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The original was posted on /r/science by /u/a_Ninja_b0y on 2024-11-05 04:21:00+00:00.

Original Title: Researchers found that university students in both the United States and Iran who frequently engage in doomscrolling were also more likely to exhibit high levels of celebrity worship, suggesting that these behaviors may co-occur as forms of media-related behavioral addictions.

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The original was posted on /r/science by /u/MgSnGd125064 on 2024-11-05 03:40:02+00:00.

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The original was posted on /r/mapporn by /u/merc534 on 2024-11-05 04:10:19+00:00.

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The original was posted on /r/mapporn by /u/IllustriousDudeIDK on 2024-11-05 03:35:51+00:00.

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The original was posted on /r/mapporn by /u/CurtisLeow on 2024-11-05 03:12:02+00:00.

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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/Unique_Relief_5601 on 2024-11-05 04:09:58+00:00.

Jordan Cores, Human Male, Newly Hired Security Officer

After a small dinner in a … a fairly empty mess hall if we’re being honest, I made my way towards Triwt’s room.

“Let’s see… She said it was down this hall?” I openly ask myself as I look down the hall. Despite the foot traffic of much larger species walking around me, they are surprisingly aware of my presence and are actively trying to not bump into me.

Is this a normal thing when dealing with smaller species or is this a ‘Oh god, a human is here walking among us’ thing?

Only way to find out is to ask somebody. 

That and you aren’t even sure this is the right hallway.

These halls all look the same, save for decorated room doors and signs…

I let out a little sigh under my breath and looked up at a person that was walking somewhat towards me.

“Um, excuse me?”

They look down at me, with a slightly amused look on their face. “Yes, little one? Are you lost by chance?”

Okay, very feminine voice and it seems they believe me to be a child.

“Just two quick questions, actually. I don’t wanna take up too much of your time.”

“Oh don’t worry, dear. Feel free to ask me anything.”

“I noticed that a lot of people around here have a tendency to… I wouldn’t say avoid me, but more actively try to not get too close. Is this simply because I’m short in comparison or because I’m a new person?”

“Oh, it’s probably a mix of both. When you’re much larger than some others, you have to be mindful of those smaller than you. You don’t wanna accidentally hurt anyone, big or small.”

“That’s fair, I just feel a little… isolated. I mean, I have some people who I’ve been spending time with and they’ve been helping me a lot, but when they aren’t around…”

“I think I understand, dear.”

Either she still thinks I’m a child or this is just how she talks to everyone.

So long as she isn’t figuratively talking down to us. Because in every physical manner, almost everyone is, besides maybe Lys, literally talking down to you.

“Thank you for that.”

“What was your other question?”

“Oh right! Um, my living quarters, or is it just room? Either way, my living quarters hasn’t been installed yet, so I’m trying to find my friend’s room where they offered me to stay for the night, so yes I am a little lost.”

“Oh I can help you then, what’s your friend’s name?”

“Triwt.”

The person in front of me seemingly freezes for almost 2 seconds as they tensed up and slowly relaxed, before asking, “You said Triwt, correct?”

“Yes?”

“Security Commander Triwt?”

“YYYes?”

“You’re her friend?”

“Yeah, I’m also friends with Cerelia and Lys.”

She looks like she is moments from passing out.

“What’s your name by chance, dear?”

“Jordan.”

“The one-”

“The one from the cryopod?”

She nods at me and I let out a sigh.

“Yes. I uh- look it seems I might be in the wrong area-”

“No! No, I just wasn’t expecting someone, well not to be rude, but small and cute like you to be the one who broke my cardio endurance record.”

She looks at me with a smirk and I put two and two together.

“Korextrel?”

“Mhm, I’m surprised a small little guy seriously ran that long. You could at least apologize to me for making an impossible score to beat, at least out of respect to your seniors.”

I nod and look up at their face, “I’m sorry for beating your score, Senior Korextrel.”

She stares at me before laughing, “Goddess, I can’t even be remotely mad at you. You’re like, way too cute to be a security officer. You remind me of my little sister. But the apology is accepted, I would be happy to show you to Triwt’s living quarters.”

Do I have an effect on people or something?

This almost feels like that time I read in an article that elephants think humans look cute.

But this is like, maybe the 5th time I’ve heard someone call me ‘too cute’.

You probably just are?

I appreciate myself trying to lift myself up, but did I seriously have to question my own self esteem like that?

It’s a bad habit and you know it.

Yeah…

I look up at Korextrel as I’m following her. It’s not accurate, and probably rude to be comparing, but she reminds me of the depictions of a minotaur, just with much shorter and rounded off horns. That and she has a lot of… curves despite her very toned body.

“I hope you’re paying attention to where we’re going, Commander Triwt assigned me to be your trainer when she isn’t available. You may be cute, but I take my job seriously, and I plan to make you a fine security officer. She informed me you get lost in your thoughts, and while off the clock that’s fine, it’s something we’re gonna be working on when you’re on the clock.”

I nod my head, “Thank you Senior Korextrel for taking care of me.”

“Sheesh, you’re off the clock, don’t be too formal. Anyways, here you are.”

She motions at a door to our right that has photos of Triwt on it with…

“Are those corgis?”

“Hm? No, those are Yoltis. They’re her pets and she loves them dearly.”

“Oh okay, they just look a lot like an animal from where I’m from called corgis.”

“Well the names are kinda similar, I guess.” She says with a shrug, “Anyways, I’m heading up to start my shift, see you around newbie.”

With that, she starts walking away. I wave her goodbye, though I doubt she can see me waving. I turn around to face the door and before I can even knock, the door slides upwards and a large white fluffy snake tail wraps around me and pulls me into the room as the door shuts behind me.

I had instinctively closed my eyes. Turns out I close my eyes when caught off guard.

“Jordan? Meet Luun and Dorin~!” I feel familiar arms holding me now and I open my eyes to see what are basically 2 giant corgis. 

Well for a Corgi they’re giant, but I wanna say they’re more around the height of an English Mastiff, which is still huge either way.

“They have such short and small legs” I say as I looked at them, they were very cute and their coats were well groomed and maintained.

“I know~! I love watching them run and chase their toys around. They’re such good boys!” Triwt essentially coos at them as she speaks, the two looking up at me and tilting their heads before Triwt sets me down and I’m basically attacked in a fluffy pile of alien dog kisses.

Thank goodness their saliva isn’t acidic.

For the most part.

Huh?

Well y’know, saliva is really just a chemical the body produces to initiate the deconstruction of food, so to a degree it is acidic.

… Could you kill someone with saliva?

They’d probably die first from drowning before the acid breaks them down. Now your stomach acid on the other hand.

No, I am not continuing this self conversation.

I laugh a little and let Luun and Dorin give me small licks on my face as I pet them in return. I can hear Triwt giggling in the background before I’m lifted up again, this time with Luun and Dorin, and carried to bed.

The Yoltis seem to have their preferred spots in the bed as I’m being held closely by Triwt. If giant 4 armed fluffy snakes could purr, then Triwt definitely is as she coils around me gently. We haven’t laid down yet, as we’re still sitting up for the most part as I let her do what she wants.

“Jordan?”

“Yes?” I reply as I tilt my head back just enough to look up at her.

“Do you like being held?”

“Like this?” I nod my head. “It’s nice and relaxing, though I doubt this is what working will be like.”

She nods her head, “True, working won’t be like this, especially since I will be your commander, though I will admit this is very nice for me.” She lets out a sigh. “I kinda wish you weren’t getting your own room.” She says with a small laugh.

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Well, I’m just a little lonely is all. Vast majority of the people on this ship are scared of me, let alone the crazy few who for some reason worship me.”

“Sheesh that must suck, I’m more the type to try and blend in the background, but if you don’t mind me asking, why are people scared of you?”

“Well, it’s rather complicated, but through some terrible events, I’ve landed myself a very scary title that tends to follow me wherever I go.”

“Oh, is it that bad?”

“I’ve once had someone present me a head on a spike as a way to ask me out because they assumed my title meant that I like those things. I do not.”

“Yeah, I don’t think I would want a head on a spike either, so what is that title anyways?”

“On my homeworld I’m known as a War Commander, or a Lady of War. It basically means that I’m considered an elite warrior capable of commanding armies that can turn the tide of battle with just their presence. Men have also received the same title, but would be called Men of War, but the official title is still War Commander.”

“I see. Can you command full armies like the title suggests?”

“Well yes, but that’s besides the point. It brings unwanted attention and it makes it really difficult to make relationships with anyone.”

“Oh, well I think that just makes you a bit more cool, but it doesn’t make me scared of you. You’re Triwt, probably the nicest person to me on this entire ship, with Luun and Dorin tied for 2nd.”

Triwt stares down at me for a few moments before a smile spreads across her face as she stifles a small laugh as she gives me a really big hug.

“And that’s why I like having you around so much, you just aren’t scared of me and you still treat me like an equal, not just some scary lady.”

“Trust me, my mom is a scary lady.” I say with a half laugh as some unpleasant memories flash in my head.

**...

Content cut off. Read original on https://old.reddit.com/r/HFY/comments/1gjy9fk/adrenaline_is_a_hell_of_a_drug_pt_17/

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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/LaughingTarget on 2024-11-05 01:00:33+00:00.

This is dedicated to all the amazing pet owners out there. You are the HFY in their lives.

I never know what to call you. What I know is you have always been there. From the moments I first remember, you were in my life.

When I was small, you helped me grow. You trained my legs with games of pull and my jaws by throwing the round thing. You gave me bones to crunch and hard things to chew. My teeth and mouth grew strong.

You taught me to hunt and run. You took me places to smell amazing scents and see incredible things. I was happy to follow you along as I enjoyed new experiences.

You are an amazing hunter. Whenever I was hungry, you would always bring me food. You would even share the food from your own kill. As I grew, I realized we were different.

You were big. I saw in you power and danger. Yet I never felt fear. I knew that your strength was there to protect me from the world. Whenever the loud sounds and flashes of light outside frightened me, you were always there to protect. Your touch soothed my fears and made me feel safe.

I always knew you cared about me. The way you touched my head, rubbed my belly or patted my leg brought me joy. I began to crave your presence when you were gone. I always feared it was the last, but you never failed to return to greet me with the same joy I felt in seeing you again.

As I grew larger, I began to realize we were not the same. I never grew as big as you and I couldn't walk the way you did. You had incredible powers I never understood. You could command the lights. You could summon the light to banish the dark and return the light from where it came. You could move a great box and immense speeds across the land when you would bring me to places where I could see new things and smell new scents. I was in awe at how you strode upon the land, never concerned. You were the most powerful thing in the world and you helped me thrive.

You always gave me a place to sleep. You were happy when I rest my head upon your lap and you would stroke my head. It always comforted me and I would fall asleep, safe under your watchful eye. You even shared your space to sleep at night.

It did not mean you were perfect. You were loud. I never understood how you could scare away prey yet still return from hunts without fail. You don't have a tail for me to understand or ears atop your head to read. Never once did you smell my back or lick my face. The sounds you made were confusing to me. I knew you attempted to communicate. The feel of your voice was soothing and happy. But it was also something I never understood. I don't blame you. You are, in many ways, a simple creature. I could still tell what you meant.

I knew it was not just you but all like you who were strong and kind. Others like you would come and go, always giving me a happy stroke upon the head or scratch upon my haunch. I sleep well knowing more like you exist in the world.

When you brought more small ones of your kind into the world, I found new purpose. My new pack had new ones like you to protect. They, too, grew strong and kind. I was happy.

As I started to age, I began to realize just how different we were. As my body began to slow and my joints began to hurt, I look upon you and see you have barely changed at all. How you look, how you smell and how you sound are the same as when I was still small.

I realize you are special. I have wondered why you protect me and nurture me so. You taught me to hunt and kept my body strong, yet not once have I needed to bring you a kill. I remain vigilant in the night yet it is you who protect me.

I understand why. You do all of these things for me and expect nothing in return. I never had to do anything for you. It is love which you hold for me. Love does not have expectations. So I give to you my loyalty in return.

I know my time is short now. I know you'll be sad when I am gone. I can tell you will live long beyond me, maybe even forever. I wish you to know that when I do go, my only request is you find another like me. Give her the same love, care and joy that you gave me. Your gifts are too valuable to lose and I don't wish for you to be sad when I leave.

I'm tired now. I look upon your unchanging face and see the same feeling of welcome and warmth. You pat your lap to invite me to rest my head. It's hard jumping up upon the space you rest these days. My legs hurt and I tire fast. Still, I know it is where I want to be.

As I lay my head upon your lap, your hand once more strokes my fur. I begin to drift away to slumber and wonder if this is the last time I will close my eyes. Should I not awake again, I wish you to know I love you as much as you love me.

RIP Zoe. You were a wonderful dog. You'll be missed, sweet girl.

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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/rewt66dewd on 2024-11-05 00:41:41+00:00.

"Have hope," Chor whispered quietly in Alana's ear. "There is a saying: Human air makes free."

"That sounds hopeful, but what does it mean?"

"It means that if we reach human territory, we will be free."

"Why?"

"Because the humans are very opposed to slavery."

"So are the Xarg. But nobody says that Xarg territory makes free - at least, not that I ever heard."

"The humans are violently opposed to slavery. If a slave escapes to Xarg territory, and a slaver follows them, the Xarg glare disapprovingly at the slaver. If the same thing happens on human territory, the humans kill the slaver. The slavers know this. So once you reach human territory, you are free."

"That's all very well," Alana whispered. "But how do we reach human territory?"

"Well, there are things about us that the slavers don't know. Maybe we can do something they won't expect."

Alana nodded. The slavers didn't know that she was a princess among the Alcharon. She wanted them to continue to not know, so she had been very careful not to do anything that would give them any clue. She had education and training in many areas; some part of it might be useful here. And Chor was her servant, her assistant. She also had training and skills that the average Alcharon did not have.

They docked at some space station to refuel. Alana and Chor held a whispered conference.

"If there are any humans here, that might be enough."

"Maybe... but how can we tell?

Chor thought. "Well... we have gone, I think, about two-thirds of the way to Terran Alliance space. That means that there are likely to be some human ships here, and maybe some human residents - but we can't be sure."

"Can we see out somehow?"

"No way that I can think of."

"Is this a risk we should take? What is your best judgment?"

Chor hesitated. "Yes, I think so. It's not going to get better."

Alana trusted Chor's judgment. That's why she asked for it. "Very well," she said, "we will try this evening, when the crew is eating, before they bring us our food. They will mostly be wherever they eat, and the way will be easier."

They used their claws to pick the locks on their chains. Then they picked the locks on the chains of all the other prisoners.

They tried to open the door to their room, but failed. So they waited until the slavers came to feed them. As soon as the door was opened, they dogpiled the slaver bringing them dinner, chained him up, and quickly moved down the hall to the airlock. Since they were at a space station, that was open, with only two slavers standing there. They dogpiled them too, took their weapons, and ran out the door.

They ran down the passage in the space station. The two slavers gave chase. Some of the slower escapees couldn't keep up, and the bigger ones carried them. They were all getting weary, and wondering what to do next, when...

"That's a human!" Chor exclaimed.

They ran to it, calling "Human! Human! Human!"

The human stopped. "Yes?"

"We are escaping from slavers. They are right behind us. Please, can you help us?"

"Let's see," the human said, and stepped past Alana, Chor, and their group. It stepped in front of the slavers as they ran up.

"Do you know what I am?" the human asked.

"We don't care what you are. Those are escaped slaves, and we..."

"I am a human."

"... and we are... you... oh, no."

"Here's the deal. If you run back to your ship, right now, and fly away, you may live. May. If you take one more step toward these, you will die, right here, and right now."

The slavers considered it for a very short period of time. Then they turned and ran.

"Are there more slaves on their ship?" the human asked the escaped slaves.

"We think not."

The human nodded. "Guess I don't have to stop them from leaving, then. All right. Let's get you all taken care of..."

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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/Betty-Adams on 2024-11-04 23:52:48+00:00.

Humans are Weird – Circulation

Original Post:

Sift shifted her forelimb where it rested on the seam of the open window and flexed her claws in the warm sun that was perfect for basking. The wind from their travel rushed around the windshield and filled her nostrils with the scent of a fertile savanna basking in warmth of a white star.

“You would almost think a place this beautiful would have proper seasons,” her companion commented from the other side of the passenger cabin where the human was idly munching on some kind of dried animal protein.

“Not every planet wobbles like a broken millstone,” Sift replies, stretching out her tail and giving a wide yawn. “Share a bit of that...what did you call it?”

“Jerky,” Mary said holding out the bag, casually at first and then more carefully as the wind tried to rip it out of her hands.

Sift dipped her snout in and snatched up a large piece of the jerky. As she expected it was tougher than three days seasoned pure bread but it did have a reasonably springy texture and she started gnawing on it contentedly. Just as she was sucking down the first mouthful of juices an alarm on the counsel chirped and Mary sat up and began examining the road and savanna around them. The human shoved her loose hair out of her eyes and reached over to activate the large predator scanners. She gave a grunt of contentment and shifted her mass to take manual control of the transport.

“Do you need to empty your bladder again?” Sift asked, quickly pulling out her notepad. “Is the little one sitting on your bladder?”

Mary looked at her and laughed, shaking her head.

“I’m actually pretty good bladder wise,” she said as she eased the transport to a stop and opened the external door. “Nah, but we mammals get extra clotty in the blood when we are making more mammals. I set the timer to remind me to stop and get my blood flowing every hour or so.”

Sift shimmied out of her restrain harness and scramble over the seat and down after Mary. She made it in time to set up her recorder to catch the beginning of Mary’s exercises. In the gangling mammals a wild windmilling of limbs that would make for an excellent program to scare off avian species from grain-fields. One Mary had ‘got into the flow’ and wouldn’t mind interruptions Sift stood on her hind legs and cleared her throat.

“But you were stretching out in the transport,” she pointed out. “Do you need more room?”

“Changing the seating settings wouldn’t do much,” Mary explained as she awkwardly tried to fold herself in half over her growing belly. “You see how much I need to move.”

“Yes,” Sift agreed as she swayed backwards to avoiding a soft, flailing hand. “And all this, is it absolutely necessary, or just a caution?”

“Eh.” Mary’s face contorted as she pondered that. “Six of one, half a dozen of the other, but if I don’t my changing center of mass pinches my butt in new and interesting ways, and that hurts!”

“Butts must be quite the inconvenience,” Sift observed as Mary, seemingly content with the movement of her joints, set out running around the transport, “all that fat with so few muscles to manage it.

Mary’s laughter fell around her as the human rounded the vehicle.

“Well I couldn’t do without my man’s,” the human pointed out as she passed.

Sift gave a gurgle of amusement and waited to respond till the next lap.

“I too,” she agreed, “appreciate how my mate’s tail waves. It would be well worth a pinch or two in my own.”

Mary staggered to a halt, started at her searchingly, and then nearly doubled over laughing.

Sift blinked a moment, then decided that she had transgressed an amusing rather than offensive cultural boundary and made a note of it.

Science Fiction Books By Betty Adams

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Check out my books at any of these sites and leave a review!

Please go leave a review on Amazon! It really helps and keeps me writing because tea and taxes don't pay themselves sadly!

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The original was posted on /r/dataisbeautiful by /u/Vizizm on 2024-11-04 21:11:13+00:00.