"Sometimes mind descends to a place of non-freedom. To a place where unwanted vibrations reverberate in the brain..."
#writing #opinions #blogging #writingcommunity #society #freedom #unfreedom #individuality #thoughts #ProsePoetry #writeas
Read 'removing the non-freedoms' published by for much deliberation on Write.as
https://write.as/for-much-deliberation/removing-the-non-freedoms

Trump administration eviscerates maternal and child health programs https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/05/maternal-child-health-cuts #Trumpadministration #Reproductiverights #Fertilityproblems #USpolitics #Pregnancy #Children #Society #USnews #Gender #Health #Family #Women #IVF

The Gargoyles' Eclipse
* Image Credit & Copyright: Bertrand Kulik
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bertrandkulik/

Explanation:
In dramatic silhouette against a cloudy daytime sky over Paris, France, gargoyles cast their monstrous gaze outward from the west facade of Notre Dame Cathedral. Taken on March 29, this telephoto snapshot also captures the dramatic silhouette of a New Moon against the bright solar disk in a partial solar eclipse. Happening high in Parisian skies, the partial eclipse was close to its maximum phase of about 23 percent. Occurring near the end of the first eclipse season of 2025, this partial solar eclipse followed the total eclipse of the Full Moon on March 13/14. The upcoming second eclipse season of 2025 will see a total lunar eclipse on September 7/8 and partial solar eclipse on September 21. The partial solar eclipse will be seen only from locations in planet Earth's southern hemisphere.
https://www.friendsofnotredamedeparis.org/cathedral/artifacts/west-facade/
https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/mar-29-2025-eclipse/
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250330.html

***
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipses_in_mythology_and_culture
https://earthsky.org/human-world/how-the-ancients-explained-eclipses-myths-and-science/
https://brainwisemind.com/what-does-the-eclipse-symbolize/
https://library.ethz.ch/en/locations-and-media/platforms/virtual-exhibitions/solar-eclipses-myth-and-science%20/solar-eclipses-as-a-symbol.html
https://oxsci.org/how-ancient-civilisations-interepreted-solar-eclipses/
https://eclipse23.com/blogs/eclipse-education/superstitions-and-religious-beliefs-surrounding-eclipses
***

https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_season

https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250405.html

TWIST. A mixture of half tea and half coffee; likewise brandy, beer, and eggs. A good twist; a good appetite. To twist it down apace; to eat heartily.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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#books #literature #dictionaries #history #society #language #slang @histodons

AI models shape our worldviews, yet their biases are harder to detect than newspapers’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOpusJEWn-A&t=915s - AI #LLM #society

I finished the book The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center by Rhaina Cohen.

While I liked the idea, the book was very heavy on anecdote, and I wanted more discussion about the implications of decentering romance and committing to friendship -- and perhaps more research.

Instead of positing that friend partnership was an option, it seemed, instead, to show, perhaps without meaning to, the ways that society isn't yet ready for types of partnership outside of romantic coupling. If other people aren't judging, the law gets in the way, or one friend-partner may suddenly decide to center romance with someone else.

And while even if you find someone who holds the value of finding partnerships and close found family members, it's even rarer to find people who you harmonize with.

Since we've been inundated with the "romance/marriage at the center" story from birth (looking at you, Disney, etc.), it's really hard to resist the notion and follow another path.

HOBBY. Sir Posthumous's hobby; one nice or whimsical in his clothes.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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#books #literature #dictionaries #history #society #language #slang @histodons

A record 7,910 people became "community reactivators" in fiscal 2024 under a program subsidized by the Japanese government in which urban residents move to nonurban areas to help revitalize local communities. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/04/04/japan/society/community-reactivating-cooperator/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #internalaffairsministry

Countries participating in the 2025 World Exposition in Osaka are taking on Japan's love of mascots by coming up with characters of their own, some of which incorporate the culture of the host country. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/04/04/japan/society/expo-mascot/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #2025osakaexpo #osaka #mascots

Blanket ban on teen smartphone use ‘potentially detrimental’, says academic https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/03/blanket-ban-on-teen-smartphone-use-potentially-detrimental-says-academic #Childprotection #Digitalmedia #Smartphones #Socialmedia #KeirStarmer #Technology #Children #Politics #Society #UKnews

A ~35 minute video that's thoughtful and well researched on the impacts of AI. The best summary of the environmental footprint that I've come across yet. The latter half discusses the societal side of the equation.

Individualism, deregulated capitalism, techno-optimism, collective action. By the end, the video touches so many things I care about. Can't recommend enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sFBySzNIX0

BUBBLY JOCK. A turkey cock. SCOTCH.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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#books #literature #dictionaries #history #society #language #slang @histodons

High Steaks

Great Australian Pods Podcast Directory: https://www.greataustralianpods.com/high-steaks/

The best interview I’ve seen recently. This isn’t only a kids or teenagers’ issue. We should all take a look in the mirror cause we’re part of the problem. #society #socialmedia #anxiety

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RN2GhPal4qA

American College of Greece seeks university status https://www.byteseu.com/890642/ #EDUCATION #Greece #INDEPTH #society

REBUS. A riddle or pun on a man's name, expressed in sculpture or painting, thus: a bolt or arrow, and a tun, for Bolton; death's head, and a ton, for Morton.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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#books #literature #dictionaries #history #society #language #slang @histodons

In Russia, Elton John's Foundation is banned,
Just for supporting LGBTQ+ rights they planned.
But the fight for equality won't end,
With Elton as an advocate and friend,
In the face of discrimination, he'll take a stand.

#GuardianLimerick #Russia #Health #Europe #Society

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/03/russia-bans-elton-john-aids-foundation-support-lgbtq-rights

Social media and society go hand in hand. Right now, both are in turmoil.

That's why we believe that the focus should be on building community. Groups of people who can come together under the shared banner of an interest, a location, or a belief.

Thanks to the power of the open social web, these communities can not only span across the world, but across platforms.

We're giving you the ability to build community here. Stay tuned

COG. The money, or whatsoever the sweeteners drop to draw in a bubble.

A selection from Francis Grose’s “Dictionary Of The Vulgar Tongue” (1785)

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#books #literature #dictionaries #history #society #language #slang @histodons

Doctors urge government to fight poverty after rise in patients with Victorian diseases https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/03/doctors-urge-government-fight-poverty-victorian-diseases #Infectiousdiseases #Medicalresearch #Microbiology #Inequality #Doctors #Society #Science #Poverty #Health #UKnews