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Homes, houses, apartments, flats, rooms, balconies, gardens, decor and decorating ideas / Eco-friendly home decor ideas 💡

« on: April 11, 2025, 12:13:34 PM »

Eco-Friendly Home Decor Ideas: Sustainable Style for a Greener Future

As sustainability becomes a growing priority for many homeowners, eco-friendly home decor is gaining popularity. Decorating your space in an environmentally conscious way doesn't mean sacrificing style or comfort. Here are some inspiring ideas to help you create a beautiful, planet-friendly home.

**1. Choose Sustainable Materials**
Opt for furniture and decor items made from natural, renewable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, cork, or rattan. These not only look stylish but also reduce the demand for new resources.

**2. Embrace Second-Hand and Vintage Finds**
Thrift stores, antique shops, and online marketplaces are treasure troves of unique and affordable pieces. Giving items a second life prevents them from ending up in landfills and adds character to your space.

**3. Go for Low-VOC Paints and Finishes**
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals found in many paints and finishes. Choose low-VOC or VOC-free options to improve indoor air quality and reduce environmental impact.

**4. Incorporate Plants**
Indoor plants not only bring beauty and tranquility to your home but also purify the air. Choose low-maintenance varieties like pothos, snake plants, or peace lilies for a healthy green touch.

**5. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting**
Switch to LED bulbs and incorporate natural lighting through strategic window placement and light-colored walls. This reduces energy consumption and creates a bright, inviting atmosphere.

**6. Upcycle and DIY**
Get creative by repurposing old items into new decor. Turn mason jars into vases, transform crates into shelves, or paint an old dresser for a fresh look. DIY projects are a fun way to personalize your home while staying eco-conscious.

**7. Support Ethical Brands**
When purchasing new items, support companies committed to sustainability, fair trade, and ethical labor practices. Research brands that prioritize eco-friendly production and packaging.

**Conclusion**
Eco-friendly home decor is about making intentional choices that benefit both your living space and the environment. With a little creativity and mindfulness, you can design a home that reflects your values and contributes to a healthier planet.

  The most important is the planet to be healthy!

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Learn Chinese / "你太C了!"

« on: March 31, 2025, 10:33:50 PM »

C

In Chinese internet slang, **"太C了"** (tài C le) is a way young people describe someone or something as **"cool," "dominant," or "overpowered"**—similar to saying "too strong" or "too skilled" in English gaming or pop culture slang. 

The **"C"** comes from gaming terminology, where the **"C" stands for "Carry"**, meaning a player who leads the team to victory, often dealing the most damage or making the biggest impact. So, when young Chinese say "**太C了**," they mean **"too powerful"** or **"too awesome"** in a competitive or impressive way. 

For example: 
- "你今天的操作太C了!" (Nǐ jīntiān de cāozuò tài C le!) → "Your gameplay today was insanely good!" 
- "这个人气质太C了!" (Zhège rén qìzhì tài C le!) → "This person’s aura is so dominant!" 

It’s a compliment, often used in gaming, sports, or even in everyday situations when someone is particularly outstanding.
 

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学习英语 / "You are a lemon."?

« on: March 31, 2025, 10:30:18 PM »

You are a lemon

Do you know that you are a lemon idiom?
 
You are a lemon. = 你真没用。
The car is a lemon, so you don't have to spend so much money on it. =
这车子很差劲，所以没必要花钱在它上面。

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Eastern things / The feudalistic elements in present China

« on: March 31, 2025, 02:08:14 AM »

Chinese neo-feudal elements

Despite China's official stance as a socialist country, many elements of its economy resemble feudalism. Here are some key examples: 

### **1. Hukou System (Household Registration System)** 
- The **hukou system** limits rural workers' ability to settle in cities, restricting their access to education, healthcare, and social benefits. 
- Rural migrants work in factories and construction under harsh conditions but are treated as second-class citizens, similar to serfs in a feudal system. 

### **2. Land Ownership and Local Government Control** 
- The state technically owns all land, but local governments control land distribution. 
- Farmers must lease land from the state and can be evicted if authorities decide to sell it to developers. This creates a **landlord-like relationship** where farmers have no real ownership. 

### **3. Corrupt Patron-Client Networks (Guanxi)** 
- Business and political power depend heavily on **guanxi** (connections), similar to feudal patronage systems. 
- Large companies rely on government relationships for success, and local officials often act like lords, controlling resources and opportunities. 

### **4. Factory Work and Dormitory Systems** 
- Many factories house workers in **dormitory compounds**, where they live under strict control—similar to feudal estates. 
- Companies like **Foxconn** enforce military-style discipline, with workers eating, sleeping, and working in company-controlled environments. 

### **5. Inequality and Wealth Concentration** 
- The **wealth gap** in China is massive, with a small elite controlling most resources. 
- Billionaire business leaders and powerful officials function similarly to feudal aristocrats, with enormous privileges and near-total control over their industries. 

While China has a modern economy, these elements show that aspects of **feudal hierarchy, dependence, and exploitation** still exist within its system.

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Internet / All the emotions online

« on: March 22, 2025, 04:00:25 AM »

Emotions expressed online are vast and varied, often conveyed through text, emojis, GIFs, and other digital means. Here’s a comprehensive list of **common emotions** people express online, along with examples of how they might be represented:

---

### **1. Happiness/Joy** 
   - **Examples**: 😊 (smiling), 😄 (grinning), 😁 (beaming), 😆 (laughing), 🤗 (hugging), 🎉 (celebrating), 🌟 (excitement). 
   - **Usage**: "I’m so happy for you! 😊" or "This made my day! 😄"

---

### **2. Sadness** 
   - **Examples**: 😢 (crying), 😞 (disappointed), 😔 (pensive), 😭 (sobbing), 💔 (broken heart). 
   - **Usage**: "I’m feeling really down today 😔" or "This broke my heart 💔."

---

### **3. Anger/Frustration** 
   - **Examples**: 😡 (angry), 🤬 (cursing), 😠 (fuming), 💢 (anger symbol), 🤯 (exploding head). 
   - **Usage**: "I can’t believe this happened! 😡" or "This is so frustrating! 🤬"

---

### **4. Surprise/Shock** 
   - **Examples**: 😮 (surprised), 😲 (astonished), 🤯 (mind-blown), 😱 (screaming in fear). 
   - **Usage**: "Wait, what?! 😮" or "This is unbelievable! 🤯"

---

### **5. Love/Affection** 
   - **Examples**: 😍 (heart eyes), 🥰 (smiling with hearts), ❤️ (red heart), 💖 (sparkling heart), 💌 (love letter). 
   - **Usage**: "I love this so much! 😍" or "You mean the world to me ❤️."

---

### **6. Confusion** 
   - **Examples**: 🤔 (thinking face), 😕 (confused), 😶 (speechless), 🧐 (investigating). 
   - **Usage**: "I don’t get it 🤔" or "This makes no sense 😕."

---

### **7. Fear/Anxiety** 
   - **Examples**: 😨 (fearful), 😰 (anxious), 😱 (screaming), 🫣 (peeking through fingers). 
   - **Usage**: "This is so scary 😨" or "I’m so nervous about this 😰."

---

### **8. Disgust** 
   - **Examples**: 🤢 (nauseated), 🤮 (vomiting), 😷 (face with medical mask), 🙊 (speak-no-evil monkey). 
   - **Usage**: "This is gross 🤢" or "I can’t even look at this 🤮."

---

### **9. Excitement/Enthusiasm** 
   - **Examples**: 🤩 (star-struck), 🥳 (partying), 🎊 (celebration), 🔥 (fire). 
   - **Usage**: "I’m so excited for this! 🤩" or "Let’s celebrate! 🥳"

---

### **10. Boredom** 
   - **Examples**: 😑 (expressionless), 🥱 (yawning), 😴 (sleeping), 💤 (zzz). 
   - **Usage**: "This is so boring 😑" or "I’m falling asleep 🥱."

---

### **11. Embarrassment** 
   - **Examples**: 😳 (flustered), 🤦 (facepalm), 🙈 (see-no-evil monkey), 🫠 (melting face). 
   - **Usage**: "I can’t believe I did that 😳" or "This is so embarrassing 🤦."

---

### **12. Sarcasm/Irony** 
   - **Examples**: 🙃 (upside-down face), 😏 (smirking), 🤪 (zany face), 🫤 (flat mouth). 
   - **Usage**: "Oh, great. Just what I needed 🙃" or "Sure, that’s totally believable 😏."

---

### **13. Curiosity/Interest** 
   - **Examples**: 🤓 (nerdy face), 🧐 (monocle face), 👀 (eyes), 🔍 (magnifying glass). 
   - **Usage**: "Tell me more! 👀" or "I’m really curious about this 🧐."

---

### **14. Pride/Accomplishment** 
   - **Examples**: 😎 (cool), 💪 (flexed biceps), 🏆 (trophy), 🥇 (gold medal). 
   - **Usage**: "I nailed it! 😎" or "We did it! 🏆"

---

### **15. Loneliness** 
   - **Examples**: 🥺 (pleading face), 😿 (crying cat), 🌌 (milky way, symbolizing emptiness). 
   - **Usage**: "I feel so alone 🥺" or "Wish someone was here 😿."

---

### **16. Gratitude** 
   - **Examples**: 🙏 (folded hands), 😇 (smiling with halo), 🌸 (cherry blossom, symbolizing appreciation). 
   - **Usage**: "Thank you so much! 🙏" or "You’re an angel 😇."

---

### **17. Playfulness** 
   - **Examples**: 😜 (winking with tongue out), 😝 (squinting with tongue out), 🤪 (zany face). 
   - **Usage**: "Just kidding! 😜" or "Let’s have some fun! 🤪"

---

### **18. Determination** 
   - **Examples**: 💪 (flexed biceps), 🔥 (fire), 🚀 (rocket), ⚡ (lightning). 
   - **Usage**: "I’m ready for this! 💪" or "Let’s crush it! 🔥"

---

### **19. Nostalgia** 
   - **Examples**: 🕰️ (clock), 📼 (videotape), 🎞️ (film frames), 🌠 (shooting star). 
   - **Usage**: "This takes me back 🕰️" or "Those were the days 📼."

---

### **20. Awe/Wonder** 
   - **Examples**: 😲 (astonished), 🤩 (star-struck), 🌌 (milky way), ✨ (sparkles). 
   - **Usage**: "This is amazing! 🤩" or "Wow, just wow ✨."

---

These emotions and their representations are widely used in online communication to convey feelings in a quick, visual, and relatable way. Let me know if you'd like more examples or deeper insights into any of these! 😊

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A forum for incels who are normal people (no terrorists, no rapists, no racists, no pedophiles, no haters and so on) / For the oldcels who like younger women

« on: March 13, 2025, 10:24:48 PM »

Here are some famous couples with an age gap of 30 years or more: 

### **Historical and Celebrity Couples:** 

1. **Charlie Chaplin & Oona O'Neill** – 36 years 
   - Married when Chaplin was 54 and O'Neill was 18. They had eight children and stayed together until Chaplin’s death. 

2. **Patrick Stewart & Sunny Ozell** – 38 years 
   - The "Star Trek" actor married singer Sunny Ozell in 2013. 

3. **Mel Gibson & Rosalind Ross** – 35 years 
   - Started dating in 2014, when Gibson was 58 and Ross was 23. They have a child together. 

4. **Rupert Murdoch & Jerry Hall** – 25 years (Not quite 30, but close) 
   - The media mogul and the model married in 2016 when Murdoch was 85 and Hall was 59. 

5. **Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones** – 25 years 
   - Married in 2000 and have two children together. 

6. **Steven Tyler & Aimee Preston** – 39 years 
   - The Aerosmith frontman, born in 1948, is dating Aimee Preston, born in 1987. 

7. **Al Pacino & Noor Alfallah** – 53 years 
   - Started dating in 2022 when Pacino was 81, and Alfallah was 28. 

8. **Jeff Goldblum & Emilie Livingston** – 30 years 
   - Married in 2014 when Goldblum was 61 and Livingston was 31. They have two children. 

9. **Richard Gere & Alejandra Silva** – 34 years 
   - Married in 2018 when Gere was 68, and Silva was 34. 

10. **Clint Eastwood & Christina Sandera** – 33 years 
    - They have been together since 2014. 

Would you like examples from history as well?

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Learn Chinese / An interesting Chinese character

« on: March 05, 2025, 10:13:00 PM »

The Chinese character 暨

The Chinese character "暨" (jì) has several meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here are the primary meanings in English:

1. **And / As well as**: 
   - It is often used in formal or literary contexts to mean "and" or "as well as," similar to 和 (hé) or 及 (jí). 
   - Example: 开幕式暨欢迎晚宴 (kāimùshì jì huānyíng wǎnyàn) – "Opening ceremony **and** welcome banquet."

2. **To reach / Until**: 
   - It can mean "to reach" or "until," indicating a point in time or space. 
   - Example: 自古暨今 (zì gǔ jì jīn) – "From ancient times **until** now."

3. **Together with / In conjunction with**: 
   - It can imply something happening together or in conjunction with another event. 
   - Example: 会议暨展览 (huìyì jì zhǎnlǎn) – "Conference **in conjunction with** an exhibition."

In modern usage, "暨" is often seen in formal titles, events, or announcements to connect two related items or concepts.

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Learn Chinese / The most complicated Chinese character

« on: March 04, 2025, 03:17:08 AM »

The most difficult Chinese character

Certainly! Chinese characters can be quite fascinating, especially the rare ones. One example of a rare Chinese character is **"biáng" (𰻞)**. This character is famously complex and is used in the name of a type of noodle dish from Shaanxi province called **"biángbiáng面" (biángbiáng noodles)**.

The character "biáng" is so complex that it is not included in most standard dictionaries or digital character sets. It is often used as an example of one of the most complicated Chinese characters, with dozens of strokes. The character is a combination of many radicals and components, making it unique and memorable.

Here’s a breakdown of the character's structure:
- It includes radicals like **"辶" (walking radical)** and **"穴" (cave radical)**.
- It also incorporates components like **"幺" (tiny)**, **"言" (speech)**, and **"馬" (horse)**.

Due to its complexity, the character is often taught as a fun challenge for learners of Chinese. If you're interested, you can try writing it out—it’s quite an exercise! Let me know if you'd like more examples or details about rare Chinese characters. 

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Other topics / The First Comics

« on: March 03, 2025, 07:08:37 PM »

The First Comics

The creation of the first comics is a complex topic, as the evolution of comics as a medium involved many contributors and forms over time. However, some key milestones and figures are often credited with laying the foundation for modern comics:

1. **Rodolphe Töpffer (1799–1846)**: A Swiss artist and writer, Töpffer is widely regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of the comic strip. His illustrated stories, such as *Histoire de M. Vieux Bois* (1827, published in 1837), combined sequential art with text to tell humorous and satirical narratives. His work is considered a precursor to modern comics.

2. **The Yellow Kid (1895)**: Often cited as the first American comic strip, *The Yellow Kid* by Richard F. Outcault appeared in Joseph Pulitzer's *New York World* and later in William Randolph Hearst's *New York Journal*. The character's speech bubbles and recurring appearances in a serialized format helped establish the conventions of the comic strip.

3. **Early 20th-Century Comic Strips**: The success of *The Yellow Kid* led to the rise of other popular comic strips, such as *Krazy Kat* by George Herriman and *Little Nemo in Slumberland* by Winsor McCay. These works further developed the art form and storytelling techniques.

4. **Japanese Manga**: In Japan, the origins of manga can be traced back to earlier forms of visual storytelling, such as *Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga* (12th-century animal scrolls) and the works of artists like Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849). Modern manga began to take shape in the early 20th century, with pioneers like Osamu Tezuka (1928–1989) revolutionizing the medium post-World War II.

5. **European Comics**: In Europe, illustrated stories and sequential art have a long history, with works like *Les Amours de Monsieur Vieux Bois* (a French edition of Töpffer's work) and later series like *Tintin* by Hergé (1929) contributing to the development of the medium.

The "first" comic depends on how one defines the medium. If considering sequential art with text, Töpffer's work is a strong candidate. If focusing on the modern comic strip format, *The Yellow Kid* is often credited as a starting point. Comics as we know them today are the result of a rich, global history of visual storytelling.

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Learn Chinese / Chinese Internet Slang

« on: March 02, 2025, 03:46:51 AM »

Chinese internet slang

Here are some common Chinese chat abbreviations and their meanings: 

### **General Abbreviations:** 
- **88** – Bye bye (**再见**, sounds like "bā bā") 
- **666** – Awesome, cool (**厉害**, because "6" sounds like "溜" which means "smooth" or "skilled") 
- **555** – Crying (**呜呜呜**, sounds like someone sobbing) 
- **233** – LOL (**来自猫扑表情 233 号, from an old internet meme**) 
- **520** – I love you (**我爱你**, because "520" sounds like "wǒ ài nǐ") 
- **530** – I miss you (**我想你**, sounds similar) 

### **Chat Phrases:** 
- **nm** – What’s up? (**你忙?**) 
- **zqsg** – Truly heartfelt (**真情实感**) 
- **xswl** – Laughing to death (**笑死我了**) 
- **yyds** – Eternal god (praising someone, **永远的神**) 
- **pyq** – Moments (WeChat's social feed, **朋友圈**) 
- **hy** – Friend (**好友**) 
- **zp** – Picture (**照片**) 
- **bdjw** – Speechless (**不懂就问**) 

Do you want specific types of abbreviations?

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Other topics / Interesting Chemistry

« on: January 29, 2025, 02:20:55 AM »

Interesting chemistry facts

Here's an interesting chemistry fact: Water can boil and freeze at the same time!

This phenomenon is called the "triple point", where temperature and pressure are just right for water to exist as a solid, liquid, and gas simultaneously. It happens at **0.01°C (32.018°F) and 611.657 pascals (0.00604 atm) of pressure**. Scientists use this principle to calibrate thermometers with extreme precision!

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Philosophy / About the Geser Kurultaev's definition of Xi Jinping ("neo-emperor")

« on: January 24, 2025, 03:46:18 AM »

"Xi Jinping is a neo-emperor."

Geser Kurultaev's description of Xi Jinping as a "neo-emperor" likely refers to the way Xi has strengthened his personal power and influence within China, drawing parallels to historical monarchs or emperors. This term might reflect the perception that Xi has centralized authority in a manner similar to that of China's imperial rulers. Under Xi's leadership, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has seen a greater emphasis on loyalty to him personally, and he has placed his own ideology, known as "Xi Jinping Thought," at the forefront of Chinese governance.

Critics may use terms like "neo-emperor" to highlight his increasing control, while supporters might argue that his leadership is focused on stability and national strength. The label suggests a departure from collective leadership, with Xi's personal authority increasingly central to the direction of the country.

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Social network | SEO - Social network / Donald Trump and the Panama canal

« on: January 13, 2025, 12:33:51 PM »

Donald Trump and the Panama canal

Yes, President-elect Donald Trump has recently expressed a desire for the United States to regain control over the Panama Canal. In December 2024, he criticized the fees charged by Panama for American ships as "exorbitant" and suggested that the canal was "falling into the wrong hands," implying concerns over Chinese influence.

In early January 2025, Trump stated he would not rule out using military or economic actions to achieve this goal, citing U.S. "economic security."

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino responded by denying any unfair charges and reaffirming Panama's full control over the canal, emphasizing it as part of the country's "inalienable patrimony."

These statements have raised concerns about potential geopolitical tensions and the future of U.S.-Panama relations.

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Social network | SEO - Social network / Trump and Greenland

« on: January 10, 2025, 10:10:10 PM »

Trump wants Greenland

About the topic Donald Trump and Greenland:

The idea of Donald Trump "taking" Greenland stems from a 2019 proposal during his presidency, where he expressed interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark. Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and the proposal was met with widespread criticism and rejection from both Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who firmly stated that Greenland was not for sale.

Since then, there has been no concrete action or indication that such a move is feasible or being pursued. Greenland's status as an autonomous territory means its future would largely depend on the will of its people and government. Additionally, any such acquisition would require significant international negotiations and likely face opposition.

As of now, there is no reason to believe this idea is being seriously considered or has any likelihood of happening.

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-------FREE ADS------- / MOVED: ☯☼☯ SEO and Non-SEO Science-Education-Omnilogy Forum ☯☼☯**.

« on: January 10, 2025, 03:07:42 PM »

This topic has been moved to SEO.

https://www.seo-forum-seo-luntan.com/index.php?topic=9447.0