#token-based authentication

[robomad]

Django REST Framework: Authentication and Permissions

Secure Your Django API: Authentication and Permissions with DRF

Introduction Django REST Framework (DRF) is a powerful toolkit for building Web APIs in Django. One of its key features is the ability to handle authentication and permissions, ensuring that your API endpoints are secure and accessible only to authorized users. This article will guide you through setting up authentication and permissions in DRF, including examples and…

[nile-bits]

Django Passwordless Authentication: A Comprehensive Guide with Code Examples

Modern security techniques like passwordless authentication improve user experience by doing away with the necessity for conventional passwords. By using this technique, the likelihood of password-related vulnerabilities including reused passwords, brute force assaults, and phishing is decreased. We will go into great length about creating passwordless authentication in Django in this post, along with best practices and comprehensive code samples to guarantee a safe and easy-to-use authentication system...

Learn more here:

https://www.nilebits.com/blog/2024/07/django-passwordless-authentication-a-comprehensive-guide-with-code-examples/

[ms-demeanor]

I'm not the most security savvy but two-factor authentication makes me deeply suspicious. Is it actually more secure or is it just annoying? Especially the ones that send a code to your phone that pops up in your notifications.

It is genuinely, massively, TREMENDOUSLY more secure to use 2FA/MFA than to not use it.

One of our clients is currently under attack by a group that appears to be using credential stuffing; they are making educated guesses about the accounts they're trying to lot into based on common factors showing up in the credentials in years of pastes and breaches and leaks. Like, let's say it's a professional arborist's guild and their domain is arborist.tree and they've had three hundred members who have had their credentials compromised in the last ten years and the people looking at all the passwords associated with arborist.tree noticed that the words "arboreal" and "conifer" and "leaf" and "branch" show up over and over and over again in the passwords for the members of the professional arborist's guild.

So they can make an educated guess for how to log in to accounts belonging to the tree-loving tree lover's club, combine that with the list of legitimate emails, and go to town.

And they are in fact going to town. We're getting between 1000 and 4000 login attempts per hour. It's been happening for a couple weeks.

And every single one of those attempts is failing - in spite of some pretty poor password practices that believe me, I have been doing some talking about - as a result of having MFA enforced for the entire group. They all use an app that is synced to their individual accounts with a mobile device, except that sometimes you have trouble getting a code when you're up in a tree so some of them have physical MFA tokens.

People try to sign into my tumblr sometimes. To those people I say: lol, good luck, I couldn't guess my own password with a gun to my head. But if I *did* have some password that was, like "tiny-bastard-is#1" they would also need access to my email address because I've got MFA set up on tumblr. And to THAT I say: lol, good luck, it's complex passwords and MFA all the way down.

Of the types of MFA that most people will run across, the most secure to least secure hierarchy goes physical token>app based one-time-passwords>tie between email and SMS. Email and SMS are less preferred because email is relatively easy to capture and open in transit and cellphone SIMs can be cloned to capture your text messages. But if you are using email or SMS for your authentication you are still miles and miles and miles ahead of people who are not using any kind of authentication.

MFA is, in fact, so effective that I only advise people to turn it on if they are 100% sure that they will be able to access the account if they lose access to the device that had the authenticator on it. You usually can do this by saving a collection of recovery codes someplace safe (I recommend doing this in the secure notes section of your password manager on the entry for the site in question - if this is not a feature that your password manager has, I recommend that you get a better password manager, and the password manager I recommend is bitwarden).

A couple weeks ago I needed to get into a work account that I had created in 2019. In 2022, my boss had completely taken me off of managing that service and had his own account, so I deleted it from my authenticator. Then in 2024 my boss sold the business but didn't provide MFA for a ton of the accounts we've got. I was able to get back into my account because five years earlier I had taken a photo of the ten security codes from the company and saved them in a folder on my desktop called "work recovery codes." If you are going to use MFA, it is VITALLY IMPORTANT that you save recovery codes for the accounts you're authenticating someplace that you'll be able to find them, because MFA is so secure that the biggest problem with it is locking people out of their accounts.

In any kind of business context, I think MFA should be mandatory. No question.

For personal accounts, I think you should be pointed and cautious where you apply it, and always leave yourself another way in. There are SO MANY stories about people having their phones wiped or stolen or destroyed and losing MFA with the device because they didn't have a backup of the app or hadn't properly transferred it to a new device.

But it's also important to note that MFA is not a "fix all security forever" thing - I've talked about session hijacking here and the way you most often see MFA defeated is by tricking someone into logging in to a portal that gives them access to your cookies. This is usually done by phishing and sending someone a link to a fake portal.

That is YET ANOTHER reason that you should be using a good password manager that allows you to set the base domain for the password you're using so that you can be sure you're not logging in to a faked portal. If your password manager doesn't have that feature (setting the domain where you can log in to the base domain) then I recommend that you get a better password manager (get bitwarden.)

In 2020 my terrible boss wanted me to write him a book about tech that he could have run off at a vanity press and could give to prospect customers as a business card. That was a terrible idea, but I worked on the book anyway and started writing it as a book about security for nontechnical people. I started out with a very simple statement:

If every one of our customers did what we recommend in the first four chapters of this book (make good backups, use a password manager and complex unique passwords, enable MFA, and learn how to avoid phishing), we would go out of business, because supporting problems that come from those four things is about 90-95% of our work.

So yes, absolutely, please use MFA. BUT! Save your recovery codes.

[formulakracing]

i. alkaline - t.w.

pairing: female driver! x toto wolff

word count: 2.7k

warnings: cursing, significant age-gap, power imbalances, slow burn, eventual smut, inappropriate work relationships, mentions of infidelity, drug/alcohol use, use of common fic tropes

synopsis: as the first american female driver for formula one, you are thrust into the competitive world of racing. when you are approached by a team principal willing to make a deal, you presented with the opportunity of a lifetime.

author's note: this is my first f1 related fic, so i may have made some errors in terminology. the title is based on the song alkaline by sleep token. i recommend listening while reading! please, please, please let me know if you like the fic! i plan on making this my first f1 series :')

racing was never in the cards. 

well, racing a nearly 1,800 pound car was never in the cards. 

especially at speeds reaching two hundred miles an hour. 

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

yet, here you were, shaking james’ hand, beaming as the cameras flashed. there were a flurry of voices, all of them nearly trembling with excitement, relief, and well, hope. if you were able to accomplish eighth place today, what did that mean for the future of williams racing? 

would williams be a sizable contender for the 2025 constructors’ championship? would they be able to squash the disbelief? the doubts? hell, if you kept this up, there was a chance that you could get williams into the top ten of the 2024 championship. 

were you what they had been missing for so long? 

were you the key to their future success?

“great job,” james’ voice is nearly hoarse, more than likely from all of the celebration, “you wouldn’t believe what they’re saying about you.” 

“probably nothing great,” you scoff, rolling your eyes slightly, “i’m sure that everyone is claiming i didn’t deserve it.” 

“quite the contrary,�� a chuckle bubbles up from his throat, “they all adore you.” 

“was it because i gave the camera the finger?” 

“no,” there is a slight twinkle in his eyes, quite the contrary from what you were used to, “they love you because you’re you. there is no one in this sport who is quite like you.

there’s an authenticity that cannot be replaced. it’s obvious you have a true passion for racing. it shows on the track. good job, today.” 

heat flourished into your cheeks, tears welling up at james’ words. after years of being ridiculed by team principals, attacked by fans, and bashed by the media, praise was something to be cherished. it was always welcomed warmly, your heart swelling as james brought you in for a sweaty embrace. 

“thank you, james,” the words are slightly muffled as he squeezes you gently, “you know how much that means to me. thank you for believing in me.”

“of course,” james murmurs, rubbing your back ever so slightly, “great job, american girl. you deserve this. go do some interviews, flash that beautiful grin of yours, and then get some rest. you need it.”

“no partying?” you arch your brow, “i think i deserve a drink or two.”

“maybe a little bit,” another chuckle rings out, “i just don’t want to see any press about it in the morning. that’s the last thing we need after our victory today.”

“right, right,” you nod your head, saluting the principal, “aye, aye captain.”

“it’s principal,” james shoots you a wink before turning to several engineers, the group getting swept away into the chaos. 

no matter how well the team did, there was always chaos after a race. it was typical, routine even. there was always the pit crew cleaning up, shouting to one another as the fans trickled out of the stands. engineers milled about, tablets in hand, murmuring to one another, pointing out aspects of the car that needed improvement. there was always some piece of the car that could be adjusted, a slight tweak or advancement. it could make the car faster, or it could only lead to inevitable disaster. 

exhaling, you stroll out of the paddock, the dread of facing the press weighing down every step. 

you could turn around, and hide in the paddock. 

however, this was part of being a driver. simply a requirement of the job. press was an essential aspect of formula one. how else would the world know how you felt after that race? how else would information about driver contracts, car modifications, disqualifications be shared?

how else would the world have known about the first american female formula in formula one?  

you had to at least thank the press for that. 

even if it was shared before your official announcement that you were joining williams racing for the 2023 racing season. 

“there she is!” a voice calls out, light and airy. 

the corners of your lips tug into a smile as you see daniel ricciardo jogging towards you. before you know it, his arms are wrapping around your frame, holding you tight. he’s sweaty, per usual, but you accept the gesture, suppressing a giggle as he sways you back and forth. 

“i knew you could do it! i knew you could do it!”

“don’t puncture her lungs, please,” another voice chimes in, “i would like to keep her around, you know.”

daniel releases you promptly, placing a swift peck on your cheek, “no need to fret alex. i’m not that mighty.”

“i’m more worried about contracting any diseases from the land down under,” scrunching your nose, you wave your fingers at daniel, earning yet another laugh from the australian. 

“the only disease you’d contract are my insanely good looks.”

“here we go again,” alex rolls his eyes, “are we ready to face the press or what?”

“i think so,” daniel shrugs, “go ahead, alex. we’ll follow you.”

alex shoots you an inquiring glance, but begins to walk in the direction of the conference room. once he was a reasonable distance away, daniel clears his throat. 

“someone seemed a little jealous.”

“i wouldn’t say jealous,” you can’t help but defend alex, “he’s probably a little bitter.”

“fifteenth place is nowhere as good as eighth,” daniel points out, the notes in his tone solemn, “he’s been there a few years and seen subpar results. you came in last year and have pretty damn good ones. i’m sure he can’t help but feel a little bit of envy.” 

“maybe he just had a bad race.”

“you say that every–” daniel begins, but he’s swiftly cut off as you pull open the door to the conference room. 

all around, cameras flash, reporters chirp out questions, and phones are immediately pointed in your direction. sucking in a deep breath, you settle on the couch next to daniel, max verstappen across from you. he shoots you a thumbs up, complemented with a wide smile. alex was on your right, fiddling a loose thread. 

confusion consumes you momentarily once you realize that max was the only one from the podium to remain in the conference room. checo and carlos were not present. so why was he still here? 

daniel passes you the mic, placing it on your lap. a shit-eating grin plasters his face, and you grimace. of course he was going to make you speak first. hesitantly, you pick up the mic, clearing your throat. 

“hello, everyone. any questions?”

immediately a reporter butts in, “how does it feel to not only be one of the only women competing in formula one, but the first american woman to place in a race?”

your hand tingles as you hold up the mic, trembling slightly. public speaking was never your forte. fuck you, daniel. 

“w-well,” you curse yourself for stuttering, “i take a lot of pride in the way i compete, especially as such a trailblazer for women who love the sport. i’m aware that there is a lot of unrest and outcry concerning my gender and how i’m not ‘supposed’ to be competing with the men–”

“i think she’s a worthy opponent,” max’s voice interjects, “she competes at the same intensity as we do, if not more. she is going to be standing next to me on a podium in a matter of weeks. i’ve never met someone so driven to win or passionate about the sport. 

we pay no attention to her gender. it doesn’t affect us. we pay attention to her character. i do not want to speak for her, but i am sure she would appreciate it if you all refrained from the gender based questions. ask her about the race.”

as he finishes speaking, his eyes drift back to you, sparkling ever so slightly. his cheeks were tinged a pink hue from the passionate sentiment, and you couldn’t help but just sit there, frozen with disbelief. 

max verstappen, three time world champion, one of the best drivers to ever step foot on a formula one track, publicly praised you. in a room full of journalists, no less. 

sure, you were friendly with max. since there were only twenty drivers, most of you were close, on and off the grid. you had exchanged numerous conversations with max over the last year, but you were still a little intimidated by the dutch driver. 

of course, who wouldn’t be? he was a dominant force on the track, winning nineteen of the twenty-two races last season. 

so yeah, when he just did nothing but send you the uttermost praise in a room bustling with the press, you were going to a little starstruck.

“do you have any additional remarks to maxs’ comments?” a reporter snaps you out of your trance, “you appear to be a little off-put by what he just said.”

blinking, you bring the mic to your lips, “no, i actually appreciate what he said. maybe that means you guys will finally take me seriously.”

“are you under the impression that formula one does not take you seriously?”

as the reporter baits you to respond, a twinge of frustration brews in your stomach, churning it into a knot. sucking in a sharp breath, you focus your attention to the reporter. 

“no, that is not what i said. it is the simple fact that i have been working my ass off this last year to be a competitive racer. i’ve worked tirelessly with williams racing to place. i’ve been trying to earn points for my team because i believe in my team and i want us to succeed. yet nearly every day i wake up, someone on social media posts some bullshit or bashes me for competing. 

i’ve been making a name for myself, and look where it has gotten me. you all are more concerned about my gender than the race i just had. i think it’s a bit frivolous to be more invested in my gender than my racing. so yeah, when the three time world champion says something good about me, i would hope that you guys listen to it.”

there’s a few gasps from a few reporters, and you can’t help but notice all of the beady red lights on the cameras. of course that was all recorded. of course it was going to be blasted all over social media these next couple of days. 

so much for good press. 

setting down the mic, you lean over to daniel. the words are low enough so that only he can hear, “i’m done here.”

“i don’t blame you,” the aussie plucks the mic out of your hands, “get out of here. cool down. i’m sorry about that prick.”

“don’t worry about it,” you mutter, cheeks burning hot with sheer anger, “i’m leaving before i cuss them all out.”

“atta girl,” daniel winks, “i’d like to see that, though.”

“not now,” you bite your lip, “i need to bite my tongue.”

as you get up, max’s gaze is full of sympathy. alex’s mouths, i’m so sorry, disappointment painting his features. walking across the stage, daniel’s words drown in your ears. 

balling your fists together, the tingly sensation resides as you march towards your motorhome. tears blur your vision, strings of curses filling the air as you walk. after that little incident in the press room, james was not going to be happy. of course, after everything you accomplished today, it was diminished somehow. 

by an asshole reporter, at that. 

flinging open the door to the motorhome, you resist the urge to just scream. it would not help much, but god would it be cathartic. however, there were more important things to be addressed. you needed to decompress and settle down. 

as much as you wanted to celebrate with a few drinks, a shower, some comfy clothes, and your bed were more appealing. 

maybe a glass of wine in bed wouldn’t hurt. 

as you unzip your fire suit, a knock at the door disturbs the silence. 

shit. just as you were finally getting settled. 

groaning, you spin on your heel, making your way to the door. 

“daniel, i swear to fucking god. i don’t want to talk right now–”

however, it was not daniel standing at the entrance of your motorhome. 

before you was torger wolff, also known as toto wolff, team principal of mercedes-amg petronas. 

donning a white team button-up, the sleeves were rolled to his elbows, showcasing his muscular build. inky black slacks were on his lower half, making him appear taller than he already was. fluffy brunette hair stood up on nearly all ends, messy from the stress and chaos of the race.

however, there was no denying he was handsome. with sharp, angular features, and wrinkles scoured in his face over the years, it gave him a powerful yet stoic aura. 

like his name suggested, he was like a wolf, poised and eager to pounce.

yet, you were more focused on his eyes. a brilliant, warm, mocha-hued gaze framed by thick, dark lashes. and they were peering right at you, taking in the sight of you in your half-zipped fire suit, a black long sleeve underneath. 

your eyes widen, a hand covering your mouth. sheer embarrassment courses through you, heat flooding your cheeks, trickling down your neck, “i – oh my god. um, oh my god, i am so fucking sorry.”

clearing his throat, he arches a brow, “did i come at a bad time?”

“no,” you shake your head, perhaps a little quickly, “no, no, no. please, come in. how rude of me.”

there is no readable expression across the austrian’s features, his lips pucking ever so slightly, “it won’t be long, i promise.”

swallowing a lump in your throat, you step back, inviting the principal in to the motorhome. you lead him to the kitchen, gesturing to a barstool, “you can sit here if you’d like.”

he glances at the stool, yet does not sit. your brows furrow as he remains standing. leaning against a counter, you fold your arms across your chest. 

“is there a reason you stopped by?”

“as you know,” toto begins, “lewis is leaving mercedes after the 2024 season. he will be joining ferrari in 2025. to put it simply, i am on the hunt for my second driver.”

your lips purse, “i’m not sure why you came to me. you would have better luck with carlos. he’s looking for a team. i made a verbal commitment to james. i’ll be staying with williams through 2026.”

“is that so?” toto inquires, taking a step towards you, “and why are you choosing to stay with a team that limits your potential?”

the question takes you aback, “i’m not sure you what mean.”

rolling his eyes, he tuts, “williams racing is nowhere as near as competitive of a team as ferrari, redbull, mclaren, or mercedes. for years they’ve been piddling around, finishing at the bottom of the championship. yes, their drivers are talented, but they are not given opportunities to thrive.”

his comment sends another wave of anger coursing through you, your fists balling at your sides, “you have no idea what you’re talking about–”

“actually, i do. i’ve been around a long time. i’ve seen a lot more than you ever have. james is a great team principal, but you are not going to compete if you stay at williams. eventually, you’ll be like alex. you’ll finish with mediocre results. you’ll lose faith in the team who you once cherished so deeply. you’ll be ridiculed even more by the world of formula one, even more so than you already are.”

gritting your teeth, you take a step forward, “i think it’s time for you to leave.”

“what?” toto cocks his head, “did i say something you didn’t want to hear, little dove? did i strike a chord?”

“i think you’re just projecting,” you maintain your composure as the principal scoffs, “that’s exactly what happened to lewis, and you’re afraid it’s going to happen to george.”

“you’re a smart girl,” it takes a moment for you to realize how close the two of you had suddenly gotten.

he was in very close proximity now, only a few inches apart, looking down at you with a wickedly smug grin, “and i know that you’re very aware that formula one is a business. i have to maintain the mercedes reputation and acquire a driver who will bring us home podiums.” 

“i think you’ll have that luck with carlos,” breaking away, your gaze settles on the door of the motorhome. 

fingers grasp your chin, tilting your head upwards. 

“but i want you to drive for mercedes. i want to make you a world champion.”

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖✩₊˚.⋆

please let me know if you would like to be tagged! thank you for reading! <3

[deception-united]

Let's talk about writing POC characters.

Diversity's important in writing. It reflects the reality of our world, where people of various backgrounds coexist and contribute to society. Including POC (people of colour) characters not only enriches narratives with authentic perspectives but also promotes empathy, understanding, and inclusivity among readers, fostering a more equitable and representative literary landscape.

When writing characters of color (POC), it's essential to approach the task with care, sensitivity, and awareness of the complexities of identity and representation. Here are some key considerations:

Avoid stereotypes: Steer clear of relying on clichés or stereotypes when portraying POC characters. Instead, focus on creating well-rounded individuals with diverse personalities, motivations, and experiences.

Research: This is so, so important. Take the time to research the cultural background, history, and experiences of the specific racial or ethnic group your character belongs to. This will help you portray them authentically and respectfully.

Avoid tokenism: POC characters should not be included simply to fulfill a diversity quota or as tokens. Ensure they have depth, agency, and contribute meaningfully to the story.

Consultation: If you're not from the same racial or ethnic background as your character, consider seeking input from individuals who are. Sensitivity readers or consultants can provide valuable insights and help you avoid unintentional biases or inaccuracies.

Complexity: Just like any other character, POC characters should be multidimensional. They can have flaws, strengths, ambitions, and fears that go beyond their racial identity.

Intersectionality: Recognize that POC characters may face intersecting forms of discrimination or privilege based on factors such as gender, sexuality, class, or ability. Explore these intersections in your character development.

Language & dialogue: Be mindful of the language and dialogue you use for POC characters. Avoid dialects or speech patterns that could come across as caricatures or offensive stereotypes.

Avoid monoliths: POC communities are incredibly diverse, with individuals from various backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Avoid portraying them as a monolithic group with uniform characteristics or perspectives.

Cultural sensitivity: Respect cultural traditions, customs, and practices when depicting POC characters. Avoid appropriating or misrepresenting aspects of their culture.

Authenticity: While it's important to research and be respectful of cultural differences, remember that no single individual can represent an entire race or ethnicity. Your character should feel authentic and true to their unique identity.

Character agency: Ensure that POC characters have agency and are not merely passive participants in the story. They should drive the plot forward and make meaningful choices that impact the narrative.

Happy writing!

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[sexymemecoin]

The Emergence of NFTs: Transforming Digital Ownership and Creativity

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have revolutionized the way we think about digital ownership, art, and collectibles. By leveraging blockchain technology, NFTs provide a way to create, buy, sell, and own unique digital assets with verifiable provenance and scarcity. This article explores the world of NFTs, their impact on various industries, key benefits and challenges, and notable projects, including a brief mention of Sexy Meme Coin.

What Are NFTs?

NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are unique digital assets that represent ownership of a specific item or piece of content, such as art, music, videos, virtual real estate, and more. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are fungible and can be exchanged on a one-to-one basis, NFTs are indivisible and unique. Each NFT is recorded on a blockchain, ensuring transparency, security, and verifiability of ownership.

The Rise of NFTs

NFTs gained mainstream attention in 2021 when digital artist Beeple sold an NFT artwork for $69 million at Christie's auction house. This landmark event highlighted the potential of NFTs to transform the art world by providing artists with new revenue streams and collectors with verifiable digital ownership.

Since then, NFTs have exploded in popularity, with various industries exploring their potential applications. From gaming and music to real estate and fashion, NFTs are creating new opportunities for creators, businesses, and investors.

Key Benefits of NFTs

Digital Ownership: NFTs provide a way to establish true digital ownership of assets. Each NFT is unique and can be traced back to its original creator, ensuring authenticity and provenance. This is particularly valuable in the art and collectibles market, where forgery and fraud are significant concerns.

Monetization for Creators: NFTs enable creators to monetize their digital content directly. Artists, musicians, and other content creators can sell their work as NFTs, earning revenue without relying on intermediaries. Additionally, smart contracts can be programmed to provide creators with royalties each time their NFT is resold, ensuring ongoing income.

Interoperability: NFTs can be used across different platforms and ecosystems, allowing for interoperability in the digital world. For example, NFTs representing in-game items can be traded or used across multiple games and virtual worlds, enhancing their utility and value.

Scarcity and Collectibility: NFTs introduce scarcity into the digital realm by creating limited editions or one-of-a-kind items. This scarcity drives the collectibility of NFTs, similar to physical collectibles like rare coins or trading cards.

Challenges Facing NFTs

Environmental Impact: The creation and trading of NFTs, especially on energy-intensive blockchains like Ethereum, have raised concerns about their environmental impact. Efforts are being made to develop more sustainable blockchain solutions, such as Ethereum's transition to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism.

Market Volatility: The NFT market is highly speculative and can be volatile. Prices for NFTs can fluctuate significantly based on trends, demand, and market sentiment. This volatility poses risks for both creators and investors.

Intellectual Property Issues: NFTs can raise complex intellectual property issues, particularly when it comes to verifying the rightful owner or creator of the digital content. Ensuring that NFTs are legally compliant and respect intellectual property rights is crucial.

Access and Inclusivity: The high costs associated with minting and purchasing NFTs can limit accessibility for some creators and collectors. Reducing these barriers is essential for fostering a more inclusive NFT ecosystem.

Notable NFT Projects

CryptoPunks: CryptoPunks are one of the earliest and most iconic NFT projects. Created by Larva Labs, CryptoPunks are 10,000 unique 24x24 pixel art characters that have become highly sought-after collectibles.

Bored Ape Yacht Club: Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) is a popular NFT collection featuring 10,000 unique hand-drawn ape avatars. Owners of these NFTs gain access to exclusive events and benefits, creating a strong community around the project.

Decentraland: Decentraland is a virtual world where users can buy, sell, and develop virtual real estate as NFTs. This platform allows for the creation of virtual experiences, games, and social spaces, showcasing the potential of NFTs in the metaverse.

NBA Top Shot: NBA Top Shot is a platform that allows users to buy, sell, and trade officially licensed NBA collectible highlights. These video clips, known as "moments," are sold as NFTs and have become popular among sports fans and collectors.

Sexy Meme Coin (SXYM): Sexy Meme Coin integrates NFTs into its platform, offering a decentralized marketplace where users can buy, sell, and trade memes as NFTs. This unique approach combines humor and finance, adding a distinct flavor to the NFT landscape. Learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

The Future of NFTs

The future of NFTs is bright, with continuous innovation and expanding use cases. As technology advances and more industries explore the potential of NFTs, we can expect to see new applications and opportunities emerge. From virtual fashion and digital identities to decentralized finance (DeFi) and beyond, NFTs are poised to reshape various aspects of our digital lives.

Efforts to address environmental concerns, improve accessibility, and ensure legal compliance will be crucial for the sustainable growth of the NFT ecosystem. Collaboration between creators, platforms, and regulators will help build a more robust and inclusive market.

Conclusion

NFTs have ushered in a new era of digital ownership, creativity, and innovation. By providing verifiable ownership and provenance, NFTs are transforming industries ranging from art and entertainment to gaming and virtual real estate. While challenges remain, the potential benefits of NFTs and their ability to empower creators and engage communities make them a significant force in the digital economy.

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[pasta-in-the-pudding]

Can You Do Ben Drowned,Jeff the Killer and Ticci Toby with Princess Peach!S/O,You Know She had Princess Peach's Personality (I Don't Know If You about Know about Mario or Not, Sorry)

Dont worry about asking for other fictional characters, because even if i dont know who they are i always do some light research and figure out a base!

Thank you so much for requesting!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ben Drowned

Ben loooves having more girly partners

I think he just loves women in general tbh 💀

Honestly being around you makes him more well mannered and empathetic

He knows your personality and wants to impress you

He loves to tease you as well, knowing you will get all flustered and bashful

His favorite thing to do is kiss you over and over on your face until it is bright beet red and you are shooing him away and giggling

When it comes to you being more sensitive, he totally gets it because he can get rather sensitive at times too

But then again, you basically have everyone in the manor at your feet, you could never be a bother

He will kiss away your big salty tears and tell you how gorgeous you look when being authentically expressive

Not that romantic obviously because he's a shit gremlin, but you know

"No, baby, baby, don't cry...Hey, come here and let me see that gorgeous face"

"I'm all snotty and salty" you choke out

"Exactly." He says with a kiss to your forehead and a snort at your frustrated groan

What a silly guy

Jeff The Killer

HE LOVES GIRLY GIRLS

Hands down his favorite type of partner

LET HIM SPOIL YOU AND DOTE ON YOU AND TAKE YOU SHOPPING <333

He, like ben, loooves to tease you just to see you get all flustered

You will scold him and laugh while he just goes on and on about how lovely you are, and how lucky he is to have you

This man has literally stood on top of tables and shouted how much he loves you just to see you go red

He will always be hyping you up, whether it be a new hairstyle you're trying or a new style you're rocking, you can guarantee he will be telling you how amazing you look

He's thoroughly obsessed with you, he can't keep his hands off you!

He will always be playing with your hair, or laying on your shoulder

Knowing you can be sensitive, he takes great care to not do anything that might upset you

Him, having some really explosive anger issues, understands that sometimes it just can't be helped though

And so he will sit there, rocking you back and forth while shushing you and telling you that you're too pretty to cry

He has to admit though, he loves how puffy your lips get after crying and he will always take the chance to give you some smooches

Ticci Toby

Honestly, I find that somedays Toby has sort of a princess peach personality too/j

Just kidding, he may be on the sensitive side, but he def is not a helpless little uwu smol boy

Anyways, he will just like to do more small things with affection, because as flustered as you get with big tokens of affection, there is also a super sweet emotion you give with smaller things

And toby likes sweet things, he doesn't like to tease

And so, he will kiss from your fingertips all the way up to your lips, making sure every kiss is given in the most loving way he can muster

By the time he reaches your lips you are giggling and awaiting the kiss

You share a sweet kiss, and you barely have time to pull away before he is chasing your lips for yet another kiss

You smile into the kiss and pull away to fluff up his hair

This is the sweet reaction he loves to get out of you

You are playing with his hair, telling him how sweet he is, and kissing his nose

He could melt right now he feels so happy

And he owes it all to you <33

[k3nz1ekorn]

Real or Not Real

pairing: Jayvik (I literally haven't written anyone else)

Summary: In the infinite expanse of forever they need to hold it together. They only have each other now to keep themselves grounded to their new reality.

Author's note: Based on the one scene "real or not real" from the Hunger Games and the song "As the World Caves in" by Matt Maltese. Scene idea was from a tweet by @/yearnerjayce on twitter and the song was chosen for a prompt in my discord server's February writing challenge, 'songs that remind you of them' so I hope yall like it as much as I liked writing it! (Ao3 handle on profile)

Viktor had initially expected more pain. He and Jayce had destroyed themselves, at least he thought they had, and usually with destruction comes pain; some kind of sting or shock, an ache even. He almost wished it had been pain, truth be told. Wished it had been something other than whatever this was. Pain was familiar, expected, something sharp and authentic to him. It was something he could count on, something reliable even. Pain was like an old friend, it was to him as rain was to the sky, as grass was to fields, as the dirt under your fingernails, it was something he had just barely learned to live without. Familiarity came without hesitance, without uncertainty; undoubtedly, he thought, he much would have preferred the pain.

It wasn’t nothingness, not quite, but surrounding him was an infinite expanse of what he could only assume was the arcane. An ocean of stars and cosmos he’d never seen in life, be it in textbooks or with his own eyes; all beautiful and glittering, surrounding him like a blanket. It was surprisingly warm too, comforting even. All of this could of course only meant he was in a plane of reality he was not accustomed to. This was not earth, not their own galaxy, it wasn’t his familiar arcane realm of actuality as he’d had before. 

Before.

This place was nothing like before he’d died that first time, before he’d been fused with his own creation, before he’d been manipulated by it and let it control him. To let it contort his ideals and morals, the very foundation of his being. He had thought at the time he was merely helping, how could he not? 

That was all still before though. Before he’d been reborn, recrafted into something so unmistakable non-human he had been unsure if he had crossed the line of no return. Before he was manipulated into committing horrible, unthinkable atrocities, before he’d killed and slaughtered, led innocents to their death, let himself be taken advantage of and used to hurt everyone that he held dear to him. To hurt Jayce.

Jayce

Oh Jayce.

He was the constant Viktor had needed when they’d been spat out. His familiarity, his token of something reliable and sturdy, something from then.

Jayce had been there to calm him down when they’d been spat out here, when they’d realized they were still conscious, and more importantly; together. Jayce had talked him through the tears and calmed his racing thoughts to something a bit more bearable, something manageable. They weren’t gone though, far from it, however Jayce had always had a knack for knowing what to say to people. He knew exactly what to say to Viktor to placate him, keep him grounded; though he’s not sure that’s the right term to use for this scenario, what with the whole lack of ground part. 

He did feel grounded though, wrapped in Jayce’s tight embrace. It was just as much for Jayce as it was for him, the former had always been a touchy man. He was clingy at the best of times and downright desperate for human contact at the worst of them, and with the events that had taken place, quite recently he might remind himself, he was sure the other could use as much physical reassurance as he could possibly get. Since the only other person around seemed to be Viktor he supposed he’d have to make due, have to make himself enough. 

For Viktor the embrace was more to make sure neither of them floated away from the other. Logically he knew how to go about moving through the expanse around him, it was definitely similar to the one he’d grown accustomed to before with a few minor differences. It felt thicker, like he didn’t have as much control of his surroundings, and of course without the abundance of human conscious’ connected to it. He would not be over that one for a long while. Probably never in fact, he really couldn’t see himself getting over the literal mind control he’d subjected so many to, all in the name of ‘glorious evolution.’

He shuddered at the thought and felt the other man pull back a bit. He could feel his eyes on him, but he refused to turn his head up. He couldn’t face him yet.

“Viktor…” Jayce broke their silence and Viktor's eyes squeezed shut, “can we talk? It doesn’t have to be about…that…about all of this, but I…” Jayce let out a sigh and Viktor felt the hot air on his shoulder. 

Their bodies were still warm? Interesting. Obviously they were not alive, did not need to breathe, and yet their bodies were producing hot air. He’d have to study that further-

He was pulled from his thoughts as the other man spoke again, “I need to hear your voice. I just need to know you’re really here.” This was something Viktor understood. He’d felt it since coming to his senses, the need to make sure this wasn’t just his own imagination, that he and Jayce were both in fact there and still together. Despite this he was still cautious, and he had to choose his next words carefully. It was barely above a whisper when he finally replied.

“I wish I could ease your mind Jayce, however I do not know if I am really here. If I am me. If I even know myself enough to be able to tell for sure.” He didn’t want to be alarming, but it was the truth. A part of him had absolutely let himself do all those horrible things. He had to be responsible for what he did, because what was the alternative here? That he had no control? That he was merely a spectator in his own body and his decisions were not his own? The thought of this was somehow just barely worse than being complicit.

“I could tell you…I know who you are.” The words sounded so broken, breathless and desperate in a way Viktor could vividly remember from his speech right before all of this. They were also full of the same conviction, like they were an absolute fact and Jayce was begging him to understand.

There it was again, the unfamiliarity. The horrors of the unknown, of the unpredictable. Something that made him desperately wish for the pain again.

“And who am I Jayce? How do I know which parts of me are real and which are made up?” He could feel the way his hands balled up into fists on Jayce’s arms.

“Ask me.” 

Viktor sucked in a breath and let it out in a bark of bitter laughter, letting the words hang in the air. That was definitely Jayce, whether Viktor was really himself or not, this was Jayce. And he trusted Jayce.

“You hate the cold…real or not real?” His voice came out weak, almost a croak.

“Yeah. It’s real, V. You do too. You say it makes all your pain flare up, makes all your aches a whole lot worse. My mom made you special mittens to hold your cane though..to help.”

Viktor remembered the knitted red mittens Ximena had given him in the second year of their partnership. They were too big, cozy nonetheless, and he never went outside without them once the snow started to fall. He hummed at that before responding with a quick, “Thank you.” The silence overtook them again, just for a moment though before Jayce continued on.

“You’re a scientist.” A pause, “You’re an inventor, one of the best in fact. You like to sleep on the couch in the lab, even though you think I don’t know.”

If his heart could beat he’s sure it would have sped up at that.

“You take your coffee with the grounds still in it, your sweetmilk so hot it should really burn your tongue off. It somehow never does. You feed the group of strays by the greenhouse near the academy. You never accept physical contact when you’re upset.”

Viktor’s eyes shut and he let his hands unfurl over the other’s arms as he spoke.

“Jayce…” he said softly into his shoulder.

“You hate parties and public speaking. Not because you’re unable to do it or bad at it, but because you hate having to dumb everything down, make it palatable or sellable.” 

“Jayce.” This one was a bit firmer, a warning. It did nothing to deter Jayce however, his words coming out just as firm as before, and a bit faster.

“You’re stubborn, once you set your mind to something nobody can stop you or change your mind. You hate being wrong, hate failing. When a rune or equation fails you stay hunched over your notebook  until you can figure it out. It never takes you long though, because you’re brilliant.”

“Jayce-” Now he was frantic, it all felt like way too much all at once. None of it was surprising, but it was far too intimate. Too real.

“You overwork yourself, probably more than I knew. You don’t eat or take bathroom breaks when I’m not around sometimes, and when I am I have to remind you. You love being in water, say it helps take the pressure off your joints. You store half of your medication at the lab, in that locked drawer in the bathroom. I have a copy of the key on my keyring.” Jayce seemed to be pouring his heart and soul into his words. “You hate feeling weak.”

“Jayce please-” He pushed back to put space between them, to distance himself. He should have known Jayce wasn’t about to let him. The hands that had previously just been resting on his lower back now had a sturdy grip on him, one hand remained on his back and the other came up to his shoulder, to keep him from pulling back as Jayce knew he would try to do.

“You hate how your legs lock up when you sit for too long, you hate asking for help. You think you can fix all the world’s problems, I thought I could too,” Their eyes had locked at some point but Viktor couldn’t remember how long ago, “ but I meant what I said Viktor. All I want is my partner back.”

Jayce’s hand had come up to cup Viktor’s cheek, firm as if he thought he’d try to run away. He might have if the hand hadn’t been there.

“Jayce…I…” 

There was silence. The two stared at each other as Viktor’s lip trembled, as he brought his own hand up to wrap around Jayce’s wrist. They held each other’s gazes, something silent being communicated in their eyes. Something new and unexplored. It wasn’t scary this time.

“You love me. Real or not real Vik.”

Jayce was leaning in, slow enough to give Viktor time to reject him, to turn away and show he didn’t return or accept his feelings. He wouldn’t think of it, not again. Not ever again.

“Real. So very, very real.”

They were barely a whisper away so close their lips brushed when Viktor spoke. Jayce closed the gap and it was like the stars had exploded behind his eyes. The force had propelled them backwards a bit, toppling through the vast expanse, still clinging to one another as if they would disappear if they were to part. Viktor’s hand had made its way up into Jayce’s hair to pull the other impossibly closer to him. Their bodies pressed together and limbs tangled until there was no indication of where one started or stopped, until they were one being in this void they’d been dropped in, just two lovers in their own personal galaxy.

They poured their emotions into the kiss, every longing look, all the words left unsaid, every what if was there, building it, filling them with a fire and begging them to not let each other go. There was no need to part, to breathe, no need for air now in these forms; the reality of this just spurred them on, lips melding together perfectly as if they were always meant to be together, to be like this. 

Jayce pulled back and Viktor tried to follow, tried to keep their lips from parting, but the hand on his face held him back and kept him in place. There was barely enough room to see each other as Jayce spoke again.

“I love you too. I love you Viktor, everything about you. So so much-”

“I think I got that Jayce. I’m brilliant after all, you said so yourself.” He was teasing now, just a bit. How could he not? Jayce had always been fun to tease, and now he had the rest of this limitless existence to do so. To be with the man he loved.

A/N: written after an 8 hour shift, half an edible, in tears

[breathinginsulfur]

I know alastor is the token character everybody makes fun of because he had that one awkward render but i actually love him as a character 😭

He looks really good in the show, the render everybody redrew other characters in made him look awkward, and as a character designer and artist i know why.

90% of it is the eyes. Their placement is awkward, and you cannot read him at all based on the expression. I know Alastor always smiles, but in the show you can tell what he feels based on his eyes. Here, you can’t. it’s almost cross eyed. Angel’s original render also has this issue.

However,

THIS ONE IS SO MUCH BETTER. The pose feels more authentic, like something he’d actually do in the show. He looks confident and clever, almost judgemental. Im so glad they updated all the renders.

[gaypastabake]

Midnite Brouillard (W.Wolf AU)

Spooky seasons rolled around really quick, and im hyperfixating over this damn werewolf au thing, so imma give some information about Midnite in this au

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Midnite Brouillard, 25

-Midnite is french, but was born in Pristine peaks- that old hiking hotspot around 50 kilometers (yes im european shut up) away from the city of Beacon Beach. She speaks both English and French. Her last name 'Brouillard' is actually french for mist (or fog aswell, but its mist in her context).

-Works as an actor in the local theater troupe, aspires to be a big musical or opera star, but Beacon Beach's troupe is only a small one so she's starting small.

-Because her cannon counterpart technically doesn't have any legs, Midnite in this AU wears prosthetics (above knee). She had to have both of her legs amputated after the fire that burned down the Winter Palace. Her prosthetics can bend at the knee based on the velocity of movement, and attach via suction to the residual limbs (yes I did research). She wears long boots and tights to hide the fact that she's wearing prosthetics

-Allthough she does have allot of trauma relating to the accident, she likes to brush it off as just a "minor little incident," usually with a witty joke or an overly dramatic hand wave to suggest "naahhhhh its not a big deaaallllllll," because its easier for her to brush it off than confront some pretty horrific memories.

-Like her cannon self, she is a complete brat, a bit egotistical at times, very overdramatic, adores mischief, but is also very doting and adoring of people she cares about.

-Despite being very well manicured, elegant and attentive to her looks, she does have a soft spot for rugged, muscular women who are a little rough around the edges (probably hairy and smell of sweat too bc she a freak like that).

-She is a huge fan of gothic, horror related things. If you ask her to suggest a movie she will without fail pick 'Corpse Bride.' Her favourite book is 'Carmilla' and she has several authentic vintage books of usually other vampire books and general gothic monster related things.

-Very VERY interested in the rumours of werewolf sightings around the Spellbound Woods, a secluded woodland that has been closed off from the public due to conservation efforts of the local council aswell as a spate of "animal attacks."

-Can afford to buy extravegent clothes and books because of the money she inherited from the death of her family, she is the token rich friend of the group.

-The pendant she wears in one of the drawings is made from pure silver, yes that will be important trust me.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

[sorry for the sloppy quality of some of her hands, im really trying my best here im just not great at anatomy I mean why do you think I mostly draw paws]

[crooked-wasteland]

" We have no obligation to make history. We have no obligation to make art. We have no obligation to make a statement. To make money is our only objective." – Michael Eisner

(And Vivienne Medrano, apparently)

This image was circulating for a brief time here on Tumblr with the explanation of it possibly being a leak of Oops' script. I didn't want to touch on it at the time because it was of dubious origin. At this point, obviously, we know this is not that script. I've seen some comments about it possibly being a rough draft or otherwise somehow legitimate.

The reason I say this is because, regardless of the authenticity, it does feel like the quality of storytelling found in the show. If a scene like this did appear, I don't think it would feel all that out of place within the context of the show. One cannot fault those who did perpetuate the idea, because the concept of it is believable.

However, I have a feeling this is actually the product of ChatGPT.

The writing and dialogue lack depth and nuance. The emotions are shallow while attempting to portray immense pain. It fails to tap into any semblance of humanity. When individuals discuss the hypothetical threat of AI taking over the artistic space and removing the need for human creativity, it comes from a place of lacking that same humanity. Social media and, unfortunately, Fandom have boiled down art to a content farm.

Algorithms mixed with huge communities seeking immediate gratification have dumbed down art into an appealing image one would admire for a few seconds. They press some buttons and immediately keep scrolling, forgetting what they just saw.

Additionally, character illustrations are the easiest image for AI to recreate. The value of fanwork is not about the emotional depth it portrays but how aesthetically appealing the image is and how identifiable the characters are to Canon. Not to say that fanworks can not showcase depth or meaning in their pieces. Only that the piece will overwhelmingly not be appraised for its cultural or metaphysical value. Instead, it will be immediately replaced.

There is an intentionality to what we call "art." How every element of an artwork was specifically designed to portray something. From the minute background details to the colors and the use of value. How the modern home of philosophy is the theater.

And that's the issue with much of the writing of Helluva Boss: The lack of intentionality as the story (or lack thereof) stumbles along. The crew does not make artistic decisions with an eye to how these events affect the future. They cycle through an unending series of unrelated ideas that are not intended to say anything of the characters or world. It is there to simply be funny, make the audience sad, token representation, etc. The idea mirroring J.J.Abrams and his mystery box mentality of monopolizing the attention-based economy through the emotional investment of the moment.

The idea that something that feels straight out of ChatGPT could just as easily be pictured as a scene in an episode shows the utter lack of connectivity to the project and the basic act of being human.

Medrano and her team are not interested in making art. They are prioritizing the consumption of their content over the quality of the artistic work itself. Given the support and platform to say whatever it was she wished to do so, she has chosen to go nowhere and do nothing with these resources. It's one of the keystone reasons I feel the series has lost as much support as it has. When given the option to make history. It isn't about the art, but rather she seeks to make it about herself. Medrano doesn't want to tell a story or make a statement. She just wanted a show.

[tamas-and-the-clowns-sol-left]

Hello, you've made it. You reached the Rubyverse.

What is the Rubyverse, you may ask??

the Rubyverse is an alternate universe for Aiden Thomas' The Sunbearer Duology that I, Tamas, have been creating since August 6th, 2024.

This is going to be more detailed after my small info bit, boundaries, and trigger warnings.

What is the point of this project??

This is my place to add as I wish and have content to my desires. From character pages, headcannons (that are subsequently cannon for this universe), or being my indecisive self, I am using this to express my creative freedom in hopes of finding some audience who cares enough about it

What are the boundaries??

My boundaries aren't designed to be difficult, but if you find them in such way than we are not for eachother's interaction.

I will not tolerate anything NSFW about myself, my characters, my ideas, or my posts in all. I am an asexual guy and my comfortability isn't with that stuff about me or my creations. Every creation of mine has some of me in them.

Feel free to ask questions, but think before you speak. I'll respond as much as I can and when I can, but I am a human, I'm going to be treated as such. Creating and sharing my creations doesn't lessen or add to my humanity and that's something I see many people struggle with.

No discrimination against me or my characters. this includes use of: Slurs, homophobic/transphobic comments, racism, ableism. If you are grown up enough to be on the Internet you should be grown up enough to not discriminate and keep your inside thoughts inside.

Use tone tags for sarcasm and jokes at minimum. I struggle with tone often and take everything at face value especially the less there is for me to analyze. I speak at face value, I don't use jokes or sarcasm without clarification that it is such so others can know. /j means joke and /sar means sarcasm.

What can you expect from this series??

You can expect characters that are more than just beauty standards and stereotypes. I may fall into some tropes or pairing types(such as loser boyfriend x absolutely stunning girlfriend) but my characters all have some sort of difference. They're not all perfect beings.

You can expect many, many spoilers for both The Sunbearer Trials and Celestial Monsters, aka the whole Sunbearer Duology.

You can expect changes to the trials and to the world building. Fear not, I haven't wrecked too much chaos upon this world's setup.

You can expect even more queer and trans characters, as well as some more disabled characters!! Not only do they have a soft spot in my heart, and I find representation largely important, I myself am a disabled queer trans person and love having characters like me.

Be prepared for some art style inconsistency and some writing that will *hopefully* get better over time. I'm not the most beginner of all beginners but I'm definitely not what I'd call a very seasoned artist and writer. (I also use a few different mediums for art, I stick to pencil to paper, watercolor, and digital art more often than not but I still like trying new things and having fun.)

Be prepared to read tags as this gets posted onto Ao3(And ONLY will I post on Ao3) and be prepared to read the trigger/content warnings for any thing I post here, especially writing.

Many things are based off of my own experience!! They may not be your experience, they may never be your experience, quite a few I truly hope aren't amongst anything anyone must experience. However on the flip side of the token coin I have put forth research to make anything and everything that is not written with my own experience is going to be as authentic as I can make it.

What are some trigger and content warnings I can give right off the bat??

For the sake of separation, each one is a bullet list instead of a paragraph, and I added everything planned that is something I think could risk triggering anyone.

Spoilers for all of The Sunbearer Duology!!

Major character death

"Human"(semidiós) sacrifice

Injuries

A character with hypermobility that experiences real struggles (aka not dumbed down to "oh I'm super flexible!!")

depersonalization/dissociation

self put pressure

Symbolization of needing accommodations for a disability and how society will reject or even mock thoes needs and overall will refuse to accommodate without harassment

Forced Assimilation (forcing a culture to rid their culture in order to fit into the other culture)

bullying/discrimination

abuse(parental)(physical and possible mental/emotional)

war and past war of high significance

manipulation/deception

this gets religious seeming as all main characters are dióses and semidióses (gods and demigods) however it is not a place to spread religious beliefs, no matter how good or ill intentioned

unsafe binding

Past self harm/self harm scars/non graphic current self harm

Struggles with eating (Arfid sensory type in specific)

I MUST EMPHASIZE. IF ANY OF THESE MAY BE TRIGGERING FOR YOU, KNOW YOURSELF. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED BY ME NOW, YOU WILL BE WARNED EVERY TIME ANY TRIGGER WARNING IS APPLICABLE. If you choose to skip triggering chapters or sections that's up to you, if you're looking at this and going "oh this may be not for me" feel free to keep scrolling because your health is more important than one more reader will ever be to me.

Welcome to the Rubyverse

In the world there are three godly races, The Golds, the Jades, and the Obsidians.

The Obsidians and their monsters are trapped in the stars, Jade and Golds now are the only Dióses in Rino De Sol. Right??

What if I told you there's one more set of Dióses??

Ruby red blood, the "weakest" of Sol and Tierra's godly children.

Follow eight dióses and their semidios children through their rediscovery, their "grand reveal" to all of humankind.

[bimboficationblues]

what quotes did they translate differently?

a huge swath is translated differently from my brief overview (will be doing a reading group starting next month). Reitter has put a lot more deliberation into marking out Marx's neologisms, particularly around "value," in a way that invokes unwieldiness, but by the same token (ha), a lot of the surrounding language feels a bit more natural to read in English than the Fowkes did, which I think is largely advantageous for grappling with the theory.

however, many moments and passages from the Fowkes really stick out in my head from past readings. I'll be interested to see, after reading through it all with my group, if I think there's moments where something is lost between the translations (cf. the Moore-Aveling edition where wealth "presents itself,” as opposed to merely "appearing" in the Fowkes edition as well as the new one).

just for an example, compare the Fowkes edition:

The capitalist has bought the labour-power at its daily value. The use-value of the labour-power belongs to him throughout one working day. He has thus acquired the right to make the worker work for him during one day. But what is a working day? At all events, it is less than a natural day. How much less? The capitalist has his own views of this point of no return, the necessary limit of the working day. As a capitalist, he is only capital personified. His soul is the soul of capital. But capital has one sole driving force, the drive to valorize itself, to create surplus-value, to make its constant part, the means of production, absorb the greatest possible amount of surplus labour. Capital is dead labour which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labour, and lives the more, the more labour it sucks. The time during which the worker works is the time during which the capitalist consumes the labour-power he has bought from him. If the worker consumes his disposable time for himself, he robs the capitalist.

to the Pauls:

A capitalist buys labor-power at its daily value. The labor-power belongs to him for the duration of one working day. He has obtained the right to put the worker to work during this time. But what is a working day? It has to be shorter than a natural day of life. The question is: Shorter by how much? The capitalist has his own view on this ultima Thule, the necessary limit of a workday! As a capitalist, he is merely capital personified. His soul is the soul of capital, which knows only one drive in life: the drive to valorize itself; to create surplus-value; to use its constant part, the means of production, to absorb the greatest possible quantity of surplus-labor. Capital is dead labor that acts like a vampire: it comes to life only when it drinks living labor, and the more living labor it drinks, the more it comes to life. The time when the worker is working is the time when the capitalist consumes the labor-power he has bought. When a worker uses his disposable time for his own purposes, he is stealing from the capitalist.

since it's relying on the 1872 German edition certain stuff is different in subtle but interesting ways from translations that were based on other editions (and in ways that don't necessarily point towards a more "authentic" reading one way or another; WCR highlights the differences between this one and the French edition in his afterword).

what's revealing is that the squabbling about the new translation has not really been about the actual substance of the translation changes, coming back to the text in a new way and seeing what merit that has, etc. because that would require reading the thing. instead it's mainly been about the political orientation or stakes. which is good because that is ultimately what the new translation *should* prompt and has prompted for me, but it’s been in a really annoying way where people are just making shit up about the supplemental materials as an excuse not to engage.

[mmakaylllaa]

Week 7 Blog 10/10

What is the difference between white privilege and colorblind privilege?

While both are connected to how race and power operate in society, they function differently. White privilege refers to the unearned advantages and benefits that white people receive simply because of their race in this society that is structured around racial hierarchies. White privilege manifests in areas such as education, employment, housing, healthcare, and the justice system. White people are less likely to experience discrimination, exclusion, or violence because of this and have access to much more than others. Colorblind privilege is the concept derived from “colorblindness” which is an ideology claiming race does/should not matter in society. This perspective suggests that we can progress towards an equal society if we ignore race or treat everyone as if we are the same. As great as this may seem in theory, colorblindness often results in denial of existing racial disparities and structural advantages/disadvantages. So in essence, colorblind privilege is beneficial towards those pretending race doesn’t matter which ultimately ignores racial issues which then results in maintaining the status quo, encouraging white supremacy.

How do our algorithms determine aspects of our identity such as race or gender?

Algorithms can determine aspects of our identity, such as race or gender by analyzing data patterns and behaviors such as what identity markers we interact with. For one, users typically fill out explicit data that may self-identify their gender, race, identity, or sexuality. Another way would be through implicit data such as language, browsing history, location. This allows algorithms to identify a demographic based on behavioral aspects. A major indicator would also have to be media consumption and interaction. When users interact with similar pieces of media and online communities, it is easier to create a self identifying algorithm.

How does the active presence of white supremacy translate into real life?

With racial bias often embedded in technology, there is an active presence of white supremacy due to the acceptance of these behaviors. This translates into real life through a variety of harmful social, political, and institutional behaviors that reinforce racial inequalities, oppression, and violence. White supremacist beliefs are often propagated through online platforms, where individuals are radicalized into extreme ideologies. These communities provide a space for white supremacists to share hateful rhetoric, recruit followers, and plan real-world actions. January 6th is a great example of how online white supreme translates into real world events with significant impact.

How is tokenism used by marketing strategists?

Tokenism is often used by marketing strategists as a superficial way to showcase diversity and inclusion without making genuine efforts to authentically represent diverse communities. This typically involves underrepresented groups such as POC, LGBTQ+, women of different body types, and those with disabilities. This type of diversity in advertisements can be classified as performative due to the illusion of diversity without consistent or authentic representation,

[pentesttestingcorp]

Prevent HTTP Parameter Pollution in Laravel with Secure Coding

Understanding HTTP Parameter Pollution in Laravel

HTTP Parameter Pollution (HPP) is a web security vulnerability that occurs when an attacker manipulates multiple HTTP parameters with the same name to bypass security controls, exploit application logic, or perform malicious actions. Laravel, like many PHP frameworks, processes input parameters in a way that can be exploited if not handled correctly.

In this blog, we’ll explore how HPP works, how it affects Laravel applications, and how to secure your web application with practical examples.

How HTTP Parameter Pollution Works

HPP occurs when an application receives multiple parameters with the same name in an HTTP request. Depending on how the backend processes them, unexpected behavior can occur.

Example of HTTP Request with HPP:

GET /search?category=electronics&category=books HTTP/1.1 Host: example.com

Different frameworks handle duplicate parameters differently:

PHP (Laravel): Takes the last occurrence (category=books) unless explicitly handled as an array.

Express.js (Node.js): Stores multiple values as an array.

ASP.NET: Might take the first occurrence (category=electronics).

If the application isn’t designed to handle duplicate parameters, attackers can manipulate input data, bypass security checks, or exploit business logic flaws.

Impact of HTTP Parameter Pollution on Laravel Apps

HPP vulnerabilities can lead to:

✅ Security Bypasses: Attackers can override security parameters, such as authentication tokens or access controls. ✅ Business Logic Manipulation: Altering shopping cart data, search filters, or API inputs. ✅ WAF Evasion: Some Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) may fail to detect malicious input when parameters are duplicated.

How Laravel Handles HTTP Parameters

Laravel processes query string parameters using the request() helper or Input facade. Consider this example:

use Illuminate\Http\Request; Route::get('/search', function (Request $request) { return $request->input('category'); });

If accessed via:

GET /search?category=electronics&category=books

Laravel would return only the last parameter, category=books, unless explicitly handled as an array.

Exploiting HPP in Laravel (Vulnerable Example)

Imagine a Laravel-based authentication system that verifies user roles via query parameters:

Route::get('/dashboard', function (Request $request) { if ($request->input('role') === 'admin') { return "Welcome, Admin!"; } else { return "Access Denied!"; } });

An attacker could manipulate the request like this:

GET /dashboard?role=user&role=admin

If Laravel processes only the last parameter, the attacker gains admin access.

Mitigating HTTP Parameter Pollution in Laravel

1. Validate Incoming Requests Properly

Laravel provides request validation that can enforce strict input handling:

use Illuminate\Http\Request; use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Validator; Route::get('/dashboard', function (Request $request) { $validator = Validator::make($request->all(), [ 'role' => 'required|string|in:user,admin' ]); if ($validator->fails()) { return "Invalid Role!"; } return $request->input('role') === 'admin' ? "Welcome, Admin!" : "Access Denied!"; });

2. Use Laravel’s Input Array Handling

Explicitly retrieve parameters as an array using:

$categories = request()->input('category', []);

Then process them safely:

Route::get('/search', function (Request $request) { $categories = $request->input('category', []); if (is_array($categories)) { return "Selected categories: " . implode(', ', $categories); } return "Invalid input!"; });

3. Encode Query Parameters Properly

Use Laravel’s built-in security functions such as:

e($request->input('category'));

or

htmlspecialchars($request->input('category'), ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');

4. Use Middleware to Filter Requests

Create middleware to sanitize HTTP parameters:

namespace App\Http\Middleware; use Closure; use Illuminate\Http\Request; class SanitizeInputMiddleware { public function handle(Request $request, Closure $next) { $input = $request->all(); foreach ($input as $key => $value) { if (is_array($value)) { $input[$key] = array_unique($value); } } $request->replace($input); return $next($request); } }

Then, register it in Kernel.php:

protected $middleware = [ \App\Http\Middleware\SanitizeInputMiddleware::class, ];

Testing Your Laravel Application for HPP Vulnerabilities

To ensure your Laravel app is protected, scan your website using our free Website Security Scanner.

Screenshot of the free tools webpage where you can access security assessment tools.

You can also check the website vulnerability assessment report generated by our tool to check Website Vulnerability:

An Example of a vulnerability assessment report generated with our free tool, providing insights into possible vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

HTTP Parameter Pollution can be a critical vulnerability if left unchecked in Laravel applications. By implementing proper validation, input handling, middleware sanitation, and secure encoding, you can safeguard your web applications from potential exploits.

🔍 Protect your website now! Use our free tool for a quick website security test and ensure your site is safe from security threats.

For more cybersecurity updates, stay tuned to Pentest Testing Corp. Blog! 🚀

[aktechworld]

Integrating Third-Party Tools into Your CRM System: Best Practices

A modern CRM is rarely a standalone tool — it works best when integrated with your business's key platforms like email services, accounting software, marketing tools, and more. But improper integration can lead to data errors, system lags, and security risks.

Here are the best practices developers should follow when integrating third-party tools into CRM systems:

1. Define Clear Integration Objectives

Identify business goals for each integration (e.g., marketing automation, lead capture, billing sync)

Choose tools that align with your CRM’s data model and workflows

Avoid unnecessary integrations that create maintenance overhead

2. Use APIs Wherever Possible

Rely on RESTful or GraphQL APIs for secure, scalable communication

Avoid direct database-level integrations that break during updates

Choose platforms with well-documented and stable APIs

Custom CRM solutions can be built with flexible API gateways

3. Data Mapping and Standardization

Map data fields between systems to prevent mismatches

Use a unified format for customer records, tags, timestamps, and IDs

Normalize values like currencies, time zones, and languages

Maintain a consistent data schema across all tools

4. Authentication and Security

Use OAuth2.0 or token-based authentication for third-party access

Set role-based permissions for which apps access which CRM modules

Monitor access logs for unauthorized activity

Encrypt data during transfer and storage

5. Error Handling and Logging

Create retry logic for API failures and rate limits

Set up alert systems for integration breakdowns

Maintain detailed logs for debugging sync issues

Keep version control of integration scripts and middleware

6. Real-Time vs Batch Syncing

Use real-time sync for critical customer events (e.g., purchases, support tickets)

Use batch syncing for bulk data like marketing lists or invoices

Balance sync frequency to optimize server load

Choose integration frequency based on business impact

7. Scalability and Maintenance

Build integrations as microservices or middleware, not monolithic code

Use message queues (like Kafka or RabbitMQ) for heavy data flow

Design integrations that can evolve with CRM upgrades

Partner with CRM developers for long-term integration strategy

CRM integration experts can future-proof your ecosystem