#rapid authoring tools

[tesseractlearningpvtltd]

What are the most important features in an eLearning Authoring Tool?

 When considering an eLearning authoring tool, especially for rapid content development, several important features can significantly impact your ability to create effective and engaging eLearning materials. Here are some of the most crucial features to look for:

1. User-Friendly Interface: An intuitive and user-friendly interface is essential for rapid authoring. It should not require extensive technical expertise, allowing instructional designers and subject matter experts to create content easily.

2. Templates and Themes: Pre-designed templates and themes can expedite content creation by providing a consistent and visually appealing structure. These templates should be customizable to align with your organization's branding and style.

3. Multimedia Integration: The ability to integrate various multimedia elements such as images, videos, audio, and animations is vital for creating engaging content. Look for tools that support multiple media formats.

4. Responsive Design: Ensure that the tool allows you to create content that is responsive and adaptable to different devices and screen sizes, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

5. Interactivity: Interactivity is key for engaging learners. Look for features that enable the creation of interactive elements like quizzes, assessments, simulations, and branching scenarios.

6. Assessment and Feedback: Effective eLearning authoring tools should provide options for creating assessments, quizzes, and surveys. They should also allow for the incorporation of feedback mechanisms to enhance the learning experience.

7. SCORM Compliance: SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) compliance is crucial if you plan to integrate your content with Learning Management Systems (LMS). It ensures compatibility and tracking capabilities.

8. Collaboration Tools: If you have a team working on content development, collaborative features such as real-time co-authoring, comments, and version control can streamline the process.

9. Content Versioning: The ability to save and access previous versions of your content is essential for content management and updates.

10. Analytics and Reporting: Robust analytics and reporting tools allow you to track learner progress, assess the effectiveness of your content, and make data-driven improvements.

11. Accessibility Features: Ensure that the tool supports accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) to create content that is inclusive and can be accessed by learners with disabilities.

12. Integration Capabilities: Look for tools that can integrate with other software and platforms, such as Learning Management Systems, to facilitate content deployment and tracking.

13. Content Publishing Options: Check if the tool offers multiple publishing options, including HTML5, SCORM packages, and mobile app compatibility, to ensure your content can be delivered in various formats.

14. Support and Training: Assess the availability of customer support and training resources provided by the tool's vendor to assist with any technical issues or learning curve challenges.

15. Cost-Effectiveness: Consider your budget and evaluate the tool's pricing structure, ensuring it aligns with your organization's needs and resources.

Prodient.io offers a comprehensive eLearning authoring tool that incorporates many of these crucial features, making it suitable for rapid content development. It's a great option to explore, but remember to assess your specific requirements to determine the best fit for your eLearning needs.

[running-with-kn1ves]

Can you make something for a yandere masochist? Smut please

A/N: Working on all the reqs in my inbox, I just don't have much time to write! No pressure but donations always help if yall want your requests written faster!

CW: Noncon/Dubcon, yandere themes, kidnapping, threats, Sub! Masochistic yandere, aggressive-ish reader, NSFW

Synopsis: You find yourself kidnapped by your shy boyfriend who claims he's going to "take care of you."

Word Count: 3000 -- Tags ^^: @moonlight-melanin

If someone had told you that your meek nerd of a boyfriend would be the one to ever kidnap you, you probably would have laughed in their face. Your boyfriend who trips over every sidewalk crack? Your boyfriend who needs your help opening a water bottle? Your boyfriend, who begs for you to wrap your hand around his neck and worships the ground you walk on, no matter how hard you protest?

 No way in hell. 

Except, the utter blasphemy that was such an idea, was true. It was only a few nights ago that you found yourself bound by your hands and feet to a familiar bed. Your boyfriend, Rex, vaguely explained that he was "protecting you", and "keeping you away from bad people!” 

You came to the conclusion that the harm that he was supposedly protecting you from, was most likely your overly friendly coworkers and demanding job. Who knew a 9 to 5 could be so dangerous? Clearly your boyfriend. However, his ridiculous behavior didn’t falter no matter how many times you tried to convince him, no matter how many threats or bribes you threw his way. 

Sometimes he’d be nearly swayed, but something in his mind always snapped back, telling you that its alright if you despise him, if you follow out with your threats; as long, as he got to keep you safe. 

For how obedient and eager to please he was, you never realized how stubborn he could be. But unfortunately for what he had in stubbornness, he lacked in wit and authority. He always fell into your hands when it came to you offering physical affection as a secretive ploy to try and escape; not to mention, he wasn’t very good at keeping his hostages tied up.

By the third night of your capture, you managed to slip your moist hands out of the loose, steel handcuffs. Digging an old pen into the large hole of the chain cuff wrapped around your ankle, you wiggled it around to find that sweet spot that would release you. You were grateful for being able to reach the bedside drawer, finding a multitude of tools within it that helped you including the pen that was once yours, and some lotion that made your palms slick enough to slip out of the handcuffs. While you were grateful for their presence nearby, you didn’t want to know why they were close to the bed in the first place. 

You continued to roughly wiggle the pen, not hearing any clicks or cracks within the lock that would signify your release. The chain around your ankle wouldn't budge at all. At some point along the way with all your jamming of it into the lock’s hole, the pen got stuck. 

“No no no,” You whispered, trying to tug the pen out. You pulled as hard as you could, to no avail as ink began to stain your fingers. 

Well, your kidnapper would certainly notice that. 

You looked around, feeling incredibly anxious now that you were only halfway free, aware that it'd be unlikely that you got to keep this little escape trial to yourself. Though, the freedom of your hands made you feel more powerful than you had in days.

But the quick and excited footsteps outside of the bedroom door made your stomach sink. They drew closer, only stopping to fill the silence with a rapid knock to the door. Beads of sweat rolled down your neck as your dry mouth swallowed; with shaking fingers, you covered up your hands and feet under the bed comforter. 

‘Just keep them under the blanket, and he won’t notice…’

The door opened shortly after the knock, not waiting for you to respond. In came your Rex, your boyfriend-slash-kidnapper. He clammed up with a tenseness as you scowled. You brought back your signature glare that you looked at him with during the days of your capture; he seemed to shrink into himself as you didn't break eye contact. 

"Did… you like dinner? He asked, looking at your plate on the bedside table. Eyeing the plate with a frown, Rex shut the door behind him. He walked closer to your place on the bed, inspecting the plate. 

"You've hardly eaten anything since…"

"Since you kidnapped me?"

He went silent. Avoiding your judgemental stare.

"You know I'm just trying to keep you safe…" He said meekly, not fond of your cold behavior. 

"I don't want to talk, Rex. Just leave." You snarl.

 Folding your arms you turn away and focus your attention on the setting sun outside the window, reminding you that once again you'll be here for another night… another day here when you wake up. 

Rex sits down on the bed next to you, his mop of curly black hair covering his desperate face. He wouldn't be able to take it if you played the silent treatment with him-- even when you were angry like this, he'd rather suffer your wrath than hear the empty silence of his endless thoughts, keeping your sweet lips shut so tightly. 

"Please," he gripped the blankets atop your legs, trying to find a place to touch you. "I'm just doing what a boyfriend should do, don’t you get that? Why can't you understand me?"

You continued to stay silent, hearing Rex gulp as he realized you were serious in keeping your mouth shut. 

He began to grow antsy… there was a feeling of isolation in how he couldn't see all of your face as you kept your gaze to the window, how he couldn't even hold your hand or see your body beneath the mass of blanket. 

"Come on, don’t be like that…” 

Rex rolled his tongue over his teeth, gripping harder onto the sheets. His hand shakes as it reaches for yours, desperately hoping you wouldn’t tug away. 

Once he feels your arm go limp, he wastes no time in bringing it up to his cheek, hoping to feel some sort of warmth from you. Rex presses his cheek into your fingers, finding a sliver of relief in how warm and tender you feel against him. He’s hardly had the luxury of such affection since you were huddled up in his apartment. 

You don’t dare to look at the man, debating whether interrupting him or continuing to let him nuzzle would alert him faster on the fact that your handcuffs were gone. 

You didn’t have much time to think when you suddenly felt him go still, a newfound grip on your hand. He squeezed with thick fingers, the lovelust gone from his touch.

You turn to look at Rex, finding that you could not see his eyes beneath his hair and shadowed glasses. He shifted from crushing your fingers to choking your wrist, panic setting into your body. 

Rex looked up, far more quiet than you were expecting. You began to twist your arm, trying to pull it away as he bore into you. You knew the guy was odd when you first started dating, and was clearly deranged after this kidnapping fiasco-- but you never saw it clearer until now. His eyes seemed to sink into his skin as his face drained of all color. He looked almost sick, like someone hungry to hurt without any remorse. Rex’s blunt nails dug into your skin as you started to tug away roughly; his hunched body was like a feral animal ready to strike. 

Seeing as he already found out about your escape attempt, you decided it wasn’t worth wasting this chance. Maybe you could knock him down a few before he managed to get you chained up again, giving you more time before he did who knows what. 

“These arms are awfully bare.” His monotonous voice uttered. 

Rex pressed on the bruises on your wrist of where the handcuffs dug into, his eyes glazing over as you grunted in pain. Still, you fought. You brought your other arm to try and pull off his fingers, only for Rex to shift on the bed and force himself upon you. His sharp knees dug into the sides of your thighs, pulling your other arm off of him as he laid them both beside your head, against the pillows. For being quite frail and shy, he had far more strength in his desperation than you expected. You could see that he was giving his all, only tearing up momentarily when your fingers scratch him or your elbow rams into his nose. 

Within the tussle Rex managed to find the handcuffs, of which you only hid underneath the blankets beside you. Every time you tried to heighten your knees to push him off, Rex pressed deeper, bruising your skin and making you bite your lip in frustration and pain. His loose clothes and your mess of blankets made it hard to find a grip in pushing him off.

Rex pulled the cuffs up, shakily and forcefully wrapping them upon your wrists. Pulling them over the bedpost, he watched as you struggled to get out of them. But he didn’t look down at you with a smirk or a sadistic grin-- Instead, it appeared to be relief. 

Your boyfriend lowered himself to your chest as he went limp, his previous expression void of emotion except for stunned shock, shifted to a tired, nervous frown. 

“I-I don’t do this because I want to, you know.” You burn holes into him with your glare, straining to pull the cuff chain over the bedpost as Rex sat on your torso. “You don’t give me a choice!”

His loose shirt showed the front of his collarbones and the elongated muscles in his neck, the male gulping as he looked guiltily down at your chest. You were sweating from the fear and strain against the tightened metal binds. 

“Fuck off.” You grunt, continuing to tug and pull away from your tethers. 

Rex seemed to get antsy at watching you try to struggle and claw at him. His hips twitched as he moved to sit on your legs, trying to keep you from kicking him off. 

“But…If you keep pulling like that, your bruises will only get worse.” 

“I don’t give a shit.” You snapped, hardly letting him finish. Spitting towards him you continued to fight; that only seemed to spur Rex on. 

He wiggled against your hips, looking down away from you in embarrassment. the male beginning to hold your knees down, his legs wrapped around your left thigh. 

“I’m just trying to do what’s best for us…” He huffed, laying his head down on your chest, and holding onto you. 

“Rex!” You shout angrily at his innaction, trying to knee him as you pushed away from the headboard. 

“I know, I know!” You could feel the hardness inbetween his legs press against your thigh. “You can hate me if you want, can hurt me if it makes you feel better,” He meekly bit his lip with a little grunt, hesitating for a moment before he pushed his hips against your thigh. “But I can’t let you leave.”

Seeing as your struggle didn’t impede his movements, Rex slowly rocked himself against you to apply pressure. He relished in how your knee came up to grace his crotch in a stinging pleasure. You may have done it in an attempt to push him off, but all it managed to do was further Rex’s desire for your brashness, and you.

“I’m yours…” He huffed, pushing his face into the warmth of your chest. His crotch aligned with your hip, adding a new sensation as he humped like a touch-starved, horny animal. “Im yours, I’m yours I’m yours I’m yours I’m--ngh--” 

 Rex bit the collar of your shirt to stop from crying out, his moan muffled into your body as he rocked at a rhythm. In a mix of huffs he lifted his head to search for your eyes and lips. He reached up to collide his lips with yours, pressing his knee between your legs, spreading them just gently. His hands traveled down your chest slowly, hesitantly. He was always waiting for your next move, always soaking in every touch and taste of you that he could. 

You pushed against his lips, turning and ripping your mouth away. 

“I know you want to leave, but maybe I can change your mind,” He looked at you with lovestruck eyes, a growing pleasure within them. “Maybe make you feel good. I’m atleast good at that, right?” He shyly palmed at your crotch, determined and eager to make you cry out in the same desire he was swelling in. 

He just wanted your eyes to be on him. 

Rex continued to grind himself deeper into your upper thigh, wrapping his legs around your side. He released a little pant while traveling cold fingers down your chest, pulling up your shirt to expose your stomach. Reaching between your legs, he licked his lips in anticipation, cupping your sex with his hand ever so gently. 

Shutting his lips he tried to suppress his evident moans, pushing his lips against yours as he begged for an ounce of affection. You in turn, bit his bottom lip in retaliation, pressing up against to get a good clench on his mouth. You hoped it’d be enough to get him off of you, but instead Rex pressed harder, grunting in pained pleasure as he welcomed the ache. The taste of blood was left in your mouth, Rex still leaving sloppy kisses along your nipping lips, drooling as he pushed his slick tongue in your mouth, rubbing it against yours. His glasses seemed to shift downward, making him look even more of a mess.

Even as you pulled at his hair from your restraint position, Rex let out a surprised yelping groan, humping harder into your leg at the newfound pain. 

“Please, I promise to be good…” He begs between wet, one-sided kisses. “ I’ll do whatever you w…want…!” Rex hieghtened his voice with a desperate groan, showing he was close to his climax. 

His frenzied pleas showed the familiar side of the boyfriend you remembered before he kidnapped you: quiet, clingy, and too infatuated for his own good.

You could feel a wet spot of leaked pre-cum on your thigh, Rex’s hand delving under your now unbuttoned pants. 

He was quick to palm your crotch from beneath your underwear, gripping and massaging as he chased his own high, fixated on your scrunched up expression. 

His slightly open mouth drooled against your shirt as he looked up at you, desperate for you to reciprocate some kind of affection or attention. 

Rex’s expression showed he was completely enamored in the moment, with glazed over eyes and a eagerness in his thrusts as his mind solely focused on the pleasure between his weak thighs and getting something-- anything, from you. 

“You’re disgusting.” You say bitterly, grabbing Rex’s hair in another attempt to get him off of you and ruin his high. However, that did neither. 

Rex looked even more turned on, letting out painful moans at feeling you tug multiple times.

“Yes.. hah, please-- use me, do what you want--” You bit down on his shoulder as he pressed the rest of his weight down on you, leaning up to the feeling of your fingers tug. “I love you, ‘love you so much..” 

You demand him to look at you with a tug of his black curls, a small line of blood staining your lips from the hard bite you gave. 

Rex obeyed with pleasure-drunken fervor, drawing the end of his high as he witnessed his blood in your mouth. 

A part of him would always be inside you.

Rex buried his head into your neck as he orgasmed, thrusting hard up against your leg like a rabbit during mating season. Letting out a continuation of unabashed moans, his teeth bit your T-shirt as cum spilled from his release. 

In the moment, Rex had sped up his movements in pleasuring you, digging beneath your underwear to feel the heat of your sex against his hand, leaving you quite dazed yourself, You managed to hid your reaction quite well as Rex was too focused to notice, but now that seemed to shift as he began to relax. 

Rex’s pulsing touch on your crotch slowled as his breathing regulated. Though it became more difficult for you to keep your mouth shut and your face straight as he repeatedly put his thumb against the right set of nerves. 

Your boyfriend’s breath steadied as he watched you release a hitched sigh from your mouth, enjoying the way you looked at him with a dazed glare. Covered in sweat and cum, he was beginning to come down from the high he ached to feel once again. 

“Oh…I’m sorry,” He panted, face flushed and glasses falling to the tip of his nose. “ Was s’pposed to be convincing you, but I got ahead of myself…”

Rex swallowed, adjusting his glasses with the tips of his finger. The male began to quickly fondle beneath your jeans once again, ignoring how you still pushed against the headboard and cried out in frustration. He was slow at first, trying to regain the rhythm; it didn’t take long for him to find that tempo that made your knees weak. 

You felt a numbed pleasure stir between your thighs against your will, trying to toss and turn to make it go away. 

But Rex held you still, planting his weight down on your chest and stroking your heat with skill. He had touched himself so many times to pictures and thoughts of you, but he never imagined this. Even as you scrunched up your face in frustration and annoyance, he saw your teeth scrape at your lip, your hips twitching and your groans drawing out longer than before. 

You desperately clawed at your restraints, avoiding Rex’s hot and heavy stare, of which was so entranced in watching your sweet face change every time a wave of pleasure overcame you. You felt so defeated in the fact that he could tell you were feeling the effects of his touch, how you weren’t completely focused on the idea of escape anymore. 

“M’gonna make you feel so good,” Rex grinned, hazed with the afterglow of his pleasureful release and soaking up the look of undesired arousal in your eyes. 

“Just promise not to give your pleasure, your pain, to anyone else…”

[kp777]

By Julia Conley

Common Dreams

April 25, 2023

Scientists are so alarmed by a new study on ocean warming that some declined to speak about it on the record, the BBC reported Tuesday.

"One spoke of being 'extremely worried and completely stressed,'" the outlet reported regarding a scientist who was approached about research published in the journal Earth System Science Data on April 17, as the study warned that the ocean is heating up more rapidly than experts previously realized—posing a greater risk for sea-level rise, extreme weather, and the loss of marine ecosystems.

Scientists from institutions including Mercator Ocean International in France, Scripps Institution of Oceanography in the United States, and Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research collaborated to discover that as the planet has accumulated as much heat in the past 15 years as it did in the previous 45 years, the majority of the excess heat has been absorbed by the oceans.

In March, researchers examining the ocean off the east coast of North America found that the water's surface was 13.8°C, or 14.8°F, hotter than the average temperature between 1981 and 2011.

The study notes that a rapid drop in shipping-related pollution could be behind some of the most recent warming, since fuel regulations introduced in 2020 by the International Maritime Organization reduced the heat-reflecting aerosol particles in the atmosphere and caused the ocean to absorb more energy.

But that doesn't account for the average global ocean surface temperature rising by 0.9°C from preindustrial levels, with 0.6°C taking place in the last four decades.

The study represents "one of those 'sit up and read very carefully' moments," said former BBC science editor David Shukman.

Lead study author Karina Von Schuckmann of Mercator Ocean International told the BBC that "it's not yet well established, why such a rapid change, and such a huge change is happening."

"We have doubled the heat in the climate system the last 15 years, I don't want to say this is climate change, or natural variability or a mixture of both, we don't know yet," she said. "But we do see this change."

Scientists have consistently warned that the continued burning of fossil fuels by humans is heating the planet, including the oceans. Hotter oceans could lead to further glacial melting—in turn weakening ocean currents that carry warm water across the globe and support the global food chain—as well as intensified hurricanes and tropical storms, ocean acidification, and rising sea levels due to thermal expansion.

A study published earlier this year also found that rising ocean temperatures combined with high levels of salinity lead to the "stratification" of the oceans, and in turn, a loss of oxygen in the water.

"Deoxygenation itself is a nightmare for not only marine life and ecosystems but also for humans and our terrestrial ecosystems," researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in January. "Reducing oceanic diversity and displacing important species can wreak havoc on fishing-dependent communities and their economies, and this can have a ripple effect on the way most people are able to interact with their environment."

The unusual warming trend over recent years has been detected as a strong El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is expected to form in the coming months—a naturally occurring phenomenon that warms oceans and will reverse the cooling impact of La Niña, which has been in effect for the past three years.

"If a new El Niño comes on top of it, we will probably have additional global warming of 0.2-0.25°C," Dr. Josef Ludescher of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research told the BBC.

The world's oceans are a crucial tool in moderating the climate, as they absorb heat trapped in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases.

Too much warming has led to concerns among scientists that "as more heat goes into the ocean, the waters may be less able to store excess energy," the BBC reported.

The anxiety of climate experts regarding the new findings, said the global climate action movement Extinction Rebellion, drives home the point that "scientists are just people with lives and families who've learnt to understand the implications of data better."

Read more.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How to design a tech regulation

TONIGHT (June 20) I'm live onstage in LOS ANGELES for a recording of the GO FACT YOURSELF podcast. TOMORROW (June 21) I'm doing an ONLINE READING for the LOCUS AWARDS at 16hPT. On SATURDAY (June 22) I'll be in OAKLAND, CA for a panel (13hPT) and a keynote (18hPT) at the LOCUS AWARDS.

It's not your imagination: tech really is underregulated. There are plenty of avoidable harms that tech visits upon the world, and while some of these harms are mere negligence, others are self-serving, creating shareholder value and widespread public destruction.

Making good tech policy is hard, but not because "tech moves too fast for regulation to keep up with," nor because "lawmakers are clueless about tech." There are plenty of fast-moving areas that lawmakers manage to stay abreast of (think of the rapid, global adoption of masking and social distancing rules in mid-2020). Likewise we generally manage to make good policy in areas that require highly specific technical knowledge (that's why it's noteworthy and awful when, say, people sicken from badly treated tapwater, even though water safety, toxicology and microbiology are highly technical areas outside the background of most elected officials).

That doesn't mean that technical rigor is irrelevant to making good policy. Well-run "expert agencies" include skilled practitioners on their payrolls – think here of large technical staff at the FTC, or the UK Competition and Markets Authority's best-in-the-world Digital Markets Unit:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/13/kitbashed/#app-store-tax

The job of government experts isn't just to research the correct answers. Even more important is experts' role in evaluating conflicting claims from interested parties. When administrative agencies make new rules, they have to collect public comments and counter-comments. The best agencies also hold hearings, and the very best go on "listening tours" where they invite the broad public to weigh in (the FTC has done an awful lot of these during Lina Khan's tenure, to its benefit, and it shows):

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/events/2022/04/ftc-justice-department-listening-forum-firsthand-effects-mergers-acquisitions-health-care

But when an industry dwindles to a handful of companies, the resulting cartel finds it easy to converge on a single talking point and to maintain strict message discipline. This means that the evidentiary record is starved for disconfirming evidence that would give the agencies contrasting perspectives and context for making good policy.

Tech industry shills have a favorite tactic: whenever there's any proposal that would erode the industry's profits, self-serving experts shout that the rule is technically impossible and deride the proposer as "clueless."

This tactic works so well because the proposers sometimes are clueless. Take Europe's on-again/off-again "chat control" proposal to mandate spyware on every digital device that will screen everything you upload for child sex abuse material (CSAM, better known as "child pornography"). This proposal is profoundly dangerous, as it will weaken end-to-end encryption, the key to all secure and private digital communication:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jun/18/encryption-is-deeply-threatening-to-power-meredith-whittaker-of-messaging-app-signal

It's also an impossible-to-administer mess that incorrectly assumes that killing working encryption in the two mobile app stores run by the mobile duopoly will actually prevent bad actors from accessing private tools:

https://memex.craphound.com/2018/09/04/oh-for-fucks-sake-not-this-fucking-bullshit-again-cryptography-edition/

When technologists correctly point out the lack of rigor and catastrophic spillover effects from this kind of crackpot proposal, lawmakers stick their fingers in their ears and shout "NERD HARDER!"

https://memex.craphound.com/2018/01/12/nerd-harder-fbi-director-reiterates-faith-based-belief-in-working-crypto-that-he-can-break/

But this is only half the story. The other half is what happens when tech industry shills want to kill good policy proposals, which is the exact same thing that advocates say about bad ones. When lawmakers demand that tech companies respect our privacy rights – for example, by splitting social media or search off from commercial surveillance, the same people shout that this, too, is technologically impossible.

That's a lie, though. Facebook started out as the anti-surveillance alternative to Myspace. We know it's possible to operate Facebook without surveillance, because Facebook used to operate without surveillance:

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3247362

Likewise, Brin and Page's original Pagerank paper, which described Google's architecture, insisted that search was incompatible with surveillance advertising, and Google established itself as a non-spying search tool:

http://infolab.stanford.edu/pub/papers/google.pdf

Even weirder is what happens when there's a proposal to limit a tech company's power to invoke the government's powers to shut down competitors. Take Ethan Zuckerman's lawsuit to strip Facebook of the legal power to sue people who automate their browsers to uncheck the millions of boxes that Facebook requires you to click by hand in order to unfollow everyone:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/02/kaiju-v-kaiju/#cda-230-c-2-b

Facebook's apologists have lost their minds over this, insisting that no one can possibly understand the potential harms of taking away Facebook's legal right to decide how your browser works. They take the position that only Facebook can understand when it's safe and proportional to use Facebook in ways the company didn't explicitly design for, and that they should be able to ask the government to fine or even imprison people who fail to defer to Facebook's decisions about how its users configure their computers.

This is an incredibly convenient position, since it arrogates to Facebook the right to order the rest of us to use our computers in the ways that are most beneficial to its shareholders. But Facebook's apologists insist that they are not motivated by parochial concerns over the value of their stock portfolios; rather, they have objective, technical concerns, that no one except them is qualified to understand or comment on.

There's a great name for this: "scalesplaining." As in "well, actually the platforms are doing an amazing job, but you can't possibly understand that because you don't work for them." It's weird enough when scalesplaining is used to condemn sensible regulation of the platforms; it's even weirder when it's weaponized to defend a system of regulatory protection for the platforms against would-be competitors.

Just as there are no atheists in foxholes, there are no libertarians in government-protected monopolies. Somehow, scalesplaining can be used to condemn governments as incapable of making any tech regulations and to insist that regulations that protect tech monopolies are just perfect and shouldn't ever be weakened. Truly, it's impossible to get someone to understand something when the value of their employee stock options depends on them not understanding it.

None of this is to say that every tech regulation is a good one. Governments often propose bad tech regulations (like chat control), or ones that are technologically impossible (like Article 17 of the EU's 2019 Digital Single Markets Directive, which requires tech companies to detect and block copyright infringements in their users' uploads).

But the fact that scalesplainers use the same argument to criticize both good and bad regulations makes the waters very muddy indeed. Policymakers are rightfully suspicious when they hear "that's not technically possible" because they hear that both for technically impossible proposals and for proposals that scalesplainers just don't like.

After decades of regulations aimed at making platforms behave better, we're finally moving into a new era, where we just make the platforms less important. That is, rather than simply ordering Facebook to block harassment and other bad conduct by its users, laws like the EU's Digital Markets Act will order Facebook and other VLOPs (Very Large Online Platforms, my favorite EU-ism ever) to operate gateways so that users can move to rival services and still communicate with the people who stay behind.

Think of this like number portability, but for digital platforms. Just as you can switch phone companies and keep your number and hear from all the people you spoke to on your old plan, the DMA will make it possible for you to change online services but still exchange messages and data with all the people you're already in touch with.

I love this idea, because it finally grapples with the question we should have been asking all along: why do people stay on platforms where they face harassment and bullying? The answer is simple: because the people – customers, family members, communities – we connect with on the platform are so important to us that we'll tolerate almost anything to avoid losing contact with them:

https://locusmag.com/2023/01/commentary-cory-doctorow-social-quitting/

Platforms deliberately rig the game so that we take each other hostage, locking each other into their badly moderated cesspits by using the love we have for one another as a weapon against us. Interoperability – making platforms connect to each other – shatters those locks and frees the hostages:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/08/facebooks-secret-war-switching-costs

But there's another reason to love interoperability (making moderation less important) over rules that require platforms to stamp out bad behavior (making moderation better). Interop rules are much easier to administer than content moderation rules, and when it comes to regulation, administratability is everything.

The DMA isn't the EU's only new rule. They've also passed the Digital Services Act, which is a decidedly mixed bag. Among its provisions are a suite of rules requiring companies to monitor their users for harmful behavior and to intervene to block it. Whether or not you think platforms should do this, there's a much more important question: how can we enforce this rule?

Enforcing a rule requiring platforms to prevent harassment is very "fact intensive." First, we have to agree on a definition of "harassment." Then we have to figure out whether something one user did to another satisfies that definition. Finally, we have to determine whether the platform took reasonable steps to detect and prevent the harassment.

Each step of this is a huge lift, especially that last one, since to a first approximation, everyone who understands a given VLOP's server infrastructure is a partisan, scalesplaining engineer on the VLOP's payroll. By the time we find out whether the company broke the rule, years will have gone by, and millions more users will be in line to get justice for themselves.

So allowing users to leave is a much more practical step than making it so that they've got no reason to want to leave. Figuring out whether a platform will continue to forward your messages to and from the people you left there is a much simpler technical matter than agreeing on what harassment is, whether something is harassment by that definition, and whether the company was negligent in permitting harassment.

But as much as I like the DMA's interop rule, I think it is badly incomplete. Given that the tech industry is so concentrated, it's going to be very hard for us to define standard interop interfaces that don't end up advantaging the tech companies. Standards bodies are extremely easy for big industry players to capture:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/30/weak-institutions/

If tech giants refuse to offer access to their gateways to certain rivals because they seem "suspicious," it will be hard to tell whether the companies are just engaged in self-serving smears against a credible rival, or legitimately trying to protect their users from a predator trying to plug into their infrastructure. These fact-intensive questions are the enemy of speedy, responsive, effective policy administration.

But there's more than one way to attain interoperability. Interop doesn't have to come from mandates, interfaces designed and overseen by government agencies. There's a whole other form of interop that's far nimbler than mandates: adversarial interoperability:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/10/adversarial-interoperability

"Adversarial interoperability" is a catch-all term for all the guerrilla warfare tactics deployed in service to unilaterally changing a technology: reverse engineering, bots, scraping and so on. These tactics have a long and honorable history, but they have been slowly choked out of existence with a thicket of IP rights, like the IP rights that allow Facebook to shut down browser automation tools, which Ethan Zuckerman is suing to nullify:

https://locusmag.com/2020/09/cory-doctorow-ip/

Adversarial interop is very flexible. No matter what technological moves a company makes to interfere with interop, there's always a countermove the guerrilla fighter can make – tweak the scraper, decompile the new binary, change the bot's behavior. That's why tech companies use IP rights and courts, not firewall rules, to block adversarial interoperators.

At the same time, adversarial interop is unreliable. The solution that works today can break tomorrow if the company changes its back-end, and it will stay broken until the adversarial interoperator can respond.

But when companies are faced with the prospect of extended asymmetrical war against adversarial interop in the technological trenches, they often surrender. If companies can't sue adversarial interoperators out of existence, they often sue for peace instead. That's because high-tech guerrilla warfare presents unquantifiable risks and resource demands, and, as the scalesplainers never tire of telling us, this can create real operational problems for tech giants.

In other words, if Facebook can't shut down Ethan Zuckerman's browser automation tool in the courts, and if they're sincerely worried that a browser automation tool will uncheck its user interface buttons so quickly that it crashes the server, all it has to do is offer an official "unsubscribe all" button and no one will use Zuckerman's browser automation tool.

We don't have to choose between adversarial interop and interop mandates. The two are better together than they are apart. If companies building and operating DMA-compliant, mandatory gateways know that a failure to make them useful to rivals seeking to help users escape their authority is getting mired in endless hand-to-hand combat with trench-fighting adversarial interoperators, they'll have good reason to cooperate.

And if lawmakers charged with administering the DMA notice that companies are engaging in adversarial interop rather than using the official, reliable gateway they're overseeing, that's a good indicator that the official gateways aren't suitable.

It would be very on-brand for the EU to create the DMA and tell tech companies how they must operate, and for the USA to simply withdraw the state's protection from the Big Tech companies and let smaller companies try their luck at hacking new features into the big companies' servers without the government getting involved.

Indeed, we're seeing some of that today. Oregon just passed the first ever Right to Repair law banning "parts pairing" – basically a way of using IP law to make it illegal to reverse-engineer a device so you can fix it.

https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/28/oregon-governor-kotek-signs-strong-tech-right-to-repair-bill/

Taken together, the two approaches – mandates and reverse engineering – are stronger than either on their own. Mandates are sturdy and reliable, but slow-moving. Adversarial interop is flexible and nimble, but unreliable. Put 'em together and you get a two-part epoxy, strong and flexible.

Governments can regulate well, with well-funded expert agencies and smart, adminstratable remedies. It's for that reason that the administrative state is under such sustained attack from the GOP and right-wing Dems. The illegitimate Supreme Court is on the verge of gutting expert agencies' power:

https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2024/05/us-supreme-court-may-soon-discard-or-modify-chevron-deference

It's never been more important to craft regulations that go beyond mere good intentions and take account of adminsitratability. The easier we can make our rules to enforce, the less our beleaguered agencies will need to do to protect us from corporate predators.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/20/scalesplaining/#administratability

Image: Noah Wulf (modified) https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thunderbirds_at_Attention_Next_to_Thunderbird_1_-_Aviation_Nation_2019.jpg

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

[prpfs]

🕊️ looking for mxm pairings! i have this particular oc i'd like to write~

he's pretty. masculine like a peacock. gender envy, who? i'm being harsh, but his physical appearance is his most redeeming quality. he comes from the slums (prostitute's son) and depending on the au we play him in, he will do anything to get himself out of the mud or is content to control to stay in the slums only if he's the one leading (gave up on escaping and fell into sin's embrace??) in most verses, there are elements of rape/noncon and assault in his backstory. you can fit so much trauma, abuse, and rage in this bad boy.

he's an arrogant, cold, self-entitled prick because he knows he's hot shit. he looks down on everyone, including himself; people are all just tools, and isn't life the game that decides who is the most useful? he's determined, cold, ruthless, and oh-so emotionally stunted. he doesn't know how to love, but he wants to. most of the time, anyway. he's very bitter and thinks he deserves better. god complex + crippling self-hatred.

anywho, that's where YOUR OC advertiser voice comes in!

i'd love to pair my boy against someone who will piss him off or a himbo. i am not looking for sub-bottoms. i want them to be at each other's literal throats. give me the bickering, the dom x dom energy, everything. maybe your oc is the one is knock him (violently) down several pegs, scare the shit out of my guy, make him worse (stay toxic!!) teach him how to love, enforce his dog-eat-dog ideology, break him, trauma-bond with him, or yk, let me manipulate the hell out of your muse (villain and his guard dog) ^^

when it comes to bedroom dynamics, i play my oc as a switch/power bottom. he likes getting dicked down, but he very much wants to stay in power.

i have a few ideas, but i would love love love to hear yours if you had any.

a few things about me-

21+ F writer lazy-lit. i can break the discord word limit multiple times, but only if the situation calls for it/i want to act like an author paid by word

i love worldbuilding and making complex characters + relationships.

will give the enthusiasm i am given. i can only send so many memes before it gets awkward.

my response time can be from minutes (rapid fire) to a week or so. this depends mostly on my interest in the rp and my schedule. i am a uni student, so please have mercy on me.

i'm pretty active ooc and would appreciate a ooc relationship! send me memes, fanart, pinterest boards, songs that remind us of our idiots, and i'll do the same!

kink friendly. i have maybe three limits, so pretty much anything is on the table.

historical + modern settings, omegaverse, size differences, angst, hurt/more hurt, hurt/comfort, dub/noncon, fantasy, political funsies, power imbalances, breeding, monsterfucking, dead dove themes, wuxia etc have me foaming at the mouth.

if you got this far, you're probably interested, so please react and i'll hunt you down! for the love of god, please respond to my dm…

like if you're interested and op will reach out

[good-old-gossip]

Joint statement: Gaza's famine should be officially declared amidst Israel's use of starvation as a weapon

Geneva - All relevant official authorities and competent UN and international institutions should officially declare famine in the Gaza Strip in light of the current rapid spread of famine and the rates of acute malnutrition and its expansion geographically and among all groups, especially among children, said 70 organisations in a joint statement on Saturday.

Food insecurity is increasing throughout the Gaza Strip due to Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war against the Palestinian people, which the organisations said is part of a larger crime of genocide.

The organisations stated that food security levels have significantly declined as a result of the Israeli army's ground operation in Rafah City, south of the Gaza Strip, which began on 7 May and was preceded the day before by blocking the entry of humanitarian aid trucks through the Rafah crossing. Thousands of trucks on the other side of the Rafah crossing have been at a standstill for weeks and are inaccessible to the residents whose lives depend on them due to Israel's decision to starve the people of the Gaza Strip, close the crossings. and prevent the entrv of aid.

They called on Israel to act immediately to implement the precautionary measures announced by the International Court of Justice regarding the opening of the Rafah crossing in order to provide basic services and much-needed humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

The majority of goods entering the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom (Kerem Abu Salem) crossing are intended for merchants, and the residents, many of whom have lost their livelihoods, must purchase them. Despite the limited aid provided by Israel, it is insufficient to meet the increasing needs of the growing number of displaced people in the south.  The majority of goods entering the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing are intended for merchants, and the residents, many of whom have lost their livelihoods, must purchase them   

 These goods are completely inaccessible to the areas north of the Gaza Valley, including Gaza City and the northern parts of the Gaza Strip, where residents are facing severe shortages of essential food supplies such as vegetables, meat, and other dietary necessities.

On May 11, the northern Gaza Strip experienced another downturn as Israeli forces resumed a fierce military campaign against Jabalia and its camp. Tens of thousands were compelled to flee their homes, carrying only their scant food supplies and belongings, or seeking refuge

Over 800,000 residents and internally displaced individuals were forcibly evacuated from Rafah to the west of Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah, most of them leaving with minimal possessions and food supplies. Simultaneously, approximately 100,000 people were evacuated from Jabalia, including its camp, and Beit Lahia, in the north of the Gaza Strip, to the west of Gaza City.

With the crossings closed and humanitarian aid being prevented from entering, the threat of famine and acute malnutrition has resurfaced and swiftly spread, affecting the 2.3 million people living in the Gaza Strip, half of whom are children. This impact is particularly felt in the northern Gaza Valley where essential supplies such as food and medicine have run out.

The collapse of job opportunities, lack of cash flow, and local production has rendered all Gaza residents dependent on foreign humanitarian aid. Without it, they would lack access to essential food and necessities for survival.

Only a small amount of very low-quality aid was delivered through the floating pier, with the majority of it not distributed throughout the Strip. Seemingly, the pier is just an official tool designed by the US to defuse criticism leveled at Israel for continuing its starvation crime and prevent relief supplies from reaching the country by land.

According to reports from various United Nations agencies, international humanitarian organisations, and the International Court of Justice, land border crossings continue to be the most efficient means of delivering aid.

The second report from the working group responsible for this classification, which addresses the food situation in the Gaza Strip, confirmed that the entire population in the Gaza Strip (2.23 million people), including the governorates of Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, with half of them in IPC Phase 5, or the disaster/famine stage.

According to this report, which was released on 18 March, all three famine thresholds have either been reached or are highly likely to be reached in the North Gaza and Gaza City governorates. In these areas, the famine threshold for acute food insecurity has already been reached, the famine threshold for acute malnutrition has most likely already been reached, and the famine threshold for mortality is anticipated to accelerate and be exceeded soon. Due to these factors, the IPC came to the conclusion that famine is predicted to strike at any point between the report's publication date and May.

Even before the recent rapid deterioration of the Gaza Strip's food situation, the estimates contained in this report — based on internationally approved technical foundations and equations — were raising alarms about the urgent need for action to halt the spread of famine and reverse its effects. Israel's closure of the land crossings for weeks exacerbated this situation.

Israel maintains complete control over all land and sea crossings into the Gaza Strip, enforcing an illegal blockade that has led to widespread destruction of civilian homes, livelihoods, and agricultural lands. This blockade has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian and food crisis affecting the entire population, providing conclusive evidence of Israel's use of starvation as a method of war. These devastating effects prompted the International Criminal Court's Prosecutor to file requests for arrest warrants against the Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, accusing them of using starvation as a method of war.

The majority of Gaza's population already suffers from extreme hunger, with thousands of tons of weight collectively lost in recent months. Hundreds of thousands of children and elderly individuals, in particular, are experiencing emaciation.

While health authorities have officially recorded 30 deaths due to famine, estimates suggest that famine-related deaths occur nearly daily, compounded by bombings and inadequate medical treatment.

The international community bears a moral and legal obligation to halt the spread of famine in the Gaza Strip and provide immediate life-saving aid. Delaying the official declaration of famine equates to failing to apply significant pressure on Israel to end its crimes and lift the arbitrary siege on Gaza. Further delays will only exacerbate hunger, poverty, malnourishment, and death.

The entire Gaza Strip must have humanitarian access restored, which entails enabling the entry of life-saving supplies and their swift, efficient movement through border crossings and land roads. This also includes re-establishing health services, water, and sanitation facilities, providing safe, nourishing, and ample food for the entire population, as well as infant formula, treating malnutrition cases and related diseases, and re-establishing local production systems and the entry of commercial goods.

As the source of the famine, the international community has a legal obligation to put an end to the crime of genocide that Israel has been committing against the people of the Gaza Strip since October 7. Without doing so, it is impossible to discuss the creation of a suitable environment for providing humanitarian aid or to begin the process of restoring basic services to stop the famine from spreading and reverse its effects.

To protect Palestinian civilians from the threat of genocide in the Gaza Strip, real pressure tools should be activated to force Israel to immediately cease all of its crimes and comply with international law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice. This includes halting all forms of political, financial, and military support for Israel's military attack on the Gaza Strip and holding it accountable for all of its crimes.

International pressure must be applied to Israel immediately to stop it from carrying out the crime of starving the people living in the Gaza Strip, to lift the siege entirely, to establish the necessary systems to guarantee the safe, efficient, and timely delivery of humanitarian supplies, and to take significant action to address the rapidly spreading famine among Palestinian civilians in the Strip.

The undersigned organisations:

- Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor

- International Lawyers Organisation

- The International Organisation for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

- Union of Arab Jurists

- Arab Organisation for Human Rights

- Maonah Association for Human Rights and Immigration. 

- Geneva International Center for Justice. 

- Association of Victims of Torture - Geneva. 

- Ethiopian Disabled Lawyers Association (ELDA).

- Geneva Bridge Association.

- The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in Central Europe. 

- Bahraini Society of Jurists.

- Principles Organisation for Human Rights. 

- Salam Organisation for Democracy and Human Rights - London

- Arab Council Foundation - Geneva.

- AFDI International - Paris.

- One Justice Organisation - France.

- Taqse Organisation for Development and Human Rights - Yemen 

- Defence Foundation for Rights and Liberties - Yemen.

- International Association of Bloggers - Geneva.

- Haqqi Center for Supporting Rights and Freedoms.

- Dialogue Forum for Development and Human Rights

- Brussels Court.

- Solidarity for Human Rights - Geneva.

- Al Karama Organisation - Geneva.

- SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties - Geneva. 

- Solidarity of Peace Support Organisation (SOAP).

- Women Journalists Without Chains Organisation

- Local Development Organisation

- The Yemeni Coalition to Monitor Human Rights Violations. 

- Free Voice Organisation for Defending Human Rights - Paris.

- Rights Radar Organisation for Human Rights.

- Communication Organisation for Human Rights.

- Group of families of missing persons.

- United Tunisian Network - Washington.

- The American-Libyan Alliance - Washington.  

- National Forum for Defending Freedoms - Jordan

- The Iraqi Center for Human Rights.

- Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights.

- Arab Lawyers Organisation in the United Kingdom.

- International Association of Syrian Jurists in Türkiye. 

- International Alliance for Rights and Development (IAHRD).

- The National Authority for the Defence of Rights and Freedoms (HUD).

- Local Development Organization (LDO).​

- Justice Organisation for Human Rights - Istanbul

- American Center for Justice - Michigan.

- Al-Marsad Organisation for Human Rights.

- European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights.

- Association of Mothers of Abductees.

- Association of Detainees and Missing Persons in Southern Syria.

- Alternative Press Syndicate - Lebanon.

- Refugees Platform in Egypt - RPE.

- Human Rights and Civic Participation

- Law and democracy support foundation - LDSF

[manias-wordcount]

On Your Knees (Mori Ougai)

Kinktober 2022 Day Twenty-Five: Begging

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

When Yokohama looks at Mori Ougai, they see a powerful man. When Japan looks at Mori Ougai, they see a strong adversary. When the world sees Mori Ougai, they see a gifted who commands respect. A gifted who demands authority. A gifted who heals and a gifted who hurts. All with the same hands. All with the same tools. When anybody looks at Mori Ougai, they see him for what he truly is. A killer. A leader. A mafioso. A demon. 

 Well-

“Darling…darling, please.”

 When anybody looks at Mori Ougai except for You.

 The business trip you just took had you on the other side of the island. Far, far, far away from the empire he so carefully controls. You weren’t gone long, but it was enough to make you feel lonely. Enough to make you feel like you should return early. That you missed him too dearly to get any work done. But you held on. You did your job, and you did your job right. You didn’t come running back to this side of Japan. You didn’t come running back to Yokohama. You waited, and you waited like the well-behaved person you are. And now that you’re finished, you get to have your treat. Your treat that is so sweetly waiting for you in his private office after throwing everyone out at the first sign of your arrival. You treat you can’t help draw out for as long as possible.

  All for you to enjoy

 “Hmmm…” You hum finally, turning your eyes upwards and looking as if to show that you’re thinking about what he’s asking of you. As if this all wasn’t just a show to keep him on the same leash you’ve had him on since the day you met. The day he first laid his eyes upon you. “I don’t know…what is it that you’re asking me for again?”

 Perhaps you’re cruel. 

 No. No, you know you’re cruel. The look of defeat that crosses his eyes may try to tell otherwise. It may try to make you have pity. To make you have mercy. Yet the fire he holds inside of them isn’t yet doused, so you’ll keep up your act for now. Besides, you find it hard not to enjoy moments like these for as long as possible. Not everyone can claim they can bring such a powerful man to his knees. Not everyone can say that they can drive such a strong man to whimper out pitiful pleas. Not everyone can say that they can command such a man to kiss up and down every inch of your exposed skin- just hoping he could entice you to give him what he wants. What he so desperately wants from you and you alone. 

 “I’m asking…”

 But most of all? 

 “...I’m asking you to let me fuck you. Please.”

 Not everyone can make Mori Ougai beg.

 Still, him using his words isn’t quite enough for you. It just isn’t. Even if he’s looking up at you so prettily his hands places on your thighs, keeping them apart so that way he could be prepared for the moment you finally give in and give him the “Yes” he craves. Oh, but you won’t give in. At least, you won’t give in so easily. No, you’ll take the opportunity to coo at him, a big smile crossing your face. To admire the desperation lining his face and to take in his disheveled appearance. His messy hair and the way it’s spread all across his face. His rapid breathing, spreading warm needy, breathes across your skin. And the rising tent in his pants. A bulge you’re absolutely positive is there because he’s happy to see you. And so you do what you do best. 

 “I don’t know, Ougai…”

 You make him beg even more.

 “What makes you think you deserve to?”

 At that, you lifted your foot, moving it slowly and carefully to rest lightly on his clothes erection. You put no pressure on it- just letting your shoe brush up against it. And yet, you hear his closed mouth hiss as he draws a sharp breath. His eyes flicker up to yours as his jaw tenses. In fact, his whole body becomes absolutely still as he’s stuck sitting on his knees, unsure of what to do except experience what little satisfaction you’re giving him. 

 But the look on his face is getting more crazed. His breathing was steadily becoming faster as if he were to explode if he couldn’t get you naked in the next minute. And his hands were tightening their grip on your legs as if you would disappear the moment he stopped touching you. But no. No, you still don’t think you’re cruel. You don’t. Because men like him need to learn what it’s like to not be the one in power. Because men like him need to learn what it’s like to not be the one in control. Because men like him need to learn what it’s like to beg.

 “I’ve been good.” He tries to convince you as if you don’t know what he does in the shadows. “I’ve always been good for you. Haven’t I, darling?”

 It’s then he makings a daring move. He decides to shift ever so slightly underneath your carefully placed foot. For him, it pays off immediately. He lets out another hiss- this one dripping with pleasure and longing as he peers up at you with a dazed, half-lidded stare. For you, your enjoyment is a bit more long-term. You get to watch him come more and more undone before you. You get to see him whine. You get to see him whimper. Witness him as he fights every urge to take control of you like he controls this city. Witness him as he realizes that the only way he’ll ever get what he wants is if he begs, no, if he bows to you. Over and over again. 

 Because to you, he’s not a killer. To you, he’s not a leader. Not a mafioso. And certainly, not a demon.

 No, to you he’s just like any other lover you’ve had.

 To you, he’s just another man who belongs on his knees.

[collapsedsquid]

To escape the constraints imposed by its depleted and unskilled workforce, from the 2000s Russia opted to import the most advanced, computer-controlled machines. These could not be purchased from China. Instead, Russia relied heavily on leading Western producers notably in Europe and in particular Siemens of Germany, which specializes in fully integrated manufacturing systems. This creates a heavy dependence on the West. But machine tools are capital equipment. The machine tool stock at Russia’s disposal is large and well-chosen. In the core area of machining, its tools are particularly modern. Pressing and forging equipment is on the whole older, in many cases upgraded cold war technology. But these are areas where technological advance has been least rapid. The most sophisticated machinery at Russia’s disposal is deployed in the areas of precision casting and foundry work. Meanwhile, the flow of new machines continues. Police authorities in Europe are now in the business of hunting down rogue German executives selling high-precision tools to Russia. Deliveries of highly sophisticated Swedish and German machinery continue via intermediaries in Turkey. And, most importantly, Russia is surging its import of CNC machinery from China and Taiwan. All told, Russia’s imports of CNC machine tools by the summer of 2023 were more than twice their prewar level. Even allowing for price increases, this is a substantial increase. If sanctions are to have any chance of working, this number needs to fall below pre-war levels.

[darkdoverpseeker]

(forgot age range)

🕊️ looking for 19+ partners to write mxm! i have this particular oc i'd like to write~

he's pretty. masculine like a peacock. gender envy, who? i'm being harsh, but his physical appearance is his most redeeming quality. he comes from the slums (prostitute's son) and depending on the au we play him in, he will do anything to get himself out of the mud or is content to control to stay in the slums only if he's the one leading (gave up on escaping and fell into sin's embrace??) in most verses, there are elements of rape/noncon and assault in his backstory. you can fit so much trauma, abuse, and rage in this bad boy.

he's an arrogant, cold, self-entitled prick because he knows he's hot shit. he looks down on everyone, including himself; people are all just tools, and isn't life the game that decides who is the most useful? he's determined, cold, ruthless, and oh-so emotionally stunted. he doesn't know how to love, but he wants to. most of the time, anyway. he's very bitter and thinks he deserves better. god complex + crippling self-hatred.

anywho, that's where YOUR OC advertiser voice comes in!

i'd love to pair my boy against someone who will piss him off or a himbo. i am not looking for sub-bottoms. i want them to be at each other's literal throats. give me the bickering, the dom x dom energy, everything. maybe your oc is the one is knock him (violently) down several pegs, scare the shit out of my guy, make him worse (stay toxic!!) teach him how to love, enforce his dog-eat-dog ideology, break him, trauma-bond with him, or yk, let me manipulate the hell out of your muse (villain and his guard dog) ^^

when it comes to bedroom dynamics, i play my oc as a switch/power bottom. he likes getting dicked down, but he very much wants to stay in power.

i have a few ideas, but i would love love love to hear yours if you had any.

a few things about me-

21+ F writer lazy-lit. i can break the discord word limit multiple times, but only if the situation calls for it/i want to act like an author paid by word

i love worldbuilding and making complex characters + relationships.

i will give the enthusiasm i am given. i can only send so many memes before it gets awkward.

my response time can be from minutes (rapid fire) to a week or so. this depends mostly on my interest in the rp and my schedule. i am a uni student, so please have mercy on me.

i'm pretty active ooc and would appreciate a ooc relationship! send me memes, fanart, pinterest boards, songs that remind us of our idiots, and i'll do the same!

kink friendly. i have maybe three limits, so pretty much anything is on the table.

historical + modern settings, omegaverse, size differences, angst, hurt/more hurt, hurt/comfort, dub/noncon, fantasy, political funsies, power imbalances, breeding, monsterfucking, dead dove themes, wuxia etc have me foaming at the mouth.

if you got this far, you're probably interested, so please react and i'll hunt you down! for the love of god, please respond to my dm...

like if interested !

[darkrpfinder]

🕊️ looking for mxm pairings! i have this particular oc i'd like to write~

he's pretty. masculine like a peacock. gender envy, who? i'm being harsh, but his physical appearance is his most redeeming quality. he comes from the slums (prostitute's son) and depending on the au we play him in, he will do anything to get himself out of the mud or is content to control to stay in the slums only if he's the one leading (gave up on escaping and fell into sin's embrace??) in most verses, there are elements of rape/noncon and assault in his backstory. you can fit so much trauma, abuse, and rage in this bad boy.

he's an arrogant, cold, self-entitled prick because he knows he's hot shit. he looks down on everyone, including himself; people are all just tools, and isn't life the game that decides who is the most useful? he's determined, cold, ruthless, and oh-so emotionally stunted. he doesn't know how to love, but he wants to. most of the time, anyway. he's very bitter and thinks he deserves better. god complex + crippling self-hatred.

anywho, that's where YOUR OC advertiser voice comes in!

i'd love to pair my boy against someone who will piss him off or a himbo. i am not looking for sub-bottoms. i want them to be at each other's literal throats. give me the bickering, the dom x dom energy, everything. maybe your oc is the one is knock him (violently) down several pegs, scare the shit out of my guy, make him worse (stay toxic!!) teach him how to love, enforce his dog-eat-dog ideology, break him, trauma-bond with him, or yk, let me manipulate the hell out of your muse (villain and his guard dog) ^^

when it comes to bedroom dynamics, i play my oc as a switch/power bottom. he likes getting dicked down, but he very much wants to stay in power.

i have a few ideas, but i would love love love to hear yours if you had any.

a few things about me-

21+ F writer lazy-lit. i can break the discord word limit multiple times, but only if the situation calls for it/i want to act like an author paid by word

i love worldbuilding and making complex characters + relationships.

i will give the enthusiasm i am given. i can only send so many memes before it gets awkward.

my response time can be from minutes (rapid fire) to a week or so. this depends mostly on my interest in the rp and my schedule. i am a uni student, so please have mercy on me.

i'm pretty active ooc and would appreciate a ooc relationship! send me memes, fanart, pinterest boards, songs that remind us of our idiots, and i'll do the same!

kink friendly. i have maybe three limits, so pretty much anything is on the table.

historical + modern settings, omegaverse, size differences, angst, hurt/more hurt, hurt/comfort, dub/noncon, fantasy, political funsies, power imbalances, breeding, monsterfucking, dead dove themes, wuxia etc have me foaming at the mouth.

if you got this far, you're probably interested, so please react and i'll hunt you down! for the love of god, please respond to my dm...

.

[apptechbuilders]

Enterprise Web Application Development Services: Empowering Businesses for Success

In today's digital landscape, enterprises across various industries are embracing web applications as a powerful tool to streamline their operations, enhance productivity, and deliver exceptional user experiences. With the rapid advancement of technology, businesses are realizing the need for robust and scalable web applications that can adapt to their evolving requirements. This is where enterprise web application development services come into play, providing organizations with the expertise and solutions to build custom web applications tailored to their specific needs.

The Role of Enterprise Web Applications

Enterprise web applications serve as a cornerstone of modern business processes, enabling organizations to automate complex workflows, manage data effectively, and improve collaboration among teams. These applications are designed to address unique enterprise challenges, such as handling large-scale data, integrating with existing systems, ensuring security and compliance, and delivering high performance.

By leveraging enterprise web application development services, businesses can harness the power of cutting-edge technologies, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, to create innovative solutions that drive growth and efficiency.

Benefits of Enterprise Web Application Development Services

Partnering with a reliable enterprise web application development service provider offers numerous benefits for businesses:

1. Customized Solutions

Enterprise web application development services focus on understanding the unique requirements and challenges faced by each organization. They work closely with stakeholders to design and develop tailored solutions that align with business objectives, ensuring maximum value and impact.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

Web applications developed by enterprise service providers are built to scale as the business grows. They are designed with a modular architecture, allowing for easy integration of new features and functionalities, accommodating future expansion and changes in business needs.

3. Enhanced Efficiency

Enterprise web applications streamline complex processes, automate repetitive tasks, and centralize data, leading to improved efficiency and productivity. By eliminating manual work and reducing errors, businesses can allocate their resources more effectively and focus on strategic initiatives.

4. Integration Capabilities

Enterprise web applications seamlessly integrate with existing systems, databases, and third-party applications, ensuring a smooth flow of data and information across the organization. This integration capability enhances data visibility, eliminates data silos, and enables real-time decision-making.

5. Security and Compliance

Enterprise web application development services prioritize security and compliance measures to protect sensitive business data. They implement robust authentication and authorization protocols, encryption techniques, and regular security audits to safeguard against potential threats and ensure compliance with industry regulations.

6. Superior User Experience

User experience (UX) plays a vital role in the success of enterprise applications. Web application development services focus on creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces that enhance usability and drive user adoption. A well-designed user experience boosts employee productivity and customer satisfaction.

7. Ongoing Support and Maintenance

Enterprise web application development services offer comprehensive support and maintenance packages to ensure the continuous operation of web applications. This includes bug fixing, performance optimization, regular updates, and technical assistance, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations while leaving the technical aspects to the experts.

Choosing the Right Enterprise Web Application Development Service Provider

When selecting an enterprise web application development service provider, businesses should consider the following factors:

1. Expertise and Experience

Look for a service provider with a proven track record in developing enterprise-grade web

applications. Assess their expertise in relevant technologies, industry knowledge, and the portfolio of successful projects.

2. Collaboration and Communication

Effective collaboration and communication are essential for a successful partnership. Ensure the service provider has a clear understanding of your business goals, can provide regular updates, and is responsive to your queries and feedback throughout the development process.

3. Technology Stack

Verify that the service provider utilizes modern and scalable technologies that align with your business needs. Consider factors such as security, performance, scalability, and future-proofing to ensure a robust and future-ready web application.

4. Support and Maintenance

Inquire about the post-development support and maintenance services offered by the service provider. A reliable partner will provide ongoing technical support, regular updates, and timely bug fixes to ensure the smooth functioning of your web application.

Conclusion

Enterprise web application development services empower businesses to leverage the full potential of web-based technologies to drive growth, enhance efficiency, and deliver exceptional user experiences. By partnering with a trusted service provider, organizations can create custom web applications that cater to their unique requirements and position themselves for success in the digital era.

Investing in enterprise web application development is a strategic decision that can unlock new opportunities, improve competitiveness, and pave the way for continued innovation and evolution.

Source

[iwonderwh0]

Vampire AU again

How would Connor even end up being Perkins's decoy for luring Markus out? I know how (and I should probably mark this post with violence label)

During their past work together, Perkins once mentioned that the "poison" that turns you vampire has an antidote, and that he had to only use it once during his career. A strategically planted trap from his side that he put there month or even years ahead, just in case. He had probably already done it before – had desperate newly-converted, not yet fully transitioned vampires coming to him for help.

I imagine him first mentioning it like

"It's part of my job to help. As you can see, it's not all elimination, often times I'm here to prevent the widespread of this...disease. An ailment, really, if you treat it right and in time. It has been curable for years, and yet..."

He sighed and reclined on his seat.

"Vampirism is a choice. Those who refuse the remedy will face the consequences, simple as that. They know the rules, yet they still hope to become an exception, thinking they'll be able to outplay the world, become God. Really, they had it coming, they all had it coming for them the moment they decided not to seek treatment. It's their choice."

So fighting his own personal dislike towards Perkins, Connor knows that although they parted ways, he'll still get help from him in this case. It's part of his job, after all – he said it himself and was really proud and vocal about it. Connor has a bad feeling about the whole thing, but mostly because for Perkins it'll serve as a proof of his superiority. Coming to him for help is humiliating. He can almost hear his voice telling

"Look what happens to those who don't listen to their superiors and question their authority. I hope you've learned your lesson"

but he has only been feeling panic since he got bitten and it's not the right time to let his personal feelings stand in front of doing the right thing. For his own sake and for the sake of others. It feels like the race against time already as he's running a fever and has his whole body aching, screaming about rapid changes happening inside. He has already lost two days (not sure why tho, maybe I'll figure it out later) and hopes it's not too late.

So he swallows his pride and comes to Perkins.

And gets rewarded with a bullet.

"My job is to prevent the spread of vampirism, and what's better way to do that than destroy it at its root before it has a chance to spread any further?"

And then it clicks with Connor that he's not even the first one to fall for it.

"You lied to me."

"And it worked perfectly. The ends justify the means, Connor. Lie is just a tool."

The anger that fills him is overshadowing his despair, it gets stronger than fear, and when he realises that not only Perkins lied to god knows how many people before him, not only Connor managed to be so painfully naive, navive again, and not only is Perkins intending to kill him, he's going to use him as a bait. To kill Markus as well. This realisation blinds him with so much anger, it becomes stronger than pain.

He curses Perkins, promising to kill him, shaking from fury as despair and guilt tear their way out of him until he chokes on them and sob.

In response to the threats Perkins only smiles and tosses him a gun, then stands calmly in front of him as Connor find out that it's not loaded. Perkins then pulls out a few bullets from his pocket and throws them on the floor in a few metres from Connor, knowing that if he wants to reach them, he'd have to crawl to first get close enough. With that, he goes to take his waiting spot with his crossbow upstairs. Unless Connor magically follows him two stairways up, there's no way for him to hit him even armed.

-------------------

Markus will end up shooting the arrow into Perkins neck from his own crossbow after the chandelier (shot down by Connor) will fall right onto him as he steps under it, thinking that Markus is his only active opponent, forgetting that Connor exists at all, assuming he's dead or as good as dead.

[prpfs]

hellooo, looking to come off of my writing hiatus 🕊️ looking for MXM pairings only

he's an arrogant, cold, entitled prick, and i'm being harsh, but his current redeeming quality is his face. he spent most of his childhood in the slums and consequently detests uncleanliness and poverty. this bad boy is determined, ruthless, and willing to do whatever it takes to keep surrounding himself with beauty. wickedly shrewd, intelligent, and oh so emotionally stunted. he genuinely sees people as tools; life is just a game to find out who is the most useful. still, he finds himself yearning for a real connection. but, like, that's definitely not his top priority--

anywho, that's where YOUR OC advertiser voice activated comes in!

i'd love to pair my boy against a gruff stoic (think villain and his guard dog), a crazy that threatens to shatter his perfect world, or anything you come up with! let me see your waresssss

it breaks my heart to say this, but i'm not looking for sub-bottoms. uwu boys begone. i want your oc and mine to be at each other's literal throats (it can be one-sided-ish.) give me the bickering, the dom x dom energy. scare the shit of my guy, make him worse, stay toxic, heal each other (?), give him a reason to see that this isn't a dog-eat-dog world or enforce his belief, burn the world down together, or yk, like. let him manipulate your muse ^^

when it comes to bedroom dynamics, i play my oc as a dom switch/power bottom.

i have a few ideas, but i would love love love to hear yours if you had any.

a few things about me-

21+ F writer lazy-lit. i can break the discord word limit multiple times, but only if the situation calls for it/i want to act like an author paid by word

i love worldbuilding and making complex characters + relationships.

i am pretty shy, though, so if i ramble, please ramble back and help me break the ice--

my response time can be from minutes (rapid fire) to a week or so. this depends mostly on my interest in the rp and my schedule. i am a uni student, so please have mercy on me.

i'm pretty active ooc and would appreciate a ooc relationship! send me memes, fanart, pinterest boards, songs that remind us of our idiots, and i'll do the same!

kink friendly

i'd love to write historical + modern settings, omegaverse, size differences, angst, hurt/more hurt, hurt/comfort, fantasy, political funsies, power imbalances, monsterfucking (please), dead dove themes, drawn/animated faceclaims, etc have me foaming at the mouth.

this got a lot longer than i thought it would be..

if you're interested, react and i'll hunt you down

like if you're interested and op will reach out

[nishakrishnan1996]

Mastering Digital Marketing in 2024: Essential Strategies for Success

As the digital landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, businesses must adapt their marketing strategies to stay relevant and competitive. The key to thriving in 2024 lies in understanding and implementing effective digital marketing practices that leverage the latest trends and technologies.

For individuals who want to work in the sector, a respectable Top Digital Marketing Course in Pune can give them the skills and information they need to succeed in this fast-paced atmosphere.

This comprehensive guide explores the essential strategies needed to create a robust digital marketing plan for the coming year, featuring clear, bold side headings for easy reference.

Define Clear Goals and Objectives

The foundation of any successful digital marketing strategy is setting clear and measurable goals. Start by identifying specific objectives that align with your business priorities, such as boosting website traffic, generating more leads, increasing sales, or enhancing brand awareness. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track your progress and measure success. With well-defined goals, you can focus your resources on the most impactful activities, ensuring that every effort contributes to achieving your business objectives.

Gain Deep Audience Insights

Understanding your audience is crucial for crafting a targeted and effective marketing strategy. Develop detailed buyer personas that capture your audience's demographics, behaviors, preferences, and pain points. Conduct thorough market research and analyze data to create accurate and comprehensive personas. Audience segmentation allows you to tailor your messages and campaigns for different groups, improving relevance and engagement. By knowing your audience intimately, you can create more meaningful interactions that drive higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Focus on High-Quality Content

Content remains a cornerstone of digital marketing success. Create valuable, high-quality content that addresses your audience’s needs and interests, including blog posts, videos, infographics, and podcasts. Use a content calendar to plan and schedule your content, ensuring consistent delivery and alignment with your marketing campaigns. A strong content marketing strategy not only attracts and engages your audience but also positions your brand as an industry authority, building trust and credibility over time.

Optimize for SEO and SEM

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are critical for increasing your online visibility. Optimize your website and content for search engines by focusing on keyword research, on-page SEO, technical SEO, and link building. Complement your organic efforts with paid search marketing (PPC) to drive targeted traffic to your website. By combining SEO and SEM, you can strengthen your online presence and make it easier for potential customers to find you, maximizing your reach and driving high-quality traffic.

It can be very beneficial in this situation to register in the Digital Marketing Online Certification.

Leverage Social Media Marketing

Effective social media marketing involves choosing the right platforms based on where your audience spends their time and tailoring your content accordingly. Engage with your audience through regular posts, stories, live videos, and interactions to build a community and enhance brand loyalty. Social media allows you to connect with your audience on a personal level, fostering relationships and encouraging user-generated content. Active participation in social media conversations humanizes your brand and provides valuable feedback to improve your products or services.

Utilize Data Analytics and Insights

Harnessing the power of data analytics is essential for tracking performance and making informed decisions. Use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and other analytics platforms to monitor key metrics and analyze data. This enables you to understand what’s working, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions. Regularly reviewing and interpreting data allows you to optimize your digital marketing strategy, allocate resources effectively, and achieve better results, ultimately driving higher ROI.

Embrace Personalization

Personalization is increasingly important in today’s digital marketing landscape. Use data and insights to tailor your marketing efforts, from personalized emails to targeted ads. Leverage AI and marketing automation to deliver personalized content at scale, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction. By making your audience feel valued and understood, personalization strengthens connections and increases loyalty. Providing relevant and timely content improves the overall customer experience, boosts conversions, and drives long-term business growth.

Adopt an Omnichannel Approach

An integrated omnichannel approach ensures a seamless experience across all digital channels, including your website, email, social media, and mobile platforms. Maintain consistent messaging and branding across all touchpoints to provide a unified customer experience. An omnichannel strategy allows you to reach your audience wherever they are, delivering a cohesive and consistent journey. By integrating your marketing efforts, you create a holistic view of your customers, enabling you to deliver personalized and relevant interactions that drive engagement and loyalty.

Prioritize Mobile Optimization

With more users accessing the internet via smartphones and tablets, optimizing your website and content for mobile devices is crucial. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, providing a seamless experience for mobile users. Incorporate mobile-specific strategies such as SMS marketing, app-based marketing, and mobile ads to reach users on the go. Mobile optimization not only improves user experience but also boosts your search engine rankings, as mobile-friendliness is a key ranking factor. Catering to mobile users helps capture a larger audience, increase engagement, and drive more conversions.

Enhance User Experience (UX)

Providing a positive user experience is essential for retaining and converting visitors. Ensure your website loads quickly, is easy to navigate, and offers a user-friendly interface. Make your digital properties accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, to expand your reach and improve user satisfaction. A well-designed website with intuitive navigation and fast load times enhances the overall user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing the likelihood of conversions. Prioritizing UX builds trust and credibility, encouraging visitors to stay longer, explore your offerings, and become loyal customers.

Stay Innovative and Adapt

Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in digital marketing is critical to staying ahead of the competition. Be willing to experiment with new strategies, platforms, and tools to find what works best for your brand. Innovation and adaptation are key to maintaining a competitive edge and continuously improving your marketing efforts. By embracing change and being open to new ideas, you can discover new opportunities, optimize your campaigns, and drive better results. Regularly evaluating and adapting your strategy ensures you remain agile and responsive to market shifts and customer needs.

Ensure Compliance and Privacy

Building trust with your audience requires a strong commitment to data protection and privacy. Ensure compliance with data protection regulations, such as GDPR and CCPA, and be transparent about your data collection and usage practices. Implement robust data security measures to safeguard personal information and demonstrate your commitment to privacy. By prioritizing compliance and transparency, you build a reputation as a trustworthy and responsible brand, enhancing customer confidence and loyalty. Staying compliant also helps you avoid legal issues and potential penalties, protecting your business from reputational damage and financial loss.

By incorporating these essential strategies into your digital marketing plan, you can effectively reach and engage your audience, achieve your business goals, and stay competitive in the dynamic digital landscape of 2024. A comprehensive approach that includes clear goals, deep audience insights, high-quality content, SEO and SEM, social media engagement, data analytics, personalization, an omnichannel strategy, mobile optimization, user experience enhancement, innovation, and compliance will position your brand for success. Embrace these elements and continuously refine your strategy to drive growth, enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve long-term success in the digital world.