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jamesthepigeon · 5 months

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we are the animals.

Something I had thought up while gazing at my cat for a moment: animals can't see colours we can, but instead, they can see colours we can't. They know things we don't. They notice details we don't. They uphold logic we don't. They aren't as innocent and daft as we think.

Maybe, they aren't just creating random sounds/patterns, but instead speak languages we don't. If the homo sapien is so intelligent, than why are they destroying themselves ? Sure, we grow our knowledge, logic, and morals, with assistance in education systems, but

They could already uphold greater knowledge. I will now display examples to as why I think this.

It is very likely, that the Jumping Spider can precisely calculate the distance they leap using math beyond human comprehension [not to mention spiders in general spiders creating webs as abodes and to capture prey in the most horrifyingly clever, and deadly manner], similar to a God/ess of logic/wisdom.

*Worms, and earth-dwellers alike, are quite litterally responsible for what happens to our bodies in death, rich or poor, young or elderly, it doesn't matter, you are food to them, similarly to a God/ess of death.

Some animals use Echolocation which is a biological sonar, used both in the air and underwater, which emits calls, and by listening to those calls that return from various objects near them, they can use these echoes to locate and identify the objects. Echolocation is used for navigation, foraging, and hunting prey.

Animals such as some species of bats, whales, dolphins, doormice, etc. all use Echolocation, similar to maybe a God/ess of travel and language or Hermes, the messenger of the gods in greek mytholigy.

A white-headed dwarf gecko with tail lost due to autotomy. The behaviour whereby an animal sheds or discards one or more of its own appendages, usually as a self-defense mechanism to elude a predator's grasp, similar to the God/ess of war or/and battle strategy.

The list goes on, but I'd like to include one of the most [in my oppinion] suprerior life form, that has been discovered, I believe there is. It needn't a tail, nor multiple eyes, and it is estimated to have started its creation about 1.5 billion years ago, as well as diverging from other life. This life form is Fungi.

With the probability of colonizing the land during the Cambrian, over 500 million years ago, and possibly 635 million years ago during the Ediacaran [but terrestrial fossils only become uncontroversial and common during the Devonian, 400 million years ago].

Fungi has been placed in a different kingdom from plants, and bacteria. Fungi, like animals, are heterotrophs; they acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules, typically by secreting digestive enzymes into their environment. Yet, they do not photosynthesize. Growth is their means of mobility, except for spores (a few of which are flagellated), which may travel through the air or water. Fungi are the principal decomposers in ecological systems.

These and other differences place fungi in a single group of related organisms, named the Eumycota (true fungi or Eumycetes), that share a common ancestor (i.e. they form a monophyletic group), an interpretation that is also strongly supported by molecular phylogenetics. It is said that fungi possibly flourished in Dinosaura eras, e.g. the Triassic period, past the Jurasic extinction event.

There are about 144,000 known species of organisms of the kingdom Fungi. You can even tell that some Fungi can even seem as though they are extraterestrial. Evidence from DNA analysis suggests that all fungi are descended from a most recent common ancestor that lived at least 1.2 to 1.5 billion years ago. It is probable that these earliest fungi lived in water, and had flagella. This curiously superior prehistoric organism with its own Kingdom seems similar, to me, to the Greek God, Zeus, the father of all Gods.

When I was gazing into the house cat's eyes, I also thought that maybe, what humans theorize about possible life after death, the meaning of life, more philosophy, etc., animals too uphold different knowledge to these topics. They too could be extremely self awair.

This concludes my philosophical nerd emoji ramblings, have a lovely morning, day, afternoon, evening, or night. ☆

* Some of the worm anylisation section was inspired by this song that i love:

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littjara-compleated-sage · 2 years

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If you could visit any historical time period or event with the guarantee that you'd return to the present safely afterwards, where and when would you go?

Maybe this is cheating, but the Cambrian explosion. Or the Ediacaran period. Definitely prehistoric, long before humans. I've always been mesmerized by the garden of Ediacara.

#askbox #anon #indulging my green brain cell

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eliluminado7 · 3 years

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i feel like a million years from now humans will just progressively vanish and modern cities will crumble down under the weight of time and nature and other evolved forms of invertebrate animals will take over and return earth to a state of metaecological stasis or whatever that means like in the cambrian period

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carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory · 4 years

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The Giant Eurypterid Trackway: A Great Fossil Discovery on Display in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Figure 1.

When museum patrons enter Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Benedum Hall of Geology, they encounter a one-ton block of coarse sandstone with a series of bilateral footprints encased on the rock’s surface. Most visitors don’t know what type of creature made these footprints (Fig. 1) or realize that this fossil trackway represents one of the great fossil discoveries in the history of western Pennsylvania paleontology.

Figure 2. Illustration by Kay Hughes.

Last month, the cover of Pennsylvania Geology (Fig. 2) helped address both deficiencies. The magazine bears a colorful illustration by Kay Hughes of a 315 million-year-old scene: a large six-legged arthropod emerging from the water and dragging its tail onto a sand bar among fallen Lepidodendron logs. The intruder is a Giant Eurypterid, a creature known to science as Palmichnium kosinskiorum, and a member of an extinct family of arthropods informally called “sea scorpions” that are distant biological cousins.

Within the journal is a fuller explanation for the artistic interpretation of the creature behind the Benedum Hall trackway, an article I co-wrote with Kay Hughes and John Harper titled, Reflections on Palmichnium kosinskiorum-The Footprints of Pennsylvania’s Elusive Elk County Monster.

Fortuitous Discovery

Figure 3. Photograph of Elk County in situ trackway looking southward (Brezinski and Kollar 2016).

Figure 4. Trackway closeup showing tail drag on display in Benedum Hall of Geology (Brezinski and Kollar 2016)

Seventy-two years ago, in an Elk County section of the Allegheny National Forest, James Kosinski, a preparator in the Education Department of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and his brother Michael were hunting deer in heavily wooded terrain. When Michael stumbled upon a large sandstone boulder bearing a pattern of unusual impressions, he informed James, who (Fig. 3) immediately recognized the impressions as the fossil tracks of an unknown animal (Fig. 4).

Later, when James described the discovery to Carnegie Museum’s Dr. E. Rudy Eller, Curator of the Section of Invertebrate Paleontology, and Dr. J. Leroy Kay, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, plans were made to remove a section of the boulder containing the best-preserved section of the trackway and transport the heavy block to the museum.

Exhibit History

Figure 5. Former Paleozoic Hall Silurian Period Marine Diorama with Eurypterids.

Upon arrival at the museum in 1948, the sandstone block was prepared for exhibition and placed near the museum’s Coal Forest exhibit in 1949. In 1965, the trackway was incorporated as a floor centerpiece in the newly open Paleozoic Hall which featured dioramas of characteristic life forms of that Era’s time periods (Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Pennsylvanian, and Permian) along with representative fossils from the museum collection. (Fig. 5) In 1998, when Paleozoic Hall was dismantled, the trackway was placed temporarily in the Invertebrate Paleontology lab. The trackway returned to public view in 2007 as part of Bizarre Beasts, a temporary exhibition in the R. P. Simmons Family Gallery about unusual life forms. When Bizarre Beasts closed, I worked with James Senior, Chair of the museum’s Exhibit Department, to place the trackway in the Benedum Hall of Geology entrance as an introduction to great fossil discoveries from western Pennsylvania.

The Research – Locality Data Supports Recent Theory

The fossil trackway was initially identified by Dr. Kay as a hopping reptile inhabiting a Pennsylvanian coal forest 300 million years ago. Although Dr. Eller, citing his own research, suggested the track was formed by a crawling eurypterid, it would take 35 more years for the fossil trackway to be studied by expert arthropod paleontologists from Europe.

The eventual designation of Palmichnium kosinskiorum as a holotype specimen (CM 34388), a category of first order scientific importance, dates to the fossil’s description as a eurypterid trackway in a 1983 research paper by Dr. Derek E. G., Briggs and Dr. W. D. J. Rolfe, titled, A giant arthropod trackway from the Lower Mississippian of Pennsylvania (Journal of Paleontology, 57, 377 – 390). In paleontology, when a non-scientist such as Michael Kosinski discovers a fossil of importance, paleontologists, in this case Derek Briggs and Ian Rolfe, name the new fossil species after the founder, hence P. kosinskiorum.

For years, paleontologists in the Section of Invertebrate Paleontology assumed the scientific conclusions of Briggs and Rolfe (1983) about the eurypterid trackway were beyond dispute. This situation changed in 2009, when Yale University Professor Adolph Seilacher, a world-renowned expert on fossil trackways visited the museum. While Briggs and Rolfe concluded the trackway formed in a marine sandstone, Seilacher explained to me that the trackway was likely formed in an eolian or wind-blown sand environment. He also recommended that someone investigate the rocks at the fossil location in Elk County to substantiate his hypothesis.

Figure 6. D.K. Brezinski at trackway.

Later that year, when I accompanied David K. Brezinski, Associate Curator Adjunct, Section of Invertebrate Paleontology, to re-locate and re-examine the sandstone boulder with the remaining tracks, we discovered the original geologic and deposition conclusion by Briggs and Rolfe (1983) was incorrect (Fig. 6). In 2011, we reported these new findings at the Northeastern Sectional Meeting of the Geological Society of America in Pittsburgh. After the meeting, we continued our research and eventually published our conclusion that the geologic age of the trackway was Early Pennsylvanian age and the embedded footprints represented a fluvial sand bar environment of deposition.(Reevaluation of the Age and Provenance of the Giant Palmichnium Kosinskiorum Eurypterid Trackway, from Elk County, Pennsylvania, Brezinski and Kollar (2016), Annals of Carnegie Museum 84, 39 – 45,)

School Groups and Museum Interpreters

Based upon repeated anecdotal reports from the Interpreters who guide tour groups through the museum’s exhibit halls, the eurypterid trackway is one of the most celebrated education stops for elementary school students. According to Interpreter Patty Dineen, the appealing factors of the trackway include the size and possible scariness of the creature who made the tracks, the fact the track-maker lived long before the dinosaurs, the fossil’s local origin, and the sheer amount for information that can be gathered from the ancient preserved tracks.

Figure 7. Interpreter field trip.

As part of an effort to better inform school groups about the eurypterid trackway, in 2017 Patty Dineen and Joann Wilson, co-coordinators and instructors for the museum’s Natural History Interpreters, arranged for six Interpreters to participate in a PAlS geology fall field trip to the fossil site in Elk County. (Fig. 7) An important by-product of field excursion was the creation of an instructional video that explains how museum scientists conduct research.

“Treasures of the Carnegie” Planning for a better Trackway Experience

Now that an illustration exists (Fig. 1) of the eurypterid that shaped the trackway walking out of the 315 million-year-old Olean River onto a sand bar, it might be time to consider how to best devise an improved visual and virtual tour experience for the Carnegie patrons and school groups.

Albert D. Kollar is Collections Manager for the Section of Invertebrate Paleontology at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Museum staff, volunteers, and interns are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

#Carnegie Museum of Natural History #Geology #Pennsylvania geology #Giant Eurypterid Trackway #Fossils #Invertebrate Paleontology #Pennsylvania #Giant Eurypterid

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girllovescomic · 3 years

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An analysis of our OTP as we go toward the end

With the help of Karen Ly (Twitter), I found this post on Weibo and Google translated it. I think this really encapsulate what I think of both characters

After watching the 60~63 episodes, my dissatisfaction with the plot has calmed down a bit, not only because the appearance of the king in these episodes is too high (this is the main reason, it is really love every frame of every line) , Also because the behavior logic of most characters can be explained. I think the Hulan episode of 58~59 broke so badly because the changes in Helan Zhen couldn't convince me at all. It was not like he could do it.

Let me talk about Xiao Qi first. Since the battle of Neem Hayama, I have been thinking about his return. I know it will be good, but it is better than I imagined again. Has Xiao Qi changed? Yes, it is not. Xiao Qi is a person with extremely strong inner world and self-awareness. He has gone all the way from the Cambrian to an extremely human minister. No matter how the outside world changes, he can hardly shake his self-constructed spiritual world. He knew exactly what he wanted along the way. He was a hero with the world in mind. Power and status were never the goals he pursued, but the means to help him achieve his ideals, so neither threat nor temptation would let him shake. This is why Wang Lin said that he always looked at people accurately, but he misunderstood Xiao Qi. After all, this son-in-law is not a mortal. From the time when he entered Beijing to be the king to the Lianyu Mountain Incident, Xiao Qi's attitude towards the royal family and the nobles of the Manchu clan was always neither humble nor overbearing, courteous and courteous. After being aware of the emperor’s scruples about his merits, he took the initiative to resign. . He is always smart, sober and restrained. After the return, he did not accept the order twice, and the face of the king did not worship the palace with the sword. He was arrogant and domineering, watching the world, just like the two of the past restraint and forbearance. But when Xiao Qi, who had restrained his modesty at the beginning, could ever afford these nobles? Today, he just didn't hesitate to hide his contempt and anger, for the sake of the dead Ning Shuo soldier, and for his ideals and beliefs. Xiao Qi is a person who has always acted in accordance with his inner rules, and this has never changed. In the past, he thought that by being close to the center of power, he could better realize the ideal of guarding his family and protecting the country and allowing the people to live and work in peace. After Xie Shouzheng's corruption incident and close talks with Zilong, he has realized that the corruption of the court and the family is a chronic disease. It is difficult to heal, so the meaning of retreat was born. Xiao Qi before Lian Yushan should be struggling. Although returning to Ningshuo was far away from the power struggle, he could only keep one side of the country safe and farther away from his great cause. The tragedy of Mt. Neem changed everything. The moment God of War, Xiao Qi, looked hollow and confused. In addition to his extremely overdrawn body, there was probably a collapse of faith and despair of the country and court he tried to protect.

The next few episodes are completely depressive. Xiao Qi is silent. In a one-man show with almost no lines, he cried silently. He galloped in the wilderness, he looked up at the sky in the courtyard, he was by the river. Pressing his forehead lightly against the horse, he grieves, angers, reflects, reconstructs his will, and strengthens his determination to revenge. The accumulated power reaches people's hearts through the screen. With such a layer upon layer of progressive paving, the outbreak after the return is extremely hearty. Xiao Qi came back, and he couldn't get through according to your rules in the past, so just follow my rules and see if any of you has the ability to stop me.

Similarly, the scenes after the return were progressive. When they were refused entry into Ningshuo City, they lowered their stance, were polite and courteous, and had a sincere attitude. When they saw Ningshuo soldiers swearing allegiance to the death, it was hard to hide their excitement. The voice choked for a while, this was the first emotional vent since Neem Yushan suppressed Yin Ren. When I saw Wyen (I love this scene very much, I repeatedly brushed it), the short conversation undercurrents surged and was extremely wonderful. Xiao Qi's eyes staring at Wyan were a little bit probing at first (want to see how many shadows there were in Wyan in the past), and gradually became cold (are you here to welcome me or stop me), and then became threatening and provocative ( Who will do it this time, is it you, Su Yibo), mentioning that Guanglie and Soldier Ningshuo are uncontrollable anger (this is the second emotional vent), and then return to calm, the disappointment and steel The same unchangeable will is chilling. I always felt that Liu Duanduan's interpretation was a bit too much, but this scene was also excellent, and the process of Wyan's inner anxiety, hesitation, and final break was very complete.

This period of entering the city was another highlight moment, and the whole confrontation was relaxed, and it was repeated several times. Personally, my favorite is the body language of the king in this scene, which is really domineering every time he raises his hand and turns around. Hearing the order to accept the order, he slightly leaned over to help the grandmother who was about to kneel down, stepped forward slowly, stopped sideways, and took the order, resolutely and beyond doubt. A few actions have made people see the aggressive attitude of King Yuzhang after his return. He just wants to clearly tell the emperor and these officials that his patience has been exhausted, and he will not leave them half face or give them any more. They stayed a little bit of retreat until the truth was found out and the real murderer came to the rescue. After Ma San arrived, he seemed to be holding a low posture, but in fact he was always in front of him. The connotation of his words is that Xiao Qi led soldiers to threaten the monarchy, committing chaos (you bring 100,000 soldiers, I will agree to anything you want), and put yourself in morals The commanding heights place Xiao Qi unrighteous, thereby confuses the public and avoids Xiao Qi's questioning of Lian Yushan. The confrontation was pushed to the apex when he said "Fight against me until King Yu Zhang is satisfied". At this time, Xiao Qi still looked directly at Ma San, his eyes were not evasive, but he took a deep breath that was hardly noticeable. , Looked up slightly, he was suspicious and inquiring about Ma San, and the anger at him for putting himself here was expressed vividly and vividly in this slight look up. After Wang Su quickly handed everyone a step and got a promise that he could self-check the truth, he took the opportunity to give in, bowed his head, and the confrontation ended. The rhythm of the subtleties is too good.

Talking about entering the hall in white, all the restraints in the front have been pave the way for the most heartfelt lift. As he approached the throne step by step, he was like an angry lion, showing the air of a king. Ma San was forced by such a momentum, his eyes were evasive, and his inner fear was self-evident. Here is an interruption of Wyan's eyes, which are worship, shock, and loss. He probably realized that he would never be able to surpass Xiao Qi. Then, it came to the monologue on Xiaoqi Hall. This paragraph kicked me to the bottom of the pit and never wanted to come out again. This third emotional catharsis directly pushed the contradictions to the peak. The anger, grief, and contempt for the nobles since Mt. Neem poured out like a rainbow, and finally received a meaningful look in front of the throne. At that time, he was as dangerous as a black panther waiting for an opportunity.

Should such Xiao Qi be proclaimed emperor? There are many voices on the Internet questioning that Xiao Qi’s retreat is the "heart of the Father" and the collapse of human design. I think this is a simple and rude categorization in the Internet age. The term "personal design" is even more annoying. How can the complexity of human nature be summed up with a simple facial makeup? Everything needs to be viewed in the context of an era. Monarchs and ministers are the head of the five Confucian ethics. The usurpation of the king and the killing of the emperor must be a shame in the history books. Even big ambitious people like Cao Cao have scruples. Need to hold the emperor to make the princes. The founding emperors who have changed dynasties in the past have all found various so-called apocalypses and signs to prove that the previous dynasties are exhausted. For Xiao Qi, a hero who takes the responsibility of defending his family and the country and has the world in his heart, he should not be easy to make such a choice. This is not the so-called Father's Heart, nor loyalty, but is restricted by the value system of that era. Of course, Xiao Qi is by no means a pedantic person, otherwise there would be no such thing as instigating many feudal vassals to ask for the gift of nine tins. The key is to see what he ultimately wants to achieve. For a person like him who follows his inner rules, I am curious how Zhou Yiwei will perform and convince us of his final choice.

Let's talk about Awu. Although I still feel that many details of the plot cannot withstand scrutiny, the direction of the character Awu is generally logical. First of all, Awu is not an ordinary woman. She has independent self-awareness and values. The love between her and Xiao Qi is based on the mutual attraction of two independent personalities. The other party. Such a woman naturally has a bigger pattern. She understands Xiao Qi's ideals. She was born in a family and was perfectly protected since she was a child. She didn't realize the taste of betrayal until she was involved in her father's plot and trade as a pawn. I think a drama review I watched before is very well written, to the effect that Awu’s noble spiritual world makes her not disdain to participate in the conspiracy, or even hate those who hurt her (such as Su Jin’er, more It is disgust, that she is a poor person). She hated her for the first time when she thought that He Lanzhen killed Xiao Qi. Xiao Qi is her bottom line, so she will do everything she can to die with him. Regarding the queen mother, after guessing that the emperor's uncle was murdered by her, Awu kept alienating her; after returning to Beijing, she felt compassionate when she saw the tragedy of the queen mother. This is also very controversial on the Internet, but after all, the layout of Neem Hayama has not been fully investigated, and it is understandable to have pity for the aunt who watched him grow up. (Of course, I didn't convince myself too much. There were still omissions in the plot. Ordinarily, she and Xiao Qi should be able to see the role of the queen mother). To Ma San, she was shocked to a large extent. After all, she grew up with her childhood sweetheart. She probably couldn't believe that he had become like this. She chose not to tell Xiao Qi not because she wanted to let Ma San go, but because she didn't think about what the consequences of this incident would be, and how this consequence would affect Xiao Qi and the situation in the world. So I don’t think that the hostess is overwhelmed by the heart of the Virgin. Her response to these people is different, and the way of coping is also considered according to different situations. Regarding the truth about Neem Yushan, she did have a disagreement with Xiao Qi. In the play, she mentioned letting go twice, one was when she went to Beijing to talk at home after returning to the government, hoping that Xiao Qi would not kill more after finding out the truth; Bian, asked Xiao Qi if he could put aside the things in front of him and live his own life. Two times, Xiao Qi didn't agree, he never gave her a promise that she couldn't make (here again). I think it is reasonable to think this way from the perspective of Auntie. First of all, she could not fully understand Xiao Qi’s brotherhood of life and death towards Ning Shuo’s soldiers. Second, she could not fully understand Xiao Qi’s pain and hatred unless he had personally experienced the affairs of Yushan. (On this matter, probably only Hu Yao Understand the king, please refer to See the eyes of the king and Hu Yao reuniting). So I think that although Ah Wu can understand Xiao Qi's ideals of the world on a large scale, he does not fully understand Xiao Qi's will and determination to revenge. She is afraid of the prospect of the rain coming, she is afraid of losing Xiao Qi, and also afraid that Xiao Qi will go on the road of murdering the king for revenge, and even more afraid of the bloody wind that will follow, which change of dynasty in history It didn't come by walking on the sea of blood. However, this disagreement does not mean that the love between 57 has faded. In fact, their lives have been more deeply blended together (Auntie said, you are the most important person in my life; Xiao Qi said, to you never change). Auntie chose to stand with Xiao Qi on key matters. For example, when she entered Beijing, she refused to help Wang Yu persuade Xiao Qi, and followed Xiao Qi twice to bow down. (Here I want to emphasize the background of the times and not follow the rule of the monarch Ceremony is to pretend to be a big deal). He loves her, so he understands and tolerates her care for the family to the greatest extent; she loves him, even if she does not fully understand, she will respect his choice. This is the love between adults without blood.

Other characters who have the same acting online include the prime minister who is always conscientious in his career, and the queen mother who has hysteria to get up and pull his enemies into the water, finally wakes up to the elder brother who is firm in his career, and even the black line of love and brains, Ma San, their wonderful makes My resentment for the first episode of Hulan has fallen, and I moved a small bench to wait for the last 5 episodes...

#Analysis #characters #monarch industry #the rebel princess #Zhou Yi Wei #Zhang Ziyi

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aworldforastage · 4 months

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A Totally Subjective List of Favorite Danmei Novels I Read in 2023

Joyful Reunion :: 相见欢 by 非天夜翔

Governor's Illness :: 督主有病 by 杨溯

The Return of Cambrian Period :: 寒武再临

The Plays of Lips and Teeth :: 唇齿之戏 by 张佩奇

Blazing Armor :: 火焰戎装 by 水千丞

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine :: 残疾战神嫁我为妾后 by 刘狗花

Wilderness Vegetation :: 荒野植被 by 麦香鸡呢

In Name Only :: 有名 by 木更木更

Placid Chang’an :: 太平长安 by 盐盐 Yany

Eternities Still Unsaid Till You Love Me :: 欲言难止 by 麦香鸡呢

Joyful Reunion :: 相见欢 by 非天夜翔

“相见欢，原本是我们的曲子。” "'Joyful Reunion' originally belonged to my people."

[action, political intrigue, coming of age] -- At its heart, Joyful Reunion is a young man's coming-of-age, as he grows up in a war-torn world and decides on the type of man and leader he wants to become. This novel isn't easy to read with it pacing and length, but its reputation as an iconic historical political danmei is well-deserved. There are no "good people" and "bad people", just humans trying to survive in a harsh world and live their own truths. The main romantic arc is fairly light, while the most controversial (i.e. beloved) "second male lead" in all of danmei is lurking in the background. But I love that Duan Ling finds someone who supports him through his worst days, and they give each other strength and hope to stay true to their best selves.

Governor's Illness :: 督主有病 by 杨溯

“去吧，”沈玦道，“你生，我去找你。你死，我去陪你。” “Go,” Shen Jue says, “If you live, I’ll come find you. If you die, I’ll go with you.”

[wuxia, secrets and conspiracies, revenge plot] -- The powerful Governor of the Eastern Depot has a massive bounty on the head of an infamous assassin. Who knew it's because they are childhood friends who want to find each other? Despite a tiny bit of palace intrigue, this is mostly a wuxia story, focusing on the complicated bonds between masters and disciples, and far too many blood debts and sect secrets. The first part of the novel is brutal. I love plot-heavy stories but I intentionally ignore parts of this one during re-reads because it is just so heartbreaking (unrelated to the romance arc). But Xiahou Lian never stops seeing the best in Shen Jue and Shen Jue never stops wanting the best for Xiahou Lian. And that strong bond gives them -- and readers like me -- some hope and comfort as secrets and enemies from the ghosts of Xiahou Lian's past continue to launch them into one action-packed challenge after another. (My review here)

The Return of Cambrian Period :: 寒武再临 by 水千丞

这就是末世，个人的悲伤在全世界的悲伤面前，渺小无比。 This is the apocalypse, and the grief of an individual is utterly insignificant compared to all the grief in the world right now.

[apocalypse, action/adventure, superpowers/mutations] -- I don't know how to summarize 1.7 million words briefly so here's a much lengthier review. It's an action-adventure with super-powered humans and mutant "monsters of the week". It's a mystery and heroic epic trying to solve and conquer the cause of the apocalypse. It's a social commentary sketching out what humanity keeps and saves and becomes when modern society crumbles. It's a love story -- many love stories, romantic and familial and platonic and more-- that reminds you what gives humans the courage, purpose, and determination to stand up in face of overwhelming adversity is love for and from the people we keep in our hearts.

The Plays of Lips and Teeth :: 唇齿之戏 by 张佩奇

周辰瑜回到舞台中央，说：“这出《乌龙院》，我和贺辰烽常说，不过这还是我头一回演阎惜娇。” 说着，他转过身，对身旁的晏朝说：“人家第一次都给你了，你要对我负责。” 晏朝：“……” Zhou Chenyu returns to the center stage, and says, "I have performed 'Wu Long Yuan' many times with He Chenfeng, but this is my first time playing Yan Xijiao." He turns to Yan Zhao, who is standing beside him, "I'm giving you my first time, you need to take responsibility." Yan Zhao: "..."

[ celebrities, comedy, traditional arts] -- This is a novel for when you want stories about celebrities, with all the fun of "CP fans" and Weibo drama, but also a break from actors and idols. A TV host and a Xiangsheng actor meet in a reality show that teaches them about each other's careers. While they are expected to provide some fan service to boost ratings, they also develop genuine respect and fondness for each other. With a comedian as a main character, this novel kept me laughing with xiangsheng performances and the main couple's funny antics. There is a bit of angst when the main characters struggle with their careers and their relationships with their respective families, but luckily, they find each other and a path forward together.

Blazing Armor :: 火焰戎装 by 水千丞

可那个"孩子"，他又天真又残忍。 But that "child", he is so innocent and cruel.

[mystery/procedural, romance, firefighters] -- A departure from the norm in the 188 Boys Club, this novel is a plot-heavy slow-burn romance, following the work of fire captain Ren Yi and police officer Gong Yingxian. I got really drawn into the "cases" (fires) that Ren Yi deals with, and learned so much about fire trucks, rescue protocols, and fire risks of various materials. Gong Yingxian is a traumatized genius orphan with a large inheritance, weird hobbies, and no social skills. He repeatedly hurts Ren Yi's feelings and betrays his trust, for reasons ranging from uninformed callousness to intentional manipulation, but technically none of that is about their romantic relationship. I don't want to downplay the seriousness of his actions, but there is something precious about the guy who confesses his feelings with the bones of his dead pet lizard, and gets frustrated because Ren Yi can't decipher the romantic symbolism of the lizard's heart-shaped tail bone.

After the Disabled God of War Became My Concubine :: 残疾战神嫁我为妾后 by 刘狗花

“瞧好了，他，靖王，我是他的妾，他是我夫君。” "Look carefully! Him, the Prince Jin, I am his secondary concubine, he is my lord husband."

[transmigration, romance, political intrigue] -- History professor Jiang Suizhou fails a student paper for using unofficial records, and ends up transmigrating into the wild events chronicled in the paper. Like any decent protagonist of a transmigration novel, Suizhou saves himself from a gruesome fate, falls in love with the coolest person in their universe, and change the world for the better. Despite the setting, the political plot is kept light and simple. A great treat for when you want sugar-pie feel-good comfort read with a tiny bit of plot.

Wilderness Vegetation :: 荒野植被 by 麦香鸡呢

如果可以，谁不想体体面面的，体面地爱人，体面地被爱。 If given the option, who wouldn't want dignity? To love with dignity, and be loved with dignity.

[scum gong crematorium, reconciliation, mental illness] -- My favorite HE crematorium novel! Xu Yan dumps emotionally abusive boyfriend Shen Zhi whom he has loved and tolerated for years, and starts a new life and career with supportive friends and family. This is finally a sane universe where no one retcons or minimizes or excuses Shen Zhi's actions, even if there were genuine misunderstandings and he genuinely loved Xu Yan. During the crematorium phase, Shen Zhi respects Xu Yan's boundaries and refusals (though he does repeatedly return to ask again). It takes time, but he works hard to grow as a person, to think and behave differently, and eventually lets Xu Yan go out of love and respect. When Xu Yan initiates the reconciliation, it feels like they have a chance this time because they have both changed and grown in meaningful ways.

In Name Only :: 有名 by 木更木更

“当他落在了我这儿，我这儿就是春天。” "When he lands where I am, where I am becomes spring time. "

[actors/celebrities, fake relationship, mature characters] -- Two award-winning actors fake a relationship to quash a scandalous rumor. They gradually get to know the real person behind the other's accomplished career and polished public persona, and fall in love. The tone of the story veers is mostly sweet and funny, with a splash of angst that they conquer with their own strength and each other's support. It's so comforting and relaxing to read about the love story of "mature men" in their early 30s who know how to communicate productively, take care of the people they like, and really accept and empathize with each other's imperfections. (I wrote about the novel here.)

Placid Chang’an :: 太平长安 by 盐盐 Yany

“你既然选择了大理寺，查找真相、还原真相就是你的事，而我身为摄政亲王，稳定朝局，制衡天下是我的事。你做你该做的，剩下的我来处理。” “Since you have chosen to join the Court of Judicial Review, investigating and uncovering the truth is now your duty; I am the Prince Regent, so stabilizing the court and governing the nation is my duty. Do your duty, and I will handle the rest.”

[mystery/procedural, court politics] -- The newest Zhuangyuan Su Cen has a sharp mind and keen eye for solving mysterious. As a high-profile rookie official, he is soon swept into the factional rivalries at court -- and the Prince Regent's bed at night. The plot is mainly driven by a series of cases Su Cen investigates for his work and at the behest of people around him, and many mysteries point back to a few old cold cases and a secret organization. The grand finale feels a bit underwhelming compared to the set up, and the side characters are somewhat flat, but the individual cases and the main couple are engaging. The relationship arc is a sweet but measured exploration into the charms and woes of a relationship with large gaps in power and age (40-ish vs early 20s). They are both capable but not overpowered, leaving the story with believable suspense throughout.

Eternities Still Unsaid Till You Love Me :: 欲言难止 by 麦香鸡呢

其实他知道不应该用‘等’来形容。许则像只风筝，没有人握着线，风筝在高空被吹得飘摇不定，但还是竭尽全力地留在原地，不是等谁来牵那根线，只是希望能再看某个人一眼。 Actually, he knows it shouldn't be called "waiting." Xu Ze is like a kite with no one holding the string. The kite wobbles as it flies high in the sky, but it still tries so hard to stay in place, not waiting for anyone to pick up that string, but just hoping to see that certain someone on more time.

[ABO, Alpha/Alpha, (temporarily) unrequited pining, amnesia] -- Scholarship kid Xu Ze has harbored a secret crush on Golden Boy and fellow Alpha Lu Heyang for years. They eventually begin a secret relationship in high school, but it ends after Lu Heyang gets amnesia, and they don't meet again until years later. The pining in this story is absolutely suffocating. Xu Ze has always prepared for his feelings to remain unrequited, and Lu Heyang is far from forthcoming and reassuring about his own feelings and commitment during their high school relationship. After adult Lu Heyang risks everything to recover his memory of their relationship, it's devastating to see Xu Ze break down in Lu Heyang's arms, finally coming to terms with how desparately he has wanted and waited for this reunion, and finally getting his Lu Heyang back. (I wrote more about this novel here)

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fayewonglibrary · 3 years

Text

Wang Yuelun filmed Faye Wong’s MV, established top position in the industry (2008)

Recently, director Wang Yuelun, who has gained a lot of attention for directing the movie "Nine Beauty in Perfection", was interviewed. The MVs he shot when he first entered the music industry were very unique and different.

Faye Wong took a quick glance at his work and invited him to shoot the MV for her new song. It was a coincidence that Wang Yuelun entered the music industry because at the time he studied in the United States as a film major. After returning to China, he focused on finding opportunities to make movies. A friend of Wang Yuelun in the music industry asked him to shoot an MV for his new song and he agreed. The style of the MV shot by Wang Yuelun, who had just returned to China, was completely different from the style of many domestic MV directors at that time. Therefore, he was recommended by music producer Zhang Yadong to Queen Faye Wong. After a quick glimpse by Faye Wong, he was chosen to shoot the MV for her new song.

There was an interesting episode in the process. When Faye Wong watched Wang Yuelun’s MV, she mistook Wang Yuelun as a Taiwanese director, and asked Zhang Yadong: “Who made this MV? Which director is Wang Yuelun in Taiwan? Why don’t I know him huh?"

Faye Wong learned after Zhang Yadong's explanation that Wang Yuelun was actually a native of Beijing. 　　

After Faye Wong and Wang Yuelun met for the first time, she immediately decided to invite him to shoot the MV for her new song. MVs such as "New Tenant" and "Cambrian Period" are regarded as Faye Wong's classic MVs. And Wang Yuelun also soared because of the successful collaboration with Faye Wong and established his position in the industry.

------------------------------------------------------------------

SOURCE: SOHU // TRANSLATED BY: FAYE WONG FUZAO

#2008

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yuexuan · 3 years

Text

Fiction recommendation 19

Halloween’s here! As per past tradition, here’s another round of fic recs! The theme is still horror/supernatural/apocalyptic-oriented (because that’s my jam~).

My previous Halloween fic recs can be found here and here

1. 小蘑菇 (Little mushroom)

Author: 一十四洲 (Xiao Shi Si Zhou)

Future, apocalypse, sci-fi

Summary:

He who brings Judgement is judged...by none other than a small mushroom.

An Zhe was a simple mushroom and his only goal in life was to ensure the survival of his spore. One day, he lost his spore. He searched high and far, even risking his life to infiltrate a human base where he suspected the spore was taken to. The problem was that the human base was guarded by the Judge, a human with an inexplicably acute sense of distinguishing infected mutants from normal human.

Too bad that he could only distinguish animal and plant-based mutants, and An Zhe was a fungi, eh?

Comments:

Set in the future where Earth had finally lost its magnetic fields, inducing changes far beyond what anyone might anticipate. I particularly liked the world-building, from creating mannequins to commemorate the dead as a job, to the different ways they detect mutants, or the facilities that humans built to counter incoming attacks. Definitely worth a read!

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation | Audio drama

2. 不死者 (Undead)

Author: 淮上 (Huai Shang)

Future, apocalypse, sci-fi, ABO, zombie

Summary:

2019, the year when the Pandora Virus raged across the globe. Infrastructures were destroyed, basic services halted, nuclear plants experienced meltdown, and cities were sunken into despair. In a place without God, humanity's hope rests in the hands of a few.

Unit 118 was responsible for bringing back the antidote, in the form of an omega who had developed resistance to the Pandora Virus. The problem was that the omega wasn’t entirely cooperative. Also, he was more-than-capable of taking down zombies and alphas alike.

Comments:

This is an ABO x zombie fic, so if you like both settings and appreciate a power couple, you’re gonna enjoy this!

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation | Audio drama

3. 民调局异闻录 (Bureau of paranormal investigation)

Author: 耳东水寿 (Er Dong Shui Shou)

Supernatural, mystery, modern

Summary:

During a stakeout, Shen La and crew were tricked into a cave filled with the Undead. In the course of escaping, he reopened his Heaven’s Eye that enabled him to see ghosts and other paranormal beings. As a result, he was approached and recruited by the ‘census bureau’, a secret government agency tasked with dealing with paranormal activities.

**Note that this is not a danmei

Comment:

If you like Daomu, you’re going to enjoy this novel because the writing style, characterization etc. are heavily inspired from Daomu. The entire novel consisted of short stories where the main cast deals with different paranormal events. It is situated within a larger universe, including prequels and sequels such as 勉传、暗夜将至、绝处逢生、民调局异闻录后传. I’m currently reading 勉传 , but it’s nowhere as exciting and entertaining as the main book lol.

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation | Donghua

4. 寒武再临 (The return of Cambrian Period)

Author: 水千丞 (Shui Qian Cheng)

Sci-fi, future, apocalypse, special abilities

Summary:

A sudden earthquake caused the rapid evolution of all living things on earth. Suddenly humankind found itself no longer at the top of the food chain and their hope rests in the hands of those who evolved special features to protect them.

Chong Xia came by an old jade holding the secrets to advancing others’ evolution, possibly giving humankind a second chance at survival.

Comments:

Another apocalypse fic with very expansive world-building. I really enjoyed the first part of the story - it’s refreshing to see a smart characters that make wise use of scientific knowledge. Somehow this dwindled later in the story, and Chong Xia became just any typical nice-hero, which was kinda disappointing but hey, the world-building more than makes up for it! Also, I heard that there is a new donghua coming out based on this.

Novel | Novel [Eng] Translation | Audio drama

5. 图灵测试 (Turing test)

Author: 唇亡齒寒0 (Chun Wang Chi Han 0)

Sci-fi

Summary:

The 28th test: failure. Once again Yu ShaoQing correctly identified the AI in the virtual reality test, much to the frustrations of the AI’s creators. But what if...the AI was losing on purpose?

"Is this reality?" Yu ShaoQing awoke again from the virtual world, but he was supposed to be dead.

Comments:

Interesting take on the Turing Test, which is a method of testing whether an AI is capable of thinking like a human. It’s a relatively short fic for a good read :)

Novel

6. 复生门徒 (Revived disciples)

Author: 四十九盞燈 (Si Shi Jiu Zhan Deng)

Apocalypse, sci-fi, mutants/special abilities

Summary:

‘A species is never extinct. Instead, their DNA is just sleeping. When the conditions are right, these DNA will reawaken.” - <Summary of the Solar Plan>

2017, the Solar Plan went askew, resulting in the reawakening of ancient species and the destruction of society. Majority of humankind fell into the bottom rung of the food chain. At the same time, the ancient DNAs resting within some humans were slowly coming back to life......

The killer ‘Red Eye’ and mercenary ‘Ghost Wolf’ were accidentally embroiled into part of the Solar Plan. Amidst the chaos, they paved a bloody pathway for humankind.

Comments:

If you like a power couple, this fic will be to your liking. It is fast-paced, with a lot of plot twists and interesting takes on power mutation/evolution.

Novel

7. 灵笼: Incarnation

Apocalypse, sci-fi

Summary (taken from myanimelist)

In the not-too-distant future, the human world has long been overpopulated. Humanity marched to the stars in search of a new home, and just as this was going on, the moon's alignment caused massive earthquakes to ripple across the world, lasting several decades. Humanity was demolished. When the land finally recovered, humanity reemerged to face this strange yet familiar world. Will we, who once lorded over this domain, still remain the masters of this world?

Comments:

This is not a fiction but a 3D donghua that really deserves more views due to its engaging plot and high-quality production. Honestly I felt like people didn’t talk about it just because it’s not BL/GL, but I strongly recommend the donghua. It is available for free on Bilibili’s official youtube site.

#recommendation #fic rec

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carbonbasedartist · 4 years

Text

New zealand: Risks and dangers

> New Zealand lies in the southern hemisphere between the 166th century and the 166th century, and with so much coastline it's no wonder that New Zealanders also love the water - it is said that over 15% of all New Zealand families own their own boat. It's no wonder that Kiwis are regarded as top class yacht designers and continue to stir up the sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and rowing scene worldwide.

What dangerous animals are there in New Zealand?

Dangerous animals in New Zealand On the land there are fewer or, apart from the rare Katipo spider, hardly any dangerous animal species. In New Zealand more than 1100 spider species live from the 40 000 spider species known worldwide so far. Only a few are weakly poisonous.

Lastly, the uneven distribution of precipitation due to the location of the mountains ensures a variety of vegetation forms. Fascinating historical Maori sites and Taonga (treasures) contrast with many beautiful buildings from New Zealand's colonial period. Facts and the diverse and diverse culture of this country can be experienced on a walk through a New Zealand city.

Even short trips can be dangerous if you go on your own and then get injured.

The distance from New Zealand to Peru (South America) is about 20.300km and in the north the closest country is the island state of New Caledonia, 2.400km away.

The word Haka in itself has nothing to do with war, it only means "dance" or "song with dance".

Century long-arrow-right Despite continuing ties with the British Crown, New Zealand is today a proud, independent nation.

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During the Cambrian, Silurian and Ordovician periods (millions of years), New Zealand stretched back to the 45th century.The most important shipping line for the transport of people is the Interislander, a ferry service that connects the North Island (Wellington) with the South Island (Picton) and transports about one million people per year. Hardly visible and so far hardly researched is the mini-small Carukia barnesi jellyfish, whose sting can cause the life-threatening Irukandji Syndrome. New Zealand is mostly very British influenced. Until about 200 million years ago New Zealand - like most of today's land masses of the southern hemisphere - belonged to the primordial continent of Gondwana. Since then New Zealand has been able to develop a flora and fauna independent of all other land areas.

What people in New Zealand speak: English and Maori

In the treaty the Maori renounced all sovereign rights and became British citizens. In return, they were assured that they could keep their land. However, not all the provisions in the contract were clear and were gradually watered down. In addition, the Maori wars among themselves took on completely different dimensions, because they could now use the rifles brought by the Europeans. It is estimated that during this time the number of Maori decreased by at least ten percent. Read more about campervan hire New Zealand here.

#new zealand language

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earthstory · 5 years

Photo

The Tapeats Sandstone

Throughout the Grand Canyon area, the Great Unconformity represents about 200 million years of time where no rocks were deposited. The seas retreated, leaving the basement rocks to erode away. But, 525 million years ago, the seas returned and the geologic record resumed. The first unit deposited in the Cambrian was the previous Sixtymile formation, but it was found only in a few select spots. About 500 million years ago, much more extensive deposition of sediments began with this unit.

In many places throughout the Grand Canyon, this unit, the Tapeats Sandstone, is the first unit on top of the Great Unconformity. The unit represents a shallow marine deposit, made up of sediments deposited in settings like modern-day sand bars, beaches, and channels.

The unit’s maximum thickness is about 250 meters, but like the Sixtymile Formation, the Tapeats actually isn’t deposited everywhere. In some places, the next unit up is actually deposited directly on top of the Grand Canyon Supergroup rocks. That means at the time of Tapeats deposition, there was substantial topography in the area. There were mesas and hills made up of the strong quartzites of the Supergroup and of the Vishnu Schist basement standing as islands amongst the channels where the sandstone was deposited.

The Tapeats also, as you see here being pointed at by this helpful person from Flickr, contains a variety of larger pebble and cobble-sized clasts. Many of these are made of familiar rocks; components of the Vishnu Schist and the Shunimo Quartzite, strong units deposited previously, are reworked into the Tapeats. The presence of these large clasts also suggests high-energy flows, like debris flows or turbidites, carried the clasts out to sea. The ripple marks, visible in this shot, also testify to the flow of currents that carried the sediments of this unit.

The Tapeats contains a variety of Cambrian-era fossils and trace fossils, including tracks of creatures like trilobites. It also contains the mineral glauconite, an iron-bearing mineral that forms sand-sized grains and also is likely a remnant of life, either of waste or of bodies after death. Various other sedimentary structures, like cross bedding and ripple marks are found as well.

As a strong, hard to erode sandstone, the Tapeats stands out and forms the strong platform around the central gorge in many areas of the Canyon. The Tapeats also marks the beginning of a long period of marine deposition both here and throughout the Western U.S. Although the rock types change slightly, sandstones correlative to the Tapeats can be found throughout the West, again as far north as Montana, all indicating the seas rising and beginning to claim the continent.

-JBB

Image credits (Creative Commons): https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanenglish/3609981986 https://www.flickr.com/photos/ceedave/4647884862 References: http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/coloradoplateau/lexicon/tapeats.htm

References: http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/coloradoplateau/lexicon/tapeats.htm http://geology.swau.edu/faculty/tapeats.html http://hikearizona.com/dexcoder.php?PID=1942

Oh you have got to visit the Tapeats on Google Streetview. https://www.google.com/maps/views/view/streetview/colorado-river/tapeats-sandstone/jXK-DOmUBE4PPqCz6A7CBw?gl=u&heading=263&pitch=107&fovy=75

Previous articles: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=71718732167564 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=717596974968016 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=718487278212319 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/718917208169326 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/719035941490786 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/719534524774261 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=720485404679173 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=720916891302691 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/721282287932818 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/721455997915447 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/722212221173158 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/722332104494503 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/723288294398884 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/photos/a.352867368107647.80532.352857924775258/723925267668520/?type=1 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/photos/a.352867368107647.80532.352857924775258/724756080918772/?type=1 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/posts/2080492818678418 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/photos/a.352867368107647/2081921681868865 https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/photos/a.352867368107647/2083451208382579 https://www.facebook.com/352857924775258/posts/2084958928231807/

#Tapeats sandstone #geology #sedimentary #cambrian #sediment #nature #clast #silicate #rock #science #grand canyon #national park #grand canyon stratigraphy #the earth story

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chocobutt-trash · 6 years

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So... If you had to guess... Who among the astrals would be the one associated with fertiliy, etc? Cuz I'm not saying Titan but I totally am

Fertility gods, now there’s an idea. Thank you for this ask, it’s a great one.

*some ridiculously fun religious meta incoming*

I’d be tempted by either Titan or Ifrit, honestly. And I’m glad you suggested Titan, because it would have been too easy for someone to suggest Shiva or Leviathan based on nothing more than their femininity, which is a common mistake.

Let’s start by looking at Ifrit.

Quite often there’s a crossover with fertility gods and gods of life and death, so for example a lot of gods of the underworld tend to share fertility properties. Osiris, for example, the Egyptian god of the underworld, was also a fertility god, and showed a great love for Isis, to the point that he was seen as a god of love too. His gifts to the Nile, the flooding and recession that allowed the region’s crops to flourish, was seen as another indication of his supreme love, and this can be seen as mirrored in FFXV’s Ifrit mythos, in his love for Shiva and in his love for humanity during the Solheim era, bestowing humans witht he gift of fire to allow them to flourish.

Cernunnos, the Celtic horned god, who also held dominion over the underworld, was in addition a god of fertility and life. The prominence of his horns, his association with powerful wild animals, makes me consider Ifrit as an analogue for him, based on that physical property.

There’s also the fact that Ardyn, as Ifrit’s partner-in-crime, summons Cerberus, the Guardian of the Underworld and Hades’s pet.

So Ifrit’s a pretty strong contender, based on this.

What about Ramuh? Superficially, his name is a reference to Rāma, or Ramachandra (moon that shows beauty in darkness), the seventh avatar of Vishnu the Maintainer. There’s not really much here that suggests fertility, and the focus of Rāma is one of someone who’s pure of character rather than focussed on creating life. Furthermore, Ramuh’s role in FFXV’s mythos is one of gatekeeping and judgement, so it doesn’t really fit.

And then you have gods like the Egyptian crocodile god Sobek, celebrated as both a god of war and a fertility icon. So with this logic, maybe Bahamut could be a contender. but I doubt that’s likely. Bahamut shares more in common with Mars or Ares. Again, a god of judgement, but more so one of war and physical prowess.

Leviathan, if seen as an analogue for the Cambrian Explosion (as she could well be, being a giant fish), could potentially be seen as a fertility goddess, but her focus is largely on war and conquest. So I’mma go with a no for her.

Now on to Titan. Being a god of the earth, he still remains a strong contender. His honorific name is the Archaean, which not only means beginning or origin in Greek, but is also a reference to one of the earliest geological aeons.

Now, if you go one geological era back and you reach the hadean aeon. This was the first geological aeon to ever exist, and with the clear reference to underworld, you might be tempted to think, well, maybe the god most associated with underworld and suchlike in FFXV would be the strongest contender, bringing you back to Ifrit.

But wait - let’s return to the Archaean aeon. This was actually the period in the earth when cyanobacteria evolved - the first proper evidence of the birth of life on earth. Whereas the Hadean was the period where the earth was literally an ocean of magma, the Archaean was when the continents first rose proper and water was introduced (interestingly, a lot of current scientific thinking does include comet influence for that), and thus, the first bacteria.

So if Titan, the Archaean, is a reference to that geologial aeon in any way, it fits in quite well with him being a reference to fertility and birth of life. Also, his role in the game as holding up the meteor that tried to destroy earth puts him in the role of both Atlas and Gaia. He both is the earth and supports it, and I think this makes clear he’d probably be the one most likely worshipped as a god of fertility.

I mean, Titan’s pretty rock-solid (heh) and I can totally imagine the locals of Duscae wearing little Titan charms just like the Romans wore Priapus charms. You should look those up, they’re rather entertaining.

Furthermore: reasons I definitely don’t think Shiva is a fertility goddess: During the Archaean, and the Proterozoic, there were a couple of what we refer to as ‘snowball earth’ events. They are hypothesised but extremely likely - basically massive events where ice covered the whole earth and threatened life to a severe degree. Again, some forms of bacteria with extremophile properties survived this (and research into this, coincidentally is why some people hypothesise there may be bacteria living under the ice on the moon Europa, but I digress). But yeah, ice came very close to killing our planet a few times before.

What’s also interesting on this note is that the spell used to finally beat Titan in his arena is blizzard.

So there we have it. Titan (or possibly Ifrit. But mostly Titan).

———–

Bonus round: if Verstael had succeeded in becoming truly immortal, then he’d probably be the closest to a fertility god in this game. Giant phallic symbol in the form of a huge-ass worm: check. Evidence of mass-production of thousands of children: check. Control over life and death through experimentation with the Starscourge: check.

#ffxv fantheories #ffxv meta #geology #mythology #archaean #titan #ifrit #fertility gods #remember these are merely fan theories

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