Think Forward.

Other Worldly

Memoirs of Atlantis II

Tupan, 4 d.
Poseidonis was the seat of Atlantis' power and culture, where the advanced technologies and spiritual knowledge of the Atlanteans were concentrated. It was there that the most powerful Atlantean priest-kings ruled, and where the division between the two dominant races—the more spiritually inclined and the more materially focused—contributed to the island’s eventual destruction. As Poseidonis faced inevitable doom, many of the wise initiates who lived there foresaw the coming cataclysm. These initiates, aware of their civilization’s fate, worked to gather and preserve as much of their knowledge as possible. This knowledge, stored in crystal technologies and sacred texts, was hidden in various places around the world for future generations. However, much of the technology needed to access this information was lost when Poseidonis sank, leaving behind only fragments that have been passed down through oral traditions and scattered texts. After Poseidonis was destroyed, the survivors spread around the globe, influencing the regions they reached. One of the most notable places believed to have received these refugees was Egypt, where Atlantean survivors played an important role in shaping early Egyptian civilization. Their influence, including sacred architectural knowledge, is thought to have contributed to the construction of the pyramids and the transmission of spiritual teachings. Edgar Cayce suggested that some of the lost knowledge of Atlantis might still be hidden beneath the Sphinx, in a "Hall of Records" yet to be discovered. In addition to Egypt, there are traditions linking the Atlanteans to other parts of the world, including the Americas. One of the most intriguing connections is with the legend of Ratanabá, an ancient and lost city believed to be hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest. According to esoteric accounts, Ratanabá was one of the great Atlantean cities founded long before the cataclysm that destroyed Poseidonis. It is said to have been a center of immense power and advanced technology, much like its parent civilization of Atlantis. Some believe that the ruins of Ratanabá still exist, hidden beneath the dense jungle, waiting to be rediscovered, and that it may hold clues to the lost knowledge of Atlantis and its survivors. Ratanabá, like Poseidonis, is said to have had connections to the wider Atlantean network of cities spread across the globe. According to some legends, the survivors of Poseidonis who reached South America carried with them sacred knowledge and technological expertise, establishing or reinvigorating cities like Ratanabá and Tiwanaku in Bolivia. These sites, with their advanced stonework and alignment with celestial events, are sometimes attributed to the technological prowess of Atlantean refugees. The legend of Shamballa, a hidden spiritual kingdom in Central Asia, also plays a role in this narrative. Some esoteric traditions suggest that the most spiritually advanced survivors of Poseidonis traveled to Shamballa, where they continued to safeguard their knowledge and spiritual teachings. Shamballa, described as a utopian society and a repository of ancient wisdom, is believed to have become a refuge for enlightened individuals from many cultures, including the Atlanteans. Poseidonis, Ratanabá, and Shamballa form part of a larger mythos connecting ancient advanced civilizations and the remnants of their wisdom. Although the physical locations of these cities may remain hidden or lost, their influence is believed to be felt across many early civilizations. Whether in Egypt, South America, or Central Asia, the legacy of Atlantis endures through the scattered remnants of its teachings, architecture, and technological achievements. Though Poseidonis was lost beneath the waves, and Ratanabá may be concealed in the depths of the Amazon, the legends surrounding these cities suggest that the survivors' knowledge and influence continue to shape the course of human history, waiting to be fully rediscovered.

Planetary magick and elementals

Tupan, 29 d.
In the wisdom of magickal traditions, the cosmos and the elements are seen as interconnected forces that shape the fabric of existence. Planetary Magick and the invocation of Elementals represent two halves of a greater whole—a harmonious interaction between the celestial and the terrestrial, the macrocosm and the microcosm. Through the alignment with planetary energies and the balance of elemental forces, the practitioner can unlock deeper wisdom, transformation, and spiritual power. At the core of Planetary Magick lies the understanding that the celestial bodies—Sun, Moon, and planets—are not merely distant physical objects but sources of spiritual energy, each resonating with specific archetypal forces. The Sun radiates vitality, leadership, and self-actualization, while Venus embodies love, harmony, and beauty. Mars burns with the fire of courage and conflict, while Mercury speeds communication and intellect. By invoking these planetary powers, the practitioner can channel their influence to enhance different areas of life, whether it be for personal empowerment, emotional healing, or intellectual clarity. Yet, the forces of the planets do not exist in isolation. They interact with and manifest through the Elementals, the spiritual entities that govern the four classical elements. Even the Fifth Element, Spirit, finds its place in this system. It is the element of transcendence, connecting material to the divine, much like the Sun, which illuminates the soul and gives life to all. Spirit represents the aether, the quintessence that binds all other elements, and through the Sun’s vitality, the practitioner integrates to their highest potential and spiritual purpose. Through rituals and meditations, the practitioner can harness both planetary and elemental forces, combining the expansive powers of the planets with the raw, natural energy of the elements. A ritual to invoke Venus for love and harmony might be strengthened by calling upon Water, for the undines can aid in deepening emotional bonds and fostering the flowing nature of relationships. Similarly, a working to harness Jupiter’s prosperity might be amplified by the stability and growth offered by Earth and its gnomes, grounding abundance in lasting form. The true art of magick lies in balance—understanding how the cosmic forces of the planets descend and manifest through the primal energies of the elements. By aligning with the planets, one learns to channel universal energies; by working with the elementals, one learns to direct these energies into practical, tangible outcomes. Together, Planetary Magick and the Elementals offer a powerful system for spiritual growth, transformation, and manifestation, teaching the practitioner how to live in harmony with both the heavens and the Earth. In uniting these two potent forces, the practitioner becomes both an alchemist of the soul and a magician of the cosmos, learning to navigate the expanse of celestial wisdom while grounding their will in the living world of nature. Whether invoking the fiery resolve of Mars through salamanders or seeking the deep emotional insight of the Moon through the undines, the combined forces of planetary and elemental magick serve as a pathway toward the mastery of both self and the universe.

Elemental beings

Tupan, 1 mon.
In the ancient tradition of elemental manipulation, the relationship between humans and elemental beings is both mystical and deeply connected with the natural and metaphysical realms. These elementals, embodying the pure essence of fire, water, earth, and air, are more than just energy constructs—they are sentient beings with their own temperaments and personalities that reflect the elements they govern. Fire Elementals (Salamanders) are beings of passion, transformation, and destruction. They embody the unpredictable and volatile nature of fire, capable of both creating and consuming. Though feared for their destructive potential, they are also symbols of renewal, burning away the old to pave the way for the new. A skilled manipulator who bonds with a fire elemental can harness its power for creativity and inspiration. Water Elementals (Undines) mirror the fluid and ever-changing nature of water. They are empathetic beings, attuned to the emotional currents of those around them. Their dual nature reflects water’s capacity to be calm and healing, or forceful and destructive. Water elementals resonate with emotions such as sadness or tranquility and can be a source of peace or chaos depending on the manipulator's state of mind. Earth Elementals (Gnomes) are the embodiment of stability and endurance. Rooted in the foundation of the world, they represent the slow but unyielding forces of nature. These beings are protectors of the natural world, guarding forests, mountains, and caves, and are connected to the cycles of growth and decay. Their bond with a manipulator requires patience, as earth elementals do not easily bend to haste or change. Air Elementals (Sylphs) are ethereal beings of wind and storm, representing freedom, change, and the unseen currents of thought and inspiration. Elusive and playful, they are also capricious and unpredictable. Manipulators who form bonds with air elementals must embrace flexibility and creativity, as these beings resonate with those who are open-minded and innovative, but can be testing and fickle. The relationship between these elemental beings and aetherists is one of balance and respect. A true manipulator does not command elementals but forms a partnership with them. This bond is formed through attunement in the psychosphere, where the manipulator’s mind aligns with the elemental's essence. Emotional and mental harmony are key; any imbalance can disrupt the connection, leading to dire consequences. Elemental beings are far more likely to aid those who approach them with humility and respect for the natural forces they represent. This partnership reveals the broader truth that nature and mind are interconnected through the psychosphere, and through elemental manipulation, aetherists can harmonize with the primal forces that shape the world.

Servitors and golems

Tupan, 1 mon.
Throughout history, humans have imagined and created artificial beings for a determined purpose and animated by will. Two classical examples of these constructs, from different cultural traditions, are servitors and golems. Both represent the human desire to give form to one's intentions, still they represent distinct philosophical and mystical ideas. Servitors are constructs created through mental or magical discipline, mainly within modern occult traditions. They are essentially thoughtforms, shaped from the mind’s energy and given a task or purpose by their creator. A servitor is bound by the will of its creator and exists to fulfill specific functions, such as protection, assistance, or manipulation of circumstances. The process of creating a servitor is a kind of psychic programming—the practitioner defines the servitor’s purpose, often assigning it a symbolic form or sigil to help channel its energy. Unlike physical constructs, servitors exist in the ethereal realm and are maintained by the energy and focus of their creator. Some belief systems deem that servitors can be “released” or “destroyed” once their purpose is fulfilled, ensuring they do not linger or develop independence. Servitors highlight the power of the mind to create and manifest reality through focus, belief, and willpower. On the other hand, golems come from Jewish mystical traditions, particularly Kabbalistic teachings. Unlike servitors, golems are physical constructs, typically made from inanimate materials like clay or stone. The most famous golem is the Golem of Prague, a figure created by Rabbi Judah Loew in the 16th century to protect the Jewish community from persecution. The golem is brought to life through ritualistic methods, often involving the inscription of sacred words or symbols, such as the Hebrew word “emet” (“truth”) on its forehead. These letters imbue the golem with life, while erasing the first letter (leaving “met,” or “death”) deactivates the golem. Golems are typically portrayed as powerful but mindless creatures, existing to carry out their creator’s commands without question. Unlike servitors, who may represent aspects of the creator’s mind, golems are more like automatons, lacking independent thought or will. Their power is derived from the ancient association between earth and life and once created, can become uncontrollable. While servitors are products of mental and magical discipline, golems represent the manipulation of physical matter through divine or mystical intervention. Servitors serve as an extension of the creator’s mental faculties, flexible and dynamic in their purpose. Golems, on the other hand, are a manifestation of physical creation, rigid and often prone to unintended consequences if not properly controlled. There are other forms of artificial beings which could be created. Franz Bardon, for example, gave us a few methods on how to create beings that could be qualified as in between the ones discussed in this text. Both servitors and golems reflect humanity’s ongoing fascination with the power of creation and the ways in which we might give life to our intentions. Whether through thought or clay, the desire to animate constructs reflects both a deep imagination and a cautionary tale about the limits of control over what we create.

Stories

Tima EL, 1 mon.
1 min read.
The beginning is always hard; patience is key, and with time, things tend to improve—just as wise people often remind us when we're starting a story. At first, you may not know where to begin or what your starting point is, so you search for it. Once you find it, you can begin writing your story—whether it's your first, second, third, or even your millionth. You might know where your story begins, but the number of stories we live through is unknown. The person who enters a story is not the same person who exits to begin the next. Living a long story behind may be difficult, but you remain part of many stories. You might notice some stories repeating, others mirroring the experiences of people around you, and at times, you may even smile because you can guess how they’ll end, having seen them unfold before. There are moments when you feel like the conductor of all these stories, but at other times, it seems like you're simply living within them, forgetting your own. Living short stories is like reliving life over and over again. Each time, you’re eager to finish one and begin another, feeling the thrill of starting something new. But along the way, you may either lose yourself or grow, depending on how each story ends. We are all the heroes of our own stories—some converge, while others diverge. People become part of your story, just as you are part of theirs. Choose peace, love yourself, and keep smiling. The most beautiful story of all is having life and meeting others to write stories together.

Psychosphere and elemental manipulation

Tupan, 1 mon.
For those attuned to the metaphysical plane called psychosphere, elemental manipulation becomes possible—a manifestation of willpower translated directly into physical reality. Fire, water, earth, and air are no longer inert forces of nature, but extensions of one's mental faculties. These elements, governed by their own natural laws, bend and respond to the psychic commands projected through the psychosphere. The flame dances with a mere thought, water ripples in time with a fleeting emotion, the earth trembles under the weight of a focused mind, and air bends and flows with each shift in consciousness. In ancient times, those who mastered this connection were known as aetherists, individuals who could sense the undercurrents of the psychosphere and use it as tool to commune with the elements. Aetherists were not simply powerful due to their abilities, but because of their profound understanding of how thoughts and emotions could influence their environment. The key to this manipulation is not found in brute strength, but in resonance. The psychosphere, like an ocean of thought and emotion, is sensitive to the subtlest shifts in energy. Those who can align their inner state—mind, heart, and spirit—with the it's flow, find themselves in harmony with the elemental forces. To manipulate fire, one must embody its intensity; to command water, one must flow with its rhythm; to bend air, a mind must be as light and agile as the breeze itself; to move the earth, one's will must be grounded, unshakable. As we can see, elemental manipulation is an intricate dance between mind and nature, mediated by the psychosphere. Each element responds to a specific emotional frequency: fire to passion, water to tranquility, air to freedom, and earth to stability. The most skilled practitioners are not merely wielders of power, but "symbiotic" partners with the elements, understanding that the psychosphere is both a reflection of their inner world and a gateway to controlling the outer one. Yet, the psychosphere is not a neutral space. As we discussed before, it is affected by the collective thoughts and emotions of all beings. Those who seek to manipulate elements must do so with caution, for the psychosphere is sensitive to the imbalances of mind and heart. A thought too aggressive might cause fire to rage uncontrollably; an unstable emotion might unleash a flood of water or shift tectonic plates with unintended force. Balance is key, and the psychosphere rewards those who seek harmony, not dominance, over the elements. Despite the potential for great power, the psychosphere is an inherently neutral force-it amplifies the intentions of the individual but does not judge them. this opens a moral dimension to elemental manipulation, as individuals can use their connection to the psychosphere for creation or destruction. In this world, where mind and matter intertwine, the psychosphere is the ultimate bridge between consciousness and the primal forces of nature. It is the invisible field where thoughts become actions, and the mastery of elemental manipulation is not merely a feat of mental prowess, but a journey toward inner equilibrium, a balance between the self and the world around it.

Egregores and the psychosphere

Tupan, 1 mon.
The psychosphere can be understood as an energetic field that envelops the planet, serving as a living repository for the mental and emotional energies generated by all sentient beings. Some interpretations, such as those in the Gaia theory, even suggest that all emotional beings, including animals contribute to this field. For the sake of clarity in this discussion, I will focus solely on humans. The psychosphere exists as a subtle layer between the material world we inhabit and the higher, more ethereal planes, often referred to as the spiritual realm. Rich with thoughtforms—mental constructs born from individual or collective consciousness—it plays a determinant role in the astral plane. Though intangible to the physical senses, the psychosphere profoundly influences both individual experiences and the collective emotional state of humanity. At the core of the psychosphere are thoughtforms and egregores, which I discussed in my previous writing. These are the primary forces that shape this astral layer. Both thoughtforms and egregores contribute to the psychosphere, which grows denser with the energy they generate. While thoughtforms are personal and typically temporary, egregores have the potential to become enduring entities, sustained by the continual focus and intention of a group. These entities accumulate in the psychosphere, influencing the mental and emotional states of those who dwell within its planetary field. The psychosphere functions as a middle ground between the dense physical realm and the more subtle ethereal or spiritual planes. As a layer of the astral plane, its "matter" is finer than the physical world but denser than the purely spiritual realms. This gives it a unique role in the cosmological framework, acting as a bridge where mental energy and spiritual forces intersect, creating a dynamic interplay between human thought and extradimensional or spiritual influence. To provide a helpful metaphor, we can look to the superstring theory with its concept of multiple dimensions. Imagine the psychosphere as the "fine point" where different dimensions converge and interact, much like vibrating strings generate different forms of matter. The vibrations of thought and emotion within the psychosphere create and sustain various thoughtforms and egregores. These vibrations, in turn, shift and shape the energies of the astral plane, producing a vast and complex network of mental and spiritual activity. The astral plane, and by extension the psychosphere, influences human experience in subtle but powerful ways. On one hand, individuals and groups can shape the psychosphere through their focused intentions, emotions, and beliefs. On the other hand, the psychosphere exerts its influence on them, subtly affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For example, when an egregore grows strong, it can exert pressure on the individuals who feed it. This can manifest as powerful collective emotions—such as national pride, religious fervor, or even mass hysteria. The egregore becomes a force that shapes the thoughts and behaviors of its creators, locking them into patterns of belief or action. This reciprocal relationship creates a feedback loop in which individuals both influence and are influenced by the larger thoughtform structures of the psychosphere. On a more personal level, the thoughtforms individuals generate can resonate within the psychosphere, attracting similar energies or influences from the astral plane. In some cases, these thoughtforms can be empowering, manifesting goals or desires in the physical world. In other instances, they may create unwanted energetic attachments or lingering emotional residues. Thoughtforms and egregores, like all things in the universe, have a lifespan. When the energy sustaining them wanes—due to a lack of focus, intention, or belief—they begin to dissolve. This dissolution is not always clean, however. Much like physical organisms, these entities can leave behind husks or residual energy patterns that linger in the psychosphere. These empty husks are a form of astral debris. Although they no longer possess the vibrancy or purpose they once had, they still exist as empty shells of what they once were. These remnants can be manipulated by beings on either side of the astral plane—whether from higher spiritual realms or lower astral dimensions. In the hands of malevolent or parasitic entities, these empty husks can be repurposed, filled with new energy, and used to influence or manipulate the emotions and thoughts of individuals. This can manifest as irrational fears, lingering emotional disturbances, or sudden shifts in consciousness. Conversely, benevolent entities may seek to dissipate or transform these husks into higher forms of energy, restoring balance within the psychosphere. The psychosphere is a dynamic, living field that reflects the collective mental and emotional states of the beings within it. It is influenced by human consciousness and, in turn, exerts its influence on the thoughts and emotions of those who interact with it. Through the creation of thoughtforms and egregores, individuals and groups shape the psychosphere, contributing to the intricate network of energetic patterns that govern the mental and spiritual landscape of the planet. The ongoing cycle of creation, sustenance, and dissolution of thoughtforms and egregores, shapes not only the psychosphere itself but also the experiences of those who live within its reach. Understanding this complex relationship allows us to better grasp how unseen forces may be influencing our inner and outer worlds, offering insights into the interconnectedness of mind, spirit, and the greater energetic realities that surround us.

Collective thoughtforms and their influence - egregores

Tupan, 2 mon.
At the intersection of metaphysics, psychology, and collective experience lies the concept of egregores. These entities are, in essence, collective thoughtforms—mental and emotional constructs brought into existence and sustained by the shared focus, energy, and intent of a group of individuals. While a thoughtform arises from an individual’s sustained focus and emotional charge, taking on a life of its own in either the mental, astral, or sometimes even physical realms, an egregore is the result of a collective’s continuous input, becoming something far more potent and autonomous. Egregores start with shared ideas or emotions within a group. When people consistently focus on a common goal, these thoughts and emotions merge, forming an energetic presence that goes beyond the individual. The group may not be aware of this process, but over time, their collective energy manifests into a metaphysical structure, strengthened by rituals, symbols, and emotions. Symbols play a crucial role, serving as focal points for the group’s beliefs. Whether it’s a flag, logo, or chant, these symbols represent the group’s values, reinforcing the egregore’s existence. Every time individuals gather around these symbols, they contribute energy to the egregore. Once created, egregores can become autonomous, exerting influence on group members. Although born from the collective, they begin to act as independent entities, shaping thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. For instance, a religious community that collectively worships a deity may give rise to an egregore representing that deity. This egregore can influence how the group experiences their faith, guiding their actions and beliefs. In group dynamics, egregores enhance unity. Members may begin to share similar thoughts and actions, feeling connected to one another and their shared purpose. In emotionally charged situations, such as sports events, the collective energy can synchronize emotions across individuals, creating dramatic shifts and surges in group intensity. This collective energy often reaches peaks, amplifying shared experiences and reinforcing the bond within the group. The longer individuals are part of a group, the more their thoughts align with the egregore, amplifying its influence. Positively, this can lead to collective achievements, such as social movements or community growth. However, if the group’s energy centers on negative emotions like fear or hatred, the egregore can become destructive, influencing harmful actions. In modern contexts, egregores are reflected in brands, political ideologies, and social movements. For example, a brand like Apple may function as an egregore, where collective admiration and emotional investment shape customer behavior and company culture. Social media, too, serves as a powerful platform for the creation of egregores, amplifying collective thoughts and emotions. Online communities and viral trends generate intense focus, allowing egregores to influence large numbers of people quickly. Understanding egregores can empower individuals to consciously direct collective energy toward positive outcomes. By being mindful of shared thoughts and emotions, we can create egregores that foster unity, community, and collective success. Egregores ultimately remind us of the power of collective consciousness, which can shape both the inner and outer worlds of those who create them.

About symbols and sigils

Tupan, 2 mon.
Symbols play a crucial role in our daily lives, shaping how we communicate and interpret the world around us. A symbol can be defined as an image, mark, or word that represents an object, concept, or abstraction. Carl Jung offers a profound exploration of this concept in his theory of aesthetics, emphasizing the psychological significance of symbols in our collective unconscious. Names are powerful symbols that engrave our identity in society. They carry personal history, culture, and meaning, helping us connect with others. Signatures serve a similar purpose, representing not just our names but also our intentions and agreements on various documents, from contracts to checks. Pins and passwords, too, can be viewed as symbols. They are abstractions we create to access personal or confidential information, representing trust and security in our digital interactions. Each type of symbol functions as a key to unlocking different facets of our identity and intentions. In essence, symbols can be categorized into two main types: disclosed and undisclosed. Disclosed symbols, like names and logos, are public and widely recognized, while undisclosed symbols, such as passwords and personal codes, are private and hold significance only for their creators. Sigils, a specific type of symbol, are often used in magical practices to invoke particular intentions or extradimensional entities. Traditionally, these symbols acted like a “telephone” to connect with these entities, serving as a means to channel one’s desires into the universe. In modern contexts, particularly within chaos magic, sigils are used to anchor one’s will to manifest specific goals, such as personal success or emotional healing. Interestingly, we encounter sigils daily, often without realizing it. Our names serve as disclosed sigils, necessary for identification in various activities—from registering for events to establishing online identities. Pins and passwords act as undisclosed sigils, known only to us and provide access to our personal digital realms, such as social media accounts or banking information. We are constantly surrounded by both created and absorbed sigils. From the brands we encounter to the symbols we personally create (like affirmations or vision boards), these sigils influence our thoughts and actions on both conscious and unconscious levels. Grant Morrison’s observation that "corporate sigils are super-breeders; they invade unbranded imaginative space" speaks to how commercial symbols can shape our desires and identities, often without our awareness. This brings us to a question: Do we unknowingly practice magick in our everyday lives? The rituals we perform—whether it’s setting intentions for the day or using symbols to navigate our environments—suggest that there may be more to our actions than mere routine. Ancient practitioners of magick often blurred the lines between what we now categorize as science and spiritual practice. They observed natural phenomena, conducted experiments, and created systems of understanding that predate modern scientific terminology. By examining the interplay between symbols, sigils, and our daily actions, we can appreciate the deeper meanings and influences that shape our lives. Symbols are not just marks or images; they are powerful tools that connect us to our identities, intentions, and the world around us.

Emotions and knowing oneself

Tupan, 2 mon.
How can our emotions affect our thoughts and attitudes? That is easy to answer. We are emotional beings, and as such, many of us are guided by feelings rather than reason. For example, when someone annoys us, our immediate reaction is often frustration or anger. On the other hand, when someone treats us kindly, we typically feel gratitude and warmth. These emotional responses create a cycle in our daily lives that we often don't perceive. How can we start notice these patterns? Remember the "know thyself"? It is crucial. gaining a deeper understanding of ourselves is challenging, but it helps identify what triggers our strongest emotions and how we respond to them. By recognizing our emotional responses, we can take steps to manage, and eventually controlling, them and even transform our environment. A significant barrier to self-awareness is the masks we wear. Many of us tries to present a curated version of ourselves, shaped by cultural expectations and past experiences. This creates layers of "costumes" that can obscure our true identity. We often assert, "I am this" or "I am that", but have we truly examined who we are beneath those labels? We tend to showcase only our positive traits, hiding our flaws because they are seen as undesirable. It is essential to acknowledge that we all have imperfections. Rather than making excuses for our "dark side", we should recognize it and seek ways to improve. Just as we aim to enhance our strengths, we should also commit to learning from our challenges. The path to understanding our true selves -accepting both our strengths and weaknesses- guides us toward mastering our emotions. This self-awareness, along with a balanced self-acceptance (without justifying negative behaviors), enables us to respond more thoughtfully to the world around us. To conclude, here are three quotations that encapsulate my thoughts: - "Self-knowledge is the beginning of self-improvement." - Unknown - "Emotions are like waves. We can't stop the waves, but we can learn to surf." - Jon Kabat-Zinn - "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude". William James

Thoughts and co-creation

Tupan, 2 mon.
1 min read.
There is an ancient knowledge that says - "all is mind, the universe is mental". This statement, if we think using a more theistic view, suggests that all things in the universe are a manifestation of a primordial thought, a primeval consciousness. To put it differently, there is a primary intelligence behind creation. As human beings we are part of this universe, this so-called creation. Given this premise, would it be wrong to assume that we could do the same? In other words, couldn't we be co-creators in this all? In my previous writing I discussed how we could use the principles of quantum physics to reshape our reality using our thoughts. Well, if all is mind, for sure we are co-creators! We already engage in co-creations every day. Through our thoughts we change the world when create art, to engineer new technologies, or express novel ideas. Could we take this further? Could we use our minds alone to modify the reality around us? I believe we can. Our minds don't think in words, these are mere abstractions created for communication. Instead, we think in images and mental pictures. For instance, when we feel thirsty, we don't simply think of the word "water" but envision a glass or a bottle. In other words, we use symbols to express our ideas. These symbols can be incredibly powerful in guiding and influencing us at every moment - just look at why companies invest so heavily in their logos and show them as much as they can. In summary, we think using symbols, and the most effective way to access them is through mental imagery or representations. Now, could we leverage these mental pictures and our concentrated will to alter the reality around us? Could our thought, when generated and guided with strong intention, be powerful enough to vibrate particles around us and initiate co-creations? We do that on a daily basis but, often unconsciously. "Know thyself" like some ancients advised, is the first step toward mastering our thoughts and consciously using them to our benefit.

Quantum Physics and our thoughts

Tupan, 2 mon.
1 min read.
Quantum physics, one the most innovative fields of knowledge of modern science, tells us about a phenomenon known as the observer effect. It states that particles, in their potential state, do not have defined characteristics -such as movement or position- until they are observed. What implications does this have for our daily lives? Our conscious attention shapes the reality around us. When we focus on something, we align our thoughts and emotions with specific energies, influencing what we manifest into our lives. I guess a good analogy would be when are tuning into a radio station that is playing our favorite song. The problem is that it works when we have either positive or negative thoughts. The more we concentrate on something, the more the neural pathways associated with that thought become reinforced. Similarly, another intriguing concept found in quantum physics is the quantum entanglement, where two or more particles become linked in such a way that the state of one influence the state of another, independently of how far apart they are. With that information in mind, let's examine our thoughts. They are the result of several biochemical processes in our brains, which brings us to a question - Could it be that our thoughts or emotions impact the world around us? If so, is it possible we can influence reality simply through our thoughts? If the answer to both questions is yes, then could it be so far-fetched to think that we could use our will to change the environment for the better? I firmly believe we can! This phenomenon, known by many names - such as magnetism, mental power, faith or magick- invites us to recognize its existence. Quantum physics may provide, in my opinion, really good insights into its mechanisms. As an eccentric Englishman said once, "do what thou wilt...".

Why can't we accept other forms of science?

Tupan, 2 mon.
1 min read.
What is science according to the "modern definition"? It would be the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained. Long and somewhat well put definition, however, there are sciences that could fit with the aforementioned explanation yet with some twists. One great example is metaphysics. What? Metaphysics?! Yes, indeed. The great problem with this "persecuted" and old science is the part where we cannot test it. What if say we can? Some will say that we can't test in a laboratory environment with our modern instruments and, because of this, it is untestable. I beg to differ. Several scientific phenomena we can test nowadays were untestable not so long ago. Some would say that they were metaphysical, even though they were observed. That brings me to the big question: why is the so called magick deemed as metaphysics? It happens, is observed and can be tested, however, not using the current technology. Or, isn't it? First, I think we should define what magick is. I guess we could say that is the practice of influencing events or outcomes through the power of one's will. Depending on who you ask the definition will be a different but, that's the most synthetic way I could define it. Of course there are several distinct schools and traditions of magick but it could be a topic for some other day. For now I just want to talk about some ideas. The superstring theory tells us that there is a possibility of several universes (a multiverse) and I would like to use it for a much smaller scale. What if, by the power of one's will we could make little portals within our own universe open? One would say that is only theory. What if I say that is has been done (on a huge scale!) by the scientific community, and it is right in front of our eyes? I won't say directly what it is now but I will give a hint - look at Switzerland, New York and California. I know that I still sound unconventional (even crazy) but it's only the beginning...

Summer's On Your (WIP)

M.D. Alex (Lauren), 2 mon.
1 min read.
Writing spoken words/lyrics to "A Moment Apart" By Odesza. -Spoken word- "In the beginning, we fought to be worthy of life day after day, we strived to survive. We didn't know what it meant to be alive. Now we've grown, and now we know with God on our side and the Lords sacrifice, we are clean and we are free. So lets use it to be good, to be the best we can be. Cause baby, you can run the farthest and fastest that you've ever seen..." -Lyrics- In my head you still exist, My mind made of love and bliss Thoughts fly by and butterflies in my chest. When my heart felt only defeat, you came running with blisters on your feet _ All that we've worked for All that we've loved was now redeemed for all to come _ From Alpha to Omega Beginning to The End Keep on running cause it's not over yet _ May, June, July, Summers on your side Live and love is why I stride "It's see ya later", never "goodbye" Cause we are here to love and not to die.
youtube.com/watch?v=xarC5jAiO7w&...

Underwater

Fatima Zahra EL hajji (Tima EL), 2 mon.
0 min read.
He dreams of it but has never seen its face. He wonders what it would be like to be close to it, to bask in its warmth and light. As he drifts in the middle of the ocean, he hopes to catch a glimpse or hear a sound. While floating on the water, a beautiful voice emanates from below. He dives beneath the surface and discovers a myriad of enchanting faces, each adorned with a captivating smile. Everything seems wonderful, but he feels out of place. The empty cup begins to fill, masks start to fall, beautiful faces disappear, and darkness appears. Unable to hold his breath underwater, the path becomes unclear. The rhythmic pulsing he hears compels him to the surface, where he finds a beautiful heart waiting for him.

Bluwr: My Experience with an SEO-Optimized Platform That Knows Me Better Than I Do

Anas Bedraoui, 3 mon.
When I first started writing on Bluwr, I didn't think much about how well the platform was optimized for SEO. Like most writers, my primary focus was on crafting engaging content, sharing my thoughts, and hoping my articles would find their way to the right audience. But recently, I decided to conduct a funny little experiment that opened my eyes to just how effective Bluwr's SEO capabilities truly are. Curiosity struck me one evening as I was thinking about the digital footprint I’ve been leaving behind with my articles. With AI becoming increasingly sophisticated, I wondered just how much information was out there about me, pieced together from my work. So, I turned to GPT, and asked it a simple question: "What do you know about me?" The results were both fascinating and a little uncanny. GPT didn’t just know general facts; it provided a detailed account of my work, interests, and even some insights that I hadn’t explicitly mentioned in any one article but had implied across several. The source of all this information? My articles on Bluwr. This experience highlighted one major thing for me: Bluwr is incredibly well-optimized for SEO. Every article I had written, every topic I had explored, and every opinion I had shared was indexed and made easily accessible by search engines. Bluwr’s backend is clearly designed with SEO in mind. From the way articles are structured to how tags and keywords are used, everything seems to be geared towards making sure that each piece of content is easily discoverable. What struck me the most during my experiment was how Bluwr enabled GPT to aggregate and synthesize data about me. Individually, my articles were just that—individual pieces of content. But together, they created a comprehensive narrative that GPT could easily tap into. This got me thinking about the broader implications of writing on a platform like Bluwr. While my little experiment with GPT started as a bit of fun, it ended up being an insightful look into how powerful SEO can be when done right. Feel free to try a similar experiment yourself. You might be surprised at what you learn...

You Graduated and Don’t Know What to Focus On for a PhD Position?

Anas Bedraoui, 3 mon.
2 min read.
I assume you’ve just earned your master’s degree. You might be feeling a bit lost. You’ve started applying for opportunities — Industry or Academia — but you’re still waiting for that interview opportunity. No one is answering your emails. I get it. You might be feeling frustrated, maybe even battling imposter syndrome. You’re thinking about enrolling in new courses to acquire enough skills to be ready for any opportunity, but you still feel very lost. Let me tell you exactly what I would do if I were in your place three years ago. Please read this article until the end. You will enjoy it, and I made it especially for you as a source of motivation, giving you exactly what you should focus on. Let’s assume first that you want to enroll in a good PhD program. Whenever I apply for an opportunity, I put myself in the interviewer’s shoes — in this case, your future supervisor. What does your future supervisor want from you? What’s your added value to their lab? Why should they recruit you? Your supervisor wants you to be the greatest version of yourself, wants to be proud of you, and wants your success to be their success as well. First, they want you to avoid distractions and focus on your PhD, producing great, interesting results, and discoveries that lead to high-quality publications. They want you to step out of your comfort zone, present at international conferences, bring added value to the lab, be a great representative, and never outshine them. Control your ego, be easygoing with the team — not a toxic presence — and remember, they don’t expect perfection, but they do expect you to do your best. I know you can be like that, but there are a few things you can do to make your application stand out. When writing emails to potential supervisors, have you read some of their most interesting, highly cited articles? Did you do some research beforehand and address specific points within your email? What did you accomplish during your master’s degree? Were you just an average student who passed exams, or did you do something exceptional that made you unique compared to most students? If yes, then mention it, talk about it, and sell it to your supervisor in your application. Show that you are unique. When writing an email, motivation letter, or research proposal, stop using templates or AI-generated content. Your supervisor is smarter than you think, and they will spot that because they’ve seen a ton of applications. They want originality; they want to know who you are and what you can do. Be original. You don’t have to make it perfect, just be yourself. I want you to create a unique application that will impress any professor who reads it. Make it stand out. Use your own creativity — you’ve graduated, which means your brain is still fresh, and you are smart. SHOW THEM THAT! Don’t apply for just one position — make different plans. You gotta be smart about it. Reach out to your previous professors, especially those whose work you found impressive, and gently ask them for a recommendation letter. Use your contacts, and take your time to make different plans, because this step is a big one toward your future goals. Be wise about it. This isn’t just about getting one position; it’s about setting up a foundation for your future. Different plans give you options, and options give you control over your path. Last but not least, if I were you, I would focus on reading a bunch of review papers in the field I’m interested in. Start doing the things your future supervisor would expect you to do in your first year: identify the scientific question that interests you, find your unique approach, and start working on answering it. It’s your mission to find the gap in your field and fill it. You can begin working on that right now, while also doing the things I mentioned above. I’m not going to dig into the details here because I’ve kept this article a bit general, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask them directly.

Is PhD for you or not?

Anas Bedraoui, 3 mon.
Why is a PhD so tough? If I still get the chance to do a PhD, should I still consider doing it? I get plenty of questions asking me, “Why should I apply for a PhD? What are the benefits? Where, in what field, and with which supervisor should I consider doing it?” I will answer all these common questions in this article and give a few pieces of advice for graduate students and anyone hesitating to enroll in a PhD program. First things first, if you ask any PhD candidate or someone with a PhD about their experience, we all share the same answer: “PhD is tough.” But why? A PhD program is meant to shape you personally and professionally. It’s a minimum of three years where you discover your weaknesses, build a strong foundation of expertise, focus, and social dynamics, and it takes you out of your comfort zone. I’ll explain everything in detail with examples. The idea I had about a PhD when I recently graduated is completely different from what I am experiencing right now. Before, I thought a PhD program was all about publishing papers, and back then, for me, a paper could be done in less than four months. I mean, indeed, but that’s only for a mediocre paper with no impact, which could be published in a normal to predatory journal. Now I realize that publishing a high-quality article takes years of hard work, consistency, collaboration with a team of experts, making mistakes, conducting experiments, re-conducting experiments, taking critical advice from your supervisors, and implementing it effectively. Even then, you may or may not get the expected results. You may feel frustrated and get a bit depressed since you spent at least a year working on an approach that now seems no longer promising. That’s one side. The other side is psychology. What I mean by that is how you can feel really down, but regardless of your feelings, you discover your passion that can boost you and give you the purpose to balance your PhD and personal life. Then there is a critical aspect, which is your supervisor. You and your supervisor are two different people. Your supervisor has more experience than you, and as you’re conducting your PhD, doing the experiments, once you get critical feedback from your supervisor, you may take it personally and start thinking negatively about your experience, assuming he’s not helping you but just criticizing your work. That’s not true. What you actually learn about a PhD is that your supervisor’s success is yours as well, and vice versa. Since he has more experience than you in publishing high-quality articles, you should definitely forget about your ego, start communicating with him, and learn from him, because at the end of the day, you are still a student, and that’s what’s great about the PhD experience. Besides publishing, which is just a small part of your PhD program, you learn how to communicate your research area and results in a smooth way that anyone with a different background, or even a 5-year-old kid, could understand. You also learn how to sell your research, which means that you can definitely be a great candidate for the industry in the future, not just academia. Public speaking is another important skill you learn in a PhD since it is required to present your work at international conferences and congresses in front of highly valued speakers. You start to appreciate criticism and see it as a new way to improve yourself. If your primary goal is to improve yourself, be self-aware, and be better, then a PhD program is for you. If you are not, just forget about a PhD program because you will struggle, start comparing yourself with others, or may stop comparing yourself with others in a bad way that may lead you to become a narcissistic psychopath who thinks his PhD thesis is going to change the world and that everything he does is what matters, while what others do is completely irrelevant. At the end of the day, a PhD program is just a way to reach your higher goals, and if you see it as it’s supposed to be, then you’re going to have an enjoyable experience, full of learning, and enjoy science as it’s supposed to be. My Advice for Future PhD Candidates: - Your Supervisor: The first thing you should look for is your supervisor rather than the subject of your thesis. Your supervisor is the one you will be working with every single day for at least four years. He should be a good human being, skilled, and inspirational because their words can be a great motivation for you. Otherwise, if not, your experience is just going to get worse and worse, and you may quit. - Self-Improvement: Consider if you really want to improve your weaknesses and become a better version of yourself. Are you ready for high criticism of work that you spent years on? Would you accept that? If yes, then go for a PhD. - Academia: Academia is super toxic. Are you ready to engage in what might be a toxic environment and learn how to get the good side from it? If yes, then trust me, you will be perfectly shaped after your PhD, and you will be a great fit for both academia and industry. - Financial Goals: If your goal is to get money rather than improving yourself, just forget about academia because it will simply slow down that process of getting money as soon as possible. ---- To answer the first question, if I get the chance to start my PhD with the same conditions, the same supervisor, and the same thesis director, I would definitely follow the same path. Hell yeah, I love it!
medium.com/@anasbedraoui

Snake Venom That Does Nothing to a Honey Badger, Kills a Human

Anas Bedraoui, 4 mon.
The honey badger is one of nature's toughest creatures. Despite its small size, this fearless animal isn't afraid to take on some of the most dangerous predators, including venomous snakes. What’s truly fascinating is that the snake venom that can kill a human has little effect on a honey badger---- The honey badger, also called a ratel, lives in Africa, Southwest Asia, and parts of India. It’s known for its aggressive behavior, strong build, and thick, loose skin, which makes it hard for snake fangs to deliver a full dose of venom. This tough skin is one reason why honey badgers can survive snake bites that would be deadly to other animals. ---- But the honey badger's resistance to venom isn't just about its skin. Scientists have discovered that honey badgers have special adaptations at the molecular level. Snake venom typically attacks nerve cells by binding to specific receptors. However, the honey badger's receptors have evolved to be less affected by these toxins, allowing the badger to survive bites that would be fatal to humans. ---- Another interesting aspect is how honey badgers react when bitten. They might show signs of being affected by the venom, such as slowing down or swelling, but they often recover quickly. This suggests that their bodies have proteins or other molecules that neutralize the venom, helping them bounce back after an encounter with a deadly snake. FASCINATING, right?

The African Union and the "Ten Commandments" for improving women's education

Aziz Daouda, 4 mon.
The African Union and the "Ten Commandments" for improving women's education A piece of information has just caught my attention and aroused my astonishment, so obvious is it. It is a reminder of one of the known chronic deficits of the African continent, at the root of its socio-economic situation and its difficulties in leaving the zone of systemic precariousness of a large fringe of the population. On 4 and 5 July 2024, African Unity organised a gathering of great importance, which was given the name of Conference. The conference was devoted to debating the importance of education for girls and women. Of course, for the sake of fashion and to fit in with a modern narrative, we talked about strategy. The conference discussed a strategy for increased access to "inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa". My astonishment stems from the fact that it was only in 2024 that African Unity finally took an interest in a recurring problem that has been present throughout the continent since the dawn of time. A problem that everyone believes to be one of the main causes of the continent's underdevelopment and the pervasive precariousness of its population. In fact, for a very long time now, the pan-African organisation, whether in its old form or in its new one, has been floundering in so-called political difficulties. It lives to the rhythm of petty conflicts and never-ending conciliations between petty warlords imbued with imported ideologies in which they themselves do not believe, but who cares? All it does is denounce or try to appease the perpetrators of massacres in the name of causes that are often in the interests of this or that interest, without ever succeeding in imposing or settling anything... Finally, in July 2024, the Commissioner dedicated to this mission within African Unity will give us his prophecy. In essence, he said: "As Member States, we must redouble our efforts to support girls' education by acting on knowledge and skills. Let's support girls' education at primary, secondary and even tertiary levels, so that our girls complete their studies successfully and become very responsible citizens, capable of making very sound decisions". Fantastic. All we have to do, Commissioner, is prepare our girls and women to make the right decisions... What decisions are we talking about, Commissioner: stopping the conflicts that are making more than one rich region tired, stopping the squandering of public money on far-fetched projects and misguided policies, creating work for young people by encouraging investment, primarily in the country itself, helping to improve governance for the benefit of all, improving health services and other public necessities? To do this, Commissioner, we need to go further and deeper and question the political systems in particular and the way in which power is seized in certain countries... Thank you, Commissioner, for reminding Africa of something it should have been doing a long time ago. You would just have added 'so much time wasted on infighting and idiotic debates instead of addressing the continent's real problems'. What's even more astonishing is that, in order to supposedly help overcome the endemic situation of women on the continent, we are still making recommendations... As the Conference was only consultative, the only outcome was obviously the publication of recommendations. There were ten of them. Even Moses has not been able to impose his recommendations for thousands of years, despite the divine words: "You shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not bear witness". Commissioner, wouldn't it have been wise to recall these Commandments of Moses as a preamble to the Conference's recommendations? Perhaps... In its 'Ten Commandments', for example, the Conference calls on the parties concerned, those who finance or can do so, to put a little more money into education budgets... The problem that the conference did not address, but did it have the courage to do so, is how to ensure that this money, which is supposed to be forthcoming, will be protected so that it is really spent on education for education's sake... and does not, as in many cases, end up in the pockets and distant accounts of those who are supposed to manage it for the good of Africans...

White Sheet

Fatima Zahra EL hajji (Tima EL), 6 mon.
1 min read.
He gave her a white sheet. She asked him, "What do you want me to do with it?" He replied, "Start by making your first drawing." She told him, "I don't know how." He asked her to choose from the color pens. She picked one that she liked very much and started to make the first line on the white sheet, then the second line, and the third line. She asked him for more colors. He gave her two more colors, and she was very happy because her white sheet was turning into a beautiful drawing. She asked him for even more colors. He told her, "You might not be able to manage all these colors, and it could end up ruining your beautiful drawing." She reassured him, "Don't worry, it will be a very beautiful drawing." He gave her more colors, and she started to add one color after another. The white sheet became filled with many colors. Eventually, the white sheet became chaotic with all the colors. She paused, looking at her drawing, and felt that it had lost its meaning with so many colors. She felt like she had made a mistake on her white sheet. She asked him for another white sheet. He told her, "You can't have another white sheet; only one is given to you. But I can give you this brush to erase some of the colors from your drawing." She started to erase some of the colors, but they didn't come off completely and left traces on the white sheet. He told her, "When you move forward, it is usually hard to go back. You should move forward and find the white in your sheet again.

She

Fatima Zahra EL hajji (Tima EL), 6 mon.
0 min read.
I see her in every part of my life. I can't forget her; she accompanies me in every step. I remember her bright eyes and her big smile. I recall her small dreams and the hopes she said every night before falling asleep. I remember how she looked; the world resembled her greatly. I remember her small friends and their names. I remember the first time she felt scared and shed her first naive tears. I remember her failures and her joy for her first success. I remember the first time she said no and moved forward without looking back. Every year, as I read her letters, I see her hope to remain within me for all my life. She was the most beautiful part of my life for a quarter of a century, and she will remain so forever.

Read This Blog and You Will Become an AUTHOR

Anas Bedraoui, 7 mon.
Writing consistently is a simple action with profound impact. I discovered its transformative power firsthand, reshaping how I understand myself and the world around me. In this blog, I share how regular writing can change your life, as it did mine. Gaining Clarity Writing has always been part of my life, but committing to it daily unveiled its true potential. Amidst daily clutter and responsibilities, writing offered me clarity. Each word helped sift through the chaos of thoughts, allowing me to focus and prioritize. It was less about recording thoughts and more about understanding and organizing them. Building Confidence and Expertise With every piece I wrote, I found and refined my voice. My early writings were far from perfect, and that was okay. Each sentence and paragraph built my confidence. Writing about subjects I was passionate about, especially snake venom, not only allowed me to share knowledge but also deepened my own understanding. This cycle of learning and sharing became a cornerstone of my academic and professional growth. Therapeutic Benefits Long before I recognized its need, writing was my therapy. It offered a non-judgmental space to express vulnerabilities. Writing about daily challenges at university or personal concerns made these burdens lighter. It rendered fears and stresses tangible, making them easier to manage. This emotional outlet was vital for my mental well-being during the demanding years of my PhD. Inspiring Others As my writing skills improved, my audience grew. Through Bluwr, I connected with enthusiasts keen on understanding complex venom and AI topics. The positive feedback was incredibly rewarding, affirming that my words could make difficult concepts clearer for others. Becoming an author is more about the routine of writing than publishing a book. Regular writing practice can change you—not just in communication, but in perception and interaction with the world. If you're considering starting, this is your sign. Write a little every day, about anything that inspires you, here on Bluwr. Over time, you might discover that the author you aimed to be is simply who you've become through writing.

How Writing on Bluwr Improved My Memory and Mental Health

Anas Bedraoui, 7 mon.
Six months ago, I began a daily writing habit on Bluwr, a platform that greatly simplifies the publication process while promoting direct interaction between its users. This commitment to sharing my AI and venom research in understandable terms has sharpened my thinking and significantly alleviated the mental pressures of my academic pursuits. Bluwr’s design for quick and direct feedback from a global audience enriches the experience, providing rapid and meaningful exchanges that enhance the interactive aspect of writing. Writing every day on Bluwr has leveraged SEO to enhance the visibility of my work. By optimizing content for search engines, Bluwr ensures that my articles reach not just the academic community but also enthusiasts and professionals interested in AI and venom studies. This wider exposure increases the impact of my research and invites a broader spectrum of feedback, enriching my work and personal growth. Bluwr's commitment to fostering a high-quality readership has been incredibly beneficial. As I noted in a recent post, "The engagement from knowledgeable readers around the world who understand and expand on my research is profoundly gratifying." This sentiment was echoed in a conversation I had with the founder of Bluwr, who stated, “Our mission is to break down barriers to knowledge sharing and connect individuals across diverse backgrounds. We aim to catalyze innovation by making it easy for experts and novices alike to exchange ideas freely and without delay.” This philosophy aligns with my experiences on the platform. The variety of perspectives I encounter has bolstered my professional growth and has also become an integral part of my mental health care strategy. Each article I publish leads to interactions that reinforce my connection to a global community of curious minds. This engagement is crucial for feeling supported and motivated, especially when dealing with the solitary nature of PhD research. Reflecting on the past six months, my daily writing on Bluwr has been more than just a personal or professional exercise. It has improved my mental clarity, expanded my network, and opened up opportunities for collaborations that I had never anticipated. The platform has allowed me to share my research with a wider audience and has provided a space where I could grow as a scientist and communicator. Daily writing fosters a disciplined approach to research and idea generation, improves memory retention, enhances problem-solving skills, and increases the ability to articulate complex information clearly. As I continue to write and share my work, I am reminded of the powerful role that writing can play in enhancing understanding, both for myself and for my readers. Writing on Bluwr could turn your passion for writing into a recognized skill that might even become a profitable endeavor in the future. Always remember to 'THINK FORWARD.' Start writing on Bluwr today, and see where your words can take you!

How My Cat is Enhancing My PhD Experience

Anas Bedraoui, 7 mon.
Pursuing a PhD is a monumental commitment marked by long hours, intense research, and significant stress. However, within this academic environment, I’ve discovered an unlikely ally in my studies — my cat. Here’s a closer look at how my feline companion isn’t just a pet, but a vital support in my PhD endeavors. Emotional Support in Times of Stress PhD programs are known for their rigorous demands, which can lead to substantial stress and anxiety. In these moments, the calming presence of a cat can be incredibly soothing. Research shows that interacting with cats can lower cortisol levels (a stress-related hormone) and increase serotonin, the chemical responsible for feelings of well-being. My cat seems to instinctively know when I need a comforting nudge or a purr-filled cuddle, providing relief that helps me refocus and persist. Creating a Structured Routine One of the challenges of a PhD is the need for self-discipline and a structured daily schedule. Cats, with their steadfast adherence to routine (demanding food and attention at regular times), help in establishing and maintaining this daily schedule. The responsibility of caring for my cat ensures that I start my day early and take necessary breaks, crucial for maintaining productivity and well-being. Unconditional Companionship The path to earning a PhD can be a lonely one, with hours spent alone reading, writing, and conducting experiments. Loneliness can be a significant hurdle, but my cat offers constant companionship without the complex social interactions that can sometimes be overwhelming. This presence helps alleviate feelings of isolation and boosts my mood on challenging days. Motivation Through Responsible Pet Ownership Taking care of a cat requires a certain level of activity and engagement, which paradoxically can enhance my own productivity. Regular breaks to feed, play, or simply pet my cat not only keep her happy but also ensure that I stand up, stretch, and momentarily step away from the computer. These breaks are vital for mental clarity and often help me return to my work with a fresh perspective. A Source of Humor and Inspiration Cats are full of surprises and their antics can provide much-needed humor and light-heartedness. Watching my cat chase a laser pointer or curiously paw at my research papers often brings a smile to my face, reminding me not to take life too seriously. Furthermore, the simplicity of her life, unburdened by the complexities of human concerns, sometimes offers unexpected insights into my own research or life.

Cuteness With a Bite: The Slow Loris

Anas Bedraoui, 7 mon.
1 min read.
The Slow Loris, with its big, innocent eyes and soft fur, epitomizes the epitome of cuteness in the animal kingdom. However, this adorable exterior hides a potentially dangerous secret. Slow Lorises are among the few mammals known to produce venom. This venom comes from an elbow gland, which they can mix with their saliva. When threatened, they deliver a toxic bite to predators, which can cause severe pain, swelling, and even allergic reactions in humans. Interestingly, the venomous bite of the Slow Loris serves a dual purpose: defense and competition among lorises. The complexity of the venom, believed to be derived from consuming toxic substances, allows the loris to process and incorporate it into its defensive mechanism. Despite their toxicity and potential danger, Slow Lorises continue to face threats from the pet trade due to their appealing appearance. This illegal trade endangers their populations in the wild and poses risks to humans unaware of their venomous capability. Conservation efforts are crucial for protecting these unique creatures and their habitats, ensuring their survival away from the dangers of illegal pet trade and habitat destruction. Follow me on Bluwr, and if you like this type of articles, please Bluw thousands of times. I'm kidding, just once will do!

The greatest error I made as a creator was assuming I already had an audience.

Anas Bedraoui, 7 mon.
The biggest mistake I have made as a creator is letting my ego, my ambition, and the shallowness of social media convince me that I had an “Audience” instead of a network. It’s easy to become obsessed with the shallow popularity contest, with notions of influence and attention. And over the past few years, my work has become divorced from reality and drifted long way away from authenticity. Social media platforms, with their algorithms and echo chambers, made it easy to believe that the numbers represented people eagerly awaiting my next post, my next big idea. It’s a mirage, a superficial layer that didn’t capture the depth of real human connections. But I can’t blame the platforms alone. My self-importance is equally responsible. The term ‘Audience’ implies a one-way street — it suggests a group of passive listeners, viewers, or readers who are there to consume what I create. This perspective is not just limiting; it’s fundamentally flawed. It overlooks what it means to be a creator in the digital age: being part of a vibrant, interactive network. A network, unlike an audience, is dynamic. It’s not broadcasting to a group of faceless spectators. It’s about engagement, exchange, and mutual growth. It involves listening as much as speaking and learning as much as teaching. In a network, every node and individual is a potential collaborator, source of inspiration, or a critical voice that can offer valuable feedback. There are people on the other side of the screen. They don’t exist just to fill out our quota of 1,000 true fans. They don’t exist as data points on an analytics dashboard. And they have so much more to give than their attention and the time spent viewing a video or reading an article. I cannot and will not keep treating the people who find my work and engage with it as NPCs in a roleplaying game. Realizing this has been a game-changer. It’s shifted my focus from seeking applause to fostering conversations. Instead of obsessing over the number of followers, I’m more interested in the quality of interactions I have with them. This approach has opened up new avenues for creativity and growth that I had previously overlooked, blinded by the glitter of superficial metrics. I spend more time talking to people than ever before. I spend more time listening, too. And I spend a lot of time learning. My ideas shift, change and grow with every interaction. There’s a deep richness that can’t be found in delusions of grandeur. The shift has brought with it a sense of humility. You can get caught up in the numbers and believe your hype when your follower count is rising. But recognizing that each follower is a person with their own thoughts, experiences, and contributions is a reminder that I am part of something larger than myself and that my success is not just measured in likes or shares but in the impact I have on others, and the effect they have on me in return. I am not — and do not wish to be — some kind of bulls**t internet celebrity. The path of the influencer seems frightfully lonely. I’m a writer. I write. When I find people who want to read my work, it’s not something to take for granted. It’s a gift, and it’s an honour, and it’s something that I cherish every day.

Everyone nowadays claims to be an AI expert, a concerning reality!

Anas Bedraoui, 8 mon.
Include Artificial Intelligence in your speech, and you'll sound fancy and expert. That's the sad reality nowadays. People are confused between being fans of Artificial Intelligence and being experts. It's kind of funny when you think about it. Being an expert in AI requires years of experience, traceable achievements, and a deep understanding of the field. I've been working with artificial intelligence every day for a while now, and I can say I'm still not close to being an expert. A fan, yes, but not an expert. These days, it's too easy to pretend you know more than you do. You could just ask ChatGPT for a quick summary or some tools about something you don't really understand, and boom, you can make it look like you know a lot. This makes things confusing for people trying to hire the right person, and it's why trust and reliability are becoming rare. We need to bring back honesty and the human touch that's missing in AI. If we rely too much on AI, we might end up losing what makes us human. So please, let's keep it real. Note: This text was not generated by AI.

Is daily posting on LinkedIn a waste of time? What should you do instead?

Anas Bedraoui, 8 mon.
Focusing on quality over quantity is crucial when posting on LinkedIn. Rather than adhering to a daily posting regimen, aim to create high-quality content that resonates with your audience, providing them value and fostering engagement. Understanding your audience is essential; tailor your posts to their interests and needs. Diversifying your content types, such as articles, videos, and infographics, keeps your profile dynamic and engaging. Engaging with others by commenting on, sharing, and reacting to their content, as well as including calls to action in your own posts, can significantly enhance visibility and build relationships within your network. Use a content calendar for planning and consistency, and optimize your posting times based on when your audience is most active. Networking strategically on LinkedIn, beyond just posting content, can open up numerous opportunities. Connect with individuals in your industry, potential mentors, and companies of interest. Showcasing your expertise through insightful posts positions you as a thought leader. Pay attention to analytics to understand what content performs best and adjust your strategy accordingly. Remember, success on LinkedIn is about making an impact and providing value, not just the frequency of your posts.
linkedin.com/in/anas-bedraoui-21...

Strategic Shift from Daily LinkedIn Posts to Thoughtful Writing on Bluwr

Anas Bedraoui, 8 mon.
Shifting from daily postings on LinkedIn without a deliberate plan can lead to a cycle of exhaustion and reduced engagement, diminishing the effectiveness of your online presence. Turning your attention to writing on Bluwr emerges as a strategic move. Bluwr presents a platform with an audience keen on meaningful content, offering writers the chance to establish a niche through well-considered, comprehensive articles. The platform prioritizes the quality of content over its frequency, enabling a deeper exploration of subjects and fostering a genuine connection with readers. Choosing to write on Bluwr allows for cultivating a substantial, engaged audience by providing valuable insights, not merely seeking visibility through frequent updates. This strategic shift enhances personal brand and professional prospects through demonstrating expertise and thought leadership. Additionally, Bluwr's strong focus on SEO ensures content is easily discoverable in search results, further amplifying visibility. The platform's absence of bots and the requirement for approval prior to login create a community dedicated to authentic engagement, tailored for individuals committed to meaningful discourse.

Human Writing VS AI Writing

Anas Bedraoui, 8 mon.
Generative AI is killing the writing market nowadays. Is there still a purpose to writing articles or books as a passion, considering writing is a means of self-expression? The value of writing seems to be diminishing drastically, with many people misusing AI by copying content from tools like ChatGPT and pasting it without even reading it. When someone writes from their heart and mind, expressing genuine human emotions, their work often goes unnoticed, dismissed as AI-generated. Personally, I believe writing has become exceedingly competitive. It's becoming challenging to achieve bestseller status if you haven't published before the rise of AI, unless you're already well-known in your field. This is precisely how ChatGPT and similar technologies are disrupting the market for new writers. Note: This text was not generated by AI.

Rethinking Productivity in PhD Studies for Better Results

Anas Bedraoui, 8 mon.
In the world of PhD studies, there's a common belief that spending long hours in the office means you're doing well. However, this isn't always the best approach. Being in the office is important for working together with your team, sharing ideas, and learning from each other. But, it shouldn't become a routine where you're just sitting at your desk without really being productive. It's better to focus on what you actually achieve rather than how many hours you're seen at your workspace. Some students find they work best in quiet, solo environments where they can really focus. Recognizing this, students and their advisors should talk about finding the right balance. It's okay to work from different places if that helps you do your best work. Here are some tips for students and academic departments to consider: - Find the right mix of office time and working alone: It's good to be in the office for team work and discussions, but also find time and places where you can concentrate deeply on your own work. - Set clear goals: Focus on what you want to achieve with your research, rather than how long you spend working on it. This helps you stay on track and makes your work more meaningful. - Talk about your work style: Be open with your team and supervisor about how and where you work best. This can lead to a more supportive environment where everyone's working habits are respected. - Keep a balanced routine: Make sure to take breaks, get some exercise, and enjoy hobbies outside of your studies. A balanced life supports your mental health and can make you more productive. - Use technology to stay connected: Even when you're not in the office, you can keep in touch with your team through email, discord, video calls, and other online tools. This helps you stay part of the team without needing to be physically present all the time. Academic cultures should encourage students to work in ways that best suit them, focusing on achievements rather than just time spent in the office. This approach can lead to happier, more productive students and better research outcomes. Remember, it's about finding what works for you and making the most of it.