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Posted by Jess Barnes

Starting next week, Roku will be giving daily clues that will give Roku users the opportunity to win prizes every day. A five day scavenger hunt begins December 15, with clues each day that will bring you to a Roku destination where you’ll find a QR code giving you a chance to win. Here’s how […]

The post Roku Will Launch Roku’s Winning Wonderland Five Days of Prizes Next Week appeared first on Cord Cutters News.

[syndicated profile] arstechnica_feed

Posted by Stephen Clark

Near the end of the film A House of Dynamite, a fictional American president portrayed by Idris Elba sums up the theory of nuclear deterrence.

“Just being ready is the point, right?” Elba says. “It keeps people in check. Keeps the world straight. If they see how prepared we are, no one starts a nuclear war.”

There’s a lot that goes wrong in the film, namely the collapse of deterrence itself. For more than 60 years, the US military has used its vast arsenal of nuclear weapons, constantly deployed on Navy submarines, at Air Force bomber bases, and in Minuteman missile fields, as a way of saying don’t mess with us. In the event of a first strike against the United States, an adversary would be assured of an overwhelming nuclear response, giving rise to the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction.

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[syndicated profile] arstechnica_feed

Posted by Ryan Whitwam

Nearly a decade after Pebble’s nascent smartwatch empire crumbled, the brand is staging a comeback with new wearables. The Pebble Core Duo 2 and Core Time 2 are a natural evolution of the company’s low-power smartwatch designs, but its next wearable is something different. The Index 01 is a ring, but you probably shouldn’t call it a smart ring. The Index does just one thing—capture voice notes—but the firm says it does that one thing extremely well.

Most of today’s smart rings offer users the ability to track health stats, along with various minor smartphone integrations. With all the sensors and data collection, these devices can cost as much as a smartwatch and require frequent charging. The Index 01 doesn’t do any of that. It contains a Bluetooth radio, a microphone, a hearing aid battery, and a physical button. You press the button, record your note, and that’s it. The company says the Index 01 will run for years on a charge and will cost just $75 during the preorder period. After that, it will go up to $99.

Core Devices, the new home of Pebble, says the Index is designed to be worn on your index finger (get it?), where you can easily mash the device’s button with your thumb. Unlike recording notes with a phone or smartwatch, you don’t need both hands to create voice notes with the Index.

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[syndicated profile] tordotcom_feed

Posted by Stefan Raets

Books The Wheel of Time

Reading The Wheel of Time: Egwene Makes a Stand in The Gathering Storm (Part 11) 

Egwene breaks her silence around Elaida in dramatic fashion…

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Published on December 9, 2025

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<p class="syndicationauthor">Posted by Stefan Raets</p><p class="ljsyndicationlink"><a href="https://reactormag.com/reading-the-wheel-of-time-egwene-makes-a-stand-in-the-gathering-storm-part-11/">https://reactormag.com/reading-the-wheel-of-time-egwene-makes-a-stand-in-the-gathering-storm-part-11/</a></p><p class="ljsyndicationlink"><a href="https://reactormag.com/?p=833367">https://reactormag.com/?p=833367</a></p><post-hero class="wp-block-post-hero js-post-hero post-hero post-hero-horizontal"> <div class="container container-desktop"> <div class="flex flex-col mx-auto post-hero-container"> <div class="post-hero-content"> <div class="post-hero-tags font-aktiv text-xs tracking-[0.5px] font-medium uppercase"> <span class="mr-3"> <i class="inline-block w-2 h-2 rounded-full mr-[5px] bg-blue"></i> <a href="https://reactormag.com/articles/books/" class="inline-block link-no-animation" aria-label="Link to term or tag Books 0"> Books </a> </span> <span class="mr-3"> <i class="inline-block w-2 h-2 rounded-full mr-[5px] bg-blue"></i> <a href="https://reactormag.com/tag/the-wheel-of-time/" class="inline-block link-no-animation" aria-label="Link to term or tag The Wheel of Time 1"> The Wheel of Time </a> </span> </div> <h2 class="post-hero-title text-h1">Reading The Wheel of Time: Egwene Makes a Stand in <i>The Gathering Storm</i> (Part 11) </h2> <div class="prose post-hero-description prose--post-hero">Egwene breaks her silence around Elaida in dramatic fashion…</div> <div class="post-hero-wrapper"> <div class="post-hero-inner"> <p class="post-hero-author text-xs font-aktiv uppercase font-medium [&amp;_a]:link-hover">By <a href="https://reactormag.com/author/kjbarrett/" title="Posts by Sylas K Barrett" class="author url fn" rel="author">Sylas K Barrett</a></p> <span class="post-hero-symbol relative top-[-2px] hidden tablet:block">|</span> <p class="text-xs uppercase post-hero-publish font-aktiv"> Published on December 9, 2025 </p> </div> </div> <div class="quick-access 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15.1976 7.89971 13.31 6.34171 11.7513C4.78371 10.1926 2.89605 9.41364 0.678713 9.41431V6.41431C2.21205 6.41431 3.64538 6.70197 4.97871 7.27731C6.31205 7.85264 7.47471 8.63597 8.46671 9.62731C9.45805 10.6186 10.2414 11.781 10.8167 13.1143C11.392 14.4476 11.6794 15.881 11.6787 17.4143H8.67871Z" fill="currentColor" fill-opacity="0.2" /> </g> <defs> <clippath id="clip0_1051_121783"> <rect width="17" height="17" fill="white" transform="translate(0.678711 0.414307)" /> </clippath> </defs> </svg> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </details> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-hero-media "> <figure class="w-full h-auto post-hero-image"> <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="740" height="407" src="https://reactormag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ReadingWOT_TGSbook12-740x407.png" class="w-full object-cover" alt="Reading The Wheel of Time on Tor.com: The Gathering Storm" srcset="https://reactormag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ReadingWOT_TGSbook12-740x407.png 740w, https://reactormag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ReadingWOT_TGSbook12-768x422.png 768w, https://reactormag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ReadingWOT_TGSbook12.png 951w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </post-hero> <div class="wp-block-more-from-category"> <div> </div> </div> <p>This week in Reading The Wheel of Time, we are finishing up Aviendha’s little portion of chapter 15 and then moving on to chapter 16, in which Egwene’s fight against Elaida finally comes to a very dramatic peak. It’s a very exciting chapter, and very well written, and I’m excited to get into it.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" /> <p>Aviendha is carrying out her newest pointless punishment when she is startled by the approach of Amys. Amys comments on Aviendha’s dedication to her work, and Aviendha can’t figure out why Amys would shame her so. She replies that she only does as duty demands, and Amys answers that she does… and she also does not.</p> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left"><blockquote><p>&#8220;Sometimes, Aviendha, we are so concerned with the things we have done that we do not stop to consider the things we have not.”</p></blockquote></figure> <p>Aviendha has no idea what the proper response to this comment is, but she is saved from responding when she notices a light by the Traveling grounds. They move closer, and find that Flinn and Bashere have returned from their meeting with the Seanchan. A maiden, Corana, informs them that the Seanchan have agreed to another meeting with the <em>Car’a’carn</em>, but Corana doesn’t think he should sue for peace with such people. Amys and Aviendha are horrified to learn that the Seanchan have collared a number of Shaido Wise Ones, who were put on display when Rand’s delegation arrived.</p> <p>Amys asks for Aviendha’s assessment, and Aviendha admits that, however it pains her, the Last Battle must be faced first before anything else, even this grave insult, can be addressed. After Corana has left, Amys and Aviendha discuss the disturbance this news will cause among the rest of the Aiel, and how many will call for Rand to give up his attempts to make peace with the Seanchan. Amys declares that it is time to stop coddling Aviendha.</p> <p>In the White Tower, Egwene has been called to attend the white sisters Ferane (a Sitter), Miyasi, and Tesan. After an hour of shelling walnuts, she is finally asked how she would deal with the Dragon Reborn. Ferane tries to make it sound like she is giving Egwene a lesson in logic, but Egwene realizes that this is a test; Ferane has heard of Egwene criticisms of Elaida and is trying to feel her out.</p> <p>Egwene answers carefully, first explaining how she would handle it in a purely theoretical sense, and then, when called to, how she would handle it as herself, with the knowledge that she has of growing up with Rand. She points out that Rand should have been worked with, guided and supported, not pressured and fought and attacked, and that all of the “terrorizing” he has done fits with what prophecy says he will and must do. She compares Rand to a river, “calm and placid when not agitated, but a furious and deadly current when squeezed too tightly.”</p> <p>She outlines how she would approach Rand, the delegation she would send, and which Ajahs would send the right signals to him. She also points out that the Reds’ experience is in “dealing with” men who can channel, “which is different than ‘working with.’” She reminds the Aes Sedai of their history as master guiders and manipulators, subtle and clever, and asks why now, of all times, they abandoned that way for beating kings and locking them in boxes.</p> <p>She also points out that they cannot deal with Rand until they fix the White Tower, and lays out everything she has thought about the situation, both the split between rebels and Elaida’s followers and the decay inside the Tower that has happened since. She talks about the way the Ajahs have allowed themselves to be torn apart and lays out the conversations that she has had with members of other Ajahs, some of whom have been reasonable while others have been stubborn, and encourages the three Whites to make overtures to members of other Ajahs.</p> <p>By the time she has finished talking, the three all seem to be listening and taking her advice seriously, and she is even praised for her logic. Ferane remarks that Egwene would make an excellent White, a compliment Egwene accepts while also reminding her that the Amyrlin has no Ajah.</p> <p>As she leaves, she inclines her head to Ferane, and receives the same gesture in return. Egwene is elated, right up until Katerine comes to collect her and informs Egwene that she will have no more lessons. Elaida has decided that Egwene’s refusal to curtsy to sisters is the last mark of her defiance, and that Egwene will be given no more lessons, only work, until she lets go of her pride. Egwene is dismayed, not at the work but at the fact that not having lessons cuts her off from being able to do any work with the Aes Sedai.</p> <p>Set to clean out one of the fireplaces by Laras, Egwene considers giving in and starting to curtsy, in order to regain her access to the rest of the sisters, but she realizes that giving in won’t solve her problems. It will only show Elaida that an all-work detail is an effective way to get Egwene to submit.</p> <p>After hours of working, Egwene is surprised when Laras, quietly and secretly, shows her a hidden room in the kitchen floor, offering to hide Egwene there and smuggle her out of the city. She tells Egwene that she finds the beatings she is undergoing shameful. Laras has served loyally for many years but won’t be party to breaking someone’s spirit.</p> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left"><blockquote><p>&#8220;Well, I can see when a girl has moved away from being instructed and into being beaten down. I won’t have it, not in my kitchens. Light burn Elaida for thinking she could do such a thing! Execute you or make you a novice, I don’t care. But this breaking is unacceptable!”</p></blockquote></figure> <p>Egwene is tempted for a moment to return to her allies having rescued herself, especially now that she doesn’t know if she’ll have any more success in the Tower. But she can’t sit outside and watch the Tower fall, so she refuses.</p> <p>They are almost caught by Katerine, but Egwene’s quick thinking covers Laras’ deception. She is told to clean herself up so that she can serve Elaida for dinner.</p> <p>After an hour of scrubbing away soot, Egwene makes her way to Elaida’s rooms. She has decided that she will take the same tactic with Elaida as last time, remaining silent so as not to anger her, but not showing undue deference, either. However, when she goes in she finds that Elaida is entertaining a group of Sitters, including a representative from every Ajah except the Red and Blue, including Yukiri and Doesine, as well as Ferane.</p> <p>Egwene thinks for a moment that Elaida might be trying to mend some of the division in the Tower, but it quickly becomes clear that she is showing off her breaking of Egwene. Elaida makes derogatory comments about the different Ajahs and gives Egwene the job of refilling her wine every time it is slightly less than full. She even makes comments about the “stink of soot” on Egwene.</p> <p>When conversation turns to the Seanchan, Elaida tries to dismiss concerns about them as laughable, but Shevan, a Brown, has interviewed Egwene about them and thinks that the Aes Sedai should be concerning themselves with the danger to Sisters. Elaida accuses Egwene of being a liar and orders her to admit it.</p> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left"><blockquote><p>[&#8230;] as Egwene glanced down the long mahogany table, set with bright white Sea Folk porcelain and flickering red candles, she saw five pairs of eyes studying her. She could see their questions. Egwene had spoken boldly to them when alone, but would she hold to her assertions now, faced by the most powerful woman in the world? A woman who held Egwene’s life in her hands?</p></blockquote></figure> <p>Egwene realizes that she cannot keep to her plan of silence and keeping her head down. She engages in a debate with Elaida, reminding Elaida of her Dream and stating that the assembled women know that Egwene doesn’t lie. Elaida must admit that the Seanchan are a threat. Elaida orders Egwene to kneel and beg forgiveness for her words and actions, but Egwene refuses.</p> <p>She points out that the Amyrlin should be able to convince people to obey her, and should not have to resort to force. She points out how Elaida has treated every sister who displeased her, and mentions her idea for a fourth Oath, an oath of obedience to the Amyrlin Seat. Egwene relies on the knowledge Siuan taught her, pulling a quote from the first Brown to be raised to the Amyrlin Seat and pointing out all the flaws in Elaida’s plans to capture and cage the Dragon Reborn, quoting <em>The Karaethon Cycle</em> and pointing out all the flaws in Elaida’s logic. She even calls Elaida a coward for refusing to attempt to mend the division in the Tower.</p> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left"><blockquote><p>Elaida’s eyes flared wide. “How dare you!”<br><br>“I dare the truth, Elaida,” Egwene said quietly. “You are a coward and a tyrant. I’d name you Darkfriend as well, but I suspect that the Dark One would perhaps be embarrassed to associate with you.”</p></blockquote></figure> <p>Elaida loses herself completely and begins to beat Egwene with flows of Air, causing Egwene to fall and cut herself on the broken pitcher. She screams that Egwene and the rebels are the Darkfriends, continuing to beat her even as the other sisters tell her to stop, that she is violating Tower Law by using the One Power to discipline an initiate.</p> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote has-text-align-left"><blockquote><p>“I am Tower law!” Elaida raved. She pointed at the sisters. “You mock me. I know you do it. Behind my back. You show me deference when you see me, but I know what you say, what you whisper. You ungrateful fools! After what I’ve done for you! Do you think I’ll suffer you forever? Take this one as an example!”</p></blockquote></figure> <p>But when Elaida turns, she sees Egwene standing, calmly, and watching her. She is shocked into silence, one hand pressed to her breast, as Egwene calmly tells her that she wishes she could give in, that the Tower could find a good leader in Elaida. That she would accept execution if it meant leaving the White Tower whole.</p> <p>Elaida only declares that death is too good for Egwene and shouts for guards to come and throw her in the deepest dungeon the Tower can provide. She orders that it will be announced in the streets that Egwene is a Darkfriend.</p> <p>As Egwene falls into unconsciousness, she feels a deep sorrow, knowing that, one way or another, her fight to save the White Tower has come to an end.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" /> <p>You know who would really love Egwene? Cadsuane.</p> <p>I was fully cheering Egwene on out loud at the end of this chapter. I know she was (rightfully) worried that speaking her mind to Elaida would ruin any chance she had to keep working with the Aes Sedai in the Tower, but it must have felt so good to finally stop holding back all her opinions and righteous fury towards the woman who has done so much to destroy the Aes Sedai. Elaida is petty, vainglorious, power-hungry, and, while she may not actually be stupid, she is very dumb about <em>people</em>. This has always been true, even before Siuan was deposed, and before being touched by Mordeth-Fain messed with Elaida’s head. I honestly think she was doomed to be a poor Amyrlin no matter what. But of course, as Egwene pointed out, she is uniquely unsuited to be Amyrlin in this time, particularly.</p> <p>As a Red, Elaida represents the world’s distrust and fear of men who can channel. And to those men, she represents pain and a slow death. But even outside of Egwene’s very salient point about how Rand would never trust a Red, any Red living during the Dragon’s time has a particularly difficult struggle ahead of her in accepting that the traditional way of “dealing with” men who can channel cannot be applied to the Dragon Reborn. This is even more true now that Rand has cleansed <em>saidin</em>, but even if he hadn’t, even if there weren’t Asha’man to deal with, the simple fact is that the Dragon Reborn <em>must not</em> be gentled, and he must not be restrained, either, since the prophecies say he must do so many things before the Last Battle.</p> <p>Most people in this world are struggling with the fear of the Dragon and what he is prophesied to do, and many have struggled to recognize what Egwene knows: that the devastation the Dragon is prophesied to bring is inevitable, and perhaps even necessary to his success. This is as true of the Aes Sedai as of any other group. While it is understandable that everyone would struggle with such a difficult, frightening situation, for a Red Sister, whose entire Ajah is founded on the need to gentle such men to protect the world, it would be particularly difficult to adapt to this new reality. I agree with Egwene that any Red would make a poor Amyrlin for such times.</p> <p>Though to be fair, it isn’t just the Reds. Any sister might find the idea of allowing the Dragon Reborn to become a leader on the world stage difficult to swallow, because of the taint and because of the prophecies, even though the prophecies say he will and must do the very things everyone fears. We know that Moiraine and Siuan worried over the White Tower’s ability to engage with Rand’s existence, which is the other reason (aside from fear of death by Darkfriend) they kept his birth and identity a secret. From everyone, not just Reds.</p> <p>Of course, Elaida’s issues are deeper than that. As I said, I don’t think her personality is particularly well-suited to being Amyrlin in any era, but she probably would have gotten away with it if she’d been raised to the Amyrlin Seat normally, had not governed during Rand’s time, and hadn’t so many dark forces interfering with the White Tower during her tenure. Elaida is absolutely responsible for contributing to the distrust between the Ajahs and the general state of the White Tower, and if she was a stronger leader she might have done some work to combat the work of the Black Ajah—however, even outside of what she has or has not done, the Black has been very successful in creating an atmosphere of fear and danger in the halls of the White Tower. Alviarin forcing Elaida to pass certain regulations and decrees was a big part of that, but not the whole thing by any means. As we know, the Black have been at work undermining the White Tower for a very long time, since before Siuan and Moiraine were even students. Probably long before.</p> <p>This is why the search for the Black is so important, and will be particularly so when/if Egwene is put on the Amyrlin Seat and can actually work with the Black Ajah hunters directly. If she can unseat Elaida, unify the Aes Sedai, and get rid of the influence of the Black, we will have a very different White Tower on our hands, and hopefully just in time to help set a few things up before the Last Battle breaks.</p> <p>I have to applaud the way the end of the chapter was written. It was beautifully cinematic; I could see everything so clearly in my mind’s eye. Egwene, stoic and strong and regal despite her injuries and the flurry of blows falling upon her. Elaida, looking wild and crazed and paranoid, wide-eyed and rumpled, almost like <em>she</em> is the one being struck, rather than the other way around. The two facing off together, while the Sitters look on, horrified but also, perhaps, realizing a truth about Elaida, and about Egwene, they had been unwilling to recognize before.</p> <p>Everyone in that room saw who the true Amyrlin was, and <em>nobody</em> thought it was Elaida. Egwene recognized that this battle was the deciding one in her war, but I’m not sure she has a full sense of the impression she made on everyone. Now she’s going to a deep dark dungeon, but I don’t think she’ll be there very long. Something is coming to a head, and I can’t imagine at this point that the current Sitters—united by Egwene’s efforts and by Elaida’s display—won’t decide that something has to change. That Elaida is, as Egwene has tried to show them, destroying the Aes Sedai.</p> <p>Although they might not like the optics of making Egwene official on their end, it’s not like the Aes Sedai in the Tower have any other clear options to replace Elaida. Or enough time to spend on the political maneuverings and debates required to pick out a new candidate. Especially since few of them are able to talk to anyone from another Ajah.</p> <p>So I think this is going to be the pivotal moment in which the Hall decides they have to do something about Elaida, and that they may very well need to make Egwene their Amyrlin. She has made an impression on enough of them that I think, under the circumstances, the Sitters will make that choice. It might take them a minute, though, which will leave Egwene in the dungeons for a little while.</p> <p>You know, narratively, this would be the <em>perfect</em> moment for the Seanchan to attack the White Tower, while the Sitters are in the midst of conversations about Elaida’s actions and Elaida is going around issuing proclamations that Egwene is a darkfriend.</p> <p>Also, the absolutely pettiness of Elaida being so upset at being accused of being darkfriend material that she’s like, “no you are!” is really funny. Or it would be if it wasn’t so dangerous. It’s also funny that she missed Egwene&#8217;s actual insult, which was that even the Dark One wouldn’t want her in his ranks. What a perfect burn, oh my golly.</p> <p><em>Anyway</em>, I also really appreciated Egwene’s assessments of Rand, both to the Whites and to Elaida, in particular the suggestion that he probably always had a temper, it’s just that it was rarely seen in the Two Rivers because there wasn’t anything there to spark it. I do remember we saw a strong drive for justice from Rand, and that his temper sparked whenever that drive was challenged. It also flared whenever he experienced mistrust or suspicion towards Moiraine. He also was very angry at Ba’alzamon (rightly so) by the end; that rage very much fueled him through the confrontation at <em>The Eye of the World</em>. Egwene also remembers everything that is good in Rand’s personality, and that is so very valuable in someone who will soon be having high-stakes encounters with him on the political stage. Anyone and everyone can fall prey to their own emotions around what Rand is and how he comes off; Egwene remembering his good nature, even if just as a temper to her own anger and fear, can only help as she tries to come to some kind of agreement and alliance with him before the arrival of Tarmon Gai’don.</p> <p>You know, I kind of see a parallel between Rand and Elaida here. Like Rand’s anger, Elaida’s more problematic personality traits have been enhanced both by the pressure of her position (which Elaida chose, of course, but I digress) and by the touch of darkness. In Rand’s case, his anger and suspicion has been enhanced by the taint on <em>saidin</em> and the madness it creates. In Elaida’s, her paranoia around the other Aes Sedai not respecting her as Amyrlin and her power-hungry, self-important nature have been enhanced by the touch of Mordeth-Fain. In both cases it’s hard to tell where the natural strain ends and the unnatural influence begins, but both are there. Moreover, Elaida and Rand both have a tendency to discount the humanity of other people. Each has their own reasons for this, but they share a common impulse to view others as tools to be wielded, and any dissent from said tools as a threat to their position and to their goals.</p> <p>Of course we also have many parallels between Egwene and Rand. I’ve remarked on these before, but I thought it was kind of perfect that Egwene herself identified them. Elaida tried to subdue Rand by force, to imprison and beat him until he accepted her authority and was bent to her will. Now she is doing the same with Egwene, up to including throwing her into the deepest cell of the Tower. Elaida seems to believe that authority and loyalty can be achieved with pain and fear, and in both cases that idea has backfired spectacularly. Indeed, I think that her attempts to break Egwene are the very thing that is going to result in her own fall, perhaps even more so than Egwene’s efforts to inspire and unite individual sisters.</p> <p>As Egwene said to the Black Ajah hunters: “Loyalty is better earned than forced.”</p> <p>Her words could not have been more prophetic had she Dreamed them.</p> <p>Looking at Egwene and Elaida, two Amyrlins who could not better exemplify how to lead and how not to, and seeing parallels with the leader of the male channelers in both of them, I feel like we have a really clear and sharp picture of two possible directions that Rand himself could tip. In one direction, Elaida’s direction, lies a further hardening, a further removal of his own humanity, which would no doubt come with an increased disdain for others and increased paranoia, including a further withdrawal from those few people he still allows himself connection to. In the other direction, Egwene’s direction, lies an improved connection with humanity and a greater empathy for others, (something that we, and Egwene, know he does possess, somewhere buried under the pain and trauma and taint madness) as well as an understanding of how to weather pain and grief in a way that both keeps him strong and keeps him human.</p> <p>Aviendha is also on a similar journey as Egwene and Rand and Elaida, though hers is on a slightly smaller scale and is somewhat less fraught. Not that it probably feels that way to her; she even considers that if things continue on as they are for too much longer, she is going to lose her sanity.</p> <p>Like Rand and Egwene, Aviendha is learning to be a leader, to understand difficult concepts like how to put aside her feelings about the collaring of Aiel by the Seanchan. She displays a great deal of wisdom when she explains the situation to Corana—how preparing for the Last Battle means putting aside everything else, no matter how important—including an ability to look past her own emotions and weigh the situation dispassionately. That doesn’t mean stifling those emotions or deciding that they are unimportant—it means not being ruled by them. As we know, this is a lesson Rand desperately needs to learn, and if Aviendha can ever pass her last test, she might be able to help teach it to him.</p> <p>Right now, Aviendha is in exactly the position that Egwene was when she was called to serve Elaida at the dinner, so much so that Amys’ advice could have been delivered to Egwene as she made her way up to Elaida’s rooms: “Sometimes […] we are so concerned with the things we have done that we do not stop to consider the things we have not.”</p> <p>Egwene had a plan for how to deal with encounters with Elaida, which was to accept punishment and to keep from angering Elaida as much as possible, so that she might retain her freedom to keep working with the rest of the Tower. She made this choice because she understood that her job was not to fight Elaida but to protect the Aes Sedai and restore the White Tower, and so she looked past her anger and hatred of Elaida, choosing to do what was tactically and morally most important, rather than what would feel the best. However, in this second confrontation, Egwene realized that, while her goals remained unchanged, the situation was different. She needed to show the other Aes Sedai her strength, be willing to stand up to Elaida as she has asked them to do, be willing to “put her money where her mouth is,” so to speak, when it comes to being an Aes Sedai and doing what must be done for the good of the Tower. Egwene realized that she needed to stop focusing on what she was doing (keeping her head down enough so that Elaida wouldn’t prevent her from having opportunities to speak to the other Aes Sedai) and recognize what she hasn’t done, which is showing everyone, including Elaida, that she is willing to stand up for what is right, for the Aes Sedai and for the White Tower, no matter the consequences to herself. She feels sadness at the end because she doesn’t know what the outcome of her choice will be, but she recognized that there was no other option. Sticking to what she was doing, however correct and useful that course of action was when she first settled on it, would have been a mistake. Probably a fatal one.</p> <p>The Wise Ones are waiting for Aviendha to come to a similar realization. She can see no reason for her punishments, is unaware of any transgression that might warrant so much shaming, even goes so far to think that the Wise Ones seem to be behaving erratically, but she continually focuses on how to bear the punishment correctly, how to discern the mistakes she assumes she must have made in order to receive such shaming, and never considers any more outside-the-box solutions, or reasons, for her current predicament.</p> <p>She never wonders if the Wise Ones are wrong, never decides to trust her own instincts, to believe that <em>she</em> knows what is right and wrong, has the wisdom to lead and therefore to stand up for herself. She hasn’t realized that the situation has changed, and she needs to make a different choice for how to handle it.</p> <p>I do feel like, once she does, she is going to be unstoppable.</p> <p>I also have to take a moment to praise the character of Laras. We haven’t seen much of her in a while, but her characterization remains distinctive and enjoyable. I really love her particular sense of morality. She doesn’t have any loyalty to any woman in particular, and she doesn’t really care who is in charge, but if someone does something that crosses the line, she will act every time. She helped Siuan, who she didn’t even like, for exactly this reason. I’ll be interested to see how she feels about Egwene when Egwene becomes Amyrlin. Will Egwene’s display of strength and dedication win Laras over to a more personal respect for the Amyrlin Seat?</p> <p>I’m also wondering if people will ever find out that Perrin is responsible for the Seanchan managing to collar so many Shaido. The rest of the Wise Ones might be temporarily willing to put aside their need for vengeance in order to focus on the most important problem, but it might hit a bit differently to know that someone Rand trusts, and someone who will be back in Rand’s inner circle soon, made the choice to allow the collaring. Rand and the Wise Ones will be hard pressed, I think, to keep the rest of the Aiel from wanting to exact some very serious <em>toh</em> from Perrin.</p> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" /> <p>We’re moving on to chapters 17 and 18 next week, in which Cadsuane finally comes up with a method of dealing with Semirhage and a revelation about Elaida throws the rebel Aes Sedai camp into chaos. Next week will also be the last post before the new year! [end-mark]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://reactormag.com/reading-the-wheel-of-time-egwene-makes-a-stand-in-the-gathering-storm-part-11/">Reading The Wheel of Time: Egwene Makes a Stand in &lt;i&gt;The Gathering Storm&lt;/i&gt; (Part 11) </a> appeared first on <a href="https://reactormag.com">Reactor</a>.</p><p class="ljsyndicationlink"><a href="https://reactormag.com/reading-the-wheel-of-time-egwene-makes-a-stand-in-the-gathering-storm-part-11/">https://reactormag.com/reading-the-wheel-of-time-egwene-makes-a-stand-in-the-gathering-storm-part-11/</a></p><p class="ljsyndicationlink"><a href="https://reactormag.com/?p=833367">https://reactormag.com/?p=833367</a></p>
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Posted by Luke Bouma

Warner Bros. Discovery found itself at the center of a rapidly escalating bidding war Monday morning after Paramount Global and Skydance Media launched an unsolicited all-cash tender offer to acquire all outstanding shares of WBD common stock at $30 per share. The surprise move, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission just hours before markets […]

The post Warner Bros. Discovery Will Consider Paramount’s Hostile Take Over Bid appeared first on Cord Cutters News.

Your greatest desire is happening

Dec. 9th, 2025 03:42 pm
shadowhive: (Link/Sidon The Turning Tide)
[personal profile] shadowhive
The past days have, once again been stressful and, once again induced by mum deciding that, yep, what I need is her being difficult. Bleh. But this post isn’t gonna be about that.

This weekend I ended up starting a game called Control. It’s by the people that made Alan Wake and I got it forever ago when it was on a sale but I just never started it. I had me heard that a console update with some fixes was coming a few months back.but eventually came in October (or early November? Time isn’t real) and so I’d added it higher on my gaming list. I decided to try it this weekend and I’ve ended up being hooked. I e gone on it about an hour or so a night and I’m currently at a furnace.

The whole thing is such a ‘me’ thing too, a shady government agency works to contain ‘paranatural’ things a secret. It feels a bit like warehouse 13 or the librarians in that regard, only instead of a small team there’s whole departments. Only now there is a mystery entity (or entities, though it’s implied to be a hive mind) and the player (Jesse) shouldn't be there but somehow is and has somehow inherited the directorship. (Cause of a weapon that chose her?) it’s really good so far and I feel I’m gonna do it more in nights and Pokémon ZA in the day (I need to finish it so many)

On Sunday there was the War Between The Land And The Sea. As I said before I was kinda worried it might be not great. Thankfully the first eps were pretty incredible so let’s (pun intended) dive in on my thoughts

Read more... )

Yesterday was Naryu’s jab which went well enough. I went into the new M and S (the food store has moved to a bigger space). I didn’t have time to look properly but it is overwhelming. There’s a ‘sushi bar’ though that definitely feels like an overstatement as it’s just a small counter, but it is so much bigger than it was (at least 4 times, likely more).

From the sainsburys I got some strnager things stuff, a cool looking jewellery set (a hellfire/Eddie themed charm bracelet and earrings but I’m not pierced anymore), a hellfire mug and d20 keyring. But that’s all I got really. I did get copious amounts of cheese (mostly from Aldi but also there) and some of the other party food .

(Speaking of Stranger Things does anyone know places with the new funkos? People seem to be going crazy with merch and so things seem harder to find)

But they also had the Christmas radio times early! There’s at least one thing on every day which is good (ranging from Festive Pottery Throw Down, Midsummer Murders, the Christmas lectures and other Christmas specials).

When I got back I was flop but ugh had a call, but I dozed after. In the night I watched civilisation which was good and then Welcome To Derry (I’ve slipped behind a tad) and I’m shocked a theory I had was right but also where’s Taniel but also WTF? But also oh no!

Today was a library stint and, while I didn’t read any of Halloween Party like I hoped I did finally read the first two event horizon comics which… damn they’re already so brutal. I really need to find the other issues, I’m so made it wasn’t in stock when I went to town.

Weather depending I should be seeing Pillion and FNAF 2 tomorrow (though I have a last chance option on Thursday, why is Pillion just one week??) and then… I sense things will be quiet. I’m also hoping I can get fic done today/tomorrow.
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Posted by Luke Bouma

Now that Netflix has clinched a deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming assets in a transaction valued at $82.7 billion. Announced on December 5, 2025, the agreement positions Netflix as the steward of an unparalleled library of iconic content, including the groundbreaking science fiction series Babylon 5. This move, which values Warner […]

The post Babylon 5 Will Soon Be Owned By Netflix & Many Are Hoping For a Revival appeared first on Cord Cutters News.

dancing_serpent: (YnM - Touda - Santa Serpent)
[personal profile] dancing_serpent posting in [community profile] c_ent
Welcome to Topic Tuesday! Right away I want to stress that discussion posts are always welcome to the community, you don't have to wait until a Topic Tuesday rolls around, and then maybe be disappointed by the current topic of discussion. Whenever you want to talk about something, please simply make a separate entry to this comm, no matter the week, the time, or the topic. All right? *g*

Today's topic is Your Highlight(s) of the Year. 2025 is almost over, so let's take a moment to look back. What were your highlights of the year? Which drama/movie/novel was your favourite, or made the year memorable for you? Did you fall in love with a new actor or singer? Or find a new song/piece of music that seems stuck in your head on an endless loop? Go into detail as much or as little as you like, and leave links if you want.

As usual, if you want to talk about spoilers, please use one of these codes to hide them.

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Posted by Luke Bouma

After months of speculation Anderson Cooper is staying at CNN. The agreement, first reported by Variety on Monday, December 8, ensures that Cooper will remain the cornerstone of CNN’s primetime lineup despite persistent ratings challenges in the linear television space. Sources familiar with the negotiations described the deal as a significant commitment from both sides, […]

The post Anderson Cooper is Reportedly Staying At CNN After CBS Interest appeared first on Cord Cutters News.

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Posted by Luke Bouma

In a world increasingly dominated by flashy animations and high-octane holiday spectacles, it’s remarkable how a simple, 25-minute animated special from 1965 continues to capture hearts worldwide. Tomorrow, December 9, 2025, marks the 60th anniversary of the premiere of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the groundbreaking television event that introduced Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts gang […]

The post 60 Years Ago Today: A Charlie Brown Christmas’ First Aired on CBS appeared first on Cord Cutters News.

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