#technology and innovation

[damonlakespt2]

Me when the history class doesn’t talk about tesla’s inventions like bro literally invented AC electricity, wifi, wireless technology, remote controls, tesla coils, hydroelectricity, X-ray technology, neon and fluorescent lights, spark plugs, induction motors, alternators, and the radio

WDYM YOU’RE NOT GONNA MENTION HIM DURING THE SECOND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION?????

[shayenaxcrino]

Project on Gym Management Software by Xcrino

The Project on Gym Management Software by Xcrino aims to provide a comprehensive solution for gym owners and managers to effectively manage their fitness centers and improve member satisfaction. This cutting-edge software offers a wide range of features and tools that streamline operations, enhance the member experience, and drive revenue growth. By leveraging the power of the Yoactive Gym Management Software, gym owners and managers can effectively manage their fitness center, improve member satisfaction, and increase overall revenue and profitability.

[r0man-sanchez]

Quantum Intelligence (QI) and emergence of the Quantum Substrate (QS): The Inevitable Outcome

While classical computing is rooted in binary logic, 0s and 1s, and exists within the framework of classical logic and mathematics, realized through physical hardware, quantum computing, though still realized through physical hardware, harnesses the strange properties of quantum states, such as superposition and entanglements. These properties allow quantum systems to process information in ways…

[mohammedfarhan942]

Exploring the Diverse Business Sectors in the Middle East: A Look at ArabianTalks Listings

The Middle East is a region rich in culture, history, and economic potential, characterized by its diverse business sectors. From traditional industries to innovative startups, the landscape is as varied as its geography. ArabianTalks, a leading Business Directory, serves as a vital resource for connecting businesses across these sectors, facilitating growth and collaboration. In this article, we’ll explore some of the diverse business sectors in the Middle East and how ArabianTalks plays a crucial role in promoting them.

The Importance of Business Directories

In today’s interconnected world, businesses need effective platforms to showcase their offerings and connect with potential clients. ArabianTalks not only helps businesses increase their visibility but also supports them in navigating the complexities of the market. By listing on a well-organized directory, companies can gain access to a wide audience actively searching for products and services within their locality.

1. Technology and Innovation

The technology sector is rapidly expanding in the Middle East, driven by increased investment in startups and innovation. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are establishing themselves as technology hubs, with initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship. ArabianTalks features numerous listings from tech companies, ranging from software development to cybersecurity services. By showcasing these businesses, the directory helps connect tech innovators with clients seeking cutting-edge solutions.

2. Tourism and Hospitality

The Middle East is home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts, and tourist attractions. The tourism and hospitality sector is vital to the region’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP and job creation. ArabianTalks lists a variety of businesses in this sector, including hotels, travel agencies, and event management companies. These listings make it easy for travelers and event planners to find quality services, enhancing the overall experience of visitors to the region.

3. Real Estate and Construction

With rapid urbanization and development projects underway, the real estate and construction sectors are booming in the Middle East. Major cities are witnessing a surge in residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. ArabianTalks provides a comprehensive Business List of real estate agents, construction firms, and property management companies. By listing on this platform, these businesses can reach potential buyers and investors looking to capitalize on the region's growth.

4. Retail and E-Commerce

The retail landscape in the Middle East is evolving, with a notable shift towards e-commerce. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores are complementing their offerings with online platforms, catering to the growing demand for convenience. ArabianTalks features a diverse range of retail businesses, from local boutiques to international brands. This exposure helps retailers connect with consumers looking for unique products and services, enhancing their market reach.

5. Health and Wellness

The health and wellness sector is gaining momentum in the Middle East, driven by a growing focus on preventative care and fitness. From clinics and hospitals to gyms and wellness centers, the options are vast. ArabianTalks lists various healthcare providers, making it easy for individuals to find essential services. This directory not only promotes healthcare businesses but also facilitates access to important health resources for the community.

6. Education and Training

Education is a cornerstone of development in the Middle East, with numerous institutions dedicated to advancing knowledge and skills. The region boasts a mix of universities, vocational training centers, and language schools. ArabianTalks highlights educational institutions and training providers, making it easier for prospective students to find programs that suit their needs. By connecting learners with educational resources, the directory supports the region's goal of fostering a knowledgeable workforce.

7. Transportation and Logistics

As a hub for international trade, the Middle East relies heavily on efficient transportation and logistics services. With its strategic location, the region plays a critical role in facilitating global commerce. ArabianTalks lists businesses in logistics, freight forwarding, and transportation services, helping companies streamline their supply chains. These listings provide valuable resources for businesses seeking reliable partners in the logistics sector.

8. Food and Beverage

The food and beverage industry is another vibrant sector in the Middle East, characterized by a rich culinary heritage and diverse offerings. From traditional restaurants to innovative food startups, the region has something for every palate. ArabianTalks features a variety of food and beverage businesses, connecting consumers with local dining options and catering services. This exposure is essential for restaurants looking to attract new customers and showcase their unique flavors.

9. Energy and Sustainability

With the global shift towards sustainable practices, the energy sector in the Middle East is undergoing transformation. Renewable energy projects and sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important. ArabianTalks lists companies focused on energy solutions, including solar and wind energy providers. By connecting these businesses with environmentally conscious consumers, the directory plays a role in promoting sustainability in the region.

Conclusion

The Middle East is a dynamic region with diverse business sectors, each contributing to its economic growth and development. ArabianTalks serves as an essential resource for businesses looking to enhance their visibility and connect with potential customers. By providing a platform for various industries, the directory supports growth, fosters collaboration, and promotes innovation.

If you are looking to explore the diverse business sectors in the Middle East or list your own business, consider visiting ArabianTalks today. Discover how this platform can help you navigate the business landscape and unlock new opportunities for growth and success.

[yantainc]

Upcoming Events | Yantra Inc. | Technology and Innovation

Stay updated with the latest technology and innovation. Join the events hosted by Yantra Inc. Webinars, workshops, and seminars.Explore the future of tech. Don't miss out on these opportunities to learn, connect, and grow with industry leaders and experts. Stay informed and inspired with the latest advancements and trends. Join us now!

To Know More Visit- Technology and Innovation

[p24rana]

Cultivate Growth

Unlocking 300% Enhanced Productivity: The Unseen Power of Culture and Remote Work Models

In the post-pandemic era, the evolving work landscape is a fusion of technology, societal changes, and a global work culture. Shaped by innovation and resilience, it redefines how, where, and when we work, fostering an organizational culture that embraces adaptability, collaboration, and inclusivity.

The New Work Ecosystem

The rise of hybrid work signifies a profound shift in the post-pandemic work landscape, blending traditional office setups with remote flexibility. Now the norm, this model has not only increased productivity by up to 40% but also elevated employee satisfaction, with 80% expressing a preference for its work-life balance. This shift has prompted a reevaluation of productivity metrics, prioritizing outcomes over hours logged, and sparked a transformation in workspace design toward fostering collaboration and creativity.

Technology as the Backbone of Innovation

The proliferation of remote collaboration platforms like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams has revolutionized team dynamics, breaking down physical barriers and fostering seamless communication across continents. Virtual reality meetings, once a novelty, are now commonplace, offering immersive experiences akin to in-person interactions. The rapid growth of the global collaboration software market, projected to double by 2026 from its $10 billion value in 2023, underscores the vital role of these technologies in shaping the future of work.

These advancements have redefined work parameters and democratized opportunities, facilitating the emergence of a truly global workforce. Teams now span continents, promoting diversity of thought and experience, essential for innovation. As we delve into 2024, the fusion of hybrid work models and groundbreaking technologies presents a dynamic present rather than a distant future.

This new work ecosystem promises boundless growth potential, with businesses leveraging remote collaboration tools witnessing a notable 20% increase in project completion rates, highlighting the profound impact of technology on operational efficiency and team synergy.

Well-being at the Forefront

Employee well-being is now a core focus for companies, acknowledging its link to productivity and talent retention. Initiatives like flexible schedules and mental health support foster empathy and enhance morale. Studies show robust wellness programs reduce absenteeism and boost productivity. Prioritizing mental health correlates with lower turnover rates, while innovative work models empower employees for resilient organizations and fulfilling lives.

Upskilling: Navigating the Technological Wave

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, upskilling emerges as a critical strategy for organizational resilience and growth. Leading businesses are investing heavily in upskilling initiatives, recognizing that continuous learning is essential for future-proofing operations. Allocating significant resources to learning and development programs not only enhances workforce adaptability but also yields tangible benefits, including increased innovation outputs and employee satisfaction, ultimately fostering a culture of growth and sustained competitive advantage.

The Evolution of Workplace Diversity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have shifted from buzzwords to foundational pillars, driving innovation and resilience in organizations. Evidence shows that diverse executive teams correlate with 33% higher profitability, highlighting the tangible value of diversity in problem-solving and innovation.

Integrating DEI into corporate strategy fosters inclusive work environments, promoting value and empowerment for all. This shift isn't just moral but strategic, with initiatives like bias training and diverse hiring driving innovation and resilience.

The Rise of the Gig Economy

Your analysis captures the essence of the gig economy's transformative impact on both individuals and organizations. The emphasis on autonomy, flexibility, and access to a global talent pool highlights key benefits for workers and businesses alike. Moreover, your recognition of technology's pivotal role in enabling and enhancing the gig economy underscores the importance of digital platforms and tools in facilitating remote work and project-based collaboration.

The gig economy indeed represents a significant departure from traditional employment models, offering a paradigm shift towards a more fluid and adaptable work environment. As technology continues to evolve, it will likely further catalyze the growth of the gig economy, presenting both opportunities and challenges for stakeholders to navigate in the future.

Cybersecurity in the Digital Workplace

In today's digital workplace, cybersecurity is paramount as organizations rely heavily on digital platforms and remote work. To address evolving threats, companies implement measures like multi-factor authentication and regular security audits, fostering a culture of security awareness among employees. By investing in cybersecurity training, organizations strengthen their internal defenses and bolster trust among stakeholders, reinforcing their resilience against cyber threats.

Sustainability: A Corporate Imperative

Today, sustainability has become a corporate imperative, driven by demands from consumers, investors, and employees for environmentally responsible practices. Organizations globally are integrating ecological consciousness into their operations, setting ambitious targets such as achieving net-zero emissions. This shift not only benefits the environment but also enhances corporate culture and employee engagement, as companies prioritizing sustainability attract top talent and foster innovation and collaboration.

Flexibility in Employee Benefits

Employee benefits are evolving to meet diverse needs, with companies offering mental health support, remote work stipends, and flexible scheduling beyond traditional packages. Mental health initiatives, including counseling services and wellness apps, highlight a cultural shift towards holistic well-being in the workplace. Additionally, remote work stipends and flexible scheduling demonstrate a response to the rise of remote and hybrid work models, enhancing employee satisfaction and productivity.

Concluding thoughts

As we navigate the future of work, we're confronted with profound questions about productivity, creativity, and the human-tech balance. At Coditude, these questions are not mere musings but the bedrock of our ethos. We thrive on innovation and excellence, fostering a culture where thinking outside the box is standard, collaboration is key, and every voice matters. Our journey is one of continuous growth, where learning and development are intertwined with every project, and work-life harmony is championed to nurture both productivity and well-being.

Coditude's commitment extends beyond technology and personal growth. We strive to enrich our communities, foster positive impact, and unite in shared values and goals. Through collective effort and a dedication to inclusivity, we are cultivating a growth mindset that embraces diversity and collaboration, ensuring every team member feels valued and empowered. Together, we aim to create a brighter future for all, both within our organization and in the communities we serve.

Why Joining Coditude?

We're looking for individuals who share our passion, drive, and commitment to making a difference—not just within the realm of technology but in the world. Join us at Coditude, and let's embark on this journey together. Let's innovate, grow, and make a meaningful impact, crafting solutions that don't just meet expectations but redefine them.

[disease]

ABACUSYNTH by ELIAS JARZOMBEK [2022]

Abacusynth is a synthesizer inspired by an abacus, the ancient counting tool used all around the world. Just like an abacus is used to learn the fundamentals of math, the Abacusynth can be used to explore the building blocks of audio synthesis.

[httpsmskinsurecom]

Recognizing Excellence in Real Estate

[tmarshconnors]

Imagine a world without cars.

If we were to imagine a world without cars, there would be significant changes in various aspects of our lives. Here are some potential effects:

Transportation infrastructure: Without cars, the need for extensive road networks, parking lots, and traffic management systems would diminish. Instead, the focus might shift towards developing alternative modes of transportation, such as improved public transit systems, walking paths, and bicycle lanes.

Environmental impact: Cars are a significant source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Without cars, air quality could improve, leading to a reduction in respiratory illnesses and other health issues associated with pollution. Moreover, the decrease in carbon emissions would contribute positively to mitigating climate change.

Urban design: With no cars, cities might undergo significant transformations in terms of urban planning. Wider sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly zones, and more green spaces could replace parking spaces and roads. This shift could create more vibrant and livable urban environments, encouraging social interactions and physical activities.

Public transportation: Without cars, the demand for public transportation would likely increase significantly. Governments and transportation authorities would need to invest in expanding and improving public transit systems to accommodate the higher number of commuters. This might lead to more efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation options.

Lifestyle changes: A car-centric lifestyle has shaped many aspects of our lives, including commuting patterns, housing locations, and leisure activities. In a world without cars, people might choose to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting times. Additionally, alternative modes of transportation like bicycles or electric scooters could become more popular, influencing recreational choices and promoting active lifestyles.

Economic impact: The automotive industry plays a crucial role in many economies. A decline in car manufacturing and related industries would affect employment and require a transition to alternative job sectors. On the other hand, the absence of cars could lead to the emergence of new industries related to public transit, cycling infrastructure, and sustainable transportation technologies.

Accessibility: While cars provide convenience and independence, they are not accessible to everyone, particularly those who cannot drive, afford a car, or have mobility challenges. Removing cars from the equation could promote more inclusive and equitable transportation options, ensuring better accessibility for all members of society.

Technology and innovation: The absence of cars could drive technological advancements in other transportation sectors. Research and development efforts might focus on enhancing public transit systems, developing alternative fuel sources, improving battery technology for electric vehicles used in other contexts, and creating innovative mobility solutions.

It's important to note that completely eliminating cars is a hypothetical scenario, and the transition to a car-free world would be complex and challenging. However, imagining such a scenario can help us explore alternative transportation options and understand the potential benefits and implications they may have.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How lock-in hurts design

Berliners: Otherland has added a second date (Jan 28) for my book-talk after the first one sold out - book now!

If you've ever read about design, you've probably encountered the idea of "paving the desire path." A "desire path" is an erosion path created by people departing from the official walkway and taking their own route. The story goes that smart campus planners don't fight the desire paths laid down by students; they pave them, formalizing the route that their constituents have voted for with their feet.

Desire paths aren't always great (Wikipedia notes that "desire paths sometimes cut through sensitive habitats and exclusion zones, threatening wildlife and park security"), but in the context of design, a desire path is a way that users communicate with designers, creating a feedback loop between those two groups. The designers make a product, the users use it in ways that surprise the designer, and the designer integrates all that into a new revision of the product.

This method is widely heralded as a means of "co-innovating" between users and companies. Designers who practice the method are lauded for their humility, their willingness to learn from their users. Tech history is strewn with examples of successful paved desire-paths.

Take John Deere. While today the company is notorious for its war on its customers (via its opposition to right to repair), Deere was once a leader in co-innovation, dispatching roving field engineers to visit farms and learn how farmers had modified their tractors. The best of these modifications would then be worked into the next round of tractor designs, in a virtuous cycle:

https://securityledger.com/2019/03/opinion-my-grandfathers-john-deere-would-support-our-right-to-repair/

But this pattern is even more pronounced in the digital world, because it's much easier to update a digital service than it is to update all the tractors in the field, especially if that service is cloud-based, meaning you can modify the back-end everyone is instantly updated. The most celebrated example of this co-creation is Twitter, whose users created a host of its core features.

Retweets, for example, were a user creation. Users who saw something they liked on the service would type "RT" and paste the text and the link into a new tweet composition window. Same for quote-tweets: users copied the URL for a tweet and pasted it in below their own commentary. Twitter designers observed this user innovation and formalized it, turning it into part of Twitter's core feature-set.

Companies are obsessed with discovering digital desire paths. They pay fortunes for analytics software to produce maps of how their users interact with their services, run focus groups, even embed sneaky screen-recording software into their web-pages:

https://www.wired.com/story/the-dark-side-of-replay-sessions-that-record-your-every-move-online/

This relentless surveillance of users is pursued in the name of making things better for them: let us spy on you and we'll figure out where your pain-points and friction are coming from, and remove those. We all win!

But this impulse is a world apart from the humility and respect implied by co-innovation. The constant, nonconsensual observation of users has more to do with controlling users than learning from them.

That is, after all, the ethos of modern technology: the more control a company can exert over its users ,the more value it can transfer from those users to its shareholders. That's the key to enshittification, the ubiquitous platform decay that has degraded virtually all the technology we use, making it worse every day:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

When you are seeking to control users, the desire paths they create are all too frequently a means to wrestling control back from you. Take advertising: every time a service makes its ads more obnoxious and invasive, it creates an incentive for its users to search for "how do I install an ad-blocker":

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/adblocking-how-about-nah

More than half of all web-users have installed ad-blockers. It's the largest consumer boycott in human history:

https://doc.searls.com/2023/11/11/how-is-the-worlds-biggest-boycott-doing/

But zero app users have installed ad-blockers, because reverse-engineering an app requires that you bypass its encryption, triggering liability under Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This law provides for a $500,000 fine and a 5-year prison sentence for "circumvention" of access controls:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/12/youre-holding-it-wrong/#if-dishwashers-were-iphones

Beyond that, modifying an app creates liability under copyright, trademark, patent, trade secrets, noncompete, nondisclosure and so on. It's what Jay Freeman calls "felony contempt of business model":

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

This is why services are so horny to drive you to install their app rather using their websites: they are trying to get you to do something that, given your druthers, you would prefer not to do. They want to force you to exit through the gift shop, you want to carve a desire path straight to the parking lot. Apps let them mobilize the law to literally criminalize those desire paths.

An app is just a web-page wrapped in enough IP to make it a felony to block ads in it (or do anything else that wrestles value back from a company). Apps are web-pages where everything not forbidden is mandatory.

Seen in this light, an app is a way to wage war on desire paths, to abandon the cooperative model for co-innovation in favor of the adversarial model of user control and extraction.

Corporate apologists like to claim that the proliferation of apps proves that users like them. Neoliberal economists love the idea that business as usual represents a "revealed preference." This is an intellectually unserious tautology: "you do this, so you must like it":

https://boingboing.net/2024/01/22/hp-ceo-says-customers-are-a-bad-investment-unless-they-can-be-made-to-buy-companys-drm-ink-cartridges.html

Calling an action where no alternatives are permissible a "preference" or a "choice" is a cheap trick – especially when considered against the "preferences" that reveal themselves when a real choice is possible. Take commercial surveillance: when Apple gave Ios users a choice about being spied on – a one-click opt of of app-based surveillance – 96% of users choice no spying:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-out-of-app-tracking-in-ios-14-5-analytics-find/

But then Apple started spying on those very same users that had opted out of spying by Facebook and other Apple competitors:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

Neoclassical economists aren't just obsessed with revealed preferences – they also love to bandy about the idea of "moral hazard": economic arrangements that tempt people to be dishonest. This is typically applied to the public ("consumers" in the contemptuous parlance of econospeak). But apps are pure moral hazard – for corporations. The ability to prohibit desire paths – and literally imprison rivals who help your users thwart those prohibitions – is too tempting for companies to resist.

The fact that the majority of web users block ads reveals a strong preference for not being spied on ("users just want relevant ads" is such an obvious lie that doesn't merit any serious discussion):

https://www.iccl.ie/news/82-of-the-irish-public-wants-big-techs-toxic-algorithms-switched-off/

Giant companies attained their scale by learning from their users, not by thwarting them. The person using technology always knows something about what they need to do and how they want to do it that the designers can never anticipate. This is especially true of people who are unlike those designers – people who live on the other side of the world, or the other side of the economic divide, or whose bodies don't work the way that the designers' bodies do:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/20/benevolent-dictators/#felony-contempt-of-business-model

Apps – and other technologies that are locked down so their users can be locked in – are the height of technological arrogance. They embody a belief that users are to be told, not heard. If a user wants to do something that the designer didn't anticipate, that's the user's fault:

https://www.wired.com/2010/06/iphone-4-holding-it-wrong/

Corporate enthusiasm for prohibiting you from reconfiguring the tools you use to suit your needs is a declaration of the end of history. "Sure," John Deere execs say, "we once learned from farmers by observing how they modified their tractors. But today's farmers are so much stupider and we are so much smarter that we have nothing to learn from them anymore."

Spying on your users to control them is a poor substitute asking your users their permission to learn from them. Without technological self-determination, preferences can't be revealed. Without the right to seize the means of computation, the desire paths never emerge, leaving designers in the dark about what users really want.

Our policymakers swear loyalty to "innovation" but when corporations ask for the right to decide who can innovate and how, they fall all over themselves to create laws that let companies punish users for the crime of contempt of business-model.

I'm Kickstarting the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, narrated by @wilwheaton! You can pre-order the audiobook and ebook, DRM free, as well as the hardcover, signed or unsigned. There's also bundles with Red Team Blues in ebook, audio or paperback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/24/everything-not-mandatory/#is-prohibited

Image: Belem (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Desire_path_%2819811581366%29.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[shayenaxcrino]

https://www.xcrino.com/gym-management-software-in-delhi-ncr-india

Smart Gym Management Documentation by Xcrino

Smart Gym Management Documentation by Xcrino is a comprehensive guide that provides detailed information on how to effectively manage a gym or fitness center using the Xcrino gym management software. This documentation covers various aspects of gym management, including member management, sales and marketing, financial management, and facility management.

[unbfacts]

Scientists in China created a new cement that turns heat into electricity. This could help buildings produce their own power and support eco-friendly cities.

[thererisesaredstar]

Automation and comprehensive mechanization are the material basis for the gradual transition from socialist to communist labor. Fight for automation and comprehensive mechanization of production! (1961)

[ilovedthestars]

A thought I’ve been having: While it's important to recognize the long history of many current queer identities (and the even longer history of people who lived outside of the straight, cis, allo “norm”) I think it's also important to remember that a label or identity doesn't have to be old to be, for lack of a better word, real.

This post that i reblogged a little while ago about asexuality and its history in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and before is really good and really important. As i've thought about it more, though, it makes me wonder why we need to prove that our labels have "always existed." In the case of asexuality, that post is pushing back against exclusionists who say that asexuality was “made up on the internet” and is therefore invalid. The post proves that untrue, which is important, because it takes away a tool for exclusionists.

But aromanticism, a label & community with a lot of overlap & solidarity with asexuality, was not a label that existed during Stonewall and the subsequent movement. It was coined a couple decades ago, on internet forums. While the phrasing is dismissive, it would be technically accurate to say that it was “made up on the internet.” To be very clear, I’m not agreeing with the exclusionists here—I’m aromantic myself. What I’m asking is, why does being a relatively recently coined label make it any less real or valid for people to identify with?

I think this emphasis on historical precedent is what leads to some of the attempts to label historical figures with modern terminology. If we can say someone who lived 100 or 1000 years ago was gay, or nonbinary, or asexual, or whatever, then that grants the identity legitimacy. but that's not the terminology they would have used then, and we have no way of knowing how, or if, any historical person's experiences would fit into modern terminology.

There's an element of "the map is not the territory" here, you know? Like this really good post says, labels are social technologies. There's a tendency in the modern Western queer community to act like in the last few decades the "truth" about how genders and orientations work has become more widespread and accepted. But that leaves out all the cultures, both historical and modern, that use a model of gender and sexuality that doesn't map neatly to LGBTQ+ identities but is nonetheless far more nuanced than "there are two genders, man and woman, and everyone is allo and straight." Those systems aren’t any more or less “true” than the system of gay/bi/pan/etc and straight, cis and trans, aro/ace and allo.

I guess what I’m saying is, and please bear with me here, ���gay” people have not always existed. “Nonbinary” people have not always existed. “Asexual” people have not always existed. But people who fell in love with and had sex with others of the same gender have always existed. People who would not have identified themselves as either men or women have always existed. People who didn’t prioritize sex (and/or romance) as important parts of their lives have always existed. In the grand scheme of human existence, all our labels are new, and that’s okay. In another hundred or thousand years we’ll have completely different ways of thinking about gender and sexuality, and that’ll be okay too. Our labels can still be meaningful to us and our experiences right now, and that makes them real and important no matter how new they are.

We have a history, and we should not let it be erased. But we don’t need a history for our experiences and ways of describing ourselves to be real, right now.

[techtuv]

Glass becomes invisible when dipped in oil

Because the beaker and the vegetable oil have the same refractive index value, which is 1.47.

The index of refraction is how much light bends and slows down as it passes through a medium. Don't forget to follow us.

[thepersonalwords]

You have a choice: pursue your dreams, or be hired by someone else to help them fulfill their dreams.

Jay Samit, Disrupt You!: Master Personal Transformation, Seize Opportunity, and Thrive in the Era of Endless Innovation