#the primary is for building. the general is for mitigating.

[rabbits-of-negative-euphoria]

The primary is for voting for.

The general election is for voting against.

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

African Social Spiders: these spiders live in colonies that can contain up to 2,000 spiders, most of which are female; they hunt, forage, maintain their web, and raise their offspring as a group, without any dominance hierarchy or caste system

This communal behavior is extremely rare among spiders, which are normally solitary creatures. The African social spider (Stegodyphus dumicola) is one of the few species that has been identified as a true "social spider," forming colonies and living in communal nests where the spiders work together to hunt, forage, build webs, and care for their offspring.

Above: an African social spider feeding the young spiderlings of her colony by regurgitating food for them, exhibiting a level of maternal/allomaternal care that is relatively uncommon in both spiders and insects

African social spiders can be found in various parts of southwestern Africa, where they will often build a dense silk nest in the branches of a thorn tree and/or shrub. Most of the spiders in the colony are female (more than 85%, according to some studies) and the species itself also has a female-biased primary sex ratio, as researchers have found that female embryos develop in more than 80% of the eggs that the spiders produce.

Above: a group of African social spiders working together to subdue their prey, which will be taken back to the nest so that it can be shared with the rest of the colony

There is no evidence that any dominance hierarchy or caste system exists within S. dumicola colonies. The spiders all cooperate to complete a variety of tasks, such as hunting, repairing the web, foraging, defending the colony, caring for the colony's offspring, etc. While none of them are exclusively assigned to a single task, many have a primary role that they fill, often based on their physical size and condition.

Above: close-up photo of S. dumicola

This species also engages in extreme allomaternal care, meaning that many different spiders (including both mothers and "allomothers") all share the responsibility of caring for the colony's offspring; even the unmated females help out with brood care. The mothers/allomothers tend to the eggsacs, regurgitate food for the baby spiderlings, and even engage in matriphagy, which means that they will eventually be cannibalized by the babies.

From The Encyclopedia of Animal Behavior:

... some proportion of females do not reproduce – sometimes as much as 60% – but remain as helpers, contributing to foraging and brood care (allo-mothering). Both breeding females and virgin allo-mothers regurgitate food for colony offspring and eventually let the young consume their bodies. ...

Young that are raised with both mothers and allo-mothers show higher survival and growth than young raised by their mothers alone, suggesting a clear fitness benefit of cooperative breeding.

Spiders of this species generally measure about 2.5 - 3.5mm long; they can be found in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini.

Sources & More Info:

Science Direct: Social Spiders

Current Biology: Quick Guide to Social Spiders (PDF)

Phys.org: Untangling the Social Lives of Spiders

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: The Age & Evolution of Sociality in Stegodyphus Spiders

Entomology Today: Social Spiders Divide Labor According to Body Size & Condition

Animal Behaviour: Extreme Allomaternal Care by Unmated Females in a Cooperatively Breeding Spider

National Geographic: Baby Spiders Eat their Mothers

University of Portsmouth: Social Spiders Have Different Ways of Hunting in Groups

Behavioral Ecology: Spider Societies Mitigate Risk by Prioritizing Caution

Behavioral Processes: Warring Arthropod Societies

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology: Does the African Social Spider Stegodyphus dumicola Control the Sex of Individual Offspring?

[vintagelasvegas]

Sahara West Library and Fine Arts Museum (1996), Las Vegas, Nevada, by Mayer, Scherer & Rockcastle. Photo by Jeff Green.

Excerpt from:

Mayer, Scherer & Rockcastle’s Sahara West Library and Fine Arts Museum is a world apart from the Las Vegas Strip.

Karan Slein. Architectural Record, 3/97.

While a new crop of attention-grabbing hotels and casinos that feature mock volcanic eruptions, roller-coaster rides, and facsimiles of Egyptian pyramids and the Manhattan skyline dominate tourist images of Las Vegas, another kind of architecture is emerging behind the scenes, where people live. It's a parallel universe of müre soft-spoken civic mindedness.

To respond to the region's tremendous population growth the city launched an ambitious program to enlarge its fledgling library system in the early 1970s. The first step of the initiative was the installation of a new director, Charles Hunsberger, who brought with him the lessons of his previous post in Bloomington, Ind., about 25 miles from Indiana's architecturally rich town of Columbus. It's in Columbus that he "got interested in libraries and architecture and in putting them together," he recalls.

Hunsberger's masterplan for Las Vegas called for merging the one existing city library and one existing county library into a single system, the Las Vegas/Clark County library district (LVCCLD). The two buildings would be gradually supplemented by a series of architecturally distinct satellite facilities that would serve as the focus for the communities sprouting up around them. In addition to providing traditional library services-book lending and research-many of these facilities would also provide a cultural component by including exhibition or performance space.

Now numbering 23 branches, today the LVCCLD is much as Hunsberger planned it would be. Hunsberger, however, has left the scene, having quit his job in ’93, a year prior to his scheduled retirement, amid mounting backlash to his agenda.

While the expanded role of the system was praised by other library districts around the country as visionary, in recent years the hybrid of library and museum caused an uproar in the local community for losing sight of its primary objective. "I did what I planned to do," responds Hunsberger to allegations surrounding his premature departure.

With over $120 million of bond-allocated money spent on its facilities in an 11-year period, what is clear is that city coffers are now empty for libraries. The 23rd branch, the Sahara West Library and Fine Arts Museum, by Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, which replaced a small and successful storefront operation when it opened to the public in January, is the last of its generation. Current library district director Darrell Batson concurs: "This is it."

Garth Rockcastle, AIA, of Minneapolis-based Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle (MS&R), the project's design architect, suppressed the split personality of the program on the exterior. Rather than make the building the amalgam of two distinct functions and parts, he and MS&R library specialist Jeff Scherer, AIA, conceived a 122,000-sq-ft whole that responds to site conditions such as views of downtown to the east and mountains to the west with an attempt to mitigate the effects of the harsh Nevada climate.

[13lunarstar]

About Saptamsha

The D-7 chart, or Saptamsha chart, is a specific divisional chart in Vedic astrology, focused on progeny, creativity, and legacy. Divided into 7 parts (4°17' each), it provides deeper insights into childbirth, relationships with children, and creative endeavours that outlive the native.

Key Focus Areas

Progeny: Evaluates the potential for children, timing of childbirth, and parent-child relationships.

Creativity and legacy: Reflects creative projects and undertakings that form part of one’s legacy.

Fertility and obstacles: Highlights challenges such as delays in childbirth, infertility, or difficulties in nurturing relationships.

Analyzing the D-7 Chart

1. Ascendant and its lord

The Ascendant (Lagna) shows the overall approach to progeny and creativity. The strength of Lagna and its Lord in the D-7 chart indicates success or obstacles in the covered area.

Example:

Cancer Ascendant with its Lord Moon in Pisces (in the 9th house) indicates emotional fulfilment and karmic blessings from children. Capricorn Ascendant with Saturn in Leo (in the 8th house) suggests delays or challenges but transformative experiences with progeny. Scorpio Ascendant ruled by Mars in Leo (in the 10th house), shows a strong desire for children and the capacity to create a lasting legacy. Children may be seen as an important asset in continuing and supporting a family heritage.

2. The 5th House and its Lord:

The 5th house is the primary indicator of children and creative outputs. Its strength in the D-7 chart directly reflects progeny-related matters.

Analyze the placement, aspects, and condition of the 5th lord.

Example:

Pisces in the 5th house with Jupiter exalted in Cancer (4th house) signifies multiple children and a loving bond with them. Aries in the 5th house with Mars in Virgo (12th house) may indicate health challenges or expenses related to progeny, mitigated by benefic aspects (if any). If the 5th house lord is afflicted by Saturn or Rahu, it could suggest delays or challenges in childbearing (Rahu generally can indicate an induced labour, a C-section). Mars as the 5th lord, located in the 6th house with Rahu, may indicate difficulties in conception, conflicts with children, or aggressive behaviour towards them.

3. Jupiter’s role:

Jupiter is the karaka (significator) of children. Its strength and placement in the D-7 chart are important for evaluating progeny potential.

Malefic influences on Jupiter, its debilitated position can indicate delays or obstacles in childbearing.

For example: Strong Jupiter in Sagittarius in the D-7 blesses the native with children and optimism. If Jupiter is combust (too close to the Sun) in the D-7 chart, it might indicate challenges or delays in having children. For example, combust Jupiter in the 3rd house can lead to delays until remedies are performed or Jupiter’s Dasha strengthens. A debilitated Jupiter (e.g., Jupiter in Capricorn) in the 12th house may suggest additional expenses or emotional detachment related to creativity and children, though aspects from benefics can provide relief.

4. Moon’s Role:

The Moon governs nurturing and emotional bonds. Its condition in the D-7 chart reflects the emotional relationship with children (especially between mother and kids).

For example: If Moon is exalted in Taurus in the 9th house, it indicates a nurturing relationship with children and emotional fulfilment through progeny. If Moon is debilitated in Scorpio in the 6th house, it might suggest emotional strain or difficulties in building a strong bond with children. Malefic aspects (e.g., from Saturn) could exacerbate these issues. A well-aspected Moon with Jupiter in the 5th house could indicate a harmonious and emotionally supportive environment for children coupled with a wise approach from parents (especially, the mother)

5. Afflictions to key houses & evaluating the dashas:

Houses like the 5th (children), 9th (higher blessings), and 11th (fulfilment of desires) need to be evaluated for any malefic aspects or associations that could impact progeny.

Evaluate the planetary periods (dashas) and transits influencing the 5th house, its lord, Jupiter, and the Ascendant for timing childbirth or significant events related to children.

Progeny Analysis

1. Number of Children

Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) in the 5th house often indicate more children.

Planets in or aspecting the 5th house:

Benefics suggest more children; malefics indicate fewer or challenges.

2. Timing of childbirth

Activation of the 5th house in the D-7 Chart and / or Rasi chart, its lord or Jupiter during favourable dashas or transits points to childbirth timing.

Activation of the planet, indicated as Putrakaraka in this lifetime (PK), based on the Rasi Chart through the dasha or antardasha period.

3. Child’s nature and parent relationship

The condition of the 5th lord and Jupiter reflects children’s temperament, health, and karmic relationship with the parent.

Key Factors for Gender Prediction in the D-7 Chart

Strength and nature of the 5th house and its lord

Masculine signs (Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius):

Associated with male offspring when found on the cusp of the 5th house or when the 5th lord is in a masculine sign.

Feminine signs (Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces):

Associated with female offspring under similar conditions.

Jupiter's placement

Jupiter (Putrakaraka (PK), significator of children):

A strong Jupiter in a masculine sign or house often indicates male progeny.

A strong Jupiter in a feminine sign or house may lean toward female progeny.

Moon’s role

The Moon, as the karaka of nurturing and motherhood, can indicate the gender of offspring based on its placement:

Masculine signs for male offspring.

Feminine signs for female offspring.

Dasha influences

During childbirth, the ruling planet’s nature (masculine or feminine) in the active dasha can influence the gender of the child.

Odd and even signs

Planets placed in odd signs (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) are more likely to indicate male children.

Planets placed in even signs (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) are more likely to indicate female children.

[triviallytrue]

BG3 Feat Tierlist

Fuck it, here's every feat in the game split into four tiers. Within each tier, feats mentioned earlier are better.

Always Take

Feats that, when applicable to your build, are so good they should always be taken.

Tavern Brawler

The best feat in the game by a wide margin. Strength elixirs are available by the time you hit level 4, so for throwers and monks this is a flat +5/+5 to all attack and damage rolls, scaling to a +8/+8 when you get Cloud Giant elixirs in act 3. The fact that it gives you +1 Con on top of that just makes it even more absurd.

Sharpshooter/Great Weapon Master

Both feats revolve around the -5/+10 attack/damage passive, which is crucial for dealing damage as a non-TB martial. Requires a fair bit of game knowledge to manage (should be toggled off against high AC/low HP enemies) and prepare for (Oils of Accuracy, sources of advantage), but in the hands of a skilled player it's essential. The question of which of the two is better gets into thornier debates about ranged vs melee - GWM has the better extra feature with bonus action attacks, but ranged martials can already utilize their bonus action with hand crossbows and have archery style for extra accuracy, but melee gets strength elixirs- on and on.

Often Take

Feats that are not essential but will be useful in a lot of builds.

Dual Wielder

Funnily enough, this feat is the closest thing pure spellcasters have to an Always Take. Melee martials are better off with two-handed weapons and ranged martials don't care, but pure spellcasters can use this feat to dual wield staffs. As early as mid act 1 with the Spellsparkler and Melf's First Staff, this makes a big difference, and in the lategame this allows for dual wielding the Markoheshkir and Staff of Spell Power. Oh, and you get a free +1 AC on top. Isn't an Always Take because if you're running more than one pure spellcaster, you may want to distribute the staffs instead.

Savage Attacker

On a d12 this averages out to +2 damage, which is fine but not incredible. What really makes this shine is that the effect applies to all additional rider dice as well, which is a hefty chunk of damage by the late game. A very nice option for melee builds to pump up their damage, especially if using strength elixirs.

Ability Score Improvement

The default option. Bland, unsexy, but almost always a pretty good choice.

War Caster

The opportunity attack feature here is negligible, but as it turns out, not losing your concentration when you get hit is really, really important. Most dramatic example is twinned haste, where losing concentration will stun half your party, but there are lots of other scenarios where it's pretty bad. Only reason it isn't higher is that there's other ways to obtain advantage on concentration saves, but if you don't have access to those, this is worth taking.

Alert

Much improved over its tabletop counterpart, due to BG3 using a d4 for initiative rolls. If you commit to this one partywide (or on all non-dex primary characters) you can almost always all go first, especially nice for parties that benefit from interweaving actions when they go together.

Resilient

Useful for patching up your saving throws - you can't gain saving throw proficiencies by multiclassing. Mostly useful with Constitution for casters looking to never blow a concentration save, but could be nice to have to buff up Intelligence saves against stuns.

Rarely Take

These feats have niche uses but aren't generally optimal.

Elemental Adept

A very hard one to rank. There are three good elements in BG3 - Lightning, Cold, and Fire. Lightning and Cold resistance are uncommon and can be mitigated with Wet and Fire resistance can be bypassed with Arsonist's Oil, so that part of the feat is less useful than it would appear at first glance. The damage increase is +0.5 per damage die on average, so a Fireball or Lightning Bolt will deal +4 damage per target, which is quite good. Cantrips deal +0.5/+1/+1.5 more, which is less impressive. The main downsides are that you only get it for a single damage type when you'll want to use spells from all three, and that the main elemental damage specialist (Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer) gets their Charisma added to their specialized damage anyway, so Ability Score Improvement for +1 attack/DC/damage is competitive. I think this narrowly misses the cut in most builds, but it's still pretty good.

Lucky

Loses points because it doesn't synergize with... well, anything, but it's never bad to be able to reroll important rolls 3 times a day. A slightly suboptimal alternative to Ability Score Improvement if you don't have anything you want and are feeling quirky. Be warned that it may slow down the pace of play with random boxes.

Sentinel

Unfortunately doesn't have the juice to be a core building block with its Polearm Master synergy bugged, but it does accommodate a tank-adjacent playstyle that you really can't get any other way. Purely mechanically it isn't terrible either, but generally there are better options.

Actor

Useful if you have a Warlock/Sorcerer Tav who isn't going to multiclass into Bard or Rogue. Still not great in most situations - you can get a lot of other bonuses to ability checks and there's a parasite power that gives you expertise in all the social skills in act 3.

Polearm Master

Kind of a tragic feat, considering its stature in tabletop. The bonus action attack doesn't proc additional non-ability modifiers like the Great Weapon Master passive, which severely limits its usefulness, and the classic synergy with Sentinel is buggy and unreliable. Still probably usable, but only just.

Spell Sniper

All damage cantrips besides Eldritch Blast are pretty bad, so be sure to take that one. In general you'd rather take two levels in Warlock to get the goodies that make Eldritch Blast ridiculously good instead of merely better than Firebolt, but as it turns out there is a clear niche use where this is completely optimal: Eldritch Knights that need a cantrip to use with their bonus action attack but can't spare two levels for Warlock because they want the level 11 fighter multiattack. The expanded crit range is worth more to them than the other Magic Initiate crap or a single level in Warlock. Go figure!

Mobile

Optimal for Hamarhraft builds, if you're the kind of person who likes crazy builds in theory and is willing to push through hours of tedium in practice. Everyone else should steer clear, movement speed is nice but not worth spending a feat on and the other benefits are negligible.

Never Take

There are strictly superior options.

Defensive Duellist

Close to putting this one in Rarely Take, but I cannot in good conscience endorse putting in a feat so you can burn reactions on buffing AC, or one-handed melee builds in general.

Martial Adept

Very hard to justify a feat for a single superiority die (ie, one maneuver per fight).

Charger

Would be usable if it was a passive or just cost your action, but spending your bonus action in exchange for only 5 damage and not being able to combo other abilities with it makes this one a no-go.

Mage Slayer

Want to fuck with casters? That's what Wizardsbane Oil and Arrows of Arcane Interference are for. Don't waste a feat on those squishy nerds.

Shield Master

Makes you tankier without making you more resilient to actually dangerous conditions like stuns. Don't spend feats around avoiding damage - enemies can't damage you when they're dead.

Medium Armour Master

Decent effects in the early game (more the AC than the stealth) but obsoleted by magic items that give you these effects or better for free.

Heavy Armor Master

-3 damage, only from nonmagical sources, in a game where most heavy armor users will have more health than they ever need? Not worth a feat.

Tough

Gives less HP at level 12 than a level 5 Aid cast, which hits the entire party.

Crossbow Expert

Crossbows in BG3 already get the main feature that makes this good in tabletop for free. Instead you get the ability to hit from point blank range (you should not be doing this) and a slight improvement to a mediocre ability. Pass.

Athlete

Don't sacrifice one of your ability points for the ability to stand up faster and jump a little farther. There is a level 1 ritual spell which triples your jump distance.

Lightly/Moderately/Heavily Armored/Weapon Master

You're better off getting your proficiencies through multiclassing instead of feats, even with the ability score bonus.

Ritual Caster

Take a level in Wizard.

Magic Initiate X

Take a level in X.

Durable

This is what healing potions are for, and it's hard to run out.

Performer

Just play a Bard. It's a really good class, I promise.

Skilled

A feat on extra skill proficiencies, in a game where you can build an entire party to cover the handful of actual relevant skills? Come on now.

Dungeon Delver

Worst feat in the game. Not only are its stated benefits complete ass, its main feature is glitched and offers no benefits.

[blue-jacket-blues]

Event Horizon is a very good movie but that is not the point of this post right now. Extremely long post about speculative clone biology and what might have happened to Gabriel had Hux and the Entity not intervened under the cut

Over its many years of operation, Huxlee Industries has refined its narrative-building techniques to create increasingly detailed and intricate false memories for its cloned subjects. Where appropriate, the lab technicians responsible for programming the clones' narrative memories will manufacture fictional romantic relationships as well as familial ones. The decision to add prior romantic partners to a clone's falsified memories must be handled carefully - Huxlee's narrative builders have to program their clone subjects with enough memories to create the illusion of a full life lived, but this narrative cannot be TOO detailed, or the clone may experience psychological instability from a perceived loss of connection to their fictional loved ones. Romantic entanglements are typically only programmed in when it is deemed necessary to offset a potential personality flaw in the subject. A clone manufactured to express bold, adventurous behavior is an asset to any colonization mission, but these traits could just as easily spell disaster if that clone decides to go rogue and flee into the alien wilds. Programming their memories to include a girlfriend waiting up for them back home on Earth, however, encourages them to stick with the mission. They have someone to get home to, after all. Or at least they think that they do.

All non-settler-population clone lineage formulas are manufactured to produce sterile clones, since any unplanned clone pregnancies would result in lower mission productivity and potential profit loss. Clones with uteri and ovaries still undergo a menstrual cycle every month to maintain the subject's internal narrative and psychological stability. Clones with testes produce nonviable sperm. [Data gathered by top Huxlee Industries scientists indicates that the average volume of clone ejaculate is slightly higher than those of non-clones (5-7mL for clones compared to 1.5-5mL for non-clones). It is unclear why this is but they have their top scientists working on unraveling this crucial mystery.] This, however, doesn't mean that clone pregnancies are impossible. Life finds a way. More specifically, Huxlee can't completely prevent random mutations from happening that reverse or weaken the sterilization process, although this phenomenon is extremely rare. It is highly unlikely that any fetus conceived by clone parents would survive to full term, and even less likely that this hypothetical child would survive for more than a few days to a month after birth. Huxlee's clone gene pool is very carefully monitored and "pruned" when it is deemed necessary to maintain "batch" purity, and clone pregnancies carry an extremely high risk of fatal birth defects. To try and further mitigate the risk of clone/clone sexual activity and potential pregnancies, Huxlee will often incorporate libido-lowering pharmaceuticals into the clones' nutrient paste.

Clones are, by default, programmed to be heterosexual and cisgender. This, thankfully, is an easier condition to reverse than the laboratory-mandated sterilization process. Same-sex clone relationships are not necessarily discouraged, as there is no associated pregnancy risk with such a coupling (which is Huxlee's primary concern when it comes to clone team interaction), though clone romantic entanglements of any kind are generally discouraged and are minimized wherever possible.

Gabriel was not the first clone to experience doubts about his identity, but he is the first clone to actually discover the truth and live to tell the tale. Dmitri was the only person aboard the Caracas III with knowledge of the cloning program and was fully aware that Gabriel (and the remaining eight crewmen) were clones. However, Huxlee constructed Dmitri's personal narrative in such a way that he firmly believed he was the only non-clone aboard the ship and had been sent on the mission to monitor the clone labor force. His orders were to maintain the subjects' personal narratives at all costs. Firstly by verbal deception, using the mandatory psychological evaluation periods to assess each crew member for signs of "narrative instability". Internally, this was referred to as "Stage I Redirection". If the crew member still displayed signs of instability after repeated verbal redirection, Dmitri was authorized to administer hypospray as necessary ("Stage II Redirection"). Had Hux not massacred the crew when he did, Gabriel would have been subjected to Stage III Redirection - termination. Stage III was a true last resort, but was deemed necessary to prevent the subject's instability from impacting the other crew members or adversely affecting the mission. After obtaining Stage III authorization from the Huxlee project manager responsible for reviewing the Dvarka mission's progress, Dmitri would have been given access to the manufacturing formula for a last-resort secret pharmaceutical - a single dose of Aldicide, a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and virtually untraceable method of euthanasia. Dmitri's orders were to mix the Aldicide into Gabriel's evening nutrient paste ration and quietly monitor the events to come. Death by Aldicide is peaceful, for the most part. Aldicide poisoning begins with a sudden wave of fatigue, which would have been easily explained away as general end-of-day tiredness, and a creeping sensation of coldness in the fingers and toes as blood circulation begins to slow. The victim typically falls asleep about 30 - 45 minutes after ingestion. Death follows sleep as the body slowly slips into a state of paralysis. Function is first lost in the limbs, graduating to major organ failure as the Aldicide takes hold. Death by cardiac arrest occurs approximately 1.5 - 2 hours after ingestion. This may seem like a prolonged and cruel method of euthanasia, but Huxlee designed Aldicide poisoning to take place across this timeframe on purpose. The intention was to deliver as painless of a death as possible, both to ensure that the victim did not panic and harm other crewmen or company property on their way out and to reduce crew suspicion. A sudden death raises questions; dying in your sleep under some sort of freak accidental circumstances is far less suspicious. Had Dmitri received authorization for Stage III Redirection, Gabe would have had time to say his good-nights to the rest of the crew before turning in early and, from everyone else's perspective, would have died peacefully in his sleep. Ironically, Hux saved Gabe's life by going on his little rampage. Dmitri had been communicating with Huxlee in secret throughout the final few weeks of the Dvarka mission, trying to find a solution to Gabriel's instability that didn't involve drugging him into oblivion with hypospray or dosing him with Aldicide. Shortly before Hux cut the power to the Caracas III's life support systems, Dmitri received Stage III Redirection authorization from Huxlee's project management board. Gabriel would have been killed the following night. Following all company procedures related to the handling of human remains, his body would have been incinerated aboard the Caracas III.

[centrally-unplanned]

Going to try to do some Japan trip blogging about relevant things. First up: I went to Comiket!

['Tokyo Big Sigh' indeed, to quote the discord friend ^^]

There was this tweet going around before the event, which to paraphrase the translation went something like "If you are hoping to have fun this weekend, get off the metro at Odaiba Beach instead. Comiket is a struggle for survival; be prepared to fight or get ready to die". And I laughed at that tweet, but my dudes it was absolutely true. Comiket's combination of scale, intensity, and sprinkle of heat stroke on the wait to get in is unlike anything I have ever seen. Over 250,000 people attended this summer's Comiket; vendor booths numbered in the thousands. Many of them are marked as 'hot commodities' - like the animation director for Bocchi the Rock, Kerorira, tabled there selling a booklet containing production docs from the show, and the line for that booth alone rounded a city block:

These people had priority lists and backup targets; I abandoned this entire idea from the get-go, arriving later and accepting that some things would be sold out. Absolutely the right call, but even then it was still just dizzying to try to take it all in; you can't possibly cover everything, I saw maybe half of the booths at most, and everyone's frenetic energy drags you along too into feeling like you are missing out. Its fun as well as intense though; everything being sold is unique to the event, a deeply precious work from the group that made it, and you find some extremely niche products. It was a bit surreal running into over a dozen artists & writers who I follow on Twitter from across a language barrier, in person, selling their work. It is not a convergence that happens anywhere else.

What I found interesting was that Comiket has this sort of reputation in the west as Japan's "Anime Con", despite them not being similar at all, actually! Comiket is a marketplace, not a con, as the "Comic Market" name implies - the similar starting letters are just a coincidence. While American cons do have large merch halls, and one can argue that they are merch-first affairs for many, that merch is very much not the 'point' of an anime con; the community-focused events that bring attendees together, and connect attendees to panelists, is the core focus. Meanwhile at Comiket the vendor is the focus; as an attendee you are customer, and interface with the event that way almost exclusively.

This is trivial in a certain sense ofc, but I think has knock-on effects; the idea of me, as a customer, "making friends" at Comiket seems like a non-starter. It happens the way it always can of course, but the design of the event generally mitigates against it, including making even the logistics of 'hanging out' difficult with absolutely no seating around. People can't even cosplay in the main hall! Cosplay is in its own hall, where you stand alone and have strangers take photos of you - then you change to go to vendors if you want. Western anime cons meanwhile were (initially) built to promote this directly, with events built around that. However, vendors at Comiket have an intensely different story; sharing tables, helping cover each other's booths for breaks, organizing stock together, etc. You can see how this event builds a sense of community for doujin authors; given their limited financial returns that community is imo a vital source of the longevity of Comiket as a successful event and cultural lodestone for the otaku community.

I think I sort of have a question of "why Comiket" in the back of my mind for this - why is Comiket the symbol of otakudom? Japan does have other events, more con-like ones, of course - but also Japan's fandom is just so much more focused on fanworks, and has been for way longer, with fanwork consumption as a primary mode of expression. It is a bit of a chicken vs the egg issue here; is that focus the reason Comiket is the center, or did having well-organized events like Comiket promote fanworks in a way other communities didn't have? Of course its gonna be a some of each and many more reasons besides, but attending it definitely highlighted that distinction. Comiket is a symbol of cultural difference.

Anyway will post about some of the things I got soon, gotta wax sociological for the brand first ^_^

[acronlaboratories1]

Trenbolone Enanthate Side Effects on the Liver

Trenbolone Enanthate is a potent anabolic steroid frequently used by bodybuilders and athletes to enhance muscle growth and improve performance. However, its benefits extend beyond muscle building—it's also effective for fat loss. This blog will explore how to use Trenbolone Enanthate for fat loss, including dosage recommendations, cycle guidelines, and safety considerations.

Understanding Trenbolone Enanthate

Trenbolone Enanthate is a long-acting ester of the anabolic steroid trenbolone. Known for its powerful fat-burning properties, it accelerates metabolism and enhances the body’s ability to burn fat while preserving lean muscle mass. Unlike other steroids, Trenbolone Enanthate does not convert to estrogen, reducing the risk of estrogen-related side effects such as water retention.

Benefits of Trenbolone Enanthate for Fat Loss

Increased Metabolic Rate Trenbolone Enanthate boosts the metabolic rate, leading to more efficient fat burning. This helps reduce body fat percentage while maintaining or even increasing muscle mass.

Enhanced Muscle Preservation While it facilitates fat loss, Trenbolone Enanthate also protects lean muscle mass. This is particularly beneficial during cutting phases, where the primary goal is to reduce body fat without sacrificing muscle.

Improved Nutrient Partitioning This steroid enhances nutrient utilization, ensuring that calories are directed towards muscle growth and repair rather than fat storage. This makes it easier to achieve a leaner physique.

Recommended Dosage and Cycle Length

For effective fat loss, Trenbolone Enanthate is typically used in cycles of 8 to 12 weeks. Here’s a general guideline for dosage:

Beginners: Start with 200 to 300 mg per week. This lower dosage helps assess tolerance and effectiveness while minimizing potential side effects.

Intermediate Users: Dosages of 300 to 400 mg per week are common among those with prior experience. This range often provides a balance between effective fat loss and manageable side effects.

Trenbolone Enanthate has a long half-life, so it is typically administered once or twice a week. Consistent dosing helps maintain stable blood levels and ensures optimal results.

Stacking Trenbolone Enanthate

Many users stack Trenbolone Enanthate with other steroids to enhance fat loss and muscle definition. Common combinations include:

Trenbolone Enanthate and Testosterone Enanthate: This stack maintains stable testosterone levels while benefiting from Trenbolone’s fat-burning effects.

Trenbolone Enanthate and Masteron: Masteron is another steroid known for its fat-burning properties. Combined with Trenbolone Enanthate, it can result in a more defined and lean physique.

Trenbolone Enanthate and Anavar: Anavar, an oral steroid, complements Trenbolone Enanthate by further enhancing fat loss and preserving lean muscle.

Managing Side Effects

While Trenbolone Enanthate is effective for fat loss, it can come with side effects. Here’s how to manage them:

Cardiovascular Health: Trenbolone Enanthate may affect cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Regular cardiovascular exercise and a heart-healthy diet can mitigate these risks. Monitoring blood pressure and cholesterol levels is essential.

Hormonal Imbalances: Trenbolone Enanthate suppresses natural testosterone production. Post-cycle therapy (PCT) with medications like Clomid or Nolvadex is crucial for restoring natural testosterone levels after a cycle.

Androgenic Effects: Users may experience acne, oily skin, or hair loss. Managing dosages and maintaining proper skincare can help reduce these effects.

Note:

Trenbolone Enanthate is a powerful tool for fat loss, offering significant benefits such as increased metabolism, muscle preservation, and improved nutrient partitioning. To use it effectively, adhere to recommended dosages, follow a structured cycle, and be vigilant about managing potential side effects. Combining Trenbolone Enanthate with a healthy diet and regular exercise will enhance fat loss results and help you achieve a lean, muscular physique.

[mantra4ia]

🌊"Privilege has no place in an election, but empathy does" 🚨

⬆️ I have some thoughts ⬇️

That's a one-line political advertisement for Kool-Aid at brunch: a tangy zinger of zero substantive benefit. Governmental di•a•bet•us. The two-party power structure in electoral government doesn't beat itself. It beats us into line if we let it.

Whether you are "Blue (N)o Matter Who" or "MAGA," if you're worried about how your rights or freedoms will be impacted by someone in a muddy district making an informed decision to vote their conscience, you're missing part of a problem.

If you're worried about line items of government spending, but are okay with the length, scope, and cost of a General U.S. Election, you're missing part of a problem.

If you live in an electoral "safe state" and you feel the need to lecture, pressure, or otherwise exercise shame towards a demographic body, or an individual for "wasting" their vote on a non-primary color representative — in swing state or otherwise — you're enabling and promoting the problem.

If you have the PRIVILEGE of living in a deep primary color state, yet you are unwilling to organize for electoral reform; you're prolonging the problem.

If you have the PRIVILEGE of living in a jurisdiction where you can vote your conscience because the margin of probability is sweeping, yet you would refuse to swap your vote with someone who wants to conscientiously object to policies in their jurisdiction — but won't risk a party protest vote because the margin is razor thin and the social consequences are vast — because "your voice, your choice" then you're building consent for an argument that your freedom of expression is worth more, and fueling the problem.

If you would raise a fist in intersectional solidarity, and ask your friends and neighbors to "vote as if..." listing any number of groups to amplify, or you make it personal and say, "vote *as if* my child's life depends on it," but you would hesitate when another exploited person under siege says, "my family's life *is* at risk, my child's life *depends* on this now, will you vote for them?"...then do you realize "as if" is the privilege of forethought to reduce harm that could be spent organizing to prevent a tipping point, and "is" represents a present threat that needs your empathy and your immediate intervention?

The problem is that empathy without action is a privilege. Electoral voting without continuous accountability isn't an act of agency or mitigating a threat. It is giving away agency and sewing a crisis for tomorrow.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Power outages in Brazil prompt surge in demand for generators, battery systems

Companies seek to anticipate potential outages, mitigate production losses, reduce dependency on grid and tariffs

A series of large-scale blackouts in Brazil is driving sales of generators and battery systems in 2024 to their highest levels since the 2021 water crisis. This rush by companies across multiple industries is an effort to prepare for potential outages, prevent production losses, and reduce dependence on the grid and variable tariff costs.

In this context, manufacturers, generator rental companies, and energy management firms are reporting record sales and inquiries. The clientele ranges from primary industry sectors, construction, agribusiness, and meat processing plants to hospitals. The city government of São Paulo, for instance, has become a major client following the 2023 and 2024 blackouts, when schools and public buildings operated using generators.

Micropower, a joint venture by Siemens, Comerc, and Equinor, has observed a rise in inquiries correlating with weather events impacting critical infrastructure. The company operates under a business model known as energy as a service, where clients pay for a service without investing in infrastructure or equipment such as generators and batteries.

CEO Sergio Jacobsen says demand for backup power systems in 2024 doubled compared to 2023. According to Mr. Jacobsen, the demand is particularly strong in the industrial sector due to concerns over production disruptions. “This demand is growing with the increase in extreme weather events. It’s a trend,” Mr. Jacobsen pointed out.

Continue reading.

[xettle-technologies]

Why Your Business Needs Fintech Software At present ?

In an era defined by technological advancements and digital transformation, the financial sector is experiencing a seismic shift. Traditional banking practices are being challenged by innovative solutions that streamline operations, enhance user experiences, and improve financial management. Fintech software is at the forefront of this transformation, offering businesses the tools they need to stay competitive. Here’s why your business needs fintech software now more than ever.

1. Enhanced Efficiency and Automation

One of the primary advantages of fintech software is its ability to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. From invoicing and payment processing to compliance checks, automation helps reduce human error and increase efficiency. By integrating fintech software services, businesses can streamline their operations, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic tasks that require human intelligence and creativity.

Automated processes not only save time but also reduce operational costs. For example, automating invoice processing can significantly cut down on the resources spent on manual entry, approval, and payment. This efficiency translates into faster service delivery, which is crucial in today’s fast-paced business environment.

2. Improved Customer Experience

In a competitive marketplace, providing an exceptional customer experience is vital for business success. Fintech software enhances user experience by offering seamless, user-friendly interfaces and multiple channels for interaction. Customers today expect quick and easy access to their financial information, whether through mobile apps or web platforms.

Fintech software services can help businesses create personalized experiences for their customers. By analyzing customer data, businesses can tailor their offerings to meet individual needs, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. A better user experience leads to higher retention rates, ultimately contributing to a company’s bottom line.

3. Data-Driven Decision Making

In the digital age, data is one of the most valuable assets a business can have. Fintech software allows businesses to collect, analyze, and leverage vast amounts of data to make informed decisions. Advanced analytics tools embedded in fintech solutions provide insights into customer behavior, market trends, and financial performance.

These insights enable businesses to identify opportunities for growth, mitigate risks, and optimize their operations. For instance, predictive analytics can help anticipate customer needs, allowing businesses to proactively offer services or products before they are even requested. This data-driven approach not only enhances strategic decision-making but also positions businesses ahead of their competition.

4. Increased Security and Compliance

With the rise of cyber threats and increasing regulatory scrutiny, security and compliance have become paramount concerns for businesses. Fintech software comes equipped with advanced security features such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and real-time monitoring to protect sensitive financial data.

Moreover, fintech software services often include built-in compliance management tools that help businesses adhere to industry regulations. By automating compliance checks and generating necessary reports, these solutions reduce the risk of non-compliance penalties and reputational damage. Investing in robust security measures not only safeguards your business but also builds trust with customers, who are increasingly concerned about data privacy.

5. Cost Savings and Financial Management

Implementing fintech software can lead to significant cost savings in various aspects of your business. Traditional financial management processes often require extensive manpower and resources. By automating these processes, fintech solutions can help minimize operational costs and improve cash flow management.

Additionally, fintech software often offers advanced financial tools that provide real-time insights into cash flow, expenses, and budgeting. These tools help businesses make informed financial decisions, leading to better resource allocation and improved profitability. In an uncertain economic climate, having a firm grasp on your financial situation is more critical than ever.

6. Flexibility and Scalability

The modern business landscape is characterized by rapid changes and evolving market conditions. Fintech software offers the flexibility and scalability necessary to adapt to these changes. Whether you’re a startup looking to establish a foothold or an established enterprise aiming to expand, fintech solutions can grow with your business.

Many fintech software services are cloud-based, allowing businesses to easily scale their operations without significant upfront investments. As your business grows, you can add new features, expand user access, and integrate additional services without overhauling your entire system. This adaptability ensures that you can meet changing customer demands and market conditions effectively.

7. Access to Innovative Financial Products

Fintech software has democratized access to a variety of financial products and services that were once only available through traditional banks. Small businesses can now leverage fintech solutions to access loans, payment processing, and investment platforms that are tailored to their specific needs.

These innovative financial products often come with lower fees and more favorable terms, making them accessible for businesses of all sizes. By utilizing fintech software, you can diversify your financial strategies, ensuring that you’re not reliant on a single source of funding or financial service.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the need for fintech software in today’s business environment is clear. With enhanced efficiency, improved customer experiences, and the ability to make data-driven decisions, fintech solutions are essential for staying competitive. Additionally, the increased focus on security and compliance, coupled with cost savings and access to innovative products, makes fintech software a valuable investment.

By adopting fintech software services, your business can not only streamline its operations but also position itself for growth in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. As the world becomes increasingly digital, embracing fintech solutions is no longer an option; it’s a necessity for sustainable success.

[tagamantra]

honestly when it comes to guild wars 2 kinda almost got it with what i wanted out of a post-trinity mmo game setup. every class could be built in any way, unlike FFXIV (where each job only has one playstyle) or WOW (where each job only really had like two-ish skill trees and so two playstyles), GW2 was doing a multiple playstyle per job thing. if you wanted to build a Condi Damage Guardian you could with Burning! A Protection Guardian, a Buffer Guardian, a Healer Guardian, an Area Denier Guardian, or a straight Direct Damage Guardian were more or less viable

the tragedy of it all was that the approach to its design was more of "okay we don't have to design around the trinity, lets just do whatever!" and like a river the community just went through the path of least resistance: just raising damage as much as possible and then just learning dodges (the berserker meta of pre xpac GW2)

i think the problem was the devs didn't update their monster design alongside their class design. they had an absolute winner, but they had to know the inside outs of their system. they should've made it so that while each profession had a primary theme (like a Guardian playing with Boons and Warriors being straightforward) and then build around options to enable each aspect of design. instead of a trinity, they should've had a holy octagon, builds built around different aspects of a fight: direct damage, condition damage, damage mitigation, healing, boon support, condi cleanse, area control and movement.

and then, what they should've done is building mobs around 1 to 5 of these fight aspects to force a player to choose appropriate stats. make it so that some fights require condi damage, or make it so that in general, direct damage is the slowest but most reliable way to chip away at an enemy's hp bar. now boon support is good, but make boon be target based or a place down aoe that cannot be close to where you are, and then make bosses and mobs that severely punish stacking/blobbing up (and thus also make movement skills really important, and making movement focused builds great).

with the three specializations thing that they have for the current version of the game, you can do a spread among three different fight aspects, singularly focus on one (like an elite spec that really hones in on a single fight aspect and really changes the primary theme of a class, like the specter for thief)

instead i feel like they've regressed to wow/ffxiv style raid fights with pure telegraph mechanics. though there are some raids that have really cool stuff like forcing gliders to be used or for items to be interacted with, carried and brought to specific places. those are always the fun ones, not the ones that force blobbing

[jack-in-the-dark]

Jack Builds Spaceboats: The Hyperion, Part 2: Stayin' Alive

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on this game, and some information I present may be erroneous.

So you may recall that I described the Hyperion as a "BFAW Psuedotank." Now that we've addressed the "BFAW" part, let's talk about what the flying fuck I meant by "psuedotank."

First, an explanation: the traditional MMO trinity of Tank/Healer/DPS does not exist in STO, as such. "But Jack!" I hear a convenient strawman cry, "Surely Engineering/Science/Tactical" equates to that!"

The truth is much more complicated. Namely that, in space, whether your captain is Tactical, Science, or Engineering matters relatively little; the ship you're on matters a lot more. And while it's true that Science has a lot of debuff cleanses, shield heals, heals, and debuffs, and that Science-focused ships can slot more of these abilities, where Science ships really shine is what is affectionately called "space magic." Creating artificial gravity wells to gather all one's enemies into a single place, draining all their power, crushing them to death, and then blasting the remains with a massive volley of AOE torpedoes out of spite, for example.

Most STO players, in my experience, will tell you that outside of specific coordinated high-tier play, the traditional role of "tanking" does not exist. In STO, the idea of tanking generally means "mitigating damage by blowing everything up before it has a chance to shoot you."

That said, there's something to be said for being able to take one on the chin without ending up like the USS Grissom.

Engineering captains have this relatively easy, since they get access to the Captain ability "Miraculous Repairs" which gives you a significant hull heal, good shield heal, and some temporary secondary shielding to boot. Trouble is, it has an appropriately long cooldown (barring a trait that refreshes it if you take a huge chunk of damage in a short amount of time, before that trait itself goes on cooldown).

The Hyperion, in addition to having an Engineering captain, is constantly using the lowest-rank ability of Auxiliary Power to Structural Integrity, which is a tiny heal (2k out of the Hyperion's 91k hull points), but has a quick cooldown. This is not actually for healing purposes, but to proc some offensive bonuses I get through the Miracle Worker and Strategist specializations that give me buffs when I use or receive healing. The ability Engineering Team is likewise at its lowest rank, offering a mere 4k of healing - it's primarily there for its ability to cleanse Engineering debuffs (such as Viral Impulse Burst; fuck you, House Mo'Kai). The Hyperion's primary source of healing is Hazard Emitters at its highest rank, which offers 10k hitpoints over 15 seconds combined with a Duty Officer that restores 0.2% of the ship's total hull every time a weapon fires so long as the ability Attack Pattern: Beta is up, which, naturally, is on constant rotation.

Between the above and the ability Tactical Team (which automatically reinforces shield facings when they take damage during its duration), the Hyperion can typically handle deliberately drawing the aggro it both wants to (to use Redirecting Arrays to maximize Beams: Fire At Will's uptime) and inevitably will regardless.

Should she get a little overwhelmed, well, there's still Miraculous Repairs.

Another bit keeping my beloved Hyperion in one piece is the starship trait History Will Remember. I keep this trait on literally all of my builds, because it's just so useful. For each individual enemy that damages the ship, she gains +1% damage, +1% hull regen, and +1% maximum hull points. This bonus can stack up to 30 times, and you keep all stacks until you map move. It also generates additional aggro if you have Threatening Stance active, but that's not helpful to the topic of keeping the ship in one piece.

Fuck a duck, I damn near forgot a key part of the Hyperion's defenses: the Shield Absorptive Frequency Generator. This beautiful bit of gear does something truly special: If a shield face is below 90% strength, every shot (not every volley, every shot) of an energy weapon has a 2.5% chance to restore shields for 200% of the outgoing damage. Remember how BFAW doubles the amount of shots you make per volley? Under BFAW, her beam arrays deal about 3.5k damage, and she has about 20k shields per facing. That one piece of gear does a LOT of legwork, and requires very little explanation/justification to boot.

So, this all makes her sound pretty tanky, you might think. To that, I would caution you that in terms of durability, a high-tier dedicated tank build makes the Hyperion look like she's made out of tissue paper, and the majority of her build is focused towards maximizing damage. Thus, I call her a "psuedotank."

[diabeticdingus]

"Voodoo Child" AV-42-R of the USLF Coast Guard + Crew

I've got like, severe character brainrot about these fellows so here's a snippet of lore for each of them, developed over the 4 days it took me to finish the painting lol

Listed left to right in the portrait

Aria Joshi, Half-Dragon Caelumite pilot. Aria's a natural ace pilot, so exceptional in simulators that she was allowed to join the pilot training school, acing every test with any aircraft they could squeeze into. Despite the difficulties in sourcing crafts, she can fly almost anything. She has red head crest and tail plume feathers, and is otherwise adorned with pink and blue feathers spread randomly. Primary pilot of the "Voodoo Child" AV-42-R of the USLF Coast Guard initiative.

Prezrau Shias, Felisus copilot. Prezrau is a similarly very good pilot, this time struggling to fit in the cockpits the other way. Their short stature does mean they need minor accomodations for being able to reach some of the controls in their crafts, although they overcome this with their boundless tenacity and ferocity. Quite a secretive and austere fellow, they tend to shy away from most things social. They have markings similar to a serval cat. Copilot of the "Voodoo Child" AV-42-R of the USLF Coast Guard initiative.

Trekech Vozaresh, Orc medic. Trekech Is a skilled paramedical professional, recruited for the rescue squad for his calming presence and strong build. More of a land lover, he isn't too big of a fan of getting wet, but he can take it if he needs to. He does what is right because it is what must be done. During a mission, he was blasted with a spray of shrapnel from a stray flak shell that ripped through the door of the AV, disfiguring his face and upper body significantly, and peppered the rest with smaller pieces. He doesn't hold a grudge against the attacked. Medic of the "Voodoo Child" AV-42-R of the USLF Coast Guard initiative.

Thalasan Salie, Aquarite rescue swimmer Thalasan Is one of the strongest swimmers (even for aquarites) on record for the corps. There isn't much to speak about him, since hes quite self explanatory. He has been known to swim tens of miles to reach people in need of rescue, when the helicopter cannot get close. Rescue swimmer of the "Voodoo Child" AV-42-R of the USLF Coast Guard initiative.

Éric Gunnarson, Human rescue swimmer Éric Is a very enthusiastic body modder, who loves everything even remotely related to electronics. He has prosthetic legs, arms, and eyes, along with an integrated rebreather in his respiratory system, allowing him to breathe water easily. When on missions, he can deploy flippers on his feet, allowing for significantly better ability to swim in any water. He uses his augmented eyes to scan the water for rescue targets, using thermal imaging and other spectrums for clarity. His arms sport attachments which allow him to easily be picked up by the helicopter, and easily hold rescue subjects. Very confident in his bionics, and loves his job. All waterproofed up to 500 ft down. Rescue swimmer for the "Voodoo Child" AV-42-R of the USLF Coast Guard initiative.

Jonox Kalego, Umbrite technician Jo Is a mechanical wizard with technical skills to boot. They are a very improvisationally skilled person, being able to macgyver almost anything together to mitigate a bad situation. Generally outgoing, but a bit obnoxious at times. Can be found playing practical pranks on people during off hours. Has capped horns with replacements over them, occasionally using them as small containers for things like water, snacks, or small tools. Technician of the "Voodoo Child" AV-42-R of the USLF Coast Guard initiative.

"Voodoo Child" An AV-42-C "Kestrel" modified into a S/R craft, (hence the R designator) operated by the USLF Coast Guard Initiative. The cargo compartment has been fitted with extra seating, and a very solid arrangement of medical tools. Lightly armored, VTOL capable, uses jets with full tilting capability for the best maneuverability possible. Only damaged twice, never disabled. Roughly 90% success rate when operated by its typical crew!

[beardedmrbean]

Oct. 30 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden signed an executive order Monday that slaps new requirements on tech developers to mitigate the risks of artificial intelligence and establishes new safety standards that aim to protect privacy and national security.

Biden's directive is the most sweeping action yet to regulate AI, and entails several strategies to limit safety and security risks to the nation, including a trust-but-verify arrangement between the government and the private sector.

The order requires AI system developers to share safety test results and other critical information with the administration as they become available, especially in cases where an AI model poses a serious risk to national security, national economic security, or national public health and safety, the White House announced in a statement.

Under the order, Biden also calls on the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish rigorous safety testing for the technology before it's made available to the public.

Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security to establish the AI Safety and Security Board, which will apply the standards to critical infrastructure in an effort to limit chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cybersecurity threats.

The president told agencies that fund scientific research to attach specific conditions to federal funding for companies responsible for mitigating risks associated with AI-engineered biological materials.

"These measures will ensure AI systems are safe, secure, and trustworthy before companies make them public," the White House said.

Biden also ordered the Department of Commerce to develop public guidance for content authentication and watermarking to clearly label AI-generated content.

"Federal agencies will use these tools to make it easy for Americans to know that the communications they receive from their government are authentic -- and set an example for the private sector and governments around the world," the statement said.

Biden ordered White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients and the National Security Council to develop further AI security actions to protect the military and intelligence communities.

The order also creates an advanced cybersecurity program to develop tools that would fix vulnerabilities in AI software.

Biden's order builds on several previous actions by the president to ensure safe and transparent development of the emerging technology, while he was also preparing to deliver legislation to Congress that seeks to protect the nation from AI's harmful potential.

The administration has secured commitments from more than a dozen tech companies to take a responsible approach to developing artificial intelligence for ethical purposes.

The order also contains priorities to protect individual privacy through stronger cryptographic tools and other protective technologies.

Biden called for government agencies to evaluate how they collect and use commercially available information to account for any AI risks.

The executive order builds on the administration's Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, which was released earlier this year to promote responsible innovation in the field.

In February, Biden ordered all federal agencies to uproot bias in their technological action plans and to protect the public from algorithmic racial discrimination, which is also one of the primary capabilities of AI technology.

Biden's executive order reiterates these commitments, emphasizing the importance of countering bias and other forms of discrimination in AI to maintain equity in areas such as justice, healthcare, and housing.

Previously, the administration said it would continue working with the companies over time to keep controls on pace with AI's future development.

Biden's order also addresses AI's potential impact on the labor market, education, and consumer spending.

[mariacallous]

Editor's note: This report is the first in a series on “Europe’s energy transition: Balancing the trilemma” produced by the Brookings Institution in partnership with the Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos.

Providing a stable energy supply is often described in terms of a “trilemma”—a balance between supply security, environmental sustainability, and affordability. Of the three pillars of energy supply, security is the easiest to take for granted. Supply seems fine until it isn’t. Security of fossil fuel supply is particularly easy to ignore in countries that are striving to greatly reduce their fossil fuel consumption for climate reasons. The political focus is on building renewable energy and zero-carbon systems, and mitigating the economic, social, and political costs of transition; the thought was that the existing system would take care of itself until it was phased out. This was the case for much of Europe until two years ago.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, shocked Europeans into realizing that they could no longer take the security of their fossil fuel supply for granted. The assumption had been that Europe and Russia were locked into a mutually beneficial, secure relationship, since Europe needed gas and Russia had no infrastructure to sell that gas anywhere else. That belief turned out to be wrong. 

When the war began, Europe was importing a variety of energy products from Russia, including crude oil and oil products, uranium products, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). But the Kremlin’s sharpest energy weapon was natural gas, delivered by the state-backed gas monopolist Gazprom via pipelines and based on long-term contracts. Europe needs gas for power generation, household heating, and industrial processes.

Before the invasion, more than 40% of Europe’s imported natural gas came from Russia, its single largest supplier, delivered via four main pipelines. Some European countries relied on Russia for more than 80% of their gas supply, including Austria and Latvia. But Germany was by far Russia’s largest gas customer by volume, importing nearly twice the volume of Italy, the next largest customer. “Oil and gas combined account for 60% of primary energy,” wrote the Economist in May 2022, “and Russia has long been the biggest supply of both. On the eve of the war in Ukraine, it provided a third of Germany’s oil, around half its coal imports, and more than half its gas.”  

This paper launches a project on European energy security in turbulent times by analyzing the European response to drastically reduced supplies of Russian pipeline gas. Future papers in the series will delve more deeply into specific aspects of European energy security and their policy implications. 

Russia’s actions to cut off gas supply to Europe starting in May 2022 were particularly virulent because it was extremely difficult to cope with the loss of such a large volume of gas. Other regional sources of pipeline gas (e.g., from the North Sea) have been declining and key sectors of European industry (e.g., chemicals) depend on gas as their primary energy source. LNG is a potential substitute for pipeline gas, but it requires specialized infrastructure and global LNG markets were already tight, with much of the world’s supply going to Asia.

The story of Europe’s adjustment to its main supplier of natural gas turning off the taps is generally told in heroic terms: with the continent securing new supply, conserving or substituting (often with generous government subsidies for industry and/or consumers) in order to weather the storm, and throwing Russia’s weaponization of gas back in its face through declining revenues. This narrative is not false, and the scale and speed of the response would certainly have been politically unimaginable before the invasion. But the self-congratulatory tale masks the fact that there were substantial regional differences in both energy supply and response to the crisis, which will make it difficult to generate a Europe-wide political response in the future. 

Even more importantly, the decoupling is by no means complete. Overall, in 2023, Europe still imported 14.8% of its total gas supply from Russia, with 8.7% arriving via pipelines (25.1 billion cubic meters or bcm) and 6.1% as LNG (17.8 bcm). (For comparison, during the first quarter of 2021, 47% of Europe’s total gas supply came from Russia, 43% via pipeline and 4% as LNG.)This means that the handful of member states that have not been able to or have not chosen to reduce their dependency remain highly vulnerable to Russia’s weaponization of energy imports.