#restructuring framework

[helloarchivist]

I hate capitalism and the world is has created and enabled for myriad moral and articulate reasons, but also because I am so so so so so so so well suited to like. trade work. minding a lighthouse. delivering local correspondence. and you can't...mostly you can't do those things anymore. I am terrified and repulsed to the point of paralysis by wage slavery and spending 80% of your adult life doing menial work for some corporation that exists expressly to wear out your life for money, and I am nearing middle age deeply divorced from the mechanisms of modern life because of it.

There are very few ways to get back on the ride if you weren't on it from the start, and doing so means working VERY hard to get onto a ride you don't actively want to be on if you have any real awareness of it. I don't know.

[bangcakes]

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[staffatemyblog]

Could you make a fun Pathfinder campaign where the party start as brigands left behind after the conclusion of a war?

Like, I'm thinking about daily adventure prompts' post about bandits, and now I'm wondering if I could get a party interested in being enemies from a recently concluded war who kinda got left behind. Locals don't like them, they may not speak the language, etc.

Is the goal to get back home? Start a new life? Idk. This just popped into my head, so now I'm gonna be gnawing on it for a while

[vriskarlmarx]

The couple functions as both the problem and its solution. If not this one, she just needs another boyfriend, one that will treat her better. A woman may feel the nausea of ambivalence, of being caught between obsession with phallic power and revulsion from it. She does not know which is greater, the melancholia of the couple or the melancholia of denouncing it as a social form. Most opt for the sadness of the couple over the alienation of being cut loose from its grasp. Capital lends a shoulder at every turn, suggesting you watch a rom com with your girlfriends when heartbroken or providing endless ways to personalize your wedding dress. Similar to the framework of electoral politics that limits the scope of critique to the wrong people being in office, the couple-form attributes women’s problems to dating the wrong man rather than to the couple itself. As long as she stays invested in the idea of romantic love as salvation, as the guiding principle against isolation and towards fulfillment, she remains tied to the couple-form.

As another facet of the couple-as-solution, the discourses surrounding austerity measures and neoliberal restructuring frame the couple as a remedy for poverty. One reads tales of young people shifting between poverty and prison as a result of single parenting, especially absent fathers, as if the restitution of the couple could remedy the poverty and structural racism produced by capitalism. State bureaucrats tell women that the couple and the family that it anchors have replaced social assistance programs: you don’t need help with childcare or food stamps; you need a man! The surest way out of poverty is to get married! While many women might never have access to employment, those who do work for a wage face a gendered discrepancy in earnings, likely forcing them to rely on male wages to support their children. These economic mechanisms preserve the vehemence of the couple-form as a trap for women within capitalism, which masks unwaged labor as acts of love and care.

[...]

The logic of the couple penetrates queer relationships as well as straight ones. Homonormativity and gay assimilation have fashioned queer relationships in the shape of straight coupledom. Rather than a subversion of heterosexual social relations, assimilationist, liberal homosexuals have fought for the right to fit into the logic of the couple — to get married, to wear a wedding dress, to create familial nuclei able to protect property relations. Homosexuals perpetuate heterosexual norms and phallocracy through categorizations and role-play, which further codify desires and constitute sex within the logic of phallic centrality and authority. Same sex couples do not escape either the territoriality imposed on desire or the couple’s reinforcement and faithfulness to repressive social relations.

Dismantling the logic of the couple does not indicate distaste for love, but rather a critique of directing love towards a specific object. One must contextualize the couple-form within patriarchy, as so-called ‘love’ arrives to us through the apparatus of gender. Denouncing the couple does not mean shunning giddiness, love letters written in tiny cursive with quill pens, or the feeling of the sidewalk being a trampoline. Rather, critiquing the couple involves an analysis of the way that patriarchy has recuperated women’s desire for solidarity, for intimacy, for excitement, for negation, for the event into a consolidation of phallic power and the accumulation of capital.

Who would not arrive at this conclusion: patriarchy and capitalism thwart any possibility to love in a way that liberates oneself from the logic of the couple or from one’s own oppression. To liberate love necessarily involves the abolition of patriarchy and capitalism. One cannot opt in or out of these structural relations, and the struggle against them will be a collective, historical project.

In this pathetic, stillborn world, we do have feelings. Sometimes we look at someone and think we are in love with them. We must crush the illusion that romance is or will be an avenue for liberation.

Against the Couple Form, Clémence X Clementine and Associates from the Infinite Venom Girl Gang

[mothmothm0th]

so what's a moth do? all entities perform some role in the ecosystem of Meaning and Metaphor and yet one might be forgiven for thinking a moth has none, that it is a floating signifier. of course this ignores how the very name "empty spaces" is a deliberate invocation of the floating signifier which is then subverted by the presence of Meaning. look, I'm a moth. I'm just saying words. what I'm getting at here is empty spaces is like a food web. dolls feed on witches, who feed on angels who feed on the grace of princesses... it's something like that I'm sure. defined by relations and modalities, there aren't really any real outsiders in our space, except for the outsiders. but the moth doth seem an exception in the broth. we just stare at candles all day, eat doll clothes and lie, right? false. fake news. it didn't happen. moths are important!

see, okay. you understand what a food web is. it's like one of those maps where the dolls eat clockwork to become mirror images and I'm just repeating myself here. my point is, in a food web you find in a natural ecosystem, everything winds back with the decomposers, the detritivores. and they get a bad rap. would I love you if you were a worm? of course! you're a vital part of ensuring the ecosystem survives! we'd be kindred spirits! yeah that's right, moths are the worms of the spaces which aren't. right? a moth eats dead cognition and semiotics like a detritivore eats dead matter.

prime example: an angel's halo is always already dead. dead as faith. dead as grace. worn with guilt and self-delusion. for the angel, a death sentence. for a moth, a banquet. you should let a moth eat your halo. let me do it. but these dead things lie about everywhere. if you find your clothes moth-eaten, it's because a mothh thought you weren't wearing it anymore. if a moth's gaze burns away a thought from your mind, or maybe scrambles it a little, then clearly you didn't need that thought or that particular cognitive framing. so, be thankful!

the weight of yearning chips away at the self, and like erosion does it scoop all the human bits out. a moth might be what happens when a person becomes a mere shell becomes a chrysalis hatches into an echo but that doesn't mean the decay of being is bad! i, a moth, have helped dozens of small to medium sized systems restructure their cognitive finances by eliminating false consciousnesses and bad framework habits. it's just an instinct, and you know what they say, a moth is a kind of instinct. see, to Shaun-Bowl Satnav, consciousness is a lil ball of Being wrapped in a shell of nothingness, like a dumpling of sorts. you hollow out the dumpling, and you get a doll. but if the dumpling gets more stuffing added in and removed at a rate that yes, that's closer to what a moth isn't. got it? I'm hungry.

so, you put something in the dumpling-isn't-moth, it gets mangled up and you take psychic damage, and the something decays into something more nutritional maybe. I mean it makes sense, right? what else would nourish an empty space but a lack? unless you're a witch and I'm eating your hat. but you deserved that. in your case it's the dolls that are nourished which goes against my point. maybe I'm bad at writing clearly.

but that's also the point isn't it? yknow, being contradictory, saying nonsense mixed with just enough ideas that sort of make sense that youre compelled to take me at least a little seriously. it's like being in a mouth and the fluffy nonsense is my tongue jostling you about and the smart ideas are teeth like knives that tear into your preconceptions and held ideas and so too is an old you consumed and from the confusion and discombobulation emerges a newer moth-eaten you, a pruned you. a better you? gosh maybe.

anyway also sometimes a moth just says things. but if its words still eat at you, that's normal. you're normal! worry about it

[goddessinnerglow]

Become Your Best Version Before 2025 - Day 29

Prioritizing Yourself and Your Needs

Hey Goddesses! As we near the end of our journey together and after exploring how to stay motivated yesterday, let's dive into something equally important, making yourself a priority. This isn't just about self-care; it's about fundamentally restructuring how you value your own needs in your daily life. Think about it: how often do you postpone your own dreams because someone else's needs seem more urgent?

Research shows that people who prioritize their wellbeing are not only happier but also more effective in their relationships and careers. Yet, 78% of us regularly put others' needs before our own essential requirements. Let's break this cycle together.

Building on yesterday's motivation strategies, let's create a sustainable plan for putting yourself first. The key is understanding that self-prioritization isn't selfish, it's essential for your growth and ability to support others effectively. Look at it this way: if you’re running on empty, you can’t give your best to anyone or anything. Think of it like recharging your phone, you wouldn’t expect it to work on 1% battery all day, right? The same goes for you.

Understanding Your Current Patterns

Start by noting when you typically abandon your own needs:

Do you skip meals to finish work?

Cancel exercise plans for last-minute requests?

Postpone personal goals to help others achieve theirs?

Creating Your Self-Priority Framework

1.Morning Intention Setting. Begin each day with a simple question: "What do I need today?" This isn't about wants; it's about genuine needs for your wellbeing. Maybe it's 7 hours of sleep, a proper lunch break, or 30 minutes of quiet time.

2.The Energy Audit. Track your energy levels throughout the week. Notice when you feel depleted versus energized. This awareness helps you identify:

Activities that drain you

Relationships that need boundaries

Times when you're most vulnerable to saying "yes" when you mean "no"

3.Boundary Setting Strategy. Develop a systematic approach to protecting your time and energy:

Create a "non-negotiable" list of self-care activities

Practice delayed response to requests ("Let me check my schedule and get back to you")

Set specific times for availability to others

4.The Wellbeing Check-In System. Schedule weekly reviews where you assess:

How well you maintained your boundaries

Areas where you need more support

Adjustments needed in your self-care routine

Making It Sustainable

Remember our motivation techniques from yesterday? Let's integrate them:

Set small, achievable daily self-care goals

Celebrate when you successfully prioritize your needs

Build a support system that encourages your self-prioritization journey

It’s also important to surround yourself with people who respect and support your boundaries. If you’re met with resistance when you say no, remember: their reaction is not your responsibility. Taking care of yourself is not something you need to justify.

Today's Challenge:

Identify your top three non-negotiable self-care needs

Schedule specific times for these in tomorrow's calendar

Practice one "boundary phrase" you'll use when needed

Set up your first weekly wellbeing check-in

As we approach the final two days of our journey, remember that prioritizing yourself is a skill that improves with practice. Your "self-first" muscles will grow stronger each time you choose to honor your needs.

See you tomorrow for Day 30! Don't forget, this isn't about becoming self-centered; it's about becoming self-aware. When you genuinely prioritize your wellbeing, you become more present, more capable, and more available for meaningful connections with others.

♡ ☆:.｡ Keep glowing, babes! ♡ ☆:.｡ With love, Goddess Inner Glow.

[a-very-tired-jew]

Got told I'm lying again by another antisemite in my inbox. So let's take the time to learn about forensic entomology. What is forensic entomology? Well, you might also hear it called medicolegal entomology as many of the insects we look at have medical relevance as they relate to humans (there's also wildlife forensic entomology that was coined by Dr. Brundage, but we won't go into that nitty gritty detail) and the justice system. Typically when people think about forensic entomology they initially think about CSI Las Vegas and Gil Grissom, who was in part named after Dr. Neal Haskell who is one of the "godfathers" of my field. But the stuff we see in that show is exaggerated and/or completely inaccurate. This is the same for other procedural forensic shows which I'll talk about in another post. Most people are then familiar with the concept of "Time of Death". This is a common phrase that is used throughout procedurals, legal dramas, and so on. We used to develop what was called a post-mortem interval (PMI) that was usually presented as another way to determine Time of Death. However, after the 2009 NAS Report on the state of forensic science in the USA there came about some restructuring of the language we used and the development of new frameworks.

The argument goes that we don't actually develop a PMI that determines ToD because that would mean the insects are in the room immediately upon the victim's demise. While insects can show up in a matter of seconds based upon the volatiles that are released upon death, the likelihood is that minutes, hours, or even days can pass before they get access to the body and start doing what they do.

So post 09 we have the introduction of the terms minimum Post-Mortem Interval (minPMI) and maximum Post-Mortem Interval (maxPMI) that were intended to encapsulate the window of time that might have elapsed between insect oviposition and development on the corpse. This min/max method was the first framework that was put forward by entomologists such as Dr. Jeff Tomberlin and Dr. Aaron Tarone (and others), and was adopted for some time.

However, a recent development is the introduction of the term Time of Colonization (ToC) which changes the terminology from being focused on the post-mortem interval and instead focuses on when the insects arrived at the corpse itself. This term encapsulates one of the major issues that we experience in cases where a body might have been concealed in some manner that prevents insects from accessing it.

For example; if a body is frozen for some time and then thawed out, then the insects will have access to the corpse days, weeks, months, or even years after death occurred. This means that PMI or min/max-PMI that would be produced based upon their development rate would be inaccurate because they are only just getting access. ToC addresses this concern by stating that based upon the development rate and stage of the insect that the insect had access to the body and X amount of time has passed under Y environmental conditions for them to develop.

That's it.

It's not saying that insects determined Time of Death, but that they were on the body for X amount of time regardless of the body's condition and that said amount of time might coincide with a medical examiner, forensic pathologist, or coroner's report. But ToC can also help explain why there might be gaps in the timeline of events and is often used to bolster evidence in a case.

This term is being used more frequently though there is some pushback from older forensic entomologists like Dr. Haskell and Dr. Leon Higley who have testified under the original PMI framework. There is a fear that the ToC framework would undermine their work and testimony from before, but the fact of the matter is that it is just expanding and formalizing things that they would already testify to. As such, it has caused a bit of contention in the community and there has been quite a bit of headbutting amongst us for the past decade and change.

So let's stop there and if anyone has any questions I'll be happy to help. If anyone wants to peruse the 09 report that set this all off, here's the link: https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/228091.pdf

[limeade-l3sbian]

I struggle to throw myself into traditional black power spaces not just because they are either unrealistic or overly confident in the power of assimilation. But because in a lot of instances, one of the most core issues is not being properly addressed or solved: the safety and prosperity of black womyn.

Too many times, these groups want to reestablish conservative control of womyn (stay home, have babies, "the black family," stop "acting like a man",) but just hang a pan african flag on them. Never mind that in so many instances, the first man to hurt a black womyn is a black man. Be that in parental neglect, sexual abuse, public degradation, and the ever popular sport of comparing black womyn to other races of womyn. You want this "black family" to preserve the black culture in the U.S. and want to restructure the very framework of the U.S. (which, yes, good) but don't want to chide and punish the men in the movement who are able to commit violence of varying forms against black womyn without much more than a "be better, my brother" or telling his victims to forgive.

I'll get more into traditional black power groups when the black men start whoopin the asses of the other black men abusing their "black queens." But until then, the only black power movements I'm interested in are the ones led by and, at this point, entirely composed of black womyn.

[skyscratch-wc]

Skyfall Project Masterpost

This post is for the rehauled Skyfall Rewrite, now called the Skyfall Project. I am doing an overhaul of the lore I have built in order to tackle some fundamental issues.

This is the introduction post for Skyfall, a heavy rewrite of Warrior Cats with a whole new culture and social structure, beliefs, and some significant plot deviations (especially after the first arc). The goal of this project is to take the framework and characters or Warrior Cats and make a narrative that is more consistent, less ableist/sexist/xenophobic, etc. and remove the indigenous-coding of the series. I want to write a satisfying narrative that actually delivers while making the themes more relevant and less problematic.

The core of the plot is going to move away from StarClan and their prophecies and towards more concrete, cat political issues with a smattering of the divine and magic. I want to place more of an emphasis on SkyClan, both their downfall and then eventual return. I also want the different groups to actually feel like different groups with different cultures, levels of piety, special roles, etc.

Links will be added to this post as the project progresses

The Clan -> Shire Restructure

Anything tagged #wc skyfall au or #wc skyfall rewrite is outdated. All new content will be tagged #skyfall project.

I have heavily restructured the clans to have more ranks and paths for warriors. I have also renamed roles in an homage to Old English social structure names. As such, I have renamed the clans to shires. Sheriffs (shire-reeves) were pulled from the Thegn class, and thus the leaders are now Thegns. (Can you tell I’m a history nerd yet?). The different shires will be labeled as follows:

ThunderClan -> Thundershire -> #thunderkin

ShadowClan -> Shadowshire -> #shadowkin

RiverClan -> Rivershire -> #riverkin

WindClan -> Windshire -> #windkin

SkyClan -> Skyshire -> #skykin

StarClan/Dark Forest -> The Shining Paws -> #shiningpaw

[clowder name] + kin is the way the cats refer to members of other clowders. EX: "Fireheart is a Thunderkin". This is reference to their supposed descent from the legendary founders

The different shire roles are labeled as such:

Leader -> Thegn -> #thegn

Deputy -> Reeve -> #reeve

Medicine Cat (healing) -> Physician -> #physician

Medicine Cat (spiritual) -> Priest -> #priest

*new role* -> Mortician -> #mortician

*new role* -> Scribe -> #scribe

Warrior -> Churl -> #churl

Churl Roles (cats can hold multiple roles at a time):

Hunter -> #hunter, #master hunter

Artisan -> #artisan, #master artisan

Roamer -> #roamer, #master roamer

Caregiver -> #caregiver, #master caregiver

Keeper -> #keeper, #master keeper

Trailblazer (Thundershire only) -> #trailblazer

Tanner (Shadowshire only) -> #tanner

Sentinel (Rivershire only) -> #sentinel

Tunneler (Windshire only) -> #tunneler

Mediator (Modern Skyshire only) -> #mediator

Daylight Churls (Modern Skyshire only) -> #daylight churl

Scout (Ancient Skyshire only) -> #scout

Apprentice -> #apprentice

Kitten -> #kitten

Elder -> #elder

A detailed post of the roles will be posted in the near future and then linked here.

Inside a Shire

The Shires, unlike the canonical clans, do not live in a structured camp. There is a main camp where the Thegn's Den, Physician's Den, and Priest's Den are, but all other cats sleep within family units in dens spread around the territory, some further and some closer. Most cats have their dens very close to the main camp. The cats within the camp also sleep in family groups. For instance, at the start of Arc 1, Bluestorm shares a den with Whitestorm, Willowpelt, Darkstripe, and Graypaw.

Cats meet at the camp at sunrise to get the days news, groom each other, and generally connect with one another before the day begins. Patrols, training, and other such outings are also planned within this time frame. The shire will then go their separate ways and meet again at sunset to share anything they found during the day. Once the sun has set, the cats go to their family dens and spend the rest of the night bonding with their group until they go to sleep.

The Arcs

The arcs will be renamed and some condensed into one another in order to cut out parts of the canonical plot that are filler. I am personally not a fan of StarClan-driven plots, so many plots will be changed to be moreso about cat politics and the consequences of past actions.

Arc 1 -> follows roughly The Prophecies Begin. Fireheart joins the Thundershire and is their Thegn by the end of the arc.

Arc 2 -> follows roughly The New Prophecy. Except the journey is not about finding a new home, it's learning about the existence of the Skyshire and the darker history of the clans. This involves going back to the lake, where the clan’s ancestors first lived. The cats do move to the lake by the end of the arc due to human construction, but they didn't need the ancestors to tell them to leave. The arc ends with the Windshire Conflict.

Arc 3 -> A long super arc mashes together The Power of Three, Omen of the Stars, and parts of A Vision of Shadows. The clans are recovering from the events of The New Prophecy. Each shire has a cat with powers, they bring the Skyshire to the lake, and all clans are reunited at the lake. This arc will be called Rising Skies.

Arc 4 -> A whole new thing based around the characters of The Broken Code with plot elements from both A Vision of Shadows and The Broken Code. This arc will likely be driven by an especially bad winter then causing a cascading effect around the shires and the consequences of that. This arc would also feature Darktail and his cats in some capacity, since they drove Skyshire from the gorge (as a continuation of the prior arc).

Arc 5 -> Basically A Starless Clan, but adjusted as everything else is.

As a note, the Sisters and the Tribe of Rushing Water will not exist in this rewrite. These groups tend to be where the more problematic themes are centered and as such I don't feel comfortable having them as parts of the narrative. The characters from these groups may exist, but they would be in different social structures, etc.

So, where is this set?

One of the questions of Warriors canon is where is this series set? Presumably England due to the origin of the authors, but over the series more and more names, creatures, etc. appear in the series that do not appear in Europe, let alone in England.

In order to make things consistent (because I want to make it actually somewhat realistic), I will be setting Skyfall in Southwestern Scotland/Northwestern England. This allows for the ocean, hilly terrain, etc. Character names will be adjusted to match this environment.

Some Last Notes

This rewrite will include the ClanMew conlang being developed by @troutfur and @bonefall. It will also include a dialect of ClanMew, spoken by the cats in the Gorge. This will be fleshed out more as I develop the project. I may also include elements from bonefall’s warrior cats expansions, which are amazing.

If you have any questions about Skyfall, ask away! I’m always happy to answer asks. Although FYI responses may take a while.

[machine-saint]

Certainly. Here's a dense, leftist-theoretical argument in three paragraphs linking playing music out loud on the subway to colonialism:

---

Playing music aloud in public, particularly in enclosed, shared environments like the subway, exemplifies a microcosmic enactment of settler-colonial logics of spatial dominance and epistemic imposition. It is not merely a personal act of expression; it is a performative assertion of auditory sovereignty over communal space, wherein one individual or group imposes their sonic regime upon others without consent. This dynamic mirrors the colonial imperative to overwrite Indigenous soundscapes, knowledge systems, and modes of being with hegemonic structures that center the colonizer’s sensibilities. In this way, the act reproduces colonial violence by subordinating pluralistic subjectivities to a dominant, unilateral aesthetic expression, often coded through capitalist, patriarchal, or ethnonational sound forms.

Moreover, this behavior embodies the privatization of public space under late capitalism, where the neoliberal subject externalizes their commodified identity—through curated playlists or aggressive genre signaling—as a tool of social stratification. The subway, historically a site of forced convergence across class and race lines, becomes a contested battleground where the imposition of sound functions as a soft weapon of territorialization. Much like the colonial project justified itself under the guise of "civilizing" or "improving" the Other, playing music aloud asserts an unspoken logic that one's taste, cultural capital, or affective state deserves primacy, regardless of the contextual or communal implications. It erodes the possibility of collective harmony by substituting consent with domination.

Finally, we must understand this phenomenon through the framework of affective colonialism: the colonization not only of land and labor but of mood, atmosphere, and psychological space. The sensory saturation of the subway through uninvited sound becomes an occupation of the auditory commons, mirroring the way colonial regimes occupied and restructured indigenous ecologies. This forced listening replicates extractive paradigms where one's emotional bandwidth is mined, where rest, reflection, or resistance are interrupted by compulsory consumption. Thus, playing music aloud in public is not neutral or benign—it is an ideological act that reiterates colonial patterns of erasure, imposition, and dispossession at the level of everyday life.

---

Let me know if you'd like a version with different political emphasis or tone.

[maxdibert]

what do you think of harry joined the ministry as an auror after the war? It doesnt quite sit right with me after all the things he went through—it felt like a damage control move from the ministry with how shitty they were handling the war as in “look he’s one of us!”. i always think that the better fit for harry is to become philanthropist

So, does it make sense for Harry to dedicate himself to hunting dark wizards? Yes.

Do I like seeing the protagonist end up becoming an active part of the establishment and, on top of that, essentially the magical equivalent of an MI5 agent? No. Because ACAB. Because the Ministry of Magic is a corrupt piece of garbage. Because working as the government’s lapdog seems pathetic to me, and to top it off, it leaves a very neoliberal message of “everything changes so everything can stay the same.” There’s no social progress—just killing the big bad villain, but the structure of society and the pillars upholding it remain untouched. They’ve replaced the aristocracy with the upper bourgeoisie, but the working classes? They can still go screw themselves.

I mean, it doesn’t surprise me because Rowling is like that—she’s a bourgeois masquerading as a progressive, but within a framework of neoliberal social democracy leaning conservative. So the end of her saga is a reflection of that.

Harry is bourgeois too—disgustingly rich, without any sense of social or class consciousness. He doesn’t fight Voldemort because Voldemort is an oppressor but because he’s bad, because he killed his parents, because he threatens him and his loved ones. There’s no ideological background to his personal fight. He doesn’t care about those things. The only one who cares even a little about how discriminatory structures in the Wizarding World are built is Hermione with the whole house-elf thing, and even she comes across as nauseatingly paternalistic about it. Very much a “white savior” type.

So yeah, the fact that Harry ends up being a magical cop and everyone else just becomes obedient sheep, neatly integrated into a society that’s still woefully behind in terms of civil, labor, and social rights compared to Muggle society—even in the ’90s—doesn’t surprise me either. They’re all privileged enough not to care about real problems. And those who aren’t privileged to start with end up becoming privileged by association or marriage (the Weasleys). So, yeah, it’s all fine.

Honestly, I can’t see Harry doing anything that wasn’t super bourgeois because, frankly, that’s what suits him. Being a war hero, spending his money, not giving much thought to how they might want to restructure society from the ground up given that it’s basically stuck in the Middle Ages… I don’t know, lol.

[wyzzze]

Okay, so if anyone wants My Take on how I feel about ZZZ removing TV mode (for whatever reason?) here it is:

(Warning: might be a little mean. Also long.)

I was a TV mode enjoyer, and I feel like it's very unfortunate that they're pushing it out the door for many reasons.

I also think that it was okay to hate it if it wasn't to your taste (puzzles are not commonly liked by the majority, it's understandable) but I find the concept of flooding every single survey and complaining on social media so loudly and frequently until it was removed to be such an insane concept that I've only seen among gacha players and it's very strange and entitled behavior imo.

I also don't get how people vehemently called for a core part of the game's removal immediately after launch. I just think that's crazy. The game was/and still is not that old--it could have improved significantly and been streamlined to be more fun as time went on if it was given a chance.

Maybe it's just because I'm old and I come from a generation where we'd wait over 6 years for a small QoL update after asking politely, but I just don't get where the far-too-common anger and demanding nature of gacha players comes from.

(Also, does the concept of "no point in hating because someone else will like this; good for them" not apply in this space, or?? If you didn't like the food being served, leave?!)

Regardless, my overall take outside of the fact that I liked the gameplay is that it was a core feature of the games conceptual design and the whole game was built around TV mode being there. The game's structure, story outline and vision was tied to the bones of that mechanic and without it, the devs have been noticeably scrambling to restructure the entire story and their budget restraints plus time crunch is very visibly putting a strain on staff.

(It started at Tour de Inferno and very clearly fucked with Astra and Trigger's story pacing as well as aspects of 1.4's core story specifically.)

TV mode was partially budget saving device so they could put more budget on other things we love about this game (character models, story, and diverse art throughout the game as well as music and the beautifully animated character EPs to name a few things)

So if you noticed things like...translation errors, buggy lackluster areas, feeling like you're running back and forth like in other games--getting word soup and feeling like it's exhausting - it's because without TV mode, their budget got fucked because TV mode was easier to make than Whole vast CGI areas and expressive cutscenes.

It's also more exhausting because now you, the player, have to read walls of text with nothing new to look at. TV mode provided a visual break between fighting and an easier way to interject voice acted lore in small sections while always guaranteeing the player could pick up rewards. It was an even better way to give us side quests, and now with it gone, it feels noticeable and emptier. It was important to refresh your brain just like taking a break during a 2+ hour movie is important. And if you didn't feel that way, well, I guess it just wasn't for you, was it?

About playable Belle and Wise:

I'm of the opinion that playable Belle and Wise (whatever that's going to mean, because I honestly have a hard time visualizing it) and them exploring the Hollows was always a part of the stories framework. I think it was always going to happen and part of the overarching vision BUT it was forced to happen way too soon (along with this shrine training arc) in terms of how the story was structured, this feels like it's an element of the story that was fast tracked with the removal of TV mode and forced to happen sooner rather than the natural progression they wanted. That's why the payoff for any of us who noticed all of this feels bad.

Fairy and Eous:

Everyone's upset and worried about Fairy and Eous' place in the story--tbh, I'm not that worried about it. For Fairy, I think just as Belle and Wise's story got sped up, Fairy's did too (and that's why I think she's suddenly narratively gotten more human-like.) Her being phased out for the last few updates is merely a direct result of the devs taking a step back and wondering how to restructure her story without the HDD. I'm not that worried about her getting left behind, I think that once they figure it out, she'll be back, and it will be fine. Just different.

For Eous, he's literally the mascot of the series--Eous is merch (more importantly, in the actual game, he's their family!) and therefore, he'll live forever. At the very least, if Belle and Wise are running around in the Hollows now, Eous should always be there as support (and if Belle and Wise are throwing hands, Eous should be a fully leveled 5 star support bangboo already registered for the "Phaethon" faction, depending on how they're doing this)

Ultimately, I like how the devs listen to their fans but I think they fucked themselves in this case by gutting their own vision for loud impatient fans who were never their core audience. Plus I think they isolated their more ideal fans who found TV mode refreshing and unique and now they're spreading their budget too thin trying to appeal to people who they should have known would hate TV mode from the start because most people like Gun and Balls and hate puzzles! They should have known they were gonna take a bullet for this because they had a niche mechanic that appeals to an even nicher (harder to grab) audience.

But like. I'm standing back. Hands in the air, I'm gonna let them cook. I mildly trust they'll figure it out and pull it off because they're passionate enough to do so. (I hate seeing them delete existing content like the phone calls from agents in Withering Garden though...and I think they lost some aura and motif points because the whole game is about like...movies and tv...and old things remaining alive in a modern apocalyptic era still bringing people comfort...which TV mode represented...) but once their new vision settles in, I think I'll live. Maybe.

[voltaspistol]

My friends, here is some information that is being overlooked ... Kelly Barone asked a question: "Why do you think JDT proclaimed that people were either male or female"? Many guessed, but only Kelly was able to succinctly name it.

And here it is --- it was in the original Project 2025 on page 432 in the section: "Financial and Social Order Framework" whose objective is "to restore traditional family structures by reinforcing financial and economic policies that align with conservative values."

Look at what followed:

Section 1: Gender-Based Financial Governance

• All financial accounts will be restructured to prioritize the head of household (traditionally male) as the primary account holder.

• Women’s financial assets will be transferred to their legal male guardian (husband, father, or next of kin) to reinforce familial stability.

• Independent access to credit, loans, and property ownership for unmarried women will be gradually phased out to encourage traditional family roles.

Section 2: Workforce Participation Regulations

• Workplace protections for women, such as maternity leave and pay equity laws, will be reevaluated to ensure they do not unfairly disadvantage male breadwinners.

• Hiring practices will be adjusted to prioritize family stability, encouraging married women to focus on domestic responsibilities.

• Women’s eligibility for unemployment benefits and financial aid will be contingent on marital status and family needs.

Section 3: Social Welfare and Financial Support Restrictions

• Federal assistance programs, including childcare subsidies and food assistance, will be redesigned to encourage traditional family structures, limiting access for single mothers.

• Reproductive healthcare funding will be significantly reduced, reinforcing the sanctity of life and discouraging non-traditional family planning.

Section 4: Financial Oversight and Enforcement

• Government monitoring of women’s financial transactions will be expanded to ensure alignment with traditional family values.

• Restrictions will be placed on the purchase of contraceptives, travel without spousal approval, and independent business ownership for women outside of family enterprises.

It's all there - in print! --- and Margaret Atwood's "Handmaid Tale" (based on reality that either occurred or was occurring at some time/some place in the world) pointed the way.

I don't know about you, but there is no way I am going back to the "good old days" when I couldn't get a bank account, loan, credit card, own property without the signature of my husband/father. I've been there - done that - and will do everything in my power to raise consciousness about this reality that is coming like a giant tsunami.

But are they are NOT going to raise the minimum wage so a single earner can support a wife who can't find a job outside the home, much less a wife who is not allowed to access birth control. Y'all mouthbreathers who can't wait for the closest feeeeemale to be financially shackled to you? You really didn't read the fine print. You're gonna get screwed too when rent's due and wifey can't find a job because no one will hire your wife (but you'll still need to pay off her student loans and credit card debt, which are now your student loans and credit card debt, because you assumed complete financial control of her estate). And don't expect a real estate magnate to start federal programs to make rent affordable. Trump makes most of his money off property being valued as high as possible, and higher rent means higher property valuation. Trump won't lower rent. Ever. The fantasy that if you enact biblical law as federal law and everything will just fall into place as long as you're a good upstanding man with a good work ethic? Is just that-- A fantasy.

Also, your wife is 1000% going to poison your ass if she can't divorce you, just like in the good 'ol days. Or electrocute you. Or switch your meds around. Or cut your brake cables.

Unhappy Wife, Lose Your Life

[an-android-in-a-tutu]

Im sorry but all the arguments that the walrus is more surprising than the fairy are predicated on the idea that the walrus came to your house under its own power which is not specified by the post. "You hear a knock on your door, open it and find a walrus" Someone could have brought a walrus to your doorstep, knocked on your door and stepped out of sight. Now that is a very strange thing to do and I imagine very difficult to pull off but it is not entirely impossible?

Am I arguing that the Fairy is more surprising than the Walrus? actually no. I think we're all debating based on faulty premises. When you talk about all the questions raised by the walrus being there you are not talking about surprise you are talking about the confusion that follows the surprise. I would probably have a very similar reaction to a fairy or a walrus being outside my door because I expect both those things approximately zero percent. The fairy would cause me to have to restructure my beliefs about the world but within a framework I am familiar with from stories and folklore while the walrus would leave me significantly more confused and with no idea what's going on but would at most cause me to restructure my beliefs about walruses, but both those reactions don't actually have anything to do with the initial surprise, which I think has to be equal because I think there is a maximum amount I can be surprised and the walrus and fairy are both hitting it.

However I will say this. If both of these things happened to me, I think a fairy showing up at my door would subsequently make me less surprised if a walrus did, because I would have restructured my beliefs to make room for magical things and would probably assume it was some kind of magical talking walrus. However if the walrus came first I would not be less surprised about the fairy. That would still be shocking, although I would probably retroactively assume the fairy had been responsible for the walrus.

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: mars, jupiter, & saturn meet

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

Key Aspects and Developments:

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

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

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

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

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

Archetypal Themes:

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

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

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

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

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

Practical Applications:

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

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

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

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

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

[darkmaga-returns]

How a German Bureaucratic Model Replaced the Constitutional Republic

For decades, Americans have debated whether their government has grown too large, too intrusive, or simply out of control. But what if this transformation was not an accident—but by design? What if the modern administrative state was built on an imported ideology—one that reshaped the very nature of American governance?

The roots of today’s bureaucratic Leviathan can be traced back to 19th-century Germany, where centralized administration, expert-driven governance, and state control over society were not just policies, but foundational principles. Through a combination of mass German immigration, Progressive reformers like Woodrow Wilson and Charles Merriam, and a deliberate restructuring of government, the United States gradually abandoned its constitutional framework in favor of a Prussian-style bureaucratic state—one that today operates beyond the control of voters, legislators, or even presidents.

How did this happen? And more importantly, can it be reversed?

The modern American administrative state bears striking similarities to Bismarck’s Germany—particularly in the rise of centralized bureaucracy, government-directed society, and the use of unelected officials to maintain power. This transformation did not happen overnight. Instead, it was shaped by key intellectual movements, mass immigration, and the ideological groundwork laid by Progressives like Woodrow Wilson, Charles Merriam, and Frederick Winslow Taylor.

The waves of German immigration before, during, and after the Civil War played a major role in shifting America toward a Prussian model of governance. Many of these immigrants brought with them the political philosophies of their homeland—state control, bureaucratic efficiency, and a belief in government as the architect of society.