#Poor financial decision professional

[luckyartdrawer]

Get this man out of my head NOW!!!

Great animation practice at least-

Hopefullyyy tumblr isn't compressing it toooo badly.

vvv Goodie and yapping below!!! vvv

I really should be focusing on my assignments but ah yes, it twas a good idea to animate the goober stuck in my head.

Essentially, this drawing has been stuck in my head and I found the perfect songs that matches this mf so well. The voices.... They chain me down.

This took way longer than it should have v_v

Take this early snippet of the silly hitting himself as a consolation. It's either going to be a while before I post this man, or in general, again or it is going to be often if he won't LEAVE MY HOUSE (mind)

[pearwaldorf]

I hate that you can't see a tweet thread anymore if you're not logged into Twitter (as a gesture of disrespect I refuse to call it by its rebranded name). Here is a copypasta of a thread from Dan Olson, a Canadian documentary filmmaker, expanding upon camera quality, the guilt trips Somerton used to goose his Patreon subscriptions, and how the best tools will never make up for lack of dedication or patience. I have added clarifications in [[double brackets]] where I feel it is necessary.

START OF THREAD

Okay, so, back in April I snapped at James in reply to a tweet that was linking to this video (which James has since delisted but not deleted) and I want to talk about the full context of that but I don't want to make a video, put your beatdown memes away. [[The video has since been deleted. I can see the title of the video is "Maybe the end (not an April Fool's Day thing".]]

The first bit of context is that I initially got keyed into James to fact-check his claims about indie filmmaking in Canada. As a filmmaker the entire Telos venture was immediately obvious as a juvenile fantasy dreamed up by someone with no idea how to make a movie.

Just wild claims about their plans that weren't worth debunking because they bordered Not Even Wrong. But in watching one of these pitch videos I noticed that he had a $4000 current-gen camera in the background as a prop, and that seemed both pretentious and weird.

You don't use your best camera as a prop, you use your second best camera as a prop. So being an obsessive weirdo I needed to know, and I watched his BTS stuff until I spotted his main rig, a $6000 camera with about $1000 in accessories.

Now, these in isolation are unremarkable because his Patreon at the time was bringing in ~$8000 per month, his channel was a full on Business business, and so investing in some professional equipment of that level is maybe a bit indulgent but justifiable.

What was weird is that he doesn't shoot multi-cam, doesn't shoot outdoors, doesn't shoot on location, and in a studio the two cameras kinda really step on each others' toes. Basically if you already have one and don't need a B cam there's no reason to get the other.

Again, on its own, this says nothing, it's just indicative of poor financial decisions, maybe impulsive purchasing, Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Biblical sins, but not crimes.

Paired with the constantly inflating fantasy scope of the Telos films it was clearly an expression of a very, very common bad filmmaker habit of "if I just get the right gear then my movie will basically make itself" Buying stuff because it feels like progress.

At the end of February he tweets "I want to start shooting anamorphic" and then three weeks later in March he posts the worst, out of focus, under-exposed "I just got a new lens!" video I've ever seen, showing off his trash-covered bedroom.

Based on what's available for his cameras and the lead time, that's enough time to get a Laowa Nanomorph or Sirui Saturn from B&H but not enough time to get a Great Joy from the UK or a Vazen from China. And with the flaring blah blah blah, $1300 lens.

Again, [gear acquisition syndrome] is not a crime and these lenses are budget options. Bit of a pointless impulse purchase since he only used it for the Showgirls video. But this is what he was doing just a few weeks before that above video came out: effortlessly impulse purchasing lenses.

James has (had?) a habit of regularly, aggressively driving viewers to Patreon by claiming that videos were getting demonetized. While tacky, it is something a lot of queer YouTubers have dealt with, so there's precedent there. But people were noticing he did it a lot.

Mid-March he humble brags about needing to work so hard to make 6 videos in April because he has over-booked sponsorships.

Then March 29th James posts this whole incel screed on Twitter about how sex work should be "subsidized as a mental health service."

[two image descriptions.

1. "For the majority of people sex (and human contact) can be imperative to a healthy state of mind. A kind and talented sex worker can make someone feel wanted for the first time in their life. I know sex workers who have pulled people back from suicide just by being there for them." 2. "Not only should (sex work) be legal, but it should be subsidized as a mental health service."]

He spends several days getting absolutely *roasted* for this, just dragged across the pavement and read for filth, and doubles down in the replies the whole way.

So this is the context immediately surrounding James waking up on Friday, and posts the above video and the below tweet.

[image description: "We just got the lowest Patreon payout we've gotten in well over a year. Like, a "maybe we need to rethink things" kind of amount... NOT an April Fools Day thing btw. But I don't know if we'll be making videos much longer."]

Now, this unfolds in kinda two directions. The first is that I'm convinced he was just lying about this income shock in the first place.

There's a million theoretical edge cases about what maybe happened and if maybe he just misunderstood the data or saw a glitch and panicked, maybe one of those happened, I don't believe it, I think he just lied because he was salty about getting dragged and felt owed a win.

A big tell to me is that he doesn't blame Patreon. He says he doesn't know what happened, but let's be real, Patreon screws up all the time, they're the first people anyone blames if anything confusing happens, just as a reflex action, even if it's completely not their fault.

The only reason to not blame Patreon is if you already know that it's not their fault and that any investigation on their part might reveal embarrassing details.

Instead he indirectly blames his viewers for not watching enough, not sharing enough, and not turning on auto-renew.

So regardless of the unknowable truth, this segues into the second, far more offensive direction of the messaging itself. "I don't know if we'll be making videos much longer." "Maybe the end" He explicitly framed this as an immediate existential threat to his channel.

In the video he is vague about everything, leaves a ton of hazy room for plausible deniability on how long the channel can keep going, but the messaging is "I need more patrons right this minute or my YouTube channel is over."

He repeatedly evokes all the "fun stuff" they had planned that would never see the light of day if this didn't turn around right away.

And his audience received this message loud and clear. Tons of people making far, far, far less than him left very heartfelt messages about digging a little deeper to subscribe or up their pledge or unsubscribe from other channels to move their pledge to his.

1200 new patrons in one day.

Since I simply don't believe the income shock was real in the first place that would put his post-"Maybe the end" Patreon income at around $10,000 per month. US. Add YouTube income, he's spent the last seven months making around $18,000 per month.

I have seen creators scale back their capabilities to the bone purely to keep making videos for the love of just, like, making stuff even as their funding evaporated and they needed to go back to a desk job to cover their bills.

You'd have to be so outstandingly reckless with your finances as a channel that a one month spook leads immediately to "channel over, sorry about all the fun stuff we won't get to do with you, our patrons, specifically because you, our patrons, aren't giving us enough money"

And not a spook where you then spend a couple weeks crunching numbers. Oh no. A shock so violent where less than two hours later you're weeping on camera about the channel being over.

Three weeks later he brought a brand new Sony FX6v for $8000 CAD to add to his pile of cinema cameras despite the fact that he was, but scant moments earlier, in such a precarious position that a single bad month would kill his channel.

He stole your money, and for that I'm profoundly sad and angry. That's why I snapped at him in April. I'm sorry I couldn't give you the full context then, and I'm sorry if that anger upset you.

END OF THREAD

[theladybrownstarot]

Your relationship dynamic with your FS ♡

Pick a card reading~

INTRODUCTION:-

Hi everyone I'm brown a tarot reader who is back with an another pac for you ♡°☆°•°◇°•°

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:-

Do support Me by a like/reblog/follow you feel most for :)°☆°•°.

HOW TO CHOOSE A PILE?

As usual close your eyes and choose the pile(s) you feel drawn too ♡

Pile 1. Pile 2. Pile 3.

Pile 1 .

♡ your relationship with your fs is transparent like there is no hiding of oneself ;you are true to each other - emotionally ,mentally and physically 😇.This relationship comes after many manifestation that i can sense out here . you two will feel like home and shine of each other , like to party a lot and will be non-possessive to each other😃.

♡ You two will travel a lot with each other possible that you won't live with the family but by yourself or you two will have long distance relationship with each other making you feel sometime insecure at very least not high which is good really🙃 . lmao you two fight like kids before going on a travel with each other and then become lovey dovey again ~.🫰🏽🤣

♡ I sense one of you is very knowledgeable or we say nerdy type😅 . Your fs or you will boost G.K of each other and will share a lot of value able lessons or you two or one maybe doing their courses or graduation together or alone😄 . I see one of you being like a child cuddling onto another one while sleeping like a child or we say one of you is a worst sleeper ! yes yes this relationship comes after many cycles comes to an end . I guess your fs will be taking care of you as a child like I'm getting that motherly feeling ♡ .

♡ I see you people donating to poor�� or it can go such way around that you two will and always have equal give and take relationship with each other ; your relationship guiding principle i see ~ possible that later some of you may get into business sort of job or open NGOs with your fs or after or before marriage . You can become rich after marriage or your fate will change for tremendous good♡.

♡ You two are very hardworking with a lot responsibilities and work on your shoulder but at the end when you are with each other you two will forget about the world and will come into the arms of each other 😊.

♡ Both of you will take care of your body health or if you were body conscious then you will be confident . I see you going to GYM ,SPA & YOGA together . You two or one maybe a tea lover too ! or like different types of tea and drinks . You two will have your own house of your own dream too~ ♡

Pile 2 .

♡ okay most of you majorly have earth sign or both of you - you and yours fs have earth sign in big 6's in the chart itself .

♡ You and your fs are money minded and career oriented in a positive way but because of this there is a lot of burden and responsibility on your shoulders also making your personal kind of chaotic and difficult 😮‍💨maybe you want to have balance and stability around or financial independence first but it is temporary as something beautiful will be created also further in future ♡ .

♡ If at the current you are are going through some difficulty individually or together then it is going to end fast as a cycle is going on .

♡ You or your fs could be in an authoritative position or any way that feels suitable . you will lead stable ,prosperous ,happy family and luxurious life together . Maybe you will have kids later or not at all also depending upon you or your fs also . After having a lot of wealth still you people will be simple in nature without any ego or show off regarding your wealth .

♡ You and yours knows and will know for how to balance your personal and professional life together creating a space only for you two and for the family also . You two will be good at maintaining your tasks and decision on a daily basis . I see you two maintaining a list of daily to do list and rewarding yourself for same also having a specific routine 😅 damn i'm getting student vibes for same like you people don't like mess in anything you need organization of things properly🫡 .

♡ You or your fs or both are kind of traditional but aren't orthodox ; you like to maintain your life balanced with tradition and modernity also 😃 . I see you two buying and shopping rationally and logically only like really ? 🤣Just damn go and buy bunch of clothes who sees logic at first in things ? Haha ! Your house will be full of all those needy things that you want and possible for you two to get lot of statues and big things for your home . Your fs is good at giving advices or both you will help each other a lot in work matters ♡.

♡ It is possible that you two have psychic connections or developing at the moment to connect or channelize some messages and thoughts on daily basis😶. You people watch a lot of pacs regarding your fs and try to connect to readers to get whole detail of them lol you are so curious but stop and explore by yourself 😆.

♡ You two are beautiful by your looks and also that i seee you two enjoying rain shower together and playing under in the rain drops🫠🤗 .You two will take care of each other in every possible way . You two belong to each other and won't ever leave each other . Last but not the least you will meet your fs during work , party, temple or through some reader for sure😃 also you people are high level spiritual soulmates.

Pile 3.

♡ Either your fs will be your ex or after a breakup you will meet your fs .

You people like greenery environment- village, simplicity , away from city . You people maybe were attracted to pile 2 also - do check out maybe some information is also there for you . You people like to stay at home or you will feel home to each other and like to interact less with people also 😶. Apart from work you people value to your own happiness also a lot which will keep you intact and strong 😇.

♡ If you are In a city then you try to keep yourself as simple as possible 😇

♡ Your relationship will have major transformations - challenges , hurdles and etc to make your relationship more smooth and strong after ton of experience with each other and you will learn to balance life also more good .😄🫰🏽

♡ Some of you could have left a place and have chosen to start an another life some where else or you may leave your home land to somewhere else or after marraige you will settle to foregin place also that you like to have pets like birds , dog and cat or many other . You could have your own shop or business also or could be some strong figures . You will travel a lot with each other like international ,overseas and would like to travel in waters . i can see trolly bags full of clothes and things haha ! 🤣

♡ You people have experienced and seen a lot in life but at same time you have grew strong also from it .

♡ You people will love to star gaze and i can see both you being optimistic and peaceful with each other. You will love to have walk outside in nature and have a talk in cool and warm mix breeze flowing through ^^ . You will be the star of each other and the lime light too ~.

♡ I can see this relationship being motherly ,abundant with good and rich life too plus i see you having a kid with each other also. Your children will grow with good morals ,knowledge and ethics provided by you . You people maybe kinda keep up to yourself not a lot with people but few only maybe because of your work or experience .♡♡

End of the pac ~

♡◇♡ DO /FOLLOW/COMMENT/LIKE/REBLOG WHATEVER YOU FEEL LIKE TO SUPPORT YOUR READERS ♡

♡◇♡ DO TELL ME HOW WAS IT ?!♡

[stabortega]

NO SURPRISES — CHAPTER TWO

Summary: Having to deal with the aftermath of that situation was definitely worse then finding out the truth.

Pairing: Jenna Ortega x Fem!G!P!Reader

Warnings: NSFW. Implied fem reader, she/her pronouns used. Mentions of sex, dirty talking and sexting. Knife play. Mentions of kinks, nothing explicit. Top!Reader x Bottom!Jenna. MDNI.

Author's Note: Still think my writing is trash but you guys seem to like it. 💜

MASTERLIST.

"What the actual fuck?!" Jasmine almost yelled as Jenna shoved her inside one of the dressing rooms in the set, while she tried to shut the other actress up. "Thank god someone's paying that poor girl's college."

"This is not fucking funny, Jasmine. I shouldn't have told you." Jenna locked the door behind her, looking at her apprehensively. She made a terrible mistake by telling Jasmine what went on last night. "And now they expect me to work with her? After I-"

"Seen her dick? Oh god, what will be of you?" The black girl laughed, while sitting down on the couch. "Chill, alright? She probably doesn't even know you donated. I mean, what was your username?"

Jenna gulped. "I don't wanna say it."

"Come on, was it that obvious??" Jasmine rolled her eyes, waiting for an answer.

"It was my first name then the first four digits of my birthday."

"I cannot fucking believe you."

Living in New York wasn't easy. Every apartment was obnoxiously expensive, so you had to resort to leave the city and start living in Brooklyn. It was a nice neighborhood, the best you could afford if we're being completely honest. Moving to the big city was by far the best and the worst decision you've ever made. Other than starting college, obviously.

I mean, you loved every second of it, but it started to fuck your financial life right up the ass.

"You should create an Only Fans or something." You almost spit the whiskey shot you were drinking right back to your cup, looking at your friend as if she just told you that she had killed three men with a needle. "I'm serious, (Y/N). Do you know how much money you can get just by posting out some feet pics, or whatever?"

"I'm not gonna sell pictures of my feet for cash, Liana." She shook her head no while taking a sip of her Appletini.

"Then don't. Sell your dick pics, or livestream. Come on, I know how much you're struggling and you know you're putting that body to waste. What's the worse thing can happen?"

And she was right. You started out with just an account on that website, posting some pictures here and there; until one of your followers suggested livestreaming and said she would pay some good money just to watch you cum on your stomach (which obviously, she did). It happened so fast that, when you realized it, you were able to get yourself a better place right downtown, pay off your college debts and buy a professional video camera to shoot some amateur movies. And no, not the pornographic kind.

You wanted to be a director someday, but you were also really good with a camera; which is why you got the opportunity to work in the upcoming Scream movie as an assistant videographer (and because Liana put in a good word for you). It was your first real gig in your area of interest, you couldn't be more excited.

The first day was just like any other. You got to meet a few people and get a hold of the equipments you were going to use.

"Ay, (Y/N)! Come here for a sec!" Your boss, Dave, called your name while you were looking at one of the IMAX cameras, which you've never got the opportunity to film with. You realized he wanted to introduce you to some people, which he did. You just didn't expect it would be one of the protagonists (and the newest it actress of Hollywood). "It's a pleasure to meet you, Jenna."

You extended your hand for her to shake, which she did after looking at it for a couple of seconds, almost if she was analyzing you. "Nice to meet you too, (Y/N)."

And that was pretty much it, you guys didn't exchanged any other words besides that on that particular day. You even thought that she could be avoiding you, for whatever reason. All throughout the day, you felt her gaze on you multiple times, but everytime you looked at her, she just looked away.

"You're definitely not subtle." Jasmine whispered in Jenna's ear, while she watched you handle one of the camera films. "I'm pretty sure that she can physically feel your eyes on her butt as we speak."

"She's definitely gonna find out that I was on her stream last night." The Ortega took a deep breath, looking away when she realized you looked at her again.

"She's not, don't get paranoid. You have the most obvious and boring username ever? Yes. It would take just one Google search to figure out your identity? It would. But still!" Jenna got up from the chair she was sitting, realizing that all she wanted to do was to smoke this off.

"You're not helping, Jasmine." She took out her pack of Marlboro's and her lighter once she was outside. "I never even watched porn before, not even by myself."

"And now you donated $1500 to a complete stranger just so she could cum while moaning your name. That's a character development." Jasmine stood beside Jenna, who had just started smoking so she could even try to forget that she wanted to sit on her coworker's dick less than 24 hours ago.

"I'm never doing that again, Jasmine. It's inhumane and gross. It was the first and the last time."

jenna2709: thought about you a lot today.

"Oh, did you? Good to hear that." She locked the door behind her and sat on her bed. That was Jenna's, at least, 10th day of watching your streams nonstop. And she had just "caught" you in the beginning of your livestream (which meant that she had the notifications of your page on and was too much of a chicken to admit it). So that meant that you weren't even undressed yet, you were just rubbing your dick over your sweatpants and chatting a litte bit with your followers before you started your actual show. "What exactly were you thinking of, huh?"

jenna2709: of me sucking your cock under this table while you tell me how much of a good girl i am.

Jenna realized what she said after she already sent the message. Where did that came from? She thought while looking intensely at the livestream, hoping you would just stop with the teasing and take your cock out of your pants for her to see (and drool). "Oh baby, I'm sure you're very good with your mouth. Wanted to cum right on your throat and make you swallow every drop."

jenna2709: i would be honored to be your cum dump.

"Okay, I crossed the line." She took a deep breath, not even recognizing who was that person inside of her, the person that would say the most obscene and erotic shit that she ever heard. It was almost if something awakened inside of her everytime she saw you. Every couple of days, at exactly 10PM, she would lock herself in her hotel bedroom and fuck her pussy so deep until she passed out from having like, five orgasms. And that was the easy part, obviously. The hardest part was definitely waking up in the morning and having to look at you as if she didn't saw your dick inside of a fleshlight the night before.

Jenna grew up christian. In a american dream type of household. But getting in touch with Hollywood and all of the film industry made her get out of her bubble and quite literally, discover the world. She drank, she smoked, she went to 2AM parties at some A-List celebrity's house that she never even met before. But sex? Never sex. She met a few people here and there, but nothing further. It made her think about that, the fact that she couldn't even be interested enough in someone to actually have some sort of contact with them; but with you, she would stay all night thinking about you fucking her raw and senseless until she couldn't remember who she was.

"Stop teasing, Jenna. We both know you were born to be my cum dump, and mine only." You were so horny imagining having that stranger on her knees while she had her mouth open, waiting for you to dump your cum inside of her pretty little throat. You took your cock out of your pants, a little bit earlier than you've expected, but you were getting so worked up that you didn't even thought about your stream routine. You started to stroke the member gently, feeling your dick pulsate right on the palm of your hand. "I know that you're the only one who can take care of this right, don't you think?"

jenna2709: if you were mine, i would make you cum on my pussy everyday.

Jenna started to get scared. Who was this person that was hiding inside of her? Was she really like that? Is she the female version of Christian Grey and doesn't know it yet? How the fuck she got so horny all of a sudden?

She knew that the reason you were playing that little game with her was merely money. But there was a part of her, a tiny part that hoped that you felt attracted to her as much as she felt to you. Even if you'd never seen her face, or her body. It didn't mattered if she had just met you a couple of days ago; she wanted you to want her, the same way she wanted you.

"And if you were mine, I would carve my name on your belly so everyone would know who you belong to." Oh yes, the knife play.

Jenna wasn't naive or innocent, she knew about fetishes and BDSM practices; and thankfully there was the option of marking your kinks on your own profile when you created your account. The actress spent an embarrassing amount of time researching some of your kinks that were listed on your profile (there was so many things she didn't even knew existed, to be completely honest). And the thought of you doing all of those things with her got her aroused in a matter of seconds.

jenna2709: you could carve your name on my face, for all i care.

jenna2709: i would definitely want people to know that i'm yours.

The rest of the livestream went as usual, you doing all of the things that your subs asked you to, Jenna being awarded as the number 1 tipper for the 5th time in a row, nothing out of the ordinary. You were just about to cum for the second time when Jenna tipped you again with a request.

Wow! "jenna2709" donated $2000 with the message: i want you to cum for me, again.

"You know I never decline your requests, baby. But, let's be fair this time around?" You answered, a little bit breathless, masturbating your cock as hard as you could. "I'll give you a private livestream if you show me your face."

Oh, a private livestream?

Jenna had been following your for awhile now ever since her first time watching your stream. She knew that private livestreams weren't something you did. And yet, you were here, offering one for free, just to see Jenna's face in return. It was a really good offer, but Jenna couldn't accept. If you found out who she was, the shooting would be the most awkward work experience for both of them. It would be like, "Hey, (Y/N)? Can you get this camera ready for me? Also, I've already seen your dick and I'm having wet dreams with you fucking me like the slut I am." So, she took one last breath after she decided to stick with her original plan and decline.

jenna2709: it's a deal.

[incorrectbatfam]

I still think about your Gotham Gooners.

Any more fun shenanigans for us?

Oh man I completely forgot about these guys.

For those who don't know, they are crack OCs that I created that sorta spiraled out of control for a little bit. But ngl, they were fun. Here is an overview of them and you can also check my tags and my Ao3.

Anyway, some more headcanons:

Milo came up with the name Gooners. Yes he is aware of the double meaning—he is a 15-year-old boy with unrestricted internet access. No he won't change it. He already made T-shirts

Gene makes poor personal financial decisions for someone who used to be an accountant. He once won $100 from a scratch ticket and immediately lost it by investing in a start-up that wanted to make iPhones for pets

Kellin inserted a small implant into their arm to purposely set off metal detectors. That way, after they explain their "medical condition," security guards will wave them in without checking for the multiple weapons on their person

Rob was parentified growing up and refused to make Milo do the same for the twins, especially since Milo isn't even his kid. Cue Rob zooming back and forth like a roadrunner between Jackie's dance recital and Gunner's Little League game

Mac's surveillance vehicle is an ice cream truck he bought for cheap after the owner died in it. He uses the freezers to store his midnight meals, consisting of Midwestern classics like cheese curds, tater tot hotdish, and Detroit pizza. Tangentially related, his full first name is Mackinac—as in Mackinac Island, Michigan

Booker's job as an intern is to schedule meetings, go on coffee runs, and calculate every possible Looney Toons physics scenario that the team might encounter on any given job

Otto doesn't have a yard, so instead, to fulfill his old man duties, he opens his apartment window and yells at people to get off the public sidewalk. Molly brings a blender and makes milkshakes to bring all the boys to the sidewalk

Before becoming a pyrotechnic or professional criminal, Blaise worked a new job every other month (in part because of his ADHD). One of them was a waiter at a furry restaurant and another was a lab rat at Wayne Enterprises

The Gooners take any job that promises them money—and they're not always illegal. One time, they got paid to set up the Tour de Gotham

[mariacallous]

Hi mariacallous! Some of my friends have started spouting the 'abortion is a class issue because rich women always have access to abortion' BS, and I was wondering if you had any resources/articles etc that might be helpful in convincing them. Sorry to barge into your inbox!

The notion that rich women will be fine, regardless of what the law says, is probably comforting to some. But it is simply not true.

Yes, abortion bans will disproportionately affect poor women and women of color in a country that already has appallingly high maternal mortality rates, no federal paid family leave and little support for parents who struggle to provide for their children financially. As Rebecca Traister pointed out in New York magazine, this is nothing new: The Hyde Amendment and state restrictions have already made abortion effectively inaccessible to many women without means or mobility.

But we should not lose sight of the reality that the Supreme Court decision has created a crisis for all American women. Even the richest Americans — the one-percenters and the upper middle class — will not escape the effects.

Attenuating the rights of half of the population will have systemic effects akin to climate change. Just as no amount of investment in Mars-bound space colonization, air-conditioned bunkers and private firefighting services will save the rich from terrible outcomes if the planet becomes uninhabitable, the rich cannot avoid the effects of the overturning of Roe. Residents of blue states won’t be exempt. And men who think the ban won’t affect them are mistaken; it will affect women they know and love, and it will change the political economy in which they live and operate.

The persistent myth that the wealthy will be unaffected is predicated on the vague notion that they’ll be able to find and purchase abortion pills by mail, travel to places where abortion is legal or get abortions from local providers willing to break the law.

And sure, it’s easy to imagine a scenario in which a red state one-percenter has his daughter or wife airlifted to another state for an abortion — or, potentially, for in vitro fertilization, if it becomes illegal to terminate embryos. We are accustomed to different rules and privileges for the wealthy, and witness these injustices daily. People with more money and privilege conferred by race and class — people who have access to better lawyers — experience our justice system differently. They also get better health care and pay less in taxes as a share of income. We hold the rich to a lower, not higher, standard and tacitly accept that they will get away with cheating various systems.

But the wealthiest are in for some unpleasant surprises when it comes to abortion. The scenarios in which a woman needs an abortion include medical emergencies in which any delay in treatment can have severe, even fatal, consequences — and in those circumstances abortion pills obtained by mail won’t help.

One in 50 pregnancies in the United States is ectopic, for example, in which a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. The embryo must be removed, and delaying that treatment can result in sepsis, internal bleeding and death. Placental abruptions must be addressed immediately to avoid extensive bleeding, renal failure and even, in some instances, death.

Any woman who finds herself in either of these scenarios is not going to be able to pack her bags and go for a long drive. Even for someone with the means, an airlift to a medical facility in another state may not be quick enough to save her. She will need to be treated locally and immediately. Some of the bans going into effect around the country include medical exceptions for these situations, but if there’s any ambiguity about what the law allows, the time it takes a medical professional to consult a lawyer may be the difference between life and death.

Some states are expected to try to ban interstate travel for abortions. Bans in Texas and Oklahoma leave room for that possibility. Planned Parenthood’s Montana branch has reportedly decided that it will no longer provide medication abortions for patients from certain states where bans are in effect or in the works, citing the “rapidly changing” legal landscape. It’s also clear that many Republicans view the Roe reversal as an inroad to a total federal ban. If they gain electoral victories in 2024, this is a very likely outcome, and in that case there will be no blue state abortion clinics to travel to. Even now, the lines and waiting times at abortion clinics in safe haven states are likely to get very long.

Many people also assume the wealthy can always find a local doctor willing to perform an abortion, even in a state where it has become illegal. This seems unlikely. While some providers did flout the law and provide women with abortions before Roe in 1973, the ubiquity of digital surveillance and other mechanisms for violating the privacy of women seeking abortions have made it far more difficult for them to do so privately and safely. Trigger laws are already forcing medical professionals to consult lawyers before they provide care, and laws that criminalize abortion leave health care workers with little incentive to violate them. When faced with the prospect of prosecution or losing a medical license, how many doctors will take this risk, even when money is offered? Meanwhile, anti-choice conservatives are already working to make it harder to obtain abortion pills.

Some believe abortion bans won’t affect them because they’ll never find themselves in need of an abortion. Conservatives might imagine the typical woman who needs one fits an archetype: poor, single, liberal, promiscuous, anti-family and irresponsible. But most women who get abortions are already mothers (60 percent). Nearly half of abortion seekers live below the poverty line, but a significant portion are not poor. (Women with higher incomes have more access to contraception, but that dynamic might change if the Supreme Court follows through on Justice Clarence Thomas’s suggestion to revisit earlier rulings, including the right to contraception.) Conservative families also include teenagers and young women whose privacy, autonomy and ability to seek medical care, regardless of whether their parents approve, will be severely compromised by abortion bans.

The reality is that women from every demographic need abortions. Well-off conservative women are not immune to contraception failures, gynecological emergencies, miscarriages, incest or rape. Many women find that despite their beliefs, carrying a pregnancy to term is just not something they can go through with, for a range of reasons. Pregnancy itself can be life-threatening for women with certain existing medical conditions, and even for women who don’t have those risks, it is life-altering. The kind of person who might need or want an abortion is, put simply, any person capable of getting pregnant.

Women will die because of this — disproportionately poor and middle-class women but not just poor and middle-class women. Rich women could just as easily suffer and die, too, even those who think that they would never need an abortion or that they would never be denied essential medical care in the United States of America in 2022.

There will be other effects: Roe is a privacy law, and there are implications for the ruling outside of the issue of abortion. Forced birth will take women out of the work force in an already tight labor market. Women could be treated like criminals for having miscarriages, which are incredibly common. And women who are pregnant when their partners don’t want them to be will be more at risk for domestic violence and homicide. Individual wealth won’t prevent these outcomes, either.

It is, of course, true that the wealthy are the least vulnerable in the new post-Roe world, and this is not a requiem for them on a tiny violin. But it is important for all parties to understand that all people are going to participate in this nightmare, whether they realize it now or not. The wealthy unfortunately have an outsize influence on politics, so how much the bans harm them, inconvenience them or enrage them will most likely affect the will of politicians to vote for and maintain abortion bans.

The overturning of Roe will affect all of us. And if you are lucky enough to be wealthy, your money probably won’t shield you.

The Persistent Myth That Restricting Abortion Rights Won’t Affect the Rich

the problem is that it's a class issue, but not only in the way they think, and the point is that all women are impacted by it, but obviously some way more than others

[cfffrk]

WW2 AU

PART 1

(+2scetches)

One September day, B. Wooster found out about Jeeves' disappearance from Aunt Dahlia's telegram.

Early summer of 1940. Bertram Wooster was completing his studies at an aviation school. At the same time his faithful valet, Jeeves, temporarily went to the service of the already mentioned relative at Brinkley Court and became the second jewel in the staff of servants besides the highly talented cook Anatole.

Due to the straitened financial situation of Uncle Tom, who complained more and more about the increasing taxes, the dearest aunt had to take forced measures and fire a few servants. She wanted to make a small sacrifice, and it might have been enough if one day her stingy husband had not cut the already small wages of the remaining servants. Many of them had applied for dismissal after that, and they were quite understandable.

This radical decision, although to a lesser extent, also affected Jeeves. Nevertheless, he continued to be a professional. He fulfilled his basic duties and often helped her, and her old friends get out of troubles.

Within a few months of Jeeves' work, they had become friends. Bertram almost felt like a third wheel in this idyll when he came to visit and boast of his achievements. Aunt Dahlia treasured her new valet and his unrivalled intelligence, and often jokingly promised in letters to her nephew that Jeeves would be returned safe and sound.

That was why she was seriously worried when Jeeves went missing. One clear day in early September, an elderly relative had let him go to London on his own business. In addition to this, it was Jeeves' duty to check on their good old Berkeley Mansions flat from time to time and keep it clean, so he planned to finish his business by evening and stay in the city overnight. He was supposed to return early the next morning. But that never happened. Not in two days. Not in three.

That night London was bombarded.

Something seemed to snap and collapse inside Bertie when he learnt that the search for Jeeves had been fruitless. Neither his relatives nor his club could shed any light on his mysterious disappearance.

The dark thoughts from which Bertram had fled during the day caught up with him at night. He would toss and turn on the hard bed, thinking of Jeeves's fate and replaying happy memories of their past, and in the daytime, tired and broken, he would give his duty to his country.

The whole situation seemed strange and unreal to him. The only thing that was found out for sure was that no one appeared in the apartment that miraculously survived the monstrous raids that day. It was dusty.

A couple of months had passed since the tragedy that divided Bertie's life into before and after. The war continued. He was learning to adjust to his new reality.

Sometimes he managed to carve out some free time and pop into London for a bit. The city where he had lived more than a third of his life was in ruins. The familiar places where he used to meet his friends and have a good time were empty.

Your humble servant avoided going into that very flat. There were too many vivid memories of that place, which painfully and mercilessly squeezed Bertram Wooster's poor skull. Indeed, the most precious person in his life had been living at his side all that time.

But still, as the sole and responsible owner of his property, he had to overpower himself. He had to go in and make sure that everything was all right. And one such day Bertie found himself there, in their former cozy home.

He walked in and looked around the living room: a layer of dust covering almost everything, furniture wrapped in covers, and only a few of his own things that he had left or forgotten here. The piano was covered with a cloth. Unbearably quiet and lifeless. There was nobody else to keep order here, nobody else's hand to create the home comfort. Sorrowful feelings pressed upon his chest.

He looked all over the flat. Almost all of it. There was only one room left to check.

After a moment's hesitation, Bertram pulled himself together and went into Jeeves's room. He had only glimpsed it from inside before. It was modest and not as spacious as his bedroom. Wooster sat down on the perfectly made bed, looking at what little was left of his dear friend, guide, and philosopher. His eyes rested on the various books dusting the shelves and cupboards.

He recognized one of them. It was the volume of Spinoza's writings he had given Jeeves for his birthday. No doubt Jeeves had read it all. As the rest of the books in the room. Bertie remembered his politely grateful smile and how he had clearly decided that this fellow deserved a whole library of those Spinozas.

He got out of bed. The code of the Woosters did not allow him to touch other people's things (even if those things belonged to a man who might never come back into his life), but something outweighed the young master's unwavering principles that day.

He didn't even notice how he left the flat with the book in his hands.

Of course, this sort of talisman invariably occupied a place in his suitcase. Though he had endeavored to handle the book with care, it had become tattered with the passage of time. Bertram often held it in his hands, flicked through the pages, ran his eyes over the neat pencil notes of its former owner. It calmed him a little in the most difficult moments of his pilot practice. He didn't understand anything about philosophy, but he treasured this book too damn much.

When they reunited, they were about a year away from the end of the war. The house with their previous flat was in a state of emergency damaged by the recent bombing raids, so Jeeves looked for a new flat for them while his employer was still undergoing treatment.

It happened some time later after their move-in. Jeeves was doing his household chores while the young master followed him around and chattered about anything that came into his head. It would have annoyed anyone, but not Jeeves.

You see, he had been abroad for a long time. However, he was not on holiday. Against his will, he was assigned important tasks and missions which he had to fulfil if he did not want to lose his freedom, his successful career, his reputation, his family, and friends. The special promise of making one particular person's life unbearable also left him no choice.

Every day, Jeeves felt like he was sitting on a powder keg: at any moment, a surprise inspection could come through the doors of his headquarters. A highly undesirable event for a man who kept fake documents, weapons, and encrypted data transmission devices in his flat. But all possible escape routes had been carefully worked out and memorized: Jeeves was always prudent. Otherwise, he had to have time to take a special pill before he found himself tied to a chair in a small interrogation room.

Keeping his charm and politeness, he was effective in getting the right information from the right people. His knowledge of psychology and accumulated experience of working with people helped him in this.

Jeeves' missions were rarely close to failure. His life depended on it.

The slightest mistake could have been fatal to him. Of course, he had learned much about the country during his training to pass for a typical Frenchman. His French had been practically flawless even before, which only made his life easier. But still somewhere in the back of his mind was the fear that he would be exposed for the smallest inaccuracy.

Jeeves lived under a false identity with a fake life story. He changed outwardly and inwardly. His gait, the way he spoke, his body language, his facial expressions. He had complete control over his body. Especially his gaze, which could tell a lot about his thoughts. It was exhausting.

After a long time of living in this way, he began to have trouble sleeping: he slept very little and sensitively or could not fall asleep at all.

He rarely had any dreams during the restless hours when he was able to fall asleep. Sometimes he had nightmares. But they were not about him. They were about Mr Wooster. Same scenario: church, flowers, closed coffin. Then it would slowly open from the inside. And Jeeves would wake up in a cold sweat.

On sleepless nights, he was also tormented by thoughts of his former employer. Where was he now? Was he all right? Was he even alive? How did he feel about his disappearance? Would he want to see him again...?

Jeeves felt his mind, which he relied on in the most critical situations, begin to fail.

Meeting his employer again and doing the household chores for him, he felt himself slowly getting his head in order. He was enjoying the much-anticipated company of Mr Wooster. It soothed him and made him feel at home.

Jeeves opened the closet to put the ironed clothes in it. The young master standing next to him had been lost in the chatter and missed the moment when he should have pulled him back. In the next moment Jeeves had pulled the ruined book out of the wardrobe the same way as he pulled out foreign clothes. By the title of the book, he thought at first that his master was interested in serious literature. But on closer look and leafing through the book, he realized that it was his own.

Bertie watched it silently with his eye wide open. He couldn't just get rid of it, but at the same time he was ashamed to return a book in such a terrible condition to its owner. He planned to buy the exact same one soon, but until then, this volume of essays would be safely hidden away. But here his innocent secret was revealed. Jeeves looked at him with a silent question in his eyes.

He tried to justify himself, but this particular Wooster was a bad liar. Especially when the pent-up feelings were starting to overwhelm him. Jeeves often let his employer fool him about little things, but they both knew very well that it was actually impossible to do this. A couple of precise laconic remarks and B. Wooster found himself disarmed. He took a breath of air and began to speak.

Jeeves listened patiently to his poor master with a mask of calmness pulled over his face and dared not interrupt.

He was sorry. He was deeply sorry for the pain he had caused Mr Wooster and his dear people by his forced departure. However, Jeeves spoke little and reluctantly about what he had been doing in recent years and did not tell anyone about the very reasons for his disappearance. This information could have caused a lot of trouble.

And Bertram realized it. His Jeeves could not just disappear for no reason, he was sure of it. But sometimes, in the deep sleepless night, a wild guess would cross his weary mind. What if Jeeves had run away, had simply abandoned him? Of course, Bertie had scolded himself for such thoughts in the mornings then. And today when Jeeves prepares breakfast for him, reminds him to take his medicine, and helps him to dress, that idea seems to him on the verge of sanity. But then he was quite capable of finding irrefutable evidence in all sorts of little things. At that time, he did not know what to think: the search for the injured had ended, Jeeves remained on the list of missing persons.

Bertram stood before him and could find no more words. But words were no longer needed. Jeeves looked at him with bright, penetrating eyes and the silence that settled in the room was filled with peace. Jeeves was truly touched. He felt a huge boulder fall from his soul.

It seemed now, as his employer lowered his head dejectedly and hid his wet eyes from him, they had the perfect moment to dot the «i».

It's been a long day.

Of course, this book stayed in their new flat and became a symbol of something important for them. Bertram, Jeeves' poor love, had indeed taken desperate measures then.

However, Jeeves pointed out that such measures would no longer be necessary.

For now, he would be there for him. He came back.

[nenelonomh]

get addicted to real dopamine

TW: mention of self-harm

dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in our brain's reward system, associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. it is released during enjoyable activities like eating, exercise, and social interactions, reinforcing behaviours that are essential for survival. however, the term "addiction" typically refers to compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences.

some examples of these consequential behaviours include substance abuse, reckless driving, unsafe sex, self-harm, neglecting health, overeating, and poor financial decisions.

the best way to break free from such harmful behaviours is to replace your negative habits with positive ones. finding healthy alternatives that fulfil the same needs as harmful behaviour, and seeking professional help if needed

for further reading, click the links below. ray family therapy, breaking bad habits reimagine, understanding harmful habits: the psychology behind our actions

but that's not what this post is about. i just felt the need to touch on it, since it is a huge positive of being addicted to real dopamine.

to experience the positive effects of dopamine naturally, you can engage in activities that promote its healthy levels, such as:

regular exercise: physical activity is known to boost dopamine levels and improve mood. during exercise, especially when it's challenging yet achievable, the brain's reward centre, particularly the nucleus accumbens, releases dopamine. this release is part of the brain's reward system, which is being activated during pleasurable activities, reinforcing behaviours that are beneficial for survival and well-being.

the release of dopamine during exercise contributes to feelings of happiness and accomplishment (improved mood). it also contributes to enhanced memory, attention and problem-solving skills, stress reduction, and better motor performance.

balanced diet: dopamine is produced from amino acids, particularly tyrosine and phenylalanine, which are found in protein-rich foods. consuming a diet that includes adequate protein ensures that your body has the necessary building blocks to produce dopamine.

benefits of dopamine from a balanced diet include enhanced mood, improved cognitive function, increased motivation, and regulation of movement. dopamine is involved in the brain's reward system, which motivates us to repeat behaviours that are pleasurable or beneficial (increased motivation). it is important for motor control, so proper levels can help with coordination and movement.

adequate sleep: quality sleep is crucial for regulating neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine. it helps to maintain the sensitivity and function of dopamine receptors. sleep deprivation can lead to a decrease in dopamine D2 receptors, which are associated with arousal and reward.

dopamine is involved in regulating the circadian rhythm, our internal body clock that dictates when we feel awake and when we feel sleepy. adequate sleep helps keep this rhythm consistent, which in turn supports healthy dopamine levels.

adequate dopamine levels contribute to a state of alertness and wakefulness during the day. sufficient sleep can help regulate the stress response, which is partly mediated by dopamine.

mindfulness and meditation: these practices can increase dopamine levels and improve focus and concentration. additionally, they can enhance the efficiency of brain pathways that process sensory information, which may lead to increased dopamine release.

higher dopamine levels can lead to feelings of calmness and contentment, improving overall mood. regular mindfulness practice can help maintain a positive balance of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, which can reduce stress. by increasing dopamine, meditation can help regulate emotions, leading to better mental health outcomes.

learning new skills: the process of learning can increase dopamine production, as it's associated with reward and motivation. this reward system encourages the continuation of learning and skill development.

new experiences, such as learning new skills, can reset key brain circuits, enhancing the ability to learn and adapt to new situations. activating dopamine receipts through learning can lead to improved cognitive flexibility and the ability to switch between tasks or thoughts more easily.

also, releasing dopamine due to learning new skills contributes to a positive mood, making learning an enjoyable way to regulate emotions.

in summary, these operations can stimulate healthy dopamine release, which has so many positive benefits. it's a natural and rewarding way to promote personal growth and mental health.

for further reading on the topic of healthy dopamine release, see the links below: medical news today, how does dopamine affect the body? healthline, how does dopamine affect the body? very well health, what is dopamine? cdc, about adverse childhood experiences healthline, 10 best ways to increase dopamine levels naturally bbc, learn something new to boost your brain psychology today, dopamine's role in learning and memory

i hope today's post was helpful. ❤️ nene

(photo credit: pinterest)

[jackiequick]

Behind The Layers / Marvel OC

A/N: Was this an small excuse to make another OC using the Once Upon A Time cast, like I did with Jennifer Morrison as an Top Gun OC? Yes. Yes, it is. Might use Lana Parrilla next.

Name: Adrian Clayton Everhart Richards

Nicknames: Rian, Clay, A.C.

Age: 28-33

Birthday: February 15th

Height: 5'10"

Relationship Status: Single

Appearance:

Charming and charismatic.

Striking ocean blue eyes.

Messy dark brown hair.

One pierced earlobe with a stud earring.

Has a tendency to wear a lot of black clothes

Job: Businessman, SHIELD Agent

Personality: He is a rich tapestry of creativity, independence, and principled honor. Stemming from his literary upbringing, Adrian's creative mindset and unique style mark him as an individual with a distinct flair. Preferring solitude and autonomy, he thrives when working on his own terms, reflecting a self-reliant and determined nature.

His unquenchable curiosity fuels a constant quest for understanding the world. Despite his persistent nature, Adrian grapples with moments of weariness and occasional irritation, especially when confronted with arrogance. His quiet demeanor and selective information-sharing contribute to an enigmatic persona, allowing him to navigate life on his own terms, staying in his own lane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Background:

Born out of an affair between his mother, a young assistant, and his father, a wealthy businessman.

Raised in the Reed Richards family alongside his half-brother Reed, a scientist with a high IQ.

Father cared for his sons but imposed numerous expectations and rules on them.

Father was a wealthy businessman who slept around and made poor financial decisions.

Adrian's dating life was manipulated by his father for public relations, leading to less-than-pleasant experiences. Resulting in him not caring to date at all, not having any actual interest in anyone. But he is open to grabbing a friendly cup of coffee with a friend or two.

Emphasis on education: Reed excelled, while Adrian struggled with certain subjects but excelled in others.

After their father's death, Reed and Adrian had to navigate financial challenges and pick up the pieces.

Adrian tends to be one of the agents who scouts locations before striking, contributing to SHIELD's tactical approach.

Presents himself as a down-to-earth SHIELD agent who occasionally heads out to missions and parties to collect intelligence information. Even if he tends to very silent and stay within his own lane most of the time, resulting in people respecting him but curious onto what's going on in his mind.

But in reality, all Adrian wants to do get work done by the end of the day and head home to grab a bite. And possibly a nice bottle of beer afterwards.

Relationship with Reed was decent, despite their differences and Reed's ego. Their half-sibling dynamic involved comedic yet harsh fights over the years, resulting in the occasional broken lamp in moments of anger.

Despite their conflicts, they got along well in planning, with Adrian assisting Reed in matters like helping him win over his girlfriend Sue Storm.

Over the years, the brothers lost touch, going their separate ways to pursue their own paths.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Motivations and Conflicts:

Strives to prove his worth to his family and himself.

Balances corporate expectations with his secret life as a member of SHIELD's STRIKE team.

Deals with identity struggles being the result of an affair and the black sheep of the family.

Hobbies and Interests:

Music Enthusiast: Developed a love for music at a young age and played the guitar during his younger years. But stopped once he got a bit older.

Literary Pursuits: A avid reader and occasional writer, contributing to his creative mindset and unique sense of style.

Diverse Skill Set: Adrian's mother enrolled him in various classes, including waltz and photography, providing him with a diverse skill set that extends beyond his professional life.

Fitness Enthusiast: An advocate for a healthy lifestyle, Adrian is known to start his days with a morning jog in the park. During high school, he showcased his athletic side by participating in sports like soccer and baseball during gym class.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Key Moments:

Sibling Rivalry and Self-Discovery: Growing up alongside his brilliant half-brother Reed, Adrian faced moments of self-doubt and comparison. It became apparent that he would never match Reed's level of intellect or quick-wittedness.

Realization of Differences: As Reed exhibited a self-centered and correction-prone demeanor, Adrian began to notice the limitations of his own capabilities. He observed how Reed often overlooked the obvious and failed to appreciate what was right in front of him.

Confrontation with Reed: Frustration built up within Adrian, leading to a pivotal moment of confrontation. During a heated exchange, Adrian pointed out Reed's tendency to overthink and correct others, uttering the words, "Use your head, Reed!" This marked a turning point for Adrian as he acknowledged his own strengths and value, distinct from his brother's.

Embracing Individuality: Following this confrontation, Adrian embarked on a journey of self-discovery, realizing that while he might not possess Reed's genius, he had his own stretches of positive thinking and unique contributions. This realization allowed Adrian to embrace his individuality and break free from the constant comparison to his brother.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Strategic Operations Specialist:

Location Scouting: Adrian excels in scouting and analyzing locations before SHIELD missions. He assesses the terrain, identifies potential threats, and provides valuable intelligence to enhance the team's preparedness.

Intelligence Gathering: Beyond physical locations, Adrian is skilled in gathering intelligence from various sources. Whether it's monitoring communications, analyzing data, or infiltrating enemy networks, he contributes to SHIELD's information-gathering efforts.

Covert Operations: Adrian is adept at handling covert operations, ensuring that the STRIKE team can approach missions with discretion and precision. His strategic planning minimizes risks and maximizes the team's chances of success.

STRIKE Team Member:

Sniper Expertise: Adrian serves as the team's sniper, utilizing his sharpshooting skills to eliminate threats from a distance. His marksmanship is crucial in situations that require precision and stealth.

Financial Support: Beyond field operations, Adrian leverages his background in marketing and investments to provide financial support to SHIELD. He channels funds from his family's company and other sources to contribute to the organization's resources.

Adaptive Team Player: Adrian's ability to work both as a lone operative and as an integral part of the STRIKE team makes him an adaptive team player. He contributes not only through combat skills but also with strategic insights and financial backing.

Mission Planning: Collaborating with other team members, Adrian actively participates in mission planning. Despite being silent for most of the time. His knack for planning and coordination, honed from his relationship with Reed and their shared experiences, contributes to the team's overall success.

Key Event - 2014 HYDRA Takeover: In 2014, during the shocking HYDRA takeover of SHIELD, Adrian Clayton Everhart Richards faced a profound and unsettling revelation. Discovering that his STRIKE team, led by Rumlow, was covertly aligned with HYDRA, Adrian experienced a wave of betrayal and shame.

The very organization he had committed to fighting against had infiltrated his team, casting a shadow over his trust in those he worked alongside. In a moment of clarity and loyalty to SHIELD's true mission, Adrian took back his position as a member of the team and aligned himself with agents who remained loyal to the organization's original ideals.

Fueled by a determination to right the wrongs and protect his fellow agents, Adrian joined forces with Agent 13 and other supporters of Captain America's fight against HYDRA. In a proactive role, he engaged in shutting down financial support and investments that HYDRA exploited, aiming to sever their funding sources and hinder their nefarious activities. This pivotal event showcased Adrian's unwavering commitment to justice and his resilience in the face of betrayal.

Post-SHIELD Takeover: Following the dismantling of SHIELD due to his knowledge (thanks to Nick Fury's contingency plans), Adrian Clayton Everhart Richards retreated to his home, contemplating the uncertain path ahead. Determined to continue the fight against threats to humanity, Adrian redirected his efforts to support the remaining loyal members of SHIELD who adhered to the organization's original ideals.

Simultaneously, he strategically maneuvered within the corporate world, utilizing his financial acumen to bolster market shares for Stark Industries, where he heard Maria Hill had found a new home working for Tony Stark. This move not only served as a means of support for the genuine defenders but also facilitated his introduction to The Avengers and Young Avengers.

In his discreet endeavors, Adrian channeled both time and financial resources into the development and enhancement of necessary equipment for these burgeoning hero teams. His contributions played a vital role in fortifying their capabilities and ensuring their effectiveness in safeguarding the world. Despite his significant role in this realm, Adrian maintained his characteristic low profile, shying away from the limelight and avoiding unnecessary attention. Attending events with a subtle presence, he operated in the shadows, a silent force ensuring that the heroes had the tools they needed to face the challenges ahead.

~~~~~

~~~~~~~~

Anyways here is a new low-key oc! I might add more to his story later on, who know haha. What do you think of him? Any ideas for new OCs?

Tags: @gaminggirlsstuff @gcthvile @missstrawbs2001 @rooster-84 @djs8891 @starkleila @cherrysft @mandylove1000 @yetanotherwells @topgun-imagines @hardballoonlove @buckysteveloki-me @sherloquestea @nakiaswg @carellmcu @ximehs @sofia-falcon @savemewattpad and et

[sunflowericescribbles]

Dirty Dancing AU for Hazbin Hotel - more thoughts

Lmao I´m just rewatching it and I was right:

Charlie should be Baby - she would go to the peace corps xD

Also still hilarious to think of Al as Johnny, because "you are only allowed to entertain guests, don´t fuck around", not in the literal sense, but more in the "can´t keep his mouth shut to rile up the rich assholes" way XD (and potentially murdering one or two of them xD)

[btw, no I would not ship Al & Charlie, but theoretically, I think this setting could also work for this pairing, I guess^^]

And holy shit I forgot how flexible the dancers were o.o

You know what? Make it Chaggie, with Charlie oggling Vaggie dancing with Al, who just can´t tone it down and has to claim the whole dance floor to show off on the first night in the dining hall xD The only little problem I would see is that there might be too much body contact for Al´s liking in these dance scenes XD (He´s a professional with Vaggie, because she´s a professional, too, but everyone else would never get the chance to lay a hand on him outside of his work hours - more time to rile up the guests, specifically Lucifer, I guess XD)

The "melon walk" will never not be funny for me - don´t ask me why, but I quite like that scene as she´s casually taking a melon to help and then just gives it back to let the poor guy struggle because she almost didn´t get her way xD

Omg Charlie is so Baby... Lucifer would do the same and just give her the money if she asked for it without explanation. Yea, Lucifer fits in that father role, she´s daddy´s girl and he trusts her. He doesn´t trust the staff, which kinda tracks, too... and him being a doctor works well, too xD

One thing I would maybe change: let Al have an accident or get into a fight and wounded (and of course claims it´s not serious, but can´t properly dance or rather lift her up, he only gets patched up poorly), so Vaggie has to train Charlie for the upcoming performance. (let´s ignore the gender roles, at least for dancing, ok? - Charlie is the perfect height, strong enough & looks good in a suit)

Or not changing it and let get Vaggie in said trouble, Al teaching Charlie and mess around with the dynamics xD

Sorry for rambling, it just comes to my mind that I never really paid much attention to Baby´s and Penny´s interactions, but it´s really sweet how Baby cares about her even though she doesn´t really know her. She never thinks bad of her, the only thing she envies her for are her dancing skills. She´s not jealous of her relationship with Johnny, she supports her decision, even going so far a giving her financial support. Even though Penny tells Johnny to not get involved with her, I can understand where she comes from, because she´s seen how all the other rich women before treated him.

Anyway, forgot how much I love that movie and the father-daughter relationship still gets to me. Same with Charlie and Lucifer.

[pebblysand]

okay, you guys seemed to love these last season so here we go again: selling sunset hot takes, S7E1-5.

whoever is responsible for imposing that mansion tax has my utmost respect. tax the rich plz.

i don't think we talked enough about that basket ball that amanza was dragging around in ep 1.

talking about amanza: yes, she is a shit stirrer, i called it in s2 and i am baffled it took this long for the show to self-actualise on this issue.

i also don't think we talked enough about jason's baby powdered balls.

i was equally shocked by the fact that brett seems to have a tongue and a brain that together are capable of producing words.

having said that, talking about jason, he remains The Worst. i don't even know how to explain. that man is a walking red flag and the fact that he seems to have survived a life's worth of terrible professional, financial, and personal terrible decision-making is truly a wonder.

that said, we need to stop pretending their income at this stage comes from real estate. most of the money they get is from the show. which is why, i suppose, they're able to open new offices when all of their competitors are shutting down.

as someone who knows a little bit about real estate, the house they were in for the O Group anniversary dinner had real architectural value, which is notable because none of the houses ever do.

romaine-like-the-salad remains my favourite character in this show and i swear sometimes i can hear him think in french.

that said, he and mary being pregnant is the one good news of this season, although they totally knew before that test and their "surprise" was very poor acting.

i am also happy for mary that she stepped back from management. i think this is good for everyone, but mostly her.

now onto the hot stuff: i think when it comes to bre v. chelsea, they actually both have a fair point. i do think chelsea was trying to genuinely apologise, but what she was apologising for was exactly what she said: if you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing. she had nothing nice to say and still said things, and now recognises that she shouldn't have. having said that, her view on bre's situation is so clearly rooted in very personal christian beliefs that she's not going to intrinsically change her mind. and actually, this might be my hottest take to date but... i think that's fine. like, as chelsea said, "i don't agree with everything my friends do." she would have been fine being bre's friend but bre wants her to approve of her situation (which, imo, is because deep down, bre is a bit insecure about her situation) and that's never going to happen. my hot take last year was that chelsea had a point, and i think she still does.

this is a bit of a side point but i thought chelsea was at least 40. i'm 30 and i swear my friends and i don't look that old. proof that packing your face with plastic doesn't actually make you look younger.

which, another tangent but why did everyone make such a big deal of the accusation that nicole has had work done? THEY ARE ALL PACKED IN PLASTIC.

and onto the hotter stuff: the situation between nicole v everyone else is starting to bore me. nicole is clearly wrong. nicole has been wrong for two seasons now. let's move on. that said, i had to google what "social climber" meant because i don't think it means the same thing to me as it does to them.

and on chrishell v. marie-lou: so this is actually a hot take, i think, but i do reckon they both have a point. on the one hand, marie-lou is, it's true, rather young and insecure, but she also has reasons to be. they've all made fun of her age, and i feel like her age isn't her fault, and she doesn't seem to me particularly more immature than them. additionally, jason is clearly still in love with chrishell but because he is The Worst, she cannot have that conversation with him, she's turning to chrishell who, in fairness, has no power over that.

i will also say that as a european who's lived in the US, i think what she is holding against chrishell is more of a cultural difference, than it is anything else. what she's basically saying is that chrishell is "american-fake," meaning that she is nice and enthusiastic on the surface but doesn't actually "care." which to marie-lou reads as fake and rude, but to chrishell reads as polite. standards of politeness and casual social interactions are some of the biggest cultural differences between europeans and americans, and i think that's where you'll find that most of the issue is.

i also thought that chrishell, in that scene, used her language superiority to overpower marie-lou. chrishell is someone who speaks a bit fast and is very good at arguing. which is fine when she's with other americans but with marie-lou who is german, whose english is clearly not great, it very quickly feels like bullying. i don't think she meant it as such but marie-lou was taking a bit of time, trying to find her words to get her point across, and chrishell didn't have the patience and kept badgering her. i do believe that had she let marie-lou talk, they would have realised 1) my point above about cultural differences and 2) that the source of all their problem is jason's toxicity and lack of accountability, and that he should be locked in a safe room for the rest of his miserable life.

the way he was trying to hang up the phone during that fight had me in TEARS, like: do i need to be in this conversation? YES. YES. YOU CREATED THIS MESS. you are the weakest, most pathetic little man on the planet.

having said the above, obviously, chrishell has attenuating circumstances for her snapping and bullying of marie-lou and i'm glad she's feeling better now. we are still #teamchrishell in this house, we just need to acknowledge that sometimes our girl makes mistakes.

lastly, did anyone else think the reveal that amanza was molested as a child was a bit random? like, i'm sorry for her but also it felt a bit like it didn't have anything to do with anything. i wonder if it was just there to reconcile she and chelsea.

i will come back with more hot takes whenever i have time to watch the rest of the season lol.

[beardedmrbean]

The European healthcare sector faces a real paradox in 2024: while the WHO estimates that by 2030 staff shortages will reach four million professionals, the number of doctors and nurses has never been so high - so where’s the gap and how to breach it?   

Over the past two decades, the number of doctors and nurses per capita has increased substantially in most EU countries. In 2022, more than one in every ten jobs was in the health and social care sectors on average across EU countries, up from 8.5% in 2002.  

But demographics are worsening the future picture. An ageing population and workforce will increase demand for healthcare professionals, while staff shortages will put further pressure on the system. 

By 2050, there will be 38 million more people aged over 65 and 26 million fewer people of working age, according to OECD estimates. This means “more people with higher needs, fewer people of working age", Gaetan Lafortune, OECD’s Senior Economist and coordinator of Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 report, told Euronews. 

At the same time, interest in health careers among young people is declining, the OECD warned, and healthcare professionals across the EU are taking to the streets to demand better pay and working conditions.   

"The ongoing protests and demands from healthcare professionals highlight the critical challenges they face, including insufficient pay and inadequate working conditions,” MEP Dennis Radtke (Germany/EPP) told Euronews.

For his fellow MEP Romana Jerković (Croatia/S&D), low salaries, political and economic instability and poor working conditions at national level are driving healthcare workers out of the sector or to seek opportunities abroad.  

As a result, European countries are relying on foreign-trained health professionals to fill domestic gaps – a solution that can exacerbate staff shortages in the countries of origin. 

“Without decisive action at EU level, the situation will become even worse, only widening already existing healthcare inequalities in the EU,” Jerković claimed.  

A sector in life support

The health workforce is also ageing: by 2022, more than a third of doctors in all EU countries will be more than 55 years old, with this proportion reaching 40% or more in almost half of EU countries. 

The decision by many doctors to continue working beyond the standard retirement age has helped to prevent a worsening of the staff shortages in many EU countries over the past decade, the joint report by the OECD and the European Commission shows. 

"They had underestimated the fact that many doctors would choose or would be obliged for financial reasons to continue to work, and this has helped greatly mitigating the shortage. But obviously these people will retire,” said Lafortune.  

This poses a dual challenge for the countries concerned, as they will need to train enough new doctors to replace those retiring and, at the same time, implement policies to encourage current doctors to continue working beyond the standard retirement age. 

"We can attract more people possibly into the health workforce, although the jobs will need to be attractive," the OECD senior economist said.  

Making the profession more appealing means addressing the psychosocial risks that lead to burnout, said MEP Jerković, who called on the EU to take further action to protect workers from excessive stress.   

Reducing working hours will be a factor in attracting new recruits. "If doctors or nurses want to work fewer hours because they want to reach a better work in their personal life balance, then you'll need more [staff],” Lafortune argued. 

European countries had an estimated shortage of approximately 1.2 million doctors, nurses and midwives in 2022, according to the joint report.

From reaction to prevention

But will more doctors be a solution alone? The OECD concluded not.  

“Against this background, the EU has a crucial role to play in supporting member states in their efforts to attract, train, and retain a sufficient number of skilled and motivated health workers,” reads the OECD report.  

Consequently, EU health policy is increasingly moving from reaction to prevention, with the 'Beating Cancer' plan being the main pillar of the last mandate and a new plan on cardiovascular diseases in the pipeline for the EU Council.  

The report identifies two areas of work on innovation: a shift in work organisation and the introduction of new technologies.  

Task-sharing was widely discussed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when roles traditionally performed by physicians had to be outsourced due to high demand, such as vaccination, which was then carried out in pharmacies.   

On the other hand, the use of digital tools and AI is increasing in the sector, as innovations are becoming essential to increase the productivity of health workers and allow them to focus more on patient care. 

"But obviously we cannot count on these [AI and robots] to resolve the current shortages. For the time being, we need more humans,” Lafortune concluded. 

[anthonybialy]

Statist of Confusion

Poor confused leftists can’t figure out why this rotten universe rejects their dreams.  Wait: I don’t feel bad for them.  Their awful notions have ruined our world in reality, so they can cram it with worthless bills.  Uplifting notions don’t even work in theory when experiments are conducted by poets who never rhyme.  Free verse gets costly.

We are only poor financially and philosophically, so finances are swell otherwise.  The allegedly downtrodden took charge and really tread everywhere.  The delusional are pitiful without being pitied.

Professional victims are desperate to feel they’re opposing oppression means they can never announce things are okay.  Ruining everything is how warriors who condemn toxic male behavior maintain truth.  They just need to ladle on more of their gentle policies, which is presumably why they exceed power boundaries to spread misery.

Acting like tyrants while claiming to be democracy’s sole defenders is for the benefit of those struggling.  Politicians getting rich off making everyone poor claim everyone but them is in life for selfish reasons.

Israel is where the good guys reside, in case anyone’s confused.  That rather obvious conclusion is startlingly resisted by fans of the oppressed who tacitly cheer for slaughter.  Fighting back against terrorists is treated as terrorism by the usual inverters of perception.  A bold and brave stance against an imagined genocide to prevent an actual one surely isn’t overcompensation for getting World War III wrong.  The only thing worse than obvious moral preening is doing so on behalf of the side that spurred conflict by attacking people listening to music.

The side of the line that struggles to get water to run uncannily blames its successful neighbor.  They didn’t connect their hose to your faucet.  The hometown of Hamas might just be a primitive society by virtue of choosing terror over trade.  Enemies of free markets and people aren’t assigned rottenness any more than they’re oppressed by those who lucked into working plumbing.

Liberals are for the poor, which is why they create so many of them.  Viewing life as a struggle while making it so would almost seem like a trick were it not responsible for causing untold devastation.  Claiming life shouldn’t revolve around money is a popular smug boast amongst those who ensure the destitute stay that way.

Who knows better how to help you than those who harmed you?  There’s not enough money in the economy to help those suffering, claim those who drained it.  Wondering why that’s so in the first place is for people who believe in cause and effect, which doesn’t include the party that made potatoes unaffordable.

These advanced times feature ignoring even more examples as they get easier to discover via search.  Your phone can be used to look up socialism’s failures.  Its very existence is based on the opposite.  Progress happening despite their beliefs summarizes same.  

Creating problems they condemn only sounds like a sitcom.  It would be funny if we weren’t living with the consequences of monumental screwups who never learn.  Spot the truly compassionate by their incessant claim that nobody would give to charity voluntarily as they drain the economy to let politicians choose what’s worthy.  The decision is mandatory, of course.

Never grasping incentives applies wholeheartedly.  People might be able to give on their own if they weren’t taxed to the point where essentials are a stretch.  And we might even need less assistance with people spending what they earned.  But how would Democrats show they care?

You oppose healthcare and safety from gun violence for all because you pawned your heart to the Heritage Foundation.  Your stubborn insistence that a guarantee may not do as claimed stands in utopia’s way.  Nobody spending their own money would trust a corporation whose business they can decline, but surely government must keep its promises.  Otherwise, this world has no morality, and that would turn out just horribly.  Submitting to authority in the lamest way spares us from worrying we might not have swell judgment.

Calling people producing useful things greedy is the typical occupation of the useless.  Naturally pushy Democrats can’t even find worthy causes to fund with what they take.  You’d think all that time dedicated to shiftlessness might spur self-reflection, but it’s tough to account for all personality types.

Spotting a lack of empathy is part of being empathetic.  The commitment to remaining unproductive extends to not identifying what spurs anguish.  Conglomerates decided they wanted to overcharge just as soon as Joe Biden got his way.  You can remember for him.

Calling the country they’ve distorted at will cruelly oppressive isn’t the fun sort of irony.  Liberals love nothing more than pretending America’s problems stem from its freewheeling finances and not from the welfare state they wanted and got.  What next: citing unfathomable crime levels in areas with heavy gun control as proof guns cause crime?  Oh: right.

Calling everything they don’t like right-wing is the best case foes of semantics have.  People who only have claims aren’t going to flaunt anything showy like improvements.  Their habit of announcing they’re for equality and against hate as they exacerbate gaps with malice is a nice touch.  Implementation of their ideas creates toxic trash that they use as evidence that America features too much autonomy.  The Munchausen by proxy faction inflicts diseases they claim to know how to cure.  Get on a waiting list.

[analyzingtaylor]

The nobodies are the blind people who cheer on a fat, ugly football player, with terrible fashion choice, when 80% of the NFL multi millionaires go bankrupt with 5 years of retirement because of investing into things they know nothing about and not being able to let go of the extravagant lifestyle they are used to like paying for every one’s tab and buying out whole restaurants, just to prove how much money they have. This was in a recent article. If I were Taylor I would get a prenup on this one for sure, because she is dumb enough to marry that fboy.

1. Are you insinuating that Travis Kelce is fat and ugly? Fashion choice is subjective (I can’t believe what some streetwear brands are charging for uncomplicated clothing) , but I don’t think a professional athlete whose job is to block, run around and catch balls and have to withstand hits from others is fat. Interior linemen like Jason may objectively be described as fat….but TK is muscle-bound and lean amongst his peer group of tight ends.

2. It is absolutely true that many athletes make poor financial decisions. Travis has spoken about nearly going broke as a young player on his first contract (which is always a lot of money for a normal person, but a pittance compared to what a proven player makes). Anyhow, it seems like he has gotten himself proper financial advice at some point after his big contract extension. If you heard today’s show, you heard him talk about his Formula 1 investment. I don’t know what one could expect in terms of asset appreciation there, given the costs of that sport.

3. I suspect any type of guy that could attract TS would somehow make sure she understands right away they will never ask for or expect a dime of her money…..or try to take any of her clout. Maybe people will argue about the second part now, but he was doing all these commercials before he met her.

4. Do you really think he is an “f-boy”? I am sure he is capable of that, as most alpha males are, but this entire thing has so much of a family angle from the moment it was public, it’s hard to think that’s a fair assessment of the guy. If he was really an f-boy since he had become a pro, we’d be hearing endless gossip stories about it now. We only got one from the Catching Kelce winner, but we now that the point of that show was just entertainment and he regrets the choice. I wonder if there is an executive at ABC that could have casted young Travis as The Bachelor, but decided not to, and that’s what drove him to the more hokey Catching Kelce formula.

[bjrcrecruiting]

Partnering with Toronto’s Accounting Recruiters: Tips for Success

Finding top-tier accounting talent can be a daunting task for any organization. Whether you’re a growing business seeking an experienced CFO or a startup in need of a skilled accountant to manage day-to-day finances, partnering with an accounting recruitment firm is often the most effective way to streamline your hiring process and secure the best talent.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of working with accounting recruiters in Toronto, share tips for building a successful partnership, and offer insights into how recruitment firms can help elevate your accounting team.

Why Partner with Accounting Recruiters in Toronto?

Toronto is one of Canada’s leading business hubs, home to countless companies in industries such as finance, tech, manufacturing, and more. This diverse landscape creates a demand for highly skilled accounting professionals who can help organizations stay financially sound and compliant with evolving regulations.

Recruiting for these roles, however, requires more than just posting a job and waiting for applicants. Accounting professionals must possess a unique blend of technical expertise, attention to detail, and industry-specific knowledge. This is where working with top accounting recruiters in Toronto can provide a major advantage.

Benefits of Working with Accounting Recruitment Firms

Access to Specialized Talent A key benefit of partnering with an accounting recruitment firm is their access to a large pool of candidates who are pre-screened and ready for placement. Recruiters specialize in identifying individuals with the right mix of skills, certifications, and experience. Whether you’re looking for a senior accountant, auditor, or financial analyst, accounting recruiters in Toronto know where to find the best talent.

In-depth Industry Knowledge Accounting roles are often highly technical, requiring candidates who are not only good with numbers but who also understand tax laws, financial reporting, and industry-specific regulations. Recruitment agencies that specialize in accounting have a deep understanding of these technical requirements and are experts at matching candidates to the unique needs of your business.

Faster Hiring Process In today’s competitive job market, top accounting talent is often snapped up quickly. Relying solely on traditional hiring methods can result in missed opportunities, leaving your business at a disadvantage. By working with top accounting recruiters in Toronto, you can accelerate the hiring process. Recruitment firms have existing relationships with candidates, allowing them to move quickly to fill your vacancy before competitors do.

Reduced Risk of a Bad Hire Making a poor hiring decision can be costly in terms of time and money. Recruitment agencies take much of the guesswork out of hiring by conducting thorough candidate screenings, checking references, and even running background checks. This reduces the risk of hiring someone who may not be the right fit for your organization.

Tailored Recruitment Solutions Every company has unique hiring needs. A specialized accounting recruitment firm will work closely with your organization to understand your goals, company culture, and the specific qualifications you require for the role. This personalized approach ensures that you’re not just hiring someone with the right skills but also someone who aligns with your long-term vision and values.

Tips for Partnering with Toronto’s Accounting Recruiters

While working with a recruitment firm in Toronto can provide many benefits, it’s essential to approach the partnership strategically. Here are a few tips to help ensure a successful collaboration:

Clearly Define Your Needs Before reaching out to Toronto accounting recruitment firms, it’s essential to clearly understand the role you’re hiring for. What specific skills and qualifications are required? Is there room for flexibility in terms of experience or certifications? The more information you provide to your recruiter, the better equipped they will be to find candidates who meet your exact needs.

Choose the Right Recruitment Partner Not all recruitment firms are created equal, and it's important to choose a partner with a proven track record in accounting placements. Look for firms that specialize in finance and accounting roles, have a deep understanding of the Toronto job market, and have a strong network of candidates. Working with a firm that is well-established in the local accounting recruitment scene will increase your chances of finding the right candidate quickly.

Maintain Open Communication A successful partnership with an accounting recruitment firm is built on open and regular communication. Be clear about your expectations, timeline, and any potential challenges the recruiter should be aware of. Providing timely feedback on candidates and communicating any changes in your hiring needs will also help ensure a smooth process.

Trust the Recruiter’s Expertise Recruiters spend their entire careers studying the job market and understanding the needs of both employers and candidates. Trusting their expertise can go a long way in finding the right fit for your company. Whether it's advice on salary expectations, market trends, or candidate availability, lean on your recruiter’s industry knowledge to make informed decisions.

Provide a Positive Candidate Experience Remember that the recruitment process reflects your company. Even when working with an external recruiter, it’s important to maintain a positive candidate experience. Ensure interviews are conducted professionally, provide timely responses to candidate inquiries, and keep the lines of communication open throughout the hiring process. A positive experience can help you stand out in a competitive market, increasing your chances of securing top talent.

How to Choose the Best Accounting Recruiter in Toronto

When it comes to selecting the right accounting recruiters in Toronto, it’s important to look for firms that specialize in the accounting and finance sectors. These firms will have the expertise needed to identify candidates who are qualified and a strong fit for your company’s culture and goals.

Here are a few key qualities to look for:

Industry Expertise: Does the recruitment firm specialize in accounting and finance roles?

Track Record: How successful have they been in placing top accounting talent in the Toronto area?

Candidate Network: Do they have access to a strong pool of qualified accounting professionals?

Client Testimonials: What do previous clients say about their experience working with the firm?

Partnering with a specialized Toronto accounting recruitment firm can make all the difference when it comes to finding the right accounting professionals for your organization. By working with recruiters who understand the local market and have access to top-tier talent, you can streamline your hiring process, reduce the risk of a bad hire, and ensure that you’re bringing on the best possible candidates.

At BJRC Recruiting, we are committed to helping companies find top accounting talent in Toronto and across North America. If you’re looking for a trusted partner in your accounting recruitment efforts, contact us today.

Know more https://bjrcrecruiting.com/2024/09/22/success-tips-toronto-accounting-recruiters/

[mariacallous]

Alexei Navalny returned to Russia in January 2021. Right before he boarded the plane, he posted a film titled “Putin’s Palace: The Story of the World’s Largest Bribe” on YouTube. The video, nearly two hours long, was an extraordinary feat of investigative reporting. Using secret plans, drone footage, 3-D visualizations, and the testimony of construction workers, Navalny’s video told the story of a hideous $1.3 billion Black Sea villa containing every luxury that a dictator could imagine: a hookah bar, a hockey rink, a helipad, a vineyard, an oyster farm, a church. The video also described the eye-watering costs and the financial trickery that had gone into the construction of the palace on behalf of its true owner, Vladimir Putin.

But the power of the film was not just in the pictures, or even in the descriptions of money spent. The power was in the style, the humor, and the Hollywood-level professionalism of the film, much of which was imparted by Navalny himself. This was his extraordinary gift: He could take the dry facts of kleptocracy—the numbers and statistics that usually bog down even the best financial journalists—and make them entertaining. On-screen, he was just an ordinary Russian, sometimes shocked by the scale of the graft, sometimes mocking the bad taste. He seemed real to other ordinary Russians, and he told stories that had relevance to their lives. You have bad roads and poor health care, he told Russians, because they have hockey rinks and hookah bars.

And Russians listened. A poll conducted in Russia a month after the video appeared revealed that one in four Russians had seen it. Another 40 percent had heard about it. It’s safe to guess that in the three years that have elapsed since then, those numbers have risen. To date, that video has been viewed 129 million times.

Navalny is now presumed dead. The Russian prison system has said he collapsed after months of ill health. Perhaps he was murdered more directly, but the details don’t matter: The Russian state killed him. Putin killed him—because of his political success, because of his ability to reach people with the truth, and because of his talent for breaking through the fog of propaganda that now blinds his countrymen, and some of ours as well.

He is also dead because he returned to Russia from exile in 2021, having already been poisoned twice, knowing he would be arrested. By doing so he turned himself from an ordinary Russian into something else: a model of what civic courage can look like, in a country that has very little of it. Not only did he tell the truth, but he wanted to do so inside Russia, where Russians could hear him. This is what I wrote at the time: “If Navalny is showing his countrymen how to be courageous, Putin wants to show them that courage is useless.”

That Putin still feared Navalny was clear in December, when the regime moved him to a distant arctic prison to stop him from communicating with his friends and his family. He had been in touch with many people; I have seen some of his prison messages, sent secretly via lawyers, policemen, and guards, just as Gulag prisoners once sent messages in Stalin’s Soviet Union. He remained the spirit behind the Anti-Corruption Foundation, a team of Russian exiles who continue to investigate Russian corruption and tell the truth to Russians, even from abroad. (I have served on the foundation’s advisory board.) Earlier this week, before his alleged collapse, he sent a Valentine’s Day message to his wife, Yulia, on Telegram: “I feel that you are there every second, and I love you more and more.”

Navalny’s decision to return to Russia and go to jail inspired respect even among people who didn’t like him, didn’t agree with him, or found fault with him. He was also a model for other dissidents in other violent autocracies around the world. Only minutes after his death was announced, I spoke with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader. “We are worried for our people too,” she told me. If Putin can kill Navalny with impunity, then dictators elsewhere might feel empowered to kill other brave people.

The enormous contrast between Navalny’s civic courage and the corruption of Putin’s regime will remain. Putin is fighting a bloody, lawless, unnecessary war, in which hundreds of thousands of ordinary Russians have been killed or wounded, for no reason other than to serve his own egotistical vision. He is running a cowardly, micromanaged reelection campaign, one in which all real opponents are eliminated and the only candidate who gets airtime is himself. Instead of facing real questions or challenges, he meets tame propagandists such as Tucker Carlson, to whom he offers nothing more than lengthy, circular, and completely false versions of history.

Even behind bars Navalny was a real threat to Putin, because he was living proof that courage is possible, that truth exists, that Russia could be a different kind of country. For a dictator who survives thanks to lies and violence, that kind of challenge was intolerable. Now Putin will be forced to fight against Navalny’s memory, and that is a battle he will never win.