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A lead character is in every episode, or nearly every episode. Where that means they might miss one or two episodes, not half a season's worth.
A protagonist character is one the overarching plots centrally revolve around and act upon, without whom there would be no story.
These are words with generally established meanings, not "opinions". Which makes certain factions of this fandom intensely buttmad because Castiel is quite obviously not either.
So they make up nonsense categories that have no set meaning and therefore can include whoeverthefuck they want like "main character" and pretend it's synonymous to lead and protagonist to artificially elevate Castiel. Or try to insist SPN had no lead characters to pull the actually central characters down to his level.
If they echo chamber bleat it back and forth enough at each other, that makes it truefax everybody agrees with except those evil delusional bronlies! He was on alllll the promotional material, he can take Jared's place in the show and at cons and the GA will be fine with that, and the revival will finally focus on the D/C storyline that totally exists outside their delusional fantasies about lighting and wardrobe!
Sure, Castiel was more prominently featured for a longer span of time than any others in the supporting cast. I don't think anybody is disputing that. Which is not remotely the same thing as actually being on an equal footing with the two leads who were there, consistently working, while he had weeks or months of time off. Obviously. It doesn't magically make him integral to any of the A plots that genuinely existed in the actual show that aired. Obviously.
No matter how many times they desperately try to stretch the definitions of lead and protagonist. No matter how many storylines they try to meta into existence out of random background minutiae. No matter how many vague, undefined umbrella terms they make up to pretend he was as central to the show as the Winchesters. But after all these years, it's no surprise when once again, logic and reality are not their friends.
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Saint Maria Skobstova was an Orthodox Christian and ardent socialist. Born in Latvia in 1891 to an aristocratic family, she eschewed her birth and allied herself with the radical socialists she met in Saint Petersburg. In 1910 she married a fellow Bolshevik and published a book of socialist poetry. Her marriage quickly disintegrated, her husband renouncing socialism and becoming a Roman Catholic priest. Maria continued to write poetry and pamphlets. In 1918 after the Bolshevik revolution, in which she directly participated, she was sent to Anapa in the south of Russia where she was elected mayor. After the anti communist White Army took control of the town, Maria was arrested and put on trial for her role in the revolution. The judge was Daniil Skobstova, a former teacher of hers. She was acquitted and the two fell in love and soon married.
Due to the ever shifting political tide in Russia, Maria and her husband made their way to France, arriving in Paris in 1923, Maria having given birth to three children along the way. Her husband was a wealthy man and purchased a large home from the family in Paris. When Maria begged him to make use of the house for the mutual aid of the poor, he refused. Maria subsequently divorced him.
After her divorce, her bishop advised her to become nun. She agreed on the condition that she would not be secluded away in an isolated convent but that she would be able to stay in Paris and serve the poor. After her tonsure, now called Mother Maria, she converted her large home into a mutual aid center. The top floors becoming a free medical clinic, and the bottom floors serving as soup kitchen and hostel. Mother Maria, with the help of her two grown children Yuri and Sophia, served over 400 hot meals a day. Maria rented a small house in Paris which became her convent. It was during this time that her eldest daughter, Anastasia, died suddenly of influenza. Her death spurred Maria deeper into theological writing and charitable works. She began to devote every waking hour to the Church and to the poor of Paris.
When the Nazis invaded Paris, Mother Maria worked with her priest to provide baptismal certificates for Parisian Jews. When the Nazis began to round up the Jewish population, Mother Maria visited them thrice daily, bringing them hot meals and spending time with them, treating them as equals and reminding them of their human dignity. As she left, she would always try to sneak Jewish children out in the empty soup pots and trash cans. Once out, she and her priest would arrange travel to the south of France and then out to unoccupied countries.
Her smuggling activities were discovered and she, her two children, and her priest were arrested. Her priest and children were sent to Dora concentration camp where they died. Mother Maria was sent to Ravensbrück, the all-female concentration camp which housed mostly socialists, Christians, and homosexuals.
At Ravensbrück, Mother Maria lead Christian prisoners in prayer and worship, and organised mutual aid for the few children (mostly orphaned Romani) who were at the camp, ensuring the children had food and clothing and even arranging dolls and books to be made for them.
In early March of 1945, the Soviet Red Army continued their advance into Germany, concentration camps were closed and the women who were not shot were sent to Ravensbrück for immediate gassing. One group of women, imprisoned for "asocial behaviour" (homosexuality) arrived in Ravensbrück in early April.
The lesbians were rounded up, forced into a single column, and led to the gas chamber. Amongst them was a 16 year old girl whom Mother Maria had never met. Her heart broke for this child and she immediately volunteered to take her place in line, secretly passing her a piece of paper.
On Saturday April 7th 1945, Holy Saturday according to the Orthodox calendar, Mother Maria was murdered in the gas chambers surrounded by young homosexual women. It is said that she chanted the psalms as she died.
Less than a week later, the Soviet army liberated the camp. On the body of a young girl who had been shot as the Nazis fled, they found a poem in Mother Maria's handwriting:
O Lord, remember, not only the men and women of good will, but also those of ill will.
But do not remember all the suffering they have inflicted on us; remember the fruits we have borne, thanks to this suffering:
our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of all this,
and when they come to judgement, let all the fruits we have borne be their forgiveness.
Mother Maria Skobstova of Paris, pray to God for us.
#queer christian#orthodox christianity#orthodoxleftist#faithfullylgbtq#orthodoxy#trans christian#orthodox church#inclusiveorthodoxy#mother maria of paris#wwii#socialism#communism#thisglassdarkly
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The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism
Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish).
It is racist to essentialize (treat a character trait as inherent) or to make sweeping negative generalizations about a given population. What is true of racism in general is true of antisemitism in particular.
What is particular in classic antisemitism is the idea that Jews are linked to the forces of evil. This stands at the core of many anti-Jewish fantasies, such as the idea of a Jewish conspiracy in which “the Jews” possess hidden power that they use to promote their own collective agenda at the expense of other people. This linkage between Jews and evil continues in the present: in the fantasy that “the Jews” control governments with a “hidden hand,” that they own the banks, control the media, act as “a state within a state,” and are responsible for spreading disease (such as Covid-19). All these features can be instrumentalized by different (and even antagonistic) political causes.
Antisemitism can be manifested in words, visual images, and deeds. Examples of antisemitic words include utterances that all Jews are wealthy, inherently stingy, or unpatriotic. In antisemitic caricatures, Jews are often depicted as grotesque, with big noses and associated with wealth. Examples of antisemitic deeds are: assaulting someone because she or he is Jewish, attacking a synagogue, daubing swastikas on Jewish graves, or refusing to hire or promote people because they are Jewish.
Antisemitism can be direct or indirect, explicit or coded. For example, “The Rothschilds control the world” is a coded statement about the alleged power of “the Jews” over banks and international fi- nance. Similarly, portraying Israel as the ultimate evil or grossly exaggerating its actual influence can be a coded way of racializing and stigmatizing Jews. In many cases, identifying coded speech is a matter of context and judgement, taking account of these guidelines.
Denying or minimizing the Holocaust by claiming that the deliberate Nazi genocide of the Jews did not take place, or that there were no extermination camps or gas chambers, or that the number of victims was a fraction of the actual total, is antisemitic.
Applying the symbols, images and negative stereotypes of classical antisemitism (see guidelines 2 and 3) to the State of Israel.
Holding Jews collectively responsible for Israel’s conduct or treating Jews, simply because they are Jewish, as agents of Israel.
Requiring people, because they are Jewish, publicly to condemn Israel or Zionism (for example, at a political meeting).
Assuming that non-Israeli Jews, simply because they are Jews, are necessarily more loyal to Israel than to their own countries.
Denying the right of Jews in the State of Israel to exist and flourish, collectively and individually, as Jews, in accordance with the principle of equality.
Israel and Palestine: examples that, on the face of it, are not antisemitic
(whether or not one approves of the view or action)
Supporting the Palestinian demand for justice and the full grant of their political, national, civil and human rights, as encapsulated in international law.
Criticizing or opposing Zionism as a form of nationalism, or arguing for a variety of constitutional arrangements for Jews and Palestinians in the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. It is not antisemitic to support arrangements that accord full equality to all inhabitants “between the river and the sea,” whether in two states, a binational state, unitary democratic state, federal state, or in whatever form.
Evidence-based criticism of Israel as a state. This includes its institutions and founding principles. It also includes its policies and practices, domestic and abroad, such as the conduct of Israel in the West Bank and Gaza, the role Israel plays in the region, or any other way in which, as a state, it influences events in the world. It is not antisemitic to point out systematic racial discrimination. In general, the same norms of debate that apply to other states and to other conflicts over national self-determina- tion apply in the case of Israel and Palestine. Thus, even if contentious, it is not antisemitic, in and of itself, to compare Israel with other historical cases, including settler-colonialism or apartheid.
Boycott, divestment and sanctions are commonplace, non-violent forms of political protest against states. In the Israeli case they are not, in and of themselves, antisemitic.
Political speech does not have to be measured, proportional, tempered, or reasonable to be protected under article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and other human rights instruments. Criticism that some may see as excessive or contentious, or as reflecting a “double standard,” is not, in and of itself, antisemitic. In general, the line between antisemitic and non-antisemitic speech is different from the line between unreasonable and reasonable speech.
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Loxley the Honorable Thief Warframe
Here's a fun fact for you, many of you who follow my blog will already know that Loxley was the first frame I had fully planned for this season, but he was also the entire reason for the Duviri melee weapon poll. I knew I wanted him to be a Duviri frame and I knew I wanted him to add a new Duviri melee weapon. He got the glaive. Glaive is the melee I would be most excited to see added to Duviri because I think it would make the Duviri gunplay suck a lot less.
To obtain Loxley players will have to play The Duviri Experience. Neither The Lone Story nor The Circuit will do. During The Duviri Experience players will be able to approach the various courtiers, and in each playthrough one of the five - Mathila on her farm, Lodun in Upperhaven, Bombastine in The Agora, Luscinia in the Chamber of the Muses, and Sythel in her home - excluding the one that currently holds dominion of the spiral will have knowledge of Loxley's whereabouts. Players will have to first find which of the courtiers currently knows Loxley's location and ask them about him. After a short lore dump the courtier will mark Loxley's current position with a pip on all players' HUDs. This location will spawn a new optional objective to defeat Loxley. In his enemy form Loxley will use limited or modified versions of his abilities and weapons and will be immune to damage until a player lands an overcharged shot on him, rendering him vulnerable to damage for the next 18 seconds. When Loxley is defeated he will drop a Lionheart Crest, or two in Steel Path mode. These Lionheart Crests can be exchanged with Lodun in his courtier form in Upperhaven during any spiral other than Anger. Lodun's Lionheart Crest exchange options are as follows:
Loxley blueprint (3 Lionheart Crest)
Loxley chassis blueprint (3 Lionheart Crest)
Loxley neuroptics blueprint (3 Lionheart Crest)
Loxley systems blueprint (3 Lionheart Crest)
Marian blueprint (8 Lionheart Crest)
1,500 Kuva (1 Lionheart Crest)
1 Aya (1 Lionheart Crest)
Melee Riven Mod (5 Lionheart Crests, limit 1 per day)
Pistol Riven Mod (5 Lionheart Crests, limit 1 per day)
Rifle Riven Mod (5 Lionheart Crests, limit 1 per day)
Shotgun Riven Mod (5 Lionheart Crests, limit 1 per day)
Archgun Riven Mod (5 Lionheart Crests, limit 1 per day)
Companion Riven Mod (5 Lionheart Crests, limit 1 per day)
Health: 275 (375 at rank 30) Shields: 275 (375 at rank 30) Armor: 300 Energy: 125 (175 at rank 30) Sprint Speed: 1.1
Passive: Loxley is a master thief and can open lockers with both green and red locks. Lockers with black locks still cannot be opened. Loxley is also guaranteed one extra item drop from every locker he opens.
Ability 1: Nightshade, 25 energy. With a flourish, Loxley brandishes and then throws up to 10 throwing knives dipped in a cocktail of toxins. Each knife hits an enemy within a 6 meter radius around him or in a 30 degree, 30 meter cone in front of him. Each enemy struck is put to sleep for up to 20 seconds. Sleeping enemies are vulnerable to melee finisher attacks. During this sleep each affected enemy takes 50 times 1+X (where X is equal to the enemy's level divided by 10) gas damage once every two seconds with a guaranteed gas status proc. Gas damage dealt by Nightshade does not contribute to enemies' wake-up threshold.
Ability 2: Highwaymen, 50 energy. Loxley confuses enemies by summoning a pair of body doubles, flanking him on his left and right at a distance of 6 meters. The two Highwaymen have double Loxley's health and shields but no armor and draw enemy fire. The two Highwaymen will also mimic Loxley's actions, aiming in the same location as he does. The Highwaymen only deal 10% of Loxley's damage with weapon attacks but can apply critical hits and status, and when Loxley casts Nightshade his Highwaymen will cast a lesser version of the ability which only throws a maximum of five knives and aims their targeting cones at 90 degree angles to Loxley's. Highwaymen last for up to 20 seconds or until killed. When one of the body doubles summoned by Highwaymen dies it is guaranteed to drop either a primary ammo pickup, secondary ammo pickup, or health orb.
Ability 3: Subterfuge, toggled ability, drains 3 energy per second. Combining stealth and explosives the guerilla tactics offered by Subterfuge can be used in both open combat and infiltration missions. While Subterfuge is active Loxley becomes invisible to enemies and gains the ability to turn various objects into deadly traps. By approaching an object such as a locker, destructible crate, or console and pressing the interact key Loxley sets up an explosive trap upon it for a cost of 10 energy which lasts up to 20 seconds or until triggered. When any enemy comes within 8 meters of the trapped object it detonates, dealing 500 times 1+X (where X is equal to the enemy's level divided by 10) blast damage with a guaranteed status proc to all enemies within 20 meters. While lockers and crates are booby-trapped they cannot be opened. Firing a non-silent weapon will temporarily break the cloak. Loxley will re-cloak shortly after firing the weapon.
Ability 4: Band of Merry Men, 100 energy. Loxley summons his Merry Men to overwhelm his foes with sudden and brutal force. When cast Loxley summons a platoon of uncontrolled, stationary archers at his location. They will begin rapidly firing a stream of arrows aimed at the point indicated by Loxley's crosshairs when the ability was cast. The stream of arrows lasts for 10 seconds, has a height of three meters, a width of twelve meters, and infinite range. All enemies caught in the Band of Merry Men's arrows takes 250+X (where X is equal to the enemy's level) each of impact, puncture, and slash damage every half-second with 25% status chance.
Subsumed ability: Nightshade.
Signature Weapons Marian: Loxley's iconic sidearm, the Marian, is a silent secondary weapon categorized as a crossbow. After the Marian's blueprint is purchased from Lodun it is crafted at the cost of 1 Ballistica, 100 Rune Marrow, 100 Saggen Pearl, and 250 Lamentus as well as a cost of 20,000 credits. Marian has a semi-auto trigger and very high damage for a secondary crossbow at the cost of slower attack speed and a larger magazine at the cost of a slower reload. Marian has above-normal critical and status chance and deals roughly even values of impact, puncture, and slash. The Marian also has a unique passive effect: While standing still and aiming down sights the Marian deals +50% bonus damage to enemy weak points. As Loxley's signature secondary weapon he can reload the Marian faster than other warframes. Lionheart: Loxley's signature melee weapon, the Lionheart, is a truly exceptional and strange weapon. A pair of blades spiral outward from its slender grip giving the Lionheart a hypnotic effect when spun at just the right speed. Lionheart can be purchased for the Drifter in Teshin’s cave for 50 Pathos Clamp, unlocking the blueprint for warframe use which is crafted using assorted materials from the Duviri game mode. As a glaive the Lionheart can be dual wielded with the Sirocco by the Drifter while in Duviri, and by warframes alongside any single pistol secondary weapon. Lionheart deals mostly slash, moderate puncture, and low impact damage with above-normal values of both status and crit. Lionheart has fairly normal attack speed and per-hit damage for a glaive. Unlike other Duviri weapons the Lionheart's special attack is not triggered by guarding heavy attacks but instead by mid-air detonation after throwing. Mid-air detonations always apply a forced slash status proc in a 6 meter explosion, and on a 30 second cooldown will also cause affected enemies to become Lifted for six seconds. Melee kills decrease the cooldown on the thrown detonation's lifting effect by 1 second. In Loxley's hands melee kills decrease remaining special attack cooldown by 1.25 seconds.
Closing Notes: Loxley ended up being a bit hard, I didn't want him to end up with too much overlap with other frames. I don't think there's anything wrong with him but I do think that this is overall not one of my more special designs. Once again aside from obvious references to the Robin Hood mythology there's no Easter eggs here worth pointing out.
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Hey so maybe I've missed it but what do you think, did harrow got to break in the tomb when it was a kid or no?
During my first read was a good fridge moment to get the answer and now I wait for anyone reading this book to get it
idfk! My general view on this kind of thing is that, an author can take it either way. I'm about to go into a full logical breakdown of it, but the author has full ability and right to say that all of my assumptions were wrong and it doesn't work remotely the way I think it does. Both paths for the story are entirely valid and potentially interesting!
All of that said, I'll still try to think it through a little.
We know that Harrow made it in somewhere. God said he wasn't sure what false chamber or whatever she made it into, but why would there be a false chamber? Would the Ninth House have constructed such a thing at some point? Why? That would imply there's some Ninth House scandal in their past where some other bombshell blonde had to be imprisoned. Or Harrow is just so insane that she imagined the whole thing, which would be very unsatisfying.
Harrow sees the Body. Wherever she made it into, it left this magical-psychological imprint on her. This leaves three possibilities: She made it into the Tomb, and Alecto has been part of her mind because magic. She made it into some other chamber, holding something which just also had the ability to enter her mind. Or she's that crazy. Her being that crazy would be unsatisfying, and I think that the lore would feel inelegant if there's just some completely different thing that can cause this. It clutters the concepts, and takes away narrative space to actually explore what should be interesting about the Tomb itself and Alecto herself.
Another possibility is that Harrow didn't make it into the Tomb, but did make it far enough that Alecto could enter her mind like this.
Narratively, I think the reason you raise a possibility like "Harrow is deluded and didn't actually enter the Tomb" is not so that a book or two later, you can say "Yes, it continues to be true that she didn't enter the Tomb." It's so you can mess with the reader's mind and gaslight into thinking Harrow didn't enter the Tomb, so that we can then say that she did. That, or it reveals some unexpected third thing that provides equal surprise value. It would just feel structurally flat if God was right about what he said. If the answer is supposed to be that Harrow didn't enter the Tomb, then we would reveal that, and give further explanation (of things like why she thinks she did and sees the Body) at the same time. Not claim it but leave it as a further open mystery.
We know it is possible to enter the Tomb without God, if you're his kid. The reason Gideon didn't die to the gas is probably because she's this universe's Jesus equivalent (this disqualifies her from being my favorite character), but maybe the attempt to kill her did something funky and gave Harrow some of her... essence? I dunno if this one makes sense; they implied it was really about like, cellular DNA, not souls or anything. Maybe Harrow had some of Gideon's spit on her while she tried to enter. Still, this is at least proof that the Tomb is not impossible to open without God. Sanderson's First and all; we can provide a magical explanation to how Harrow got in, but it does need some foreshadowing somewhere, such that it's an a-ha! moment rather than an asspull. The thing is, the base concept of Alecto being visible to Harrow like this, is super vague! Whether or not that's caused by Harrow entering the Tomb, there's clearly some big magical stuff going on that we don't know the details on yet. Along with what kind of monster Alecto is. Now, sure, we can say that God has explained the rules and thus those rules can't be broken — but we also know from Harrow seeing the Body that there are more rules going on than those which have been revealed to us, therefore the possibilities are endless and we can't say that Harrow having entered the Tomb is impossible.
All of this combined, I think the more likely outcome is that Harrow did enter the Tomb and see Alecto. But you know, I'm not even sure if that was the question you were asking. Like, it's possible that the answer is supposed to be something we can figure out already, if we pay close enough attention to the evidence. Everything I said was trying to predict things off the presumption of a future reveal. If it is possible to figure it out for sure by now, then I can safely say that I haven't.
...you know, this is completely unrelated, but I only just realized the sheer extent to which Harrow is inspired by a certain character from Umineko. I literally can't even describe why because of how insanely big of a spoiler for Umineko it is, but it involves the stuff we're talking about right now. Harrow is for sure fairly different, and has a lot of her own stuff going on, but this one aspect is so specific as something so similar.
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Some discussion points:
"It’s not always easy in this job because I’m focused on doing what I believe is right for the country… often that means doing things that may not always be popular, and this is a good example of that."
That is about whether he should pay nurses, teachers and rail workers a higher wage.
So... it's his job to do what he thinks is right, according to his personal opinion, rather than what the general public wants??? Sounds like a dictatorship rather than a democracy...
Sunak also insisted that the government’s plan to deport refugees to Rwanda while their asylum claims are processed will definitely go ahead, with reports claiming that women, married men, and LGBTQ+ people are being sent notices for deportation.
"The system that we need, the system that I want to introduce, is one whereby if you come here illegally, you should be swiftly detained and in a matter of days or weeks we will hear your claim, not months and years. Then we will safely remove you somewhere else."
..... So if someone comes here because they're gay & that's punishable by death in their own country, they're gonna get sent to Rwanda, where.... Someone remind me what their stance on women's & LGBTQIA+ rights are, again???
The prime minister has been criticised for his stance on the trans community before, stating in November that he wanted to modify the 2010 Equality Act to exclude trans people.
According to The Telegraph, Rishi Sunak was planning to “review the Equality Act to make it clear that sex means biological sex rather than gender”.
Under the latter, trans people are protected regardless of whether they have undergone or plan to undergo medical transition, and regardless of whether or not they hold a Gender Recognition Certificate, the document by which a person can change their legal gender.
It means trans people can access single-sex spaces such as shelters, toilets and hospital wards.
The Telegraph also reported: “It would… mean clarifying that self-identification for transgender people does not have legal force, meaning transgender women have no legal right to access women-only facilities."
Reread that.
Reread it again.
Sunak is a dictator & he's turning the UK into a dictatorship rather than a democracy.
He's attacking the 1% of trans people, and using "the good of the majority" defense as a shield.
He's openly targeting us, and saying it's the best thing for the public if we don't have basic human rights.
Remember that he prioritised the difficulties of updating an IT system over a trans persons right to get married or die with dignity, and argued that cis comfort matters more than trans inclusion.
He's a dictator. He could be addressing the homeless crisis, the energy crisis, the cost of living crisis, inflation, education, even the fucking army or police which are rife with abusers and murderers. He could be addressing climate change, the wildlife crisis we're in the middle of due to failing ecosystems.
But instead, he's focusing on one of the most vulnerable groups of people in the country. He's focusing on making us more vulnerable, to the point of committing genocide against us and with the end goal of making it impossible - legally and socially - for us to live here.
We've seen this before and we know exactly where it ends: in camps and gas chambers. It might not be called that this time around, and maybe it won't look the exact same, but changing the language and uniforms doesn't change the facts.
And the fact this is seen as not just alright by the public and other members of government, but that this is being supported and that his supporters either say they agree with him or "don't have a strong opinion" due to the fact they literally don't understand what's going on... the fact this is just being rolled out as acceptable, and he's not even being questioned for this view, or these actions?
That is terrifying.
I've joked about moving to another country with better trans rights in the past, but now I'm genuinely considering it.
As it stands, 15 countries in the world allow self-ID for trans people, with a selection of them also allowing an 'x' gender marker for non binary or trans people. In Europe, some countries are even considering removing the legal gender marker altogether. Within those 15 countries, instances of hate crime against trans people has fallen, and crimes against cis women haven't sky rocketed, or actually increased any noticeable amount.
The UN spoke in support of Scotland moving forward with self-ID laws, as they saw no issue with it. Sunak over ruled based on personal beliefs, and he can't even hide that. He has said that the hypothetical situation of a cis woman choosing to not use a womens-only space due to the possibility of encountering a trans woman, was more important than the inclusion or safety of that trans woman.
He has stated that if an all-girls school was "forced' to accept a trans girl into their system, they would no longer be seen as an all-girls school and would "have to" allow "more boys" to join. The same was said in reverse about all-boys schools "being forced" to welcome a trans boy, and then having to allow "more girls" to join the school.
He doesn't see trans people as human beings. He stated that people need to "tolerate" us - and that we need "kindness and understanding". This is in a country which still requires medical diagnosis of dysphoria for someone to be legally acceptable to apply for a GRC. I'll say that again: we legally need to be diagnosed with a mental illness in order for them to consider placating us with a bit of paper which will allow us to get married, and which would allow us to have our real name on our death certificate & tomb stone rather than our deadname.
He doesn't see us as human; he sees us as an illness to cleanse his lands of.
And nobody is questioning him about it.
#trans stuff#selkie shifts#human rights#politics#scotland#england#ireland#wales#trans rights#trans rights are human rights
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Pre-election polls suggested that Swiss voters had three main concerns: Rising fees for the obligatory, free market-based health insurance system; climate change, which has eroded Switzerland’s many glaciers; and worries about migrants and immigration.
The final tally late Sunday showed the people's party, known as SVP by its German-language acronym, gained nine seats compared to the last vote in 2019, and climbed to 62 seats overall in parliament's 200-member lower house. The Socialists, in second, added two seats to reach 41 in that chamber, known as the National Council.
It marked the latest sign of a rightward turn in Europe, after victories or electoral gains by conservative parties in places like Greece, Sweden and Italy over the last year, even if voters in Poland rejected their national conservative government last week.
A new political alliance calling itself The Center, born of the 2021 fusion of the center-right Christian Democrat and Bourgeois Democrat parties, made its parliamentary election debut and took third place – with 29 seats, eclipsing the free-market Liberal party, which lost a seat and now will have 27.
Environmentally minded factions were the biggest losers: The Greens shed five seats and will now have 23, while the more centrist Liberal-Greens lost six, and now will have 10.
Political analyst Pascal Sciarini of the University of Geneva said Monday that the result was largely a “swing of the pendulum” and that support for the Greens was diluted in part because many voters felt they had already taken a big step toward protecting the environment by overwhelmingly approving a climate bill in June that will curb Switzerland's greenhouse gas emissions.
“At first glance, it’s a bit surprising because the climate crisis is even more present than it was four years ago – when climate worries were the dominant issue among the population,” he said.
He suggested that the bounce back for the SVP was a sign that rising insurance premiums and concerns about growing migration into Switzerland captured many voters’ minds this time.
“It’s perhaps that there was a sort of competition among concerns – and that made the job harder for the Greens to make climate concerns the dominant theme in the media,” Sciarini said.
Overall, the vote isn’t likely to have significant impact on Swiss foreign policy, he said. The country’s executive branch operates like a permanent government of national unity, where no single faction has total sway – what’s known among the Swiss as their “magic formula” of democracy to ensure balance and moderation, and ensure that personalities don’t dominate politics.
Even with their electoral victory, the SVP only holds just over 30% of seats in the lower house. The composition of the legislature, which is elected every four years, ultimately shapes the composition of the executive branch, which is called the Federal Council and includes President Alain Berset, who plans to leave government at the end of the year.
But the legislative vote result won’t significantly alter the composition of the Federal Council, where the SVP already has two seats – as do the Socialists, the free-market Liberals, while the Center has one.
The Center party, by outscoring the Liberals, may make a bid to swipe one of their two seats, and the Socialists will have to choose a successor for Berset; Those are the only likely changes to the Federal Council.
The Swiss president is essentially “first among equals” in the seven-member council, where each of the members hold portfolios as government ministers and take turns each year holding the top job – which is essentially a ceremonial one to represent Switzerland abroad. Berset will be succeeded next year by centrist Viola Amherd.
In Switzerland, voters also participate directly in government decision making. Voters regularly go to the polls – usually four times a year – to vote on any number of policy decisions. Those referendum results require parliament to respond.
More broadly, Switzerland has found itself straddling two core elements to its psyche: Western democratic principles like those in the European Union – which Switzerland has refused to join – and its much vaunted “neutrality” in world affairs.
A long-running and intractable standoff over more than 100 bilateral Swiss-EU agreements on issues like police cooperation, trade, tax and farm policy, has soured relations between Brussels and Bern – key trading partners.
The Swiss did line up with the EU in imposing sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. The Federal Council is considering whether to join the EU and the United States in labeling Hamas a terror organization. Switzerland has joined the United Nations in labeling al-Qaida and Islamic State group as terrorists.
Switzerland, with only about 8.5 million people, ranks 20th in world economic output, according to the International Monetary Fund, and it’s the global hub of wealth management: where the world’s rich park much of their money, to benefit from low taxes and a discreet environment.
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Lab-Grown Diamonds Explained: A Complete Resource
What are lab-grown diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are created in a controlled environment, using advanced technology that replicates the natural processes that form diamonds deep within the Earth. Unlike natural diamonds, which take millions of years to form, lab-grown diamonds can be produced in just a few weeks. They possess the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds, making them an appealing choice for many consumers, especially those looking for an engagement ring.
How are lab-grown diamonds made?
There are two primary methods for creating lab-grown diamonds: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
HPHT: This method mimics the natural process by replicating the high pressure and high temperature conditions found deep in the Earth. A small diamond seed is placed in a chamber with carbon, and over time, the carbon crystallises around the seed, forming a diamond.
CVD: This technique involves placing a diamond seed in a chamber filled with carbon-rich gas. The gas is heated, causing carbon atoms to deposit onto the seed and form a diamond layer by layer.
Both methods produce stunning lab-grown diamonds that are virtually indistinguishable from their natural counterparts.
What The Diamond Pro thinks of lab-grown diamonds
According to The Diamond Pro, lab grown diamond engagement ring offer an ethical and environmentally friendly alternative to natural diamonds. They believe that these diamonds are not only aesthetically comparable but also provide excellent value for consumers. For those searching for an engagement ring, lab-grown diamonds can often be larger and of better quality than similarly priced natural diamonds.
Elodie Engagement Ring
Introducing the Elodie Engagement Ring, a captivating masterpiece with a uniquely contoured diamond band. The centre diamond is exquisitely set in tiger claws, offering a refined, distinguished allure. Meticulously handcrafted in our prestigious Hatton Garden workshop.
Geneva Engagement Ring
Introducing the Geneva Engagement Ring – a stunning creation featuring an enchanting diamond halo and a channel-set diamond band. Expertly crafted in our Hatton Garden workshop, this ring embodies timeless elegance and exceptional artistry.
Olivia Engagement Ring
Presenting the Olivia Engagement Ring, a mesmerizing creation featuring an elegant trilogy band embellished with two stunning pear-shaped blue sapphires. At its center, a diamond is beautifully secured in tiger claws, radiating a refined and sophisticated charm. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted in our prestigious Hatton Garden workshop.
What is the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds?
The key differences between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds lie in their origin and price:
Origin: Natural diamonds are formed over millions of years through geological processes, while lab-grown diamonds are created in a matter of weeks in a lab setting.
Price: Lab-grown diamonds are typically 20-40% less expensive than natural diamonds, allowing buyers to purchase larger or higher-quality stones within their budget.
Both types of diamonds share identical physical properties, making them equally suitable for engagement rings.
Are lab-grown diamonds worth much?
Lab-grown diamonds have been gaining traction in the jewellery market, and while their value is generally lower than that of natural diamonds, they hold significant worth for many consumers. Their affordability allows buyers to invest in larger or higher-quality stones, making them an attractive option for those on a budget. As awareness grows, many consumers are recognising the value of lab-grown diamonds, especially for meaningful purchases like an engagement ring.
How much do lab-grown diamonds cost compared to natural ones?
On average, lab-grown diamonds can cost 20-40% less than natural diamonds. For instance, a natural diamond may cost £5,000, while a similar quality lab-grown diamond might be priced around £3,000. This price difference makes lab-grown diamonds an appealing choice for those looking to maximise their budget without compromising on quality.
Should you buy lab-created diamonds?
If you’re considering an engagement ring, lab-grown diamonds present a fantastic option. They are ethically sourced, environmentally friendly, and offer excellent value for money. Additionally, the technological advances in creating these diamonds mean they are virtually indistinguishable from natural ones, ensuring that your engagement ring will be stunning and meaningful.
Our top 6 picks of lab-grown diamonds
When looking for the perfect lab-grown diamond for your engagement ring, consider these top picks:
Brilliant Earth – Known for their ethical sourcing and stunning selection.
James Allen – Offers high-quality visuals to help you choose your diamond.
Clean Origin – Specialises in exclusively lab-grown diamonds.
MiaDonna – Focuses on creating beautiful and affordable options.
VRAI – Known for their commitment to sustainability and high-quality diamonds.
Hatton Garden Jewellers – A reputable choice in the UK, offering a wide range of lab-grown diamonds.
FAQs about lab-grown diamonds
Are lab-grown diamonds real?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds. Do lab-grown diamonds last as long as natural diamonds? Absolutely! Lab-grown diamonds are just as durable and can last a lifetime, making them perfect for an engagement ring.
Can I get a custom lab-grown diamond ring?
Yes, many jewellers, including Hatton Garden Jewellers, offer custom designs for lab-grown diamond rings.
Will the value of lab-grown diamonds decrease over time?
While lab-grown diamonds are currently less expensive than natural ones, their value will depend on market trends.
Are lab-grown diamonds more ethical?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are considered more ethical as they avoid the environmental and human rights issues associated with mining.
In summary, lab-grown diamonds present an innovative and ethical choice for consumers looking for beautiful, affordable options for significant occasions like an engagement ring. With increasing awareness and acceptance, they are changing the landscape of the diamond industry for the better.
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What is dry ice manufacturing? How is dry ice produced?
Dry ice, or solid carbon dioxide, is an important material with a wide range of applications in many fields. Due to its low temperature characteristics and unique sublimation phenomenon, dry ice plays an important role in food refrigeration, medical transportation, industrial cleaning, and stage special effects. This article will introduce the basic concepts, production processes, and application scenarios of dry ice manufacturing in detail to help you fully understand the production process of dry ice and the scientific principles behind it.
1. Basic concept of dry ice
1.1 Definition of Dry Ice
Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2) with a temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius at normal pressure. Dry ice does not melt into water like ordinary ice, but sublimates directly from solid to gas, hence the name “dry ice”. This unique sublimation property gives dry ice a unique advantage in many applications that require low temperatures but cannot have liquid water.
1.2 Physical properties of dry ice
Dry ice has the following significant physical properties:
1. Low temperature properties: Dry ice has a very low temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius, which makes it very effective in refrigeration and freezing applications. 2. Sublimation phenomenon: Dry ice changes directly from solid to gas without passing through a liquid state. This property means that dry ice does not leave any liquid residue during use, making it particularly suitable for environments where moisture is not allowed. 3. Non-toxic and odorless: Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide, non-toxic and odorless, and harmless to the human body under reasonable conditions of use. 4. High density: The density of dry ice is about 1.56 g/cm3, which is denser than ordinary ice. Therefore, dry ice can provide more cooling capacity in the same volume.
2. Production principle of dry ice
2.1 Source of carbon dioxide
The main raw material of dry ice is carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide used in industrial production of dry ice mainly comes from the following channels:
1. Industrial byproducts: Some industrial processes (such as ammonia production, ethanol fermentation, oil refining, etc.) will produce carbon dioxide gas, which can be used for dry ice production after capture and purification. 2. Fossil fuel combustion: The combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas will also produce a large amount of carbon dioxide, which can be converted into dry ice through capture and purification technology. 3. Natural sources: Natural carbon dioxide deposits or underground gas reservoirs are also important sources of carbon dioxide. Through mining and processing, these natural carbon dioxide can be used for dry ice production.
2.2 Liquefaction of carbon dioxide
The production of dry ice first requires the liquefaction of gaseous carbon dioxide. The liquefaction process is usually carried out under high pressure, and the gaseous carbon dioxide is converted into liquid by pressurization and cooling. Typical liquefaction conditions are about 20 bar (1 bar is approximately equal to 1 atmosphere) and -20 degrees Celsius.
2.3 Forming of dry ice
Liquid carbon dioxide enters the decompression chamber through a special nozzle. During the decompression process, part of the liquid carbon dioxide evaporates rapidly and absorbs heat, while the remaining part cools rapidly and solidifies into solid dry ice snow. This process is similar to evaporative cooling. Liquid carbon dioxide absorbs a large amount of heat during decompression and evaporation, causing the temperature to drop rapidly, causing the remaining part to solidify into dry ice.
2.4 Compression molding of dry ice
The generated dry ice snow needs to be further compressed and molded for easy use and transportation. Compression molding usually uses a special compressor or hydraulic press to press the dry ice snow into dry ice blocks, dry ice particles or dry ice sticks of different shapes and sizes. The pressure and time need to be controlled during the compression molding process to ensure the density and strength of the dry ice.
3. Dry ice production equipment
3.1 Dry ice manufacturing machine
Dry ice manufacturing machine is a device specially used for producing dry ice. Dry ice manufacturing machines can be divided into small, medium and large types according to production capacity and application requirements. The main dry ice making machines include dry ice block making machine, dry ice pellet making machine and dry ice stick making machine.
Dry ice block manufacturing machine: used to produce large blocks of dry ice, suitable for applications such as food refrigeration and industrial cooling.
Dry ice pellet manufacturing machine: used to produce dry ice pellets of different sizes and shapes, suitable for industrial cleaning, laboratory research and special cold chain logistics.
Dry ice stick manufacturing machine: used to produce dry ice sticks, suitable for scenes requiring large cooling capacity.
3.2 Dry ice storage equipment
The storage of dry ice requires special low-temperature storage equipment to keep the dry ice at a low temperature and reduce sublimation losses. Dry ice storage equipment usually uses insulation materials with good thermal insulation properties, which can effectively reduce the sublimation rate of dry ice.
3.3 Dry ice transportation equipment
The transportation of dry ice requires special transportation equipment, such as low-temperature transport boxes and refrigerated trucks. The dry ice needs to be kept at a low temperature during transportation to reduce sublimation losses and ensure that the dry ice can arrive at the destination safely and intact.
4. Application scenarios of dry ice
4.1 Food refrigeration and preservation
Dry ice has a wide range of applications in food refrigeration and preservation. Due to the low temperature characteristics and sublimation phenomenon of dry ice, it can keep food fresh and frozen without producing liquid water. Dry ice is widely used in the transportation and storage of frozen food, ice cream, meat and seafood to ensure that food maintains the best quality during transportation and storage.
4.2 Pharmaceutical cold chain transportation
Dry ice plays an important role in pharmaceutical cold chain transportation. Many biological products and drugs need to be transported and stored in a low temperature environment to ensure their activity and stability. Dry ice can provide a stable low temperature environment and is widely used in the cold chain transportation of vaccines, blood products and biological samples to ensure that pharmaceutical products remain in the best condition throughout the transportation process.
4.3 Industrial cleaning
Dry ice cleaning is an environmentally friendly and efficient industrial cleaning technology. Dry ice particles are sprayed onto the surface of the object to be cleaned under high pressure, and dirt and contaminants are quickly removed through the low temperature and mechanical impact of dry ice particles. The dry ice cleaning process does not produce secondary pollution and is suitable for equipment maintenance, mold cleaning and cleaning of industrial facilities.
4.4 Stage special effects
Dry ice is also widely used in stage special effects. The white smoke produced by the sublimation of dry ice can create a dreamy stage effect and is widely used in performances, weddings, parties and other scenes. By controlling the amount of dry ice used and the spraying method, a variety of different stage special effects can be created to enhance the audience’s visual experience.
5. Safety and environmental protection in dry ice production
5.1 Safe operation
The dry ice production process involves high pressure and low temperature, which is dangerous. Operators need to receive systematic training to master the correct operation methods and emergency response capabilities of the equipment. Safety regulations must be strictly followed during the production process to ensure the safety of equipment and personnel.
5.2 Environmental protection measures
Environmental protection issues need to be paid attention to during the dry ice production process. Carbon dioxide, as a greenhouse gas, needs to be effectively controlled. By adopting advanced capture and purification technologies, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced and more environmentally friendly dry ice production can be achieved.
6. Summary
Dry ice, as a unique low-temperature material, has important application value in many fields. By selecting appropriate dry ice manufacturing equipment, optimizing the production process, and strengthening the maintenance and maintenance of equipment, the production efficiency of dry ice can be effectively improved and the production cost can be reduced. Understanding the production process and application scenarios of dry ice can help companies better utilize the advantages of dry ice and achieve more efficient and environmentally friendly production.
I hope that through this detailed introduction, you have a more comprehensive understanding of dry ice manufacturing. If you have any questions or need further technical support, please feel free to contact us, we will serve you wholeheartedly.
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Aircraft Engines for Sale: Different Types of Aircraft Engines to Know
Aircraft engines are complex machines that provide the necessary power for an aircraft to propel through the sky, which is why understanding the basics of aircraft engines including the single engine aircrafts for sale and their components is crucial to maintaining and optimizing their performance. Knowing when to go for repair of the aircraft components is equally important.
Let's look at what aircraft engines are and what they are composed of.
What Are Aircraft Engines?
Aircraft engines are complex machines with numerous components that generate the necessary thrust for flight, ensuring the aircraft's safe and efficient operation. But what exactly are these parts?
The 3 Components of Aircraft Engines
Multiple components make aircraft engines a reality. So, to further understand how these machines work, let's look at what aircraft engines are composed of:
1. Compressor:
It comprises blades that spin and compress the incoming air to increase its pressure and temperature, which then moves to the combustion chamber, maintaining the engine's power output at different altitudes.
2. Combustion Chamber:
It generates the necessary energy for the engine to function by igniting the previously compressed air with fuel, initiating controlled combustion, which is then sent to the turbine.
3. Turbine:
The turbine is the engine's heart, given that it extracts energy from the hot exhaust gasses generated during combustion and turns it into the rotational power that drives the aircraft forward.
It is clear to see how these components work together for us to arrive at our destinations harm-free. But now that we have understood what aircraft engines are, what they are made of, and how they work, let's look at the types available to see which best suits your aircraft's needs.
The 3 Types of Aircraft Engine:
The aviation industry utilizes several types of aircraft engines, each with its own unique characteristics and applications. So, let's delve into the different types of aircraft engines and what they are used for:
1. Turbojet:
It operates by using the principle of jet propulsion, playing a significant role in the early days of aviation and paving the way for further advancements in engine technology.
2. Turbofan:
It incorporates a bypass ratio, offering greater fuel efficiency and quieter operation than turbojets, making it the preferred choice for commercial airliners.
3. Turboprop:
It combines a gas turbine engine with a propeller system, offering superior performance at lower speeds, which is why it is commonly used in smaller aircraft for regional flights.
The continuous advancements in engine technology contribute to the ever-evolving field of aviation, ensuring safer and more efficient flights for passengers worldwide. However, to fully understand how engines work, we must fully understand their manufacturing process.
How Do You Look for Aircraft Component Repair for the Engines?
Proper maintenance of aircraft engine parts is essential for safe and reliable flight operations. So, here are a few quick tips on how to maintain and replace your aircraft engine parts:
Make sure to change the engine oil and filter regularly.
Schedule regular engine inspections, which must be carried out according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Employ engine monitoring systems, which track parameters such as temperatures, pressures, and vibrations, allowing for proactive maintenance planning.
Pay close attention to the condition of the engine's fuel system to ensure proper fuel flow and combustion efficiency.
Any signs of contamination or blockage should be addressed promptly to prevent any engine damage and maintain optimal performance.
Check on the engine's cooling system by looking at the condition of radiators, fans, and coolant levels to prevent overheating and ensure efficient heat dissipation.
Check for signs of damage, which include abnormal vibrations, excessive smoke or exhaust emissions, decreased engine power, and unusual smells, to prevent failures.
Examine engine components such as pistons, cylinders, valves, and bearings to look for signs of corrosion or cracks that may compromise the engine's performance.
Focus on the engine's electrical system and inspect wiring, connectors, and sensors to prevent electrical malfunctions that could affect the engine's performance.
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HPHT vs CVD: Understanding The Difference Between Diamond
In the diamond world, lab-grown diamonds are gaining popularity for their ethical and sustainable production methods. But when it comes to lab-grown diamonds, two methods stand out: chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT). At Gemone Diamonds, we understand the importance of making an informed decision, so let’s compare CVD and HPHT lab-grown diamonds to help you decide which is best for you.
What is lab grown diamond
Lab grown diamonds are like test tube babies, grown from a seed of diamond under the same heat and pressure as on the surface of the earth. They are environmentally friendly as they do not harm the earth by mining.
What is the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds
Both HPHT and CVD lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural gemstone. High quality lab grown diamonds can be so similar in appearance to mined diamonds that even experts need to look at them under a loupe to tell the difference.
This is why calling lab-grown diamonds artificial or synthetic may not be entirely true. Simply said, they weren't removed from the earth.
This means they are not like cubic zirconia gemstone or moissanite, which have different chemical structures to mined diamonds.
For mined diamonds, they also employ the same 4C classification scheme: color, cut, clarity, and carat.
How are HPHT diamonds made?
HPHT stands for high pressure, high temperature. Essentially, this is how things are created in the natural world. A tiny diamond seed is heated at a high temperature and pressure in the HPHT process to produce diamonds.
The circumstances are similar to those that occur deep under the earth, when real diamonds are created. The HPHT diamond gems enlarge with the addition of pure carbon over a few weeks or months.
How are CVD diamonds made?
CVD diamonds are created in a controlled environment using plasma technology.
A small diamond seed is placed in a chamber and exposed to a stream of carbon-rich gas. In the CVD process, this gas breaks down and thin layers of carbon are deposited on the diamond.
These gradually combine to form a bigger diamond over time.
The difference between HPHT and CVD Diamonds
Not all lab-grown diamonds are created equal. HPHT and CVD diamond gems
differ in a number of ways.
First off, compared to CVD diamonds, HPHT diamonds are often of greater grade. This is because it is easier to control the conditions during the HPHT development process.
In fact, once CVD diamonds are created, laboratories frequently utilize the HPHT technique to enhance them even further.
In HPHT diamond will frequently have better color and clarity than a CVD diamond. This is because an HPHT diamond grows in 14 different directions, while a CVD diamond grows only in one direction. This has an impact on light refraction.
Because of these factors, HPHTs are more expensive than CVD diamonds. Although the process of making them may be easier to control, it is still more difficult and time-consuming.
HPHT diamonds are also typically smaller compared to CVD diamonds.
But, CVD diamonds are more widely available than HPHT diamonds because the CVD process is less expensive and easier to scale.
Which one should you get, HPHT or CVD Diamond?
It's time to select the one that is best for you now that you are aware of the distinctions between HPHT and CVD. When you’re ready to go diamond hunting, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Diamond quality
If you’re looking for a high-quality diamond, HPHT is the better choice.
Diamond availability
CVD diamonds are more readily available than HPHT diamonds.
Your budget
CVD diamonds are less expensive than HPHT diamonds, so if you’re on a budget, CVD may be the right choice for you.
Diamond size
If you’re looking for a larger-sized diamond, CVD is the right choice for you.
Key points
In the world of lab-grown diamonds, both CVD and HPHT methods bring new innovations.
The choice between HPHT and CVD lab grown gemstone ultimately depends on your individual preferences. Consider factors such as color range, price, sizing capabilities, clarity, color control, and customization to make an informed decision. Regardless of your choice, both HPHT and CVD lab-grown diamonds embody responsible luxury and represent an ethical and sustainable approach to enjoying the timeless beauty of diamonds.
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Agar Cups ( 25x ) - 100% Sterile Agar Plates - Sorghum Yeast Agar
Description
🧫【25x Agar Cups】-Nutrient rich, ready for immediate mushroom cultivation.
🦠【100% Sterile】-Sterilized in a state-of-the-art gas chamber for top-notch disinfection.
🕒【Save Time】-Designed for quick use, you don’t need to pour your plates!
💰 【Save Money】-Eliminates the need for costly Petri dishes.
🚫 【Parafilm Free】- It’s sustainable + Environmental Friendly
ZOMBIE AGAR
Zombie Agar cups are by far the cheapest offering for pre-made agar plates! 1. Convenience. Save hours pouring your own. 2. Affordability. Save money from traditional petri dish costs. 3. Reliability.
INGREDIENTS
Real Sorghum Syrup
Yeast Extract
Agar Agar Powder
Dish: Agar Cup (3.25oz)
OUR PROCESS
1. Cups are sterilized in gas a chamber. (important) 2. Agar blend is sterilized in an autoclave. 3. Cups are poured in front of a Laminar Flow Hood. 4. Cups are vacuum sealed prepping for shipping. NOTE: These cups don't come sterile by the manufacturer. Our cups are sterilized in a large gas chamber sterilization unit which is the same equipment hospitals use to treat heat-sensitive items. This is how we can afford such high success rates while avoiding the costs of full-price Petri dishes. WANT FFULL-SIZEDPETRI DISHES? Ok b,aller. We make those too! 🤘 Just check our other listings. This is by far the most economical option, with equally as good results as petri dishes.
PLEASE NOTE
Agar cups are highly nutritious. Never open the cup unless in front of a laminar flow hood. - Many people use a still air box (which is tone), but results may not be guaranteed. Message us with any problems. We always take care of you guys.
Why Choose ZombieMyco’s Zombie Agar Cup?
Our agar cups are convenient, affordable, and reliable. You don't need to pour your agar cups. These pre-made agar cups are made from high-quality material. Eliminates the need for costly traditional petri dishes. Perfect results every time.
What Our Customers Are Saying:
Best agar I've purchased yet!-Heather
Mycelium loves this stuff!! Already placed another order!-Timothy H.
Arrived quick and clean as advertised -Heather
Ready to take your mushroom cultivation to the next level?
Zombie Myco is here to provide the best quality mycology supplies.
Explore Related Products | Contact Us for More Information
Grains | All in One | Substrate | Agar | Liquid Culture | Equipments | Supplies
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The Best 4x4 exhaust systems for Increasing Horsepower
For off-roading enthusiasts, maximizing horsepower and torque should be a top priority. The easiest route to unlocking hidden performance potential in a 4x4 truck, Jeep or SUV is upgrading the exhaust system. High-flowing aftermarket exhausts allow engines to breathe better and reduce restrictive backpressure. But with so many brands and configurations available, choosing the right system can be overwhelming. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll showcase the top options for increasing horsepower substantially through a new performance 4x4 exhaust system.
Why Exhaust Upgrades Add Horsepower
Before diving into specific products, it’s helpful to understand why aftermarket exhausts add more horsepower compared to stock restrictive exhausts:
Increased Diameter - Larger diameter tubing reduces backpressure which robs power.
Smoother Bends - Mandrel bent tubes have a corrugated interior to maintain smooth air flow.
High-Flow Mufflers - Performance mufflers use straight-through, low restriction baffling.
Reduced Restriction - Resonators, catalytic converters and other components are minimized or removed entirely.
Lighter Weight - Advanced materials like aluminized steel and stainless steel reduce system weight.
Scavenging Effect - Reduced backpressure helps pull more spent gases from the cylinders.
Combined, these performance-oriented characteristics allow more exhaust gases to be evacuated faster, which enables the engine to generate more horsepower and torque output.
Top Brands for Horsepower Gains
The top manufacturers of horsepower-adding 4x4 exhausts include both premium brands and cost-effective options. Here are the leaders to consider:
MagnaFlow MagnaFlow is revered for straight-through muffler designs that eliminate restrictions. Stainless steel/aluminized steel materials and smooth mandrel-bent tubing also boost power. Expect gains of 7-15 HP.
Gibson Performance Gibson specializes in exhausts for truck and Jeep applications. Their systems maximize flow while retaining a mellow sound. Horsepower gains of around 10-12 HP are common.
MBRP Performance MBRP is a leading choice of diesel truck owners for the large power gains their systems provide. They also offer aluminized or stainless systems for gas trucks adding 15-35 HP.
Flowmaster Flowmaster’s “scavenger” muffler technology is excellent for producing more horsepower through reduced backpressure. Gains of 10-25 extra HP are possible.
Banks Power Known for diesel systems, Banks also makes exhausts for gas trucks and SUVs. Their “twisty” exhaust tips look cool while boosting flow. Expect extra horsepower in the 15-40 range.
Borla Exhausts Using patented multi-core technology, Borla exhausts are designed to boost horsepower and torque to the fullest degree. Their quality comes at a premium price.
Muffler Design Factors that Influence Horsepower
Not all aftermarket mufflers are created equal when it comes to potential horsepower gains. Here are some of the most important factors to look for:
Chambered: Straight-through cores prevent excess turbulence.
Offset Inlet/Outlet: Smoothly eases gases through the muffler.
Perforated Core Tubing: Allows pressure waves to dissipate vs. blocking flow.
Large Inlet & Outlet: 3” or larger sizing prevents bottlenecking.
Reduced Baffles: Limiting internal flanges and plates enhances flow.
Advanced Materials: Lightweight aluminized, stainless and titanium metals.
The most critical aspects are straight-through, turbulence reducing designs along with sufficient diameter inlet and outlet tubes. This greatly reduces flow resistance compared to OEM mufflers.
Exhaust Diameter - Bigger is Better
When shopping for a cat-back performance exhaust system, pay close attention to the piping diameter. Wider tubes measurably reduce backpressure which enables the engine to generate more usable horsepower and torque. Here are some common 4x4 exhaust sizes:
2.25” - 2.5”: Good for modest power gains on smaller 4-cylinder engines.
2.5” - 3”: Provides substantial improvements for average V6 applications.
3” - 5”: The ideal range for maximizing horsepower on full-size V8s and diesels.
Single exhaust systems typically range from 2.25” - 3”. Dual configurations commonly start around 2.5” and go up to 5” diameter piping. Match the pipe diameter to your particular 4x4’s engine size and desired power increase.
Additional Factors that Impact Horsepower
Beyond the exhaust system itself, a few other important considerations can affect potential horsepower improvements:
headers provide increased diameter primary tubes on V-engines to boost exhaust scavenging.
EFI/Computer Tuners can adjust air/fuel ratios and timing for optimized power.
Cold Air Intakes provide cooler denser intake air for combustion efficiency.
High-Flow Catalytic Converters remove emissions restrictions of stock cats.
Lightweight Chassis Parts like bumpers and skid plates further reduce weight.
Getting professional dyno tuning ensures the exhaust and other mods work together for maximum horsepower gains.
Achieving the Full Potential of Your 4x4
Few modifications can unlock hidden horsepower as effectively and easily as a high-flowing performance exhaust system. To maximize your truck, Jeep or SUV’s power potential, focus on these key aspects:
High-Quality Brand with efficient straight-through muffler design.
Sufficient Diameter piping in the 3” range for V8s, 2.5” for smaller motors.
Lightweight Aluminized or Stainless Steel construction.
Engine-Matched Performance with suitable tube sizing.
Professional Installation to prevent leaks and issues.
Supporting modifications like intakes, tuners and headers.
Dyno Tuning to dial in the exhaust system with programming adjustments.
With the right combination of an engine-matched high-flow exhaust and other complementary upgrades, you can achieve the peak horsepower and torque output from your off-road 4x4. Your vehicle will not only perform better on trails, but have a great throaty sound in the process.
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Research aims to improve recycled concrete for construction, carbon sequestration - Technology Org
New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/research-aims-to-improve-recycled-concrete-for-construction-carbon-sequestration-technology-org/
Research aims to improve recycled concrete for construction, carbon sequestration - Technology Org
University of Nebraska researchers are studying the economic and practical feasibility of using recycled concrete as a building material and as a source of carbon sequestration.
Crews removed concrete and debris from the demolition site of Cather and Pound Halls in February 2018. Nebraska researchers are working to improve recycled concrete for reuse in construction. Image credit: Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing
The project is funded by an $805,000 grant from the Department of Energy, one of 33 grants totaling $131 million awarded this year as part of its goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Matching funding takes the total to more than $1 million.
More than 1.8 billion tons of concrete is used in construction every year in the United States alone, and its production is a prolific generator of carbon emissions; for every ton produced, a nearly equal amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas linked to global warming, is released into the atmosphere.
“Also, we tear down lots of structures – infrastructure, buildings, so on,” said Seunghee Kim, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at Nebraska and one of the research team’s leaders. “Whenever we tear down, there’s a lot of waste concrete,” much of which ends up in landfills.
Waste concrete also can be crushed and processed into a material known as recycled concrete aggregate and reused in construction, but it’s weaker than original concrete. Earlier research by Kim has found RCA can be strengthened through a process called carbonation: calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrate, both found in concrete, can react with carbon dioxide to form a compound called calcium carbonate, which strengthens the RCA.
Because concrete absorbs carbon dioxide, the gas is captured within the calcium carbonate and permanently stored there.
The new DOE funding will enable Kim and others to expand from successful, but small-scale, lab experiments, in 10- and 30-gallon chambers, to much larger-scale production in a one-ton capacity reaction chamber. A private construction company based in Omaha, Hawkins Construction, is collaborating on the project.
The specialized reactor will accelerate the carbonation process and identify the ideal pressure and carbon dioxide levels needed to modify recycled concrete aggregate.
“On the one hand, this process can make the RCA stronger. But also we can sequester carbon dioxide,” Kim said. “It’s a win-win.”
The research will include analysis of RCA properties, such as residual mortar content, chemical composition, aggregate crushing value, freeze-thaw resistance, abrasion resistance, pH and concentration of heavy metals in leachate water.
Christopher Exstrom, chemistry professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, will lead undergraduate students in conducting chemical analyses on the samples “to make this carbonation reaction more efficient and more productive,” he said.
His role is to help determine the mechanisms by which recycled concrete aggregate reacts with carbon dioxide, as well as analyze concrete samples using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Ultimately, Exstrom said, this research could lead to more recycled concrete being used in construction, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
Kim said the pathway of this research exemplifies UNL’s research-funding pipeline; it began a few years ago with internal grant funding, later was supported by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and has grown to be a DOE-supported project, part of a national move to reduce greenhouse gases.
Hawkins Construction is participating because private industry wants to know “if they can make this work economically. Does it make sense for them?” Kim said.
Eric Thompson, K.H. Nelson College Professor of economics and director of the Bureau of Business Research at Nebraska, is part of the research team, focused on those economic questions.
“A number of private sector companies are interested, when feasible, in addressing climate change,” Thompson said. “There’s reason to believe there’s a market out there for people who’d prefer to use concrete that is more carbon neutral. The question is how large are those markets? … What are the costs of using this technology? There’s a number of questions of interest to economists.”
The research has far-reaching implications for the concrete industry, said Jiong Hu, professor of civil and environmental engineering and another member of the research team.
“There’s tremendous pressure on the concrete industry, largely because of its carbon footprint,” Hu said. “This is something that would not just benefit the concrete industry, but society, too.”
Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Steam Next Fest, October 2023
Played a score of demos, as I am wont to do, to find new things of interest and confirm if the ones I already knew or not can clear the first hurdles or crash and burn.
I played these 19 demos:
I'll put 9 in this post, and 10 in a second, just so the post editor doesn't shit itself from length issues. Going down the list in the order above - really, Asura the Striker should come first but with the English UI, Steam biases non-Latin characters to the bottom.
I flinched every time the Unity logo came up, those poor bastard devs.
Continued under the read more.
Conscript
Coming from Australian solo developer Jordan Mochi (the studio, Catchweight Studio, is just him at his house), Conscript is a survival horror game set in the middle of the Battle of Verdun in 1916, the longest individual battle in the First World War. While there have been quite a few games, indeed some in recent times, that utilise the horrors of the First World War as their setting and something to reflect on or just as a source of misery or pathos, I actually can't think of any that are just directly a survival horror game.
Conscript acquits itself superbly, using that setting superbly. You are a young French soldier at the frontline trench separating the French and German forces, and the miseries of trench warfare and all that plagued it (enemy artillery shelling, chemical gas weapons, failing roughshod infrastructure and non-existent supply lines) lend to a dirty, grimy brown and grey misery pit that's much more grounded than the usual ones for horror games.
The integration of setting and mechanics, elements and aesthetics come together so well. The chaos of the First World War and its conflicts are used excellently; the opening event of the game, where you are shepherded out to hold the line, has enemies continuously appearing from nowhere. German soldiers, speaking a language your protagonist doesn't understand and can't make out, equally driven to their limits with some appearing haggard and lanky like beasts, wielding only trench shovels or cudgels (as their ammo also runs scarce), they fit their moulds for survival horror enemies very well. The assault ends after a set amount of time, and no clear direction or indication of this is given; you're left to fend against the incoming waves with whatever ammo, guns and tools you can find.
Your primary guns, the rifle and pump shotgun, need you to hit the reload button between shots not to reload but just to chamber a new round/pump a shotgun, which provides that little barrier to seamless combat that a good survival horror needs. Melee combat is awkward and messy. You can stop enemies from respawning by plugging gaps at the trench walls with barbed wire, as if boarding a window from zombies, cigarettes are traded for upgrades/resources, the horrors haunting you are often artillery or creeping gas as they are enemy soldiers. It comes together so naturally.
The graphics are also of particular note; whether they're sprites or models, the character sprites carry the look of 3D models rendered as 2D sprites, a type of style I mostly associate with the Gameboy Advance, where it was regularly used to awful effect. That console's library is plagued with some of the most hideous games you'll ever see, when it was so capable of absolutely gorgeous 2D visuals, a plague spread round the industry by things like Sony America's anti-2D mandate during the PS1 era. Conscript uses a similar style to excellent effect; it looks nice on its own terms and it fits with the moody, atmospheric approach the game takes. It truly is all in how you use it.
Darkest Abyss
Coming from Brazilian indie studio 2ndBoss, Darkest Abyss trumpets its obvious inspirations and goals from its description; it's a 2D platformer in the vein of the classic NES Castlevanias, a style it apes very well, with the usual sneaky breaking of hardware limitations for grander displays.
Darkest Abyss is a very competent take on the formula, if one that's a little easy. Your subweapons in particular are pretty good and the game is generous with refill items, and indeed a lot of rooms seem explicitly designed around subweapons that they hand to you at the start. The diagonal attack one oneshots even beefy enemies and shreds even the stage boss very quickly, the only tricky part of the demo level is the auto-scroller where a giant horse (above) slowly pursues you due to its use of blocks that break under your feet. Go too fast and you'll run out of blocks before you can see where you can jump to.
I have two issues with Darkest Abyss, one a little fiddly thing and one a flavour thing. For the former, in an attempt to be helpful with mounting and climbing the infamously fiddly Castlevania staircases, Darkest Abyss makes them work such that you can just hold left/right into them and your character will climb them, no need to mess with up/down. Problem is, when ascending, your character passes by the bottom step a little, before turning and going back and then ascending. This makes it super easy to be faced the wrong way from impeding or incoming enemies when you didn't mean to be, and you can't extract yourself from the stairs so easily. It also loses a bit of nuance, where in games like Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon or Grim Guardians, you can walk at a ledge where a staircase is going down and just walk off the ledge for a fast descent, either for speed reasons or to tactically escape enemies and pivot to hit them as they approach. This is ultimately a minor issue, though, once you realise it's how stairs work you can just work around it.
The flavour issue comes from the game's intro cutscene, setting the stage of the world and the tale of King Dracula. During it, after describing Dracula's monstrous reign, it pivots to describe at length a demon who looks like an old man with a massive sword called Furcas, and how he's a wandering badass who kills all he sees, summoned by the Church who lost control etc etc. The problem isn't that per se, it's that it then awkwardly pivots to your actual character Lucy, a half-vampire desperately seeking to kill Dracula who turned her to break the vampire curse before she zombifies (and the flavour of how she stalls the curse's progress is pretty rad, an ornament with a weeping demon singing that somehow slows its progress). Then, at the end of the first level, you find Dracula dead with Furcas' big sword in his neck before fighting the first boss, who is not Furcas but just some demon that a wizard has been sealed inside. The characters are then curious about who could've done this, who is this mysterious Furcas, etc etc.
I'm making a lot of hay by explaining it but basically it would've been cooler to not detail and show and hype up Furcas at the start awkwardly between the two points that matter immediately (your character and her initial goal) and instead have the subversion hit properly and the explanation doled out over the course of the game. Narrative matters even for games with simpler, more limited delivery of it.
Still, Darkest Abyss seems pretty cool and I'm looking forward to seeing if it sticks the landing.
Echoes of the Living
Comparing a game to existing ones, especially big brand or prominent/important ones in a genre, is a good shorthand for explaining and introducing them to people or selling people on them, but some can see it as annoying. In posts like this I often do it because a lot of indie games (at least the ones that I play, which is perhaps telling of me) are clearly and sometimes openly directly trying to capture the specific feeling of a specific IP, or to mimic and/or build upon its gameplay and mechanics because the developers loved it (such as Darkest Abyss just above us). It's reductive in some ways, sure, but it's useful and sometimes it's just the only way to sensibly do it.
All of this is to say that Echoes of the Living, by Spanish developers MoonGlint, is a survival horror clearly in the vein of the classic Resident Evils, with visuals more reminiscent of the Gamecube remake of Resident Evil 1. I think that's pretty explicitly the goal; the game opens with a "This game contains scenes of explicit violence and gore" warning screen of the same exact fashion as those games, which all games referencing or inspired by Resident Evil are fond of doing. And, I think, it mostly gets there!
The movement is perhaps a little twitchier, but its tank controls work, the shooting works the same ways with the same nuances of aiming down to hit downed foes or aiming up to get higher critical chance, you've got your herbs for healing, gunpowder for crafting ammo, and so on. It's got the vibes down, the environments look great, good stuff.
There are a few design issues, though, which dings it a bit. Which is to say, in the 27 odd minutes I played the demo, I couldn't reach the first save room. Not because the game is vicious and finding my way there was too fiendish, no; it's just fucking buried behind a good two dozen or more rooms of zombies and items. This is an issue because the save room is also where the item storage is, and EOTL is actually very generous with items outside of healing ones - you've got more than enough bullets to clean out the initial areas of the pub you reach after the opening streets segment and still have plenty to spare. But your limited inventory also has to hold puzzle items, and if you pick up some keys and can't find the doors they go to they're just going to clog things up and get in the way of more resources or puzzle items. You're dying for that storage crate pretty quick.
Less serious but just kind of odd are melee weapons; EOTL has degrading melee weapons like baseball bats that can be used to kill zombies without spending bullets, but despite being described as being for this use, they are way more scarce than bullets. In fact I only found one, I think, the one it gives you at the start when introducing them, and it's great, it's five or six free oneshots if you aim for heads, but if they're meant to spare your ammo reserves for more important moments their scarcities should probably be flipped.
There is one more issue:
Can you read the text on for that item without pulling the image out and zooming in further? I couldn't on my huge 48-inch TV about a metre and a half from me, and the game was running at maximum resolution and settings and all. It's compacted down to make room because that entire right side of the screen is intended for the storage crate when you get to it. But, well, there's a reason why Resident Evil and others have bespoke separate screens for storage crate item management, it's for ease of use. Compacting the inventory screen like this isn't the best idea, that screen space is wasted any time you're not at a storage crate. It's admirable to want to be efficient, but sometimes you need more menus and screens!
Echoes of the Living is a good effort and I hope to see at least the inventory screen tidied up if not at launch (which is soon) then afterward. The rest would require a bit more shuffling of rooms or item design, but otherwise it holds up well. At some point I may well come back round to it.
Japanese Drift Master
I usually try a racing game out in Steam Next Fests when I see one, because I've always been fond of different kinds of racing and car games, but only ones about high-speed sci-fi racing like F-Zero or Fast Zero RMX really stick with me. I suck at basically all others, even though I like shit like Crazy Taxi and have liked the idea of ones like the older Need For Speed games and all, and especially old arcade racers. I can never wrap my head around games where they behave more like actual cars and not karts or lightspeed hover cars.
This is one of those; coming from Polish developer-publisher Gaming Factory, JDM is more "realistic simulator" than you first might expect given the subject. It has a bevy of detailed control and handling options and fairly straight-laced but nice realistic visuals once in-game. I'm not qualified to say how good it is at those options, but it seemed to have its shit together even to a layman like me.
Perhaps my idea of drifting has been somewhat warped by Initial D memes and more arcadey racers, but it feels like there isn't quite enough space on its realistic tight-streeted world map or in the event I tried in it, but I am inept at this shit. I passed the event with a bronze medal by managing to drift in a consistent circle in a wide enough spot in one of its turns. At some point I need to sit down and pick a game and commit to it to get a feel for how to handle things, otherwise I'll just never vibe with them.
Still, JDM seems pretty neat if you're looking for a fairly realistic simulator with an emphasis on pulling drift tricks.
Koumajou Remilia II: Stranger's Requiem
I still haven't played the original non-Steam PC release of this, or gotten around to the Switch version of the first game (which I own), but I did play the original Koumajou Remilia some years ago and was fond of it. Coming from Japanese indie dev Frontier Aja, this a Touhou fangame that apes Castlevania openly, aiming for its aesthetic and musical style as well as the gameplay, but blended with Touhou. Its character illustrations in particular are fucking incredible.
Regrettably, this port or version is something of a fucking mess. The screenshot probably gives you some immediate ideas; this game can't be full-screened, and there are no graphical or performance options of any sort in its menu at all. There's not really an options at all, which is really unfortunate because the game's default controls are fucked up, with multiple actions bound to the same key by some accident or glitch. The game's tutorial will tell you buttons for swapping subweapons/summons or performing certain moves and they'll often do nothing or just stack up, as they either overwrite each other or clash. You can't actually cycle subweapons with LB & RB on the Xbox controller, for instance, neither of them do anything. One of the cycle directions is bound to Y, which is also your backstep button. The flurry attack performed by hitting Up + X is also bound to B, which is your subweapon usage button. And because it's going at the same time as the subweapon, it often overwrites or prevents their usage.
The game defaults to Switch button layouts so this might even be a bad port of that version, in which case hopefully the Switch ports avoid these issues. I'll have to see by busting it out, and if so that's good, and if not that's a horrible, horrible shame. It does remind me that I still need to get around to Touhou: Luna Nights.
The Last Exterminator
Something that struck me over the last week, amidst news of service games dying away and losing all their money, was how far we've come from the awful bastard days of cover-based shooters. The drift to the current "Boomer Shooter" renaissance was gradual, exploding with Doom 2016 in particular and we're still riding the wave. God, how much better things are now with shooters that actually have to give a shit about enemy design, and level design, and can have challenge that isn't just "you were breathed on, sit behind a wall for seven seconds".
From Australian studio Ironworks Games, The Last Exterminator is a prime example of the new wave of boomer shooters; taking obvious overt cues from Duke Nukem 3D in particular (but with actual 3D graphics for you and enemies, more akin to stuff like Quake but with Duke's art style), it's a boomer shooter in basically every way: sprawling levels where paths interweave and criss-cross and turn back on each other, health & armour meters, the usual suspects for weapons, no forced cover system and a very fast protagonist, on and on. It's fucking sublime. It's just excellent.
The demo is just one level, but it's a good level, guns feel fucking great, movement feels great and it looks really nice. It's a plain ol' fucking treat. The core part of this renaissance for shooters is that these old shooters were just plain fucking great, a lot of the time, whereas the horrid tunnel the 7th gen of videogames went down struggled to produce much of any worth, never mind reach even vaguely similar heights. I would even go as far as saying that the only truly excellent shooters of that time were Vanquish and Resident Evil 5.
Last Exterminator does basically everything right - it even already has great gamepad controls out of the box, a bit of a rarity for boomer shooter demos in my experience. A highlight of this Next Fest, easily.
The Last Faith
Sadly, I don't think I've ever enjoyed a 2D "Soulslike", if I'm being honest. Maybe there is one out there, but I've wracked my brains and I can't come up with any I'd call good. If you count Blasphemous that'd be it, but the thing is I don't, I think that's just a pure Metroidvania platformer and not an action RPG at all. It's not that I decree that it can never be done, just that I've never enjoyed one. Partially because it feels like so many fall into weird traps that don't make sense if you've played the games that inspire them.
And like, look at that menu and art above and tell me this isn't just wanting to be Bloodborne specifically. And that's good, more of that is always good. Coming from English studio Kumi Souls Games, The Last Faith misses the key ingredient of its inspiration: speed.
The Last Faith's issue for me is that getting around in its world just feels tedious and fighting enemies feels like a slog. In the name of challenge they want your animations to be very specific and require you to parry moves if you can't dodge them, but all of that just made me feel like I couldn't ever quite move around enemies properly or quickly. And you don't have a block to make up for that, as far as I can tell, because these gits never have a fucking working block/guard system ever because why would you? Who would ever want that.
The thing about Bloodborne taking the block system away is that your general movement and attack speed was significantly increased to compensate. Your dodge becomes a lunge that can close distance incredibly as well as having great i-frames, and most weapons are very fast or have fast forms. The Last Faith doesn't really have that, and it hurts it so much. Both demo characters feel too slow to get around at a reasonable pace and regular enemies take too many hits to feel good.
There's a bad habit among indie devs of assuming that "hard" or hell, "balanced" means "takes longer", that in a "balanced game" or a "hard game" you need to do some "middling" amount of hits to beat things. This makes them tiresome fucking slogs because nothing ever just dies and getting anywhere takes forever. Basic enemies die terribly fast from the very start in Souls games, and no-one ever seems to notice.
I can't say I recommend The Last Faith. The thing is, Bloodborne's still great and it's playable on PS5 as well as PS4, if you're hankering that bad. Its other inspiration, Castlevania (you can tell by the styling of the brawler character and his backdash especially), is represented vigorously and better elsewhere.
Little Goody Two Shoes
Coming from Portuguese developer AstralShift, Little Good Two Shoes is an astounding visual treat. Its art style, its sprite and animation work and the very tasteful VHS filter are the stuff of dreams. All of the little animation touches, from Elise's portrait in the top left reacting to things to just how she runs or hops across stones to go across a river, all of it is perfect and adorable. It has that 90s anime/PC-98 visual novel art style to it, and its title animation captures the same style immaculately. This is, truly, one of the ideal ways a game can look, frankly.
The demo is remarkably large as this is a slow-burner; a mix of traditional dating sim and a horror adventure game, where you weave your way to one of 10 endings by romancing one of three girls and investigating talk of a witch and demons in the woods around your medieval/early modern German countryside town. It balances these pretty well - there's a hunger meter as well as a health one, giving you a reason to do minigames for money so you can't just devour the dating/horror story immediately, and the minigames are fun besides. It gives the whole thing a good pacing.
It does lay it on thick, too, you get jumped by thorned demon vines minutes into things and get chucked into the thick of time management and arranging dates with your potential girlfriends relatively quick. It's all slickly done, the characters are delightful and mystery abounds pretty quick.
The horror aspects I saw, from the trailer and the demo, aren't my taste for horror exactly but they give the story good intrigue all the same, and Elise is a fun character so seeing her bounce off her love interests and others is a laugh anyway. For its asking price it seems like a fucking steal, and as it's out soon I may well pounce on it quick.
Even if it somehow doesn't stick its landing, I want to see these devs keep at their craft because holy god, it's so fucking pretty.
Little Locked Rooms
From solo developer riolucci, Little Locked Rooms has an adorable premise: a detective making dioramas of locked-room mysteries for his kids to solve. It's a good set-up, and I'm very fond of these kinds of puzzle game, but the demo's single level leaves it wanting.
The demo level involves a thief entering a cabin and then fleeing from it without leaving a trace when the police arrive 30 minutes later, and from the supplied screenshot above you can likely figure it out quick. But the way you have to convey the answer is to pick through a series of questions that aren't always clear in what they want: they want you to pick through the scenario and solve it through the questions, answering each step as if you don't or can't immediately tell waht happened.
So here, you have to answer that the thief exited the house by walking, then specify that he walked backwards through his own footsteps, then specify that he grabbed a tire and then walked back through the tire tracks, using a tire to cover his footprints in the tracks. It makes delivering the answer a little fiddly, but at least with the answers and scoring system, there is some pleasantly surprising nuance: you can pick the tire tracks first when identifying how the thief left, and get explicitly told "not yet" and to find the interim step, and not have your score penalised. It's a flow thing, I suppose; I would prefer giving the answer and then "defending" or "proving it" to make things feel more natural, but maybe that's just me. Maybe the point is figuring out how to work your way there rather than answering.
Either way, the demo level is short and simple. There's promise in this, but I'd like to have seen a more complex diorama and thus what the "average" level of the game looks like, to see what it aspires to. Perhaps at a future Next Fest.
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Part 2 is here!
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NJ Ayuk Shares His Thoughts on How a New Energy Sector Can Help African Women
The world is currently grappling with climate change and how to implement policies that promote more sustainable forms of energy. But bestselling author and energy expert NJ Ayuk argues one topic that isn’t discussed enough is how the next stage of energy development can benefit women.
As author of several books on energy, including his latest, A Just Transition: Making Energy Poverty History with an Energy Mix, NJ Ayuk understands the difficulties the energy sector faces when it comes to renewable sources of power. And, as chairman of the African Energy Chamber, he offers unique insight into the role Africa can play in expanding access to electricity and providing women with a better quality of life.
“In Africa, there is that silent majority that nobody talks about. Right now, there are 600 million people without access to electricity. There are 900 million without access to clean cooking technologies. Most of them are women,” he said. “Nobody’s talking about their issues, and nobody is talking about their causes.”
Africa Caught in the Middle on Energy Issues
Right now, most of the world’s energy markets are facing a shakeup. Europe is transitioning away from purchasing Russian fossil fuels because of the war in Ukraine. On the other side of the globe, China is buying more fossil fuels from Russia than it ever has before. And caught in the middle is the continent of Africa, which is home to vast reserves of oil and natural gas — and massive numbers of people living in energy poverty.
While some countries and businesses weigh the benefits of investing money in Africa to extract its fossil fuels, others are voicing environmental concerns. They argue that instead of pouring more money into polluting forms of energy, more effort should go into sustainable power, such as solar, electric, and wind.
NJ Ayuk thinks there is a middle way. As he points out, hundreds of millions of Africans live without any access to electricity. The continent produces only 3% of the world’s carbon emissions, despite being home to nearly 17% of the planet’s population.
He believes Africa should sell its fossil fuels, use the funds to expand access to electricity and build jobs, all while preparing the continent for a transition to more eco-friendly sources in the near future.
By leveraging Africa’s natural resources alongside smart policies, the continent will be able to lift the standard of living for millions of people — and solve some of its most pressing social problems, he said.
“Let's be honest — the energy industry has done a horrible job when it comes to anything to do with women,” NJ Ayuk said. “It’s not even something we need to be proud of. We need to be ashamed. Women are still the last to be hired and the first fired in our industry. Women’s issues have just been very overlooked, and we really hope that when we are talking about a transition, this does not repeat itself, no matter if it’s with the grain economy or it’s the fossil fuel industry or green energy. We need to change that no matter where we go. We need to ensure that women have equal opportunities to benefit from foreign investments in the energy sector and have equal opportunities to benefit from the jobs creating by bringing industry to the continent.”
He speaks from experience. As the son of a single mother who worked to provide for her children, NJ Ayuk has long noticed the gender gaps both in education and the professional world. And he’s worked hard to change them.
“I was always told that, as a lawyer, you can be one of two things. You can be a social parasite or a social engineer,” he said. “That’s a choice. And I felt if you're going to really be a social engineer, you’re going to have to really understand energy, understand energy law. And be on the table and be in the room to really change things and improve things.”
Helping African Women Who Want To Become Lawyers
For his part, NJ Ayuk has already started helping the next generation of women through the firm he founded, Centurion Law Group. The practice helps place bright young African students into American law schools to give them access to a world-class education.
“When you look at a lot of young Africans, especially the women, nobody gives them a shot. Nobody. Everybody looks down on them,” he said. But NJ Ayuk says that with the help of American law firms that work with Centurion, the firm has trained young Africans to become “amazing lawyers.”
“We have so many people who have come through our programs that today they are serving as prosecutors or serving as judges. Heck, some of them even serve as opposing counsel to us right now. But that's a beautiful thing. So we’ve had this slew and a great group of African female lawyers that have gone through Centurion and they are general counsels in corporations and taking on the world.”
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