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[jobkash]

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[artbyblastweave]

Okay, Time for that belated Shrinking Rae post-

In the comics, Shrinking Ray's "arc" (bearing in mind an extremely liberal definition of that term, they had exactly one scene showcasing this) was that he was implied to be developing an inferiority complex; he's not necessarily incompetent, but he's out of his niche, his clever shrinking-based plans kept getting upstaged by brute-force solutions from the more conventionally powerful heroes like Invincible. He's the scrawny, nerdy little guy with the joke powers, he never gets a win, and in most fights he literally isn't visible. In the fight with the Lizard League his death is framed as pathetic and ineffectual- there's one or two panels between "I'll make you pay!" and getting eaten alive by Komodo. All of this is doing a couple of things- it's emphasizing that again, this is in fact a story and setting where superheroes sometimes just die really badly with limited fanfare- a thing that IIRC hadn't happened since the original Guardians team wipe in issue 7. Second, it's an indicator that the new Guardians are structurally kind of on the ropes. They're heavily staffed by second stringers, they exact second they have to split their forces they suffer a 66 percent casualty rate, and that's with backing from two capes who aren't actually part of the team. Grim! Anyway, when they do the adaptation Shrinking Ray becomes Shrinking Rae, because they want to tweak the gender balance of the cast and the pun is too good to pass up. But I think that there was a reasonable reluctance to transfer the "arc" from the comics one-to-one, because to be blunt, "Ineffectual Nebbish Glasses-wearer who whines a lot and dies pathetically," paired with absolutely nothing else, is gonna read as misogynistic if the character is a woman now. So in the adaptation Rae is markedly more competent. We're introduced to her taking down a much larger opponent by fucking around inside his ear canal, which becomes a favored trick of hers. There are traces of the self-esteem thing- the visual gag where she physically shrinks about a foot when getting chewed out in the briefing- but the overall throughline isn't "look at this loser who somehow ended up on the guardians." In the Lizard League fight, she doesn't get eaten- she's deliberately trying to execute a Thanus maneuver and just fucks it up, seconds after successfully killing a different villain the same way. And there's a second where it looks like it might work, too, before hope is cruelly yanked away. Which makes for a markedly cooler death scene- but who died? What was actually going on with her? Anything? In some sense she's cooler, but it's kind of an undifferentiated cool. She had what, Six lines? Seven? On balance I think Rae is still doing her fundamental job in the story, which is to pad the Guardians roster for a while and have someone who actually dies and stays dead as a result of the Lizard League fight- but I think they definitely missed an opportunity to give her some more texture than her comic counterpart had. Part of me thinks that the show would have been a good place to go even harder on Shrinking Rae being in over her head, but in a considered way, to emphasize that the Guardians aren't well managed- maybe tie it into the tensions between Robot and Immortal regarding sustainable team management practices. Part of me thinks you should go the other way, that if you're gonna do away with the idea she's underwhelming you should blow up her role, have her actually say and do some things that affect the story or the team dynamic in any noticeable way, because as it stands she's kind of visibly siloed as the designated mauve shirt. I'm definitely of one mind that this showcases something I suspected was gonna bite the show in the ass, which is that they're (laudably) diversifying a secondary and tertiary cast whose main role in the source material is often to die badly or fade out of focus.

[sillylovingpupper]

So you guys did it again.

So, as of my writing this, Trump is the presumptive winner of the US Election. He hasn't actually won, but barring a major upset he's going to. This time, he's won the popular vote (by a lot, actually, 6 million as of my writing) so there's really not a lot to fall back on. Wow. I have to say, I'm a little less optimistic this time than the last time I wrote a post like this. The Republicans are setting up to have a (narrow) majority in Congress, too. There's a pretty good chance of a full Red government.

So, what do we do now? First and foremost: don't panic. Take a few days, breathe, maybe see how the final votes shake out (we may still get a narrow House victory), but take a few days. Trump isn't going to be president until January. Nothing terrible will happen in the next week or two if you take this chance to rest. Well, not politically. I can't speak for your personal life.

I said something similar in 2016, and I'll say it now. Trump and his people can not change the course of the country quickly. The way this country was designed explicitly prevents that. There's fewer protections now than there were, but the really big, drastic changes he wants to do require an Amendment, which relies on a 2/3rd majority in Congress. The Republicans do not have that. The Trump Republicans don't even have a majority in Congress. So as much as he wants to, he can't gut the country day one. Some of the stuff he wants to do, he can do under Emergency Powers, but not a lot of it. It's not likely that the United States has been dealt a fatal blow today.

However. He can and very likely will make things very difficult for us for the next four years. A lot of Federal Offices are setting up to be staffed by complete loons more interested in breaking things than fixing them. We'll almost certainly see abortion and transgender rights being carved away in the early days of his Presidency, and he has a lot of support for his economic plan. Also he plans to add Musk to his administration, and we know what he tends to do to companies. We'll also probably see a good amount of healthcare in general get cut, and further reduction on corporate restrictions. Trump and his allies are coming into this with a plan this time, as opposed to 2016 when I think even Trump was surprised he won. It's not going to be a big, loud, destructive thing, but there will be damage. This isn't the end, though.

Many of you reading this may feel helpless right now, that's there's not much you can do. You're disabled, you're exhausted from work, you're deep in a red state and in the closet. It's okay to not do something immediately about this.

Living is a rebellious act right now. It's important that you survive. If you have to keep your head down to do it, then do it. Many more of you may be feeling like you can't do enough. Like the only solution is an armed revolt. That may be the case. That's not something I'm really invested in being a part of, for many reasons, but it may be the case, in the worst case scenario. What's even more important, though, is that we come together. Look after each other. Trans people, immigrants, they're in the crosshairs right now, and if you can do something to make them safer, by all means, please do it. If Trump gets his way, a lot of access to education, health, and safety will be curtailed for all of us. This is the time when we pick up where the government steps off. This is the time when we look to our communities, both literally next door as well as online. A strong community trumps the government every time. That's ancient knowledge. It's why the ability for people to organize is one of the first things on the chopping block. So build a community, and be smart about it, especially if you're in a red area. Remember, too, that one of the biggest tools in the fascist toolkit is to divide us along whatever lines they can find. Don't let them. Hold tight. If the person next to you has believes in things that disgust you? As long as they're not harming other people with them, don't push them away. The more united we are, the harder it will be for fascism to grow.

71 million people voting for Trump isn't nothing. But it's less than a quarter of the population. There's still more of us. Protect yourself, protect your loved ones, and don't let anyone tell you it's over for this country. America only falls when we let it.

[soleminisanction]

Honestly, you know where I suspect Good Omens 3 is heading, based on the themes and vibes they've established so far? I suspect that, much like the first two seasons, it'll be an escalating series of shenanigans which gradually pull back to reveal:

a) someone, likely Crowley, realizing that the Tempest quote from the first book/season -- "Hell is empty, all the demons are here" -- is now literally true, with all the demons having legged it to Earth following his example because this is obviously a better deal than being stuck in Hell for eternity (hence the lines about a staffing shortage from season 2)

b) in desperation to continue their war with Heaven, the high honchos in Hell begin recruiting humans (the dead who want out of their punishments, the living who desire power, possibly both) to fill their ranks.

c) Up top, Heaven -- possibly due to Aziraphale's new high position -- starts appointing more and more angels to earthbound posts, possibly in a "counter-offensive" against the demons' "vile incursion." These angels, likely using Muriel as a focal character, quickly learn to love Earth as much as Aziraphale did, diminishing their desire for war and to see it destroyed, and

d) for similarly desperate-to-keep-the-lights-on/war-machine-moving reasons, Heaven starts recruiting humans to fill posts in the higher offices previously filled by angels.

Both sides eventually come to the slow but inevitable realization that humans are better at being good and evil (respectively) than they are. On Earth, the armies of Heaven and Hell have fallen in love with the planet (and possibly each other) and no longer have the heart to see it tested to destruction, and the humans who are now in charge of good and evil respectively aren't interested in ending the game because there's still so much more both sides can still do.

The second Apocalypse is therefore canceled at the last minute as the leaders of both sides throw up their hands, give up, and decide to retire to Earth. The reins of Good and Evil are officially turned over to human control, and it's implied that this was, in fact, Her Ineffable Plan all along -- they are, after all, the only ones with the Knowledge to actually know the difference.

As for our boys, they'll either be reunited somewhere around Act 2 and be instrumental in bringing about the solution, OR they will be hilariously uninvolved in it all and we'll instead get something like Crowley in the aftermath of the climax, doing that gobsmacked staring-at-the-sky in disbelief thing David Tennet is so good at, and just as he gets out a, "What--?!" he'll be tackled to the ground by a rapturously happy Aziraphale.

[i-guess-im-into-this-now]

The Apothecary Diaries

S1E3 First Watch

My thoughts from my first watch of episode 3 of The Apothecary Diaries under the cut.

My character cheat sheet (turns out I should know their names if I'm going to write these reviews)

Hongniang - head LIW

Gaoshun - Jinshi's assistant

Lady Gyokuyou - favorite concubine

Yinghua - pink flowers LIW

Guen - the palace doctor

Jumping right in.

Jinshi is having a cryptic conversation with a concubine. Her lady-in-waiting saying "surely this is a mistake. As a reward?" Initially my thought is that this might be the lady that tried to lure Jinshi to her room. Maybe she is being sent out of the palace? Though I went back to episode 2 to check and she has different accessories.*Shrug* we'll find out soon enough.

A spectral figure in white is haunting the walls at night. This must be our mystery of the week for Maomao to solve.

The gossiping ladies are back at it. Apparently Lady Gyokuyou is a foreign princess. I didn't pick up on that before. She's the favorite of the emperor and trade has increased due to his favor. Lady Gyokuyou is an obstacle for other ambitious concubines and those who fear her foreign influence in the empire. The maids had found a poisoned needle in her clothing before when they were short staffed and needed help outside their own pavilion. Just another reason they are happy to have Maomao around.

Maomao has not heard the latest gossip and is not impressed by the latest ghost story. To her credit she does try to stay out of things until someone needs her help.

Maomao's in her element, brewing up medicine when Yinghua (I'm making an effort to learn names) notices Maomao's bandaged wrist. She immediately worries over Maomao offering her assistance with anything and I love this. Maomao who is so independent, and self sufficient; Maomao who hasn't had anyone looking out for her well-being; Maomao who self harms - has someone who cares if she is hurt.

Not only do the ladies in waiting care about Maomao but the palace doctor is making her tea and snacks, and giving her apothecary ingredients. She's slowly building a support network.

Jinshi is calling her a good girl. And... she's reacting to it. Yup, praise works a lot better on her than sultry looks. Jinshi figured that out fast.

Maomao has noticed that Jinshi's position in the rear palace is unusual. He seems to outrank everyone else and has the authority to move about and do as he pleases. He's too young to be given such a rank, he must have the emperor's favor. I'm pretty sure he does have favor but not in the way Maomao is thinking! Lol! For the record, I hope I am wrong about Jinshi being a prince and that Maomao is right and he's the emperor's lover.

Jinshi easily maneuvers the doctor out of the room so he can ask Maomao's medical advice without him over hearing. And Maomao knows it. These two are starting to get to know one another and fall into a rhythm. In fact it's happening with everyone around Maomao. She's nothing if not adaptable.

And even more effective than praise for Maomao is engaging her expertise. Jinshi asks her about sleepwalking and she instantly brightens, until he teased her for it. She claims the solution is not a medical one and draws a line, stating that she won't try to offer a solution on something she isn't qualified in. Which is so mature. She knows herself and sets boundaries. I love her.

Gaoshun asks Maomao to stop glaring at Jinshi. Once again trying to protect the dignity of the prince his superior officer.

They spot Lady Fuyou. The spector who has been spooking the people of the rear palace. She's soon to be sent to a military officer as a reward. This must be the lady from the beginning of the episode and now we have context for that conversation.

Is the stress of being sent away causing her to sleepwalk? Maomao will figure it out. She can't resist helping someone in need.

She does her research as best she can, applies her experience and gives her best guess as to the cause of the lady's sleepwalking even if she is less confident than she was with diagnosing the poisons before. Jinshi is uncanny in his ability to read her and pushes her on this.

And it's not just Jinshi who is learning to read Maomao. Lady Gyokuyou also knows something is bothering Maomao.

And wow. The story of how Lady Fuyou and her military officer managed to defy fate and end up together; beautiful.

Maomao is only able to speculate on what has happened but she did her best to assist Lady Fuyou by keeping her theory to herself. We know now why she acted so peculiar before when she offered her diagnosis, she wasn't hesitant to give an answer she wasn't sure of - she was hidding the truth. She's going to need to become a better liar if she wants to survive in a palace intrigue story. She gave Jinshi a plausible explanation on how and why the sleepwalking might be occurring backed by half a truth from her experience with the courtesans. He knew he didn't get the whole story, but she still didn't give him anything more that he could use against Lady Fuyou. Which is revealing because shortly after, she does reveal her thoughts to Lady Gyokuyou. You can see where Maomao's trust and loyalty lies.

I wonder if the story of Lady Fuyou has any parallels to the main story? In a palace where the concubines and servants are trapped one of them manages to defy fate and escape to a future of her own choice.

Lady Gyokuyou admits that she envies Lady Fuyou. Which surprised me. She is the emperor's favorite concubine and the first to bear him a child. I thought she was happy in her position (I will be watching out for more of this!). Maomao similarly, is a woman being held against her will in the rear palace, but she consoles herself with the hope that she will be able to leave when her contract is up. Her ability to choose her own fate is only delayed rather than Lady Gyokuyou who is truly trapped.

I personally don't think leaving the palace will be so simple for Maomao, she's way too valuable to let her leave, but for now, Maomao still believes it. I don't know if she would be so compliant if she thought she couldn't leave some day. But I've digressed.

Hey was that Gaoshun? Did he... overhear all of that? Well we know who's ears that will end up in. Not good. Not good for Maomao because Jinshi will know she's holding back information from him, and undermining the emperor's will by helping a concubine escape the palace. And not good for Lady Gyokuyou because her envy is a sign of disloyalty to the emperor. Very, very bad.

Jinshi is gazing out the window. Is he watching Maomao? Is he thinking that she's beautiful or about her crimes? Both?Either way the show transitions to Maomao watching the sunset and thinking the following:

It's said love has the power to make a woman more beautiful. I wonder what kind of medicine it would make. -Maomao

She says this while looking at her ruined arm and I have to wonder if she's thinking of herself as someone who isn't beautiful. Or does she look at her arm because it represents her experiments? Is she thinking of experimenting on herself... with love? Or maybe she is moved by the fact that Lady Fuyou's love gained her her freedom. How can love be used as a medicine? Maomao already acknowledged that love can be an ailment in her story about sleepwalking, but thinking of it as a treatment is new.

And someone new has a request for Maomao's apothecary expertise. Not good. Each episode I feel a greater sense of doom. It's only a matter of time before Maomao gets tangled into something dangerous. At least we saw in this episode that she is building trust and some genuine warmth with the ladies in Lady Gyokuyou's pavilion. I can only hope those relationships will be strong enough to shield or support her when her trials come. Because let's be honest it won't be much of a show if Maomao doesn't get thrown into some shit.

If you like this episode first watch, you may enjoy the previous ones too.

Episode 1

Episode 4

Episode 2

The next one is up now:

[bambamramfan]

The exact twitter quote people are roasting:

“If I were president I wouldn’t care about party lines, I’d just always truly make the American people my #1 priority,” explained MrBeast. “For problems I’m ignorant in I’d have experts from the left and right advise me on them and try to find the middle ground that’s best for America. Wouldn’t be buyable, don’t care about doing things just because my party says I should, and I would focus on uniting the country instead of dividing it.”

To anyone forged in the fires of online ideological discourse, this sounds very dumb. There's good bills (from our side) and bad bills (from their side) and any middle ground is self-defeating at best, and fake bait to appear to a centrist voting block that doesn't exist and doesn't pay attention.

But there is something important this reaction is missing, and why Mrbeast's position isn't that wrong-headed.

Because Congress (and other law-making bodies) aren't just two football teams pushing the ball forward, on nothing but a left-right axis. If you've ever worked with Congress (or any other partisan body) you've run into this firsthand.

There are a lot of practical problems that everyone in Congress agrees are bad, and have a practical solution that would make things better for the public. No, really. Staffing up the border to deal with the asylum crisis. Making our (previous) 35% corporate tax rate something more economically efficient. Fixing the healthcare marketplace. Renewing various authorizations that expire. And a lot of banal "actually fund the things everyone wants."

The problem is, there are more left-wing and more right-wing solutions to all these problems, even if you agree that solving the problem is good whatever solution you use. SO, you get the majority side proposing a solution aligned with their ideology but is still good for everyone, and the minority thinks "this bill is ok, but let's wait until we're in power, then we can pass a BETTER bill." And bonus, until then you can attack the majority for failing to fix the problem. As they say "never let a crisis go to waste."

So there are, in fact, a number of measures Congress could tackle at any time that would make the country better off regardless of which side you're on, but it won't because everyone is holding their breath until some mythical day when they can pass the perfect bill on their own.

... not to mention how many times politicians hold up good and important things they don't even object to *just* to spite the other party. Or completely non-partisan territoriality where you oppose bills you ideologically agree with because it's coming from the wrong committee. (This last one is perhaps THE major workload of congressional staff - the constant sorting and jockeying of which bill has the most support even within your party conference.)

And so it's very tempting for an outsider to say "screw all this positioning. I'm going to approve and fight for any bill that solves a problem," instead of waiting until that promised day when we can pass whatever bill we want with no compromises.

Unfortunately, when an outsider gets in it doesn't work like that (for obvious, cynical reasons), but I can very much understand the *desire* for such a stance.

[racefortheironthrone]

What are your thoughts on Tony Benn? Because much as I admire him in some ways he does come across as a bit impractical in an idealistic way, with his challenge to Healey and describing the 1983 general election as a triumph for socialism.

I'm of very mixed opinions about Tony Benn.

On the one hand, I think he was a very sincere and well-meaning man with fairly laudible beliefs (although he did I think have a problem where he would sometimes prioritize following a consistent ideological line over his personal moral instincts, which I think were more reliable).

On the other hand, I don't think he was very good at his job and would have done better as a social movement organizer than as a politician and government minister - or at the very least, I think he would have been better suited to a ministerial portfolio that spoke to his strengths, which were much more in the area of social policy rather than economic policy.

So as Minister for Technology or as Secretary of State for Industry or Energy, I'm sympathetic to his support for industrial democracy in and out of nationalized industries, but he wasn't ultimately very good at putting worker control into practice. And that's the thing; when you're in government, you have to be able to translate your beliefs into effective public policy.

Likewise, I think his Alternative Economic Strategy was just a bad strategy for achieving left-wing economic objectives:

it focused on the very blunt instruments of direct economic controls on prices and imports and finance rather than more flexible approaches that would have fewer negative side effects.

it had a heavy emphasis on issues that Benn cared about (like nationalization and industrial democracy) but weren't really relevant to how to deal with stagflation in the short term.

meanwhile, it under-emphasized policies to deal with unemployment and ironically relied on a rather standard "commercial Keynesian" solution for reflation rather than more social democratic alternatives.

the anti-European/autarkic emphasis of the AES was profoundly counter-productive, especially for the economic context of Britain in the 1970s.

finally, it really neglected the crucial question of how to develop state capacity. In part because Benn really didn't get along with the Civil Service and viewed them as essentially hostile, the AES didn't spend nearly enough time on how to develop the expertise, coordination, staffing, etc. needed to carry out economic policies that were very heavy lifts.

So yeah, "impractical in an idealistic way" is fair.

[mariacallous]

SCHORFHEIDE, Germany—At the Schorfheide Breakfast, an annual event north of Berlin, a husband-and-wife acoustic duo regals strollers with upbeat renditions of ’60s tunes along with a snippet of Marlene Dietrich. Dozens of NGOs and other volunteer associations—including the fire department, a beekeepers’ club, the soccer team, a sister-city project with the African country of Burkina Faso, and more—line the cobbled main street, offering fellow locals homemade baked goods, fruit slices, coffee, and the opportunity to chat about their group’s activities.

Schorfheide is a rural municipality in Brandenburg, an eastern Germany state where elections on Sept. 22 are likely to lend the extreme right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) record gains, as they did earlier this month in Saxony and Thuringia. The jolt of those results—the AfD is a radical-right party that trucks with neo-Nazis—has mainstream Germans scrambling for answers to counter the rightest tendencies that jeopardize postwar democracy.

One of those solutions is the democratizing practices of civil society: the way that participatory grassroots engagement brings communities together and instills social cohesion into localities. According to its proponents, from the billionaire philanthropist George Soros to the European Union, the more grassroots engagement, the thicker the social fabric—and thus the less atomization and gloom there is for right-wing populists to exploit. Civil society nurtures the values of democratic life: tolerance, moderation, compromise, and respect for opposing points of view.

And where civil society is thin and or non-existent, official or private benefactors can help it blossom with money and know-how. This is a cornerstone of the Soros-founded Open Society Foundations that are active in democracy promotion around the world. It’s now also a tenet of German policy in the eastern states.

“At the Schorfheide Breakfasts we show [the hard right] that these are our streets and spaces,” explains Peggy Sydow of the Schorfheide municipality, which has won numerous awards for its civic initiatives. The breakfast is just one of the events in Schorfheide where the NGOs network and engage newcomers. Every stand offers parties a leaflet with information basics, meeting times, and an email address. “The far right barely has a presence here,” says Sydow, who notes that until this year, the 18-person Schorfheide municipal council never had a single extreme right member.

This tranquility, however, wasn’t always the case and Schorfheide is a vivid example of how civil society and democracy promotion can work—as well as its limitations. In 2008, a family moved to Schorfheide’s Finowfurt, a village of 5,000, and bought property that it turned into an outdoor venue for neo-Nazi concerts that attracted up to 500 like-minded young men from the region—and beckoned to Schorfheide’s younger generation. The property owner wasn’t just anyone in the sprawling hard-right scene but the Brandenburg boss of a neo-Nazi party. Sydow tells how the thugs paraded through the locality for days at a time during all-weekend festivals.

The municipality’s citizens puts their heads together and were joined by the Brandenburg section of the Mobile Counseling Teams Against Right-Wing Extremism (MBR), a nationwide, state-financed initiative that combats extremism by mobilizing citizens, labor unions, and local governments to defend themselves against its tactics and violence. The 55 MBRs in Germany promote democratic culture by assisting local communities in reclaiming public spaces—from town squares to Twitter—encroached upon by the far right. Each MBR is staffed with a diverse team of experts, from social workers and social scientists to legal experts and anti-racism activists.

The municipality, aided by the MBR, called the Schorfheide Breakfast to life in 2011 as a means to beef out and stiffen the back of its civic groups. The idea, central to the MBRs, was to “crowd out” the far right from public space by occupying it. The tactic that ultimately knocked the neo-Nazis out of Schorfheide, however, was calling it on legalities. The organizer was fined for excessive noise, for the absence of proper sanitary facilities, and for the public display of Nazi symbols like the swastika and imperial flag. Eventually, the fines piled up, outreach in the municipality withered, and the family moved away.

Schorfheide’s method to keep these kinds of political influences at bay is to enrich its civil society further—and the community’s health is evidenced by its over 50 civic, volunteer-run groups, as well as a rich schedule of cultural events. “The far right never managed to get a toehold here after the neo-Nazis left,” Sydow says.

Sydow’s claim, however, is overstatement. As refreshing as Schorfheide’s story may be, it is not without an underside. In the European Parliament election in June, 31 percent of Schorfheide’s voters picked the AfD—an above average share compared to all of Brandenburg (28 percent) and eastern Germany (29 percent). The same day, Schorfheidians voted for the 18 spots on the municipal council. The AfD garnered less than in the EU vote—22 percent (it won 27 percent in Brandenburg)—but still more than enough to wrinkle brows in Schorfheide’s municipal offices. At the breakfast event, everyone I spoke with expressed a version of the same explanation: The high AfD vote can be chalked up to the poor performance of the unpopular three-party government in Berlin. While the AfD’s tally entitled it to four seats in the municipal council, the party only ran one candidate, thus its three other seats are empty. Strange as it may sound, Schorfheide remains a bastion of democratic verve, despite the votes of a fifth to a third of its citizens.

Schorfheide’s AfD vote illustrates that neither high civic engagement—nor better economic circumstances, nor an absence of immigrant populations, nor high voter turnout—constitutes a sliver bullet against rightist parties, even though civil society stymies their presence in and impact on localities, as a decade of MBR and other democracy promotion work illustrates. Thus far, there are no studies measuring the relationship between civil-society density and voting patterns in the 2024 votes. A 2019 study on the state election in Thuringia shows that the far right thrived in communities that are more rural, have low voter turnout (electoral participation), where economic wellbeing is precarious, and that have weak structures, including lack of commercial enterprises, infrastructure, trade unions, and the like of quality medical services or schools.

Markus Klein of the MBR Brandenburg finds the lower number of votes garnered by the AfD in the Schorfheide council election telling.  “In the EU election,” he says, “the AfD vote was a symbolic protest. But in the latter, they stuck with the local politicians who they knew could get things done. “Beyond local politics, there’s still an ‘us down here’ against ‘them up there,’ mentality,” says Klein.

Despite the disconnect between Schorfheide’s voting patterns and its buoyant civic life, there is a broad consensus in Germany and beyond that the so-called third sector presents a viable point of intervention from outside and that it can, as it has in Schorfheide, make communities more resilient to on-the-ground incursions from the far right. This is why Brandenburg receives a total of 6 million euros of state funding for the likes of anti-racism and queer initiatives, civic education, the MBRs, and many other such hands-on ventures. Klein says he is certain that these monies neutralize the hard right, and that more funding would go further—to a certain extent. “More funding is required,” he says, “but money can’t buy civil society. There have to be people there, on location, who want to make it happen..”

Since 2015, the federal government’s flagship program is Demokratie Leben! (Live Democracy!), which—with a budget of 182 million euros in 2023—helps “municipalities and districts all over Germany develop strategies for action in order to strengthen democracy and diversity and to counter group-focused enmity.” The program’s vast array of grassroots initiatives and political education projects across the country is immensely impressive but obviously falls short of deterring the rise of illiberal parties such as the AfD, which began its steep ascent into the political mainstream the same year that Demokratie Leben! began: in 2015.

Close observers, like sociologist Steffen Mau, author of a bestseller on the issue, conclude that the lion’s share of eastern Germans want to live in a democratic state—and practice democracy in everyday life—but simply do not relate to the western German political parties. Indeed, they have been woefully unable to win members in the eastern states. The AfD poses as an authentically eastern German party—although it is not—and representative of its citizens’ interests, as does the newcomer party Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). Interestingly, in the European Parliament election earlier this year, only 34 percent of Schorfheide’s voters cast a ballot for one of western Germany’s traditional parties (Christian conservative, social democrat, green, liberal). In the municipal election, this share was even less, with the most popular vote getter being Bündnis Schorfheide, a civic initiative that runs in local elections.

Gradually, it’s becoming ever clearer that neither western Germany’s parties nor their agendas speak to eastern voters. Their priorities are local—such as new streets, recreational facilities, public transportation, and schools—and they trust local faces. Rather than resist this, Germany’s politicos should roll with it. Programs like Demokratie Leben! boost civic democracy and should be expanded. Germany’s NGO world is waiting impatiently for the passage of the Democracy Promotion Act, a bill that’s been stalled in the Bundestag for months that would give them access to long-term funding, in contrast to the grants that they reapply for every year. They also need the police and the justice system on their side—as is the case in Schorfheide, but not everywhere in eastern Germany.

The strong AfD votes in the east send an unmistakable message to Germany’s political establishment: Think locally with us—or get out of the way.

[onebeautymedical]

Are you searching for “laser treatment near me” or “laser treatment services near me”? Look no further! New York offers a plethora of advanced laser treatment services to cater to various skin and medical needs. Whether you’re dealing with unwanted hair, skin imperfections, or medical conditions, laser treatments provide effective and non-invasive solutions.

What is Laser Treatment? Laser treatment involves using concentrated light beams to target specific areas of the body. These treatments can address a wide range of issues, from cosmetic concerns like hair removal and skin resurfacing to medical conditions such as varicose veins and skin lesions. The precision of laser technology allows for targeted treatment, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and promoting faster recovery times.

2. Popular Laser Treatment Services in New York Laser Hair Removal:

Say goodbye to razors and waxing! Laser hair removal is a popular service for those looking to permanently reduce hair growth. Using laser technology, hair follicles are targeted and destroyed, preventing future hair growth. This service is ideal for areas like the face, legs, underarms, and bikini line.

3. Skin Resurfacing:

For individuals struggling with acne scars, wrinkles, or sun damage, laser skin resurfacing can rejuvenate the skin’s appearance. This treatment removes the outer layers of damaged skin, revealing the fresh, new skin underneath. The result is a smoother, more youthful complexion.

4. Tattoo Removal:

Regretting that old tattoo? Laser tattoo removal is an effective way to fade or completely remove unwanted tattoos. The laser breaks down the ink particles, which are then absorbed and eliminated by the body’s natural processes.

5. Treatment of Vascular Lesions:

Lasers can effectively treat vascular lesions, such as spider veins and port-wine stains. The laser targets the blood vessels, causing them to collapse and fade from view. This treatment can improve both appearance and comfort.

6. Pigmentation Treatments:

Hyperpigmentation, age spots, and melasma can be treated with laser therapy. The laser targets melanin in the skin, breaking up the pigment and evening out skin tone. This service is particularly popular among those seeking a more uniform complexion.

Why Choose Laser Treatment Services in New York? New York is home to some of the best medical and cosmetic laser treatment providers in the country. The city’s clinics are equipped with the latest technology and staffed by highly trained professionals. When you search for “laser treatment services in New York,” you’ll find a wide range of options tailored to your specific needs.

Benefits of Laser Treatments Precision: Laser treatments offer high precision, targeting specific areas without affecting the surrounding tissues. Minimal Downtime: Most laser treatments have minimal recovery times, allowing you to return to your daily activities quickly. Long-Lasting Results: Many laser treatments provide permanent or long-lasting results, reducing the need for repeated procedures. Non-Invasive: Laser treatments are typically non-invasive, meaning no surgical incisions are required.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to enhance your appearance or address a specific medical condition, consider exploring the various laser treatment services in New York. With advanced technology and expert care, you can achieve the results you desire. Don’t hesitate to search for “laser treatment near me” or “laser treatment services near me” to find a reputable clinic in your area. Whether it’s for hair removal, skin rejuvenation, or medical treatment, laser services offer a safe and effective solution for a variety of needs. Experience the benefits of laser treatments and take the first step towards a more confident you.

[techhy-simpson]

Smart Growth: Cost-Saving Expansion Tactics for Startups

For any growing startup, scaling up in a cost-effective way is a dream and a dilemma. These young businesses aim to boost their reach and operations. The big question is: Can they increase their team size without burning through their budget? This is where staff augmentation comes in. It's a practical, flexible method that lets startups grow without breaking the bank.

A Look at Startup Expansion Pitfalls

Take a fictional startup, ByteWave, as a case in point. Three university pals had a fantastic idea for a cloud-based service and ByteWave was born. After a year, their user base ballooned to 50,000. This explosive growth brought a heap of operational headaches. ByteWave's tiny 12-member team was swamped, battling to stay afloat amidst demands for customer support, software updates, and fresh feature rollouts.

Traditional hiring seemed the logical move. However, it's a costly option. The Society for Human Resource Management estimates the average cost of recruiting a new U.S. worker is $4,129, taking an average of 42 days. For a startup like ByteWave, this approach was simply out of reach in terms of time and budget.

The Benefits of Staff Augmentation

Staff augmentation is a far more efficient solution. It gives startups the flexibility to temporarily hire skilled personnel for key roles. ByteWave could quickly bring in specialist developers and customer service agents for specific projects. This gave the founders the ability to dynamically scale their team, tackling particular problems without the delays and costs of full-time recruitment.

A Smart Financial Move

Staff augmentation brings significant savings. Deloitte's research shows businesses can save as much as 30% in labor costs by adopting flexible staffing models. These cost cuts result from reduced essential overheads like benefits, office space, and training costs. Plus, it speeds up time-to-market. Deloitte's study also discovered projects are completed 20-25% quicker with staff augmentation, giving startups a crucial competitive edge.

Success Stories

Numerous real-world examples demonstrate how startups have used staff augmentation effectively:

Airbnb: To boost user appeal, Airbnb brought in freelance photographers to produce quality property listings, enhancing the platform's appeal without having to recruit full-time photographers.

Slack: During a critical period of rapid growth, Slack used remote contractors to provide 24/7 customer support, avoiding the costs of a large, permanent team.

Uber: Expanding into new locations, Uber used local contractors for tasks such as driver onboarding and market research, allowing fast growth without the long-term overheads of permanent local staffing.

Steps to Implement Staff Augmentation

If you're a startup considering staff augmentation, follow these practical steps:

Be Transparent: Define the needed skills and roles. This helps you find the right talent.

Choose Wisely: Partner with reliable staffing agencies or platforms that are familiar with your industry. They can quickly hook you up with vetted professionals.

Foster a Team Spirit: Treat augmented staff as integral team members. Make sure they attend meetings, have the necessary tools and keep communication lines open.

Be Clear: Set out the scope, deadlines, and deliverables for each project. This ensures all parties are on the same page and promotes effective collaboration.

Share Knowledge: Ensure the knowledge and experience that the temporary staff bring is shared with your permanent team.

Challenge Navigation

Staff augmentation, while beneficial, is not without its obstacles. Here's how to address them:

Building the Team: Temporary staff might not naturally fit into your company culture. To bridge this gap, include them in team activities and clearly communicate your values and aims.

Maintaining Standards: Keep high-quality work by setting clear quality benchmarks, and conducting regular work reviews.

Data Protection: Safeguard critical information with strict NDAs and limit access to crucial systems.

Employee Relations: Permanent team members might feel uneasy about temporary staff. Be clear about the roles of augmented staff and stress that they are an additional resource, not a threat to the core team.

The Way Forward

The move towards flexible work arrangements is increasing. An Upwork study predicts that by 2028, 73% of all teams will include remote workers. This factors make staff augmentation an appealing option for startups. Tools for remote project management and communication like Trello, Asana, and Slack are helping facilitate this shift, allowing efficient collaboration regardless of location.

Conclusion

Staff augmentation can be a lifesaver for startups trying to expand while preserving their budgets. It permits them to bring in specialized skills as needed, accelerate growth, and compete effectively without long-term financial commitments.

[panthavma]

I'm going to Godot Con 2023 to talk about Stylized Rendering !

I am pleased to announce I'll be at Godot Con 2023 for a talk on stylized rendering and asset pipelines! You can watch it IN PERSON or online!

Making a stylized game is HARD, and there are plenty of hurdles. Not all of them are technical, and some are more linked to productions.

But make no mistake: stylized rendering is fundamentally hard and very technical due to the amount of control you need!

Where a regular render is like a photo (you control the composition, but not the laws of physics), stylized rendering forces you to add the local control of paintings into a rules based system.

What's the solution then ? Well, it's hard enough that I'm doing a PhD, but still...

There ARE ways to achieve a stylized game, but the hurdles can be complex. This is what I'll break down during the talk: what they are, how to take them into account in your plans, and potential solution.

We're going from the tech to the global production / staffing effects!

And here's the kicker, we'll apply what we've seen into how to make the most of it with a quick practical example of a game with a unique style, and how I built the rendering and tools pipeline for it !

I got the same rendering in game and in blender, and export is automatic!

This 20 minute talk strives to be accessible and to the point, so I won't go into the funny technical details of line extraction or particle-based rendering. I won't teach you "how to do this style", but more of "how to make a stylized game".

I actually have a blog where I write about these parts and other stylized rendering stuff, you can find it here along with my newsletter.

I actually have one last related thing to reveal during the coming weeks before the conference, so keep an eye out!

https://panthavma.com/newsletter

[spectrahr23]

"Washaway"

Washaway Group has experienced remarkable growth in recent years within the Indian market.

Under the business name "Washaway - Your Garment Care Experts," it have established itself as a premier provider of top-tier laundry and dry cleaning services.

Their journey began in 2021 when it was founded Washaway - Your Garment Care Experts' with the aim of becoming a comprehensive clothing care specialist. They have consistently offered a wide range of laundry solutions, including professional dry cleaning and specialized fabric treatments. Its operational headquarters are strategically located in Yeshwantpur, Karnataka, India.

Washaway - Your Garment Care Experts has emerged as one of the leading large-scale commercial laundries in India. Its commitment to service excellence is evident through their operations seven days a week. It firmly believes that convenience and customer satisfaction are at the core of its mission to serve their valued clientele.

Recently, the Human Resources department, under the leadership of Mr. Churiwala, conducted a recruitment drive to address staffing shortages resulting from increased workload demands.

Regrettably, these recruitments were expedited and carried out without due diligence, leading to the hiring of individuals with inadequate skills. Additionally, the training procedures were rushed during this period.

Tragically, an unfortunate incident occurred due to an employee's oversight, resulting in a dryer malfunction that led to the fatality of one of their workforce and left two other employees with severe burn injuries.

Task Description:

As the HR Manager of Washaway, you are tasked with addressing the following critical matters:

1. Compensation for the Family of the Deceased and Injured Employees:

• Formulate a comprehensive compensation plan for the family of the deceased employee and those who suffered injuries in the recent incident.

• Ensure that the compensation is fair, compassionate, and in line with legal requirements and ethical standards.

2. Explanation for the Ignorance Leading to Unskilled Workforce:

• Provide a detailed justification for the circumstances that resulted in the hiring of an unskilled workforce.

• Analyze the factors and processes contributing to this oversight and propose corrective actions to prevent such occurrences in the future.

3. Defense Strategy for the HR Department:

• Develop a strategy for defending the HR department's actions in the aftermath of the incident.

• Outline the steps taken to investigate the incident, improve recruitment and training processes, and reinforce safety measures.

Deliverables:

Prepare a professional PowerPoint presentation consisting of 6 to 8 slides to address the above-mentioned tasks. The presentation should adhere to the following guidelines:

• Each slide should be well-structured, concise, and include key points and visual elements to enhance clarity and engagement.

• Include data, evidence, and best practices to support your proposed solutions and defense strategy.

Deadline: 12:30 PM

Submissions must be made to this email: spectra23.hr@gmail.com

[canadianabroadvery]

HELP CHANGE THE NARATIVE ABOUT HEALTH CARE PRIVATIZATION

In Ontario, the push for privatization of surgeries is a calculated move to line the pockets of private shareholders. Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives have been starving the public system of critical funding and letting services and staffing deteriorate to a critical level so they can introduce privatization as a solution.

https://canadians.org/action/ontario-health-care-oped/

[getoncrm]

4 Major Reasons Why Manufacturing Is Moving Towards Salesforce CRM

Manufacturing is a process that is oftentimes tedious and manual. It requires intricate knowledge of processes, raw materials, inventory management, and more. In other words, it’s not something that can be broken down into smaller tasks for ease of implementation. With this in mind, manufacturers have been turning to software for help - specifically Salesforce CRM. If you ask anyone in the manufacturing industry right now - they’ll tell you that a third-party software solution is essential when automating your processes. Here are 4 major reasons why manufacturing companies are moving towards Salesforce CRM Service:

Inventory Management Is A Key Function

Regarding the purpose and function of logistics, no industry is complete without it. As a manufacturer, the inventory management function is key. This is because inventory is key to a company’s bottom line. When you don’t have reliable and accurate inventory management, you miss out on countless growth opportunities. While inventory management is essential for manufacturing companies, it cannot be done manually. It must be integrated with your production planning function, sales, and marketing to be effective. And as such, it’s a critical function for any manufacturer to automate.

Traditionally Manual Processes Can Be Automated

Automation is the key when it comes to the implementation of Salesforce CRM. This is because it requires an integration of systems and business processes. When you create a fully automated system, you can optimize your processes and significantly reduce the human resource required to execute them. So, with Salesforce CRM integration, you can automate manual tasks and make them easy to use, scheduling, and data-driven. Combining this with the ability to track key metrics enables you to make informed decisions about your processes. Likewise, you can optimize them for throughput, accuracy, and other factors.

Also Read: 8 Reasons Why Salesforce Is The Best CRM For Manufacturing Companies?

Flexible Staffing And Scheduling Are Critical For Manufacturing

Manufacturers require a high degree of flexibility when it comes to scheduling. This is because they deal with a high volume of orders that require immediate fulfillment. And because of this, they have to be extremely flexible in terms of staffing, scheduling, and other factors. Utilizing Salesforce, manufacturers can become more flexible and have greater visibility into their schedules, people, and other factors. This enables them to work more efficiently and effectively. In addition, manufacturers can use Salesforce CRM solutions to create more efficient work schedules by using virtual calendars and other tools that help eliminate paper.

Customer Service Is Crucial For Growth

Manufacturers are also turning to Salesforce CRM implementation for better customer service. Customers are more likely to stay loyal when they feel they are being acknowledged and cared for. And, when your manufacturers have issues, they are much more likely to turn to Salesforce. By investing in Salesforce CRM, manufacturers can enable their customers to get answers to their questions and resolve issues. Likewise, they can enable the customers to provide feedback, reviews, and other information. And when manufacturers give their customers this level of service, it can positively impact growth.

Also Read: What Is The Role And Responsibilities Of Salesforce CRM Consultant

Conclusion

Manufacturers are turning to Salesforce CRM solutions because they are a more efficient way to manage their operations. When you automate your processes, you can increase productivity and lower costs. Likewise, when you manage your operations with CRM in mind, you can respond to customers more efficiently and effectively. So, with a Salesforce CRM consultant, you can optimize your operations and significantly improve your company’s bottom line.

GetOnCRM Solutions is a Salesforce silver consulting partner that can help Salesforce CRM integration for manufacturing companies for various operations and automated functions.

[lafseanchai]

Got a possible winner for entitled and ridiculous customers today.

We didn't have a mail truck yesterday as it was so damn icy in the early morning when the trucks come out to bring the mail. So I was dealing with a lot phone calls about the lack of mail yesterday and today. Then, this customer calls.

Starts out like so many other calls, no mail yesterday, it will be out today. Then, this person comments on how their mail keeps coming later and later in the day. I explain, again, that the weather has been playing havoc with the big mail trucks but with our carriers too. Plus, we are short handed and just came out of peak season where we were short staffed as well, so everyone is tired a not moving as fast as usual.

"Well, are the routes laid out in a specific way?"

"Yes," I said, "To follow the best path and line of travel for the carrier to be most efficient."

"Couldn't you reverse the route?"

"No."

I have lived other places that reverse the routes, it didn't seem like a difficult thing."

By this point I am getting frustrated and overall shocked by this person's audacity and entitled attitude. "Please explain to me why we would need to reverse the route. What reason would there be to do that? The route is laid out the way it is for a reason."

The customer gets a bit dismissive with me, and says, "There are ways to come up with more solutions if we could just talk about things, but you don't sound like you are in the mood for that. I will call back and talk to someone else."

(good luck with that, it is really just me in the office.)

I say good bye and slammed the phone down. I must have said, "Oh my god!" as I got up, cuz one of the carriers was like, "Oof, that sounded like a bad one, I never hear you even get close to swearing!"

I told the other clerk that if that customer called back, to tell them that if they wanted their mail right away in the day, any time they wanted, they could come in and pay for a PO box.

It has been a long month and a half with peak and the winter weather and customers losing their mind and being short staffed. Hopefully it gets better.

But the AUDACITY.

[fictionyoubelieve]

This isn’t really true. Quite a lot of the cost is going towards staffing, even when those businesses aren’t providing a living wage!

Daycares aren’t that profitable, and the costs are primarily driven by staffing. (source)

Most colleges are either public or private nonprofits. You can see exactly where they’re spending their money; it’s generally not lining the pockets of private investors. (Since degrees are a positional good, you could make an argument about private loans instead, but the tweet doesn’t, so I’m not getting into it.)

Compared to those, it appears to be much more common for nursing homes to be skimming off the top, often hiding profits as costs to third parties in which the owner also has an interest. However, it also seems like most of that profit margin is coming out of Medicare, so blaming capitalism is probably not that accurate or helpful in addressing the problem. And even then, the largest profit margin number I found was 25%, and that was at the height of COVID; typical profit margins seem to be more like 10%, but it varies widely with care type. (source)

Caretaking and education require high ratios of trained staff per “customer”, and the ratio can’t be significantly improved with scale. So when wages rise at the low end, it increases the cost of those services more than for other things where that’s not true. It’s mostly not due to greedy rent-seeking (although, tangentially, lower rents would somewhat reduce costs for all three of these services).

Paying caretakers better wages means caretaking services cost a lot more, and almost everyone needs caretaking services at some point. The actual solution is socialism, so that caretaking costs are spread more evenly across the whole population and paid over time, instead of falling entirely on individuals or struggling families during the few years they’re needed. But we also need enough oversight of socialist programs to minimize corruption, as we can see from the Medicare example.