I've recently come across a lot of buzz about electrolysed reduced water (ERW), which is often marketed as having unique health benefits due to its antioxidant properties and alkaline pH. One of the claims that particularly caught my attention is that ERW can help neutralize free radicals, potentially providing significant health benefits.
As someone interested in the science behind health and wellness, I'm curious about the validity of these claims. Therefore, I'm reaching out to this community of biomedical scientists to get your expert opinions. Specifically:

1. Is there any real solid scientific evidence supporting the idea that electrolysed reduced water can effectively neutralize free radicals in the body?
2. What are the potential biological mechanisms that could explain how ERW interacts with free radicals?
3. Are there any known benefits or downsides to regularly consuming electrolysed reduced water with regard to free radical activity?
4. How does the body naturally manage free radicals, and can consuming ERW significantly impact this process?
5. Have you come across Kangen water before? What are your general thoughts?

I appreciate any insights you can provide, including relevant studies or personal research experiences. Looking forward to a fact-based discussion!

Life is supposed to be a 'gift' because of the great relationships (familial or romantic) and friendships we can have.
However, I get little net benefit out of any of these. I'm not talking 'benefit' like money or anything - I'm talking on a purely emotional, connection level. Both of my parents, particularly my father, were abusive. I have a dissociative disorder because of my dad's neglect. I have an eating disorder because of my mother (on 32nd day of water fasting, thanks mum!)
Then there's the romantic 'options' we women have - men have made sex & the visual their entire personality. You're supposed to be grateful for the bare minimum. While the majority of people understand that fathers are neglectful en masse, we haven't, as a society, recognised that straight men have emotionally neglected straight women en masse (because they only care about sex or what they can take - what should be the absolute basics of a relationship - emotional connection and conversation - are seen as 'luxuries' that women are lucky to have, and sure to lose imminently when they turn 30!). I refuse to put 'not all men'. If the moderators remove this, idc. I'm going to write objective truths - if it's removed, then it's just censorship.
Then there's friends. In the same way I'm turned off having relationships because of how misogynistic/low effort men are, I'm also turned off having friendships with women because of how allistic they are to the patriarchy. Even on Reddit, I'll be scrolling through so-called 'feminist' subreddits and it's all about women supposedly being 'empowered' by hook-up culture.. Meanwhile, complaining that men ghost them after sex (which is r*pe, btw). Apparently, we can't put two-and-two together... If you stop engaging in a culture that was obviously created by men, for men, then they'll have to become better partners or gth. Unfortunately, real feminism is sacrilegious nowadays, due to neoliberalism.
I had some amazing friends in school, but even then, to access my friends I had to ensure extreme bullying from others. Whenever something positive happens, I seem to have to endure knives from all other angles to keep 'access' to it, if that makes sense.
Trauma (from r*pe, abuse and my eating disorder) has fundamentally changed my brain. I have a permanent (thus far) dissociation disorder, rather than periodic episodes of it. I can't connect to anyone, and now I can see that those relationships did not serve me whatsoever. The only relationships I valued were my school friends, who I accidentally ghosted in the 'pushing everyone away' phase of PTSD. I feel too awkward to reach out to them now.
Given that the brain often 'checks out' of emotional connection in response to trauma... It's almost like we know deep down that these relationships are fraught with risk.
What I'm going to say now is quite radical:
We don't actually 'need' connections. Many animals live a solitary life. We evolved to 'need' connections because it was evolutionarily beneficial - it helped us to survive. Antinatalism seems like a good place to post this, because many of us reject the notion that 'what's natural is good' - a naturalistic fallacy. Indeed, many related subreddits discuss how morbid 'mother nature' is.
I argue that a great number of people are actually hurt by our 'need' for connection - particularly in the familial and romantic sense (most parents are quite cruel, and most partners are abusive or cheaters). Even when it comes to friendships, we're deathly afraid of social rejection and bullying is part-and-parcel of everyday life. And don't get me started with 'colleagues'.
I read a great article that said "society is inherently violent, because everyone is trying to control other people." I think this is a great summary of the life we're thrust into - the unique miseries that humans experience, unlike other species. Interacting with people seems to be overwhelmingly fraught with risk with little return, just as dating men as a straight woman is.
I would be quite happy living in solitude, but my biology betrays me. I become lonely and depressed, even though I am free from miseries. There's no actual -reason- for this depression - humans naturally become depressed from loneliness if we have too much solitude, because of our evolutionary drive to survive. Someone like me doesn't actually even miss the interactions!
And that leads me to a final point: I think the evolutionary process is the cause of much pain we have to endure. It's a barrier to antinatalism (we have a biological drive to reproduce - I would love to be a mother, but logically I could never bring a child into the world). It pushes me to try to date men when I objectively get nothing out of it. It pushes me to socialise when I'm actually very content in my own company, until my brain betrays me. etc. etc.
Anticipating some replies: "but we do need to interact sometimes to survive!" Agreed, but we don't necessarily need connections or relationships. I'm a doctor - I'm not besties with people who come to me for a scan. I do it because I care about peoples' wellbeing in general, and I'm paid for it.
Just to reiterate that this does link to AN: I don't think life is worth it because we have pain baked-in, due to the evolutionary process; we humans have to endure unique miseries because of our 'need' for socialising; and, in life, you either have to accept abuse/harassment/cheating from your relationships or be alone, which, as detailed above, our brains and bodies are allergic to needlessly.
I'm a bit weary of rule number 5: 'no venting or lamenting' lol - I'm not sure how I can discuss things that make me AN without venting a little. I prefer to call it 'giving a detailed explanation'. a. These adjacent, related issues make me feel AN -> b. Here's a detailed explanation as to why that is the case. I hope I've at least clarified how it links to AN.

I’m a junior in high school, female, looking to apply to USAFA and USMA to be Class of 2029. I feel pretty good about my application, and will be going to all three Summer Seminars this Summer, but I’m curious on what else I can add in my last year of high school. Here are my stats:
3.94 UW GPA, 4.33 W (will be 4.5 after this year) have taken maybe 5 honors and 5 APs (Euro, Calc AB, Seminar, Lang, Bio) and will take 5 Sr yr (Stats, Physics, CSP, Gov, Macro) School doesn’t do class rank but I would estimate myself to be top 20-30 out of 470.
35 ACT (34 math, 35 science, 36 english, 36 reading, and 9 writing, took it three times) 1450 SAT (700 math 750 english, took once bc school offered it for free)
By the time I graduate, I’ll have 4 years of varsity swim under my belt and 2 years of water polo. I’m not super good at either though so I don’t do club and haven’t won any league awards. But I can pass the CFA and will train hard for it this Summer. When I was younger up until age 12 I did martial arts for 5 years… but I don’t think that’s relevant anymore.
C/Capt in Civil Air Patrol, joined in 2020 and will be a Squadron Commander at my state encampment this Summer (will be leading 60+ cadets, it’s a big encampment). I will be Cadet Commander of my local squadron during my Senior year and have won two Gold Presidential volunteer service awards from 350+ service hours over 2022 and 2023. I’ll hit C/Maj before I apply to USAFA. I also do CyberPatriot competition, I did 5 years of it and my team made it to Semifinals every year.
I’m in the STEM leadership institute, which is a program at my school, and I’m in Mathletes club, and did Mock Trial for two years, was vice president before I quit to join water polo. I also teach kids from my parent’s country of origin English online for an hour once a week, have been since sophomore year spring.
I was hired as a lifeguard by my city and I’ll start working in a couple months when my paperwork goes through and hopefully I’ll do that until I graduate. Also, this Summer I’m trying to get EMT certified at a course in Texas. Ultimately I want to go into medicine in some capacity, majoring in biology at the Academy so I think this is a good step to take.
I think that’s everything. The biggest reason behind why I want to go into the military is because I’ve always wanted to be a doctor, and I feel like I have a sort of moral obligation to serve and make people’s lives better in any way I can. There’s more, I wrote my Summer Seminar essays about it a little bit.
Any input?

My father is 64 years old, diagnosed with UC in the late 80s/early 90s. He's been on the max dose of mesalamine since it was invented, steroids and various other crap before that. I myself was diagnosed with Crohn's last year (thanks Dad, lol). Mesalamine didn't do much for me but when I stopped it I flared, so now I'm on a biologic, while still also on the max dose of mesalamine.
Anyway, my dad switched insurances and, since we live in the US (ugh), his mesalamine is no longer covered. No versions of it. So he either would have to pay a fortune out of pocket, which he cannot afford, or go without. His doctor, whom I'm convinced is senile (in his 80s and has been categorically erratic lately), said "why not try going without it for a while and see what happens?" and frankly I think that's insane. But this guy has been my dad's doc since he was diagnosed a million years ago, so he trusts him (too much, imo).
I'm worried about my dad going suddenly med-free. He's been on this medication for a while with no issues, and stopping it cold turkey with no plan seems like asking for trouble. How can I help him appeal this decision with his insurance? Or is there some other way for him to get mesalamine? I'm scared for him and don't know what to do. At the same time, I'm navigating my own new Crohn's diagnosis, and just started Skyrizi. I am also on mesalamine. Would it be unwise for me to forgo the mesalamine and just give it to him instead? I'm scared to quit mesalamine because I had a horrible GI bleed last time I stopped it, but I'm also really worried about my dad, and he may need it more than I do. Any advice welcome. Thank you

(m19) a few months ago i had decided l wanted to live life as a nomad. I hate staying in the same spot or being at the same job for longer than a couple months. It drives me crazy. All my happiness comes from being outdoors and exploring/learning.

at the time i had just graduated high school and as soon as i possibly could i hit the road, deciding to live in my car and work doordash for money. I had some emergency money saved up and a decent resume to get me a job if needed. I started in the CA bay area and made my way to LA, then Nevada, utah, AZ, NM, Colorado, Kansas, oklahoma as finally Texas where my car broke down. I was living in a walmart parking lot and got a job at starbucks to save up some money. I had just started community college online and I was having the time of my LIFE!! sleeping under the stars every night, something new always happening. It felt like an itch to be free had been scratched and i knew i wanted to live like this for the rest of my life, or as long as i realistically could. I had plans to visit as many states then countries as possible, all while going to school for biology. A few days after my car was fixed and i was on my way to kentucky my ex girlfriend called me saying she’s pregnant. After many fights i decide to make my way back to california so I can be in my kids life.
My baby mama wants to be with me so bad but i just can’t see myself spending my life with her. She’s amazing i just can’t rly see myself spending my life with anyone who isn’t down to live like i want to.
Anyways im back home, working full time, living with my parents and still going to school. I really don’t have anything to be complaining about but it feels like agony to me. I want to be outside, living like I was before all of this happened. I’m doing this because people tell me it’s the right thing to do. I haven’t just left because i don’t think i could knowing i’m having a child. I’m dating her to be in my kids life but i don’t really feel much. It’s bad because i tell her i love her and i treat her right in order to be a good example for my soon-to-be daughter, but it’s not genuine. She doesn’t know any of this and i tell her im gonna be there to be a good husband and father because i feel it’s what im “supposed” to say.

Back In school i would run away all the time just to go hop on a train to see where it would take me because i NEEDED to explore. My parents told me to wait until after high school to do stuff like that so i didn’t ruin my education- and the only way i could stay going to school doing the same thing everyday was when i was constantly high. So i was heavily smoking weed to not drive myself crazy feeling”trapped” until i graduated(with a 3.9). I’m back to staying high all the time for the same reason and i’ve resorted to convincing myself that ill be able to do all the things i want in my next life. I know i have a lot to look forward to with my daughter but i still wish things were different.

January 4, 2024
HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎊🕛🥳 I'd like to see how you all are feeling about the content that gets posted here. I sometimes post on my profile,🔥 usually longer articles from scholarly pursuits.
♈♉♊♋♌♍♎♏♐♑♒♓⛎ I have a newer subreddit based on my Tarot content, at tarotjourneys for the most recent content that I have been working on in that subject area. I'm not sure if I will have new subreddits for different subjects, or if I can keep it together here. I am going to be posting and cross posting so join both or don't, just read and connect with me here, or there!
Also next week will be the first contest in the annual anthology📒 that will be good for you guys to start getting involved in this community. Post will go up on the 8th and stay up one week. There is going to be a three week option for submitting and then we will be selecting the first winner 🏆 on February 7th. Announced on February 9th. Next month contest will be February 8th. And so on.🏆🪶🥠🥡
🌹🌹🌹Prizes for the short story and poetry is $100 cash and promotions, as well as a place in the annual anthology! Our artwork is going to be a prize of $50 and featured in materials and online, then it will be a 🌹🌹🌹Anthology chapter👀 introduction, and compete for the cover, with the monthly winners. The same dates apply to the three different contests.👀🌹
Anyone can enter, up to three submissions in each category! First entry in each category is free. Each additional entry is just $10 via PayPal or Cash App. If you don't have the ability to pay, we have a few waiver.
Our sponsors will be featured in the first post so even if you don't want to enter, read about us then!!!🕛❤️‍🔥
🔥This will be a great way to get published! I can't wait to see you guys enter!🔥
This is January 4, 2024 newsletter #2.
This is our featured subject for January. We are going to focus on getting ready for working towards sobriety, if you struggling with bad habits or are addicted to something that's causing you more harm than good - check out the resources, articles and readings that are designed to accomplish the initial assessment of getting clean 🫧🪥. No judgement, no mandatory participation, just some things that are designed to make it easier to start that process.
January 4, 2024
🏠🏡 JANUARY = CLEAN UP YOUR HOUSE MONTH You are the house!🏠🏡

Quotes from Individuals in Recovery:

1. Russell Brand:
   
   • "The mentality and behavior of drug addicts and alcoholics are wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction and unless they have structured help, they have no hope."
2. Robert Downey Jr.:
   
   • "Job one is get out of that cave. A lot of people do get out but don't change. So the thing is to get out and recognize the significance of that aggressive denial of your fate, come through the crucible forged into a stronger metal."
3. Eminem (Marshall Mathers):
   
   • "I knew that my first thought was always negative. But now I have learned to just brush it off."
4. Demi Lovato:
   
   • "I had to learn the hard way that I can’t do parties anymore. Some people can go out and not be triggered, but that’s not the case for me."

Cited Readings on Addiction and Recovery:

1. "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction" by Gabor Maté:
   
   • This book provides a compassionate and holistic understanding of addiction, exploring its biological, psychological, and societal roots.
2. "Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction" by David Sheff:
   
   • A memoir that chronicles a father's struggle to understand and support his son through addiction and recovery.
3. "Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions" by Russell Brand:
   
   • Russell Brand shares his personal journey through addiction and recovery, offering insights into the 12-step program and mindfulness practices.
4. "The Big Book" (Alcoholics Anonymous):
   
   • The foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous, providing guidance, stories of recovery, and the principles of the 12-step program.
5. "Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy" by David Sheff:
   
   • David Sheff explores the science of addiction and potential solutions, examining both personal and societal perspective.
6. Anthony Hopkins:
   
   • "I believe that we all have a basic need to feel safe. And when we don’t feel safe, we feel threatened, and when we feel threatened, we tend to react in various ways."
7. Nicole Richie:
   
   • "I have to be careful. I have to live in balance. I can’t stay up all night but then need to be on time in the morning. But I’m finding my way."
8. Elton John:
   
   • "I am a survivor. I’ve survived a lot of things. Life is full of pitfalls, even for someone like me."
9. Jamie Lee Curtis:
   
   • "I was the wildly controlled drug addict and alcoholic. I never did it when I worked. I never took drugs before 5 p.m. I never, ever took painkillers until 5 p.m."
10. "Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction" by Maia Szalavitz:
    
    • This book challenges traditional views on addiction, exploring the role of learning and choice in the development and treatment of addiction.
11. "Memoirs Aren't Fairytales: A Story of Addiction" by Marni Mann:
    
    • A personal memoir that offers a raw and honest account of addiction, detailing the author's journey from addiction to recovery.
12. "Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America" by Beth Macy:
    
    • This investigative work explores the opioid crisis in America, shedding light on the complex factors contributing to addiction.
13. "Clean: The Journal" by Chris Niosi:
    
    • This interactive journal provides prompts, exercises, and reflections for individuals in recovery, helping them navigate their journey.
14. "Ninety Days: A Memoir of Recovery" by Bill Clegg:
    
    • Bill Clegg shares his personal experiences of recovery in this memoir, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding one's life.

Remember that these quotes and readings reflect the experiences and perspectives of individuals in recovery, and different people find inspiration and support in various sources. Always consider seeking professional guidance and support in addition to personal insights gained from shared experiences.

More Quotes from Individuals in Recovery:

1. Matthew Perry:
   
   • "I've had a lot of ups and downs in my life. I've learned a lot from my failures, but the best thing about failure is you get to learn from it."
2. Drew Barrymore:
   
   • "Recovery is an acceptance that your life is in shambles and you have to change it."
3. Rob Lowe:
   
   • "I'm nearly nine years sober, and there's a great quote I read about three years ago that had a huge impact on me. It's from the great Winston Churchill, who said, 'Success is never final, and failure is never fatal.'"
4. Kristen Johnston:
   
   • "I’ve been sober for over 14 years now, and the way I live my life is, I don’t think of it like I stopped drinking; I think of it like I started living."
5. "High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict's Double Life" by Tiffany Jenkins:
   
   • A memoir that provides a gripping account of addiction and recovery, exploring the author's journey to rebuild her life.
6. "Recover to Live: Kick Any Habit, Manage Any Addiction" by Christopher Kennedy Lawford:
   
   • This book offers a comprehensive guide to various forms of addiction and provides practical strategies for recovery.
7. "The Sober Diaries: How one woman stopped drinking and started living" by Clare Pooley:
   
   • A personal and humorous account of one woman's journey to sobriety, sharing insights and reflections on life without alcohol.
8. "Guts" by Kristen Johnston:
   
   • Kristen Johnston's memoir delves into her experiences with addiction and recovery, providing a candid and humorous perspective.
9. "This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness, and Change Your Life" by Annie Grace:
   
   • Annie Grace explores the psychology of alcohol consumption and provides insights to help individuals change their relationship with alcohol.

These quotes and readings offer diverse perspectives on addiction and recovery, and they can serve as sources of inspiration, reflection, and guidance for those navigating their own journeys. Always seek professional support if needed and consider these resources as complementary to a comprehensive recovery plan.

More Quotes from Individuals in Recovery:

1. Craig Ferguson:
   
   • "I had a simple perception of success as getting things that I thought I needed to be happy. I thought that happiness was success. I don’t think that anymore."
2. Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers):
   
   • "I've made a lot of mistakes and I don't regret any of them. Sometimes those things take you to the most amazing places."
3. Jamie Lee Curtis:
   
   • "I know my limits. I know that if I drink again, I will die. Every morning I wake up, I make that choice."
4. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith):
   
   • "It’s not about how much you drink. It’s about why you drink. It’s when life gets good, do you celebrate? Or when life gets tough, do you drink?"
5. "In My Skin: A Memoir of Addiction" by Kate Holden:
   
   • A memoir that explores the author's experience with addiction and her journey toward recovery.
6. "Recovery: A Guide for Adult Children of Alcoholics" by Herbert L. Gravitz and Julie D. Bowden:
   
   • This book addresses the specific challenges faced by adult children of alcoholics and provides guidance on healing and recovery.
7. "The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober" by Catherine Gray:
   
   • A personal and practical guide to quitting alcohol, sharing the author's journey to sobriety and the positive changes it brought to her life.
8. "The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath" by Leslie Jamison:
   
   • Combining memoir and research, this book explores the cultural and personal aspects of addiction and recovery.
9. "Girl Walks Out of a Bar: A Memoir" by Lisa F. Smith:
   
   • Lisa Smith's memoir chronicles her journey from high-functioning addiction to recovery, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of sobriety.

Newsletter Repeat 🔁 TL:DR These quotes and readings provide diverse perspectives on addiction and recovery, and they offer valuable insights for individuals seeking inspiration and understanding. Always consider these resources in the context of individual needs and consult with professionals for personalized support.
I'd like to see how you all are feeling about the content that gets posted here. I sometimes post on my profile,🔥 usually longer articles from scholarly pursuits. I have a newer subreddit based on my Tarot content, at tarotjourneys for the most recent content that I have been working on in that subject area. I'm not sure if I will have new subreddits for different subjects, or if I can keep it together here. I am going to be posting and cross posting so join both or don't, just read and connect with me here, or there!
Also next week will be the first contest in the annual anthology that will be good for you guys to start getting involved in this community. Post will go up on the 8th and stay up one week. There is going to be a three week option for submitting and then we will be selecting the first winner 🏆 on February 7th. Announced on February 9th. Next month contest will be February 8th. And so on.
Prizes for the short story and poetry is $100 cash and promotions, as well as a place in the annual anthology! Our artwork is going to be a prize of $50 and featured in materials and online, then it will be a Anthology chapter introduction, and compete for the cover, with the monthly winners. The same dates apply to the three different contests.
Anyone can enter, up to three submissions in each category! First entry in each category is free. Each additional entry is just $10 via PayPal or Cash App. If you don't have the ability to pay, we have a few waiver.
Our sponsors will be featured in the first post so even if you don't want to enter, read about us then!!!
This will be a great way to get published! I can't wait to see you guys enter!
This is January 4, 2024 newsletter #2.

Copied from Arnauld Bertrands twitter post(@RnaudBertrand)
Wow, China and Russia issued an extraordinary joint statement yesterday, with almost 8,000 words when translated into English, and in many ways more important than the famous "no limits" partnership statement in February 2022.
Here are the points that stood out for me.
BUILDING A NEW WORLD ORDER The statement says that it is an "objective factor" that "the status and strength of emerging major countries and regions in the 'Global South' [are] continuously increasing", and that "the trend of world multipolarity [is] accelerating". This in turn "accelerates the redistribution of development potential, resources, and opportunities in a direction favorable to emerging markets and developing countries, promoting the democratization of international relations and international fairness and justice".
They point out that "countries that adhere to hegemonism and power politics are contrary to this trend, attempting to replace and subvert the international order based on international law with a so-called 'rules-based order'".
Security-wise, the statement says that "both sides believe that the fate of the peoples of all countries is interconnected, and no country should seek its own security at the expense of others' security. Both sides express concern about the current international and regional security challenges and point out that in the current geopolitical context, it is necessary to explore the establishment of a sustainable security system in the Eurasian space based on the principle of equal and indivisible security."
They go on to say that China and Russia "will fully tap the potential of bilateral relations" in order to "promote the realization of an equal and orderly multipolar world and the democratization of international relations, and gather strength to build a just and reasonable multipolar world".
As for the vision of this world order these 2 principles seem to be the foundational ones: 1) An order with no "neo-colonialism and hegemonism" of any kind: "All countries have the right to independently choose their development models and political, economic, and social systems based on their national conditions and people's will, oppose interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries, oppose unilateral sanctions and 'long-arm jurisdiction' without international law basis or UN Security Council authorization, and oppose drawing ideological lines. Both sides pointed out that neo-colonialism and hegemonism are completely contrary to the trend of the times, and called for equal dialogue, the development of partnerships, and the promotion of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations." 2) An order based on the UN Charter: "Both sides will continue to firmly defend the achievements of World War II and the post-war world order established by the UN Charter"
EXTREMELY STRONG CONDEMNATION OF THE US This condemnation starts with the paragraph highlighted above that "countries that adhere to hegemonism and power politics are contrary to [the trend towards a multipolar world order]", and the statement also condemns the fact that these "countries" (i.e. mostly the US) are "attempting to replace and subvert the international order based on international law with a so-called 'rules-based order'".
They also write that "both sides call on relevant countries and organizations to stop taking confrontational policies and interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, undermining the existing security architecture, creating 'small yards with high fences' among countries, provoking regional tensions, and advocating for camp confrontation."
They further say that "both sides oppose the hegemonic actions of the United States to change the balance of power in the Northeast Asia region by expanding its military presence and forming military blocs. The US, with its Cold War mentality and camp confrontation model, puts 'small group' security above regional security and stability, endangering the security of all countries in the region. The US should stop such actions."
On top of that the statement speaks of "serious concern about the United States' attempts to undermine strategic stability to maintain its absolute military superiority, including building a global missile defense system and deploying missile defense systems around the world and in space, strengthening the ability to disable the opponent's military actions with precision non-nuclear weapons and 'decapitation' strikes, enhancing NATO's 'nuclear sharing' arrangements in Europe and providing 'extended deterrence' to specific allies, constructing infrastructure in the South Pacific Nuclear-Free Zone treaty member Australia that could be used to support US and UK nuclear forces, engaging in US-UK-Australia nuclear submarine cooperation, and implementing plans to deploy and provide land-based intermediate-range and short-range missiles to allies in the Asia-Pacific and Europe."
The statement also condemns "the United States' unconstructive and hostile 'dual containment' policy towards China and Russia": "The United States' actions of conducting joint exercises with its allies ostensibly aimed at China and Russia and taking steps to deploy land-based intermediate-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region have raised serious concerns for both sides. The United States claims it will continue these practices with the ultimate goal of establishing routine missile deployments worldwide. Both sides strongly condemn these actions, which are extremely destabilizing to the region and pose a direct security threat to China and Russia, and will strengthen coordination and cooperation to respond to the United States' unconstructive and hostile 'dual containment' policy towards China and Russia."
On Asia-Pacific specifically they write that "both sides oppose the creation of exclusive and closed group structures in the Asia-Pacific region, especially military alliances targeting any third party. Both sides point out that the US "Indo-Pacific Strategy" and NATO's attempts to take destructive actions in the Asia-Pacific region have negative impacts on the peace and stability of the region."
They also "demand that the United States refrain from engaging in any biological military activities that threaten the security of other countries and regions" and they oppose the "use [of] outer space for armed confrontation and oppose the implementation of security policies and activities aimed at achieving military advantage and defining outer space as a 'combat domain.'"
Lastly the statement condemns "the US and its allies' deterrent actions in the military field, provoking confrontation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and exacerbating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, potentially leading to armed conflict", and asks that "the United States and NATO, as the responsible parties for the 20-year invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, should not attempt to deploy military facilities in Afghanistan and its surrounding areas again but should bear primary responsibility for Afghanistan's current economic and livelihood difficulties, bear the main costs of Afghanistan's reconstruction, and take all necessary measures to unfreeze Afghanistan's national assets."
ENORMOUS EXPANSION OF CHINA-RUSSIA COLLABORATION This will be my last point, the statement has an immense list - dozens and dozens of items - of expanded cooperation fields between both countries.
These are some of the most important ones: - Military cooperation: "[both sides] will further deepen military mutual trust and cooperation, expand the scale of joint training activities, regularly organize joint maritime and air patrols, strengthen coordination and cooperation within bilateral and multilateral frameworks, and continuously improve the ability and level of jointly responding to risks and challenges." - More trade, mutual investments and help each other economic development: "continuously expand the scale of bilateral trade", "continuously improve the level of investment cooperation between the two countries", and "jointly develop advanced industries, strengthen technical and production cooperation, including in the civil aviation manufacturing industry, shipbuilding industry, automobile manufacturing industry, equipment manufacturing industry, electronics industry, metallurgical industry, iron ore mining industry, chemical industry, and forest industry" - Cooperation on energy: "consolidate the strategic cooperation in energy between China and Russia and achieve high-level development, ensuring the economic and energy security of the two countries. Strive to ensure the stability and sustainability of the international energy market, and maintain the stability and resilience of the global energy industry chain and supply chain." Also nuclear energy: "deepen cooperation in the field of civilian nuclear energy based on the experience of successful and ongoing projects, including thermonuclear fusion, fast neutron reactors, and closed nuclear fuel cycles" - Promote each others' currencies and financial infrastructure: "Increase the proportion of local currency in bilateral trade, financing, and other economic activities. Improve the financial infrastructure of the two countries, smooth the settlement channels between the two countries' business entities, strengthen regulatory cooperation in the banking and insurance industries of China and Russia, promote the sound development of banks and insurance institutions established in each other's countries, encourage two-way investment, and issue bonds in the financial markets of each other's countries in accordance with market principles." - Deep education and scientific cooperation: "promote the expansion and improvement of quality in mutual study abroad programs, advance Chinese language teaching in Russia and Russian language teaching in China, encourage educational institutions to expand exchanges, cooperation in running schools, conduct high-level talent joint training and scientific research, support cooperation in basic research fields between universities, support activities of alliances of similar universities and high schools, and deepen cooperation in vocational and digital education" - Cooperation in the media and shaping public opinions: "Strengthen media exchanges between the two countries, promote mutual visits at various levels, support pragmatic and professional dialogues, actively carry out high-quality content cooperation, deeply explore the cooperation potential of new media and new technologies in the field of mass media, objectively and comprehensively report major global events, and spread true information in the international public opinion field." - Cooperation within global institutions: "deepen bilateral cooperation [at] the UN General Assembly and the Security Council", "supporting the role of the World Health Organization", "strengthen cooperation within the WTO framework", "cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)", "uphold the BRICS spirit, enhance the BRICS mechanism's voice in international affairs and agenda", etc.
I could go on and on, the scale of the cooperation they detail is absolutely breathtaking, both countries are going all in with each other.
This statement is absolutely extraordinary and will likely shape the world for decades to come. We now have Russia and China explicitly stating they're all in with each other to bring about a new "equal and orderly multipolar world and the democratization of international relations", and put an end to US hegemonic behavior. No more pretend, it's happening.

I’m so happy it’s almost Friday, this week (and month) have been rough lol. Too much school work to keep my sanity
anyways here’s a bit about me: I love plants, I read and bake a lot, in my free time I watch lots of movies and tv shows (favorites probably are new girl and Brooklyn 99 and you’re automatically amazing if you love those too), I’m a junior in high school, I listen to lots of music (always open to recommendations) and my favorite subject in school is probably biology
Feel free to reach out! (no one over 20 pls)

Hello, all busy students and professionals, I have been offering freelance writing services for many years after finishing my BSc. I have handled many papers in different fields and my strengths are: - Economics, English Literature, Art, Statistics, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Nursing, History, and many others. This has helped me acquire vast experience in precisely delivering top-notch work. I am also available 24/7 to handle and implement any feedback as needed. Kindly reach out to me so that I can relieve you of any schoolwork with tight deadlines that can’t fit into your busy schedule.
Feel free to contact me or send your assignment details to my email; intrepidgabe837@gmail.com, or reach out via my Whatsapp @ +1725333-1597 so that I can take a look and make a deal. My price is a reasonable $15 per page. You only have to pay after receiving the work and have reviewed it. Thank you all and welcome as you reach out.

Hello, all busy students and professionals, I have been offering freelance writing services for many years after finishing my BSc. I have handled many papers in different fields and my strengths are: - Economics, English Literature, Art, Statistics, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Nursing, History, and many others. This has helped me acquire vast experience in precisely delivering top-notch work. I am also available 24/7 to handle and implement any feedback as needed. Kindly reach out to me so that I can relieve you of any schoolwork with tight deadlines that can’t fit into your busy schedule.
Feel free to contact me or send your assignment details to my email; intrepidgabe837@gmail.com, or reach out via my Whatsapp @ +1725333-1597 so that I can take a look and make a deal. My price is a reasonable $15 per page. You only have to pay after receiving the work and have reviewed it. Thank you all and welcome as you reach out.

In this Reddit community you can find free coloring pages. I create these free printables in Procreate. The coloring pages are unique, hand-drawn and not a single mass produced image was used in the process. ❤️ Simply download and have fun. Happy coloring!

Hello, all busy students and professionals, I have been offering freelance writing services for many years after finishing my BSc. I have handled many papers in different fields and my strengths are: - Economics, English Literature, Art, Statistics, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Nursing, History, and many others. This has helped me acquire vast experience in precisely delivering top-notch work. I am also available 24/7 to handle and implement any feedback as needed. Kindly reach out to me so that I can relieve you of any schoolwork with tight deadlines that can’t fit into your busy schedule.
Feel free to contact me or send your assignment details to my email; intrepidgabe837@gmail.com, or reach out via my Whatsapp @ +1725333-1597 so that I can take a look and make a deal. My price is a reasonable $15 per page. You only have to pay after receiving the work and have reviewed it. Thank you all and welcome as you reach out.

I am gonna be honest, radical feminism is not something I am super well read on so if I say something that is incorrect, feel free to correct me. Typically when someone talks about radical feminism, I think of things like political lesbianism, anti-pornography, and female separatism, ideas that have basically failed as far as I know. In the present day, many of the radical feminists I have encountered either endorse some form of biological essentialism regarding gender, or outright TERF rhetoric, two things that I think are a net negative for society. Because of this, I have in the past tended to view radical feminism as something as an ideological dead end as opposed to a serious force for social change. Am I incorrect in this? Have there been times in the past where radical feminism has helped women in a way that other schools of feminism have not?

Hi, so this is going to be a bit of an NSFW story so if you're not into stuff like that, feel free to click off.
​
So I (19F) have this friend called Rachel (20F) (not her real name), and Rachel and I have known each other since we were kids, and we're best friends, we even got matching tattoos together last year. Rachel also has a sister who we'll call Lilly (22F), Lilly and I aren't super close with each other, but we do get along, but mainly just through Rachel.
​
Now I think that a few months ago at this point, I was looking at porn, as one does, and I found a video and began to watch it, now towards the end of the video, I noticed one of the girls in the video had a tattoo that exactly matches the one Rachel and I have, (the tattoo we have is unique to us and I think that the odds of somebody else having this exact tattoo in the exact same spot as her is like billions to one lol)
​
I quickly click off the video as I'm uncomfortable with having seen my best friend's sex tape, I don't particularly have a problem with it, I'm absolutely fine with people uploading their sex stapes and stuff like that online to the internet as long as everybody involved is a consenting adult.
​
Now, I wasn't originally going to bring this up to Rachel, However, recently, me, Rachel, Lilly, and a few of our friends all went to the beach together, and while we were there I noticed that Lilly also has a tattoo matching the other girl in the video (the reason I never saw it before is because it's not in a location typically visible in the outfits she usually wears), as well as a matching belly button ring, which I remember having noticed in the video because I don't think I knew that belly button rings were really a thing before seeing that.
​
I quickly realised right then and there that my best friend is having sex with her sister, and it's not like they're step-sisters, or half-sisters, or adopted sisters or something like that, nope, they are fully biologically related siblings.
​
So now I'm not sure what to do about that, do I bring it up to Rachel and/or Lilly? If so, then how do I bring it up to them?? And, Also, could I still talk to Rachel about this while retaining my friendship/relationship with her? Because I still love her and want to keep her as my friend, but I am worried that bringing up this sex tape with her will ruin our friendship/relationship with each other. So is it possible to talk to her about it without losing her as a friend? Or should I just tell her and prepare to replace her with someone else as my best friend lol?
​
I think that it's probably also worth noting that I think that they're also currently running an OF/(OnlyFans) together, I don't think that they say anything about them being sisters on it (I think for obvious reasons lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).
​
So, people of Reddit, what do I do lol???????????????
​
Edit: I think that I forgot to mention that Rachel has already noticed that I've started acting funny specifically around her.

Based on the detailed information about SCP-049, known as the "Plague Doctor," we can infer several characteristics and hypotheses regarding the nature of the "Pestilence" it is obsessed with. Here’s an analysis that attempts to identify the Pestilence and its implications:

Characteristics of SCP-049 and Its Beliefs

1. Appearance and Behavior:
   • SCP-049 resembles a medieval plague doctor with garments that have become part of its body.
   • It carries a doctor's bag with anomalous properties, containing various surgical tools and substances.
   • It speaks multiple languages, with a preference for English and medieval French.
2. Anomalous Abilities:
   • SCP-049 can cause the cessation of all biological functions through direct skin contact.
   • It performs surgeries on corpses, often resulting in the creation of SCP-049-2 instances, which are reanimated but lack human cognitive functions.
3. Concept of the "Pestilence":
   • SCP-049 refers to a mysterious "Pestilence" that it believes is a pervasive and deadly disease.
   • It shows extreme agitation and aggression when it perceives someone as infected with the Pestilence.
   • It claims to cure individuals of the Pestilence, though this results in their death and reanimation.

Hypotheses about the Pestilence

Given the data, several hypotheses can be drawn regarding the nature of the Pestilence:

1. Metaphysical or Psychological Disease:
   • The Pestilence may not correspond to any known physical disease. Instead, it could be a metaphysical or psychological condition that SCP-049 perceives.
   • SCP-049's descriptions often include terms that suggest it sees the Pestilence as an abstract or spiritual affliction rather than a conventional disease like the bubonic plague.
2. Paranoia-Induced Perception:
   • SCP-049's belief in the Pestilence might stem from an extreme form of paranoia or a delusional disorder. It could be interpreting normal human conditions or behaviors as symptoms of this imaginary disease.
   • The sense of urgency and the drastic measures taken by SCP-049 suggest a compulsive need to "cure" this perceived illness, possibly linked to its historical background and experiences during plague times.
3. Anomalous Disease Perception:
   • The Pestilence might be an actual anomaly that SCP-049 can detect but is undetectable by conventional means. This would imply SCP-049 has unique perceptual abilities that Foundation researchers lack.
   • If this is true, SCP-049’s victims could have been afflicted by an undetected anomaly, and its actions might be partially justified in its own framework of understanding.
4. Metaphorical Interpretation:
   • The Pestilence could be a metaphor for any form of human suffering, degradation, or imperfection that SCP-049 believes it must eradicate. This broad interpretation would explain why SCP-049 considers almost anyone a potential victim.
   • SCP-049’s notion of curing might be a misguided attempt to achieve an ideal state of being, free from any form of perceived imperfection.

Implications and Recommendations

1. Further Research:
   • Conduct controlled experiments with a variety of subjects, both human and animal, to observe if there are any consistent factors that trigger SCP-049’s perception of the Pestilence.
   • Collaborate with specialists in abnormal psychology and anomalous detection to explore the possibility of SCP-049 detecting a non-physical affliction.
2. Containment and Safety Protocols:
   • Maintain strict protocols to prevent direct contact with SCP-049, especially during its outbursts.
   • Use calming measures such as lavender to manage SCP-049’s behavior, reducing the risk of aggressive incidents.
3. Analysis of Journals and Tools:
   • Continue attempts to decode SCP-049’s journals, potentially revealing insights into its understanding of the Pestilence.
   • Analyze the substances and tools in SCP-049’s bag to understand their roles in its procedures and the creation of SCP-049-2 instances.

In conclusion, while the exact nature of the Pestilence remains unclear, it appears to be a deeply ingrained belief or perception unique to SCP-049, potentially influenced by historical, psychological, or anomalous factors. Further multidisciplinary research and careful containment procedures are essential for managing SCP-049 and uncovering the true nature of its obsession.

It’s dark. Loud. Screams, terrible screeches all around. A metallic scent wafting about the air. A vast unending sea lay within the surrounding shadows. Something takes hold of his leg, his leg tucked away within its jaw. He is dragged through the iron scented, pitch black swamp. Can’t breathe. A putrid taste meets his tongue, trying not to swallow as animal instinct takes over in a helpless bout for air. Like fresh morning coffee, the liquid nearly soothes his throat. The revolting taste would have made him heave it all back up if it hadn’t happened so fast. His consciousness is slipping away, this is it.
He awakes. The entity that had wrapped its maws around his leg lay stiff. On close inspection he finds it hadn't suddenly been blessed with grace or any such virtue. What remained of it lay hollow yet with the faintest spasms. It is being consumed. A slave to a system that would like to see to it that it is dealt with and subsequently forgotten within the days passing. He gets up, wading his hands through this decrepit pool. Putting pressure onto his leg is met with a sudden and excruciating force. He falls before hobbling on hands and knees further into the void.
No way to know how long it had been. Days, hours, minutes, seconds. He feels his body beginning to give out. He continues on. Again his body feels as though it is about to fail him. Again he continues. On a loop he begins to tire only to keep going on. In the midst of this monotonous process he has his first real thought; Almost there. He stops, sits up. Looks around. Still nothing. He thinks to himself some more; Where? He doesn't move. Another thought reaches the forefront of his mind; This is hell. His head sinks. He has given up. Content with whatever is to come next. A stomach barren of anything resembling nutritional value in tow with a throat dry enough to collect dust argued in opposition to the sentiment.
He waits silently. Doesn't make even the slightest tremor. For how long yet to be determined. The faintest rise of liquid followed immediately by its descent. Then again. And again. The ripples become more violent. Soundwaves now reach his ear with frequencies so low the most seasoned hunters could miss. Plip. Plip. He listens. Plip. Plip. The noise becomes louder. Something light is making its way towards him. Plip, Plip. Plip, Plip. On four legs. Small. Easy prey. Just need to keep waiting. PLIP, PLIP. He launches toward the noise. Nearly had it. He scrambles, crawling towards the startled entity. Got a leg. He holds on tight, not content with letting his meal get away. Puppeted by his own biological limitations, he uses the leg as if it were a rope with his prize at the other end. Running off of his own body fat he claws his way up, dragging the helpless creature closer and closer. It tries to kick him off. He pulls the leg down towards the bed of that metallic pool. He summons the strength to snap something in the leg, leaving the creature crippled. This is his opportunity to overtake the creature. His reason and steady thinking smothered by the threat of starvation permits him to pull the poor creature's head below the surface. It struggles. Both these creatures fight with everything on the line. The more desperate of the two will determine which one is to go on with the suffering and strife that comes with being in a world such as this, and which will go on as an offering to the cycle of violence that rules the beings that inhabit it. The creature's will is broken. Its struggle leaves it without energy or oxygen. By sheer reflex it takes a breath, opening the floodgates for a great wave of dense liquid to make its way into the lungs. His body has won. It has procured the necessary resources for the sake of his struggle.
With a warm belly he sluggishly pulls himself further along. He tries to wait out the rest of his time, trying to outwit his animalistic sense of preservation. He gives up fighting it. Keeps his mind occupied in another way. What else is in here? How long before I'm the one with my head held down? The very thought of this sends a spark down his back as he halts all movement. He moves with greater purpose, making methodical calculations in his mind as to how much force and speed he puts into each movement. No matter how cautious or slow it's always too loud. If he can hear it, so can anything else. During his gradual progress he takes note of the depth of this shallow metallic sea. He feels for any fluctuations within it. Nothing abnormal yet. Perhaps some beast skulks just beneath the surface remaining undetected. He tenses up in anticipation of such an attack, waiting, conjuring up a myriad of strategies to employ against the unseen enemy. The liquid rises ever so slightly. He attacks. Nothing. He goes stiff. He knows he has just revealed his immediate location to this lowly beast. It got the better of him. After all this time? No. He won’t let some cowardly animal with no more thought process than basic instinct beat him. He is better, more clever, far more deserving of life. He snaps back from his trail of thoughts, diverting focus back to his surroundings. He closes his eyes, putting his other senses at the forefront of his mind. Nothing. He could feel there was something lurking, watching him. It has to be waiting for him to lower his guard, the perfect moment of weakness to take hold of. The liquid around him remains calm with only slight movement. There is no noise. There is nothing. He continues on, weighed down by the things he cannot see.
Time stops once again as he continues his slow trek through the unending sea. The eyes do not, they are just far enough to remain undetected. That much he is sure of. He hopes and prays that something will happen, anything to break the stagnant, menacing aura he is encased within. He prays. Prays that something, even death, will free him from his solitude. His prayers go unanswered. He knows this feeling too well. He has been shunned, if not outright forgotten by whichever force made him come to be. This is the only reasonable conclusion he could possibly draw. No omnipotent presence would subject its own creation to this type of isolation. As he reflects on these thoughts he can feel something deep within his chest ignite. Quickly, it turns into a magnificent blaze. It spreads like a wildfire throughout his body, if it doesn't escape now it will scorch him until all that remains is ash. He screams incoherently. He subjects the void around him to a fury of pure hatred with words alone. He intends to use this great flame within him to burn everything around him, but there is nothing to burn, nothing he can cast into ruin. This only makes the fire more intense. He begins to flail his body around like a ragdoll. He needs for something to come find him. He needs to tear something apart. His screams grate his vocal cords into a bloody heap of flesh. His bloodlust grants him the energy to stand for the first time in a millennium. He runs into the darkness. He will not stop. He cannot stop. Then he feels it. A guttural vibration echoes across the waters. He goes still. A low hum follows. All at once the liquid begins to bubble, small finned creatures jump out of the water in a repeated frenzy, propelled by powerful tails. They explode into a sporadic boil, extending far beyond his field of view. From the darkness protrudes what appears to be a human figure. He braces himself as it slowly makes its way towards him. He can hear his heart rate increase with every step. It pushes forward at a steady crawl. His breathing begins to fall out of sync. It continues on, seemingly unphased by his presence. He knows how little time he has to act. It takes another step forward. He must act now. He runs toward the figure with stretched arms, able to finally satiate his bloodlust. He grabs the figure by the throat, digging his nails into it. It lets out a pathetic whimper. This is his chance. He bites down on its neck resulting in a satisfying crack one might hear snapping a branch. There is no struggle. The figure gurgles as its body lay limp. This game isn’t fit for someone of his caliber. He wants a fight. He takes a moment to look upon his trophy as it lay in the fetal position, pleading for mother to come and make it all better. A boy, likely a squire of some sort, stared up at him. The boy's eyes were blank and begging him for some sort of relief. All he can do is watch as the reality of what he has just done sets in. The boy had a lightweight sword which now lay submerged. He knows there is only one way to save the boy. He searches for the blade, it can’t be far. Wading through the liquid, he searches, knowing each additional second it takes to find only contributes more to the poor boy's misery. Every second that passes he can hear the exasperated breaths that only turn into choking spasms. Here it is, the boy need not wait any longer. As he stands over the boy his attention is diverted. His body tells him to look out into the abyss. He stares for some time, unable to look away. His eyes fixate on the darkness. He sees it. Its unhinged jaw with many lengthy black vines floating atop the surface of the waters. Its eyes stare through him in the same way the boys had. Knotted hair is draped on either side of its head, it appears as if clumps have been ripped out by force. There is skin flaking off of its face revealing gray necrosed patches. Its body stays completely still in a hunched position. Nestled in its mouth where the vines originate are small white dots that appear as though they were the only visible stars in the night sky. The vines extend as they float towards him slowly creeping along. He had always been well acquainted with fear. It has been an ever present force that has pushed him to do the things he never would have otherwise. It has become a comforting presence, reliable, trustworthy. Though at times they may have been at odds, fear has been his greatest supporter, a true companion to guide him throughout life. He knows as long as he listens to fear he can pull through. So why can’t he hear it now?