#a representation of contradicting vows

[ilynpilled]

Kinda unfair/or unpredictable question but do you think at some point in the next books Jaime and Daenerys will interact to a higher degree? Or better question -- do you think that's a good idea? Jaime has so much personal trauma with the Targaryen family, it feels like it may be realistic to have a meaningful conversation with Dany. (If he's surviving his current predicament which I think he will :P) Though maybe it'd just be beneficial for Jaime, and Dany is not interested in dwelling on it

and i find it interesting that this jape is in the chapter where all this significant rhaegar talk happens:

all this could mean nothing, and these things are hard to predict, and i think the show especially offers very little in this regard considering how much the stories of these two in specific were shifted in certain directions, so this is all i am gonna say anon: i do think the set up for an interaction can be interpreted from the text. dany is “rhaegar returning” in some form, so maybe there is more to that “talk that never was” than just tragic irony. when and how and exactly what it would mean for them at that point? idk. i just think jaime (and only jaime, as he would likely be the last living “monster from viserys’ stories about RR” by that point: not only was jaime kept closer bc he was a hostage, but barristan doesn’t really dwell on rhaella’s abuse, and it is possible that he will not live to be the one to communicate the extent of the ‘real aerys’ to dany, he was dancing around it in the text so far thats fs + brienne knows about the wildfire plot but that would be significantly less personal, same with the pieces just being put together after KL goes up in flames imo, which they likely will be, but i just think it would be missing that ‘personal layer’) holds information that dany does want to learn, and him telling her could bring a lot of things full circle for them as characters (+dany and rhaella have a number of parallels, and i do think that piece of information for example, as painful as it is, would hold significance to her and her understanding of her family other than just a form of closure, especially relating to a major theme concerning the downfall of house targaryen and the abuse and oppression the women faced from their male counterparts following jaehaerys’s rule, the dance, complete patriarchal hegemony etc. and that whole downfall did culminate in aerys and everything he represents, and her experience with viserys is also an extension of all that). idk if jaime is meant to confess the wildfire/kingslayer thing in specific to anyone other than brienne (from a more thematic perspective), but who knows, especially if he does live past a KL going down in flames scenario, which is possible because there is a set up for him wielding widow’s wail which is there rn. the whole rhaegar motif in jaime chapters was always something that i found interesting (i have a very specific interpretation of a parallel/anti-parallel with the children that i think is actually unrelated to dany/jon etc, but i am too lazy to get into that right now.) but yeah he is the pov character with the second most mentions of rhaegar by name in the text as he is a key manifestation of guilt, the first one being dany obviously. if not, then george has bran + magic to get that info to dany ig. we will see in like 20 years lol

#ask #rhaegar is a manifestation of guilt tho as a figure so he is very much abstract in that sense and could be a lot of things #a representation of contradicting vows #for jaime in specific #then ig theres the kingmaker thing which can mean a lot of things #i always thought it would just be - him killing cersei would lead to aegon being crowned #or smn #but who knows #jaimes a kingmaker in a lot of ways tho already so it might not even be about the future #like we know jaime rues robert so he does have that underlying subconscious goal of ‘good king that never was’ #but with tommen thats obv a failed project shdhnd #as we can gather from feast that he cannot make the vows compromise actually #but i cant ignore the glaring aegon/second dance of the dragons connection #jaime lannister

[travisbbg]

(VIDEO) Oprah RAGES At Katt Williams For REVEALING Her Deepest Darkest Secrets

SHOWBIZ March 10, 2024

In recent weeks, the entertainment world has been captivated by a sensational feud between comedian Cat Williams and media mogul Oprah Winfrey.

What began as a candid interview on the Club Shay podcast has erupted into a full-blown confrontation.

With Williams leveling serious accusations against Winfrey and threatening to expose what he claims are her hidden dark secrets.



The saga unfolded when Williams, known for his outspoken nature, took aim at Winfrey during the podcast.

Alleging that she has been complicit in controlling and manipulating black artists in Hollywood on behalf of the so-called “Hollywood Elites.”

According to Williams, those who resist the influence of these elites.

Often associated with the infamous Illuminati, face severe consequences, including relentless attacks from the press and widespread disdain.

Williams’s revelations have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, sparking a heated battle between him and Winfrey. While Williams shows no signs of backing down.

Winfrey has retaliated fiercely, vowing to ruin Williams’s life in response to his allegations.

Central to Williams’s claims is the notion that Winfrey, once hailed as a beacon of empowerment and inspiration.

Has betrayed the trust of the black community by serving as a “handler” for Hollywood’s power brokers.

Williams accuses Winfrey of leveraging her influence to suppress and control black artists.

Particularly when it comes to issues like fair pay and representation in the industry.

The feud between Williams and Winfrey has reignited long-standing criticisms of Winfrey’s conduct and motives.

Within the entertainment world. Some have accused her of prioritizing her own interests over those of the black community.

Pointing to instances where she allegedly threw black actors under the bus or diverted attention from important issues.

One notable example cited by Williams is Winfrey’s handling of the controversy surrounding Michael Jackson’s legacy.

Despite once enjoying a close relationship with the late pop icon, Winfrey’s decision to spotlight Jackson’s accusers in the wake of.

The Leaving Neverland documentary drew widespread condemnation and raised questions about her impartiality.

The clash between Williams and Winfrey underscores larger questions about power dynamics and authenticity in Hollywood.

While Williams’s outspokenness has earned him praise for shedding light on the industry’s darker realities.

Winfrey’s response highlights the challenges faced by those who dare to challenge the status quo.

As the feud continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the world of celebrity.

While Winfrey may have once been seen as an untouchable figure, her clash with Williams reveals that even the most powerful individuals are not immune to scrutiny and criticism.

In the end, the feud between Cat Williams and Oprah Winfrey raises important questions about accountability, integrity, and the true nature of influence in Hollywood.

Whether Williams’s allegations hold true or not, one thing is certain: the battle for truth and transparency in the entertainment industry is far from over.

[acalavidyaraja]

In Praise of Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche: An Overview

The Flute of Faith

In Praise of Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö

Homage to the Guru Mañjughoṣa!

Boundless Lord, victor of the Blissful Realm, Nāgārjuna, pioneer of Dharma in Jambudvīpa, And the great bodhisattva Mañjughoṣa Became the emanated king, noble Tri Songdetsen, Who was then reborn in the family of Kyura As Drikungpa, protector of the Land of Snows, Renowned by the epistle-like name of Rinchen Pal, A diligent upholder of vows, unstained by any fault. Even the Malaya forest could only partially convey His perfume of ethical discipline, delightful to āryas, Emanating and pervading as far as a league away. To all, including the devas, he was delightful to behold. In a single collection, one hundred and fifty texts of vajra speech, He established the unique intention, the ultimate definitive meaning, Of what the omniscient victor, the great sun-like Lord of Sages taught In successive turnings adapted to disciples’ characters and capacities. These works establishing how all teachings are beyond contradiction Are the heart of the teachings, an adornment to beautify the Mahāyāna.[1]

Even a great arhat from Sri Lanka commanded That a white lotus be offered to his crown. And accordingly, Śākyaśrībhadra presented The flower as a gift and plucked the vīṇā of praise. When such sublime and saintly beings exalted him, Is it any wonder that fools should also offer praise?

Heart-son of the sugata Deshek Gyalpo,[2] Forefather of an ocean of Kagyü siddhas, Miraculously he founded great centres of Dharma, So that the whole earth became filled with the saffron-clad. He created threefold representations beyond the ken of immature minds. And travelled to the Blissful Realm—to this one I offer praise.

When this glorious and incomparable lord of Dharma Appeared somewhat clearly in his bright, sky-like mind, The old gander Lodrö paid tribute with melodious song: May we receive the blessings of the Dharma sovereign!

Through the circumstance of a larger-than-life bronze image of Kyobpa Rinpoche appearing[3] to my mind, I supplicated with great faith. Siddhirastu!

| Translated by Adam Pearcey with the generous support of the Khyentse Foundation and Tertön Sogyal Trust, 2023.

"In Praise of Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche" is a poetic homage written by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö, a renowned Tibetan master, to honor the life and achievements of Drikung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön, a significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism. This article provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of the praise, highlighting its key themes, historical context, and significance within Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

1. Background of Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche:

- Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche, born as Rinchen Pal, was a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism, known for his unwavering commitment to ethical discipline and profound understanding of Buddhist teachings.

- He was recognized as an emanation of noble Tri Songdetsen and played a crucial role in propagating the Dharma in Tibet.

- Renowned for his scholarly works and establishment of Dharma centers, Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche was revered by both scholars and practitioners alike.

2. Themes Explored in the Praise:

- Lineage and Rebirth: The praise begins by invoking the lineage of Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche, tracing his spiritual ancestry to revered figures like Nāgārjuna and Mañjughoṣa. It highlights his noble birth and spiritual heritage.

- Ethical Discipline and Virtue: Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche is portrayed as an exemplar of ethical discipline, with his virtue likened to the fragrance of the Malaya forest, captivating to noble beings.

- Scholarly Achievements: The praise acknowledges Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche's scholarly contributions, particularly his compilation of one hundred and fifty texts elucidating the definitive meaning of Buddhist teachings.

- Miraculous Activities:. The text recounts miraculous events associated with Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche, such as the appearance of his larger-than-life image and the homage paid by sublime beings, underscoring his spiritual prowess.

3. Cultural and Historical Context:

- The praise reflects the rich cultural and religious milieu of Tibetan Buddhism, emphasizing the reverence accorded to spiritual masters and the transmission of lineage teachings.

- It underscores the importance of faith and devotion in the spiritual journey, as demonstrated by the author's supplication to Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche with great faith.

4. Significance and Legacy:

- "In Praise of Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche" serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Drikung Kyobpa Jikten Sumgön and his profound impact on Tibetan Buddhism.

- The praise continues to inspire practitioners, serving as a reminder of the qualities to cultivate on the path to enlightenment and the importance of preserving and propagating the Dharma.

Conclusion:

"In Praise of Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche" encapsulates the reverence and admiration felt by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö towards Drikung Kyobpa Rinpoche, celebrating his spiritual accomplishments and contributions to the Buddhist tradition. As a timeless ode to a revered master, it continues to resonate with practitioners, offering inspiration and guidance on the path of Dharma.

#blog

[journalsmente]

Twitter Responds to Elon Musk's Claims, Calls Them 'Excuses'

In an unexpected twist, Twitter was able to file its response to Musk before Musk’s own counterclaims have been made public.

Twitter has filed a response to claims by billionaire Elon Musk that he has legitimate reasons for wanting to back out of his $44 billion deal to buy the social media company.

In an unexpected twist, Twitter was able to file its response to Musk before Musk’s own counterclaims have been made public. A judge ruled on Wednesday that Musk’s counterclaim will be made public by Friday.

In a reply filed Thursday in Delaware Chancery Court, Twitter calls Musk’s reasoning “a story, imagined in an effort to escape a merger agreement that Musk no longer found attractive once the stock market — and along with it, his massive personal wealth — declined in value.”

“The Counterclaims are a made-for-litigation tale that is contradicted by the evidence and common sense,” Twitter’s response says. “Musk invents representations Twitter never made and then tries to wield, selectively, the extensive confidential data Twitter provided him to conjure a breach of those purported representations.”

At the same time, the response says, Musk also accused Twitter of breaching their agreement by “stonewalling” his information requests.

Representatives for Musk did not immediately return a message for comment Thursday.

Attorneys for Musk had wanted to file a public version of their answer and counterclaims in Delaware court Wednesday. But Twitter attorneys complained that they needed more time to review and potentially redact Musk’s sealed filing, saying it refers “extensively” to internal Twitter information and data given to Musk.

Musk, the world’s richest man, agreed in April to buy Twitter and take it private, offering $54.20 a share and vowing to loosen the company’s policing of content and to root out fake accounts.

But Musk said in July that he wanted to back out of the deal, prompting Twitter to file a lawsuit to hold him to the “seller-friendly” agreement.

Musk says Twitter has failed to provide him enough information about the number of fake accounts on its service. Twitter argues that Musk, CEO of electric car maker and solar energy company Tesla Inc., is deliberately trying to tank the deal because market conditions have deteriorated and the acquisition no longer serves his interests.

Either Musk or Twitter would be entitled to a $1 billion breakup fee if the other party is found responsible for the agreement failing. Twitter wants more, however, and is seeking a court order of “specific performance” directing Musk to follow through with the deal.

#Twitter #Elon Musk

[businessnewsupdates]

Twitter Responds to Elon Musk's Claims, Calls Them 'Excuses'

In an unexpected twist, Twitter was able to file its response to Musk before Musk’s own counterclaims have been made public.

Twitter has filed a response to claims by billionaire Elon Musk that he has legitimate reasons for wanting to back out of his $44 billion deal to buy the social media company.

In an unexpected twist, Twitter was able to file its response to Musk before Musk’s own counterclaims have been made public. A judge ruled on Wednesday that Musk’s counterclaim will be made public by Friday.

In a reply filed Thursday in Delaware Chancery Court, Twitter calls Musk’s reasoning “a story, imagined in an effort to escape a merger agreement that Musk no longer found attractive once the stock market — and along with it, his massive personal wealth — declined in value.”

“The Counterclaims are a made-for-litigation tale that is contradicted by the evidence and common sense,” Twitter’s response says. “Musk invents representations Twitter never made and then tries to wield, selectively, the extensive confidential data Twitter provided him to conjure a breach of those purported representations.”

At the same time, the response says, Musk also accused Twitter of breaching their agreement by “stonewalling” his information requests.

Representatives for Musk did not immediately return a message for comment Thursday.

Attorneys for Musk had wanted to file a public version of their answer and counterclaims in Delaware court Wednesday. But Twitter attorneys complained that they needed more time to review and potentially redact Musk’s sealed filing, saying it refers “extensively” to internal Twitter information and data given to Musk.

Musk, the world’s richest man, agreed in April to buy Twitter and take it private, offering $54.20 a share and vowing to loosen the company’s policing of content and to root out fake accounts.

But Musk said in July that he wanted to back out of the deal, prompting Twitter to file a lawsuit to hold him to the “seller-friendly” agreement.

Musk says Twitter has failed to provide him enough information about the number of fake accounts on its service. Twitter argues that Musk, CEO of electric car maker and solar energy company Tesla Inc., is deliberately trying to tank the deal because market conditions have deteriorated and the acquisition no longer serves his interests.

Either Musk or Twitter would be entitled to a $1 billion breakup fee if the other party is found responsible for the agreement failing. Twitter wants more, however, and is seeking a court order of “specific performance” directing Musk to follow through with the deal.

#Twitter #Elon Musk

[psalloacappella]

SSM21 Day 1. Glances

Pairing:  SasuSaku Prompt: Glances Title: the horses are coming, so you better run Tags:  AU - Greek Mythology Their language of silence is legendary, spoken only in glances. Ao3 | twt | full series link | @ssskmonth

All great reigns come with terror.

Slouching toward compromise at first, as scrappy guerrilla tactics are abandoned in favor of the negotiating dance. Money and mercy are more highly prized while torture and the other sordid campaign details fade into oblivion. Winners rewrite history, and distractions have no place.

Still, she’s known as a hard woman the world over:  Alluring in the way of exotics from faraway lands, ruthless with a divine strength (whispers like hissing fires saying handed down from the heaven temples; she is no human!) followed by a man with dark hair and sloe eyes, always at her side, always ready to lend the blade of his sword.

Sakura, sprout of spring, rules alone — the only woman.

Men spit, kneel in the sticky blood of innumerable sacrificial rites, and vow to make her the last.

Displays of her strength feel boorish, in her mind, a last resort of those lost to anger. It’s easier to say this now, of course, from the zenith of this warm stone  where it seems the sun never sets and her loyalists flanking both sides of the ancient rug unfurling up to her throne. Not that she uses it often — that, too, feels vulgar.

Leading is full of contradictions.

“Raising your voice in my room, and to a lady at that.” Greenglitter eyes, of which the shade and quality change as one turns over a shard of glass in the sun — sometimes soft, edged deadly in others.

Her companion barely stirs. Uchiha Sasuke, brought into the world in a similar swirl of rumor as the Queen, these mortal halflings touched by the golden power of vengeful, lustful gods who could not keep their hands off human beings.

“Barely,” the visiting envoy sneers. In representation of his King, carrying disgust across ocean waves to fling it before her in her own palace. It is nothing new. “We know what you come from, sired by titans, left in a river, bending men to your bidding—”

“No one has been forced to follow my cause. I don’t threaten to break legs to raise my banners.” She pauses, spring softness pulling back from her eyes and face to carve her features with something feral. “Perhaps some men don’t want to be as vicious as they pretend; is it so awful to imagine men who respect their wives and daughters? Who do not feed the poor to gods as livestock, seeking their whimsy blessings?”

And here, the two communicate in that fabled, magical way that defies all understanding, the stories of their bond whispered and passed as gossip talismans. The Queen and her sword-wielding consort-of-sorts:  No one’s quite sure if they’ve — but who wouldn’t, they sigh, just look at him, abnormally handsome in ways their own men are not, look at her, ferrying spring upon her stride.

No one ever knows what they’re saying, but have witnessed the outcomes of their silence. Speaking only with their eyes, Uchiha Sasuke shifts imperceptibly.

The envoy doesn’t notice.

“Isn’t your King,” Sakura booms, and the room can hear the recoil in voicing the title, “the man who recently disgraced his wife publicly, whom bore him four sons and put up with his plundering, his constant sailing? His rape and pillaging?”

When her foot hits the stone stair, it makes no sound. Credence to the rumors she glides, does not touch the ground, inhuman at heart.

“Who had to sit, locked up and spinning the loom as all men seem to want their women, listening to his exploits until it drove her mad?”

Spit, a dirty gob of it, lands at her foot.

“I won’t hear filth from the lips of a halfling whore like you!”

Another shared glance — and if you asked the court throng later, even in all that chaos as the people erupted in anger, the tale goes that Uchiha Sasuke and the queen exchanged a smile so sublime that no normal being could quite behold it in full.

Sakura tilts her head to let the earrings catch the afternoon light; the jaunty angle blinds the envoy momentarily, veils light fractals upon his face. He curses,

and it’s an easy movement with a sword so divinely sharp, the clean cleaving of his head from his miserable body.

Red spatters like paint, dapples Sakura with spots, but she’s snuffed out many men on her own and doesn’t flinch.

Her consort turns, bows his aristocratic head in morbid contrast to the one he’s dangling by its dead hair. Another undefined question in his dark eyes.

Slim fingers come up to brush a drop away with an ephemeral flicker, almost unseen. And for the next, a splatter bent in oblong shape, garnet and vivid amidst pink hair, light robes, spring eyes, Uchiha Sasuke replaces them with his own, an action only permitted by her gaze of silent permission.

Soldiers clearing the envoy’s meatsack away; handmaidens fussing at the blood in her hair; others dry heaving at the entrails on the rug; escorts of the envoy lost for words and now vulnerable. A warning of war, her message a final one — armies, do not dare encroach.

This is how they rule a queendom.

Even for a peaceful reign, violence is needed to keep it so.

Whispers on the lips of subjects devoted,

Their language of silence is legendary, spoken only in glances.

#SSM21 #sasusaku #psalloacappella:SSM21

[fernroemistyflint]

It’s been a while...

It really has been a while. Hi, Tumblr!  I still very much consider myself a Polytherianthrope, but I just keep things more low-key nowadays. My theriotypes are all still there and do present, often at moments where I need to be really in tune with myself. 

If you live in the UK, you’ll know of a shop called ASDA. They’re rather large stores (mostly), and are actually owend by Wal-Mart, a US company. As such, ASDA in this country is quite popular because you can often find things in their stores that you can’t get elsewhere. My local ASDA is classed as a hypermarket, so it is pretty big! 

I don’t usually shop there, but my pappa and I were down that way and the weekly shop was due, so I figured it’d be ideal to just get it done on the way home. This particular ASDA is always busy, regardless of what time you go in. But it’s all cool - new mask on, hands santitised, and we’re ready to roll. 

The last port of call in ASDA was the freezer isles. I needed only to get a couple of things, but my god it was busy! At our first pass, me and dad huffed at the crowded aisle, and vowed to revisit at the end of the shop. The time came, and dad had gone off on his own, searching for satsumas. I set off for the aisle I needed, and immediatley felt a “comforting ache” in my legs. Contradicting that, a growl rose in my throat, of which I quickly supressed (I was in public, after all). That “comforting ache” in my legs is always the presence of Misty (my Percheron x Welsh Cob theriotype). It’s like she’s saying “I know you’re anxious, but let me lend you my strength to lessen the load”. Seems silly, but it is extremely comforting. 

The growl in my throat, however, was Fernkiss. She’s my main theriotype, and has been with me ever since the age of about 11. Her growl came first, bubbling in my throat like a fizzy cider. I knew why immediatley - I’m not comfortable with crowds anyway, but Coronavirus has just added more validity to that discomfort. Her growl was just a representation of anxiety and fear within myself - who are these people? Are they all vaccinated? Could they be carrying Covid? I’m double vaccinated, so the risk is lesser for me, but the fear of making others sick is all the same. Next came that prescence of Misty in my legs, and the more I think about it, it was almost like Misty was comforting Fern and myself. She was lending the both of us the strength of a Percheron draft horse, and with that, the confidence to stride on. 

Even as I write this now, that feeling of her presence is on my outer upper legs. It’s like a small blanket! <3  

#percheron #therian #theriotypes #polytherian #therianthrope #therianthropy #arctic wolf #ASDA

[tronrpg]

what are Sirens?

what are Sirens? we just don't know.

but i'm getting ahead of myself.

To my knowledge, there has never been an officially-released Tron pen-and-paper RPG. There certainly would have been a market for it around the original film's release, had it done better at the box office. And assuredly there have been dozens of homebrew splats and rulesets shared between fans and friends over the years. The Fract, in an ideal world, would eventually be a complete RPG system, enough to fill up a corebook and run a game. But in thinking about worldbuilding, I've run into a storytelling problem that, if not unique to the world of Tron, is certainly still a sore-thumb kind of issue.

Tron--that is to say the OG 1982 Grid, the New Grid, and whatever metatextual setting that the Fract takes place in--is neither science fiction nor science fantasy. For those who aren't clear on the delineation between the two, the plainest I can describe it is to say that "Star Trek" is (generally) science fiction, and "Star Wars" is (generally) science fantasy. Science fiction is nominally supposed to adhere to scientific rules or at least bend them to a reasonable degree in order to tell a story. Science Fantasy bends and breaks those rules, sometimes with impunity, because space wizards waving laser swords around speaks for itself.

The setting of Tron, taking place as it does outside the Grid, is a simulacra of a modern-day "real world" as we know it, with science and computers behaving the way we know they normally do. Except for in the Grid itself. We have to assume that both the Old and New Grids were special in some way, or at the very least that Grid-like systems with sentient programs are few and far between; because computer systems and programs as we know them do not behave like they do on either Grid. If they did, why would Flynn have bothered to create a new one if there are Grids within every computer in the world?

And that's where the science fiction of Tron falls down. Stephen Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird were not computer experts, and they wrote the original screenplay during a time when computers were widely known but not widely understood, particularly by the common person. They can be forgiven for leaning hard on the fantasy and spirituality elements that make Tron a work of more consequence than oh, say, Computer Warriors. But by the time Legacy was released, the world was a very different place, and the ubiquity of computers and technology meant that the average person had a basic knowledge of how a computer works and what it can do; and the OG Grid does not fall into those parameters. So it's hard to say that Tron is strictly science fiction, where rules have meanings, or science fantasy where rules are up for grabs, because each of us carry around a real-world analogue to the Grid in our pockets all day and by now we are all pretty sure that Google Chrome does not, in a metaphorical or spiritual sense, fight for us.

(This, incidentally, is where I feel Legacy did the right thing by having Flynn starting from almost-scratch with the New Grid instead of attempting to apply real-world IT logic to the Grid like Tron 2.0. Divorcing the fiction from things like emails and spreadsheets allowed Legacy to retain some of the spirituality and potential of 1982; and inasmuch as Tron 2.0 is a great game that I intend to revisit soon, I find the "real computer" stuff to be kinda cringey.)

And here's where we come around to Sirens, finally. What the hell are they? Aside from being conventionally-attractive female-coded Programs in white vinyl outfits who appear to have largely representational or ritualistic roles in the New Grid, it's not entirely clear what they do or what separates them from a garden-variety Program. We see Gem and the three other Sirens in Legacy, there are a handful of Sirens in Uprising, including Lux, who appears to have been a...battle Siren? Maybe?

When it comes to putting together an RPG, you have to lean on rules. You have to nail things down and say, outside of GM fiat, a dice roll does that and a stat means this and an attack is performed thusly. So in thinking about squishing the world of Tron into an RPG format, which unlike most video games does not contain a single linear storyline; you have to think about making the world digestible and processable by squaring the edges and making definitions. You want the players and the GM to be able to exercise the vastness of their imaginations, but you want to set the parameters of the playing field, or else why have a themed RPG at all?

That's where I started thinking about how Tron's mish-mash of science fiction/fantasy elements make it a unique challenge to format as an RPG setting. Would it be better to emphasize the fantasy theming, or would players prefer a more grounded approach with real-world computer elements? Is it possible to have a balanced approach? How do you color in the missing information about how the Grid and Programs work, the stuff that the original works never really explained? Just what the HELL are Sirens anyway? Is there some sort of unspoken caste system in the Grid? Are there male-presenting Sirens? Can they suit up and play in the Games? Can they all do that synchronized-walking-backwards thing? Do Sirens just show up when Programs are about to compete at something? Why so much eyeshadow? Why does it rain in the Grid? Why did Flynn serve Sam and Quorra a roast suckling pig? Why does Clu 2.0 look more like Lord Farquahd than Jeff Bridges? WHAT HAPPENED TO RAM? IS HE PART OF THE JUNKY RECOGNIZER NOW OR DID HE TURN INTO THE BIT OR WHAT? KEVIN FLYNN, WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

...okay, got that out of my system, thanks for bearing with me. The point is that there are a lot of fill-in-the-blanks when it comes to worldbuilding lore in the Tron universe, and that may be by design. I love Star Wars, but the industry that has been built up over the last 40+ years to make sure every puppet, alien and CGI blob with a nanosecond of screen time has a full backstory and Wookieepedia entry, I find, largely detracts from the magic of the original movies. Not having everything explained adds to Tron's lasting allure. On the other hand, it makes a project like the Fract a product of guesswork and blue-skying.

So let's say I was creating a Tron RPG, like you do. And I wanted to make Sirens a playable class (which I intend to). Based on the information given to us by the canon, which isn't much; I'd say that Sirens are, first and foremost, specialists. They have specific skills that they hone and adhere to and do not deviate from to take on other roles, which makes them in-demand as bodyguards or enforcers but their specialization limits a players' build choices. They are also largely recognized in the Grid as having ritualistic or shamanistic public roles, perhaps representing the link between Programs and Users. (Maybe Dumont was a Siren 1.0. He could have had on a white vinyl singlet under that getup, who knows?) Maybe they're like priestesses or shrine maidens, maybe they take vows like nuns. This might make them like Monks in D&D.

You see how narrowing the possibilities of what Sirens are in order to fit them into an RPG character class box also reduces their potential in canon--but of course canon's not being contradicted here; this is a fan work and is not intended to overwrite the creative work of others. I just hope that if it ever gets completed, it plays enough like the work that inspired it, so that other fans can get the same rush of imagining what it's like to be on the Grid.

#tron #tron 1982 #tronblr #tron lives #tron legacy #rpg #flynn lives #worldbuilding

[tobyduck]

Oh! Thank you very much for replying to my ask as well! So, in short, Scrooge’s willpower is basically that dime. Without it, he loses his motivation and spirit and all of his merits go to waste because of it. And that’s why he cannot let Magica have the dime. But Mod said Magica got rich in one of the comics (which exactly?) but felt that victory wasn’t as satisfactory... does that mean she could accomplish her goals without the dime itself? Why is she obsessed with it then??

No problem, glad to be of help! :D

See, the thing is… there isn’t just “one and only one” interpretation of these characters that’s true!

The number one dime was first mentioned in 1953, and Magica herself was created in 1961. That’s decades of comics featuring them! Of course the characters have evolved over the years – and on top of that, all these stories come from many different countries and writers, which all have different styles. So, even if there are general themes that are constant across the board, the finer details of what’s “canon” vary from story to story. For example, Magica is almost always obsessed with the dime these days, but why? Does she truly need it or does she want revenge? And of course the dime is universally important to Scrooge, but is it because it’s a literal lucky charm, or because of all the memories attached to it and what it symbolically represents?

So you will come across comics that contradict each others, and that’s ok. You can pretend they all take place in slightly different universes, and you get to pick and choose which ones you prefer. My personal understanding is mostly based on Carl Barks, Don Rosa (who himself vowed to never contradict Carl Barks’ canon if he could help it) and some of the Italian comics, simply because it’s what I like best and am most familiar with. In the end, feel free to read various sources and make up your own head-canon :D

With that said, to answer your questions:

Scrooge’s dime can be seen as a symbol of his willpower, yeah. There are stories claiming that the dime brings him good luck, too (and if he loses it, he’ll start losing money as well). Whether the dime has any real magical power is sometimes ambiguous, but according to Don Rosa, the dime is just an ordinary coin, and what makes it special is what it represents to Scrooge. I personally don’t like it much when it is literally a lucky charm either – I find it powerful enough as a representation of Scrooge’s fortune, of his humble beginnings and what resolved him to never be tricked again. It’s what inspired him to build up his fortune, little by little, by “being smarter than the smarties and tougher than the toughies”. Without it, everything collapses.

As to why Magica wants it, there are (at least) two possible interpretations: 1) either that coin is the only one that will grant her the Midas touch, and that’s why she keeps trying to steal it, or 2) she doesn’t actually need it for her spell, but she spent so long chasing after it that she became obsessed with it. Even though she’s a powerful sorceress who could become rich without using the dime, going the easy way now would be an empty victory. It would negate all the time, work, and resources she put into her quest, and it would mean Scrooge has won. And she cannot accept it. (Personally, I find explanation 2 more interesting. Adds layers.)

But then again, I’m sure you can find stories in which her motivations are different. I think in the Ducktales reboot she was sealed into the dime or something…? (but that’s a very different universe and I haven’t exactly kept up, sorry ^^”)

This is getting long, so if you want an even more detailed answer with some comic recommendations to read for yourself, see below!

To start with, there’s a Don Rosa story called “Of Ducks And Dimes And Destinies” which is a pretty good summary of what Don Rosa thinks of the dime, why it’s important to Scrooge and why Magica wants it. So if you want to check out one of the most popular explanations you should definitely have a look (read it here).

In this story, Magica decides to go back in time to steal the dime, because she figures it would be easier to beat a ten-year-old than a crafty old man (poor Scrooge).

Of course time travel shenanigans mean that it’s not what “really” happened back then but heck, it’s fun and it explores the psychology of Magica, as you see the story from her point of view.

…I really don’t want to spoil how this one ends because it’s Don Rosa, I love it, go read it XD

Anyway, next story rec is “The Midas Touch” by Carl Barks, it’s Magica’s debut comic (and you can read it here). It’s pretty fun to see how the character of Magica started compared to what she is now, because in her very first appearance, she wasn’t obsessed with the number one dime. Magica just politely enters Scrooge’s office and explains that she only wants to melt a coin (any coin!) that was touched by a rich man to make herself an amulet. Scrooge even laughs at that, not taking her seriously at all, and accepts to sell her adime.

Only when he realises that he mistakenly sold the number one dime does he run after her to stop her. Of course, when Magica learns the dime was the very first one Scrooge possessed she concludes it must be more powerful than any other and decide she’d rather keep it…

Thirdly, the story modmad was referring to (the one in which Magica got richwithout using the dime) is called “Obsession” and it was published in 2009 (pretty self-explanatory title, it’s about Magica’s obsession with the dime). Once again, you can read it here! And it’s a Danish one, for a change ^^

This story actually directly refers to the one above. Magica finds her collection of coins touched by the world’s richest men, including one of Scrooge’s regular dimes, and she decides to try to make the Midas touch amulet with that. So she melts her coins, and it works, and she becomes immensely rich…

But she isn’t happy.

She spent all these years of chasing after McDuck’s dime, obsessing over it, she just can’t let him win! She wants revenge! She spent too much time and effort to go the easy way now!!

I really recommend you read this one yourself because it perfectly explains why Magica would want the dime even if she doesn’t technically need it. Because yes, initially Magica’s goal was just to become rich, but then it became personal. Even though she is a powerful sorceress who could obtain the Midas touch by other means, doing that would amount to admitting defeat. And she’s toostubborn and obsessed for that (and don’t we love her for it?)

HOWEVER, as I said earlier, this is not the only interpretation that exists! In some stories, only the first coin possessed by the richest man in the world willgrant the Midas touch. If Scrooge is no longer the richest, his dime loses its power. (See Uncle Scrooge’s Last Adventure, for example)

So, maybe the reason Magica is obsessed with the dime is because it’s the only one that will work. Again, you can decide which version you prefer for your own headcanon :D

Last but not least, there’s an Italian comic in which Scrooge and Magica get stuck on a desert island together. It was translated by a fan, here!

And of course they have to work together if they want to get out of this predicament. What’s interesting about this one is that it offers a possible backstory for Magica. I personally am not a fan of the witch council but I still find it really nice to see different ways to explore the character. (And forcing two sworn enemies to collaborate can be such an amazing trope…)

#so yeah! #i am not a Magica expert by any means #i just… read a bunch of comics #really if there’s anything you should take away from this wall of text it’s that #there are many possible variants #so dig around read various stories and see for yourself what you like #Magica de Spell #Scrooge McDuck #number one dime #thoughts #traveling teddybear #what on EARTH happened to the formatting when i first tried posting this #it was all weird #tumblr why

[itsjustforce]

Unrealized Symbolism.

I know I've like, not talked about my story Starlight in a while since I had to hiatus it on such short notice because life decided to go fucking wacky, but it's taken me since I've fleshed it into words that I've really realized what truly these main characters mean.

The main female protagonist, Alex, has been beaten down and pressed into a mold she's expected to uphold. The child of strong ancestry who are known for their strength and independance, for fighting and dying for what is right, but she herself has ZERO idea what she's doing. She had to grow up too fast, and it shows in how she carries herself. She's been through heartbreak, unimaginable pain and suffering, and yet there she is on the other side. Even forced to be in her position, she still finds the light and beauty in everything around her. She's the symbol of childish innocence, how no matter your age there is still that part of you that will appreciate the little things. She's a woman who, burdened by expectations and a past of trauma, can still see the good in people, and lays her strength in that fact itself. She's healed, and healing, and she's not letting anything but her words and actions define who she is and who she will become.

Bucky, the male protagonist, sees this little ray of sunlight and is initially blinded by her. She's something the likes he's never really been introduced to. He's at the real, true beginning of his road to recovery, and what better person to be around than someone like Alex? She listens to him and provides meaningful input, she's not someone he's hurt or known before his time as the Soldier. She knows Bucky for who he is now, wounded and bleeding, but healing. She sees the good in him buried beneath his guilt and self-loathing, so she wants to help him find it.

Now, the main ANTAGONIST is a fucking mess, lemmie tell ya. He symbolizes the fear of change. He killed his sister because she was starting to move on without him, and he vowed to destroy the things that were going to take her away from him. He's filled with hatred, blaming other people for his actions because they made him do the terribly bad things he's done. Made him lose his temper and become the thing he is. He's the representation of toxic narcissism. And he will not react well to being told such.

I'll get back to writing Starlight at some point, but first I wanna rewrite what I've already got down. It's too loose and contradictive. I'll let you all get updated as these revisions go on, I just really wanted to share this. :)

[bi-john-watson]

My Opinion On Sherlock

I’m ill today and because I didn’t have much to do I wrote I very long review on Sherlock on IMDb. I decided to share it with you!

Let's start with the first episode I watched. It was The Blind Banker, the second episode in the series. My mom watched the first without me so now she was watching the second. I was playing video games, but the more the episode continued the less I paid attention to my game and more to the show. I think about 15 minutes into the episode I put my game down and really started watching the show.

Before I move on I would like to say that I’ve always been really obsessed with movies, books and series. I always had at least one fictional story I would be so into that I would think about it all the time. When I watched Sherlock I could feel this was going to be one of those stories, but I never would have thought I would get more invested in it than any other story.

After watching The Blind Banker I was completely Sherlocked. Even though looking back at it, it is one of the lesser episodes to me. It still holds a special place in my heart because it was the first though.

The next day I immediately watched A Study In Pink and I loved it! I also would like to say this was the first episode I noticed that Sherlock and John didn’t really seem like... friends... Three people in the episode thought Sherlock and John were together! Three!! Those were people who know Sherlock better than anyone! And then John started asking Sherlock if he had a girlfriend or a boyfriend. And then Sherlock said girlfriends weren’t his area (really what is that supposed to mean) but I didn’t say the same about boyfriends. He just said he didn’t have one. Then John said he was single to and Sherlock thought he was flirting (I thought the same to be honest).

I’m bisexual myself and people can say representation doesn’t matter but it does. I’ve never seen myself in the media until I started searching. I would have known sooner if there would have been more. I always thought you couldn’t just like both. I always knew I liked guys so I thought I couldn’t possibly like girls to.

When I watched Sherlock it was about the time I started questioning my sexuality. And when I saw John definitely being into Sarah in The Blind Banker and later kind of flirting with Sherlock in A Study In Pink, I thought I could have found someone who is like me.

But let me talk about the show in general now. I watched The Great Game the same day I watched A Study In Pink. It was the best episode of Sherlock I had seen that far. In short: season 1 was absolutely amazing and the cases and characters were really interesting!

The next episode is A Scandal in Belgravia. It was absolutely amazing! The case was very interesting! I should say when I first watched it I didn’t understand everything since the show goes really fast, but I rewatched this show a lot and talked and read a lot about it on the internet so I understand everything now.

Although I really liked Irene Adler I had some things I wasn’t really okay with. If you have read the original books you would have seen Irene Adler was nowhere near a love interest of Sherlock Holmes. She literally outwitted Sherlock so she could marry the love of her life. Sherlock was impressed but it was stated in the books it had nothing to do with love. Still almost every adaptation has made her a love interest. I think everyone does that because there are almost no other women that could be a love interest because it’s always just Sherlock and John.

There’s also a conversation I need to mention after Irene fakes her death and she shows John that she is still alive:

John: “Tell him(Sherlock) you’re alive”

Irene: “I can’t.”

John: “Fine. I’ll tell him and I still won’t help you.”

Irene: “What do I say?”

John: *screaming* “I don’t know what do you normally say, you’ve texted him a lot!”

Irene: “Just usual stuff.”

John: “There is nothing usual about this case.”

Irene: *reads her texts to Sherlock*

John: “You flirted with Sherlock Holmes.”

Irene: “At him, he never replies.”

John: “Sherlock always replies to everything. He’s mister punchline. He will outlive god trying to have the last word.”

Irene: “Does that make me special.”

John: I don’t know, maybe.”

Irene: “You jealous?”

John: “We’re not a couple.”

Irene: “Yes you are.”

Irene: *ticks in something in her phone to send to Sherlock*

Irene: “There, ‘I’m not dead, let’s have dinner.”

John: “Who the hell knows about Sherlock Holmes, but for the record, if anyone out there still cares: I’m not actually gay.”

Irene: “Well I am. Look at us both.”

What Irene means by this is that although she and John are both primarily attracted to woman they still developed feelings for Sherlock Holmes. Irene is an expert on human sexuality so she would know. Here’s a link to this scene: https://youtu.be/EV8WXcfArxU

Then we have The Hounds Of The Baskerville. Although a great episode I liked it less than others.

Then The Reichenbach Fall. This episode is absolutely amazing! It is one of my favorites! It’s just so good I don’t know what to say about it!

Now to season 3. This is personally my favourite season. I still have seen negative reviews about it and the main reason why people didn’t like it is because it focused more on the characters rather than cases. I personally think BBC Sherlock never has been a show just about cases. In A Scandal In Belgravia they talk about sexuality and relationships all the time! If you compare Sherlock to crime shows you can easily see it’s really different.

This is the season where Mary is introduced and I have a lot of conflicting feelings about her. Mary marries John in the second episode of season 3. In The Empty Hearse I didn’t want anyone between Sherlock and John but I began liking her and I really liked her in The Sign Of Three. But then she shot Sherlock in His Last Vow!! I trusted you Mary! And I never even understood why?? His Last Vow was my favourite episode but I really didn’t know what to think of Mary.

Before I talk about season 4 I’m first going to say something about the Christmas Special: The Abominable Bride. I liked this episode but it was a weird episode. It didn’t make much sense and I don’t really understand what everything meant. It just kind of establishes that Sherlock’s Mind Palace is pretty gay. That’s all I have to say about it for now.

Now onto season 4. Which gave me way to much conflicting emotions. My main problem with series 4 is that they went to far. They wanted to make this more spectacular then all the seasons before but by doing that they made it unbelievable (I don’t mean unbelievable in a good way, I meant that it is hard to believe anything like this is a bit realistic). There are also so many plot holes and weird things happening here.

First The Six Thatchers. I found this episode pretty good, but they made it to much about Mary and I still hadn’t figured out if I should like her or not. I liked the case though. In the end of the episode Mary dies. And what I hated about this is that in His Last Vow this is said when Sherlock gets shot:

“It is not like in the movies, a big spurt of blood and you go flying backwards.”

And guess what, this is exactly what happened when Mary got shot.

Then is The Lying Detective. This was my favourite of season 4 although John hit Sherlock a lot, which is the thing I didn’t like here. But overall a good episode.

Now The Final Problem. Some elements of this were really cool and all but this was just to much. To unlikely. And so many plot holes I won’t even be listing them. I also found some characters out of character in this episode. I still quite like the ending. I didn’t agree with everything that Mary said in her video, but she said this which I liked about Sherlock and John:

“P.S.: I know you two. And if I’m gone I know what you could become.” (Seriously Mary what)

The ending shows Sherlock and John solving cases and raising... Rosie (I forgot to mention John and Mary had a daughter Rosie). Although I have problems with season 4 I’m quite alright with the ending. I can get over plot holes but my biggest problem with this is queerbaiting.

You probably never heard of this and some of you will think I’m just reading to much into this show but I just want to get this of my chest. Queerbaiting is when a piece of media (books/series/movies) hints at a same-sex relationship or a queer (queer=non-heterosexual) character, without ever actually depicting it. The queerness maybe ignored, explicitly rejected or made fun of (remember how it’s a running joke that everyone thinks Sherlock and John are together?).

I and the rest of the LGBT+ community wants to be represented. Being represented makes it more commonly known that people like this exist. I think a lot of people don’t know bisexuality exist because it’s almost never portrayed and when it is a lot of the time not in a good light. When you see a man and a woman kissing you will probably automatically assume they’re both straight. When you see two guys you will probably automatically assume they’re gay. Because of this bisexual people are mislabeled a lot. And everytime they have to come out again because of this. That is why representation is so important.

I think it’s pretty obvious that BBC Sherlock queerbaits. There are so many hints to them being more than friends. Everyone assumes they are, all the jealousy etc. Their sexuality are not left entirely ambiguous, like in other shows where it’s open for interpretation, but instead contradicted with the show almost outright saying it and the writers denying it and saying fans who saw a potential romance between Sherlock and John are delusional.

I would like Sherlock and John as just friends if it would have been presented that way. But it wasn’t and while I love this show I will always be bitter because they queerbaited.

I still give this show a 9/10 because I’m so passionate about it.

This is just my opinion so please don’t leave hate comments or anything. I would really like to hear your opinion though.

#bbc sherlock #johnlock #sherlock holmes #john watson #queerbaiting #asip #tbb #tgg #asib #thotb #trf #teh #tsot #hlv #tab #tst #tld #tfp #tjlc #mary #review #sherlock #mine #my post #sorry that it is so long #its basically a rant #what will IMDb think

[notourlasthunt]

Is Freeform’s Silence Damaging Their Reputation?

BuzzFeed Community. June 15, 2018. 

The Disney-owned network is facing increasing pressure as fans of the show Shadowhunters campaign to save it, and cracks are beginning to show.

On June 9th, Freeform executives including Karey Burke and Tom Aschiem, spoke at the ATX Television Film Festival about their Evolution of Marketing campaign.

This was five days after the announcement of the cancellation, and ATX's website describes Freeform's seminar as being about capturing the attention of the 18-34 demographic, discussing how to harness 'narratives that are inclusive, diverse, raw, powerful, and smart'. Arguably, Shadowhunters is all of those things; with strong LGBTQ+ representation and a diverse cast, it explores difficult topics like addiction, abuse, and institutional racism, and it has a narrative that unashamedly encourages the viewer to find strength and safety in those they love, but the show was notably excluded.

This seminar is last time the company officially said anything about Shadowhunters, nearly a week ago. Tom Aschiem contradicted Burke's earlier statement they were 'at peace' with the decision because it was 'economic' by saying the company felt 'rotten' to let people down. This was prompted by an outpouring of grief, frustration and anger by the fans, who felt that a fourth season had been all but promised, but they have not commented on anything since then. This silence appears to be, more and more, a decision Freeform are suffering for.

Since the announcement of the cancellation eleven days ago, the #SaveShadowhunters campaign has proved an invested audience can be far more powerful than a large one- and they blame Freeform for the cancellation.

The reaction was almost instant. Armed with nothing but keyboards, gritty determination, and adoration of their show, they coordinated hashtags on Twitter, (permanent ones and ones that change daily), started a petition, and began to send emails to Freeform, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, to name a few. All of this is impressive, but nothing unheard of. However, the Shadowhunters fandom seem intent on thriving off 'unheard of'.

Their petition has reached over 117,000 signatures. Their total tweet count is over 10 million. They've raised nearly $3,500 in campaign funds, and $11,000 for The Trevor Project in six days. For The Trevor Project fundraiser, they've opened a merchandise store, which has its own Twitter. They've made a #SaveShadowhunters Snapchat filter. They have Google documents with plans of action, titled 'A Guide To Raising Hell'. They've emailed so many streaming services and networks so many times members of their customer service teams have been talked into starting watching the show- just ask Santiago from Netflix.

Unfortunately, these staggering achievements are the result of frustration. In the six days since Tom Aschiem's statement, the silence on Freeform's part has been angering fans more, flooding every post on @FreeformTV with hundreds of comments demanding the show be renewed and they be listened to. The social media account should be used to promote current shows and engage with fans but it's essentially unusable- fans of other shows have even commented on it, annoyed by the handle being the target. At best, every post the handle shares currently becomes synonymous with the #SaveShadowhunters hashtag, and at worst, it looks unprofessional. It should be obvious that the publicity team has to do some serious damage control, and fast, but not even that prompted some kind of response from them.

Not making a statement on anything related to Shadowhunters has also meant many serious accusations levelled at Freeform have gone unchallenged.

The first accusation made by fans of Shadowhunters was that that posts about The Trevor Project fundraiser were being deleted from the company's community page on Facebook, detailed in this article. This prompted exploration into the company's values, supposedly 'inclusive', and several fans have argued that Freeform does not care about representation, but rather about exploiting the LGBTQ+ community and diversity of their cast for views and attention. One fan simply said 'imagine thinking freeform actually cares about representation', and another pointed out The Fosters, also known for its inclusion, was cancelled by the same network. They've even argued that season three was sabotaged by the company to cancel it, giving it no promotion, because they don't own the full rights and therefore don't make as much money off it as other original shows, like The Bold Type. This claim has been backed up by evidence produced by fans, such as the above video and analysing the promotional material of the partner company, Netflix, in comparison. These accusations, particularly unaddressed, are not doing the company's reputation motto, 'A Little Forward', any favours- some fans even making parody edits of the Freeform logo with 'A Little Backward'.

It's time they call Freeform out on this. This network has been wrongly praised for being inclusive for too long now. Representation for the sake of representation doesn't matter anymore. You have to value it, treat it right. #SaveShadowhunters

How they say they care about LGBT+ community yet cancelled it's inclusive show during pride month. How they have Malec in their pinned tweet, yet they refuse to acknowledge their impact in their summits. #SaveShadowhunters

The noise fans have been making has caught the attention of media outlets, and with the silence from Freeform, only their perspective on the cancellation is being reported.

Performing best for the network in Teen Choice Award nominations out of all their shows, with seven as of today, the success of Shadowhunters with fans has finally proved impossible to ignore for Freeform. For the first time since the cancellation, the official Twitter handle @ShadowhuntersTV tweeted, although it is worth noting it was not met by overwhelming joy by the fans. One sniped in the comments 'Oh. How kind of you to finally mention it. Slow clap' in light of how the fans had been talking about it for hours, organising themselves for voting, and that the fans had been talking about the show for the past ten days but had heard nothing from the Freeform-operated account.

This near-military organisation the fans are working under hasn't gone unnoticed, either. Multiple news organisations have started reporting on everything the fans are saying and achieving, and People Now even reported on the fan response to the cancellation on 13th June. In the report they revealed the reason they heard about the #SaveShadowhunters movement was because Freeform retweeted one of their interviews with with the cast of Cloak & Dagger, and Shadowhunter fans took over the comment section. Not only are their social media accounts unusable, but their inaction, resulting in the fans continued bombardment of their social media accounts, has resulted in everything they touch being at risk. Surely this cannot be good for their professional reputation, and you have to wonder where their PR and social media teams are. Are they ignoring the problem? Is there a strategy? Are they going to say anything, ever, about any of this?

The fact remains that while Freeform stays silent, they can do nothing to salvage their relationship with a vocal group of their existing 18-34 demographic.

Many Shadowhunter fans have vowed not to touch the network until it sells the license to Shadowhunters, some going as far as deleting the Freeform app from their phones and calling the cable companies to stop receiving the channel altogether. Others have said they don't trust the company to do representation justice because it's more concerned with money, and some have pointed out silence is how the company dealt with one of their actors saying a slur in a livestream last year, which also did not work out well for them. By the time an apology video was released, many fans had already made up their mind it was unforgivable.

Shadowhunter fans have been utterly loyal to their show, and its network, until now. Destroying that relationship could affect Freeform's other shows and ratings, and it seems in the company's interests to move fast and make a statement, addressing all of these issues, before any chance of building a bridge with their target audience becomes impossible.

#news #saveshadowhunters #anti freeform #saveshadowhunters news #buzzfeed community

[gamechuibrahim]

The Prosperity Party is a threat to multinational federalism

Ethiopia is in the throes of a dreadful civil war. It is a culmination of more than two years of pissing-match between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the leaders of the Tigray regional state. The war is being fought in the backdrop of an ideological conflict and competing visions for the future of Ethiopia.

Since he was swept to power in 2018, Abiy has made no secret of his disdain for federalism and nostalgia for the centralized and assimilationist days of the unitary state. On the other hand, his opponents in Tigray have positioned themselves as the only buffer standing in the way of Abiy and his highly centralized vision for the country.

To understand Abiy’s anti-federalist views, consider his recent parliamentary speech in which he touted the democratic merits of a unitary state. Unsurprisingly, his comments raised many eyebrows. Why did the leader of a multinational federation even bother to defend the accommodationist quality of a unitary system? Was it a Freudian slip or a subliminal message?

Abiy has continually repudiated and at times trivialized the mounting demands for statehood in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR). For example, he has suggested that the demand for statehood is simply a desire by local elites for more V8 vehicles rather than a genuine demand for autonomy or self-rule.

He has also tried to coerce zonal representatives to delay their formal request to the House Federation for statehood until a comprehensive political roadmap is devised and decided upon. When Sidama became the 10th member of the federation, following a historic referendum, neither Abiy nor his office extended a congratulatory message to the Sidama people.

The diversity challenge

Ethiopia has followed a unitary state system ever since the polity took its current shape through the conquest of Menelik II at the turn of the 20th century. Multinational federalism was adopted in 1995 to accommodate a century-old ‘diversity challenge.’ For the first time, it recognized and at least in theory celebrated ethnic diversity. To codify these changes, the constitution established nine regional states based on ethno-linguistic identity and granted significant autonomous power over regional matters to the constituent parts. It also enshrined the powers and principles of shared rule.

Ethnic groups became sovereign entities and the building blocks of the new arrangement. They were also given the right to co-govern and take their due share in the national cake. Pointedly, Article 39(3) of the constitution recognized the unconditional rights of ethnic groups to have an ‘equitable representation’ in the federal government

However, if we draw a balance sheet of the last 27 years, the principles and rules of federalism have been honored in the breach. While the country was constitutionally a federal state, the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) snatched self-rule and compromised shared rule through its practice of democratic centralism. (Democratic centralism is a Leninist organizational principle in which a centrally decided policy is binding on all members.) Hence, the constitutional rights and powers of ethnic groups were short-circuited by a party dogma. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the dominant partner in the wobbly coalition, employed this tactic to offset its numeric minority and held an unquestioned hegemonic power.

That is why TPLF met opposition and resistance at every turn. A 2014 Addis Ababa Master Plan rekindled sustained Oromo protests sealing TPLF’s fate. At its core, the Oromo protests were a demand for the respect of regional autonomy over development and urban planning. The protest eventually expanded to other states, most crucially to the Amhara region, and grew to include demands for regime change. The protesters sought to end TPLF’s authoritarian rule and establish a fair, just, federal, and democratic order.

The four-year-long protest movement precipitated TPLF’s demise and paved the way for the rise to power of Oromo and Amhara reformists inside the EPRDF. The upheaval culminated in the selection of Abiy Ahmed as the prime minister.

Abiy wasted no time to disband the EPRDF and haphazardly rebrand it as Prosperity Party (PP). Initially, PP vowed to build on the achievements of the EPRDF and rectify its political and economic shortcomings. Abiy quickly made an about-face as his electoral chances dwindled under the new party tag.

Regressive ideological shift

PP is progressively drifting toward the right by embracing a dangerous and divisive narrative. The party’s Medemer ideology has been billed as an indigenous philosophical solution to Ethiopia’s problems. But a closer examination reveals that it is institutional engineering based on a simplistic and distorted reading of history. It applies a reductionist and revisionist approach to unpack the many contradictions of Ethiopia. For example, it purports to dismiss ethno-national movements as ‘elitist instrumentalism’ rather than a genuine quest for recognition and inclusion.

While it grudgingly accepts the existence of national oppression in imperial Ethiopia, Medemer dismisses the last 50 years’ efforts to accommodate ethnic diversity as a national disaster. In short, Medemer is predicated on restoring the homogenization and centralization legacy of pre-1991 Ethiopia.

While disastrous humanitarian and human rights violations were committed over the last 50 years, this period also saw relentless efforts and sacrifices to remake Ethiopia as a multicultural and multinational polity. Both the class revolution and the adoption of federalism had brought about positive changes in managing diversity. Hence, a political ideology that casts this period in a bad historical light could not be considered as a solution to manage diversity.

Some of the prime minister’s surrogates do not even hide PP’s ultimate objective. For example, earlier this year, Abiy’s senior advisor Daniel Kibret underscored that the main task of PP is to finish the nation-building process initiated by Menelik II. So far, neither the party nor the prime minister has denounced and distanced themselves from that outrageous remark. It could only be interpreted as tacit approval of the statement. Abiy’s latest speech is thus in keeping with the deliberate effort to slowly but surely chip away at the federal project. It is under this context that Abiy and TPLF are now engaged in an omnious conflict that could destablize the entire Horn of Africa.

A unitary structure and policy

Several comparative studies have shown that a party structure can significantly affect federalism. While an autonomist party system enhances the principles of self-rule, a unitary party weakens regional autonomy. The impact of PP on federalism is more pronounced for two reasons. First, PP is a ruling party that controls the federal government and all regional states except Tigray. Second, and most importantly, PP is a hegemonic political party. Under EPRDF, Ethiopia effectively became a one-party state. And every function and sector of government has been impacted by the unrestrained party-state fusion. That is also why a shift in party policies and structures carries serious political repercussions for the body politics.

Besides the ideological backsliding, PP’s organizational structure also undermines the multinational federal arrangement. A cursory reading of PP documents reveals that it is a unitary party. Unlike EPRDF which was a coalition of institutionally autonomous regional political parties, PP was established as a single national entity without leaving any room for regional and institutional autonomy. All meaningful and consequential party policies and decisions are made at the center by the highest party echelon. Local branches are merely there to execute what has been decided at the center. For example, there is no Oromia or Somali Prosperity Party but a Prosperity Party branch in Oromia and Somali regions. The branches do not necessarily represent the interests of the local people other than having PP presence at the regional level.

In other words, the organization makeup of PP undermines constitutionally sanctified state autonomy by reducing the regional party branch into an instrument of central leadership. Worryingly, the leadership of the branch offices (including the administrators of the regional states) is made accountable to the federal Central Committee. Even if the so-called ‘affiliates’ (Agar) parties were brought into the fold, upgrading affiliates to PP members came at the cost of losing relative local autonomy. Thus, concerning regional self-rule, if EPRDF’s democratic centralism was akin to indirect rule, PP’s organizational structure resembles a direct rule

Furthermore, membership in PP is individual-based without any ethnic affiliation. Meaning, its members do not represent a group but themselves as individuals. This defies one of the essential requirements of multinational federalism that calls for the existence of an autonomous local party that protects and advances local interests.

In characteristic PP self-contradiction and doublespeak, the party claims that the composition of its party Council and Central Committee is based on population size. Whether this refers to ethnicity or residence is not clear. Since membership is an individual-based – without ethnic affiliation or linguistic proficiency – the population size clause may refer to residency. This is contrary to multinational federalism which requires ethnic representation in shared-rule institutions.

Such a unitary structure could also negatively affect the constitutional requirement of equitable ethnic representation at the federal level. How does a person who joined the party in an individual capacity represent an ethnic group? Since ethnicity or language is not a requirement for membership, there is a likelihood that PP branches could be dominated by members of different linguistic groups, eschewing ethnic quota and representation.

Dismantle or Democratize?

Reversing Ethiopia’s federal system let alone the multinational version risks disintegration. It is highly unlikely to reset the clock on multinational federalism easily without risking the country’s territorial integrity and unity. Ethiopia should not go far to discern the danger of rollbacking federalism. The dissolution and concomitant political ramifications of the Eritrean federation is a glaring lesson. The seeds for Eritrean secession were sown during the dissolution of the federation act. If PP attempts to dismantle federalism, the specter of more Eritrea-like scenarios won’t be far-fetched. Not only a risk of secession but it could also lead to bloody communal violence. Localized and spontaneous pogrom would be commonplace as seceding entities would engage in downward homogenization and ethnic purification.

But democratization and further institutionalization can work and perhaps save Ethiopia from the abyss. Multinational federalism and constitutional dispensation while lacking original democratic legitimacy, over time, have earned a redeemed legitimacy as attested by wider support among Ethiopian people.

Today, except for the so-called pan-Ethiopianist forces and urban-based elites, multinational federalism enjoys widespread acceptance and support. As a recent Afro Barometer survey shows 61 percent (had it not been for a methodological flaw of the survey, the support rate could have been higher) of Ethiopians support the continuity of the federalism system. Hence, the way forward is to democratize and ensure institutional autonomy and complement it with a robust minority protection regime.

PP’s ideological and institutional drift away from multinational federalism and Abiy Ahmed’s stubborn refusal to change tack will only escalate the already tense political atmosphere in Ethiopia. It has already engendered a civil war in Tigray, bringing the country one step closer to a failed state with devastating national and regional ramifications.

By: BAHAR OUMER

[bountyofbeads]

Democrats must hold Trump accountable on Saudi Arabia. Adam Schiff explains how.

https://wapo.st/2zqHgSP

Democrats must hold Trump accountable on Saudi Arabia. Adam Schiff explains how.

By Greg Sargent/November 23 at 8:48 AM/Washington Post /Posted November 23, 2018

President Trump has again brushed off the horrifying murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, blithely claiming that the Saudi crown prince “vehemently denied” any role in the killing. Trump again appears to be contradicting the CIA, which has reportedly determined that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman did, in fact, order the assassination, which was carried out by Saudi agents.

But, while in some ways Trump’s latest comments — delivered from his Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday — reiterate his reprehensible statement from earlier this week, this time Trump went further, both in taking a cavalier stance toward the murder and in casting doubt on the CIA’s reported conclusion. Trump claimed the crown prince “hates” the crime and its coverup “more than I do” — which sounds a lot like exoneration — and characterized the CIA’s conclusions as mere “feelings.”

This raises the questions: What did the intelligence conclude, and is Trump deliberately downplaying it, which would constitute active participation in covering up the truth on the crown prince’s behalf?

It turns out we are not helpless in answering these questions. They can and will be the subject of scrutiny when Democrats take over the House majority next year.

In an interview with me, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) — the incoming chairman of the House Intelligence Committee — confirmed that the committee will be examining these and other questions related to Trump’s response to the Khashoggi murder and its broader implications.

“Certainly we will be delving further into the murder of Khashoggi, and I want to make sure that the committee is fully debriefed on it,” Schiff told me. “We will certainly want to examine what the intelligence community knows about the murder.”

In his latest comments, and in his recent statement, Trump cast the question of whether the crown prince ordered the killing as an unanswered one. In both, Trump said: “Maybe he did” and “maybe he didn’t.”

But as Schiff pointed out to me, congressional scrutiny of this matter will attempt to flesh out in greater detail what, in particular, the intelligence community has concluded and how firm the basis is for that conclusion. Members of Congress will then have a clearer sense of whether Trump is deliberately misrepresenting that conclusion to protect the crown prince, and if so, how audaciously.

“We’ll look at what the intelligence community assessments are at any given time,” Schiff said, while stressing that he was not characterizing the CIA’s conclusions on the Khashoggi killing one way or the other. “Then it will be quite clear whether the president is relying on the intelligence community and our best source of information or whether the president is representing something very different.”

Democrats will examine many questions about the Saudis

Schiff stressed, however, that the committee would look at much broader questions about the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia and about that country’s conduct on other fronts. Schiff vowed a “deep dive on Saudi Arabia” that would also look at “the war in Yemen,” at “how stable is the House of Saud” and how “the kingdom is treating its critics or members of the press generally,” among other things.

Trump has repeatedly justified his hands-off approach to the Khashoggi killing with lies about how much we’re benefiting from the relationship, particularly when it comes to continued arms sales. Schiff noted that the proper role of the Intelligence Committee would be to establish what exactly the intelligence tells us about the Saudis on all these fronts, which could then supply members of Congress with more information to try to hold the Saudis accountable — for example, through sanctions — in defiance of the president, if necessary.

Schiff noted that this would enable Congress to determine whether Trump “is making representations to the public that are at odds with what we know.” Schiff also said the goal, on this and many other fronts, such as North Korea denuclearization, would be to “provide some accountability if the president is representing evidence that we know to be untrue and putting the country at risk.”

Scrutiny of Trump’s financial interests

Another big question is whether Trump’s financial relations with the Saudis are shaping his response in some way. Schiff said that Democrats will also delve into Trump’s international financial entanglements — on the Saudi matter and others — though he said which committees will look at what remains to be determined.

“There are a whole set of potential financial conflicts of interest and emoluments problems that Congress will need to get to the bottom of,” Schiff said. “Certainly if foreign investment in the Trump businesses is guiding U.S. policy in a way that’s antithetical to the country’s interests, we need to find out about it.”

The Trumpian ethos at stake

In his comments on Thursday, Trump was asked who should be held accountable for the Khashoggi murder. The president replied:

“Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place.”

At the core of Trump’s refusal to hold the Saudis to account is his continued broader claim that bad things happen in this vicious, evil world and that he must act to protect U.S. interests — “America First!” — even if it means overlooking such conduct at times or doing other things people find distasteful. I’ve already detailed why the claim that Trump is even acting in U.S. interests in the first place is a lie on this and many other fronts.

But what’s also pivotal to this Trumpian posture is the notion that the question of what happened to Khashoggi is fundamentally unanswerable. If this illusion can be maintained, then Trump can continue to blame the generic “viciousness” of “the world” for it, which both makes it politically easier for Trump to protect the crown prince and makes accountability for this “viciousness” harder to attain — deliberately so. That is the truly reprehensible ethos at the core of Trump’s stance, and it is why the illusion on which it is based must be dispelled. Hopefully effective House Democratic oversight will succeed in doing just tha

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New Post has been published on Mythology.net

New Post has been published on http://mythology.net/demons/devil/

Devil

Who is the Devil?

The Devil (also called Satan, Iblis, Lucifer, and Beelzebub) is a religious personification of evil. He works against god, employing an army of demons to harass humans and attempting to corrupt humans to do his bidding as well.

Characteristics

Physical Description

The Devil is a shapeshifter, so an exact description of his appearance is impossible. Nevertheless, he has a few classic shapes, which he uses over and over again.

Before he became “the devil,” he was either an angel (or a djinn, according to some Islamic sources) in God’s inner circle. Like other angels, he was ravishingly beautiful. He may have had wings and an aura of light around him.

After the Devil was cast out of heaven, he began taking on various, monstrous shapes. Serpents, pigs, and goats were some of his favorite shapes. Even when he wasn’t fully disguised as an animal, he liked to add some animalistic traits to his shape. For example, he might appear as a man with goat’s hooves and horns or with a serpent’s scaly skin. His skin was also discolored; it could be blue, green, or black, but red was the most popular color.

Perhaps the Devil’s most sinister form is his human one. He can easily blend in with a crowd by posing as a human—usually an attractive, wealthy male.

Personality

The Devil is a troublemaker; this is something that very few people dispute.

In the beginning, the Devil’s main fault was probably pride. He was cast out of heaven because he refused to bow to man, reasoning that God had made man out of earth and angels (or djinn) out of fire. Therefore, he should be superior to man.

When God denied the Devil’s superiority and banished him to earth, his pride was severely wounded. He vowed get revenge against God and mankind.

But he was too clever to attack mankind outright. Instead, he decided he would corrupt the species, thus disgracing God and forcing the creator to punish mankind. The Devil devised infinite ways to tempt mankind into sinful behavior. He offered wealth to greedy men, revenge to wrathful men, luxury to lazy men, sex to lusty men, and so forth.

This scheme, which succeeded in corrupting countless humans and spreading sin all over the world, earned the Devil a reputation as a purely evil spirit, with a powerful knack for temptation and deceit. However, a small camp of people admire the devil for his shrewd intelligence and rebellion against God, an authority who asked him to go against his own beliefs.

Cultural Representation

Origin

Devilish characters, who oppose the order of good creators, can be found in humanity’s earliest religions.

In 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians dreaded Apep, the god of chaos, who defied Ma’at, the god of light and truth. Zoroastrinism, which dates back to the 6th century BC, has a “destructive spirit” named Angra Mainyu who is the twin spirit of the creator, Spenta Mainyu. And the ancient Greeks, who probably had the strongest influence on the Devil, described the chaotic, half-goat Satyrs disrupting the rule of the gods.

Jewish Devil

Although most Jewish people today could tell you who the Devil is, he was not a prominent character in early Judaism at all. In fact, he only appears once in the Torah, as a tempter who convinces God to test Job by taking away his wealth and family.

The idea of a powerful Devil contradicts the Jewish faith, which claims that there is only one deity, and none can approach his power.

Still, there are a few Jewish, religious texts which expand upon the existence of a Devil. The Book of Enoch gives various examples of the Devil (Satan) tempting God or humans into bad behavior. It also describes Satan being cast from heaven, along with a troop of other angels.

Christian Devil

The Christian Devil is much more powerful than the Jewish Devil. He is described throughout the Bible as “the prince of this world” and even as “the god of this world,” and he is seen tempting humans from the very start, when he appears as a serpent to convince Adam and Eve to eat forbidden fruit. He also tempts powerful beings, including the apostles and even Jesus himself.

The early Christian church believed in the Devil and his demons as a very real force, constantly trying to corrupt mankind. The church’s belief in a literal devil led to many horrific events. The church felt justified in attacking people who were “possessed” by the Devil, usually heretics or witches. The Church also claimed that anyone who disobeyed their rules would be forced to join the Devil in the Hell which God had created to punish him.

Today, many Christians favor a non-literal interpretation of the Devil. Rather than a spirit running rampant among us, they describe the Devil as a symbol for base human instincts.

Islamic Devil

The Quran spends more time developing the Devil (Iblis) than any other religious text. The book gives him a complex back story, describing him as a djinn who fought for God when the world was overrun with evil spirits. In response, God gave Iblis a place among his elite angels, but when Iblis refused to bow to Adam, God cast him back to Earth.

Most Islamic believers see Iblis as the enemy of humanity, not the enemy of God. He spreads chaos and destructive habits because he hates the descendants of Adam. However, his schemes can easily be thwarted by calling upon God.

Modern Appearances

Today, the Devil is so well known that his name can be used to describe anyone or anything that causes frustration (“that man is a devil” or “this is a devilish puzzle”). Countless horror movies, TV shows, and books use the Devil as an ultimate villain—usually detectable only through his influence on lesser villains.