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marthawells

A really thoughtful essay on Murderbot: ‘Even If They Are My Favourite Human’: Murderbot Just Explained Boundaries

https://countercurrents.org/2025/07/even-if-they-are-my-favourite-human-murderbot-just-explained-boundaries/

“I Don’t Know What I Want”: The Line That Changed Everything

In the final moments of the season, Murderbot says: “I don’t know what I want. But I know I don’t want anyone to tell me what I want or to make decisions for me. Even if they are my favourite human.”

This is not a dramatic declaration. It is confusion wrapped in clarity. A sentence that holds discomfort and self-awareness in equal measure. It reflects a truth often ignored in stories about intelligence and emotion: that it is okay to not know, as long as that unknowing belongs to the self. In a world that constantly demands certainty, this line opens up space for uncertainty without shame.

* And a great interview with Alexander Skarsgård!

https://collider.com/murderbot-finale-alexander-skarsgard/

So, it just wants to start fresh and get away, and figure out who it is and what it wants. It doesn't really know that. I quite enjoyed that Murderbot didn't end up having answers to all the questions or knowing exactly what it wants. It's more messy and complicated than that. But it definitely knows that it needs to find its own path and make its own decisions, to make its own mistakes, and not have the Corporation or anyone tell it who it is or what it wants.

word_never_said posting in

45 total (The Pitt, The Wheel of Time, The Gilded Age)

more here @

stillpermanentt

ysabetwordsmith

Melting glaciers are awakening Earth's most dangerous volcanoes

As glaciers melt around the world, long-dormant volcanoes may be waking up beneath the ice. New research reveals that massive ice sheets have suppressed eruptions for thousands of years, building up underground pressure. But as that icy weight disappears, it may trigger a wave of explosive eruptions—especially in places like Antarctica. This unexpected volcanic threat not only poses regional risks but could also accelerate climate change in a dangerous feedback loop. The Earth’s hidden fire may be closer to the surface than we thought.

Somehow OH SHIT just doesn't seem like enough. O_O I have noticed that the volcanoes seem more restless than they used to, and now wonder if this could be a contributing factor.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today we made a smoothie with:

1 cup almond milk
1 cup Brown Cow vanilla yogurt
3 tablespoons Bettergoods pistachio butter
a dash of cardamom

The result is off-white and on the thin side. It tastes okay, but does not have much pistachio flavor at this stage.

The pistachio butter does have a strong pistachio flavor, but it is quite sweet; sugar is the second ingredient. So we skipped the honey that we usually put into a nut butter smoothie.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This is what's wrong with most renditions of superheroes.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

leesa_perrie posting in

Teasers:

Over on my DW here.

ysabetwordsmith

Today is cloudy, mild, and wet. It rained earlier.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a male cardinal.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/12/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

It started drizzling again.

EDIT 7/12/25 -- I potted up 2 apricot seeds.

I picked the first ripe cucumber. :D

.

Current Mood: busy

marthawells

Here's a gift link for the New York Times interview with Paul and Chris Weitz, who wrote, directed, and produced Murderbot:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/arts/television/murderbot-season-finale-chris-paul-weitz.html?unlocked_article_code=1.V08.exvw.M_qE37ROOT58&smid=url-share

ysabetwordsmith

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

Is poverty in society inevitable?

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

It was 31°C here yesterday. It's 31°C again today. It's too much! I have a rotten barometric-pressure headache hanging around and next to no appetite for actual food. Argh. Rain predicted Sunday afternoon, I hope it'll break the heatwave a little. I don't tolerate these well at all, I'm fed up of people in the media always insisting on how "gorgeous" it is when the weather is this hot. It is not! (And my friend got sunburned when they spent less than 10 minutes outside, a couple of days ago! SMH)

Current Mood: listless
Current Location: Manchester, England
Current Music: Ace of Base, "Tokyo Girl" (earworm)

wonhope posting in

here @

inappropirates

azurelunatic

Caught Yellface with her WHOLE HEAD inside the Fritos bag.

oh_what_can_it_mean

Here's the other Elia 'Verse "big story."

I re-read the two Ara 'Verse "big stories" often, and other stuff here, and sometimes I add stuff to my Google doc of ideas, but no new big story, even though it's been seven months since the last one and I have a few ideas of stuff to expand into the next big story (like the day after "Cin Asks Ara") or re-write into a big story (Cin and Ara's first time; I have a lot of changes to make). The current daydream is either Ara on a podcast after a post-FF/CAA Zarra Chin interview or Ara having her own podcast (with Jitters and a civilian host), which is...well, no more self-indulgent than any of my other fics. I may be hoping that someone else will see this stuff and comment, but I'm mostly writing this for myself.

Anyhow, here's "A Memorable First Impression." It's also here on AO3.

Summary:

Elia Garek (she/her) is a recent fashion school graduate from a family of textile manufacturers, and her spouse Davros "Dav" Werid (they/them) is an X-wing pilot, late of the New Republic Navy. The two make an...interesting...first impression on the Resistance.

Notes:

This story takes place in 32 ABY, 1 year after Poe joined the Resistance and 2 years before TFA. (The year Poe joins the Resistance comes from a quick Google search.) Cresemba Base is completely made up for this 'verse (it's where the Resistance lives between the Echo of Hope and D'Qar), and in the course of the timeline (not in this story) they will evacuate to D'Qar, TFA will happen, and things'll go AU after TFA.

Also, for the purposes of this series, Captain Jessika Pava is Blue Leader, Lieutenant Iolo Arana is on her squad, and Captain Temmin "Snap" Wexley is Red Leader. Wookieepedia hasn't always been helpful and some stuff just didn't suit my purposes.

Credit for "Yavini Loco Leaf": Lovers Under the Stars by (AO3)hoemystars
Credit for the idea of the diffuser: [to be added when I find it again] (I like the idea of a scent diffuser being a standard part of private quarters so I'm making them standard here)

Possible content warning for impromptu little play under the influence of space weed. No harm is done, but there is awkwardness during and after.

( Chapter 1: Intorductions )

( Chapter 2: Movie Night )

Chapter Notes:The "Blorkdel Test" is something I made up because of human-centric sci-fi despite many different types of aliens (Star Trek, Star Wars, etc.). To pass the Blorkdel Test you have to have two or more named alien characters who talk about something other than a human, or humanity as a whole. Despite this being a gripe of mine in the sci-fi fandoms I love, most if not all of the stories in this 'verse will also not pass the Blorkdel Test.

( Chapter 3: Iolo has Questions and Jess has Concerns )

( Chapter 4: Poe Checks In )

Chapter Notes:

The Tess'Ander cross is just a St. Andrew's Cross renamed, because Star Wars.

End Notes:The next part will pick up where this one left off, with the discussion and implementation of at least one actually planned scene, expanding polycules, and Iolo Arana continuing to be my favorite excitable dork (because there's so little about him on Wookieepedia and I get to make him that way).

I know better than to try to promise once-a-week updates, but I think I can manage once a month? So far, so good, I guess. In that time I'll figure out how to put the parts in chronological order.

Current Mood: awake
Current Location: Florida
Current Music: YouTube

ysabetwordsmith

'The Lord of the Rings' director Peter Jackson is on a mission to revive the world’s tallest bird, 600 years after it went extinct

Inspired by their debut project, Jackson is now working with Colossal to bring the ancient moa back to life through subfossil sourcing and genetic engineering.

On July 8, Jackson and his partner donated $15 million to the project.

The moa is an excellent choice for de-extinction, as it died out relatively recently and due to human misbehavior.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today we went to the Marshall Farmer's Market. It's an evening market from 6-8 PM, followed by a band concert, which is way better than a morning one.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Take Us North is down to the last day or so of its campaign. If you want to participate, now is the time.

$50,976 pledged of $30,000 goal
509 backers
26 hours to go

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This art workshop made a "landscape" out of loose parts for the artists to use as inspiration. Every art room should have a generous collection of objects to mix and match like this.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is sunny and sweltering.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches plus a house wren.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/11/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

I've seen a fox squirrel.

EDIT 7/11/25 -- Yesterday I collected 5 little pink crabapples while out and about. These are almost marble size, much more useful than the pea-sized ones. So I potted up those today to see if they'll sprout.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

There will be a bonus fishbowl on Tuesday, July 15. The theme will be "anything goes." If you want a continuation of an earlier piece, or something totally new, that doesn't fit the usual themes, then now's your chance. Brainstorm in advance and jot down ideas for later. You can also request any favorite series, character, setting, etc.

Note that our internet connection has been bad for well over a month. Sometimes it's down completely, other times things like Dreamwidth and searches won't run. So I'm losing a lot of work time and may only have access for half a day or less. Given this limitation, there's a higher chance of actually getting things written for prompts that use characters, settings, etc. that are already established.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today's theme is History.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

marthawells

In Psychopomp, with me, Wole Talabi and Alix E. Harrow:

https://psychopomp.com/fantasy/issue97/interview-with-world-fantasy-finalists-part-one/

And in Scientific American:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/were-light-years-away-from-true-artificial-intelligence-says-murderbot/

ysabetwordsmith

Here's a cool Dreamwidth tool: take the URL of any community and add /read to the end. It will show you posts by all the members. So for instance:

https://birdfeeding.dreamwidth.org/read

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This is why some people hate interruptions and find it hard to switch from one activity to another. It includes people with ADHD, autism, executive function disorder, post-concussion-syndrome, other cognitive issues; many introverts; and most people who spend a lot of time doing things they are bad at (e.g. a linguistically inclined person doing math, or an athletic person forced to write text). Discuss with the people in your life what kinds of interruptions are okay or not, when, and how.

Focus is broken by interruption.

Focus is broken by interruption.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Bigger crops, fewer nutrients: The hidden cost of climate change

Climate change is silently sapping the nutrients from our food. A pioneering study finds that rising CO2 and higher temperatures are not only reshaping how crops grow but are also degrading their nutritional value especially in vital leafy greens like kale and spinach. This shift could spell trouble for global health, particularly in communities already facing nutritional stress. Researchers warn that while crops may grow faster, they may also become less nourishing, with fewer minerals, proteins, and antioxidants raising concerns about obesity, weakened immunity, and chronic diseases.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

An amusing look at what is or is not a sandwich.

Current Mood: amused

marthawells

The new Murderbot short story is up at Reactor Magazine:

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy

https://reactormag.com/rapport-martha-wells/

Edited by Lee Harris, art by Jaime Jones.

And Murderbot was renewed for a second season!

https://deadline.com/2025/07/murderbot-renewed-season-2-apple-tv-1236453764/

“We’re so grateful for the response that Murderbot has received, and delighted that we’re getting to go back to Martha Wells’ world to work with Alexander, Apple, CBS Studios and the rest of the team,” Chris and Paul Weitz, said in a statement Thursday.

ysabetwordsmith

Today we cooked up the mixed carton of fancy mushrooms from the Champaign Farmer's Market. They included pink oysters, blue oysters, lion's mane, and some little brown things with long stems and caps the size of a thumbnail. We sauteed them in sunflower oil, seasoned them with garam masala, and added some chopped bacon.

The result tasted good, but not much better than our usual mix of mushrooms, and it was twice as expensive. The oysters were good, but don't taste notably different from the usual white to light brown ones. We did not care of the stringy texture of the lion's mane. Also, they cooked way fast and shrank way down, which left a small amount of stir-fry. They might have worked better in something like wild mushroom spaghetti sauce. So it was interesting to try, but not worth repeating.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This post has the funniest argument I have seen against AI: "A computer can never be spiteful or horny. Therefore a computer must never make art."

Now from an anthropological perspective, anything decorative rather than purely functional is "art" -- a contrasting color around the rim of a jug, for instance. From a cultural perspective, however, art is about emotion. It's how we express our human feelings about things we have seen or imagined as a way of communicating with other people. So by that definition, a computer cannot make art, even if it can mash around colors and images. An interesting point.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is mostly sunny and hot.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches at the feeders. Blackbirds and catbirds are mobbing the mulberry tree in the house yard.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/10/25 -- I did some work around the patio.

.

Current Mood: busy

innitmarvelous_og posting in

dw_community_promo

image host

+++

About the comm.

It's one part dream.
One part disaster.
And absolutely 100% fandom.

It's Your OTPs/Fandoms combined with our chaos.

Challenge(s) 2025:

Challenge 1: Hodge Podge A new challenge idea I came up with all sorts of things to get players rolling out the fills and scoring points!

Sign up: July 3 Rd to July 19th @ 8PM EST / 12AM GTM
Opening Date: July 20
Closing Date: October 12

I hope to have a variety of challenges in this comm, but they make take some time for me to figure out as I don't want to copy other comms out there. I have an idea or two for an abbreviated challenge after this one and I'll be working on getting it ready go if you guys want to play with me again after this round

-

Current Mood: hopeful

ysabetwordsmith

Roadside America lists a lot of quirky attractions. Here's the list for Illinois.

Current Mood: amused

ysabetwordsmith

Scientists host 'science fair of canceled grants' on Capitol Hill to fight funding cuts

The researchers gathered, alongside the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to present posters in a good, old-fashioned science fair, titled “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants.”

It's a great tactic, and one that other fields could use too. "Here are some useful things you could have had, but these specific people took them away from you." That's guaranteed to piss off a lot of people.

It's also among the standard protest techniques in Terramagne. Not only is it sound activism for pounding the perpetrators, it also has a pretty good chance of someone else deciding to sponsor your canceled project if they like your pitch. Feel free to prompt me for that.

Current Mood: angry

ysabetwordsmith

Everyone needs contact comfort sometimes. Not everyone has ample opportunities for this in facetime. So here is a chance for a cuddle party in cyberspace. Virtual cuddling can help people feel better.

We have a cuddle room that comes with fort cushions, fort frames, sheets for draping, and a weighted blanket. A nest full of colorful egg pillows sits in one corner. There is a basket of grooming brushes, hairbrushes, and styling combs. A bin holds textured pillows. There is a big basket of craft supplies along with art markers, coloring pages, and blank paper. The kitchen has a popcorn machine. Labels are available to mark dietary needs, recipe ingredients, and level of spiciness. Here is the bathroom, open to everyone. There is a lawn tent and an outdoor hot tub. Bathers should post a sign for nude or clothed activity. Come snuggle up!

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is mostly sunny, humid, and hot. Yesterday it rained for half the day and into the night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches. They've drained half the thistle feeder but I still need to refill that one.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I filled the thistle feeder.

I've seen a male cardinal and a fox squirrel.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I sprayed weedkiller on poison ivy around the yard.

EDIT 7/9/25 -- I potted up two apricot seeds.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Sunshine Revival Challenge 3: Food

Journaling prompt: What are your favorite summer-associated foods?

Creative prompt: Draw art of or make graphics of summer foods, or post your favorite summer recipes. Post your answer to today’s challenge in your own space and leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

This is actually from 7/7/25 but it wasn't up when I checked, and then the net was down.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

We went up to Champaign-Urbana today.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

azurelunatic

Susan visited!

Thorn didn't get carjacked by a Bigfoot.

ysabetwordsmith

Today is mostly sunny and warm.

I fed the birds. I've seen a few sparrows and house finches.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/8/25 -- It rained for about half the day and into the night.

Current Mood: busy

sinew posting in

[63] heaven official's blessing (tgcf)
[16] pixel
[13] art
[06] boyfriends
[03] sanrio
[02] barbie

more here

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the June 3, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "growth" square in my 6-2-25 card for the Pride Fest bingo. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Daughters of the Apocalypse.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Scientists’ top 10 bee-magnet blooms—turn any lawn into a pollinator paradise

Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies.
Danish and Welsh botanists sifted through 400 studies, field-tested seed mixes, and uncovered a lineup of native and exotic blooms that both thrill human eyes and lure bees and hoverflies in droves, offering ready-made recipes for transforming lawns, parks, and patios into vibrant pollinator hotspots.

Below are the plants recommended for European and United Kingdom uses...

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are some posts from the later part of last week in case you missed them:
Poem: "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government"
Poem: "Incompetence, Sloppy Thinking, and Laziness"
Poem: "Always Surprised by Consequences"
Poem: "No Such Thing as Finished"
Geology
Birdfeeding
Today's Smoothie
Early Humans
Birdfeeding
Philosophical Questions: Government
Fireworks
Writing About Fireworks
Birdfeeding
Follow Friday 7-4-25: Historical Fiction
Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship
Birdfeeding
Climate Change
Birdfeeding
Problem-Solving
Hard Things

"Philosophical Questions: Looks" has 41 comments. "Not a Destination, But a Process" has 146 comments. "The Democratic Armada of the Caribbean" has 95 comments.

sunshine_revival is running through July. See the schedule, meet the moderators, and use the master post to navigate the event. Meet new folks in the friending meme. Spread the word!

* Sunshine Revival Challenge 1: Light
Poem: "The Pleasure of Escaping the Responsibility"

* Sunshine Revival Challenge 2: Tunnel of Love
Poem: "Legs of Grass, Feet of Flowers"

summerofthe69 is now open! You can see the calendar here and the current themes are Tetris 69 and Body Worship 69.

"In the Heart of the Hidden Garden" is now complete! Lawrence shows Stan more of his favorite places.

The weather has been variable here. It rained yesterday and last night. Seen at the birdfeeders this week: a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a pair of mourning doves, a male cardinal, a gray catbird, a fox squirrel, a skunk, and at least 1 probably 2 bats. Currently blooming: dandelions, pansies, violas, marigolds, petunias, red salvia, wild strawberries, verbena, lantana, sweet alyssum, zinnias, snapdragons, blue lobelia, perennial pinks, impatiens, oxalis, moss rose, yarrow, anise hyssop, firecracker plant, tomatoes, tomatillos, Asiatic lilies, cucumber, snowball bush, yellow squash, zucchini, morning glory, purple echinacea, narrow-leaf mountain mint, black-eyed Susan, yellow coneflower, wild bergamot, chicory, Queen Anne's lace, sunflowers, cup plant. Daylilies are done blooming. Cucumbers, tomatillo, and pepper have green fruit. The first 'Chocolate Sprinkles' tomato ripened and some other tomatoes are showing color. Wild strawberries, mulberries, peas, and blackberries are ripe. Black raspberries are done.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

Today is partly sunny and warm. It rained yesterday and last night.

I fed the birds. I've seen a mixed flock of sparrows and house finches, a male cardinal, and at least one mourning dove.

I put out water for the birds.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I harvested a handful of peapods for supper. :D

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I took some pictures around the yard.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I trimmed brush in the prairie garden.

The first of the gladioli are blooming in the telephone pole garden and notch of the prairie garden. A sunflower is blooming in the telephone pole garden too.

EDIT 7/7/25 -- I cut some of the brush into sticks for making bonfire cores.

I've seen at least 2 bats. I've seen several half-grown possums, one deceased, two alive.

Fireflies are coming out. Cicadas are singing.

As it is now dark, I am done for the night.

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are the notes for "An Interest in the Affairs of Your Government."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

marthawells

Kerr County Flood Relief Fund

The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund supports relief and rebuilding efforts after the flood of July 4, 2025. Your generosity helps our neighbors recover.

The Community Foundation - a 501(c)(3) public charity serving the Texas Hill Country - will direct funds to vetted organizations providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts as well as flood assistance. The Fund will support the communities of Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort. All donations are tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for your gift.

https://cftexashillcountry.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4201

And Kerrville Pets Alive! is taking donations for rescue and fostering lost pets.

https://kerrvillepetsalive.com/?link_id=3&can_id=588b5a597b5d30fd7e36b213e5ba6987&source=email-freedom-is-fought-for-not-given&email_referrer=email_2803907&email_subject=how-you-can-help-texas-flood-victims&&

ysabetwordsmith

This poem is spillover from the March 4, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

wyld_dandelyon. It also fills the "Secrets" square in my 3-1-25 card for the Tolkien Bingo Fest. This poem has been sponsored by Anthony Barrette. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by

janetmiles. It also fills the "close-knit community" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. It belongs to the series Frankenstein's Family; it follows "Signs of Their Trespass," so read that first or this won't make much sense.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are the notes for "Always Surprised by Consequences."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

This poem came out of the July 1, 2025 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from

rix_scaedu. It also fills "The Harder They Fall" square in my 7-1-25 card for the Western Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by

janetmiles. It belongs to the series Polychrome Heroics.

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

ysabetwordsmith

These are the notes for "No Such Thing as Finished."

( Read more... )

Current Mood: busy

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simonejester

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