Gallic in origin. But the fact is that all we know about her, be it her role, her functions, her attributes, come from her incarnation as a Gallo-Roman goddess, part of the syncretized pantheon of Roman and Gallic gods. As such, we can only conjecture and guess who she was before the Romans arrived, based on the way the Romans handled and incorporated her.

One thing that is certain of is that Rosmerta always was a goddess of abundance. As I said, her name is Gallic, and commonly identified as being formed of three parts, “Ro”, “Smert” and “A”. The -a suffix merely denotes a female name. The prefix “Ro-“ is for amplification (like “very” ; a “robili” is someone who is very kind ; a “rocabalus” is a great horse). As for “smert”, it is found in many Gallic names and means either “who takes care of” or “who offers”. As such, Rosmerta could be translated as “The Great Giver”, “The Very Generous”, “She who takes care of very well”, “The Great Gifter”… In Gallo-Roman iconography, Rosmerta is often depicted holding a cornucopia, highlighting her role as a goddess of abundance and maybe fecundity (sometimes it is even stressed further by her holding the cornucopia in one hand, a basket of fruits on the other).

In the Gallo-Roman religion, Rosmerta is the eternal companion, the paredra, the female equivalent of the god Mercury. On all the visual depictions we have of Rosmerta, very few depict her alone – she is usually always with Mercury by her side. This makes sense when you recall who Mercury was in Roman religion. Too many people consider that the Roman gods are just the Greek ones with a new name printed on them. Mercury might have been the equivalent of the Greek Hermes, but in terms of functions and symbolism he differed from him in many ways. Most notably, while the Greek Hermes was mainly a god of talent, cunning, cleverness and intelligence (which manifested in his various attributes as god of messengers and eloquence, science and athletics, merchants and thieves), the Romans focused much more on the idea of a god of travel and commerce: as such, Mercury is the god of merchants, markets, business travels and lucrative journeys first and foremost. He was an economic god, a money-deity, who embodied prosperity and riches in a material and financial form. As such, it makes sense for him, in the Gallo-Roman syncretism, to be paired with a goddess who herself seems to have embodied abundance and fertility.

Interestingly, we can see how Rosmerta got more and more “fused” with Mercury over time. For example, in many depictions of the duo, Rosmerta is not holding her usual cornucopia, but a pouch full of coins or a bag of money – which was THE defining attribute of Mercury. The “Mercurification” of Rosmerta reached its paroxysm in a bronze depiction from Annecy, where the goddess appears alone… But with Mercury’s wings on both sides of her head, while holding a purse of coins. The transformation is complete: Rosmerta became simply the female version of Mercury, and lost her own identity. We have a lot of votive offerings and various prayer-inscriptions for Rosmerta, but they do not give us much information about her, and always made her one half of a duo with Mercury.

There is also this four-sided pillar which depicts Rosmerta holding Mercury's caduceus. You will notice with these pictures the very Roman aspect Rosmerta sports - with the Roman dress and veil and diadem.

If you are curious, the other sides of this pillar found behind Paris' Sainte-Chapelle in 1748, depict Mercury, Apollo and a "winged Genie".

Interestingly, the lack of romantic or sensual scenes between Mercury and Rosmerta have led many to theorize their couple was not a romantic or marital one. Many believe that Rosmerta was probably identified with Mercury's mother, Maia, who had her own cult by Roman times. For example, there is the fact we have votive inscriptions acting in parallels - some invoking "Mercury and Maia" together, others invoking "Mercury and Rosmerta", but the two goddesses never appearing side by side in the same inscription. Their cult-areas do not overlap geographically speaking (here is a map below from the Belgian website deomercurio) - and when you consider that Maia was a goddess of the season of spring associated with the rebirth/birth of nature ; that she was often seen holding a caduceus ; and that she had been before associated with various mother-goddesses of fertility (Ops, Fauna, Bona Dea)... Well it all points to a very possible connection. In fact, the Mercurified statue of Rosmerta with wings on her head has been debated: because while many consider it is a Rosmerta statue, some rather see it as a Maia statue... The confusion is clear.

Some theorized Rosmerta might have been a goddess of the fertile earth and the natural abundance (hence the cornucopia, the basket of fruits), which would have made the “natural” reflection of Mercury’s man-made, artificial riches (coins, commerce, merchants and markets) – after all, Gaul was one of the food-providers of the Roman Empire, the place where the Romans got a lot of their cereals and grapes. To have a goddess of fruits coupled with a god of commerce would have been the perfect representation of the Roman conquest of Gaul… Some even push the idea further by saying maybe Rosmerta was an equivalent of Proserpina, or a female Pluto, as a goddess of the riches of underworld – but I found no conclusive evidence or solid theory for this, so I’ll mention it, but I give this no credit. Let us stick simply to how she is an abundance and fertility goddess, more likely a Maia equivalent.

There are other theories linking her to other Roman deities. For example some see in Rosmerta a Gallic equivalent of the Roman goddess Felicitas, due to a Roman inscription (listing all the important gods of Gaul) having Felicitas following immediately the name of Mercury, as if closely associated with him, despite Felicitas not being typically seen as Mercury-adjacent in Roman religion. Another theory mentions how the Roman goddess Abundantia, the personification of abundance, had a strong worship in some parts of Gaul (for example by the Eduens), and was depicted in a similar way to Rosmerta as a goddess with a cornucopia and a patera in her hands. However the theory falls quite short, because on one side Abundantia was always depicted alone, without a male companion, and on the other, almost all of the goddesses of Gaul were depicted with a patera (or in a lesser way a cornucopia) in their hands. The patera was one of the recurring, typical attributes of the Gallic goddesses ; and given many of them had something to do with abundance or fertility, the cornucopia went from hand to hand... But there is no denying that Rosmerta definitively echoed the Roman Abundantia, and that in turn Abundantia found her place in Gaul, filling a shared religious archetype of a goddes of abundance, a spirit of prosperity. Maia, Abundantia, Rosmerta - they all formed a web around a central core partially missing today, and testify to Gaul's strong attachment to the idea of a fertility goddess, of a personification of a nature filled with riches.

Another interesting clue when it comes to Rosmerta is how, in an engraving found in Reims, she has by her side not Mercury, but rather Toutatis/Teutatès... Is it a clue that maybe Toutatis was her original companion before Mercury arrived? There is also a fascinating Gallo-Roman depiction, a stone statue currently at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye museum, of Mercury with an unnamed goddess by his side:

This statue is very, very important for several reasons. One: the goddess by Mercury's side is left unnamed, but if she is Rosmerta, then this statue might indicate not a mother-son relationship (as the Maia theory allowed to think) but a sexual one. Indeed, it would be one of the rare Rosmerta depictions with an accent on her body and a form of nudity - coupled with the suggestive gesture of touching Mercury's head. Two: Despite us knowing this was meant to be a Mercury, this Mercury is very unusual. He is not a youthful ephebe, but a mature, bearded man. No wings, no caduceus - only the pouch of coins typical of his charge... and a snake laying on his lap. Not just any snake: a ram-headed snake. If you read my previous post about the gods of Gaul you know what this means... This "Mercury" clearly sports the symbolism of Cernunnos. The bag of grains/food coins turned into a little purse, the antlers removed, but the beard and the ram-headed snake are still here, and the goddess still holds the god's head.

It had already been established that Mercury's popularity in Gaul was part due to replacing some aspects of Cernunnos - but if this goddess is Rosmerta (and indeed, some Cernunnos depictions did have a cornucopia-holding goddess near the god, usually identified as an unnamed mother-goddess), does this imply Rosmerta was initially a companion of Cernunnos?

As usual we are left with more questions than answers, and vague relationships we ultimately can never confirm...

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Jay Kuo for The Big Picture:

Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset. Either that, or she’s compromised. At best, she’s a useful shill for the Kremlin. She’s even been called “Russia’s girlfriend” by its own propagandists. And she is a big vector for disinformation, particularly around Ukraine and other countries Putin has his sights on. Those countries include Syria, where Russia has long backed the murderous regime of Bashar al-Assad against rebel forces in a war that has killed half a million people and displaced 12 million more both inside and outside the country. Gabbard infamously visited Assad on her own in 2015, after which she became a chief apologist for his regime, to the horror of her fellow Democrats at the time.

Now Assad has fled, apparently to Moscow, and we may still learn what caused Gabbard to come to Assad’s defense at a time when he was gassing his own citizens. But time is running out. In a true “we’re in the upside down” moment, Donald Trump has nominated Gabbard to the position of Director of National Intelligence, an office that oversees no fewer than 18 different U.S. intelligence agencies. In that position, Gabbard would oversee the National Intelligence Program, which funds intelligence activities in several federal departments, and the Central Intelligence Agency. She would also advise Trump, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council on matters of national security. In order to do so, she would necessarily have access to all of our nation’s top secrets—a terrifying proposition if Gabbard is actually in the tank for Russia. There is ample reason to suspect that Gabbard has at a minimum been brainwashed into becoming a reliable Putin mouthpiece. And her bizarre and as yet unexplained affinity for Assad is now fully in the spotlight too, given that regime’s total collapse. All of her favorite leaders are now gathered in Moscow, which raises a crucial question: What the hell are we doing considering her for the top intelligence post?

Look what you made Vlad do!

It isn’t clear when exactly Gabbard made the jump from U.S. isolationist to Putin apologist. But few can forget her public position, tweeted out to the world when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The “war and suffering” could have been avoided, Gabbard claimed, if the Biden administration and its allies had acknowledged “Russia’s legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine’s becoming a member of NATO,” which she said would “mean US/NATO forces right on Russia’s border”:

[...]

Parroting dangerous bioweapons claims

Gabbard followed this up with a call for a cease-fire, recording a video in which she claimed there were 25 or more U.S.-funded “biolabs in Ukraine which if breached would release and spread deadly pathogens.” U.S. officials had vehemently denied these allegations when they were made days earlier by Russian officials, but Gabbard again sided with Russia.

Fact-checkers debunked the claims of “biolabs” in Ukraine as initially spread by anonymous social media accounts. But after they emerged, the claims went viral. Per reporting by the Washington Post, the false claims eventually reached Tucker Carlson’s show on the Fox Network and were amplified by the Russian government. (Carlson is another apologist for Putin, and portions of his show were aired earlier this year on Russian state television.) The question over the alleged biolabs was no small matter, and Gabbard’s amplification of the disinformation was alarming to many. 

[...]

Taking the side of a mass murderer

Gabbard’s preference for our enemies isn’t limited to Russia. She has frequently defended Bashar al-Assad in Syria. And it takes a unique kind of person to do so. In her first visit to Syria, which took place in June 2015, Gabbard went on her own as a Congresswoman representing the state of Hawaii. She met with burn victims who had suffered head-to-toe injuries from air strikes. But rather than condemn Assad, according to her translator, Gabbard sought to persuade the victims that their injuries had not come from government air strikes but from the resistance. This was patently absurd because the rebels had no air power. Only the government did. So why was she so keen to argue this, even to burn victims? In September of 2015, Putin entered the conflict on the side of Assad. He sent mercenaries but also increased the regime’s ability to perform air strikes, which Assad used to bomb hospitals and other civilian structures. This turned the tide in favor of Assad for a prolonged period.

[...]

Is Gabbard a Russian asset?

Many have openly speculated about exactly why Gabbard has been so keen to parrot Russian propaganda and defend a brutal dictator like Assad. And indeed, prominent leaders from both sides of the aisle have accused Gabbard of being everything from a Russian asset to an apologist for our sworn enemies. Hillary Clinton appeared on a podcast in 2019 stating she believed Trump and the GOP were “grooming” another spoiler third-party candidate who would be helpful to Russia. “She’s the favorite of the Russians,” Clinton mused. “They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far and that’s assuming Jill Stein will give it up because she’s also a Russian asset.” Asked later whether Clinton was referring to Gabbard, her spokesperson said, “If the nesting doll fits.” (Gabbard exploded in anger over the claim and even sued Clinton for $50 million claiming defamation, but later dropped the suit.) On the other side, former UN Ambassador and Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley recently laid into Gabbard on her podcast. After walking through Gabbard’s worrisome record of siding with our enemies, and speaking specifically about the position of Director of National Intelligence, Haley warned, “This is not the place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian and Chinese sympathizer. DNI has to analyze real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies?”

Putin and Assad sockpuppet Tulsi Gabbard running our national intelligence would be harmful to national security and our allies.

[dilf-in-peril]

"What is thus displayed for the public is the great spectacle of Suffering, Defeat, and Justice. Wrestling presents man’s suffering with all the amplification of tragic masks. The wrestler who suffers in a hold which is reputedly cruel (an arm- lock, a twisted leg) offers an excessive portrayal of Suffering; like a primitive Pieta, he exhibits for all to see his face, exaggeratedly contorted by an intolerable affliction. It is obvious, of course, that in wrestling reserve would be out of place, since it is opposed to the voluntary ostentation of the spectacle, to this Exhibition of Suffering which is the very aim of the fight. This is why all the actions which produce suffering are particularly spectacular, like the gesture of a conjurer who holds out his cards clearly to the public. Suffering which appeared without intelligible cause would not be understood; a concealed action that was actually cruel would transgress the unwritten rules of wrestling and would have no more sociological efficacy than a mad or parasitic gesture. On the contrary suffering appears as inflicted with emphasis and conviction, for everyone must not only see that the man suffers, but also and above all understand why he suffers. What wrestlers call a hold, that is, any figure which allows one to immobilize the adversary indefinitely and to have him at one’s mercy, has precisely the function of preparing in a conventional, therefore intelligible, fashion the spectacle of suffering, of methodically establishing the conditions of suffering. The inertia of the vanquished allows the (temporary) victor to settle in his cruelty and to convey to the public this terrifying slowness of the torturer who is certain about the outcome of his actions; to grind the face of one’s powerless adversary or to scrape his spine with one’s fist with a deep and regular movement, or at least to produce the superficial appearance of such gestures: wrestling is the only sport which gives such an externalized image of torture. But here again, only the image is involved in the game, and the spectator does not wish for the actual suffering of the contestant; he only enjoys the perfection of an iconography. It is not true that wrestling is a sadistic spectacle: it is only an intelligible spectacle."

— Roland Barthes, The World of Wrestling