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iridescentmirrorsgenshin · 2 months ago

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Kaveh is like this close to committing a sin with Mehrak, like he's playing a really dangerous game. It's just a matter of time Mehrak gets even more sentient when it's already this far. I know Kaveh keeps it in check, but man... I hope they'll talk about this one day. Either that or Kaveh will always brush it off, as if he didn't get some ancient core to build it??? Also, I always love your thoughts, thanks for loving these two so much!

hiya! thank you for your ask! i'm so glad you enjoy my posts :") <3 Mehrak’s existence is so ??? funny to me. we have tighnari’s story quest detailing the akademiya’s ban on research into mechanical lifeforms, directly alongside kaveh building his own mechanical lifeform and parading it around, sending it on solo coffee retrieving missions whilst everyone in sumeru looks on smiling <3

Mehrak’s legality hasn’t been mentioned at all in-game as of now, and as it’s been used consistently, both in kaveh’s hangout, a parade of providence, and now nahida’s birthday event, with not one mention of legality or potential trespasses, makes it seem that that’s how things will stay - especially since Cyno has met/is aware of mehrak’s existence during the battle scene during a parade of providence (then again, cyno did meet the wanderer during this event, and yet in nahida’s birthday event it seems he’s only HEARD of the wanderer through sethos??) but even then, since Cyno trusts Tighnari with karkata’s continued existence, it’s likely not a stretch to say that to Cyno, Kaveh can be trusted with Mehrak’s existence (it’s all very iffy)

Mehrak’s existence, overall, has had little focus other than its usage in battle, its official introduction in a parade of providence, where kaveh stipulates it has low intelligence, and was built to assist him, as well as being incapable of talking back and giving him ‘attitude’ (implicitly comparing mehrak to alhaitham), and in kaveh’s hangout when he works on designing a building. It’s only in recent events, such as cyno’s second story quest, and now in nahida’s birthday event, that mehrak has gotten more mentions, and now a spotlight, which is all in relation to coffee, tying back to alhaitham and kaveh’s improved relationship (the coffee analysis will be in the updated essay finally!!). as of right now, overall, mehrak doesn’t appear to be a major focus

It might be strange for the game to mention now that mehrak has been an illegal creation all this time, unless it’s a significant plot point that has to be resolved, but if mehrak is further explored, like in the temple of silence for example (hoyoverse I am once again asking), then perhaps this collective ignoring of a crime occurring will be explained away, if mentioned at all? It’s interesting that tighnari says it might be possible that this ban is reversed in the future, but as for whether that will actually happen, and the implications of this, aren’t clear

Mehrak’s accepted existence in general poses so many questions. I’m interested in the specifics of the ban, like does it depend on the autonomy of the machine in question? Abattouy aimed to make Karkata essentially human, capable of individual thought, processing, emotion, and conversation, which definitively broaches on the intersection of mechanical and biological life which caused the Akademiya to ban this type of research in the first place. So if a machine is able to act on its own, irrespective of human interference, then this is what the akademiya would want to prevent

In mehrak’s case, it’s unclear as to what its limits are, but from what has been shown so far, it seems that mehrak can only act on kaveh’s commands and when held in battle – it’s uncertain rn whether mehrak can act independently of this, but as kaveh invented it to only assist in certain matters, it’s doubtful. But then again, we don’t have a great scope of whether it can experience emotions, as it has shown signs of being distressed in a parade of providence when kaveh states that it can’t talk back, and when being scolded by kaveh in nahida’s birthday event

if mehrak has limited intelligence, it's interesting to compare mehrak with karkata. abattouy was attempting to make karkata understand human language, and be able to respond in order to have conversation, which was proved impossible, whereas although mehrak only speaks in beeps, kaveh is shown to have a thorough understanding of what it’s saying? Mehrak can be programmed to recognise people’s voices, but seemingly also language, as mehrak can obey spoken command, which is what abattouy tried to accomplish but was unable to with modern technology.

Mehrak, on the other hand, understands kaveh’s basic requests – which is made even funnier in kaveh’s old sketchbook, where he says that more than anything he really wants mehrak to understand what he’s saying. he got his wish but at what cost???

Mehrak being made from ancient technology, belonging to that of king deshret’s civilisation, offers many interesting paths that could be explored in future events, as besides the primal constructs roaming around, the puzzles in the desert, and now the temple of silence, no technology really exists from that time. Someone commented that mehrak’s presence in nahida’s birthday event, in conjunction with the event being based around ancient technology with the wedjat eye, could be highlighting mehrak’s irregularity in modern day sumeru – potentially foreshadowing for a future event that could further expand upon mehrak? If this is the case, I am all for it, there are so many questions concerning kaveh’s little light <3

#haikaveh #kavetham #alhaitham #kaveh #genshin impact #in general my head is so empty when it comes to mehrak so thank you for giving me a chance to explore this #there's this contrast of ancient technology and modern technology that is interesting to me as well #since ancient technology has already achieved low intelligence life (seemingly) without cruel experiments or danger that comes with #modern attempts of creating artificial life and is why the akademiya banned this research direction #ancient technology exists separately to modern regulations so in that case would there be a distinction in the ban between ancient #technology and modern technology? i feel the answer is no but also mehrak should legally be dismantled so i'm not sure what is happening #maybe the next sumeru event will be jailbreaking kaveh and mehrak

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cardbored-box · 2 months ago

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The lack of filler in arc-v made me realize that yugioh’s filler is necessary for its ecosystem

#it’s because the writers understand that filler is an opportunity to explore and expand upon aspects of a character #that won’t come up in the main plot line #and also is a chance to get a little silly with it #was the episode where jack atlas agreed to an unnecessary death match and proceeded to beat up an entire gang on his own #while concussed #necessary to the plot?#no but it was awesome #dm s4 would’ve worked fine as a standard save the world adventure #but no they decided to give Yami his most dynamic character arc #his lowest points!#are from a filler season!#this goes for gx as well the reason Jaden’s downward spiral worked as well as it did was because #he got so many low stakes episodes to establish his character #so watching it all fall apart was that much more impactful #was the episode focusing on Yuma’s relationship with his family contributing to the space war plot?#no!#but it’s one of my favorite episodes in the whole franchise!#filler when done right can elevate a series!#yugioh #yugioh dm #yugioh gx #yugioh 5ds #yugioh zexal #yugioh arc v

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chickemz · 10 months ago

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Guys, I’m still thinking about clorivia and their wasted potential. I’m not mad that the tension wasn’t more drawn out but more mad that we didn’t really get to see that resolution and everything kind of feels normal between them, despite years of resentment and guilt Built up.

But see I like to interpret This new relationship of theirs as something a bit timid. of course they’re friendly now but it’s a distant type of friendly. Not the same bond they shared when Calus was alive how can it be after all that happened? It’s why we don’t really hear much about clorinde from Navia and why most of their interactions after the aq seem more surface level (I mean to be fair most of the interactions we’ve seen were brief moments but again we hardly ever really see them talk or hang out with each other).

#I should start reading some Clorivia fanfics tbh it would be so fun to see them explore their relationship dynamic post archon quest #I low-key feel yuri baited by them ngl #They literally had so much drama intention we could’ve peeled back and explored#but I guess they were already on a time crunch trying to fit in all of navia’s character development #I’m praying that they mention something about this in clorinde’s story #clorivia #genshin impact #navia #clorinde

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thormanick · 1 year ago

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a very very late night thoguht:

"I'm Trying [Not Friends]" by Masie Peters is a very post-argument-before-tavern kavetham/haikaveh song. Especially the bridge

#'not friends. no. we're somewhere in between cause you're awful and i miss you and i killed you in my dream last night #even then you didn't care #it's a low when even in my dreams you still don't want me there'#like it fits. frustrated/hurt kaveh's pov so perfectly imho #when i tell you i've been thinking about this for. practically months at this point #genshin impact #kavetham #haikaveh #genshin impact kaveh #genshin impact alhaitham #afinna explores teyvat #lyrical genshin

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falderaletcetera · 1 year ago

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gotta say, pretty much everyone who left a poor review on the tsuranga conundrum on imdb (the episode has an alien dude who's heavily pregnant, treated serously by the story) would not survive hanging out with aliens at an outer space bar, and would not survive diplomacy with any alien race. they can stay home while we go out and dance greet the universe, okay? okay.

#doctor who #like I'm not much one for dancing but we need at least SOME diplomats/explorers/etc who won't get distracted that particular way #and I'm placing myself ahead of those reviewers in the queue just on principle.#(for clarity ''dancing'' is a nine-era euphemism #the first time we meet jack we're told he's from an era where the human race got out into the rest of the universe and. well. danced #I find the term sweet but maybe that's just 'cos it recontextualises it for my asexual ass. anyway.)#I really enjoyed this ep - enough to sit up and pay attention and start really appreciating the writer - and was baffled by the low rating #and yeah okay I'd slightly forgotten the impact a serious and tender male pregnancy and birth scene would have on the average brit #those reviewers are just really new to sci-fi bless them (with a brick)#falderal speaks #shout out also to the reviewer who forgot that it's a british show and thought it was unreasonable for it to reference call the m1dwife #they actually said the writer must watch pbs. the US broadcasting service. because otherwise how would they even know about it.#I'm taking the reviewer by the shoulders and gently guiding them to a chair. sir. we need to have a chat.

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eudikot · 1 year ago

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Ya ever have dumb thoughts and then wonder who gave you the ability to share those thoughts

#neuvillette #dehya #genshin impact #These are old from when I was collecting ascension material for him #But Dehya is great for underwater fighting just like she is for Dragonspine exploration #Self heal at low hp = never dies #The poaching idea came from the fact that I'd assume Fontaine has a law against hurting the sea life or at least like #slaughtering all of them #yet look what he makes us do #eudikart

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mxddyhero · 2 years ago

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every day we get closer to baizhu's release the more anxious i get. i only have enough to do about 50 pulls and im not trying to spend another 40 dollars on this game 😭😭.

WAAH,, you got this!!! Baizhu will be sooo kind and generous to us I know it 💚🐍🌿

But fr, if you can not spend money, I do recommend it. We'll get 300 primos from the next stream on th3 31st, plus the 200~ from each event (2x before 3.6 release). We have 40 from chara trials (this patch and next), and 600 for maintenance.

Plus he'll def get a rerun, so it's best to just get one and then save again for next time rather than just spending.

I know it's hard (I will def be tempted to swipe even tho I have 400+ wishes bcs it's not enough to guarantee his c2 and wep...), but hyv really doesn't deserve the amount of money it's getting, especially with their treatment of inazuman & sumeru characters ... I truly fear for natlan too but. I can't tell you not to spend tho, and I know how anticipated baizhu is so I'll say this instead:

Instead of buying a gc pack for maybe $40, instead get the battle pass (gives you a free 4* crit weapon, so many mats and 680 primos upon completion) and then top up with welkins. Each welkin gives 300 gcs instantly, so x5 is a pretty huge boost, and then you'll get a further 90 primos every day for the next 150 days. It does take waaay longer, but it's definitely a better investment for your money than just a pack. Even with the first time purchase bonus on the gcs, it's enough to guarantee you a 5*, and if you're on a 50/50 and you use em all, it'll feel worse. At least w/ dailies and events, that 90 daily plus 60 from coms, you'll get at least enough to guarantee one wish a day for the entirety of the banner.

ALL THAT TO SAY, you won't need to spend. He will come home 😌

#asks and answered #beloved mutual #mrshamada-dorian #fr genshin is such a temptation AND bcs it has a definite pity and guarantee system #it feels more worth putting money into than other gacha games #BUT that said. if you can afford to and you really genuinely dont mind and have no qualms about it #then by all means.#this is only if you arent addicted to pulling tho bcs #i have mutuals who have said theyre def saving and dont want a chara to go on to pull them and then complain #that they ruined their pity or that x chara is being mean bcs they wont come home early n dont have enough to get them #not directly for u fanta but ppl please understand gacha is gambling and if you really cannot save up for a character #and are in genuine distress over it. maybe you should stop playing for a little.#we have either 21 or 42 days til hes here #i guarantee you have time to save more. doubly so if you still have low exploration in a few regions #genshin impact

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notsheo · 1 month ago

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What kind of Genshin content do you guys like to watch on YT? Additionally, are there any Genshin videos you'd want to see from me?

Sometimes I get into a rut with this game where I can't quite figure out what people want to see, so I'd appreciate the insight!

#youtube #youtuber #genshin impact #sheotalks #it's half about views being a bit low recently and also just burnout for genshin lol #right now the one thing I'm enjoying in the game is casual exploration but... like does that make a good video?#idk!#that's why i feel the need to ask lol #tier lists? exploration? character build/improvements? fan kit design? video essay-y stuff? idkkkkk :0

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priteshwemarketresearch · 3 months ago

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Green Ammonia Market Statistics, Segment, Trends and Forecast to 2033

The Green Ammonia Market: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture and Energy

As the world pivots toward sustainable practices, the green ammonia market is gaining momentum as a crucial player in the transition to a low-carbon economy. But what exactly is green ammonia, and why is it so important? In this blog, we'll explore the green ammonia market, its applications, benefits, and the factors driving its growth.

Request Sample PDF Copy:https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/request-free-sample-pdf/green-ammonia-market/1359

What is Green Ammonia?

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#The Green Ammonia Market: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture and Energy #As the world pivots toward sustainable practices #the green ammonia market is gaining momentum as a crucial player in the transition to a low-carbon economy. But what exactly is green ammon #and why is it so important? In this blog #we'll explore the green ammonia market #its applications #benefits #and the factors driving its growth.#Request Sample PDF Copy:https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/request-free-sample-pdf/green-ammonia-market/1359 #What is Green Ammonia?#Green ammonia is ammonia produced using renewable energy sources #primarily through the electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen #which is then combined with nitrogen from the air. This process eliminates carbon emissions #setting green ammonia apart from traditional ammonia production #which relies heavily on fossil fuels.#Applications of Green Ammonia #Agriculture #One of the most significant applications of green ammonia is in agriculture. Ammonia is a key ingredient in fertilizers #and its sustainable production can help reduce the carbon footprint of farming. By using green ammonia #farmers can produce food more sustainably #supporting global food security while minimizing environmental impact.#Energy Storage #Green ammonia can also serve as an effective energy carrier. It can be synthesized when there is surplus renewable energy and later convert #Shipping Fuel #The maritime industry is under increasing pressure to reduce emissions. Green ammonia has emerged as a potential zero-emission fuel for shi #helping to decarbonize one of the most challenging sectors in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.#Benefits of Green Ammonia #Environmental Impact #By eliminating carbon emissions during production #green ammonia significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional ammonia. This aligns with global efforts to combat

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bookcub · 2 months ago

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Cozy Fantasy and Why It Doesn't Work

I think I am among many who feel like they should love cozy fantasy and have found it an incredibly lacking genre.

This newly branded "cozy fantasy" genre that has taken readers by storm since 2020 and while it is new that books are now marketed as cozy, the genre itself isn't new. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is a great example of the genre before it was labeled and also how to make it work.

Cozy fantasy is defined by many as fantasy with low stakes. Fantasy aesthetic but less sword fights. On paper, it sounds great. But the execution has been less than stellar for readers like me. The lack of physical stakes has also impacted the emotional stakes of these books, creating forgettable characters with boring problems. As a romance reader, I find this frustrating. Romance is known for being a predictable and formulaic genre, the now defunct Romance Writers of America defined romances as needing happy endings, a term romances have continued to follow. Yet these romance texts manage to have low physical stakes (how to date your neighbor, how to confront your toxic friends, etc) while still maintaining high personal stakes that keep readers invested and begging for more. So I was initially confused why cozy fantasy authors struggle to write texts that connect to readers like me.

I think I have found the answer which is the genre is just here for vibes. It is all about aesthetic, not even worldbuilding that fantasy is known for as most cozy fantasy I read have so many problems as soon as you ask one question. It is hard to acknowledge that a genre that is pitched to work for readers like me doesn't work for many of us. Especially because occasionally there is one that works beautifully to my taste.

I often say my favorite cozy fantasies that are more contemporary are short and visual, which I plays into the idea of the genre being an aesthetic. The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz is a good example because it is a simple story that is given the perfect amount of pages and gorgeous visuals without dragging on when the message is very clear and easy to understand. Books like The Phoenix Keeper and Legends and Lattes have absolutely nothing for me, their very clear message hitting the reader over and over so the readers don't miss it and focusing on the aesthetic of worldbuilding rather than the reality of the fantastic elements within the world.

I guess my point is. . . I realize this genre isn't for me since I have realized it is more of an aesthetic than anything. .. .but I want it to be. Should I let it go and put my efforts elsewhere? Or should I keep exploring this new trend and find the hidden gems?

#cozy fantasy #cosy fantasy #booklr #sorry for this kind of negative post #but i think people in my circle will vibe

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baharlivings · 10 months ago

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Pedal Your Way to Wellness: Unlock 13 Health Benefits of Cycling for Body and Mind

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kieranczyzyk · 1 year ago

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#Cardiovascular exercise forms the cornerstone of any fitness routine #and having the right equipment can make all the difference in achieving your fitness goals. GymFitnessUK proudly presents a diverse collect #Discovering the Cardio Equipment Collection #GymFitnessUK's cardio equipment collection is a treasure trove for fitness enthusiasts #offering a wide array of options to cater to various workout preferences and fitness levels. From treadmills to rowing machines #their collection encompasses high-quality equipment designed to enhance endurance #promote cardiovascular health #and support weight management.#Variety That Fits Your Needs #Treadmills #Whether you prefer brisk walking #jogging #or high-intensity interval training #GymFitnessUK's range of treadmills provides the perfect platform for your cardio sessions. Featuring different speed settings #incline options #and user-friendly interfaces #these treadmills cater to beginners and seasoned runners alike.#Exercise Bikes #For a low-impact yet effective cardio workout #explore their selection of exercise bikes. From upright to recumbent bikes #these machines offer versatility and comfort #allowing users to pedal their way to improved cardiovascular health in the comfort of their homes or commercial gyms.#Ellipticals and Cross Trainers #Elliptical machines and cross trainers provide a full-body workout #targeting multiple muscle groups simultaneously. GymFitnessUK's collection includes these machines with adjustable resistance levels #providing a challenging yet low-impact cardio experience.#Rowing Machines #Engage in a full-body workout with their range of rowing machines #designed to simulate the action of rowing on water. Perfect for building endurance and strength #these machines offer a unique cardio experience suitable for all fitness levels.

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phoenixyfriend · 3 months ago

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Ko-fi prompt from @liberwolf:

Could you explain Tariff's , like who pays them and what they do to a country?

Well, I can definitely guess where this question is coming from.

Honestly, I was pretty excited to get this prompt, because it's one I can answer and was part of my studies focus in college. International business was my thing, and the issues of comparative advantage (along with Power Purchasing Parity) were one of the things I liked to explore.

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At their simplest, tariffs are an import tax. The United States has had tariffs as low as 5%, and at other times as high as 44% on most goods, such as during the Civil War. The purpose of a tariff is in two parts: generating revenue for the government, and protectionism.

Let's first explore how a tariff works. If you want to be confused, then you need to have never taken an economics class, and look at this graph:

(src)

So let's undo that confusion.

The simplest examples are raw or basic materials such as steel, cotton, or wine.

First, without tariffs:

Let us say that Country A and Country B both produce steel, and it is of similar quality, and in both cases cost $100 per unit. Transportation from one country to the other is $50/unit, so you can either buy domestically for $100, or internationally for $150. So you buy domestically.

Now, Country B discovers a new place to mine iron very easily, and so their cost for steel drops to $60/unit due to increased ease of access. Country A can either purchase domestically for $100, or internationally for $110 (incl. shipping), which is much more even. Still, it is more cost-effective to purchase domestically, and so Country A isn't worried.

Transportation technology is improved, dropping the shipping costs to $30/unit. A person from Country A can buy: Domestic: $100 International: $60+$30 = $90 Purchasing steel from Country B is now cheaper than purchasing it from Country A, regardless of where you live.

Citizens in Country A, in order to reduce costs for domestic construction, begin to purchase their steel from Country B. As a result, money flows from Country A to B, and the domestic steel industry in Country A begins to feel the strain as demand dwindles.

In this scenario, with no tariffs, Country A begins to rely on B for their steel, which causes a loss of jobs (steelworkers, miners), loss of infrastructure (closing of mines and factories), and an outflow of funds to another country. As a result, Country A sees itself as losing money to B, while also growing increasingly reliant on their trading partner for the crucial good that is steel. If something happens to drive up the price of B's steel again, like political upheaval or a natural disaster, it will be difficult to quickly ramp up the production of steel in Country A's domestic facilities again.

What if a tariff is introduced early?

Alternately, the dropping of complete costs for purchase of steel from Country B could be counteracted with tariffs. Let's say we do a 25% tariff on that steel. This tariff is placed on the value of the steel, not the end cost, so:

$60 + (0.25 x $60) + $30 = $105/unit

Suddenly, with the implementation of a 25% tariff on steel from Country B, the domestic market is once again competitive. People can still buy from Country B if they would like, but Country A is less worried about the potential impacts to the domestic market.

The above example is done in regards to a mature market that has not yet begun to dwindle. The infrastructure and labor is still present, and is being preemptively protected against possible loss of industry to purchasing abroad.

What happens if the tariff is not implemented until after the market has dwindled?

Let's say that the domestic market was not protected by the tariff until several decades on. Country A's domestic production, in response to increased purchasing from abroad, has dwindled to one third of what it was before the change in pricing incentivized purchase from B. Prices have, for the sake of keeping this example simple, remained at $100(A) and $60(B) in that time. However, transportation has likely become better, so transportation is down to $20, meaning that total cost for steel from B is $80, accelerating the turn from domestic steel to international.

So, what happens if you suddenly implement a tariff on international steel? Shall we say, 40%?

$60 + (0.4 x 60) + 20 = $104

It's more expensive to order from abroad! Wow! Let's purchase domestically instead, because these prices add up!

But the production is only a third of what it used to be, and domestic mines and factories for refining the iron into steel can't keep up. They're scaling, sure, but that takes time. Because demand is suddenly triple of the supply, the cost skyrockets, and so steel in Country A is now $150/unit! The price will hopefully come down eventually, as factories and mines get back in gear, but will the people setting prices let that happen?

So industries that have begun to rely on international steel, which had come to $80/unit prior to the tariff, are facing the sudden impact of a cost increase of at least $25/unit (B with tariff) or the demand-driven price increase of domestic (nearly double the pre-tariff cost of steel from B), which is an increase of at least 30% what they were paying prior to the tariff.

There are possible other aspects here, such as government subsidies to buoy the domestic steel industry until it catches back up, or possibly Country B eating some of the costs so that people still buy from them (selling for $50 instead of $60 to mitigate some of the price hike, and maintain a loyal customer base), but that's not a direct impact of the tariff.

Who pays for tariffs?

Ultimately, this is a tax on a product (as opposed to a tax on profits or capital themselves, which has other effects), which means the majority of the cost is passed on directly to the consume.

As I said, we could see the producers in Country B cut their costs a little bit to maintain a loyal customer base, but depending on their trade relationships with other countries, they are just as likely to stop trading with Country A altogether in order to focus on more profitable markets.

So why do we not put tariffs on everything?

Well... for that, we get into the question of production efficiency, or in this case, comparative advantage.

Let's say we have two small, neighboring countries, C and D, that have negligible transportation costs and similar industries. Both have extensive farmland, and both have a history of growing grapes for wine, and goats for wool. Country C is a little further north than D, so it has more rocky grasses that are good for goats, while D has more fertile plains that are good for growing grapes.

Let's say that they have an equal workforce of 500,000 of people. I'm going to say that 10,000 people working full time for a year is 1 unit of labor. So, Country C and Country D have between the 100 units of labor, and 50 each.

The cost of 1 unit of wool = the cost of 1 unit of wine

Country C, having better land for goats, can produce 4 units of wool for every unit of labor, and 2 units of wine for every unit of labor.

Meanwhile, Country D, having better land for grapes, can produce 2 units of wool per unit of labor, and 4 units of wine per unit of labor.

If they each devote exactly half their workforce to each product, then:

Country C: 100 units of wool, 50 units of wine Country D: 50 units of wool, 100 units of wine

Totaling 150 units of each product.

However, if each devotes all of their workforce to the product they're better at...

Country C: 200 units of wool, no wine Country D: no wool, 200 units of wine

and when they trade with each other, they each end up with 100 units of each product, which is a doubling of what their less-efficient labor would have resulted in!

The real world is obviously much more complicated, but in this example, we can see the pros of outsourcing some of your production to another country to focus on your own specialties.

Extreme examples of this IRL are countries where most of the economy rests on one product, such as middle-eastern petro-states that are now struggling to diversify their economies in order to not get left behind in the transition to green energy, or Taiwan's role as the world's primary producer of semiconductors being its 'silicon shield' against China.

Comparative advantage can be used well, such as our Unnamed Countries (that are definitely not the classic example of England and Portugal, with goats instead of sheep) up in the example. With each economy focusing on its specialty, there is a greater yield of both products, meaning a greater bounty for both countries.

However, should something happen to Country C up there, like an earthquake that kills half the goats, they are suddenly left with barely enough wool to clothe themselves, and nothing for Country D, which now has a surplus of wine and no wool.

So you do have to keep some domestic industry, because Bad Things Can Happen. And if we want to avoid the steel example of a collapse in the given industry, tariffs might be needed.

Are export tariffs a thing?

Yes, but they are much rarer, and can largely be defined as "oh my god, everyone please stop getting rid of this really important resource by selling it to foreigners for a big buck, we are depleting this crucial resource."

So what's the big confusion right now?

Donald Trump has, on a number of occasions, talked about 'making China pay' tariffs on the goods they import into the US. This has led to a belief that is not entirely unreasonable, that China would be the side paying the tariffs.

The view this statement engenders is that a tariff is a bit like paying a rental fee for a seller's table at an event: the producer or merchant pays the host (or landlord or what have you) a fee to sell their product on the premises. This could be a farmer's market, a renaissance faire, a comic book convention, whatever. If you want to sell at the event, you have to pay a fee to get a space to set up your table.

In the eyes of the people who listened to Trump, the tariff is that fee. China is paying the United States for access to the market.

And, technically, that's not entirely wrong. China is thus paying to enter the US market. It's just the money to pay that fee needs to come from somewhere, and like most taxes on goods, that fee comes from the consumer.

So... what now?

Well, a lot of smaller US companies that rely on cheap goods made in China are buying up non-perishables while they can, before the tariffs hit. Long-term, manufacturers in the US that rely on parts and tools manufactured in China are going to feel the squeeze once that frontloaded stock is depleted.

Some companies are large enough to take the hit on their own end, still selling at cheap rates to the consumer, because they can offset those costs with other parts of their empire... at least until smaller competitors are driven out of business, at which point they can start jacking up their prices since there are no options left. You may look at that and think, "huh, isn't that the modus operandi for Walmart and Amazon already?" and yes. It is. We are very much anticipating a 'rich get richer, poor go out of business' situation with these tariffs.

The tariffs will also impact larger companies, including non-US ones like Zara (Spanish) and H&M (Swedish), if they have a huge reliance on Chinese production to supply their huge market in the United States.

If you're interested in the repercussions that people expect from these proposed tariffs on Chinese goods, I'd suggest listening to or watching the November 8th, 2024 episode of Morning Brew Daily (I linked to YouTube, but it's also available on Spotify, Nebula, the Morning Brew website, and other podcast platforms).

#id in alt text #id in alt #economics #tariffs #import tax #customs #customs duties #ko fi prompts #capitalism #phoenix talks #ko fi #taxes #taxation

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nasa · 7 months ago

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Athletes Go for the Gold with NASA Spinoffs

NASA technology tends to find its way into the sporting world more often than you’d expect. Fitness is important to the space program because astronauts must undergo the extreme g-forces of getting into space and endure the long-term effects of weightlessness on the human body. The agency’s engineering expertise also means that items like shoes and swimsuits can be improved with NASA know-how.

As the 2024 Olympics are in full swing in Paris, here are some of the many NASA-derived technologies that have helped competitive athletes train for the games and made sure they’re properly equipped to win.

The LZR Racer reduces skin friction drag by covering more skin than traditional swimsuits. Multiple pieces of the water-resistant and extremely lightweight LZR Pulse fabric connect at ultrasonically welded seams and incorporate extremely low-profile zippers to keep viscous drag to a minimum.

Swimsuits That Don’t Drag

When the swimsuit manufacturer Speedo wanted its LZR Racer suit to have as little drag as possible, the company turned to the experts at Langley Research Center to test its materials and design. The end result was that the new suit reduced drag by 24 percent compared to the prior generation of Speedo racing suit and broke 13 world records in 2008. While the original LZR Racer is no longer used in competition due to the advantage it gave wearers, its legacy lives on in derivatives still produced to this day.

Trilion Quality Systems worked with NASA’s Glenn Research Center to adapt existing stereo photogrammetry software to work with high-speed cameras. Now the company sells the package widely, and it is used to analyze stress and strain in everything from knee implants to running shoes and more.

High-Speed Cameras for High-Speed Shoes

After space shuttle Columbia, investigators needed to see how materials reacted during recreation tests with high-speed cameras, which involved working with industry to create a system that could analyze footage filmed at 30,000 frames per second. Engineers at Adidas used this system to analyze the behavior of Olympic marathoners' feet as they hit the ground and adjusted the design of the company’s high-performance footwear based on these observations.

Martial artist Barry French holds an Impax Body Shield while former European middle-weight kickboxing champion Daryl Tyler delivers an explosive jump side kick; the force of the impact is registered precisely and shown on the display panel of the electronic box French is wearing on his belt.

One-Thousandth-of-an-Inch Punch

In the 1980s, Olympic martial artists needed a way to measure the impact of their strikes to improve training for competition. Impulse Technology reached out to Glenn Research Center to create the Impax sensor, an ultra-thin film sensor which creates a small amount of voltage when struck. The more force applied, the more voltage it generates, enabling a computerized display to show how powerful a punch or kick was.

Astronaut Sunita Williams poses while using the Interim Resistive Exercise Device on the ISS. The cylinders at the base of each side house the SpiraFlex FlexPacks that inventor Paul Francis honed under NASA contracts. They would go on to power the Bowflex Revolution and other commercial exercise equipment.

Weight Training Without the Weight

Astronauts spending long periods of time in space needed a way to maintain muscle mass without the effect of gravity, but lifting free weights doesn’t work when you’re practically weightless. An exercise machine that uses elastic resistance to provide the same benefits as weightlifting went to the space station in the year 2000. That resistance technology was commercialized into the Bowflex Revolution home exercise equipment shortly afterwards.

Want to learn more about technologies made for space and used on Earth? Check out NASA Spinoff to find products and services that wouldn’t exist without space exploration.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

#NASA #tech #technology #space #ISS #Olympics #weightlifting #martial arts #swimming

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