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hacktuarial · 1 year

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Some very general thoughts about how the concepts of gender and sexuality and sex apply to Programs (under a cut for a little spiciness):

A Program's gender is typically defined by how their User identifies at the time they're written, and most will default to the pronouns and gender presentation of their User. In that sense, gender is a very loose concept to most Programs. It has no bearing on their societal structures and cultural norms.

For the sake of making any of this comprehensible I'll keep using the terms gender and sexuality, but just know that the words themselves probably won't mean anything to Programs. Ram only has a vague understanding of the differences between men and women based on the fact that gender can factor into insurance rates.

Programs don't have any primary sex characteristics (i.e. genitals or reproductive organs). They can't reproduce -- and unless they're familiar with User biology most of them probably don't even know what reproduction is -- so that would just be a lot of extra bits and pieces. It's Barbie / Ken doll anatomy under all that digital spandex, sorry. But this also ties into why gender isn't much of a Thing for Programs beyond some secondary sex characteristics and other variations in appearance.

There is an understanding that certain aesthetic features of one's render can be tied to gender. Programs can't completely rewrite themselves but can make cosmetic adjustments to their appearances. They can change their hair color and the circuitry patterns of their base layer suits, or add outer layers of clothing -- on Flynn's Grid, anyway, where Programs generally have a little more freedom outside of their functions. Changing one's render entirely is possible, at least in a temporary way that needs upkeep and refreshing (see Keller). Opposition to this comes only from rare and traditional Programs, who would decry any alteration to the image of one's User.

Attraction comes in many forms, just as it does for Users. Some Programs will only have an interest in those they're created to be linked to. The term "bonded pair" is used a lot in Tron fanwork and I don't have a strong enough opinion on that to call it something else, so we'll stick with it. For Programs who don't have a bondmate, attraction might still be based on functional compatability -- or it might be based on personality, physical features, etc.

It doesn't necessarily follow that a User's sexuality will dictate their Program's sexuality, either. Roy, for example, is very confidently aromantic and asexual. Ram is aesthetically and physically attracted to those with "masculine" or "male" features -- gay, by User standards.

Which brings us to the spicy time topic of how Programs have sex. And the long and short of it is... they don't, in User terms, because they don't have the parts for it. It's all circuit based. Programs can communicate through touch and energy exchange, among other methods (that's a whole other post), and the intent behind the contact determines how it's received. For them, "sex" is a matter of energy exchange with an intent to arouse. And you tend to get back what you give. Circuit stimulation is how that energy is conveyed. Or, y'know, frottage, to borrow the Ao3 tag.

Different Programs might have specific erogenous zones on their circuitry, but that's an individual thing. Circuits around the upper back and shoulder blade area, where a disc would sit, are common hotspots. Skin-layer circuitry under their base suits -- which, yes, can be partially or completely removed or derezzed -- is more sensitive than anything on a clothing layer.

Circuits flush purple when a Program is aroused (and that's canon baby!)

#headcanon.txt #general disclaimer that this is just my view of things and probably doesn't apply to the fandom at large #also by programs i mean basics specifically. i think most of this is different for ISOs as they have #a greater capacity to self identify #vs basics who i think just take a lot of their existence at face value #thanks for coming to my tedtalk about the funny little glowstick people in your computer fuck. have a nice evening.

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bluebelly-sun-serpentine · 24 days

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Unfortunately being marginalized doesn’t automatically inoculate you against being a bigot or an asshole, and I think if there is any danger in identity politics it’s in the capacity to convince people that their identity trauma prevents them from being cruel or ignorant or from buying into the idea that someone else’s life doesn’t matter as much as their own.

I think about this a lot because of the ableism I’ve experienced in leftist spaces dedicated to fighting white supremacy or queerphobia or colonialism (especially when most of those spaces have been content with pretending the pandemic is over and endangering or excluding anyone who isn’t able or doesn’t want to put themselves or their families at risk) but I don’t actually think this is necessarily less true for disabled or chronically ill people (who are probably just as vulnerable to unexamined bigotry). There are sufferers of chronic pain who take their shortened tempers out selectively on people in their surroundings based on racial or class identifiers. Many of us - despite intimate experience of having our pain ignored - are ableist about issues we don’t ourselves experience. This is why I am often suspicious of speakers or writers who start sentences with “as an x x person” - because in my experience this is sometimes a tacit admission of belief that one’s trauma entitles one to empathy or patience one isn’t necessarily willing to extend to others. I try really hard to curb this impulse in myself, too, because I recognize that it is there.

We like to pretend that suffering makes us more attuned to the suffering of others, but every day we have plenty of examples of people (individually or collectively) who use their own suffering to obscure or ignore other lived realities, or worse, to mobilize some apparatus of greater suffering as an act of imagined revenge or self protection. You have to guard against that both individually and as a member of any community to which you belong. You have to, if you want your acts or the movement(s) to which you belong to have any kind of real integrity.

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nagaparadise · 8 months

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Pt. 2 to this post~

-Specimen X: Undoubtedly the most dominant naga of the sample group. Enjoyed using his four arms to restrain me and mate to his desire, preferring the mating position common to most in the animal kingdom (aka, doggy style). On the palms of his four hands are small mouths that liked to bite into my skin, possibly using this as way identify his mate - or warn possible rivals. Whether these mouths act on their own or controlled by the specimen may need further research. The appearance of his semen was white, similar to humans, but was considerably greater in volume after ejaculation (which is a common trait observed among most nagas). He also highly enjoyed watching his mate consume said fluids after engaging in oral sex. The specimen also demonstrates a venomous saliva, which is deadly when used on other animals but becomes a potent aphrodisiac when used on humans. Unfortunately to say, the venom blocks the brain’s memory recording capacity, meaning that I was unable to record any data during the time I was under the effects of his venom.

-Specimen Y: Remarkably the most gentle naga I’ve encountered so far. He spent a considerable amount of time displaying a courtship ritual, which included singing and presenting me with flower wreaths (which he encouraged me to wear while we mated). This specimen preferred to face me as much as possible while we mated, and consistently praised me throughout our session. Once finished, the folds which resemble flower petals on his peni “bloomed,” acting like a knot as seen in the werewolf and certain dragon species. This knot locked us in place for approximately 2 hours, which he then used the time to coil his tail around my legs and continue to praise me. His semen resembled the consistency, appearance, and taste of honey, which would have taken a while to clean up if Specimen Y hadn’t volunteered to clean the fluids with his tongue.

-Specimen Z: Possibly the most personable naga of the sample group. Initially, I had a hard time convincing him to participate in the study, as he was perplexed why we would want to include him, possibly indicating some self-esteem issues, but after explaining the nature of study, he was very eager to participate. Much like Specimen X, he enjoyed restraining me with his tentacles, but surprisingly they were strong enough to suspend me mid-air. From there, he continued to eagerly mate with me, consistently repositioning me in various positions with his tentacles. He enjoyed using his tentacles for pleasure as well, as for example, while I was engaging in oral sex, he was eager to use his tentacles in place of his peni. His semen was dark blue with bioluminescent specks that glowed when observed a dark room. Specimen Z also had a habit of marking his mate with his semen, and even after cleaning up, bioluminescent specks could be observed on my skin whenever I was in the dark. When asked if this will fade away, Specimen Z responded by saying that it doesn’t. It is unclear if he was joking or not. Much like Specimen X, Specimen Z has a venomous saliva which becomes an aphrodisiac when used on humans, which, I had ingested after a rather intimate kiss. Once again, any observations during the time I was under its effects are lost. However, I did record all of these sessions, which I will add to this report once I watch them in extremely close detail.

In summary, of all the specimens in the sample group that I have recorded, I believe that these three would be worthy to revisit for further studying.

#exophilia #terato #naga #monster x reader #naga x reader #smut #rune post #guardian post #halloran post

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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 4 months

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By: Eva Kurilova

Published: Jan 13, 2024

Locus of control is a term used to describe an individual’s belief about what factors control their lives. Those with an internal locus of control have a strong sense of agency and believe that their lives are influenced by their own actions and abilities. Those with an external locus of control feel that they are subject to luck, environmental factors, and other people’s actions.

Most people fall somewhere on the spectrum between an internal and an external locus of control, as this is reflective of life itself. There is a lot that we can control but a lot that we can’t as well. However, regardless of what is objectively true in any given situation, our preference for one view or the other has a major impact on our lives.

Those with an internal locus of control are more resilient, motivated, and independent, have a higher capacity for self-control, are better able to manage stress, and enjoy overall higher levels of mental and physical health. Those with an external locus of control, on the other hand, lack self-confidence and self-efficacy, blame others for their shortcomings, are less likely to take accountability, and experience worse mental and physical health outcomes. They are also more likely to have a mindset of victimhood.

Research abounds expounding the positive associations between an internal locus of control and factors like academic success and favorable work outcomes, as well as between an external locus of control and negative outcomes, like criminal offending. Helping people develop a greater internal locus of control has long been a goal of psychotherapy.

And yet, when it comes to the concept of gender identity, all of this knowledge and research is thrown out the window. After all, what is gender identity but just another term for an external locus of control?

Those who claim to have a gender identity that conflicts with their sex require participation from others. Their gender identity depends entirely on other people’s perceptions and on the way people treat them. They cannot concretize their identity simply by going about their lives, doing their job, practicing their hobbies, and fulfilling their roles as friends and family members—which is what an identity really is.

Instead, trans-identified individuals often try to artificially manifest a fantasy in their heads by forcing others to call them by a different name and pronouns and to pretend they see them as anything other than their sex. Some aren’t even satisfied knowing that others are merely playing along—they go further and demand others actually brainwash themselves into perceiving them as they wish to be perceived.

Furthermore, when someone is trying to manifest a gender identity, their locus of control sits not just in other people but in the rest of the world at large. They rely on external accouterments like clothing and makeup to signal what “gender” they are trying to appear as. They may go as far as to rely on external hormones to try and change how their body looks and even rely on surgeons to physically alter their body parts.

Obviously, all of us rely on the external world. None of us are entirely self-sufficient, and even if we have a strong internal locus of control, there is still much that is out of our control. But this is not the same as relying solely on the external world to recognize and manifest your identity for you.

I should also add that not all trans-identified people are like this. I think the locus of control is one of the main differences people implicitly note between trans-identified people who cause problems and those who don’t. This then gets clumsily translated into speaking about trans people with an internal locus of control as “real” or “actual” or “good” trans people.

I don’t believe there is any such thing as “true” trans. But I do believe there is a big difference between people who decide to transition and consider the onus to be on themselves to pass and be treated as the opposite sex and those who think the onus is on the rest of the world to make them feel like the opposite sex. I think this is the split that people pick up on when differentiating between the trans-identified people who really do just want to live their lives and those who want to tear the world down while paradoxically relying on it for their entire sense of identity.

(It is also my experience that trans-identified people in the former camp are less likely to insist that they have a “gender identity” and more likely to view themselves as having a mental disorder—gender dysphoria—that they are managing as best as they can).

Unfortunately, trans activists, doctors, teachers, counselors, politicians, and “experts” of all stripes are encouraging all trans-identified people to take on the latter mindset. They encourage an entirely external locus of control which then invariably develops into a victimhood mentality. Trans-identified people with an external locus of control come to believe that because they have no power to improve anything for themselves the world owes it to them.

This is what makes it all the more pernicious that this ideology is being pushed on children. Introducing the concept of gender identity to kids is the same as showing approval for an external locus of control. Where children should be taught self-efficacy and resilience, they are instead being taught that their very sense of self requires others to act a certain way and the world to comport itself to their whims. It’s a disaster that isn’t just waiting to happen but that is already well in progress.

There is no way to continue teaching the concept of gender identity to children and spreading it throughout society while encouraging people to develop an internal locus of control at the same time. The two pathways are mutually exclusive. If we want to encourage good health and happy lives, we need to drop the concept of gender identity entirely.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: if your "gender" can be invalidated by others not participating, like gods, it was never real in the first place. You can't claim "an internal sense of self," and then also claim it requires external validation. That's "I have a personal relationship with Jesus" and "I want to pass laws based on what Jesus wants." It's either a private personal matter, or a matter of public interest. You can't have both.

And in both cases, attempting to do both results in authoritarianism.

#Eva Kurilova #gender identity #gender ideology #queer theory #external locus #internal locus #locus of control #no debate #no debate is over #religion is a mental illness

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ancientcraftnoccultism · 10 months

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Beginner Class - Self Awareness 1

Ancient Craft & Occultism

Introduction to Self Awareness

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By KB

Introduction

Welcome back to class everyone! Now that we covered the basics of grounding, centering, and meditation, let's get to another very important part in getting in touch with your personal energy. Can you name the principles and goals that direct your day-to-day actions? Your advantages and disadvantages under diverse conditions? or the potential effects your attitudes and actions may have on those around you? If your response was "Not really," you might want to think about improving your level of self-awareness. According to research, doing so may increase your self-assurance, contentment, and even sense of control over your life, which is also a very important part in energy manipulation.

What Is Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness is the capacity to perceive oneself as the focus of attention or consciousness, according to psychology. The how and why of one's own psychological complexity are continuously being questioned by one's metaphysical consciousness, a kind of silent debate that is propelled by a psychological force that has long been referred to as spirit, the human spirit.

The word "meta" means "beyond" or "after," which introduces the idea of the mind as well as consciousness and the associated thoughts, feelings, and speculations. The powers of spirit, which are acting on the initiative of a soul, no less, are served by all of these examples of an intuitive range of consciousness that is considered to be inspirational. The outwardly oriented rational and sensory brain as well as the internally directed intuitive and spiritual brain have thus been recognized as the two components of human consciousness across time. They form the mental alliance known as the mind when combined.

You are engaging in self-awareness when you take a close look at yourself and are able to identify and connect emotions, fundamental beliefs, thoughts, and traits — including shortcomings and strengths — within yourself. But what self-awareness means will vary from person to person.

An aspect of self-awareness can be feeling self-conscious. You become conscious of yourself when you concentrate on and pinpoint aspects of your inner self, such as your beliefs, values, or purpose. On the other hand, developing self-awareness will lead to greater self-knowledge. Early in life, when you first become aware of your uniqueness and separation from your surroundings, your sense of self begins to take shape. With age, that sense of self tends to include an internal understanding of what makes you "you" — your preferences, ideals, interests, and goals. And even while you might think you know who you are completely, this may not always be the case.

Benefits of Self-Awareness

Finding out what we truly want from this priceless life is possible for each of us when we are self-aware and regularly engage in contemplation and introspection. We are all prone to outside pressure and individual prejudice. Self-awareness makes us more vulnerable than when we have it.

More Empathy & Compassion

One of the main advantages of self-awareness is that it makes us more empathetic toward others. You can create better relationships when you have the ability to empathize more. We all have the urge to be understood and the need to have our feelings supported. When we are offended, we frequently need this the most before we can listen to another viewpoint or a more reasonable explanation.

Improve Listening

There is an increasing shortage of people who can actively listen. The good news is that it leaves a nice impression once you begin to practice active listening. This serves as a fantastic example of the value of self-awareness because it enables you to develop genuine relationships. Better listening abilities are both a sign of self-awareness and a perk.

Critical Thinking Skills

You need to think and reflect honestly on yourself and your behaviors if you want to start becoming more self-aware. To form an unbiased opinion, you must perform a lot of analysis and dissociate yourself from your feelings. Your critical thinking abilities will increase as a result of all these exercises, which you can use in a variety of different contexts.

Better Self Control

Being able to name your feelings while avoiding automatic reaction to them is another aspect of increasing self-awareness. It requires you to develop a sense of distance from them. Being able to reason past your immediate feelings results from this. As a result, you can exercise greater restraint when you're angry and respond as opposed to reacting.

Improve Self Esteem

It comes naturally from the confidence that self-awareness fosters. You become aware of your talents and limitations as well as yourself. You don't undersell yourself, but you also don't oversell yourself. It strikes a wonderful balance. You develop a growth attitude and understand that setbacks are but stepping stones on the road to achievement. This enables you to have a tremendous degree of perseverance and self-confidence. As a result, you also feel better about yourself.

Self Awareness Exercises

Self-awareness exercises and activities are tools that can help you not only achieve your goals but also learn more about who you really are and what you want from life. You will learn more about what is underlying as you continue to "peel the onion." Self-improvement and self-awareness go hand in hand. Understanding your needs, wants, and desires as well as your talents and limitations can be aided by growing in self-awareness. Self-awareness is a crucial success skill as well. These inward mental processes control your behavior and actions. You start discovering those negative thought patterns and bad habits as your self-awareness grows.

Writing Exercises

Journaling

Perhaps one of the most frequently suggested self-awareness exercises is journaling. Writing about our lives enables us to become aware of our triggers, emotions, and priorities. Since we learn the most when we reflect, this is true. You can investigate self-discovery questions to increase self-awareness. Writing your feelings down will help you recognize and control them better. Keeping a journal will not only help you develop your emotional intelligence. It has also been demonstrated to lower stress levels, improve mood, and improve memory. Remember that there are proper and improper ways to journal. Make sure you're not just writing in your journal to complain or dwell on issues. Additionally, it's essential that you journal sparingly. Take a break from your notebook every now and again to give your inquisitive mind a rest.

Write Yourself a Letter

Writing without a particular audience in mind might be challenging for some people. Sadly, most of us don't have many folks who can be our "Dear _." Writing a letter to oneself is a straightforward fix. Whichever version of yourself you wish to address it to is your choice. Do you wish to offer your former self advice? You as a youngster? Maybe it's simpler to compose a letter to your future self. Who do you aspire to be? You don't need to practice self-awareness exercises like this one very frequently. However, if you do it, you might be pleasantly surprised by the knowledge you learn.

Write Your Own Eulogy

Although it may seem morbid, it can actually be very illuminating for you. Internal and exterior self-awareness are the two subcategories of self-awareness. The focus of external self-awareness is how you are perceived by others. You might think about how you want other people to see you by creating your own eulogy. What do you hope people will remember you for? What type of persona do you wish to project? What do you hope to leave behind? You can be as silly as you want when writing. The essential objective is to think about the type of person you want to be recognized as.

Self Awareness Tests

Inner Self - VAK Model

The VAK model, a well-known example of neuro-linguistic programming, proposes that seeing, hearing, and feeling are the internal means by which humans process information. Our processing is also redundant. In other words, when we view an internal image, it triggers sentiments about it as well as either sounds that are associated with it or our own inner commentary. Together, hearing, seeing, and feeling are used.

VAK Model Quiz

Personal Paradigm

A worldview is a personal paradigm. It provides explanations for the origin of life and our purpose for existing. The universe was created by a God. A God does not exist. People are generally good and want to support one another. Humans are animals with a desire to survive. ... and so on.

Personal Paradigm Quiz

Personal Beliefs - Negative & Positive

Personal convictions are viewpoints on what is true (to you). You'll concentrate on your internal views about who you are and what you're capable of in the self-awareness test.

Personal Beliefs Quiz

Life Values

Your personal life values show what is significant to you. When a value successfully influences your decisions, you can be confident that it is significant to you (or congruent). Therefore, if your health matters to you, you will make healthy decisions. If achieving success is vital to you, you will act and behave in ways that promote success.

Life Values Quiz

Inner Conflict

The human condition includes internal struggle. It occurs when your beliefs are at odds with one another. For instance, you might think you can excel in life. At the same time, you might be unsure about your skills. This indicates internal turmoil. You could also hold opposing values. Security may be important to you because it makes you feel secure. You might cherish freedom yet at the same time. These two values could cause competing wants and challenging choices.

Conflict Quiz

Stress & Triggers

There are certain things in the outside world known as triggers that instantly send you into a bad mood. An illustration of this is when someone runs their fingernails across a blackboard. You might grimace at this right away. There is usually a trigger when you find yourself in a negative frame of mind. something that made you react in a certain way. For instance, a specific speech tone or object (such as soiled socks on the floor) may set you off.

Stress & Triggers Quiz

Strengths Test

As important as it is to identify the things that need to be healed and worked on, it's also important to be able to identify your strengths and what you're good at. This helps you focus your energy onto the right things which will ultimately lead to a boost of self confidence.

Strengths Quiz

Daily Habits to Gain Self Awareness

Body Connection

There is a far stronger link between the mind and body than most of us realize. Nevertheless, we frequently forget about our bodies when considering self-awareness activities. Our physical bodies are the foundation of our thoughts, emotions, and vice versa. This dates all the way back to when humans had to have the two in harmony in order to survive. Making it a practice to frequently "body check" yourself will help you become more self-aware. (And no, I'm not talking about a physical examination like you get in your doctor's office). You only need to pause for a moment to notice how your body is feeling. You'll be able to recognize what you require to be happy the sooner you learn to listen to your physique.

Daily Reflection

We occasionally associate reflection with large-scale, complicated activity. The modest habit of introspection is quite simple to include into your daily routine. Attaching a new habit to an existing one is the most effective strategy for doing so. Think about your everyday activities and the best places to pause and contemplate. Maybe it happens as you're making your way home from work, enjoying dinner with your significant other, or brushing your teeth before bed. Utilize this constant to monitor your feelings and consider the day. What succeeded? Exactly what went wrong? What part did your behavior play in it? What feelings did you have today? Setting up a schedule for a daily check-in can enable you to identify patterns that you would not have otherwise. Additionally, it will help you develop the habit of daily recognizing and labeling your feelings.

Three Why's

Self-awareness exercises sometimes appear time-consuming and difficult, but they don't have to be. Asking the "three whys" is a practice you can adopt into your daily life. Ask yourself "Why?" three times if you are debating a choice or feeling a certain way. At first, the questions could appear annoyingly repetitive. But if you persevere, you'll be astonished by the truth you uncover. We much too frequently only have a surface-level self-awareness. Let's assume, for illustration, that I choose to go for a run after work. I wish to run for what reason? because I'm anxious. Yes, but why do I feel anxious? I have a lot to do at work. Why do I work so hard at my job? Because of the impending deadlines and my perception that my coworkers aren't supporting me in my efforts. That's it. I can now move on to the deeper realities of the situation and begin making measures to help improve my situation. Don't ignore the advantages the "three whys" can provide for you.

Ask What?

It can seem incongruous to suggest asking "what" inquiries immediately after being instructed to ask the "three whys." But there is a time and place for each, and knowing the difference is crucial. We frequently adopt a blaming attitude, especially when we're feeling down. We become overcome by our emotions and go from a problem-solving to a "woe is me" frame of mind. We ponder issues such as "Why is this happening to me?" While entertaining in late-night philosophical discussions at the bar, these "why" inquiries don't prepare you for self-awareness in your own life. You can come closer to the realities you're seeking about your own life by asking "what" questions. Rather than, "Why am I unhappy?" You can inquire, "What is the root of my unhappiness?" You've suddenly expanded your window of opportunity for finding conclusive solutions. Try to be conscious of the language you use and the perspective you're telling stories from as you go about your day.

#elder witch #baby witch #witchblr #beginner witch #witchcraft #dark witchcraft #astrology #tarot #aesthetic #divination

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the-bibrarian · 7 months

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“From the earliest days of the unprecedented hostilities in the Gaza Strip, UNICEF has been forthright on the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the aid to flow and for children abducted to be released. Like many others, we have pleaded for the killing of children to stop.

“Our gravest fears about the reported numbers of children killed becoming dozens, then hundreds, and ultimately thousands were realized in just a fortnight. The numbers are appalling; reportedly more than 3,450 children killed; staggeringly this rises significantly every day.

“Gaza has become a graveyard for thousands of children. It’s a living hell for everyone else.

“And yet the threats to children go beyond bombs and mortars. I want to speak briefly on water and trauma.

“The more than one million children of Gaza also have a water crisis. Gaza’s water production capacity is a mere 5 per cent of its usual daily output. Child deaths – particularly infants - to dehydration are a growing threat.

“This is what one of my UNICEF colleagues, Nesma, who lives and works in Gaza said. She has two children, 4yr old Talia, and 7yr old Zain: It breaks my heart to see children around me strive for a cup of clean water and cannot find it. Zain keeps asking for regular water.

“She means safe drinking water, not salty water which is the only option right now and is making 7yr old Zain and many other children sick.

“And then there is the trauma. When the fighting stops, the cost to children and their communities will be borne out for generations to come. Before this latest escalation, more than 800,000 children in Gaza – three quarters of its entire child population – were identified as needing mental health and psychosocial support. That’s before this latest nightmare.

“The same UNICEF colleague, Nesma, who spoke of her 7yr old desperately asking for clean water, explained the trauma her 4yr old is going through. Four year old Talia is showing severe symptoms of stress and fear, and is now self-harming, such as ripping her hair off and scratching her thighs until they bleed. And yet as her mother explains: I don’t have the luxury to think about my children’s mental health. I keep telling myself, ‘Nesma, keep them alive.�� And when all of this ends, I will provide them with mental support and medical care.

“And so we say again, on behalf of Talia and Zain, and the other 1.1m children in Gaza living through a nightmare: We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. And all access crossings into Gaza must be opened for the safe, sustained and unimpeded access of humanitarian aid, including water, food, medical supplies, and fuel.

“And if there is no ceasefire, no water, no medicine, and no release of abducted children? Then we hurtle towards even greater horrors afflicting innocent children.”

— UNICEF Spokesperson James Elder, 10/31/2023

#ceasefire now #gaza #free gaza #unicef

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mxactivist · 2 years

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Some statistics on Mx in the UK

I recently submitted a Freedom of Information request to HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, they handle taxes in the UK) to find out how many people use various titles.

I had two goals:

To find out a minimum number for how many people in the UK are using the title Mx;

To find out how the number of people using Mx compares to the number of people using other titles.

HMRC provided data from the two largest sets of data they had: self-assessed tax returns, and PAYE (pay as you earn) tax. (Note that these two sets of data don’t contain everyone in the UK, and a small proportion of people are probably in both sets. HMRC also told me that the “other” category contains typos.)

Here’s their response:

Tumblr doesn’t let me add alt text but you can see the full table here on Google Sheets.

The blue rows highlight titles that are represented by a greater percentage of people than in the other dataset. So, for example, the title Mr is represented by more people in the self-assessed dataset (60%) than in the PAYE dataset (47%). (This visually helps more when you view the tables side-by-side instead of one and then the other underneath, which is another Tumblr issue.) I did this to see at-a-glance patterns between gender, marital status, and qualifications relating to tax type. Dr, Mr and Mrs are all larger proportions in the self-assessed group compared to PAYE, and I think that may relate not to qualifications or marital status or relative privilege, but to age - as people age they become more likely to have acquired doctorates and spouses, and they also become less likely to pay tax through PAYE.

There were much higher proportions of people claiming the titles Miss, Ms and Mx in the PAYE group.

It seems that there are at least 7,000 people in the UK using the title Mx in a “legal” (tax-related) capacity. In the grand scheme of things this is a very small percentage, but if I imagine a group of 7,000 nonbinary and otherwise genderly interesting people I find it quite heartening! Hello, everyone. :)

(I feel that I should mention at this point that this data is NOT representative of the proportion or number of nonbinary people in the UK.)

I’m sure that as Mx becomes more well-known these numbers will increase. I may request this information from HMRC again at several future dates to see if any rough trends can be identified.

If you’re out there and you’re in the UK and paying tax and your title is Mx and you didn’t know that you can register your title as Mx with HMRC, I hope this serves to inform you that it’s possible.

Edit to add responses:

gnotknormal said:

This is cool. I'd be interested if you could find the info from the DVLA as I'm Mx on my driving licence. Mainly because I requested it myself, when it came to my last employed job my employer didn't even ask me. I said I was a man and they put "Mr" by default, so I feel like there would be more representation in things like driving licence. Just a theory though.

I did consider the DVLA, so yes, I’ll put that on my to-do list!

notacirrhosismachineanymore said:

I think the PAYE data is severely skewed by employers. I'm non binary, AFAB, and my tax is done by a HR department I have neversspoken to, who saw my name and assumed Mr. My preferred is no title, and I definitely never put one on any form. I expect there are a lot of genderqueer people in that situation, or something similar. If your employers HR system only allows an M or F, you would have to shout very loudly at people you don't work with, to get that info updated.

Really good points. I definitely think there are more than 7,000 people who use Mx, and I’d very much encourage people to make sure their title is logged correctly with employers and HMRC.

Edit again: I have now made FOI requests to the DVLA and the DWP. Click the links to view my requests on What Do They Know.

#successes #Mx #titles #nonbinary #UK #HMRC #FOI

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haugspori · 8 months

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Opening Your Full Possible: The Power of Personal Development

In today's hectic world, personal advancement has actually come to be greater than just a buzzword; it has ended up being a requirement for individuals looking to grow in both their individual and also specialist lives. Individual growth is all regarding purchasing on your own and also constantly working in the direction of coming to be the ideal version of on your own. It involves establishing goals, getting new abilities, and growing a growth attitude. By accepting individual growth, you unlock to endless possibilities and also opportunities for self-improvement.

Paragraph 2: Personal development is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is a trip unique per individual, tailored to their toughness, weak points, and goals. Whether it's improving your communication skills, boosting time management, or building confidence, personal growth permits you to identify locations for development and also take positive steps to attain your goals. It equips you to damage free from limiting beliefs, conquer barriers, and also create the attitude required to deal with challenges head-on. The procedure of individual growth not only enhances your skills as well as expertise but likewise increases your self-awareness, self-worth, as well as general health. So, if you prepare to start a transformative journey towards self-improvement, personal advancement is the trick that unlocks your complete capacity.

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muslimpsychologist · 9 months

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Emotional Resilience: Navigating Life's Challenges with Composure

Life often presents us with situations that put our emotional resilience to the test. Whether it's a high-stress work environment, a personal crisis, or the everyday ups and downs, our ability to manage our emotions can significantly impact how we handle these challenges.

1. The Power of Self-Awareness: The initial step in mastering your emotions is self-awareness. Take a moment to recognise and acknowledge what you're feeling. Are you experiencing anxiety, anger, or feeling overwhelmed? Identifying your emotions gives you greater control over them.

2. Pause and Reflect: When confronted with a challenging situation, resist the urge to react impulsively. Instead, pause and take a moment to reflect on the situation. Ask yourself, "What is the best way to respond here?" This brief pause can prevent impulsive reactions that you might later regret.

3. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can be invaluable in maintaining composure. These practices help you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the influence of past regrets or future worries on your emotional state.

4. Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional when you're facing difficulties. Sharing your feelings with a trusted person can provide a fresh perspective and emotional support.

5. Learn from Challenges: Each challenging situation is an opportunity for personal growth. Rather than viewing challenges as obstacles, consider them as lessons. What can you learn from this experience? How can it contribute to your resilience?

6. Set Boundaries: It's essential to establish healthy boundaries in your life. This means being willing to say "no" when necessary and prioritising self-care. Overcommitment can lead to emotional exhaustion.

7. Embrace Positive Coping Mechanisms: Engage in activities that help you relax and unwind, whether it's reading, exercise, or spending time in nature. Positive coping mechanisms can assist you in releasing pent-up emotions and maintaining emotional equilibrium.

8. Cultivate Resilience: Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from adversity. It's a skill that can be developed over time. Remember that setbacks are a natural part of life, and your ability to overcome them strengthens with practice.

Remember that emotional resilience is a journey, and it's okay to seek professional help or support from loved ones when needed.

#clinical psychology #mental health #islam #psychology

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kanwalreet · 1 year

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In order to work toward becoming the best version of oneself, it can be useful to identify areas that need improvement. There are many different areas in which people can concentrate on personal development. Here are five aspects of personal development to think about:

Physical Development: Maintaining one's physical health, especially through exercise, proper diet, rest, and general well-being, is a part of personal development. A person's energy levels can be increased, their risk of disease can be decreased, and they can feel more capable and self-assured by putting their physical well-being first.

Mental Development: Focusing on the well-being and expansion of the mind include engaging in mental exercises like problem-solving, learning new things, and practising mindfulness and meditation. People can increase their capacity to concentrate, think critically, and cope with stress by taking care of their mental health.

Emotional Growth: Emotional growth entails gaining interpersonal awareness and communication abilities, as well as managing one's emotions. This can entail developing empathy skills, learning healthy emotional expression and processing techniques, and creating coping mechanisms for challenging emotions. By developing their emotional intelligence, people can build stronger, more rewarding relationships and be more resilient while facing adversities in life.

Spiritual growth and development: A person's sense of purpose, ideals, and connection to something greater than oneself are all examples of what is meant by the term "spiritual development." This can entail engaging in religious or spiritual communities, participating in practises like meditation and prayer, and engaging introspectively and in self-discovery. People might discover more purpose and fulfilment in life by putting a larger emphasis on their spiritual development.

Professional development is the process of enhancing one's abilities in order to pursue new opportunities or improve in one's current job. This can entail enrolling in classes, taking part in training sessions, networking, and looking for fresh challenges within the office. By making an investment in their professional growth, people can improve their job happiness and progression prospects, as well as their confidence and skill in their industry.

In conclusion, personal development is a lifelong process that entails improving many facets of oneself in order to become the best version of oneself. Individuals can enhance their overall wellbeing, interpersonal connections, and job prospects by concentrating on their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and professional growth.

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flourishwithfreda · 10 months

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🌈 Shifting Your Perspective: Embracing a New Outlook on Life 🌟💫

Our perspective shapes how we perceive and experience the world around us. Sometimes, shifting our perspective can open up new possibilities, enhance our understanding, and bring about positive change. Here are some ways to shift your perspective and embrace a new outlook on life:

🔍 Challenge Your Assumptions: Question your long-held beliefs and assumptions about yourself, others, and the world. Be open to different perspectives and seek to understand diverse viewpoints. Recognize that your perspective is not the only valid one and be willing to learn and grow.

🌱 Embrace Growth Mindset: Adopt a growth mindset, which is the belief that you can develop and improve your abilities through dedication and hard work. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, view failures as learning experiences, and believe in your capacity to evolve and achieve your goals.

🌟 Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a mindset of gratitude by focusing on the positive aspects of your life. Take time each day to appreciate the blessings, big and small. This shift in perspective can help you develop a more optimistic and grateful outlook.

🌿 Seek Different Experiences: Step out of your comfort zone and seek new experiences that expose you to different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. Travel, read diverse literature, engage in meaningful conversations, and actively seek out opportunities to broaden your horizons.

💡 Reframe Challenges as Opportunities: Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, reframe them as opportunities for growth and learning. Shift your perspective to see the lessons, strengths, and resilience that can emerge from difficult situations. Embrace challenges as catalysts for personal development.

🌞 Focus on the Present Moment: Practice mindfulness and bring your attention to the present moment. By focusing on the here and now, you can cultivate a greater sense of clarity, peace, and acceptance. Let go of worries about the past or future and fully engage with the richness of the present moment.

💫 Cultivate Empathy: Put yourself in others' shoes and strive to understand their perspectives and experiences. Empathy allows you to develop a more compassionate and inclusive outlook, fostering better relationships and a deeper understanding of the world.

🌈 Find the Silver Lining: Train yourself to see the positive aspects in challenging situations. Look for the silver lining, the lessons learned, and the opportunities for growth and resilience. Shifting your perspective to focus on the positives can bring greater joy and optimism into your life.

�� Practice Self-Reflection: Set aside time for self-reflection to gain insights into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This introspective practice can help you identify any limiting beliefs or patterns that may be holding you back and empower you to make positive changes.

💖 Cultivating a shifted perspective takes time and practice. By being open-minded, embracing growth, and adopting a positive outlook, you can transform your perspective and experience life in a more expansive and fulfilling way. Embrace the power of shifting your perspective and watch as new opportunities and possibilities unfold before you. 🌈💫

#ShiftingPerspective #GrowthMindset #Gratitude #Mindfulness #Empathy #PositiveOutlook #SelfReflection #Opportunities #FlourishWithFreda

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argumate · 2 years

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Russian occupation officials may be accelerating their preparations for illegitimate pseudo-referenda on the Russian annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian Mayor of Melitopol, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ivan Fedorov, reported on August 7 that resistance among Ukrainian residents has forced Russian authorities to “constantly” change their plans for a referendum. Fedorov claimed that occupation authorities had planned a single day of voting but are now considering seven days of “voting from home” in which armed Russian military personnel will go house to house and “interview” Melitopol residents. Fedorov claimed that only about 10% of the civilians remaining in Melitopol support Russia’s occupation and warned that Russian soldiers will threaten to shoot residents who do not vote for annexation. Ukrainian Kherson Administration Advisor Sergey Khlan noted that occupation authorities have not fully set conditions for a referendum as of August 7 but are accelerating their preparation after a three-week pause in preparations, which Khlan attributed to Ukrainian HIMARS attacks on Russian occupation logistics. Occupation authorities could also alter the timeline of their sham referenda in response to changing realities on the ground, including a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Khlan reported that the preliminary referendum date remains September 11.

By removing in-person voting options and transitioning to house-to-house surveys, Russian occupation authorities are increasing their opportunities to directly intimidate Ukrainian civilians. This effort is unnecessary to rig the vote to the outcome the Kremlin desires but does make any independent oversight of the vote nearly impossible. Occupation authorities may also turn these “surveys” into intelligence gathering operations to weed out Ukrainian opposition in occupied areas. Removing in-person polling stations removes many requirements for bureaucrats to staff those locations. Russian forces have struggled to recruit people into these positions from occupied populations. In-home voting also limits opportunities for partisan attacks on those locations.

The Kremlin may order different types of voting in different occupied locations depending on perceived local support, perceived risk of partisan attacks, and bureaucratic capacity. For example, the Ukrainian head of the Luhansk Oblast Civil-Military Administration, Serhiy Haidai, reported on August 7 that Russian occupation authorities in Luhansk Oblast have identified venues to host their sham annexation referendum in person. Haidai reported that Russian occupation authorities are actively campaigning for annexation by distributing propagandist newspapers and tying the provision of humanitarian aid including food, water, and construction materials to participate in the pseudo-referendum. Haidai said that the practice amounts to blackmail: “we [the Russians] will help you [Ukrainian civilians] meet your basic needs, while you go to the ‘referendum.’ Otherwise, die, and we will fabricate the result without you.” Russia has occupied parts of Luhansk Oblast since 2014 and likely has greater capacity to mobilize collaborators to administer polling stations than in newly occupied areas. ISW reported on August 3 that occupation authorities in Donetsk Oblast may allow in-person and online participation, providing multiple levers for Russian officials to alter the results.

the other difficulty with self-determination is coming up with a measurement of majority opinion that anyone is willing to accept

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ofthemoonandsea · 1 year

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Why Personal Development is necessary for Your Success?Personal growth,

also called self-improvement, is the process of boosting one's abilities, knowledge, as well as capabilities to reach their complete capacity. It involves identifying your strengths as well as weak points as well as taking actions to boost them. Personal growth is crucial for achieving success in all facets of life, including job, relationships, health and wellness, and total well-being. Among the major benefits of personal development is that it aids you to become

a much more positive and also independent individual. By determining your staminas and also weaknesses, you can focus on developing your staminas and improving your weaknesses. This, in turn, aids you to build positive self-image and self-worth, which are critical for success in any area of your life. Individual growth likewise assists you to establish and accomplish goals, which can give you a sense of objective as well as direction in life. By working towards your objectives, you can remain motivated and also concentrated, which can bring about greater success as well as fulfillment.In verdict, individual advancement is an essential element of attaining success in all areas of

life. It assists you to come to be a more positive, independent, and determined individual, which can result in better success and fulfillment. So, spend some time to determine your strengths and also weaknesses and also established objectives for on your own. Purchase your personal advancement, and you will certainly gain the benefits for years ahead.