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Horus is an example of therianthropy, the combination of human and wild elements. Subcultures based around this may form part of the Otherkin identity
Otherkin would have to be one of the more unusual social groups I've found via the Net - Humans who claim they're not human. As such.
And come on, work with me here - that's kind of cool right?
Otherkin regard themselves as animals, aliens, extra dimensional beings or other non humans. This is usually depicted as the state of an individuals soul, within a human body, generally attributed to the (I love this term) 'Oops, missed' theory of reincarnation. However there are exceptions - the Vampyres, for instance.
Generally becoming aware of their Vampiric status through discovering THE THIRST - the need to drink blood, (or for psionic vampyres - energy) . Not that theres any real need to fear for your neck - these days biting is kind of frowned upon, and the drinking of human blood seems more a process of hypodermic needles and blood tests. Vampyres can get diseases too.
Image used under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 1.0 License Horus. Antiquité égyptienne du musée du Louvre. Guillaume Blanchard, July 2004, Fujifilm S6900 Really Long Link
Call them liberals, Left wing or progressive. No matter what you want to call them, there is an understanding that there are two relatively distinct groups in our society; the Left and the Right.
Obviously if we are to lump these mobs into two groups there are very specific and visible differences between them. This article seeks to clarify, not specific views on controversial issues, but general ideological views that seem to define what is today recognised as the left wing.
Libertarianism.
Most left wing values seem to connect to some concept of individuals having the right to self determination. This concept pushes the value of liberty above almost all else. The right to self expression, opposition to censorship (recently in Australia seen in the context of Henson's Art) This also goes some way to explaining Left wing associations with Anarchy (which is essentially, radical self determination).
This also goes some way to explaining the position found in left wing politics of legalising or decriminalising marijuana, or, with some more extreme groups, other drugs.
Equality.
Left Wing politics traditionally hold the view that all people are of equal value, and ought be treated as such. This may explain the association of Left Wing or Liberal politics with political movements such as Communism and Socialism. This also goes someway to explaining the almost Robin Hood view of economics popular in Left Wing circles, taking from the rich to feed the poor. This also ties in to the connection between the left, and unionism.
This also ties in heavily to the Left Wings rejection, and sometimes ridicule of class (and thus the affinity with Punk in youth culture).
It is on the platform of equality that the Left wing holds the most
Identity Politics.
Generally in Left wing politics, there is the concept that people should be treated for who they are as individuals. This ties in to the Left wings association of fighting various ~isms such as racism and sexism, as well as its adoption of homosexual rights issues, including those based on sex change.
Utopia?
Left Wing politics have been accused of sacrificing reality for a Utopian World vision; indeed such forms of Government as Communism have been repeatedly described as good on paper. The idea of the Left wing as Utopian is not so much a term used by the Left itself as a generally pejorative term.
That left wing politics tend to gravitate towards the development of an ideal world, is arguable, but holds some validity, mostly in the rhetoric (New World, New age dawning, etc).
A fairly typical example of Left Wing Propoganda
Tolerance
Tying in with the concept of Identity politics, is the idea of tolerance; that one doesnt have to agree with what another does in its entirety, but should tolerate others way of being so long as it doesnt affect them. This also explains the connection of the left to the often positive politics of drugs, and permitting drug use.
Non Oppression (or fighting oppression)
The left have traditionally seen themselves as the enemies of oppression, and while they object powerfully to the Rights perceived use of democracy as a rhetorical device, they often see themselves as a resistant force against the crumbling of democracy. The opposition towards Capitalism often comes from a profound moral disgust at perceived oppressive practices (such as the buying out and destruction of smaller businesses and the use of cheap maltreated labour).
Peace and non-violence
Though differing amidst different groups (some more extreme left wing group have advocated violent overthrow or resistance), the list wing tend to be associated with peace and non violence, and are the traditional opponents of War, in the opinion that there are more efficient methods of resolution than direct conflict.
Environment
The Left wing are also traditionally associated with looking after the environment, and have taken the charge on issues such as climate change, CFCs, conservation and deforestation. Ownership of Green issues may also be associated with the Right, however the present popular view in Western society seems strongly in favour of Environmental issues being Left Wing.
Conspiracy
While not part of the official values system, the left wing seems to be widely open for entertaining notions of Conspiracy, such as the killing of JFK, or the various 9/11 Conspiracies. This is likely built on the already seemingly justified suspicion of traditional opponents of the left, such as corporations or individuals, to be capable of vast conspiracies, such as Watergate or the Ford Pinto Memo. However, it is worth noting that the left wing is not alone from the right wing in this regard, just that the left pick common enemies such as the Government and Capitalism, whereas right wing conspiracy has other focuses (such as science, in various Global Warming conspiracies). I have simply included this section to indicate towards the natural scepticism of authority, and its occasional mutations.
Naturally, as Left and Right Wing as concepts are man made, constantly evolving, and have different interpretations based on bias, country and culture, no list will ever be completely accurate, however I think this is reasonable start.
DAMO SAYS:
Sorry Brenton but I think that you completely missed the bus here.
In my view you got the equation backwards and presented another set of false dichotomies.
The only distinguishing feature between left and right is Individualism verses Collectivism.
Extreme Socialism verses Extreme Individualism.
Left wing group may adopt some of the items you have listed above but so too can right wing groups. Each try to present themselves as holding the noble qualities that somehow are better than their opponent.
It is false logic to argue that someone is left wing because they fight oppression. What about left wing oppression?
Youre a polite individual. You say please and thank you, and treat people with decency and respect. However, for some reason this does not seem to have a positive influence on your social life in fact, quite the opposite. You still feel awkward around your peers, tongue tied where others speak freely in social situations, and find the girls of your dreams walking straight past you, into the arms of the biggest jerk in the world.
Dont worry. Youre not alone in your confusion. The difficulty youre having comes from a misconception in what constitutes politeness itself.
Polite is not just what we generally accept it to be. There are, in fact, two forms of politeness.
The first is demonstrated in this exchange:
Brenton, could you please pass me the salt?
Here you are
Thank you very much
Youre welcome
This exchange demonstrates the first type of politeness. Being polite by following socially appropriate conventions of what is generally understood as politeness. It is often referred to as Positive Politeness. The mistake that so many make is thinking that this is the only legitimate type of politeness. This though, is a mistake. Observe the following exchange:
Oi, chuck us the salt
Get it yourself you lazy bastard
Piss off, chuck us the salt
No. Get some exercise and grab it.
At first this seems rude. However, if the two individuals are just friends engaging in light banter, we understand that no offense is meant. In fact, they are actively being polite to each other. This is called Negative Politeness.
To be polite we show respect to those we address. The first scenario demonstrates that we respect a person through using language that identifies them as being considered worthy of respect.
The second type of politeness is more useful to those we are socially intimate with. It demonstrates that we respect an individual through the way in which we use their own language, and willingness to treat them with a casualness that defines them as an equal.
What, though, does this mean for you? This answer is: Lots.
When you are meeting new people, potential friends, potential romantic partners, you are looking to develop a relationship that is on some level, intimate. This is why you have to use the second level of politeness.
Have you ever watched popular guys talking with people theyve just met? Theres no messing around. They go straight in, handshake, pat on the back, whatever, launching straight into conversation like theyd known the new person for years. This forms bonds straight between the two of them. If you approach every new person with caution and distance then you may never cause a major social offense but neither will you make close friends quickly. Caution and distance help you to develop cautious distant relationships. Acting friendly and forthcoming helps you develop friendly and forthcoming relationships.
Remember how I mentioned that the biggest jerk in the room seems to get the girl? Now you know why. There might be a difference between being a nice guy acting friendly with everyone, and just being a jerk and not caring who you crush into the dirt, but the difference is rarely obvious in social situations. If you dont make friends with the pretty girl, then shes just going to get dominated by the moron who knows all the moves to get into her pants.
Newsflash: Beautiful girls DO NOT NEED ANY MORE GROVELERS! They have plenty of them. They are used to the first level of politeness being the norm. You need the second level to get their attention. Remember what youre trying to do here develop an intimate relationship (strong friendship or romantic). You would never treat your mates as though they were better than you. As tempting as it may be, the same applies for lovely ladies always stay as an equal, not treating them as a Goddess. Jerks succeed at this because they have no regard for the value of other people, so they never treat anyone as being valuable. You however, can do this because you have class.
OK, so, lets go over the main points.
- Politeness as treating others as equals NOT as superiors. If you act socially like someone is above you, they will treat you like youre below them. This is a lose-lose situation. If you act as an equal, you will be considered and treated as one.
- Be a friend NOT an acquaintance. We gather up acquaintances all through our lives, and most of them are fairly replaceable. Nobody wants to put effort into keeping acquaintances, so dont act like one.
- Be insulting NOT complementary. This is a bit tricky. When I say this I dont mean directing unflattering comments about the shape of the head of the first person you meet. I mean two things firstly, dont be afraid of playful banter. Friendships thrive on being able to take a joke and give as good as they get. Secondly, dont overdo the compliments. People will either get tired of your flattery (and possibly suspect you of being a stalker) or take it to heart and consider themselves way out of your league. Neither of these is good. At all.
- Be reckless NOT cautious. Its always tempting to feel out a situation before you act. However, while youre busy working out if you should ask the girl of your dreams out or not while tentatively trying to gather a signal from her as to whether you should, the girl of your dreams is loosing faith in the hope that you will ever ask her out, and moving on to stupid jerk guy. Just act, move in, say something, be noticed. Unless you do, you might as well be a part of the furniture.Be a Rock Star NOT a Groupie. Beautiful girls have enough Groupies swarming to ogle them. What you need to be is a rock star, confident, public, fun, chatty (but not blabbering).
So, you dont have to stop being polite for social and romantic success. You just have to remember that politeness is more that following specific social rules and regulations. Its a way of putting others at ease and showing them you respect them. And, for goodness sake, enjoying it.
We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late... The science is clear. The global warming debate is over. Arnold Schwarzenegger, bill signing ceremony for California's strict anti-emissions law, September 26, 2006
The answer to global warming is in the abolition of private property and production for human need. A socialist world would place an enormous priority on alternative energy sources. This is what ecologically-minded socialists have been exploring for quite some time now. Louis Proyect, Columbia University
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Sigur Ros are a wonderful and beautiful Icelandic band. Many of their lyrics are not even in a genuine language, but an invented one called Hopelandic, based on Icelandic sounds and open to interpretation.
Hoppippolla though, is predominantly in Icelandic. The title means Jumping In Puddles. The lyrics reference a group of friends having simple childhood adventures. The film clip porteys this with a childlike group of elders, and is a wonderful piece of film
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I find great difficulty in expressing the awesomeness of Tori Amos. Her music is classy, emotional, intense. Her work is
more pretentious than I tend to like. Artistic to the point of pointless. But thats no thing. It sounds awesome.
One thing about Tori is that shes a feminist. So as one might be able to simply assume safely, shes not the biggest supporter of the following song
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Comment by Brenton
on The End
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
It was a bad mood poem at the time.