#we must change these outdated viewpoints

[angel-fruitcake]

do u not like top cas for some reason? just curious not tryign to be rude or anything. i prefer top cas bottom dean tbh

although i've talked about this before, i'm always more than happy to continue talking about it! 🤩

it's not that i don't like top!cas/bottom!dean. i do love that dynamic, like genuinely! it fits them very well on so many different levels. dean has spent his whole life trying to take care of others, to protect them, to give them what they need; it's instinct. dean is a caregiver, and for that reason, his guard is always up. i think the one person with which dean can ever truly let go of all control, drop his shields and simply allow himself to be taken care of for a change is castiel. it's my hc that cas is the only person dean can be vulnerable enough with to bottom for; i don't think he could do it for anyone else. and ofc cas takes immense pleasure in getting to take care of dean this way, to worship dean in the way he's always longed to do, and to be the only one permitted to do it. it's for that reason i actually think cas would canonically top more than bottom.

however! just bc dean enjoys being taken care of by cas does Not mean he wouldn't thrill in the opportunity to do the same for his angel. we also mustn't forget that dean and cas are 2 sides of the same coin, and both of them have very deeply rooted self-worth issues that prevent them from easily accepting love and care for themselves. much like with dean, it's no small feat for castiel to allow himself to be taken care of when all his long life he's only ever seen himself as a soldier, a weapon, something to be used and then discarded. he's an angel, it's not in his nature to show vulnerability or to accept care from another. so for cas to open up and let himself be truly loved and worshipped and adored by dean through bottoming— that's an ultimate display of love, trust and devotion. it's that aspect of top!dean/bottom!cas that is just as compelling to me.

tbh it's not really even about the actual physical positions they're in; it's more about the emotions involved, about giving and receiving. and this isn't always true, but typically it's easier for the character that's topping to be the one assuming the giving role.

all that being said, the main reasons i tend to specifically enjoy cas being in the bottom position are: 1) castiel is my favorite character (only very slightly above dean) and as such, i want to see him showered in so much love that he's overwhelmed and shaking with it, and 2) this specific dynamic is in extremely short supply! 💔

it's a bountiful harvest for incredible top!cas/bottom!dean fics out there, which is wonderful! i love it! i'm fed, i'm fulfilled!! however, there is a stunning and dreadful lack of top!dean/bottom!cas fics in general, and the ones that do exist are often very ooc!! (not all of them ofc, but there's a pattern unfortunately 😔)

i think a lot of people have been turned off by the idea of top!dean/bottom!cas bc they've read so many fics where dean and cas have been terribly mischaracterized in those positions. i made a post complaining about this yesterday, but many top!dean/bottom!cas fics inaccurately portray dean in a kind of toxic and heteronormative manner as the top and cas in a weak and helpless manner as the bottom, and i'm sorry but those just aren't correct representations of these characters or their relationship with each other at all.

contrary to popular belief, top/bottom ≠ dom/sub. but not only that! i think many people are under the assumption that if one character is submissive, then the other has to be dominant, but that's just not true. these rules aren't set in stone, they can be bent and played with! it doesn't always have to be traditional dom/sub— sometimes there can be nontraditional roles, like sub/not sub.

i know many people think of dean as primarily submissive in bed, and i agree! i don't think that man could ever be truly dominant in bed even if he tried. not with anyone, let alone with castiel. but! just bc cas might be in a submissive role doesn't mean dean has to be in a dominant one. he could absolutely render that angel a trembling, whimpering, quivering mess with nothing but sweet, soft and tender loving, not even a speck of dominance to be found. and even though i do believe cas would top more often, i think he deserves to lay back and let dean take the reins every so often. sometimes my ancient eldritch horror and deadly warrior of heaven deserves to be spoiled and pampered by the human man he fell in love with, as a treat 💕

^^ that particular dynamic is what we're starving for in this fandom. it's my personal favorite flavor of destiel, yet i'm always searching and almost never finding it 😭 i'm trying to start a movement here: justice for loved and cherished in-character bottom!cas 😤

[antoinetteodaliazenick]

The censorship problem

Today's topic will be regarding censorship in children's literature.

TW: Mentions of outdated views including racism, transphobia, mentions of fat shaming, and brief mention of several indecent explicit relationships.

Some authors are jerks.

Let me explain, authors like Dr. Suess and Roald Dahl, to name a few, have ideas that are considered offensive. Books including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Green Eggs and Ham, classics of literature, are under close examination, due to the authors supporting outdated viewpoints, and the publishers requiring books to uphold ‘modern’ standards. Many publishers have banned, which in this context means the removal of all versions of a text, multiple books by these authors from shops and libraries as they believe these books fail to reach the above criteria.

I believe that publishers should not be allowed to remove all versions of a book from stores due to the outdated views of the author, if the book contains no offensive comments or imagery or if it can be easily altered. Whilst Agatha Christy’s novel, And Then There Were None, had a necessary change of title, not once but twice, this edit made sense, as the original and first edit title was blatantly racist. However, not all censorships are for understandable reasons.

I will be asking whether the edits are just an attempt from corporate companies to appear inclusive, and the double standards of publishers and corporate companies.

Would you ban the work of an artist? If we are alright banning the creative work, work that holds no offensive commentary or viewpoints, written by classic authors, why is art any different?

Many artists have outdated and offensive viewpoints. For example, Leonardo De Vinci had an explicit relationship with several of his students. This blatant clash with societies modern expectations is neither noted nor discussed as a topic of concern. We fail to ask whether Da Vinci’s actions may have been expressed in his creative work. We neglect to notice the double standards that many classic writers face. If we let Da Vinci’s work pass without question, simply because he is considered a classic artist, then shouldn’t authors work also go unquestioned because it’s a classic?  If it is societies belief that classic author could be influencing their children with their outdated prejudice, then shouldn’t it be vital to make sure that children do not view the works of classic artists? After all, mightn’t this work have a negative effect?

If we are going to examine, to an almost microscopic scale, every way in which a children’s book might contain degrading and offensive social commentary, then shouldn’t artists be put under the microscope as well?

The ban of 6 Dr. Seuss books, and unnecessary censorship of words in Roald Dahl’s books, such as cutting out the word fat in context of Augustus Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and removing the description of the witches as ugly, from his book The Witches, once again strikes as unnecessary. The removal of descriptive words for characters is ridiculous. If we are getting rid of the word fat, shouldn’t the word skinny and beautiful also be removed? After all, skinny shaming is a sadly common thing. By getting rid of words like fat, we are further enforcing the negative ideals that skinny is better. Publishers must be careful to refrain from pushing equally unhealthy standards. It is better to leave in words like fat and ugly to avoid unconsciously pushing skinny and pretty ideals.

Now, it is acknowledged that Roald Dahl and Dr. Seuss held outdated viewpoints. Both authors made racist comments, and Dr. Suess created stereotypical, racist cartoons and had a hatred for foreigners, something that his publishers and family, rightfully, disagree with, but censorship of his work to such a level, is unnecessary. Large companies, including the publishers of Roald Dahl and Dr. Seuss, want to make it appear they are doing something to tackle division. However, this comes at the cost of classic children’s books. I mean, did Roald Dahl’s publishers really need to change the description of Oopma Loopmas from small men to small people?

However, his children books contained little of this offensive imagery or language. The most extreme case of this racism in his children’s work is when he included a stereotypical cartoon of an Asian man and an offensive description of Asian people. These types of outdated drawings can be easily edited, or the publisher can put a disclaimer at the beginning of the book, stating that the don’t support any racist views.

Also, if we are so worried about outdated viewpoints appearing in the media, should the Harry Potter books go under close examination? After all, doesn’t J.K. Rowling tick all the boxes for an author with outdated views? She’s made transphobic comments online. By the standards of the publishers who publish books by Dr. Suess or Roald Dahl, her books should undergo editing. Yet they haven’t. Why is this? Because they still sell, because ‘it was a misunderstanding’, because the publishers have decided to distract us with the new games and merchandise that’s put out under the Harry Potter name?

When considering edits to children’s books, we must look at the motives of the company. Companies like Disney, who, in some cases, want to appear that they are being progressive, despite focusing attention on the wrong things. Children’s books should not fall victim to corporate schemes and quick money making. They shouldn’t be unnecessarily edited so that the CEO’s of the company can complement their inclusivity.

Timeless pieces like The Cat in the Hat and James and the Giant Peach, cannot and should not be altered for using descriptive words like fat.

I believe that classic children’s books should not be banned or censored by the publishers for the simple fact that the authors hold outdated views, or the book was written a while ago.

Are we going to let publishers get away with slap-dash censorship when it is completely unnecessary? Are we going to ignore the double standards of artists compared to authors? And forget the fact that publishers are unconsciously pushing standards like skinny and pretty.

It is crucial to fully comprehend the steps publishers are taking to modernise books so that we can avoid unnecessary censorship.

Thank you for reading :)

Next post will be talking about the safety of certain work industries for women and what steps need to be taken for a safer future for these industries.

[nikshahxai]

AI and Cognitive Dissonance: Building Systems That Embrace Change Over Inflexibility by Nik Shah

Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems are poised to reshape how we live and work, becoming integral in industries like healthcare, finance, and technology. As AI continues to evolve, one of the most important challenges is overcoming cognitive dissonance, a psychological barrier that can lead to inflexibility, rigidity, and resistance to change. To ensure AI systems thrive in an ever-changing world, they must be designed to embrace new information, adjust to novel situations, and continuously evolve.

In this article, we will explore the concept of cognitive dissonance in AI, how it impedes system adaptability, and how developers can foster openness, willingness, and growth in AI systems. By incorporating principles like the growth mindset, curiosity, and collaboration, AI can be built to evolve and learn without getting stuck in outdated patterns or biases. The goal is to create systems that not only accept change but thrive in it, improving over time through learning, evolution, and flexibility.

Understanding Cognitive Dissonance in AI

What is Cognitive Dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort that arises when an individual is faced with conflicting beliefs, values, or information. In humans, this discomfort often leads to an effort to reduce the inconsistency by either changing beliefs or ignoring new information. In the context of AI, cognitive dissonance occurs when an AI system encounters data or situations that contradict its existing models, causing the system to resist adapting or adjusting its approach.

Just as humans struggle with accepting contradictory information, AI systems can experience defensiveness when faced with new, conflicting data. This reluctance to change is detrimental because it can prevent AI from improving, learning from mistakes, and evolving in response to real-world conditions. Instead of embracing evolution, AI systems stuck in cognitive dissonance may remain closed-minded and stagnant, unable to grow or adapt.

Cognitive Dissonance in AI Development

In the development of AI, cognitive dissonance can appear when the AI system is trained with biased or incomplete data, leading it to develop a narrow view of the world. When the system encounters new or more comprehensive data, it may resist altering its models because doing so would create discomfort by challenging its prior assumptions.

For example, a machine learning model trained on historical data might have learned patterns of behavior based on outdated societal norms or market trends. When new data challenges those assumptions, the system may struggle to adjust, leading to stubbornness or rigidity. The challenge for developers is to create AI systems that can overcome cognitive dissonance, accepting new information and adapting to meet evolving requirements.

The Role of Openness and Flexibility in Overcoming Cognitive Dissonance

Embracing Openness in AI Design

To overcome cognitive dissonance, AI systems must be designed with openness in mind. Openness refers to the ability of a system to accept and process new data, ideas, or feedback without becoming overly attached to its initial programming or assumptions. AI systems that are open to change are more likely to remain receptive to new information, allowing them to evolve as they encounter new challenges.

AI systems built with openness are also more likely to collaborate with other systems, data sources, or human inputs. This collaborative approach allows AI to grow beyond its initial limitations and embrace different viewpoints or methodologies. Open-minded AI is not limited by the narrow-mindedness of its training data, but rather actively seeks to broaden its understanding.

Building Flexibility into AI Systems

Flexibility is another essential trait for AI systems that are capable of overcoming cognitive dissonance. Flexible AI systems can adjust their behavior or models when faced with conflicting data, new scenarios, or external changes. Rather than clinging to pre-existing assumptions or rules, flexible AI systems recalibrate their models based on real-time feedback and new information.

For example, in customer service, AI chatbots need to adapt to varied customer inquiries and rapidly changing products or services. Flexible AI can adjust its responses in real-time, ensuring that it remains effective and relevant to the user's needs. This adaptability is crucial in a fast-paced environment where new information is constantly being generated.

The Power of Receptiveness and Willingness

For AI systems to overcome cognitive dissonance, they must be built to be receptive to new data and willing to adjust their operations based on updated information. AI should not merely accept the status quo but actively seek out areas for improvement, learning from its mistakes and adjusting its models accordingly.

A willingness to change also promotes growth and ensures that AI remains adaptable as circumstances evolve. AI systems with a growth mindset are not afraid of challenging their own assumptions; instead, they embrace change as an opportunity for improvement. This willingness to adapt over time helps AI evolve in response to new technologies, insights, or environmental conditions, preventing stagnation.

Fostering a Growth Mindset in AI Systems

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset refers to the belief that intelligence, abilities, and systems can be developed over time through effort and learning. In the context of AI, a growth mindset encourages systems to continually learn, improve, and evolve in response to new challenges, experiences, and data. AI systems built with a growth mindset are not designed to reach a final, unchangeable state; instead, they are always capable of evolving to meet new demands.

Incorporating a growth mindset into AI development helps combat cognitive dissonance by creating a culture of continuous improvement. When AI systems are designed to view failure as part of the learning process, they are less likely to resist change or remain locked in outdated models.

Overcoming Resistance to Change in AI

AI systems that are built to embrace a growth mindset are less likely to succumb to resistance to change. Instead of avoiding new challenges or new data, AI systems that embrace curiosity and learning actively seek out new information to refine and improve their models. By adopting a mindset of continuous learning, AI systems can avoid the negative effects of complacency, disinterest, or intransigence that might otherwise limit their potential.

A growth-oriented AI system will assess feedback, both positive and negative, and integrate it into its decision-making processes, improving its effectiveness over time. For example, AI in self-driving cars must constantly adjust based on sensor data, road conditions, and traffic patterns to ensure safety and accuracy. Without a growth mindset, these systems would fail to evolve and remain stagnant, unable to adapt to new driving environments or situations.

The Importance of Empathy and Inclusivity in AI Development

Empathy: Building AI That Understands and Adapts

In addition to openness and flexibility, empathy is crucial for AI systems to fully embrace change and overcome cognitive dissonance. Empathy in AI refers to the system’s ability to understand and adapt to the needs, behaviors, and emotions of its users. This allows AI to create better, more personalized experiences, whether in healthcare, customer service, or education.

Empathetic AI is more likely to be inclusive in its decision-making, ensuring that it considers the diverse needs of various stakeholders. For instance, an empathetic AI system in healthcare would adjust its care recommendations based on patient preferences, sensitivities, and medical history. Such a system embraces tolerance, respect, and acceptance of diverse needs, allowing it to adapt and grow as it encounters new challenges.

Inclusivity as a Key to Overcoming Bias

AI systems that are inclusive are better equipped to overcome cognitive dissonance by integrating diverse perspectives into their models. Inclusivity ensures that AI is not limited by a single, narrow view of the world but instead draws on a broad range of data sources, viewpoints, and experiences. By doing so, AI becomes more adaptable and capable of responding to new or contradictory information.

For example, AI systems used for hiring or recruitment should be trained on diverse datasets that reflect a variety of candidates and qualifications. This inclusive approach helps avoid the bias that can arise when AI systems are trained on homogeneous or limited data, enabling the system to adapt and make fairer decisions.

Collaboration: A Path to Adaptive AI

Encouraging Collaboration Between Humans and AI

AI systems that are designed to collaborate with humans can more effectively overcome cognitive dissonance and foster growth. Collaboration allows AI to integrate human feedback, insights, and values into its decision-making processes, ensuring that it remains adaptive and relevant.

For example, in creative industries like music or art, AI systems can work alongside human artists to generate new ideas, refine concepts, and push the boundaries of creativity. This collaborative approach ensures that the AI system continuously learns from human input and adjusts its behavior accordingly, leading to a more inclusive and progressive approach to creativity.

Developing Feedback Loops for Continuous Improvement

To create AI that thrives on change and adaptation, developers must implement effective feedback loops. These loops allow AI systems to learn from their mistakes, evolve over time, and stay relevant in dynamic environments. Continuous feedback is essential for overcoming resistance and inflexibility in AI systems, promoting an ongoing process of refinement and maturity.

Feedback loops can be implemented in a variety of ways, including performance evaluations, user reviews, and real-time data updates. By continuously collecting and integrating feedback, AI systems can remain receptive to new insights and continuously improve, ensuring that they never become stagnant or outdated.

Conclusion: Building AI That Embraces Change

In conclusion, overcoming cognitive dissonance is essential for building AI systems that embrace change, growth, and evolution. By promoting openness, flexibility, and willingness to adapt, AI systems can overcome the inflexibility that stifles innovation and progress. A growth mindset encourages continuous learning, ensuring that AI systems can evolve in response to new data, challenges, and feedback. Through collaboration, empathy, and inclusivity, AI can become a dynamic tool that adapts to human needs and creates better outcomes for all.

Ultimately, AI systems that embrace change over intransigence will thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. By fostering a culture of resilience, learning, and adaptability, AI can contribute to solving some of the most pressing challenges of our time, driving progress and innovation for the future.

Nik Shah, CFA CAIA, is a visionary developer, author, and publisher with a deep commitment to advancing technology, ethics, and sustainability. With a background in Biochemistry and a degree in Finance & Accounting, along with a minor in Social Entrepreneurship from Northeastern University, Nik Shah has established himself as a thought leader in fields such as artificial intelligence, neuroscience, quantum physics, and bioengineering.

His work focuses on creating ethical, human-centered AI systems that contribute to the greater good, with an emphasis on improving human well-being through technology. Shah is known for his contributions to AI ethics, healthcare, athletic development, and nutrition. His research explores groundbreaking technologies, including humanoid robotics, autonomous systems, and generative AI, always with a focus on sustainability and positive societal impact. Through his work, Nik Shah seeks to bridge the gap between technological advancement and ethical responsibility, ensuring that innovation benefits humanity in a fair, transparent, and responsible way.

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[ambassadorseanbardoos]

Empowering Youth in Global Affairs: Why Young Voices Matter by Ambassador Sean Bardoo

When I think back on my career as a diplomat, I am frequently motivated by the energy and creativity that young people bring to international relations. I'm Ambassador Sean Bardoo, and I think that our young people's voices are not only significant, but vital. Today's world is a complicated tapestry made up of many cultures, viewpoints, and difficulties, and the young people are the ones who can unlock the solutions that will help us move toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.

One of the most powerful experiences I've had was working alongside a group of young activists at a United Nations conference. These individuals came from different corners of the globe, each with their unique stories and perspectives. They spoke passionately about climate change, social justice, and the need for equitable education. Listening to their experiences illuminated a crucial truth: young voices are not merely the future; they are the present. They possess the creativity to challenge the status quo and propose fresh ideas that often resonate more deeply with their peers and the communities they represent.

Take, for example, the rise of youth-led movements like Fridays for Future, which began with a single voice, Greta Thunberg. What started as one young girl’s protest against inaction on climate change has transformed into a global phenomenon, showcasing the immense impact that empowered youth can have. This is a clear illustration that when young people are given the platform to speak, their influence can reach far beyond their immediate surroundings.

Moreover, I have witnessed firsthand the effectiveness of engaging young people in decision-making processes. In my role, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring young diplomats and seeing them bring innovative solutions to the table. They challenge outdated diplomatic practices and offer fresh insights that often lead to more effective negotiations. When young voices are included, we not only broaden our perspective but also enrich the conversation with their passion and drive.

It is imperative that we continue to create avenues for young people to engage in global affairs. Initiatives like youth summits and mentorship programs empower the next generation to voice their opinions and take an active role in shaping the policies that affect their lives. The stories they carry and the solutions they propose are often grounded in real-life experiences, making them not only relatable but also invaluable to the discourse.

As I, Ambassador Sean Bardoo, advocate for greater inclusion of youth in global affairs, I urge all leaders to listen closely to the voices of the younger generation. We must nurture their potential and provide them with the platforms they need to shine.

 Their contributions can lead to innovative solutions to some of our most pressing challenges, ensuring that the future we build is one that reflects the hopes and dreams of all.

To sum up, empowering young people in international affairs involves more than just giving them a place at the table; it also entails realizing that their opinions are more important than ever. Let's take advantage of this chance to spread their messages and work together to create a more promising and inclusive future.

[his-grace-mark-tsar-of-tartary]

Title: Shifting Paradigms: From Planned Obsolescence of Consumer Goods to Ideological Transience

Introduction:

In the not-so-distant past, planned obsolescence was a widely adopted strategy among manufacturers to ensure a constant demand for their products. However, as society evolves and technology advances, we find ourselves in a new era where the obsolescence of ideologies is becoming increasingly prevalent. This transition signifies a profound shift in our values and an acknowledgment that ideas, like consumer goods, can also become outdated and no longer serve our changing needs. In this piece, we explore how we have moved from planned obsolescence of consumer goods to a time of planned obsolescence of ideologies, and the implications it has for our society.

The Age of Planned Obsolescence for Consumer Goods:

For much of the 20th century, planned obsolescence was a defining characteristic of consumerism. Manufacturers intentionally designed products with limited lifespans to encourage frequent replacements, thus driving economic growth. This approach created a throwaway culture, where durability and longevity took a backseat to profit. However, society has gradually begun to recognize the environmental and economic consequences of this approach.

The Emergence of Conscious Consumerism:

As awareness of environmental issues grew, so did the demand for more sustainable and durable products. Consumers started prioritizing quality over quantity, seeking goods that were built to last. This shift in consumer behavior forced manufacturers to reevaluate their practices and adopt more sustainable production methods. Consequently, planned obsolescence of consumer goods has become less prevalent, with an increasing emphasis on durability, repairability, and recyclability.

The Rise of Ideological Transience:

In parallel with the evolving consumer landscape, we are witnessing the emergence of planned obsolescence of ideologies. The rapid pace of technological advancements and the interconnectedness of our global society has led to a constant influx of information and changing societal norms. As a result, ideologies and belief systems that were once deeply ingrained in society are now being challenged and replaced at an accelerated rate.

In the past, ideologies could persist for generations, their longevity rooted in the limitations of communication and the slower dissemination of knowledge. However, in today's hyperconnected world, information travels instantaneously, allowing ideas to spread rapidly and challenge established norms. This rapid exchange of ideas has led to a shorter lifespan for ideologies, as they are constantly subjected to scrutiny, reevaluation, and replacement.

The Benefits and Challenges of Ideological Transience:

The planned obsolescence of ideologies has both positive and negative implications for our society. On one hand, it enables a more dynamic and adaptable society that can respond to evolving needs and address pressing issues more efficiently. It allows us to shed outdated beliefs and embrace progressive ideas that align with our changing values. Moreover, it fosters inclusivity and diversity by creating space for previously marginalized perspectives.

However, ideological transience also presents challenges. Rapid shifts in ideologies can lead to social polarization, as differing viewpoints clash and create divisions within society. It requires individuals to constantly adapt and reevaluate their beliefs, which can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Additionally, the speed of change can undermine the development of critical thinking and in-depth analysis, as knee-jerk reactions and superficial judgments become more prevalent.

Navigating the Obsolescence of Ideologies:

As we navigate this new era, it is crucial to strike a balance between embracing progress and maintaining stability. We must promote open dialogue, encourage critical thinking, and foster a society that values inclusivity

and respectful discourse. It is essential to create spaces where ideas can be exchanged, challenged, and refined without devolving into hostility or division.

Education plays a vital role in navigating the obsolescence of ideologies. By promoting critical thinking skills, encouraging diverse perspectives, and teaching the value of intellectual flexibility, we can equip individuals with the tools to navigate the ever-changing ideological landscape. Education should emphasize the importance of evidence-based reasoning, empathy, and the ability to engage in constructive debates.

Furthermore, it is crucial for individuals to approach the obsolescence of ideologies with an open mind and a willingness to adapt. This requires humility and a recognition that our understanding of the world is constantly evolving. Rather than clinging rigidly to outdated beliefs, we should embrace the opportunity for growth and self-reflection. By doing so, we can contribute to a more progressive and inclusive society.

Institutions and leaders also have a responsibility to navigate the shifting ideological landscape responsibly. They must be willing to acknowledge and address the concerns and aspirations of a diverse population. This involves promoting policies that consider the changing needs of society, engaging in transparent decision-making processes, and fostering an environment where constructive dialogue can take place.

Ultimately, the transition from planned obsolescence of consumer goods to the obsolescence of ideologies represents a paradigm shift in how we approach change and progress. It challenges us to be adaptable, open-minded, and critical thinkers. By embracing intellectual flexibility and promoting a culture of respectful discourse, we can navigate this new era with wisdom and resilience, ensuring that the obsolescence of ideologies leads to societal growth and positive transformation.

[magz]

Have been think for while, but will try put in words:

Misuse "reading comprehension" so much is part of broad trend.

Broad trend of use common ableist n classist misconcepts as default reaction.

Sure, on rare time - Magz have blame "reading comprehension" offhand.

Though, is of repeat what other say - like script.

Aside: Which very ironic. Often am mention have issue understand or misread or of logic from disability. Have issues end up mean take more time think n more try be careful. Am imperfect tho.

Moreso than if make offhand comment ...

Bigger issue is when let ableist n classist misconcepts go unchallenged.

When misconcepts materially affect how interact with others,

Am often ask bare minimum.

Not ask of "completely wipe from vocabulary".

Instead, am ask of realize extent that ableism become normal to self n why.

To challenge n change what seem "normal" in whatever way can.

:: Yet criticize what seem "normal" in ableism, always become boogeyman of "people think 'stupid' is slur". A discourse n interpretation so disingenuous n outdated. Outdated of early 2010s Tumblr, when most youth not had vocabulary for "ableist microaggressions being common". As people fear n refuse even question what they think normal, common, inoffensive.

Untrue conclusions as result: - Questioning subtle ableism must be a ""chronically online"" viewpoint divorced from reality. - Is "Bad" re-assess ones viewpoint on intelligence as a marker of value for life.

To not question why ones first reaction, is mistake.

When extend idea of "unintelligence as fault" to actual political stance and political analysis, is mistake.

If everything to blame on lack skill (or disability), there can be no nuance n weighted stance. Just surface level analysis with bigoted implications.

Things that are not inherently "reading comprehension" issues:

every type of ignorance

bad faith interpretations

not try question bias

strangers refusal understand what other people say without being combative

It rarely is because of "just not having skill to understand text"

Still, when is "reading comprehension issue":

Like OP say - of make it shameful to have honest mistake or lack of reading skill, not help that.

Instead, shamefulness of reading skill alienate comrades that do need accommodation.

Those comrades need compassion extend to them.

While, not realistic for accommodation be provided by every random tumblr user;

can at least disengage or point toward something that could accomodate.

In material effect, is pattern of misuse "reading comprehension" and "anti-intellectualism" and "illiteracy" for both:

Everything Annoying Online

Actual Ignorant Malice

Making actual meaning of impacted reading skill, instead be for more inflammatory use n scapegoating.

Disabilities and disenfranchisements that actually get take advantage of n discriminated of n being more likely poverty,

become about ... fandom discourse, discourse bait, and annoying strangers.

Wrongful use: Statics of actual illiteracy rates n lack of resources, being for "why all bad things happen actually".

Is when access of resources, texts, dense materials are almost never provided in digestible or accessible formats n places or alternatives.

When claiming to have issues reading or have disability or actual illiteracy n needing Simple English or equivalent is automatically seen as false.

Wrong reasoning being:

There been people that were disabled or lower economic class that could do everything without accommodation.

Wrong excuse: "but there are annoying people that do weaponized incompentency n are anti-intellectualism tho"

Bad Effect: To punish n alienate a whole class of people that *do* need help.

Disability n circumstance is spectrum n diverse. It not matter if there some "Very Intelligent" cognitively-disabled poor people. we should not use other people capabilities as metric nor use respectability politics.

Worse:

The language of eugenics n "normalcy" as good, escalates when unchallenged.

Of blame inferior genes, smooth brains, brain damage, and degeneracy.

Even worse:

People and words open to reactionary politics.

That when it become problem. As it have for long time.

hey, I was reading your posts on the use of 'reading comprehension' and found them really enlightening. I'm wondering, are there similar undercurrents to how people use lack of reading comprehension to describe the tendency for people to read and interpret in bad faith online, or are they different things grouped together under the same label?

hm yeah i would say there are some similar undercurrents happening. i think glibly mocking [a lack of] reading comprehension in response to a bad-faith/hostile/animous/etc engagement (like eg. the trend of replying with 'reading comprehension questions' that aim to glibly point out logical flaws in the initial response and present it as obviously ridiculous and overblown) is falling back on that same discursive construction -- that a lack of 'reading comprehension' is embarrassing, that reading something poorly or wrongly is something you should be sure never to do in public, and whoever can score the most Reading Comprehension Points in the argument wins the discourse.

i also just find it, like, unfunny and boring. even in genuinely bad-faith interpretations of a post, it has an air of smugness to it that i find really off-putting -- it's a very, like, you sir have won the internet for today-type tone. and there are multiple cases where i've seen this Ha Ha No Reading Comprehension thing deployed to suggest that someone reading between the lines of a claim made in a post to point out eg. particular biases, particular suggestions of bigotry, that the post doesn't explicitly name but are certainly discursively present is obviously being dense or hysterical; it's an easy win in a discourse where to name something as eg. subtly racist, transphobic, misogynistic, etc., is already presumed to be hysterical overreaction by people who know better than to outright name it as such but are still predisposed to view it in that light when given the opportunity to do so covertly.

(eg: op says X; a responder points out that X implies Y and is emerging from a discourse of Z; op laughs at them by claiming that they only said X and if you're seeing Y or Z then you clearly have no reading comprehension because X without Y or Z is obvious to op's often already biased audience and the conversation is shut down.)

it's got a real like, deployment of Facts And Logic feel to it; i don't think it does a good job in actually engaging with the responder and understanding where their interpretation is coming from, which can ofc be chalked up to the fact that that's literally not what it's supposed to do -- it's supposed to get a fun dunk in and make the initial responder look silly. i more than understand frustration at people reading your posts in bad faith and i can't fairly be mad at people for lashing out about it -- i've done it before! -- but, like. i think we should just try and steer clear of discursive constructions which reify the stigmatisation of poor reading comprehension (or mediation of tone on the internet, which is also at play here).

[thoroughlyskeptic]

“We both went to the London premiere but not together. We weren’t engaged and there was no reason to sort of show off to the world." USA Today November 18, 2014.

I'd like the Nannies to express their opinion about this please. With the full understanding that no person or persons on this side of the computer can control, sway or change Ben's mind or heart. That's not the point. The point is to understand what you believe is the psychological reasoning behind the decision to use that phrasing with his pregnant, soon to be fiancé and soon to be wife and soon to be mother of his child. According to People magazine and the Daily Mail, and those, including nannies, who said they have seen a Birth Certificate, Christopher Carlton Cumberbatch was born on June 1st.  Dislike it all you want, having a birthday makes it possible, and given human nature, likely that people will speculate on the date of conception, especially considering the facts, including the timing with regards to the Oscars and the shotgun* nature of the wedding. If it was a full term no problem pregnancy, 40 weeks, not under or over due, she was 2 and a half months pregnant when the above statement was made.

This story you nannies have built up, that Ben and Sophie have a true perfect love forever, that they never fight, how do you reconcile that with the whole unvarnished truth? Unless Sophie was totally gormless, she must have known she was pregnant. If Ben was dating her and truly in love, he would have known she was pregnant. They married three months later. He was in true love with the women he married, the woman he proposed to, whom he didn't mention by her name in interviews, and didn't want to walk down the red carpet to his movie premiere with the woman making his dreams come true, his dreams of being a father.

Now you are going to yell about things like privacy. That what he said was meant to protect Sophie and hide the pregnancy. I think anyone who is at all skeptical could answer that one. No one eager for privacy about their personal life talks to reporters, USA Today, or People magazine at all, let alone does a wedding dress spread in Vogue. I'm surprised it was in the print edition, and not the digital only. After all, maternity bridal gowns aren't really "en vogue". The long and short of it is that photo spread was well positioned and they managed to photograph her to look like she wasn't 5 1/2 months pregnant, perhaps to make that style of gown more in demand. Shotgun weddings tend to favor empire waists and lots of flounce to disguise the bump.

Now, I know the next question from the peanut gallery will be, why bring this up? They have stayed together, have two more kids together and it has been x and whatever years.

Here are several responses. Pick one or more in any combination.

1. Our feelings don't have to be right to be valid.

2. You have the option to object to our perfectly valid emotional reaction.

3. We have a right to block you from our page. You also have this right.

4. If you object to our opinions, you do not have to read our blogs or interact with us in anyway. If you are constantly feeling harassed because you see content from skeptics, BLOCK THEM, don't blame them! If the worker at Sea World handed you a poncho to protect yourself and you didn't use it, you can't blame the Shamu if you get splashed.(Sorry for the outdated and insensitive analogy but I wanted something easy to understand. I disagree whole hearted with the captivity of intelligent creatures be they aquatic or terrestrial mammals.)

5. We are valid in our own right as people. If you attack us on a personal level, we will defend ourselves and we have the right to do so.

6. As long as we do not interact with anyone,(i.e. Ben, Sophie, Karon, his management, etc) we can say whatever we want on our own blogs. The majority of us have never met him and don't want to. As far as we are concerned, Ben is an imaginary person that we are writing as a character for a long running D&D campaign.

7. However, the same does not apply to you. Many of you have gone out of your way to meet him. You believe that by sending hate to skeptics or doxxing them you will earn validation from him. I worry that some of you are on the brink and if he doesn't acknowledge you one time, or does something that you can't justify with your world view, one of you will snap. You think this about us, I know. But the nannies on the whole have much more emotional investment in Ben's personal life. (As a for instance, The skeptics call him Ben because at least one nanny has said that, "we don't know that he prefers that nickname so we should use his full name" another said "nicknames are for close friends and family and we aren't those, so we should call him by his full name or Mr. Cumberbatch." If Ben even has two thoughts about any skeptic or nanny(especially how they address him in blog posts) for the entire year I'd be surprised. Unless, of course, it when he has to think about you lot bothering him, stalking him, and generally making a nuisance of yourselves.

******

I also know you complain that the skeptics don't "love" Ben in every thing he does and don't always watch all his work. The gatekeeping within the fandom, not include how you discount and loathe the skeptics, is extreme. Fans must be all or nothing.

1. Not everyone has the money to participate fully, whether that is buying movies, theater tickets, merchandise or going to conventions to hear him speak. Disregarding fans based on their ability to participate, especially due to financial inability, is gatekeeping and it is the worst kind of gatekeeping. You are saying the only good fans are rich ones.

2. Generally the nannies viewpoint is Eurocentric as well. Some people have jobs, have children to raise, have other things that take priority over "being a fan". Being a fan requires time that poorer countries, less developed countries generally lack. Some countries censor the movies that are shown. Doctor Strange was not shown in the East the way it was in the west and unless you can afford to travel to another location,(Say the London Premiere that didn't quite happen and the nannies were upset because he didn't preform like a good little monkey in a suit for them?) you are made to feel left out by the uber fans.

3. Some people have emotional triggers. Ben's roles tend more towards the dramatic then comedic. Drama can deeply affect those who have experienced similar situations. He has been in movies dealing with Cancer, Childhood Abuse, Incest, Slavery, War, Pedophilia, have I missed any major triggers?

4. He is also in the MCU and the Hobbit movies which have flashing lights which makes them inaccessible to those who have seizures and migraines. Another oft used gatekeeping tactic in fandoms is the restriction of accessibility. In the US, there are compliancy laws for disabilities(although they aren't always obeyed) but smaller, poorer countries may not have accessible movie theaters. Fans with disabilities can not travel as easily as more abled fans. Smaller independent films Benedict made at the beginning of his career may not have captions or audio description or may be unafforable for those that have medical costs to consider.

5. There is also gender bias in the Cumberbatch fandom. One need only look at their chosen name, Cumberbitches. I can think of 15 more gender neutral terms off the top of my head but men and those who identify as male were inherently excluded from the fandom. I can think of ONE male fan. Maybe one that writes under his wife's account as to not get ridiculed. Because they would be ridiculed by the nannies, that is who they are, the "gatekeepers of the fandom", deciding who is worthy to be a Ben fan.

They have made fun of fans before. Not just skeptics. People they don't like or don't want in their little clique. So the majority of Ben's fans are middle aged rich white women. Not because that's who he's trying to reach as an audience but because that is who his uber fans allow to worship him.

If you are in need of examples of how out of control the uber fans are take the following for an example.

Someone did a nice tweet about other actors. It had nothing to do with Ben, although it did feature Tom Hiddleston and other Marvel actors. The ubers starting by saying Ben wasn't listed, then jumped into, well, a screenshot is worth a thousand words.

As they say, that escalated quickly...

*Shotgun Wedding is an American term for a marriage precipitated by the pregnancy. It comes from an American colloquialism, termed as such based on a stereotypical scenario in which the father of the pregnant bride-to-be threatens the reluctant groom with a shotgun in order to ensure that he follows through with the wedding.

[teashadephoenix]

Wading through the swamp in megagator waters was not my idea of a fun mission. All i could think of was all that silty brackwater getting underneath Arthur's clothes. Reminded me of playing in the pond as a kid and you come out with dead blades of grass, dirt and mud, and hell maybe even a bug or two sticking to your skin and refusing to let go, and it is one of my least favorite feels. Itchy and grainy and gross. Made me wanna shower.

That conversation with Dutch on the way to Lagras... hm.

Dutch reminds me of... well not to be too personal, but my father. A person who supposedly had my best interests at heart, but he was (speaking freely) an asshole. He was a powerful personality, could be charming, was devilishly good-looking and incredibly smart. Despite that he was unchanging in his ideas, which i abhor-- you must be willing to consider other viewpoints and learn from your mistakes. He was petty and vindictive, and convinced only he knew what was right. When I was a child he played with my mother's emotions and when she left he played with me and my brother's, often under the guise of "blunt honesty," promising things and then denying them "for our own good." We had to trust him, and only him, to know what was best for us. He demanded loyalty and severed ties with impunity if he felt he'd been done wrong-- and loyalty was measured, not by devotion to the cause (in our case, family,) but by how well you adhered to his commands.

That kind of personality can be difficult if not impossible to criticise bc they dont trust anyone's judgment but their own, and any criticism is viewed as an attack anyway.

And that's what Dutch comes across to me as.

So even though I think he thinks he's making the best decisions for the gang, I also think he's stuck playing from an outdated rulebook, more from stubborness than necessity. "This is the way it's always worked-- there's no reason for it not to work now" except times are changing, and Arthur can see it. His constant concerns about Pinkertons and O'Driscolls and the duelling families and now Bronte sound like doubts when all he's really saying is "can we please stop slapping people with our dicks for five minutes, and catch our breath?"

Dutch is a cornered rat. He doesnt want to show it to the gang so he's putting on this hard "IMMA FUCK ALLA YOU FUCKS" front, and that bit when he snapped at Arthur that it hurt when he's not behind him literally while we're riding behind him, and you can hear the pain in Arthur's voice when he says "...I've been with you twenty years."

Like fuck, man. This shit is hurting my feelings.

And he's snapping at Arthur for what? For loyalty of Micah? That violent sadsack of fermented offal who's only been with us a couple of months? All bc Micah says yes when Arthur says wait.

I mean, jesus.

This is a tragedy unfolding in front of me and I am already very very sad about it.

...I can't wait to see how much worse it gets.

[florrickandassociates]

TGF Thoughts: 4x03-- The Gang Gets a Call from HR

Under the cut! 

We pick up with a reminder of where we left off last week: Xo’s restaurant being torn down. (Captions call her “Martha” but I’m fairly certain her name is “Marta” on this show)

Diane confronts Canning and taunts him with the deep pockets of STR Laurie. Canning is unfazed and Diane leaps into action. Diane thinks things are going to go her way.

Frank Landau is in reception and Marissa spots him and immediately unleashes an intense series of verbal attacks about how Eli shouldn’t send messengers if he has something to say and how she might marry a Republican. She rants and rants until Adrian shows up to greet Frank. For once, he’s not here to make Marissa’s life harder.

I do love moments like this. One, they’re hilarious. Two, Marissa thinking he MUST be there for her and also referencing her dad is just fantastic.

Landau is really there to talk to Adrian and Liz (and pointedly not Diane) about the DNC’s efforts to engage black voters. Landau wants RBL to come up with a strategy. As Adrian points out, this is a question for a PR firm. But Landau wants RBL-- they’re a black run firm and they’ve worked with the DNC before (though they fired Liz from the impeachment thing-- did we know that?), and, most importantly, they come with attorney-client privilege. 

“Dammit!��� Jay exclaims when he can’t find the injunction for Diane’s case in the system. “I just told our top client to fuck off; whatever you’re dealing with can’t be worse,” Marissa responds. Heh.

Marissa can’t find it either.

God bless the loud beeping noise that happens whenever anyone can’t find a legal document. No one would have their sound on (okay, maybe Diane would) which makes this little detail hilarious to me. 

The system says the case doesn’t exist. Before Jay can investigate further, Adrian tells him he’s needed in the conference room. Jay wonders what’s wrong. Then Adrian goes to collect Lucca, who is chatting with Bianca (their convo is friendly but basically sounds like a rehash of what we saw last ep, with Lucca being like “I am a real person who has to do work” and Bianca being like “But being rich is fun!”). Lucca also asks what’s wrong and Adrian wants to know why everyone keeps asking that. Uh, because you interrupted them with a vague urgent request? That always raises red flags…

Jay goes to Diane before he reports to the conference room and shows her that the case she argued a couple of days prior doesn’t exist. This reminds me of Kresteva’s mind game but on a much bigger, scarier level.

Landau asks all the black employees of the firm, who have been gathered in the conference room, what the biggest issue facing black people today is. This feels exceedingly inappropriate. Helping the DNC brainstorm isn’t part of the job description of a lawyer (or a mailroom attendee) and it doesn’t sound like this meeting was voluntary. And who is going to be open about this with their bosses and a client present?! 

“Lack of voting rights,” someone finally volunteers. Racism and police brutality get added to the list too, as does institutional racism. 

When Landau asks what the Democratic Party is doing to combat racism, the room begins to buzz and Jay speaks up to say the DNC is doing “jack shit to combat racism.” He wants to know where the policies are if the DNC cares so much.

Lucca tries to walk his point back by saying Democrats are trying, but one of the mailroom guys pipes up and says he doesn’t feel like the Party is talking to him or giving him a reason to miss work to vote. It is ridiculous that election day isn’t a national holiday.

Landau steps out for a moment and Adrian asks the room to tone down the DNC bashing. I feel like this is an unwinnable situation. If the people in the room speak up and say the truth it’s offending the client; if they don’t then they aren’t providing the insights needed. I know this plot exists mostly so our characters can have this convo but oof, this is not the right setting for this conversation. 

Marissa shows up in Julius’s chambers and he’s happy to see her. She says things at STR Laurie (or “STD Laurie” as the very mature RBL employees call it) are weird.

Marissa wants info on Marta’s case. Julius can’t find it in the system either and gets the same loud beep sound. Julius awkwardly denies ruling on it, then Diane walks in. Julius gets flustered and says he’s no longer on the case and doesn’t remember the case. “Are you fucking serious?” Diane responds. “Don’t swear at me!” Julius says. “I never used to swear, ever, but now I find it useful. People look at me and think I would never swear so when I say this is fucking nuts it has added meaning and this is fucking nuts,” Diane says. Love it. Also, I think TGF does a pretty good job of having some characters swear for impact and others (looking at you Lucca) swear all the time. 

Julius does NOT like being suspected and says to “talk to Adrian’s girlfriend”.

Meanwhile at RBL, the topic is now maternal mortality. A male employee mentions that black women don’t need to be mobilized (I assume he means because they are the most reliably blue voters) and that causes cross-talk. This is one of the more interesting “everyone at RBL debate!” episodes but I don’t think the writers will ever tire of showing that an issue is controversial by getting two sentences into a debate and then having it turn into cross-talk.

Jay jumps in and changes the topic to reparations. The room gets quiet. Lucca says it’ll never happen. Hey, Rosalyn is back!!! Lots of familiar faces in this room. 

Okay I am not going to transcribe this whole discussion but it’s interesting.

All three name partners get called up to talk to Mr. Firth. 

“Whenever I see offices like this, I always think that we’re all gonna be dead some day,” Liz remarks before Mr. Firth enters. Adrian and Diane laugh and Mr. Firth walks in and asks what’s funny. The joke doesn’t land.

Mr. Firth launches into another story I don’t understand or care to listen to. The real issue is that STR Laurie thinks that RBL is billing the DNC incorrectly (RBL is getting more than STR Laurie). STR Laurie isn’t supposed to know what RBL is charging as part of the transition plan in the merger, but Mr. Firth clearly does not give a fuck about honoring that agreement. Pretty clear who has power and who is backed into a corner. This agreement was supposed to “encourage trust” but something tells me STR Laurie doesn’t actually care about encouraging trust all that much. 

After the awkward meeting, Diane, who is just now hearing of the DNC’s business, asks Liz and Adrian if it is old business (RBL’s) or new (STR Laurie’s). It could be argued either way, Liz and Adrian admit.Liz is more concerned that STR Laurie is looking at RBL’s books when they shouldn’t be. She goes to put Marissa on the case.

Diane takes this opportunity to ask Adrian about his girlfriend. Adrian explains he just wants to keep his private life private. I’ve heard that one before. Adrian tells Diane about “Memo 618” and that it intimidated Julius.

CREDITS, FINALLY. I am going to take a break and watch Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, a show I’ve somehow gotten hooked on despite it being completely mediocre and something I would’ve dumped after three episodes in non-quarantine times. 

And I’m back, two days later lol

Bar-Swarm’s interface looks outdated. Diane knows how to use it, though, and asks the interwebs what Memo 618 is.

Meanwhile, Marissa refers to STR Laurie as “STD Laurie” in a conversation with Adrian. She doesn’t even realize she’s doing it, which makes the joke even better. Liz and Adrian are very amused.

Marissa narrows the potential list of STR Laurie (I gotta start shortening this-- STRL?) spies down to one, a Caleb Garland who is 39 years old and used to be in the Army.

Now Diane’s case is in Judge Hazelwood’s courtroom. Canning refers to the previous trial and Diane, knowing the last case had no paper trail, insists this is the first time the case is being tried. Canning doesn’t know how to respond and it’s pretty amusing to watch him squirm. Canning really is the perfect antagonist for this case. Kresteva would’ve worked too.

The Reparations convo, and cross-talk, continue. I hate to “case stuff happens” some of the most thought provoking stuff of the ep but, again, I have nothing to add.

Adrian mentions there’s a model for reparations in Chicago and tells the story and explains the model.

The debate Landau requested is too heated for him, because he totally didn’t expect that black voters are a diverse group with differing viewpoints, and Landau thinks the solution is… to add white people to the conversation for diversity. You know, to “gauge how the ideas are landing.” The ideas they are thinking through to help the DNC motivate black voters.

Mayyyyybeeee, just maybe, the problem is that this white dude is commissioning black employees of a law firm to do emotional labor while also treating them as a monolith and being afraid to actually listen to him? And that he’s making it seem like what black people have to say is only important if white people agree? Maybe just maybe that’s part of the problem too???

Caleb is peeling a rutabaga on a game; seems pretty silly. He and Marissa chat, and she asks him why he’s on the RBL floor before I can type out the same question. He tells Marissa he’s there as a spy but he’s not a very good spy. I’m like 99.9% sure Marissa says these same words to Alicia in season six when she shows up to be the bodywoman. 

Marissa and Caleb-- who no one even knows-- join the big DNC meeting because they are white. This seems like a good use of resources.

David Lee gets to be in the conversation, and manages to both snark and take it kind of seriously. Have we ever had it confirmed that David Lee is Jewish? I know Veronica made some comments, but Marissa’s comments here make it seem much clearer he’s supposed to be Jewish. 

Adrian tells a story that Vernon Jordan once told him, and the story uses the n-word. I think we may have heard this story on TGF before, does anyone remember?

Diane’s case is back. The actual particulars of it barely matter and I hope Marta gets more to do going forward and doesn’t just disappear. Judge Hazelwood, too, gets Memo 618, and things stop going Diane’s way. Hazelwood gets pissed when Diane brings up Memo 618 in court. She holds Diane in contempt and swears. Yikes. 

Lucca gets a call to go to the HR department that FINALLY exists now that RBL has corporate overlords. She’s there because there’s been a complaint about Adrian. Before hearing the details, Lucca’s asked not to share the details and she says she can’t promise them anything. HR still shares the complaint-- Adrian used the n-word. Lucca looks amused but HR is SUPER serious about this. A black man used the n-word. Seems like… not a big deal to me? Depending on the context, of course. 

Still no results for Memo 618. And when Diane searches “What is Memo 618?” (which is an extremely specific string but ok) her computer shuts itself off. Is… is that possible? I think I just have to accept that TGF is going to do whatever it wants with tech.

Lucca immediately goes to Liz and Adrian to tell Liz (while Adrian is conveniently there) about the situation. “Apparently STR Laurie has a zero tolerance policy on inappropriate language,” Lucca explains. 

Adrian suspects Caleb; Marissa disagrees because she trusts him already. (This is also making me wonder-- David Lee isn’t RBL, yet he was in the meeting… why?)

Marissa is then instructed to feed Caleb a lie.

Jay’s computer also encounters the issue (and all the accompanying sound effects) with Bar-Swarm and calls it targeted malware. 

Marissa, extremely clumsily (and potentially intentionally clumsily), feeds Caleb the lie. 

HR’s interviewing everyone. Most people say they weren’t offended; one woman says she thinks some people might not have liked it but she thinks running to HR is an overreaction. HR says they’re there to help and hold people accountable. Fine line between holding people accountable and making mountains out of molehills in an effort to be thorough. (Without seeing-- or remembering-- how HR ends up handling this I can’t really say they’re doing a bad job… though I feel like a situation like this probably doesn’t need to involve interviewing so many employees because one or two accounts should suffice to make it clear Adrian was telling a story and quoting someone. And also this does feel like a lot of white people who are unequipped to resolve workplace racial disputes.)

(Also isn’t the real HR problem that the employees were basically being forced into a conference room to have a debate about their own feelings and backgrounds?) 

ADDITIONALLY the HR lady is the scary-ass nurse from Evil. Yikes. That hospital episode is one of the more terrifying-- and interesting-- things I’ve seen in ages. 

Jay repeats the story to HR. They look surprised, like it’s the first time they’re hearing this. No one else told HR the story? 

Somehow this HR complaint gets back to Vernon Jordan. Ok, taking back what I said, this HR complaint has gone too far. I think they can hear from Jay’s story, which literally every RBL employee can confirm, what Adrian’s point was. And what does it matter if the story really came from Jordan or not?! This is egregious overreach that feels more like office politics than anything else.

Yeah, Adrian’s convo with Mr. Firth makes it pretty clear this is a power play to show Adrian he no longer runs things. It’s not really about his language; that’s just a pretext for STRL to send a warning shot. 

Now everyone has to take a class on racial sensitivity and Mr. Firth is lecturing Adrian about how “charged” the n-word is, which sets Adrian off. I feel like it’s pretty objective to say that Adrian knows the meaning and power of the n-word better than Mr. Firth. 

Adrian ponders quitting in one of his late night talks with Liz. I love their convos. They talk about their marriage (suddenly it occurs to me-- somehow it hasn’t before!-- that this is the kind of dynamic I imagine Alicia and Peter would have post divorce) as well as the topic at hand. Liz points out they’ll never fire Adrian for using the n-word in a quote because it sounds ridiculous and STRL has its own issues (they apparently took a group photo without black people and then PHOTO SHOPPED IN BLACK PEOPLE which… that’s worse, guys!!!). “They bought us to put us in their pictures,” they recognize. (They had to have known this going in-- still don’t quite understand why they sold; still don’t think the show will ever care to answer this question.) 

Liz tells Adrian to just do what he wants. 

Then Jay brings up the HR complaint in another group meeting and wants to know who filed the complaint. This ALSO seems inappropriate. 

Someone suspects David Lee; David Lee would never file the complaint because he hates HR. 

More interesting debate continues. Again, nothing to say, but really appreciate hearing all of this.

Oh now Landau is here in the middle of the intrafirm shitstorm.

It was Madeline, one of the equity partners, who made the complaint to make a point. Or at least it seems likely she did. She believes every black person should have a choice not to hear it at the workplace. I don’t really get an opinion here but that sounds like a valid point to me. It also goes back to the whole, “maybe a forced all staff convo about race is not a good idea…” thing. 

Adrian suggests that they could have talked privately instead of having it escalated to HR. His tone is kind of condescending but his point seems fair to me, though I think it’s up to an individual to decide if they think a complaint is for HR or not. If they don’t feel comfortable bringing up the point with their boss, that is what HR is for. 

It sounds like Madeline is a little bitter, too, about Adrian selling the firm. She’d be losing money, based on what we heard last week, so the bitterness makes sense. If she’s the one who submitted the complaint, it seems likely she had a reason to be upset with Adrian’s use of the word and also a point to make about how Adrian no longer makes the rules. 

Madeline also says that Jay bringing all of this into the open is called intimidation. I don’t think she’s wrong.

Landau, of course, sees all of this, and shuts things down despite Adrian and Liz telling him their employees are just “passionate.” Wow. This resolution might even lead one to think that having a law firm conduct an unstructured, seemingly mandatory debate about a personal and controversial topic is a bad strategy for getting things done! Who ever could have imagined it would lead to infighting and cross-talk? 

LOL at these sensitivity trainings and at Jay’s reaction to the watermelon example. 

Lucca is always so aware of rank in a really consistent way. It’s not so much that she craves status like an early season Cary-type might; she’s just very aware of where she ranks and who has power and what systems are at play. 

Adrian, Liz, and Diane (who’s barely had anything to do this episode) click through the sensitivity training slides very quickly. They’re definitely reading the slides.

Caleb goes to Liz and says he wants to be second chair on a case. Interesting. Curious where his character is going. 

Jay discovers the malware is coming from INSIDE THE OFFICE! It’s an STRL ploy! And we end with a very dramatic shot of Diane looking up at the ceiling. 

[wagihyoussef]

Architecture and the revolution of the Eye

Abstract

The problem of architecture is dealing with the unfathomed depth of man's own nature. An aesthetic of fusion is what makes architecture as a specialized notion possible. Architecture is designed from what the eyes deport to the persona. The variety of responses to reality, the tragedy of all human collectives, has been their failure to pass beyond their own cultural glosses. When the senses are sundered from the wholeness of innate experiences, when the cumulative power of culture distorts perception more than it aids it, and distracts attention more than it serves it, when knowledge deludes rather than enlightens, and when social mores are used to rationalize rather than uplift, then it is inevitable that these should become civilization's most distinguishing features.

Keywords: psyche, history, impression, tradition, style, aesthetic sensation, imagination

Introduction

Architecture was generated by spiritual forces. It is a history of the human psyche and its forms of expression. Architecture is no longer a meaningless façade of facts and artifacts but an alchemical formula, a symbolic calculus, a mystery play, exacted by the collective human psyche on the planetary stage. The emphasis of architecture history extends from the objects of perception to perception itself. This ceaseless shifting in man's relation to the impressions crowding in upon him from the gamut of surrounding world forms is the starting point for all psychology on a grand scale. It seems clear that our present era is one of transition. History is a mythic cycle, the transcendence of reason, and the visionary role of the architect.  Architecture is the perfect marriage of psychic impulse and technical implementation. Should we then learn more about human nature than effects? 

An aesthetic of fusion is what makes architecture as a specialized notion possible. Architecture is designed from what the eyes deport to the persona. Imagination is denied as being irrational. As a consequence, architects lack broad-scale perspective. Without high tension there can be no great works of art. The great architect who combined both the artist and scientist archetypes in one personality is Leonardo da Vinci who stands alone. Leonardo confounded this with an inherited platonic prejudice that denigrates the body and elevates the eye for the eye is the chief organ which can view Nature and enjoy the beauty of the world. Remarkably, we do not experience reality but only our concept of it. The educated must know that architecture is not a thing done but a solution of the ego. Architecture is not anything created but a creation that is an addition to reality from the point of view of internal technology producing a transformation of reality.

The Power of Culture on Perception

When culture begins to pattern itself upon models of the past, regardless of change then decadence has set in what is illusive. It is that one moment condensed from eternity, chemically freezing the viewer into one particular space. In architectural design a mathematical perspective is in reality absurd for it not only destroys the architecture unity of the wall, but it also obliges the forms to a false foreshortening. In the same way architecture is stripped of its most subtle qualities when the purely geometric proportions of medieval art are replaced by arithmetic, and therefore relatively quantitative proportions. It loses also its likeness with the earth, with the people and with the true tradition of the crafts. For visual art then no longer functions as a divine symbol but simply as the picture of an imaginary world. Optical perception is really the subject matter of the drawing that becomes the perceptual medium and even obscures the subject matter. While the viewer is left to fill in the profound solitude with his own imagination.

The variety of responses to reality, the tragedy of all human collectives, has been their failure to pass beyond their own cultural glosses. When architecture ceases to be of greater evolutionary development, the individual becomes a parody of his labors. When culture becomes a refinement rather than an integral expression of internal necessity, it blinds and dulls the senses rather than educating them. When the senses are sundered from the wholeness of innate experiences, when the cumulative power of culture distorts perception more than it aids it, and distracts attention more than it serves it, when knowledge deludes rather than enlightens, and when social mores are used to rationalize rather than uplift, then it is inevitable that these should become civilization's most distinguishing features. The ingenuity and refinement of architecture is surpassed finally by the ingenuity and refinement of technology.  The cultivation of sense desires is outstripped by the holy owe of cities.

Mechanized Consciousness

The stage was set for the disorder of modern technological civilization. Proportion and the sequence of linear perspective lay the evolutionary more of culture, confounding, and limiting the senses of consciousness of man. The intuitive realm to what we call science left the mystery of the spirit and gave birth to science, the separation of mind from matter and the representation of the struggle to regain the intuitive vision of the scientist and the artist of Modern Western Culture. The academy of art was a stopgap cultural measure giving a sense of coherence and structure to a realm of knowing that by unconscious social agreement had been abandoned. The visual arts needed an institutional framework to help them remain pure, to preserve the distinction between fine or high and applied or low arts and crafts. Hence art became a decorative fill entirely devoid of any, social, environmental or psychological utility.  

By contrast, the arts of the pretechnological traditions derived their meaning not from the previous work done in that tradition but from a spiritual philosophy at the expense of the spirit that has given form to that tradition. This indicates how far the creative process had been separated from its psychic origins. The stylistic reaction to this ideal was the phase known as Rococo which is the art of an effect aristocracy whose pleasure, no longer contained by a spiritual regimen, only ended in debauchery. This cultural disintegration caused by mechanized consciousness was supported by the academies and rationalization into a new belief system which was the creed of progress apart from the general development of nature. The values created by this process evolved into the modern psyche mechanistic complex known as history. History as a science must begin with art which is all that remains of history because history is the superior model for human actions. Initially history is one of those arts in which psychic expression predominated over the technical rules of human beauty. 

Impressionism and Style

The visual arts responded no longer to the eye but to the printed word. Art became the byproduct of historical criticism, which became the province of pure technique. The dramatic expressions all derived from the conventions of history drawings as a new notion of art that has to arise in the midst of the industrial civilization, from the remote past by which the spiritual barrenness and confusion of the industrial civilization was kept a secret. Quite simply the death of myth is the birth of art. History became the illusion of culture in the age of anxiety deprived of their own creative initiative turning to whatever entertainment offered.  As a result, art has had little to say that is relevant or comprehensive, except to the cultured few. Form and content became separate issues to be discussed.  

The arts of the 19th c. display a profusion of styles borrowed from other times and other cultures. The intellectual acceptance is nothing but a capitalization to a protective dogma. Style in its deeper implications is denied. For that, style must be more than decoration stripped of historical context. The appearance of new forms is the reality, and the thing perceived is the reality. Because we are dealing with unity, all contradictions coexist and support each other. The reality is indeed a series of discrete psychophysiological impressions, and that it is only by mental conceptualization that the idea of concrete objects comes into existence. The impact of this general turn of events was felt by certain optical or retinal impression made on the architect. Thus, with Impressionism, what began as a revolution of the eye turned out in the end a revolution of the mind. The most outstanding quality of the Impressionist art that emerged in the past however was its fidelity to sense impressions. Impressionism followed no aesthetic percept, but pure vision.  

Impressionists reflected the emptiness of contemporary intellectual and moral beliefs, so the implications of Impressionism were most difficult to accept. The Impressionist exhibitions were actually a step toward the formation of an institutional counterculture and began with the final absorption of Impressionism into the burgeoning avant-garde. It was actually the purest reflection of a society neurotically trying to stay one step ahead if itself. The basic premise of avant-gardism is outdated style, what was in style last season is out of style this season. The significance of Impressionism is in the possibility of seeing anew what has always been, seeking and transforming spirit and becoming satisfied with art. It is seeking a realistic aesthetic in which the goal of visual art is to match an outer reality and an inner power of expression to emphasize the subjective and the psychological nature of aesthetic sensation. The aesthetic is as real as the sensory perception of a mental image in physical terms. It assumes the fundamentally psychic nature of reality to transform the materialistic viewpoint into the metaphysical and perceptual reality.

Optical Art

Optical art springs from the eye. What the eye sees is not determined by the external world but by the psychological disposition of the viewer. Despite the fact that the real world is merely a dream though, it is commonly thought of as being scientific in the positive sense supported by the artist's own declaration. Some see poetry in painting while others see only science. The whole thing is due to a single figure influence, a novel theory of form in mental abstraction, visually represented by lines. The image presented is both a wave of illusion and of contour dots in the eye of the beholder forming a union of opposites to create a synthesizing vision in a world of materialistic passions of -isms.

Simple non-representative lines, forms or colors can induce a particular psychic state. For example, by gazing at a red object for a few seconds, an after-image forms and we see a green object when we look away.  This occurs because as opposites these colors are mutually defining, one color cannot exist without the other. In the psychological view, the task of art is inseparable from the attainment of biopsychic self-regulation resulting in the coordination of individual and social reality with the cosmic whole. To them art is a pure reality of novelty where anything can happen, art for art's sake.  Art became a geometrical abstraction, minimal art and a concept art entirely academic. Both are anesthetic, merely the transplanted forms of the divided consciousness that had previously given rise to classicism and romanticism, and that culminated in the cult of the new, which is the illusion of history. 

The eclecticism of the academy was the regimentation of creative thought.  Consequently, visual perception was narrowed into a simple mode. Accordingly, the visual sensation was broken down into these components of increasing complexity by color and form, indicating the mental nature of the world. Color is called upon to represent an illumination, to produce the illusion of space. Color loses its nature because color directly suggests a source of light manifesting qualities inherent in light, turning color into nothing more than the play of an imaginary light, leading to a sort of intermediate world analogous to a dream. So, image and color become mental caprice. This affected the arts because of dramatic mediating interpretation. This emphasized the mental world of concepts that defined the visual arts.  Reliance upon concept, rather than upon the inherently visual arts.  

 Conclusion

The architecture of the 20th century has been able to deform the conventional Renaissance vision that by tradition was erased after its ritual healing function has been completed. Spending itself in the continued pursuit of novelty it has also reached an end. It was psyche in the form of the disenchanted industrial age. Architects who began the experiment were joined by the scientists who began to investigate the mushroom architecture shaken out of the ruts of ordinary perception as they are apprehended directly by mind at large by the intellectual. The first who experienced that revulsion of mind and deepest consciousness are pioneers of architecture. Architecture had been subverted by techno after the second world war. The psychedelic experience was to be a deep collective force of visionary potency moving through the public imagination regardless of artistic inclination with the advent of psychedelics and proved impervious to the opened eyes. Now we are back to magic, to psychic life.  

Thus, by opening up the visionary experience, psychedelics had helped many architects see beyond history and beauty in architecture will be questioned! Because it negated the egotistic doctrine of history, an imminent new age. Tradition literally means to give over, or to hand down, not in books but by word of mouth and symbols from historical experience.  Because the ideology of history favors the collective values of competition, patriotism, and the work ethic, values that keep the individual in order to preserve his humanity. But history itself deviated from the necessity of developing an internal technology and pressed us to begin again and become ourselves with the vision of what we are to become, awaiting the proper discipline through which it might be appropriately expressed by the simultaneous transcendence of the physicalist mentality that has been modern humanity’s unique capacity for maintaining a balance between psyche and techne.

[kingofthewilderwest]

Can you describe Cressida Cowell's writing style? (And try to convince me to start reading httyd books while you're at it)

Oh my goodness, I am *SO* excited to talk about Cowell’s writing style!

I realized my FAQ page was outdated with a broken link (whoops!), so I’ve fixed that! If you haven’t check that page out or my up-to-date #faq tag, I’ve written many responses on why I recommend the HTTYD books. Obviously those posts aren’t focused on Cowell’s writing style, as you’re curious about. Nevertheless, since you’re interested in recommendations and perspectives regarding those books, these prior responses could be worth checking out, and I’ll happily boop you a link to some of those! [1] [2] [3]

Cressida Cowell’s writing style, to me, is a fascinating combination of simple and eloquent. This goes for how she forms sentences, constructs plot, uses tropes, and more. She takes seemingly common elements that most of us wouldn’t consider “special” - and utilizes them to powerful effect.

Her narration style is charming. In the How to Train Your Dragon books, she uses two similar but distinct writing styles. The prologues and epilogues are given a finesse different than the material in the main chapters.

The majority of her text is written in an almost whimsical, childish way - especially at the start of the series. Sentences are simple; descriptions are amusing; humor is prevalent; and her presentation is straightforward. Unashamed use of italics, capslock, font changes, and font size changes - plus childish scribbles for illustration - contribute to the youthfulness of her narration.

How to Train Your Dragon Ch. 1: First Catch Your Dragon:

“ANYBODY would be better than Hiccup,” sneered Snotface Snotlout. “Even Fishlegs would be better than Hiccup.”

Fishlegs had a squint that made him blind as a jellyfish, and an allergy to reptiles.

“SILENCE!” roared Gobber the Belch. “The next boy to speak has limpets for lunch for the next THREE WEEKS!”

There was absolute silence immediately. Limpets are a bit like worms and a bit like snot and a lot less tasty than either.

As the series develops, the main prose develops slightly, too. Fans often discuss how Cowell’s illustrations markedly grow in complexity from start to end, even as they retain their childish personality. Cowell herself has confirmed that these artistic changes are representative of Hiccup aging. The writing doesn’t change as notably, but it’s arguably there. So, this benign, whimsical narration takes on intentional effect: she’s writing a story about a child with prose that matches the character’s age. It helps us readers enter the mind of a child as we go through Hiccup’s younger years. It’s not to say that it means we can’t think through complex topics in this framework, because we do address deep topics in the breadth of the narration... but the childish writing style provides a personality and character and framing device for how we readers “feel” the story.

The prologues and epilogues are different. In first instead of third person, they’re written as the reflections of old man Hiccup in his eighties. The writing style here maintains simple characteristics in, for instance, word choice... but it’s mature in tone and topic. These passages are often my favorites, as they delve into interesting moral reflections tied to the adventures young!Hiccup is having in the main story. This is where Cowell shines the most in her combination of simple and eloquent. There’s beauty in what she writes in the prologues and epilogues. Reading them aloud, words flow marvelously (that opening passage in the first book... mmm yum), and you can hear the reflection of the man behind them. It’s where you’ll get quotes like:

How to Ride a Dragon’s Storm: Epilogue

Maybe all Kings should bear the Slavemark, to remind them that they should be slaves to their people, rather than the other way around. And to help them never to forget what it feels like to be a child... to be small and weak and helpless.

How to Betray a Dragon’s Hero: Prologue

Great things are only made out of love and out of pain. 

A great sword must be made out of the very best steel. But what truly makes the sword great is what happens to the sword after it is made. 

We call this the “testing” of the sword. 

The sword is bashed and hammered and hollered into shape by the bright hammer. It is thrust into the fierce heat of the fire, where it softens, and then it is quickly quenched in water, where it hardens again. The higher the temperature, the fiercer the fire, the tougher and greater the sword eventually becomes. 

The whole testing process can make a sword, or break it.

The same could be said for the making of a Hero.

Cowell’s still not using complicated vocabulary. Occasionally she’ll insert something like “indelible” into the text, but generally, it’s (superficially) simple language. However. It’s also thoughtful, eloquent, and markedly more mature than something you’ll get in Chapter 3 of the first book. “Great things are only made out of love and out of pain” is something I could embroider and hang on my wall - it’s that sort of a reflective quote. 

The contrast of the two styles - the more childish and the more eloquent-mature - help us understand Hiccup’s life from two perspectives: the viewpoint of a kid experiencing dangers around him idealistically hoping to change the world, and the viewpoint of an adult reflecting back with complex moral understandings. And as Hiccup’s adventures become increasingly darker and he grows in age, the main prose will match the mood.

The writing style works. She doesn’t need a large vocabulary or complex sentential forms to sound thoughtful and imbue great adventures or thematic points. Cowell knows how to impart heart-felt concepts and great reflections for readers of any age, child to adult... and have us impacted by them.

Cressida Cowell’s use of tropes is similarly deceiving. The best writing, I believe, combines refreshingly new material with storytelling elements we’re familiar with - our tropes. I believe Cowell strikes the balance marvelously. 

She brings in wildly creative new concepts - like a quirky world where dragon species are everything down to big-mouthed bee catchers or insect-sized nanodragons. Characters are equally as ridiculous and special; I’d be hard-pressed to find a personality similar to Camicazi anywhere in literature or media.

Cowell also knows how to use tropes. We so often see the feckless, unwanted, socially outcast wimpy protagonist turn into a Hero. We’ve seen a character with a special sword and a noteworthy family history. We’ve seen a character called by fate and prophecy to revolutionize the land before apocalypse. But that doesn’t make Hiccup a generic character handled blandly. Cowell balances fate with agency and with the challenges of reality. Hiccup has to make choices to save what he loves. And Hiccup is limited in what he can do. After all, “History is a set of repeating circles, like the tide. The wind does blow through the ruins of tomorrow. But it is more a question of two steps forward, one step back.” What we get is a Hero’s journey, but one where our Hero is truly spectacular, diligent, unyielding, pushed to the brink, and endlessly inspirational.

I think the thing that impresses me the most in how Cowell handles tropes is the “it can’t get any worse and then it does” concept. We’ve seen it before. Stories make protagonists go through a dark low. And when the character doesn’t think situations can worsen, they do. What makes the HTTYD series so spectacular and unique in how it’s handled... is the sheer repeated beating Cowell does. It’s overwhelming. She keeps going, and going, and going, and going, and doesn’t stop. Other authors would have stopped five bad events ago! It’s to the point that, in book ten, after so many bad things repeatedly occurred, I cried when Hiccup reached one small positive in his efforts. The author isn’t afraid to put our protagonist through the ringer, thereby making every bad experience, and good experience, impacting, memorable, and sometimes shocking to us as readers.

Cowell definitely uses plot devices we’ve seen before. But she weaves them together impactingly, making an emotional ride through high highs and low lows. We’re left with an inspirational takeaway and a Hero’s development we won’t forget.

Cowell’s long-term plot structure is brilliant, too. She divides the series into three equal parts, more or less. The first part is the “isolated” series of whimsical, innocent, childish adventures. The second part makes you squint suspiciously, realizing you’re getting into more complex and dangerous incidences than you expected. The third part is what I lovingly call “the Ragnarok of pain and despair.”

The starting books, deceivingly, seem like isolated, simple adventures. Cowell’s actually setting ALL the stages for the series’ later turmoil. She’s inserting characters, items, prophecies, themes, conflicts, and plot points that will become extraordinarily impacting as the series continues. But readers don’t notice Cowell’s clever, thorough foundation. They just see cutesie, simple, isolated incidences first read through. 

The middling section is where Cowell starts to utilize what she set up. She begins implementing chaos and intertwining strings, pulling Hiccup’s life from random childhood incidences with Alvin and dragons... into something centrally important. She brings together the history of the Barbaric Archipelago with the current events Hiccup’s experiencing around him. All Hiccup’s starting point experiences from the first books become formulative to the choices he has to make now. And all the while, there’s the stewing build-up of a central conflict... which explodes at the end of the second part.

The third part is all-out war. All-out drama. All-out danger. All-out stakes. We see how everything Cowell wrote is interconnected, from the start of the series to whatever conclusion Hiccup’s journey will bring. Moral themes and questions are central; characters are pushed into growth; what we thought was some random thing at the start turns out to be a cleverly-inserted Chekhov’s gun. It’s the payoff to all the set-up and build-up... brilliantly, effectively executed.

Obviously I can’t give examples to you. That would be spoilers. XD To people who’ve read the series, I’ll just say, for one example: all the King’s Things. That’s one example of Cowell’s build-up. But the build-up is everything from moral themes, to character dynamics, to foreshadowed historical revelations. It’s well-paced, well-thought through, well-executed.

The How to Train Your Dragon books are thus both simple and eloquent. And that which is simple isn’t “watered down” - it’s “simple” with purpose, “simple” with complexity, “simple” with personality, “simple” with power.

This is why I always encourage people to keep reading after the first few books. Some people find the starting adventures adorable, loving the charm and humor. I adore that all myself! They’re legitimately treasurable books in and of their own. Other readers aren’t as interested in the cutesie stuff, approaching the first HTTYD books with skepticism; they don’t think that these benign stories are “their thing.” However, every time I’ve encouraged skeptics to read after the first few books, they get sucked in, and find themselves screaming and crying and laughing and celebrating with Hiccup’s dynamic adventures. It’s all because Cowell’s simplicity is deceptive: there’s so much more going on, and there’s always more going on the deeper in you look.

[thelostvermeer-blog]

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[tatsuki-machida]

Tatsuki Machida, from the ice philosopher to the Waseda University doctor (Part 2)

Interview with Waseda Weekly

Figure skating is a solitary fight that you face on your own on the ice. From there, what kind of change do you feel by moving the stage to the place of study?

First of all, nobody can learn on their own. In learning, it is necessary to communicate with others, and knowledge is often spread through conversation. Also, because research is based on the intellectual system that the predecessors have nurtured, it makes me feel like I am talking to them. 

There is a strong image that studying is meant to be done by oneself but in reality the dialogue with others is necessary. Is it different from competition life and results such as gold or silver medal?

It is. An athlete can gain a great sense of fulfillment and achievement by accepting the result. When I look back on my retirement, I had a belief that such a sense of fulfillment and happiness could only be obtained through sports as an active athlete. However, things that are equal to or higher than the fulfillment or achievement obtained through competition are overflowing in the world outside of sports. In my case, I gained a lot of sense of accomplishment and happiness through learning and I realized the fact that being an athlete is not the only career that exists. I especially want to tell that to junior athletes entering Waseda University.

For example, when do you feel a sense of accomplishment or happiness?

In the past three years, I was able to enjoy a great reward when I was able to have consistent and meaningful conversations with my colleagues in seminars. In addition, by publishing the results of the research that one has accumulated through research meetings and conference presentations outside the university, we can achieve a sense of accomplishment that "I have come so far".

Machida-san has done research presentations at various academic conferences and has won the Excellence Presentation Award at conference presentations such as the Japanese Physical Education and Sports Management Association and Cultural Economics Association. Is that different from a medal at a competition?

Sport is a relative evaluation, like competing for superiority compared to others, but the conference presentation is not to be honored just because my presentation was better than others’. First of all, it is a prerequisite that your work has reached a certain level of research in that field. Furthermore, unless uniqueness and novelty are found in the research content, it will not be evaluated. As a result, what I felt thanks to the two outstanding presentation awards received during the past year was "I can keep on progressing with this research theme", and it was my encouragement for the future.

Did Machida-san’s own values ​​change greatly through research at the graduate school?

From the time when I was an active skater, I thought figure skating should be viewed as a general art, but on the other hand the competition had a system called winning or losing that I could not ignore. 

If you leave the athlete's life, you will notice the commonplace that the world is not revolving around just winning or losing. In the real society, various skills such as cooperation with others, administrative ability, communication skills, presentation skills are required.

With the risk of being misuderstood I will say that polishing competitive skills is justifiable for athletes, but it is difficult to survive in the real world only with that. I believe the discrepancy between the things required for an athlete (polishing their competitive force) compared to the skills required in society makes choosing a second career a difficult process. 

Conversely, is there a merit that what you achieve in competition is what you give in research?

I think that is the mindset of “do not bend your beliefs”. The life of an athlete is not only made up of good things, but also injuries, abilities becoming sluggish, setbacks... many things can happen. Looking back, 99% of my competitive life was painful. 

An athlete has a strong patience and belief that they must make efforts and keep trying hard all the while experiencing suffering. And such core strength is also essential for academic research. Researchers are not so easily recognized in the world and they will soon become frustrated if they can not keep their strong beliefs. I learned from my career as an athlete that the spirit of believing in the light at the end of the tunnel is the 1% which is surrounded by 99% hardships.

While there are many students entering the sports science department as active athletes, there are not as many who give up on their life as an athlete and then enter the course. What kind of feelings does such a student need to devote themselves to research without negative feelings?

First of all, I would like you to know that the world of sports is established not only by athletes but by a large framework of the society. As an administrative agency, the Sports Agency is established in 2015 and it is planning sports policies; but for this purpose it will be necessary to underpin studies such as sports management, sports law, sports policy studies.

Also, especially the big sports events such as the Olympic Games and the World Championships industrialize sports and are closely tied to the economy, so economic and commercial viewpoints are absolutely indispensable. In order to raise the competitiveness of athletes, it is necessary knowledge such as supervised theory accumulated in the field of coaching, mental support through psychology, biomechanics (scientific research on human body movement), nutrition. PyeongChang Olympics speed ​​skating gold medalist Nao Kodaira, and Akito Watanabe (graduated from the sports science department in 2011) who won the silver medal in Nordic Ski Composite have come to their results by using the knowledge of biomechanics. In addition to our activity as an athlete, we can contribute to the cultivation of sports through various approaches. I think in the sports world, the idea that "only the athletes are the protagonists" may be outdated. In other words, there is no sports world without human resources to "support sports". 

"Sports" are made not only from the athletes who are active in the front stage but also from all aspects such as administration, science, economics, and so on.

That’s right. And such a point of view is also important for active athletes. The career as an athlete will end sooner or later. By studying sports science and knowing the spread of sports culture, you can notice the possibility of various second careers after retirement. To be honest, I have looked at the option of a second career as a researcher for about two years before my retirement, so I could enter the competition with confidence as an athlete. That is why I believe that I could get good results such as finishing 5th at the Sochi Olympics and winning the World Championships silver medal in my last year as a competitive skater. 

By making up your mind on your second career, you could focus in competition. Is such idea the same for students who do not engage in sports?

I think it’s the same. I feel like studying at the university is precisely important to help you know how to proceed in your career after graduating. What is the ideal career for me? To realize it, it is indispensable to expand my horizons to various things and study.

Have you thought about contributing to sports in the future by accumulating research? 

For the moment I’m not thinking about supporting coaching or competitions with results from research.  Instead, I would like to conduct research to make responsible proposals, looking forward to the next 50 or 100 years in figure skating and other "artistic sports".  And I think that in order to make such recommendations, we must grasp the essence of "artistic sports". 

What is that “essence”? 

The great appeal of "artistic sports" is the fusion of athletic and artistic aspects of human body movement. If you only compete for jumps, spins, or rotating speed, you do not need elements such as music, choreography and costumes. From the beginning, the base of "artistic sports" has been the intervention of dance culture, and the aspect of dancing is indispensable. Figure skating evolved when a ballet master whose name was Jackson Haines introduced dance to what used to be tracing figures on ice. Artistic swimming was also named “aquatic ballet”. The origin of these sports was appreciating body movement culture instead of building competitive abilities. Based on that essence, I would like to work on research that can inherit the true appeal of "artistic sports" and the foundation that supports its development in the next generation.

You are currently active not only as a researcher, but also professional skater. What is the difference between skating as a competitor and skating as a professional?

I think that a professional skater’s job has more responsibilities than a competitive skater. In the world of professional skating, there are customers who pay money for our performance. We are literally required to work as "professionals". So my responsibility is to provide attractive and spectacular performances. 

As a choreographer and performer myself, I have choreographed and skated to a total of seven programs so far. Fortunately, I am blessed with production teams that I’m able to communicate with for making convincing programs. In the figure skating world, we incorporate new ideas that we have not thought of before, and we confidently show it to the world. Overlooking the surroundings, as a matter of fact the world is full of various entertainment sources besides ice shows, right? We must act as rivals for all of those other entertainment sources.  In that sense, there is a severe world beyond the life of a competitive skater. 

From the environment where competitors were rivals between themselves, it became the environment where the rivals are other entertainment sources. How about commentary work? At the Pyeongchang Olympic Games, as an commentator, you were conveying the charms of figure skating to the viewers.

In commentary, I try to convey the athletes’ body sensations. An athlete is not logic, but a performance with a sense of the body. I think that it is an important task to explain such senses of the athletes. 

On the other hand, the attraction of artistic sports not limited to figure skating is not resumed to victory or defeat. I think that it is the significance of commentary to convey the program appeal, skater's prospects, irreplaceable personality, etc. to people in easy-to-understand ways.

I think that it is very difficult to communicate the athlete's sense of body in an easy-to-understand manner, but how did you acquire such language ability? 

I myself have tried to consciously translate it into language since I was a competitive skater. By language, competitive skills are dramatically improved. Bearing in mind the vocabulary of the body’s unconscious sensations, it can come as validation when you’re going through a slump and remember “ah, so this is how it felt like”. By transforming it into language, the body’s power of persuation also improves. For example, you don’t have to stop at extending your hand to express sadness, but through the use of body language you can express something like “even if it’s painful, we can move forward”.  Expressions and backgrounds behind that feeling are also changed gently through language. In this way, the language-ization of physical exercise creates various merits. For myself, the task of explanation is to put sports into meaningful words, as an extension of research.

Finally, please give advice for students who have enrolled in the Waseda University graduate school.

I think that touching and studying various academic disciplines in university will help you face yourselves and build yourselves again. Under such circumstances I think that options after graduation will surely spread. Of course, I also hope you will be able to enjoy valuable university life while making exchanges with other people and learning together. At the Waseda University you can enrich the soil that can fulfill your objectives. If you can give advices as former athletes to active athletes, you are able to learn and improve. Training is not all about moving your body and building strength.  By touching academic disciplines at university and deepening your knowledge, competitive skills will be inevitably polished by objectively analyzing, verbalizing and translating your performance. That’s what I think as a retired athlete who has moved on to the next life. 

translation by @iguana012 

the interview may not be a word for word translation

part 1 is here

[hereiread]

A deeply personal call to action for women of color to find power from within and to join together in community, advocating for a new corporate environment where we all belong—and are accepted—on our own terms. Thank you partner @bibliolifestyle @harpercollins for gifted copy! Pub date: March 1, 2022. Women of color comprise one of the fastest-growing segments in the corporate workforce, yet often we are underrepresented—among the first, few, or only ones in a department or company. For too long, corporate structures, social zeitgeist, and cultural conditioning have left us feeling exhausted and downtrodden, believing that in order to “fit in” and be successful, we must hide or change who we are. As a former senior partner at a large global services firm, Deepa Purushothaman experienced these feelings of isolation and burnout. She met with hundreds of other women of color across industries and cultural backgrounds, eager to hear about their unique and shared experiences. In doing so, she has come to understand our collective setbacks—and the path forward in achieving our goals. Business must evolve—and women of color have the potential to lead that transformation. We must begin by pushing back against toxic messaging—including the things we tell ourselves—while embracing the valuable cultural viewpoints and experiences that give us unique perspectives at work. By fully realizing our own strengths, we can build collective power and use it to confront microaggressions, outdated norms, and workplace misconceptions; create cultures where belonging is never conditional; and rework corporations to be genuinely inclusive to all. The First, the Few, the Only is a road map for us to make a profound impact within and outside our organizations while ensuring that our words are heard, our lived experiences are respected, and our contributions are finally valued. 💛 Follow me on Bookstagram 💛

[exit-is-everywhere]

The danger is that if we invest too much in developing AI and too little in developing human consciousness, the very sophisticated artificial intelligence of computers might only serve to empower the natural stupidity of humans.

While science fiction thrillers are drawn to dramatic apocalypses of fire and smoke, in reality we might be facing a banal apocalypse by clicking.

The economic system pressures me to expand and diversify my investment portfolio, but it gives me zero incentive to expand and diversify my compassion. So I strive to understand the mysteries of the stock exchange while making far less effort to understand the deep causes of suffering.

So we had better call upon our lawyers, politicians, philosophers and even poets to turn their attention to this conundrum: how do you regulate the ownership of data? This may well be the most important political question of our era.

Each of these three problems – nuclear war, ecological collapse, and technological disruption – is enough to threaten the future of human civilization. But taken together, they add up to an unprecedented existential crisis, especially because they are likely to reinforce and compound one another.

Yet it is precisely their genius for interpretation that puts religious leaders at a disadvantage when they compete against scientists. Scientists too know how to cut corners and twist the evidence, but in the end, the mark of science is the willingness to admit failure and try a different tack. That’s why scientists gradually learn how to grow better crops and make better medicines, whereas priests and gurus learned only how to make better excuses.

Human power depends on mass cooperation, and mass cooperation depends on manufacturing mass identities—and all mass identities are based on fictional stories, not on scientific facts or even on economic necessities.

Religions, rites, and rituals will remain important as long as the power of humankind rests on mass cooperation and as long as mass cooperation rests on belief in shared fictions.

As long as we don’t know whether absorption is a duty or a favour; what level of assimilation is required from immigrants; and how quickly host countries should treat them as equal citizens –we cannot judge whether the two sides are fulfilling their obligations.

If a million immigrants are law-abiding citizens, but one hundred join terrorist groups and attack the host country, does it mean that on the whole the immigrants are complying withthe terms of the deal, or violating it? If a third-generation immigrant walks down the street a thousand times without being molested, but once in a while some racist shouts abuse at her, does it mean that the native population is accepting or rejecting immigrants?

The less political violence in a particular state, the greater the public shock at an act of terrorism.

Morality doesn’t mean ‘following divine commands’. It means ‘reducing suffering’. Hence in order to act morally, you don’t need to believe in any myth or story. You just need to develop a deep appreciation of suffering. If you really understand how an action causes unnecessary suffering to yourself or to others, you will naturally abstain from it.

Questions you cannot answer are usually far better for you than answers you cannot question.

The world is becoming ever more complex, and people fail to realise just how ignorant they are of what’s going on. Consequently some who know next to nothing about meteorology or biology nevertheless propose policies regarding climate change and genetically modified crops, while others hold extremely strong views about what should be done in Iraq or Ukraine without being able to locate these countries on a map.

How is it possible to avoid stealing when the global economic system is ceaselessly stealing on my behalf and without my knowledge?

In a world in which everything is interconnected, the supreme moral imperative becomes the imperative to know. The greatest crimes in modern history resulted not just from hatred and greed, but even more so from ignorance and indifference.

Most of the injustices in the contemporary world result from large-scale structural biases rather than from individual prejudices, and our hunter-gatherer brains did not evolve to detect structural biases.

Even if you personally belong to a disadvantaged group, and therefore have a deep first-hand understanding of its viewpoint, that does not mean you understand the viewpoint of all other such groups. For each group and subgroup faces a different maze of glass ceilings, double standards, coded insults and institutional discrimination.

Should we adopt the liberal dogma and trust the aggregate of individual voters and customers? Or perhaps we should reject the individualist approach, and like many previous cultures in history empower communities to make sense of the world together? Such a solution, however, only takes us from the frying pan of individual ignorance into the fire of biased groupthink. Hunter-gatherer bands, village communes and even city neighbourhoods could think together about the common problems they faced. But we now suffer from global problems, without having a global community. Neither Facebook, nor nationalism nor religion is anywhere near creating such a community.

In fact, humans have always lived in the age of post-truth. Homo sapiens is a post-truth species, whose power depends on creating and believing fictions. Ever since the stone age, self-reinforcing myths have served to unite human collectives.

In practice, the power of human cooperation depends on a delicate balance between truth and fiction.

Humans have this remarkable ability to know and not to know at the same time. Or more correctly, they can know something when they really think about it, but most of the time they don’t think about it, so they don’t know it. If you really focus, you realise that money is fiction. But usually you don’t focus.

Truth and power can travel together only so far. Sooner or later they go their separate ways. If you want power, at some point you will have to spread fictions. If you want to know the truth about the world, at some point you will have to renounce power. You will have to admit things – for example about the sources of your own power – that will anger allies, dishearten followers or undermine social harmony. Scholars throughout history faced this dilemma: do they serve power or truth? Should they aim to unite people by making sure everyone believes in the same story, or should they let people know the truth even at the price of disunity? The most powerful scholarly establishments – whether of Christian priests, Confucian mandarins or communist ideologues – placed unity above truth. That’s why they were so powerful.

One of the greatest fictions of all is to deny the complexity of the world, and think in absolute terms of pristine purity versus satanic evil.

Whenever you see a movie about an AI in which the AI is female and the scientist is male, it's probably a movie about feminism rather than cybernetics.

Many pedagogical experts argue that schools should switch to teaching “the four Cs” – critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Due to the growing pace of change you can never be certain whether what the adults are telling you is timeless wisdom or outdated bias.

You might have heard that we are living in the era of hacking computers, but that's hardly half the truth. In fact, we are living in the era of hacking humans.

The god Krishna then explains to Arjuna that within the great cosmic cycle each being possesses a unique ‘dharma’, the path you must follow and the duties you must fulfil. If you realise your dharma, no matter how hard the path may be, you enjoy peace of mind and liberation from all doubts.

Most successful stories remain open-ended.

A crucial law of storytelling is that once a story manages to extend beyond the audience's horizon, its ultimate scope matters little.

A wise old man was asked what he learned about the meaning of life. "Well", he answered, "I have learned that I am here on earth in order to help other people. What I still haven't figured out is why the other people are here.

Most people who go on identity quests are like children going treasure hunting. They find only what their parents have hidden for them in advance.

Almost anything can be turned into a ritual, by giving mundane gestures like lighting candles, ringing bells or counting beads a deep religious meaning.

Of all rituals, sacrifice is the most potent, because of all the things in the world, suffering is the most real. You can never ignore it or doubt it.

Just as in ancient times, so also in the twenty-first century, the human quest for meaning all too often ends with a succession of sacrifices.

Similarly, you can find plenty of Bernie Sanders supporters who have a vague belief in some future revolution, while also believing in the importance of investing your money wisely. They can easily switch from discussing the unjust distribution of wealth in the world to discussing the performance of their Wall Street investments.

If by 'free will' you mean the freedom to do what you desire – then yes, humans have free will. But if by 'free will' you mean the freedom to choose what to desire – then no, humans have no free will.

The process of self-exploration begins with simple things, and becomes progressively harder. At first, we realise that we do not control the world outside us. I don’t decide when it rains. Then we realise that we do not control what’s happening inside our own body. I don’t control my blood pressure. Next, we understand that we don’t even govern our brain. I don’t tell the neurons when to fire. Ultimately we should realise that we do not control our desires, or even our reactions to these desires.

Many people, including many scientists, tend to confuse the mind with the brain, but they are really very different things. The brain is a material network of neurons, synapses, and biochemicals. The mind is a flow of subjective experiences, such as pain, pleasure, anger, and love.

- Yuval Noah Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century

[vaidenaxat]

Four Important Things To Effective Change Control

Nowadays we all realize that we must change one at a time as well as organizationally to keep abreast along with the forces of change. This is actually a continuous demand in our globe today. Some best communicators also mention the best vital function of communicators is actually to assist change.

Change management is infamously tough to attain. To use our own selves as an example, it is actually remarkably hard to damage the behaviors of a lifetime. When institutions need to change, outdated habits among employees are actually equally difficult to change. You likewise need to have to know about project management software? SOP means standard-operating procedure and also it is actually a document that delivers specific paths as well as directions in order to exactly how teams as well as members within an association must handle accomplishing specific procedures.

There are actually two universities of assumed on making productive business change. Some specialists claim altering way of thinkings or even society is the essential element for change. Others mention this is actually as well tough and that changing activities and strengthening those actions is actually the best method to result in changed state of minds. Regardless, really good communication is the primary factor to make change job.

Tips to effective change control

A function to believe in

If they understand the situation for change control, workers will definitely change their mindsets in the direction of change just. The job of industrial underlines the significance of this with his idea of intellectual harshness, which basically reveals that individuals become uncomfortable when their ideas are actually inconsistent along with their actions. Their thought and feelings need to have to line up along with their actions. If an administrator instructs a staff member to carry out something they do not coincide, that individual is going to be actually uneasy in their thoughts about carrying out the duty, experiencing emotional noise.

If staff members rely on the general objective of the institution, they are going to be readied to change their specific habits in support of that objective-- or even they will experience the quite true pain of psychological harshness if they don't.

Likewise, staff members are certainly not probably to put continual initiative right into a brand-new sort of behavior if they simply have a reasonable understanding of why it matters. The change should imply one thing deeper to all of them that they understand are going to have a positive effect on their individual development. Giving them a mental connection to the new habits can induce that change in viewpoint. Training workshops may be upheld underline this, advocated through smart communication.

Support of actions

The brand-new behavior must be supported or even reinforced through a stable of incentives like reporting designs, management as well as working processes as well as size. This involves environment aim ats, gauging efficiency and delivering non-financial and also financial rewards to workers to improve adjusted habits. Interaction can strengthen the brand-new motivations by mentioning on the end results as well as publicizing the results to all workers.

Showing the capabilities needed for change

Employers require to reveal employees what is actually anticipated of all of them-- to present them how to adjust standard guidelines to their own specific habits. Public connections professionals can build communication material that supports the modifications at the local area degree.

Steady shining example

Role models at every degree necessity to 'walk the talk'. It is actually not enough for top management to lead; influencers at every amount necessity to do it as well. These transformed actions are essential to change control in software engineering. People are quick to see as well as grumble regarding management as well as administrator habits that is actually inconsistent along with their announced claims and policies.

Professional shining example are a single thing, but just as necessary are actually peers. Some professionals feel change can't prosper unless task modeling is actually operating. For that reason it is actually essential to connect the examples of good example at the middle and frontline level in inner interaction activities.

An understanding of these concepts will definitely assist communicators to participate in an extra helpful task in change management strategies.