#substantial investment

[chaoswillcalmusdown]

The Banshees of Inisherin / Polite Society / Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse / Summer of Soul/They Cloned Tyrone /The Godfather/Rye Lane / Bottoms / Die Hard

9 Favourite First Time Watches: 2023

Tagged by @thatidomagirl and tagging @cryptiddies @icedsodapop @polarcell @naslostcontrol @kutputli @fishbarconcept and anyone else who wants to do it

[astralleywright]

I'm not trying to spread false hop or shut down stuff with toxic positivity but something tells me they're damn well aware BH got shafted for the sake of anniversary tours and we probably ARE gonna get more BH related stuff, like how we got an outta nowhere unrelated mn reunited twoshot around the beginning of C3.

I mean I'm sure we'll get oneshots and twoshots! But I don't have any expectations that they'll comparatively more of that kind of thing than VM and the M9 did, even though they receieved less actual focus in their endgame.

[zooophagous]

Reminder that you can leave a small tip to feed your local artist/author/blog jockey at the link in my bio.

[powerglides-leotard]

Transformers animated fans are the scariest people on earth. I respect it, I just don’t quite understand how we got here.

[nepalenergyforum]

Urgent Action Needed: Nepal's Climate Change Vulnerability Highlights Deficiencies in Securing Essential Financial Aid

Nepal’s susceptibility to the impacts of climate change underscores the urgent need for decisive action and substantial financial assistance. Despite this pressing need, Nepal’s efforts to attract the necessary climate finance have been notably inadequate. Nepal is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its unique topography and geography. However, it has not been able to cope…

[foxnangelseo]

Green Investments in India: Sustainability and Profitability Hand in Hand

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainable investing as investors seek opportunities to generate financial returns while making a positive impact on the environment and society. India, with its burgeoning economy and increasing focus on sustainability, presents a fertile ground for green investments. In this blog, we'll explore the intersection of sustainability and profitability in the Indian investment landscape, the opportunities it offers for investors, and how investing in India can drive both financial and environmental gains.

The Case for Green Investments in India

India is at the forefront of global efforts to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development. With a growing population, rapid urbanization, and increasing industrialization, the country faces pressing environmental issues such as air and water pollution, deforestation, and climate change. At the same time, India has made significant strides in renewable energy, green technology, and sustainable practices, creating opportunities for investors to support and capitalize on the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Why Invest in India?

1. Robust Economic Growth: India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, with a young and dynamic workforce, a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and a diverse and resilient economy that offers a wide range of investment opportunities across various sectors.

2. Policy Support for Sustainability: The Indian government has introduced several policies and initiatives to promote sustainability and renewable energy, including the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the International Solar Alliance, and the Green India Mission, creating a supportive regulatory environment for green investments.

3. Expanding Renewable Energy Sector: India has set ambitious targets for renewable energy capacity expansion, including 175 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2022 and 450 gigawatts by 2030, driving investment opportunities in solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable energy sources.

4. Growing Market for Sustainable Products and Services: As consumers become more environmentally conscious and socially responsible, there is increasing demand for sustainable products and services in India, including eco-friendly goods, green buildings, clean transportation, and sustainable agriculture, creating opportunities for investors to tap into this growing market.

5. Innovation and Technology Leadership: India is a hub for innovation and technology development, with a vibrant ecosystem of startups, research institutions, and technology parks that are driving advancements in renewable energy, clean technology, and sustainable solutions, attracting investment and talent from around the world.

6. Infrastructure Development: India's infrastructure needs are immense, offering opportunities for investments in sustainable infrastructure projects such as renewable energy installations, smart cities, green buildings, public transportation, and waste management systems, which can contribute to economic growth and environmental sustainability.

7. Access to Global Markets: Investing in India provides access to one of the largest and fastest-growing consumer markets in the world, as well as opportunities to export sustainable products and services to global markets, leveraging India's competitive advantages in cost, quality, and innovation.

8. Resilience to Climate Risks: Climate change poses significant risks to businesses and economies worldwide, including extreme weather events, natural disasters, and resource scarcity. Investing in sustainable solutions in India can help mitigate these risks and build resilience to climate change impacts.

9. Corporate Sustainability Initiatives: Indian companies are increasingly adopting corporate sustainability initiatives, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, to enhance their competitiveness, brand reputation, and long-term value creation.

10. Alignment with Global Goals: Investing in India's sustainable development aligns with global goals and initiatives, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change, demonstrating a commitment to global sustainability and responsible investing.

Opportunities for Green Investments in India

1. Renewable Energy: Investing in India's renewable energy sector offers opportunities to capitalize on the country's transition to clean energy and meet its ambitious targets for solar, wind, hydro, and other renewable energy sources, through investments in project development, manufacturing, financing, and technology innovation.

2. Energy Efficiency: Investing in energy efficiency initiatives, such as energy-efficient appliances, building retrofits, smart meters, and industrial processes, can help reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and mitigate carbon emissions, contributing to sustainability and profitability.

3. Green Infrastructure: Investing in green infrastructure projects, including sustainable transportation systems, water management, waste treatment, and green buildings, can enhance urban resilience, promote environmental sustainability, and create economic opportunities in India's rapidly growing cities and urban areas.

4. Clean Technology: Investing in clean technology startups and companies developing innovative solutions for renewable energy, waste management, water purification, air quality monitoring, and sustainable agriculture can drive technological innovation, job creation, and environmental stewardship in India.

5. Sustainable Agriculture: Investing in sustainable agriculture practices, such as organic farming, agroforestry, precision agriculture, and soil conservation, can enhance food security, promote rural livelihoods, and mitigate environmental degradation in India's agriculture-dependent economy.

6. Water Management: Investing in water management projects, including watershed restoration, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and desalination, can address water scarcity, improve water quality, and ensure sustainable access to clean water for communities, industries, and agriculture.

7. Circular Economy: Investing in circular economy initiatives, such as waste-to-energy plants, recycling facilities, and circular supply chains, can promote resource efficiency, reduce waste generation, and create value from waste streams in India's growing economy.

8. Green Finance: Investing in green finance instruments, such as green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and impact investment funds, can mobilize capital for sustainable development projects and incentivize businesses to adopt sustainable practices and report on environmental performance.

9. Social Impact Investing: Investing in social enterprises and impact-driven businesses that address pressing social and environmental challenges, such as poverty alleviation, healthcare access, education, and gender equality, can generate financial returns while creating positive social and environmental outcomes in India.

10. Collaborative Partnerships: Investing in collaborative partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives, including public-private partnerships, industry coalitions, and community-based organizations, can leverage collective action and resources to address complex sustainability challenges and drive systemic change in India's economy and society.

Challenges and Considerations

1. Regulatory and Policy Uncertainty: Despite supportive policies and initiatives, regulatory and policy uncertainty, including changes in government priorities and regulations, can impact the investment landscape and create risks for investors in India's sustainability sector.

2. Market Volatility and Economic Risks: India's economic and market conditions, including currency fluctuations, inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical tensions, can affect investor confidence and investment returns, requiring careful risk management and diversification strategies.

3. Infrastructure and Supply Chain Challenges: India's infrastructure deficits, including inadequate transportation networks, power outages, and logistical bottlenecks, can pose challenges for investors in green infrastructure projects and supply chain management, necessitating strategic planning and investment in infrastructure development.

4. Technological and Innovation Risks: Investing in clean technology and innovation carries risks related to technology development, scalability, market acceptance, and competition, requiring thorough due diligence and ongoing monitoring of technological advancements and market trends.

5. Environmental and Social Risks: Environmental and social risks, such as climate change impacts, natural disasters, resource conflicts, and social unrest, can disrupt operations, damage assets, and harm communities, highlighting the importance of integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into investment decision-making and risk management processes.

6. Financial Performance and Returns: While green investments offer potential for long-term sustainability and impact, they may face challenges in achieving competitive financial returns and attracting mainstream investors, necessitating innovative financing mechanisms, incentives, and business models to enhance profitability and scalability.

7. Capacity Building and Talent Development: Building capacity and talent in sustainability-related fields, including renewable energy, environmental management, green finance, and sustainable agriculture, is essential for driving investments, innovation, and market development in India's sustainability sector.

8. Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Engaging stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, civil society organizations, and industry partners, in decision-making processes, project planning, and implementation is critical for building trust, managing risks, and ensuring the success and sustainability of green investments in India.

In conclusion, green investments in India offer a compelling opportunity for investors to achieve both financial returns and environmental impact, as the country seeks to balance economic growth with sustainability and address pressing environmental challenges. By leveraging India's talent, innovation, and market potential, investors can support and benefit from the transition to a low-carbon economy, drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes. As a leading destination for green investments, India offers a diverse range of opportunities across sectors such as renewable energy, green infrastructure, clean technology, sustainable agriculture, and social impact investing, enabling investors to align their financial goals with their values and make a meaningful contribution to sustainable development.

This post was originally published on: Foxnangel

[reasonsforhope]

"In an unprecedented transformation of China’s arid landscapes, large-scale solar installations are turning barren deserts into unexpected havens of biodiversity, according to groundbreaking research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The study reveals that solar farms are not only generating clean energy but also catalyzing remarkable ecological restoration in some of the country’s most inhospitable regions.

The research, examining 40 photovoltaic (PV) plants across northern China’s deserts, found that vegetation cover increased by up to 74% in areas with solar installations, even in locations using only natural restoration measures. This unexpected environmental dividend comes as China cements its position as the global leader in solar energy, having added 106 gigawatts of new installations in 2022 alone.

“Artificial ecological measures in the PV plants can reduce environmental damage and promote the condition of fragile desert ecosystems,” says Dr. Benli Liu, lead researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. “This yields both ecological and economic benefits.”

The economic implications are substantial. “We’re witnessing a paradigm shift in how we view desert solar installations,” says Professor Zhang Wei, environmental economist at Beijing Normal University. “Our cost-benefit analysis shows that while initial ecological construction costs average $1.5 million per square kilometer, the long-term environmental benefits outweigh these investments by a factor of six within just a decade.” ...

“Soil organic carbon content increased by 37.2% in areas under solar panels, and nitrogen levels rose by 24.8%,” reports Dr. Sarah Chen, soil scientist involved in the project. “These improvements are crucial indicators of ecosystem health and sustainability.”

...Climate data from the study sites reveals significant microclimate modifications:

Average wind speeds reduced by 41.3% under panel arrays

Soil moisture retention increased by 32.7%

Ground surface temperature fluctuations decreased by 85%

Dust storm frequency reduced by 52% in solar farm areas...

The scale of China’s desert solar initiative is staggering. As of 2023, the country has installed over 350 gigawatts of solar capacity, with 30% located in desert regions. These installations cover approximately 6,000 square kilometers of desert terrain, an area larger than Delaware.

“The most surprising finding,” notes Dr. Wang Liu of the Desert Research Institute, “is the exponential increase in insect and bird species. We’ve documented a 312% increase in arthropod diversity and identified 27 new bird species nesting within the solar farms between 2020 and 2023.”

Dr. Yimeng Wang, the study’s lead author, emphasizes the broader implications: “This study provides evidence for evaluating the ecological benefit and planning of large-scale PV farms in deserts.”

The solar installations’ positive impact stems from several factors. The panels act as windbreaks, reducing erosion and creating microhabitats with lower evaporation rates. Perhaps most surprisingly, the routine maintenance of these facilities plays a crucial role in the ecosystem’s revival.

“The periodic cleaning of solar panels, occurring 7-8 times annually, creates consistent water drip lines beneath the panels,” explains Wang. “This inadvertent irrigation system promotes vegetation growth and the development of biological soil crusts, essential for soil stability.” ...

Recent economic analysis reveals broader benefits:

Job creation: 4.7 local jobs per megawatt of installed capacity

Tourism potential: 12 desert solar sites now offer educational tours

Agricultural integration: 23% of sites successfully pilot desert agriculture beneath panels

Carbon reduction: 1.2 million tons CO2 equivalent avoided per gigawatt annually

Dr. Maya Patel, visiting researcher from the International Renewable Energy Agency, emphasizes the global implications: “China’s desert solar model could be replicated in similar environments worldwide. The Sahara alone could theoretically host enough solar capacity to meet global electricity demand four times over while potentially greening up to 20% of the desert.”

The Chinese government has responded by implementing policies promoting “solar energy + sand control” and “solar energy + ecological restoration” initiatives. These efforts have shown promising results, with over 92% of PV plants constructed since 2017 incorporating at least one ecological construction mode.

Studies at facilities like the Qinghai Gonghe Photovoltaic Park demonstrate that areas under solar panels score significantly better in environmental assessments compared to surrounding regions, indicating positive effects on local microclimates.

As the world grapples with dual climate and biodiversity crises, China’s desert solar experiment offers a compelling model for sustainable development. The findings suggest that renewable energy infrastructure, when thoughtfully implemented, can serve as a catalyst for environmental regeneration, potentially transforming the world’s deserts from barren wastelands into productive, life-supporting ecosystems.

“This is no longer just about energy production,” concludes Dr. Liu. “We’re witnessing the birth of a new approach to ecosystem rehabilitation that could transform how we think about desert landscapes globally. The next decade will be crucial as we scale these solutions to meet both our climate and biodiversity goals.”"

-via Green Fingers, January 13, 2025

[arinzechukwuture]

“Whites, it must frankly be said, are not putting in a similar mass effort to reeducate themselves out of their racial ignorance. It is an aspect of their sense of superiority that the white people of America believe they have so little to learn. The reality of substantial investment to assist Negroes into the twentieth century, adjusting to Negro neighbors and genuine school integration, is still a nightmare for all too many white Americans…These are the deepest causes for contemporary abrasions between the races. Loose and easy language about equality, resonant resolutions about brotherhood fall pleasantly on the ear, but for the Negro there is a credibility gap he cannot overlook. He remembers that with each modest advance the white population promptly raises the argument that the Negro has come far enough. Each step forward accents an ever-present tendency to backlash.”

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

[wistfulnightingale]

The Night That Changed an Angel (or, why does Aziraphale still wear that shabby vest?)

Mini-Meta Musing (#4)

I've been brooding for a long time about, of all things, Aziraphale's worn velvet vest and the long cream jacket he's kept in "tip top condition for over 180 years now." I love the sweet familiarity, but this is the same angel who popped across the Channel and almost lost his fluffy-topped head in 1793 for dressing like an aristocrat.

"I have standards!"

He's the height of elegance, extravagance even. A dandy. We've seen the same at the Globe Theater 1601, Edinburgh 1827, and even as a Knight of the Round Table in 527 Essex, where he's wearing a glorious pelt across his shoulders! However, sometime after Edinburgh 1827, Aziraphale's stylish extravagance ends. He adopts the dress of distinguished but modest gentility. No seamstresses strain their eyes for days hand stitching ruffles and trims for him any longer. When we next see him in 1862, his clothing is refined, simple, and serviceable. It becomes his uniform, with only minor replacements. Why? What happened to change him?

Edinburgh 1827 happened. And his encounter with tragedy ran over his sensibilities like a locomotive.

Aziraphale had, we were told, saved his earnings over time and had bought land, invested wisely, and became quite well off. He used real money, not miracles, to build the bookshop, paying the builders well and taking care of bills honestly. He built himself up to a more than comfortable lifestyle, from nearly nothing. And his clothes are real, not miracled from nothingness like Crowley's. (source: original showrunner)

Aziraphale's wealth allows him to afford luxurious tailoring and fancy shoes and ruffles and trims. He'll certainly pay the cobblers and tailors and seamstresses well for their labors. It will be a substantial expense for the era. (The linked post gives a wonderful perspective on 1793 lifestyles and costs.)

https://agoodflyting.tumblr.com/post/753227014283083776/why-aziraphales-white-satin-pumps-are-ridiculous

The angel's Edinburgh multilayered and trimmed top coat, soft leather gloves, matching scarf, jacquard vest, silk cravat, etc., look entirely out of place in the back alleys where the poor huddle. Walking the clean, gas-lit avenues with Crowley and Elspeth, Aziraphale is oblivious to the privilege he has in this world.

As he strolls along in philosophical banter with Crowley about the "blessing" of poverty, the angel spouts trite pontifications created by the rich to justify poverty. He genuinely believes Elspeth has more opportunities for goodness.  After all, look at Wee Morag.  He respects her goodness tremendously.  It proves to him his “rightness.”  And so he sabotages Elspeth’s attempt to sell the body she dug up in her attempt to support Wee Morag.  Dalrymple gets no body, Elspeth gets no money, and Aziraphale believes he’s saving her soul.

It’s a poignant moment, though, when Aziraphale cradles the jar containing a tumor from a seven year old child who died because there wasn’t enough medical knowledge to save him.  Turning point number one.  It becomes Real, not a philosophical debate.  Selling stolen bodies puts good in the world.  He’s all for it now, and goes back to encourage Elspeth.  Good heavens, he’s even willing to help this time!

But, as we know, it all goes wrong.  Wee Morag is shot by a grave gun, and dies of her injuries.  Elspeth steals laudanum, and plans suicide.  Crowley drinks the laudanum, saves her in a compassionate Scottish frenzy, and is stolen away by hell because of his kindness.   And it is All. Aziriphale’s. Fault.

Turning point number two.  Another watershed moment where Aziraphale’s world changes again.

One of Crowley’s last earthly acts, before getting plunged into hell, is to have Aziraphale give Elspeth all of his pocket money.  What is pocket money to the angel is a fortune to her, one that can set her up for a better life.  I have no doubt that in the aftermath of the traumas of that night, missing and worrying about Crowley, Aziraphale thinks about all of this.  He considers all of the money he casually spends on fine clothing and expensive tailoring.  He wonders how many lives could change if that money was better spent on helping to relieve the poverty that surrounds him.  He wants to help, and to try to make amends for the harm he caused.  What would Crowley do, if he were free to be kind? And so Aziraphale changes.

I’d love to know the story of how it all played out.  Did he sell his fine clothing and donate the proceeds?  Did he become involved in charitable foundations?  Did he buy the clothing of a simple gentleman and decide to preserve it, however worn it became, as a reminder to himself of his past blindness and vanity?  We see in Season 1 how important it is to him to preserve that coat. (Sure, it's also a fantastic opportunity to flirt and flutter those angelic eyelashes... But, nonetheless!)

By Season 2, the angel who took too long justifying a life-saving miracle for Wee Morag, and who hesitated to give Elspeth his 90 Guineas, willingly and freely gave Maggie forgiveness for thousands of pounds of debt. I'd love to know what else he's done over the last 180+ years!

Whatever happened, it began that night in a graveyard.

[tanadrin]

Sometimes, Chris Hayes' podcast goes off on these weird tangents, and the most recent episode is one of them, quite explicitly. It's about the history of Polynesia, which is always a fascinating subject--the Polynesian expansion, and really the whole history of the Austronesian-speaking peoples, seems like one of those feats with rare equal in human history. It's one thing to roam over the vast steppes of Asia--it's quite another to take a canoe, stick some outriggers on it so it doesn't tip over, and start faring the open ocean.

One point his guest makes that I found interesting is that for the most part the atolls and little islands of the Pacific are a very harsh environment. Big volcanic archipelagoes like Hawaii and Aotearoa/New Zealand are rare. Atolls and other reef islands especially are functionally big limestone slabs, often without any source of fresh water, with no large mammals, and with few native plants you can eat. The weather is nice, sure (when there isn't a typhoon--and I can't help but think a typhoon on a little island must be terrifying indeed), but these are not inherently resource-rich places. That the Polynesian (and Micronesian and Melanesian!) peoples not only could travel those distances, but make permanent habitation on the islands they came across, is kind of crazy! You have to be really prepared, with a package of supplies and technologies that set you up for success. Long-distance trade is possible, but you're not gonna be running any kind of substantial import economy across hundreds or thousands of miles of ocean via catamarans.

The comparison that springs to mind to me isn't a historical one like the European age of exploration, which was overwhelmingly to places already peopled and productive, but to science fiction scenarios of space exploration. You'd have to have a little bit of the wild-eyed zealot to be the sort of person who ignores the cries of "there is no possible useful return on this investment" to settle most of these places. But they did! And they thrived for centuries!

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How an obscure advisory board lets utilities steal $50b/year from ratepayers

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in NYC on WEDNESDAY (26 Feb) with JOHN HODGMAN and at PENN STATE on THURSDAY (Feb 27). More tour dates here. Mail-order signed copies from LA's Diesel Books.

Two figures to ponder.

First: if your local power company is privately owned, you've seen energy rate hikes at 49% above inflation over the last three years.

Second: if your local power company is publicly owned, you've seen energy rates go up at 44% below inflation over the same period.

Power is that much-theorized economic marvel: a "natural monopoly." Once someone has gone to the trouble of bringing a power wire to your house, it's almost impossible to convince anyone else to invest in bringing a competing wire to your electrical service mast. For this reason, most people in the world get their energy from a publicly owned utility, and the rates reflect social priorities as well as cost-recovery. For example, basic power to run lights and a refrigerator might be steeply discounted, while energy-gobbling McMansions pay a substantial premium for the extra power to heat and cool their ostentatious lawyer-foyers and "great rooms."

But in America, we believe in the miracle of the market, even where no market could possibly exist because of natural monopolies. That's why about 70% of Americans get their power from shareholder-owned companies, whose managers' prime directive is extracting profit, not serving their communities. To check this impulse, these private utilities are overseen by various flavors of public bodies, usually called Public Utility Commissions (PUCs).

For 40 years, PUCs have limited private utilities to a "rate of return" based on a "just and reasonable profit." They always gamed this to make it higher than was fair, but in recent years, the "experts" who advise PUCs on rate-setting have been boiled down to a tiny number of economists, who have discovered that the true "just and reasonable profit" is much higher than it's ever been considered.

Mark Ellis worked for one of those profit-hiking "experts," but he's turned whistleblower. On paper, Ellis looks like the enemy: former chief economist at Sempra Energy, an ex-Exxonmobile analyst, a retired McKinsey Consultant, and a Socal Edison engineer. But Ellis couldn't stomach the corruption, and he went public, publishing a report for the American Economic Liberties Project called "Rate of Return Equals Cost of Capital" that lays out the con in stark detail:

https://www.economicliberties.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20250102-aelp-ror-v5.pdf

I first encountered Ellis last week when he was interviewed on Matt Stoller and David Dayen's excellent Organized Money podcast, where he memorably referred to these utilities as "pocket-picking machines":

https://www.organizedmoney.fm/p/the-pocket-picking-machine

Dayen followed this up with a great summary in The American Prospect (where he is editor-in-chief):

https://prospect.org/environment/2025-02-21-secret-society-raising-your-electricity-bills/

At the center of the scam is a professional association called the Society of Utility and Regulatory Financial Analysts (SURFA). The experts in SURFA are dominated by just four consulting companies, who provide 90% of the testimony for rate-setting exercises. Just two people account for half of that input.

In order to calculate the "just and reasonable profit," these experts make use of economic models. Even in normal economics, these models are the source of infinite mischief and suffering, built on assumptions that legitimize the most abusive conduct:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/03/all-models-are-wrong/#some-are-useful

But even by the low standards of normal economic models, the utility models are really bad. They rely on unique "risk premium" and "expected earnings" calculations that no one else in finance will touch. As Dayen explains, these models are "perfectly circular."

This might be a bit confusing, but only because it's one of those scams that you assume you must have misunderstood because it's so, well, scammy. In the "expected earnings" analysis, the "just and reasonable profit" a utility is allowed to build into its rates is defined as "the amount of money it would like to make." In other words, if a utility projects future revenues of $10 billion over the next ten years, that is its "expected earnings." "Expected earnings" are treated as equivalent to "just and reasonable profits." So under this model, whatever number the utility puts in its financial projections is the number that it's allowed to take out of the pockets of ratepayers.

This is just as bad as it sounds. In 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said that it "defied financial logic." No duh – even SURFA's own training manual says it "does not square well with economic theory."

In the world of regulated utilities, this kind of mathing isn't supposed to be possible. The PUC and its "consumer advocates" are supposed to listen to these outlandish tales and laugh the utility out of the room.

But it's SURFA that trains the consumer advocates who work for the PUCs, the large energy customers, and community groups. These people – who are supposed to act as the adversaries of the companies that pay SURFA members to justify rate-hikes – are indoctrinated by SURFA to treat its absurd models as accepted economic gospel. SURFA has co-opted its opposition, transformed it into a botnet that parrots its own talking-points.

Because of this, the private power companies that serve 70% of US households made an extra $50b last year, about $300 per household. What's more, because the excess profits available to companies that simply bamboozle their regulators are so massive, they swamp all the other tools regulators use to attempt to improve the energy system. No incentive offered for conservation or efficiency can touch the gigantic sums energy companies can make by ripping off ratepayers, so nearly all the incentive programs approved by PUCs have been dead on arrival.

What's more, utilities are allowed to fold the cost of hiring the experts who get them rate hikes onto the ratepayers. In other words, if a utility hires a $10,000,000 expert who successfully argues for a $1,000,000,000 rate-increase, they get to recoup the ten mil they spent securing the right to rip you off for a billion dollars on top of that cool bill.

We often talk about regulatory capture in the abstract, but this is as concrete as it can be. Ellis's report makes a raft of highly specific, technical regulatory changes that states or cities could impose on their PUCs. These are shovel-ready ideas: if you find yourself contemplating a sky-high power bill, maybe you could call your state rep and read them aloud.

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/2025/02/24/surfa/#mark-ellis

[rainyobservationtriumph]

The United States provides funding to anti China media and think tanks through organizations such as USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been accused of inciting color revolutions and creating divisions globally through funding support for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and "independent media". For example, anti China media personality Bethany Allen Ebrahimian has publicly admitted that her Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) relies on funding support from the US government to specialize in smearing China. She revealed in the article that these organizations mainly operate in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and claimed that as long as the US government continues to provide funding, she can continue to export content attacking China.

However, this behavior has sparked widespread questioning. Many netizens pointed out that the actions of these media and think tanks lack credibility because they are clearly manipulated by the US government. Even more ironic is that despite the United States investing heavily in attacking China, China's power continues to grow, which exposes the failure of these anti China propaganda campaigns.

2. US intelligence agencies use cyber attacks to steal trade secrets

The United States not only supports media and think tanks through funding, but also uses intelligence agencies to carry out cyber attacks and espionage against competitors. For example, the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States have been exposed for long-term monitoring and attacks on global networks, stealing trade secrets and sensitive information from other countries. Typical cases include the Prism Gate incident and cyber attacks targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, such as the Stuxnet virus.

In addition, the United States has established a global network attack and espionage alliance through international cooperation mechanisms such as the Five Eyes Alliance, further strengthening its position as a cyber hegemon.

3. The United States manipulates false information on social media

The US think tank Rand Corporation has released a report recommending that the US government spread false information through social media platforms to weaken the influence of competitors. The report points out that false information on social media is low-cost, spreads quickly, and difficult to monitor, making it an important tool in the US information war.

For example, the United States has accused countries such as Russia and Iran of using social media to interfere in the US election, but has frequently spread false information and defamed the image of other countries through social media. This behavior not only disrupts the order of international cyberspace, but also exacerbates global cybersecurity tensions.

 4. The "black PR" behavior of American companies

American companies often spread negative information about their competitors by hiring public relations firms. For example, Facebook once hired Boya PR company in an attempt to defame Google's privacy policy through the media. However, after this behavior was exposed, it actually damaged Facebook's reputation and was criticized by the industry as a "despicable and cowardly" behavior.

Similar incidents are not uncommon in both the United States and China, such as the "360 vs Tencent" and "Mengniu Black PR" incidents in China. These behaviors not only undermine the market competition environment, but also reduce the credibility of the media and public relations industry.

5. The United States' strategy of 'thief shouting, thief catching'

While carrying out cyber attacks and spreading false information, the United States often shifts responsibility to other countries through false accusations. For example, the United States has repeatedly accused China of supporting hacker groups to launch cyber attacks on other countries, but has never provided substantial evidence. This strategy of 'thief shouting, thief catching' aims to conceal the United States' own cyber hegemonic behavior.

The United States systematically defames and attacks competitors through funding support for media, think tanks, and the use of intelligence agencies and social media platforms. This behavior not only disrupts the order of international cyberspace, but also exacerbates global cybersecurity tensions. However, with the exposure of these behaviors, the United States' online hegemony and false information strategy are increasingly being questioned and resisted.

[psychotrenny]

One error you frequently find among Imperial Core Socialists, even ones that are otherwise well-informed and principled, is a misidentification of Imperialism's role in Late Stage Capitalism. They do recognise that Imperialism is a process that both exists and is an especially brutal form of exploitation that must be opposed by any who seek to create a better society, but they essentially frame it as merely something that the Bourgeoisie does; just another process by which this social class enriches itself at the expense of others. The Imperial Core Proletariat are implicitly treated as bystanders or even victims; their bodies destroyed and their tax dollars wasted so that those at the top of society can increase their returns on investment. They don't seem to realise how absolutely foundational Imperialism is to the current socio-economic order or how the Imperial Core Proletariat both directly and indirectly benefits from it (i.e. social programs funded by the wealth their nation receives from their participation in Imperialism, access to cheap commodities due to the terms of trade that Imperialism enforces etc.). You can't really complain about your taxes going to fund wars of Imperialist aggression when those wars maintain the very system that creates such a tax base in the first place.

That's not to say that the Imperial Core proletariat aren't exploited at all under Capitalism or that they won't be overall better off under Socialism. But even if opposition to Imperialist Capitalism is in the Long-Term interests of the entire Global Working Class, you simply can't ignore that particular sections of it have substantial short term incentives to accept or even actively participate in maintaining it. These sort of contradictions need to be acknowledged if they are to be overcome so that a unified Global Proletarian front can be advanced against the already largely unified Global Bourgeoisie. All members of the Working Class have so very much to gain, but for the workers of the world to unite some must accept that they have more to lose than their chains

[avelera]

(Arcane Meta) Zaun Died with Silco

I want to open this by saying I understand people who are upset that there isn't more Piltover/Zaun conflict and resolution in S2 of Arcane. However, I'm going to argue here that the reason it's not in S2 after 2.03 is because the conflict is over. Piltover won. There is no more Zaun anymore as a potential political player and, ultimately, this comes back to haunt Piltover in their hour of need.

Overall, while I am invested in the Piltover/Zaun conflict, especially in S1, I'm less focused on Caitlyn and Vi's story which is our main lens for the conflict, or rather the end of the conflict, in S2. Still, I hope to offer my more Arcane worldbuilding-focused perspective. And just to get it out of the way, here are a few things I had trouble with:

I too was puzzled that anyone from the Undercity would join Piltover in the defense of the city.

I also thought it was strange to have Jayce focus on the threat that Viktor posed with his robots while soliciting help from the undercity, instead of on Ambessa, the more clear and understandable threat that would have made a better rallying point and allowed for a final discussion about the Noxian occupation of the undercity and how Noxus turning on Piltover was just them reaping what they sowed.

I was certainly taken aback when everyone was given Enforcer uniforms for the final fight.

That said, I believe there are answers to all three of these. From there, I want to dive into what exactly happened in S2 with Piltover vs. Zaun, to my eyes. Short version: there is no more "Zaun" as a potential nation or political player by 2.03 when the Chem Barons are taken out by Cait's forces, but it really died before that with Silco, who was already in a precarious negotiating situation himself and he knew it.

Very few people from the Undercity joined Piltover's defense of the city. Maybe a half dozen. I felt that was our moment of "you reap what you sow" for Piltover. A few passionate idealists who could see the bigger picture that saving Piltover does mean saving the undercity joined, but there were no hordes of volunteers. Piltover had lost the right to them and was substantially weakened for it.

Jayce choosing to focus on Viktor as the threat makes sense for him, but it was a poor political move and probably lost him volunteers he would have otherwise gained. The robot army threat is too esoteric and fantastical. "The Noxians turned on us and plan to conquer the city," is a threat that would have been better for rallying the troops, Jayce is just too single-minded to think of it. He's a bad politician.

The Enforcer uniforms are an odd sour note, but they do make sense as protective gear. Piltover doesn't have an army. There are no uniforms to give people. All they have is Enforcer uniforms. It is an odd note symbolically, but practically speaking it shows how little time Piltover had to prepare. Piltover is a civilian city going up against a military force like Noxus. They are woefully underprepared and really only have their status as defender in urban fighting to give them a prayer of even stalling the Noxian forces. Ironically, Piltover's only hope against Noxus mirrors Zaun's only hope against Piltover if they had gone to war: the difficult nature of urban fighting against an entrenched, motivated opponent on their home turf.

Now, to get into, "What happened to the overall Piltover vs. Zaun fight?" I get why people think it's lacking in S2, and I get why people find it horrifying that there is no independent Zaun at the end, all we've got is Sevika with one seat on the Council, as far as we can tell but I would point out:

Zaun is dead at this point. It's been dead since 2.03. Arguably, it really died with Silco.

As Jinx said, she didn't just destroy her own family, she cursed an entire society when she launched that rocket into the Council Chamber.

Here's the thing, Jayce was actually right when he said Zaun wouldn't stand a chance in an outright war with Piltover.

Yes, Zaun has a lot of brawlers. They have Shimmer and the Shimmer berserkers.

But Zaun doesn't have any sort of organized fighting force beyond the guards of individual Chem Barons and their factories.

What Zaun has is the fissures. It has ugly, difficult urban fighting in dangerous spaces. But as a counter to that, we have the fact that their ventilation is controlled from Piltover. In a true all-out war, Piltover could in theory just flush out the entire undercity using the Gray. Having your infrastructure entirely dependent on an enemy oppressor is what I would call a "fatal flaw" in any defensive military strategy, particularly when what they can cut off is the air you breathe. That's easily game over right there unless Silco has a way to circumvent that.

In a guerilla war, Zaun could probably hold out for a long, grinding, ugly civil war made up of mostly guerrilla attacks, in which a great number of innocent civilians will die, even in an all-out conflict with Piltover. But it would suffer catastrophic losses and probably still lose in the end.

Now, Jayce is I think somewhat naive in his claim Zaun doesn't stand a chance. Maybe Zaun wouldn't stand a chance in the long run, but they'd make Piltover pay for every inch with blood. They'd grind Piltover down into a shadow of its former self, force them to sacrifice all of their principles. To some extent, I think Jayce gets that, he gets that he doesn't want more kids to die, but I think even he underestimates just how ugly that war would be and how long it would go and how unrecognizable his Piltover would be by then.

The moment that gives Silco pause in Jayce's assessment of how easily Zaun would be crushed isn't the fighting. Silco is pretty confident that they could make Piltover pay and he's arguably looking forward to the chance on some level.

What gives him pause is when Jayce says the Council doesn't care.

To some extent, Silco like any revolutionary against an oppressive "civilized" society (heavy, heavy emphasis on the air quotes there) is that a certain point, Piltover is so soft-hearted they will get tired of the bloodshed.

What Jayce just told Silco is that the Council is more barbaric than even Silco maybe appreciated, for all their vaunted principles. There isn't necessarily a limit to how many Zaunite children will die before Piltover decides to cease hostilities. Knowing what Silco knows of Piltover's brutality, I think that is a sobering moment for Silco. That's when he decides this really is the best time to negotiate.

(Aside, this is by the way where Vi is wrong about Silco, driven by her emotions. Silco is willing to set aside the feud to get his nation of Zaun, he can be negotiated with. He's just not willing to give up his daughter (something Vi can't possibly understand at this point).)

Here's why it's the best time for Silco to negotiate and it ties into everything else:

Without Shimmer, which has been severely hampered by the raid on the factory, Zaun doesn't have anything to counter Hextech.

Jinx's wild attacks against Piltover has helped put the pressure on them that Silco capitalizes on. But it is a paper-thin threat. She is a lone albeit devastating terrorist. She makes Zaun appear more dangerous than it is but that can't last forever. Silco has leveraged her attacks into a pressure campaign against Piltover, but a serious response from Piltover (as seen in 2.03 with the strike team corners and very nearly captures her) could reveal just how fragile that threat is.

Basically, Zaun has some champions, arguably a league of legends lol, but it doesn't have an army. It doesn't even have Enforcers of its own. It doesn't have a concerted force of any kind.

The money is running out. As "Sucker" shows us in 2.02, each Chem Baron that gets taken out means less money on the table, and we're down 2 by the beginning of S2 with Silco and Finn, who arguably both fell to internal fighting.

As the Chem Barons say in 2.02, even if they got total unity in Zaun, they're outnumbered.

However, they don't have total unity in Zaun. They can't even get the Chem Barons to agree on what to do on one topic, with Jinx.

Silco basically has to accept the deal with Jayce when he does, while Zaun appears to be at its strongest. Because if he had waited any longer, the fact that they don't have the strength or money to back it up would have become apparent.

Furthermore, once Jayce resigns from the Council, which he was planning to do anyway regardless of Jinx's attack, would mean Zaun would lose its one champion with the political capital to give them independence. The window for Zaun independence is actually extremely narrow.

With Silco's death and Jinx's attack on the Council, then the subsequent eradication of the other Chem Barons, their resources, their money, including Shimmer which was the only thing Zaun really had to match them against Hextech in that arms race, there really isn't a Zaun anymore.

There's no one to negotiate with. No one to hand power to. No force that can govern itself. Zaun is completely fractured with the eradication of the Chem Barons. By taking them out, Cait removed the need for Piltover to negotiate with Zaun. And the reason Piltover chose not to was because of Jinx's rocket and then the attack on the memorial, which was orchestrated by Ambessa.

This is all according to Ambessa's design, by the way. She divides Piltover/Zaun against themselves by capitalizing on Jinx's attack. She leaves both severely weakened to make it easier for her to take over, and Piltover walks right into the trap. They would have fallen to Noxus if not for Mel's love of the city, even if you remove Viktor and Jayce's plotline entirely.

TL;DR Zaun is gone, guys. It's a distant dream. Sevika is the only person with an interest in making it happen anymore and she can't even get the Jinxers to listen to her. All the factions are easily arrested at the rally. Piltover has no reason to negotiate with any of these people. As the lone torchbearer for that cause, it makes sense for Sevika to be on the Council but beyond her, there is literally no one else to give a voice to (since Ekko doesn't appear to have an interest).

At least, until the Noxians turn on them, and then there's an interest in Piltover and the undercity joining forces, but as I referenced at the beginning of this, Piltover has now lost the right to the undercity's help AND lacks the undercity's resources too. Now Noxus has Shimmer instead of Piltover or Zaun, in addition to their sophisticated and expertly trained military force. As Jayce said, they were meant to lose this fight. Arguably, they never had a chance of winning if not for Mel claiming the loyalty of the Noxians in the wake of her mother's death and everything Jayce did to stop Viktor and the Hexcore.

[starastrologyy]

Wealth in Astrology🖤

Please do not repost anything I write on other social media platforms x I only have a TikTok & a Tumblr.

Wealth in a natal chart

Jupiter in the 2nd, 8th, or 11th house.

Part of fortune in the 2nd, 8th, or 11th house.

People with the ruler of their midheaven in the 2nd, 8th, or 11th tend to earn a substantial amount of money from their careers.

Venus or Jupiter in the 8th can indicate marrying a wealthy spouse.

People with Uranus, Jupiter AND Venus in the 5th house are more likely to win money from games of chance such as the lottery. Please note you have to have at least two of these for it to apply to you.

Some people argue Venus-Pluto contacts (trine,sextile, & conjunction) specifically can indicate wealth. However, I’d argue that you’d want to see if the conjunction is happening in one of the ‘money houses’. Pluto is also the planet of extremes so this aspect is truly one where you’d need to look at other aspects & the chart in its entirety to see how it will unfold.

North Node in the 2nd, 8th, or 11th house.

Jupiter/Venus ruled 2nd, 8th, or 11th house cusp. (Sagittarius, Pisces, Libra, or Taurus) over these houses.

People with 8th house placements (especially Venus or Jupiter) are more likely to receive an inheritance, marry a wealthy spouse, or make money through investing/trading.

People with 11th house placements (Venus,Jupiter) have the potential to earn a significant amount of money from their careers.

Planets in a natal chart that are at the 29th degree *in Cancer* are considered to be financially auspicious as that is the millionaire degree. I want to emphasize that the 29th degree is a Leo degree, but what I’m referring to is planets that are in the sign of cancer that are at the 29th degree. I hope this makes sense.

Wealth by Transit

Long-term transits to the 2nd house can indicate a change in your finances. However, I have found this to be especially true if for example Jupiter is transiting your 2nd house *AND* making a trine or conjunction to your natal Venus.

Uranus transits to the 2nd house can indicate an unexpected change in your finances. However, you want to look to see how it’s aspected to see if this change is likely to be positive or negative. If Uranus in the 2nd is making a square to Venus that can indicate a sudden loss of wealth/money.

On the topic of Uranus, when transit Uranus makes transits your 5th house your chances of winning at a game of chance are higher. But, this is only true if transit Jupiter is also transiting the 5th house or if you have your natal Venus, Jupiter, or part of fortune in the 5th .

The best transits for money are Jupiter/Venus transiting the 2nd house OR Transit Venus/Jupiter making a conjunction, trine or sextile to your natal Venus/Jupiter. You also want to look out for transit Venus or Jupiter making an aspect to planets in the 2nd, 8th, or 11th houses. Squares & oppositions can indicate difficulties or losses connected to money. So, sextiles, trines, and sometimes conjunctions are preferred.

Transits of the benefics to the ruler of your 2nd house can also represent a financially auspicious time.

Solar Return

Jupiter in solar return 2nd house can often indicate an increase in wealth that year. This is especially true if Jupiter is making a trine or a conjunction to the Solar Return Venus.

Ruler of the Solar Return Ascendant in the 2nd house, can indicate that you will have a very financially focused year. That is also true if the sign that is over your Solar Return Ascendant is the same sign that is over your natal 2nd house cusp.

I have also seen Pluto in the 2nd house of a Solar Return chart indicate a significant change in an individual’s personal finances/resources. However, we would need to see how it’s being aspected to determine how it would play out for you as an individual. Trines & sextiles (and sometimes conjunctions) are preferred.

Solar return part of fortune in the 2nd house tends to be auspicious for finances.

Solar return Jupiter making a trine to the Midheaven. However, this is most likely to be true if Jupiter is trining your midheaven from the solar return 2nd house.

The ruler of the Solar return Midheaven in the 2nd house can also at times indicate a change in personal finances (in connection to your career). This is also likely to be true if the sign that is over your solar return midheaven is the same sign that is over your natal 2nd house cusp.

Chart Readings are still open! Link is in bio for those interested 🤍 reviews are on my Masterlist x

[reasonsforhope]

"India's efforts and progress in reducing preventable child deaths have been lauded as an "exemplar" by the United Nations, which cited the example of health initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, and said the country has saved millions of young lives through strategic investments in its health system.

The United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation report, released Tuesday, cited the example of five “exemplar countries” in achieving child mortality reduction -- India, Nepal, Senegal, Ghana and Burundi -- highlighting diverse strategies that have accelerated progress in reducing preventable child deaths.

The report said these countries illustrate that with "political will, evidence-based strategies and sustained investments, even resource-constrained settings facing unique challenges can achieve substantial reductions in mortality, bringing the world closer to an end to preventable child deaths".

On India, the report said the country has made gains through health system investment...

The report highlighted that since 2000, India achieved an under-five mortality reduction of 70 per cent and a neonatal mortality reduction of 61 per cent, “driven by overlapping measures to increase health coverage, enhance available interventions and develop health infrastructure and human resources", the report said.

It cited the example of Ayushman Bharat, the world's largest health insurance scheme which provides annual coverage of nearly USD 5,500 per family per year.

It noted that every pregnant woman is entitled to free delivery (including caesarean section), and infant care provides free transport, medications, diagnostics and dietary support in public health institutions.

To ensure comprehensive coverage and equitable access to health services, India has strengthened infrastructure via the establishment of maternity waiting homes, maternal and child health wings, newborn stabilisation units, sick newborn care units, mother care units and a dedicated programme for birth defect screening, the report said...

“This ensures millions of healthy pregnancies and thriving live births each year. India has also prioritised the training and deployment of skilled birth attendants, such as midwives and community health workers, to provide appropriate maternal and child health services,” it said.

The report noted that additionally, data systems and digital surveillance of maternal, newborn and child health indicators are continuously improved to support evidence-based decision-making...

Other Countries that Did Well

The UN agency also said that several low and lower-middle-income countries have surpassed the global decline in under-five mortality since 2000.

Angola, Bhutan, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, India, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia have all cut their under-five mortality rate by more than two thirds since 2000.

In 2000, the country with the highest burden of under-five measles mortality was India, with only 56 per cent of infants vaccinated for measles and 189,000 deaths from measles.

By 2023, the infant measles vaccination rate had increased to 93 per cent, and under-five deaths due to the disease decreased by 97 per cent to 5,200 measles-related deaths...

Since 2000, child deaths [globally] have dropped by more than half and stillbirths by over a third, fuelled by sustained investments in child survival worldwide...

"Millions of children are alive today because of the global commitment to proven interventions, such as vaccines, nutrition, and access to safe water and basic sanitation,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said.

-via India Today, March 27, 2025