#Maritime Trade Shifts

[just2bruce]

Red Sea ripples spread across trades

The repercussions of the Red Sea crisis have been longer-lasting and more severe than many shippers thought. Shippers expected delays proportional to the extra sailing time. They may have expected proportional cost increases as well. But they did not count on such factors as the extreme congestion in Singapore and in other ports. And in ports that have become pivotal, there are looming shortages…

[no-phrogs-in-hats]

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

Regina Mills x fem!reader

Chapter 2: The Little Mermaid is my Sister-In-Law?

10 years later

There, in that god forsaken hospital, you sat with him.

Henry Daniel.

If there was one kid in the world who you adored above everyone else, it was Henry. So kind, so innocent. 

“You’re princess of the Maritime Kingdom, see?” he once said.

You were sitting at your desk while he waited for his mother to get out of a meeting when he came over and started talking about his book. 

“And this is your brother, Prince Eric!”

“What, like from The Little Mermaid?” He nodded. “So, Princess Ariel is my sister-in-law?” you asked.

He grinned. “Exactly.”

You held his storybook in your hands, having traded off shifts with Mary-Margaret just a half hour before to read to him. 

“His favorite story is Snow White,” she had told you. “I just finished reading it to him, but I don’t think he’ll mind hearing it again.”

“Thank you, Mary-Margaret,” you smiled before hugging her. “Get home safe. Goodnight.”

When Mary-Margaret had left, you sat in the chair beside the bed and chose a random page–a story you had never even recognized but somehow felt familiar. 

“Perhaps the Queen could be saved,” you read. “Perhaps true love could rid her of her darkness. So, that’s what the fairy did.” The illustration on the page depicted a blonde woman in green, ‘Tinkerbell’ she was called, who took the Queen’s hand and flew to a far away land. “In the window was a princess. “That girl there, with the star-shaped birthmark on her wrist, that’s your soulmate,” Tinkerbell said. “She’ll bring you happiness like no other.” The Queen wanted to believe her, but what would she be without her anger and resentment?” 

You looked down at the page where a familiar sight lay. The birthmark. The exact same birthmark you possessed on your wrist. But how could it be possible? This is the real world. Soulmates don’t exist and magic certainly doesn’t either. But, could Henry be right? Could the dreams you’ve been having be memories? Relics of your past life in a land that is no longer? 

“Henry,” you whispered, closing the book. “I know you can’t hear me, but–”

Your words were cut off by rapid beeping on the monitor. “What’s happening? Dr. Whale!” you shouted right as the glass doors of the ICU burst open and you were ushered out. 

__________

“Thank you.” You smiled at the server as a plate of pancakes and bacon was set in front of you.

It was a long and sleepless night. You were on your third cup of coffee and it was only eight in the morning. So many thoughts ran through your head. The birthmark. The Maritime Kingdom. Your brother. Every dream you had experienced about this strange land. With each bite of your breakfast, it became harder and harder to swallow. You wanted to cry, to scream, to leave this world and go back to the world that you were apparently so happy in. And, as if your wish was granted by a shooting star, everything stopped in a rush.

You looked around the diner and noticed everyone looked dazed and confused. Standing up, you threw a twenty down on the table and rushed out the door. You had to find your brother. You had to find your family. You had to find Regina.

Henry was right.

[communist-manifesto-daily]

Socialism: Utopian and Scientific - Part 10

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To return to our British bourgeois. The French Revolution gave him a splendid opportunity, with the help of the Continental monarchies, to destroy French maritime commerce, to annex French colonies, and to crush the last French pretensions to maritime rivalry. That was one reason why he fought it. Another was that the ways of this revolution went very much against his grain. Not only its "execrable" terrorism, but the very attempt to carry bourgeois rule to extremes. What should the British bourgeois do without his aristocracy, that taught him manners, such as they were, and invented fashions for him – that furnished officers for the army, which kept order at home, and the navy, which conquered colonial possessions and new markets aboard? There was, indeed, a progressive minority of the bourgeoisie, that minority whose interests were not so well attended to under the compromise; this section, composed chiefly of the less wealthy middle-class, did sympathize with the Revolution, but it was powerless in Parliament.

Thus, if materialism became the creed of the French Revolution, the God-fearing English bourgeois held all the faster to his religion. Had not the reign of terror in Paris proved what was the upshot, if the religious instincts of the masses were lost? The more materialism spread from France to neighboring countries, and was reinforced by similar doctrinal currents, notably by German philosophy, the more, in fact, materialism and free thought generally became, on the Continent, the necessary qualifications of a cultivated man, the more stubbornly the English middle-class stuck to its manifold religious creeds. These creeds might differ from one another, but they were, all of them, distinctly religious, Christian creeds.

While the Revolution ensured the political triumph of the bourgeoisie in France, in England Watt, Arkwright, Cartwright, and others, initiated an industrial revolution, which completely shifted the centre of gravity of economic power. The wealth of the bourgeoisie increased considerably faster than that of the landed aristocracy. Within the bourgeoisie itself, the financial aristocracy, the bankers, etc., were more and more pushed into the background by the manufacturers. The compromise of 1689, even after the gradual changes it had undergone in favor of the bourgeoisie, no longer corresponded to the relative position of the parties to it. The character of these parties, too, had changed; the bourgeoisie of 1830 was very different from that of the preceding century. The political power still left to the aristocracy, and used by them to resist the pretensions of the new industrial bourgeoisie, became incompatible with the new economic interests. A fresh struggle with the aristocracy was necessary; it could end only in a victory of the new economic power. First, the Reform Act was pushed through, in spite of all resistance, under the impulse of the French Revolution of 1830. It gave to the bourgeoisie a recognized and powerful place in Parliament. Then the Repeal of the Corn Laws [a move toward free- trade], which settled, once and for all, the supremacy of the bourgeoisie, and especially of its most active portion, the manufacturers, over the landed aristocracy. This was the greatest victory of the bourgeoisie; it was, however, also the last it gained in its own exclusive interest. Whatever triumphs it obtained later on, it had to share with a new social power – first its ally, but soon its rival.

The industrial revolution had created a class of large manufacturing capitalists, but also a class – and a far more numerous one – of manufacturing work-people. This class gradually increased in numbers, in proportion as the industrial revolution seized upon one branch of manufacture after another, and in the same proportion it increased its power. This power it proved as early as 1824, by forcing a reluctant Parliament to repeal the acts forbidding combinations of workmen. During the Reform agitation, the workingmen constituted the Radical wing of the Reform party; the Act of 1832 having excluded them from the suffrage, the formulated their demands in the People's Charter, and constituted themselves, in opposition to the great bourgeois Anti-Corn Law party, into an independent party, the Chartists, the first working-men's party of modern times.

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[calliopieces]

Michi and Ukano headcanons

Yes, you've read that correctly lol. I guess this doubles as a sneak peek for the new fic I'm working on?

I tried making up a background story for Mai's family (by pinpointing the source of their generational wealth). Because you don't really get to enter the Princess and Prince's inner circle and grow up with them if your family isn't powerful, yeah?

Michi:

According to the ATLA cookbook, nurturing the Fire Nation chili plants is a revered practice. I imagine that her family owns huge chili plantations. (Aunt Mura expanded the business by adding flowers to the mix)

I like to think that Mai being good at weapon-wielding came from her side of the family. It's a recurring theme in fanfics that her uncle (the Boiling Rock Warden, Michi's brother) was the one who first supported her interest in knives.

So aside from being the leading supplier of an important crop in Fire Nation culture, they're also a famous clan of nonbenders/weapons experts. (This is something I mentioned in passing in my Maiko childhood sparring partners fic)

Ukano:

Before he got into politics, his family was already pretty prominent. Their most famous ancestor is a key figure in history who strengthened the nation's maritime trade network.

But when the Hundred Year War raged on, their clan shifted their focus on manufacturing warships.

[northern-passage]

hey whats up!! i'm someone who is writing my own if, and i'm doing bad over here 😰😰😰 i really need help developing my world, and the northern passage is so so super cool, i've never seen anything like it and i love tnp soooo much. do you mind sharing how you did your worldbuilding, or any tips you have (for the worldbuilding or just in general i have no idea what i'm doing any of the time) or anything you think might be helpful at all in any way please i'm doing bad i'm doing so bad

oh this is funny anon i was just ranting about worldbuilding to some of my friends the other day lmfao

firstable i will send you over to brandon sanderson's lectures on worldbuilding (two parts, lectures 5&6, it's a little over 2 hours)

i assume you're writing a fantasy but i know worldbuilding is also pretty significant for scifi and post apoc settings as well, and kind of an integral part across all 3 genres. so i won't get too specific since idk much about your story but i'll tell you what i did for tnp

so tnp's setting is one that i've kinda been kicking around since like.. high school... but it's changed a lot since then, as your writing from high school always should. but the most basic thing i started with was the environment. i knew i wanted it to be cold and i wanted the ocean to play a significant part in the story, which led me to making it a significant part of the culture, both in the religion as well as the economy.

if it's cold and mountainous then what exactly would sustain the people there and how would their economy function? i already wanted the ocean to be a part of the story, so why not make a port city an important location? the north would focus on trading, fishing and whaling and animal husbandry while the warmer southern areas were perfect for farming. the backbone of Adrania is their port cities and trading across the country between the north and the south.

i'm not really one to get super into this kind of worldbuilding, especially since my story is not focused on this aspect of the world, however it's still important to feel out the basics, imo. you want to have a general idea of what day to day life looks like and how it is this country/kingdom/colony/etc functions. and in a broader sense it's a way for me to find roles for my characters to fill, like as an example: Merry works in tnp because maritime trade is very significant to the two countries present, so of course there would be pirates.

from there, my focus shifted to the story itself: the hunters. when i look back, i didn't really ask myself these questions word for word at the time, but i think this is a good general idea of how i started feeling things out:

1. what are hunters?

2. what is their role in the story and in the wider world?

3. how exactly do they fit in? what effect does their existence have?

4. why are they needed?

5. how do other people feel about them?

you can substitute whatever you need in that first question in place of hunters and apply this to just about anything. those 5 questions will get you pretty far, and will lead you to more questions, too. if hunters exist to stop monsters, then where do the monsters come from? they come from the vel. what's the vel? it was put in place by the gods to confine humanity to one plane of existence. well, who are the gods? and how do the monsters still get through? the gods are xyz and they did a bad job so the vel can be weakened. how can the vel be weakened? because it's blood magic. what's blood magic? are there other kinds of magic, too? on and on and on and on....

if you have a magic system, i once again point you to brando sando. if you don't want to watch the full lectures, you can still check out his 3 laws of magic essays on his website. tnp's magic system is something i'm still kind of figuring out (this is a first draft, after all) but i knew i wanted it to be elemental based +blood magic and i knew i wanted it to work alongside alchemy. i've made changes since then to allow for enchantments and other cool stuff i have planned later down the line, and i know it's something that i'll need to refine in the first 2 chapters at some point. so i honestly don't have too much advice on that one... so go read the essays ☝️ i also feel that these 3 laws can also be applied more broadly to like, how the technology works in your scifi/cyberpunk story as well so i still recommend reading them even if you're not using magic.

when it comes to worldbuilding, the biggest thing you want to do is look at your story and ask yourself... "does this make sense?" which sounds very silly but let me use an example (and also continue the rant i was on about the other day lol)

i was watching a review for fourth wing and i'm sorry to anyone that likes this book but it's a good example of very bad worldbuilding. the rundown is that this is supposed to be a very militaristic society, they force people into military training academies for the sole purpose of funneling them straight into The Military. however. for some reason... they just Kill anyone who doesn't "pass" the super elite training courses....? this doesn't make sense. why would they not just delegate them to another role within the military? why not just use them as cannon fodder? what about the logistics-- who is cooking meals for this military, is there a functioning quartermaster, what about people that just take care of the dragons (they have dragons in this book. we could say horses, too, or any other animal, really)? a military consists of more than just Super Special Elite Soldiers.

you want your choices and story to make sense within the society you've created, whatever that society may be. fourth wing gets compared to the hunger games, but it's not the hunger games. the hunger games had in-world reasoning for the kids to die during the games. there was a society that was built around the games and it functioned in a way that made sense. there is no reason for the kids to die in fourth wing except for the author to make an artificial conflict for the mc that doesn't make sense.

so if you already have your story, and you know what you want to do with it, you need to build a society that compliments your story and that actually allows it to happen. they have to hold hands and get along.

anyways that's a lot of rambling... i hope this helps, at least a little bit! worldbuilding can feel very daunting, but honestly i encourage you to start small like i did - something as simple as the weather and the terrain, and that will lead you on to more and more and more.

[jasminewalkerauthor]

Deep dives into folklore: Mermaids

I have heard in many places this year that 2023 is the year of the mermaid, with rise of ocean inspired fashion, release of the little mermaid and one could even say with dua lipa's mermaid barbie. Before the now wholesome representations of the mermaid, they were represented women's sexuality and vengence.

The origins of the mermaid can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where tales of sea creatures with human-like features appeared in various cultures. In Mesopotamia, the goddess Atargatis was depicted with a fishtail, while the Babylonian deity Ea was associated with water and wisdom. In Greek mythology, the sirens were alluring, half-bird, half-woman creatures who lured sailors to their demise with their enchanting songs. Though not exactly mermaids, these early figures laid the foundation for the concept of human-fish hybrids.

The mermaid we are more familiar with today has its roots in medieval folklore and maritime legends. One of the earliest written accounts of mermaids can be found in the ancient Syrian tale of "The Story of Simbad," which dates back to the 8th century. In this story, the protagonist encounters fish-tailed women on an island, emphasizing the allure and danger associated with these creatures.

During the Middle Ages, mermaids increasingly appeared in European folklore, often portrayed as seductive beings who used their beauty and mesmerizing songs to entice sailors to their doom, possibly taking influence from the sirens of greek mythology. These mermaids were seen as symbols of temptation, warning against the dangers of desire and the unknown depths of the sea.

The Renaissance period brought a shift in the perception of mermaids. As exploration and trade expanded, sailors returned with exotic tales and souvenirs, including depictions of mermaids. Artists of the time were inspired by these accounts and started to portray mermaids in their works of art. Renowned painters such as Hieronymus Bosch and Hans Christian Andersen's iconic "The Little Mermaid" further fueled the mermaid's popularity, embedding her in the realm of literature and art for generations to come.

As scientific knowledge advanced, mermaids gradually lost their mythical status and were relegated to the realm of superstition. The Age of Enlightenment and the rise of rationalism questioned the existence of such fantastical beings. Exploration and scientific discovery revealed the true nature of marine creatures, and mermaids were exposed as mere products of human imagination.

However, the mermaid's allure persisted even in the face of reason and skepticism. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the mermaid took on new forms in pop culture. P.T. Barnum, who you may recognise from the greatest showman, capitalized on the public's fascination with the unknown by exhibiting "The Fiji Mermaid," a grotesque hoax of stitched-together animal remains. Mermaids also made appearances in literature, such as "Peter Pan," where the character of Mermaid Lagoon adds a touch of enchantment to the story.

In the 20th century, mermaids experienced a renaissance in film and television. The original Disney Little Mermaid (1989) transformed the mermaid into a beloved and relatable heroine, providing a new narrative that focused on themes of personal agency, self-discovery, and true love. This reinvention not only delighted audiences but also cemented the mermaid's status as a cultural icon.

With the advent of the internet and social media, mermaids have experienced a resurgence in contemporary culture. Mermaid subcultures have emerged, with enthusiasts participating in mermaiding activities, donning elaborate tails, and engaging in underwater performances. The mermaid has also been adopted as a symbol of environmental activism, reminding us of the delicate balance between human activities and the preservation of marine ecosystems.

Overall, the concept of the mermaid has undergone a remarkable transformation over time. From ancient myths and folklore to modern-day popular culture, the mermaid has evolved from a cautionary tale of temptation to a cherished symbol of beauty, adventure, and environmental consciousness. The enduring fascination with mermaids serves as a testament to their enduring appeal and their ability to adapt to the ever-changing currents of human imagination.

[mariacallous]

KODIAK, Alaska—At Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, the USCGC Stratton, a 418-foot national security cutter, was hemmed into port by a thin layer of ice that had formed overnight in the January cold. Named for the U.S. Coast Guard’s first female officer, Dorothy Stratton, the ship was not designed for ice; its home port is in Alameda, California. After serving missions in the Indo-Pacific, it was brought to Alaska because it was available.

Soon the sun would rise, and the ice would surely melt, the junior officers surmised from the weather decks. The commanding officer nevertheless approved the use of a local tugboat to weave in front of the cutter, breaking up the wafer-like shards of ice as the Stratton steamed away from shore and embarked toward the Bering Sea.

In the last decade, as melting ice created opportunities for fishing and extraction, the Arctic has transformed from a zone of cooperation to one of geopolitical upheaval, where Russia, China, India, and Turkey, among others, are expanding their footprints to match their global ambitions. But the United States is now playing catch-up in a region where it once held significant sway.

One of the Coast Guard’s unofficial mottos is “We do more with less.” True to form, the United States faces a serious shortage of icebreaker ships, which are critical for performing polar missions, leaving national security cutters and other vessels like the Stratton that are not ice-capable with an outsized role in the country’s scramble to compete in the high north. For the 16 days I spent aboard the Stratton this year, it was the sole Coast Guard ship operating in the Bering Sea, conducting fishery inspections aboard trawlers, training with search and rescue helicopter crews, and monitoring the Russian maritime border.

Although the Stratton’s crew was up to this task, their equipment was not. A brief tour aboard the cutter shed light on the Coast Guard’s operational limitations and resource constraints. Unless Washington significantly shifts its approach, the Stratton will remain a microcosm of the United States’ journey in the Arctic: a once dominant force that can no longer effectively assert its interests in a region undergoing rapid transformation.

During the Cold War, the United States invested in Alaska as a crucial fixture of the country’s future. Of these investments, one of the most significant was the construction of the Dalton Highway in 1974, which paved the way for the controversial Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the U.S. entry as a major player in the global oil trade. Recognizing Alaska’s potential as a linchpin of national defense, leaders also invested heavily in the region’s security. In 1957, the United States began operating a northern network of early warning defense systems called the Distant Early Warning Line, and in 1958, it founded what became known as the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, such exigencies seemed excessive. The north once again became a domain for partnership among Arctic countries, a period that many call “Arctic exceptionalism”—or, as the Norwegians put it, “high north, low tension.”

But after the turn of the millennium, under President Vladimir Putin, Russia took a more assertive stance in the Arctic, modernizing Cold War-era military installations and increasing its testing of hypersonic munitions. In a telling display in 2007, Russian divers planted their national flag on the North Pole’s seabed. Russia wasn’t alone in its heightened interest, and soon even countries without Arctic territory wanted in on the action. China expanded its icebreaker fleet and sought to fund its Polar Silk Road infrastructure projects across Scandinavia and Greenland (though those efforts were blocked by Western intervention). Even India recently drafted its first Arctic strategy, while Turkey ratified a treaty giving its citizens commercial and recreational access to Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

Over the past decade, the United States lagged behind, focusing instead on the challenges posed to its interests in the Middle East, the South China Sea, and Ukraine. Its Arctic early warning system became outdated. Infrastructure off the coast of Alaska that climatologists use to predict typhoons remained uninstalled, seen as a luxury that the state and federal governments could not afford. In 2020, an engine fire in the sole Coast Guard Arctic icebreaker nearly scuttled a plan to retrieve scientific instruments and data from vessels moored in the Arctic Ocean. Two years later, a Defense Department inspector general report revealed substantial issues with the structural integrity of runways and barracks of U.S. bases across the Arctic and sub-Arctic.

Until recently, U.S. policymakers had little interest in reinstating lost Arctic competence. Only in the last three years—once Washington noticed the advances being made by China and Russia—have lawmakers and military leaders begun to formulate a cohesive Arctic strategy, and it shows.

On patrol with the Stratton, the effects of this delay were apparent. The warm-weather crew struggled to adapt to the climate, having recently returned from warmer Indo-Pacific climates. The resilient group deiced its patrol boats and the helicopter pad tie-downs with a concoction conceived through trial and error. “Happy lights,” which are supposed to boost serotonin levels, were placed around the interior of the ship to help the crew overcome the shorter days. But the crew often turned the lights off; with only a few hours of natural daylight and few portholes on the ship through which to view it anyway, the lights did not do much.

The Coast Guard is the United States’ most neglected national defense asset. It is woefully under-resourced, especially in the Arctic and sub-Arctic, where systemic issues are hindering U.S. hopes of being a major power.

First and foremost is its limited icebreaker fleet. The United States has only two working icebreakers. Of these two, only one, the USCGC Healy, is primarily deployed to the Arctic; the other, the USCGC Polar Star, is deployed to Antarctica. By comparison, Russia, which has a significant Arctic Ocean shoreline, has more than 50 icebreakers, while China has two capable of Arctic missions and at least one more that will be completed by next year.

Coast Guard and defense officials have repeatedly testified before Congress that the service requires at least six polar icebreakers, three of which would be as ice-capable as the Healy, which has been in service for 27 years. The program has suffered nearly a decade of delays because of project mismanagement and a lack of funds. As one former diplomat told me, “A strategy without budget is hallucination.” The first boat under the Polar Security Cutter program was supposed to be delivered by this year. The new estimated arrival date, officials told me, will more likely be 2030.

“Once we have the detailed design, it will be several years—three plus—to begin, to get completion on that ship,” Adm. Linda Fagan, the commandant of the Coast Guard, told Congress last April. “I would give you a date if I had one.”

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has long warned that the U.S. government and military, including the Coast Guard, have made serious miscalculations in their Arctic efforts. For one, the Coast Guard’s acquisition process for new boats is hampered by continual changes to design and a failure to contract competent shipbuilders. Moreover, the GAO found in a 2023 report that discontinuity among Arctic leadership in the State Department and a failure by the Coast Guard to improve its capability gaps “hinder implementation of U.S. Arctic priorities outlined in the 2022 strategy.”

Far more than national security is at stake. The Arctic is a zone of great economic importance for the United States. The Bering Sea alone provides the United States with 60 percent of its fisheries, not to mention substantial oil and natural gas revenue. An Arctic presence is also important for achieving U.S. climate goals. Helping to reduce or eliminate emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and black carbon in the Arctic protects carbon-storing habitats such as the tundra, forests, and coastal marshes.

Capt. Brian Krautler, the Stratton’s commanding officer, knows these problems well. Having previously served on Arctic vessels, he was perhaps the ideal officer to lead the Stratton on this unfamiliar mission. After a boarding team was recalled due to heavy seas and an overiced vessel, Krautler lamented the constraints under which he was working. “We are an Arctic nation that doesn’t know how to be an Arctic nation,” he said.

The Stratton reached its first port call in Unalaska, a sleepy fishing town home to the port of Dutch Harbor. Signs around Unalaska declare, “Welcome to the #1 Commercial Fishing Port in the United States.” The port is largely forgotten by Washington and federal entities in the region, but there is evidence all around of its onetime importance to U.S. national security: Concrete pillboxes from World War II line the roads, and trenches mark the hillocks around the harbor.

As Washington pivoted away from the Arctic, Alaska and its Native communities have become more marginalized. Vincent Tutiakoff, the mayor of Unalaska, is particularly frustrated by the shift. Even though Washington made promises to grant greater access to federal resources to support Indigenous communities, it has evaded responsibility for environmental cleanup initiatives and failed to adequately address climate change.

Federal and state governments have virtually abandoned all development opportunities in Unalaska, and initiatives from fish processing plants to a geothermal energy project have been hindered by the U.S. Energy Department’s sluggish response to its Arctic Energy Office’s open call for funding opportunities. “I don’t know what they’re doing,” Tutiakoff said of state and federal agencies.

Making matters worse, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is moving ahead to make the northern Alaska city of Nome the site of the nation’s next deep-water port rather than build infrastructure near Unalaska, the gateway to the American Arctic and the port of call for the few patrol ships tasked with its security. It seems that the decision was based on the accessibility needs of cruise ships; Unalaska is not necessarily a vacation destination.

By failing to invest in places like Unalaska, the United States is hobbling its own chances for growth. The region could be home to major advances in the green energy transition or cloud computing storage, but without investment this potential will be lost.

In the last year, the United States has tried to claw back some of what it has lost to atrophy. It has inched closer to confirming the appointment of Mike Sfraga as the first U.S. ambassador-at-large to the Arctic. In March, the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy participated in NATO exercises in the Arctic region of Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The U.S. Defense Department hosted an Arctic dialogue in January ahead of the anticipated release of a revised Arctic strategy, and the State Department signed a flurry of defense cooperation agreements with Nordic allies late last year.

Nevertheless, it has a long way to go. Tethered to the docks at Dutch Harbor, the weather-worn Stratton reflected the gap between the United States’ Arctic capabilities and its ambitions. Its paint was chipped by wind and waves, and a generator needed a replacement part from California. Much of the crew had never been to Alaska before. On the day the ship pulled into port, the crew milled about, gawking at a bald eagle that alighted on the bow and taking advantage of their few days in port before setting out again into hazardous conditions.

“I know we’re supposed to do more with less,” a steward aboard the Stratton told me, “but it’s hard.”

[jovianwishes]

When your sugardaddy is also your enemy

Historical note: Sweden and the Dutch Republic are quite an interesting duo, and they flop from friends/allies to enemies pretty often. The Dutch and French for example spend large quantities of money on Sweden so they could keep on fighting within the Thirty Years War. In other times it was other countries giving Sweden money to fight against the Dutch Republic, but then subsequently failing and having to accept whichever demands the Dutch gave them (this happened..multiple times). In the 16th and 17th century the Dutch also held a dominance in the Baltic sea, especially concerning trade in that region. Whilst Denmark and Sweden fought each other for Dominium Maris Baltici, the Dutch maintained Baltic equilibrium, aka Dutch dominance. Later this power got shifted over to Britain.

Two quotes from the book "Empires of the Sea: Maritime Power Networks in World History."

"The Swedish-Dutch relations in the seventeenth century show a clear hierarchy. It leaves the political dominance of Sweden in the Baltic Sea region as a second order dominance, depending on the will and power of the Dutch Republic and its economic elites."

"It is reasonable to conclude that the Swedish dominance in the Baltic region has to be considered a borrowed empire. Borrowed not only with regard to financial dependence of the Swedish war activities from other powers but also with regard to the political intentions of those economic powers which dominated the Baltic trade with western and southern Europe."

[ff12-ultimania]

Balfonheim; then and now

Situated on a peninsula in the eastern Archadian region, Balfonheim is a port town that, in its earlier days, thrived as a prominent fishing port in Ivalice. Over time, it evolved into a hub for piracy. As the Archadian Empire intensified its crackdown on piracy, the residents shifted towards the legitimate shipping industry, transforming the town into a center for maritime transportation and trade. Despite the shift from piracy to legal trade, Balfonheim has consistently dominated the Naldoan Sea, boasting a high standard of living for a town of its size. While this port town is self-governed, it pays a substantial sum to the Archadian Empire, securing a unique autonomy within the imperial structure.

In the present day, Balfonheim hosts a diverse community, encompassing pirates, sky pirates, fishermen, and the rough-and-tumble; the kind of people who have abandoned their homeland. Many of the inhabitants have anti-establishment views, and so as the empire grows in power, relations with the empire gradually deteriorate. And those who took an anti-imperialist stance became more prominent. Despite this, the people of Balfonheim have yet to throw their lot with the Resistance, as it brings no tangible benefits to their community.

[chains-of-destiny]

In what ways has the magocracy's rule and the subsequent rebellion shaped the current political and social landscape of your world?

Hey! In the rewrite, I'm planning to add a Codex (and maybe even a map) to delve into the world's lore.

But, until that becomes a reality, here is what I've imagined as a backstory for the world:

The Naraveneese magocracy was a major power due to its strategic position and the sheer magical power at its disposal. Situated on an island chain, it held sway over a vital maritime trade route connecting the powerful state of Qajir with the mainland continent of Runsas. The magocracy was originally an autonomous and renowned magical academy that later became the rival of the Machian High Kingdom after the magocracy seceded from the it when the first Machian High King died.

Runsas became their battleground for influence for centuries, with Machia consolidating control over the southern territories and Naraveen asserting suzerainty over the many smaller petty kingdoms and city-states of the North (+ one of the Ceovar tribes agreed to pay them tribute and to march to war against the Machians when the time came if they supported their unstable rule over the many Ceovar tribes).

Naraveen employed a system where the magically talented children in their vassal states needed to be transferred to their islands for training (somewhat similar to the Ottoman Devshirme System in our world). This ensured a constant influx of magical talent under Naraveneese control, further cementing their supremacy.

However, the balance of power shifted dramatically with the collapse of the Machian High Kingdom into a brutal civil war. This eventually resulted in the fragmentation of the High Kingdom into dozens of self-proclaimed kingdoms. Naraveen sought to fill the resulting power vacuum and extend its influence in hopes of being able to rival Qajir, but this ambition was thwarted by the Great Rebellion. In a catastrophic turn of events during the fight for the magocracy's last grand citadel, a magical calamity caused an unknown phenomenon that unleashed a deadly brown fog across the islands, rendering them uninhabitable.

The nine great heroes then fled to the mainland with whoever they could put on ships, meaning many tens of thousands of civilians, mundane and magically talented alike. They made landfall in Runsas and established the Republic (the war known as the 'Iron Crusade' also happened not much after this, but that is not significant now).

So, all in all, there is a power vacuum in the continent - the Republic, which is essentially a successor state to Naraveen, is not as powerful as the magocracy once was, and the newly independent northern states are hostile, viewing the Republic as nothing more than an extension of their former oppressors. The former Machian High Kingdom is a land of constant strife and conflict, with claimants to the High Kingdom rising and falling. Currently, the big players on the continent, I would say, are the Republic, the Ceovar Confederacy, and King Roland's western kingdom (a Machian successor state technically still allied to the Republic).

Culturally, Naraveen and Machia diverged significantly after the magocracy's independence. While sharing a common language, the two societies developed distinct customs. However blending of Machian and Naraveneese heritage in the Republic for over a century created a unique hybrid culture among the lower classes. The ruling elite still upholds traditional Naraveneese values while embracing republican ideals championed by the nine heroes.

Originally, the magocracy's rule entrenched a system where magical ability was the primary determinant of power and status. This led to a stark divide between the magical elite and the non-magical majority, resulting in widespread inequality and discrimination.

If the sources are to be believed, the rebellion against the magocracy was fueled by grievances over this inequality and oppression. It sparked a revolution that sought to overthrow the strict hierarchy and establish a more egalitarian society. However, I want to clarify that the rest of the continent still follows the same feudal system as it did before.

I hope this answers your question! Let me know if you have any further questions or if there's anything else you'd like to know.

[quinn-borel]

Modern AU first meeting and/or first date :D

He looked at his watch for the fourth time as the elevator took him up to the venue. He cursed under his breath–first his flight ran late, then traffic, then issues with his hotel room…the list went on. Everything that could go wrong did, which made him late for the Leveilleur Foundation charity event. While he was still rather green to the scene, he wanted to make a good impression towards the potential investors and partners he could make connections with to strengthen Ishgardian Holdings’ foothold in the region. He exhaled slowly while fixing the cuff of his suit jacket over his timepiece–ding, the fourteenth floor. As the doors opened, he was greeted by an usher clad in black with a tablet in hand.

“Name, sir?”

“Aymeric Borel of Ishgardian Holdings.”

The usher checked the tablet and gave him a polite nod, “Ah, yes, Mr. Borel, I see you here. We’ve been expecting you. You may proceed.”

With a sigh of relief, Aymeric made his way into the main venue–a grand ballroom filled with guests from all sorts of different businesses, organizations, and even government entities. Tables lined the inner sanctum while the fringes had buffet tables and pop-up drink bars. One could not want at this event, save for some privacy given the occupants. Aymeric was tasked with meeting and schmoozing with three industry leaders that night–Lominsan Maritime LLC, Elemental Trading Co., and the Bank of the Sultanate. Surely their representatives were around and about, though admittedly he was unable to catch their names in his rush to the venue. Though names were meaningless without a face to put them to…

He closed his eyes to gather his thoughts, allowing the accompanying music to play in the background and calm him down. It was a lovely melody coming from the main stage–smooth jazz, the piano certainly in the foreground. Just as he was about to open his eyes, he felt a hand clap itself on his shoulder, which startled him.

“If it isn’t my old friend! How have you been Aymeric!?”

Aymeric glanced to the origin of the hand, amazed to see that none other than Haurchefant Greystone, his old college friend.

“Haurchefant? I didn’t expect you to be here.” Aymeric said with surprise, fixing his blazer from the sudden shift,

“Oh? Really? I though word of my recent promotion would have made its way to the parent company. But that aside, it’s good to see you my friend! It’s been years.”

“Quite.” Aymeric gave him a nod with a warm smile, “Last time I saw you was at graduation. You mean to tell me you’re working for one of our subsidiaries?”

“Why else would I be here?” he asked with a grin, “When I was informed you were being sent on behalf of Ishgardian Holdings I was elated! I didn’t think they’d send the big guns all the way out here.”

“Well, fath–I mean, President Thordan was apprehensive about it. Needless to say, this venture came out of my own pocket and I’m here rather incognito–the others whom I’m looking for probably don’t know I managed a spot on the guest list.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll find them in time, friend. And when you do, you’ll have them in the palm of your hand I’m sure. That silver tongue of yours is one to be reckoned with.”

“One can only hope so.”

“By the way,” he Haurchefant glanced over Aymeric’s shoulder, “where’s Varlineau? I thought you two–“

“Oh.” Aymeric felt the heat in his cheeks from embarrassment, “That…didn’t last as long as I had hoped. We went our separate ways about a year ago. Nothing messy, just had different goals.”

“Sorry to hear that.” Haurchefant guided Aymeric over to one of the bars, “How about a drink? Whiskey neat?” he pointed to him expectantly,

“On the rocks.” Aymeric put his hands in his pockets, once again taking in the ambiance. Haurchefant gladly took two drinks from the bartender and handed one to his friend,

“So, what do you think of this place?”

“It’s quite the spectacle.” Aymeric’s gaze scanned the room as he took a sip of his drink, “The music is nice, too.”

“That’s because the pianist is one of the best in the area.” Haurchefant nudged Aymeric slightly, motioning towards the stage. There sat a taller woman with fiery orange locks and tanned skin, elegant as ever as she leaned over the piano, tickling the ivories with a warm smile on her painted lips. She appeared…angelic, in a way. Ethereal, even, with how the lights shined down upon her on the stage. Like a siren’s song, Aymeric couldn’t help but to focus his attention on her.

“She’s, ah-”

“Quite the pretty little thing, is she not?” Haurchefant chuckled, “I met her some time ago at another venue she was performing at. Much smaller, mind you–this is her first big gig.”

“Does she have a name?”

“Miss Quinnelainne Varria.” Haurchefant waved his hands in front of him as if he were showing off a spectacle, “Beautiful name, is it not?”

Aymeric looked off to the side before putting his drink back to his lips. He was always taught not to stare at a woman like that, yet something deep within him wanted to gaze at her. She was absolutely beautiful, as was her name. He could only softly grunt in agreement. Obviously, Haurchefant had his eyes on her anyway. But the young man beside him seemed dejected as he took a sip of his own drink,

“She’s a finicky one, though. I asked her on a date and she called me her ‘brother’. Can you believe that?”

Aymeric smirked, “Sorry you struck out, my friend.”

“You should meet her, though. She’s quite something.”

Aymeric raised his brow with surprise. While she was not necessarily the company he was tasked with meeting with, he couldn’t help but to be a tad curious about this Quinnelainne. Haurchefant always did introduce him to the most fascinating of people in their youth. He checked his watch once more–there was still plenty of time to do his business and have another drink. the party was just getting started.

“Can you introduce me?” Aymeric asked. Haurchefant looked rather surprised, yet the grin on his lips was telling,

“Look at you, you sly devil.”

“What?” Aymeric’s cheeks lit up again, “You say she’s interesting to talk to, so I want to talk to her. That’s all.”

“Right.” Haurchefant scoffed and finished his drink, “Maybe you’ll have better luck than me.”

“I’m not trying to be lucky.” Aymeric warned him, “Just forget about it.”

“I’m only teasing.” Haurchefant abandoned his spot next to Aymeric and approached the stage. Just as the number had finished, he waved the pianist down who had stepped to the side to take a drink of water. After a bit of conversation and her glancing over his shoulder, she gave him a nod and went back to the piano. Haurchefant then returned to his spot and ordered another drink,

“She gets to go on break after a few more songs,” he explained, “she would be more than happy to meet you.”

“Just like that?” Aymeric blinked a few times as he, too, finished his drink, “You didn’t promise her anything, did you?”

“Just a drink and a good conversation.” Haurchefant laughed, “I’m sure you can manage that, right?”

Aymeric gave him a nod as his attention went back towards the stage. He and Haurchefant continued their idle chitchat for the remainder of the two songs, catching up on what had happened since their college graduation. Finally, the siren of the night left the stage with a slight bow and she immediately went up to one of the bars at the other end of the room. Haurchefant nudged Aymeric with his elbow,

“Go get her, friend.” he said with a wink. Aymeric brushed him off, sighed, and approached the woman from the other end of the room. As he approached, he felt a slight lump in his throat–completely abnormal from his normal demeanor when he met someone new. But this wasn’t a business negotiation, nay, this was a face-to-face and intimate conversation between strangers. She had her back to him, her sanguine cocktail dress outlining her frame perfectly and…accentuating her assets, much to Aymeric’s dismay. He felt the heat under his collar the second he was inches from her, actually nervous to say something to her.

No. He had to keep cool. This was Haurchefant’s friend, after all. a Friend. Friend.

“One whisky on the rocks, please.” he requested of the barkeep as he took to her side, his gaze falling to her before he cleared his throat, “Good evening, Miss Varria.”

She took a long sip from her cherry sour before setting it down with an unsettled look in her eyes,

“Oh, Haurchie really did tell you my full name, didn’t he?” she sighed, “I hate it when he does that.”

“Is there another name I can call you by, then?”

Already the conversation got off to a rocky start, but maybe it could be salvaged with a bit of finesse.

“Just ‘Quinn’ is fine.” she explained, “Sorry, I guess I should have properly introduced myself when you came over here. Aymeric, right?”

“Yes.” he relaxed his shoulders a bit as he took his drink, “I apologize for using the wrong name.”

“No, it’s fine.” she smiled at him, “Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. Although brief, Haurchie told me a little bit about you.”

“Is that so?” Aymeric’s gaze flickered to across the room, to which Haurchefant was giving him a thumbs up.

“Yes,” she leaned against the counter in her seat, a long finger curled under her own chin as she examined him, “you’re an old friend of his from his college days. Summa cum laude, now in the top brass of Ishgardian Holdings.”

“…He told you all of that in a short conversation?”

“No,” she winked as she pulled out her phone from her purse, “I just have the internet.”

Aymeric chuckled as he took a seat next to her, “Well, there’s only so much Eorzeapedia can tell about a man, right? And yet, I know very little about you. Will you share?”

She leaned back, impressed with how he took to her researching him, “Very well. I’m just a dropout from music school–took to the streets to hone my craft. Played a bit at a shopping mall before my talent was recognized by Scions Inc., a talent agency. They got me gigs at small cocktail lounges before two of the Leveilleurs entered our ranks. They had their connections and, well, here I am.”

“I didn’t realize you were acquainted with the Leveilleurs.” Aymeric sipped his drink, “That’s quite impressive.”

“I can’t say I’m used to this sort of thing.” she sighed, “There’s just something about drunks at a cocktail lounge that make a better audience than one of these upscale events, you know? But, I can say: it has it’s perks. I get to rub elbows with some of the best tippers in the region. Seriously, the big guns in the business love their music.”

“You have other connections?” Aymeric asked quizzically.

“I do,” she explained, “I can tell you exactly who, too.”

She turned in her seat, motioning him to follow her gaze. There she pointed out four individuals who were conversing at one of the far tables,

“So, you have Merlwyb of Lominsan Maritime in the black suit. Kan-e-Senna of Elemental Trading in the white dress. Miss Namo is the shorter girl in the pink dress, that’s the owner of the Bank of the Sultanate. And finally, the big guy is Raubahn of the newly reformed Ala-Mhigan Freight company–they just recovered from an old buyout.”

Aymeric blinked a few times in amazement, “How do you know these people?”

“They’ve hired me at their own private events.” Quinn mused over her drink, “I take it you’d like to meet them yourself, Mr. Borel?”

“Please, just ‘Aymeric’.” he turned his attention back to her, “Anyway, you’ve quite the history with your craft. That’s very impressive.”

“Thank you, not a lot of people really recognize that.” Quinn took the garnish from her drink out, “So, tell me more about yourself.”

“Me?” he mused, “To tell you the truth, you’ve pinpointed most of my achievements already.”

“Yeah, but I wanna know the real you.” she said with a wink, the whole cherry disappearing inside of her mouth. Aymeric exhaled slowly as he tried to think,

“Well, I’m thirty-two years old, I have a pet cat, and my hobbies include cooking, writing, and a bit of dancing here and there. I try to keep things modest when I’m not at my desk.”

She smiled and gave him a nod, her gaze still oddly studying him. Aymeric took another sip before he turned the conversation back to her,

“…’Varria’, right? That’s Hannish, if I’m not mistaken?”

“You’re right.” she replied, “Very worldly of you.”

“I’ve visited that area a few times. Beautiful place, truly.”

“Thank you for not hitting me with a ‘almost as beautiful as the women who came from there’ bullshit.” Quinn laughed.

“Please,” Aymeric also laughed, “if I’m going to flirt with someone I won’t go for such low-hanging fruit.”

“Then, how would you flirt with me?” Quinn leaned in slightly closer to him with a devious smirk on her features. Aymeric could still see her making work of the cherry garnish in her mouth. He sat his drink down next to hers and leaned closer,

“I would first start with a compliment,” he muttered, “I’m more of a gentleman that way. Maybe something about your voice, or your eyes. Nothing too daring, mind you. Something a bit more subtle, I would say.

“I see.” Quinn snickered and pulled back, “Well, the clock is unfavorable for us this evening, sad to say.”

From her purse the pulled out a pen and a small business card, to which she scratched something on the back of it in bright, pink ink. Quinn slid the card face-up towards Aymeric before getting up from her seat,

“What’s this?”

“Give me a call if you need company entertainment–my agent’s number is on the front.” she then leaned in closer once more, taking the cherry stem from her mouth and placing it in his empty glass, “…on the back is if you’d rather have have a more intimate encounter.”

With a wink and a gentle pat on his cheek, Quinn went back to the stage. With flushed features, Aymeric looked down at the card and noticed she had given him her personal cell phone number with ‘Text me <3 ‘ written underneath it. He quickly placed the card in his wallet before he noticed the cherry stem in his glass, knotted right in the middle.

[mnrpardiman]

The Fall of Constantinople in 1453 marked a significant turning point in world history, with profound effects on Europe, the Islamic world, and global trade routes. Here’s an overview of the event and its implications for European conquest:

The Fall of Constantinople:

- Background: Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was a major center of trade, culture, and Christianity. It had been under increasing pressure from the expanding Ottoman Empire.

- Siege of 1453: The city was besieged by Sultan Mehmed II and the Ottoman forces. The Ottomans employed advanced military technology, including large cannons, to breach the city's formidable walls.

- Capture: After a prolonged siege, Constantinople fell on May 29, 1453. This event marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and solidified Ottoman control over the eastern Mediterranean.

Immediate Impacts:

- Religious Shift: The fall led to the transformation of Constantinople into Istanbul, with the Hagia Sophia converted into a mosque, symbolizing the shift in religious power from Christianity to Islam in the region.

- Cultural Exchange: The event accelerated the movement of scholars, particularly Greek ones, to the West. This influx helped ignite the Renaissance by reintroducing classical Greek and Roman knowledge to Europe.

Rise of European Conquest:

- Shift in Power Dynamics: With the Byzantine Empire’s collapse, Western Europe no longer had a powerful Christian state to counter the Ottomans. This void spurred exploration and colonial ambitions among European nations.

- Exploration: European powers, particularly Spain and Portugal, sought new trade routes to access the riches of Asia. This led to significant maritime exploration, including voyages by figures like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama.

- Colonial Expansion: The discovery of the New World and sea routes to India allowed for the establishment of colonies and trade networks, leading to the rise of European empires in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

- Military and Technological Advancements: The experiences of warfare during the siege and subsequent confrontations with the Ottomans prompted advancements in military technology and tactics in Europe, which facilitated further conquests.

Conclusion:

The Fall of Constantinople was not just a pivotal moment in the history of the Eastern Mediterranean; it profoundly affected European political, cultural, and economic trajectories. The resulting shift in power dynamics set the stage for the Age of Exploration and colonial expansion, reshaping the world in ways that are still evident today.

[finerthingsblogs]

Top 10 Best Historical Coins for Collectors

The world of historical coin collecting is a fascinating intersection of art, history, and investment. Each coin carries with it the story of the era it represents, whether it's from ancient civilizations, significant historical events, or minted during the reign of great rulers. Collectors in the luxury niche appreciate historical coins not only for their beauty and rarity but also for their intrinsic value as pieces of world history. In this blog, we explore the top 10 best historical coins for collectors, delving into their backgrounds, rarity, and why they continue to captivate collectors.

1. Athenian Owl Tetradrachm (Circa 440 BC)

The Athenian Owl Tetradrachm is one of the most iconic coins from ancient Greece, recognized by its detailed depiction of an owl, the symbol of Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Minted in silver, this coin was used as currency throughout the ancient Greek world and remains one of the most collectible ancient coins today. Collectors prize the Tetradrachm for its symbolism and craftsmanship. Its strong association with the golden age of Athens and its link to the birthplace of democracy make it a standout in any collection. Depending on its condition, an Athenian Owl Tetradrachm can fetch prices ranging from $1,000 to over $20,000.

2. Roman Denarius of Julius Caesar (Circa 44 BC)

Coins featuring Julius Caesar hold immense historical significance, particularly the Roman Denarius issued during his reign. This coin, minted just before his assassination in 44 BC, features a portrait of Caesar on one side and various Roman symbols on the reverse. It is one of the earliest examples of a living ruler being depicted on currency, marking a critical shift in Roman coinage. Collectors of ancient coins are drawn to the Roman Denarius for its rarity and its direct connection to one of history’s most famous figures. Prices for Julius Caesar Denarii vary but can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, especially for well-preserved pieces.

3. St. Gaudens Double Eagle (1907-1933)

The St. Gaudens Double Eagle is often regarded as one of the most beautiful coins ever produced by the United States Mint. Designed by the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the coin features a striking depiction of Lady Liberty striding forward with a torch and an olive branch, symbolizing enlightenment and peace. These $20 gold coins were minted from 1907 to 1933, with certain rare editions, like the 1933 Double Eagle, becoming extremely valuable. One 1933 Double Eagle sold for over $7 million at auction, making it one of the most expensive coins in the world. Collectors appreciate the Double Eagle for its beauty, historical significance, and rarity.

4. Spanish 8 Escudo "Gold Doubloon" (Late 16th to 19th Century)

The Spanish 8 Escudo, also known as the "gold doubloon," is one of the most famous coins from the Age of Exploration. Minted in the Spanish colonies, these large gold coins were used extensively in trade and became synonymous with pirate treasure. Their historical connection to the Spanish Empire, the wealth of the New World, and the era of maritime exploration make them highly sought after by collectors. Gold doubloons are valued based on their condition, minting date, and rarity, with well-preserved examples selling for upwards of $10,000 or more.

5. British Gold Sovereign (1817-Present)

The British Gold Sovereign is one of the longest-running coinage series in history, with its roots stretching back to 1817. Featuring the profile of the reigning British monarch on one side and the iconic image of St. George slaying the dragon on the other, the gold sovereign has remained a symbol of British stability and power. Collectors are particularly interested in rare or early sovereigns, such as those minted during the reign of Queen Victoria or George III. While modern gold sovereigns are still produced today, the older and rarer ones can fetch thousands of dollars at auction, especially those from limited mintages or special issues.

6. Morgan Silver Dollar (1878-1904, 1921)

The Morgan Silver Dollar is an American classic and a favorite among coin collectors for its historical value and beautiful design. Minted during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it features a portrait of Lady Liberty on one side and an eagle on the reverse. Named after its designer, George T. Morgan, this silver dollar is particularly prized for its large size, high silver content, and its place in American history during the post-Civil War era and the westward expansion. Collectors particularly seek rare mint marks, such as those from the Carson City Mint, with prices for these rarities reaching into the thousands.

7. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

Considered one of the most valuable American coins, the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the first silver dollar ever struck by the United States Mint. The coin features a portrait of Lady Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse and an eagle surrounded by a wreath on the reverse. With fewer than 200 known to exist, this coin is exceedingly rare, and its historical significance makes it one of the most desirable coins for collectors. In 2013, a 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar sold for a record-breaking $10 million, highlighting its value as a key piece of American numismatic history.

8. Ducat of the Dutch Republic (Late 16th to Early 18th Century)

The Dutch Ducat is one of the most famous gold coins from Europe, minted from the late 16th century through the early 18th century. It became widely accepted in international trade and is known for its high gold content and consistent quality. The ducat often featured a knight holding a sword and a bundle of arrows, symbolizing strength and unity. Collectors are drawn to these coins not only for their historical value but also for their connection to the Dutch Republic’s period of economic and military power. Prices for well-preserved Dutch ducats can range from $2,000 to $10,000.

9. Chinese Yuan Shih-kai Silver Dollar (1914-1928)

Also known as the "Fat Man" Dollar, the Chinese Yuan Shih-kai Silver Dollar is one of the most iconic coins from early 20th-century China. The coin features a portrait of Yuan Shih-kai, the first president of the Republic of China, making it a significant piece of Chinese history. These silver dollars were heavily circulated, but high-quality examples are becoming increasingly rare and valuable. Collectors of Asian coins appreciate the historical context of the Yuan Shih-kai dollar, and prices for these coins have steadily risen in recent years, with top-grade examples selling for thousands of dollars.

10. Constantine the Great Solidus (Circa 4th Century AD)

The Constantine the Great Solidus is one of the most valuable coins from the Roman Empire, minted during the reign of Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. This gold coin symbolizes the transition of Rome into a Christian empire and Constantine’s significant role in shaping European history. The solidus remained the standard for gold coinage in the Byzantine Empire for centuries, and collectors are drawn to its historical importance and the fact that many of these coins have survived in excellent condition. Prices for Constantine solidus coins can range from $5,000 to over $20,000, depending on their rarity and condition.

A spokesperson from Coveted, a premier platform for collectible connoisseurs, shared their thoughts on the allure of historical coins for collectors. “Coins are tangible pieces of history, each telling its own story of the time and place it was minted. From ancient Greek coins to American classics, collectors today are not just purchasing metal, they’re investing in history. At Coveted, we help connect collectors with rare and historically significant coins, ensuring that these treasures are passed down through generations. Owning a rare coin is like holding a piece of the past in your hands, and it’s a truly rewarding experience.”

[racefortheironthrone]

I was rereading some of your old union questions and I was wondering if there was some reason why hiring halls wasn't more common.

So I discuss hiring halls a bit here, but just to explain to new readers, a hiring hall is a particular mode of labor relations whereby the union takes over the power to hire and fire workers from management while agreeing to provide workers to a given job site upon request from a business that has a contract with the union. One way to think of it is that the union has essentially put the HR department under worker control.

The union then undertakes to match requests for a certain number of workers to the same number of union members (in the case of a closed shop) or dues-paying workers (in the case of an agency shop) who have applied to the hiring hall for work. In order to prevent corruption and favoritism, the union assigns or refers workers on the basis of some non-discriminatory rule. To quote from IATSE (the theater worker's union) Local #18's rules for referrals:

"Referrals are to be based upon such recognized factors as ability to perform specific services requested by said Employer, availability for employment at the time of such request, and seniority as defined by the length of service in the industry or for a specific employer."

Finally, the hiring hall also undertakes a responsibility that the labor that it's providing to employers is of high quality. At a minimum, this involves keeping detailed records on union members' "good conduct" on the job site. Most hiring halls tend to require, in addition to union membership and/or dues, that a worker has completed an apprenticeship or other form of licensing or certification process in a trade, and has a minimum amount of experience as a trainee. Finally, some hiring halls even attempted to regulate personal behavior standards when it came to alcohol, on the grounds that workers who are habitual alcoholics are likely to drink on the job, which compromises the quality of their labor.

Hiring halls tend to be confined to a fairly narrow set of industries - you see them in construction, longshoring and warehousing, maritime, theater, agriculture. So why aren't they more common?

Well, one major factor is that employers tend to be highly resistant to allowing unions to take over something that they consider to be a core role of management - and thus it's kind of the last thing they'd agree to in a union contract. Thus, the relative balance of power between labor and capital becomes pivotal: where employers are strong and unions are weak, you don't see hiring halls; but where employers are weak and unions are strong, you're more likely to see hiring halls.

Another factor is labor law - the hiring hall tended to be associated with closed shops, and a lot of countries ban closed shops. (The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 banned the closed shop but left hiring halls alone, so hiring halls had to shift to agency shops.) Moreover, historically the NLRB has been rather suspicious of hiring halls, in part because the NRLB had pioneered the model of union shops associated with the then-new CIO unions and wanted to steer unions towards that model rather than the hiring hall, which was associated with older craft unions. As a result, NRLB bureaucrats tended to discourage the formation of hiring halls when they made labor law decisions or conducted arbitration and mediation during collective bargaining.

A third factor is the union's capacity - as you can see from above, operating a hiring hall takes a lot of work (and financial resources to pay for that work). A lot of unions find that degree of extra effort to be more than they're willing or able to muster. The United Farm Workers, for example (and this is a topic that I'd welcome further asks about, because it's a fascinating story of the rise and fall of a social movement), ran into a good deal of difficulty trying to set up a system of hiring halls in the wake of their first breakthrough victory in the grape-growing industry in California in 1970.

As detailed in the excellent history From the Jaws of Victory by Matthew Garcia, Cesar Chavez was more interested in the UFW as a social movement than in doing the work to ensure that contracts were signed in a timely fashion, that hiring halls (which had to be set up on far-flung farms all over the state of California) were operational in time to handle the seasonal hiring rush in the fields, that they were adequately staffed by competent people (Cesar Chavez had a rooted ideological objection to paying union staffers more than a poverty wage), that they kept adequate records and matched workers to referrals efficiently, and that they were operating in a non-discriminatory and efficient manner. As a result, a lot of UFW hiring halls developed a reputation for being shady or slow and inefficient or favoring Mexican workers over Filipinos - which became something of a hindrance in maintaining existing membership and organizing new workers.

[irablockstokenization]

Navigating the Digital Landscape: Asset Tokenization and Managing Digital Assets

In an increasingly digital world, the concept of ownership and investment is undergoing a transformative shift. Asset tokenization emerges as a game-changer, revolutionizing the way we manage, trade, and engage with assets. From real estate to Aviation, Maritime tokenization is paving the way for a new era of accessibility, liquidity, and efficiency in managing digital assets.

Understanding Asset Tokenization:

Asset tokenization involves converting ownership rights of physical or digital assets into digital tokens that are recorded on a blockchain. These tokens represent fractional ownership, allowing investors to buy, sell, and trade portions of valuable assets seamlessly. The benefits are far-reaching, transcending industries and introducing a host of possibilities.

Democratizing Ownership:

Traditionally, owning high-value assets like real estate or other physical assets required substantial capital and access. Asset tokenization changes this narrative by enabling fractional ownership. Investors can now own fractions of valuable assets, expanding investment opportunities to a broader audience.

Enhancing Liquidity:

Illiquid assets, often challenging to sell quickly, become more liquid through tokenization. Fractional ownership allows for easier trading on secondary markets, opening the door to investors looking for flexibility in managing their investments.

Efficiency Through Automation:

Managing digital assets through tokenization offers automation through smart contracts. These self-executing contracts automate processes like dividend distribution, rental income sharing, and even voting rights among asset owners.

Security and Transparency:

Blockchain technology ensures transparency and security in asset ownership and transactions. The decentralized and immutable nature of the blockchain eliminates fraudulent activities and ensures that ownership records are tamper-proof.

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[hierarchyproblem]

A year and a half later, I actually did read the book, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, a labour history of Anglo-American sailors between 1700 and 1750, by historian Marcus Rediker (the second I've read of his, after the excellent Villains of All Nations). As one might suspect, it is somewhat overstating the book's case to say that there's a connection between Blackbeard and trade unions (which don't really appear until after the period in question and thus don't feature in the text at all). Which is not to say that the book wasn't interesting, it very much was, and I'd thorughly recommend it! Summary below the cut.

Rediker's central argument is that Anglo-American sailors in the first half of the 1700s represent one of the earliest examples of a self-conscious working class formed by the socialisation of the labour process in early capitalism - that is, several decades before the factory really took off as the site of capitalist production. During this period, Atlantic trade, particularly the slave trade (on which, as an aside, I wish the book had more to say - but I have Rediker's The Slave Ship on my shelf, so I guess I'll have to read that next), was crucial to the sustenance, development, and propagation of early capitalism. The working environment of the merchant ship during this period was an early demonstration of the ways that even as capitalism brings workers together for greater productivity and closer supervision, the workers themselves are better able to find new and collective ways to organise their own lives and resist authority.

Many examples are given in the book, both on land (where sailors, with weak ties to the cities they found themselves in, and intimately familiar with physical violence at the hands of the bosses, often formed the 'militant core' of protests and demonstrations) and at sea (where the refusal to work was one of the only tools a ship's crew had to contest short rations, route alterations, overwork, or physical abuse). The term 'strike' for a work stoppage originates in maritime language: to 'strike sail' was to let down the sails, without which, of course, the ship would be going nowhere!

Piracy only gets one chapter in the book, as it represents a minority of seamen and even then only really until 1726. Still, the spectre of piracy loomed large over the maritime world, and was a genuine avenue of class struggle and liberation. Many pirates were quite candid that the main factor that drove them to an outlaw's life, either by mutiny or desertion, was the abuse they faced at the hands of merchant captains, among whom arbitrarily witholding rations and wages was commonplace, and who were quite entitled to enforce discipline by means of vicious, disfiguring, life-altering violence. Things were, of course, even worse in the royal navy, who recruited sailors as a matter of course by physically kidnapping them - only the naive or the desperate would join up voluntarily.

Understaffing, as now, was a common complaint; one thing I didn't previously know was that a pirate ship might have as many as four or five times as many sailors on board as a merchant vessel of the same size! It's easy to see why men working twelve-hour days (split into four-hour alternating shifts!) of constant physical labour would fancy something of a break.

Many pirates did conceive of their way of life in politically-conscious terms, as rebellion against king, church, and captain. As a rule, they elected their own captains democratically, and did away with waged labour (a fairly new but quickly universal practice in the shipping business) in favour of returning to the old system of shares. Perhaps the clearest expression of what could be considered the 'pirate worldview' comes from a quotation (which I'm sure I've posted before and will again) by Charles Bellamy, who is recorded as having castigated a captured merchant captain by saying,

You are a sneaking Puppy, and so are those who submit to be governed by Laws which rich Men have made for their own Security, for the cowardly whelps have not the courage to defend what they get by their Knavery; but damn ye altogether [...] They vilify us, the Scoundrels do, when there is only this Difference, they rob the Poor under the cover of Law, forsooth, and we plunder the rich under the protection of our own Courage.

If you think the connection between Blackbeard, piracy, and trade unions is a bit of a stretch, do I have the book you need to read!