#humans and sharks both have the capacity to do harm

[idalievu]

Time for my daily thoughts about how Jaws is rife with potential for an anti imperialist anti capitalist analysis

#TAGS RANT INCOMING: #the 2 shark incidents which have the most emotional impact are: the main plot w Bruce n the Boys AND quint in the Indianapolis incident #the sharks in these stories are secondary to the human conflict that propelled the story forward #1: a mayor’s greed and desire for money and 2: a country’s greed and desire for domination. #the sharks are vessels that convey the powerlessness that the individual feels in the face of structural and societal violence #i think there’s also an interesting parallel there. shark attacks are incidental - #they have no desire to eat humans but sometimes mistake them for a food source #meanwhile the death of Alex kintner- which Mrs. kintner blames on Brody - was also not intentional #and was caused by Brody initially mistaking the mayor and the medical examiner’s coercion as somewhat genuine/truthful #humans and sharks both have the capacity to do harm #but it’s the environment around them that should be examined when this harm is done #don’t even get me started on quint’s ptsd and ‘I’ll never wear a life jacket again’ and perpetuating cycles of violence #ummm teehee anyways #jaws 1975 #I’m no deep analytic writer and I in fact struggle with themes and interpretation so this may all seem pretty surface level but anyways #i just wanted to yap

[marinerainbow]

Mermaids- and sea creatures in general- are some of my favorite creatures ever. So here are my thoughts/headcanons; what I imagine they'd be like in real life if they existed. I took inspiration from many sea animal facts, and I am in no way a professional biologist so these may not be the most accurate.

Biologically accurate Mermaids (probably)

There are many subspecies of mermaids, though the two main types are deep sea and surface types. We'll be looking at both of these types today, along with the general facts about all species.

Surface Mermaids:

The surface Mermaids are kind of like humans in length, interchanging between 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 meters) in size, similar to sharks. They also range in bright colors to blend into coral reefs.

They travel in packs, referred to as pods. Pods usually contain 10-20 members, though there may be some groups that travel in smaller or larger groups. Some groups have designated leaders, while others don't.

As natural carnivores, they eat other sea life. From crustaceans to fish, big and small. There is very little that mermaids wouldn't hunt.

Since they live closer to the surface, these are the merfolk people would most often see. Surface-level merpeople don't feel fear for humans, and are actually curious about them. The way they see it, these odd, tailess creatures seem to resemble them the most. At least their upper halves do. So they want to know more about us.

Which can lead to a big problem with poachers; although some deep-sea mermaids have been caught, it's usually a surface level that a hunter would find.

Deep-Sea Mermaids

Deep sea mermaids are more drastic in size difference. They can range up to 10-15 feet (3.048-4.572 meters), though there could easily be bigger species we haven't found yet. They also have deeper, darker colors. Not muddy, just darker. And they also have bioluminesence.

Although these merfolk can travel in packs too, it's more common to see them on their own. Or in smaller packs. Why this is the case is unclear.

Deep sea mermaids that travel in packs will take whatever precaution necessary to ensure they don't lose each other in the darkness, without attracting predators in the process. They can be seen holding onto each other's hands and tail fins or moving as little as possible when they find a place to rest. Though if they need to, they'll call out to each other despite the risk.

Like their surface level cousins, the deeper level merfolk are also carnivores. But they are scavengers, too. You can easily find these guys around carcasses that fall to the ocean floor, either tearing apart the dead creature or hunting the other sea life that came for the free meal.

In General

The reason why groups are so diverse is that, like dolphins, mermaids are scarily intelligent. They are most likely on the human level of intelligence, and as such have the brain capacity to experience and understand complex emotions and thoughts. Resulting in each mermaid and pod having their own morals and ways.

Like whales and dolphins, merfolk communicate with clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls, along with using physical cues and body language to communicate.

Like humans, mermaids have complicated mating traditions, though for the most part, they mate for life. Some groups are more polygamous however.

During mating season, the females will all choose a cave or crevice to lay their eggs and, like octopuses, will stay beside their clutches to protect them. Since all the females tend to stick together, with some exceptions, they often take turns watching over each others eggs while one or two of them leave the cave to go find food. Also, while the females take care of the eggs, the males will stay and protect their mates and the nursery during this time, and at least one will follow the females when they go hunting to make sure no predator harms them.

Mermaids will often lay two to three eggs. Once the babies hatch, the whole pod works to protect all the children, at least until they are old enough to swim on their own. Some groups may choose to stay in the nursery spot for longer just to make sure the babies won't get lost or snatched up by predators.

Although they can be born male or female, if there are a shortage of females, some of the mermen will transition into female. Kind of like clownfish.

I hope you guys enjoyed these! Happy MerMay! ^^

#my whole account is marine themed yet this is probably my first marine post -_- #mermaids #mythology #folklore #biology #my own headcannons #MerMay #marine biology #ocean #sea life

[orangecountyketogummiesca]

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[obeymeluv]

Demon Baby Headcanons: A Reference for “The Baby Assignment” Project

It made more sense to post my headcanons as a single thing since I’ll be working on “The Baby Assignment” headcanons in between the “Quick! Kiss Me!” miniseries.

These will be hinted at throughout “The Baby Assignment” pieces and I just wanted to put them all together. Keep in mind these are demon baby headcanons. I don’t really have any idea about angel baby headcanons since I’m card locked in chapter 21 :/

I think I got them all. I can’t really think right now.

Warning for one headcanon about human eating (obviously discouraged in the Devildom). I wanted to put in a section about how the Devildom handles bad parents (hint: logic first, then with justice) but I wasn’t vibing with it. Didn’t do it. No worries.

Demon children are usually born small but develop quickly until they stagnate around “teenage” years. Most babies (ironically) weight at least 6 pounds. It’s VERY rare to get a smaller baby and they must be taken care of EXTREMELY well

Their eyes will open within an hour or two of delivery and will be their lifelong color

Because they’re typically raised in the darkness of the Devildom and learn to flourish in the shadows, demon babies really struggle with exposure to light. It hurts their eyes and makes them cry. They should be shielded from light until they’re about a year old or show increased tolerance. Unless they need glasses or have a birth defect, most children appear to tolerate light with no problem between 4-6 years old.

Hybrid children are an exception (and hard to record for the census given how many subspecies of demon there are and all the magical co-mingling), but full-born demon children typically nest and seek out sources of heat to stay warm until they’re able to walk, talk, and do more for themselves. They tend to attach to the warmer parent.

Devildom childcare advocates recommend swaddling the child in parents’ clothes or clothes of relatives because it keeps them warm and orients their brain to who the main family members are. Pyjamas are a suitable exception but parents and close family should make an effort to show the child their scent

Demon children latch, and not just on their milk-producing parent. Within the first month of life the tiniest baby talons come out and allows the child to latch onto the clothes/skin of their caretakers. Full demon children latch and can maintain their grip/fully support themself in moments of stress, aggravation, fear, and in moments of cuddling. It is still recommended to support the child with an arm because they will get tired. Half-demon children should be supplemented with an arm or carrying device until the full extent of their latching ability is determined

Latching is also critical to scent development. It is an instinct of the child to tuck itself into or around those that will protect them. Unless absolutely sure of their safety, they tend to latch onto the stronger parent. When they feel safe, they usually latch to the other parent or try to make a nest with both

For babies who latch or show interest in latching, being semi-naked or completely naked is recommended. Their parents’ scent is stronger and seems to be preferred this way.

Devildom children don’t really crawl. The best way it can be described is “skitter”. You’ll hear their little claws go. Most parent describe their children moving in a lupine manner, on all fours. they like to stay low to the ground and move faster than human children.

There have been reports of children climbing up cabinets, walls, and onto structures like chandeliers and fans. This is part of their hunting instinct and preps their claws for the different things they will encounter/handle as an adult.

Most demon children develop their “Devildom” vocal chords first and will define parents/family by individual growls/shrieks. If other languages are not encouraged in the household, it is not unusual for a child to stay in this stage until two or three. They typically gain muscle control/development to speak real words by they end of their first year

Devildom babies aren’t as tactile as human babies but will definitely show preferences. It’s a lot easier to figure out what a Devildom baby hates. They’ll be quick to show you. 

Devildom babies purr to show contentment and can start purring within 1-2 months of birth. This is one of the first signs of affection.

Other signs of affection include petting the parent or trying to get them in a state of skin-to-skin contact (see latching, above), snuggling, headbutting, showing nesting behaviors, and gently teething on them.

Full-blooded demon children can expect to cut fangs starting at the end of the first year. They will get their first full set of fangs near age two. For children who can only inherit one set of teeth, these fangs will be with them for life. They will naturally harden and lengthen to a full adult set as the body grows. 

Mixed demon children are special cases where fangs are concerned because some species have extra sets of fangs, defense mechanisms where they lose and regrow teeth, and other things of that nature. For most species, teeth are seen in the first year of life.

Fangs typically look pointy and shark-like until they get a little older (somewhere between 3-6, it varies amongst children) and the teeth start to differentiate themselves in a “human-like” smile.

Children with fangs should have a greater variety in their diet for the sake of tooth shaping and development. Fangs need to be kept sharp. They can have slightly tougher food or snacks, and may display the “kill shake” when eating. This is normal. Supplement with teething toys as needed, but keep a close eye on them. It’s best to engage them a little like a tug of war to help develop the biting instinct and lengthening of the teeth.

Tails, like fangs, do not have set rules for growth or appearance. Some children of purer lineages get them as early as 3, and some get them as they move into the teenage years. There is no set age for tail development. If the child itches their back/bottom a lot, tends to streak, and shows general aggravation or discomfort, it’s best to take them to a health specialist to see if they’re developing a tail.

It is a similar scenario for wings. The child may cry or scratch a lot. Be prepared for biting and wrestling your children into shirts. Back rubs, cold creams, and soft textures are recommended. Though VERY RARE, some children can develop their wings within the first year of life. It is more normal to see them sprout between the ages of 3-5

Should the child develop wings young, they will take on a life of their own. They will twitch and flap at random times and this is normal. This is the child’s brain working wing movement into the subconscious, just as it would breathing. Devildom children who have wings go on to move them reflexively and this is how that starts. 

Keep an eye on your child. They will try to hover and may be able to pull their body weight and travel short distances (about 30 seconds) within the first year of having them. Within two or three years they will have better altitude and some sense of guiding with a bit of a struggle. Prepare to be dive-bombed “accidentally” and for things to be broken in bad landings

There have been reports of full-blooded and half-blooded Devildom children gaining night vision. You can determine if your child has this by whether their eyes grow in the dark. Remember the rule of thumb: the older the demon lineage, the brighter their eyes. If obtained, this stays with them for life. The degree of clarity varies amongst children.

Children may develop horns. All horns start out as tiny velvet nubs once they break the surface of the scalp. Prior to breaking the surface, the child may scratch at their scalp excessively, rub their heads on things, or headbutt tougher surfaces to counteract the pressure and itchiness they feel. Scratching their head or brushing their hair may help but nothing can be done until the horns breach. If the horns do not breach, take them to a healthcare facility. They may need help.

Horns should be watched closely as they start to take shape. Some shapes need to be regularly broken or shaved to prevent the child from harming themselves

Children are driven to develop their horns and may try to shave off the velvet lining by rubbing against family members or hard surfaces. This is normal.

It is not uncommon for children to try to “lock horns” with each other when younger. This is another way to shave off the lining. Some studies indicate that this type of play may make them develop faster. If one of the parents have horns, it is encouraged to do this with great care

Although not scientifically proven, the vast majority of Devildom parents swear by rubbing horns to soothe tantrums and put children to sleep. Seems to work. Interestingly, this trait carries on to later stages of life but brings a greater variety of reactions.

It is not uncommon to see growth spurts and great deals of change between the first 7-13 years of life (7-13 by human standards). After this, the demon will stagnate. Their rate of development can vary but demons live for thousands of years so it takes a very long time for signs of aging to occur

Old records suggest that feasting on human souls or the blood of other magical creatures may accelerate this process but these records cannot be confirmed.

Certain activities, such as participating in a pact, are prohibited until the child is 1,800 or older. Their magical capacity is not there and they cannot legally be bound in a pact. If a sorcerer or sorceress is pushing for a pact or you believe a pact has been made in bad faith, a grievance can be filed with the magical review board. If the other party is found guilty, a piece of them may be taken for consumption for the sake of “fairness”. Repeat offenders will be handled by Lord Diavolo (and are usually eaten. This has been “tentatively” amended due to the effort to unite the three realms)

Children who come from very powerful lineages (for example: one of the Seven Lords) may exhibit that key sin trait from a very early age. Some children will be hungrier than others, some will want more attention than others, some will be far stronger and may accidentally break things. Be prepared and parent accordingly.

Those born to succubus/incubi/naga lineages may show signs of charming or hypnotism from the age of two or when they can form sentences. If a member of your family has a natural susceptibility to this, brush up on negating spells and personal reinforcement charms.       

#Obey Me! #obey me! x reader

[bounce-a-coin-off-your-witcher]

"I'm truly sorry, but I don't think we've ever met." memory loss angst? 👉👈🥺

anon... fam, this turned into an emotional rollercoaster and totally stole my braincell.

3.8k words. angst with a happy ending. 

tw: memory loss, minor anxiety, repressed memories, idiots to lovers, whump, angst with a happy ending, angst with a fluffy ending

---

It’s been three hours, five minutes, and forty-two seconds since the frigid breeze whipped Geralt’s angry words at him, shattering his fragile, stupid heart to pieces. Every syllable rings through Jaskier’s head over and over, slamming into him from all directions and crippling him with a bone-deep pain far worse than anything he’s ever felt before. The ache ebbs and flows, lancing through him with every step. Not even Geralt’s first frustrated blow to his abdomen had been this terrible.

Geralt… That’s the problem, isn’t it? He hadn’t been smart enough to get out of the gorgeous Witcher’s long, silvery hair soon enough. He’d overstayed his welcome, fallen in love in the meantime, and is now very out of sorts (and also alone in unfamiliar territory). The bard laughs but it’s a hollow sound. Jaskier has reached the edge of hysteria, his intelligent blue eyes now vacant and unseeing. Even as he stumbles through the underbrush, all he can picture is the snarl on Geralt’s face as the Witcher yells at Destiny to take Jaskier off his hands. 

Jaskier’s own hands are covered in sap and splinters from pushing tree branches away from his face as he traverses the darkening forest. His hair is full of debris and his clothes are torn and dirty; Geralt has all of his emergency supplies, still. Jaskier is pretty sure that his lute is still strapped over his shoulder but he realizes, with no small amount of surprise, that he doesn’t actually care.

He doesn’t have the capacity anymore. 

He can’t care… caring hurts too much.

If only Destiny had taken him off Geralt’s hands. Maybe then it would be okay. Maybe then, if Geralt was well and truly free of him and his irritating presence, the Witcher could be happy. He and Yennefer will surely come back around, they always seem to, and Ciri will be joining them soon enough it seems. 

There’s no need - no room - for a humble bard anymore.

Only five hours, thirty minutes, and twelve seconds after Geralt’s outburst at the top of the mountain, Jaskier’s delicate human body succumbs to the stress of the day.

He drops to the forest floor without a sound, grateful for the darkness.

---

Yennefer finds the bard in a heap a few miles away from the previous night’s elevated campsite. When she presses the back of her hand to his forehead she yanks it away almost immediately; he’s burning up, and his skin is clammy and sticky with sweat. The feathery bangs he flicks about and preens so much are stuck to his forehead and temples. He’s on the verge of shaking apart and Yennefer tosses her head imperiously, swearing.

“Damnit, Geralt. You and your incredibly foolish need to be alone all the time so you can brood and self-flagellate. Me, an ageless sorceress from one of the greatest magic schools on the Continent? I can handle a thorough tongue lashing. Fuck, I’m older than you and I’ve seen far worse but this… oh, you great lummox. You absolute bastard…” Yennefer mutters to herself as she assesses the bard’s deteriorating state of health, ranting to an invisible Geralt all the while. “You’re absolutely going to be hearing from me about this, Wolf.”

--- Three days, one hour, and fifteen minutes after Geralt dismissed him forever, Jaskier wakes up with a loud gasp and a violent shudder. He blinks slowly, allowing his eyes to adjust to the bright light streaming in through a window. Whatever he’s lying on is comfortable and the sheets smell fresh and bright, like lilac and freesia. A hint of gooseberry lies beneath it all, delicate and sweet. He glances around the space and finds it to be relatively bare; a guest room, perhaps. Maybe he’s a servant at some noble house? 

Jaskier only really knows that his name is Jaskier and that he plays music. He’s also rather talented with floral arrangements. 

Shortly after he’s finished purveying his (borrowed?) chamber, the very image of grace, beauty, and terror enters the room. The woman, whose coppery skin and enchanting violet eyes practically glow in the midafternoon sun, smiles down at him in a way that toes the line between Motherly and Shark-like. 

“How are you feeling, Jaskier?”

“I’m alright. And you?”

“Just fine. Geralt really did a number on us, huh?” she asks, a playful grin tugging at the corner of her mouth. He has the feeling that something isn’t right; she shouldn’t be looking at him so kindly. 

Her expression changes from friendly to horrified to confused in an instant, as soon as Jaskier manages to ask: “Who’s Geralt? And, pardon me, but I feel as if something is rather amiss. Who are you, my Lady?”

Whoever the gorgeous and terrifying woman is, she grimaces briefly. Then, as if by magic, the comforting smile returns. “I’m Yennefer, of course. I saved your life a few years ago, remember?”

Jaskier wracks his brain but cannot call the occasion to mind. “Unfortunately no, I don’t remember your no doubt heroic deed. Although I suppose that means I’m in your debt, doesn’t it? Do I work for you? Is that why I’m here?”

The woman blinks a few times, slowly, and then nods. “You’re my gardener and personal musician.”

Jaskier brightens, happy to have found himself in a safe environment. 

“But you’ve had a nasty illness and your mind is clearly fatigued. Rest another day or two and then we can see about getting you back into the fresh air.”

“Thank you, my Lady,” Jaskier nods.

“Yen is fine.”

“Thank you, Yen. I don’t know where I’d be without you,” he grins. 

---

Yennefer turns away to hide her pained expression. You’d probably still be with your beloved Witcher. 

She makes her way to the kitchen to fix Jaskier something to eat. He must be hungry after spending three days in a deep, healing sleep. She hadn’t been expecting the amnesia, though; it was an unexpected but not unsurprising turn of events. Heartbreak had done stranger things than a little bit of fever-induced memory loss. When she’d delved briefly into his mind she hadn’t seen any sign of Geralt. His face was absent from the bard’s consciousness; she would have needed to dig to unearth those memories. Whatever the Witcher had done was grievous, especially if Jaskier’s mind compensated with something as dramatic as burying Geralt completely to save itself from further harm.

No matter, she decides, the bard can stay here as long as he likes. It’s the least I can do for all the upset Geralt and I have caused him. Where is that idiot Witcher, anyway?

The sorceress quickly clears her agenda and her mind before returning to her guest room with a large tray of food, a bottle of Toussainti red under her arm. “Jaskier, darling, let’s get your convalescence started in style!”

---

2 months later

---

Jaskier watches a strange man ride up the long path to Yennefer’s manor, the hilts of his twin swords glinting in the sun where they’re slung over his shoulder. He has long white hair and the most devastating jawline the bard/gardener (or ‘bardener’ as he says to irritate his darling employer) has ever laid eyes on. He’s clad all in black, from his plain linen shirt to his tight leather trousers; Jaskier thinks he’d also look rather lovely in dark blue or perhaps forest green.

In front of him, wrapped securely against his chest by one strong arm, sits a little girl with ashen hair and frightened eyes. Haunted eyes. Jaskier’s mind fills with ballads, some familiar and some oddly dreamlike, their lyrics half-obscured and hazy. Ciri, he thinks for no reason. Her name is Ciri. And she is a Princess.

The brunette scurries from the garden alongside the house to the kitchen, searching for the familiar cloud of Yennefer’s strong perfume. “My Lady?” 

“Darling?” the sorceress replies, coming around the corner. She raises her perfectly maintained eyebrows and her lips quirk up into a smirk. “Did you sprint all the way from the west lawn?”

“There’s a- strange man- on the- drive!” he huffs. “White hair- horse!”

“Oh,” her eyes go wide with surprise. Then, in a split second, they narrow to slits. “Oh.”

“Do you, uhm, know him?” Jaskier asks, twiddling his fingers. “He’s rather handsome, Yen. Is he a former lover?”

“Unfortunately,” she growls. “I can’t believe it’s taken him two fucking months to get here. He’d better have a damned good excuse.”

By now Jaskier can breathe normally again and he straightens up, shaking his long, shaggy hair from his eyes. “He had a child with him. She looked scared, Yen.”

“Cirilla!”

Yennefer dashes for the front door and Jaskier follows instinctually. They’re always together and he can’t bear to let her confront this man alone. He’s spent every waking moment with Yen since he awoke that first day and she has grown to be his dearest friend; he’ll protect her even unto death. “Yenna, what’s wrong? Who is he!?”

“Geralt of Rivia,” she snarls. The name seems familiar; maybe from a ballad or story? Perhaps Yen has mentioned him before? 

“What about Geralt of Rivia?” a low, rumbling bass asks from the front hallway. Jaskier and Yennefer arrive in the doorway together and the man, Geralt apparently, takes a shaky step back. He recoils a bit, as if he’s been slapped, and Yennefer’s smile grows cruel. His voice, still incredibly low but now with a slight tremor to it, stutters out; “Wha- Yen, what is he- Jaskier? I only came to ask for help with Ciri, I didn’t know- I didn’t-”

Geralt’s stammered speech tapers off into silence and Yennefer’s brow furrows a second time. When the sorceress sets eyes on the child, who cannot be more than twelve years old, her expression softens again. Jaskier watches the most imposing woman in the world kneel, taking one small, pale hand in both of her own. “My name is Yennever of Vengerberg, former Sorceress of Aretuza. I am honored to meet you, Princess Cirilla. Geralt has come seeking protection, no doubt, and it is easily granted. I will do everything I can to help you.”

“Thank you, Lady Yennefer. And, uhm… Ciri’s fine,” the girl replies. Her voice is high and reedy, shot through with anxiety. She’s so young, Jaskier frowns. And yet she seems to have weathered an incredible storm.

“Ciri,” the bard bows from the doorway, low and dramatic. He sweeps his arm out to the side and bends his knees as awkwardly as possible, “I am Jaskier, private troubadour and gardener extraordinaire, under the employ of the magnanimous and dangerous Lady Yennefer, here. It is my greatest honor to make your very mighty and very royal acquaintance.”

“You’re silly, Master Jaskier,” the child giggles, hiding her mouth behind her hands. Geralt’s eyes grow wide and dart between Jaskier and the girl. Yennefer makes meaningful eye contact before nodding toward the door. Jaskier looks down at Ciri again when she asks: “Do you grow lots of flowers in Lady Yennefer’s garden, or just herbs and things for magic?” 

“I grow lots of things all over the property,” the brunette man steps forward and offers Ciri his hand, gesturing towards the front door with the other. “Would you like to come and take a look? I know all the scientific names, you can even quiz me if you like.”

“I know some,” she smiles shyly, accepting the offered hand. “May I go take a look at the gardens, Geralt?”

“Go ahead,” the Witcher nods dumbly. “Jaskier will take good care of you.”

“That I will. Now, let’s take a look at the flowers and let these silly adults have a chat,” Jaskier grins. He winks at Yennefer and disappears out the door, exiled Princess in tow. 

The two lively companions have toured through all the medicinal herbs and are halfway through Yennefer’s large collection of rose variations when the two other members of the party approach. Geralt looks sheepish, his eyes downcast. Yennefer looks triumphant; she is radiant in her victory as always. 

Geralt steps forward, hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. “Jaskier, I’ve come to apologize for what happened when we parted.”

“Excuse me?” the bard chuckles, raising an eyebrow.  "I don’t know what you’re apologizing for, exactly.”

“When I yelled at you after the dragon hunt. It was only two months ago, Jaskier, surely you remember?”

Jaskier blushes, glancing anxiously between Geralt and his friend, whose violet eyes are stormy with emotion, “I'm truly sorry, but I don't think we've ever met."

Geralt gasps sharply and takes a step back, as he did in the entryway. Jaskier winces, seemingly on instinct, and shies away from the larger man. “You don’t remember me?”

“No…” Jaskier sighs. “I really don't. Should I?”

“You don’t… You don’t even remember Toss a Coin?”

“Oh, that ditty from town?” Jaskier perks up. “I know that song! It always gets stuck in my head.”

“You… You wrote that song,” Geralt’s face crumples. “About our first adventure together outside of Posada. With the elves and the sylvan...”

“I’ve never been to Posada,” Jaskier laughs, waving his hand dismissively. “They hate bards. They prefer troupes of traveling play-actors. Posada is far too serious for my tastes.”

Geralt seems to be in agony. His chest rises and falls unevenly, as if he’s on the verge of tears but unable to shed them. Can Witchers cry? 

How does he know that Geralt is a Witcher? Is it the two swords, the scars, or the strange eyes? How does he know that those are common Witcher traits?

His stomach lurches and he turns away from the group in case he needs to be sick. The ground spins and shivers in little ripples around him, unstable and impermanent beneath his feet. Yennefer is calling his name from somewhere far away and a pair of warm, strong arms are looped around his waist. Still, he can’t seem to breathe. Or focus.

There’s something missing. 

He starts to hum, trying to remember the words of that damned song.

The rest of the world fades in and out around him, finally disappearing altogether.

---

He’s gorgeous. 

Jaskier shoves another roll into his pocket. His eyes are focused on the man in the corner. He has long, snow-white hair and his shoulders are hunched forward protectively, as if he can hold the world out by sitting by himself. He’s glaring the table into submission, one fist clenched around his tankard. 

I want to write him a thousand ballads. I want to know what his hair looks like when he wakes up in the morning, before he brushes it out again. I want to know if he snores. I want… he stops himself. 

He makes his way across the room with eyes only for the stranger. “I love the way you just sit in the corner and brood.”

The man looks away and Jaskier notices that his irises are gold. “I’m here to drink alone.”

Gods, his fucking voice… Velvet and gravel all at once. Melitele, does Jaskier want. “Good, yeah. Good. No one else hesitated to comment on the quality of my performance… except for you.”

The man, the Witcher, Jaskier realizes, rolls his eyes.

“Come on,” he wheedles, sitting down across from the gorgeous stranger. “You don’t want to keep a man with bread in his pants waiting. You must have some review for me, three words or less.”

The man’s face stays stoic, expressionless. “They don’t exist.”

He realizes shortly thereafter that this man is not just any Witcher but the infamous Butcher of Blaviken, Geralt of Rivia. He could try to disengage himself from such a daunting character; he could easily make some kind of excuse and disappear back to the troubadour’s path, heading towards civilization, but it’s already too late. He doesn’t want to leave Geralt’s side ever again; he wants to write all those ballads he was thinking about earlier, when he glanced across the room. 

Jaskier has fallen head over heels in love. ---

Geralt cradles Jaskier against his chest and presses his nose deep into those chestnut brown waves. “Wake up, Jaskier. Come back to me, bard, it’s been too long.”

“Don’t you usually go all winter without seeing him?” Yennefer asks from the doorway. 

“It’s hell,” he replies easily. There’s no point in hiding his feelings from her. “I miss him every minute of every day.”

“Verbose this evening,” she remarks, taking a seat by the fire. “He’s dreaming, you know. He’s remembering you.”

“He’d forgotten?”

“He’d repressed it all,” she shrugs. “When I found him that day, feverish and nearly dead on the side of that godsforsaken mountain, he was barely coherent enough to open his eyes. He just kept asking for you, Geralt. Over and over he called for you, reaching his arms up, weak as they were. Gods, it was pitiful to watch.”

Geralt swallows. 

“I thought you were going to come back sooner. I was surprised when his memories didn’t resurface after two or three weeks. Short-term memory loss after a fever isn’t uncommon but repressing twenty years worth of feelings and experiences-” she whistles lowly “-it was impressive and tragic, all at once.”

“He forgot me?”

“Entirely.”

Geralt glances down, shame-faced. He adjusts Jaskier in his arms, holding him close and pillowing the bard’s head against his shoulder. “I deserve it, Yen.”

“He’s remembering now, though. He’ll probably be a little less than pleased to see you when he wakes up, but he knows who you are.”

“When will he wake?”

“Can’t say,” she shrugs again. “After I brought him back from the mountain it took three days for him to wake up. The first day was magically induced but after that it was just him… exhausted and heartbroken to the point of self-induced amnesia.”

“Fuck, Yen,” Geralt groaned, pressing his forehead into the soft warmth of Jaskier’s cheek. “How can I make it up to him?”

“Stay.”

“Hmm?”

“When he wakes up and he’s angry and upset, stay. Don’t stomp off or blow up or freak out,” she instructs. “If he asks you to leave, go, but otherwise… prove yourself, Geralt of Rivia. You wanted to be a knight once, didn’t you? Now’s your chance to play Prince Charming. Get down on your lovely knees and beg and apologize.”

“Hmm. How’s Ciri?”

“Fed, bathed, and put to bed. I’ll take care of her for as long as it takes you two morons to make nice again. Good luck, Geralt, I’m sure he’ll forgive you too easily for my tastes.”

She stands from her seat and leaves just as efficiently as she entered, carefully closing the door behind her. Geralt lays Jaskier back on the bed and takes a seat beside him on the mattress, kneeling just within touching distance, should Jaskier reach out for reassurance in his sleep. Geralt closes his eyes and slips easily into meditation. 

The Witcher is pulled from his trance a few hours later when Jaskier makes a startled sound and tries to sit up. Geralt opens his eyes and splays one warm, broad hand against Jaskier’s chest, forcing him back against the goose down pillows. “Stay still, Jaskier. You’re feverish and weak.”

“I��m still dreaming,” the bard grumbles, reaching to rub at his eyes with the heels of his hands. It’s adorable and Geralt grins widely, warmth spilling into his chest from some newly discovered fount of happiness. “You’re being too nice to me, Witcher.”

“I’m so sorry, Jaskier, for everything.”

“What’s everything, Geralt?”

“I’m sorry for pushing you away when I was angry and confused instead of communicating with you. I’m sorry for hurting you with my brash words and foolish actions; you have always deserved so much better and I’m so afraid that I can never give that to you. I take the wrong step at every turn, it seems, and yet you stay by my side. I didn’t want to risk hurting you the way I’ve already hurt Yen and Ciri, by tying us together against your will.”

“Darling Geralt,” the bard sighs. The Witcher scoots slightly closer and Jaskier lays a gentle hand atop his thigh. “It has always been my greatest pleasure to travel the Path with you and write of our adventures. I appreciate your concern for my agency and wellbeing, dear heart, but I am quite happy spending my entire human life in your presence.”

“Hmm,” the Witcher frowns. “You’re going to die someday.”

“And? So are you. So shall Yennefer, maybe.”

“Not likely,” Geralt jokes. Jaskier grins and the sight of it is so heartwarming that the Witcher wishes he could break down into tears. At least then Jaskier could see just how deeply his feelings ran. “I’m sorry, Jaskier, for blaming you for things that I brought upon myself. I love you dearly, and I hope that someday you can choose to travel with me again.”

“Excuse me?”

“I hope that you’ll-”

“No, the other bit.”

“I love you?”

“Yeah, that one.”

“Oh. Yes, I-” Geralt clears his throat and looks Jaskier in the eyes, gold and blue locked together, “I love you very much, Jaskier.”

“Fuck.”

“May I kiss you, Jaskier?”

“Yes,” the bard breathes.

And then Geralt is lifting him up into his lap, one hand cradling Jaskier’s skull so so fucking carefully. Geralt’s other arm supports his waist, holding him steady. Their lips come together softly, carefully, and Jaskier’s soul spirals up to the ceiling with joy, his body abandoned. He is merely a vessel for the happiness that comes with kissing his Witcher. When they pull apart, both men are grinning like fools. “Oh, dear heart.”

“Yes, my love?”

“Never stop calling me that.”

“I swear I won’t, my love.”

From downstairs, Geralt hears Yennefer mutter, “Fucking finally.”

It takes twenty-two years, seven months, and one day, but Geralt and Jaskier manage to figure things out.

#bounceacoinoffyouranons #geraskier #amnesia #amensiac jaskier #memory loss #rare species fix it #the witcher netflix #the witcher ficlet #geraskier fluff #angst with a happy ending #fluff and angst #whump with a happy ending #jaskier whump #yennefer #yen and jaskier are bitchy theatre bffs #and you can't stop me #anon you really got me fucked up

[qlala]

Hi here's my money for that Barry and Len "guilt versus shame" essay. Thanks! 💰💰💰💰💰 (I drew the dollar signs on the bags myself. I'm crafty)

Anon when I said essay, I meant essay. But alright. Here you go. for you and your hand-drawn dollar signs. Come, take this journey with me. (A journey of character analysis for fun—please, no one take this as reliable psychology.)

As I said, I consider the main conflict between Barry and Leonard not one of good versus evil, but of guilt versus shame. Specifically, the difference between them is that Barry is a character motivated by guilt, while Len is motivated by shame.

(And to get this out of the way - I’m not talking about sexuality, but how Barry and Len relate to the world and other people. I don’t think Len is the least bit ashamed of his sexuality; Wentworth Miller has always said that Len is someone who knows exactly who he is, and I think that’s true).

A more accurate way of talking might be to say that guilt-driven characters are motivated by love, while shame-driven characters are motivated by respect.

I’m going to start with Barry, because guilt-motivated characters tend to be much more straight-forward than shame-driven characters. Barry grew up (with some bumps along the way) in supportive, loving homes. His parents, and later Joe, always treated him with love, which allows Barry to love himself and other people.

Treating children with love is the most basic respect their guardians can afford them, and they’ll always have that basic core of respect to fall back on in the face of outside adversity. (Barry is remarkably hard to ruffle with insults—antagonists always have to target the people he loves, because he just… does not rise to the bait when it’s just his own pride on the line.)

This kind of early exposure to love and respect are fundamental to being able to feel guilt about harming others later in life. Barry was raised to respect and love other people (in the general, “love your fellow man” sense), so he would feel guilty if he hurt someone innocent. The core sense of self-respect and self-love that Barry developed in childhood means Barry’s sense of self can always take the hit when he feels guilty about hurting other people.

Guilt makes us feel, temporarily, unloveable. But because Barry was raised to feel fundamentally deserving of love, he can afford to feel briefly unloveable when he hurts other people—it just means he needs to make amends, and then he’ll be worthy of that love again.

That’s why Barry’s a guilt-driven (or love-driven) character: when he interacts with the world, the thing he’s most afraid of losing is love. He’s never been put in a position where he feels like what he’s missing is respect.

And that’s where he and Len differ. Len’s not guilt- or love-driven; he’s shame-driven.

Len appears to feel zero guilt for hurting innocent people, at least when we first meet him in season 1. And the reason for that is Lewis. As I mentioned, love is a prerequisite for guilt. And unlike Barry, Len wasn’t brought up in a loving home. I highly doubt that Lewis’s love for Len was ever freely given, even before he became physically abusive. And if it was, that sense of self was absolutely ripped away from Len when that abuse started.

As I mentioned, treating children with love is the most basic respect their guardians can give them. By withholding that love, Lewis taught Len that he was inherently worthy of neither love nor respect. Raised in that environment, where violence was the way Len saw power exerted over others, the natural response was for Len to seek out respect, not love. He had nothing to gain from loving others—and therefore, from feeling guilt—because he’d already been taught he could survive without love. What he couldn’t survive without was respect, because disrespect meant becoming the object of violence—first from his father, and later, from the criminal justice system.

(Prison is a conversation for another day, but suffice to say, the dehumanizing treatment incarcerated people face parallels that childhood lack of love, robs them of the self-respect and self-love they need to have healthy relationships with other people, and increases the likelihood that they’ll commit violent crimes, not reduces it).

So Len did whatever it took to survive, and survival meant accumulating respect. There’s an obvious cure to this obsession with respect, of course: 1) love, and 2) safety.

Now, as eager as I am to jump into how Barry helped Len break the cycle of violence, Barry’s not the source of love I want to talk about here. Barry comes in later; when I talk about the love that saved Leonard, I’m talking about Lisa.

Because, listen—I’m as exhausted as you are by the trope of “female loved one is male character’s humanity,” especially where, like in some of the Flash comics, it means killing off Lisa to make Leonard a more ruthless (and, I guess the the theory goes, interesting?) villain. But Lisa isn’t just some crack in Len’s armor; she fundamentally changed Len’s life when she was born.

Len was already somewhere between thirteen and sixteen by the time Lisa was born; for the sake of convenience, let’s put him around 15. (For some more detailed meta about the Sniblings' ages, check out this excellent post by @coldtomyflash). If Len was five when Lewis went to prison, and ten when Lewis came out a much more violent man (see: everything I said about prison earlier), that means Len experienced several years of incredibly traumatic treatment before Lisa was born.

He and Mick were in juvie together at least once when Len was still young enough to be “the smallest kid in there,” and Len was nearly killed. Mick saved him, yes, but the experience had to further numb Len to guilt and reinforce that violence and respect were the only real paths to survival.

And then, Lisa. Len clearly, canonically loves Lisa from the moment she’s born. We know nothing about either of their mothers (and it is pretty likely, given the 15-year age gap between them, that they have different mothers), but they’re clearly both out of the picture—Lisa says Len raised her. Len raised her! Fifteen years old, three years away from being free and clear of Lewis’s house forever, and Len stays to raise her.

Lisa is absolutely the one person keeping Len from sliding fully head-first into the path carved for him by Lewis and reinforced by the prison system. He is still primarily shame- and respect-driven—we see him kill people without any guilt, hell, he tries to derail a train with children on board in season one just to see what Barry will do.

But Lisa taught Len that he’s deserving of love and capable of loving others, and because of that, Len cannot, will not respect Lewis for his violence he rains on them both.It leaves open a door in his mind: Lisa doesn’t deserve to be treated that way, which could mean, if he could ever afford to consider it, that he didn’t deserve to be treated that way, either.

It’s why Barry is so unbelievably smug at the end of “Family of Rogues.” He’s figured it out; he wouldn’t put it in terms like guilt and shame, but he’s cracked it all the same. He always knew Len was like him, was someone who had been forced into violence by his circumstances, and now he has proof. Barry is remarkably unconcerned that Len shot Lewis; he’s briefly surprised, sure, but by the end of the episode he’s visiting Len in Iron Heights and goading him about the good in him.

And that’s where Barry comes in. He’s the crucial second ingredient to that cure for shame—he’s the safety.

He blazes into Len’s life and praises him for things no one else ever praised him for: for his morals, for his mercy, for the way he loves Lisa. He gives him an acceptable out to stop killing (he appeals to his vanity, says he’s good enough at what he does that he doesn’t need to hurt innocents, and they both know it’s an excuse), and he makes it clear that he respects not Len’s capacity for violence, but his desire to escape the need for it.

He also offers Len protection to start making that transition. Len knows, even if neither of them say it, that Barry would drop everything to help him if he called. When Len’s reluctant do-gooding puts him in harm’s way, like with King Shark in ARGUS, Barry does drop everything. He gives up a tool that could save Iris’s life to save Len’s instead. This is not me hating on westallen at all—Barry’s sense of obligation to Len is just that strong. He knows he’s put Len on slippery ground by helping extract him from the safety net he’d built himself out of violence.

And that’s Barry’s guilt drive in action—because yeah, he loves Len. He cares about him, and he respects him, and that’s love to Barry. He just wants to give Len the chance to love people that way, too. And in the end, Len, despite all his misgivings, ends up letting him.

#and then he. and then he d. he di- #i'm going to go stare into the ocean #leonard snart #barry allen #coldflash #to an extent. and that extent is that i think they should kiss on the mouth #lisa snart #the sniblings #abuse mention tw // #meta #i might get into how barry's childhood tracks a little closer to len's than i gave him credit for in this post but like #another post for another day

[travelhap]

Want to be a Responsible Traveler? Here are the Top 12 Tips for being a Responsible Traveler in 2021!

Want to be a Responsible Traveler? Here are the Top 12 Tips for being a Responsible Traveler in 2021!

As perhaps the biggest business on the planet, the travel industry is just becoming greater and will keep on blasting as we enter the new decade. Many continuous voyagers rush to share the advantages travel has on the whole self, however through all the expanding of perspectives; encountering new societies; and energy, restoration, or unwinding we acquire from voyaging, do we stop to consider moral the travel industry, supportability, and the impacts travel has on the very planet that is favoring us with all its excellence and openings for investigation?

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Many neglects to understand that whether via vehicle, boat, train or plane particularly, voyaging is adversely affecting our planet as probably the greatest generator of fossil fuel byproducts. Yet, the harm doesn't end there–being a capable explorer isn't just about ecological awareness. Nearby people group are additionally feeling the impacts of the over-the travel industry which is prompting the obliteration and relocation of native individuals and creatures.

So how can we as voyagers deal with both diminish our ecological impression while emphatically affecting neighborhood culture? These 20 hints will assist you with being a more cognizant, mindful, and practical explorer in the year 2020. Simply recollect: it's not tied in with being great, however about settling on better decisions, being socially touchy, and putting forth a valiant effort to limit the negative monetary, natural, and social effects travel has on the earth and nearby networks.

Now, here are the Top 12 Tips for being a Responsible Traveler in 2021!

1. Pick eco-accommodating and socially dependable visit organizations.

Our seas are the absolute most common habitat that is enduring the hardest shot from the assimilation of warmth made via fossil fuel byproducts and human disregard. Ocean levels are rising, ice sheets are liquefying, ocean animals are being slaughtered by little plastic particles, and strict rubbish islands are accumulating out in the water. Tragically, our wonderful coral reefs are additionally enduring the most.

Carbon retention has expanded the sharpness of our seas hindering coral's capacity to flourish and endure. In addition to the fact that this is unpropitious for the eventual fate of marine variety (that we will appreciate using swimming and jumping) yet without sound reefs to go about as a cushion among shorelines and tempests, as the environment emergency proceeds, the coral can presently don't shield waterfront networks from continuous and all the more remarkable tempests.

The most ideal approach to appreciate the delightful submerged biological system while voyaging is by ensuring the swimming, plunging, or boat visits you take to have great marine protection rehearses, particularly around coral reef conservation. On a sea visit of any sort, be careful not to contact or take care of anything, and don't remove anything regular from the water like coral, shells, or starfish for a photograph, keepsake, or something else.

Be particularly mindful of visit organizations that feed mate to sharks on swimming with shark visits, or visits where you can "pet" stingrays. For a visit including the sea or not–read surveys and do your own exploration on visit organizations to guarantee the one you are reserving with is mindful.

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2. Make the "green decision" at Hotels.

Numerous inns offer green decision programs where guests can quit having their sheets and towels supplanted every day. Supplanting towels and bedding just when important is an extraordinary method to assist lodgings with their protection endeavors. Alternate approaches to settle on green decisions at lodgings incorporate killing the lights and unplugging hardware when not being used, not leaving the water running, cleaning up, and closing the a/c off when you leave your room.

Want to be a Responsible Traveler? Here are the Top 12 Tips for being a Responsible Traveler in 2021!

3. Stay in eco-accommodating facilities.

If you need to make it one stride further, consider remaining at confirmed eco-accommodating lodgings resorts, and eco-lodges that are green-affirmed by associations like Green Seal, Green Globe, Green Key, Earth Check, LEEDS, and STEP.

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Expedia.com's "Green Hotel Program" offers a great many green properties all throughout the planet, making it simple to look for eco-accommodating facilities in any objective. As one of the biggest travel brands on the planet, Expedia makes it so natural to track down the top-of-the-line green lodgings in any objective.

The main 3 most eco-accommodating travel objections as far as I can tell have been Bali, Costa Rica, and Tulum, Mexico. There are no deficiencies of eco-accommodating inns in these spots going from truly reasonable to super sumptuous.

Want to be a Responsible Traveler? Here are the Top 12 Tips for being a Responsible Traveler in 2021!

4. Shop Locally.

Skirt the shopping centers and megastores and shop locally from towns, road markets, and ranchers' business sectors to more readily uphold the nearby economy. Rather than buying mass-delivered trinkets, for example, magnets and shot glasses that were not made in the country that is selling them, purchase hand-made artworks, garments, and gems to bring home as endowments and gifts all things considered.

5. Scale back movement size plastic holders.

Carry your own refillable toiletry items to limit the utilization of the little one-time-use washroom items given by inns. You can even think about going with your own strong cleanser, conditioner, and cream bars to kill the utilization of plastic toiletries altogether.

To additional your endeavors, you can likewise gather any unused small cleanser and cleanser jugs to carry back home with you and give them to neighborhood covers who are consistently needing cleanliness item gifts.

6. Give to neighborhood networks out of luck.

Partake in projects like Pack With a Purpose, a non-benefit that accomplices with lodgings and visit organizations to assist voyagers with giving school and clinical supplies carried with them on trips. Use unused bag space to pack things like pencils, collapsed soccer balls, bandaids, and pet supplies which would then be able to be dropped off at a collaborating in or visit organization.

Another approach to offer back is by pressing and wearing garments that you will give to networks and individuals who need them toward the finish of your outing. Not exclusively will your pack be lighter, however you'll have more space to purchase new garments and trinkets from local people to bring home with you, as well.

7. Add to carbon counterbalance programs.

Each time you fly, consider making a gift to a carbon balance program, for example, one that plants trees, sets up wind turbines, or makes cleaner cooking ovens in nations that need them. Numerous associations are focused on carbon counterbalance, and tracking down the one that impacts you more than anything is pretty much as basic as a Google search.

Expedia.com's carbon balance program in organization with TerraPass offers groups dependent on distance traveled to give to clean energy and carbon counterbalance programs. You can add TerraPass to your trip by utilizing the "Travel Accessories" segment on the outing customization page.

8. Try not to draw in with dishonest creatures in the travel industry.

Riding an elephant or snapping a picture with a Tiger in Thailand may appear to be a smart thought on account of how regular these attractions are, be that as it may, the misuse of creatures for the travel industry is fiercely untrustworthy. Elephants, who have fragile spines are beaten into accommodation to be trained enough for individuals to ride them; and tigers are medicated and quieted for travelers to have the option to pet and play with them.

On the off chance that you'd truly prefer to invest energy with creatures on your outing, track down a real creature safe-haven or recovery focus. Simply try to do a lot of examination on the association as numerous focuses will act like moral recoveries just to tie up and abuse the creatures in private. In Thailand particularly, if the elephant asylum permits riding, even without a seat, it is dishonest.

Other basic dishonest creatures the travel industry traps to know about are zoos, swimming with dolphins, and creature exhibitions to give some examples. Keep in mind: wild creatures have a place in nature.

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The most effective methods to TRAVEL ON A BUDGET IN 2021

9. Engage in "voluntourism."

There are a lot of freedoms to chip in while heading out whether you need to put in two or three hours, a day, or even go on an all-out volunteer excursion. There are trips committed to serving neighborhood networks, building schools or houses, or chipping in with creatures, for example, at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. Simply make a point to investigate before settling on an association you wish to chip in with to ensure it is moral. (Indeed, even "non-benefits" can be very untrustworthy.)

Voluntourism ought not to be about white heroes coming in and "fixing" a spot, but instead, the best chipping in associations are ones that enable nearby networks to develop and flourish from the inside and keep up their respect while using volunteer ranges of abilities to help accomplish their objective. Having the correct aims and offering in return while voyaging regardless of how much or how little won't just assistance the spots you visit, yet will give a more noteworthy reason to your movements.

Want to be a Responsible Traveler? Here are the Top 12 Tips for being a Responsible Traveler in 2021!

10. Walk, bicycle, and take public transportation.

Wandering by foot is the most ideal approach to investigate another spot and the additional advantage of activity will add to your general wellbeing and prosperity on the outing. Strolling or trekking at whatever point you can while voyaging will help lessen fossil fuel byproducts from vehicles. Numerous lodgings offer bicycle rentals and more urban areas are carrying out bicycle share programs in the city.

When strolling or trekking isn't a choice, utilizing public transportation will help lessen the number of vehicles out and about in this way diminishing fossil fuel byproduct, and will likewise help you set aside cash. On the off chance that you would like to lease a vehicle, consider an electric vehicle at whatever point accessible. Numerous lodgings all throughout the planet presently offer electric vehicle charging.

11. Try not to offer cash to bums, kids, or creature controllers.

It might feel like you are helping somebody in need when giving off cash to a transient and his pet monkey/elephant in Thailand; the snake charmer in Morocco; a little youngster, lady, or any other person requesting cash in the city, however, you should recall the component of abuse that is frequently associated with putting kids, creatures, and ladies in the city to ask. Giving cash thusly urges guardians to keep their youngsters out of school, sustains misuse and disregard of creatures, and supports a greater amount of this conduct.

On the off chance that you'd prefer to be beneficent toward the country you are visiting, the most supportive thing to do is look for a respectable nearby association on the web or visit a neighborhood school, strict webpage, or not-for-profit to make your commitment.

12. Use harmless to the ecosystem sunscreen and big splash.

Sunscreen and bug showers are the two items that vacationers use that cause the best harm to our environments. Reef-safe sunscreen while swimming in the sea is an unquestionable requirement to shield the common habitat from ceasing to exist. Certain sunscreens contain unsafe synthetic substances like oxybenzone and octinoxate which cause harm to coral reefs. Peruse the name to ensure your sunscreen doesn't contain those two destructive fixings.

In hot and muggy places particularly, mosquitos which frequently convey illnesses are a major issue. When visiting ensured wildernesses and timberlands, for example, on account of Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica, utilizing a non-poisonous bug shower is basic to the prosperity of the creatures.

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The most effective methods to TRAVEL ON A BUDGET IN 2021

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[lololowden]

Imagine that you are the owner of a vitamin and supplement retail store. You must make many decisions regarding the purchasing of products that may be helpful, harmful, or ineffective practically-speaking. However, even ineffective and harmful supplements produce high profit-margins when they are in high-demand. For example, shark-cartilage has been touted as a cure for cancer due to the fact that sharks rarely contract cancer. Even though empirical studies on the impact of taking such supplements demonstrates no positive benefit apart from placebo effects, people who are in search for a cure for cancer often purchase large quantities of shark-cartilage, thus increasing the sales of vitamin and supplement retailers like you. The ethical question that you face is whether you should buy such products knowing that cancer patients are spending their money and hope for a lost cause as far as shark-cartilage goes. An even more serious case arises in your ethical decisions regarding the purchasing of products that are actually harmful to people who take them. For example, Ephedra is an herbal weight-loss supplement that was banned in the US in Feb. 2004 due to a large number of potentially fatal side-effects associated with its misuse, including over 155 reported deaths. But it was re-released in April 2006 because there was no proof of its harmfulness when taken according to the instructions. You know that if you stock your shelves with Ephedra it will produce incredible profits since it was in extremely high-demand by the millions who are looking desperately for a solution to their obesity. Should you purchase such products and allow the consumer to determine for herself whether the risk of taking these supplements is worth it? If you purchase the products are you allowing consumers their autonomy or are you using desperate people in order to make a profit for yourself? This is obviously a difficult question as are so many of the ethical dilemmas with which we are faced on a daily basis. Ethical theories help to guide people in their search for the correct decision in such complex cases. The Kantian answer to whether you should purchase and sell ineffective and harmful supplements emphasizes, first, allowing and helping people to make rational decisions and, second, having a motivation that comes from what Kant calls the “good will,” which means that your motivation is from duty and is not simply self-seeking. As the retailer, you can sell the supplements if you can do so while respecting people. One way you could respect people’s autonomy and refrain from being paternalistic is by empowering people to make rational decisions about the supplements that they take. This would include making information available on the effectiveness and dangers of the supplements that you sell and helping people to use the resources that you provide. However, in order to be acting morally, in addition to providing such information, you must be motivated to do so because you know that this is the right thing to do, and not, for example, because you are afraid of creating a bad reputation for yourself. The Kantian principles will allow you to sell ineffective and harmful supplements if you are not deceiving or harming people, or otherwise using them for your own personal gain. When you help people to make the right decisions for themselves and others, by providing them with the best information that you have, you are respecting people and their ability to make good decisions. The Kantian approach to business ethics, like Kantian ethics in general, emphasizes acting with reReview Copy 30 SYSTEMS OF MORAL EVALUATION spect toward all autonomous beings. It claims that we all have duties toward one another that depend on our relationships with one another, the most basic and all-pervasive relationship between persons being that of a fellow member of humanity. As members of humanity, we each have value that stems from our rational and moral capacities and we all ought to act in a way that shows appreciation for that value. It differs from the other standard approaches, most notably rights-based theories and utilitarianism, in various significant ways. Unlike utilitarianism, it does not ask us to maximize any particular value, it involves no complex calculations, and it does not treat groups of people as more or less valuable depending on the quantities of individuals or quality of experiences among them. Like rights-based approaches, it proposes constraints on actions, giving us rules upon which to act. Duties are unlike rights, however, since although every right possessed by a person creates a respective duty for others to respect that right, some duties on a duty-based approach do not have correlate rights. For example, I have a duty to love my sister, but she does not have a right to my love. I have a duty to protect my country, perhaps, but my country does not have the right to use my labor and life in defense of itself.1 Whether one has a duty to someone else depends not on the other’s rights, as it does on a rights-based theory, but on the rational assessment of what is the right thing to do based on the various types of relationship that you have with the person. Morality for Kantians is constituted by how we ought to treat each other as fellow members of humanity, although other duties can arise for other types of relationships. In addition to this, it differs from rights-based approaches and utilitarianism by claiming that it is not only what you do that matters morally, but with what motivation you do it. The crux of Kant’s ethics resides in his startling claim that the only thing that is intrinsically good, or good-in-itself, is the good will. He says that “There is no possibility for thinking of anything at all in the world, or even out of it, which can be regarded as good without qualification, except a good will” (MM 393). The will is the rational part of each person, and the good will is rationality which chooses to do what is right for the reason that it is good. This is why all members of humanity, or all rational beings, have value, and this is also the reason why these beings are the only thing of true value. The argument for the claim that the only thing that is good-in-itself is the good will relies on a further claim that it is the only thing that is truly under our control. Our external circumstances, like where, when and to whom we are born, is not under our control; so although it may be unfortunate that some, through no fault of their own, are living in absolute poverty with no hope of living happy or long lives, we cannot control these factors. Furthermore, although we can choose actions to better the situations of those who are less fortunate, the results of our actions are not fully under our control since they depend on external circumstances and other people. For example, I might donate money to UNICEF, but the money might never get to the destination to produce the help that is needed, if, for instance, there was a terrible hurricane that prevented the truck from delivering it or someone robbed it. The money might get to the needy families but it might not actually help them if they buy food with it and become ill due to contaminants in the food. These things are not under our control; the only thing that is truly under our control is our choices or our motivation with which we intend to act. Rationality enables me to reflect on the circumstances of others who are in need, and decide on a method of helping them. It allows me to intend to do what is good, but the results of my intentions and actions are not entirely up to me. So according to the Kantian, both the choice of what to do and the motivation are integral to the moral worth of the action. I have enumerated four simple steps for determining the moral worth of a choice below: Determining the Right Action and Motivation: 1. Formulate a Maxim-for-Action. 2. Evaluate it as coming from the good will or not. Review Copy HEATHER SALAZAR 31 a. Ask whether it is the right action. b. Ask whether in willing it, you have the right motivation. 3. If it comes from the good will, it is good, and you are good in doing it; it if doesn’t, then see step (4). 4. If it doesn’t come from the Good Will, but is consistent with it, then the action is good, but you are not doing it from the right motive and so you are not praiseworthy. 1. Maxims-for-Action The first step in determining whether you should perform an action is to identify the action. Developing a statement of the action will allow you and others to analyze whether the action is correct or not. Such statements are called maxims-for-action and they involve asserting what you will do and for what purpose you will do it. For example: I will take philosophy courses in order to learn how to reason well. 2.1. The Good Will: Right Actions The second step asks you to evaluate the maximfor-action as coming from the good will or not. The good will is the part of you that is motivated to do what is good for the right reasons so it involves evaluating (a) whether the action is the right action and (b) whether the action is rightly motivated. For Kant, the right actions to take are those that are rational. This is because the will is the rational part of each of us, and so, if the maxim is rational, it is fit to be willed. Kant thinks that there are various tests that will allow us to see whether a maxim is rational or not, which we can call the Categorical Imperative Tests. The Categorical Imperative is the law of rationality that does not depend on our desires, but depends only on pure rationality. When a maxim is tested by the Categorical Imperative, it tells us what maxims (and thus what actions) we can rationally take, those we cannot rationally take, and those that we rationally have to take. In other words, it determines permissible, impermissible, and required actions. Kant has three formulations of the Categorical Imperative, or what he takes to be the supreme law of pure rationality. These are often called “The Formula of Universal Law,” “The Formula of Humanity,” and “The Formula of Autonomy.” According to Kant, all three of these formulations have the same results. In this explanation, I will focus on the first two formulations. 2.1.1. The Formula of Universal Law In order to be rational, one must also be logical, and the most primary logical rule that should be observed is to be consistent; anything that is inconsistent is illogical and thus irrational and immoral for Kant. Kant’s first formulation, the Formula of Universal Law, uses the rule of consistency to eliminate those maxims that are internally inconsistent, or impossible to will if everyone willed them. It states that you ought to “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law” (Kant, MM 421). After you have created a maxim, you must universalize it, which means that you must make it a law that everyone act according to the maxim that you have developed for yourself. A universalized maxim involves transforming my maxim “I will use my company’s funds in order to woo prospective clients and gain business for the company,” to a universalized maxim which states “Everyone will use their company’s funds in order to woo prospective clients and gain business for the company.” Once it is universalized, you must check for inconsistencies. Ask yourself whether it is possible for everyone to will the maxim and to achieve their goals. For example, is everyone doing the action consistent with your achieving the purpose of your original maxim? If everyone used their company’s funds to gain new clients, then companies would be investing in and obtaining new business by exerting their own resources. It would be possible for all companies to invest and gain new clients, including you. Therefore, the maxim is fit to be willed and it is a permissible action for you to perform. Review Copy 32 SYSTEMS OF MORAL EVALUATION Some maxims are inconsistent when universalized and thus irrational and impermissible to act on. For example, take the maxim, “I will embezzle my company’s funds in order to obtain extra money rather than invest extra resources into the company.” Once universalized, everyone will be embezzling money from their companies and (1) the companies will not have enough money for people to embezzle and (2) the companies will know that everyone is embezzling money and they will stop people from embezzling money. If the companies do not have enough money for everyone to embezzle, then that defeats the purpose of your maxim, which is to gain money. It is therefore impermissible to act on that maxim. In addition, since the companies will know that you are trying to embezzle money, they will be able to stop you from doing so and punish you for it. This defeats the purpose of your maxim, as well, since they will stop you from embezzling the money. Since there is a contradiction in everyone willing this maxim, it is impermissible to act on it. Alternatively, it is required that you not act on it. It is easy for people to misunderstand the Formula of Universal Law and think that the test requires that we see whether a good or a bad state of affairs results from the universalized version of the maxim. For example, someone might think that if the company knows that you are embezzling money you will be punished for it, and since you don’t want to be punished, it is not a good maxim to act upon. Although it might be true that you should not act on maxims that will create bad outcomes, this is not what the Formula of Universal Law tests. It tests whether it is possible for everyone to will it and still achieve the purposes of the maxims. By testing the universalizability of the maxim under scrutiny, the Formula of Universal Law prohibits people from making exceptions of themselves. It thus forbids, in general, all actions that rely on others not knowing what you are doing, which is a form of deceit. So stealing and lying are impermissible in any circumstance. And this has a tremendous impact on business as many of business’s ethical issues concern just these sorts of problems. For example, fraud, stock-market schemes, piggyback trading, deception in advertising and accounting, honesty in contracting and in lawsuits, and various forms of the stealing of company resources, including taking extra time off, office supplies, extravagant spending, and the pumping of monies towards one’s own investments. 2.1.2. The Formula of Humanity The Formula of Humanity is a more intuitive version of the Categorical Imperative and it states to “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means” (Kant, MM 429). This statement, too, relies on the logical rule of consistency, but its focus is different. Humanity, which is the rational power within individuals, is valuable in-itself, and is the only thing, according to Kant, that is valuable in-itself. Because it is of value, and it is something that not only you possess, but all beings with rationality possess, everyone must respect each others’ rationality. Respecting others’ and your own rationality entails, according to this formulation, never treating it as mere means and always treating it as an end in itself. An end is something that is valuable in-itself and a means is something that is valuable only as a way to get what you want or to achieve an end. So we ought to always treat people’s rationality as being valuable initself. Therefore, we should allow people to use their rationality and we should use our own rationality, and we should never circumvent the use of rationality in order to get something that we desire, even something that we think of as rational and good. This formulation, like the Formula of Universal Law, eliminates lying and deceit of any kind. Furthermore, it eliminates using ourselves without the consent of our rationality and it prohibits our use of other people without the consent of their rationality. This is not the same thing as getting someone’s consent, since a person can give his or her consent without givReview Copy HEATHER SALAZAR 33 ing her rational consent. Giving one’s rational consent to something means reflecting on the action and its consequences, and examining whether it is a good thing for one to perform it. So someone might sign a contract for a credit card that charges an exorbitant amount of interest, but being charged this amount of interest is not what a rational person, under most circumstances, would choose. It is therefore impermissible and immoral for the person to sign the contract and it is impermissible and immoral for anyone to ask a person to sign such a contract. In the Formula of Humanity it can also be seen quite clearly that people ought never to be unfair or treat people poorly. So issues in business that deal with inequities among the sexes, genders, races, and ages, and topics that concern the subjugation of individuals in unfair positions of bargaining power and sweatshop-like circumstances are also impermissible and immoral. All actions that are not impermissible, or do not involve the use of a person as a mere means, are permissible. 2.2. The Good Will: Right Motivations After the maxim for action is evaluated as being permissible, impermissible, or required to act upon, and it passes the test, being either permissible or required to act upon, one must determine whether the motivation for acting on it is good. If the motivation is not good, then acting on it does not come from the Good Will. In order to distinguish the different kinds of motives that one may have in doing an action, let us first examine three different maxims and then the different motivations that accompany these maxims. Kant uses for this purpose an example that is relevant to businesses of a shopkeeper who treats his customers honestly for three distinct purposes. Three Maxims in Kant’s Shopkeeper: 1. I will be honest with my customers in order to gain their trust and get repeat-business. 2. I will be honest with my customers because I like them. 3. I will be honest with my customers because that’s the right thing to do. According to the Formula of Universal Law, it is permissible to treat one’s customers honestly, no matter the purpose, because honesty never makes an exception of oneself. According to the Formula of Humanity, honesty is also good, because deceit involves using people by bypassing their rational consent. It may seem like the shopkeeper is using his customers in the first maxim that he devises since his purpose in being honest is to make money off of them, but this maxim is not eliminated by the Formula of Humanity as long as the shopkeeper respects the rationality of his customers while he intends to make a profit. However, there is a moral difference in these three maxims even though each of them is permissible to act upon. These differences are revealed in the purposes within these maxims which correspond to three general types of motivation: Three Types of Motivation: A. Self-Interest (corresponding to (1)) B. Character or Sympathy (corresponding to (2)) C. The Moral Law or Duty (corresponding to (3)) Of these three kinds of motivation, Kant claims that the only good motivation is that which comes from the moral law or duty. The reason why self-interest is eliminated as being a good motivation, where good is understood as “moral” or “praiseworthy” is fairly clear. Self-interested motivation is something that benefits the self by definition, and does not consider others, so it cannot be a moral motivation, or one which aims to benefit humanity in general. In fact, actions that are performed for a person’s self-interest and moral actions are frequently seen as opposed to one another since people can maximize their self-interest by harming other people. The second type of motivation, which comes from character or sympathy, on the other hand, is Review Copy 34 SYSTEMS OF MORAL EVALUATION not so obviously lacking goodness. Good people have good characters. They are kind, honest, and charitable. A good person will do good things, so the shopkeeper, if he is good, will be honest because that is the kind of person he is. Isn’t the fact that he is a good person of credit to him? And, furthermore, ought not we all to try to become good people such that we do good just because that is the way we are? Kant’s answer to this is that our characters at birth and throughout our lives are not wholly under our control and so we ought not to be credited for doing actions that naturally arise from our constitutions. Some people are born irritable and have difficulties in their families and environments that exacerbate these genetic tendencies. It is not these people’s fault that they were born with such disadvantages. Likewise, motivations that come from sympathy have no moral worth for Kant because whether we like or dislike someone can change from moment to moment, and morality has a more solid foundation than this; unshakeable by our fleeting feelings and desires. If the objection arises that a person with a good character will have sympathetic reactions to others reliably, then his objection to motivations arising from character will emerge again. Motivations from character and sympathy can help us to act in accordance with the moral law, if they come from a good character, but they are not good in-themselves. Kant concludes that the only motivation that is under our control (and thus capable of being morally praiseworthy) and that will provide an unshakeable ground for morality is that motivation issuing directly from the will to obey the moral law. If we are motivated to do the right thing because it is the right thing, then we are performing actions that are not merely in accordance with morality, but are in fact moral. 3. Conclusion Kantian ethics does not prohibit individuals from seeking their own happiness, which includes prosperity in business. However, it identifies constraints on what we should do in the pursuit of our happiness or profits that gives equal respect to all rational individuals by requiring people to exercise their own rationality and allowing others to exercise their rationality, as well. Treating people as equal, autonomous agents with goals of their own and being honest and honoring the relationships that we have, will produce a community that in which we trust each other and are able to rely on and cooperate with each other more effectively. These results, being the foundations of a capitalistic economy, will enable businesses and individuals to prosper as well. Note 1 It is unclear whether it even makes sense to ask whether ontological items that are constituted by groups of individuals with no independent existence (or at least no conscious existence) can possess rights.

[biostudyblog]

Ecology

Ecology is the study of how organisms interact with each other, and their environment.

Population- A group of individuals of a single species living in 1 area who can interbreed and interact with each other

Community- All of the organisms living in one area

Ecosystem- All of the organisms and the abiotic factors with which they interact

Abiotic factors- Nonliving factors like temperature, weather, water, wind, rocks, and soil.

Biotic factors- The organisms with which an organism might react, like birds, insects, predators, and prey

Biosphere- The global ecosystem

Niche- What an organism eats, and needs to survive

Properties of Populations

Properties are defined by size, density, and dispersion.

Size

The total number of organisms in a population. Births, deaths, immigration, and emigration limit the size of the population.

Density

The number of individuals per unit area or volume. Density is an extremely hard property to calculate, so ecological scientists use sampling techniques and estimate the number of organisms living in an area. Marking and recapture is an example of one of these techniques.

Dispersion

Dispersion is the pattern of which individuals are spaced within the area. Clumped is the most common pattern of dispersion, for example, fish swim in schools. Some organisms, like specific plants, live in a uniform pattern. These plants secrete toxins that keep other plants within a certain distance from them. Random spacing happens when there are no attractions or repulsions.

Population Growth

All populations have biotic potential. The biotic potential is the maximum rate at which a population could increase given ideal conditions. Some factors that influence biotic potential are:

Age when reproduction begins

Life span during which the organism is able to reproduce

Number of reproductive periods

Number of offspring an organism can have at 1 time

Some characteristics of growth are common with all organisms. Growth begins slow, then it explodes in a period known as exponential growth. Once the organisms reach carrying capacity, they will either become stable, rising and falling consistently or enter a death phase, where their population will crash. This may be caused by competition, waste, or predation, for example.

Fun fact: The human population has been in its exponential growth phase for 300 years.

The carrying capacity (K) is the limit to the number of individuals who can occupy an area at one time. Carrying capacity does not stay the same. It changes as environmental conditions change.

Reproductive Strategies

Organisms who are opportunistic, and reproduce rapidly when the environment is uncrowded and resources are plentiful are called r-strategists. Rodents are r-strategists.

K-strategists, however, do what they can to maximise their population size near the carrying capacity for the environment. Elephants and monkeys are K-strategists.

r-strategists have many small young, while K-strategists have few, large young

r-strategists provide little to no parenting, while K-strategists provide intensive parenting.

r-strategists mature rapidly, while K-strategists mature slowly

r-strategists reproduce once, while K-strategists reproduce many times.

Limiting Factors

Limiting factors limit population growth. There are two kinds:

Density-dependent factors: These are factors like competition for food, the buildup of waste, predation, and disease, that increase as the population increases

Density-independent factors: These are factors whose occurrence have nothing to do with the population size, such as earthquakes, storms, and volcanic eruptions.

The Hare and Lynx Study

The Hare and Lynx study is a very famous study on population growth. It follows the population of snowshoe hares and lynx at the Hudson Bay Company from 1850 to 1930 and shows connected fluctuations between the two animals populations. 

The Lynx’s cycle is caused by cyclical fluctuations in the hare’s population while the hare’s cycle is likely caused by the presence of resources

Community Structure and Population Interactions

There are 5 main categories of interaction: competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, and commensalism.

Competition

G.F. Gause developed the competitive exclusion principle after he studied the effects of competition within a lab.

Gause studied the species Paramecium caudatum and Paramecium aurelia. When cultured separately, they both grew rapidly and levelled off at carrying capacity. When the cultures grew together. P.aurelia drove the other species to extinction. His conclusion was that: Two species cannot coexist if they share the same niche.

If two organisms share a niche in the same area, either 1 organism will be driven to extinction, or it will adapt to exploit different resources. This is known as resource partitioning. 

Something similar to resource partitioning happened with the Galapagos finches. As they were isolated, adaptive radiation occurred, changing the shapes of their beaks so that they could exploit the most available resources. This divergence in adaptation is called character displacement

Predation

Predation either occurs when an animal eats another, or an animal eats a plant. Animals and plants have evolved defences like poison, and camouflage to avoid predation. Passive defences are characteristics like cryptic colouration and do not expend energy, while active defences, like fleeing or hiding, expend energy.

Aposematic colouration- Bright colouring found on poisonous animals warning predators to stay away

Batesian mimicry- When a harmless animal mimics the colouration of a poisonous one, such as the viceroy butterfly who looks similar to the monarch butterfly

Mullerian mimicry- When two or more poisonous species resemble each other to gain safety in numbers.

Feeding

Herbivores eat plants, carnivores eat meat, and detritivores are also known as scavengers. They are organisms like hyenas and vultures, who feed on the dead organic matter known as detritus

Mutualism

This is a symbiotic relationship where both participants benefit, such as bacteria in the human gut microbiome. The bacteria live in the intestine and produce vitamins that the host needs.

Commensalism

This is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and one is neither helped nor harmed, for example, barnacles live on whales, giving them access to food. The whale is unbothered by their presence.

Parasitism

This is a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits and one is harmed. Mosquitoes drink other animals blood. They get food, while the organism loses blood and an annoying allergic reaction that drives people crazy.

The Food Chain

The food chain is the pathway that energy is transferred from one trophic or feeding level to another. Only 10% of the energy from one trophic level is usable for the trophic level above it. So if at the beginning of the food chain, there is 1000g of plant matter (producers) the food chain can support 100g of primary consumers (herbivores) 10g of secondary consumers (carnivores) and 1g or tertiary consumers (carnivores)

In an environment, food chains link together to form complex food webs. Animals can occupy different trophic levels as a result. For example, when a person eats vegetables, they are a primary consumer, but when they eat steak, they are a tertiary consumer.

Producers

Producers are able to convert light energy into chemical bond energy. They have the greatest biomass of the trophic levels. They include plants, diatoms, and phytoplankton. Diatoms are photosynthetic algae that live in the ocean. Phytoplankton and diatoms make up the majority of producers in marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Primary Consumers

Primary consumers eat producers, and are herbivores, for example, grasshoppers and zooplankton

Secondary Consumers

Secondary consumers eat primary consumers and are carnivores. Frogs and small fish are secondary consumers.

Tertiary Consumers

Tertiary consumers eat secondary consumers and are at the top of the food chain. They have the least biomass and are the least stable trophic level. Some examples are hawks or sharks.

Energy and Productivity in Food Chains

Productivity is the rate at which organic matter is created by producers. Gross primary productivity is the amount of energy converted into chemical energy by photosynthesis per unit time in an ecosystem. Net primary productivity is the gross primary productivity minus the energy used by the primary producers for respiration.

Biological Magnification

Organisms in higher trophic levels have a greater concentration of accumulated toxins. This is called biological magnification. This nearly killed the bald eagle, due to a pesticide Americans were using in the 50s.

Decomposers

Not included in the pyramid are decomposers, usually bacteria and fungi who break down dead material so it can be used in the soil by plants. (It’s the circle of life)

Ecological Succession

Communities are not stable. Major and minor disturbances constantly cause fluctuations in population size. Sometimes, large disturbances, called blowouts like volcanic eruptions can completely destroy a community, or in some cases, a whole ecosystem. What follows is ecological succession. If the rebuilding takes place on an area where even the soil is gone, it is primary ecological succession, as the soil must be made first. The first organisms to live in a barren area are pioneer organisms. These are most often lichens. Lichens are symbionts made of algae and fungi, but also mosses, who arrive by spores. Grasses begin to grow, then bushes, and then trees.

When the soil is left intact, secondary succession will take place. This often happens after forest fires and is much faster.

Biomes

Biomes are large regions of the earth whose distribution depends on rainfall and temperature. Biomes are separated by these abiotic factors, but also by the vegetation and animals who live there. 

Changes in altitude produce changes similar to changes in latitude. The Appalachian Mountains, and the Rockies, and coastal ranges in the west have similar trends in their biomes.

Marine

This biome is the largest. It covers 3/4 of earth’s surface

It is the most stable biome, with very little temperature fluctuation due to waters high specific heat.

Provides most of Earth’s food and oxygen

Subdivided into regions based on the sunlight they receive, distance from shore, water depth, and whether it is the open ocean or ocean bottom.

Open oceans are nutrient-poor

Tropical Rain Forest

Found near the equator with a lot of rainfall, stable temperatures, and high humidity

Cover 4% of Earth’s land surface and account for more than 20% of the earth’s net carbon fixation (food production)

It has the greatest species diversity. It has 50x the number of species of trees than a temperate forest.

Dominant trees form a dense canopy preventing rain from falling directly onto the forest floor.

Many trees are covered in epiphytes. These are photosynthetic plants that grow on other trees. 

Desert

A desert receives less than 10 inches of rainfall per year and is too harsh for grass.

It experiences the greatest temperature fluctuations. During the day, the surface can be as hot as 70 degrees celsius, however, heat is rapidly lost at night.

Plants like cacti evolved shallow roots to collect as much water as possible.

Some plants evolved to grow only after hard rains. These plants will germinate, send up shoots and flowers, and die after a few weeks

Most desert animals are nocturnal or crepuscular. They burrow themselves or hide in the shade during the day.

A cacti’s spines are modified leaves.

Temperate Grasslands

Cover huge areas in both the temperate and tropical parts of the world

Low total annual rainfall, with the uneven seasonal occurrence of rain, preventing forests from growing.

Bison and antelope tend to live here.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

Found in the northeast of North America, south of the taiga. Trees here drop their leaves during the winter.

More plant variety than in the taiga

Has vertical stratification of plants and animals. Some live on the ground, some live on low branches, and some live in the treetops.

Rich soil because of decomposing leaf litter.

Conifer Forest-Taiga or Boreal Forest

Found in Northern Canada, much of Europe, and Russia

Dominated by conifer forests like spruce

The landscape is dotted with lakes, ponds, and bogs.

The abundance of rain, allowing trees to grow

Very cold winters

The largest terrestrial biome

Heavy snowfall, trees have downwards pointing branches to keep snow from acumulating

More species variety than in the tundra

Large temperature range

Tundra

Located in the far north of North America, Europe, and Asia

Called the permafrost, due to its permanently frozen subsoil in the farthest point north

Called the frozen desert, little to no rainfall

Appears to have gently rolling treeless plains with lakes, ponds, and bogs

Birds migrate during the winter

Low species diversity

Chemical Cycles

Water Cycle

Water evaporates from the earth, condenses to form clouds, then rains over the oceans and the land. Some of the rainwater percolates through the soil deeply enough that it enters a river or stream and returns to the sea. A lot of water evaporating from earth transpires from plants

The Carbon Cycle

Cell respiration by animals and bacterial decomposers add carbon dioxide to the air as a waste product. 

When fossil fuels are burnt, they add carbon dioxide to the air as a byproduct

Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide from the air and produces oxygen as a waste product.

The Nitrogen Cycle

Very little nitrogen enters ecosystems directly from the air. Most comes as a result of bacteria.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in the nodules of legumes and convert free Nitrogen (N2) into the ammonium ion (NH4+)

Nitrifying bacteria convert the ammonium ion (NH4+) into nitrites (NO2-) and then into nitrites (NO3-)

Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrates (NO3-) into free atmospheric nitrogen (N2)

Decomposers break down dead organic matter into ammonia (NH4+)

Humans and the Biosphere

As humanity has grown in size, we have begun to cause massive amounts of damage to the ecosystem. We deforest millions of acres of land, destroy wetlands, cause groundwater contamination and depletion, eliminate habitats, and have caused the extinction of countless species. 

Eutrophication of Lakes

Eutrophication is caused by runoff from sewage and manure from pastures. These products increase the nutrients in the water, causing excessive growth of algae and other disruptive plants. Shallow areas become choked by the excess growth of weeds. This kills the photosynthetic organisms of the lake to die, reducing the depth of the lake and detrivores deplete oxygen in the lake as they break down the dead organisms. This vicious cycle continues until life in the lake has gone extinct.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is caused by pollutants in the air from fossil fuel combustion. Nitrogen and sulfur pollutants mix to create nitric, nitrous, and sulfuric acids which drops the pH of rain to around 5.6.

Toxins

Toxins from industry farming enter the food chain. Antibiotics found in beef and chicken have been found to have nasty effects on the people who eat them, as some may be carcinogens or teratogens.

Global Warming

Burning fossil fuels has released large amounts of CO2 into the air. This causes the greenhouse effect, where the excess carbon dioxide in the air absorbs the infrared radiation reflecting off of the earth, raising the average temperature. If the earth’s temperature were to increase by 1 degree, the polar ice caps would melt, causing mass flooding, massive weather fluctuations, and an increase in tropical storms.

Depleting the Ozone Layer

Our use of chlorofluorocarbons, which are chemicals used as refrigerants and in aerosol has created a hole in the ozone layer, allowing more UV radiation to enter the atmosphere, increasing the rate of skin cancer worldwide.

Introduction of Invasive Species

There are many cases where humans accidentally bring nonnative species to new environments. Because of their lack of predators, these species outcompete the native species, leading to massive consequences. For example, the African Honeybee was brought to Brazil in 1956, and have been making their way through the Americas. These bees managed to kill 10 people by 2000.

Pesticides v. Biological Control

Farmers use pesticides to keep pesticides from eating and ruining their crops. These chemicals increase food production, however, they may also be exposing humans to nasty carcinogens. It also causes the development of resistant strains of pests. Along with that, they travel up the trophic levels and may cause harm to species who are essential to their environment.

Biological control may be a safer alternative to pesticides. Some of these methods are crop rotation, introducing natural enemies of the pest, natural plant toxins instead of synthetic ones, and insect birth control.

#ecology #ecological science #ecology studyblr #studyblr #biology studyblr #biology #sat biology #sat subject tests #global warming #climate change #acid rain #ozone layer #invasive species #population #nitrogen cycle #water cyctle #carbon cycle

[kneipho]

Tempered Glass

An old Law and Order: C.I. Fanfic, posted by request. 

 kneipho (2007) No beta. No romo.

- 

Disclaimer: No characters belong to me, the thoughts, however are mine alone. No profit made. No harm intended.

-

Bobby’s upset with me. Something I said at the arrest. I was pissed off and couldn’t help myself. He pissed me off, I let him know, and now he’s sulking. Prick. He keeps looking over his desk at me while I try to finish up my report. Staring. I can feel it. Big round eyes teeming with uncertainty, cupie-doll mouth turned down, slightly. He looks so fucking lost.

-

Now, I can’t concentrate. It isn’t fair. He makes me feel so guilty.

-

His mom died not too long ago and I am sorry about that. Truly. I lost my husband nine years back and I know how much that kind of trauma can change you. It hurts like hell and it sucks. But part of me wonders if Mrs. Goren’s passing isn’t for the best. For Bobby, I mean. His life hasn’t been any easy one. Growing up in a house with someone suffering a chronic mental illness is a huge part of the reason why. So much, of who he is –was … for the longest time defined by his capacity as her emotional caretaker. Now, all that’s changed. I get that. The whole personal identity thing. Before my husband died, a huge part of how I characterized myself was determined by my role as Joe Dutton’s better half. An independent being, a good police officer in my own right, a confident modern woman –and yet, I thought of myself on some weird level, as Mrs. Joseph Dutton, cop’s wife, first and foremost. Sounds ridiculous in this day and age, I know. You’ll never catch me admitting it out loud. Still, that’s the way it was.

-

After a loss, we get up, we redefine ourselves, and we move on. It broke my heart to be involved in the re-investigation of Joe’s murder, but I never could have handled it were it not the truth.

-

Maybe, Bobby just came back to work too soon. Should I blame myself for that? I don’t know.

-

Great. Now, Captain Ross is staring at me, too. Through that obscenely large partition making up the wall separating his office from the rest of the squad. A hungry shark separated from his dinner by a see-through layer of tempered glass at the Human Police Aquarium. He’s a stickler for timely paperwork and looks as if he’s about to have an apoplectic fit. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad. Once I feed him this report, he’ll stop glaring and probably swim away.

-

I can tell he remains leery about Bobby on the whole. He thinks of my partner as some kind of notional logician and I’m not sure that’s entirely a good thing. It’s obvious Captain Ross admires “The Goren Ability” to solve cases, but it’s also obvious he believes Bobby may be living on the nervous verge. It’s awful, but sometimes I wonder if he’s right.

-

We used have so much fun. Bobby and Me. With ADA Carver and Captain Deakins. So much damn fun it was almost painful. There were days I could hardly wait to get to work. To play. To see what twisted method, Bobby would come up with to get a suspect to give it up, to confess. His hoggy interrogation tactics never injured my pride; it was such a gas to watch his brilliance at work, a joy, really. I’m the senior partner, but I’ve learned a whole helluva a lot at the side of this perceptive, twitchy, awkward, odd hulking of a man. He can get inside the head of a Perp faster and more effectively than any other investigator I’ve ever known. It’s practically obscene. Not that it wasn’t hard to get used to. It took time. We eventually learned how to work in tandem with each other. I learned to trust him with my life, as all good partners learn to do.

-

But I’m not sure that I trust him with his own. Not anymore.

-

Today, when that murderer, Lezard, walked into our trap, everything felt almost all right again. Detective Robert Goren, the quirky super-sleuth I’ve missed so much, seemed to come alive again, a little more, in the old way. She flailed about, an animal tangled in the ropes of her own lies, and I had my partner back. Case Closed. Slightly tarnished and imperfect, but hung up on the wall in plain view for everyone to see.

-

Then she got him. I don’t know why he let her do it. He jumped down and opened up the door, himself. Opened the door just a crack by responding to her comments about the files. He let another crazy woman grab him by the balls and to get him with a few desperate well-placed words about her take on what she read in his official file, and in mine --about her take on how his behavior might affect me and my career. I got angry. It made me angry, so damn angry, his reaction. Like I should care what some murdering brat has to say. Like he should care. It was imbecilic. Frankly, it was all I could do to walk away. Now, as I calm down, I realize that I wasn’t angry so much as scared.

-

I’m really scared.

-

Bobby needs my support these days. I know that and I’m trying. He turned to me to support him in a brief flash of weakness, and I couldn’t do it. I was just too damn scared.

-

He’s still staring at me. Ross, too. I want to tell them both to go to Hell. Tell Bobby to go home. Get away from me. Everything he’s feeling, everything he’s thinking right now is written across his scruffy, insanely illustrative face: a pain filled weeping wound that just won’t close.

-

I love Bobby. He’s my partner, my living, breathing other half now. And I can’t stand to think he’s slipping. If I lose him, I’ll go on, but I don’t know what I’m going to do.

#requested post #anon #law and order: criminal intent #alexandra eames #anon i accidently deleted your second ask #sorry about that #i did see it #loci #kneipho #noromo #tempered glass #fanfiction

[nerdylittoyvoid]

Kicking Ass, Taking Cold Medicine

A/N: Hey guys! I’m back with other one after a few days. I’ve been super busy with family activities and all that jazz, so I haven’t been able to actually sit down and write. I hope you like this one! 

Warnings: HEAVY swearing, violence, sexist language (God damn it, Gavin)

Characters featured: Connor RK800, Hank, Captain Fowler, Gavin and, of course, the reader. 

Synopsis: Gavin loses it on Connor, and Y/N isn’t having any of it. 

This was the one sick day that you had took out of the whole year. Given your god-forsaken cold and built up stress, you were desperate for 24 hours of peace and fucking quiet. Of course, since most of homicide at the DPD couldn’t be bothered to do their jobs while you were gone, Fowler practically begged you to come in.

It was post-revolution time, and there were plenty of murders committed by

“We have several highly important cases lined up that I need your help with, if you can make it in I will not hesitate in giving you a bonus for this month’s paycheck.” Fowler had explained.

You sighed, finally giving in. “Fine, but I’m doing this on my own terms. Not because you offered me extra money.”

“So, you don’t want the bonus?”

“Oh yeah, I’m taking the bonus.” You replied, rather quickly.

You moved rather slowly, not wanting to be at work whatsoever. Putting on a comfy t-shirt, black jeans and a cardigan, you swiftly moved to the bathroom to try and make the rest of you look presentable.

You grimaced when taking in your appearance. The bags that hung under your eyes, and the tangles in your hair completed your “apathetic sleep deprivation” look. To make it worse, you swore that the crust under your nose was the dried result of last night’s Niagara Falls: Snot Edition. It wasn’t attractive.

You cursed yourself for being too much of a people pleaser and not being able to say “no”. Brushing your hair, teeth and washing your face, you shrugged at your reflection in the mirror. This was the best you were going to get today. 

Sniffling away, you packed your essentials for the day. Water bottle, tea thermos, Tylenol, Dayquil, Midol (out of all weeks, this one had to be shark week), five packs of tissues, lozenges and – oh yeah, your work supplies. You huffed as you picked up your backpack which contained your portable drug pharmacy, and police files of people who died from involvement in drugs (that were definitely not purchased from the pharmacy).

With that, you put on your jacket, toque, scarf and boots. You were feeling extra dramatic today. Proving this point, you swung your front door open, allowing your arm to theatrically dangle behind you. You walked out the door, locking it behind you. Off to Alcatraz. (Or putting in people in a place like Alcatraz, whatever).

The drive to the office was a short one; not enough to prepare you for the hectic day.

Scanning your key card, you entered the main building. You closed your eyes as you pressed the call button for the elevator.

“The stairway can go fuck itself.” you muttered internally.

The elevator dinged, signaling its arrival. After walking through the opened doors, you pressed the button for your designated floor.

After about 30 seconds, you arrived in homicide only to find an awful sight in front of you.

Gavin had Connor, your boyfriend, pinned against the wall. Gavin punched Connor across the face, which you assumed wasn’t his first. Connor stood there, taking the blows.

Connor wasn’t fighting back. Why the FUCK was he not fighting back!

Gathering all the strength you could, you yelled as loud as your voice would allow you. “Why in the HELL are you assaulting my colleague, Reed?”

“This fucking piece of plastic? He decided it would be best to humiliate me in front of the whole god damn department.”

“If you don’t get your hands off him right now you’re going to get much worse than humiliation from me,” You growled, adding on to the threat when you heard him scoff, “and that is a god damned promise, you sick fuck.”

“How cute, you’re defended the Tin Can that you fucked after the first date. Only you would prove to everyone else that you could fuck the seemingly un-fuckable.”

Your glare proved your threat – no, promise enough. Hesitantly, Gavin let go of the android. Storming past Y/N, he decided to make one last jab.

“It’s a shame you weren’t aborted instead, Detective L/N.” Gavin sneered.

Your blood boiled. He knew you were put up for adoption as an infant because you were unplanned. He found that out when he snooped into your file to see what he could use against you.

“Last mistake.” You muttered under your breath.

You began to storm towards the stairs, forgetting all about your clogged respiratory system.

Right before you could reach the door, Fowler walked in.

“Detective L/N, where are you going?”

“To go commit a heinous murder,” you practically sneered, “I’m considering doing a coffee run while I’m out. You take milk in yours, right?”

“What the fuck is going on?” the Captain demanded.

Connor spoke up, tears filling his eyes. Deviancy caused him to now experience pain. The sight of him made your heart break, but you were far too angry to be comforting him right now.

“It happened so quickly; within two minutes. Gavin assaulted me when I proved him wrong on a possible lead. He lost it and said that I deserved to be scrap metal at the android dump.” Connor paused for a moment, trying to compose himself. “He said that today was the day he’d ‘help me get there.’” At that point Hank came up behind you, taking in the situation himself.

Hearing him say what occurred before the assault fueled the fire inside of you even more. Hank had to hold you back from going out to break Gavin’s legs.

“L/N, I will handle this. When Detective Reed returns I will deal with him,” He pointed his finger at me authoritatively, “and you will not try to get any payback yourself.”

“Yes, sir.” You pushed out through clenched teeth.

Fowler left the scene, instructing you to take a walk and for Hank to clean Connor up. He insisted that both you and Connor stay separated for the time being to cool down.

“Go cool down, kid. I’ll be here with Connor.” Hank said gently, patting your shoulder.

You turned to your boyfriend. “Connor, why didn’t you fight back?”

He shook his head, replying: “It would’ve done more harm than good. I would’ve gotten an HR file opened on me.” 

“Please take care of him.” You turned to Hank with vulnerability in your voice. Just because you were angry, didn’t mean you weren’t worried about Connor.

You grabbed your bottle of Tylenol, feeling a headache coming on. Taking two pills, you swallowed them dry, throwing them onto your bag and walking out.

You shuddered when you felt the cold Detroit air bite into you as you breathed in. You were still in shock over what happened. Adrenaline shot through you, which only seem to come in more plentiful amounts when you saw him.

Gavin was walking back towards the office; in the opposite direction of you. He stopped when he saw you. He narrowed his eyes as he stared you down. “I see Homicide’s Harlot is on a walk. It must be pretty awkward; working in the same space with the piece of plastic that you’ve been whoring around with.”

“That’s pretty clever for someone of your thinking capacity, but I must say, weren’t you the one trying to get in my pants just last week? Oh, right,” you chuckled bitterly, “not before getting me drunk first. So, what does that say about you, getting it on with the ‘Homicide Harlot’?”

Gavin pushed you against the brick wall of the DPD and spat in your face. “I would say it’s immoral to hit a lady, but – “

“You don’t have any morals?”

“I was going to say that ladies who fuck androids don’t count.” He tried swinging the first punch. You were quicker, however, twisting his arm and turning him around, pinning it behind his back.

“Let me make something really clear,” you whispered, while pushing his twisted arm upward, “that man who you don’t even consider to be human, is still 10 times the man and human being that you’ll ever be.” You gave his arm a sudden push further, making him yelp in pain.

You pushed him away. He stumbled forward, grabbing his now sore arm. Looking at the pitiful image in front of you, you couldn’t help but add onto your line of insults. “You always were a pussy, Gavin Reed.”

*mic drop*

Taglist: 

@fics2readl8r

#dbh connor #dbh connor x reader #dbh gavin #dbh fandom #dbh hank #angst #fighting #video games #dbh fanfiction #detroit become human #detroit connor #detroit hank #detroit gavin

[insanescriptist]

If Xanxus died and was reborn as Uzumaki Naruto, who would he assemble as his new guardians?

Oh wow, if you were expecting cheer and good manners then you’d be disappointed. Because Xanxus growing up in Naruto’s childhood… where child soldiers are the norm, the government is a tyrannical lie, history is subject and genocide happened in the middle of town.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, looking at the young ninja of the leaf. Per usual, there was a permanent scowl, a sense of impatient hostility and restrained violence. The feathers and beads in his hair really weren’t worth noticing other than the fact that he wore them and made him look wild, especially in conjunction with the whiskers. It would be more intimidating a look if the whiskered cheeks were less round with childhood still clinging to his face.

Uzumaki Naruto took after his father in looks and intelligence and his mother in terms of chakra capacity and had her drive in face of adversity.

His temper and general personality however seemed to been shaped by the less than ideal treatment of the villagers. Naruto had a suspicious, nasty mind that didn’t trust easily, if at all. Hiruzen had jonin that trusted more easily. More to the point, his personality was blunt, coarse and unforgiving in general. The less said about how short a fuse his temper had the better; he could control it, but training grounds afterward had needed remodeled when he finally let it loose. Some property of his chakra could cause immense destruction; the sort that seemingly removed trees and training equipment from existence and not by turning it to ash.

The young ninja had graduated early and proved himself well enough to have earned a vest. Currently just a chunin vest, but Hiruzen didn’t want the young ninja to be so distant from his age-cohort in rank for all that they were recent graduates. Most of those that Naruto spent time with were the more specialized tokujo.

Part of his reluctance might be from the fact that the last time he had promoted and trusted someone so much at such an early age had gone on to kill all his clan. And the others that had been promoted so early while capable ninja were not the most whole human beings.

“What’cha got old man?” The blond drawled. He sounded bored. Obviously he was looking for a mission and was impatient for one.

“What are you in the mood for?” Hiruzen asked, curious.

There’s a pause and consideration; Naruto would take any assigned, but had an affinity for the bloodier, more clandestine missions than his general temperament would suggest.

“Escort, if I can have my pick of people preferably.” In other words, he wanted to be out of the village and around people he wanted to be around for at least a week. Choosing Genma was a good sign, Raido meant that someone was probably going to die, Anko would be a sign to expect moderate property damage and there were worse signs.

“Asuma-sensei, when are we going to take a C-rank? Sasuke-kun’s team would have if their third member hadn’t come down with the flu. I want to prove my worth as a kunoichi!”

“Them.”

And that was the worst sign. Playfulness.

“Hey! I know you! I’ve seen you around my dad sometimes!”

“Uzumaki Naruto. Chunin of three years. Your team and your sensei will be with me on a C-rank of the Hokage’s choice.”

“How troublesome.” The young Nara groused.

Hiruzen mentally agreed with the young ninja; Uzumaki Naruto was angling for something and the best that Hiruzen could figure that to be was Hokage. Few other chunin had rotated through all of the village’s various departments such as the barrier squad, the police force that was instituted after the death of all but two Uchiha, the code-breakers and included a small stint in the academy as a teacher’s aide while one of the chunin was out for maternity leave.

That sort of rotation and dedication gave Uzumaki Naruto a basic understanding of most of the village. The best thing that came from that was a lot of connections around the village who thought well of his dedication and skills and the fact that Naruto actually had a friend his own age: Kurama Yakumo. Who was Team 7′s third member that had been laid out with the flu.

Yakumo had a prodigious genjutsu talent but had a frail body. She had been given to Kakashi as a student in light of Kurenai’s earlier failure with Yakumo as a student -the failure that Uzumaki Naruto knew of because he had been a friendly acquaintance of Kurenai’s back when she was teaching at the academy as a chunin. They even had nicknames for each other, although the meaning of the names was lost on Hiruzen and all observers.

Kakashi had been for failing this team as well but Sasuke’s decision to feed his teammate bound to the log had given Kakashi the sign that his team would care and fight for each other with all the strength the will of fire could give. It showed that Uchiha Sasuke still had empathy for others and a disregard for stupid orders. The sort of stupid orders that would be killing all your relatives.

Seeing no harm in humoring this decision, Hiruzen agreed with Naruto’s not-request.

“C-rank to Wave. Escorting Tazuna back home and protecting the bridge until it’s finished.”

Izzy accidentally fic’d.

Storm: Tenten or Neji

Sun: Lee? This is where lack of characters strikes. Because not many shown strike me as Suns. Hana? Genma?

Lightning: Ino

Rain: Genma or Raido

Mist: Yakumo

Cloud: Anko

Generally speaking, I’d prefer Xanxus/Naruto not to bond with peers aka Naruto’s age-mates. Because Xanxus/Naruto is mentally older/more experienced. Also a lot more damaged in some ways. But that’s where Naruto’s limited cast of characters acts up. Hence Yakumo the Mist, Yakumo being from an anime filler.

Storms are all about aggressive attack: Neji and Tenten both are like that.

Suns are considered ‘flashy’ but well, Anko is eccentric. Not flashy like Lee and Gai. Hana is understated flashy but three hounds compared to the usual one… Also Genma is pretty and does flashy things with senbon sometime.

Ino is the exception to the ‘not age-mates’ rule if only because the nature of her Clan techniques means a lot more mental exp from a lot of people. Later anyway. At the moment, teasing her is like teasing the shark and is fun.

Rains are supposed to be a calming influence. Genma is one because on a team between Gai and high-strung Ebisu someone had to be the calm one. Raido because I like Raido and he has a sword and specializes in assassination.

Mist is Yakumo. Where obviously the Kurama Clan has Mist Flames as their ‘kekkai genkai.’

Clouds don’t really care about social convention, so much as getting what they want. Which is Anko all over.

Xanxus/Naruto can still use Wrath Flames but anyone that asks gets ‘special chakra’ or ‘a twist to yin release’ as an answer. Which is true in a fashion.

Xanxus/Naruto is rather sympathetic to fox; points out it could be worse. Fox could be frozen. Not exactly best buds but moderately friendly.

Other things aka plot in case someone wants to adopt. Because I’m not going to have time to write this or thing about doing so any time soon.

Wave Mission is coached to Team 10 as ‘part of my eval to special-jonin’ and ‘revised some of the qualifications needed to promote in light of past events.’

One of the Demon bros get captured by Team 10, the other by Xanxus/Naruto. In the fight against Zabuza, Zabuza’s sword suffers a malfunction against Wrath Flames. Poor sword. Zabuza switches it to a ninjutsu fight. Against a shinobi who can just obliterate techniques with Wrath. It doesn’t go well. Haku intervenes. Asuma is third-wheeling like a pro.

Gato catches a case of death before Zabuza on the bridge. Gato’s minions then catch a case of death; it spreads fast. It even gets Zabuza because Asuma’s previously wounded him.

Haku isn’t happy. Haku is then given the choice to watch over Wave or come to the Leaf and join. Otherwise Xanxus/Naruto is happy to kidnap him, since Xanxus/Naruto’s keeping the sword so some shithead doesn’t steal it and put it to dishonorable use or something.

Xanxus gains Haku as a minion. Haku is a Rain, but lack of killer instinct puts him out of running of being Xanxus’ Rain, okay?

Ends up as a security peon in 2nd task. Clash with Orochimaru. Part of the Forest of Death ends up gone. Ends up getting bitten but well, Wrath Flames. Cursed Seal gets burned up. Doing so later to Anko has them bonding; it’s not a tight one but still enough.

Jiraiya shows up in Konoha but Xanxus is Not Amused. Jiraiya Earns Grudge. Hence why Jiraiya is not Sun-candidate.

Don’t care for the genin match-ups at the moment. Just know that Yakumo becomes chunin with Shika and Ino actually manages to progress to the finals by luck.

Gaara and Shukaku start acting up and well, not much stands up to Wrath. And well, demon in forest means no holding back. Xanxus mentally scars Shukaku into behaving and somehow Gaara finds sanity. Xanxus reveals that he plans to be Hokage one day. Is odd conversation.

(Xanxus is only a little miffed that Gaara’s the Kazekage at like fourteen. A little. Actually a lot pissed.)

Anyway, Jiraiya takes Xanxus to find Tsunade because strong shinobi needs to protect Kyuubi-container that can vaporize just about everything. Yay. Logic. Grudge grows stronger.

Also not impressed with Tsunade’s pity party of like twenty years. Because what would she do with the position? Rack up her debts more and send Konoha to bankruptcy?

Let’s just leave it as Xanxus has Plans. He just can’t do any of them because he’s twelve, freshly a special jonin and will be promoted to jonin for his 14th birthday.

Basically manipulates her into accepting the position. Because a ninja that can mentally scar a bijuu is good like that. Not sure how Tsunade’s fear of blood is dealt with but it is because that’s bullshit and Xanxus calls her out on it.

Anyway, due to Grudge, Xanxus is not letting Jiraiya take him off for two years doing fuck knows what. Ends up as Tsunade’s chosen successor from almost the get-go of Tsunade’s reign; which means dealing with lots of politics, renovating systems and diplomacy etc. Because benevolent tyrant position of power or not, you still have minions with power to keep content so they’ll do what you say willingly.

Chosen antagonist of these two years is going to be Danzo. Because no creepy seal on Sasuke but that doesn’t make Sasuke less of a person of interest. Because fancy eyes. Oh and somehow Sakura becomes less of a waste of space. Probably better than her part 2 canon self because ‘let’s send Sasuke away for his safety’ and Xanxus is nearby to keep her head on straight.

Although I should point out that Gaara puts up more of a fight against Akatsuki with Shukaku’s cooperation. It’s amazing what a little mental scarring to do. Or a lot. Deidara’s dick move is still dick move.

But anyway. Sasori’s puppets against Wrath. Wrath wins and then goes after Deidara. Because guess who has guns now bitch?

Deidara loses arm. Then he loses head. Gaara is revived.

The whole business with Orochimaru, Sai and Kabuto doesn’t happen because it’s not Sakura who kills Sasori and so gets ‘rewarded’ with the info. Sai is busy learning how to be human again because fuck Danzo that’s why. He dead, dead, dead. Dead.

Anyway, Sasuke gets back with Jiraiya because Jiraiya follows no schedule. Is the only genin of his year now because that’s hilarious.

Anyway, things progress. Zombie brothers get taken down, jinchuriki get their bijuu extracted, Sasuke kills Itachi and doesn’t end up in Madara’s hands. Jiraiya still dies but there’s no successor to the toad contract. Whoops. Kisame gets to hold off Xanxus and Yakumo and Lee, so is terrible match-up. Because Mist Flames aren’t chakra.

Zetsu ends up in a ranged illusion and then ends up shot. Black Zetsu somehow escapes.

Pain happens to Konoha. Wrath happens to Pain. Because it is hard to regenerate and control puppets if the chakra receivers aren’t conducting because they’re not there. Vaporized. Grudge against Jiraiya is validated, Konan lives, Nagato almost dies but well, Xanxus says fuck that. You’re going to atone properly and not suicide your way out of your mess.

Someone attempts at the eight-tails and so the kage meeting happens. Sasuke has no reason to cause a scene as he’s chilling in Konoha but Tobito has reason and attacks with the white Zetsu sparking off the 4th Shinobi War.

Xanxus takes advantage of Kyuubi’s cooperation and Sky property of Harmony to pick out Zetsu and vaporize them.

Orochimaru decides to defect over to the Shinobi side over the Akatsuki side and Xanxus gets a lecture in Sage Mode and how to use. Kabuto has been convinced to go to the Akatsuki side somehow, so is now enemy who has no problem with edo tensai-ing every fucking one. Tobito might have broke his mind or something.

Anyway Madara’s the big bad bitch until Nagato makes him dead again. Nagato’s got Rinnegan exp over his ass. Tobito is pretty much down for the count and then comes Zetsu.

And after comes Wrath, preventing bunny goddess from being reborn or revived because Zetsu is obliterated properly this time.

People go home, rebuild and Xanxus puts his plans into action so Konoha will remain strong long after he passes on.

And in the afterlife, he hunts down Byakuran and punches him. In the face. Repeatedly.

#Izzy answers #shroudthecursedone #this is a bit late but probably worth it #and by a bit late Izzy means like a month or so #Izzy did fic

[paleorecipecookbook]

Environmental Toxins: Steps for Decreasing Exposure and Increasing Detoxification

Earlier this year, I wrote an article about the hundreds of environmental toxins found in our bodies—in our blood and urine and in the umbilical cords of newborns. I covered how low doses of toxins can be harmful over time, how sometimes low doses can act differently in the body than high doses, and how we all have varying responses to toxins depending on genetics, gut health, detox capacity, and more. In the near future, hopefully we will be able to run a battery of tests that quickly determine individual susceptibility to mercury and other toxins. Based on those results, we could make customized diet and lifestyle recommendations. But in the meantime, we can all take four key steps to protect ourselves. This article will provide resources to guide you through decreasing your exposure to toxins and increasing your detoxification capacity.

4 steps to help protect yourself from environmental toxins

Step 1: Reduce exposure to toxins

You have a lot of control over what you are exposed to in the home, from cleaning products and personal care products to food storage. If you are using popular conventional products, the idea of changing them all according to recommendations below can be very overwhelming at first. I recommend starting with either what you believe will make the biggest difference or with what is the easiest change to make and then taking small steps from there. Cosmetic and personal care products What is applied to the skin may be more important than what we ingest. The gut is pretty good at blocking toxin absorption when it’s working properly. Through the skin, however, toxins can readily reach the bloodstream. Many common products we use daily are linked to allergies, endocrine disruption, and cancer, yet they continue to be sold and used by millions. Being cautious and particular about what products we buy and use is especially important for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. The Environmental Working Group provides a fantastic resource called Skin Deep, which critically evaluates specific products and brands and rates them on a safety concern scale from 1–10. Below are some examples of harmful ingredients that should be avoided:

Triclocarban and triclosan in soaps and toothpaste

Aluminum in deodorants/antiperspirants—I recommend Native Deodorant. It’s aluminium-free and contains only natural ingredients. This is what my wife and I both use now, and we love it.

Phthalates, parabens, and retinoids in moisturizers

Boric acid and BHA in diaper cream

PEGs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and siloxanes in makeup/cosmetics

Formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in nail polish

Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate in chemical-based sunscreens

If you are adventurous, Wellness Mama provides some great recipes for homemade foaming hand soap, body wash, deodorant, lotion, and even makeup. Essential oils are often suggested for homemade products, but they can be powerful and should be used with high discretion. Home cleaning products We think cleaning our homes contributes to good health, but many conventional home cleaning products contain carcinogens, irritate the respiratory system, and contribute to allergies. This large category includes air fresheners, bathroom cleaners, laundry products, dish soap, dishwasher detergent, floor care, furniture cleaner, and all-purpose cleaning products. According to an EWG assessment of more than 2,000 products, half didn’t adequately disclose ingredients, 75 percent contained ingredients that have worrisome respiratory health effects, and 25 percent scored moderate to high concern because ingredients or impurities in the products were linked to cancer. The EWG published a free guide to healthy cleaning products, using a rating system of A through F. Another option to consider is making your own home products. Most are easy to make and can often end up being cheaper than store-bought options. Mark Sisson provides a great guide to homemade natural cleaners, and Wellness Mama has several helpful posts on how to make your own or purchase safe products. Toxins in food Toxins are in our food, too—whether purposely added or contaminated through processing and packaging. The biggest offenders are discussed below. Pesticides. For avoiding pesticides and herbicides, organic, locally grown produce is the safest bet. The EWG publishes lists for the vegetables and fruits that have the highest pesticide levels, called the “Dirty Dozen,” and for those with the lowest levels, called the “Clean Fifteen.” Antibiotics. Organic meat and grass-fed red meat trump conventional meats nutrition-wise, and they are free from antibiotics and growth hormones. Heavy metals. While I believe concerns about mercury in fish are mostly misguided, I do recommend avoiding varieties such as shark, swordfish, tilefish, and king mackerel because they can contain far more mercury than selenium. Arsenic in rice (and products made with rice flour) is also a concern. I advise that adults limit rice intake to a few servings a week and that pregnant women and children under the age of two avoid rice altogether. Food additives. The EWG published a guide on the Dirty Dozen food additives and how to avoid them. The number one best way to stay clear of food additives is to avoid processed food completely. BPA and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals You would almost have to be living under a rock to not be aware of the dangers of bisphenol A, or BPA. I have written about the toxic effects of BPA here, here, and here. But BPA isn’t the only endocrine disruptor lurking in everyday plastics. The EWG provides a list of the twelve worst endocrine disruptors. Even BPA-free plastics can contain other bisphenols that may be just as hazardous (1). Below are ten tips for avoiding BPA and other endocrine disruptors:

Use stainless steel, glass, or aluminum for water bottles and food storage

Use parchment paper, beeswax, or recycled aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap

Avoid canned food products, as they are often lined with BPA or its relatives

Brew coffee in a glass French press instead of a percolator

Eat at home with fresh food ingredients, as studies show that people who do have lower levels of BPA (2)

Keep plastic out of the dishwasher, freezer, and microwaves, because hot and cold temperatures can release more phthalates

Do not drink canned soda or seltzer, because aluminum cans are often lined with BPA

Skip the receipt, which often contains BPA

Choose wood or cloth toys over plastic toys for kids

Talk to your dentist about sealants and composites, which often contain BPA

Drinking water The United States does have one of the safest drinking water systems in the world, but contamination still does occur. The EWG has identified 316 contaminants in the public water supply, 202 of which are unregulated. Infants, young people, pregnant women, the elderly, and people whose immune systems are compromised are disproportionately affected by contaminated water. Some of the toxins of concern include:

Pathogens (bacteria, parasites, viruses)

Heavy metals (copper and lead)

Nitrate (from chemical fertilizers and smoke)

Radon (radioactive gas)

Ensuring access to clean water is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your toxin exposure. Both the EWG and NSF have guides for choosing a water filter. Water filter types vary, from containers that sit on the counter to tanks under the sink to whole-house filtration systems. Indoor air A major source of indoor air pollution stems from water damage. The Federal Facilities Council estimated that 43 percent of current homes have water damage, while up to 85 percent have had past water damage (3). Once water damage occurs, mold can grow in 24 to 48 hours. Bacteria, actinomycetes, endotoxins, and microbial volatile organic compounds are also of concern. Air filters and air purifiers/sanitizers are two ways to improve the quality of indoor air. I shared some of my recommendations on choosing these systems in a previous post. A HEPA or charcoal filter will remove ultrafine particles like  , dust, and viruses from the air, while an air sanitizer will remove allergens, odors, and germs, as well as mold.

Step 2: Eat a nutrient-dense diet

The rise of processed, refined food paired with unprecedented toxin exposure is taking a toll on our bodies. In the first article of my series “9 Steps to Perfect Health,” I discussed the dangers of four toxins humans are now ingesting as food, sometimes as the bulk of their diets. These four “foods” can disrupt the gut, disturb endocrine function, increase inflammation, and ultimately lead to a laundry list of chronic diseases:

Cereal grains (especially refined flours)

Omega-6 industrial seed oils (corn, cottonseed, safflower, soybean, etc.)

Refined sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup)

Processed soy (soy milk, soy protein, soy flour, etc.)

In contrast, a Paleo diet will naturally support detoxification and health. Instead of focusing on macronutrients, put the focus on real, nutrient-dense whole foods. A Paleo diet is anti-inflammatory, reduces stress on the body, and provides important micronutrients that are required for detoxification, including but not limited to:

B vitamins – B6, B12, folate, niacin, riboflavin, biotin (dark leafy greens, fish)

Zinc (seafood, beef)

Magnesium (dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds)

Choline (liver, eggs)

Glycine (bone broth, cartilage)

Plant polyphenols (fruits and vegetables)

Step 3: Improve your gut health

As I mentioned earlier, the gut is terrific at removing ingested toxins (4, 5, 6), but only if it is working properly. Antibiotics, birth control, diets high in refined carbohydrates and industrial seed oils, chronic stress, and chronic infections all directly contribute to unhealthy gut flora. I have written extensively about the gut’s connection to the skin, heart, thyroid, brain, and more. Healing and maintaining your gut microbiome is vital to overall health. Including the following in your diet will help promote gut health:

Probiotics or fermented foods. Sauerkraut, beet kvass, and kimchi are a few examples. Probiotic supplements are also available, but they will not have the same diversity as eating a variety of naturally fermented foods will.

Prebiotics are even better than probiotics at promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria (7). Fruits and vegetables high in soluble fiber like sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and avocados are prebiotic. Prebiogen is my preferred prebiotic supplement.

Resistant starch. Cooked and cooled potatoes, if you tolerate them, provide resistant starch. More concentrated doses can be obtained from potato starch.

Avoiding antibiotics unless absolutely necessary will keep your gut microbiome robust, but if you must treat with antibiotics, read my guide on how to mitigate the damage.

Step 4: Improve your detox capacity

Detoxification happens mostly in the liver, through three phases (8, 9). Phase 1 begins to process the toxin, often creating free radicals and other more harmful substances. In Phase 2, products are further broken down into water-soluble compounds. Phase 3 moves remaining products out of the cells to be excreted. The three detox phases involve a complicated network of biochemical reactions, which are assisted by dozens of cofactors, enzymes, and more. Although an intricate process, there are several ways to improve and support your detoxification capacity. Support methylation Methylation is one of the conjugation reactions in Phase 2. Methylation requires B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, choline, glycine, betaine, and methionine to function properly, along with methylation adaptogens found in certain fruits and vegetables. As I mentioned in a previous section, those on a Paleo diet who eat a wide variety of foods are probably getting adequate levels of these nutrients, but not always. If you have heavy metal toxicity or chronic infections, impaired methylation might be an underlying cause. To test for methylation status, the Methylation Pathways Panel from Health Diagnostics and Research Institute or the Methylation Panel from Doctor’s Data are both viable options to get an idea of where methylation might need support. You might have heard of methylation in the context of MTHFR gene mutations. The MTHFR gene codes for an enzyme that adds a methyl group to folic acid, converting it to the more usable form, folate. A current trend is for people to identify their MTHFR gene mutations through a DNA kit from 23andme and then supplement based on the results. Although a surprisingly high percentage of people do have a MTHFR gene mutation, supplementation based on this alone isn’t the way to go. Some with mutations will have very good methylation status, while others might not. Furthermore, MTHFR isn’t the only enzyme involved in methylation. Therefore, I highly recommend working with a functional medicine practitioner to get the whole picture through methylation panels and more before supplementing. Many health problems are associated with overmethylation, including cancer, autoimmune disease, and allergies (10, 11, 12). Methylation is also required to produce glutathione, which is a major molecule in the detoxification cycle and an important antioxidant (13). Many nutrient-dense foods provide glutathione precursors, but in particular, whey from raw dairy or whey protein is a good source. Those with autoimmune diseases likely have glutathione deficiency. One way to test for this would be a urine organic acids panel from Genova or Metametrix, which identifies the levels of byproducts of reactions involved in glutathione regulation. Supplement To support overall liver function, the supplement I most often suggest is Pure Encapsulations DIM Detox. This supplement contains:

DIM, or diindolylmethane, which promotes healthy estrogen metabolism and cell cycle activity

Calcium D-glucarate, which promotes healthy hormone detox

Milk thistle extract, which supports phase 2 detox and helps metabolize estrogen (14)

Alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine, which support phase 2 detox

Taurine, glycine, and methionine, which are amino acids that support phase 2 detox and healthy cell metabolism

Sweat Toxins that the liver and kidneys cannot properly detox can sometimes be expelled through sweating. This is a bit of a controversial topic, but there is evidence of heavy metals, BPA, and flame retardants found in sweat (15, 16, 17). Work up a sweat during regular exercise, or frequent a sauna. Mark Sisson has laid out the many benefits of saunas beyond boosting detox. Proper hydration is especially important for exercise or sauna use, but it is vital for everyone, since we release toxins through urine. I don’t like to provide a specific number of ounces of water per day. Don’t force water, but listen to your body and look for markers of dehydration, like dark-colored or infrequent urination. Manage stress Stress management is a core aspect of a Paleo lifestyle and is something I have written about many times. Chronic stress raises cortisol levels with dire health consequences, including a weakened immune system, hormonal imbalances, mood disorders, and decreased detox capacity. In our ever-increasingly busy world, it’s still important to find time to wind down and relax, even if it means cutting back and saying “no” sometimes. Incorporating regular stress management practices like meditation, yoga, tai chi, or progressive relaxation can provide many benefits. Get enough sleep Almost one-third of Americans are getting six or fewer hours of sleep per night (18). Sleep deprivation increases inflammation (19) and impairs the immune system, which negatively impacts the body’s ability to detox. Research indicates that during sleep, neurotoxic waste products are eliminated from the brain, pointing to a direct role for sleep in detoxification (20). Our circadian rhythms also can help regulate liver detoxification (21). Here are some of my best tips for getting enough sleep:

Avoid artificial light from screens at least an hour before bed

Minimize all artificial light exposure in the late evening hours

Sleep in a dark, relatively cool room (68–70F)

Take a hot bath before bed

Keep electronics out of the bedroom

I hope these four steps will help jump start your journey toward minimizing your exposure to toxins and maximizing your detox capacity. Now I want to hear from you. Which step will be most challenging for you? What changes have you already made? Let us know in the comments!  

Source: http://chriskresser.com May 17, 2017 at 04:40AM

#paleo #recipe #food #delicious #healthy #yum #diet

[englishoneeleven]

Speciesism

In both the graphic novel and the TV series, Hershel is at first opposed to the destruction of zombies. Whereas many other examples of zombie fiction incorporate pseudo-scientific explanations for zombie transformations (eg I Am Legend), The Walking Dead shrouds this background information in mystery (in my opinion, this is a strength of the narrative). Given that characters & audience alike lack this knowledge, it’s rational for Hershel to hope that these transformations are reversible or temporary. However, we can’t construct an argument for protecting zombies on the premise that they can return to normal; there’s not enough information to prove it. Instead, we must argue whether zombies are entitled to certain rights in their present condition.

We can choose to rationalize killing zombies, appealing to the importance of the group’s safety, and ensuring their chances of survival. Whether or not we do, to make a good argument we must still respond to certain doubts. We must also define exactly what we’re dealing with. Are zombies human or not? If so, are they living or dead? We have rules for how to treat deceased human beings (decedents). On one hand, it’s unlawful (and for many, immoral) to desecrate a corpse. On the other, there are laws for disposing of decedents so that they don’t pose health risks for the living. But this is just to make a point. The real issue is that real human corpses don’t attack people. Although the dead are still protected by certain rights, we wouldn’t treat the undead the same as the dead. But neither would we treat them the same as the living. Living humans are capable of understanding & following laws. Imagine how ridiculous it would be to put a zombie on trial for murder! Therefore, if zombies are still human, they must be considered a special kind of human, one that is neither living nor dead.

It’s also possible zombies are not human. Human beings are capable of a great range of intellectual abilities which are seemingly not shared by zombies. With exceptions, preventing unnecessary harm to things that experience pain is a fundamental law of ethics. But zombies don’t appear to suffer in an identifiable way. Additionally, nothing confirms that they possess the capacity for moral reasoning, without which they would be unable to separate right from wrong, which humans can do. What if we regarded zombies as simply violent animals? To deny rights to a creature purely on the basis of its species* is known as speciesism. Great White Sharks are dangerous to humans, but their lives are still protected under certain laws. Living things should be treated with a certain amount of respect, and zombies are still arguable living, in the sense that they possess a biological imperative to feed. One could also argue they reproduce, although not sexually. But consider viruses. Viruses are living things, but unlike sharks, certain dangerous viruses, like smallpox, are inessential to a balanced ecosystem. Speaking of reproduction, viruses spread by infecting other living cells. Perhaps, because they are created through infection, zombies have more in common with viruses than humans. Looked at this way, they may seem far less deserving of rights reserved for creatures with human-like attributes.

*The Ethics Toolkit, p 198.

#ethicsoftwd #ethics #zombies

[fitcareketo-blog]

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[machomanhealth-blog]

Constantly Cbd Oil Ear pain alleviation - quick and clean

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Cartilage

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Herbal

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Many herbal joint ache relief cures are termed "opportunity" remedies over-the-counter factover the counter over-the-countery do no longer receive as lots recognize over-the-counter more normal ache relief alternatives. Chondroitin, additionally referred to as chondroitin sulfate, takes place obviously in human cartilage, bone, cornea, pores and skin and over the counter arterial wall. Over-the-counterr, chondroitin can come from natural sources, over-the-counterr with shark or bovine cartilage, or can be produced in a lab. Chondroitin is a part of a massive protein molecule that gives cartilage elasticity and facilitates it maintain water. Glucosamine is an amino sugar that over-the-counter frame produces and distributes in cartilage and different connective tissue. Some over the counterories claim that glucosamine can assist inside overover the counter introduction of recent cartilage, even as chondroitin might also gradual cartilage destruction. Chondroitin sulfate may also offer herbal joint ache comfort via its potential to assist rebuild healthy cartilage, improve flexibility and reduce inflammation certainly.

Dry heat, moist heat, or microwaveable wraps provide alleviation. Herbal joint ache relief may be effective on osteoarthritis, inflammation, muscular, and other forms of arthritis. Natural plant alternatives like inexperienced tea are being investigated for over-the-counter control of rheumatoid arthritis. Natural arthritis joint pain comfort is a totally popular approach for assuaging pain, mainly when dealing with arthritis pain. Natural options have grow to be more and more popular over-the-counter factover the counter many people sense that it's far a safer and healthier way to deal with over-the-counterir pain. Natural joint ache alleviation can take many extraordinary forms. The hassle with regular prescribed drugs is that over-the-counteroverover the counter literally chemical bombs that go off interior your body, probably lowering ache but additionally negatively impacting your structures nicely being. Herbal pain alleviation strategies won't be as famous, due to overover the counter humans have a tendency to accept as true with what over-the-counter document orders over what nature suggests, but over-the-counterless, over the countery may be over-the-counter technique to your trouble.

Herbal joint pain alleviation products recognition on long term recovery and over-the-counter over-the-countery might be a touch slower to punch in, over-the-countery may be surely a extra dependable solution in overover the counter. Flax seed, both in liquid form or floor into powder and fortified with extra nutrients, is a nutritional complement which can provide a extensive sort of health benefits, such as natural joint pain alleviation. Blessings of flax seed oil additionally include its capacity to decrease ldl cholesterol obviously. Over-the-counter natural dietary supplements for joint ache remedy over-the-counter market nowadays. You'll be surprised to examine that many natural treatments for arthritis can be as powerful if now not greater so than prescription and drugs and as such might be a better answer for those that go through over-the-counter debilitating joint ache, swelling and irritation of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Weight loss plan

Diets excessive in glucosamine, green veggies and fresh fruits all work to hold your joints ache free. Over-the-counter fact that most people do no longer eat an adequate food plan, taking a multivitamin complement is a great manner to make sure we are becoming what we need for top fitness. Your weight-reduction plan is more essential than you might suppose. Irritation can arise with age, nutritional situations, unfastened radicals, strain or other insults that may stiffen cellular membranes. Studies have proven that diets high in protein are maximum important to wholesome joints. For a long time, doctors doubted over-the-counterre could be any hyperlink among weight loss plan and osteoarthritis. A healthful weight loss program, wealthy in culmination and vegetables, has been encouraged through nutritionists for years. A heart healthy weight loss program is especially crucial to sufferers with rheumatoid arthritis as research have proven a link between this disease and heart failure.

Exercising

Even though it seems contradictory to advise exercise for aching joints, research suggests that exercise is an critical tool for joint ache alleviation. Low impact exercises including stretching physical activities, swimming, taking walks, low effect aerobics, and variety of movement physical games may additionally lessen joint ache and stiffness whilst increasing joint mobility. Exercise increases flexibility and patience, strength, firming of muscle tissues, wards off other health troubles, facilitates manage weight, decreases despair and increases electricity. Exercising keeps muscle groups sturdy round affected joints, decreases bone loss and can assist control joint swelling pain. Exercise can reduce stiffness, growth blood drift, and useful resource in weight reduction, which takes over-the-counter stress off of over-the-counter joints.  To recognize Constantly Cbd Oil online visit here https://buildhealthychoices.com/constantly-cbd-oil/

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