#Data Mining Techniques

[enterprisewired]

Data Mining Techniques: Unlocking Insights from Big Data

[Image by Jirsak from Getty Images Pro]

Data is a crucial factor in today’s evolving world for completing a task or running a smooth workflow. Extracting relevant data is necessary for various businesses and organizations. To help with extracting and filtering a vast amount of data for these businesses and organizations, we have a process of Data mining techniques. These techniques help an organization solve business problems by sorting out large data sets into patterns and relationships through the process of data analysis. Understanding these techniques helps organizations or businesses improve their customer experience and optimize their operations.

What is Data Mining?

Data mining is the practice of analyzing large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and relationships that can provide valuable insights. The goal is to convert raw data into useful information, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions. As organizations continue to accumulate massive amounts of data, effective data mining becomes increasingly essential.

The data mining process usually involves various steps such as data collection, data pre-processing, data analysis, and interpretation of results. Various data mining techniques can be engaged during the analysis phase to source insights from the data.

Popular Data Mining Techniques

1. Classification

For example, a retail company might use classification to identify whether a customer is likely to purchase a product based on their browsing history and demographic information. By analyzing past customer data, the company can predict future purchases and tailor marketing strategies accordingly.

2. Clustering

Businesses often use clustering to segment customers based on purchasing behavior. For instance, an e-commerce platform can group customers with similar preferences to create targeted marketing campaigns. Popular clustering algorithms include K-Means, Hierarchical Clustering, and DBSCAN.

3. Association Rule Learning

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The most famous algorithm for association rule learning is the Apriori algorithm, which identifies frequent item sets and generates association rules based on these sets. Businesses can leverage this technique to enhance cross-selling opportunities and improve customer experience.

4. Regression Analysis

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For example, a company might use regression analysis to predict future sales based on historical data, economic indicators, and marketing expenditures. Linear regression, logistic regression, and polynomial regression are common types of regression techniques used in data mining.

5. Time Series Analysis

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For instance, a financial institution might use time series analysis to predict stock prices based on historical data. Techniques such as ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average) and seasonal decomposition of time series (STL) are often employed in this context.

The Importance of Data Mining Techniques

The significance of data mining techniques extends beyond merely understanding past behaviors; they enable organizations to anticipate future trends, identify risks, and uncover new opportunities. By leveraging these techniques, businesses can achieve the following:

1. Improved Decision-Making

Data mining techniques provide organizations with valuable insights that inform strategic decision-making. By understanding customer preferences and market trends, businesses can make more informed choices regarding product development, marketing strategies, and resource allocation.

2. Enhanced Customer Experience

Data mining enables businesses to gain a deeper understanding of their customers. By analyzing customer behavior and preferences, organizations can tailor their offerings to meet individual needs, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

3. Fraud Detection and Risk Management

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In sectors like finance and insurance, data mining techniques are essential for detecting fraudulent activities and managing risks. By analyzing patterns in historical data, organizations can identify unusual behavior and take preventive measures before significant losses occur.

4. Operational Efficiency

Data mining can help organizations optimize their operations by identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement. For example, manufacturers can analyze production data to minimize waste and streamline processes, leading to cost savings and increased productivity.

Conclusion

With the continuous growth of data, it has become essential to understand and utilize data mining techniques. By implementing techniques such as Classification, Clustering, Association rule learning, Regression analysis, and Time series analysis an organization can tap into valuable insight that will improve strategic planning and decision-making.

Whether it’s a small business to improve the customer experience or a large business working towards optimization of operations, using these data mining techniques can offer an upper hand in this data-orientated world. By using data mining techniques relevantly any business can grow and can become successful.

[purple-slate]

What is Data Mining?

We are currently in a data-driven world, rich in information. Knowing there is superfluous and readily available information can feel comforting. However, the more there is available knowledge, the more challenging it becomes for you to get helpful insights. In that case, we will explore data mining aspects. We will discuss data mining, its use, history, how it works, techniques, use cases, and examples. Let’s understand what is data mining and then handle the other techniques and concepts.

What is Data Mining

Data mining is the process of discovering meaningful correlations, patterns and trends by sifting through large amounts of data stored in repositories. Data mining employs pattern recognition technologies, as well as statistical and mathematical techniques — Gartner

It also incorporates searching for wide data sets to establish correlations, anomalies, and patterns that result in actionable information. For instance, weather forecasting requires analysis of historical data to discover patterns and forecast weather conditions depending on climate, time of the years, and other aspects.

The Need for Data Mining

Data mining provides marketers with helpful customer insights about their preferences and behaviors. With such knowledge, they can design targeted advertising and marketing campaigns. Additionally, its results are essential to the sales team in rate enhancement of the lead conversations. Therefore, they can sell more products and services to their clients.

Also, it offers numerous opportunities for entities as it has descriptive and predictive powers. The technology enables the business to forecast the future and make it more profitable. For example, a retail industry can access and analyze past sales patterns and customer behavior which helps in business decision-making.

History of Data Mining

You may be tempted to assume data mining has begun recently since it is often related to new technology. Nevertheless, we are looking at more than a century old rich legacy. The discipline started with Regression Analysis and Bayes’ Theorem used in identifying data patterns.

Increasing technological power and data set complexity has resulted in evolutions of data mining from disks and tapes to massive databases and improved algorithms. By the late 80s, management information system communities, data analysts, and statisticians depended on it.

In the 1990s, mining was identified with the process of Knowledge Discovery in Databases as a step or sub-process. In that case, its popularity grew with the increasing technology and computer capability to store numerous data. Organizations could also store data and process information in computer-readable forms.

Data mining was now a well-understood technique by the end 1990s. An organization could now record customer data and purchases. The mining of the resulting data provided knowledge of clients’ purchasing patterns. Over the last decades, data mining’s popularity has grown continually.

Breaking Down Data Mining Step by Step

Understanding the process will give you a deeper knowledge on its workings.

Collection: Data is gathered, organized, and moved in the data warehouse. It is then stored and managed in the cloud or in-house servers.

Understanding: Data scientists and business analysts examine the data properties and have in-depth analysis from the business’s problem statement perspective. It is addressed through visualization, reporting, and querying.

Preparation: After confirmation of the existing data sources, they are formatted, constructed, and cleaned as desired.

Modeling: Datasets are organized systematically for accurate storage and retrieval from the database.

Evaluation: Based on the business objectives, the results are evaluated, and if there are new patterns, new business requirements are created.

Data Mining Techniques

Businesses can employ various data mining techniques to transform raw data into valuable insights.

Clustering: The clustering technique depends on visual methods of understanding data. This mechanism uses colors and graphs to show data distribution to the various types of metrics.

Sequential Patterns: Sequential pattern technique works on identifying a sequential series of events. The understanding of such patterns is helpful to the organization in recommending other items to customers, boosting its sales.

Prediction: The prediction technique employs current and historical data patterns to forecast the future. In that case, organizations gain helpful insights into future trends that will take place in their data.

The Industries Benefiting from Data Mining

The predictive power of data mining has resulted in significant changes in business strategy designs. In today’s world, organizations can understand the present to make future predictions. Here are a few examples of current industries using data mining:

Telecommunication, Media & Technology: These systems gather and analyze anonymous data from programming, broadcasts, and channel views. Through data mining, networks can create personalized content for television viewers and radio listeners. Also, they can understand their behaviors better and gather information on their activities and interests in real-time. Through determining the relationship between customer aspects like tastes, gender, and age, one can predict their behavior and design personalized campaigns.

Education: Data mining in education is used to categorize and predict teachers’ and students’ performance and dropouts. Educators can keep track of academic progress and enhance their teaching techniques. On the other hand, data mining helps promote effectiveness and efficiency in education management, making it easier for students to select courses.

Banking: Banks can understand market risks better through data mining. Usually, intelligent anti-fraud systems and credit ratings help analyze the client’s financial data, purchasing patterns, card transactions, and other transactions. Through data mining, banks gain a deeper understanding of customers’ online habits or preferences for regulatory compliance obligation management, assess sales channel performances, or optimize marketing campaign returns.

Insurance: Data mining techniques help insurance industries determine future claim amounts in medical coverage and property. It helps them promote effectiveness in planning, preventing fraud activities, and paying incorrect claims.

Manufacturing: Using sensory data, manufacturers can forecast machine failures before they happen. Data mining also helps in identifying commonalities and anomalies in production systems. Therefore, manufacturers can optimize manufacturing capacity and identify patterns that help enhance the quality of all products.

Retail: Data mining helps accurately predict sales volume at particular retail locations to discover the exact inventory levels. It also helps predict future product consumption rates depending on environmental and seasonal conditions. Retail stores can also assess the various product relationships to enhance their layout and maximize sales promotions.

E-Commerce: Data mining is used for up-sells and cross-sells in e-commerce websites to gain more customers. For example, Amazon employs data mining to recommend products based on customer data, enhancing customer experience.

Final Thoughts

Data mining is used across different fields like education, banking, insurance, retail, and manufacturing. When properly used, it offers businesses useful insights into customers and helps develop effective marketing strategies that give them a competitive advantage. Explore the various data mining techniques and employ one of the methods for better decision-making.

This blog was originally published in: https://www.purpleslate.com/what-is-data-mining/

[dataplusvalue-blog]

Avail Data Mining Services with Years of Experience and Dedicated Team

DataPlusValue is providing leading Data Mining Services with an experience of 14 years. We are an ISO_2009 certified company which takes full care of the quality of data and accuracy of data. If you are from United State, UK, Australia, Germany, etc., then you can take advantage of our data mining remote services while sitting.

[corpusdigitalhub]

Mastering Data Analytics: Your Path to Success Starts at Corpus Digital Hub

Corpus Digital Hub is more than just a training institute—it's a hub of knowledge, innovation, and opportunity. Our mission is simple: to empower individuals with the skills and expertise needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of data analytics. Located in the vibrant city of Calicut, our institute serves as a gateway to endless possibilities and exciting career opportunities.

A Comprehensive Approach to Learning

At Corpus Digital Hub, we believe that education is the key to unlocking human potential. That's why we offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of topics, from basic data analysis techniques to advanced machine learning algorithms. Our goal is to provide students with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in today's competitive job market.

Building Strong Foundations

Success in data analytics begins with a strong foundation. That's why our courses are designed to provide students with a solid understanding of core concepts and principles. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned professional, our curriculum is tailored to meet your unique needs and aspirations.

Hands-On Experience

Theory is important, but nothing beats hands-on experience. That's why we place a strong emphasis on practical learning at Corpus Digital Hub. From day one, students have the opportunity to work on real-world projects and gain valuable experience that will set them apart in the job market.

A Supportive Learning Environment

At Corpus Digital Hub, we believe that learning is a collaborative effort. That's why we foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment where students feel empowered to ask questions, share ideas, and explore new concepts. Our experienced faculty members are dedicated to helping students succeed and are always available to provide guidance and support.

Cultivating Future Leaders

Our ultimate goal at Corpus Digital Hub is to cultivate the next generation of leaders in data analytics. Through our rigorous curriculum, hands-on approach, and supportive learning environment, we provide students with the tools and confidence they need to excel in their careers and make a positive impact on the world.

Join Us on the Journey

Are you ready to take the next step towards a brighter future? Whether you're a recent graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone looking to make a career change, Corpus Digital Hub welcomes you with open arms. Join us on the journey to mastery in data analytics and unlock your full potential.

Contact Us Today

Ready to get started? Contact Corpus Digital Hub to learn more about our programs, admissions process, and scholarship opportunities. Your journey towards success starts here!

Stay connected with Corpus Digital Hub for the latest news, updates, and success stories from our vibrant community of learners and educators. Together, we'll shape the future of data analytics and make a difference in the world!

[assighelp123]

Applying Data Mining techniques to E-learning problems

Data mining is defined as an approach to managing large data information to analyse the patterns and connections that could assist in solving the issues via data. The process of data mining is time-consuming and it is necessary to focus on properly managing the data so that a solution can be obtained. Many of the students get assignments related to data mining and many more subjects. One can easily get Assignment Help in the UK by searching the internet. The student needs help with their assignment With the help of the data mining process, it will be easy to use the information properly with the appropriate level of understanding. Many experts focus on providing Data Mining Assignments.

For more information click now:- Data Mining technique

[analyticspursuit]

What is Data Preprocessing in Data Science? | Data Preprocessing Explained

In this video, we'll be talking about data preprocessing in data science. We'll explain what data preprocessing is and what it does, as well as give an example of how it's used in data science. Preprocessing is a critical step in data analysis. It's what helps transform raw data into the form that the machine can understand.

In this video, we'll be talking about data preprocessing in data science. We'll explain what data preprocessing is and what it does, as well as give steps involved and techniques used for data preprocessing in data science.

[honeytonedhottie]

HONEYS IT GIRL MAGAZINE july edition⋆.ೃ࿔*:･🎀

welcome back to honeys it girl magazine, this is the july catalog. get ready for the inside scoop on data that i've collected, things i've learned/started doing, and just general info like that organized in kind of a teen-magazine inspired fashion. a magazine for it girls ✨ and now please enjoy, the it girl magazine.

in this addition i've experimented with new sections (like the horoscope section) so i hope that u guys look forward to it and if u have any more suggestions for the magazine feel free to share and without further ado, lets get into it with some beauty talk…💬🎀

BEAUTY SHOPPING LIST ;

♡ kiko milano lipgloss

♡ L.A girl glitter spray

♡ cotton candy baby lipgloss from victorias secret

i've gone for more tubes of cotton candy baby because its just SUCH a good lipgloss but i recently lost mine and its been on my list to get next time i go to the mall…💬🎀

♡ crispy marshmallow bars body wash from philosophy

ugh just the NAME of this soap sounds absolutely delicious and im dying to try it out. im a big fan of the philosophy body washes anyways because of the quality and scents…💬🎀

♡ coconut craze lipgloss from victorias secret

♡ pink mimosa lipgloss from victorias secret

another thing that i wanted to talk about in this months beauty column is the DIFFERENCE that blush placement makes. so i was scrolling on pinterest when i came across this chart that talked about blush placement.

when you apply blush a certain way it balances out ur beautiful features and plays around with proportions in such a way that can make ur features more prominent. also the way that u apply ur blush totally changes the way that ur makeup looks.

for example when u apply blush to the apples of ur cheeks it gives a more youthful and glowy effect. when u put blush high on ur cheekbones it gives a more lifted and sculpted look which is where the blush chart comes in. depending on ur face shape u can determine which style of blush placement complements ur pretty face the best 💗

WHAT R WE LISTENING TO? ;

the most listened to album i've listened to all month has been butterfly by mariah carey. it was released in 1997 and every single song on that album is a total MASTER PIECE. some of my favorites include

♡ honey (DUH)

♡ babydoll

however that album is from 1997 so lets talk about some new music that i LOVED that also dropped this month…💬🎀

♡ brat- charli xcx

♡ muse - jimin

another album that has been gathering lots of attention on lots of social media platforms is ice spice's Y2K album and i've seen a lot of mixed reviews about it. personally im not a fan of the album, my favorite song on the album is did it first but im not a fan of the album as a whole. im curious though to hear what your thoughts on the album are…💬🎀

FASHION FLOPS VS FASHION BOPS ;

in this column, lets look at some old and new fashion trends and see which trends are flops and which ones are bops. my sources include vogue, and glamour magazine…💬🎀

according to vogue, statement gowns are OUT and discreet chics are IN. discreet chic is mixing basics in minimalist yet compelling ways. this includes things like trench coats, pencil skirts, trouser suits and good jeans.

according to glamour magazine, crisp whites and butter yellows are trending this summer. along with sequins and basics like denim pants and white t-shirts, polished kitten heels and mary jane flats also. the styles that are trending for this summer are boho 3.0 and little white dresses.

something i can DEF get behind is little white dresses. its like a blank canvas on which u can make the outfit into whatever you want. personally i would style a tiny white dress with chunky bracelets and wedges/kitten heels…💬🎀

LETS TALK MANIFESTATION ;

manifestation techniques are overrated - all you have to do to manifest is affirm -> persist. thats essentially all you have to do and when i first started i was so caught up in techniques and routines that i wasn't even affirming/persisting. i was doing anything and everything and i saw manifestation as a process and manifestation is NOT a process. when i shifted that and realized that manifesting is instant and all techniques are for funsies, the pressure was taken off.

this is an excerpt from my manifestation opinions post and i've released this poll to talk about what manifestation topic you guys would like me to talk about and the winner was saturation so lets talk about it. so what does it mean to saturate? i got this question a while ago in my inbox so im just gonna copy and paste my response.

saturating is simply soaking ur mind in the fact that u already have what u want. i do this with affirming, some people do other things to saturate but affirming is the most simple for me. just think as if u have it over and over and over again…💬🎀

you can saturate for hours at a time or a little bit everyday it doesnt rly matter its just thinking over and over again. i saturate while listening to music, playing video games, doing mundane tasks etc. all i do is think my affirmations and thats all! if theres something specific that u guys are curious about with saturation lemme know in the comments but its super simple bcuz MANIFESTING is super simple.

JENNIE KIM STYLE DISSECTION ;

jennie kim is a fashion ICON. i swear every photo that i see of her, her outfit, hair, face, everything is absolutely perfect. jennie's style is very posh and feminine. and a rly great example of this would be her look below. i love how she color coordinated her hair accessories to her outfit and the black and pink is so ICONIC cuz she was a black pink member.

shes rocking her trademark chanel in the form of a waist chain and everything just goes together beautifully. jennie knows how to mix posh and hyper femininity in her outfits super well and we can see that in her next outfit…💬🎀

THE CHANEL CHAIN AHHH IM OBSESSED. in the next outfit shes rocking a red two piece with buttons that just add that very chic and posh look. her chanel chain is such a statement piece and her matching chanel purse, shes literally chanels princess atp.

WHATS MY HOROSCOPE (JULY 22-29) ;

♡ its leo season and leo season is all about TIMING. you will receive ur answer very soon, listen to ur intuition and notice how everything is coming together for you. while you’re shining in the moment, remember to think about the future when mercury enters virgo and your value zone on thursday. you’ll want to go over details with a fine-tooth comb, so take your time making decisions. don’t rush into anything!

♡ for aries the next four weeks are ideal for enjoying entertainment, starting hobbies, and expressing yourself. indulge in the pleasures that summer has to offer without burning your life down.however, while you enjoy the rest of your summer, consider getting your life in order when mercury enters virgo and your productivity zone on thursday. the retrograde will be here shortly, aries, so take this time to get your ducks in a row. 

♡ for taurus, start the week by practicing self-care when the sun enters leo and your home zone on monday. the next few weeks could be a little hectic, so try to spend as much time as you can with your loved ones. be generous with your time by hosting family dinners and small parties.despite the upcoming retrograde, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities for some fun when mercury enters virgo and your creativity zone on thursday. this is a great time to busy yourself with creative projects, flirt with people, and entertain yourself with concerts and movies. have fun!

♡ for gemini, you’ll have a flair for the dramatic over the next few weeks once the sun enters leo and your communication zone on monday. everything you do and say will be bold and vibrant. your social calendar will be full of summer activities, so enjoy yourself without getting exhausted.get ready to become the family problem solver when mercury enters virgo and your home zone on thursday. it seems like everyone is coming to you to fix their lives before the retrograde, so this is a great time to focus on domestic issues. remember to set boundaries so any family drama doesn’t bring you down, gemini.

♡ for cancer, as your season comes to an end, your mind will be on your financial security when the sun enters leo and your value zone on monday. however, if you want any luxury in your life, you’re going to have to work for it. this is a great time to start side hustles and invest in things that matter to you. say what you mean and mean what you say when mercury enters virgo and your communication zone on thursday. this transit gives you the ability to cut through the chaos and get to the truth of any issue.

♡ for virgo, spend the rest of your summer break away from the madding crowd when the sun enters leo and your privacy zone on monday. over the next few weeks, you might feel the need to retreat from the world and focus on yourself. give yourself a mental and emotional cleanse before your season begins. your communication skills get a major boost this week when mercury enters your sign on thursday. while this is a brief reunion before the retrograde, this is a great time for new beginnings and getting your point across. speak with confidence, virgo.

♡ for libra, you’ll be feeling like a social butterfly over the next few weeks once the sun enters leo and your friendship zone on monday. this is a great time to hit the summer parties and make some connections. you could even meet your new besties. have fun! however, you might feel the need to retreat into yourself when mercury enters virgo and your subconscious zone on thursday. perfectionism could lead to your undoing as you come to terms with what’s working and not working in your life. focus on how to fix these areas without overcorrecting, libra. analyze your dreams to find clarity.

♡ for scorpio, despite being in the heart of summer, you’re more focused on building a reputation and making a name for yourself when the sun enters leo and your public image zone on monday. over the next four weeks, go after your ambitions and stand out from the crowd to get noticed by the right people. you’ll be especially interested in your personal aspirations when mercury enters virgo and your humanitarian zone on thursday. you have some big dreams, so lay the groundwork to get them going. make a wish, scorpio. it might come true.

♡ for sagittarius, start the week on an adventurous note when the sun enters leo and your expansion zone on monday. the next few weeks will give you opportunities to expand your horizons, for better or worse. this is a great time to travel or interact with people from different walks of life. as we get into the heat of summer, start thinking about your future when mercury enters virgo and your career zone on thursday. this is a great time to think about your professional goals and how you can get ahead in the workplace. think smarter and harder, sagittarius.

♡ for capricorn, the start of the week brings changes to your life when the sun enters leo and your transformation zone on monday. you might feel like a phoenix over the next few weeks as you sit with the ashes of your former life. while the sun shines a light on everything that is hidden, you’ll need to decide what to let go of, capricorn. class is in session when mercury enters virgo and your expansion zone on thursday, especially since this transit will give you plenty of lessons to learn, for better or worse. this is a great time to expand your mental horizons through education. it could change your life.

♡ for aquarius, “me” turns into “we” over the next few weeks when the sun enters leo and your partnership zone on monday. this is more than just a summer fling; it’s the real thing, so lock it down now. however, make sure to balance your time together and apart or it could cause some drama. read between the lines and you can uncover hidden meanings when mercury enters virgo and your intuition zone on thursday. trust your gut, aquarius, because it can guide you through the hidden motives others might have for you. be careful, and don’t make any big decisions before the retrograde.

♡ for pisces, even in the heat of summer, you’ll still have plenty of work to do when the sun enters leo and your productivity zone on monday. work on taking care of yourself through self-improvement. what do you want to get better at, pisces? try it out now. the rest of the summer could be intense, so make sure you have a buddy to help you through when mercury enters virgo and your partnership zone on thursday. this is a great time to end all conflict and work on agreements before the retrograde hits. compromise is key, if you’re willing to work at it.

[allalrightagain]

I got another one! Not to be mean but I do feel like our priorities (and his) are a little out of order if a card with my signature actually made a difference.

alright the political campaign texts and emails are bad at the best of times but I just got one asking for me to "sign a card thanking Joe Biden for his career in public service" like we work together at a fucking high school and he's a secretary that's been here since the walls went up

[horizontwinflames]

Horizon AU: Twin Flames - Isaac (Zero Dawn Act) final concept/design.

*texts' transcriptions under the cut after the images*

REPOST, EDIT/USE OR FEED MY ART TO AI ISN'T ALLOWED

Read about Aloy, Beta and Elisabet in this AU [here]

omg... I thought I would never finish this... BUT YAY! Here it is finally! Isaac's final design and concepts!

This AU has an ongoing fanfic! You can read on Ao3: [LINK]

Text transcription:

First image:

Isaac - Roughly 3.2m/10.4' -Unknown age (probably just a few months).

Isaac is an original machine character in this alternative universe.

Isaac is the loyal machine companion of the Sobeck family, serving as both a traveling and battle mount. The sisters unintentionally created him while trying to figure out a way to increase the machine override time. The process they applied in the -back then- simple Watcher rebooted their AI and programming back to its essential functions and disconnected them from their original master, HEPHAESTUS. Once he received his name from Beta, the three family members became his new masters, which he unthinkingly obey to.

Due to his blank AI, Isaac is developing his own sentience and personality by absorbing his masters’ traits and behaviors and learning their morals and concepts. He also downloaded all of the sisters’ Focuses’ data to have some initial communication and works as a backup, so he only knows what they know.

He can speak with anyone with a Focus through its text-to-speech function by sending text messages to them - thus, people who don’t have a Focus only hear his Watcher noises. He can still communicate with other machines normally, so he also works as an information gatherer to help in missions and studies.

Second image:

Once a simple Watcher, now a super advanced mount and best friend of the Sobeck family.

Isaac's customizable body can adapt him to travel in any terrain, even underwater. He's able to reach high speeds at a low energy and heating cost - he's also lighter than it seems. His sleek, almost snake-ish, body shape makes maneuvering more dynamic for his rider.

His propulsors give him the ability to do long leaps and high jumps, helping the sisters get to places they wouldn't be able to reach by themselves. But a repetitive use of said skills in a short timespan can drain his energy and overheat him quickly.

Like his owners, he's not adept at using one single type of weapon. Isaac's tail ranged weapons and armor can be changed to better adapt to the situation. However, he hasn't developed efficient battle techniques yet, as he's still learning with the Sobecks. Note that his Sawtooth's sabers aren't intended to be used to fight but to climb and carry objects.

Melee Tail Weapons: Thunderjaw's tail, Stalker's tail blade, Stormbird's tail (also used to swim), Frostclaw's front paws.

Ranged Weapons: Thunderjaw's Disk Launcher, Ravager's Cannon, Scorcher's Mine Launcher, Bellowback's Snout.

Armors: Nora (stealth), Carja (speed), Oseran (tank), Banuk (damage), Old World (mixed).

Isaac is a mount adapted for two people: One is the rider, and the other is the cannoneer. He syncs with them through their Focuses, so his responses to their commands are more instantaneous. The rider directs Isaac where to go and when and how to use the tail weapon. Meanwhile, the cannoneer controls the ranged weapons and propulsors.

Only those who have a Focus can see his holographic face. The images shown are a collection of emojis the sisters found in Old World Ruins (which they update when they find more). His three "horns" also can move solemnly to make him more expressive.

Being composed of many different machine parts makes Isaac the first machine chimera to exist - still keeping the base shape of a Watcher, but huge. He was customized by the Sobecks little by little through the Cauldrons they visited on their first journey.

He can still stretch his neck like a Watcher can normally do.

His eye received enhancements to better aid the Sobecks in their daily life and journeys - such as infrared, thermic, and ultrasound visions.

He also has in his head a sound device to play audio files, such as music from the Old World, and a holoprojector.

[milfstalin]

When I met Stalin, I did not find him enigmatic. I found him the easiest person to talk to I ever met. He is far and away the best committee chairman of my experience. He can bring everybody’s views out and combine them in the minimum of time. His method of running committees reminded me somewhat of Jane Addams of Hull House or Lillian D. Wald of Henry Street Settlement. They had the same kind of democratically efficient technique, but they used more high pressure than Stalin did.

If Stalin has been inaccessible to foreigners—there were exceptions even to this—that does not mean that he lived in isolation, in a sort of Kremlin ivory tower. There were close to 200,000,000 people keeping him busy. He was seeing a lot of them. Not always necessarily the party leaders. A milkmaid who had broken the milking record, a scientist who had broken the atom, an aviator who flew to America, a coal miner who invented a new labor process, a workman with a housing difficulty, an engineer balked by new conditions—any person representing either a signal achievement or a typical problem might be invited by Stalin to talk it over. That was the way he got his data and kept in touch with the movement of the country.

[...]

My first impression of him was vaguely disappointing. A stocky figure in a simple suit of khaki color, direct, unassuming, whose first concern was to know whether I understood Russian sufficiently to take part in discussion. Not very imposing for so great a man, I thought. Then we sat down rather casually, and Stalin was not even at the head of the table; Voroshilov was. Stalin took a place where he could see all our faces and started the talk by a pointed question to the man against whom I had complained. After that Stalin seemed to become a sort of background, against which other people’s comments went on. The brilliant wit of Kaganovich, the cheerful chuckle of Voroshilov, the characteristics of the lesser people called to consult, all suddenly stood out. I began to understand them all and like them; I even began to understand the editor against whom I had complained. Suddenly I myself was talking and getting my facts out faster and more clearly than I ever did in my life. People seemed to agree with me. Everything got to the point very fast and smoothly, with Stalin saying less than anyone.

Afterward in thinking it over I realized how Stalin’s genius for listening helped each of us express ourselves and understand the others. I recalled his trick of repeating a word of mine either with questioning intonation or a slight emphasis, which suddenly made me feel I had either not quite seen the point or perhaps had overstated it, and so drove me to make it plainer. I recalled how he had done this to others also. Then I understood that his listening has been a dynamic force.

This listening habit dates back to the early days of his revolutionary career. “I remember him very well from the early days of our Party,” said a veteran Bolshevik to me. “A quiet youth who sat at the edge of the committee, saying almost nothing, but listening very much. Toward the end he would make a few comments, sometimes merely as questions. Gradually we came to see that he always summed up best our joint thinking.” The description will be recognized by anyone who ever met Stalin. In any group he is usually last to express his opinion. He does not want to block the full expression of others, as he might easily do by speaking first. Besides this, he is always learning by listening.

“He listens even to the way the grass grows,” said a Soviet citizen to me.

On the data thus gathered, Stalin forms conclusions, not “alone in the night,” which Emil Ludwig said was Mussolini’s way, but in conference and discussion. Even in interviews, he seldom receives the interviewer alone; Molotov, Voroshilov, or Kaganovich are likely to be about. Probably he does not even grant an interview without discussing it first with his closest comrades. This is a habit he formed very early. In the days of the underground revolutionary movement, he grew accustomed to close teamwork with comrades who held each other’s lives in their hands. In order to survive, they must learn to agree quickly and unanimously, to feel each other’s instincts, to guess even at a distance each other’s brains. It was in such a group that he gained his Party name—it is not the one that he was born with—“the Steel One, Stalin.”

[...]

Stalin brings certain important qualities to these joint decisions. People who meet him are first of all impressed by his directness and simplicity, his swift approach. Next they notice his clearness and objectivity in handling questions. He completely lacks Hitler’s emotional hysteria and Mussolini’s cocky self-assertion; he does not thrust himself into the picture. Gradually one becomes aware of his keen analysis, his colossal knowledge, his grip of world politics, his willingness to face facts, and especially his long view, which fits the problem into history, judging not only its immediate factors, but its past and future too.

Stalin’s rise to power came rather slowly. The rise of his type is slow and sure. It began far back with his study of human history and especially the history of revolutions. President Roosevelt commented to me with surprise on Stalin’s knowledge of the Cromwellian Revolution in Britain as shown in his talk with H. G. Wells. But Stalin quite naturally studied both the British and the American historical revolutions far more intimately than British and American politicians do. Tsarist Russia was due for a revolution. Stalin intended to be in it and help give it form. He made himself a thorough scientist on the process of history from the Marxian viewpoint: how the masses of people live, how their industrial technique and social forms develop, how social classes arise and struggle, how they succeed. Stalin analyzed and compared all past revolutions. He wrote many books about them. But he is not only a scientist; he also acts.

In the early days of the Revolution, Stalin’s name was hardly known outside the Party. In 1923, during Lenin’s last illness, I was told by men whose judgment I trusted that Stalin was “our coming man.” They based this on his keen knowledge of political forces and his close attention to political organization as secretary of the Communist Party. They also based it on his accurate timing of swift action and said that thus far in the Revolution he hid not once guessed wrong. They said that he was the man to whom “responsible Party men” turned for the clearest statement of what they all thought., In those days Trotsky sneered at Stalin as the “most average man” in the Party. In a sense it was true. Stalin keeps close to the “average man”; the “average man” is the material of politics. But Stalin does it with a genius that is very far from average.

“The art of leadership,” said Stalin once, “is a serious matter. One must not lag behind the movement, because to do so is to become isolated from the masses. But one must not rush ahead, for this is to lose contact with the masses.” He was telling his comrades how to become leaders; he was also expressing his own ideal, which he has very effectively practiced.

[...]

Glimpses of Stalin’s personal relations come chiefly through his contacts with picturesque figures who have helped make Soviet history. Valery Chkalov, the brilliant aviator who made the first flight across the North Pole from Moscow to America, told of an afternoon that he spent at Stalin’s summer home from four o’clock till after midnight. Stalin sang many Volga songs, put on gramophone records for the younger people to dance, and generally behaved like a normal human being relaxing in the heart of his family. He said he had learned the songs in his Siberian exile when there wasn’t much to do but sing.

The three women aviators who broke all world records for women by their spectacular flight from Moscow to the Far East were later entertained at an evening party at the Kremlin in their honor. One of them, Raskova, related afterwards how Stalin had joked with them about the prehistoric days of the matriarchate when women ruled human society. He said that in the early days of human development women had created agriculture as a basis for society and progress, while men “only hunted and went to war.” After a reference to the long subsequent centuries of woman’s slavery, Stalin added, “Now these three women come to avenge the heavy centuries of woman’s suppression.”

[...]

“Comrades! Citizens!” he said, as he has said often. Then he added, “Brothers and Sisters!” It was the first time Stalin ever used in public those close family words. To everyone who heard them, those words meant that the situation was very serious, that they must now face the ultimate test together and that they must all be closer and dearer to each other than they had ever been before. It meant that Stalin wanted to put a supporting arm across their shoulders, giving them strength for the task they had to do. This task was nothing less than to accept in their own bodies the shock of the most hellish assault of history, to withstand it, to break it, and by breaking it save the world. They knew they had to do it, and Stalin knew they would.

Stalin made perfectly plain that the danger was grave, that the German armies had taken most of the Baltic states, that the struggle would be very costly, and that the issues were between “freedom or slavery, life or death to the Soviet State.” He told them: “The enemy is cruel and implacable. He is out to seize our lands, watered with our sweat . . . to convert our peoples into the slaves of German princes and barons.” He called upon the “daring initiative and intelligence that are inherent in our people,” which he himself for more than twenty years had helped to create. He outlined in some detail the bitter path they should follow, each in his own region, and said that they would find allies among the freedom-loving peoples of the world. Then he summoned them “forward—to victory.”

Erskine Caldwell, reporting that dawn from Moscow, said that tremendous crowds stood in the city squares listening to the loud speakers, “holding their breath in such profound silence that one could hear every inflection of Stalin’s voice.” Twice during the speech, even the sound of water being poured into a glass could be heard as Stalin stopped to drink. For several minutes after Stalin had finished the silence continued. Then a motherly-looking woman said, “He works so hard, I wonder when he finds time to sleep. I am worried about his health.”

That was the way that Stalin took the Soviet people into the test of war.

[basilone]

I want to hear your thoughts on fandom and the recent influx of the term content creation!

Well, anon, you are in luck! (Or not, depending on your definition of luck. 😉) I just so happen to have many Thoughts & Opinions™ about this. I will get wordy, this will get lengthy, and I will be social and put most of my thoughts under a readmore cut.

I personally try to avoid the terms ‘content’ and ‘content creation’ when talking about fandom works and a fandom’s creative pursuits nowadays. Occasionally, sure, it happens that it slips out anyway – it’s a term we’re all really used to using! – but I want to be as mindful about its use as possible. This is a personal decision on my account and I won’t get uppity about other people’s use of these terms, though.

But, Killy, you might say... why would you avoid using these terms? For me, here’s why:

Content is not synonymous with art;

Content creation indicates something different than art creation;

Fandom should not be subject to consumerism;

Fandom is about connection.

If all a fandom puts out is classified as content, that fandom is going to die.

Yeah. I know. Melodramatic much? I’m on my fainting couch here, folks. 😂 But let’s dig in, shall we?

You know, maybe it’s just the archivist in me that balks at the term ‘content’. Content is a data entry field in the archival system we use at my real-life job: literally speaking, this data entry field is where we put a brief summary of the document attached to that specific archival file. It contains information that tells you the key takeaways of what the document is about, but it will not contain the full text of the document itself. Content is one of the points of access for our archival search: I know what I’m looking for, so I put a few keywords into our search and it pulls up the relevant file. But what do I need, really need, in my line of work? It’s the document itself, not the data entry field. The document tells me the whole story that I need to be able to truly do my job well. The content-field is a cliffnotes edition of that story.

It’s the same way with the art we create in fandom. I’m gonna take myself as an example here, because I create a fair bit! (Shocking, I know. Local Tumblr cryptid sighting, more at 11. 😎) I spend hours writing fic. I spend hours sorting through screencaps before screeching at Photoshop for a lengthy amount of time. I spend days pouring over quotes, books, documents, photographs, tutorials, and other things that will help me create something cool. I apply color theory, art framing/perspective, narrative focus, and many other theories and techniques to my writing and my giffing. If I were to put my finished work or any of my WIPs in that same archive system, it would be the document within the archival file. The tags I use on my posts? Those are markers similar to the content-field. They tell you who my gifset depicts and from which show it is. They tell you which OC of mine my fic is about. My work contains these things I tagged.

But my creative work is not content itself.

Content is marketable, easy access, blurb-y stuff. Content is something you absorb within one minute flat. Content is the highlight reel. It’s what fills a page, something you’ll scroll past in a heartbeat, something that barely stands out in a long long long list of stuff. Content is what you consume on a lazy Sunday afternoon without ever being forced to read lengthy pieces, take in the details of what you see, pause mid-scroll to ponder the meaning of life, whatever else have you. Create content and you create a flash in the pan, a quick laugh maybe, before it fizzles back out again. Create content and it’s here today and gone tomorrow without anyone mourning its absence for too long.

Art should last longer than that, don’t you think? 😉

So when I see people put a fic request in an askbox and it’s phrased like “Speirs x spy!reader fluff” and that very same request makes its way into about ten more askboxes before the fandom starts comparing asks? I might be inclined to classify us all as slot machines. Put an ask in and out rolls a fic. Who cares which slot machine it came from? As long as you’ve got your painstakingly crafted fics that you consume the same way you do actual content, right? We, its writers, are just lucky if we get a pat of acknowledgement on our little slot machine head for our troubles, aren’t we?

When I see an overly detailed summary of what sounds like a full-fledged fic in an askbox and the demand is “write this for me”, I recoil from the screen and go “child, who the hell birthed you, were you raised in a barn?” out loud. If you can tell a story in the space of an askbox, consider asking for help to let that story – a story you own, a story that is more yours that it could ever be mine – grow into what it has the potential to be.

When I see fics and gifsets and other creations get likes but not reblogs, I mutter something about the state of fandom economy these days. We exist in a little fandom bubble. Our bubble can’t expand or blow from place to place without a little help from our friends. And you’re my friends, right? I know the follow-button says follow, guys, believe me, I’m not that far gone, but for me ‘follow’ means ‘friend’. 💚 You’re my buddy now. Suck it up. We’ll share a can of peaches. 🍑

When I see fics and other creations get reblogged without tags or comments attached, I die a little on the inside. I feel like a little Victorian orphan child going “please, reblogger, a little penny of thought for its creator, if it pleases?”. I feel like commentless and/or tagless reblogging is giving me nothing, nothing at all, about who you are.

And I want to get to know you! I want to know who’s in my notes. I want to know who’s scrambling through my MotA gifsets like a fat little raccoon inhaling its third helping of a box of jelly-filled donuts. I want to know who is adopting which character and why. I want to know that it’s your birthday, or that you had a bad day and needed a pick-me-up, or that you are locked in an Ikea at three in the morning reading my blog by the bright lights of countless Solhetta bulbs. I want to know that you love my OC Darlene but that you ain’t sure what the hell my OC Lottie’s got to do with anything. I want to know what tickles you – a turn of phrase I used, a color in a gifset, a little detail I captured that made me go !!!!!! on the inside while I was creating too – and I want to know what moves you.

What reaches into the soil of your being and nourishes you enough to blossom into whichever lovely self you can grow to be? What is precious to you? What comforts you in the dark nights of your soul, when all light feels like it’s faded out? What do you love, truly love? What feeling and thought and idea and love love LOVE do you consume – truly consume, head to tail, no takebacks – and what are you consumed by in turn?

Let me connect with you. Let me know the little internet scraps of you that tell me you’re a DeMarco girlie, or that you’re here for Hoosier only, or that you’re as feral and batty about Speirs as I am, or that you actually really can’t stand the one dude everyone else raves about. Let me know that you like angsty quotes on gifsets – feel free to yell at me for making you schedule an impromptu therapy session – or let me know you saw what I did in my fic there and you’ll be demanding compensation from me while you lie down and wail about it. Let me know you’re very into those lovely blues on a gifset (I know, SO good, right??) or that you are side-eyeing me because that close-up of your fave turned you into a little puddle.

Let me know what moves you, because I created these things with love. I created them because they moved me, too. I created them because I have a story to tell, somehow. I created them because the whole world is a string of stories and I want to pass the heart of them on to you. I created them not because I want to jump on a hypetrain that races past all the episodes and all the alternate universes and all the stories without stopping, but because I want to soak up the sun and point at something and tell you “look, isn’t this beautiful?”. I created them not because I am looking for a quick fix or a distraction or an escape, but because I want to give you something that nourishes you as it has nourished me.

That’s so much more than that quick flash in the pan, yeah? That’s so much more than what content could ever hope to be. That’s something that lasts beyond the clicks and gives you an ever-expanding horizon that leaves you wondering just what in the world is next.

Let me repeat point five: if all a fandom puts out is classified as content, that fandom is going to die. Because content doesn’t sustain you. Connection does. And connection? That happens with meaningful interaction. That happens when you stop getting followers and start getting friends. That happens when you treat all forms of art as something unique that can be precious to someone, rather than something to like today and forget about tomorrow.

Can I do a lil mic drop? Yeah. I think I’m gonna. Just this once. 🎤

[omegaphilosophia]

The Social Consequences of Marketing

Marketing, while essential for businesses and economies, has also been criticized for causing harm to society in various ways. Here are some significant ways in which marketing has negatively impacted society:

1. Promotion of Consumerism

Excessive consumption: Marketing often encourages the idea that happiness and success are linked to material goods, promoting a culture of consumerism. This has led to excessive consumption, debt, and environmental damage, as people are driven to buy more than they need.

Planned obsolescence: Companies sometimes design products with limited lifespans, encouraging consumers to buy new versions frequently. This practice contributes to waste, depletion of resources, and increased consumer spending.

2. Exploitation of Insecurities

Body image and self-esteem: Advertising in industries like fashion, beauty, and fitness often exploits people's insecurities by promoting unrealistic beauty standards. This can lead to mental health issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and even eating disorders.

Fear-based marketing: Some marketing strategies use fear to sell products, such as insurance, security systems, or health products, by making consumers feel unsafe or inadequate without them.

3. Targeting Vulnerable Populations

Children: Marketing often targets children, who are particularly susceptible to persuasive messages. This leads to the commercialization of childhood, with kids exposed to unhealthy food, consumerist values, and a materialistic mindset from an early age.

Low-income groups: Companies sometimes market harmful products, such as payday loans or unhealthy foods, more aggressively to low-income populations, exacerbating financial hardship or health problems.

4. Perpetuation of Stereotypes and Social Divides

Gender roles: Marketing often reinforces gender stereotypes, portraying women as caregivers or men as breadwinners, thereby perpetuating outdated norms that limit gender equality and diversity.

Cultural appropriation and tokenism: Some brands use cultural symbols or minority groups in marketing campaigns without understanding their significance, which can lead to cultural appropriation and tokenism, alienating and misrepresenting marginalized communities.

5. Environmental Damage

Overemphasis on fast fashion and disposable goods: Marketing has contributed to the rise of fast fashion and a throwaway culture, promoting short-term use of cheap, disposable products. This has serious environmental consequences, including pollution, resource depletion, and the generation of vast amounts of waste.

Greenwashing: Some companies falsely market products as "environmentally friendly" or "sustainable" in an attempt to capitalize on consumers' eco-consciousness, misleading the public and delaying genuine action on environmental issues.

6. Manipulation and Misinformation

False advertising: Companies sometimes make exaggerated or false claims about their products, misleading consumers and creating false expectations. This can be particularly harmful when it comes to health products, pharmaceuticals, or weight-loss treatments.

Addictive design: Marketing techniques are increasingly used to promote addictive behaviors, particularly in the context of social media, video games, or gambling. Companies manipulate users through behavioral nudges and psychological triggers that keep them hooked.

7. Invasion of Privacy

Data mining and surveillance: With the rise of digital marketing, companies have gained unprecedented access to consumers’ personal data. Many firms engage in data mining and targeted advertising based on individuals' online behavior, often without full transparency or consent, leading to concerns about privacy and data security.

Personalization and manipulation: Highly personalized marketing can lead to manipulation, as companies can target individuals with ads tailored to their specific vulnerabilities, making it harder for consumers to make objective decisions.

8. Promotion of Unhealthy Lifestyles

Junk food advertising: Aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children, has been linked to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases.

Alcohol and tobacco marketing: Despite restrictions in some countries, marketing of alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products continues to glamorize these potentially harmful substances, leading to addiction and public health crises.

9. Contributing to Financial Instability

Credit and debt marketing: Marketing of credit cards, loans, and other financial products often promotes spending beyond one's means, contributing to personal debt and financial instability. Predatory lending practices, such as payday loans, are frequently marketed to those already in financial difficulty.

10. Reduction of Authenticity and Creativity

Commercialization of art and culture: Marketing can sometimes reduce art, culture, and creativity to mere products to be sold, stripping them of their authenticity. This can lead to the commodification of creative expression and a focus on profit over substance.

Trend exploitation: By constantly pushing new trends, marketing fosters a culture of superficiality and short-term thinking, where value is placed on what is fashionable or trending rather than what is meaningful or lasting.

While marketing plays a critical role in the economy by connecting consumers with products, it also has significant social, psychological, and environmental consequences. From promoting overconsumption and exploiting insecurities to targeting vulnerable groups and contributing to environmental degradation, marketing practices have often prioritized profit over societal well-being. Reforming marketing to be more ethical and socially responsible is essential for creating a healthier, more sustainable society.

[rjzimmerman]

I just posted a story from the LA Times about a new lithium mining project at the Salton Sea, which has its own controversies. That is just one of the stories that have emerged as the Salton Sea dries up and the Colorado River drought reduces the water that would otherwise feed the Salton Sea. The mining story is about a new mining technique that shouldn't add to the pollution. The story here from Inside Climate News tells us that a proposal to reduce the volume of water from the Colorado River used for agricultural purposes downplays the air pollution that happens as the Salton Sea dries up. Two different stories, two different developments, but the same worry: public health, particularly in a disadvantaged community.

Excerpt from this Inside Climate News story:

As the Salton Sea shrinks, a crisis deepens. The water levels of the 345-square-mile lake, located in an arid swath of agricultural land in Southern California’s Imperial County, have been receding for years, exposing the lakebed to strong winds that dry it, churn it to dust and drive the particles into surrounding communities. According to a recent academic study, the communities most impacted by the dust pollution are among the most socioeconomically disadvantaged in the state.

Yet some environmental researchers and advocates believe a draft environmental assessment from the federal government, released last month as part of a process for finalizing a new Colorado River water transfer deal, downplays the deal’s potential adverse health impacts on those communities. According to them, it would worsen dust pollution because it would continue a policy to divert water away from agricultural lands that drain into the Salton Sea, accelerating exposure of the dust-emitting lakebed.

Eric Edwards, an environmental economist at the University of California, Davis who co-authored the academic study published in May in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, said the policy would exacerbate the conditions that have led to dust pollution around the Salton Sea. “They acknowledge as much in the environmental assessment. They basically say that this is going to accelerate the trajectory that the [water] depletion was already on,” he said. “All the same concerns are present with this policy.”

Edwards and his co-authors, in their analysis of the Salton Sea’s dust emissions, used a physics model to trace the likeliest paths of dust particles blown from the lakebed that was exposed when water levels receded between 1998 and 2018. They cross-referenced the projected paths of dust with air quality monitors to verify that the dust coincided with increased particulate pollution. They also traced which communities lay in the pollution’s path.

Using state health screening data, the researchers found that the Salton Sea’s dust pollution disproportionately fell on local areas that met California’s definition of a “Disadvantaged Community”—areas that are burdened by high exposure to pollution, poor health and low socioeconomic status, among other factors. (There is overlap between the census tracts that California identifies as disadvantaged, and those identified on the federal government’s environmental justice screening tool.) Much of the pollution likely fell on the eastern side of the state’s southern border, they found, including in the Imperial Valley, which is largely populated by Latino agricultural workers.

The Latino agricultural community consists of both monolingual speakers of Spanish and Purépecha (an Indigenous language from the Mexican state of Michoacán), according to previous studies that point to high rates of asthma in the region. According to the California Department of Public Health, children in Imperial County seek emergency-room care for asthma at twice the rate of the rest of California.

[gravitycircuit]

Patch 1.1.0 is out -- NOW ON STEAM! Just in time for the holidays! Other PC platforms (EGS, GOG, Stove) will follow in due time. However, due to various development circumstances, we could not get this new patch ready for console porting in time before the holidays. We will inform you more later when we are better aware of the release timeline for consoles - so we ask for your patience.

Without further ado though, here are the Patch Notes for Gravity Circuit 1.1.0:

New features

Boss Rush: Guardian Corps HQ now features Combat Memory Bank, a computer which lets you refight any of the game's bosses at your leisure. Good for practice, or for chasing record times!

Armor paints: Prim, a painter NPC that hangs around in the Guardian Corps HQ, now offers swappable armor paints, allowing further customization! These armor paints each bestow new abilities or effects, so give them all a try! Prim will explain to you how to unlock the paints to her shop.

Quality of life additions

Loadout swap: A dedicated button for quickly swapping loadouts on the fly. During gameplay any unset or empty loadouts are skipped when the button is pressed, so you can choose to use only two loadout slots, or all three.

Slide: A dedicated button has been added for sliding. Down and jump will still continue to work, but this button may be useful for those who need it.

Hookshot - vertical: A dedicated button that locks the hookshot's aim only to upwards vertical directions. This may help with any platforming involving the hookshot, for those who might need it.

Mouse control mapping: You can now map mouse buttons on PC, in addition to keyboard keys.

Effect Timer: An additional toggle setting has been added to the game's system options menu. This toggle adds on-screen visuals for certain effect durations, removing ambiguity. This setting is enabled by default, but can be toggled off at any time.

Burst techniques

Cycle Kick: In-game shop price reduced from 2000 to 1500.

Surface Render: In-game shop price reduced from 2000 to 1500.

Gravity Freeze: Affected area increased, damage slightly increased.

Piercing Drill: The chain portion now also damages enemies, not just the tip, making the technique easier to use effectively.

Flying Strike: Fixed an issue involving the Speedrun Mode, where it was possible to accidentally skip acquiring the technique by saving and quitting during the Opening Stage (Central Station). It was still possible to buy the technique, but Flying Strike is intended to be given to the player for free.

Gameplay

Pass-through platforms: Kai can now gain sprinting speed by holding the run button (or having "inverse" run button behavior enabled) when dropping through pass-through platforms.

Sprint jumping when hugging walls: Previously, if Kai was hugging a wall while grounded (holding left/right while up against a wall), Kai would be unable to gain sprinting speed when the run button was held (or having "inverse" run button behavior enabled) when jumping. This behavior has been fixed.

Hopkick: Kai's hopkick (up+attack while grounded) has been sped up by a few frames based on player feedback.

Telefragging: When Kai is struck by a hazard (lava, spikes, crushing), Kai will perform an Emergency Warp to last safe ground. Because this behavior could sometimes lead to Kai respawning inside an enemy, Kai now automatically defeats any enemy around him.

Data chips

"NPC" type data chips: Research cost reduced from 150 to 100.

Stage changes

Highway: Fixed an issue where it was possible to skip over the stage's checkpoints with certain actions.

Ore Mines: Fixed a certain area not having correct camera triggers when entering it in a specific way.

Guardian Corps HQ (visuals): Additional sign has been added to hint towards the location of the training facilities.

Guardian Corps HQ (design): Additional platforms added to make reaching the Training Room easier.

Guardian Corps HQ (training room): When Dave the Training Dummy is hit, the Training Room door will be inoperable for a few seconds. This is to prevent players from accidentally exiting the room while performing combos.

Guardian Corps HQ (NPCs): "Prim" and "Shock" NPCs have switched places. Their dialogue has been adjusted slightly to match these changes.

Final stage: Additional respawn points added in a certain section.

Localization

Chinese: A certain scene had an issue where the talking characters were accidentally reversed, and there were other issues involving few untranslated words. This has been fixed.

English: Fixed a slight typo in Pat's dialogue.

Misc

macOS: Loading times improved by changing some code, that made some of the game's threads run slower on systems with M1 chips.

Speedrun Mode: If the in-game timer is enabled from the game's system settings, Speedrun Mode is enabled by default when launching the game (if Speedrun Mode has been unlocked). This is so that speedrunners do not need to remember to toggle this setting every time they launch the game.

General code performance: Slight improvements across the board in various places, that cumulatively help the game run more smoothly on lower end hardware.

[maraudersthesis]

So far we're 28 pages in! I expect to add at least 20 pages explaining the previous studies and how they're related to mine. That would include the concept of transmedia (which I'm working on right now) and a description of the fan production culture.

Other than that, I'm working on my sources. Since I can't use surveys to gather information (wouldn't be able to select a representative sample), I'll be doing interviews and using documentary observation as data collection techniques.

In short, we're doing good so far but there's a long way to go. Thanks for tagging along!

Ps: I'M STILL TRYING TO REACH MSKINGBEAN89

Please rb so it'll reach more people <3