#a true visionary ahead of its time

[metamorphesque]

I don't know how unpopular this opinion is but I strongly hold the position that society today seems unable to differentiate "Art" from entertainment, and this blurring of lines harms both. _ what do you mean?

What I mean to say is that society nowadays fails to recognize the fundamental differences between art and entertainment. Thinking that they are the same or interchangeable does a disservice to both. To me, it's not an "art vs. entertainment" situation. Rather than opposing them, the distinction lies in recognizing their complementary roles because a healthy individual needs both art and entertainment, but for very different reasons.

Entertainment, of course, entertains us; it delights and validates us by affirming our existing beliefs and emotions. It's there to make us feel good — a safe space that doesn't challenge us, as it has been created specifically for our needs and is catering to our preferences. However, it leaves us unchanged and not transformed. Entertainment is produced because there is a public demand for it.

Art, on the other hand, is meant to change and transform us. It's not always delightful, entertaining or self-affirming. On the contrary, it can sometimes feel like an attack on our beliefs and the reality we think we’re living in. Art can be uncomfortable, even disruptive, and by being so, it forces us to engage with it on a deeper level, challenging our perspectives and encouraging us to evolve. Unlike entertainment, art is not made because there is public demand for it. To be more precise, the demand for art exists, but it doesn't come from us — the public; art meets the demands of the time. Real artists are those who can discern the lessons and demands of the time and make them digestible for the public. While entertainment caters to an audience’s desires, art challenges its audience, often presenting ideas or emotions they may not have asked for but need to confront. It’s not about pleasing or fulfilling expectations; instead, art serves as a catalyst for intellectual and emotional growth, pushing society to reflect, adapt and progress.

My beloved Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak has a very thought-provoking piece that, I think, is about real artists. I'll present a rough translation: "They come unoften, yet never too late. / They are born at exactly the right time. / And they get ahead of time itself, / Which is why they are not forgiven".

The role of a true artist goes far beyond technical skill or the ability to produce aesthetically pleasing works that will be liked by many and, thus, make a fortune. A true artist serves as a visionary, a truth-teller and a catalyst for change. They push us to reflect deeply and think critically about the world around us. This is why, in the absence of such people (and I strongly believe that we live in such times), individuals become more susceptible to propaganda, manipulation or conformity, as there are fewer voices prompting them to critically examine their environment. Additionally, without these voices, society loses touch with its emotional depth, becoming more disconnected, indifferent and apathetic to the suffering or experiences of others.

True artists are what we need today. There are many discussions held online about whether today’s celebrities should address "political" issues and the problems we face as humans.

My answer to this is no, at least not for everyone that society considers an "artist." Most of these individuals are mere entertainers who are there solely for entertainment purposes (I would be quick to add that some of them even fail at that). Dozens of them can't even form comprehensive sentences in their mother tongues; how can we expect them to express trustworthy opinions on grave issues? This is one of the reasons why it is highly dangerous to confuse entertainment with art.

[grimoirey]

The Suit of Wands:

A Journey

The Suit of Wands tells a story of fire—the spark of life, creativity, passion, and will. It is a journey through the realm of spirit and inspiration, where the seeker follows the flickering flame of desire and ambition. Here, action and energy reign, and the soul learns to harness its inner power to create, transform, and lead. The wands are the tools of visionaries, a reflection of the burning force that drives all things toward growth and change.

The Ace of Wands bursts forth as the first flicker of this divine flame, a hand emerging from the clouds, holding a single wand glowing with life. This is the beginning of a new creative impulse, the spark of inspiration that ignites the soul's passion. The seeker stands on the threshold of possibility, where the energy of creation flows freely. It is a moment of pure potential, where the fire within awakens, urging the soul to pursue its dreams with courage and excitement. The Ace is the symbol of raw, untapped energy waiting to be directed toward a new venture.

With this fire, the Two of Wands arrives, where the seeker now stands at the crossroads of choice. Holding a wand in one hand and the world in the other, the figure gazes out over a vast horizon, contemplating the possibilities. This is the card of planning, vision, and the decision to take action. The seeker has the power and passion, but now must choose the path forward, balancing desire with careful strategy. The world is within reach, but the way forward requires clarity of intent and the courage to step beyond the familiar.

As the decision is made, the Three of Wands shows the seeker watching their ships sail out toward the horizon, a symbol of progress and expansion. The energy has been set in motion, and now the journey truly begins. This is the card of enterprise, where the seeker’s vision starts to manifest in the world. The wands planted in the ground symbolize stability, while the figure looks forward with anticipation. The fire within is now moving outward, driving the seeker toward new horizons, success, and adventure.

But soon, the flames of success begin to attract attention. In the Four of Wands, the seeker finds themselves in a moment of celebration, as a joyful gathering takes place beneath a canopy of flowers and wands. This is a card of harmony, achievement, and communal joy. It marks a moment of stability and completion—a foundation has been built, and now it is time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. The fire of creation has brought warmth and connection, where the community joins in the celebration of shared success.

Yet, as the journey continues, the Five of Wands brings conflict. A group of figures clash with their wands, each striving to make their voice heard. Here, the seeker faces competition, struggle, and the chaos that can arise when many forces come together. It is a time of challenges and friction, where the fire of ambition creates tension between individuals. But within this conflict lies the potential for growth and understanding, as the seeker learns to navigate the competing desires of the world while staying true to their own vision.

As the dust settles, the Six of Wands shows the seeker riding triumphantly through the crowd, crowned with victory. This is the card of public recognition, success, and the rewards of perseverance. The seeker has overcome challenges and now basks in the glory of achievement, admired and respected by others. The fire of passion has been kindled into a beacon of success, and the world acknowledges the effort and energy that have led to this moment. Yet, the lesson here is to remain humble, for the journey is not yet complete, and greater challenges may still lie ahead.

Soon enough, the Seven of Wands brings those challenges to the forefront, as the seeker stands atop a hill, defending themselves against opposing forces. This is the card of standing one’s ground, of defending what has been earned against those who seek to challenge or take it. The fire of willpower now burns fiercely as the seeker battles for their position. It is a time of courage, resilience, and determination, where the soul must trust in its own strength to hold onto the victories won. The lesson here is to stay firm and believe in oneself, even when the odds seem overwhelming.

In the Eight of Wands, the struggle gives way to swift movement and momentum. Eight wands fly through the air, signaling rapid progress and the acceleration of events. This is the card of action, where the fire of inspiration and effort now moves quickly, propelling the seeker toward their goals with unstoppable force. It is a moment of energy in motion, where everything seems to align, and the path forward opens with speed and clarity. The lesson here is to embrace the flow of energy and trust in the momentum of life’s unfolding events.

But as the journey races ahead, the Nine of Wands brings a pause—a wounded figure stands, holding a wand for support, surrounded by the others they have planted. This is the card of perseverance and endurance, where the seeker, though battered and weary, remains resolute. The fire within still burns, but the soul is tired from the many battles fought along the way. The lesson here is one of resilience, where the seeker learns that, despite the hardships, they have the strength to continue. It is a time to gather inner resources and prepare for the final push.

The final push comes with the Ten of Wands, where the seeker is now burdened by the weight of their achievements, carrying ten wands upon their back. This is the card of responsibility, where success has brought great burdens and the fire of passion now feels heavy. The seeker has reached a point of overload, where the weight of ambition and effort may feel overwhelming. The lesson here is to learn the art of delegation, to release some of the load and trust others to share in the work. It is a reminder that even the brightest fire can burn out if not tended with care.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

From this place of burden, a fresh spark appears in the Page of Wands, a youthful figure holding a single wand, looking out with curiosity and excitement. This is the card of new beginnings, fresh ideas, and the renewal of passion. The seeker is ready to embark on a new adventure, filled with enthusiasm and creative energy. The fire of the wands is reborn here, rekindling the joy of exploration and the thrill of new possibilities. The Page teaches that the journey of creation is ever-cycling, and each end is the beginning of something new.

The Knight of Wands charges into the scene, riding a fiery steed, his wand raised high. This is the card of action, ambition, and unbridled energy. The Knight is fearless, driven by passion and desire, ready to take bold risks and pursue his goals with vigor. His fire burns brightly, and his determination is unstoppable. Yet, there is a warning here—though his energy is powerful, it can sometimes lead to impulsiveness or recklessness. The lesson of the Knight is to balance enthusiasm with wisdom, ensuring that the fire is directed wisely.

The Queen of Wands follows, seated on her throne with a sunflower in one hand and a wand in the other. She embodies the essence of confidence, charisma, and creativity. The Queen is the master of her inner fire, using it to inspire and nurture others. She is warm, generous, and magnetic, drawing people toward her with her radiant energy. This is the card of self-assurance and mastery of one’s creative power. The Queen teaches the seeker to embrace their inner light, to lead with grace, and to use their fire to uplift and empower those around them.

Finally, the King of Wands stands as the culmination of the journey, a ruler whose fire burns with steady, focused intensity. He is the leader, the visionary, the one who commands with authority and wisdom. The King has mastered the energy of the wands, using his passion and creativity to build something lasting and meaningful. His fire is not chaotic but controlled, directed toward the greater good. He teaches the seeker that true leadership comes from knowing how to wield power with integrity and purpose, using the fire of spirit to inspire others and shape the world.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

And so, the story of the Wands is one of creation, passion, and transformation. It is a journey through the fires of inspiration, where the seeker learns to harness their inner flame, guiding it toward growth, action, and fulfillment. Along the way, the fire of the soul is tested, sometimes burning too brightly, sometimes flickering in the wind, but always leading the way toward greater understanding of one’s purpose and power.

[warningsine]

In its flawed first season, “Halt and Catch Fire” tried too hard to be the next “Mad Men.” Following four visionaries through the first decade of the personal computing revolution, the AMC series opened by introducing its Don Draper: Joe MacMillan (Lee Pace), a slick, manipulative hotshot with an IBM pedigree. It’s 1983, and he’s speeding through Texas in a black sports car when he hits an armadillo. The carnage is nauseating, but it doesn’t stop him from making it to his destination: a college lecture hall where he’s come to interrogate a roomful of male comp-sci majors about the future of their industry. The sole woman in the class arrives late. She wears military fatigues, her hair is bleached, and bratty punk music blasts through her headphones. She is the most brilliant coder in the room.

Her name is Cameron Howe (Mackenzie Davis), and she turns out to be the show’s true protagonist. Her story comes to the fore in subsequent seasons that evolve radically enough to make “Halt and Catch Fire,” which ends its run on Saturday (Oct. 14), one of the greatest TV dramas of the decade. But there’s lots of tiresome male anti-hero stuff to get through first, as Joe commandeers a local electric company and talks its best employee, timid family man Gordon Clark (Scoot McNairy), into helping him reverse-engineer an IBM. As this classic alpha-beta duo schemes and innovates, their new hire (and Joe’s fuck buddy) Cameron remains a quasi-peripheral figure. It’s the songs music supervisor Thomas Golubić (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Six Feet Under”) surrounds Cam with that offer the first hint that the show is really her story.

Cam’s punk tapes are a window into the initially taciturn character’s rebellious nature, just as her headphones are the first clue that she’s a loner. In the premiere, she’s listening to the Vandals when she gets kicked out of a video arcade for using the old coin-on-a-string trick. A few episodes later, there’s a gorgeous scene where she pirouettes through a dark, empty office with X-Ray Spex’s “Germfree Adolescents” on her Walkman. (The moment is echoed near the end of season three, where she dances—first with Joe, then alone—to Pixies’ “Velouria.”) Whether it’s an iconic band like Bad Brains or a lesser-known act like Big Boys, Cam’s always got loud, angry music in her ears while she’s coding.

Cam is a punk, but not just in the banal, myopic way the tech industry has always appropriated the aesthetic—with dropout programming prodigies, “rockstar” developers, and startups bent on “disrupting” existing business models, all of whom share the ultimate goal of making money. She is impractical to a fault, trusting her own unruly instincts over the dictates of the market. Over four seasons, we watch her dream up everything from a friendly user interface that’s years ahead of its time and would take far too long to build, to a computer game so abstract, no one can understand how to play it. When she founds her own company, at the end of the first season, it’s called Mutiny. All of the employees live together in a house and make decisions democratically. Eventually, Cam exerts her power as Mutiny’s leader, but only to save her vision from getting absorbed into a big corporation.

From the very start, Cam’s music bleeds from her headphones into the show’s non-diegetic soundtrack. When she shows up for her first day at Cardiff Electric, the company Joe hijacks, “The Magnificent Seven” by the Clash follows her, its lyrics about the futility of the capitalist grind underscoring her ambivalence about the job. Over time, punk comes to symbolize Cam’s growing influence in the industry. It’s the official sound of Mutiny HQ, her chaotic geek haven adorned in red spray paint. Near the end of season two, the Raveonettes’ cover of Joy Division’s “She’s Lost Control” plays as she exacts public revenge on the billionaire who rips off the early online community she’s created. After Mutiny moves to California, in season three, hardcore riffs constantly reverberate through the cavernous office.

“Halt and Catch Fire” doesn’t usually hit you over the head with feminist themes, but it does subtly build an argument that women are gaining ground in a world men still control. Gordon’s wife, Donna (Kerry Bishé), initially seems like a nagging mom type, keeping her genius husband from his destiny. But she’s a genius, too; her engineering expertise becomes invaluable to Cardiff’s portable computer project, then she joins Cam at Mutiny. By the finale, Donna’s combination of technical prowess and business savvy have made her a powerful Silicon Valley venture capitalist, as well as a sort of Sheryl Sandberg figure.

Donna and Gordon Clark’s daughters, Joanie (played by Morgan Hinkleman as a kid and Kathryn Newton as a teenager) and Haley (Alana Cavanaugh and then Susanna Skaggs), are the next generation of liberated women. Cam lives with the Clarks after Mutiny moves to California, and her influence on the girls is palpable. A few quick time jumps land us in the mid-’90s by the fourth season, when the sisters are in high school. Teenage Joanie is a classic rebel, smoking cigarettes and getting into trouble and, yes, listening to punk. (The band name Shonen Knife, she explains to her father, basically means “dick” because “shonen” is the Japanese word for “boy.”) Haley is a budding web development star whose taste for PJ Harvey and riot grrrl helps her come to terms with her queer sexuality. A giddy scene midway through the season finds her bonding with her crush, a waitress, over Bratmobile and Heavens to Betsy.

Music becomes more essential to the show than ever in its fourth and final season. There are moving syncs that have nothing to do with Cam, like when an unmoored Donna gets pulled over for speeding while singing along to Pat Benatar’s “We Belong,” and when she plays Dire Straits’ “So Far Away” after Gordon’s sudden death. But the alternative, indie, and riot grrrl music Haley and Joanie listen to—Gen X’s version of the punk bands whose fierce spirit Cam helped instill in them—is the core soundtrack of these episodes. Golubić cements the connection by pairing Cam’s scenes with some of the 1990s’ most iconic female-led anthems: the Breeders’ “Cannonball,” Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl,” Hole’s “Doll Parts.” Just as X-Ray Spex and their peers helped pave the way for women in punk, Cam sets a precedent for girl programmers like Haley. At one point, she’s surfing the internet and stumbles upon a Cameron Howe fan page.

Perhaps the greatest thing about “Halt and Catch Fire” is that it ultimately has no real heroes or villains—only four talented, flawed people who all end up playing both of those roles at one point or another. The music is what puts us inside Cam’s mind more than any other character’s, though, and illustrates how her ideas electrify everyone who can wrap their mind around them, even when her projects fail. Her work endures like an out-of-print cassette passed from hand to grubby hand, a guidepost for like-minded young punks who walk the difficult path she cleared.

[theseventhoffrostfall]

I won't spoil Alan wake ii if you havent played it yet, but ngl while I dont think Kojima is bad at all, its really opening my eyes a bit. Sam Lake (real last name is finnish or a lovecraftian god) uses what he's inspired by way more integrated into his games. And the interplay of multiple forms of media including live action and music and, god help me for uttering this overused phrase, playing with the fourth wall, is something that makes Kojima look like simultaneously like an amateur and an elitist at the same time.

Let's say Kojima likes David Bowie. He'd have a character named David Bowie, Otacon would call in on the comms and say "Snake, that's david bowie. He's named after David Bowie the singer. He was a glam rock singer active from the late 1960s to 2016 most known for Ziggy Stardust" and the entire thing would be a thinly veiled excuse to hang out with David Bowie and put his likeness in the game and maybe release some haute couture sunglasses or something, while also namedropping extremely esoteric things Kojima can feel smart over knowing people will have to go to Wikipedia to understand the concepts he stayed up last weekend reading about. I cant really give an example for Alan Wake/Control like that entirely because everything is so worked in. Yeah its clearly Twin Peaks and X-Files and True Detective and a bit of that sparse Scandinavian Noir and some Lovecraft as well. But everything is blended together without coming to a screeching halt while you listen to the games creator tell you about the stuff he likes.

Not that I dislike MGS or anything, but in terms of "visionary" creators I think Sam Lake has just pulled ahead of Kojima in a really big way. He feels more like those TGWTG people who were only there as a stepping stone to their big hollywood career (which never panned out) and likewise Kojima treats his games more like the artsy movies he's always wanted to make instead of trying to be truly creative.

That's essentially the conclusion I've come to, yeah. Plus, Lake seems to embrace making games while Kojima seems to bitterly regret that he'd be laughed out of Hollywood.

Hell, MGS is supposed to be like an overblown, larger-than-life metaphor/representation of real, serious topics like nuclear proliferation and yadda yadda yadda. Except it gets muddled and stupid because the mechs that symbolize nuclear weapons are just dangerous for being nuclear launch platforms, because metaphors are hard. 30% of the earth's population was a child soldier who now wanders the land fighting for obscure philosophical reasons but shows little to none of the actual problems associated with former child soldiers, and 45% of all military personnel are clones or genetically engineered or turbocyborgs or something. Because this story that tries to touch on Very Serious Issues about soldiers and their place in the world was written in a country with pretty much 0 living combat veterans by a man who's never raised a fist in anger

[manmetaphysical]

1: Song to the Stranger in Strange Lands

You quickly realise from Robert A. Heinlein’s novel Stranger in a Strange Land (1961) what all the controversy was about. The topics in its pages skip casually from free love, polyamory, water sharing rituals, telepathy, OBEs,  cannibalism, the intertwining of corrupt politics and religions and journalism and the messiah complex. That’s quite a lot to pack into one story. The extended version published in 1991 contained the extra 60,000 words that the publishers had thought too controversial to publish back in 1961. 

While not a main character there is an astrologer called Becky Vesant who gives advice to the leader of the one world government that has taken over the world. Major Douglas relies on this resident astrologer Becky Vesant, for predictions on how to proceed in life. This is uncanny as, written in 1961,  it foresees the role that  Joan Quigley played as secret astrologer to the Reagans during their time in the 1980s at the Whitehouse. 

Quigley influenced world events that heralded the Perestroika period. It was Nancy who had Ronald’s ear and persuaded him to follow astrological advice, even warning him about the day of the attempted assassination. Vesant does the same for Major Douglas and his wife Alice, only 20 years in advance of it happening. In a similar scenario Becky Vesant’s astro-analysis is vital to Alice Douglas who then advises her husband Major Douglas what should be done about the man from Mars so Jubal Harshaw can intercede in his favour.  Astrology has its uses even for top policy makers and Heinlein suggests a future where use of astrology is normalised and no longer needs to be hidden. 

The novel is a rich stew of visionary ideas mostly ahead of their time and it propelled Robert Heinlein to the list of top writers of the 20th century. Its original title was ‘The Heretic’ and the words ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’ is a quote from the King James Bible, from Exodus 22.2. But ironically, in spite of its iconoclasm, it has achieved iconic popular status. It was given the Hugo award, and even was associated with the liberation movements of the 1960s and even became tangled up in the cult of Charles Manson and his followers who borrowed its ideas of living in communes and sharing lovers.

Putting aside the debate about whether Heinlein is still fashionable or not, there is still something important to learn from Heinlein’s book and that is to pose the question: where do the ideas on Earth originate? Who among us feels just like the man from Mars, like strangers here on Earth who see things differently from other humans? Do we really belong here or do we sometimes feel we are from somewhere else? Or to ask if we have been given a special mission to fulfil and if that should be our sole task? And to ask if it is true that,while we are in this world, we are not of it -as the famous Sufi mystical doctrine goes- then who are we really?

What occurs on Earth can appear insane, absurd, twisted, profane, evil, massively infested by parasitic energies, and what we witness during one lifetime is shocking travesty of the true potential of what it means to be an evolved ‘human’. You could be forgiven for thinking that Earth is the battleground for wars on the physical, emotional and metaphysical levels.

And who feels most alienated among social groups who might feel this existential anxiety about others? Chiron in Aquarius, especially if that is in the 7th house. Heinlein's Chiron was in Aquarius which is how he can teach us about what happens to individuals in groups, as they either feel rejected as aliens or they descend into an orgy of groupthink. Someone has to be the sin eater and soak up all the ugly projections. People with this placement are the introverts and loners, people who don't 'fit in'. They have a troubled sense of belonging.  Chiron has been in and out of Aquarius at various times, but retrogrades a lot, so double check where your Chiron placement is here. Chiron is in Aries at the moment chipping away at the existential angst people feel. Heinlein points to ideologies that sincerely intend to be for the good of all but that develop into dystopias- another quirky quality of Aquarius. is the imposition of their ideas on the rest of the world- always for the greater good.

While Stranger in a Strange Land may not be the greatest of literary achievements, it is regarded as one of the best Science Fiction novels ever written and the best Heinlein ever wrote. That all makes for a racy novel full of questions about why society on Earth is the way it is. It is written in satirical vein, so it is quite comical in parts, almost picaresque. It is about a man Valentine Michael Smith, born in Mars, who is a hybrid half human. He has special powers of telepathy, going out of body, able to teleport thigs, people, clothes, and have deep emotional understanding. He lands on Earth and has to learn its history and psychology all from scratch so his viewpoint is innocent and objective- at least at first.

But he learns quickly and becomes the messiah of his own religion of free love. He is compared to a Prometheus stealer of fire- so that’s a stand- in for Uranus and the genius that bestows. They way he looks at the humans he meets is without judgement like a tabula rasa- until he ‘groks’ them and begins to understand. This word ‘grok’ originated in  Heinlein’s book yet has multiple and profound meanings: to get, to dig, to asborb, to drink, to know fully, to understand, to consume, to eat, to identify with and so on. 

The novel reveals such a lot about our time in the 21st century and the issue of how religions create the chains on the human mind and where they are mingled with politics and sex i.e. where political movements act like substitutes for religion and where sex is repressed and/or sublimated unconsciously. This is especially true for people who are lost and vacuous, without any inner spiritual compass, or who have strayed away from the religious tradition they were born into. State policies and laws take on the guise of evangelical and theological dictats to be blindly obeyed, and the appeal to what is the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ way to think is put down to which knee-jerk emotions are triggered and not to any facts or to any enlightened reasoning process.  In another lesser known novel ‘Orphans in the Sky (1964) there is a massive spaceship and all  humans aboard truly believe that it is the living extent of the entire universe as they have never actually been to the edges of the ship. 

Extract 1 from 'Song to the Strangers in a Strange Land' on ProteusAstrology.co.uk

[infjtarot]

Star. Mystic Spiral Tarot.

Themes and Keywords: Ideals. Hope. The future. Skies clearing. Clear vision. Unexpected help. Guiding light. Navigation. Freedom. Brilliance. Looking ahead. The true or naked self. The sea as sky and the sky as sea. Journeys of the goddess. Beauty in darkness. Distance. Power of the intellect. Astrology/Element The sign Aquarius is visionary and humanitarian. The constellation is called the Water Bearer, and usually is a kneeling man with a jug, or the jug itself, pouring waters into the area of the sky once known as “the sea.” The ancient Sumerians saw Ea here with his twin streams of water. Yet it is an air sign, the fixed and stable center of the air trinity. There are seas of earth and there are seas of the aethyrs. The waters distributed are those of consciousness, understanding things instinctually known and gleaned through the airwaves. The wave-shaped glyph of its symbol shows twin streams of water in motion. The wave forms are also symbolic of all waves: airwaves, wavelengths, radio, electricity, light, brain waves, ESP. Telephone, telegraph, television, and telepathy; all words whose prefix tele- means far, distant, especially in regard to transmission. This prefix comes from the Greek word telos, used by philosophers to denote end, goal, or purpose. Aristotle said that telos as purpose can encompass all human activity. The telos of Aquarius is “to know.” Aquarius knows that all people are one. Its comprehension of fraternity is innate; it senses the connection and communicates it to others. Yet Aquarius is also distant, known for being aloof, cool, and in a world of its own. Aquarius has Saturn as traditional ruler and Uranus as modern ruler. Appropriate, for Saturn is tradition and Uranus modernity. Saturn favors structure, Uranus revolt. Aquarius sees how the establishment can be improved and changed to approach its highest ideal form. What knowledge, inventions, vision, discovery, or social innovation will evolve us through time? Susan T. Chang

[schibborasso]

The Incredible Universe Of Guru Guru

Still breaking boundaries, still true to themselves, Guru Guru are back with a brand new studio album GURU GURU have been an institution for over five decades. Forerunners of Krautrock, the group, founded in 1968 by drummer, singer and visionary Mani Neumeier, have been breaking boundaries since the beginning, fusing free jazz with rock’n’roll, experimenting with Indian, Southeast Asian and African rhythms and styles, to create their own brand of psychedelic cosmic rock, inspiring musicians and audiences the world over, especially in the United States and Japan. Despite countless line-up changes, and more than a half century since their formation, today GURU GURU are as alive and active as ever, playing around 40 live shows every year. Far from being tired or showing signs of mellowing with age, their live shows are still experiences where the band know how to surprise their audiences. Of course, GURU GURU’s classic “Elektrolurch” is still a setlist staple, performed by Mani Neumeier in a newt costume. While ‘Back To The Roots,’ with its rock/prog’n’roll sound, is self-explanatory, the band have added new musical elements to the song ‘Guru Guru’s In Da Haus,’ experimenting with hiphop rhythms. The oblique ‘Hold The Jelly’ features the God Of Hellfire Arthur Brown as guest vocalist, with electro-dance influences. GURU GURU are still breaking boundaries, and are still very up to date, or even a bit ahead of their time. The album’s opening song, “Free Krautrock!” says it all, because the band still stands for everything that experimenting with different styles has to offer. The CD format features bonus track: ‘Sampo Incredible’. Label: Repertoire, 2023

[mywifeleftme]

234: Black Star // Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star

Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star Black Star 1998, Rawkus

Fair warning about the review ahead:

Remember dial-up modems? I croak as my dentures slide down my throat and prolapse my anus. I grew up in a pretty rural part of Ontario, so when I made a conscious effort to get into rap in the early ‘00s at age 17 or so, I was stuck downloading 72MB .rar folders off music blogs that would take 6 to 10 hours on our rickety 56k modem. We only had one phone line, so I would do the bulk of my downloading overnight, hoping that the connection wouldn’t blip out while I slept and leave me with a useless partially downloaded version of like, King of Rock or Straight Out the Jungle or whatever. Money for CDs was limited by my let’s call it principled abstention from getting a job, but when I could skip enough lunches to get a wad of cash together it went right to the music section at whatever big box store I could get a ride to. The first rock and metal CDs I bought in my early teens were predictably humiliating (e.g. Godsmack, the second Buckcherry record), but I was pretentious enough by the time I had my rap phase that my first picks were actually pretty tight: Public Enemy’s Fear of a Black Planet and Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star.

I had been trying to get a grasp on rap by downloading the canon in chronological order, but because I bought Black Star during this stretch I actually heard it at the same time I was listening to the golden age records it evokes—“Definition” and Boogie Down Productions, “A Children’s Story” and Slick Rick, De La and Tribe and Mos and Talib all in conversation. Nowadays, I tend to be skeptical of artists that pound their chests about being “old school” while aping well-worn trends, but everything comes together so well on Black Star: two emcees just old enough to be the little cousins of the first wave of true rap stars who want their own turn at making music in a style that had already moved on. With the confidence of prodigiously talented young men, they forced that closed door open just wide enough to create what might be the last masterpiece of its branch of the hip-hop family tree.

As of 2023, Mos (now Yasiin Bey) has now released more confusing press releases about his various retirements than great albums, and Talib Kweli is best known for sweatily harassing women who criticize him on Twitter, but Black Star catches each at the height of their abilities, rhyming like visionaries about real shit over tracks that turn the memory of classic beats into myths and ancient mating calls. Was any golden age track closer to the poetic soul than what Mos, Talib, and guest Common do with DJ Hi-Tek’s “Respiration”? Do any feel more true to the spirit of Toni Morrison or Amiri Baraka than the 88-keys-produced “Thieves in the Night”? As young people often do, the Black Star crew looked at a period not more than five to ten years past as though it were time out of mind—but something in the intensity of their nostalgia, the size of the legend they built up in their minds, gave them the space they needed to create a record the equal of their great forebears.

How it happened, I’m not quite sure: it seemed like there were a hundred emcees in the Rawkus orbit who could absolutely rap their asses off, and some talented producers to boot, but you can count on three fingers the number of truly essential LPs that came out of it (I’ll pause here for somebody to lose their shit over my downplaying Pharoahe Monch’s Internal Affairs). But, for a little while anyway, Mos Def could walk on water with a mic in his hand, and he softened Talib’s energy just enough that the uncontrollable torrent of the man’s flow was briefly channeled into a machine of balance and grace. I could listen to the way they pass it back and forth all my life, and I likely will.

234/365

[ptseti]

Allow us to introduce you to Askia the Great, a figure whose contributions to the Songhai Empire have left a lasting imprint on the tapestry of African history. 🏰✨ Born Muhammad I Askia around 1443, he became emperor in 1493 and kick-started what’s known as the Askia Dynasty. His ascension to the throne marked a pivotal point in West African history as he transformed the Songhai Empire into a political, economic, and cultural powerhouse. 📚🔆 Askia the Great was a true visionary. He organized his vast empire with a centralized government, dividing it into provinces with appointed governors. This innovative administrative structure provided stability and facilitated the smooth running of the empire. It was an exemplary demonstration of governance that was far ahead of its time. 🌐⚖️ But his accomplishments weren’t limited to political and administrative reforms. Askia was a fervent advocate of education and Islamic scholarship. He turned the city of Timbuktu into a vibrant cultural and educational hub, attracting scholars from all around the Islamic world. Under his patronage, the Sankore University in Timbuktu flourished, transforming into a scholarly oasis amidst the Saharan desert. The university was renowned for its extensive library, housing tens of thousands of manuscripts on various subjects ranging from astronomy to philosophy, which continue to enlighten us about the rich intellectual tradition of Africa. 📜🎓 Moreover, Askia was also a legendary military leader. He expanded the boundaries of the Songhai Empire, making it the largest empire in the history of West Africa. His military campaigns extended the influence of Songhai over a vast region, encompassing large parts of present-day Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.🛡️⚔️ In remembering Askia the Great, we pay tribute to a remarkable African leader whose impact continues to resonate through the corridors of time. His vision, wisdom, and zeal for knowledge stand as a testament to the grandeur of African civilization during his reign. 🌟

[kamal2047semi]

The Future of Semiconductors: Unveiling a World of Possibilities

**The Future of Semiconductors: Unveiling a World of Possibilities**

As we stand on the brink of a new era, the semiconductor industry finds itself at the heart of a technological revolution. The impact of semiconductors on our lives has been profound, driving advancements across industries and shaping the very fabric of our modern civilization. But what lies ahead for this dynamic and transformative field? Let's delve into the future of semiconductors and the boundless possibilities that await us.

**1. Quantum Leap in Computing:**

The race towards quantum computing is intensifying, and semiconductors will play a pivotal role in unlocking its true potential. Quantum processors, built on novel semiconductor materials, have the power to process vast amounts of data in a fraction of the time it takes traditional computers. The future of computing will transcend current limitations, empowering us to solve complex problems previously deemed insurmountable.

**2. AI and Machine Learning:**

The era of artificial intelligence is upon us, and semiconductors will serve as the backbone of AI and machine learning applications. With the growing demand for AI-driven technologies in autonomous vehicles, robotics, healthcare, and more, the semiconductor industry is set to witness an unprecedented surge in AI-focused chip designs. Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain's architecture, could unlock revolutionary AI capabilities, paving the way for cognitive computing and self-learning systems.

**3. The Internet of Things (IoT) Revolution:**

As IoT proliferates, the demand for energy-efficient and high-performance semiconductor devices will skyrocket. We envision a future where billions of interconnected devices communicate seamlessly, facilitated by advanced semiconductor technologies. Ultra-low-power processors, sensors, and wireless communication chips will define the landscape of the IoT revolution, shaping smart cities, wearables, and an interconnected world.

**4. Green and Sustainable Semiconductors:**

Sustainability will be a driving force in the semiconductor industry's future. Innovations in materials and manufacturing processes will lead to environmentally friendly and energy-efficient semiconductor solutions. From eco-friendly chip packaging to renewable energy-powered fabs, the industry will strive to minimize its carbon footprint, contributing to a greener tomorrow.

**5. Silicon Photonics and Beyond:**

The integration of photonics with silicon promises a new era of ultra-high-speed data transmission and processing. Silicon photonics will revolutionize data centers, enabling faster communication between chips and reducing data bottlenecks. Moreover, emerging technologies like 2D materials and carbon nanotubes offer exciting possibilities for futuristic semiconductor devices that could outperform traditional silicon-based chips.

**6. Security and Privacy:**

With the increasing dependence on connected devices, security and privacy will be paramount. Future semiconductor designs will prioritize hardware-based security features to protect against cyber threats and safeguard sensitive data. Trusted execution environments and secure enclaves will become integral components of semiconductor devices, ensuring user confidence in an interconnected world.

**7. Global Collaboration and Talent Development:**

The future of semiconductors will thrive on global collaboration and talent development. International partnerships will foster innovation, as countries pool their resources and expertise. Companies will invest in nurturing a diverse and skilled workforce, driving advancements and promoting a culture of inclusion and creativity.

The future of semiconductors is bright, brimming with possibilities that have the potential to redefine our world. As innovators, engineers, and visionaries, let's embrace this transformative journey together. Let's harness the power of semiconductors to build a future that empowers, connects, and inspires generations to come.

*The future is here, and it's in the hands of those who dare to dream and innovate with semiconductors as their guiding light.*

[redlibra14-2]

FD Survivors as SCPs *Part 1*

/Hello again all, 

It’s been a while. I’ve just been busy with some personal stuff, college, fanfic ideas, Pokemon-related stuff, etc. I honestly didn’t think that my first SCP post would garner some attention from the Final Destination fandom the way it did but it did. I mean it was kind of a casual idea that I had going on in my head that I didn’t think would go anywhere. But I guess it’s starting to take shape. Also, if anyone wants to make fanart based off of my SCP matchups, by all means go ahead. And I’d also like to give out a disclaimer: Much like in my previous post about this, these matchups are based solely on my opinions and what I think fits. Apologies if we disagree, but I did say that if you did have a different opinion, feel free to post it in the comments. Which by the way, feel free to do the same here. I put this as Part 1 in the event that anyone wants to see more in the future. @hatsumesgoggles, this one is for you. This took about a decent 10-20 mins of research and internal debating before making the final decision.

Anyways~ 

This is another FD/SCP crossover post, but this time it’s with the survivors. 

Starting off with: 

Nathan -  SCP-26805 aka "The Helper Spirit": Now this one is a bit of a mixed case for me, as the SCP in question could apply to basically any of the sidekicks to the visionaries since they all share the same role. And Nathan is no exception to this. And it especially doesn’t help when this SCP isn’t as well-known as some of the classics, like 106 or 035. But I will give you a brief rundown as to what this thing does. Basically, it’s a spirit that can possess anyone and ONLY the person possessed can see its true form. It is also know to cause what can be broken down to and choked up as an adrenaline rush, such as being able to lift heavy objects or withstand bullets. And while possessing the person in question, it leaves behind a clone of itself (SCP-26805-1). But when it leaves the host, the host can’t even remember what the thing looks like after being released from its grasp. And if you think that’s it, that this thing isn’t so scary, let me give you a quick fact: this thing was one of the few scps that can literally incapacitate larger SCPs like 682. You gotta admit that that’s pretty powerful as it can basically temporarily turn you into a Jojo stand user. Now why Nathan in particular when I said that this could also apply to other characters? Well, Nathan does say that he can see dead people. I... unfortunately do not have any other reason why other than Nathan making a reference to the Sixth Sense to match him up with it. And also, going back to how this can also apply to other characters, this thing can literally possess multiple people at once, such as when some Chaos Insurgency members got possessed and with the power the received, almost destroyed an entire site. However, they were twarted by another army of 26805-1′s who were on the side of the Foundation. This also shows that this being isn’t purely a force for good, but it can also be used for evil too. Which is why it’s classified as Euclid, not harmful per say, but not safe either. This thing could literally possess anyone, meaning literally any FD character (unless I come up with different and better matchups). Hell, the closest thing to a helper spirit moment that happens in the FD series would be when Alex saves Carter. Too bad this thing wasn’t around to save him from being hit with a brick. 

(I’m gonna be honest with you guys and say that I originally wanted to place a cooking based scp with Nathan because fun fact: the whole cooking gig that every FD fan and their dog knows Sam had throughout the 5th film was originally supposed to go to Nathan before it got cut. The more you know.) 

Kevin - SCP-965 aka “The Face in the Window”: This one was also difficult to pin down because most of the SCPs that I tried or thought could fit were either phenomenon’s or literal objects, humanoid or sports-themed specifically, but none of them really seemed to fit with Kevin in my eyes. That was until I learned about SCP-965, aka “The Face in the Window”. This thing only appears when the “outside” of the window is slightly darker than the “inside” by 5 candelas. This thing can appear in the window regardless of how dark or light it is. It’s still there even if you tried to cover it up by closing the curtains. This thing is also known to instill the feelings of unease, nervousness, and paranoia and the areas in which it is seen are fully assembled window frames, regardless if installed or not (SCP-965-1). The only way it changes homes is if you destroy the current -1 and it reappears in a different window with no explanation. Also, if you sleep in a room with a window containing this thing, be prepared for the non-physical, yet choatic nightmares you’re gonna face. They’re so bad that they will leave you feeling as though you’re being watched or stalked in the waking world. And if these dreams become more frequent, the side effects you may experience are, but not limited to: 

- heartburn or abdominal pain 

-vomiting blood or have blood in bodily wastes 

-ulcers 

-and low-grade hemorrhaging in varied locations of the victim’s gastrointestinal tract. 

These symptoms happen because exposure to this thing is what’s causing abnormal spikes of fear and paranoia, allowing these symptoms to happen. It’s a traumatic experience and the more pain you feel, the bigger its monstrous grin grows. Now why did I place him with Kevin instead of 26805, like I did with Nathan? If you know anything about the visions in the films or how any of the characters die, you’d know that Kevin’s vision-based deaths have a lot to do with windows. Such as the picture of the flash going off in his face making it look like he got squashed against a window, or how in Wendy’s last vision, he’s sucked out of the window of the subway train and reduced to, as James A. Janisse once so lovingly put it, “a strawberry shortcake”. Plus throughout the film, while trying to put on a brave and helpful front around Wendy, is fearful and uneasy, which fits this to a tea. But then again, all FD characters feel this way to some extent, because it’s difficult to not be traumatized after the things they went through. (Also, a more morbid part of me is amused at the idea of Ghost!Kevin haunting windows, especially near where he “died”. I put “died” in quotation marks because like how I mentioned in my previous post about how we don’t know whether Wendy or Kim are alive and well, we don’t know Kevin’s fate either. For all we know he could be hidden away somewhere safe and vibing with Julie and Wendy.) 

Olivia - SCP-056 aka “A Beautiful Person”: Much like how I felt SCP-105 was a good choice for Wendy and to quote what I said in that section of the post: “Do I really need to explain this? To me it just seemed pretty fitting.” I mean seriously, does this really require an explanation as to why? Have you seen Olivia? She is literally a ✨Q U E E N✨. But in all seriousness and simping aside, she is very vainly beautiful. We see her take her shirt off in one scene and just preferring to wear more open clothes. She also really hates her glasses and it is why she visits an eye-laser sugery clinic leading up to her death. She values her looks so much to the point where it gets her into a heated rivalry with Candice. When I thought about what SCP should fit her best, 056 was the first one that came to mind as some of its behavior and abilities sound like Olivia. It can change its appearence at will according to its environment and the people around it. It can turn into either the most handsome man or the most beautiful woman. It’s so attractive to look at to the point where it leaves others feeling insecure and jealous of it. Sound familiar? Kind of like the rivalry that Olivia and Candice had as mentioned earlier. It’s also very vain but can be helpful if so desired. No one knows its true form behind the numerous masks it wears. Despite what everyone feels about it, it still gets its way. 

So anyway, those were my matchups. And again, some aren’t perfect but that’s what opinions and having discussions about said opinions in the comments are for. And if you want to see more, let me know. (Also, i just found out a few minutes ago as I am finishing this post that 26805 isn’t really part of the canon and is a fanmade scp but lets pretend that it is, at least for the sake of this post)

[gauravinsights]

Boris Arciniegas: A Visionary leader transforming era

Businesses should quickly adapt to keep up with the rapid advancement of the generation. Today’s team of workers is full of virtual natives, younger experts with modern mindsets keen to task traditional enterprise fashions. These people are not simply customers of era , they are leaders and entrepreneurs who use virtual gear to create significant trade.

One such leader creating a widespread effect inside the IT area is Boris Arciniegas, Founder and CEO of Grupo Commercial Enterprise IT. stimulated by visionaries like Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein, Boris has committed his profession to using innovation in technology and expanding its worldwide reach.

The journey of a Visionary leader

Boris Arciniegas’ entrepreneurial adventure began with interest and a deep ardor for generation. developing up in modest instances, he discovered thought in first-rate thinkers like Einstein, Hawking, and Jobs. Their innovative spirit stimulated him to pursue his goals and turn his ideas into truth.

In 2009, Boris-based Grupo Enterprise IT with a vision to provide IT solutions. His method became a simple but effective focus on agility, embody innovation, and build a various and supportive place of work subculture. These center values have helped the organization grow and establish itself as a leader in era answers.

Innovation and Agility inside the IT zone

One of the key elements behind Grupo Business IT’s achievement is its ability to evolve to exchange. In these days’s rapid-evolving digital landscape, organizations have to be flexible and open to new thoughts. Boris is familiar with the fact that staying beforehand requires a dedication to continuous gaining knowledge and development.

With a strong awareness of synthetic intelligence, groups businesses are far ahead in developing transformative technology solutions. Boris believes that AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, and he is devoted to leveraging its strength to enhance efficiency and enhance the client's enjoyment.

Building a strong and Inclusive place of business

A true chief knows that success isn’t pretty much an era; it's also approximately human beings. Boris is dedicated to developing an inclusive and various administrative center where employees feel valued and supported. He understands that a robust group is the inspiration of any hit enterprise.

Grupo Business IT prioritizes expertise improvement, ensuring that employees have right of entry to training and boom opportunities. By fostering a tradition of collaboration and open communication, Boris empowers his team to innovate and make contributions to the organization’s lengthy-term success.

The importance of non-stop development

Boris Arciniegas believes that even the most successful groups can benefit from ongoing refinement. He encourages businesses to regularly examine their tactics and find methods to optimize overall performance. His philosophy is that regardless of how properly something is running, there’s continually room for development.

This mindset has been instrumental in Grupo Enterprise IT’s increase. By constantly evolving and adapting to new technological improvements, the organization remains at the forefront of the industry.

International enlargement and future desires

searching beforehand, Boris has bold plans for Grupo commercial enterprise IT. By way of 2032, he goals to place the corporation as a worldwide leader in generation answers. One of his number one desires is to beautify the patron experience through ensuring that the personnel is familiar with and meets client wishes effectively.

To attain this, Grupo Business is strategically making ready its personnel to supply top-tier service. Boris believes that understanding customer demanding situations and providing tailored answers is prime to lengthy-time period fulfillment. His dedication to non-stop learning and development units a robust foundation for the enterprise’s future boom.

Recommendation for Aspiring marketers

Boris is captivated by sharing his know-how and stories with aspiring entrepreneurs. One of his largest pieces of recommendation is to gain practical income before launching a business. Expertise on how to connect to customers and sell a service or product is vital for lengthy-term success.

He also emphasizes the significance of perseverance. Entrepreneurship is full of challenges, but staying resilient and open to learning can make all the difference. Boris encourages young leaders to embrace trade, suppose creatively, and never stop innovating.

Recognized for Visionary leadership

Boris Arciniegas’ contributions to the IT area have not gone disregarded. Insights Achievement diagnosed him as the pinnacle visionary and impactful chief creating a wave in 2024. This popularity highlights his determination to technological innovation, customer-centric answers, and strategic international growth.

Under Boris’ leadership, Grupo Business IT continues to push the limits of what’s viable inside the technology sector. His adventure serves as a suggestion to entrepreneurs, enterprise leaders, and era fanatics internationally.

The future of era and management

As we pass ahead into an era of speedy technological advancements, leaders like Boris Arciniegas play a vital role in shaping the destiny. His commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and continuous development sets an effective example for agencies internationally.

With a clear vision and an ardor for technology, Boris isn’t always only remodeling Grupo Enterprise IT but additionally contributing to the broader evolution of the IT area. His tale is a testimony to the impact that visionary leadership can have on generation and commercial enterprise fulfillment.

Technology isn’t just about progress it's approximately human beings, ideas, and the ability to create significant alternates. And with leaders like Boris at the helm, the future of generation looks brighter than ever.

Recognized by Insights Success as the Top Visionary and Impactful Leader Making a Wave in 2024, Boris Arciniegas’ visionary leadership at Grupo Business IT exemplifies the power of continuous improvement, customer-centric innovation, and strategic global expansion.

Read More :- https://insightssuccessmagazine.com/driving-innovation-and-global-growth-boris-arciniegas-stars-in-insights-success-as-the-top-visionary-and-impactful-leader-making-a-wave-in-2024/

[iankhanblogs]

Envisioning Tomorrow: Top Futurists and AI Experts Redefining the Future

In a world rapidly transformed by technology, the role of visionaries like futurists, AI experts, and augmented reality experts has never been more important. These thought leaders provide the insights, strategies, and foresight needed to navigate a future driven by innovation, controversial technology, and groundbreaking ideas. Whether you’re inspired by a futurist keynote speaker or captivated by the predictions of futurist authors, these experts are shaping the world of tomorrow.

Technology Futurists: Architects of Tomorrow

A technology futurist is someone who predicts and analyzes how technological advancements will impact industries, governments, and individuals. From artificial intelligence to augmented reality, their insights help businesses and societies prepare for what’s next. Technology futurist speakers often deliver compelling talks on emerging trends such as automation, the Metaverse, and blockchain, helping organizations adapt to change.

What sets a futurist keynote speaker apart is their ability to turn complex technological concepts into actionable strategies. They not only predict trends but also inspire audiences to think creatively about the future.

AI Experts and AI Futurists: Leading the Artificial Intelligence Revolution

Artificial intelligence has become a cornerstone of innovation, revolutionizing industries from healthcare to education. AI experts and AI futurist are at the forefront, working on cutting-edge projects that redefine what’s possible. These leaders not only develop AI technologies but also address their societal implications, including ethics and privacy.

Top rated AI expert are playing a critical role in shaping the conversation around AI’s potential and its challenges. Their expertise extends to fields like machine learning experts, who focus on creating intelligent systems that learn and improve over time.

The Power of Augmented Reality Experts

AR experts and augmented reality experts are unlocking new possibilities by blending the physical and digital worlds. AR is no longer limited to entertainment; it’s transforming industries such as retail, real estate, and education. From virtual shopping experiences to immersive training programs, AR is reshaping how we interact with our environment.

For example, futurists predict that augmented reality will play a key role in healthcare, enabling surgeons to use real-time visualizations during complex procedures. Augmented reality experts are already pushing these innovations forward, turning visionary ideas into practical applications.

Futurist Authors and Their Visionary Ideas

The work of futurist authors offers a glimpse into the future by exploring emerging technologies and their societal impact. Many of the best futurist authors have written groundbreaking books that inspire readers to think critically about what lies ahead.

Whether they’re forecasting advances in AI, AR, or climate technology, famous futurist use their expertise to shape public discourse. These authors often double as keynote experts, sharing their insights on global stages to inspire change and innovation.

Top 10 Futurists: Who’s Leading the Charge?

When discussing the future, the contributions of the top 10 futurists cannot be ignored. These experts are renowned for their ability to predict technological shifts and offer guidance on adapting to them. Whether it’s exploring controversial technology or paving the way for ethical AI, they are true trailblazers.

Controversial Technology: Innovation or Ethical Dilemma?

Every new innovation brings with it a wave of excitement — and controversy. Controversial technology, such as AI-driven surveillance or autonomous weapons, has sparked debates about its ethical implications.

While these advancements hold tremendous potential, they also challenge existing norms. This is where futurists, AI experts, and technology futurists step in. Their role is to guide businesses and policymakers in adopting these technologies responsibly, ensuring they benefit humanity as a whole.

Why We Need Futurist Keynote Speakers and Experts

The insights provided by futurist keynote speaker, technology futurist speakers, and AI experts are invaluable in today’s ever-changing world. These thought leaders bridge the gap between technological possibilities and real-world applications, helping individuals and businesses stay ahead of the curve.

Whether it’s through the expertise of AR experts, the foresight of futurist authors, or the groundbreaking work of top-rated AI experts, the future is being shaped by those willing to ask tough questions and explore bold ideas.

Final Thoughts

The future is not something to fear — it’s something to prepare for. By engaging with AI futurists, augmented reality experts, and machine learning experts, you can gain the insights needed to thrive in a world driven by innovation.

Whether you’re inspired by the work of famous futurists or seeking guidance from technology futurist speakers, the key is to embrace change and think forward. The future is being written today, and with the help of keynote experts and visionaries, it’s bound to be extraordinary.

Ready to Unlock Your Potential ?

Learn more about my work as a Futurist, Keynote Speaker and Author Here. (https://www.iankhan.com) Unleash your Future with the scientifically designed Theory of Future Readiness. Get your Personal Power Checklist Here (https://futuracy.eo.page/zs38h)

[alliance00]

What is the Best CEO Hiring Selection Criteria and Interview Process?

A CEO can make or break a company. Their strategic insight, mentoring, and coaching of senior members, as well as making important high-level decisions, cannot ever be compensated by any other board member. It is a tough job and requires dedication and smart decision-making. The wrong CEO hiring selection criteria can have devastating consequences for the company. Recent examples like the entire last decade of Yahoo, or Apple’s case before Jobs’ return for a second tenure, prove how influential CEOs can be in gearing the company towards success. This makes best-fit CEO hiring imperative for the company, and any misses are dearly paid for. It is important to clarify the essential qualities required for the job beforehand so that the right decision can be made while going through the CEO selection process. This blog offers great insights into framing the CEO hiring criteria and the CEO selection process.

Considering CEO Hiring? Five Most Sought-After Qualities Worth Noting

When noting down the CEO search and CEO recruitment criteria, a company takes into consideration the abilities that are key to their business demands and contexts. Certain attributes and qualities are common to the CEO search and selection criteria of most companies. A CEO needs to have some essential, irreplaceable qualities that cannot be compensated by anyone else in the company. These qualities are what drive the CEO to take the company forward.

Enabler:

CEOs should act as an enabler to implement bold decisions without any hiccups. They should be a driving force for other senior members, spurring them forward by inspiring and motivating them and acting as a catalyst for the overall growth of the company.

Achiever:

This goes without saying that someone who is this high in the hierarchy must have the prerequisite achievements to deserve it. CEOs should have gained some repute through their previous work if they are appointed to such high positions.

Strategic And Critical Thinker:

CEOs are responsible for the most important and high-level decisions of the company, which require critical skills and strategy driven by market insight. A good CEO hiring process can not underestimate this skill.

Innovator:

In the current competitive economy, only those companies with an innovative streak can survive. New, bold, radical ideas and products driven by innovation can change the company and its fortunes. CEOs would need such innovative thinking to fully commit to the job.

Visionary:

A calculative mind that looks far ahead into the future can make the company survive the toughest times through its insight. The economy has become highly uncertain post-pandemic, and therefore CEOs will need to be better prepared for such uncertainty. A true visionary will look ahead, prepare and calculate how they navigate the ever-evolving business world. 

Five Things Boards Assess Deeply For CEO Selection

Industry Experience

Generally, CEOs tend to have a varied background when it comes to business. The more industry experience they have, the better they are at leading the company forward due to their superior understanding of the market. Experience is not just a figure, like the number of years a professional has worked. When choosing the top CEO candidates, you have to look beyond figures to abilities that have come from practical decisions and how the leader performed during good and bad scenarios. A varied experience also ensures that they are versatile and prepared for future possibilities and expansions into other sectors if the company wishes to.

Knowledge – Products, Solutions, Business, and Markets

A CEO should be equipped with relevant knowledge related to the company’s pursuits. Does he know about the products and services the company delivers? Does he understand the business space related to those products well? Does he have knowledge of the complex markets where the product is delivered? What solutions can he provide to make more successful decisions? These are questions to be asked before Hiring a CEO. Prior knowledge about these things can allow the CEO to work efficiently from the get-go. Find out if your chosen CEO candidates can identify major problems and suggest solutions, along with improving the products/services the company is known for. Can they devise marketing solutions as well and manage the finances and expenditures of the company better by getting some assistance from other members like the CFO. A CEO’s immediate and apt responses to any problems, combined with his insight and knowledge, can change the company drastically. Currently, the majority of AXJ 200 CEOs have experience in finance, which also shows how a better knowledge of numbers is highly preferred when it comes to identifying the best CEO candidates.

Expertise And Achievements- Operations, Client Acquisition, Growth, And Expansion

Expertise comes from more experience, which can let the CEO develop some finesse in managing the affairs of the company. As stated prior to this, more industry experience in varied sectors can make sure for future expansions in other sectors without any leadership gap. While the CEO should be well versed in managing day-to-day operations, he should also be geared towards the constant expansion and growth of the company instead of being content with its current state. Client acquisition is the most necessary piece for any company to grow, and the CEO should be focused on devising better client acquisition strategies to widen the consumer base.

Experience – Technologies, Transformation, Innovation, Change Management

A CEO with an open mind is an absolute must in the current state of the world, especially considering how uncertain the economy has been in recent times. Companies with good leadership and open minds have been quick to shift focus from less profitable projects to more profitable ones, and quick responses from them have been central to generating profit in recent times. CEO hiring consultants need to identify candidates who would be innovative in their strategies, and comfortable with using new technology to its fullest. He or she should be able to make adjustments to the overall management and know how to make these adjustments through their experience.

Leadership Style And Culture Fit

A bad CEO is often not one who is incompetent but rather the one who is not able to fit well, nor incorporate leadership approaches that fit within the company, resulting in a disconnect between the company and the leadership. A good culture fit is central to the proper functioning of a company. Leadership styles should be appropriate and in accordance with the company’s missions and long-term goals.

The Best Way To Hire A CEO – Consult With A CEO Executive Search Agency

Better Talent Access:

Good search agencies like us can make a huge difference in your CEO hiring, as we have access to a massive database of eligible talent of all kinds. We have an entire team dedicated to hiring senior-level staff and use our global networks to access a pool of talent on a worldwide scale.

Fast Search And Shortlisting:

Our efficient search and recruitment processes ensure that candidates are shortlisted fast while also ensuring quality. We guarantee the quality, speed, and convenience at the same time.

Superior Talent Attraction And Engagement:

We operate in more than 25 countries and in major regions like the US, Canada, the UK, EMEA, India, South Asia, Asia-Pacific, and Australia. This allows us superior access to talent as well as the skills required for proper engagement.

Optimized Candidate Experience:

Candidates are tested thoroughly and fairly, and the process is entirely transparent for our clients. We follow the best practices, retaining the interest of brilliant CEO candidates to consider the CEO position in your company, and to get a great experience knowing about your company and interacting with key members of your company.

Conclusion

Working with a recruitment agency can massively help with CEO selection, owing to their experience, expertise, and management. The CEO recruitment process requires the consideration of multiple criteria and skills; it can change the company massively.

Alliance Recruitment Agency

Alliance Recruitment Agency is a leading global recruitment agency, staffing, and executive search company with an experience of over a decade in C-level recruiting. We are deeply committed to understanding the business model of our clients, and our C-level headhunter staff uses simple yet effective procedures to make sure candidates perfectly fit the requirements of the company. We provide CEO recruitment services to industries from diverse sectors. Our team of industry experts works around the clock to bring the best talent from across the globe through our expansive global networks. Connect with us if you’re looking for a C-level recruitment agency with both expertise and experience in your industry.

[javiercuencahialeahgardens]

Javier Cuenca Miami: Transforming Brands in Competitive Market

In the bustling business environment of Hialeah Gardens, Javier Cuenca Miami stands out as a dynamic and innovative marketing consultant dedicated to transforming the way brands engage with their audiences. With a proven track record of success, Javier’s expertise lies in creating strategic solutions that not only enhance brand visibility but also drive tangible business growth for his clients.

A Visionary Approach to Marketing

Javier’s journey into marketing began with a keen interest in understanding consumer behavior and the ever-evolving trends that shape the marketplace. His approach to marketing is far from conventional; it is rooted in a deep understanding of the unique needs of each client. He believes that every business has a story to tell, and his mission is to help them communicate that story in a way that resonates with their target audience.

What sets Javier apart is his commitment to delivering tailored marketing strategies. Instead of relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, he delves into the specifics of each business—its goals, challenges, and opportunities. By combining data-driven insights with creative ingenuity, he crafts campaigns that are not only effective but also aligned with the brand’s identity and values.

Enhancing Brand Visibility

In today’s digital age, visibility is key to a brand’s success. Javier has honed his skills in leveraging a variety of tools and platforms to maximize his clients’ exposure. Whether it’s through search engine optimization (SEO), social media campaigns, or content marketing, he ensures that his clients stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Javier’s strategies are designed to capture attention and build trust. By understanding the nuances of different platforms and how audiences interact with them, he creates content and campaigns that drive engagement. For instance, his ability to analyze market trends allows him to position his clients as thought leaders in their industries, further boosting their credibility and visibility.

Driving Business Growth

While visibility is important, Javier knows that true success lies in measurable outcomes. His focus on driving business growth is evident in the results he delivers. From increasing website traffic and lead generation to improving conversion rates and customer retention, Javier’s strategies are geared towards achieving long-term success for his clients.

Javier’s dedication to results is complemented by his analytical mindset. He continuously monitors and evaluates the performance of his campaigns, making data-backed adjustments to optimize outcomes. This iterative process ensures that his clients’ marketing efforts remain effective and relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.

Building Relationships, Not Just Campaigns

At the core of Javier’s work is a genuine passion for helping businesses thrive. He views his clients as partners, fostering collaborative relationships built on trust and mutual respect. This approach allows him to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and challenges, enabling him to provide solutions that truly make a difference.

Javier’s clients often commend his ability to listen and adapt. He takes the time to learn about their industries, competitors, and unique value propositions, ensuring that his strategies are not only innovative but also practical. His personalized touch has earned him a reputation as a consultant who goes above and beyond to exceed expectations.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

The world of marketing is constantly evolving, and Javier is committed to staying ahead of the curve. He invests time in continuous learning, keeping up with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices. This proactive approach allows him to offer his clients cutting-edge solutions that keep them competitive in their industries.

For example, Javier has embraced the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in marketing. By integrating these tools into his strategies, he helps his clients streamline their processes and gain valuable insights into their audiences. Additionally, his expertise in emerging platforms ensures that his clients can tap into new opportunities as they arise.

A Positive Impact on the Community

Beyond his professional achievements, Javier is also deeply committed to making a positive impact on his community. He believes in supporting local businesses and helping them reach their full potential. Through workshops, seminars, and one-on-one consultations, he shares his knowledge and empowers others to succeed.

Javier’s work in Hialeah Gardens has not only elevated individual businesses but also contributed to the overall economic growth of the area. By helping local brands thrive, he plays a vital role in fostering a vibrant and prosperous community.

The Future of Marketing with Javier Cuenca

As the business world continues to evolve, Javier Cuenca remains a trusted partner for companies looking to navigate the complexities of modern marketing. His ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver impactful results ensures that his clients stay ahead of the competition.

Javier’s unwavering dedication to his craft, combined with his passion for helping others, makes him a true leader in the field of marketing. Whether it’s a small local business or a larger organization, those who work with Javier can rest assured that their brand is in capable hands.

In conclusion, Javier Cuenca Miami expertise in creating strategic, tailored solutions has cemented his reputation as a top marketing consultant in Hialeah Gardens, Miami. His focus on enhancing brand visibility, driving business growth, and building lasting relationships sets him apart in an industry that is constantly evolving. For businesses seeking to make a meaningful impact and achieve sustained success, Javier is the partner they can trust.

[rodrigoruizdeteresa]

The Rise of Rodrigo Ruiz De Teresa: A Story of Business Success and Innovation

In the competitive world of business, few stories stand out as clearly as that of Rodrigo Ruiz De Teresa. A successful businessman with a remarkable ability to transform ideas into tangible achievements, Rodrigo has become a true leader in various industries. His journey is a testament to the power of strategic thinking, resilience, and innovative leadership. From humble beginnings to achieving success on a global scale, Rodrigo’s career is a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Rodrigo’s entrepreneurial journey began with an eye for opportunity and a deep understanding of market dynamics. Whether launching new ventures or turning struggling businesses around, his approach is one rooted in foresight. He knows how to identify emerging trends and act quickly to stay ahead of the curve, a key trait that has made him a force to be reckoned with in the business world.

At the core of Rodrigo's success lies his commitment to innovation. He is not just a businessman; he is a visionary who recognizes the power of technology, strategic partnerships, and effective management. In a rapidly changing business landscape, where adaptation is crucial, Rodrigo has consistently led organizations toward success by embracing new ideas and staying ahead of the competition.

However, success did not come overnight. Rodrigo’s path was fraught with challenges and obstacles, but he always approached adversity with determination and resilience. He has faced economic downturns, market shifts, and even personal struggles, but each setback only fueled his desire to push forward and come out stronger. This unwavering dedication to his goals is a cornerstone of his success.

In addition to his innovative mindset, Rodrigo is also known for his leadership abilities. He understands that a company’s greatest asset is its people, and he has always made it a priority to build strong, motivated teams. Under his leadership, organizations have flourished, with employees motivated to work toward shared goals. His emphasis on collaboration and communication has fostered positive work environments and inspired loyalty among his teams.

Rodrigo’s success can also be attributed to his business acumen and strategic decision-making. In an age where business leaders are often required to navigate uncertain terrain, Rodrigo’s ability to make sound decisions based on data, research, and instinct has been a defining feature of his career. His strategies have led companies to sustainable growth and profitability, solidifying his reputation as a businessman who knows how to make the right moves at the right time.

Today, Rodrigo Ruiz De Teresa is not just a successful businessman but a respected mentor and industry leader. His story continues to inspire countless entrepreneurs around the world, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and embrace challenges with confidence and resilience. His legacy of innovation, leadership, and perseverance is one that will continue to shape the future of business for years to come.