#mass positivity

[kittyprincessofcats]

ICJ Ruling

Okay, let's get into this.

First of all, I get the frustration at the court not ordering a ceasefire. I was disappointed and frustrated at first too, since a ceasefire was the biggest and most important preliminary measure South Africa was requesting - and of course we just all want this horror to finally end for the people in Gaza. So I get the frustration and disappointment, I really do.

However, I do think this ruling is still a major win for South Africa, Palestine, and international law as a whole and here's why:

The court acknowledged that it has jurisdiction over this case and completely dismissed Israel's request to throw out the case as a whole. It will now determine at the merits stage (that will probably take years) whether Israel is actually commiting genocide.

The court acknowledged that Palestinians are a "distinct national or ethnic group and therefore deserving of protection under the genocide convention". Pull this out next time someone tells you "there's no such thing as Palestinians, they're all just Arabs".

The court acknowledged very unambiguously that "at least some" of Israel's actions being genocidal in nature is "plausible". South Africa has a case, officially. Israel is accused of genocide, in a way the ICJ deems "plausible", officially. This is huge. (And seriously, how freaking satisfying was it to hear all of those genocidal statements by Israeli politicians read out loud and used as justification for this rulling?)

The court might not have ordered a "ceasefire" in those words, but they did order Israel to "immediately end all genocidal acts" (which includes killing and injuring Palestinians) and submit proof that they actually did. How are they going to comply with this ruling without at least severly reducing or changing what they're doing in Gaza?

In fact, this wording might actually be more appropriate for a genocide (vs a war), as author and journalist Ali Abunimah notes on Twitter:

He's completely right. Israel lost today, by overwhelming majority (I mean, 15 to 2? I heard people predict the rulings would be very close, like 9 judges vs 8, but instead we got 15 to 2 (and even 16 to 1 on the humanitarian aid). Holy shit.) The court disimissed almost everything Israel's side of lawyers said, while acknowledging that South Africa's accusations are "plausible".

And this is important especially because of Mr Abunimah's second tweet there^. Because the question is, where do we go from here?

This ruling means that Israel is officially /possibly/ commiting genocide and that should have huge international consequences. The rest of the world now HAS to take these accusations seriously and stop arming and supporting Israel - and if they won't do it on their own, we, the people, have to make them. This is THE moment to rise up all around the world, especially in the countries most supportive of Israel (the US, the UK, Germany): Protest, call your representatives and demand a ceasefire and an end of arms deliveries to Israel.

We now have a legal case to back our demands: If Israel is, according to the ICJ, "plausibly" commiting genocide, then all of our governments are, according to the ICJ, "plausibly" guiltly of aiding in genocide. And we need to hold that over their heads and demand better. We need to do that right now and in huge numbers. Most politicians only care about themselves and saving their skin. We have to make them realize that they could be accused of aiding in genocide.

(As a German, I'm thinking of Germany here in particular: After South Africa's hearing, our government dismissed their case as having "no basis" - how are they going to keep saying that now that the ICJ officially thinks otherwise? Over the last months, people here have been arrested at protests for calling what's happening in Gaza a genocide. How are the police supposed to legally keep doing that now that the ICJ has officially deemed this accusation "plausible"? I used to be scared to use the word "genocide" at protests or write it on my protest signs - not anymore, have fun trying to arrest me for that when the ICJ literally has my back on this one 🖕🏻.)

So yeah - don't be defeatist about this, don't let Israel's narrative that they "won" (they didn't) take over. This might not be everything we wanted, but it's still a good result. Don't let what the court didn't say ("ceasefire"), distract you from the very important things that they did say. Let this be your motivation to get loud and active, especially if you live in any country that supports Israel. Put pressure on your governments to not be complicit in genocide, you now officially have the highest international court on your side.

[uncanny-tranny]

Periodic reminder from your friendly neighbourhood gymbro: The work you put in will come back. If you modify your workouts, the reward will still come to you.

So do knee pushups (no, we're not calling them "girl pushups"). Do weight machines. Put the resistance or weight low on machines.

The reward of fitness still benefits you because fitness is not a punishment. It should never be used or seen as a punishment for existing. Fitness is just... part of existence for many of us. However your fitness looks is fine. Don't let the broader fitness culture tell you that you need to do things their way. You'll be fine with what you're doing. If you stop needing modifications as you start doing more intense workouts, great! But if you never stop using modifications, then that's fine because fitness isn't a punishment or admittance of failure.

[funkylilomen]

i have somewhat of a different interpretation about The Mind Electric

> It's less of a diss track and more of using Heart's tactics against him to get him to listen [while also still definitely being a diss track]

somewhat disorganized rant below the cut [also lots of my own interpretations of the album that may very well be inaccurate, so take everything with a grain of salt] :]

The Mind Electric has a bit of a different topic when it comes to Mind's songs/lyrics, to say the least. while Mind does jab at Heart a lot, he does often try to reason with the other in between insults. The Mind Electric has much less of trying to convince Heart to work with [or behind] him and instead focuses on.. insulting the shit out of them

this is extremely funny, but it seems somewhat abrupt and out of the blue for Mind [see what i did there?]. however, i have a.. semi-theory as to why he suddenly just goes off on Heart. he's playing into the other's tactics

and i don't mean that Heart is constantly baraging Mind with insults. in fact, compared to Mind, Heart very rarely verbally attacks the other head on. instead, Heart builds up this fantasy around themself that paints themself as completely innocent, whereas Mind is this irredeemable villain that wants nothing more than Heart's head on a platter. and while, yes Mind definitely isn't fond of Heart, from what we've seen and heard, he is at least somewhat willing to work with Heart—although his idea of "working" with them seems more for Heart to sit in the backseat and shut up while Mind is the one actually in control, but I digress. this fantasy that Heart builds is most clearly seen from both sides in The Heart Acoustic and Be Born

Throughout Mind's songs [Be Born especially], he is trying to reason with Heart and get them to understand his point of view. he tries to explain that he only wants the best for the person that they make up. but Heart either argues with or outright ignores Mind, holding fast to the facade that they built up—that Mind is the bad guy trying to hurt them, and Heart is the good guy trying to save them. they don't want to hear anything that goes against that. so all that Mind says just ends up hitting a brick wall. this might also be a reason as to why Mind sees Heart as childish [their stubborn nature and them "playing make believe" to a much more serious degree]

at the end of Storm and a Spring, Mind and Heart sing over each other, almost sounding like an argument. this is Mind's breaking point. here, he throws his hands up and pretty much goes, "Fine. You want to see me as the villain? I'll play the villain." cue The Mind Electric. this song serves two roles, in my view. One, the one I've been building up to: Mind is leaning into this role that Heart has forced him into in a last ditch effort to break through and actually get him to listen for once. that's why the song eases up at the end. the last few lines of the song are literally, "Though I seem harsh in all my assessments / We each seek a life lived in the light / Yet there lies our Heart, engulfed in resentment / Stubborn, pale akaryocyte." aka, "Although you see everything I do as cruel and unforgiving, I'm not trying to hurt us. I'm only trying to make things better, and yet YOU refuse to see that, no matter how much I try to tell you this. You're being stubborn and resentful with practically no reason other than to perpetuate your own lies."

The second reason is that Mind is beyond frustrated at this point. he has tried and failed so many times to talk to Heart and get them to see the truth. he's tired. he's fed up. he needs an outlet, so he takes this opportunity to air his grievances [this is what i meant by it still definitely being a diss track, lol]. not only is it a method [albeit a poorly thought out one] to get through to Heart, it's also an excuse to let out his frustrations

that's all from me. i have no clue how to end these so. yeah. please don't execute me :]

[ahopefulbromantic]

JONATHAN SIMS?

BRILLIANT GENIUS FREAKING JONATHAN SIMS GOD BLESSED INTELLECTUAL STORIES WRITING AWE INSPIRING WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING AWESOME WISE GUY AVATAR OF THE BEST WRITING SKILLS EVER SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED WELCOMED WHEREVER HE APPEARS COOL SPACE PIRATE FREAKING JONATHAN SIMS. STOP PINNING ME WHEN I TALK ABOUT JONATHAN SIMS I LOVE HIM SO MUCH WHY DOES HE HAVE SO MANY AWESOME IDEAS WHY DID HE DECIDE TO MESS AROUND AND CREATE A MASTERPIECE JUST SET IT LOOSE IS HE ALIVE IS HE THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME MAN HAS SUCH A PROFOUND EFFECT ON ME NOT EVEN IN THE ROOM NEVER SEEN THIS MANS FACE AND I KNOW HE HAS THE WORLDS CUTEST SMILE GET AWAY FROM ME.

if i wanted to get into heaven and God said jonathan sims not waiting inside i would fistfight every single demon for the sole purpose of getting him sent back up. if i have to deal with jonathan sims speaking one word in person on voice in podcast not only will i reopen the tab i will save all my bookmarks out of admiration and want to watch the entire series again for the experience of being able to relish in all the times he is mentioned or alive. i dont even know why i love him so much. he writes stories but i am just grateful because i am HAPPI. he better have some awesome backstory to explain this if hes just some underdog whos a fan of good storytelling and wanted the irl version ill be smitten. BETTER have had an idea make him bring a blorbo to life cuz if he didnt Im going to make him.

paypal.com/IFreakingLoveJonathanSims

episode's not even about him. vaguely mentioned what is supposed to maybe be his reading of a statement and I'm sold. where the heck is jonathan sims if hes still alive im going to so deeply wish he lived a thousand more years.

beautiful man. ill kiss jonathan sims and his beautiful strong hunky cheeks will simply blush under my humble loving meat lips and he will be appreciated until all thats left is one final award he kept on him at all times simply titled You Made It Yay! in ancient yiddish. im not breathing im hyperventilating at this point. i hope theres a date given to when jonathan sims has birthday or will have birthday so i can make it a reminder on my phone, and everyday once a year i will see it and do everything to pay respect to the man who created so many brilliant if true stories

[seraphic-sapphic-safehaven]

I cannot believe that the same man I protested alongside for BLM during the summer of 2020 got elected to be a state representative.... just for other lawmakers to put in a formal request for him and 2 others to be removed this year. Why do they want him removed, you ask? BECAUSE HE PROTESTED WITH 10,000+ STUDENTS YESTERDAY FOR BETTER GUN LEGISLATION, THEIR RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOL, AND MORE!!

Representative Justin Jones, also known as Brother Jones to many of us here in TN, does not deserve this. He's a fantastic organizer and now state legislator who has repeatedly put his body, mental health, and life on the line for countless people. And the other two Reps., Gloria Johnson and Justin Pearson, don't deserve it either. Especially not for joining people they're meant to represent in a fight for their safety and rights.

If you wanna help them, please call Speaker Cameron Sexton's office at +1-615-741-2343 and leave a voicemail demanding they not unlawfully remove Reps. Jones, Johnson, and Pearson from their rightfully-elected positions. You can leave a name, real or not, and number if you want, but you don't have to. You can also email Speaker Sexton at speaker.cameron.sexton@capitol.tn.gov.

PLEASE REBLOG THIS IF YOU SEE IT, AND PLEASE HELP IF YOU'RE WILLING AND ABLE TO!

[favoriteblogonthecitadel]

Thinking today about how Shepard's conversation with Charles Saracino in ME1 is yet another example of Ashley disapproving of racism/xenophobia and parties like Terra Firma (samples below!). Still boggles my mind how people call her a space racist tbh

• If you ask him why the party commemorates Armistice Day (the day Shanxi was liberated from the turians) by protesting, the conversation goes like this:

Shepard: You're marking the end of the First Contact War with a protest? Saracino: As we have every year for the last 26 years. The war taught humanity a lesson that some would forget. If we don't stand up for ourselves, no one else will. Shepard (Paragon): I thought the lesson of the First Contact War was that there's other life in the galaxy, and they have opinions too. Saracino: Perhaps so, Commander. But if aliens feel free to express their "opinions" at gunpoint, why shouldn't we? Ashley: We should. But you're just looking for a reason. Saracino: I disagree. We have a backlog of grievances the aliens have ignored. Starting with Shanxi. Ashley: Were you at Shanxi? If not, shut your piehole. OR Shepard (Renegade): Every day I stand up for humanity. Often in the face of bullets. What have you done lately? You really think speeches help? Saracino: We all serve in our own way, Commander. I'm not a soldier, but I can tell the public why they should support your efforts. Ashley: Wearing a lapel on your uniform makes you a hero, huh? You wanna help humanity? Get out of your office and pitch in.

• If you ask him about Terra Firma, the conversation goes like this:

Shepard: I don't know Terra Firma's platform. What do you stand for? Saracino: Our core value is that Earth must "stand firm" against alien influences. Politically, culturally, and --in the worst case-- militarily. Ashley: It's a noble goal. Too bad so many of your supporters are just racists.

She disapproves of Terra Firma looking for ways to justify deliberate conflict with alien species, and gets worked up when Saracino uses Shanxi as a talking point in his own benefit. She, whose family was personally impacted by Shanxi for at least three generations, still refuses to fall for the easy trick of treating it as an excuse for xenophobia. Renegade dialogue options also show that she hates Saracino's guts for being all talk and putting no real effort into supporting humanity. I just love her.

[flame2ashes]

Turning off the helmets on Mars for the sake of Screenshots™

[siena-sevenwits]

I am so excited for the 10 PM vigil tonight, you don't even understand.

[mass-effect-anonymous]

CONFESSION:

As a gay guy I will only accept Ryder being romanceable in the next game if it is written that he and Gil broke up. He could even mention that the breakup was amicable. I just do not want hear about any baby/parenthood/father crap. I am one of those gay men who have no desire in dealing with diapers and toddlers. My man and I have two dogs, a cat, and a giant aquarium full of fish and that's enough for us.

[nellasbookplanet]

Getting into andromeda after spending the last few weeks replaying the original ME trilogy is so funny, I feel like I've stepped from a hardcore military sci-fi straight into a young adult adventure coming of age story

[piosplayhouse]

Not going to get involved in the ao3 politics shit but I just want to say after reading some of the top posts on this site I can tell most of the people talking about this subject very clearly did not experience Sexytimes With Wangxian

[and-his-hands-were-24-crows]

I drew these guys separately between February and March 2022, and they ended up being an unintentional series.

So uh... enjoy some videogame boyfriends. Cloud's hair was a nightmare to work with and all my WIPs involving it were hilarious.

[yeehawesome]

‼️BMI‼️WAS CREATED‼️IN THE 1800’S‼️FOR WHITE‼️EUROPEAN‼️MEN‼️IT DOES NOT‼️TAKE MUSCLE MASS‼️ETHNICITY‼️RACE‼️GENDER‼️OR AGE‼️INTO ACCOUNT‼️

[moki-dokie]

I've had to correct so many people on this in the last couple days so, in case you were also unaware...

james cameron is an actual, very legit authority on deep sea submersibles, especially in relation to the titanic. he is one of the top authorities on it. in the entire fucking world. yall seem to conveniently forget how much of his life and his money has gone directly into research and development for deep sea exploration. he went to the challenger deep and only two people ever had been before him and it was over 50 years before. i'd go as far as to say we owe most of our data on the deep sea of the last 20 years almost directly to cameron. he's worked on solutions to help clean up ocean oil spills, he's helped nasa with the mars curiosity rover, he runs a green and sustainable business (with peter jackson even!!), he researches alternative energy solutions, he personally paid ransom money to save Guillermo del Toro's father beause that was his friend and he could help. he is one of the very few rich white guys that actually puts his money where his mouth is and one of the even fewer who says when he knows something, he actually really fucking knows it.

so yeah. there's a reason why he's been interviewed so much about it all and why people actually care about his opinions and facts.

[bowtothesupermoon]

didn’t really like this but i must feed the masses ; i present a jd

[lemonhemlock]

I should have been clearer on Nettles. Yes she's is part of the dragonseed and has Valyrian blood but she doesn't look like Valyrian, which is part of why Rhaenyra hates her so much. It's not just because Daemon likes her cause Daemon liked Mysaria too but Nettles just looks like an ordinary black girl, something rare in Westeros and she acquires this ability to bond with a dragon.

There's been discourse on Twitter saying she's not necessary to the plot cause the Velaryons are black as well as the conversation about her being Daemon's daughter.

Oh, yes, absolutely, Rhaenyra's language in regards to Nettles holds racist (and classist) undertones - she straight up calls her a "low creature" and that "You need only look at her to know she has no drop of dragon’s blood in her", i.e. Valyrians can't have her skin colour.

Nettles' story presents an interesting opportunity for a storyteller, because not only is she a WOC, but, unlike the Velaryons, she is also poor and of the commonfolk. So there is intersectionality at play there in the conversation between good and evil and the difficult moral choices that come with acquiring so much power. HOTD is notorious for only focusing on the nobility, so this would be a perfect avenue to interrogate how the war is affecting regular people.

In addition, yes, I believe Nettles being a dragonseed herself was tantamount to her being able to access dragon riding as an ability, but just having the right blood is no guarantee the dragon will accept her, so her being resourceful and clever and using livestock to befriend Sheepstealer is also very important and relevant to her character. But, you know, it is also a decision to transcend and infringe upon the boundaries of humanity, of course with the naiveté and boldness and hope typical of youth, but nevertheless taking hold of that violent capacity for destruction. And I think that fans tend to gloss over that thematic thread for Nettles because they are so fond of her and, thus, are reluctant to view her as anything other than morally uncompromised.

So, in a way, beyond the implication that she might actually be Daemon's daughter who nonetheless gets a grooming narrative, I see Nettles' story as something like hope corrupted, a betterment narrative gone wrong perhaps, in the sense of thinking that this is an opportunity for you to prove your worth to the entire world, that you are more than this fragile flesh or the unlucky circumstances of your birth, making that one wrong decision out of desperation and not realising that you ended up trading your soul instead.

Which is why I think a talented writer could explore many compelling themes with Nettles' character if they were so inclined (hopefully they will be).