#tw technophobia

[lover-of-skellies]

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRspghkW/

[reidscanehand]

Based on this anonymous request: Congrats on 1.5k!! What about a Spencer blurb with fluff 11 and 15??

Thanks for the request, babe xx 

11.“Are you flirting with me?” “You finally noticed?”

15. “I just wanted to let you know that I think you’re beautiful.”

Spencer Reid x fem! Reader

Category: Fluffy Stuff here, folks

TW: nothing

This is agonizingly sweet. Also, I’m absolute crap at flirting, so I’m so sorry if it doesn’t exactly...come across as flirting? I mean, I would personally melt if someone did this for me, but to each their own, you know? This is based on this post, which I’ve wanted to use for a while, so this was the perfect opportunity. Anyway, this was a delight to write and the word count comes in at a cool 1632, which is the second lowest so far in this challenge , I hope it’s kind of fun to read. Love you lots xx 

Spencer is really embarrassed by the fact that his initial attraction to you is based upon the fact that you helped him connect his laptop to the school’s wifi. The romantic in him wishes that it had happened a different way, but either way, he’s just elated it happened. Elated he knows you. Elated he likes you as much as he does. And hopeful that you like him the same way. While your initial meeting hadn’t exactly been the sort of thing romance novelists would write home about, the way he recalls it is just as good as, if not moreso. 

He hadn’t really known what to do. His typical panic over meeting new people was only overridden by his panic surrounding his ridiculous technophobia. In this instant, he knows that it is absolutely necessary to get it resolved as quickly as possible. He’d done his best to resist using technology at all, but the university made it clear that it was expected for him to create online resources for his students. He actually hadn’t made the online resources, but had allowed Penelope to create something called a PowerPoint presentation for his students using his lecture notes. She’d even, out of the goodness of her heart, really, uploaded to the schools’ online database for him. She’d done absolutely everything for him, informing him that all he’d have to do was log onto the school’s wifi and login to his account. She’d even taken the liberty to write down these instructions in painstaking detail on one of his lilac sticky notes, leaving it inside his closed laptop. Except that it hadn’t worked. At all. He’d memorized the instructions, but pulled the lilac sticky note out again, determined to manage the situation on his own. Finally, with just eight minutes until his first class started, he’d taken a chance and darted into the lecture hall next to his. 

“Can I help you?” you’d asked, the gentility of your sweet voice calming his nerves instantly, thankfully. Because then Spencer looked at you fully for the first time and couldn’t remember how to breathe. The only thing his brain seemed able to recall was the word beautiful, repeating itself over and over again as he took in the sight of you for the first time. 

“H-Hi...hi,” he’d rasped when some air had finally deigned to fill his lungs again. He couldn’t get a grip on his voice, though. “H-h-hello, I’m-I’m D-d-”

“Oh, you must be Doctor Spencer Reid,” you’d gasped, oh so sweetly. “You’re the new criminology lecturer, right?” 

He couldn’t believe that you’d known who he was, that this celestially sweet and beautiful woman was aware of his existence. He wasn’t sure how, but he’d somehow managed a nod in response. You’d smiled at him understandingly and, upon seeing the laptop in his hands, your eyes had widened and you’d said, “Wifi troubles? It’s absolutely horrible in this part of the building. Would you mind if I took a look at it?” Still not functioning at full capacity, Spencer sort of managed to dumbly hold out his laptop. You’d taken it and with a few adorable grumbles and a few clicks, you’d hooked him up to the wifi, handing him back his laptop with a scintillating smile. And just when Spencer had thought his heart couldn’t take it anymore, you’d had the audacity to steal it away from him forever by suddenly saying, “That’s an incredible illustration of the war cart of Conrad Keyser in your PowerPoint, by the way.” 

And just like that his heart drops to his ass, “A-are you a criminology major?”

“No,” you giggle, self-consciously, “just a bit of a nerd.” 

He’d nodded dumbly, halfway out the door before he’d turned back and hurriedly said, “Oh, um...thank you for fixing my, um, computer...um…”

“Oh,” you’d gasped, “I’m Y/N, by the way, Y/N Y/L/N. I’m Dr. Hargreaves’ graduate teaching assistant, if you ever need anything.” 

After such a meeting, Spencer’s not quite sure how he made it through his first lecture, but he had. The students weren’t nearly as excited by the war cart as you’d been, but the interaction with you had him on cloud nine, a cloud he seemed to soar on the rest of the day. Dr. Hargreaves, as it turned out, was the oldest lecturer on campus. He taught classes about poetry and world literature to graduate students. Spencer actually watched the man lecture, which was really just an excuse to watch you take notes behind him. He’d come back a week later knowing that was the day you’d be giving a presentation on Arabic poetry. If you hadn’t somehow stolen his heart already, watching you lecture about something you loved so dearly would have been the tipping point. 

~~~

Spencer knows that he isn’t exactly...an adept flirt. But he’s known you for a few months now and he wants to ask you out, wants to date you if you’ll have him, but he’s not sure at all how to make that happen. However, Spencer’s less than stellar flirting skills are countered by above average profiling skills. And beyond the facts that you’re lovely and kind and have a fondness for Arabic poetry, you’re also a creature of habit. You drink your coffee in the same spot on campus every day (a small bench outside the liberal arts building), you park your car in the same spot every day, you eat one small green apple on your walk to class every day, and even study at the same table in the library every other afternoon. Spencer was a tad concerned that this plan might be...creepy, but he checked it through with Penelope, who was more than supportive. This morning he puts the plan into action,  distracting you in the teacher’s lounge, making small talk before slipping a note into your bag while your back is turned.

From his spot behind one of the columns on the liberal arts building, he sees you find it in your bag: a small, lilac sticky note that reads: “I would split open my heart with a knife, place you within and seal my wound, that you might dwell there and never inhabit another.” 

He watches your reaction. A sweet, elated smile glows over your face. You look around for whoever left the note and he ducks back to his hiding spot, grinning uncontrollably. 

The next afternoon from his spot behind the red car parked next to yours, he sees you find it in your windshield wipers where he’d placed it moments before: another small, lilac sticky note that reads: “Through her, in a rush of musk and saffron, beauty falls into disarray.” 

He watches your reaction. A sweet, elated smile glows over your face. You look around for whoever left the note and he ducks back to his hiding spot, grinning uncontrollably.

The following evening from his spot behind a shelf in the library, he sees you find it in your textbook where he’d placed it when he’d come by to say hi to you earlier that day: “I long for your hands, two doves that shade the blaze of my longing.” 

He watches your reaction. A sweet, elated smile glows over your face. You look around for whoever left the note and he ducks back to his hiding spot, grinning uncontrollably.

The next morning, he finds you in the teacher’s lounge and distracts you again, this time watching you place your daily apple into the fridge before moving to the counter to add creamer to your coffee. He quickly leans in, ostensibly to grab his water bottle, but sticking a note to your apple and turning it away from the door so that you won’t see it until you take it out later. As he finishes up his class, he looks at his watch, hoping he can make it outside to see you find today’s note. 

“Your handwriting is absolutely, delightfully heinous,” you say from the doorway of the lecture hall. 

“W-what do you...um...I mean, hi, Y/N,” he replies, awkwardly. He knew you were too smart to not eventually figure it out, hell, he wanted you to figure it out, he just hadn’t given much thought to what would happen when you did figure it out. 

“From the base of her neck to the arch of her eyelids, her beauty has made a slave of me?” you ask, reading off the lilac sticky note he’d attached to your apple earlier. “Is there a reason you're quoting Adūnīs on my apple?” 

Spencer swallows thickly before responding, not looking at you anymore, “I just wanted to let you know that I think you’re beautiful.” The delicate touch of your hands as they cup his jaw gives Spencer the strength to meet your gaze. 

“Are you flirting with me?” you ask quietly, a small smile tugging at your lips.

“I’m trying to,” he answers honestly. “I’m not...um, I’m not good at flirting and I know-I know how much you like Arabic poetry so I-” You cut him off by placing a quick, chaste kiss to his lips. 

“This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me,” you breathe, thumbs tracing the edge of his jaw. “And while I’m touched that you did this, you didn’t have to do anything special for me. I like you already, Spencer.”

“You like me?” he asks, his hands claiming a gentle purchase on your waist. 

“You finally noticed?” you giggle, smiling up at him. He returns your smile and presses his lips to yours again. And as you kiss him back, he’s fairly certain that not even the words of Adūnīs, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Al-Arabi, or Maisoon Saqr could describe how wonderful this is.

~~~

1.5k Celebration Blurb Master List

[albemarletradewinds]

Wind power has been recognized globally as a source of renewable energy and that’s why they are being employed globally. In recent years, Wind power has become increasingly popular because it generates electricity without burning fossil fuels or emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Despite the fact that wind turbines are a familiar sight in much of the U.S., wind power still accounts for an estimated 4% of the power sector. There’s no doubt about the immense potential for wind energy, in fact experts suggests that wind power can easily supply more than 20% of U.S. and world electricity. This article enumerates some of the arguments for and against wind energy to help you see its immense potential for the future. Many of the arguments against wind power follow a pattern. Many people dislike or fear advanced technology - technophobia. Some of the arguments against wind turbines include the following:

Costs

The high maintenance cost claimed by many is highly debatable. Both small residential wind turbines and utility-scale wind farms usually rely heavily on financial incentives. This is basically to give wind energy a fair chance in the fierce competition against already established energy sources like coal and fossil fuels. Just like the auto industry developed the automobile to what it is today, in time wind turbines will be a reliable energy source. It is also interesting to note that the prices have continually decreased over the years since 1980, up to 80% reduction in prices thanks to increased demand and technological advancements. Already in some parts of the world, wind is cheaper than gas or coal without subsidies.

Threat to Flying creatures

The chances of surviving a direct hit from a rotating wind turbine blade is very slim for bats, birds and other flying creatures. Conversely, some environmentalists have blown this issue out of proportions. Studies reported that U.S. Wind turbines results in an estimated 10,000 to 440,000 avian fatalities. However, the same study revealed that collisions with mirrored windows on buildings may result in the death of about 976 million birds. Furthermore in recent years, turbine designs have changed radically. The blades are now solid, implying that there are no lattice structures to attract birds looking to perch. Moreover, the surface area of the blades are much larger, hence they don’t have spin as fast as blades with smaller surface area to generate power. Modern design turbines are now mounted on tubular towers and their blades spin only about 15 times per minute. Slower-moving blades mean fewer bird collisions. 

3. Noise

For most people living in proximity of wind turbines, noise may be a problem because they are not quiet. The sounds wind turbines produce are usually foreign to the rural setting where they are often used. However, with the significant improvements in turbine technology since the 1980's, the noise has reduced considerably. The noise of wind turbines do not also obstruct normal daily activities, such as quietly talking to one’s neighbor. Latest designs show momentous improvements compared to previous models and produce less noise.

4. Looks

People have varying reactions to the sight of wind turbines, some people see elegant symbols of environmental progress and economic development of modern technology, while others might see industrial infringement in rural and natural landscapes. When compared to other major sources of energy (nuclear, solar and coal) wind turbines leave a smaller footprint on land. There are several ways by which this problem can be mitigated. Wind turbines may be built outside urban areas, painted with a neutral color or designing the turbine uniformly to minimize the visual impact.

Enormous Potential

As highlighted in the introduction of this article, wind power has an incredible potential in the next decade. Research revealed that the worldwide potential of wind power is more than 400 TW (terawatts).  Even though, wind power only accounts for a small percentage of the total worldwide electricity production, the capacity is increasing at an unbelievable rate of 25percent per year (2010). This will contribute to lowering costs.

In conclusion

The development of numerous large wind farms (both on and offshore) is on right at this moment, the future of wind power looks promising. It will be fascinating to see what lies in the future. The U.S. is working hard to produce at least 20% of its electricity by wind power by the year 2030. For the sake of our planet, rural economic revitalization, national security and resource preservation we must encourage a renewable energy economy. Wind energy can be a basis of that sustainable energy future because it is affordable, does not cause environmental pollution, generates hazardous wastes, or deplete natural resources. Embracing wind power today will lay the foundation for a healthy tomorrow. Technophobia is nothing new. In the early 1900's automobiles were frowned on by many because they scared the horses. One town even managed to keep cars out for nearly 20 years. Early automobiles were high maintenance, but look at how the auto industry improved the automobile into what it is today. Many folks thought that having their picture taken would steal their soul. In the late 1800's some preachers claimed demons were in phones, causing vandals to cut down telephone poles. There still are people who believe we never went to the moon. The uninformed Chicken Little's will always be among us claiming the sky is falling. Renewable energy is a long term plan to get us away from enriching unstable countries that treat women as property, harbor terrorists, and do not recognize human rights. Wind turbines will one day make a sizable portion of our electricity. It is just beginning of a new era in energy.

[mental-health-advice]

*Semi-Urgent, please answer in ~2 days please*

Eh, hi, it’s Cad again. Sorry for this nonsense submission.

Just an hour ago my parents ask me to teach them some internet things, and honestly I’m fed up with it. I learnt how to use internet on my own and it feels strange to teach it. I just can’t, i’ve taught them several times with same results, either they forget it or they didn’t care and i just like ‘you can do it on your own just do it without me, it’s not quantum physics or something’ but i can’t decline them or they will be mad at me. I just hate them if they ask me to teach things because they’re too slow for my pace but my brother teaches just at the perfect pace for them. I just want them to do things on their own, there’s google and a bunch of tutorial websites in our native language and why must me?

I also hate how I couldn’t use a laptop for 2 hours while my brother can for 5 hours because i broke mine and to repair it we must spend a lot if money (we’re not rich, more in the middle-low class) and they’ll be angry at me if i don’t obey their order to shut the laptop down. It’s not like I’ll broke the laptop again, i’ve learnt from my mistakes back then.

And on Saturday I’m going to school for the first time as a 9th grade student and i’m anxious because there’s some friend i want to avoid from being classmates anymore, and there’s this new national curriculum that urges me to speak my opinion but social anxiety still kicks in sometimes and i. Hate. It.

Advice please? -Cad

P.S : You guys rock i can’t believe you actually help and save people like me omg thank you so much

Well dear, hello first of all. I hope you’re doing well tonight!

I know how you feel. My mum is completely technophobic and sometimes seeks help from me when using the laptop. Sometimes the guides on the internet can be too complex, or written in a very belittling manner. I would suggest making a little book, with lots of screen shots and help on simple things, like opening the internet, getting google.com up, opening a word document etc. 

In regards to your parents not letting you on the laptop, maybe tell them that 2 hours isn’t enough time for you to do the things you would like to, and maybe work out a rota where you get say 2.5 hours a day for a week, then work it up to 3 hours, then 4 and then maybe unlimited? Just an idea.

Maybe say to your school guidance counsellor about making sure this person isn’t in your class. Also talk to your teacher about speaking your opinion. If you have to be marked or graded on your ability to speak out, maybe explain how you find it difficult to do that, and if you could figure out another way of getting the marks.

Let me know how you get on, and if you need me, just message the page!

Stay safe <3

Love, Aisling