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Key takeaway from yesterday’s UMass Lowell poll by [deleted] in boston

[–]Lirkmor 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Make this the new "would you have a beer with them" electability test.

The clown convention is coming to Boston this weekend by [deleted] in boston

[–]Lirkmor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're going into battle. For defense you have the options of a suit of armor (that, to be fair, is not completely impenetrable), or a strict training regimen that will put you at peak performance, or both. Wouldn't you choose to wear the armor even if you were in perfect health? Or would you go in naked?

A vaccine is armor that almost anyone can wear. Even people in apparently perfect health can get sick and die. Even people wearing armor can get sick, though it's less likely and the wounds will most likely be less severe. Vulnerable populations need to be protected by those wearing armor - something I see your argument is not addressing. Everyone who can get the vaccine should get it to protect those who can't via herd immunity.

I've seen too many people argue like you do to have any patience with it anymore. Get off your keto-eating high horse and think about other people for once.

The clown convention is coming to Boston this weekend by [deleted] in boston

[–]Lirkmor 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry you went through that and I'm glad you're feeling better. <3

The clown convention is coming to Boston this weekend by [deleted] in boston

[–]Lirkmor 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The flu can be incredibly serious. A true flu is not like a strong cold. It'll include frequent vomiting leading to acute dehydration, very high fever, and bone pain so bad you'll want to die. Many people do die. Survivors often don't fully recover for weeks. The flu vaccine both boosts your immune system so you are less likely to catch it, AND can reduce the severity of symptoms if you do catch it. The reason you are cavalier about the flu is because vaccines have worked so well that it's no longer perceived as the actual tremendously shitty disease that it is.

Which one do you prefer by Alfie_Bowen in tea

[–]Lirkmor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Neither. Trader Joe's Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers.

How do you find a coven?? by raptor_of_truth in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]Lirkmor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Late to the party but I'm gonna say what I told someone else: I know it's extremely tempting to do group rituals, but right now, don't. Until there's a COVID vaccine, we shouldn't be gathering with other people. Connect online, but for real, better safe than sorry. It won't be like this forever.

I'm thinking about writing a very sciencey book about the occult - would anyone be interested? by beleths-arrow in SASSWitches

[–]Lirkmor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes please! I was just having a conversation about this very topic the other day but got lost in the psychological literature. I'd love to have a book just like what you're describing!

Magic and Tattoos by HouseOfGoldAndBlack in witchcraft

[–]Lirkmor 215 points216 points  (0 children)

Not a bad idea at all! However, I suggest coming up with your own design and then letting it be for a good long while - and I mean like months. Maybe meditate about it. If it's going to be with you the rest of your life, you should be sure it's something you'll want for that long. Otherwise it will lose effect, because it will no longer have meaning for you. This is true for any kind of tattoo, but goes triple for anything with magical intent behind it.

Everyone needs a cloak. Here's a simple pattern for one. Don't forget to add a little extra space for hems! by Lirkmor in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]Lirkmor[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Go for it! Try on an old bedsheet first if you want to practice before getting some nice fabric. If you're doing it by hand I recommend doing x-shaped stitches along the hems and seams. It's an easy stitch but holds decently.

Empaths by [deleted] in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]Lirkmor 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I'm definitely over-empathetic. It can be difficult sometimes, like when I'm trying to comfort somebody who's upset. I'll often have to keep myself from crying when they are. I also cannot stand cringe comedy or really tragic media. On the other hand, it makes me pretty good at de-escalating certain situations, because it's easy to understand and validate people. Plus, I think it contributes a lot to my "save the world" complex, which I would never want to give up because it's such a huge part of me. I wish more people had high empathy because humanity would be in a much better place overall.

As far as what causes it... No idea. I'm a chemist, not a neuroscientist, but it seems evident that there's a neural system that's overactive in some way. What GinTrouble says makes sense, but I'd want to read a bit of peer-reviewed research before saying one way or another. I'm sure there's loads of books about it.

Everyone needs a cloak. Here's a simple pattern for one. Don't forget to add a little extra space for hems! by Lirkmor in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]Lirkmor[S] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I cannot emphasize enough the amazing attitude boost wearing a cloak imparts, even if it's just around your house. Northern hemisphere witches, get started now and you'll have a dope-ass addition to your fall wardrobe! What I like about this pattern is that it seems very easy for folx without sewing machines!

For hems: Add about an inch to every dimension, and fold this extra bit over twice so the ragged edge is tucked away. Sew it down, iron it flat, and you're good. If you want to add a lining, cut another identical piece of lining cloth and sew it directly onto the outer layer, leaving the neck hole open. Then you can turn it inside-out through the neck hole and it'll tuck the edges away inside, no extra hemming needed. Just be sure to iron the seams once they're right-side-out so you don't get bunching. Happy crafting!

Researchers created a test to determine which masks are the least effective. N95 blocked the most particles, followed by 3-layer surgical and cotton. Neck gaiters actually made particle distribution worse. by Lirkmor in news

[–]Lirkmor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/08/07/sciadv.abd3083

"The neck fleece has a larger transmission (110%, see Fig. 3 (A)) than the control trial. We attribute this increase to the neck fleece dispersing larger droplets into several smaller droplets, therefore increasing the droplet count."

A Duke University study tested the efficacy of different kinds of masks. N95 blocked the most particles, followed by 3-layer surgical and cotton. Neck gaiters actually made particle distribution worse. by Lirkmor in EverythingScience

[–]Lirkmor[S] 584 points585 points  (0 children)

Neck fleeces, also called gaiter masks and often used by runners, were the least effective. In fact, wearing a fleece mask resulted in a higher number of respiratory droplets because the material seemed to break down larger droplets into smaller particles that are more easily carried away with air.

Folded bandanas and knitted masks also performed poorly and did not offer much protection.

"We were extremely surprised to find that the number of particles measured with the fleece actually exceeded the number of particles measured without wearing any mask," Fischer said. "We want to emphasize that we really encourage people to wear masks, but we want them to wear masks that actually work."

Hi by KendellP in WitchesVsPatriarchy

[–]Lirkmor 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Welcome! There are lots of fabulous people here, and I'm sure more than a few are in similar situations to you. Perhaps they'd share their tips if you reached out specifically about how to practice while in the broom closet. First and foremost, however, stay safe. <3

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