#sumptuous

[thamsesidevibe]

[lady-lazarus-13]

okay, i don’t know how to say this without being clumsy and i apologise in advance if what i’m about to say does end up sounding insensitive or thoughtless (and i am sending this as an ask so that you can just ignore it if it does end up that bad) but— i wanted to mention that i really like how you touch on the issues of racism and colourism in the priest au in a way which fits very neatly with the way julian is written in ds9 canon, with him being aware that his skin colour is looked down upon but having that sense of holding himself up as “one of the good ones” almost, wanting to be seen as a… credit to his race, for lack of a better word. combined with the elements of homophobia as well, it just… works really well to create a sense of julian bashir, who is in canon not very clued in on issues of oppression and marginalisation most of the time, exisiting in a world where he cannot ignore that such things exist and impact him, but he still carries the same sense of almost… idealised arrogance in his personal approach to acknlowedging it. just… it’s really, really good character writing and i really wanted to comment on that specifically, but i wasn’t sure how it would sound so… i hope i got my feelings across. ;;;;

Why hello there

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you for noticing that lolol

This Julian bought into the propaganda harder than canon Julian I think. At first because that's all he's ever known. I do think he'd be encouraging people to fully assimilate because it "worked out" for him. He just remains willfully ignorant to how many colonists and assimilationists operated (aka real fucked up). Which I think part of it is self-defense because it can hurt to realize so much is a lie.

I grew up proud of who I am but we live in a fucked up society that tries to get us all to buy into racism from birth. Racism is built into the damn foundation. For some people, it's easier to go along with what they've been told and carry that cognitive dissonance for their whole lives. For others, it takes them a long time to realize they built a house on a foundation not only still sinking but built on the bones of their ancestors.

Julian is the latter in my opinion.

As an audience we get to retcon Julian's reasons for being on DS9 with the augment reveal but "real frontier medicine" and "this is where heroes are made. Right here, in the wilderness." It revealed a lot about him and I wanted to keep that in the story where I could.

Also, it was the DS9 writers for sure, but I was always side eyeing the fact they got Miles reenacting British historical events with Julian, but they never reenacted anything specifically Irish when we also know Miles is very proud of his family history.

So thank you for noticing those details. It was something I wanted to expand on a lot, but I just had to let it go or I'd have written like two books.

I had a whole subplot of Julian dealing with Eddington whose taking Sisko to court constantly out of jealousy. Because Sisko is not only a free man, but he has accolades and status from his time fighting for the British army. But just like in the show there is a level of disrespect because yeah sure, go on Commander who should be already a Captain and an Admiral before 40, go ahead and work at the edge of the "wilderness."

It would be during those conversations with Sisko that Julian would have some epiphanies. He'd still love England (aka the Federation) and not be able to fully renounce what they're doing, but he'd be on the path toward caring about human rights beyond just his own experiences and sphere of influence.

It was a balancing act because Star Trek can be very ahistorical when dealing with the past. If we didn't have Avery fighting to show Black people and history in a fuller way, we probably wouldn't have gotten an episode like Far Beyond the Stars.

Julian is Julian at the end of the day. I tried to keep his character as close to canon as possible ~for many reasons~.

But as you can tell, in order to bridge the gap and get 1600s Julian more educated on these issues, I'd have had to really really expand when the heart of the story was a focus on Julian and Garak.

And as much as I want to have his character confront these topics in depth, it would be a lot of heavy lifting to get him there with nuance so it wasn't suddenly too OOC.

Let's just hope that genius in any universe cracks open a damn history book someday. (Why the fuck were they playing holosuites at the damn Alamo????)

Anyway, thank you for noticing and sending this ask and giving me a chance to talk a lot about this.

[garternstocking]

[ginger-by-the-sea]

[transport-methodology-101]

Buick Roadmaster, 1993. 5.7-liter LT1 V8.

V8, 350 cu in, 5733 cc, 180hp, 330 lb-ft torque. 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, 1/4 mile in 16.5 seconds, 125 mph.

A Testament to American opulent Luxury and dignified Power - Buick's full-size stately flagship.

[marieletempsestephemere]

[hairychestloversblog]

Sumptuous Long and Thick Chest Hair 😋😋😋

[capitalism-is-a-psychopathy]

The Illusion of Wealth

Wealth is a mirage. It shimmers in the distance, promising happiness and fulfillment. Yet, when reached, it often leaves one thirstier than before. The pursuit of riches can blind us to the true treasures of life.

The Trap of Accumulation

In a world driven by capitalism, the accumulation of wealth is often seen as the ultimate goal. But this endless chase can lead to a hollow existence. The more we gather, the more we want, and the cycle continues. This is the psychopathy of capitalism: it convinces us that more is always better.

The True Cost

The cost of this pursuit is steep. Relationships suffer, communities weaken, and the environment pays the price. We become isolated, disconnected from the very things that bring genuine joy and satisfaction. The wealth we seek becomes a prison, locking us away from the richness of life.

Alternatives to Capitalism

There are other paths. Cooperative economics, where communities work together for mutual benefit, can replace the competitive nature of capitalism. Sharing resources, supporting local businesses, and prioritizing sustainability over profit are steps toward a more equitable system.

Steps Toward Change

Support Local: Buy from local businesses and farmers. This keeps money within the community and reduces environmental impact.

Embrace Minimalism: Focus on what you need, not what you want. This reduces waste and frees you from the cycle of consumption.

Invest in People: Spend time building relationships and supporting others. This creates a network of support and enriches your life.

Educate Yourself: Learn about alternative economic systems and how they can be implemented in your community.

A Call to Action

Change begins with you. Start small, but start today. Choose one step and commit to it. Share your journey with others and inspire them to join you. Together, we can create a world where wealth is measured not by what we have, but by what we give.

Conclusion

The pursuit of wealth is a path fraught with pitfalls. But by choosing alternatives to capitalism, we can avoid its psychopathy and build a more just and fulfilling world. Let us seek the true treasures of life: connection, community, and contentment.