thanks, i hate it

carly 睿翼 (ruiyi) / 36 / she/they / ⚢ / my wife is @novafigura! / i hate the internet / if you're blocked sorry you probably made a post that stressed me out

[hopefulrefrain]

bsky: veryroundbird.house

dreamwidth: veryroundbird

ao3: veryroundbird

tetratto: veryroundbird

cohost: veryroundbird rip 😔

fedi: [email protected]

[hope-for-the-planet]

70% Drop in Levels of Forever Chemicals Observed in Seabird Eggs Tracks Regulatory Success

These pescatarian birds are directly exposed to PFAS contamination due to the island's position near the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Over fifty years of data show a peak in PFAS (also known as "forever chemicals") content in seabird eggs in the 90s, followed by a decrease as regulations went into effect. The most recent findings show a 70% decrease of most common PFAS.

While continued vigilance a regulation is needed, this data indicates that regulations are working to reduce PFAS concentrations in marine ecosystems.

[sattarehi]

Yes!!!! I did a review of literature on PFASs in human drinking water about half a year ago, and there is a lot of really good progress! Please celebrate this, please don't let this solution be forgotten (at least so quickly) as the ozone layer or acid rain.

We are making genuine progress! Producers are dramatically altering how much they use PFAS and how much gets released in effluent, but also there's a lot better understanding of how to remove PFAS from the environment!

Environmental problems CAN BE SOLVED.

[elwenyere]

-- Ted Chiang, from "Why A.I. Isn't Going to Make Art"

[oldshrewsburyian]

I'm so glad they got Ted Chiang -- a wonderful writer of science fiction and thinker about technology, in my opinion -- to write this essay. My favorite line was this:

Generative A.I. appeals to people who think they can express themselves in a medium without actually working in that medium.

[prokopetz]

If ever you get tired of responding to questions about "rp-forward" games with verbosity and pedantry (which, to be clear, heaven forfend you do, I love reading those posts) may I humbly suggest the (in my opinion highly entertaining) alternative of telling people "Good Society will probably work for you" and refusing to elaborate?

You know for a fact that if I ever resorted to a bit like that it would be Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine.

[prokopetz]

#I am only vaguely familiar with the game #why would recommending Chuubo's be a bit in this case? (via @moltensludeinbrainattack)

The structure of the game manages to hit a remarkable number of features that folks who think "RP forward" actually means something and isn't just a marketing phrase would typically regard as categorically excluding a system from being "RP forward", while looking nothing like the kind of game you'd tend to picture based on those features.

You don't want the mechanics sticking their nose into every little thing? Chuubo's is so intensely preoccupied with mechanising the mundane that forming intentions to do things is a rules-mediated action. There are specific target numbers for stuff like "do it correctly", "look like you actually know what you're doing", and "be happy with the result", and without a relevant skill or resource expenditure, the best outcome you can ordinarily achieve is "make everything worse".

You want to do stuff because it "makes sense for your character", and not because it gives the most points? As far as Chuubo's is concerned, those are the same thing. Just living your everyday life is framed as a kind of quest, with milestones and XP triggers and whatnot; this is a game where you might actively look for excuses to "have a conversation in a poorly lit place" or "gaze contemplatively over a large body of water" because your personal quest line awards XP for doing that.

You want a game that will let you make up whatever character you want and doesn't expect you to faff about with "classes" and "levels" and such? Not only does Chuubo's effectively have both of those things, it's so strongly opinionated about what sorts of characters are appropriate that it recommends you use pregenerated characters until you get a good feel for the milieu. One of those pregens has a character sheet that's twenty pages long – and you might assume that means most of it is just a big tedious lore dump, but it's not.

And on top of all that, it's not combat focused (because it has no formal combat system) and doesn't ask you to roll dice all the time (by dint of the technicality that it's a diceless system), so it can't readily be dismissed as "not RP forward" on any of the usual grounds. It's a slice of life game about adolescent gods attending high school. The kid who owns the titular Wish-Granting Engine can turn into a giant snake.

[prokopetz]

@caseyuptobat replied:

The only reason to actually play this game beyond novelty is if you have a supreme case of writer's block and are running behind to turn in a manuscript of an azumanga-esque 4koma chapter

Not true.

It's also a very solid choice for running Homestuck.

[prokopetz]

@bobafloutist replied:

Would you say the game is fun?

I certainly have fun with it. Take that for what it's worth, in light of what you know about the kind of person that I am.

[jewishtransdyke]

Is this a game that's actually meant to be played, or was it made as a joke or something?

[novafigura]

It is ABSOLUTELY intended to be played! It is probably even my currently favorite ttrpg, if I had to pick only one. (There's an argument to be made that some of Jenna Moran's works, such as Wisher Theurgist Fatalist a.k.a. "WTF," are more thought exercises than traditional games, but 1. people can and do play WTF; and 2. Chuubo's is very fully in the "intended to be played" category.)

In reblogging this from you, I'm kicking this post into dedicated Jenna Moran fan space, so I wouldn't be surprised to see you get additional, better answers, but I'll at least start:

Prokopetz is, I'm pretty sure, largely framing this description of CMWGE (as it's commonly abbreviated) to make a point challenging how people think about game mechanics in the first place. In practice, though, playing Chuubo's feels tremendously organic, with the greatest difference between itself and other ttrpgs I've played being that, despite not being GM-less, players have way more agency to simply declare that a thing happens because it fits with their character's story.

Indeed, all these described mechanics are a way of keeping story logic front and center with CMWGE: your character does not learn and grow through defeating enemies, and even XP from just attending a session is downplayed. Instead, narrative beats are what concern you—both big milestones and smaller ones. A strange dream or "imagine spot"; a moment where a character tries and fails to voice their feelings; the time wielding a forbidden power—all of these can have narrative heft to them. You're encouraged to linger in quiet moments, but also to be unafraid in declaring that now is the time for your character to step up and do something incredible.

This is, likewise, why the game measures "intention" strength for actions. (And, to be clear, just like in other games you're used to, you don't need to set intentions for narratively insignificant actions any more than you'd be expected to make a dice check for them. It's just that a much broader span of actions could be narratively significant, in a game like CMWGE.) Intention, as a system, ends up highlighting two things: first, the way that characters who seem mythically powerful in one area may genuinely struggle to do things like "navigate a customer service conversation like an ordinary human"; and second, to show how hope, passion, and the wishing power of the heart can allow even "ordinary humans" to accomplish wonders.

It takes some getting used to, to be sure. But having felt what it's like to have my character's losses and (to be blunt) crashouts be truly leaned into as advancing the story productively? Having my "moss Galatea" character finish her storyline by having her two partners cut out her heart that they might collectively plant it in a forest grotto, allowing her to transcend to a kind of godhood? And it's not just allowed but actively encouraged by the narrative beats of her arc "quest"? Holy shit.

Yes, yes you can play Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine. You absolutely should play Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine.

[kedreeva]

They love to fall asleep in a pile

[thelawfulchaotic]

hi!! sorry if you've been asked this question before, but as someone who wants to be a lawyer, how do you deal with defending people that morally you really don't agree with? thanks!

I get a lot of versions of this question, and I answer it seriously every time, because it’s both important and not important at all. Anyone who asks respectfully gets my whole ass answer.

It’s just not really about that. My job isn’t about defending the idea of hurting someone else. It’s about stopping the state from inflicting further hurt, torture, pain. It’s about pushing back for some fairness against a monumentally stacked system. And it’s about stuff that’s normal human stuff that counts as crime for some reason.

Yeah, it’s hard to do a sex abuse case. Sometimes the images stick around and it bothers me. But honestly? Mostly those cases have real plausible theories of innocence or they’re cases that I will lose because the evidence is there, and the question is not whether the perpetrator will go to jail but how long.

Those cases are so rare, though. I get so much pointless bullshit. Felony of a teen taking mom’s car without permission. Two kids that try to break into a car and get so scared by the alarm that they run away. Trespassing on dad’s house because his new girlfriend wants you to stop coming around. It’s just human stuff, and the violence of the state is not necessary or helpful.

I also reject the idea of punishment completely. The state has a responsibility to stop people from hurting other people again. But inflicting pain doesn’t do it, we know this by now. So I argue for mercy and for real solutions to real problems. I’m here to build a future, not get caught up with doing violence to someone because of the past.

So yeah, sometimes it’s hard, but mostly my conscience is dead clear: I’m not responsible for the crime. The damage has been done. I want to start the healing process, and I want it for everyone involved. When that’s not possible, I just want to tell the authorities they don’t get to just Do What They Want.

The more I do this job, the more I am a genuine pacifist who is against violence in all forms, and actually I don’t see a contradiction between that and what I do for a living. State violence is a pervasive evil that tears apart families, communities, and countries, and it’s far more damaging and awful than any individual crime. The average prosecutor has more blood on their hands than a serial killer, but it’s invisible: people who died in jail, who froze to death on the street, who were shot in a drug deal. Their violence begets violence.

When I get blood on my hands, it’s because I put my hands over the wounds and try to stop the flow. I’m okay with it.

Also: people don’t ask doctors how they can stand to treat bad people. Why ask me?

[cerastes]

[hagushka]

Theresa and Amiya

[sergle]

do you want this sweet prince?

do you live in or near Oklahoma? would you be willing to make a side quest to adopt a new baby? do you want to do me a huge favor? then you may be eligible to adopt the Little Prince! (his foster name)

the prince is a stray I recently picked up because he ran directly towards my car, displaying his incredible lack of intelligence and survival instincts! he seemed in good health at first, but he was absolutely riddled with fleas and parasites, one of the worst I've ever seen. he's been with me for a bit, he's been medicated and is now very healthy, gaining some weight, and he's very very VERY sweet!! if you get your face close to him, he loves to headbutt. if you have other pets who are friendly, he's also able to adapt to New Friends, given a little time! he's a petite little boy with small paws, and he weighs about 6 pounds. there's a reason we call him The Little Prince, he's destined to sit on top of a silk cushion.

if you're interested in adopting this boy, please feel free to message me anytime! I can also send more pics. if you're a good fit for him and promise to give him a loving home, I can also drive partway to meet you, if you're far-ish away. reblogs are appreciated! thank you for looking at the Prince!

[nero-draco]

[kaltsit-enjoyer]

resa and the meowmeow..

[kaltsit-enjoyer]

some sketches and studies I don’t think I’ve posted here (or that I deleted?)

[395nm]

Fuck Meyer-Briggs whatever typology. This INTFP shit is only for redditors up their own asses to substitute for a personality. Use my new typology instead!

Your ideal environment is:

Hot/Cold

Wet/Dry

Bright/Dark

Loud/Quiet

[bedupolker]

HWBL - beach boy

HWBQ - tropical fish

HWDL - dingy club bathroom hookup

HWDQ - the swamp woman

HDBL - CoachellaBurningmanSouthbysouthwestACL attendee

HDBQ - Lizard

HDDL - Vegas babeyyyy

HDDQ - Trapped in a slot canyon

CWBL - Rowdy Lobsterman Crew

CWBQ - penguin living

CWDL - port angeles basement show

CWDQ - bruminating amphibian/hypothermic mammal

CDBL - ski resort

CDBQ - Christmas in Nebraska

CDDL - mcmurdo station rave

CDDQ - corpse

[toastercastles]

Amiya, but she's wearing the coat like a Cape!!

Dripmaxxing Amiya Arknights

[incandescent-irrigation]

i remember how before babel there was still the deniability with kal'tsit putting the blame for theresa's death on doctor. kal'tsit saying "you killed theresa" and you, the player, getting to go "this could have been said as a metaphor"

(in a way it was but the other way around)

you keep hearing about this infinitely kind figure whom amiya loved as much as she loves you, and it's hard not to love amiya as much. surely you couldn't have taken that from her and keep her love.

and then babel happens. and you did it. you did kill theresa, in artificial light but plain as day. you had a reason, a plan, an execution. you begged for her forgiveness as she bled out, and she killed you back. in an act of mercy to those who need you and cruelty to those you chose over her, she stole a god from distant past and gifted it back to the person who unearthed them for her.

you killed theresa (she was destined to die before your plan was ever hatched. it was inevitable) (*you* did not kill theresa) (you know that /you/ killed theresa.) (she was not gone) (she will never be gone)

theresa killed the oracle (they will never fulfill their purpose) (they were replaced) (the moniker they chose took on a new life) (they cannot fix anything anymore) (a lot of people died that day) and left the doctor to atone for them (to Want to Atone on their own) (they will not love the spectrum of theresa the way oracle did)

and the two people left alone afterwards were an immortal whose trust was betrayed, thus her resentment for you, and a child all three of you loved, whose short life was saved and ruined by your pity and theresa's hope, and love and love and love and love, and she knows what happened that day, and she loves you too.

the narrative keeps going. is5 tells you this would have happened anyway, whether or not you were there. in the end you are less significant to the world you created than the little girl you took in. in the worlds where you don't get to wake up she suffers more, so perhaps this is better after all. perhaps this is for the best. perhaps a prophet had to fly too close to the sun for a healer to attempt to undo the damage.

[loveandlegacy]

as a rule it's always more interesting when two people who know each other outlive a third person that they both loved and then their relationship becomes So Much Weirder and more emotionally fraught, entangled, and charged when that third person dies

[nondelphic]

i AM gonna start writing!! i just need to clean my desk, reorganize my 50 empty notebooks, play with my cats, stare out the window like a victorian poet, and then maybe spend two hours finding the perfect playlist. it’s called process.