Rereads and Rewatches Terry Pratchett Book Club Terry Pratchett Book Club: Nation‚ Part I Emmet gets started on the book Pratchett considered the best one he ever wrote… By Emmet Asher-Perrin | Published on March 1‚ 2024 icon-comment 1 Share New Share Twitter Facebook Pinterest RSS Feed Who is the Nation if its people are gone? Summary We are told a creation myth where Imo creates the world and creates Locaha‚ the god of death. But the world is flawed‚ so Locaha tells Imo to make another‚ better world while he looks after the mortal one. And if people are particularly good‚ they will be sent to Imo’s better world‚ but if not they will be reincarnated as dolphins until they’re ready to be people again. Captain Samson is tasked with the journey during an outbreak of Russian Influenza that has killed the King of England. He must take Mr. Black and his people (the Gentleman of Last Resort) to Port Mercia. His men will be well-paid for the journey—they must find one of the heirs to the throne and bring them back within nine months to claim their birthright according to the rules of Magna Carta. Captain Robert’s ship is lost‚ marooned in a forest‚ and there is only one human survivor (and a parrot). A boy named Mau‚ who has recently completed his time on Boys’ Island‚ is taking his canoe back to the Nation to celebrate his entry into manhood. On his journey he witnesses the largest wave he’s ever seen‚ and he’s uncertain what its effect has been on his people at home. He arrives back at the Nation‚ but his people have been wiped out by the tsunami. Mau wakes (having barely slept)‚ finds the bodies of his people and buries them at sea‚ though he blocks the memories out‚ thinking of himself as Locaha as he does it. A “toeless” creature leaves him food while he sleeps‚ and on waking he walks to the forest. The forest has been destroyed by something more than a wave—it’s the Sweet Judy‚ and Mau finds bodies of men from the ship. He briefly thinks that perhaps he is the one who died‚ but he hears the voices of the Grandfathers telling him that he is not and that he must continue the traditions of his people so that the Nation survives. Mau thinks of Granddad Nawi‚ a member of the village who was “cursed” by the gods because he had a bad leg. Mau talked to him once and found that Nawi didn’t consider himself cursed at all‚ and he told Mau a word for keeping sharks away. Later‚ Liu comes across a woman from the “trousermen” people‚ and she points a gun at him. She fires it in fear‚ and he sees it spark and believes she has given him the means to start a fire. He takes the gun and runs‚ making a fire with it‚ and a dinner of tubers. On the Sweet Judy‚ the woman who survived the shipwreck writes a card to Mau. Her name is Ermintrude Fanshaw‚ and she delivers the card in the night. Mau wakes up and believes that the card’s rudimentary pictogram is telling him to throw a spear at the ship. He goes to the Women’s Place (where he was not allowed before)‚ and gets beer to bring to the Grandfathers‚ who scold him for not doing everything they have commanded. He goes to meet Ermintrude who introduces herself by the name Daphne (she never liked her name)‚ and Mau assumes she’s telling him where she’s from. She asks for his help in burying Captain Roberts at sea‚ which he does. When the captain’s hat bobs to the surface‚ Daphne tells him that the captain wants Mau to have it and she jumps into the water to get it… but she can’t swim‚ so Mau has to dive in after her. They both nearly drown‚ but Mau gets them to shore‚ retrieves the blanket from the ship (and accidentally releases the parrot in the cage beneath it)‚ and watches over their camp all night. Daphne saw her life flashing before her eyes as she was drowning and remembers what brought her here: learning about geography and astronomy as a child; the death of her mother; her grandmother’s imperiousness; and her father’s insistence that he will go govern England’s island territories and that she will follow him once he’s settled. Daphne wakes to the smell of stew that Mau has made. They both eat the stew and laugh over the fact that she keeps trying to be polite when she spits out the fish bones. Then they both fall asleep and when Mau wakes‚ Daphne has gone back into the jungle. Mau had considered letting himself die when he rescued her from the water‚ and he wants to teach Daphne his language so that someone will remember his people. He retrieves two of the god anchors at the behest of Grandfathers‚ large white stones that were thrown into the lagoon by the wave. Mau isn’t sure what he believes in anymore‚ or why he tries to keep his people’s traditions alive when they’re gone. Daphne returns with a book‚ and they begin to teach each other their languages so they can communicate. Then Mau draws the tsunami. Daphne shouts about a canoe‚ and Mau sees that one is trying to enter the island. He helps them to shore and meets Ataba (a priest from a neighboring island who studied in the Nation when he was young)‚ a feeble young woman who will not eat‚ and her dying infant. Mau and Ataba argue about the gods‚ and Mau begins making a plan to get everyone fed so the baby will get the milk it needs to live. Commentary Pratchett said of Nation: “I believe that Nation is the best book I have ever written‚ or will write.” In fact‚ Pratchett said a lot of things about this book and how he writes in his acceptance of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Fiction Award for this novel. Not to dispute him straight away (and‚ of course‚ I won’t have a complete opinion on that until I’ve finished it)‚ but this aspect of being an artist fascinates me. In the acceptance‚ Pratchett talks about how he doesn’t really measure up to “real writers” who make lists and plan out their books and research things properly. And yet‚ his description of how he created “the best book I have ever written” is the opposite of that process in every way. What he tells us is that the narrative overtook him and wouldn’t leave his brain (despite needing to shelve the concept for a time due to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami) until he let it out‚ that the story is a culmination not of specific research‚ but of all the knowledge stacked into his brain over a lifetime. That the characters sort of created themselves and used him as a conduit. What he’s describing is what most writers‚ I think‚ long for in the pursuit of their craft. An act of creation that simply pours out‚ a story that needs to be told‚ a feeling that makes one more like a vessel for fable than a human being. Buy the Book Nation Terry Pratchett Buy Book icon-close Nation Terry Pratchett Buy this book from: AmazonBarnes and NobleiBooksIndieBoundTarget What I do appreciate is that Pratchett never suggests that Nation is his best book because it’s somehow more high brow or artistic‚ two labels that have less meaning than we think‚ and also far more baggage than we often allow. No‚ Pratchett seems to feel this is his best work because of the manner in which it exited him‚ and I can understand that feeling. There is only one place where I’d quibble with his reasoning‚ which is when he notes that Nation is not a very comical book‚ as he is often known for. And it seems as though that is an indication to him that the book might have more artistic merit than his usual fare—so said the man who was knighted for his contributions to literature and said “I suspect the ‘services to literature’ consisted of refraining from trying to write any.” There is a humility in that‚ certainly‚ and humor can be a shield of sorts‚ too. A way to sidestep the deeper darker sadder bits. And there are facets to everything‚ dualities and complexities abounding. Nothing is ever only one thing. I suspect that sometimes the humor was a shield‚ or at least something that Pratchett felt was easy for him to fall back upon‚ and so easy to write off. And yet‚ he still knows that it isn’t. I’m certain of that because he wrote this into Nation‚ his purported best book: Sometimes you laugh because you’ve got no more room for crying. Sometimes you laugh because table manners on a beach are funny. And sometimes you laugh because you’re alive‚ when you really shouldn’t be. Laughter (and therefore comedy) is not a cheat or an aversion—at least not in every case. It is necessary to our ability to survive. It is built into us. And while we are all understandably wary of the person who makes everything into a joke‚ it is equally true that the person who believes that humor has no place in art‚ in life‚ in the making of meaning‚ is someone to be wary of. I can’t say yet if I agree that this is Pratchett’s best book‚ but I do think it is looking more directly at the questions he is always wrestling with‚ and without the sly cutting edge of satire there to guarantee that his blows land. Instead‚ he is simply given over to people and their lives and what they think and how they feel. In the opening chapters‚ much of this is bound up Mau losing belief in… everything. Do I find it interesting that he chose to do this with a character whose culture is clearly an amalgam of many different folklores around the world rather than a Christian one? I suppose I do‚ insofar as I wish I could ask him questions about the desire to create a cultural amalgam in the first place‚ and also ask him whether he felt it would have been harder to tell this story from a perspective that was closer to his own lived experience day-to-day. That said‚ Mau’s loss of everything leading to utter disillusion is an incredible place to begin with any character. It’s also a perfect place to ask much larger‚ darker questions about being‚ reality‚ and faith. As Pratchett has shown us over and over‚ people make meaning and belief things into being. How can you make meaning without other people? How can any of us find meaning when there’s no one to share that meaning with? And what does it say that these things cannot truly survive in a vacuum? I have to take a moment to talk about Granddad Nawi. The segment where Mau remembers talking to him is as sharp a commentary on ableism I’ve ever seen‚ but particularly in the moment when Mau tells him that his word for keeping sharks away is a trick‚ and he replies: “Of course it’s a trick. Building a canoe is a trick. Throwing a spear is a trick. Life is a trick‚ and you get one chance to learn it.” Oh‚ this. This is the thing about being disabled and looking at the world around you. Our entire species is dependent upon creating things for ourselves so that we don’t die: clothes‚ agriculture‚ shelter‚ you name it. We are a species that exists by making modifications. But as soon as your disability is too uncommon for everyone to need the same accommodation‚ well… then it becomes a trick‚ then you become a problem. Granddad see that easily enough. Asides and little thoughts Captain Samson and his wife who will be very happy for him to get knighted‚ eh? I see what you did there‚ sir. The use of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species helps to anchor the book to a time period‚ which is important when establishing an alternate history. Fashions and plagues and technologies can be said to occur at any point with the right events and incentives‚ but specific peoples and works are a far less malleable marker. So we know this story take place sometime after 1859‚ probably a few years following. Daphne thinking on Dad Jokes: “[…] concluded that Mrs Ethel J. Bunky’s Birthday Island was a Father Joke‚ i.e. not very funny but sort of lovable in its silliness.” I will now call them Father Jokes. Pratchettisms I have been like a child playing in the sand. This is a flawed world. I had no plan. Things are wrong. Captain Roberts went to Heaven‚ which wasn’t everything that he’d expected‚ and as the receding water gently marooned the wreck of the Sweet Judy on the forest floor‚ only one soul was left alive. Or possibly two‚ if you like parrots. The star of Water drifted among the clouds like a murderer softly leaving the scene of the crime. He was here on this lonely shore and all he could think of was the silly questions that children ask … Why do things end? How do they start? Why do good people die? What do the gods do? In the Place‚ the gardens of the women grew the things that made the living enjoyable‚ possible and longer: spices and fruits and chewing roots. What are the rules when you are all alone with a ghost girl? Right now he gave it his bum. I fished you out of the sea‚ he thought. The fishes wouldn’t have left you offerings! So excuse me if I offer you my tiredness. Next week we’ll read Chapters 5-8! [end-mark] The post Terry Pratchett Book Club: <;i>;Nation<;/i>;‚ Part I appeared first on Reactor.

Lists board games Five SFF Board Games With Excellent Lore From eldritch horrors to dragons and spacefaring bees‚ if you love a good story‚ these games are for you… By Cole Rush | Published on March 1‚ 2024 Photo by VD Photography [via Unsplash] icon-comment 0 Share New Share Twitter Facebook Pinterest RSS Feed Photo by VD Photography [via Unsplash] Read. Game. Read. Game. Repeat… Once I’m finished with work on any given day‚ that’s how my evening usually goes (unless I am locked in on a season of Love Island‚ which may or may not currently be the case). Point is‚ I’ve always been a big reader and a big gamer. Lately‚ I’ve been driven by an insatiable urge to cross the streams and combine my two favorite hobbies by playing board games that draw you into a world filled with deep and intricate lore. Fortunately‚ this concept is far from novel‚ and board game creators have been crafting lore-heavy experiences for ages. After discovering a handful of classics and some new favorites‚ I decided it was time to take to Reactor and share my findings with all of you. So‚ do not pass go‚ do not collect $200—instead‚ just read on for my list of five SFF board games with particularly fantastic lore. Apiary Published by: Stonemaier GamesDesigned by: Connie VogelmannArt by: Kwanchair Moriya While you’re learning the rules of Apiary‚ your brain will be abuzz with the game’s intricate and varied mechanics. Luckily‚ designer Connie Vogelmann has taken this into account with the game’s theme. In Apiary‚ players compete as hives of spacefaring bees called the Mellifera. Humans disappeared from Earth long ago… (Were they destroyed? Did they leave? The answer is unclear.) The Mellifera have combined the ruins left behind by humanity with their own technology to become a sentient species taking off to the stars. This background slots neatly into the game’s mechanics. The primary board (which is very large) is accessible to all players at all times‚ though each competitor has their own private hive where they can store resources‚ earn points‚ and expand their colony. In other words‚ both the game’s lore and play mechanics tell the story of a species that works together despite differences. Wouldn’t that be nice? Arkham Horror Published by: ChaosiumDesigned by: Richard Launius‚ Nikki Valens‚ and Kevin WilsonArt by: Justin Adams‚ W.T. Arnold‚ and Anders Finér There was a time when I wasn’t super into board games. I was in college‚ and a friend invited me over to learn Arkham Horror with a few others. I vaguely remember liking the game. Ten years later (so‚ just a few months ago)‚ some fellow gamers came over to re-teach the game‚ and this time I became completely obsessed. Arkham Horror’s lore isn’t just flavor text. It’s the core gameplay. Investigators in Arkham‚ Massachusetts‚ travel through the town seeking evidence of ghastly Lovecraftian beasts and strange happenings. As players discover clues or suffer setbacks‚ the game branches into different portions of the narrative. Throughout the game‚ you’ll read new cards that advance the story and hurl new horrific things your way. I’ve never played a game that so handily transports me into the emotional state it’s meant to evoke. Arkham Horror is a tense and fearful experience‚ where‚ more often than not‚ you feel like you’re two steps behind the eldritch and otherworldly beings nipping at your psyche. Gloomhaven Published by: Cephalofair GamesDesigned by: Isaac ChildresArt by: Alexandr Elichev‚ Josh T. McDowell‚ Alvaro Nebot Gloomhaven incorporates many influences SFF fans are likely to appreciate‚ including Dungeons &; Dragons and countless fantasy adventure stories. The game puts each player in charge of a single wanderer with distinct powers. The world of Gloomhaven is dangerous (I remember my group suffering repeated defeats in our first few scenarios) and packed with plenty of compelling lore. Every player card comes with a backstory and powers to fit the character’s ethos. Over time‚ characters can level up‚ gaining strength and additional abilities. The deep lore of Gloomhaven makes the experience feel completely immersive‚ like you’ve been plunged into a dark fantasy world and tasked with battling horrific monsters. The Gloomhaven box is gargantuan for a board game‚ thanks to the sheer amount of content it offers. Suffice it to say I’ve barely scratched the surface of the game’s lore and mechanics‚ here. Wyrmspan Published by: Stonemaier GamesDesigned by: Connie VogelmannArt by: Elizabeth Hargrave I have two things to say. (1) I love dragons‚ and (2) I haven’t actually played Wyrmspan yet. I mention the first thing in the hopes of summoning forth your own love for winged‚ fire-breathing fantasy creatures (I assume is something we probably share‚ if you’re reading Reactor). I make the second admission hoping you’ll already be too distracted by the “I love dragons” thing to pay much attention… Anyway‚ Wyrmspan makes this list because I’ve never been more excited for a board game. It’s a follow-up to Wingspan (2019). Elizabeth Hargrave designed Wingspan and developed Wyrmspan‚ while Connie Vogelmann designed this sequel. Instead of birds‚ players place dragons into unique environments. That was really all they needed to say for me to immediately lock in a preorder with upgraded pieces. Wyrmspan will take a few pages from Wingspan’s book‚ I’m sure‚ which means we’ll get factoids and lore drops about each dragon in the game. I doubt it will be core to the gameplay‚ but that extra sprinkling of lore makes for a compelling game‚ in my book‚ and I can’t wait to play it! City of the Great Machine Published by: CrowD GamesDesigned by: German TikhomirovArt by: Maya Kyrkhuli‚ Anna Laryushina‚ Nikolai Mitrukhin‚ Nadezhda Penkrat Head to a Victorian steampunk world where heroes are at odds with an artificial intelligence called The Great Machine. The game can be played in a one-vs.-many format or as a cooperative experience. The Great Machine’s goal is to perfect the human race (hint: not good)‚ and the heroes have to stop it. The AI opponent controls a flying city composed of platforms that can change with every playthrough. The game’s lore comes into play in the mechanics: Players try to conceal their plans from the Great Machine in order to avoid capture or major setbacks. The problem? Any planning the players do can be heard by the Great Machine (this is especially fun if you’re playing the one-vs.-many format). Each playable character comes with stunning artwork and a mini-fig to match. Everything in City of the Great Machine is designed to advance its aesthetic. It’s eye-catching to look at and even more fun to play. You know the drill‚ folks! What are your own favorite board games with solid lore? Let me know in the comments…[end-mark] The post Five SFF Board Games With Excellent Lore appeared first on Reactor.

If you’re fighting against the Terror of the Deep and suddenly find you or your party member in a water prison trap‚ we’ll help you figure out how to avoid it in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. I found this trap to be extremely annoying during this fight and was struggling to beat this boss due to it. Here are some ways you can stop being a victim of this Water Prison trap. FF7 Rebirth: How to stop party members from being trapped in Water Cell Not only can the character you’re playing as can get targeted for this trap but so can the teammates you’re not controlling. How you and your teammates can avoid this water prison trap in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is by dodging or using Synergy Skills. Screenshot: PC Invasion When you’re the one being targeted by this water prison‚ you may find it a lot easier to avoid it. You’ll notice right before the Terror of the Deep pulls this move‚ a red warning will pop up and you’ll see the words “Wa...

Unlike other Affinities like Cold or Holy that speak for themselves‚ Occult in Elden Ring isn’t so clear. Here is what Occult is in Elden Ring and how to apply it to your weapons. What is Occult in Elden Ring? Like Poison‚ Blood‚ or Heavy‚ Occult is an Affinity you can select when applying an Ash of War to a weapon. Occult doesn’t give you extra status damage like Holy or Fire; all it does is let your weapon scale with Arcane. You’ll see a letter next to Arcane in the Attribute Scaling section and see your Physical damage increase in the Attack Power section depending on how many points you have in Arcane. Related: How to start Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree DLC Screenshot: PC Invasion The only caveat to this is Occult‚ like the other status effect Affinities including Magic‚ Lightning‚ Sacred‚ Poison‚ Blood‚ and Cold‚ can only be applied on non-status effect Ashes of War. For example‚ you can’t put Occult on the Glintblade Phalanx or Bloody Sla...

When choosing your traits on God Rolls in Destiny 2‚ some of the more complex ones get overlooked when they really shouldn’t be. Finding a weapon with Cascade Point is always something you should pay attention to because when you know how it works and how to use it‚ it can be devastating in Destiny 2. What is Cascade Point? This trait can be found on all sorts of weapons‚ from Snipers to Auto Rifles. The trait‚ in basic terms‚ reduces firing delay on the weapon once precision shots or multi kills have been achieved with another weapon within 5 seconds of each other. Once the requirements have been met‚ Cascade Point Ready will be displayed. Then‚ the weapon will be imbued with the RPM buff. Image via Iron Jay So‚ to activate Cascade Point in Destiny 2‚ you must land a certain amount of Precision Hits or Final Blows. These must be within 4 seconds of each other to fill the meter. Once this has been filled‚ you will have 5 seconds to switch to the weapon‚ or weapons‚ wit...

An international coalition of diplomats‚ researchers‚ and thinkers gathered Tuesday in Washington‚ D.C.‚ to address the “infusion of gender ideology” into domestic and foreign policy and international affairs. Attendees traveled from Hungary‚ Mexico‚ Spain‚ Poland‚ Italy‚ Brazil‚ and Canada to discuss their concerns about radical gender ideology in their own countries‚ including the promotion of ideas antagonistic to traditional marriage‚ family‚ and sex‚ as well as the dangers that that ideology poses to women‚ children‚ and young adults. Participants represented Italy’s Machiavelli Center for Political and Strategic Studies; Poland’s Ordo Iuris Institute for Legal Culture; a Hungarian news outlet‚ Mandiner; a Canadian group‚ Women’s Rights Matter; as well as Alliance Defending Freedom and Alliance Defending Freedom International. Following a public event hosted by The Heritage Foundation on “The Dangers of Gender Ideology at Home and Abroad‚” members of the coalition gathered for a private meeting. (The Daily Signal is the news outlet of The Heritage Foundation.) That meeting was led by Heritage’s senior counselor to its president‚ Jim Carafano; Jay Richards‚ director of its DeVos Center for Life‚ Religion‚ and Family; and Magor Ernyei‚ director of international relations at the Hungarian Center for Fundamental Rights‚ the organization that hosted CPAC Hungary. The international attendees discussed a draft statement of principles on gender ideology that was obtained by The Daily Signal. It warns that gender ideology “has emerged as a deeply divisive issue around the world” that “contradicts scientific knowledge and is an affront to the anthropological and moral truths that are foundational to every civilization.” “It has disrupted families and nations‚ violated the natural bonds between parents and their children‚ and extended its influence into the academy‚ private spaces‚ sports‚ medicine‚ courts‚ and everyday language‚” the draft states. “Our commitment to the value and sanctity of both the family and individual liberties requires us to resist gender ideology … .” The draft focuses on the protection of freedom of belief and expression‚ the importance of maintaining the legal distinction between “sex” and “gender identity‚” opposition to the creation of new “rights” that are awarded on the basis of membership in particular groups (such as gender ideology)‚ ethical medical practices‚ parental consent and confidentiality‚ and the protection of minors. Coalition-Confronting-Gender-Ideology-Principles-1Download “We stand united in our commitment to reject gender ideology and related radical sexual ideologies that seek to redefine perennial moral principles and to blur well-understood biological realities‚” the statement concludes. “This must continue to form the foundation of any stable defense of the rights and responsibilities of individuals‚ families‚ and nations.” Austin Ruse‚ president of the Center for Family and Human Rights‚ warned those gathered around the table about the phrase “gender-based persecution” included in draft articles of a new treaty on crimes against humanity—which could endanger religious or tradition-minded individuals who seek to communicate openly about the human person‚ man‚ woman‚ marriage‚ family‚ and more. A number of members of the international group stressed the importance of working with individuals‚ groups‚ or countries with whom members of the coalition might not be perfectly politically aligned‚ such as religious leaders‚ given that the dangers of gender ideology are so far reaching and interwoven with almost every issue. “We don’t care about your politics‚” Carafano stressed. “This is about this issue.” For its next steps‚ the coalition plans to refine its statement of principles‚ including a definition of gender ideology‚ and an emphasis on the nonpartisan nature of the effort. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post International Coalition Assembles to Battle Gender Ideology appeared first on The Daily Signal.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Despite the serious controversies arising from Big Tech/government “coordination” (lawsuits in the US say‚ it’s actually “collusion”)‚ this concept seems to be taken as normal behavior in the UK. Currently‚ Home Secretary James Cleverly (whose department is in charge of the police) is in Silicon Valley for talks with representatives of Google‚ Meta‚ and Apple. And in New York City‚ he will be meeting those from X. Reports are saying that the purpose of Cleverly’s US trip is to “discuss how the UK government and tech players can work together to tackle a number of challenges facing democracies in the digital age.” The rush to normalize such behavior has to do with the UK’s general election later in 2024. This does give credence to those who believe Big Tech’s de facto status in the world can be described as being that of a semi-governmental player‚ that various governments talk to and collaborate with – as they would with each other. What those governments are asking from Big Tech is to control messages and narratives via censorship and bans. The way they present it is as something quite opposite – “safeguarding” societies from things like misinformation‚ etc.‚ and‚ “malign influence.” But one could say that there’s plenty of reasons to describe policies like the UN’s Global Digital Impact as a malign influence on any society‚ specifically on any democracy. But it’s not beyond the realm of probability that Cleverly could be discussing this scheme‚ too. After all‚ the UK has been very active in working with the UN on this‚ and the “newspeak” definition of Global Digital Impact is‚ ensuring digital technologies “are used responsibly for the public’s benefit.” But few things scream‚ “public benefit” less than what the initiative in reality aims to achieve: summed up‚ it’s introduction of digital ID‚ linked to user bank accounts. Both for democracy and free speech advocates‚ and repressively-acting governments‚ the 2022 trucker protest in Canada was an excellent showcase of how legitimate dissent can be stifled by cutting people off from their money. And digital ID and all its tentacles would make that process more efficient and “streamlined‚” critics fear. Back to UK’s mission to get Big Tech (even more) on side around election environment control‚ Under-Secretary of State for Tech and the Digital Economy Saqib Bhatti had this to say: “I’m confident we can come up with a mechanism to help mitigate the risk of misinformation in elections. I think everyone will have a role to play in that.” The post UK Collaborates With UN for Big Tech Inclusion in Project Linking Digital ID To Bank Accounts appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

BBC Chastises Presenter for Saying Trans-Women Are Male

Jill Biden Launches Women for Biden-Harris Initiative in an Important Swing State

Have you ever wondered why that rich red-looking steak you bought a day or two ago has now turned grey in your fridge? For those who eat meat‚ you may think the color of the product is a surefire way of assessing its freshness and its quality – the redder the better‚ right? Well‚ color is not always a trustworthy indicator‚ as supermarkets have tricks to superficially enhance its color. So is grey streak automatically bad for you?Where does the red in “red meat” come from? Red meat‚ sometimes known as “dark meat”‚ gets its color from myoglobin‚ a protein that binds to oxygen in muscle cells.On its own‚ myoglobin has a purplish-brown color‚ so freshly butchered meat can look a duller color. But when myoglobin is exposed to oxygen‚ it forms the compound oxymyoglobin which is lighter and turns the meat into the richer‚ redder color we would associate with a healthy product – though that is simply an “association”.So contrary to what you may believe‚ when you order a rare steak to the table‚ the red fluid on your plate is not blood but water and myoglobin.Over time‚ the presence of oxygen eventually turns the meat to a greyish-brown color. This is due to the continued oxidation of the myoglobin‚ which becomes metmyoglobin. The New South Wales Food Authority explains that a larger surface area means minced meat is more likely to turn gray than whole cuts. Despite what you may think‚ this alone does not mean the meat is inedible or spoilt (though you should still be cautious).If your refrigerated steak has just turned grey‚ this may be a result of oxygen in the fridge‚ rather than a sign of it starting to rot. However‚ as this process usually takes a few days to occur‚ it is still worth checking the meat before you cook it (especially if it smells and/or is slimy)‚ as the USDA states that it may be a sign of meat starting to spoil if all of it is gray or brown.When you buy steak from a store‚ you may find it is purplish and darker while in the wrappings. This is because the meat needs oxygen to turn red and the vacuum-sealed package prevents this oxidation from occurring.This may make you wonder why some store-bought meat is still richly red even though it is sealed in plastic. This is usually because supermarkets often use specially designed plastic that is slightly porous. Although the holes in the plastic are too small to let fluids escape‚ they nevertheless allow air to get in and out.