Yeah Why Not

So the other night during D&D, I had the sudden thoughts that:

1) Binary files are 1s and 0s

2) Knitting has knit stitches and purl stitches

You could represent binary data in knitting, as a pattern of knits and purls…

You can knit Doom.

However, after crunching some more numbers:

The compressed Doom installer binary is 2.93 MB. Assuming you are using sock weight yarn, with 7 stitches per inch, results in knitted doom being…

3322 square feet

Factoring it out…302 people, each knitting a relatively reasonable 11 square feet, could knit Doom.

would you still love me if i was a worm?

I've never heard anyone say that the term "gypsy" is offensive before. I know it used to have a negative connotation, but it seems like it hasn't for a couple of centuries. Do people still identify as gypsies? I'm not arguing, but this is news to me and I would like to understand more.

Thanks for asking with the intention of understanding better! 

On my father’s side, my family is Romani, the ethnic group historically called gypsies by outsiders. The name came from the misperception than we originated in Egypt (we’re actually from India). Other names for us include words that literally mean unclean or untouchable (in a taboo and gross way). We have always called ourselves Roma or Romani, so it’s not that we identify as gypsies, it’s that others identify us as gypsies. This name or label was forced on us.

Like Native Americans, we are not a dead culture. We have become splintered, and many Romani have been pushed into inescapable poverty thanks to institutional racism. Many of us have assimilated into the dominant culture of the places we live (my family fits here).

But the negative connotation to the word is very much alive and well. Romani girls and women are among the most targeted by sex traffickers. In 2017, Fox “News” aired a scare-mongering “report” on Gypsy immigrants threatening the very fabric of the US.

Historically speaking, the Romani have been forcibly relocated, sterilized, and subjected to genocide. To address the “gypsy problem,” in the 1800’s, Switzerland rounded up Romani males and sent them to North America. This is how one branch of my family arrived in the US. It tends to not get mentioned in history classes, but twenty-five to fifty percent of the Romani population living in Europe in 1939 died at the hands of Nazis.

Taking a word that has been used to label and other an ethnic group, and romanticizing and using it to describe a free-spirited and mischievous nature does not erase the baggage or harm that has been done. Gypsy and its derivative gyp (to steal or swindle) are vulgar and hurtful words that need to be retired and relegated to history.

⁂

Here are some sources and articles, should they be of interest:

The Problem with the Word ‘Gypsy’ (this whole site can be helpful)

The Harmful History of ‘Gypsy’ – discusses the modern myths and the current state

Romani Genocide – Romani specific Wikipedia article on the Nazi Holocaust

Remembering the Roma victims of the Holocaust – discusses how the Romani are often excluded from historical accounts of the Holocaust, and the impact on the people – less dry than the Wikipedia article

Persecution and Politicization: Roma (Gypsies) of Eastern Europe – nice summary of the history associated with the word from Cultural Survival Quarterly magazine

The “G” Word Isn’t for You: How “Gypsy” Erases Romani Women – from the National Organization for Women (NOW) this focuses a little more on how the long-standing stereotypes and racism hurt Romany, especially the women.

Dragon room

Pro-tip to young trans guys:

If a stranger misgenders you, please please please do not ever utter the phrase, “I’m a man.” It sounds very unnatural and immediately sounds overly defensive.

My advice? Just look at the person like they’re an idiot and, in the deepest voice possible, say, “Uh. Alright, then.”

Just act as though they made a huge and obvious mistake, and don’t get flustered. If you’re comfortable with it, handle the situation with humor and say something like, “Man, I know I’ve got a babyface, but I didn’t think it was that bad.”

Two movies I like

Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.

Grooming Can Look Like:

1. “Is that your real name? I don’t really like to call people by their usernames.”

Asking for personal information right away - It gives a false sense of intimacy and can be used later to threaten or blackmail.

2. “I see you like Band. My parents hate them. 😂 Do your parents know your music tastes?”

Segueing quickly into private life, sometimes asking invasive questions about home, friends, family, etc - It tells them whether or not a person is isolated, unhappy, self-destructive, unsupervised, etc. The more vulnerable a person is, the more successful grooming can be.

3. “I like your fan art. Do you do nsfw? Nothing crazy, just flirty…”

Bringing up sexuality or other adult subjects in a general way - It pushes the person’s boundaries gently, getting them to talk about nsfw things in a way that feels nonthreatening.

4. “That post made a good point. I would never guess you’re 14. You’re really mature and well-spoken.”

Describing the person as mature, smart, wise, resourceful, street-smart, etc - It’s flattering, and it gives the illusion of equality and respect in their interactions.

5. “People hate what they don’t understand. You’re just so unique. I get it.”

Reinforcing that the person is unique, misunderstood, above others, etc - It increases isolation and forms a sense of dependance on the groomer.

6. “Omg look at this guy’s outfit! It’s so hot! You know, you could totally rock something like this!”

Sexualizing the person in flattering ways - It feels like a compliment and edges farther past typical boundaries, normalizing more and more sexual interactions.

7. “That guy was out of line. 😤 I couldn’t help it, I messaged him and told him if he doesn’t leave you alone I’ll doxx him. He won’t be back. He knows I’ll do it. Please don’t be mad, I just hate when people mess with my friends… ”

Defending the person, often inappropriately - It’s a show of devotion to the person, a display of the potential for aggression that serves to nudge boundaries, and can be used to threaten or coerce later.

8. “I’m totally with you on Ship X. It’s so bigoted to break up Ship Y like that. We ought to try to get those freaks banned.”

Creating an other to unify against, often inappropriately - It creates a sense of intimacy and serves as a way to push boundaries by encouraging inappropriate behavior.

9. “Idk why you let her waste ur time. U don’t need phoneys like that. You have me!!! 😂”

Discouraging competing relationships - It increases isolation, vulnerability and dependence.

10. “Listen, don’t worry about your phone bill. I got it. Sent it thru your Kofi, plus a little extra. You deserve it.”

Giving gifts, money, or paying bills - It creates a sense of intimacy, and possibly financial dependence. And it can be used as a source of guilt.

11. “Where are you??? Tell whoever you’re with that I miss my bff!!!!!”

Checking in, keeping tabs, tracking or asking for updates - It diverts the person’s attention onto the groomer, interrupts their social life to further isolate, and creates a pattern of guilt and responsibility for the groomer’s feelings.

12. “I can’t believe you’d abandon me like this. You know I have depression. Are you trying to make me suicidal? The least you could do is give me a couple weeks to find a new therapist. I’m gonna need one now.”

Threatening to harm themselves, or implying that they might if contact ends - It plays on that sense of guilt and responsibility and can be used long after abuse has happened, to prevent disclosure.

Grooming doesn’t happen by accident. By definition, it’s deliberate. When someone begins grooming, they have already decided to abuse. From that point on, interaction has one goal. It creates a situation where the person being targeted has conflicting emotions about what’s happening, no one they trust to give advice, and no way to break out without being the bad guy.

The setup - the grooming behaviors themselves - vary. One abuser might use many approaches, and might even change methods if a target isn’t receptive. I think we can all agree that guilt-tripping and displays of aggression aren’t healthy under any circumstances, but many common behaviors are things that can happen outside of grooming, in other contexts, and be ok. (An old friend might give generous gifts purely out of friendship, but someone who’s practically a stranger, giving generous gifts, acting like an old friend, is potentially predatory.) That’s why it can be so hard to see. We can’t simply ban their tools or latch onto keywords. There are no elements that are always present. There’s no set pattern. There are few flags that are always red. It’s not that simple.

The only reliable and realistic way to keep vulnerable ppl safe is to teach them to recognize potential grooming by looking at the entirety of the situation, to trust their feelings, and to speak up.

I'm begging other trans people to read an ounce of Black Feminist or Decolonialist Feminist writing. I'm on my hands and knees and begging you. I promise you, I promise you, there is so much more to Feminist theory than anything you have picked up from White/Radical/Pop/Liberal Feminism I promise you. Read There Is No Hierarchy Of Oppressions By Audre Lorde. I have a link to the PDF right here you can read it for free. Take my hand I can't do this alone (thanks glass beach). Peace And Love On Planet Earth.

does anyone else remember when 19-year-old musician Lil Nas X released a single about riding horses and having fun. Became a wildly popular song. And then he was forcibly outted to the public and now every fucking day he’s fighting for his life against white supremacists and the Christian church. He’s only 22. Can you even imagine the immense pressure? The hurt you’d be experiencing in his shoes? At twenty fucking two? His music is amazing and his replies on Twitter are spot-on, but how are so many of you not enraged at what he’s being forced to endure?

Jedi women appreciation post

(press “j” to skip, it’s a very long one)

Did you know that out of the twenty-four named female Jedi (PT Order) who ever appeared onscreen (movies + cartoons), only three are caucasian? Because dang, I’ve seen people shitting on Lucas for his white male protagonists (unjustly in my opinion, he wanted Obi-Wan to be Japanese but Toshiro Mifune turned down the role), but the guy delivered on the background characters! Let me take you on a little tour that’s very likely to blow your mind.

(names are linked to the characters’ wookieepedia pages)

THE MOVIES:

Here’s Madame Jocasta Nu (human), formerly of the High Council, portrayed by Australian actress Aleathea McGrath. She’s so cool they call her Madame and not Master. Wonderful book grandma. (Also appears in TCW, has characterization in canon.)

(She’s incredibly badass.)

Then, here is Padawan Bene (human), one of the Padawans who died during Operation Knightfall in RotS. She’s played by Mousy McCallum, from the UK.

Okay, that’s two beautiful ladies so far.

And then we have Knight Aayla Secura (Twi’Lek) played by American actress Amy Allen. She’s the third caucasian-played Jedi woman, and the last one. She’s also the ONLY Jedi woman to wear something that’s even remotely sexualizing. (Also appears in TCW, has characterization in canon.)

Aaw, what a smile.

Then we have Master Yaddle (unknown species), the frog grandma from TPM. She’s lovely, and the only Jedi woman who isn’t absolutely drop dead gorgeous.

Finally, here is baby Ashla (Togruta), a little youngling in AotC. I wasn’t able to find who played her, so I’ve got nothing on her ethnicity. She looks like Shaak Ti though? She’s adorable.

Now, onto all the other beautiful, beautiful ladies George Lucas blessed us with :D

Here is Master Adi Gallia (Tholothian), of the High Council, played by English model Gin Clarke. (Also appears in TCW, has characterization in canon.)

I love her so much. TCW did not do her beauty justice.

Here is her cousin, Master Stass Allie (Tholothian), of the High Council. She was played by different actresses in AotC and RotS, but the most significant one is Lily Nyamwasa. She was meant to appear in TCW but the show was cancelled.

Stunning. I had to physically restrain myself from adding more pictures.

Moving on, we have Master Luminara Unduli (Mirialan), played by Kenyan actress Mary Oyaya. (Also appears in TCW + Rebels, has characterization in canon.)

Her outfit is just amazing. She’s awesome.

Wow.

Then, we have her Padawan, Barriss Offee (Mirialan), played by Australian actress Nalini Krishan, who is from the Fiji islands. (Also appears in TCW, has characterization in canon.)

Here is Master Depa Billaba (human), of the High Council. She’s played by Indian actress Dipika O'Neill Joti. (Also appears in comics, has characterization.)

Here is her sister, Master Sar Labooda (human), whose actress I couldn’t find. Yes, Depa has a sister!!! And it’s canon! But it’s such an obscure fact that no EU material ever made use of that it, kinda like with Adi Gallia and Stass Allie. I learned this just yesterday, and I’m very disappointed I didn’t know about it when I made my post on Jedi families and blood ties.

There were many background Jedi on Geonosis, and here is Master Khaat Qiyn (human), played by Zuraya Hamilton. (Also appears in comics.)

Also on Geonosis, we have Knight Bultar Swan (human), played by Australian actress Mimi Daraphet. Look at her <3

And here is youngling Mari Amithest (human), also from AotC - she’s from Clan Bear, like Ashla, and she’s played by Phoebe Yiamkiati. Not to be dramatic, but I’d die for her.

Finally, Master Shadday Potkin, whose actress I couldn’t find. She appears briefly in RotS.

That’s it for the movies. Some bright eyes might have noticed I didn’t include Master Shaak Ti. That’s because her make-up in the movies is atrocious and does not do justice to the beauty of the actress - so I’m putting her in the TCW category.

THE CARTOONS:

Master Shaak Ti (Togruta), of the High Council. In the movies, she was played by Oli Shoshan, an Israeli actress. (Has characterization in canon.)

TCW!Shaak Ti is so beautiful I wanna cry.

Here is Katooni (Tholothian), an adorable youngling. (Has characterization in canon.)

Then we have Padawan Ahsoka Tano (Togruta), who is going to be played in live-action by American actress Rosario Dawson. (Is to appear in live-action series, also appears in Rebels, has characterization in canon.)

Rosario looks more like Ahsoka’s design from Rebels, but I can’t be assed to go fishing for another picture. This post already crashed on me twice and this is my third time rewriting this.

Finally, here is Kalifa (human), a youngling. She’s always covered in dirt and TCW really isn’t the best at rendering distinctive ethnic features, and we have no actress to go on from. In the concept art I’ve found she kinda looks like she might be Eastern Asian? (Has characterization in canon.)

Now, onto the few characters who are too alien to belong to any human ethnic group.

We have Jedi Masters and twin sisters Tiplar and Tiplee (Mikkians). They wear matching outfits, which I love. (Have characterization in canon, Tiplee also appears in comics.)

Knight Finn Ertay (Twi’Lek).

Ganodi (Rodian), a youngling from the same clan as Katooni. She’s so cute I could cuddle her to death. Look at her little antennae! (Has characterization in canon.)

And Jedi Consular Rig Nema (unknown species). Her outfit is amazing. (Has characterization in canon.)

BONUS CONTENT:

Here are the few named Jedi left. They’re from the Disney canon, not the LucasFilm canon, so they appear in video games and comics. They follow the same trend though.

Master Cere Junda (human), played by American actress Debra Wilson. (Has characterization.)

Her Padawan, Trilla Suduri (human), played by American/Dominican actress Elizabeth Grullon. (Has characterization.)

Master Cyslin Myr (Mirialan), from the Age of the Republic comics. I’d say she looks human enough to see that she has African features, like Luminara. (Has characterization.)

Knight Rissa Mano (Devaronian), from the same comics. Unfortunately, the drawing style is too inconsistent, so we’ll put her in the “too alien” category. (Has characterization.)

Knight Bant Eerin (Mon Calamari), who was re-canonized by the Obi-Wan and Anakin book. (Has characterization.)

And finally, Tai Uzuma, a youngling from the Kanan comics. (Has characterization.)

That’s all the named female Jedi from the PT-era Order (except for the ones who only appear in books and thus have no faces). There are thirty of them, and three are caucasian, nine are too alien for ethnicity to be applicable, and eighteen are women of color. Fourteen out of the twenty-two adult ones are Masters, not Knights (that’s over one in two) and six have been on the Council (that’s over one in four)!

They are all simply gorgeous, they are not sexualized in any way, and many of them wear incredible custom outfits.

tldr: The Jedi Order rocks.