#tumblr is making a new chaos god with these polls

[obscure-ref]

Humans: Man eldar are so stupid, how do you murderbone each other so hard you create a whole new chaos god.

Tumblr right now:

[crossovershipstournament]

SIDE 2A: ROUND 2: Megaman (Megaman)/Pit (Kid Icarus) VS Selina Kyle (Catwoman) (DC Comics)/Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Propaganda for Megaman/Pit:

This ask, which includes the art used in the bracket image!

Oh my god. This one came immediately to mind. Idk how big the ship is now, but I remember like seeing it everywhere back when Super Smash Bros Ultimate was like popular on Tumblr/Twitter. I think it was originally a crackship cause both of them were in Captain N (a cartoon), but it’s like a serious thing now. Literally all it took was one interaction between them (there’s like dialogue you can get if you do some combination when you play as Pit) which is just Pit gushing about Mega Man. It’s cute. And honestly kind of iconic

#MEGAPIT ?? good for them #go back in time and tell kid me the ship he came up with on a whim would be in a tumblr bracket :'3

#megapit sweep!

#megapit nation let's pokémon go to the polls #let's give it for a wholesome and iconic crackship

#MEGAPIT NATION RISE. RISE. RISE #MEGAPIT

#MEGAPIT!!!1!

#MEGAPIT NATION RISE UP

#c'mon megapit nation #sure they may lose but let's get them some votes anyways!

Propaganda for Selina Kyle (Catwoman)/Loki:

Two not quite villains who will never be content as heroes despite how much their friends and family would like them to be. They can sass each other and steal things together. In fact, Loki, being old as most artifacts, can claim that anything they steal technically belongs to him through some convoluted story that may or may not be true. So they've got this game going on with Batman. If he catches them, the museum can keep the object. Otherwise, Loki gets to keep "his stuff" and no one bothers them to avoid an incident with Asgard. It drives Batman up the wall. Loki and Selina are two beautiful Neutrals with a dash of chaos. He adores her and she loves his mystery and pizzazz. They bring out the best in each other. The Joker is dead and Loki has taken over his turf as the Crown Prince of Crime Alley. He sits on his ice throne with his darling Selina, finding new and vicious nonfatal ways of dealing with those who try to usurp them. They might intervene if they hear someone is doing something evil enough, so if you want to get rid of your enemies, feel free to snitch. Selina and Loki both think the other is sexy. Selina loves that Loki isn't quite evil but she doesn't feel bad for stealing when she's with him. He makes it fun. Loki loves that Selina has given him a chance and doesn't have grand expectations of heroics from him. That he doesn't need power to keep her.

Reasons why Batman does not like this ship:

-Selina knows Bruce Wayne is Batman, and by virtue of that fact, so does Loki. To keep things fun and remind the other rogues he's still a "villain" Loki likes to kidnap Bruce once a month and demand Batman come and rescue him. It's very annoying. The other Rogues assume Loki does this since Batman and Catwoman used to be a thing. Really Loki just thinks it's funny that Bruce can't escape without ruining his whole "Brucie" image. It's also a great way to clear a fancy restaurant and have a private date with Selina when she's called to "talk him down" until "Batman" shows up.

-Loki doesn't know how to drive. Selina has decided to teach him. And since Bruce is a family friend, she has decided that means she can "borrow" his cars any time. Bruce has lost track of how many times he's left the office to find his car isn't where he parked it. Loki is a madman on the streets. So ofc he gets pulled over a lot. Never fear! He just magics him and Selina to look like Bruce and his latest girlfriend. Bruce is this close to getting his license revoked.

-Loki and Selina wait until Batman is about to head from his patrol to rob the museum. They've made a game out of it with a point system and everything. Thankfully they only do it on relatively quiet nights to make sure the gets his steps in.

Reasons Batman likes the ship:

-Selina is happy. Really happy. She lights up whenever she's with Loki. Loki just melts in her arms. Any idiot could see they're in love. They banter and flirt with each other everywhere from the grocery store to the middle of a high speed chase.

-He knows Loki would tear the world apart for Selina. He would face down Thanos all over again if he had too.

-Any villain stupid enough to interrupt their date night will be swiftly returned to Arkham.

Reasons Robin likes the ship:

-Selina and Loki are going to adopt his best friend Colin Wilkes.

-Loki and Selina protect all the animal shelters.

-Loki and Selina are always down to help him sneak animals into the manor.

Reason Robin does not like the ship:

-Loki and Selina are firm believers in PDA and Damian is at the age when cooties are very much still a thing.

Lovely art~!

Art Credit: Megaman/Pit art by @/farraigeart Catwoman/Loki art by @/kannra-orhara

[therollinkaagenda]

New idea: Kalinka following in her father's footsteps and becoming a prodigy in the field of robotics... So that she can create the best possible gifts for her girlfriend.

Upgrades Kalinka gives Roll (and maybe later distribute to other robot masters) might include:

- the ability to eat and gain/store energy from food

-- this is the best one because it means Roll can eat fluffy pancakes (and subsequently gain psychic powers, according to data gathered by the YTC institute)

- a system that lets her dream when she powers down, a 'dream module' if you will (I will be surprised if anyone gets that reference)

- the ability to close her eyes and play any game

--yes, even Paper Mario

- Weed.exe

-- is this the power of the Chaos Emeralds?!?!

--- yes, yes it is

- a theme so fire that it overrides all the other songs in the game except for the one boss that brings in a massive stereo system specifically to play their battle theme over her's

- a radar jammer (raspberry flavor)

- the YouTube dislike button

- a power level scanner

- a real-ass god-damned sword

- a system that lets her change outfits on the fly

-- complete with a Franziska von Karma cosplay for anything foolish or objectionable

- Gex

-- this? (holds up the game disc) no, the lizard!

- egg

-- not to important, not to unimportant

- Big the Cat's audio book

- an orange GameCube

- one (1) polygon

- violence enhancer

- the ability to play tunes by just tossing a cassette

- the wheel of morality

- BARRIERS

- a load bearing coconut

- freaky alien lemonade

- legs so good she won't even need arms

- the updated autopsy report

- the novelizations of the Austin Powers movies

- Bowser Revolution

- and more!

-- (SpongeBob voice) and more?!

[revenancy]

ok guys i'm really bad at making these kinds of decisions so i am going to. tumblr poll it. more info on these projects below the cut »

UNCHOSEN: 2nd draft. Total plot revamp + rewrite. 3rd person multipov sword-and-sorcery. – When the Chosen dies, her identical twin takes her place to keep their home from falling into chaos—but will she be enough to save the kingdom?

BEARSKIN: 3rd draft. Rewrite for pacing, new scenes, + clarity. 3rd person dual pov folktale-aes adventure with a mayfly-december romance. – When a hunter kills an ancient snow bear, her brother is stolen as payment by the fickle and enigmatic Prince of Always Night, and she must play her part in the Prince's game to win him back.

SALT & SILVER: 2nd draft. Slight plot revamp, rewrite. 3rd person dual pov frontier adventure. – The Alchemist has been hunting the tombs of gods in the wasteland, but she's not the only one. When she's attacked and a critical map is stolen, she and loyal town guard Emilián chase after the thief before any more harm is done—too late.

TGOED: 1st full draft. I've been struggling through starting this for way too long. 3rd person dual pov baroque-aes intrigue. A sort of reverse murder mystery. – Ophélie is a Spicer Decadent, a glorified guild assassin employed by a mysterious benefactor who wants to keep the Palace Royal on its toes. Everett was the crown prince—but now he's nothing more than a tutor, baring his teeth at the children who were supposed to replace him. And when he finds the Decadent with blood on her hands, he realizes with a sick joy that he would love nothing more than to watch his mother's empire crumble.

JACKDAW: 1st draft. It's gone through a lot of POV changes to get to this point lmao. 3rd person single pov with brief interludes, surreal fantasy. – Jackdaw wakes in a muddy riverbank. He doesn't know where he is, when he is, or how he got there—all he knows is that he used to be a god. He explores the strange little world of Lorne to find answers to his questions, and instead he finds more questions. For instance, what is his sister doing there, and why does she want him dead?

CANTICLE: 1st draft, technically. This is a very old WIP of mine and honestly it's been a lot of different things in the past. 1st person single pov high fantasy drama with an extremely unhealthy romance. – Six years ago, a Fifth Temple guard kidnapped a young acolyte to save her life. Now, as they eke out a life together in the downcity dark, they come ever closer to danger—and then the Fifth finds them. When the acolyte is stolen back, the guard delves into the clutches of the faithful, desperate to save her again.

SECRET 7TH OPTION: guys there are 50 other projects in my scriv files i'm not joking. i could spin any of them up. right now. but these are the projects I'd like to work on/finish at some point in the next year or so, with the others being fun things I'm starting or playing with on the side, less "solid info" to intro etc. ofc if y'all have any questions please please please ask me i am an absolute brat when given any kind of attention. i will love you. forever.

[snkpolls]

SnK Chapter 134 Poll Results

The chapter poll closed with 1747 responses. This month’s poll results were brought to you by /u/_Puppet_, /u/berthototototo, /u/staraves and @momtaku​.

RATE THE CHAPTER 1,675 Responses

Chapter 134 “Depths of Despair” was another solid chapter with an average rating of 4.52, making it the highest rated chapter of the volume and 15th highest since we started keeping records.

The art was incredible

The best chapter in the volume, bar none.

it was really fucking cool and a definite step up from Chapter 133. This chapter does well to inform you that we *are* at the final battle now, and nothing is stopping this story from crashing to a sudden end pretty damn soon.

This chapter, like every other in the volume, feels like it was stretching. I was actively bored reading it. With so few chapters left, does Isayama really have time to stretch this much? He has so many loose ends to tie up and it's concerning. He obviously wanted a volume cliffhanger with the alliance facing Eren so I hope that his pacing next volume is much tighter because this ain't it, chief

This has easily become one of my favourite chapters in the while manga. [...] Overall, it's as good as 112, 122, 131 and other popular "masterpieces" in my opinion

Bruh I have been waiting for this so long and Isayama fucking DELIVERED. I was so worried with all the build-up and sometimes sloppy pacing that the final Eren vs Alliance showdown wouldn't live up to the hype but NOPE, it was amazing and beyond expectations. The moment where the refugees realize that Paradis forces had come to save them?? Gold. Beautiful. 10/10. Isayama I am sorry for ever doubting you, you are a god and I am thankful for your existence.

Rank this chapter a 5 for the Source of All Organic YEEKS.

Is there any button to press in order to rate this chapter 20/10?

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT? 1,692 Responses

It was a very close race, but “the crowd attempting to save the baby” ultimately came out on top and once again demonstrated the fanbase’s affinity for despair… or was it hope this time? In a close second comes Armin’s cliffhanger question to Eren, third place going to Reiner stomping the Beast Titan, which beat the rumbling scenery across the world by a single vote, which beat seeing the final audio by a single vote. If the extremely close results mean anything, this chapter certainly had something for everyone.

The crowd lifting the baby to safety is an image that will leave a permanent mark on me. I don’t have words to describe that scene.

Honestly, each goddamn panel is impacting, exciting or badass. I love the Historia scene, the chaos and destruction left me speechless, Karina and Mr. Leonhart's reflexion was heartbreaking, as well as the Marleyan general's.

“That Fucking Monkey!”

Reiner Helos was the most hype part of the chapter.

I could never really decide what’s my favorite scene or anything, it’s all just amazing.

as an eren stan it was rly brutal and eye opening to actually see all the innocent people and kids dying, overall it was a great chapter, just very gruesome

Reiners armored body slam and Levi’s monkey comment were best moments. Really appreciated seeing the worlds POV one more time.

I loved Reiner's moment but otherwise boring chapter.

I loved armin in this chapter he finally looks like hes acting as a commander.hopefully we will get more of this.

I love how much of other countries we get to see through rumbling, it helps to show more details for the wolrd building.

I liked Levi calling Zeke a “Big, furry bastard”.

We finally see Eren's new titan for doing something other than moving forward, and the beast titan scene was epic.

i cried when i saw the families saying goodbye. seeing eren as the founding titan hurts too.

Amazing. Literally lost for words. The last panel with Armin was so emotional/amazing. His character growth is phenomenal. Cannot wait for the next one

The tower guard's words were too much but I LOVED the moment with the baby on the cliff. I wasn't expecting something like that.

WHO WAS THIS CHAPTER'S MVP? 1,669 Responses

As well as earning the favorite moment this month, the crowd at the cliffs also scored a collective MVP, showing that teamwork does indeed make the dream work. Closely coming in second is Reiner, no doubt from his valiant attack on the Beast Titan, and in third place is the commander of the alliance, Armin.

ARMIN GOAT

I love reiner so much :D

CHADERENFTW

The final pages just shows why i love Armin so much

Karina's regret was one of best parts of this chapter.

Reiner such a badass.

Wow just wow, the crowd, the alliance with their shit together (for the most part) can’t wait to see how this ends

WE SEE HISTORIA AGAIN! FOR ONE PAGE… THOUGHTS ON HER GOING INTO LABOR? 1,666 Responses

28 months since we last saw Historia in the present time, and now we finally see her again. But is this one page worth the wait? 36.6% are glad that this plot point is finally coming back, 33.1% are glad to see her but wish we’d gotten her side of the story, 12.3% are glad it seems to be a real pregnancy, and 11.6% are done with Isayama’s handling of her in the story.

I thought she was only like five months pregnant.

i hope she survives this :(

I just want this subplot to be over.

It's alright? I still wish she would have joined the scouts in the final battle instead of the pregnancy tho…

I'm so disgusted by the whole Historia situation. The execution of this plot point was abysmal from the beginning and I hate it

None of the above options square with how I feel. Historia's perspective (in addition to Eren's) is being set up as the final "basement"; so while I can see why some are frustrated, it has actually piqued my interest to see where this may end up

EH is endgame

EreHisu would ruin the manga

Each chapter I become increasingly pessimistic about Historia as a character. In the beginning of this chapter when we got the close-up of her eyes as she closed them in pain, I was certain the next page would have her inner monologue as she thought back on how she got into this position. But instead it cuts away, us seeing absolutely nothing from Historia, and I'm back to thinking she really has no agency anymore. Even if she is super important in the ending and a pivotal player in determining the state of the world after the rumbling, it won't be worth what she's been reduced to. To be fair, she was in one scene in Return to Shiganshina, no scenes in Marley arc, and this arc... well, we know how she's been treated. So maybe I should have seen this coming, but it was still disappointing for Isayama to hint that she will have a role this arc like in Uprising arc, only for that to be a breeding machine.

Why Historia was crying when she was having a child?

She finally is realizing the regret of the pregnancy decision and that she once again chose something she didn't necessarily want to do.

her life was always miserable and I don't believe that she will get some ray of light. She was the happiest when she had Ymir by her side. Now, even if she survives and has her child with her, she will always feel the heavy weight of her decision and the blood of millions innocent people will always stay on her hands.

I'm dropping the series after this. It just hurts seeing a queer-coded character like Historia constantly being beaten and reduced to literally nothing. First it was Ymir's death. Then Zeke's plan that involved her having children to be eaten by them (WHY NOT HAVE ZEKE IMPREGNATE WOMEN? WHY MUST IT BE THE QUEER FEMALE CHARACTER?? WHO'S ALSO THE QUEEN?). Then all the talk about her as a mere breeder, as a not-so-walking womb. Then the awful, awful ship-tease with Eren. Then her not opposing Eren's plan?? This is just it.  I was holding onto the fake pregnancy, but now I envy the people who dropped the series once they saw the first panel of her pregnant.

I am tired of Tumblr crying over Historia. You are taking this pregnancy plot way too seriously. Newsflash: women don't automatically lose their agency when they get pregnant, kinda problematic of you to think that's what's going on. Historia has a plan and we will hear it

I think this may be a HUGE death flag for her. I mean if he can kill Sasha off with a gun says who histortia can’t be killed off by child birth?

I DONT WANT HER TO DIE

Historia gets what she deserves. She agreed to help Eren and now A LOT of innocent mothers and children is losing their lives in the rumbling. Historia has their blood on her hands and she won't be free from it. I don't feel sorry for her, at all.

If there's any character, besides Eren, who has humanity's blood on their hands, it's Historia, and her labor acting as a prelude to the moment that will decide the fate of humanity is incredibly poetic.

Hisu's baby is definitely having a titan inherited. So someone with titan powers will die in the final battle.

Don’t care about her

Well I guess she aint faking it after all

She's committing to the bit. There's no baby, it's all an act

WHO IS THE FATHER AAAAAAAAAA

Why did she want this child?

...all i can think is why does yams draw mouths/teeth like that? it’s so weird...

WHICH OF THE NEW LOCALS HAVE YOU FOUND MOST INTERESTING? 1,669 Responses

We get to see new corners of the earth… just before seeing them crushed. 37.3% found the cliffside of chaos to be the best, 31.3% enjoyed seeing Onynakopon’s London-esque homeland, and 23.9% enjoyed the scenery of the shrines in what could be Hizuru.

the panel with the people praying in the shrine was amazing also the cliff,  these rumbling chapters are really dark yet visually beautiful (maybe I'm sick for finding it beautiful lol). "

The Titans drove Pennywise off that cliff

I really liked how it shows the different places where the rumblings is effecting like the Snk London etc

I’m a little confused about the timeline and placement of the cliffs and where the Titans are. Can someone explain how the Titans were seen pushing people off the cliff sides (also how were so many people herded into the middle of nowhere to be shoved off the cliffs?) and then also seen heading toward the fleeing Eldian/Marleyans? Are those two different places, a montage, etc? Do we suspend some disbelief to take in the apocalyptic scene of people falling from the cliffs into the sea? The opening scenes had me a bit turned around.

These shots where absolute nightmare fuel and they did an amazing job at showing how horrifying this situation is

  HOW DO THE DEPICTIONS OF THE RUMBLING IN THIS CHAPTER, INCLUDING THE CROWD HOLDING THE BABY AWAY FROM THE CLIFF, RANK IN TERMS OF DARK MOMENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN? 1,652 Responses

Let’s just rename the series “In the Depths of Despair”. 39.2% think this chapter ranks near the top of the darkest moments in the series, 28.1% think Ymir’s daughters cannibalizing their dead mother is the darkest, while 19.1% hold to the other incredibly dark rumbling chapter we got with Ramzi and Halil.

All are equally dark.

Eternal winner is Udo trampled to death by a crowd while trying to save crushed Zofia

Every scene of children's deaths are all gruesome. Not one tops each other.

the mother throwing her baby away hoping to save them made me feel something and it broke my heart

I didn't think the cliff scene was that dark tbh, it was actually faintly uplifting. Though I also felt that way after reading chapter 131, so maybe I think that about any tragedy Isayama depicts.

Kruger saw his entire Family burn to death

It's a dark moment but I also think it's sort of hopeful, that humanity isn't completely fucked and they're all eager to try save this child rather than let it fall and die.

The entire imagery of masses of people barely hanging for their lives at the edge of a cliff is so abyssmal and daunting. This is seriously peak bleakness SnK. I still can't believe that there are people that support Eren after this.

he opening panels of the Rumbling were some of the most horrifying so far, especially the one with the baby.

This was, to me, possibly the single most powerful moment in the ENTIRE series -- and that's not something I say lightly.

Very little about this manga shocks me anymore. This moment is really no worse or better compared to every other disturbing scene

All the above are horrendous. I cannot choose.

TV Tropes has an entry called Darkness Induced Audience Apathy and that pretty much sums up my feelings at this point. Everything is so unrelentingly bleak and miserable that I’m rapidly losing my ability to care about these characters and what happens to them anymore.

The Rumbling; Yam's biggest middle finger to the world. Can't wait for this shit to end so my life can continue. Forever Yeagerist, because I am free, and Floch did nothing wrong.

  THE GENERAL AT FORT SALTA GAVE A SPEECH ABOUT HATE AND MISTAKES, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT? 1,663 Responses

In the face of annihilation, the general stationed at Fort Salta has an epiphany on the path that brought everyone there. A solid 60% of respondents thought it was a great speech – it covers perhaps the grandest theme of the final arc of the story and someone needed to hammer home the message. 27.3% liked the message of the speech but thought it was a little too ham-fisted for the moment, but 6.8% just thought it was silly.

The general at Fort Salta’s words were really... desperate. It showed the truth of Eren’s rampage as the founding and I think it showed that Eren was more than what he hoped to become. He shows no pity now: I don’t even think he cares about the 104th and co. anymore. Really dark and I’m living for it.

The parts with no speech was great. Isayama is great with visuals which I love. The Marleyan speech was very cringe unfortunately.

Great to see the world let go of their hatred for the enemy. Still, Eren's stubborn charge is pissing me off!

FUCKING FINALLY. All this bullshit and guilting of the children and Eldians and we finally get SOMEONE owning up that their bigotry is the fucking problem here. And of course, too fucking late. But that seems to be how real history is

Nothing unrealistic about desperate people about to die thinking of second chances.

Great message, but would've meant more if it came from a more significant character such as Magath

Great speech showing that people always have the biggest realization when it's already too late and you can only count on miracles

I think it was honestly fine, but one tiny change could have been made to make it flow more naturally and not be so jarring to so many people: Rather than having the general talk about "us adults", and how "we" used hatred, I think it would have been more natural if he only talked about himself. This is a very common trope in war movies, and we're all capable of reading in between the lines and understanding how what he says applies to the different characters and the world as a whole. For him to point it out for us is a little jarring

hammy, but on theme

I feel like it's isayama's way of forcing his audience to understand his narrative by spelling it out for us. indicating that he has failed as a writer to just make his narrative naturally understood

IF the rumbling get stopped are they gonna still gonna keep their promise

In context it is fine, but I'm cautious about it being the end solution.

It was a desperate man's final words, and it showed.

It was a fitting speech that showed the Marleyans were finally ready to let go of their hatred towards the Eldians. It also felt like last-ditch speech to try to move Eren into reconsidering flattering the whole world with the Rumbling, but knowing Eren, the speech wouldn't sway him at all.

It was way to convenient and unrealistic for the general and the liberio Eldians to realize that they were wrong and I hope they die. That is all.

It was good to see they realized how terrible they were but as a wise man once said... “It’s too laaate to apologiiize. It’s too laaaaaaaate! Ay. Ay. Ay.”

Its good because its shows the message of the series of trying to stop the cycle of hate by either changing our actions or by sacrificing others for the "greater good". Placement is not bad tho, the general is realizing it is the true end

It’s okay, everyone has their own opinion. The general's opinion just happened to be like that.

I understand it, but I’m also bothered by the suggested idea that it took total annihilation to make people decide to finally “be considerate” of each other. It also feels very black and white to me, some of the subtleties of this whole situation was lost I think.

It was a great speech and super satisfying moment to see non-Eldians recognize how they played a part leading up to this, but there's no guarantee there won't be residual hatred for Eldians once all of this is over.

i honestly loved it. i don't mind the cheese one bit

  KARINA THINKS BACK TO A YOUNG REINER AND REGRETS HER ACTIONS AS A MOTHER. WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THIS? 1,659 Responses

There are many bad parents in SnK, and Karina has certainly been one of them. The majority of fans accept her seeking redemption, while 25% think it’s too little too late. 20.8% are willing to give her a chance if she proves she means it through her actions.

I liked the moment between Karina and Mr. Leonhardt. Awful parents unite. XD At least they showed a change of heart, even if it was too late.

Felt like she just wanted to live a normal life

Anyways, Karina saved the chapter. We've seen a more logical character evolution than in Annie's father, and at least she got to see Reiner again.

IF the rumbling stopped are they still gonna keep their promise

the attempt to make me feel sympathy for Karina Braun was just obnoxious

Only took advantage of the boy

I’m glad Reiner mom is realizing her mistake of using her son as a tool but there’s not really much she can do.

Fuck Karina in particular.

Am I the only one who thought that Karina and Mr Leonhart looked good together? 😳

  WHAT DID KARINA MEAN WHEN SHE SAID THAT SHE USED REINER AS A TOOL OF REVENGE? 1,653 Responses

Karina mentions that she only ever used Reiner as a tool for revenge. 31.1% think he was a tool to use against her former lover, 19.1% think he was primarily a tool for Marley, but 47.9% believe it to be a mix of both purposes.

All of the above and perhaps just a general narcissistic “I’ll show all of you how special I am by proxy of my child. Reiner being a Warrior means I am a Good Mother TM”

Reiner was a tool to make Karina feel like she had worth in a world where everyone, from the man she may have loved to her nation to the rest of the world was telling her she was worthless.

Karina hated Paradis' Eldians for "abandoning" her and the others to the mainland and wanted revenge on them for that.

Clearly revenge on his father and if anyone thinks Karina intended on Reiner being used to get revenge on Paradis is really reaching to villify Karina.

She said it on panel: Why did Karl Fritz leave them in Marley's power?

I believe it's "both of the above", but with the revenge on Paradis being from Karina, not Marley, as an allegory for Reiner's father. She always talks about how Paradis abandoned the Eldians on Marley, and I figured this was her way of expressing the sorrow and anger at Reiner's father for abandoning her and Reiner. So she did believe Paradis were devils who abandoned them, but that was fuelled by her personal issue

I didn’t and still don’t understand what Karina means by revenge.

It was both but also to give herself a higher status given her self-hatred.

  WHAT IS THE BEAST TITAN WE SAW? 1,668 Responses

That was unexpected! The Beast Titan showed up, but not in a way we saw anyone predict. A very close tie between it being Zeke’s beast being controlled/manipulated and it being a War Hammer formation created by Eren, with the former just edging out the latter. 14% believe Eren can make titans however he wants via the Founding Titan/paths, and 2.4% think this was just straight up Zeke.

Don’t know, very confused. But whenever I don’t clearly see the eyes of a character, I usually feel like something fishy is going on....

Eren ate zeke and took his power.

Eren using the WHT to generate a Zeke dummy, using Zeke's titan blueprints.

I think he used the Founding Titan powers, not the WH. Ymir/the founding titan is the one that builds the titan forms so I think that makes more sense.

I do believe eren is  controlling him since his titan was attached to eren at the neck, and then reiner broke that off.

I think it's Zeke being mind controlled and treated like a puppet by Eren.

I think Zeke is crystalized somewhere in the Founders body and Eren is using him to create a zombie Beast Titan.

It could be Zeke in there, it could be a clone. Nonetheless it's a puppet and he still needs Zeke to do a complete exact rendition.

It took Eren all three powers of the Founder, WHT, and Beast Titan, combined to pull this off. The WHT alone can create anything with hardening but i doubt it could create another titan moving by itself.

It's obviously a War Hammer construct, but I can't stop laughing at the idea that the Alliance don't realise how vastly different he looks. It kind of reminds me of when they would go "There's no opening in the Armored Titan's armor, it's covering everything" even though there's clearly spaces in between where you can see the red muscle

YFW another Beast Titan clone shows up next chapter

if monke isn't a Warhammer construct, where the heck does he get those rocks?

  HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT EREN SEEMINGLY CONTROLLING THE BEAST? 1,656 Responses

So we’ve discussed what you think the Beast is, now what do fans think of the development from a narrative standpoint? Most fans are happy with this development finding it cool and surprising, with 17.9% being happy just to see monke again. 12.1% feel it’s another ability coming out of nowhere, and 9.4% don’t like Zeke being handled this way. 4.4% think Zeke is in full autonomy, which is somehow 33 more people than when that was an option last question...

ZEKE DEAD IN BEAST TITAN BODY AND EREN CONTROLLING HIM

I just wanna see Zeke :(

I was so happy to finally see Zeke but all along it was just a puppet Beast Titan :(

If Zeke is just going to be a mindless powerup for Eren to keep Levi or Reiner busy, he'd better have been dead. We already had the Warhammer doing that job, why this again?

Tired of the Eren OPness to be honest, its stale and old and overall poorly writter. It's clear from the start Isayama's willing to bend backwards to not only power up Eren randomly but to try and justify everything he does.

  THE ALLIANCE CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON ZEKE DESPITE EREN STANDING WITH YMIR IN THE PATHS REALM LAST CHAPTER. WHY HAVE NONE OF THE CHARACTERS MENTIONED HER? 1,650 Responses

Despite us fans freaking out every time we see Ymir, the alliance doesn’t seem to care. 43.9% believe they’ve just been a little too busy to focus on the minutiae of the lore, while 39.5% just have no idea. 11.1% don’t think they saw her standing there in the first place.

Did any of them really know who the little girl was?

Easier to focus on what they know than what they don’t

Do they recognize her! Are they familiar with the iconography of this creation story? Either way, they’re probably at the “Oh look, Eren’s in his child body and standing with a little girl who is the progenitor of our race. This might as well happen.”

I'm pretty sure they at least discussed it and formed a plan in the plane

They don't wanna face the fact they have to kill Eren, plus killing the beast titan may be easier than killing the founding titan

They still are still not as informed of the relationship between Eren and Ymir, their first goal is to rid the connection of royal blood to Eren preventing further destruction

Wait, are you saying we as the readers can see Ymir but the others can't? in that case, Ymir may have appeared multiple times throughout this mess and yet we've only seen her for Ramzi's death and when the alliance were in paths…

Only Eren can see Ymir since he has the founding Titan, as well as Zeke since he has royal blood. The rest can see Eren because he has the founding Titan and is connected to all Eldians and Ackermanns via paths.

seems like they hold Zeke more accountable to the rumbling than Eren himself. Yeah I get it, he's their friend. But fuck that, humanity is at stakes, and when Zeke turned against the warriors, they accepted that they had to kill him, even if they didn't wan't to (especially Pieck), even if he was their comrade and leader, even if they grew up together, because it needed to done.

They’re saving it for when they discuss Levi’s hand

They're like Ramzi -- they have no bloody idea who this loli is.

Nothing to do with the question but I'm bummed the official translation for this image was not "THAT FUCKING MONKEY!" like earlier ones

Alliance are stupid Motherfuckers

  THE BLIMPS CERTAINLY TRIED THEIR BEST, HOW WOULD YOU RATE THEIR PERFORMANCE? 1,646 Responses

Surprising no one (except for 5.6% of you from last month who predicted the blimps would deal a decisive blow), Eren tore through the bombing fleet like it was nothing. On a 1-5 scale from “Abysmal” to “They tried their best, okay?”, the plurality of you have decided to lend some sympathy to the squadron, with some erring on the side of neutrality. Low expectations seem to have prevented disappointment, as not many people are criticizing them in the write ins either.

as a WWI nerd I really disappointed by the airship "battle." Isayama has done his research on some aspects of early modern day tech (like the detail on the firearms), but then has the airships dropping what looks like submarine depth charges instead of zeppelin bombs (I was like--why are they dropping oil canisters?!) and then has the airships go down in Hollywood-style explosions from having rocks thrown on them.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART IN THE PLANE’S ARRIVAL? 1,659 Responses

35.4% of respondents loved Reiner’s dynamic entry, followed by 23.6% of respondents who loved Levi’s war cry of MOONNKEEEE. 17.1% were happy to see the image of Armin leading the charge that we’ve been expecting since hearing that final audio sample. 9.1% embrace the ongoing Avengers theme of everyone jumping into battle at once. 8.3% appreciated Onyankopon’s sweet fighter pilot moves, and 5.2% liked seeing the Eldian evacuees getting a glimmer of hope.

Finally, shoutouts to the handful of people whose favourite moment was Pieck bounding out with the bombs like a happy dog with sausage links.

This chapter was pure adrenaline. The Alliance's entrance in the plane was seriously badass. I can't wait for 135!!

Reiner with the Buddha's Palm. Respect!

I love how Levi is still so focused on killing Monke.  Avenge your husband, sweetie.

Armin is finally grabbing Eren by the collar again and I like that. Safe to assume we're going to see more of the Eren vs Armin showdown now. Armin delivered a truly powerful line, "Which part of you is free" and I'm curious how Eren will respond to that

Reiner's transformation is probably my favourite one, and seeing the rest of the alliance jumping down in a tense but at the same time epic scene was priceless.

It was impossible to choose what part of the plane scene was the best, it was *chef's kiss* all of it.

PIECK TRANSFORMED AND GOT THE BOMBS IN THE CART’S MOUTH WITHOUT BLOWING THEM UP. IS THIS UNREALISTIC BASED ON THE WORLD’S RULES TO YOU? 1,602 Responses

Chekhov’s bombs are now in the hands, er, mouth, of Pieck Finger, via grabbing them from the plane and transforming into a titan while holding them. About half of fans had no issue with this, seeing that titan transformations are just summoning flesh around you. 17.5% did think the transformation explosion should have detonated them, and 30% are just wondering how she also managed to perfectly unravel the bombs midair.

Bold of you to imply Isayama cares about physics after the wet gun and the plane being ready in 5 minut... 1 hour excuse me.

Bombs are detonated through fire reacting to the gunpowder right? Do we know that the Titan's 'explosions' are made from fire?

Pieck has probably done this many times before, the cart titan is mainly used as a war mule after all.

She's just very very gentle ok ?

Cart titan has experienced in carrying things in different situations and the explosives shown could be improvised. Also, these types are initiated with fire and will not explode with any impact occurred.

I assumed that she let go of the bombs, transformed, then caught them. This does not bother me in the slightest.

I think it's kinda like Eren with the spoon, the objective was holding it, which is why it wan't damaged when Hanji noticed it. Same thing with Pieck and the explosives.

Rule of Cool, doesn't matter either way to me.

No, Cart Titan is especially a strange titan to begin with and a use for delicate and ambushing situations(read the chapters where Pieck transport Bertold in a barrel before the attack on Paradise)

It's kinda unrealistic, but falling from 50 meters with all your body burned and survive is way worse.

WAS THIS THE START OF REINER’S HELOS MOMENT? 1,615 Responses

Reiner being Helos has been a popular theory for a while, and now he seems to be acting as a hero to those left at Fort Salta.  54.4% believe this is the start of Reiner embodying the idea of Helos, while 12.9% are holding out for if he kills Eren.  27.9% don’t believe Reiner to be connected to Helos in any way.

Appeared as a small hope

Are people really still going on about Helos?

can he kill Eren? If he can, then hes Helos

H E L O S

What is Helos

Half-Eldian, half-Marleyan -- he represents so much more than Helos ever did.

He could be Helos, but I think Armin will be the one to save humanity, but Reiner can join him

I dont really like the whole X is helos thing, reiner definately is acting the part of the hero but i think its more redemption for reiner than trying to be some kimd of savior of humanity and i think that fots his character better.

The real "Helos" is not just Reiner, but the whole alliance.

He going to be Helos not when he kills Eren, but when he makes a sacrifice of some sorts.

He's not Helos, and will never be, but he is definitely a big hope

Who is Helos

Reiner does not deserve to be a ‘Helos’

HELL YEAH REINER

He'll do something sick

Helos was a fake hero, just a mask. Their is no comparison with Reiner's journey to maturity..

I won’t compare him to Helos. But this is sure a hero moment

Captain Suicide to the rescue

I think he’s helos but it’s gonna be armin who saves the day

I’m not sure if he’ll be helos but he’s still going to be essential to the story

Helos was a hollow and fake historical figure made up to push the "Eldians are evil" narrative. Reiner, on the other hand, is someone who was raised with a hatred for Eldians and committed atrocities because of it, but came to face his past actions and save the world as a true hero. Reiner isn't Helos, he's so much better than that.

  WITH THE BEAST TITAN THROWING AT THE PLANE AND SKYDIVERS INDISCRIMINATELY, IT SEEMS LIKE EREN IS OK WITH KILLING ANY OF HIS FRIENDS. THOUGHTS? 1,630 Responses

The question of how far Eren would go to achieve his goal of freedom has plagued the community for a while, and this chapter seemingly confirmed his willingness to even kill his friends, as seen by the deadly projectiles that the alliance only narrowly avoided. 61.8% of respondents aren’t surprised by this, despite Armin and Mikasa, who were in the line of fire, being voted as very unlikely for Eren to willingly kill last month. While 16.6% were indeed shocked by this, 19.1% believe this can be explained away by Eren knowing his friends aren’t in any serious danger.

Eren has to kill everybody, the rest of the world and if they don't stop even the alliance. Otherwise this story will be worse then Game of Thrones Season 8.

Scared that eren is fine with killing the friends he wants to protect

  ARMIN SEEMS TO RECALL THE 112 CONVERSATION WHEN HE SAYS HE WANTS TO ASK EREN ONE MORE QUESTION HE WON’T LIKE, “WHAT ABOUT YOU IS FREE”. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? 1,636 Responses

Eren’s quest for freedom and Armin’s quest for understanding come to a head in this chapter’s cliffhanger question from the latter: “What about you is free?” More of you think he is still in the reasoning stage (37%) than those who think the question was an affirmation of his determination to say goodbye to his old friend (30.1%). Some of you think the callback to chapter 112 is indicative of Armin believing Eren to be controlled in some way (27.6%).

Armin is trying to manipulate Eren like what he did with Berthold but I think he will 100% fail .

Armin is really being built up here for an amazing redemption. These last three chapters we've seen him carefully being inserted into the pivotal role in the series just like in RtS.  I'm 90% confident the biggest plot twist of the entire series is coming, and Armin is the catalyst as he's always been for every amazing moment in the show prior to chapter 91. I think the ending is going to blow everyone out of the water, and that everyone predicting a side to win is missing entirely how the manga will end.

I'm so happy to see that Armin is basically done coddling Erin. He's ready to take him out, especially since he's become the commander

in line with what kenny ackerman said, armin thinks eren is a slave of his own obsession.

Please stop blaming Eren for everything, he needs Help. It makes me sad to see Eren has to face his best friends, and I dont like Armins way of confronting him,  it looks like Armin has erased his memory of his best friend…

He's a fucking clown, I can't stand his shit. Still selfishly trying to talk Eren out of it when he's causing the fucking apocalypse and asserted many times that no, he won't stop. Who cares about Eren's vision of freedom when he's killing millions of people ? Just nuke him, you're supposed to be the colossal titan ffs

Their ideas clash at the moment. However, Armin still believes that his friend behaves unnaturally and won't let go until he discovers the truth.

we have continuously witnessed Eren being a hypocrite it makes perfect sense why he would say that

We need Armin's POV to know if he's now fully prepared to kill Eren or not

What I think is that armin might think that eren is being controlled by the attack Titan

Perhaps to get a rise or reaction out of him? Or just a cool way to introduce himself to the conflict!

that seashell fucker joke of a commander still wants to talk rather than kill him when Eren repeatedly made it clear that he won't ever stop the rumbling.

Hoping to see how this ideological conflict between Eren and Armin will end.

  THIS CHAPTER HAS AN EMPHASIS ON THE SURVIVAL OF CHILDREN. WHICH ONES DO YOU SEE SURVIVING THIS CONFLICT? 1,649 Responses

This chapter’s repeated motif of humans coming together to save children, especially infants, has been noticed by many. As for what it means for the survival of the ones in this chapter, the majority of readers believe Historia’s child is in the clear (81.4%). The children at the fort appear to have much less of a chance (32.8%), but are believed to be comparatively less doomed than the baby at the cliff (26.1%). On the bright side, only about a hundred of you (7.6%) think they will all perish.

Great chapter showing the contrast between a child being born in Paradis and a child dying on the other side of the world.

Sometimes people will trample each other to escape (as we've seen in Marley), but sometimes through the mindless fear people try and protect a tiny helpless thing for a few moments. Whether the baby lives or not it was amazing imagery.

The crowd trying to save the baby from the cliff as the Wall Titans arrived was very dark, but I still think Ymir's daughters eating their own mother is still the darkest moment in the series involving the children, while the runner-up is Faye's death.

we all theorized that the final panel was Historia's child but maybe it's the baby at the cliff. Eren might actually win and destroy the world, then through the wreckage he approaches the child and picks it up and tells it that's it's free

Cliff baby is toast

While the Rumbling is still as horrible as ever, this time it didn't feel quite as hopeless as when we saw Ramzi and his brother. The baby lifting scene was chilling and yet strangely inspiring.

damn bruh seriously the poor kids

MANY CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TAKING ON THE BLAME FOR THE CURRENT SITUATION, INSTEAD OF POINTING TO EREN. DOES ISAYAMA WANT THE WORLD TO BE AT FAULT INSTEAD OF EREN? 1,636 Responses

With the story presenting us a complicated situation, does Isayama’s approach lead to the wrong conclusions?  Almost 70% of fans believe that he wants us to view both parties as at fault for the current situation.  About 17% believe the hatred of the world is squarely to blame, while 8.3% think it all lands on Eren for his own actions.  5.3% think Isayama is just really clumsy with his messaging.

this chapter makes you realise that eren is actually at fault. I used to make more excuses for him, but this chapter really sealed the deal for me atleast. No one deserves this pain. It is not marley vs eldians anymore it is everyone vs Eren.

While it makes sense for them to feel regret, I still disagree that its their fault. Like look at Grisha's parents, they didnt do any wrong to deserve this. They just lived their life the way they were told to. Thats why i dislike the argumentations. Most people just were forced to hate someone they never met, so I dont this like the speech that much.

i think isayama states that the alliance is at fault too because they decided to still fight on eren's side until it was already too late and he activated the rumbling. not because they are killing people directly.

while I think that Eren is the main culprit of the Rumbling, true peace cannot be reached if everyone acts all high and mighty ""well, it wasn't MY fault"". After all this, the whole world has to be humble and willing to work together, otherwise it has all been for nothing.

I find it weird everyone (SC, warriors, the world) is blaming themselves for everything and readers are using their pre-death laments as a confirmation that Eren is right/justified. I don't like Eren being portrayed just like the product of his context, especially because he himself deny it and many chapters exist to reforce that (100, 121, 123, 130, 131, etc). I feel nobody is treating Eren as an individual, but as a force of nature coming to punish humanity for their sins. It's uncomfortable, because he's just a person like everybody else and not a god even if he has some god-like powers.

I don’t think the narrative is on eren side, but it also doesn’t absolve the rest of the world, the narrative shows that both sides have good and bad people, innocent and guilty, how each decision affect each character, and what they feel about it all. This story is about a cycle of hate, eldia used titan power to attack the world, then the world revolted and decided to attack eldia, now eldia (eren) attacks the world again, cycles have no end unless someone interrupts it, the question is; What is the most effective way to end this cycle?

Eren already lost. He wanted protect people on Paradis, his friends and Historia but it looks like his actions only have created more sadness and misery. A lot of people on the island died when the walls collapsed and now they most likely will have a civil war. Two of his closest friends are already dead and the rest feels depressed and miserable. The things for Historia don't look good either. Even if he fully rumbles the world, he will never really save anyone.

I think genocide is the solution to stop Racism

  AS THE ALLIANCE PREPARES TO FIGHT EREN, ONYANKOPON IS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING WITH THE PLANE. HOW WILL THIS GO? 1,638 Responses

Onyankopon flew the alliance where they needed to go, but the plane’s in trouble and he might be as well! 44.5% think he’s going to die or has already died in a crash, 41.3% think he’ll land with injuries, and 14.2% think he’ll be a-ok and join the onlookers for the battle.

Onyankopon is probably dead but I really hope he’s not. 

WHO DO YOU SEE DYING BEFORE THE MANGA ENDS? 1,602 Responses

Going into the final battle, it’s useful to have some data on everybody’s predictions, as well as a follow-up to the same question that was asked for the chapter 127 poll, back in March. The characters who were voted more likely to die than survive are led by Zeke, who has a clear majority (78.1%), followed by Connie (59.8%), Onyankopon (59.2%), Levi (57.5%) and Eren (54.6%). Coming close, but still more likely to survive according to voters, is Pieck (48.9%), Reiner (47.9%) and Yelena (44.9%). Gabi (11.5%), Falco (15.1%), Armin (16.2%) and Historia (17.4%) are expected to make it till the end.

Interestingly, as we approach the end, every single character who was present in the March poll has increased in perceived likelihood of dying. Except for one, Yelena, who dropped 6.6% in votes, perhaps due to her injury rendering her a more sidelined and subdued character. The characters that the fandom changed their mind on the most are Levi (+39.1%), Onyankopon (+37.3%) and Connie (+23.8%). The characters that have remained relatively unchanged include Gabi (+3.5%), Jean (+1%) and Kiyomi (+1%).

if he kills Jean without giving him anything important in the whole arc I'm going feral.

I really hope there’ll be no casualties to any of my favorite characters

IM FUCKING SCARED TO SEE LEVI DIE

i hope reiner didn't die untill the last chap

I sadly think everyone will die besides the main three and levi since he’s an ackerman.

ARMIN, SON, PLEASE DON'T DIE. YOU'RE THE MOST PRECIOUS LITTLE BUNDLE OF HOPE. PLEASE DON'T DIE!! 😭

  WE’RE STEALING THIS ONE FROM THE WIKI. ARE YOU MORE EXCITED FOR CHAPTER 135 OR THE SEASON 4 ANIME PREMIERE NEXT MONTH? 1,661 Responses

Monthly waits between chapters are rough, but so are the years between seasons! Luckily we have both with the next chapter and the Final Season coming out within days of each other. 57.9% are more excited for the next chapter following the pretty popular 134, and 42.1% are more excited for the anime to kick off.

FINAL SEASON HYPE LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO

Can't wait to see what will happen 135 and beyond!

I am overall completely hooked on the manga chapters, and I love Eren’s characteristic traits and mental strength. I am really excited on the final season.

can't wait for the final season!! It's going to be EPIC

Super emotional, everything seems to be leading to a tragic crescendo and all of this is going to look bonkers if MAPPA adapts it well for the final season

Incrediblesuperawesomethebestimsohypedineedchapter135

Cant wait for the next chapter and the final season!!

  DESCRIBE THE CHAPTER IN ONE WORD 1,181 Responses

The top 5 words used to describe the chapter this month are below. As opposed to the usual superlatives as well as a resurfacing of pain, the standout this month is monke, thanks to Zeke’s return. We seem to be fully done with the recipe shenanigans after a few months.

Amazing [60] Monke [38] Epic [36] Pain [33] Awesome [31]

  ISAYAMA RECENTLY ESTIMATED THERE IS 1-2% LEFT OF THE STORY. WHAT CHAPTER DO YOU THINK THE MANGA WILL END AT? 1,657 Responses

At the statue unveiling on November 7th, Isayama dropped another clue in the ever evolving mystery of when this series will end. His new estimate of 1-2% would translate into two more chapters (!). That estimate did little to dissuade our fandom from our most popular choice of 138.

Between Isayama's comments and this chapter, I'm really afraid there's 1 volume left and Isayama might rush everything, thus giving a shitty ending for everyone.

I really hope it doesn’t end at 135, there’s no way Isayama can muster a proper conclusion out of that unless it was all a dream or some dumb shit.

I'm confused as to how there is 1-2% left. Is Isayama really going to make Eren a cold-blooded killer after all the character development, I wonder. Honestly, I constantly feel like it's going to fast and that there are some things that need to go into more detail.  

I fear the ending could feel too rushed if it really ends in ~4 chapters from now.

I'm glad we're closer to the ending. I just want to leave this series behind me and never look back again.

idk but i just dont want it to end too fast😭😭😭

  WHAT ARE YOU MOST HOPING TO SEE NEXT CHAPTER? 1,657 Responses

The countdown clock is ticking away but there are still plot points to be completed and mysteries to be solved. To kick off what is likely the final volume of this series, nearly half of us hope the focus next month is The Alliance vs Eren (45%). In second place with slightly over 1/5 of the fandom, is interest in Eren POV (21.7%). Falco’s Flying Titan (9.2%), Historia (9.1%) and Zeke (8.1%) fill out the remainder of the pie with the smallest fraction (5.6%) wanting to know what is up with OG Ymir.

I still want to see Eren redeemed and saved, as that felt teased too much. Eren vs Zeke also felt teased too much. I also wanted to see Historia in action again. And how will Annie and Falco fit into the equation? And what of the titan powers? And the aftermath?

Kinda want to see this conversation between Eren and Armin more than anything

I want to see more Mikasa action.

i want armin to shift into the colossal titan and give spider-eren a big smooch on the lips

I personally would like to see Historia's pov because we still haven't gotten it and I want to know if Zeke is actually dead or not

I want to see more of Historia

v excited to see Zeke again, same w historia, hope eren pov is soon, liked seeing more of the world

Has Hajime forgotten Riko or will she have an interesting role in this ending? Can she be the child's mother in the end?

  WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS DO YOU USE TO DISCUSS THE SERIES? 1,562 Responses

It’s official, after months of steady growth since we allowed multiple social media to be chosen, twitter has finally dethroned reddit on the polls as the most popular platform to discuss SNK. The more distant third place goes to real life, which managed to overtake discord again after falling behind a little last month. And 38 snapchatters now! Are you multiplying?!

  ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS ON THE CHAPTER? 479 Responses

this chapter got me fucked up.

Isayama: Hold my plum wine.

I haven’t seen anyone talk about it yet but in one of the manga panel you can see levi holding his sword in his way as if he had all his fingers back. So I think he does.

Save for chapters 130-131, the manga has been noticeably become underwhelming since 124. Like I implied above, there are many hints that this manga is going to have a GOT season 8 tier ending. Eren will be defeated and all the hate in the world will magically disappear. There will be some sort of unity between Marley and Cringevengers that brings peace to the world even though it shouldn't realistically be possible. And lastly, that baby near the cliff will end up living at the last moment and will end up being the baby from the final panel. "You are free", most likely being held by Armin or Reiner.

Go get him, Armin!

ALLIANCE HAS ME SO HYPED BYE

I wish it were longer but no thoughts my heart is heavy

I know Eren wants to destroy the world but HOLY FUCK.

I just, really hope that baby will be ok

I LOVED EVERY PANEL !!!!! I WAS FILLED WITH EMOTIONS WHILST READING 😭😭😭

I’m just really excited to see what’s gonna happen on the next chapter because everything is really chaotic and I’m just curious what’s the ending really like after years of making up theories and stories in my head.

I’m just so ready to see what’s really going on with Eren and which side will win. Also Armin is amazing in this chapter and his last question to Eren in this chapter gave me chills

I think Isayama is trying too hard to excuse Eren. Despite everything, he exterminted humanity instead of saving it. Other have gone trhough worst and would never have gone that far.

I’m not sure how to word it for English isn’t my first language, but it’s kinda sad to see a fictional world realize their mistakes/bad things they’ve done and how hatred can affect things

is the baby in the final panel (the « you’re free » one) the one that was saved or historias??? 😳

I'm so tired.

I think it will be more clear if we got eren pov sooner

I think that it doesn't make any sense if Isayama gave us Historia in labor for nothing. I want to know more about her and her baby, how have they been all these times after the squad left the island and before the rumbling. And Zeke, too. We haven't seen him for a while so i'm glad that he's back, but i think he's under Eren's control now. The chapter is kinda short for me. It's gonna perfect if we have more scenes of Historia and her baby, or at least Zeke's POV.

I think that we will have a lot of deaths in the next chapter

I think the current titan shifters will die. And then it will be reborn by historia's child. In short, the titan shifting powers won't end

I think this will end bittersweet at best

I think what Eren will do when seeing his friends are fighting him. Does him will hurt them back

Big fan of seeing Historia again, and that baby being held up is a very chilling image we haven’t seen the likes of for a few months.

I think with all the hype, it still was a setup chapter  and I think the last 4-6 chapters will be monstrous and very bitter sweet.

I think zeke is there but only partially controlled, but the titan is formed by warhammer capability

I thought it was a very good chapter to end the volume off of. Now I expect the next 4 final chapters to be amazing Isyama writing we are use too.

I thought that it was interesting because we got to see zeke again and the alliance going to try to save eren and to fight again

I thought that that eren will go back to mikasa

I want a goodass ending

Rumbling hits Hiruzu but the base is still there? That can't happening at the same time.

SADDDDD

i have no idea I just stressed out with this chapter.

Safe pregnancy for Historia

THAT FUCKING MONKEY 🐒

the art is amazing but i'd like to see more dialogue

so much happened in a single chapter, i can't believe we're reaching the end

I've been here since 2013, and it's finally at the final volume, AND I'M NOT READY! ALL HAIL ELDIA! ALL HAIL EREN!

Isayama's art keeps evolving every month, it was live watching anime key frames before any color was applied.

it made me cry so much i hope it will have a happy ending

It was a rollercoaster of hype and regret lmao

yams says fuck dem kids

Can’t wait to see this animated

It was awful. All those big questions without answer... And I hate what he did with Hisu. I hate it as a woman.

It was cool like always hope isayama feels good like we do

It was cool, but it had some cheesy moments. Does the title suggest that History is in despair too? Is she having complications in her labor or is feeling guilty because of the rumbling? Or both?

It was cruel, it made me uncomfortable, I don't understand Isayama's joy in drawing scenes of suffering without a reason. And Historia, wow, I don't even know what to say, I still don't understand why she's pregnant.

wondering why she’s giving birth 2-3 months earlier, and why she lied to the mps. Unless it’s a premature birth but I doubt it.

astonishing, astounding, surprising, bewildering, stunning, staggering, shocking, startling, stupefying, breathtaking, perplexing, confounding, dismaying, disconcerting, shattering.

At last the end is near, but despite that the ending is not clear, it can end in so many ways but I don't think Isayama will disappoints us.

Avengers will beat the bad guy.

The biggest victims are always innocent children and that's the darkest and saddest part for me.

Great setup for the final battle, and that cliff scene broke me.

i tilt with helos theories :)

Armin and company, except Mikasa, are NOW ready to fight Eren to the death. Eren is also prepare to finish what he started, no matter who dies. Final result could go either way as Falco, Gabi, and Annie will come eventually, and their arrival will turn the tide one way or the other.

I hope armin and the gang can get through to eren :(

I hope eren kills them all

i hope eren win, to show the consequence of hatred

I just don’t care anymore

I just dont want that if the alliance wins, the marleyans and other races forgive eldia because that does not even make any type of sense

If it somehow wasn't clear before, this manga's message is about peace. It is NOT some n*zi propaganda, and it never has been. This chapter perfectly conveyed that.

Confusing but interesting alliance is making me angry they don’t understand Eren still think he’s being controlled

When a host for one of the Nine Titans dies without being devoured, their powers are transferred to an Eldian child through Paths. If one, some or all of the Nine Titan holders die during the current battle, would it be possible that the newborn, which is also of royal blood, inherits the Titan power?

Death Flags for Armin give me joy…

Why are men so afraid of letting lesbians be lesbians

did eren awake? will the wall titam fall off the cliff because it sweeps the area there? i always think about this, does eren have any secret plans behind this rumble? lol maybe, find a path tree and destroy it? lmao

downer chapter, I expected something better for the chapter where we see the final audio at last

Eren already won.

Eren and the rumbling is reminding me of Shin Godzilla

Eren best character

Eren goat, hisu goat

Eren holding his and historias baby in final panel seems more and more likely  

EREN IS 100% THE FATHER AFTER THIS CHAPTER, IT'S NO LONGER EVEN A DEBATE

EreHisu would ruin the series

Eren, please stop the Fucking rumblimg. You killed A lot of innocent people.

Eren's eaten Zeke, and that's why he can form and control a beast titan. Sorry Levi, the only person that your gonna beat up is Eren yet again.

eren’s face with this dino titan just creeps me the fuck out, and i don’t look forward to the transformation being animated.

It was definitely surprising for me when I saw historia while some people predict she will die when giving birth although that could be a possibility I see her dying due to either old age or somehow her inheriting the beast titan since the Ymir curse exists

It was epic!

It was great but can we see eren and Mikasa moments in the upcoming chapters before the manga ends and also show some light on how to cure ymir's curse and stuffs

It was great to see Historia again.

It was necessary to show all the chaos Eren is doing, and i'm so excited to see the Alliance fight him!

It was really good set up for 135

all the violence !! Like was this even necessary ?? No ! Too much violence just "kills" the whole thing ! Damn it was just awful and a waste of time to read for me !

This is probably going to be the most disturbing episode in the show's history once it gets animated, even if it's heavily censored. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up having to put a disclaimer at the beginning as well. I can already see it now, God this is going to be insane...

This is the first chapter that has really felt like the end REALLY is here.  The gang is engaged in battle with Eren, there is no turning back from this point.  They will either succeed, or perish in the attempt.

This story used to have the character growth and the plot at the center of the focus. I'm sad that it is all blown away in favor of cheap spectacle.

This won't end well, for anyone. I know Isayama has something significant planned for Historia's baby (my pet theory is that all the titans will die without heirs, be recombined with OG Ymir, and then she can finally be reborn and GTFO of PATHS), but thanks, I hate it.

Armin already grew up. he was from a coward child and now he is a brave man. i wanna cry

Geez, I hope the alliance can stop eren

This is all a series of bad plot choices falling like domino. Are things gonna work out once we get to final revelations? Probably. Is it gonna feel earned? At this point I doubt it. I miss the passion in this story. Char. develp. has never been the finest but they've always been human. Historia's a uterus. Eren just cares about his freedom. Dialogue falls flat as if Isayama didn't believe in what he writes and he's trying so hard to force feed the reader. If the rumbling is the final stop why was half of this necessary when it gave no closure to any character? But if it isn't, we deserved a real build up of events.

Zeke finally back but we still didn't know if he being controlled or willingly

Zeke is not being controlled and instead helping his brother, Eren is going to win and killed some of his friends, Levi is going to survive, Historia is going to survive with her baby and showed up at the final chapter. That's all I'm sure at this point. Mark my words.

it was sad

It was so cool but very chaotic I feel like I need a flashback or something or a tiny break.

It was so depressing, I can't imagine how Isayama would end this manga in only 1-2 chapters, it definitely need more

Omg this chaoter make me cry and relived, im just relieved that marleyan know they are wrong, that paradis not a devil blooded

one of the best chapters

Poor pacing and seems like a lot of unnecessary convolutions to the overall message

Pure masterpiece! Thanks Isayama

The chapter is fine but ,The story is leading to an obvious ending .I want to be wrong about that . I want a satisfying end . But part of knows that is not possible , let's watch isayama handle this shitshow he created.

The chapter leaves you with just the right question.

ERREEHH REINEERR!!???

Even if I don't want many people to die, I think that everyone will die, humanity will go extinct :(

Ever since 133, it's two chapters which have amazing elements but ultimately falls off as dissapointing. The plot needs to move forward. I thought we were going to have Bertholttalk and Ackertalk. 132 was such a masterpiece of a chapter that it becomes a let down.

Everyone told Eren early on that he'd have to abandon his humanity to make a difference, to save Paradis- especially Armin. Regardless of whose on which side, its ironic that now Armin is the one who can't accept this.

Excitement😎

There are two panels where Levi and mikasa are showing a shocked expression, idk if it’s just coincidence but can this possibly be relating to the Ackerman instinct?

This chapter is amazing good job isayama thx for a another masterpiece chapter

This chapter is really intense. Also, I wish I could've seen Zeke's POV.

Waiting for royal blooded Armin

was good until it spoke

We miss you, Hange, fly high our angel

We're finally at the final showdown boys and girls

We're truly at the beginning of the end for my favorite anime/manga series, huh?

What a series!

What happens with Yelena when either Falco or Annie transforms on the ship? Kiyomi said she‘s ready to sink with it but Yelena?

i hope eren isn't the father

What’s up to come seems uncertain.

Where is Ymir

falco or annie is definitely gna come flying in sooner or later

I really hope we don’t get a peace treaty ending.

I really hope we get a good ending... not happy necesarily....but good.....

I really just don’t care anymore. Yet I come back for more every time. Curse my completionism nature.

I really liked it. Definitely worth the month wait.

I really love the detail from this chapter and my favourite was when seeing Isayama drawing all those colossal titans and those people being crush. That's so amazing.

The end is near. I think we'll see Eren's next (final) POV in the final chapter.

Very cinematic, impressive setup/start to the alliance vs Eren fight

Very devastating

WHY is historia pregnant? (idc about father) Please give us the real answer yams! It was nice to see final audio. I loved Armin’s final comments and can’t wait to see the EMA confrontation.

Wonderful chapter, it's nice seeing another of Armin's plans. Reiner decking the beast titan was hype. The babies and the rumbling were a great juxtaposition too.

Would love to see if eren is really being controlled or if he’s willingly doing this to be stopped and perhaps killed?

I still wanna hope Hänge IS alive

i still wanna know how the hell eren's titan moves forward. the only thing i can imagine is some of the big bois carrying him. i can't get over it

I suffer

[dis--parity]

[munday meme] 🍓🥝🥒🥜 :>

Munday Meme // Still Accepting!

🍓 - What’s your sweetest rp experience so far?

Ooooh, you’re really making me choose... I’ve had quite a lot of them recently, to be honest, but if we’re talking about a full thread... it would absolutely involve Alex’s canon interactions with Nancy/Nova of @closeknithearts and the way we established their bond over time, but the best of those has to be at the most crucial point(s) when Alex was figuring out their identity and Nancy was so open and helpful and supportive,,, it was a lovely time!

🥝 - If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Hm! I’ve always wanted to go to Denmark honestly! Either that or Germany seem like pretty nice places to live when I get the means to live there, so those are my real priorities - assuming America keeps going down the drain and leaving me to find a better place to elope to with my partners.

🥒 - Are you thinking about reviving old muses? Who?

Yes, actually! I’ve been trying to decide with a poll that ended in a draw whether to make a sideblog to this blog with NPCs, including;

Aubrey Cloutier, Alex’s half-brother and resident drunk bastard

Chris Menendez, trans man werewolf & streamer

Souji Omugi, half-American half-Japanese patiessier

Kerata Kendrick, shy lesbian farm girl

Or, establish a new blog with a new set of muses, the roster of which being:

Sayuri Kimura, disowned daughter of an affluent family who abandoned a life of privilege in the search for independence and fulfilment of hedonistic pleasures

Liam Raynes, an ex-CIA agent turned street soldier who can't help but be haunted by what he saw during a particularly bad case, but tries to fish the pain away

Zander Trout, the hypersexual hypeman who’s as good at remembering anything about eir past as ey are at keeping it in eir pants

🥜 - What’s the nuttiest thread you’ve ever had?

Funny you should ask that, so far my nuttiest thread on tumblr’s probably been with you, Leech! The current thread with candid has been rapidly approaching the off-the-rails point, cand just has these horribly magnificent chaotic energy and I love the way they just say these reality-shattering things like they’re no big deal at all. You’re the perfect person to write a chaos god and i love every sentence I write of yours omg

[lthmath]

Recently we have been reorganizing our LThMath Book Club. The whole idea behind it is to read and discuss books with other people. We are happy that the Goodreads Club is steadily growing. We also have a Facebook Group with the same idea as the Goodreads one. Hope you all enjoy the idea. Due to this change, we cannot do just a Goodreads poll for the bi-monthly book. Therefor, we decided to do a survey (created using Google forms). In this way more people can vote for the book. If you want to vote, you need to do it HERE.

“Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension: A Mathematician’s Journey Through Narcissistic Numbers, Optimal Dating Algorithms, at Least Two Kinds of Infinity, and More” by Matt Parker*

In the absorbing and exhilarating Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension, Parker sets out to convince his readers to revisit the very math that put them off the subject as fourteen-year-olds. Starting with the foundations of math familiar from school (numbers, geometry, and algebra), he takes us on a grand tour, from four dimensional shapes, knot theory, the mysteries of prime numbers, optimization algorithms, and the math behind barcodes and iPhone screens to the different kinds of infinity ― and slightly beyond. Both playful and sophisticated, Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension is filled with captivating games and puzzles, a buffet of optional hands-on activities that entice us to take pleasure in mathematics at all levels. Parker invites us to relearn much of what baffled us in school and, this time, to be utterly enthralled by it.

“The Music of the Primes: Why an unsolved problem in mathematics matters” by Marcus du Sautoy*

Prime numbers are the very atoms of arithmetic. They also embody one of the most tantalising enigmas in the pursuit of human knowledge. How can one predict when the next prime number will occur? Is there a formula which could generate primes? These apparently simple questions have confounded mathematicians ever since the Ancient Greeks.

In this breathtaking book, mathematician Marcus du Sautoy tells the story of the eccentric and brilliant men who have struggled to solve one of the biggest mysteries in science. It is a story of strange journeys, last-minute escapes from death and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Above all, it is a moving and awe-inspiring evocation of the mathematician’s world and the beauties and mysteries it contains.

“A Brief History of Infinity” by Brian Clegg*

Infinity is a concept that fascinates everyone from a seven-year-old child to a maths professor. An exploration of the most mind-boggling feature of maths and physics, this work examines amazing paradoxes and looks at many features of this fascinating concept.

“Proofiness: The Dark Arts of Mathematical Deception” by Charles Seife*

“Proofiness,” as Charles Seife explains in this eye-opening book, is the art of using pure mathematics for impure ends, and he reminds readers that bad mathematics has a dark side. It is used to bring down beloved government officials and to appoint undeserving ones (both Democratic and Republican), to convict the innocent and acquit the guilty, to ruin our economy, and to fix the outcomes of future elections. This penetrating look at the intersection of math and society will appeal to readers of Freakonomics and the books of Malcolm Gladwell.

“The Proof Is in the Pudding: The Changing Nature of Mathematical Proof” by Steven G. Krantz*

This text explores the many transformations that the mathematical proof has undergone from its inception to its versatile, present-day use, considering the advent of high-speed computing machines. Though there are many truths to be discovered in this book, by the end it is clear that there is no formalized approach or standard method of discovery to date. Most of the proofs are discussed in detail with figures and equations accompanying them, allowing both the professional mathematician and those less familiar with mathematics to derive the same joy from reading this book.

“How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking” byJordan Ellenberg*

How Not to Be Wrong presents the surprising revelations behind some interesting questions, using the mathematician’s method of analyzing life and exposing the hard-won insights of the academic community to the layman — minus the jargon. Ellenberg chases mathematical threads through a vast range of time and space, from the everyday to the cosmic, encountering, among other things, baseball, Reaganomics, daring lottery schemes, Voltaire, the replicability crisis in psychology, Italian Renaissance painting, artificial languages, the development of non-Euclidean geometry, the coming obesity apocalypse, Antonin Scalia’s views on crime and punishment, the psychology of slime molds, what Facebook can and can’t figure out about you, and the existence of God.

Ellenberg pulls from history as well as from the latest theoretical developments to provide those not trained in math with the knowledge they need. Math, as Ellenberg says, is “an atomic-powered prosthesis that you attach to your common sense, vastly multiplying its reach and strength.” With the tools of mathematics in hand, you can understand the world in a deeper, more meaningful way. How Not to Be Wrong will show you how.

“Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid” by Douglas R. Hofstadter*

Douglas Hofstadter’s book is concerned directly with the nature of “maps” or links between formal systems. However, according to Hofstadter, the formal system that underlies all mental activity transcends the system that supports it. If life can grow out of the formal chemical substrate of the cell, if consciousness can emerge out of a formal system of firing neurons, then so too will computers attain human intelligence. Gödel, Escher, Bach is a wonderful exploration of fascinating ideas at the heart of cognitive science: meaning, reduction, recursion, and much more.

“How to Cut a Cake: And Other Mathematical Conundrums” by Ian Stewart*

Welcome back to Ian Stewart’s magical world of mathematics! Here are twenty more curious puzzles and fantastical mathematical stories from one of the world’s most popular and accessible writers on mathematics. This is a strange world of never-ending chess games, empires on the moon, furious fireflies, and, of course, disputes over how best to cut a cake. Each chapter–with titles such as, “How to Play Poker By Post” and “Repealing the Law of Averages”–presents a fascinating mathematical puzzle that is challenging, fun, and introduces the reader to a significant mathematical problem in an engaging and witty way. Illustrated with clever and quirky cartoons, each tale will delight those who love puzzles and mathematical conundrums.

“The Mathematical Tourist: New & Updated Snapshots of Modern Mathematics” by Ivars Peterson*

In the first edition of The Mathematical Tourist, renowned science journalist Ivars Peterson took readers on an unforgettable tour through the sometimes bizarre, but always fascinating, landscape of modern mathematics. Now the journey continues in a new, updated edition that includes all the latest information on mathematical proofs, fractals, prime numbers, chaos and much more. Blazing a trail through rows of austere symbols and dense lines of formulae, Peterson explores the central ideas behind the work of professional mathematicians�� how and where their pieces of the mathematical puzzle fit in, the sources of their ideas, their fountains of inspiration, and the images that carry them from one discovery to another.

We hope this helped you decide what book you would like to read in August – September with us. Hope you liked this post. Have a great day. You can find us on Facebook,  Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram. We will try to post there as often as possible.

Lots of love and don’t forget that maths is everywhere! Enjoy!

*This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

February – March Book Choice Recently we have been reorganizing our LThMath Book Club. The whole idea behind it is to read and discuss books with other people.

[ciestessde]

Like Recognizes Like

When Izaya dies, he’s pleasantly surprised to find himself in the Soul Society. And he’s even more excited by the secrets hiding beneath the surface of this place! But what price might he have to pay to uncover them?

Izaya, dressed in his usual shinigami uniform, approaches a tree. Underneath it sits Momo Hinamori, reading a book. “Excuse me, Lieutenant.” Looking up from her book, she asks in a questioning tone, “Yes?” It’s obvious she hadn’t noticed him until he spoke, but, upon seeing him, her eyes light up with recognition. “Oh! You’re that promising new Squad Thirteen recruit, aren’t you?”

Izaya gives her a warm smile. Thankfully, the tenseness around his eyes goes unnoticed by the young woman. “I didn’t realize I was famous.” “Well, it’s not every day we get a newbie who’s already an expert at hohō. Not to mention your skill with hakuda!” Standing, Momo sets down her book and dusts herself off.

“Funny you should mention that. I was hoping to improve my Kidō skills as well. I heard you’re an expert,” smiling shyly, Izaya gives his proposal, “And I was hoping, maybe… we could train together?” Momo looks surprised -- then smiles. “Well, I’m rather busy most of the time with my duties as Lieutenant. But… I don’t see why not! In fact,” Momo moves away from the tree, “today’s my day off. Why not start now?”

Izaya grins. “That would be perfect.”

As Izaya is sparring with Momo, Renji happens to see them -- and completely misunderstands the situation… Thankfully, Izaya is an expert at dodging unexpected projectiles. However, despite Momo’s attempts to calm him, Renji continues attacking Izaya just long enough for someone to spot them.

Although, Izaya suspects that man hadn’t simply “wandered by” …

It should go without saying that finding out about the Soul Society came as a pleasant surprise to Izaya Orihara. Granted, he would have preferred to live a bit longer, but he supposed dying at the early age of twenty was what he got for choosing the kind of life he did. He had been shot by some random person. Undoubtedly someone with a grudge against him. If only he could remember whatever it was he did, but he didn’t doubt he deserved it.

Once he got to the Soul Society, he quickly realized he was one of the few who actually needed to eat. This didn’t worry him much -- food was easy enough to come by, with his skills. But when he heard about “shinigami” … The chance to become a “god of death” was too interesting to pass up. But even aside from that, while not exactly peaceful -- life in the Rukon District was far too… static for him.

He missed the excitement of the World of the Living.

It seems that when his dear humans lose their fear of death, they also lose much of their desire to progress. Which is fine! He embraces their changed nature after death as much as the many things that remain the same! But nevertheless, the dead humans just don’t seem to be as entertaining as his living ones. And the only way to return to the World of the Living -- is as a Soul Reaper.

Of course, Izaya still isn’t completely comfortable with the shinigamis’ mortality rates, but… Observing his humans had always been worth the risk of a dangerous life. Why should the same not be true of the afterlife?

And so, he’d applied to the Shinigami Academy.

He passed the entrance exam on his first try and graduated in four years (rather than the typical six) as a prodigy in Hakuda (hand-to-hand combat) and Hohō (speed and agility). No surprise, given his experience fighting that Beast while still alive.

Deciding which squad to apply to had been… challenging. In order to achieve his goal and get assigned to the World of the Living (even if it would only be temporary, as he found out at the academy), he would have to prove himself capable and trustworthy -- while NOT drawing undo attention to himself.

But some of the squads were just so very tempting! The chaos he could cause in Squad 10! -- What’s Gin Ichimaru, the captain of Squad 3, hiding? -- What’s Captain Komamura, of Squad 7, hiding behind that mask? -- What kinds of shady experiments are going on in Squad 12?!

Despite all of these temptations, he controlled himself -- and picked the one that gave him both the most freedom and least attention. He applied, and was accepted into, Squad 13. Preferred by those kindhearted people who desire a quiet, peaceful life. And, more importantly, where there’s no lieutenant and the captain is often too sick to get out of bed.

However, there was one mystery he still couldn’t resist. And it was what got him into his current mess…

“Now, now, what’s this all about?” Izaya and Renji blink a few times before realizing what stopped them.

As Renji had been about to send another kick toward the swiftly-moving Izaya, Captain Sosuke Aizen had gently grabbed both of their shoulders. And such was his strength that even such a light touch -- had stopped them both in place.

Renji and Momo declare simultaneously, “Captain Aizen!” and Renji, freeing himself, bows. Izaya follows suit -- after breaking tense eye-contact with the man.

It seems his… interest is mutual. Which is unfortunate.

But… Like recognizes like, after all.

~~~~~

If you liked this, please REBLOG!

AO3 version

OSWs Master List

{This is part of my “OneShot Wednesday” project - I’m trying to write a one-shot every week that other people have requested! Original Requests one week, and Fanfic Requests the next.

You can vote for the next OSW here until Aug. 21, or find the current poll on my Tumblr, Twitter, or Website!

While I will try to keep track of all the requests I receive regardless of how they’re sent, you should send Fanfic Requests through the pinned tweet on my Twitter, and Original Requests through either my email (CiestessDE@gmail.com) or my Patreon (if you’re a patron) if you want to make sure I see them.

Just about everything goes -- I’ll tell you if there’s a problem. But if you want to know more about how they work, you can read about Original OSWs here, and Fanfic OSWs here.

So please send me ALL the ideas!!! I will make sure to recognize whoever’s idea/request it was in the work – just ask if you want to remain anonymous.}

[theneohippiedevelopmentproc-blog]

a petty metaphor

Allow me to portray the social landscape as a network of anthills. Academic hierarchies are anthills, activist communities are anthills, bureaucratic establishments are anthills, scientific ladders of expertise are anthills, spiritual-path-dwellers are anthills, bloody all of us are just anthills. 

The first thing to highlight about such a polemical systemization as this is the obvious fact that any individual is(hopefully) beyond reducing to their role in a single anthill. We are not merely single-minded workers. However I’d bet that any individual, no matter how complex, is at least representable via a sum of their many anthill-roles. My own ego is satisfied by supposing that while I might be a lowly Worker or a non-entity in the hills of quantum physics or political power, I’ve traded blows enough to be a queen’s worthy mate in something like a German-Idealist take on A.I. (whatever the hell worth that finds)

 A quick note, scrapping the bottom of the Anthill-Expert anthill as I am, the depth of my metaphor is limited to categorizing each person as worker, mate, or queen, but the breadth of my metaphor is by allowing any worker here to be a queen there, etc. 

It seems to me that many crises & catastrophes afflicting ‘the West’ are a simple matter of anthills refusing to integrate into any grander system. Polls continue to reveal the mundane truth that, with regard to most society-wide-dilemmas, the workers want a change. However the hills of power are rather tied up with certain ideological hills, such that; for example, the mates presented to the queen of budget-definition tend to align with the queen of creditor-protection. A lowly worker or perhaps a hundred may notice this relationship & immediately report to the collective-catharsis anthill of twitter, but then the matter is swallowed up by various ideological hills, a rebranding here, a new study there, & after not long, all the ants have been swept away by further tasks. 

The system of hills presented by various social-networks is intriguing. Each generation today is further integrated into the average consciousness formed by the hills of facebook, twitter, tumblr, tiktok, instagram, reddit, 4chan, blah, blah, blah. Each of these hills offers a different kind of catharsis to the individual ant, & all of them together offer the potential for organizing hills of a like never seen. These hills are especially flattering in that the queens are individuals who emerged therefrom. The democratic dream of authentic elder-selection seems realized! (within the hills furthest removed from power of course) The trouble is that the world is run by elders, & the elders can’t meme. 

This is an example of a certain inter-relation of hills that ought seem generic:  This ideological queen declares X about hill Y, the workers are swept away in an orgy of self-authorization, whichever ones overlap with Y bring up X, & they are met with the immovable ignorance of Y’s mates, for whom X is nothing but ideological drivel, and the queen of material change remains unconvinced by the queen of ideological progress. 

Another ought-be-generic tale is the nihilistic response to the above failure. The path to solution, having been laid & promptly ignored, becomes a source of frenzy & self-conceit. The many workers(whose forgotten part in the failed intervention was a method of self-actualization dependent on results) produce an army of Romeos, demanding of nature some justice for their tragedy. This, of course, achieves nothing but to distract those few ideological queens who may have actually provided insightful analysis. The spectacle goes on; the hills of power unaffected in the least. 

So what, now you may ask, is the point of you? Why dwell on these hills? Well, the true pity is that I have nothing to offer but my own depth of cathartic reflection. To me, this metaphor is clarifying, though not necessarily penetrating into an anthill of eternal wisdom or essential being. I simply & however complexly , wish as many workers of as many hills to pause, breath, & imagine if all the hills were functionally synchronized, & further ask; why aren’t they?

Well, the trouble there again, is a manifest chaos of hills. The historiographers are ever chasing the tail of power’s justifications. The technophiles are neurotically obsessed with a paltry slice of literature. The writers are overwhelmed with the sheer enormity of modern culture. The painters, once the artificers of God & Kings, have been reduced hobbyists, respected only by each other & the youth. The youth of our time wander meanderingly between vast networks of hills, finding nothing to synchronize their beliefs but impending climate-doom. The spiritualists present many paths to enlightenment, but none to social-cohesion. The psychologists(reduced to cognitivist-scribes from the trauma of Freud’s preaching) are certain of nothing but that we are not free. The philosophers, a hill of my own homemaking, are largely abandoned by the exaltation of specializing one’s thought essential to modernity’s unrelenting empiricism. And so we are all a great hill of ‘bloggers’ or ‘individuals’ without the slightest specification as to how we may organize our collective responses. 

The mental-health crises of our time, currently pretending to me a mere consequence of covid, & yet pathetically predictable by the thrust of industrialization & decay we’ve been led on, are largely not even commented on. Another marker of each generation along with technological-literacy & classical-illiteracy, is the noticing of just how lost in illusions our elders are. Each wave of youth is more openminded & forgiving on average, and yet more hopeless & confused. It may be noted that perhaps the great horizon of rationalism inflicted by the Enlightenment is indeed nigh, & amounts to a perfect realism of raw pessimism. 

There are very few relevant questions at this level of abstraction(such is its joy), but one is whether certain ideological hills may be unified strategically based on the analysis of certain empiricist hills. Another is how might a solitary worker in all hills orient themselves to become a worthy mate or even a queen in a particular few hills. Another is how might a band of workers best send each other among various hills for the express purpose of their original hill’s reforming. All these & few else make up a sort of epistemology of my metaphor. 

Which then will be the great unifying anthill, & who will deserve the role of that school’s queen? Or will we see an era of spectacle-war between two or three great hills, with the highest of queens pledged against each other? I for one think the latter a tad romantic to find realization. As to the former, the ideological hills may seem impossible to unite, but I rather believe they’ll rethink such possibility as the tides rise.

If I must tie a single bow upon this speculation, it is that the hills’ foundations are beginning to meet. Workers have long tunneled between & met with blind rejection, but we are due an era of epochal shift. There is no guarantee that particular hills will hold strong against the undercurrents of chaotic inter-relation. Those few of us who like to pose as history-mates need not be doomed to merely witness repetition. And those fewer of us who imagine queening psycho-analysis ought remember that repetition need not necessarily forsake wit novelty, especially in a chaotic age. 

[musicgoonmail]

The Holly and the Ivy

Feature Article: Website Design Changes

Last weekend I was playing with the design on my website and I am quite happy with the way it turned out. You can read about my 3 website design changes on the blog, see it for yourself, and let me know what you think.

I've had a love/hate relationship with Tumblr for a very long time. I love how easy it is to play with new themes and customize the design elements, but I hate how they are not all premium themes and they involve a lot of experimentation. Last year, I made the decision to find a good theme and stick with it. I believe I was able to focus on writing and push out more content. Creating and crafting well requires commitment, and I am thankful for you as I tend to my work.

Dive In, Dig Deep: Book Reviews

This week I read and reviewed Preparing for Marriage by John Piper, The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity by Michael Kruger, Acts 13-28 For You by Albert Mohler, and Growing in Holiness by R. C. Sproul. They are all excellent books and they cover a wide range of topics.

Extended Play

Beijing Pie House is a small restaurant on the first floor of our condo. We tried it when they first opened and were not impressed. We gave them another visit early this week and they really stepped it up. We enjoyed everything we ordered. We'll make our way back again soon. A poll on our church Instagram revealed that people prefer Boiling Point over Uniboil. I can't believe it, as Jess and I love Uniboil. Maybe I'll have to give Boiling Point another try.

I'm halfway through The Mandalorian and have the itch to rewatch Monk. I'm still listening to Christmas music, and I stumbled upon this Disney version of The Holly and the Ivy by as sung by Mulan. It starts weird but it grows on you, and there's a really strange, lush instrumental in the middle of the song. And since we're still in January, here's a fitting throwback for the start of the year: Why and What I Write.

Throwback: Why and What I Write

Food: Beijing Pie House

TV: The Mandalorian

Book: Devoted: Great Men and Their Godly Moms by Tim Challies

Article: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of TGC’s New President by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra

Music: The Holly and the Ivy

Coming Soon

We're taking Linus to California Adventure sometime next week and I want to share some stories on our SVRGN Instagram. I have book reviews lined up for the next two weeks and I need to get them up ASAP as I have a new batch of books being delivered on the way. I'm also working on new podcast episodes with SOLA editor Hannah Chao and have one scheduled soon with writer Heidi Tai.

Hanley and I made some time to record a new episode of the Walnut Commentary podcast, which I also plan to cross-post on the SOLA Network podcast. Here is the description: "Hanley and Aaron discuss why they did not podcast together for a while, Aaron critiques Hanley, Hanley changes his preaching style, and why they may or may not attend SOLA Conference 2020. We also answer this listener question: 'How do I discern if I should try a relationship that my gut is telling me to do in a godly manner?'" You'll see it shared on social media next week, but here are the early YouTube, Spotify, and Podcast links for you to listen to it early this weekend.

Weekly Review

SOLA: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of TGC’s New President, How Not to Envy Your Neighbor’s Competence, and How Does the Gospel Answer What the Buddhist Truly Longs For?

Thank God it’s Friday: John Piper's Thoughts on Christian Education, How the Gospel Answers What the Buddhist Truly Longs For, and Is a Similar Sense of Calling Required for Marriage?

Book Review: Preparing for Marriage

Book Review: The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity

Book Review: Acts 13-28 For You

Book Review: Growing in Holiness

Recommended Reading: 4 Perils of Platform, The Role of Emotions in Saving the Preborn, No More Passive Fathering, and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of TGC’s New President.

[vegas-glitz]

Governments, Terrorism and Faux News

http://topicsofnote.com/?p=1721&utm_source=SocialAutoPoster&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Tumblr

"Authorities of the people today, by the men and women, for the individuals, shall not perish from the earth."

Regrettably, these days people terms and plans are nonetheless not carried out and likely never will be. There are too numerous interests associated in establishing these types of an perfect government. Also significantly moi, prejudice, and economic, social and several other and conflicting interests are included in the essential ingredients for melding these kinds of a authorities. It's possible it need to be like this in the identify of democracy and flexibility of preference probably the persons really don't deserve such an ideal governing administration.

The significant challenge is building the preferred balance between all individuals beliefs and needs. The two extraordinary opportunities are a federal government with much too much electricity and a weak, divided government that is not able to make crucial conclusions. A authorities or an corporation with sufficient means can do virtually something. Not only that, they can even publicly justify their steps in the identify of preserving and protecting the democracy. They will guidance their actions, which may be unlawful, immoral or even legal in the title of justice, for the people today and country. To stability amongst a completely open up society wherever every little thing is transparent, seen and recognized to all people and a closed modern society where specified actions and facts are recognised to couple of is a really complicated undertaking. "People today never have to know every thing," may have justification in particular conditions. Polls have presently proved that the mood of individuals can be very easily manipulated and improve directions with time, occasions and publicity.

Governments can, if they would like, do away with sure teams or persons who, in their impression, oppose and are hostile to their procedures. The elimination of a terrorist or a political opponent is as straightforward to obtain as it is quick to cover from the general public. The loss of life or disappearance of this kind of people is discussed below types this kind of as organic will cause, accidents, psychological hospitalization or death for the duration of unexpected emergency medical procedures.

All agencies, unofficial and formal, these kinds of as the CIA, MI5/6, KGB and the Mossad, were and will be executing "it" in the identify of nationwide stability. The preferred community explanation may perhaps be: "In buy to shield, maintain or even implement Democracy." In certain cases those people steps could possibly be really justified the challenge is exactly where to established the restrict. Several people today have disappeared worldwide in the name of nationwide stability.

The rationale of nationwide safety for not disclosing selected details or imprisoning an undesired subject matter is utilized way too often by quite a few nations and corporations. Governments work predominantly at 3 stages. Although amount one particular is the cleanse and white level of activities, reserved for heads of states and extremely uncovered political figures, degree two is the grey region. This is an unethical spot of exercise which smells negative but is nevertheless authorized. Killing, eliminating, removing and falsifying are component of degree a few. Usually, "we the men and women" are uncovered to level a single and at times to level two, but hardly ever to stage three.

At stage 3, I can mention for case in point, Gerald Bull, the Canadian engineer who formulated the Babylon or "super-gun" extended-vary artillery for the Iraqi govt. Bull was assassinated in Brussels, Belgium in March 1990.

It is really fascinating to be aware the language evolution with regard to using politically right terminologies. The phrase-laundering is rather intriguing. Phrases these kinds of as "Terrorists" or "liberty fighters," "guerrillas", "political assassination" or "getting rid of from power" all relies upon on which facet you question or chat to.

The United states is a tremendous-ability with around the globe existence and intervention. In normal, they are a stabilizing factor. Numerous Americans will not have an understanding of the value of their assistance for specific nations and at the identical time numerous supported nations around the world only despise their presence.

To far better realize the higher than, consider to imagine a planet without the U.S. involvement. Let's think that the U.S. is not a tremendous-power or they evolved from an Empire to a common Republic interested generally in their inside affairs.

What would the environment search like devoid of U.S. intervention?

Oil is 1 of the big electricity sources of most contemporary nations around the world. Oil was a person of the main motives for wars and the invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein. It was not a territorial dispute it was about oil. The Us citizens are one particular of the biggest oil consumers, so it is evident why the U.S. was intrigued in assisting Kuwait.

Even so, this is not the entire image. The U.S. involvement all in excess of the entire world is not only for oil and financial passions. Most folks believe that that there are other factors. In the era of a globalized financial state, planet steadiness is important and in accordance to the Chaos concept, even a tiny issue in the Middle-East, for instance, can crank out a chain response which has an effect on the U.S. in several parts. Most persons believe that the global American intervention is also due to the fact they treatment. They treatment about creating and retaining Democracies and enabling independence for most people just about everywhere attainable. Clearly there are other factors and passions so what are they?

China is getting a main participant in the earth arena. They are the second premier oil customers. The route of oil to China is secured and enabled by the U.S. Navy. China's extensive term target could be to be equal the U.S. and they can accomplish it.

Without the U.S., Taiwan would stop to...exist as a Democracy and may well be annexed to mainland China. With out the U.S., Japan would have to get nuclear capabilities if they preferred to keep on being impartial. They have experienced a continuing dispute with China since 1937, and the Chinese will in no way ignore the Japanese invasion. The U.S. assisted Iran indirectly by eradicating Saddam Hussein, who experienced fought Iran over a border dispute for eight years. Saddam Hussein was interested in producing Iraq an influential power in the Persian Gulf region. He invaded Iran not only simply because of the very long record of border disputes, but also to enlarge Iraq's oil reserves. Europe desires and desires oil, but they are not prepared to pay out the whole rate to get it. They loathe the American presence and will not accept that without having the U.S., they wouldn't get the oil they want.

Europe's mind-set toward Israel is incredibly hypocritical. They have a limited memory on the other hand what unites Europe from Israel or the Jews is Anti-Semitism.

Given that March 2003 when Recep Tayyip Erdogan grew to become Turkey's Prime Minister, their plan toward Israel has changed. Erdogan was unsatisfied with Israel's reaction to Hezbollah's kidnapping of troopers in 2006 he was vital when Israel carried out the Gaza War he asked to examine Israel's nuclear facilities beneath IAEA inspection and he has criticized Israel for its a lot of defensive actions.

The stress in between the nations has escalated subsequent the Gaza flotilla raid. The query is what his motives are and if he has a concealed agenda that may perhaps reveal his overzealous focus to Israel. His reactions have received Turkey impact and sympathy among the his Arab neighbors. Significantly, he could have obtained certain pros among the his domestic political get-togethers. His exclusive collaborative notice and meetings with Syria and Iran should stress the West and especially Israel.

The Kurdistan Workers' Occasion or PKK, started in 1978, is a Kurdish business which fights against Turkey. Their purpose is to establish an independent Kurdish state. There is a assert by Germany that the Turkish military has utilized chemical weapons towards members of the PKK.

Lebanon is a puppet state controlled by Syria and Iran. Hezbollah or "The Bash of God" is a Shi'a Islamic group concerned in Lebanese politics, supported by Syria and Iran. Really, they are considered by most of the globe as a terrorist organization. Their forces are trained and structured by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Their primary intention is to remove the colonial entity in Lebanon and to establish an Islamic routine.

To achieve that, the Iranians with their supporters all are united underneath the hatred towards Israel and their want to eliminate the Zionist entity from the region.

A top magic formula CIA document unveiled on April 2004 lists the a lot of achievable suspects for the assassination of Elie Hobeika, former Lebanese Forces Commander.

Achievable culprits involve fellow Christians, other users of the Lebanese elite, Palestinians and Israelis.

According to a Western information agency, a formerly unidentified anti-Syrian group, "Lebanese for a Free and Impartial Lebanon." has claimed responsibility. The assert may possibly be connected with rightwing Maronite Christians, who bore a grudge versus Hobeika because he betrayed the Lebanese Forces and the Israelis by switching allegiance to the Syrians in the mid-80. Hobeika also was active in Christian infighting for the duration of Lebanon's civil war.

Palestinians despise Hobeika mainly because he allegedly directed the massacre of about 1,000 Palestinians in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatilla in 1992.

An Israeli fee in 1983 accused Hobeika of carrying out the massacre and held then Defense Minister Ariel Sharon indirectly responsible for the assault.

Several Lebanese suspect Israeli involvement due to the fact Hobeika experienced reported he would testify in opposition to Sharon if the Belgians went ahead with a trial accusing Sharon of genocide and crimes versus humanity for his function in Sabra and Shatilla.

A Belgian court docket up coming thirty day period will rule on whether a judicial investigation into Sharon's function can commence.

President Lahud claims Hobeika was killed to quit him from testifying, in accordance to press stories, a sentiment echoed by other authorities officials.

There is no immediate proof of Israeli involvement in the assassination, but highlighting an Israeli relationship could assist the Lebanese steer clear of the inner friction that would come up if a Lebanese group had been blamed.

Any individual who thinks that the Israel-Palestinian conflict is over territories is totally wrong.

Israelis are willing to give back sure territories and make peace in trade for a piece of paper... Regretably, dependent on history, those signed agreements have a pretty brief life time. In the risky area of the Middle-East Israel will encounter numerous issues without having U.S. help. In the 1980s Soviet navy forces in Afghanistan confronted a different form of war than they experienced expert in the earlier. The resistance forces combating them had been the mujahedeen.

The Makhtab Al-Khidamat (MAK) was established by Osama Bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam, which led to the institution of Al-Qaeda in 1988. At the conclude of the Soviet profession they preferred to prolong and justify their functions, so they experimented with to contain other Islamic triggers. It is quite apparent that Al-Qaeda benefited from the U.S. funding and teaching offered to the Afghan mujahedeen preventing the Soviet invasion.

There are a lot of Al-Qaeda cells which are operative globally. Devoid of united cooperation they will continue on their terrorist operations which include their attempt to get nuclear linked weapons.

Source by Dr Giora Ram

[mikemortgage]

‘There’s a lot of stuff to worry about’: Plenty of fear on the horizon at Post’s annual outlook luncheon

A panel of Canadian pundits and financial experts assembled for the National Post and the Canadian Club’s annual outlook luncheon in Toronto on Tuesday to give their forecasts for what the year ahead has in store. For the most part, fear was the order of the day.

Among the concerns the identified on the horizon for 2019 were a no-deal Brexit, unsettled trade wars, a looming recession and, most of all, whatever curveball might come next from United States President Donald Trump.

Here’s a recap of some of the highlights:

Scotiabank’s J.F. Perrault

Trump versus the house equals chaos

J.F. Perrault, Scotiabank

“There’s a lot of stuff to worry about,” said Jean-François Perrault, Scotiabank’s chief economist and senior vice-president. Among his top worries for 2019 was the U.S.-China trade war, though he said it appeared to be nearing a resolution. His other chief worry was “Trump himself.” Trump, now facing off against a Democratic House, is more unpredictable, he said.

“We are clearly going through a period of increased — there’s got to be a polite way of saying it — uh, craziness.”

“Very polite,” said moderator Bruce Sellery.

“We’ve seen this playbook before,” Perrault said. “He’s going to go dirty, he’s going to go low … he’s going to want to change the channel. And that honestly could mean any number of things.”

“Everything is possible with this guy.”

Perrault was more optimistic about Canada’s economic outlook, despite predicting slow growth. “We’re in the late stage of an economic expansion,” he said, projecting around two per cent growth in 2019. “People have a hard time wrapping their heads around that. When growth is slowing, it’s viewed as a bad thing…. It scares people. It makes them think, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to get fired. How am I going to afford my mortgage?’” he said. “This isn’t bad news. This is something that needs to happen.”

Winter is coming

Shauna Sexsmith, Manulife

“I kind of look at this as a Game of Thrones market: Winter is coming,” Shauna Sexsmith, Manulife’s senior managing director, told the luncheon. “A recession is coming at some point. And so we’ve been in the late stages of an economic cycle, the late stages of a bull market. You’ve got all sorts of volatility that happens at the end of an economic cycle and bull market.”

A recession, she said, could arrive as soon as late 2019, or not until 2021.

Postmedia’s Andrew Coyne and Manulife’s Shauna Sexmith

“But that said, bull markets don’t die of old age. It usually takes some other events to get us there,” Sexsmith said. “I’m not trying to be a doom-and-gloomer and say the end of the world is coming. It’s just winter.”

A worst-case Brexit

Andrew Coyne, Postmedia

Andrew Coyne, Postmedia’s national columnist, said a cocktail of issues, including Italy’s recent standoff with the EU, as well as the ongoing Brexit saga, could combine to spook markets and drive “continuing unease about the whole European project and particularly the Euro currency.”

“We’ve got the real prospect staring us in the face of a no-deal Brexit — which is the absolute worst-case scenario, and at this point, you’d have to say that’s probably the most likely scenario,” Coyne said, referring to the possibility of Britain exiting the EU without an agreement in place outlining their relationship going forward.

“Doesn’t mean it’s going to happen, but it means it’s certainly a real threat,” Coyne said.

Asked for his predictions on the fall federal election in Canada, Coyne replied: “Not a clue.”

The federal Liberals, he said, invested deeply in developing Justin Trudeau’s personal image. But they’re tethered to that image even now as polling is showing it’s losing lustre. “The danger, of course, is people fall out of love as quickly as they fall into it,” Coyne said.

Financial Post’s Kevin Carmichael

More growth than we realize

Kevin Carmichael, Financial Post

On Canadian monetary policy, the Financial Post’s national business columnist said he was most interested in the ongoing “output gap.”

“I’m watching the extent to which we’re in something of a productivity boom, like we were in the late ’90s, early 2000s,” he said. “The capacity of the economy to produce non-inflationary growth is growing fast enough that it will allow the central bank to basically leave things on hold.”

“There is more growth happening than we realize.”

from Financial Post http://bit.ly/2C7wcuj via IFTTT Blogger Mortgage Tumblr Mortgage Evernote Mortgage Wordpress Mortgage href="https://www.diigo.com/user/gelsi11">Diigo Mortgage

[iwroteahing-blog]

Freedom Rises (working title)

So, as some people may know, theres quite a big election going on tomorrow over here in the UK and for those who don’t know me, I am quite passionate when it comes to politics, I think anyone who writes, performs or creates any sort of art has to be. Art is about engaging the world around us and like it or not, that is what politics are. I am not going to go massively into my political believes, not hear at least but it has made me want to share something another bit of writing (Sorry its so long after my first piece, I really knew what I wanted to release and it took ages to dig it out and type it up) The below extract is the start of Chapter 1 of a novel I am/was writing. It has been a passion project I have worked on and off of for the past 6/7 years, writing small pieces here and there. It is planned out as a very political piece, seeking to explore the consequences of both conservative and liberal viewpoints and follows a nameless main character who sees those they love persecuted by one side but also suffer fighting for the other. It is based 8 years in the future (but considering I started this 6 years ago, maybe that will need to be pushed back) with a new election coming up. It takes our world to the extremes of what it is now and asks, how do we fix that? (I hope). For the first time I am also going to add some visual aids to help with the story, I write in a very visual way and I really want to help share that with you, I do not claim ownership over any of the images and will post the sources at the bottom, I would also recommend listening to this while you read https://youtu.be/Y5ktlVlcVvc its just what happened to be on when I typed this up and the hopelessness of it fit. So enjoy: “Cause and effect, for every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction, so, when we… Are you guys writing this down? This is basic stuff…” It is not hard to tell from the vacant expressions they aren’t, 50 faces in the cramped stone room and not a single one looking my way. Most focused on the plain panel door out of the classroom, the rest stared vacantly at the space beneath their desk, like I couldn't tell they where checking their messages. I try a light tap on the desk to wake them up, but its not very effective. Each and every one of them are already planning ahead for the night, looking for the fastest route home. I can’t blame them, today is the 12th of July 2025, voting for the next election is tonight, there is no way they are going to be taking in what I am saying, so I give in. A wave of my hand signals that they can leave “I want that PDF finished by Monday, your answers have to be in my inbox before start of class so we can look at them as a class!” I doubt a single one hears the homework assignment I call out,  they are piling out go my classroom faster than ever, they don’t want to risk being late home tonight. We all know that the police will be putting more security on the voting booths, which means less on the streets. Muggers and and dealers will have free roam, democracy giving way to chaos. The twisted irony of it all would make me laugh if it wasn’t so damn tragic. Its not like you can blame the authorities, if they didn't guard the booths, some meninist cult would show up to intimidate the voters. 


I swipe my hand across the screen at the front of the class and the lesson plan disappears, everything I do is on the school’s cloud anyway, thank god for autosave. It doesn’t take long to collect the Bunsen Burners from the desks and switch the “windows” from a beautiful meadow, back to the cold brick that matches the rest of the classroom, but still I realise that I have started to rush my clean up. Like my kids, I don’t want to be out on the streets late tonight.

Stepping out onto the streets of the city always makes me thankful for my tiny, bricked classroom and the income that comes with it, despite how pathetic they both are. What were once proud streets, brimming with opportunity are now just cramped and wet. Tall towers stretch up for what seems like an eternity, piercing the rain clouds above. The buildings are all made from the same dull brick, with windows few and far between, after all who can afford to maintain such a luxury this far down? The uniformity of the walls makes it easy to spot the camera though, large yellow boxes, placed 2 stories up. Some times you would see one cracked or defaced, but rarely, after all the cameras were one of the few things looked after in this part of town. The worst part though, were the crowds. Where there weren’t people walking stood someone with their hands held out for change, poor souls whose only crime was being born in a time where there were more people than jobs. Every day there feels like there are more people out here, although I never seem to see the same face twice. I try to dispense what few coins I have into a few of the hands that I pass in the crowded street, but I never have enough and the constant push of people carries me down the water logged streets too fast. The woman who teaches the year below me blames anyone she can, the government, the rich or anyone with the tiniest bit of power. I’m just content with thanking god its not me.

I push through the crowds, looking for the taxi rank. As with most evenings, I choose the one a bit further from the school, hoping that I can avoid the long queues that will be inevitable tonight. The crowd has thinned, thankfully, so I am able to make good time on my walk and within a few minutes, I am at the small taxi rank. The rank is in a small alcove a the side of the street, with a metal roof providing shelter from the pouring rain. The shelter is long enough that 4 cars could park alongside it, although it is empty at the moment. Inside the shelter are small screens, each playing a repeating loop of adverts for a new film staring a range of generic, topless men and women doing something on a beach. People are huddled in groups, almost forming an informal cue but no one is talking to each other. As I reach the shelter, An argument breaks out at the front of the cue over who was there first, one man, a short rat faced man, makes some comment about the other’s mother and I watch as they get physical with each other. The second man, who must be twice the height of ratty has the advantage of stature and bulk, slamming meaty hands down at the others face. It is short, messy and leaves red stains across the pavement, and by the end it is clear that the the rat faced man will be waiting for the second taxi. My mother used to tell me that people would look out for each other in this city, but tonight, no one cares if they see another man beaten to a pulp, they just want to get home.

I take a spot under the shelter, beside an elderly couple who had huddled together under the gentleman coat, it looks like they only have the one between them. The rain seems to have slowed now and it has become easier to hear the sound of the city, that strange mix of shouting, sirens and a mishmash of different songs being played somewhere in the distance, Genevi always calls it the sounds of humanity, usually I just call it noise. She is probably back home by now, her gallery is much closer to the flat than the school, I just hope she's remembered pick up food, everywhere will be closed by the time I get back, its not like there is a polling booth in our neighbourhood, too unsafe they were told. Suddenly, something catches my hearing. The screens in the taxi rank are no longer showing the loop of adverts, now the screens have switched to the final party debate, aiming to swing any voters heading to the polls and to make us all feel “included” in the process. Usually they just bore me to death, no matter how hard the news reader tries to build it up. This time is different though because the guy on screen is a rockstar. 
 Sebastian Shaw, a name that must have been invented by committee, is the leader of a brand new political party. the Great British Freedom Party, or GBFP for short. Traditionally a small party like the GBFP would be completely forgettable, but Sebastian Shaw was determined to sell voters a dream. They promised to be tough on crime and bullish on a global scale, claimed they wanted to build the empire back up. Their opposition always argues with facts and figures but it always felt a little bit weak coming from the mouths of stuffy politicians. Shaw was young, attractive and charismatic, you wanted to believe him when he talked and people wanted to listen. Shaw the unemployed that he would magic up jobs from nowhere, he told the poor about the riches he could give them, how could people argue with that? Even if it would all fall apart in the end, it made for good television. The others along the taxi rank had stopped what they were doing and were all looking at the screens, everyone wanted to hear what Shaw was going to say, even Ratty with good running down his face. Pic1:http://www.genealogyintime.com/GenealogyResources/Wallpaper/Brick-Wall-Images/brick-wall-images-page01.html Pic2:http://bestanimations.com Pic3: Tumblr, can't find the source, if you see this and its yours let me know and i’ll credit you!