Curiosity's Space

Where inspiration becomes mutant green plot bunnies of DOOM

[locusimperium]

A few years ago, when I was living in the housing co-op and looking for a quick cookie recipe, I came across a blog post for something called “Norwegian Christmas butter squares.” I’d never found anything like it before: it created rich, buttery and chewy cookies, like a vastly superior version of the holiday sugar cookies I’d eaten growing up. About a year ago I went looking for the recipe again, and failed to find it. The blog had been taken down, and it sent me into momentary panic. 

Luckily, I remembered enough to find it on the Wayback Machine, and quickly copied it into a file that I’ve saved ever since. I probably make these cookies about once a month, and they last about five days around my voracious husband - they’re fantastic with a cup of bitter coffee or tea. I’m skeptical that there is something distinctively Norwegian about these cookies, but they do seem like the perfect thing to eat on a cold day. 

Norwegian Christmas Butter Squares

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 egg 1 cup sugar 2 cups flour 1 tsp vanilla ½ tsp salt Turbinado/ Raw Sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Chill a 9x13″ baking pan in the freezer. Do not grease the pan.

Using a mixer, blend the butter, egg, sugar, and salt together until it is creamy.  Add the flour and vanilla and mix using your hands until the mixture holds together in large clumps. If it seems overly soft, add a little extra flour. 

Using your hands, press the dough out onto the chilled and ungreased baking sheet until it is even and ¼ inch thick.  Dust the top of the cookies evenly with raw sugar.

Bake at 400 degrees until the edges turn a golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven. Let cool for about five minutes before cutting the cooked dough into squares. Remove the squares from the warm pan using a spatula.

[whitepeopletwitter]

[sophie-baybey]

[l1atena1]

Don't you sometimes get an absolutely extrodinary, mind blowing, such an awesome idea for a story, but you just don't have enough skill level to pull it off?

[dark-magical-ships]

Write it anyway.

Write it anyway, write it anyway, write it anyway.

There are so, so, so many reasons:

You gain that skill level only through practice. So practice.

No matter what you’re writing, no matter how badly you think you’ve written it, there is ALWAYS some audience that will love it and cherish it.

You can use what you write the first time around as a first draft and just rewrite it again later when you feel like tackling the story again!

Rewriting the same story over and over is a valid writing process. It’s literally just creating new drafts. Each iteration will be better than the last, because each is building on your growing skill and experience.

If you love the story, it will always be worth telling simply for your own enjoyment. If no one else ever sees it, that’s okay! Your art should be for you first, anyway.

Write it anyway.

[unbreakable-red-riot]

Friendly reminder: Bakugou’s sweat is NOT nitroglycerin, it’s “nitroglycerin-like”. Who knows how similar or dissimilar the compositions of these two compounds are? Meaning, no, unfortunately, it’s not canon that Bakugou smells like caramel.

It’s an entirely plausible headcanon that I actually quite like! And I love it when people talk about it on tumblr or reference it in fics. But until Horikoshi says so, stop saying it’s canon!

[picklejuicecoward]

@unbreakable-red-riot I DID LITERAL RESEARCH FOR THIS STUPID POST BUT HERE IT GOES

First lets look at Masaru’s quirk which is Oxidizing Sweat. The description for this quirk says his sweat is acidic and was explosive properties which can make small explosions. Then Mitsuki’s quirk is Glycerin is simple enough she secretes glycerin from her skin.

Lets get this out of the way first, Katsuki does not have nitroglycerin sweat. The description for his quirk is nitroglycerin-like. If his quirk actually did have him sweat nitroglycerin that means two things. One is his father’s quirk can’t be oxidizing sweat because nitrogen is not the same as oxygen. But nitroglycerin does have oxygen in it so I understand the common misconception. And two his body would actually explode because even slight jolts disrupting stable nitroglycerin would cause it to explode, and sense sweat is stored before it is secreted he would legit blow up the second he moves fast.

So now we have to find a way to mix these quirks without legit killing off my baby boy.

Lets revisit Masuru’s quirk because we never fully identified what it is. Sweat itself is acidic, it also has high levels of potassium. Combine potassium and oxygen (plus a few other chemicals from sweat and the outside air) you get Potassium Permanganate. Its a very far stretch and someone correct me if my work was off a little but I think i found a rough estimate as to what Oxidizing Sweat is made of.

And then what happens when we combine Potassium Permanganate with Glycerin? We get explosions. Potassium when combined with oxygen and hydrogen creates powerful explosions because when potassium comes in contact with these chemicals it releases hydroxide and hydrogen gas which can explode, plus the added power of glycerin being unstable you get even more explosion power.

AND THAT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN is how Katsuki’s quirk works.

Oh and to answer the question, based on this research I think the chemical composition is KMnO7C3H8.

I’m open to anyone correcting my work so please go ahead if you found anything wrong with it!

[purplepersnicketywrites]

Ah, oxidising doesn’t mean oxygen! It’s just that O2 was the first identified oxidising agent, so the process is named after it. Oxidising agents do often have oxygen in them, though! So do tons of nitrates!

Oxydisation is the loss of electrons, or the increase in oxidation state of a molecule, atom, or ion!

The opposite thing is reduction, which is the gain or electrons, or a decrease in the oxidation state of a molecule, atom or ion!

Now, Masaru’s quirk is an acidic oxidising agent, right? Acids make sense as these because they tend to have an abundance of H+ ions - that’s what makes them acidic - and these H+ ions attract electrons, taking them away from whatever they’d be oxidising.

So, are there any common oxidising agents that are acids? Well! Yep!

Sulphuric acid (H2SO4)

Nitric acid (HNO3)

This is interesting, because the industrial process of making nitroglycerin tends to involve three main ingredients:

Glycerol

Sulphuric acid

Nitric acid

So! It’s not out of the realm of possibility that these compounds can mix to produce nitroglycerin.

HOWEVER! There are 2 factors that sugest something else might be going on:

1. Masaru’s acidic substance explodes

2. Bakugou’s nitroglycerin-like sweat creates smoke when it detonates.

For point 1, the only explosive acid I know of is Picric acid ((O2N)3C6H2OH). I’m not sure about its status as an oxidising agent but, well, it’s nitrated so it’s likely to be one.

You could probably get explosions with any acid if you mixed it with any of the earth or rare earth metals - so, potassium, sodium, and some of the other ions found in regular sweat.

For 2 - nitroglycerin is known for exploding mostly smokelessly! It’s hard to tell if the smoke that comes from Bakugou’s explosions is just due to Cool Factor or if it’s legitimately there to suggest that his sweat isn’t straight-up nitroglycerin!

Conclusion: it’s quite likely that at least some of the stuff he sweats could be nitroglycerin, but there are a few details that don’t quite add up - these may be down to aesthetic choices.

The most likely thing is that some of what Bakugou sweats is nitroglycerin, and some of it is something else, and the two form a mixture, possibly one that renders the substance less prone to shock-detonation?

[bottombakugou]

this is great meta and i mean no disrespect to the work you did by adding in my two cents.

except, his father makes nitric acid from his hands and his mother can produce glycerin whenever she wants. Katsuki has a combination of both of his parents quirks, so its not that he has nitro stored in his sweat pores ready to go off like the unstable substance that it is, he “sweats nitro” because he really nitric acid and it mixes with the glycerin his skin also makes. 

in reguards to the smoke, as an audiance we cant expect a world where someone can set things on fire at will to be entirely scientifically accurate, and considering its a visual medium its probably thrown in there as a clue that he’s getting close to losing it.

also not to be that guy but they literally tell us in canon that its nitroglycerin. and even if it wasnt, circling back to the whole he smells like caramelized sugar, he probably still would because of a side effect of his mothers quirk which his quirk is a fusion of. 

[unbreakable-red-riot]

In the official English translation, it says that it is “nitroglycerin-like”, and this is recognized in the wiki page.

In fact, the Japanese says “nitroglycerin-like” as well.

ニトロみてぇなもん出して爆発させてる

So no, they literally do not tell us in canon that it is nitroglycerin, unless they do elsewhere and it is an inconsistency in Horikoshi’s writing. What he does tell us is that it is something akin to nitroglycerin, meaning that there is something different about the compound but it has similar characteristics.

Horikoshi isn’t a chemist anyways, so it would make sense for him to steer clear of real chemical compounds that would put him at risk of writing/drawing inaccuracies. Hence the “nitroglycerin-like” description.

All I’m saying is that people need to stop saying that it’s canon that Bakugou sweats pure nitroglycerin when it’s not. Perhaps it is a mixture that includes nitroglycerin, but until Horikoshi confirms the exact nature of Bakugou’s sweat beyond “nitroglycerin-like”, then that is the canon we have to go on!

This post is also not intended to get at people with the headcanon! I have the headcanon too! And I’m not trying to pick a bone with headcanons themselves either. It’s more about this thing that fans like to do of claiming that something is 100% canon and confirmed by the author when it’s not. It’s entitled fans who feel as though they are somehow authorized to decide what is canon and what isn’t that I have an issue with.

With content that is more-or-less created by an individual just trying to get by, like manga usually is, saying that something even as small as how a character smells is basically canon until proven otherwise overrides the author’s intent and weakens the integrity of actual canon. It’s always safer and more respectful to authors and creators to assume that something is NOT canon until proven otherwise.

Which is why headcanons exist in the first place! And why headcanons are not considered canon! It gives fans a way to interact with canon and insert their own ideas to spice it up — respectfully, without actually encroaching on the author’s creation.

It was never about the sweat. I don’t care about an anime boy’s sweat. It’s about the principle.

[aelphaba1]

I love the dedication and research people put into this fandom - it makes it so much more fun

[notdeadjack]

bc sometimes you just need someone else to support your entire body weight as you recover from dealing with other people and/or life in general. thankfully, kirishima is v sturdy.

[notdeadjack]

couch cuddle nap! at least one of their classmates was decent enough to tuck them in instead of just taking photographs,,?

(also, cannot decide if i prefer the thought of bakugou looking like an absolute angel when asleep, or like he’s actively plotting murder. resting assault face, if you will)

[teaboot]

Some rando: You should think about stopping your prescription

Me: My pills make me not want to die tho

They: You shouldn’t want to die, that’s not normal

Me: Yeah that’s why I’m taking my pills

[teaboot]

Again: But you aren’t the *real* you when you’re on your pills

Me: I’m the alive version of me

[teaboot]

An actual doctor, once: “Relying On A Chemical Crutch For A Hormonal Imbalance Denies The Fortitude Of The Human Soul”

Me: Cool so like I’m agnostic

[inner-muse]

They: “But you might be on pills the rest of your life!”

Me: “So?”

[illnessisnteasy]

Good! That means that I have a “rest of” my life to continue living!

Thanks to the pills.

[erinptah-admin]

Meanwhile, no person ever: “You should think about giving up your insulin/antiretrovirals/beta blockers/anti-rejection drugs/prosthetic legs/daily multivitamin, because using those your whole life is bad for some reason”

[teaboot]

Oh no, they do that too.

[living-deciduously]

I have a kidney transplant. A woman once told me she didn’t believe in organ transplants and that people should just die when they’re meant to. 

[teaboot]

Sounds like a great set-up for a murder

[teaboot]

People who are fully healthy, fit and neurotypical seem to think they are that way because they’re doing something right that the rest of us haven’t thought of, and not just because they got lucky

[livebloggingmydescentintomadness]

furthermore, neurotypical/healthy people are literally 100% dependent on the same chemicals and hormones as those of us on medication, it’s just that their own bodies are capable of supplying them without aid. if a neurotypical suddenly lost all their serotonin, they would ALSO be severely depressed. 

needing medication to find the equilibrium that healthy/NT people can supply themselves with doesn’t make you weak or a failure. honestly, let’s just be grateful that such medication exists rather than shaming ourselves for needing it.

[wordsmith-storyweaver]

[midiport]

i know vitamin c basically neutralizes adhd meds but lemonade good

[midiport]

yea lol

ADHD Medication information sheet

[strawbebbynya]

[donnieluvsthings]

so wait i know lots of logan angst revolves around him being ignored/him pretending he has no feelings so that he’ll be listened to/etc and thats great i stan but ALSO

what about logan who notices when the others listen to him, and he’s glad that they appreciate his knowledge!! he’s glad they trust him to inform them and help them make informed decisions, he really is. but he also comes to the conclusion that to them, he is just “the smart one.” he is just the provider of exposition.

give me logan who’s listened to, but only when he’s explaining physchology or physics or chemistry. give me logan who wishes the others would see him as more than just The Scientist and would listen to him talk about what he enjoys rather than what he knows. give me logan who doesn’t talk about what he enjoys, not because he feels unheard, but because he feels like he can’t stray too far away from this persona he’s created for himself. logan who is listened to when he makes good arguments, but never any time else.

(meanwhile, the others would GLADLY listen to him talk about his passions all day. but he thinks they only wanna listen to Sciencey Logan, and so they assume sciencey stuff IS his passion, and no one ever knows how silent logan really is)

[fangirltothefullest]

Oooh this borders on "only listened to when useful" and "only important when giving to others/providing for them" and oh boy that always has angst potential!

[what-even-is-thiss]

I can tell that my professor doesn’t have ADHD.

[what-even-is-thiss]

I just told my dad and brother about this and my dad said “But you do control your own motivation?” and my brother recoiled in horror so you can probably guess which one of them has ADHD

[15thedoctor-deactivated20240103]

Motivation is a rare and passing favour granted by the stars. An elusive wind that comes and goes in its own time

Who…who controls their own motivation??

[what-even-is-thiss]

Neurotypicals, allegedly.

[itscoldinwonderland]

Wait.. people can control their motivation???

[what-even-is-thiss]

Allegedly.

[inhumane-screaming--noises-deac]

Wack.

[official-lucifers-child]

@ neurotypicals: IS THIS TRUE???????? CAN YOU JUST LIKE…. TURN IT ON AND OFF?????????????????

[cedarspiced]

[fangirltothefullest]

I speak from an American perspective so please forgive me if your country has better schools, I envy you that, but i know somw other places also struggle with this.

See, I have ADHD but I’ve been in college and I know for a fact that even neurotyoicals hated classes that I hated as well. I think that “intrinsic and extrinsic motivation” for classes that op’s picture talked about is directly tied to output production level and whether or not a person feels like they have the time to actively enjoy a class. If I have no time to do your homework I will hate your class and I will hate it 10 times more if a person insists I just need a perspective change. I can love a subject forever and a day and still hate a class because it has too much homework so I don’t have time to process anything I’ve learned- its just an output from me and that’s it. And so I don’t have time to care about it because there’s no longer time to do so. If I have 50,000 other things to do, classes to go to at terrible hours, work to go to, homework that’s up the ass for every class, and each class wants 110% from me on top of work wanting 110%, there’s absolutely no way your subject is going to interest me or keep me motivated intrinsically or extrinaically. There’s just no time to have any emotions other than jaded “I hate this” at that point.

And I think it’s really important to understand that people with mental disabilities on top of this time press and lack of care is what also causes loss of motivation because it’s already stupidly hard for neurotypical people, imagine having a brain that’s depressed or unable to executuively function or concentrate or is bombarded with anxiety on top of the demand for 110% from every class and work and being told you can just “choose” to be motivated when that’s difficult even for neurotypical people with the setup that’s been given. You want me to choose to like your class to stay motivated? Then give me time to breathe and maybe I’ll appreciate the subject because I’ve had time to actually think about the topic, not bullshit a paper just to keep my grade from tanking.

We make jokes but the system is extremely flawed and all of the professors and teachers who are insisting you can be motivated need to remember that when the majority of them went to get their degrees it was not that “rigorous”, it did not cost as much, it was not as homework-heavy and it was not as required to get a degree. It is unfair to expect people to be able to control their motivation and enjoy your shitty fucking class when they have every right not to with the way schools are set up. So like, jokes aside, fuck that professor, OP, that professor sucks. Also? The colour-coding is so condescending cause it could be for visibility/readability but the way it’s worded looks so demeaning.

[anxiety-within]

[galemalio]

This needs more notes.

[monfufu]

[forsakenoathkeeper]

if u dont acknowledge the fanfics u read, the writer won’t think anyone is actually taking the time to read their stuff, which makes our effort feel wasted and our passions feel worthless

[wintermoonqueen]

Tell. The. Fanfic. Writers. How. You. Feel.

[starscheme]

I will always reblog this. It’s important.

[writers-dilemma]

We are hungry for validation. Pls feed us!

[wholesomeremorse]

It’s so true and I will reblog this everytime I come across it

[geminiwishes]

Every single time I see Inbox (1), I immediately get a shot of seratonin

[princeimaginates]

Lowkey squeal when I see (1) in my Inbox.

[melodyofthevoid]

I absolutely squeal when I see (1). It fills me with glee.

[lefaystrent]

Yes hi. Do you have anything on Analogince? Hcs, fics, art? I just got dragged into that hell and I plan to stay there forever

I don’t think I’ve ever writtenanything for them, but here’s some headcanons.

Also this got loooong and I still didn’twrite out all my thoughts, but it’s 1 in the morning so I’m going to cut it hereand hopefully add more later. ^_^

Keep reading

[averykedavra]

Push My Luck

What’s this? Me posting a prompt pic on the same day as the prompt? Inconceivable! But analogince is The Best Ever, so I managed to do it! It’s enemies to lovers Ultimate, guys. You’re missing out.

(Tagging @tsshipmonth2020! Title from Don’t You Go by All Time Low. You can find this fic on Ao3 here!)

Prompt: Pick your favorite Soulmate AU and write about it! I picked an AU where you receive a black mark where your soulmate first touches you, that turns colorful when they do.

Pairing: Platonic Analogince

Words: 6561

Warnings: death mention, swearing, arguing, insecurity, a very brief fight scene with one (1) punch, crying, a bit of anxiety

Virgil, as a rule, doesn’t take risks.

The world is a big scary place. Lots of ways to get kidnapped or mugged or threatened just by leaving the house. So he tends to do the bare minimum. He doesn’t speak up in class. He doesn’t talk to other kids. He doesn’t mention his soulmates or the fact that he hasn’t met them yet. When the guidance counselor asks him for the seventh time what his career goals are, he just shrugs.

Life is easier if he keeps stuff close to his chest. If he stays out of everyone’s way. If he gives people less of a reason to hurt him. Life is smoother if he hides and life is calmer if he’s quiet.

Life is safer if he lives and lets live.

And today he broke that rule, so is it any surprise that everything went to shit?

Keep reading

[breigrace]

By request. Here’s a bunch of prinxiety doodles. Ya sanders sides fanders sure are thirsty for ships lololol. Constantly getting asks about them. 😂 Anyways.. enjoy!! ❤️💜

[maya-tl]

In order: Analogical, Royality, Logince, Prinxiety, Logicality, Moxiety and Polyam/PolySanders.

[legoflas]

I love these so much!

[randomslasher]

Gorgeous. Simply…gorgeous. I am so moved by all of these…they communicate so much in so little space. The comforting, undemanding reassurance of the little pinky hook on the analogical one…the unapologetic full emotion of Royality, their fingers AND hands laced together…the “meeting of the minds” of Logince, with that tiny hint of challenge that so often colors their interactions…the way Roman supports Virgil’s hand, and Virgil tucks his shyly into Roman’s in Prinxiety…the calm, side-by-side comfort and familiarity of Logicality…the sweet playfulness of Moxiety, with Patton insisting Virgil take an equal part in creating their whole…and the conclusion, each of the sides holding and being held in a supportive circle that is stronger for each of them taking part in it. 

This is so beautiful. I will never be over these, I’m sure of it. And I don’t wanna be. Just…gorgeous. 

*standing ovation*

[abstractedthinking]

T H I S E X P L A N A T I O N M A D E I T S O M U C H M O R E H O L Y S H I T

[randomslasher]

Oh man I could go so much more in depth with this, these say so much in such little space…

[abstractedthinking]

*sits in front of your big leather chair in front of a fireplace like a small kid listening to someone read them something because I have no idea why my mind decided to conjure this is*

You can if you’d like to! Hell, I went into a couple paragraphs just explaining the Side’s voices. But again, go into it if you want to, or keep it to yourself if you’d like :)

[randomslasher]

Oh man…I feel a little guilty tacking so much onto this original post but…

1. Analogical: Logan’s hand is higher up than Virgil’s, which suggests he’s reaching further from his side to hook Virgil’s pinky. This makes sense, because Virgil’s a bit insecure. You can also see Virgil’s insecurity in the way his hand hangs limp–he allows Logan to hold his pinky, but his fingers and thumb are relaxed, whereas Logan’s curl up decisively and confidently. The text, “I’ll always be there,” is spoken by Logan in the video, which ties this together nicely as a picture of Logan reassuring and comforting Virgil. 

2. Royality: The hands are tucked together in a mirror fashion, equals in confidence and secure in their hold. They’re also very intimate, palm-to-palm and fingers laced together. They’re just a little bit Extra: the handhold is not terribly practical, but it is terribly cute, and it brings to mind puppy love and sweet crushes and first dates with shared milkshakes and walks in the park. This is emphasized by the (slightly modified) quote from Roman: “You’re the sweetest little puffball we got.” It’s a sugar-sweet pairing of giggles and fluff and the picture captures that perfectly. 

3. Logince: Both hands are facing up–this is less hand holding and more a battle. There’s conflict here. Logan’s fingers, still upright, are caught off-guard, while Roman’s are curled over victoriously, having won this particular battle of wills. But there’s gentleness there, too–and playfulness. Roman’s fingers curl possessively but not painfully tight, and Logan’s quote, “What a visual…” was a moment of bemusement but not outright antipathy. These two challenge each other, but they keep each other fascinated and there’s never a dull moment in their relationship. 

4. Prinxiety: God, this one. Roman’s upturned hand–so gentle and sweet, his thumb just barely laid over the top of Virgil’s pinky. Virgil has an escape, if he wants it: he’s not tied into this interaction, and Roman wants him to know it. He’s treasured, but not trapped. He’s been hurt enough times–often at Roman’s hands–and Roman’s extra reach and effort is apology and adoration in one. Look at the way his wrist is curled upward, the way the tendons in his hand are straining a little. Holding his hand this way isn’t comfortable and relaxed, it takes effort, and that’s the point: Roman’s making an effort. He wants Virgil to learn to trust him. And from the way Virgil’s hand sits heavy in Roman’s, the wrist relaxed, I think Virgil’s starting to believe it, when Roman tells him: “You make us…better.” 

5. Logicality: This one is the traditional hand-hold. This is the handhold of couples who have been together for years. It’s practical and sweet; a perfect marriage of form and function. Their fingers are partially laced, but not completely. Logan’s fingers curl just a little tighter than Patton’s, perhaps to reassure himself of the solid reality of the other. Patton seems to need no reassurance, but takes comfort in the sweet, firm presence of his stoic other half, reminding him: “With you I’m always home.” 

 6. Moxiety: Of all of them, this one strikes me as more paternal than romantic, but either interpretation is gorgeous. Patton’s hand is more straight up-and-down: he is pushing Virgil’s arm up, supporting him, insisting that he raise himself (and Patton) UP where he belongs instead of putting himself down. They’re making a heart together, something Patton probably insisted upon, because he wanted to prove to Virgil that he is important–a necessary half of the whole–and wanted him to really believe it, when he told him, “You only help to lift me up.” 

7. Polyamsanders: And now we have the whole picture: 4 parts of a whole, surrounding one another, keeping each other safe. They’re all taking an equal part of the formation, no one hand or arm more important than another. Yes, they each bring in different ‘accessories’–they all have different talent and skill–but in the end, none is valued any more or less than any other. Virgil’s hoodie, a place of comfort and security; Logan’s watch, keeping them accountable to schedule and routine; Patton’s bracelets, representing the family he holds so dear; Roman’s frilly sleeve, his tendency toward excess; they all blend perfectly, to form the exceptional being that is Thomas, and the beautiful relationship that is Polyamsanders. 

I am done, I’m leaving these alone before @maya-tl decides to press charges. LJ out! 

[z0mbiechylde]

@randomslasher Excuse me while I bawl my eyes out. Oh God, reading this makes me even happier than looking at the pictures. It’s so beautifully written. ;A; The pictures and your words combined make up something absolutely wonderful. I adore you so much ahbdhsdghh!! <3

[princeanxious]

💛💛💛

[aelphaba1]

The explanations make it a thousand times better ❤️❤️

[maya-tl]

In order: Analogical, Royality, Logince, Prinxiety, Logicality, Moxiety and Polyam/PolySanders.