#learning stuff

😃 Software has improved so much since that time I tried digital ten years ago

😖 It’s been ten years

😃 All the options…

😖 …are driving me nuts

😃 Pen which doesn’t get used up all the time and can adjust for slight shakiness

😖 Pen which I can not choose the shape or length of, nor can I hold it anyway I like

😃 Drawing in layers

😖 Trying to remember to name said layers properly

😃 I find new, useful functions all the time…

😖 …but after 45 minutes of trying one out, I find another tool that does the same thing but better and quicker

😃 I love learning new things

This is not a light read.

Among some points-

Homosexuality as an identity predates heterosexuality as an identity. Because heterosexual behavior was the "norm" and thus was neither examined nor actively thought of as a preference or point of identity.

Bisexuality couldn't exist as an identity until the polar duality of gay/lesbian- straight identity was established.

Without a deliberate attempt to codify and define sex acts as representative of self-identity there are no categories or labels. The act of sex can be socially transgressive but not defining until a society insists it must be.

And that's only the introduction and first three chapters. I am being forced to actively think.

You know what I spontaneously learned tonight?

The eyes of twilight zone ostracods are "parabolic mirrors", & I don't actually know what that means, but what I do understand is that the consequence of that structure is that they might perceive more light than any other animal. Sick.

This was an idea I came up with while doing Kanji copy work, and the character '悪' (warui) in the Kanji dictionary I've been using just comes with a whole lot of example words, all of which are negative. Which was when I was like, "I can so imagine Atsushi quoting this at Akutagawa" Also one of the pronunciations is 'Aku' which while a different Kanji from the one used in the name 'Akutagawa Ryuunosuke', is still kind of funny. Hence 'malice' being pronounced as 'aku-i' and 'evil deed' as 'aku-ji'

Didn't really know how to draw Rashoumon, but I ended up going with dragon heads. Cause I feel like I've heard it described similar to dragons somewhere, and it was fun.

Also, kinda random but-

Writing Atsushi and Akutagawa shouting at each other is hilarious.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

DISCLAIMERS:

I am not a professional; this is just what worked for me and may not work for everyone.

I suppose these could work as study tips, but they are not intended to be study tips.

TIP 1: SOCIAL MEDIA (UNDER CONDITIONS)

This is especially helpful for those who have short attention spans (which is most people in this day and age). You've probably come across a few informative short-form videos when scrolling-- Good. Follow that. Your algorithm is catered towards you, so most likely, you will come across more content related to your interests. Follow the informative content creators. Interact with those posts, especially if you find them interesting or if you think it will be helpful to you.

However, many social media posts share false information. This is why it's especially important to do your research. If you don't want to research it now, find a way to bookmark, save, or message yourself to remind yourself to fact-check the information. If not for yourself, at least to prevent embarrassing yourself or tainting your reputation by unknowingly sharing false information.

TIP 2: ASK A FRIEND WHO KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THE SUBJECT

Have you ever watched/listened/read something, but despite your hearing being completely intact, all you heard were sounds and not words? I don't know about you, but I did. But this rarely happens when I'm talking to a friend-- Which is why I recommend this. You're not only less afraid to ask questions, but you can treat it as more of a conversation, making it less boring to you.

This is also especially helpful for those who can't bother to research, since you don't actually have to do the searches yourself.

Of course, not everyone has friends who are interested in the topics you want to learn. However, in case you do, you should you should look out for either a patient, smart friend who knows about your topic of choice, or a friend who is very interested in the topic and would love to talk about it.

TIP 3: PLAY A PODCAST (OR A MOSTLY TEXT-BASED VIDEO) IN THE BACKGROUND

This. If I could only use one of these tips, it would be this one. This is the most convenient. You're drawing/painting? Put a podcast on. You're walking? Put a podcast on. You get the idea. There are so many podcasts out there with such a huge range of subjects-- from art history to languages to true crime, there's sure to be something for everyone.

MY PERSONAL FAVORITE YOUTUBE CHANNELS TO LEARN STUFF (NOT NECESSARILY FOR BACKGROUND):

YouTube Channels: Kurzgesagt, TED ED, CrashCourse, WIRED (Especially Tech Support), perfumerism

Of course, I also watch other videos from other channels.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Amazing what can happen when lines that are supposed to be straight are actually straight. Almost enough to overcome the summer ick that has me feeling like I'm never going to amount to anything.

It's too dang hot. No I'm not gonna erase the bit on the light switch that's technically not supposed to be showing. Whatever. I know what needs to happen.