#Retail Industry Event

[phygitalretailconvention]

Be a part of India's Biggest Retail Intelligence Event 2024

Position yourself at the epicenter of retail evolution with the upcoming Phygital Retail Convention 2024, India's Mega Retail Intelligence Event scheduled for 8-9 May at Mumbai's Jio Convention Centre. As the curtain rises, envisage a dynamic assembly featuring 2000+ attendees, 400+ esteemed brands, and insights shared by 250+ speakers. The event's spectrum encompasses exhibitions, conferences, and the distinguished IMAGES Retail Awards. Witness a convergence of leaders from Fashion & Lifestyle Retail, Retail Design, Retail Tech, E-commerce, Government, and Global Retail Intelligence.

[nintendont2502]

Keep seeing videos of all the big cons over East and like... man. Why did I have to live in the state that has fucking nothing

Don't get me wrong I *love* the small local cons we have here they're so well run, they're really in touch with the local community (*especially* the creative- they're all focused mainly on the artists and local performers and idols and game devs (which could be me soon - id kill to show a game at a local con) and shit which is great) and they arent overcrowded but. God the vibes of PaxAus or Oz Comic Con (the over east versions, not WAs (aka one of the worst cons we get here)) or the fur cons over there is just,,, it's something I *need* to see. There's so many people! It's so fucking huge and the vibes are *incredible* and god I need to move over east or ill die. Actually.

[winewomanww]

Wine Woman Whisky Whisperer

Website: https://www.winewomanww.com

Wine Woman Whisky Whisperer specializes in importing exclusive, organic European wines and Japanese whisky. With a focus on eco-friendly and sustainable practices, they offer a unique collection of wines and spirits, alongside private label wines for wholesale. Their services extend to private tastings, degustation events, and hospitality training, emphasizing their commitment to quality and environmental sustainability.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Winewomanww

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewomanwhiskywhisperer/

Keywords:

Japanese distilleries

Hospitality industry training

Wine tasting events

Degustation experience

Australian wine market

Biodynamic wines online

Sustainable wineries

Australian wine market trends

Biodynamic wines for sale

Eco-friendly spirits

European vineyards

Organic wine sales

Private label wine services

Sustainable winemaking practices

Wine event management

Wine event planning

eco friendly spirits

european wine importers

japanese whisky retailers

wholesale wine distribution

sustainable liquor practices

unique wine collection

quality spirits import

wine and whisky expertise

whisky tasting sessions

organic wine varieties

biodynamic wine options

sustainable spirit choices

eco conscious winemaking

imported european wines

authentic japanese whisky

custom label wine services

bulk wine distribution

engaging wine tastings

exquisite degustation experiences

training for hospitality professionals

sustainability in liquor production

rare and unique wine finds

premium spirits imports

wine and whisky connoisseurship

old world charm of european vineyards

japanese artistry in distilleries

wine event coordination

whisky tasting workshops

certified organic wine sales

environmentally friendly spirits

sustainable practices in winemaking

exclusive european wine imports

sought after japanese whiskies

custom branded wine options

wine distribution for businesses

interactive wine tastings

fine degustation experiences

professional training for hospitality

sustainability initiatives in liquor

collectible and unique wines

importing high quality spirits

expertise in wine and whisky

australian wine market insights

exploring european vineyard landscapes

japanese craftsmanship in distilling

whisky tasting masterclasses

organic wine sales online

biodynamic wine selections

eco friendly spirit choices

premier european wine imports

rare japanese whisky finds

private label wine customization

wholesale wine distribution services

exclusive wine tasting experiences

degustation events for enthusiasts

advanced hospitality industry training

liquor sustainability education

limited edition and unique wines

premium imported spirits

wine and whisky aficionado expertise

australian wine market developments

european vineyard terroir

japanese whisky distillation art

wine event coordination services

whisky tasting seminars

certified organic wine selections

biodynamic wines with character

eco conscious spirit offerings

sustainability in artisanal winemaking

european wine import insights

japanese whisky culture appreciation

custom label wine services for businesses

wine distribution partnerships

immersive wine tasting experiences

degustation events for connoisseurs

[lasabarcassims]

LasAbarcas Base Game Save File 1.0

My Base Game Save File is complete!!! Download it here!

UPDATED VERSION AS OF 3/18:

OLD VERSION:

My goal with this save was to make the base game feel super ALIVE and full of personality - basically what we all wanted the base game to be originally. This save is full of lore: each household has a story (some inspired by iconic Sims lore, others original), each Sim has relationships outside their home, each world has a description and each neighborhood within each world is built with a very specific vibe that draws particular Sims to live there, all community lots (and some residential lots) have descriptions, and even the graves (and ghosts) at the Willow Creek church graveyard tell a story. There are TONS of community lots in this save that all feel different from one another and are designed with different kinds of Sims (personalities, career types, ages, etc.) in mind to give everyone multiple things to do outside the house.

All lots were built using only the base game (disclaimer: occasionally my game adds pack-specific items, like a kind of food, during playtesting, so it might say there is a pack-specific item on a lot but it's not meant to be there!), but many lots were built with other packs in mind. For example, the save has restaurants, a boba shop/thrift story, a cafe/retail space, a community garden, a high school, and so on that are base game only. So, if you only have the base game or limited packs, it should feel like you have more to do than the base game provides and open up your gameplay with a little imagination.

If you do have more packs, the lots should easily convert to their intended lot type to allow more functionality. You should also find things that come in other packs available in the save. For example, many Sims have university degrees, all Sims have cold/hot weather clothes, there are loads of clubs for Sims to be in (each with a description - MORE LORE hah!), and the calendar is filled with holidays/events.

Here's a little tour of the Save:

WILLOW CREEK:

Most families in Willow Creek have lived here for generations. These families strongly value their roots and create such a strong sense of Willow Creek identity that the transplant families have taken on this identity as well, leaving the town full of people who proudly work to preserve and celebrate the town’s vibrant history and traditions. Families in Willow Creek tend to have a more traditional approach to family life/dynamics and care about the family’s image/status within Willow Creek.

OASIS SPRINGS:

Oasis Springs had its heyday several decades ago when its space exploration industry was booming, but when the industry fizzled out, the town lost a lot of business, wealth, and residents. However, those that remain take pride in their retro desert town and clearly see what remains: a beautiful, unique, special place to call home. Families in Oasis Springs tend to be a bit quirkier, care little about what other people think about them, and focus more everyday happiness than career success.

NEWCREST:

Newcrest is a very family-friendly neighborhood filled with fun for all ages. Families here tend to be a bit more laidback – they are willing to go with the flow and enjoy the messiness that comes with growing up. The Newcrest residents are a supportive bunch of people who enjoy each other’s company and have a healthy balance between careers/school, hobbies, and spending time with family and friends.

I will also be releasing a Limited Packs Save with version one containing updates to Copperdale and Strangerville coming soon, as well as a No Limits Save down the line.

I hope you all download and enjoy!! Please let me know what you think and if you notice anything that needs updating.

Thanks!

[sexymemecoin]

The Metaverse: A New Frontier in Digital Interaction

The concept of the metaverse has captivated the imagination of technologists, futurists, and businesses alike. Envisioned as a collective virtual shared space, the metaverse merges physical and digital realities, offering immersive experiences and unprecedented opportunities for interaction, commerce, and creativity. This article delves into the metaverse, its potential impact on various sectors, the technologies driving its development, and notable projects shaping this emerging landscape.

What is the Metaverse?

The metaverse is a digital universe that encompasses virtual and augmented reality, providing a persistent, shared, and interactive online environment. In the metaverse, users can create avatars, interact with others, attend virtual events, own virtual property, and engage in economic activities. Unlike traditional online experiences, the metaverse aims to replicate and enhance the real world, offering seamless integration of the physical and digital realms.

Key Components of the Metaverse

Virtual Worlds: Virtual worlds are digital environments where users can explore, interact, and create. Platforms like Decentraland, Sandbox, and VRChat offer expansive virtual spaces where users can build, socialize, and participate in various activities.

Augmented Reality (AR): AR overlays digital information onto the real world, enhancing user experiences through devices like smartphones and AR glasses. Examples include Pokémon GO and AR navigation apps that blend digital content with physical surroundings.

Virtual Reality (VR): VR provides immersive experiences through headsets that transport users to fully digital environments. Companies like Oculus, HTC Vive, and Sony PlayStation VR are leading the way in developing advanced VR hardware and software.

Blockchain Technology: Blockchain plays a crucial role in the metaverse by enabling decentralized ownership, digital scarcity, and secure transactions. NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and cryptocurrencies are integral to the metaverse economy, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade virtual assets.

Digital Economy: The metaverse features a robust digital economy where users can earn, spend, and invest in virtual goods and services. Virtual real estate, digital art, and in-game items are examples of assets that hold real-world value within the metaverse.

Potential Impact of the Metaverse

Social Interaction: The metaverse offers new ways for people to connect and interact, transcending geographical boundaries. Virtual events, social spaces, and collaborative environments provide opportunities for meaningful engagement and community building.

Entertainment and Gaming: The entertainment and gaming industries are poised to benefit significantly from the metaverse. Immersive games, virtual concerts, and interactive storytelling experiences offer new dimensions of engagement and creativity.

Education and Training: The metaverse has the potential to revolutionize education and training by providing immersive, interactive learning environments. Virtual classrooms, simulations, and collaborative projects can enhance educational outcomes and accessibility.

Commerce and Retail: Virtual shopping experiences and digital marketplaces enable businesses to reach global audiences in innovative ways. Brands can create virtual storefronts, offer unique digital products, and engage customers through immersive experiences.

Work and Collaboration: The metaverse can transform the future of work by providing virtual offices, meeting spaces, and collaborative tools. Remote work and global collaboration become more seamless and engaging in a fully digital environment.

Technologies Driving the Metaverse

5G Connectivity: High-speed, low-latency 5G networks are essential for delivering seamless and responsive metaverse experiences. Enhanced connectivity enables real-time interactions and high-quality streaming of immersive content.

Advanced Graphics and Computing: Powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) and cloud computing resources are crucial for rendering detailed virtual environments and supporting large-scale metaverse platforms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI enhances the metaverse by enabling realistic avatars, intelligent virtual assistants, and dynamic content generation. AI-driven algorithms can personalize experiences and optimize virtual interactions.

Wearable Technology: Wearable devices, such as VR headsets, AR glasses, and haptic feedback suits, provide users with immersive and interactive experiences. Advancements in wearable technology are critical for enhancing the metaverse experience.

Notable Metaverse Projects

Decentraland: Decentraland is a decentralized virtual world where users can buy, sell, and develop virtual real estate as NFTs. The platform offers a wide range of experiences, from gaming and socializing to virtual commerce and education.

Sandbox: Sandbox is a virtual world that allows users to create, own, and monetize their gaming experiences using blockchain technology. The platform's user-generated content and virtual real estate model have attracted a vibrant community of creators and players.

Facebook's Meta: Facebook's rebranding to Meta underscores its commitment to building the metaverse. Meta aims to create interconnected virtual spaces for social interaction, work, and entertainment, leveraging its existing social media infrastructure.

Roblox: Roblox is an online platform that enables users to create and play games developed by other users. With its extensive user-generated content and virtual economy, Roblox exemplifies the potential of the metaverse in gaming and social interaction.

Sexy Meme Coin (SEXXXY): Sexy Meme Coin integrates metaverse elements by offering a decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and trading memes as NFTs. This unique approach combines humor, creativity, and digital ownership, adding a distinct flavor to the metaverse landscape. Learn more about Sexy Meme Coin at Sexy Meme Coin.

The Future of the Metaverse

The metaverse is still in its early stages, but its potential to reshape digital interaction is immense. As technology advances and more industries explore its possibilities, the metaverse is likely to become an integral part of our daily lives. Collaboration between technology providers, content creators, and businesses will drive the development of the metaverse, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Conclusion

The metaverse represents a new frontier in digital interaction, offering immersive and interconnected experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds. With its potential to transform social interaction, entertainment, education, commerce, and work, the metaverse is poised to revolutionize various aspects of our lives. Notable projects like Decentraland, Sandbox, Meta, Roblox, and Sexy Meme Coin are at the forefront of this transformation, showcasing the diverse possibilities within this emerging digital universe.

For those interested in the playful and innovative side of the metaverse, Sexy Meme Coin offers a unique and entertaining platform. Visit Sexy Meme Coin to explore this exciting project and join the community.

[iww-gnv]

The Writers Guild will picket Amazon’s upcoming “Prime Day,” the retail giant’s biggest sales event of the year. Recasting it as “Crime Day,” the guild says it will take to social media to let the company know it “won’t let Amazon turn Hollywood into a gig economy with its Silicon Valley business practices.” The guild, whose strike is now in its 68th day, also will picket Amazon’s Culver Studios on Wednesday. “Big Tech companies like Amazon have taken advantage of changes in the industry business model to hollow out the middle class of our profession in pursuit of growing profits,” the WGA’s negotiating committee told members on Saturday. “With the rise of streaming, writers are asked to do more work in less time for less money.” The guild says its contract demands seek “reasonable protections that will guarantee that writing remains a sustainable career for current and future writers. For Amazon, the cost of our proposals is just $32 million per year, 0.006% of the conglomerate’s annual revenue.” “Amazon has gained a sizeable footprint in media in a short time by using the same anticompetitive playbook critical to its rise as a tech company,” the negotiating committee said in its latest communique. “It is positioning itself to be a new industry gatekeeper, growing through acquisitions and using its power to disadvantage competitors, raise prices for consumers, and to push down wages for writers. Unfortunately, our situation is not unique. Across the country, Big Tech has invaded nearly every industry, building gig economies where there were once sustainable careers. We are not alone in this fight.”

[kickthecan-revolution]

I spoke to my colleague at work via FaceTime for about an hour today. Corporate America as a system is rotting - the Retail industry is a mess and AI is going to make it even messier. The corporate side of everything, particularly technology in these huge conglomerations - it's all falling apart. It BARELY works as a system.

I think the real health could potentially be found in small businesses and for sure the trades - if I had kids, I'd be giving the opposite push my parents gave me. Go to a four year college I guess if you want the experience, it's good for some stuff - but the mandatory experience I'd require as a parent is learning a trade. Be an electrician, a dry waller, a plumber, learn how to build a house. become a great sewer or an expert in landscape gardening for your hardy zone. Fix engines. Know how to operate heavy machinery. The CONFIDENCE people have as they master a trade is evident. Apprentice in a few but pick the one that you want to get so good at, you'll do it for a few years. That's where the steady money is, the respect for work, the freedom of schedule. The unions which are fantastic (most of the time.) Maybe photography but everyone's a photographer these days. They are such confidence builders and the demand is outrageous. It's honorable work though defining which work is honorable or not feels a little gross. It’s just work.

I should give this advice to myself.

I spent the rest of the day working on my taxes. I have to fill out these tax forms for long-term disability so sent some stuff to my tax person to see if she could help - she's retiring in November so I was nervous if she would be up for it, I didn't know how complicated it would be. Turns out it's complicated, I pretty much need to get all of the stuff ready for my tax return now. The upside is that I'll essentially know what my taxes will be next year which will be good for me mentally, that's always a super stressful time for me for some reason. She gave me a lot of homework to do which took several hours with my foggy brain, I pretty much did it laying in my bed with food positioned on my chest occasionally like George Castanza eating a block of cheese on the sofa. Food is still a little gross but the nausea from not eating is grosser.

Next week, I don't have a lot of appointments. Bud has her vet appointment for her heart and then she has a dentist appointment the week after that on the same day I get my first post chemo infusion, I have to drop her off in the morning, poor thing. My friend A will be here in the event I'm not back from the appointment, it's just two hours but it's at noon so she can go fetch her if needed, the vet is literally across the water channel, a 5 minute walk. So fortunate. Then we'll know what's going on with her. I hope she's OK.

[whomstwedointheshadows]

I am howling at the sky for the look tonight that Harvey Guillén staked to death, spat on, and made it beg on the red carpet. Instead of just ranting to my queer fashion/fandom retail friends again, I took our collective slobber and tears to outline my plea to the fashion gods.

Why doesn’t this man have a ‘mens’wear line in every American mall? There is a gap in the market for adventurous, queer friendly suiting available through a retailer like Macys/J C Penney. Yes, retail is dying and wedding industry more so, but that’s particular to what’s available for consumers as well. Suiting is turned from off the rack into iconic by proper tailoring, but let me tell you from working all sides of the bridal salon, even up-scale clothing lines are getting rude as hell about quality and assembly to prevent tailoring and longevity.

This kid’s Disney charm would be perfect for introducing a plus size, inclusive line of fashion-forward pieces which include, say a QR code video about taking your own measurements, how adjustments work, with pieces designed to be sleek, with enough allowance for tailoring, and minding the lines in the garment to make the adjustments for plus size bodies easier. It’s no more adjustments than are made on straight size bodies, it’s just straight size bodies have more options to find a line which works with their natural shape.

But in my experience, it’s gender non-conforming folks and plus sized folks who get pushed out of finding pieces they can actually use for celebrations or work, much less pieces with actual personality that spark joy. This man has been killing it for years, really getting some clutch looks for events and invites in the fashion world. He’s showing proof of concept every time he steps in front of a camera.

Watching Harvey’s fashion evolution, I trust his fashion team and judgement to create a mid/high line for workwear to events suiting embracing a gender nonconforming audience. I can’t think of anyone better situated to become the ambassador of a brand with *the* formal wear for queer events and special occasions. I was tickled to see he sells his own merch and hope this experience convinces him of the joy working with artists and connecting their visions to a wanting public, dipping toes into the new ethical, sustainable trends in fashion. His looks alone shows he’s done his homework over the years about timelessness and early adopting trends.

For the years I worked selling/tailoring wedding dresses, there was the prophetic ‘someday… along will come the man who revives men’s fashion for events again’ to save the David’s bridal/men’s wear house lines who keep dropping plus sizes like mine and dying off. As the pet butch in the bridal salon I pleaded to the sky for better suiting options. Add that to my butch lezzy ways and trans masc circle of friends I legit spent this past Friday night drunk in a bar with a seam ripper adjusting jackets and darting pants in an unplanned sewing circle for a bachelorette until it was my round of karaoke. This isn’t the first time I’ve spontaneously started tailoring for the queers, I can’t keep up with the demand! Y’all we are in our twenties to mid thirties there should be better options than this that don’t require a vacation to LA/NY!!

I have ethical, sustainable fashion preferences about slipping in a retailer versus an online brand. But for the vision of accessible clothing to the masses pushing the envelope of the kind of quality only vintage pieces are affording the general public, this is the only celebrity really posed with the image, high energy, and bona fides to be the face of it. His connections in the fashion game are only growing as WWDITS wraps up.

If this man opened a pop-up suiting/fashion shop I’d take my limited time and resources to really dig in to the designers he promoted. I’d be howling in the streets for my celebrants to go get a Gullién. There’s no shortage online pattern makers, but there is a shortage of queer friendly shops to really get pieces that pop and it feels safe to enjoy in a retail environment. For average people wanting to engage with fashion that affirms their identity on their special day, there’s too much fucking compromise. Honestly it’s nice that I have a side hustle sewing to pattern, but I’d give it up in a fucking heartbeat for there to be actually sustainable and approachable options. I wish there was an in between of being ‘affordable’ gnc suiting in an American mall but add plus size availability and it gets sad for your most thrifty, creative friends. Someone needs the step in the gap, and why not someone at the top of the game?

Even if it was just a pop up line every few years, I’d fucking salivate over every image in that catalogue two thousand miles away for what it can teach home sewists just by virtue of curating those artisans with the express goal of queer, fat friendly designs playing together. Just the existence of vintage shops like Proud Mary creates a boom across the inter-webs of new sewists per post. Could anyone really imagine if there were actually accessible stores in key cities/supported by an online catalog with a personable, rising star as the brand face?

Please feed us more fashion, Harvey. Keep those stylists and designer friends close. Please. I cannot stress how many mascs/nb-bebes keep dropping your name every fitting consultation across this nation and it’s for good reason.

[phygitalretailconvention]

Interact with experts and listen to their experiences at PRC 2024

Experience the pinnacle of retail innovation at India's Mega Retail Intelligence Event - the Phygital Retail Convention 2024, unfolding on 8-9 May at Mumbai's Jio Convention Centre. This expansive event is set to bring together over 2000 attendees, 400+ brands, and 250+ speakers, offering a multifaceted platform encompassing exhibitions, conferences, and the prestigious IMAGES Retail Awards.

More Info: Largest Retail Conference

[intersectionalpraxis]

small bit of good news! Zara pulled their disgusting ad campaign! https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/11/zara-pulls-controversial-ad-from-website-after-gaza-boycott-calls

Although they didn't 'comment' on the boycott, this is quite important -boycotts do work (the bds movement is meant to be for the long run, so still boycott products and industries that align with violent settler-colonial-imperial regimes), but this is great to hear about!

In the this Al Jazeera article they mention this as well (maybe they updated some information, so this is a different link!):

In 2022, some Palestinians posted videos of them burning Zara clothes and calling for others not to support the retail giant after a franchise owner of Zara stores in Israel hosted a campaign event for the ultra-right-wing Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir in his home. Ben-Gvir took to social media himself to defend the company at the time. “Zara, cool clothes, cool Israelis,” he said in a social media post.

Keep boycotting, and keep remaining vocal about where you'll NOT be spending your money -these companies will have to start caring if no one is supporting them. End the occupation, ceasefire now, and free Palestine!

[simmillercc]

SIMS 4 - PRE-STRUNG TREE OF LIGHTS - HOLIDAY CELEBRATION PACK

With this set of recolours of the Pre-Strung Tree of Lights from the FREE Holiday Celebration Pack, you now get 6 tree/branch colours, with the 5 originals made more distinguishable, and an added black version.

You also now get 19 lighting combinations for each tree/branch colour! The packages are separated by tree/branch colour.

The trees are found in a few different locations, and can be used indoors or outdoors, and resized using [ and ] on your keyboard.

COST: 25

LOCATIONS: BUY Decor>Miscellaneous, Lighting>Floor and >Outdoors, BUILD Landscaping>Trees

STYLES: Basics, Boho, Contemporary, Cute, Events, Farmhouse, French Country, Garden, Holidays, Industrial, Island, Luxe, Mid Century, Mission, Modern, Patio, Shabby, Shotgun, Storybook, Suburban Contemporary

ENVIRONMENT SCORE POSITIVE 2

Talk to objects (Insane)

Can be struck by lightning

You may also see them at the occasional new retail or wedding venue.

TREE COLOURS:

Black Brown Light Brown Grey Blue Pink

LIGHTING COLOURS:

Blue Blue/White Green Green/White Pink Pink/White Pink/Light Blue Light Blue Light Blue/White Purple Purple/White Red Red/White Orange Orange/White Yellow Yellow/White Multicolour Red, Green, Yellow, Blue White

DOWNLOAD FREE HERE https://legacy.curseforge.com/sims4/build-buy/pre-strung-tree-of-lights

I couldn't find a download link for EA or TheSims4.com, but here are some alternate links for downloading the FREE Holiday Celebration Pack:

STEAM https://store.steampowered.com/app/1235764/The_Sims_4_Holiday_Celebration_Pack/

EPIC GAMES https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-sims-4--holiday-celebration-pack

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The good news is that Penguin Random House can't buy all the other publishers

Correction: An earlier draft of this article characterized Frederic Wertham as “a far-right conspiracist.” That was incorrect. While Wertham was a conspiracist, he was not far right. I regret the error.

Last week, a US District Court blocked the merger of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest publisher, and Simon and Schuster, the world’s third-largest publisher. This is very, very good news.

https://www.npr.org/2022/11/01/1133032238/judge-blocks-penguin-random-house-simon-schuster-merger

During the trial, the Penguin Random House argued it they would continue to compete with Simon and Schuster for books, bidding against them for prized titles. Stephen King punctured this absurd fiction, noting that this was like a husband and wife bidding against each other to buy the same house:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/02/business/stephen-king-penguin-random-house-antitrust-testimony.html

With the merger halted (pending appeal) the number of major trade publishers stands at five, which, while better than four, is still not very many. Practically speaking, it means that five corporate board-rooms are in charge of nearly all of our literature, deciding what gets published, what doesn’t, and how those books are sold. That is a lot of power to vest in a very small number of hands.

This concentration of power is obviously bad for authors, since a failure to sell your book to editors at a mere five houses means that it will not come out from a major publisher. As Rebecca Giblin and I document in our new book Chokepoint Capitalism, when publishing is this concentrated, copyright is largely irrelevant to authors’ fortunes:

https://chokepointcapitalism.com/

If you’re in Edinburgh, you can come to our talk about the book at the Radical Book Fair on Nov 10:

https://lighthousebookshop.com/events/chokepoint-capitalism-cory-doctorow-and-rebecca-giblin

We’ll be at Waterstones in Oxford on Nov 12:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chokepoint-capitalism-rebecca-giblin-and-cory-doctorow-oxford-tickets-443951941207

And at The Peale Museum in Baltimore on Nov 18:

https://www.thepeale.org/event/book-talk-chokepoint-capitalism/

And I’ll be in London for Big Ideas Live on Nov 19:

https://news.sky.com/bigideaslive

Concentration in publishing is also very bad news for publishing workers, a notoriously exploited group of people, whose working conditions are so bad that 1% of the entire sector’s workforce resigned en masse last summer:

https://bookriot.com/great-publishing-resignation/

For these workers, a failure to secure a decent wage at just five employers means that they have no hope of working at any major publisher.

And for readers, all this means that the decisions about what you get to read are gathered into a vanishingly small number of hands. A tiny group of fallible humans will make decisions about what books are widely available, and, possibly even worse, a tiny group of fallible humans can be arm-twisted into not publishing works that governments or pressure groups don’t want to see printed.

In 1954, a far-right conspiracist named Fredric Wertham published a scientific hoax called “Seduction of the Innocent” that claimed that comic books were luring American children into a life of wanton sex, drug abuse and communism and/or fascism.

http://www.lostsoti.org/

Wertham whipped up a “groomer” panic about comic books and in response, bedwetting conservatives burned mountains of comics and demanded government censorship. Opportunistic lawmakers took up the cause and threatened the comics industry with unconstitutional regulation of their publishing programs.

The comics industry caved: a handful of cowardly executives formed a self-regulatory body called the “Comics Code Authority” whose seal of approval was withheld from all but the most inoffensive and bland of stories and illustrations. Most comics retailers refused to carry comics unless they bore this seal, and stores that bucked the Authority were raided and their owners fined or even jailed:

https://cbldf.org/about-us/case-files/cbldf-case-files/

The CCA continued to have veto power over most comics until the year 2000 — for nearly half a century, an unaccountable star-chamber of prudes ruled over an entire art form. That was only possible because that industry was first cornered by a handful of unaccountable executives, who then handed power to the CCA.

Readers, writers, retailers, editors and publishers all suffer under publishing monopolies. The fact that the court blocked Penguin Random House from gobbling up Simon and Schuster is good for all of us.

Except…

There’s a reason PRH wanted to devour S&S. Back in 2010, the Big Six publishers entered into an illegal conspiracy with Apple to price-fix ebooks. The publishers wanted to force Amazon to stop subsidizing the Kindle books, selling them below the publishers’ wholesale cost, and ensuring that all ebook purchases were Kindle book purchases, generally locked to the Kindle forever by DRM.

Amazon has bottomless access to the capital markets as well as profitable divisions that it can use to prop up money-losing ones. The Big Six publishers understood that Amazon’s ebook subsidy wasn’t motivated by generosity towards readers — rather, it was about locking readers into the Kindle platform, and using that to secure leverage over publishers.

The publishers knew how Amazon would use that leverage. In the early 2000s, Amazon launched “Project Gazelle,” an internal project to locate weak, small publishers that were dependent on Amazon for sales and then drive them out of business by demanding unsustainable discounts, like a cheetah hunting “a sickly gazelle”:

https://www.businessinsider.com/sadistic-amazon-treated-book-sellers-the-way-a-cheetah-would-pursue-a-sickly-gazelle-2013-10

So they conspired with Apple to only sell ebooks on the Ipad, unless Amazon agreed to end its predatory pricing scheme. That was wildly illegal and the publishers and Apple all paid hundreds of millions in fines as a result:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/07/apple-450-million-settlement-e-book-price-fixing-supreme-court

More than a decade later, Amazon is an even bigger threat to publishers. For one thing, it has substantially expanded its own publishing program, directly competing with print, ebook and audiobook publishers. Amazon has eye-watering quantities of data on these publishers’ customers — what they search for, which books they buy together, where they are when they read, how many pages they read before pausing or giving up, and more.

The publishers have none of this data. Amazon has mountains of data about the publishers’ products that the publishers themselves lack, and Amazon is a publisher, but it’s also their single most important retailer. The publishers are massively fucked here.

Which is why there’s all this pressure for the publishers to merge. When the CEO of Penguin, the CEO of Random House, and the CEO of Simon and Schuster meet to discuss Amazon pricing strategy, that is an illegal conspiracy. But when the presidents of Random House (a division of PRH/S&S), Penguin (a division of PRH/S&S), and Simon and Schuster (a division of PRH/S&S) meet, that’s just business.

And we’ve just blocked that. Which is good. The highly concentrated publishing industry is a real problem, but there’s concentration all the way up and down the supply chain. For example, there’s one national brick-and-mortar bookseller left.

It’s even worse in distribution: Ingram is the only major national book distributor left. If you’re an independent press who doesn’t want to go with Ingram for distribution, you’ll almost certainly end up being distributed by Penguin Random House — that is, your largest competitor. This is very bad for readers, writers, publishing workers, and literature itself.

This is the problem with monopolies: once there’s a monopoly in your supply chain, everyone else in the supply chain has to form a monopoly or a cartel, or the monopoly will devour them. That’s how the US got its infinitely cursed health-care system. Big Pharma merged to monopoly and price-gouged hospitals. Hospitals formed regional monopolies to fight pharma prices — and then gouged the insurers. The insurers merged with one another and divided up the country like the Pope dividing up the New World, and fought hospital pricing.

The whole health supply chain is monopolized, except for the patients at one end (paying higher prices for worse care) and the health care workers at the other end (getting paid less to work under worse conditions). The giants that run the industry may fight one another over how to divide the pie, but they all agree that we should get crumbs.

There’s a joke whose punchline goes, “If you wanted to get there, I wouldn’t start from here.” The existence of the Amazon monopoly means that when we block mergers elsewhere in the publishing supply chain, we just leave those un-merged companies vulnerable to Amazon’s predation. That’s not to say that un-merged companies are good, or letting them merge is good — just, if we wanted to get there, we wouldn’t start from here.

But here we are, at the tail end of 40 years’ worth of unbridled, uncontrolled corporate mergers. Simon and Schuster isn’t just “Simon and Schuster” — it’s part of Paramount, which owns dozens of TV networks (Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, etc) as well as CBS and a bunch of amusement parks.

If we wanted to get somewhere we shouldn’t start from here, but here we are, so what do we do? Well, there’s an obvious remedy for companies that have merged to monopoly: break ’em up!

https://pluralistic.net/2020/07/29/break-em-up/#break-em-up

But breakups are achingly slow. The breakup of AT&T took sixty-nine years:

https://onezero.medium.com/jam-to-day-46b74d5b1da4

There are other tools in our toolkit, though. Trustbusters once relied on “structural separation,” the idea that companies that provided important platforms for other businesses couldn’t be allowed to compete with those business — for example, rail companies couldn’t own freight companies that competed with the shippers that were the rail companies’ customers:

https://locusmag.com/2022/03/cory-doctorow-vertically-challenged/

Structural separation would force Random House to decide whether to be a publisher or a distributor, and force Amazon to decide whether it was a retailer or a publisher. Structural separation is enjoying a renaissance: the EU Digital Markets Act bans large companies from competing with the apps in their app stores:

https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/11/01/europe-confirms-its-digital-markets-act-will-go-after-apples-app-store

But even if Random House decides to be a publisher and not a distributor, that leaves Ingram as the only major trade distributor. Even if Amazon stops being a publisher, it’s still the only major ebook retailer. Power is still in too few hands!

How do we pluralize that power? Here’s my idea, which is either a crank notion or a stroke of genius (I go back and forth on this question nearly daily): declare a tax-holiday for capital gains from voluntary corporate breakups.

https://doctorow.medium.com/shovel-ready-3433e0268c2e

I’m old enough to remember when corporate raiders and finance bros were obsessed with taking over companies and selling off their divisions, not merging them with their rivals. If we declare a three-year tax holiday for capital gains resulting from unwinding economically significant (>$1B) 21st century mergers, could we lure those corporate crooks out of retirement for one last heist?

I’m the first to admit that this has lots of downsides. For one thing, we’re paying the finance bros who destroyed our economy rather than, say, displaying them in stocks and pelting them with rotten vegetables. That’s galling. I hate it.

The other major possible downside is that whatever limits we put on this (a three-year expiry, or a 20-year ban on re-merging companies after breakups) will be overridden by finance bros, who will use some of the profits from the program to expand it.

But I don’t know for sure that either of those should be dealbreakers. If all we do is block terrible mergers between giant companies but we don’t break up the monopolies that are choking every supply chain, we’re just handing control to the monopolists who got in under the wire.

It’s so crazy it just might work.

[Image ID: A modified version of Goya's 'Saturn Devouring His Children.' The body Saturn is devouring is labeled with a Simon and Schuster logo and wordmark. Saturn is labeled with a Penguin Random House wordmark. A larger head of Saturn is devouring the Penguin Random House Saturn. It is labeled with an Amazon logo and wordmark.]

[bunabi]

Heyyo I wanted to ask your opinion on something related to the gaming industry and art jobs since you’re currently working in it. Is the employment market for this type of work doomed? I keep hearing about layoffs and companies simply not hiring rn and with AI and everything it seems pretty bleak to me to try to pursue anything in the gaming industry. For context I’m a recent art graduate trying to find creative work and I would love to know the opinion of someone that does this professionally. Sorry if you’re not the right person to ask! Feel free to ignore if thats the case 😅 👉👈

I don't know; that's a good question. I'll answer based on what I've seen and what I've been told.

When I was in school, layoffs were always discussed as something that came with the territory. My professors were all active working professionals (this was our college's Cool Rule for hiring teachers) and all of them had experienced a sudden closure, shuffling, firings, or all three in their careers. It's very fortunate to land a tenured role that's not jeopardized by outside or internal forces. It's just that kind of business.

The most stable game industry jobs in my area are for slot machine vendors, and many folks use that to gain experience to break into the cooler side of the industry. Architectural & interior design & marketing folks need 3D models. Retail print businesses are always hiring for their wack ass design teams (this was me!). It's worth getting these positions and building up your portfolio, or at least staying afloat while you work on art (this was also me!).

There's also networking. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to learn about new opportunities; you're hearing about it before the job is even posted on the website lol. And a recommendation by a current employee goes a long way. Do some local artist alley events and talk to your table neighbors. Just always always use the buddy system when you're going to mixers or party events at conventions like GDC. :^(

It's up to you whether this lifestyle is okay or not. Frankly I wish I chose a more normal career, but I love what I do and it makes up for most of the uncertainty lol.

[visit-new-york]

Crosby and Broome Street

Crosby St & Broome St New York, NY 10012

Unveiling the Splendor of Crosby Street & Broome Street.

In the heart of Manhattan's SoHo district lies an enchanting convergence of history, artistry, culinary excellence, and urban allure – the iconic intersection of Crosby Street and Broome Street. These two thoroughfares, each with its unique character, weave a narrative that transcends time, revealing the captivating evolution of a neighborhood that has blossomed into a haven for creativity, luxury, and vibrant community life. Embark on a captivating journey as we delve into the intricate details that define Crosby Street and Broome Street in SoHo, transforming them into a destination unlike any other.

A Stroll Through Time and Architecture

Crosby Street, a narrow cobblestone path, invites visitors to step back in time. Its cast-iron facades, remnants of the neighborhood's industrial origins, have been artfully repurposed into galleries, boutiques, and residences. The very buildings that once housed factories now stand as testaments to SoHo's ability to seamlessly fuse history with modernity, each cast-iron detail whispering stories of the past while embracing the future.

Intersecting Crosby Street, Broome Street adds another layer to the architectural panorama. Amid the luxury boutiques and contemporary structures, the Old St. Patrick's Cathedral stands tall, its Gothic Revival architecture an eloquent reminder of the immigrant history that helped shape the neighborhood. The streets serve as a living embodiment of how a community can pay homage to its roots while embracing change.

Artistic Expression and Creativity

Crosby Street's artistic soul continues to thrive through a fresh blend of pop-up exhibitions, murals, and interactive installations. The street itself has become an ever-changing canvas, a vibrant symphony of colors and shapes that captivate passersby and engage the imagination. It stands as a testament to the power of art to transcend conventional boundaries and inhabit the very essence of a neighborhood.

Broome Street's creative vitality is equally vibrant, boasting galleries, studios, and performance spaces. These intimate theaters provide a stage for emerging artists, musicians, and actors to share their talents, breathing life into the neighborhood's commitment to nurturing artistic expression in all its forms.

Culinary Odyssey and Pleasures

The culinary offerings on Crosby and Broome Streets present a feast for the senses, a tantalizing fusion of cultures and cuisines that reflect New York City's global character. From cozy cafes to upscale dining establishments, these streets offer a culinary symphony that celebrates diversity and innovation. Each dish and cup of coffee is a testament to the culinary artists who infuse their creations with a passion that mirrors the vibrant spirit of the neighborhood.

Retail Therapy and Luxury Lanes

For the discerning shopper, Crosby and Broome Streets emerge as a haven of luxury and style. The boutiques and flagship stores of luxury brands create an ambiance of refined elegance, where the latest trends and timeless fashion converge. The windows serve as a visual masterpiece, drawing in fashion enthusiasts and blending artistic expression with the world of commerce.

Community and Cultural Fusion

Beyond the aesthetics and commercial offerings, Crosby Street and Broome Street thrive as hubs of community engagement and cultural fusion. Throughout the year, these streets come alive with a myriad of events that unite residents and visitors, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity. Art walks, street fairs, and seasonal celebrations fill the air with excitement, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in the neighborhood's vibrant tapestry.

Local artisans and craftsmen also find their home along these streets, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit that define the SoHo community. From handmade crafts to vintage treasures, these local establishments contribute to a sense of authenticity that resonates with those who seek to uncover the heart of the neighborhood.

Residential Enclaves and Urban Sanctuaries

Crosby Street and Broome Street are not just destinations for exploration; they also embrace a vibrant residential community that calls SoHo home. Living on these storied streets offers a unique blend of urban sophistication and neighborhood charm. Residents find themselves at the nexus of luxury and convenience, with high-end boutiques and dining establishments just steps away from their front doors.

These streets, with their cobblestone pathways and historic facades, serve as urban sanctuaries where residents can escape the bustling city and find respite within a community that values both creativity and connectivity. The sense of camaraderie that emerges among those who reside on Crosby and Broome Streets is a testament to the enduring allure of this remarkable neighborhood.

Conclusion: A Continuum of Splendor

In the heart of SoHo, Crosby Street and Broome Street stand as sentinels of a neighborhood that has gracefully evolved while preserving its character and heritage. These streets are not isolated entities; they are part of a continuum that weaves the past, present, and future into a seamless tapestry of experiences. From the cast-iron architecture that whispers tales of industrial prowess to the vibrant artistry that defines its modern incarnation, this intersection beckons travelers and locals alike to embrace the charm, creativity, and community that define SoHo's essence.

As you traverse the enchanting landscape of Crosby Street and Broome Street, you're embarking on an exploration of the soul of New York City itself. Through its art, architecture, culinary delights, and dynamic community, this iconic intersection embodies the spirit of a city that is both a canvas and a masterpiece – a city that thrives on innovation while honoring its storied past. SoHo's odyssey continues, and at the crossroads of Crosby and Broome, its timeless allure is more captivating than ever before.

[cyberpunkonline]

The Cyberpunk Genre: From Fiction to Reality

The Real-World Cyberpunk Narrative

In the realm of science fiction, the cyberpunk genre has long captivated audiences with its vision of a high-tech, low-life future. Cyberpunk, a subgenre that emerged in the early 1980s, combines advanced technology with a layer of dystopian elements, often exploring themes of artificial intelligence, cybernetics, corporate hegemony, and social decay. However, what once seemed a distant future is now becoming a striking reflection of our present reality.

The Cyberpunk Reality of Modern Corporations

As we delve into the corporate world, the parallels between cyberpunk narratives and current events become strikingly clear. This article examines the activities of major corporations like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, SpaceX, and OpenAI, highlighting instances that resonate with cyberpunk themes.

"Google: The Digital Panopticon"

Google, with its vast array of services, has created a digital ecosystem that closely resembles the omnipresent corporations in cyberpunk lore. The company's foray into various sectors, from search engines to smart home devices, has raised concerns about privacy invasion and data control, reminiscent of cyberpunk's surveillance-heavy societies.

"Microsoft: The Silicon Overlord"

Microsoft's dominance in the software industry, particularly with its Windows operating system and Office suite, mirrors the cyberpunk trope of a corporation wielding enormous power over everyday technology. The company's expansion into cloud computing and AI further cements its status as a tech giant with a reach that extends into the very fabric of digital life.

"Amazon: The Corporate Colossus"

Amazon's transformation from an online bookstore to a retail and technology behemoth aligns with cyberpunk's portrayal of mega-corporations that transcend traditional industry boundaries. The company's ventures into cloud computing, AI, and even space travel through its Blue Origin subsidiary evoke images of a corporation with almost limitless ambition and resources.

"SpaceX: Architects of the Starbound Future"

SpaceX, under the leadership of Elon Musk, brings to life the cyberpunk fascination with space exploration and privatization. The company's ambitious projects, including the colonization of Mars and satellite internet services, embody the cyberpunk vision of pushing humanity's boundaries, both technologically and geographically.

"OpenAI: The AI Enigma"

OpenAI, known for its groundbreaking work in AI, reflects cyberpunk's preoccupation with the potential and dangers of artificial intelligence. The development of advanced AI models and their applications in various fields raise questions about the future of human-AI interaction, a central theme in many cyberpunk narratives.

Industrial Espionage: A Cyberpunk Reality

The world of industrial espionage, a staple in cyberpunk plots, is no stranger to these tech giants. The competitive nature of the technology industry, driven by the race for innovation and market dominance, has led to numerous instances of data breaches, intellectual property theft, and corporate spying. These incidents underscore the darker aspects of the corporate world, mirroring the intrigue and deception often found in cyberpunk stories.

Cyberpunk Tropes in the Modern World

Several broad tropes characteristic of the cyberpunk genre are increasingly relevant today:

Technological Advancements vs. Societal Decay: The stark contrast between cutting-edge technology and societal challenges, such as income inequality and privacy concerns, is a recurring theme in both cyberpunk fiction and the modern world.

Corporate Power and Influence: The immense power wielded by mega-corporations, often at the expense of individual freedoms and government authority, is a reality in both the cyberpunk genre and today's corporate landscape.

Ethical Dilemmas of AI and Cybernetics: The ethical and philosophical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, cybernetics, and human enhancement are as pertinent in real life as they are in cyberpunk narratives.

Conclusion: Cyberpunk as a Now Genre

As we examine these parallels, it becomes evident that cyberpunk is no longer a genre fixated on a near future. The themes, concerns, and narratives central to cyberpunk are increasingly manifesting in our current reality. The once speculative fiction has transformed into a lens through which we can view and understand the complexities and challenges of our high-tech, corporate-dominated world. Cyber is no longer a near future genre. It's a now genre.

- Raz

[artwithoutblood]

ways to support AWB

So...it's been a really awesome few weeks. I've been getting a whole lot of support and sweet messages on everything that's part of this little universe, and I'm very grateful.

Unfortunately, at the moment, I am unemployed. I recently quit my retail job due to complications with my boss, and I am searching for a more sustainable career in the field I graduated with a Bachelors in (game design and the game industry).

For accessibility, most of my games are free, and some run on "you can donate if you desire" on itch.io. The only paid game I have, My God is the Sun, was free for a week before I put it up for $1. Only 8 people have bought it. I want to continue making either free or cheap games for people to play, but I also...Need to be able to live, especially as I look for a career in a failing industry.

So, I'm posting below some ways, financial or not, that you can utilize to support me. Only if you want.

Join the Patreon

I recently relaunched my Patreon, which you can join here. The general monthly rewards are going to be one exclusive Twine game and also sneak peeks at what's going on in my projects. Any NSFW versions of games, such as Silas's upcoming project, will be locked to here. The most expensive one is maybe $5 a month. You can use this also as a monthly tip jar.

2. Buy something from my Ko-Fi shop

I have two sizes of Dorian keychains + stickers that you can buy!

They're cute! Super cute! I may make more merchandise in the future if I have the funds and the interest. You guys can also tip me on Ko-Fi if you want.

3. Comment/leave star ratings on my games.

Comments help the itch.io "algorithm" a lot, as in people will be more interested if they see a piece is getting attention. If you've ever liked something of mine, you can go comment on it and leave a, like, one sentence review! Even if it's just "I want to kiss Dorian." Also, leaving a quick star rating helps a lot!

4. Joining our Discord!

We host lots of fun events and do lots of silly stuff. Please come over. We are very funny and silly and cool.