#rss 2021

[thecozycat]

🧡 Tuesday Tips #2 🧡

What Are RSS and Atom Feeds?

The Small Web movement is about reclaiming personal control over the internet, moving away from the corporate, ad-driven platforms that dominate the online space today. One of the biggest advantages of using RSS or Atom is that you can follow nearly any type of content from all over the web—blogs, news websites, YouTube channels, podcasts, even academic journals! As long as the site provides an RSS or Atom feed (which many still do), you can add it to your reader and automatically get updates when new content is published. You have full control over the flow of information, making it possible to keep up with your favorite creators and websites without being tracked or bombarded by irrelevant content suggestions (Facebook, I’m looking at you).

RSS and Atom feeds are a perfect fit for curating personal content feeds in this movement. You can even follow your friends across the small web as well! It’s like having your own personal news feed of all your friends, except there’s no corporation deciding when, how, or if you’ll even see their posts. You curate your own personalized feed, and using either RSS or Atom ensures that no algorithms can ever manipulate what you see.

So what exactly are RSS and Atom feeds? Both RSS and Atom are web feed formats used to publish updates from websites. They allow you to subscribe to blogs, news sites, podcasts, or any site with frequent updates so you can get all the latest content in one place, typically through an RSS reader.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication): One of the oldest and most popular formats for delivering content updates to users. Websites publish RSS feeds in XML format, which feed readers then display for you.

Atom: A more recent alternative to RSS, designed to address some limitations of the original RSS format. Atom feeds use XML like RSS but have a different structure and were developed to offer more features and flexibility.

Both formats serve the same purpose: they help you get content updates automatically.

Can Your RSS Reader Read Atom Feeds?

The good news is that most modern RSS readers support both RSS and Atom formats. This means you don’t have to worry about whether a website offers an RSS or Atom feed—most readers will be able to handle both seamlessly. 

RSS & Atom Feeds vs. Big Tech Social Media News Feeds

Most social media platforms do not display posts in chronological order. Instead, they use algorithms to determine what content to show you based on your behavior—what you click on, like, or share. These algorithms analyze vast amounts of data and prioritize content that’s most likely to keep you engaged for as long as possible. This manipulation works to increase user engagement and, ultimately, profit for these companies, but it also has a profound impact on what we see and believe. Here are a few examples:

Echo Chambers and Polarization Algorithms tend to show us more of what we already like and agree with. Over time, this creates echo chambers—digital spaces where we are surrounded by similar viewpoints. When people only see content that aligns with their own opinions, it reinforces their beliefs and prevents exposure to different perspectives. This phenomenon can fuel political polarization, as users become more entrenched in their viewpoints, leading to heightened social division.

Amplification of Emotional and Sensational Content Algorithms are designed to promote content that triggers emotional responses, particularly outrage or fear, as these emotions tend to generate more engagement. This is why sensationalized news and emotionally charged political content often appear at the top of feeds. For example, Facebook’s own internal studies, revealed in the 2021 Facebook Papers, showed that its algorithm was amplifying divisive, angry content because it kept users engaged longer. This is particularly harmful when it comes to false narratives, as these stories are more likely to be shared when they evoke strong emotional reactions, leading to widespread public deception.

Surveillance and Data Harvesting Another corrupt aspect of Big Tech’s manipulation is the way these companies harvest vast amounts of user data to further refine their algorithms and maximize ad revenue. Companies track every click, scroll, and interaction to build a detailed profile of each user. This information is sold to advertisers or used to tailor the content in your news feed to keep you hooked. Beyond mere advertising, this data can be used for more insidious purposes, such as political manipulation. More broadly, Big Tech can shape the course of social movements by giving disproportionate visibility to certain voices or downranking others. This power can be used both to promote grassroots campaigns, but also to suppress dissenting voices.

Surveillance Capitalism This term describes how Big Tech companies monetize personal data by surveilling users and creating predictive models of human behavior. By using data harvested from news feed interactions, tech companies can sell detailed user profiles to advertisers, who use these insights to target individuals with precision ads. This economic model, built on constant surveillance, makes it nearly impossible for users to avoid being tracked online. Surveillance capitalism turns user behavior into a commodity, violating privacy in the pursuit of profit. Worse yet, this behavior-modifying system can be used to influence not just what we buy, but how we think and act.

The “Filter Bubble” Effect The term “filter bubble,” refers to the personalization algorithms used by Big Tech to show you only content that aligns with your previous preferences. This isolation of information creates a self-reinforcing loop where users are insulated from viewpoints that challenge their assumptions. This leads to a distorted reality in which everything we see online confirms our existing beliefs, regardless of whether those beliefs are factual. For instance, someone interested in a certain political ideology will be fed more and more content supporting that viewpoint, while dissenting or critical information is filtered out, creating an illusion that everyone shares the same perspective.

RSS & Atom feeds offer a stark contrast to Big Tech news feeds in several key ways:

No algorithms.

No tracking.

No targeting.

No data harvesting.

No distractions.

You’re in full control the content you consume without external corporate influences and manipulation.

RSS and Atom feeds allow you to escape the grasp of these algorithms, trackers, data harvesting, as well as corporate and political agendas. When you use an RSS reader, no one is tracking what you’re reading or recommending content to you based on targeting you and your activity. You can browse in peace, knowing you’re not being manipulated by a hidden algorithm. Using RSS and Atom feeds gives you complete control over the content you consume. Instead of relying on a platform to decide what’s relevant or interesting to you, RSS and Atom empower you to curate your own digital experience. Isn’t that great? You can subscribe to as many or as few feeds as you like, organize them into categories, and stay informed on your own terms to the content and people that matter to you most.

TIP: As you subscribe to multiple RSS feeds, organization becomes key. Most RSS readers allow you to categorize feeds, grouping them by topic or priority. For example, you might have separate folders for news, tech blogs, personal interest websites, or even specific topics like web development. Organizing your feeds ensures that you never miss important updates while keeping your content stream manageable.

...........................................................................

Choose Your RSS Feed Reader

Browser Extensions:

If you’re looking for a list of user-friendly, privacy-focused, fully free and actively updated open-source RSS feed readers for (primarily) Firefox and Chrome-based browsers, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive right in! ........................................................................... FEEDBRO Feedbro is an RSS feed reader that is compatible with both Firefox and Chrome browsers. It offers a user-friendly interface and has features such as feed filtering, sorting, and a built-in search engine. > Get it for Firefox > Get it for Chrome > Get it on Microsoft Edge ........................................................................... SMART RSS Smart RSS allows you to follow new posts on your favorite websites exposing RSS and Atom feeds in a three pane view, providing background loading of new articles and allowing you to organize sources into folders. > Get it for Firefox > Get it for Chrome ...........................................................................

Android & IOS Apps:

Mobile apps are notorious for tracking and harvesting user data, possibly even moreso than pc given the modern smart phone’s ability to record audio, video, and keep track of your location in real time. Here is a list of free, open source, privacy-focused RSS feed reader apps for both Android and iOS so you can enjoy your favorite RSS feeds on the go. ........................................................................... FEEDER Feeder is a fully free/libre feed reader. It supports all common feed formats, including JSONFeed. It doesn’t track you. It doesn’t require any setup. It doesn’t even need you to create an account! Just setup your feeds, or import them from your old reader via OPML, then get on with syncing and reading. > Get Feeder on Google Play (Android) > Get Feeder on F-Droid (Android) ........................................................................... Flym News Reader While no longer being updated, Flym News Reader is still an excellent news reader for Android. Flym News Reader is a simple, modern, totally free (no ads) and opensource project which keeps you inform by fetching your websites/blogs and displaying them in a mobile-optimized way. > Get Flym on Google Play (Android) > Get Flym on F-Droid (Android) ........................................................................... Fiery Feeds Fiery Feeds is a powerful and highly customisable feed reader and read-it-later client that syncs with most services. It features article view modes, feed management, flexible layouts, smart views, color themes, and more! While I wasn’t able to uncover if it was open source, the developer does have a good privacy-respecting policy here. It’s one of the better alternatives for IOS. > Get Fiery Feeds for IOS ...........................................................................

Other PC Software:

So, it looks like you’re on the hunt for the perfect RSS feed reader. Luckily, there are a ton of great open-source options out there that are user-friendly, privacy-focused, free, and actively updated. Let’s dive in! ........................................................................... QuiteRSS First up, we have QuiteRSS. This RSS feed reader is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it a great option for those who use multiple operating systems. The interface is simple and intuitive, with a clean layout that’s easy to navigate. To add a new feed, simply click on the “Add Feed” button and enter the URL of the feed you want to subscribe to. You can learn more about their features here. Pros: • QuiteRSS is lightweight and doesn’t use up a lot of system resources. • Available for multiple operating systems. (Windows, Mac, and Linux) Cons: • Some users have reported issues with syncing across devices. > Download QuiteRSS ........................................................................... FEEDREADER For those who want a simple, no-frills RSS feed reader, there’s FeedReader. This reader is available for Windows and Linux. The interface is clean and easy to use, with a basic layout that won’t overwhelm users with too many options. Pros: • FeedReader has a built-in browser, making it easy to view articles without leaving the app. • Available for multiple operating systems. (Windows and Linux) Cons: • Some users have reported issues with syncing across devices. > Download FeedReader ........................................................................... Tiny Tiny RSS Another great option for those who want a privacy-focused RSS feed reader is Tiny Tiny RSS. This reader is self-hosted, which means you’ll need to have your own server to run it on. However, this also means that you have complete control over your data and can ensure your privacy. Adding a new feed is as simple as clicking on the “Add Feed” button and entering the URL. Pros: • Tiny Tiny RSS supports plugins, allowing you to customize it to your needs. Cons: • Setting up a self-hosted RSS feed reader can be daunting for users who are inexperienced with self-hosting their own servers. Best avoid Tiny Tiny RSS if you are unfamiliar with this process. > Tiny Tiny RSS Installation Guide ........................................................................... Feedly Last but not least, we have Feedly. This RSS feed reader is available for Android, iOS, and web, with a paid version available for those who want even more features. Feedly is known for its clean, modern interface that’s easy to navigate. Pros: • Feedly integrates with a ton of other apps and services, making it easy to save articles to read later or share them on social media. Cons: • Some users have reported issues with the free version being limited in features. > Sign Up For Feedly ...........................................................................

Getting RSS feed URLS

In order to subscribe to a website’s RSS feed and add it to your feed reader, you will first need to get the RSS URL (aka link or web address) to the feed you want to follow.There are a few ways to do this, so if you’re totally new to RSS, let’s start with the easiest way first.

First, you’ll need to know what website or blog you want to subscribe to. If you’re not sure, try searching for it in Google.

Once you’re on the website or blog, look for the orange RSS feed icon. It looks like this: Sometimes it’s located in the top right corner of the page, or at the bottom of the page.

Click on the RSS feed icon. This will take you to a page with a lot of code on it. Don’t worry, you don’t need to understand any of this code!

Look at the address bar in your web browser. This is the URL for the RSS feed. Copy this URL.

If you’ve chosen an RSS Reader from the options previously discussed, open your RSS reader. This could be an app on your smartphone, browser extension, or a website or program on your computer.

In your RSS reader, look for an option to add a new feed. This option might be called “Add Subscription” or “Add Feed”.

Paste the URL for the RSS feed into the field provided in your RSS reader. Then click “Add” or “Subscribe”.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully subscribed to an RSS feed. Now you’ll be able to read new articles from this website or blog as soon as they’re published.

What if there is no RSS feed icon on a website I want to follow?

Unfortunately while many websites are RSS compatible, many websites do not offer RSS directly as a subscription option (ex. Youtube, certain blogs, etc). In this circumstance, it gets a little trickier if you aren’t very tech savvy. Have no fear! I will walk you through the process.

The easiest solution if you are not tech savvy is to use the Get RSS Feed URL extension below for your web browser. This extension will automatically grab the rss feed of the page you’re currently visiting (if it has an rss feed available), and then you can simply copy and paste it from your extension to your reader if your RSS reader is on PC. If your RSS reader is on mobile, however, you can use your PC to create a list of all the feed URLs you want to follow, email the list to yourself, and the copy/paste each url from your list by accessing your email from mobile.

> Get RSS Feed URL for Firefox > Get RSS Feed URL for Chrome

If you are a bit tech savvy, however, there is a more straightforward way to get RSS URLs that is much faster.

If you are on PC, check the source code: If you can’t find the RSS icon, you can check the source code of the website. Right-click on the website and select “View Page Source” or “Inspect Element”. Look for the “” tag with the type “application/rss+xml”. The URL located in the “href” attribute is the RSS feed link. Copy and paste the link into your preferred RSS reader.

One other thing you can try is experiment with adding each of the following to the end of the URL of the page you want to follow: /feed /feeds /rss /rss.xml /atom.xml .atom In most cases where an RSS feed is available, adding one of these options to the end of the page’s URL will bring up the page’s RSS feed. This method is hit or miss but always worth a try as it often comes up successful.

For example, if you wanted to subscribe to my status updates (located at https://status.cafe/users/thecozycat) you would add https://status.cafe/users/thecozycat.atom into your RSS feed reader. Or if you wanted to subscribe to my website activity feed (located at https://smallweb.thecozy.cat/activity/feed/), you would add https://smallweb.thecozy.cat/activity/feed/ into your Feeder app. Now, you’re probably asking, how do you know which one is the right one? You will need to test each of the six options in your web browser by trying each of those options at the end of the url you want to add to your feed. If it’s wrong, you’ll likely get an error page. If it’s right, you’ll see a page with code on it OR your browser may prompt you to download the feed file. That’s how you know you’ve got the right one.

How to Make a Website RSS-Compatible

If you’re building a website and want to offer RSS feeds:

WordPress: By default, WordPress generates an RSS feed at yourwebsite.com/feed. You can also customize it using plugins like RSS Post Importer.

Static Site Generators: Static site generators like Jekyll and Hugo support RSS feeds natively, allowing you to create them automatically as part of your build process.

Custom Websites: For custom sites that don’t offer automatic RSS or Atom feed functionality, you can create an XML file that complies with RSS or Atom feed standards, which includes your website’s content updates.

The RSS feed is essentially an XML file that contains metadata about your website’s posts and updates. This file is structured in a specific format so that RSS readers can interpret and display your content.

Example of a Basic RSS File:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?> <rss version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Your Website Title</title> <link>https://yourwebsite.com</link> <description>Your website description goes here</description> <item> <title>Post 1 Title</title> <link>https://yourwebsite.com/post-1</link> <description>Summary of your post goes here</description> <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jan 2024 12:00:00 GMT</pubDate> </item> <!-- Repeat the <item> block for each new post --> </channel> </rss>

Step 2: Modify the Feed for Your Site

Replace the text between the , , and tags with details about your site.

Each tag within the block corresponds to a single blog post or update. Add or remove these as necessary.

Ensure the reflects the correct format as shown in the example above.

Step 3: Save and Upload Once you’ve created your RSS file, save it as rss.xml (or another name you prefer, like feed.xml). Upload this file to the root directory of your website so that users can access it via https://yourwebsite.com/rss.xml.

Making Your Feed Public

Now that your RSS file is live, you’ll want to let people know they can subscribe. Add a link to the RSS feed URL on your website, usually in the header, sidebar, or footer (though, you can place it wherever you like). Many sites use an orange RSS icon, which is easily recognizable.

Keep It Updated

Since this is a static feed, you’ll need to manually add new posts to the RSS file as you create them. Simply update the feed XML file with new <item> blocks whenever you add new content, then re-upload the file.

Big Tech and RSS/Atom Restrictions

RSS and Atom are incredibly useful, though you’re probably wondering: if it’s so great, why aren’t more people aware and using it? Personally, and this is just my belief due to what I’ve witnessed with big tech censorship over the years; it is by design that it is not often spoken about anymore. Big tech (and/or “big brother”) companies want everyone to stay stuck in their own information silos, because it is much easier for them to control narratives and the information you consume there, as well as have more control over your private data for their own capitalistic gains. Those who control the flow of information ultimately control the minds of the masses, and that control can make them a heck of a lot of money.

Unfortunately it is big tech websites such as Facebook that block people’s access to retrieving RSS/Atom feeds from their websites, because if they allowed you access to their RSS/Atom feeds from outside of their website, then they wouldn’t be able to contain you to their controlled information silos, track you, or profit off of you using your data. It’s against their own best interests to allow you this freedom, as keeping you contained to their walled gardens allows them to continue their data harvesting monopolies. So that is probably the biggest downside about RSS and Atom feeds when it comes to big tech social media platforms, is that if the information you care most about comes from your loved ones whom are contained within the walled gardens of these big tech social platforms, you won’t be able to retrieve RSS/Atom to create feeds from your friends there.

Not all social platforms are like this, however. You will just have to experiment with retrieving the feeds from different platforms to discover which big tech platforms have blocked RSS access and which ones haven’t.

Conclusion

I think that covers all the bases! The reason for this article, while a bit lengthy, I feel it is important to teach those who may not be tech-savvy in simple terms that are easy to understand.  I think it is important for everyone to know how to use RSS and Atom, and create their own feeds independent of Big Tech social media platforms. Especially in this day and age where Big Tech has so much control and grasp on the information we consume and our private data is so heavily abused, there has never been a better time to start using RSS and Atom feeds. Aside from TheCozy.Cat being my own personal space, I also want it to double as my personal contribution to helping folks break free from their relationships with corrupt corporate entities.

If you have any questions or suggestions to add to this post that could make it even better, leave me a comment letting me know! As I receive feedback, I will make adjustments accordingly to make this article as simple as possible for those who are just getting started with RSS/Atom feeds.

And as always, if you found all this information useful, be sure to bookmark this page so you can easily find it again. Consider sharing it with your friends as well so they too can discover how to curate their own RSS and Atom feeds!

This post was originally shared from my small web blog here.

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[ao3feed-piltovers-finest]

CaitVi a03 rss feed update Jan 2025

Okay, this has been a long overdue PSA, seeing that S2 came and went and, regardless how any of us feel about it (or because of it, seeing the amount of fix-it fics?) it left an amazing power of inspiration, seeing that there are.. .70-100 new fics being posted every day? Now, since the very beginning, back in Dec 2021, the point of this place was always the convenience, as well as to connect all those talents out there to a hopefully wider audience - while at the same time sparing everyone from the problematic stuff also being written/posted (that most of us would like to avoid) so therefore, for the overwhelming number of the new followers – here are some basic house rules:

CONTENT: It is at this point absolutely impossible to read everything, so we can not offer guarantees about any content quality. So it goes without saying that, based on what’s presented from descriptions and the tags - it’s your choice to peruse, or respectfully move on. It is the responsibility of both author and the reader - the first one of creating the content (and of course marking/tagging it appropriately) and the latter one making their own choice about consuming and engaging. 

TAGS: To prevent any unpleasant situations, ALL posted fics must have pertinent, unambiguous tags - main, as well as all the additional ones. The content itself is naturally writer’s prerogative, but the issue of the reader’s choice to engage or not is also non-negotiable, and then everything is simple: if forewarned about the content, one can still choose to give it a shot, or not. Insufficient or inappropriate tagging may lead to misunderstandings and/or dismay, and that’s exactly why everyone out there usually does abide to the common tagging courtesies. On the other hand, if a fic has been tagged with something possibly problematic only as an act of cautiousness - while it does not really contain any graphic content like that - it might still be posted, upon careful screening. In that case, all readers are still advised to use their blacklists.

BLACKLISTS: People create these spaces to present their content and all the safewords and blacklists are unfortunately a necessity, ultimately to protect ourselves as well as everyone else. As stated in the initial post - we will be filtering all extreme content (rape, underage, gore, incest, beast, etc) but please use your own regular blacklists for anything else. If there are any other discrepancies or inconsistencies to this rule, please inform us and we shall review accordingly. 

MISSING FICS: With the overwhelming number of fics, there’s also a problem of cross-posted stuff that does not belong here. Namely Jayvik or Timebomb (M/M and F/M) where Cait/Vi are tagged regardless of being just a background ship, or barely present as characters. Due to the limitations of the RSS feed app we utilise here (and no, they are not free - in case anyone cares) the conditions, as broadly defined as we tried to make them - category, relationships, specific additional tags - simply HAD to be set. Therefore with such filters, some fics may not pass. In which case, if it’s your fic – and you feel it still belongs here, let us know and we'll see what we can do about it. But if you do, please act immediately as we cannot go through hundreds of month-old posts.

FIC SEARCH: Unfortunately this page is NOT a "can you find a fic for me" page. We tried to facilitate that in the beginning - but alas, not a lot of you were interested in partaking - and helping others. And we here do not (and can not, physically) read everything, nor we keep libraries. So, if there's a general interest we can still set up a tag, or start a community with that purpose - fic search or general fic chat. But again, there would have to be an interest from a lot more than the few of us here - for that thing to work. In the meantime, you have "AUTHOR-FIC-TAG-POST SEARCH" option on the non-dash version of ao3feed-piltovers-finest.tumblr.com main page if accessed from your browser, and not the app.

DISCUSSIONS: Not really here to facilitate discussions (be it about systemic issues, encroaching the spaces of others - or authorial egos and other similar nonsense) nor to arbitrate personal issues and conflicts - this page is here ONLY for the fanfiction, good vibes and (hopefully great) stories about the characters we all love. So if you feel inclined to, only fanfiction reviews, recommendations, suggestions and proposals will be encouraged.

FIC RECS: Occasionally, per request - we did provide some fic recommendations in the past. Not sure if/when it might be occurring again - but as always, do feel free to share your own. As posts, comments and/or submissions, but with brief or detailed reviews, please. And we will all be grateful.

That’s it. Keep enjoying the fics, and if you do… as always - make sure to let the authors know.

Cheers! 🌈

[april-is]

April 1, 2024: vocabulary, Safia Elhillo

vocabulary Safia Elhillo

fact:

the arabic word هواء (hawa) means wind thearabicwordهوى (hawa) means love

  test: (multiple choice)   abdelhalim said you left me holding wind in my hands                           or   abdelhalim said you left me holding love in my hands

           abdelhalim was left                empty                                              or            abdelhalim was left                full

  fairouz said                   o wind, take me to my country                            or   fairouz said                   o love, take me to my country

           fairouz is looking for             vehicle                                              or            fairouz is looking for             fuel

  oum kalthoum said       where the wind stops her ships, we stop ours                            or   oum kalthoum said       where love stops her ships, we stop ours

                oum kalthoum is           stuck                                                    or                 oum kalthoum is           home

--

It's here, it's here; happy National Poetry Month! In case you forgot: I'll be sharing a poem every day in April.

Want it as an email? Sign up here and it'll be whisked to your inbox by a team of digital carrier pigeons.

Or follow along on Tumblr, Twitter, or RSS. (Want to see it mirrored elsewhere? [Instagram, Substack, Bluesky, etc] Please let me know!)

==

This is, uh, the 20th year of this project??? See many years of past selections by browsing the archives or exploring the poems sent on today's date in:

2023: Reasons to Live Through the Apocalypse, Nikita Gill 2022: New Year, Kate Baer 2021: Instructions on Not Giving Up, Ada Limón 2020: Motto, Bertolt Brecht 2019: Separation, W.S. Merwin 2018: Good Bones, Maggie Smith 2017: Better Days, A.F. Moritz 2016: Jenny Kiss’d Me, Leigh Hunt 2015: The Night House, Billy Collins 2014: Tim Riggins Speaks of Waterfalls, Nico Alvarado 2013: Nan Hardwicke Turns Into a Hare, Wendy Pratt 2012: A Short History of the Apple, Dorianne Laux 2011: New York Poem, Terrance Hayes 2010: On Wanting to Tell [ ] about a Girl Eating Fish Eyes, Mary Szybist 2009: A Little Tooth, Thomas Lux 2008: The Sciences Sing a Lullabye, Albert Goldbarth 2007: Elegy of Fortinbras, Zbigniew Herbert 2006: When Leather is a Whip, by Martin Espada 2005: Parents, William Meredith

Thank you for being here!

[beginningspod]

It's time for Beginnings, the podcast where writer and performer Andy Beckerman talks to the comedians, writers, filmmakers and musicians he admires about their earliest creative experiences and the numerous ways in which a creative life can unfold.

On today's episode, I talk to musician Mabe Fratti. Originally from Guatemala, Mabe studied cello from a young age, but was on a path to become a journalist before a Goethe Institute residency took her to Mexico to work on her music. There she got involved in the Mexico City improvisational music scene. Mabe produced her first album Pies Sobre La Tierra in 2019, which was followed by Será Que Ahora Podremos Entendernos in 2021, Se Ve Desde Aquí in 2022, and her latest Sentir Que No Sabes was just released in June on Unheard of Hope, and folks, it's fantastic!

I'm on Twitter here and you can get the show with:

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[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 6/6/2023

two things to frontload:

if you have good vibes to send off in service of me getting a livable apartment in the greater houston tx area i would be most grateful, bc the hunt ain't fuckin goin too fuckin great

go play ABZÛ

listening

soul bossa nova by quincy jones bc it popped up on my discover weekly. i can only assume spotify recced this to me for bossa nova reasons bc i have been categorically ignoring austin powers my entire life and intend to continue on in this fashion.

it is a bop tho.

-

reading

when i wrote the pinned post for this blog i settled on "a common throughline in Shit What I Like is understanding how and why systems work" bc i hadn't yet listened to Well There's Your Problem, a podcast with slides about engineering disasters and systemic failures, and "OSHA aficionado" is shorter but less snappy than "WTYPP fan". anyway when i think "chemical spill" i do not generally think "hand sanitizer spill", and when i think "how do i get rid of all this unsellable poorly made hand sanitizer made in the early days of the pandemic" i do not immediately leap to "well i'll just dump pallets in this parking lot and warehouse and surely it won't spill and/or explode bc hand sanitizer is a product that makes you safer".

ArtNaturals was, at that point, not on the [FDA warning] list. Its sanitizer, labeled with a tasteful, millennial-friendly design that said it was vegan and infused with jojoba oil, was marketed as “safe for kids” and “a great bulk hand sanitizer pack for parents and teachers.” At least two school districts on the West Coast had purchased the sanitizer to distribute to students, in addition to two Ivy League universities. Then, in March 2021, a year into sales, an independent lab in Connecticut called Valisure announced that it had found benzene in the company’s sanitizer. Benzene, a widely used industrial chemical derived from petroleum, can be absorbed through the skin and is known to be a risk factor for leukemia.

came across it bc my rss feed really wanted me to subscribe to longreads (no), but this one did catch my eye as i was checking to make sure the site still wasn't for me

-

watching

watching this was a unexpectedly funny experience bc i recognized one of the backing instrumentals as a previous tuesdaypost song, which kind of felt like solving a mystery book on chapter three bc u knew an obscure fact about eels. this documentary came out in nov 22 and the song was one of this past feb's tuesdaysongs so i can only assume the spike in popularity from the documentary propelled it onto my discover weekly playlist??? the internet is a series of algorithmic tubes &tc

this is a tremendous work, as a documentary/history/archival effort/piece of art. it made me tear up. there's a very lovely sequence about memory and legacy that got me thinking a lot again about how i would like to be remembered. ive rewritten this section four times, when usually i don't redraft the tuesdaypost much at all. boils down to: complex and weird topic to talk about as an orphan, i am reluctant to be any more emotionally vulnerable than i absolutely have to during this time of great cross-country change and moving upheaval.

i appreciated how this was not tearjerker webby bait, which would have made it feel very hollow and embittered me even more during a week i am already predisposed to hate humanity. instead, mr perjurer is simply very good at his job (being an ethical documentarian)

-

playing

one game i really loved and one game i really hated, so it goes.

despite religiously downloading the epic store free game of the week bc i have a reminder written in my planner, i never fucking remember to actually look at what i have in that library.

ABZÛ genuinely healed my heart during a very unpleasant weekend.

i don't use this as a recs platform except for this one time when i am cashing in all my chips. go play ABZÛ, it takes like an hour and a half.

all you need to know about it you can get from the cover art. it is not a hard game and it is not a horror game. i went in totally blind and the less you know about this game the better. i was delighted nearly every minute. every time i saw an ammonite i felt like i was seeing an old friend. there are SO many clever game design choices i want to talk about. message me after you play this. i said "of COURSE IT WAS AUSTIN FUCKING WINTORY ON THE SCORE" during the credits. what an absolutely goddamn perfect little jewel of a game.

AGAIN: go play ABZÛ.

i also played Call of the Sea, bc it was in my epic library and i wanted something fast and oceanic to continue the high of ABZÛ.

Call of the Sea did not continue the high of ABZÛ. i think this team carefully and thoughtfully sidestepped several of the usual issues is making something Lovecraftian but fell into the rest of the pits. eg i liked that they had Polynesian culture consultants, but from an interview it seemed like it was limited to a one-day crash course? i am deeply grateful this isn't a dead-wife game and the female protagonist has a great deal of agency, but she's still a rich white lady from boston trekking about the Tahitian islands commenting on primitive structures, which made me suck air in through my teeth at many points. there is an "ancient slave culture" thread that never actually resolves. i really wish it resolved. the game overall is in a very weird place, trapped between the norms and mores of the early 40s and the 2020s. you have Got to commit to one or the other.

the overall vibe is very polished for a first game. general vibes are Firewatch but puzzle-adventure. the lighting is a little too dynamic and was very distracting throughout. due to this studio's age (new) and odd location (spain) and how their debut game came out (took a year and a half to make, debuted on gamepass) i understand why this game exists the way it does from a marketing and industry standpoint and why they favored visual polish and art style over everything else. it's still annoying bc it is so close to an interesting game.

the twist particularly infuriated me as a chronically ill person, spoilers for the twist behind rot13

gur gjvfg vf gung Abenu gur cebgnt vf frpergyl n "Qnhtugre bs Pguhyuh", naq ure puebavp cebterffvat gb grezvany vyyarff vf op fur'f ba Rnegu naq abg va gur Urnirayl Ernyzf jvgu Pguhyh jurer fur orybatf. guvf frg bss fbzr fvyrag nynez oryyf gb zr nf n puebavpnyyl vyy crefba, op vg vf Fb fvzvyne gb gur Arj Ntr "vaqvtb puvyqera" pbaprcg. n terng qrny bs zrqvpny nohfr naq abezny nohfr fheebhaqf guvf pbaprcg. guvf ernyyl fbherq gur raqvat sbe zr

-

making

fallow week. if it isn't moving-related it isn't happening, and even then a lot of moving-related things are grinding on painfully slowly

[macmanx]

Probably another hill I'll die on: video != podcast

You can subscribe to a YouTube channel and consume the videos, or subscribe to an RSS feed and consume the podcast.

Your podcast can have a video version, but watching a video is a fundamentally different experience than listening to a podcast.

So, when I see "YouTube is the most utilized podcast listening platform in the U.S." I have a hard time reconciling that those who listen to podcasts would rather pay for YouTube Premium (which is required to listen to videos in the background) than use Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Spotify, or any other free podcasting app that can go in their car, their work, while exercising, etc.

All this survey does is reinforce what we all know: People watch YouTube more than they listen to podcasts.

People are out there are redefining the word "podcast" and are simultaneously making it meaningless.

[magicmorningmeteora]

Who is your birthday oshi? ~Week of June 18~

Full birthdays & anniversaries list under the cut.

Birthdays & Anniversaries ~Week of June 18~

The following members, ex-members, and single releases have birthdays and anniversaries this week.

June 18

Hiromoto Ruli (OCHA NORMA; 20)

Goto Maki - Scramble (2003)

June 19

Nakazawa Yuko (ex-Morning Musume; 50)

Melon Kinenbi - Natsu no Yoru wa Danger! (2002)

Berryz Koubou - Golden Chinatown / Sayonara Usotsuki no Watashi (2013)

June 20

BeriKyuu - Chou HAPPY SONG (2012)

June 21

Okai Chisato (ex-C-ute; 29)

Morning Musume - Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii jan (2006)

ANGERME - Ai Sae Areba Nanni mo Iranai / Namida Iro no Ketsui / Majokko Megu-chan (2017)

June 22

Sainen Mia (ex-Hello Pro Kenshuusei; 30)

Sexy Otonajan, Elegies, Puripuri Pink - Onna, Kanashii, Otona / Inshouha Renoir no You ni / Hitoshirezu Mune wo Kanaderu Yoru no Aki (2005)

June 23

Maeda Kokoro (BEYOOOOONDS; 21)

Taiyou to Ciscomoon - Gatamekira (1999)

ANGERME - Hakkiri Shiyou ze / Oyogenai Mermaid / Aisare Route A or B? (2021)

June 24

Shimamura Uta (ex-Country Girls; 23)

Melon Kinenbi & Beat Crusaders - DON'T SAY GOOD-BYE (2009)

Kago Ai - no hesitAtIon (2009)

Happy birthday/anniversary week!

Subscribe to the main blog | Social Media + RSS Links | M3 Grand Prix page

[techniktagebuch]

2024

Mein Medien-Menü: Zwölf Jahre später

Im Februar 2012 habe ich für Christoph Kochs Reihe "Mein Medien-Menü" beschrieben, wie meine Mediennutzung damals aussah. Diese Serie ist einer der Gründe, warum es das Techniktagebuch gibt. Bis November 2014 sind insgesamt 89 Folgen im Blog von Christoph Koch erschienen. Danach zog das Medienmenü um zu Krautreporter, wo es so aussieht, als seien bis ungefähr 2017 noch mal ziemlich viele Folgen veröffentlicht worden. Ob man die gesammelt irgendwo lesen kann und ob es nach 2017 noch weiterging, weiß ich nicht, weil ein Krautreporter-Abo nicht zu meiner Mediennutzung gehört. (Ohne besondere Gründe, im ersten Krautreporterjahr war ich Unterstützerin. Ich erinnere mich vage an Unzufriedenheit, weshalb ich es danach nicht mehr war. Aber die Details sind leider undokumentiert geblieben.)

Ich habe lange nicht mehr an diesen Bericht gedacht und sehe heute noch mal nach, wie das eigentlich 2012 war und was sich geändert hat.

"Goodreads ist nicht besonders überzeugend, ich kenne nur wenige Menschen, die es nutzen, und die Buchempfehlungen dort sind nur unwesentlich besser als bei Amazon. Aber ich finde es sehr hilfreich, um eine realistische Vorstellung von meinem Leseverhalten zu bekommen. Bis ich damit anfing, hielt ich mich immer noch für denselben Leser wie 1995."

Ich war damals noch ein Leser und keine Leserin. Mit dem generischen Maskulinum habe ich erst viel später aufgehört. Im Techniktagebuch ist zu sehen, wann das passiert ist, meiner Erinnerung nach vielleicht 2018? Irgendwann sehe ich nach und dann steht es hier genauer. Goodreads fand ich zwischen damals und jetzt sehr überzeugend. Ich kenne zwar immer noch nur wenige Menschen, die es nutzen, und in die automatischen Buchempfehlungen habe ich schon lange nicht mehr reingesehen. Aber ich habe dort in den letzten Jahren sehr viele Rezensionen gelesen und das war der Hauptweg, auf dem ich zu neuen Büchern gefunden habe. Allerdings versuche ich gerade, mich (wegen der Amazon-Zugehörigkeit) von Goodreads zu lösen zugunsten von StoryGraph. Da läuft aber gerade erst der Umzug meiner Daten und ich kann noch nichts dazu sagen.

"Meine Papierbücher habe ich in den letzten paar Jahren mit Hilfe des Berliner Büchertischs stark reduziert, von ungefähr zwölf mehrreihig gefüllten Billyregalen bin ich jetzt runter auf sieben halbvolle."

Im Moment sind es vier ganz volle, davon zwei mehrreihig gefüllt. 2019 waren es auch schon nur vier. Was mit den drei anderen passiert ist, weiß ich nicht mehr. Falls es Zuwachs gegeben hat, ist das unfreiwillig passiert, durch eigene Belegexemplare, ungefragt zugeschickte Bücher und Bücher, die ich auf Papier kaufen musste, weil ich sie für die Arbeit brauchte und nicht auf einem digitalen Weg beschaffen konnte. Ich lese jetzt aber viel mehr Bücher als 2012.

Dann geht es im Text von 2012 einen Absatz lang um RSS-Feedreader. Ich habe damals noch den Google Reader genutzt, den Google anderthalb Jahre später eingestellt hat. Mit Feedly, dem Tool, mit dem ich ihn ab Mitte 2013 zu ersetzen versuchte, bin ich nie so richtig warm geworden, er ist 2016 aus meinem Leben verschwunden. Ich habe ihn nicht ersetzt und lebe seitdem feedreaderlos.

"... das, was ich im Netz lese, speist sich jetzt ungefähr (geraten und nicht gemessen, kann also auch ganz anders sein) zur Hälfte aus dem Feedreader und zur Hälfte aus dem Bekanntenkreis via Google+, Twitter und Facebook. "

"Netz" sage ich nicht mehr, seit ich 2021 erfahren habe, dass es ein altmodisches Wort für Internet ist. Ich dachte bis dahin, es sei umgekehrt.

"Ein oder zwei Jahre lang hatte ich mir für die wichtigsten Feeds eine Weiterleitung nach Twitter gebastelt (via Yahoo Pipes und Twitterfeed), aber seit es Google+ gibt, nutze ich Twitter viel weniger und sehe deshalb auch diese Weiterleitung kaum mehr."

Yahoo Pipes! Das war wirklich schön und ich vermisse es heute noch manchmal. Es wurde 2015 eingestellt. Man konnte damit, so ähnlich wie jetzt mit Zapier, andere Internetdinge zusammenstecken, aber mit einer schönen grafischen Oberfläche. Bei Google+ war ich 2011 und offenbar auch noch Anfang 2012 sehr aktiv, aber irgendwann bald danach war es wieder vorbei. Warum, weiß ich nicht mehr, es ist im Techniktagebuch nicht dokumentiert. In meiner Erinnerung wurde Google+ kurz nach dem Start wieder stillgelegt, aber das scheint nicht zu stimmen, in der Wikipedia steht: Schließung 2019. Ich bin danach zu Twitter zurückgekehrt.

Von den Blogs, die mir damals wichtig waren, gibt es ein paar noch, sie sind mir aber unsympathisch geworden (Marginal Revolution, Less Wrong, Overcoming Bias). Andere gibt es nicht mehr (Stefan Niggemeiers Blog, Penelope Trunk). Ich glaube, dass das nicht weiter besorgniserregend ist, die meisten Blogs haben eine begrenzte Lebenszeit aus inhaltlichen wie aus Verfügbare-Lebenszeit-Gründen und es wachsen ja auch wieder neue nach. Im Überschneidungsbereich von "existiert noch" und "wir haben uns nicht weltanschaulich entfremdet, glaube ich", liegt nur ein einziger der erwähnten Blogs: O'Reilly Radar. Ich lese es trotzdem nie. Das hat auch wieder mit dem Verschwinden des Google Readers zu tun. Ich lese wahrscheinlich immer noch so viel in Blogs wie früher, aber nicht mehr regelmäßig in denselben, sondern eben die Beiträge, die mir bis 2022 Twitter heranspülte und seit meinem Umzug Mastodon. Ich merke mir dann nicht, in welchem Blog die standen, und könnte keine Blognamen nennen. Facebook erwähne ich 2012 noch, 2015 habe ich das Facebook-Browsertab geschlossen und 2017 die App vom Handy gelöscht.

Zeitschriften mit der Post bekam ich 2012 noch mehrere, zum Teil wegen Vereinsmitgliedschaften und zum Teil, weil ich sie abonniert hatte. Eins der Abos habe ich gleich nach der Dokumentation im Medien-Menü-Beitrag gekündigt, ein anderes endete etwas später von allein, und die Mitgliedszeitschriften haben sich in den letzten Jahren entweder selbst auf nur-noch-digital umgestellt oder ich habe darum gebeten, nichts mehr auf Papier zu bekommen. Außerdem wird meine Post seit mehreren Jahren direkt an Nathalie weitergeleitet, die sich um meine Papierverwaltung kümmert.

2024 gehört zur finanziellen Seite meines Medien-Menüs, dass ich einige Leute regelmäßig unterstütze bei Patreon, Steady und ähnlichen Plattformen. Ich müsste das mal in einem gesonderten Beitrag genauer aufschreiben, jedenfalls ist es im Moment der Hauptkanal, auf dem Geld von mir zu Kulturschaffenden fließt. Die Newsletter oder Videos, die zu manchen dieser Abos gehören, schaue ich mir aber eigentlich nie an. Es geht mehr ums Prinzip, ich möchte, dass diese Leute weiter Videos machen, Bücher schreiben oder was sie halt so tun.

"Radio habe ich seit den 80er Jahren nicht mehr gehört (traumatische Schulbus-Erlebnisse mit Bayern 3). Eine Tageszeitung hatte ich zuletzt um 1990 im Abonnement. Ich habe aufgehört, fernzusehen, als im deutschen Kabel das britische MTV Europe durch den deutschen Ableger ersetzt wurde, das muss so um 1995 herum gewesen sein. Über Hörbücher und Podcasts weiß ich nichts, ich schlafe aus technischen Gründen beim Zuhören immer sofort ein."

Daran hat sich seit 2012 wenig geändert. Ich war viel im Haushalt meiner Mutter, und dort wird jeden Tag wenigstens eine Stunde Radio gehört (BR Heimat zwischen 22:00 und 23:00). Außerdem ist es mir gelungen, mittelgroße Teile des "Drinnies"-Podcasts zu hören. Eine Änderung meines Mediennutzungsverhaltens sehe ich darin aber nicht, das eine ist Zufall, das andere eine Ausnahme.

Video kommt im Text von 2012 gar nicht vor. Hier hat sich mehr geändert, 2016 habe ich eingesehen, wozu YouTube gut ist, und inzwischen nutze ich es oft, allerdings vor allem in der kleinen Vorschau-Ansicht auf dem Handy, die ungefähr 6x4 cm groß ist, und ohne Ton. Theoretisch folge ich dort zwar ein paar Leuten aus den Bereichen Handwerk (Schreinerei, Metallbearbeitung, Rohrreinigung) und Schlittenhundehaltung, praktisch mache ich davon aber so gut wie nie Gebrauch, es sind Höflichkeits-Abos zur Erfreuung der Youtuber*innen. Ich bin nur da, wenn ich was Bestimmtes suche und gucke dann vielleicht noch ein paar von den Dingen, die YouTube mir vorschlägt. Dabei bin ich inzwischen besser darin geworden, den Vorschlägen zu widerstehen, weil mir YouTube immer gern Katastrophen und Unglücke zeigen möchte und ich aber wirklich nicht noch mehr über scheußliche Tode beim Höhlentauchen wissen will. Lieber würde ich das vorhandene Wissen darüber wieder aus meinem Kopf löschen lassen. Was mir in meinem Medienmenü 2024 fehlt, ist ein Lösch-YouTube zur Entfernung von Informationen.

(Kathrin Passig)

[infosnack]

Overdose deaths during pregnancy spiked over the past few years study says

Overdose deaths during pregnancy spiked over the past few years, study says https://www.statnews.com/2023/11/22/opioid-crisis-hits-maternal-health-pregnancy-overdoses-rise/?utm_campaign=rss Overdose deaths among pregnant or postpartum people skyrocketed between 2018 and 2021, according to new research published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry. The study, conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institutes of Health, compared the incidence of maternal deaths for overdose of commonly misused psychotropic drugs (such as heroin and other opioids, including synthetic ones, or cocaine) among girls and women aged 10 to 44. Read the rest… via STAT Health - Science, medicine and healthcare news https://www.statnews.com/category/health/ November 22, 2023 at 01:40PM

[f1]

Valtteri Bottas STRIPS down in his latest revealing Instagram post

Valtteri Bottas STRIPS down in his latest revealing Instagram post that has F1 fans telling him to stop The Finn continued his tradition of bearing all for the camera in a revealing post The ex-Mercedes driver was unwinding after a points finish at the last Grand Prix By Tum Balogun For Mailonline Published: 17:09, 24 June 2023 | Updated: 17:09, 24 June 2023 Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas has shown off his physique in another revealing Instagram post where he bears all for the camera after the Canadian Grand Prix. The Finn left little to the imagination when he showcased his skinny dipping session in a lake with only a swimming cap for cover. The ex-Mercedes driver was greeted to messages of support and dissent on social media with his former team chiming in to comment: 'Cracking shot, VB.' IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward rather bluntly noted: 'I can tell you're a skinny dipping fan.' While another fan said: 'Valtteri please stop my mom uses this app.' Bottas' love for the outdoors came to some prominence during the third season of Netflix's Drive to Survive, where the show followed the driver in his native Finland. Valtteri Bottas added his most recent post to a growing collection of himself in the nude The Finn has be transformed into a new man ever since his departure from Mercedes in 2021 Bottas managed to claim a tenth-placed finish that took him to five points in total for the year  Lewis Hamilton's old running mate has previously shared snaps of himself shedding his gear, such as a post last year where he was pictured preparing for the Singapore Grand Prix with nothing but a reindeer hat on while sitting in a sauna. Bottas also gifted the Brit a nude image of himself when the pair reunited for the first time at last year's Monaco Grand Prix following his departure from the German manufacturer. The ten-time race winner is coming off a points scoring display at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as he finished six spots ahead of his team-mate Zhou Guanyu in tenth place. Bottas is currently sitting one point ahead of the Chinese driver in 15th place in the overall standings as the F1 calendar moves on to Austria this weekend. Share or comment on this article: Valtteri Bottas STRIPS down in his latest revealing Instagram post via Formula One | Mail Online https://www.dailymail.co.uk?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

[neonscopecommunity]

Houston Police Release Full Investigative Report Into 2021 Astroworld Tragedy

The 1,266 page document includes interviews with victims and investigation steps from RSS: News https://ift.tt/rgNhw8j via IFTTT

[camplofi]

BSOTS 180 - In Conversation With Douglas Whitfield (pt. two)

All comments, questions, and general feedback can be sent to radiobsots@gmail.com.  Record a voice message and send it my way or leave one at the Speakpipe page!

You can subscribe to Radio BSOTS via the following options: RSS feed ||| Apple Podcasts ||| Spotify ||| Google Podcasts Amazon Music ||| Stitcher ||| TuneIn ||| iHeartRadio

Connect with Camp Lo-Fi via social media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

This episode's track list (title / artist / source / license):

1.  The Comet (Featuring Shred Lexicon & The Real Munch) by Headsnack [blocSonic] (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) (2023)

2.  Infornography by Revolution Void [Free Music Archive] (CC BY-NC 3.0) (2006)

3.  Rich People by Carsie Blanton [Bandcamp] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2022)

4.  Truth Serum by CM & The Silent Partner [blocSonic] (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)  (2021)

5.  Kaikou (Bittersweet) by Satori [Upitup] (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) (2023)

The Free Music Friday to beat them all is finally upon us.  Happy Netlabel Day, everybody!

Serious gratitude and respect going out to Creative Commons Community Music Awards co-founder Douglas Whitfield for getting in touch with me last month to have this conversation about CC licenses, netlabels, and so much more.  In part two of the interview, he talks about the CC Listening Parties that he co-hosts on YouTube alongside Donnie Ozone, an event that grew out of the artistic standstill caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.  In addition, he shares some ambitious plans for a CC Community Music Hall Of Fame slated to premiere in 2026.

Once again, there's great music to accompany the conversation, including a single from Headsnack that blocSonic is releasing for this year's Netlabel Day.  Other musical selections include the cabaret protest stylings of Carsie Blanton, the jazz meets electronic music musicianship of Revolution Void, the unbeatable hip-hop combination of CM & The Silent Partner, and a gorgeous after hours instrumental from Satori (taken from the new 20th Anniversary Compilation from Upitup Records).

Thank you so much for listening and I hope that you found this interview as informative as I did.  Don't forget to head on over to the Netlabel Day site and discover some great music!

blocSonic artists mentioned in this episode include:

Ant The Symbol Louis Lingg & The Bombs MVMX Pot-C Viktor Van River

Other key info: CCCMA Listening Party Season 1, Episode 1 Bandcamp Daily:  Exploring Japanese Netlabel Deep Cuts clongclongmoo Ryno The Bearded Lorenzo's Music

BSOTS theme music by Cy Tru (edited by Macedonia).  ID drops courtesy of Kahlief Adams of Spawn On Me and Mr. Fitz of Techniken Defunkus.

The content of this show has been released under a CC-BY-SA license.  All works within this show retain their original releases.  See the show notes at bsots.com for more information.

Another BSOTS podcast episode for the people...

[beginningspod]

It's time for Beginnings, the podcast where writer and performer Andy Beckerman talks to the comedians, writers, filmmakers and musicians he admires about their earliest creative experiences and the numerous ways in which a creative life can unfold.

On today's episode, I talk to comedian and director Bobcat Goldthwait. Originally from Syracuse, Bobcat's career is so full of hyphens that "multihyphenate" doesn't even scratch the surface. From acting in films like Police Academy and Scrooged to directing TV for shows like Community and Jimmy Kimmel to directing comedy specials for folks like Marc Maron and Patton Oswalt to directing his own films like World's Greatest Dad and God Bless America. But since the start of his career, Bobcat has been a stand-up. His special with Dana Gould Joy Ride was released in 2021 and his latest album Soldier for Christ was just released at the end of April by Pretty Good Friends, and it is great!

I'm on Twitter here and you can get the show with:

                                                        Permalink RSS Feed                  Facebook                           

[queermarzipan]

Slender model claims she’s forced to wear ‘fat suit’ for plus-sized ads

By Andrew Court [Archive | Email (via article) | RSS Feed]

Published Dec. 30, 2021, 10:11 a.m. ET

Model Karoline Bjørnelykke has revealed how she has been hired to portray plus-size women, even though she is slender. Casting agents encouraged her to stuff padding (or "a fat suit in pieces") beneath her clothes in order to deceive viewers.

A European model has sparked outrage after revealing she wears a “fat suit” so that she can appear in plus-sized ads.

The woman — identified by The Daily Dot as Karoline Bjørnelykke — took to TikTok late last month saying she was going to expose “a secret from the modeling industry.”

At the beginning of the clip — which has been viewed more than 300,000 times — Bjørnelykke shares a mirror selfie showing off her slender physique.

However, she goes on to state that she is often hired to appear in ads for sizes XL through 5XL.

“If you have eyes, you can see I’m not that size,” the redhead tells her viewers. “So how do we fix this problem? Well, basically I have to bring to work something called padding, which is basically a fat suit in separate pieces.”

The model then reveals the padding, before stuffing it under her shirt to show how she transforms into a “plus-size model.”

Bjørnelykke explains that casting agents actually prefer to hire thinner women as opposed to actual plus-size models because “they still want the neck and the face to look really slim and sharp.”

“This doesn’t just create unrealistic standards, but impossible ones!” the model declared.

The model started off her video by sharing a selfie, showing her actual size. TikTok/@coolquinn

Bjørnelykke ended her clip by imploring agents to actually hire larger women for their commercials.

“There are so many beautiful plus-size women out there,” she stated.

She added that she will no longer take jobs that require her to wear the fat suit, as she hopes that the jobs will go to those who are actually larger in size.

Bjørnelykke then revealed the stuffing she was forced to wear beneath her closed. She described it as a “fat suit in pieces.” TikTok/@coolquinn

Viewers were left outraged by Bjørnelykke’s revelation, which she claims is standard practice across the industry.

“Oh, the jawlines make sense now,” one person remarked.

“I just realized how many times I have fallen for this by being ashamed of my double chin,” another wrote.

“This is why I’m so self-conscious about my face shape,” a third person chimed in.

Bjørnelykke is pictured with the padding stuffed under her shirt. Now appearing to be a larger size, she still retains a thin neck and angular facial features. TikTok/@coolquinn

Back in 2019, The Post spoke with several plus-size models who exposed problems with the industry.

“They want you to have small arms, a beautiful jawline, a slim waist, but you can have all the boobs, a-s and thighs you want,” one 22-year-old model stated.

Others complained that they were encouraged to be “curvy,” but were simultaneously forbidden from having cellulite.

“The standards for beauty are just as rigorous for plus-size models,” one woman told The Post. “There’s times where I’m like, ‘Should I lose or gain weight?’ I always wonder what the industry is wanting next. I don’t know what’s going to be the trendiest size.”

© 2024 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved

it drives me crazy when clothing brands use plus size models that have Little To Nothing up top so it’s 100% impossible to tell if a top or a dress will actually be accommodating to a ton of titty

[mi4019ravinkaperera]

PODCASTS!!

GIF by muvana

The History of Podcasts

Podcasts have come a long way since they first started. They began as a small idea and have now become one of the most popular ways people listen to stories, news, and discussions.

Early Days (1980s–1990s)

In the 1980s, people experimented with sharing audio online, but the technology was not advanced enough.

In 1993, a man named Carl Malamud created Internet Talk Radio, one of the first online radio programs. It was similar to a podcast but not exactly the same.

By the late 1990s, MP3 files and RSS feeds made it easier to share and download audio.

Podcasts Are Born (2000s)

In 2000, a developer named Tristan Louis suggested adding audio to RSS feeds (which help share content online).

In 2004, Adam Curry and Dave Winer created a way to automatically download audio shows to devices. Around this time, journalist Ben Hammersley used the word "podcast" (a mix of "iPod" and "broadcast").

In 2005, Apple added podcasts to iTunes, making them easy for people to find and listen to.

Podcasts Become Popular (2010s)

In 2014, a true-crime podcast called Serial became a huge hit, proving that podcasts could tell deep and engaging stories.

Between 2015 and 2018, platforms like Spotify and Google Podcasts helped more people discover and listen to podcasts.

In 2019, Spotify spent millions of dollars to buy podcast companies, showing that podcasts were becoming big business.

Podcasts Today (2020s–Now)

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made podcasts even more popular as people stayed home and looked for new content.

In 2021, Apple and Spotify introduced paid podcast subscriptions, allowing creators to earn money.

By 2023, new technology, such as AI-generated podcasts and video podcasts, started changing how people create and listen to podcasts.

Today, podcasts cover almost every topic imaginable—news, education, entertainment, and personal stories. With millions of active podcasts worldwide, they are an important part of modern media.

the importance of podcast

Podcasts have become an essential part of modern media, offering unique benefits that traditional forms of communication struggle to match. Here’s why they matter:

Accessibility & Convenience

Podcasts allow people to consume content on the go—whether commuting, exercising, or doing chores. Unlike videos or articles, they don’t require full visual attention, making them highly accessible.

Democratization of Media

Anyone with a microphone and internet connection can start a podcast. This has given a voice to independent creators, marginalized communities, and niche experts who might struggle to gain attention in traditional media.

Deep & Engaging Storytelling

Unlike short-form content on social media, podcasts allow for in-depth storytelling. Shows like Serial and Radiolab have demonstrated how long-form audio can captivate audiences and create immersive experiences.

Education & Lifelong Learning

Podcasts provide free access to knowledge on almost any topic—science, history, business, health, and more. They make complex ideas more digestible and available to people who might not have the time or resources for formal education.

Community Building & Connection

Listeners often develop strong emotional connections with podcast hosts, making it feel like a personal conversation. This sense of intimacy builds trust and loyalty, leading to engaged communities around specific topics.

Alternative News & Information Source

With traditional media sometimes constrained by commercial interests or political biases, podcasts offer alternative perspectives. Investigative journalism podcasts, for example, have uncovered critical issues that mainstream news might overlook.

Business & Marketing Potential

Companies use podcasts for brand awareness, thought leadership, and customer engagement. Sponsorships and advertising in podcasts are also more effective since listeners tend to trust hosts and their recommendations.

Innovation in Media & Technology

Podcasts have pushed innovations in audio technology, AI-driven content generation, and interactive storytelling. The rise of video podcasts and personalized recommendations is shaping the future of media consumption.

With their growing influence, podcasts are not just entertainment—they’re a powerful tool for education, advocacy, and connection in today’s digital world.

My favorite podcast that i always listen to

Ghost huns podcasts focus on paranormal investigations, haunted locations, and supernatural experiences. They often feature real-life ghost-hunting teams, personal encounters, expert interviews, and in-depth research into ghostly phenomena. Here are some key aspects and recommendations:

Common Themes in Ghost Hunt Podcasts

Live Investigations – Some podcasts include on-site recordings from haunted locations.

Paranormal Storytelling – Hosts and guests share their personal experiences with ghosts.

Historical Research – Exploring legends, folklore, and documented hauntings.

Skeptical vs. Believer Perspectives – Some shows approach the paranormal with open curiosity, while others apply a scientific or skeptical lens.

Popular Ghost Huns Podcasts

Real Ghost Stories Online – Features listener-submitted ghost encounters and paranormal discussions.

The Paranormal Podcast – Covers ghost hunting, UFOs, and supernatural topics with expert interviews.

Astonishing Legends – Deep dives into supernatural mysteries, hauntings, and folklore.

Ghosts and Folklore with Mark Rees – Focuses on ghostly legends, history, and investigative accounts.

Haunted Places – A narrative-style podcast exploring the history and hauntings of famous locations.

Ghost Hunters Podcast – A behind-the-scenes look at ghost hunting, featuring actual investigations.

And That’s Why We Drink – A mix of true crime and paranormal storytelling with humor.

Why Ghost Huns Podcasts Are Popular

They tap into humanity’s fascination with the unknown.

They provide immersive, eerie audio experiences that make listeners feel part of the investigation.

They blend history, psychology, and science with entertainment.

Why i like this podcast ???

I love this podcast because it's hilarious—they dive into paranormal stories and legends, cracking jokes and reacting to people's horror experiences. I usually listen while going about my day, but then I end up spooking myself, thinking a ghost might come for me too! Haha :') i also like to listen to them because with a person with ADHD it helps me to concentrate when i do work as mostly crime and paranormal podcast are what i mainly ... who am i kidding i only listen to them haha

anywho that it thank you for reading!!!!

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Medical illustrations neglect people with dark skin. A Nigerian doctor-to-be is working to change that

Medical illustrations neglect people with dark skin. A Nigerian doctor-to-be is working to change that https://www.statnews.com/2023/08/22/diversity-medical-illustrations-chidiebere-ibe/?utm_campaign=rss Medical illustration is both an art and a science. But it can have a huge cultural impact, too, as medical student and illustrator Chidiebere Ibe discovered when his illustration of a pregnant Black woman and her fetus went viral in 2021. The image was groundbreaking precisely because it shouldn’t have been. People have a wide range of skin colors, and everyone develops medical conditions; it’s common sense that medical illustrations should feature a diverse range of bodies. Read the rest… via STAT Health - Science and medicine news https://www.statnews.com/category/health/ August 22, 2023 at 04:30AM