#group project right. statistics. two questions.

[sweet-as-kiwis]

Never before have I turned in negative peer reviews. The time has finally come.

[qqueenofhades]

The 2025 project seems to reflect that the Republican Party is becoming more and more fascism, but it actually reflects the growing number of extreme nationalists, misogynists, and racists among ordinary Americans. US is a democracy, and politicians rely on votes to stay in power. The fact that the Republicans dare to draft such a project shows that they are confident it will gain significant public support. Politicians aren’t fools; they wouldn’t pursue something that only a small group agrees with while the majority opposes it. The global rightward shift is evident, and though I’m not American, my country is also deteriorating in many ways. Why is this happening? Because the economic base determines the superstructure?and in recent years, the global economy has been in decline?

Mmmm, I'm gonna have to challenge you here.

First of all, it's just flatly not true that there's a "growing number of extreme nationalists, misogynists, and racists among ordinary Americans." That movement has become more vocal and visible in post-2016 America, but there's absolutely no evidence -- and indeed, a lot of evidence to the contrary -- that their numbers are growing instead of shrinking. The Republicans got lucky with Trump's win in 2016 thanks to a combination of decades of anti-Hillary smears, extensive Russian interference/psyops, the anti-democratic Electoral College, and general misplaced complacence that he was never going to win and people didn't need to bother voting for two disliked candidates. They've flatly lost every competitive nationwide election since then -- 2018, 2020, 2022, and very probably 2024. In between, their hand-picked Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade (guaranteeing the right to an abortion in all 50 states) and set off a titanic tidal wave of voter support for abortion rights, even in very dark red states like Kansas and Kentucky (which are not liberal by any stretch of the word). In fact, the Republicans' (flatly false) excuse that they just wanted to "return [abortion rights to the states]" has been unveiled as another lie due to their desperate attempts in this election cycle to ratfuck voter-approved abortion questions off the ballot in Arkansas, Missouri, Florida, and elsewhere. This is a badly losing issue for them, even in deep red states, and they don't want people to vote on it, because they hate democracy. We'll get to that.

Likewise, polls of "culture war" issues like LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, immigrants' rights, etc., consistently get much more support among ordinary Americans than not. The ordinary public is becoming more liberal, not less, even in the face of constant aggressive and reactionary attempts to undo the sum total of social and civil rights movements from the 20th century. Republicans' views are getting less popular, not more, and this is also driven by the ongoing demographic change in America. Within a generation or two, whites may be in the statistical minority, and that deeply terrifies people whose entire political and social identity is built on ethnostate white supremacism. The reason Republicans are getting so extreme and antidemocratic now is because the electorate is getting younger and younger, more diverse, more accepting, and less tolerant of their age-old bullshit. As such, there is a very visible window of time outside which the Republicans will not be able to win competitive nationwide elections, even despite all the advantages they're building into the system and have always had. That terrifies them. It is also why they have decided to destroy democracy.

Which leads us into your next assertion that "US is a democracy, and politicians rely on votes to stay in power. The fact that the Republicans dare to draft such a project shows that they are confident it will gain significant public support. Politicians aren’t fools; they wouldn’t pursue something that only a small group agrees with while the majority opposes it." Yes, maybe, in some exceedingly generic logic that doesn't take any account of the actual situation in the US and the fact that the Republicans have made their hatred for democratic free and fair elections very, very clear. This is why Trump pushed the "election fraud" Big Lie in 2020 and sent a mob to attack the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of Biden's win. This is why states controlled by Republicans have frantically enacted as many voter suppression and voter-removal laws as possible and conducted constant purges to get voters (especially the mysteriously missing 1 million Democrats in Florida) off the rolls. This is why they talk approvingly about Trump being "a dictator on day one." This is why they have pursued a decades-long strategy to capture the federal judiciary (by installing extreme right-wing hacks to the bench and then funneling extreme-right legislation into their courts to get a favorable ruling and/or send it to the extreme-right Supreme Court). And on, and on, and on. The Republicans are explicitly aware that their ideas cannot win in a free and fair election, because their ideas are terrible, and as such have been taking massive, ongoing, and coordinated efforts to disenfranchise American voters, expose them to lakes of sordid Russian propaganda/psyops in favor of Trump, double down on the xenophobia and white nationalism to stoke Fear Of The Other, and everything else they possibly can to prevent voters from voting for their opponents. They hate democracy and they are not counting on democratic methods to implement Project 2025. They intend to do it by secretive oligarch methods funded by right-wing billionaire dark money and their Russian friends. That's the whole point.

Indeed, you can see that in the fact that as soon as Project 2025 became widely known and therefore widely hated, the Republicans were thrown into a panicked fluster of disavowing it and insisting that Trump didn't actually know about it (which is a lie, but that's all the day). Because it is electoral kryptonite, they are trying every single method they can to lie to voters long enough to get into power and do it anyway. Authoritarians can often come to power through democratic elections, but once there, they do their utmost to degrade, erode, or otherwise destroy the institutional safeguards that prevent them from keeping power forever. Trump is a literally textbook example of this and he has made his intentions very clear. He flat-out told a group of Republicans at an event earlier this year that "we'll fix it so you won't have to vote again." He already tried a coup and somehow the Republicans nominated him again, because of the deep corruption of the party on every level, but the Republicans are not doing Project 2025 because they think it will organically generate popular support (and they know it doesn't.) It's a blueprint for a tiny group of extreme right-wing theocrats and fascists to get their way regardless of what the broader public says about it, and represents the culmination of decades of far-right power-play strategies related to exploiting economic, racial, social, and cultural grievances. They're doing this now in order to lock in their power before long-term demographic changes make it impossible for them to win another democratic American election. So their solution is to get rid of democratic American elections, the end. This is explicitly a project for permanent minority rule. They know that and that's what's driving their strategic choices here.

As such, essentially saying that the Republicans aren't really fascist, and/or the real problem and/or are just giving an increasingly fascist American population what they want, removes any moral responsibility for their deliberate choices and legitimizes the populist claim to be acting "for the people" instead of a corrupt institutional system. Everyone knows the many, MANY problems with American politics and government; we don't need to go through them again. But even if they were "just giving the people what they want," which as noted above they're not, it still wouldn't make it okay or defensible. To use the obvious example, just because Hitler was popular and democratically elected in 1933 doesn't make what he did right, and the social forces that propelled him to power weren't just a passive "reflection" of The People's Will but were shaped by the larger fascist-curious interwar 1930s. In fact, America also had a burgeoning fascist movement in the 1930s, driven by WWI and Great Depression fallout, but Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal explicitly created extensive government mechanisms to support society, provide new jobs and welfare, and other integrative and restorative economic methods. This crucial difference in approaches -- the New Deal vs. the Nazis -- is why America remained democratic despite the challenges and Germany fell into autocratic genocidal fascism.

This is because populism and dissatisfaction with democracy rises when people feel that the government is not listening to them, is not responsive to their needs, is ignoring them, or otherwise not doing what they want. It is driven by multiple factors, primarily but not only economic, and it is stoked by powerful interest groups who have a vested interest in using the fissures to discredit democratic governments and movements. It is also by no means limited to America, as you note at the end. Think of the decades-long campaign by the British media against the EU, driven by British isolationism and exceptionalism and a sense that the petty bureaucrats in Brussels had no right to be telling the almighty British Empire what to do. This created and stoked existing social grievances which were often domestically caused (since as Margaret Thatcher destroying the British social-welfare state in the 1980s) and turned that grievance against an external opponent who was easier to blame. As such, as we know, it led to the country voting for Brexit in 2016 despite what a whopping, overwhelming, incredible own goal that was and continues to be for the UK, especially economically and socially. It was obviously dependent on many contextual factors from British history, politics, and culture, and there were certainly many people who actually thought it was the right thing to do (and not just about racism, which uh, hmmm), but it's very difficult to think that this organically or naturally came about without a direct and extensive popular-pressure campaign designed to do just that.

People often vote against their own interests because they have been convinced that democracy is corrupt or ineffective or "just as bad" as authoritarianism, which allows illiberal populists to rise to power. These populists often use racial, religious, or cultural grievances, especially against perceived "outsiders," to artificially stoke existing prejudice and justify crackdowns and/or consolidations of their own personal power and destruction of institutional systems and safeguards meant to stop them from doing that. That's how we got Erdogan in Turkey, Bolsonaro in Brazil, Orban in Hungary, and Trump in the US. Other authoritarian movements around the world are also driven implicitly or explicitly by the massive autocratic and antidemocratic global influence disinformation machine headed by Putin in Russia. As such, it's not accurate to insist that this just represents a simple passive "rightward shift" among the global population overall. It is happening because it has been designed and manipulated and pressed into happening. It can still be electorally resisted, which is also the most effective strategy for removing authoritarians, but if we fail to vote out Trump once and for all in 2024, it will be MUCH harder and much more deadly.

Overall, to simplistically claim that the Republican party is just giving the increasingly fascist Americans what they want and expect it to derive broad popular support is, as I have demonstrated above, a diametrically backward conception of the problem. The Republicans are deliberately and increasingly fascist because they realize that very soon, if allowed to continue operating in its accustomed fashion, the American democratic system and American public opinion is going to make them obsolete. They're racing the clock to cement permanent super-minority rule, and to change the rules overall, before America's shifting demographic composition and ideological mindset locks them out. That is why they are throwing so much misinformation, fearmongering, lies, Russian propaganda, and everything else that they can think of at this election, to get Trump and loyal Project 2025 footsoldier Vance into the door before the door slams shut for a long time. That is why this election is so fucking existentially important and why it is so crucial to accurately conceptualize and describe the problem, what it is, and how to respond to it. As such, while I otherwise don't do this much anymore because I no longer have the desire to argue with the people who are likewise brainwashed in the opposite direction and insist it's a Pure Leftist Moral Duty not to vote against fascist authoritarianism (as, uh, also happened with the fragmented and infighting German left-wing opposition in 1932 and good thing nothing bad happened next):

The end.

[ramspatula]

Carnations | Cole Brookstone x fem!reader | Part 8

Ghosts are real.

Previous part, Masterlist, Next Part

“Winter is coming.” Kai sighed as he looked to the sky and felt the breeze. It was cold but it was also the end of autumn.

“Alright, Jon Snow.” Jay scoffed.

“Sit down before you hurt yourself.” Cole added and Kai sat down in shame.

“Why can’t we go back to the monastery?” Peach asked and they all looked at each other with frowns.

“That makes so much more sense.” Jay said.

“The monks are there to protect them.” Cole added.

“The barrier is in place so no one can haunt Y/n.” Kai also added.

“The monastery is statistically the safest place for them to stay. Morro has made his plans to abduct them perfectly clear and it is actually unwise to keep them at a place he has already been and knows the location of.” Zane informed and they all looked between each other.

“Group huddle!” Cole stated and then ignored how it took two attempts for the hands to not phase through him.

“I’m actually really cold.” I said to Peach who was walking about like she hadn’t been shot the day before. The tea here really was magical and two doses healed up her wound in hours.

“Have you got a scarf?” She asked and I looked at her, incredulously.

“I came here with you! I’ve got Cole’s spare clothes and a Oodie which Wu gave to me because he thought it was a blanket.” I said and she shrugged.

“Misako has a lot of scarfs. She might lend you one.” Peach said and I debated it.

“Wu didn’t know I got him an Oodie? I thought so hard about what to get him as well. Man, I hate Christmas!” Jay yelled before getting pulled back into the huddle.

We all fell into our own conversations before:

“-sent a message! Ronin sent a message!” Nya yelled and we all jumped up. The boys threw each other out the huddle to look at and follow her.

0:57————|——— -2:10

I looked at Peach in question as a bird landed on Zane’s arm.

“Uhm…” I said and Cole smiled.

“Don’t question it.” He winked before the bird projected an image. I jumped in shock and he laughed a bit. Peach smiled in amusement.

“I can't talk loud, but I wanted to let you know, Nya, you were right. Morro didn't hold his end of the bargain. And Misako was right too. The scroll and sword did reveal the tomb. I know where it's located. I know you don't have the sword, but I know you can beat them to the tomb.” Ronin explained before gasping and looking off to side. “They're coming.” He said before the hologram disappeared.

“Where is it? Where's the tomb?” Jay asked frantically.

“The Caves of Despair! The tomb is in the Caves of Despair!” Ronin said before the message faltered and went.

“Caves of Despair? We've been there. I don't remember seeing any tomb.” Wu said and Misako looked at him.

“But there are still miles of unexplored mines. It could be there.” Misako reminded him.

“But why should we believe him? It could be a trap.” Nya said and Kai butted in.

“We don't have the scroll and we don't have the sword. With Lloyd's life at stake, what other choice do we have?” Kai reminded and Cole nodded, wrapping his arm around me.

“We're in.” Cole agreed with him and I looked up.

“Who is we?!” I asked, remembering the horror of facing Morro less than a day ago.

“Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. What good will it do us if it's all just a setup?” Nya asked.

“The rest of the ninja are right. Even a misstep could be a step in the right direction. We cannot afford to do nothing. The ninja will go. As for you two, you're still not ready.” Garmadon said in our direction and Nya groaned at the fact no one was listening to her.

“But-!” Peach went to say and Garmadon grabbed both her shoulders to keep her steady and facing him.

“We cannot put you on the line when you’re the one thing keeping Lloyd fighting.” Garmadon reminded her and I moved towards her. “Those ghosts want you two girls. Your powers are key to them. You are key to them. You must stay protected and safe. No matter how skilled you may be now. It cannot protect you against Morro and it definitely can’t help you to protect, Y/n.” Garmadon told us, well mainly Peach.

“Do they really want to take us?” I asked and they all nodded.

“Big time.” Jay said and I frowned.

“What for? If they succeed… what are we going to do?” I said and Cole looked at me like I was stupid.

“Babe, whilst I’m out. Get some sleep please.” He said and I frowned at him.

“I slept like a baby last night.” I said in protest and he rolled his eyes.

0:57————|——— -2:10

“It's a wrap.” Ghoultar said and the Ghosts laugh as Morro releases Ronin from his possession.

“Pretty good impersonation. But they'll never buy it was me.” Ronin groaned and Morro looked down on him in amusement.

“We shall see.” Morro said and turned to look at Lloyd who was trapped in a cage.

“You're no Green Ninja. The Green Ninja would never need to lie. You’re no man either. A man would never plot to take advantage of girls they’re interested in.” Lloyd stated and Morro smirked.

“Oh, you won't be the Green Ninja for long. As for my manhood, don’t question it. Save your strength, because I'll be needing it. Prepare for a voyage. We head to the tomb at dawn.” Morro said and the ghosts cheered.

“What about Ronin?” Soul archer asked.

“Leave him. He's worthless now.” Morro said.

“I met those girls you and Cole can’t seem to shut up about…” Ronin told Lloyd who loved over to him with solemn face.

“Yeah?” Lloyd asked and Ronin nodded with a smile.

“They’re really something…” He said and Lloyd chuckled.

“They’re crazy.”

“Yep. I was trying to word it nicely but… yep. Cole’s girl… Y/n?… walked in on me taking the sword and told me to help clean the shop. Completely clueless.” Ronin told him and he chuckled again.

“She wouldn’t have known…” Lloyd said, tired.

“Are you going to be okay?” Ronin asked and Lloyd smiled at him, exhausted.

“Just help my team… and keep the girls safe. If you really do care… if not… go home.” Lloyd said and Ronin looked away guiltily. Holding his stomach which had been stitched by the ghosts.

0:57————|——— -2:10

“Should I feel bad that I really hurt Ronin?” I asked and Peach turned over. The elders had advised us to try and get some sleep. I had slept like a baby the night before but Peach was a different story.

“Are you human?” She asked and I frowned.

“Of course.” I said.

“Than yes you’re supposed to feel things.” She said and I deadpanned.

“But you get what I mean, right?” I asked and she sighed.

“Do you feel bad?” She asked and I nodded.

“Yeah…” I said and she blinked.

“Okay… is this really bothering you?” She asked and I shrugged.

“A lots happened.” I said and Peach turned back over.

“A lot does happen around here. Just wait until you see the monastery, it’s really pretty.” She told me and I laid back down. We had both decided to share a bed for some reason.

“Did you know Lloyd has a dragon?” I asked and She sighed again. Wanting to sleep.

“Yes… I named him.” She said and I turned over.

“They all have names?! Like they are dogs?!” I asked and she nodded.

“Rocky, Wisp, Flame, Shard, Tidal and Pooch.” She said and my jaw fell.

“You named Lloyd’s dragon Pooch?!” I questioned and she shrugged.

“He looks like a Pooch! He wags his tail and everything when gets really excited or you scratch the right spot!” She exclaimed and my eyes widened even more.

“You pet it?! Him?! You do realise how massive and scary they are?!” I said and she shrugged.

“Their emotions are linked with the ninjas. They won’t hurt you or dislike you unless the ninja have some sort of thing against you.” Peach said and I shook my head.

“I’m going to sleep. This is all so fucked.” I said and I felt her nod.

“You get used to it.” She told me and I paused.

“How?” I asked and she sighed.

“It becomes your life… normal in a sense. And they make it worth it. You’ll see.” She told me and I paused again.

“I think I haven’t been with Cole long enough to say that yet…” I said.

“What you think and feel are two very different things.” She told me and I shrugged.

“He still hasn’t asked me to be his girlfriend.” I said and she giggled.

“He calls you that. Told the boys and Lloyd that he’s in love with you and that he thought it was already established. But talk to him if it’s still bothering you.” Peach said and it went silent. It was a good 10 minutes before I went to talk to her again.

“What about if Morro-“

“Fucks sake, Y/n, I was almost asleep!” She groaned.

“I’m sorry.”

0:57————|——— -2:10

When we got onto this flying ship? I don’t know. How many missed calls do I have from my college? We’re in the double digits. The things you do for a giant, bulked up, good-looking, kind, treatsyoubetterthananyoneevercould, man with good hair too. The senseis and Misako were at the top desk and Wu had his hands placed firmly on the wheel. I still didn’t feel like he knew how to drive it.

“Do you think they even know we’re here?” Peach asked and they all turned around alarmingly.

“They might.” I said sarcastically and she shrugged.

“Do you two know how dangerous-?!” Wu began but Peach put a hand up.

“If I hear that again I’m gonna lose my mind so yeah.” She said and Wu shook his head. “Also if we get Lloyd back I’m not waiting until he gets back to see if he’s okay or not.” She said and I nodded.

“I’m also worried about Cole. They’re literally underwater right now.” I said and they shared a look before Wu shrugged and went back to steering.

“These two are your responsibility, brother.” Wu said and Garmadon sighed and shook his head.

“You will not engage with any fighting. You will stay on this ship and help to treat the inevitably injured ninja.” Garmadon said and we nodded like children and his gaze softened. “See I told you we should’ve let them join from the start.” He said to his brother and wife who looked back at him incredulously.

“Brother…” Wu said in disapproval and Garmadon stood his ground.

“You said they are to be my pupils, I have faith in them.” Garmadon said and Wu rolled his eyes.

“What does he mean pupil- what do you mean pupil?” I asked and Peach crossed her arms but she looked like she already knew what was going on.

“Well, in order to live at the monastery, you have to be training or teaching. Since you two will be living with us from now on, you have to be training.” Misako said and Peach looked tired all ready. I shook my head.

“But- I’m in college?” I questioned and Peach frowned.

“We’ve been gone a week. Missed all our lectures and we’re ignoring their calls. I think when I next step in that apartment I’m gonna see two letters that say “bye bye” on them.” Peach told me and I shrugged.

“I’m out of 9k then.” I huffed and Peach frowned.

“You were on a scholarship.” She said and I shrugged. “Well you’re out of 9k then.” I said and she frowned again.

“Not exactly-“

“You weren’t on a scholar!” I said and she looked at me.

“No but Borg was paying my college fees.” She said and my jaw dropped.

“Cyrus Borg?!” I asked and she nodded. “What the fuck?”

“Borg funds our monastery and pays any tuition fees for the ninja and Peach as a thanks for the countless times we’ve saved him but mainly from the overlord.” Garmadon said and Misako elbowed him in the side.

“Gratitude, dear. Let’s leave it at that.” Misako said and Garmadon gave us a knowing wink.

0:57————|——— -2:10

“Is everyone okay?” Zane asked as they all stood up from the giant ice slide they just fell down.

“What did we get ourselves into?” Kai asks and moved towards the walls of ice.

“Oh, it's a maze! I'm great at mazes!” Jay says after he climbs one of the ice walls.

“Huh! Whoa! If my reflection means anything, I'm starting to think we won't be breaking out of this maze any time at all.” Kai said, as the older reflection of himself mirrored his movements,

“My reflection. Is that...me? I look older, but our attire is different. I don't believe these reflections reveal our inability to escape, but a mere glimpse of our future selves.” Zane filled in and Cole kicks himself off of one of the walls and turns to look at his reflection.

“Misako said "To move forward, don't look ahead." Is that what it means? Wait a minute, why is it I can't see my reflection? Where is my reflection?” He says alarmed. No reflection? Does that mean no future? Is he going to die?!

“It's probably because you're a Ghost.” Kai said,

“Ghosts cast reflections, Kai. He's probably just looking in the wrong place.” Zane said and Cole hoped he was right.

“I am looking at the same place you are.” Cole told him.

“Hey, guys, guess what. I get an awesome eyepatch! And there's something else…”He gasps when he sees it's Nya.

“What, Jay? What is so great that you see that I clearly cannot?” Close said, frustrated.

“N-nothing. Just an eyepatch.” Jay backtracked and Cole rolled his eyes before looking back at his reflection except he could see someone walking towards him.

“Wait a minute, I think I see me.” Cole said and the figure walking towards him became more visible until his girlfriend was stood in his reflection’s place. She was older, smile lines beginning to form yet still so beautiful with a child in her arms who was cuddling into her. The child didn’t look like her or Cole and he felt his heart sunk. He looked at her alarmingly and she rolled her eyes in her usual fashion and looked over her shoulder and seemingly yell at someone? A larger figure appeared and his older self appeared. He wore an orange headband in his hair and a few scars were visible on his face and bare arms. He kissed her and the little boy’s cheeks before staring back at Cole. His older self looked more confident, relaxed and content. From his reflection he could tell two things… 1) he wasn’t going to forever be a ghost. 2) he was going to marry and have a child with Y/n. Soon another figure appeared in his reflection but it wasn’t another person. “It's Morro! He's in the maze too!”

0:57————|——— -2:10

Soon we were at the tomb of the first spinjitsu master… Wow! I was staring at a mountain with a little opening on the side. How impressive. The two sensei looked at the tomb longingly, I looked at Peach questioningly. She only smiled at me and Garmadon looked to Wu.

“Do you remember when Father used to make us clean the golden weapons everyday all for a bowl of-“

“Rice pudding.” Wu finished off and smiled. “I should’ve found this a long time ago, if only I wasn’t so blindsided.” Wu said and Garmadon shook his head.

“If father wanted us to of found his tomb first, he would’ve made it so.” Garmadon told him and patted his shoulder.

I couldn’t enjoy their sentimental moment because soon I felt that sensation come over me. The one where the world feels so much intense. The one where my breathing and the beat of my heart is louder than those speaking next to me. Then I was face to face with someone. But they didn’t look like a ghost, they didn’t even look like they knew I was here. An older man with a bit of a goatee stared at me, a woman joined him. They were older but still clinging to their natural hair colour. The older man brought his hammer down on a piece of metal and it became clear. They were blacksmiths. He brought his piece of metal over to a fire and began moulding it into shape. The woman however brought two cupcakes towards him and handed him one. He looked at her with a sad look as she smiled to try and change the mood. “Happy birthday, Nya.” They said before blowing out the singular candle in the cupcake and holding each other, sorrowfully.

“What the hell was that?!” I heard Peach question and my eyes closed as my head began to pound. I forgot where I was and it took me a minute to realise I was on the floor.

“A vision…” Garmadon filled in and my throat felt tighter and dryer and I could swear I was about to throw up. I felt my eyes water as Peach began glitching. “-Do not give in! You cannot go where she sees. You are not ready.” Garmadon placed a hand on her as she closed her eyes tightly.

“I can’t! There’s no where to go to! She hasn’t seen into another dimension!” Peach told him before a blast of green energy sent us all flying across the deck and reminded us of why we’re even here. Lloyd was back in control of his body. Peach was flinging herself over the side of the ship as soon as she stood again and I felt myself begin to pass out. But god did I want to follow her. I pulled myself up and clung to the pole on the ship. The full ache from colliding into it kept me grounded. Wu wrapped my arm around his shoulders and helped me to stand.

“Do not waste your energy. You are not used to these powers yet.” He told me and I nodded.

“But Peach-“

“She may lack training but she has good control over her outbursts. She will be fine. You, however, must focus on yourself for now.” He told me and I watched the ninjas come sprinting out of the cave with Lloyd, carrying his weight between them as he tried his best to even stand and soon collapsed onto Peach, she held him and he closed his eyes in relief. She knelt into the sand and he wrapped his arms around her, tiredly. I felt all my energy dump and my knees buckled before I could warm Wu. The impact on my knees was all I could feel and I reached back to feel the back of my head, there was some blood on my fingertips. Probably from when I was flung into the pole on the ship. Thanks Lloyd. I groaned and went to sit up. What a shit day.

“-you alright? That was quite the hit.” Garmadon said as they both went to pull me up but I protested. Just wanting to sit for now.

“You’d be better off sitting down on the seats inside. Then staying out here.” Wu told me and I let them pull me up only for my weight to be transferred to someone else.

I felt hands lift my jaw up and I looked up to see Cole who smiled. He looked exhausted. He smiled and it didn’t take him long to pick me up and I leant into him, tired. He was still alive- well here. I held onto him in relief and he held me tighter as he began moving towards the entrance of the ship. I closed my eyes, ready to pass out.

“No baby, come on. Don’t close your eyes. I haven’t seen you all day. And boy have I had a long day.” He said and I chuckled.

“Tell me all about it when there’s not a hole in my head.” I told him and he laughed.

“Wait- a hole in your head?!” Cole asked and I shrugged just as Nya climbed on board.

“They took the Realm Crystal.” Nya said as she hopped on board and I pushed Cole shoulder to make him stop and turn around.

“But what about the others?” The other ninja arrive with Kai helping Peach to support Lloyd.

“Hey Pookie, rough day?” I asked him and he let out a hoarse laugh.

“Clearly not as rough as you.” He joked and I smiled.

“What? Didn’t enjoy your holiday?” Cole joined and he let out another laugh.

“Worst holiday of my life. Turns out… it’s not less tiring if someone else controls you.” He said and we laughed. “Sorry about the blast guys. Morro didn’t make use of the green bomb inside me.” Lloyd followed and Peach shook her head.

“You need to go to bed.” She said and he smirked.

“Why, you need me to catch up on lost time?” He asked and we all laughed as Peach shook her head.

“Oh my-“ she started but he carried on.

“-I think I’m just gonna have to lay there, let you be on top for once-“

“I will drop you-“

“-Don’t drop me, it’ll take me longer to be at peak performance-“

“-I’m going to drop you in a moment.” Kai joined in and Lloyd looked at him offended.

“You don’t need to be a peak performance-ah!” He said as both let go and be stumbled on his own two feet for a moment before falling back into them.

“Well they made it! All right!” Nya cheered and Wu nodded in amusement.

“I knew they could, thank goodness!” Wu said and Garmadon took over Peach holding Lloyd and she stretched out her arm.

“He weighs a fuck ton.” Peach complained and I laid back in Cole’s arm.

“I wouldn’t want to try and carry him.” I gestured to Cole who pretended to drop me.

“How dare you! I gave up cake-“

“-You literally buy the weird cake pop things from my shop every day-“

“-they don’t count, they’re like the size of my pinky-“

“-which is really big compared to any normal person’s middle finger let alone pinky-“

“-I get it! You have a size kink-“

“-I have one?! You’re the one who couldn’t stop comparing-“

“Enough! I know too much about your sex lives as it is…” Garmadon held his head in shame.

“Well, my son. You have saved him.” Misako said in thanks? I’m can’t figure out this sensei language.

“Yes. Yes, they did.” Wu said in pride. Okay this was a good moment.

“You all sacrificed so much to save me. Thanks…” Lloyd said and I nodded like I did anything.

“Heh, I promised to look after you, didn't I?” Kai said and ruffled his hair.

“But now Ninjago's gonna be cursed.” Lloyd told him

“Yes, but now we have you.” Zane said and I fought the instinct to say ‘aww’.

“And we’ve got our powers back too.” Jay added.

“As you get strong, so will we. And they haven't even seen us at full strength.” Cole said and then sent a wink my way. “Neither have you, doll.”

“How do we drop him?” Jay asked and I cringed too.

“Ick.” I said and his face fell.

“Worser than Kai.” Lloyd added and Cole turned sharply towards him.

“I turned into a ghost to save your ass and within the first two minutes of you being free- your insulting me?!.” He said and Lloyd raised his hands to the best of the ability.

“Sorry, dude.”

[eradicatetehnormal]

Terminally Online, Pseudo-politcal Rant.

I was watching a video essay the other day about how right-wing talking points are bad. Its conclusion was that they don't have to be good or compelling arguments because they're appealing to people who already agree with them. To a certain extent, they're correct. It does seem that as of late, the right-wing has resorted less to debating people on the street or on college campuses and more to circling their hatred for trans people and other "degenerate" groups.

In a way, that might signal a good thing. A party that's increasingly incapable of defending itself? Doesn't seem very strong to me. They're still pretty being, of course, if MAGA and Project 2025 are to indicate anything (for fucks sake, give me money for a passport). I do wonder where they'll be in the next 10 years or when Donald Trump dies. A lot of Republican politicians have been having "negative rizz" as of late. I'm side-tracking, though.

The problem I have with that essayist leaving the conversation there is that it might perpetuate this very Twitter, lazy leftist idea that there's no point in refuting bad talking points or educating people about a subject. That's likely not what that person meant, but it's where that idea could lead.

I'm not saying that people should just go around, looking for right-wingers to debunk and dunk on. That carries its own set of problems by making the left wing look catty and disingenuous. People can use their own platforms to talk about various issues and the right lens to see something. The thing is, not engaging and just yelling in an echo chamber, over time can make the left wing look incoherent and nonsensical.

Imagine you're just a normal, center-leaning person logging into Twitter to keep up with your favorite celebrity, and you see a right winger being like, "Western society won't be fixed until the perversion or trans ideology and crt is pushed out of our schools." To which that centrist might think "What the fuck is crt and trans ideology? This person sounds outlandish." Then they see a left-winger all like, "The rates of women who have reported being SA'd are abysmal, but let's not forget about our black and indigenous sisters who were trafficked and never had a search done for them." To which the centrist might say, "Why is this person centering black and native women on an issue that affects all women? This person also sounds outlandish." From their perspective, there's not just one dumbass in an echo chamber, but two dumbasses in an echo chamber, since they didn't grow up around an outwardly conservative community and don't listen to enough of those people to flat out being transphobic or racist, nor do they have an understanding of intersectional politics.

Some might say, "Well this post is just making people engage with optics and identity politics. We have nothing to prove!" I get where this is coming from. A lot of great people and activists were pushed out of communities or silenced because people felt that they optically made them look bad. To the person who says this, though, have you ever supported the de-platforming of a leftist or liberal because of their bad takes or terrible behavior? Guess what? You care about optics. Part of the reason you wanted them gone was because, they were toxic and annoying to deal with, but another part of that reason was likely because they were garnering an audience who may go around acting like them or using their arguments, which could lead to a large group of people misrepresenting and hurting a movement.

We need to get better at distinguishing people who are trying to insult or belittle us from people who are asking questions in good faith. We also need to learn when to end a conversation. Having the last word does not always make you look good. If you get frustrated easily or you get nervous, you don't have to engage. It's just worth explaining what you mean, on occasion. Throwing in a statistic every now and then (rarely ever personal life experience, because not only is it not the best evidence, but people will try to belittle it).

[unreal-unearthing]

hey hi hi you said "ask me about the shark paper" and i am here to do precisely that. i too love niche academic beef, pretty please tell me everything

I'm so glad you asked I am so happy to answer this I love niche academic drama. The best part about being an academic lol.

Anyway I read these papers YEARS ago in a political economy grad seminar, so my memory is a lil fuzzy lol.

BUT ANYWAY

Paper one: So basically this group of political scientists wrote a paper with some title about whether shark attacks impact voting behavior. And the paper was about a really specific case study. See there was a series of deadly shark attacks, sensationalized in the media (and were actually the inspiration for Jaws!), that were happening around the same time Woodrow Wilson (I think) was running his reelection campaign, and apparently he had some links to the local community where the attacks were happening. And the paper was arguing that these highly sensationalized shark attacks happening on his turf made him lose points in the polls in the effected counties.

(Achen and Bartels - Why Shark Attacks Are Bad for Democracy)

Paper Two: But THEN another group of political scientists take that question - do shark attacks effect voting behavior? - remove all that context and attack the original paper's methodology and make like a huge dataset of all shark attacks in america and the vote share for candidates before and after the shark attacks in those counties and decide that shark attacks DON'T impact voting.

(Fowler and Hall - Do shark attacks influence presidential elections? Reassessing a prominent finding on voter competence)

Paper Three: And then the original authors clarify that the case was specific and its more about like.. sensationalized headlines than sharks specifically. But then they also decided to tear apart Paper Two's methodology and data collection. And write a paper about what methodology they would use and make their OWN dataset for if they wanted to look at shark attacks more broadly.

(Achen and Bartels - Statistics as If Politics Mattered: A Reply to Fowler and Hall)

Paper Four: Then the authors of Paper Two write another paper defending their methodology and pointing out some problems with Paper Three's dataset. (I can't find this one right now but i remember reading it)

I think they continued fighting in like... the footnotes of other projects, and this went on for years and they teach it in grad school methods classes to talk about various data collection issues and large datasets vs selective case studies. Anyway I'm pretty sure this all started because some political science data nerds really loved Jaws.

[philomathresearch]

What Is The Difference Between Market Research And Customer Research?

“Market research and customer research are two different methods of collecting and analyzing data to inform business decisions. Market research focuses on analyzing the overall market and its trends, while customer research centers on understanding the needs, preferences, and behavior of specific customer groups.“

The terms market research and consumer research are used almost interchangeably. While this may be right to some extent, there is a difference between the term definitions and practice.

Market Research

Market research is the study of the requirements of various markets, the acceptability of products, and methods of developing or exploiting new markets. Market research investigates and analyzes a target market. Researchers use market research to collect consumer data within a marketplace. It deals with the collection, analysis, and use of market data and market statistics.

Market research is vital for any company that wants to succeed. It allows them to learn about their target market and get feedback from consumers. This feedback can be used to improve their product or service, or to understand how consumers feel about newly launched products. Market research is also used to identify new markets that a company could enter. It is essential for businesses to understand consumer needs in order to create products and services that they will love.

Consumer Research

Consumer research is a branch of market research that zeroes in on the motivations and purchasing behavior of a company or brand’s target customers. By understanding customer psychology, conducting in-depth profiles of purchasing behavior, and systematically collecting information about customer needs, consumer research provides brands with a bird’s eye view of their target market that they can use to their advantage.

Enumerating the information gathered during market research, consumer insights give brands a more customer-centric approach by making changes to products and services, resulting in an increase of customer satisfaction.

Through consumer research, brands can make specific and relevant changes to their products and services, making them more focused on the customer. By doing this, customer satisfaction will increase.

Market Research Vs Consumer Research

Market research provides data that can be analyzed and used to make recommendations. On the other hand, consumer research delivers data in the form of narratives and stories, which focus on providing insights into customer behavior.

Purpose of Data

Market research strives to answer specific questions and deliver on research objectives. Consumer research, on the other hand, seeks to recommend actions for effective decision making based on the information gathered.

Relationship to Marketing

Market research helps marketing professionals make data-driven decisions. When marketing and consumer insights are well aligned, they work together seamlessly. A best practice is to include marketing in the process of synthesizing the learning from consumer insights projects to gain applicable insights and build deeper knowledge in the organization. This way, marketing professionals can rely on data when making decisions about their next steps, rather than guessing or going with their gut feeling.

When You Should Do Market Or Customer Research

When developing and changing aspects of your business, including offerings to customers, it’s important to do thorough research to have confidence in the actions you’re taking, including research into:

Pricing

Branding

Product Names

New Retail Outlets

Advertising Campaigns

New Products or Services.

There are several methods you can use to do research, including:

Conducting your own research using customer surveys, feedback and interviews

Conducting analysis of your own business using your past performance in sales, goods returned and repeat business

Researching industry and market trend information

Reviewing reports, industry journals and government information.

Understanding Market Research and Customer Research

Market research is a methodology used to gain reliable data about specific markets and target customers. Market research organizations and industry associations provide data and statistical reports on markets and future trends.

A subset of market research is customer research. Customer research tools help you target and understand your buyer’s behaviour and demographics.

The differences between market research and customer research are:

Market Research involves data and statistics for

Overall industry market attributes economic and population fluctuations technology innovations internet and mobile phone usage

Competitor activities

Customer Research involves data and insights into

What, when and how often customers want to buy (quantitative data)

Why they make their decisions (qualitative insights).

By exploring customer profiles and motivations, you can gain insight into demographics such as geographical populations, buying habits, preferences and the projected growth or decline of targeted groups.

Using a combination of market and customer research helps you to keep up to date with market trends and build reliable customer profiles to target. It is important to build more than 1 customer profile to prevent marketing too broadly.

The Value of Market Research

Market research is valuable at the start-up stage of your business, and you should conduct research regularly to ensure you adapt your business to changes in the market.

Planning and conducting your market research involve using methods and tools to ensure your marketing activities will be:

Profitable and cost effective

Linked to the needs and trends of the market

In line or ahead of competitors.

We hope you found this information useful. Stay connected for further market updates. Reach us at www.philomathresearch.com

[hayleycna]

Open Your Future: Top CNA Classes in Clarksville, TN-- Start Your Healthcare Career Today!

Unlock Your Future:⁢ Top CNA Classes in Clarksville, TN

Unlock Your Future: Top ​CNA Classes in ‍Clarksville, TN – ​Start Your Healthcare Career Today!

Are you ⁣looking to ⁤kickstart your healthcare career? Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) could be the ⁣perfect first step. With ⁢a growing demand⁢ for healthcare ‌professionals, ‍especially in ‌Clarksville, TN, enrolling in CNA ⁤classes can help you⁣ secure a fulfilling ‍position in the healthcare ​industry. In this article, we’ll ⁣explore ⁤the top​ CNA⁣ classes in Clarksville, discuss their benefits, provide practical ⁤tips, and share firsthand experiences to help you‍ make​ an informed decision.

Why Choose ⁤a Career as a ⁢CNA?

Before we dive into the specific classes‌ available, let’s discuss why becoming a CNA can be a⁢ rewarding career choice:

High Demand: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a projected job growth ⁣rate of 8% for ‌CNAs over ​the next decade.

Flexible Hours: Many facilities ​offer shift flexibility, making it easier to balance⁣ work and personal life.

Gaining⁣ Experience: CNAs gain essential ⁣hands-on experience ​in⁢ the healthcare field which can lead‌ to further‍ career advancement.

Making‌ a Difference: CNAs provide critical support ‌to ‍patients‍ and can⁢ make ⁢a genuine difference‌ in their lives.

Top CNA Classes in Clarksville, TN

Now that you ​know the benefits, let’s explore⁤ some of the top CNA classes available ‍in the Clarksville area. Here’s a handy‍ comparison‍ table to help you find the right program ⁤for you:

Program Name

Institution

Duration

Cost

Location

Certified Nursing ⁢Assistant ⁢Program

Southcentral Kentucky Community​ and⁣ Technical College

6-8 weeks

$600

Clarksville, TN

Certified Nursing Assistant Training

Training ⁤Solutions

4-6 weeks

$500

Clarksville, TN

CNA Certification

American Red Cross

4‌ weeks

$1200

Clarksville, TN

CNA ⁢Training Program

Daymar College

6 ⁢weeks

$800

Clarksville,‍ TN

Choosing⁢ the Right CNA Class

When‌ selecting a⁢ CNA​ program, consider the⁤ following factors:

Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by relevant ​state boards.

Hands-On Training: ​ Look for‌ programs that offer practical, hands-on experience.

Job Placement Assistance: ⁣Some programs provide ⁤support ‍for‍ job placement post-certification.

Class Size: Smaller classes may provide more personalized attention‍ from ⁣instructors.

Benefits of CNA Classes

Here are some additional ⁤advantages of enrolling in​ CNA classes:

Financial Aid: ⁤Many institutions offer scholarships ‍or payment⁢ plans.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry professionals and fellow students.

Skill Development: Gain critical nursing skills, including patient care, basic medical knowledge, and interpersonal⁤ communication.

Practical Tips for‍ Success in CNA ⁢Programs

To get ‍the most⁤ out‌ of​ your CNA training, consider these practical tips:

Stay Organized: ⁤Keep all course materials ‌and schedules ‍in order to manage your time effectively.

Ask Questions: ‌Don’t⁤ hesitate to ask instructors for clarification on complex topics or practices.

Practice Skills: Take advantage of any opportunity for hands-on practice⁢ to enhance your ⁤competence.

Form Study Groups: Collaborating with ​peers can enhance⁤ understanding and⁤ retention of course material.

Firsthand‌ Experiences:‌ Success Stories

Learning ⁣from‌ others can‍ provide motivation and insight. Here⁣ are two inspiring stories from recent graduates of CNA programs in⁤ Clarksville:

Maria T.’s Journey

Maria enrolled in the ⁤CNA program at Daymar College and completed her ⁤training within six weeks. With a passion for helping⁣ others, she found ‍joy in the hands-on experience and the⁣ support from her instructors. Now, Maria works at a local nursing home and is pursuing further education⁣ in nursing.

John D.’s Transformation

After being​ laid‌ off from ⁣his previous job, John decided ⁢to invest in himself by enrolling in the CNA ⁣program at Training ‍Solutions. The program not only trained him in​ technical skills but also boosted ‍his‍ confidence. Today, John is⁣ employed ⁣in a ⁤healthcare facility and‌ is thrilled ​with​ his career⁢ change.

Preparing for the CNA Exam

After completing your training, ‌you’ll need⁤ to pass the CNA certification exam to work as a CNA. Here are⁤ a few preparation tips:

Review Course Materials: Go over your notes and any provided materials⁢ to refresh your knowledge.

Take Practice Tests: Utilize online⁤ resources or study groups to⁤ simulate the exam experience.

Stay Calm: ⁤ Manage your stress levels with relaxation ⁣techniques to perform your best‍ on exam day.

Conclusion

Starting your⁢ career as a Certified ‌Nursing Assistant in Clarksville,‍ TN, is a brilliant opportunity to enter ‍a‍ growing field dedicated to helping others. By choosing an accredited program, preparing for certification, and embracing ⁢your journey, ⁣you ⁣can unlock ​your future in healthcare. Whether it’s a stepping stone to advanced nursing roles or a‌ fulfilling career on its own, taking the plunge into CNA⁣ classes is worthwhile. Don’t wait​ any ⁣longer – start exploring‌ CNA classes‍ in Clarksville and kickstart your healthcare career today!

https://cnatrainingcertification.org/open-your-future-top-cna-classes-in-clarksville-tn-start-your-healthcare-career-today/

[caitlinphleb]

Open Your Career: Top Phlebotomist Courses Online for 2023

Unlock Your Career: Top Phlebotomist Courses Online for⁤ 2023

Are​ you looking to embark on a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist? With the increasing demand for healthcare professionals, now is the ​perfect time to explore your options. In this article, we will outline the best online phlebotomist courses for 2023, providing you with everything you need to get ​started in this rewarding field.

What is a Phlebotomist?

A‌ phlebotomist is a trained medical professional who⁢ specializes ‍in drawing blood from patients for various medical purposes. This ⁤essential ⁤role is critical in laboratories for diagnostics and research in the healthcare industry. A career⁣ in phlebotomy​ offers job security, competitive wages, and flexible hours.

Benefits of Becoming ‌a ⁣Phlebotomist

High Demand: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 22% growth in employment for phlebotomists from 2020 to 2030.

Short Training Period: Most phlebotomy programs can be completed in a few months.

Hands-On Work: If you enjoy working with people and hands-on medical care, this ⁣is a ‍great fit.

Flexible Schedule: Phlebotomists can often find positions with varied hours, including part-time work.

Top Phlebotomist Courses Online‍ for 2023

Course Provider

Course Duration

Certification Included

Cost

American Red Cross

4 weeks

Yes

$900

Penn Foster

6-8 weeks

Yes

$699

Ultimate Medical Academy

12 months

Yes

$1,020

Phlebotomy Training Specialists

4-8⁢ weeks

Yes

$795

Coursera⁣ (University ⁢of California)

4 weeks

No

$49

Choosing the Right ‌Course

When selecting a phlebotomy course, consider the following factors:

Accreditation: Ensure that the course is accredited and accepted in your state.

Certification: Look for programs that prepare you for the National ⁣Phlebotomy Certification exam.

Hands-On Training: Some ‍courses provide real-world ‌training alongside theoretical learning. This is crucial​ in gaining practical experience.

Cost: ‌ Compare costs, but consider value over price. ⁣Higher costs do not always reflect⁣ superior education.

Practical Tips for Succeeding in Phlebotomy

Once you choose a course and begin ‍your⁣ training, keep these tips ⁣in mind:

Stay Organized: Keep track of your coursework, notes, assignments, and practical training schedules.

Ask ‍Questions: Don’t hesitate to clarify concepts with your instructors or peers.

Practice: The more you practice drawing blood​ in a​ controlled​ setting, the more confident you’ll become.

Network: Connect with other healthcare professionals and join support groups; they‍ can ‌be helpful resources in your journey.

First-Hand Experience: A Day‍ in the⁣ Life of a Phlebotomist

To better understand what it’s like to work as a phlebotomist, consider the story of Sarah, who has been in the field for two years:

“I start my day early,‍ checking the schedule to know how many patients I will see. Each patient has their own​ story and⁤ sometimes their own ‌fear of needles. I’ve learned to engage ⁤them in conversation to help ease their minds. After collecting samples and ensuring they are labeled correctly, I ‍send them off to ⁣the lab. The best part? Knowing that I am part of ⁣the ⁣team that helps in diagnosing and treating health issues.”

Case Studies: Success Stories from Phlebotomy Graduates

Phlebotomy can lead to various career paths beyond traditional settings, such ⁤as hospitals and clinics. Here are a couple of examples:

Jake: After completing his phlebotomy certification, Jake worked in a hospital for several years before transitioning​ into a clinical research role, helping in blood sample collection ⁢for trials.

Maria: Maria utilized her phlebotomy skills to start a mobile blood donation service, partnering with local organizations‍ to increase community outreach.

Conclusion

Embarking on a career in phlebotomy can be immensely‍ rewarding, both personally and professionally. As outlined in this​ guide, choosing the right ‍online course is key to unlocking your⁤ potential. With the right training, coupled with practical experience and networking, you’ll be well on your way to becoming ​a‌ skilled phlebotomist in 2023. Start your journey today and make a significant impact in the world ‌of healthcare!

https://phlebotomytechnicianschools.net/open-your-career-top-phlebotomist-courses-online-for-2023/

[llmgroup2]

Data evaluation

Method of recruiting participants

Each of us aimed to recruit from 10 to 15 people, with the final number of participants being 52. This allowed us to have a good representation across various cultural and educational backgrounds and capture a wide range of perspectives. A sample size of 52 also helped us identify common patterns and insights within survey responses, allowing us to filter out themes and trends. We sent out the survey to our friends and peers using media like WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram or Messenger. We didn’t post the survey in big groups to avoid obtaining troll responses. 

Research questions

To what extent are young individuals comfortable sharing their personal data with large language models, and what factors influence their level of comfort?

In our research, we aimed to understand the balance young people strike between convenience and privacy concerns. The results we got provide insights into the dynamics of digital trust and how young users perceive AI-driven interactions in relation to their personal data. We wanted to learn what young people use LLMs for, how informed and comfortable they are about sharing data with them and how safe they think LLM usage is. We saw how comfortable people are about sharing personal data based on its type, for instance their location, social media data or browsing history. We also distinguished their level of concern when it comes to privacy, security, data retention and other aspects. With three scenarios related to LLM applications we explored the willingness to use this technology for specific purposes. 

Research methods

We created a survey with yes and no, Likert scale and multiple choice questions. For demographics information (country, age and field of study) we used short answer questions and tidied up the data. Since some people didn’t input the data in the right format, we had to exclude them from the evaluation. We used three realistic scenarios of LLM-powered applications as stimuli or props to see if there were changes in comfort levels depending on context. We ran the survey for a week and analyzed the data using Rstudio after preparing it for analysis in Excel. We used statistical methods such as ANOVA and t-tests to see if there are relationships or correlations between different subsets of our data. 

Stimuli presented during survey

We presented our participants with three different scenarios regarding hypothetical AI-based applications. For each of those scenarios (Personalized Study Assistant, Health and Wellness AI Companion, Career and Job Recommendation Tool) we asked them to judge how comfortable they would feel sharing data with this app and whether they would share their data to use it, with people being most positive about sharing their career-related data. This allowed us to provide the participants with practical, real life examples and get more reliable answers. 

Main findings

The ages of the participants (n= 53) ranged from 19 to 27 years ( M = 21.42 ), ( SD = 1.84), showcasing the youth of our participants. Most of our participants (over 50%) were 20 or 21, with ages ranging from 19 to 27. Approximately, 55% of them were female and 44% were male, and one person didn’t specify their gender (which later on lead to excusion from the Welch two sample T-test, n=52). 

The mean comfort level was 2.55 out of 5, indicating a slight tendency to uncomfortness, paired with a standard deviation of 1.12, implicating varying comfort levels.

The mean familiairty with the term ‘LLM’ was 0.52, meaning that an equal number of people were familiar with the term, as well as not familiar (43.4%  respectively), and 13.2% were not sure what ‘LLM’ means. Majority of participants (30.2%) use LLMs at least once a day, and two participants (3.8%) didn’t use LLMs at all. 

The people mostly felt that sharing personal information with LLMs is very normalised (M = 3.8 (on a scale of 1-5), (SD = 1.06). 

An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the effect of gender and of the continent the participants are from on the percieved social norm of sharing information with LLMs. The results indicated that there was no significant effect of gender on normalized comfort levels, ( F(1, 51) = 1.574, p = .215 ).

An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the effect of continent on normalized comfort levels (Normalized). The results indicated that there was no significant effect of continent on normalized comfort levels, ( F(2, 50) = 1.84, p = .169 ).

T-test by Gender for Health and Wellness AI Companion Comfort

A Welch two-sample t-test was conducted to compare Health and Wellness AI Companion Comfort scores between genders. There was no significant difference in the scores for group 0 (M = 2.87, SD = not provided) and group 1 (M = 3.03, SD = not provided); t(49.35) = -0.46, p = .649. The 95% confidence interval for the difference in means was [-0.89, 0.56].

T-test by Gender for Career and Job Recommendation Tool Comfort

A Welch two-sample t-test was conducted to compare Career and Job Recommendation Tool Comfort scores between genders. There was no significant difference in the scores for group 0 (M = 3.78, SD = not provided) and group 1 (M = 3.17, SD = not provided); t(46.77) = 1.90, p = .064. The 95% confidence interval for the difference in means was [-0.04, 1.26].

T-test by Gender for Personalized Study Assistant Tool Comfort

A Welch two-sample t-test was conducted to compare Personalized Study Assistant Tool Comfort scores between genders. There was no significant difference in the scores for group 0 (M = 2.78, SD = not provided) and group 1 (M = 2.52, SD = not provided); t(44.92) = 0.80, p = .429. The 95% confidence interval for the difference in means was [-0.40, 0.93].

Conclusion: 

The t-test analyses revealed that there were no significant differences in comfort levels between genders for any of the AI tools examined: Health and Wellness AI Companion, Career and Job Recommendation Tool, and Personalized Study Assistant. This suggests that gender does not significantly influence comfort levels with these AI tools among the participants in this study. The findings indicate that other factors, such as perceived privacy risks, trust in AI systems, and safety perceptions, may play a more critical role in determining comfort levels with AI tools. Further research could explore these factors in more detail to better understand what influences comfort levels with AI technologies.

MULTIPLE REGRESSION ANALYSIS: 

Figure… violin plot of the ….

The key: studyWorkNr:

0 = other

1 = computer science

2 = business, economics (finance)

3 = neuroscience, psychology

4 = social sciences and humanities (history, linguistics etc)

5 = other stem fields (math, physics, chemistry, statistics)

6 = medicine and health care related

7 = engineering

Personalised study assistant 

A multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of the major or field of work on the perceived comfort with using a personalised study assistant, controlling for age, gender, privacy concerns, and safety perceptions. The overall model was not statistically significant, ( F(11, 40) = 0.92, p = .528 ), with an ( R^2 ) of .203 (Adjusted ( R^2 ) = -.017).

The analysis revealed that none of the fields of study (Computer Science, Business/Economics, Neuroscience/Psychology, Social Sciences/Humanities, Other STEM Fields, Medicine/Health Care, Engineering) had a significant effect on comfort levels with the Personalized Study Assistant. Additionally, age, gender, and privacy concerns did not significantly predict comfort levels. However, safety perceptions were a significant positive predictor (( p = .024 )), indicating that higher safety perceptions are associated with greater comfort with the Personalized Study Assistant.

Overall, the model explained approximately 20.26% of the variance in comfort levels with the Personalized Study Assistant, but only the Safety variable was a significant predictor. This suggests that perceptions of safety play an important role in determining comfort levels with the Personalized Study Assistant, while other factors such as field of study, age, gender, and privacy concerns do not have a significant impact.

Health and Wellness AI companion 

A multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the effect of field of study on comfort with a Health and Wellness AI Companion, while controlling for age, gender, privacy concerns, and safety perceptions. The overall model was not statistically significant, ( F(11, 40) = 0.82, p = .617 ), with an ( R^2 ) of .185 (Adjusted ( R^2 ) = -.039).

Overall, the model explained approximately 18.48% of the variance in comfort levels with the Health and Wellness AI Companion, but none of the predictors were statistically significant. This suggests that the factors considered in this model, including field of study, age, gender, privacy concerns, and safety perceptions, do not have a significant impact on comfort levels with the Health and Wellness AI Companion.

Career and job recommendation AI tool 

Lastly, the final multiple regression analysis was performed to similarly examine the effect of the field of study on the comfort levels with a Career and Job Recommendation Tool, while controlling for age, gender, privacy concerns, and safety perceptions. The overall model was not statistically significant, ( F(11, 40) = 1.30, p = .258 ), with an ( R^2 ) of .264 (Adjusted ( R^2 ) = .061).However, safety perceptions were a significant positive predictor (( p = .037 )), indicating that higher safety perceptions are associated with greater comfort with the Career and Job Recommendation Tool. Privacy concerns showed a trend towards significance (( p = .085 )).

Overall, the model explained approximately 26.38% of the variance in comfort levels with the Career and Job Recommendation Tool, with safety perceptions being the only significant predictor. 

Overall conclusion from the multiple regression analysis: 

Across all three analyses, safety perceptions consistently emerged as an important factor influencing comfort levels with AI tools. Specifically:

Personalized Study Assistant: Safety was a significant predictor.

Health and Wellness AI Companion: No significant predictors were found.

Career and Job Recommendation Tool: Safety was a significant predictor, and privacy concerns showed a trend towards significance.

Field of study, age, and gender did not significantly impact comfort levels with any of the AI tools analyzed. This suggests that perceptions of safety play a crucial role in determining comfort levels with AI tools, while other demographic and contextual factors may have less influence. A larger sample size is necessary to observe the impact of different factors to carefully examine their effects. 

 Furthermore, people have slightly low confidence about data management.

The perception of privacy risks does not affect comfort levels, but perceived safety has a significant effect on comfort levels.

The comfort levels do not vary greatly between genders.

Personalized study assistant:

Individuals perceiving higher safety are more comfortable using the assistant.

Health and Wellness AI:

No impact on people's comfort levels.

Career and Job recommendation:

Comfort level increases with higher safety.

Interpretation: People tend to have a lower confidence and comfort level when it comes to their data and how LLMs use this data. However, our results indicate that increasing safety for data increases comfort and confidence. Furthermore, privacy risks do not impact the comfort and confidence of individuals generally. This indicates a possibility for companies to increase comfort and confidence, as people tend to be more comfortable and confident when they are aware of increased safety mechanisms. 

Also important to note is the low difference between genders.

First draft of UX target table

[gabicna]

Open Your Career: A Complete Guide to Georgia CNA Certification Requirements and Benefits

Unlock Your⁣ Career: A Complete Guide ⁤to Georgia CNA Certification Requirements and Benefits

Introduction

If you’re looking to embark on a fulfilling career in healthcare, becoming a Certified‌ Nursing Assistant⁤ (CNA) in Georgia could be the perfect opportunity ⁤for you. In‍ this comprehensive guide, we’ll ‌delve into⁣ the Georgia CNA certification requirements, the incredible benefits that come with it, and helpful resources to ensure your success in this rewarding profession.

Understanding ⁤CNA Certification in Georgia

A ‍CNA plays a ‌critical role in​ delivering care to patients⁢ under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse. In Georgia, obtaining CNA certification ​is essential for anyone aspiring ‍to work in various healthcare settings. Let’s explore ‍the requirements and processes involved.

Georgia CNA Certification ⁤Requirements

Eligibility ‌Criteria

To become a CNA ‍in Georgia, you must meet​ the following eligibility criteria:

Be at least⁣ 16 years old.

Have a high school ‍diploma or GED.

Undergo a⁣ background check.

Complete a state-approved CNA training program.

Step-by-Step Certification Process

Complete a CNA Training Program: ⁤Choose a program that ​is approved by the Georgia Medical Care Foundation, which‌ typically consists of at least 85 hours of‍ classroom instruction and clinical⁣ training.

Pass the Competency Exam: After completing your ​training, you must pass the ⁣Georgia Nurse ⁣Aide Competency Examination, which includes both written and skills⁢ assessments.

Apply for Certification: ‍After passing the exam,‍ submit⁢ your application for certification to the Georgia Department of Community Health along with the required fee.

Renew Your Certification: CNA certifications in Georgia must be renewed every‌ two years. Keep⁤ in mind that you will need to complete at least 8 hours of work as​ a CNA⁣ each year to‌ maintain your certification.

Costs ‌Involved

The costs associated with becoming a CNA in Georgia can vary. Here’s a ⁣quick breakdown:

Item

Estimated Cost

CNA ‍Training Program

$500 – $1,500

Competency Exam⁤ Fee

$100 -⁢ $150

Background Check

$10 – $50

Certification Application Fee

$25

Benefits of Becoming a⁢ CNA in Georgia

Career Opportunities

As a ⁣CNA, ​you can explore a wide range of career opportunities, including:

Nursing homes

Hospitals

Home health care

Assisted living facilities

Job⁣ Stability and⁣ Demand

The demand ⁢for CNAs is consistently ⁢high, providing job stability. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 8% increase in employment for nursing assistants through 2029, reflecting the growth of the aging population.

Personal‍ Satisfaction

Working as a CNA⁢ allows you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in your⁣ care. You will build relationships with patients and ⁤experience the fulfillment of helping others daily.

Practical Tips for Aspiring CNAs

Finding the Right Training Program

Research reputable schools: Look ⁣for⁢ programs approved by the Georgia ⁣Medical ⁢Care Foundation.

Consider location and schedule: ⁢Choose a program that fits your ​life and study preferences.

Check reviews: Look for testimonials from previous students to get insights into the program’s quality.

Preparing​ for the Competency Exam

Here are some effective ways to prepare for⁢ the ​CNA exam:

Review⁤ course materials thoroughly.

Take practice exams to familiarize ⁢yourself with the question format.

Participate in ⁢study groups with your classmates.

Case ��Study: A Day in the Life of a CNA

Meet Sarah, a CNA working‌ at a⁣ local nursing⁢ home in Atlanta. She starts ⁣her day with a warm smile as she checks⁤ in on her residents. Here are some⁢ highlights from her day:

Morning Rounds: ⁢ Sarah assists residents ​with their morning routines, ensuring they feel comfortable and ⁣cared for.

Team Collaboration: She attends team meetings to discuss resident care plans with nurses and other healthcare ⁢professionals.

Patient Interaction: During her shifts, Sarah facilitates engaging activities that promote ‍socialization and‌ joy among residents.

Support: As a‌ trusted aide, she provides emotional support to those in need, building lasting connections.

For Sarah, being a CNA is more than just a job—it’s ​about ⁤making a difference.

First-Hand ⁤Experience from a Georgia⁤ CNA

James, ‍a‌ recent CNA graduate, ⁢shares, “The training was challenging but incredibly rewarding. I felt ⁢fully prepared⁣ for the competency exam, and my instructors were supportive. Working as a CNA has been⁤ life-changing; I get to​ meet⁤ amazing people and⁢ truly help those in need.” James highlights⁢ the importance of dedication and ​empathy ‌in⁢ this‌ role.

Conclusion

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Georgia⁤ is a unique​ and fulfilling career ‍choice. With⁤ the right training, scheduled exams, and a commitment to helping others, you can unlock a rewarding career that offers growth ‍and stability. If you’re‌ ready to take the first step, ​start researching CNA training programs today, and begin your journey towards a successful career in healthcare!

https://cnatrainingprogram.net/open-your-career-a-complete-guide-to-georgia-cna-certification-requirements-and-benefits/

[locustheologicus]

Pope Francis and the Consistent Ethic of Life

I have received a number of ads from a psuedo-Catholic group called "Catholic Vote." They make the claim that they are "America's top Catholic Advocacy Organization." They are certainly a well funded operation that offers their own resources and their own analysis on social issues and Catholic social teaching. A quick view of this site however will reveal a partisan bent on their mission that clearly leads them to a conservative and rightist political platform. Take a look at their social media post on X and what you see is disparaging attacks on Democratic candidates and defenses and praise on far-right candidates.

I have said this before and it bears repeating, The Catholic Church's position on voting is that we have an obligation to vote and vote our conscience. But the Church does not tell us who to vote for. What the Church does do is to inform our conscience so we can be formed by the Spirit to apply the values of our faith in the election process. This is the crux of the official USCCB statement called Faithful Citizenship which states our official position.

Nevertheless, Catholics look to the Pope and the magistarium to help us consider how we should vote as clearly as possible. Pope Francis was recently asked this question and his response is in the video above and quoted below.

Both are against life, both the one that throws out migrants and the one that kills children. In political morality, in general they say that if you don’t vote, it’s not good, it’s bad. You have to vote, and you have to choose the lesser evil. Who is the lesser evil, that woman or that man? I don’t know. Each one, in his or her conscience, must think and do this.

The statement makes clear that there are troubling social issues on both sides of the aisles. I want to share how I personally interpret this aspect of our tradition in light of "Faithful Citizenship" and what Pope Francis and his predecessors taught.

Personally, I feel very troubled by a number of issues with the far-right and the Project 2025 platform, so I cannot in good concience vote for Trump. On the basis of economic, ecological, migration and racial issues I feel that Kamala will be a better candidate overall. That is how my own consience is formed based on my own understanding of our Catholic social tradition and guided by my faith and prayer life. I am part of a Catholic agency, a Catholic association, and a Catholic parish; I am aware of members of these communities who will vote for the Democratic candidate and others who will vote for the Republican candidate. As I understand what the Churches teaches, I have no right to judge the opinion of my Catholic bretheren, certainly I may disagree and I should be able to discuss my thoughts and opinions with them, but I need to honor their own thoughts and opinion just like I expect them to honor mine. The bottom line is that the Church wants all Catholics to vote and participate with the election process through a well-formed conscience, wherever that leads them.

CNN also wrote on Pope Francis' political statement, "Pope Francis criticizes Trump and Harris and says voters must choose between ‘lesser of two evils’"

The article does not add much to his statement but it does share with us some statistics and how Catholics voted last year.

US Catholics also have a range of views. According to Pew Research, 52% of Catholic registered voters describe themselves as being or leaning Republican, while 44% say they are or lean Democrat. Catholic voters were split in 2020, with 50% voting for Biden and 49% supporting Trump, according to Pew. But a majority of Catholics – 61% – believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

Fr. Casey has organized the following video piece to help educate on what the Church teaches us about our civic responsibility.

Fr. Casey reiterates the teaching that Cardinal Ratzinger offers in his famous 2002 doctrinal note which I discussed in a former post.

There are no perfect candidates and there is no problem voting for a candidate with problematic views in one area if your voting for them because of their virtous positions in other areas. Voting for a candidate is not an endorsement of everything that they do, but rather a weighing of their pros and cons, recognizing that more work will need to be done no matter who gets elected.

The reminder here from Pope Francis is that the Catholic position covers a number of important social issues that encompasses the consistent ethic of life. We have to discern these along with the state of our world during this election. The Church reminds us what these issues are. Pope Francis reminds us of abortion and the migrant issues. The USCCB teaches about the consistent ethic in this way.

Both Pope Francis and Fr. Casey also reminds us not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good, we have the obligation to vote for "the lesser of two evils."

[evoldir]

Fwd: Postdoc: ULausanne.ModellingBacterialEvolEco

Begin forwarded message: > From: evoldir@evol.biology.mcmaster.ca > Subject: Postdoc: ULausanne.ModellingBacterialEvolEco > Date: 18 May 2024 at 06:09:00 BST > To: rdmpage@gmail.com > > > Postdoc in modelling bacterial evolution, ecology and epidemiology > > > - Two years > - Flexible start-date from 1.8.2024 > - Apply by 17.06.2024 > > > Join the Evolutionary Epidemiology group as we move to the University > of Lausanne! > > The group works at the intersection of evolutionary theory, microbial > ecology, and public health. We use mathematical and statistical > modelling to address problems in public health and to answer fundamental > questions about bacterial ecology and evolution. > > We are looking for two postdoctoral researchers with experience in > mathematical and/or statistical modelling and/or bacterial genomics to > work on bacterial population and community dynamics. There are multiple > projects available, with freedom to collaboratively shape the direction. > Possibilities include: > - Developing models to predict antibiotic resistance frequencies. > - Modelling how interactions within the gut microbiome shape bacterial >  populations. > - Uncovering the role of plasmid transmission and horizontal gene >  transfer in the spread of clinically concerning traits. > > The Evolutionary Epidemiology group, led by Sonja Lehtinen, is a friendly, > growing team, soon to be based at University of Lausanne’s Computational > Biology Department. We are mostly focused on theory and computation, > working with existing genomic and epidemiological datasets, as well > as running our own sampling studies. We are affiliated with the NCCR > Microbiomes, providing fantastic opportunities for collaborations with > experimental, clinical and other modelling groups. > > We’re looking for curious, collaborative and thoughtful researchers. If > you like our papers, we want to hear from you! > > Your profile > - A PhD in a relevant topic, such as evolutionary theory, computational >  biology, or bacterial genomics. > - Expertise in mathematical/statistical modelling and/or genomics. > - Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. > > What we offer > - An exciting opportunity to shape your research in a supportive and >  stimulating environment. > - Exceptional scope for collaboration through the NCCR >  Microbiomes network. > - Access to top-notch resources and possibilities for independent >  funding and fellowships. > - Excellent support for further learning and professional development. > - Plenty of opportunities to attend conferences and to build your >  scientific network. > - Attractive salary, beautiful location and excellent quality of life in >  one of the best small cities in the world. > > Apply here: > https://ift.tt/w2y8sp9 > > We welcome informal enquiries (no applications) at: > sonja.lehtinen@env.ethz.ch There will be a further position advertised > later, so please get in touch even if the proposed timing isn’t quite > right for you! > > Evolutionary Epidemiology group: > https://ift.tt/MhmGJU7 NCCR Microbiomes: > https://ift.tt/yFkAhHC > > Lehtinen  Sonja

[pashterlengkap]

Anti-trans bills keep citing The New York Times

New York Times columnist Pamela Paul argued in a 4,500-word op-ed earlier this month that transgender health care procedures amount to “unproven treatments for children,” despite major medical associations’ support for gender-affirming care and the widespread view that it is lifesaving. The piece, which builds upon Paul’s record of espousing anti-trans views in the pages of the country’s most important paper, was roundly condemned by trans journalists over what they alleged was an argument rife with inaccuracies.   Yet for all the criticism it unleashed, or precisely because of that very criticism, conservative groups seized upon Paul’s piece to pursue anti-trans legal maneuvers. In Idaho, the Alliance Defending Freedom, the powerful conservative legal group known for its critical role behind the strategy that overturned Roe v. Wade, specifically cited Paul’s Feb. 4 column as evidence of the “ostracism, pain, and lifelong regret” young people experience after receiving gender-affirming health care. The legal brief, which aimed to overturn a federal judge’s December ruling that blocked the state from enforcing a ban on gender-affirming health care, was ultimately unsuccessful. But it underscored the right’s enthusiasm for including New York Times pieces that have been accused of cherry-picking data and citing problematic sources in their defenses of anti-trans legislation across the country.  Related: New Hampshire lawmakers pass anti-trans bills as 150 such bills are filed nationwide 2024 is already looking worse than 2023. “It’s not surprising that the ADF would cite Paul,” Gillian Branstetter, Communications Strategist from the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, told Mother Jones. “They have been working to manufacture doubt around the safety and efficacy of this care.” Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our daily newsletter. My colleague Madison Pauly has reported on this very effort. In May 2023, Pauly uncovered leaked emails that showed ADF working behind the scenes to pressure Republican lawmakers to create some of the most restrictive bills in the country. That strategy often involved citing misinformation and experts some view as unqualified or biased.  Paul appears to follow a similar tactic. In her February piece, Paul claims that some professionals who question the gender-affirming care model feel silenced, afraid that airing public concerns over procedures would get them labeled as transphobic. Paul references Stephanie Winn, a therapist in Oregon who primarily works with parents of gender non-conforming youth “worried that [their] child’s new ‘identity’ may be influenced by peers, media, underlying mental health issues, or trauma.” But Paul failed to mention that Winn is not a neutral professional: She has promoted invasive techniques for parents to encourage their children not to be transgender; and supported theories like “RODG” and hormone imbalance caused dysphoria, both of which have not been supported by science; and testified against Oregon’s ban on conversion therapy.  Paul also appears to follow ADF’s pattern of misrepresenting data. When her piece claims that “30 percent of people on hormone therapy discontinue its use within four years,” Paul declines to include key context to that statistic: The study focused specifically on military families who stopped refilling their hormone replacement therapy prescriptions through Tricare, a health program for active duty service members. In the study, the researchers state “our findings are likely to underestimate continuation rates among transgender patients” because patients may have switched to an alternative insurance plan or private pay. Erin Reed, an independent trans journalist, also pointed out that the last two years of the study data coincided with Trump’s ban on transgender service members, another… http://dlvr.it/T3Drpm

[bookmytalent]

How to Conduct Interview Coding Challenges for Developers?

Hiring a software engineer or developer is a tiresome task, isn’t it? Are you also thinking of conducting interview coding challenges? But do these coding challenges actually help during interviews to find the right developer for your next project? And if it does, how to actually conduct interview coding challenges for developers?

So many questions may be hovering in your mind right now, to which you are not able to find the answers. But don’t worry. Finding the right developers for your IT projects isn’t actually that much of a hard task. Just the right approach is required to assess candidates’ theoretical knowledge as well as their problem-solving skills and work-related mindset.

In this blog, we’ll go over a variety of interview coding challenges, along with their types and definitions. Additionally, we’ll discuss the best ways to organize such coding challenges to find the perfect candidate later on here.

What Is a Coding Challenge for Interview?

Coding challenges for interviews are essentially technical screening tests used by businesses to evaluate candidates’ real-world abilities. They are also known by names like hiring coding challenge or take-home projects, which includes problems based on:

Practical issue/ real-world problems

Problems related to algorithms and their applications.

programming problems to test fundamental ideas like data structures and algorithms.

By 2023, India is anticipated to surpass the United States in terms of software developers. The number, which was about 2.75 million in 2017, is expected to rise to 5.2 million in 2023. This is not the case only with India, but other countries too are on the same boat. However, there is a flip side to these encouraging statistics: 74% of employers regret hiring the wrong candidate.

So, if you’re looking to hire developers and don’t want to end up regretting it later, use this guide to save the best for you. And the best part is that you can now take advantage of the growing trend of working-from-home opportunities. This trending work culture has made remote hiring a go-to option for a number of employers.

Different Types of Coding Challenges

Take-home:

Take-home coding challenges are situations where the employer or hiring manager will mail the coding assignment to the selected candidate. S/he then will finish the assignment within the given deadline in an environment where they feel comfortable. This gives them the sense as if they are working as a part of the team.

And these coding challenges are usually preferred by companies looking for international talent. Or businesses that are adopting a hybrid or remote-first setup.

But every coin has two sides, as the saying goes. Similarly, this form of coding challenge has its other side as well. Hiring managers frequently use the tactic of giving applicants a ton of difficult and lengthy tasks. They may need up to weeks to finish the assignment, which drains their energy and demotivate them altogether.

Remember that finding the ideal candidate is the primary goal. Abusing take-home tests is a surefire way to stop outstanding candidates from moving forward in the hiring process. Avert making this misjudgment!

Pair programming:

Businesses or enterprises that want to hire a group of skilled and cooperative software developers typically prefer this. It allows a hiring manager to assign a problem to two or more candidates and have them collaborate to find a creative solution.

This test is useful for assessing a candidate’s interpersonal skills and communication abilities. However, because it puts the applicant on the spot, it might not be the best way to assess their problem-solving abilities. Therefore, involving senior candidates who won’t be as overwhelmed by the live-coding experience should only be given such coding challenges.

Whiteboarding:

This kind of coding challenge is included during the in-person interviews. Here candidates are asked to perform the coding task on a whiteboard in front of the hiring team. This however is a stressful situation for the respondents. But on the other side, it also helps employers to see how the interviewee responds in a stressful situation.

This kind of coding challenge is still preferred by MAANG (Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) companies when hiring candidates. 

However, a poor whiteboard interview can give candidates a really bad impression of a business. Additionally, the business might miss out on otherwise fantastic candidates who felt uncomfortable and couldn’t thrive in the situation.

Screening coding challenges:

Screening coding challenges are type MCQ tests where the developer has to pick the right answer out of the given options. It is used as a pre-qualifying step and is regarded as an easy way to test a candidate’s knowledge.

The hiring manager will not have to spend as much time reviewing applications or resumes. rather they can give questions with multiple options and ask respondents to simply select the correct one.

However, this restricts employers from assessing a specific candidate’s procedures and problem-solving abilities. Neither does it guarantee that a candidate will be able to produce code that is more efficient.

Why Do Businesses Prefer Coding Challenges to Interview and Evaluate Developers?

There are numerous benefits of adding coding challenges to the interview process. An interview code challenge is superior to a standard interview in that it does more than just assess your abilities:

The world is increasingly adopting remote work culture. As a result, assessing a candidate’s technical skills through video interviews is of no use. It is vital to make them face real-world problems to help employers assess their problem-solving abilities as well.

Potential employees are put in a work like environment through such coding challenges.

These coding assessments also assist the recruiters in determining whether a candidate meets certain criteria, such as: –

strong foundational knowledge of programming

critical and analytical thinking skills

aptitude for solving issues.

performing under pressure and developing the best solutions

Best Practices for Interview Coding Challenges

In addition to saving hiring companies time, coding challenges assist candidates in showcasing their technical skills.

Focus on real issues:

When candidates get the actual problem to solve, they are able to demonstrate whether they are the best fit for the position. This also helps employers analyze the impact candidate can have on the business.

For this, you can take the issues faced by your company in the past or maybe something presently going on.  Even candidates will gain a better understanding of the situations they might encounter on the job.

The more precise you are, the better candidates you will find who will be a good fit for the position.

Establish the conditions of the challenge:

It’s critical that you evaluate candidates fairly when considering a number of them for the same position. Make a standard test that you give to all of your applicants and do your best to keep the conditions uniform. This will streamline the process and provide you with a benchmark against which to compare your candidates.

Interview with an open mind:

Don’t simply focus on what is right and what is wrong. Your main goal should be to see how the candidate responds. Because as it is said, the journey is more important than the destination.

This is particularly crucial in face-to-face interviews where you can speak with and observe the applicant in action. You’ll be able to assess and analyze how they approach and solve proposed problems. As it’s more crucial to approach the challenge with the proper mindset than it is to arrive at the right conclusion.

Don’t make them rush into solving the assignment:

Give the candidate enough time to complete the challenge. They should be able to finish the challenge without feeling rushed. Offer them the choice to take the assignment home and submit it later, if at all possible.

Be prepared to respond to queries:

Be prepared to respond to inquiries. If candidates are unclear about the challenge’s requirements, they should feel free to ask for clarification. Afterward, provide feedback on how they did. They can use this to hone their abilities and get ready for upcoming interviews.

Test technical proficiency with fair and impartial coding challenges:

Avoid algorithms-based puzzles and brainteasers. Even though they can be fascinating, completely depending on them cannot clearly reveal the candidate’s technical interview skills.

There are many sites on the internet teaching developers to ace the interview. And going with the trend will not do any good. You have to make a crucial choice in this situation as the employer. Use the coding challenges that are fair and objective to evaluate technical skills and choose the best applicant.

Final words:

Coding challenges are effective ways to assess a candidate’s problem-solving skills as well as their methods and strategies. Your candidate selection process can be greatly streamlined and made easier with a good coding challenge.

BookMyTalent is the best platform if you want a simple hiring process to find talented remote developers. We make use of a reliable vetting module and a clever matching system that are both powered by machine learning and AI. It makes it simple and quick for businesses to put together their ideal engineering team.

Contact us today and build your dream team!

[atlanticcanada]

P.E.I. housing pinch major issue as parties campaign ahead of April 3 vote

A lack of affordable housing on Prince Edward Island has some questioning whether the province is running out of room for those who want to call it home, making dwindling real estate one of the major issues in the upcoming election.

Party leaders campaigning ahead of the April 3 vote have promised to tackle the lack of housing if they form the next government.

A December news release from Statistics Canada said P.E.I.'s rate of retaining immigrants five years after they arrive had jumped to 28 per cent in 2015 from 15.6 per cent in 2010, but it was still the worst among the provinces.

The population began to ramp up in 2015 but there was a dip in housing construction just before that, said Jim Sentance, an economics professor at the University of Prince Edward Island.

"New housing starts just dwindled down to a few hundred a year," he said.

A doctor coming into the province might not find it hard to find a house but someone in the lower- or middle-income group would, he said, with the lack of affordable housing a "fairly major issue" in the election.

"I think where the squeeze is on, I would suggest is more at the lower end," he said. "So more affordable housing."

Lack of housing brings with it other problems, such as difficulty in attracting and retaining people and students, said Cory Pater from the group P.E.I. Fight for Affordable Housing.

"A lot of people who come here move away almost immediately," Pater said.

A one-bedroom apartment in Charlottetown costs about $1,200 a month, he said. Rents increased about eight per cent from 2021 to 2022.

Green party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker said the lack of sufficient housing has made it difficult to attract workers in health care, construction and other fields.

He blames a lack of government planning. The reliance on the private sector to build more housing on P.E.I. is "misplaced," he said.

"We should have anticipated this and done something about it," he said in an interview. "We could have done much better when it comes to investing public dollars in building housing."

Sentance suggested the government should ease up a bit on bringing more people into the province until more units can be built.

An August news release from the P.E.I. government said the province's population is expected to grow about 13 per cent at a slow rate or about 41 per cent in a high-growth scenario over the next 20 years. Canada's population is projected to grow between 12 and 37 per cent over the same period.

Sentance said the government could afford to slow down the rate of population growth.

"At some point you have to wonder what's more important, growing the population or fixing the housing problem?"

Pater said he does not think a temporary easing up on immigration into the province would relieve much stress from the housing market because it's a problem that grew slowly and will take time to resolve.

In the short-term, he said the government could buy up housing units, hotels or other buildings to alleviate some of the pressure. His group is advocating for more public and co-operative housing that would keep rents low.

Progressive Conservative Party Leader Dennis King was not available for an interview.

A news release Wednesday from his campaign promised to launch a rent-to-own program that would help people buy a house with government financial options after renting for about two years.

Sharon Cameron, leader of the Liberal party, was also not available for an interview.

Bevan-Baker said a Green government would create a rent registry that would show what the previous tenant was paying and how much is being charged by the landlord when the property is leased out again.

He said rent caps are one way of controlling and regulating the marketplace, but they have to be done in tandem with a registry.

"Housing is both a basic human right and an investment opportunity," he said. "Government has the responsibility to ensure that the rights and needs of the more vulnerable community are properly protected."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 17, 2023.

By Hina Alam in Fredericton

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/9Thck82

[7r0773r]

From the Streets of Shaolin: The Wu-Tang Saga by S.H. Fernando Jr.

Considered boilerplate or standard in major label contracts, the leaving-member clause stipulated that a label that signed a group had exclusive rights to sign any leaving member of that group. After "Protect Ya Neck" started blowing up, none of the major labels that called RZA for a meeting were willing to waive this clause, except Loud. Rifkind says he was amenable to the idea because, following his experience with New Edition, "I always thought the group would be bigger than the solo artist.” The only reason he was able to convince the top brass at RCA to see eye to eye with him was because they didn't have much faith that what they referred to as the "Chinese rap group" would sell many records.

So Wu-Tang became the first rap group in history whose individual members were eligible to sign with other labels. The compromise Rifkind reached with RZA allowed Loud to have first dibs to match any competing offers for Wu-Tang solo artists. RZA also secured the guarantee of complete creative control over the album, another unprecedented accommodation. In exchange for these two significant concessions, he rolled the dice, agreeing to settle for a relatively paltry advance of $60,000. In doing so, however, "Wu-Tang not only kept the right to determine the destinies of its members individually, but—fatefully—they also retained their brand: their name, their merchandising, and their publishing. Never before had hip-hop artists negotiated the kind of autonomy that RZA did.” Of course, another visionary artist, George Clinton, had pulled off a similar coup in the seventies when he got his bands, Parliament and Funkadelic, which were, ostensibly, made up of the same musicians, signed to Casablanca and Westbound, respectively. But RZA was about to take this concept to the next level.

Even before the Loud deal was clinched, he signed ODB to Elektra and Method Man to Def Jam. By February 1993, when "Protect" became a "Sure Shot" single in The Source, the premiere hip-hop publication at the time, Genius scored a deal at Geffen Records. For RZA, everything was proceeding as planned. "So, what happened is now you have major labels who are in competition with each other now working for the same cause without being aware of it,” he says. "And now hip-hop is getting a chance to get a new breed of energy that was lacking. Before Wu-Tang, you couldn't find many MCs that was really straight from the projects—ex-felons who would never have got a job, life would be over. Seven out of nine of us are high school dropouts and basically the ones that society would write off as dead or in jail by twenty-five. So, we was able to beat that statistic, bring the real people into the music industry, the people that was feeling it [hip-hop] and living it, you know what I mean, and changed the game.”

There was no question that the rest of the Clan was on the same page. In an early interview, GZA said, "Clan represents family, man. Clan means family. We all a family. But we spreading out. Don't think that because he has a solo deal and I have a solo deal that we all just separating and breaking up. It's not that type of thing, man. We just expanding because the talent is so great. It's like we have mad talent in this, yunno, and we just got to spread out.”

Dirty added, "We got a master plan for y'all, man. See we tryin' to get all our people in the door. I ain't even gonna tell you. I'ma just show you, man." (pp. 148-49)