#automobile industry business ideas

[newbusinessideas]

Top 10 Best Automobile Business Ideas with High Profit

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The automobile business is a massive one on a global scale. Furthermore, the industry’s volume is rapidly increasing. Because the automobile population is growing by the day. As a result, the need for various sorts of after-sales services is increasing. And, the automobile industry presents numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to venture into profitable automobile business ideas. So,…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The impoverished imagination of neoliberal climate “solutions

This morning (Oct 31) at 10hPT, the Internet Archive is livestreaming my presentation on my recent book, The Internet Con.

There is only one planet in the known universe capable of sustaining human life, and it is rapidly becoming uninhabitable by humans. Clearly, this warrants bold action – but which bold action should we take?

After half a century of denial and disinformation, the business lobby has seemingly found climate religion and has joined the choir, but they have their own unique hymn: this crisis is so dire, they say, that we don't have the luxury of choosing between different ways of addressing the emergency. We have to do "all of the above" – every possible solution must be tried.

In his new book Dark PR, Grant Ennis explains that this "all of the above" strategy doesn't represent a change of heart by big business. Rather, it's part of the denial playbook that's been used to sell tobacco-cancer doubt and climate disinformation:

https://darajapress.com/publication/dark-pr-how-corporate-disinformation-harms-our-health-and-the-environment

The point of "all of the above" isn't muscular, immediate action – rather, it's a delaying tactic that creates space for "solutions" that won't work, but will generate profits. Think of how the tobacco industry used "all of the above" to sell "light" cigarettes, snuff, snus, and vaping – and delay tobacco bans, sin taxes, and business-euthanizing litigation. Today, the same playbook is used to sell EVs as an answer to the destructive legacy of the personal automobile – to the exclusion of mass transit, bikes, and 15-minute cities:

https://thewaroncars.org/2023/10/24/113-dark-pr-with-grant-ennis/

As the tobacco and car examples show, "all of the above" is never really all of the above. Pursuing "light" cigarettes to reduce cancer is incompatible with simply banning tobacco; giving everyone a personal EV is incompatible with remaking our cities for transit, cycling and walking.

When it comes to the climate emergency, "all of the above" means trying "market-based" solutions to the exclusion of directly regulating emissions, despite the poor performance of these "solutions."

The big one here is carbon offsets, which allows companies to make money by promising not to emit carbon that they would otherwise emit. The idea here is that creating a new asset class will unleash the incredible creativity of markets by harnessing the greed of elite sociopaths to the project of decarbonization, rather of the prudence of democratically accountable lawmakers.

Carbon offsets have not worked: they have been plagued by absolutely foreseeable problems that have not lessened, despite repeated attempts to mitigate them.

For starters, carbon offsets are a classic market for lemons. The cheapest way to make a carbon offset is to promise not to emit carbon you were never going to emit anyway, as when fake charities like the Nature Conservancy make millions by promising not to log forests that can't be logged because they are wildlife preserves:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/03/18/greshams-carbon-law/#papal-indulgences

Then there's the problem of monitoring carbon offsetting activity. Like, what happens when the forest you promise not to log burns down? If you're a carbon trader, the answer is "nothing." That burned-down forest can still be sold as if it were sequestering carbon, rather than venting it to the atmosphere in an out-of-control blaze:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/07/26/aggregate-demand/#murder-offsets

When you bought a plane ticket and ticked the "offset the carbon on my flight" box and paid an extra $10, I bet you thought that you were contributing to a market that incentivized a reduction in discretionary, socially useless carbon-intensive activity. But without those carbon offsets, SUVs would have all but disappeared from American roads. Carbon offsets for Tesla cars generated billions in carbon offsets for Elon Musk, and allowed SUVs to escape regulations that would otherwise have seen them pulled from the market:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/11/24/no-puedo-pagar-no-pagara/#Rat

What's more, Tesla figured out how to get double the offsets they were entitled to by pretending that they had a working battery-swap technology. This directly translated to even more SUVs on the road:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Tesla,_Inc.#Misuse_of_government_subsidies

Harnessing the profit motive to the planet's survivability might sound like a good idea, but it assumes that corporations can self-regulate their way to a better climate future. They cannot. Think of how Canada's logging industry was allowed to clearcut old-growth forests and replace them with "pines in lines" – evenly spaced, highly flammable, commercially useful tree-farms that now turn into raging forest fires every year:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/16/murder-offsets/#pulped-and-papered

The idea of "market-based" climate solutions is that certain harmful conduct should be disincentivized through taxes, rather than banned. This makes carbon offsets into a kind of modern Papal indulgence, which let you continue to sin, for a price. As the outstanding short video Murder Offsets so ably demonstrates, this is an inadequate, unserious and immoral response to the urgency of the issue:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/14/for-sale-green-indulgences/#killer-analogy

Offsets and other market-based climate measures aren't "all of the above" – they exclude other measures that have better track-records and lower costs, because those measures cut against the interests of the business lobby. Writing for the Law and Political Economy Project, Yale Law's Douglas Kysar gives some pointed examples:

https://lpeproject.org/blog/climate-change-and-the-neoliberal-imagination/

For example: carbon offsets rely on a notion called "contrafactual carbon," this being the imaginary carbon that might be omitted by a company if it wasn't participating in offsets. The number of credits a company gets is determined by the difference between its contrafactual emissions and its actual emissions.

But the "contrafactual" here comes from a business-as-usual world, one where the only limit on carbon emissions comes from corporate executives' voluntary actions – and not from regulation, direct action, or other limits on corporate conduct.

Kysar asks us to imagine a contrafactual that depends on "carbon upsets," rather than offsets – one where the limits on carbon come from "lawsuits, referenda, protests, boycotts, civil disobedience":

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cif-green/2010/aug/29/carbon-upsets-offsets-cap-and-trade

If we're really committed to "all of the above" as baseline for calculating offsets, why not imagine a carbon world grounded in foreseeable, evidence-based reality, like the situation in Louisiana, where a planned petrochemical plant was canceled after a lawsuit over its 13.6m tons of annual carbon emissions?

https://earthjustice.org/press/2022/louisiana-court-vacates-air-permits-for-formosas-massive-petrochemical-complex-in-cancer-alley

Rather than a tradeable market in carbon offsets, we could harness the market to reward upsets. If your group wins a lawsuit that prevents 13.6m tons of carbon emissions every year, it will get 13.6 million credits for every year that plant would have run. That would certainly drive the commercial imaginations of many otherwise disinterested parties to find carbon-reduction measures. If we're going to revive dubious medieval practices like indulgences, why not champerty, too?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champerty_and_maintenance

That is, if every path to a survivable planet must run through Goldman-Sachs, why not turn their devious minds to figuring out ways to make billions in tradeable credits by suing the pants off oil companies?

There are any number of measures that rise to the flimsy standards of evidence in support of offsets. Like, we're giving away $85/ton in free public money for carbon capture technologies, despite the lack of any credible path to these making a serious dent in the climate situation:

https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/energy-transition/072523-ira-turbocharged-carbon-capture-tax-credit-but-challenges-persist-experts

If we're willing to fund untested longshots like carbon capture, why not measures that have far better track-records? For example, there's a pretty solid correlation between the presence of women in legislatures and on corporate boards and overall reductions in carbon. I'm the last person to suggest that the problems of capitalism can be replaced by replacing half of the old white men who run the world with women, PoCs and queers – but if we're willing to hand billions to ferkakte scheme like carbon capture, why not subsidize companies that pack their boards with women, or provide campaign subsidies to women running for office? It's quite a longshot (putting Liz Truss or Marjorie Taylor-Greene on your board or in your legislature is no way to save the planet), but it's got a better evidentiary basis than carbon capture.

There's also good evidence that correlates inequality with carbon emissions, though the causal relationship is unclear. Maybe inequality lets the wealthy control policy outcomes and tilt them towards permitting high-emission/high-profit activities. Maybe inequality reduces the social cohesion needed to make decarbonization work. Maybe inequality makes it harder for green tech to find customers. Maybe inequality leads to rich people chasing status-enhancing goods (think: private jet rides) that are extremely carbon-intensive.

Whatever the reason, there's a pretty good case that radical wealth redistribution would speed up decarbonization – any "all of the above" strategy should certainly consider this one.

Kysar's written a paper on this, entitled "Ways Not to Think About Climate Change":

https://political-theory.org/resources/Documents/Kysar.Ways%20Not%20to%20Think%20About%20Climate%20Change.pdf

It's been accepted for the upcoming American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy conference on climate change:

https://political-theory.org/13257256

It's quite a bracing read! The next time someone tells you we should hand Elon Musk billions to in exchange for making it possible to legally manufacture vast fleets of SUVs because we need to try "all of the above," send them a copy of this paper.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/31/carbon-upsets/#big-tradeoff

[visit-new-york]

Chrysler Building. Here are 100 fascinating details about this iconic skyscraper:

The Chrysler Building's construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1930, marking a rapid two-year build time.

Architect William Van Alen designed the Chrysler Building, showcasing his innovative Art Deco style.

The building was commissioned as the headquarters for the Chrysler Corporation, led by Walter P. Chrysler.

Rising to a height of 1,046 feet (319 meters), it held the title of the world's tallest building upon completion.

The building's gleaming spire, reaching 77 stories, is a hallmark of its vertical elegance.

Despite its reign as the world's tallest, the Chrysler Building is no longer the tallest in New York City.

Art Deco, characterized by geometric patterns and ornate embellishments, defines the building's architectural style.

The exterior is adorned with stainless steel cladding, decorative brickwork, and limestone accents.

The iconic terraced crown, inspired by automotive design, houses the distinctive eagle gargoyles.

The eagle gargoyles symbolize ambition and freedom, and they're perched on the 61st floor corners.

The building's lobby features stunning marble walls, intricate patterns, and Art Deco detailing.

The Chrysler Building's construction cost around $20 million during the late 1920s.

Upon its completion, the building faced economic challenges due to the onset of the Great Depression.

The building's name honors Walter P. Chrysler and his contributions to the automotive industry.

The Chrysler Building's race to be the tallest spurred a friendly competition with the Empire State Building.

Visitors can't typically access the upper floors due to security, but the lobby is open to the public.

The building's distinctive appearance has made it a popular backdrop in movies and TV shows.

The Chrysler Building's ornamentation draws inspiration from automobile radiator grilles and hubcaps.

The decorative elements were crafted with precision and attention to detail, elevating its visual appeal.

The building's steel frame, a modern marvel, enabled its towering height and iconic silhouette.

The Chrysler Building's crown has been illuminated in various colors for special occasions.

The Great Depression impacted the building's initial occupancy and financial viability.

The Chrysler Building's Art Deco design was influenced by the optimism of the Roaring Twenties.

The land on which the building stands was leased from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.

Its completion marked the pinnacle of William Van Alen's architectural career.

The Chrysler Building's interior spaces have housed various offices and businesses over the years.

The building's influence extended to other structures worldwide, particularly during the Art Deco era.

The Chrysler Building's legacy persists as an architectural and cultural icon in New York City.

The lobby's geometric patterns and luxurious detailing echo the building's Art Deco exterior.

The Chrysler Building has inspired artists, writers, and photographers for decades.

Preservation efforts have aimed to maintain the building's historic features and design integrity.

The building's unique design elements have influenced subsequent skyscrapers and architectural trends.

Its enduring popularity ensures it remains a sought-after subject for photographers and creatives.

The Chrysler Building's lobby has been open for guided tours, allowing visitors to appreciate its beauty.

The building's construction provided vital employment during a time of economic uncertainty.

The Chrysler Building's spire was initially intended for mooring airships, although this idea was not realized.

The building's rapid construction showcased the advancements in engineering and construction techniques.

The Chrysler Building's exterior underwent a restoration project in the early 2000s.

The distinctive terraced design of the crown adds depth and elegance to the building's profile.

The building's presence has transformed its Midtown Manhattan neighborhood, attracting commerce and development.

It's visible from various parts of Brooklyn, offering a distant view of Manhattan's skyline.

The Chrysler Building's design embodies the spirit of progress and innovation of the 1920s.

The stainless steel cladding was specifically treated to maintain its shine and resist weathering.

The Chrysler Building's lobby boasts a remarkable ceiling mural depicting transportation and industry.

It remains an enduring symbol of New York's ambition, resilience, and architectural excellence.

The Chrysler Building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

While its interiors have changed over the years, the exterior remains a testament to its original design.

The building's Art Deco design elements are echoed in its elevators, doors, and decorative elements.

Preservation efforts ensure that the Chrysler Building remains a beloved part of New York's skyline.

The building's construction coincided with a surge in demand for steel, reflecting industrial progress.

The Chrysler Building's lobby was meticulously designed to impress and reflect the company's prominence.

The building's architectural details have made it a subject of fascination for architectural historians.

The Chrysler Building's influence on architecture extends beyond the United States to a global scale.

The building has made appearances in literature, poetry, and as a backdrop for important events.

The competition with the Empire State Building was marked by a race to complete the tallest structure.

The Chrysler Building's design showcases a balance between form and function, elegance and engineering.

Its terraced crown and ornamentation draw inspiration from ancient architectural styles.

The Chrysler Building's design emphasizes verticality, a departure from earlier Beaux-Arts influences.

The building's lobby features elevators with ornate doors and intricate detailing.

The Chrysler Building's lobby ceiling boasts an intricate mural illustrating transportation modes of the era.

It's recognized for its role in shaping the skyline and character of New York City.

The Chrysler Building's design incorporates elements from Greek and Roman architectural styles.

The building has withstood the test of time, remaining relevant in modern architectural discussions.

The Chrysler Building's presence reflects the ambition and dynamism of New York City itself.

It's often regarded as one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world.

The Chrysler Building's design exemplifies the era's fascination with technology and innovation.

The building's ornate decorations incorporate influences from various cultures and artistic movements.

The Chrysler Building's facade features setbacks that provide visual interest and break up the verticality.

The building's crown is composed of seven terraced arches, each adorned with intricate detailing.

The Chrysler Building's lobby showcases a mix of luxurious materials, including marble and metals.

Its distinct lighting schemes have transformed it into a nighttime spectacle on special occasions.

The building's construction was a testament to collaboration between architects, engineers, and craftsmen.

Its innovative design allowed for natural ventilation and an abundance of natural light in its interiors.

The Chrysler Building's design embraced the machine age while incorporating elements of elegance.

Its iconic spire is topped by a glass radiating crown, enhancing its visual impact.

The Chrysler Building's influence on architecture extended to the design of other skyscrapers worldwide.

The building's ornamentation was crafted with attention to detail, featuring intricate patterns.

Its lobby served as a grand entrance, reflecting the prestige and status of the Chrysler Corporation.

The Chrysler Building's name serves as a tribute to the automotive industry and its innovation.

It's an integral part of New York City's skyline, recognizable from various viewpoints.

The building's crown was originally intended as an indoor observation deck, but this plan changed.

The Chrysler Building's lobby murals reflect the era's enthusiasm for technological progress.

Its construction contributed to New York City's economy during a challenging period.

The building's height race with the Empire State Building added excitement to its completion.

Its innovative design incorporated the latest technologies of the time, including stainless steel.

The Chrysler Building has inspired generations of architects, designers, and creatives.

Its design echoes the optimism and exuberance of the Jazz Age and the Roaring Twenties.

The building's presence symbolizes New York's role as a global center of commerce and culture.

Its iconic silhouette is often used as a shorthand representation of New York City.

The Chrysler Building's lobby serves as a time capsule of Art Deco aesthetics and values.

The building's architectural legacy is celebrated for its contribution to the Art Deco movement.

Its exterior materials were chosen for their durability and aesthetic appeal.

The Chrysler Building's construction required an astounding 391,881 rivets and 3,826,000 bricks.

The building's lobby ceiling mural portrays modern transportation modes of the time.

Its spire was constructed using a technique called "top-down" assembly, a novel approach at the time.

The Chrysler Building's aesthetics reflect a transition from earlier Beaux-Arts architecture.

The building's setbacks and intricate crown contribute to its visually striking design.

Its unique terraced design provides architectural depth and adds to its majestic presence.

The Chrysler Building's construction showcased the collaborative efforts of skilled craftsmen.

Its completion coincided with a period of technological advancement, optimism, and modernization.

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[dailyanarchistposts]

Technology

Technology Today

The neutrality of science and technology is a myth. Science is used to legitimate power, technology to justify social control. The myth is wheeled out when technology comes under fire e.g. for causing industrial pollution or traffic congestion. Inadequate policies or under-developed technology are blamed rather than the technology itself. The solution is a “technical fix” — more of the same. The ideology of industrialisation is that modernisation, technological development and social development are the same. It is used to justify the pursuit of economic growth, with the emphasis on wealth generation rather than its distribution.

This ideology is used to suppress the potential for individualsocial emancipation offered by particular machines such as wind power technology (i.e. small scale, for local use, and community controlled), and to legitimise their use in ways that are socially and environmentally exploitative (large scale wind farms under state/private control supplying the National Grid). Technological innovation is used politically, but presented in neutral technical/scientific terms such as “increased efficiency”. A modern example might be the introduction of assembly line production techniques into the construction industry; or a ‘technical solution’ to social needs such as the development of a new transport system; or as the economic ‘rationalisation’ of out of date technologies, for instance the introduction of new print technology by Rupert Murdoch at Wapping which led to the printers’ strike of 1986/7. ‘Work improvement’ schemes such as job enrichment allow workers a say in minor decisions to divert them from key areas such as pay and productivity. Innovation is used as a threat to blackmail sections of the workforce into particular tasks: employers often threaten female machine workers that if their demands for equal pay with men are met, they will be replaced by machines.

Science has prostituted itself to its paymaster, big business, and is a dangerous partner in change. In the 1880’s Frederick Winslow Taylor invented ‘scientific management’ (now known as Taylorism). He believed all productive processes could be broken down into hundreds of individual tasks and each made more efficient through rigorous management and the use of controlling technology. A prime example is the assembly line and it is no coincidence that the great ‘success’ of Henry Ford was based on the application of Taylor’s principles to mass automobile production. What is surprising is that during the Russian Revolution, the Bolsheviks enthusiastically took up Taylorism. Lenin described it as “a combination of the refined brutality of bourgeois exploitation and a number of the greatest scientific achievements in the field of analysing the mechanical motions of work; we must systematically try it out and adapt it to our own ends.” A belief in the neutrality of technology, and that it could be controlled by the scientific and managerial elites of the ‘workers’ state, was one of the factors leading to the corruption and eventual destruction of the Russian Revolution. But Taylor’s research has since been shown to be wholly unscientific. His timed study tasks were made on an atypical worker chosen for his large size, great strength, and general stupidity. Taylorism has largely been superseded by ideas about ‘job enrichment’ at work; unfortunately, such ideas are equally unscientific.

The objectivity of the scientific method is used to mask the problems created by advanced technology and to legitimise the policies of the ruling class. The Roskill Commission was set up in 1969 to look at the siting of a third London airport. The masses of ‘expert evidence’ showed that it was less socially damaging to fly loud aircraft over working class rather than middle class areas because of the different effects on property values. Technological programmes are presented as outside the area of political debate, so only technical objections are allowed. Official enquiries into the location of motorways and nuclear power stations can discuss where they will cause the least environmental and social disturbance but not whether they are needed in the first place or whose interests they serve. Similarly, the trend is to present politics as a purely technical or managerial activity, with policies assigned measurable ‘performance targets’ but which ignore other social consequences.

[krunalsojitrablog]

What is Enterprise Fleet Management?

As is revealed in today’s world business environment, any organization must manage its resources appropriately. Thus, for companies and firms having major operations related to transportation and logistics, it becomes even more essential to manage their fleets.

Now, let’s start with the basics: what does enterprise fleet management mean? Now let’s discuss this idea and figure out how it can be of great benefit to the business processes.

Understanding what is Enterprise Fleet Management

Fleet management within an enterprise could be described as a strategic approach to managing and supervising such a company's vehicle fleet. The areas include its acquisition and maintenance, driver and vehicle management, and laws governing the automobile industry. Fleet management is prospective to optimize the operating costs and enhance the safety and productivity of both fleets and their drivers.

In an enterprise environment, fleet management goes beyond tracking the vehicles; it is more about getting improved ways of running organizations. Fleet management is important irrespective of whether it involves delivery vans, trucks, or even corporate cars if the business owns a set of cars for business use.

The outcome highlights the fundamental issues of fleet management.

Vehicle Acquisition and Disposal: Picking the correct car for your fleet, beginning from procurement to the time of disposal.

Maintenance and Repair: Managing to schedule vehicles for maintenance and repairs regularly to make sure that they are in good working condition to reduce time loss.

Fuel Management: Fuel efficiency management by controlling consumption and considering these to minimize fuel expenses by using fuel-efficient driving techniques and other energy resources.

Driver Management: Incorporating training and supervision of drivers as well as planning meals nt to support safety, compliance, and efficiency among the drivers.

Compliance and Risk Management: The safety of all the used vehicles as well as the used drivers with brutal and international requirements and managing of risk exposures of operating fleets.

Here we will discuss the concept of Fleet Management Software. Inefficiently managing all these components, many businesses turn to the use of fleet management software. This is because it acts as a platform for accessing any information regarding the fleet, including real-time data and automated operations of the fleet.

Key Features of Fleet Management Software

GPS Tracking: Precise vehicle location in real-time to increase efficiency and controllers. 

Maintenance Scheduling: Schedule reminders in case of preventive maintenance and repairs to avoid ‘bottlenecks Management: Proper equipment that tracks fuel usage and gives an indication of wasteful activities. 

Compliance Management: Material properties garages need to comply with set safety measures as well as regulatory requirements.

Driver Performance Monitoring: Measures to monitor and measure drivers’s performance, detect their training requirements, and incentivize them over safe behavior on roads. 

Why Enterprise Fleet Management is So Important

To large companies, fleet management is not only limited to planning on how to ensure that vehicles are running. It’s about being able to harness data and technology in a way that will put you ahead of the competition. Effective management of fleets is known to have numerous benefits, such as cutting costs, satisfying customers, and reducing risks involving drivers and cars, among others. 

However, due to emerging issues such as global warming, companies are now focusing on the use of fleets to be environmentally friendly. This is done through the optimization of routes, timely maintenance of vehicles, and training of the drivers to ensure they are conscious of the impact they make on the environment. 

Being a web-based service, the most advantageous aspect related to an FMS or a Fleet Management Software Development Service is that it can be easily and effectively utilized across the corporate fleet range.

This has led to the increasing need for the development of fleet management software to be able to meet the expanding market need. Custom software, as the name suggests, is designed to improve organizational operations to suit a company’s needs, making it more flexible than packaged software.

A fleet management software development service typically includes

Consultation and Needs Assessment: Ah, awareness of the particular requirements and objectives of your fleet. You need to hire a professional fleet management software development company.

Custom Software Development: Constructing a custom fit that incorporates into the complex structures of the organization and fits the needs of the organization perfectly.

Integration with IoT Devices: The use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as GPS trackers or sensors to input real-time information and data.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance: Needed to make sure the software will continue to include all the features and incorporate the latest technologies and that it will cover all current needs of the business.

Conclusion

Okay, then, Fleet management is a system that encompasses all activities that involve control of a company’s fleet of vehicles with the use of the latest technologies in software and quality practices. Fleet management is not only a good idea but a necessity for any business that depends on transportation, where proper management of the company’s fleet is critical to achieving success.

Let it be a handful of vehicles or a multitude, the appropriate strategy in fleet management as enhanced by software changes the equation, provides steps towards optimizing your operations, lowers costs, and enhances the performance of an organization. The fast advancement of technology means that the means and ways used in the implementation of the strategies by the f managers are ever-changing and therefore a very promising industry to follow.

[aayusd30]

Web Design Agency in Vashi

Pinacle Web India provides one of the best website designing services in Vashi. We provide quality websites in a shorter time frame with no bargains for quality.

Your website is like the front door to your shop. So making a good first impression on your potential customers is essential.

At Pinacle Web India, a web development company, we are a passionate bunch of web designers who love turning ideas into reality. Whether you are starting from scratch, giving your old website a new look, or want something dynamic, we’ve got you covered.

Being a website designing company, we understand the value a good website can add to a business. Here are a few reasons you should give us a chance:

Experience: We at Pinacle Web India, a web design company, have an experienced team who have plenty of experience to do a first-class job. Some of the projects we have worked on come from the following industries:

Steel and Metal

Real Estate

Immigration

Education

Pharma industry

Interior & Exterior

Computer Accessories

Marine

Automobile

Food & Agro

Electrical

Medical

Beauty & Saloon

Banking & Financial Sector

Insurance

Hospitality

Custom Websites: We understand that every business is unique and has its own set of values. Hence, we create websites tailored to meet every business’ individual goals and requirements.

Affordability: We offer competitive prices with no compromise for quality.

On-time delivery: At Pinacle Web India, we are committed to delivering on time causing no interruptions in your venture.

Client First: We believe in clear communication and collaboration. Our designers work based on the client’s vision and turn their ideas into reality.

Maintenance and Support: Our team is always there for you to maintain and update your website, address any questions and guide you through the process.

[slowd1ving]

PENDULUM ✦ . 　⁺ ii.

THE WORLD WE KNEW (FRANK SINATRA)

"Every road we took turned to gold, But the dream was too much for you to hold." wc: 7.1k

JOJO'S BIZARRE ADVENTURE MASTERLIST

PENDULUM MASTERLIST

MASTERLIST ・゜・NAVIGATION

PREVIOUS PART ・゜NEXT PART

Stephen Steel is a brave man. 

“Mr Steel, the conference is ready for you.”

It was a proclamation that littered both gazettes and newspapers alike: a subtle dig at his penchant for big ideas. Brave. No, those journalists were wrong. Stephen was stubborn, and a coward; his daughter was the brave one. Though, unlike those twittering fools, he didn’t mean bravery to be an insult. Rather, he admired Lucy’s fresh perspective in an industry where cowardice was the standard. 

When she had first proposed the idea of a cross country race across America, he could already feel the printed ink on grey paper. Scathing remarks adorning comments about his character – maybe he was already growing senile – perhaps a dig at his adopted daughter, just for good measure. It was practically a given that the economist broadsheets would flock to scoff at what was undoubtedly a pipe dream. Foolhardy , they’d write, one can’t possibly hope to attain profit from this witless scheme – truly, Steel has grown rusty. 

What those money-hungry sharks always failed to recognise was that Stephen didn’t do this for money. Something that never clicked for them was the beauty of watching an idea bloom into life. If it put that sparkle into Lucy’s eyes, who was he to deny her wishes? She wasn’t a fool; this idea was bold. The world’s eyes would be on this stage, and it was all his daughter’s doing. What idiot wouldn’t be proud of her? It was about the point. 

The age of the horse is not over. 

Amidst all the growing interest surrounding automobiles, there was a fervent desperation to catapult into the future. He could see it – had seen it – time and time again. What inventions could technology bring about ? What heights can humanity hope to reach ? It wasn’t a bad thing; innovation was the crux of mankind. In a rapidly industrialising world, though, he felt old . 

Time slipped past his fingers like minuscule grains of sand. 

He wasn’t one to dwell in the past; wallowing about with the dregs of tradition was left to the other members of his generation. This country had forced unbearable apparitions to plague his thoughts, to torment his dreams and reality alike. No, he really wasn’t one to stay in the past. 

If it wasn’t innovation that unsettled him, what was it?

As industrialisation and capital sunk their grimy claws into humankind, community was shredded apart. Was there any to begin with ? Stephen hadn’t known community , but he could see the individualism piercing through man with every step they took to the future. This country was plagued with it. 

No, he wasn’t a patriot. 

He had watched people he knew from youth turn into reverent acolytes to the dirty ideal of business . He knew business intimately: watching talk of capital and money seep out his old friends like the most ardent of prayers. They had no compassion – no empathy – for others, save themselves. It settled over his skin like a layer of grease – infinitely hard to scrub off. Neighbour forsake neighbour . 

Lucy, never fall prey to this beast . 

This race across the continent could bring people together. All walks of life – rooting for a champion to cross the finish line. Hope . Humans and their equine companions . Could this remind people of the threads of fate intertwining them to each other? Maybe. He was almost too afraid to think it into the existence of his mind. 

He wasn’t a patriot, yet America was all he’d known. Something would change with this race, wouldn’t it? The feat of crossing the continent of horseback had the potential to unite . All across the world, eyes would be trained on the glory of the victor racing against all odds – with a tool, a companion , that the wealthy viewed as primitive . 

No, the age of the horse was not over. 

It couldn’t be.

“Mr Steel, those reporters and sponsors might be growing a tad impatient.”

He was shaken out of his thoughts by his butler’s insistent voice. Instinctively, he sat up ramrod-straight in the armchair at the exasperated tone – a habit he could never quash, even decades after leaving the army. 

“Do you want me to inform Miss Steel to join you?” 

“No, that won’t be necessary,” Stephen stood up with a bone-deep weariness that betrayed his age. His hands shook minutely as he adjusted the green collar slung over his shoulders. “I don’t want my daughter to be present should things get heated.”

Stephen Steel is a cowardly man , he mused. The furthest thing from brave . 

. 　⁺ ✦

San Diego beach was awfully quiet. It had been late in the afternoon when you finally meandered your way to the coast, after walking in circles and getting fooled by the street signs (not one, but thrice ). Finally, a local had taken pity on your pathetically despondent face and kindly pointed you in the right direction.

By now, the sun was hanging low in the sky, and a pleasant chill eased over you; instead of being sticky and overheated, you were now sticky and covered in cold sweat. This sucks , you thought as you dug your shoes into the sand by your drooping backpack.There was no sensation you loathed more than the itch of clothes plastered to your skin (save for maybe the feeling of nothing ). 

Almost unconsciously, your eyes roved over the shoreline: not a soul was present, not even a stray seagull circling the sky above. Wind hissed in your ears, and the insistent lapping of waves against sand was the accompanying melody. It was empty , yet the floating head still hadn’t appeared into your field of view.  

Whatever , you scowled. You suck anyway . Instead of worrying about where that Annoying Prick had disappeared off to, you turned your attention to the discarded newspaper nearby. With any luck, it would give you information on the Steel Ball Run that your friend had so graciously withheld. 

The Daily Bee , you read. Issue 257. Your hands grasped your personal gold mine; by some miracle, it hadn’t gotten soaked by the spray of water nearby (though it was severely rumpled, as if someone had tossed it in a fit of rage). 

“ Ridiculous race across America announced ?” you mouthed along, practically choking with how greedily your eyes scanned the letters. Bingo . The ink was slightly smudged – like it had been veritably ripped from the printing press – but that didn’t matter. You had a paper treasure trove in your clutches. 

“ The infamous promoter, Stephen Steel, declared yesterday his plans to establish a cross-country race on horseback. Spanning lengthways over America, it has been dubbed the ‘Steel Ball Run’. Already, it faces criticism from rival promoters and citizens alike – I can imagine,” you paused to swat away a fly that was getting too close for comfort, before continuing your fascinating perusal. “ However, Steel insists that America needs this reminder of ‘pioneering spirit’. Certainly, it has never been done before in the history of mankind. Will he- turn to page six to read more .”

You set the newspaper on your lap as you thumbed your temple. Of course they’d put the concrete information later in the goddamn issue. Irritably, you turned the pages until you reached it. 

“ -manage to appease the opposition? The grand cost of the race is in the hundreds of millions, with the prize money for the champion being fifty million dollars ,” your eyes almost bugged out of your head. Fifty million.. Already, you could hear a stampede of entrants flocking to prove their worth. “ Entrance fee is $1200. The start date is 10 AM, September 25th 1890, on the beach of San Diego. Second place- alright, that’s plenty.”

Neatly, you folded the newspaper in two and set it down. There was a lot to mull over. San Diego beach . That was here, right? Your gaze traced over to where the sand winked out on the horizon – it was hard to picture the coast being filled with horses when it was presently so barren. 

Entrance fee . Any cash you had was still in your truck, you realised mournfully. Although, you doubted you’d get very far with modern money. Sure, you could probably pawn off some of the equipment in your pack, but you’d still be short by a couple hundred bucks. A job . With a pang of loss, you thought back to your internship with Dr Ferdinand. And with a pang of annoyance, you thought about the absence of your floating buddy. 

Where the hell was it?

Exhaustedly, you tipped your head back and leant on your palms in the warm sand. The steady beat of your tattoo resounded in your left arm and lulled you into a lazy stupor; you’d never wished for the comfort of your bed this hard in your life.  

When you really focused, you could feel the familiar surge of energy tugging and twisting at your innards. And it was annoying : much like the uncomfortable feeling of indigestion, or the sound of that irritating head. Wait . You furrowed your brow, and shut your eyes determinedly. 

Like it or not, you could feel the cords twined around you – and they tied you to that head. Each of your limbs, your very soul was inexorably bonded to that thing : marionette and puppet master. 

( Who is the puppet ?)

Something instinctive twisted within your gut; just as naturally as breathing, you let the sensation ebb and flow over you. Your left palm grew colder: a testament that you were doing something right. Inhale . Salt burned your tongue. Exhale . The air pressure grew heavier. You could feel the presence manifesting before you – like something was unfurling against your sternum. 

Your eyes flew open. 

There, bobbing through the air before you once again, was that Hideous Apparition. Automatically, your face settled into a healthy scowl. 

“Hi again,” it wheedled. If that ugly mug had eyelashes, you were sure they’d be fluttering in some attempt to gain favour with you. “Long time no see-”

“Nice try,” you interrupted. You were really, really irritated now. “Great job, disappearing like that after I just got dropped in the middle of nowhere. Super convenient. It’s really making me want to help you.”

“ You were the one who hid me away,” it replied petulantly. Your eye twitched. “But then you summoned me again just now!”

“So now you’re blaming me?” you snapped. “ Thank you for explaining your weird shit before you tossed me into that wormhole.”

“No, no, I didn’t mean it like that,” it cajoled. You decidedly missed the period of time where the inflection of its voice was flat and impersonal; this mockery of an apologetic tone simply added insult to injury. “I can explain right now, I promise! I’ll even tell you my name to make me easier to summon.” 

“ Great ,” you hoped every syllable absolutely dripped scathingly. A small, traitorous – scientific , you insisted – part of you was trembling with earnest curiosity. You were finally getting answers. And you had the ability to summon this thing: suggesting a modicum of control over it. Your fingers twitched with excitement. Obviously, you’d experiment (and maybe, maybe you’d be able to use that Question of Time ability to return home). 

“I’m you,” it began, before promptly staring at you to really punt the message inwards. You grimaced, but didn’t open your mouth to refute it. “Or more accurately, the manifestation of your fighting spirit.”

“What fighting spirit? I’m a lab intern !” you wailed despairingly. Not only were you somehow related to that ghastly thing, but now you were expected to fight on top of that? 

“Look, I know this isn’t the most ideal situation,” it tried to pacify you, but that irritating attempt at a soothing voice from a floating head was only repulsive. “But the Devil’s Palm chose you for this.”

“Question of Time: take me back,” you clasped your hands together in fervent prayer. You could feel the head’s exasperation buzz across your neurons. The familiar pull of the wormhole didn’t appear. Even the tattoo didn’t hum with extra vitality. 

“That’s just not gonna work,” it sighed. “This is the destination, and your objective is here.”

“If I prevent the President from taking the corpse – is it an actual corpse – will I be able to go home?”

“I’d think so,” it replied thoughtfully, spinning in the air as if it were cycling back through its thoughts. “Like, I’m new to this, but that sounds like it would work. And yes, it is an actual corpse.”

“Right,” your shoulders drooped. Neither morbid curiosity nor hope stirred any interest within you; exhaustion had long since taken command of your body. “And I have to enter the race? Can’t I just track the President down outside the race?”

“No can do,” those clock eyes distorted slightly in a sympathetic squeeze. “The race is your best bet to get closer without suspicion, as well as finding the corpse before he does.”

“But I have to buy a whole horse , and pay the entrance fee, and get equipment and provisions,” you mumbled, covering your face with your hands. Against your cheek, the tattoo pulsed with something akin to a comforting hum. “Plus survive here for a good two months. A horse !”

“We’ll find you a job,” it came out slightly muffled due to your hunched shoulders pressed against your ears, but you appreciated the assurance nonetheless. Silence settled briefly, before you peeked through your fingers; the head was quietly watching you with an expression that seemed to be a cousin to concern. 

“Who are you?” 

The question escaped out of your lips before it had a chance to become a fully-fledged thought. Curiosity had begun to flare up against the dampening fatigue that soaked through every cell in your body. 

Despite the haze of the unknown clouding your conscious mind, that impossible familiarity kept tugging your gut. You knew what that head was: somewhere in the deepest recesses of instinct . Even now, your mouth formed something that might’ve been a name – yet it was impossible to know. Your tongue felt leaden, as if you were just learning how to speak. 

“My name is Depeche Mode.” 

And it was true ; just as soundly as you knew the earth beneath your feet, you knew that name. Depeche Mode , you called out, and something answered within your very soul.

[ I’m here. ]

“I’m a fragment of you,” Depeche Mode continued, as if it hadn’t just resonated with your internal monologue. “I’m a tool , that you yourself created.”

A rather faulty tool of you . 

[Shut up.]

“So what can you do?” you settled your chin on your forearms and leaned forwards. “Other than, y’know, kidnapping hapless interns for weird schemes?”

“Technically, you kidnapped yourself by foolishly wandering into the Devil’s Palm and awakening me, and by extension, you ,” it retorted snippily. “Let’s not point fingers here.”

You closed your mouth. 

“Look at your palm – right hand, right hand , idiot.”

Not wanting to get head-butted by an irate Depeche Mode, you twisted your palm round. Nothing. You flipped it over – still nothing. 

“Hey,” you looked up. “There’s no-”

Then, you felt it. That familiar prickling sensation, that familiar heat was beginning to emerge from your very bones – and right into the meat of your palm. Straight lines plastered themselves under your watchful gaze; those bold lines (interrupted only by the decorative friezes embellishing them) were so unlike the fragile lines of the other tattoo that you were quite taken aback. 

“Okay, a rectangle with decoration, cool,” you uttered, deadpan. Although, you had to admit, the swirling patterns crawling up your wrists were pretty decent for something that wasn’t your choice. “You secretly a tattoo artist or something?”

“It’s not a rectangle,” it scowled. You could feel its simmering vexation threatening to spill over. “It’s a slot machine.” 

“That’s even more bizarre!” you threw up your hands in exasperation. There really was no winning, but the glower you received prompted you to cease any further remarks. 

“With two numbers,” it challenged, practically daring you to say something. 

That’s stupid as hell , you thought. Two numbers ?

“ And a five minute cooldown after it’s used,” it replied icily. You swallowed nervously. “The pocket watch on your left palm will show the time remaining.”

Sounds great !

“Think of it starting up,” it instructed. You peered intently at your palm: feeling those blocky lines brand themselves in your mind’s eye. This was not intuitive. Depeche Mode was practically breathing down your neck with how intensely it scrutinised you. 

“Look away,” you snapped after a minute of no luck. That empty stare was making you nervous , or at the very least, irritable . 

“Relax your muscles, and imagine pushing the button to that slot machine,” you could feel it twirl away from view, and you heaved a sigh of relief. “ Feel the spin of it.”

“ Feel the spin ,” you muttered. Of course that thing had added a silly little riddle as a garnish to its advice. Focus . You inhaled, then shakily visualised a big, red button. Shiny, stereotypical - the one that screamed ‘don’t press this doomsday button or else’. 

You slammed down on it. 

Immediately, something clicked . Your heart skipped a beat. Beneath your widened gaze, numbers and symbols were spinning within that rectangle splayed out on your palm. If you really focused, you could even hear phantom whirring and chiming, as if you had wandered into some haunted casino.  

Just as suddenly as it began, the spin came to a grinding halt. There, framed by that embellished rectangle, was the number 1: proudly emblazoned and complete with a decorative syringe sketched inside the ink. 

A syringe , you pondered. What could that possibly -

[Activating: Personal Jesus. Countdown has begun.]

“What the-” your incredulity was cut off with even more incredulity as Depeche Mode poofed into existence before you. Something was different . 

Your eyes roamed over the brand new floating hands that accompanied that dismembered head. And in its grasp, in its grasp , was a cartoonishly over-sized syringe. Depeche Mode was currently tapping it against its palm menacingly like a goddamn baseball bat . You eyed it nervously. 

“You’re not going to bludgeon my brains out, right?” you queried with an uneasy smile. “ Right ?”

“Of course not!” that cheery, yet somehow still monotone, denial had you break into a light – light – sweat. “You got injured, didn’t you?”

Those lacquered lips had yet to open. Why, why the hell did your soul have to form this horror movie extra? 

“Yeah, uhh,” your eyes darted to your arms to check out the shallow scrapes that appeared after each time you got shit out of that wormhole thing. Did you want to be honest? Did you really trust that thing?

“Relax,” that smug tone was not helping its case. “Personal Jesus can quickly heal you!”

Before you could even react, Depeche Mode grasped the plunger with those two hands, raised it, and struck you with that huge needle. You let out a rather embarrassing yelp, but it passed through you . It felt warm , like you were swimming through some amniotic fluid. Against your will, you felt your shoulders relax. Beneath your disbelieving eyes, those cuts and scrapes were rapidly clotting and vanishing . Even your sore shoulder had eased up.

“As you can see, Personal Jesus rejects injury someone has taken – unless the body has already accepted it as the natural state ,” Depeche Mode rattled off robotically, as if it hadn’t almost given you heart palpitations. 

“Like a scar, or something like that?” you rasped. Your mind was still hazed from the shock and abrupt warmth. 

“Precisely. If the body is already rejecting it, this ability helps it out, and if it’s already deemed ‘healed’ by the body, you can’t do shit about it. Like if it’s a fresh amputation, you could reattach the leg, but if not… well,” it waved the syringe nonchalantly, and you fought the urge to flinch. “Any other questions?”

You squinted, and something finally seemed to register in your brain. Perched precariously on that shiny, bald head was a… nurse hat? No, surely your own ability wouldn’t wear something as tasteless as a goddamn Halloween costume . 

You wouldn’t ask. You wouldn’t . Not when the two of you were getting on so swimmingly . 

“ Uhh ,” you began intelligently, desperately fighting the urge to poke fun. “When the five minute cooldown is up, does that ridiculous get-up disappear?”

Way to go .

“Watch it,” it threatened, though there was barely any malice in its voice anymore. “But no, not unless you want it to go. But you’re stuck with this form for those five minutes. Unless, of course, you want to make me disappear – but that cooldown will remain.” 

Looking down at your left palm, you noticed that the analogue watch face had been replaced with a digital timer. The countdown , you figured. 

“You’ll be able to feel it when the countdown reaches zero,” Depeche Mode added helpfully. 

“Why is there a countdown and this half-chance thing in the first place?” 

It wasn’t like your question was particularly astounding or radical , but Depeche Mode was silent nonetheless. Unlike the comfortable lull in conversation that happened naturally, this quiet was plagued with an unsettling hesitance. 

“Well,” it began, though there was a note of something you’d never heard in its voice before. Wariness . An abject caution that, while not deeply discomfiting, disturbed you nonetheless. “Quid pro quo, this for that – you sacrifice something, you end up stronger for it. It’s a limitation that allows you to transcend other limits.” 

While it made sense, the quick explanation nagged at you. There was more to it that Depeche Mode was leaving out. You knew it, and you knew it knew that. It couldn’t conceal it any more than you could conceal your thoughts. It was you , but you were lying to yourself . Implausible, ludicrous, but true . It left a bitter taste in your mouth, but you couldn’t bring yourself to push the issue further. 

It’s a warning . 

You dropped it. In your ears, you could hear the pleasant chime of the countdown finishing, and you turned away. Turned away from your ability, turned away from the water, and turned away from acknowledging the persisting unease that wrenched at your gut. 

Quid pro quo . 

What would you get for sacrificing your life?

“Right,” your voice rang out. Fragile. Shaky. You pressed your lips together briefly. “What’s the other form you’ve got?”

“We don’t have time for that, unfortunately,” it replied apologetically, but you felt the double blow of dejection nonetheless. You fought back the water clouding your vision and looked at the fabric of your fatigues twisting under your clenched fists. Depeche Mode was right ; it was already evening and you hadn’t even found shelter yet, let alone a meal to sate your hollow stomach. Still, your heart smarted with a dull ache that just wouldn’t go away. 

“Right,” your agreement was barely there. In fact, it was a mere jape at affirmation: a petulant, childish plea went unspoken beneath the cover of the syllable. I don’t want to . If you could, you’d rest in the sand forever and let the sun bleach your bones to dust. If you could, you’d let the sea wash you away, and maybe you’d wake up in a better place. 

If you could, you would’ve never been born in the first place. 

. 　⁺ ✦

Twilight was currently coaxing the sky to shed its orange coat for a purple one. Those melancholy paint strokes of prussian blue streaking the sky only added to the pensiveness in your own heart. Even the cicadas, with their mournful – painfully familiar – song, were quieter than usual. 

You fought the urge to cry. 

Not here , not when there were the lively sounds of bustling humanity behind those saloon doors, and in the warm light bathing the porch: laughter, the clink of glasses, and incessant chatter that grasped at your heart and refused to let go. People , but not from life as you knew it. People , whose general history you ascertained and whose future you had the potential to change with your actions. People , who were just as alien to you as you were to them.

Your backpack was significantly lighter, but your leaden heart more than made up for the difference in weight. 

Minutes prior, you’d quietly and grimly sold off a good chunk of the equipment to the pawnshop located in the seedy side-street across from this inn. They were impersonal relics, yet they were remnants from your time; the painful feeling of childish possessiveness had wracked you, and your hands were shaky as you set the items down. 

$470 . That was the final numerical value assigned to the shattered fragments of your past. Your future . Dr Ferdinand’s old mirror light microscope ( that good old-fashioned thing , she’d called it) – gone. Diya’s favourite soil pH-meter ( the only one that didn’t act up constantly , she’d quipped) – sold . Even your old hand-lens, gifted to you by an old teacher – given away for money by your own grimy hands. 

You’d taken the coins and bills in that clipped, resigned manner that was slowly becoming more and more familiar. 

Survival , some rational part of you had begged yourself to accept. It’s just survival . Yet the irrational feelings grasping your heart with gnarled fingers begged to differ. Traitor , they whispered. You didn’t really care about Dr Ferdinand or Diya . They’d never do this . 

All you were left with were some binoculars and those cursed plastic containers of sand. You felt utterly defeated, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to throw them away. Sure, that search for samples had started all this, but those were still from home . 

You wanted to cry. Here, standing in the very outskirts of people , you’d never felt more isolated. 

[You can do it.]

It was quiet – hell, barely even there – but you could hear the tremors of Depeche Mode’s encouragement vibrating through your sternum. 

Yeah . 

If Depeche Mode’s thought was quiet, yours was crossing the line into silence.

Steeling yourself, you shouldered your too-light backpack and pushed open the saloon doors. The toasty air that wrapped around you only served to further magnify the exhaustion and all-consuming hunger you were feeling. You fought the urge to sink onto the polished timber of the floor and sleep . 

Only a few eyes turned your way when you stumbled in, though they were probably more preoccupied with the draught of cold air that was let in rather than you. Probably. Hopefully. Trying not to draw any more attention to yourself, you slunk into a booth in the back and hunched into the soft seat. 

Tiredly, you contemplated pressing your cheek to the honey-grained wood table in front of you. A short nap would be good, and everything would work itself out, right? Unfortunately, at that moment, your stomach gurgled in misery; once again, you were reminded of how your last meal had been around eight hours ago.  

“Hiya,” a voice chirped to your right, and you looked up to see a fleshy blob with a toothy grin beaming right at you. You blinked, and that fleshy blob in front of you emerged into a sunburned, freckled kid of around ten with dark brown pigtails. “I’m Dolly. Is there anything you’d like to eat or drink?”

“Uhh, sure,” you responded, wracking your brain for a suitable answer as to not screw yourself over at the first encounter with a person from the past. Stew . Stew was good, right? “Stew?”

“No, I’m Dolly,” her grin didn’t disappear, but rather grew even more smug. Your brows lowered in exhaustion and mild exasperation. “Just kidding! Uncle Vinnie made a fresh batch yesterday, and it’s got a bunch of potatoes and venison inside. Whiskey or ale?”

You fought back the urge to frown at the choices presented to you, but then you remembered that you were in pre-prohibition America, and the only water available was likely contaminated with bacteria you’d rather stay ignorant of. The taste of alcohol wasn’t particularly pleasant, but you didn’t have the time nor the energy to attempt making potable water. “Is there any mead?”

“Sure is!” she responded enthusiastically. “We’ve got strawberry, pear, and even some blackberry .”

Her voice dropped conspiratorially as she rattled off the other beverages available, including some European vintages for the posh visitors , as she put it. 

“I’ll take a cup of strawberry mead, and a bowl of stew,” you quenched a yawn valiantly as you responded. You barely registered handing her three dollars and her skipping off to the counter on the other side of the room. Propping your head up on your forearm, you watched as a tall, gruff old man ladled a bowl of soup and cup of mead up. Perhaps that was the famed Uncle Vinnie you’d heard so much about. 

[You should try ask him for a job.]

Maybe , you considered, noting the lack of other servers besides Dolly. The other patrons weren’t exactly the most amicable chums you’d ever seen, but they looked to be regulars – judging by the familiarity with which they talked to the man behind the counter. Looking around, you spotted the faded newspaper hanging beside you in a simple wooden frame. 

Within its yellowed pages, you could make out the letters of The Daily Bee , with what appeared to be a photo of the younger version of the man behind the counter, standing beside the building. The owner, maybe , you mused, before skimming over the article written below. 

Vincent Cosgrove, pictured above, recently opened his restaurant and inn, Jamie’s House on May 14th, 1881. Named after his late brother - 

You were interrupted by the sound of something knocking against wood, and you turned to see Dolly carefully setting your food and drink down – brows scrunched with concentration and tongue sticking out as she made sure not to spill it. “Your meal!” 

“Thanks, kid,” you nodded your head in a polite bow, but she didn’t turn around and leave like you thought she would. Rather, she waited expectantly for something. 

“You gotta try the stew,” she explained earnestly, pointing to her uncle. “So I can tell Uncle if you like it!”

“Right,” you picked up your spoon hesitantly and scooped a chunk of potato into your mouth. It wasn’t particularly amazing or revolutionary, but the rich sauce and tuber were filling , so much so that you could feel your stomach gurgle in some delight. “Ith gooth.”

“Really? I’ll tell him you liked it,” she chattered, then promptly scampered off to the counter once again. 

It wasn’t much, but the cosy atmosphere – coupled with the warm food – were lulling you into a murky stupor. Dutifully, you chewed the savoury game meat; paired with the garlic and caramelised onions present in the sauce, it practically tasted like life itself. You tore off a chunk of the bread roll gratis, and shovelled it into your mouth right after. No, you really weren’t one for manners right now, not with a ravenous stomach and the pragmatic need for sleep. 

Raising the tankard to your lips, you eyed the cloudy, dull pink liquid inside. Cautiously, you inhaled; the vinous aroma mingled with the fruity notes, and you could almost taste the heavy scent of honey already. You took a hesitant sip. It was smooth , and it washed over your tongue with an ease that you hadn’t expected. Sure, the strawberries were a lot more syrup-like and it was different , but it was something . You swilled down the drink, leaving only a swallow for after your meal. 

Lazily, you used the last of your bread to mop up the remaining gravy and onions; the wooden bowl of stew had been finished remarkably fast, even for your standards of quick eating. As you thoughtfully chewed at the roll slathered in fragrant onions, you turned to watch your potential employer. 

He was gaunt, you observed: lined with decades upon decades of life. Harsh steel-grey formed thick waves atop his head and thin eyebrows, which seemed to be permanently stuck in a deep scowl. Despite the staunchly unapproachable appearance, the comments he yelled at patrons had them roaring with guffaws that practically shook the entire inn. For a brief moment, that furrowed expression unfolded into a minuscule smile. Just a small one, but a smile nonetheless. 

You felt a brief glimmer of hope. 

With your spoon carefully placed in your bowl, and the now-empty tankard grasped in your hand, you stood up and slung your pack over your shoulder. No time like the present . You swallowed dryly, feeling several eyes swivel your way at the scrape of your chair. 

It was wildly disconcerting. 

Although, you did look out of place, with those cargoes and a T-shirt that looked like it had been dug up along with the fossils. In the recesses of your mind, you could feel Depeche Mode snicker at your astute observation. Shut it , you grumbled, you’ve got no room to poke fun at my clothes . 

Still, it was only with relief and a hint of trepidation that you finally set your empty bowl and tankard down on the honey coloured wood of the counter. Those cherry-red barstools dotting the perimeter secluded this area with a seemingly invisible barrier that you had nothing but appreciation for. 

Here, the lights were brighter; several wall sconces flaunted their amber luminescence behind carefully decorated glass. The glow flooding your eyes felt more accusatory than welcoming. Judgement day . You took a deep breath. The aroma of tobacco faintly curled through the air.

“Can I help you, kid?” 

You started as the booming voice of the owner sounded in front of you; it took an embarrassingly long time for you to realise you were still gripping onto the tankard and bowl with all the life within you. Sheepishly, you pried your fingers away. 

“Mr Cosgrove, sir?” you began. It was with hesitance that you met his heavy gaze, but he paused in picking up your empty dishes regardless. Now or never . 

“Ain’t no one who calls me that unless they need something or they’re cityfolk,” he eyed you wearily, and you felt your resolve crumble much too rapidly. 

[ Do it, coward .]

You gritted your teeth and steeled yourself. Get straight to the point . If you’d learnt anything from your observations and years of life, it was to match your wavelength to somebody else’s. And in this case, it was some gruff old man who appreciated bluntness. I’d like to be hired , you attempted in your head. Was that too direct? Would he see that as city entitlement? A minuscule furrow appeared in your brow. 

“Are you hiring?”

Perfect. It was polite, but showed the heart of the matter. His brows rose slightly in surprise. You watched with bated breath as he looked you up and down: taking in the fatigues, the modern hiking sort of backpack, and lingering on the tattoos that extended up your forearms. 

“You ain’t a convict or outlaw or anything?” he looked at you dead in the eye as he asked – it was clear he was trying to gauge whether you were lying or not. Still, it was a pretty pointless question to ask – a hardened criminal wouldn’t tell the truth either. 

“No, sir,” you replied evenly. “Just not from around these parts.”

“You literate, kid?” 

“Yes, sir,” a spark of hope flared within. You could see the cogs turning in his head - in his eyes, your standing had just increased. Hell yeah . 

“Well,” he started appraisingly, and you could feel in your bones the glory of a small victory. “We’ll be closing in about a half-hour, so sit tight ‘till then.”

“Thank you, sir,” you fought the urge to break out into a grin. He waved it off dismissively.

“None of that pandering,” he shook his head in good-natured disappointment. “Call me Vincent.”

[ You’re in. ]

. 　⁺ ✦

What was with these offices looking like they had been last used in the Jurassic era? 

Sure, it wasn’t like you were expecting something pristine for a backwater town like this, but the dust swimming about in the glow of the oil lamps was only rivalled by that in Dr Ferdinand’s office. Everywhere you looked there was paper: piles overflowing from the floor-to-ceiling walnut cabinets, thick stacks lounging on the desk to your right, and perhaps most interestingly, mounds of childish pencil drawings on the coffee table in front of you. You scrutinised them while you waited for Vincent to clear the seat opposite from any remaining debris – maybe they were that kid’s rough attempts?

“Sorry about the mess,” he confessed abruptly, looking around as if he were taking in the jungle of white upon cream sheaths of card littering the space for the first time. “I go here once a week to check the accounts - the rest of the time it’s a storeroom for all these contracts and invoices.”

“No worries,” you thumbed at the clock tattoo idly while he sat down in the leather armchair opposite your couch. 21:48 . It wasn’t particularly late by your standards, but you stifled a yawn nonetheless. 

“As it stands, I’ve a vacancy after our last bartender left for our competitor,” he scowled. His hands knitted together, and he leaned forward. “Damn city branches come here for the thrill of the Steel Ball Run, setting up shop for twittering tourists. Leeches, the lot of them.”

“Right,” your mouth was dry. Vincent picked up on your hesitance and shifted in his seat. 

“Well? Spit it out, kid,” the lines by his eyes deepened as he frowned at you. “What sorta job are you looking for?”

“A temporary one, but I can fill in the position of bartender,” you blurted out. Two months. You had two months to scrounge up whatever cash you could. Your blood ran cold as he looked at you appraisingly – had you screwed up by telling the truth?

[With your small coffee shop experience? Really?]

Shut it , you replied. Doubt the bartending here’s more complicated . 

“At least you’re honest,” he responded. Maybe all hope wasn’t lost? “How temporary are we talking?” 

“Around two months,” you admitted. If he found out you were only taking the job to make up the cash for the race, would he turn you away? Your mouth was dry. After all you’d trudged through today, after this murky amalgamation of problems building and building onto your weary shoulders, would you be forced into turning away from these goalposts?

“Ah.”

His answer was flat. Impersonal. What the hell did that syllable conceal? Even his face, usually set into a stone mask of disapproval, was impassive . It was impossible to read what he was thinking at that moment. You braced yourself for failure. 

“Well,” he reached over to grab a clean sheet of paper from the table, but frowned when there were only the scribbles of a child on the top layer. Sighing, he grabbed a random sheet and flipped it over. Within a few seconds, he had jotted down several bullet points with one of the crayons lying around. “That gives me some time to find a replacement for you anyway.”

[ Way to go .]

“Besides,” he continued. His eyes met yours in a knowing gaze – too knowingly. “You’ve got a race to enter, don’t you?”

“How’d you know?” you spluttered incredulously. Was he secretly a mind reader?

“Please,” Vincent snorted derisively. “Two months from now is September, and you’re not from these waters. It don’t take a genius to work it out, kid. You entering for the money offered?”

Right . You were suddenly hit with the pang of loss; even in the midst of this success, your heart ached to be back home. Sure, if you were someone else, you’d enter for the sheer mountain of cash being offered. But you weren’t someone else. 

“No, not really,” your voice was hesitant. Puny. “It’s my only chance of getting home.” 

Without preamble, he reached over and clapped a calloused hand on your hunched shoulder. It almost knocked you into the coffee table, but the clumsy attempt at comfort was somewhat, well, comforting . 

“I’m sure you’ll get there,” he reassured in that same gruff tone. “It’s a better goal than the prize money at least.”

“Thanks,” you mumbled. 

“Bunch of bigwigs entering, like Diego Brando and Mountain Tim,” he continued tactlessly. “No way you’d bag first, in any case.”

. 　⁺ ✦

At long last, you had a room. Well, it wasn’t technically yours – rather, it was a spare kept for any workers. Walls, a single bed, a desk, and a wardrobe; that was good enough. It even had a window!

There, pinned on the walnut-coloured wardrobe, was the red crayon outline of your work. Works. Bartending five days a week, Sunday and Monday off work. Cleaning bar and any paperwork during mornings – rest of morning off, bartending during the late afternoon and evening. $250 weekly wage . Odd jobs for bonus . It was doable. No, actually, the mishmash of duties reminded you all too much of Dr Ferdinand’s assortment of tasks for you. 

You sank onto the creaky bed and leant against the dark green wall. As you shifted, something dug into your hip. With trembling anticipation, you pulled your phone out of your pocket. Could you contact somebody? Was there any way to leave a mark for the future? Your shaking fingers could barely press the power button. Greedily, you could only stare at your screen, but only your reflection answered. 

Dead . 

With a thud, your phone was tossed into your backpack.

Inhale . Exhale . You were tired . Weariness sunk its ghostly claws into you and refused to leave. Futile. Futile, futile, futile, futile . Who were you kidding ? You’d probably get kicked by a horse and die at the beginning. Why the hell were you chosen?

You weren’t a hero.

Any composure you had was rapidly unravelling. As if the very ocean pressed above you, the torrent of today’s misfortunes crashed against you, and there was no one else to bear the brunt of it. Your body heaved with choking sobs; there was only the piercing taste of salt to keep you grounded in reality, and barely even that. 

Depeche Mode was silent. 

It hurt. It hurt , and there was nothing you could do about it. The weeping trail of tears marring your face wouldn’t turn back time – turn it forward , until all you could do was laugh this off as a fitful dream. Hope deteriorated. Reality was altered and rewoven around you; your understanding of what was true was fundamentally skewed on its axis. It was something straight out of a 70s sci-fi novel Dr Ferdinand pretended she didn’t keep in her office: something too putridly laughable and distorted to be believable. Irony and ill-fate meshed together clumsily until they were one. Exhaustion wracked your body; it was the only feeling that forced you to curl onto your side. 

Quietly, you slipped into a dreamless, restless slumber.

. 　⁺ ✦

[jimbuchan]

Michael Jackson Was Not Just The Singer But Also The Songwriter

It can be said that those who strive to put forth their all will get their day in the sun. Pondering on our individual areas of expertise, we all have occupational specializations which make us thought-leaders. In the case of Michael Jackson, he knew this at an early age within the Jackson 5, where he rose to stardom as a kid-star, which only a few years later was transformed into his solo career where things really took off for the artist. What some may not be aware of however is that not only was he the gifted singer and performer, but also the lyricist. Consider his early works on the album Thriller, which at the time of writing is still the world's #1 top selling album of all time with songs like Billie Jean, Beat It and Human Nature, (among others). Yes, they were written by the man himself and while it can be speculated that the album may have retained its high stature if the songs were written by someone else, it is a testament to the many hats he wore during the album's production. Looking back, it's clear that Michael Jackson was not your average artist… by choice. He already had stardom before Thriller, and thus could have had any number of songwriters to help with the LP, but it would not have been the same album in the end. As such, this 'extra' work he did in honing his writing skills was not seen as 'work', but part of his character, of which he just did because he liked it and part of who he was. This same mindset has produced other great works throughout time from automobile production to architecture and yes, even software. Assuming multiple roles as a CRM professional may not be what is in your role, but at the same time can provide multiple avenues to consider. Take for instance a situation where the solution recommended calls for a presentation to the management team to outline why the proposed solution makes sense. In addition to being the admin or developer of the project, by making the decision to also take part in 'selling' the concept / idea, you are performing multiple roles… that of solution architect and facilitator, manager and presenter. Blessed Are The Flexible For They Shall Not Get Bent Out Of Shape While this may not be within your job description, by choosing to add this additional dimension, your actions are being recognized nonetheless in contrast to those who chose to stay put. Take for instance the example above, the next time a recommendation needs to be backed up with a presentation, who will they call upon? If it's outside your zone, consider that the simple act of choosing to participate will be the value left, NOT the quality of the presentation.

This one fact has halted many would-be leaders from making the attempt in the first place, and if you think it's not 'your thing', consider that even the most prolific orators have ALL had their times of doubt… they just persevered. For evidence of this, you need not look any further than the presenters on Saleforce+ or on stage at Dreamforce. They didn't get there by accident, but rather chose to rise to the occasion. Ask any of these speakers if they planned it and you would hear crickets or a very loud pin drop as in all likelihood his happened from 'out of the blue'. Though it may not be your desire to be a presenter, this just illustrates the doors that can open if you but choose to add some flavor to your expertise as an admin. Salesforce specialists represent a niche occupation in the market, and which provide many opportunities for developer and admin alike, and as in other lines of business choose to follow non-linear paths. Some opt for, like the medical practitioner, areas of specialization, such as Analytics, Field Service, AI or industry verticals like HR or Manufacturing. So, the next time such a situation arises, don't see it as additional work or an area outside your defined occupation. Instead, see where the road takes you… even if it's unfamiliar. By choosing to expand your options, it may take you in directions which can be rewarding and valuable, both in your immediate future and down the road.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Title Image of Andy Warhol with Michael Jackson by MJVibe | Ship in Storm art by Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky

[i-am-purplexed]

Scene break teaser for chapter 5!

A Full House-El: Luthorcorp’s Surprising New Business Partner.

The Edge of Tomorrow - April 16th, 2016

Article by Mike Young

History is rife with examples of companies that reached just that bit too far, people who promised just that bit too much and were unable to back up their claims. Companies that made one fatal mistake, and realized too late just how rickety their lofty towers were. Blockbuster refused to buy Netflix; Kodak refused to shift into the digital camera industry; Palm PDA’s thought that cell phones were a ‘fad’ and refused to buy into it. And, most recently; House El Incorporated has partnered with LuthorCorp.

House El Incorporated, more commonly known as ‘Elco,’ is a newer business in the tech scene. Launching late in 2012, Elco’s claim to fame is their alien outlook on the industry - literally. They broke into the scene with the Icon One, a cellular phone that has rapidly risen in popularity due to its slim size, large battery life, and processing power. The phone is quite literally decades ahead of the market, for a rather simple reason -

It uses alien technology to get there. The company’s CEO, a young woman named Kara Zor-El, is famously Kryptonian; she has founded her company on technology from beyond the stars, and aims to win the big bucks by monopolizing her hold on tech leagues beyond our development.

That would be a remarkably efficient way to climb to the top of the tech industry, if the Icon hadn’t been swiftly surrounded in scandal; its power source and method of transmission required strenuous testing before it could be introduced to the market. Testing that the phone is still going through four years later - the Icon has hit the market, but many experienced voices in the sector believe that such leaps in technology may be a bit beyond humanity’s reach.

Elco hasn’t released a new item since, apparently frightened by how seriously Earth takes the safety of its citizens. The Icon has rapidly faded from the public eye, a lack of innovation meaning newer phones have taken its spot on the stage. Now, the company is promising something entirely different: infinite energy! If that sounds a bit fantastical to you, you aren’t alone. Ms. Zor-El recently held a meeting with several automobile companies; Ford, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen were all intrigued by the promise of new engines to run electric cars on - engines that could provide limitless power with no need for fuel or recharging. We spoke to one member of the Ford board of directors, who was at the meeting, and he was less than enthused by the idea.

“She’s promising something that just isn’t there,” Richard Mietz told us, at The Edge of Tomorrow. “The engine she mentions is still in the labs; I would be interested in seeing more but [Ms. Zor-El] isn’t willing to share the fine details. She wants promises and contracts, but refuses investment - I don’t think she understands how things are done here. Currently, all we know is that there may or may not be an engine, it may or may not work - and she wants people to buy it as soon as it hits the market. I’m not sold.”

Other sources in the industry say the same - Elco’s ‘Waveform Resonance Engine’ is expected to take just as long, if not longer than the Icon to verify and test before it can hit the market. With the declining sales of the Icon and Elcos lack of income, most analysts expect the company to go under within the next two years.

Luckily for them, a new company seems rather eager to jump onto the sinking ship.

---

Nothing quite like some sleezy right-leaning media to shine perspective on things, hm? Bit of a delay for this chapter as I started a new job recently, hopefully chapter 6 will come quicker.

[mariacallous]

Watching what’s going on at Twitter is like watching a guy losing his mind in slow motion. The guy in question is Elon Musk, who once upon a time was the world’s richest man and now isn’t. (That slot is apparently occupied by Bernard Arnault, the luxury goods mogul.)

Musk is in a hole but apparently doesn’t know Denis Healey’s First Law of Holes: when you’re in one, stop digging. The funny thing is that he dug the hole himself. First, he paid way over the odds for Twitter. Then, when Tesla shares (the main source of his wealth) tanked, and Twitter’s share price dropped, he tried to get out of the deal. That failed, so he was forced to borrow a lot of money – incurring interest payments of around a billion dollars a year – thereby becoming the reluctant owner of a loss-making company. And he hasn’t the faintest idea of how to make it work.

So he’s thrashing around, doing one contradictory thing after another. He started by firing half of the staff, including quite a few key people who knew how hard it is to run a social media platform. He demanded that highly skilled software engineers print out their code on paper so that he could give it the once-over. He rescinded the bans that the company had imposed on legions of rightwing nutters and then discovered that many advertisers, who are the company’s main source of revenue, pulled out, anxious lest their corporate brands get tainted by proximity to lunacy, hate speech and white supremacist cant. He even rescinded the ban on Donald Trump, only to find that Trump was no longer interested in being on the platform.

He took to sleeping on a sofa in Twitter’s San Francisco HQ, babbling about a “code red” crisis, the need to “clear the decks of any prior wrongdoing and move forward with a clean slate” and describing the company as a “crime scene”. To find some evidence for this, he commissioned two journalists to go through stacks of internal records of moderation decisions made long before he owned the company. Reports suggest that the documents merely show staff panicking about the radicalisation of the US right before and after the election and trying to react to events such as the storming of the Capitol building in Washington on 6 January 2021 – in other words, no smoking gun.

And all the while, Musk has continued his maniacal tweeting. He tweeted a white rabbit, for example, which the QAnon crowd interpreted as a sign of support. He misread a blog post by the former head of trust and safety at Twitter and insinuated he was a paedophile, prompting others to label the man a “groomer”. (This chimed with his 2018 accusation that one of the team that rescued a group of children from a cave in Thailand was a “pedo guy”.) The other day, he tweeted that “My pronouns are Prosecute/Fauci” – a multipurpose and daft insult revealing, among other things, that Musk doesn’t actually know how this “pronouns” business works.

One could go on, but you get the point. The guy is flailing around and Twitter has become “The Musk Experience”, as the blogger Helen Lewis puts it. Meanwhile, the world’s media watch in morbid fascination. How can the world’s second richest man – the guy who transformed the automobile industry and built rockets that can deliver payloads into orbit and return to land accurately and safely on ocean-going rafts – be making such a mess of reforming a mere social media platform. After all, that doesn’t require rocket science, right?

For the answer, we need look no further than Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Elon Musk is our contemporary gothic horror story. On the one hand, we have Dr Elon, a restless genius who transformed PayPal and used the proceeds to build two world-changing companies. Nobody who has seen him at work in these outfits doubts that he is fully on top of the technology and the business. Watch him on a tour of a SpaceX installation, for example, talking to the engineers who are building the kit and you see a CEO who really knows what he – and they – are doing. Likewise, ask him what’s special about the electric motors in the Tesla Model 3 or the Model S Plaid and you’re in for an interesting hour’s tutorial. In that sense, Dr Elon is the spiritual heir of Henry Ford, the genius who invented a new way of manufacturing complicated products at scale and, in doing so, changed the world.

And then, on the other hand, we have Mr Musk, a narcissistic man-child with a pathetic craving for attention, the attention span of a newt and a maximalist interpretation of what is meant by “free speech”. This creature now controls a platform that plays a small but significant role in the global public sphere. Run properly and with a viable business model, Twitter could continue to play a useful role in our lives. But for that to happen, Dr Elon would have to be in charge. And at the moment he’s missing in action.

[peachypede]

Car, 💯 and ❤️ hueheuheue for berries and Aman

Ask meme is here

🚗 CAR — does your oc have a driver's license? can they drive/operate any automobiles/machinery besides cars?

Pecha

- Yes she has a car liscense, but she hardly uses it since the subway system goes everywhere in Unova.

Rawst

- No, he doesn’t need one since he lives in Unova. Also driving makes him anxious.

Aman

- Legally? No. Forged by Interpol Intelligence? Yes. He has one for every region for whatever machinery he needs for his jobs.

💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.

Aman is answered here

Pecha

- She likes high waist stuff because she’s insecure about her stomach area. Partially because she’s chubby in that area, but mostly because she has pretty decent scarring there from a corviknight’s talons.

- Her middle name is Dynastinae, the scientific family name for rhinoceros beetles. Calhoun actually wanted this to be her first name but changed it when he heard his mother-in-law’s family tradition of naming babies after berries, so he chose Pecha instead. (If it was Dynastinae, then he would have nicknamed her Dee Dee or Diane)

- Her close friends that aren’t other people’s ocs are Elesa, who she met through the fashion industry, and Burgh, whom she had a rivalry turned friendship with after she got over the fact that she didn’t get the bug type gym leader job. (Yet she still gets after Burgh for not using Galvantulas)

Rawst

- Rawst’s middle name is Cicadinae, for the subfamily of cicadas. Unlike Pecha, though, Rawst’s name first name was always meant to be Rawst.

- Rawst was born premature and had a lot of close calls with death during the time he was in the hospital as a baby. Cal, his dad, has always subconsciously babied Rawst because of this. (Also this might be the reason why he attracts ghosts)

- His fan community is similarly chill and laid back as he is. Rawst didn’t consciously try to make his community a kind place, but his vibes and intolerance for idiocy as made it a welcoming place.

❤️ RED HEART — what are three of your oc's positive traits?

Pecha is answered here

Rawst

- Calm to almost a fault. He doesn’t react in a big way to anything, which makes him a nice friend to be around if you hate over dramatic people. Also it’s funny to watch him react to scary stuff with a blank face.

- Kind. Rawst will drop everything to help someone close to him. He’s the one that helped Pecha a lot during her slump she had a couple years back by letting her stay at his apartment and funding her business to get it started.

- Creative. Need an artist’s point of view? Rawst is pretty good at coming up with ideas that others wouldn’t think of when it comes to projects. He does collabs with other creators often because of this.

Aman

- Brave. He’s unafraid to put his life on the line when it’s for a friend or for the greater good.

- Intelligent. Since he’s been a child, he’s been incredibly smart in both books and street smarts. It’s basically what got him his job at Interpol.

- Loyal. You’ll never find a more loyal partner or friend that in Aman. He might tease the crud out of his loved ones, but he’ll beat up anyone who speaks ill of family or friends.

[ascentemirates]

A Complete Overview and Analysis of IATF 16949 QMS Principles

The basic quality management system criteria for automotive production and all related service parts businesses are outlined in the International Automobile Task Force Certification Standard, often known as the QMS or IATF 16949. 

This QMS standard is a supplemental standard that is used in combination with ISO 9001:2015 and cannot be taken into consideration on its own. A distinct ISO standard, ISO 9001:2015, is released.

The International Automobile Task Force developed the first version, known as ISO/TS 16949, in 1999 with the intention of harmonizing the many certification and evaluation methods used worldwide in the automobile industry's supply chain. The second edition was made in 2002 either to improve the automobile industry or in reaction to ISO 9001 revisions.

The Automotive QMS standard aims to provide a quality management system that minimizes variance and waste in the supply chain, prioritizes defect prevention, and offers continuous improvement.

The Concept of Quality Management 

The fundamental idea behind a quality management system is rather straightforward. It aims to,

Identify the expectations of the interested parties, like trade licenses, policies, client demands, and the management system standard of choice.

Verify that every principle has been fulfilled.

Ensure that the employees receive the required training on the requirements of the quality system.

Identify the procedure, its inputs, outputs, and processes.

Provide documentation or evidence that the system’s requirements have been fulfilled.

Assess, track, and communicate the QMS’s performance.

Plan the QMS’s changes, and take appropriate steps to handle any risks or possibilities they may present.

To analyze the QMS and address non-conformities, conduct an internal audit.

Make constant improvements to the QMS.

7 IATF 16949 QMS Principles

The ISO 9001:2015 QMS concepts that are incorporated into the IATF 16949 QMS have been modified to satisfy the unique requirements of the automotive sector. These guidelines serve as a basis for developing a productive and successful QMS that promotes continuous improvement, product quality, and commercial success.

1. Customer-Oriented

A strong customer focus is at the core of every effective QMS. Customer requirements in the auto sector are always fluctuating, specifically in light of developments in sustainability, safety, and technology. 

A customer-oriented IATF 16949 QMS ensures that an industry must:

Identify and meet the needs and expectations of customers.

Delivers products that both match or surpass the client’s requirements.

Raise client desires by resolving issues in a timely and reliable manner.

Customer attention in IATF 16949 encompasses more than just fulfilling requirements; it also entails predicting future requirements, resolving issues like recall risks, and fostering enduring partnerships. This idea promotes ongoing communication between producers and consumers to guarantee dependable, high-quality automobiles.

2. Guidance

An effective QMS requires strong leadership to be established and maintained. Leaders in IATF 16949 are in charge of establishing a culture that is focused on quality and encourages responsibility and ongoing development across the whole company. 

Being a leader guarantees that:

Have a clear vision and guidance for excellent delivery.

Everyone is aware of and accepting of their responsibilities for quality management.

To support quality aims and objectives, sufficient resources are allotted.

The leadership concept emphasizes the need for senior management to actively participate in the creation and implementation of QMS. Setting quality goals, assessing performance, and making sure the QMS is integrated into every facet of the company are all part of this commitment.

3. Human Involvement

For a QMS to be implemented successfully in the automotive sector, a motivated workforce is essential. All personnel, regardless of status, are essential to the QMS, according to IATF 16949. 

People who are actively involved are more likely to:

Claim responsibility for the quality management duties.

Take part in finding areas that might want improvement.

Conduct innovative projects and lay out problem-solving efforts.

Organizations must provide a supportive atmosphere that promotes employee participation in decision-making, offers the required tools and training, and acknowledges contributions to quality improvement initiatives in order to increase engagement.

4. The Process Method

A key idea in both ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 is the process approach. It entails handling resources and activities as linked procedures that work together to form a coherent system. 

This implies the following concerning IATF 16949:

Figuring out the main processes that affect customer happiness and product quality.

Keeping an eye on and managing these procedures will guarantee reliable results.

Ensuring that every procedure complies with client needs and company objectives.

Automobile manufacturers may increase overall operational efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resource utilization by examining operations through the lens of a process approach.

5. Enhancement

One of the most crucial tenets of any QMS is continuous improvement. Businesses in the automotive sector need to be able to adjust and develop because of the rapid pace of innovation and technical improvements. 

IATF 16949 advises companies to:

Keep an eye on performance and pinpoint areas that need work.

Address non-conformities and stop them from happening again by putting remedial measures into place.

Encourage a culture that values creativity and the quest for greatness.

From managing client feedback to developing new products, the idea of improvement is used at every level of the company. Businesses may keep their competitive advantage in a market that is changing quickly by fostering a culture of improvement.

6. Making Decisions Based on Evidence

For any QMS to be successful, making well-informed judgments is essential. Decisions under IATF 16949 Certification must be supported by factual information and impartial proof rather than conjecture or gut feeling. 

According to this idea, organizations must:

Gather pertinent information on customer happiness, product quality, and process performance.

To learn more about trends, dangers, and opportunities, analyze the data.

Make data-driven decisions based on the insights to enhance procedures and results.

By addressing possible problems before they become serious, evidence-based decision-making assists automakers in improving risk management and problem-solving techniques.

7. Relationship Management

IATF 16949 emphasizes how crucial it is to maintain good connections with all parties involved, especially suppliers. Effective supplier relationships are crucial for guaranteeing consistent quality and on-time delivery in the extensive and intricate automotive supply chain. 

To maximize these connections, businesses need to:

Work closely with suppliers to guarantee adherence to performance and quality requirements.

To promote collaboration and confidence, openly communicate expectations and information.

Assess supplier performance regularly and work together to solve problems.

Organizations may lower possible supply chain risks and enhance the quality of the final product by developing solid connections with suppliers and other important players.

The Key Takeaways!!

A strong quality management system designed especially for the automobile industry is built on the IATF 16949 QMS principles. Automobile manufacturers may produce the best and most dependable products by concentrating on the demands of their customers, developing leadership, involving staff, adopting a process-oriented approach, continually improving, making data-driven choices, and managing supplier relationships.

Meeting a set of requirements is only one aspect of obtaining IATF 16949; another is establishing a culture of quality that permeates the whole firm. 

This certification provides businesses in the automotive sector with a significant competitive edge and shows a dedication to quality in all facets of operations.

[elsa16744]

Unlocking Business Insights with Advanced Data Visualization Techniques 

Tech innovations have reshaped visual reporting elements. Holographs, three-dimensional animations, and real-time dashboard updates increase designers’ and analysts’ methods for data visualization. Meanwhile, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) can help actualize a no-code revolution in configuring trend depictions. This post explores these advanced data visualization techniques for business insights. 

What is Data Visualization? 

Data visualization encompasses graphs, scatter plots, diagrams, blueprints, and photos describing performance trends or product mechanisms. Today, online maps use visual signals to alert drivers about incoming traffic, while disaster managers designate urban areas prone to floods and earthquakes with color-coded plans. 

Likewise, product designers and engineers study stress-strain variations using virtual 3D models to experiment with ideas. They want to enhance durability and prevent ergonomic problems based on observational discoveries. Accordingly, multidisciplinary teams must develop adequate skills and leverage relevant data visualization tools to accomplish similar objectives. 

Analysts can develop waterfall charts to represent step-wise increases and decreases in values based on changes in external factors, like stakeholder participation in a customer journey or sales. At the same time, bar charts, matrices, dashboards, scatter plots, and heat maps are valuable in understanding trends. 

Types of Advanced Data Visualization for Business Insights 

1| Advanced Pie and Donut Charts 

When small sectors in a pie chart require an additional breakdown, data presenters create another pie chart and connect the two using arrows or monochromatic color schemes. However, the presentation becomes cluttered if you employ this data visualization strategy for multiple sectors. So, interpreting data will be more challenging. 

Advanced pie and donut charts describe multiple related values using concentric “donuts.” They eliminate the need to create multiple pie charts. Each sector of an inscribed donut ring has projections, like bar charts, providing a granular breakdown. Since established firms in data visualization services want to improve data and insight presentation, they integrate advanced pie and donut charts. 

2| 3D Visualization 

Three-dimensional data visualization offers an enhanced depiction of real-world phenomena. It has remarkable applications in geological surveys, product performance simulation, multimedia projects, and eCommerce marketing. 

You can study gas particle movements, vibrations, heat transfer, physical deformations, and crowd behavior in disasters on your workstation's 2D screens. Besides, the three-dimensional visualization facilitates model rotations. So, you can observe the changes from different perspectives for problem identification. 

3D graphs and models can reveal ergonomic hurdles patients encounter while using wheelchairs. They can help track urban areas for exploring air pollution variations between industrial, commercial, residential, and administrative zones. Likewise, automobile and safety gear providers can test safety parameters in several hypothetical accidents via simulations. 

3| Bullet Graphs 

A bar on a color-coded background describes the gap between actual performance metrics and predefined goals. This approach is a bullet graph, vital to streamlining progress and productivity tracking. Instead of a broad scope, the bullet graph serves specific performance metrics. 

Therefore, it differs from pie charts and tree diagrams. However, you can align bullet graphs for distinct performance metrics on the page vertically or horizontally. 

4| Holographic Visualization 

Generating a 2D expanded view to explain minuscule details and patterns on a screen limits interactivity. As a result, investigations into hologram-based visualization have increased. Equipment like motion tracking systems, passive 3D stereoscopic glasses, and lasers empower researchers to bring two-dimensional data to life. 

You can project holograms for 3D and 2D graphs without using motion trackers. In this case, you will require conventional clicking and pointing devices to manipulate the holographic depictions. Additionally, you want to optimize your data models using computer-aided design (CAD) software to make them hologram-friendly. 

5| Correlation Matrix 

A correlation matrix describes direct or inverse proportionality between two statistical variables. You can also convert it into color-coded visual charts. It allows an ease of pattern detection. Moreover, data scientists require it for exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. 

Python, a popular and user-friendly language, has matplotlib and seaborn data visualization libraries to generate correlation matrix visuals. Seaborn helps create heat maps. 

Conclusion 

Conventional data visualizations must become more comprehensive, interactive, and dynamic to unlock business insights vital to continuous growth. Therefore, data scientists, engineers, and analysts have dedicated efforts to modernizing visual representations for better pattern recognition. 

Advanced data visualization techniques include 3D models, holograms, concentric donut charts, correlation matrices, and bullet graphs. Furthermore, the no-code platforms streamline these methods through drag-and-drop experiences. 

Given the rise of GenAI applications, the world might get prompt engineering specialists to help innovate data visualization strategies. After all, this discipline must keep evolving for robust conflict resolution and disruptive reporting innovations. 

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Six Transformative New Best Practices For A Healthy, Vibrant Auto Industry

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[research-methods-review]

Name: Okonma Victor

Student number: 3162534

Timefulness: Thinking Like a Geologist with Professor Marcia Bjorneruccd

The discussion was about seeing geology far beyond the study of the earth, but rather as how thinking like a geologist can help save the world, by treating the planet better.

One of the salient questions she addressed was to enlighten listeners as to why earth is habitation, she mentioned that the planet's effort to lock away carbon in limestone and other mineral form, aided in this and made it less like venus. She stressed that humans should take better care of the planet, as the repeated carbon emissions were causing global warming, and we need to act fast to find a solution, in order to keep the planet habitable.

I picked the topic to learn more about the planet, and was curious about learning something new away from the fields I'm currently used to, and it opened my understanding about global warming, the planet, and seeing the earth differently.

ABOUT RESEARCHER

Marcia Bjornerud is a structural geologist whose research focuses on the physics of earthquakes and mountain building. Bjornerud is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and has been a Fulbright Senior Scholar at the University of Oslo. Marcia is a Professor in Geology at Lawrence University 

KEY POINT

Climate Change and Long-term Thinking: Bjornerud stresses the importance of long-term thinking in addressing climate change, advocating for policies that reflect an understanding of geological processes and timelines.

Concept of Timelessness: Bjornerud introduces the idea of "timefulness," which encourages a deeper understanding of geological time and its implications for how we perceive our place in the universe.

Geological Perspective on Time: The discussion emphasizes how geologists view time on a vastly different scale compared to human lifetimes, helping listeners appreciate the immense history of the Earth.

REFERENCES

Lawrence.edu. (2019). Marcia Bjornerud | Lawrence University. [online] Available at: https://www.lawrence.edu/people/marcia-bjornerud-walter-schober-professor-of-environmental-studies-and-professor-of-geosciences [Accessed 1 Oct. 2024].

“Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable, Humanity Centered” with Professor Don Norman by Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds (soundcloud.com)

‌“Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable, Humanity Centered” with Professor Don Norman

The discussion opened with Professional Don allowing us to rethink what is real and what's artificial, and allowing us to look at the world differently. He gave examples about 

I picked the topic because the title was titled towards design, and I have a personal desire to learn things about design. As the discussion progressed I soon realized it wasn't what I had thought but about rethinking society, and how we perceive the world. Professor Don enlightened me about questioning what we are used to, and seeing things from different perspectives.

Some of the questions the discussion was asking were things like, why the society has conditioned us to think that women should wear cloth only once, this creates a dilemma and affects global climate sustainability as millions of cloth end up in bins each year, although they are some companies now that have created business models around borrowing clothes, to help tackle these challenges.

Professor Don touched different industries like automobile, economy, fashion, and pointed out how we can make our approaches in these industries more sustainable and human centered.

KEY POINT

Human-Centered Design: Norman emphasizes the importance of designing with a focus on human needs, experiences, and behaviors, ensuring that products and services are intuitive and beneficial.

Emotional Connection: The podcast highlights how meaningful design fosters emotional connections between users and products, enhancing user satisfaction and engagement.

ABOUT RESEARCHER 

Professor Don Norman is an american researcher, author, at university of california, his interests are in areas like cognitive science and psychology. He was Apple VP, founder of design lab. Much of Norman's work involves the advocacy of user-centered design.

REFERENCES

Robbins, Gary (October 24, 2014). "Don Norman has designs on your life". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved Sep 30, 2024

“Design for a Better World: Meaningful, Sustainable, Humanity Centered” with Professor Don Norman by Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds (soundcloud.com)

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