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Brief Thoughts About Aventurine, Religion, and Colonialism

This isn't a comprehensive summary, just things I started thinking about. It's kinda funny how things just completely fly past you when you don't think about them regularly, cuz I'm a very not-religious person so it took reading someone offhandedly refer to aspects of Aventurine's backstory as his "religious beliefs" for me to realize how important those actually are.

(2.1 Story Spoilers + reading the Sigonia relic set description will help for some context)

Despite his employment in the IPC calling for Aventurine to help amass capital in the name of Qlipoth the Preservation, we don't really hear him talk about Qlipoth often and his backstory basically omits mention of his relationship to THEM; the focus is entirely about his relationship with Gaiathra Triclops and HER blessing of luck.

The present Aventurine has changed a lot from his young self due to the influence of the IPC, in direct ways such as his newfound wealth and ruthless business practices, and in indirect manners such as how the IPCs involvement in the inter-tribal relationships of Sigonia resulted in higher tensions between the Avgins, Katicans, and other tribes.

However, his belief in Gaiathra Triclops has remained intact into his adulthood. It has soured as he begun to view HER blessing of good luck to be more akin to a curse, but it feels like a very deliberate writing decision to have him still hold onto the belief system of the Avgin. It would have been reasonable if he had later turned to the protection of Qlipoth, as joining the IPC had resulted in the wealth and status he has now, but he doesn't really do this.

Even if the colonialism took much away from him, he still wishes to retain his culture. (The value he places in the items his parents left for him and sister: the charm, the necklace, and the shirt, is further testament to this, as examples outside of his religious beliefs.)

Prayer is also something that we rarely see depicted often in Star Rail, which makes the segments of Aventurine praying with his younger self and sister stand out a lot more. The only character I can recall off the top of my head with an extended prayer sequence is Sunday at the end of 2.0, which is also notable.

One thing that I was wishing the Penacony plot would at least lampshade is the irony of sending Aventurine, a slave working for the IPC, to retake a planet that had led a slave rebellion to escape the IPC's control. While I'm now uncertain if they will address that directly, I do wonder that as we learn more about Sunday, if his relationship with Xipe the Harmony will end up being used as a way to foil him to Aventurine and/or serve as indirect commentary on the situation between the IPC and Penacony. (This is pure speculation)

But yea anyways, it's pretty interesting seeing mihoyo try to incorporate other aspects of racism and colonialism that extend beyond displays of outright hatred, such as how Aventurine's retainment of his culture's religious practices is depicted in a positive light. (Another thing that stuck out to me is how they depicted the fetishization of racial traits negatively, with the way some characters remark on his eyes, how the Avgin's untrustworthy reputation partially lies within their physical attractiveness, and how his relationship with his own appearance has changed as a result, as this is something I rarely see fictionalized but I won't elaborate on this here bc its off-topic.)

Obviously, mihoyo doesn't have the best track record when writing minorities and there's still a fucktonnnnn to be criticized about their decisions in Aventurine's lore as well (the most egregious of which being deriving the name for his planet from an actual slur), but it does seem like they are at least trying to add more depth to their depictions.

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This is an analysis of Kaveh and Alhaitham’s argument posted on the Port Ormos bulletin board!! Because it is crazy actually!!

I think this exchange of theirs out of the three posted throughout Sumeru is particularly interesting, and this is due Alhaitham openly expressing that Kaveh does not understand what Alhaitham is really trying to say to him: “I have never denied what you meant, but you don’t understand what I am saying to you at all.”

This exchange is relevant in various ways in exploring the motif of communication. As according to their usual rapport, the two disagree over their differing philosophies, as in sensibility versus rationality, however, Alhaitham’s particular concerns in Kaveh spending his money on “nonsense” highlights the underlying reason for this exchange. From this comment, the argument is recontextualised through Alhaitham’s intention for getting involved, as Kaveh prompts the workmen to take his money in order to help them out.

When Alhaitham states that this is a meaningless action due to the inevitability of people rising or falling on their own accord, rather than solely critiquing Kaveh’s “impulsiv[e]” altruism, as Kaveh interprets, Alhaitham is directly contradicting his own comment – as he is interfering on Kaveh’s decisions.

As concern is evidently the intention behind his interference, Kaveh cannot perceive this, and instead attempts to critique Alhaitham’s perspective in return, although Alhaitham states: “Make no mistake. I have never denied what you meant…” This response asserts that Alhaitham does not deny, but rather agrees with, Kaveh’s statement of “mutual assistance, fairness, and righteous anger” driving the world.

In lieu of this, rather than continuing the argument, Alhaitham claims that there is no point to it, as Kaveh does not understand what he is saying, as in, Kaveh does not understand that his intentions in interfering are out of concern. He follows this up, regardless, by criticising Kaveh’s handling of his budget, as, evidently, Kaveh has offered to give his own money to these workmen, and refuses to pay for Kaveh’s drinks for that month.

For Alhaitham, Kaveh’s lack of self-prioritisation leads him to impulsive altruistic acts which serve to jeopardise his own position, particularly regarding money. If Kaveh can afford to give away money, he can afford to pay his own tabs, is the takeaway from this exchange. Although, similarly to the exchange between them posted in Puspa’s Café, this applies to one particular month, insinuating that Alhaitham will continue to pay for next month’s tabs of his own accord.

The main argument, as well as the disagreement over the speaker of Kaveh’s quote, serves as a humorous exchange, but as a motif for communication it acquires a new meaning. The two hold perspectives which contrast the other which puts them on unequal footing, demonstrated within the argument over the speaker of Kaveh’s quote. Although it is not disclosed who is actually in the right, both are convinced of their respective viewpoint. There is an element missing here, a potential solution to this problem, and it lies within the idea of “correctness” established within A Parade of Providence.

The omission of there being an objective, correct answer to this particular debate serves as a parallel to their conflicting viewpoints, with the basis of their exchange being to “prove” to the other their “correctness” – here, it is in regard to Kaveh.

However, “correctness” being the basis of their exchange, and thus, relationship, is challenged with Alhaitham shutting down the initial debate due to Kaveh’s misunderstanding of his meaning. Correctness, then, and its importance, is called into question within this exchange, with Kaveh being the one to chase it; his last message being that he would “prove” himself to be right.

At the core of this bulletin board exchange is the idea that Alhaitham harbours an alternative ‘meaning’ than the one that Kaveh assigns to him: “… you don’t understand what I’m saying to you at all.” This is a meaning which Kaveh cannot perceive due to his current understanding of Alhaitham. This represents the standing of their current relationship, where Kaveh believes Alhaitham holds him in disdain, although this belief is incongruous with Alhaitham’s actions which show his care for Kaveh.

In these instances of communication through the Bulletin Boards, it is interesting to note that Kaveh is revealed to have been drunk and “scribbling” on these notice boards, and hopes that Alhaitham does not know.

Although this is a humorous detail, it adds another layer to the unreliability of their method of communication, as Kaveh has no recollection of these exchanges with Alhaitham, and therefore could not have properly interpreted Alhaitham due to an altered state of mind. It is uncertain whether Alhaitham is aware of Kaveh’s being drunk whilst responding to him, or whether he is believed to have been lucid, which creates another element of unreliability in their exchanges.

Alhaitham understands Kaveh’s thinking and the reasons for why he acts as he does, but he cannot articulate his concern in a way that Kaveh will understand, both out of Kaveh’s incapability of receiving goodwill, but also due to his logical manner of expression. Kaveh perceives Alhaitham’s concealed expressions of concern as personal gripes and criticisms of his beliefs, and therefore believes that their relationship is based on the scholarly principle of proving the validity of one’s philosophies.

The Port Ormos Bulletin Board reinforces the core essence of their relationship: Alhaitham is invested in a personal regard, whereas Kaveh cannot see this due to his perception of Alhaitham and Alhaitham’s inability to communicate in a way Kaveh would understand.

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can i be a hater for a second. i think everyone’s new year’s resolution should be to reblog more art

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my cartooning advice: -your first foray into graphic storytelling should not be that 900 page epic youve been working on since you were 12 -use whatever crappy art software you have -dont make every panel an illustration -cut more corners -no, more than that -no, more than that -a badly made comic will eventually become good but a never-made comic will never become good

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Back to our regularly scheduled "what should we be boycotting" posting - a couple of hours ago (today, Wednesday 8th November) the BDS movement has put together a definitive explainer on which companies it is currently targeting, splitting companies into four categories and explaining why each company is being targeted and also what each category means for consumers, institutions, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: The BDS movement is the official, strategic, coordinated boycott, divestment, and sanctions campaign created by the BDS National Committee of Palestine. If you want to take part in boycotts and other forms of pressure against corporations in your efforts to help free Palestine, use this organisation's advice as your official and primary source. Other common boycott campaigns such as the "Big Three" (McDonalds, Disney, Starbucks) are at best incomplete and at worst actively contradictory representations of this targeted boycott campaign that we should all be aiming to follow for maximum efficacy and impact.

I have bolded where "big three" companies appear in this new release in order to clarify what action the BDS recommends for each.

click this link to read the explainer.

If, for whatever reason, you can't or don't want to click the link, here's a quick summary:

CONSUMER TARGETS: the BDS movement calls for a complete boycott of the following brands

Ahava

AXA

Carrefour

HP

Puma

RE/MAX

Siemens

SodaStream

Israeli produce in your supermarkets (avoid buying said produce and, if you find any in your local store, contact the supermarket to demand its removal from shelves)

DIVESTMENT TARGETS: governments, institutions, and investment funds should exclude and divest from as many complicit companies as is practical

Elbit Systems

HD Hyundai / Volvo / CAT / JCB

Barclays

CAF

Chevron

HikVision

TKH Security

PRESSURE (NON-BOYCOTT) TARGETS: for strategic reasons the BDS movement does not call for a complete boycott of these brands & services. they should be subjected to other forms of pressure until they end their complicity in Israeli apartheid

Google

Amazon

Airbnb / Booking.com / Expedia

Disney

GRASSROOTS ORGANIC BOYCOTT TARGETS: other boycotts not organised by BDS. If these campaigns are not already organically active in your area, focus your energies on the strategic campaigns above.

McDonalds

Burger King

Papa John's

Pizza Hut

Wix

(and others, e.g. Dominos was mentioned in a past release)

Starbucks continues to not be officially mentioned by the BDS Movement. The boycott of Starbucks primarily stems from its decision to sue its union for using the company's name and branding in pro-Palestine posts. As another grassroots organic boycott campaign, albeit not one openly acknowledged thus far by the BDS Movement itself, my personal recommendation would be to treat it like other campaigns in that category - i.e. continue boycotting & encouraging others to do so if there is already an organically active campaign in your area, but please keep the official BDS boycott list as your main focus.

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you heard him

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a comic about fix-it fanfics

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highly recommend when you draw to try and draw. helps with the drawing, especially when it comes to the drawing part

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What if I finish writing it and I hate it?

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the reason i respect techno's content so much is because you could tell it was genuine. he cared. his teasing was never mean-spirited. the focus was on the things he loved and the stories he wanted to tell, on including people as much as he could, not bringing others down. his heart was always in it, trying to bring his fans joy because that's what was important to him and that's why he was the best.

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my friend just told me that there's a secret second dashboard that solely contains posts from people you've turned on post notifications for, and when i click the link in the messages it opens it within the tumblr app, so the tumblr app also has a secret second dashboard for post notification blogs, and the only way to access it is to open the link for it within the app.

i literally love tumblr

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i'm gonna go home and draw

ⓘ Misinformation check: He's not going to draw when he gets home. This user is known for often lying about this.

hey man what the fuck. untrue

ⓘ Misinformation check: This user has not drawn in weeks.

dude come on

ⓘ Misinformation check: He doesn't remember how to.

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girl help i’m having creation ideas above my skill level

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im really stoned and sleep deprived and im thinking about some of the “about” pages ive seen from young tumblr users and im like. who tf is out here telling 14 year old kids that they gotta put shit like a detailed description of all of their potential social privileges next to a summary of their medical history on public display. Who told them to do that. i don’t wanna see these poor kids pinning detailed lists of their traumas next to words like “thin passing” to the top of their blogs so that every unknown passing stranger can immediately see it. kids whoever is telling u that is wrong ok. im in my mid 20s and I don’t even put my real name on most things online. ur allowed to just be on here and have fun. also don’t blindly trust strangers ok. pls be safe. go look at cat memes

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#exactly how i feel #word for word

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Pride Month + Filipino Heritage Month = HI NAY MONTH 🏳️‍🌈🇵🇭

Celebrate Pride and Filipino Heritage Month by listening to Hi Nay, this is very important.

Hi Nay is a supernatural horror audio drama about Filipina immigrant Mari Datuin, whose babaylan (shaman) family background accidentally gets her involved in stopping dangerous supernatural events in Toronto, alongside two detectives, her axe-wielding neighbour, and a fake tv guru with real magic powers. 

June release schedule:

June 11 - Philippine Independence Day Special 🇵🇭 June 18 - The St. Patrick's Case part 2 🔥 June 25 - Pride Episode 🏳️‍🌈

If there was ever a time to get into Hi Nay, June would be it! We'll be going on a brief hiatus in July to gear up for Hi Nay Act 3.

In the meantime, enjoy Act 1, Act 2, and our Hiatus episodes!

Episodes so far:

Hi Nay Act 1: Episode 1 - Episode 10 (part 2) Hi Nay Act 2: Episode 11 - Episode 26 (part 2) Hi Nay Hiatus: Petja, Episode 27 - 30, Pride Episode

Where to listen:

Podbean: https://hinaypod.podbean.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/HiNayPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76tW1cP0LYqXQzYOxfyS9f Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hi-nay/id1549371727 And wherever you listen to podcasts! RSS Available on our main Podbean host.

Transcripts: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/giv3igiktx9ih/HI_NAY_TRANSCRIPTS

Special Filipino Folklore Episodes: https://hinaypod.podbean.com/e/remind-me-to-tell-you-later-a-hi-nay-supercut/

Follow us on our socials and on Youtube! @ hinaypod