#Connected Ship Market

[digitalwibe]

Japan Connected Ship Market Value Research By Forecast 2024-2032 | MRFR

The Japanese connected ship market is set to experience significant value growth and technological advancement from 2024 to 2032. This period represents a critical phase driven by Japan's maritime expertise, technological innovation, and commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Technological Advancements Driving Market Value

Japan Connected Ship Market  encompass advanced solutions designed to optimize vessel performance, improve safety standards, and reduce environmental impact. These technologies include IoT sensors for real-time monitoring, AI-driven analytics for predictive maintenance, and satellite communication systems for seamless connectivity.

Japanese maritime companies are at the forefront of developing autonomous shipping capabilities and digital twin technologies. These innovations enable virtual simulations of vessel operations, enhancing decision-making processes and operational reliability in maritime logistics.

Market Value Research and Strategic Initiatives

In Japan, major maritime clusters such as Tokyo Bay and Yokohama serve as key hubs for maritime innovation and technology adoption. Leading shipyards, technology providers, and research institutions collaborate to develop next-generation connected ship solutions that meet stringent regulatory requirements and operational demands.

Government initiatives promoting digitalization and sustainable shipping practices further accelerate market growth. Investments in eco-friendly propulsion systems, energy-efficient technologies, and cybersecurity measures ensure the resilience and reliability of connected ship systems in Japanese waters.

Request Free Sample Report - Receive a free sample report to preview the valuable insights and data we offer.

Forecasting Market Evolution

Looking ahead to 2032, the Japanese connected ship market is poised for substantial growth. Factors such as the expansion of international trade routes, advancements in maritime technology, and the deployment of 5G networks will drive market expansion.

The integration of blockchain for secure data transactions and digital supply chain management will enhance operational transparency and efficiency. Investments in regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship will reinforce Japan's position as a global leader in maritime innovation and sustainability.

In conclusion, the connected ship market in Japan presents strategic opportunities for stakeholders from 2024 to 2032. By leveraging technological advancements, fostering collaboration, and embracing sustainable practices, stakeholders can contribute to shaping the future of maritime transportation and environmental stewardship.

About US

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. To stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

Contact us:

Market Research Future (part of Wants tats Research and Media Private Limited),

99 Hudson Street,5Th Floor, New York, New York 10013, United States of America

Sales: +1 628 258 0071 (US) +44 2035 002 764 (UK)

Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com

[aerospaceanddefense]

The Connected Ship Market is projected to grow from USD 11.3 Billion in 2023 to USD 17.2 Billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period.

[sannyo-appreciation-posts]

You've met The:

Now behold, The Connected Marketeers:

The Genuinely Unconnected Marketeers:

The Possibly Connected Outside Work Marketeers

And The Cool Cutie Who Also Happens To Be A Marketeer

Art by Umebitan

Link Below:

[joycrispy]

Sometimes ADHD likes to throw you a curveball, and in my latest "I do not control the hyperfixation" development: I was suddenly possessed, at FOUR IN THE MORNING, to buy myself a tamagotchi out of literally nowhere, and now all I want to do is play with it and look at tamagotchi content.

...I also bought a second tamagotchi. Oops.

[magpigment]

i find it rlly funny when i make a character and i’m just like. tumblr would love them. tumblr would be all over this character. why isn’t tumblr obsessed w them already. and then remember they exist only in my mind :(

[poojagblog-blog]

/PRNewswire/ -- The global Plastic Hot and Cold Pipe Market is anticipated to grow from estimated USD 7.24 billion in 2024 to USD 9.96 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. The major factors driving the market growth of the plastic hot and cold pipe market includes cost-effectiveness, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation. Plastic pipes have certain good advantages, including insulation that does not allow condensation of moisture in cold water pipes and reduces heat loss in hot water systems. It is easier to transport and handle components when available rather than metallic alternatives. These, among other factors, coupled with environmental aspects like recyclability as well as lower carbon emissions in production, rising demand in energy-efficient plumbing, smart leakage detection technology, and other innovations, are driving the market forward.

[connect-infosoft-technologies]

Integrating E-Commerce Solutions across Websites and Apps for Multi-Platform Selling

In digital age, e-commerce has become an integral part of the retail industry. With the rapid growth of online shopping, businesses are constantly seeking ways to expand their reach and maximize their sales potential. One effective strategy that has emerged is multi-platform selling, which involves integrating e-commerce solutions across websites and apps to create a seamless shopping experience for customers.

Without a doubt, selling across various platforms is a game changer in the realm of custom eCommerce development, with the potential to propel any organization to new heights. This blog will look at all aspects of multi-platform selling and how it affects the modern eCommerce business scene. Let us get started.

eCommerce Evolution: A New Era of Online Selling

Welcome to the new era of online selling! With the ever-growing popularity of e-commerce, businesses are constantly seeking ways to expand their reach and increase their sales. One such method that has gained significant traction is multi-platform selling, which involves integrating e-commerce solutions across websites and apps.

However, because consumer behaviours  and market demands change so quickly, an all-in-one or single eCommerce strategy is insufficient for long-term success. This is where multi-platform selling provides numerous chances for firms looking to increase engagement and diversify their reach.

What Does Multi-Platform Selling Mean?

Multi-platform selling refers to the practice of selling products or services through multiple online channels simultaneously. This approach allows businesses to reach a wider audience and cater to customers' preferences across various platforms, including websites, mobile apps, social media platforms, and marketplaces. By offering a consistent shopping experience across different channels, businesses can enhance customer engagement, increase brand visibility, and boost sales.

Whether you run a little business or a large corporation, if you carefully position your company on these platforms, you will meet all of your customers' expectations by providing a convenient purchasing experience. However, managing sales across several channels is not as simple as it appears; a custom eCommerce development solution is required to optimize the process.

Major Perks of Multi-Platform Selling

There are several significant perks associated with multi-platform selling. Let's take a closer look at some of the major advantages that businesses can enjoy:

1. Expanded Reach: By leveraging multiple platforms, businesses can tap into a larger customer base and target diverse demographics. This broadens their reach and increases the chances of attracting new customers.

2. Enhanced Customer Experience: Multi-platform selling enables businesses to provide a seamless and consistent shopping experience across various channels. Customers can browse products, make purchases, and access support services conveniently, regardless of the platform they prefer.

3. Increased Sales Opportunities: With multiple channels at their disposal, businesses have more opportunities to showcase their products and services and convert leads into sales. Each platform serves as an additional sales channel, increasing the chances of generating revenue.

4. Improved Brand Visibility: Businesses may increase brand awareness and familiarity by maintaining a presence across many media. Consistent branding across channels promotes client trust and loyalty.

5. Better Data Insights: Multi-platform selling allows businesses to gather data from different sources, providing valuable insights into customer behaviour, preferences, and trends. This data can be used to optimize marketing strategies, personalize customer experiences, and drive informed business decisions.

Other key benefits of multi-platform selling include:

Improved conversion rate

Better customer loyalty.

Improved inventory transparency.

Improved customer segmentation.

Mobile commerce trend capitalization

Best Platforms for Multi-Channel eCommerce Business

1. Shopify: Shopify offers a comprehensive e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create and manage online stores. It provides seamless integration with various sales channels, including websites, mobile apps, social media platforms, and marketplaces.

2. Magento: Magento is a highly flexible and scalable e-commerce platform that caters to businesses of all sizes. It supports multi-channel selling by integrating with multiple platforms, enabling businesses to sell across websites, mobile apps, and marketplaces.

3. Etsy: If you want to sell antique, handcrafted, craft supplies, or other one-of-a-kind things online, Etsy is a great place to start. Users may easily access a wide range of product categories on this marketplace, including clothing, jewellery, tools, home, living, kids & babies, and entertainment.

4. Amazon Marketplace: As one of the largest online marketplaces, Amazon provides businesses with a vast customer base and global reach. Selling on Amazon Marketplace can significantly expand the visibility and sales potential of products.

5. eBay: eBay is another popular online marketplace that allows businesses to sell products to a wide range of customers. With its auction-style listings and fixed-price options, eBay offers flexibility for multi-channel selling.

6.Walmart Marketplace: Walmart is a frequently used marketplace that provides excellent prospects for online enterprises. This is a curated e-commerce portal. As a seller, you must meet specified requirements for providing excellent customer service.

7. Facebook Marketplace: This is Facebook's integrated platform that provides fantastic online selling choices to local sellers and small enterprises. This platform is simple to use and helps you promote your goods to a social media-savvy customer audience.

How to Set Up a Successful Multi-Platform Selling Strategy:

1. Identify Target Platforms:

Research and analyse the platforms that align with your target audience and business objectives. Consider factors such as platform popularity, user demographics, and integration capabilities.

2. Seamless Integration:

Select e-commerce platforms that offer robust integration capabilities with various channels. Ensure that your chosen platforms can synchronize product listings, inventory, pricing, and order management across all channels.

3. Consistent Branding:

Maintain consistent branding elements, such as logo, colors, and messaging, across all platforms. This creates a cohesive brand identity and fosters customer recognition and trust.

4. Optimize User Experience:

Provide a user-friendly and intuitive shopping experience on every platform. Optimize website and app performance, ensure mobile responsiveness, and streamline the checkout process to minimize friction and maximize conversions.

5. Data-Driven Decision Making:

Leverage analytics and data insights to monitor and measure the performance of each platform. Identify trends, customer preferences, and areas for improvement, and use this information to refine your multi-platform selling strategy.

6. Customer Support:

Offer consistent and responsive customer support across all platforms. Provide multiple channels for customer inquiries, such as live chat, email, and phone, to ensure a seamless support experience.

7. Cross-promotion:

Cross-promotion is a marketing strategy where two or more parties promote each other's products or services to their respective audiences. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement that can help increase brand exposure, reach new customers, and drive sales.

8. Privacy and Data Security:

 - Manage all of your customers' data safely.

- Display all privacy policies to your customers to develop trust.

9. Focus on market trends.

- Keep up with the latest industry developments, platform updates, and client requests.

- Be prepared to change your business approach (if necessary) to stay ahead of the market.

Conclusion:

Multi-platform selling has become a crucial strategy for businesses aiming to thrive in the competitive e-commerce landscape. By integrating e-commerce solutions across websites and apps, businesses can expand their reach, enhance the customer experience, and boost sales. With the availability of various platforms, businesses can choose the ones that align with their target audience and business goals. By implementing a well-planned multi-platform selling strategy, businesses can establish a strong presence across multiple channels, drive customer engagement, increase brand visibility, and ultimately achieve success in the evolving world of e-commerce.

[ragini-14]

Connected Ship Market 2024 Growth, Business Opportunities, and Forecast By 2030

The qualitative report Published by Exactitude Consultancy research on the Connected Ship Market offers an in-depth examination of the current trends, latest expansions, conditions, market size, various drivers, limitations, and key players along with their profile details. The Connected Ship market report offers the historical data for 2018 to 2023 and also makes available the forecast data from the year 2024 to 2030 which is based on revenue. With the help of all this information research report helps the Market contributors to expand their market positions. With the benefit of all these explanations, this market research report recommends a business strategy for present market participants to strengthen their role in the market. This report analyzes the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on the Connected Ship Market from a Global and Regional perspective.

The connected ship market is expected to grow at 5% CAGR from 2024 to 2030. It is expected to reach above USD 9.5 Billion by 2030 from USD 6.12 Billion in 2023.

For The Full Report Click here:

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/20389/connected-ship-market/

[vamptastic]

I've never seen OFMD maybe they're all fastidiously clean idk but a show where ppl presumably write a bunch of explicit gay fanfiction about dudes that haven't bathed in months and live on a boat eating hardtack absolutely massacring their digestive systems being sponsored (?) by a lube brand is really funny. I don't think those guys would use it to be real with you. Like I don't think there was room in the cargo hold I don't think it was a priority. They needed room for the hardtack

[market-insider]

Docks Market: Tracing the Evolution and Uncovering Emerging Opportunities

The global docks market size is expected to reach USD 2.3 billion by 2030, as per a new report by Grand View Research Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2022 to 2030. The rising structure demand as the governing bodies of various economies is conducting redevelopment of waterfronts to maximize their value for both business and community, which is expected to propel market growth. Additionally, the constantly rising global population is indirectly leading to the scarcity of space in the existing urban ports leading to market demand for increasing the space productivity within a port.

One of the Norway-based engineering firms has developed smart application software to reduce the risk of accidents using an IoT platform. The newly developed technology makes use of hi-tech sensors to real-time monitor the operating states of floating docks from virtually anywhere. This newly developed application software shows the water levels across different tanks and other operating parameters for the docks which will increase the market for docks.

The Governmental permits are needed on the size of the dock, type of dock, and the type of natural resources that might get affected such as mangroves, corals, hard bottoms, and seagrass. The prohibitions are enforced on the harmful chemicals used for docks which may disturb the marine ecosystem. Lastly, some other restrictions might be added to control the type of dock being placed on the property. 

The installation of docks is offered directly by the company-appointed contractors or distributors. However, the companies also offer a product suitable for DIY installations. In addition, the manufacturers also offer repair and maintenance services for the docks. The conventional port world is constantly changing, the technological, demographical, and sustainability drivers are affecting the daily business and are shaping several important trends which is also expected to drive the demand for docks market during the forecast period. 

The global temperature rise is expected to make the transpolar passage and the Northern Sea Route could become potential alternatives for maritime freight. The use of the Northern Sea Route for maritime freight between Asia and Northern Europe is expected to reduce the voyage distance when compared with the Suez Canal route. 

For More Details or Sample Copy please visit link @: Docks Market Report

Docks Market Report Highlights

The metal frame segment accounted for a market share of 52.0% in 2021, owing to the increasing demand for aluminum frame docks. Docks with aluminum frame are highly preferred by lakefront home or business owner as it offers strength as well as improve the aesthetic profile of the property where the dock is installed

The commercial application segment dominated the market in 2021 and is estimated to generate revenue of USD 1.1 billion by 2030, owing to the endless commercial applications for floating docks, however, they are commonly used at settings such as waterfront resorts and marinas

The market in North America is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 2.8% from 2022 to 2030 on account of increased users indulging in outdoor recreational activities that incorporate social distancing due to the pandemic. This will enhance the docks market within the region

The U.S. market is projected to witness strong growth over the forecast period and reach a market value of USD 0.68 billion in 2030 on account of the rise in the use of shipping for the movement of products and goods across regions. Additionally, space productivity is expected to lead to waterfront redevelopment activities thus positively influencing the docks market

The docks market is competitive in nature owing to the presence of several players that are primarily consolidated in the Asia Pacific and North America, whereas Europe exhibits a limited presence of established players. The changing lifestyle needs of the population, especially the younger section, towards activities such as adventure sports has also led to the rise in the use of boats and ships. This has also led to an increase in the use of floating docks across the globe 

[automotiveera]

Smart Shipping Containers Market Will Touch USD 15,341.5 Million by 2030

The smart shipping container market was USD 3,971.2 million in 2022, and it will touch USD 15,341.5 million, propelling at a 18.4% compound annual growth rate, by 2030.

The growth of the industry is mainly attributed to the temperature regulation, enhance security measures, and real-time GPS tracking capabilities these containers offer. Moreover, because of the quick technological advancements in AI, IoT, big data analysis, and communication, the industry will further advance in the years to come.

Based on offering, the hardware category accounted for the largest smart shipping container market share, approximately 50%, and it will advance at the highest growth rate in coming years, because of the widespread adoption of various components for tracking and monitoring applications.

Based on technology, the industry is dominated by GPS due to its role in package monitoring and tracking.

Moreover, the quick implementation of the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is because of the rising IoT devices implementation, which necessitates effective communication.

Additionally, the long-range wide area network (LoRa WAN) category will advance at the highest rate in the years to come. This is mainly because of the benefit of LoRa WAN as compared to other technologies, for instance, BLE and Wi-Fi.

Based on vertical, the food & beverage category will advance at the highest compound annual growth rate, of over 20%. This is attributed to the growing requirement for packaged food and perishable. Individuals are shifting their focus towards ready-to-eat food from homemade food, which is boosting the requirement for smart marine transportation solutions for edibles.

In 2022, the smart shipping containers industry is led by Europe, with a share of approximately 40%. This is because of the existence of numerous major industry players providing enhanced software and IoT sensors integrated hardware for effective analytics of data.

[digitalwibe]

Japan Connected Ship Market: Insights of Competitor Analysis, and Forecast (2024-2032)

The connected ship market in Japan offers valuable insights through competitor analysis and a promising forecast for the period 2024-2032. With a focus on technological innovation and strategic partnerships, Japan's maritime industry is poised for growth and adaptation to emerging challenges.

Competitor analysis reveals a diverse landscape in the Japanese connected ship market, featuring leading shipbuilders, technology providers, and research institutions. These entities leverage advancements in IoT, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and data analytics to develop innovative connected ship solutions tailored to the needs of shipowners and operators.

Insights gleaned from competitor analysis inform Japan's strategic approach to connected ship development and deployment. Collaborations between industry stakeholders and government agencies drive innovation, ensuring that connected ship systems meet the stringent requirements of the global maritime sector.

Request Free Sample Report - Receive a free sample report to preview the valuable insights and data we offer.

The forecast for 2024-2032 suggests sustained growth in the Japanese connected ship market, fueled by increasing demand for digitalization, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability. As Japan seeks to enhance its maritime capabilities and navigate the challenges of the digital age, connected ship technologies will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of its maritime industry.

About US

At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions. To stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.

Contact us:

Market Research Future (part of Wants tats Research and Media Private Limited),

99 Hudson Street,5Th Floor, New York, New York 10013, United States of America

Sales: +1 628 258 0071 (US) +44 2035 002 764 (UK)

Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com

[aerospaceanddefense]

The Connected Ship Market is estimated at USD 11.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 17.2 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.7 % from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets™. 

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #26

July 5-12 2024

The IRS announced it had managed to collect $1 billion in back taxes from high-wealth tax cheats. The program focused on persons with more than $1 million in yearly income who owned more than $250,000 in unpaid taxes. Thanks to money in Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act the IRS is able to undertake more enforcement against rich tax cheats after years of Republicans cutting the agency's budget, which they hope to do again if they win power again.

The Biden administration announced a $244 million dollar investment in the federal government’s registered apprenticeship program. This marks the largest investment in the program's history with grants going out to 52 programs in 32 states. The President is focused on getting well paying blue collar opportunities to people and more people are taking part in the apprenticeship program than ever before. Republican pledge to cut it, even as employers struggle to find qualified workers.

The Department of Transportation announced the largest single project in the department's history, $11 billion dollars in grants for the The Hudson River Tunnel. Part of the $66 billion the Biden Administration has invested in our rail system the tunnel, the most complex Infrastructure project in the nation would link New York and New Jersey by rail under the Hudson. Once finished it's believed it'll impact 20% of the American economy by improving and speeding connection throughout the Northeast.

The Department of Energy announced $1.7 billion to save auto worker's jobs and convert factories to electronic vehicles. The Biden administration will used the money to save or reopen factories in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, and Virginia and retool them to make electric cars. The project will save 15,000 skilled union worker jobs, and created 2,900 new high-quality jobs.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development reached a settlement with The Appraisal Foundation over racial discrimination. TAF is the organization responsible for setting standards and qualifications for real estate appraisers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics last year found that TAF was 94.7% White and 0.6% Black, making it the least racially diverse of the 800 occupations surveyed. Black and Latino home owners are far more likely to have their houses under valued than whites. Under the settlement with HUD TAF will have to take serious steps to increase diversity and remove structural barriers to diversity.

The Department of Justice disrupted an effort by the Russian government to influence public opinion through AI bots. The DoJ shut down nearly 1,000 twitter accounts that were linked to a Russian Bot farm. The bots used AI technology to not only generate tweets but also AI image faces for profile pictures. The effort seemed focused on boosting support for Russia's war against Ukraine and spread negative stories/impressions about Ukraine.

The Department of Transportation announces $1.5 billion to help local authorities buy made in America buses. 80% of the funding will go toward zero or low-emission technology, a part of the President's goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050. This is part of the $5 billion the DOT has spent over the last 3 years replacing aging buses with new cleaner technology.

President Biden with Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and Finnish President Alexander Stubb signed a new agreement on the arctic. The new trilateral agreement between the 3 NATO partners, known as the ICE Pact, will boost production of ice breaking ships, the 3 plan to build as many as 90 between them in the coming years. The alliance hopes to be a counter weight to China's current dominance in the ice breaker market and help western allies respond to Russia's aggressive push into the arctic waters.

The Department of Transportation announced $1.1 billion for greater rail safety. The program seeks to, where ever possible, eliminate rail crossings, thus removing the dangers and inconvenience to communities divided by rail lines. It will also help update and improve safety measures at rail crossings.

The Department of the Interior announced $120 million to help tribal communities prepare for climate disasters. This funding is part of half a billion dollars the Biden administration has spent to help tribes build climate resilience, which itself is part of a $50 billion dollar effort to build climate resilience across the nation. This funding will help support drought measures, wildland fire mitigation, community-driven relocation, managed retreat, protect-in-place efforts, and ocean and coastal management.

The USDA announced $100 million in additional funds to help feed low income kids over the summer. Known as "SUN Bucks" or "Summer EBT" the new Biden program grants the families of kids who qualify for free meals at school $120 dollars pre-child for groceries. This comes on top of the traditional SUN Meals program which offers school meals to qualifying children over the summer, as well as the new under President Biden SUN Meals To-Go program which is now offering delivery of meals to low-income children in rural areas. This grant is meant to help local governments build up the Infrastructure to support and distribute SUN Bucks. If fully implemented SUN Bucks could help 30 million kids, but many Republican governors have refused the funding.

USAID announced its giving $100 million to the UN World Food Program to deliver urgently needed food assistance in Gaza. This will bring the total humanitarian aid given by the US to the Palestinian people since the war started in October 2023 to $774 million, the single largest donor nation. President Biden at his press conference last night said that Israel and Hamas have agreed in principle to a ceasefire deal that will end the war and release the hostages. US negotiators are working to close the final gaps between the two sides and end the war.

The Senate confirmed Nancy Maldonado to serve as a Judge on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Maldonado is the 202nd federal Judge appointed by President Biden to be confirmed. She will the first Latino judge to ever serve on the 7th Circuit which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

Bonus: At the NATO summit in Washington DC President Biden joined 32 allies in the Ukraine compact. Allies from Japan to Iceland confirmed their support for Ukraine and deepening their commitments to building Ukraine's forces and keeping a free and Democratic Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. World leaders such as British Prime Minster Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, praised President Biden's experience and leadership during the NATO summit

[lenalvthor]

hey i have a fucking bone to pick with sapphic fandoms

like, i get it okay. i've been on tumblr since 2011, i was in the trenches during the bury your gays nightmare, i grew up on buffy, i watched the 100, i've been through the furious and devastating queerbaits, and i've watched helplessly as the boom of proper progress with sapphic rep has burned and disappeared with the faults of the industry as it is rn and the resurgence of bury your gays in the form of tv cancellations

i even did a fucking guest lecture for a film & tv university course a couple years ago on all of this

we joke about the fact that queer (specifically sapphic) fans flock to any show with the barest hint of rep in it because we're so starved for it, and we talk about the fact that if nothing else, that proves that there's a market and an audience and it usually creates a huge wave of viewership and attention for the show

but i need to fucking point out: acting as though a show exists for the sole purpose of the sapphic relationship you've started watching it for is fucking detrimental to how you'll perceive the show, how it'll get talked about in fandom spaces and then beyond that (bc the line between fandom spaces and wider online discussion of media is a lot thinner than it was ten years ago) and isn't actually going to do any good for sapphic rep! like, at all! because guess what! unless you're watching a show where the entire storyline revolves around romance, this couple you're watching for ISN'T going to be the centre of the story! it's a part of it! and there's such a weird fucking entitled toxicity to how fans act around brilliant storytelling and worldbuilding and writing and characters throwing tantrums about not getting more screentime for the relationship they like because they don't actually care about any other part of the story. and the thing about people who watch something solely for a ship rather than the wider story it exists in, is that a lot of the time, you'll fundamentally misinterpret the characters and their dynamic because you're not taking any of the wider context of the world and story into account at all.

and yes, of course i'm talking about agatha all along in the immediacy. because we knew a long, long time ago that billy maximoff was gonna be an integral part of this story, long before we knew anything about what the vibe of this show was gonna be, long before anyone even had the tiniest whisper of rio's existence. the same way wandavision was monica rambeau's origin story even though the show was wanda's, we suspected that agatha all along would be billy's/wiccan's origin story even if the show focused on agatha. and you know fucking what. that's good fucking storytelling. this show is smart, it's funny, it's curious, it's campy, it's queer, and it's ensemble. that's always been the point. agatha and rio were a delightfully unexpected part of it that added such delicious tension and phenomenal sapphic rep, but you know what else! the point of that dynamic is to flesh out agatha's character! this show isn't about agatha and rio! it's about agatha and billy, who they are, how their pasts and their magic are connected, their traumas and their power and how the road shapes their futures! rio is a part of exploring agatha's past, and it's phenomenal, but i am so fucking bewildered by the ridiculousness of people's reactions to billy now having a bigger part in the story and there being less focus on agatha and rio. you do know that you write scenes and characters and stories in a way that makes sense right? that because of the nature of this show, even if we don't get more than a handful agatha and rio scenes for the rest of the episodes, they're both still sapphic characters, this is still wonderful sapphic rep, and this show is still very, very queer?

like, it's obviously not fair that we have to beg for scraps to have queer shows to watch. but that doesn't mean that any of us get to do such a fucking disservice to the people who make amazing shows and fight to put sapphic rep in them within the contexts of the stories they're telling by whining that it's not enough. what we're getting with agatha all along, what kathryn han and aubrey plaza and jac schaeffer have said with such grace and nuance and intrigue and depth about agatha and rio's relationship, is so fucking rare! and it's nestled within a story that's got so much other intricate storytelling that makes agatha and rio richer characters when you actually pay some fucking attention and care about who they are outside of their sexual tension!

and i'm saying this because this is an issue i see with So many other shows, where the worth of a show gets boiled down to fandoms wanting content of their ship and nothing else and then poisoning the conversation and reception around what else it is that show is doing with its story. idk get some fucking media literacy, grow up and respect artists and creatives.

[mokulule]

While I fail to focus after my night shift have a peek at another of my brain worms

Untitled, I am still waiting for that moment of divine inspiration. Ship: Dead on Main (Danny/Jason)  Fandom: DP x DC 

The only sounds in the Batcave were the bats chittering amongst themselves high above. Bruce rubbed his chin absently as he took in the information displayed on the large screens with narrowed eyes. Something wasn’t adding up. Somebody was lying.

No matter how many times he looked over the information, that was his conclusion. It nagged at him that he didn’t know what, if any, information he could use. He hated being so in the dark. 

A silent notification in the corner of his screen alerted him to a call from the Watchtower. He took it and Superman’s face appeared in a smaller rectangle on the center of the screen. Bruce kept outwardly placid but from behind the cowl nobody would see the way his gaze instantly zeroed in on the massive black eye Superman had acquired, and the general strain around his unhurt eye and mouth. He was worn out. 

“Phantom has been apprehended,” Superman said with a long sigh. It had clearly not been an easy fight. 

“I’ll be there,” Batman said and ended the call. Maybe they’d finally get some real answers. 

He stood and walked towards the zeta tube. Another call came in, this time on the comm in his cowl. 

“Hood,” he greeted.

“Hey, old man. I’m at the location. You were right it’s absolutely crawling with the white suits and their weaponry is not like anything I’ve seen before.”

Bruce felt like a hand squeezed his heart. Hood out of anyone knew his weapons, if he didn’t know them they weren’t on the market. He absolutely hated asking any of his kids to walk into an unknown situation. Unfortunately he didn’t have any other options. 

“Be careful, Hood.”

“Aww, is that worry I detect?”

“Just don’t take unnecessary risks,” Bruce cautioned.

“You wouldn’t have asked me if you didn’t think it was necessary, old man. Don’t worry, I’ll get you your intel.”

Bruce grunted. Jason was right. He wouldn’t have asked if he didn’t think it was important. Didn’t mean he had to like it, nor the fact that Red Hood’s criminal reputation made him perfect for breaking into a government building; even if Hood was seen the Justice League kept plausible deniability. 

Everyone knew Red Hood was a wild card. 

“Check in regularly with Oracle.”

He could practically feel the way Jason rolled his eyes at him.

“Not my first rodeo, B.”

With that the connection cut off. Bruce couldn’t help the bad feeling he had about everything. 

He really hated this stage of an investigation. 

Two months ago the US government contacted the Justice League about a problem. Several bases of a government agency named the GIW had been hit by a malicious creature they called Phantom. The attacks had been gaining in severity and frequency and their measures had so far failed to stop it. 

Since then, a member of the Justice League had arrived too late to five such attacks. They’d stood no chance against Phantom, who’d then disappeared, living up to the name.

To their eyes Phantom was outwardly a humanoid, possibly a meta or alien. The GIW called him a ghost from a different dimension.

They had been at a loss of how exactly to contain such a powerful foe, who not only could go toe to toe with their heavy hitters like Superman, but also disappear by means unknown. This time they’d been prepared. They’d had various team configurations ready to go depending on who was available. 

Something that seemed to have paid off, but Bruce did not like that Clark was injured. Because if Clark was injured…

A zeta tube ride later and he met Superman on the Watchtower. Something that hadn’t been apparent on the call was the sling Superman’s left arm was in. Another visible injury added to the swollen eye. 

“Is everyone alright?” He had to ask.

“Nobody’s permanently hurt.” Clark hurried to assure as they started walking towards the interrogation room, but there was a but. Bruce kept his stare steady until Clark tiredly elaborated: “But nobody got out the fight unscathed. John won’t be walking for a while. J’onn is suffering from psychic backlash. Diana has some broken ribs and scrapes and you can see my own wounds. Everyone is tired, it was a long fight.”

Batman’s lips thinned. At least there had been no casualties. 

Almost as if reading his mind. Superman added quietly. 

“We got there while the base was still standing. Phantom made eye contact with me for a moment, before he unleashed this… sonic attack…” His face turned pained, as he looked for words that came halting. “It was a scream, I can’t describe it, it felt- it felt like I was dying. None of us could get close.”

Superman looked away.

“When it was over the base was gone, eradicated, like the others. There was just a large crater. Who knows how many people were still in there.”

Bruce set a hand on his friend’s shoulder. It was never easy to deal with casualties. 

“The one good thing about it was that the scream seemed to drain quite a bit of energy from him.” Clark barked a laugh, short and hysterical. Bruce knew Clark would have rather faced Phantom at full power if it meant more people had lived. 

“And still it was all we could do to subdue him. We barely won.”

They barely won. Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter, and they barely won. The knowledge sat like a heavy ball in Bruce’s chest. 

Now, maybe they could get intel that wasn’t most reluctantly handed over by a government agency, that didn’t even want to reveal what their alphabet soup name was an abbreviation of. “We had to turn off the ‘Ghost Shield’ to get Phantom inside the base, so we at least know it works, even if for some reason it doesn’t protect the GIW bases,” Superman remarked.  

Bruce hnn’ed to show he’d heard. It was one more discrepancy among many.

Batman entered the observation room with Superman at his back. Wonder Woman was there and he quickly took in her unusually disheveled appearance, she looked tired and uncomfortable, shaken (but whole, safe). He nodded in greeting and she gave him a tight smile in return. He turned to the observation window and felt his breath stick in his throat.

Phantom was- 

The glitchy footage they’d managed to get on earlier encounters couldn’t have prepared him. Bruce felt his jaw clench. Phantom looked young. There was still a hint of baby fat stubbornly clinging to his cheeks. He was short and wiry like Tim but maybe a bit younger than Jason, technically an adult, but to Bruce he still looked painfully young. The overall glowing and the slowly seeping green wound at his hairline didn’t take away just how human he looked. 

Bruce looked at Phantom and saw a kid. Worse, supposedly a dead kid, a ghost, if the most basic of their intel was to be believed, which even that he wasn’t entirely sure of.

A weight was heavy on his shoulders. He had to remind himself that he had found evidence of Phantom throughout history and if a ghost was truly what he was, he was most likely a very old, very powerful spirit, for whom age didn’t matter. It would be a mistake to trust the youthful appearance. 

He was chained to the chair both by wide cuffs at his wrists and ankles so he could only move very little. The cuffs were the best they had when it came to meta power suppression cuffs with some added ghost specific sigils courtesy of Zatanna’s research. She would have liked Constantine to look them over too as that sort of thing was more his area of expertise, but he’d been off on one of his extra-dimensional missions since long before this started and they hadn’t been able to contact him. 

The cuffs kept Phantom here in any case and he didn’t look happy about it. His lips were a flat line and the thick black brows were drawn together over narrowed green eyes. His head was held high (stubbornness? Pride?), chin tilted in a way that showed off a bright green-purple line around his throat, which had it been red and on a human would have looked like rope burn-

Bruce looked to Diana and he suddenly understood part of her discomfort.

“He was about to use another sonic attack, I didn’t see any other way.” Her words were quiet, regretful, but she faced his gaze head on. Bruce nodded. She never would have used the lasso like that under normal circumstances. It was incredibly worrying how much it had taken to subdue him. 

For a moment the three of them just stood there in silence, watching Phantom watch the door.

It was finally time for answers. 

Bruce didn’t make any outward sign that he was about to move, but of course Clark caught on even before he’d moved, stepping aside letting Bruce take point. They went into the interrogation room, Diana staying back to observe and be ready with security measures, they didn’t know for sure would even work.

They entered the room and immediately sharp green eyes locked onto him. There was a quick glance towards Superman, but the eyes quickly focused back on Batman. There was a calculating sort of intelligence behind those eyes. 

That was one question immediately answered, but it was one he could have inferred. It was very hard to believe the claim that this “ghost” was non-sentient, when he specifically targeted the bases of a specific government agency and nothing else. Though of course they could have had something that attracted the ghost, but nobody could look at Phantom and think non sentient. 

Now the question was, why?

Bruce sat down in one of the chairs on the other side of the table from Phantom. Clark had a moment’s pause before he joined them. Bruce pulled out a tablet from underneath his cape and laid it carefully out on the table, turning it on. At this point most people in the room with the Batman would have started getting nervous, but evidently not Phantom. He was still just passively defiant, not to mention he hadn’t yet said a word.

“Phantom, is that your preferred manner of address?” Bruce decided to start out neutral. 

There was a glitter of amusement in green eyes and the barest uptick of his lips, but he remained silent. Bruce could do silence. 

The silence stretched between them until Clark broke it.

“Why do you destroy those bases?”

Phantom glanced to Clark and his earnest question, then back to Bruce, barely raising an eyebrow, like as if to say ��really, this the best you can do?” Bruce resisted the urge to sigh. Clark was usually a better foil for him at interrogations, but then most people didn’t choose total silence.

Bruce decided to be frank with him.

“We are trying to understand your motivation. That’s all.” He studied Phantom’s face which had settled into a stony glare. “But first I’d just like to know if it’s alright to call you Phantom and what your pronouns are? We have been using he/him based on your appearance but you might have another preference?”

The glare softened a bit and for a moment Bruce actually thought he’d lured a response out of him, but Phantom just looked away. Incidentally drawing attention to the line at his throat. A sudden thought occurred to him.

“Are you so hurt, that you’re unable to speak?”

Phantom slowly looked back at him. He seemed to actually be contemplating giving some sort of answer.

That’s when his comm clicked on barely audible.

“The GIW has been in contact,” Diana informed him quietly over the comms. Phantom stiffened across from him, his gaze narrowing like a cat - so they could add enhanced hearing to his powers. “They are requesting we hand over Phantom.”

Bruce looked straight at Phantom as he spoke, “They have no jurisdiction in space. I presume you declined?”

“Of course.”

Phantom’s face turned unreadable for a moment. His gaze went from him, to Superman and the opaque glass that hid the observation room. Finally he huffed. 

“Phantom, he/him is fine.” His voice had an echoey quality to it. 

It seemed they were finally going somewhere. 

-

They were not going somewhere. 

Even hours later Phantom kept up his silence. They’d held several breaks. Phantom had been offered food and water but had declined nonverbally. 

They were going in circles, trying the same questions again and again. Prolonged silence didn’t help any either. 

If only J’onn was an option, but he was already suffering from psychic backlash from trying to go into Phantom’s mind during the fight. 

So far the only things Bruce could add to the certain facts were that Phantom was sentient, intelligent and didn’t like the GIW to the point that he would commit mass murder to take them down. 

And Bruce would just really like to know why? Because with the kinds of powers he’d shown off he could have easily killed the members of the Justice League sent to apprehend him. He seemed to have no qualms about killing, yet he’d stayed his hands?

Bruce had hoped that meant Phantom considered them at least somewhat neutral in this conflict. But apparently not neutral enough to talk to. 

Clark had tried and Diana had tried. Nothing helped. 

Bruce was considering his options, when the door opened. 

“B, I need to speak with you.” That was Tim, he looked pale. Something had happened. Bruce got up, Clark following. Bruce decidedly ignored the sudden curiosity from Phantom. They closed the door and walked down the hall. When Bruce felt they were far enough from Phantom he stopped.

“Red Robin, report.”

“We’ve lost contact with Hood.”

Bruce’s heart dropped cold into his stomach. No. It couldn’t be. 

“When?”

“Two hours ago is when he last checked in. He’s since missed several check-ins.” Tim’s hands tightened into fists at his sides. “Could be he’s just not in a position to respond, or they have scramblers in the base.”

It was likely, in fact very likely that was the case with how secretive the GIW were being, but two hours were a long time to miss check-ins. Clark’s hand landed on his shoulder which he only now realized how tense was, but no, now was not the time to relax or calm down. He shrugged Clark’s hand off and stalked back down the hall.

The GIW were mum about any details. There was only one person who could tell them what Jason was facing in that building.

He burst into the interrogation room and slammed his hands on the table. That got Phantom’s attention his eyes widening before narrowing and his lips splitting in a snarl that showed off fangs, but Bruce sneered right back.

“We lost contact with an agent sent to infiltrate a GIW-base, you will tell me what you know about them, or so help me I will make you wish you stayed in that dimension you came from.”

“Batman, please, maybe you should step out-“ Clark began good hand hovering shy of Bruce, but he was interrupted by the bark of laughter coming from Phantom.

And then he laughed and laughed and laughed. 

Bruce punched him. Clark pulled him back. 

Phantom slowly turned his head back to look at them, working his jaw. 

“There we have it after all. Your true colors: attacking a chained up captive.” He wiggled his fingers drawing attention to the wide thick cuffs dwarfing his wrists. His eyes held only cold judgment. “But don’t worry, Batman, your agent has nothing to fear from the GIW unless they are dead.”

Bruce couldn’t help the flinch and he felt Clark do the same. Something in the very air stilled then, making it hard to breathe. 

“You,” Phantom began standing up, right out of the restraints as if they weren’t there, “are going to explain to me what that reaction means…“ He carefully put his hands down on the table and leaned forward in a way that made it very apparent he was holding himself back. He glared holes into Bruce’s skull with blazing green eyes. “Unless you want your agent back in pieces.”

-

Psssst. this is actually the beginning of the fic where this is from (CW: relatively graphic aftermath of vivisection)

So basically Phantom is public enemy number one, or at least top of the US government and GIW's shit list XD Huh, "Wanted: Dead or Alive", might actually be a pretty fun title, what do you guys think?