#it’s about the users and developers of the tool and their intent

[magebird]

Sometimes I feel like the discourse about AI art misses the actual point of why it’s not a good tool to use.

“AI art isn’t ‘real’ art.” —> opinion-based, echoes the same false commentary about digital art in general, just ends up in a ‘if you can’t make your own store-bought is fine’ conversation, implies that if art isn’t done a certain way it lacks some moral/ethical value, relies on the emotional component of what art is considered “real” or not which is wildly subjective

“AI art steals from existing artists without credit.” —> fact-based, highlights the actual damage of the tool, isn’t relying on an emotional plea, can actually lead to legally stopping overuse of AI tools and/or the development of AI tools that don’t have this problem, doesn’t get bogged down in the ‘but what if they caaaaan’t make art some other way’ argument

Like I get that people who don’t give a shit about plagiarism aren’t going to be swayed, but they weren’t going to be swayed by the first argument either. And the argument of “oh well AI art can’t do hands/isn’t as good/can’t do this thing I have decided indicates True Human Creativity” will eventually erode since… the AI tools are getting better and will be able to emulate that in time. It just gets me annoyed when the argument is trying to base itself on “oh this isn’t GOOD art” when AI does produce interesting and appealing images and the argument worth having is much more about the intrinsic value of artists than the perceived value of the works that are produced.

[literatureloverx]

BSD MEN AND MBTI TYPES [+ their darlings]

So, I’m not sure how many are aware of what MBTI is, but I got a few requests on making an analysis about this for BSD MEN and incorporating their ideal type! darlings’ MBTI types as well, so I did. (I kind of promised that I would do it, so now is the time.)❤️

I want you to know, it wasn’t intentional to place one type as the ideal match for multiple characters. I thought it through thoroughly and did my best to remain as logical and diverse in MBTI types as possible. It’s just that strong Fe users are often a good match for broken people and…well…BSD men are mostly broken.

Here is a brief explanation what MBTI and cognitive functions are, for those who are not familiar with it. If you are familiar with it, you can simply skip to the next paragraph under the thinner cut.❤️

Explanation MBTI: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a tool used to understand different personality types based on how people prefer to interact with the world and make decisions. Created by Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Cook Briggs, it’s based on ideas from Carl Jung about how people think and behave. MBTI types are 16 four-letter combinations such as INFP or ESTP, that are designed with each 4 primary cognitive functions that are being used frequently by each person. There are 8 cognitive functions, and we all use all of them, however, 4 are always the most comfortable and prominent.

Detailed Explanation of Cognitive Functions: Cognitive functions are specific mental processes that shape how we understand and interact with the world. Each function has a particular role and works in conjunction with others to influence personality. Here’s a closer look at each of the eight cognitive functions:

1. Extraverted Sensing (Se): This function involves focusing on the present moment and taking in information through the senses. People who rely on Se are very aware of their surroundings and enjoy engaging with their environment actively. They tend to live in the moment and respond to immediate sensory experiences.

2. Introverted Sensing (Si): Si involves recalling past experiences and using that information to understand the present. People with strong Si focus on details and how things have been done before. They rely on their memories and internal impressions to make sense of the world.

3. Extraverted Intuition (Ne): Ne is about exploring possibilities and seeing connections between different ideas. Those who use Ne are good at brainstorming and considering multiple potential outcomes. They enjoy thinking about future possibilities and spotting patterns that aren’t immediately obvious.

4. Introverted Intuition (Ni): Ni involves forming insights and understanding future implications based on internal reflections. People with dominant Ni often have a clear vision of how things might unfold and focus on long-term outcomes and deep, conceptual understandings.

5. Extraverted Thinking (Te): This function focuses on organizing and structuring the external world based on logic and efficiency. People who use Te prioritize objective criteria and practical solutions, often seeking to improve systems and achieve measurable results.

6. Introverted Thinking (Ti): Ti involves analyzing and refining ideas based on internal logic. Individuals with strong Ti prefer to understand concepts deeply and develop their own internal frameworks for how things should work. They value precision and consistency in their thoughts.

7. Extraverted Feeling (Fe): Fe is concerned with understanding and responding to the emotions and needs of others. People with strong Fe are focused on creating harmony in their social environments and are sensitive to the feelings of those around them. They often work to ensure that everyone’s needs are met and that social interactions are smooth.

8. Introverted Feeling (Fi): Fi involves making decisions based on personal values and internal emotional responses. Those with dominant Fi focus on staying true to their own principles and beliefs. They prioritize authenticity and personal integrity, making choices that align with their internal values.

Each MBTI personality type has a specific hierarchy of these functions. The dominant function is the primary way a person interacts with the world, while the auxiliary function supports it. The tertiary function is less developed, and the inferior function is the least developed and often a source of stress or growth.

FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY

INTJ (The Mastermind/Architect) - Ni > Te > Fi > Se

Fyodor's dominant function, Introverted Intuition (Ni), reveals itself in his visionary, long-term thinking and his deep strategic foresight. Fyodor operates on a plane that transcends the immediate and the obvious.

He sees patterns, connections, and the potential outcomes of his actions far into the future, often perceiving the world in ways that others simply cannot comprehend.

His overarching goal—to cleanse humanity of its sins—demonstrates a profound understanding of abstract concepts and an almost prophetic ability to see beyond the present, traits quintessential to a dominant Ni user.

Next, we have Extroverted Thinking (Te), Fyodor's auxiliary function, which he employs with ruthless efficiency. His actions are driven by a need to impose order and structure on the chaotic world around him, aligning perfectly with Te's desire for effectiveness and productivity.

Fyodor’s methods, while morally ambiguous, are meticulously planned and executed with precision. This function supports his Ni visions, allowing him to implement his grand schemes with logical, calculated steps.

His ability to manipulate people and situations to his advantage is a direct result of Te’s influence, prioritizing objective outcomes over personal feelings.

His tertiary function, Introverted Feeling (Fi), is less overt but still crucial to understanding his character.

While Fyodor presents a cold, calculating exterior, his actions are ultimately guided by an internal value system—no matter how warped it might seem.

Fyodor's Fi manifests in his unwavering belief in his mission and his disdain for those who fail to meet his moral standards. He perceives himself as a savior of humanity, driven by an intrinsic sense of right and wrong that only he truly understands.

This Fi also explains why Fyodor is so selective about who he allows into his inner world. A potential darling, for instance, would need to align with his deeply held values, reinforcing the notion that Fyodor’s emotional connections are reserved for those who resonate with his internal compass.

Lastly, Fyodor’s inferior function, Extroverted Sensing (Se), is the least developed, manifesting in his apparent disconnection from the physical world.

Unlike characters who thrive on sensory experiences, Fyodor often appears aloof and detached from his surroundings. His focus on abstract ideas over tangible realities suggests a discomfort with Se.

He surrounds himself with serene and controlled environments—places where sensory overload is minimized, and he can concentrate on his internal visions. This discomfort with the physical world further isolates him, reinforcing his preference for solitude and reflection.

In conclusion, Fyodor embodies the traits of an INTJ through his dominant Ni, which allows him to see far-reaching possibilities and plan accordingly; his auxiliary Te, which drives his strategic actions and manipulations; his tertiary Fi, which shapes his personal values and judgments; and his inferior Se, which leads to a disconnect from the immediate physical world.

These cognitive functions, taken together, explain his complex and morally ambiguous character, as well as his potential preferences in a partner—someone who would understand and complement his internal world without disrupting the carefully constructed order he seeks to maintain.

His darling: INFP - Fi > Ne > Si > Te

or INFJ - Ni > Fe > Ti > Se

INFP (The Mediator / Idealist):

In the intricate labyrinth of Fyodor’s mind, where Introverted Intuition (Ni) reigns supreme (this sounds so serious lmao), an INFP female darling would offer an unparalleled balance and harmony.

Her dominant function, Introverted Feeling (Fi), would resonate deeply with Fyodor's own Fi, albeit in a more developed and nuanced form.

While Fyodor’s Fi is selective, almost reclusive, it is this very selectiveness that makes an INFP’s Fi the perfect match. She possesses an intrinsic moral compass, one that is authentic and unwavering, but unlike Fyodor’s, it is deeply empathetic.

Her Fi would draw out the softer, more vulnerable aspects of his tertiary Fi, helping to humanize the rigid internal values that guide his every move.

The INFP’s Extroverted Intuition (Ne), her auxiliary function, would offer Fyodor something he might not even realize he craves—a partner who can perceive multiple possibilities and ideas without being constrained by rigid logic or efficiency.

Her Ne would inject a sense of wonder and exploration into Fyodor’s meticulously controlled world. Unlike the ruthless precision of his Te, her Ne is imaginative, often seeing potential in areas Fyodor’s Ni might overlook (seriously, this man would NEVER overlook anything but let’s stick to that for the narrative).

This openness to possibility would challenge Fyodor, gently encouraging him to see beyond his single-minded visions, adding layers of depth to his already profound insights.

Furthermore, the INFP’s Introverted Sensing (Si) as a tertiary function would provide a subtle, yet grounding influence on Fyodor.

While Fyodor’s inferior Se leaves him disconnected from the physical world, the INFP’s Si, though not dominant, would allow her to appreciate the simple, sensory experiences of life.

She could offer Fyodor a gentle introduction to these experiences, helping him connect, even briefly, with the present moment. Her Si would serve as a quiet anchor, providing stability without overwhelming his discomfort with Se.

Lastly, her Extroverted Thinking (Te) as an inferior function would ensure that while she respects Fyodor’s logical and structured approach, she would not challenge his authority or disrupt the order he values so highly. Instead, her Te would emerge in moments when practicality is required, complementing Fyodor’s own Te without competing with it.

This would create a dynamic where she supports his strategies and plans, but with a gentle touch that allows his Te to dominate, thus preserving the balance of power in the relationship.

In conclusion, an INFP female darling would not only complement Fyodor’s complex INTJ personality but would also provide a much-needed counterbalance to his intensity.

Her Fi would resonate with his, but with a warmth and empathy that could soften his cold, calculating exterior. Her Ne would challenge and expand his Ni, offering new perspectives and possibilities.

Her Si would ground him, even if only slightly, in the present moment, while her inferior Te would respect and subtly support his strategic dominance.

Together, they would form a partnership where his visionary goals are met with understanding, warmth, and a touch of whimsy—qualities that, in the end, may be precisely what Fyodor needs, even if he cannot fully articulate it.

INFJ (The Advocate/Counselor):

An INFJ female darling would be the second-best match for Fyodor, harmonizing with his complex, enigmatic nature while still offering a dynamic that enriches his inner world.

As an INFJ, her dominant function, Introverted Intuition (Ni), aligns perfectly with Fyodor's own Ni, creating a profound connection rooted in their shared ability to perceive the world through abstract, visionary lenses.

This mutual understanding of the intangible and the hidden would foster a relationship where both partners feel deeply understood, even in their most esoteric thoughts. Fyodor, who often finds himself isolated in his strategic foresight, would find in the INFJ a partner who not only comprehends but complements his intuitive depth.

Her Extroverted Feeling (Fe) as an auxiliary function introduces a crucial element of emotional intelligence that Fyodor lacks. While Fyodor’s tertiary Introverted Feeling (Fi) shapes his internal value system, it is often cold, detached, and selectively applied.

The INFJ’s Fe, however, is outwardly focused, naturally attuned to the emotions and needs of others. This function would provide Fyodor with a compassionate, empathetic counterpart who can navigate social dynamics and offer a broader perspective on human emotions—something his Te might dismiss as irrelevant.

The INFJ's Fe would soften Fyodor’s rigid moral judgments, gently encouraging him to consider the emotional consequences of his actions, thereby broadening his understanding of the world beyond his own internal values.

Moreover, the INFJ's Introverted Thinking (Ti), her tertiary function, would subtly complement Fyodor's auxiliary Te. While her Ti is less overt, it allows her to engage in deep, reflective thinking, often uncovering logical inconsistencies or hidden truths in complex situations.

Her Ti would not threaten his Te-driven need for control and order but would instead offer a nuanced, thoughtful perspective that Fyodor could appreciate, particularly when his Ni-driven visions require careful refinement.

This quiet analytical ability would appeal to Fyodor's Te, creating moments of intellectual synergy where both can engage in strategic planning and problem-solving.

Lastly, the INFJ's Extroverted Sensing (Se) as an inferior function mirrors Fyodor's own inferior Se, establishing a shared discomfort with the immediate, sensory world.

This mutual weakness might initially seem like a drawback, but it would actually deepen their bond. Both partners would understand and respect each other's preference for controlled, serene environments, where they can retreat from the overwhelming demands of the physical world.

Their shared Se would reinforce their tendency towards introspection and visionary thinking, ensuring that their relationship remains focused on the abstract, the intellectual, and the strategic.

In conclusion, an INFJ female darling offers Fyodor a harmonious blend of shared intuitive depth and complementary emotional intelligence.

Her Ni resonates with his, creating a deep, almost mystical connection, while her Fe introduces warmth and empathy into his otherwise cold, calculated world.

Her Ti supports and refines his Te-driven plans without challenging his authority, and their shared inferior Se creates a mutual understanding of their need for isolation from the sensory overload of the external world.

While an INFP might provide a softer, more whimsical counterbalance, the INFJ offers a partnership rooted in shared vision and mutual understanding, making her the second-best match for Fyodor's complex, INTJ personality.

DAZAI OSAMU

ENTP (The Debater / Visionary) - Ne > Ti > Fe > Si

Dazai’s dominant function, Extraverted Intuition (Ne), reveals itself in his constant exploration of possibilities and his ability to see multiple angles in any situation.

Dazai operates in a world of endless potential, always considering what could be rather than what is. This makes him unpredictable and difficult to pin down, as he is always a step ahead, contemplating outcomes and scenarios that others might overlook.

His strategic brilliance is a direct result of his Ne, allowing him to manipulate events and people with a creativity that is unmatched.

Dazai’s love for chaos and his playful, almost mischievous nature also stem from this dominant function, as he thrives in environments where he can test boundaries and explore new ideas.

Next, we have Introverted Thinking (Ti), Dazai’s auxiliary function, which he uses to analyze situations with a cold, logical precision.

Ti drives Dazai to understand the underlying mechanics of the world around him, breaking down complex problems into their fundamental components. This function is what gives Dazai his sharp, analytical mind, allowing him to devise intricate plans and see through the facades of others.

His Ti also explains his philosophical musings and existential questioning, as he is constantly trying to make sense of the world and his place in it. Despite his often lighthearted demeanor, there is a deeply intellectual side to Dazai that is always at work, dissecting and evaluating everything he encounters.

His tertiary function, Extraverted Feeling (Fe), is less prominent but still plays a crucial role in how Dazai interacts with others. While he often comes across as detached, Dazai is acutely aware of social dynamics and the emotions of those around him.

He uses this awareness to his advantage, charming or manipulating others as the situation requires. Fe allows Dazai to adapt to different social environments effortlessly, making him a social chameleon who can navigate complex interpersonal relationships with ease.

However, this function also reveals a more manipulative side to Dazai, as he tends to use his understanding of emotions not to connect with others, but to influence and control them.

Lastly, Dazai’s inferior function, Introverted Sensing (Si), is the least developed, manifesting in his apparent disconnection from tradition and the past.

Unlike characters who draw strength from their memories or rely on established routines, Dazai is often seen rejecting or ignoring these aspects of life.

His Si deficiency is evident in his restless nature and his constant search for new experiences, as he struggles to find meaning or stability in what has already been.

This disconnect from Si also contributes to his existential despair, as he finds it difficult to ground himself in any lasting sense of identity or purpose.

In conclusion, Dazai embodies the traits of an ENTP through his dominant Ne, which fuels his endless curiosity and strategic foresight; his auxiliary Ti, which sharpens his analytical thinking; his tertiary Fe, which he uses to navigate and manipulate social interactions; and his inferior Si, which leads to a sense of disconnection from tradition and the past.

These cognitive functions, taken together, explain his complex and often contradictory character, as well as his tendency to oscillate between playful banter and deep existential reflection.

His darling: INFJ - Ni > Fe > Ti > Se

Or ENFJ - Fe > Ni > Se > Ti

INFJ (The Advocate/Counselor):

For Dazai, an INFJ female darling would be the ideal match, complementing and balancing his complex, multifaceted ENTP nature.

Dazai’s dominant Extraverted Intuition (Ne) thrives on possibilities, unpredictability, and the exploration of various outcomes, often leading him into chaotic and uncharted territories. An INFJ’s dominant function, Introverted Intuition (Ni), would resonate with Dazai’s Ne, but in a way that brings focus and depth to his endless curiosity.

While Dazai’s Ne scatters in multiple directions, the INFJ’s Ni would help him see the underlying patterns and deeper meaning behind his explorations, guiding his often chaotic energy into more purposeful and profound insights.

Her Ni would provide a sense of direction that Dazai’s Ne sometimes lacks, allowing them to explore the abstract and conceptual together, but with a shared vision rather than aimless wandering.

Her Extroverted Feeling (Fe) as an auxiliary function would offer a crucial emotional anchor for Dazai, whose Extraverted Feeling (Fe), while present, is often used more for manipulation than genuine connection.

The INFJ’s Fe, however, is deeply empathetic, focused on creating harmony and understanding in her relationships. This emotional intelligence would be a soothing balm to Dazai’s restless soul, providing the warmth and connection he often deflects with humor or detachment.

Her Fe would help Dazai engage with his own emotions more honestly, encouraging him to forge deeper, more meaningful relationships rather than merely skimming the surface.

This would be especially significant for Dazai, whose tertiary Fe can sometimes lead him to feel disconnected from others despite his ability to read social dynamics effortlessly.

The INFJ’s Introverted Thinking (Ti), as her tertiary function, would complement Dazai’s auxiliary Ti, creating an intellectual synergy that both would appreciate.

While Dazai uses his Ti to deconstruct the world around him with sharp, analytical precision, the INFJ’s Ti would offer a quieter, more introspective form of analysis.

Her Ti would challenge Dazai’s sometimes impulsive leaps of logic, encouraging him to consider the ethical and philosophical implications of his actions more deeply. Together, their combined Ti would lead to rich, intellectual conversations, where they can explore complex ideas and theories, each offering a perspective that sharpens the other’s understanding.

Lastly, the INFJ’s Extroverted Sensing (Se), though her inferior function, would mirror Dazai’s own inferior Introverted Sensing (Si) in a way that fosters mutual understanding and growth.

Both struggle with staying grounded in the present moment and often feel disconnected from the physical world or their own past.

However, this shared deficiency would allow them to support one another, finding solace in their mutual discomfort.

The INFJ’s Se might encourage Dazai to occasionally step out of his head and experience the world more fully, while Dazai’s Ne could help the INFJ see the potential beyond what is immediately tangible.

Together, they would create a partnership that balances the abstract with the concrete, allowing them to explore both the potential of the future and the reality of the present.

In conclusion, an INFJ female darling would not only complement Dazai’s ENTP nature but also provide the emotional depth, intellectual stimulation, and intuitive insight that he often seeks but struggles to find.

Her Ni would bring focus to his Ne, her Fe would offer genuine emotional connection where his Fe might falter, her Ti would refine his analytical thinking, and their shared challenges with Se and Si would foster a deep understanding of each other’s struggles.

This relationship would offer Dazai a rare blend of intellectual challenge and emotional support, making the INFJ the best possible partner for his complex and often contradictory character.

ENFJ (The Protagonist / Teacher):

An ENFJ female darling would be the second-best match for Dazai Osamu, providing a relationship dynamic that complements and balances his ENTP nature in several key ways.

Dazai’s dominant Extraverted Intuition (Ne) fuels his exploration of possibilities and his knack for seeing multiple angles of any situation. An ENFJ’s dominant Extraverted Feeling (Fe) would harmonize with Dazai’s Ne, but in a manner that emphasizes emotional connection and social harmony.

The ENFJ’s Fe is adept at understanding and influencing others’ emotions, which would provide Dazai with a stabilizing force, guiding his often chaotic and unpredictable Ne through a lens of empathy and relational awareness. Her Fe would help Dazai see beyond his own intellectual pursuits and appreciate the emotional impact of his actions on those around him.

The ENFJ’s Introverted Intuition (Ni) as her auxiliary function complements Dazai’s Ne by providing depth and focus to their shared explorations.

While Dazai’s Ne leads him to constantly generate new ideas and scenarios, the ENFJ’s Ni would help in distilling these possibilities into a coherent vision. This alignment between Ne and Ni would create a synergy where their ideas are not just imaginative but also strategically meaningful.

The ENFJ’s Extraverted Sensing (Se) as her tertiary function brings a practical, immediate awareness that contrasts with Dazai’s own inferior Introverted Sensing (Si).

While Dazai often struggles with connecting to the present moment and the sensory details of life, the ENFJ’s Se would offer a grounding influence.

Her ability to engage with the external environment would provide a counterbalance to Dazai’s tendency to overlook sensory experiences and tradition. This could help Dazai become more attuned to the here-and-now, enriching his experiences and providing a more balanced perspective on life.

Finally, the ENFJ’s Introverted Thinking (Ti), her inferior function, would offer a unique intellectual counterpoint to Dazai’s dominant Ti.

While Dazai’s Ti is sharp and analytical, often used to dissect and strategize, the ENFJ’s Ti, though less developed, would bring a different flavor of logical analysis.

Her Ti would provide a thoughtful, albeit less dominant, approach to problem-solving, complementing Dazai’s more assertive analytical style. This could lead to rich, nuanced discussions where her perspective enhances his own.

In summary, an ENFJ darling would offer Dazai a blend of emotional depth, strategic insight, and practical grounding.

Her dominant Fe would foster genuine emotional connections and help Dazai consider the social and emotional ramifications of his actions.

Her Ni would add depth and direction to his Ne-driven explorations, making their intellectual pursuits more coherent.

Her Se would ground him in the present, counterbalancing his detachment from sensory experiences, while her Ti would complement and refine his analytical approaches.

Together, they would form a partnership where Dazai’s intellectual brilliance is balanced by the ENFJ’s warmth, vision, and practical insight, making her an excellent second-best match for his dynamic ENTP personality.

In conclusion, an INFJ would offer Dazai deep emotional understanding and intuitive focus, complementing his Ne with depth and introspection.

In contrast, an ENFJ would provide vibrant emotional support and practical grounding, balancing his Ne with empathy and vision while offering immediate sensory awareness.

Both types would enrich Dazai’s life, with the INFJ providing profound, intuitive insight and the ENFJ offering dynamic emotional connection and practical stability.

NAKAHARA CHUUYA

ESTP ( The Entrepreneur / Dynamo) - Se > Ti > Fe > Ni

Chuuya is a character who clearly exemplifies the ESTP personality type. His energetic demeanor, tactical mindset, and grounded approach to life can be understood through the lens of this personality type, revealing a man who thrives on action, pragmatic problem-solving, and sensory experiences.

At the forefront of Chuuya’s character is his dominant function, Extraverted Sensing (Se). This function drives Chuuya’s immediate, action-oriented approach to life. He is intensely aware of his surroundings, reacting quickly to changes and seizing opportunities as they arise.

Chuuya’s preference for hands-on engagement and his readiness to dive into action reflect his high Se, which is evident in his frequent physical confrontations and his ability to handle high-pressure situations with remarkable composure.

His keen sense of fashion is also a manifestation of his Se—his attention to stylish, elegant attire and personal presentation highlights his acute awareness of his environment and his desire to make a tangible impact on those around him.

This focus on immediate, sensory experiences underscores his reliance on Se, making him a master of adapting to and manipulating his environment in real-time.

Next is Introverted Thinking (Ti), Chuuya’s auxiliary function, which supports his strategic prowess and decision-making. While Chuuya is often seen as impulsive and driven by immediate sensations, his actions are underpinned by a logical framework that guides his responses and strategies.

His Ti helps him analyze situations with a critical eye, allowing him to understand and exploit the underlying mechanics of conflicts and challenges. This function contributes to his ability to think on his feet and devise practical solutions to complex problems, aligning with his reputation as a formidable tactician within the Port Mafia.

Extraverted Feeling (Fe), Chuuya’s tertiary function, reveals itself in his interactions with others and his capacity for emotional expression.

While Chuuya may come across as brash and direct, his Fe is evident in his concern for his allies and his desire for harmony within his sphere of influence.

His loyalty and protective nature, particularly toward those he values, highlight his underlying emotional sensitivity and his need to maintain social cohesion.

Although he may not always express his feelings openly, his actions often reflect a deep-seated desire to connect with and support those he cares about, indicating that his Fe is engaged in maintaining relationships and managing social dynamics.

Finally, Chuuya’s inferior function, Introverted Intuition (Ni), is the least developed and manifests as a disinterest or discomfort with long-term planning and abstract conceptualization.

Unlike characters who are comfortable envisioning future possibilities and intricate schemes, Chuuya is more focused on the present moment and immediate concerns.

His actions and decisions are primarily driven by the current situation rather than long-term projections, suggesting that he is less inclined to engage in deep, abstract thinking.

This disconnection from Ni is reflected in his preference for direct action over speculative or future-oriented planning.

In conclusion, Chuuya embodies the ESTP personality through his dominant Se, which drives his action-oriented and sensory-focused approach, including his keen sense of fashion; his auxiliary Ti, which supports his tactical thinking and problem-solving; his tertiary Fe, which influences his emotional interactions and loyalty; and his inferior Ni, which leads to a preference for present-focused, pragmatic decisions.

His darling: ISFJ - Si > Fe > Ti > Ne

Or ESFJ - Fe > Si > Ne >Ti

ISFJ (The Protector / Defender)

An ISFJ female darling would be the ideal match for Chuuya Nakahara, providing a harmonious balance to his dynamic ESTP personality. Her dominant Introverted Sensing (Si) would offer the grounding and stability that Chuuya, with his action-oriented and spontaneous approach to life, often lacks.

Her strong connection to tradition and the past would provide a comforting anchor for Chuuya, helping him appreciate consistency and reliability, which are sometimes overlooked in his pursuit of immediate, sensory experiences.

The ISFJ’s Extraverted Feeling (Fe) would perfectly complement Chuuya’s tertiary Fe, creating a nurturing and emotionally supportive relationship.

While Chuuya’s Fe drives him to protect and connect with those he cares about, her more developed Fe would bring warmth, compassion, and an understanding of social dynamics that could soften Chuuya’s rougher edges.

Her natural ability to maintain harmony and cater to the emotional needs of others would resonate with Chuuya’s loyalty and protectiveness, fostering a deep emotional bond based on mutual care and respect.

Her Introverted Thinking (Ti), though secondary to her Si and Fe, would align well with Chuuya’s auxiliary Ti. Both would appreciate each other’s logical approach to problem-solving and decision-making.

Her Ti would offer a calm, methodical perspective that could help Chuuya refine his strategies and think through the consequences of his actions more thoroughly, especially in situations where his impulsive nature might otherwise lead him astray.

Lastly, the ISFJ’s Extraverted Intuition (Ne), as her inferior function, would introduce a subtle yet valuable element of novelty and open-mindedness into the relationship. While her Ne is less dominant, it would still encourage Chuuya to occasionally consider new possibilities and explore ideas beyond his immediate focus.

This would add a refreshing dynamic to their relationship, allowing them to grow together as they explore new experiences within the safety and security of their shared bond.

In conclusion, an ISFJ female darling would provide Chuuya with the stability, emotional support, and subtle encouragement he needs to thrive both personally and within his intense lifestyle. Her grounding Si, nurturing Fe, logical Ti, and adaptable Ne would create a balanced and fulfilling relationship, making her the best match for Chuuya’s ESTP personality.

ESFJ (The Provider / Consul)

An ESFJ female darling would be an excellent second option for Chuuya Nakahara, offering a complementary dynamic to his ESTP personality. Her dominant Extraverted Feeling (Fe) would naturally resonate with Chuuya’s own Fe, albeit at a more developed level, creating a relationship built on mutual emotional understanding and a strong sense of loyalty.

While Chuuya’s Fe drives him to protect and maintain harmony within his circle, her Fe would bring an even deeper focus on fostering social connections and ensuring that the emotional needs of those around them are met.

This shared focus on relationships would strengthen their bond and make them a formidable team when it comes to navigating the social complexities of their world.

The ESFJ’s Introverted Sensing (Si), as her auxiliary function, would offer Chuuya the stability and groundedness he sometimes lacks in his spontaneous and action-driven approach to life.

Her strong connection to tradition and the past would provide a comforting and steady influence, helping Chuuya to appreciate the value of consistency and reliability in both his personal life and his role within the Port Mafia.

This would be especially valuable in moments when Chuuya’s dominant Se might lead him to prioritize the thrill of the present over long-term stability.

Her tertiary Extraverted Intuition (Ne) would also introduce a subtle, yet important element of adaptability and creativity into their relationship.

While Chuuya’s focus is often on the immediate and concrete, her Ne would encourage him to explore new ideas and possibilities, adding a layer of flexibility and innovation to their partnership.

This could help Chuuya think beyond the immediate and consider different perspectives, which could be particularly useful in his tactical decision-making.

Finally, the ESFJ’s Introverted Thinking (Ti), though less developed, would complement Chuuya’s auxiliary Ti by providing a more structured and methodical approach to problem-solving.

Her Ti would help balance Chuuya’s sometimes impulsive decision-making, encouraging him to consider the logical implications of his actions in a more deliberate manner.

In summary, an ESFJ female darling would be a wonderful partner for Chuuya, offering emotional depth, stability, and a complementary approach to both their social and practical lives.

Her Fe and Si would harmonize well with Chuuya’s own functions, while her Ne and Ti would provide subtle but important enhancements to their relationship, making her an excellent second-best option for Chuuya’s ESTP personality.

NIKOLAI GOGOL

(I will update this!)

ENTP (The Debater / Visionary) - Ne > Ti > Fe > Si

This one was hard, he is not easy to type. I considered ENFP < ESFP and < ENTP. I ended up picking ENTP for him.

Extraverted Intuition (Ne), the ENTP's dominant function, manifests vividly in Nikolai's boundless exploration of ideas and possibilities. His constant drive to test boundaries and challenge conventional norms speaks to an ENTP's relentless pursuit of novel experiences and understanding.

Nikolai’s actions, driven by a desire to prove his liberation from emotional constraints, are classic Ne — his approach to life is experimental and driven by a fascination with the abstract and unconventional.

His decision to engage in morally questionable acts to demonstrate his freedom from human limitations further illustrates his inclination toward exploring and expanding his conceptual horizons, a hallmark of Ne’s propensity for envisioning endless possibilities.

Introverted Thinking (Ti), the auxiliary function of an ENTP, underpins Nikolai’s strategic and analytical nature. Despite his apparent recklessness, Nikolai's actions are meticulously calculated to achieve his goal of emotional and psychological transcendence.

His ability to analyze and deconstruct situations logically, while crafting elaborate plans to prove his independence from societal norms, underscores the role of Ti. This function supports his propensity for complex problem-solving and his knack for understanding the underlying principles of his actions, even if those principles involve pushing ethical boundaries.

Extraverted Feeling (Fe), as the tertiary function, reflects Nikolai’s awareness of social dynamics and his manipulation of them to serve his ends. While Nikolai exhibits a certain detachment from the emotional impact of his actions, his awareness of and strategic use of social interactions are indicative of Fe.

He navigates social contexts with a calculated precision, aiming to influence and manipulate perceptions to align with his personal ideals. This function reveals his skill in using emotional insights to further his agenda, even as he maintains an outward appearance of detachment.

Introverted Sensing (Si), the inferior function, highlights Nikolai's lesser focus on detailed past experiences and established conventions. ENTPs typically exhibit a less pronounced interest in the specifics of past experiences, preferring instead to innovate and explore new possibilities.

Nikolai’s disregard for the emotional weight of his actions and his preference for forward-thinking experimentation over reflective consideration of past experiences align with Si’s inferior role. His approach to life is characterized by a focus on present and future possibilities rather than a detailed engagement with past experiences.

In summary, Nikolai Gogol embodies the ENTP personality type through his dominant Ne, which drives his exploration of unconventional ideas and possibilities; his auxiliary Ti, which supports his strategic and analytical thinking; his tertiary Fe, which influences his social manipulation and awareness; and his inferior Si, which reflects his limited focus on past details and experiences.

His darling: ENFJ (Fe>Ni>Se>Ti)

Or ESFJ (Fe>Si>Ne>Ti)

ENFJ (The Protagonist / Teacher):

An ENFJ female darling would be the ideal match for Nikolai Gogol, perfectly complementing and balancing his ENTP personality with her emotional intelligence, visionary thinking, and ability to bring out the best in others.

Her dominant Extraverted Feeling (Fe) would be crucial in connecting with Nikolai on an emotional level, something he often neglects due to his detached and experimental approach to life.

Her natural empathy and understanding of social dynamics would allow her to navigate Nikolai’s complex personality, helping him engage with the emotional consequences of his actions and bringing a sense of humanity to his otherwise abstract pursuits.

Her Introverted Intuition (Ni) would align beautifully with Nikolai’s dominant Ne, providing a sense of shared vision and purpose. While Nikolai is constantly exploring new possibilities and pushing boundaries, the ENFJ’s Ni would offer a deeper, more focused perspective, helping him to see the long-term implications of his actions and to channel his boundless creativity towards meaningful goals. This partnership would enable Nikolai to balance his constant experimentation with a more grounded and purposeful approach to life.

The ENFJ’s Extraverted Sensing (Se), as her tertiary function, would complement Nikolai’s auxiliary Ti by helping him stay connected to the present moment and the tangible world around him.

While he is often caught up in abstract ideas and strategic thinking, her Se would encourage him to appreciate the immediate beauty of life, grounding his experiences in reality. This would help Nikolai to not only plan and theorize but also to enjoy and engage with the present in a more sensory, fulfilling way.

Finally, the ENFJ’s Introverted Thinking (Ti), though less developed, would still offer a subtle, logical structure that could help Nikolai refine his thoughts and ideas.

Her Ti would gently support his complex problem-solving processes, ensuring that his plans and strategies are both emotionally and logically sound. This balance would help Nikolai avoid the potential pitfalls of over-theorizing or becoming too detached from reality, giving him a well-rounded perspective on life.

In summary, an ENFJ female darling would provide the emotional depth, visionary focus, and practical grounding that Nikolai needs to thrive.

Her Fe would connect with him on an emotional level, her Ni would align with his visionary thinking, her Se would help him stay grounded in the present, and her Ti would offer subtle logical support. Together, these qualities would make her the best possible match for Nikolai, bringing out the best in his complex, ENTP personality.

ESFJ ( The Provider / Consul):

An ESFJ female darling would be an excellent second-best match for Nikolai Gogol, offering a grounding and nurturing presence that complements his ENTP personality. Her dominant Extraverted Feeling (Fe) would provide the strong emotional connection that Nikolai often overlooks in his pursuit of abstract ideas and unconventional experiences. Her natural empathy and desire to maintain harmony in relationships would help balance Nikolai’s more detached and experimental tendencies, encouraging him to consider the emotional impact of his actions on those around him.

The ESFJ’s Introverted Sensing (Si), as her auxiliary function, would contrast with Nikolai’s inferior Si, helping him to connect with and appreciate the past and established traditions. While Nikolai is constantly focused on exploring new possibilities and pushing boundaries, her Si would offer him a sense of continuity and stability. She could help him ground his ideas in reality by drawing on past experiences and proven methods, ensuring that his innovative approaches are not only creative but also practical and effective.

Her Extraverted Intuition (Ne), as a tertiary function, would resonate with Nikolai’s dominant Ne, creating a shared enthusiasm for exploring possibilities and generating new ideas. While her Ne is less dominant, it would still enable her to understand and engage with Nikolai’s creative mind, supporting his need for intellectual stimulation and novel experiences. This alignment would allow them to enjoy dynamic and adventurous conversations, keeping their relationship intellectually vibrant.

Finally, the ESFJ’s Introverted Thinking (Ti), though her inferior function, would offer a subtle but important balance to Nikolai’s strong Ti. Her Ti would help her understand and appreciate the logical structure of Nikolai’s thoughts, even if she doesn’t naturally prioritize logic in the same way. This would allow her to support his analytical processes while still bringing a more compassionate and emotionally aware perspective to their interactions.

In summary, an ESFJ female darling would bring emotional warmth, stability, and a shared enthusiasm for new experiences to Nikolai’s life. Her Fe would nurture and balance his more detached tendencies, her Si would ground his ideas in reality, her Ne would complement his creative exploration, and her Ti would offer subtle logical support.

These qualities make her a strong second-best match for Nikolai, helping him to connect more deeply with others while still enjoying the intellectual and creative stimulation he craves.

AKUTAGAWA RYUUNOSUKE

ISFP (The Adventurer / Composer ) - Fi > Se > Ni > Te

Akutagawa's dominant function, Introverted Feeling (Fi), reveals itself in his deeply personal sense of morality and the intense emotions that drive his actions. Although Akutagawa often appears cold and ruthless, his actions are motivated by a strong internal value system that he seldom reveals to others.

His need for validation, particularly from Dazai, is rooted in a profound sense of inadequacy and a desperate desire to prove his worth. This internal emotional landscape, characterized by Fi, defines Akutagawa’s motivations and underlies his quest for recognition, even as he grapples with feelings of rejection and worthlessness.

Next, we have Extraverted Sensing (Se), Akutagawa’s auxiliary function, which manifests in his acute awareness of his physical surroundings and his reactive combat style. Akutagawa thrives in high-pressure situations, where his ability, Rashomon, is wielded with precision and adaptability.

His Se drives him to engage with the world directly and immediately, making him a formidable force in battle. This function supports his Fi by allowing him to take swift and decisive action in pursuit of his personal goals, often leading to intense and violent encounters that are driven by his emotional undercurrents.

His tertiary function, Introverted Intuition (Ni), plays a subtler but significant role in his character. While Akutagawa is primarily focused on the present, there is a persistent sense of future orientation in his actions.

His Ni is evident in his long-term goal of gaining Dazai’s approval and the way he internalizes past experiences to guide his decisions. This function supports his Fi by giving him a sense of purpose and direction, even if it is often clouded by his immediate emotional responses.

Akutagawa’s Ni also manifests in his ability to foresee the consequences of his actions, though this is often secondary to his more dominant functions.

Lastly, Akutagawa’s inferior function, Extraverted Thinking (Te), is the least developed and manifests in his occasional struggle with logical organization and external structure. While Akutagawa can be strategic and methodical in battle, his approach is more often driven by his emotions and immediate sensory inputs rather than a clear, logical framework.

His Te surfaces when he attempts to impose order or efficiency in his environment, but these efforts are often overshadowed by his more dominant Fi and Se functions.

This inferior Te contributes to his difficulties in aligning his internal values with the external world, leading to a sense of frustration and conflict when his actions fail to achieve the desired results.

In conclusion, Akutagawa embodies the traits of an ISFP through his dominant Fi, which drives his intense emotional core and need for validation; his auxiliary Se, which fuels his reactive and physically engaging combat style; his tertiary Ni, which provides a sense of direction and future orientation; and his inferior Te, which occasionally struggles to impose order on his chaotic inner world.

His darling: ISFJ - Si > Fe > Ti > Ne

Or ENFJ - Fe > Si > Ne > Ti

ISFJ - (The Protector / Defender)

An ISFJ female darling would be the ideal match for Akutagawa, providing the stability, care, and emotional grounding that his turbulent ISFP personality craves.

Her dominant Introverted Sensing (Si) would offer Akutagawa a sense of continuity and reliability, something he deeply lacks in his chaotic life. Her ability to recall and value the past would help him feel anchored, offering him a safe emotional space where he can reflect on his experiences without feeling judged or misunderstood.

This grounding presence would counterbalance his reactive and intense Extraverted Sensing (Se), allowing him to find solace in a more structured, stable environment.

The ISFJ’s Extraverted Feeling (Fe) would complement Akutagawa’s deeply personal Introverted Feeling (Fi) by helping him navigate his emotions in a more outward, constructive manner. Her natural empathy and concern for others would provide him with the validation and understanding he seeks but often feels he doesn’t deserve.

Through her Fe, she would help Akutagawa express his feelings in a way that fosters connection rather than isolation, gradually teaching him that he is valued for who he is, not just for his abilities or his success in battle.

Her Introverted Thinking (Ti), while not as prominent, would provide a quiet, logical framework that could help Akutagawa make sense of his internal conflicts.

This function would assist in gently guiding him toward clearer, more structured thinking without overwhelming his emotional processes. Her Ti would act as a subtle but important counterbalance to his chaotic internal world, offering a perspective that is both patient and rational, helping him organize his thoughts and decisions more effectively.

Lastly, the ISFJ’s Extraverted Intuition (Ne), as her inferior function, would resonate with Akutagawa’s Introverted Intuition (Ni), fostering a mutual understanding of future possibilities and deeper meanings.

While her Ne is less developed, it would still complement his Ni by encouraging him to consider alternative perspectives and outcomes, subtly broadening his view without destabilizing his primary focus.

In summary, an ISFJ female darling would bring the stability, emotional support, and gentle guidance that Akutagawa desperately needs.

Her Si would provide grounding, her Fe would offer emotional understanding, her Ti would introduce subtle logic, and her Ne would complement his intuitive insights.

Together, these qualities would help Akutagawa find the balance and emotional connection he craves, making her the best possible match for him.

ENFJ (The Protagonist / Teacher):

An ENFJ female darling would be the second-best match for Akutagawa, offering him the emotional guidance and supportive leadership that could help him grow beyond his inner turmoil.

Her dominant Extraverted Feeling (Fe) would provide a nurturing and empathetic environment, allowing Akutagawa to feel understood and valued.

Her ability to connect with others on an emotional level would help him open up and express his feelings, easing his deep-seated need for validation and helping him navigate his intense Introverted Feeling (Fi) with more clarity and compassion.

The ENFJ’s Introverted Intuition (Ni) would align with Akutagawa’s own Ni, fostering a shared sense of purpose and vision. Her ability to see the bigger picture and understand the deeper implications of their actions would resonate with his need for meaning and direction.

This connection would help him focus his energy and emotions on long-term goals, providing a sense of purpose that extends beyond his immediate struggles.

Her Extraverted Sensing (Se), as her tertiary function, would complement Akutagawa’s auxiliary Se, encouraging him to engage more fully with the present moment.

While her Se is not as dominant, it would still offer a playful and dynamic energy that could help Akutagawa enjoy life’s experiences more openly and with less fear.

This would balance his sometimes overwhelming focus on immediate, intense sensory inputs, helping him approach situations with a bit more lightness and adaptability.

Lastly, the ENFJ’s Introverted Thinking (Ti), as her inferior function, would provide a subtle but important balance to Akutagawa’s chaotic internal world.

Though not her strongest function, her Ti would still offer a logical framework that could help him analyze situations more objectively. This would aid in softening the extremes of his Fi and Se, guiding him toward more balanced and thoughtful decision-making.

In summary, an ENFJ female darling would bring emotional warmth, shared vision, and a supportive, structured approach to Akutagawa’s life.

Her Fe would help him connect and express his emotions, her Ni would align with his sense of purpose, her Se would complement his present-focused intensity, and her Ti would offer subtle logical support.

Together, these qualities would help Akutagawa find emotional balance and a sense of belonging, making her an excellent match for him.

[sunmoon-starfactory]

New Feature - Story Mode

Moving forward, we are unlocking the "testing options" that beta users and ourselves use for various cheaty testing quickness. This should make it easier for everyone to get into the" supply chain" aspect of Sun&Moon sets.

We are dubbing it "Story Mode". Mostly because cheating sounds icky, but the Sims 2 is a single player game...so no one should care if you cheat anyway but also there is no need to make a player feel called out if they used a shortcut to get to the good parts of a single player game am I right?

Sun&Moon was always a project meant to simulate realistic supply chains. As we made more sets, things have become more intertwined than ever. We get that this is confusing for newcomers and truthfully, it can sometimes complicate testing. Story Mode can make it easier to get into the gameplay and get your supply chain started, or allow you to skip that entirely and still enjoy the sets.

Please note this is intended for sets from September 2024 forward. There are still intentions of updating older stations to the Crafting Points system and as that is done, this feature will be added in. A proper update notice for each set will of course be announced.

Options that can be found under the Story Mode pie menu option will include:

Fully Stock Station - This will stock the station with everything needed to make a product, no need to direct a sim to stock or even have the items gathered. Your sims will still need the proper skill levels, writs, or traits to complete the task.

Receive All Products - Don't want to even go through the manufacturing motions? Or wait for a timer to run to get to the end products? Or build up skill levels/have writs in your inventory? This action grants all end products to the sim's inventory, no fuss. This will include any Skill Level reward, such as Writs of Mastery. Warning, this can result in cluttered inventories.

Spawn - This is to force a spawner to reproduce or summon the attached item, bypassing timers in items like hunting spawners, or self propagating plants.

Action! - Makes a sim complete the animations associated with a station, but results in no ingredients needed, and no products made. Just for the looks and photoshoots really.

Of course as things develop, more options may be added to Story Mode. Note, that Decoration options are not part of Story Mode and will stay on the standard pie menu.

Turning On Story Mode

Story Mode is OFF by default, and can be activated by one of three ways:

Trait Restrictions - Built into the code already, if you use traits and don't mind adding one more into a sim's inventory add in the Story Mode trait and these menus will auto show. This method allows you to restrict by individual sims.

Lot Controller Object - Built into the code already, if you place the Sun&Moon Lot Controller Object on a lot then all the menus will auto show. This works on all sims per lot.

SimPE Edit - In the object you want to turn Story Mode permanently on; Navigate to the TTAB, select the Pie Menu Functions resource, and select a story mode option you wish to edit. Select the Pie Menu Option you wish to enable, select all numbers/text in the Guardian BHAV box and hit delete to clear the box. Commit and Save.

Recompress.

Lot Controller Object & Story Mode Trait

Including these two files here, as they directly affect this feature. Both can be found in the Misc>Misc category for $0.

Using the trait is simple, just put it in a sim's inventory and forget about it.

The Lot Object Controller however, has had several features coded into it so it's not just useless deco. More features will be added as they come up.

Hide/Show all Blocks of Blocking and Mini Blocks of Blocking

Hide/Show Sun&Moon made specific OMSPs

Inventory Transfer tool between sims. Code taken the original by mike_1102, using the mesh and texture features of Fractured Moonlight's version. Also has an invisible option.

Download

View Use/Instruction Manual

[tomorrowusa]

Microblogging platform Mastodon is taking steps to make sure it never falls into the hands of some MAGA billionaire like Zuck or Musk.

Founder Eugen Rochko is transferring ownership to a nonprofit entity based in Europe. It is already located in the EU where it is free of any political or legal pressure from a Trump administration. Becoming nonprofit is a poison pill to deter any broligarchs who bend the knee to MAGA.

Mastodon announced Monday that it's shifting its structure over the next six months to become wholly owned by a European nonprofit organization—"affirming the intent that Mastodon should not be owned or controlled by a single individual." This takes control of the social network away from its previous "ultimate decision-maker," Eugen Rochko. As founder, Rochko initially took the reins to ensure the decentralized platform would never be for sale and "would be free of the control of a single wealthy individual." His grand vision remains to leave Mastodon users in control of the social network, making their own decisions about what content is allowed or what appears in their timelines. The news comes after leaders of other social networks, like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, have sparked backlash over sudden changes to popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). For years, Musk has drawn criticism for changing Twitter's hate speech policies through his X rebranding. And more recently, Zuckerberg this month defended Meta's decision to relax hate speech policies (permitting women to be called "property" and gay people to be called "mentally ill") by calling bans on such speech "out of touch with mainstream discourse." Mastodon is hoping to provide an alternative social network for users who are potentially frustrated with their lack of control over their timelines and content on other networks.

Mastadon is part of the Fediverse – which takes a little getting used to. And while not small, it doesn't yet have the enormous volume of broligarch-owned social media; though Elon Musk's transformation of Twitter/X into a playground for Nazis and Trumpsters has sparked growth at Mastodon.

Mastodon appears to be betting that even more users will seek alternative social networks in the future as popular apps enact unpopular policies. The blog discussed progress on a "privacy-respecting search tool" that could be used to explore the entire Fediverse, a collection of independent social media networks that Mastodon connects to. That could make it possible to discover more content without depending on a "For You" algorithm mining user data. And perhaps in a nod to Meta's recent changes, Mastodon also vowed to "invest deeply in trust and safety" and ensure "everyone, especially marginalized communities," feels "safe" on the platform.

Dominic Preston at The Verge writes...

“When founder Eugen Rochko started working on Mastodon, his focus was on creating the code and conditions for the kind of social media he envisioned,” Mastodon says. “The legal setup was a means to an end, a quick fix to allow him to continue operations. From the start, he declared that Mastodon would not be for sale and would be free of the control of a single wealthy individual, and he could ensure that because he was the person in control, the only ultimate decision-maker.” In the short term, nothing should change for users. Mastodon will continue to host the mastodon.social and mastodon.online servers and support its federated network. Routine code development and bug fixes are ongoing, though the announcement adds that “changes are definitely in the pipeline.” “Our core mission remains the same: to create the tools and digital spaces where people can build authentic, constructive online communities free from ads, data exploitation, manipulative algorithms or corporate monopolies,” Mastodon says.

What's not to like about a platform for Twitter refugees which doesn't Zuck?

[leportraitducadavre]

About DoA and its use by the fandoms

It's been quite a while since I've been here, I wasn't sure about posting anything new (more so this, as it's still incomplete) but dear lord, every couple of weeks I receive a notification of someone demonizing me because I decided to critique their character instead of Kishimoto, using the "blame the writing and not the character" and all that idiocy as their primary argument. So, I've decided to post this in order for you to understand what that type of "defense" actually entails.

I should note that this post has no conclusion of its own, I personally won't be dictating what you should think about this matter as that's a personal conviction, it's my desire to give you different perspectives on the subject (of course my own ideology is intertwined with the text, so it should be easy to see where I stand) as to give you tools to understand, basically, the arguments you're using.

It's a long post, so everything will be under the cut.

“Death of the Author” is a theory created by Barthes in 1967, roughly speaking, it’s presented as a juxtaposition to the idea that the Author, as a metaphorical God, has imbued the text with a single meaning–what Barthes does by presenting this idea is to argue against the power that the Author continues to have inside the text because he says, “writing is the destruction of every voice”; therefore, imposing the Author on a text limits its meanings, as then only one true meaning exists, which is the one “Author-God” gave it.

Barthes’s concept isn’t without logic: if The Reader does not bring the fictional product/situation/character to their own perspective (that is, their individual reality), it is impossible to give it verisimilitude. Only through this process can we appropriate fiction. And we can’t “appropriate it” in the same parameters or spheres of understanding (social, political, economic, and cultural) of the Author. What Barthes says is that the textual meaning can’t be located in its “origin” but in its “destination,” thus,  Readers are constantly working to create the meaning of text.

The main issue with this perspective is that it implies that the relationship with a text is bipartite, as the text either exists in relation to its Creator or in relation to its Reader; it also implies that a work of literature (as Barthes calls it a “tissue with signs”) is of no more value than a User’s Manual or a flyer as they too contain signs to communicate information.

The most important thing about this essay, however, is the notion that a fictional work stops being from The Author the moment they write the last paragraph, as it now belongs to The Readers; in this process, each Reader performs a different work, as they bring their own ideology to the text.

The existence of the relationship between text and Reader isn’t questionable, but it doesn’t exist in a void: in order to believe, we have to detach the text from the Author’s intent (which they definitely gave, as every writing is ideological) and their framework. It’s true that we can read a work without knowing the Author’s name, nationality, and social and economic background; but we see their ideological position through their creation, as all of those aspects we don’t know about were intrinsic to the text at the time of its creation and development. This is not to say that The Author’s “intention” will be one hundred percent understood or will translate as intended to every Reader, but their “death” isn’t as spontaneous nor as definitive as some might think.

“To give a text an Author is to impose a limit on that text, to furnish it with a final signified, to close the writing. Such a conception suits criticism very well, the latter then allotting itself the important task of discovering the Author beneath the work: when the Author has been found, the text is 'explained' - victory to the critic.” Barthes.

The thing about this phrase is that the “Critics” Barthes speaks of no longer exist, as they don’t hold the same level of power inside literary works as they used to. To understand what he meant we need to take into account the context in which he wrote the piece and the intention behind it, that is, we should ask Barthes what he meant; and if he denies those that go against his original intention, he’s contradicting his own principle.

Literary discourse is opposed to truth—truth as in the culturally affirmed “truth”. This distinction between truth and fiction allowed the author to avoid the “appropriation” that overwhelmed science discourses. Michel Foucault, who like Barthes was against structuralism and opposed the concept of expression, asked the question as to why the author even assumed the position of the “ideological figure”. That, Foucault stated, resulted from considering the author to be the source of meaning—authorial intention. That’s the reason why Foucault and Barthes both opposed this method of “closed reading”. As the author functions as the figure who controls meaning, his “mystification” in this regard is linked to the control of distribution and profits.

Now, the power is no longer of the “critics” Barthes antagonized, but with the masses' interpretation of the text, which is not one but multiple ones, as not one reading stays the same in the vast ocean of consumers. It's there that the debate starts, and it's there that the debate ends because it becomes the "let's agree to disagree" ad infinitum. There's, again, no exact reason why the debate should have an ending, as the text trespasses time, and its reading is modified by historical events that impact the cultural spheres.

“The Reader” here is a figure of speech because it is a term used to define a large group of people with different histories, cultures, and interpretations.

If The Reader approaches the text (by taking ownership of the story and its characters) and decides, for instance, to give a character what “they truly deserve”, then they strip that character of their overall value. A character exists within the story for a purpose; and if we strip Shylock (Merchant of Venice) of the context Shakespeare wrote him for, he loses his long-term importance as he exists as the opposing force in the narrative. If he suddenly has nothing to oppose, then he ceases to exist as Shylock. If he’s suddenly given a “happy ending” (as him obtaining the pound of flesh from Antonio’s heart; or him rebelling against Antonio’s and Portia’s revenge request, because Portia as a lawyer not only saved Antonio’s life but also gave him the retribution she thinks he deserved), he stops being the Tragic Character and loses the relevance. By taking away a character’s place in the narrative and giving them a new story, personality, or actions (which The Reader thinks a specific character should’ve had), readers create an entirely new character inside an entirely new story and framework that simply shares some vague similarities to its canon counterpart; furthermore, they’re not giving the character what they deserve; they’re giving their own character (as the story is nothing but their own interpretation) what they think they deserve.

In the same manner, The Author is no longer relevant or talented, as now, the brilliance lies in the readers' interpretations of the writing, not in The Author’s work that, apparently, simply “allowed” The Readers to reach their brilliance.

Two ���new” approaches to a story, Watsonian and Doylist, add layers to this issue: the former implies that we can answer questions about the story by simply looking inside the work’s universe and not outside it, whilst the latter is concerned with answers outside the framework of the text–meaning, in real life. 

If a person considers the Watsonian approach the only well-founded one, then the answers are subjected to The Reader’s interpretation, which as I’ve said are many; so if the Author gives their input, they do by becoming a Reader, which makes their vision just as valid as the one of any other. With this approach, the Truth (implying that the text has a singular meaning) does not exist, or rather, there isn’t a single truth as there is a “coexistence of truths”. 

If, however, they decide to see the story through the Doylist approach, The Reader assumes they know the only intention the Author had; but how do we know the author's “true” intention? Even the use of interviews to state what they did or did not achieve is… debatable because the interviews are clippings of conversations not chosen by The Authors themselves but by PR teams –never mind the fact that if there are many of these “PR members”, The Author can appear to contradict themselves or be untruthful.

So how do we try to (try, is a keyword in this) reconcile the Author's intent with the Author themselves? We look at the story and its framework and at the structure and the plot as a whole.

Shakespeare’s narrative introduces Shylock as the antagonist; we aren’t supposed (in a very generic manner) to care for him or his destiny, because what we should want is Antonio’s safety; those who read the story today and see this structure will quickly draw the conclusion: “Shakespeare was an antisemite, so Shylock deserves better.” Yet Shakespeare, who again, built Shylock as the opposition to the framework’s stance, gave him the strongest, most humane speech inside the story. We’re given his perspective; we are told of Antonio’s mistreatment towards him; and we are forced to learn the reasoning behind his animosity:

To bait fish withal. If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies, and what’s his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge. The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

Shylock exists as a villain-like figure, yet “villain-Shylock” doesn’t exist outside this speech. The reason why we care for Shylock is that we know about his pain, and we know about his pain because Shakespeare allowed us to see it. The Reader gave Shylock complexity because the complexity existed prior to The Reader’s intervention; it’s, however, The Reader that vindicated him, but they didn’t do it alone.

Characters aren’t independent of the Author’s decision-making process, Readers can't “blame the author” and spare the character from any responsibility as they are the vehicle The Author uses inside the story; neither the story nor the character or The Author has to endorse The Reader’s views because that doesn’t diminish the work’s value.

There are many ways in which a reader becomes frustrated with a story; a very common route of this event transpires when the consumer finds the ending dissatisfying. The dissatisfaction with the conclusion (and I’m using that word as reading or engaging with any form of art it’s both an ideological and emotional process) does not detract from the “brilliance” of the plot.

If we decide to forever and ever separate the Watsonian and Doylist perspectives to study them in a manner that they shouldn’t interact then we take the events that don't fit our perspective of the text as mere coincidences; furthermore, we kill the author because our brilliance, our appreciation, our “writing” of the story is better. The Reader becomes the Author’s murderer by “divine right”. The children rebel against their parent, who metaphorically created them for that specific fictional universe, and they murder them, creating, at last, the creature: the text. The inheritance that is “rightfully” theirs.

Detractors of the theory accuse DoA of becoming a means for cultural erasure, in their words, if they’re going to read everything of themselves into the work, then what happens to the cultures that are told through art? Is their art meant to be repackaged, remodeled—or erased for The Reader to find their brilliance through fiction? There’s a case that perfectly exemplifies this where a Western portion of Naruto's fandom considered Tobirama to be “femininely” designed because of his use of “make-up,” yet if we look further inside the same story and the author’s origins, we can easily draw a connection between that specific character’s design and Kabuki Theatre, where actors use Kumadori in bright colors in order to emphasize veins, muscles, blood vessels or the connection of the Samurai to a Kami, becoming Hitokami. The lack of knowledge from Western Readers about Japanese Culture prevented them from seeing the reasoning behind specific aesthetic choices giving sense to a specific design by coding it “feminine”, instead of tracing down its conceptual roots.

But, with all these points made, various questions arise: if the Author’s Intention doesn’t necessarily translate into the Readers’, which text is more important? It’s the text to be read as the Author intended or as the Reader interprets it? Could both of these visions coexist or are they bound to fight for dominance indefinitely?

[mariacallous]

Are there generative AI tools I can use that are perhaps slightly more ethical than others? —Better Choices

No, I don't think any one generative AI tool from the major players is more ethical than any other. Here’s why.

For me, the ethics of generative AI use can be broken down to issues with how the models are developed—specifically, how the data used to train them was accessed—as well as ongoing concerns about their environmental impact. In order to power a chatbot or image generator, an obscene amount of data is required, and the decisions developers have made in the past—and continue to make—to obtain this repository of data are questionable and shrouded in secrecy. Even what people in Silicon Valley call “open source” models hide the training datasets inside.

Despite complaints from authors, artists, filmmakers, YouTube creators, and even just social media users who don’t want their posts scraped and turned into chatbot sludge, AI companies have typically behaved as if consent from those creators isn’t necessary for their output to be used as training data. One familiar claim from AI proponents is that to obtain this vast amount of data with the consent of the humans who crafted it would be too unwieldy and would impede innovation. Even for companies that have struck licensing deals with major publishers, that “clean” data is an infinitesimal part of the colossal machine.

Although some devs are working on approaches to fairly compensate people when their work is used to train AI models, these projects remain fairly niche alternatives to the mainstream behemoths.

And then there are the ecological consequences. The current environmental impact of generative AI usage is similarly outsized across the major options. While generative AI still represents a small slice of humanity's aggregate stress on the environment, gen-AI software tools require vastly more energy to create and run than their non-generative counterparts. Using a chatbot for research assistance is contributing much more to the climate crisis than just searching the web in Google.

It’s possible the amount of energy required to run the tools could be lowered—new approaches like DeepSeek’s latest model sip precious energy resources rather than chug them—but the big AI companies appear more interested in accelerating development than pausing to consider approaches less harmful to the planet.

How do we make AI wiser and more ethical rather than smarter and more powerful? —Galaxy Brain

Thank you for your wise question, fellow human. This predicament may be more of a common topic of discussion among those building generative AI tools than you might expect. For example, Anthropic’s “constitutional” approach to its Claude chatbot attempts to instill a sense of core values into the machine.

The confusion at the heart of your question traces back to how we talk about the software. Recently, multiple companies have released models focused on “reasoning” and “chain-of-thought” approaches to perform research. Describing what the AI tools do with humanlike terms and phrases makes the line between human and machine unnecessarily hazy. I mean, if the model can truly reason and have chains of thoughts, why wouldn’t we be able to send the software down some path of self-enlightenment?

Because it doesn’t think. Words like reasoning, deep thought, understanding—those are all just ways to describe how the algorithm processes information. When I take pause at the ethics of how these models are trained and the environmental impact, my stance isn’t based on an amalgamation of predictive patterns or text, but rather the sum of my individual experiences and closely held beliefs.

The ethical aspects of AI outputs will always circle back to our human inputs. What are the intentions of the user’s prompts when interacting with a chatbot? What were the biases in the training data? How did the devs teach the bot to respond to controversial queries? Rather than focusing on making the AI itself wiser, the real task at hand is cultivating more ethical development practices and user interactions.

[rarespawnwrites]

WIP Wednesday

A loud clatter and an ominous change in the room’s orientation brought Danny’s attention back to his surroundings. His body had been harshly throwing itself against its bindings, and the gurney had knocked into a mobile medical cart placed too close to it. Something had fallen on him—a tray, spilling medical tools as it fell—and the way his body had thrown its weight, the bed he was strapped to was now tilting in the opposite direction from where the tray had come from.

Danny had better not be about to die ag—WHOA!

One hand had twisted in its restraint to catch a scalpel as everything fell. After his rough landing, Danny found himself hanging sideways from his restraints. He stared at the scattered tools and fallen tray in front of him while the hand with the scalpel worked to cut through the wrist cuff.

Was… was that intentional? Was this body really just working off instincts? What the hell were these instincts?!

Of course it chose to be hypercompetent now instead of earlier, in the middle of traffic, in the scenario that would have prevented any of this. Well… at least his body was taking care of the restraints; Danny just had to figure out things on his end.

After scanning his system for options, he saw that he’d missed system messages. One was from a sender he’d never seen before. These names were all overlapping, though. Nothing about this afterlife game could be convenient. “System Support,” huh? Right.

So, there was a “Transmigrator Support System”, which he accessed with his screen. That seemed automated by comparison to the email-looking message he’d gotten from Peerless Cucumber. This “System Support” was probably… like customer service? Support for users having issues with the system itself. That was promising.

Danny read the message. His account was no longer under review, so he could actually buy things from the system store now! He really needed to find something that could remove the debuff.

【System Message】 Your preferences have context-sensitive advertisements set to “off”. You can change this setting in the options menu.

And now the system was giving him attitude. Great. Well, it was also hinting that it had a solution, which would be actually great. Since his body was doggedly sawing through his restraints, he should probably find something sooner rather than later.

Actually… why had no one come to check on him? That had made an incredible amount of noise. Why was everything so quiet? Someone had strapped him down and just… left him here? With a bunch of tools?

Danny was pretty sure you didn’t need restraints on people you thought were dead. If most dead people were in his place, the restraints would do nothing because their corpse wouldn’t try to escape. In Danny’s case, the restraints would have done nothing because he was dead. Well. If this irritating system weren’t so fixated on nerfing him, anyway.

Danny’s body thumped to the floor as his mind browsed through pages of items in the system store. His body finished freeing itself and stood. It shivered in his hospital scrubs, and his eyes fixed on the sheet covering the table on the other side of the room. He found himself ambling toward it, and refocused his attention on the world around him.

‘No,’ he thought at his body. ‘Bad! Do NOT take the sheet off a corpse! I don’t care how cold we are!’

The good news was that Danny did not have to wear a sheet plucked off a corpse in the morgue.

The bad news was that it was because whatever was under the sheet started moving before he could get all the way across the room.

But hey, there was more good news! Danny couldn’t control his body, so he didn’t let loose with a high-pitched squeal of terror when presented with this horror movie development! You really had to appreciate the little things when the big things were all terrible.

For instance: his human body was always cold from the way his unreleased ice powers cooled his core temperature, and it wasn’t helped by the cool air of the morgue. That was a terrible, big part of his reality. The small bright spot? Apparently, the chill that ran down his spine at the unexpected movement was even worse than the overall cold, because instead of continuing toward the sheet to warm him up, his body instantly changed course to sprint for the exit.

He couldn’t see whatever was going on behind him, but from the scrabbling noises and soft thumps, he didn’t think that whoever that was had been restrained. Because of course they hadn’t. Why would you put restraints on a corpse?

Danny wished he could punch just like, one thing. For, uh… survival purposes.

[medusasea]

Rescue Deku Arc

I want to say I was hoping at one point there would be a rescue Deku arc. You can argue that the ending of his vigilante arc sort of was, since his friends saved him from himself, but I wanted one in which he gets kidnapped, specifically by AFO with AFO locking him up in a vault. Ironically, I also imagined AFO being a foil to Overhaul who tortured Eri and only saw her as a tool, I was imagining AFO going to start sympathizing with Deku and treating him unexpectedly humane for a prisoner.

Just the possibilities. AFO locks Deku in a vault because Yoichi is inside of him and AFO is possessive towards his brother like usual. Yoichi relieves his trauma but he gets character development. Midoriya can only rely in the other OFA users and they get more development. Class A-1 class and the teachers search desperately for their kidnapped friend. Inko is heartbroken, but she still has hope. Tomura doesn't have to worry about Deku, so he gets to terrorize more people.

Since AFO is also sympathetic in this version, Midoriya gets to hear more from his side of the story and realizes they are two sides of the same coin. Both AFO and Midoriya faced discrimination, Midoriya for being quirkless and later for looking creepy, AFO for having a quirk. Both of them inspire people. Both of them worked hard to become powerful. Both of them have multiple quirks and are good at analyzing them. Both of them are very observant. Both of them love their families and care about their comrades, it's just that AFO expresses it in an unhealthy way. Midoryia inspires to be the number 1 hero, while AFO used to want the same, until society broke him, so he decided to become number 1 villain as revenge. At first Deku is extremely skeptical, but Yoichi confirms that AFO did indeed wish to be number 1 hero in his youth, or at least he doesn't deny it.

Given how vague Yoichi's introduction to Deku was, I was hoping Deku would become a little suspicious on why Yoichi didn't tell when him when exactly AFO started his villainy, especially his murders, how AFO acted and how their life was before Yoichi's imprisonment and Yoichi didn't even tell his own name. I was hoping the manga would go on the route that AFO used to be good until he turned to villainy and that Yoichi and the rest of the OFA users didn't tell Deku those details out of fear, but doing so made everything worse, since Deku feels like they might be hiding even more and he feels disappointed.

Considering how people with quirks were treated during AFO's time, catastrophes were happening anyway, I thought it would've been clever if a plot twist was that AFO wasn't as bad towards the people he made deals with as Yoichi claimed. A vague vague statement "dispose of them" that Yoichi used can mean many things. I wasn't expecting AFO to be blameless, I was in fact expecting him to have indeed abandoned certain people in times of need, but that doesn't mean he went out of his way to harm them. For him to abandom them, they would have to be in a bad situation. Again, society discriminated against those with quirks and their allies, I expected society to have killed or injured many of them, with the worst that AFO did being choosing to not save all of them. Perhaps not even out of selfish reasons, maybe he had a plan to change the system and considered that saving those people would hinder his plan, so he chose to not save them for the greater good. I would also add AFO being traumatized after the first time he gave someone many quirks and destroyed their brain in the process. he tried to save the person, but failed.

He only imprisoned Yoichi after the latter not only stood up to him, but also called his intentions evil. We know that AFO's group ended up killing another that refused to join them, but they were actually evil, or at least AFO's group thought so. AFO didn't ask nor manipulate his own people into doing this, in fact, they are the ones who convinced him that it was the right choice. Had the second and third user not fought against him, AFO wouldn't have fought them either, but they not only stand up to him, they also assume the worst and steal his brother away. AFO finally snaps completely and decides that if everyone will treat him like a demon lord, he might as well act like one.

I am not condoning AFO locking Yoichi up, it's just that in this version AFO is a well-intentioned extremist who rationalizes his acts. He is also as mentioned far less of a monster and has more standards, had the (first few) OFA users not intervened, it still wouldn't be pretty, but he wouldn't have been as bad as him becoming the symbol of evil. Also, because of the OFA users AFO didn't keep his position of power, which is actually for the better, but had they not called him Demon Lord and had they tried to understand him, he would've actually gone way easier on them, though he still would've oppressed them and he likely wouldn't have given up without a fight. In this version he also never really got to rule over entire Japan, but had he, he would've been a dictator, albeit not nearly the worst.

Deku fears AFO might be in the right, or at least he fears he could've ended up like him if his life was different. AFO sees this and sees potential into turning the boy to the dark side, but he refuses. At the same, AFO sympathizes with Deku' pain, especially since he went through similar experiences, and feels respect for Deku for putting actual effort into understanding him and not just assuming the worst like every other hero. So AFO is hesitant to further hurt Deku.

Also, because why not? Have All Might retain his powers again. I know some people might dislike this, since they want for AFO and All Might to stay retired for the sake of the theme of passing the torch, but in this version AFO kept his promise of passing the torch to Tomura. AFO escaped prison, but he does smaller work at the moment. As for All Might, he gets entirely focused on saving Midoriya, so he doesn't really return as the number 1 hero, not for anyone else besides Deku anyway. Also, I don't plan for this to be the final arc in my reimagining (I don't know if I will ever write down an entire story though, I might simply limit myself to ideas, rather than a complete plot). So while All Might is back, the torch still (mostly) belongs to Deku. All Might also hears about AFO's past and is even more shocked than Midoriya.

This post turned out even longer than expected and I could go on even longer. You can disagree with this reimagining, but I personally love stories where the protagonist gets kidnapped, especially if they are competent fighters.

[giggly-squiggily]

I also think that Megumi is the resident interest listen to-er

Yuji rambling on about space, and the stars, and the solar system, anything about light and how reflection and refraction works, and all of the celebrity crushes he has, throwing a ball up and catching it as he lays on Megumi’s bed.

Nobara venting about stupid girl stuff. He listens intently as he softly brushes through her hair, putting a few small braids in it as he nods.

Maki spending lunch time with him, excitedly explaining how to use each tool she’s mastered.

Panda and him talking intensely about D&D stuff.

And I think Inumaki will listen to him talk about literally ANYTHING and this is why Megumi can understand him.

AHHHH! Wait I'm obsessed with this HELP!

Yuji laying on top of a half asleep Megumi, rambling on and on about the stars and horoscopes and celebrities and having those oddly deep conversations about their place in the solar system cause he's feeling extra philosophical this day. It's soothing and unexpected but so expected of him- Megumi sleeps better after chats like that.

Nobara venting to him about period cramps and shaving and how she hates the sizing in clothing stores while Megumi does her hair- he has no idea why underwire is such a sinful thing or why woman's pockets are made so shallow, but Nobara reminds him of his sister and it brings him such a sense of comfort.

Maki raving about her weapons and skills and the different types she loves and he's humming around his chopsticks nodding along with her glee thinking about how serious and at times somber she is and seeing her in such a happy state softens her edges and makes her ten times prettier in his eyes. At times he can't help but wonder how Nobara feels when she's like this. It's the same way he feels whenever Yuji is genuinely happy.

Oh God Panda and him being D&D fans I cannot! They have game nights and campaigns and their characters are best friends against the world- no one but Inumaki can keep up with their rambles but it's fun seeing them so happy.

MOOD! Megumi can tell Inumaki everything and our speech curse user is so good at listening and advice. Megumi could give him a whole monologue about his feelings regarding accidentally calling Gojo dad or the fact he's slowly developing a crush on his best friend whom he's pretty sure is straight or how he's not sure where he's going in life with his curse energy and whatnot- and Inumaki will pat his arm with a "Tuna mayo." and all his problems are resolved. Or at the very least- he doesn't feel nearly as stressed about it.

A little bonus cause YES!

Yuta and Megumi share stories about Gojo from time to time but really Megumi loves hearing Yuta's travel stories cause he has a small desire to do so himself one day and lives vicariously through him. I love to think they plan trips together down the road and Yuta takes him all over Japan in a "Fellow Gojo student road trip" sort of thing. he does it for all the first years but Megumi gets the first trip cause "Related to Gojo perks" lols

Ducky this gives me LIFE! Thank you so much for sharing the sillies with me! :D

[smitharticle]

How to Succeed with YouTube SEO in 2025: Rank Smarter, Grow Faster

In 2025, making great videos is not enough. To reach more people and develop your YouTube channel, you need to make sure that your content is searchable. This is the place where YouTube SEO comes from. By customizing your video correctly, you can appear higher in search results, get more views, and create a loyal audience. YouTube SEO is about to tell the platform what your content is, so it can recommend it to the right users. The better you understand what the audience is watching, the more effective your SEO strategy will be.

Keyword Research Still Leads the Way

If you want your video to be seen in search results, then you have to know what people are looking for. In 2025, keyword research will become more concentrated on the user's intentions. This means that not only the words that people use, but the purpose behind their discoveries. Tools such as SeoBix make it easier to find the best keywords based on search trends, competition and audience needs. Once you choose the right keyword, use it in a natural way in your title, details and tags.

Crafting Titles That Work for Search and Clicks

Your video title has to do two things at once. First, it must tell YouTube what the video is about. Second, it must encourage people to click. Including your target keyword near the beginning of the title helps with both goals. Keep your titles clear, specific, and honest—misleading titles can harm your video’s performance over time.

Descriptions That Support Your Content and Boost Visibility

The details box plays a much larger role in 2025 than ever. A well -written description helps the audience understand what the video provides, and it helps to identify youtube when and where to show your video. Describe the subject in detail, mention your main keywords and some related people, and try to answer questions that can be before playing to an audience.

Thumbnails Matter More Than You Think

When users scroll through YouTube, your thumbnail is the first thing that catches their eye. If it’s not interesting or clear, they might ignore your video—even if it ranks well. A good thumbnail gives a visual preview of the video and makes people curious. YouTube rewards videos with high click-through rates, and a well-made thumbnail helps achieve that.

Stronger Engagement Means Higher Rankings

In 2025, Youtube continues to favor the video that sparks engagement. If the audience takes comments, comments, shares or membership after watching your video, the algorithm takes it as a sign of quality. Encourage conversations by asking the audience to leave the response or share their ideas. In addition, answer the comments and build a community - it leads to greater visibility and development.

Accessibility and Structure Improve SEO

YouTube now uses facilities like closed captions and chapters to better understand its content. The captions make your video accessible to more people, while also gives more reference to the algorithm. The chapters help the audience to release the parts that they care for the most, which improves the user's satisfaction and keeps looking at them for a long time.

Conclusion: YouTube SEO is the Key to Growth in 2025

YouTube SEO has become more advanced, but it is also more beneficial. If you continuously apply smart optimization strategies - starting with keywords, making compelling titles and thumbnails, encouraging engagement, and focusing on audience satisfaction - your videos will stand out. In a platform as a competitor as YouTube, which the creators take time to customize their content will always be an edge. Keep learning, keep testing, and your efforts will turn into long -term development and success.

[jcmarchi]

Moments Lab Secures $24 Million to Redefine Video Discovery With Agentic AI

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/moments-lab-secures-24-million-to-redefine-video-discovery-with-agentic-ai/

Moments Lab Secures $24 Million to Redefine Video Discovery With Agentic AI

Moments Lab, the AI company redefining how organizations work with video, has raised $24 million in new funding, led by Oxx with participation from Orange Ventures, Kadmos, Supernova Invest, and Elaia Partners. The investment will supercharge the company’s U.S. expansion and support continued development of its agentic AI platform — a system designed to turn massive video archives into instantly searchable and monetizable assets.

The heart of Moments Lab is MXT-2, a multimodal video-understanding AI that watches, hears, and interprets video with context-aware precision. It doesn’t just label content — it narrates it, identifying people, places, logos, and even cinematographic elements like shot types and pacing. This natural-language metadata turns hours of footage into structured, searchable intelligence, usable across creative, editorial, marketing, and monetization workflows.

But the true leap forward is the introduction of agentic AI — an autonomous system that can plan, reason, and adapt to a user’s intent. Instead of simply executing instructions, it understands prompts like “generate a highlight reel for social” and takes action: pulling scenes, suggesting titles, selecting formats, and aligning outputs with a brand’s voice or platform requirements.

“With MXT, we already index video faster than any human ever could,” said Philippe Petitpont, CEO and co-founder of Moments Lab. “But with agentic AI, we’re building the next layer — AI that acts as a teammate, doing everything from crafting rough cuts to uncovering storylines hidden deep in the archive.”

From Search to Storytelling: A Platform Built for Speed and Scale

Moments Lab is more than an indexing engine. It’s a full-stack platform that empowers media professionals to move at the speed of story. That starts with search — arguably the most painful part of working with video today.

Most production teams still rely on filenames, folders, and tribal knowledge to locate content. Moments Lab changes that with plain text search that behaves like Google for your video library. Users can simply type what they’re looking for — “CEO talking about sustainability” or “crowd cheering at sunset” — and retrieve exact clips within seconds.

Key features include:

AI video intelligence: MXT-2 doesn’t just tag content — it describes it using time-coded natural language, capturing what’s seen, heard, and implied.

Search anyone can use: Designed for accessibility, the platform allows non-technical users to search across thousands of hours of footage using everyday language.

Instant clipping and export: Once a moment is found, it can be clipped, trimmed, and exported or shared in seconds — no need for timecode handoffs or third-party tools.

Metadata-rich discovery: Filter by people, events, dates, locations, rights status, or any custom facet your workflow requires.

Quote and soundbite detection: Automatically transcribes audio and highlights the most impactful segments — perfect for interview footage and press conferences.

Content classification: Train the system to sort footage by theme, tone, or use case — from trailers to corporate reels to social clips.

Translation and multilingual support: Transcribes and translates speech, even in multilingual settings, making content globally usable.

This end-to-end functionality has made Moments Lab an indispensable partner for TV networks, sports rights holders, ad agencies, and global brands. Recent clients include Thomson Reuters, Amazon Ads, Sinclair, Hearst, and Banijay — all grappling with increasingly complex content libraries and growing demands for speed, personalization, and monetization.

Built for Integration, Trained for Precision

MXT-2 is trained on 1.5 billion+ data points, reducing hallucinations and delivering high confidence outputs that teams can rely on. Unlike proprietary AI stacks that lock metadata in unreadable formats, Moments Lab keeps everything in open text, ensuring full compatibility with downstream tools like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, Brightcove, YouTube, and enterprise MAM/CMS platforms via API or no-code integrations.

“The real power of our system is not just speed, but adaptability,” said Fred Petitpont, co-founder and CTO. “Whether you’re a broadcaster clipping sports highlights or a brand licensing footage to partners, our AI works the way your team already does — just 100x faster.”

The platform is already being used to power everything from archive migration to live event clipping, editorial research, and content licensing. Users can share secure links with collaborators, sell footage to external buyers, and even train the system to align with niche editorial styles or compliance guidelines.

From Startup to Standard-Setter

Founded in 2016 by twin brothers Frederic Petitpont and Phil Petitpont, Moments Lab began with a simple question: What if you could Google your video library? Today, it’s answering that — and more — with a platform that redefines how creative and editorial teams work with media. It has become the most awarded indexing AI in the video industry since 2023 and shows no signs of slowing down.

“When we first saw MXT in action, it felt like magic,” said Gökçe Ceylan, Principal at Oxx. “This is exactly the kind of product and team we look for — technically brilliant, customer-obsessed, and solving a real, growing need.”

With this new round of funding, Moments Lab is poised to lead a category that didn’t exist five years ago — agentic AI for video — and define the future of content discovery.

[dailyanarchistposts]

Question Two: Who do we need on our team so we can co-create a transdisciplinary strategy?

We intentionally don’t run 18 Million Rising like a conventional nonprofit. Every day, I’m trying to figure out how to distribute leadership among my small team – composed of individuals with a wide range of relevant skills who are experts in their discipline – in ways that allow us to move forward with deep alignment and help us learn from one another to improve all our efforts.

While you might not be organizing within a formalized structure like we do, these questions are still relevant to developing your team. Division of labor is a necessary consequence of engaging in struggle online: you may need people who think about product and user experience, people who write code, people who produce still and moving images to complement your work, people with the facilitation skills to manage community, people who think about operational security online and addressing threats to the group, or people with any number of a broad host of other skills. There won’t be any one person who has all of them – it’s simply impossible to grapple with the complexity on your own.

To engage in transdisciplinary strategy is to engage in principled struggle across expertise. Being able to consider form and content at the same time – and understand how they are constantly shaping each other – is critical to being effective on the internet. At our best, our team operates from a deep trust of one another and our people, and at a speed where we are constantly sharing and challenging one another to expand our understanding of everything from movement dynamics to tech tools.

While we can’t all master one another’s skills, we can share a political analysis of the tools of our respective trades. That analysis can inform both how we show up for each other and what we ask of each other in our day-to-day work. It helps us see the intersections of our expertise and develop an interdependent way of looking at the work that makes every move intentional and considered. Our members respect us for this discipline.

[ethanswgstblog]

Blog Post #10 4/24

How have post-9/11 surveillance policies have reshaped the American understanding of privacy and liberty?

Christian Parenti argues that by defining invasive state monitoring as an everyday part of daily life, the post-9/11 surveillance regime drastically changed American privacy and eventually destroyed democratic values. He believes that rather than establishing an entirely new system, the cultural reaction to 9/11 expedited and validated already-existing surveillance infrastructures. He argues that the USA Patriot Act "liberalized the legal environment in which federal cops will be gathering and processing the routine informational detritus of the digital age," which is the clearest example of this. Parenti cautions that such surveillance undermines the public's expectations of civil liberties and promotes compliance over liberty, particularly when it is disguised in security or patriotic rhetoric. He claims that this results in a changed populace that is less defensive of personal freedoms and more reliant on authority.

What can be learned about the fuzziness of the lines separating criminal activity and protest coordination in the digital age from the arrests of Michael Wallschlaeger and Elliott Madison?

Police are increasingly seeing digital communication as a criminal tool rather than an outlet for protected speech, as seen by the arrests of Elliott Madison and Michael Wallschlaeger during the G20 summit demonstrations. Even though the tweets were publicly available and resembled real-time reporting, their coordination efforts using Twitter to communicate protester movements and police activity were construed as criminal conduct under ambiguous provisions like "criminal use of a communication facility" and "hindering apprehension." When somebody takes into account their following FBI operation and the application of infrequently used statutes such as the federal anti-riot statute which attorney Martin Stolar described as an effort to "criminalize dissent" and prosecute "thought crime" this blurring of boundaries becomes particularly concerning. This instance highlights the state's increasing concern with decentralized, digitally empowered activism and shows how old protest strategies are being reframed as dangers when magnified by technology.

How does the Data Detox Kit empower individuals to take control of their digital privacy and well-being?

By offering consumers simple, achievable steps to reduce their digital footprint, improve online privacy, and develop healthy digital habits, the Data Detox Kit encourages users. The kit enables people to think critically about their online behavior and make wise decisions by simplifying difficult subjects like data monitoring, algorithmic bias, and information security into doable everyday tasks. The Data Detox Kit is a useful manual for recovering control in an increasingly monitored digital environment, whether that means changing app permissions, creating stronger passwords, or reevaluating how personal information is shared.

How does the article "How Your Twitter Account Could Land You in Jail" highlight the tension between digital activism and state surveillance?

By demonstrating how platforms like Twitter, which were once praised for facilitating democratic upheavals overseas, are now being used to criminalize dissent domestically, the study highlights the growing conflict between digital activism and governmental monitoring. The arrest of Elliott Madison for tweeting updates during the G20 protests serves as an example of how law enforcement views real-time, public communication that is utilized to assist with protest planning as illegal. The allegations are an attempt to link protest coordination to criminal intent, Madison's attorney pointed out, cautioning that "essentially it's prosecution for a thought crime." This framing highlights the vulnerable position of activists who use digital platforms: they run the risk of being viewed as threats to public order rather than as involved citizens.

Parenti, C. (2003). Fear as Institution: 9/11 and Surveillance Triumphant. In The Soft Cage. Basic Books.

Power, M. (2010). How your Twitter account could land you in jail. Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/03/police-twitter-riots-social-media-activists/

Tech, T.. Data Detox Kit. https://datadetoxkit.org/ 

[severesoulninja]

The Complete Manual for SEO in 2025: Methods to Rule Search Results

Digital marketing

Because Google's algorithms are becoming more intelligent and user behavior is changing, search engine optimization, or SEO, is always changing. To stay ahead of the curve in 2025, you will need to combine technical know-how, excellent content, and strategic link-building. If you are a blogger, digital marketer, or business owner, learning SEO can help you increase conversions and drive organic traffic.

In order to help you dominate search engine rankings in 2024, we will examine the most recent SEO tactics in this guide.

1. Recognizing SEO in 2025

Enhancing your website's visibility on search engines such as Google and Bing is known as SEO. A higher ranking for pertinent keywords, organic traffic, and improved user experience are the objectives.

Relevance, authority, and high-quality content are given top priority by search engines. Google's algorithms have become increasingly complex in comprehending search intent and rewarding websites that offer genuine value as a result of developments in AI and machine learning.

2. Keyword Analysis: The Basis for SEO

The foundation of SEO is still keyword research. But in 2025, search intent will be more important than ever. Take into account the following rather than just high-volume keywords:

Long-tail keywords are longer, more focused terms with higher conversion rates and less competition.

Semantic keywords: Include synonyms and variations of your primary keyword because Google's algorithms can comprehend related terms.

Keywords that are based on questions: A lot of users enter terms like "how to," "best way to," or "why does." By responding to these questions, you can increase how likely you are to be featured in snippets.

The Top Resources for Researching Keywords:

For both PPC and organic search insights, Google Keyword Planner is a free and helpful tool.

Ahrefs: Offers competitor analysis, search volume, and keyword difficulty.

SEMrush: Provides backlink analysis, site audits, and keyword research.

Finding frequently asked questions about your subject is made easier with AnswerThePublic.

3. Optimizing Your Content with On-Page SEO

Improving search rankings by optimizing individual pages is known as on-page SEO. Here's how to make your content better:

a. Meta descriptions and title tags

Your title tag should contain your target keyword, be compelling, and be no more than 60 characters. Likewise, your 160-character meta description should enticingly summarize your content and entice readers to click.

b. Header tags, such as H1, H2, and H3.

Use the main title in H1.

Utilize H2s and H3s for subheadings to enhance structure and readability.

Naturalize the use of primary and secondary keywords.

c. Optimizing URLs

A clean, descriptive URL helps both search engines and users. Example: Bad URL: www.example.com/p=12345 Visit www.example.com/seo-strategies-2025 for a good URL.

d. Linking Inside

Link equity is distributed, navigation is improved, and user engagement is prolonged when you link to other pertinent pages on your website.

e. Optimization of Images

To speed up page loads, reduce the size of images.

To help search engines understand images, use alt text to describe them.

4. Improving Website Performance with Technical SEO

Making a site's backend better for search engines to crawl and index is the main goal of technical SEO.

A. Optimization for Mobile

As mobile-first indexing is the standard, make sure your website is responsive. Google's Mobile-Friendly Test can be used to test your mobile performance.

b. Page Speed and Essential Web Elements

Google takes into account Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, and CLS) and page speed when determining rankings. Boost speed by:

making use of a content delivery network (CDN).

making videos and pictures better.

turning on browser caching and minifying JavaScript and CSS.

c. Make Your Website Secure with HTTPS

Safe websites are given priority by Google. Convert your website to HTTPS if it still uses HTTP for better search engine rankings and user confidence.

Robots.txt and XML Sitemap

Make sure that all of the key pages are indexed by submitting an updated XML sitemap to Google Search Console. A robots.txt file can also be used to prevent the crawling of unnecessary pages.

5. Developing Authority and Trust through Off-Page SEO

a. Creating Links

One important ranking factor is still backlinks. Quantity is not as important as quality. Pay attention to:

guest posting on trustworthy websites.

Links are created by having high-quality content.

"Broken link building" is the process of identifying and fixing broken links.

Consider using HARO (Help A Reporter Out) to get backlinks from news websites.

b. Social Media Brand Mentions

Despite social signals not being direct ranking factors, a strong social media presence can boost credibility and drive traffic.

c. Local SEO and Internet critiques

If your business operates locally, encourage customers to leave positive reviews on Google My Business and Yelp. The local SEO rankings of your business are also raised when local citations contain your company's name, address, and phone number.

7. The Growth of Voice and Zero-Click Searches

It is imperative to optimize for voice search given the popularity of smart assistants like Alexa and Siri.

Make use of FAQs and keywords in natural language.

Because many voice searches are location-based, make sure your website is optimized for local search engines.

There is also an increase in zero-click searches, in which Google provides an answer right in the SERP. In order to appear in featured snippets:

Give succinct, well-organized responses.

For clarity, use lists and bullet points.

8. The Synergy of Content Marketing and SEO

Content marketing and SEO are closely related. For 2025 success, concentrate on

1,500+ words of long-form content that offers comprehensive answers.

Integration of multimedia (podcasts, infographics, and videos).

User interaction promotes sharing, comments, and conversations.

9. Tracking and Enhancing SEO Results

Use resources such as:

Google Analytics: Monitors conversions, traffic, and bounce rates.

Data on indexing and keyword performance is provided by Google Search Console.

Analysis of competitors and backlinks is provided by Ahrefs and SEMrush.

Important data to monitor:

an increase in organic traffic.

ranking of keywords.

CTR stands for click-through rates.

bounce rates and dwell time.

Conclusion: Make Your SEO Strategy Future-Proof

The process of SEO is continuous and necessitates continuous modification. Creating valuable content, staying up to date with algorithm changes, and focusing on technical optimizations are all ways to maintain high search rankings in 2025.

Ready to make your website more successful? Put these tactics into practice right now, and see how your organic traffic increases! 

[bacalaofresco]

against skeuomorphism

Why I’m kinda against the skeuomorphism revival, even though I know it’s the cool thing now: Skeuomorphism is useful for new interfaces because it’s didactic. It’s also fun for the first few times but then I think it starts getting in the way. It tries to replicate physical sensations in the digital world, and that’s good for learning metaphors, but I fear that a skeuomorphic internet might be more bloated and distractive, even if it feels prettier sometimes. I mean, I think skeuomorphism has its place and time, but it shouldn’t sugar up the fact that we’re having a trivial and transactional interaction with a machine.

That’s why I think the skeuomorphism revival has good intentions but is ultimately misguided.

I’m not saying all digital interfaces should be boring, but most should! The content and tools shown in these interfaces is already interesting enough! And the minimalism I seek doesn’t mean that all interfaces look the same, just that there’s more of basic consistency in how things look. Actually I think that this simplicity should come in hand with UI modularity that gives users agency over the design of their interfaces, allowing broader customization that addresses their needs and tastes. So if someone loves skeuomorphism no matter what, just go ahead and make your computer a full-blown metaphor for real life tools! But give the user agency. Boosts are a huge advance in that direction.

If our hope is to create software with feeling, it means inviting people in to craft it for themselves — to mold it to the contours of their unique lives and taste.

(from Optimizing for Feelings)

Why you care about your phone, your computer, or AI, any of this stuff? […] Let’s just not lose the plot in the midst of all this change and these exciting inventions and developments.  These exciting inventions and developments on their own, on their face, are not that interesting; and in fact if we lose sight of what we want to use these tools for, it can get pretty grim. But I don’t think it will, and I don’t think it needs to. A question I wanna pose is like “Man are we tryna… What do we wanna use this for? What in our lives outside of our screen, outside of our devices, are we in search of?”

When I fantasize about digital products that don’t exist, they always solve a problem brought on by the massive digitalization of modern life. Sounds kind of like a paradox. But, Making An App For That is still the best way of fixing our digital problems and taking us back to the real world; sort of trying to fix the problem from the inside.

The thing is that builduing a product that attempts to make the internet beautiful while trying to make us use it less is inherently tricky.

What's beautiful about the internet in the end? It's a hard question to answer when nowadays most of it feels so disingenuous and overwhelming.

The beauty of the internet resides in connecting with other people with shared interests in meaningful ways and getting things done in a more efficient manner.

I believe digital interfaces should be an extension and expansion of our minds and ideas, and facilitators or enablers for things we ultimately want to achieve in the physical world, and for connections between humans who are far away.

Aren't all good feelings on the digital world just an imitation of good feelings in real life? What's a good-feeling-thing that's exclusive to the internet? Or better digitally than physically?

source: https://nohalo.substack.com/p/the-browser-companys-philosophical

[prezeblogupdates]

The Importance of SEO for Loc

In today?s competitive marketplace, local businesses struggle to stand out and attract customers. With the heightened use on internet queries, SEO techniques has become a vital tool for businesses to improve visibility, connect with clients, and drive revenue. This article will explore why SEO is important for local businesses and how it can revolutionize their digital presence. Defining Local SEO Local SEO is a specialized subset of SEO that is aimed at boosting the visibility of businesses in geographic-specific searches. When potential customers search for products or services near them, local SEO ensures your business shows up at the first page of the listings. Local SEO includes updating your Google My Business profile, focusing on location-specific keywords, and creating local citations to build credibility. This strategy is important for businesses that depend on foot traffic, such as restaurants, boutiques, and service providers. Benefits of SEO for Local Businesses Increases Visibility Local SEO allows businesses to climb in search rankings. Data suggests that the initial results of Google receive upwards of 90% of clicks. By optimizing local keywords, businesses can gain visibility, making it simpler for customers to locate them. Draws in Specific Audiences Local SEO targets users who are specifically looking your services in your area. For example, a potential buyer searching for "best pizza near me" is more likely to visit a local pizzeria than someone scrolling through unrelated content. This priority on user intent leads to better prospects. Establishes Authority A solid online presence indicates reliability and reliability. Updating your Google My Business profile with precise data, glowing testimonials, and updated photos can build confidence among prospective clients. Boosts Profitability Unlike offline promotions, SEO offers ongoing advantages at a minimal investment. Once implemented, your business can benefit from steady leads without ongoing expenses for ads. Steps to Apply Local SEO Update Your Online Listings Ensure your business information is correct. Add professional visuals, address customer testimonials, and include your operating times. A well-optimized profile significantly improves your chances of appearing in the top listings. Use Geographic Keywords Research and include keywords relevant to your area and offerings. For example, "plumber in Brisbane" or "best coffee shop in Scottsdale" can attract specific users to your ideal audience. Utilize Customer Testimonials Motivate satisfied customers to write testimonials on websites like Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Good ratings enhance your credibility and play a role in SEO rankings. Develop Geo-Targeted Articles Content, landing pages, and write-ups customized to your local audience can add to your presence. For example, writing about "top events in [city]" can engage nearby audiences. Conclusion SEO is an essential strategy for local businesses?it?s crucial. By prioritizing local SEO strategies, businesses can enhance discoverability, engage their audience, and ultimately increase revenue. Whether you run a boutique, a caf?, or a service-based business, focusing on local SEO secures your business stays ahead in the modern market. Start optimizing today to enjoy the benefits in the near future! https://theimportanceofseoforlocalbusinesses.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-importance-of-seo-for-local.html Professional SEO Brisbane team