#data entry jobs 2021

[why-animals-do-the-thing]

Happy National Zookeeper Week!

I’ll admit, I’m feeling a little spicy about it this year (well, every year) because zoos use the celebration for lots of positive facility PR, yet staff don’t often get the support and respect that is claimed in those posts.

So I want to share this great article written by a zoo industry consulting group last year looking at the reality of what happens when a workforce ends up conflicted between their passion (zoos and animals) and pragmatism (paying rent, existing in a capitalist society). They assessed AZA compensation rates by region against things such as a living wage and rental rates in the area. (All text formatting within quotes, such as bold and italics, is original to the article text.)

I cannot give the Canopy Group enough support for the way they framed this research:

“By observing the economics of keeper compensation, it’s no secret that keepers land on the lower end of the wage spectrum. Like all other wages and salaries, the market value of keeper compensation is driven by several economic factors – including the size of the labor pool, the rigor and danger of the work, the technical ability required, and the educational requirements. However, there is one factor that artificially lowers the market value of keeper compensation more than any other: passion.

In this article, we’ll take a look at why passion lowers the market value of animal care worker wages. More importantly, we’ll consider many factors that have emerged in recent years that are making people reevaluate the value of following their passion – a trend contributing to The Great Resignation, especially as it applies to zoos, aquariums, and similar organizations. (…)

The argument here is passion versus pragmatism: the unknown versus the sure thing. It is a decision all zookeepers and animal care technicians have made. Working with animals is immensely rewarding, but this passion is also very popular. This, historically, has meant that the keeper candidate pool is very large. Therefore, if the wage is livable and working conditions are reasonable, the pool should remain large. In a very real sense, a passion for animals drives down the market value of keeper compensation. Anyone who has been through an Economics 101 course will recognize this as a fundamental market principle: supply vs. demand.

However, many zoos and aquariums are having a more difficult time filling positions than normal and have started to see higher turnover rates in recent years. This begs the question – is the current keeper wage too low?”

Their findings?

Here’s their graph of “the median wage of keepers from organizations in different AZA-defined regions” from an AZA survey done in 2021. (Median is the type of average that looks at the middle of a data set’s range).

The median wage for AZA keepers in the South/Southeast was just over $15/hr at the low end, and the median wage for AZA keepers in the Far West / PNW was a little under $26/hr. That’s pretty dang low everywhere, especially when you factor in the increased cost of living in places like the West Coast. Also consider that looking at the median wage doesn’t mean this reflects just entry-level compensation - this data indicates the the compensation middle for all keeper positions, including people who have built their careers as keepers in those places long-term.

Then, they compared those wages to the “living wage” in each region - which they defined as “a calculation of what it takes to live in a particular area, without any other income. A living wage calculation takes into consideration how many earners are in a household, how many children are being supported, etc. The living wage includes the costs of all the basic items a household needs to be self-sufficient.”

“If you receive a wage for a job that is below the living wage, then you are essentially taking a negative net income. This is unsustainable for the long term, and essentially defines where wages start to exploit passion.”

Here’s a figure they provided using the MIT Living Wage Calculator showing the average living wage for each of the AZA regions. The chart on the left shows the living wage for a single person with no kids; the second, for two parents with two incomes and one child to support.

“By comparing the two graphs [to the earlier graph of the AZA median compensation rates], we find that median wages in the Southeast/South and Southwest regions are lower than the living wage for each household configuration in those regions. In other words, if you are a single person household or part of a two-income household raising 1 child in the South, a starting keeper salary will likely leave you with a negative net income. While many people work at this level, it increases the risk of accumulating debt, lowers a person’s ability to afford a home, set a much later retirement age, and can lead to many other negative, long-term effects.”

Big yikes, right?

Next, they looked at living wage vs. compensation for single parents.

“The single-parent living wage exceeds the average keeper wage in all AZA regions. In fact, the living wage required as a single parent is double the average AZA keeper wage in some regions.”

And then they did housing, specifically, being able to purchase a home.

“In many places, even a two-income household at an average keeper salary would not purchase a mid-level home. This means that keepers have to wait far longer than their peers to purchase a home. While paying rent in the meantime, this rent will account for a larger portion of their income than their peers. All in, these effects can set hopeful homeowners back years or decades.”

Canopy’s conclusion was something anyone involved in the field knew was coming.

“Companies like Chipotle, McDonalds, Best Buy, FedEx, Home Depot, Publix, and Walmart are all offering similar starting wages near starting keeper wages – plus many fringe benefits (like tuition reimbursement) and ample advancement opportunities. Many potential keepers in younger generations are putting their passion on the shelf so they can meet basic standard-of-living concerns.

To attract and retain quality candidates, an organization must consider the journey each new employee would have to make over their career. If the journey is fraught with massive debt, decreased disposable income, and limited career opportunities, then you are limiting your potential candidate pool to the small group of people who have decided that following their passion is worth significant lifelong financial hardship. There are many potential candidates out there willing to sacrifice and arm and leg for animals and conservation, but they wouldn’t dare jeopardize the financial future of their dependents and families.”

This is something I’ve heard about for years, and seen first hand. The low average wage at zoological facilities has been damaging their ability to hire and retain skilled staff for as long as I’ve been involved in the industry. I know so many zookeepers who still have roommates into their 30’s, or work multiple jobs, just to be able to make ends meet.

There’s a mythology about zookeeping jobs, a narrative that seeps into the field and actively exploits people’s passion for the job: it tells people that they’re so lucky to be able to work with these rare and cool animals; that they’re greedy and ungrateful when they ask for more compensation because they’re privileged to get to have the job at all. It says that most people would give anything to have these opportunities, so current zookeepers are interchangable and easily replaceable. Ask for too much? Push for a living wage? There’s always someone willing to take your spot. Not all facilities perpetuate this mentality - some places do treat their staff well without intentionally manipulating them to stay them in unsustainable jobs, and there can be legitimate financial reasons that limit staff compensation (mostly at smaller facilities, afaik) - but it’s a reality in the field.

For a long time, this type of mentality towards staff was sustainable. There really were always more people wanting to work in the field. But now, after three years of pandemic stressors and inflation, it’s starting to be a problem. A lot of staff left during the last few years, and facilities are having a really hard time hiring people and retaining them for any duration. I think a large part of that is low compensation rates. People are prioritizing long-term financial stability and recognizing when their passion is being exploited.

When I first started on tumblr back in 2011, there was a whole group of us within the United States who were baby zookeepers or volunteering as industry hopefuls. We all became friends, and I’ve stayed in touch with, or at least aware of, most of them as their careers progressed. Of the 10-15 or so people in that cohort? I can think of three who are still employed in the zoo industry. Everyone else has moved on into other fields - often with great grief over the loss - because of the extreme emotional labor, the physical exhaustion, and the lack of appropriate compensation.

But I guess that annual pizza party, being featured on social media, and maybe getting additional snacks all week makes up for it all?

[analytically]

What's wrong with the schools in California?

So I'm Californian, and they make all the high school students here take a test of their English and math skills the year before they graduate. But, uh, looking at the data from these tests, it's really bleak?

Across the whole state of California (where 40 million people live), only 27% of high school students met the math standards! That's really terrible — this means that over 70% of California high schoolers don't know enough math for "likely success in entry-level, credit-bearing college coursework after high school." I'm not totally clear what exact skills these are, but when I took the test it was mostly Algebra II and Geometry questions — the sort of thing you might need even if you don't go to college. And while I don't think everyone needs to go to college, 70% of the population not being prepared for college seems too high.

(more analysis, and pictures, below the read more!)

This isn't an artifact of the pandemic, either: 2019 data shows that 32% of 11th graders met math standards before COVID, and it actually went up to 34% in 2021 (there was no testing in 2020). That's interesting, considering that many schools were closed to in-person instruction during 2020. Proficiency rates in math have fluctuated between 27% and 34% since 2015, but there certainly hasn't been a clear trend of improvement.

If you're disabled, learning English, or in the foster-care system, you have a less than 5% chance of being proficient in mathematics after 12 years in the California school system! (Learning English at the same time as learning mathematics in English does seem really hard under any circumstances, so maybe that one's not totally the school system's fault, but 2.5% is still way too low! English learners are three times more likely to be proficient in English language arts than in math!)

"But analytically," you say, "maybe this isn't the schools' fault! Maybe the kids just lack resources because of poverty and inequality and such!" Well, yeah, that probably isn't helping, but it definitely doesn't explain the whole problem. 17% of kids that California considers "socioeconomically disadvantaged" meet math standards, but only 43% of non-socioeconomically disadvantaged kids do! So even among kids whose families are doing OK financially, most aren't proficient in math. However, they are 2.5 times more likely to be proficient than their lower-income peers. (Also, last time I checked, the job of the public school system was to provide a good education regardless of socioeconomic status!)

The numbers are pretty bad for English language arts too, but math is a lot worse (and also I've technically worked in math education, so this is sort-of in my wheelhouse).

So, I repeat: What's wrong with the schools in California? How can we fix it?

[who-is-page]

Fall 2024: Achievements, Goals, and Thoughts

[Crossposted from my Patreon]

The fall equinox is just around the corner, heralding the arrival of one of my favorite times of year (although our arthritis and its poor relationship with the cold certainly begs to differ). With a new season on the horizon, I wanted to get my bearings on where we're at, where we're going, and our thoughts about all of it.

Achievements. 💡

We were volunteer staff and lecturers at this year's OtherCon! We co-lectured the Alterhumans & Relationships panel with our husband Thomas, which involved going over some of the data gleaned in our Alterhumans & Relationships Survey. We also assisted with the data collection and visualization for our partner Orion Scribner's massive survey, boasting over 1,200 respondents, which was used in their OtherCon lecture Phantom Limbs and Phantom Sensations, Human and Otherwise.

The Alterhuman Archive has reached over 1,400 entries. This is not something that would have been possible without the incredible help of the other archivists and curators working on the project--our friend Nova, our partner system House of Chimeras, and our partner Orion just to name a few--but it's an absolutely phenomenal and unbelievable milestone to reach.

This year's first Centaurus Festival was a massive hit, with 150 people registering and a peak attendance of 134 people. There were 11 panels in total, not including movie showings. Once again not a project I could have wrangled on my own without the incredible support of my friends and the staff team.

Goals. ✒️

Inky Paws #3 has been put on the back burner for a significant part of this year while college and my job took precedence, but I'm set and determined to once again have it published by or before December 31st.

Retail Werewolf is a comedy-fantasy solo RPG about being--you guessed it!--a werewolf stuck in a awful and fantastical retail job, where you're just trying to get through your shift without mauling someone. It's something that I've had in the works for a few weeks now. It's around half-way to completion, and I hope to have it done in time for Black Friday.

The Centaurus Festival website, Discord, and Tumblr need to be updated in preparation for next year. I've already touched base with the staff team on this, and I'd theoretically like to have at least the website updated before the equinox. (With that said, I'm working 55 hours this week, have at least 15 hours of college work left to push through, and will be celebrating my four-year anniversary with House of Chimeras, so we'll see if that timetable holds.)

Thoughts. 💭

We were extremely disappointed to see NaNoWriMo's stance in favor of generative AI earlier this year. If you don't know what debacle we're referring to, I made a short post on my Dreamwidth about it, and several news organizations have written deep-dive articles discussing and dissecting the matter such as Slate's Inside the Heated Controversy That’s Tearing a Writing Community Apart. We grew up writing with NaNoWriMo, and we even won the challenge in 2013 with a cheesy horror story that will never see the light of day and again in 2021 with The Sol System’s Alterhuman Writing Project, where we wrote an alterhuman-themed piece for each day in November. But with that said, the enormous outpouring of support for archiving and creation that we've seen at both OtherCon and the Centaurus Festival and our own past success with NaNo for writing about alterhuman topics make us wonder if it might not be time to reclaim November, which also conveniently happens to be the month in which Therianthropy Day is celebrated, and create an alterhuman writing event or group for it. Let us know your thoughts on this idea, or if you're feeling like you want to take a whack at it yourself!

And on that note, we really want to see people rally and support some of the major community projects out there more-- things like the Otherkin Wiki, AnOtherWiki, Otherkin News, Radiant Obscurities, and similar! We also want people to feel more assured in their own capabilities to create projects themselves, either collaboratively or alone. Seeing Nova's plans for HowlCon next year is incredibly exciting.

In sadder thoughts and news on projects, we must all bid a sad farewell to Project Shift and the Werelibrary, which are currently no longer being maintained. These resources were some of my favorite when I was a high school otherkin over a decade ago, and were also a major inspiration for my creation of the Alterhuman Archive. Although some of the works hosted on them may have been dated, these sites will be sorely missed.

[writinglittlemagics]

The people said Will Wood, so here is Will Wood!! This is maybe my favorite song of his ever :]

The Commodification of the Artist: Will Wood Marxist Analysis

Will Wood has been making music under one of two names for eight years and, as such, has spent a long time in the eyes of his audience. His song “Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll” is his response to this interrogation. “Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll” is about the speaker’s desire to leave behind the fetishization of his stage persona and his music while mourning how he has to treat his music as a monetary means to an end. The beginning of the song introduces this idea, “This is a desk job, a data entry five to niner” (Line 1). He acknowledges that the song is a job for him and how different it is from a regular job; it is not a nine to five, it is from five to nine, during what should be his rest time. He follows with, “Yeah, I guess I’m my own boss, but everyone’s my supervisor. Tell me, what kind of living legend would only want a living wage?” (Line 2-3) These lines get to the root of the issue. He may have creative “freedoms,” but is he free if he has to worry about everything impacting the money he needs to make? The following lines, “Because I just turned 27 and I’m dying of old age / Guess I’m just selfish, I wanna have but not be had” (Line 4), substantiate this point. It is widely understood that celebrities leave their golden years once they get past their youth. Celebrities get younger and younger, and celebrities who are old are regarded as past their prime. He wants to have his art and his freedom, but in the system he participates in as an artist, he must be “had” by everyone. He is just as much a commodity as the art. The line sums this up, “And I think, ‘Can I sell this? The rainfall’s a windfall, the fourth wall a paywall…’” (Line 6).

Now that the speaker recognizes the system, he expresses his distaste for it. First, he tries to exploit himself in the way that most artists do: selling out his issues and mental ailments. He makes music by drawing on his creativity and past experiences, what he calls “the thing that came from the same place as my instability” (Line 8). Then, the chorus demonstrates the speaker’s exhaustion with the system, often called Creative Burnout. The title, “Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll,” is misleading, as the chorus repeats how much he hates those things typically associated with rock stars. He also recognizes how little control he has over his commodification, “I hate music and my lack of self-control… And I hate proving that I’m still human after all” (Chorus). The following bridge moves from exhaustion to anger as the song picks up, and Wood takes on a much more angry, gruff tone. “And starry-eyed stalkers who demand a man in lipstick / And a role model psycho but an echo in their chamber” (Bridge). These lines shift blame to his audience, showing what they force him to be. He continues his anger in the last line of the bridge, “cut my wrists and make me put white gloves on.” They want to see him bleed; he is not a person, just something for the audience to digest.

Work Cited

“Will Wood – Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Genius, 2021, genius.com/Will-wood-sex-drugs-rock-n-roll-lyrics. 

Wood, Will. “Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll” “Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll”, Will Wood, 2021, track 1. Spotify,  open.spotify.com/track/4Yr96t6zCZEuU4yalvYixU?si=6fdbb5e868bd4927

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Brian Conrad

Published: Oct 2, 2023

When I decided to read every word of California’s 1,000-page proposal to transform math education in public schools, I learned that even speculative and unproved ideas can end up as official instructional policy. In 2021, the state released a draft of the California Mathematics Framework, whose authors were promising to open up new pathways into science and tech careers for students who might otherwise be left behind. At the time, news reports highlighted features of the CMF that struck me as dubious. That draft explicitly promoted the San Francisco Unified School District’s policy of banishing Algebra I from middle school—a policy grounded in the belief that teaching the subject only in high school would give all students the same opportunities for future success. The document also made a broad presumption that tweaking the content and timing of the math curriculum, rather than more effective teaching of the existing one, was the best way to fix achievement gaps among demographic groups. Unfortunately, the sheer size of the sprawling document discouraged serious public scrutiny.

I am a professional mathematician, a graduate of the public schools of a middle-class community in New York, and the son of a high-school math teacher. I have been the director of undergraduate studies in math at Stanford University for a decade. When California released a revised draft of the math framework last year, I decided someone should read the whole thing, so I dove in. Sometimes, as I pored over the CMF, I could scarcely believe what I was reading. The document cited research that hadn’t been peer-reviewed; justified sweeping generalizations by referencing small, tightly focused studies or even unrelated research; and described some papers as reaching nearly the opposite conclusions from what they actually say.

The document tried hard to convince readers that it was based on a serious reading of neuroscience research. The first chapter, for example, cited two articles to claim that “the highest achieving people have more interconnected brains,” implying that this has something to do with learning math. But neither paper says anything about math education.

The CMF is meant only to guide local districts, but in practice it influences the choices they make about what and how to teach. Even so, the version ultimately adopted by the State Board of Education is likely to distort math instruction for years to come. Armed with trendy buzzwords and false promises of greater equity, California is promoting an approach to math instruction that’s likely to reduce opportunities for disadvantaged students—in the state and wherever else educators follow the state’s lead.

In my position at Stanford, I’ve heard from people around the country about the math preparation necessary to attain a variety of degrees and succeed in a range of careers. A solid grounding in math from high school—which traditionally has included two years of algebra, a year of geometry, and then, for more advanced students, other coursework leading up to calculus—is a prerequisite for a four-year college degree in data science, computer science, economics, and other quantitative fields. Such a degree is, in turn, the price of entry for jobs not only in the sciences and Silicon Valley but also in a number of seemingly distant fields. A data scientist at a company that makes decisions about how and when to store, freeze, and transport food once told me that he and his crew “could not do our jobs” without fluency in areas of college-level math that require previous mastery of the basics.

Without overtly saying so, California is building off-ramps from that kind of math. The CMF pitches relatively new courses, branded as “data science,” both as an alternative to a second year of algebra and as an entry point into fast-growing career fields. But the course name is something of a misnomer.

In private industry and higher ed, data science describes a powerful synthesis of computer science, mathematics, and statistics that seeks to extract insights from large data sets. It has applications in industries as varied as health care, retail, and, yes, food-supply logistics. The ability to do actual data science rests on math skills that have been taught for eons. Data literacy would be a better name for the most widely taught high-school data-science classes, which were developed by UCLA’s statistics department and my own university’s Graduate School of Education. To be sure, schools should be teaching citizens enough about statistics and data to follow the news and make educated financial and health decisions. Many parts of the math curriculum can be illustrated with engaging contemporary data-oriented applications. But much as a music-appreciation course won’t teach you how to play a piano, data literacy is not data science.

Advocates of the new courses have suggested that they produce better outcomes for groups, such as girls and students of color, that are traditionally underrepresented in mathematics. But proponents should own up to the downstream effects: In practice, steering sophomores and juniors away from Algebra II forecloses the possibility of careers in certain fast-growing quantitative fields—which would seem to do the opposite of promoting equity. Many schools in Europe and Asia separate students into different career paths early on in their education, but a key goal of the American system has been to help students keep their options open. In other contexts, the CMF is notably skeptical of efforts to group students in math class according to ability, out of a fear that disadvantaged students will be placed in low-expectation tracks that they can never escape. But for some reason, shunting them away from advanced math is portrayed as progress. The STEM fields won’t increase their diversity through math classes that contain very little math.

Ultimately, I ended up submitting 170 pages of documentation about extensive flaws in the CMF draft that I read. I was hardly the only one finding fault. A multiracial national coalition of more than 1,700 quantitative experts from higher education and industry strongly objected to the early drafts. Faculty in the University of California and California State University systems wrote letters warning state officials against prematurely steering students away from algebra-intensive academic and career options. UC administrators had begun to allow data-literacy courses to fulfill Algebra II admissions requirements, but a faculty working group representing all campuses in the system voted unanimously this summer to reverse that policy.

Before the State Board of Education in California approved the third version of the CMF in July, officials did try to address some of its flaws. Although school officials in San Francisco had largely ignored parents who questioned the district’s policy against offering Algebra I in middle school, critics refused to give up, and for good reason. A recent working paper from three Stanford researchers indicates that the San Francisco Unified School District’s decade-long experiment was a bust. The percentage of Black and Latino students taking advanced math courses did not increase. Some students who would otherwise have studied calculus as high-school seniors were unable to do so. The kids who succeeded in reaching calculus typically did so through extracurricular measures, such as summer classes. Later CMF drafts quietly removed the mention of the SFUSD policy while still generally endorsing the ideas behind it.

Meanwhile, the ideas that animate the CMF—particularly its endorsement of data-literacy classes as a substitute for math and its suggestion that large swaths of the traditional high-school math curriculum are obsolete—are popping up in other states. In Ohio, for example, a menu of alternative math “pathways” in high school has been touted as providing entry into a variety of appealing and lucrative careers. But the pathways labeled for data science and computer science remove many Algebra II skills; the fine print reveals that the pathways are inadequate for students who might want college degrees in those fields. School officials in Middletown, Connecticut, have proposed to revamp the traditional calculus track by scaling back on preparations for eighth-grade Algebra I and introducing mash-up algebra-and-geometry courses that would magically pack three years of instruction into two.

Unfortunately, not every state has a critical mass of academic experts and private-sector tech practitioners to push back when school systems try to rebrand an inferior math education as something new and innovative. The students who are most reliant upon public schools are the most harmed when districts embrace policies based on superficial appeals to equity or false promises about future job opportunities. When only the children of families with resources beyond the public schools are gaining preparation for the lucrative degrees and secure jobs of the future, public education is failing in a primary duty.

Brian Conrad is a mathematics professor and the director of undergraduate mathematics studies at Stanford University.

[ Via: https://archive.today/OuKIa ]

==

Nothing good comes of lowering standards or encouraging students to opt out of challenge.

A class in Math Appreciation is not not a substitute for Math.

[neurodivergentcosmos]

Hello community—updated mutual aid post to reflect changes in support asks & my name change! I don’t have enough money for my monthly living expenses. I’ve been unemployed since late Nov & drag has been my only source of income b/c disability now impacts the jobs I’m able to work. I dislike asking for help for myself during multiple genocides going on & while so many BIPOC in my local communities struggle in the same way; please prioritize mutual aid from Palestine, Congo, Sudan, etc. and local BIPOC. I’m making this post & asking you to share b/c it’s become necessary for me to do so in order to survive while I get financial supports for my disabilities set up, which will take some time. I need support in:

1) Paying my halves of rent/utilities monthly!

2)Getting paid gig & contract work in addition to drag to sustain myself! Paid gig & contract work I’d love to do include: pet sitting, graphic design, social media page management, proofreading, data entry, & house tasks.

3)Booking me in shows!

For followers who knew me before 2021: do not contact my bio family, including parents, under any circumstances. I’ve been no contact w/ them for 2 years b/c it’s essential to my safety.

Alt Text: At top of graphic is the title “Mutual Aid: Disabled Trans Drag King Neuro Cosmos/Ezra Star.” In left-center of the flyer is a box with a description of Neuro/Ezra’s situation: “Drag has been my only source of income since Nov 2023 due to unemployment & disability. I need community care in paying for my monthly living costs as I get my supports together. I need support with:

1)Pay rent & utilities

2)Get paid gig & contract work to sustain myself

3)Perform in more shows”

At the very bottom right below that is a circle with the text of Neuro/Ezra’s payment info & monthly goal: “Venmo: NeuroCosmos Cashapp: $NeuroCosmos Goal: $930.” On the right side is a photo of Ezra, a white trans man holding in his arms a black & white goat at an outdoor Pride vendors market.

[littledigest]

Pluto conjunct natal Mercury-Uranus-Neptune

Pluto has been transiting my natal Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune since 2020. As of 2023, it is moving away from natal Neptune and towards natal Uranus and Mercury.

Neptune in Capricorn 26 degrees in 5th house [natal]

Uranus in Aquarius 2 degrees in 6th house [natal]

Mercury in Aquarius 3 degrees in 6th house[natal]

When Pluto was close to my Neptune, I happened to start or end a creative endeavor. Or, something about the event was Neptunian/Piscean in nature.

Going into 2023, there is a shift from Neptunian events to more Uranian and Mercurial ones.

Notice that until 2023, the events are creativity (Neptune) and hobby (5th house) related. Starting from 2023, my Mercury-Uranus in 6th house conjunction is getting more attention. My sudden job change and the nature of that job are examples of this.

LIST OF EVENTS WHEN PLUTO TRANSITED NATAL MERCURY-URANUS-NEPTUNE:

2020

5/12/20 - First day of working out regularly by following YouTube videos. I was working out every day for almost 2 hours. I had NEVER worked out before this. For several months after, I was obsessed with working out; it was therapeutic to me.

6/6/20 - First day of UX/UI design online course

2021

3/23/21 - I made a journal entry this day that I was seriously thinking of going into animation and coding.

6/6/21 - Last day of UX/UI design online course

6/7/21 - The day after, I started my first day of 3D animation class. Pluto is EXACTLY conjunct my natal Neptune on this day.

6/23/21 - I attempted a no-fish-and-seafood diet ❌🐟🦀❌ after watching a documentary about our negative impact on the ecosystem due to overfishing and overconsumption of fish/seafood. Failed, but I really tried.

2022

3/16/22 - Hit with a major internal crisis. Issues from the past came back, and I didn't know where I was headed in life. Felt very uncertain about what I was doing in life.

3/29/22 - Last day of 3D animation class.

6/20/22 - The day I started my Tumblr blog littledigest. Pluto was also opposite natal asteroid Educatio (2440); seems appropriate as I am giving my experiences and take on astrology through this blog.

7/10/22 - The day I reached 100 followers on Tumblr

8/7/22 - I visited a local psychic fair with my mom and sister. 🔮 We've never gone out of our way to go to anything like this before.

10/3/22 - I learned how to use a sewing machine. Making clothes was something that I had been DREAMING about for so long. Did I continue? No, but I'm sure I'll go back to it someday.

11/22/22 - Introduced to a job position that seemed completely out of my league. I wasn't even job searching, but this landed on my lap out of nowhere. Had nothing to do with the job I was doing at the time.

12/12/22 - I got a call back that I got the job. Found out I will be earning a lot more than in my previous job 🤑. Pluto was also square natal asteroid Destinn (6583). Don't know if this job is my DESTINY, but interesting...Maybe I'm on the right path?

2023

1/6/23 - Last day of old job; got a new haircut in the city after work. 💇‍♀️ Realized this was the first time I went to get a haircut on my own IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. Prob not significant to you, but it was bonkers to me. How have I never gotten a haircut on my own before?

1/9/23 - First day of my new job. Transit Uranus is conjunct my natal midheaven too. I'm no longer 100% remote; I have to go into the office; my whole routine has changed. This new job of mine is an admin position but for a technology department. [Uranian]

2/8/23 - Met with superior. Afterward, manager tells me superior wants me to work with them on data work. My work becomes less about admin duties. [Mercurial/Uranian]

2/18/23 - Played a gambling card game with my family for the first time and won. Pluto also square natal asteroid Las Vegas (82332). Not Vegas but won some money 💵. [Neptunian/Uranian]

2/26/23 - started this Long Game project on littledigest. Pluto also inconjunct natal asteroid Discovery (9770). I hope this project uncovers something special! [Mercurial/Uranian/Neptunian]

More to come as time goes on

This post is part of a larger study based solely on my personal experiences with Planetary Transits and Returns.

[usafphantom2]

United Kingdom, Japan and Italy sign treaty for the Global Air Combat Program (GCAP)

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 12/14/2023 - 08:39am Military

The United Kingdom, Italy and Japan have signed an international treaty for a Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) that aims to develop an innovative stealth fighter with supersonic capability and equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

The treaty marks a key stage of the historic Global Air Combat Program (GCAP) and the headquarters of the program will be based in Great Britain.

This combat aircraft, which is expected to fly to the skies by 2035, aims to take advantage of next-generation technologies and become one of the most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighters in the world in service worldwide. The program is expected to create highly qualified jobs in the United Kingdom and partner countries over the next decade and beyond.

The supersonic stealth jet will feature a powerful radar that can provide 10,000 times more data than current systems, providing an advantage in victory in battles.

In the United Kingdom, the effort is being led by BAE Systems, in close partnership with Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK and MBDA UK – as well as hundreds of supply chain companies across the country. Together, they are working closely with leading companies in Japan (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric Corp, IHI Corp, Avio Aero) and Italy (Leonardo) to progress in the design and development of this aircraft.

Despite the current limitation to the three countries, there is speculation about Saudi Arabia's accession in the future, although the Japanese government allegedly opposes the candidacy of the Gulf monarchy. GCAP is among several sixth-generation fighter programs in the West. In Europe, the Future Combat Aircraft System (FCAS) effort, involving France, Germany, Spain and potential newcomers such as Sweden, aims to select a fighter project by 2025. The GCAP partnership seems to be ahead of the FCAS, with the United States planning to grant a project for its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter by next year.

The treaty confirmed that the United Kingdom will host the joint headquarters of the GCAP government, supporting hundreds of jobs in the United Kingdom and working with Japanese and Italian colleagues. The first CEO will come from Japan. The HQ will be responsible for providing vital military capacity, strengthening the industrial air combat capacity of each country and obtaining a good cost-benefit ratio.

Supporting the Prime Minister's priority of growing the economy, there are already about 3,000 people in the main combat air centers throughout the United Kingdom, including the southwest and northwest of England and Edinburgh, with almost 600 contracted organizations across the country, including SMEs and academic institutions.

In air combat, the UK Ministry of Defense has spent £2 billion in the UK over the past 5 years on technology, creating skills and capabilities - with an additional £600 million from the industry - to ensure that the UK is ready to boost this program.

A crucial program for the future of stability in the Euro-Atlantic, the Indo-Pacific and broader global security, GCAP is a strong example of the UK's global leadership in developing the next-generation military capacity to deter and defeat threats to the UK and our allies.

It is another demonstration of our commitment to Indo-Pacific security, after the deployment of the Royal Navy's Carrier Strike Group in 2021, with a new deployment coming in 2025, as well as the Navy maintaining a persistent presence in the region through HMS Spey and HMSTamar.

Separately, a new joint business construction will be based in the United Kingdom, with a significant global presence. This industrial counterpart of the government organization will oversee the support and timely delivery of the program, including the date of entry into service of the combat aircraft in 2035 - known as Tempest in the United Kingdom. The first leader of joint business construction will be from Italy.

This collaborative approach is indicative of the innovative international program.

GCAP will attract investments in research and development in digital design and advanced manufacturing processes, providing opportunities for our next generation of highly qualified engineers and technicians.

Tags: Military AviationGCAP - Global Combat Air Program

Sharing

tweet

Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has work published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

Related news

The NACA QSRA aircraft landing on the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk.

MILITARY

If you wanted to buy a 'strange' plane, this is the chance

13/12/2023 - 19:00

MILITARY

IMAGES: RAF conducts cold weather tests with Airbus A400M in Norway

13/12/2023 - 18:46

MILITARY

Aero and Draken sign long-term cooperation agreement on L-159 aircraft

13/12/2023 - 16:00

MILITARY

Chinese Navy Fujian aircraft carrier advances with J-35 stealth fighter tests

13/12/2023 - 12:15

HELICOPTERS

Lockheed Martin tests electronic warfare system transported by helicopter

13/12/2023 - 11:00

The original number of bombers would have difficulty fulfilling conventional and nuclear missions in a great war.

MILITARY

How many B-21 bombers will the U.S. need? Experts say more than 100

13/12/2023 - 08:51

[twotiime2]

Reality Adjustment, Pt. 4

[[ Discord RP log under the cut.

This one is mostly Simon catching up on life- still lots of unreality and being unable to trust your own senses. Now features a few mentions of potential NSFW and euphemism, but nothing explicit. Also mentions previous potential animal harm, and medical procedures, kind of graphically, but they're just quick anecdotes. ]]

Simon learned during the ride home that he had a very unusual imagination, which Otome (not her birth name, but she'd had it changed legally to Gosu Kanojo Otome) suspected was actually a harmless form of hallucinatory delusion disorder, that she had helped him hide from the Union from day one. This mental disorder was, she believed, part of what made Simon so brilliant as a programmer and technician. He would routinely fall into ruts and slumps, and then have an epiphany or breakthrough out of nowhere - usually with the help of an imaginary friend that he'd only met in his mid-teens and hadn't known wasn't "real" for almost a year into their friendship. According to Otome, they'd even been a couple, during that time. Otome is a huge fan of anime and video games and roleplaying games, so she always really liked his oddities and quirks. They met at an E3 conference, and then again at DragonCon, and on their third meeting - this time at Otakon - they decided to just take it as a sign and try dating. They've been together for seven years (Simon was 28 years old) and he'd been with the Technocracy in one position or another since he was 23.

She knew all about the Technocratic Union and thought they were really cool, if a little 'fascie'. Apparently in the year 2017, he'd gotten a job doing data entry that turned out to be a 'prole' position for a Union front. He spotted some things that didn't line up, investigated on his own and hacked their systems to find out more. Instead of being fired, he was promoted to Technician and from there, up to Network Security. In late 2018, he learned about a conspiracy within the company that extended to networks all over the country, and again proved too good for their security software to keep him out. He was welcomed into the conspiracy - the Technocratic Union - as an Exceptional Citizen. After that, he'd been handling networks and computers beyond those available to ordinary people, working in cybersecurity for the Office in 2019, at 24 years old. Two years later (2021, 26 years old) he discovered the existence and purpose of 'Q Division' and requested to be transferred to it. He was informed that due to the nature of their work, one year of field assignment was mandatory so the Technicians would understand the conditions under which their inventions would be used. He signed up and spent one year as a Surveillance Support Operative (the guy in the unmarked van) and was promoted to QDiv's lowest rank - Field Tester - in 2022. The current year was 2023, November. If he recovered fully enough to return to active duty and his annual review went well in February 2024, he'd be promoted to Lab Assistant in Q Division.

The two of them lived together in a very nice apartment, where Otome worked from home as something called a YouTuber - some combination of commentator, journalist, and influencer, for anime themed media. She had a Maid/Master style D/s kink, loved his nerdiness and found his occasional mood swings to be endearing (because anime tropes) and had fully accepted that they may or may not be alone at any given time, because of his imaginary friend, Edith Loane - who sometimes took the form of a kitten that Otome pretended to be able to see and could swear sometimes was actually really there, that she'd named Simone, since she adored Simon and rarely left his side when near.

Simon drove a black 2021 Dodge Charger that included some Union tech, and Otome drove a hot pink and white jeep with various 'serious gamer bunny' (apparently a cutesy culture icon for gamers) decals and design elements. His license plate was G3M1N1 and hers was MAID4U.

They were still on their way home when she finished her quick recap of the key events in his life as she knew them.

- - - -

That was all just about as idyllic as his relationship with Allison had been at first, though he had been an Agent in full in that reality. He listened quietly as Otome relayed his life back to him, or at least, what she knew about it, making mental notes of the whens and positions and his accomplishments thusfar while she spoke. He kind of missed his DEI; it let him take genuine notes, instead of just little mental pushpins for certain details.

It seemed he kept hopping forward in this timeline in particular, if his dreams could even remotely be believed as steps-to-the-left of this reality; he wasn't sure when the second, nightmarish dream took place, but the first was definitely early September. Now it was November.

He wondered if he counted as more than an Exceptional Citizen yet, to the Union, or if he still needed to pass that review in order to get up to another vaunted position in their tiered hierarchy.

He had to admit, everything about Otome was spectacularly attractive. It seemed his alternate selves really knew how to pick girls! Her style was unmistakable and loud and full of flavor, and extremely adorable, in his personal opinion. She did have her cutesy competition cut out for her with Sim- with Edith, though, given her kid-like charms and more intimate relationship with him.

He mentioned to Otome that "if he didn't have red and blue on that black car somewhere, he was going to be severely disappointed in himself." And that she should probably check her car over for Union bugs- uh, surveillance devices. They commonly installed them in anything he knew was theirs, in his uh, sim-memory.

The landscape of Harrow was… smaller, than either Wintram or Boston. Simon decided that he might as well tell Otome about what memories he did have, while they still had time on the road, as well as key moments from his recent dreams that seemed relevant to them both.

And how S- Edith had been part of them.

- - - -

She assured him that his precious and red and blue 'thing', which he now embodied - which she called 'destiny' - was prevalent in several of his possessions (and that he'd been stopped from adding red and blue headlights, tail lights, or other exterior lighting, to his car only by laws against impersonating or implying to impersonate, police officers and vehicles).

She listened with rapt fascination to his stories, and had many questions. She wanted to know every detail, from the monsters to the people, and anything he felt willing to share about the extra fascist Union of the past and its obsessions with cloak and dagger spy stuff and terminators and other wild crap that they thought was subtle.

She was horrified at the mention of her nightmare-self's appearance, and promptly chided her nightmare-self's lack of originality and lack of tentacles. She thought the subliminal messaging thing was kind of cool, though. Very Orwell does Twilight Zone. She promised him that he would find no hooks or piercings anywhere on her body - except for her ears - if and when he (hopefully) decided to search her properly. You know, for surveillance taps and wires and stuff. Just to be sure. Wink.

The place they pulled into was a series of townhouse apartments. Each one was three stories. On the ground floor was a two car garage with a walk-in storage closet and half-bath, and a door leading inside. Outside on the ground floor was a mailbox, short driveway - just long enough for a car to park and no more, a long van or truck might stick out on to the sidewalk - and a door into the interior. Inside on the ground floor was a tiny closet and the stairs. The second floor had the kitchen, dining room, laundry space, living room, full bathroom, and closet. The third floor had a small closet, another full bathroom, and three bedrooms - each with a closet.

One of the bedrooms was done in super pastel fashions, with computer and video equipment and studio lamps. Another of the bedrooms was theirs - though she offered him to stay in the guest room Edith's room if he didn't feel comfortable sharing a bed with a stranger.

- - - -

Simon took a while just staring at the beauty of this girl's gaming and filming setup. Her flavor was just… intense! And adorable. But mostly intense. She reminded him of someone out of an anime, which was likely half the point of the whole thing.

"Thanks- I mean, I'm used to sleeping alone, honestly, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to sleep well with either of you… Do I have a gaming computer? There was one in those dreams I was having…"

- - - -

She responded with a perfectly straight face. "You don't play video games."

- - - -

He frowned at her. "I refuse to believe that."

- - - -

She grinned. "Good! That's a good sign. It's in Edith's room."

She opened a bedroom door that had a very small pet door in the bottom middle and had a framed poster attached to its front: a professionally done, commissioned art piece of a realistic anime interpretation of Simon and Simone/Edith, both with one red eye and one blue eye, both back to back and wearing very sleek TRON circuit body gloves, with one hand up with a thumb and forefinger out like it was a gun, with their other hand under the 'handle' part of the gun - a pair of cyberpunk program secret agents. His suit was black with white glowing lines, while hers was white with black circuit lines.

Inside, the entire room was done in black, white, red, and blue. It was the bedroom between 'their' room and Otome's 'work' room, and was a den of cozy places, nerdy things, gaming stuff, action figures, figurine statues, posters… it was a more overt and crammed full version of the bedroom from his dreams, but not in a literal sense.

Simone was inside, in her little kitten form, being a kittyball in the middle of a made bed on its comforter. She lifted her head and blinked, then yawned.

"You're late."

- - - -

Simon was immediately floored by the amount of him-flavored things that decorated this room. He stood in the doorway and slowly walked forward, turning around to get the complete picture of this veritable nerd-cave for just a minute. He didn't even notice Edith's kitten form on the bed until she spoke.

"Ohhhhshityouarethekitten!" He bounced toward her and scooped her up from her cozy spot on the bed, so that he could flop onto his back in her place and put her on his chest.

"Ohhh holy shit we almost totally murdered you in my first dream-thing! Agent-you's shades registered you as a fairy and dangerous and you were gonna shoot kitty-you with your pistol but I really did not feel comfortable making kitten-jam all over the place."

- - - -

Otome just watched with a soft, adoring expression and said quietly, "I'll just leave you two to get reacquainted."

Simone happy-pawed at his chest before settling into loaf mode and purring quietly.

"I know. I was there. I helped you wake up, remember? Thanks for not shooting me, by the way."

- - - -

"Oh fuck, really? What was with the you that was an Agent? Were you both of them at once? How'd the Union not see you in any of that?"

He pet her idly, just kind of happy that she was an acknowledged part of his reality in this reality.

- - - -

She watched him with big mismatched eyes and a tiny white nose, her red eye surrounded by the black patch on her head that extended up to cover her whole ear on that side. She also had a black tail tip, her left front paw was black up to the elbow and her right rear leg was all black. She had one tiny black patch on either side of spine partway down her ribs, leaving her lower middle entirely white like most of the rest of her was.

"Your mind was, and kinda still is, a tangled mess of realities. -Like a box of christmas lights! Their machines and drugs messed you up and using more to fix you, only made it worse. You needed a hand. But you weren't ready for everything all at once; You're still not, you know. I hope you're okay with that."

"Thank you for being so nice to me on the Gemini, by the way. That was about you and your problems, not mine, but still. You were very kind."

- - - -

Simon sighed quietly. "…I had a feeling. I dunno if you can actually read my thoughts or what, but that whole conversation was really making me think about everything going on with the Union."

He scritched her behind one ear. "…I try t'be kind, at this point; I've seen too much shit tear people to pieces to be as much of an asshole as I was when I was in gradeschool." He tried to reflect on that time in his life, but it was mostly a few hazy grey snippets of teenage moodiness and anger. He felt like there should have been someone that made it a little easier… but his mind totally glanced over the idea, like water over a smooth rock. "I'm sure you'll ease me into whatever I'm still missing. Is it… actually Simone, or is it Edith?"

- - - -

She purred even more, the ear twitching as she nuzzled into his hand, and was then suddenly a girl, still 'mmmmm'ing and nuzzling into his scritches. She was wearing black and white checkered flannel PJs that were a little too big for her and her hair was loose and long, falling like a curtain around the two of them.

"Neither. But Edith Loane is the one we've always used. I told you when we met that my name was a secret and you'd have to puzzle it out on your own. But then, a few days later, somebody told you that if you guessed my name you might never see me again. So you quit trying, to keep me in your life."

She laid her chin on the backs of her hands, folded on his chest, looking up at him with huge eyes, her lower legs lifted and swaying lightly. She weighed just enough for him to feel the warm weight of a body on him, but nowhere near what a person should have weighed. It was a nice feeling.

"Since you decided to keep me, I decided to keep you back. And no, I can't read your mind… not really. But I still know stuff."

She waggled only the eyebrow over her blue eye.

"Lots of stuff. Special, super secret Simon stuff."

Big grin.

- - - -

Oops! It's a girl now! Simon blushed immediately upon realizing she changed shape, feeling her not-quite-weight on him and her warmth soaking into his skin and clothes. He didn't get this close to people; he wasn't even able to get this close with girls he was fond of, like Antares. Allison had stolen what seemed like his first kiss. He was nearly a 30-year-old virgin, like that stupid movie.

Edith's closeness still felt overly intimate and made his whole body hot.

Simon tried to ignore it.

"…After knowing me so long, I'd be surprised if you didn't," he muttered. "But you didn't answer me about whether you were both the Agent and the cat, or if that was the Union's programming trying to get you out of my head, or something."

- - - -

"Oh. Sorry. I was… both? Kinda? I was fighting the programming in your brain implant thing, before it was removed. It got a little rough. On the bright side, no more brain spying! On the down side, you lost your collection of erotic fanfiction stories and softcore hentai. And we can't use your implant's wireless connection as a hotspot to boost our reaction time in PvP matches or to bypass slow download times."

She reached up and lightly moved a little bit of his hair away from his forehead before laying her chin back on her hands on his chest.

"I was really worried about you, Simon. They did so much, burying all that stuff inside your brain and then inside your mind, and… and then it all went haywire and they were digging things out of your skull and… and they almost lost you three times. It was scary."

- - - -

Simon followed her hand with his eyes, and allowed himself a sympathetic frown. "…Sorry."

It was really all he could offer her. It wasn't as if he was intending to stop testing QDiv's cool stuff yet, but the next month likely held things that might change his mind. Instead, he tried to change the subject. "…What did you mean by our reaction times? You don't play games through me, do you?"

- - - -

"Why would I pay games through you? I play with you."

She stopped and blushed a little.

"I have my own controller, I mean. I mean, for the games. That we play. Together. On… on screens."

- - - -

It was his turn to waggle his eyebrows at her. He knew what she was implying, and the fact that she was embarrassed by her own phrasing meant he could take the upper hand in the flirting. He didn't do any more than the eyebrow waggle, though.

"Does anybody actually watch us play? Or is this more of a private, nobody-can-know-whether-you're-real-or-not situation."

- - - -

She flushed and tried to retake the high ground, though her voice gave her away as him having stolen the winning end of this game.

"Otome likes to watch sometimes. I have my own Gamertag and account, even! But… I mean… you usually prefer to keep what we do a little more private. At least, when we're not in here."

- - - -

He flashed her a cheeky grin. Totally nailed it. Probably in more than one way.

"…Gamertag? And I mean, yeah, if she thinks you're my imaginary friend or something, talking to you out in public would definitely get me committed. I'm still willing to believe the fairy thing, or whatever you care to explain yourself as, though I'm still not sure why only I can see you."

He leaned forward as best he could and gave her a little kiss on the chin. She was, he had to admit, very attractive, and if she had known him for half of his life, well, she probably had seen plenty. She chose to keep him, after all.

"Can you show me how to use these stupid operating systems y'all have now?"

- - - -

Her eyes got a little hazy at the kiss and she swooned, growing noticeably warmer against him. It took her a second to come back into focus and she bit her lip searching his face with her eyes. He could tell that she was struggling with the difference between what she wanted to do and what he felt safe doing. With a barely audible whine, she settled on the latter and tried to clear her throat.

"You're not the only one who can see me. Sometimes, other people can see me, too. If they try hard enough, or if I really try to be seen. That's how we went to homecoming together… but… I know you don't remember that. Everybody was so floored that your girlfriend was real and didn't care about anybody there but you. But mostly, yeah, you're the only one."

"And… yeah. I can totally show you how to do tech things. We've always worked together. I can even wear my For Science! outfit."

- - - -

Well.

That was a reaction.

She was really into him, huh?

That felt… weird. Her heat pressing against him, their bodies so close together, he was honestly kind of getting overwarm. Maybe sweating? No, yeah, definitely sweating. Oh god.

"…What's your For Science! outfit?" he emphasized it with a little jazz-hand. He really wanted to ask what she wore to Homecoming; he hadn't even gone to homecoming, that he could recall, as any friends or acquaintances he had already had dates, and he wasn't about to go as 'bachelors' with his brother or his relatively-best friend just to feel bad and lonely while pop music played and everyone looked at him.

The memory was pretty sour.

- - - -

She slid down his body slowly, maintaining eye contact, even as her chest and then neck and chin ran down his groin, before slipping from the bed entirely and she flopped loudly onto the floor. Once she stood, she hurried into her closet and turned on the light, then closed the door while inside.

- - - -

Oh Jesus Christ. She may have felt his dick twitch at the even minor touches, but if she did, she didn't acknowledge it- that was sure one way to get him out of his own head. Once Edith flopped onto the floor, Simon released a breath he didn't realize he was holding and let his head fall back against the covers. Holy shit.

He had his hands full with two hot girls who were very attracted to him, with a history with him that he didn't share at all. It kind of made him hope that QDiv did manage to get his native memories back, just so that he didn't have to go through losing his virginity (possibly) a second time.

- - - -

After only a moment, she emerged loudly and suddenly, kicking open the closet door from within as a clap of thunder boomed through the room. Behind her was bright and eerie green light and a wall of fog rolling out of the closet all around her. She wore thick wide goggles - colored to match the eyes beneath - and a black latex bodysuit, with rubber pads along any of her body curves, and bright white rubber boots that came up to her knees and bright white rubber gloves that reached her elbows - both sets of accessories oversized on her frame, and crowned by a white leather apron that fell down to her shins as she held jumper cables high above her head and cackled madly and violently.

" FOR SCIENCE ! ! ! "

- - - -

Her BOOM had him yelp and bounce-roll to the side furthest away from Edith on automatic response, falling to the floor and reaching for an under-arm holstered gun that wasn't there- her cackles brought him back to the moment, however, and he peeked over the edge of the bed to take Edith in in all of her mad-science glory. And tight latex body suit under the apron. But he couldn't ignore the live jumper cables or the vapor lit by eerie green light around that picturesque sight.

It was… a lot.

"Holy shit, Edith!"

- - - -

The green light and fog were suddenly gone, leaving only a mundane little closet as her arms fell limp by her sides. She reached up and lifted her goggles to be over her forehead, her face smeared with ambiguous dirt or grease streaks, except for the clean skin around her eyes. Even the jumper cables had mysteriously vanished. She just looked at him like he'd yelled at her for nothing.

"What? It…. it was For Science!™️."

- - - -

Simon quickly scrambled to standing, smiling nervously and setting his hands against her upper arms after quickly making his way over to Edith. "NOnonono, that was really cool!!! I just wasn't ready for all the special effects!" He was patting her arms like he was trying to put out a fire on them.

- - - -

Edith looked up at him with puppy dog eyes and nodded, giving a single sniffle.

And then, she held up a pair of bolt cutters between them. "Wanna learn how to use your phone? Your computer? Or your gaming console?"

- - - -

Simon warily took in the bolt cutters, still wearing his nervous smile, and then looked back at Edith. This girl was fucking insane. And nobody else could see her unless she tried really hard to make herself visible. And she could pull things out of nowhere like a goddamned cartoon character, complete with special effect fog and lights.

His life must have been… very flavorful, with her in it. Probably a lot happier, too. He patted her left arm with his right hand a couple of times.

"Uhh… You know, I honestly am not sure which bullshit I'd like to go through first. If you show me the internals, can you put whatever it is back together right?" He was thinking of how his N64 and VHS players worked internally, and how the knowledge of their mechanisms helped him to understand their wider function and what he could do with that.

- - - -

She retreated, slowly walking backward without any change in her posture or facial expression, still holding the bolt cutters as she was before, though when she slipped back into the closet she pulled the door closed after herself with her shoe. A jumbled sound of things moving around noisily followed, as did the sound of a pile of boxes falling to the floor, followed immediately by a lion's roar and her distant voice yelling, "Down, Larry!" and the crack of a whip.

Then… silence.

And then, she emerged from the closet wearing blue denim shortalls over a loose red midriff tshirt, with one white ankle sock and one black one. Her hair was a mess of loosely held tangles and little stray curls sticking out around her face from the bun in the back. She closed her closet door and pulled a series of multitools from her pockets.

"Let's do this."

- - - -

Simon couldn't help but snicker at her closet-hidden hijinks. Yep. Definitely insane. Maybe the shades she wore in his dream were right, and she was some kind of fairy? Not that he knew anything about fairies, but he would definitely believe at this point that some mischievous magical bullshit was possible, given everything else he had been through. He hadn't yet encountered a fairy, but, well, why not. Insanity was his life from the night on the train, onward.

Or whatever happened in this version of his reality.

He still wasn't entirely convinced that his life as he remembered it was just a simulation, but that really didn't matter when it came to the reality he had been left in, did it?

When Edith reappeared from the closet, Simon was patiently waiting for her, staring off into space while he continued trying to process everything that had happened in his head and in the hospital and that had been told to him on the ride here. He had crossed one arm around his middle so that the other could rest on it and hold his chin, covering his mouth with the first two fingers comfortably. Thinking Face.

Thankfully, her declaration of preparedness snapped him out of it- though he did have to blink a few times in order to focus on where he was and what they were doing again.

She was absolutely adorable in her tinkering outfit, with all her little inappropriate tools in her pockets. Simon couldn't help but give her a fond smile.

"So… which one is easiest to take apart? I imagine they made it harder than just a few screws, at some point."

- - - -

She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "It's screws all the way down. Mostly."

Handing him the tools, Edith climbed over the bed and made her way to their gaming corner. An entertainment center featured a large flat television and some consoles, controllers without wires, headsets with microphones - also wireless - and a slide-open cupboard above, that held dozens of small game cases, arranged neatly. Beside the entertainment center, which was flat against one side of the corner, was a tower of shelves in the corner itself. This held various chargers and charging stations and cradles, for phones and controllers and batteries, as well as a dim lamp that was a bop-on/bop-off "?" block from mario world, on a clear plastic rod so that it could 'float in the air'. Beside that, along the wall on the opposite side of the corner, was a little desk with a gaming computer that was virtually identical to the one in his 'dreaming' bedroom. An organizer attached to the wall over the desk, on the lamp side, sat various computer tablets, phablets, and phones, nestled in perfectly sized little pockets - each one with a sticker above it proclaiming what went where.

"The Gamegirl is pretty easy, and so is the SESU."

She held up a… Legally-Distinct-From-Gameboy… handheld console that was thinner and had bright, starkly contrasting colors and many more buttons across its surface, as well as a big screen. She also pointed to one of the consoles… the Sintendo Entertainment System Ultra.

- - - -

Simon grinned at the "?"-block lamp, and bopped it from below so that it turned on, thoroughly amused by the animatronic movement and little sound it made.

However, when she showed him the little Not-GameBoy, Simon paused on the logo, squinting and frowning, then did the same for the SESU.

"…What, did Nintendo rebrand or something? Tell me we do not have off-brand consoles, unless we modded them ourselves."

- - - -

She blinked. "What's Nintendo?"

- - - -

He frowned and squinted at her.

"…If you're joking, it's not funny. What is and is not real is still pretty iffy for me right now, Edith."

- - - -

She rolled her eyes, "You can call me EeDee. Or E. Or Dee. Or Ed. Or Eddie."

She then got a wicked grin and turtled down into her overalls with the Gamegirl in hand, whispering. "Or 'e-Death', to my enemies online…. Edith is an old lady's name. Oh! Or you could make up a new name for me!"

She looked down at the consoles with her mismatched eyes, then back up at his. "I'm… not messing with you? You might be brain-fogging? Sintendo. You know… Sintendo? Super Plumber Brothers? Pocket Demons? Metroidvania: Vampires in Space? Biggest rival of SueMe's Polystation and MEGA Genesis?"

- - - -

Simon sighed, easing up, though he did rub his forehead gently in frustration.

"…ED. Got it. I kinda like Edith, though- it's different. And E-Death is good."

"…Yeah, that's not how I remember any of these companies or systems. At all. It was… it was Nintendo, with Super Mario Brothers, and Pokémon, and Metroid and Castlevania were their own separate franchises. And Sony, with PlayStation, and the SEGA Genesis. Which had like, Sonic the Hedgehog. That is… definitely going to throw me off for a while."

Simon sat down in the chair nearby.

"The computer was definitely part of the dreamscape, though. Didn't know how the hell to make it work besides opening the games, unfortunately."

- - - -

"I could learn to like Edith, if you like it that much. Just need some time."

"NINtendo… Oh wow, that was real for you? That's hilarious!"

"NINtendo was a gag in high school, back when all they put out were hard death violence games, and Nine inch nails did a song just for Sintendo's short lived 64-bit system that nobody liked. They were a joke company for a little while, trying to appeal to like Gen X like 20 years too late, or something."

"Mario Plumber is the main character in the series, his brother is Luigi Plumber."

"Pokémon is the Japanese version of Pocket Demons, but its for younger players - Cero B, I think. Or maybe Cero A."

"How do you separate Metroidvania into two-- whatever. Tell me later."

"Sony is an odd name. And Playstation just sounds dirty. But like, in a good way."

"What the heck is a SEGA?"

"MEGA owns Sonix the Hedgehog. And the Tails franchise. They did two movies, they have Jim Carrey in them."

She looked over at the computer. "That's a Sunspot. The UV880. One of Sunburst's newest. Of course, we made improvements."

- - - -

He nodded along with her corrections, trying, in vain, to take note of them, though frowned that the… S? 64, was unliked. The rest was… fine. It was fine.

"…I think it was an acronym for something, SEGA. Is Tails still a fox with a helicopter tail? Sonic's sidekick?"

"The uh. The one in my dream, I think it was a Nick-Nack? And all the games on it were grouped in some way I didn't get, all by this big web of lines that ran between every icon. I couldn't do anything like a Windows, and Right-Clicking didn't show me anything, either. It was really frustrating. …But thanks for my phone password."

- - - -

"Same, but sometimes he's the main character. Just depends on the game. But usually Sonix leads."

"Sunburst is a software company. NikNak is the hardware manufacturer, but they're owned by Sunburst, I think, soooo…. whatever? Windows? That… people still used Windows, in your weird reality sim thing? I don't know if that's funny or sad. Windows is so… suit and tie…. what gamer needs that?"

- - - -

Simon tilted his head to the side, kind of confused by her response.

"What do you mean, "suit and tie"? It was pretty much the biggest commercial OS, maybe just behind Apple's Mac- and Mac wasn't really my thing, they still had the same general formula but the interface was weird and their security was pretty bad."

- - - -

"Exactly… commercial OS. But it's a catch-all system, meant to handle all kinds of different apps and suites and junk. That's all well and good for Agent Simon, but Gamer Simon needs a little more, don'tcha think?"

- - - -

"I guess. I did start using Linux when I first heard about it, but I dunno if you even know what that is."

- - - -

"Isn't he the Charlie Brown guy with the blanket?"

- - - -

He frowned. "…That's Linus."

"So, some things are different, some definitely stayed the same. Like Charlie Brown, and Jim Carrey existing. Did he still do the Ace Ventura movies?"

- - - -

"I was kidding about Linux, sorry."

"And yes."

She flopped down on the bed, still holding the Gamegirl. When she spoke, she was face down in the blanket and her words were muffled by the comforter. "Are we still gonna take something apart?"

- - - -

Simon sat down beside her, and sat the tools in the concave small of her back. "…Sorry. Yeah, sure. I should probably eat something solid eventually, though."

- - - -

She huffed against the blanket. "Could eat me. But I know you mean food. You're in no condition for the Ritual Pre-Work Taco. Cereal?"

- - - -

His eyes widened and he blushed, hard, uncertain if he was understanding her right or if his mind was just in the gutter, still.

"I-- Uh--!"

He grabbed that bone like a starving dog.

"CEREAL! SureyeahcerealsoundsfineandIshould- I should probably do a little catching up with Otome too maybe!!" He stood quickly and went to the door, but waited for Edith to get up before opening it, so that he could hold it for her.

- - - -

The kitten scampered off the bed and ran past his feet, out through the swinging pet door just her size.

"Hmph. What does she have that I don't? Besides her own car? And a job? And matching eyes?" "I bet she can't even make the Leaderboards in Borderstrike."

The kitten waited for him in the hall, following along right underfoot, so he had to walk carefully.

- - - -

Instead of letting her walk along, Simon did his best to pick Edith up and cradle her to his chest. He would rather not trip and fall down the stairs and die, please and thank you.

"It's not like that, ED, c'mon! I just-" it was his turn to huff. "I like your eyes. And all of your interests. And game prowess. But I like, just landed. Didn't I ask you to go a little easy?"

He did sound guilty and apologetic, but thought he was making a fair point. Simon carried little Simone-kitty down the stairs to the kitchen, hoping to find Otome around that level of the house.

- - - -

He found her putting a pizza into the oven, actually. Hawaiian/Meat Lover's half 'n half, his favorite. She was, apparently, way ahead of him, since this meant she'd already preheated the oven.

"I am going easy on you. We haven't seen you in days, maybe longer." "It's not like we didn't miss you, you know." "I mean, yeah, we missed you, but like… y'know." "In that special Boy, it's sure nice to have a Boyfriend around kind'a way, too."

- - - -

He blushed again.

"…I've never had a girlfriend in my life, ED. …The. The life that is in my head, I mean." he quickly amended. As he approached Otome putting the pizza into the oven; just the sight of the pie made his mouth water.

"Hey, is that for me? Or do you also have my eclectic pizza topping tastes?"

- - - -

She smiled as she stood, closing the oven and setting the timer as she pulled her mitt off and laid it down. "Of course it's for you. And Simone, if she wants some," Otome said, gesturing to Simon's obvious 'holding a kitten' posture.

"And… no. As delightful as your weird, messed up duality vibe is, I do not…. Hawaiian my pizza." She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I just thought you might like a little welcome back meal that wasn't green jello in a cup with some pudding, or whatever they do in hospitals."

"He was on an IV, he didn't eat anything." "And you've had three girlfriends in your life: Stacy, me, and Otome." "Stacy was a two weeks in fourth grade situation. She didn't even bother dumping you, she just forgot you were dating." "You and I have been… unofficially… together since shortly after we met." "Officially, we dated for all of junior year, I stalked you all summer, then we dated for half of senior year." "Then you broke up with me. But I forgave you. After a few weeks." "Then you met Otome a few times, started dating her and haven't stopped yet." "If you want to ever want to see what it looks like to set a circus on fire, let me know… I'll grab some popcorn while you ask her how she feels about making things more official and settling down to put a ring on it. That went great last time."

- - - -

"…Yeah, I was on an IV, but I still appreciate it, ED," he booped the kitten's nose, then listened to the rest, becoming progressively more obviously embarrassed as her stories continued.

"Wait, wait, why did I break up with you? Was it a downswing or something?" he muttered to the little kitty in his arms, totally avoiding the mention that A. he had apparently wanted to marry Otome, and B. she very much did not want to marry him. He could ask Otome about that later. Possibly very later.

- - - -

She leaned on the counter, listening. "Ee-Dee, huh? I like it."

Otome leaned in and downward, toward the kitten - with remarkably accurate guessing on where she was and how she was positioned - and whispered to the imaginary kitten, "You're still Simone, to me, when you're a kitten, though." And stuck out her tongue, but also lifted her head away quickly, evading a swipe from a soft paw.

"Hmph."

Otome then hugged Simon from the side. "You guys are catching up, huh? I thought you'd be taking your car apart by now, or walking around the apartment with your computer sling."

"He doesn't remember the apartment well enough to do that without tripping and bumping into things yet, dummy."

"But then, you don't remember much right now. It's probably safer that you can watch where you're going, so you don't bump into everything, or fall down the stairs."

Otome paused and then looked down at where the kitten was supposed to be, then back up at Simon, "I wouldn't ask about the breakup, unless you want the guilt trip."

"It's not a guilt trip!"

"She's always a little salty about that one."

"You're salty! You… you…. Saltine!"

- - - -

Simon snickered at their bickering. "Man. If you two could hear each other…"

He leaned into Otome's hug a little bit, also smooshing Edith-kitten slightly to hug her by proxy.

"She called you a saltine. And you guys said basically the same thing about the sling, though I have no idea what that is yet. We were gonna take apart the- not the SNES, the, uh. See-saw? See-soo? The Sintendo console."

- - - -

"S.E.S.U." "S.E.S.U."

Otome smiled. "Wait until after dinner, and wash your hands. You always get sidetracked with your gizmos and your food gets cold, otherwise."

"They're not Gizmos! They're the Great and Glorious Works of Our Brilliance and Innovation!! FOR SCIENCE!!™️"

Simone's little paw-hands went up into the air as she non-verbally exclaimed the last phrase.

- - - -

Simon has to outright cackle at Edith's response, grabbing one paw and lifting it higher than the other so that he can echo her properly: "For science! Uh, tee em."

"Ehehehehe. You're adorable, Eed."

- - - -

Otome grinned and shook her head. "You have time to shower."

She leaned in to the kitten-spot and said, meaningfully, "Alone…"

She then looked back up at Simon as she stood upright again. "And you could use it, Boybot. Just a little. Besides… if you shower now, then eat, then go play with your tools and screws and circuit things… then you'll still be nice and clean for when the time comes for me to… tuck you in."

Otome gave her boyfriend a light wink and picked up her oven mitt to go hang it back up on its spot on the wall by the light switch. "Ten minutes. Clock's ticking."

- - - -

Simon's eyes widened again at her implications, both for his showering alone and for her "tucking him in"… then he looked down at himself around Edith-kitty. "…I do? Damn." He very gently set Edith on the counter. "Sorry. I'll- I'll go do that. Eed, you didn't mess up any of my clothes with your special effects for your For Science™️! outfit unveiling, or your lion-whipping, did you?"

- - - -

At that, Otome just stood blinking and looking genuinely surprised.

"She whipped what now?"

"Shhh! Simon! The Secrets of SCIENCE!!™️ aren't for the ears of Booth-Girl!"

'Eed' became her shortalls wearing self in mismatched socks, sitting on the counter and scooting away from the oven a little.

- - - -

He looked genuinely confused at Edith, and a tiny bit offended on behalf of Otome, shrugging with both hands up by his shoulders.

"I- sorry, but like, you didn't, did you?" To Otome, "She can do sound-effects and has cartoony outfit changes, I guess? Imaginary friends, right?" he tried to play it off as imagination-things.

- - - -

Eed sighed and hung her head. "Darnit."

Otome looked confused and said quietly, at if Edith wouldn't hear her - or that she hoped she wouldn't - "Is… is she haunting us again?"

Eed facepalmed. "Nope! Sorry. Not this again."

She pulled a neuralizer from her shortalls' tummy pocket and slipped on some shades.

-- insert a gif of Will Smith as Agent J in MiB, using his Neuralizer on the viewer. it loops and has a flash so it isn't included as an actual image. --

------

Simon's eyes widened again at her implications, both for his showering alone and for her "tucking him in"… then he looked down at himself around Edith-kitty. "…I do? Damn." He very gently set Edith on the counter. "Sorry. I'll- I'll go do that."

He almost asked about whether Eed had ruined any of his clothes, but thought better of it. Otome was pretty accepting of his imaginary friend/girlfriend 'thing' and he didn't want to press his luck by mentioning the stranger or more outlandish parts of this whole thing. What if it was too much for her? Better to take it slow on that front, for now.

- - - -

"Too much for her" seemed like maybe a sentiment they were well past, if she had been living with him and Edith for seven years, but he probably shouldn't risk it, anyway; he had no idea how far her clearance went, and as far as he could tell, she wasn't part of the Union at all. Just his girlfriend. After a pause, Simon turned on his heel and went back up the stairs, to go undress in the bathroom and familiarize himself with their shower/bathtub controls enough to take a quick shower.

He usually tried to keep it under five minutes, but this would likely take a little bit longer, given the hospital-ick he had to get off of his skin and the light exploration he had to do of both his body and the shower-items. But when he was all clean, he would go right back down to the awaiting girls and pizza. It felt like he hadn't had a good pizza in years.

- - - -

As far as Simon's psyche was concerned, he hadn't had a good pizza in years. When he arrived, the pair of them were sitting and talking over the pizza as Otome cut it neatly on a tray that sat upon a spinning little serving block on the table, while the kitten watched the rolling blade move back and forth.

"At least he remembered his favorite pizza."

"No he didn't. He just knows what he likes. That's why he likes us," Edith replied, though she knew Otome couldn't hear her side of their conversation.

"I hope he starts to remember us, Simone."

"He'll come around. He may never get his memories back, but he's still our Boybot."

"They say that amnesia can really change a person."

"He's special, Otome. He'll be okay. New Simon, Old Simon… he's Simon. That's what matters. You should be glad."

Otome finished slicing the pizza and went to fetch plates. "I hope he's as weird about his ability to heal memories as he is about everything else."

- - - -

Simon listened from the stairs as the girls talked, considering their conversation (one-sided as it was) quietly. He had said something to the same effect, about himself, in their airship scene, he was pretty sure… it really was a shame that Otome couldn't hear Edith.

He did his best to be loud, coming down the stairs after having dressed in a slightly more house-appropriate outfit and socks that muffled his steps- and tried that whole 'announcing himself' thing they were apparently used to. "Hey, is the pizza done yet?"

- - - -

Otome, turned, a plate in each hand. "It is! How do you feel? Clean?"

The kitten looked up at Simon.

"She keeps worrying about you. Doesn't she know I've got your back?"

His (official) girlfriend laid the plates down on the table and used the quiche trowel to serve up a slice on each. Hers was not from the Hawaiian side.

"I'm only seeing two plates here, kitchen witch. Where's my slice?"

Otome smiled as she slid Simon's slice over to his side of the table. "Make sure Simone knows that she's getting whatever is left over to herself, okay? But there are no kitties allowed on our dining table."

Simone looked at where she was standing, on the dining table, and then at the pizza, and then up at Otome.

"I'm a cat. I own this house and everything in it. You're lucky that you're the one who feeds me, or I wouldn't let you sit at my dining table, at all. Hmph."

- - - -

Simon nodded, sliding into what appeared to be 'his' chair with an ease that probably came off as practiced, but that he didn't notice.

"Yeah. I tried to be pretty thorough, considering; I hope I did alright enough for you." He blushed a little bit, half-referencing her comment about 'tucking him in'. "Eed says you're lucky you feed her, or else, being that she's a cat and she therefore owns the house and everything in it, she wouldn't let you sit at her dining table. I think she's wanting to stay on it."

He plucked a piece of ham off of his hawaiian slice, and a pepperoni off of his meat-lovers, and asked Otome, "Does she maybe have a little plate I could put these on? I know she's getting the rest, but, y'know. It's polite t'share with pets, right?"

- - - -

Otome's eyebrow rose on one side. "Oh, we live in her apartment? Well, I had no idea. I'll be sure to let her handle her third of the rent and bills from now on, then." She leaned down to where Simone was - more or less - and said in a cutsie sing-song voice, "We wouldn't want her to feel left out, now would we?"

Otome took a bite of her meat lover's slice and dabbed her mouth with a napkin before replying, "You normally just take the box upstairs, but if she wants a plate, who am I to--"

She stopped, a sudden look of thoughtfulness on her face. The pause lingered before she stood.

"I completely forgot to get us drinks! What would you like? And what does Simone want?"

The kitten perked up.

"Root beer in a shot glass, please!"

- - - -

"I- uh, do I have a two-sided cup that I usually get blue and red Mountain Dew in? That was a thing I had in one of those dreams… and, Eed wants a shot glass of root beer. Please."

He made to whisper to Edith, disbelieving, "When did they make more flavors of Mountain Dew??"

- - - -

Otome looked genuinely surprised. "Uh… no. No, you don't. I'll… I'll pour your usuals, though."

She went about pouring a glass mug of Code Red and a glass mug of Voltage, and put a bendy straw in both glasses, before fetching down a shot glass and cracking open a bottle of IBC root beer, pouring it gently to avoid overflow. She'd obviously done it many times.

"Code Red came out in 2001. Besides the usual diet caffeine mutations, it was the first variant."

- - - -

"Huh." He verbally shrugged, and took a sip of the Voltage. Oh, that was a weird blue-razz-citrus-thing. Not as aggressive as the Red, but still… weird. He took a bite of pizza to get the taste out of his mouth.

As Simon was chewing, "Why'd you look so surprised, 'Tome? Did I mention somethin' weird? -Er, extra weird?"

- - - -

Otome came back to the table with a bottle of strawberry Ramune for herself and sat down in her own chair, still looking thoughtful. "Just… going over some things in my head."

The kitten began dipping her paw into the shot glass and then licking it from her paw.

"IBC is the best."

- - - -

He smiled at Edith. Weird tastes, but charming.

"Like what? S'not like I can read your mind, 'Tome."

- - - -

She stopped, pizza slice in hand, before taking a bite. Otome laid her slice back down and leaned back in her chair.

"I'm not supposed to mention anything… weird. Or, like, too weird. I know your office and its work is super secret, and they've been really cool trusting me with what little I know, since I'm not one to blab. But.. I'm just noticing things. That's all. I promise I'll keep it to myself."

- - - -

"Cool," he set his pizza down, "but I don't know what you already know. Do they mean you shouldn't mention too weird to me? Or just like, in public, in general." He put on a light approximation of his Agent Face, treating her very seriously.

- - - -

"Too weird, period. Nothing that might indicate that I believe in anything that obviously isn't real. You know."

Simone sat and looked between the two humans.

"If she's not supposed to say anything… why is she saying something? Is this bad?"

- - - -

Simon rolled his mismatched eyes, crossing his arms on the table in front of his plate of pie.

"Uh-huh. But they removed my implant. Unless you're aware of any bugs they've planted in our apartment, or my glasses, I guess, we're technically in private. And I hate knowing secrets are being kept from me, you know? It just makes me wanna know 'em. Which is how I got here in the first place. So."

- - - -

She frowned, but it seemed more like a frown of uncertain frustration than anything else.

"You have no memory of our life together. At all. Right? None?"

- - - -

Simon shrugged. "I had some weird, clue-worthy dreams involving you in a maid outfit working the house like a slave-drone, and Eed as either a kitten trying t'help me wake up, or as an Agent in a black suit. It had parallels, at best, but what you've told me is what I got."

- - - -

She nodded. "I … I get all that…."

She ran her hand through her hair and leaned her head back for a moment, before nodding again. "… but this means that Edith is real. If you were just playing along… you wouldn't know her so well. And you wouldn't have known what she always asks for to drink when we have pizza. Unless she still had her memories, and she was a real… person?… telling you what she wanted to drink. So either Simone is buried in the deepest parts of your subconscious where even physical brain trauma and memory loss can't reach her…. or she's real, and never was imaginary. And… I…. don't know what to think about that."

She stood, leaning her hands on the back of her chair, standing behind it to face him.

"I… I knew what she'd want to drink, it never changes. And you've mentioned getting a two-sided cup before, but we could never find one you liked…. but I really did forget our drinks. But when I remembered… it occurred to me that it was a perfect chance to test your memory for little details. And I saw you do that thing where you're listening to someone talk - that you always do before answering for Simone - before you said what she wanted. You've never had to do that before. The first time we went out for pizza, you brought a shot glass and ordered her bottle for her. You've never had to be told what she wanted with pizza."

She paused.

"Until today."

"And… I'm not sure what to do with that, or what it means."

- - - -

Simon's eyebrows raised, and he looked to Edith. That was fair. He waited for her take on it, though, pursing his lips expectantly.

"…So, is the cat out of the metaphorical bag on this one, or what?"

". . . . . Meow?"

His mouth flattened. Simon rolled his eyes at Edith and turned them back to Otome.

"…As far as I can tell, she's just… invisible and unhearable, unless she tries really hard- she told me I took her to Homecoming, and she did her best to be visible for it. I'm still kind of wondering what she wore," he nodded his head in a circle, considering everything else of the day. "Aaaaand in my dream-vision-whatevers, she was registered as a fairy by her Agent-shades, while mine just bugged the hell out and tried very hard to induce a migraine with nonsense in binary. They called her a teddybear at one point."

Sorry, Edith, this Simon can't keep a secret unless it is explicitly called a secret at every point it may be relevant. Until you've repeated it enough that he gets the memo. Situational secrets may as well just be fun anecdotes he heard about his conversational partner, depending on their severity in his priorities.

- - - -

Otome blinked. "Teddybear…"

And then she did a double-take, "Wait, faeries are real?"

"This is why you work in Q Division testing gadgets and not for the NWO as a real spy."

- - - -

He frowned at Edith. "Yeah, I know. I was always bad at the spy stuff; the last reality they may or may not have dropped me into, I had a long-term girlfriend that the native version of me had been manipulating to make him look extremely competent from day one. She did all of his paperwork, or automated it, and basically crafted all of his gameplans. It was pretty shitty of him, and for her. He even had a facial expression analyzing program specifically to read her face and emotions."

"What's the significance of Teddybear? And- honestly, I can't confirm or deny that in this Consensus. I didn't really hear much about them before, either. But, I mean, given everything else, yeah, probably?"

- - - -

Otome sat back in the chair, as engaged in the conversation now as she was confused about everything in it. "Teddybear is your safeword, because it was the password to the restraints in Demolition Man. This consensus? A consensus is when people agree on something, but that doesn't sound like how it's being used here. Use more words?"

"For what it's worth, I've been telling you that I was real for years. You even asked me this earlier, after you woke up, and I told you I was real then, too. I don't know why me not being 'imaginary' is such a big deal here."

- - - -

"It's not really that big of a deal to me," he replied to silent Edith, "But this is a Harvey situation for Otome- consensual reality doesn't really approve of the existence of Reality Deviants, hence why they call them RDs. So she's probably reeling from having what she thinks is possible cracked in half. I admit, it's not fun."

To Otome, "…Sorry, I don't mean to talk about you like you're not here. The "Consensus" is Union-speak for the subconscious idea of reality, as normal people believe it to be- and there are multiple across the planet. What is believed to be possible in, like, rural… I dunno, Zimbabwe? Is not the same as what's believed to be possible in Hong Kong. And what's believed to be possible in the center of Hong Kong isn't necessarily even the same as what it is in the neighborhoods on the outer edges of the city. It's considered "Consensual Reality" because, in some form or another, everyone participating in it believes in it. Even mundane religion isn't necessarily outside of the Consensus, but everyone else believes shit like "miracles" are usually bullshit. Or tele-mediums. Or most common attempts at stepping into the supernatural. It's that like, herd-mentality, groupthink idea of what's "real," that keeps like, werewolves and vampires and everything else from openly plaguing Humanity and throwing the world into anarchy."

"-As far as the Union is concerned. But they're also the guys who enforce the Consensus on things that don't fit into it, which is why you've had to keep Eed a secret from my office as well- if they knew I was talking to and interacting with someone who isn't there to normal people, she'd be classified as an RD and like… captured, or hurt, or relocated, and I'd get reeducated into believing she was never in my life at all. Which is part of why I can't really trust what I remember or believe to have happened, or what you tell me happened."

"It's kinda bullshit."

- - - -

Otome was quiet and fairly deadpan… for awhile, after that. You know, while all of those words settled in.

"You should throw in something about how they're not fascists ruling the world through subliminal mind control these days. Just… to help her out a little, maybe. You're dropping more bombs right now than Disney with their live-action remakes."

- - - -

"…Disney is doing live-action remakes? Are they any good?"

He wasn't sure what to do to actually make this better for Otome; he had acclimated to all of it a while ago.

"…I really hope they didn't bug the apartment, or we are so getting reeducated or disappeared or both."

- - - -

Otome just looked at him.

"You're about twenty words from being single here, Boybot. Make them good, and maybe smooth over this broken glass and rusty nail road you're laying down for your girlfriend's grasp of reality, sanity, and her opinion of your whole career? Actually… don't. You're bad at this. Your neuralizer's in the silverware drawer. Just saying."

- - - -

Simon blinked at them both, leaning up a little bit, and then gave Edith a despairing pout. "…Seriously? You think I should just… do that? What, is the possibility of magic and monsters being real, but super secret, that hard to wrap your head around, still? I would'a thought they'd have been working on that by now."

He was about to head over to the silverware drawer, though.

- - - -

"We haven't had time alone with you up to speed enough for me to get you settled into what is and isn't safe to talk about. And that's already been a problem once today - that's why the flashy thing is in the silverware drawer… I had to flashy thing you both a little while ago, to avoid a big blowup because of something you said."

"Yeah, it sucks, but you're kind've a walking verbal landmine right now, eager to go off anytime anybody steps anywhere near you- By accident, I know- But… it's not like you've never had to neuralize her before."

"Just give her a flash, I'll fix up the kitchen and we'll flash her again and take it from when she asked what I wanted to drink. Ask about your bi-cup, order for me, she'll take it to mean that some of your memories must still be safely intact, and spend dinner asking questions and playing dumb. Afterward, we'll go upstairs and I'll fill you in stuff while you dismantle tech."

The kitten Simone hopped down to the floor, out of sight behind the table from Simon's perspective, and Edith stood, still wearing her outfit from earlier.

"I'll start dumping and washing the cups, drying them, blah blah blah. Do your thing. I've got your back."

Otome still seemed to be in some kind of mild shock, clearly uncertain what to think, what to say, what to ask, or how to deal with some of this knowledge that went far beyond anything she'd ever suspected about the Union or her boyfriend's job.

- - - -

Simon listened to Edith and then sighed, heavily, as he got up to follow her into the kitchen. "I can't believe you flashed both of us. I get I'm awful at keeping secrets, but, like, if you explain it to me, I won't have to ask anymore."

He fished the neuralizer out of the drawer and went to calibrate it, before asking Edith, "…Where are my shades, anyway?"

- - - -

"Don't blame me, that flash only lasts a few seconds. I didn't design it. We are working on a better one, though."

"You don't need them. Just close your eyes for a second and flash her. Might wanna do it before she catches what's about to happen."

- - - -

"Yeah, I thought that might work but I didn't wanna try it without knowing for sure."

He pointed his finger-guns at Edith when he was just about ready to flash Otome, and then did so, making sure to cover his eyes AND close them for good measure.

END SCENE

[mariacallous]

In 2020, Nazia was working at a data entry office in Hyderabad, but dreamed of being a beautician. Then, on YouTube, she saw a video about Urban Company, a platform similar to the US site TaskRabbit, which promises to connect workers—plumbers, electricians, painters, beauticians, and others—with clients who need their services. Workers who join the platform as beauticians often pay upward of $500 to register and receive a salon equipment kit. For Nazia, it felt like an investment worth taking.

When it launched in 2014, Urban Company was revolutionary for India’s disjointed home services market, providing customers with vetted and trained workers through an easy-to-use interface. Nazia was one of tens of thousands of workers who joined the platform, which grew and grew thanks to consecutive rounds of fundraising from investors including Tiger Global and Prosus Ventures, becoming the largest home services provider in India, valued at almost $3 billion. Then it expanded into the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. In 2023, it launched in the US.

For workers it promised an opportunity to work flexibly, and earn well. In 2020, Fair Work, a research group that studies gig work companies, rated the company the best for workers in India, giving it a score of eight out of 10 on parameters that include fair pay and working conditions. (Uber scored one out of 10).

Nazia got stellar ratings and reviews from customers on the platform—so much so that she was invited to pay $300 to upgrade her account to Prime, which gave her access to better-paying jobs.

“Everything was going great,” she says. “With the money I made, I was able to help my family, buy a two-wheeler, and save money for my wedding.”

Urban Company fostered an identity for itself that was different from other gig work platforms, particularly for women. But since the start of the year, things have gone downhill, fast. Thousands of workers have found themselves arbitrarily dumped from the platform for not meeting new targets that they say have been set unattainably high. Nazia is among them. The platform, it seems, is subject to the same cycle of “enshittification” as its peers, sacrificing the incentives it had offered to get workers onto the platform in order to turn a profit—and abandoning its promises of flexibility in the process.

Urban Company declined to comment.

The first sign of trouble at Urban Company started in 2021, as the pandemic hit the home services business. The company slipped in Fairwork’s rankings, scoring five out of 10. Workers twice held protests demanding lower commissions and safer working conditions. After a media storm, Urban Company published a Medium blog introducing a “12 point program” to “improve partner earnings and livelihood”—which included lowering commissions and introducing an SOS helpline for women’s safety. In an attempt to be more transparent, the company started publishing a partner earnings index, but it also filed lawsuits against four protesters for “illegal and unlawful” actions.

But things got really difficult for Urban Company’s workers in 2023. The platform introduced a new rule stipulating that workers had to maintain an acceptance rate of at least 70 percent, a customer rating of at least 4.7 out of 5, and cancel fewer than four jobs per month. Failure meant being blocked from the app. Nazia managed to keep her ratings above 4.8 until May 2023, when they slipped to 4.69. She was temporarily blocked and put into “retraining”—an online video course followed by 10 bookings that she had to take free of charge in an attempt to boost her rating. Unfortunately, for Nazia, her rating did not budge from 4.69. Since then, she’s been out of work.

“It all happened so quickly,” Nazia says. Now she’s stuck with $2,500 in loans.

I spoke to more than a dozen women like Nazia, all of whom asked for anonymity to protect themselves from retribution and say they were blocked by the platform after failing to meet what they believe were unrealistic expectations.

In Bengaluru, Shabnam—who used a friend’s credit card to pay the $500 joining fee—found that Urban Company started assigning her jobs farther and farther away from home. With rising costs and high commissions, taking these distant trips was “as good as earning nothing,” she says. She turned down the jobs that weren’t economically viable, and soon her response rate—the number of jobs she accepted—dropped to 20 percent. In June, she was dropped from the platform.

Seema, who had worked for Urban Company for five years, had a miscarriage earlier this year. As she was being rushed to the hospital, she didn’t have time to mark in the Urban Company app that she wasn’t able to work that day. Her acceptance rate of bookings fell to 30 percent. She couldn’t get her rate back up to the mandated 80 percent, and she was permanently suspended from the platform. “I went to the office with the doctor’s prescription and everything. They still did not agree to reinstate my account,” Seema says.

In Hyderabad, Sunanda says her account was deactivated earlier this year after a death in the family meant she had to cancel some jobs. She pleaded with a company representative on its helpline and in person—she even submitted the death certificate, but she’s still blocked. “They said they cannot reinstate my account because my rating is not 4.7 or above. I told them my rating is 4.69 and if they give me a chance I will bring it back up, but they refused,” Sunanda, 42, said. “They have given the customers this one weapon: ratings.”

As well as the stick of targets and quotas, Urban Company also offered a carrot for workers: shares in the business.

In 2022, the company announced its Partner Stock Options Program (PSOP), granting shares worth $18 million over the next five to seven years. The following November, they awarded stocks worth approximately $635,000 to 500 partners. But while the PSOPs seemed to be almost guaranteed for workers, the process of accessing them is heavily gamified.

Pratima, an Urban Company beautician, was very excited at the end of 2022 when she realized she’d made it to the top 10 list of workers in her category in Bengaluru. If she continued to stay in the top 10 until April, she was told she’d be granted the company’s stock options that following November. “They call us partners, but don’t treat us like it,” said Pratima, requesting to be referred to under a pseudonym. “I was hoping that if I get a share in the company, maybe then I will be treated like a partner.”

By February, Pratima had completed more than 200 jobs, and she was still in the top 10. Then, a series of low ratings by disgruntled customers pulled down her overall rating, blocking her temporarily and dropping her off the leaderboard. She kept at it, worked back-to-back jobs, and got herself unblocked and back into the rankings. April came around, and she was in the top 10. But then the company seemed to have extended the contest—the leaderboard has kept on counting, but the workers don’t know what’s going on. “It’s like they are making us run a marathon in the name of shares,” she says.

For women who were sold Urban Company’s promises of flexibility and empowerment, the shock of losing their livelihood or being forced to work longer and longer hours has been exacerbated by a sense of betrayal.

“For women especially, a lot of times they have care responsibilities at home, and so there’s hope to find work that’s flexible, that allows them to pick up their kids from school or take junior to the doctor,” says Alexandrea Ravenelle, an author of two books on gig work and a sociology assistant professor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. “A lot of these platforms are playing off of that need for flexibility because, for many of the workers who are coming to these platforms, an alternative isn’t a white-collar job in a tech office where they can bring the play pen and set the kid up.”

The mismatch between the promise of these platforms and their reality becomes clear when the businesses move from their early growth phase, in which they are able to burn investors’ cash, to one where they have to start to turn a profit.

When two-sided marketplaces that match workers with clients grow, they try to make things as comfortable as possible for workers to create a deep pool of available services. “The shortcut way to do this is to offer incentives to them—be it sellers, drivers, or other gig workers—showing them that this is a lucrative business,” says Rutvik Doshi, a general partner at VC firm Athera Venture Partners.

Companies spend big on marketing as they try to grow as fast as possible (during the 2021–2022 financial year, Urban Company spent close to $30 million on marketing and clocked a loss of over $60 million), working on the assumption that one day the demand for their services will become organic, the suppliers will start making enough money without incentives, and the platform will be able to raise the commissions it takes off its workers.

But when this doesn’t happen, companies desperately rework their models. When they need to curb spending, or when they struggle to raise new funding, marketing is the first thing they cut. Demand drops, creating an oversupply of workers on the platform. “And the excessive supply on the platforms feels the pinch. That’s the typical cycle with a two-sided marketplace,” Doshi says.

On July 10, Urban Company CEO Abhiraj Bahl released a video to the company’s workers explaining the new strict policies. He said that each year, 45 percent of customers use the platform just once and don’t make a second booking, while 15 to 20 percent of workers leave. “And as a result of all of this, Urban Company is still a loss-making company,” he said in the video, part of which has been viewed by WIRED. “So we are losing customers and we are also losing money.”

He blamed the decline in customers on “poor quality service” and “off-platform jobs”—that is, workers making private arrangements with clients and taking their work off Urban Company, something that’s a serious risk to the company’s model. “It’s kind of an existential question: They need the workers and the customers to stay on their platform in order to remain an intermediary,” says Ambika Tandon, a tech and labor researcher at the Center for Internet and Society think tank.

All of this has led the company to push its workers into a mold that essentially has all the downsides of regular employment but few of the benefits. For workers who joined the platform for its flexibility and autonomy, this reality of platform work becomes difficult to reconcile with.

“Urban Company is trying to imagine an ideal worker for this particular model to be someone who is always available, gives their 100 percent, [doesn’t] cancel at all, has no family responsibilities,” Tandon says. “But a lot of these workers are single parents, who have family responsibility and children to take care of. These are not folks who will fit into this model of having a 80 percent, 90 percent acceptance rate.”

In June, WhatsApp groups used by Urban Company workers were flooded with messages about one of their peers, who had reportedly died by suicide after the company deactivated her account—leaving her with no source of income. Several workers I spoke with said that while the news was shocking, none of them knew the victim. “We were vexed,” Seema from Bengaluru says, “But the problem is that all of us are so isolated from each other. The platform doesn’t have any get-togethers, nothing. We all don’t have any relationships, which is a plus point for Urban Company.”

But, like their peers across the platform economy, Urban Company workers are now getting organized. In June and July, hundreds of Urban Company workers took to the streets in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Shabnam was present at one of the protests last month in Bengaluru, demanding that the company reinstate her account. With this, they have joined thousands of Indian gig workers from Uber, Ola, Swiggy, Blinkit and more.

There have been at least half a dozen such protests across different cities in India since the beginning of the year—all of them essentially fighting for the same reasons: better pay and working conditions, a ban on unfair practices, and laws governing gig work that workers can lean on for safety and protection. “It’s not just Urban Company that has been blocking accounts,” said Shaik Salauddin, founder of Telangana Gig and Platform Worker Union. “Ola, Uber, Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart—all aggregator companies are doing this.”

Rikta Krishnaswamy, a coordinator with the All India Gig Workers Union, said that the union has had conversations with the labor departments across different cities, including Delhi and Pune. Another meeting is coming up in Mumbai. “We have raised complaints against these illegal dismissals, and the labor departments in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram have sent notices to the company for a meeting,” she said. “Let’s see if they actually show up.”

Some of the workers whose accounts were blocked have been able to get it reinstated, provided their rating was not lower than 4.7 and they weren’t blocked for trust and safety issues. But, if the video shared by Bahl is any indication, things are only going to get worse by the end of the year. The company has launched a salon quality improvement program called Project Shakti, under which, by December, the performance metrics are going to get even stricter for beauticians: an acceptance rate greater than 80 percent, no more than three monthly cancellations, and “100 percent orders delivered on UC app only.” The rating threshold will continue to be at a minimum of 4.7.

The new policy is being hammered home. Workers whose accounts have been reinstated and those already active on the platform are being called for a meeting to the Urban Company office in small groups of around 10. Some have to watch Bahl’s video. Then they are presented with new terms and conditions to sign, which include consent for them to be permanently blocked from the platform if they miss their targets.

[f1]

Le Mans-style Balance of Performance system would ruin Formula 1 Wolff | 2023 F1 season

Formula 1 must not emulate the World Endurance Championship by introducing a ‘Balance of Performance’ system despite Red Bull’s current domination, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said. Red Bull have been undefeated since the season began and are on course to repeat last year’s championship double by an even more emphatic margin. However Wolff does not want to see Red Bull being reined in by a ‘Balance of Performance” system similar to that used by the World Endurance Championship and other series to create closer racing. “I think if we start to put in a balance of performance we’ll ruin this sport,” said Wolff in Monaco. “This is a meritocracy. Best driver and best car spending the same amount of money wins the championship. And if you break the rules in either you should be heavily penalised, but only then, not for a good job.” Report: Ferrari clinch historic victory on return to Le Mans after Toyota duel “Formula 1 is a meritocracy and they’ve just done a good job,” Wolff added. “The car is fast in all conditions, the driver is at the top of his game.” WEC introduced Balance of Performance regulations for its top class when the LMP1 regulations were replaced by the current Hypercar rules in 2021. The WEC Committee imposes different performance limits on the teams’ cars based on data gathered from each entry. The most recent changes to the BoP were made 10 days before this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. Toyota, which won the opening three WEC rounds, had its minimum mass increased to 1,080 kilograms, 16kg more than closest rival Ferrari. However it was also allowed to consume more energy over the course of a stint – 908 megajoules to Ferrari’s 901. Other teams were allowed to run lighter cars and use more energy. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free Ferrari took victory following a race-long fight with Toyota, who dropped back in the final hours after Ryo Hirakawa crashed. The cars crossed the line separated by 81 seconds. WEC’s regulations state “the aim of BoP is to allow cars of different engineering designs to compete in the same category.” “Manufacturers, Competitors, drivers and any persons or entities associated with their entries must not seek to influence the establishment of the BoP or comment on the results, in particular through public statements, the media and social networks,” it adds. Interactive: WEC Balance of Performance before and at Le Mans Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free World Endurance Championship Browse all World Endurance Championship articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[mitsmebinch]

new job is fuckin wild. 80% of my job is data entry. i've worked here for a month. i've found thousands of errors. not hyperbolic thousands of errors, actual thousands of errors. errors that have been there for months. errors that have been there since 2021.

i get emails daily from people outside my department (which is a currently a department of 1, yours truly) asking me to fix these errors. i do. i get more emails about more errors. fix more errors. the cycle continues.

im working through a backlog of entries that date back to may 2022. i am only in june. i have so many more. even more spreadsheets. even more errors. errors i don't even know about because i haven't been trained to spot them i'm sure.

every day i go to my boss with my top error of the day, and ask her what the fuck i'm supposed to do with it. every error is unique in its own fucked up way. i have no idea how you fuck up the data this much without it being intentional. the person who got fired before i started had their official 'you are fired letter' returned to sender because they spelled their own address wrong in their company paperwork. poetic, truly.

[blogchaindeveloper]

Skills required to become an AI developer

The employment environment is changing due to the exponential expansion of automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. It is predicted that automation will affect almost 800 million professionals globally by 2030, requiring a change in job duties. Exciting opportunities are emerging in this disruptive period, especially in AI engineering. The abilities, credentials, and employment opportunities needed to succeed in this field will be discussed in this article. In this changing environment, we'll also discuss the significance of AI certification and AI prompt engineer certification.

Recognizing the Function of an AI Developer

First, understanding developers' enormous responsibilities is essential to fully appreciate an AI developer's work. Developers are IT specialists who create computer software using a variety of programming languages, such as R, Java, and Python. They are also known as programmers or software engineers. While AI developers strongly emphasize AI, they share many duties with traditional developers.

An AI developer's primary duty is integrating AI capability into software applications. This position focuses on the smooth integration and application of AI logic and algorithms into IT project deliverables, as described by The Enterprisers Project.

The Increased Need for AI Programmers

It's easy to see why there's an explosion in demand for AI engineers. Applications ranging from chatbots and driverless cars to virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri are driven by artificial intelligence. The need for qualified AI specialists is growing due to businesses and organizations' eagerness to realize AI's enormous potential.

By 2025, the worldwide AI market is expected to have grown to an astounding $190.61 billion, and future estimates point to even more significant development. Though worries about AI taking jobs are still present, AI is expected to create many more new job opportunities than it will take away from existing ones.

Principal Duties of an AI Developer

Depending on the role, an AI developer's precise tasks may change; however, the following is a rough rundown of what they usually do, as provided by reputed coding school Le Wagon:

Use AI tools to solve business problems.

Create, develop, deploy, and keep an eye on AI systems.

Effectively communicate AI systems to stakeholders and project managers.

Create an architecture for data transformation and ingestion.

Keep up with the most recent developments in AI technology.

Educate team members on how to use AI technology.

Programming languages like Python, Java, and Scala, deep learning platforms, cloud computing platforms, and AI products like IBM Watson are just a few of the tools and resources that AI professionals rely on.

Languages for Programming AI Development

Programming language proficiency is essential for the creation of AI. The following languages were listed by Ideamotive as some of the top choices for AI development in 2021:

Python

Lisp

R

Prolog

JavaScript

C++

Java

Scala

Julia

Qualifications for Education

A bachelor's degree is required for entry-level jobs; ideally, it should be in a related field like computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics, or engineering. A master's degree can significantly improve one's professional prospects and offer insightful knowledge of the sector, even though it may not always be required.

Success-Oriented Skills

A few essential abilities are necessary to succeed as an AI developer. It is crucial to be proficient in programming languages such as Python, R, and Java. Being familiar with cloud computing is also very beneficial. Beyond technical expertise, logical reasoning, excellent problem-solving abilities, and successful teamwork are all highly valued by AI developers. Soft skills, such as strong work ethics, leadership, and effective communication, are just as critical.

Getting Accomplished in AI Developer Interviews

Hiring an AI developer requires more than knowing how to code. During interviews, it is critical to demonstrate your creativity, problem-solving skills, and original thought process. Staying current on the newest AI trends and offering samples of your prior work can help you stand out. Standard interview advice is equally relevant, such as rehearsing answers to possible inquiries, learning about the business, posing appropriate questions, and following up after the interview.

AI Developer Pay

The salary ranges for AI developers vary depending on criteria, including experience, education, geography, and work duties. The national average for AI developer salaries is approximately $126,472, while the US median wage is roughly $97,783. Typically, salaries fall between $100,000 and $150,000.

Progressing in the Domain

Improvement in the field of AI development depends on the acquisition of practical experience and ongoing skill improvement. AI developers must keep up with the newest advancements in AI and constantly improve their programming skills. Obtaining pertinent certifications and engaging in training courses are concrete ways to show that you are dedicated to continuing your education in the industry.

Employers Are Currently Seeking AI Developers

AI programmers are in great demand in a variety of sectors. Though job titles may differ, AI development abilities are essential for many AI-related occupations. AI developers are in high demand from the following industries: Information Technology, Retail, Sports/Entertainment, Education, Business and Financial Services, Government/Military, Health Care, and Food/Hospitality.

A Promising Future for AI Jobs

The future of AI-related careers seems incredibly bright. The employment of computer and information technology professionals is expected to rise by 13% between 2020 and 2030, indicating the field's strong growth. Surprisingly, AI is expected to generate 12 million new jobs by 2025, more than compensating the possibility of job losses and bolstering the world economy.

How AI Certification Can Help You Advance Your Artificial Intelligence Career

AI certification—particularly the specialized AI prompt Engineer certification—is significant in today's quickly changing technological environment. Having the appropriate credentials is essential in a world where artificial intelligence propels innovation throughout all industries. Certifications for AI chatbots and developers show a professional's proficiency in creating, developing, and deploying AI solutions. 

These certificates give you a competitive edge in the employment market, where AI abilities are highly sought after and validate your expertise. Possessing an AI certification or being a certified chatbot expert can lead to new job options as businesses depend increasingly on chatbots and intelligent systems. In addition, certification tests in artificial intelligence guarantee that practitioners remain current on the most recent developments in the field, which supports their ongoing growth and significance.

Becoming an AI developer requires a solid technical background, a strong educational foundation, and a commitment to staying current in a changing field. AI developers are crucial to determining the direction of technology and business as the need for AI grows. Pursuing AI certification is a significant step in advancing your career in the exciting field of artificial intelligence rather than just a business decision.

Blockchain Council is a recognized association of subject matter experts and enthusiasts for AI and fast engineer certifications. They aim to improve the world by promoting blockchain research and development, use cases, products, and knowledge. For those who want to become certified Prompt Engineers and become experts in AI, Blockchain Council is an excellent resource for putting oneself at the forefront of technological progress.

[mynewshq]

161 Nigerian students fail UK border checks, denied entry

No fewer than 1,425 international students who gained admission to universities in the United Kingdom were denied entry at the country’s airports between 2021 and 2023. A total of 161 Nigerians were affected, as they were removed on arrival at airports across the UK. According to data exclusively obtained from the UK Home Office through the Freedom of Information Act, India topped the list of affected foreign students with 644, representing 45 per cent of the figure, while Nigeria followed with 11.3 per cent. Ghana is third on the list with 92 (6.46 per cent), while Bangladesh is fourth with 90 (6.32 per cent). However, the released data, covering October 2021 to October 2023, is limited to students denied entry at the airports. It does not include international students deported by the Home Office for violating the terms of their visas, such as working beyond 20 hours weekly and academic malpractice. The Home Office did not also specify the reasons for the removal of the foreign students. But Saturday PUNCH gathered that some of the reasons for such decisions included the inability of students to convince the Border Force officers during checks at the airports, presentation of forged documents, and deficiency in English language usage. An immigration lawyer based in North London, UK, Dele Olawanle, in a post on X in September 2023, decried the maltreatment of students and called on the UK Government to rein in Border Force officers, whom he said had turned themselves to admission officers. Olawanle lamented that three students contacted him for help within three hours after facing threats of removal at the airports. He wrote, “UK border officers have turned themselves into university officials at the point of entry by questioning students entering the UK to start their course on some aspects of the course they are going to start. If they do not answer correctly, they have their visas cancelled, and some are removed from the UK. Sad! I have had three instructions on that in the last 24 hours. “It is not their job because most of these students were interviewed by the university before being offered a place on the course. Most of these Border Force officers have not even been to university and are not qualified to examine these foreign students on their academic knowledge. “I can say this as I have had dealings with them for the last 24 years. Their job is to make sure the students obtain entry clearance genuinely. If you are a student coming to start your course, be prepared for immigration officers turning themselves into university examiners.” A data analyst, Nelly Okechukwu, who claimed he narrowly escaped screening at one of the airports, also shared his experience. He wrote, “After going through a 16-hour flight, a border officer asked for my transcript, which I presented, and this lady started asking me to tell her about a course I studied in my 200-level in the university. A university I graduated from since 2012.” Student admissions A total of 679,970 foreign students were admitted to UK universities for the 2021/2022 academic year, according to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Nigeria had the highest number of foreign students with 44,195 out of the 68,320 African citizens studying in the UK for the 2021/2022 academic year. HESA data also shows that the number of students from Nigeria rose to 72,355 in the 2022/2023 academic year, with the explanation that the data relates to students enrolled between 1 August 2022 and 31 July 2023. Nigerian students and their dependents in the UK contributed an estimated £1.9bn to the economy of the country in one year, according to an analysis by SBM Intelligence. The data covered the 2021/2022 academic session. According to the data, international students contributed £41.9bn to the UK economy in the 2021/22 academic year. The Universities UK International, which is the umbrella body for universities in the country, said it couldn’t comment on the data of student removals. The organisation, in response to Saturday PUNCH inquiries, however, noted that immigrants on student visas who were removed at the border were far less than those admitted. “We are not a government agency or sponsor. So, we don’t hold data on this and therefore can’t comment, but we are sharing the points below on background for context: “Home Office data from 2021-2024 (year ending March) suggests 1,541,837 study visas were granted to main applicants over the period. Assuming the quoted numbers are correct, then those not admitted to the UK would represent less than 0.01% of all those on study visas. We cannot comment on the reasons for refusal or what happens after that – and it will depend on the specifics of the case.” The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission said it did not get any report from students who were removed at UK airports. A spokesperson for the commission, Abdulrahman Balogun, said, “No student has ever reported being rejected at the port of entry for no just cause.” The Director of a foreign education consulting firm, Story Across Globe, Mr Emmanuel Gbadega, said a foreign student or any other immigrant might be rejected at the port of entry if the individual couldn’t explain his or her mission in the country. Gbadega said anybody who looked suspicious could be rejected and returned to their country by the Border Force. He said, “They have been doing that for many years. You can be rejected by the Border Force when you look suspicious; probably they find out that you are not coming to study. The students could have been rejected as a result of incompetence; they could have failed an interview.” Gbadega explained that any foreign student who was removed at the port of entry could seek a refund from his university by notifying the institution of their challenge. Commenting on the matter, an immigration lawyer, Adeola Oyinlade, tasked Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NIDCOM to be concerned on the removal of Nigerian students at foreign airports. He also enjoined any student who was denied entry to a foreign country to abide by that decision to avoid being banned for 10 years. Another immigration lawyer, Dr Yemi Opemuti, said the Border Force did not commit any infraction by removing the affected students, adding that the officers reserved the right to approve or disapprove entry into their country. According to Opemuti, having a visa does not guarantee entry into a country, adding that customs or immigration officers have the power to invalidate a visa at the port of entry. “When you are issued a visa from your country of origin, it’s conditional and subject to the approval of customs or immigration agents in your country of destination. A visa can be cancelled based on the response of the migrant to an interview at the entry point. “They have the right to deny you entry or deport you if you cannot give them convincing answers to their queries,” he added. The UK Home Affairs and British High Commission in Nigeria did not respond to inquiries made via email sent by our correspondent on August 14. There has been a sharp decline in the number of Nigerians going to the UK to study as a result of the ban on dependents of student visa, a policy that came into effect in January 2024. Also, the devaluation of the naira, which resulted in an increased exchange rate, weakened the financial strength of many Nigerians to sponsor themselves or their children to the UK for study. Read the full article

[uswanth-123]

SAP FICO S4 HANA Certification

Your Gateway to the Future of Finance: SAP FICO S/4HANA Certification

SAP S/4HANA is revolutionizing the way organizations manage their finances. As the market demand for SAP FICO (Financial Accounting and Controlling) consultants with S/4HANA expertise soars, getting certified puts you in a prime position to excel in this fast-growing field.

What is SAP FICO?

SAP FICO is a cornerstone module suite within SAP's ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. It handles two central aspects of business finance:

Financial Accounting (FI): Focuses on external reporting, general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, asset accounting, and consolidation.

Controlling (CO): This person manages internal reporting, cost center accounting, profitability analysis, product costing, and internal budgeting.

Why SAP S/4HANA?

SAP S/4HANA represents SAP's latest and most advanced ERP platform. It delivers significant innovations compared to traditional SAP versions:

In-Memory Database (HANA): Drastically accelerates processing and analytics.

Embedded Analytics: Real-time financial insights for faster decision-making.

Simplified Data Model: Streamlines processes and reduces complexity.

Fiori User Interface: Creates a modern, intuitive user experience.

SAP FICO S/4HANA Certifications

To validate your skills and gain an edge in the job market, SAP offers several FICO S/4HANA certifications:

C_TS4FI_2021 - SAP Certified Application Associate - SAP S/4HANA for Financial Accounting Associates (SAP S/4HANA 2021): Ideal for entry-level consultants. Demonstrates fundamental FICO understanding across SAP S/4HANA and readiness to work on guided projects.

P_S4FIN_2021 - SAP Certified Application Professional - Financials in SAP S/4HANA for SAP ERP Finance Experts (SAP S/4HANA 2021): Designed for experienced finance professionals (5+ years of SAP implementation experience). Verifies your ability to lead FICO S/4HANA implementation projects independently.

Exam Preparation: The Key to Success

Passing these certifications requires dedicated preparation. Here's a comprehensive plan:

Assess Your Knowledge: Use the exam syllabi on the SAP Training and Certification website to identify areas where you need additional learning.

Take SAP Training Courses: SAP offers official courses tailored to exams. These provide structured learning and invaluable insights (Find official course options at https://training.sap.com).

Leverage Study Resources: You can find a wealth of online content, tutorials, and practice tests on platforms like ERPrep (https://www.erpprep.com).

Hands-on Experience: Practice on an SAP S/4HANA system. Many resources offer access if you still need one in your current role.

Exam Time: Book the exam through SAP's website when you're ready.

Benefits of SAP FICO S/4HANA Certification

Career Boost: Become a sought-after professional in the booming S/4HANA arena.

Salary Premium: Certified professionals command better remuneration.

Validation of Expertise: Prove to employers you understand S/4HANA FICO's complexities.

Expanded Opportunities: Open doors to more significant projects and consulting roles.

You can find more information about SAP Fico in this SAP FICO Link

Conclusion:

Unogeeks is the №1 IT Training Institute for SAP Training. Anyone Disagree? Please drop in a comment

You can check out our other latest blogs on SAP here — SAP FICO Blogs

You can check out our Best In Class SAP Details here — SAP FICO Training

Follow & Connect with us:

— — — — — — — — — — — -

For Training inquiries:

Call/Whatsapp: +91 73960 33555

Mail us at: info@unogeeks.com

Our Website ➜ https://unogeeks.com

Follow us:

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/unogeek

#Unogeeks #training #Unogeekstraining