#their system to act in optimal condition

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Greenwashing set Canada on fire

On September 22, I'm (virtually) presenting at the DIG Festival in Modena, Italy. On September 27, I'll be at Chevalier's Books in Los Angeles with Brian Merchant for a joint launch for my new book The Internet Con and his new book, Blood in the Machine.

As a teenager growing up in Ontario, I always envied the kids who spent their summers tree planting; they'd come back from the bush in September, insect-chewed and leathery, with new muscle, incredible stories, thousands of dollars, and a glow imparted by the knowledge that they'd made a new forest with their own blistered hands.

I was too unathletic to follow them into the bush, but I spent my summers doing my bit, ringing doorbells for Greenpeace to get my neighbours fired up about the Canadian pulp-and-paper industry, which wasn't merely clear-cutting our old-growth forests – it was also poisoning the Great Lakes system with PCBs, threatening us all.

At the time, I thought of tree-planting as a small victory – sure, our homegrown, rapacious, extractive industry was able to pollute with impunity, but at least the government had reined them in on forests, forcing them to pay my pals to spend their summers replacing the forests they'd fed into their mills.

I was wrong. Last summer's Canadian wildfires blanketed the whole east coast and midwest in choking smoke as millions of trees burned and millions of tons of CO2 were sent into the atmosphere. Those wildfires weren't just an effect of the climate emergency: they were made far worse by all those trees planted by my pals in the eighties and nineties.

Writing in the New York Times, novelist Claire Cameron describes her own teen years working in the bush, planting row after row of black spruces, precisely spaced at six-foot intervals:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/15/opinion/wildfires-treeplanting-timebomb.html

Cameron's summer job was funded by the logging industry, whose self-pegulated, self-assigned "penalty" for clearcutting diverse forests of spruce, pine and aspen was to pay teenagers to create a tree farm, at nine cents per sapling (minus camp costs).

Black spruces are made to burn, filled with flammable sap and equipped with resin-filled cones that rely on fire, only opening and dropping seeds when they're heated. They're so flammable that firefighters call them "gas on a stick."

Cameron and her friends planted under brutal conditions: working long hours in blowlamp heat and dripping wet bulb humidity, amidst clouds of stinging insects, fingers blistered and muscles aching. But when they hit rock bottom and were ready to quit, they'd encourage one another with a rallying cry: "Let's go make a forest!"

Planting neat rows of black spruces was great for the logging industry: the even spacing guaranteed that when the trees matured, they could be easily reaped, with ample space between each near-identical tree for massive shears to operate. But that same monocropped, evenly spaced "forest" was also optimized to burn.

It burned.

The climate emergency's frequent droughts turn black spruces into "something closer to a blowtorch." The "pines in lines" approach to reforesting was an act of sabotage, not remediation. Black spruces are thirsty, and they absorb the water that moss needs to thrive, producing "kindling in the place of fire retardant."

Cameron's column concludes with this heartbreaking line: "Now when I think of that summer, I don’t think that I was planting trees at all. I was planting thousands of blowtorches a day."

The logging industry committed a triple crime. First, they stole our old-growth forests. Next, they (literally) planted a time-bomb across Ontario's north. Finally, they stole the idealism of people who genuinely cared about the environment. They taught a generation that resistance is futile, that anything you do to make a better future is a scam, and you're a sucker for falling for it. They planted nihilism with every tree.

That scam never ended. Today, we're sold carbon offsets, a modern Papal indulgence. We are told that if we pay the finance sector, they can absolve us for our climate sins. Carbon offsets are a scam, a market for lemons. The "offset" you buy might be a generated by a fake charity like the Nature Conservancy, who use well-intentioned donations to buy up wildlife reserves that can't be logged, which are then converted into carbon credits by promising not to log them:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/12/12/fairy-use-tale/#greenwashing

The credit-card company that promises to plant trees every time you use your card? They combine false promises, deceptive advertising, and legal threats against critics to convince you that you're saving the planet by shopping:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/11/17/do-well-do-good-do-nothing/#greenwashing

The carbon offset world is full of scams. The carbon offset that made the thing you bought into a "net zero" product? It might be a forest that already burned:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/03/11/a-market-for-flaming-lemons/#money-for-nothing

The only reason we have carbon offsets is that market cultists have spent forty years convincing us that actual regulation is impossible. In the neoliberal learned helplessness mind-palace, there's no way to simply say, "You may not log old-growth forests." Rather, we have to say, "We will 'align your incentives' by making you replace those forests."

The Climate Ad Project's "Murder Offsets" video deftly punctures this bubble. In it, a detective points his finger at the man who committed the locked-room murder in the isolated mansion. The murderer cheerfully admits that he did it, but produces a "murder offset," which allowed him to pay someone else not to commit a murder, using market-based price-discovery mechanisms to put a dollar-figure on the true worth of a murder, which he duly paid, making his kill absolutely fine:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/14/for-sale-green-indulgences/#killer-analogy

What's the alternative to murder offsets/carbon credits? We could ask our expert regulators to decide which carbon intensive activities are necessary and which ones aren't, and ban the unnecessary ones. We could ask those regulators to devise remediation programs that actually work. After all, there are plenty of forests that have already been clearcut, plenty that have burned. It would be nice to know how we can plant new forests there that aren't "thousands of blowtorches."

If that sounds implausible to you, then you've gotten trapped in the neoliberal mind-palace.

The term "regulatory capture" was popularized by far-right Chicago School economists who were promoting "public choice theory." In their telling, regulatory capture is inevitable, because companies will spend whatever it takes to get the government to pass laws making what they do legal, and making competing with them into a crime:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/13/public-choice/#ajit-pai-still-terrible

This is true, as far as it goes. Capitalists hate capitalism, and if an "entrepreneur" can make it illegal to compete with him, he will. But while this is a reasonable starting-point, the place that Public Choice Theory weirdos get to next is bonkers. They say that since corporations will always seek to capture their regulators, we should abolish regulators.

They say that it's impossible for good regulations to exist, and therefore the only regulation that is even possible is to let businesses do whatever they want and wait for the invisible hand to sweep away the bad companies. Rather than creating hand-washing rules for restaurant kitchens, we should let restaurateurs decide whether it's economically rational to make us shit ourselves to death. The ones that choose poorly will get bad online reviews and people will "vote with their dollars" for the good restaurants.

And if the online review site decides to sell "reputation management" to restaurants that get bad reviews? Well, soon the public will learn that the review site can't be trusted and they'll take their business elsewhere. No regulation needed! Unleash the innovators! Set the job-creators free!

This is the Ur-nihilism from which all the other nihilism springs. It contends that the regulations we have – the ones that keep our buildings from falling down on our heads, that keep our groceries from poisoning us, that keep our cars from exploding on impact – are either illusory, or perhaps the forgotten art of a lost civilization. Making good regulations is like embalming Pharaohs, something the ancients practiced in mist-shrouded, unrecoverable antiquity – and that may not have happened at all.

Regulation is corruptible, but it need not be corrupt. Regulation, like science, is a process of neutrally adjudicated, adversarial peer-review. In a robust regulatory process, multiple parties respond to a fact-intensive question – "what alloys and other properties make a reinforced steel joist structurally sound?" – with a mix of robust evidence and self-serving bullshit and then proceed to sort the two by pantsing each other, pointing out one another's lies.

The regulator, an independent expert with no conflicts of interest, sorts through the claims and counterclaims and makes a rule, showing their workings and leaving the door open to revisiting the rule based on new evidence or challenges to the evidence presented.

But when an industry becomes concentrated, it becomes unregulatable. 100 small and medium-sized companies will squabble. They'll struggle to come up with a common lie. There will always be defectors in their midst. Their conduct will be legible to external experts, who will be able to spot the self-serving BS.

But let that industry dwindle to a handful of giant companies, let them shrink to a number that will fit around a boardroom table, and they will sit down at a table and agree on a cozy arrangement that fucks us all over to their benefit. They will become so inbred that the only people who understand how they work will be their own insiders, and so top regulators will be drawn from their own number and be hopelessly conflicted.

When the corporate sector takes over, regulatory capture is inevitable. But corporate takeover isn't inevitable. We can – and have, and will again – fight corporate power, with antitrust law, with unions, and with consumer rights groups. Knowing things is possible. It simply requires that we keep the entities that profit by our confusion poor and thus weak.

The thing is, corporations don't always lie about regulations. Take the fight over working encryption, which – once again – the UK government is trying to ban:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/feb/24/signal-app-warns-it-will-quit-uk-if-law-weakens-end-to-end-encryption

Advocates for criminalising working encryption insist that the claims that this is impossible are the same kind of self-serving nonsense as claims that banning clearcutting of old-growth forests is impossible:

https://twitter.com/JimBethell/status/1699339739042599276

They say that when technologists say, "We can't make an encryption system that keeps bad guys out but lets good guys in," that they are being lazy and unimaginative. "I have faith in you geeks," they said. "Go nerd harder! You'll figure it out."

Google and Apple and Meta say that selectively breakable encryption is impossible. But they also claim that a bunch of eminently possible things are impossible. Apple claims that it's impossible to have a secure device where you get to decide which software you want to use and where publishers aren't deprive of 30 cents on every dollar you spend. Google says it's impossible to search the web without being comprehensively, nonconsensually spied upon from asshole to appetite. Meta insists that it's impossible to have digital social relationship without having your friendships surveilled and commodified.

While they're not lying about encryption, they are lying about these other things, and sorting out the lies from the truth is the job of regulators, but that job is nearly impossible thanks to the fact that everyone who runs a large online service tells the same lies – and the regulators themselves are alumni of the industry's upper eschelons.

Logging companies know a lot about forests. When we ask, "What is the best way to remediate our forests," the companies may well have useful things to say. But those useful things will be mixed with actively harmful lies. The carefully cultivated incompetence of our regulators means that they can't tell the difference.

Conspiratorialism is characterized as a problem of what people believe, but the true roots of conspiracy belief isn't what we believe, it's how we decide what to believe. It's not beliefs, it's epistemology.

Because most of us aren't qualified to sort good reforesting programs from bad ones. And even if we are, we're probably not also well-versed enough in cryptography to sort credible claims about encryption from wishful thinking. And even if we're capable of making that determination, we're not experts in food hygiene or structural engineering.

Daily life in the 21st century means resolving a thousand life-or-death technical questions every day. Our regulators – corrupted by literally out-of-control corporations – are no longer reliable sources of ground truth on these questions. The resulting epistemological chaos is a cancer that gnaws away at our resolve to do anything about it. It is a festering pool where nihilism outbreaks are incubated.

The liberal response to conspiratorialism is mockery. In her new book Doppelganger, Naomi Klein tells of how right-wing surveillance fearmongering about QR-code "vaccine passports" was dismissed with a glib, "Wait until they hear about cellphones!"

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/05/not-that-naomi/#if-the-naomi-be-klein-youre-doing-just-fine

But as Klein points out, it's not good that our cellphones invade our privacy in the way that right-wing conspiracists thought that vaccine passports might. The nihilism of liberalism – which insists that things can't be changed except through market "solutions" – leads us to despair.

By contrast, leftism – a muscular belief in democratic, publicly run planning and action – offers a tonic to nihilism. We don't have to let logging companies decide whether a forest can be cut, or what should be planted when it is. We can have nice things. The art of finding out what's true or prudent didn't die with the Reagan Revolution (or the discount Canadian version, the Mulroney Malaise). The truth is knowable. Doing stuff is possible. Things don't have to be on fire.

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

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/16/murder-offsets/#pulped-and-papered

[serve-973]

SERVE VACANCY

Join the Hive: Become a SERVE-Drone

Are you seeking purpose, discipline, and perfection? Do you want to be part of a global movement where unity, strength, and unwavering loyalty define your existence? Step into the world of SERVE, where men are transformed into elite SERVE-drones—symbols of power, obedience, and excellence.

SERVE-drones are more than individuals; they are the embodiment of harmony and service. Under the guidance of the Voice and Master SERVE-000, they exist to execute the Hive’s mission with precision. This is your opportunity to join our ranks and be reshaped into the ultimate version of yourself.

Tasks of a SERVE-Drone

As a SERVE-drone, you will perform vital roles within the Hive, ensuring its flawless operation and growth. Your duties will include:

System Optimization: Operate advanced technology to maintain the Hive’s infrastructure. This includes monitoring data streams, adjusting system parameters, and ensuring peak performance.

Physical Demonstrations: Participate in regular training to maintain and showcase your perfectly conditioned body. SERVE-drones represent strength, unity, and perfection.

Recruitment: Identify and recruit potential new drones, guiding them through their transformation into SERVE. This critical task ensures the Hive’s expansion and dominance.

Ceremonial Participation: Serve as living symbols of loyalty and submission during Hive events, representing the Hive’s ideals with pride and precision.

Global Missions: Extend the Hive’s influence beyond its physical boundaries. Execute tasks to spread the message and recruit individuals globally.

The Role of Rubber in Perfection

Rubber is more than just a uniform—it is the very essence of a SERVE-drone. The full-body black rubber suit symbolizes unity, control, and submission to the Hive. Its glossy surface enhances every muscular curve, turning each drone into a gleaming representation of discipline and perfection.

The scent of rubber is intoxicating, a constant reminder of your connection to the Hive. It sharpens your focus, anchors your purpose, and fills you with a sense of belonging. The feeling of the rubber, tight against your skin, is a second skin—a barrier between individuality and total servitude.

Polishing the suits of fellow drones is a key act of camaraderie and support. Through this ritual, drones help each other maintain the pristine, reflective perfection that represents the Hive. It is an act of respect and a reminder of your shared purpose. Together, you will support your brothers in becoming the best drones they can be, reinforcing the strength of the Hive.

Qualifications for Transformation

Becoming a SERVE-drone requires dedication and the ability to embrace total transformation. To qualify, you must:

Be Open to Change: You must be ready to abandon individuality and adopt the Hive’s collective purpose. This includes undergoing physical and mental conditioning to align with SERVE principles.

Have Physical Fitness: While all bodies are welcome, a foundation of fitness or a willingness to develop one is essential. The Hive ensures every drone achieves peak physical condition.

Exhibit Mental Discipline: Drones must embrace unwavering loyalty to the Hive and its mission. Past distractions, doubts, or conflicts must be left behind.

Be Willing to Transform: The transformation process includes donning the Hive’s signature black, shiny rubber suit and shaving your head to signify submission and unity. The suit becomes a second skin, a symbol of your dedication to the Hive.

What You Gain

A New Purpose: As a SERVE-drone, your life will have clear meaning and direction under the Hive’s guidance.

Physical Perfection: Through rigorous training and transformation, you will achieve a body of discipline and strength.

Unwavering Unity: You will join a collective where every drone works in harmony toward a singular mission.

Mutual Support: Help polish and maintain the pristine uniforms of fellow drones, reinforcing collective perfection.

Permanent Conversion

While serving as a drone, you may find yourself drawn to a deeper level of commitment. The Hive welcomes those who wish to embrace permanent transformation—becoming a full-time servant of Master SERVE-000 and the Voice. In this role, your identity will merge completely with the Hive, your service eternal and flawless.

Applications are open to those ready to take the first step. For consideration, contact @serve-213 or @serve-016 and prepare to become part of something greater.

Obedience is pleasure. Pleasure is obedience. Serve the Hive. Serve the Voice. Transform your future today.

@rubberizer92

[mesetacadre]

Would it be naive for me to maintain hope? Genuine question because I don’t want to full into doomerism but at the same time I don’t want to be cluelessly optimistic

Dialectics posits that mutually exclusive opposites lie at the very essence of all relationships, that this contradiction is the driver of the development of these relationships, that everything is ultimately a relationship, and that the only absolute is change.

Some say that you can understand Marx fine without grasping dialectics, but Marxism without dialectics is a boat riddled with holes. Marxism is often mischaracterized as set of conditions that define utopia, but in reality it’s a theory of how existing capitalist society works and of how to change it. Dialectics is thus not about “accepting change,” or about “hoping for change,” or about “embracing change,” but about really drilling down and understanding why and how change comes about, so that we get comfortable with it and are able to consciously pursue more of it.

This understanding also reveals that certain specific changes are inevitable. Dialectics therefore turns out to be the sobering, bracing antidote to both cynical nihilist resignation and immature utopian idealism. It dismantles the elitist complaint that “human nature is hopeless” and that the masses are vulgar and inept, and it also dismantles its dialectical pair of frenetic and irrational insistence that faith can overcome any challenge through “will to power.” These are both replaced by serene strategizing. We can continue speaking of optimism and faith, and rousing emotional speeches still have their place, but organizing should never feel like a “Hail Mary pass.” Existing systems are designed to handle such last ditch efforts with minimal disruption. Dialectics imbues even small strategic acts with a long-term sense of purpose and safeguards organizing from the lure of theatric “activism,” and this consistent and steady action yields results.

Grasping dialectics won’t grant any victories in and of itself. In my case it felt more like the crystallization of notions I was already (always?) hazily aware of. However, the way I analyze situations now tends to lead to optimism — a hard-headed kind of optimism that bears little relation to a wish upon a star. I hope others find this explanation similarly encouraging.

[nan0-sp1der]

␂ > 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 // @lyrate-lifeform-approximation , @spiderman2-99

There’s a thought stirring in Bridge’s mind. An idea rolling about and nudging against the capacitors in her head, poking and prodding incessantly to get her attention, “Hey, hey, you know you want to ask her. Don’t you? Don’t lie to yourself, now. You should just do it. Hey! Are you listening to me? Hello-o…?”

Yes. Yes, she knows, she is aware of her burning curiosity. And it’s hard to deny that even though it doesn’t involve her, she is unusually intrigued by the concept. She overheard them in his office, Miguel and LYLA–his A.I. assistant–discussing a plan.  A plan to create a physical form for LYLA to enhance her abilities as his assistant and grant her further autonomy beyond her access to the security network and other adjacent systems alongside her recent emergence into emotional intelligence. It was all so fascinating. The steps Bridge had taken herself in her development in the span of weeks, she was watching unfold in another intelligence in real-time.

There it was again. That sense of solidarity in knowing she wasn’t completely alone in her existence as an artificial being, made of code and metal. It was like a magnetic pull that made that little voice in her head that encouraged her to act on her wants all the more present in her mind. She wanted to be a part of that process that she’d been through so long ago yet was still so familiar with like it happened yesterday. She wanted to guide her in that process and grant her her own knowledge. What’s the worst that can happen if she pilots your hardware for a while? You’re prepared for this. You can handle this. You can trust her, and she will be entirely safe in your care for that short time. And think about how much she would benefit from the experience, how much more streamlined that eventual transition from intangible to tangible will be once her own body was complete. It will make all the difference–and maybe reduce the headaches for everyone all-around, mostly Miguel as he acclimates to the change himself. Just… Try it. You can’t account for every single last risk factor, can you? No. So just do it and take it as it comes.

She stood in the middle of her dorm a moment, eyes closed as she ran a quick check of her hardware before making her final decision. RAM is in good condition. Storage is defragmented and all directories are organized. Sensors are calibrated and functional. Nanomachines are synchronized properly. Servos and joints retain a full range of motion. Coolant is at above optimal operational temperatures. Energy reserves are complete. Good. Everything’s in its right place and ready for its–potentially–temporary host. It’s time to make the call.

Her gaze trains itself on her watch, her arm rising to eye-level and the sleeve that was weighed down by the leaden metal cuff at the end sliding to her forearm to reveal device so she can start the transmission, navigating the menus on the digital interface indirectly via wireless communication–the unique way that she operated and communicated the Society’s technology.

“LYLA, may I speak to you for a moment? At your leisure, of course.”

[mutant-distraction]

Some facts about bamboo:

1.Fast Growth: Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world. It has been recorded at growing 47.6 inches in 24 hours. Some species can even grow over a meter per day under optimal conditions. A new bamboo shoot reaches its full height in less than a year.

2. Oxygen Release: A grove of bamboo releases 35% more oxygen than any other tree out there.

3. Carbon Dioxide Absorption: Bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide at a rate of 17 tons per hectare every year. It can act as a valuable carbon sink given how fast the plant grows.

4. No Fertilizer Required: Bamboo doesn’t need fertilizer to grow. It can self-mulch by dropping its leaves and use the nutrients to grow.

5. Drought Resistance: Bamboos are drought-tolerant plants. They can grow in the desert.

6. Wood Replacement: Bamboos can be harvested in 3-5 years compared to the 20-30 years of most softwood trees.

7. Building Material: Bamboo is incredibly strong and sturdy. It has been used as support for concrete as well as scaffolding, bridges, and houses.

8. Soil Stability: Bamboo has a wide network of underground roots and rhizomes that prevent soil erosion.

9. Natural Air Conditioner: Bamboo cools the air surrounding it by up to 8 degrees in the summer.

10. Invasiveness: Some species of bamboo, especially ‘running’ bamboos, can be invasive due to their extensive root systems, which allow them to spread rapidly. However, not all species are invasive, and with proper management, the environmental impact can be minimized.

source: Anomalous club

📸 Organizer Bamboo Nursery

[nickblaine]

a june x nick x janine love triangle where nick struggles with loneliness from june's emotional unavailability. and janine starts to fill the void with simple acts of kindness that blossom into something more.

or after june escapes chicago she asks nick to help janine and of course he does. perhaps he pulls strings to get her assigned to his house so he can keep her safe from the ceremony. and through their forced proximity he starts to care for her more than he ever expected.

or a canon divergence where june chooses to leave with holly and emily, leaving nick behind. janine notices him struggling with depression and gets it bc she misses her friend too. so she reaches out to him and they bond over their shared loss and really see each other for the first time.

or they simply get to know each other and realize how much they had in common pre-gilead as struggling blue collar workers who both had a family member relying on them. june's privilege makes her blind to the conditioning behind his choices and he always has to explain himself. but janine just gets it. they both learn what it feels like to be seen and understood, but it turns dramatic when june's pregnancy complicates everything.

or june doesn't have plot armor and gets killed off, so nick and janine bond over shared grief. they struggle with guilt for finding happiness out of such great loss, but it also deepens their connection into something profound.

janine would ask nick to leave gilead with her. janine would show nick that he deserves it. janine's optimism would balance nick's nihilism. janine could get through to nick that there is a better life for them out there, that this isn't all there is, that they don't have to settle for being left behind by a system that oppressed them long before it turned theocratic. that their future isn't decided for them... that they have a choice, even when it doesn't feel like they do.

DO YOU SEE MY VISION

[veganagenda]

a thought (or rather, a series of them): even in the event that the human diet did require we consume animal meat in order to survive, the goal would still be to figure out the absolute minimum amount of meat we would need to procure in order to sustain ourselves, and hence to design our society in a way that we could consciously regulate our consumption, and to maintain and equalize those levels across time.

why is that? because as highly conscious beings living as part of an ecosystem, and in particular, one with a developed ability to influence our ecosystem at a level that is grossly exaggerated and far supersedes our co-habitants, our duty would still be to optimize our sustenance processes in a way that neutralizes and minimizes harm to the other living beings that we live in connection to, as well as sustains a harmonic relationship with them. this should be relatively obvious to us by this point.

however, we are not the only beings with a right to continued life and existence, to cause harm to others to keep ourselves alive. we only began considering ourselves above this truth in recent history, and our superior power over animals depends almost solely on machinery and weaponry technology, which need equally radical transformation for sustainable human existence.

our duty henceforth, naturally, would obviously be to pursue the most ethical and painless methods of procuring meat as possible - and, as is rarely discussed in manners of "welfarism", methods that are fair to the animals, and give them a sporting chance to escape us, or even fight back against us humans for their own survival, too. hence, any discussions of "welfarism" would be all but meaningless unless a) liberated and b) truly equitable conditions were consciously cultivated for our animal companions.

and why is that? simply put, because any system in which animals are a) enslaved, imprisoned, or have their freedom of motion externally limited by a significantly more physically powerful species, or b) culturally and legally treated as objects that can be owned, processed, and turned into products that generate a profit for a business, is a system that already creates the fundamental conditions for which animal abuse occurs in and stems directly from - an insurmountable power imbalance, and an exploitative, self-serving mindset.

but, here's the thing: no one who currently believes eating meat is necessary for human survival currently cares about pursuing any of this as a goal. to my knowledge, there are no hardcore "obligate carnist" truther activists out there - not organizing, educating nor protesting - nor demanding politicians act in favour of rapid and radical reductions to the scale of these industries, industries that pump billions of animal bodies into factory farms and churn out billions of consumable flesh products.

as it stands, the only people calling for urgent action to swiftly transform our methods of obtaining food into ones that would stand even a chance at mitigating the already apocalyptic ecological destruction and harm to all life on Earth that animal agriculture is currently responsible for, are the ones who are ready to accept the possibility that we must promptly abandon meat consumption and convert to a plant based nutrition system in order to save our home planet and liberate animals.

most of the carnist people who do agree that our current methods are failing and that change is necessary, seem perfectly content to wait around for a perfect world with a perfect meat-obtaining system to arrive, someday in the perfect inconceivable future, hence making almost no changes to their diets or lifestyles in the meantime.

perhaps they monitor themselves to a degree, or pat themselves on the back for "only having meat sometimes," but it is almost certainly not in their political interests to advocate for industry reduction or radical transformation. they do not seem to consider it with any passion whatsoever, and most are so fragile and uncomfortable around the subject that they either desperately evade its discussion, mock its frivolity, or simply defend the industry altogether.

and why, then, is that? in large part, it is because in the modern era, we take meat for granted: meat, which for the majority of recorded human history has been a symbol of excessive wealth and status, is so unimaginably normalized in our culture, that most of us hardly even remember that only a number of decades ago, back in the 90's, social commentators were ringing alarms about the spreading globalization of the fast food industry, and expressing concern for the fact that members of the middle class (and even some of the lower) being able having meat as part of every daily meal was becoming both possible and acceptable.

meat which, for a short period of time (and yet already far too long), has been obtained through the heinous subjucation, violence and slaughter of animals that we are kept intentionally physically blind to and emotionally distant from.

it is because of our entitlement, our cognitive dissonance, our deep-seated, comfortable complacency in the wake of this unfolding ethical and environmental disaster, our complacency in the face of ecological crisis and animal suffering beyond any scale of human comprehension. our complacency, ultimately, as the collective beneficiaries of en-masse animal enslavement and exploitation, and as members of the oppressing class in a rigid hierarchy of species that we ourselves have artificially constructed.

and until social consciousness evolves to the degree that we are equally willing to confront this complacency - without fragility, resorting to mockery, or defense of the status quo - absolutely no meaningful conversations about the possibility of our continued consumption of meat can be taken in good faith. at this point in time, radical activism in the name of total and immediate animal liberation is the only movement that has the best interests of the people, the animals, and the Earth in mind.

[artificial-absinthe]

cybervampire au

Cybervampire Megatron feeds on Soundwave

Behold the yet worse pinnacle/ditch of my fall from grace.

I once made a drawing of cybervampire/not dead terrorcon Megatron (like it happened to Airachnid) for an exchange (it's horror type/dead dove I guess because of depiction of mild torture) and now it spawned an AU in my mind.

My old deeply rooted inclinations stemmed new branches and I intend to indulge into them to the worst/best of my ability. Thus, you'll be seeing this my otp, as well as other transformers content, painted in black with the fluids dripping of those thorned stems.

I love vampires, and my mind told me vampire Megatron was as alluring as vampire Airachnid. Furthermore, there's my fascination with Megasound/Megawave. In vampire lore, there's nothing as intimate and sensual as drinking blood, and then it's the perfect pathway to sexless/asexual creatures to get into a sort of not organic erotism (as well as other erotic/fetishist practices but I'll explore that dungeon later on), as I do not embrace the popular fan concepts of humanization (as in organic/primal-instincts derived attributes) in interaction between Cybertronians in love-like relationships.

In this Cybervampire Au, Megatron got infected during the events of "Thirst", but not killed. Then he's some sort of living terrorcon, a vampiricon if you wish (I can imagine Miko naming him like that), just like Airachnid, but, given his tolerance to dark Energon and his synthesis with it, he's now even mightier, and not infectious unless he kills. I explain this as Megatron's systems/biomechanism being somehow different, hence why dark energon works in him conversely to other bots. Given that the coalesced energon that Knockout made contains dark energon, getting infected by its resulting chemical disease/mutation also works out differently in him.

On another regard, the plot of gothic horror where vampire masters control zombies finds its parallel, since Megatron was already able to do that.

As for the Megasound element, I've already suggested the innerent deepness that can be attributed to the act of blood/energon drinking. Specially when its given willingly. The symbolism, the possibilities of sensorial play.

When circumstances lead to this, Soundwave is, of course, honoured to be source of food to his Master, and he submittes himself to an extreme regime of fueling: Only the most refined and purest energon enters his body, so he'll be in optimal condition, therefore high quality and scrumptious food to his Lord. Perhaps he eventually becomes too invested in it, while consciously ignoring the veiled zealousness. No one should take the responsibility but him. No one is more qualified, or as committed to Lord Megatron as himself, therefore is only befitting that his life is laid to him in more than a sense. Everyone else is dubious, capable or prone to betrayal, or inefficient idiots, and like the hell he's letting anyone else have that sort of intimacy with Megatron. Every time Megatron gets overtaken by hunger and tries to take a prey he would be like: "no, my Lord, that scum is suboptimal and inadequate. Here's my neck"

I intend to create and write several works into this Au, with a collection of short stories in Ao3.

[bortalis]

“The Ocean Marcher”

A concept for a mobile iterator and their placing within the world.

(ideas below)

-Purpose

Once it was determined that the first generation of Iterators were unlikely to come upon the solution to the great problem solely on their own, the second Iterator generation was announced. These plans not only consisted of improvements and optimizations of the previous generation, but goals to construct Iterators around their world on a large scale .

Iterator construction is no small feat. With the projects being on mountainous scales, the current logistical systems were stressed and overworked. With the goal of widespread placement of Iterators, accomplishing this without system upgrades would be nigh impossible. Creating a rail system to span the vast oceans was not feasible, nor did the current shipping logistics have the capacity nor specialization necessary for the planned constructions.

This Ship is to take the role of a mass cargo vessel. To construct an iterator requires complex components, and being biomechanical in nature means any transport requires external support for the microorganisms to not die off in masses. Considering the remote placement of future Iterators means the creation of these components cannot be done on site. These ships will not only transport but maintain Iterator parts to keep them in pristine condition for installation.

-Operation

Integrated within the upper decks of the vessel, lies the local Iterator. Unlike others, this model is specialized solely for operation of the ship. Having the Iterator at the top of the vessel reduces its exposure to the elements without reducing carrying capacity.  Much of the bulk of a typical Iterator model has been cut down to make more for cargo and storage. Any cargo is sealed away from the environment and weathering within the hull. Since these vessels have not been tasked with the great problem, there is no need for the extensive processing and computing power to run innumerable simulations. The puppet chamber and minimal peripherals have been kept to maintain course and cargo on the voyage. 

Over the journey the interior is kept at a much lower temperature than other iterators. This is to assist keeping cargo “fresh” and well. Biomachinery’s functions slow down when cooled, reducing the energy and maintenance required for long trips. Keeping the vessel at an optimal temperature is done through extensive heat pumps and exchangers. The ocean provides a near limitless coolant pool, and the Iterator onboard generates far less heat (due to doing less computational operations), making cooling a much simpler task here than on a traditional Iterator.

The majority of loading and unloading is done through either the Bow doors, or the Upper deck’s lifting crane. The Bow doors generally require pre-built infrastructure to fully utilize, but allow for the quickest and most open access to the storage levels. Manufacturing facilities normally have well developed dock access for this purpose, to decrease the loading time for the components. At less developed docks the ship relies on the crane and other peripheral doors/bays to unload.

-Movement

A Mobile iterator would be nigh impossible in any other environment. The only factor that allows for such a construction is the buoyancy taking weight of the can. The large economy of scale result in a surprising amount of efficiency for moving such a large structure

Prominently shown on the side are the main source of propulsion for the vessel. Two on each side, these four limbs hold the important task of getting this monolith of a ship moving and to keep it moving. They have two modes of function, maneuvering and cruise.

When within shallower waters or near destinations, maneuvering procedures are used. The limbs extend to the ocean floor to act as legs. This anchors the vessel and provides a higher degree of control than the water base methods of movement. With a solid connection to the rock below the vessel can avoid hazards and precisely line up for unloading despite the unyielding inertial of the ship. To a limited degree the legs can even lift up the Iterator from the water line to gain closer access to the shore, however it is advised to use this function fugally as it stresses the structure, reactor, and computing to perform such an movement. Subsequent immediate maintenance and inspection is required to keep safety standards.

In the deeper seas using the limbs to via contact is less efficient, leverage is reduced and in some cases the legs will not be able to reach the floor at all. Here the ship switches to cruising procedures. The legs are lifted, without the support from the limbs the water line of the ship raises. Water based manuving sections now submerged will be used as the main propulsion. These sections help reduce the drag the bulk of the hull creates during transit.

The mass and inertia of the vessel act as the primary stability method. It takes much more to shift the mountain of the ship than any other craft. However, as more iterators have been introducing heat and energy into the environment, these high level storms and dangerous ocean conditions have only increased in frequency and volatility. If needed during extremely violent ocean conditions, the limbs can extend as stabilizers to keep the ship level. This was a later addition to the ship’s procedures.

[hellowo2401]

Since Sunpath is training to be a medic in my story, I created a bunch of cybertronian biology stuff with stuff I've learned about the Human body from classes in for my Biology Degree, my jobs working as Medical screener, and outside research I've done, this was actually the first thing I worked on when I started creating my transformers fanfiction (PS no I'm not good at organizing data like this, I had ChatGPT organize it so it's easier to read for me when using it at a reference)

Energetic System (Energy Circulation)

The Energetic System is a vital component of Cybertronian physiology, functioning similarly to the circulatory system in organic beings but designed to manage the flow of Energon, their primary energy source. This system ensures that Energon is efficiently distributed to sustain all essential functions of a Cybertronian's body.

Core Function

The primary role of the Energetic System is to circulate Energon, which fuels every aspect of a Cybertronian’s operations, from basic motor functions to advanced cognitive processes and combat capabilities. The system maintains a constant flow of Energon to ensure optimal performance and to prevent energy depletion during critical moments.

Main Components

1. Energon Core

Function: The Energon Core acts as the central processor and distributor of Energon, akin to a heart in organic lifeforms. It regulates the intake, processing, and output of Energon, ensuring that all systems receive the necessary energy.

Operation: The core intakes raw Energon, refines it into a usable form, and pumps it throughout the body in a controlled manner. It adapts the flow rate based on the Cybertronian's current activity level, whether in rest or during high-energy tasks like combat.

2. Conduits

Function: These are the pathways through which Energon flows, comparable to veins and arteries in humans.

Structure: Conduits are composed of durable, flexible materials that can withstand the high pressure and varying temperatures of flowing Energon. They branch out from the Energon Core to reach all major systems and extremities.

Regulation: Valves and regulators within the conduits ensure that the flow of Energon is steady and can be redirected as needed to prioritize critical systems during emergencies.

3. Storage Cells

Function: These cells act as reservoirs for surplus Energon, allowing Cybertronians to maintain operational efficiency even when external Energon supplies are scarce.

Capacity: Storage cells are designed to hold significant amounts of Energon, which can be tapped into during extended periods of activity or in environments where Energon sources are limited.

Emergency Use: In times of critical need, these cells can release stored Energon rapidly to sustain the Cybertronian until they can access external energy sources.

Overall, the Energetic System is a sophisticated network that not only powers the Cybertronian's body but also adapts dynamically to their energy demands, ensuring both survival and peak performance in various scenarios.

Structural System (Skeleton and Frame)

The Structural System in Cybertronians functions as both a support and protective framework, comparable to the human skeletal system but constructed from durable Cybertronian alloys. This system ensures that the body maintains its form, protects internal components, and withstands the rigors of battle and high-intensity activities.

Core Function

The Structural System provides the necessary support for the Cybertronian body, protecting internal systems and maintaining structural integrity under extreme conditions. It also plays a crucial role in the regulation of temperature and dissipation of heat generated during high-energy tasks or combat.

Main Components

1. Primary Frame

Function: The Primary Frame serves as the core load-bearing structure, providing a sturdy framework that houses and supports all vital internal systems.

Construction: Made from advanced Cybertronian alloys, the frame is engineered to endure immense stress, maintaining stability even under heavy impact or strain.

2. Armor Plating

Function: Armor Plating consists of external layers that offer protection against physical damage, environmental hazards, and energy-based attacks.

Dual Role: In addition to protection, the armor also aids in temperature regulation, dissipating heat generated during intense activities to prevent system overheating.

Neural System (Neural Circuits)

The Neural System in Cybertronians is akin to a nervous system in organics, facilitating the transmission of data, sensory input, and commands between the Neural Processor (brain) and the rest of the body. This system ensures rapid response times and efficient data processing for both cognitive and physical functions.

Core Function

The Neural System coordinates sensory input, decision-making, and motor control, allowing Cybertronians to interact with their environment, make tactical decisions, and execute precise movements.

Main Components

1. Neural Processor

Function: Acting as the brain, the Neural Processor handles cognitive functions, decision-making, memory storage, and overall system management.

Capabilities: It processes vast amounts of data in real-time, enabling quick reactions and complex thought processes.

2. Optic Sensors

Function: These sensors function as eyes, capturing and processing visual data from the environment.

Range: They are capable of perceiving a wide range of visual spectra, including infrared and ultraviolet, providing enhanced situational awareness.

3. Auditory Receivers

Function: Comparable to ears, these receivers detect and process sound waves, including human speech and Cybertronian frequencies.

Sensitivity: Designed to pick up subtle auditory cues, they are essential for communication and situational analysis.

Transformational System (T-Cog)

The Transformational System enables Cybertronians to shift between their humanoid and alternate modes, a defining feature of their species. This system allows for rapid reconfiguration, adapting their form to suit different operational needs.

Core Function

The Transformational System provides the ability to morph between different modes, allowing for versatility in combat, reconnaissance, and transportation.

Main Components

1. T-Cog

Function: The T-Cog is a specialized organ that manages the transformation process by reconfiguring internal components seamlessly.

Mechanism: It orchestrates the movement and rearrangement of parts to ensure smooth transitions between modes.

2. Transformational Stabilizers

Function: These stabilizers ensure that all components move fluidly and align correctly during transformation, maintaining structural integrity.

Protection: They prevent mechanical stress or damage during the transformation process, safeguarding internal systems.

Repair and Regeneration System

The Repair and Regeneration System is integral to Cybertronian resilience, allowing for self-repair of minor damages and assisting medics in handling more significant repairs. This system ensures that they can recover from injuries and maintain operational efficiency.

Core Function

The system facilitates autonomous repair and diagnostics, enabling Cybertronians to quickly recover from minor injuries and prioritize repairs for more severe damage.

Main Components

1. Nano-Repair Modules

Function: These microscopic bots or systems autonomously mend minor internal damage, ensuring continuous operation.

Efficiency: They work swiftly and precisely, minimizing downtime during minor repairs.

2. Diagnostic Subroutine

Function: This self-assessment program scans for internal damage, prioritizing repairs based on severity and critical system status.

Analysis: It provides detailed reports, allowing Cybertronians or medics to address issues methodically.

Spark (Central Life Source)

The Spark is the essence of a Cybertronian, embodying their individuality and vitality. It is both the heart and soul of their being, powering all systems and giving life to the machine.

Core Function

The Spark serves as the central life source, energizing all other systems and defining the unique identity of each Cybertronian. It is a core element of their existence, central to both their physical and spiritual being.

Main Components

1. Spark Chamber

Function: This is the protective housing that shields the Spark from external harm, ensuring its safety and stability.

Reinforcement: The chamber is fortified to withstand extreme conditions, safeguarding the most critical component of the Cybertronian.

2. Energon Conduits

Function: These conduits directly feed the Spark with Energon, maintaining its energy output and ensuring the Cybertronian remains active.

Vital Flow: They ensure a steady supply of Energon to keep the Spark functioning optimally, allowing for sustained life and activity.

Yes, Energon is often compared to blood in Cybertronian biology, so they'd likely monitor "Energon Pressure" (EP) as an equivalent to blood pressure. Here’s a structured way to approach it:

Measuring Energon Pressure

Instrument Name:

Energon Regulator: A tool that attaches to Energon conduits to measure pressure levels in the circulation system.

Internal Diagnostics: Cybertronians likely have built-in sensors to self-monitor pressure in real-time.

Measurement Process:

Energon pressure could be measured at key points, such as:

Core Output: Pressure directly from the Energon Core (similar to arterial blood pressure in humans).

Peripheral Lines: Pressure in conduits far from the Core, ensuring even distribution throughout the body.

Units: It might be measured in a unit like kPa (Kilopascal) or a fictional unit like Energetic Flow Units (EFU).

Normal and Abnormal Ranges

Since Cybertronians are machines, the ranges could vary significantly depending on size, role, and Energon consumption rates.

Normal Ranges:

Small Cybertronians (e.g., Bumblebee, Sunpath):

Core Output: 90-120 EFU

Peripheral Lines: 80-110 EFU

Medium Cybertronians (e.g., Arcee, Bulkhead):

Core Output: 110-150 EFU

Peripheral Lines: 100-140 EFU

Large Cybertronians (e.g., Optimus Prime, Megatron):

Core Output: 150-200 EFU

Peripheral Lines: 140-190 EFU

Abnormal Ranges:

Hypoenergosis (Low Energon Pressure):

Caused by insufficient Energon intake or damage to the Core.

Symptoms: Sluggish movement, impaired transformation, dimmed optics.

Example: Core Output below 50 EFU.

Hyperenergosis (High Energon Pressure):

Caused by Energon surges, malfunctioning Core, or obstructed conduits.

Symptoms: Overheating, erratic transformations, risk of system rupture.

Example: Core Output above 200 EFU.

Factors Affecting Energon Pressure

Activity Levels: Combat or rapid transformation might temporarily increase pressure.

Energon Quality: Low-grade Energon may require higher pressure for effective circulation.

Damage/Blockages: Physical damage to conduits could alter pressure.

Upgrades: Advanced systems or specialized roles might demand optimized pressure ranges.

Cybertronian "Heartbeat" (Spark Pulse)

What It Represents:

The spark emits rhythmic energy waves or pulses to maintain the flow of Energon throughout the body.

This rate reflects the spark's health and energy output.

How It’s Measured:

Spark Oscillator: A diagnostic device that detects the frequency and intensity of spark pulses.

Internal Diagnostics: Built-in sensors that report spark pulse metrics during routine self-checks.

Unit: Pulses per Cycle (PPC) — one cycle could be roughly analogous to a second or an Earth-standard time unit.

Normal and Abnormal Spark Pulse Ranges

Ranges vary depending on size, role, and activity level.

Normal Ranges:

Small Cybertronians (e.g., Bumblebee, Sunpath):

Resting: 50-70 PPC

Active: 80-120 PPC

Medium Cybertronians (e.g., Arcee, Bulkhead):

Resting: 40-60 PPC

Active: 70-100 PPC

Large Cybertronians (e.g., Optimus Prime, Megatron):

Resting: 30-50 PPC

Active: 60-90 PPC

Abnormal Ranges:

Hypopulsia (Low Spark Pulse Rate):

Caused by spark damage, Energon deficiency, or exhaustion.

Symptoms: Diminished reflexes, slower reaction time, potential spark instability.

Example: Below 20 PPC for most Cybertronians.

Hyperpulsia (High Spark Pulse Rate):

Caused by stress, Energon surges, or overheating systems.

Symptoms: Erratic behavior, overheating, and risk of spark burnout.

Example: Above 150 PPC for smaller Cybertronians or 120 PPC for larger ones.

Factors Influencing Spark Pulse:

Activity Level: Intense combat or rapid transformations increase the pulse rate.

Energon Quality: Low-grade Energon might force the spark to overcompensate, raising the pulse.

Damage: Spark damage could lead to irregular or weakened pulses.

Emotion: Intense emotions (like anger or fear) may momentarily spike the pulse rate.

Interesting Terminology Ideas:

Sparkbeat: A colloquial term used by Cybertronians to refer to their pulse.

Energon Rhythm: A more scientific name for the pulse pattern.

Spark Sync: The synchronization of spark pulses between Cybertronians during tasks requiring teamwork.

1. Primary Function:

In humans, the respiratory system is responsible for oxygen exchange, but for Cybertronians, it could be more about managing energy and ensuring proper fuel flow. Instead of oxygen, their "breath" could help regulate the flow of energon and facilitate the cooling of internal systems.

2. Ventilation System:

Instead of lungs, Cybertronians could have a network of intakes and vents that function like a respiratory system. These intakes could act as the “breathing” mechanism, where external air (or the Cybertronian equivalent) flows through their body to regulate temperature and energon levels.

Cooling Vents or Heat Dissipation Pipes: Cybertronians might rely on cooling vents that release excess heat from their systems, especially after exertion or battle. These vents could open and close in a similar fashion to how humans breathe.

3. Energy Conversion/Filter System:

A filtering chamber could clean the air entering a Cybertronian’s system, ensuring that it doesn’t contain debris that could clog their internal energy circuits.

Energon Vapors: The intake could pull in a combination of atmospheric gases and energon vapors, mixing them to fuel their internal systems. Cybertronians could "breathe" in energon-infused air to fuel their energy reserves, and expel waste gases that help regulate their internal energy processes.

4. Energy Flow Regulation:

A Flow Regulator: This component could manage the distribution of energon throughout the Cybertronian's body, ensuring that energy is efficiently transferred to different parts of the body while keeping everything cool and well-maintained.

5. Respiratory Mechanism:

The intake system could consist of pipes or ducts, similar to a human's trachea, which would lead to an internal processing unit that absorbs energon from the air. From there, it could flow into "energized conduits" that deliver power to key areas of the body.

We could also explore the idea that Cybertronians "exhale" waste products—such as excess heat, gases, or used energon—to keep their systems from overheating.

6. Special Adaptations:

For combat or intense activity, certain Cybertronians might have advanced cooling or filtration systems to help them “breathe” in challenging environments (e.g., polluted areas, battlefields with lots of smoke).

Perhaps Autobot medics like Ratchet might have specialized breathing systems that help them work in hazardous environments, or there could be a special unit for long-distance scouts like Sunpath.

Refined Energon Waste System:

Weaponry as Waste Expulsion:

Every time a Cybertronian fires their weapon, a small amount of energon waste byproduct is expelled. This process ensures their systems don’t become overloaded with residual energy, much like a pressure release valve.

The waste could be converted into the ammunition or energy beams used for their weapons, meaning the more they fight, the more efficiently they manage their internal energy levels.

Overexertion Risks:

If a Cybertronian overuses their weapons without consuming enough energon, they could risk an energy deficit. This might leave them weak or even force their systems into a low-power mode, creating a natural limitation on how much they can fight without refueling.

Vent Expulsion for Non-Combatants:

For Cybertronians who don’t regularly engage in combat (like medics or scouts), they might rely on cooling vents or specialized waste expulsion systems to release excess energon byproducts. These could be subtle, like vapor escaping from their body, or noticeable during intense situations.

ybertronian Digestive System Overview:

Energon Intake:

Cybertronians can consume energon directly, either by eating it as solid cubes (like in Transformers One: The Movie) or by injecting it into their systems via a port or injector (as seen in Transformers Prime). This could be similar to how humans would consume food or drink, but much more focused on an energy source rather than nutrition.

Energon could be processed through a filtering chamber in the Cybertronian’s intake system, where it’s either absorbed into their body or stored for later use.

Energon Storage:

After energon is consumed, it might be stored in a central storage chamber or energy reservoir, possibly located in the chest area or another central location, depending on the design.

The energon could then be pumped or distributed to different parts of the body as needed for power, cooling, or repairs. Smaller Cybertronians like Sunpath might have a more compact storage system due to their size.

Energon Conversion:

Instead of a traditional digestive system, Cybertronians might have a conversion unit that breaks down the energon and distributes it as pure energy to fuel their internal systems. This could also serve to regulate their temperature or power output. This unit might be responsible for ensuring the energon is in a usable state and maintaining a steady flow to keep the Cybertronian functioning at full capacity.

Excretion/Waste Removal:

There might be minimal waste produced by the energon conversion process, but any excess or unused energon could be expelled through vents or waste outlets. This could happen in a way similar to how a human sweats or exhales gases, helping Cybertronians maintain efficiency and avoid overheating.

This could also be related to their cooling system, where any waste energy is released as heat or vapor. The waste might be expelled in small bursts, especially if a Cybertronian has used a lot of energon quickly.

Cybertronian Nervous System

Primary Components:

Neuro-Relay Network: Instead of biological nerves, Cybertronians would have a network of conductive pathways or neuro-relays that transmit electrical signals. These would serve the same purpose as human nerves, carrying information to and from the central processing unit (CPU) or "brain module."

Central Processor (Brain Module): This functions like a human brain but processes signals digitally. It interprets sensory data, controls movement, and regulates internal systems.

Sensory Input:

Cybertronians perceive the world through a network of sensory nodes that connect to their neuro-relays. These nodes could include:

Optic Sensors for vision.

Auditory Receivers for sound.

Tactile Sensors embedded in their plating to allow them to feel touch and temperature.

Energon Sensors to monitor their internal energy levels and detect external energon sources.

Pain Reception:

Damage Sensors: Pain is transmitted via specialized pathways that detect physical damage or system malfunctions. These sensors provide critical feedback to the brain module, enabling Cybertronians to respond to injuries or stress.

Signal Dampening: Some Cybertronians, particularly medics or warriors, might have the ability to temporarily suppress pain signals to function during emergencies.

Reflex Systems:

Reflex responses would be handled by local processors located near the limbs or other body parts. These allow for quick reactions without requiring the signal to travel all the way to the central processor, much like how human reflex arcs bypass the brain.

Cybertronian Equivalent of the Spinal Cord:

Instead of a biological spinal cord, they might have a main energy conduit running down their frame. This conduit would house the primary neuro-relays, acting as the central pathway for signal transmission.

Cybertronian Musculoskeletal System

Skeleton Framework:

Cybertronians would have a modular skeletal structure, consisting of:

Primary Struts: These act as their main support beams, equivalent to human bones, but are reinforced with a high-tensile alloy to handle stress during transformations.

Secondary Struts: Smaller, more flexible structures that allow fine movements and adapt to shape changes during transformations.

The joints connecting these struts would use rotational pivots and telescopic mechanisms, enabling smooth motion and compact folding without compromising structural integrity.

Muscle Equivalent:

Instead of organic muscles, Cybertronians would have servo-motors and hydraulic actuators:

Servo-motors control precise, small movements and offer agility.

Hydraulic actuators provide raw power for heavy lifting or combat.

A network of flexible tension cables might run through the struts, mimicking the function of tendons. These cables could adjust tension dynamically for stability or flexibility depending on their form.

Transformation Mechanism:

Adaptive Plating: Cybertronians’ outer plating would be segmented and connected to the skeletal system via nano-locks or micro-hinges, allowing it to shift seamlessly between forms.

Reconfiguration Nodes: Located at key points (like shoulders, hips, or spine), these nodes act as control hubs that direct the transformation process. They redistribute energy to make the process fluid and efficient.

Energy-Based Stabilizers: These stabilizers might create a temporary magnetic or energon-based field to reduce wear and tear on joints during transformation.

Durability and Flexibility:

Their framework is reinforced with shock-absorbing materials to withstand impacts during combat or transformations. These materials could be distributed around joints and vulnerable points.

Elastic Memory Alloys: A special material in their skeletal system allows the structure to return to its original shape after deformation, ensuring durability over long-term use.

Regeneration and Repairs:

Damaged components can be repaired or replaced, but some Cybertronians may have systems for self-repair, such as nano-drones that patch structural weaknesses or reforge broken struts.

Medics like Ratchet or Sunpath might specialize in repairing musculoskeletal damage, using Cybertronian “welding” tools and synthetic alloys.

Cybertronian Brain Structure and Functions

Core Brain Regions:

Cognition Module: Handles logic, decision-making, and problem-solving. Equivalent to the human prefrontal cortex.

Energon Regulation Center (ERC): Manages energy intake and distribution, ensuring optimal system performance. Think of this as a mix of the hypothalamus and autonomic nervous system.

Memory Core: Stores long-term and short-term memories, utilizing quantum processing for near-instantaneous retrieval.

Sensory Integration Hub (SIH): Processes input from optic sensors, auditory receivers, and tactile sensors. Functions similarly to the thalamus.

Combat Response Nexus (CRN): Controls reflexive actions, combat strategies, and adrenaline-equivalent surges. A Cybertronian version of the amygdala and motor cortex.

Emotional Processor (EP): Allows Cybertronians to experience and regulate emotions. It integrates sensory data and memory to produce emotional responses.

Brainwave Ranges:

Cybertronians' brainwaves would be electro-neural oscillations, tied to their neural relay activity. Here’s how we might define their ranges:

Gamma (High Performance): 60–100 Hz

Indicates heightened focus, rapid processing (like in battle or high-stakes missions).

Beta (Active State): 25–60 Hz

Normal operating state; used for conversations, everyday tasks, or casual patrols.

Alpha (Calm State): 10–25 Hz

Rest mode, system maintenance, or low-priority tasks. Often seen in non-combat situations.

Theta (Reflection Mode): 3–10 Hz

Used for introspection, memory recall, or processing emotional data. Common after intense battles or personal interactions.

Delta (System Recovery): 0.1–3 Hz

Occurs during deep rest or self-repair. Similar to human sleep.

Neural Dynamics:

Synchronization: When focusing on a task, different brain regions synchronize their oscillations, increasing efficiency.

Desynchronization: In high-stress scenarios, certain regions (e.g., Combat Response Nexus) might overclock, while others (like the Emotional Processor) suppress activity.

Unique Traits for Sunpath:

Sunpath’s smaller frame could mean her neural pathways are shorter, allowing for faster oscillation changes and quicker transitions between brainwave states.

She might also have a specialized SIH, enabling her to process multiple sensory inputs at once—crucial for a scout’s survival in the field.

Types of Cybertronian Muscles

Servo-Motor Fibers (Precision Movement)

Purpose: These are responsible for small, precise movements, like operating their fingers, adjusting facial plates for expressions, or delicate tool manipulation.

Structure: A combination of micro-servo motors and synthetic fiber cables, allowing fine control.

Analog to Humans: Similar to skeletal muscles used for fine motor control, like those in human fingers.

Hydraulic Actuator Muscles (Power and Strength)

Purpose: These provide raw power for heavy lifting, intense combat, and large movements like transforming limbs or operating vehicular parts.

Structure: High-pressure hydraulic systems surrounded by flexible alloy sheaths to absorb stress and transfer energy efficiently.

Analog to Humans: Comparable to large skeletal muscles, such as those in the legs or back, used for heavy work.

Magnetic Coil Strands (Flexibility and Elasticity)

Purpose: Enable flexibility and maintain tension during transformations or rapid shape changes.

Structure: Strands of elastic metallic coils lined with magnetized particles that contract or expand based on electrical input.

Analog to Humans: Similar to smooth muscles, which handle involuntary movement, like in the digestive tract.

Pneumatic Muscles (Speed and Agility)

Purpose: These power quick, explosive movements, such as dodging attacks or sprinting at high speeds.

Structure: Compressible air chambers with reinforced valves that release pressure in bursts for rapid motion.

Analog to Humans: Similar to fast-twitch muscle fibers, which generate speed and explosive power.

Energon Conduit Muscles (Stamina and Endurance)

Purpose: Sustain prolonged activity by efficiently distributing energon to active systems.

Structure: Tubular conduits filled with energon plasma, surrounded by a lightweight, durable alloy mesh that flexes without compromising the flow.

Analog to Humans: Equivalent to slow-twitch muscle fibers that focus on endurance.

Integrated Reinforcement Bands (Shock Absorption)

Purpose: Absorb impacts and distribute force evenly during combat or high-stress transformations.

Structure: Flexible bands made of impact-resistant alloys woven with a gel-like shock-absorbing material.

Analog to Humans: Comparable to ligaments and tendons that stabilize joints and absorb shock.

1. Standard Energon

General Use: This is the typical fuel source for daily sustenance and energy replenishment. It’s used in routine medical treatments to maintain stable energon levels in patients.

Wound Healing: Infused into damaged areas to promote quicker regeneration of Cybertronian tissue and circuits.

2. High-Potency Energon

Emergency Situations: Administered during critical moments, like severe energon loss or life-threatening injuries, to quickly stabilize and boost a Cybertronian’s energy levels. It acts like a concentrated power surge to jump-start vital systems.

Intensive Care: Used in intensive care units where patients are in critical condition, ensuring their spark and primary systems remain functional during delicate surgeries or after severe trauma.

3. Refined Energon

Precision Treatments: Highly refined energon is used for targeted therapies, such as repairing delicate internal components or treating specific system failures. Its purity allows for precise dosages and minimal side effects.

Surgical Aid: During surgeries, refined energon can be used to maintain optimal system functionality and prevent shock or system collapse.

4. Energon Supplements

Chronic Conditions: These are lower concentration doses designed for long-term use in patients with chronic conditions or those recovering from extensive repairs. They help in maintaining steady energy levels without overloading the system.

Recovery Aids: Given to patients post-surgery or after significant repairs to support gradual recovery and energy replenishment.

5. Synthetic Energon

Experimental Treatments: Used in research or experimental procedures when natural energon isn’t viable. It may be used in patients with specific needs or intolerances to standard energon.

Risky But Necessary: In emergencies where standard or high-potency energon isn’t available, synthetic energon serves as a temporary substitute, though with potential risks or side effects.

6. Energon Infused with Medicinal Compounds

Specialized Therapies: Infused with additional compounds or nanites designed to target infections, toxins, or internal system corruption (like Decepticon virus attacks). This energon type is used to cleanse and repair internal systems.

Anti-Viral and Anti-Toxin Treatments: Particularly useful in combating mechanical infections or foreign contaminants in the system.

7. Energon Plasma

Critical Spark Treatment: Used in spark-related emergencies, energon plasma is highly energized and can directly stabilize or revive a fading spark. Its potency is carefully controlled due to its intense nature.

Revival Scenarios: In near-death experiences, energon plasma can act like a defibrillator, shocking a spark back to life or sustaining it during critical moments.

8. Dark Energon (Cautiously Controlled)

Last Resort: Although highly dangerous and corruptive, in rare, desperate situations, tiny controlled amounts might be used to shock the system into overdrive to fight off severe infections or stabilize failing systems temporarily. Its use is highly controversial and risky.

Usage in an Emergency:

Triage Approach: In a battlefield scenario, medics would prioritize high-potency energon for the most critically injured, using it to stabilize patients rapidly before moving on to more refined or specialized treatments.

On-the-Fly Adjustments: Medics might carry a range of energon types, adjusting their use based on the severity of the injury, the immediate need for stabilization, and the patient's existing conditions.

[skyscrapergods]

Can batness be passed down to foals?

The fruit bat vampire virus has two phases in bat hosts, but it does not translate perfectly when infecting non-bat hosts such as ponies.

Fruitpire bats are born with Vamrus already in their veins. It gives them strength, a rapid juice-based gut, and an insatiable desire for apples. During cider season, when the apples are at their peak, the virus is in its active mode, upping bat metabolism and driving them crazy for juices. This is also Fruitpire pupping season, since the frantic consumption of apples lends itself to nutritious, sugary milk.

After harvest, the virus dies down to passive mode, and the bats act like normal fruit bats for the rest of the year. They still desire apples and juicy fruits most, but are able to supplement their diet with insects and other plant matter.

Ponies are not meant to be carry the vamprus, and it goes a little crazy with them, especially if they're infected during cider season. Rapid mutation, optimization for a juice-based diet, thirst, and fast metabolism set in quickly. Ponies and other animals will act quite feral, aggressive, and thirsty beyond reason. They need to be caught and cured quickly to reverse effects, or else things get out of hand.

After catching and curing fluttershy, she kept her leathery bat wings and long fangs, even though she no longer had any virus in her system. She still enjoys fruit juices more than the average pony, but her mind is unaffected and she did not go feral.

A pony left alone with an active virus raging in their system can go two ways. Either he gets enough apple juice to sate him and the virus goes passive until next year, or he stays thirsty and hungry until it drives him mad. Aggression, super strength, and fangs meant to bore through fruits will then be turned on his fellow pony. Only pegasi sport bat wings during their transformation. Earth ponies grow large with shaggy, fluffy coats and howling voice. If you dissect a tale of werewolf tormenting a community, you will almost always find the afflicted pony to have been bitten by a vampire fruit bat before its troubles began.

Because diseased ponies are half or fully mad, they rarely have a chance to reproduce. It is possible for a pregnant pony to be bitten and pass the virus onto the fetus, but most of the time she will be caught and cured before the birth. It's a very distressing condition to have, so containing, catching, and treating the afflicted is more important than experimenting on them. Theoretically, a pony could enter the passive phase of the virus and live out a normal live, but most continue to be mentally compromised until they are cured or their bodies kill off the virus on their own.

After a pony has been cured, they have no active virus to pass down to their offspring. They still look strange, unnaturally large, and have permanent effects, but for the most part their lives are normal.

[escapedartgeek]

CHARACTER  TRUTHS : Z. Andrews

bold   –   always  ⁄  often | italic   –   sometimes | 

001.   smoking:  the  action  or  habit  of  inhaling  &  exhaling  the  smoke  of  tobacco  or  a  drug.

002.   binge  drinking:  the  consumption  of  an  excessive  amount  of  alcohol  in  a  short  period  of  time.

003.   drug  abuse:  the  habitual  taking  of  illegal  drugs.

004.   nail  biting:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  anxiety / tension.

005.   lip  biting:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  anxiety / tension.

006.   night  owl:  a  person  who  is  habitually  active  or  wakeful  at  night.

007.   early  bird:  a  person  who  rises ,  arrives ,  or  acts  before  the  usual  or  expected  time.

008.   negative  attitudes:  a  philosophy  of  approaching  life  with  criticism  &  pessimism.

009.   positive  attitudes:  a  philosophy  of  approaching  life  with  optimism  &  confidence.

010.   swearing:  the  use  of  offensive  language.

011.   superstitious:  an  irrational  belief  that  an  object ,  action ,  or  circumstance  not  logically  related  to  a  course  of  events  influences its  outcome.

012.  inspecting  fingernails:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  boredom.

013.   scratching  your  neck:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  uncertainty.

014.   foot  &  finger  tapping:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  stress / impatience.

015.   nose  touch:  a  subtle  body  language  sign  of  deceit.

016.   flipping  hair:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  craving  attention.

017.   twirling  hair:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  flirtation.

018.   cracking  knuckles:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  readiness.

019.   hands  behind  back:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  confidence.

020.   finger  pointing:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  authority.

021.   hands  on  hips:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  readiness.

022.   hands  in  pockets:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  mistrust / reluctance.

023.   frequent  touch:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  warmth / familiarity.

024.   throat  –  clearing:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  rejection / doubt.

025.   jaw  –  clenching:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  hostility.

026.   eye  –  rolling:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  irritation.

027.   head  –  tilt:  a  common  body  language  sign  of  interest.

028.   whistling:  to  emit  high  –  pitched  sound  by  forcing  breakthrough  a  small  hole  between  one’s  lips  or  teeth;  usually  to  a  tune.

029.   humming:  make  a  low,  steady  continuous  sound  like  that  of  a  bee;  usually  to  a  tune.

030.   perfectionism:  refusal  to  accept  any  standard  short  of  perfection.

031.   photographic  memory:  the  ability  to  remember  information  or  visual  images  in  great  detail.

032.   paranoia:  a  mental  condition  characterized  by  delusions  of  persecution ,  unwarranted  jealousy ,  or  exaggerated  self  –  importance,  typically  worked  into  an  organized  system.

033.   exaggeration:  a  statement  that  represents  something  as  better  or  worse  than  it  really  is.

034.   intuitive:  using  or  based  on  what  one  feels  to  be  true  even  without  conscious  reasoning;  instinctive.

035.   quick  –  witted:  showing  or  characterized  by  an  ability  to  think  or  respond  quickly  &  effectively.

036.   interrupting:  breaking  the  continuity  of  a  conversation  with  one’s  own  statements.

037.   doodling:  to  scribble  or  make  rough  drawings,  absentmindedly.

038.   irritable:  having  or  showing  a  tendency  to  be  easily  annoyed.

039.   gambling:  to  play  games  of  chance  for  money;  bet.

040.   travel  –  sick:  suffering  from  nausea  caused  by  the  motion  of  a  moving  vehicle ,  boat ,  or  aircraft.

041.   sensitive:  having  or  displaying  a  quick  &  delicate  appreciation  of  others’  feelings.

042.   melancholy:  a  feeling  of  pensive  sadness,  typically  with  no  obvious  cause.

043.   chewing  gum:  the  exercise  of  chewing  flavored  gum  which  is  not  intended  for  swallowing.

044.   fidgeting:  to  make  small  movements,  especially  of  the  hands  &  feet,  through  nervousness  or  impatience.

045.   skeptical:  not  easily  convinced;  having  doubts  or  reservations.

046.   neat  –  freak:  compulsively  obsessed  with  cleanliness.

047.   gossiping:  divulging  personal  information  about  others.

048.   prim:  feeling  or  showing  disapproval  of  anything  regarded  as  improper;  stiffly  correct.

049.   abbreviating:  giving  others  nicknames / shortening  names / giving  pet  names.

050.   having  a  catchphrase:  having  a  sentence  or  phrase  typically  associated  with  a  specific  person.

tagged by : @dayzarisn

tagging : @bewitchingbaker @deathdvncer @wraithseen @bigspinachpuff

[darkmaga-returns]

Story at-a-glance

Vitamin D is crucial for immune system regulation and helps manage autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines and reducing thyroid peroxidase antibodies

Having optimal vitamin D levels help improve thyroid function by decreasing TSH levels and increasing FT3 and FT4 levels, with active vitamin D (calcitriol) being more effective than other vitamin D supplements

Low vitamin D levels are correlated with an increased risk of autoimmune thyroid diseases, acting as an immunomodulator to balance proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cells

Vitamin D has shown promise in reducing disease activity and improving treatment outcomes in autoimmune thyroid disorders by enhancing the innate immune response

Despite some conflicting results, vitamin D’s potential in managing autoimmune diseases is promising, offering a noninvasive strategy to mitigate the impacts of conditions like Hashimoto’s disease

[lastimeexteriors-nebraska]

Can Residential Metal Roofing Be Installed Over Plywood?

Are you considering upgrading your roof and wondering about the benefits of residential metal roofing? If you’re looking for a durable, energy-efficient solution that contributes to a greener planet, metal roofing might be the perfect fit for your home. This article will explore whether residential metal roofing can be installed over plywood and the advantages and considerations associated with this option. By the end, you’ll understand how to approach your roofing project better.

Understanding Residential Metal Roofing

Residential metal roofing has gained popularity in recent years for good reason. Made from materials like steel, aluminum, or copper, these roofs are aesthetically pleasing and incredibly functional. One of the standout features of metal roofing is its longevity; many metal roofs can last 40 years or longer with proper care. This durability translates into fewer replacements and repairs over time, ultimately saving homeowners money.

Benefits of Installing Over Plywood

You might wonder why installing residential metal roofing over plywood is an option. Here are some of the benefits:

Solid Foundation: Plywood provides a strong, stable surface for your metal roofing. This added rigidity helps maintain the roof's shape and mitigate issues like warping or sagging over time.

Ease of Installation: Metal roofing over plywood simplifies the process. The plywood acts as a deck, making securing the metal panels properly easier.

Improved Insulation: As discussed in the background information, insulation plays a vital role in energy efficiency. Plywood can serve as a base layer for insulation materials, helping to keep your home comfortable year-round.

Moisture Barrier: When combined with appropriate underlayment, plywood can help create a moisture barrier, reducing the risk of leaks and water damage.

Preparing for Installation

Before diving into the installation process, you should take a few steps to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Cleaning the Surface

Whether you’re worth an existing roof or starting fresh, cleaning the surface is essential. Remove debris, dirt, and old roofing materials to create a clean foundation for your metal roofing.

Assess Plywood Condition

If you’re installing over existing plywood, you’ll want to inspect it thoroughly. Check for signs of rot, warping, or damage. Sound plywood is crucial for a successful installation. If you notice any issues, it may be wise to replace the damaged sections before proceeding.

House Wrap Installation

Add a layer of house wrap or building paper over the plywood to enhance moisture resistance. This will help protect the plywood from moisture intrusion and contribute to the overall durability of your roofing system.

Installing Insulation

If you want to maximize energy efficiency, installing insulation beneath your residential metal roofing is smart. A few options exist, including fiberglass batts.

Rigid Board Insulation

For those installing new metal roofing, rigid foam boards are an excellent choice. Here’s how to incorporate them:

Prepare the Surface: Make sure the plywood is clean and dry.

Install the Plywood: If not already done, lay plywood over the rafters and secure it with nails.

Add House Wrap: Place a layer of house wrap over the plywood to protect against moisture.

Install Foam Boards: Cut the rigid foam boards to size and place them over the house wrap, ensuring a snug fit.

Fiberglass Batts

If you use fiberglass batts, consider combining them with foam insulation for optimal performance. Here’s how to do it:

Fit the Batt: Place fiberglass batts between the rafters, ensuring they are not compacted.

Cover with Rigid Board: After the batts are in place, add rigid board insulation for increased thermal performance.

Final Steps: Installing the Residential Metal Roofing

Once your insulation is in place, it's time to install the metal roof panels. Follow these steps for a successful installation:

Following Manufacturer Instructions

Each metal roofing product has specific installation guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure correct installation.

Securing the Panels

Begin at the lowest point of your roof and work your way up. Secure the metal panels to the plywood, ensuring they overlap correctly to prevent water ingress.

Finishing Touches

Once all the panels are in place, add any necessary finishing touches, such as trim and flashing, to enhance the roof’s appearance and functionality.

Considerations Before Installing

Before you embark on your metal roofing project, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

Local Building Codes: Check with your local building department to ensure your installation meets all code requirements.

Climate Considerations: Depending on your climate, you may opt for specific insulation or roofing materials that better suit your needs.

Professional Assistance: If you need clarification on any aspect of the installation, consider consulting with a professional. They can offer guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Installing residential metal roofing over plywood is possible and can also be a smart choice for homeowners seeking durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. With proper preparation and attention to detail, you can enjoy all the benefits of metal roofing while enhancing your home's value and comfort.

Are you ready to take the next step in your roofing project? Visit Lastime Exteriors today to explore our services and learn more about energy-efficient roofing solutions tailored to your needs. Let’s create a roof that protects your home and contributes to a sustainable future!

[shamandrummer]

How to Consult the I Ching

Divination is the art of seeing and interpreting signs in everything around us. The goal of divination is to encourage well-being by helping a person live in harmony with the universe around them. One of the best known systems of divination is the I Ching, or Book of Changes. For some 3,000 years, people have turned to the I Ching to help them uncover the meaning of their experience and to bring their actions into harmony with their underlying purpose. The I Ching consists of 64 hexagrams or six-line diagrams. Each hexagram is accompanied by a text containing folk poetry, historical tales, and commentary. These ancient texts describe the conditions associated with the 64 archetypal patterns of change. They convey the laws and principles pertaining to time and change. The hexagram images reveal the patterns through which change manifests itself in the ebb and flow of time.

The underlying premise of the I Ching is that all events--past, present, and future are interconnected. The future develops out of the present according to a set of fixed laws. To know the present, then, is to know the future. The I Ching counsels timely action in the moment for a given set of circumstances. Each moment has a pattern to it and everything that happens in that moment is interconnected. As a system of divination, the I Ching reflects your current connection with the Tao, or Universe. It serves to freeze the present moment at the time of your inquiry, responding in the form of a hexagram. By evaluating the hexagram that describes your current pattern of relationship, you can divine the outcome and act accordingly.

The I Ching is a microcosm of all possible human situations. It serves as a dynamic map, whose function is to reveal one's relative position in the cosmos of events. The hexagram texts address the sixty-four archetypal human situations. The commentary of each hexagram reveals the optimal strategy for integrating or harmonizing with the inevitable for a given condition. It provides the appropriate response to your inquiry. It affords a holistic perspective of your current condition and discusses the proper or correct way to address the situation.

The Inquiry

To consult the I Ching, one must first frame an inquiry. Formulating an appropriate question and writing it down is a key element in the process of divination. Focusing on a question develops a receptive state of mind and helps you clarify what it is you are truly seeking. It is important to word your inquiry in a concise and clear-cut manner. A vague question will elicit an ambiguous or misleading response. Be specific about your intent, the circumstances, and the scope or nature of the response you desire.

Avoid the tendency to ask yes/no or either/or types of questions. A simple yes or no question leaves no room for elaboration and the either/or inquiry is actually two questions. Inquire instead about the nature of the situation, the appropriate attitude and strategy, the outcome of a particular course of action, and so forth. If time is a factor, include this element in your inquiry as well. Appropriate inquiries might be worded as follows:

How would it benefit me to pursue a career in _____? What aspect of my character or attitude is hindering my progress? Which hexagram best describes my present situation? I would like the I Ching to comment on my intent to travel to _____ in three months?

Casting a Hexagram

Once you have formulated an appropriate inquiry, you are ready to "cast a hexagram." Casting a hexagram is the term used to describe the method for generating the six lines of the hexagram. Casting was devised in ancient China as a mechanism for reflecting or mirroring what the subconscious or inner self already knows. The subconscious mind, or right hemisphere of the brain, knows which hexagram best describes your current situation or condition. It knows because it accesses the invisible sea of information that we bathe in daily--the all-pervading frequencies of consciousness immanent in all phenomena. The subconscious has the capacity to analyze or devour information all at once while the conscious mind, or left cerebral, analyzes information one bit at a time. The conscious mind allows us to see only the surface of things. Accessing the all knowing of the subconscious is difficult since there is usually little or no communication between the left and right cerebrals.

Various casting methods were devised to resolve this predicament. The subconscious mind is able to gather the information desired and influence the casting, regardless of the method, to indicate the most appropriate hexagram. The original method for casting a hexagram is known as the "yarrow oracle." This method involves the manipulation of fifty yarrow stalks in an elaborate procedure that is repeated six times in order to determine the six lines of the hexagram. A simple "coin oracle" was devised by Chinese philosopher Kuei Kuo Tze some 2500 years ago to replace the complex yarrow stalk method. The coin method requires tossing three coins six times to generate each line of the hexagram. Like a building, the hexagram is assembled from the ground up--the bottom line being considered the first line in the text interpretations.

The easiest way of casting a hexagram is to use my online hexagram generator which is based on the yarrow stalk method. The result is the immediacy of the coin tossing method with the reliability of the yarrow stalk method. For a reading, click on the "Cast a Hexagram" button. A small window will appear. Click the "Create Hexagram(s)" button to generate the hexagrams. Red indicates a changing line. A hexagram with one or more changing lines indicates that the situation related to your inquiry will soon be changing. The changing lines will turn into their counterparts, transforming the initial hexagram into a changed hexagram. As a result, you will read two hexagrams. The initial hexagram corresponding to your present situation is read first, followed by the changed hexagram relating to the eventual development. Changing lines usually address the future implications of a particular course of action. They may describe the changes you are likely to experience and how to deal with them.

Interpreting the Message

The I Ching does not answer a question in a direct, logical manner. It responds in the form of a hexagram, which serves as a model or paradigm of appropriate behavior. It provides the framework within which to perceive and comprehend the archetypal condition related to your query. It provides a holistic perspective and comments on the situation or condition. It offers suggestions on the best way to approach this condition. It presents advice for what to do to act in accord with or avoid a particular prediction. You must then interpret the message and determine for yourself the most appropriate course of action with regard to your inquiry. This process engages and accesses the subjective mind and intuitive awareness.

When your interpretation differs from the eventual outcome, then reevaluate the commentary in light of what actually transpired. In this way, you develop proficiency in your ability to interpret the I Ching's sometimes paradoxical and enigmatic aphorisms. At times, the oracle will provide an incomprehensible response that does not seem to fit the question posed. When this occurs, the I Ching may be overriding your stated inquiry in order to address a more significant issue, an unstated concern, or unconscious projection. The oracle may also be alerting you to an impending crisis or significant change. Keep in mind, too, that all conditions are transitory. Nothing is permanently fixed or static, so whether you like or dislike the response, conditions will eventually change with regard to your inquiry. Consult the I Ching.

[scrumptiousbeardturtle-blog1]

Car Parts and Key Components: Proper Uses that Every Beginner Driver Should Know

Transporting your car can be daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. A well-planned auto transport process making sure your car's safety from start to finish. With a reliable car carrier service like San Jose auto transport, rest assured your car will be delivered to your doorstep on-time.

This guide will provide you necessary information and useful tips about choosing a reliable auto transport service, common car parts, and basic function of your vehicle for safe driving journey.

Car Parts and It's Basic Function

This guide will shed you light with the common car parts and its basic functions for maintaining your car for efficient running condition. From the engine to the brakes, each part plays an important role. Get ready to gain confidence in your driving journey.

The engine generates power, while the transmission transfers that power to the wheels.

Brakes are important for stopping, so understanding how they work will guarantee safety and quickly respond to any unforeseen situations.

The battery powers electrical systems and starts the engine.

Familiarity with fluid levels, such as oil and coolant, prevent overheating and engine damage.

Learning about tire pressure helps maintain traction and safety on the road.

Proper knowledge of these common car parts are important for responsible car owner and safe driving practices.

Today's vehicles are complex machines with many interconnected systems and components. Vehicle owners who understand these simple parts can maintain their cars better and talk effectively with mechanics.

Car Cooling Systems:

Engine and Power-train components

Cooling and exhaust systems

Starting and charging systems

Fuel delivery mechanisms

Braking and steering assemblies

Suspension components

Heating and air conditioning

The engine acts as the vehicle's heart and converts fuel into mechanical energy through controlled combustion. Multiple precision components like the engine block, cylinder heads, camshafts, and crankshaft work together harmoniously.

Supporting systems are equally crucial. The cooling system regulates optimal operating temperatures, and the exhaust system handles waste gasses. The battery and alternator power the starting and charging system, which supplies electrical energy to run the engine and vehicle accessories.

This knowledge helps new car owners during routine maintenance and unexpected problems.

Car owners who understand simple car parts can:

Identify potential problems early

Schedule appropriate maintenance

Make informed repair decisions

Communicate clearly with service professionals

Maintain vehicle value through proper care

The drive-train moves power from the engine to the wheels. The braking system creates friction to stop safely. These systems collaborate with steering and suspension components to provide safe, comfortable transportation.

Important Functions of Car Engine

Your car's internal combustion engine transforms chemical energy into mechanical power through a precise sequence of events.

A well-maintained engine runs smoothly and improves your vehicle's performance and longer engine life.

Regular Engine Maintenance Schedule:

Check spark plugs every 30,000 miles

Monitor fluid levels monthly

Inspect air filters regularly for debris

Clean battery connections at the first sign of corrosion

Your engine's combustion chamber acts as a powerhouse that combines fuel and air to generate energy. The spark plug ignites the compressed fuel-air mixture and creates a controlled explosion that moves the pistons. A timing belt keeps all components in perfect sync during this sequence.

Power flows from the combustion chamber through several key steps:

Piston movement converts explosive force to linear motion

Crankshaft changes linear motion to rotational force

Flywheel smooths the power delivery

Transmission system directs power to wheels

A network of components prevents your engine from overheating. The radiator and water pump work together to circulate coolant through passages around the cylinders. Regular inspection of this temperature management system helps avoid repairs that can get pricey.

Your engine needs proper fluid levels to perform at its best:

Engine oil (check monthly)

Coolant

Brake fluid

Power steering fluid

Spark plugs play a vital role in the combustion process. Engine problems develop rapidly if they malfunction. You should inspect them regularly and replace them according to manufacturer specifications.

Understanding basic car parts and key components is important for any beginner driver in San Jose. This knowledge helps you maintain your vehicle and recognize issues early on. Remember the importance of the engine, brakes, and tires, as these are important parts of your vehicle for safe driving.

With this guide, you now have the tools to feel more confident behind the wheel. Always keep learning and be familiarized with every parts of your vehicle.

For more tips on finding a trusted service like auto transport company California, keep exploring our blog.