#economy of stroke to communicate an idea

[hag-o-hags]

Wow, the soft dreamy light in this painting is really pretty and--

The painting:

-- OH FUCK OFF!

[dailyanarchistposts]

I.2.2 Will it be possible to go straight to an anarchist society from capitalism?

Possibly, it depends what is meant by an anarchist society.

If it is meant a fully classless society (what some people, inaccurately, would call a “utopia”) then the answer is a clear “no, that would be impossible.” Anarchists are well aware that “class difference do not vanish at the stroke of a pen whether that pen belongs to the theoreticians or to the pen-pushers who set out laws or decrees. Only action, that is to say direct action (not through government) expropriation by the proletarians, directed against the privileged class, can wipe out class difference.” [Luigi Fabbri, “Anarchy and ‘Scientific’ Communism”, pp. 13–49, The Poverty of Statism, pp. 13–49, Albert Meltzer (ed.), p. 30]

As we discussed in section H.2.5, few anarchists consider it likely that a perfectly functioning libertarian communist society would be the immediate effect of a social revolution. For anarchists a social revolution is a process and not an event (although, of course, a process marked by such events as general strikes, uprisings, insurrections and so on). As Kropotkin argued:

“It is a whole insurrectionary period of three, four, perhaps five years that we must traverse to accomplish our revolution in the property system and in social organisation.” [Words of a Rebel, p. 72]

His famous work The Conquest of Bread aimed, to use his words, at “prov[ing] that communism — at least partial — has more chance of being established than collectivism, especially in communes taking the lead” and tried “to indicate how, during a revolutionary period, a large city — if its inhabitants have accepted the idea — could organise itself on the lines of free communism.” [Anarchism, p. 298] The revolution, in other words, would progress towards communism after the initial revolt:

“we know that an uprising can overthrow and change a government in one day, while a revolution needs three or four years of revolutionary convulsion to arrive at tangible results … if we should expect the revolution, from its earliest insurrections, to have a communist character, we would have to relinquish the possibility of a revolution, since in that case there would be need of a strong majority to agree on carrying through a change in the direction of communism.” [Kropotkin, quoted by Max Nettlau, A Short History of Anarchism, pp. 282–3]

In addition, different areas will develop in different speeds and in different ways, depending on the influences dominant in the area. “Side by side with the revolutionised communes,” argued Kropotkin, other areas “would remain in an expectant attitude, and would go on living on the Individualist system … revolution would break out everywhere, but revolution under different aspects; in one country State Socialism, in another Federation; everywhere more or less Socialism, not conforming to any particular rule.” Thus “the Revolution will take a different character in each of the different European nations; the point attained in the socialisation of wealth will not be everywhere the same.” [The Conquest of Bread, pp. 81–2 and p. 81]

Kropotkin was also aware that a revolution would face many problems, including the disruption of economic activity, civil war and isolation. He argued that it was “certain that the coming Revolution … will burst upon us in the middle of a great industrial crisis … There are millions of unemployed workers in Europe at this moment. It will be worse when Revolution has burst upon us … The number of the out-of-works will be doubled as soon as barricades are erected in Europe and the United States … we know that in time of Revolution exchange and industry suffer most from the general upheaval … A Revolution in Europe means, then, the unavoidable stoppage of at least half the factories and workshops.” He stressed that there would be “the complete disorganisation” of the capitalist economy and that during a revolution ”[i]nternational commerce will come to a standstill” and “the circulation of commodities and of provisions will be paralysed.” This would, of course, have an impact on the development of a revolution and so the “circumstances will dictate the measures.” [Op. Cit., pp. 69–70, p. 191 and p. 79]

Thus we have anarcho-communism being introduced “during a revolutionary period” rather than instantly and the possibility that it will be “partial” in many, if not all areas, depending on the “circumstances” encountered. Therefore the (Marxist inspired) claim that anarchists think a fully communist society is possible overnight is simply false — we recognise that a social revolution takes time to develop after it starts. As Malatesta put it, “after the revolution, that is after the defeat of the existing powers and the overwhelming victory of the forces of insurrection” then “gradualism really comes into operation. We shall have to study all the practical problems of life: production, exchange, the means of communication, relations between anarchist groupings and those living under some kind of authority, between communist collectives and those living in an individualistic way; relations between town and country … and so on.” [Errico Malatesta: His Life and Ideas, p. 173] In other words, “each community will decide for itself during the transition period the method they deem best for the distribution of the products of associated labour.” [James Guillaume, “On Building the New Social Order”, pp. 356–79, Bakunin on Anarchism, p. 362]

However, if by “anarchist society” it is meant a society that has abolished the state and started the process of transforming society from below then anarchists argue that such a society is not only possible after a successful revolution, it is essential. Thus the anarchist social revolution would be political (abolition of the state), economic (abolition of capitalism) and social (abolition of hierarchical social relationships). Or, more positively, the introduction of self-management into every aspect of life. In other words, “political transformation” and “economic transformation” must be “accomplished together and simultaneously.” [Bakunin, The Basic Bakunin, p. 106] This transformation would be based upon the organisations created by working class people in their struggle against capitalism and the state (see next section). Thus the framework of a free society would be created by the struggle for freedom itself, by the class struggle within but against hierarchical society. This revolution would come “from below” and would expropriate capital as well as smash the state (see section H.2.4). Such a society, as Bakunin argued, will not be “perfect” by any means:

“I do not say that the peasants [and workers], freely organised from the bottom up, will miraculously create an ideal organisation, confirming in all respects to our dreams. But I am convinced that what they construct will be living and vibrant, a thousands times better and more just than any existing organisation. Moreover, this … organisation, being on the one hand open to revolutionary propaganda … , and on the other, not petrified by the intervention of the State … will develop and perfect itself through free experimentation as fully as one can reasonably expect in our times. “With the abolition of the State, the spontaneous self-organisation of popular life … will revert to the communes. The development of each commune will take its point of departure the actual condition of its civilisation.” [Bakunin on Anarchism, p. 207]

How far such a new social organisation will meet the all the ideals and hopes of communist-anarchists will vary according to objective circumstances and the influence of libertarian theory. As people start to liberate themselves they will under go an ethical and psychological transformation as they act to the end specific hierarchical social structures and relationships. It does not imply that people need to be “perfect” nor that a perfect anarchist society will come about “overnight. Rather, it means that while an anarchist society (i.e., one without a state or private property) would be created by revolution, it will be one initially marked by the society it came from and would require a period of self-activity by which individuals reshape and change themselves as they are reshaping and changing the world about them. Thus Malatesta:

“And even after a successful insurrection, could we overnight realise all desires and pass from a governmental and capitalist hell to a libertarian-communist heaven which is the complete freedom of man within the wished-for community of interests with all men? “These are illusions which can take root among authoritarians who look upon the masses as the raw material which those who have power can, by decrees, supported by bullets and handcuffs, mould to their will. But these illusions have not taken among anarchists. We need the people’s consensus, and therefore we must persuade by means of propaganda and example … to win over to our ideas an ever greater number of people.” [Op. Cit., pp. 82–3]

So, clearly, the idea of a “one-day revolution” is one rejected as a harmful fallacy by anarchists. We are aware that revolutions are a process and not an event (or series of events). However, one thing that anarchists do agree on is that it is essential for both the state and capitalism to be undermined as quickly as possible. It is true that, in the course of social revolution, we anarchists may not be able to stop a new state being created or the old one from surviving. It all depends on the balance of support for anarchist ideas in the population and how willing people are to introduce them. There is no doubt, though, that for a social revolt to be fully anarchist, the state and capitalism must be destroyed and new forms of oppression and exploitation not put in their place. How quickly after such a destruction we move to a fully communist-anarchist society is a moot point, dependent on the conditions the revolution is facing and the ideas and wants of the people making it.

So the degree which a society which has abolished the state can progress towards free communism depends on objective conditions and what a free people want. Bakunin and other collectivists doubted the possibility of introducing a communistic system instantly after a revolution. For Kropotkin and many other anarcho-communists, communistic anarchy can, and must, be introduced as far as possible and as soon as possible in order to ensure a successful revolution. We should mention here that some anarchists, like the individualists and mutualists, do not support the idea of revolution and instead see anarchist alternatives growing within capitalism and slowly replacing it.

In other words anarchists agree that an anarchist society cannot be created overnight, for to assume so would be to imagine that anarchists could enforce their ideas on a pliable population. Libertarian socialism can only be created from below, by people who want it and understand it, organising and liberating themselves. “Communist organisations,” argued Kropotkin, “must be the work of all, a natural growth, a product of the constructive genius of the great mass. Communism cannot be imposed from above; it could not live even for a few months if the constant and daily co-operation of all did not uphold it. It must be free.” [Anarchism, p. 140] The results of the Russian Revolution should have cleared away long ago any contrary illusions about how to create “socialist” societies. The lesson from every revolution is that the mistakes made by people in liberating themselves and transforming society are always minor compared to the results of creating authorities, who eliminate such “ideological errors” by destroying the freedom to make mistakes (and so freedom as such). Freedom is the only real basis on which socialism can be built (“Experience through freedom is the only means to arrive at the truth and the best solutions; and there is no freedom if there is not the freedom to be wrong.” [Malatesta, Op. Cit., p. 72]). Therefore, most anarchists would agree with Malatesta:

“To organise a [libertarian] communist society on a large scale it would be necessary to transform all economic life radically, such as methods of production, of exchange and consumption; and all this could not be achieved other than gradually, as the objective circumstances permitted and to the extent that the masses understood what advantages could be gained and were able to act for themselves.” [Op. Cit., p. 36]

This means that while the conditions necessary of a free society would be created in a broad way by a social revolution, it would be utopian to imagine everything will be perfect immediately. Few anarchists have argued that such a jump would be possible — rather they have argued that revolutions create the conditions for the evolution towards an anarchist society by abolishing state and capitalism. “Besides,” argued Alexander Berkman, “you must not confuse the social revolution with anarchy. Revolution, in some of its stages, is a violent upheaval; anarchy is a social condition of freedom and peace. The revolution is the means of bringing anarchy about but it is not anarchy itself. It is to pave the road to anarchy, to establish conditions which will make a life of liberty possible.” However, “to achieve its purpose the revolution must be imbued with and directed by the anarchist spirit and ideas. The end shapes the means … the social revolution must be anarchist in method as in aim.” [What is Anarchism?, p. 231]

This means that while acknowledging the possibility of a transitional society, anarchists reject the notion of a transitional state as confused in the extreme (and, as can be seen from the experience of Marxism, dangerous as well). An anarchist society can only be achieved by anarchist means. Hence French Syndicalist Fernand Pelloutier’s comments:

“Nobody believes or expects that the coming revolution … will realise unadulterated anarchist-communism… it will erupt, no doubt, before the work of anarchist education has been completed … [and as] a result … , while we do preach perfect communism, it is not in the certainty or expectation of [libertarian] communism’s being the social form of the future: it is in order to further men’s [and women’s] education … so that, by the time of the day of conflagration comes, they will have attained maximum emancipation. But must the transitional state to be endured necessarily or inevitability be the collectivist [i.e. state socialist/capitalist] jail? Might it not consist of libertarian organisation confined to the needs of production and consumption alone, with all political institutions having been done away with?” [No Gods, No Masters, vol. 2, p. 55]

One thing is certain: an anarchist social revolution or mass movement will need to defend itself against attempts by statists and capitalists to defeat it. Every popular movement, revolt, or revolution has had to face a backlash from the supporters of the status quo. An anarchist revolution or mass movement will face (and indeed has faced) such counter-revolutionary movements. However, this does not mean that the destruction of the state and capitalism need be put off until after the forces of reaction are defeated. For anarchists, a social revolution and free society can only be defended by anti-statist means (for more discussion of this important subject see section J.7.6).

So, given an anarchist revolution which destroys the state, the type and nature of the economic system created by it will depend on local circumstances and the level of awareness in society. The individualists are correct in the sense that what we do now will determine how the future develops. Obviously, any “transition period” starts in the here and now, as this helps determine the future. Thus, while social anarchists usually reject the idea that capitalism can be reformed away, we agree with the individualist and mutualist anarchists that it is essential for anarchists to be active today in constructing the ideas, ideals and new liberatory institutions of the future society within the current one. The notion of waiting for the “glorious day” of total revolution is not one held by anarchists — just like the notion that we expect a perfect communist-anarchist society to emerge the day after a successful revolution. Neither position reflects anarchist ideas on social change.

[memegetter]

[ID: A youngish person with light skin is addressing the camera from inside their home, gesticulating with one hand. They're wearing a black t-shirt and glasses, and have a white streak in the front of their black hair. They look a bit tired and upset. During the video, screenshots of news headlines are overlaid to underline the point they're making at the time.]

Transcript under cut:

During this time when we are all becoming increasingly aware of just how much propaganda we're being fed on a daily basis, can you please, (please, please, please), try to also internalise the idea that maybe, just maybe, your understanding of COVID has been similarly influenced.

Maybe there is a reason why we have a disease that is currently the third leading cause of death that has been shown to damage every single organ system in the body, that's been shown to have long term effects in 1 in 10 infections.

That's not 1 in 10 people, that's 1 in 10 infections, so if you're on your third, the math is mathing. Maybe there is a reason why we can have all of that going on at once. Meanwhile, word on the street, and word according to a lot of common media, is that it's either over or it's mild.

It's ripping through communities enough to still be the third leading cause of death and people are surprised to get it. Level of misinformation out there is immense and none of us are immune to it.

It's really tempting to believe this stuff because it's fucking everywhere and it's nicer to believe. None of us want to still be in this mess. That's the thing about propaganda. Often all it has to do is cast doubt.

Our governments were incredibly clear about the fact that they opened up for the health of the economy, not for the health of the people. If we all had access to the data that demonstrated the long term impacts of this virus, that should have caused fucking riots.

But everyone was exhausted and traumatised and lonely and the idea that we could all go back to our normal lives was a really nice one. So being told that it was mild despite the mountains of evidence to the contrary was enough.

It's enough to just doubt whether it really is that bad and that's extremely easy to do because for a lot of people it does feel mild, but this is the thing. You can't feel organ damage. You can't feel vascular damage. You can't feel immune system damage. So if you can't feel them, what would we see if they were happening?

What would see is more people getting more sick, more frequently and staying sick longer would see more heart events, more strokes would see more diabetes, more cancers, and if you look at the data on a health scale, that is exactly what we are now seeing.

The level of misinformation is so fucking wild. I distinctly remember them saying that this disease couldn't hurt kids. And now children are one of the fastest growing groups experiencing post COVID damage.

And here's the kicker, right? None of what I'm saying, according to the actual empirically reviewed data, is in any way controversial, but this feels terrifying to say, because I know that none of you want to hear this.

And so if I have a request for you today, just take a little bit of time to sit with the fact that the data that we have is so different from the lives that we are being encouraged to lead. Sit with your gut and look around you. It is not normal for this many people to be coughing in fucking late November.

Everyone is sick. Can you remember a time pre-pandemic when it was like this? Is it possible that maybe the people who are ignoring climate collapse and who are telling you that genocide that you can witness with your own eyes isn't happening - maybe they wouldn't be super honest with you about a disease that would stop the economy if they actually paid attention to it?

And I know the buck stops with this being a public health failure. I know this is ultimately not your fault. But we have been made into the vessels via which we enact harm upon one another and I'm sick of watching it.

It feels genuinely sanity destroying to have had my shit rocked so severely and to have had my life be made so small by this disease and to have people who care about me not do anything to stop it from happening to them, to stop them from doing this to other people.

So I guess if I'm asking you one thing today, it is just to take a moment to sit in the discomfort of the fact that we have all internalised propaganda.

We have been asked to take on appealing, but ultimately untrue ideas about the biggest fucking global ongoing event of our lifetimes in order to make us prioritise keeping the economy alive instead of each other.

[bimboficationblues]

what is the difference between communitarian and marxist critiques of liberalism?

the most obvious distinction is that the communitarians positioned themselves as an alternative to liberalism but *not* as an alternative to capitalism (or at least only in the qualified way that, similarly, Rawls’ ideal of “property owning democracy” is an alternative to capitalism, which is to say not meaningfully)

like tbh my catty but sincere answer is that the real difference is that communitarianism is essentially a Marxian critique of liberal social ontology, shorn of almost all substantive content or analysis of liberalism's relationship with capital and state, until it becomes a soft conservative, anti-atomist truism ("people are not isolated islands and atoms divorced from social context and community inputs on their subjectivity"). Charles Mills makes this same critique of liberalism but in a way more pointed and interesting way, with far less conservative baggage!

if I'm in a more charitable mood: obviously, different writers' critiques take different shapes. but the broad strokes would be that the Marxist critique of liberalism is directed towards its conception of rights, which rights it guarantees and which it doesn't, and the implications of a political-economic formation that uses positive law to guarantee and secure outcomes. I consider this a primarily *formal* critique which connects with broader substantive/formal critiques directed at liberalism's twin, political economy.

I would say that communitarians are more focused on like, a substantive critique of liberalism as a moral philosophy - they object to its social ontology and how it minimizes certain kinds of grounding moral culture like identity, religion, and nation, either in its narratives (the "secularization thesis" of religiosity fading with an increase in reason and science) or its values.

another critical detail is that a lot of what we now think of as "communitarians" are specifically in dialogue with Rawls & co. (i.e. the elite-approved political philosophers), while most Marxists are responding to an arguably wider (or perhaps older) scope of liberal writers and thinkers.

having been raised by someone whose politics would most aptly be described by the term "communitarian," I’m always suspicious when self-proclaimed radicals talk about the evils of individualism and appeal to the nebulous concept of community. isolation and abuse is made possible by atomization, but they're also made possible by rigid, conformist societies that reject internal and external threats to the community's values or principles. and again, capitalism and liberalism have a lot of internal flexibility that allow them to absorb threats, which includes older social orders and value systems that might take a more "collectivist" character. just look at religious thinking and sexual repression in the modern age. like, liberalism is only really "individualist" in the realm of ideas

[greyeyedmonster-18]

(Fuck it. Why HASNT anyone made the curtains on the four posters beaded in marauders fic??? Like--

"We need to be more on trend. Some of the parents are complaining that our facilities are...outdated," the room gasped, a witch on the far end of the table clutching the pendant hanging from her neck, "i know, i know," The Hogwarts Govenor Board President said, putting up a gentle reassuring hand, "but we will not be changing a single thing. This castle is historic!"

"Well said!"

"Restoration is simply impossible!"

"Impossible!"

"Any suggestions how to make this place seem more modern...any ideas?"

"Fresh paint?"

"In this economy? The galleon is losing its value per day and youre suggesting we paint an entire castle? Be reasonable, Bathesda."

"What...about the grounds? We could make a community garden, restore some of the forbidden forest, make it less--"

"That will take too long! Does anyone have an actual solution?"

There was a long silence in the room as the board members stroked their chins in deep in thought.

Finally a witch slapped her hand on the table, "Ive got it! Beaded. Curtains. On all the beds! Its fresh, its modern, its inclusive of muggle ideas."

"Perfect." )

[shiishki]

okay wait, i changed my mind. you should answer all of these questions as well, if that's what you want from me >:)

oof there's a lot of it, that's what i get for wanting to be ✨aesthetic✨

1: 6 of the songs you listen to most?

vowels (and the importance of being me) - hunny

honeypie - jawny

pretty young thing - michael jackson

mirrors - justin timberlake

sunflower - red orange county

paradise - rude-a

2: If you could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

a therapist.

ok someone else.. uhh,, my grand grandma because i only have scratches of memories but i dunno if that counts since she passed away...

*rummages through ancient scripts* uhh ok someone who isn't dead.. uhm,, tommie? yeah I'd like to meet them if i could meet anyone on earth

3: Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 23, give me line 17.

ok, the closest german, english or polish book? nvm i have english

"suddenly was. So I just said thank you a few times too, and Mum" ironically this is one of the normal lines in this book

4: What do you think about most?

the fact that I'll have to do something after school. and I don't know if i want to go to college or get a job bc i have no legitimate idea on what to do with my life. it gets overwhelming, just the lack of knowledge about the actual experience.

5: What does your latest text message from someone else say?

Ok

6: Do you sleep with or without clothes on?

with, tho i sleep with just shorts in summer

7: What’s your strangest talent?

not sure if it's a talent, but i can fall asleep anywhere

8: Girls… (finish the sentence); Boys… (finish the sentence)

girls are pretty. boys are pretty

9: Ever had a poem or song written about you?

by me, yes. no one else has written a poem about me specifically. nvm, tommie wrote one and it shall rest on my wall, or desk, i need to find a place for it

10: When is the last time you played the air guitar?

uhh i think last month?

11: Do you have any strange phobias?

i don't think so, but i am hella afraid of the possibly gigantic, terrifying things in the ocean depths that humans haven't discovered yet

12: Ever stuck a foreign object up your nose?

yep, beloved legos as a lil child

13: What’s your religion?

i can't ever remember the name, but i believe gods (from all religions) exist in some way or form. so i believe in different pantheons and etc.

14: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?

walking my doggo, skateboarding, thinking about how to make the lives of my characters worse

15: Do you prefer to be behind the camera or in front of it?

behind it.

16: Simple but extremely complex. Favorite band?

uhmm the arctic monkeys? or the strokes

17: What was the last lie you told?

i know what i want

18: Do you believe in karma?

yes, the rule of three specifically

19: What does your URL mean?

i don't know. it's something me and my sis came up with and that's just my whole identity now.

20: What is your greatest weakness; your greatest strength?

uhh greatest weakness.. i can't finish things. strength is that I'm very stubborn so maybe I'll finish that thing out of spite

21: Who is your celebrity crush?

i grew up thinking crushes were like unicorns. my ex was odd enough to argue with that i didn't love her if i didn't have a crush on her. but I think if i had to guess.. selena gomez, especially in the role of alex russo in wizard of weverly street

22: Have you ever gone skinny dipping?

nope

23: How do you vent your anger?

i write angry letters. sometimes they're sad letters. i write a lot of letters. except i never send them out and no one made a movie about them :}

24: Do you have a collection of anything?

jars and witchy bottles, books? scented candles

25: Do you prefer talking on the phone or video chatting online?

phone calls are stressful enough as is, i don't need you to see my reading off what i frantically wrote to not stumble over my words

26: Are you happy with the person you’ve become?

i think so, yes, but that won't stop me from becoming better

27: What’s a sound you hate; sound you love?

hate flies buzzing right by my ear, love cat purring

28: What’s your biggest “what if”?

what if I'd been born in a place where it was illegal for me (nonbinary) to live, in a time when others thought of me as a curse?

29: Do you believe in ghosts? How about aliens?

they be chilling.

30: Stick your right arm out; what do you touch first? Do the same with your left arm.

right arm, doggo, left arm, pillow

31: Smell the air. What do you smell?

fresh air and doggo, because doggo is with me and I can't live without open windows

32: What’s the worst place you have ever been to?

i dunno tbh

33: Choose: East Coast or West Coast?

which one is less homophobic?

34: Most attractive singer of your opposite gender?

every gender is my opposite gender. selena gomez and justin timberlake

35: To you, what is the meaning of life?

to make it easier for people down the line

36: Define Art.

make thing, thing goes woo

37: Do you believe in luck?

yis

38: What’s the weather like right now?

it's nice actually, very sunny, slight breeze

39: What time is it?

12.59 am

40: Do you drive? If so, have you ever crashed?

i don't, but i once crashed into a fire department vehicle with my bike. bike ded.

41: What was the last book you read?

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

42: Do you like the smell of gasoline?

i legit ass don't know what gasoline smells like.

43: Do you have any nicknames?

many variations of my name, aka. Luce

44: What was the last film you saw?

i think it was Robin Hood: King of Thieves, but it might have been that half of spider-man homecoming i managed to watch with my poor internet

45: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had?

oh man i dunno... it's not an injury, but i was very sickly as a lil kid and almost died :)

46: Have you ever caught a butterfly?

once, years ago

47: Do you have any obsessions right now?

hmmm horizon zero dawn i think

48: What’s your sexual orientation?

proud pansexual ^^

49: Ever had a rumour spread about you?

not really, i don't think they're big enough to be actual rumors,, meh

50: Do you believe in magic?

yis

51: Do you tend to hold grudges against people who have done you wrong?

meh. they suck, i know they suck, that's it.

52: What is your astrological sign?

cancer ♋

53: Do you save money or spend it?

i attempt saving. attempt

54: What’s the last thing you purchased?

for my own money, sweets. i bought lizards for my cats so they can brush their teeth from my dad's amazon acc

55: Love or lust?

luv

56: In a relationship?

nope, i buy my own cookies

57: How many relationships have you had?

1, kinda toxic toward the end, very stressful, don't recommend

58: Can you touch your nose with your tongue?

nu ><

59: Where were you yesterday?

on the fields walking my doggo

60: Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

yep, a pastel pink hoodie in my closet uwu

61: Are you wearing socks right now?

yis, thicc warm socks

62: What’s your favourite animal?

cats

63: What is your secret weapon to get someone to like you?

cuddles and food.

64: Where is your best friend?

bold of you to assume i have a best friend.

65: Give me your top 5 favourite blogs on Tumblr.

tommie-hildebrandt, kageyuji, nekomas-kuroo, joyful-soul-collector

66: What is your heritage?

I'm a demon boi from Poland tho that's not a thing to be proud of, i mean, look at the economy. awful.

67: What were you doing last night at 12AM?

sleeping, trying to sleep.

68: What do you think is Satan’s last name?

Pinkton. or Satan.

69: Be honest. Ever gotten yourself off?

this is such an odd combination of words i had to look it up. yea.

70: Are you the kind of friend you would want to have as a friend?

a friend who won't laugh at me when i ask them to order smth for me because I'm too anxious to.

71: You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you if you are late one more time you get fired. What do you do?

excuse me? i am saving the doggo wtf. f u boss, I'm gonna sell my tragic story to the news.

72: You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. a) Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? b) What do you do with your remaining days? c) Would you be afraid?

a) i tell my parents. b) live the hell out of them uwu c) nope uwu.

73: You can only have one of these things; trust or love.

trust.

74: What’s a song that always makes you happy when you hear it?

history maker - dean fujioka :]

75: What are the last four digits in your cell phone number?

3332

76: In your opinion, what makes a great relationship?

communication, trust, some more communication.

77: How can I win your heart?

let's not pretend to be something else to please each other, and bring some bitter chocolate.

78: Can insanity bring on more creativity?

maybe. it could. i don't have a say in it since my sanity is held by tape.

79: What is the single best decision you have made in your life so far?

eat the pizza. stop caring about others not liking me/parts of me. just living for myself uwu.

80: What size shoes do you wear?

uh i dunno how the american sizes work and i don't wanna look it up so, 39, 40 fits too.

81: What would you want to be written on your tombstone?

demon boi

82: What is your favourite word?

socks.

83: Give me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word; heart.

the bloody organ that sits in your chest and pumps blood into your body so you don't die.

84: What is a saying you say a lot?

uhm im not sure if that counts as a saying, but fake it till you make it

85: What’s the last song you listened to?

blinding lights - the weeknd

86: Basic question; what’s your favourite colour/colours?

oh a normal question people use for ice breaking, sea blue and pastel variations of it.

87: What is your current desktop picture?

like my wallpaper? or the actual picture that sits on my desk? or how my desk looks like atm? it's ugly, a lot of papers and pens and schoolbooks.

88: If you could press a button and make anyone in the world instantaneously explode, who would it be?

donald trump. or the next asshole who'll try to take the rights of the lgbt and poc away

89: What would be a question you’d be afraid to tell the truth on?

this. this is the question.

90: One night you wake up because you heard a noise. You turn on the light to find that you are surrounded by MUMMIES. The mummies aren’t really doing anything, they’re just standing around your bed. What do you do?

yo there's a pizza somewhere in the refrigerator, want me to heat it up? we can have a sleep over and talk about our feelings :3

91: You accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow you with the super-power of your choice! What is that power?

telekinesis! or shapeshifting! i could do such fun things with telekinesis ^^ yeah I'd totally eat some radioactive veggies

92: You can re-live any point of time in your life. The time-span can only be a half-hour, though. What half-hour of your past would you like to experience again?

that time my "friends" got me into shoplifting, half-hour is more than enough to punch some sense into my brain and develop good music taste

93: You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be?

can i save this one? i don't think i have an experience horrible enough to be erased haha

94: You have the opportunity to sleep with the music-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?

sleep as in.. uh no thank u. but I'm down for a sleep over with sam smith ^^

95: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere. You have to depart right now. Where are you gonna go?

just me? what about my pets? my fam? it's lowkey illegal for me to go just anywhere without them owO

uhhmm, greece. imma become part of the greek pantheon out of pure spite. and maybe toronto canada.

96: Do you have any relatives in jail?

not any that i know of o.o

97: Have you ever thrown up in the car?

i think i may have but i honestly don't remember

98: Ever been on a plane?

nope, i dunno if i like planes, but I'd probably sleep if i were on one.

99: If the whole world were listening to you right now, what would you say?

yeet.

[swifty-fox]

Please tell me about 1920s Russian socioeconomic policy

PLEASE LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT 1920′s RUSSIAN SOCIOECONOMIC POLICY

 so 1920′s Russian socio-economic policy was in a few short words. entirely fucked.  Granted the issue goes farther back than 1920′s! basically up until then Russia had been functioning as a mostly closed society in that they rejected the industrial age of the mid to late 1800′s. They believed that they were superior as a country and did not want interference from other religions and cultures (the Great Schism took no prisoners) So essentially at the turn of the 20th century Russia was still almost in the middle ages (granted there was some technology leakage etc. it was more prevalent in upper society to be more modernized) BUT they still had peasants and serfs and people living as they had done hundreds if not thousands of years ago (something like 80% of Russians were impoverished and working as serfs ((that might only be white Russians there's like 32 ethnic Russian groups nobody likes to talk about)) ) 

cutting for length

so naturally people are like mad pissed about that right? they want to be part of the progression of the world they want to be educated and to travel and to have access to medicine and technology and all the benefits of ‘modern’ society. but Tsar Nikolai says no. This is a huge part of his downfall, his unwillingness to change (also vague antisemitism ((they used to conduct these things called Pogroms which was basically localized exterminations of Jewish people. it was fucked up and vastly condemned by a lot of people but the powers that be used the Jewish people as a scapegoat because uhhh 1800′s and 1900′s be like that)), being REALLY bad at war, Rasputin, excessive spending and wealth, a little spice of police brutality and a few massacres as well as aggressive heavy-handed tactics against terrorists. Great family man. Bad leader.) 

Anyways fast-forward through the Russian revolution that's a whole can of worms

Now we have a new government. not a better government but a NEW one with vastly different ideas of what they’re going to do. 

Another sidetrack, lets talk about Communist Theory for a sec. I’m going to go into Karl Marx’s original intention as Russian Communism is actually a twice bastardized idea of Communist (Lenin developed his theory of communism from people like Georgi Plekhanov and  Nikola Chernechevskey’s book What Is To Be Done?  who were also putting their own spin on Marxism) 

ANYWAYS. The basic idea of of Karl Marx’s Communist theory is that society will eventually, over the course of hundreds or thousands of years, develop through capitalism and unto a utopian world where we have no need for things live government or taxes or money. The concept here being over hundreds or thousands of years and NATURALLY.

The Bolsheviks (Led by Lenin) Looked at that and said mmmm no lets do it in like twenty years. 

it’s 1921 and Lenins NEW ECONOMIC POLICY (fondly nicknamed NEP) enters STAGE LEFT (get it) 

The basic idea of NEP was to blend capitalist (i.e a private market) with communist ideals (i. e. no market) and Fast-Track us to glorious utopian communism in not a few hundred years but in a few years! 

sounds doable right? 

the basic idea of NEP was that there would be limited private property that would ultimately be mostly owned by people that Lenin approved of (allies, benefactors, heroes of the glorious revolution for mother Russia and so on) There were things called prodravzyorstka  which was forced grain requisitions by the communist party for the good of the people  basically soldiers would come in and take most of the famers grain and left them to starve. There was also an imposed a tax on farmers that could be paid in -you guessed it!- more grain! NEP abolished that and instead allowed for a cash payout the harder that farmers worked. Productivity went up like 40% in the years following! Pretty great!!

It also incentivized and supported the formation of unions (they were communists remember, those bitches love unions) All in all it was....pretty decent? It wasn’t exactly communist as essentially it was just tax returns or the government buying grain from peasants rather than the peasants having to sell the grain themselves. Pretty great right! 

But it created an imbalance. Again, that Russia wanted to do was industrialized! they wanted to become modern but they didn't want to follow the way any other country did it and they wanted to do it in a fraction of the time! As the government and the ECONOMY began relying on the small farms for grains and vegetables and resources, the big factories and institutions that were privately owned were STRUGGLING!  as a result, they had to raise their prices to try to pay for themselves. But now those same farmers couldn't afford the industrial things they needed! like equipment for their farm tools and tractors or household goods. So now they have to raise THEIR food prices in response. It was a great way to inflate the economy after WII and the revolution. But obviously we all know where this is going. 

And then Boom. Lenin dies. The man had one too many strokes and croaks out in his country home without a successor named. The government is in chaos. Nobody knows what to do. Shortly before his death lenin wrote a (frankly quite funny) letter saying all his successors were fucking idiots and he hated them all.

In steps Stalin. If you think Lenin was bad...Stalin is a fucking bastard. The guy is even MORE antisemetic, brutal, corrupt, mysogynistic and RACIST. The man really hated the chinese. he also hated Georgians (the country not the state) which is pretty funny because he was Georgian. 

Anyways, he abolishes NEP and implements something called the Five Year Plan (NEP 2 for the jokesters out there) 

Stalin shifts the focus away from boosting agricultural development and focuses on rapid industrialiation in, you guessed it, FIVE YEARS. The stats on this plan are fucking insane man get this:

Staling wanted an 111% increase in coal production, 200% increase in iron production and 335% increase in electric power!!! in FIVE YEARS. 

(he also eliminated a class of people called “kulaks” which were richer farmers by turning the poor farmers against them. By elimate I mean they were murdered and their property distributed amongst the poorer farmers.)

I could go on and on about all the ways this failed, all the brutality, unethical and unsafe work enviroments, the continued programs, the amoutn of people who were murdered, the prison(slave) labor used, the rounding up and mass murder of anyone who spoke out against Stalin, the Five Year Plan or the russian government. This is really where the Soviet Union as we know it as westerners got its reputation. 

Also he caused TWO famines because he made all the farmers move into the city to be industry workers so they ddint have any food and didnt accept help from the Red Cross or other countries because MUHHH MOTHERLAND

but you know what it kiiinda worked? Capital increase was almost 160%, consumer goods increased by 87% and total output was up almost 120%!

But also it caused one of the worst famines in the western world with an estimated 6million (some people argue as many as 10million. We will never know the true number because it was mostly peasants and ethnic people suffering) people dying across the entire Soviet Union. Poeple were dying out on the streets in broad daylight, people were selling their dead children to be food. You can see pictures if you google it but they’re very graphic.

Generally, the Five-Year-Plan was lauded as a massive failure and a hotbed of absolutely disgusting human abuse and cruelty. And you knwow what Stalin said? He said nah it went well and implemented about FIVE MORE (theres been twelve in all but they exent up into the early 90′s) I wont touch on them as they were all pretty much iterations of Stalins original one and they all sucked.

Basically Russian Socioeconomic Policy is a hotbed of bad decisions, human rights violations and a LOT of interpersonal drama that i do not have the time to get into. (like the fucking DRAMA between Stalin and Nadezhda Krupskaya (lenins wife))

theres also a LOT more to it I just tried to condense like 40 years into one post so please feel free to go out and research your own! I used Peter Kenez’ “A History of the Soviet Union From the Beginning to its Legacy” while in class. It’s a little dry but effective 

theres also this book by my professor who is a DELIGHT https://www.amazon.com/Red-Arctic-Exploration-Soviet-1932-1939/dp/0195114361 and while I havent read it im sure its told with the same humor and zeal that he conducted his lectures 

also this bOOK THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE is SUCH a good read!

https://www.amazon.com/Vasily-Grossman-Soviet-Century-Alexandra-ebook/dp/B07P9HJMLM/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=the+soviet+century&qid=1589727805&sr=8-4 if you read any of them read this one! it examines the entire rise and fall of the communist party through the story of Grossman who was a jewish-russian writer and pretty famous in his own right though he died penniless and scorned. He’s got a couple movies based off his books out there two which were shelved for criticizing the party for decades! please read it i beg you

[mobpsycho100-headcanons]

(Your links blended so well with the bg i thought you turned it off!) Thank you for making this a thing! Now then...how about some general Reigen HCs?

I should also warn you that I am not an english-speaking user, so my english may be clumsy…very. I work with a translator.

To be honest, I was always a bit difficult to write headcanons it is about the personality of the character (if that’s what you mean by :D), but I will try and I hope it will not disappoint. So, I will divide the headcannons into groups, affecting every area of his life. (except for his past)

If this is not what you wanted, then please forgive me and say more specifically what you want to see, thank you :з

Everyday life

Reigen has settled into his office so much that his apartment does not seem so cozy. He’s sitting in the office, delayed until late in the evening, so he is rarely at home.

On weekends, he sleeps much longer than planned. So, every time he plans a morning run - it’s canceled.

Although Reigen is a fan of surfing the Internet, on weekends, especially in good weather, he doesn’t mind walking around the city through a couple of blooming parks.Perhaps walking inspires him much more than you might think. According to his mood, he can listen to music, but most often he listens to the sounds of nature and watches people.

He definitely has a small box at home with things that are dear to him. I think Reigen likes to remember all the things that happened to him earlier and from time to time he looks through his collection of memorabilia.

Have you seen how much he loves dogs? This boy is a real miracle. If he had a bigger apartment, he would have one or even two dogs. What is the probability that he will not stroke every dog he meets on his way? It’s too cute.

Career

Reigen takes his career very seriously. He found himself in this, so he tries to help people, make the world a little better. In his desire to help, he is ready to go even to self-sacrifice, if it’s able to reach this point.

The client is always right. And that’s what he’s really trying to stick to. It doesn’t bother him at all. It has its own, sometimes even quite…specific ways of serving. But, even if a little fraudulently, he will do everything in his power to make the client happy.

Constantly he looking ideas for business development. He is ready to try anything that can bring him more customers, and therefore more money. Reigen never sits idly by, absolutely everywhere promotes it’s advertising, tries itself in other areas, again, for the sake of advertising. In this regard, it will go to the last. And he will try even when his business is on the verge of bankruptcy (which is unlikely, but still).

He is always happy to make new connections and don’t refuse to accept help. Reigen knows how to help and get help in return. If meeting a new person is inevitable, it will not turn him away, on the contrary, he see opportunities. This is the person who, if desired, will get a large number of friends who will sincerely respect him and support him in everything.

Long business trips brighten up his routine and gray everyday life. He will never say that his work is boring or a burden to him. This is what helps to see the world, makes his life more saturated. Each of his business trips is an adventure that allows him to learn something new, improve his skills, meet new people and get closer to his friends.

Personality

Sedentary lifestyle + junk food. Absolutely, Reigen isn’t a fan of sports, and harmful, delicious and fast food is his favorite. Not only in the office, but also at home. He can buy various harmful things at a nearby store and eat them all day long. Instant noodles for breakfast (or rather, lunch)? Yes. Chips for an appetizer? Yes. Wash it all down with soda? No problems. Health? No.

He is very economical man. Reigen knows what it’s like to live on a minimum budget. And he understands that making money isn’t an easy task. He doesn’t leave a tip once again, saves on bills, buys products at a discount in the store, sometimes he even finds ways not to pay. All for the sake of economy.

Knowing about his love for the classic music and the desire for perfection, he is able to achieve much more, but perhaps just doesn’t realize it? Or maybe he is aware, but something is holding him back. He managed to open a business quite easily, promote himself on the Internet, and even reached popularity. This person has the makings of a leader, he is easy to communicate, is able to manage his emotions.  Then why? Perhaps he doesn’t understand it himself.

Mood swings. In the company of someone, especially his friends, he is always active, friendly and tries to seem higher in all ways. He’s smarter, he’s more capable, but you’re good too. “I will help you become even better,” is exactly what he say. He sees right through a person. Reigen can even tell  what to do a particular person: what hobby will suit him most, how he looks better, what character traits prevent him from becoming happy. In a way, he could be a good psychotherapist. However, he can’t understand himself at all. It seems that he knows what he needs, but at the same time believes that this is not enough and continues to rush from one to another. This can make him depressed. And when he’s alone, he’s too thoughtful.

He is quite popular with the opposite gender, but relationships are not what he puts first. Yes, he can go on dates (and sometimes run away), find an approach to any girl, even charm. But a serious relationship is not what he needs in the foreseeable future. It is likely that he will think about a serious relationship only after a long communication, perhaps even through friendship. He needs to get to know the person very well and this is a fact.

[codyfernmorelikedaddyfern]

Killer Queen - Duncan x Royal fem!reader // Part One

Of course, this is just fiction, the titles I have picked is not accurate and a handful of things will not be accurate either but it’s all good because we get Duncan content, innit?

Read it all here.

Description: Annette Shepherd brings her son on a political meeting with Prince Charles and his three children. When Duncan meets (Y/N), they both realise that their drive to please their respective families could take them towards the same path.

Warning: Not everything is accurate, once again. Mention of manipulation and people being scheming bastards but that’s about it.

Word Count: 2002

The slow clicking of her heels reverberated through the long halls. Being late sucked but a Lady was never allowed to show her bother in the presence of her guests. The hushed conversations past the door she was carrying herself towards made the worry slowly stir in her stomach. Clicking the heels and straightening up in presence of the woman, one of the guards opened the large white door, exposing the Lady to the attendance of the room. The welcoming smile of her father helped her nerves settles ever so slightly while a loud booming voice erupted from the guard.

“Her Grace, the Duchess of Kent”. (Y/N)’s steps rang again while she moved further in the room, joining her father and older brothers. Duncan felt a small tug on the sleeve of the khaki coat he was wearing, his mother reminding him of the protocol. His waist folded in a bow while Annette gave the obligatory curtesy.

“Mrs. Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd, this is my youngest daughter” Charles announced while motioning to his child who brought her hand forward to the older woman for a handshake. Her shoulders twisted lightly to meet the blue gaze of Duncan. Her palm launched forwards once more and he reciprocated the gentle handshake. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Grace” he barely whispered as their hands untied and he crossed his arms behind his back again.

She stood straight, proud and as tall as she could, her hair neatly pulled up in a regal looking half up- half down do. Despite the pressure that was pumping through her veins to be meeting the powerful Shepherd matriarch, her composure remained still and gentle. On her best behaviour, just like her father had asked of her.

 Harry threw a look at his little sister while she spoke gently. “The pleasure is mine, Mister Shepherd” she pushed a warm smile to her lips. William invited their guests to gather around the small coffee table where tea was being served. (Y/N) did not waste any time and she gently sat down on one of the largest sofas, Harry joining her soon after. When her brother leaned over and whispered a “slept in today?” to tease his younger sibling, she couldn’t help but giggle.

The words of Duncan mother resonated in his mind once again. “Duncan, I know you don’t want to do this, but if we manage to put the Windsor’s in our pocket, we’ll be able be a step ahead from Claire” Annette had spoken on the flight to England. His reaction was calculated.

He would take the Duchess of Kent on a couple of public appearances after meeting the royal family. Madame the President would be frightened once words of the Shepherd’s son had been seen publicly with Royalty and hopefully, his mother could turn the tables and flip the game to her advantage. He would play a large part in this game and the idea that Annette was relying on him and him only to take the lead made his chest puff up with pride.

 Grabbing the delicate cup of tea that was displayed on the table, she poured in her usual could of milk and swayed her spoon back and forth to evenly mix the hot drink. The usual boring conversation ensued between Charles and Annette while hushed whispers were exchanged between the siblings. Economy, education, political engagement. Duncan simply sat and listened, not failing to notice the numerous sighs leaving the chest of the young woman sitting across from him and the slights glances she would throw in his direction.

With a loud ring, the large clock struck 12:00. Placing her cup gently on the table, the youngest royal gently spoke once more. “My apologies, but I must retire” she explained before standing up, Annette and Duncan carefully mirroring her. “Oh, (Y/N), why don’t you take Mr Shepherd around while you tend to the Stables” her father suggested.

All eyes were on her.

Her family was expecting great things for her too and a royal engagement was one of those things therefore they would involuntarily throw her into which ever men’s arms nearing her age that would offer a good enough application. And Mr Shepherd was a great candidate.

“That would be my pleasure, dad” she smiled, trying to plaster her warmest welcoming expression on her delicate features, causing everyone in the room to release the sigh they were holding, the tension suddenly dissipating. She gingerly offered her hand to Annette, who shook it lightly with another curtsy, and then she walked towards the heavy set of doors she had walked in through earlier that day, her newly found pretender in tow.

 Her feet were gently carrying her through the halls. Taking the advices of her father, she took them through a detour, parading through the corridors with her hands intertwined in front of her, his linked behind his back. She would introduce any pieces of art he would stop in front of and explain certain things about it and he would politely nod and comment on his feigned interests.

Approaching the large door in at the end of the aisle, she gingerly went to reach for the handle before being interrupted by Duncan’s large hand as he pushed it open for her. “Oh, thank you” her voice was gentle and she quickly exited the palace, strolling her way towards the beautiful garden with the company of the American.

 “So, what is it exactly that you do, Mr Shepherd, she broke the silence.

- Well, your Grace, I guess you could say I work for my mother. And please, call me Duncan, he simply answered with his best attempt at a sincere smile.

-I think you know exactly what I meant, Mr Shepherd. Why are you here, her voice emphasised on the ‘you’.

- I’m not entirely sure, to be perfectly honest, your Grace. My mother thought appropriate for me to come on this political visit and as a Shepherd, we are acting as a solid unity to help out community. So here I am, ma’am.

- And what is the purpose of this visit, if you do not mind me asking?

-My mother believes that unifying our agendas would only help better the relationship between America and England, you Grace.

- You seem to be a very capable young man, Mr Shepherd. We seem to be around the same age and I know a capable man when I see one. You should start thinking on your own accord.”

 It seemed as though she could find a comeback to everything he would say to her. As if she was prepared. As if she had done this before. But she did many times already. As she entered the stables, her games of witty remarks and well time comebacks stopped. Delicately discarding her heels for a pair of wellington boots, it somewhat clung to his mind. What a small and pretty little thing she was, with her dainty little hands and feet and her well thought wits. Probably as driven as he was too and that thought excited him.

Her eyes darted to his polished shoes and tailors trousers, a smirk pricking her lips. “I hope you do not mind getting your feet wet, Mr Shepherd” she gently teased while she guided him through the dirty stables, his hands growing more and more clammy. He was nowhere near his expertise field. He was good with people and socialisation, attentive and manipulative at the same time. Animals? He was out of his depth.

“Looks like you have never been around a horse, am I wrong?” she commented at his uncomfortable stance. Duncan shook his head while a giggle escaped the throat of the Royal. The stables was empty of the usual staff so she did not bother keeping her composure when he walked a little bit too close to one of the fussiest horses, causing the animal to neigh and buck it’s hooves against the thick wooden door.

Duncan jerked back with a loud scream, madly clutching his chest, his other hand stabilizing him on his knee. She laughed and it somewhat pained him. He did not have the upper hand and it destabilizes him. The brunette straightened himself once his heartbeat slowed and when he looked up from the floor, (Y/N) was standing by the door. Her hand reached to Duncan and he linked his palm with hers. “She can smell the fear on you, you should relax” she somewhat whispered while she pulled him closer, a soothing hand on his shoulder.

 Gently clicking her tongue to the horse to get its attention, she pulled a bag of carrot sticks from the coat pocket. What a strange girl, he thought. Did she have that all along? He shook the thought away as she pulled his palm up, pushed his fingers flat together and placed a couple of treats in the crook of his hand. (Y/N) slowly guided his arm closer to the mare, keeping a close look at the man. His arm tensed up when the sliming mouth of the horse touched his hand to chew on the carrot.

“Well, that wasn’t so bad was it” she teased once more, her hand breaking the contact with his to gently stroke the head of the mare. Duncan went to mirror her gesture only to bump into her palm. He quickly took a step back and bowed his head respectfully. “My apologies, your grace” he said truthfully, aware that he had somewhat broken the protocol. “Please, Duncan, call me (Y/N)” her voice invited him in the same tone he had used earlier, offering him a warm smile. “I am not my father and I am also not too keen on the protocol either so don’t sweat it.”

Duncan nodded still, regrouping his hands behind his back again, slowly working towards finding an animal that would look more “friendly” than the dark horse that had startled him. He stopped in front of a sweet looking cream horse. “This is Chip, she was my girl” (Y/N) spoke as he approached the calm and beautiful horse. She then pointed at the stall right next to it “And this it Dale, she was my brother’s horse. They are twins” she explained, handing the open bag of treats to her guest who rewarded her with a curious look.

He picked a couple of batons, looking up at the horse. “Be gentle, just like with a woman” she flatly said as she walked to Dale to offer her tender strokes and treats. If he had been drinking, he was sure the liquid would have been coughed up through his nose at the remark. Silence grew between the two figures. Duncan was much too awkward to talk and (Y/N) was too busy praising the gentle mare she was stroking.

 He watched her closely, trying to replicate her moves and she threw him a new look. Letting her feet carry her to him, she leaned against the wall and looked up at him. “Let’s cut this little game short, shall we” her voice surprised him and he shifted his body language to make himself look more comfortable than he actually was. “While I do enjoy your company and lack of a backbone, I am failing to understand what exactly is bringing you here.”

Duncan’s body jolted back slightly in surprise, unsure on whether he should feel hurt or complimented. “To be perfectly honest, Duncan, if you have made all of this way for some sort of courtship, I am rather disappointed to say that you are currently failing”. The sound of her voice had barely changed. She was still calm and collected. “Disappointed?” he echoed, his eyebrow now raised. “I thought I was doing rather well, you are breaking my heart, Your Highness.”

(Y/N) smiled faintly, crossing her arms to emphasise how comfortable she was with having this conversation. “I’m sure we can find some mutual ground to make both of our families really happy, Mr Shepherd”.

[mi6011molliedriscoll]

The Future We Choose- Chapter Three Notes

- Set in 2050.

- Emmissions halved every decade since 2020

- Trees planted throughout cities.

-Madrid- pourus materials on floors for rain water, black roofs painted white, more plants. Plants reduce noise pollution, insulated walls, provided shade and released water vapour into air. 

- Lower temp in cities raised standards of living

- Electric railways replacing domestic flights. No trainingn tickets- it tracks your location and deducts price from bank accordingly (weird lol)

- No more burning fossil fuel, some nuclear energy, but most energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, geothermal and hydro.

- All homes and buildings provide their own electricity- all surfaces covered in solar paint. All windy spots have wind turbines. All collect rainwater and manage own water use

- Any unused electricity from this goes back into ‘smart grid’

- AI units switch off appliances when not in use.

- Lead to improved sanitation, education and health care

- Clean drinking water can be produced on demand anywhere in world

- Most food bought from local farmers as a community and this food is shared between them.

- More people growing their own food.

- Animal protein and dairy products almost completely gone from diets

- Taxes on processed meat, sugars and fatty foods helped decrease carbon emissions

-Reduced cancers, heart attacks and strokes = health care costs less

- No more petrol and diesel cars only electric

- Drones deliver stuff instead of delivery vans

-Biofuel replaced jet fuel

- Still having to deal with the effects of all of the greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere from before all of the change- but to a lesser extent than if we had continued. Extreme weather still ongoing, sea levels rising, droughts.

-Economies in developing nations strong - global coalitions formed

- New technologies created to help aid refugees build shelters and access to clean water. 

Linking materials 

I found this mini documentary on Vimeo and it really reminded me of this chapter i read. A lot of the ideas are very similar and it was really helpful to be able to see the visuals. 

- The robot farms they talk about grow food for you and your neighbours just like in the book food is grown by local farmers for you and your community- very similar principle of communities coming together and sharing grown resources.

- The City Kits in the video reminded me of the part of the book that talks about improvements in technology to help out refugees. In particular the part about building homes and shelters for refugees very quickly. In the video this is on a much larger scale of building entire cities in a matter of weeks however i thought it was a very similar concept. 

[dgcatanisiri]

I don’t know if I make it clear or not when I’m ranting, so for the sake of clarity, I just want to be clear on this.

I am 100% aware that often times, the queer content that we GET is the best that the creators involved can manage. That there are people hovering over the shoulders of every content creator of any major and mainstream production that is even trying to offer queer content and going “but does it HAVE to be that obvious? We have a bottom line to think about.”

I’m gonna take a common punching bag around here - considering the fact that fans had to demand that it be patched to allow gay male players to have equal content to all other pairings, and that there was a fight to keep the lesbian character a lesbian and not a bisexual option, I’m willing to believe that Gil’s story in Mass Effect Andromeda was a wound of triage - his story is so bad, his content so inconsequential to the overall narrative, because at least that allowed them to keep him in the game, or keep Suvi as a lesbian. He becomes bad representation, because the alternative is no representation.

As much as I argue for all bi LIs in BioWare games (in all games, truly), I at least understand where they’re coming from in saying that they want to have representation even if they’re disappointing people who aren’t happy with their choices. It’s not the argument I believe in, obviously, but I do get where it comes from.

It’s why I try to avoid actually targeting writers on the matter - even when it comes to Dorian, a character I’m highly critical of, I focus on the WRITING, not the WRITER (it’s a subtle distinction, I suppose, but it is there). And I’ll often just say “BioWare” instead of naming any singular writer on the subject - even when the head of the project is queer, even if they populate the people working on it (”it” in this context being any creative endeavor, we’re moving beyond BioWare in specific here), with queer people, the ones who hold the pursestrings, who finance things and make the final decisions on how much they’re willing to support them... They’re the ones going “but no, don’t do that!”

It’s a great idea to have a cast full of queer, where no one is straight. Actually GETTING that, though, is virtually impossible, ESPECIALLY if you’re just trying to establish yourself, but even when you’re a major name. Because yeah, you might be able to throw some weight around and argue in favor of things, but you’re still going to hit the wall. And you need to know when you’re going to hit the limit - when to pick your battles, give here today so you can fight there tomorrow.

I recognize that sometimes, the best they really can give is what comes off as half-hearted, barely there, blink and you’ll miss it, because it came down to that or nothing, and they wanted to at least TRY - maybe they could be the stepping stone that led to more.

I mean, I think that’s part of the reason why I honestly just took the Voltron thing in stride, calling it a net win, both the Adam thing and the fact that Shiro got paired up with a barely there character in the finale. Like I pointed out at the time, Shiro was arguably the main character of the series, and he got to end the show not just marrying another male character, but kissing him on screen, front and center. Additional elements notwithstanding... That was a big deal, not even just in a franchise marketed to kids, but in the action adventure genre as a whole. Gay characters aren’t THE LEAD in this genre. At most, they’re a plucky comic relief sidekick, and they certainly don’t get a front and center kiss. 

And, as I said back at the time, it isn’t a race where there’s one path for the whole queer community, whatever letter of the alphabet soup you identify with. EACH letter has its own path and set of hurdles - it’s why I was kinda irritated with all the “THAT’S how you do it, Voltron” stuff that went around when Adventure Time ended with the Bubblegum/Marceline kiss, because this was their final episode, while Voltron did TRY to have the character out DURING THE COURSE OF THE SERIES, not in the final episode. 

Like... Okay, understand that I’m going to generalize/broad stroke things here for simplicity’s sake, I remember the cheering on Tumblr when Korra ended with Korra and Asami holding hands - Tumblr lost its shit. To me, the reaction to things surrounding the Shiro thing made it come across as Tumblr seeing the equivalent of that Korra/Asami moment, and yet tearing it apart, because, hey, the lesbians had been able to get their foot in the door, isn’t that enough for “the gays”? Shouldn’t that now be the new baseline?

But there’s a difference in “for wlw” and “for mlm,” just as there’s a further difference in “for trans,” “for ace,” “for enby,” for whatever letter or groupings of letters under the queer umbrella you choose. And I’m not saying that it’s any easier for wlw on representation - usually, if lesbians have better “representation” in a given piece of media, it’s less “representation” as it is “fetishization for straight men.” (And let’s not even go near the can of worms that comes from that subject in regards to characters on shows targeted to kids...)

All I’m saying on this is that there is absolutely hurdles still to go for wlw representation, but the hurdles that pass there aren’t automatically passed for any other category under the umbrella. 

And all of it comes down to how willing those always-conservative honchos will respond. Even the best intentioned of them will often come down to the concept “but what if this negatively impacts our profits?” Because you can’t keep producing if you can’t make money with it. Somewhere along the chain, you WILL run into the type of person who wants a justification for queer content, and isn’t satisfied with “because people are queer.” They’ll use any justification THEY can to prevent it, from “there’ll be censorship in major markets” (meaning anything from the global economy to just the midwestern area of the US) to “but we don’t want to make controversy” (and, since Disney still gets away with advertising “the first gay character” in their movies, I sadly see that one...), and whittle down what they’ll allow, then cut it down even further in the editing room after the fact. 

And I recognize that the situation isn’t going to improve at any noticeable rate. No, not even when “the boomers” die off. Not unless we see a MASSIVE structural shift in society (and, for all my hopes of what kind of soul-searching people will do during and because of the quarantine, I’m not about to hold my breath). Mainstream content is, sadly, a kingdom of nepotism. 

So, yeah... I fully understand that, if the representation ends up being bad, odds are, that’s because it got watered down in the name of just being able to make it into the final product. It’s probably at least nine-tenths of why the queer narratives I complain about in my “another angry queer rant” tag end up being repeated, instead of getting new ones, because those are considered the “palatable” queer narratives and perspectives. 

It’s a massively complicated chain of complex push and pull dynamics that no single content creator or piece of media will ever fix. The realistic (and depressing) perspective is that, truthfully, this is all a fight that will outlast all of us, and our descendants for generations, because this is arguing the very power structure.

Like the saying goes, when a group has historically had all the power and privilege, other groups gaining equality feels like losing something. 

[victoriasnowau]

Are Standing Desks Better For Your Health?

Over recent years, it feels like there has been a revolution in the understanding of public health, with the focus falling largely on the health effects of our increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Numerous studies have confirmed that extended periods spent sitting are contributing to a staggering range of serious health problems. Obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers have been linked. And that is before we even start on more minor problems like strain injuries, back pain and postural issues. 

Even if these seem relatively minor in comparison, for the sufferer they can feel very serious indeed. What’s more, they are a major contributing factor in workplace absenteeism, which in turn means they have serious economic effects for the individual, the employer, and the economy as a whole. For all of these reasons, sitting is now considered to be as harmful to public health as smoking. 

Believe it or not, one study into this area found worrying trends as long ago as 1961. Research conducted in the UK found that bus drivers were three times more likely to suffer “sudden death” than conductors, who spent all day on their feet. This study made the first links between a sedentary lifestyle and heart disease. It also found that standing was potentially the answer. However, it wasn’t after the turn of the millennium that doctors began to revisit this area, at which point studies emerged all over the world confirming what we already knew: sedentary lifestyles are killing us. 

The WHO now lists sedentary behaviour as one of the top ten causes of death worldwide, and there is little doubt in the medical community of the risks. However, what is less clear is what we, as individuals, can do to help ourselves. Of course, increasing your physical activity will help. But finding the time in our busy lifestyles isn’t always easy. And with so much of work now office or computer-based, more and more of us are at risk.

That’s why research into sit stand desks has continued apace ever since they hit the market. With the reality being that many of us will remain stuck at our desks for the foreseeable future, the hope has always been that sit stand desks can help us change our behaviour and embrace a more active work life. But can a desk really improve your health?

Can Sit Stand Desks Prevent Obesity and Heart Disease? 

So do standing desks improve health noticeably? Unfortunately, the outcomes of many studies are unclear. Although there is a body of evidence that standing desks can help with back pain and in the fight against obesity, the small sample sizes and short time scale of the research conducted so far has struggled to find conclusive links that they can offset more serious problems. This was summarised in the Cochrane review of 2016, which sought to compile and analyse the data from 34 studies to find meaningful trends. 

However, the study found compelling evidence that installing a sit stand desk increased standing time, and thus decreased sitting time in the work setting. Although there were definitely no adverse effects on health, the quality of evidence available and the sample size made drawing any real conclusions about the long term health benefits impossible. 

A further review by The University Of Pittsburgh arrived at a similar conclusion. Although many studies had been carried out, the fact that nearly all participants were young and healthy made it impossible to draw conclusions, as problems such as heart disease disproportionately affect older workers. 

And there are studies beginning to emerge which do seek to address these issues directly. An economic evaluation carried out by Deakin University perhaps carries the most promise. This study found that standing desks could have huge benefits if they were rolled out to 20% of the Australian workforce. The study also suggested that adopting this policy would reduce absenteeism, boost productivity, and in the long term save billions of dollars in healthcare. 

And whether the benefits are proven conclusively or not, it appears that many key figures in business are not willing to wait for medical advice. Tim Cook of Apple personally revealed that all workers at the company’s new California headquarters had been given standing desks, describing sitting as “the new cancer”.

With larger and more comprehensive studies underway, it appears to an extent the jury is still out on the long term benefits of standing desks. However, the more recent results and studies, as well as the actions of business leaders, suggest that the standing desk will have real benefits in the fight against obesity and related illnesses. 

What is not in doubt is that a more active lifestyle leads to less of these health issues. And the standing desk has been proven to make employees more active, with results showing that on average workers stood for an extra hour than they would have at a normal desk.

So even though the research into the long term effects is as yet inconclusive, all of the signs suggest that standing desks could be invaluable in the fight against obesity, heart disease and related health problems. 

Is It Bad To Stand At Your Desk All Day?

The consensus is that, yes it would be a bad idea to stand and work at your desk all day long. This would be especially true if you’re transitioning from having been sat down all day previously. What is not in doubt is that you will benefit from spending at least part of your day standing. This helps keep the metabolism working, promotes blood flow, and relieves the strain on the muscle groups and joints that especially suffer from sitting all day. Keeping as active as possible, and changing your position often, seems to be the best way of both keeping active and sharing the load across muscle groups and joints. Not to mention the back. 

However, there is little evidence that standing alone helps to burn calories, so using a balance board or anti-fatigue mat can help you keep moving, as well as alleviating any discomfort you might feel from extended periods of time standing. On the more extreme end of the scale, some people even work from a treadmill, so they can keep moving as they work. 

How Long Should You Stand At A Standing Desk?   

Again, the jury is out on this one. Conventional wisdom had suggested that it was best to stand roughly 20 mins of every hour, or a sitting to standing ratio of roughly 3: 1. However, in this article published by The University of Waterloo, it is suggested that the reverse is true! 

The likelihood is that, although there are guidelines to help, how long exactly you need to spend standing probably depends on you. We’ll all have a slightly different experience, so it’s worth remaining aware of how you feel while using your standing desk and planning your own schedule. But even then, you might not need to be so precise. If you have frequent backaches for example, you may find it useful to stand when you can feel pain to relieve the pressure. 

For those adjusting to their standing desk, it is important that you phase it in at first. The reason for this is that your body is used to sitting all day, so asking it to switch to standing even a third of the time could create more problems that it solves. So for the first week, try 5 mins out of every half hour. The next week, 5 of every 25, and then 5 of every 20. Week 4, do 10 mins out of 30, then 10 out of 25, and finally 10 minutes of every 20. This will allow you to adjust, but as importantly, along the way you will probably find the right balance for you. 

Are Standing Desks Worth It?    

Although there is yet to be any clear evidence on the long term health benefits of the standing desk, this is simply because we haven’t been using sit-stand desks for long enough to know. However, numerous studies have indicated that the potential for these desks to improve public health is huge.

What we do know for sure is that our sedentary lifestyles are having a profound effect on our health and wellbeing. So anything we can do to cut down our sitting time and increase the hours a day we are active is a huge positive. And encouraging an active work life by installing standing desks has been shown to work.

Most of us spend over half of our waking lives at work, Monday to Friday at least. So changing our work style seems an obvious place to start to improve our health overall. For anyone concerned with their productivity, and their long term wellbeing, standing desks are well worth it.

source https://desky.com.au/blogs/news/are-standing-desks-better-for-your-health source https://deskyau.tumblr.com/post/627382821517934592

[writ-200-blog]

THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

The 21st century Canadian Human Resource is ethnic diversity of different races, ages, gender, religion and nationalities. The present organizations are combination of different beliefs, ideas, opinions and thoughts. Firms that consider the value and accepts this multiculturalism can reduce clash between employees and culture diversity can have a competitive advantage. Whereas, Cultural diversity is required because our country, schools and offices consist of various groups, and we can grasp from each other culture, values and increase understanding. It makes it easier to eliminate negative stereotypes and strokes between different group of people.

In addition to this, this diversity builds our economy a more attractive place to reside. As the workplace gets more focused in ethnic diversity, you tend to see way more changes in the workplace. As it gets more ethnic diverse, it gets more competitive, as all different people have all different things to offer. As communities continue to grow, it is important to harness the talent of all citizens (Kerby and Bern 3). When companies recruit and retain a diverse pool of people, it brings divers benefits to the company as well as to the employees. Think of the human race as a whole; we are very diverse?” 8 amazing benefits of having cultural diversity in the workplace according to 6Q are: increased productivity, improves creativity, increased profits, improved profits, improved employee engagement, reduced employee turnover, improved company reputation, wider range of skills, improves cultural insights. As ethnic diversity continues to rise, door of opportunities opens for the country. For example, a country wants to expand to other countries to have other countries at their disposal. As there are some are some benefits for the economy, in the workplace, there are also many challenges. Some challenges include, Communication issues, and performance issues. Due to people coming from all around the world, they don’t know the expectations as well as their languages are all different. Despite of the above fact, cultural diversity in workplace is required for overall growth of company as well as economy.

[vikingscareerstrategists-blog]

Career in Investment Banking

A Career in Investment Banking has got everything when it comes to an interesting career: good income, reputation, strength, anxiety, and fear. However, despite continuous success, a Career in Investment Banking doesn’t necessarily merit experience and hard work. It is a journey full of ups and downs, ups, and downs.

So before you decide to embark on the path of becoming a successful investment banker, first you should find out what Investment Banking is all about.

The main function of an Investment Bank is to operate as an intermediary between the companies, which want to raise the money by issuing securities or bonds and individual or institutional investors who can provide money in exchange for securities. Investment bankers handle every aspect of this process. Investment banks profit from charging rates and fees to offer such programs and other forms of financial and market advice. An Investment Bank is a financial institution offering a variety of activities, mainly:

RAISING CAPITAL SECURITY UNDERWRITING

MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

SALES & TRADING

RETAIL & COMMERCIAL BANKING

Subscribe our channel for the latest videos:

https://www.youtube.com/VikingsCareerStrategists

CAREER PATH IN INVESTMENT BANKING:

A Career in Investment Banking has got hiccups; however, it is full of opportunities. By showcasing hard work and talent, one can climb up the ladder of various roles in the career path of Investment Banking as given below:

ANALYST

ASSOCIATE

VICE PRESIDENT

DIRECTOR

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Suggested subjects in 11th and 12th:

To start with a Career in Investment Banking, subjects related to commerce i.e. Accounts, Economics and Mathematics will be very beneficial for potential Investment Bankers. You have to be good with crunching numbers and analyzing market study & trends, which you can start working on right from class 11th and 12th.

Suggested stream for bachelor’s degree:

Further, to pursue a career in Investment Banking, it is important to strengthen your current knowledge and develop stronger concepts in the domain of finance; you should consider getting a degree in the following:

CA (Chartered Accountant): They work for various sectors in the economy, managing all the finances of an entity and providing financial advice. You can do this either right after completing your 12th or after completing your graduation. But you must start by writing the ICAI exam. To know more about the exam, visit this website, icai.org.

Com (Bachelor in Commerce): This makes you learn about debits, credits, the flow of cash and loss and profit margins, total familiarisation of accounting. You can pursue this degree from any of the good colleges, such as SRCC(www.srcc.edu) , LSR(www.lsr.edu.in ), IPU(www.ipu.ac.in) etc.

BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration): This degree gives sound knowledge of the company’s management with finance as the specialization. You can pursue this degree from any good universities, such as NMIMS(nmims.edu ), Christ University(www.christuniversity.in ), etc.

If you are an Undergraduate, you can directly apply in banks to secure an analyst role in investment banking. If you’re doing well and interested in continuing, and there’s a need, some banks offer direct promotions from analyst to partner rather than asking you to go back and get your MBA done.

Suggested Master’s degree:

MBA (Master in Business Administration) in finance specialization helps in total understanding of the Finances, Investments, and Market Share Portfolios.

In recent days, the demand for business analysts in investment banking is also growing rapidly so Masters in Business Analytics with a finance background in graduation can be a good choice too.

If you are an MBA graduate, you can apply in banks for the purpose of landing into a position of Investment Banking Associate and surely aspire to move up the ranks to Managing Director someday.

Further studies:

A career in Investment Banking doesn’t stop here. To reach a senior position in investment banking early, you can opt for certifications, such as CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). CFA is highly beneficial for a person pursuing a career in Investment Banking as it is a globally-recognized professional credential in Financial Management & investment offered by CFA Institute. It is also one of the most desirable designations for investment professionals.

Eligibility: So if you wish to go for a CFA certificate, you can apply only after completing your bachelor’s degree and you must have at least 4 years of experience.

If you are eligible for writing this exam, then you can apply for the exam. The CFA exam has three levels: CFA Level 1, CFA Level 2, and CFA Level 3. These exams are conducted in areas related to Economics, Accounting, Security Analysis, and Money Management.

Besides the CFA Exam, the CFA Institute offers two other programs: 1. CIPM (Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement), which has 2 Levels, & 2. Investment Foundations Program. To gain in-depth knowledge about all the programs, visit the website www.cfainstitute.org.

If you pursue any of these programs, you will gain in-depth knowledge of the investment industry which increases their probability of landing into a high paying job in the top companies given below.

Companies hiring Investment Bankers:

A Career in Investment Banking can be very thrilling when you get to work with the top companies such as:

JP Morgan Chase

Goldman Sachs

Citigroup

HSBC Holdings

Aditya Birla Capital

Skills Required:

Well, to get into such top companies is no stroke of luck. The role of an Investment Banker obliges some skills in a candidate. You should have the following skills to be a successful Investment Banker:

Analytical Skills: Employees should have strong analytical, numerical, and spreadsheet skills.

Team Player: Individuals must possess excellent team leadership and teamwork skills.

Interpersonal Skills: Candidates should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Time and Project Management: Investment bankers must be properly able to manage both time and projects well.

Hard Work: The investment banking role requires a lot of commitment, dedication, and high energy.

Confidence: The job demands individuals to have self-confidence and an ability to make difficult decisions timely, usually while under a deadline.

Various Domains in Investment Banking:

A Career in Investing Banking is not limited to securities only; it has multiple domains:

Investment Banks are intermediaries between a Company that wants to sell new securities and the public, who wants to purchase those securities. And an Organization hires an Investment Bank anytime it needs to sell, say, new bonds to get funds to redeem an older bond, or to pay for an acquisition or new project. The Investment Bank then calculates the worth and expense of the company with a view of pricing, buying, and then selling the bonds.

The scope of the Merger and Acquisition(M&A) consulting services provided by Investment Banks typically applies to various facets of purchasing and selling businesses and assets, such as company valuation, negotiating, pricing and deal structuring, as well as procedure and execution. When Investment Banks counsel a buyer (acquirer) on a possible purchase, they often also help conduct due diligence to reduce risk and exposure to an acquiring company and concentrate on the true financial identity of the target. Due diligence essentially includes the compilation, review, and evaluation of the financial records of the aim, the study of the historical and expected financial results, etc.

Investment bankers advise the companies which stocks to buy, which stocks to invest in, at what time to invest in which instrument, and at what price they can yield maximum profits. They also take care of the placement of securities with investors which also called underwriting. Underwriting is the process by which an underwriter introduces the investing public a new security concern into an offer. The underwriter guarantees a certain price to the company (client), who issues the protection (in exchange for a fee) for a certain number of securities.

Career preparation for investment banker:

It’s necessary to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of accounting. First, under your belt, you should do a good Excel crash course, which will show you the fundamentals of shortcuts, formulas, and functions. Then you should progress with financial modeling classes, which will form the base of your day-to-day IB work.

Future of Industry:

A Career in Investment Banking is expected to stay forever. There would always be a need for investment bankers in the market. The advancement in technology is opening up new possibilities to increase the profitability and efficiency of employees as well. With more and more start-ups coming in and increased competition in the market, Investment Bankers will play an important role in yielding better results.

If you think, you are good with crunching numbers, passionate about mastering the complex accounting and finance skills involved in the role, you look forward to becoming an analyst with intentions of having a positive impact on the company, and have the ability to predict the market trends with reasonable assumptions, seeding the idea of becoming an investment banker might be the right career option for you.

We hope this is going to be helpful if you are planning to pursue a career in investment banking. For more guidance, feel free to connect with us and provide your feedback as well, so that we can also improve in the future.

Checkout our website for more informative blogs: https://vikingscareerstrategists.com/blog/

[budapestbug]

Nostalgy on four wheels - an iconic car of the communism The Trabant was as affordable and modern as cars got for most people in the Eastern communist bloc. It rolled off the production line at VEB Sachsenring in Zwickau until 1990, and now almost 30 years later has become a cult. "How do you double the value of a Trabi?" – "Fill it up!" is one of the jokes in the 1991 film "Go Trabi Go", in which the East German couple Struutz with their daughter Jaqueline make the streets literally unsafe, because her sky-blue Trabant turns out to be a not-so-reliable companion thanks to its several breakdowns. Finally, they manage to drive it to Italy. Back in the days, the Trabant divided minds: in the West it was condescendingly laughed at, while for the ordinary people in the East the cheap car was a blessing. Its owners had a kind of love-hate relationship with the Trabi, while truck and bus drivers and others only poked fun at the "cardboard car" because it was loud and uncomfortable. Every second car in the excommunist countries was a Trabant, and the vehicle has come to represent the former bloc like no other commodity. Driving a Trabant is not difficult but when one is hired it still requires a short introduction to the technology before setting out. Unlike modern cars, the Trabi does not have power steering, so requires a little muscle. At 600 kilograms, it is considered a lightweight among automobiles. This is mainly due to its material, duroplastic glued to a metal frame. With its two-stroke engine and four-speed gearbox, the car reaches a top speed of around 100 kilometres an hour. The brake acts directly on the rear tyres, which makes driving it a mechanical matter between man and machine. The Trabant was easy and cheap to produce, which corresponded to the ideas of the socialist era economy. At its height, some 2.9 million were on East German roads. Due to the shortage of production, there was a waiting list of up to ten years for a "luxury" Trabant. One person was allowed to order one vehicle. Most people over the age of 18 went on the list. Spare parts were hoarded, not just in case of beating a shortage when needed but also as a possible barter for other goods. In summer 1989, shortly before the fall of the Iron Curtain, thousands of German Democratic Republic citizens left for Hungary and a refugee camp was built in Zugliget. Hardly anyone dared to talk about their plans for fear of secret service spies. Eventually about 150 refugees in 50 Trabants left for the pan-European picnic on the Austrian border, without any certainty about the future. They all left their beloved Trabis and Wartburgs on the Hungarian side and exchanged them for the new freedom. With the fall of the Wall in 1989, a long caravan of Trabants drove west across the border points of East Germany. Go Trabi, just Go!

[elliegratrick-blog]

(Don't you, forget) About me

I’d introduce myself as Ellie Gratrick, although that would be a lie. My Sunday name, as my mother says, is Eleanor but I’ve honestly hated it since becoming conscious around 3 or 4.  Don't get me started about some of the misspellings of Gratrick! (Gay-trick is my personal favourite).

I am a worrier. I think it’s something that comes with this ability to create, an anxiety that nothing is good enough. My brain is like the underground at rush hour, so many thoughts are packed in there and keep piling in and overfilling creating so much noise, sometimes I wish it would just be an empty carriage. (especially when I’m trying to sleep). It’s a blessing and a curse, I love some of the ideas I come up with but other-times I feel like the shittest person ever. (This isn’t a cry for help!)

What calms me as well is visiting galleries. At home, in Wakefield (nr Leeds, people are never sure) we are lucky to have a lot of galleries nearby. The Hepworth is one I always enjoy. A exhibition I saw recently was of David Hockey and Alan Davie’s early works. https://hepworthwakefield.org/whats-on/we-two-boys-early-works-by-alan-davie-david-hockney/ . You can feel the energy and vibrancy of the strokes splashing across the canvases. Being from Leeds there are a large number of illustrators working there which I often come across at art fairs and bars and try resist the temptation to buy all their work. I think this is something I could see myself doing to try support myself with my art before becoming fully freelance. Molly Pukes (https://www.instagram.com/mollypukes/?hl=en) does a lot of comics, that often become a visual diary. Working in this way also helps me process my feelings and get them out into the world. Seeing her work in these fairs gives me the motivation that people out there do want it! I’ve found Bobbie Rae (https://www.instagram.com/bearcubs/?hl=en  ) work in an art shop in Leeds, Colour May Vary https://coloursmayvary.com which stocks a lot of independent publications. She  uses her illustrations to spread positivity and affirmations often about self love and accepting yourself using bright colours and squishy non conventional bodies. She applies these to all sorts of media such as clothing, bags, stickers, publications in order to create a plethora of merchandise to sell. I would like to go into something similar putting my work into lots of avenues but still retaining my own personal voice. Another thing I’ve found interesting in the Colours May Vary shop is the array of magazines. I’m often drawn to the Anorak and Dot kids magazine that features bold and bright colours and characters. https://anorakmagazine.com/collections/all . I would be interested in my illustrations being used in an editorial sense like this as it doesn’t seem too restrictive and work I’ve seen is full of energy and life, no holds barred. 

This love of narrative means a lot of the time while drawing I’ll be watching cartoon series or an animated film found. One series I’m watching now is on Cartoon Network called Summer Camp Island. I absolutely love Julia Pott’s character design- http://www.juliapott.com .  Characters, like the monsters, remain mystical but you still empathise as a viewer. I try to bring elements of these animation styles to my own work, creating characters that aren’t bound my reality or form. Her illustrations also retain this same empathy and joy often featuring characters and using humour. 

 I’m also drawn to Studio Ghibli characters for these same qualities. Characters like the Radish spirit in Spirited Away don’t talk but are animated with subtle body language and use of facial expression, which as a viewer mean you still follow the narrative. https://www.studioghibli.com.au/spiritedaway/ . In a lot of my narrative work I try to utilise this lack of text and communicate through the character instead.

As well as animation, 2d illustrations such as graphic novels are fun to read. A few of my favourites right now are Coyote Dog girl http://www.lisahanawalt.com/coyote-doggirl, Pantheon https://nobrow.net/shop/pantheon/? and Retrograde orbit. https://www.waterstones.com/author/kristyna-baczynski/1676440 . Two out of three of these contain quite raw and personal themes of not belonging, loneliness and sexual assault using characters to put these ideas across. I think more personal stories appeal to people as it becomes somewhat relatable even if it is a half dog half coyote girl, there is a sense of empathy created. What I want for my work is this relatability and become more vulnerable with my work, show my feelings since it’s not so easy to express these with words.  I also want to create my own full graphic novel in the future possibly published by Nobrow. I find myself looking at a lot of their books as they seem to represent fresh and unique talent. Hopefully I will have the stability as well to work as a freelancer, maybe in a collective with some of my friends I have made on this course. We’ve talked about making our own clothing collection in the future, I think screenprinting on t-shirts or bags could be really fun!

In light of the economy and how the arts are being treated:

 I hate tories.

The end.