#peace love monty python

[max1461]

Ok, so obviously this is not going to convince the people who already don't agree with me on this, who find it contradictory or unsatisfactory, but I'm merely stating and not defending the position in this post:

I care about about people, I care about the general population of every country equally, and I don't care about countries or nations as entities. Actually this is not quite true—I believe that caring, if coherent, has to involve some degree of adopting others' ends as your own. @tsarina-anadyomene thinks this is one characteristic of love, and I would indeed like to be able to say that in at least some minor degree I love every person (indeed every creature) in the world. Uh, Serbian nationalists care about Serbia and therefore I care about Serbia, at least a little bit.

But governments, well, first of all fewer people care about governments qua governments as much as they care about nations in the abstract, but more importantly I think that governments as individual entities do a lot of really heinous shit that makes it impossible for me to like them. This is distinct from any anarchist position that the state should not exist—it's more like, point at any individual national government. Do I like those guys? Do I think those are good guys? Well they do some good stuff, they keep the roads paved, hopefully, deliver the mail, all that's great. But they also do a lot of killing and torture, and economic sabotage and shit like that, that hurts a lot of people. And the closer you get to the top, the closer you are to discussions of "grand strategy", the more you're explicitly or implicitly talking about shit like economic sabotage and killing people and the less you're talking about delivering the mail. I guess building roads definitely comes up, and that's good, but it's always "building more roads than the other guys so we can sabotage and/or kill them better" which is :/

I've always been a little contrarian on governments. I've always been a little bit of the famed "median voter" on governments. Get me talking about my preferred system and I'll sound sound like those peasants from Monty Python. Uh. I've made a bunch of posts about it. I want some kind of decentralized, directly democratic, cooperative, federated bullshit like the ancoms talk about for real life and the techno-libertarians talk about for software. Everything other than that is, uh, bullshit, it's the man keeping you down, man. But second place, if we don't get that? I'll take a well-run oligarchy, I'll take the façade of democracy to reduce political violence and attract foreign investment while a party of crony-capitalist technocrats actually runs the show, I'll take the 1955 system before the Plaza Accords, you get the idea. Representative democracy is a sham, basically, it's a sham. So if you're not going to give me freedom, which none of the liberal democracies do, at least give me peace, stability, and prosperity—which they're pretty good at!

But this means I look at, say, China, and I think... sucks they don't have freedom of speech, that's a big issue for me. I mean not so big an issue that I couldn't live there, just a big issue. I'd strongly like it to be otherwise. But the rest of it? Single party state? Who cares. Standard of living is high (for the urban middle class—actually this is my biggest issue with Chinese policy at the moment, they need to do massive wealth redistribution towards the rural poor) but anyway, standard of living is high, there's political stability, it's fucking fine. I hung out with a tone of Chinese international students in college and none of them were like, unhappy with the state of China, although the really wealthy ones all wanted to park their wealth abroad for pretty obvious reasons—

Right, that's another thing China needs to fix: fears about overall stability lead the local elites to siphon money out of the economy and park it abroad. I think, as a non-expert, it seems like Xi's rise and centralization of power have been worse for this. Go back to Deng, go back to term limits and power sharing! God I love Deng Xiaoping.

Uh, freedom is a ruse, uh, Ted K was lowkey right that in a modern techno-world freedom is kind of a ruse. I mean people have to be uh, we have to act or be made to act like worker bees if we want a hive this big and cantankerous to function. Uh, sucks man, sucks that we had to choose between freedom and antibiotics. Maybe we don't, right, that's my whole idea. You know how they had the Juche idea, Kim and his assholes had the Juche idea, well I also have an idea. Maybe we can have decentralized, directly democratic control of economic and civil institutions and still maintain a modern industrial economy. Maybe we can escape Ted K's trap <- new name for it I am inventing. Well one can dream, one can solve a lot of math problems and maybe one day I'll read a bunch of econ books and solve the right math problems and discover the answer. Marx, I love Marx I'm a genuine Marx fan but he doesn't have it. Sorry. Just does not got it. Soviet Union was in a Ted K trap just like all the others. They drained the Aral sea bro! That's hard to forgive...

[fmajorenthusiast]

The Rocky Horror characters at the mall?? :) What shops would they like? What antics would they get into?

-A.B.

OMG I LOVE IT SO MUUUCHHHH

Frank: He is headed straight to Victoria's Secret- he loves Victoria's secret. He's also been banned from numerous candy shops because he keeps trying to use the candy in attempts to seduce staff and other customers with it. It started out with just lollipops, which they couldn't really get after him for, but then it escalated into "inappropriate use of the whipped cream" and "noise complaints from his moaning whenever he ate anything" and he was out

Brad: Brad loves to go fishing through those big bins of DVDs in video stores!!! (Idk if they still exist I haven't seen them in my recent trips to the mall but they were excellent while they lasted. I probably would not have the patience for what Brad does, but I'm proud that he does it) One time he found a Monty Python in there and rode that high for MONTHS! It was his greatest moment. He's also always going to wherever the Mario games are!!!

Janet: Janet's favorite stores are Forever 21 and Macy's. She definitely gets obsessed with stuff, has her arms full, and then realizes halfway through that she most certainly cannot afford most of these things. She then has to spend an eternity deciding what to put back. There have been a few times in which a store has needed to inform her that they'll be closing in fifteen minutes and she's needed to make an incredibly quick turn-around. She always comes back for the things she's left behind once she comes into some more money, though, and then the process starts all over again and she is thrilled every time!

Riff Raff: Riff Raff loves to get nail polish at makeup stores and other little accessories that can make him feel especially elegant! He'll go more out there and get better outfits when he's not in Frank's servitude- but anything he gets will inevitably become Frank's if he's not careful. ALSO he always gets himself a nice little treat because Frank ususally gives him and Magenta leftovers. He's developed a true love of cheese popcorn and will get himself a bag if one of the stores is selling one. However, he does tend to look like a bird when he eats, so if he sees someone looking at him funny, and he notices that they are not a child (he'll turn the other way if they are) will stare them directly in the eyes and go kind of cross-eyed until they leave and he can enjoy his popcorn in peace

Magenta: Magenta will go and outright get her nails done at the mall. Then, depending on the day, she'll either get some perfume, clothes, accessories, or baking supplies! Sometimes she'll just go to a bakery and let them do the job for her. She also loves those fun vulgar signs that you can get to hang up. She's kind of seen as a test of sorts when she walks into a store because- if she doesn't like the service you provide- she will go online and leave the most scorching of reviews. If you pass the "Magenta test" your shop honestly probably gets a small celebration

Columbia: At every mall you will find a few special shops that sell AMAZING fashion and accessories that are so alternative and unique. You will find Columbia there every time!!! It's where all of her favorite outfits come from! She'll also always get donuts on her way out

Eddie: Eddie steals from Hot Topic. Its an unstoppable fact of life. No one can stop it

Doctor Scott: Doctor Scott loves bookstores!!! He'll always decide what his next read is on the spot, but he'll always pick something that he ends up enjoying. He's read so many things that it's surprising! He subbed for Brad and Janet's literature class one time, checked the curriculum, and had read every book on the list. How does he always pick something that he ends up enjoying? Well he reads the first 5 or so chapters in the store before he even buys it! He's caught a few employees looking at him funny for it a few times, but there is in fact, no rule against this action. Hes been doing it since he was like 20 and no one can stop him

Rocky: Rocky loves shops where he can get board games and special ice cream flavors- but his favorite thing that the mall has to offer is the ball pit. Oh how Rocky loves the ball pit

The Criminologist: the Criminologist loves getting pictures, either drawn, painted, or photographed, that he can frame and hang up on his walls! He especially loves ones of city skylines!!!

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Monty Python: The Meaning of Life 1983

+

“You see that? That's where I was born. You know, one day, when I was a little boy, my mother she took me on her knee and she said: 'Gaston, my son. The world is a beautiful place. You must go into it, and love everyone, not hate people. You must try and make everyone happy, and bring peace and contentment everywhere you go.' And so... I became a waiter...” ― Monty Python, The Meaning of Life

[the-moon-files]

Linked Universe Incorrect Quotes (ft. Masc!You)

Your many, many nicknames: Guide, Hero's Guide, Lead, Star (Guiding Star), Princey, Prince

Reader: (he/him)

(This gif got chosen bc i fully believe they could get goofy enough to act like the monty python campaign sometimes)

Wars, wistfully: I love hearing my Guide shouting at someone else. It makes such a nice change.

♡

You: Listen, listen, the ‘how the fucks’ and 'why are you so dumbs’ don’t matter. All that matters is that I have a magic gun.

♡

Hyrule, looking at your unconscious body: I need a moment alone to heal him.

The Rest of the Chain: Of course, take care of him please.

(leaves)

Hyrule, leaning over you: Okay, listen here you little shit. I know you’re not asleep.

You, sitting up: Yeah, no shit.

♡

Sky: Ha! Don't you know the trappers trap can trap the trapper??

Sky: ...I must be losing it, I'm quoting Star.

♡

(dead quiet in camp, everyone knowing the look on your face when you get annoyed at their reckless/self-sacrificing actions)

You: When I die, I want every Link here to lower me into my grave so they can let me down one last time.

(explosion of arguing and several "Hey wait a minute-!"s)

♡

Time, accidentally forgetting never to ask his Guide for advice: If this plan goes down the drain, where should we regroup?

You: The afterlife, I guess.

♡

You: Why is it that I always lose things as soon as I need them?!

Four: Actually, it's not that you lose things when you need them. You lose them a while before. It's just that you LOOK for things when you need them.

You: Okay yeah thanks so much Link, that's great to hear, now, WHERE'S THE FUCKING FIRST AID KIT??

♡

Legend: But what do I get out of it Princey?

You: A night of fashion, mischief, mayhem, and possible death.

Legend: Ooh, check, check, and check; not sure about that last one tho.

You: It won't be you.

Legend: I'll get my rings.

♡

You: Why are you guys acting like this??

Twilight: Oh, we're not acting. We really are like this.

♡

Link: Cause your pretty and your smart, and your ignoring me so your obviously my type.

You, who was distracted: I'm sorry- what were you saying?

Link: Perfect.

♡

Thanks for reading this shitpost lmao

I just needed smth more my flavor of reader, and reader/Chain so I made this snack to satisfy me for now

Ill probably be making a fic in the future but for now bs like this will have to do

(Might use some of these quotes in it acc lol)

Peace out,

🌙

[evanesdust]

"Did you seriously just quote Monty Python while you're lying here bleeding?"

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski Characters: Stiles Stilinski, Derek Hale, Alan Deaton Additional Tags: Future Fic, Established Relationship, Mates, Hurt/Comfort, Pack Alpha Derek Hale, Injured Stiles Stilinski, Monster of the Week, Blood and Injury, POV Stiles Stilinski, Canon-Typical Violence, Fandom Trumps Hate 2024

Summary:

[excerpt] The sudden shift sent a prickle of unease running down Stiles's spine as he followed Derek's gaze, scanning the parking lot. The peaceful atmosphere had shifted. They were no longer alone. "What do you—" See, he wanted to ask, but Derek cut him off with a warning growl, pushing Stiles back. Stiles rolled his eyes. While he loved Derek's protectiveness, he also hated when Derek got all overprotective. It reminded him of the pool incident when they faced the Kanima, and Derek shoved him back, trying to keep him out of harm's way. But he could handle himself, dammit! He'd more than proved that over the years; however, before he could argue, a figure emerged from the shadows, stalking toward them, revealing an eerie mirror image of Derek. What the actual fuck? Stiles's mind reeled in disbelief at the sight of the doppelganger, struggling to comprehend what was happening. "Uh…please tell me you have a secret twin I didn't know about."

The sky was dark when they left the diner, the moon blocked by heavy clouds. A chill hung in the air, and Stiles smiled when a hand pressed on the small of his back, guiding him toward the parking lot. Even though they'd been together for ten years now, it was something he always did—like Derek needed that connection, no matter how small. The warmth of Derek's palm sent a tingle through Stiles's body, goosebumps rising on his skin.

"Did you want to head straight home?" Derek asked, his hand leaving Stiles's back to intertwine their fingers.

Stiles gave Derek's hand a gentle squeeze, savoring the familiar touch. "Yeah. I'm ready to crash after today."

It'd been a long day at the Sheriff's Department. A typical day included patrolling and responding to calls, but today had been busier than usual with four bank robberies. Four! What made it worse was that Stiles knew something supernatural was at play. Each bank claimed the person robbing them was an employee, but every suspect had an airtight alibi, including one who had been in the hospital for a planned surgery.

Stiles sighed, ready to go home and curl up on the couch with Derek. Unwind. He'd get a good night's sleep and start fresh tomorrow, researching to try and figure out what was happening. Derek would help, of course. He always did, no matter how strange or difficult the supernatural problem they faced. It was the life they chose when they decided to stay in Beacon Hills, with a Nemeton drawing in whatever monster of the week that caused mayhem and chaos in their little town.

But Stiles wouldn't trade it for anything. This was his home, and Derek (and the pack) was his family. Together, they would face whatever came their way, just as they always had.

With a content sigh, he leaned into Derek's side. The soft glow of the streetlamps cast a warm light over the path, and the gentle rustling of leaves was soothing.

So, naturally, that was when everything went to shit.

Derek tensed beside him, squeezing his hand as he pulled Stiles to a stop. His nostrils flared, as if he scented something in the air, and his eyes burned alpha red.

The sudden shift sent a prickle of unease running down Stiles's spine as he followed Derek's gaze, scanning the parking lot. The peaceful atmosphere had shifted. They were no longer alone.

"What do you—"

See, he wanted to ask, but Derek cut him off with a warning growl, pushing Stiles back.

Stiles rolled his eyes. While he loved Derek's protectiveness, he also hated when Derek got all overprotective. It reminded him of the pool incident when they faced the Kanima, and Derek shoved him back, trying to keep him out of harm's way. But he could handle himself, dammit! He'd more than proved that over the years; however, before he could argue, a figure emerged from the shadows, stalking toward them, revealing an eerie mirror image of Derek.

What the actual fuck? Stiles's mind reeled in disbelief at the sight of the doppelganger, struggling to comprehend what was happening.

"Uh…please tell me you have a secret twin I didn't know about." Honestly, it wouldn't surprise Stiles if that were the case. Hell, he didn't know about Cora until she'd shown up in Beacon Hills, so Stiles wouldn't put it past Derek to have a secret twin. But the feral growl rumbling from Derek's chest told him this was no long-lost sibling. This was a threat, and Derek was ready to protect him at all costs.

The figure stalked closer, its movements predatory and unnatural. Stiles's heart raced as he recognized the same intense alpha glow in the doppelganger's eyes. He could only hope that was where their similarities ended—that whatever this shapeshifting creature was, it didn't somehow possess the same strength, speed, and abilities as Derek.

Stiles swallowed hard, his mind racing for a way to help Derek. But before he could voice his plan, the doppelganger lunged forward, claws outstretched. Derek roared, shifting into his beta form as he met the creature's attack head-on—fangs bared, claws extended, eyes blazing with rage. The sound of their clashing filled the empty parking lot, and Stiles was determined to find a way to help Derek before one of them was seriously injured.

He sprinted toward Derek's Camaro, hand outstretched to open the trunk, where his trusty bat was stashed. But before he could reach it, a sharp pain shot through his side as the doppelganger's claws raked across his flesh. Stiles cried out, his urgency mounting as he stumbled and clutched the wound.

"Fuck!" Blood streamed through Stiles's fingers as he fell to his knees.

Derek's fury was palpable as he shifted into his full alpha form, fur rippling across his body, his clothes falling to tatters on the ground. He lunged at the doppelganger, now a hulking black wolf, and sank his teeth into its shoulder. It was like a scene straight out of a horror movie as the creature howled in pain, thrashing and clawing at Derek, but his grip was unyielding.

Of course, it was. The minute it had attacked Stiles, there was no way Derek would hold back—unleashing the full force of his alpha power. The creature didn't stand a chance.

Stiles watched in awe as Derek tore into the doppelganger until the creature's struggles grew weakerweakerweaker. Its bones cracked and popped, the sound sharp, until it finally went limp in Derek's hands. Its body morphed, claws falling away, hair receding from its face as it shifted back to what Stiles could only assume was its original form—a pale, sinewy alien-like creature with limbs just a bit too long, spindly fingers, sunken eyes, and sharp fangs.

Derek released it, chest heaving as he shifted back to his human form and rushed to Stiles, kneeling beside him. He gently examined Stiles's wound, his brow furrowed in worry, despite his own face and torso being streaked with blood. "Shit, this looks bad."

He pressed his hands against the deep gash on Stiles's side, trying to stop the bleeding.

"Tis but a scratch," Stiles said, the grimace on his face betraying the bravado in his voice. No one would blame him, considering the sharp and throbbing pain in his side. It distracted him enough that he couldn't even admire all the tan skin and muscles on display as he checked Derek over for injuries. But, naturally, all his wounds were already healing thanks to his supernatural abilities.

"Did you seriously just quote Monty Python while you're lying here bleeding?" Derek's eyes narrowed, his expression both concerned and exasperated, clearly not amused by Stiles's attempt at humor. "We need to get you to Deaton, now."

He scooped Stiles into his arms as if he weighed nothing—something that both irked and turned Stiles on. It reminded Stiles of the FBI raid from so long ago when he'd been injured and Derek had carried him to safety. It had been the catalyst for their relationship.

Usually, Stiles would put up a mild protest, which was more fond than anything, but not this time. Not when the movement jostled his side, making him wince. The adrenaline from the encounter was wearing off, leaving him drained. Or maybe that was the blood loss.

Either way, he leaned into Derek's embrace.

"Home. I wanna go home," Stiles murmured. All he wanted was their bed. To be surrounded by the comforts of home.

"But—" Derek started, but Stiles cut him off.

"Please, Derek. I just want to go home." Stiles's voice was soft, laced with exhaustion. He knew Deaton needed to check his wound, but the idea of their bed and the safety of their home was all he could focus on.

Derek hesitated for a moment, then sighed. As much as Stiles wanted to make a quip about having Derek wrapped around his little finger, it probably wasn't the best time, so he stayed silent.

"Fine," Derek said, shifting Stiles in his arms and hurrying toward the Camaro, "but I'm calling Deaton to meet us there."

Stiles sighed in relief, resting his head against Derek's chest until they reached the car. Derek gently placed him in the passenger seat, ensuring he was secure before rushing around the hood to the driver's side. The engine roared to life as Derek called Deaton, and he sped toward the preserve—toward home—his grip on the steering wheel tight with worry.

"I'm alright, big guy," Stiles promised. This wasn't the first time he'd been injured, and considering their lives, it definitely wouldn't be the last. But he knew that didn't make it any easier, not for Derek.

When they pulled into the driveway, Deaton wasn't there yet. Derek carefully helped Stiles out of the car and carried him to the house. Once inside, he left the front door unlocked and took Stiles to the living room, lying him down on the couch without a care in the world for the mess they would leave behind.

Derek carefully ripped Stiles' shirt off with his claws. His brows were pulled down in a frown as he examined Stiles's wound, his touch feather-light. Stiles winced slightly but knew Derek was doing his best to be gentle.

"We need to call my dad and the pack." That…thing…was still out there, and they couldn't just leave it for some unsuspecting person to find, dead or not. The people in town weren't stupid; they knew Beacon Hills was special, that there were things that went bump in the night. But as the saying went, ignorance was bliss.

"I'll let them know," Derek said, phone already in his hand.

His voice was a low murmur, and his eyes never left Stiles's face as he spoke with the Sheriff, filling him in on what had happened and assuring him that Stiles was okay.

Stiles reached up, taking Derek's hand and gently squeezing it in reassurance. He hated seeing him so distressed. His life had already been hard enough—a veritable shit show of trauma and loss. Stiles knew Derek blamed himself for every injury Stiles or the pack sustained, even when it wasn't his fault. He wished he could take away Derek's guilt—ease the burden on his mate's shoulders.

"Yeah, here he is." Derek handed Stiles the phone and mouthed, 'I'll be right back,' before heading into the kitchen.

Stiles managed to suppress a groan as he put the phone on speaker, already anticipating his father's worried lecture.

"I'm okay," he said before his father could launch into a tirade.

A familiar sigh came through the line, one that spoke of years of worry and frustration, and Stiles could picture his dad pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "You're always 'okay,' kid. But Derek said you were injured. Bleeding. That doesn't sound so 'okay.'"

"He's exaggerating, Dad. You know how Derek is. I get a papercut and he freaks out," Stiles said, trying to downplay the severity of his injury. "It's just a scratch, really. I'm fine. Derek's just being overprotective, as usual."

Stiles winced as he shifted on the couch, the pain in his side flaring up. "Okay, maybe it's a little more than a scratch, but Deaton'll get me all patched up and I'll be good as new."

"Stop moving," Derek chided, stepping out of the kitchen with a washcloth and a large bowl filled with water. He kneeled beside the couch and began gently cleaning Stiles's wound. It was a gnarly-looking gash, but Derek's touch was gentle and soothing. Black tendrils snaked up Derek's arm as he took Stiles's pain, leaving Stiles a little woozy.

He leaned into Derek's touch, relishing the comfort it provided. His father's worried voice continued on the line, but Stiles barely heard it, focused instead on Derek's gentle ministrations.

"Hey, Sheriff?" Derek interrupted. "Deaton just pulled up. I'll call you later, okay?"

Derek ended the call and turned his attention back to Stiles.

"Wait," Stiles's voice came out sluggish, a side effect of Derek's werewolf mojo. "First, you should put some pants on." Because Derek was still naked, and Stiles could be a possessive bastard. He didn't want anyone but him to see his mate's bare skin. "Also, I forgot to tell Dad that the thing, whatever it was—" he took a deep breath, then let it out in a gust "—was the thing. The…thing…the banks."

Because that made total sense. God, Derek taking his pain was better than any painkiller Stiles had ever taken—a magic morphine that fogged his brain.

"You think the shapeshifter was behind the bank robberies," Derek stated. Either because he knew Stiles well enough to follow his line of thinking or because Derek had a bad habit of avoiding inflection when asking questions.

"Yeah, that." Stiles made an appreciative sound as Derek walked over to the laundry basket sitting in the corner and pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a tank top.

"I'll let your dad know. Right now, I just want to make sure you're taken care of." Derek kissed his forehead as Deaton walked in the front door.

"How's my favorite patient?" Deaton asked, setting his bag on the coffee table.

"Don't lie. Your favorite patients are puppies and kittens," Stiles replied, wincing slightly as Deaton examined his wound. "Derek's taking good care of me."

Deaton chuckled, his skilled fingers probing the injury. "I bet he is, Mr. Stilinski. This looks like it needs a few stitches, but it's not too deep. You're a lucky one."

Derek hovered anxiously, watching Deaton's every move. "What do you know about other kinds of shapeshifters?"

"Was that what did this?" Deaton asked, a brow raised.

Stiles nodded. Despite his best efforts, a sharp hiss of air escaped his lips when Deaton began stitching the wound. "Yeah, but not like one I've ever seen or heard of before."

Stiles hissed again, then sighed as Derek's hand found his, the pain easing. "It looked alien, but it could shift into people. It looked like Derek. And I'm pretty sure it's been impersonating people all over town."

Deaton nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration as he worked. "I've heard of such creatures, though they are quite rare. And dangerous, considering they can mimic any person they encounter. As you discovered."

"Will he turn?" Derek asked, rubbing his thumb over his bottom lip.

That wasn't something Stiles had even considered, but now all he could think about were the different ways someone could be turned into a werewolf. One of which was being scratched. Not that Stiles had anything against being a werewolf, but he'd prefer it to be on his own terms.

Thankfully, Deaton shook his head. "No. For one, it's not deep enough. But even if it were, while the creature could transform and take a werewolf's beta form with claws and fangs, it's not an actual werewolf. The injury it inflicted will heal normally and without any supernatural effects."

Derek visibly relaxed at Deaton's reassurance.

Deaton finished stitching up the wound and applied a bandage. "There, all done. No showers or baths for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. I'd suggest a careful sponge bath if needed. Just take it easy for the next few days and let that heal."

"I'll make sure he rests," Derek said, his hand gently squeezing Stiles's. He turned to Deaton, his expression serious. "The Sheriff will be bringing the body to your clinic so you can examine it."

"Excellent. I'll take a look as soon as it arrives," Deaton replied, gathering his supplies. Once he was packed, he headed for the door. "Call me if you have any other concerns."

With a final nod, he left the house, leaving Derek and Stiles alone once more.

Derek turned his attention back to Stiles, his gaze filled with concern.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Stiles's forehead.

Stiles leaned into the touch, closing his eyes as he savored the comfort it provided. "Better. I told you I was okay, though."

"Yeah, well, your version of okay is different than mine."

"Your version would have me wrapped in bubble wrap and kept in a padded room," Stiles teased, cracking one eye open to look at Derek. "But I appreciate your concern. I know you worry, especially after everything that's happened. Anyway, are you okay?"

Tonight wasn't the first time Derek had killed someone, but Stiles knew that taking a life, even in self-defense, weighed heavily on Derek.

"I'm alright. And I'm not that bad." Derek trailed his fingertips across Stiles's brow, down his nose, and over his cupid's bow. The delicate touch sent tingles down Stiles's spine. "I love you, Stiles. You mean everything to me, and I just want to keep you safe."

And what could Stiles say to that except, "I love you, too."

Derek cupped his face, thumbs brushing his cheeks tenderly, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to Stiles's lips, conveying the depth of his affection. "Don't fall asleep yet. Let's get you changed and into bed first."

"Think we can get the blood out?" Stiles asked, glancing at the couch as Derek helped him stand.

They probably could, but Stiles didn't really want to think about all that right now. He'd rather curl up beside Derek and sleep.

"I'll take care of it," Derek assured him, sweeping Stiles into his arms.

Now, Derek's strong arms cradled him as he carried Stiles to their bedroom and then into the ensuite bathroom, where he carefully undressed Stiles and cleaned him of any traces of blood with a washcloth. All Stiles had to do was stand there as Derek helped him into a soft T-shirt and sweatpants before guiding him to their bed.

"I'm going to clean myself up real quick," Derek whispered against his temple, taking a moment to inhale deeply, like he was breathing in Stiles's scent—something he always did. "Be right back."

Stiles sighed contentedly as Derek pulled the covers over him.

Derek was always so attentive and caring, definitely a change from the gruff and hardened exterior he used to project. A man who had once been a loner, now surrounded by a pack and a mate who loved him unconditionally.

Stiles snuggled deeper into the covers, the sheets soft and cool because Derek bought ridiculously expensive one hundred percent mulberry silk sheets with a momme weight of nineteen. He still wasn't sure what that meant.

His eyes drifted shut. "M'kay. I'll stay right here."

"You do that," Derek said with a chuckle, the sound fading as he walked into their ensuite bathroom. In the distance, the shower sputtered to life, and the soothing sound lulled Stiles into a light doze. But he woke when Derek returned, sliding into bed behind him and carefully pulling Stiles into his arms.

Stiles melted against Derek's warm, solid frame, feeling safe and content. He made a pleased sound and snuggled closer when Derek gently kissed the back of his head before breathing him in. "I love you."

The pain from his injury faded as Derek's warmth enveloped him, and Stiles smiled.

"And I love you," he breathed, letting the steady rhythm of Derek's heartbeat lull him into a peaceful sleep.

[kvetchlandia]

Monty Python Dead Parrot 1969

...Mr. Praline: Never mind that, my lad. I wish to complain about this parrot what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique.

Owner: Oh yes, the, uh, the Norwegian Blue…What's,uh…What's wrong with it?

Mr. Praline: I'll tell you what's wrong with it, my lad. 'E's dead, that's what's wrong with it!

Owner: No, no, 'e's uh,…he's resting. Look.

Mr. Praline: Look, matey, I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.

Owner: No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!

Mr. Praline: The plumage don't enter into it. It's stone dead.

Owner: Nononono, no, no! 'E's resting!

Mr. Praline: All right then, if it's restin', I'll wake it up! 'Ello, Polly! I've got a nice cuttle fish for you when you wake up, Polly Parrot.

(owner hits the cage)

Owner: There, he moved!

Mr. Praline: No, he didn't, that was you pushing the cage!

Owner: I did not!!

Mr. Praline: Yes, you did! 'Ello, Polly. Polly! Polly Parrot, wake up! Polly.

Mr. Praline: Now that's what I call a dead parrot.

Owner: No, no…..it's stunned!

Mr. Praline: Look, my lad, I've had just about enough of this. That parrot is definitely deceased. And when I bought it, not half an hour ago, you assured me that its lack of movement was due to it being tired and shagged out after a long squawk.

Owner: E's probably pining for the fjords.

Mr. Praline: PININ' for the FJORDS?!?!?!? What kind of talk is that. Look, why did it fall flat on his back the moment I got it home?

Owner: The Norwegian Blue prefers kickin' on it's back! It's a beautiful bird. Lovely plumage!

Mr. Praline: Look, I took the liberty of examining that parrot and I discovered the only reason that it had been sitting on its perch in the first place was that it had been NAILED there.

Owner: Well, of course it was nailed there, otherwise it would have nuzzled up to those bars and VOOM!

Mr. Praline: Look, Matey, this bird wouldn't "voom" if I put four thousand volts through it! 'E's bleedin' demised!

Owner: It's not. It's pining!

Mr. Praline: It's not pinin'! It's passed on! This parrot is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! This is a late parrot. It's a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace! If you hadn't nailed it to the perch it'd be pushing up the daisies! It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. THIS IS AN EX-PARROT!!...

[yonderghostshistories]

My (Rambling) Eulogy for Graham Chapman

Today marks the 35th Death Anniversary of Graham Chapman, who was unfairly taken away from this Earth FAR too soon and FAR too young from throat cancer. He was 48 years old.

Graham means a lot to me, as you all may know. When I first started getting into Monty Python back in 2023, Graham was (and still very much is) certainly my favourite Python…but I wasn’t as obsessed (not in weird way though dw) with him like I am now. When 2024 hit, I pretty much became OBSESSED (again not in a weird way dw) with him, like I bought his autobiography (fittingly called “A Liar’s Autobiography”), the animated movie adaptation of “A Liar’s Autobiography” (2012), then a few months later I got the audiobook cassette tape of ALA (read by the man himself) and THEN a few months after that, I recently got the DVD of Graham’s college tours in America, called “Graham Chapman : Looks Like a Brown Trouser Job”.

This all may or may not sound kinda waffling and somewhat pointless when I listed them out to y’all (to which I get) but the reason I got these was because of my treasured love of Graham. I love Graham with all my heart’s desire.

Graham was (and still is) very much indeed a remarkable and unique human being. Not just for his comedy (Altho that is equally important as well as his creativity and unique style for it really benefited the entire group of Monty Python, if you know what I mean) but for his transparency for speaking about his personal problems and insecurities, such as speaking about his alcoholism. And not only that, he had genuinely really thought provoking and inspiring things to say about, not just his life, but for life itself and for other people as well. He was a gay-leaning bisexual, and he was proud of it as well! He, like Michael Palin, had the versatility of playing both straight (hehe) and serious characters (like the Colonel) as well as truly bonkers and crazy characters as well (like Raymond Luxury-Yacht (pronounced Throatwobbler Mangrove)) and he played these characters with absolute PERFECTION!

I think that’s why I relate to Graham so much. I mean I’m not an alcoholic obviously, but I do relate to certain aspects of Graham’s personality and his problems, and his bonkers attitude does remind me of my own ADHD and autism, or at least certain aspects of my own neurodivergency.

As sad as it is that he died way too young and way too soon in the late 1980s, I’m still happy and proud of Gray for having achieved sobriety very early on in the late 1970s, and having lived his last years of life with a certainly different and happier spirit!

I wish that if Gray hadn’t got throat cancer and had lived, I would’ve the chance to meet him, and aside from fanning out so much, I feel like we would’ve been best friends, or at least have a nice (if short) time together.

Graham Arthur Chapman, the bonkers yet brilliant man that he was, the wonderful and hilarious legacy that he has left on this Earth will live on forever and ever!

Graham Arthur Chapman, you will be missed….but….you will also be remembered for the craziness and emotionalness and hilarity that you’ve brung to the world.

Rest in Peace Graham Chapman (8th January 1941 - 4th October 1989), you’re not the Messiah, you’re just a very naughty Angel of a boy 😇🕊️🫶❤️…….

[harrisonarchive]

Rest in peace, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, the last remaining founding member of The Four Tops. Sincere condolences to his loved ones. 

The Four Tops were on George’s jukebox at Kinfauns, per the Record Mirror’s January 1, 1966, issue. The songs: “Something About You” and “Darling, I Hum Our Song.” “[Brian Epstein] told us that he had seen us perform, and if you give me your top performance, I’ll guarantee that when you come back, you’ll be front page news. We did do one of our best shows and he was so happy, he was almost crying. The audience was standing in the aisles calling for more and more and he said, ‘You guys did it!’ When we came back, we were front page news and it was like that for years.” - Duke Fakir, Asbury Park Press, 2019 Referenced in the Get Back sessions: "Reach Out (I'll Be There)." And of course, there’s a shoutout to “I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” in the Harrisong “This Song”… “[I]t’s got like that Tamla sort of line, bass line, and so it says, ‘This song could be you, could be’ — and then I’ve got, I always heard this in my mind — I got Eric Idle, who’s one of the ex-Monty Pythons, to throw in the line where he says, [parodies] ‘Could be Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch!’ [laughs] And the other voice says, ‘No, sounds more like Rescue Me!’” - George Harrison, A Personal Music Dialogue with George Harrison At 33 1/3, 1976 (x)

[velvetcider]

Rabbits are the most dangerous bloodthirsty beasts known to man. The fact that we let them into our homes is horrifying enough. Their teeth can eat through wood, imagine what that does to human skin.

I've owned rabbits for almost two decades and every time I feed even one, they will hop around you in an attempt to knock you down. Once they knock you down with no remorse, causing you to drop the food everywhere, they feast.

Want to eat a banana in peace? No, those greedy bastards want it. They can smell fruit and vegetables from miles away.

Think about the distress wild rabbits cause farmers every day. The fear. The terror they cause on farmland. Farmers are forced to sleep in fear, trembling at the thought of a curious rabbit.

Fences don't keep these savage beings away, because they will dig to hell if there's something in between them and a single green leaf.

Rabbits live in advanced underground societies, inaccessible to even the most able-bodied of men.

I've studied these devils for years. I've seen the medieval art of them torturing us. I know about the Monty Python rabbit. I saw the horror in Jimmy Carter's eyes when he encountered a swamp rabbit, a beast they never found after the incident. I've closely studied their behavior. I saw a video of a rabbit, barely a year old, lifting a vent with his teeth. Goodness, I love rabbits so much. They are the ultimate force of nature.

[alicelufenia]

Book 4 finished, and wow do I have thoughts

I gotta say, when I started I did not expect Akua "Doom of Liesse" Sahelian to be one of my favorite characters, but damn. Dying was by far the best thing to happen to her character development!

So now Cat's got Diabolist's soul on a leash, and the dynamic between the two is immediately so fascinating, with Catherine obviously hating her guts yet can't help but find her advice and knowledge useful, and in turn Akua is playing up her new role to the hilt, showing just how useful she can be while shamelessly flirting and planning to inevitably slip the leash (and boy will we get to that). I imagine the shippers were having a field day, but remember that Catherine has a strict "don't invade Callow" stipulation on who she takes to bed, much less "don't turn a whole city into undead cannon fodder". But I get it, Cat did rip her heart out when she killed her, and Akua does now love to call Cat pet names like "my heart", it's also just fascinating to see how Cat is able to override Akua's free will with a thought, and more so to see how often she doesn't exploit this to torment her (not that Akua gives any sign the torture does anything, except as a sign of what she should be doing to stay useful)

And honestly, I was surprised to see this not be a complete deal breaker for Thief, but not only has Vivienne gotten somewhat more pragmatic, it's clear Cat has gone to great lengths to earn her trust by basically giving the other Callowan girl the means to kill her, as contingency (so many contingencies in this part). Last time I did say how much I loved oaths, well now that Cat is basically full fae, AND commands all the power of the (former) Winter Court, oaths now are mortally binding to her, which is very fun when Akua does get loose and take over Cat's body and is then forced to pluck her eye out (it grows back now) but even has a bit of fun "playing hero" when she has to act like Cat on the battlefield. And boy, more on that later too.

As full Winter, Cat doesn't have a Name anymore, but if anything this feels like the peak of her power, she's basically invincible and can regrow anything lost instantly, she just gets crazier and "more Fae" as she uses the power, which honestly is pretty fascinating. There's been some disturbing behavior changes in her ever since book 3 when she gained the power of Winter. She's become just as reliant on stories as the fae, and so now the plot becomes an exercise in "how far is Cat willing to go to achieve her story?" Hint: pretty damn far.

I haven't been commenting on the goings on in the south much, but honestly a couple of books in I've decided I really like the tonal shift of everything down there with the League, especially the Tyrant and Most Resistant to the Call Named ever, Hierarch! Refuse to take a stand, live on the street, give no ruling and have that have a disproportionately large effect on policy! YASS KING give us NOTHING. My money's still on him having the biggest impact later on however, as so far the only time he's willingly called upon his Name was to tell the Bard to get out, and it worked?? They're playing Lord of the Rings in Callow/Praes, Game of Thrones in Procer, meanwhile down in the Free Cities it's Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

I mean, mostly, there was that nasty business where Black and the Calamities were there to fight White Knight's party, and poor Sabah got killed :( and that was last book, which I completely forgot to mention. The Calamities are having a bad time in this book.

Other major point, the Crusade is in full force, and the most interesting part of that is how its political inevitability, combined with Cat taking the throne setting off alarms, and her attempts to negotiate peace with the heroes accompanying the first army of Crusaders runs face first into her tendency to break what's in front of her. Grey Pilgrim is an interesting figure, who's motivation is hard to pin down at first. He seems open to negotiating peace with Cat, but only if she abdicates, which she doesn't want to do cause Callow is held together by duct tape and a dreamAnd then when her said tendency to break stuff forces the crusaders to actually negotiate retreat, he basically (according to Cat) tries to trap her into a "redemption arc", because those usually end in the villain's death. Well played Pilgrim. Fortunately what winds up playing out for Cat is, possibly that, but definitely not how anyone thought it would go, but I really should talk about Hierophant and how much I underappreciated him earlier.

First, I love how he's one of the earliest companions Cat picks up who is entirely on board cause she takes him interesting places and he's become friends with the other Woe. Pairing Masego, who is Ace/Aro as hell and definitely on the spectrum, with Archer, the flirtiest drunkest murderhobo ever, was just a perfect move, I love their friendship!

He has such a bitter sweet reunion with his fathers though, after discovering his incubus papa was around during the time before the Dead King rose up, which leads to I think the biggest twist I did not see coming, but looking back it makes total sense, that being Catherine died at Second Liesse, and the "Sovereign of Winter" didn't just take over her soul, but has basically replaced her. Which uh, goes a long way to explain her behavior changes, but also if you go back and read, you see the exact point when she breaks the binding that lets Winter flood her soul and body, and her heart stops, and it feels to her like she died, but then didn't die. Is the Cat after Liesse a different person from the one who died now, or if, because she sees herself as Cat, and everyone else does, does it really matter if she just never fully died, or if she died and then had basically a botched necromancy to keep a copy of her with her memories going?

I think it matters in one potentially big way, and it's possibly the one line that haunts Cat throughout the book; at one point the Pilgrim says that her presence as a villain ruling a Good kingdom makes her a corrupting force, and everyone she knows will be twisted by her Evil. And slowly Cat starts questioning if this is true, when even mild mannered nobles on her council are considering strategies using her mantle that would lead to hundreds of thousands of deaths, but "better if it's Proceran deaths", when even Cat herself refuses to use such a strategy because she wants to minimize deaths!

It happens more obviously with Thief, who is gradually losing her Named powers (she's much weaker and her hair is growing when normally Named develop their fixed look and keep the) and also is displaying signs of depression, and doubt as to whether she chose the right side.

Except it's ODD. Everything she says and does is understandable in the moment, but looking back you can see a clear shift that started after Cat got her mantle. Like okay, it's understandable that she'd be wary of Hakram; he fought and beat her when Viv was with the Lone Swordsman, and threatened her in her own seat of her power at the thieves guild just before she officially joined up. A few months after that she's still wary, but is more confident, basically fronting around him when all the Woe are hanging out. Now, a year later and they are working together in Laure running the kingdom, but now Thief is TERRIFIED of him. And then to prove to her that she can trust him, he goes so far as to CUT OFF HIS NECROMANCY SKELETON HAND. IN FRONT OF HER. Which was extreme, but also really weird!

I'm thinking this might be more the influence of Cat's growing fae nature rather than the narrative making her allies worse, but we'll have to wait come book 5 to see if everyone can chill the fuck out!

I don't have much to say about the gang's trip to Keter (except that amnesia mystery was neat and never underestimate Malicia), but Cat, Akua and Indrani's drow adventures? Here we go!

So as is obvious to anyone who knows me, big drow fan here. So I was fascinated to see what the Guide version was like. And it turned out to be heavily involved, basically an empire in ruin, and a people forced to fight amongst themselves for a limited magical resource. Heck the chapter that introduces them has for its epithet a Dread Emperor who literally invented the pyramid scheme, and that's basically drow culture. Still as backstabbing as you remember them from Forgotten Realms, except here they've been blasted back to the stone age, and live in heavily segmented tribes where they're constantly fighting over Night; kill another drow, take their Night, and you gain their power and knowledge.

The whole sequence where Cat builds her, let's be honest, drow slave army using the convincing argument of "swear an oath to me or die", is actually surprisingly long and drawn out, but we do learn a lot about them—I think it's interesting that all the drow are genderless in their society (or what counts as one). Of all the sequences where it's obvious Akua is succeeding at corrupting Cat, this probably takes the cake; sure, she gets the idea once they make it into the Everdark (you have no idea how often I misread that as Underdark, it was almost every time!) to "rescue" the drow from being genocided by the dwarves, but she was totally there for an army, and she's just strongarming one (while killing a LOT of drow herself) along the way to the final confrontation with the Priestess(s) of Night.

The payoff is amazing though. First, Indrani and Catherine sleep together! Which, I don't see it going too further, but they both needed it. But most important, human Cat's back! Which I guess. Disproves Warlock's theory that she's a different person, if she can go back to being human (lame leg and all) And it's so cool how you can immediately tell it's her old self, more snarky and actually still has a moral compass. She's legit horrified at what she did to the drow. And, we see mortal Catherine going back on a lot of what Fae Catherine said earlier and in book 3. Her gambit to get out of judgement is, the crab bucket dilemma; when all we do is fight each other, no one gets out of the bucket, so we should try working together instead!

And then she dies... again? But is now completely free of the mantle of Winter, and in exchange is now the new Priestess of Night.

So, yay Catherine, Mother of the Drow! Perhaps? It's very unclear. We literally leave Cat off with the lines "in pain, and gloriously mortal", which is quite a way to describe it. And, it looks like her goal to negotiate the drow out of the Everdark, and into a war with the Dead King without binding oaths, might actually work? The dwarves seem willing to listen at least.

Personally, I always thought the parts of the story where Cat has a lame leg were some of the most interesting moments, so I appreciate the depower. Even if it seems to happen every other book.

So, seems the war with the Dead King is going to be the focus for next book. Hoping Cat abdicates too, mortal Cat really thought becoming queen was a bad idea. Thinking we might be going back to a more principled Cat? Either way, it seems like she's gotten her humanity back (that was stolen by the mantle) time will tell whether her actions play out.

On to book 5!

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 8.16

Holidays

Bennington Battle Day (Vermont)

Children’s Day (Paraguay)

Cotton Day (French Republic)

CPAN Day

Cyrene Asteroid Day

Debian Day

Direct Action Day (India)

816 Day

Ekka People’s Day

Elvis Presley Commemoration Day

Eyeglasses Day

Festival of the Minstrels (Tutbury Castle, UK)

Follow Your Nose Day

GERS Day (Scotland)

Gold Cup Parade (Prince Edward Island, Canada)

Gozan no Okuribi (a.k.a. Daimonji; Kyoto, Japan)

Harmonic Convergence Day

Hestia Asteroid Day

Indie Animation Day

INXS Day

Joe Miller’s Joke Day (UK)

Madonna Day

Madonna del Voto Day (Siena, Italy)

Monty Python Day

National Airborne Day

National Apprenticeship Day

National Authenticity Day

National Backflow Prevention Day

National Energy Day

National Energy Multiplier Day

National Fasting Day

National Independent Worker Day

National Love Your Loss Day

National Roller Coaster Day

National Tell A Joke Day

National Work From Home For Wellness

Palio di Siena (Siena, Italy horse race) [also 7.2]

Patton Takes Messina Anniversary Day

Pine Crest Boys Varsity Tennis Team Day (Florida)

Remember What Your Spouse Wore the First Time You Met Day

Salem Heritage Day (Massachusetts)

Surveillance Day (f.k.a. Wave at the Surveillance Cameras Day)

Tell-A-Joke Day

Thai Peace Day (Win Santiphap Thai; Thailand)

Tipperary Day (Ireland)

True Love Forever Day

Whitmer Fednapping Day

Yukon Discovery Day (Canada)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Baba Au Rhum Day

International Rum Day [also 6.23]

National Rum Day

World Bratwurst Day

Xicolatada (Hot Chocolate Festival; Palau-de-Cerdagne, France)

Independence & Related Days

Anniversary of the Restoration of the Republic (Dominican Republic; 1924)

Constitution Day (Equatorial Guinea)

Cyprus (from UK, 1960; but celebrated 10.1)

De Jure Transfer Day (Puducherry, India)

Fête de l'Indépendance (National Day; Gabon)

Independence Referendum Day (Bermuda; 1995)

New Year’s Days

Parsi New Year (Gujarat, Maharashtra; India)

3rd Friday in August

Carrot Fest begins (a.k.a. The World’s Greatest Carrot Fest; Canada) [3rd Friday & Saturday]

Flashback Friday [Every Friday]

Fry Day (Pastafarian; Fritism) [Every Friday]

GME Professionals Day [3rd Friday]

Hawaii Statehood Day (observed) [3rd Friday] (also 7.4)

Hug Your Boss Day [3rd Friday]

Kool-Aid Day [3rd Friday] (also 2nd Friday)

Men’s Grooming Day [3rd Friday]

National Day of Action Against Bullying & Violence (Australia) [3rd Friday]

National Hawaiian Shirt Day [3rd Friday]

National Men's Grooming Day [3rd Friday]

Weekly Holidays beginning August 16 (2nd Full Week of August)

Elvis Week (Week of 8.16)

National Balayage Week (Week of 8.16)

Festivals Beginning August 16, 2024

Alaska Greek Festival (Anchorage, Alaska) [thru 8.18]

Alaska State Fair (Palmer, Alaska) [thru 9.2]

BBQ & Fly-in on the River (Excelsior Springs, Missouri) [thru 8.17]

BBQ Music Fest (Huntington Beach, California) [thru 8.18]

Bear Creek Folk Festival (Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada) [thru 8.18]

Beautiful Days (Ottery St Mary, United Kingdom) [thru 8.18]

Bite of Tacoma (Tacoma, Washington) [thru 8.19]

Canadian National Exhibition (Toronto, Canada) [thru 9.2]

Celebrate Erie (Erie, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.18]

Centralia Balloon Festival (Centralia, Illinois) [thru 8.18]

Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival (Copenhagen, Denmark) [thru 8.25]

Cornfest (Ortonville, Minnesota) [thru 8.18]

Dead on the Creek (Laytonville, California) [thru 8.18]

Electric Picnic (Stradbally, Ireland) [thru 8.18]

Eurocon [European Science Fiction Convention] (Rotterdam, Netherlands) [thru 8.19]

Fan Expo Chicago [f.k.a. Wizard World Chicago] (Chicago, Illinois) [thru 8.18]

Florence Wine Fest (Florence, Alabama) [thru 8.17]

FolkEast (Little Glemham, England) [thru 8.18]

Franklin County Watermelon Festival (Russellville, Alabama) [thru 8.17]

Georgia Mountain Fair (Hiawassee, Georgia) [thru 8.24]

Kool-Aid Days (Hastings, Nebraska) [thru 8.18]

Machias Wild Blueberry Festival (Machias, Maine) [thru 8.18]

Macomb Balloon Rally (Macomb, Illinois) [thru 8.18]

Madison Ribberfest - BBQ & Blues (Madison, Indiana) [thru 8.17]

Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival (Elkhorn, Nebraska) [thru 8.17]

New Orleans North Festival (Joliet, Illinois)

Northampton Balloon Festival (Northampton, United Kingdom) [thru 8.18]

Old Time Power Show (Cedar Falls, Iowa) [thru 8.18]

Palio di Siena (Siena, Spain)

Philadelphia Folk Festival (Schwenksville, Pennsylvania) [thru 8.18]

Sabin Harvest Days (Sabin, Minnesota) [thru 8.17]

Sarajevo Film Festival (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) [thru 8.23]

Seoul POPCON (Seoul, South Korea) [thru 8.18]

Summerfest (Sleepy Eye, Minnesota) [thru 8.18]

Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival (Owen Sound, Canada) [thru 8.18]

Sutherlin Blackberry Festival (Sutherlin, Oregon) [thru 8.18]

Wallace Huckleberry Festival (Wallace, Idaho) [thru 8.18]

Western Idaho Fair (Boise, Idaho) [thru 8.25]

Wicomico County Fair (Salisbury, Maryland) [thru 8.18]

Wild Blueberry Festival (Paradise, Michigan) [thru 8.18]

Zoo Brew (Idaho Falls, Idaho)

Feast Days

Agostino Carracci (Artology)

Ana Petra Pérez Florido (Christian; Saint)

Armel (a.k.a. Armagillus; Christian; Saint)

Arsacius (Christian; Saint)

Benjamin Alire Sáenz (Writerism)

Carista (Day of Peace in the Family; Pagan)

Carle Vernet (Artology)

Charles Bukowski (Writerism)

Diana Wynne Jones (Writerism)

Diomedes of Tarsus (Christian; Saint)

The Ditzies (Muppetism)

Edrinios (Arbitration Time; Celtic Book of Days)

Hal Foster (Artology)

Harmonic Convergence Day (Everyday Wicca)

Herbed Butter Day (for Vesta’s Bread; Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Ivan Bilibin (Artology)

Joachim (Christian; Saint)

Napier (Positivist; Saint)

Otto Messmer (Artology)

Roch (Christian; Saint)

Shahenshahi (Parsi New Year; India)

Simplician (Christian; Saint)

Solarinite Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Stephen I of Hungary (Christian; Saint)

Translation of the Acheiropoietos icon from Edessa to Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox Church)

Wave at the Surveillance Cameras Day (Pastafarian)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

American Flyers (Film; 1985)

Austenland (Film; 2013)

Blind Faith, by Blind Faith (Album; 1969)

Blue Crush (Film; 2002)

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl (Novel; 1964)

The Commitments (Film; 1991)

Crow De Guerre (The Inspector Cartoon; 1967)

Dear God, by XTC (Song; 1986)

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, by Tom Wolfe (Novel; 1968)

Fiddlesticks (Ub Iwerks MGM Cartoon; 1930) [1st Color Sound Cartoon]

Firemen’s Picnic (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1937)

Foreign Correspondent (Film; 1940)

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Animated TV Series; 2002)

If I Had a Hammer, by Peter, Paul & Mary (Song; 1962)

Last Train to Clarksville, by The Monkees (Song; 1966)

LazyTown (Children’s TV Series; 2004)

Lover, by Taylor Swift (Song; 2019)

Midnight in a Toy Shop (Silly Symphony Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Olympic Hymn, by Richard Strauss (Hymn; 1936)

Rodeo Romeo (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1946)

The Roman Hat Mystery, by Ellery Queen (Novel; 1929)

Rules of the Ring, by Jack Broughton (Boxing Code; 1743) [1st Rules of Boxing]

The Scarlatti Inheritance, by Robert Ludlum (Novel; 1971)

Siegfried, by Richard Wagner (Opera; 1876) [Ring of the Nibelung #3]

The Tate Gallery (Museum; 1897)

Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (WB Animated Film; 2010)

Uncle Buck (Film; 1989)

The Usual Suspects (Film; 1995)

The Vanishing Prairie (Documentary Film; 1954)

Volunteers (Film; 1985)

What a Wonderful World, recorded by Louis Armstrong (Song; 1967)

Wimmin Hadn’t Oughta Drive (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1940)

Winning the West (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1946)

Today’s Name Days

Alfred, Rochus, Stefan, Theodor (Austria)

Krunoslav, Roko, Stjepan (Croatia)

Jáchym (Czech Republic)

Rochus (Denmark)

Aulis, Aurel, Kuldar, Kullar, Kullo (Estonia)

Aulis (Finland)

Armel, Roch (France)

Alfred, Rochus, Stefan, Stephanie (Germany)

Alkiviadis, Apostolos, Diomedes , Diomidis, Gerasimos, Sarantis, Seraphim, Stamatia, Stamatis (Greece)

Ábrahám (Hungary)

Rocco, Serena, Stefano (Italy)

Aistars, Astra, Astrīda (Latvia)

Alvita, Butvydas, Jokimas, Rokas (Lithuania)

Brynhild, Brynjulf (Norway)

Alfons, Alfonsyna, Ambroży, Domarad, Domarat, Joachim, Joachima, Roch (Poland)

Leonard (Slovakia)

Esteban, Roque (Spain)

Brynolf (Sweden)

Yukhym (Ukraine)

Craig, Kraig, Roch, Rochelle, Rochester, Rock, Rocky, Serena, Serenity, Serina (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 229 of 2024; 137 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 5 of Week 33 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Coll (Hazel) [Day 14 of 28]

Chinese: Month 7 (Ren-Shen), Day 13 (Red-Zi)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 12 Av 5784

Islamic: 10 Safar 1446

J Cal: 19 Purple; Fryday [19 of 30]

Julian: 3 August 2024

Moon: 87%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 4 Gutenberg (9th Month) [Napier]

Runic Half Month: As (Gods) [Day 9 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 58 of 94)

Week: 2nd Full Week of August

Zodiac: Leo (Day 26 of 31)

[sterek-ao3feed]

"Did you seriously just quote Monty Python while you're lying here bleeding?"

Read it on AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/59613994

by EvanesDust

[excerpt] The sudden shift sent a prickle of unease running down Stiles's spine as he followed Derek's gaze, scanning the parking lot. The peaceful atmosphere had shifted. They were no longer alone.

"What do you—"

See, he wanted to ask, but Derek cut him off with a warning growl, pushing Stiles back. Stiles rolled his eyes. While he loved Derek's protectiveness, he also hated when Derek got all overprotective. It reminded him of the pool incident when they faced the Kanima, and Derek shoved him back, trying to keep him out of harm's way. But he could handle himself, dammit! He'd more than proved that over the years; however, before he could argue, a figure emerged from the shadows, stalking toward them, revealing an eerie mirror image of Derek.

What the actual fuck? Stiles's mind reeled in disbelief at the sight of the doppelganger, struggling to comprehend what was happening.

"Uh…please tell me you have a secret twin I didn't know about."

Words: 3230, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Teen Wolf (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Stiles Stilinski, Derek Hale, Alan Deaton

Relationships: Derek Hale/Stiles Stilinski

Additional Tags: Future Fic, Established Relationship, Mates, Hurt/Comfort, Pack Alpha Derek Hale, Injured Stiles Stilinski, Monster of the Week, Blood and Injury, POV Stiles Stilinski, Canon-Typical Violence, Fandom Trumps Hate 2024

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59613994

[madmonkeydisorder]

Yeah!

The world is on fire!

Emotions boiling under koślawy sufit in Turbo peak fire consuming sofa under huge temperature so need to evacuate seating to find chill out the stokes road potholes draining secret tunnels inside your mind silk rotary counteraziem overgrown roots here to the tree..

Ceiling ok?

I worry your full capacity breakup me in half Alf’s covering lamp shade hades radeo eon Leo amadeo!

Leonsjo nefiu listen bisem głosem semiotycznych upartyfiksacja stationary stations status Ty silny beamicrondowody burn evidences yo burn motherfucker burn the roof is on fire!

Firanka działa nie dzida a laguna legumina Ty mina sina dziedzina rodzina nationalizen

Resin soil soul Oi!

Oi!

Roy batty typ dark star in dope show slow down

Get down make love

Love krove

White dove peace on movie travie Transeffamilia

Gięć piec dziesięć piętnaście Gietow a Ashynbeher green glass American night club whisky bar boss got glass ashtrayentity transformers mars Star Wars speedy bumper cars

Last dance remember number rumor semaforum dyktando dopamina dope hope pentones

Krasna jasna górska murowana mova trava Miele languicz flexi Xiono onyxy Styksu supły sanie Sanoka Nuka cola boją Troya nie boją się boksują

Wymiotniki deklinacja przymiotnika styki kilka klika klinika zdrowia psychicznego karta horo owa uparta pełna vital signes on the ambulances driving nearest A&E all night waiting list piss off!

Service police & prison officers probation and on top of that diploma resotialisation so correction institution this fight lasting whistle ratting chimney wind bells bumping in dumb booms about hostacia ststion to station automation my inkarnatiohm ohm soho koko koka oko yoko ono nome om ohm mmm!

Resinnerd dork red racing sunglasses raise my confidence in appearance I look so good these days say how are you today day by day may I have your name dame Americankapadocja stacja do stacji akcji am mama ama don’t like me since I told her off defending my best mate to save her name bully got mouthy hyperminimalis noisensesionz lii I bee maya haha ale jaja haja jak stąd do Ok do miasta jeden chuj lub autobus odchódzi pod Radom uff śladem Ziuty!

Ziuta gdzie jesteś!? Ześlij gromy ogromny thunder burdel pogrzebane bany za jazdy

Travska braki uzupełnia full moon punkt punki kicalifornikation ionic iOS Nicon kicamerki kinglish klishes per lashes Paris in first trip to Paris hot summer out of cage our prison son and daughter left building finding gold but I found London Town seeking zero line slime taktyki

Statystyki styki trybiki rybnicki oddział psychiatryczny niebezpieczne typy creepy Monty Python visualisual resultants observation starvation resistation transportation aus gang nam style ay!

Hay! High?

Are you high!?

Yay I’m gay!

Gay! Im gay too!

You know I will tell you a secret. I’m lesbian too..

Fuck off you fuck fuck off lesbian? I see that mini dickhead won’t be here in the morning

Yeah! That’s right!

Let’s stuff the pipe smoking morning cloudozole

Howl!

[run-aled]

RED VALLEY: WHILE YOU WERE HYPERSLEEPING‘Part Three’

[transcript]

SCENE 1

GORDON IS IN THE MESS ROOM, PLAYING HIMSELF AT POOL. MUSIC PLAYING FROM THE JUKEBOX IN THE DISTANCE. HE LEAVES THE TAPE ROLLING A LITTLE WHILE.

GORDON: Hello. It's umm… day 13. I'm in the mess. I am playing myself at pool and winning. Oh… I fixed the jukebox. Just another easy fix by Gordon Porlock...Warden of the Valley.

HITS A SHOT. POCKETS IT.

GORDON: Ahh… Boom. Warden of the Valley. That deserves a badge. Hey Blue, that deserves a badge, right?

BLUE SKY: I didn't quite catch that.

GORDON: That's what she says when I deserve a badge.

TAKES ANOTHER SHOT.

CUT.

GORDON: I thought I better take some of these duties seriously. The caretaking duties I mean. I remembered what the manager of the Overlook Hotel said to Jack Nicholson. Not the bit about the guy who went crazy and murdered his family, the boring stuff about going around the hotel and warming different parts of it, making sure the pipes don't freeze. So I've done that. I've systematically gone through all the radiators, and checked all the light switches, and most of them work, and when I find one that doesn't, I make a little note of it, and then I remember I have no idea what to do about any of that stuff so I just shut the door to that room and don't go in there again.

CUT TO GORDON IN THE TOILET AND READING A BIRD BOOK.

GORDON: I'm reading more too. The pink footed goose, or Anser Brachyrhynchus, doesn't breed in the UK but, probably Iceland or Greenland, and is just wintering here. Anyway, if they're going to shit on me every day, I thought I should at least be able to address them by their full scientific names.

HE GETS UP AND FLUSHES.CUT TO: GORDON WASHING UP IN THE FARMHOUSE. IN THE BACKGROUND AN ANCIENT RECORDING OF A CHRISTMAS CHOIR.

GORDON: Well I've really come to love this farmhouse. It's so peaceful. There's a.. a record player and lots of old Christmas records. And it's November so seems appropriate. Hey Blue, tell me something interesting about Christmas.

BLUE SKY: Hi Gordon, did you know that not only did Oliver Cromwell ban Christmas pudding and mince pies in the 17th century, the law was never officially rescinded, so technically it's still illegal to eat them.

GORDON: Awesome.

CUT TO: GORDON IN THE CORRIDOR UPSTAIRS IN THE BASE, MOVING BOXES.

GORDON: So, a lot of the archiving I think is just literally moving boxes of tapes. I mean, sure, I'll need to go through them some time, but there's no rush.

SUDDENLY A PHONE STARTS RINGING, SOME DISTANCE AWAY. GORDON STOPS IN HIS TRACKS.

GORDON: What the hell is that?

BEAT AS HE THINKS.

GORDON: Hmm.

BLUE SKY: The phone is ringing.

GORDON: I mean I'm really busy, with these-

BEAT. THE RINGING IS INCESSANT.

BLUE SKY: The phone is ringing.

GORDON: For God's sake.

BLUE SKY: The phone is ringing.

HE PICKS IT UP. SOMEONE IS EATING ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE.

GORDON: Hello?

CLIVE: Alright sugartits.

GORDON: Clive? Oh… Um., Bryony isn't here right now…

CLIVE: I know. Just wanted to check in on you.

GORDON: Oh er… Normally Grace or Pam would do a check in-

CLIVE: I know that too Gordon. Cos they work for me. Like you do.

GORDON: Of course, yeah, sure.

CLIVE: So how are you, Gordon?

GORDON: Oh, I'm great. Yeah… Great.

CLIVE: You doing what we're paying you to do, right?

GORDON: What do you mean?

CLIVE: Bryony asked you to look after the place and sort out the archives, didn't she? You know, the archives of the work we do at Red Valley. The world-changing, potentially limitlessly lucrative work that, frankly, is the only reason that gloomy little shithole hasn't been flattened by a giant Monty Python foot.

GORDON: Yes, yes, I'm on it.

CLIVE: You're on it.

GORDON: I'm on it.

CLIVE: You're sure you're on it? You're not just playing yourself at pool and listening to power ballads on the jukebox you repaired?

GORDON SCOFFS IN EMBARRASSED CONFUSION.

CLIVE: You know a Blue Sky unit is a microphone as well as a virtual assistant right?

BLUE SKY: Hello.

GORDON: I, uh. I did not know that actually.

HE PUTS HIS HAND OVER THE SPEAKER AND HISSES TO THE BLUE SKY UNIT.

GORDON: I thought we were friends!

CLIVE: I mean. It's kind of...I've already turned up on your doorstep once before after spying on you...

BLUE SKY: I found this on Friends. Friends is a situation comedy-

GORDON: Oh, don't even get me started on that.

CLIVE: What are you doing, Gordon?

GORDON: Oh er… Nothing, nothing, I'm just...I'm here.

CLIVE: That's just it. You see, I need you to do more than just be there, Gordon. I need you to work through those archives, mate. In fact- that's not even true. I don't give a liquid shit about the archives actually, I just need you to get everything on Warren Godby looking ship fucking shape. Because he's the ticket. For me, for you, for everything. If I find out you've been leaning back enjoying that ex-rental copy of Passion of the Christ, we're going to have a problem.

GORDON: I'll get on it, Clive. Right away.

CLIVE: Adda boy. Off you trot then.

GORDON: Yeah. Oh, Clive?

CLIVE: What?

GORDON: There's no one...else, around here, is there?

CLIVE: What do you mean?

GORDON: No one else around, any neighbours? Or Overhead people, who might want to visit, you know, in the middle of the night, then change their mind and drive away?

CLIVE SIGHS.

CLIVE: I don't give a shit if you're haunted by local sprites or some Highland bumpkin is plucking up the courage to invite you to the next caber tossing festival, keep your eyes on the cryonically preserved prize.

CLIVE HANGS UP.

PAUSE.

BLUE SKY: Is there anything I can help you with, Gordon?

GORDON: You and me are done professionally.

CUT.

MUSIC BREAK.

CUT TO: WARREN TURNS ON THE RECORDER AND PUTS IT DOWN. HE IS EXTREMELY OUT OF BREATH.

WARREN: Hi. Warren Godby here. Just got… back from a run. 8 o'clock in the morning, already done a run. Haven't even had breakfast. All 6 of us, along with umm…what’s his name Doctor umm… Doctor Mister Motivator. I don’t know. Do you know what, I started this too soon, give me a minute.

CUT.

GORDON: Blue Sky, save the project.

BLUE SKY: Remember you can call me Blue?

GORDON: We're not on first name terms anymore, Ms Sky.

BLUE SKY: Project saved. Would you like to play the next recording?

GORDON: Have you checked it already for my muted words and phrases?

BLUE SKY: There are no mentions of specific crimes or details relating to the sentence of Godby, Warren.

GORDON: Okay, go ahead.

THE NEXT RECORDING.

WARREN: Hello, hi. So I don't need to be so sycophantic. Apparently, there are no bonus points for obsequious behaviour or indeed, brown nosing, as Dr Halbech calls it, of any kind.

WARREN: Now that I'm in my little bedroom, and I've got my three minutes, erm… I do have a few thoughts about the induction day, you know that I could share. This is clearly a second hand induction pack. The main clue is the massive cock and balls that have been doodled over the contents page. Unless that’s your new Overhead watermark or something.

WARREN PULLS THE BLURB FROM HIS INDUCTION PACK.

WARREN: Right let's look at this. 'Congratulations from everyone at Overhead Industries! Here at Red Valley, our state of the art facility, you're about to join our team of expert clinicians and researchers, supported by our humm…caring, dedicated and highly qualified hospitality team that will make this experience closer to a rural retreat than a scientific study!'

WARREN: I take issue with the term 'state of the art', I suppose. My expectations for Red Valley were quite high. Er… I knewit was a laboratory underneath a military station in the wilderness, so of course I imagined, not unreasonably I think, Area 51 from Independence Day. White lab coats, stuttering science nerds played by Star Trek actors, maybe something like that crossed with the Dolph Lundgren training montage from Rocky IV, I don't know.Now, disappointment I can handle. I'm used to that. But I guess I was expecting, as a minimum, the kind of security that one might find in a highly guarded penal institution, like the one I just left, because, at the end of the day, all the new guests are hardened, violent convicted criminals after all. So when, at the end of today's induction session, Harry Reed decides to brain Stephens over the head with a fucking metal chair for making eye contact with him, I was somewhat surprised when absolutely fucking nothing happened, apart from Stephens being dragged by the feet out of the room leaving behind an oil slick of blood coming out of his head and Harry staring at us all with a look that could cut diamonds while folding and unfolding his arms every 3 seconds like a fucking maniac, which is exactly what he is.

WARREN: I think there are literally only 3 people working here. And there are six of us. That is bananas. This is going to end like Straw fucking Dogs. Goodnight.

CUT.

GORDON: Right. Well then.

BLUE SKY: There is a short addendum.

GORDON: Oh. Er… Go ahead.

PLAYS.

WARREN: Quick update. Little group meeting just now to inform us that Stephens and Reed are leaving the programme. Infact, they've apparently already left. Which is weird, cos there's only one way in or out of this valley and no one’s come or gone all day. So that's definitely not disconcerting whatsoever. I'm going to go and stare at the ceiling for the rest of the night. Bye.

CUT.

FOOTSTEPS ALONG THE CORRIDOR IN THE LOWER LEVEL, REACHING A DOOR. GORDON OPENS IT AND WALKS INTO A ROOM- THE CRYO SUITE. EVENTUALLY HE REACHES HIS DESTINATION.

GORDON: Evening Warren.

GORDON PLACES HIS RECORDER ON THE METALLIC CRYO POD.

GORDON: Apologies I haven't been down to see you much. You look well. I can't actually see you. I thought they would've put windows in a cryopod. So people could see you floating about. But, I guess it's nice to have privacy, isn't it?

PAUSE.

GORDON: I've been struggling Warren. With what's going on here. The truth is I have to make a choice. To be a friend to you or not. I'm going to keep listening to your tapes. But I'm not going to find out what you did. I'd like to say it's because I'm respecting your privacy, but the truth is I recognise the guys on these recordings. He doesn't sound too different to me. He's scared, he's lonely, he hates exercise. Look… maybe you're not who I think you are. But given the company we keep, you might still be the least awful person I currently work with. So, let’s be friends. I'll be back tomorrow. And maybe I’ll bring Top Trumps or something.

END.

[worlds-laziest-polymath]

Apparently, it's Global Beatles Day (25 June)

We are to honour and celebrate the ideals of the Beatles.

Okay...

Sort of Monty Python a generation before.

That's what I'm going to honour.

Anyone can honour peace, love, and transcendentalism.

Good anarchic comedy is rare.

[locustheologicus]

The European Balance of Power and Systems theory.

I love English humor, humor that is dry, witty, and politically intellectual. Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie are fascinating English comedians along with Rowan Atkinson, Eddie Izzard, and the crew of Monty Python and the Young Ones. Here you see these comedians poke up fun of the Treaty of Westphalia in their wonderful British fashion.

I initially posted this because I absolutely love both British humor and historical humor. This was right up my alley. The almost blasé attempt at dividing the European balance of power. That alone was why I incorporated this video in this post.

But then I discovered an analysis which coupled with this comedic bit very well. In my study of general systems theory I read a lecture by Niklas Luhmann where he attributes the development of systems theory to the mid-17th century. It was an emerging concept and sociological discipline that believed in the same concepts of social balance and systemic equilibrium that coincided with the development of this treaty. In the lecture he says:

Therefore let us start by getting to the points of departure of general systems theory. One line of development can be seen in the metaphor or the models that worked with the concept of an equilibrium or balance. To begin with, this approach had a mathematical foundation insofar as one worked with mathematical functions. But the metaphor itself is also of interest, independent of its mathematical connections, since it belongs, after all, to the oldest sources of systemic thinking. …I do not know when exactly this metaphor took root, but by the seventeenth century it was already taken for granted and used in the idea of the “balance of trade.” Moreover, by the end of the century it also motivated the idea of an international, specifically a European, balance of power between nations (or political factors). (Luhmann, pg. 26)

Not only does the dawn of systems theory begin around the time of the treaty of Westphalia but Luhmann also suggests that it shared the same social metaphor with the architects of this treaty. As Toulmin suggested in another post I wrote, social metaphors often flow from cosmological beliefs. The mid-17th century was dominated by the mechanical social metaphor which believed in some form of mathematical certainty to the cosmos and constructed their social program with the same sense of mathematical certainty and functional equilibrium.

But Luhmann’s point is that this metaphor, as useful as it may have been back then, no longer has relevance with a social order and it does not speak to the cosmology we now recognize. Ours is much more dynamic, interrelated, uncertain (probable) and organic. It is good to consider the metaphor of a quantum, a discrete amount of energy that seems to motivate the process for how matter interacts, as the dominant cosmological for us rather than the well ordered machine. We can now look at treaties like Westphalia and recognize them as utterly simple and ineffective. Luhmann offers a critique of this in the very next paragraph:

Thus, the metaphor presupposes a certain mechanics, a certain mode of implementation, and a certain infrastructure, all of which ensure that the equilibrium is maintained. It is this viewpoint that coincides with the dominant idea that theories of equilibrium are theories of stability. However, if one examines the matter more closely - this assumption becomes questionable. If we take our lead from the image of scales with their two sides in balance, it should be clear immediately that this equilibrium can be disturbed very easily.

History attests to this systemic shortcoming. Europe would not find peace within its borders until a broader system was organized to help address their interrelationships. Similarly systems theory will no longer subscribe to these theories of structural functionalism and instead Luhmann will develop his ideas for open systems that are self-organizing. I will go over this in a future post. But in the mid-17th century this was the dominant framework from which the discipline of sociology emerged.

There are a number of points I would like to make regarding the evolution of systems theory and some contemporary development that is useful for analysis and ethics but one point I want to further emphasize for now, in this post, is the value that we now have to the idea of an open theory versus a closed theory. The Westphalia model demonstrates a closed systemic theory, a social machine divided amongst parts that can control their own output. An open system, on the other hand, is defined by Luhmann as a system that exchanges or obtains information from its environment. The importance of this is that it recognizes environmental shifts and the systems analysts will not act surprised by environmental conditions because in this model they are attentive to it. This is a grand distinction that “progressives” are generally open to. As an ideological community we tend to embrace the post-modern cosmology, a quantum cosmology, that recognizes the dynamic, interrelational, uncertain (probable), and organic cosmos. These cosmological elements, according to the theory of cosmopolis, impact systems and systems thinking. This is the distinction that makes a treaty like Westphalia a humorous undertaking. An undertaking that did not "guarantee the peace and freedom of Europe forever" but rather sowed the seeds for the napoleanic conquest, the wars of nationalism, and both WWI and WWII.

And sadly, this closed system is the model for the policies of the current Trump administration here in the United States. This failed perspective is dominating the global and domestic policies and we progressives can see how this will spell the ruin and downfall of our own community and identity. This does not mean that you cannot have policies that cut spending, regulates borders, or applies tariffs and regulations smartly, but these policies will blowback on themselves if they do not consider the broader socio-economic and political environment. Nations and national governments need to see themselves as a biological cell. Yes, a cell must have a membrane to contain the information necessary to give it a sense of identity, but the membrane must be porous enough to allow vital information in that allows the nucleus to adapt to its changing environment. Without that balance, the cell will die.

That’s why history is such a crucial learning for those of us who conduct social analysis and policymaking. These historical lessons allow us to appreciate the achievements and mistakes we have committed in the past. They provide vital clues for our prophetic forecasting.

Incidentally, the Treaty of Westphalia was drawn up around the time when the Spanish governed St. Augustine Florida and began building the castle that I recently visited. This is one of my favorite historical places to visit which is a testimony to the Spanish presence in our nation, a presence that was here before the pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, before Hudson sailed to the area of Mahattan, and before the birth of the Jamestown colony.

I think it’s interesting to see secular comedy poke fun at a social concept that dominated a certain historical period but which we now recognize as very limited in its ability to generate social order and peace. Americans however should not compartmentalize these humorous stories and instead recognize their application within our own current policies. After all, those of us who do not study or appreciate history are doomed to repeat it.