Worldbuilding
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithWhy Fantasy NEEDS More Fantasy Jobs on YouTube
Fantasy worlds are filled with magic, monsters, ancient ruins, cursed artifacts, and god-level threats but when you look closely, the same few roles always seem to keep everything running. Warriors, mages, priests, nobles, and merchants handle almost everything… somehow.
That's because many people prefer stories with big, flashy plots. However, some other people like smaller, everyday stories -- the whole "cozy" angle is all about that, not about blowing shit up. Now I love a good explosion as much as the next guy, but that's not all I enjoy. Variety is good.
( Read more... )
Fantasy worlds are filled with magic, monsters, ancient ruins, cursed artifacts, and god-level threats but when you look closely, the same few roles always seem to keep everything running. Warriors, mages, priests, nobles, and merchants handle almost everything… somehow.
That's because many people prefer stories with big, flashy plots. However, some other people like smaller, everyday stories -- the whole "cozy" angle is all about that, not about blowing shit up. Now I love a good explosion as much as the next guy, but that's not all I enjoy. Variety is good.
( Read more... )
Science
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:16 pmysabetwordsmithThe magnetic secret inside steel finally explained
For years, scientists noticed that magnetic fields could improve steel, but no one knew exactly why. New simulations reveal that magnetism changes how iron atoms behave, making it harder for carbon atoms to slip through the metal. This slows diffusion at the atomic level and alters steel’s internal structure. The insight could lead to more efficient, lower-energy ways to make stronger steel.
And there's a hint about one way that secret but mundane smithcraft, as well as magical or superpowered manipulation of materials and forces, can create objects that work better.
For years, scientists noticed that magnetic fields could improve steel, but no one knew exactly why. New simulations reveal that magnetism changes how iron atoms behave, making it harder for carbon atoms to slip through the metal. This slows diffusion at the atomic level and alters steel’s internal structure. The insight could lead to more efficient, lower-energy ways to make stronger steel.
And there's a hint about one way that secret but mundane smithcraft, as well as magical or superpowered manipulation of materials and forces, can create objects that work better.
(no subject)
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:35 pmmajuIt snowed some more overnight and we ended up with about 19 inches/48 cm of snow. My son in law and Violet both spent quite a lot of time outside shoveling the drive and clearing off the two family cars, both of which were sensibly parked right up near the road. My car, which is way at the back of the drive, is still deeply under snow and has many yards of deep snow between it and the nearest of the other two cars. (The drive is very long.)
I've been badly neglecting my car; I haven't driven it for about three weeks, and now I'm regretting that because it doesn't look as if I'll be able to get it out of the driveway for at least another week. I rarely need a car but it doesn't make sense to get rid of it because when I do need to go somewhere I need it; almost nothing is within walking distance here as it was back in MD, and there is no useful public transport as there also was in Maryland.
I had another bad sleep night last night; I was woken up by some acid reflux less than an hour after I went to sleep, and then couldn't get back to sleep again for another couple of hours or more. My son in law brought home some gluten free bread from Wholefoods for me before the weekend, when we were a bit worried about a bread shortage. It's different from the gluten free bread the rest of the family eats and which they can't eat because it contains eggs, and I'm afraid it's the cause of my acid reflux, because it only came on after I had my first piece of the new bread yesterday and nothing else in my diet is any different than usual.
Yesterday while I was working on a granny square for my next blanket project, Eden asked me if I could crochet a scarf for a doll. I said yes, I could, and she asked me to start making one immediately, and then kept asking me if it was almost finished yet. So today I've been crocheting my fingers to the bone finishing the doll's scarf. All the girls really like it, and I'm very happy they are so happy with it. It's made with a beautifully soft acrylic in a pretty off-white colour which they chose from the small selection of random balls of yarn in my stash. I was planning to use the same yarn for some of the squares in my blanket, but it turns out squares made from it are slightly smaller than squares made with my other two colours, so I'm thinking of using it to make a whole off-white blanket after I finish the coloured one since I've got several balls of it on hand. (It doesn't take long to acquire a stash even when you start from almost nothing.)
I've been badly neglecting my car; I haven't driven it for about three weeks, and now I'm regretting that because it doesn't look as if I'll be able to get it out of the driveway for at least another week. I rarely need a car but it doesn't make sense to get rid of it because when I do need to go somewhere I need it; almost nothing is within walking distance here as it was back in MD, and there is no useful public transport as there also was in Maryland.
I had another bad sleep night last night; I was woken up by some acid reflux less than an hour after I went to sleep, and then couldn't get back to sleep again for another couple of hours or more. My son in law brought home some gluten free bread from Wholefoods for me before the weekend, when we were a bit worried about a bread shortage. It's different from the gluten free bread the rest of the family eats and which they can't eat because it contains eggs, and I'm afraid it's the cause of my acid reflux, because it only came on after I had my first piece of the new bread yesterday and nothing else in my diet is any different than usual.
Yesterday while I was working on a granny square for my next blanket project, Eden asked me if I could crochet a scarf for a doll. I said yes, I could, and she asked me to start making one immediately, and then kept asking me if it was almost finished yet. So today I've been crocheting my fingers to the bone finishing the doll's scarf. All the girls really like it, and I'm very happy they are so happy with it. It's made with a beautifully soft acrylic in a pretty off-white colour which they chose from the small selection of random balls of yarn in my stash. I was planning to use the same yarn for some of the squares in my blanket, but it turns out squares made from it are slightly smaller than squares made with my other two colours, so I'm thinking of using it to make a whole off-white blanket after I finish the coloured one since I've got several balls of it on hand. (It doesn't take long to acquire a stash even when you start from almost nothing.)
Animal Intelligence
Jan. 26th, 2026 02:02 pmysabetwordsmithThis video shows a cow performing versatile tool use to scratch herself with a broom. Note that cows are already enthusiastic tool users of equipment provided by humans, such as pressure-activated brushes and voluntary milking systems.
An interesting point that nobody has mentioned: cows have prehensile tongues. A prehensile appendage is any body part flexible and strong enough to grab or manipulate objects. Watch Veronica pick up the broom. She doesn't use her teeth or even her lips. She uses her tongue. Prehensility is actually a strong indicator of intelligence, because it allows a creature to lift, move, or use things much more effectively. Any time you see that feature, you should check for intelligence, because it is probably higher than average.
Want to play at home? If you have a cow, or know someone who does, then get a small broom like the one in the video. Use it a few times to groom the cow so she learns how useful it is. Then place it within her reach to see if she tries using it to scratch herself. This is probably more effective with just one or two cows, rather than a herd where they tend to groom each other's hard-to-reach spots. You can also watch cows that you see in other places.
An interesting point that nobody has mentioned: cows have prehensile tongues. A prehensile appendage is any body part flexible and strong enough to grab or manipulate objects. Watch Veronica pick up the broom. She doesn't use her teeth or even her lips. She uses her tongue. Prehensility is actually a strong indicator of intelligence, because it allows a creature to lift, move, or use things much more effectively. Any time you see that feature, you should check for intelligence, because it is probably higher than average.
Want to play at home? If you have a cow, or know someone who does, then get a small broom like the one in the video. Use it a few times to groom the cow so she learns how useful it is. Then place it within her reach to see if she tries using it to scratch herself. This is probably more effective with just one or two cows, rather than a herd where they tend to groom each other's hard-to-reach spots. You can also watch cows that you see in other places.
Birdfeeding
Jan. 26th, 2026 01:36 pmysabetwordsmithToday is sunny and frigid. Everything is still covered in snow.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/26/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen at least one female and four male cardinals.
EDIT 1/26/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a pair of cardinals, a starling, and a mourning dove.
EDIT 1/26/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
I fed the birds. I've seen a flock of sparrows.
I put out water for the birds.
EDIT 1/26/26 -- I did a bit of work around the patio.
I've seen at least one female and four male cardinals.
EDIT 1/26/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I've seen a pair of cardinals, a starling, and a mourning dove.
EDIT 1/26/26 -- I did more work around the patio.
I am done for the night.
Bundle of Holding: Shadowdark Compatible
Jan. 26th, 2026 02:30 pmjames_davis_nicoll
Third-party tabletop fantasy roleplaying sourcebooks and adventures for The Arcane Library's old-school FRPG, Shadowdark.
Bundle of Holding: Shadowdark Compatible
Abolish ICE
Jan. 26th, 2026 12:32 pmmarthawellsSo yeah, kind of hard to concentrate on work while being consumed by rage. I've been to conventions in the Minneapolis area and I have a lot of friends up there, and one of my goddaughters and her husband live there.
For instance, this is Greg Ketter, from DreamHaven Books, where I've done signings, at the protest and running into tear gas:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XHDR1PnqPeg
I've been doing mutual aid and sending donations where I can (https://www.standwithminnesota.com/) which is helping my sanity somewhat.
Other stuff I should link to:
Interview with me on Space.com https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-books/martha-wells-next-murderbot-diaries-book-is-the-family-roadtrip-from-hell-on-ringworld-interview
Weather permitting, I'll be guest of honor this coming weekend at AggieCon in College Station: https://www.aggiecon.net/
That's all I've got right now. Abolish ICE.
For instance, this is Greg Ketter, from DreamHaven Books, where I've done signings, at the protest and running into tear gas:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XHDR1PnqPeg
I've been doing mutual aid and sending donations where I can (https://www.standwithminnesota.com/) which is helping my sanity somewhat.
Other stuff I should link to:
Interview with me on Space.com https://www.space.com/entertainment/space-books/martha-wells-next-murderbot-diaries-book-is-the-family-roadtrip-from-hell-on-ringworld-interview
Weather permitting, I'll be guest of honor this coming weekend at AggieCon in College Station: https://www.aggiecon.net/
That's all I've got right now. Abolish ICE.
Snowflake 2026 - Challenge #13
Jan. 26th, 2026 03:24 pmsmallhobbit
TALK ABOUT A COMMUNITY SPACE YOU LIKE. It doesn’t need to be your favourite, or the one where you spend the most time (although it certainly can be). Maybe it’s even one that you’ve barely visited. But talk about that space and how it helps support fannish community.
These are the communities I regularly participate in and completely enjoy:
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fan_flashworks which provides a new challenge prompt three times a month, multi-fandom and multimedia. I've taken part for the last 11.5 years - some prompts really are a challenge, but great for being creative outside the standard boxes.ushobwri is a great community, encouraging the reluctant writer and cheering the productive one. Run by brumeier I would recommend checking over on their response for further details.allbingo is a monthly bingo community, but very easy going and so ideal for me, as I generally go with a 2x2 card and write a chaptered fic. ysabetwordsmith has written about it in their responseMy other major enjoyment (I also take part in various drabble communities) is
no_true_pair which runs twice a year, once in March when there are 4 characters and once in September with 8 characters. To take part, you sign up with either 4 or 8 numbered characters, can be from the same fandom or different ones, and it includes original characters, and then prompts are issued for each date, so that every character meets every other one.