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mongoosingisme · 9 days ago

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Title: Operation: First Date

Series: Sticking the Landing (see fic Masterlist for previous parts)

Rating: Explicit (MDNI)

Relationship: Harvey/fem!Reader

Word Count: 5114

Summary: Harvey's been thinking about you when he should be working.

Read on AO3

Read below

You didn’t believe in fate.

Your life was in your own hands. That’s what you’d said to your friends when you left your job. To your family when you’d left the city. There were no cosmic coincidences, no universal force deciding your path. It was just your efforts amidst the chaos of every other being on earth. Your success in Stardew Valley would prove it.

But as you sneezed from the dust left by decades old plaster and tried to get a good angle with your hair dryer, you wondered if maybe you should start believing in fate after all.

That night was supposed to be your third (and final!) attempt to go on a date with Harvey. Drinks, dinner, a nice dress, the works. The first attempt failed due to a cold (yours). The second came down to doctorly duties (Pierre plus an icy patch behind the store equaled a very inconvenient appointment).

But third time’s the charm, right? Wrong. Frozen pipes. Discovered right as you were about to step in the shower to get ready for the evening. You turned the handle on the faucet and… nothing.

A few Google searches and you were prying at the plaster behind the tub while still in your bathrobe (you were NOT paying for exploding pipes, not today). Ten minutes later you were calling Harvey to cancel. Your throat was still tight as you hooked an extension cord to your hairdryer, searched for cold spots, prayed to hear the trickle of water.

And you did. An hour and a half later you’d solved it, fixed the issue, got the water going, no exploding pipes and no damage. One more problem solved, one more crisis averted.

Why did this keep happening?

It wasn’t just the date nights. It was everything. The non-stop cold now that winter was here. The lack of funds. The plans that didn’t pan out. Yes, you had the house. Yes, you had the land. But aside from that you weren’t much better off than before. Harvey was a bright spot in an ever darkening sky, but even that felt like it was starting to dim.

If you’d been well rested and comfortable (and preferably tucked in a booth across from Harvey, smiling at him as he dropped kisses on your knuckles), you would have been able to shrug it off. Just growing pains from a new life. The cost of moving into a century old farm house. The stuff that happens when you make such a momentous change.

But as you looked at the dress hanging from the back of your bathroom door, the fabric now dappled with plaster dust, you couldn’t help but wonder if the universe was trying to tell you something.

——————

The universe was definitely trying to tell you something.

You’d kept attempt number four simple: dinner at your house. You were excited about the plan - lasagna made with the tomatoes you’d canned that summer, a mellow red wine Leah had turned you onto, a freshly made bed that still, somehow, smelled like lavender. It was going to be a good night.

You were so excited you couldn’t help but nip into town a little after lunch, grab two cups of coffee, sneak into to Harvey’s office. His eyes lit up when he saw you, just for a second, but then his face fell. It was the auditor this time. More reports. Something something adjustment something. To be honest you stopped fully listening once you’d seen his face. He seemed genuinely upset, you knew it wasn’t his fault, you didn’t blame him, but dammit, what were you supposed to do at this point?

You’d kissed him back when he thanked you for the coffee, agreed on a new time to meet up (three more days, in theory), and walked back home.

Flopped on the couch.

Screamed into a pillow for a minute.

Took a nap.

When you awoke, it was dark. Around the time Harvey was supposed to be there. You know, if the universe hadn’t ordained that this simply was not meant to be.

You moped your way over to the kitchen. Looked at the jar of tomato sauce you’d canned that summer. The dream had been dozens of cans, a hoard of abundance that would see you through the winter. A pantry bursting at the seams, quantifiable evidence of your competence. Reality has been different, of course. Six quarts of sauce and a dozen jars of pickles.

What were you thinking?

You should have just stuck with Joja.

You picked up the jar. It was a gorgeous thing, really. Shockingly red, mottled with lighter bands of orange and speckled with green herbs. It was beautiful, a little bit of summer that you captured, all bright and sunny and fragrant, bottled up and caught between your hands.

You took a deep breath. Looked out the window, out into the darkness, where the pile of firewood lay. At this point it should be enough to get you through the winter. Looked in the bathroom at the freshly patched drywall behind the tub. You’d done it yourself, after packing in more insulation. The pipes wouldn’t freeze again.

The jar felt warm between your hands.

You remembered you didn’t believe in fate.

“Fuck it,” you said, and headed for the door.

——————

The clinic was unlocked.

There was a light on, somewhere, casting a dim glow in the entryway as you snuck inside. You figured Harvey was in his office, diligently working away at whatever that asshat auditor required.

The stairwell to Harvey’s apartment was out of eyeline from his office, the door at the top unlocked. You moved quickly, quietly, pleased with your stealth.

Operation: First Date was simple. Sneak into Harvey’s apartment (check). Make him some dinner. Bring him said dinner. And then kisses? Yes. Kisses.

You felt more like yourself than you had in a week as you filled a pot of water. Lasagna was too ambitious for tonight, but spaghetti and sauce? That you could do.

You were digging in your bag for the pasta when you felt it. You weren’t alone. You looked up to see Harvey standing in the doorway to the kitchen.

The poor man looked exhausted. Dark circles, five o’clock shadow, tie loose and shirt sleeves pushed up past his forearms. He leaned against the doorway, watching you.

He was looking at you like he was dying of thirst. Like you were a glass of water.

“I heard a sound,” he said.

“And I was so quiet too.”

He licked his lips. Watched as you rummaged in the bag again. “You’re here.”

“I’m here,” you confirmed. “Are you hungry? I brought some of this sauce I canned and I was -“

But he was crossing the distance to you, crowding you back, pressing you against the wall, hand coming to grip firm on your jaw, mouth slotting against yours hot and hungry.

And this was out of order, kissing was supposed to come after dinner, but it was okay, you could adapt, especially with the way his tongue was pressing into your mouth, sliding, and fuck it was good, so good. The way his hip was pressing into you, thigh wedging in between your legs, holding you there, hard and warm and insistent, just like the hand on your jaw, angling you to kiss deeper, fuller, and Yoba, to think you almost gave up and stayed home tonight.

To think you thought the universe was against this.

You gasped for air as he broke the kiss. Felt his chest expand and fall against you. His nose brushed yours as he breathed, lips millimeters away.

“You’re here,” he said again.

“I’m here,” you confirmed.

His thumb traced your jaw. Trailed lower, skimmed over your neck. “I missed you.”

You closed your eyes, let your head fall back against the wall. Felt the tip of his thumb trace gently, so so gently, up and down the front of your throat. “I missed you too,” you breathed.

He took in a long breath. “I was thinking about you.”

“Respectful thoughts, I’m sure.”

He chuckled low, dragged his nose over your cheekbone. “Not particularly.” He moved up, traced a line to your forehead. Pressed a soft kiss between your eyebrows. “Why are you here?”

“Well,” you said, “I wanted to get you in trouble with the auditor.”

“I think it’s a little late for that.”

“Get you sent to doctor jail.”

“A real thing.”

“That way I’d at least be able to see you once a week.”

“Solid plan.” He kissed you again, gentler this time, lips soft and lingering. You sighed, wrapped your arms around his neck, pulled yourself into him.

His hands settled on your hips as your lips moved. Slower. Unhurried. Warm and comfortable in the kitchen light. Until finally Harvey broke away. “As truly, truly tempting as the thought of the conjugal trailer is, I can’t stay long. I can’t understand what they’re looking for, and I keep having to redo the same things. It’s… frustrating.”

“Sounds it,” you said. “You go get back to it. I’m going to make you some dinner.”

He sighed, rested his forehead against yours. “You’re amazing. Really.”

“We’ll see if you still think that when you’re in doctor jail.”

“I promise I’ll write.” He kissed you once more, twice, lingering, only stopping when the water on the stove boiled over. “See you soon?”

“That’s a promise.”

——————

As first dates went, you’d had worse.

Harvey’s office was comfortable, lit warmly with table lamps and dominated by a wide desk in the center of the room. It was currently littered with paperwork, so Harvey had moved his chair around to face a small metal stand. The makeshift table looked vaguely medical, but you were absolutely not asking questions as you set down his bowl.

“What you see here,” you said in your best Queen of Sauce, “is a rustic, long-form pasta gently tossed with an heirloom tomato and wild herb sauce, topped with aged Italian cheese that definitely did not come from a can with a green lid.”

“A triumph,” Harvey said.

He insisted you take the desk chair while he settled into a seat dragged in from the waiting room. You sunk into your spot, enjoying how it enveloped you and praying you didn’t get any sauce on the leather.

“So,” you said, leaning into the first date-ness of it all. “What do you do?”

Harvey huffed into his pasta. “Paperwork and screaming into the bureaucratic void, mostly, but occasionally I get to help someone when they’re sick or hurt. What about you? What brings you to Stardew Valley.”

“Oh, me? I came for the sexy doctors.

“I know, I was there.”

You could feel your face heating, just a bit. “Good one.”

“Thanks.” His eyes crinkled, crows feet looking especially adorable in the lamp light. “But really, what did bring you to Stardew Valley?”

You shrugged , twirled a piece of spaghetti around your fork. “I mean… free house?”

Harvey nodded. “Fair.”

“And… well, it seemed like a fresh start. Not that I had much to get away from, it’s more like…” you trailed off.

Harvey waited.

You sighed. “Like if I was going to be myself, really be me, it couldn’t be in the city, you know? Working customer service, buying shit I didn’t need, everything moving so fast while it felt like my life was standing still. I thought maybe if I moved here I could get some kind of control back, you know?”

Harvey nodded. Wiped his mouth with his napkin. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a great job.”

You didn’t know it, until that second, but that was something you needed to hear. “Thanks. Really. But what about you? Why’d you move here?”

“The city was…” it was Harvey’s turn to trail off.

You waited.

“It was… it didn’t fit right. Practicing there. Medicine wasn’t my first choice anyway.”

“Pilot, right?”

“Yeah.” Harvey shrugged. “It is what it is. And I love my work, when I actually get to do it. But the hospitals in the city…. The intensity, you know? Some of the situations… I made some mistakes and…” he sighed. “I was built for someplace quieter.”

You nodded. “I couldn’t picture you in the city.”

“I couldn’t picture you in a cubicle.”

You snorted. “Join us. Thrive.”

Harvey quirked up a smile. His eyes were warm. “I’m glad you came here.”

“Me too. Though I must say, you’re being a little presumptuous.”

Harvey looked at you for a second, then laughed, running a hand over his face. “Yoba. You… Yoba.”

“You started it.”

“I did… I did…” He sighed. Shifted. “So, um… sorry if I came on a little strong. Upstairs, I mean. I was… this audit has been a lot, and seeing you there was… it’s no excuse, but….”

“No excuse needed. You could come on a lot stronger if you wanted. Would love to know some of those very respectful thoughts you were having about me.”

He was blushing a bit, you noticed, as he twirled the stem of his wine glass around on the table. As he looked over at the piles of paper on his desk. Looked at you. Looked back at the papers.

You knew what that look meant.

“Doctor jail?”

He sighed. “Doctor jail.”

Guess date night was over.

You were disappointed, of course, but it was alright. It was enough to have gotten that time, snatched it back from the universe, right? You tried to comfort yourself with the thought as you washed the dishes (you insisted, he had work to do, he’d done yours before). As you wiped the counter. As you packed up. As you fantasized about crawling under his desk, zipping down his pants, wrapping your lips around his cock while he worked and…

Nope.

Not tonight.

Not meant to be.

You put your coat on. Shut off the lights. Went down the stairs. Turned towards his office to say goodbye.

When you rounded the corner Harvey was there. Moving towards you, catching your arms, turning you to press against the wall. He touched his forehead to yours.

“Stay a little longer?” He asked.

“Okay,” you said. And you were kissing again, his hands in your hair this time, gripping, pulling your head back, lips hurried and rough, tongue demanding entrance and fuck, how was this the man who’d so gently stitched you up, who’d washed your dishes, who’d worn your stupid hat? He was groaning, something hard and hot and wonderful grinding into your hip, sending sparks shooting into your core.

You kissed him back, trying to equal his intensity. Grabbed at the knot of his tie to haul him closer. But no, he was holding your wrist now, drawing it up and pinning it to the wall beside you and Yoba, why did you put your coat on? You needed to feel him more, feel him pressing against you without the layers of padding, needed him closer, needed him in you and -

He broke the kiss. Took a deep, shuddering breath. Moved to nose at your ear. “Do you want to know what I was thinking about when I heard you upstairs?”

“I’ll admit I’m curious.” Your voice was much, much less steady than you expected it to be.

He shivered, adjusted his hold on your hair just a little. “You. On my desk. Legs spread. Coming on my fingers while I licked you.”

Sweet Yoba.

“That,” you gasp. “That seems achievable..”

His lips were on yours again, pressing, nipping, and then you were both moving. You weren’t sure who was leading who, all you knew was that your coat was on the floor in the hallway, and then you were in his office, and then his hands were on your hips as he kissed you, pressing the small of your back against the lip of his desk. It was instinct to hop up, kick your boots off, sit back, ignore the shuffle of papers.

Yoba bless whoever designed that desk, because the height was right, just right, for Harvey to walk in between your legs, grind his hips deliciously against your core. And he could also press you backwards, gently, gently, until you were on your back, looking up at the intricate designs on the tin ceiling, feeling him drape himself across you.

And then you were too preoccupied to care much about the architecture. The position gave him leverage, you realized. Leverage to move his hips against you, rubbing hard and fast and fucking perfect against your core. You could feel his cock as he moved, hips pressing the seam of your jeans against your folds. If you shifted, just right, just a little wiggle of the hips, the gathered fabric pressed against your clit, sending jolts through you every time his hips bucked forward.

And Harvey, Harvey, dependable Harvey, always there to lend a hand, so understanding when things went wrong, so composed behind the clinic desk, was burying his face in your neck as he rutted against you. You could feel him leaving huge open mouthed kisses, teeth scraping, suction (good Yoba, the man was going to give you a hickey). And his hand had found your breast, fingers playing with your nipple, squeezing between thumb and forefinger, sending waves of sensation through you as you rocked against each other.

Yoba. It was all enough, enough to send you hurtling, tension rising, core clenching around nothing, hips hitching up against his, crying out as he made soft sounds against your throat. And you were almost there, rising, just a little bit more and -

He was gone. Stepping back, chest heaving as he looked at you.

You maybe should have been a little embarrassed, then, at the sound you made. A whine, tight with frustration, ending on the hint of a sob. And Harvey, who had clearly pulled back to avoid his own climax, had the audacity to act composed. To click his tongue. “Poor thing,” he said. “Do you need me to take care of you?”

“I…. You…” you sputtered. Your mind had clearly abandoned the situation. “Get back over here!”

And he did, mostly. No hips pressing against you this time, no mouth. Just his hand. Big and broad and heavy, flat on your stomach, slowly stroking back and forth. Nudging up the hem of your shirt, running his palm over your skin. He slipped down below your waistband, the backs of his fingers skimming against your curls. You couldn’t stop it, the way you moaned, tried to thrust your hips up. Why even try to hold back, with the way he was looking down at you, equal parts indulgent and hungry.

“Don’t move,” he said, and his hand was gone.

You ignored the directive, pushing up to sit, knocking over a pile of documents in the process. You couldn’t be bothered to care as you watched Harvey wheel his desk chair over in front of you. Sit down. Look at you.

“Take off your pants,” he said. His voice wasn’t entirely steady, a hint of breathlessness undermining the intensity of the command. He was watching you, watching to see how you reacted, still except for one thumb tracing nervously over his knee.

And fuck. Okay. This was a game you were willing to play.

More than willing.

You unbuttoned your jeans. Watched his tongue dart out to wet his lips as you pulled down the zipper. Settled your feet on the chair, one on either side of Harvey’s knees. Leaned back, pushed up, hooked your thumbs into your waistband. You were slow, taking your time as you slid the denim (and the cotton underneath) over your hips. Down your thighs. You could feel his eyes on you as you sat back up, lifted your legs, kicked your jeans to the floor, and resettled your feet on the chair.

He let out a long, low breath. “Very good,” he said.

The muscles in your stomach tightened, clenching at the praise. You met his eyes. It seemed he wanted a show. Slowly, slowly you pulled your shirt up over you head. Unhooked your bra, tossed it to the side. You trailed your hand over your breast, tracing around a nipple. Then down, down across your stomach, lower, one finger reaching further to brush against your folds. But no, he didn’t want a show, it seemed, because he was shaking his head, clicking his tongue again. “No no,” he said. “That’s for me.”

Fucking Yoba.

You shifted on the desk. “Well then, come and get it.”

He smiled, that smug one that looked so good on him. The one you only seemed to see when your pants were off. “Patience,” he said.

You almost scoffed, but thought better of it as his hands gripped behind your calves, used you to pull his chair closer to the desk. He pressed a kiss to the inside of one knee, then the other. And yes, okay, yes, that was good, that was perfect, actually. He moved up your legs, mouth trailing up the inside of your thigh, drawing it out until finally, finally he reached your core. Pressed a kiss to the soft mound covered with curls. Raised his eyes to yours. Smiled.

And then the good doctor set to work.

You groaned as his tongue slid against you. The tip of it, hard and precise, tracing around your clit. Down to swirl around your entrance. Back up again, laving, sucking decadently before finding a rhythm. Up and down over your nub, tongue softer now, wider, sending slow rolls of pleasure through your stomach. He didn’t protest as you ran a hand through his hair, messing it further, gripping and holding him there. Leaning back on your other hand, rocking your pelvis into the hot, perfect wetness.

And his fingers. Just like he’d imagined. Just like he’d promised. Two, stroking very gently at your entrance. Breaching you slowly, palm up, and you groaned at the stretch. You could feel the slide, the way your wetness welcomed him in. Felt him moan into you, crock his fingers, pressing, almost kneading into your walls.

Again, you were rising. Hand fisted in his hair, core pulsing in time with each lick, each small sound of encouragement, each twitch of his fingers. They worked in tandem, the noise, the pressure, the heat, to work you up, make stomach strain, thighs going tight, toes gripping at the leather on his chair.

You felt a sheet of paper crinkle under your hand, wondered vaguely if you were getting something important wet, all wet from your ascension, up and up into his mouth, tightening around his fingers, clenching, closer and closer until finally you broke apart with a cry. His fingers kept moving, working you through it, staying with you until you relaxed, eased, settled back into yourself on his desk.

He looked up at you, slightly dazed, mustache gleaming wet in the lamplight. “That was incredible.”

His fingers were still in you. You clenched around them, only half intentionally. Loved the way his eyes closed, his lips parted, his gasp. “Do you have a condom,” you asked.

His lips snapped shut, eyes shot to yours. “A… you want… are you sure?”

“Am I sure I want a condom? For now, yeah, that’d be my preference.”

“No, no, of course we’d use….” he stopped. His mind caught up, registered the teasing. He pulsed his fingers in you, seemed to enjoy your gasp. “You know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean,” you said. “And yes. I am very, very sure.” You ran a hand down the side of his face.

He pressed his cheek into your palm. Closed his eyes for a second. Turned to press a kiss into your hand. “Don’t move,” he said. And this time you listened, sitting still as he gently removed his fingers, stood up, tried (and failed) to be discreet in adjusting something near the top of his legs, and moved towards the other side of his desk. You could hear him opening a drawer, rummaging, and then the crinkle of foil.

“Youre prepared,” you said.

“Not for myself,” he said with a breathy chuckle. “Always good to have on hand in case a patient needs it.” He’d returned to stand in front of you, and you busied yourself for a moment with removing his tie, unbuttoning his shirt, helping to guide the white tee underneath over his head.

“Sit down,” you said, and it was his turn to comply. He settled back into the chair, one hand gripping the armrest, watching you as you plucked the rubber from where he’d placed it on his desk. You moved the two feet over to him, undid his pants, pulled them down to watch his cock spring free. And it was too tempting, seeing it there, full and hard and glinting at the tip, not to grasp it. To work it up and down once, twice. To see more liquid gathering at the tip, to lap it up with a quick flick of your tongue. Harvey drew in a strained breath, and it was gratifying to see the way he pulsed.

But no. Focus. You opened the wrapper, and Harvey’s hands joined yours in rolling it down his length. You climbed onto the chair, knees on either side of his thighs, and held his face. Looked at him. Pupils wide and dark behind his glasses. Cheeks flushed. Looking up at you with nothing short of, Yoba, he was looking at you with adoration as you hovered over his cock.

“Okay?” You asked.

He shuddered. “Yes,” he said. “Yes. Please.”

You sank down.

It was hard not to shudder yourself as he slid inside you. The stretch of his fingers had been delicious, but this? Unreal. The feeling of fullness as you sank lower. The control, tilting your hips to change the angle, letting him hit you just right, right there, right where you needed it. And Harvey, dear Harvey, who’d always put your pleasure first. You watched him as your hips met his. His head tipped back, eyes closed. Breathing shallowly, hands gripping the armrests.

You pressed a kiss to his neck. Another. Rolled against him. Loved the way you both groaned at the sensation. Did it again, set a rhythm, back and forth, up and down. His hands found your hips, holding you there as you rode. The way your legs stretched as you straddled him made it tighter, deeper. The chair squeaked as you moved, and you hoped it was really as sturdy as it looked.

You rose up further, almost all the way off, then sank back down. Harvey shuddered again, wrapped his arms around you tight, ground you down. “You’re… fuck,” he groaned. “Fuck, you feel so good. I’d imagined you would, I knew it… but being here…” He abandoned the thought, groaning low as you clenched against him.

It was a heady thought, the additional confirmation that he thought about you. That you were on his mind as much as he was on yours. That he’d anticipated it, created scenarios in his mind. You lived a whole other life, behind those green and golden eyes.

“You imagined, huh,” you breathed, circling your hips again. “What else did you imagine?”

Before that moment you wouldn’t have listed “strong” amongst the words you’d use to describe Harvey, but that would have to change, because he was locking an arm around your waist, leaning forward, pressing up, moving, not quite falling forward but almost, stepping up enough that you were on the desk again, leaning back on your elbows with his cock still in you. And you would have spent longer trying to figure it out, the transition, but now you were lying backwards, looking up at that tin ceiling again as Harvey bore you down on the papers. Propped himself up over you on his elbows. Instinct had you wrapping a leg around his back as he groaned and started to move.

Started to thrust.

Into you.

Hard.

This wasn’t the languid grind you’d started in the chair. This was faster, insistent. You could feel it move through you, each time his hips snapped forward. Felt your breasts move with each impact. Felt the bolt through your stomach, hot and sweet, not painful but immense, almost overwhelming. His belt buckle jangled in time as his hips met yours.

You wrapped your arms around his back, pulled him down on top of you. He went willingly, chest collapsing onto yours, mouth pressing along the side of your jaw. You could hear his breath in your ear, each exhale punctuated by a small groan, and you wondered if he was hearing you too, the way you gasped each time he filled you.

Your nails dug into his back. He moaned and moved harder.

It almost surprised you, the second climax. You were so focused on Harvey, the way he sounded, the way he moved, that you barely noticed your own reaction until it overwhelmed you. Tight and bright, centered at that point where his cock was hitting you, just right, deep and sweet and good and you tensed, heel digging in, fingers grabbing, holding him close, holding him to you, into you, until you cried out as everything broke.

You weren’t the only one breaking. Harvey’s hips were stuttering, rhythm falling apart, and he was pushing in deeper, deeper with each off-kilter thrust, with each encouragement you whispered in his ear. Until finally he grunted, stiffened, shuddered, and collapsed fully onto you.

You loved it, his heaviness, holding you down. The way he relaxed, lips pressing kisses into whatever skin he could find. You wrapped your other leg around him. Stroked his hair. Held him there.

Moments passed. Your heart slowed. Harvey sighed. Content.

“There,” you said. “Now you’ll have something nice to look back on when you’re in doctor jail.”

Harvey laughed, bright and warm. “I assure you, that was something I’m never going to forget.” He got his elbows under him on the desk, pushed up to look at you. “I… you’re…” He couldn’t seem to find the words. But it was okay. You knew.

“Me too,” you said. He brushed a piece of hair away from your face. Kissed you on the forehead.

And you’d found it. It wasn’t the farm, or the house, or the pile of wood, or the jars of food. It wasn’t competence or skills or self-sufficiency. It was the way Harvey was looking at you that proved it.

Fate wasn’t in control. You were.

And you were going to make it count.

#harvey sdv #sdv fanfic #stardew harvey #stardew valley #harvey x reader #sdv smut #stardew valley fanfic #stardew valley harvey #stardew valley smut #x reader

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rjzimmerman · 5 months ago

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The Carbon Footprint of Amazon, Google, and Facebook Is Growing. (Sierra Club)

Excerpt from this story from Sierra Club:

IN MARCH The Information reported that Microsoft was in talks with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, about spending an eye-popping $100 billion on a gargantuan data center in Wisconsin dedicated to running artificial intelligence software. Code-named “Stargate,” the data center would, at full operation, consume five gigawatts of electricity, enough to power 3.7 million homes. For comparison purposes, that’s roughly the same amount of power produced by Plant Vogtle, the big nuclear power station in Georgia that cost $30 billion to build.

Stargate is in the earliest of planning stages, but the sheer scale of the proposal reflects a truth about artificial intelligence: AI is an energy hog. That’s an embarrassing about-face for the technology industry. For at least 20 years, American electricity consumption has hardly grown at all—owing in part, say computer scientists, to steady advances in energy efficiency that have percolated out of the tech industry into the larger economy. In 2023, according to the US Energy Information Administration, total electricity consumption fell slightly from 2022 levels.

But according to a report published last December by Grid Strategies, a consultancy that advises on energy policy, multiple electric utilities now predict that US energy demand will rise by up to 5 percent over the next five years. One of the chief culprits responsible for the surge, say the utilities, are new data centers designed to run AI. To meet the growing demand for power, those utilities want to build new fossil fuel power plants and to dismantle climate legislation that stands in their way.

For environmentalists, this represents a giant step backward. Artificial intelligence was supposed to help us solve problems. What good are ChatGPT and its ilk if using them worsens global warming?

This is a relatively new story—the AI gold rush is still in its infancy, ChatGPT only having debuted in fall 2022. But computing’s energy demands have been growing for decades, ever since the internet became an indispensable part of daily life. Every Zoom call, Netflix binge, Google search, YouTube video, and TikTok dance is processed in a windowless, warehouse-like building filled with thousands of pieces of computer hardware. These data centers are where the internet happens, the physical manifestation of the so-called cloud—perhaps as far away from ethereality as you can get.

In the popular mind, the cloud is often thought of in the simple sense of storage. This is where we back up our photos, our videos, our Google Docs. But that’s just a small slice of it: For the past 20 years, computation itself has increasingly been outsourced to data centers. Corporations, governments, research institutions, and others have discovered that it is cheaper and more efficient to rent computing services from Big Tech.

The crucial point, writes anthropologist Steven Gonzalez Monserrate in his case study The Cloud Is Material: On the Environmental Impacts of Computation and Data Storage, is that “heat is the waste product of computation.” Data centers consume so much energy because computer chips produce large amounts of heat. Roughly 40 percent of a data center’s electricity bill is the result of just keeping things cool. And the new generation of AI software is far more processor intensive and power hungry than just about anything—with the notable exception of cryptocurrency—that has come before.

The energy cost of AI and its perverse, climate-unfriendly incentives for electric utilities are a gut check for a tech industry that likes to think of itself as changing the world for the better. Michelle Solomon, an analyst at the nonprofit think tank Energy Innovation, calls the AI power crunch “a litmus test” for a society threatened by climate change.

#artificial intelligence

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saintescuderia · 11 months ago

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The Growing Cracks of Formula 1

Even Lightning McQueen could show compassion

Well.

We all know what’s going on here. All the news sources are around it, trying as they may to talk about the thing they’re legally not allowed to directly address even though you best believe everyone has already seen the screenshots. I mean, a quick Google search that included, of course, the key word of reddit and I could find it.

And, oh, the rumours. There’s so many rumours flying back and forth. This person was told this. That person said that. They’re leaving. They’re leaving if they is leaving. It’s endless. Yet, we’ve all seemed to miss the key point.

I’ve already written about the cult side of F1 and how insular the world of ‘pinnacle motorsport’ truly is. Those thoughts are not the singular musings of one outlier fan. It seems the main response everyone is having is now can we finally address this?

Someone came forward with allegations and what has followed has been the most unprofessional storm of utter horse shit that is embarrassing, painful and disappointing. Though, perhaps, this is just to show how one wave could rock a boat so bad. Maybe F1 already had its cracks?

It was unfortunate that it took what it took, but at least now there can finally be conversations to the unjust nature of F1 , how cutthroat it is — and not in the sense of pressure on drivers and the team, but that there is a lack of fucking human compassion.

We’re not machines. Perhaps some people have been working alongside them for so long that they forget the difference between us and a car. Cars are the perfectly fine tuned pieces of machinery, calculated to the most singular finite measurement.

We are far more incomplete than that.

Any issues that arise with a car can be a ‘simple’ fix. Usually, we can find a reason for the problem and, therefore, the solution to it. Humans aren’t problems to be fixed, solved or removed. There is pain. There is empathy. There is genuine compassion.

I’ve used that word twice now because I think it hits home. That is what has been missing through this whole ordeal. This is not a business transaction or legal issue. First and foremost is the humanity is what’s happening in front of us and what message that is sending out.

So instead of dismissing a victim to generate news buzz about rumours or using the evidence to make memes, can we all just take moment to remember we’re all human beings.

Have some decency, please.

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ardenwritesegos · 1 year ago

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Starlight

Warning: Verbal abuse

Another day, another bout of chaos. Dark should know to expect nothing less from the Ipliers. All the more reason for a daily evaluation. If he didn’t, the mansion would likely burst into flames. Hell, it nearly did at one point. Damn Wilford and his ability to summon flame throwers at will. No matter. There were far more important things to dwell on. Or rather, far more important people.

The being continued through the halls of the manor, entering room after room. The Googles were searching their online systems for useful information. Dr. Iplier was organizing yet another stack of files detailing the egos’ medical accidents. Everything seemed to be in order. At least, for the time being.

The creature was soon finished with his inspection, moseying down the hall to his office. As they did, however, one of the doors opened. Someone exited from it in a rush. Eric Derekson. The shy Iplier held a stack of paper tightly in his arms, muttering something to himself. In his hurry, Eric practically rammed into Dark. The documents flew out of his hold, scattering in different directions. As Derekson looked up, the being could see the terror in his face.

“I’m-I’m sorry!” Eric stuttered quickly.

“I was trying to memorize my script for today, and–”

“Stop,” Dark interrupted, attempting to be as calm as possible.

Typically, the being would have no issue striking fear into the egos to keep them in line. This one, however, wasn’t like the others.

Derekson did not contain the outward confidence or fearlessness of an Iplier. He was fragile as an egg, flinching at the slightest sound. The ego could barely speak without questioning every word. It was almost a saddening sight. Almost. “No harm has been done,” the being reassured Eric. The mist of their aura picked up Eric’s papers, handing the stack to Derekson. “You should find them in order,” Dark explained as the other checked his documents. The shy Iplier looked on in confusion, not seeming to expect the kindness. Dark couldn’t blame him. Not with the demon’s reputation in the manor.

“Th-Thank you,” Eric said quietly, a bit calmer.

“You’re welcome,” the creature responded. “Now, go. Derek is surely waiting for you.”

“Yeah...right,” Derekson ran along to his errand. Dark couldn’t help but notice an extra shakiness from Eric at the mention of his father. Something about that was all too familiar to the being.

My Starlight

They shook it off, returning to his room. It wasn’t their problem to solve.

[Meanwhile]

The creature sat at their desk, sorting another week’s worth of incidents from Dr. Iplier. As usual, it was a mountainous pile. However, Dark didn’t find it to be too much. He could get through papers like this rather quickly, after all. Before Dark could continue, he was interrupted by yelling that boomed from across the hall. The being knew all too well where it was coming from. They made their way across the hall, stopping midway at a door. On it was a poorly-constructed sign, reading Derekson Studio. Screaming continued from behind the door. Dark focused, until they could see the inside.

“I don’t get what’s so hard about this!” Derek boomed at the timid ego.

“All ya gotta do is say some lines for stuff that practically sells itself,” he said matter-of-factly, as if it were that simple for everyone.

“What dontcha understand?!”

“I-I-I,” Eric stuttered, shaking harder than a leaf. “M-Maybe I’m just not-just not cut out for this,” he began to fidget with the orange towel in his hand. Derekson always seemed to have that cloth near him. None of the others ever knew why, nor did they care enough to ask. “ If you asked my brothers, they-they’d say the same thing,” Eric added. “Merrick would–”

“You think I don’t know that?!” Derek interrupted, instantly silencing his son. “You think I wouldn’t rather have Merrick do this?!” he boomed. “But he ain’t here, so you’re the only option I got!” Eric cowered more with each word. “So just get up there and get it together!” At those words, Dark was sent into one of the soul’s memories.

A little boy was with his father, practicing for a speech, his first as class president. Like Eric, the child struggled to get the words out. For every mistake, his dad forced him to start over. The father quickly became more aggravated with each stutter or lengthy pause.

“Get it together, boy!” the parent barked. “How are you going to be a politician if you can’t speak to a crowd?!” the boy had previously voiced his desire to be a leader of some kind. He wanted to help people in any way he could. In his mind, politics seemed like the best way to do that. At the time, however, he felt as if he wasn’t cut out for it.

“B-but, everyone will be staring at me,” the child stammered, hands restless in their folded position.

“That’s the point!” the man’s voice could be heard throughout the house. Maybe even the neighborhood. Regardless, the boy knew nobody would say a word. The man of the house had to keep order, after all. “What about that do you not understand?!”

“I understand, but–” the child mumbled, on the verge of tears.

“Then act like it and say the damned words!” the father swore.

With a shake of their head, Dark was brought back to reality. Noise like that could not be tolerated. It was a distraction that could lead the entire manor off-track. He opened the door, immediately silencing Derek. The man may have been too stubborn for his own good, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew very well that this being was not to be messed with.

“Hello, Derekson,” Dark greeted the father with his usual cold indifference.

“Uh…hello there, boss,” one could practically see the sweat dripping off the salesman.

“What brings you here?”

“You have caused a bit of noise, Derek,” the creature folded their arms behind their back.

“S-so sorry, sir,” the father apologized. “I was just,uh, trying to motivate my son, here,” he put an arm on Eric’s shoulder, causing the boy to flinch.

“I highly doubt that shouting is adequate motivation,” they said, matter-of-factly.

“Well actually, it works quite well for–”

“Could you leave the room for a moment?” Dark asked, interrupting Derek.

“What?” Derek responded, face freezing in confusion.

“I would like to speak with Eric, alone,” the being ordered calmly, yet somehow also firmly.

“But sir, he doesn’t do good on his own,” Derek protested, clearly trying hard not to burst out in anger.

“He will not be by himself, Derek,” Dark reassured, voice still emotionless. “Now, run along,” the creature ordered. “A new shipment was warped in for you.”

“Uh…Yes sir,” the father said after several moments of hesitation. As the door clicked shut, Dark made their way towards the boy. He remained in front of the green screen, shaking like a leaf, sure that he was in trouble. The being stopped in front of him.

“You are not in trouble, Eric,” the creature reassured, able to hear Derekson’s thoughts.

“I’m-I’m not?” he asked, as if he wasn’t used to such a statement. Dark feels a tugging in his chest at that.

“Derek was the cause of that...noise, not you,” they sighed, careful with their choice of words. The boy was already overwhelmed. He didn’t need to magnify the situation.

“But…he did that because of me,” Eric looked down in shame, hands repeatedly wringing around his orange cloth. Dark could see tears starting to form in the boy’s eyes. “If I hadn’t m-messed up my lines, he would-wouldn’t have had to–”

“You didn’t make him do anything,” the being blurted out, no control over their words. They wanted to move away, but found their aura keeping them in place. While they couldn’t see the color of it, they could tell which one it was. Dammit! Fully under the blue soul’s control, the being put their arms around Derekson. The blue soul then pushed a calming aura into Eric. All at once, the boy’s tension disappeared. His muscles eased. The mental swarming in his head went silent, allowing him to, for once in his life, think clearly. Eric returned the hug, wrapping the creature in a nearly choking embrace. He looked up at Dark.

“Why…” Derekson paused, sniffling away the remains of his tears. “Why does he hate me?” The blue soul remembered asking that exact question.

A young boy clings to his mother, crying his little eyes out. Father is not around, so he can do so without getting disciplined.

“Mother, why does he hate me?!” the child choked out.

“Because he is a fool, starlight,” the woman, the boy’s mother, replied softly. “Anyone would be well-off knowing you,” she rubbed soothing circles into the boy's back.

“But…he says I cry too much,” the boy weakly argued.

“Because he has the emotions of a doll,” the mother scoffed. Her warm gaze remained directly on her son. “You, my dear, are a wonder.”

“Because he has the empathy of a mannequin,” the being responded, answer still out of his control.

“It’s-it’s not his fault, though,” Eric stumbled out. “I mean, everyone else died-”

“That is no excuse for a man to treat his child like that,” the blue soul interrupted. The blue in his aura grew brighter with every second of rage. “His only remaining child, no less…” the soul took a calming breath, trying again to keep his composure in front of the already overwhelmed boy. Eventually, his light was no longer blinding. Regardless, it remained lit like a halo; a comforting, guiding light. Eric couldn’t help but stare. In that gaze, the soul saw the innocence of his past. The kindness. The plea for someone to listen.

The weakness.

The soul’s control was ripped from him in an instant. Dark blinked hard, blue outline once again blending with red and gray. The creature quickly but gently removed their arms from Eric, moving them behind their back.

“I will speak to Derek about his…” Dark paused, searching for a careful word.

“Behavior. Mistreatment of employees, related or otherwise, will not be tolerated in this manor,” The being walked towards the door, but stopped before turning the knob.

“And Eric,” Dark turns slightly to look at Derekson.

“Yeah?” Eric forced the word out of his mouth. This Dark was drastically different from the Dark of moments ago.

“If you should need advice on public speech, I have prior experience that could be to your benefit,” Dark suggested.

“But be sure to advise me beforehand.”

“Really? Uh, thanks,” Eric wrung the fabric in his hand like he was getting water out. This time, however, it wasn’t completely out of nerves. With that, the creature exited, on his way to have a few choice words with Derek.

#markiplier #markiplier fanfiction #darkiplier #eric derekson #father-son esque relationship #this is not me shipping them!#I will protect this parental relationship with my soul!#This was in my online documents for over a year #and I finally got the motivation to finish it #puppeteer with a pencil #cw verbal abuse

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jcmarchi · 13 days ago

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From OpenAI’s O3 to DeepSeek’s R1: How Simulated Thinking Is Making LLMs Think Deeper

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/from-openais-o3-to-deepseeks-r1-how-simulated-thinking-is-making-llms-think-deeper/

From OpenAI’s O3 to DeepSeek’s R1: How Simulated Thinking Is Making LLMs Think Deeper

Large language models (LLMs) have evolved significantly. What started as simple text generation and translation tools are now being used in research, decision-making, and complex problem-solving. A key factor in this shift is the growing ability of LLMs to think more systematically by breaking down problems, evaluating multiple possibilities, and refining their responses dynamically. Rather than merely predicting the next word in a sequence, these models can now perform structured reasoning, making them more effective at handling complex tasks. Leading models like OpenAI’s O3, Google’s Gemini, and DeepSeek’s R1 integrate these capabilities to enhance their ability to process and analyze information more effectively.

Understanding Simulated Thinking

Humans naturally analyze different options before making decisions. Whether planning a vacation or solving a problem, we often simulate different plans in our mind to evaluate multiple factors, weigh pros and cons, and adjust our choices accordingly. Researchers are integrating this ability to LLMs to enhance their reasoning capabilities. Here, simulated thinking essentially refers to LLMs’ ability to perform systematic reasoning before generating an answer. This is in contrast to simply retrieving a response from stored data. A helpful analogy is solving a math problem:

A basic AI might recognize a pattern and quickly generate an answer without verifying it.

An AI using simulated reasoning would work through the steps, check for mistakes, and confirm its logic before responding.

Chain-of-Thought: Teaching AI to Think in Steps

If LLMs have to execute simulated thinking like humans, they must be able to break down complex problems into smaller, sequential steps. This is where the Chain-of-Thought (CoT) technique plays a crucial role.

CoT is a prompting approach that guides LLMs to work through problems methodically. Instead of jumping to conclusions, this structured reasoning process enables LLMs to divide complex problems into simpler, manageable steps and solve them step-by-step.

For example, when solving a word problem in math:

A basic AI might attempt to match the problem to a previously seen example and provide an answer.

An AI using Chain-of-Thought reasoning would outline each step, logically working through calculations before arriving at a final solution.

This approach is efficient in areas requiring logical deduction, multi-step problem-solving, and contextual understanding. While earlier models required human-provided reasoning chains, advanced LLMs like OpenAI’s O3 and DeepSeek’s R1 can learn and apply CoT reasoning adaptively.

How Leading LLMs Implement Simulated Thinking

Different LLMs are employing simulated thinking in different ways. Below is an overview of how OpenAI’s O3, Google DeepMind’s models, and DeepSeek-R1 execute simulated thinking, along with their respective strengths and limitations.

OpenAI O3: Thinking Ahead Like a Chess Player

While exact details about OpenAI’s O3 model remain undisclosed, researchers believe it uses a technique similar to Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS), a strategy used in AI-driven games like AlphaGo. Like a chess player analyzing multiple moves before deciding, O3 explores different solutions, evaluates their quality, and selects the most promising one.

Unlike earlier models that rely on pattern recognition, O3 actively generates and refines reasoning paths using CoT techniques. During inference, it performs additional computational steps to construct multiple reasoning chains. These are then assessed by an evaluator model—likely a reward model trained to ensure logical coherence and correctness. The final response is selected based on a scoring mechanism to provide a well-reasoned output.

O3 follows a structured multi-step process. Initially, it is fine-tuned on a vast dataset of human reasoning chains, internalizing logical thinking patterns. At inference time, it generates multiple solutions for a given problem, ranks them based on correctness and coherence, and refines the best one if needed. While this method allows O3 to self-correct before responding and improve accuracy, the tradeoff is computational cost—exploring multiple possibilities requires significant processing power, making it slower and more resource-intensive. Nevertheless, O3 excels in dynamic analysis and problem-solving, positioning it among today’s most advanced AI models.

Google DeepMind: Refining Answers Like an Editor

DeepMind has developed a new approach called “mind evolution,” which treats reasoning as an iterative refinement process. Instead of analyzing multiple future scenarios, this model acts more like an editor refining various drafts of an essay. The model generates several possible answers, evaluates their quality, and refines the best one.

Inspired by genetic algorithms, this process ensures high-quality responses through iteration. It is particularly effective for structured tasks like logic puzzles and programming challenges, where clear criteria determine the best answer.

However, this method has limitations. Since it relies on an external scoring system to assess response quality, it may struggle with abstract reasoning with no clear right or wrong answer. Unlike O3, which dynamically reasons in real-time, DeepMind’s model focuses on refining existing answers, making it less flexible for open-ended questions.

DeepSeek-R1: Learning to Reason Like a Student

DeepSeek-R1 employs a reinforcement learning-based approach that allows it to develop reasoning capabilities over time rather than evaluating multiple responses in real time. Instead of relying on pre-generated reasoning data, DeepSeek-R1 learns by solving problems, receiving feedback, and improving iteratively—similar to how students refine their problem-solving skills through practice.

The model follows a structured reinforcement learning loop. It starts with a base model, such as DeepSeek-V3, and is prompted to solve mathematical problems step by step. Each answer is verified through direct code execution, bypassing the need for an additional model to validate correctness. If the solution is correct, the model is rewarded; if it is incorrect, it is penalized. This process is repeated extensively, allowing DeepSeek-R1 to refine its logical reasoning skills and prioritize more complex problems over time.

A key advantage of this approach is efficiency. Unlike O3, which performs extensive reasoning at inference time, DeepSeek-R1 embeds reasoning capabilities during training, making it faster and more cost-effective. It is highly scalable since it does not require a massive labeled dataset or an expensive verification model.

However, this reinforcement learning-based approach has tradeoffs. Because it relies on tasks with verifiable outcomes, it excels in mathematics and coding. Still, it may struggle with abstract reasoning in law, ethics, or creative problem-solving. While mathematical reasoning may transfer to other domains, its broader applicability remains uncertain.

Table: Comparison between OpenAI’s O3, DeepMind’s Mind Evolution and DeepSeek’s R1

The Future of AI Reasoning

Simulated reasoning is a significant step toward making AI more reliable and intelligent. As these models evolve, the focus will shift from simply generating text to developing robust problem-solving abilities that closely resemble human thinking. Future advancements will likely focus on making AI models capable of identifying and correcting errors, integrating them with external tools to verify responses, and recognizing uncertainty when faced with ambiguous information. However, a key challenge is balancing reasoning depth with computational efficiency. The ultimate goal is to develop AI systems that thoughtfully consider their responses, ensuring accuracy and reliability, much like a human expert carefully evaluating each decision before taking action.

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scmenterpricese · 1 month ago

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10 SEO Tips to Rank Higher on Google in 2025

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is constantly changing, and staying updated is crucial to improving your website's visibility. Here are 10 simple yet effective SEO tips to help you rank higher on Google in 2025.

1. Focus on User Intent

2. Optimize for Voice Search

3. Prioritize Mobile-First Design

4. Improve Page Loading Speed

5. Use High-Quality Content

6. Leverage Video Content

7. Optimize On-Page SEO Elements

8. Earn Quality Backlinks

9. Focus on Local SEO

10. Keep Up with Google Algorithm Updates

1. Focus on User Intent :

Understand what people are searching for and create content that answers their questions. Whether it’s a “how-to” guide, product comparison, or list of tips, give users exactly what they want.

2. Optimize for Voice Search:

With the rise of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, many people now use voice search. Use natural, conversational keywords and focus on long-tail phrases like, “What are the best SEO tips for 2025?”

3. Prioritize Mobile-First Design

Google ranks mobile-friendly websites higher. Ensure your site looks great and functions smoothly on smartphones and tablets. Use responsive design and test your website’s mobile performance.

4. Improve Page Loading Speed

Fast-loading pages enhance user experience and improve rankings. Compress images, use fast hosting, and reduce unnecessary scripts. Aim for a loading time of under 3 seconds.

See content credentials10 SEO Tips to Rank Higher on Google in 2025

5. Use High-Quality Content

Content is still king in 2025. Write in-depth, valuable articles that solve problems for your audience. Include facts, examples, and practical tips to make your content stand out.

6. Leverage Video Content

Google prioritizes websites that use video. Create tutorials, product demos, or explainer videos and embed them on your site. Make sure to optimize video titles, descriptions, and captions with keywords.

7. Optimize On-Page SEO Elements

Ensure your pages have:

Compelling titles and meta descriptions

Header tags (H1, H2, etc.) for structure

Internal links to other pages on your site

Keyword placement in the first 100 words

8. Earn Quality Backlinks

Backlinks from reputable websites improve your credibility. Collaborate with other websites, write guest posts, or create content that naturally attracts links, like infographics or research studies.

9. Focus on Local SEO

If you run a local business, optimize for “near me” searches. Add your business to Google My Business, get customer reviews, and include your address and phone number on your site.

10. Keep Up with Google Algorithm Updates

Google’s algorithms change frequently. Stay informed by following SEO blogs, watching webinars, or joining SEO communities. Adjust your strategies to align with the latest updates.

Conclusion

Ranking higher on Google in 2025 requires a combination of technical skills and user-focused strategies. By applying these 10 tips, you’ll not only improve your rankings but also provide a better experience for your audience.

Let me know if you'd like further tweaks or specific examples!

10 SEO Tips to Rank Higher on Google in 2025

Linkdin :Nilkanth Mistry

instagram: nilkanthmistry

website : https://scmenterprises.in/

facebook: nilkanth.mistry.52

@nilkanthmistry

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lazar-codes · 1 year ago

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24/08/2023 || Day 71

LeetCode

Ok, I 100% jinxed it yesterday saying that yesterday's problem was easy, because I spent 3 hours today working on a problem and ended up looking up the answer because I was starting to get a headache (the problem was 3Sum Closest). The frustrating thing is that I thought of the correct way to do it, but then was too stubborn to change what I was already working on and spent a lot of time and energy to get that done, only to realize I should've just tried the other way. Oh well, the comforting thing is that I did come up with 3 different ways you can (theoretically) solve it, and 1 of them was proven to work because other people solved it that way.

React To-Do App - Log #7

I meant to solve a bug today and I think I did, though idk what caused the bug...? I think anytime I'd press the "add task" button in quick succession, it would create tasks with the same timestamp, and I used the timestamp as a task's unique id so when it saved the task description of a single task, other task's description would change to be that one. Well, I decided to just add another field in the task object to hold an actual unique ID and changed my functions that use the timestamp as a unique ID and voila, problem solved. I used the crypto.UUID() function to generate an ID...a quick google search suggested that.

But yeah, I think I'm now done the project. I might want to change the placement of the "add task" button to be more at the top than at the bottom, and maybe change some CSS stuff, but honestly I'm pretty happy with how simple this looks.

#codeblr #studyblr #100 days of code #programming #coding #lazar blogs

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spar-kie · 2 years ago

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I'm posting this on Tumblr just to have somewhere that isn't a google doc to post this. But recently I went through and made a full set of Disco Elysium style skills for Audrey Mondale (pictured below in art done by the wonderful @honnojis), my Pokemon Rejuvenation OC, and on account of really liking how it turned out, I wanted to share it with the world under the cut. Hope you enjoy!

Intellect

Analysis - Solve puzzles. Put the pieces together.

Cool for: Braniacs. Intellectuals. Problem solvers.

Analysis is your basic problem solving skills. Looking at a situation, taking in the facts, and then proceeding from there. It searches for the disparate pieces of the puzzle, and tries to fit them together from there. Be it a computer on the fritz or a string of murders, Analysis won’t rest until every piece of the puzzle is put in place, and it all makes sense.

At high levels Analysis will help you put together any puzzle, so long as you know you have all the pieces. But if a clue is out of place, it may be determined to ignore its absence. Without it however, you will be hard pressed to put even the most basic of pieces together, assuming you can find them.

Recall - Comb through your brain. Remember things.

Cool for: Trivia buffs. Book readers. Those without amnesia.

Recall is your ability to dredge thoughts and memories up from the depths of your mind. From facts as simple as your name, age, and basic nature of reality, to as complex as a list of error codes and their meanings off the top of your head. It also provides far more esoteric and out there knowledge at times, some of it coming in handy.

At high levels Recall will fill your mind with memories and factoids to an overwhelming degree, many of which may be completely irrelevant to the matter at hand, making it hard to focus. However at low levels basic facts may slip your mind, and you will have no background knowledge to support you in your endeavors.

Real Talk - Cut through the bullshit. Find the heart of the matter.

Cool for: The honest. Simple folk. Assholes.

Real Talk is your skill for being completely straightforward in your thoughts and actions. It’s you putting aside your pride and machinations to be honest with the people you are talking to, and it enables you to get people to do the same with you. It’s useful for pulling yourself, and others, out of spiraling thoughts, and keeping you grounded in what’s real.

At high levels Real Talk may have you dispense your simple wisdom at the drop of a hat, to whoever you may feel needs to hear it. You will be unable to fathom anything that doesn’t fit into your view of the world, or anything slightly fantastical. At low levels however you will find yourself thinking in circles, unable to defend your ideas from yourself or others

Wit - Trade verbal barbs. Get the final word in.

Cool for: The insubordinate. Those “too smart”. Snarky jackasses.

Wit is your ability to complain about anything and everything while still having people listen to you, and to take those who don’t want to put up with your whining to task in the arena of words. Wit allows you to sew together the perfect tapestry of insults, simile, swear words, and observations about the current situation into something that will make your displeasure with the now known.

At high levels, Wit will have you constantly making snide comments about the current situation, even when it isn’t that bad. Refusing to let anyone else get a word in edgewise. At low levels however, you will be unable to respond to anyone who comes after you with any amount of grace.

Questioning - Search for answers. Solve mysteries.

Cool for: Detectives. Interrogators. Investigators.

Questioning is the part of you that always looks for answers. That will not rest until all the puzzle pieces are in place. It allows you to poke holes in people’s arguments, find inconsistencies in their stories, and unravel them into tapestries that tell the full story. It enables you to double check yourself, make sure that you have not missed anything.

At high levels Questioning will make you relentless, making you hound people for the smallest of perceived inconsistencies that will hide nothing at all, or a secret you were not looking for. At low levels however, you will be oblivious to even the most blatant lies.

Mind's Eye - Envision scenarios. See what you have not.

Cool for: Artists. Theorists. The Bored.

Mind’s Eye is what allows you to think critically and creatively. It lets you answer “what if?” questions. It allows you to devine just what happened in a scenario when you only arrived to see the aftermath and tie together seemingly disparate concepts into one great big ball of meaning, be that in reality, or in a piece of art. It also enables you to see the beauty in the world and art, if you just take a second.

At high levels your Mind’s Eye will have you daydreaming various hypotheticals and analyzing the last novel you’d read at the expense of your perception of the world in front of you. But at low levels, your Mind’s Eye will be completely shut, you will be stuck only seeing what is in front of you and be unable to imagine anything more.

Psyche

Stability - Keep calm. Stay positive

Cool for: The well adjusted. The sane. The normal

Stability is the voice in your head that tells you not to freak out. That tells you others are doing their best and so are you. No need to be too harsh on either. It’s your grounding rock. Stability is one that will keep you sane. The one that prevents you from drinking yourself to death with cheap wine in the cafeteria. The one that prevents you from trying to murder someone just to get out.

At high levels Stability will keep you normal, when the situation you are in isn't. You can’t get funky, weird, or freaked out if you try. At low levels you’ll lose your mind at the slightest incident, unable to keep yourself composed through the smallest of challenges.

Sixth Sense - Subconscious thought. Feel for just one more thing.

Cool for: The superstitious. The suspicious. The wise.

Sixth Sense is gut feeling. Your subconscious putting something together before your conscious. Honed exclusively through a course at the University of Hard Knocks, taught by professor Life, it is the ability to sense when something is off. It’s your sense of Deja Vu. It’s knowing something before you should know it. The ability of your gut to solve the puzzle while your brain is still tying its shoes.

At high levels Sixth Sense will feel the slightest disturbance, have more hunches and possible leads than you could hope to follow up on, and come up with fantastic explanations for the mundane. At low levels, you’ll be ignorant of anything not directly in front of you, and have a hard time fathoming anything out of the ordinary.

Commisery - Feel your pain. Feel others’ pain.

Cool For: The lonely. The miserable. Their companions.

Commisery is processing your misery through others, and processing others’ misery through yourself. It lets you open up and talk about your feelings, and be tender with people. It helps people be open with you, making them feel like they can share their problems and anxieties with you.

At high levels Commisery will attempt to shoulder the burden of the misery of everyone trapped in the same circumstances as you, and in turn you will share your sorrows with the world. At lower levels you will be unable to get anyone to be open with you, even yourself.

Hearts On Fire - Force of will. Refusal to give up.

Cool for: The passionate. The stubborn. Hot heads.

Hearts on Fire is your self respect. Your drive. Your emotional heart. Your will to see any task through no matter how impossible it may seem. It provides the motivation to keep pushing in a completely hopeless situation. It enables you to see through the doubts of both yourself and others to the light on the other side. It makes sure you don’t take any shit from anyone, and you get the respect you deserve.

At high levels Hearts on Fire will turn you into a creature of pure, unrefined emotion. You will jump head first into challenges you have no chance of succeeding at, perceiving any doubt as an attack against you. Your temper will be unleashed onto the world at full force, with no regard for who’s on the receiving end. At low levels you will be unremarkable. People will walk all over you, and you will have no spark to drive yourself forward.

Savoir Faire - Who’s who. What’s what.

Cool for: The superior. Those who wish to be. Those who used to be

Savoir Faire tells you how those in positions of power act. Their culture, their lifestyle, their motives. What the people behind the curtains think, how they pull the strings, and why. What is in, and what is out. Who’s on the shitlist, and who’s up for promotion. What pleases them, and what enrages them. It tells you the story of the fallen. Who flew too close to the sun, and what burned them up.

At high levels Savoir Faire will give you designs above your station, alienating you from your peers and be seen as a pretender by those above. You’ll lose the here and now fantasizing where you could be. At low levels you’ll be flying blind at the whims of those who you cannot see.

Charm - Make yourself beloved. Implant suggestions.

Cool for: Friends. Lovers. Manipulators.

Charm is the skill of talking nicely. Showing people that you’re fun to be around, and that you can be a friend. It allows you to build a rapport with people. It enables you to convince them through emotional appeals rather than cold hard facts. In turn, it will make people more liable to trust you with information they might otherwise wish to hide.

At high levels Charm makes it so you will always be wearing a mask, one you cannot take off lest your entire social life come crumbling down. Your whole life will be a lie, and the only one who knows will be you. Though at low levels, you will have no one to talk to, and will find it impossible to make any connection with anyone.

Physique

Vitality - Grin and bear it. Push forward.

Cool for: The fit. The enduring. The unconquerable.

Vitality is just how many hits you can take before you get knocked down. Vitality is the one that will keep you going. It also determines how much power you can put out in return. It doesn’t matter if your big mouth gets you into trouble if you can take the punishment that comes with it.

At high levels Vitality will keep you going strong when you’re being pushed down, and allow you to push right back. But will leave you giving little quarter for those who can’t take or put out as much punishment as you. At low levels you’ll be able to be pushed around, no matter what, unable to take the smallest of hits.

Tenacity - Get knocked down. Get back up again.

Cool for: The unstoppable. Masochists. Those who don’t know when to quit.

Tenacity is for when you get knocked on your ass. When it hurts like a bitch. When your muscles ache and your body burns. When your mind is screaming and tears are streaming down your face. Its your resolve to get back on your feet and carry on. Both physically and mentally.

At high levels Tenacity will actively have you seek out seriously dangerous situations, put yourself in jeopardy to feel that rush of overcoming the odds, and nearly losing it all in doing so. However, at low levels, you won’t be able to come back from anything. When you’re down, you’re out.

Contortion - Squeeze into small spaces. Hold awkward positions.

Cool for: Gymnasts. Maintenance workers. Those going where they shouldn’t.

Contortion is being able to manipulate your body into places it otherwise wouldn’t fit. It’s being able to make yourself small, and hold a position you hastily took to avoid being spotted. It’s your ability to sneak around, and get where you should not be by unconventional means.

At high levels, Contortion will get you to where others can not follow, at least not easily. And you will be frustrated when they can’t, or unpleasantly surprised when they can depending on the situation. At low levels you’ll find yourself having a hard time manipulating your body, feeling rigid as a board

Bon Vivant - Live a little. Enjoy yourself.

Cool For: Thrill seekers. Love makers. The irresponsible.

Bon Vivant encourages you to enjoy the finer things in life. That glass of wine, that dress that shows just the right amount of skin, that sexy thing across the room who can’t keep their eyes off you. It gives you the knowledge and the stomach to engage in the scandalous matters that lurk below the surface of high society. Everyone has their vices. Bon Vivant lets you indulge yours, hide them, and find others’.

At high levels Bon Vivant will make you unrepentant in your enjoyment of your pleasures, and desperately hiding how much of a hedonist you are from others. At low levels you’ll be unable to let loose, and won’t have the stomach to engage in lurid matters.

Soul - Know yourself. Know the world.

Cool for: Self seekers. Star gazers. World wanderers.

Soul is the invisible force that connects everyone. It is what you feel atop a building on a starry night, in somewhere once thought abandoned so long ago, seeing the same stars you have seen no matter where you went. The same stars everyone sees. The stars billions are looking up at. That shared experience among so many so different. Occasionally that shared experience will leave you with a realization you could have gotten nowhere else.

At high levels, Soul will leave you innately in tune with itself, making you look mad to the outsiders when you listen to your Soul and ignore them, regardless of how it turns out. At low levels you will be cut off from this connection completely, only able to rely on yourself.

Hair Raising - Don’t get caught off guard. Trust your instincts.

Cool for: The anxious. Survivors. Scared children.

Hair Raising is your other sixth sense. The one that can tell when things are about to go down and soon you will be in trouble. Either verbally or physically, Hair Raising can feel it in the air and is ready to pump you full of adrenaline so you’re ready to deal with it in kind. It helps you focus your outbursts into putting the fear of god into others.

At high levels Hair Raising will be ultra sensitive, with even the slightest shift in mood being cause for alarm, and enough to tell your brain to pre-empt them, before it’s too late. But at low levels the alarm will not be raised at all, leaving you blindsided by any outbursts, and unable to control your own.

Motorics

Fine Motor Skills - Hands steady. Stay coordinated.

Cool for: IT Workers. Doctors. Mechanics

Fine Motor Skills is your hand/eye coordination. It’s what enables you to get down and dirty with wiring and not wreck everything as you do so. You can tell at a glance the make and model of any part inside a computer, as well as some other machinery, thanks to the experience gained working with Fine Motor Skills.

At high levels Fine Motor Skills will let you finesse any repairs or bypasses you have to do with ease, so long as it’s hardware, but may leave you overconfident, and too absorbed in your work to notice what’s going on around you. But at low levels, you best hope the issues are in software. If not you’re liable to just wreck things more.

Senses - Sight, sound, smell, touch, taste. Take it all in.

Cool for: Trainers. Scavengers. The romantic.

Senses are the lenses through which you experience the world. They let you stay vigilant for the things others might miss. Or give you a deeper appreciation of the things others might take for granted. The soft breeze on a summer night. The slight burning smell that beholds an inferno in its infancy, the slight pooling of blood outside a door leading to the discovery of a murder. Whatever it is, your Senses will lead you to it.

At high levels, your Senses take in everything that surrounds you, not taking care to filter out the unimportant because everything is important, enough to completely overstimulate you if you’re not careful. At low levels however, keep those glasses on or you’re at risk of missing everything.

Think Fast - Dodge and weave. Don’t let them touch you.

Cool for: Boxers. Brawlers. Men of action.

Think Fast is your ability to stay on your toes. It’s what determines how fast your brain and body will react to any given situation. It is what lets you dodge punches, knives, and whatever else is thrown at you. Additionally, it works to keep your thoughts moving quickly too, making sure you’ll never be left behind in any conversations or battles of wits.

At high levels Think Fast will have you reacting before anything has even happened, making you jumpy and twitchy. You might just jump at the wrong thing and make things worse than if you’d just let it happen. At low levels you’ll be slow on the uptake, and will have a hard time keeping up. And forget about reacting in time to anything coming at you.

Light Feet - Float by. Wait for when the time is right.

Cool for: Cat burglars. Dancers. Stealth operatives.

Light Feet is your ability to be quick, and go unnoticed until just the right moment. This skill isn’t about hitting someone hard, though that certainly helps, it’s about hitting when someone least expects it. Assuming you want to hit them at all. This skill will give you all the smooth moves you need to float by without needing to swing at anyone.

At high levels Light Feet will make you able to sneak on by without so much as a sound, remaining unnoticed wherever you go. But you will still go unnoticed when you need to be seen. However at low levels you will be unable to go anywhere without causing a ruckus.

Technics - Interface with computers. Dive into the digital world.

Cool for: Typists. Office Workers. Hackers.

Technics is your ability to work with computers on a technical, software level. Any issues that come after the computer is turned on are most likely in this area of expertise. It also allows you to gain access to things you should not have, so long as they are stored digitally. With Technics, the digital world will be at your fingertips, with limitless possibilities.

At high levels Technics will leave any information that could possibly be gleaned from digital data ripe for the taking, and deal with any technical issues easily. But it will leave you isolated, why do you need to talk to people for information when you can find it digitally? At low levels however, you will be completely cut off from the digital world.

Self Control - Calm down. Don’t let them get under your skin.

Cool for: The calm. The collected. The cool.

Self Control is the thing working to keep you calm. It’s what lets you put on a brave expression and face the world. It won’t do you any good if you fly off the handle at the slightest inconvenience, and Self Control is what keeps it from happening. It also helps keep unpleasant memories out of your head, making sure they don’t bubble up at unpleasant times. It keeps your emotions in check, and in turn can sense when others are starting to crack.

At high levels your Self Control will never let you show any emotions that aren’t mild amusement or slight disappointment. Even when you’re all alone. You will feel it welling up inside, but there will never be any release. Anything unpleasant that hurts to remember may be completely repressed. But at low levels, you will crack incredibly easily, flying into rage and making yourself an easy target for tormentors.

Items

Hair Tie

+1 Fine Motor Skills: Hair out of your face

- 1 Hair Raising: Tied down.

Prescription Specs

+2 Senses: I can see!

-1 Senses: Out of date prescription.

+1 Third Eye: The prescription helps it too.

(Pre-Demotion)

Alolan Shirt

+1 Charm: Charmingly casual!

+1 Hearts on Fire: Breaking the dress code.

+2 Real Talk: Talking by the beach at night.

-1 Real Talk: Just in spirit.

Worn-Under Tank Top

+1 Fine Motor Skills: Easy to maneuver in.

+1 Bon Vivant: A tasteful amount of skin.

Cargo Shorts

+1 Light Feet: Comfortable and easy to wear!

-1 Bon Vivant: Dude.

Sandals With Socks

+1 Hearts on Fire: Don’t care what anyone says.

-2 Bon Vivant: Dude.

(Post-Demotion)

Team Xen Uniform Vest

+1 Tenacity: It is armor, after all.

+1 Commisery: Same as everyone else.

-1 Hearts on Fire: Following the dress code.

Team Xen Jumpsuit

+1 Bon Vivant: Tight in all the right places!

-1 Contortion: And all the wrong ones too.

Team Xen Gloves

+1 Fine Motor Skills: Insulated gloves.

-1 Technics: Fat Fingering the keyboard.

Team Xen Uniform Shorts

+1 Hair Raising: Your ass is on the line.

Team Xen Work Boots

+1 Think Fast: On your toes.

-1 Light Feet: These boots are made for stomping.

#Audrey Mondale #oc #original character #pokemon rejuvenation

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usefulapps · 5 months ago

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On-Page SEO: Simple Techniques to Boost Your Website 🚀

If you want to improve your website’s search rankings, on-page SEO is the place to start! Here are some quick and effective techniques to help optimize your pages for better visibility on search engines like Google:

1. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions

Your title tag should be clear, concise, and include your target keyword. Meta descriptions should briefly describe the content, attract clicks, and also include the main keyword. Think of these as your page’s first impression!

2. Use Keywords Strategically

Place your primary keyword in the first 100 words of your content. Use related keywords throughout the post, but avoid keyword stuffing—keep it natural! Keywords should also appear in headings (H1, H2, etc.) to help structure the content.

3. Internal Linking

Link to other relevant pages within your website. This helps users navigate and improves site structure, which search engines love! Plus, it keeps people on your site longer.

4. Optimize URLs

Keep URLs short and descriptive. Include your primary keyword, and avoid using unnecessary numbers or symbols. Clean URLs are more user-friendly and help search engines understand your content better.

5. Use Alt Text for Images

Always use descriptive alt text for images. It improves accessibility and helps search engines index your images, which can lead to more traffic.

6. Mobile-Friendliness

Your website should be responsive and work well on mobile devices. Search engines prioritize mobile-friendly sites, so make sure your content is easily readable on phones and tablets.

7. Improve Page Load Speed

Fast loading times are crucial for both user experience and SEO. Compress images, enable browser caching, and consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to speed things up.

8. Quality Content

Content is king! Write valuable, well-researched content that answers questions or solves problems for your audience. Google favors longer, in-depth articles that provide genuine value.

9. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)

Help search engines better understand your content by using schema markup. It enhances rich snippets, such as star ratings, prices, and FAQs, making your content stand out in search results.

We have implemented all the above techniques on this website.

#seo #schema markup #backlink #on page seo #off-page seo

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anaalnathrakhs · 10 months ago

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heeehee hooohoho nothing has weight, sense, or value anymore. everything is everybody's fault. no one can be blamed for anything. sorry for being an asshole i'm just going to fucking kill myself.

i asked my mom if she remembered if we set up an account for me to check an info, she said she didn't know, i said okay thanks, don't do anything about it though.

this afternoon, while i'm sleeping, i get a text that goes like "okay so you do this and this and this on the website!" and i haul my ass out of bed to do it before the cutoff time this evening, and it leads me to the exact same problem of needing an account. so. my mom could take the time to search for a way to resolve a problem she THOUGHT i had. despite me telling her explicitely, bc i'm starting to get used to it, not to do anything about it and it was just a question. but then she didn't click through the thing to check. bc she just googled it and sent me what she read. after telling me "noooo, no need to check" when i had asked her. she said it "went over her head" that i had said EXPLICITELY "please don't do anything about it".

i have no fucking idea what to think. i'm making a mountain out of a molehill, yes, and my own fault for even mentioning the topic, yes. but on the other hand, why the fuck is such a simple thing impossible? we've had so many discussions about what i'm uncomfortable with, and there's many things that didn't change, which i understand, because i'm not a toddler, i have complex needs but also the ability to mitigate and handle discomfort, they have priorities, they have no obligation to uproot their habits for me. but then such a small fucking thing is also too much?????? i ask her one yes/no question, and she invents a problem i didn't have from the situation, halfasses solving it, and brings me the result like yay! mom to the rescue! despite me telling her NOT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE TOPIC OF THE VERY SIMPLE YES/NO QUESTION. that she had told me to not even bother checking when she answered. we've had discussions about it. i've learned to tell her NOT TO CHECK because for some reason when i say "hey have you seen this thing around?" she hears "go fetch me this thing", and despite that she was still showing up two days later like yay! i found it in the back of the guest room closet where we never go! mom to the rescue! and like, i know you're a workaholic, but could you please not invent yourself fucking quests when i told you to drop it?

and on the other other hand, i'm a fucking hypocrite, because it's true she does tell me often not to do something, and i slide the problem a little to the left and carry on. but i don't fucking know. she said that like, well, you know what i'm talking about. purging in the toilets. I HAVENT ASKED YOU TO CLEAN THEM AND I HAVE DONE MY BEST TO CLEAN THEM AND I WOULD'VE DONE THE PROPER DEEP-CLEAN IF YOU HAD ASKED ME AND ALSO I HAVE A FUCKING RAGING EATING DISORDER THAT AFFECTS ME LIKE PRETTY MUCH 24/7.

and holy fuck. i'm a constant problem for everybody around me. it's cool. how am i supposed to "get better progressively" when everything i do is fucking poison damage to everybody around. how am i supposed to accept being around people often, when this is not a harsh pass or a difficult time, it's just what life's been for my entire existence.

like trust me mom, i'm counting the days til i can move out too! but am i. im possibly planning to get a year of higher education in my hometown, after all. but also i might have to drop out of school so 🥴 possibly a step towards leaving, possibly a step towards living in my parents basement until they die out and i inherit the house. fucking fantastic. i should just cut it short and either have the balls to kill myself, or drop out and get the best job i can with what i have.

it's cool! i thought i was doing good, doing better, improving, but turns out haha me doing better is just at the expense of other people! how silly of me to believe i could perhaps not be a source of suffering to everybody around me if i worked hard on it! everybody in my life fucking hates me and they're right tbh what the fuck have i done for them. i mean i tried, but have i succeeded?

ANYWAY i have until monday to figure out what i'm going to do. does anyone have a movie rec for someone killing some stand-in for the unfeeling standardize reglementation, cuz i need some catharsis rn.

#it makes me so deeply mad that there is some kind of obligation of treatement in place #when the system is not build to accomodate the needs of those who are sent to it #let alone their numbers #okay so my personal life is a bit difficult but school generally helps me be a bit better #solution proposed by fuckheads: you're suspended until you get help from our Flawless system that has harmed you in the past #that has five billion years of waitime for the two and a half people in the city who accept new clients #good luck for your graduation exams next month that will define your life from now on!#broadcasting my misery #vent

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thinkspot-content · 7 months ago

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Crafting Engaging Blog Posts to Boost Traffic

Creating engaging blog posts that drive traffic is essential for any successful content marketing strategy. With the vast amount of content available online, standing out can be challenging. However, by following some key principles and best practices, you can craft blog posts that not only capture your audience’s attention but also encourage them to visit and return to your site. Here’s how to write engaging blog posts that drive traffic.

1. Know Your Audience

Understand Your Readers: The first step to writing engaging content is understanding your audience. Know their interests, needs, and pain points. This will enable you to produce content that is both relevant and valuable to them.

Create Personas: Develop detailed personas for your target audience. Consider demographics, interests, challenges, and preferences. This will guide your content creation process and ensure you’re addressing the right topics.

2. Choose Compelling Topics

Conduct Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to find keywords that your target audience is searching for. This will help you identify popular topics and optimize your posts for search engines.

Stay Current: Write about trending topics in your industry. Use tools like Google Trends and BuzzSumo to identify what’s currently popular and relevant.

Solve Problems: Focus on providing solutions to common problems your audience faces. Content that offers practical advice and actionable steps tends to perform well.

3. Craft a Captivating Headline

Make it Attention-Grabbing: Your headline is the first thing readers see, so make it count. Use power words, numbers, and clear benefits to grab attention.

Keep it Concise: Aim for 6-12 words. Concise headlines are easier to read and remember.

Utilize Headline Formulas: Established headline structures can significantly enhance engagement. Examples include:

Achieve [Desired Result] Faster with These Proven Methods

Solve [Problem] with [Number] Simple Steps

Master [Topic] with Our Comprehensive Guide

4. Write an Engaging Introduction

Hook Your Readers: Start with a compelling hook that captures the reader’s attention. This could be a surprising fact, a question, or a bold statement.

Set the Stage: Clearly state what the post is about and what readers can expect to learn. This helps set expectations and encourages them to read on.

Keep it Brief: Avoid lengthy introductions. Be concise to keep the reader’s interest.

5. Structure Your Content Effectively

Use Subheadings: Break your content into sections with clear subheadings. This enhances readability and helps readers quickly find the information they need.

Short Paragraphs: Keep your paragraphs brief and focused. Long blocks of text can be overwhelming and hard to read.

Bullet Points and Lists: Use bullet points and numbered lists to present information clearly and concisely. This improves readability and helps highlight key points.

6. Provide Value

Be Informative: Ensure your content is well-researched and provides valuable information. Readers should come away feeling they’ve learned something new or gained a useful insight.

Be Actionable: Provide actionable advice that readers can implement. Step-by-step guides, how-tos, and tips are particularly effective.

Use Examples: Include examples, case studies, and anecdotes to illustrate your points. This makes your content more relatable and engaging.

7. Use Visuals

Include Images and Graphics: Visuals can break up text and make your posts more engaging. Use high-quality images, infographics, and charts to complement your content.

Videos and GIFs: Incorporate videos and GIFs to add variety and appeal. They can also help explain complex concepts more effectively.

Optimize for Speed: Ensure your images and videos are optimized for fast loading times. Slow-loading pages can deter readers and hurt your SEO.

8. Optimize for SEO

Use Keywords Strategically: Incorporate your target keywords naturally throughout the post. Include them in the title, headings, meta description, and body content.

Internal and External Links: Use internal links to guide readers to other relevant content on your site. Include external links to reputable sources to back up your information.

Meta Descriptions: Write compelling meta descriptions that include your primary keyword. This helps improve your click-through rate from search engine results.

9. Encourage Engagement

Ask Questions: Encourage readers to engage by asking questions and inviting them to share their thoughts in the comments.

Social Sharing: Make it easy for readers to share your content on social media by including share buttons.

Respond to Comments: Engage with your readers by responding to comments and fostering discussions. This helps build a community around your content.

10. Promote Your Blog Posts

Social Media: Share your blog posts on your social media channels. Tailor your messages to fit each platform’s style and audience.

Email Marketing: Send your blog posts to your email subscribers. Craft engaging subject lines to increase open rates.

Collaborate: Work with influencers and other bloggers to promote your content. Guest posts and collaborations can help you reach a wider audience.

Conclusion

Writing engaging blog posts that drive traffic requires a strategic approach and a deep understanding of your audience. By choosing compelling topics, crafting captivating headlines, providing valuable content, and optimizing for SEO, you can create blog posts that not only attract readers but also encourage them to stay and explore more of your site. Get your tasks done at competitive rates from an experienced copywriter. Remember to promote your content effectively and engage with your readers to build a loyal audience. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating blog posts that drive traffic and achieve your content marketing goals.

#blog writing #drive traffic #content writing #blog posts #digital marketing

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repguardians · 8 months ago

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5 Effective Tips to Optimize Your Google Ads Campaigns for Better Conversions

Google Ads is a powerful platform that can drive significant traffic and conversions to your website. However, creating an effective campaign that yields high conversions can be challenging. To help you get the most out of your Google Ads campaigns, here are five effective tips to optimize your campaigns for better conversions.

Utilize Targeted Keywords Effectively

Keywords are the foundation of any successful Google Ads campaign. Targeting the right keywords ensures that your ads are shown to the most relevant audience, increasing the chances of conversions. Here’s how to make the most out of your keyword strategy:

Conduct Thorough Keyword Research

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs to find keywords that are relevant to your business. Look for keywords with high search volume and low to medium competition to maximize visibility without overspending on clicks.

Use Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific phrases that users are more likely to use when they are closer to making a purchase. These keywords often have lower competition and can lead to higher conversion rates. For example, instead of targeting “running shoes,” you might target “best running shoes for marathon training.”

Negative Keywords

Implement negative keywords to exclude search terms that are not relevant to your products or services. This helps to refine your audience, ensuring that your ads are only shown to potential customers. For example, if you sell premium products, you might want to exclude terms like “cheap” or “discount.”

Craft Compelling Ad Copy

Your ad copy is crucial in attracting potential customers and convincing them to click on your ad. Here are some tips for creating compelling ad copy:

Focus on Benefits

Highlight the benefits of your product or service rather than just listing features. Explain how your offering can solve a problem or improve the customer’s life. For example, instead of saying “High-quality running shoes,” you could say “Run longer and faster with our high-quality running shoes.”

Include a Strong Call to Action (CTA)

A strong CTA encourages users to take the next step, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or downloading a guide. Use action-oriented words like “Shop Now,” “Get Started,” or “Learn More.”

Use Emotional Triggers

Emotions play a significant role in decision-making. Incorporate emotional triggers in your ad copy to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Words like “exclusive,” “limited time,” and “special offer” can create a sense of urgency and excitement.

Optimize Landing Pages

Once a user clicks on your ad, they should be taken to a landing page that is relevant and optimized for conversions. Here’s how to ensure your landing pages are effective:

Consistency and Relevance

Make sure your landing page content matches the ad copy and keywords. If your ad promises a discount on running shoes, the landing page should prominently feature the discount and the relevant products.

Clear and Concise Design

A cluttered landing page can overwhelm visitors and lead to high bounce rates. Use a clean design with clear headings, bullet points, and ample white space to make it easy for users to find the information they need.

Fast Loading Speed

Page speed is critical for user experience and conversions. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your landing page speed and implement recommendations to improve it. A fast-loading page ensures that users don’t leave before it even loads.

Strong CTA and Forms

Your landing page should have a clear and prominent CTA. If you are using forms, make them as simple and short as possible. Only ask for essential information to reduce friction and encourage more conversions.

Leverage Ad Extensions

Ad extensions provide additional information and can make your ads more compelling, increasing the chances of clicks and conversions. Here are some useful ad extensions to consider:

Sitelink Extensions

Sitelink extensions add extra links to your ad, directing users to specific pages on your website. This can improve the visibility of important sections of your site and provide users with more options to engage with your brand.

Call Extensions

Call extensions allow users to call your business directly from the ad. This is particularly useful for businesses that rely on phone calls for conversions, such as local services or high-ticket items.

Location Extensions

Location extensions show your business address and make it easier for users to find you. This is beneficial for brick-and-mortar stores or services targeting local customers.

Callout Extensions

Callout extensions add extra text to your ad to highlight unique selling points or special offers. Use them to showcase free shipping, 24/7 customer support, or other valuable features.

Implement Conversion Tracking and Use Data Insights

Tracking conversions is essential to understand the effectiveness of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions. Here’s how to utilize conversion tracking and data insights effectively:

Set Up Conversion Tracking

Use Google Ads conversion tracking to monitor actions that are valuable to your business, such as purchases, form submissions, or phone calls. This data helps you understand which keywords, ads, and landing pages are driving conversions.

Analyze Performance Data

Regularly review your campaign performance data to identify trends and areas for improvement. Look at metrics like click-through rate (CTR), cost per conversion, and return on ad spend (ROAS). Use these insights to adjust your bids, keywords, and ad copy.

A/B Testing

Conduct A/B testing to compare different versions of your ads and landing pages. Test different headlines, ad copy, images, and CTAs to see what resonates best with your audience. Continuously optimize based on the results to improve your conversion rates.

Optimizing your Google Ads campaigns for better conversions requires a strategic approach and ongoing adjustments. By effectively utilizing targeted keywords, crafting compelling ad copy, optimizing landing pages, leveraging ad extensions, and implementing conversion tracking, you can significantly enhance your campaign performance. Remember that continuous monitoring and optimization are key to staying ahead of the competition and achieving your business goals. Start applying these tips today and watch your conversions soar!

#orm #seo #search engine optimization #online reputation management

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f0point5 · 1 year ago

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I don’t know, I feel like a large bill of Elliot’s problems could be solved with a simple combo of common sense and a google search. like he’s already admitted to googling her (why he would ever admit to that I have no clue) he might as well commit. Maybe watch a video of how to talk to a famous person, I’m sure there’s something on YouTube or TikTok. It just kinda seems like he’s self sabotaging as most as girlie pop is. Like realistically, what celb, even if he thinks she’s just internet famous wants anyone in their circle that’s willing to talk about them. Like I feel like that’s something must people just kinda know about celb interactions. Throw in how hard it is for him to get girlie to give up any information about herself you’d think he would be on this best behavior.

I’m also feeling that neither Max or Y/N have a conscious idea that they like each other as anything more than friends. That honestly is everyone and their mother wasn’t pointing it out it would have been years if not ever that they realized on their own. And that they are both absolutely terrified of ruining their current relationship. They are so attached and codependent, they didn’t have the greatest childhoods, so I can totally see the both of them just choosing to stay away from the idea of a relationship between the two of them because they feel like based off the relationships around them they tend not to last, and they tend to end messy so why take the chance on losing the person that has become family. That at this point you can’t imagine them leaving you. It’s sad. I want to just hug the both of them and then force them into therapy but I can also rationalize why they are making these decisions

I think Elliot is suffering from his own arrogance, but also falling victim to Y/N and her…let’s call it laissez faire approach. Because yes, Elliot could Google how to talk to a famous person, but Elliot is also fully confident in his ability to charm everyone around him and always get what he wants. The idea that he would ever need help to get someone to like him or to endear himself to someone is alien to him, as you can imagine it would be a wealthy, successful, good looking young man in Monaco. He’s used to having the world at his feet. Add to that that Y/N has not thus far been helpful in him understanding her life. She staunchly avoided talking about her job, her public life, even Max, and when he brings it up she brushes it off and plays it down. I don’t think he quite understands that while she’s not A list famous, within a small subset of internet and sports culture she will be under an intense microscope. That maybe has escaped him a bit and she hasn’t helped, maybe she even enjoys that he doesn’t understand it. He obviously messed up saying what he did because he’s a typical guy, but I think specifically in regards to the fame, neither of them are handling it well. You could never imagine that Max would go out with a girl and not explain what goes along with dating him, but Y/N expects Elliot to get it from the off?

I think you’ve hit one of the many nails on the head. They’ve had so little stability in their lives, they cling to the only contestant which is each other. He grew up moving from place to place, to extent so did she, they both finally have a safe place to land, why would they want to lose that? What’s worth that? A few months of sex before they turn into their parents and start fighting and there’s cheating rumours and they’re both receiving internet hate and the distance ruins them? No, thank you.

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definitelynotnia · 1 year ago

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sorry i have to rant or i will cry i hate when im so angry that the anger comes out as tears

tw: random guy being a general asshole abt lgbtq and trans ppl so if you dont wanna deal with that today, cz ik there's already enough hate literally everywhere online, then please save yourself from this burden and move along, i hope u have a nice day bcz if i cant then someone should

i just spent my whole afternoon arguing with this guy- it was such a waste of my time i haven't slept properly last night and i wanted to take a nap but my nap time is GONE i hate this i told him im done with this conversation and that i dont give a shit about him enough to want to educate him on things and have him change his opinion i TOLD HIM IM DONE i told him that he can keep his opinion shoved up his ass and as long as he doesn't bully people i dont give a shit i was READY TO GO TAKE MY NAP but nooo this bitch is like "just say you've run out of valid points" like BITCH NO.

i can't have valid points to counter you with because all the points ur giving me are utter bullshit like how the fuck am i supposed to reply to "ppl assigned male at birth wearing skirts and make up is worse than war" like WHAT???? DO YOU HEAR YOURSELF??? ARE YOU INSANE? what the fuck am i supposed to respond to that with? except that trans people aren't hurting anyone and war is, and he's like "at least war can be contained, these people are spoiling the mentality of the youth" like YOU ARE THE SPOILED YOUTH not the other way around, im like listen if you were really pressed about children and how trans inclusivity impacts children then you would have at least read more about that but if your first point is only "they're doing surgery on children" then clearly you have not even done as much as a simple google search so we both know that you just heard that in some random reel and went with it and you dont give two shits about the supposed 'children being made to undergo surgery', which they're not, and all you actually care about is looking cool and edgy by hating on the lgbtq community because thats whats in trend right now in india. he's like these people are too privileged why cant they just shut up and enjoy life they are rich like first of all rich people can have problems too??? also being able to afford therapy and gender affirming care does not equal to rich thats like saying if someone in ur family has any chronic illness ur automatically rich like ??? also poor people are trans too? and im so sick of these ppl thinking being trans is just an american thing or a first world problem like brother no? you are literally living in india trans people are mentioned in the FUCKING SCRIPTURES are u KIDDING ME? being trans is not a new sudden occurence its been there for longer than you have. like literally after 2 hours of conversation the only points he could think of to hate on lgbtq for no reason is

they are rich and privileged so they shouldnt have problems

if they have a problem with their gender they should keep it to themself and not fight it (??????)

they are running from their problems (they are literally solving the problem thats the part which everyone is mad abt its when trans people try to solve the problem by being okay with expressing themselves freely and to counter i said that even alcoholics are running from their problems ive never seen any of u andrew tate cocksuckers ever make a "joke" bullying alcoholics he's like thats different like literally all his "points" are him just saying whatever and then if u try to explain it with logic he'll be like no but thats ok bcz i said so and this is wrong bcz i said so like fuck you dude)

they shouldnt have rallies and stuff because there's more important things like war that the government should focus on (he was the one who said "war is a beacon of peace there cannot be peace without war" when i had first mentioned that its ironic that out of all the bad things happening in the world rn LIKE war the biggest thing he's worried about is a "man" wearing a skirt but ok sure now all of a sudden war is a big boo boo and we should all be focusing on that, so basically when he wants to hate on ppl war is irrelevant but when a marginalised group wants to fight for their rights that time war is the most important point and no one elses suffering is valid bcz there is war)

it is spoiling today's youth (im not even gonna talk about this because i do not see how people living their lives and just existing is considered "spoiled" and "corrupt" but people regularly hating on, bullying and degrading a whole ass community just because they are uneducated swines lacking critical thinking skills and a spine that saw some 'famous' youtuber or influencer or wtv or maybe a reel with 'dark humor' dissing on lgbtq and pronouns and 'blue haired girls' and now they thing they're oh so cool and edgy and dIfFeReNt and "not like those woke snowflakes" just cz they degrade and bully a whole community of people every chance they get)

im so done im SO DONE with this bullshit its EVERYWHERE its a trend now to be hateful and mean and an asshole to anyone who isnt "normal" according to heteronormative standards. i understand not having an opinion, to some extent ok i get it you're young you don't need to be involved in this yet but no, they want to have an opinion but they will do no research they physically shudder at the thought of reading a book and god forbid they actually google up a trustworthy article to confirm some of the bullshit they believe they will do none of this but they will scream and shout about how lgbtq is the problem and magically that is the only "social issue" they care about and they care soo vehemently apparently that they have to post about it and make dArK jOkEs about it and use slurs and degrade them every chance they get because THEY are harmful yes sure you who are actively spreading hate are the angelic saviours of society and a community of people JUST EXISTING are the ones that are harmful, right.

#im done im so done i cannot anymore #if one more person puts a story or comes to me making fun of lgbtq calling them mentally retarded or wtv the fuck and expect me to be like #haha so funni lol u are so comedi i am going to block them from every single social media i have them on #i am done.

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