strugglingtobeheard:

ikenbot:

A Hole in Mars

Credit: NASA, JPL, U. Arizona

Back in 2007, black spots were discovered on Mars that are so dark that nothing inside can be seen. Quite possibly, the spots are entrances to deep underground caves capable of protecting Martian life, were it to exist.

The unusual hole pictured above was found on the slopes of the giant Martian volcano Arsia Mons. The above image was captured three weeks ago by the HiRISE instrument onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter currently circling Mars.

The holes were originally identified on lower resolution images from the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, The above hole is about the size of a football field and is so deep that it is completely unilluminated by the Sun. Such holes and underground caves might be prime targets for future spacecraft, robots, and even the next generation of human interplanetary explorers.

holes like this on pretty blank landscape scare me and creep me out. make my skin crawl. but that’s fascinating

(via tofuboots)

“Animals don’t feel pain.”

gaywrites:

Today in extremely important endorsements:

NAACP officer Maxim Thorne tweeted yesterday that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Board of Directors has officially endorsed marriage equality. Metro Weekly tracked down an official statement confirming it. Here’s part of the historic resolution:

“The NAACP Constitution affirmatively states our objective to ensure the ‘political, education, social and economic equality’ of all people. Therefore, the NAACP has opposed and will continue to oppose any national, state, local policy or legislative initiative that seeks to codify discrimination or hatred into the law or to remove the Constitutional rights of LGBT citizens. We support marriage equality consistent with equal protection under the law provided under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Further, we strongly affirm the religious freedoms of all people as protected by the First Amendment.”

This is a really, really big deal. Religious black communities in particular have been a vocal opponent of the movement for marriage equality. This announcement, following the president’s marriage equality endorsement, may truly influence how some communities of color perceive LGBT issues in tandem with their faith. I can’t wait to see what happens. 

(via abruptasagrapefruit)

(Source: pleatedjeans, via jessicadreaming)

louis ck ( on gay marriage ; shameless )

(Source: antiquers, via jessicadreaming)

the-8th-wonder-of-the-world:

Capitalism 

(via jessicadreaming)

(via mr-potter-sorry-imwholocked)

gaykward:

Best Marriage Equality Video I’ve Ever Seen. Definitely something you should watch and reblog.

(via thiswillbeyourdownfall)

vizzz:

An Open Letter To The People Who Run “The Trans Truth” Tumblr.

To be able to speak on the issues you plan on addressing on your blog, it is first necessary to understand the systems of oppression that are underlying everything you’re writing about, and you do not.

You are both cis people with a limited and rudimentary knowledge of the gender spectrum; you are not in a position to be posting things “in defense of the gender binary” without really understanding what gender roles mean, and what gender itself actually entails. What you’re saying on your blog is oppressive. Your worldview is limited by the fact that, since you both identify with the gender you were assigned at birth, your gender identity has never been an issue of contention for you.

I would love to hear an explanation from you defending why, exactly, you find your own opinions to be an authority on this subject. Do you have a degree in gender studies? Have you studied what you’re talking about at all other than reading posts on Tumblr? Have you ever read a scholarly article on the gender spectrum? Even one article? No, really, what is it that makes you think that your total lack of knowledge, understanding and tolerance are worthwhile fodder for a blog about gender? I know nothing about macrobiology; do you see me writing a blog about the subject, attempting to refute the points of actual people who study the subject and understand it? Of course not, because that would make me look pretty ignorant. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what you are doing.

As cis people who understand nothing about gender politics, you are not in a position to determine the “legitimacy” of people who are trans. The existence of trans people is just as legitimate as your own existence. Genitalia is not an indication of gender. The fact that you identify with the gender you were assigned at birth does not make you “right”.

If you feel the need to write a blog, as two cis people, attempting to debate the legitimacy of the existence of trans people, and are using science as a defense for your claims, I am going to need to see sources. I am going to need to see contemporary scholarly and scientific articles and publications from reputable sources backing up your shit. Because if you’re going to debate people’s existences, you better be good and goddamn sure that you’re right.

Hint about that last paragraph: you aren’t going to find any.

The fact that you “know several trans and gay people in real life” does not make you a resource. It does not give you the knowledge you require to be writing about the subjects you are attempting to address. 

The reason why people like you are called bigoted is because you are bigoted. You aren’t debating here, you aren’t shedding light on anything new. Trans people have heard all this shit before. They hear it every day. What you are doing is pure and undiluted bigotry and hate speech toward trans people.

I highly advise you to shut your blog down, educate yourselves, and come back when you know what the fuck you’re talking about.

Please send them a message here if you agree.

(via treyfuckingcasen)

(Source: 9gag, via jessicadreaming)