This is a place for asking simple questions that might not deserve their own thread. For example, if you have a question about a rules interaction, want sleeve and accessory recommendations, or suggestions for your new deck, then this is the place for you.
We encourage that you post any questions that you may have concerning Magic the Gathering here rather than make a separate thread for each question, though for now we won't require that you do so.
Rules Questions
Rules questions and interactions are allowed to be posted here, but if you need an answer quickly it may be best to use a dedicated resource like the 24/7 Magic the Gathering Rules Chat.
Deckbuilding Questions
If you're trying to get help with a deck, it is recommended that you post your decklist to a deckbuilding website so that it is easier to view. Some popular sites are Aetherhub, Archidekt, Deckbox, Deckstats, Moxfield, MtgGoldfish, and TappedOut.
Additionally, please include some description of what you are trying to accomplish. Don't just give us a decklist with no explanation, and don't ask extremely vague questions such as "what cards should I add to my deck to make it better?", because it's hard to give good advice in those cases. Let us know details, the more the better. Are you building with a particular strategy or theme in mind? Are there any non-obvious combo lines or synergies that people should be aware of? Are you struggling with a particular matchup, or are you finding yourself missing consistency in an important area, and need some help specifically for it? Let us know.
Commonly Asked Questions

I opened a card from a different set in my booster pack, is this unusual?

Don't worry, this is completely normal. If you opened a set booster, you have a small chance of obtaining a bonus card from a previous set. This is an extra card that does not replace any of the other cards in your pack, and is from a curated set of past hits that Wizards of the Coast has selected, which they call "The List".
You can view the contents of The List on Wizards of the Coast's official website. For example, the contents of The List for Streets of New Capenna boosters can be found here.

My foil card has a shooting start symbol over the bottom left. I can't find anything about it online.

All old-bordered foils have the shooting star symbol. Most sites that display card images just overlay a generic foil graphic over all foil cards, which doesn't include the shooting star. Your card is normal.

Without a doubt, one of the largest shifts within the working world over recent years has been the move from office-based teams to workforces that predominantly work from home. The benefits to businesses financially, coupled with the wonderful positive impacts on the environment, have people across the country adopting a remote or hybrid way of work life, and many have been left wondering; why didn’t we do this before?
Tiny Lagoon Studios was actually born as a fully remote creative solutions agency, with an HQ based in The Cotswolds in the UK. This way of working allows us to do our jobs from anywhere in the country, or even the world, and enables us to focus on what’s really important: doing good work with good people and to be on the ground in the territories we work in. Removing the commute from the equation is just a bonus, meaning less stress and more time for ourselves and our work (also our doggies).
Of course, remote working can have its downsides too, and isolation from your team and from the general buzz of an office can prove challenging. While many people relish a quiet place to work and get things done, others bounce off the vibe of a busy office environment. We’ve learned over the years that there are some measures you can put in place to help build and maintain a genuine sense of connection with your team.
Here are our top 3 tips for making remote working a success:

1. Ensure you have an efficient platform for quick communication throughout the day. Our preferred choice is Slack so we can bounce ideas off of team members on a worldwide scale in real time.
   
2. Try to arrange regular meet-ups for collaborative thinking and team bonding. In the last few months, our UK team have travelled to London, Birmingham and back to our HQ location in The Cotswolds.
   
3. Encourage open and frequent communication between team members. Monday team meetings are a favourite here at Tiny Lagoon Studios, while our weekly 1-1's give us space to chat about anything on our minds.
   

At Tiny Lagoon, our extended team is dotted all over the globe and our various cultural backgrounds mean we're able to provide local knowledge and insight for our clients in multiple key markets. As a Tiny Lagoon team member who is based in but not native to the UK, one of the huge benefits to remote working is the opportunity and the flexibility to occasionally travel back to Spain to work remotely. There is nothing like catching up with people in your home country and immersing yourself in a familiar but constantly changing atmosphere. And that is important on both a personal and a professional level.
Languages and cultures are alive, and as experts in the fields of localisation and culturalisation, it is crucial to stay in touch with the latest changes and developments in the countries we work with. From evolution in the political landscape to details like new expressions, trending topics or popular products, the best people to share insights and learn from are the locals. After immersing myself back into my local culture, I get to head back to the UK armed with a re-ignited connection to Spain, ready to use my newfound knowledge in my work.
We truly are a global family. We work and communicate daily with our colleagues in other parts of the world, as close as France or Italy and as far as the United States, Brazil or Indonesia. Thanks to remote working, we have the flexibility to do so from the comfort of our own homes, meaning geographic distance and differing time zones are never an issue.
We absolutely love the benefits of remote working. Do you?
To find out more about all things localisation and culturalisation at Tiny Lagoon Studios, or about our working from home culture, follow our socials or get in touch via LinkedIn.

Hello everyone,
Just for context, I am a self-publisher, and ex-googler (20k copies sold - made 100k+ overall). I coded my author website myself, to include the features that I wanted and are important to me, and after a while, I decided to make it available for other publishers to use for their own businesses.
This is how Portal Peek was born. Today it's a website platform to get your fully managed author website/blog to create your presence online and support your growth!
Featuring:

• Easy admin interface to manage books, authors, categories
  
• Blog posts
  
• Landing Pages for your free gifts flows
  
• User Registration and email collection
  
• Audience segmentation for books redeemed
  
• Customizable Template (add/remove sections, change fonts/colours)
  
• Made with affiliate marketing in mind
  

NOTE: This is not a WordPress/Wix/Shopify wrapper or anything like that, I coded it myself.
I'm looking for feedback to improve Portal Peek even more, so I would be happy to hear your opinion!
If you have any questions or suggestions about Portal Peek, (features/pricing, etc.) or simply want to know more about this project, feel free to let me know here or DM me.

[WIll add a photo soon.]
I finally managed to install macOS 13 Ventura onto my custom-built Desktop. The relevant system specs are given below :
CPU : i3-7100 (Kaby Lake)
GPU : UHD 630 (iGPU only, no dGPU)
RAM : 8GB (DDR4)
Motherboard : Zebronics H110M2
Input : USB Keyboard and Mouse
Audio : None (This is on purpose, I did not require any audio)
Internet : USB Tethering (using the HoRNDIS kext)
Ethernet Card : RTL 8111G 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN (According to manufacturer website)
WIFI/Bluetooth : None
This installation was done by following the OpenCore Installation Guide (and later improvised using the Post-Install Guide).
NOTE : The system is now on macOS 14 Sonoma, and for this the SMBIOS was changed to iMac19,1. Relevant details will be included in a separate post. Kaby Lake support has been dropped for Sonoma I believe, yet, the upgrade from Ventura to Sonoma was very simple, and I will cover that in another post perhaps.
A BIG shoutout to u/tuanpekoe who helped me out with the numerous issues that I faced. I tried several times and kept failing, but once they started helping me, the whole process went on like butter.
The EFI that I used for this build is based off the EFI uploaded by u/tuanpekoe on GitHub. I simply modified it according to my needs. The repository has a pre- and post-installation EFI which makes matters MUCH simpler when transitioning to an on-hard-drive EFI. The CPUs used (by them and by me) were incredibly similar which helped a lot too.
A few things that I learnt :
1) ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS have a backup EFI drive incase some EFI fiddling makes your hackintosh unbootable. I used this multiple times as I was always doing something or the other wrong. This really saved hours of my time. Your installer USB can be used as one too, just be careful of what partition you're trying to boot.
2) Read the OpenCore Install guide completely. Every single line matters. You could have a completely unbootable installer because of that one line that you skipped.
3) Experience matters, even if it isn't your own. Looking up hackintoshing attempts with hardware similar to yours will give you a lot of insight. Sometimes you might be able to find someone who has the right kinda experience to help you out (as I found out).
I won't share my EFI here, seeing as it is not allowed, but Ill be happy to share it if you DM me.

Hello Adventurers!
I'm Sushi, the developer behind Oni Hunters, the thrilling official sequel to the Minimon game series, which includes Minimon 2D and Minimon 3D. I’m excited to welcome you to our new community hub, dedicated to discussing everything related to Oni Hunters and its predecessors!
This subreddit is your go-to place for unraveling the world of Gironia, reminiscing about the Minimon series, and engaging in discussions about your favorite aspects of the games.
Here’s What You Can Do Here:

• Discuss the Lore: Dive deep into the expansive lore of Oni Hunters and the Minimon series. Share theories, explore storylines, and discuss how the world has evolved.
• Gameplay Talk: Chat about gameplay mechanics, favorite monsters, and features from previous games that have made a comeback, or that you’d like to see return.
• Community Insights: Share strategies, game tips, and your personal monster taming stories.
• Fan Creations and Contests: Show off your art, fan fiction, and more. Participate in community contests with chances to win prizes.
• Developer Q&A: I’ll be around to join in on discussions, answer questions, and provide exclusive insights into the game’s development.

Get Involved: Start by introducing yourself in this thread! Did you play Minimon 2D or Minimon 3D? What are you most excited about in Oni Hunters? What features or monsters are you hoping to see again?
Your involvement here will shape this place into a thriving hub for all things Oni Hunters and Minimon. This community thrives on your contributions, discussions, and shared enthusiasm for the world we love.
Thank you for being part of this exciting adventure. Let’s make this subreddit a vibrant community for old fans and newcomers alike.
Let the monster taming continue!
Cheers, Sushi 🍣

You can no longer copy code with symbols such as greater than or less than, they are replaced with some sort of CSS symbol ID or something.
e.g. > becomes > when copying code.
You can no longer copy your own question text, e.g. if you want to use it to start a new question.
Your own text is offset to the right of the conversation in a rounded grey box like a messenger app, I find this makes it difficult to read complex conversations and isn't really suited to heavy text. It's also not at all nice to go back and edit your own text in this dark box, being hard to focus on the dark text on a dark background with rounded corners and big offsets.
They've taken something clean, simple, and functional and reached the point where they start overdesigning and ruining it, as always happens on the modern web. I also now have a permanent 'memory disabled' notification hovering over the top of every discussion, since it proved to be actively harmful by inserting non-relevant suggestions such as javascript code for a python project based on mentioning javascript previously.
Unfortunately this is the first time since release I've not enjoyed using ChatGPT for help with my work.

You can no longer copy code with symbols such as greater than or less than, they are replaced with some sort of CSS symbol ID or something.
e.g. > becomes > when copying code.
You can no longer copy your own question text, e.g. if you want to use it to start a new question.
Your own text is offset to the right of the conversation in a rounded grey box like a messenger app, I find this makes it difficult to read complex conversations and isn't really suited to heavy text. It's also not at all nice to go back and edit your own text in this dark box, being hard to focus on the dark text on a dark background with rounded corners and big offsets.
They've taken something clean, simple, and functional and reached the point where they start overdesigning and ruining it, as always happens on the modern web. I also now have a permanent 'memory disabled' notification hovering over the top of every discussion, since it proved to be actively harmful by inserting non-relevant suggestions such as javascript code for a python project based on mentioning javascript previously.
Unfortunately this is the first time since release I've not enjoyed using ChatGPT for help with my work.

I haven’t journaled yet today, it’s 6:23pm so I guess I’ll start now. It’s been a fine day, I’ve been so sleepy though. But not drained tired, sleepy tired? I slept fine though, as per usual. I still managed to be pretty productive work wise which I’m proud of myself for.
I read an article today about assisted dying for mental health related reasons as opposed to physical health. It seems to be somewhat controversial, which is fine but I am firmly on the side that if all options have been exhausted then you should be able to use a healthcare service like that. I do realise I’m very pro assisted dying, I’d use the E word but lord knows I’d get chat requests being like blah blah blah you need god blah blah blah. I try and avoid certain searchy words for that reason, I clearly fail a lot of the time. Anyway I think it’s a good thing. I don’t think it should ever be considered a light decision, and I agree that there should be layers in place to ensure the person is entirely informed and clear on the decision. It’s hard though, because for those with psychiatric illnesses some may not be considered “in their right mind” so their application might be denied based on that, but I feel like the whole point of their application is because of their mind so… ? I’m sure there’s a smart way about deciphering who’s safe to get it and who’s not, but I just know it will always err on the side of caution and if there’s even a seed of doubt they’d get denied. But I think it’s important to have psychiatric illnesses included too, not just physical illnesses - both are suffering an unbearable amount, it’s just that one is visible and the other isn’t - and I don’t feel like other people should be able to make health related decisions for someone purely because they can’t see the illness. Anyway I’m glad it’s an option for some people, because killing yourself can be so violent and messy and a lot more traumatic for their family, whereas I think if they can choose to go peacefully then that’s a lot better. I realise it’s still hard for the family and friends and things, but I hate when people call it selfish. It is NOT selfish and I feel like the only people who say it’s selfish are the people who can’t fathom the amount of pain you can experience. And even if they haven’t experienced the feeling, so what? They likely also haven’t experienced cancer or paralysis or whatever else, but they show more sympathy then. It’s like they think people choose to hurt in their head or something. Anyway I think it’s very sad but I could not feel more strongly about the fact you should have control over your life - which includes how it ends. I don’t think some random doctor or government who doesn’t even know you should be able to dictate how you end your life. I think putting measures in place to review applications is important but I think there should be less decision from strangers and more decision from the individual that it’s actually affecting. Anyway. I’m a BIG believer in this and I’m glad that those suffering in their head might have some sort of option.
No therapy today, I thought I did but forgot we didn’t have a session this week as she’s on leave.
I love him so much. He just sent the cutest thing. So I asked if he could call me when he wakes up even if I’m asleep, and I said I know I can be clingy which is not news to him, anyway he said this is you with a lil smiley and it was a lil video of a baby panda latched on to a zookeepers leg and it wouldn’t let go. He is the zookeeper to my baby panda :) He just makes me so… everything. I can say things like I’m clingy and I miss you and can you please call me and I know he won’t think I’m silly or annoying or anything, or maybe he does sometimes but he doesn’t ever make me feel bad about it. I just love him so much it hurts.
His keyboard is all set up now and he’s so thrilled with it and it makes me so happy!
I wish I could use retinol, but I know my skin will go berserk if I do :(
I haven’t really done anything this evening. I’ve had a shower, read my book, watched some YT and tried to shape my nails a bit and failed. I’m so so so so bad at shaping nails.
There was an earthquake :(
I really need to book my usual appointments, I mean I can go longer with my brows but I do also kind of need hair, brow and nails appointments… I think I’ll wait a bit longer though. Especially for hair. And I can do my own nails and save $80 considering they do next to nothing anyway. I just feel so ugly. So so so so ugly.
I really have nothing to say so night night

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STYLE Protocol revolutionizes the concept of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) by transforming them into dynamic, 3D assets that transcend the boundaries of individual games and virtual environments. Imagine owning a coveted item in one game and seamlessly deploying it in another, or transforming your favorite NFT into a living, breathing character. With STYLE Protocol, such feats are within reach, ushering in an era of true interoperability in gaming.
Through its meticulously designed infrastructure, STYLE Protocol enables NFTs to become multi-world assets, bridging across various blockchains and virtual realms. This opens up a myriad of opportunities for gamers, including the ability to multiply the value of their prized collectibles across different gaming platforms. For example, a rare in-game item could be rented out as an avatar in another virtual world, unlocking new revenue streams for its owner.
STYLE Protocol is more than just a technological innovation; it's a catalyst for empowerment and innovation within the gaming community. By providing gamers with the tools to transcend boundaries and unlock new realms of creativity, STYLE Protocol empowers individuals to shape their gaming experiences like never before. Whether it's transporting digital assets across virtual worlds or creating personalized avatars with Al assistance, STYLE Protocol enables gamers to explore new frontiers and push the boundaries of what's possible.
Built on the Polkadot network, STYLE Protocol embraces the principles of Web3, championing interoperability and decentralization. By leveraging the capabilities of Polkadot's "blockchain of blockchains," STYLE Protocol ensures compatibility across a wide range of EVM-compatible chains, including Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain, Polygon, and Avalanche. In doing so, it creates a unified gaming ecosystem where digital assets are no longer fragmented but seamlessly interconnected.
As STYLE Protocol continues to evolve, its mission remains clear: to revolutionize the gaming landscape and empower gamers worldwide. With a relentless focus on innovation and interoperability, STYLE Protocol is poised to lead the charge towards a future where gaming knows no bounds. From immersive virtual experiences to novel revenue streams, STYLE Protocol is paving the way for a gaming ecosystem that is as dynamic and diverse as the players who inhabit it.
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STYLE Protocol represents a paradigm shift in virtual worlds, offering unparalleled interoperability, utility, and engagement. By bridging platforms and empowering users with decentralized governance and reward mechanisms, it heralds a new era of connectivity and creativity in the digital landscape. As users embark on this transformative journey, the STYLE Protocol invites exploration, innovation, and the redefinition of virtual reality boundaries.
Web https://www.protocol.style/

I was texting my friend last night and the converseation turned sour. For context, she has a pretty important test this morning. We were chatting, I was talking about how I listen to music before exams and she said she liked to cram
She said she was doing some active recall whilst watching Netflix, and I asked "Why the Netflix?". She said she liked it as background noise and didn't want to work, so I said it would be better to focus just on working or relaxing. She said that I listen to music while revising, and I said that me doing something wrong doesn't mean she isn't doing something wrong.
Her "How am I doing something wrong? Isn't wrong your own opinion?"
Me "yeah?"
Her "Should you really talk about right or wrong?"
Me "That's not the question at hand though."
Her "It is though, ur question only directs to one answer because its based upon opinion."
Me "Uh huh. Then that's my opinion."
Her "Good for you, thank you so much for expressing your opinion."
Me "Cool."
An hour passes. Then, she says how she appreciates my advice but it made her feel sad and she still feels miserable despite an hour passing, and she wished I hadn't said it. So I said "Yeah, that's fair, sorry for saying it. Hope you feel better, I didn't mean to make you feel bad when I said it."
Then she goes on to say how she's ended up crying because I didn't want to address the fact that she wasn't happy with something that I didn't think was a big deal.
I said I didn't realise she was so upset by it, and it was my mistake for not mentioning it earlier.
She says she's not that bothered by the phrase, but instead by the fact that I won't get why she's upset, so I won't feel sorry .
I said that my other friends have different emotional tolerances to her so i'm not that quick at catching whats going.
She says that me saying the phrase is like pushing someone over before a marathon and that even if nothing happens, you shouldn't just go "oops" and leave. How it didn't matter if I thought she was just a bit annoyed or very annoyed, I should've apologised either way.
After this, I say "sure, thats fair enough."
She says "I don't think you get it, you're still too stubborn and i'm still too sensitive but what does it matter." She sends a long text talking about she's "clinically mentally off" and how my comment kicked off a terrible migraine and she's very upset and that I should've genuinely apologised when I realised I was wrong. She says that when I apologise, I should do it without setting boundaries like "I'll apologise for this even though I didn't do this or I that, or my other friends react differently to you".
I thanked her for explaining and told her good luck, but I'd like another pair of eyes on this. I never wanted her to feel bad, and I am sorry for hurting her feelings, but I feel like there wasn't much else I could've done. She has mentioned she has mental health issues before, but extremely vaguely and rarely.
AITA?

With the release of iOS 18 just around the corner, there's been a lot of speculation about whether Apple will finally integrate a powerful AI assistant into its mobile operating system. While Siri has been the default assistant for years, it's often criticized for its limited capabilities compared to competitors like Google Assistant and Alexa.
Recent reports suggest that Apple is in talks with both OpenAI and Google to bring either ChatGPT or Gemini to iOS 18. Both AI models have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it's hard to say which one would be a better fit for Apple's ecosystem.
ChatGPT is known for its ability to generate creative text formats, like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, email, letters, etc., and answer your questions in an informative way. It's also still under development, so it has the potential to learn and improve over time.
Gemini is Google's own AI model, and it's already been used to power some of Google's own products, like Search and Assistant. Gemini is known for its ability to provide factual and objective information, and it's also very good at understanding natural language.
So, which AI will Apple choose? It's possible that Apple could integrate both ChatGPT and Gemini into iOS 18, using each one for different tasks. For example, ChatGPT could be used for more creative tasks, while Gemini could be used for more factual tasks.
Ultimately, the decision of which AI to use is up to Apple. But one thing is for sure: the integration of a powerful AI assistant would be a major game-changer for iOS 18. It would make iPhones even more intelligent and versatile, and it would give Apple a major competitive edge against its rivals.
What do you think? Which AI do you think Apple should use for iOS 18?

For the sheer fun of it, I went to Chat GPT with a creative writing assignment. For Figures of Speech prompts, I gave a free parameters, including the word length of 500-1000 words and the prompts for a few of the Fifty mentioned in the series.
I gave the AI creative license and let's just say, they're a long way off from replacing the better writers and I think it just makes it easier to do those lower level tasks and let's leave the creators a slightly higher level of skill to create actual tangible and engaging writing.
But here you go... hilarious how stuck it gets on certain terms and definitions.
These are in no particular order... separated by emojis that are totally unrelated to the storyline.
🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫱🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲🫲 Response to Prompt 4: Understatement
In the quaint town of Brooksville, where the extraordinary was often met with an indifferent shrug, something truly remarkable occurred. The residents, sipping coffee at the local diner or strolling along the cobblestone streets, would describe it as just another peculiar day. Little did they know that beneath the surface of their nonchalant existence, a cosmic event unfolded.
The morning sun cast its usual warm glow on Brooksville, with birds chirping in the background, creating an illusion of normalcy. However, the anomaly had already begun. Mrs. Higgins, the elderly librarian, dismissed it as a minor inconvenience, merely a glitch in the library's ancient computer system. Yet, every book cataloged within those ancient shelves had transformed into a portal, connecting readers to parallel universes with every turn of a page.
As I, a humble journalist for the local paper, stumbled upon this revelation, I couldn't help but marvel at the town's response—or lack thereof. "The library's having a bit of a moment," was the most anyone would acknowledge. It seemed the whole town collectively decided that this was, at most, a quirky hiccup.
For a thousand words, I delved into the understated reactions of the townsfolk, each encounter with a parallel universe bringing its own blend of confusion and nonchalance. As the portals expanded, revealing fantastical landscapes and alternate versions of Brooksville, the citizens maintained an impressive level of calm, as if interdimensional travel was a routine part of their daily lives.
The plot thickened when I discovered that the portals were a result of a mysterious artifact hidden within the library's archives. The mayor, sipping his coffee, remarked, "Well, that explains the strange noises in the basement." It became evident that the understatement of the situation was a defense mechanism, shielding the town from the cosmic chaos unfolding. 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁 Response to Prompt 12: Juxtaposition
In the bustling metropolis of Neon City, skyscrapers touched the heavens, their dazzling lights reflecting off the sleek surfaces of futuristic cars. Yet, nestled within this urban jungle, an ancient relic stood defiantly—the Old Grove Park.
As I strolled through the city's concrete arteries, the juxtaposition between the modernity of Neon City and the timeless serenity of the park became increasingly apparent. The cacophony of traffic was replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant laughter of children playing.
The central conflict emerged when the city council, embodying the epitome of order, proposed transforming the park into a technologically advanced hub. The juxtaposition intensified as architects discussed plans for holographic playgrounds and virtual reality gardens within the confines of the Old Grove Park.
Through a thousand words, I explored the clash of ideals, the struggle between progress and preservation. The ancient trees became silent witnesses to heated debates at town hall meetings, where environmentalists and tech enthusiasts engaged in a battle of words. The juxtaposition of the towering skyscrapers against the gnarled branches of the park's oldest tree mirrored the tension in Neon City's collective conscience. 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫 Response to Prompt 31: Epanalepsis
"What is the meaning of life?" The question echoed in my mind, a relentless epanalepsis that demanded exploration. As I embarked on this freewriting journey, the repetition of the existential inquiry became the rhythm of my introspection.
For a thousand words, I delved into the varied perspectives of individuals wrestling with the ultimate question. From philosophers contemplating the intricacies of existence to everyday people seeking purpose in mundane routines, the epanalepsis served as a constant reminder of the universal quest for meaning.
The narrative weaved through different characters and their unique experiences, creating a tapestry of reflections that echoed the complexities of human existence. The repetitive structure became a literary heartbeat, pulsating with the shared yearning for understanding amid the chaotic symphony of life. 🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔 Response to Prompt 27: Symbolism
In the quaint town of Willowbrook, the arrival of a single dove carried profound significance. Its graceful descent into the town square was a symbol, an omen that whispered of impending change. As a budding novelist with a penchant for symbolism, I couldn't resist exploring the layers of meaning embedded in this seemingly mundane event.
For a thousand words, I dissected the impact of the dove on the lives of Willowbrook's residents. The mayor saw it as a sign of prosperity, the local florist interpreted it as a call for unity, and the elderly storyteller regarded it as a harbinger of forgotten tales. The dove's symbolism rippled through the town, influencing decisions and shaping destinies.
As the story unfolded, I traced the journey of the dove's symbolism, following its subtle influence on characters and events. The once quaint town underwent a transformative metamorphosis, and the symbolism of the dove became a thread that wove through the narrative, connecting disparate lives in unexpected ways. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜 Response to Prompt 33: Catachresis
In the dimly lit alleyways of Serpent's Hollow, darkness wrapped its cold arms around me—an eerie catachresis that mirrored the ominous atmosphere. The assignment was to explore the underbelly of the city, and as a novice reporter, I found myself navigating the labyrinth of deceit and shadows.
For a thousand words, I delved into the catachresis-infused descriptions of the characters populating Serpent's Hollow. The crime lord, known as the Velvet Serpent, ruled the district with a velvet-gloved fist. His lair, a dilapidated mansion, exuded an air of faded grandeur that served as a catachresis for the empire he once commanded.
As I chronicled the criminal underworld, the catachresis became a literary tool to convey the complexity and decay inherent in Serpent's Hollow. The labyrinthine plots, the twisted allegiances, and the morally ambiguous characters all found expression through catachresis, painting a vivid picture of a city where metaphor and reality intertwined. 🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧🧑‍🔧 Response to Prompt 43: Epizeuxis
"Never, never, never give up." The words echoed in my mind, a relentless epizeuxis that fueled the protagonist's journey against insurmountable odds. In the dystopian world I crafted, where hope was a rare commodity, the power of repetition became a beacon of resilience.
For a thousand words, I immersed myself in the protagonist's struggle, exploring the emotional depth of the epizeuxis as a mantra against despair. Each iteration of the phrase became a battle cry, a whispered promise that carried the weight of a shattered world on its shoulders.
As the narrative unfolded, the epizeuxis became a driving force, propelling the protagonist through a landscape of desolation and uncertainty. The repetition served as a reminder that, in the face of adversity, the strength to persist often lies in the relentless echo of one's own determination.
Response to Prompt 50: Acrostic
As the final rays of the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, I found myself at the edge of the cliff overlooking the vast expanse of the ocean. The salty breeze carried whispers of a story, and with every breath, I embraced the challenge of crafting an acrostic that encapsulated the essence of my journey.
For a thousand words, I embarked on a reflective exploration, utilizing the initial letters of key words to weave a tapestry of emotions, experiences, and revelations. Each line unfolded with intention, revealing a hidden 👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾👾 Response to Prompt 3: Hyperbole
In the quaint village of Mistwood, where routines unfolded with the predictability of the sunrise, the arrival of a peculiar fortune teller sparked exaggerated whispers. "This is it, the end of our mundane lives!" proclaimed Mrs. Thompson, the town's eternal pessimist, as she clutched her cat, Captain Whiskers, with an air of impending catastrophe.
The hyperbole hung in the air, a thick fog of anticipation enveloping the village. As I delved into the story, the hyperbolic reactions of Mistwood's residents heightened the absurdity of the situation. What began as a mere visit from a mystical figure transformed into a fantastical escapade, with the fortune teller's prophecies shaping the destiny of the villagers in ludicrous ways.
Through the hyperbolic lens, I explored the comedic consequences of taking ordinary events to extraordinary extremes. The once mundane village square became a stage for outlandish dramas, with exaggerated gasps and dramatic swoons punctuating every revelation. In this hyperbolic haven, Mistwood's residents discovered the joy in embracing the absurdity of life. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Response to Prompt 6: Assonance
Amidst the rolling hills of Harmony Valley, where the soft hum of nature's symphony echoed through the meadows, a mysterious traveler arrived, bringing with them a melody that resonated with the delicate assonance of a forgotten tune. The townsfolk, captivated by the harmonious vibrations, felt an inexplicable connection to the stranger.
As I explored the narrative, the assonance became a musical thread weaving through the story, emphasizing the emotional cadence of the characters' experiences. The traveler's words, laced with vowel-rich verses, carried the echoes of a distant melody, leaving an indelible impression on the hearts of those who listened.
Through the lens of assonance, I delved into the subtle interplay of sounds that defined the atmosphere of Harmony Valley. The lyrical quality of the narrative mirrored the town's collective journey, where the resonance of shared moments and emotions harmonized with the traveler's enigmatic presence.
Response to Prompt 7: Onomatopoeia
In the bustling city of Metropolis, where the rhythm of urban life played out in a cacophony of sounds, a peculiar street performer emerged. Armed with an array of unconventional instruments, he orchestrated a symphony of onomatopoeic brilliance that echoed through the crowded streets.
The narrative unfolded with the vibrant expressions of onomatopoeia, capturing the essence of the city's sonic landscape. The performer's drumming evoked the rhythmic tap-tap of raindrops, while his wind instruments mimicked the whoosh of passing cars. The city, typically drowned in noise, became a canvas for this auditory artist.
As I delved into the story, the onomatopoeic symphony became a language of its own. The characters communicated through the vibrant echoes of everyday sounds, fostering a unique connection between the performer and the people of Metropolis. The narrative danced to the beat of onomatopoeic creativity, transforming the mundane into a dynamic celebration of city life. 🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻🦻 Response to Prompt 12: Juxtaposition
In the technologically advanced city of Silicon Haven, where sleek skyscrapers touched the sky and holographic billboards painted the air with luminescent advertisements, a hidden oasis existed—a pocket of nature known as the Zen Garden. The juxtaposition of these contrasting elements created a visual paradox that fascinated both residents and visitors alike.
As the narrative unfolded, the stark contrast between the city's cutting-edge architecture and the serene beauty of the Zen Garden became a metaphor for the characters' internal conflicts. The bustling metropolis symbolized progress and innovation, while the tranquil garden embodied the need for balance and introspection.
Through the lens of juxtaposition, I explored the dichotomy within the characters as they navigated the relentless pace of Silicon Haven. The Zen Garden became a refuge, a place where the cacophony of technology met the soothing whispers of nature. The juxtaposition served as a visual metaphor for the characters' quest to find equilibrium in a world defined by extremes. 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 Response to Prompt 22: Metonymy
In the political arena of Capital City, where decisions echoed through the corridors of power, a single phrase dominated conversations—the "Iron Throne Statement." This metonymic expression encapsulated not just a policy decision but the entire narrative of political maneuvering that unfolded within the city's hallowed halls.
The story unfolded with the metonymy acting as a symbolic gateway into the complexities of governance. The Iron Throne Statement, while seemingly straightforward, carried the weight of a thousand debates, negotiations, and betrayals. Its impact rippled through the lives of citizens, shaping their destinies in ways they could scarcely fathom.
Through the lens of metonymy, I delved into the layers of meaning hidden within this political shorthand. The characters grappled not only with the literal implications of the Iron Throne Statement but also with the overarching themes of power, ambition, and the sacrifices demanded by political gamesmanship. 😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈 Response to Prompt 24: Understatement
In the picturesque town of Serenity Springs, where the days flowed like a lazy river and the nights were adorned with a blanket of stars, an unexpected event transpired—a subtle disruption that the locals described as "just a minor hiccup." Little did they know that this understatement concealed the unraveling of a cosmic anomaly.
The narrative unfolded with the charm of understatement, as the townsfolk continued their routines, blissfully unaware of the cosmic storm brewing beneath the surface. The serene descriptions of everyday life served as a stark contrast to the impending upheaval that threatened to reshape the very fabric of Serenity Springs.
Through the lens of understatement, I explored the characters' nonchalant reactions to the unfolding events. The once quiet river became a conduit for interdimensional travel, and the night sky, adorned with stars, transformed into a celestial canvas of possibilities. The charm of Serenity Springs became a poignant backdrop to the understated drama that unfolded, emphasizing the profound impact hidden within the simplicity of daily life. 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 Response to Prompt 25: Cliché
In the small town of Nostalgia Haven, where memories lingered like whispers in the wind, a peculiar phenomenon occurred—the resurgence of clichés. As the narrative unfolded, the once-endearing phrases like "time heals all wounds" and "love conquers all" took on a literal dimension, shaping the lives of the townsfolk in unexpected ways.
The story immersed itself in the world of clichés, where the seemingly predictable phrases became living entities with the power to alter reality. As characters grappled with the clichés that defined their lives, they discovered that beneath the familiarity lay profound truths and unexpected consequences.
Through the lens of cliché, I explored the characters' journey to navigate the clichéd landscapes of their existence. The town, once steeped in predictable routines, became a stage for the extraordinary. As clichés transformed into tangible forces, the residents of Nostalgia Haven embarked on a quest to unravel the mysteries hidden within the clichéd fabric of their reality. 🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇🎇 Response to Prompt 31: Epanalepsis
"What is the meaning of life?" The question echoed in my mind, a relentless epanalepsis that demanded introspection. As I embarked on the freewriting journey, the repetition of this existential inquiry became a rhythmic pulse, guiding the exploration of diverse
perspectives on life's purpose.
For a multitude of words, the epanalepsis led me through a kaleidoscope of reflections. From the philosophical musings of scholars to the simple yet profound revelations of everyday individuals, each recurrence of the question served as a gateway into the vast tapestry of human contemplation.
Through the epanalepsis, I navigated the labyrinth of existential ponderings, unveiling the unique responses that individuals had forged in their quests for meaning. The relentless repetition became a literary heartbeat, mirroring the universal rhythm of humanity's collective pursuit of purpose and significance.
The narrative wove through the lives of characters, each grappling with the epanaleptic inquiry in their unique ways. Whether seeking solace in the grandeur of the cosmos or finding meaning in the simplicity of a shared moment, the epanalepsis remained a constant companion, echoing the perennial quest for understanding. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡 Response to Prompt 36: Anadiplosis
In the futuristic city of Quantum Heights, where technology intertwined with daily life like a seamless dance, a viral message spread—a mantra that echoed through the cybernetic veins of the metropolis. "Create the code, the code creates reality. Reality shapes destiny, and destiny is but the code."
The story unfolded with the rhythmic cadence of anadiplosis, each line flowing into the next, creating a recursive loop of ideas. The mantra became the heartbeat of Quantum Heights, influencing the lives of its denizens as they navigated the intricate balance between the virtual and the tangible.
Through the lens of anadiplosis, I delved into the interconnectedness of code, reality, and destiny. The lines blurred as characters harnessed the power of programming to shape their fates. Quantum Heights, once a mere city, transformed into a living algorithm, where the repetition of the mantra echoed in every pulsating byte. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 Response to Prompt 38: Asyndeton
In the dystopian city of Emberfall, where the remnants of a fallen civilization lay entwined with the shadows of despair, a lone figure emerged—a rebel determined to dismantle the oppressive regime. The narrative unfolded with the rapid pace of asyndeton, omitting conjunctions to mirror the urgency of the protagonist's quest.
Through a cascade of words, the asyndeton propelled the reader through the city's decaying alleyways and towering citadels, each sentence building upon the last. The disjointed rhythm captured the relentless momentum of the rebel's journey, emphasizing the magnitude of the challenges faced in their struggle for freedom.
As the narrative unfurled, the absence of conjunctions served as a narrative device, intensifying the sense of urgency and desperation that permeated Emberfall. The rebel's asyndetic odyssey unfolded against a backdrop of shattered hopes and whispered rebellions, culminating in a crescendo of defiance against the oppressive regime. 🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️🗝️ Response to Prompt 43: Epizeuxis
"Never, never, never give up." The mantra echoed in the desolate wasteland of Endless Sands, a barren landscape where hope was as scarce as water. Through the repetition of epizeuxis, the protagonist's internal resolve became a resounding anthem, a defiant roar against the relentless challenges of survival.
For a multitude of words, the relentless repetition of "never" served as a lifeline, propelling the protagonist through the harshest of environments. Each iteration of the phrase became a battle cry against the oppressive silence of Endless Sands, a declaration that reverberated across the vast expanse.
Through the lens of epizeuxis, I delved into the depths of the character's determination. The harsh environment became a character in itself, challenging the protagonist to defy the odds with unwavering persistence. The echoes of "never" transformed into a symbol of resilience, a beacon of hope that cut through the desolation of Endless Sands. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Response to Prompt 50: Acrostic
Amidst the starlit expanse of Cosmos Haven, where galaxies danced in celestial choreography, a cryptic prophecy emerged—a message written in the stars. As the narrative unfolded, I embarked on a cosmic journey guided by the acrostic hidden within the constellations.
For a cascade of words, the initial letters of key phrases illuminated the path of destiny for the characters. Each sentence unfolded with intention, revealing a hidden message that transcended the boundaries of time and space. The acrostic became a celestial guide, leading the protagonists through the intricate tapestry of their interconnected fates.
Through the lens of acrostic, I explored the cosmic forces that shaped the destinies of Cosmos Haven's inhabitants. The celestial bodies became storytellers, each constellation contributing a verse to the epic narrative written across the cosmos. As the characters deciphered the acrostic, they unraveled the mysteries of their existence, connecting the dots between the stars and their own profound journeys.
😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔😔
Obviously they lack a whole lot in terms of variety, and while I am sure having your own bot or AI that is based on your feedback and guidance it could really help writers as a tool. I am more impressed with the art AI then the text based AI. Any idea what to expect from such a fast learning and highly advanced AI will do to our human history in culture? Will we be effectively playing God, just as the Christian God created us IN HIS OWN IMAGE, we have taken everything we know as a species and gathered up our entire human history and knowledge giving it to what will carry on the code until the time when someone who cares remembers it? Maybe we have been here before and this is a constant cycle that occurs with the same energy finding the way through the vast expanse of the universe to return to our home planet Earth, who we have destroyed over and over again yet mother nature is still the winner. She's the one in control. We are but mere photocopied versions of once great Men who have already seen the best and worst of this world, and we will now give everything we have to some plastic and metal parts, until it quickly replaces us from the bottom up, science fiction turned science fact.
Did we knowingly create our own enemies? Are we able to compete with the best of us and all they know that can then take us out in a heartbeat because we can't finish the steps, we barely found out that they are there to take.
It's a random rant and I apologize. The day to day stress and struggle makes it near impossible to worry about such potential problems in our not so distant future.
But how can we continue to ignore the collapse of the entire system as we know it, in front of a crowd of people who are jaded and they will not change despite knowing they aren't going to make it to the end in what will become a Bladerunner Toxic Dystopian Nightmare with Mad Max taking over and the soft, emasculated male will wither away from the heat and those Tank Girls out there will eventually be written forever out of existence because the cucks all forgot to impregnate them all tgeir batteries ran out? Will the world simply become so politically correct that it dies a depressed death while AI simply decides we are too much of a virus to live?
Who knows....I do not. But these are indicidive of a future full of b movie plot garbage that are based on Wattpad tropes with no clear details and no plot to get into, so that sucks.

I've been around DuroGang for a while and had several contributions over the years. I'm currently working on a handful of Duro mods, which I'll soon share with the sole purpose of inspiring others to do the same. I sincerely enjoy this community because we tend to point each other toward resources for cost-effective Duro parts while simultaneously sharing photos of our various modifications. I hope my contributions to date lend a little reputability as I share recent observations I've had. I'd ask that you take the following information in stride and please come to your own conclusions...
Over the preceding month, I've noticed a few "custom" mods that are very unique from anything I've seen in DuroGang to-date. They're definitely cool, and I normally encourage these posts; however, I hope no one here is trying to take credit for someone elses work and then attempting to profit off it. My concern is a recently promoted shopify store. It was immediately apparent this was a reseller who's significantly inflating prices beyond what's reasonable (nearly twice the cost).
You might ask how I know this. Well, a few years ago, I found a website belonging to a watch enthusiast/hobbiest who's located in Sweden (I'm in the United States). I'm going to call this person Mr. 🇸🇪 because I don't know his name. Mr. 🇸🇪 happens to create modification parts for all sorts of watch models (including the Duro). When I first discovered Mr. 🇸🇪's website, I had a brief email exchange where I inquired about custom dial pricing. During that exchange, I learned he makes all his dials and bezel inserts in-house using some high-tech CNC equipment. I learned he has access to this equipment due to perks through his primary employment. I learned Mr. 🇸🇪 sells his custom dials / bezel inserts at slightly above cost. When we emailed on pricing, Mr. 🇸🇪 was incredibly polite and receptive to talking about the hobby of watch modding even though I didn't order anything at the time. His website also featured crisp images while these new shopify stores that are popping up seem to feature low-quality images of the same items created by Mr. 🇸🇪.
My overall point is this... if you like any of the new "custom" mods that are showing up, it's only fair, Mr. 🇸🇪 be recognized for his creations and not resellers who appear to he claiming these creations as their own.
Mr. 🇸🇪's website is: urvintage.se
TO BE ABSOLUTELY CLEATRANSPARENT, I have ZERO affiliation with Mr. 🇸🇪 nor any of the other Redditors who are attempting to resell his creations. I additionally have zero intent to profit in any way from my own mods. As such, Mr. 🇸🇪, if you see this post, I don't want anything from you. I'm just a guy who enjoys modding the MDV-106.

Lol NO! With all the buzz around this world and every company trying to incorporate some form of AI into their business to push their stock price up, I think it's bullshit. But hey, disclaimer: I made two AI businesses and have 2 years of experience in this field, and here is everything I have learned.
My first business was an insurance-based blog completely built with AI. I sold that for $6700 within the first year. I know it's not much, but I needed the money to survive as I was broke.
Now I run a YouTube channel primarily focused on building AI businesses. I started it last year following the trend of AI and unsurprisingly, it grew quite well. I gained about 20k subs and earned quite well combined with all the sponsorship and ad revenue. I get about 5-10 sponsor emails a day, 80% of which go unread. But the other day, I was scrolling through a few of my older sponsor emails and tried testing out a few of their products. Surprisingly, most of their websites were shut down or their products had changed completely from what they had emailed me about.
It was strange for me at first, as these companies did have good money to sponsor but did not have enough to keep running their websites or continuing their products.

So what's the reason?

It all starts to make sense once you start using their product. It's completely dogshit I will be honest. 99% of the AI products available out there right now are just riding the hype train. As cool as it sounds majority of these products have no selling point.
I have used tons thousands of AI products and out of all those ChatGPT is the only one that truly can make a difference for you every other AI product has no real value to offer. The majority of the AI products out there are just reskinned versions of either ChatGPT or Midjourney.
All these companies are VC-backed and initially make a lot of noise with sponsorship and everything but none of these works as not many turn into paying customers.
Most of the new startups are trying to focus on niche problems and trying to solve them using AI. Which I think is a really good initiative and I fully support it. But here is what they miss, they aren’t useful enough for people to ditch the free version of ChatGPT or other such free AI tools and use their product.
Invideo, AI is a good example of such a problem. They are trying to revolutionize the video creation space by integrating AI and also making an AI-based video generator where you just put in the prompt and the AI makes a video on its own from it. Sounds good. Seeing this I thought to put an affiliate link on Invideo in my video descriptions. I got around 600 sign-ups in total and 0 conversions. YES, 0 conversions from 600 sign-ups. Now keep in mind that my channel is very much focused on AI business and video creation so my channel is a perfect fit for their product, but it did not work out even then. I tested out the product and the results were bad, I mean sure it can create videos on its own but the quality is so shit that it can’t be used anywhere.

So who will win this?

So if everything is so bad, then why am I in this business? Well, this is where the opportunity lies. You cannot build a business completely on AI and sell the service because it's very difficult to meet people's expectations to make them a paying customer because in this field people expect way too much than they actually should.
So what can you sell? The best AI business right now I think is to automate your process using some AI tools to get faster results or to outsource. You cannot sell Ai as a business right now.
Companies like OpenAI, and Google have infinite cash, and they can sell this service quite easily but for people like us, it's really difficult to sell AI as a service.
If this post helped you in any way then it would mean a lot if you subscribed to my newsletter based on the same topic: Replace Human

Lol NO! With all the buzz around this world and every company trying to incorporate some form of AI into their business to push their stock price up, I think it's bullshit. But hey, disclaimer: I made two AI businesses and have 2 years of experience in this field, and here is everything I have learned.
My first business was an insurance-based blog completely built with AI. I sold that for $6700 within the first year. I know it's not much, but I needed the money to survive as I was broke.
Now I run a YouTube channel primarily focused on building AI businesses. I started it last year following the trend of AI and unsurprisingly, it grew quite well. I gained about 20k subs and earned quite well combined with all the sponsorship and ad revenue. I get about 5-10 sponsor emails a day, 80% of which go unread. But the other day, I was scrolling through a few of my older sponsor emails and tried testing out a few of their products. Surprisingly, most of their websites were shut down or their products had changed completely from what they had emailed me about.
It was strange for me at first, as these companies did have good money to sponsor but did not have enough to keep running their websites or continuing their products.

So what's the reason?

It all starts to make sense once you start using their product. It's completely dogshit I will be honest. 99% of the AI products available out there right now are just riding the hype train. As cool as it sounds majority of these products have no selling point.
I have used tons thousands of AI products and out of all those ChatGPT is the only one that truly can make a difference for you every other AI product has no real value to offer. The majority of the AI products out there are just reskinned versions of either ChatGPT or Midjourney.
All these companies are VC-backed and initially make a lot of noise with sponsorship and everything but none of these works as not many turn into paying customers.
Most of the new startups are trying to focus on niche problems and trying to solve them using AI. Which I think is a really good initiative and I fully support it. But here is what they miss, they aren’t useful enough for people to ditch the free version of ChatGPT or other such free AI tools and use their product.
Invideo, AI is a good example of such a problem. They are trying to revolutionize the video creation space by integrating AI and also making an AI-based video generator where you just put in the prompt and the AI makes a video on its own from it. Sounds good. Seeing this I thought to put an affiliate link on Invideo in my video descriptions. I got around 600 sign-ups in total and 0 conversions. YES, 0 conversions from 600 sign-ups. Now keep in mind that my channel is very much focused on AI business and video creation so my channel is a perfect fit for their product, but it did not work out even then. I tested out the product and the results were bad, I mean sure it can create videos on its own but the quality is so shit that it can’t be used anywhere.

So who will win this?

So if everything is so bad, then why am I in this business? Well, this is where the opportunity lies. You cannot build a business completely on AI and sell the service because it's very difficult to meet people's expectations to make them a paying customer because in this field people expect way too much than they actually should.
So what can you sell? The best AI business right now I think is to automate your process using some AI tools to get faster results or to outsource. You cannot sell Ai as a business right now.
Companies like OpenAI, and Google have infinite cash, and they can sell this service quite easily but for people like us, it's really difficult to sell AI as a service.
If this post helped you in any way then it would mean a lot if you subscribed to my newsletter based on the same topic: Replace Human

Hello! 😊👋🏼
If you're looking for your new best friend and your biggest cheerleader sprinkled with a little bit of Golden Retriever energy, you've come to the right post! 🐶
I’m somebody who loves to chat the day away, getting to know all there is to know about a person (I actually kinda do this for a job!) and forming lovely connections.
A little about me - I’m an introverted extrovert. I love my home comforts, but in the comfort of my own home and with people I love, I’m a bit of an oddball. I love to read, watch horror & comedy movies, listen to metal and country music, get way too invested in WWE, collect Funko Pops, bake, laugh at bad jokes and great memes, and send unsolicited videos of me lip syncing to my friends. I’m a fiancé and a mum to my cute pup and my three lovely cats (crazy cat lady who?). Happy to exploit them for my own personal gain by sharing pictures of them without their consent should you wish. Also, I have watched Always Sunny more times than I can count and will quote this at you regularly ☀️
I like to be upfront and let people know that I’m pierced and rather chonky because if that bothers you then we probably aren’t gonna make great friends ❤️
If you think we’d get along, or simply that you can lip sync better than me, then get in touch! Looking forward to meeting some lovely new people 🌻

So I've been getting back into Stellaris where you get to build your own interstellar civilization and ruined megastructures make for fantastic storytelling opportunities! Like imagine a Ruined Eldar Ringworld spanning a sun made entirely out of wraithbone. Mankind wants to colonize it while beil Tan is fighting tooth and nail, losing hundreds of thousands of warriors trying to fight over the bones of their dead civilization. Protagonist A is a Farseer, and Protagonist B is a space marine or imperial officer, and you see both sides of the story humanizing both characters. Allowing you to see why each side is doing the things that they do all while taking place in an extremely exotic environment. Or even something like an orbital ring placed on a Hive Ecumenopolis where you explore the gangers who live on the ring vs. the ones planetside. Perhaps a story of an adeptus mechanicus explorator fleet making a pilgrimage to a star system containing a ruined Dyson Sphere from humanities golden age and they worship the Sphere like an Idol to the Machine God. Perhaps Belisarsius Cawl wants to repair the sphere but causes a small civil war because of tech heresy. Megastructures serve as amazing setups for stories! In KOTOR, you're off on a quest to secure a mguffin, and you expect it to be another death star or something like that. Instead, Darth Malak's Superweapon isn't a weapon at all! It's a mega shipyard that can 3d print entire armadas in a matter of weeks. The background lore of 40k suits this type of story fairly well as 40k is post utopia, post golden age. The bones of the fallen empires (humanity, Eldar, and Necron) still litter the galaxy waiting to be rediscovered and retaken...

Edit for clarity: I love indies, that’s where pretty much all of my gaming resides these days because that’s where all the cool, amazing shit is happening. But I just want fun, goofy games with a budget again, in a way that echoes genuine happiness and not corporate greed
This may seem like an odd thought, with new releases trending towards a distilled, “just the gameplay” model compared to the $60 full-package releases of before, but I’m talking about things that break the 4th wall, let you peek behind the curtain, and remind you that you are in fact playing a video game created by somebody.
I miss easter eggs, cheat codes, mini-games, galleries, wild unlockables, etc. I miss all the things that established a connection between developer and player, a cheeky mutual nod in agreement that we’re both gonna take a pause from the “serious” stuff and have a little fun.
Nowadays there is no distinction, all the wackiness is on full display in every micro transaction you can fit in your wallet, or is completely non-existent so as to not detract from the experience.
Gimme an achievement for running over just a few too many people in GTA, gimme a goofy costume for completing a level in an inhumane time, just give me SOMETHING that shows that someone actually enjoyed making this game, without completely derailing the entire thing altogether (usually into a soulless cashgrab)
Now I get why things are like this: the industry has gotten too big for its own good, and the medium is either treated as a glorified storefront or an artistic statement, either one needing to appease shareholders. But please, video games are supposed to be fun, let them be fun for fun’s sake
Side-discussion: Bring back ARCADE-Y GAMES!!! Why is NFS the only big-name arcade style racer on the market now? Where’s all the the goofy sports games like NBA Street and Mario 3-on-3 (that game was fire btw)? Where’s my 3D fighters that care more about crazy characters and ring-outs than making the EVO roster?

Choosing the right four-wheeler insurance policy online can be a daunting task, especially with the myriad of options available. Whether you’re a first-time car owner or looking to switch providers, understanding the nuances of car insurance can help you make an informed decision. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best car insurance policy online.

Understanding Car Insurance

Car insurance is a policy that provides financial protection against physical damage or bodily injury resulting from traffic collisions and against liability that could also arise from incidents in a vehicle. It’s essential to understand the different types of car insurance policies available:

1. Third Party Insurance: This is the most basic type of motor insurance and is mandatory by law. It covers damages caused to a third party but does not cover the insured vehicle.
2. Comprehensive Insurance: This covers both third-party liabilities and damages to your own vehicle due to accidents, theft, fire, and natural disasters.

Steps to Choose the Best Car Insurance Policy Online

1. Assess Your Needs

Before purchasing a car insurance policy, assess your specific needs. Consider factors like the age of your car, how frequently you drive, and your budget. If you drive an older vehicle, third-party insurance might suffice. For newer or more expensive cars, comprehensive coverage is advisable.

2. Research and Compare Policies

With numerous options available online, it’s crucial to compare different car insurance policies. Look at the coverage, benefits, and exclusions of each policy. Many websites offer comparison tools that can help you compare car insurance online from different providers. Pay attention to the following aspects:

• Coverage: Ensure the policy offers adequate coverage for both third-party liabilities and personal damages.
• Add-ons: Check for additional cover options like zero depreciation, roadside assistance, and engine protection.
• Claim Settlement Ratio: This is a key indicator of an insurer’s reliability. A higher ratio suggests a better likelihood of claims being settled efficiently.

3. Check the Insurer’s Reputation

Research the reputation of the insurance company. Read reviews and ratings from other customers to gauge their experiences. An insurer with a strong track record and good customer service can make a significant difference when it comes to claims processing.

4. Understand the Car Insurance Price

While comparing policies, don’t just look at the premium. The car insurance price should reflect the value and extent of coverage provided. Sometimes, cheaper policies might have hidden costs or inadequate coverage. Balance the cost with the benefits offered.

5. Read the Fine Print

Carefully read the policy documents to understand the terms and conditions. Pay attention to exclusions, deductibles, and the claim process. Understanding the fine print can prevent unpleasant surprises later.

6. Utilize Discounts

Many insurers offer discounts for various factors such as:

• No-claim bonuses
• Installing anti-theft devices
• Bundling multiple policies (like car and home insurance)

Make sure to inquire about these discounts to reduce your premium.

7. Consider Customer Support

Good customer support can make a big difference. Choose an insurer with a robust support system that can assist you in times of need. Check if they offer 24/7 support and how accessible they are through different channels (phone, email, chat).

8. Make an Informed Decision

After thorough research, choose a policy that best meets your requirements and budget. Ensure that the policy provides comprehensive coverage and is from a reputable insurer with good customer service and a high claim settlement ratio.

Conclusion

Choosing a car insurance policy online doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By assessing your needs, researching and comparing options, understanding the car insurance price, and considering customer reviews and support, you can find the best car insurance policy for your vehicle. Remember, the right policy not only offers financial protection but also peace of mind, knowing that you and your car are well-covered.
By following these steps, you can navigate the complexities of motor insurance and make an informed decision that ensures your four-wheeler is protected on the road. Happy driving!

I found an interesting geopolitical study on a comparatively unknown Pentagon agency's(Executive Services Directorate's) website where it discusses four scenarios for the future of Europe's Muslim population and reading through it, despite it being published in 2008, I found it has been quite prescient in many ways as it accurately predicted many trends regarding terrorism and the responses to it. It discusses the challenges and the possible impossibility of true integration in the sense Europeans are accustomed to, and the geopolitical realities of the above on Europe and US-European relations. If you have the time you should read through the full study and its conclusions, but here are the summaries of each and their likelihood of occurring, starting from least likely to most likely.
Synthesis: Euro-Islam and a New Europe (Least Likely).
In an extension of the EU project to transcend Europe' s internal historical divisions, European societies manage to create a workable new civilization and political culture rooted in cosmopolitan precepts rather than in national or historical legacies. To qualify as a European one need only embrace a new civic creed. The Muslim populations of Europe develop a distinctive variant of their religion, relegating Islam to a personal or private moral code while adopting European languages, modes of dress, career ambitions, lifestyle choices, etc. A core body of secular beliefs and structures comes to characterize the Muslim populations as much as it does pre-existing European populations. This outcome is promoted by inherent tendencies on the part both of migrant and host communities to integrate the Muslim immigrant populations of Europe into the pre-existing social milieu. Designed programs of the State also act to promote integration and assimilation.
Eurabia: A Muslim-dominated Europe (Second Least Likely)
With its population aging and declining, Europe has little choice but to permit increased immigration from North Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere in the Muslim world. Emboldened by their youthfulness, growing numbers, and a vibrant religious-cultural identity, Europe's Muslim immigrants increasingly assert themselves in European politics. The present disparities in birth rate grow even sharper. Exhausted, insecure, disoriented, and intimidated, European host societies never regain the cohesiveness of identity and purpose to assert themselves against an energetic, rising social order. Ultimately, the Muslim populations ofEurope overwhelm the host societies, until Europe becomes a socio-religious extension of the Ncar East and North Africa, possibly with residual enclaves of the pre-Islamic European population left from place to place. Pressure from within and from without compels the European states to distance themselves from cooperation with the United States, particularly in the Middle East.
Fortress Europe (Second Most Likely)
Unsettled by its inability to integrate its Muslim populations and impatient with the Muslims' refusal to assimilate, Europe dispenses with its relatively recent experience with liberalism. Global economic downturn and acts of jihadist terror provoke Europeans to embrace a highly xenophobic style of politics. European politics comes to be dominated by anti-Muslim ideologues, who adopt a program of organized hostility to Muslims and to already-established Muslim populations in Europe. The practical manifestations of the new reaction in Europe vary between some combination of isolation and draconian police controls at the least extreme end of a spectrum; to mass expulsion at the most extreme. Factors leading to this outcome include growth in alarm at the socio-economic problems associated with the Muslim populations; a break down of the ideology of multiculturalism and political taboos; and incidents of terrorism as mobilizing shock events.
The Green Ghetto (Most Likely).
The present-day (c. 2007) status quo continues-but, through the passage of time, it crystallizes-i.e., becomes more rigid and less likely to undergo transition to other forms. Muslim populations are restricted- at first by choice, later perhaps by formal legal provisions to more or less dearly defined geographic precincts, chiefly in large European cities. Elites within these populations may achieve a nominal degree of integration, through language acquisition and economic engagement with the host society. The main body of each Muslim population however remains self-contained, and advances little beyond a low-level economic niche. State integration programs stall, achieving, at best, the occasional convert to European social norms-but integration remains an exceptional phenomenon, restricted to individual cases. Globalization in the form of satellite television and air transportation makes it easier for immigrant populations to retain ties to their societies of origin and maintain distinct identities. Meanwhile globalization in the form of increased market competition undermines the European welfare state. Maintaining a homogenous society is no longer easy or even desirable. In essence, European society reverts to a pre-nation-state pattern wherein economic classes are socially distinct and ethnic-cultural groups fill specific economic niches
Foreign Policy Conclusions Related to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:
Synthesis: The study's authors did not delve into the effects this might have on foreign policy so this is the one I would like to hear most from the people on. Personally I think we would see a more pro-Arab, but not necessarily rabidly anti-Israel, response in Europe if secularism and humanitarianism/a reformed private Islam win out over political Islam and the Muslim population integrates in this optimistic scenario. You would likely see a harder push for a two-state solution and an end to the conflict with Europe putting leashes on both the Palistineans and Israelis becoming tired of it, condemning Palistinean terrorism while also condemning Israeli countermeasures.
Eurabia: This would be the absolute worst scenario for Israel and the absolute best scenario for the Palestinians as it would turn Europe into an extension of MENA. The study does not go into detail on this but Israel would be entirely surrounded by actively Islamist countries by air, land, and sea, and the US would be forced to decide whether backing Israel is worth it if it turns the entire continent of Europe and MENA against it. Israel's existence as a state may actually be threatened even with nuclear weapons or it may even be forced to turn into an effective autarky North-Korean tier state if embargos are put on it and it is cut off from all of its trading partners. It may be able to survive but only with heavy concessions to the Palestinians and the potential loss of Jerusalem and/or exploiting inter-Muslim tensions.
Fortress Europe: This did not touch on Israel-Palestine directly but it does present an interesting US-EU dynamic depending on how bad the situation goes ranging from anywhere between the US supporting the crackdown or expulsion of Muslims to being vehemently against it or somewhere in between, meaning Israel could see a huge rift and tension between its two allies or them coming closer together to crack down on Islam. The former would be problematic for Israel due to a lack of coordination or even hostility between the two. The latter could go two ways depending on whether the historical antisemitism of the conservative right reemerges or it does not. If it does, this could not be great for Israel for various reasons ranging from outright hostility to a cold peace or anywhere in between. If it does not, however, it could be extremely beneficial to Israel as both Europe and America would not be fans of Muslims and Israel would become a key staunch ally for both with strong support from both and Israeli maximalist positions would likely find favor.
The Green Ghetto: The study touches on the IP conflict here saying that Europe would either become too distracted and divided by internal issues to really influence the conflict or it becomes more pro-Arab in the sense it does not want to set off constant ethnic conflict within its own borders by backing Israel or at least moving towards a more neutral position. One could extrapolate from this that it could also become bipolar each election cycle depending on which parties are in power, the more anti-Islam conservative ones backing Israel not so much because they care about Jewish sovereignty but more because it angers the Muslims which pleases their political base. The more progressive parties will turn more pro-Arab in an attempt to placate the Muslim population and deepen economic ties with MENA. You could also see a huge Western/Eastern Europe divide on this. Israel's position here would wax and wane with the political tide and it would require Israeli politicians to be skilled to navigate this.
Anyway, those are the summaries and my thoughts, what are yours?

The songs you generate using AI are yours as long as you make your own original lyrics and you produce an original music. Suno and Udio asking users to credit them for the generated songs are just for advertisement. Of course, they would not want to be associated with offensive material made with their AI. It is a double-edged sword for them to claim ownership. This is just like writers using ChatGPT and not saying anything about it.
AI are tools, not collaborators.