#polar qr code

[zhalfirin]

Bredlik Poems (anthology) - collected and credited by @marvinhere                                                  doodles by Jenny

This typeset was shared with me complete with doodles and QR-codes.

materials used

cover binders board, 1,5 (covers) cardboard (spine stiffener) leather, goat (covering material) heat activated foil (hot stamped title and decorations)

inner book Munken polar, 100gsm (book body) printed decorative paper (endpapers and endbands)

slipcase binders board, 1,5 decorative paper, printed (narrow sides) satogami paper, black (wide sides, inner lining)

dimensions 2,5cm x 2,5cm

[chernobylcatfish09]

The people have voted (I’m impatient to wait 24 hours when I plan to do both)

Fahlo Bracelets!

Before I drop the info, feel free to give me criticism on my writing, I want to hear feedback

Fahlo bracelets are animal tracking bracelets that you can buy in Aquariums and Zoos, or online in the website/app (I suggest buying in person, they are less expensive that way). The funding from the bracelets goes to different organizations that help a type of animal, depending on the bracelet you buy. There are also plushies, but I haven’t bought one of them yet, I would guess they also give a tracking thing, but I can’t confirm.

The current animals they have are:

Manatees

Seals

Sharks

Whale sharks

Sea turtles

Dolphins

Polar bears

Penguins

Wolves

Sloths

Lions

Elephants

Giraffes

Gorillas

Snow leopards

Snow leopards are the most recent as of writing this, and I’m excited to see the next one

The way the app tracks an animal when to buy a bracelet is you will get a QR code, if you buy in person on the packaging, or if you buy online a little card with the bio and name of the animal. Once you scan, you should be able to see where your animal is, the area it has gone, and updates on where it is at the last recorded tracking.

I did experience this the first time when I got my seal bracelet, but the tracking on animals will run out, fall off, or something else. The seal I got on the card was no longer being tracked, so I got a different one instead, I’m unaware if it happens with older bracelets, but I’ll give an update if it does. Also one of my bracelets did break, the elastic was a bit weaker I suppose but I was repeatedly taking it on and off in the span of less than a day, it lasted a good bit of time (bought it on Jan 3rd, it broke around the end of the month I believe) and my mother fixed it, but I looked if I could get a replacement and apparently it’s possible, so if another bracelet breaks, I’ll see if I can get a new bracelet.

Here’s what my bracelets look like.

they are light weight and I love hearing the beads rattle against each other/ the feel of most of them. Every bracelet has diff designs to choose from, Im choosing one from each animal bc I plan to buy one of every animal , and the once that’s accomplished, I’ll prob collect for designs of some.

[quartermera]

After all this time, I can finally share the first sneak peak of the piece I worked on for @opheartzine ! For the occasion, I created a model of the Polar Tang, completed with very simple props for the interior of the submarine. With the zine comes a QR code that will allow you to see the Tang in 360 :D

If you are interested in this project, don't hesitate to check out the shop: https://opheartzine.bigcartel.com/

Preorders are open until September 5th :)

[yellow-the-alien]

whale therian tips and what not

i’ve noticed a lack of whale therian posts, so i decided to just go ahead and try my hand at making my own post about that in hopes that it’ll help someone out, or at the very least be interesting. the rest of this post is under the cut! remember that none of these things are required to be a whale therian, and they are not necessarily exclusive to whales either!

physical tips: general things to get those whale feelings

ocean colored lights to mimic the look of being underwater

weighted blankets to mimic the feeling water pressure

thick coats or hoodies to mimic blubber

for baleen whales: eat foods like shrimp, as they are similar to zooplankton, fish, and crustaceans

toothed whales: eat foods like fish or squid

experiences: personal things that i’ve experienced that you may want to try

go swimming with a few close people, or just go swimming on your own! i recommend trying to learn to swim like a whale as well

try going on longer distance trips with close people (can involve water or not) to mimic the travel part of migration

try listening to whale songs or ocean ambiance

whale documentaries!!!

other: support, connecting with animals, etc.

get a whale tracking bracelet! websites such as club ocean have bracelets that come with a qr code in order to track a real whale! the money from the purchase goes directly towards helping endangered whales as well! they also have other animals such as sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and polar bears!

donate to organizations that help whales! i know this is not possible for everyone, but i just want to remind people that it is an option!

if possible, go whale watching! this one also would fall under experiences, but i wanted to put it here since it involves connecting with animals

spread the word about endangered whales! if you aren’t able to donate, you can still help out by telling other about endangered whales, bringing more awareness to species such as north atlantic right whales, which only have about 360 remaining individuals due to certain fisheries and past whaling. (sadly, this is my species, so i’d like to ask that if you can do anything to help them, please do so. knowing that my species is so close to disappearing from our planet is really disheartening, and i’m hoping we can stop this tragedy from happening. sorry about this emotion side note, i’m just trying to spread awareness)

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Researchers use liquid crystals that mimic beetle shell coloration units to create a more secure type of QR code

A research group led by Dr. Jialei He of Nagoya University's Graduate School of Engineering has developed a method for processing cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) into micrometer-sized spherical particles. CLCs are a type of liquid crystal that possess a helical structure, giving them unique optical properties and the ability to selectively reflect light. By combining spherical CLC particles with commercially available pigments, the researchers developed a unique anti-counterfeiting QR code that can only be displayed under a specific circular polarizer. The results were published in the journal Advanced Optical Materials. CLCs are an example of how nature can be used in engineering. If you have ever noticed the iridescent wings of butterflies or the glossy coating on the exoskeletons of beetles, you have seen what CLCs can do. Once identified, CLCs that mimic the units that generate the colors of the exoskeletons of beetles are synthesized in the laboratory because of their unusual colors and properties, which lie between liquids and crystals.

Read more.

[opheartzine]

💛CONTRIBUTOR SPOTLIGHT💙

Meet @quartermera, our 3D page artist !

They've created an impressive 3D render of the Polar Tang cut in half vertically, allowing to see the inside and get a sneak peak at the rooms ! With a QR code, you'll even be able to see it in full 360 degrees !

💛💙ArtStation : https://www.artstation.com/vanilleallard 💛💙Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/vanimation_3d/ 💛💙Tumblr : @quartermera

[gayfertilitygoddess]

The QR code links to a Google doc that Google has taken down to appease The Orange, but Pen America has the list here.

List of words under the cut:

abortion

accessible

accessibility

activism

activists

aavocacy

advocate

affirming care

affordable home

affordable housing

agricultural water

agrivoltaics

air pollution

all-inclusive

allyship

alternative energy

antiracism

antiracist

asexual

assigned at birth

assigned female at birth

assigned male at birth

at risk

autism

aviation fuel

barrier

barriers

belong

bias

biased

Biased toward

bioenergy

biofuel

biogas

biomethane

Biases towards

biologically female

biologically male

bipoc

bisexual

Black

black and latinx

breastfeed + people

breastfeed + person

Cancer Moonshot

carbon emissions mitigation

carbon footprint

carbon markers

carbon pricing

carbon sequestration

CEC

changing chmate

chestfeed + people

chestfeed + person

clean energy

clean air

clean power

clean water

climate

climate accountability

climate change

climate-change

climate crisis

climate consulting

climate models

climate model

climate resilience

climate risk

climate science

climatesmart

climate smart agriculture

climate smart forestry

climate variability

commercial sex worker

community

community diversity

community equity

confirmation bias

contaminants of environmental concern

continuum

Covid-19

cultural competence

cultural differences cultural heritage

Cultural relevance cultural sensitivity

culturaly appropriate culturally responsive definition

DEI

DEIA

DEIAB

DEIJ

diesel

dietary guidelines

ultraprocessed foods

disabilities

disability

disabled

disadvantaged

discriminated

discrimination

discriminatory

discussion of federal policies

disparity

diverse

diverse backgrounds

diverse communities

diverse community

diverse group

diverse groups

diversified

diversifying

diversify

diversity

diversity and inclusion diversity/equity efforts

EEJ

EJ

elderly

electric vehicle

energy conversion

enhance the diversity

enhancing diversity

entitlement

environmental justice

environmental quality

equal opportunity

equality

equitable

equitableness

equity

ethanol

ethnicity

evidence-based

excluded

expression

female

females

feminism

fetus

field drainage

fluoride

fostering inclusivity

fuel cell

GBV

gay

gender

gender based

gender based violence

gender diversity

gender identity

gender ideology

gender-affirming care

gendered

genders

geothermal

GHG emission

GHG monitoring

GHG modeling

global warming

green

green infrastructure

green house gas emission

groundwater pollution

Gulf of Mexico

H5N1/bird flu

hate

hate speech

health disparity

health equity

hispanic

hispanic minority

historically housing affordability

housing efficiency

hydrogen vehicle

identity

ideology

immigrants

implicit bias

implicit biases

inclusion

inclusive

inclusive leadership

inclusiveness

inclusivity

Increase diversity

increase the diversity

indigenous

indigenous community/people

inequalities

inequality

inequitable

inequities

injustice

institution

integration

intersectional

intersectionality

intersex

issues concerning pending legislation

justice40

key groups

key people

key populations

Latinx

lesbian

Igbt

LGBTQ

low-emission vehicle

low-income housing

male dominated

marginalize

marginalized

marijuana

measles

membrane filtration

men who have sex with men

mental health

methane emissions

microplastics

migrant

minorities

minority

minority serving institution

most risk

msm

multicultural

Mx

MSI

Native American

NCI budget

net-zero

non-binary

nonbinary

noncitizen

non-conforming

nonpoint source pollution

nuclear energy

nuclear power

obesity

opioids

oppression

oppressive

orientation

pansexual

PCB

peanut allergies

people of color

people + uterus

people-centered care

person-contered

person-centered care

photovoltaic

PFAS

PFOA

polarization

political

pollution

pollution abatement

pollution remediation

prefabricated housing

pregnant people

pregnant person

pregnant persons

prejudice

privilege

privileges

promote

promote diversity

promoting diversity

pronoun

pronouns

prostitute

pyrolysis

queer

QT

race

race and ethnicity

racial

racial diversity

racial identity

racial inequality

racial justice

racially

racism

runoff

rural water

safe drinking water

science based

sediment remediation

segregation

self-assessed

sense of belonging

sex

sexual preferences

sexuality

social justice

social vulnerability

sociocultural

socioeconomic

socioeconomic status

soil pollution

solar energy

solar power

special populations

stem cell or fetal tissue research

stereotype

stereotypes

subsidized housing

sustainable construction

systemic

they/them

tile drainage

topics of federal investigations

topics that have received recent attention from Congress

topics that have received widespread or critical media attention

trans

transgender

transitional housing

transsexual

trauma

traumatic

tribal

two-spirit

unconscious bias

under appreciated

underprivileged

under represented

underrepresentation

underrepresented

underserved

under served

understudied

undervalued

vaccines

victim

victims

vulnerable

vulnerable populations

water collection

water conservation

water distribution

water efficiency

water management

water pollution

water storage

water treatment

water quality

wind power

woman

women

women and underrepresented

Today's Doonesbury cartoon.

[fahloqrcode]

Everything You Need to Know About the Fahlo QR Code: A Smarter Way to Connect

With the digital world evolving rapidly, QR codes have emerged as one of the most effective tools for sharing information quickly and interactively. Among the latest trends, the Fahlo QR Code has gained attention for its unique application in digital identity, tracking, and cause-based experiences. Whether you're supporting wildlife conservation, wanting to track your favorite animal, or simply exploring smart networking solutions, understanding how Fahlo uses QR technology is a must.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything from what the Fahlo QR Code is, how it works, why it’s useful, and even how to get Fahlo QR Code for yourself.

What is a Fahlo QR Code?

The Fahlo QR Code is a scannable digital code used by the brand Fahlo (formerly known as Wildlife Collections). Fahlo partners with nonprofit organizations to provide real-time animal tracking experiences. Each bracelet purchased from Fahlo comes with a unique QR code that allows users to scan and connect with a real animal's tracking data — offering both entertainment and educational value.

Unlike standard promotional QR codes, these codes are designed to:

Connect buyers with real wildlife through GPS data

Drive awareness and donations for conservation

Offer a deeper, more emotional brand connection

When scanned, the Fahlo QR Code redirects to a digital dashboard showing the animal's name, location history, and latest movements on a map — a personalized experience that's hard to forget.

How Does the Fahlo QR Code Work?

Each product from Fahlo comes with a tag that includes a QR code. Once scanned, this code takes users to a dynamic platform where they can access:

The name and species of the animal

A real-time map of their movements

Interesting facts about the animal and conservation efforts

The QR codes are powered by back-end systems that integrate GPS tracking with a user-friendly front end. Unlike static codes, these QR codes are linked to live data, ensuring the experience is fresh every time you scan.

In many ways, this is like using a Location QR Code, which is a type of code that, when scanned, reveals geographic data or pins a location on a digital map.

The Power of Location QR Codes in Wildlife Conservation

A Location QR Code can link to a specific geographical location using tools like Google Maps or a custom dashboard. Fahlo takes this a step further by integrating live GPS tracking, so the animal's current location is updated regularly.

Here’s why using Location QR Codes in this way is a game-changer:

Educational Value: Users learn about ecosystems, migratory patterns, and habitat ranges.

Transparency: Supporters can verify that their contributions are tied to real-world conservation work.

Engagement: People are more likely to stay connected to causes when they see real-time updates.

Whether you're a parent educating your child or a teacher integrating tech into your classroom, the Fahlo QR Code makes learning interactive.

How to Get Fahlo QR Code?

If you're wondering how to get Fahlo QR Code, the process is straightforward:

Visit Fahlo’s Website or Authorized Retailers: Browse through different bracelets, each associated with a different animal (e.g., sea turtles, elephants, polar bears).

Purchase a Bracelet: Each one comes with a unique QR code tag.

Scan the Code: Use your phone camera or a QR scanner app to access your animal’s dashboard.

Track and Share: View real-time movements and share the journey with friends or on social media.

If you lose your code or tag, Fahlo typically provides a method to retrieve or replace your tracking link by contacting their customer support.

Why Use QR Codes for Cause-Based Marketing?

Fahlo’s success with QR codes shows just how versatile these digital tools can be. Brands can leverage QR codes for more than just marketing — they can build immersive, cause-driven experiences.

Key Benefits Include:

Real-Time Engagement: Keep your audience coming back for updates.

Scalability: One QR code can serve thousands of users without needing app downloads.

Analytics: Brands can track scans and user interaction to refine future campaigns.

If you're a business or nonprofit looking to use QR codes for engagement, platforms like IMQRScan provide tools to create everything from Location QR Codes to digital business cards and event access systems.

How IMQRScan Can Help You Create Your Own Custom QR Codes

Whether you're inspired by Fahlo’s concept or want to launch a campaign of your own, tools like IMQRScan’s vCard QR Code Generator make it easy to build personalized, branded QR experiences.

Features of IMQRScan:

vCard QR Codes: Share contact details instantly.

Location QR Codes: Pin any location to a scannable code.

Dynamic QR Codes: Change the destination URL even after printing the code.

Analytics Dashboard: Track number of scans, locations, and device types.

The power of QR codes isn’t just in the code itself — it’s in how creatively you apply it. Whether you're a business, educator, nonprofit, or influencer, QR codes give you the flexibility to connect, inform, and inspire.

Common Questions About the Fahlo QR Code

Q: Can I scan the code more than once?

A: Yes, you can scan your Fahlo QR Code as many times as you'd like to keep track of your animal’s movement.

Q: Is the location updated in real time?

A: While it depends on the animal’s tag and GPS system, most updates are frequent enough to provide a real sense of movement over time.

Q: Is my personal data stored when I scan the code?

A: Scanning a QR code typically doesn’t require personal data unless you choose to create an account. Always review the privacy policy.

Final Thoughts

In a world that increasingly values connection, sustainability, and technology, the Fahlo QR Code stands out as a meaningful and innovative tool. Whether you're tracking a sea turtle across the Atlantic or using a Location QR Code to engage an audience at an event, the use cases are expanding every day.

Understanding how to get Fahlo QR code is just the beginning — it’s how you use it that makes a difference. And with platforms like IMQRScan, creating your own QR-based experiences is easier than ever.

[semcoinfratechworld]

Battery Aging and Testing System for Modern Energy Storage Solutions

In the rapidly evolving field of battery technology, efficient and accurate battery aging and performance testing systems are essential for quality control and R&D. The 60V 20A 40-Channel Battery Charge-Discharge System (BCDS) represents a next-generation solution for comprehensive battery module testing and is ideal for testing pouch cell, li on pouch cell, and lithium pouch cell batteries.

Broad Application Across Battery Chemistries

This system is designed to support a wide array of battery types including lithium-ion (NMC, LFP), lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, and nickel-cadmium. It accommodates both co-port and split-port battery configurations, making it highly versatile for manufacturers and developers of battery-powered devices, including vacuum cleaners, electric tools, and electric scooters. It is also compatible with lithium battery systems and pouch cell battery pack configurations.

Key Functional Capabilities

The testing system offers an impressive range of functionalities: • Cycle Life Testing to evaluate long-term durability • Capacity Testing for understanding usable energy • Charge/Discharge Characteristic Testing for performance profiling • Thermal Characteristic Testing to monitor battery response under varying temperatures It also works effectively as a lithium-ion battery capacity tester for prismatic cell testing scenarios.

Sophisticated Design and Composition

The system integrates a power module, AC/DC bi-directional inverter, control unit, heat dissipation system, data acquisition hardware, and a software-driven upper computer system for data processing. It supports centralized control via networked management and offers remote monitoring.

Engineered for high-precision tasks, it is especially useful when paired with high voltage prismatic cell tester setups for advanced R&D.

Precision, Protection, and Performance

Engineered for precision, the system achieves ±0.05% accuracy and features independent control across its 40 channels. It includes robust software and hardware protections such as: • Reverse connection protection • Overvoltage and overcurrent cutoffs • Power-off continuation to resume tests after outages • Real-time abnormality captures and alarm features

All operations—from constant current charging to constant voltage transitions—are seamless, eliminating current surges and protecting battery integrity during testing. This precision makes it highly suitable for lithium-ion pouch cell applications.

Intelligent Software Control

Operators benefit from a fully programmable software interface that supports: • Step-by-step test sequence customization • Nested loop test execution • Real-time log tracking and fault detection • Excel-based data exports and multi-parameter graphing • Barcode and QR code integration for traceability

Each channel functions autonomously, allowing fully independent charge-discharge testing with programmable voltage (0V–60V) and current (100mA–10A) ranges.

Technical Specifications

• Channel Count: 40, each operating independently • Voltage Range: 0–60V with 1mV resolution • Current Range: ±10A with 1mA resolution • Response Time: <10ms for rapid current transition • Output Power: 1.2kW per channel with 0.1% FS stability • Data Interval: Configurable, as frequent as every second

Enhanced Safety and Maintenance

Safety is paramount, with built-in hardware for emergency cut-offs and software-based over-temperature and reverse polarity protections. The modular construction supports fast servicing with spare parts availability and regular software updates. Additionally, when integrated with laser welding machine, laser welding equipment, or laser fiber welding machine, the system supports a seamless battery pack production and testing flow.

For manufacturers in India, this system also pairs well with laser welding machine in India options and portable laser welding machine setups for lab or factory environments. It's also a perfect companion to a lithium-ion battery spot welding machine for complete cell assembly and verification.

Conclusion

This battery testing system is tailored for manufacturers aiming to maintain high standards in energy storage products while ensuring safety, traceability, and operational efficiency. Whether for production line QA or R&D labs, it sets a benchmark for comprehensive battery testing—especially for pouch cell battery, prismatic cells, and advanced lithium-ion pouch cell applications.

[medelink]

Top benefits of using a facial scanner skin analyzer for your skin health

In today’s world, achieving and maintaining healthy skin goes beyond regular skincare routines. Advanced facial scanner skin analyzers are revolutionizing how we understand and care for our pores and skin. These innovative devices provide exact insights into numerous skin concerns, permitting customized skin care answers tailored to your particular needs. Below, we explore the advantages of using a facial scanner skin analyzer and why investing in this contemporary skin analysis technology is a sport-changer to your skin health.

1. Comprehensive Skin Analysis

Facial scanner skin analyzers offer in-depth opinions of your skin’s condition. Using superior imaging technology and polarized and UV light, they investigate various pores and skin concerns, including pores, wrinkles, pigmentation, redness, and hidden problems like melanin or sebum buildup. This distinct evaluation ensures that you understand your skin from the surface to its deeper layers, supporting you in dealing with troubles proactively.

2. Personalized Skincare Solutions

One of the advantages of a facial scanner pores and skin analyzer is its potential to advocate custom-designed skin care remedies. Identifying your pores and skin’s unique needs allows dermatologists and pores and skin care experts to create centred treatment plans. This approach guarantees better consequences and reduces the guesswork in deciding on products or strategies.

3. Track Your Skin’s Progress

With the capacity to seize high-decision pix through the years, those gadgets make tracking your skin’s improvement smooth. You can examine earlier than-and-after results, allowing you to see how your skin responds to treatments or lifestyle changes. Advanced capabilities, like virtual laser simulations, even assist you in visualizing potential future effects, whether or not from growing old or precise healing procedures.

4. Enhance Client Consultations

For skin care specialists, facial scanner pores and skin analyzers enhance consumer interactions by offering visible evidence of pores and skin situations and remedy results. Sharing distinct reports and pix builds is accepted as accurate and allows customers to make knowledgeable decisions about their skincare.

5. Adaptable for All Skin Types and Tones

Modern skin analysis technology is designed to work across all skin sorts and ethnicities. Devices like the Line-Vu, a contemporary facial skin analyzer by medelink, provide subtle visualizations of sub-surface melanin and vascular situations, ensuring correct outcomes for numerous populations.

6. Convenient and Efficient

These consumer-pleasant analyzers provide brief tests, making them perfect for busy life. Features like QR code-primarily based reports and wireless moisture checkers add convenience, ensuring easy information sharing and on-the-spot insights into your pores and skin’s hydration ranges.

Conclusion

Investing in a facial scanner skin analyzer empowers you to manage your pores and skin fitness precisely and efficiently. With improvements in the skin evaluation era, achieving radiant, wholesome skin has by no means been more accessible. To discover present-day answers, just like the Line-Vu and other progressive devices, go to medelink. Your journey to better skin begins with information about it.

Read More: https://www.bipdetroit.com/top-benefits-of-using-a-facial-scanner-skin-analyzer-for-your-skin-health

[kyoshovillage]

【ダイキャストモデル 新製品入荷情報】

～ Die-Cast Model New Release Information ～

■SOLIDO 1/43 Scale Die-Cast Model

S4315001：Mini Cooper John Works (Chilli Red) 2023

S4315002：Mini Cooper John Works (British Racing Green) 2023

S4310104：Audi Avant RS2 (Polar Silver)

S4313803：Porsche 911(993) RS Clubsport (Polar Silver)1993

S4315201：BMW M3 (E36) Coupé (Red)1999

S4315202：BMW M3 (E36) Coupé (Estoril Blue)1999

皆様のご来店を心よりお待ちしています。

＜ To customers visiting from overseas ＞

KYOSHO VILLAGE is JAPAN TAXFREE SHOP.

Please Have an original passport or Visit Japan Web Tax Free QR code.

※Required when receiving TAXFREE service.

[statboyz]

not to b an asshole but my comrades as pro-palestinian americans all need to step your shit up. i understand for most of you online crowdfunding is the only accessible way to help raise money but I put up one (1!) very well placed poster for this campaign IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD in my city and the donations doubled in a week. it was 2 small pieces of paper, one saying "HOW DOES A PAPER TILE BECOME A FLOOR TO STAND ON?" with the qr code to this gfm, the other saying "BECAUSE WE DON'T FIGHT A WAR FOR THE SAKE OF TERROR" with a qr code to this poem.

thats all it took. and then the donations jumped by thousands of euros. the most frustrating thing is that it's literally just about finding a location with heavy foot traffic of kind people and good visibility. and unfortunately the polar vortex is here so that is nowhere rn because nobody is walking outside.

i cannot be the only fucking person who who is able to help crowdfund this much it drives me fucking insane. israel has violated every rule of war, every human rights law, they have violated every ceasefire, and most of you are too timid and afraid to even speak up when your coworkers start calling every arab person they encounter a terrorist. the song of the left cannot continue to be too little too late or we are all going to be killed by the neonazis that run our government and the climate crisis that is lining their pockets. like i just don't know how else to say it.

and i know nobody is going to fucking see this (which is why im not including a link) but you guys cannot keep fucking arguing with each other about the differences between a marxist versus a leninist and a blue fascist versus a red fascist on twitter when martial law is already beginning to be enforced in major cities around the country. WHEN WILL YOU STUPID FUCKS STOP KNEECAPPING OUR MOVEMENT AND START ORGANIZING I NEED THIS COUNTRY TO START FUCKING BALKANIZING OR SMTH

[autismonfire]

We are only 5 weeks from the 2025 Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Gaston County, and ​⁠Team Autism On Fire needs your help in reaching our goal of $1,500 USD. Scan the QR code in the 2nd image to visit our official fundraising page and learn more or make a tax-deductible contribution today. Thank you.

[revlyncox]

Returning to One Another

This sermon was written for The Unitarian Society in East Brunswick, NJ, for Sunday, October 6, 2024. In this sermon, I talk about advocating for peace in the Middle East and about some of the themes of the Jewish High Holidays. Both call us to resist polarization; to practice open-hearted and curious listening; and to co-regulate as we navigate our way through topics that bring up intense feelings of fear, anger, and despair.

During my study leave in July, I attended a “Shacharit for Peace and Justice,” sponsored by T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. “Shacharit” is the name for the everyday morning prayer service. Directly after that service, there was a public witness event sponsored by unXeptable, which is a grassroots movement of Israeli expats who support a democratic Israel that is a safe and just home for all of its inhabitants. The occasion that prompted those public witness events was the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to address the United States Congress. 

It wasn’t hard to find the group next to their large “End the War” banner in English and Hebrew. I arrived with my own kippah, otherwise known as a yarmulke or a head covering. T’ruah said they would supply them for those who needed them, but I like mine because it stays on my head a little better. I picked up a copy of the prayer service and scanned the QR code to find the songbook on my phone. People were lovely and welcoming as we prayed and sang. Neighbors helped me find my place on the page when I got lost; I can follow Hebrew pretty well, but some of the tunes were unfamiliar. It was a spiritual and soulful experience, expressing grief and rage and hope, and it was also a protest that called for an end to the war, a release of the hostages, and an end to the occupation in Gaza and the West Bank. 

The protest sponsored by unXeptable had a different vibe, but the same goals. Demonstrators chanted in English and in Hebrew calls to make a deal and end the war. They blamed Netanyahu for the conflict in the first place, telling him, “This is on your head.” We heard from family members of hostages, leaders of American and Israeli social justice groups, and politicians. It was loud and angry, but peaceful. People helped one another find shade, or a place to sit, or water when they needed it. Other protest groups roamed the neighborhood and generally ignored us. There were more Jewish-led protests throughout the day, but at a certain point I needed to catch my train home. 

Following T’ruah and participating in these events was encouraging in some ways. I am glad I was able to lend my voice in public witness, and to find some grounding in spiritual practice. It was important to me to call for a ceasefire in a way that lays the groundwork for peace and justice for all of the people who live in Palestine and Israel. Yet I also came away from that day sad that the peace movement in America is so fractured. People who share the same goals are too busy being right to stop and build a coalition. I think those of us with progressive values need to work harder on our skills for listening and cooperation. 

As many of you know, I am part of an interfaith family. Though I was not raised Jewish, I have been participating in Jewish community going back to my seminary days in California. My kids are Jewish, and we celebrated their Bat Mitzvah and Bar Mitzvah almost a year ago. Our family belongs to a synagogue and we attend regularly. I find the spiritual practices of Judaism to be grounding and meaningful. I am informed about Jewish spirituality, but I will not speak over people who are Jewish as they relate what feels appropriate to share about their practice and tradition. The rise of antisemitism and the safety of the Jewish community affect me, but far less than those factors affect people for whom Judaism is their primary identity and for whom the multigenerational trauma of antisemitism is woven into their being.

I believe that the war should end and that there should be safety, justice, and self-determination in the Levant for Jews and Palestinians and Christians and Druze and all of the people who currently live there, all of whom are living in their ancestral home. I think there are members of this congregation who would agree with that, and I think there are members who would disagree. Among those who agree, I expect that there are  diverse opinions about how an era of peace and justice will come about, and about the best strategies that we in the US can take to help make it so. People can have the same goals and values and disagree on the strategies and tactics. We can handle disagreement. To handle disagreement productively, we need to be in right relationship and we need to brush up on some skills for conflict transformation. 

So, where do we start building the skills as a community to be able to have difficult, vulnerable conversations? Peacemaking is only one such topic. Any community of human beings will encounter conflict. Creative tension here might come from creating a congregation that is inclusive of theists, nontheists, and everyone between and beyond those categories. Differences of opinion might come up about the relationship between the congregation and the Montessori school, or about how to work with organizing partners like I-RISE or the NAACP, or about how we dismantle white supremacy culture. Lots of things will cause tension for a congregation that is living its values to the fullest. Processing that tension productively makes a major difference in the ability of the community to thrive and to stay focused on its mission. It is not necessary to be hurtful or combative, but being able to have vulnerable, difficult, and necessary conversations helps to unlock energy and connection. 

My colleague the Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley has a few ideas in her book, Transforming Conflict: The Blessings of Congregational Turmoil. It is a really great handbook for lay and professional congregational leaders, full of ideas that are relevant even when things are relatively calm and harmonious. My emerging colleague Dana Moore is going to speak next week about some of those skills, and we can come back to this book later in this year to explore others, but for today let’s focus on two things: understanding the physiology of conflict and cherishing the gift of not knowing. 

The first skill, understanding the physiology of conflict, may be a review for many people in this congregation. Not everyone has that training, however, and for those of us who do, knowing it is different from applying it when we are in a stressful situation. If we can start from a common understanding about what conflict, fear, anger, and other visceral experiences do to our bodies and our brains, we can more effectively help each other to co-regulate when times are tough. 

As Dr. Cooley points out, most conflicts are not about facts. She begins by talking about a part of our brains called the amygdala, or the brain stem. This part of our brains, among other things, manages how we respond to fear. This is useful when our survival depends on our immediate ability to fight, freeze, or flee. It is not so useful when our amygdala has decided that a disagreement with a loved one trips the same alert that being chased by a saber-toothed tiger would have for an ancestor. 

The amygdala commandeers other systems in our body, including our brain, to divert power to survival. Our muscles might tense up, our heart rate might increase, our breathing might get faster if we are preparing to fight or to flee, or it might slow down if we are preparing to freeze. We don’t have access to the full capacity of our analytical brains while that perceived threat is active. Dr. Cooley writes (on page 21): 

“The amygdala response is so quick, you are rarely conscious of it until you reflect upon it later. It is quick, but not necessarily accurate; it falls back on stereotypes you may have internalized without being conscious of them. It creates a kind of imaginative gridlock that requires us to react, rather than to respond.” 

I want to pause here and emphasize what she said about not being conscious of this process. We don’t always recognize when our intellect is not operating at full capacity. We can be absolutely convinced that we are using pure facts and reason when there are other elements at play. That doesn’t mean those other elements are wrong. Feelings are important. Our histories and cultures have wisdom that we don’t always notice as they are speaking through us.

And. We need to acknowledge that we are complex beings with all of those different threads weaving us together that make us who we are in this moment, because when our amygdala is in its ascendancy but we think we’re making a calm and rational case based purely on facts, it is very hard to communicate productively. 

Dr. Cooley summarizes that we can, without realizing it or knowing why, get ourselves into what she calls a “highly amygdalated state.” Later in the book, she suggests some tools for processing congregational conflict that help people to slow down and put their fear, anger, trauma response, and other signals back into context. 

In communities where we make meaning and equip ourselves to courageously live our values in the world, it makes sense that the things that touch our innermost worries and hopes and vulnerabilities would come up. Sometimes those things take on disguises. An argument about the color of the floor in the sanctuary gets heated because it gets attached in our hearts to things like accessibility, or heritage, or feelings about scarce resources. When it comes to great big issues like peacemaking, our various experiences with war, violence, cultural or racial discrimination, forced relocation, or multigenerational trauma will impact the energy we bring to that discussion. It matters a lot that we can be gentle with ourselves and each other when we know our amygdalas are continuously trying to rescue us from perceived mortal danger. 

And this brings me to my second point, cherishing the gift of not knowing. Sometimes that looks like putting aside our certainties about being the righteous good guys and being curious about other people and their experiences and feelings. Sometimes that looks like opening our minds to different ideas than the ones we proposed ourselves. Sometimes that looks like slowing the whole process down, listening to each other as we consider the positive and negative attributes of various perspectives or proposed solutions. Sometimes that looks like putting aside our worries about what might happen in order to create a surprising future together. Going slowly and being curious can help us to unravel some conflicts and misunderstandings,  and might even help us prevent some of them to begin with. 

Luckily, this is a spiritual community, and that gives us an opening to the mystery. This is a congregation with a strong tradition of meditation, opening up our awareness to what the present moment has to offer. Affinity groups, book groups, and activities like the choir give us opportunities to stretch our spirits and to be friendly with the unknown. Spiritual practices might give us the grounding and strength to breathe, to slow down, and to do hard things. 

As people who value the free and responsible search for truth and meaning, with a heritage that lifts up the use of reason as one of the tools we have in matters of faith, we live at the gateway between knowing things and not knowing things. We are both proud of the knowledge we have and curious about the things that we don’t yet know, or at least the things that we know that we don’t know. 

Being willing to learn about and respect other people, other faiths, and other ways of being is a strength of ours as Unitarian Universalists. It’s one of our superpowers in interfaith organizing. In our families, friendships, and congregational relationships, it can be hard to keep that same open mind and generous heart. We think we already know each other. We think we know each other’s motivations and needs. We forget to communicate directly, to listen and learn. 

The people who are closest to us are also the people who we’re most vulnerable to, and sometimes we need to process the little hurts and resentments that naturally arise; otherwise, the little things can build up and block our ability to be curious. Even in our families, and certainly in our congregations and community groups, we can devolve into placing people in strict, dehumanizing categories of “us” and “them.” A productive response to tension and conflict lifts up our interconnections and our common humanity. Remembering that there are things we don’t know might help us to humanize ourselves and each other. 

Dr. Cooley refers to “the courage of creative imagination” as one of the ingredients in transforming conflict (p. 125). The people involved slow down, connect, and create a new story about the meaning of what has happened and about the possibilities for the future. She has a formula for being in a difficult situation with a community: “let go and learn” (p. 128). 

Unraveling conflict, reconciling with others, realigning with our values, and opening up the possibility of a new story are all necessary for healthy communities. They are also strong themes for the Jewish high holidays, which I observe and some others in this community observe. In the Jewish tradition, the new year is a time of return. It is a time to acknowledge and make amends for our mistakes. After we have done that, it is time to let the past go and to meet the future in connection with our loved ones, our own souls, and the ground of our being. 

In this season of return, may we commit to the courage and skill-building that will open up avenues of return to this community, to each other in right relationship, to our authentic selves, and to the values that call us onward. May this year bring justice and peace in our hearts, our homes, our communities, and the world.

So be it.

[keliv1]

SP Ocean Week - 21 de setembro de 2024

Finalmente consegui conferir a edição do evento, que rolou no Memorial da América Latina, SP. Digo isso porque tinha me programado para ir ano passado, porém com incidente da panturrilha, o mar me levou para este ano.

Cara, que evento massa, aprendi muito sobre a importância de lembrarmos dos oceanos nessa jornada a favor da sustentabilidade.

Conto mais nessa matéria que escrevi. Confira!

Organizações se reúnem em SP para falar dos oceanos

Muito se fala em conceito ESG, porém há muitas organizações da sociedade civil, empresas, universidades e centros de pesquisa dedicados à pesquisa, educação ambiental e promoção de inciativas OSG, ou seja, que tratam de Oceano, Social e Governança. Esse movimento está alinhado ao Objetivo do Desenvolvimento Sustentável 14 (ODS-14), sobre a vida na água. Aliás, em 2021 marcou o start para a década dedicada ao tema (até 2030).

Algumas dessas entidades e especialistas se reuniram entre os dias 18 a 22 de setembro na quinta edição da SP Ocean Week, semana gratuita promovida pela MidiaMar Comunicação e a Cátedra Unesco para a Sustentabilidade do Oceano, vinculada à Universidade de São Paulo (USP), através dos seus institutos Oceanográfico (IO-USP) e de Estudos Avançados (IEA-USP), no Memorial da América Latina.

Educação ambiental

Com o propósito em educar para transformar, escolas, universidades e pesquisadores levaram aos stands no evento materiais, palestras, contação de histórias e outras atividades em prol do tema. Uma delas é da cientista Jana del Favero, formada em ciências biológicas pela Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), mestre e doutora em oceanografia pela USP, que juntamente com o seu pet, o cão Suvaco, levam a divulgação científica por meio de publicações voltadas ao público infantil.

No evento, Jana e Suvaco, que nasceu com surdez, mas, como a tutora mesmo brinca: “ele tem a capacidade de falar com todos os animais”, contaram a trama de “Suvaco, o Oceano e uma Viagem no Tempo”, livro gratuito que promove a conscientização de limpeza dos mares e uso consciente de recursos, o que inclui o plástico.

O livro, lançado em 2022 e gratuito, pode ser acessado neste link.   

Ilhas de plástico

Na programação Gente do Mar na SP Ocean Week, grandes nomes do meio, como o navegador Amyr Klink e o jornalista Ernesto Paglia, conversaram sobre o presente e o futuro dos oceanos.

Na manhã de sábado, o navegador Beto Pandiani, falou com os presentes sobre carreira, expedições, desde a primeira viagem, na década de 1980, e livros que relatam sobre resiliência, natureza, encontros e, obviamente, o oceano: “Viaje leve, viaje longe. Essa é a primeira lição que o mar nos ensina”, disse o navegador, que utiliza como modal o catamarã, ou seja, uma embarcação leve, compacta e que exige pouca bagagem.

Dentre os livros que já escreveu sobre o tema, ao todo seis, apresentou sua primeira obra dedicada ao público infantil: “Nas terras do vento”, a ser publicada em outubro, cuja trata, em formato de Quadrinhos, fala do garoto Espaguete (apelido de Pandiani na adolescência) e o cão Picolé, que vão viver uma aventura no mar com o objetivo de conscientizar sobre a relação com o plástico.

Um desses contatos resultou no documentário Rota Polar: “Tivemos a oportunidade de ver de perto umas dessas ilhas de plástico em locais que jamais imaginávamos que poderia chegar esse material. Pesquisas já mostram que consumimos, no ar e na alimentação, por mês, o equivalente a um cartão de crédito, por conta dos microplásticos presentes na água e no ar. Isso me levou a escrever o livro, que, vale ressaltar, não tem o objetivo de ‘demonizar’ o plástico, mas levar à reflexão aos jovens, sobre o uso consciente dele”, explicou, acrescentando que pretende levar o projeto (livro, site, acesso por QR Codes, vídeos e podcasts) às escolas públicas do Ensino Fundamental e Ensino Médio.

A íntegra das entrevistas na SP Ocean Week está disponível neste link.

Por Keli Vasconcelos – Jornalista

Fotos: Keli Vasconcelos

[fransopdefiets]

9-7 Saltstraumen

Ik kookte weer eens wat anders gisterenavond. Ze hadden Hollandse prei in de supermarkt, en ze verkopen de aardappels hier los, dus je kunt mooi afgepast inslaan. Maar wat je daar nu bij aan eiwitten? De biefstukken en entrecotes die ze hier verkopen, beginnen bij drie ons, dat is me echt teveel. Uiteindelijk vond ik spiesjes varkensvlees voor op de barbecue, helaas wel gekruid, maar dat moest dan maar. Het effect was dat na het bakken de hele hut naar knoflook en andere onherkenbare kruiden stonk.

Vanmorgen was ik om half negen weg en om half tien stond ik voor de self-service supermarkt van Mats Kroken in Storvik. Je kunt daar naar binnen als je een qr-code scant en een account aanmaakt. Maar om de een of andere reden krijg ik telkens de foutmelding dat de locatievoorzieningen op mijn telefoon niet aan staan. Je krijgt er meteen een uitleg bij hoe je dat moet aanpassen, maar dat lost niks op. Een vriendelijke medewerkster laat me naar binnen, zodat ik toch wat eten voor onderweg kan kopen en (heel belangrijk!) een beker hete koffie met een stuk gebak kan wegwerken om op te warmen. Want het is koud vanmorgen! Ik fiets de hele tijd door de laaghangende wolken en veel warmer dan een graad of acht zal het niet zijn. Als ik weg wil, kan ik er natuurlijk niet uit, want ik moet dan weer een code scannen. Omkomen van de honger zal ik hier niet, maar ik ga toch liever verder. Na enig zoeken vind ik de medewerkster in het magazijn en die doet de deur weer voor me open.

Aan het eind van de ochtend, ik heb er dan al een hele klim en afdaling opzitten, zit ik tee dubben wat te doen. Het is koud en vochtig en ik twijfel of het niet beter is om een flink stuk door te fietsen vandaag. En dan breekt er opeens een zonnetje door en verschijnt er, als een fata morgana, een café op een splitsing, met de toepasselijke naam Polar spot camp. Hoera, meer koffie en gegrilde kip met patat!

Dat geeft de doorslag, ik fiets vanmiddag door naar Saltstraumen. Dan komt er nog drie uur fietsen bij, maar ben ik morgenochtend al vroeg in Bodø en heb ik alle tijd om mijn matje te vinden. Ik heb gisterenavond weliswaar een aantal sportzaken gevonden in Bodø maar het is volstrekt onduidelijk of ze ook matjes verkopen, dus het kan zomaar zijn dat ik daar even tijd voor nodig heb.

Daarna kan ik meteen door naar mijn hotel en mijn lakenzak en fietstruien wassen, want dat is voor het laatst in Trondheim gebeurd. En hoewel ik ze elke dag lucht, begint er toch langzaam maar zeker een hardnekkig luchtje aan te komen, dat associaties oproept met de bedeling en onbewoonbaar verklaarde woningen. En dat geldt mutatis mutandis voor mijn sportlegging, waar trouwens de gaten in beginnen te vallen dus misschien kan ik daar beter ook meteen een nieuwe voor kopen.

In Saltstraumen kom ik op een supertoeristische camping terecht. Ze hebben nog wel een hut beschikbaar met twee slaapkamers voor 150 euro, maar ik zet dit keer gewoon mijn tentje op. Er schijnt een waterig zonnetje en het is eigenlijk niet onaangenaam, blijkbaar begin ik te wennen aan het arctische buitenleven.

Gefietste afstand: 84 km

Gefietste tijd: 7 uur

Afstand tot de Noordkaap langs de meridiaan: 607,9 km