#i have worked for esteemed science journalism outlets

[dreadfutures]

So I saw this on my dash and I had to dig a few articles deep to actually get an explanation of what’s going on.** Solar energy generation, storage, and conversion is something I’ve been studying since about 2015 as a researcher, so I’m always really curious what’s actually new about these articles.

Since even before my time, our field has been pretty adamant that the most important problem we face to a green energy future is how do we store our green energy. We can make tons of it! In fact, TOO MUCH for us to use. We just have no way of storing and delivering it once we’ve made it. People have been working on batteries (solid-state, redox flow...), chemical energy storage (use sunlight to make a chemical reaction that produces a fuel like hydrogen gas, petroleum, methane...), and many other ways to store solar energy for decades and decades.

Besides the fact this is just like, what I do for a job and enjoy thinking about it, figuring out what actual tech is being lauded as Good News was important to me. I (and you) need to know whether this is revolutionary phenomenal more hope for the future kind of good news, or if it was oh hey, this thing we’ve been working on for 20-30 years is finally reaching an almost-market-ready stage (and TLDR: it’s the latter).

So what makes this one newsworthy?

The device developed at Chalmers* is a form of chemical energy storage. Instead of making a fuel to use and burn, the chemical they shine light on purely stores energy, and releases energy. They have recently managed to package it into a neat little chip that takes sunlight, stores it, and then on-demand returns it as electricity that we can use.

-:-

The chemical they’ve used on this chip can exist in two differently shaped forms. And it can change between those forms with a little bit of energy. The researchers determined that the energy requirements for that transformation is small enough that sunlight can perform it.

So they shine light on one form of the molecule and it turns into the other; it takes the solar energy and “stores” it by resting in that new shape. It’s happy to sit there until they tell it to go back.

When it goes back, it “returns” the initial energy by giving away heat.

They’ve been able to turn heat into electricity somewhat efficiently.

The limitations of this kind of device are:

How much energy you can store is dependent on how many molecules you have on your chip (or in your tub, if you’re doing it in liquid form).

How efficiently you can turn that heat into electricity is a developing technology and they have room to go.

This specific set up requires an *additional chemical*, a catalyst (unsung heroes in most of the press) to help turn the transformed molecule BACK into its original form, the important step to deliver energy back to us! Cobalt(II) phthalocyanine is a known catalyst for these kinds of things and has its own drawbacks.

Doing this in liquid form currently requires organic solvents (in everything in life, we want to use water instead of organic solvents, if possible).

What % of the sun’s light is actually DOING this transformation limits how many of your molecules are actually going to change their shape.While yes, these chemicals do perform this transformation under solar light, specifically they require UV-light. There’s not *actually* a lot of UV light *in* sunlight; ideally, you’d want something that works in visible light (about 40% of sunlight is visible; about 5% is UV). (This is also a major limitation of many other solar technologies.)

Why am I explaining all of this?

I think it’s important for non scientists, particularly those who care about the climate crisis, to have this context. This technology is not a one-off moonshot; this technology is not our best hope; this technology is not the Answer to all our problems; this technology is not unique. The concept itself is also not new. It is not even “in its early stages” as far as research goes. This is a fairly well-developed device and system they are publicizing. It IS in its early stages of implementation.

This is the pace of science. And that should actually give you hope.

It means that for every one individual piece of news you hear like this, there are hundreds of different technologies also being developed, also being worked on, also close to implementation, too. People have been working on these problems, caring about these problems, UNDERSTANDING these problems, for decades even before the public ever caught up. There is progress being made and hope to be had, and nihilism about the climate, about whether The Big Feds and Corporations Are Paying Attention, is both inaccurate and counterproductive.

It IS exciting that this one is working to the degree it is. It IS going to be a useful tool in adapting to our energy needs and making a green future possible. And to me, as someone who’s been watching this field, it’s really exciting and satisfying to know that hey, all this hard work we’ve done uncovering the different pieces of this puzzle..? we’re starting to actually PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER in a functioning way now.

Sometimes even as a scientist, even as someone who understands the pace of research, it can be hard to feel like there’s ever going to be the point where things start working. We’ve been pursuing photoisomerization as energy storage for ages and ages, but it’s never been efficient enough, or we’ve never had a way to release the energy once it’s been stored, or all these other problems. But we’re finally at a point where grit, determination, persistence, and hope, have gotten us through the worst of those issues and gotten some solid footing. And that’s really exciting

-:-:-

*(woo, Gothenberg, they are a hub of green energy development and a bunch of my friends work there. some of them have even worked on related projects as visiting researchers over the years)

**You know what’s really personally annoying about this blurb on tumblr and the euronews article itself??? I had no clue from either of them that I HAVE ACTUALLY REPORTED ON THIS, PROFESSIONALLY. They didn’t link back to a Chalmers press release, or to the researcher’s group websites, or to the papers, in an obvious or accessible way. One of the scripts I worked on last month was literally about this paper and I had to help one of our writers explain what photoisomerization is and thermal electricity generation. It took way too much digging to realize that.

I should have been able to understand from reading this blurb and especially from reading the press release what this actual development WAS.

Good popular-science / general public articles should convey to both non scientists and scientists what the actual technology/research finding is, from the get-go. Anyway, that’s a pet peeve of mine with science communication and with these “hopey fluffy happy science” blogfeeds. You can do better, without descending into the nitty gritty like I did in this longform tumblr post. (And we did, for our show.)

#full shade #the press release that was linked on my dash sucks #basic scicomm principles cmonnnn #climate change #green energy #personal #long post #i am a phd chemist researching photocatalysts #i have worked for esteemed science journalism outlets #i have a chemical engineering and materials science and nanotechnology background #there are my creds lol

[astroismypassion]

hi! i just saw you were having difficulties with your messages, so i am totally okay with going through the ask box! I was born on May 14, 1997 at 6:36pm (18:36) in Pascagoula, Mississippi, USA. Thank you, again, for your time!! :)

Thank you for answering me! <3

Hi!

Thank you for buying me this delicious hot beverage. I drank black coffee with rice milk while writing your interpretation. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did writing! And I was listening to Michael Kiwanuka - One More Night while writing. ;)

Your dominant planets are: 1. Venus, 2. Sun and 3. Moon. Your dominant signs are: 1. Aquarius, 2. Taurus and 3. Gemini. Your main mode is Fixed. You are Air dominant.

FAMILY, SIBLINGS, EARLY LIFE

If you have any siblings, they are Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. You might have not liked the traditional schooling system, because you found it too rigid. You have Aquarius IC. You had an unconventional upbringing. You have Aquarius and Pisces in the 4th house. This means someone in your family might have had an escapistic problem (drug/alcohol issue, emotional problem, depression or even overslept). A parental figure might have had a religious upbringing, background. There were many superstitions in your family growing up. Or you believed some untraditional, “strange” things. You might have had an escape in your life, be it music or just your room or somewhere where you felt safe and comfortable. You liked to play in your own world. You daydreamt often. You might have escaped into art, fashion, creating your own fantasy or reality. You also have Jupiter in the 4th house. You might have moved around often or changed residence, even school. You might have many siblings or you have an extended family. You could have relatives or other family members living abroad or they have different religious, cultural backgrounds or even different social status. You have Sun square Moon. Your parents might have not agreed on your parenting style. They were not in sync. They might have been two very different figures. Your mother and your father had very different personality traits and character. You have Mercury square Neptune. You might often have deja vu moments. Or you find it hard to really remember whether a thing happened or that it has never happened. You might lose focus easily and just wonder away in your thoughts. You might have been really good in literature, languages or certain abstract topics and drawing, creative writing. But maybe not so much in sciences, such as math. You might have found it harder to comprehend it. You have Mercury square Uranus. This indicates an astrologer’s mind. You might be really good at astrology! You have unique ideas and visionary thoughts. Some might think you are not being serious. You can have a foot in the mouth syndrome and say something too quickly, before really thinking it through. You might often surprise people. You have Taurus Sun in the 7th house. Your father seemed to have had a passive role in your upbringing. He might have not performed all his parental duties. He was probably a bit lazy as well, but people liked him. He is quite stubborn and opinionated. He is proud of his relationships with others, be it business, platonic or romantic. You have Leo Moon in the 10th house. Your mother is well respected and maybe even well known. Or she works in administration, politics or public sector. She might have been the main breadwinner in your family. She is proud, generous, ambitious, hard working, strong, reliable, responsible and caring.

PARTNERSHIPS AND FRIENDSHIPS

You have Aries, Capricorn, Pisces, Libra, Virgo or Scorpio friends. In your romantic relationships you attract Capricorn, Aries, Pisces, Taurus, Leo, Gemini and Cancer, even Libra is possible. You have Virgo mars in the 11th house. This shows how you approach your crush, how you act and how you take action. You like hard working people, who are social and have loyal friend groups. You might like platonic friendships more than romantic partnerships. You like cleanliness, organization and order. You might often clean yourself, your room, environment or somehow constantly beautify it. Self care means a lot to you. Either way you value mental connections over anything. You need compatibility in the mind. You need to be attracted to someone intellectual first. But you also notice their physical appearance, in terms whether they are healthy, clean and nice, elegantly put together. You have Gemini Venus in the 7th house. You are quite a flirt. You like flirting, word play and a bit of mind games. You like people that grow with you. You might like the idea of a date, where you learn something together or learn a skill together. Or perhaps taking a cooking class together. You like puzzles, quizzes and questionnaires. You like to “sample” many people. You have a fear of commitment and settling down. You desire it, but fear it at the same time. You have Venus trine Uranus. You might be attracted to odd, unique, quirky people that stand out. You have Venus trine Neptune. This means you idealize others or put them on the pedestal often. Others might do that to you as well. You might put people under pressure “to perform” to your ideal love fairytale. You have Venus opposite Pluto. Beware of this placement! You might attract quite a few obsessive people. Or people seem to stalk you even years after you’ve broken up. You might be quite possessive of your friends and loved one. You can be even a bit jealous or envious over them.

CAREER, PROFESSIONAL LIFE, PUBLIC IMAGE

You have Virgo North Node in the 11th house. This might indicate that you may lead a bit of a “loner” life. But you need it, since you get easily overwhelmed and need plenty of alone time to recharge. In this lifetime you are asked to organise, establish a routine, live more in the present moment and be of service to others. You might have to learn how to help your friends, community, society in general. You’ll learn humility as well. You will need to take care of your health, yourself in your day-to-day life and how to have a daily routine. But you’ll probably find this easier after 30. You might benefit greatly from owning a pet. You could be an excellent advisor, counsellor or consultant. You might have a knack for social media, marketing, publishing and communication fields. Even journalism, publishing, news anchoring, writing. You could work in non government fields. Or you could be an activist for a cause at least at some point in your life. You might like to own the newest gadgets and modern electronics in your home as well. But also spiritual items, even tarot cards and all the items from your travels. You have Taurus Mercury in the 6th house. You like to stimulate your mind daily. You might often think about your health, pets, if you have any, food and drink, material possessions and items, your friends, even your daily routine, how to organize yourself better. You could think about your daily tasks, your day-to-day life, duties, responsibilities. You are extremely detail oriented and you have a keen eye! You observe EVERYTHING. Facial expressions, gestures, small birthmarks. You notice how someone is dressed, how they speak and present themselves.

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS

You have Libra Chiron in the 12th house. There is a certain wound or a past hurt in regards to your one on one relationships, be it platonic, romantic or business. You might have been hurt, disappointed or rejected in the past. You didn’t have an example of a healthy relationship, so you might sometimes think relationships all together aren’t for you. You might have experienced your parents' separation or divorce or their relationships have affected your views on them. You might make a mistake aggression for love at times. Or passion and lust for love. You have Gemini Juno in the 8th house. This indicates your ideal partner, your ideal soulmate. It can be a friend or a lover. They would have to be versatile, always keeping you on your toes, changing and able to keep up with your transformations as well. But also loyal, secure and that you share a deep bonded trust with them. You have Pisces Ceres in the 4th house. This presents how you wish to be nurtured and how you often nurtured others. You give your unconditional love and support and be like a family to others. You provide a safe space for them. You may need artistic escape or an artistic outlet for your emotions and that you can cope with reality so you like to daydream and pursue artistic endeavours. It’s crucial for your mental and emotional wellness. You have Virgo Lilith in the 10th house. You are very helpful, but you expect the help in return when you need it. You might be quite possessive of people’s belongings and what they have. You are quite persuasive and can easily get what you desire. You can show more of the “negative” Virgo traits in the area of the 10th house, such as being over critical, nagging and complaining.You have Aquarius Part of Fortune in the 4th house. This is where you find natural luck and good fortune. You might find it when you make peace with your unconventional upbringing, family background and history. When you learn how to detach from your family members and still have friendly relationships with them.

CHART RULER

You have Pluto as your chart ruler. The chart ruler of the 1st house is in the 1st house. This means you’re in charge of your own destiny in this lifetime. You might be very self reliant. And you’ll have plenty of personal experiences to back you up when you’re sharing your knowledge with others. You could just use you as an example. Your personality, ego, characters, traist, self esteem, self worth might develop through your personal experiences, interactions with others. Here’s an additional video on this topic by an excellent fellow astrologer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HnMdFJeXR0

HOUSE RULERS

The ruler of the 1st house is in the 1st house. You express yourself through the way you look. You express yourself through clothing and makeup. The image you project affects your ability to navigate through life. The ruler of the 2nd house is in the 4th house. You impose your personal values on your family members. Personal money goes to family. You are possessive of family members. Your values manifest in family life. You are concerned with the financial security of your family. The ruler of the 3rd house is in the 5th house. Daily conversation revolves around children, hobbies, creativity, theater or the arts. Your communication style is creative and entertaining. Experiences of early education affect your ability to be creative. You have a child-like and playful communication style. The ruler of the 4th house is in the 3rd house. Home is a place to have lively conversations. Cultural upbringing has a strong bearing on your thoughts. Feeling included or rejected by your family influences your day to day interactions.  Home is a place where people come and go. You bring your private inner self with you when you write, keep a journal or blog. The ruler of the 5th house is in the 3rd house. You communicate in a playful and lighthearted way. Romance and fun express themselves through a love of reading and writing. Fun is found through gossiping. Relaxation comes through conversation and writing. The ruler of the 6th house is in the 11th house. You specialize in working with large groups of people. Your working environment is social. You work with friends on a daily basis. The ruler of the 7th house is in the 7th house. The partner needs to be willing negotiate and cooperate with you. Marriage partners are business partners, business partners are marriage partners. You want to be with someone who is cooperative. You want a partner who is a good negotiator. The ruler of the 8th house is in the 6th house. You have obsessive or intense everyday habits. You use your capacity for research and investigation in health and fitness fields. Work is emotionally turbulent. You have complex emotions surrounding health and diet. The ruler of the 9th house is in the 10th house. You expand your horizons through your choice of vocation. Traveling helps you become more widely known. You find meaning through your choice of vocation. You travel because it makes you seem important. Journalism builds your reputation. Your education level builds your reputation. You apply your wisdom to gaining status and social standing. You receive awards and recognition for your academic achievements. The ruler of the 10th house is in the 7th house. Partners should have the same ambitions and goals in mind. You gain recognition and social status through your partner. Ideally the partners should have equal status and equal standing. Partners should have balanced careers. The ruler of the 11th house is in the 6th house. You meet like-minded people through your interest in diet and exercise. The groups you join involve a certain amount of specialization. You bring your interest in social causes to your work environment. You want to reform attitudes to diet, health and exercise. You like working with friends. You have long term goals and wishes relating to diet and exercise. The ruler of the 12th house is in the 7th house. Your partner desires to escape from reality as much as you do. You lose your boundaries when it comes to significant relationships. Your grief and sorrow affect your relationships. The desire to escape reality affects your ability to maintain a serious relationship.

#astrology #chart reading #natal chart #birth chart #chart interpretation #astroismypassion

[clairehazelb]

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR OF THE TENTH CUBE

And by Editor I mean, Claire Hazel,

(whom you may know as C.M. Hazel)

Writing my first historical fiction novel was a task of love, but a great endeavor nonetheless.

When we do things we love. we love the things we do. The Tenth Cube was, in essence, my love for romance and history poured onto pages of combined plotlines and historical facts. Coupled with science and a good dose of ritz, it blossomed like a garden flower into the novel it became. I felt, finally, like a writer the moment I wrote “The End.”

Writers, like professionals of other art forms, just are. Mostly, it occurred to me long ago,  we can become it, like the second you write the last sentence of that novel, or publish your book, like there is a glorified ending to calling yourself a member of the elite group of artists who pine at the sight of a lonely blank page.

Or so I felt. 

I read years ago -and my apologies to the person who wrote it for I sincerely do not recall the author- that ‘the moment you call yourself what you esteem yourself to be, is the moment you become it’. Therefore, if you want to be a writer, you call yourself a writer and let others deliberate on whether you are apt to be or not.

I practiced my skill of saying I was a writer in front of a mirror or while waiting for traffic to move in the lane ahead of mine. I yelled it out the window for good measure. “Move the fuck out of the way. I am a writer and can write this into my book!”

The moment somebody asked me and I said it out loud, I embodied it with pride, like the day I stepped with character shoes onto a stage felt for the actress in me. It burgeoned out of me like it was supposed to forever, waiting to be discovered. I beamed with the wine-laced fever of the evening.

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  It was a pivotal moment in my history, redefining where I ended up with my work. I went on a search for myself and found my writing voice. The days were growing longer with the dawn of my ideas and entries, so I had to make use of what I was inspired to do.

Despite my assertion, that I was a writer and not a poser, fear of criticism stalled me. I faced it like stage fright, but it was a sinister face at the end of my journal telling me it was not good enough. Nothing could come out of my penned notes and rhythmic pentameters.

I read about imposter syndrome around the time, looking for ways to face my fears. As it turns out, it can apply to anyone in any career, but it is a disorder that affects writers especially so, the idea that you aren’t good enough is prevalent amongst the inked-fingered-wordsmiths in my profession.

When I finished the Tenth Cube, everything changed.  While editing, I thought about a piece I had never published which explored the elements of fear. From that entry into my journal, came the text I eventually entered into my novel. I felt it appropriate for my second published book and first historical fiction novel. Aspiring writers are usually the best readers and learn best while to reading other writers’ works, taking what they can to heart. Here is part of the text in my book.

  A WRITING INDULGENCE

When I first started writing The Cube (as I lovingly call this novel), I typed without direction and wrote about many topics. I posted most of it on an old website, I would not even dare call a blog at this point. I eventually learned to hold hands with my muse in a better way and supplied my artistic knowledge with my other artistic experience. But, it inevitably always led me toward the same reason for not embarking onto a manuscript fully. Fear.

  My head swam with thoughts and reasons why I would fail miserably at my task. I just knew.

I know everything in stories has already been said and done.

I know I’m not alone when it comes to storytelling and interesting facts about life and circumstance. I know the very principle of storytelling relies on the fact that the narrative is good and characters are interesting. And, then again, I don’t know anything at all.

I personally see the story better in my head than how it reflects on writing.

  Despite knowing and fear, stories ultimately lead you where you need to go. And for sake of argument,

Yes, I believe it’s possible to be a good storyteller, despite everything having been done already.

Rarely am I ever afraid, even rarest is my admission to the fear, but it scares me a little still because nothing has ever worked in my mind better than my stories.

I’ve failed so miserably at so many things it’s hard to start this again. I do not fear telling you this though. I write for a while and the fear disappears. I want to be the bearer of good news for new writers or those having an urge to quit like I have so many times before. Bear with me on this.

The phrase ‘It started with a notebook I once wrote’ jumped into my head a while ago. I wrote a poem about it because of the many notebooks later it took me to create the first personal entry into a public medium. I’d written about theater plays and Language Education with a technical point of view, but storytelling, like acting in stories which came to life through my fingers, became the part of me I most enjoyed writing.

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About eight years ago, I wrote a story –also based on a weird dream- and I went from there. I haven’t really stopped writing since. So, maybe that’s my beginning for this. I’ve scattered ideas and unfinished stories everywhere. My own pending as ever, the satire runneth over my brimming mind, for lack of better understanding sets perfectly in here. But, to make things simple, I will advise you to keep trying new and trying for more.

“Delia became my headstrong voice for writing. Though it was my second novel finished, she paced my thoughts in a way no other story had, and I was hooked to her charms. Delia Donovan became my daily dose of the [her-story] I so hated as a young girl and delight so in my adult years. Instead of writing columns of advice for women as I had planned, I went toward writing about strong, intelligent, resourceful, frightened yet capable women with the same principle in mind.” Claire Hazel

Delia will hopefully continue to inspire stories – I am in research and writing the second novel. There will likely be a third as well.

Aspiring writer and authors, the gist of what I mean in this.

It took me X years to develop the voice I needed to write this book.

It took me lll to research and write the full novel, with periods of off and on to dream and work on other projects.

It has taken me lV between trying to publish on my own and finding a publisher.

  The Tenth Cube became an enduring project because it has a life worth living, I have said that before I think. Most writers live in this world where stories cannot go untold. Therefore my dear thirtysomething-writer who hasn’t started yet, if you are like I was, find the outlet to do so and share the story that has a life worth living.

Take the time to write and sit with confidence to edit. And please, share with me that hard-pressed jewel when you like.

A big box with recycled paper packing and a mug of coffee with enough supply for reading will be the most delicious treat a grown girl could ever get.

  What are then, these so-called Elements

By ways of telling you of the best technique I have used to move my stories and find the hidden information in my characters I need to shape their persona, we will use the What if? technique. What ifs are a way to create possibility. When you have doubts, there are endless What ifs going around in your head like a merry-go-round of incertitude. In essence, The Elements of said turntable of fear could be considered the following:

What if I can’t write like the rest of the authors I read?

This could fall within the impostor syndrome I wrote about before. You are not an impostor of your own game, you feel like a writer, believe it with confidence. It does not mean you have to be like other writers, successful or not.

Writing may or may not take time. For the present me, it is a matter of sitting to the type or jot down notes. But as I mentioned, it took many years to develop a voice I found pleasing and suitable, according to my desired writing style. I guess what is important is that

you don’t imitate but emulate those you love AT FIRST to develop your own voice

write about what you like and not what people like, the audience will find you and relate better

study the greats and accommodate your needs through your learning styles and experiences

nobody is alike and we are all connected, so find what works for your personal style without judging yourself or thinking you will be compared

What if there are things I don’t know or need to include in my novel I know absolutely nothing about?

Researching novels doesn’t have to be grueling work. Annote as you write (for pantsers) or outline the novel as you want it to be (plotter). Your writing style can help or hinder you. So, read carefully,

Research as needed before and fully after finishing your manuscript

Too much research can create difficulty for you and/or your reader, who is probably not in need to sit through, say, a history class instead of understanding through the plot movement

Too little research shows lack of pulchritude and disrespect to your readers, or make you sound nonchalant and ignorant.

Rule of thumb? Be aware, show knowledge, but don’t over inform.

What if I get stuck in my writing process?

Find inspiration wherever you look or take time to be still and OBSERVE

Nature, life, family, etc, show us and teach us. Use its lessons to show you the way, so do not just look and see, WATCH AND LEARN

Don’t overwhelm yourself or stick to a plotline if you feel stuck. Take a break to refresh your ideas and they will hit you when you least expect it, I promise you! An exercise that works for me is jumping the part where I am stuck and either mind mapping or planning the ending first then backtracking to the difficult area

Talk to your characters. they tell you lies at times but help you find the way. Listen carefully!

What if they do not help me publish?

Many writers are still sitting on the sideline of genius, gems of witing prose at their fingertips. Sadly, most give up writing because of this. I have quarried and continue to quarry publishers without much success, but I keep pressing on.

I self-published my first two books with great difficulty and many years of work, but they paid off in a way nothing else has. Take your chances with self-publishing. (I will soon open a platform for other writers to send me manuscripts to publish as an editor. News on this later!)

What if I don’t have time to write?

Write where ever you are able to create a strong writing muscle. Keep pen and pads where ever you can or use phones and tablets, recording apps, and /or your digital cameras

Take every chance you get to exercise the need to write, be it a post-it note or a short phrase inside a journal, a Tweet or a love note, make those words count in your favor

What if I do not feel like I can write my novel (yet)?

Use blogs, submit to magazines, write articles or content, keep journals, or write your family’s newsletter.

Contact your local papers or ask if anybody needs a content writer in your school or local businesses

Start with simpler texts, like magazine entries and restaurant menus

Keep writing your way into the published author you want to be without thinking that you have to have a published book in your hands before you can call your self a writer. There are hundreds of professions where writing is a need and many forms of writing are included in this. Comic book writers, for exa

  Comic book writers, for example, are storytellers, too. It is a matter of how you see your writing come to life to show others your stories. Find where your style fits best and show your best work.

My final writing indulgence was to tell other writers that there are ways, time, and chances to do what you love and ways to do it. The biggest problem most people face is fear, but fear can come with a face, a price tag, a backseat without a window, or an empty stomach and children on your hip.

We may fear different things which hinder our jump into the life we want. Discovering the fear we face is the first step toward the freedom from it. The next is up to you.

  With love,

Claire.

Lovely writer and content creator, take a moment to create your own purpose, and formulate a plan to write your way into the content you like to read. Start by creating your own space and sharing with others the gift of your writing wisdom, comedic genius, romantic side, laughing tales of your youth, or the recipes and secrets your grandmother gave you to keep.

You will get a cool credit for those plugins that make your place shine and sparkle.

It is easy and fast to start. Tell me about it on your way back to my content and happy writing!

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Before the Tenth Cube. I typed without direction and wrote about many topics. With time and practice, I learned to hold hands with my muse, but fear held me back. Learn how to understand it and push past it. A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR OF THE TENTH CUBE And by Editor I mean, Claire Hazel,

[tedious-argument]

Attempt

Apparently journaling is meant to be good for working through low self-esteem. I doubt I’ll manage to do this with any consistent frequency at all, but maybe it’s worth a shot to have some outlet somewhere.

I don’t like myself. I really struggle to see the value of myself at all, and I compare myself very negatively to others. Here are some things I think about myself:

I’m ugly. I have an especially ugly face, with a big nose, thin lips, bad smile. It is naturally ugly and I will never wake up looking even passably nice. My body is ugly. My arms are fat, my thighs are fat. Even when I’m at my fittest, I just look thick or masculine. My boobs are saggy. 

I’m stupid. I have terrible memory. I can’t grasp difficult concepts. I can’t do maths. I’m too stupid for science. I can’t learn new skills. 

I’m lazy. I’m undisciplined. I don’t stick with things. I give up too easily. I’m inherently a pathetic loser. I have no talents or skills. I waste other people’s time. I eat too much.

I’m unnecessary & unneeded. My job is pointless. I add no value to the world. I protect nobody. Nobody relies on me. I have almost no responsibilities. I therefore gain no respect. I occupy space and take up resources. I am a drain on the planet. I give nothing back. 

I’m nasty and think toxic thoughts about others. I’m worse than other people. I take out my anger and sadness on the people who most deserve my love and support. I’m a bad partner and a bad friend. 

I’m emotional, illogical, jealous, neurotic, anxious. I’m self-absorbed, narcissistic, childish. My empathy is completely overwhelmed by self-pity.

I am entirely average. I’m not special. I just happen to be this consciousness stuck in this body and living this life. There is no reason for anyone to pity me or hate me or love me or pay me any attention at all. If I suffer, it’s nothing compared to others. If I succeed, it’s nothing compared to others. I know I deserve nothing. I’m afraid of being alone among so many.

[perfectirishgifts]

The Irony And Insecurities Of Attacks On Jill Biden’s Title

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/the-irony-and-insecurities-of-attacks-on-jill-bidens-title-2/

The Irony And Insecurities Of Attacks On Jill Biden’s Title

By now, you probably saw the opinion piece about Dr. Jill Biden. Yes, I am aware of the AP Style guidelines about the use of “Dr.” for qualified medical professionals in journalism. I will revisit that later. For some reason, a writer felt compelled to attack Jill Biden, who earned a doctorate in education from the University of Delaware, for using the term “Dr.” The piece called the usage “fraudulent” and “comic.” There were many things that bothered me about the piece – the misogyny, tone, lack of apparent understanding of doctoral programs, and a blatant level of disrespect for Dr. Biden. He literally called the next First Lady “kiddo.” Given my own personal experiences with this, I wondered, “What’s up with insecurities that some people have about doctorates?”

PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 02: Dr. Jill Biden speaks in support of her husband Democratic … [] presidential nominee Joe Biden during a drive-in campaign rally at Heinz Field on November 02, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One day before the election, Biden is campaigning in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state that President Donald Trump won narrowly in 2016. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

First, let’s start off with the blatant irony of it all. The writer chides Dr. Biden, who to my knowledge has not asked anyone to refer to her with the title, as if to diminish the value of her doctoral work. Her dissertation study was in the area of educational leadership and addressed issues of student retention. Her particular focus on the community college environment was refreshing and timely given the trends in higher education. The opinion writer seems to argues that only people with a degree in medicine should be called “Dr.” Here comes the irony.

According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, “Doctor comes from the Latin word for “teacher” and originally referred to a small group of theologians who had approval from the Church to speak on religious matters.” Over time, the term was broadened to include medical and other professionals. Etymonline.com notes that the description, “holder of the highest degree in a university, one who has passed all the degrees of a faculty and is thereby empowered to teach the subjects included in it,” is from the late 14th Century. The use of the term “doctor” in medicine was not as common until the latter 16th Century.

These days there are numerous types of degrees with “doctor” in the United States:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Doctor of Business Administration

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Doctor of Theology

Doctor of Science (DSc)

Doctor of Juridicial Science and Doctor of the Science of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.)

ALEPPO, SYRIA – DECEMBER 11: A group of Turkish specialist doctors come to Cobanbey Hosptial to … [] carry out operations for 40 patients including 21 children as part of a project organized by Turkish Health Ministry, in Cobanbey district which was liberated from terrorists within the Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria on December 11, 2020. (Photo by Omer Alven/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

I happen to have a PhD in Physical Meteorology from The Florida State University. It was attained after a rigorous 5-year program of coursework, research, dissertation writing, and publications. The Jill Biden case reminded me of a few times people have said things like, “oh you aren’t a real doctor, you have a PhD.” Most people that say this probably mean no harm and are simplifying understanding of what a doctor is to their most common experience. After all, the average person does not encounter folks with doctoral degrees as often as they do their family doctor, dentist, or medical specialist. However, that lack of familiarity does not lessen the rigor of other doctoral programs.

I think the editorial has roots in this “not a real doctor narrative,” but there was something more sinister. I read it just after watching Sarah Fuller become the first woman to kick a field goal in a Power 5 college football game. It was such an uplifting moment that my 17 year old daughter gleefully shared with me. Unfortunately, this article oozed with misogyny, disrespect for a woman’s professional credentials (a huge problem in workplace gender equity issues) and micro aggressions.

While perhaps not the motive of the opinion piece, it also caused me to reflect on the toxic perspective some people have towards “experts” or expertise. It is mind-blowing how much mis-information I see posted about climate change, weather, or coronavirus. The current era of “information access” and “Dunning Kruger Effect (a psychological concept whereby people overestimate what they know or underestimate what they don’t know) has, in the minds of some people, rendered experts as obsolete or even adversaries. This political cycle, for example, President-Elect Biden was ridiculed for “listening to the scientists.” Because of this era, I feel that experts should be referred to in media outlets with their “Dr.” Plumbers, attorneys, and other professions have ways of establishing their credentials. At a time when bad science is spread like a virus itself, scientific experts need that also.

One other thing that came to mind about this “Dr.” flap is insecurity. Psychology studies have shown that people’s accomplishments can make others uncomfortable. Ashley Laderer wrote in Talkspace.com, “It’s human nature for us to compare ourselves to others, and it’s no surprise that sometimes, that results in jealousy and feeling lousy.” She says these feelings of insufficiency and jealousy can be more acute for people with low self esteem. I guess that it is possible that “Dr.” may trigger self-esteem issues or feelings of inadequacies in some people if studies are accurate.

There is another road that I could have traversed. There have been many encounters in my career in which I was in the room with other PhDs. They were being addressed as “Dr.,” while I was being referred to as “Marshall.” I will address this racial micro aggression at another time. By the way, I really don’t want to be called “Dr. Shepherd” outside of my professional settings. If you meet me, “Marshall” is just fine. I bet Jill Biden feels the same way about her name too. From my perspective, titles don’t define anyone. How you treat people does.

People take part in a “reopen” Pennsylvania demonstration on April 20, 2020 in Harrisburg, … [] Pennsylvania. – Hundreds have protested in cities across America against coronavirus-related lockdowns — with encouragement from President Donald Trump — as resentment grows against the crippling economic cost of confinement. (Photo by Nicholas Kamm / AFP) (Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images)

From Media in Perfectirishgifts

[siodymph]

Science Bros Day 7

And here it is! Last prompt! This whole week has been such a blast! Honestly it really rekindled my love for science bros, I didn’t realize how much I missed writing for these two! And now this week has even inspired me to flesh out my day 4 prompt into a full fic! And it’s wonderful to read some many different stories and see such cute art everywhere again! You guys are just so great and wicked talented!

And while “Yours” may be the last official prompt, I’m still going strong, and will begin publishing some of the request that I’ve received. And if there’s any ideas you’d like to see me write feel free to send them my way! I’ll keep going till the 21st !

You can read this story under the cut or on my AO3! Hope you enjoy!

word count: 4058

It was a Monday morning and the Banner/Stark family was getting ready for a new day and a new week.

Bruce had several of his lectures this late morning until the afternoon and a few labs in the evening so it would be a full day for him. Tony was organizing all his blueprints, his research, to bring it all back to work with him. And their two oldest had school. It had become a ritual of sorts when they had the time in the morning for Tony and Bruce both to go see them off at school before going their separate ways to their own jobs. Bruce got two lunches together as well as one for himself while everyone went about their morning routines in the kitchen.

Tony had their youngest kid, little Kennedy, in one arm as he brought several holographic blueprints all around their kitchen back into a tablet with the other hand. Bruce always loved the awestruck look Kennedy would get on her face, entranced by all of her Daddy’s holographic work. Today she would be going with Tony to work over in the Stark industries. Tony’s reasoning was always that having a cute little tike in the room made it surprisingly easy to make deals and get through long-winded meetings but Bruce always had a feeling he did it just because he liked to bring her with him to work.

Ramona, their oldest at 11, had her nose in her workbook. Just like her adoptive fathers she was brilliant, but especially like Tony she had a bad habit of putting off busy-work she didn’t like till the literal last minute. So she scribbled out a half-assed homework assignment for her English class as she drank a bowl of cereal straight from the bowl, forgoing a spoon as she hurried.

And their middle child at 9 and only boy, Aiden, came quietly down the stairs. He seemed upset about something. He barely made a peep as he poured himself a bowl of cereal and sat down next to his sister. Bruce wanted to ask him what was wrong but he had learned with Aiden if you were too sudden or direct with him, he’d shut down. So Bruce stayed back and waited. Aiden would open up in his own time. When he did speak up, Bruce made sure to let him know he was listening.

He came over Bruce and leaned heavily onto his side. “Hey Papa? Can I skip school today? I don’t feel good.”

Near instantly Bruce brought his hand to feel Aiden’s forehead. He felt fine, no fever. But he did still seem really upset about something. After several mishaps it had become a family rule to only ask Bruce to miss school. Tony would always say yes and let the kids go to work with him instead. And while both of them had crappy experiences with the American School system, Bruce still wanted their kids to at least try going to school. As long as nothing was wrong of course.

“I’m not sick.” Aiden admitted honestly. “I just don’t feel good.”

“Well then how do you feel?” Bruce tried gently.

“I don’t know. Bad? I just want to miss school for one more day, please Papa?”

Bruce wanted to say yes. But he also wanted to understand. There wasn’t much he could do for Aiden unless he knew what was hurting his son. “Maybe. Can you explain why you don’t want to go to school?”

“You remember Thursday?”

“Yes.” Last Thursday Bruce had to go meet Aiden at the principal’s office after he got in a fight with a kid in the fourth grade. He hadn’t hurt him badly but still made an awfully strong impression on the kid, all his friends and his very angry mother.

“All Friday I kept seeing him. We didn’t fight but I could hear them laughing when I wasn’t looking. I felt really mad all day.”

Bruce felt himself getting mad but he tried not to show it. “Do you want me to go in and talk to your Principal about it?”

“No!” Aiden shouted, panicked. “They don’t actually mess with me. They’re too scared to now. If they got in trouble things would only get worse…”

Sadly Bruce could understand that, in 30 years the public education system still impossibly mishandled bullying in their schools.

“This whole weekend though I didn’t see him. I felt fine. And I want to feel fine today too.”

“Aiden.” Bruce said sighing. No way in hell he’d ever put his children in harm’s way. But he hated to think that a place meant for him to learn and grow had become a place he hated. A lot like himself. “Aiden? You know we’re really alike, you and me. I had a lot of anger issues when I was a little older than you.”

“So what did you do?” Aiden asked.

Bruce tried to think back on his own experience, something that would help Aiden understand. “Well, it doesn’t just disappear, your emotions. It’s healthy to let things go but sometimes it’s hard to know if you’re really letting something go, or if you’re just swallowing it down. Letting it bottle up inside you. If that makes any sense at all.”

“I guess. Our teacher always is telling us to forgive and move on.”

“She’s coming from the right place. But sometimes it’s hard to just drop the way you feel. Even if everyone around you assumes you should. And it’s ok. You’re allowed to feel upset about a situation or a person.” Bruce continued, not wanting to give Aiden the wrong idea. “However, it’s not fair to act out on the way you feel just because you’re upset and no one else is. You can defend yourself, but it’s not nice to hurt others deliberately.”

“I know that, Papa. I just don’t want to feel so bad all the time.”

“Well I found the best thing to do is talk to people. Talk to someone you trust about the way you feel. Or if you don’t feel comfortable talking you could try keeping a journal. You could write in it whenever you’re upset and when a problem you have is resolved. Finding an outlet to channel your emotions into can be very helpful. Do you understand Aiden?”

“Yeah Papa.”

“Do you still want to miss school for today?”

“… Can I? Just for today.”

Bruce sighed in defeat. “Hey Tony, you got room for another kid today?”

“Always do!” Tony said beaming and ruffling up Aiden’s hair. “I can take you down to the workshop when Kennedy’s taking her nap. That’s how you really learn, working out in your field, gaining experience! Hey Ramona!”

“Tony no-“

“You wanna skip school too? We can do a field trip!”

Ramona considered it, but in the end she shook her head and shoved her homework into her book bag. “I can’t. I have a spelling test.”

“Well you know if you’re sick on a test day, you can always take it the next day. And you get an extra 24 hours to study.”

“Tony!”

“I’m kidding!” Tony said, kissing Bruce on the cheek as he collected up his laptop and scooped up Kennedy back into his arms. “You sure sweetie?”

“Yeah I’m good.” Ramona said, strapping on her backpack.

“Alright. We’ll drop you off at school, then we’ll head out to work.” Everyone began grabbing their things and heading for the front hall. And Bruce took a tiny moment just to watch them go. Smiling. He had a family. Bruce Banner truly had a family.

Tony gave him a teasing look, swinging the front door open rather dramatically. “Hello? You coming big guy? We don’t have all day!”

“Yeah, I’m coming!” He said, looking down and grabbing his keys before leaving for the day.

Bruce was ready to follow them all out the door when something strange happened. And the illusion began to crack.

Bruce!

He could hear Tony saying something. When Bruce looked up, he was already down the hall with the kids. But his voice sounded like it was directly in front of him.

“Bruce? Are you feeling alright?”

Bruce! Bruce, come on! You gotta snap out of it!

Tony’s voice was right there in his face, and it sounded so different. Frantic, maybe even scared. And he knew the truth was there. Standing in plain sight. A part of Bruce had known the whole time. An inkling in the back of his mind. He’d just hoped it had been a trick. That he was just feeling paranoid over nothing.

But he was fast realizing the truth. And everything began slowly fading away.

He felt himself stumbling back. He needed to get out of here. But he never wanted to leave!

“Papa?” Aiden and Sophia looked at him with eyes full of fear. Kennedy started crying.

Come on! I know you can break out of this!

He wanted this to be real. He felt like he was being torn apart. Please, just let him keep this.

BRUCE!

But he couldn’t. Because Bruce Banner didn’t have a house in the city with houseplants in every room and garden boxes in every window. Bruce Banner didn’t have an esteemed position with one of the biggest universities in the country. Bruce Banner didn’t have a healthy hold on his emotions. Bruce Banner didn’t have kids. And he never would have kids because it was too dangerous. Bruce Banner had horrible powers and many people wanted him caged or dead.

And as Tony and their children raced towards Bruce, he felt like he was falling backwards. He looked at them all one last time and closed his eyes.  

When he opened his eyes again it was all gone.

  He was lying on his back. On an alien planet. And Tony was right there, staring down at him and looking extremely relieved.

“Thank god, knew you could do it!”

Bruce let Tony pull him upright. There was a migraine pulsing in the front of his head but he still forced himself to wake up. All around them it seemed like other members of their group were in similar states. Some recovering with headaches, others still lost is some sort of trance. The red aura of the Scarlet Witch was hovering over everyone. “What the hell happened?”

He remembered everyone being split into two groups. Bruce was in one and Tony was in the other. And from the looks of it something had gone horribly wrong in Bruce’s team.

“We’re not 100% sure yet. But from what we collected, one of Thanos’s lackys got into Wanda’s head and used her powers against her. It’s like she was hacked. Those alien guys are still trying to calm her down.”

Bruce could see the Scarlet Witch several yards away. She was completely trapped in her own powers. Eyes glowing a bloody, deep red and she was openly sobbing. She was crying out incoherently and Bruce could make out her brother’s name in her words. She was completely unaware of the people surrounding her, trying to help her. One of the alien woman with a set of antenna on her head grabbed Wanda’s arm and began crying too.

“Pepper told me everything she knew. Wanda was showing everyone in your group their desires. Like the really big stuff. And from the look of it she’s been seeing her own desires too.”

His desires… It truly was an illusion. Just a trick of the mind. None of it was real.

“Hey Bruce? You ok?”

Bruce? Are you feeling alright?

It would never be real.

He found himself getting up fast. Tony was at his side asking him if he was really alright to keep going. Bruce said he was. But he couldn’t look directly at Tony. Whenever he did he kept seeing flashes of that other Tony sketching out some blueprints in a kitchen. Or that other Tony holding their kids by the hand. Tony actually relaxed, truly happy and utterly carefree. A Tony that wasn’t real, couldn’t be real. At least not the Tony he knew right now.

But he couldn’t afford to let that distract him any more than it had. Their team was in trouble and needed his help. Now.

So he tried to swallow down the turmoil of feelings coursing through him. Tony tried to talk to them as they went but Bruce couldn’t bring himself to truly listen to him. He still couldn’t look at him. He felt like he was lagging behind his body a few steps. Everything was going so slow and they had work to do. He and Tony went separate ways to try reviving as many of their teammates and friends as they could. And as they all came back to their senses, regrouped and prepared to head out, Bruce’s mind and heart refused to go numb.

Bruce isolated himself as much as he could once they were on the Guardians’ ship. Some sort of small storage space. He needed to be alone. He needed to find a way to shut his brain off.

Every time he closed his eyes he could still see it. The house. The kitchen. Tony with the kids. God, his kids. That had to of been the cruelest part of all.

He just wanted to forget the whole thing. Stop thinking entirely. But his mind wouldn’t stop. Nothing he did would make it stop. He couldn’t let the image go, it was seared into his mind. And his brain kept going and going, it felt like white static in his skull.

When he heard someone come to the door he was ready to snap at them to leave him alone. Just give him a minute! But he held the words back when he saw it was one of the alien women, Mantis. In the time Bruce had gotten to know the Guardians he’d learned Mantis was a well-meaning but shy and soft-spoken person. And he’d feel bad for yelling at her for no reason. So instead, as she stepped into the small storage space he’d let her come in.

“Hello. Mantis, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.” She said. Bruce had been willing to let her in, but when she sat down on the floor across from him he tensed. “Are you ok? You stormed off after the attack. Many people seemed concerned about you. Especially with the whole mind-manipulation you were caught under.”

“I’m fine. I just needed some time alone. To get my head on straight. I’ll be alright in a couple minutes.” Bruce said, trying to gently get Mantis to leave.

But instead, much to his dismay, Mantis didn’t seem to pick up on his suggestion and scootched a little closer towards him. Looking rather excited for someone sitting on the floor of a storage unit with Bruce Banner. “Perhaps I can be of assistance then!”

“Uh thanks, but that’s not necessary-” Bruce tried, but Mantis quickly brushed him off.

“No. You see, this is the sort of situation my powers were made for! I have the ability to feel another’s emotions. To help others understand! All I need to do is touch their skin with my hand and I can know them. I can do this for you! If you’re willing of course.”

She held her hand towards Bruce and he thought it over. The idea of someone knowing exactly how he felt seemed very invasive to him. And usually he handled his own emotions himself where he couldn’t bother, upset or hurt anyone else.

And yet despite that he still found himself rolling up his jacket and offering his arm to Mantis. Curiosity was a cursed thing.

As soon as Mantis’s hand touched his shoulder she doubled over shuddering. Bruce feared for the worst when he saw her antenna began to glow green and she drew a shuddering breath. But she didn’t grow any worse than that and slowly pulled herself back up.

“Oh… Oh my goodness…” Mantis gasped, trying to compose herself. She looked back to Bruce looking like she was about to either start sobbing or screaming. But she kept talking in between shaky breaths. “You’re mourning a dream. You’re yearning for something, but it’s so painful! It’s broken your heart so many times. But it still aches. And it infuriates you so. It’s… It’s so much!”

She pulled her hand away and hugged it on her chest as if it had been burned. It took all of Bruce’s willpower not to get up and leave when Mantis turned towards him with such pity.

“Do you feel like that all the time?”

Bruce shrugged, trying to ignore that direct look. “Not all the time. Not as often.”

“Oh…” Mantis said. She looked like she wanted to touch Bruce again, but she pulled her hand back. “I’m sorry you feel like that Bruce. That hurt.”

“You don’t have to apologize, it’s not your doing.”

“I understand. But I still wish I could help more. You’re feeling so many different emotions at once.”

Mantis didn’t continue right away. She paused for a moment, trying to collect her own thoughts. And a weird-feeling silence took up the space before Mantis worked together what exactly she wanted to say. “There was some strange things in your feelings. I sensed a great loneliness in you. But not only that, you had this acceptance for loneliness too… Perhaps you should go talk to some of your friends? I know you hold a lot of compassion for them and they care for you too. The woman with red hair, the woman with red hair who’s also molten hot, the man with lightning. And especially the Iron Man.”

“Ok that’s starting to sound more like mind-reading.” Bruce said accusingly.

“Oh, no. I didn’t pick that last part up in your feeling. No, I saw it seeing you and your friends’ battle and in the aftermath.” Mantis added. “Many of them did seemed worried about you.”

Bruce sighed. He was beginning to wonder if Thor and the others pushed Mantis to come in here to try and help him. He rubbed at his face. “Ok. Well can you go tell them I’ll be out soon? I just need a little more time. Alone.”

This time Mantis accepted what he was saying. And with a quiet “Of course” She got up and made her way back into the hallway.

“Thanks for your help.”

Mantis stopped before leaving completely, confused. “I don’t understand. I got so overwhelmed when I tried to read you. I wasn’t able to help you.”

“You did try. And even if it’s not everything, it was… nice, I guess, to put a name to some of this… stuff.” Bruce offered, and gestured to his head as he spoke.

Hopefully that had been the right thing to say. Mantis straightened up a little and smiled from the door.

“Ok. I’ll leave you be for now then. Are you going to speak with anyone else?”

“I will, don’t worry. I think I’ll go talk with Tony later. Iron Man.” He owed his boyfriend that much. He was a huge part of the vison after all. And he’d been avoiding him for half-an-hour now because every time he looked at his he was reminded of that fake Tony in his dream. He owed him an explanation at least.

He finally left the room after a few more moments alone. As he walked through the ship he saw the damage done. Today’s attack had hit harder than any physical tactic waged against them. Moral had plummeted. And Bruce felt helpless as he saw the state of everyone in his group. Nat seemed like she still might be in a trance, she starred numbly out a window at the stars. One of the Gaurdians, Gamora, sat by her side giving her an understanding look but didn’t say anything. Thor acknowledged him as he passed but his lips were firmly pressed into a tight frown and his hand clutched at a hammer no longer there. Several people were still crying. Wanda especially so. And Mantis was going from person to person, trying to help people the best she could. Giving council to those willing to accept it.

He found Tony down in the workshop-station. The one run by an ornery but brilliant raccoon. But Rocket wasn’t in there at the moment. Nobody else but Tony. He was hard at work repairing one his busted gauntlets on the Iron Man suit.

Bruce knocked on the wall as he came in, “Uh, hi?”

“Hey you!” Tony called out in a slightly forced voice as he looked up from his gauntlet. He pulled off a pair of goggles so he could see him better. “What’s up?”

“I was just looking for you. Everyone seems really… worn from today’s fight.” Bruce said.

Tony sighed and began to let that front he’d first put on slide. “Yeah. Looks like our buddy Thanos isn’t above psychological warfare. Are you doing ok? Cause everyone was forced to see some pretty messed-up stuff.”

“Yeah, I’m ok enough. That’s… That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. My vision.” Bruce came closer and sat by Tony’s side.

“You don’t have to tell me what you saw if you don’t want to, Bruce.”

“I know…” Bruce said. Tony didn’t respond so Bruce kept going. “I didn’t have my powers… We had a family. We were all eating breakfast. They were getting ready for school.”

He watched as Tony’s closed his eyes and rubbed at his eyelids. “Shit. I’m sorry Bruce.”

“It’s not your fault. It was my own mind that was manipulated.”

“But I know how much you like kids…”

He heard Tony sigh. And neither of them said anything. He quietly turned to look more closely at him. The real Tony Stark. In the florescent lighting and his own exhausted state, Tony almost looked ashen. And with them fighting every day Tony’s hair had gone a long time without any dye and had really started greying along the sides. He was thinking hard about something. Probably overthinking. And whatever it was it wasn’t good from the way he looked towards his broken gauntlet with such a resigned acceptance.

“… Do you think we could ever do that? I mean, if we somehow manage to survive all this and save the world. You think when we get back to earth, we could ever do that?”

Bruce didn’t know what to say. Yes. He’d wanted something like that for years, decades now. He’d always wanted to be a father. But he would never be able to give them a safe home. Any kid they might take in might always be in trouble just being in proximity of him. And that was even if any adoption agency would ever like the likes of them adopt kids. But he had finally mastered his powers, he found peace with the other part of himself. But there were also so many other obstacles in their way than his own powers.

“I don’t know. I’m really sorry. I want to but I just don’t know.”

He felt Tony, gently hug his shoulders. And he spoke softly. “Hey, it’s ok. It’s alright. Honestly. I mean, who even knows if we’ll ever get back to earth!”

Tony laughed, but there was a grim look in his eyes. And Bruce found himself mirroring back that sad, sort of humor. “We don’t even know if we’ll live long enough to see the end of this war.”

“Yeah, you’re right. So I’m gonna say this. And I’ll probably tell you every day we’re still alive cause I’m dramatic like that, you know.” Tony said, he held Bruce by both so hid shoulders so they were looking face to face. Then slowly moved closer as he spoke until their foreheads were touching.

“No matter what happens I’m staying right here. I’ve never regretted choosing to be with you and I never will. I love you, Bruce Banner. I’m yours.”

Bruce pressed his lips softly against Tony’s trying to convey everything he was feeling. And he felt Tony smiling against him as he pulled away.

“And just in case you wanted a reminder. This? This right here? This is real.”

“Yeah… I hoped so.”

#sciencebrosweek #science bros week #science bros week 2017 #science bros #day 7 #yours #im really happy with this one

[iceagebabyprojectiondotnet]

RESEARCH PAPER

You Don’t Like Them Because You Are Them

You may have read my title and assumed this will be an essay regarding something like the Civil Rights Movement or silly political arguments. However, that is not it at all, but rather a psychological analysis revolving around something most don’t think twice about- a meme. The particular meme in question is that of the Ice Age baby, also known as Roshan. For those unfamiliar with the Ice Age baby, he is a character from the first Ice Age movie, he who lay dormant; hidden from the internet for over a decade. Until the shit-show of the century that is 2020. The hostility projected onto the Ice Age baby is a reflection of self-loathing, because humans love to overwhelm those viewed as insignificant to make themselves feel better. This isn’t about the infant himself, but rather a feeling of passionate self-hatred being disguised as a funny joke. Instead of focusing on themselves, these people may want to fool themselves into feeling like they are important or “big,” rather than letting the crippling thought of existence crush them.

           Projection is a defense mechanism used by all but misunderstood by many. It can present itself in various ways, including blame shifting, shame dumping, and bullying. An important theorist in the formulation of the projection principle was Giambattista Vico. “Giambattista Vico is a visionary author whose work has ties to most human and social sciences.” (Pern) However, the theory of projection was later further conceptualized by Sigmund Freud, who was known for his theories regarding psychoanalysis. “While not being original (the claim had been earlier articulated many times, from Greek philosophy until Feuerbach), it has been regarded as Freud's major contribution to the (psychological) critique of religion, especially in vulgarized psychoanalytic parlance.” (Belzen) When people refer to the theory of projection they look to the studies from Freud. The way projection is presenting itself here is through the low  

self-esteem of those interacting with the meme. Whether it’s the people who are merely sharing and commenting or the people who are creating and posting, they’re lumped into the same group. These people may seem like they are all wildly different but instead they are similar in more than one way.

           Over the past few weeks I’ve conducted a sort of stakeout. I figured what better way to collect useless information than to pose as something I’m not? This meme has blown up all over the internet within the last few months; while it has died down a bit now, it still lives on in various Facebook groups that are active daily.  I’ve infiltrated a few of these Facebook groups in order to collect evidence. I joined one called “A Group Where We All Really Hate the Ice Age Baby” as well as another called “I Love the Baby From Ice Age”. Throughout the time spent in these groups I’ve seen lots of different, slightly concerning, things.

From the very beginning I noticed that the people in these groups were extremely active, making new posts every day. I actually had to mute the hate page due to the sheer number of gruesome memes and weird images. The kind of things posted in the hate group seemed a bit extreme in my opinion and further prove my theory that these posts are a form of projection and displacement. The most interesting thing I saw was when the hate group decided they would infiltrate the love group, the same one that I happened to be a part of. I sat back and watched the world burn. The hate group slowly started trickling into the love group and a war ensued. The hate group had found another outlet to spread their animosity and it got me thinking: What is the point of this? Do these people really have this much time on their hands? Keep in mind, this was before the Great Quarantine Pandemic of 2020. Do they not have jobs, or families to tend to? I decided the only way I would find out the truth was by putting myself out there. I made my first and only post in the hate group and asked if I could pick people’s brains about why they’re so against the Ice Age Baby. I was promptly booted from the group. Not going to pretend I was surprised, but I was thoroughly disappointed.

However, before the depression set in, I realized I had a new message. Success! Somebody had reached out to me and were willing to talk about their journey with the Ice Age Baby meme. I asked Jennie what she thought was the reasoning behind the hate she harbors towards the baby. “I actually have a hard time expressing myself, so I use the baby as a crutch. I’ve battled depression my whole life and I hate the world. Everyone hates the world but nobody wants to take the blame. So who better to blame than someone who doesn't exist?” (Neptune) This further opened my eyes to analyze the true meaning behind the hate. If these people feel so much self-hatred, it must be nice to hate something other than yourself for once. Even if that thing is just being used as a proxy. But what is it about the Ice Age Baby that makes people feel overwhelming rage? These people see this innocent little cartoon and it reminds them of everything they can’t be or have: a carefree life as an infant, a loving family or herd, or even something as superficial as height.  It may be true that they feel inadequate compared to Roshan, coming in at a whopping 6 foot 10 inches; or perhaps he reminds someone of the love and nurture they never received as a child.

We may never know the exact reason behind the memes, maybe it is all fun and games. What I do know is that this definitely goes deeper in my opinion, there’s only so much time left in the semester for me to study this. Maybe this will become my thesis when I get my Master’s degree. Who knows. You don’t hate a cartoon baby for months on end because you have a perfectly sound mind and healthy relationships. I may not know much, but I know that projection doesn’t happen for no reason. There’s always an underlying factor, just hiding below all the memes.

Works Cited

Belzen, Jacob A. [email protected]. n. “Beyond Freud in Psychoanalytic Psychology of           Religion? On the Discussion of Religion as Projection.” Journal of Religion in Europe, vol. 3, no. 1, Apr. 2010, pp. 1–33. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1163/187489210X12597396698708.

“Ice Age.” Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, 2002.

Lozano, Elizabeth B., and Sean M. Laurent. “The Effect of Admitting Fault versus Shifting Blame on Expectations for Others to Do the Same.” PLoS ONE, vol. 14, no. 3, Mar. 2019, pp. 1–19. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213276.

Neptune, Jennie. Apr. 2020, Personal Interview

Pern, Tuuli. “Interpreting Giambattista Vico for a New Psychological Science: Towards a Semiotic Imaginative Approach.” Culture & Psychology, vol. 25, no. 4, Dec. 2019, pp. 470–483. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1177/1354067X18820624.

[dippedanddripped]

It would be hard to imagine a childhood without music, but sadly, because of budgetary restraints and a focus on standardized testing in the school systems, many districts are cutting arts programs from their curriculum. With the focus on preparing for successful careers with specific skills and the emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), music education, especially, is becoming deemphasized.

Eliminating the arts in the array of subjects a child studies, can be a big negative, as many researchers will attest. The recent inclusion of the arts as the “A’ in the more contemporary acronym, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), is an example of how many now see the arts as a necessary and complementary discipline to the sciences that helps develop a well-rounded, creative student.

In a 2018 report from the New England Board of Higher Education, the author and researcher Jenny Silverstone commented “What many schools do not realize, however, is that programs such as music education can have major positive impacts on growth and development.”

“Music education is an important aspect of providing children with a well-rounded education,” continued Silverstone. “When allowed to work in harmony with other subjects and areas of study, music helps children grow in self-esteem, build essential skills and prepare for bright futures.”

The report highlights six key benefits of music education that not only show how music can help students, even preschoolers, with their preparation for future endeavors. Benefits include:

● Enhanced language capabilities

● Improved memory

● Better hand-eye coordination

● Powerful study habits

● Teamwork

● Enhanced mental processing and problem-solving abilities

Russ Grazier, director of the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, concurs.

“The study of arts - whether music, visual arts, theater, dance, poetry, or any other medium - is critical to a young person’s education. It’s our job as educators to nurture a child’s creativity while helping each student gain confidence, become a critical thinker, and gain cultural awareness. An education in the arts is not only important for future artists and musicians; it is equally important for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, scientists, doctors, engineers, and business leaders. As students prepare for the new school year, they should be encouraged to find their creative outlet for study. Their school band, chorus, drama program, or community arts center can offer a wealth of educational opportunities that will help them define who they are and how they fit into the world around them.”

Ginna MacDonald, a music therapist and music educator at Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, sees the value of music education in a child’s life firsthand.

“Studies repeatedly show that learning music and playing an instrument or singing is so beneficial to the brain’s development and helps children socially and academically. The brain is designed to process music, assisting with listening skills and cognitive function.”

Music education cannot start too early, as it has significant impact on a child’s brain development.

A study of 48 preschoolers, published in 2011 with lead researcher Sylvain Moreno, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, found that verbal IQ increased after only 20 days of music training. In fact, the increase was five times that of a control group, who were given visual art lessons. Moreno found that music training enhanced the “executive function,” their brains’ ability to plan, organize, strategize and solve problems, of 90 percent of the children.

Researchers in a 2009 study detailed in the Journal of Neuroscience, studied the brains of 31 6-year-old children before and after they took musical instrument lessons for 15 months. The results showed that the music students’ brains not only grew larger in the areas that control fine motor skills and hearing than the control group, but their abilities in both those areas also improved.

A 1994 study at the University of California at Irvine showed that children receiving music education demonstrated dramatic enhancements in abstract reasoning skills. The researchers discovered neural firing patterns that suggest that music may be a key to unlock higher and enhanced brain function.

A 2012 report, also from the Journal of Neuroscience, showed that music training in childhood “fundamentally alters the nervous system such that neural changes persist in adulthood after auditory training has ceased”.

Priscilla French, the director of Sandpipers Seacoast Youth Chorus, sees so many benefits to students. In addition to the cognitive academic skills being enhanced, there are benefits to the social development of children as they work together in a musical group such as her chorus. It is here that teamwork is learned, and self-confidence is gained, especially when performing.

“The voice is everyone’s natural instrument,” explained French. “Singing is the easiest way to learn to match pitch and develop an ear for music. Singing in a choir enhances the learning of skills and is fun. A lot of other benefits include learning how to hold your part against other parts, being part of something bigger than yourself, increased self-confidence and much more.”

Olin Johannessen, Portsmouth school district Grades 6-12 choral director, elaborated, “I believe that choral music is one of the purest team-building activities we have at our disposal in the world of education. It allows people from all levels of physical ability to participate, it engages and couples the body and mind in ways that academics alone cannot, that athletics alone cannot; it creates new neural pathways in the brain and encourages higher level thinking. It is for everyone, and the repertoire is only a vehicle.”

“Whether your choir sings Brahms, or Bruno Mars, the act of singing together with other humans is a salve for the soul, helping us forge meaningful connections and memories with people whom we grow to love on a transcendental level. Human connection is baked into the very core of what choral music making is all about,” Johannessen said. “When vocal musicians come together, and blend their unique voices together, it creates physiological, psychological, and emotional connections between the singers, and together they create a sound that is unlike any sound they can produce on their own.”

Johannessen sees the social positives for ’tweens and teens socially as well. “I cannot overstate the myriad benefits of involving students in choir or any musical group at any level, but particularly in the challenging times of middle and high school, while they are searching for their identity, sometimes trying on new ones nearly daily. Connection is imperative, and what better way to create connection than through the meaningful study of music?”

Even with many districts cutting back on music education, opportunities exist both through schools and extracurricular programs. To build your child’s brain and help your child gain the skills to be a better student, find a place for music in your child’s life.

#music education #music blog #schools

[introarttherapy]

Art Therapy with Older Adults

Tina Sbarro

Introduction to Art Therapy 

Dr. Lisa Kay

Temple University, Philadelphia 

-artwork created by William Utermohlen

Introduction 

The field of art therapy working with older adults is something that I am very passionate about. My grandfather, whom I have been told countless times that I inherited his artistic gene, suffered many years from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As a child I would often engage in many different art-making activities with him. We would draw and color together and I would often spend hours watching him work in his woodshop. We continued to make art together up until his last couple of months before he passed away. I noticed, as well as my family and the nursing home aids, that these artistic activities had benefitted him in many ways along his struggle with this terrible disease. My grandfather has been one of the greatest influences on my artistic career and one of the main reasons why I chose the career path of art therapy. I truly believe that art has special healing powers that could help to improve the lives of those who suffer in any way shape or form. 

Thesis

Art therapy can increase the quality of life for those suffering and become a way of self-expression. Art therapy is an effective means of providing therapeutic care to older adults by providing the promotion of mental, emotional and physical healing, and a safe outlet for self-expression.

http://www.relevar.com/2017/07/art-therapy-benefits-for-seniors/

Physical Benefits 

Creates a distraction of coping mechanisms that shifts the focus from pain to the creative process.

type of physical therapy that works with the reduction of physical inflammation and stiffness that engages fingers, hands, arms and other muscles throughout the body.

Light, but consistent exercise promotes blood flow and movement that helps manage discomfort.

Effects on the Brain 

Engagement through regular higher cortical thinking, planning, focused attention, and problem solving during art making sessions enhances the therapeutic effect of helping clients with cognitive functioning difficulties.

Helps with the increase of neuroplasticity.

planning, decision-making, and expressive components help to produce new synapses 

Emotional and Mental Benefits 

Helping with coping and adapting to the frightening and incomprehensible environment.

Reducing boredom, increases socialization (group art therapy), increases self-esteem and personal accomplishment 

Increase a sense of dignity and control in this stage of their lives.

http://www.opalandsage.com/about

Conclusions 

Art therapy is an effective means in providing older adults therapeutic treatment that benefits patients emotionally, mentally, and physically. 

References 

Gussak, David & Cohen-Liebman. (2001). American Journal of Art Therapy. Retrieved from http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0306624X06294137

Kim, H., Kim, K., & Nomura, S. (2015, December 14). The Effect of Group Art Therapy on Older Korean Adults with Neurocognitive Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedorect.com/science/article/pii/S019725561000933  

Malchiodi, C. (n.d.) Handbook of Art Therapy, Second Edition: 9781609189754. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=y6PY4hv47I0C&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=handbook+of+art+therapy+second+edition

Harlan, J. E. (1993). The therapeutic value of art for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Loss, Grief & Care, 6(4), 99-106.