#platforms it's not a unique experience or targeted

[maretriarch]

literally in the time that it took me to send you that ask you'd made a new "haha yeah all the science about the failures of dieting is a complete myth, fat people just arent trying enough because theyre too stupid to exercise" like do u have a standard reactionary "unpopular opinion, just saying it how it is" take tucked away about every feminist issue?

yup thats exactly what i said and believe fat people arent dieting bcs they r too busy getting stuck under cardboard boxes propped up by sticks cus they were following a trail of loose cheerios and they keep putting their hands where their feet should go on exercise bikes theyre just too STUPID to UNDERSTAND exercise it's definitely not like a larger issue with capitalism and it all being designed to be impossibly hard on purpose and make the easiest option the worst one for you and most profitable for them all to keep you in the cycle of buying products

[bluesturngold]

i have trans men and trans masc individuals in my life who i love and care about, when i was working in education the trans kids i knew best were trans masc, as a suicidal 18 year-old-college student at one of my lowest points ever the person who most got me to accept being nonbinary was trans masculine. i love and care about trans men and trans masc people and i fully believe you are vital to pushing trans rights forward: trans separatism is a bad idea and we are worse off with a fractured community.

but please understand, i have a trans feminine perspective, and a white person's responsibility to my trans women and trans feminine community members of color. nobody's perfect, but i have enough trust in my own understanding of intersectional transfeminism to know that if white trans women won't speak up against the transmisogyny in LGBTQIA2S+ communities on tumblr we're fucking over every trans woman who has it worse than us.

the issue has been escalating for the past couple of years, we saw the rumors and backlash spread about rita after her ban that followed her to other social media websites, we saw the trans women of color who stuck up for her and ended up banned as well, and we continue to see a new trans woman practically every day, regardless of whether the post contains eloquently phrased concerns or is venting personal frustrations, vilified for speaking candidly about the impact transmisogyny has on their lives, especially when factors of race, class, and disability frequently keep trans women and trans feminine people so isolated the only place they can retreat to is a web platform where we're liable to get banned if we criticize how it's run or harassed into hiding if we criticize how community members treat us.

trans men and trans mascs absolutely have unique challenges at the intersection of transphobia and the misogyny associated with being assigned female at birth, but the frequency with which the concept of transandrophobia is wielded as a cudgel to try and put trans women and trans feminine bloggers 'in our place' after we express concern about trans guys perpetuating transmisogyny is absolutely enough to make anyone paying attention think that might be the only reason it's ever brought up.

when trans women and trans feminine people on this site rail against the way we're treated by 'transandrobros,' look at the sorts of behavior we've had to deal with:

arguing for the ability to call women 'guy,' 'dude,' 'man,' other masculine terms accepted by patriarchal society as 'genderless.'

they/them-ing trans women and trans feminine people who don't have pronouns in bio but are talking about being a woman.

they/them-ing trans women and trans feminine people who have pronouns in bio excluding they/them.

they/them-ing trans women who have pronouns in bio including both sher/her and they/them but making a point of using they/them to degender her as punishment for arguing, or to diminish her standing as a woman when arguing about topics where it is essential: patriarchy, misogyny, transmisogyny, etc.

insisting trans women who lament not being born a cisgender woman are lucky because trans masculine dysphoria exacerbated or ruined certain experiences which cisnormative society associates with cisgender womanhood.

insisting trans women who lament not having specific childhood experiences which cisnormative society associates with cisgender women are lucky because trans masculine dysphoria exacerbated, ruined, or led to a decision not to participate in those experiences

making false equivalencies between non-trans women/trans feminine people facing transmisogynistic harassment, violence, etc. as accidental targets when the current global anti-trans hate movement is collectively focused on eradicating assigned male at birth transgender women and transfeminine people.

arguing trans women and trans feminine people on the whole are or were 'male socialized,' or universally had a period of benefiting from male privilege prior to coming out, when there's a ton of smart and incisive writing on tumblr and elsewhere which spends time breaking down the way assigned male at birth kids are bullied, ostracized, and abused while being kept from truly being considered a 'man' when attempts to correct beliefs, behaviors, mannerisms, etc. that patriarchy finds undesirable fail.

labeling trans women or trans feminine people expressing how fed up we are with arguing about the existential threat transmisogyny poses 'radical feminists' or 'radfems,' which has been used for the past decade on tumblr as shorthand for trans-exclusionary radical femininsts who support gender critical feminism and thus primarily target trans women and trans feminine people for the worst of their harassment campaigns.

dredging up years old trans women and trans feminine peoples' interpersonal drama by calling trans women 'baeddels,' and specifically using it as shorthand to frame trans women's grievances, complaints, and discussions of transfeminine separatism as if they're hatefully spawned from 'cruel and irrational disdain towards trans men' when it is self-evident to anyone who understands the origins and escalation of the discourse and has a shred of sympathy for the trans women involved that the proposal trans women become even further isolated is born from a profoundly tragic reliance on social isolation as a means of self-defense which is ingrained in many trans women due to abuse and harassment suffered during our formative years and then again after we came out or began transition.

suggesting transmisogyny is a ploy by white trans women and trans feminine people to better compete in the oppression olympics when the most at-risk transgender people (among all gender expressions, globally) are trans women / trans feminine people of color, and Black trans women / transfeminine people in the USA specifically, with trans women's already greatly diminished earning potential (see here) we can assume that's also impacted by intersections with race, class, and disability, which is theorized to push additionally marginalized trans women even further out into the fringes. (i say 'we can assume' because the surveys available regarding economic discrimination against LGBTQIA2S+ people frequently combine all transgender identities, and the one big report that does didn't publish the ethnic makeup of each group, which again drives home the point i'm making about the intersection of race not being taken seriously enough.)

i included brazil alongside global and usa statistics because in terms of raw numbers it had the most reports of trans people being slain annually. i know brazil's a huge country so a higher number is to be expected compared to a lot of the smaller and less populated countries represented in the global report, but it's gut wrenching, and i'd be doing those i know from brazil, and their trans community, a disservice if i didn't mention it.

also transmisogynoir in the usa is horrific, not only with how it's reflected in the murder statistics but also trans women already have the one of the worst pay gaps relative to cis white men of any demographic in the usa, and pay gaps in the usa get so much worse when race is factored in, then combine that with the typical transphobia and transmisogyny and racism in any given workplace in the usa and it's no wonder trans women of color and especially Black trans women are pushed to the margins of society struggling to make ends meet, which can lead to dependence on abusive partners or reliance on sex work:

other statistics from the TGEU global report indicated most reported murders happen on the street, which does really underscore the extent to which being a trans woman or trans feminine person in public frequently involves considering what safety measures you can take.

seeing people who aren't trans women or trans feminine talk about 'boymoders,' boymoders becoming a meme, boymoders becoming sexually desirable to trans men and trans masculine people and cisgender chasers is difficult. i totally understand the trans women who sexualize it— sometimes if you find it hot you can diminish the chokehold the grief it causes has over you— but also it's one of the few ways trans women as a marginalized group have to navigate daily life. and when you consider the intersection with race, the 'boymoder hoodie' could very well still be a death sentence for a Black trans woman. even if a Black trans woman totally does pass, cis and intersex Black women/cafabs living as their assigned gender already get treated as if they 'fail to pass' by white supremacist anti-trans advocates and the media outlets that further their narratives because they have the twin goals of trying to paint Black women as inferior to white women due to the racist white supremacist standards for womanhood set by the white men who wield the most power under global systems of upholding patriarchy whilst causing even more grief for Black trans women.

it's hard for a lot of trans women and trans feminine people, especially those who are socially isolated in-person and seek community online, not to plan out ways to live day-to-day whilst minimizing the risk of being seen by a stranger, usually a male who already thinks our decision to embrace femininity is contemptible (due to misogyny), who might have been convinced all trans women and transfeminine people are trying to take over women's spaces and the traditionally-women-delegated teaching and childcare industries in order to be rapists and pedophiles, thus believing the disgust they've been made to feel at the sight of any trans woman who doesn't perfectly pass is righteous and they're doing society a service should they kill us (due to transmisogyny).

the second most common place for a trans person to be murdered according to the reports where location was known is within a residential building, and the murderer is most frequently someone the victim knew. i've seen this talked about on tumblr before, but there's another huge intersection between transphobia, racism, economic status, and whorephobia such that sex work is the most frequently held occupation in cases where an occupation was known. trans women of color have it especially bad by every metric, and trans women of color are frequently more likely to turn to more dangerous avenues of sex work (in-person v.s. online) because of white supremacist patriarchy's use of economic discrimination to keep people of color in poverty.

in essence, what i hope your take away from this post can be, is that we will argue in circles forever with absolutely no tangible benefit to anyone other than transphobes when we're treating everything trans women and transfeminine people complain about as overblown or purely anecdotal when in so many cases it demonstrably is not. transphobes don't want trans men or trans masculine people to exist either and they are willing to say and do some heinous shit to try and get trans men and trans masculine people to detransition not excluding murder, but the numbers and the rhetoric transphobes are pushing around trans women and transfeminine people now and for the past few years encourages the worst, most violent and reactionary members of global society to enact horrific life-ending violence against trans women and trans feminine people as if it's a public service.

that is why trans women aren't in the mood to debate the 'validity' of tma v.s. tme; transmisogyny being equivalent to transandrophobia; whether it's fair to say a trans man or trans masculine person is in some way discriminated against for being a man (systemic oppression against men doesn't exist so while you totally do experience some unique transphobic discrimination it can't be connected to maleness through any historical context, just in the context of men's rights activism, which is reactionary and generally based in misogyny, sorry); or why it's extremely basic disrespect for a man to say 'what's up my guy' or similar to a trans woman and then double down on it being 'gender neutral' when she says it's not cool with her (the debate over this is contentious which is why people should default to not doing the thing the trans women may or may not be comfortable with, which is just basic courtesy even if you disagree).

this is a polite and well reasoned request for folks to recognize trans women are serious when we point out the severity of the hate aimed specifically at us. incorporate the broader context of the systemic threats we face in the world we're living in right now, and the way those threats have gotten worse and worse over the past 8 years. when you see a trans woman online recounting or explaining her own oppression to vent, or in hopes of finding comfort in shared experiences and with the assumption she'll be taken seriously and treated with basic respect, it's not reasonable to start an argument or go vague blog her. understand that this impulse, encouraged by trans exclusionary radical feminists and gender critical feminists as well as mainstream media and our cisnormative misogynistic patriarchal society is liable to exacerbate the severe social isolation problem trans women and trans feminine people already have, putting our safety at risk.

if i still haven't conveyed at least a decent amount of the ever-present intersectional pressures of transphobia, misogyny, and race that make these tumblr arguments over who's oppressed in what ways and which of them are worse than others feel like an existential crisis for trans women and transfeminine people, i know it usually takes more than one tumblr post to change a person's point of view. still, though:

if you recognize yourself in the complaints she's making, that's an opportunity to reflect on what harm your words and actions may have contributed to the situation and how you can handle things moving forward. maybe apologize and promise to do better, y'know?

(and if all else fails... keep scrolling, no vague blogging, it doesn't hurt you to leave her alone.)

[hayatheauthor]

Writing Believable Teenage Characters: Dos and Don'ts

Creating compelling teenage characters is crucial for engaging young adult readers and immersing them in your story. However, it can be challenging to capture the authentic essence of teenage experiences. In this blog post, I’ll explore essential dos and don'ts for crafting believable teenage characters that resonate with your audience. 

By understanding the unique mindset of teenagers, conducting thorough research, developing distinct personalities, mastering dialogue and communication, and navigating relationships and social dynamics, you'll be equipped to bring your teenage characters to life. I would also like to mention that a lot of these tips stem from the fact that I myself am a teenager, so I speak from experience. 

Understanding the Teenage Mindset

To create convincing teenage characters, it's crucial to grasp the complexities of the teenage mindset. Teenagers are undergoing a significant period of growth and self-discovery, facing numerous emotional and psychological changes. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Emotional rollercoaster: Adolescence is often characterized by intense emotions and mood swings. Your teenage characters should exhibit a range of emotions, such as excitement, fear, anger, and insecurity. Explore their emotional landscapes and provide relatable experiences for readers.

Identity formation: Teenagers are exploring their identities and seeking independence. They might question societal norms, challenge authority, and embark on journeys of self-discovery. Show your characters' struggles, personal growth, and the conflicts they face while finding their place in the world.

Peer pressure and self-image: Teenagers often experience the influence of peer pressure and societal expectations, which can impact their self-esteem and decision-making. Highlight the conflicts arising from these pressures and their impact on your characters' choices.

Evolving identities: It's important to acknowledge that the teenage years are a transformative phase, and who teenagers are during this period might differ significantly from who they become as adults. If you're writing a long-term story that spans several years, consider the potential growth and changes your teenage characters will undergo.

Research and Observation

In order to create authentic teenage characters, conducting thorough research and observation is vital. This enables you to understand the nuances of teenage behavior, language, and experiences. Here are some key steps to consider:

Immerse yourself in teenage culture

Dive into the world of teenagers by exploring contemporary media, such as books, movies, TV shows, and music targeted at young adults. Pay attention to how teenagers are portrayed and the themes that resonate with them.

Example: By reading popular young adult novels like "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green or watching coming-of-age films like "Eighth Grade," you can gain valuable insights into the lives and struggles of teenagers.

Engage with real teenagers

Interact with teenagers in various settings to observe their behavior, conversations, and interests. Volunteer at youth organizations, attend school events, or join online communities where teenagers discuss their experiences. Take note of their mannerisms, slang, and current trends.

Conduct interviews or surveys

Reach out to teenagers for interviews or surveys to gather firsthand information about their lives, experiences, and opinions. This allows you to capture diverse viewpoints and ensure your characters reflect the realities of teenage existence.

Stay updated on evolving trends

Teenage culture is dynamic and constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends, technological advancements, and social media platforms that shape teenagers' lives. Incorporate these elements into your storytelling to add authenticity and relevance.

Developing Unique Personalities

To create believable teenage characters, it is crucial to develop distinct and authentic personalities. Avoid falling into the trap of using stereotypes or clichés. Here are some dos and don'ts for developing unique teenage characters:

Avoid stereotypes and clichés

Do: Challenge common stereotypes associated with teenagers, such as the rebellious troublemaker or the socially awkward nerd. Instead, aim for multifaceted and diverse characters.

Don't: Rely on one-dimensional clichés that flatten the depth of your characters and make them predictable.

Example: Instead of portraying the teenage girl as a shallow cheerleader, consider a character who balances her cheerleading passion with academic ambitions and a talent for playing the guitar.

Individual motivations and aspirations

Do: Give each teenage character their own motivations, desires, and goals that drive their actions and decisions. This adds complexity and realism to their personalities.

Don't: Make your characters solely defined by their relationships or generic goals like popularity or romantic interests.

Example: Rather than having a character whose sole purpose is to pursue a romantic relationship, create a character who aspires to become an environmental activist and fights for climate justice.

Embrace a range of emotions and conflicts

Do: Explore a broad spectrum of emotions and internal conflicts that reflect the emotional rollercoaster of teenage years. Show their vulnerability, fears, and inner growth.

Don't: Present your characters as emotionless or overly dramatic caricatures.

Example: Allow your character to experience moments of doubt, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Let them wrestle with ethical dilemmas, confront their fears, and learn from their mistakes.

Show growth and change

Do: Portray character development and growth over time. Teenagers evolve, learn from their experiences, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

Don't: Keep your characters static throughout the story, ignoring their potential for growth and transformation.

Example: Begin with a shy and reserved character who gradually gains confidence and finds their voice, evolving into a leader who inspires change in their community.

Dialogue and Communication

Creating authentic dialogue and communication for your teenage characters is essential to make them believable. It helps readers connect with the characters and enhances the overall realism of your story. Here are some dos and don'ts for portraying teenage dialogue and communication:

Portraying authentic teenage dialogue and slang

Do: Pay attention to the vocabulary and speech patterns commonly used by teenagers. Incorporate slang and colloquialisms that are prevalent among the target age group and location. This helps establish a sense of realism and relatability.

Don't: Overdo the use of slang or rely on stereotypes. Avoid using excessive amounts of trendy slang that may quickly become outdated or confusing for readers. Remember to strike a balance between authenticity and readability.

Example: Avoid using every popular slang term in every sentence. Instead, sprinkle them sparingly and purposefully throughout the dialogue.

Balancing realism with readability

Do: Aim for dialogue that feels natural and mirrors real-life conversations. Use contractions, pauses, interruptions, and hesitations to mimic the ebb and flow of spoken language. Consider the rhythm, pacing, and tone of teenage conversations.

Example: "I can't believe she did that! It's, like, totally unfair," Lisa exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration and disbelief.

Don't: Overcomplicate dialogue or make it overly formal or stilted. Avoid unnatural speech patterns or overly polished language that doesn't reflect how teenagers typically communicate with each other.

Example: "I cannot fathom the injustice of her actions. It is thoroughly unfair," Lisa protested, her tone composed and articulate.

Addressing the role of technology and social media

Do: Incorporate technology and social media platforms into your characters' communication. Depict texting, instant messaging, social media interactions, and the use of emojis or GIFs. These elements reflect the reality of how teenagers communicate and form relationships in the digital age.

Example: Emma sent a quick Snapchat to her best friend, sharing a funny meme they had discovered, and eagerly awaited her response.

Don't: Ignore the influence of technology or limit your characters' communication to face-to-face interactions alone. Technology plays a significant role in how teenagers connect and express themselves, so it should be integrated into your storytelling.

Adapting slang to match the era

Do: Recognize that slang and language usage evolve over time. If your story is set in a different time period, research and incorporate the appropriate slang and language of that era. This attention to historical context enhances the authenticity of your characters and setting.

Example: In a story set in the 1990s, a character might say, "That's phat!" to express excitement, reflecting the slang of that era.

Don't: Use modern-day slang and language for characters in historical or past settings, as it will undermine the authenticity of the narrative and make it less believable.

Remember, the key is to strike a balance between authenticity and readability when crafting teenage dialogue and communication. By incorporating realistic language, capturing the nuances of technology and social media, and considering the appropriate slang for the era, you can create engaging and relatable teenage characters.

Navigating Relationships and Social Dynamics

One of the essential aspects of creating believable teenage characters is accurately portraying their relationships and navigating the complex dynamics of adolescence. Here are some dos and don'ts for capturing authentic relationships and social interactions:

Depicting the complexities of friendships and peer groups

Do: Showcase the diverse nature of friendships and the dynamics within peer groups. Explore the highs and lows, loyalty, conflicts, and the evolving nature of these relationships.

Example: Showcasing a group of friends who support each other through challenges, celebrate successes together, but also experience occasional disagreements and conflicts.

Don't: Present stereotypical or one-dimensional friendships. Avoid relying solely on cliques or popular group dynamics without exploring the complexities and individuality within them.

Exploring romantic relationships and the challenges they present

Do: Develop romantic relationships that are realistic and nuanced. Highlight the ups and downs, the emotional intensity, the exploration of boundaries, and the growth that comes with these experiences.

Example: Depicting a budding romance where the characters navigate uncertainties, communication challenges, and personal growth while discovering their feelings for each other.

Don't: Romanticize or trivialize relationships. Avoid portraying idealized or overly simplistic love stories without addressing the complexities and challenges that arise in teenage romances.

Incorporating familial relationships and dynamics

Do: Include meaningful interactions between teenage characters and their family members. Explore the influences, conflicts, and support systems within these relationships, capturing the range of emotions experienced in familial dynamics.

Example: Showcasing a strained relationship between a teenager and their parent due to contrasting values, but also moments of understanding and eventual reconciliation.

Don't: Neglect the importance of familial relationships or portray them as insignificant or nonexistent. Avoid relying solely on negative or stereotypical family dynamics without showcasing positive aspects as well.

By authentically depicting the complexities of friendships and peer groups, exploring realistic romantic relationships and their challenges, and incorporating meaningful familial relationships and dynamics, you'll bring depth and relatability to your teenage characters.

Conclusion

Creating believable teenage characters requires a thoughtful approach that captures their unique mindset, conducts thorough research, develops distinct personalities, masters dialogue and communication, and navigates relationships and social dynamics. By following the dos and avoiding the don'ts, you can craft teenage characters that resonate with readers, providing them with relatable experiences and enriching your storytelling.

Remember, authenticity and attention to detail are key. Embrace the diversity and complexity of teenage experiences, staying true to their emotions, motivations, and growth throughout your narrative. By doing so, you'll create memorable characters that captivate your audience and bring your stories to life.

I hope this blog on Writing Believable Teenage Characters will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.  

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey! 

[satoshi-mochida]

Baldur’s Gate III ‘Patch 8’ launches in 2025, adds cross-play, photo mode, and 12 new subclasses - Gematsu

Larian Studios will release Baldur’s Gate III‘s “Path 8” in 2025, which adds cross-play, a photo mode, and 12 new subclasses to the game, the developer announced. A stress test for the patch will be held in early January.

Get the details below.

■ Cross-Play

Whether you’re joining PlayStation 5 players from your PC, or jumping into a game with Mac users from your Xbox, Baldur’s Gate III multiplayer will soon feature full cross-platform progression, including cross-play—just as the gaming gods intended. Once the update is live you’ll be able to invite your friends to join your cross-play lobby directly, regardless of platform and find available multiplayer lobbies with friends on other systems using the Larian Network.

■ Subclasses

Patch 8 will introduce a new way to play your favorite class, adding one new subclass for each of the existing Bard, Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Fighter, Monk, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock and Wizard classes in the game. Expect new abilities, animations, video effects, summons and cantrips, and unique voiced dialogue lines for the Oathbreaker Knight with written reactivity for Oathbreakers, along with a touch of homebrewing on certain actions to enhance your role-playing experience.

Bard: College of Glamour – As a College of Glamour Bard, you’ll find you have the power to heal friends and command enemies in equal measure. Cast Mantle of Inspiration to bestow your allies with 5 temporary hit points. And should an enemy attack while it is cast, they’ll find themselves Charmed. Play your hand correctly and you’ll be able to use this to your advantage with Mantle of Majesty. Target Charmed enemies and you can command them to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground, or drop their weapon.

Barbarian: Path of Giants – Opt for the Path of Giants, and your newfound giant strength will make it easier for you to yeet friend and foe alike. Forget chugging potions to pump those muscles, these Barbarians benefit from the Giant’s Rage passive that grants both strength and size – allowing you to deal additional damage with Throw attacks. Pockets weighing you down? Not for you and your increased carry capacity!

Cleric: Death Domain – As a cleric of death, you’ll find a few dark new tricks up your sleeves—from spells that specialize in necrotic damage to three new necromancy cantrips. This includes Toll The Dead, a cantrip that causes 1 to 8 damage when your cleric rings the bell of impending doom—a number that scales if your target has already been damaged. We’ve also added the homebrewed ability to explode nearby corpses, damaging enemies.

Druid: Circle of Stars – These Druids look to the stars for answers, accessing powers beyond those offered through the classic wildshapes. Taking on one of three Starry Forms for their power—the constellations of the Archer, Chalice, and Dragon. Each one favors a different play style and strategy—the Archer dealing radiant damage with astral arrows, the life-giving Chalice restoring hitpoints to you and others nearby, and the wise Dragon, allowing you to deal damage with an added bonus to constitution rolls. The Starry Forms offer not just a celestial aesthetic, but practical, powerful options to enhance your role as a healer, fighter, or strategist.

Paladin: Oath of the Crown – You’ve been sworn to uphold the principles of law. Stay true to your oath and you’ll be rewarded with the power to aid your allies and disrupt your foes. Guide your companions in battle with Righteous Clarity, taunt enemies with strategic interrupts, and keep your party standing strong with Divine Allegiance, absorbing their damage while restoring their health.

Fighter: Arcane Archer – Mastering the dual arts of magic and marksmanship, the Arcane Archer subclass offers unique skills on top of new shooting animations. Banish foes to the Feywild, removing them from the battlefield for a turn, or unleash Psychic damage that forces enemies to make a Wisdom saving throw or be blinded until the start of their next turn.

Monk: Drunken Master – Putting the brew in homebrew, as the Drunken Master, you have the ability to consume alcohol straight from your inventory, as well as drink from bottles you see around the Sword Coast, in order to recover Ki. By sharing the bottle with your enemies using Intoxicating Strike, you’ll generate a buff towards your Armor Class and your Chance to hit Drunk targets. Drunk enemies are also susceptible to the Drunken Masters’ other abilities, like Sobering Realisation—which sobers up drunk targets, dealing physical and Psychic damage.

Ranger: Swarmkeeper – The Swarmkeeper subclass provides Rangers with three kinds of deadly swarms to assist them in combat. The Cloud of Jellyfish deals extra lightning damage—potentially shocking your enemy. The Flurry of Moths deals Psychic damage, giving you the potential to Blind your enemy. The Legion of Bees deals piercing damage and forces the enemy to make a strength-saving throw or be knocked back 15 feet. Each swarm also has the ability to provide you with teleportation capabilities!

Rogue: Swashbuckler – This Rogue subclass introduces a range of new actions fit for the piratical life. Play dirty by tossing sand at enemies to Blind them. Flick your weapon at a target to Disarm them. Or use your new Fancy Footwork passive while meleeing your enemy to ensure they can’t make opportunity attacks against you for the rest of your turn.

Sorcerer: Shadow Magic – As a Shadow Magic Sorcerer, you deal in a form of magic that makes you deadliest in darkness. This subclass gives its sorcerer Superior Darkvision, as well as the ability to Shadow Walk between places of dim light or darkness. It also lets you call forth the perfectly homebrewed Hound of Ill Omen to harass your foes, and use Strength of the Grave to prevent you from being downed—ideal for those attempting Honor Mode runs.

Warlock: Hexblade – Hexblade Warlocks make a pact with an entity from the Shadowfell that manifests in the form of magical weapons. Curse your enemies and force their souls to do your bidding. Slay any enemy that isn’t generally an element of nature, construct, giant blob, or already dead, and you’ll be able to raise their spirit from their corpse for ten turns. This new summon can deal necrotic damage and will rip away a chunk of your enemy’s soul to provide your Hexblade Warlock with healing.

Wizard: Bladesinging – The Bladesinging subclass merges swordplay with wizardry. Expect new spellcasting animations when casting spells with your weapon, a new Bladesong ability to grant you supernatural speed, agility, and focus, plus gives you a bonus to any Constitution saving throw you make.

■ Photo Mode

Finally, you can stop using pictures of fish you’ve caught on your dating profile and start snapping photos with your Hound of Ill Omen. Photo Mode is coming to Baldur’s Gate III in Patch 8! Baldur’s Gate III‘s Photo Mode is a little like a photo booth that lets you set up pretty much any shot you’d like. This new feature introduces a whole slew of options to let you customize and edit your in-game photography, with various levels of freedom depending on whether you’re using it while adventuring, or during combat, dialogue, and cinematic scenes.

Camera Settings

Toggleable from the HUD, located near the minimap, or by using the hotkey binding (F9 on PC, and by pressing both analog sticks at the same time on console), you’ll get to choose which character you want to take centre stage, determine their best side, and adjust the camera position to suit. As long as they’re in your party while you’re adventuring, you’ll be able to line up your scene perfectly—including summons and those in a Wild Shape! For all budding virtual photographers, you can also turn on the camera reticle and composition grid to make sure you’re lining up the perfect shot.

Lens Settings

Determined the angle and sorted the positioning? You’ll be able to jump over to the Lens Settings where you can play around with the Field of View, Exposure, Depth of Field, and Focus.

Scene Settings

NPC ruining your shot? Toggle off either Playing, Party, NPC, or Enemy characters. Now you’re ready for your close-up! Or, if you’re feeling creative, set the scene for a full-on Faerûn musical—choose a set facial expression, plus a range of over 40 static and animated poses, each with multiple variations to help give you the perfect layout. Internal playtesting for Patch 8 is already well underway, and we wanted to highlight just a couple of the great shots our playtesters have been grabbing using photo mode, and how they’ve chosen to edit them!

Post Processing Effects

While you won’t be able to adjust your party or play around with lens and camera settings during cinematic scenes and dialogues, you’ll be able to color-grade your shot and experiment with contrast, saturation, highlights, brightness and vignette.

Frames

Add flair to your scene with a range of different frames and letterboxing to nail those cinematic shots.

Stickers

Choose from over 300 stickers and add up to 30 to your scene, including emojis, icons, blood splatters, textures, objects and items, and of course, cat ears. In your hands soon, you’ll be able to take role-play to the next level with unique combinations of poses, stickers, and frames. We can’t wait to see what absolute nightmare fuel you come up with.

Baldur’s Gate III is available now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam and GOG.

[ausetkmt]

TUMBLR HAS MORE BOTS THAN USERS

In 2024, Tumblr, a once-thriving hub for creative expression and niche communities, found itself grappling with an unprecedented surge in bot activity and scams. The platform, known for its vibrant mix of fandoms, artists, and bloggers, became a prime target for automated accounts and fraudulent schemes, disrupting the user experience and sparking widespread concern among its loyal user base.

The rise in bot activity on Tumblr can be traced back to several key factors. Firstly, the platform's relatively open registration process made it an easy target for automated scripts designed to create fake accounts en masse. These bots typically engage in following users, liking posts, and reblogging content to appear legitimate. However, their primary objective often involves disseminating spam links, phishing attempts, or even spreading malware.

One of the most noticeable impacts of this bot surge has been the inundation of fake follower notifications. Many Tumblr users reported a significant increase in new followers, only to discover that these accounts exhibited telltale signs of automation. Profile pictures were often generic or non-existent, bios were sparse or nonsensical, and the accounts rarely posted original content. Instead, they engaged in repetitive reblogging of posts from other accounts, creating a facade of activity.

The motivations behind these bots vary. Some are designed to drive traffic to external websites, often of dubious or malicious nature. These sites can range from fraudulent online stores to phishing pages that attempt to steal users' personal information. Other bots aim to manipulate engagement metrics, inflating the appearance of popularity for certain posts or accounts. This can distort the organic reach and visibility of content, undermining the authentic interactions that Tumblr users cherish.

In response to the escalating bot crisis, Tumblr implemented a series of measures aimed at curbing automated activity. Enhanced CAPTCHA challenges during account creation and suspicious activity detection algorithms were among the first lines of defense. Additionally, the platform's moderation team ramped up efforts to swiftly identify and remove bot accounts. However, the sheer volume of bots meant that these measures often felt like a game of whack-a-mole, with new bots continually appearing to replace those that were removed.

The surge in bot activity also had a ripple effect on user trust and safety. Scams became increasingly prevalent, with bots frequently sending direct messages containing phishing links or fraudulent offers. Unsuspecting users who clicked on these links risked compromising their accounts or falling victim to identity theft. The presence of these malicious actors eroded the sense of community that Tumblr had long fostered, leaving users wary of interactions with unfamiliar accounts.

Despite the challenges, the Tumblr community has shown resilience in the face of the bot invasion. Users have banded together to share tips on identifying and reporting bots, while also advocating for stronger platform security measures. Some have even created browser extensions and scripts to help filter out bot accounts from their notifications and interactions.

Tumblr's bot problem is emblematic of a broader issue facing many social media platforms in the digital age. As automated technology becomes more sophisticated, the battle between bots and platform security measures is likely to intensify. For Tumblr, the key to preserving its unique cultural space will lie in continually evolving its defenses and maintaining open lines of communication with its user base.

Ultimately, the fight against bots and scams is an ongoing effort that requires collaboration between platform administrators and users alike. While 2024 has been a challenging year for Tumblr, the lessons learned and the steps taken to combat the bot surge will undoubtedly shape the future of the platform and its community.

[usafphantom2]

B-2 Stealth Bomber Demoes QUICKSINK Low Cost Maritime Strike Capability During RIMPAC 2024

The U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit carried out a QUICKSINK demonstration during the second SINKEX (Sinking Exercise) of RIMPAC 2024. This marks the very first time a B-2 Spirit has been publicly reported to test this anti-ship capability.

David Cenciotti

B-2 QUICKSINK

File photo of a B-2 Spirit (Image credit: Howard German / The Aviationist)

RIMPAC 2024, the 29th in the series since 1971, sees the involvement of 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel. During the drills, two long-planned live-fire sinking exercises (SINKEXs) led to the sinking of two decommissioned ships: USS Dubuque (LPD 8), sunk on July 11, 2024; and the USS Tarawa (LHA 1), sunk on July 19. Both were sunk in waters 15,000 feet deep, located over 50 nautical miles off the northern coast of Kauai, Hawaii.

SINKEXs are training exercises in which decommissioned naval vessels are used as targets. These exercises allow participating forces to practice and demonstrate their capabilities in live-fire scenarios providing a unique and realistic training environment that cannot be replicated through simulations or other training methods.

RIMPAC 2024’s SINKEXs allowed units from Australia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, South Korea, and various U.S. military branches, including the Air Force, Army, and Navy, to enhance their skills and tactics as well as validate targeting, and live firing capabilities against surface ships at sea. They also helped improve the ability of partner nations to plan, communicate, and execute complex maritime operations, including precision and long-range strikes.

LRASM

During the sinking of the ex-Tarawa, a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet deployed a Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). This advanced, stealthy cruise missile offers multi-service, multi-platform, and multi-mission capabilities for offensive anti-surface warfare and is currently deployed from U.S. Navy F/A-18 and U.S. Air Force B-1B aircraft.

The AGM-158C LRASM, based on the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER), is the new low-observable anti-ship cruise missile developed by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. NAVAIR describes the weapon as a defined near-term solution for the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap that will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets.

QUICKSINK

Remarkably, in a collaborative effort with the U.S. Navy, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber also took part in the second SINKEX, demonstrating a low-cost, air-delivered method for neutralizing surface vessels using the QUICKSINK. Funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the QUICKSINK experiment aims to provide cost-effective solutions to quickly neutralize maritime threats over vast ocean areas, showcasing the flexibility of the joint force.

The Quicksink initiative, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, is designed to offer innovative solutions for swiftly neutralizing stationary or moving maritime targets at a low cost, showcasing the adaptability of joint military operations for future combat scenarios. “Quicksink is distinctive as it brings new capabilities to both current and future Department of Defense weapon systems, offering combatant commanders and national leaders fresh methods to counter maritime threats,” explained Kirk Herzog, the program manager at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Traditionally, enemy ships are targeted using submarine-launched heavyweight torpedoes, which, while effective, come with high costs and limited deployment capabilities among naval assets. “Heavyweight torpedoes are efficient at sinking large ships but are expensive and deployed by a limited number of naval platforms,” stated Maj. Andrew Swanson, division chief of Advanced Programs at the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. “Quicksink provides a cost-effective and agile alternative that could be used by a majority of Air Force combat aircraft, thereby expanding the options available to combatant commanders and warfighters.”

Regarding weapon guidance, the QUICKSINK kit combines a GBU-31/B Joint Direct Attack Munition’s existing GPS-assisted inertial navigation system (INS) guidance in the tail with a new radar seeker installed on the nose combined with an IIR (Imaging Infra-Red) camera mounted in a fairing on the side. When released, the bomb uses the standard JDAM kit to glide to the target area and the seeker/camera to lock on the ship. Once lock on is achieved, the guidance system directs the bomb to detonate near the hull below the waterline.

Previous QUICKSINK demonstrations in 2021 and 2022 featured F-15E Strike Eagles deploying modified 2,000-pound GBU-31 JDAMs. This marks the very first time a B-2 Spirit has been publicly reported to test this anti-ship capability. Considering a B-2 can carry up to 16 GBU-31 JDAMs, this highlights the significant anti-surface firepower a single stealth bomber can bring to a maritime conflict scenario.

Quicksink

F-15E Strike Eagle at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. with modified 2,000-pound GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions as part of the second test in the QUICKSINK Joint Capability Technology Demonstration on April 28, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo / 1st Lt Lindsey Heflin)

SINKEXs

“Sinking exercises allow us to hone our skills, learn from one another, and gain real-world experience,” stated U.S. Navy Vice Adm. John Wade, the RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force Commander in a public statement. “These drills demonstrate our commitment to maintaining a safe and open Indo-Pacific region.”

Ships used in SINKEXs, known as hulks, are prepared in strict compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations under a general permit the Navy holds pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. Each SINKEX requires the hulk to sink in water at least 6,000 feet deep and more than 50 nautical miles from land.

In line with EPA guidelines, before a SINKEX, the Navy thoroughly cleans the hulk, removing all materials that could harm the marine environment, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum, trash, and other hazardous materials. The cleaning process is documented and reported to the EPA before and after the SINKEX.

Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803) fires a Harpoon missile during a long-planned live fire sinking exercise as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. (Royal Netherlands Navy photo by Cristian Schrik)

SINKEXs are conducted only after the area is surveyed to ensure no people, marine vessels, aircraft, or marine species are present. These exercises comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and are executed following permits and authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act.

The ex-Dubuque, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, was commissioned on September 1, 1967, and served in Vietnam, Operation Desert Shield, and other missions before being decommissioned in June 2011. The ex-Tarawa, the lead amphibious assault ship of its class, was commissioned on May 29, 1976, participated in numerous operations including Desert Shield and Iraqi Freedom, and was decommissioned in March 2009.

This year marks the second time a Tarawa-class ship has been used for a SINKEX, following the sinking of the ex-USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) during RIMPAC 2006.

H/T Ryan Chan for the heads up!

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

@TheAviationist.com

[beautifulpersonpeach]

Why did Joon posting that song blow up to such an insane degree, but Taehyung mouthing the n-word seems to have made no noise? I’m absolutely not saying I wanted Taehyung to be at the center of a hate campaign, but I’m kind of surprised? If I understood the meaning of the song correctly, Joon really didn’t do anything wrong or offensive at all, but it blew up and was everywhere for days. I saw so many discussions about it on different platforms. But then Taehyung actually DID do something wrong. But it’s just… crickets. I guess I’m just confused? Why did Joon’s thing turn out like it did, but Taehyung seems to have gotten away unscathed?

***

I just want to say, first of all, that I abhor this sort of ask for two reasons: (1) because it ultimately taps into the incredibly toxic hyper-competitiveness in k-pop, where everything is seen within the lens of comparison and competition - nothing is sacred; and (2) because I'm Black and Korean, and having to explain the intricacies of how this space creates and engages in the sort of prejudice cocktail one uniquely finds here, especially since I've been into k-pop for this long, is annoying and borderline dehumanizing to experience.

But I understand why you asked it. I know you likely bore no malice in asking it and I can see why the stark difference in reactions could be confusing, so I'll use your ask to make a general comment about general fandom dynamics. It's something I've talked about before, when discussing hate and how Jimin doesn't actually get as much hate as a lot of people think, but that he does get huge amounts of certain kinds of hate. I suggest you read that post with this one please, because I won't repeat all I said there, here.

I often talk about the different players in k-pop fandom, how hate can be manufactured, and that various things have influenced previous scandals blowing up. It can get confusing to fully explain, but I'll try not to ramble and will try to outline this methodically somehow, splitting up the factors I think are important into sub-headings.

The Background/Setting

This might not seem obvious at first, but it's important to know what else is happening in k-pop fandom at the time.

In the case of Namjoon's artificial scandal of recommending a Frank Ocean song about Black queer experience, and unrequited love related to religious truama - a song 10s of idols and people had shared before to zero controversy, and a scandal started in a Blinks GC including BTS akgaes (who were Blinks) - the background context was Lisa getting dragged by most of stan twt for an unflattering picture posted on Popbase, Blackpink getting flayed by several k-pop fandoms for not selling out their latest concert venue, and simultaneously NewJeans taking yet another record from Blackpink. This wasn't the catalyst for the hate on Namjoon, but it provided the background noise for why Blinks were so angsty and pissed. All that happened in one day.

You see, before Blinks came after Namjoon, they'd actually gone after NewJeans' fandom in retaliation. A blink hacked the NewJeans Global fanbase following the achievement announcement. Look at the date of that tweet. If you were on Twitter you would've seen "APOLOGIZE TO LISA" trending globally. Well, that's what happened. Bunnies are a much smaller fandom but their group is the top girl group, meaning that fandom dynamics make them an easy target to overwhelm that nobody would care to defend and so their pleas that their fanbase was hacked fell on deaf ears, Blinks easily overran them and practically everything that happened to Namjoon two days later, happened first to NewJeans and their fanbase. But the scandal didn't gain much traction and Blinks were like, raging pissed. I'm talking people screaming in various Twitter spaces mad. Just insane any way you look at it.

Then a day later Namjoon said in a magazine interview that BTS would be returning around 2025. That was the catalyst for the hate. Aside from the additional annoyance for Blinks of BTS, well, BTS-ing, BTS akgaes who were also Blinks, absolutely lost their shit. It might seem like such an innocuous thing, but one thing you'll realize is, a lot of people here are frankly insane. I know I use that word a lot but I actually mean it. Much of what passes for 'discourse' here, is actually fueled by people who are very unstable and cannot manage their emotional reactions to facts outside their control. Such is the perpetual plight of BTS akgaes and one such fact is BTS all saying they intend to return in a few years, and so their attention turned to him and he would've had a hate train sooner or later. It was only blind luck that he shared Bad Religion on Instagram the next day.

To contrast with Tae's situation, Blinks were celebrating various achievements yesterday and today. And so, silly as this might be to say, they were less pissed than they were in the lead up to Namjoon's situation. Also, Blinks and most other shooters were pre-occupied with much juicier drama today, which was the blow-up around Bang Chan's room being suspended. Dives and Stays have been going at it, with Blinks and shooters well in the mix. Scandals sometimes never happen the day of the incident. In fact it's more common for something to happen which an anti or rival fandom notices, keeps away, and then blows up at a more opportune moment - such as during the actual comeback. So it's not like Tae's even in the clear. This could still come back to hurt him (and BTS, because that's how these things always play out), though I doubt it, because of the players.

The Players

The fact is that since Tae started dating Jennie, he has less natural predators within the Blink fandom. He's still hated, just not to same degree he was by that fandom when he accidentally followed Jennie on Instagram a year ago. Also, many Blinks are BTS maknae-line akgaes meaning many Blinks are also taekookers and KTHs. In case anyone was unaware. So Tae is likely never going to get as much umbrage from Blinks as he would from Orbits, for example. But just by being in BTS, he's hated by that fandom.

Rival BTS akgaes are also players here who tried to get the ball rolling on the hate train, but in recent weeks I'd seen sympathy from PJMs towards Tae for his abysmal performance numbers, so not many of them joined in right away. JJKs on the other hand, who have been dealing with a lot of flack for Seven's versions/performance, saw an opportunity to use Tae's gaffe to play off his akgaes and the fandom against other akgaes. ARMYs are a bit stupid, as I've said before, and PJMs are careless, loud, and moronic - they've earned a reputation that makes them easy scapeoats, as I've said before too, so playing those factions off each other was very easy to do.

This all left Black ARMYs, who knew that if this blows up, every BTS member would become a target because of k-pop fandom dynamics, whether that was fair or not, especially for a gaffe like this, to contain this somewhat.

Namjoon does not have the benefit (if I can even call it that) of dating Jennie, his akgaes do overlap with some other fandoms but not Blinks, and his crime was not the sort that was very contagious to other members, so it allowed more akgaes to zero in on him and Blinks to let loose on him.

The Crime

There's no pretty way of saying this, but identity 'crimes' in k-pop fandoms are kind of a bitch and can be tricky to understand. In Tae's case, the fact is that the clips do offer him plausible deniability. I can see how someone could persuade others to think he never mouthed it, though I personally don't buy it. But given the fact that racist charges in particular are very sticky and will be used to target every member, from Jimin to Namjoon even if Tae was the culprit, I can see why the fandom approached it this way.

There's also the very simple fact that a lot of people didn't actually notice that Tae mouthed "nigga". I know the song he was listening to so I know what he said, but I could bet you 40 quid that 80% of the fandom is actually blissfully oblivious. And that's how it usually is with these things. Unless an anti or rival fandom blows it up, it might as well have never happened because few people would've registered that it happened in the first place. And because of (1) the background and (2) the players, it was always unlikely that this could turn into a shit storm today. It could still happen for Tae, but it happening today, in my view at least, was always unlikely.

Namjoon by contrast, had a crime that wasn't even one, but religious sensitivities can be very volatile, and the people who eventually believed he was in error and were fanning the flames, were primarily homophobes and misogynists who justify those beliefs with their religion - in addition to some Muslim fans who perhaps felt genuinely hurt. Not Black ARMYs or Black k-pop stans who have likely dealt with exactly this sort of crime before. I mean, this is k-pop, Shinee and Mamamoo for example, well loved k-pop groups still haven't apologized for doing Blackface and Brownface, they've never even acknowledged it, and yet nobody cares. And so many Black fans unfortunately have a sort of resignation or racism fatigue. In a sense.

One other reason is that, for racist or anti-Black accusations, sometimes other k-pop fandoms could be hesitant to join in and blow up the scandal because they’re aware of their own idols being guilty of the same or much worse, and they know explicitly going after BTS will get ARMYs to drag their faves to filth. It would be something akin to mutually assured destruction but ARMYs would possibly overwhelm with share numbers. Comparatively, accusations around Islamophobia aren’t as common, and so more k-pop fandoms could join in to virtue signal on that basis, and blow it up further knowing ARMYs wouldn’t have equal basis to retaliate towards certain fandoms.

**

I took my time writing all this for a few reasons. One is because I'm very well aware that there's a narrative in some parts of the fandom that Jimin is hated the most and Tae is hated the least. Again as though this is some kind of competition. And that it's very likely for this to be the talking point in this space filled with Jimin biases, jikook shippers, and Jimin akgaes. Not to call y'all out exactly, it's just the reality as I see it. But like I keep saying, if you're listening to akgaes for most anything, you're being quite stupid because you're guaranteed to be misled. In my opinion. There's a lot more things that influence how things play out here, there's so much more nuance into how various patterns develop, that the simplistic and victimizing arguments offered by that point of view, aren't all that helpful if what you want is to actually understand what's happening here.

*

And while I'm on the subject since this post is already too long and I've gotten asks about how to feel about this, I'll copy-paste here what I already told someone else privately:

I don't hate Tae, and as a Black person, much less a Black person who has lived in Korea with family there, this sort of anti-Blackness, while disappointing no matter where its encountered, even more so since it's from a BTS member in this case, is something many Black people live with.

I understand what you mean I think, and though you say you don't know how to feel right now, I know how I feel: I feel disappointed. Tae mouthing the word on camera, not bothering to show more care around how it could look, indicates to me that it's possible he shows even less care in private i.e. he's possibly comfortable saying the word in private. This could be true or false. And while not the worst thing in the world (I don't for a second think any of the guys are perfect people - it's possible there's a high chance they'd behave like typical Korean men in various situations with all the cultural prejudices and ignorance), it's disappointing that this could still happen in 2023. As you've said, it seemed very unlikely. But then again, unlike some other members, Taehyung himself has never come under fire for this sort of gaffe. Where Joon, Hobi, and Yoongi have been forced to grow in their engagement with Black culture as they're the members that have worked very deeply on hiphop, Tae's always had a bit of a peripheral view. He's never been personally impacted by any of that particular scrutiny, and given what I think his personality is like, I won't be surprised if it never really registered in his mind as something to be cautious about, since he'd never been personally really affected by it. Hence one reason I started out that post by calling him stupid, as harsh as that might sound.

Personally, I never expect perfection from BTS, so while this is disappointing, it does not dramatically impact how I feel about Tae or BTS or Layover a week from now. I listen to a lot of music and a lot of hiphop made by artists who have very likely killed before, so my personal tolerance for 'problematic' artists or things like this could be very different from yours. It's unfortunate that Tae's actions could bring very negative attention to the whole group, and people will have feelings - some people being hurt and other people re-offending in a bid to defend or antagonize him, so I'd suggest trying not to get caught in the crossfire. If you still want to support Tae, that's okay. Personally, I'll be checking out his album and plan to support it with streams and some sales. If you're hurt and want to say that, that's okay too. If you don't feel like supporting his project, that's okay too. Process this in a way where you honour your feelings and beliefs first, based on the facts as you have them. And anyone who tries to make your life difficult about it either way, fuck them. In my opinion.

[nabbit-unmasked]

Hello there! Apologies for asking but is there any asks from me in your inbox? I cannot quite remember if I sent anything recently or if Tumblr has been eating my asks.

Secondly, I come to you with a question. How do you avoid/disengage in discourse within the alterhuman community? I am asking because, as of recently, the amount of discourse has gotten to me and I want to be able to take a step back from everything before I have to leave like I did with other communities I am in. Apologies if this isn't something you can answer, but I thought it would be worth the shot.

- @batty-babbles

Hi batty! I do have something, here it is:

I took a little break from answering asks because I needed to recover my mental health before giving any detailed responses. Instead of making a whole new post, I'll just answer it here and say thank you for the kind words ^^ I'm gonna go ahead and delete the ask since I pretty much addressed it here.

As for your second question, I've definently been there before. Discourse sucks, and the are three ways I've been able to deal with it:

• Laugh to yourself about recurrent gatekeepers or bullies.

- If there's one person that keeps getting on your nerves, you could try to laugh when you read their posts. What kind of a clown would have a take like that?

• Take a break or step away.

-If the discourse is happening on a specific platform, try exploring the community on another platform. I stepped away from Reddit after discourse and debating and gatekeeping because popular, and I cane to tumblr where I'm having a good time.

-Also, from what I've noticed, Tumblrs algorithm will show you content related to whatever you've previously searched or interacted with, or it will even reccomend new blogs from other blogs you already follow. If you want to stop seeing so much discourse on your Tumblr feed, search up other things your interested in or interact a lot with the blogs you can trust.

• Know that you're mindset is all that matters.

I'm not sure if its personally affecting your identity or not, but I think this is helpful advice anyways.

You know yourself best, more than anyone else does. Only you know what's going on inside your head. Therefore, only you can know what you identify as, and only you can define alterhumanity for yourself. If you don't fit the mainstream-gatekeeping-antifake definition of whatever you are, no one will know, nor will they care. They can't see inside your mind, remember? We all identify ourselves, and no one can tell us what we are or aren't. That makes us all valid on the basis of alterhuman identities. It doesn't matter if you aren't mainstream---thats the whole point of alterhuman, unique experiences that aren't like any other.

Even if you aren't feeling this way about yourself, it applies to everyone. If you see someone you disagree with and they're spreading discourse, keep this in mind for whoever they're targeting.

I hope this was helpful :) let me know if you need anything else ^^

[rafiqul01693]

Unlocking Success: The Best Use of Facebook Marketing

In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, Facebook remains a powerhouse for businesses seeking to connect with their target audience and drive results. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook offers an unparalleled platform for businesses to enhance brand visibility, engage with customers, and boost sales. Here's a comprehensive guide on the best use of Facebook marketing to maximize your business potential:

1. Create a Compelling Business Page:

Your Facebook business page is the digital face of your brand. Ensure it's visually appealing, consistent with your brand identity, and includes essential information such as your business hours,

contact details, and a compelling 'About Us' section. Use high-quality images and a captivating cover photo to make a lasting first impression.

2. Leverage Facebook Ads:

Facebook's robust advertising platform allows businesses to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. Invest time in creating eye-catching ad creatives, compelling copy, and a clear call-to-action.

Experiment with different ad formats, such as carousel ads, video ads, and lead ads, to find what resonates best with your audience.

3. Engage with Your Audience:

Social media is all about building relationships. Regularly engage with your audience through comments, messages, and posts. Promptly respond to inquiries, address concerns, and foster a sense of community. Encourage user-generated content by running contests or asking for reviews, turning your audience into brand ambassadors.

4. Utilize Facebook Groups:

Facebook Groups provide a unique opportunity to create a community around your brand or industry. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions, positioning yourself as an authority in your niche. Alternatively, create your own group to foster a sense of belonging among your customers and prospects.

5. Harness the Power of Facebook Analytics:

Facebook Insights offers valuable data on your page performance, audience demographics, and content engagement.

Use these insights to refine your strategy, identify popular content, and optimize your posting schedule. Data-driven decisions are key to a successful Facebook marketing campaign.

6. Optimize for Mobile Users:

A significant portion of Facebook users access the platform on mobile devices. Ensure that your content is mobile-friendly, with concise and visually appealing elements. This includes mobile-optimized ads, responsive landing pages, and a seamless user experience.

7. Implement Facebook Pixel:

Facebook Pixel is a powerful tool that helps you track the actions users take on your website after clicking on your ads. Use this data to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns, retarget website visitors, and optimize for conversions. Facebook Pixel is an invaluable asset for refining your marketing strategy.

8. Run Targeted Contests and Giveaways:

Engage your audience by running contests and giveaways. Encourage participants to like, share, and comment on your posts to increase organic reach. Ensure that the prizes align with your brand and attract your target audience, fostering a positive association with your business.

9. Stay Consistent with Content Strategy:

Consistency is key in maintaining an active and engaged audience. Develop a content calendar and post regularly to keep your audience informed and entertained.

Mix up your content types, including images, videos, articles, and user-generated content, to maintain variety.

10. Test and Iterate:

The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Continuously test different strategies, analyze results, and iterate based on the feedback and data you receive. This iterative approach will help you stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing consumer behavior.

[bliow]

AGARTHA Aİ - DEVASA+ (4)

In an era where technology and creativity intertwine, AI design is revolutionizing the way we conceptualize and create across various industries. From the runway to retail, 3D fashion design is pushing boundaries, enabling designers to craft intricate garments with unparalleled precision. Likewise, 3D product design is transforming everything from gadgets to furniture, allowing for rapid prototyping and innovation. As we explore these exciting advancements, platforms like Agartha.ai are leading the charge in harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline the design process and inspire new ideas. 

AI design

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized numerous industries, and the realm of design is no exception. By leveraging the power of machine learning and advanced algorithms, AI is transforming the way designers create, innovate, and deliver their products. AI-driven tools enable designers to harness vast amounts of data, allowing for more informed decision-making and streamlined workflows.

In the context of graphic design, AI can assist artists in generating ideas, creating unique visuals, and even automating repetitive tasks. For instance, programs powered by AI design can analyze trends and consumer preferences, producing designs that resonate with target audiences more effectively than traditional methods. This shift not only enhances creativity but also enables designers to focus on strategic thinking and ideation.

Moreover, AI is facilitating personalized design experiences. With the help of algorithms that analyze user behavior, products can be tailored to meet the specific needs and tastes of individuals. This level of customization fosters deeper connections between brands and consumers, ultimately driving customer satisfaction and loyalty in an increasingly competitive market.

3D fashion design

In recent years, 3D fashion design has revolutionized the way we create and visualize clothing. Using advanced software and tools, designers can create lifelike virtual garments that allow for innovative experimentation without the need for physical fabric. This trend has not only streamlined the design process but has also significantly reduced waste in the fashion industry.

Moreover, 3D fashion design enables designers to showcase their creations in a more interactive manner. By utilizing 3D modeling and rendering technologies, designers can present their collections in virtual environments, making it easier for clients and consumers to appreciate the nuances of each piece. This immersive experience also helps in gathering valuable feedback before producing the final product.

Furthermore, the integration of 3D fashion design with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies is bringing a fresh perspective to the industry. Consumers can virtually try on clothes from the comfort of their homes, thereby enhancing the shopping experience. As this field continues to evolve, it promises to bridge the gap between creativity and technology, paving the way for a sustainable and forward-thinking fashion future.

3D product design

3D product design has revolutionized the way we conceptualize and create products. With advanced software tools and technologies, designers can now create highly detailed and realistic prototypes that are not only visually appealing but also functional. This process allows for a quicker iteration of ideas, enabling designers to experiment with various styles and functionalities before arriving at the final design.

One of the significant advantages of 3D product design is the ability to visualize products in a virtual environment. Designers can see how their creations would look in real life, which is essential for understanding aesthetics and usability. Additionally, this technology enables manufacturers to identify potential issues in the design phase, reducing costs associated with prototype development and rework.

Moreover, the rise of 3D printing has further enhanced the significance of 3D product design. Designers can swiftly turn their digital models into tangible products, allowing for rapid prototyping and small-batch manufacturing. This agility not only speeds up the time-to-market for new products but also paves the way for more innovative designs that were previously impossible to execute.

Agartha.ai

Agartha.ai is a revolutionary platform that merges artificial intelligence with innovative design, creating a new avenue for designers and creators alike. With the rapid advancements in technology, Agartha.ai leverages AI to streamline various design processes, enabling users to produce unique and captivating designs with ease.

The platform provides tools that empower both emerging and established designers to explore the possibilities of AI design. By utilizing intelligent algorithms, Agartha.ai can assist in generating design options, ensuring that creativity is not hindered but enhanced. This results in a more efficient workflow and allows designers to focus on the conceptual aspects of their projects.

One of the standout features of Agartha.ai is its ability to adapt to different design disciplines, such as 3D fashion design and 3D product design. By supporting a broad spectrum of design fields, it positions itself as a versatile tool that meets the evolving needs of today's creative professionals. Whether it's crafting intricate fashion pieces or developing innovative product designs, Agartha.ai is at the forefront of the design revolution.

[void-ink-studios]

This Isn't a Time Room, It's a Time Home

In which Scarab learns a bit about himself as he tries to fill his days in the Time Room.

And this will be the last chapter before a 2-part finale to this series. That doesn't mean I won't be writing these two ever again! If I get ideas, I'll come back and write them! But I'm running out of steam posting 2,000+ word fics every day, and I'd like to end this off on a good note. 20 chapters, totaling 50,000 words seemed like a nice, even spot to stop. So, get ready for that, and I hope you all have enjoyed the ride!

First part of the finale will drop tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Word Count: 2,000

It had been a long time since Scarab had his own space.

A long... long time.

He had a burrow, back at the Mounds, that he'd decorated and made his own. It was a cozy space, if he remembered correctly.

He remembered a love of collecting and preserving the flowers and wild plants he found on his patrol routes. He remembered making simple decorations out of his discoveries, and cluttering his burrow with them.

That was a time that he wasn't constantly on the move. When his life was simpler. More stationary.

He hadn't been stationary for eons.

His life as an Auditor had him constantly on the move. He had... nothing. No home. No place to rest, not when he wasn't really allowed to rest.

If he rested, it was at camps or hotels in whatever world he was tracking a target through. And if that camp happened to be on a floating asteroid in the middle of the void, then so be it.

Scarab didn't complain. Maybe couldn't is the more accurate term, but it's not like it mattered.

The point was, he didn't settle down. He didn't have a place to be stationary, to decorate, to... own.

He wondered if that was sad. He wondered if other Auditors ever got to... settle. If they had a home, somewhere in the Judgement Hall, or elsewhere.

But, that wasn't the case now.

Now, he had no choice but to be stationary.

Everything in the Time Room had a degree of stillness to it. If clocks could work in here, he would probably be able to hear and focus on each and every individual tick. Nothing moved here, other than what they made move. Nothing changed here, other than what they manually changed.

Prismo didn't seem to mind it too much. It was his existence, everything he ever knew (until recently) was in this infinite cube.

Prismo was powerful. He could make the Time Room in anything he wanted. He could conjure almost anything he wanted into the Time Room, rearrange its walls however he saw fit, make it as personal as something could be in the cosmos.

And yet, all that was there, that was uniquely Prismo, was a Hot Tub, and a room full of pickle experiments.

Scarab wasn't sure what to make of it.

He asked the Wishmaster about it, and he only received a shrug. "I dunno man. Kinda hard to have decoration tastes when all you got is a yellow or gray wall of cubes. I like the Hot Tub, and I like the pickles. If you think it's boring, feel free to go at it yourself."

That had made Scarab chirp, curiously.

He looked around the empty corners, and... he saw potential.

He hesitated at first.

"Prismo, did you... mean what you said, before? That I could... decorate the Time Room if I wished?"

The Wishmaster cuddled him closer, sleepily humming. "Yeah, Lovebug. I think that'd be... cool."

Scarab couldn't help but chuckle.

"Cool, hmm?"

"Yeah... You've been everywhere. You'd have a better idea of what looks nice than I would. I saw have at it, sweetheart."

Prismo proceeded to nuzzle and kiss him in their cuddle pile, putting an end to the conversation, but Scarab had the confirmation he needed.

He thought. Considered.

It started small. No conjuring just yet. Just manipulating the walls themselves.

Some places to climb and perch, both for himself and Cos whenever he came over.

He moved the hot tub out of the center of the room, more into the corner, and more of a statement, with a platform, stairs, and shelves.

Made a proper statement around the entrance to the basement.

Already, it was looking a little bit nicer in here.

Scarab chirped happily as he stood back and looked at his work. He preened when their game night crew commented that the Time Room looked a bit more... alive.

He clicked in consideration, eyes skimming what might look nice.

"Prismo... Do you have any objections to... well, anything I suppose?"

Prismo seemed startled that he was being addressed, pausing his fanfic writing to look around.

"U-Uhm... why are you asking me...? This is your project, yeah?"

Scarab tilted his head at him.

"This is your space too, Prismo. I wouldn't want you to... what, silently suffer in your primary living space. Just... you're allowed to have preferences, you know?"

Prismo gave an awkward smile before he tried to think.

"Uh..."

He seemed to have a mental click, eyes focusing on an empty corner. Scarab looked between that corner and Prismo, raising an eyebrow.

"...No statues. At least... none that look like people."

"I'll keep that in mind" Scarab hummed. "Thank you for telling me, love." He nuzzled Prismo's cheek, clicking softly.

So, no statues. That at least narrowed it down.

He thought about what seemed to interest Prismo most on their "field trips" to both Ooo and Fionna's world.

Prismo liked shiny things. He liked gold and crystals and the stars. He liked complex patterns, geometric and abstract. And he liked bold, bright colors.

Hmmm...

Yes, he could work with that.

He continued to play it subtle. Small for now.

He was still getting used to conjuring. So, no complex configurations right now. But that was fine by him.

Because Scarab found out something about himself. Or, rediscovered?

Scarab liked making things. He liked working on things with his talons, something small, meticulous.

Maybe writing fanfiction with Prismo rekindled this love, but working on his accessories for the Gala fanned the flames. He took pride in it, smiling wider than he could remember through learning how to make the shawl and necklace.

So, he set to work.

"Oooh, starting up the lair again?"

Scarab rolled his eyes, not dignifying that with a response as he slipped inside.

And the Time Room began to come to life.

Small crystal stars hanging from some of the perches, that sparkled, wrapped in gold wire.

Crystal ornaments on scattered shelves, wrapped with intricate metalwork, making their own stands. They shined with colors, from blue to purple to green, casting lovely beams of light all around, finally breaking up the yellow walls.

Boldly patterned, lose curtains, held in place by beetle shaped golden fixtures, framed the entrances to the Time Room gorgeously. There were eyes and hands and butterfly wing motifs, all intricately woven together into a truly eye catching design.

"Woah... Lovebug, this place looks nice!"

"Thank you, my dear... I think... I like it too."

Things could only really get more elaborate from here.

Scarab wanted something green. Something alive, something that could change.

So he got some seeds, from all over the multiverse, and got to work.

It was tricky, finding ways of cultivating something alive in the still environment of the Time Room, but Scarab was nothing if not persistent.

He relished in the feeling of leaves, of some organic beauty. He hadn't had the time to stop and admire the flora he'd find on his hunts, but now was as good a time as any to make up for it.

It reminded him of home. Of the lush green forests that rested in the center of his Mound, the ones he could spend hours flying through and playing in, ones he spent many nights camping in with friends.

It was something alive. Something he wanted to take care of.

The plants soon made their way into the Time Room. Quite aggressively, Prismo might say.

Vines curled around the perches, sometimes wrapping around and lacking together with the various crystal stars he had set up earlier. Ferns found homes on shelves, filling out corners, or in hanging pots from above.

Some plants looked strangely unremarkable compared to the elaborate ferns or chaotically elegant vines, yet they found themselves in places of pride, near the entrances and on prominent shelves.

Prismo couldn't help but ask about them.

"Just wait and see, my dear. You'll see."

And see he did.

Because while the plants looked unassuming now, they wouldn't be for long.

Prismo watched in wonder as the flowers bloomed. They opened in a beautiful pinks and light blues, filled the room with perfume and color. The Time Room felt alive, really truly alive, for the first time since before Prismo came to inhabit it.

Scarab admired his work, preening under the oohs and aahs of their guests.

But he wasn't done quite yet.

He pulled a few more shelves out of the wall, and made it a bookcase. There were books from Scarab's own travels, things he found interesting. Some were encyclopedias and bestiaries, culminations of information that Scarab found fascinating.

But there was a special shelf for Prismo.

That shelf was for the things Prismo wrote. That was for showing off what the Wishmaster had made for himself. Prismo sputtered at first, but was quickly shut up with kisses and nuzzles.

Yes, the Time Room was certainly refreshed. No more empty yellow walls where nothing ever happened. Now it was a space of both interests, a space for them to truly live.

Scarab chirped in excitement when he saw Prismo make his own little modifications. A fridge for drinks and snacks. A pantry for some open pickle jars. A music player to add some background noise.

Scarab couldn't have been prouder. It was nice to see Prismo... want things. Want things for himself, something that didn't threaten the architecture of the multiverse.

Scarab had meant for it to stop there. He was satisfied with the new pops of color and personality.

What he didn't expect were gifts.

Seems that the renovations were interpreted as invitations. Invitations to provide trinkets to fill the space.

Neither god minded one bit.

From Cos, a crystal ball, filled with a tiny dream core. It shined and swirled with blues and pinks, small music box chimes occasionally echoing around.

From Life and Death, a bonsai tree, circling constantly through the seasons, complete with a little sand garden and tiny rake. Scarab politely didn't laugh as he watched Prismo play with it for... perhaps a bit longer than what would be becoming of a god.

From the Organizer, a desk. A small one, nothing fancy, but a sturdy, practical desk. The laptop had taken a place of pride there, next to the fridge.

From Fionna and Cake, there were pictures. Pictures around the city, pictures of them and their friends, reassurances that they were okay and thriving.

Finn also gave pictures. Of a specific someone. Scarab learned a lot about Jake as Prismo hung each one up, a story attached to each. The beetle let the Wishmaster hold him, both staring that the photos that now covered the wall.

It was perfect, in their opinions. It was all perfect.

Except it seems that the cosmos had one more surprise for them.

Wish magic seemed to have strange effects on mortal plants and mundane crystals.

The crystals began to glow. They casted a pearly aura, a mist almost, laced with magic that rose up and swirled above them. Almost like clouds in a sky. The two of them spent a lot of time just staring up and admiring it. The clouds rolled and tumbled over each other like the real things, a light rolling thunder every once in a while, echoing around the room.

Scarab thought of home again. Of the forests. He'd always slept better listening to the rolling thunder and rain tapping off the roof of his burrow.

It made for a lovely evening, cuddling with Prismo in their blanket pile, listening to the faux thunderstorm, watching the tv wall.

It reached the flowers as well. The petals bled into unusual colors. Pink shimmering with an unearthly purple. Blue sparking with golden tips.

Glowing pollen spilled out the bell, floating ethereally. Like stars.

The legends of the Time Room had begun to shift, apparently. Word didn't reach either god until much, much later, but it made them chuckle regardless.

No longer was it spoken of as a clinical, featureless chamber. Prismo was not spoken of as an extension of the room. It was no longer "Prismo, keeper of the Time Room."

Now it was "The Time Room, home to the Almighty Prismo."

And Scarab couldn't help but indulge in maybe a bit of smug satisfaction when word reached them. The Time Room did not change unless they willed it.

But the Time Room was their home.

And now they finally willed it to feel like one.

[13-going-on-30]

Tips and Tricks for Writing Your First Book I have learned as a Newbie Writer

Writing a book is a thrilling, yet daunting, journey. Whether you’re crafting a novel, memoir, or non-fiction, the process requires dedication, creativity, and a bit of strategy. Here are some tips and tricks to help you navigate the path to becoming a published author.

1. **Start with a Strong Idea**

Every great book begins with a compelling idea. Spend time brainstorming and refining your concept. Ask yourself:

- What message or story do I want to share?

- Who is my target audience?

- What makes my idea unique?

A well-defined idea serves as a solid foundation for your book.

2. **Create an Outline**

An outline helps organize your thoughts and provides a roadmap for your writing. It doesn’t have to be detailed, but it should cover the main points or chapters. This structure will keep you focused and prevent you from straying too far off track.

3. **Set Realistic Goals**

Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. Set achievable daily or weekly word count goals. Consistency is key. Even writing a small amount each day can lead to significant progress over time.

4. **Establish a Writing Routine**

Find a time and place where you can write without distractions. Whether it’s early in the morning, during lunch breaks, or late at night, stick to your routine. Consistent writing habits will help you stay disciplined and productive.

5. **Just Write**

Don’t get bogged down by perfectionism. Your first draft doesn’t have to be flawless. Focus on getting your ideas down on paper. You can always revise and polish later. The most important thing is to keep moving forward.

6. **Embrace Revisions**

Writing is rewriting. Once you’ve completed your first draft, take a break before revising. This will give you a fresh perspective on your work. Be prepared to make significant changes. Consider feedback from trusted readers or editors to improve your manuscript.

7. **Research and Read**

If you’re writing non-fiction, thorough research is crucial. For fiction writers, reading widely in your genre can provide inspiration and insight into what works and what doesn’t. Analyze the structure, style, and character development in books you admire.

8. **Develop Your Characters**

For fiction writers, creating believable and relatable characters is essential. Spend time developing their backstories, motivations, and personalities. Characters should drive your plot and engage your readers.

9. **Stay Organized**

Keep track of your research, notes, and drafts in an organized manner. Use digital tools like Scrivener, Evernote, or Google Docs to store your materials. Staying organized will save you time and reduce stress.

10. **Take Care of Yourself**

Writing can be mentally and physically demanding. Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep. Exercise and relaxation techniques can help maintain your overall well-being and keep your creativity flowing.

11. **Join a Writing Community**

Connecting with other writers can provide support, motivation, and valuable feedback. Join writing groups, attend workshops, or participate in online forums. Sharing your experiences and challenges with others can make the writing process less isolating.

12. **Stay Persistent**

There will be times when you feel stuck or discouraged. Remember that every writer faces these challenges. Keep pushing forward, even when it’s difficult. Persistence is often the difference between an aspiring writer and a published author.

13. **Learn About Publishing**

Whether you choose traditional publishing or self-publishing, educate yourself about the process. Research agents, publishers, and platforms. Understand the pros and cons of each route to make informed decisions about your book’s future.

14. **Celebrate Milestones**

Writing a book is a significant achievement. Celebrate your progress, whether it’s finishing a chapter, hitting a word count goal, or completing your first draft. Acknowledging your accomplishments will keep you motivated and positive.

Conclusion

Writing a book is a rewarding journey that requires dedication, creativity, and patience. By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the writing process and bring your story to life. Remember, every author’s journey is unique. Find what works best for you and keep writing!

Happy writing!

[sheuli22]

Unleashing the Power of Facebook Marketing: Best Strategies for Success

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, Facebook continues to reign supreme as a powerhouse platform for businesses looking to connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales.

Crafting an effective Facebook marketing strategy is essential for staying ahead in the competitive online market. Here, we explore the best strategies to make the most of your Facebook marketing efforts.

Create a Compelling Business Page: Facebook Business Page is the foundation of your online presence. Optimize it by providing complete and accurate information, using high-quality visuals, and incorporating your brand's unique personality.

Regularly update your profile and cover photos to keep your page fresh.

Content is King: Develop a content strategy that resonates with your audience. Use a mix of engaging text, eye-catching visuals, and videos. Experiment with different content types to see what works best for your target demographic. Consistency is key, so establish a posting schedule and stick to it.

Leverage Facebook Ads: Facebook's robust advertising platform allows you to reach highly targeted audiences. Utilize Facebook Ads to promote your products or services, boost posts, and drive website traffic.

Experiment with different ad formats, such as carousel ads, video ads, and slideshow ads, to see what generates the best results.

Harness the Power of Video: Video content has become increasingly popular on Facebook. Utilize live videos, tutorials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and storytelling to engage your audience. Facebook's algorithm often favors video content, leading to higher reach and engagement.

Engage with Your Audience: Actively respond to comments, messages, and reviews on your page. Encourage discussions, ask questions, and run polls to foster a sense of community.

By engaging with your audience, you build trust and loyalty, which can translate into customer retention and advocacy.

Run Contests and Giveaways: Create excitement and boost engagement by running contests and giveaways. Encourage users to like, share, and comment for a chance to win. This not only increases your reach but also creates a buzz around your brand.

Utilize Facebook Analytics: Regularly analyze Facebook Insights to understand the performance of your content and ads. Identify trends, track key metrics, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

This data-driven approach ensures that you're making informed decisions to optimize your Facebook marketing efforts.

Implement Retargeting Strategies: Make use of Facebook Pixel to track website visitors and retarget them with relevant ads. This helps re-engage potential customers who have shown interest in your products or services, increasing the likelihood of conversion.

Collaborate with Influencers: Partnering with influencers can significantly expand your reach.

Identify influencers whose audience aligns with your target demographic and collaborate on sponsored content or promotions.

Stay Updated on Algorithm Changes: Facebook's algorithm evolves, impacting how content is displayed in users' feeds. Stay informed about algorithm changes and adjust your strategy accordingly. Currently, meaningful interactions and quality content are prioritized, so focus on creating content that sparks genuine engagement.

Conclusion:

Mastering Facebook marketing requires a combination of creativity, consistency, and adaptability. By implementing these strategies, you can unlock the full potential of Facebook as a marketing powerhouse, driving brand growth and achieving your business objectives. Keep refining your approach based on data and feedback, and watch as your brand flourishes in the dynamic world of social media marketing.

[repguardians]

The Importance of Digital Identity in Today’s Online Business Landscape

In today’s fast-paced digital era, having a strong online presence is not just an option but a necessity especially if you own a business. This online presence, often referred to as your business digital identity. Your business digital presence plays a crucial role in knowing how your business is perceived and how it operates. It surrounded everything from your website and social media profiles to customer reviews and online interactions. In this blog we will explore why digital identity is so important in the contemporary business landscape and how it can make or break your success.

Building Trust and Credibility

The Foundation of Trust

Trust is the foundation of any successful business relationship. In the online world, where face-to-face interactions are almost zero, your digital identity plays a vital role in building that trust. A professional website, active social media profiles, and positive online reviews all contribute to creating a trustworthy image of your business.

Consistency is Key

Consistency across all digital platforms reinforces your brand's credibility. When customers see the same logo, color scheme, and messaging on your website, social media, and marketing materials, it creates a sense of reliability and professionalism. This consistency assures customers that your business is legitimate and dependable.

2. Enhancing Customer Engagement

Connecting with Your Audience

Your digital identity is the bridge that connects you with your audience. Through social media, blogs, and newsletters, you can engage with your customers, answer their queries, and provide valuable content. This ongoing interaction helps build a loyal customer base that feels connected to you and your brand.

Personalization Matters

In the digital age, customers expect personalized experiences. By leveraging data and analytics, you can tailor your digital interactions to meet individual customer preferences. Personalized emails, targeted ads, and customized content make customers feel valued and understood, enhancing their overall experience with your brand.

3. Driving Brand Awareness

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

The online marketplace is highly competitive, with countless businesses fighting for attention. A strong digital identity helps your brand stand out. Unique visuals, compelling content, and a clear brand voice differentiate you from others and make your business valuable.

Expanding Your Reach

Digital identity allows you to reach a global audience. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar stores limited by geographic location, an online presence can attract customers from around the world. With the right digital strategies, you can expand your reach and tap into new markets, driving growth and revenue.

4. Maintaining Online Reputation

Monitoring and Responding to Feedback

Regularly monitoring online reviews and social media mentions allows you to figure out the public perception of your business. Instantly responding to feedback whether positive or negative shows that you value customers and their opinions and are committed to addressing their concerns. This proactive approach can mitigate the impact of negative reviews and enhance your overall reputation.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Optimizing your website for search engines ensures that your business appears in relevant search results. High search engine rankings increase visibility and drive organic traffic to your site.

5. Influencing Purchasing Decisions

The Power of Online Reviews

Online reviews have a significant impact on purchasing decisions. Potential customers often rely on reviews and testimonials to gauge the quality of a product or service. A strong digital identity with numerous positive reviews can sway undecided customers in your favor.

Providing Comprehensive Information

Your digital identity should offer all the information customers need to make informed decisions. Detailed product descriptions, high-quality images, and transparent pricing build confidence in your offerings. Additionally, informative blogs and FAQs can address common questions and concerns, guiding customers towards making a purchase.

6. Adapting to Changing Trends

Staying Relevant

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and trends emerging regularly. A dynamic digital identity allows your business to stay relevant and adapt to these changes. Whether it’s incorporating new social media platforms, utilizing AI-driven tools, or adopting new marketing strategies, staying updated keeps your brand ahead of the curve.

Engaging with Innovation

Embracing innovation can give your business a competitive edge. Implementing chatbots for customer service, using augmented reality for virtual try-ons, or leveraging big data for targeted marketing are all ways to innovate your digital identity. These advancements not only improve customer experience but also position your brand as forward-thinking and tech-savvy.

In the modern online business landscape, a strong digital identity is essential for success. It builds trust and credibility, enhances customer engagement, drives brand awareness, influences purchasing decisions, and helps your business adapt to changing trends. By investing in your digital identity and continuously refining it, you can create a strong, positive presence that resonates with your audience and sets you apart from the competition.

Remember, your digital identity is often the first impression potential customers have of your brand. Make it count. Embrace the digital world, connect with your audience, and watch your business thrive in the online arena.

[akashgh522]

New Business Marketing Tips and Tricks for Success

Starting a new business can be an exhilarating adventure, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges, especially in the competitive landscape of today's marketplace. To stand out and thrive, effective marketing is crucial. Here are four essential marketing tips and tricks to help your new business succeed:

Define Your Target Audience and Create Customer Personas:

One of the first steps in crafting a successful marketing strategy for your new business is to identify and understand your target audience. Who are your ideal customers, and what are their needs, preferences, and pain points? Creating customer personas can help you visualize and humanize your audience, making it easier to tailor your marketing efforts effectively.

Start by conducting market research to gather data about your potential customers. Analyze demographics, psychographics, and behavior patterns to create detailed customer personas. These personas should include information like age, gender, income, interests, and pain points.

Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience, customize your marketing messages and strategies to resonate with them. Craft compelling content, advertisements, and promotions that address their specific needs and desires. By speaking directly to your ideal customers, you'll increase the chances of building meaningful connections and driving conversions.

Leverage the Power of Digital Marketing:

In the digital age, online presence and digital marketing are indispensable for any new business. Here are some essential digital marketing strategies to consider:

a. Build a User-Friendly Website: Your website is often the first point of contact for potential customers. Ensure that it is well-designed, easy to navigate, and mobile-responsive. Optimize it for search engines (SEO) to improve your visibility in search results.

b. Content Marketing: Create valuable and relevant content that educates, entertains, or solves problems for your target audience. Blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media updates can all be part of your content marketing strategy.

c. Social Media Marketing: Identify the social media platforms where your audience is most active and engage with them there. Develop a content calendar and use a mix of organic and paid content to reach a wider audience.

d. Email Marketing: Build and nurture an email list to stay in touch with your customers. Send personalized and relevant content, offers, and updates to keep them engaged and informed.

e. Pay-Per-Click Advertising (PPC): Consider running targeted PPC campaigns on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads to reach potential customers actively searching for your products or services.

Emphasize Customer Relationships and Engagement:

In a competitive market, building and maintaining strong customer relationships is vital. Consider these strategies to enhance customer engagement:

a. Provide Exceptional Customer Service: Respond promptly to inquiries and address customer concerns with care. Happy customers are more likely to become loyal advocates for your brand.

b. Personalization: Use customer data and segmentation to personalize your marketing messages and offers. People appreciate tailored experiences that cater to their unique preferences.

c. Encourage User-Generated Content: Encourage customers to share their experiences with your products or services on social media or review platforms. User-generated content can build trust and credibility.

d. Loyalty Programs: Reward repeat customers with loyalty programs, discounts, or exclusive access to new products or services. Loyalty programs can foster long-term relationships and increase customer retention.

Monitor, Analyze, and Adapt:

Marketing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. To continually improve your strategies, track key performance indicators (KPIs) and adapt based on the data:

a. Use Analytics Tools: Employ tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and email marketing metrics to monitor the performance of your marketing efforts.

b. A/B Testing: Experiment with different marketing approaches and compare their results through A/B testing. This allows you to refine your strategies over time.

c. Stay Informed: Keep up with industry trends, competitors, and evolving customer preferences. Stay open to adjusting your marketing plan as needed.

In conclusion, successful marketing for a new business involves understanding your audience, utilizing digital strategies, fostering customer relationships, and staying adaptable. By implementing these tips and tricks, your new business can navigate the competitive landscape and carve out its own path to success.

[7grandmel]

Todays rip: 18/02/2024

Mad Mew Mew Becoming Uncanny

Season 6 Featured on: SiIvaGunner's Highest Quality Rips: Volume DQ

Ripped by The Green Spy

Requested by xinos! (Discord)

LORD, where to even begin with this one? I mean, a lot of times when I cover well-known rips on this blog, ones that continue to get references and tributes made within the channel itself, its typically rips from early on in the channel's life. Mii Favorite Things, Ripping Video Game Music​.​.​.​.​.​.​At Night, THE NEW TEAM 10 FORT​!​!​! [Francis Flow: Original Mix] - all of these play part in or started a sort of ecosystem of paying forward respect to rips from the channels past, with these examples being from Season 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Yet seemingly through its sheer quality and variety alone, Mad Mew Mew Becoming Uncanny has become a modern classic on the channel despite being barely a year old, referenced in several rips since and with two direct tributes made during Season 7. How the hell did this happen??

I was thinking of this rip a fair bit whilst I was writing the post on Corridors of Vine, wherein I tossed around some thoughts on just how memes grow and evolve overtime. A lot of memes have a very linear and predictable lifespan correlating to just how overexposed internet users get to them, how long it takes before the joke stops being funny from derivative edits and low-effort uses. Yet we're currently in an internet age where far more platforms with unique features and cultures are all in mainstream circulation at the same time, each one finding new bizarre ways to pump extended life into memes as they would've otherwise fallen out of style. TikTok Duets and stitches, the captioned GIFs on iFunny as saved and spread like wildfire through Discord's GIF keyboard, Twitter's quote retweeting, Redditors' thirst for upvotes making them an easy target for all of the above platforms, and of course YouTube channels like SiIvaGunner itself constantly finding new and surprising ways to edit memes in hope of ending up in users' recommended feeds. And when one of these platforms finds a new way to twist a meme, the rest are soon to follow in its footsteps.

What I'm saying is - tracing the growth of memes made in recent times is an immensely interesting experience for just how many hoops they seem to jump through. A meme like "Super Idol" was one I'd never heard of until it started appearing on SiIvaGunner, because the joke itself is so baked into the culture of TikTok: A clip of a pop song cover with an eye-catching beginning and photogenic singer, with an addictive melodic hook and a silly "twist" of an ending. This one little section of the current internet grew its own meme, raised it through the unique features and community of TikTok itself, and soon enough it was everywhere for just a short while. There's a similarly interesting story to follow with Mr Incredible Becoming Uncanny: an innocuous showcase of AI technology on Twitter grew to be adopted into the most rote-basic "thing good/thing bad" meme template possible, before finding new life on TikTok with a seemingly endless pool of new degrees of Canniness added to the original Twitter joke. By now, its as if we're in the 9th layer of irony with these edits (SiIva itself has a YouTube Short that showcases just how deep in the sauce we are) and I genuinely cannot get enough of it.

Those are just two examples of how bizarrely memes seem to be growing and evolving these days, yet even without that explanation of it all I think it's something a lot of us have sort of become...subconsciously aware of. In my eyes, it's that knowledge, the experience of having seen these memes come and go in popularity in so many different ways, that makes Mad Mew Mew Becoming Uncanny such a delight to experience. The two Frankenstein-ian memes I used as examples here, juxtaposed with the enduring icon of meme culture in Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, effectively assault your senses in a YTPMV made out of pure gold. That is, of course, to be expected from The Green Spy - a ripper who seems content in remaining anonymous yet has been putting out some of the densest YTPMVs I've ever seen on the channel as of late, such as (YTPMV) Bob​-​Omb Battlesources.

The quality of the original Mad Mew Mew certainly help the rip stick with you, yet its really the sheer pace and silliness of the visuals that make the rip unforgettable. Uncanny Mr Incredible practically bursting into the rip out of nowhere five seconds in, the edit of Tian Yiming himself being made uncanny at the end of his section, we in the audience being called out for our canniness, the tenth layer of irony being applied with an Uncanny meme being applied to the very jokes used by the SiIvaGunner team themselves, and even a brief segment paying tribute to VTuber Ina'nis Ninomae...whose birthday this rip was apparently part of as a larger event?

It's a whole bunch of sources, a concoction of shitposting from times of old and new, intent both ironic and genuine - an experience that's as memorable and catchy as it is deeply hilarious to watch. It may be due to my lack of knowledge with VTubers in general, but I hardly remembered this rip as being part of Ina'nis Ninomae's birthday, it alone stood so tall as to eclipse the event itself in legacy. Visuals, jokes, energy, quality, and catchiness - Mad Mew Mew Becoming Uncanny was the perfect storm to leave an unmistakable impression on the channel. The 100K viewcount appears relatively modest when compared to other hits on the channel, and yet, it feels as if every SiIvaGunner fan of today *has* to have heard of this rip; or if nothing else, heard it referenced someplace else. The Green Spy demonstrates time and time again the power that high quality YTPMV holds, and struck absolute gold with Mad Mew Mew Becoming Uncanny, a mess of noise that...still somehow manages to spark so many thoughts out of me.