#the distinct contrast in these two's ways of perceiving information

[fumiko-matsubara]

Sensing vs Intuition: Explaining the stark differences in Chiba and Hayami's sniping methods using MBTI

I'm back at it again with another essay :D

To put it simply, these two cognitive functions basically determine how each person chooses to absorb and process information. And for Chiba and Hayami, out of all the countless differences that they have, this is by far their biggest.

Sensing is when a person heavily relies on their five senses to absorb as much information about their surroundings as they can. They are extremely observant, sensitive, and they tend to have a wide field of vision, noticing details around them that a lot of people tend to miss. They rely on solid facts and prefer to live in the moment, rather than anticipating the unseen future.

Chiba is a strong sensing type. He has superior spatial awareness, which he uses to accurately determine the distance between point A and point B based from what he could see. He uses his sense of touch to determine the direction and strength of the wind blowing, while taking the light weight of the BB pellets into account.

Hence, he was able to easily take out Kataoka during the 3E civil war even though she was hidden from view and was over 300 feet away. This makes his long distance sniping terrifying, as he almost never misses.

Intuition, on the contrary, is when a person see patterns everywhere and uses that to speculate (guess) what was going to happen next. They can easily make instant decisions because they tend to jump into conclusions immediately after connecting bits of information together.

And because they've been doing this for most of their lives that it comes naturally to them, they're pretty good at guessing what was to come, or at least they feel good about making that guess... even if they have a track record of being wrong.

Hayami is an intuitive type. It might not be most suitable for a sniper to perceive information that way, but it's her superior kinetic vision that makes her pattern recognition ability extremely reliable when it comes to hitting moving targets or hitting targets while in an unstable position, at a near perfect timing.

Basically, Hayami's entire thing is:

"It doesn't have to be extremely accurate like Chiba's. As long as I can shoot and hit at any given moment, it's should be good enough."

A little bit to the left, a little up here, around there, and etc. ー unlike Chiba who takes his sweet time making a bunch of detailed calculations in his head so he could accurately shoot, Hayami doesn't think much about these details. She only estimates where she thinks her bullet will hit and just shoots from there. If it hits, then that's that. If it doesn't, she can just find another opportunity to try again.

Like I said, not really a fitting method for a sniper. Her lack of range and accuracy has been pointed out by people. But it's her "shoot and go" method that allows her to move freely in a specific battlefield like the 3E civil war.

And that covers it!

I could honestly talk more about how Chiba and Hayami's Sensing vs Intuition way of absorbing information isn't just exclusive to their contrasting sniping method, but also extends to their daily lives, how they interact with people, and how they face their problems.

To put it simply, Chiba is a realist while Hayami is a visionary. But this one is a topic I could talk about in another time.

[mitcenter]

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: Definition, Difference, Future

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, two terms have garnered immense attention and sparked countless discussions: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI). While often used interchangeably, they represent distinct yet interconnected fields that are shaping the future of industries worldwide. In this blog post, we delve into the definitions, differences, and future trajectories of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Defining Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

Data Science can be defined as the interdisciplinary field that utilizes scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract insights and knowledge from structured and unstructured data. It encompasses a range of techniques from statistics, machine learning, data mining, and big data analytics to uncover patterns, trends, and correlations within datasets. The primary goal of Data Science is to extract valuable insights and drive informed decision-making across various domains.

On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to mimic human-like cognitive functions such as learning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. AI systems are designed to perceive their environment, interpret data, learn from experiences, and adapt to new inputs, thereby enabling them to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI encompasses several subfields, including machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and expert systems.

Distinguishing Between Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

While Data Science and Artificial Intelligence are closely related and often overlap in their methodologies and applications, there are key distinctions between the two fields:

1) Focus and Purpose: Data Science primarily focuses on extracting insights and knowledge from data to inform decision-making processes, optimize operations, and identify opportunities for innovation. In contrast, Artificial Intelligence is concerned with creating intelligent systems capable of performing tasks autonomously, learning from data, and adapting to changing environments.

2) Techniques and Methods: Data Science employs a wide array of statistical and computational techniques such as data cleaning, data visualization, statistical analysis, and machine learning to analyze and interpret data. In contrast, Artificial Intelligence relies heavily on machine learning algorithms, neural networks, deep learning models, and other AI techniques to build intelligent systems capable of learning from data and making predictions or decisions.

3) Applications: Data Science finds applications across various industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, marketing, and manufacturing, where it is used for tasks such as predictive analytics, customer segmentation, fraud detection, and recommendation systems. Artificial Intelligence, on the other hand, powers a range of applications such as virtual assistants, autonomous vehicles, image recognition systems, language translation services, and automated trading systems.

The Future of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

As we look ahead, the future of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence holds tremendous promise and potential for transformative impact across industries. Some key trends and developments to watch out for include:

1) Advancements in Deep Learning: Deep learning, a subfield of machine learning inspired by the structure and function of the human brain, continues to drive innovation in AI research. Breakthroughs in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, and reinforcement learning are paving the way for more sophisticated AI systems capable of complex reasoning and decision-making.

2) Ethical and Responsible AI: With the growing adoption of AI technologies, there is increasing recognition of the need for ethical and responsible AI development and deployment. Addressing issues related to bias, fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy will be crucial to building trust in AI systems and ensuring equitable outcomes for all stakeholders.

3) Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The convergence of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and other fields such as neuroscience, cognitive science, and robotics is leading to exciting interdisciplinary research and innovation. Collaborative efforts across disciplines are essential for tackling complex challenges and unlocking new opportunities in AI and data-driven technologies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence are driving forces behind the digital transformation of businesses and societies worldwide. While they represent distinct disciplines with their own methodologies and applications, their synergistic relationship is shaping the future of technology innovation. By understanding the definitions, differences, and future trends of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, we can better navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.

[jcmarchi]

From LLMs to LAMs: Pioneering AI's multimodal future

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/from-llms-to-lams-pioneering-ais-multimodal-future/

From LLMs to LAMs: Pioneering AI's multimodal future

In the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), two major technologies have emerged as leaders: Large Language Models (LLMs) and Large Action Models (LAMs).

LLMs have traditionally dominated the AI scene, adept at crafting and interpreting textual content. However, LAMs have recently taken the spotlight, showcasing their versatility by working with a wide array of data types, including text, images, and audio, thus pushing the envelope of what AI can achieve.

This exploration delves into the transition from LLMs to LAMs, highlighting how these advancements are breaking down barriers and setting new benchmarks in the field.

LAMs represent more than just an evolutionary step; they are a revolutionary stride towards achieving artificial general intelligence, with the capability to understand and interact with the world in a more nuanced and comprehensive manner.

Embark with us on an exciting journey through the tech universe as we uncover the capabilities of these multimodal wonders, set to alter the core of AI. It’s an era that transcends simple text processing, embracing the complexity of interpreting a multitude of data types. The dawn of LAMs heralds a new chapter in our quest to craft machines that grasp the full spectrum of human experience.

The multimodal capabilities of LAMs

Distinguishing between LLMs and LAMs boils down to their data-handling prowess. LLMs excel in managing textual information, whereas LAMs are adept at processing and understanding a variety of data inputs, such as text, images, audio, and even video.

LAMs’ key strength lies in their ability to synthesize information across these different formats, often in real time.

The shift from LLMs to LAMs marks a critical advancement in AI capabilities, underscored by several factors:

Data interpretation. LLMs specialize in text, while LAMs handle diverse data types, broadening the scope of AI applications.

Multimodal processing. Unlike LLMs’ focus on the text, LAMs integrate and interpret data from multiple sources, offering a richer understanding of information.

Action and interaction. LAMs can take actions based on multimodal data insights, a step beyond LLMs’ text generation and interpretation limits.

Task complexity. LAMs are equipped for complex tasks involving multiple data types, enabling more sophisticated decision-making.

AI generalization. LAMs are closer to achieving artificial general intelligence, capable of engaging with a wider range of scenarios.

Training paradigms. LAMs require advanced training on multimodal datasets, contrasting with LLMs’ text-based unsupervised learning.

Bridging towards artificial general intelligence

The evolution from LLMs to LAMs represents a paradigm shift towards a more integrated, multimodal approach in AI. This transition is not just about enhancing language processing but about empowering AI to perceive and interact with a broader spectrum of the world’s data.

While LAMs are still emerging technologies, their potential to redefine AI applications is immense, signaling a promising future where AI can more accurately mimic human understanding and interaction with the world.

In summary, LLMs and LAMs embody distinct facets of AI development, with LLMs focusing on textual data and LAMs expanding AI’s reach across multiple data types.

As LAMs continue to evolve, they promise to bring us closer to the goal of creating machines that can fully comprehend and interact with their surroundings in complex and meaningful ways.

Like what you see? Then check out tonnes more.

From exclusive content by industry experts and an ever-increasing bank of real world use cases, to 80+ deep-dive summit presentations, our membership plans are packed with awesome AI resources.

Subscribe now

[chrisabraham]

How have the rules of war changed when it comes to the global war on terror and terrorism versus regular traditional wars, according to ChatGPT?

The rules of war, or the laws of armed conflict, have undergone significant evolution in response to the global war on terror and the unique challenges posed by terrorism, compared to traditional state-to-state conflicts. Here are some key ways in which these rules have changed or been interpreted differently:

Definition of Combatants: Traditional wars typically involve clearly defined combatants representing nation-states. In contrast, the war on terror involves non-state actors like terrorist groups, which has led to debates over the legal status of these fighters. Questions about whether terrorists can be classified as lawful combatants under the Geneva Conventions have arisen, impacting their rights and the legal framework for their detention and treatment.

Detention and Interrogation: The detention of suspected terrorists, especially in facilities like Guantanamo Bay, and the use of enhanced interrogation techniques have been subjects of controversy. These practices have raised questions about the applicability and interpretation of international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the Convention Against Torture.

Targeted Killings and Drone Warfare: The use of drone strikes to target terrorist leaders has brought new challenges to the laws of war. Issues around sovereignty, the distinction between combatants and non-combatants, and the proportionality of such attacks have been significant points of debate.

Cyber Warfare and Information Operations: Terrorism today often involves cyber elements, from cyber-attacks to using the internet for propaganda and recruitment. The rules of war are still adapting to these new forms of warfare, with questions about what constitutes an act of war in cyberspace.

Asymmetric Warfare: Terrorist groups often engage in asymmetric warfare, using tactics that differ significantly from traditional state militaries. This has led to discussions on how to apply principles like proportionality and distinction in conflicts where one party does not adhere to conventional war tactics or the laws of war.

International Cooperation and Jurisdiction: The global war on terror has led to increased international cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. However, this has also raised questions about jurisdiction, extradition, and the application of different legal systems to individuals accused of terrorism.

Human Rights Concerns: Balancing security concerns with human rights has been a major challenge. There have been instances where counterterrorism measures have been criticized for infringing on human rights, leading to discussions about finding a balance between the two.

Preemptive Action: The concept of preemptive action against perceived threats has gained more prominence in the context of the war on terror. This challenges the traditional just war theory, particularly the principle of last resort.

Overall, the global war on terror has challenged and expanded the interpretation of the rules of war, leading to ongoing debates in international law, human rights, and state sovereignty.

[ultronfoundation01]

Exploring Cryptocurrency Investment Behaviors | Ultron Foundation

In the ever-evolving landscape of finance, one arena that has garnered remarkable attention is the realm of cryptocurrency. As individuals step into the captivating domain of digital assets, their investment behaviours take center stage. Delving into the tapestry of investment behaviours in the cryptocurrency space provides a fascinating insight into the minds of these modern-day investors.

In a landscape defined by rapid innovation and dynamic shifts, understanding investment behaviours becomes paramount. The cryptocurrency sphere is unlike any other, characterized by its decentralized nature and the absence of traditional regulatory confines. This distinctive backdrop sets the stage for a myriad of investment behaviours that unfold in captivating ways.

Risk is an ever-present companion in the world of investment. Yet, in the realm of cryptocurrencies, the concept of risk takes on a unique hue. The palpable excitement surrounding the potential for staggering gains often intersects with an understanding of the volatile nature of the market. Investors here showcase a diverse range of risk appetites, from the cautious observers who dip their toes gingerly to the daring enthusiasts who plunge headlong into the crypto currents. Ultron Foundation

Cryptocurrency investment behaviours are often shaped by two powerful psychological forces: the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and the Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD). The allure of immediate gains, driven by the fear that one might miss the next big rally, can propel investors into swift action. Conversely, the undercurrent of FUD, fueled by market uncertainties and external factors, can trigger a cascade of reactionary behaviours. Navigating these opposing currents requires a delicate balance of information and emotional control.

The question of portfolio diversification stands as a cornerstone in the world of investment. Cryptocurrency investors stand divided between those who advocate for a diversified approach and those who champion a singular focus. The former seek to spread their investments across a spectrum of digital assets, mitigating risk through variety. On the other hand, the latter believe in channelling their resources into a chosen cryptocurrency, banking on its potential to flourish. Both strategies bear their own merits and pitfalls, illustrating the multifaceted nature of investment behaviours. Ultron Foundation

The passage of time has a profound influence on investment behaviours within the cryptocurrency space. A subset of investors thrives on the adrenaline of short-term trading, skillfully leveraging market fluctuations for swift gains. This group revels in the intricacies of technical analysis and the rapid pace of trading. In contrast, the long-term proponents view cryptocurrencies through a different lens. They perceive these digital assets as foundational components of a future financial landscape, choosing to weather the storms of volatility with a steadfast belief in the lasting potential of their investments.

In the age of social media, the cryptocurrency community plays an instrumental role in shaping investment behaviours. The collective sentiment of online platforms can sway individual decisions, leading to herd behaviours that drive market trends. However, an intriguing counterplay also unfolds – the contrarian instincts of certain investors. These individuals tread the path less taken, basing their decisions on meticulous research and a conviction that diverges from prevailing sentiments.

Cryptocurrency investment behaviours are underpinned by a thirst for knowledge. The world of digital assets is a dynamic ecosystem where staying informed is akin to wielding a potent tool. Investors immerse themselves in a continuous learning process, understanding the intricacies of blockchain technology, market trends, and regulatory shifts. This pursuit of mastery empowers them to make informed decisions and adapt to the evolving landscape.

The regulatory currents in the cryptocurrency space are still finding their course. As governments and regulatory bodies grapple with the complexities of digital assets, investors must navigate shifting sands. Investment behaviours are inextricably linked to the legal frameworks that emerge, with some investors embracing the prospect of increased legitimacy and security, while others express concern about potential constraints on the inherent freedoms of cryptocurrencies.

Beneath the digital veneer, investment behaviours in the cryptocurrency space are inherently human. Emotions run deep – from the elation of witnessing substantial gains to the frustration of market downturns. The psychological aspect of investment behaviours cannot be understated. Successful investors acknowledge and manage their emotions, cultivating a disciplined approach that tempers impulsivity and ensures a steady course.

Cryptocurrency investment behaviours unfold against a backdrop of unparalleled uncertainty. The intricate interplay of technology, economics, and human psychology renders the market an unpredictable arena. As the journey through this landscape continues, investors will continue to adapt, refining their strategies and responding to the evolving dynamics that define the world of cryptocurrencies.

In this captivating arena, investment behaviours in the cryptocurrency space transcend the traditional norms of financial markets. They mirror the intricacies of the human experience, revealing a tapestry woven with risk, ambition, community, and a quest for knowledge. The symphony of behaviours that unfolds is a testament to the diverse perspectives and aspirations that converge in this digital realm.

As the cryptocurrency saga continues to unfold, the investment behaviours that shape it remain an enthralling narrative to behold.

[namelocals]

Call To Action

A call-to-action (CTA) is a call to action for the target audience to generate a specific response. Examples of CTAs are “Try Now”, “Learn More” or “Download Now”.

The call to action can be used in text form or as an image or as a combination of both media. The CTA is often a prerequisite for the user to interact with the page. At the same time, a sensibly placed call to action can increase the conversion rate.

Definition

A call-to-action is always used when the recipient is asked to deal with the product in a certain way in the context of advertising, regardless of the medium. However, the goal of a call-to-action is not always direct conversion. Different objectives such as generating leads are also possible. A CTA can also consist of encouraging the reader to click on other articles or media in order to increase the length of stay.

Possible goals of the call-to-action

Purchase of the advertised item

Arranging a consultation appointment in a specialist shop

Calling up a specific website with further information

Placing a product in the shopping cart

request for information material

Prompt for a call

Sign up for a newsletter

Registration on a website

Arranging a test drive in a car dealership

Start of a download

Request for further reading

Recommendation of other products, articles or pages on a website

A call-to-action is an important element in marketing campaigns that have been shown to increase response rates or conversion. The call-to-action is not only used in print and online advertising but also in TV and radio spots.

Possible applications of the call-to-action

Landing pages: Classic landing pages work specifically with CTA to generate conversions.

Mailings: In newsletter marketing or e-mail marketing, call-to-action plays an important role so that users react to the letter.

Websites: E-commerce websites always use call-to-action to convert visitors into buyers.

TV Ads: Any TV ad usually contains calls to action for the viewer.

Radio Spots: Radio commercials typically ask the listener to take action after listening to the spot.

Print ads: In the print sector, too, advertising is designed in such a way that it explicitly prompts the consumer to take action.

Display ads: Banner ads usually always work with CTA.

Online text ads: Text ads through programs like Google AdWords contain a limited amount of call-to-action. Google itself recommends these elements for text ads.

Meta Description: Meta descriptions used for the snippet in the SERPs should contain a CTA to increase the CTR.

Placement of the call-to-action in digital media

The call-to-action must be placed in such a way that the recipient of the advertisement can perceive and understand the message. There are two possible positions for this. In principle, it can be placed at the beginning of an advertisement or a website. In this case, one speaks of “above the field”. More often, however, the call to action is placed at the end, where it can take the consumer’s positive impression of the product or company and turn it into a reaction. The call-to-action thus forms the “highlight” of a text or graphic, for example, “Buy product xy online now!!” at the end of a product description in an online shop.

Design of the call to action

The call to action must always be formulated in such a way that the consumer does not feel patronized. Rather, the desire should be awakened in him to become active. A call-to-action is naturally formulated very briefly and should not exceed a maximum of two sentences. Ideally, it is only one sentence or a few words long. The call-to-action should also be visually distinct from the rest of the ad, website, or landing page.

In Internet media, so-called “buttons” are often used. These are buttons labelled with the call to action that directly trigger the respective action. They often stand out in colour from the rest of the website. The design of the buttons is usually very simple and consists of a text element with a contrasting background.

https://namelocals.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CallToAction-Namelocals.png

Example of a call to action

In addition to this simple “button solution”, a call-to-action can also be combined with a strong image. For example, working with faces on websites has proven itself because they inspire trust in the visitor. These CTAs are often used, for example, to encourage visitors to make a call.

Click-rate optimization with call-to-action

The call-to-action is an important element for optimizing the meta description. This meta element of a website is used by search engines for the search snippet in the SERPs. If a user has now entered his search query into the search engine and receives the search results, only a few milliseconds remain before he decides on a result that he clicks on. If a call-to-action is included in the snippet, the chance that the user will click on exactly this result and be redirected to the website increases. The call-to-action can thus contribute to a higher CTR in the SERP. In this sense, it also becomes an SEO-relevant element of on-page optimization.

Linking the CTA to artificial scarcity

Response to a call-to-action can be improved by working with what is known as artificial scarcity. The advertiser artificially creates a feeling of scarcity, for example by only offering certain discounts for a limited period of time or by limiting the number of items offered. A typical example of artificial scarcity is the call to action: “The first 50 customers receive a special discount of 20%. Secure your special price now!”

Benefits for online marketing

Digital advertising media or websites without a call-to-action often contribute to the fact that the user looks at the content but does not act in the desired way. As the name suggests, a call-to-action asks him to take action. The user becomes active. The call-to-action can be formulated very simply and also appear in the body of the text to keep the reader engaged. But regardless of how the call-to-action is ultimately implemented, it is a central element of any advertising campaign and just as important for visitors to interact with a website.

#blog

#business

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#digital

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#EMAIL

#EMAIL MARKETING

#Encyclopedia) 2023

#Engagement Rate

#Google Analytics

#google seo

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#Microsoft

#Search Engine Optimization

#SEO

#serp

#social bookmarks

[mitzikernan]

Difference between Bitcoin and Litecoin

Today, we'll delve into the intriguing realm of Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC), two renowned digital currencies that have captured the attention of investors and enthusiasts alike. If you've ever wondered about the differences between these two prominent cryptocurrencies, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll unravel the contrasting features of Bitcoin and Litecoin, shedding light on their unique characteristics, from hashing algorithms to transaction speeds and market capitalization. So, let's dive in and uncover the distinctions that set Bitcoin and Litecoin apart! Bitcoin, often referred to as the king of cryptocurrencies, made its grand entrance back in 2008. Created by an enigmatic figure or group known as Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin aimed to revolutionize the way we perceive and conduct financial transactions. Litecoin, on the other hand, emerged in 2011 as the "silver" to Bitcoin's "gold." Its creator, Charlie Lee, sought to address some of the limitations of Bitcoin while offering faster transaction speeds and lower fees. With these distinct origins, Bitcoin and Litecoin have carved their own paths in the digital currency landscape, each with its own loyal following and unique value propositions. Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the realm of Bitcoin and Litecoin? Join us as we explore their contrasting features, use cases, and market dynamics. Whether you're an avid investor or simply curious about the world of cryptocurrencies, understanding the differences between Bitcoin and Litecoin is crucial for making informed decisions in this rapidly evolving market. So, let's uncover the secrets of Bitcoin and Litecoin, and gain a deeper appreciation for these groundbreaking digital currencies. Read on to discover the distinctions between BTC and LTC and expand your knowledge of the cryptocurrency universe! Here's a quick chart highlighting the key differences between Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC): AspectBitcoin (BTC)Litecoin (LTC)Year Introduced20082011CreatorSatoshi Nakamoto (pseudonym)Charlie LeeHashing AlgorithmSHA-256ScryptTransaction SpeedSlower (10 minutes per block)Faster (2.5 minutes per block)Maximum Coin Supply21 million84 millionMarket CapitalizationLargest among cryptocurrenciesSignificant but smaller than BitcoinAdoption and RecognitionWidely recognized and adoptedLess widespread, but still prominentUse CaseStore of value and medium of exchangeEveryday transactions and testing ground for new features Introduction to Bitcoin and Litecoin Bitcoin (BTC) Bitcoin, often referred to as the king of cryptocurrencies, was created by an anonymous person or group of people using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. It was introduced as the first decentralized digital currency, aiming to enable secure peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries like banks or governments. Bitcoin operates on a technology called blockchain, which is a distributed ledger that records all transactions across a network of computers. It utilizes a proof-of-work (PoW) consensus algorithm, known as mining, to validate and add new blocks to the blockchain. Litecoin (LTC) Litecoin, launched in 2011 by Charlie Lee, a former Google engineer, is often referred to as the silver to Bitcoin's gold. It was created as a decentralized cryptocurrency with several improvements over Bitcoin, aiming to address some of its perceived limitations. Similar to Bitcoin, Litecoin operates on a blockchain and utilizes a proof-of-work consensus algorithm. However, it implements a different hashing algorithm called Scrypt, which is computationally less intensive than Bitcoin's SHA-256 algorithm. This choice of algorithm allows for faster block generation and transaction confirmation times. Key Differences Between Bitcoin and Litecoin 1. Hashing Algorithm One of the most significant differences between Bitcoin and Litecoin lies in their hashing algorithms. Bitcoin uses the SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit) algorithm, which requires substantial computational power and energy consumption for mining. On the other hand, Litecoin utilizes the Scrypt algorithm, which is memory-intensive and designed to be more ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) resistant. This algorithmic difference has several implications for the two cryptocurrencies. 2. Transaction Confirmation Speed Due to its hashing algorithm, Litecoin offers faster block generation times compared to Bitcoin. Litecoin's block time is approximately 2.5 minutes, while Bitcoin's block time is around 10 minutes. This means that transactions can be confirmed more quickly on the Litecoin network, providing faster payment settlements and increased scalability. The shorter block time also leads to a higher number of transactions that can be processed within a given time frame. As a result, Litecoin can handle a higher transaction throughput than Bitcoin. 3. Coin Supply and Distribution Bitcoin has a maximum supply cap of 21 million coins, making it a deflationary currency. This limited supply is built into Bitcoin's protocol and contributes to its scarcity, potentially driving its value over time as demand increases. Litecoin, on the other hand, has a maximum supply of 84 million coins, four times that of Bitcoin. The increased supply of Litecoin allows for a larger circulating coin count and lower individual value. However, it's important to note that both Bitcoin and Litecoin are divisible, and their smallest units (Satoshis and Litoshis, respectively) can facilitate transactions of smaller amounts. 4. Market Capitalization and Popularity Bitcoin, as the first and most widely known cryptocurrency, has a significant market capitalization and dominance within the crypto space. It enjoys higher liquidity and is accepted by a larger number of merchants and businesses compared to Litecoin. Bitcoin's market capitalization often surpasses that of all other cryptocurrencies combined, including Litecoin. However, Litecoin has still gained a notable following and has maintained its position as one of the top cryptocurrencies. It has a dedicated community of supporters who appreciate its technological advancements and faster transaction speeds. 5. Development and Adoption (continued) Bitcoin has a large and active development community, with numerous developers and contributors working on improving its protocol and addressing scalability issues. It has also seen wider adoption by businesses, financial institutions, and even some governments, which has contributed to its mainstream recognition. Litecoin, while not as extensively adopted as Bitcoin, still has an active development community led by its creator, Charlie Lee, and other contributors. It has been integrated into various payment platforms and exchanges, allowing users to transact with Litecoin in different ways. Litecoin's focus on faster transaction speeds and lower fees has attracted some merchants and individuals seeking quicker and more cost-effective payment solutions. 6. Network Effect and Brand Recognition Bitcoin's early entry into the cryptocurrency space and its subsequent growth have led to a significant network effect. It has become the most recognizable and widely known cryptocurrency, often considered the default digital currency and a store of value. Bitcoin's brand recognition and established infrastructure give it an advantage in terms of acceptance, liquidity, and accessibility. Litecoin, while not as globally recognized as Bitcoin, has managed to establish itself as one of the prominent cryptocurrencies. Its association with Bitcoin and its improvements over its predecessor have helped Litecoin gain a loyal following. However, it may face challenges in competing with Bitcoin's network effect and widespread acceptance. 7. Use Cases and Market Perception Bitcoin is commonly perceived as digital gold and a store of value. Its limited supply and decentralized nature make it an attractive asset for individuals and institutions seeking to hedge against inflation or diversify their investment portfolios. Bitcoin's price volatility has also made it a popular choice for traders and speculators. Litecoin, with its faster transaction speeds and lower fees, is often positioned as a digital currency suitable for everyday transactions. It aims to facilitate quick and affordable peer-to-peer payments, making it more practical for daily use compared to Bitcoin. Some users also consider Litecoin as a testing ground for implementing new features or improvements before they are applied to Bitcoin. 8. Segregated Witness (SegWit) Implementation Bitcoin implemented Segregated Witness (SegWit) in August 2017 as a protocol upgrade. SegWit separates transaction signature data from the transaction block, allowing for increased transaction capacity within a block. This upgrade was intended to address the scalability challenges of Bitcoin's blockchain and reduce transaction fees. Litecoin, on the other hand, adopted SegWit before Bitcoin and was one of the first cryptocurrencies to implement this protocol upgrade. The early implementation of SegWit in Litecoin showcased its commitment to technological advancements and provided a testing ground for Bitcoin's subsequent adoption of SegWit. 9. Lightning Network Integration Both Bitcoin and Litecoin have integrated the Lightning Network, a second-layer protocol built on top of their respective blockchains. The Lightning Network aims to enable faster and cheaper microtransactions by conducting off-chain transactions that are later settled on the main blockchain. This scalability solution can significantly increase the transaction throughput and reduce fees for both Bitcoin and Litecoin, making them more suitable for everyday transactions. 10. Community and Development Collaboration Bitcoin has a large and diverse community of developers, contributors, and enthusiasts. Its open-source nature encourages collaboration and innovation, resulting in continuous improvement and updates to the protocol. Litecoin, while having a smaller community, also benefits from collaboration with Bitcoin's development community. Since Litecoin is a fork of Bitcoin's codebase, it can incorporate upgrades and improvements made to Bitcoin more easily. This collaboration ensures that Litecoin remains technologically up-to-date and can implement enhancements pioneered by Bitcoin. 11. Price Volatility and Market Performance Bitcoin has exhibited significant price volatility throughout its history, with notable price surges and corrections. This volatility can be attributed to various factors, including market demand, regulatory developments, macroeconomic events, and investor sentiment. Litecoin has also experienced price fluctuations but generally follows the broader trends of the cryptocurrency market, often influenced by Bitcoin's performance. It's important to note that both Bitcoin and Litecoin are considered highly volatile assets, and their prices can fluctuate rapidly. 12. Privacy Features Bitcoin and Litecoin are generally considered pseudonymous rather than fully anonymous. While transactions are recorded on the blockchain, the identities of the individuals involved in the transactions are not explicitly linked to their public addresses. However, Bitcoin and Litecoin lack built-in privacy features by default. To enhance privacy, users can utilize additional tools and protocols, such as CoinJoin, to obfuscate transaction histories. It's worth mentioning that there are other cryptocurrencies specifically designed to offer enhanced privacy features, such as Monero (XMR) and Zcash (ZEC). 13. Accessibility and Availability Bitcoin is widely accessible and available for purchase on numerous cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms. It has gained recognition from major financial institutions, enabling users to buy, sell, and trade Bitcoin with relative ease. Litecoin, while not as widely available as Bitcoin, is still listed on various exchanges and can be obtained through similar channels. Both cryptocurrencies can also be stored in digital wallets, ranging from software wallets to hardware devices, providing users with control over their funds. Final Thoughts Bitcoin and Litecoin are two prominent cryptocurrencies with their own unique features, strengths, and communities. Bitcoin holds the position of the pioneering cryptocurrency and has achieved significant market recognition and acceptance. Litecoin, on the other hand, offers faster transaction confirmation times and lower fees, positioning itself as a more practical option for everyday transactions. When considering Bitcoin and Litecoin, it's important to assess factors such as your intended use, technological features, community support, market dynamics, and personal preferences. Conducting thorough research and understanding the nuances of each cryptocurrency will assist you in making an informed decision based on your specific requirements and goals. Conclusion In summary, while Bitcoin and Litecoin are both cryptocurrencies based on blockchain technology, they have distinct differences in their hashing algorithms, transaction confirmation speeds, coin supply, market capitalization, adoption, and use cases. Bitcoin remains the dominant and most recognized cryptocurrency, serving as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Litecoin, with its technological improvements and focus on faster transactions, provides an alternative option for individuals seeking quicker and more affordable payments. Ultimately, the choice between Bitcoin and Litecoin depends on individual preferences and specific use cases. Understanding their differences can help users make informed decisions about which cryptocurrency aligns better with their goals and requirements. FAQs What is the main difference between Bitcoin and Litecoin? The main difference between Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) lies in their hashing algorithms and transaction speeds. Bitcoin uses the SHA-256 algorithm, which requires significant computational power and leads to slower block generation times of around 10 minutes. Litecoin, on the other hand, utilizes the Scrypt algorithm, which is less computationally intensive and enables faster block generation, with an average time of 2.5 minutes. This results in quicker transaction confirmations and increased scalability for Litecoin. How do Bitcoin and Litecoin differ in terms of coin supply? Bitcoin has a maximum supply cap of 21 million coins, making it a deflationary currency. This limited supply is built into Bitcoin's protocol and contributes to its scarcity, potentially driving its value over time as demand increases. In contrast, Litecoin has a maximum supply of 84 million coins, which is four times that of Bitcoin. The increased supply of Litecoin allows for a larger circulating coin count and lower individual value. Both Bitcoin and Litecoin are divisible, and their smallest units (Satoshis and Litoshis, respectively) can facilitate transactions of smaller amounts. How are Bitcoin and Litecoin perceived in terms of market capitalization and adoption? Bitcoin has a significantly higher market capitalization compared to Litecoin. As the pioneering cryptocurrency, Bitcoin enjoys greater liquidity, wider acceptance, and recognition from major financial institutions. It is often seen as the default digital currency and a store of value. Litecoin, while not as widely adopted as Bitcoin, has still gained a notable following and maintained its position as one of the top cryptocurrencies. It has a dedicated community of supporters who appreciate its technological advancements, faster transaction speeds, and lower fees, positioning it as a practical choice for everyday transactions. Read More: - Litecoin (LTC) vs Ethereum (ETH) - Avalanche (AVAX) vs Solana (SOL) - Solana vs Bitcoin - Ethereum vs Bitcoin - Tether vs Bitcoin - FOMO vs FUD Read the full article

[atakdanote]

Design Fundamentals

Abstraction – A visual representation that may have little resemblance to the real world. Abstraction can occur through a process of simplification or distortion in an attempt to communicate an essential aspect of a form or concept.

Achromatic - the total absence of color: Comprised only of black, gray and white values.

Aerial perspective – the perception of less-distinct contours and value contrasts as forms recede into the background. Colors appear to be washed out in the distance or take on the color of the atmosphere. Also called atmospheric perspective.

Allover pattern – a composition that distributes emphasis uniformly throughout the two-dimensional surface by repetition of similar elements.

Alternating rhythm – A rhythm that consists of successive patterns in which the same elements reappear in a regular order. The motifs alternate consistently with one another to produce a regular (and anticipated) sequence.

Ambiguity – obscurity of motif or meaning.

Amplified perspective – a dynamic and dramatic illusionistic effect created when an object is pointed directly at the viewer.

Anticipated movement – The implication of movement on a static two-dimensional surface caused by the viewer’s past experience with a similar situation.

Assemblage – an assembly of found objects composed as a piece of sculpture. See Collage.

Asymmetrical balance, also called informal balance, involves placement of objects in a way that will allow objects of varying visual weight to balance one another around a focus point. Balance achieved with dissimilar objects that have equal visual weight or equal eye attraction.

Axis – a line of reference around which a form or composition is balanced.

Bilateral symmetry – balance with respect to a vertical axis.

Biomorphic – Describes shapes derived from organic or natural forms.

Closed form – The placement of objects by which a composition keeps the viewer’s attention within the picture.

Collage – An artwork created by assembling and pasting a variety of materials onto a two-dimensional surface.

Complementary contrast – a color scheme incorporating opposite hues on the color wheel. Complementary colors accentuate each other in juxtaposition and neutralize each other in mixture.

Composition – the overall arrangement and organization of visual elements on the two-dimensional surface.

Content – an idea conveyed through the artwork that implies the subject matter, story, or information the artist communicates to the viewer.

Continuation – a line or edge that continues from one form to another, allowing the eye to move smoothly through a composition.

Contour – a line used to follow the edges of forms and thus describe their outlines.

Curvilinear – rounded and curving forms that tend to imply flowing shapes and compositions.

Equivocal space – An ambiguous space in which it is hard to distinguish the foreground from the background. Your perception seems to alternate from one to the other.

Exaggerated scale - the use of large size difference between objects to simulate great distance.

Figure – any positive shape or form noticeably separated from the background, or the negative space.

Focal point – a compositional device emphasizing a certain area or object to draw attention to the piece and to encourage closer scrutiny of the work.

Form – when referring to objects, it is the shape and structure of a thing. When referring to two-dimensional artworks, it is the visual aspect of composition, structure, and the work as a whole.

Gestalt - is a psychology term which means "unified whole." It refers to theories of visual perception developed by German psychologists in the 1920s. The principle maintains that the human eye sees objects in their entirety before perceiving their individual parts. These theories attempt to describe how people tend to organize visual elements into groups or unified wholes when certain principles (similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, figure & ground) are applied.

Ground – the surface of a two-dimensional design that acts as the background of surrounding space for the “figures” in the composition.

Hieratic scaling – a composition in which the size of figures is determined by their thematic importance.

Idealism – an artistic theory in which the world is not reproduced as it is but as it should be. All flaws, accidents, and incongruities of the visual world are corrected.

Imbalance – occurs when opposing or interacting forms are out of equilibrium in a pictorial composition.

Impasto – a painting technique in which pigments are applied in thick layers or strokes to create a rough three-dimensional paint surface on the two-dimensional surface.

Implied line – invisible lines created by positioning a series of points so that the eye will connect them and thus create movement across the picture plane.

Informal balance – synonymous with asymmetrical balance. It gives a less-rigid, more casual impression.

Kinesthetic empathy – a mental process in which the viewer consciously or unconsciously re-creates or feels an action or motion he or she only observes.

Kinetic – artworks that actually move or have moving parts.

Legato – a connecting and flowing rhythm.

Lost and found contour – a description of a form in which an object is revealed by distinct contours in some areas whereas other edges simply vanish or dissolve into the ground.

Mandala – a radial concentric organization of geometric shapes and images commonly used in Hindu and Buddhist art.

Medium – the tools or materials used to create an artwork.

Minimalism – an artistic style that stresses purity of form above subject matter, emotion, or other extraneous elements.

Mixed media – the combination of two or more different media in a single work of art.

Montage – a recombination of images from different sources to form a new picture.

Negative shapes – a clearly defined shape within the ground that is defined by surrounding figures or boundaries.

Negative space – unoccupied area or empty space surrounding the objects or figures in a composition.

Nonobjective – a type of artwork with absolutely no reference to, or representation of, the natural world. The artwork is the reality.

Objective – having to do with reality and fidelity to perception.

Opaque – a surface impenetrable by light.

Open form – the placement of elements in a composition so that they are cut off by the boundary of the design. This implies that the picture is a partial view of a larger scene.

Overlapping – a device for creating an illusion of depth in which some shapes are in front of and partially hide or obscure others.

Pattern – the repetition of a visual element or module in a regular and anticipated sequence.

Picture plane – the two-dimensional surface on which shapes are organized into a composition.

Positive shape - The part of a composition that we pay attention to; the recognizable object, figure, or subject matter.

Positive space – any shape or object distinguished from the background.

Primary color - the preliminary hues that cannot be broken down in order to make other component colors.

Progressive rhythm – repetition of a shape that changes in a regular pattern.

Proportion – size measured against other elements or against a mental norm or standard.

Proximity – the degree of closeness in the placement of elements.

Radial balance – a composition in which all visual elements are balanced around and radiate from a central point.

Rectilinear – composed of straight lines.

Repeated figure – a compositional device in which a recognizable figure appears within the same composition in different positions and situations so as to relate a narrative to the viewer.

Repetition – using the same visual element over again within the same composition.

Rhythm – an element of design based on the repetition of recurrent motifs.

Shading – use of value in artwork.

Shape – a visually perceived area created either by an enclosing line or by color and value changes defining the outer edges.

Spatial illusion - creates a sense of space using overlap, diminishing size, and effects of atmosphere.

Staccato – abrupt changes and dynamic contrast within the visual rhythm.

Subject – the content of an artwork.

Symbol – an element of design that communicates an idea or meaning beyond that of its literal form.

Symmetry - means a mirror image. Symmetry can occur in any orientation as long as the image is the same on either side of the central axis.

Tactile texture – the use of materials to create a surface that can be felt or touched.

Texture – the surface quality of objects that appeals to the tactile sense.

Tint – a hue mixed with white.

Unity - subjects connected to one another via similarity in design elements.

Value – a measure of relative lightness or darkness.

Vertical location – a spatial device in which elevation on the page or format indicates a recession into depth. The higher an object, the farther back it is assumed to be.

Visual texture – a two-dimensional illusion suggestive of a tactile quality.

Volume – the appearance of height, width, and depth in a form.

[fueldigimarketingpvtltd]

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[likehandlingroses]

“Realistic” Tom/Thomas Relationship Timeline

The S3/S4 Tom/Thomas affair is a theory that has been making its way around lately, and it is centered around the contrast in the interactions between Thomas and Tom during the Season 3 Christmas Special and their interactions in the Season 4 Christmas Special. 

This means that usually the start of the relationship is viewed as coinciding with the immediate aftermath of Matthew’s death, which occurs in the Christmas Special of Season 3 (September 1921). Due to the interactions between Tom and Thomas in the Christmas Special of Season 4, the relationship can almost certainly be considered over by that time (May-ish of 1923). But what happened in between, and how long were they actually together? There’s one view that the affair occurs in between Seasons 3 and 4, which means that at the very longest they lasted just under six months (generally I think this view cuts it even shorter than that)...but this leaves some unanswered questions and some peculiarities, so I took another look at the canon to determine when, in fact, Thomas and Tom broke up.

(Note: I definitely know that Julian Fellowes did not intend for them to be having an affair, but also Julian if I’m right just DM me)

Let’s start with what we know about September 1921 and May 1923—the definite before and after points—for reference:

Christmas Special Season 3—September, 1921

In this Christmas special, we see Tom left behind while the rest of the family goes to Duneagle, and we see Thomas still dealing with the Jimmy situation a year after its apparent resolution. On its face, this episode features Tom being challenged in his new role in the house—and being encouraged to step up and face that role—and Thomas finding a way to resolve things with Jimmy.

Except there’s a whole lot of other stuff going on in the periphery of those stories: Tom knows that Jimmy is bothering Thomas and appears to want to intervene at the fair, but he is stopped by Edna, who at one point uses Thomas’s injuries as an excuse to visit Tom and assure him that Thomas is “feeling much better.” And—of course—there’s the fact that Tom and Thomas hug at the fair (and lest you think this was a RJC/Allen Leech moment not caught by editing, it was in multiple takes! Someone—multiple someones actually—included it on purpose). They are friendly, aware of each other, and to be honest it isn’t impossible to argue that maybe the relationship predates Matthew’s death! I’m going to argue otherwise, however, based on how Tom breaks down when Edna kisses him—I think Edna is the first time he’s even really thought of himself in romantic terms for a long time! But Thomas is right there in the wings, and he just finally made some progress on the emotional problem that’s been plaguing him for over a year!

It’s a big difference from what we see in the next Christmas special, big enough to start the theory of the affair in the first place...

Season 4 Christmas Special—Summer 1923

Once again, Tom is left alone at Downton while the rest of the family goes to London...and the difference in how Thomas responds is striking. He’s furious at having to wait on Tom, for reasons both we and the characters cannot quite understand. The excuses don’t add up—at this point, Tom has been living at Downton for three YEARS, and this has never been a problem before. Now all of a sudden Thomas is slamming trays and clenching his fists and provoking Tom into admitting that he sees himself as Above sitting next to him...what?

Then there’s Sarah Bunting, a Miss Sarah Bunting...whose presence infuriates Thomas while also making him eager to use her as a way to embarrass Tom. And Tom knows it, immediately. He’s embarrassed, he’s uncomfortable, but still he’s quick to pull rank with Thomas when challenged. Something has fundamentally altered the way they interact with and perceive each other while sharing the same space.

All of this speaks to a breakup, and a messy one at that...so with the knowledge we have, WHAT exactly happened between September of 1921 and May of 1923? Let’s look at what Season 4 has to say:

4.1/4.2–February, 1922

“That’s right: it’s Valentine’s Day.” 

This is an important piece of the puzzle, because Thomas—Nanny West drama aside—is in a pretty good mood for the Valentine’s Day episode! He engages with Daisy and Jimmy’s Valentine’s card drama with good humor and even some genuine interest...something I do not believe he’d do if he’d only recently been broken up with, and by someone who lived in the house! The big one here, though, is the dialogue Thomas has with Nanny West in which she calls him “Thomas” and he says, “that’s Mr. Barrow to you...”

Now, where did Nanny West hear him referred to as Thomas? The episode makes a point of the fact that nannies do not as a rule spend much time with the downstairs staff—and even if they did, not many of the downstairs crew call Thomas “Thomas” on a regular basis. Nor do the upstairs folks...with one notable exception. Tom, who has to be reminded by Thomas in 4.3 to address him as “Barrow” (more on that later), routinely messes up names and titles.

To me, this suggests that Tom and Thomas are still talking, and it’s pretty clear from Thomas’s attentions to Sybbie in the episode that it would have been easy for Nanny West to overhear it in that context. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re still seeing each romantically, but the “Mr. Barrow TO YOU” element implies that the correction was NOT made to whoever Nanny West heard using the name (we presume it’s Tom)...and the distinction is that Nanny West does not *get* to call him that! It definitely seems like whoever she grabbed the name from has been granted permission to do that, and she Has Not. And if it’s Tom...well.

So does that mean that Thomas and Tom were done by 4.3, when Thomas DOES correct Tom on his title? Not exactly...

4.3/4.4–The House Party (pre July 1922)

(tw on this section for discussions involving sexual assault)

The party features Edna’s schemes and assault on Tom in order to extract a promise of marriage from him. It also features a Tom who is incredibly vulnerable and entirely out of his element with the introduction of the Crawley’s friends. This is somewhat of a contrast from the Tom of the first two episodes, who stands up to Robert several times to intervene on Mary’s behalf, and even ropes Carson into the mission. It feels, for a moment, that despite Matthew’s death Tom has taken up the challenge presented to him at the end of Season 3 and begun seeing himself as a valuable, contributing member of the household and family.

But here, Tom speaks of himself as a fool, as walking a tightrope, and of not being understood. He relies on alcohol to get through the event, which Edna takes advantage of—and which gives us a Tom/Thomas interaction that speaks to, in my opinion, a continuing relationship (although perhaps an altering one):

Now, if I had to guess, I would say that Tom might be less *keen* than usual, given his overall demeanor and the new scrutiny placed on him by Edna coming back to the house (not to mention the house party itself). It’s very possible there’s been a lull between the two of them as of late. I do not believe, however, that there is evidence of a clear break between Tom and Thomas as of the house party.

For one, Tom doesn’t just say the wrong thing when addressing Thomas in the drawing room—he says, “Thomas, would you get me a drink for God’s sake?” That is Not how he talks to him in the Christmas Special, where he is stilted and uncomfortable and concerned about how the words will be taken. He isn’t worried about any of that, and while Thomas corrects him, he doesn’t seem all that bothered by it. Tom’s look of irritation at the correction isn’t overdone either.

“It’s Barrow now,” also has flexible meanings. Of course it literally is what Tom is supposed to call him now...but “now” seems like a weird word to use when it’s been what Thomas is meant to be called for several years. It could be a post-breakup smackdown, but we’ve seen what those look like in the Christmas Special, and this doesn’t feel like that! I believe, rather, that Thomas is making reference to the fact that it is incorrect at that moment, something Tom should know and has been discussed!!!

The house party has both of them overworked and tense (this is also the time where Thomas has to fill in for Jimmy because Jimmy hurt his hand...which is SO ridiculous if you think about it for more than two seconds), but Edna’s transgression still draws Thomas’s attention

And that’s important! Thomas had been friends with Edna until this point, largely for convenience it seems—she is a new lady’s maid, and she can feed him information. Thomas even worked with her to mess with Anna, who had earlier made a comment to Edna about his intentions in befriending her. There’s a bond forming there, and while I don’t believe Thomas would genuinely support the literal details of Edna’s plot, I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that he would be Opposed to Edna taking advantage of what she would frame as an indiscretion on Tom’s part. Not if he disliked Tom or was predisposed to believe Tom was at fault (ie: someone who expects to be “waited on Hand and Foot while he decides what Might Please Him Next”).

But right away, Thomas is suspicious the morning after. We see Thomas spying on Edna as she corners Tom, and he specifically brings it up to her later to catch her out. Already his tone is soured where she’s concerned. He’s sensed she’s up to something and he can probably guess the vague idea if not the particulars...and it turns him against her almost instinctively.

So what’s that about? Could it just be jealousy? The thing is, we know what Thomas would do if he believed that Edna and Tom were simply having an affair—we see what happens in the S4 Christmas Special with Sarah Bunting. This isn’t like that at all. 

Thomas immediately blames Edna for what’s happened, calling her a manipulative little witch and declaring that he’s delighted her plans didn’t work. There’s no question of Thomas’s loyalties, even though Edna assumes he’ll want to “keep in with” her. Not for one second does he appear to consider this, and that seems to distinguish this incident from later ones.

4.5/4.6–What Are These Episodes (pre-July 1922)

There isn’t a lot to remember about these episodes for Tom or Thomas, and so what people may not remember is that these are the episodes Tom starts floating the idea of leaving for America—a full season before he tries starting that conversation again, and over two years before he actually DOES temporarily move to Boston. Now, that kind of decision takes time, but it’s kind of...strange that he begins making it here in the spring of 1922 and will not seriously consider it again until well into 1924!

Whether this has anything at all to do with Thomas can’t be determined, but I do enjoy hearing Tom say it will be impossible for him to marry anyone at Downton because an upper class woman won’t have him, and would an “nice Irish working class girl” make everyone “comfy?”...and Thomas is standing Right There! What does it mean...

Thomas is also getting more paranoid, he’s got Baxter in the house feeding him information...and he’s generally giving off a different vibe than he has all season. 

Here is where I think the connection is starting to see some serious cracks—Tom is realizing he doesn’t belong and is making moves to change that. Meanwhile, Thomas is making moves to ensure Nothing Ever changes without him knowing about it ahead of time! Tension abounds, though we don’t see any evidence of it being directed at each other just yet...

4.7/4.8–Interesting and Modern (July 1922)

Thomas goes to America and Tom meets Miss Bunting...weird how that just happened like that!

Thomas is excited to go to New York, and it seems...pretty clear he fucked while he was there. I think if you’re gay and you go to New York in the 1920s and you come back and all you can tell your coworkers is that it was “interesting and modern” you definitely were not doing anything you can actually talk about

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he and Tom are Done (they may not have ever been exclusive on paper), but the overall feeling from Tom is a dejected man in limbo...he can’t even say he’s a Socialist anymore. It’s not going well. So my inclination is to say that Tom hit pause (maybe not for the first time), and Thomas is dealing with it by getting some in New York (great!) and bullying his coworkers (bad!) So why do I think they weren’t totally done at that time? Because these episodes happen in the summer of 1922...the Christmas Special for S4 takes place in May of 1923. That’s a long time to have passed! A long time for Tom to keep Miss Bunting at arm’s length, a long time for Thomas to be fuming over something...I believe that in the Christmas Special what we are seeing is the last stand of two people who are grappling with finally cutting a fraying thread.

Another Look At The S4 Christmas Special

These scenes are truly some of the most incomprehensible things Downton Abbey ever presented to us with virtually no explanation.  So let’s take another look at what’s happening here.  

First of all, we have the scene with Tom and Thomas entering the house after sending Edith off and leaving Tom offically on his own--they don’t appear openly hostile, though there’s some tense looking when the other person isn’t and looking back down again when they are energy...but nothing egregious. 

Not until we see Thomas slam down a tray, that is. In fact, this whole thing seems to be coming from Thomas’s anger, while Tom appears eager to just smooth it over by not causing trouble and following the rules set forth by the household norms. This seems in line with Tom’s general dispositon--with both Edna and Miss Bunting he tries to ease out rather than break things off. 

 But Thomas interprets this as dismissive, and while he says to Ivy it’s about their positions in the house...as discussed above this really doesn’t logically check out. I do think it irritates him that Tom is essentially avoiding Thomas because it’s what “pleases him,” but it runs deeper than “he used to be the chauffeur.” Because that was always the case. 

And then Tom brings Miss Bunting back without telling anyone, and he takes her upstairs. And this makes Thomas INSANE, and Tom knows IMMEDIATELY that it will! And Tom is eager to assure “Mr. Barrow” that nothing happened (actually, what he’s really eager to do is have Thomas not stand there while he eats, but Thomas is not budging). 

Thomas is furious. He’s said to Ivy that he is SICK of this man, he’s tired of dealing with him...and then he tries to get Tom to sit next to him the car? 

Thomas stole a dog one time, and I still think this might be his wildest attempt at controlling a situation we see on the show. What is going on? If Tom HAD let him sit in the back, would Thomas have still gone to Lord Grantham about Miss Bunting? If Thomas hadn’t been such a jerk about Miss Bunting, would Tom have LET him? What is poor Ivy even processing this as? Am I the only one hearing Taylor Swift’s Better Than Revenge playing? 

Thomas acts immediately on coming to London, dropping the line of “Mr. Branson is stil a young man, and he can’t be expected to stay single forever”...he’s Angry Angry!! If they were on a break before, I don’t think it had fully set in for Thomas that it might be Permanent until now. And I think Tom’s newly avoidant personality we see in other scenarios gave him the wrong impression in this respect.

In Summary

I think that the relationship was relatively “on” from the period of September 1921 through whenever the house party took place. The house party caused some huge issues, mostly for Tom (understandably)—he may have unfairly blamed himself for what happened and drew wrongful parallels to what’s happening with Thomas. I think that after that it was very “off,” but I believe that neither Thomas nor Tom really committed to ending it either...and when we see them in 1923 they are in the peak stages of finally facing the end of things.

So what caused the final shift? Perhaps Thomas came back from New York with expectations, expectations Tom found himself intimidated by. Perhaps Thomas’s increasing paranoia and Tom’s growing agnosticism towards his own beliefs and identity are related and fed off of each other until they both just did not like the person they were seeing! Maybe it’s just that Downton Abbey is a really bad place for both of them, and even though they started off trying to protect each other from that, they got sucked in and turned on each other!

In any case, by Season 5 the romantic relationship appears over for good, though there is some evidence in later episodes that Tom and Thomas settled down a bit over time (Thomas defending Tom in S5 at Brancaster, and Tom saying he hates goodbyes in reference to Thomas). 

We will just have to see what happens when they realize they both are dating someone new, and they work together too :) 

[wfuanthrotheory2022]

General Critique of Conklin’s Hanunoo Color Categories by Annie Choi

Every person, no matter what their cultural background might be, perceives wavelengths of light the same physical way: the light travels to the back of the eye where the retina is located and the rods and cones detect light and send signals to the brain. However, the color categories and terms that a person might use to refer to a specific color might be different in various cultures and languages. This means that color is not a universal concept. To explore this, we look at Conklin’s ethnography of the color system in the Hanunoo language.

  In his ethnography, Conklin explores how the Hanunoo language classifies color, introducing terms and concepts that we, as English-speakers, might not be familiar with. He first uses the technical literature definition of color that states, “Color is the evaluation of the visual sense of that quality of light” which is reflected or transmitted by some substance to explain the science specific conception of color (Conklin 441). The total color sphere is made of three dimensions: hue, chroma, and value. The hue refers to spectral position and varies with circumferential position while chroma is the saturation or intensity which diminishes toward the central axis forming teh achromatic core, and value refers to brilliance.

  Conklin states that how different languages classify different colors is not universal. Instead, color terms of a specific language can only be understood once an intercultural analysis of its lexical sets and its correlates have been established. Conklin begins his study of the Hanunoo color categories using several methods, one of which where he elicited linguistic responses “from a large number of informants to painted cards, dyed fabrics, other previously prepared materials, and the recording of visual-quality attributes taken from descriptions of specific items of natural and artificial surroundings'' (Conklin 442). Through his work, he noted that in situations where the nonformal visible quality of one substance, which refers to not being spatially organized, was related and contrasted to another substance’s nonformal visible quality, there was terminological agreement, providing a known level of specification. If a greater degree of specification was needed, different root morphemes were used. 

  In general, there are two levels of color distinctions in the Hanunoo language. Level I consists of “an all-inclusive, coordinate, four-way classification,” and the four terms in this level are exclusive that rarely overlap (Conklin 341). The four terms in this level are: (ma)biru for relative darkness in the shade of color, (ma)lagti for relative lightness in the tint of color, (ma)rara for the relative presence of red, and (ma)latuy for the relative presence of light greenness. Applying the three-dimensional color solid, when applied to Level I, is divided into four unequal parts where the largest of these is mabiru and the smallest is malatuy. For English-speakers, mabiru refers to what is called black, violet, and blue or deep shades of other colors, malagti refers to white and light tints of other colors, marara is maroon or red, or yellow, and malatuy refers to light green or mixtures of green or yellow. With the Level I classification terms, Conklin points out that it “appears to have certain correlates beyond what is usually considered the range of chromatic differentiation,” associated with the external environment (Conklin 444). The important distinction is made between light and dark, noted by the lagti and biru. Another opposition is noted between dryness and wetness, noted by rara and latuy. These differences are noted, reflecting the nature that surrounds the community of this language. For example, the “shiny, wet, brown-colored section of newly-cut bamboo” is referred to as malatuy, and the “dried-out or matured plant material such as certain kinds of yellowed bamboo” is referred to as marara (Conklin 342). 

  Level II terminology is used when a higher level of specification is required than the terms of Level I. Level II terms are classified into two kinds: relatively specific color words like “gray,” which is (ma)dapug and “violet,” which is (ma)arum as well as constructions based on specific terms. The second kind add further derivations on Level I terms (Conklin 445). For example, mabirubiru which is used to describe things that are “somewhat mabiru, but something that is more specific than the term alone but not as solid or deep as what mabiru indicates. With Level II terms, there is more attention on texture of the surface of what is referred to and other nonformal qualities. In addition, Level II is where there is “a noticeable difference in the ready color vocabulary of men as compared to women” (Conklin 445). In men, this phenomenon is observed in “reds” and “grays” and for women, in “blues.” However, there is no difference in referring to “greens” or “whites.” 

  This reading was interesting to me, because before I read this article, I never really thought of color terms not being universal. It’s interesting to see that how languages classify colors differ as well, reflecting the environment that they are surrounded by. Conklin’s article brings forward the classification of color and how it’s important to not assume that every language and people will use the same classification system.

[woman-loving]

“The SAM” and its critics

I guess I won’t make it a whole thing, but here are my thoughts on the “split attraction model.” (NB: This perspective is based on my own recollections and interpretations, but I don’t know all things. Different versions of the story may exist.)

To begin with, the term “split attraction model” was coined circa May 2015 by critics who were trying to name a phenomenon they took issue with. Going forward, “critics” will refer to this group who first coined the term, but they are not the only ones who criticize the language, components, or universalism of the “split attraction model.” (Example from theacetheist with lots of links.) The particular criticisms I’m concerned with developed around the time that monosexism discourse was dying down, and a group that had been critical of “monosexism” was exploring new topics to complain about. (I was one of the complainers, to be clear; that is not a disavowal.) Here are a couple sample posts from May-July 2015: one, two, three, four. Note the anons mentioning they can’t find anything about the “split attraction model”--that’s because there was nothing else written using that language!

Grumblings were eventually arranged into the sequence of words, “split attraction model,” and that term took off among critics who used it as a vague gesture toward a set of grievances. As I remember it, one of the primary targets was the paired sexual-romantic identity format, e.g. naming one’s orientation as --sexual --romantic. Also as I remember it, criticisms were primarily concerned with its use beyond ace/aro people, focusing on what might be considered bi-range “mixed orientations” like “bisexual heteromantic” or “homosexual biromantic.” It wasn’t too uncommon to see people say that these paired identities could work for ace or aro people, but didn’t otherwise make sense.

I believe connections were also made between these identities and the creation and cataloguing of specialized identities that detailed to whom/what and how/whether one experienced attraction. The people who advanced or approved of these projects, and the approach to sexuality/gender that seemed to motivate them, were scorned as “mogai.” Although I too scorned “mogais,” I never looked too closely at any “mogai” blogs; “mogai” was a category based mostly on impressions. The use of other subtypes of attraction (e.g. sensual, aesthetic, platonic, which may have been previously popularized among ace/aro people) as the basis for orientation-like labels such as “heteroaesthetic” or “homosensual” also provoked consternation, although I couldn’t tell you if these labels were ever seriously adopted by a significant number of people. As I understand it, “romantic orientation” was also popularized among aces, although this and other concepts that took inspiration from it were being used on tumblr by a mixed and overlapping group of ace/aro/lgbtq people.

Sometimes when critics invoked the “split attraction model,” they were imagining all of this as a single model of orientation, in which (they presumed) a “complete” orientation (as they were used to thinking of it) would entail listing out --sexual --romantic --sensual --aesthetic and whatever other dimensions people created. But I think that often times critics would be thinking mainly of the paired sexual-romantic identity format, which was more commonly used.

The objections were many. A lot of these revolved around the way “sexual orientation” and --sexual terms were defined by people who also used “romantic orientation,” --romantic terms, and other parallel dimensions of orientation and identity.

Critics were used to “sexual orientation” and “sexuality” naming something that encompassed erotic/sexual, emotional/romantic (e.g. being “in love”), and social/kinship (e.g. dating, marriage) elements. Likewise, they understood terms like “bisexual,” “homosexual,” and “heterosexual,” as well as “gay” and “lesbian,” as inclusive of all these elements. And, in fact, this is the typical way in which these terms are used by gay/bi people and activists and by almost anyone writing about these subjects in a serious way. Gay/bi people have often had to demand recognition for the emotional and social aspects of their relationships and desires, or (alternately) for the sexual aspects, and so there was some significance attached to affirmation of their integration. Critics didn’t believe that all elements always occurred together, however. There's general recognition that sexual interest can occur apart from being “in love.” And while there’s more social skepticism over this possibility, many of these critics would have also agreed that you could be “in love” without sexual interest. (Some critics identified as ace and/or sex-repulsed.)

Critics sensed that when “sexual orientation” and --sexual terms were being paired/contrasted with “romantic orientation” and --romantic terms (and others), the meaning of the former were narrowed to only refer to specifically sexual and not emotional/social components. And I think you can, in fact, see that reflected in how "sexual orientation” is explained by some people who use both orientations (and others). A while back I compiled a sample of definitions of “sexual orientation” from a few college LGBTQ groups and compared them with a few definitions from AVEN and AVENwiki, and the difference is apparent. (Some of those entries have sense been edited in response to my post.)

So I think there was a real difference in how people were using “sexual orientation” and --sexual identity terms. The critics were using them in the broader, mainstream sense, while others were using them more narrowly. For record, I don’t think the narrower version is objectively “incorrect” or anything like that, and I can understand why some people would like to use it. But it is different from how the terms are usually used, and how a lot of gay/bi people and others would like to see them used. And reading “sexual orientation” in the narrower sense when it was intended to be used in the broader sense can result in a very loaded misunderstanding. The same is true for words like “bisexual” and “homosexual.” There was a lot of concern that calling oneself “bisexual” would be interpreted as exclusively sexual-related information.

The use of “homosexual” itself was also criticized. This was (with reason) identified as a stigmatizing term that a lot of gay people didn’t want to be called. But within the “split attraction model,” this term, in its narrower re-sexualized sense, seemed to be the “correct” term for gay people.

There was also concern about who was adopting “homosexual.” Critics who were coming from anti-monosexism circles tended to value solidarity between lesbians and bisexual women and didn’t see either group as privileged over the other. But they also accepted that there was a fairly clean boundary between these groups, and that keeping this boundary unambiguous was important. The “mixed” sexual-romantic identities such as “homosexual biromantic” blurred the distinction between gay and bi, and were thus unintelligible until they were translated as “just a gay person” or “just a bi person.” This translation could go either way. When translated as “just a bi person,” “homosexual biromantic” was perceived as bi people appropriating a gay identity, and a disrespectful one at that. 

A clear division between “oppressed” gay/bi people and “privileged” straight people was also a key point in critics’ social-political worldview, and this mixed identities also blurred this divide, resulting in potential “just a (homophobic) straight person” readings. A “heteromantic bisexual” could be a straight person who just used gay/bi people for sex, and was further obscuring their privilege and homophobic by presenting themselves as non-straight.

Unprocessed internalized homophobia and biphobia were seen as explanations for the adoption of these identities (for either “just gay” or “just bi” translations). The use and promotion of these terms (among advice blogs or through LGBTQ glossaries, for example) was also seen as limiting the ability for young gay/bi people to work through internalized homophobia and biphobia. Having doubts about whether one could have a sexual or emotional relationship with someone of the same gender were seen as common uncertainties among young and newly-out gay/bi people, resulting from the suppression of same-gender possibilities by a heterosexist society. There was a perception that questioning people were being actively encouraged to accept these uncertainties at face value as natural, enduring aspects of their orientation. Even simple exposure to these identities could set people back in their self coming out process, and some people reported how adopting these identities had been a roadblock on their own journeys.

In conjunction with all this, there was a perception that these models of orientation were gaining ground and displacing the models they favored. It seemed easy for current and past broader uses of “sexual orientation” to be overwritten with the narrower version, and thus have the speaker’s meaning completely distorted. I think part of this sense of threat was due to the paired sexual-romantic identities--and other specialized identities that were being developed--following a very empirical-sounding format. It seemed easy to read these terms as a cutting-edge classification of newly observed patterns of human “attraction” and “orientation.” Models that didn’t include them could easily be read as lagging behind and incomplete, their omissions attributed to ignorance rather than an alternate vision of what was meaningful and important to name. This all seemed to lean hard on on a “scientific,” essentialist model of sexuality. And actually, critics themselves sometimes drew on a similar model of sexuality to justify the divisions they saw as important (e.g. between gay and bi). Unfortunately, although critics saw these paired and specialized identities as a clear folly of “going too far,” I think they found it difficult to explain why these terms that sounded even more “sciencey” and comprehensive (= authoritative), were actually wrong.

Anyway, I guess that’s about all I have to say on it for now. Feel free to let me know if you think this story is accurate or inaccurate.

[twistedapple]

Happy Birthday - Bianca

[HI I HAD FORGOTTEN IT WAS ALSO BIANCA AND NEVE’S BDAY ON NOV. 1ST RKJEGBRKEJ So many things to do, so little time - anyway, interview under the cut! There’s a reference to the Halloween post tho so you may check that one first to fully be in the know.]

Part 1

Pomefiore Dorm - Birthday Party Venue

NRC School Newspaper - Feature Interview with the Birthday Student - Bianca

Yuu: Happy Birthday!

Bianca: Ah yes, it doesn’t really look like a birthday party though, does it? Since it happens at the same time as the Halloween festival... Yet it seems I’m not escaping the Birthday Outfit!

You don’t really seem disturbed by the general bustle, though.

Bianca: Well yes, it usually happens during Autumn celebrations at the Valley of Thorns, so I’m quite used to have my birthday in the background. Not that I really mind, I’ve already celebrated a lot of them compared to you humans.

Oh, the mysterious Valley of Thorns! What sort of Autumn celebrations do you follow?

Bianca: It may sounds weird because it’s usually a time associated with death, but among fairies - especially my kind, related to Nature - the first of November is perceived similarly to a New Year event, with the start of a new cycle of Death and Rebirth. It’s an important day in our calendar. 

Part 2

Pomefiore Dorm - Birthday Party Venue

How does it feel to live surrounded by humans and beastmen?

Bianca: Hm? Well not much different than usual, to be honest. My family works as diplomats and entrepreneurs, so aside from small differences that are harder to handle for us, it doesn’t feel different from when my sister and I would follow our mother to learn from her. 

Can you tell us more about these difficulties?

Bianca: Well... Perception of time, for a start. Because we have a much longer life span, adapting to a human perception of it isn’t exactly easy, we have to learn a new rhythm - and you lot live much faster than you think. Then there’s also hm... Less pleasant topics, such as certains tendencies of ours that can be quite troublesome - we tend to be more whimsical, for example... 

You also mentioned a sister... Despite being already familiar with the School Newspaper, as you often collaborate with us with your short stories, it’s the first time we get to hear about that in three years! 

Bianca: Ah yes, I’d rather give only what I deem necessary informations to people, don’t take it personally. I do have a twin sister, but she goes to RSA... Wait, let me find a recent picture on my phone... Here! 

Oh, that’s a chance you two have different hair styles and eye colours, because even the mole under your right eye is at the exact same place!

Bianca: Haha yes, but even our personalities are quite different so even if we looked alike, we’d still be dissimilar in essence. 

Part 3

Pomefiore Dorm - Birthday Party Venue

Speaking of hair... Well it may seem weird, but your hairstyle is fairly peculiar and distinctive... There’s been bets about the length among some students.

Bianca: ... Pardon? Why?

Well, you always have your hair in a fancy updo, but then during PE class you seem to have a rather long braid, so people are wondering about it...

Bianca: Ah well, let me show you then... 

Wah, almost at hip length! Caring for it must be quite the task! How do you manage to have it look so nice?

Bianca: It’s not that difficult, in fact. I am, however, very specific about the products and tools I use - gentle ones only, so a wooden comb with large teeth, a gentle bristle brush, and a shampoo/conditioner/mask set that’s water-based and plant-based to cleanse gently. I also use a custom blend of oils to protect the hair and give it some grip and weight so I can achieve my hairdos. I prefer protective hairstyles, which is why I use braids so often - they’re also really good to easily give a more elaborate impression. 

Oh, is that decorative comb new? The way the blue gems contrast with the gold is really nice!

Bianca: Ah yes, it’s a birthday present, in fact! I decided to put it to good use immediately, it matches with both my hair and my uniforms, and I like the vegetal patterns. 

A birthday present? Can you tell us from whom?

Bianca: Do I want to?

Aaah you got us there! Well, thank you for your time, we’ll let you deal with the on-going events for now! Again, happy birthday!

[unillustratedadventures]

Bipolar Disorders: Additional Information (per DSM-5)

In this post, I shall only be covering bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorder, as discussed in DSM-5 (p. 123–9). For the full definitions (i.e. full diagnostic criteria) of these disorders, please see my previous post.

Here, I shall characterise the disorders in the following, simpler ways. Roughly-speaking, an individual has a…

bipolar disorder (in general) just in case she has been impaired or dysfunctional due to a mood disturbance involving manic or hypomanic symptoms;

bipolar I (specifically) just in case she has had a full manic episode;

bipolar II (specifically) just in case she has had both a full hypomanic episode and a full major depressive episode (but no manic episode);

and

cyclothymic disorder (specifically) just in case, during a substantial period of time, she has experienced both manic/hypomanic and major depressive symptoms, almost always having one or the other, in a manner that has caused impairment or dysfunction, without ever actually having a full manic, hypomanic, or major depressive episode.

Also recall that, roughly-speaking:

manic/hypomanic symptoms are specific possible indications of having an excessive mood characterised by elevated feelings and/or irritability as well as by increased energy or activity, which in a previous post I labelled as inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increased speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, increased outward activity, and recklessness;

a full manic episode is just an excessive state of elevated/irritable mood with increased energy/activity that involves at least three of the above symptoms and causes acute clinically significant impairment or dysfunction (as reflected by particular features/outcomes);

a full hypomanic episode is just an excessive state of elevated/irritable mood with increased energy/activity that involves at least three of the above symptoms without causing acute clinically significant impairment or dysfunction (as reflected by the same features/outcomes);

major depressive symptoms are specific possible indications of having an excessive mood characterised by negative feelings and/or anhedonia (a reduced ability to experience and anticipate pleasure and positive feelings) which in a previous post I labelled as persisting negative mood, loss of interest/pleasure, appetite disturbance, sleep disturbance, psychomotor disturbance, fatigue, negative self-appraisal, cognitive-executive disturbance, and suicidal ideation;

a full major depressive episode is just an excessive state of sadness-related and/or anhedonic mood that involves at least five of the above symptoms, necessarily including persisting negative mood or loss of interest/pleasure, which causes significant impairment or dysfunction.

Diagnostic Features of Bipolar Disorders

For diagnostic features pertaining to manic/hypomanic episodes in general (as well as a discussion of the seven possible symptoms of mania/hypomania), please see this post on mania/hypomania.

Bipolar II and Specifics of Hypomania

Since it is true by definition that just a single manic episode is sufficient for diagnosing bipolar I, episodes of elevated//irritable mood must be only hypomanic in the course of bipolar II disorder. Roughly-speaking, hypomanic episodes are states of mood that are abnormal (e.g. in their strength, persistence, or reactivity) without being so extreme that they lead to further clinically significant issues. In particular, if an episode of elevated/irritable mood involves psychosis (i.e. delusions or hallucinations), results in marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or requires hospitalisation to prevent harm to self or others (e.g. financial losses, illegal activities, loss of employment, or self-injurious behaviour), then it qualifies as an episode of mania. However, if it lacks any of these markers of clinical significance, but involves sufficiently many indicators of excess (i.e. inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increased speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, increased outward activity, and recklessness) then it qualifies as an episode of hypomania.

A hypomanic episode should not be confused with the several days of euthymia (i.e. baseline or normal mood) and restored energy/activity that often follows remission of a major depressive episode.

Individuals with bipolar II typically present to a clinician during a major depressive episode, and are unlikely to complain initially of hypomania. Usually, the hypomanic episodes themselves do not cause noticeable impairment. Instead, the impairment tends to result from the major depressive episodes, or from a persistent pattern of unpredictable mood changes and fluctuating, unreliable interpersonal or occupational functioning. Individuals with bipolar II might not view the hypomanic episodes as pathological or disadvantageous, although others are often troubled by the individual’s erratic behaviour.

Typical presentations of bipolar I involve all three of the recognised forms of clinically significant mood—i.e. mania, hypomania, and major depression—even though only an episode of mania is strictly necessary for diagnosing bipolar I. However, while it is typical that bipolar I individuals occasionally have episodes of major depression, individuals with bipolar II tend to have recurrent major depressive episodes that are more frequent and lengthier than those occurring in the course of bipolar I.

Despite the substantial differences in duration and severity between manic and hypomanic episodes, bipolar II is not a “milder form” of bipolar I. Compared with bipolar I individuals, individuals with bipolar II tend to have greater chronicity of illness and spend, on average, more time in the depressive phase of their illness, which can be severe and/or disabling.

Mixed symptoms—i.e. depressive symptoms in a hypomanic episode or hypomanic symptoms in a depressive episode—are common in individuals with bipolar II, and are overrepresented in females. Hypomania with depressive symptoms is particularly overrepresented in bipolar females. Individuals experiencing hypomania with mixed features often do not construe their symptoms as predominantly hypomanic (i.e. predominantly energised or elevated/irritable), but instead as predominantly depressive, e.g. as a predominantly negative or pleasure-lacking mood that just so happens to cooccur with increased energy or irritability.

Specifics of Cyclothymia

In contrast to bipolar I and bipolar II, the essential feature of cyclothymic disorder is a chronic, fluctuating mood disturbance that involves numerous distinct periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms, of insufficient number, severity, pervasiveness, or duration to meet full criteria for a hypomanic or major depressive episode.

If an individual diagnosed with cyclothymic disorder subsequently (i.e. after the initial two years in adults or one year in children or adolescents) experiences a major depressive, manic, or hypomanic episode, then the diagnosis changes to the appropriate disorder (e.g. MDD or bipolar I), and the cyclothymic disorder diagnosis is dropped.

Although some individuals may function particularly well during some of the hypomanic periods, over the prolonged course of the disorder, there must be clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning as a result of the mood disturbance. The impairment may develop as a result of prolonged periods of cyclical, often unpredictable mood changes (e.g. the individual may be regarded as temperamental, moody, unpredictable, inconsistent, or unreliable).

Associated Features Supporting Diagnosis

During a manic/hypomanic episode, individuals often do not perceive that they are ill or in need of treatment and vehemently resist efforts to be treated. Individuals may change their dress, makeup, or personal appearance to a more sexually suggestive or flamboyant style. Some perceive a sharper sense of smell, hearing, or vision. Gambling and antisocial behaviours may accompany the episode (especially in the case of full mania). Some manic/hypomanic individuals may become hostile and physically threatening to others—and, when delusional in the course of a fully manic episode, might even become physically assaultive or suicidal. The catastrophic consequences of a fully manic episode (e.g. involuntary hospitalisation, difficulties with the law, serious financial difficulties) often result from poor judgment, loss of insight, and hyperactivity. Bipolar II is often accompanied by more general impulsivity, which can contribute to suicide attempts and substance use disorders.

During mania/hypomania, the mood may shift very rapidly to anger or depression. Depressive symptoms may also occur during a continuing manic/hypomanic episode and, if they are present, may last anywhere from moments or hours to (more rarely) days.

There may be heightened levels of creativity in some individuals with a bipolar disorder. However, it is possible that the relationship is nonlinear; greater lifetime creative accomplishments have been associated with milder forms of bipolar disorder, and higher creativity tends to be found, on average, in the unaffected family members of bipolar individuals. An individual’s attachment to heightened creativity during hypomanic episodes can contribute to ambivalence about seeking treatment, or undermine adherence to treatment.

Development and Course: Bipolar I

In bipolar I, the mean age at onset of the first manic, hypomanic, or major depressive episode is approximately eighteen years.

More than 90% of individuals who have a manic episode go on to have recurrent mood episodes.

Approximately 60% of manic episodes occur immediately before a major depressive episode.

Individuals with bipolar I disorder who have multiple (four or more) mood episodes (major depressive, manic, or hypomanic) within a single year are specified as having bipolar I with rapid cycling.

Diagnosis in Children and the Elderly

Special considerations are necessary to detect the diagnosis in children. Since children of the same chronological age may be at different developmental stages, it is difficult to define with precision what is “normal” or “expected” at any given point. Therefore, each child should be judged according to his or her own baseline.

Onset of bipolar I can occur throughout the life cycle, with first onsets even possible in the 60s or 70s. However, in late mid-life or late life, onset of manic symptoms, e.g. sexual or social disinhibition, should first prompt consideration of medical conditions (e.g. frontotemporal neurocognitive disorder), and of substance ingestion or withdrawal.

Development and Course: Bipolar II

Although bipolar II can begin in late adolescence and throughout adulthood, average age at onset is the mid-20s, which is slightly later than for bipolar I but earlier than for MDD.

The number of lifetime mood episodes (both hypomanic and major depressive) tends to be higher for bipolar II than it is for either MDD or bipolar I. However, individuals with bipolar I are actually more likely to experience hypomanic symptoms than are individuals with bipolar II.

In the course of bipolar II, the interval between mood episodes tends to decrease as the individual ages (or, in other words, the intermediate periods of euthymia tend to shorten)

Most often, the illness begins with a depressive episode. In such a case, the condition is frequently not recognised as bipolar II until a hypomanic episode subsequently occurs; this happens in about 12% of individuals with an initial diagnosis of MDD. Anxiety, substance use, or eating disorders may also precede an official diagnosis, complicating the detection of bipolar II. Many individuals experience several episodes of major depression prior to the first recognised hypomanic episode.

While the hypomanic episode is the feature that defines bipolar II, the episodes of major depression are more enduring and disabling over time.

If an individual is initially diagnosed with MDD, once a hypomanic episode has occurred the diagnosis becomes bipolar II and never reverts to MDD (despite the predominance of major depression in bipolar II).

About 5%–15% of individuals with bipolar II will ultimately develop a manic episode, thereby changing their diagnosis to bipolar I regardless of subsequent course.

Approximately 5%–15% of individuals with bipolar II have had multiple (four or more) mood episodes of hypomania or major depression within the same year. Such individuals are specified as having bipolar II disorder with rapid cycling.

By definition, psychotic symptoms do not occur in hypomanic episodes, and therefore never occur alongside manic/hypomanic symptoms in bipolar II. Additionally, psychotic symptoms appear to less frequently occur within the major depressive episodes of bipolar II than they do within the major depressive episodes of bipolar I.

Switching from a depressive episode to a hypomanic episode (with or without mixed features) can occur in bipolar II, either spontaneously or due to pharmacological treatment for depression.

Diagnosis in Children and the Elderly

Diagnosing bipolar II in children is often a challenge, especially in those with irritability and hyperarousal that is non-episodic (i.e. lacks the well-demarcated periods of altered mood). Non-episodic irritability in youth is associated with an elevated risk for anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder in adulthood, but not bipolar disorder in adulthood. Persistently irritable youths have lower familial rates of bipolar disorder than do youths who have bipolar disorder. For a hypomanic episode to be diagnosed, the child’s symptoms must exceed what is expected in a given environment and culture for the child’s developmental stage.

Compared with adult onset, childhood or adolescent onset of bipolar II disorder may be associated with a more severe lifetime course.

The 3-year incidence rate of first-onset bipolar II in adults older than 60 years is 0.34%. However, distinguishing individuals older than 60 years with bipolar II disorder by late versus early age at onset does not appear to have any clinical utility.

Development and Course: Cyclothymic Disorder

Cyclothymic disorder usually begins in adolescence or early adult life and is sometimes considered to reflect a temperamental predisposition to bipolar I and bipolar II.

There is a 15%–50% risk that an individual with cyclothymic disorder will subsequently develop bipolar I or bipolar II.

Cyclothymic disorder usually has an insidious onset and a persistent/chronic course.

Diagnosis in Children and the Elderly

Among children with cyclothymic disorder, the mean age at onset of symptoms is 6.5 years of age.

Onset of persistent, fluctuating hypomanic and depressive symptoms later in adult life needs to be clearly differentiated from bipolar and related disorder due to another medical condition and depressive disorder due to another medical condition (e.g., multiple sclerosis), before the cyclothymic disorder diagnosis is assigned.

Risk and Prognostic Factors

Known Environmental Factors

Bipolar disorders are more common in high-income than in low-income countries (1.4 versus 0.7%).

Separated, divorced, and widowed individuals have higher rates of bipolar I than do individuals who are married or have never been married, but the direction of the association is unclear.

The risk of bipolar II tends to be highest among relatives of individuals who specifically have bipolar II, as opposed to relatives of individuals who have bipolar I or MDD.

Known Genetic and Physiological Factors

A family history of bipolar disorder is one of the strongest and most consistent risk factors for having a bipolar disorder. On average, there is a 10-fold increased risk of a bipolar disorder among adult relatives of individuals who have bipolar I or bipolar II. The magnitude of risk increases with the degree of kinship.

MDD, bipolar I, and bipolar II are all more common among first-degree biological relatives of individuals with cyclothymic disorder than in the general population. There may also be an increased risk of substance-related disorders among first-degree biological relatives of those with cyclothymic disorder.

Conversely, there is some evidence that cyclothymic disorder is also more common in the first-degree biological relatives of individuals who have bipolar I.

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorders (especially bipolar I) likely share a genetic origin, as reflected in their familial co-aggregation.

In addition to genetic vulnerabilities to bipolar disorders per se, there also may be genetic factors that influence the age of onset of a bipolar disorder.

In the course of a bipolar disorder, rapid-cycling patterns are associated with poorer prognosis.

If a bipolar I individual has a manic episode with psychotic features, subsequent manic episodes are more likely to have psychotic features.

Individuals with a bipolar disorder typically return to their euthymic baseline state between mood episodes (which, while still having signs of abnormal functioning, is normal for the individuals themselves in the absence of a mood episode). However, sometimes an individual will not fully return to euthymic baseline between mood episodes, and this is more common after mood episodes that have mood-incongruent psychotic features.

More education, fewer years of illness, and being married are each independently associated with functional recovery in individuals with a bipolar disorder, even when controlling for the diagnostic type of bipolar (i.e. bipolar I versus bipolar II), the presence of depressive symptoms, and the presence of psychiatric comorbidities.

In the course of bipolar II, returning to a previous level of social functioning is more likely for individuals of a younger age and with less severe depression. This suggests that prolonged illness with bipolar II has adverse effects on recovery.

Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues

Females with a bipolar disorder:

are more likely to have rapid cycling than males who have a bipolar disorder.

are more likely to have mixed mood episodes (i.e. mood episodes that combine both manic/hypomanic and depressive symptoms) than males who have a bipolar disorder.

have patterns of comorbidity that differ from those of males, including higher rates of lifetime eating disorders.

are, among those who specifically have bipolar I or bipolar II, more likely to have depressive symptoms than males who have bipolar I or bipolar II.

have a higher lifetime risk of comorbid alcohol use disorder than do males with a bipolar disorder, and a much greater likelihood of alcohol use disorder than females in the general population.

Whereas the gender ratio is equal for bipolar I, findings on gender differences in bipolar II are mixed, differing by type of sample (i.e. registry, community, or clinical) and by country of origin. There is little to no evidence of bipolar gender differences in non-clinical samples. However, some (but not all) clinical samples suggest that bipolar II is more common in females than in males, which might reflect gender differences in treatment seeking, or other factors.

Patterns of illness and comorbidity seem to differ by gender. Females are more likely than males to report hypomania with mixed depressive features and to present with a rapid cycling bipolar disorder.

Childbirth may be a specific trigger for a hypomanic episode, which can occur in 10%–20% of females in nonclinical populations, most typically in the early postpartum period. Distinguishing hypomania from the elated mood and reduced sleep that normally accompany the birth of a child can be challenging. Postpartum hypomania may foreshadow the onset of a depression that occurs in about half of females who experience postpartum “highs.” Accurate detection of bipolar II may help in establishing appropriate treatment of the depression, which, in turn, might reduce the risks of suicide and infanticide.

Suicide Risk

The lifetime risk of suicide in individuals with a bipolar disorder is estimated to be at least 15 times that of the general population. In fact, bipolar disorder may account for one quarter of all completed suicides. Greater risk for suicide attempts and completions is associated both with a past history of suicide attempts and with a higher proportion of days spent depressed in the previous year.

In relation to bipolar II specifically, approximately one third of bipolar II individuals report a lifetime history of suicide attempts.

Although the prevalence rates of lifetime attempted suicide appear to be similar in bipolar II and bipolar I (i.e. 32.4% and 36.3%, respectively), the lethality of attempts, as defined by a lower ratio of attempted to completed suicides, appears to be higher in individuals with bipolar II.

There might be an association between genetic markers and increased risk for suicidal behaviour among individuals with a bipolar disorder, including a 6.5-fold higher risk of suicide among first-degree relatives of individuals with bipolar II, as compared to first-degree relatives of individuals with bipolar I.

Functional Consequences

Many individuals with a bipolar disorder return to their euthymic baseline between mood episodes, and thereby return to a reasonable level of functioning. However, approximately 30% of individuals with bipolar I continue to show severe impairment in work functioning between mood episodes.

Recovery in functioning lags substantially behind recovery from symptoms, especially when it comes to occupational functioning. Consequently, individuals with bipolar I or bipolar II tend to have lower socioeconomic status despite equivalent levels of education, when compared with the general population.

On cognitive tests, individuals with bipolar I tend to perform more poorly than individuals from the general population. Such cognitive impairments might contribute to the vocational and interpersonal difficulties that tend to persist through the lifespan, even during the euthymic periods between mood episodes.

Both bipolar I and bipolar II are associated with reduced cognitive empathy, or an underdeveloped theory of mind, which is present even during euthymic periods between mood episodes, especially in relation to correctly identifying and reasoning about emotions. Colloquially, this might be described as a deficit in emotional intelligence.

Differential Diagnosis (Some Noteworthy Details)

When diagnosing a specific bipolar disorder, particular care must be taken to distinguish that disorder from:

major depressive disorder (MDD)

other bipolar disorders

schizophrenia spectrum and other related psychotic disorders

generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other anxiety disorders

substance use disorders

personality disorders

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

disorders with prominent irritabilty

Rapid Cycling Bipolar I, Rapid Cycling Bipolar II

Both disorders may resemble cyclothymic disorder by virtue of the frequent marked shifts in mood. By definition in cyclothymic disorder the criteria for a major depressive, manic, or hypomanic episode has never been met, whereas the bipolar I and bipolar II specifier “with rapid cycling” requires that full mood episodes be present.

Anxiety-related Disorders

It is possible for a bipolar disorder to cooccur with an anxiety-related disorder, such that the anxiety-related disorder is either the primary disorder or merely a comorbid disorder. Nevertheless, in order to diagnose an individual with a bipolar-related disorder, anxiety-related disorders must be ruled out as the cause of a sufficient number of potentially bipolar-related symptoms. In particular, anxious rumination might be mistaken for the racing thoughts of a manic/hypomanic episode, and efforts to minimise anxious feelings (e.g. compulsions) might be mistaken as the impulsive behaviours of a manic/hypomanic episode.

In differentiating bipolar-related disorders from PTSD, it is helpful to note that the symptoms of a bipolar-related disorder tend to differ over time as a function of mood episodes, whereas the symptoms of PTSD do not tend to be episodic in this way. Additionally, the symptoms of PTSD tend to be caused or exacerbated by a limited number of specific triggers, which remain relatively constant over time, whereas bipolar-related symptoms do not tend to be linked to specific triggers in this way.

Substance/Medication-induced Symptoms

Substances and medications can induce bipolar-like symptoms (in particular, stimulants can acutely induce manic/hypomanic symptoms, and chronically induce major depressive symptoms). Accordingly…

Substance use disorders may manifest with substance/medication-induced manic symptoms, which have to be distinguished from symptoms of bipolar I. Response to mood stabilizers during substance/medication-induced mania may not necessarily be diagnostic for bipolar disorder. Moreover, there may be substantial overlap in substance use, since it is common for individuals with bipolar I to overuse substances during a manic/hypomanic episode. Ultimately, primary diagnosis of a bipolar disorder must be established based on symptoms that remain once the relevant substances are no longer being used.

Cyclothymic disorder must be distinguished from substance/medication-induced bipolar and related disorder and substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, based on the judgment that a substance/medication (especially a stimulant) is not etiologically related to the mood disturbance. The frequent mood swings in these latter disorders, which are suggestive of cyclothymic disorder, usually resolve following cessation of the substance/medication use.

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Related Psychotic Disorders

Bipolar I must be distinguished from psychotic disorders (e.g. schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, and delusional disorder), especially when it involves manic episodes that have psychotic features. Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and delusional disorder are all characterised by at least some periods of psychotic symptoms that occur in the absence of prominent mood symptoms. Other helpful considerations include the accompanying symptoms, previous course, and family history.

Personality disorders

Some presentations of personality disorders have substantial symptomatic overlap with bipolar disorders. This is especially true with borderline personality disorder (BPD), since mood lability and impulsivity are definitive symptoms of both BPD and bipolar disorders, and are commonly involved in presentations thereof. BPD is particularly difficult to distinguish from cyclothymic disorder, because the latter is characterised by mood symptoms that are less obviously episodic in nature, and can fluctuate in a seemingly reactive manner (thereby resembling BPD more closely).

It is possible for an individual to have a bipolar disorder as well as a comorbid personality disorder (indeed, the likelihood of having a personality disorder is higher than in the general population), and a dual diagnosis should be made if the full criteria are met for both conditions. However, a presentation of shared symptoms might be distinguished as an instance of a bipolar disorder rather than an instance of BPD on the following bases:

The symptoms are not always present, and clearly represent a distinct episode.

The onset of the symptoms represents a noticeable difference from baseline, in the manner required for the diagnosis of a bipolar disorder.

The symptoms of excessive mood do not appear to be elicited directly by the causes that are more standardly associated with BPD (e.g. relationship stress, anticipation of rejection or abandonment), or appear to be just as readily elicited by other circumstances.

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD is sometimes misdiagnosed as a bipolar disorder, especially in adolescents and children. Many of its possible symptoms overlap with symptoms of mania/hypomania, such as rapid speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, and a reduction in the felt need for sleep. The “double counting” of symptoms towards both ADHD and bipolar disorder can be avoided if the clinician clarifies whether the symptom(s) represents a distinct episode.

Disorders with Prominent Irritability

In individuals with severe irritability, particularly children and adolescents, care must be taken to diagnose with bipolar disorder only those who have had a clear episode of mania or hypomania—that is, a distinct time period, of the required duration, during which the irritability was clearly different from the individual’s baseline and was accompanied by the onset of manic/hypomanic symptoms. When a child’s irritability is persistent and particularly severe, the diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder would be more appropriate. Indeed, when any child is being assessed for mania/hypomania, it is essential that the symptoms represent a clear change from the child’s typical behaviour.

Comorbidity

Bipolar I

Cooccurring mental disorders are exceedingly common, with the most frequent disorders being:

any anxiety disorder (e.g. panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia), which occurs in approximately three-fourths of individuals with bipolar I

ADHD

any disruptive, impulse-control, or conduct disorder (e.g. intermittent explosive disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or conduct disorder)

any substance use disorder (e.g. alcohol use disorder), occurring in over half of individuals with bipolar I

Adults with bipolar I also have high rates of serious and/or untreated cooccurring medical conditions. Metabolic syndrome and migraine are more common among individuals with bipolar I than in the general population.

As mentioned above, more than half of individuals who meet the criteria for bipolar I also have an alcohol use disorder, and those with both of these disorders are at a greater risk of suicide attempts.

Bipolar II

More often than not, bipolar II cooccurs with one or more other mental disorders, anxiety disorders being the most common.

Indeed, approximately 60% of individuals with bipolar II have three or more co-occurring mental disorders.

75% of bipolar II individuals have an anxiety disorder.

37% of bipolar II individuals have a substance use disorder.

Children and adolescents with bipolar II have a higher rate of cooccurring anxiety disorders compared to children and adolescents with bipolar I, and such an anxiety disorder most often predates the bipolar disorder.

In bipolar II individuals, anxiety and substance use disorders occur at a higher rate than in the general population.

Approximately 14% of bipolar II individuals have at least one lifetime eating disorder, with binge-eating disorder being more common than bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa.

Typically, these commonly cooccurring disorders do not seem to follow a course of illness that is truly independent from that of bipolar II, but instead seem to have strong associations with the excessive mood states of the bipolar disorder. For example, the symptoms of comorbid anxiety and eating disorders tend to be most strongly associated with depressive episodes, while substance use disorders are moderately associated with manic episodes.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Substance-related disorders and sleep disorders (i.e. difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep) are often present in individuals with cyclothymic disorder.

Most children with cyclothymic disorder who are treated in outpatient psychiatric settings have comorbid mental conditions.

Moreover, compared to other pediatric patients who have mental disorders, such children are more likely to have comorbid ADHD.

[hellomynameisbisexual]

I've always been bisexual. Even though like many people I was socialized as a heterosexual and feminine person, my first "sexual awakenings" (those first experiencies of admiration, infatuation and sexual excitation) during my childhood happened with women. As I was at the same time conscious about my attraction to boys, my heterosexual socialization made me give little importance to my fascination with women and the feminine.

After several years—and more unperceived "awakenings"—I noticed that maybe I'd be interested in "being" with a woman. At first I didn't try anything, and when I had non-straight crushes I felt intimidated and very buga* for them. When I had boyfriends, they noticed that I also liked women, but we never talked about it in a straightforward manner. Eventually my first non-buga relationships (sexual, sentimental) happened, with both cisgender women and people outside the binary gender spectrum. Only after I had those experiences I told myself that–finally–I could call myself bisexual.

(*Buga is a jargon used by LGBTQIA communities in Mexico to refer to heterosexual people.)

Nowadays I'm suspicious of talking about my bisexuality with other people, since unfortunately biphobia (the hate and discrimination toward bisexual people) is a real phenomenon (1). Because the bisexual identities are a grayscale in contrast to the "black or white" which implies being straight or homosexual, bisexual people can suffer discrimination, prejudice or invisibility from both of these communities.

Biphobia can be manifested through unintended jokes and lack of credibility, or openly as insults. These type of attitudes negatively affect the mental and emotional well-being of bisexual people, especially among younger bisexuals who report more mental issues (anxiety, depression, stress, higher rates of suicide) than both heterosexuals and homosexuals (gays and lesbians) (2).

In many cases, biphobia is a product of a lack of information. Below you can read more about some of the most common questions, myths, and facts about bisexuality.

What exactly is bisexuality?

Bisexuality is a type of sexual orientation. Sexual orientation refers to those towards whom we feel attraction (affective, sexual, emotional). Some sexual orientations examples include: heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, pansexuality, and more.

The bisexual orientation is defined as having attraction towards more than one gender (3); it is a more fluid and open idea, subject to variations between different people who call themselves bisexual.

Not all people define their bisexuality in an identical way, and not all people attracted towards more than one gender call themselves bisexual.

Is bisexuality only a phase?

No. It's normal that many homosexual people go through a exploration period while they are learning to understand where their attraction lies. However, that doesn't mean bisexuality is always a phase prior to homosexuality (4). For many people, feeling attracted to other people of various genders it is a serious and stable preference (5).

Being bisexual does not always means that an attraction towards more than one gender is divided 50-50 evenly, or even 40-60, in a consistent preference. There are some for whom it is mostly–but not exclusively–attraction to one gender (6). But there are also those for whom attraction changes with time and according to certain contexts (7). This category of fluidity is not expected–at least in the beginning–from monosexual orientations.

These types of false beliefs have been facilitated by scientific research. Many studies on bisexuality have been focused on monosexual perspectives (heterosexual and/or homosexual), skewing the results to misrepresent the experience of bisexual people (8). It has also been wrongly suggested that bisexuality is an incomplete orientation, as if it was only a mere transition to homosexuality (9).

Do bisexual people like it "both ways" because they have an insatiable sexual appetite?

No. Someone’s orientation does not define anyone's sexual appetite. Bisexuality itself doesn't make someone promiscuous, unfaithful or untrustworthy. This myth is a product of monosexism: the belief that people should have only one sole sexual identity and only one type of sexual behaviour towards one gender or defined sex (10).

Monosexism also assumes monogamy is the norm (11). To impose monosexism as a sole social norm applicable to everyone leads (consciously or indirectly) to the belief that another more fluid sexuality can be a threat or an anomaly, and harder to control.

The assumption that bisexuality is an abnormal preference or that bisexual people are without self control can create false narratives that subject this orientation to be hypersexualized; it can make people think that bisexual people "choose" this orientation in order to have more options of where to find potential partners. It is harmful to project sexual fantasies onto bisexual people (or onto any other orientation) without their consent, as if they were only an instrument to satisfy fantasies for others.

In my experience, it’s been very irritating when people assume that being bisexual translates to the equal possibility of being willing to "do it all".

Am I bisexual if I also feel attraction towards transgender or non-binary people?

Generally speaking, yes. Some people think that the prefix "bi" means that bisexuality is the attraction towards only two cis/binary genders ("man" or "woman"). There are indeed those who live their orientation this way, but bisexuality–understood as the attraction to people of more than one gender–can also be extended to people with gender identities way beyond the binary and cis gender spectrum.

With that in mind, it’s also worth noting that not all people who feel attraction to more than one gender call themselves bisexuals for many reasons (stigma, culture, lack of information available, etc.). There are non-monosexual orientations, for example pansexuality (the attraction to people without considering their gender identity), whose definitions can sound very similar to bisexuality (12); in those cases, the decision to call oneself bisexual, pansexual or of any other term is a much more personal question that depends on how we feel and how we define ourselves individually.

Do I stop being bisexual if I start a romantic relationship with someone of the "opposite" gender?

No. This myth is due to the false idea that bisexuality is only an "experimentation" phase before things "get serious" and back to a stable heterosexual relationship (a common case among people socialized as women) (13). It is also possible to be in a monosexual relationship in which each person keeps their distinct sexual orientation.

There are internalized feelings of biphobia common to bisexual people when they decide to start a romantic relationship that can be perceived as monosexual. These feelings often occur similarly to the fear that a partner of monosexual orientation wouldn't understand the bisexuality of the other (14). In other cases, it might be easy for others (family, friends, social circles) to assume that the bisexual people's orientation changes or disappears depending on the current partner (15).

Even though the sexual orientation of anyone can change throughout life, it's much healthier when those decisions are made individually, without biphobic stereotypes and without the pressure of others’ perceptions.

Can I be bisexual if I haven't had sex or a relationship outside the heterosexual spectrum?

Of course! Nobody is obligated to offer "proof" of one's bisexuality. Being conscious that someone's sexual orientation can be bisexual is enough. Our sexual orientation may not be cast in stone for the rest of our lives, so it's completely valid to be going through a phase of exploration or questioning without the need to "make a decision" for the rest of our lives, or to clearly define our orientation within a label.

Non-heterosexual experiences, either sexual, affective or social, often times are facilitated (or repressed) by the context in which we live, by our social or familiar relationships, by the complexity of our tastes and individual necessities, by the access (or lack thereof) to different sexual diversities and cultures, and also by a safe environment, free from harassment, judgment, and marginalization.

It's important to keep in mind that there aren’t always comfortable and safe environments for the open exploration of any non-heterosexual orientation; sometimes there are circumstances in which prioritizing one’s physical and emotional well-being requires keeping oneself in the closet—which is also valid. In any case, whatever the context, not having non-heterosexual experiences with others does not mean that someone’s internal thoughts should be suppressed. I fell into this trap and only called myself bisexual once I had my first non-heterosexual experiences, even though my whole life I have been thinking that.

Clarifying doubts and obtaining sexual information free of bias and stigma can make a critical difference in the quality of life of those marginalized by their sexuality.

[cryptotrading12]

Best Crypto Trading Platform

The digital currency market is an arising, for the most part, unregulated market, that regularly gets contrasted with the Wild West and the cutting edge dash for unheard of wealth that occurred during the development of American’s Western outskirts.

Powering both of these thriving patterns is beneficial. In those days people moved out West to look for gold stores, and today, educated financial backers and dealers are taking on an additional danger by settling on the resource of decision another, troublesome advanced money class, not at all like whatever else before it.

The digital money market began with the introduction of Bitcoin, and in a little more than ten brief years, the cryptographic money market has ventured into a huge number of coins and stands close by forex, stocks, products, and more as a decent worldwide monetary market.

At the focal point of this universe is the digital currency trade, likewise called the crypto exchanging stage. These stages are home to financial backers and dealers, trying to remove as much benefit out of these energizing, developing business sectors loaded up with computerized resources.

However, not all crypto exchanging stages are made similarly, with some much better and more dependable than others. Some offer interesting resources, highlights, or devices that assistance to separate them from the remainder of the contest.

Eventually, everything boils down to individual inclination, in any case, there are a few factors that ought to go into choosing the best crypto trading stage for you. This guide is pointed toward showing new merchants how to track down the correct exchanging stage and even give a few hints to experienced dealers to exploit the most smoking new devices in the business and expand their resource accessibility to assemble an assorted exchanging portfolio.

Above all, what precisely is the cryptographic money exchanging stage, and for what reason would anybody need to utilize one? Peruse on to get familiar with every one of the stunts of the digital money exchange.

What Is A Cryptocurrency Trading Platform?

Basically, the crypto exchanging stage is a site, stage, portable application, or the entirety of the abovementioned, that offers financial backers openness to purchasing and selling resources, or opening long or short positions.

Spot trades offer fundamental purchase and sell orders for crypto resources like Bitcoin. Notwithstanding, dealers are restricted to benefitting from just when markets are rising. For further developed and modern merchants who need to separate the most out of their exchanging systems, there are additionally crypto subsidiaries stages, like us.

These crypto exchanging stages offer further developed exchanging apparatuses than spot crypto trades, like long and short positions. These instruments can be utilized to benefit paying little mind to where the market turns and make fence positions for the most ideal danger the board arrangements.

Subsidiaries are offered various ways, including alternatives, fates, or CFDs, additionally called contracts for distinction. These agreements permit pretty much any exchanging instrument to be made, long and short positions, and influence to be applied.

Picking between a spot stage and a subordinates stage is only one of the numerous variables that go into picking the best digital currency exchanging stage. Here are all the other things you need to know to settle on the most ideal decision for you.

The most effective method to Choose The Best Cryptocurrency Trading Platform

With such a lot of rivalry, and with Twitter accounts peddling “ref connects” everywhere to make a speedy buck, it is hard to know precisely which crypto exchanging stage is appropriate for you.

Furthermore, in light of the fact that everybody’s requirements are unique, eventually, no one but you can choose what is ideal for you. Be that as it may, here are the main variables to consider while inspecting which digital money exchanging stages to consider, and why they are significant central considerations.

Resources and Instruments

Most importantly, anybody thinking about contributing, exchanging, or risking any capital at a trade or exchange stage should initially audit the rundown of resources as well as exchanging instruments. Resources address the real cryptographic money, token, stock, cash, and so forth, while instruments are regularly subordinates agreements like CFDs. Exchanging instruments are somewhat more fascinating as these agreements can have an assortment of conditions connected to them.

As well as guaranteeing any stage you are thinking about has the resource and exchanging instruments you are generally keen on, it is likewise critical to consider which resources are recorded that you’re not at present keen on. A stage that offers a wide scope of exchanging instruments across forex, products, stock lists, and digital forms of money is more important than those with crypto as it were. Regardless of whether the dealers are just inspired by crypto at that point, having extra business sectors accessible expands generally opportunity and chances for progress. Search for a stage that offers a wide assortment of resources under one rooftop and keep in mind the effect portfolio expansion can have on bringing down hazards and expanding productivity.

Usefulness and Features

Subsequent to sorting out resources and instruments that matter the most to you and which stage has them, you can start to look at crypto exchanging devices, essential usefulness, and the different highlights a stage offers. For instance, a few stages are spot trades that solitary offer straightforward purchasing and selling of resources. Those searching for additional benefits and need to abstain from assuming a misfortune during drawdowns or being compelled to remain uninvolved can consider subordinates exchanging stage.

Subsidiaries stages offer progressed crypto exchanging instruments, like long and short positions, even all the while for fence positions. Since cryptographic forms of money are so unstable it is imperative to approach such apparatuses to amplify benefits during drawdowns and upswings. By always failing to miss a move, dealers can construct their capital at a lot quicker rate. Including influence given by CFD exchanging stages can additionally enhance returns, yet in addition misfortunes, so hazard the board turns out to be much more significant.

Hazard the executive’s apparatuses like stop misfortune assurance or take benefit orders are important to downplay misfortunes and productivity high. Stages that incorporate exhibition measurements, account articulations, and specialized examination programming should move to the front of the line. These additional apparatuses will prove to be useful in planning systems and gaining from botches.

Wellbeing and Security

Since you know which stage has the resources, instruments, devices, and highlights you need to use to exchange, next it is basic to guaranteeing any stage you are picking has exacting security includes and is known for general wellbeing.

Bank-grade security should be the foundation of any stage’s framework. Search for a stage that has zero past occasions of a hack or intrusion of any sort. This is a prompt warning that ought not to be overlooked. When a security opening is discovered, it is hard to believe that others will not likewise seem when managing capital on the line.

Notwithstanding a history of wellbeing, a few added security highlights ought to be incorporated. Two-factor verification can forestall even an undesirable client that accessed a username or secret word from truly taking any assets. Obligatory location whitelisting can likewise forestall any unapproved access prompting a record being depleted.

Expenses and Discounts

Quest for crypto exchanging stage that is light on expenses, or it can rapidly eat into benefits. Numerous stages have serious charges nowadays, so it might come down to which stages or trades offer the best markdown on expenses for steadfast or dynamic clients. A few stages additionally offer expense-free advancements, or store rewards infrequently to empower new client enrollment and really exchanging movement.

Client Experience and Interface

Any client experience ought to be easy to use for even amateurs, yet offer sufficient profundity for experts. There ought to in any event be some layer of customizations and at whatever point conceivable an assortment of gadgets. Execution information ought to be apparent and effectively available.

Stores and withdrawals ought to be an unmistakable and simple interaction. What’s more, at whatever point conceivable, discover a stage that offers an assistance community with a broad information base and tips about utilizing the stage, however, crypto exchanging itself.

How a stage looks at is without flinching of the spectator, yet it doesn’t damage to have a stage that has a spotless and tasteful visual allure and utilizes numerous screens when fundamental. Entering and shutting exchanges, or making any changes ought to be understood and basic.

Notoriety and Reliability

Search out a stage that has a history of progress, either through industry grants or local area acknowledgment. Informal exchange is an incredible asset, so search online networks and web-based media for every stage you are thinking about to perceive what clients are saying.

Be particularly mindful so as to consider what clients say about the stage during top market instability. It isn’t unprecedented to see dealers gloating about their foundation and their success rates, possibly whining about misfortunes when a stage freezes, goes down or has a request accommodation mistake. Additionally be extremely sure any stage is certainly not a by and large trick, or a phishing site prior to joining. Attempt to get to any stage straight by URL and not through web search tools or through other site’s connections.

Local area Presence

How dynamic the stage is locally itself additionally says a ton regarding a stage. Does this stage have dynamic web-based media accounts? Is it accurate to say that they are effectively captivating those clients, through things like advancements, giveaways, Bitcoins trading and mining, tests, and every one of the things that make online media alluring and fun? On the off chance that indeed, you realize you are following after some admirable people.

Just genuine stages with a field-tested strategy and showcasing methodology consider online media and consistently draw in with clients. Search for stages that openly come through on giveaways with genuine clients.