#your mileage may vary

[sarahmackattack]

Hi Sarah!

I have a cephalopod question: do ceph’s ever lose their suckers, and if so are they able to grow new ones?

And a SciComm question: do you have any advice for someone who wants to grow their career in SciComm? It’s my dream career but it seems like opportunities are few and far between.

Is it “better” to pursue a degree in a specific science, or to focus more on the education/teaching side of things?

(although a huge shoutout to you and the other SciComm folks sharing your passions! I did manage to get a part-time internship and job at my local zoo in their education department, and I only had the courage to pursue those opportunities thanks to people like you! Didn’t think I’d get this far, and now I can’t wait to take it even farther; I’ve just got to figure out how to get there first!)

Do ceph’s ever lose their suckers, and if so are they able to grow new ones? I'm sure they do! The regeneration of some species has been studied but not all of them so there's likely some species that are a little better at it than others (for example, it's probably something a predator that attacks very strong fast animals needs than an animal that primarily eats bivalves).

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to grow their career in SciComm? The trouble with this is that my job is very very weird, and doesn't exist in the kind of structure where you apply for a job →you get the job → you have a stable job. It's more similar to the safety and job structure of being an artist, but with a nonprofit thrown into the mix. It's... complicated! And not necessarily stable! All that to say, how I got here is not going to work for everyone and I honestly sometimes cant believe it worked/works for me at all. It might stop working any second.

But whatever here's what I did. I practiced science communication on social media and locally in Connecticut (where I was at the time). I tried to consume a lot of science communication and consider what was working in those pieces, and thought about what I enjoyed doing within that whole huge ecosystem. There's one zillion ways to do science communication, and different approaches will hit different audiences. It's totally critical for a lot of different people to be doing science communication in a way that feels genuine to them, in their own voices, with whatever methods they like doing the most so that as a collective, we hit the broadest patch of people. No one science communication technique is perfect for every "audience" member, so the diversity of approaches is so so important. I don't think that gets said enough. So explore! See what you like, see what you get joy out of doing, see how people react to it. Producing science communication as you're practicing will build out a portfolio of work that you can point to when you graduate.

There are a lot of kinds of science communication jobs. There's the freelance/DIY approach like having a podcast like Alie Ward, or founding a nonprofit (this is very hard and i don't recommend doing this lol), or having a successful youtube channel/social media situation like Hank Green or doing TV like Emily Calandrelli/Bill Nye/Phil Torres. Then there's working for an existing science education nonprofit like Biobus or Science Friday or working for institutions like museums/zoos/aquaria, etc. Theres also a whole field in the university system called "extension" where you're taking the work happening at the university and connecting the surrounding population with that work. Each of those jobs, particularly the older institution-based ones have their own structures and will come with different advice on how to get into those jobs. I'm not really sure about those. Having that science communication portfolio will likely help for all of them though!

As far as what to do for school... I think the true but kinda complicated answer is that often what we do for school isn't directly related to what we end up doing. The skills we build while we're in school, and the connections we make are really what determines where we end up and what we end up doing. So... really take seriously the stuff you're doing that nobody's telling you to do. That's as important as class... and honestly, in my personal experience, it's way more important than what you do in class.

[sits-bound]

My bookbinding tools and stuff

I started binding in July 2023, so I'm certainly no expert, but in case you're interested in what I use to create my binds…

I use Adobe InDesign to typeset and Illustrator for graphics

I print on an old Canon laser printer for black and white and an Epson ET-3830 inkjet for color

I purchase my shortgrain paper from Church Paper (for folios) and the long grain paper I use for quartos is just whatever (nothing special)

I love my punching cradle and guide that I got off etsy.

I use this thread (that I wax with beeswax) for sewing signatures

I love this cardstock for endpapers (Craft Consortium ink drops)

I like this bookboard (in black specifically)

I use these tools for spacing and squaring when creating covers

Everything gets stuck together with this glue. (GET THE POINTY TOP!)

I have an old Silhouette Cameo for cutting vinyl and applying foil to bookcloth (with this pen)

I use this foil quill for freehanding

I apply laser toner foil with this Scotch laminator

I have a thermal binding machine from Amazon and I use these glue strips with it

I have this guillotine (but I don't recommend black for visibility reasons)

I have purchased bookcloth from Hollander's, Colophon, and Amazon

Get this head and bond if you want to make your own bookcloth

I make ribbon bookmarks with charms like these and these crimps.

I get positive feedback and help and kindness from @renegadeguild

Caveat: These are just the tools and supplies I use. I am not an expert. I'm a hobbyist who is relatively new to it. Some of the things I use might be "wrong" but every book I've made works, so who cares?

If you want to see what it looks like when I bind something, here's a short video.

[timdrakemybeloved]

So I don’t know if I’m overthinking this but whatever it’s about how I feel so:

I hate how Percy has come to be seen as dumb. I understand that people are joking for the most part but I think it’s fucked up to choose Percy out of all people to be the “dumb” one. Percy is an extremely smart, strategic and kind leader.

Just to be clear, for all of these points, there are too many examples to name so I’m sticking to one each.

For one, because with almost every person he meets he empathizes with them even when whatever is happening is risky to his well-being, he’s seen as dumb. Like with the river nymph at the farm with Apollo’s cows, when he had to clean the river, he chose to overexert himself rather than cause her harm, even before she offered him another solution. This was empathetic, not dumb.

Second, I’m not trying to diminish Annabeth by saying this because she is very intelligent and capable, but Percy has much more battle leading experience than her. It’s distasteful to say that he’s a “moron who wouldn’t have survived without her” and I don’t think she should have said or agreed with that. Just because his plans are often more risky and he’s capable of improvising doesn’t mean he’s an idiot. For example, when he and the Hunters are fighting the Nemean Lion he throws the space food which is very creative and strategic and I don’t really think anyone else would have considered that. Teamwork is one thing, which is very valuable and yes Percy did need help to survive, but I would go so far as to say that Annabeth wouldn’t have survived without Percy, not the other way around, if it has to be such a competition.

Third, my main point, is that the reason these books were written were to help Rick Riordan’s son feel less like he was lazy/stupid/different/insert other reductive adhd stereotype. When Percy has been othered his whole life for his adhd and dyslexia, abused and called stupid by his stepfather for it, and has now come to a world where his skills are valuable and useful, calling him dumb is so insensitive. Leo and Percy are the ones with the most visible adhd and they’re also the ones who are viewed as dumb or needing others to survive. Basically, it’s a bad joke that just reinforces the adhd=dumb stereotype and I really don’t fucking like it. :))))

I’m not actually diagnosed I just have a family member with adhd and I have most of the symptoms so I feel like I can speak on this with some experience but yk ymmv.

[mightymizora]

Okay, here we go then! Waterdeep magical zoning law anon again.

I had followed so many new blogs after bg3 came out and then unfollowed so many more over this hot take. I don't know if you read the article but Gale's writer said that Gale is annoying. And as some one who loves his character and deeply relates to his struggle with suicide, I 100% agree with his writer's take. Gale is annoying, he is more than a bit of a prick, especially at the beginning. He is pompous and elitist. But that is literally his character growth; to either becoming more humble and sensitive to others or lean hard into his worst nature.

When you first meet him, he asks if you are versed in magic. If you answer "I'm not, why do you ask?" He says "No matter to worry the unlettered over." A completely normal question to ask and he answers in the most condescending ways possible. He straight up calls you illiterate unprovoked.

When arriving in the Shadow Cursed Lands the first time. He begins tell you about shadow magic. A sorcerer can respond that they know shadow magic and they don't need him to explain it to them. He will laugh and express his relief and how he sometimes forgets that he is traveling amongst peers again. Very much an "I'm glad you aren't an uneducated peasant."

However, I feel like his super fans, (and fans of another paler white man in the party,) will do everything in their power to sand down any and all rough edges for a white male character. All I am hearing from them is Gale can go through character devolved but only if he was unproblematic to begin with. Which they try to make him into. Its him being a pretentious asshole at the beginning that makes his argument with Lorroakan, if you convince him not to pursue the crown, so much of a great character moment for him. Its his moment of self reflection to go "good gods, is that what I sounded like????" And that is super interesting to me about him.

Abused as he was, and yes I very much think he was, he is still someone who acts and sounds like he comes from privilege. The famed arch wizard Elminster Aumar became his mentor when he was eight. He went to one of the most prestigious schools in Faerun. He can be both in need of a sympathy and also of scorn.

I feel this leads into a wider problem with fandoms that you can only like a character that is pure and good in every way. If they are not, then you have to obfuscate or bend a character to make them too good for this world. Because heaven forbid if this character doesn't get the Good Boy Stamp™️ of approval then you too are also a horrible bad person for liking them. We can't just find interest and relatability in flawed characters. This is a courtesy only extended to white male characters by the way.

Gale has to be an annoying pretentious prick at the beginning to become the humble professor ready to teach young wizards about illusion at the end.

Also I think him using the orb to kill the Absolute at the end is beautiful and tragic. I plan to do that ending with a Durge who romances him and is unable to escape Bhaal. Making it a tragedy about how people Faerun; from Ketheric, to Dame Aylin, to the Dark Urge and Gale are unable to escape the god manipulation over mortals and the deep pain that causes.

Only slightly sorry for this book I just wrote.

Ooooh anon you’re bringing the spice into my inbox!

So as somebody who relates to Gale really really way too much… honestly I know I am annoying to people and I know I was also insufferable before I was humbled by life. And I think Gale had never felt humility before his downfall! I love his mix of wild pride and self deprecation a LOT, super relatable to me.

That Lorroakan point too! Really on it for me. I think it’s VERY easy for wizards with access to power and status to go off the deep end.

I do think that when you have a character like Gale who a lot of people are going to relate to there’s going to be a lot of big feelings about the sort of stuff inferred from that interview. But I also think you’re right that the journey he goes on is a transformative one and is thematically in line with others!

I also think the happy ending was a really late addition - I fully believe EA Gale only had the sacrifice and pursuing godhood (though I thought it might be through lichdom) endings. That like more of the others there was no easy ending, but then with the rewrite it made sense to have something a bit softer. I fully intended to do the sacrifice ending and then just. Got too emotional about the possibility of happiness for him and my tav!

Basically I like Gale’s flaws a LOT and I love the complexity in his story. And probably have even more controversial takes on his complexity as a person. I love that he’s elitist and a bit of a snob but is earnestly, desperately wanting to connect and be different. He’s very special to me. Oh Gale!

[fayeandknight]

Inspired by @darkwood-sleddog question about a family member looking into a PSD but written to hopefully be helpful to anyone considering training a psychiatric service dog.

Step One - Needs and Considerations

Make a list of things the disability causes struggles with and how a service dog can help mitigate them. This factors into what breed to consider. (Service miniature horses are a thing but I don't personally have any experience with them so am focusing on service dogs for this post )

For example when I am triggered into an episode I often become disoriented and can't find my way out of places. Having a dog alert me to my rising panic and provide pressure therapy helped me collect myself enough to then leave on my own. Faye (corgi mix) was really good at this.

Unfortunately some things happened and now I sometimes am too panicked to sit down for DPT and need a dog to guide me to the exit or my car. Forte (Belgian) is much more suited to this as he is large enough to do forward momentum pulling.

Once you've determined what the needs are it's time to consider a breed that will work. Having had both a smaller SD and currently training a larger SD I actually recommend having a smaller dog if possible. It is easier to navigate spaces with a smaller dog, easier to tuck them out of the way in restaurants and on planes, and I had less public access issues with a smaller/less intimidating dog.

Now that said, I got way more public attention with my smaller SD because corgis are internet popular and people reacted as if I had an A list celebrity at my side. So do factor in how much attention you can handle. There will be public attention, there's no avoiding that. But there are less forced interactions because he "looks like a service dog".

Picking the best breed is individual and a much more nuanced conversation so I'll wrap this segment up with this advice. Consult a trainer to help select the right dog. They can help not only with the breed, but the breeder and selecting the actual puppy.

[picturesfromperryhell]

not gonna lie I really thought this was going to be more cursed than it is

[thatsbelievable]

[dateamonster]

like all lesbians i am attracted to monsters, anthropomorphized animals, shapeshifters, changelings, sentient AI, femboys, boydykes, [redacted], sopping wet littleguy wearing an oversized hat and/or coat, rasping disembodied voices delivering vague portents of dread, and women

[nientedenada]

TES as Historiography Simulator

I was going to write a post about playing at Historiography and TES but then I realized I was mostly recalling stuff that /u/Misticsan wrote on Reddit. So why not just quote them?

TES lore is probably the closest you get to real-life historiography in a video game. That is, the frustrating fascinating process of reading incomplete, contradicting and biased sources to try to reach some facts or establish working theories because you bet a high and mighty voice from above isn't going to state those things for you, with the added bonus of happening in a world where magic, magical dimensions and magical reality-warping catastrophes are real. ESO even added an archaeology mini-game with lots of codexes so that you can feel like a real historian! XD

- /u/ Misticsan on r/teslore

and

The unreliable narrator has been a staple of TES lore for a long time. In fact, it's as old as Daggerfall. The War of Betony was a conflict between Daggerfall and Sentinel, and also the name of two books, one written by the victorious Bretons and the other by the defeated Redguards.

The most famous example, however, has to be the Battle of Red Mountain. It seems that every time someone comes back to it, a new tale is born. We have the Ashlanders' version, Vivec's version, the Nords' version two versions, Tribunal propaganda, an Imperial summary, and even a Khajiit version.

The latest example is probably Ulfric's killing of Torygg. Ask people about rumours, ask the courtiers in Solitude, heck, ask Ulfric and Torygg themselves, and there are still conflicting details all over the place.

- /u/Misticsan on r/teslore

There are lots of different ways to enjoy TES, but I love playing it like it’s a historiography simulator. The full material isn’t there to do real historiography, of course, but it’s a game with lots of material to work with, if that’s your thing. And it definitely is mine.

It’s also why I don’t enjoy attempts to make Dragon Breaks explain everything. I don’t want everything to always be true at the same time. I want to wade into a sea of contradictions and make a guess what might be really up.

[merulanoir]

This is the regular PSA that if you're over thirty, you're supposed to be keeping an eye on your blood pressure and your intraocular pressure. The latter is less well-known but ocular hypertension can cause a glaucoma.

And often neither of these will have clear obvious symptoms that tell you something is wrong.

[beegoould]

I’ve been thinking about this book since I finished it this morning and I have a feeling it will be on my mind for a while. It’s a horror novel written as the journal entries of a breast cancer survivor who takes on a job as a teacher in a tiny Australian town. It’s funny, surreal, and creepy. I highly recommend it with the caveat that it seems to have annoyed some readers because there’s ambiguity - that’s what I loved about it, though. Also I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic.

Anyway. The Bus on Thursday. I’ll show myself out

[doc-art]

Imagine living in a house full of yeen chicks would it smell amazing

[moonkssd]

"Hey, for funsies...wanna hear how I would propose marriage to you?"

[yourplasticpal]

So, in Good Omens, if we see food as an allegory for sex, and food is Aziraphale's Thing while Crowley isn't really into it (unless you count drinking, though he does love watching his angel experience pleasure), my ace ass really wants to see The Kiss as a romantic asexual who finally found their Person, against all odds, but now, faced with a breakup and the return of unimaginable loneliness, is desperately trying to make their beloved allosexual "happy", by any means necessary.

Words didn't work, and my love language is gifts and acts of service anyway, and I know you love ... let's shorthand it to earthly pleasures, so here, here's an earthly pleasure, I'm offering, whatever you want, just please, please don't leave me.

Which is all incredibly unhealthy (take it from someone who has been there, and looks back now through the lens of SO MUCH THERAPY), and frames the subsequent "breakup" in a much more positive light because, babes, that would have been the wobbliest, crumbliest, crappiest foundation for a relationship in the history of ever. That gambit needed to fail. For both your sakes.

We'll get you to that South Downs cottage yet, but there's a lot of hard work on yourselves between there and here.