#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.

[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)

[palbabor-writes]

Practicum

Pairing: Shigaraki Tomura x Fem!Reader

Warnings: SMUT/18+ only, unbalanced/unhealthy relationships, student/teacher sex, tw.dubcon, tw.sub/dom dynamics, brat taming, fingering, masturbation, a table is pretty roughed up in this, so pls hold a brief moment of silence for it    

Words: 12,857

“So, you just want me to read from the book?”

“Yes.”

“And...answer questions?”

“That’s what I said,” Shigaraki smirks, already reaching toward his bookshelf, tugging the heavy Intro to Biology text out and shifting it into his large hands.

You bite at your lip again and pass your gaze from his amused expression to the bland cover of the textbook, debating your next move, trying to walk yourself through all the ups and downs. It’s too simple; too easy. It’s not like him. He’s got something else in mind, why else would he fucking look like that? It’s not a bad look. No, it’s a look that makes your stomach flip and head spin.

“Stop being so suspicious,” Shigaraki scolds, drawing your wandering attention back to him. “I don’t bite, that is, unless you want me to.”

Notes: the title was selected because it’s got the word cum in it. ahhh, the things that crack me up. anyhow. 

this is part of the BNHA Degeneracy server’s 9 to 5 collaboration! i had a ton of fun participating in this and thank you guys for making this so freaking awesome! special shoutout & thanks to @albinoburrito​ & @kugutsuu​ for their beta edits! this was a departure from what i usually write about and i appreciate all of your notes and help!  

Practicum prac·ti·cum /ˈpraktəkəm/ noun a practical section of a course of study

It’s your senior year, they said. Live a little, they advised. Stop and take a breather, you’re practically home free! Take some easier classes. Focus on what’s in front of you, it’ll be over before you know it! On and on and on. 

Spring semester is almost here. You’ve applied for graduation, the cap and gown ordered, and you have a shiny class ring sitting on your pinky. It’s in the bag. Just breeze through four more classes and you’re out. Well, it would be an easy shot, if you hadn’t put off this one class. 

It always popped up, so it’s not like you could plead ignorance. Your advisor warned you, each quarterly meeting, that you needed to get it out of the way. Take it seriously, he cautioned, clacking out his notes, typing down that you’d failed to heed his sage advice, again. If you wait too long, you’re not going to get the professor that you want.

That was the other problem. You’re a procrastination superstar. If there was some kinda award for putting off assignments, you’d have won it ten times over. You liked the heart pounding race to the deadline, the sleepy boasts that you’d tackled the project within hours of its due date. 

It’s a stupid habit. Every semester you promise yourself that you’ll do better. You won’t wait, you’ll tackle things one assignment at a time and turn them before the hard cut off at 11:59 pm. Who the fuck did you think you were kidding? Certainly not your friends, or your advisor. He could read you like a book. Hell, he’d even sent warnings. 

‘Don’t forget about the deadline for senior registration!’

‘You don’t want to be on a waitlist. You especially don’t want to take one of the harder professors. These are freshman level classes, they’re designed to flunk undergrads. Don’t forget (Y/N), chew them up and spit them out tactics are employed.’ 

But you had. You’d set an alarm on your phone, then neglected to give it a title, so you’d only chuckled and smacked the chirping into silence that morning, snoozing the all important deadline away. 

Fuck. 

Most of the classes for biology are wait-listed. No, scratch that, all the classes for Intro to Genetic Biology are wait-listed. You opt into the waitlist for all of them, just in case, and a week later your phone alerts you that one has an open seat. Actually, it has several open seats, too many open seats to be natural. However, you’re not going to look a gift horse in the mouth, so for now, you’re enrolled in BIO 1208: Principles of Cell and Organismal Physiology - For Non-Science majors. 

Perfect.

Yeah, no. You’d looked up the professor, since the whole open seat thing was still giving you the heebie-jeebies, and your heart dropped. You’ve heard of him, most of the student body has. His classes are notoriously small. Not because the university limited them, or planned for smaller class sizes. No, his classes are tiny because he is infamous for failing students. 

Most, when they realize they’re scheduled for his bio classes, frantically drop, taking the withdrawal and praying for better luck next semester. Others, brave souls who think they can come out unscathed, attempt to grit their teeth and push through. But, by midterms, they’re war torn and haggard, shaking their heads and praying for a ‘C’, at best. Fewer still, pass.

This pedagogy isn’t a sign of good teaching; quite the opposite, in fact. You don’t want your student body failing. Yet, year after year, Professor Tomura Shigaraki keeps teaching the same Intro to Bio class. It boggles the mind, but you’ve never had to worry about it. Well, until now. 

When you’d received the notification that you’re enrolled in the B section and spied the name Shigaraki under the professor listing, you’d scarfed down your suddenly flavorless lunch and dashed up the steps to the student advising hall, praying there was some way you could wiggle your way out of this growing disaster.

“I’m pretty sure I told you to take it earlier and to take it in the fall when there are more freshman level classes available. I swear I said that to you. And, AND, I even sent you emails, several times if my sent inbox is to be believed, to NOT forget when senior registration ends.” 

Your advisor is peeved. You don’t blame him. He’s right, this is your fault, but there’s gotta be some kinda loophole. Something, fuck, anything, that can pull you from this mess. 

“I know, I know! I’m so sorry. You’re right. But, I mean, can’t I just hold off for another week? See if the waitlist clears?”

The man that you’ve known for four years, that’s seen you progress from freshman to senior, steeples his long fingers and purses his lips, likely debating on a tactful scolding, or a firm rebuttal. He takes a deep breath and you can’t help but sink into the soft cushioning of the chair, your nose wrinkled and brow furrowed, mentally preparing yourself for the worst.

“Do you know how many students we require to take BIO 1208?”

“No,” you gulp, nibbling on your lower lip nervously. 

“Over 7,000. Do you want to hear the statistics that would need to shake out in your favor for you to miraculously avoid taking this specific class? Nothing is going to open for you, it is this class, or no class.”

You sigh, and your advisor nods, pushing his horn-rimmed glasses up his nose. “Well then, I suggest you brush up on your study skills. Find a classmate that you can compare notes with, join a study group, go to the student union and ask for a tutor. I would hate to see you back here for the summer semester. You’re scheduled to walk the stage this spring and you’ve worked hard for this, so don’t fuck it up, okay?”

You’ve attended this university for four years, but the first day of term always gives you the jitters. It doesn’t matter that you know your way around, or that you know ten professors by name, and bump into several friends on the way to your next building, you’re always buried in your phone, checking and double checking the next class’ room number. 

Despite all that caution, you’re lost.

In your defense, it’s your first time stepping foot in the Graduate & Research building and the whole concrete block is a fucking maze. There must be a basement because the numbers don’t match up with the floors and they seem to jumble further every time you round a corner. Like what the hell? How can this next room be GR 3.03.05 when this is clearly only the second floor and GR 2.03.11 was right down that other hallway?

Exasperated, you lean against the nearest wall and tug your phone out again. Shit. Class started ten minutes ago. 

Part of you wants to call it a day, end the search here and try again on Wednesday. Maybe take a few extra minutes to scout out the building next time and have some idea of where you’re going before the start of class. 

Ugh, why is this so stressful? 

It’s the first day of classes. Surely Professor Shigaraki won’t mind if you’re a few minutes late; besides, if you’re lost, others must be too. 

You tuck your phone back into your pocket and resume the hunt. Two hallway turns later, you find your mark.

Your hand pauses beside the heavy wood, and you take a steadying breath. Again, why are you so nervous? Just go in and take a seat, it’s easy, stop freaking out over nothing. 

The door groans open, hinges protesting the sharp push, and you stumble into a darkened room. The low glow of the projector doesn’t help your blurry vision. Ah, shit, it’s one of those older rooms, so it’s built like a bad movie theater. Oh well, better get to a seat before he spots you. 

Swiftly, you make your way toward the raised steps of the aisle and the second row of chairs, plopping into the first one you reach that’s empty. You’re too busy fiddling with the zipper of your backpack to notice that the speaker has stopped his rasping preamble, but as you pull your laptop out the ominous weight of that heavy silence hits you and you toss a hooded stare toward the front of the lecture hall. 

Immediately, your eyes land on the professor’s and you feel a low shiver shake up your spine. 

He’s watching you. 

The gleam of the overhead projector makes his red eyes flash, and he openly scowls at your gaping expression, his lips curling into a dark sneer.

“Well, thank you for joining us, Miss…?”

He’s waiting for your response and you squeak out your last name, mindlessly rubbing your moistening palms against your thin skirt. 

“Ah, Ms. (L/N). Now that you’ve graced the class with your belated presence, may I continue?”

“Uh,” you gasp out, your mouth dry, tongue sticking to your teeth, “I’m sorry. I got–”

“I didn’t ask for an explanation, or in your case, an excuse. Or are you now attempting to disrupt this class purposefully?”

“Wha– I-I’m–” your words stumble to a halt, voice failing under the intense glare that he’s giving you. “No,” you finish lamely, ducking your head, nails digging into your sweaty palms. 

“Thank you. Do me a favor, stay after class.” His voice is gravel, threatening and low. You don’t like the edge in his tone. It makes your skin prickle and your knees knock. He sounds like the kind of guy that you don’t want to run into in a dark alleyway, or a classroom, for that matter. Even so, it’s not your fault, and despite your feelings of unease, you can’t tamp down your need to protest his unreasonableness. 

“But, professor, I didn’t mean to–”

“If I need to repeat my insistence for silence, I’ll make things easier on both of us and fail you now.”

Stunned and fuming, you bite your tongue and lean back into your chair, crossing your arms and blinking back mounting tears of frustration. Great, just great. It’s the first fucking day of class and it looks like you’re already on his shit list. And for what? For being late on fucking syllabus day! What an ass. 

You look over at him as you defiantly finish setting up your computer, hoping each pull of a zipper or screen reboot will grate under his stuck up skin. He’s not inordinately tall, or old. In fact, he looks like he might only be in early 30s. He has long white hair that’s pulled back into a low ponytail and, from what you can make out in the dim lighting, some kinda skin condition on his forehead. That, or he’s prematurely wrinkled, and let’s be honest, if he’s gone through life with that big of a stick up his ass, he deserves each and every pull on that mottled skin of his. 

You linger in your seat when class is over, lips pulled into a thin line and legs crossed. Finally, when the last student has left the room, professor Shigaraki flips a switch beside his elevated podium, filling the lecture hall with a sharp, fluorescent light. He pauses by his raised computer system and clicks off the overhead projector, blanketing the massive room in an uncomfortable silence. 

“Since you missed the part of class where I go over the syllabus, I’ll give you a brief rundown. Under no circumstances will I tolerate tardiness. If you do it once more I’ll mark you absent and three absences knock you down a full letter grade.”

Glumly, you cross your arms and peer up at him, finally able to get a good look at his face. Your first observation was correct. His skin is sharper around his forehead, but his wavy white hair does a pretty decent job of covering up the imperfections. He has two scars: one nicks across his right eye and the other splits down his rough lips, parting the skin and granting him an even more foreboding appearance than his already gruff demeanor does. He’s dressed in a dark pair of jeans and he’s wearing a low slung v neck shirt. It’s a brilliant red and it brings out that otherworldly glint of his red eyes. Shit, you think bitterly, while he’s not conventionally handsome, he’s not exactly hard on the eyes either. 

You shake your head against these unproductive musings and curtly snap out a clipped, ok.

“What was that?” Shigaraki scoffs, tilting his head at your sullen figure. “Speak up.”

“I said,” you bristle, eyes narrowing and chin lifting, “Okay, I apologize for interrupting your lecture, it won’t happen again. But, in my defense, if I’m allowed to do that in this class, I’ve never been in this building before, and it’s not like–”

“You’re a senior, right?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Then you’ve had four years to figure out the layout of this university. The excuse of ‘being lost,’ isn’t an option for you. You know the buildings and you’re fully capable of turning up early to sort out the rooms.”

You let out a long sigh and look away, mumbling vague protests. This guy is ridiculous. You’re not a science major and it’s not your job to know the ins and outs of each building. How fucking stupid. Who does he think he–

“Speak up. I won’t ask you again.”

You bite your lip and look back at him but he’s moved in that distracted moment, silently stepping down from his raised platform and is now leaning over the first row of chairs, looming over you. You can’t help your sudden flinch as you sink further into your chair, away from him.

“If you’re gonna complain, Ms. (L/N), I’d much rather hear it. Don’t you think It’s rude for you to mutter under your breath about me? You don’t see me doing that to you.”

“Fine,” you blurt out, turning away from his insistent, and all too close, gaze. “I was saying that I’m not a science major. I get that I’m a senior, but you can’t seriously expect me to know every nook and cranny of this campus.”

“No, but I can ask for you to be a little more thoughtful. I put time and effort into my lessons and I won’t have you undermining them by bouncing in here with those legs and that flouncy little skirt.”

You’re about to counter his little haughty speech on politeness when you finally process that final comment he’d breathed out. Flabbergasted, you raise your head back to his, but he’s already moving away, snatching up his shoulder bag and waving you a curt goodbye as he presses open the squeaky door. “Next class is at 10 am sharp, so be on time Ms. (L/N).”

You’re still slumped in your seat when the door glides shut again, your eyes wide and jaw no doubt comically unhinged. 

Wait. Did…did he really just say that?

Obviously, for the next class, you’re early. You’re so early that you’re the first one in the lecture hall. You select a seat toward the back and fiddle with your computer, checking your messages, adjusting your brightness, replying to old emails, anything to keep your head down and attention occupied. 

The door opens and, despite your best efforts, your head flies up, expectant and tense, ready to meet those red eyes of his head on, to show him you’re here and he better… oh. It’s not him. It’s two chattering freshmen. One of them gives you a quick smile, but they both quickly take their seats, a few rows over, and continue their soft conversation, leaving you to fall back onto your earlier distraction tactics. You twiddle with your phone and shoot off a few texts, change your wallpaper, accidentally close an app you meant to leave open, and then the lecture hall door reopens.

He steps in slowly, completely ignoring you and the other scattered students, opting to sort out a few papers and set up his login on the school computer. The minutes tick by and you can’t seem to jerk your eyes away from him, suddenly fascinated by his languid movements. He looks more relaxed than he did on Monday, looser and fluid, completely in his element. True to his word, at ten am on the dot he begins class. 

Professor Shigaraki has an interesting voice. It’s low, calculated, bordering on a rasp. It’s one of those tones that makes you want to lean forward and listen up, even though he’s only discussing cellular biology. Which isn’t exactly the sexiest topic for that shockingly dulcet timbre of his. 

Wait. Sexy? 

Your pen falters against your notebook, and your eyes drift up to his frame. He’s switched the lights off again and the shine of the overhead projector is the only illumination in the hall. His white hair gleams in the dim lighting and his long hands animatedly illustrate his points, elegant fingers opening and closing, gesticulating about the intricate nature of the human genome. You’re so focused on watching his movements that your elbow partner has to push the slip of paper onto your collapsible desktop. You blink at the sheet, your pen nearly clattering from your hand, and you twist to peer at the unfamiliar student beside you. 

“It’s the attendance sheet and, um, I think you’re the last one,” they whisper, careful to lean away after they finish their explanation, not wanting to draw professor Shigaraki’s ire. You maneuver the paper under your pen and scribble down your name, biting your lip and silently berating yourself for your poor selection in seating. Great, now you’ll have to take the paper down to him after class. What if he talks with you again? Shit. 

At 11:25, class ends. You collect your things and plod down the steps, the attendance sheet clutched between your fingers. He’s just snapping the projector light off when you reach his podium. 

“I, uhh, have the attendance. You want me to just leave it here, or…”

“I’ll take it,” his hand is extended toward you and those red eyes are fixed on you now. It’s not the same disgruntled stare he’d given you on Monday. No, this look is a little more curious. Again, you’re taken aback by your reaction to him. He’s not even saying anything, just patiently waiting for you to deposit the sheet into his open palm, but there’s something about him that’s making your heart race. 

Maybe it’s those eyes of his. 

They are an unusual color and they have a strange intensity to them. Right as they narrow, the vermillion shining under the sharp lights; you press the paper to him and he pulls it from you, studying the names that are listed. 

You want to say something. Maybe toss him a quick, friendly, goodbye. Or apologize for the other day? Ugh. What can you even say? ‘Gosh, so glad I was on time today! All that fascinating information about the genetic code! So glad to be here!’ No, that sounds stupid and a little patronizing. Besides, why do you want to talk with him at all? He’s an ass, remember?

“Did you need something?”

His question snaps you out of your stupor and you numbly shake your head at him, already lowering your gaze, but his exhaled chuckle makes you pause, your fingers curling around your backpack straps.  

“I know I upset you the other day, but I appreciate you taking the effort to correct your mistake.” 

“Oh,” you breathe, your eyes finding their way back to his. “Yeah, well, like you said, I’m a senior. Gotta take responsibility for myself someday.”

“Ah,” he smirks, that long scar on his lip quirking upward. “Seems like you’ve got some determination after all. You might be more interesting than I gave you credit for.”

“God,” you scoff, popping out a hip and crossing your arms at the bemused leer on his face. “Just come right out and say you think I’m a bad student, why don’t you?”

“Don’t worry,” he amends, tucking the attendance sheet into his shoulder bag and snapping the clasps closed. “There’s plenty of time for you to end up right back at square one with me.”

He’s already halfway out the door by the time you right yourself from the shock of his last comment and you follow him, a string of low curses falling from your lips. 

The spring semester always flies by, and before you realize it, a full month has bled away. You’ve kept that same seat in Shigaraki’s class and at the end of each session you head down to his little platform, attendance sheet outstretched. Each day of class has a different ebb and flow. Sometimes he chats with you and it’s gotten easier to talk with him, both of your eyes holding and lingering, lips raised into calculating smiles. Sometimes it almost feels like he’s flirting with you. Other days he only spares you a curt nod, his white hair curtaining his expression from your curious gaze. You’re not bothered by these silences, not when you’ve got your secret weapon. 

The days that you like best, the ones that you plan, sorting through your closet until you’ve found the perfect choice, are the days when you wear one of your skirts. You’d even gone on some skirt shopping sprees as of late. On those days he doesn’t just make some sort of fleeting eye contact with you, no, on those days he stares. 

At first, you’d tested out your theory, staggering your outfits, careful to not screw up your suspicions with a hasty miscalculation, but as they say, the third time’s the charm. How did he expect you not to notice? He never bothers to hide those sharp ogles and recently you’ve made a point of dramatically gathering your things when you wear these cute little ensembles, bopping down the steps so his eyes have to work to follow the line of your hips and the long paths of your bare legs. One rainy afternoon you’d worn over the knee stockings, that came to an abrupt halt over the plush skin of your upper thigh, under your mini skirt and he’d practically leapt over the podium to grab the sheet from you, his eyes hooded and dark, almost wild.

“Test, on Friday,” he warns, eyes finally rising to meet your bemused expression. “Don’t stay out too late tonight.”

“What makes you say that?” you ask, brushing at a rogue fold in your skirt, luring him back to your legs. 

He scoffs at you, that jagged scar arching into a smirk. “Humph. You’re dressed up. Most of the students just wear the sweats, or pjs, and call it a day.” 

“I like to put a little effort in all that I do,” you retort, grinning up at his vermillion stare. 

“Yes, so I’ve noticed. You certainly look the part…and you’re keeping up with the workload of this course.”

“Ahhh,” you crow, clapping your hands excitedly. “Are you saying I might get an ‘A’ in this class? Be the first time someone’s done that in a while, from what I’ve heard around campus.”

Shigaraki sneers and tuts out an inaudible reply, leaning a little closer to you, making you inadvertently fall back a step. “Don’t push your luck.”

“Awe,” you pout, crossing your arms over your chest. “I’m doing ok on all the quizzes and the classwork.”

“So far,” he taunts, his pearlescent hair falling over his broad shoulder.

“Tch. Don’t be like that. I’ve been studying.”

“Sometimes it takes more than that.”

“Oh?” you smile, raising your chin. “What else should I be doing, professor?”

“We’ll know that after Friday, won’t we?”

God. 

You’d felt so confident when you’d turned in your test and that stupid, horrible, sexy little quirk of his lip scar that he sends you, when you’d handed him your papers, carries you on some strange, half aroused cloud all weekend. Maybe, just maybe, this class won’t be so bad after all.

The tests are handed back the following Friday, passed from row to row so everyone can fish out their papers and marked Scantrons. Yours, since you still occupy that final seat on the back row, is the last. Biting back a grin, you flip it over, so ready to see that A, that grade that you worked so fucking hard for, that… wait.

The gross flash of red across the top of your paper leaves you reeling, your breath catching against the back of your throat. It’s not a terrible grade, well, it wouldn’t be, but there are only three tests in this class, so it’s going to plummet you down to a B. One more fuck up will leave you with a C, or worse, an automatic failing grade. 

No. No, no, no, no. 

You can’t afford a bad grade, you honestly can’t even let yourself slip to a B. Your fucking cap and gown have just come in and with them that cord that you can wear around your neck at graduation. The one that marks you as honors cum laude. Fuck. You’re already pulling one B, in one of your other classes, because you’ve been focusing so much time and effort on this one. Another B will strip that cord from you, leaving you barren, with a less than ideal GPA. 

God fucking damn it.

You glare up at Shigaraki, who’s busy taking the rest of the class through a review of genetic mutations, but you can’t hear him anymore, too incensed, too overwhelmed to even care about what he’s saying. The test crumples under your fingertips, the paper shaking in your hands, and you seethe, your teeth biting your lower lip to pieces. 

It’s not fair. You’d paid attention. You’ve taken all the notes. Read all the chapters. Drilled and studied till your eyes had drooped, heavy with exhaustion. You’ve done it all right. Plus, he’d been so fucking flirty, so open with you. You’ve never chatted with a professor this way, never gone out of your way to wear clothes they like, that make them watch you, their eyes hungry pinpricks as you walk to them, mindful of the luscious sway of your hips. 

No. Fuck him. Fuck this class.

Before your elbow classmate can leave, you ask for them to hand in the attendance sheet. You barely hear their response, too busy slamming your laptop into your backpack. As you storm past the podium, you can feel his eyes on you. The distant sensation of his gaze makes your flesh prickle, but you ignore your involuntary reaction and shove your way out the door. 

“(Y/N), you can’t switch classes this late. It’s almost midterms. Besides, I don’t think anything has opened up and if you’re going to drop it, you’ve gotta get the signature of the professor,” your advisor tells you, blinking at your stony expression over his thick glasses. “I don’t get it. Why do you want to drop it? Your grades are alright and it’s just one test. You can always try–”

“Gimme the paperwork.”

Shigaraki’s office is on the top floor of the research building, tucked away down another winding and weaving hallway that once again requires your careful inspection to navigate. When you finally hit the right set of doors, you slowly make your way forward, counting the numbers up as you pass. His door is wide open, a yawning cavern that’s filled with the distant light of a lamp. You brush a hand down your skirt, smoothing away any wrinkles and steadying your nerves. 

You’d tossed on the skirt this morning, before you’d gotten the grade, and you hadn’t thought to go home and change, too consumed by that simmering rage bubbling within you. And now, like this fucking class, this skirt felt like a mistake, something stupid and vapid that you wished you had time to change out of. He’d told you he liked your attire, liked that you put effort into your outfits. At the time, you’d been so thrilled and excited that he’d complimented you, but now you wish you were confronting him in baggy jeans or lazy sweats, anything that would turn that avid gaze of his away from you. 

Lost in thought, you waver beside his open door, nibbling on your lips and tugging at your clothes. It’s now or never. No point in putting it off. What’s the worst that can happen? What can he do now? Or, a darker side of you whispers, what do you want him to do to you? What? That’s a stupid thought, you scold yourself, lifting a hand to the wall and rapping against the beige paint, announcing your presence. 

When the sound fades away, swallowed up by the empty and darkened hallway, you poke your head around the corner, searching for him. His head is tilted quizzically, and he blinks twice when he spots you, that all too familiar smirk lifting his lips. 

“Ah, Ms. (L/N), what can I do for you?”

His voice is softer than usual and your name sounds like honey, his tone resting on the syllables and consonants for a beat, almost as if he’s savoring their lift, their sound. You can’t help but swallow heavily at his appraisal. Suddenly this may be a terrible idea. 

Ugh. Get a grip (Y/N). 

“I-I need you to sign this withdrawal paperwork,” you finally reply, digging in your bag and tugging out the thin leaflet, holding it out to him. He’s silent after your demand, meditatively threading his fingers and peering up at you, his red eyes bright. 

“Step inside and shut the door behind you,” he instructs, his gaze never falling from yours. Despite the simplicity of his request, you can’t help but bristle at his imperious tone. Why does he always have to sound like that? Like he’s seconds away from taking control of the situation, or of you? He’s always one stupid step ahead, and no doubt he’s going to try and talk you down. Or, he’ll sign it and say that he always knew you were a screw up, someone who only did things halfway, who could never match up to his lofty expectations. Humph, the sooner you’re outta here and out of his class, the better. So, you obey, closing the door and petulantly flopping into the unsteady chair that sits in front of his low desk. 

He maintains that uneasy quiet, his red eyes whisking over your disgruntled face, waiting, watching. Unable to take this strange standoff, you push the university paperwork toward him, sliding it as close as you dare to his bent elbows. “I would like to withdraw from your class,” you repeat, lips setting into a thin line. 

“Why?” he asks, cocking his head so his loose white hair falls a little further down his rough brow. 

“Something came up.”

“Hmm, I can try to work with a new schedule, if it’s your job, or home life,” he counters, eyes narrowing as he sharpens his observations of your brittle expression. 

“It’s not that,” you smart, crossing your arms. Great, he’s going to make this difficult. 

“Then I suggest you tell me what’s on your mind,” Shigaraki replies, mirroring your movements and leaning back in his chair. 

“I don’t think this class is working out for me.”

He exhales a soft laugh at your lie, and you watch that tiny mole at the edge of his chin lift in his quiet mirth. “This is a freshman level course and you’re a senior. You’re in my class because it’s likely the last pre-rec that you need to take before you graduate.”

“Um, yeah. But–”

“And now, you’re wanting to drop it because of one poor grade.”

You grind your teeth and fix him with a stark glower. “I–”

“There will be two other tests. If you read your syllabus, you’d know this.”

“I read the syllabus. Your tests are worth a stupid amount of points and it only takes one of them to tank my grade.”

“Frankly, you did better than most of the class. You only need to work on practical application. I said that the written portion would be a major component of the exam. I also provided you with a review and a rubric. So I’m not sure–”

“Your grade drops me to a ‘B’, and that ‘B’ pulls me from the honors list. And… well… I thought that…”

“Oh? What did you think?” he presses, his voice suddenly dropping to that lower octave it had drifted into when he said your last name. 

“I thought I’d get a better grade,” you spit out, turning your head and biting at your lip again. 

“Why?” he counters simply. His obtuseness is making your blood boil.

“What do you mean, why?” It takes all of your will to not slip a ‘jackass’ into that question. 

“It’s not a hard thing to answer. I graded you fairly and according to my rubric. Why exactly do you feel you merit a different grade than the one you earned?”

You fall into a frustrated silence. You can hear your heart pounding against your ribs and you want to scream at him, to leap over his desk and shake him until his teeth fucking rattle. Your shoulders are rising and lowering disjointedly and his vermillion eyes are honed in on your face, shifting over your pinched expression with a distant interest. You can feel tears pricking at your eyes and you hastily rub a fist over them, brushing away any rogue drops of moisture.

“How can you ask me that? You think I didn’t notice you staring at my legs? Or that you always had something to say to me when I was wearing a skirt? What was I supposed to think, huh? I fucking thought shit like that was gonna help, ok? God, I’m so stupid. I can’t… fuck.” 

Shigaraki arches forward when you finish, a deep sigh leaching through his parted lips. His teeth snap together when you look up at him, your eyes gaining back some of that earlier defiance, and he gives you a quick grin, clearly pleased by your shift in attitude and pushes your paper aside, fixing you with a dark look. “Here’s a thought, since you feel you’re so different, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you a chance to make up the score.”

“I don’t care about the score anymore. I wanna drop your class,” you snap, but it’s a halfhearted barb. Something has changed in his demeanor. He’s dropped the concerned professor act and is leaning so close you can hear his steady intakes of air. He’s only a few inches away; if you want, you could touch him.

“I doubt you want to attend a class in the summer. Besides, they won’t let you walk if you haven’t finished your freshman level courses. And you can’t tell me you don’t want to graduate, to earn that cord that lets you into the honor cum laude. So stop pouting and hear me out. I think you’ll like what I have in mind.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever like anything about you,” your voice is sharper than you mean it to be, but the challenge makes Shigaraki smile. As it crosses his cracked lips, it pulls that scar up and it makes those eyes of his glow. He looks like the cat that’s got the cream and you’re not sure how to respond, so you cross your legs and wait for him to make the next move. 

“You sure about that? Well, I’ll have to change your tune then, won’t I? But that can wait, lemme tell you what my requirements are. I’ve got a copy of the textbook in here. I’ll have you review some of the major concepts, you’ll read the passages aloud so I’m sure you’re on the right track, you’ll hand the book back to me, and then I’ll verbally quiz you over the material. If you answer them correctly, I’ll bump you to an ‘A’ on your test.”

You have to actively work to keep your mouth closed. “So, you just want me to read from the book?”

“Yes.”

“And… answer questions?”

“That’s what I said,” Shigaraki smirks, already reaching toward his bookshelf, tugging the heavy Intro to Biology text out and shifting it into his large hands. 

You bite at your lip again and pass your gaze from his amused expression to the bland cover of the textbook, debating your next move, trying to walk yourself through all the ups and downs. It’s too simple; too easy. It’s not like him. He’s got something else in mind, why else would he fucking look like that? It’s not a bad look. No, it’s a look that makes your stomach flip and head spin. 

“Stop being so suspicious,” Shigaraki scolds, drawing your wandering attention back to him. “I don’t bite, that is, unless you want me to.”

Your eyes boggle and you have to clench your thighs tighter, your stomach churning, you feel light-headed and you can feel your core fluttering with your sudden arousal. “Wh-what did you just say?”

“Stop gaping at me like that, you’ll make me blush. Now come on.”

Your jaw snaps closed and you shake your head, trying to clear your mind from your whirling emotions. He takes this reaction as a surrender and stands, stepping toward a marred table that rests a little ways away from his desk. He licks his thumb pad and flips through a few pages before finally settling on an appealing section. Once he places it on the table, he twists back to you and crooks a finger your way. “Come here,” he orders, his voice deep and languid. Obediently, you rise on unsteady feet, hands tugging at the length of your skirt, careful to keep it pressed down as you walk toward him. 

He makes space for you to stand in front of the book and shifts back, one hand resting on the table, propping him close to your bent figure. You look up at him, but he only nods his head toward the table, a wicked smile curling the corners of his lips. Blink a few times but finally, the words clear and you can see the block of text that’s in front of you. It’s passages on DNA encodes and RNA proteins, hefty stuff, things that you had to make flash cards for. This isn’t going to be easy. If anything, he’s picked some of the harder concepts, the ones that take steady knowledge in the foundations. Flustered, you look back to him, but he’s moved. He’s leaning against the wide window beside the table, a dark mark against the glass.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, a laugh bubbling in his tone.

“There’s no way…” you stammer, shaking your head at him. 

“Want me to throw a curve in?”

“I should ask what kinda curve, but knowing you, it’s likely gonna be something terrible.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” he rumbles, stepping away from the window and leaning close to your stiff form. “It just takes an open mind and some enthusiasm on your part.”

“Enthusiasm?” you question, trying your best to withstand his closeness. You can feel the heat radiating off of his broad shoulder and if you tilt a little nearer, you could graze against him, or feel his breath on your skin. 

“You’re right,” he amends, his forearm contacting your side. You startle at the touch, a gasp falling from your lips, but you don’t pull away and you can’t stop staring up at him, your eyes wide. “Obedience is a better word. From here on out, whatever I tell you to do, I expect you to obey it, although it’s not exactly, ah, school approved.”

“You want me to suck you off or something?” you sneer, hoping to stumble him off his guard, even if it’s only for an instant. Too bad he’s always one step ahead. 

“Don’t be vulgar. Think outside of the box, (Y/N). Do you think I’m going to go for something so short sighted when I could have you bending to my will? Obeying every little demand that I make? I’d much rather see if that skin of yours tastes as good as it looks, then simply have you on your knees. No, I want you to fucking scream for me while I stuff you full of my cock. But first, you need to put in some work. You should know that by now.”

Oxygen is suddenly very hard to come by and you can feel your mind hazing over as you stammer up at him, your mind flitting from word to word disjointedly. Shigaraki grants you a wolfish grin, and he dips his lips beside your ear, whispering over those tiny hairs that rest against your tender skin. “I’ll make this part easy. Nod and I’ll give you the first set of instructions.” 

What did he say? Nod? What happens when you nod? Fuck, why are you letting him do this? Is your grade really worth it? Are you that desperate that… that… 

Shigaraki is whispering other promises over you as you war with yourself, speaking his words gently, slowly, his breath hot as it fans over your neck. It’s like you’ve fallen under some kinda spell and before you realize it, your traitorous head is bobbing up and down, letting him know you want him to keep going.

“Perfect,” he sighs, his lips grazing over the shell of your ear, jerking a shiver from you. “Now, lean forward and put your hands against the table.” 

You do as he says, but he’s not satisfied with your positioning, his fingers wrapping around your wrists and yanking you forward, jutting your ass out and pressing your chest down, maneuvering you until your nose is right above the pages of the textbook. “There we go,” he rasps, pulling away so he can admire your splayed form. “Hmm, your legs are too close together. Spread them.” Knees trembling, you obey, gasping when he runs a palm against the curve of your thighs.

“You’ve got such nice legs (Y/N), so let’s put them on display, shall we?” His fingers search against the top of your skirt and they still when he reaches his prize: the zipper. When he pulls it down, you let out a sharp squeak of protestation but he silences you with a swift pinch to your side. 

“Now, now, don’t be like that. You nodded, remember? Besides, you could have left when I told you I’d give you a curve but you couldn’t help yourself could you? You want me to keep going and to do that, I need you to take this skirt off. No, don’t move. I’ll get rid of it for you. Why don’t you focus on the task at hand, hmm? Aren’t you supposed to be reading for me?”

You arch away from his fingers and he chuckles at your impudence, one large hand hooking under your chin and pulling you toward his face. His red eyes blaze as they find yours, the dark pupils threatening to swallow up that deep vermillion. “Let’s start with the second paragraph. If you do well, I might grant you a reprieve.” 

Jerking your face from his grip, you twist back to the text, trying, and failing, to ignore his inquisitive fingers, unable to resist sighing as he works one up your inner thigh. He pauses when no words fall from your lips and you grumble out a few low curses before acquiescing to his silent demand. 

“The flow of genetic information in cells from DNA to mRNA to protein is described by the Central Dogma, which states that genes specify the sequence of mRNAs, which specify the sequence of proteins. The decoding of one molecule… the… the… molecule… by spec-specific…”

He’s slipped your skirt down over the swell of your ass, but he’s taking his time, flexing out the front of the material and dipping his fingers over the bump of your lower stomach, kneading into the delicate flesh that’s stretched out for him. You can’t help the twitch of your spine and you involuntarily wiggle, palms slipping forward, dragging you further along the tabletop. Shigaraki chuckles above you, running his rough lips over the back of your neck.

“You’re so sensitive. I’ve barely touched you.” 

He circles his hands back to your skirt and edges it along, lowering it sharply on one side and then giving the same treatment to the other. You’re doing your best to keep up with your stammering readings, but it’s difficult when he keeps sighing and running his long nails across your newly bared skin. Finally, he works the skirt down and it thumps against your bare ankles; the fabric tickling your skin. 

Meanwhile, his other fingers skitter against the elastic band of your rapidly dampening panties. Once he hooks the lace under his hand, he yanks them along your legs, trailing them sinfully slowly, ensuring that they glide down the billow of your thighs. His teeth nip at your ear when you stumble to a halt in your recitation and your hands tense over the grains of wood beneath them, your nails pinching into your palms. “If you stop, I stop,” he warns, his head bumping against yours, his sharp nose pressing against your pulse.

“You’re not exactly making this easy,” you grumble, doing your best to ignore his renewed pets and strokes. 

“Stop complaining,” he smirks, leaning away from your head to peer at your newly exposed flesh. “You better pay attention to what you’re reading or you’re not going to pass the questions I’ll be asking you.”

“Yeah, yeah, ow!” you squawk, whipping your head around to glare up at him. He fucking pinched you again! This time, he’d slipped his hand between your spread legs and tweaked your inner thigh, painfully. 

“Read,” he repeats, running those guilty fingers upward, lingering beside the heat of your cunt, careful to not get too close. When you start on the next sentence, one of his hands tugs up the fabric of your shirt, snaking upward until he’s thumbing against the wire of your bra. Once again, you falter to a halt and exhale a wavering breath. 

Goddamn it. This review is no review. You’ll be lucky if you can even recall what a cell is if he keeps this up. You hear his ominous intake of air and quickly resume your recitation, mumbling something about RNA and mRNA differences. 

Wait. Didn’t you just…  

“Looks like you’re having trouble listening to me. I told you to read aloud, not to repeat the same passages over and over.”

“Hey, at least I’ll have a firm grasp on those. You should ask me something about that s-section… ah–”

The hand that was resting under the cup of your bra has made its way underneath the lightly padded material, and his thumb and index fingers have trapped your peaked nipple between them. As soon as your snarky comment left your mouth, he’d twisted the bud, squeezing it until it throbbed. 

“Pay attention,” he commands, shoving your bra upward, freeing the globes of your breasts and cupping both of his broad hands under them. Your abused nipple stings and the mixture of sharp pain and jarring arousal goes right through you, stoking that coil that pulsed within your core, and sending a tacky flush of your essence down your spread thighs.

The next few words are a struggle. The text keeps blurring and your breaths are coming in fast and heavy. Shigaraki is still feeling you up, keeping his lips close to your ears, rasping sharp commands to you and dealing out lightning fast rounds of pinches and squeezes each time you falter. 

“I–I can’t… I don’t even know what I’m reading anymore,” you bemoan, your hips pressing against the edge of the table, legs trembling as you attempt to keep them apart. He’s deliberately ignoring your throbbing clit and a desperate edge is creeping into your voice. 

“Are you always this whiny? Fine. I’ll give you a moment to read without any distractions.”

Thank God.

True to his word, he slips away from your back and you’re left shivering against his sudden absence. Despite your quaking, you’re determined to make the most of this chance and you quickly read out the paragraphs that are on the second page. As you ramble down to the last bit of text, you realize you can’t hear him anymore and when you finish the last sentence; you start to really wonder where he’s drifted off to. A tense silence follows your completion of the material and you arch up on the tips of your toes, jutting your ass out and stretching the stiffened muscles of your lower back. 

“Didn’t say you could stop reading, and judging from all of your complaints, I don’t think you got some of those earlier concepts, so I’d suggest doing a quick review,” he taunts, the sudden rasp of his voice startling a low gasp from your lips. 

He’s close; somewhere behind you and to the left from the sound of it. You try to twist around, your chest lifting from the table, and when he notices, his hands return, creating a rough pressure against your neck as he forces your body back down. His weight plasters you to the surface, scraping your partially exposed stomach and tender breasts over the nicked wood. Shigaraki is merciless in his swift correction, his breath puffing out angrily behind you. “Didn’t say you could move, either.”

Stunned, you freeze. Your arms are arched awkwardly, but he keeps his weight against you, flattening your breasts and forcing your back to arch into an awkward bend. Fuck, you think, how are you supposed to stay like this? Your legs are already aching and if he shifts away again, he’s likely going to expect you to maintain this absurd pose.  

“Yes,” he groans, his voice catching against the word, “Good girl. Now, stay just like that.”

Damn it.

“Go on, read the first part again,” he instructs. 

“The entire genetic content of a cell is known as its genome and the study of genomes is gen-genomics. In eukaryotic cells, but… but not in p-prokaryotes, DNA forms a complex with histone proteins… with histone proteins… sub-substance… of…”

His teeth have latched onto your neck, and he’s sucking bruises into your tender skin. He’s still pinning you to the table, but his hands are widening their explorations. He’s started dragging a fingernail across the puffy folds of your cunt, teasing against the dripping and swollen flesh, chuckling when you buck against his hold. 

“You always seem to lose it when you get to cellular modulations.”  

“I–I–It’s not… I can’t help that you keep…” you whimper, your fingers curling under your palms, head shaking back and forth. You can’t think. He’s not being fucking fair, and you can’t even string your goddamn words together. Shit. “Y-you’re not being fair,” you accuse, falling on the only thing that keeps running through your mind, your splayed feet shifting uncomfortably under you.

“Not fair? Not once did I say fairness would come into this arrangement,” he lifts himself off of your back and leans beside you, one arm planted beside your crooked elbow. His fingers trace over the curve of your ass, cupping at the thickest part of you and squeezing. 

“But don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get a little satisfaction out of this arrangement. I bet you look good when you cum. And you’ve been working so hard to get my attention these last few months. So careful to do what I tell you. Looking at me with those big eyes of yours, all wide eyed every time I catch you looking at me. And don’t even get me started on your lips. You’re lucky I didn’t fucking bend you over after class, especially when you started wearing all of those cute little skirts for me. Ahhh, don’t moan like that, I won’t be able to help myself if you do. Let’s see how you’re doing, shall we?” 

Without warning, he slips his longest digit into your cunt, groaning loudly when he’s sucked into your welcoming heat. Your pussy, hungry for any kind of scrap, ripples around his intrusion, clamping and pulling, desperate for more. 

“Fuck,” he groans, his weight falling against your shoulder. “You’re soaking.” His elegant digit pushes deeper and you roll your hips under him, urging him closer, sighing when he sinks to the last knuckle. As he pulls his finger back, he adds another, swiftly v-ing the two before curving them together as they slip back out, dragging a steady line of pleasure from your quivering cunt. Shigaraki whispers another round of awed praise against your ear, his voice dark and breathless. 

A third digit is added on another trip out, and it creates a ragged sensation within you. It’s close to what you like, but he’s stretching you too far and it’s starting to hurt. He either needs to speed up, or give you a little more pressure. If you can hump your clit against the edge of the table, maybe it’ll give you the friction that you need. When you mindlessly buck your hips, your thighs threatening to lose that spread, he stops, holding his fingers inside you, laughing as you agitatedly try to shift him back into his earlier rhythm.

“So eager. I’d say you’re ready for my questions.”

“W-what?” you gasp, wholly focused on making him restart the push and pull of his fingers inside you. 

“I’ll start you off with something easy. What’s the cell membrane?”

“W-what? The cell… ah–” 

“Answer me. Now,” he grunts, leaning forward, re-steadying you as his fingers pull outward, dragging against your sensitive folds and schlicking through your arousal lewdly, loudly. You moan and your eyes roll back, completely ignoring his demand as you fall into the haze of pleasure that comes after his movements. 

His free hand travels up your neck and he tangles his fingers into the tendrils of your hair, yanking and jerking at the strands, demanding your attention.  

“I said, answer me.”

“Shigaraki–I–fuck. I can’t even… ugh… think right now!”

“Do you want the grade, or not?” he questions, his voice tense. “Answer correctly and I’ll give you what you want.” 

“I–I don’t think I can,” you whine, pressing your hips back as he thrusts his fingers forward again, curving them upward, searching for the spongy pad of nerves that rest against the front of your pelvis. 

“Oh? What happened to wanting that A? What about your graduation? You gonna let me fuck up your entire college career? I can do it, you know. I’ve done it to so many simpering freshmen. I fail kids left and right and you’re no different, (Y/N). 

The university lets me ahh–there it is! God, you’re so fucking wet. 

Where was I? The university can’t say no to me; they let me do what I want. I bring in too much money, too many tempting grants, and that’s all they really care about. So what’s it gonna be? Let me see that you can answer this basic crap and I’ll pass you. Or would you like for me to tie you down and force it outta you another way?”

He’s picked up the pace of his fingers as he rambles over you and a swift press against that newly discovered spot inside you has you falling to pieces in his hands, popping up onto your tiptoes and rutting yourself against the surface of the table. “O-ok, God, ok! Just–fucking repeat the goddamn question,” you pant, head slumping forward, forcing his fingers to tighten against your hair to hold you upright. 

“What is the cell membrane?” 

You wince your eyes closed, trying to rack your brain to focus on something other than the heavy pressure of the three fingers that are teasing their way across your dribbling pussy. He’s moving his presses with a lackadaisical, inconsistent rhythm now and it’s hard to fucking think. You can’t tell if his next thrust will be hard, or soft, or so rough that it’s bordering on that bittersweet line of pain. 

You shake your head, doing your best to ignore the mounting pressure that he’s building inside you and the ache of your neck and legs. Finally, after another sharp tap against that secret bunch of nerves at the front of your cunt, you latch onto a vague remembrance. 

“It… it’s a double layer of–of phospholipids that make a boundary between the cell and t-the surrounding… ugh… it controls the passage of materials.”

“Very good. Elaborate on the cellular wall.”

He’s unrelenting in his domineering treatment, twisting and frigging his fingers each time your breath hitches, and your arousal is leaking down your legs, making your skin stick and pull. It’s too much, you can’t! How can he even ask this? Words are falling from your lips incoherently, and all too soon you’re gasping out his name rather than reciting the answer. 

“Cellular–oh, fuck, Shi–Shigaraki–Please, keep–don’t stop! S-Shigaraki, God that… feels… ah–keep going!”

He ignores your request and pulls his fingers away, robbing you of that sweet pressure that he’s so carefully mounted within you. 

“I’ll count that one as incorrect. Your ‘A’ is swiftly becoming an ‘A’ minus, (Y/N)” he snarls, his teeth gritted, hands falling to the swell of your hips, wet fingers digging into your soft skin. 

“What? No! You didn’t give me enough… e-enough time! How can–can you expect me to answer that qui-quickly!”

“Let’s try another.” 

It hurts. That ache that he’s drawn out of you is starting to sting and throb and he’s being such a dick about it! You twist and grind under him, and he traps your disobedient hips against the rough siding of the table.

“I don’t–” you protest weakly, your legs trembling and chest heaving under his weight.  

“Do you want this? Wouldn’t you like to pass this class? To graduate with honors?” he growls, leaning closer, his hands braced against you, his fingers no doubt leaving bruises on the supple crest of your hips. 

“You’re such an ass! Yes! Fuck, please! I–I want it so fucking bad!” you cry out, your voice drifting into a sob as you croak out the last plea.

“Then answer another question. What’s diffusion?”

“D-diffu-diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an a-area of… of… fuck- of high concentration, to low concentration. Shigaraki!”

“I should count that as another miss, but you got the major concept correct.” He removes his fingers from your waist and yanks your ass toward him, keeping your overeager hips away from the fleeting relief of the sturdy table. “Pop your legs together,” he commands, one hand wrapping around your arched throat, squeezing until you obey. His other hand drops to that thatch of curls that rest between your quivering thighs and he gathers up your gossamer strands, rubbing against your clit for one hazy instant, sending a flash of spots across your vision.

“Mmm, now that’s a pretty sight. Good girl, don’t move,” he reminds you and you want to scream at him. Right before you can spit some frustrated vitriol out, he’s releasing your neck, his hands dropping from your skin and letting you fall back to the uneven surface below. Just before your chin contacts the wood, his hand is back in your hair, tugging you upward, holding you a few inches above the table. The sharp pain makes your scalp tingle and you unconsciously rut against the tempting heat that’s now plastered to your ass. He’s hard. You can feel the stiff bulge of his cock straining against the front of his dark jeans, pressing into the cleft of your posterior. 

“T-that’ can’t be comfortable,” you pant, twisting your head so you can look up at him from the curve of your shoulder.

“Oh? You worried about my cock?” he asks, his red eyes flashing down at you challengingly. You don’t bother giving him a verbal response, opting instead to grind your ass up, catching against the jut of his length, earning yourself a low groan. His lips curl when you repeat the motion and you realize you love watching that smug face of his drift into a look of tense pleasure. It makes his scar on his lip flush and those red eyes of his fall to a lazy half mast. He spies your arched brow and pleased grin and pushes himself off of you, leaving you alone and open on the table.   

“Keep pushing your luck. I’m more than happy to drop you back to a B.”

“What?” you scoff, teeth clinking together as you clench your jaw. “I didn’t move!”

“No, but you’re trying to take control of this and we can’t have that can we?” Shigaraki sneers. “Now, how shall I punish you?”

“P-punish me?” you stammer, a chill racing down your spine. 

“Ah, I know. This’ll really piss you off,” he twists from your strained gaze and walks back toward his desk. What? What the fuck does he mean? You can’t see him from this angle, not with the way your legs are stretched and back is lowered, but it doesn’t stop you from trying, your chin lifting upwards as you do your best to keep him in focus. 

Ugh. It’s no use. He’s slipped past your field of vision. 

Hearing is likely your best bet, so you shift your forehead back to the table and listen, straining your ears to pick up any morsel. Something opens and closes and you catch the sound of the wheels of his chair as they shift, squeaking across the floor, and the groaning of the springs when his weight is applied to the cheap leather. 

Okay, so he’s in his chair. Is he just gonna look at you? That’s not… wait… 

There’s a faint clicking sound. 

It’s both familiar and unfamiliar to your ears, but once the teeth slide over the last pull, you realize. It’s a zipper. 

Oh fuck. Is he going to jerk himself off? With a gasp, your head whips back around. He’s still positioned himself away from you, and you can only just make out the sounds that are accompanying the undoubted rise and fall of his fist. All you can see is a tiny sliver of his body, but you catch sight of the coiling muscles on his neck and you notice that his head is dipped forward, pearl white hair settling across the cut of his collarbone. The one red eye that meets yours is blazing and hungry, it makes every hair on the back of your neck stand up.  

God, he’s staring at you, watching you, getting himself off as you’re half naked and bent over a desk in his office, fully subjugating yourself to his whims and fancies for the sake of your grade. 

Damn it, (Y/N). This should not be a fucking turn on. You should be disgusted, but the flush of slick that drips down your thigh says otherwise. 

He lets out a choked moan, picking up the pace of his hand, letting you hear the click and slip of his palm as it strokes up and down his cock. A shiver echoes up your spine and your hips seem to have a mind of their own, grinding your clenched thighs over the dip of the table, easing the clenching pulsations that your cunt is shuddering through you.

“Look at you, so desperate for my touch that you’re humping the fucking table. Such a dirty girl, and so disobedient. You’ve only answered a few of my questions correctly and yet your slutty little mouth and body keep pushing at me. Making me put you in your place. Let me ask you something, why should I go out of my way to fix your grade when you can’t even prove to me you understand the simplest concepts? 

Ah, here’s a thought. What if I told you I’ll wave the other requirements; no more readings, no more quizzes, but I won’t let you cum? What if I just get myself off? You’re putting on a such a good show for me! Why should I bother with seeing that you’re satisfied when that table seems to do the job for you? Sound good? Or would you like for me to come back over there and make you cum?”

“I–I don’t… I don’t want…” You can’t get the words out, your tongue feels leaden between your lips and you can’t think of anything but the steady itch that’s spreading from your clit. 

“Speak up,” Shigaraki demands, slowing his jerking fingers. The chair he’s sitting in groans as he leans forward, and his eyes wide as they take in the delicious sight that’s propped before him. “You don’t want to cum? Is that it? You’d like for me to get myself off and leave you there?”

“No!” you cry out, your fingers digging into the scuffed wood of the table. “I-I want you to make me cum.”

There’s a sharp clatter and you jump at the abrupt noise. It must be the chair you think, your heart pounding against your chest, waiting for Shigaraki’s next move. He only lets a few seconds drift by before he presses himself back to you. He leans his broad chest over your back, the front of his legs pushing against the back of yours. His exposed length is wedged firmly against the cleft of your ass and its tempting hardness makes you squirm under him, but he’s propelling you forward, pinning you against the rough wood, and you can only flail uselessly under his control. His lips skim over your neck and he bites into your skin, sucking and licking bruises as he inches closer to your pulse.  

You say his name pitifully, wantonly, and he lets out a shaky gasp. Something about your tone has shifted something within him and you can feel his cock swelling, dripping a rope of wet pre-cum down your shaking leg. 

He leans away, removing his sticky hardness from your ass. “Seems your priorities have shifted. You’re a little preoccupied right now, aren’t you?” he asks, his voice gravel scraping against your overwhelmed senses. You let out a weak moan and he snaps into action, his fingers pushing under your flattened stomach and tugging against the fabric that he finds. He yanks you upward, pulling your shirt up as he goes. His palms dip under your half lifted bra, and he cups at your breasts, massaging the rounded bulbs and plucking at your peaked nipples. Your head lolls back, and he sucks at your earlobe again, his breath warm and rasping as it passes by. 

“Hold still,” he commands. 

It’s not an easy position, this stretched upward arch that he’s forced you into, but it’s worth it when you feel his cock pushing between your tensed legs. He doesn’t thrust into you, opting to run his weeping tip against your slippery folds, pressing until his bulbous head is twitching against your pulsing clit. 

Goddamn it, you think as he stills, his lips smacking open-mouthed kisses over your shoulder, it’s not enough. You wiggle your hips back and forth and he abruptly exerts a firm pressure against your windpipe, leaving you sputtering and gasping. “What’s wrong? Not happy with this? Do you think you deserve something more? Do you think you’ve earned that?” He shoves you back against the surface of the table, his broad chest following the plane of your back, trapping you under his heavy form. 

You’d replied, you know you must have, but you can’t hear yourself anymore, your attention attuned to the warm length that’s pressed against your shuddering folds. You’d likely thrown in a please for good measure because Shigaraki rewards you with a quick peck to your shivering neck and his thumb, swirling it around your clit, creating a cresting ache that leaves you mumbling incoherently, a thin line of drool slipping from your parted lips. As he keeps that faint osculation up, your fingernails scrape over the wood of the table, your feet lifting you onto your toes, curving your back, and shoving your leaking pussy into his open palm. 

“Greedy little thing, aren’t you?” Shigaraki says, a breathy desperation lingering around the edges of his rasping voice. “But it’s just not enough, right?” 

You nod, licking up some of the excess saliva that’s built under your heavy tongue and crane your head back at him. His eyes are the first thing you see. They’re wild, ravenous and glinting with a roughness that makes you whisper out a soft whine. Fuck. It’s not supposed to be like this. You’re not supposed to want him this badly. Goddamn it. Now that he’s caught your gaze, he won’t let you look away, and he presses himself closer, his cock twitching and warm, the tip rubbing back and forth, keeping time with his circling thumb.

“You gonna fuck me, or not?” you finally ask, unsticking your lips and smirking up at his hardened face. 

“Tch. Don’t rush me,” he grumbles, removing his hand and teasing cock from your cunt, watching as your body convulses under him, your pussy quivering against the excess stimulation that he’s wrought over you. Your thighs burn, aching to break free from his control, to rub against that throb, that tingling that keeps shuddering outward.

“One more question,” he tells you, lifting his dripping thumb to his lips and sucking off the traces of your arousal. The sight of him licking his pink tongue over his gleaming knuckles almost makes you lose your balance, your arms shaking precariously under you. 

“A-another? Come on,” you pout, your eyes following the curve of his wicked lips, watching as his scar quirks upward, amused by your useless defiance. 

“Make you a deal, answer it correctly and I’ll give you my cock. Sound fair?”

“Ugh, whatever, just hurry up,” you snap, so impatient and turned on that you can hardly think. 

The tip of his cock presses against your sopping entrance, pushing forward just enough to part your dripping folds but stopping before he clears that first, tight ring of flesh. The promise of his dribbling tip makes you lose any semblance of self-control. You thrash under him, but he traps your disobedient hips against the rough siding of the table.

“No! Don’t stop! Come on Sh-Shigaraki–Don’t be such a fucking–ah–” 

“Do you want this? Do you want my cock?” he growls, leaning over you, his fingers squeezing down, no doubt leaving bruises in the supple crest of your hips. 

“Yes! Fuck, please! I–I want it so fucking bad!” you cry out, your voice drifting into a sob as you croak out the last plea.

“Then you better answer. What are cytosines?”

“They… they’re n-nitrogenous base… fuck… base that pair… that pair with guanine during D-DNA replication… I–please, please, Shigaraki! Fuck me! I want your cock! Fuck me, fuck me!”

Thankfully, he either takes pity on you, or can’t control himself anymore, his hips surging forward, gliding his thick length into your cunt and snarling at the mind numbing heat that waits for him. He keeps driving upward until he bottoms out, sharp hipbones grinding against the plushness of your ass. 

He’s not gentle with you, no he’s animalistic and raw, his thrusts papping into you with a terrifying strength. You would have liked something slower, something that lets you enjoy each imperfection and dip that raced along his cock, but this, oh, this is an exception because this is perfect. It’s not what you want, but it is what you need. 

The heavy fullness that he’s stuffing you with leaves you breathless, but you somehow manage to gasp out a string of nonsensical praises each time he drives back into you, overwrought by his roughness. 

This coupling isn’t kind, isn’t right, and is not healthy, for either of you. No, not with the way he’s using your shivering body, distracted with slacking that euphoric thrum that’s making his cock pulse and swell inside you.

But fuck it feels good and you can’t help but tremble with delight. These intoxicating thrusts of his ram him up against something that’s buried deep inside you, and each time he hits it another star of bright pleasure races through you. The familiar coiling of release is steadily mounting with each rapid fire rut he gives you and if he could just, ah, there’s something that’s… no, fuck, it’s, it’s not going to work. It feels good, but it’s missing one vital ingredient, one thing that he’s neglected to pay attention to, to notice. 

Your clit needs to be tweaked and rolled, and right now it’s pulsing away against the table, beating a sad tattoo into the grainy wood. Oh well, you think, head fuzzy, lost in the euphoria of his powerful cants, grinding your ass into his hips as he digs into another teeth chattering thrust. He’ll likely finish soon, and you’ll probably need to get yourself off later. It’s not something new, and it’s not like he’s going to care enough to focus on that, on you. This whole thing has been about control, so there’s likely no room for your own pleasure.

“What’s wrong,” he gasps out, his fingers lifting from your hips to curl beside your turned head. 

“What? N-nothing–I–” you pant, eyes rolling back as he hits that spongy patch of nerves again. 

“Tch. Hold on,” he interrupts, his voice rasping and breathy. He pulls himself out of you with a grunt and yanks you upward, hauling you onto the tabletop and flipping you on your back, bending your stiffened legs and bracing your knees against his lean forearms. 

He holds you apart, spreading you open with his powerful hands. You can see him properly now, and the sight makes your breath catch against the back of your throat. Fuck, he looks good. 

His long white hair is draped across his bare shoulders and his eyes are blazing pits of hunger, devouring the sight of you with those red irises. His jaw is clenched, and he glares down at you from his imperious height, his nostrils flaring as he drags in a quick intake of air. To your shock, he gives you a little time to acclimate to this new position, opting to languidly step forward, letting his slippery cock head press and tease at the dip of your opening. But right when you think he’ll move again, he stops, his eyes roving over the lines of your face. 

His sudden stillness makes you peer quizzically up at him and you scoot closer, your feet lifting from the table. The movement snaps him out of his stupor and he grabs your ankles, roughly pinning you back down.

“Keep still,” he snarls through clenched teeth, that scar of his lifting. 

You nod mutely and he rewards your unquestioning obedience with another powerful thrust, sinking his swollen cock back into your waiting cunt. He lets out a sharp groan and grabs at your hips, jerking you forward, already drifting back into that all-consuming rhythm he’d started earlier. His ruts are a little slower from this angle but, in no time at all, that familiar ache pools in your core, stoking and building at an alarming rate. The driving force of his hips soon has you blinking back spots and distant stars, and this time he adds the all important pressure of his thumb, circling the finger pad over your clit and dragging a broken moan from your quivering lips. 

“So that’s what you needed. You close?” he grits out, his lips set in a curled scowl. He’s lost some of that early control, his hips stuttering as they connect with yours, his power lessening, cooling, as he looks for your release. 

“I–I think–oh fuck, do that again. Yes! Just–ah!”

He angles your hips upward and gives your clit another quick oscillation, pressing down until you’re gasping. “There you go. That felt good. You’re getting tighter,” he laughs, looming over you, shoving your heaving chest downward as he jerks your hips into him, forcing your body to do most of the motion, making your shoulder blades scrape across the uneven wood. “Cum for me. Fucking cum on my cock, (Y/N). Cum and I’ll give you your A, I’ll give you whatever the fuck you want.”

Your spine arches as you break around him, your cunt greedily pulling him deeper, slipping him past the barrier of your tender cervix and earning you a weak shout of praise from Shigaraki. Seconds later, he’s pulsing and twitching against your walls, the warm pooling of his cum filling you up and spilling down your spread thighs. 

His head drops to your shoulder and the rough skin of his forehead sticks to your sweat dampened flesh. For a long moment you’re both still, each of you struggling to catch your breath, luxuriating in the tingling sensation of release. 

“I fucking hate you, you know,” you gasp out, your arms circling his back, fingertips etching vague patterns over his neck and shoulders. 

“Ha,” he snorts, “I’ll have to remember that. Don’t worry (Y/N), I’ll pay you back for that little remark next time.”

“Oh? Next time?” you chuckle, moaning as he twists out of your hold and pulls his softening length out of you. 

“I’ll fail you on every assignment if you try to keep away,” he threatens, his eyes falling to the gaping mess that he’s left behind. You cross your legs, denying him the satisfaction of leering at your dripping pussy. 

“Fine. But next time, fuck me on something softer than a damn table.”

tags: @spicy-skull​, @xwildskullx​, @yixxes​, @ghstmthr​, @rekoii​, @diaouranask​, @bat-eclecticwolfbouquet-love​, @libiraki​ <--- i’m coming for you. you’re gonna have to read for this, lady. so, uh, i’m officially noneconing you here. 

notes: you made it! this thing is a monster & i’m so sorry i can never stfu