#Personal Growth & Development

[livewithjoynow]

Beyond the Crossorads

“Sometimes, God brings times of transition to create transformation.” -Lynn Cowell As women journey through middle age, they often find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with questions of purpose, fulfillment, and the paths not taken. For me, this journey began at the age of 40, when I took a long, hard look at my life and realized that I hadn’t pursued many of the dreams and aspirations I…

[withsomejam]

Books to help motivate

I always find this first part of the year the hardest. Yes it’s great having a rest after the hectic festive season but it can also be difficult to get back into the normality of working or motivated when you’re feeling burnout. These books I’m sharing today are some of my go-to’s for lighting that fire in me and I usually dip in and out of them whenever I need some sort of help or…

[personalgrowthoasis]

The Lessons in Daily Life: Gym, Fasting, Coffee and Lending a Helping Hand

Discover the extraordinary in your everyday! Embrace challenges, savour life's simple pleasures, and extend a helping hand. Each day holds lessons for personal growth. Keep learning, keep growing!

Hello, friends of Personal Growth Oasis! I hope this blog post finds you well. Today, I’d like to share a few personal experiences from my day – experiences that may seem mundane, but ones which I believe are filled with nuggets of wisdom for personal growth. Embracing the Challenge at the Gym The day started off with a trip to the gym. Yes, it was as demanding as always, but there’s something…

[321ocio]

Ladra, relincha, maúlla de Lynn Mckenzie

#Reseña Ladra, relincha, maúlla de @animalenergy, un libro para conocernos a nosotros mismos a través de la conexión con nuestra mascota @Ediciones_Urano #crecimientopersonal #autoconocimiento #conocimientoanimal

Hace ya un tiempo que me aficioné a leer libros de crecimiento personal y intentar poner en práctica los ejercicios que muchos de ellos recomiendan pero, no me había encontrado ningún libro que lo hiciera a través de la conexión con una mascota como es el caso del libro de Lynn Mckenzie Ladra, relincha, maúlla. Accede a la guía de los animales para despertar la gran llamada de tu alma. Repleto…

[anniemalista]

What Is Your First Memory?

What is your first memory? Is it pleasant or unpleasant? What influence does it have on you as a person? How can you change your perspective toward your first memory to support your growth journey and positively influence your present?

How does your first memory influence you as a person? What is your first memory, and how does it affect your present? Talking about memory, do you know how much effect it has on you? It is more important than we realize how important our first memory is. Some memory is not at the cognitive level; however, our subconscious minds can recognize them. That is how those memories affect us at later…

[wendytestabrat]

Should Kyman be canonized or just kept the way things are with their weird relationship? XD

ok this is a rlly good question. i personally would love to see it canon bc i have absolutely no life and i ship two animated 4th graders together but i acknowledge the fact that the majority of south park fans don’t give a shit abt ships and only watch the show for the comedy LOL. so yeah i can see how them making kyman canon would piss off A LOT of people or ruin the show for them (and canonizing pretty much any ship between the four boys) so if it doesn’t happen it’s not the end of the world for me. however, i do feel like there are some things they could do to make kyman happen that would be satisfying for ALL the fans so it won’t seem like something that comes completely out of nowhere. first of all south park is a COMEDY and i’ve talked abt betore how kyman works 100x better than any other fanon ship bc it’s funny af and works with the tone of the show. so yeah they would rlly have to crank up the comedy on it to the max so it’s not something that’s taken too seriously. i mean i do feel they should give us serious moments of C&K here and there to show some character growth and development between the two characters and their bond, but yeah the primary focus of a sitcom is to be funny with only occasional serious/emotional moments here and there. BUT ALSO i feel like matt & trey would need to amp up the obviousness in the hints we’re getting. even tho the kyman shit seems rlly obvious to the testies bc we’ve overly dissected it, i feel like most people don’t notice this shit bc the hints are so damn subtle lol. even tho there are some people who have said that people they know irl who are just casual viewers notice the kyman shit but i feel like the majority of people don’t care and aren’t looking too much into it. bc yeah if matt & trey make it more clear that kyman is a thing and cartman and kyle like each other and continue giving us hints and foreshadowing, except this time they make it more noticeable among casual fans, then i feel like more people might root for it and it’ll feel earned when it does happen. i feel like it would need to be more like the gay hints abt stewie in family guy which are soooo obvious to literally everyone it’s just a known canon fact at this point that stewie is gay LOL (and there’s even compilations on youtube of it). however, the gay shit with cartman is def more debatable and more subtle so a lot of people don’t notice or care. so yeah i think if they’re rlly serious abt making kyman canon matt & trey need to stop pussying around and make it a little more clear and tackle it head on. the show def has done a good job developing their relationship throughout the years and the ship gets more and more intense each season, so yeah all they need to do is keep up the good work with that while sprinkling in a little more gayness and cranking up the obviousness and intensity of their romantic tension.

[weewoo-buckley]

going through the 9-1-1 tag after the latest episode is intense. like I really think a lot of y'all need to take a step back, process your feelings away from the fandom bubble that's amping each other up, and then decide if this latest ep is something that disappointed you enough to stop watching. honestly Tommy got way more screen time and development than several of Buck's exes. I would've been happy to see the characters grow into each other, and I'm sad that the writers decided to make them not work out, but it also isn't like. the end times because this one queer relationship didn't work out for buck. I can't imagine Tommy being anything but important to Buck and his story moving forward even if he doesn't continue to get screen time. He's very specifically framed as similar standing to Abby as far as influencing Buck and his growth. I'm glad neither of them was the bad guy in the break up and it was more of a "we're in different places" type of thing

Also, like many fandom spaces, there's a lot of moral accusations going around to try and justify people's opinions. Personally I think an actor saying he wants to kiss and have relationships with a bunch of men on screen doesn't mean he's biphobic. Like exploring his sexuality further would be a good step for buck getting more comfortable in his identity. and we know that boy has always had a libido

anyways, it's fine to hate the new episode, it's fine to love it. do what you want but please don't harass actors and writers about it <3

[astrojulia]

Transiting Pluto sextile your natal...

MOON

During this transit, you can make efforts to improve your home and eliminate unnecessary clutter, focusing on what is truly important to you and your family. Your emotional range may feel narrower during this time, but you have the opportunity to fully experience and harness the power of your emotions. You can delve into your deepest psychological side and gain a better understanding of your true motives and unconscious impulses. This may lead to intense and concrete emotional experiences, but you will have the ability to handle them.

This transit is also perfect for exploring personal growth and human potential, without getting all abstract about it. You'll naturally approach people with more emotional depth, which is awesome. This transit can bring positive changes to your personal and family life, as well as your inner psychological world. You might find new ways to connect with your parents and family and have some creative breakthroughs.

SUN

Even if you don't have a crush, this is a great time to go out and discover one! You'll not hold back when you're interested in something. You're all in or nothing, and that's what makes you so effective. Your strong will and conviction will help you achieve important goals and prove yourself, even if you think you don't handle pressure well.

You’ll prefer to do things your own way, though, and can only tolerate those who follow your rules. But that's okay, because your strong will is usually an asset rather than a liability during this cycle. Just being in your presence can have an effect on others, especially when you know what's right and can easily convince others of your point of view.

You'll always pursue the truth, even if it's just your own truth. This period can help you tap into what gives your life true meaning and passion. At the same time, you can see through insincerity in others and unmask the reality behind appearances.

MERCURY

The type of information you get during this time really depends on the questions you ask. You're not afraid to look at things on the surface until you're sure you have all the facts. That's how you avoid surprises. Whatever you're interested in, you have a chance to really dive in and get results. This period can be a powerful opportunity to reshape your mind and focus on what's really important, letting go of everything else. If you take time to reflect, you might even make some significant discoveries.

You're generally making great decisions now because you really take the time to consider all your options. Once you've made up your mind, you stick to your guns. Some people might think you're being stubborn, but you just know you're right. You'll listen to advice, but if your mind's made up, you won't change it. Your words have a lot of conviction behind them, and that can be pretty influential.

You might find yourself talking a lot during this period, especially if you have something to say. Short trips can help you recharge and get your mind going. All in all, it's a great time to develop your mind and find more meaning in the world around you.

VENUS

If you're trying to make a deal but others are dragging their feet, you're pretty good at convincing them to come around with your persistence. And while you might enjoy reminiscing about the past, you tend to focus pretty hard on one person at a time. Right now, you're getting a deeper appreciation for what really matters and you might find yourself getting rid of things or people that don't fit with your values.

But by focusing on what's truly important to you, you can make a bigger impact and amp up your charm. This is a great time to get your finances in order, whether it's making smart purchases or reorganizing what you've got. And if you're determined, you might uncover some real treasures by digging deep into any resources you've got.

When it comes to relationships, things are getting deep and transformative. You might make some new friends or even find yourself a significant other who becomes a big part of your life. Your existing relationships can also become more fulfilling, as you learn more about yourself and what you need. It's all happening pretty smoothly, and you're going to appreciate the people in your life even more.

MARS

This cycle is all about perseverance and strength, and you've got it in spades. You go after what you want without hesitation, and if you stick to a clear path, you can achieve amazing things. Even in intense situations, you can handle anything that comes your way. You've got great instincts and can weigh the consequences of your actions, which earns you respect from others who follow your lead. You're not afraid to take risks that others might shy away from, but you don't rush into things without thinking them through first. Even if things don't go as planned, you've got what it takes to make it through.

This is your time to take charge and do things for yourself, rather than just sitting back and letting others do it for you. You've got the power to achieve great things and make a big impact on the world around you. Your energy levels are high, so you can put in a lot of effort for a long time, which means you can make real progress towards your goals. So go out there and show the world what you're made of!

JUPITER

During this time, if something's removed from your life, it's usually replaced with something better, which strengthens your trust in the process. Moving forward becomes easier when you're not afraid to let go of what's holding you back. You don't necessarily need to subtract to progress, but committing to a plan and ignoring what's irrelevant can lead to greater success. It's essential to focus on what's most gratifying and provides lasting satisfaction. This cycle is an excellent opportunity to make changes and position yourself for success that lasts.

Whatever you do during this time, it's likely to work out in your favor. You can grow and move beyond limiting conditions without looking back. This can help rebuild your confidence and deepen your understanding of yourself and the world around you. Travel and studying can be particularly enjoyable and broaden your beliefs. Probing below the surface can have a profound impact, so don't be afraid to dig deeper.

SATURN

Knowing exactly what you want can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy this intense focus that's available to you. You're a real go-getter, and when you're feeling secure, you can totally achieve some major goals. Sometimes, though, you gotta lose a little to win big, you know? And this cycle might make it super obvious that you need to get rid of some stuff that's holding you back. But that's cool, because you're totally feeling the urge to reorganize and streamline things for maximum efficiency.

This is also a perfect time to lay the foundation for long-term success by tackling any fears that might be getting in your way. You can totally break free from any toxic patterns that are holding you back from achieving your goals. And even though you can see those negative forces and self-doubts clearly, you're using them to motivate yourself to be even more badass.

You're totally in charge right now, and you've got the power to reshape your world however you want. You're a great leader when you know exactly what's going on, and there probably won't be too many surprises to throw you off track. But even if something crazy does happen, you're totally ready to roll with it and find a way to make things work, no matter what it takes.

URANUS

This is a super creative time for you, and you're buzzing with energy. You're eager to try out new things and explore avenues you've never tried before. You might even get into astrology and metaphysics as ways to uncover spiritual truths. You're primed to venture into higher realms, and you might meet some cool people who can guide you on your journey.

Things might be pretty chill during this phase, unless you're feeling extra rebellious. If you're willing to go against the norm, there's some sweet opportunities to shake things up. You've got a lot of influence when you're being your unique self, and you won't compromise your awesomeness for anyone.

Even if some wild stuff happens that totally messes with your routine, you've got this. In fact, some big changes might come your way during this time that could completely change your path for the better. You're not one to make waves unless it's necessary, but you can roll with the punches like a champ.

And yes, you might encounter some ups and downs, but the unpredictability can actually keep things fresh for you. You tend to thrive on change, and this is the perfect time for it.

NEPTUNE

This is a time when you might feel drawn towards the deeper meaning of life and all things spiritual. It's like a door has opened up and you're eager to walk through it and explore new paths. This phase can be impersonal at times, but it's important to pay attention because it can have a big impact on you.

Your imagination is firing on all cylinders, and you're likely to attract a lot of creative energy that you can work with. You might even have some vivid dreams that give you some direction in life. You're able to plan and dream big, and you're not held back by limitations. Your intuition is strong, and you're able to sense what needs to be done without over-analyzing it. You're open-minded and accepting of all sides of life, even if they seem conflicting. Unexpected experiences may come your way, but you're able to handle them with ease. You have a broader perspective on things now, which helps you accept what comes your way.

PLUTO

It's time to make some moves in your life and reach your goals! It's all about embracing change and transformation, especially when it comes to your mental and spiritual growth. Say goodbye to old habits that have been holding you back, and make way for some major success.

Things may be happening slowly, but trust me, they're happening. Sometimes it takes letting go of what's not important to make room for something new and amazing. You'll find that by tackling the big issues, you'll be able to replace small, surface-level problems with some serious substance.

So dig deep and ask yourself the tough questions - you're sure to find the answers you need. You're pretty brave, so don't be afraid to face any challenges that come your way. You got this! But be prepared, it might take some serious effort to reach your goals, and you may have to let go of things that seem important to you. In the end, though, it'll all be worth it.

CHIRON

During this time, you may feel like the universe is conspiring to help you heal old wounds and put past issues to rest. It's like you have a magic touch that can transform pain into wisdom and growth. Maybe you'll reconnect with someone from your past who has the power to give you the closure you need, or maybe you'll finally achieve a long-standing goal that has eluded you until now. Whatever the case may be, you're feeling like the universe is on your side and you're ready to seize the opportunity with both hands. Your heart is full of hope and determination, and you're ready to make the most of this chance to move forward and leave the past behind.

LILITH

This is a time for you to explore your deepest desires and embrace your independence and sexual freedom. You have a strong urge to break free from past restrictions and redefine your identity. This transformation can be quite dramatic, and you may find yourself shedding old limitations effortlessly.

With your newfound confidence in your sexuality, you are ready to take on the world and explore new horizons. You may find yourself drawn to new experiences, people, and opportunities that are exciting and liberating.

This period offers you a chance to explore your true self and discover what you really want out of life. You can let go of any inhibitions or fears that have held you back in the past. You have the power to transform your life completely and embrace your authentic self.

It's important to approach this transformation with an open mind and heart, and to be willing to take risks and try new things. You may encounter challenges along the way, but with your newfound confidence and independence, you can overcome anything that comes your way.

NORTH NODE

It's time to get excited because destiny is calling you! All the hard work and effort you've put in is finally paying off and you're about to receive some amazing rewards. Get ready to walk through some doors of opportunity that will help you achieve your life's purpose. You might even meet someone super important or join a group of people that will guide you on your path. Or maybe something epic is about to happen that will completely change your future! Keep your eyes open because big changes are coming and they'll have a deep impact on you!

SOUTH NODE

This time period might make you face some old patterns or issues that are holding you back. It's time to let go of those old habits or beliefs and turn them into something positive to propel you forward. You might need to confront some past traumas or emotional baggage, but trust me, it'll be worth it. This transit might even bring up some past connections or karmic stuff that needs to be dealt with. Take a moment to look back on your journey so far and see how it has shaped you. Use this chance to let go of what's not working and find a new path to success.

ASCENDANT (1ST HOUSE)

You've got some amazing opportunities coming up! This is your chance to show the world a new side of yourself. You can totally switch up your look or just try out new ways of connecting with people. And guess what? These changes will lead to some seriously positive shifts in your life.

Right now, you're feeling extra motivated and determined to succeed. You're not afraid to go after what you want, and you're not about to let anyone hold you back. You've got this inner strength that just radiates out of you, and people are taking notice. You're making all kinds of great connections and getting lots of support from important folks.

You might even feel like making some big changes, like moving to a new city or trying out a new career path. And you know what? It's all totally doable. You're ready for whatever comes your way, and you're not afraid to take risks.

Plus, you've got some serious skills when it comes to helping others. You might find yourself drawn to teaching or advising, or even discovering a new talent for healing. Whatever you do, just remember that you've got the power to make amazing things happen.

IMUM COELI (4TH HOUSE)

This is a time when your home life and family situation might be going through some changes. You could be feeling the urge to transform your living space and create a cozy, nurturing environment for you and your loved ones. It's a great time for home renovations or even moving to a new place that better fits your lifestyle. You might also feel a stronger connection to your roots and ancestors, and want to explore your family history. But, be prepared, this transit can bring up some emotional issues from your past that need to be dealt with before you can move forward. Don't shy away from it, confront those feelings head-on, and let go of any emotional baggage holding you back. That way, you can create a solid foundation for a brighter future.

DESCENDANT (7TH HOUSE)

This period can really shake things up in your love life and partnerships. You might feel a strong urge to revamp the way you interact with others and create more genuine, fulfilling relationships. It's a perfect time to address any lopsided power dynamics in your relationships and strive for more give-and-take. You'll also get in touch with what you really want from a relationship and might even want to try out new ways of connecting with people. Just be aware that this transit can also bring up some deep-seated issues with control and manipulation, which you'll need to work through to move forward. Take the time to strengthen your bonds and lay a solid foundation for future relationships.

MIDHEAVEN (10TH HOUSE)

This thing that's happening right now could totally shake things up in your career or how people see you. You might really want to change things up and make your work life more meaningful and fulfilling. It's a great time to take a look at any unfairness or negative stuff that's been going on at work and make changes so you can be more successful and happy. You might also figure out more about what you really want from your career and how to make that happen. Just a heads up, this transit could also bring up some tricky power dynamics or other issues that you need to deal with to move forward. Take this time to make your professional life stronger and better than ever!

-> Back to Pluto Transits Masterlist

[jessicapaik]

Pitch Perfect (2012) by Jason Moore

What are the social aspects within the film's narrative that align with the film's songs?

The film’s setting in a college aligns with the songs and narrative, as this enhances themes of social institution structures in regards to race, gender, and status. As Beca enters college with no friends, she tries to find a community through clubs that are rooted in the cliques and established ties. But, once she was discovered by Chloe, a member of the Bellas, she asks to audition for the acapella group due to the lack of members, leading Beca to audition and join the group. Through the Bellas', we see a mixed group of people with different backgrounds and personalities, leading Aubrey to try to change the groups differences to oneness. This brings Beca and Aubrey to be in constant division of each other, effecting the group's dynamic. These disagreements pass the borders of the off-stage and on-stage narrative, as quarrels that are based on their differing personalities are placed during their performances. But, as the narrative continues, they find community in each other through their love of music and singing together as a group. The film's focus on diversity and popular culture of the time through the connected genre of satirical comedy that is shown through both the characters and group relationships that connect to their college environment.

How do historiographies of previously recorded songs inform audience relationships with the musical's narrative and performers?

We see the different acapella groups use songs that correlate to their identities, as the TroubleMakers use songs that exert romance and desire through a male perspective that connects to their “bad boy” personalities and the Barden Bellas use songs that have been sung throughout the group's generations, which matches with their traditional looks that are expressed through their stage outfits, dance, and stuck-up personalities of some members. But, throughout the film, the relationship between the groups develops, and the final performances show a change in group dynamic that is expressed through song. We see these changes through their amping of their stage outfits, choreography, and choice of songs that range from "Price Tag" by Jessie J and "Give Me Everything" by Pitbull, Ne-yo, and Afrojack. Specifically, Beca's choice of singing "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds to send a message to Jessie, a member of the troublemakers, for a second chance, as the song is based off their time watching The Breakfast Club (1985). The chosen songs within the film are not merely to connect to the narrative, but rather the relationships of characters that are intertwined with songs that represent their growth individually and together as a group.

What musical genre/style drives the film's score, and how does the genre/style (re)define the film as a musical?

Through Beca's help, the group decides to ditch the songs of tradition and mix songs of different genres that reflects on Beca's background of DJing and aspirations of music production. This reflects the film's intentions of performing songs that are based on mixing of songs in the form of acapella. This comes with different stylistic sounds within each group and the creation of a refreshing take on the expanding genre of musical. A particular scene of the film known as the "Riff Off" is a game played by the acapella groups, as a chosen genre is picked and groups must sing songs in the genre and find a flow within each song that is sung through continuation of lyrics and beat. This game mirrors the idea of mixing songs, whilst using acapella as a way to create melody. This shows a modern take on musicals, as these genres were gaining popularity during this time.

[shadowfaxnews]

Nykaa, Licious amp up quick commerce game as consumers demand instant gratification

Beauty retailer Nykaa has launched a 10-minute delivery pilot in Borivali, Mumbai, as the rapid growth of quick commerce starts disrupting multiple product categories, pushing vertical players to find ways to drastically speed up deliveries.

Direct-to-consumer meat brand Licious is piloting deliveries of ready-to-eat food items in certain locations in Gurgaon in about 15 minutes though its promise remains half-an-hour delivery, while top fashion platform Myntra is piloting a 4-hour delivery plan in four cities, including New Delhi and Bengaluru.

Delivering instant gratification is clearly the need of the hour.

Nykaa’s quick commerce testing comes at a time when beauty has emerged as one of the top grossing categories on rapid delivery platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart and BigBasket’s BB Now.

The Mumbai-based beauty retailer is expected to add more pin codes in Mumbai for 10-minute delivery.

It plans to undertake a major update on its platform to launch the service in more locations, people aware of the matter told ET.

It is likely to have a separate brand name as well, they said.

“Certain low-priced items such as kajal pens, foundations or daily-use skincare items are finding traction on quick commerce…and platforms such as Nykaa stand to lose,” a senior quick commerce executive told ET. “Same goes for other categories such as fashion, home decor…where more vertical platforms will do quick deliveries.”

The CEO of a top quick commerce player said beauty in select stock keeping units (SKUs) are seeing one of the fastest growth rates among the new-to-quick commerce segments.

Industry executives, however, said that while horizontal quick commerce platforms such as Blinkit and Zepto are likely to retain a stronghold in grocery deliveries, there is a play in quick commerce for vertical platforms with a wide range of SKUs and deep supply-side relationships.

An email sent to Nykaa didn’t elicit any response until press time Tuesday. Licious also did not comment.

The Bengaluru-headquartered online meat shop “has been conducting one-to-two-hour deliveries in major markets and often delivering ahead of the promised time,” a person aware of the matter said. “In Gurgaon, there is a new experiment to reduce the time even further based on the density of orders,” the person added.

These developments come at a time when large horizontal e-tailers are firming up their quick commerce play. While Flipkart has launched its 10-minute delivery service Minutes in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, Amazon is working on its Q-commerce offering, ET has reported earlier.

Last week, Swiggy started the 10-minute food delivery service Bolt, and it is understood that its rival Zomato is planning to bring back a 10-minute food delivery option for certain items, too, in partnership with top cafes and quick service restaurants.

ET had reported earlier that even logistics players such as Delhivery, Shadowfax, Ecom Express and Xpressbees are entering the quick commerce space.

Also Read | Tiger Global conducts due diligence of Zepto dark stores as it eyes quick commerce

Beauty and the quick beast

Nykaa initially plans to take about 5% of its total SKUs to the quick commerce offering as it sees certain kinds of products being ordered for quick delivery, people cited above said.

Multiple industry executives told ET that several brands — depending on the category — are increasingly moving to same-day delivery in top metros, underscoring the changing nature of delivery expectations from consumers.

“This is what’s leading to the dynamic changes. You don’t want to wait for a basic kajal for two days. These products are selling fast and consumers want them instantly,” a senior quick commerce executive said.

Nykaa has been offering same-day delivery for orders placed before 12 pm and next-day deliveries are done for orders after 12 pm in four metros.

“For Nykaa, they already see about 10–15% of orders in the top four metro cities being delivered the same day while 85–90% of the orders get delivered by the next day,” a person aware of the numbers said.

A recent note from JP Morgan said Nykaa’s premium portfolio is growing the fastest. “Nykaa sees no major impact from increasing proliferation of quick commerce on account of its skew towards more beauty products (80–85% mix) and tier-II+ cities (66% contribution). Nevertheless, Nykaa aims to enhance same day/next day order delivery rate to 65% of orders in top 12 cities and 60% of the orders from top 110 cities through higher efficiency of its supply chain network and expects no major investment in the initiative,” the report said.

In August, Varun Alagh, cofounder and CEO of direct-to-consumer beauty and personal care brand Mamaearth, had said during the company’s analyst call that quick commerce was the fastest growing sub-segment within its online commerce channel. He had pointed out that quick commerce sales — most of which were coming from top 10 cities — contribute over 10% of the company’s online revenue.

Beyond instant gratification

Quick commerce along with highly competitive new brands is speeding up the premiumisation trend in the country, CLSA said in a recent note.

“We agree that quick commerce will accelerate premiumisation, but note the competitive intensity in premium categories is even higher than in standard categories, especially as new entrants are likely to target higher gross margin categories. This is especially evident in categories such as premium personal care, beauty, premium foods and premium home care, where competitive intensity from new entrants is the highest,” the brokerage said in the note dated September 24.

During the ET Startup Awards 2024 ceremony held on October 5, a panel discussion chaired by Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani threw light on the rise of instant gratification in Indian consumption.

During the course of the discussion, Zepto cofounder and CEO Aadit Palicha said the rise of quick commerce was on account of factors beyond just instant gratification.

“When you look at why quick commerce is working in India, it’s largely because we’ve been able to cater to ‘small ticket multiple times a week’ use case that is unique to Indian commerce,” Palicha said. “If you go to the West, for example, it’s precisely the opposite — it (grocery shopping) is large baskets one or two times a month. The average frequency of transactions in India on grocery household essentials is 2.2 times a week… In the US it’s 2.4 times a month.

[scarlet--wiccan]

Is there any way they could get rid of Wanda possessing the Darkhold at this point or is that a forever thing now?

Do they need to get rid of it? I don't particularly want them to. I think it's a neat power-up, and unlike the usual escalations or exaggerations of Wanda's powers, it doesn't disrupt who she is and how she operates, but it does feel earned and rewarding in the context of her story. And, crucially, it means that Chthon can't hurt her. I think that's one of the most significant and important changes Wanda's undergone-- she's free from the thing that has haunted her since birth. I don't ever want to backtrack on that.

Yes, I'm sure there are plenty of ways that Wanda could lose or relinquish custody of the true Darkhold. At the risk of sounding cynical-- it's comics, you can always make up an excuse. But, between Chthon, Agatha and the Darkhold child, there are a lot of relevant scenarios you could set up if you really wanted to make it happen. But in my mind, the fact that Chthon is now free, Agatha has demonstrated the ability to access chaos magic, and there's a separate, active Darkhold in the world, means that Wanda can keep her version of the Darkhold-- representing, again, earned growth and mastery of her powers-- while the rest of the world carries on as it did before. Personally, I'm hoping for a more interesting resolution to some of those plot threads, but my point is, things have been set up in such a way that we can reset the status quo without having to knock Wanda back down a peg.

I think that, between the Darkhold storyline and the Nexus stuff, Orlando has put a lot of effort into expanding both Wanda and Pietro's lore and the scope of their powers in a way that, again, actually feels well-integrated. This is important because the characters have needed new ground to stand on and directions to grow in ever since the AXIS retcon. Robinson did something very similar with all of the witchcraft worldbuilding in Scarlet Witch (2016), but that wasn't as inclusive for Pietro, and unfortunately, it didn't carry over very well to other books. We've already seen Wanda's new developments being picked up by other writers, so, in that regard, I think this go-round was more successful.

I've said this many times, but getting out from under Magneto's shadow for a while helped Wanda and Pietro both return to center as characters, and they had plenty of history and relationships outside of being mutants to fall back on. But it was time to shake things up, and I think for Wanda to hold her own as an Avengers-- and for Pietro to have a better chance at returning to the spotlight-- amping their powers up a bit and leaning into their unique lore connections, while also building on top of them, was a smart way to do it.

[jvstheworld]

The Buffy Re-watch: S2E6 (part 1)

Halloween

I have never gone pumpkin picking. Halloween isn't a big thing for me, not even as a kid.

Vampire videoing Buffy, should have checked your batteries before you left home.

Buffy is resourceful.

Other vampire just slinking off into the night before he can get caught.

Angel on a date. He is trying.

So Cordy is back dating Devon now?

Cordy and Angel do get on, and get better later when the spin-off happens.

Awww, Angel looks like a sad puppy when Buffy leaves.

Halloween is a no go for vampires? That doesn't ring true for every Halloween episode.

Larry is an asshole. His behaviour is him trying to overcompensate for the fact the he is closeted gay guy trying to avoid suspicion from the other people around him. It's the 90s, and let's face it, it wasn't great to be gay in high school. After he comes out he is a lot nicer to people because he doesn't have to keep up the pretence that he is some macho, woman loving dude. It's called character growth and I am here for it.

Xander, there is nothing good about getting beaten up. If your ego is so fragile that you won't let your friend, who is a girl, help you then that's a you problem and you need to fix it. Also, Larry was talking trash about Buffy, she definitely gets to bust in and scare him off.

'She's not his type.' Yeah, Cordelia is so not Angel's type, right now. But put them in a new show, give Angel a personality and Cordelia some character development where she dedicates her life to helping others, and in a few years she will be.

'It would be wrong' let's steal from Giles anyway. Also, how many times does this phrase get repeated by Buffy throughout the show?

Cross referencing is not a hobby, Giles.

Buffy panicking to distract Giles, so she has to resort to telling him that Jenny called him a babe. She probably didn't in front of students. Then you have Willow shaking her head in slight disappointment that Buffy had to do that. I love it though. At least Giles buys it and made him happy.

Cordy really has no idea Angel is a vampire. When does she actually believe them?

Yes, the point of Halloween is the free candy.

Ethan seems so charming. Makes for a good bad guy, yet he only appears in 4 episodes: this one, 'The Dark Age' in two episodes time, 'Band Candy' in season 3, and 'A New Man' in season 4.

Spike being smart by analysing how Buffy fights so he can be better prepared for later. He likes her too. This is just amping up his obsession over her.

Part 2 tomorrow.

[dans-den]

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Review

Hey what's what going on everyone?! Dan here and today I'll be reviewing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3!

Now this is the last MCU movie directed by James Gunn and people were curious wondering how this movie would do since lately the MCU movies and shows have been...lackluster to say the least. I'm also told this was the first MCU movie to drop the F bomb which upset numerous parents but then again they should have known that a PG-13 movie is not suitable for kids. Then again, these are the same parents who buy M rated games for their 10 year old kids. Now with those tangents out of the way, lets dive into the movie review.

Spoilers Warning: it has been a week since it's been out but I'll still give warnings

The plot is one last ride for the OG Guardians, however you once again won't fully understand unless you watch the other two Guardian movies, along with Infinity War and Endgame. Besides that oversight, the plot itself was great, there was personal stakes to save Rockets life after he was severely injured and the Guardians will have to face a being with a god superiority complex and a warlock named Adam. At first the movie was kinda fast with the plot but as the movie progressed it flowed better. Now people have been critical about the MCU formula where the characters are all quirky or "funny" and honestly it is annoying. However, the Guardians were the true quirky characters of the MCU, they popularized that formula and they have been the ones to make it work. Characters like Thor or Captain America can't be quirky the same way since they were established to be honorable and morally grounded characters whereas the Guardians have always been the Misfits of the MCU. This formula works best for them and that's why I didn't mind the quirkiness here because it works for the Guardians, it's hilarious especially for characters like Drax.

My favorite and I think everyone's favorite in this film was the backstory of Rocket Racoon. If you've been paying attention to the Guardians and other MCU films he's been in, you'll notice he has been the main focus for the Guardians team. His story was hinted in the first Guardians movie and from then on his story has been subtly been revealing itself each installment and his character growth has been subtly developing just as much. This movie has amped it up by revealing his backstory and including his former love interest Lylla Otter and his tragic loss of her along with his other friends. I'm glad we finally got to see his backstory and it explains plenty about him that we already had a feeling about but this film confirmed it all and it was emotional and hard to watch with the animal cruelty moments. They did Rocket justice here and I'm happy.

I will say the weakness part of this film is definitely Adam Warlock. I remember when they revealed him at the post credit scene in Vol. 2 and was hyped AF! If you've read the comics, you'll see Adam did play a role against Thanos and had the Infinity Gauntlet ready at his side. I was speculating he was being saved for Infinity War but unfortunately he never came to be and that was a let down. So I figured he would show up in Vol. 3 and he did but he had no real purpose in this film. He was just there to further the plot and wasn't necessary. We thought he would be the main bad guy here but no he was just a henchmen to some other bad guy (who I enjoyed since he was just unapologetically evil and that's refreshing to see). He had only one real moment and that was towards the end saving one of the Guardians from dying (even though he almost killed one to begin with). Adam warlock was disappointing in this film but hopefully we'll get a better story with him in the future or perhaps a mini series involving him on Disney plus.

Now I did watch the post credit scenes and to be honest they're nothing special and I am just gonna leave it at that. The first one is basically an epilogue to the film and callback to Vol. 1 music while the other scene is just a little callback to the recent Christmas special, nothing you need to stay after the movie for where you can just look them up on YouTube. This is why post credit scenes aren't really worth staying for anymore at least to me, they're not like before where they connect and amount to anything major in the future.

Overall, Vol. 3 was a great sendoff for James Gunn in the MCU and it is clear he wanted this to be his swansong before his departure. He pulled out all the stops here and were grateful for it. I feel this is definitely one of the better MCU movies in recent years next to Spiderman: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. I doubt we'll get great quality like this in the MCU for a while but I'm glad we have this.

Rating this film I am giving it:

9/10

This was a fun time and emotional roller coaster thinking this could have been the last we see of any of these guys and James Gunn gave us a truly lovely sendoff from the MCU. I highly recommend watching this film and that is about it.

See ya!

[animehouse-moe]

Dandadan Volume 3: Paradigm Shift

So, if you made it through volume 2 of Dandadan you're probably accustomed to the oddity of this series, but volume 3 presses the envelope of how weird is weird. Turning the school into a hunting ground for a Mantis Shrimp and Nessie hybrid alien? Budding romance that results in the oddest triangle out there? Playing baseball with a young man's wedding tackle? But the weirdest thing has to be how they manage to fit that all in while giving readers a riveting and exciting story with each volume, of which volume 3 is of course no outlier thanks to where it takes itself.

So, this volume obviously starts where the other left off, the Acro Silky was causing lots of problems for Takakura and Ayase. Of course, there's action and poses and cool stuff, but I think the best thing was how the Silky was brought back down to earth. Telling the story of her past and how she came to be like that.

I'm such a massive sucker for stories that are told without words, because at the end of the day they're only the approximation of what's actually happening. Removing that crutch from a story forces authors to dig deeper towards the source of what it is that they want to convey to readers, and Tatsu is able to do that incredibly well with the past of the Silky.

If there is one thing I'm going to complain about, it's that Tatsu's posing can be a little over the top sometimes. I think in certain moments it works really well to sell the intent very well, but other times it can come off a bit silly, like the Silky running in the rain in this panel.

It feels far too aggressive and put together to really sell the desperation and emotion the Silky is feeling in the moment. The determination absolutely overpowers the other emotions, and it's something that I feel like is rather liable to happen with the non-action pieces.

Anyways, feelings aside, we careen towards the comedic insanity of Dandadan at breakneck pace and get back to basics with the series.

Throwing a misunderstood romantic link into the mix adds just the right level of spice to the solidification of Aira's position in the story. Takakura and Ayase that are more so competitors or rivals than anything, Takakura and Aira which involves a confused and (potentially) one-sided love, and Ayase and Aira which centers around being mortal enemies who butt heads on everything. It's all so messy and all over the place that it blends perfectly with the ridiculous nature of the world and its characters.

And for those interested, this is the baseball game being played with Takakura's testicle. Just the right amount of excessive nature and creativity.

Since I had complained about it earlier, it's only fair to praise it now. Tatsu's posing and character acting is incredibly strong, so in these ridiculous moments, the characters feel even more amped up and expressive than normal. It's all so dynamic and aggressive, so when there's positive or "strong" emotions in play, they come off incredibly fun.

Moving on once more, would any shounen manga be complete without misunderstandings and tropes? I think not (even though it's not actually the case). This volume uses them as a springboard for both comedy and personal development, giving us some funny moments out of it and some good character growth that allows Takakura and Ayase to begin to trust each other some more.

While we're checking things off our list, I don't think I've brought up the Mantis Shrimp Nessie yet, have I? Well, it happens, and in incredibly odd fashion (since there's no other fashion with Dandadan).

Now, would I say I'm incredibly interested in this design? Not really, but it's more than acceptable in truth. I'm partial to the kickass nature of Takakura's transformation, but also the incredibly odd designs of the Serpoians. But this Nessie hybrid doesn't really carry anything quite like either of those, it's just a middle of the ground, solid design.

And it's also where this volume leaves off. Of course there's fighting to fill the gaps, dialogue to flesh things out, and comedy to get a laugh out of readers, but for the most part this is what makes the volume stand out. I think it does a good job of grabbing hold of all the little pieces that it's put into play in the last 2 volumes and finding a non-committal way to cobble them together.

Actually, quite similar to my commentary on Sakamoto Days, Dandadan does quite well when faced with the present rather than the future. Having a carrot dangled right in front of its face is far more effective than giving it a treasure map. Though compared to Suzuki's series, I will say Dandadan has much more potential as a written affair. The characters have a lot more material to work with and carve from, and Tatsu is doing a solid job of coaxing some appealing shapes out of them (though they're far from dramatic visages).

Considering how this volume fares, I think Dandadan is a great case for a 3 volume test run. The first volume is so out of this world you can't even stay in your seat, and the second works just as hard to keep you guessing. But with this third volume, you learn how to roll with the punches, how to catch the flow of Dandadan. So, if you've been on the fence after reading this far, I'd say that volume 3 is the point of no return. Still not sold on it? Probably not for you. But, if it has you in its grasp now, you're most likely going to be along for the rest of the ride. And believe you me, it's definitely going to be one wild ride.

[lifecoachritusararaswat]

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The Rise Of CGAS-STING Pathway Market Therapies Will Lead To A Revolution In Cancer Immunotherapy

The CGAS-STING pathway market will grow at the highest pace owing to increasing R&D and growing potential of nucleic-acid sensing pathway modulators in cancer immunotherapy. The innate immune system recognizes nucleic acid species unique to pathogens via cytosolic DNA sensors and mediates type I interferon (IFN) responses that are critical for anti-viral immunity. Of these sensors, the cGAS-STING pathway couples cytosolic DNA sensing to type I IFN induction and downstream transcriptional programs. Once activated, cGAS produces the second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) which binds and activates stimulator of IFN genes (STING). This signals the activation of downstream IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and NF-κB, leading to production of type I IFNs and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The CGAS STING Pathway Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 0.46 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 25.% over the forecast period 2024-2031.

Growing significance of immunotherapy in cancer treatment and the advantages of targeting the cGAS-STING pathway such as involvement in sensing tumor DNA in the cytoplasm and activation of potent antitumor immunity has augmented the demand of associated drugs and therapies. The success of immunotherapy approaches has led to substantial investment in nucleic acid-sensing pathway modulators by pharmaceutical companies.

Key Takeaways

Key players operating in the cGAS-STING pathway are IFM Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Merck & Co. Companies are investing heavily in R&D to develop novel therapeutics targeting this pathway. For instance, IFM Therapeutics is developing first-in-class STING agonist focusing on liver and gastrointestinal cancers in phase I/II clinical trial.

The demand for cGAS-STING therapies is increasing rapidly mainly due to growing demand for innovative cancer immunotherapies. According to American Cancer Society, around 1.9 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in the US annually presenting massive market potential. Additionally, improving accessibility of immunotherapy in developing countries will further drive the demand.

Advancements in understanding molecular mechanisms of cGAS-STING pathway activation and development of novel agonist and modulators have expanded therapeutic applications. Ongoing research for developing vaccines and combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors holds promise to revolutionize cancer treatment through innate immunity activation.

Market Trends

Combination therapies research: There is growing focus on exploring synergies of cGAS-STING agonists with other immunotherapies like checkpoint inhibitors. Ongoing clinical trials evaluating combinations are demonstrating encouraging response rates.

Personalized medicine approach: Efforts are being made to develop biomarkers to predict response and identify patients likely to benefit from cGAS-STING therapies. This personalized approach can improve clinical outcomes.

Geographical expansion: Major players are expanding manufacturing and clinical trials to countries like China and India having huge patient pools. This will boost accessibility and commercialization prospects.

Market Opportunities

First STING agonist approval: IFM Therapeutics' lead molecule will be the first STING agonist examined in registrational trials paving way for first approval in 2026-27.

 Increased adoptability: As clinical evidence demonstrating benefits of cGAS-STING modulation emerges, adoption rate in treatment guidelines and clinical practice is expected to surge exponentially.

New therapeutic areas: Preliminary evidence shows cGAS-STING pathway also plays a role in autoimmune diseases providing scope for therapies in indications beyond oncology.

Impact Of COVID-19 On CGAS STING Pathway Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the CGAS STING Pathway Market. During the initial outbreak in early 2020, the market recorded a decline as research activities slowed down and clinical trials faced interruptions due to lockdowns and social distancing norms. However, with shifting focus on immune therapies for tackling novel coronavirus infections, the interest in CGAS STING pathway modulators witnessed rapid growth. Many companies expedited their programs related to IFN activation via cGAS-STING pathway to develop host-directed antiviral therapies against SARS-CoV-2. The pandemic highlighted the need for developing strategies to strengthen innate immune responses via cGAS-STING pathway modulation. While clinical studies faced delays in 2020, collaborations between industry and research institutes intensified to advance immunotherapies targeting this pathway. Moving forward, the high growth projected for this market is expected to accelerate further on the back of strong ongoing research to evaluate potential of cGAS-STING pathway modulators as adjuvant or monotherapy for COVID-19.

Regional Concentration Of CGAS STING Pathway Market

North America currently dominates the CGAS STING Pathway Market and holds over 40% of the global market share in terms of value. This is due to high immunotherapies R&D spending and strong presence of key market players in the US. Moreover, the region is an early adopter of novel immune mechanisms and immune-oncology approaches. Within North America, the United States represents the most lucrative market owing to significant research funding and growing clinical adoption of STING agonists. On the other hand, Asia Pacific region is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period with a CAGR of over 30%. This impressive growth can be attributed to rising healthcare expenditure, expanding clinical research infrastructure and growing focus of global pharma companies on emerging Asian markets. China and India are expected to spearhead the growth of CGAS STING Pathway Market in Asia Pacific region.

Europe currently represents the second largest regional market for CGAS STING pathway modulators globally. Availability of latest healthcare technologies, sophisticated research infrastructure and presence of major industry players have aided the growth of CGAS STING Pathway Market in Europe. Within the region, Germany, United Kingdom and France together hold around half of the total European market in terms of value. However, Eastern Europe is estimated to depict the fastest gains owing to increasing government spending to strengthen native research capabilities. Moreover, growing collaborations between European and US pharmaceutical firms will further stimulate market growth during the forecast period.

Get more insights on this topic:  https://www.trendingwebwire.com/cgas-sting-pathway-market-is-estimated-to-witness-high-growth-owing-to-advancements-in-precision-cancer-immunotherapies/

Author Bio

Vaagisha brings over three years of expertise as a content editor in the market research domain. Originally a creative writer, she discovered her passion for editing, combining her flair for writing with a meticulous eye for detail. Her ability to craft and refine compelling content makes her an invaluable asset in delivering polished and engaging write-ups. (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaagisha-singh-8080b91)

What Are The Key Data Covered In This CGAS STING Pathway Market Report?

:- Market CAGR throughout the predicted period

:- Comprehensive information on the aspects that will drive the CGAS STING Pathway Market's growth between 2024 and 2031.

:- Accurate calculation of the size of the CGAS STING Pathway Market and its contribution to the market, with emphasis on the parent market

:- Realistic forecasts of future trends and changes in consumer behaviour

:- CGAS STING Pathway Market Industry Growth in North America, APAC, Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Africa

:- A complete examination of the market's competitive landscape, as well as extensive information on vendors

:- Detailed examination of the factors that will impede the expansion of CGAS STING Pathway Market vendors

FAQ’s

Q.1 What are the main factors influencing the CGAS STING Pathway Market?

Q.2 Which companies are the major sources in this industry?

Q.3 What are the market’s opportunities, risks, and general structure?

Q.4 Which of the top CGAS STING Pathway Market companies compare in terms of sales, revenue, and prices?

Q.5 Which businesses serve as the CGAS STING Pathway Market’s distributors, traders, and dealers?

Q.6 How are market types and applications and deals, revenue, and value explored?

Q.7 What does a business area’s assessment of agreements, income, and value implicate?

*Note: 1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research 2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it