#venture capital career

[vedantofficial]

Is Venture Capital Right for You? A Mid-Career Professional's Guide

The world of Venture Capital (VC) is fast paced, so making a mid-career switch can be challenging. If you are a person with the prospect of fostering innovation and want to invest in the future, then a career in VC can present a remarkable private equity career path. However, switching to venture capital requires careful consideration and strategic planning. 

This blog post highlights the critical factors you need to consider while entering the private equity industry. Conducting a comprehensive evaluation can help you make a precise decision that aligns with your professional aspirations and personal goals. 

Venture Capital Landscape: What you need to know? 

Venture capital firms are involved in both risk and reward business. They invest in high-potential startups with the firm hope of significant future payouts. However, making a successful investment decision involves various factors:  

Knowledge of the market 

Strong networking skills 

Ability to predict trends 

Identify growth potential 

Therefore, before you make a move, ensure to do thorough research on the industry. This will help you understand various perspectives like how venture funds operate, their investment strategies, and the latest industry trends. Another important factor is identifying your niche. As mentioned earlier, the world of Venture capital is vast. Hence, focus on the areas where your experience and interests align with market needs. 

Key Evaluation Factors for Mid-Career Transitions into Venture Capital 

Here's a more detailed version that includes key evaluation factors. These factors can help guide your transition into venture capital, ensuring a thorough assessment of your readiness and fit for this dynamic and challenging field. 

Make a Complete Assessment of Your Transferable Skills 

Mid-career professionals often have a wealth of experience and skills incredibly valued in VC. Ensure to evaluate your strengths on the below measures:  

Strategic Thinking: It is the ability to predict investments 'big picture' and long-term potential. 

Analytical Skills: It demonstrates proficiency in evaluating potential investments' financial health and growth metrics. 

Negotiation and Persuasion: It involves expertise in closing deals and influencing others. 

Industry Expertise: Shows your level of understanding about specific sectors or markets that can be a game-changer. 

Therefore, it becomes crucial to reflect on your previous roles and consider how your experience can benefit a VC firm. Can your technology, healthcare, or finance background provide you with an edge? 

Training and Education 

There is no pre-defined educational qualification for venture capitalists, but certain qualifications can help you understand the industry better. Obtaining a master's degree helps in entering VC.  Courses with a focus on entrepreneurship or finance are especially highly valuable. You may also consider enrolling in special Venture Capital Executive Programs that are designed to teach venture funding principles and processes. You can also obtain a private equity certificate to gain more knowledge.  

Networking and Brand Building 

When it comes to the private equity industry, your ability to network becomes your net worth. Hence, you should develop the ability to build robust relationships within the startup ecosystem and among other investors. 

Attend Industry Events: Enroll in conferences/seminars or other business events, making it a prime networking opportunity. 

Build Online Presence: Start contributing to discussions on platforms like LinkedIn. This helps to establish thought leadership. 

Connect with VC Firms: You can contact Venture Capitalists for informational interviews and insights. 

The Long-term Play 

Venture Capital is not a get-rich-quick career. You should understand that it is an investment that can take years before yielding returns. Also, remember that the work often involves nurturing startups through ups and downs. Another important aspect is the financial consideration. Unlike some mid-career roles, VC positions may start with lower compensation packages, banking on long-term performance incentives. 

Considering Cultural Fit and Work Environment 

VC firms have distinct cultures, from corporate to startup-like environments. Often, the size and reputation of the firm can greatly impact your role and work style. So, consider the work environment and choose a firm whose values resonate with your personal beliefs and professional ethics. 

Wrapping Up 

Transitioning the mid-career into venture capital is an enlivening prospect filled with potential growth. You can witness enormous growth by thoroughly evaluating the industry landscape and aligning your skillset with VC demands. Remember, you can have a successful career by committing to continuous learning and recognizing the importance of networking and culture fit.  

Choosing to step into the private equity career path is more than a career change. It's a commitment to fostering innovation and shaping the future. If you are ready for the challenge, then the opportunities in venture capital can be exceptionally rewarding. 

[radioactivedadbod]

I wish all AI tech bros a very happy 'hope an EMP wipes out all your work and your stocks evaporate'

[moonshinecapital]

Offering Financing Solutions: A Guide for Coaches, Consultants, & B2B Professionals

Join host Jason Feimster in our 'Funding Agency' podcast as he unveils how strategic funding can revolutionize your business. Real stories, expert insights, and Moonshine Capital’s unique approach await! 🌟 #TransformYourBusiness #FundingExpertise

Discover how strategic funding can redefine your business success! In the latest episode of ‘The Funding Agency‘ podcast, we ventured into an illuminating discussion on the transformative power of strategic funding for coaches, consultants, and B2B professionals. Hosted by Jason Feimster, CEO of Moonshine Capital, this episode is a treasure trove of insights, real-world examples, and expert…

[dlbruh-blog]

Andre Iguodala Retires: Inside His 19-Year NBA Legacy and Details About His New Investment.

[ferritins]

THIS TORNADO LOVES YOU | S. RILEY

SUMMARY: Simon takes a step you never thought he would, in a way you’d never imagine.

NOTES: the endearment ‘pet’ is used once, in an “author grew up in The Midlands City God Forgot AKA Leicester” way, not the kink way. credit for the idea for this piece goes to @bleuu-moon, who’s post about Simon letting you take off the mask has been living in my head rent free bills and utilities included for ages.

disclaimer; whilst I’m down bad for fictional men who are taller than me, I also an anti-militarism pro disarmament pacifist. COD and other military games a recruitment tool for the armed forces, and PMCs are just a way for governments to outsource war crimes to avoid The Hague. do not enlist; big oil and genocidaires are not worth dying for and armed service will chew you up and shit you out to die as soon as you are physically or psychologically incapable of dying for the sake of capital.

You come home to Simon illuminated by your television, scant blood splotches blackish on his fatigue sleeves.

“Um. Is any of that yours?” You venture, dropping your keys in their designated dish, casting a careful eye over your lover. “I thought we had come to an agreement about you actively bleeding all over my sofa cushions after last time.”

Simon grunts.

You roll your eyes.

“Words, love.”

“Just got back from Santo Domingo.” You hiss a quiet breath through your teeth, wincing as you turn to hang your coat; the boys had been following an organisation of information brokers trading in NATO military intelligence, the kind of people with whom contact was both rare and in its eventuality, incredibly bloody.

Nevertheless, Simon has never been someone who is particularly receptive to sympathy; by the time you turn back around to face him, your face is carefully neutral.

“Did you achieve your mission objective? Wait, more importantly, you didn’t answer my question; are you bleeding?”

There’s a bitter little chuckle. “Affirmative to the first, negative to the second.”

The air sits heavy as you and Simon watch one another, flashes of colour and light bouncing off the skull of his mask like a nightmare in Technicolor.

Just when the tension reaches the point of being unbearable, Simon speaks.

“They knew your name.” He says, voice basso profundo with his gathering fury.

A frisson of fear runs down your spine — not at Simon, not after all this time, but at the information — before dissipating like cigarette smoke in a hurricane.

It’s a target on your back, sure, but it is one of dozens. Your career has made you many enemies.

“They trade in military intelligence, Simon, which is pretty much my entire area of specialty.”

“Do you think this is a joke?”

“Do you think I’m a shrinking violet? What, should I give up my Lance Corporal’s stripe and my job? You met me when I was working signal intercept radio intelligence on RAF Ascension Island, for God’s sake.”

“You’d be safer.” Simon’s voice has taken on as much of a pleading tone as he’s capable of.

“I’d be miserable.” You retort.

“Fuck.” Simon snarls, a savage sigh of breath leaving him. “You know I’m not gonna leave your side after today, pet? Gonna get sick of my face.”

“If this is supposed to irritate me into obscurity, it’s not going to work. I like the mask, and having six foot eight of perfectly built spec ops soldier at my back isn’t exactly a hardship.” You snarl.

“Simon’s head tilts, predatory.

I”I said my face, lovie.”

Your heart starts hammering.

“”Simon, you’ve not been barefaced in front of someone in nigh on a decade. Your personnel file doesn’t have a photograph of you, and the only one that exists of you is redacted so far only His Maj can see it. For fuck’s sake, you’ve torn men’s throats out for so much as touching your mask.”

“Simon hums an affirmative, a mocking note under the tone of it.

“So now you’re scared of what intelligence gathering can lead to? Scared I’ll tear your throat out, hm?”

“Fuck you.” You snarl. “I’m not scared of you. I’m not going to let you violate your own autonomy and boundaries to prove a point, you supercilious son of a—“

“You’re the one taking it off.” Simon interrupts.

“You’re insane.”

“If you’re not going underground to wait this out, I’m gonna be living in your fucking shadow, sweetheart, breathing in your every exhale, and I can’t do that when all they know me for is the mask. The next person to so much as look at you sideways is going to die, slow and bloody, and my face is going to be the last thing they see.”

Your next inhale is shaky. Simon, sensing blood in the water, goes for the kill.

“Either you can look me in the face, acknowledge what you’re dooming anyone who hurts you to, or you back down.”

Even as you’re swinging a leg over both of Simon’s to situate yourself in his lap, you’re aware of how hideously stupid what you’re doing is.

Bolstered my nothing but bravado and an inkling of curiosity, and with your pulse rabbiting, you slowly pull up his balaclava, revealing his face to you piecemeal; a strong jaw, a bottom-heavy mouth, a patrician nose broken thrice and healed right only twice, whispers of long blonde eyelashes, and brown eyes, dark as bitumen.

On anybody else, the features would be discordant, too much dissonance to be cohesive; on Simon, they work.

His face is arresting, more than handsome; you can’t help but look at him.

His top lip is pulled up into a perpetual snarl on the left by a long deep furrow of scar tissue that starts just under his eye.

There’s a silvery scar about a half-inch long from his hair line, and his cheeks are dotted with faint demarcations; nicks from shrapnel and knifepoint, you assume.

All flat eyes and scarring, this is perhaps this most dangerous Simon has looked to you in a while.

“I’m not going anywhere.” You say, referring to both your job and Simon’s unmasking. “I’m not backing down.”

Simon is a big man, and has a surprising amount of heft to him, even when he's not trying.

His hands are large enough that even the love tap to your rump has you tipping into him. Your front is pressed to his, and you're looking up, up, up into his eyes, bearing witness to the way hunger floods them, a hungry kind of dark pouring into his gaze like an oil slick in the Mediterranean Sea.

“And I’m not backing off. Hell or high water, death or desertion; we’re in this together for good now, you and I.”

AUTHOR’S NOTE: this has been in the development hell folder of my Google docs for like two months so if it’s shite that’s no longer my problem I’m afraid 😭🙏🏽 thank you for reading! please do not recommend/repost on TikTok.

[deliciousangelfestival]

Echoes Of Revenge || Part 1

Character: Bucky x Reader

Summary: Y/N, an analyst at Goldenlix Capital, discovers her promotion hopes crushed by favoritism. Seeking solace in a nightclub, she encounters her past tormentor, Bucky.

Warning: Betrayal, heartbreak, manipulation.

Part 2 : Shattered Echoes

Part 3: All The Lies

Part 4: Sweetest Dreams

Main Masterlist || support: Ko-fi

Thank you to anyone who gave a like, reblog, and left a comment. It motivated me to write more. 

Y/N, an ambitious analyst at Goldenlix Capital, had consistently delivered profitable predictions for the hedge fund. 

Despite her hard work, the promotion she longed for slipped away when the CEO's nephew, Simon, secured the portfolio manager position.

Frustrated, Y/N sought solace at a nightclub with her colleagues. As Y/N immersed herself in the pulsating beats and vibrant atmosphere of the nightclub, she was unaware of the watchful eyes observing her every move. 

The rhythm of the music and the clinking of glasses provided a temporary escape from the frustrations at work.

Suddenly, a lavish display of expensive drinks arrived at her table, catching Y/N off guard. The waitress informed her that they were compliments of the house, leaving Y/N momentarily puzzled by the unexpected gesture.

Just as she wondered who might be behind this gesture, Bucky entered.

Bucky made his entrance with confidence, navigating through the crowd with a swagger that suggested a newfound maturity. 

Dressed in an impeccably tailored, expensive suit, he exuded a sense of self-assuredness. His arrival was accompanied by the subtle clink of cufflinks and the rich scent of a high-end cologne.

As he approached Y/N's table, Bucky flashed a charming smile, his eyes hinting at a mixture of mischief and sophistication. 

However, Y/N, ever focused and unswayed by external displays, remained unimpressed by his polished appearance. She eyed him skeptically, silently signaling that material possessions wouldn't alter her priorities or impressions.

With a smirk, he approached Y/N, confidently revealing, "I thought you could use a taste of the finer things tonight, Y/N. It's on me.”

There, she unexpectedly encountered Bucky, a college classmate with a history of teasing her. Now claiming to be the club's owner, Bucky attempted to flirt with her.

Unimpressed, Y/N looked down on his attempt to impress her. "Owning a nightclub doesn't change who you are, Bucky. I'm focused on my career," she retorted, dismissing his advances.

Undeterred, Bucky tried a different approach, acknowledging his past mistakes. "People change, Y/N. Maybe you should loosen up and enjoy the night," he suggested.

Maintaining her composure, Y/N replied, "I'll pass on the life lessons, Bucky. I have bigger goals than spending my time with someone who hasn't really grown up.”

Y/N's colleagues discreetly made their exit, leaving her alone with Bucky. He nodded appreciatively, acknowledging their departure, and sat beside her, pouring a drink into her glass.

"So, what's the problem? I never thought the nerd of my class would spend money on the expensive table," Bucky remarked teasingly.

Y/N scoffed, "This is expensive? I didn't realize."

Surprised by her nonchalant response, Bucky commented, "Where is the timid Y/N I know? She's gone.”

Y/N gulped her drink, contemplating his observation. "Money. Everything could change because of money," she admitted. 

Her past, rooted in a modest upbringing, had shaped her determination to succeed. Working hard to escape financial constraints, her dream was to become a fund manager.

She looked at Bucky with a hint of disdain. She doesn't appreciate people like him who lead careless lives just because they come from wealthy families.

Bucky noticed the scattered name cards of Y/N's colleagues on the table and picked one up. Reading it, he remarked, "Goldenlix Capital? You work there? That's impressive."

Y/N responded with a nonchalant "hmm."

Bucky, perceptive, ventured, "Let me guess, you didn't get the promotion?"

Surprised, Y/N asked, "How...?"

Bucky leaned back, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I've seen many types of people come and go in this place," he said, revealing a hint of insight into the workings of the professional world they both navigated.

Bucky's casual revelation about his observations at Goldenlix Capital intrigued Y/N, prompting her to give him a scrutinizing look. As she contemplated his words, Bucky continued, "It's a tough world out there, especially when you're navigating corporate ladders."

Y/N, still guarded, responded, "You seem to have it all figured out."

Bucky chuckled, "Well, not everything, but I've learned a thing or two. Sometimes it's not just about hard work; it's about playing the game.”

Bucky leaned in, a glint of sincerity in his eyes, as he proposed, "Let me be your client."

Y/N, skeptical, questioned, "Why?"

Bucky shrugged a hint of nostalgia in his tone, "I don't know. Perhaps because of a nostalgic feeling. I want to help an old friend."

Y/N, maintaining her guard, retorted, "We were never friends. You always used me."

With a sly smile, Bucky countered, "Then, I'll use this as my apology letter."

The air between them carried tension, a mix of unresolved history and an unexpected proposal.

As Bucky got closer, the alluring scent of his elegant perfume enveloped Y/N. Their proximity seemed to amplify the tension, a subtle dance of conflicting emotions.

"I'm serious. Give me your name card," Bucky whispered, a soft murmur against the rhythmic beats of the music.

Y/N, somewhat reluctantly, handed over her name card. Bucky took it with a charming smile, his gaze lingering on hers. "Tomorrow your boss will go nuts," he predicted, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

With a final, lingering look, Bucky gracefully rose from his seat. "See you next time," he said, leaving Y/N in a state of contemplation, the lingering scent of his perfume and the enigmatic encounter resonating in the dimly lit ambiance of the nightclub.

Excitement mixed with intrigue surged through Y/N as she stepped into the bustling office the next day. Her boss, Ivan,  beckoned her into his office with an animated expression, "Y/N, we've just landed a significant new client. The funds have been wired, and you're in charge."

Perusing the financial statement, Y/N's eyes widened at the substantial amount. "This is impressive, sir. I'll ensure it's handled with utmost precision," she assured.

Ivan leaned back in his chair, a shrewd smile on his lips. "Not just impressive, Y/N. Make it triple. We need to show our new client the prowess of Goldenlix Capital.”

Y/N nodded, her mind already racing with investment strategies. "I'll diversify the portfolio, perhaps allocate more in growth stocks, considering the current market trends. And we can leverage options to enhance returns without taking excessive risk," she suggested.

Ivan impressed with her immediate analysis, nodded in agreement. "Exactly, Y/N. Show them why you're the rising star here."

As she left his office, Y/N couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected turn of events—Bucky's proposition at the nightclub, the mysterious new client, and now the challenge to triple the investment. 

Now witnessing his portfolio's profits tripling under Y/N's adept guidance, Bucky couldn't help but be impressed. As rumors circulated about Y/N potentially becoming the next portfolio manager, her boss and colleagues acknowledged her exceptional skills.

One day, Bucky approached Y/N with a mixture of admiration and amusement. "I knew I could count on you, Y/N. Looks like you're not just the 'nerd' from our college days anymore."

Y/N, maintaining her professionalism, Y/N replied with a slight smirk, "Money talks, Bucky. It's all about making the right moves in the market."

Bucky, however, seemed persistent in keeping the conversation personal. "Or maybe it's about making the right moves in life," he teased, a suggestive glint in his eyes.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, unyielding. "Let's keep it professional, Bucky. This is business.”

As Y/N attempted to make a swift exit, Bucky intercepted her, his hand gently restraining her. Irritated, she shot him a sharp look, demanding, "What?!"

Bucky, undeterred, asserted, "I'll double my money."

Y/N, skeptical, retorted, "What for? You already have enough. You need to learn about limits."

With a wry smile, Bucky countered, "If I have to pay a high price just to have a date with you, then I will pay everything."

Rolling her eyes, Y/N dismissed his proposition, "Yeah, right."

Bucky leaned in, a teasing glint in his eyes. "My silly Y/N. Don't you know why I always played with you back then?”

Y/N, unamused, shot back, "You bullied me to get my attention. Are you in kindergarten?”

Y/N, after a moment of contemplation, finally relented, "Fine. One date. But no, I don't want your money. The stock market is not good this time. What if you get mad because you lose money?"

Bucky chuckled, his tone playful, "There's no way I'm going to be mad at you, silly.”

As Y/N and Bucky shared that one date, their connection deepened, weaving a thread of unexpected intimacy into their lives. 

The complexities of their relationship unfolded like a carefully scripted narrative, intertwining the professional and personal in a way that left Y/N simultaneously exhilarated and hesitant.

Her life, seemingly perfect after successfully handling Bucky's portfolio, took an unforeseen turn when her Ivan dropped a bombshell – he wanted to hand over Bucky, her biggest client, to his nephew, Simon. 

The news sent shockwaves through Y/N, her world suddenly tilted on its axis.

Y/N, with a mix of frustration and anxiety, found herself standing at Bucky's doorstep, the weight of her predicament evident in her eyes. Sensing her distress, Bucky welcomed her inside, "What happened, Y/N? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Taking a deep breath, Y/N explained the situation, "My boss wants to hand over your portfolio to his nephew. It's a complete mess, and I don't know what to do."

Bucky, leaning against the wall, studied her with a thoughtful gaze. "You came to me for help. Looks like our roles are reversing."

Y/N, a hint of vulnerability in her voice, admitted, "I never thought I'd need help, especially from someone like you.”

Bucky, his expression softening, replied, "We all need help sometimes. It doesn't make you weak.”

As Y/N faced the uncertain aftermath of seeking Bucky's help, she soon discovered that her most significant competitor, Simon, had mysteriously vanished from the office scene. 

The absence of the rival candidate created a void that only she could fill, paving the way for Y/N to enter the role of project manager uncontested.

The news rippled through the office, and Y/N found herself at the center of surprise and admiration. 

Colleagues congratulated her on the unexpected turn of events, and her boss, puzzled by his nephew's disappearance, acknowledged her as the natural choice for the project manager position.

Gratitude and curiosity again led Y/N to Bucky's door, a soft knock signaling her presence. As Bucky opened the door, a knowing smile played on his lips, "Come to thank me, Y/N?"

Y/N responded with a hint of appreciation in her eyes, "I can't deny that your mysterious touch might have played a role in my unexpected promotion. So, thank you."

Bucky, stepping closer, his gaze lingering, remarked, "I'm always here to help, especially when it comes to you.”

Three months had passed, and Bucky, in the routine of his daily activities, eagerly anticipated seeing his girlfriend. The past week had kept Y/N busy as she jetted off to Dubai to meet with a new client.

However, on this particular day, as Bucky went about his usual tasks, his assistant interrupted, a hint of apprehension in their voice, "Sir, the police are here."

Bucky, initially thinking he had misheard, questioned, "Huh?"

The police, standing with an air of authority, informed Bucky that he was accused of money laundering. Unfazed, Bucky dismissed the accusation with a roll of his eyes, stating, "Money laundering? I'm a legit businessman.”

The police countered, accusing him of using Goldenlix Capital for money laundering. Bucky scoffed, insisting the company was legitimate. 

The turning point came when his assistant displayed a live news report on their phone, revealing that Goldenlix Capital was now branded as a scam company.

Bucky, disbelief written on his face, uttered, "What?!" Realizing the severity of the situation, he urgently reached for his phone, attempting to call Y/N, only to face the frustration of her unanswered calls. 

As the news of Goldenlix Capital being labeled a scam investment company flooded every media outlet, Bucky was engulfed in chaos. Desperate for information about Y/N's whereabouts, he pressed the police, hoping for reassurance.

Bucky questioned, anxiety seeping into his voice, "Have you seen any news about Y/N?"

The police, maintaining an air of detachment, replied, “She went missing."

Bucky's eyes widened in disbelief, and he uttered a baffled "Huh?!" The absence of Y/N from the news coverage added another layer of mystery to an already bewildering situation. 

As he grappled with the unfolding events, uncertainty and concern for Y/N's safety overshadow the chaos surrounding Goldenlix Capital.

The unfolding chaos threatened his professional empire and the stability of the connection he had built with Y/N in the past few months.

Fury burned within Bucky as the realization sunk in – he hadn't merely lost money; he had been played. The anger surged through him, a relentless fire fueled by the betrayal he felt. Determination set in, transforming his frustration into a resolute mission.

His mind raced with questions about Y/N's motives, but the lack of information only intensified his desire to uncover the truth. 

Bucky, driven by a newfound resolve, vowed to track down Y/N and unravel the mystery behind her involvement, or lack thereof, in the scandal that had befallen Goldenlix Capital.

As Y/N sat on the beach, watching the chaos unfold on her tablet, a sense of satisfaction washed over her. Finally, her carefully orchestrated plan to destroy Goldenlix Capital was playing out as intended.

The roots of her vendetta can be traced back 15 years when her family, once content in their middle-class life, had fallen victim to a deceitful investment scheme. 

Flashback Start

Introduced by a relative, Y/N's father had invested a small amount in Maxim Capital, enticed by the promise of a 7% monthly profit. The regular returns had built a false sense of trust.

However, driven by greed, Y/N's father had invested half of their savings into Maxim Capital. The deceptive scheme vanished six months later, leaving the company in ruins and wiping out a significant portion of Y/N's family's hard-earned money.

As Y/N's family crumbled into financial ruin after the Maxim Capital scam, her relative, who had introduced them to the fraudulent investment, callously shrugged off any responsibility. The repercussions were severe, forcing Y/N's father to take desperate measures.

Unable to secure a traditional loan due to his plummeted credit score, Y/N's father sought assistance from a loan shark. The borrowed sum might have been small, intended for crucial medicine for Y/N's ailing mother, but its interest was exorbitant.

The loan shark in question, Nicholas Barnes, was none other than Bucky's father.

Fueled by a burning anger and a thirst for revenge, Y/N channeled her emotions into her studies, delving deep into economics to comprehend the intricacies of investments. 

Her pursuit of knowledge became a double-edged sword, with academic excellence as a guise for a more sinister motive.

Even as she immersed herself in her studies, Y/N never lost sight of her plan for retribution. Every lesson about investments and financial strategies became a tool in her arsenal to orchestrate the downfall of those who had once exploited her family's vulnerabilities.

As Y/N navigated the complexities of her revenge plan, an unexpected twist unfolded in the form of Bucky. Fortune seemed to favor her, and she couldn't quite comprehend why the "Goddess of luck" appeared on her side. Bucky's growing interest in her became a peculiar element in her carefully crafted narrative.

While Y/N couldn't fathom the reasons behind Bucky's fascination, she saw it as a stroke of luck. 

Y/N, cleverly using her position at Goldenlix, exploited the opportunity to gather information about the victims of the investment scams discreetly. 

The guise of her role gave her access to crucial details, names, and backgrounds that would later become instrumental in executing her revenge.

In the case of Bucky, her intentions were more straightforward – to pilfer his wealth. The intricate dance of trust and vulnerability between them served as a cover for her ulterior motives. 

Y/N, driven by a desire for retribution, saw Bucky's financial downfall as a key component of her revenge plan.

Their shared history of friendship only fueled Y/N's determination to make Bucky understand the anguish of misplaced trust. 

Just as Nicholas had played with her father's trust, she intended to manipulate Bucky's emotions, leading him down a path of betrayal that mirrored her family's pain years ago.

Flashback End

As Y/N settled into her seat, her fingers danced across the keyboard with purpose. Each keystroke represented a meticulous calculation, determining the amount of money – with the accrued interest over 15 years – that Goldenlix Capital had pilfered from their unsuspecting victims.

With a determined click of the 'Send' button, Y/N initiated a digital cascade that would return the ill-gotten gains to those who had fallen prey to the investment scams.

Despite the years that had elapsed since their losses, she hoped this restitution would bring peace to the victims.

As Y/N gazed up at the sky, a quiet moment of reflection enveloped her. The weight of her actions, the meticulous plan for revenge, and the redemption she had sought for her family hung in the air. 

She hoped, somewhere beyond the vast expanse above, that her parents would be proud of her unconventional method of reclaiming their lost money.

One year later, in the quiet embrace of a small town, a remarkable female teacher had become a beacon of inspiration at the local elementary school. 

Known for her exceptional skills in teaching mathematics, she cultivated a passion for numbers among her students. She led them to triumph at the Olympic level, earning gold medals for their achievements.

The echoes of her dedication resonated through the halls of the school, leaving an indelible mark on the young minds she nurtured. 

The once-sleepy town now boasted a newfound pride in its educational achievements, thanks to the remarkable teacher whose commitment and expertise had transformed the academic landscape.

The routine exchange of greetings became a familiar melody in the small town's elementary school. Every morning, as students hurried through the hallways, they would greet their beloved teacher with a cheerful, "Morning, Miss Y/N."

Y/N, now a beacon of knowledge and guidance for these young minds, responded with a warm smile, echoing, "Morning, don't run in the hallway."

"Okay."

The simple yet affectionate interactions spoke volumes about the transformation Y/N had undergone – from a seeker of revenge to a nurturing educator shaping the future

As Y/N reflected on the passing year, a bittersweet smile played on her lips. Justice had been served as the boss of Goldenlix, and Ivan faced the consequences, forced to part with his ill-gotten wealth to cover legal expenses.

However, when it came to Bucky, a twinge of regret and sadness lingered in her heart. The connection they had forged amidst the intricate dance of revenge carried a weight of impossibility. The revelation that he was the son of the loan shark, Nicholas Barnes, cast a shadow over what could have been.

Y/N, despite the passage of time, Y/N found herself haunted by a lingering fear that Bucky might seek revenge. The uncertainty gnawed at her, and she wished she could overcome the apprehension that one day, the consequences of her calculated actions might come knocking at her door.

As Y/N returned to her small home, an unsettling feeling crept over her. The once familiar space now emanated an unusual coldness. A sense of foreboding settled in, causing her to hesitate before stepping further into the house.

When she decided to leave, her hand reaching for the doorknob, she discovered a chilling truth – the door was locked outside. Panic set in as the realization dawned that she was trapped within her own home.

Fear gripped Y/N's heart as she grappled with the possibility that her past actions might be catching up to her. 

A chill ran down her spine as Y/N stood trapped in her own house when the front door creaked open. The atmosphere shifted as an unwelcome presence entered, and the smile that once held warmth now appeared cold and calculated.

Bucky, who had stepped into her sanctuary, greeted her with an unsettling calmness, "Hello, sweetie. You have some explaining to do.”

Author Note:

Hey friends,

If you've been enjoying the content, I've set up a Ko-fi account. Your support through tips would mean the world and help me keep creating. Only if you feel like it!

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Hey everyone! 🌟 Your input means the world to me.

If you've got any cool ideas or prompts, whether for this fluff series or any other series, feel free to share them with me!

Just drop them in my ASK/SEND REQUEST box.

Can't wait to hear your awesome suggestions! 🚀💬

[fangirleaconmigo]

As a tv super fan, I support the writers’ strike.

As creative industry becomes more and more automated and corporatized, the 1% at the top, the executives, CEOs, and venture capitalists, are getting (even!) more obscenely wealthy. And as they do, does it trickle down? Ha. No. They starve the creatives. They can be making billions and they will try to get art and writing for free.

They call it content, create an algorithm, and behave as though the least valuable part is the person drawing or writing or painting.

Massive global corporations are destroying art as a profession for the tiniest bit of extra profit.

The viewers know the faces of the performers, so singers and actors have a bit more leverage, but they’re still getting smaller and smaller slices of the pie.

The writers guild is fighting so that television and script writing can remain a valid professional career that can pay rent, instead of a soul crushing, gig economy, pennies for words, pipe dream. (You know, the way predatory capitalism and extreme greed destroyed journalism as a profession)

Look at Disney. When they acquired Star Wars they decided they didn’t need to pay the writers of the novels any of their meager royalties. They decided that buying a contract meant profiting from books and devaluing, ignoring, and cheating the people who created the books. (Look up #disneymustpay and Alan Dean Foster)

That’s the culture. Starve the creatives, little by little, until you can replace them with an AI, whose work has been edited by an under or unpaid temp with no healthcare.

That makes my skin crawl. That’s why I support creatives. I support workers. I support unions. And I think we all should.

[nightingale2004]

Severus Snape Hunger games au hcs

Severus is obviously district 12

Would work in the mines as a teenager

Severus would be a chemistry nerd here. He would also venture out into the woods to collect herbs and such to trade, make his own medicine, to cook with, to make disinfectants, repellent, or for his drinks

His family life still sucks. Tobias is an abusive drunk who survived a mining accident (he didn't survive unscathed), and Eileen isn't mentally present with Severus

He would like going in the forest outside his district. It would be his only freedom from mining and facing his dad's wrath.

He would know what plants would be poisonous or not, and he would be very handy with a knife

Since he works in the mines, Severus definitely would put on some muscle and would be a little stronger.

He would be friends with Lily and her family. I also feel like Lily and Petunia would be the mayor's daughter (in my opinion, at least)

If he was chosen at the reaping, either Lily would be chosen along with him or a random district 12 girl

His district token, I think, would be a black leather bracelet with either a moon or a black feather charm on it

When he goes to the capital and trains, he mostly shows off his brain power, but he does train with a weapon, which would be knives, swords, and/or whips

I feel like he would win his games by hiding until everyone has killed each other. If he had encountered an enemy, he would probably run (he's a fast runner and you can't tell me otherwise). But I also feel like he would make allies with the careers and then poison them if they even tried to get rid of him

I'm thinking Tom Riddle would be the president Snow of the capital in the universe while Dumbledore is obviously president Coin leading the rebellion

If/when Severus wins the games, he would be rewarded for his victory, but since he's not much of a "looker" in the president's opinion. He would find use of Severus for his intelligence and abilities in chemistry.

But if Severus went home, Lily's and his friendship would've been strained and eventually ended due to what Lily would have seen in Severus's games

Severus would've continued working for his president, thinking his life was getting better and that he was actually being appreciated for his skills, and he was doing some good and getting over the trauma he faced in both the games and from his father

He would've also been a part of Tom's inner circle of Panem that he would call the Death eaters who help control Panem and make it the way it is.

But soon, Severus found out what his inventions were really used for and why. So he tried to stop it, but it wasn't successful. But he found information on President Dumbledore, who led the rebellion, and Severus became his spy in exchange for his loyalty, his skills, and for the protection of those he loved

So Severus became Albus Dumbledore's spy and helped him, his order and entire rebellion. Spying on Tom Riddle and his group. Destroying the old Panem from the inside............but no one knew that. Not even Lily

He also made friends with Regulus Black, who was a previous victor of the Hunger Games along with Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy. Lucius is a mentor, and Narcissa is a stylist

If severus was a girl in this universe and Lily was picked, Sev would volunteer in her place

Regulus is also one of the youngest to ever win his games, and since he had handsome features and admirers in the Capitol. He went through a similar situation to Finnick Odair. The same can be said for Sirius

[k0libra]

Welcome Captain Anderson and First Officer Connor!

About a week and a half ago I came up with dbh civil aviation au, as I absolutely love jetliners. So I decided to combine both of my interests! :D

More details about the setting are under the cut!

In the 2020s, a new aerospace corporation emerged - “Cyberair”. Originally starting from light jet construction, but later in the 30s they introduced narrow-body aircraft to the production line, as the result of rapid growth and market expansion. However, throughout the years their idea remained the same: “Reliable and comprehensive automation”. Cyberair jets are everything, beyond what a modern aircraft can offer, and is capable of. Truly a creation of the 21st century.

The latest Cyberair venture – state of the art autopilot. Identical to humans in its appearance, yet so different in behaviour. It’s efficient, reliable and doesn’t make mistakes (almost. At least human ones). But to tell the truth, this development is expected – ever since the late 20s Cyberair started to slowly announce machine cabin crew, even gifting a unique RK200 air traffic controller model to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Delta Air Lines received their own one-of-a-kind autopilot, a RK800 (FAA approved!) model. How? Well, something about the Cyberair CEO liking their service. After a few papers signed and a few hands shaken, Connor embarks on his first real flight as a First Officer.

No plane flies without a captain though, so Connor has company. And a superior. Even if machines are better than people in piloting the plane in almost every way, human ego and fear, maybe, can’t let them be in absolute control. “Uncanny valley” or something.

Captain Anderson is a highly experienced senior pilot at Delta. Most of his career he has been flying Airbus aircraft, piloting A350-900 in the later years. Although because of Connor working with him now he has to pilot Cyberair regional or light jets from time to time. Oh, those signed papers be damned… He misses his dear A350.

Their relationship had a rough start, with the captain calling Connor “an attempt of capitalism at stealing my job”. But Hank couldn’t help but warm up to the FO the more flight hours passed. There was something so… alive about him? No, in aviation you only trust your instrument panel, and here all of the facts loudly state that Connor is simply a RK800. This is definitely some Eliza effect shit.

Why is he so interested in the A380 then? Doesn’t he have all of the aeroplane data neatly stored in his head? What surprises Hank more is something akin to confusion on Connor’s face every time he gets overly excited about the giant of the skies. Maybe he’s surprised by his new-found interest, too. At least there’s something Hank can tell him about from the old days (ah, proud A380 pilot) during long transatlantic flights.

Fucking Eliza effect bullshit.

P.S. if you want to leave an ask about this au, please do! I get asks so rarely so I’m excited hahah. But you can ask literally anything else, too lol

[mariacallous]

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) has been making headlines for his “rocky rollout” since being named former President Donald Trump’s running mate last month. The bad headlines and poll numbers have been driven by Vance’s extreme comments about “childless cat ladies,” abortion, and more. Well, along with extreme comments, Vance has some extreme investments. 

Vance has had a six-figure stake in Rumble, an online video platform. The company has played host to Russian propaganda and to far-right personalities like Stew Peters and Tim Pool. It has also featured even more extreme content, including explicitly neo-Nazi images and themes like this song touting the “Reich” and calling for Jews to be placed in ovens from a “dissident rapper” with a dedicated page on the site. The site features a plethora of channels and videos dedicated to the concept of “white genocide,” which is a core belief for white supremacists. It also hosts channels for explicitly white supremacist organizations including VDare and Patriot Front, which has led masked demonstrations around the country. 

A former Marine, Vance was elected in 2022 after a career as a bestselling author and venture capitalist. In both the financial world and as he rose in politics, Vance has been backed by the Silicon Valley investor and right-wing donor Peter Thiel. The pair co-founded a firm, Narya Capital, in 2020. In keeping with Thiel’s preferred styling, the company was named after a reference to the “Lord of the Rings” fantasy novels. 

In 2021, Narya Capital made a major investment in Rumble. The investment, which made Narya one of Rumble’s top shareholders, also gave the firm a seat on Rumble’s board. Financial disclosures filed by Vance in conjunction with his Senate bid also show that he made a personal investment in Rumble that was valued between $100,000 and $250,000. 

Rumble went public in 2022 following Narya’s investment. In a filing last year that was reported by CNBC, Narya indicated it planned to sell more than three million shares of Rumble. Narya’s initial investment in Rumble totaled over seven million shares. 

Vance has not yet filed required financial disclosures for last year. He sought an extension in April. His most recent disclosure, which covered 2022, showed the Rumble investment. 

The stake is notable because it represents a direct financial link between Vance and a key outlet for some of the most extreme elements of the far right. Vance’s stake in Rumble was the subject of a New York Times piece during his Senate race in 2022. That story focused on Rumble hosting the Kremlin-backed propaganda network RT, but gave less attention to the extensive hate speech on the site. 

A spokesperson for Rumble did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this story. A company representative responded to the prior Times story by saying the company is willing to host those who “hold politically unpopular views, so long as they comply with our content policies,” framing the issue as a matter of free speech. A spokesperson for Vance’s campaign told the paper “J.D. does not play an active role at Rumble, nor does he set Rumble’s content moderation policies” and noted his belief in “free speech rights online.”

Vance isn’t the only figure in Trumpworld who has financial ties to Rumble. Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, signed a seven-figure podcast deal with the company last year. Trump Jr. reportedly played a “pivotal role” in persuading his father to bring Vance onto the Republican presidential ticket. Trump Jr. did not respond to questions about the extremist content on Rumble and about whether his financial relationships influenced his support for Vance.

Representatives for Vance and the Trump campaign also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The campaign of Trump’s opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, was more forthcoming. Harris 2024 spokesperson Joseph Costello issued a statement to TPM decrying Vance’s links to the extremist content on Rumble. 

“The American people deserve a president who works to bring people together and who gives hate no safe harbor,” Costello said. “Every day the words and actions of Donald Trump and JD Vance prove they belong nowhere near the White House.” 

While the bad headlines have seemingly led Vance’s political stock to drop among some Republicans, shares in Rumble have fared far better. According to CNBC Pro, Rumble stock went up 17 percent on the week Trump picked Vance. The movement prompted a note from JP Morgan analyst Kamal Tamboli, who said the surge was a “quarterly record” for the extremist platform. 

“Retail traders appear to be closely following US election developments,” Tamboli wrote. 

The stock has dropped a bit from its recent high, which came on the day Trump picked Vance. However, it is still up 21 cents from where it was before the pick. The Ohio senator may be a drag on the Trump ticket, but someone out there enjoyed a bit of Vancementum! 

[boxboxblog]

In Depth: Funding

This post is a response to an ask about funding needed for drivers to get to F1 and stay there. Great ask, let's go!

As we all know F1 is beyond expensive to get into. Most drivers come from either legacy racing families or rich families, and so people tend to call it an elitist sport. But what are the numbers, exactly? And how do sponsors play in all of this?

Karting

Professional karting runs between the ages of five and sixteen, and is the first real foray into spending the big bucks. A single season can cost anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 per year so you can see why only the rich tend to venture in. The more you spend, the more successful the racer is, as more expensive karts and series yield higher results. Most karters who want to get into higher level racing will do it up to ten years, so can spend up to $1M+ in total.

Junior Single-Seaters

This is feeder series like F4, F3, and F2. Like anything, it gets progressively more expensive as series raise in level. F4 can cost between $200,000 to $500,000. F3 can be $700,000 to $1M. F2 is a pretty big jump, and can cost between $2M to $3M. This cost level tends to filter out more and more kids compared to karting. Like in karting, more money means better teams, better cars, and better series. Sponsors start playing a big part during this time.

Formula 1

By the time they hit this level, most drivers can afford the costs fine due to sponsorships, but the F1 cost is still extremely drastic. A F1 season can cost anywhere between $8M to $11M. This is even higher if a driver pays their way onto a team, which can cost $10M to $20M per season, not including other costs. To be in F1 without a sponsorship is impossible. Interestingly, once driver start to get personally successful and are maybe able to afford the season more themselves, you sometimes see them dropping sponsors. Lewis Hamilton, for example, has dropped a few of his long-time sponsors.

Sponsorships

So, how exactly do drivers afford this? Sure, many of them are rich, but not the kind of rich to drop a clean couple million a year, no problem. The answer lays with sponsorships.

In the early stages of karting, most kids are supported by their families, towns, or local small businesses. These small businesses might give the racers a loan or a stipend in exchange for having their business advertised throughout the child's karting career. Sometimes they help out of kindness and hope for a local driver to make it big, but usually it is to reap marketing benefits. Some young karters can be so impressive that they draw big name attention before they get into single seaters. Things like the Red Bull Junior Team or the Ferrari Driver Academy will support young racers in exchange for contractual promises to work with Red Bull or Ferrari once they get older. While things like these programs and small business support lower costs, it does not entirely cover it (usually only about 25%) so base capital is still necessary.

Feeder/Junior series are where big name sponsors actually start to get involved. Sponsorships are crucial at this level, as the cost has gone up significantly. Corporate sponsors will give up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to place their logos all over drivers and their cars. Academies and junior programs up financial support, but have drivers sign more serious contracts. Even governments and national sports organizations get involved. Without massive backing covering the majority of costs in junior series, it is extremely difficult, almost impossible, to continue. For extreme talents, up to 100% of costs can be covered. Most often though it doesn't get that high, and drivers still have to be supported by their families and private investors who expect financial payback. Having one big sponsor is usually the best way to go about it at this level. For example, Sergio Perez found a sponsor in Mexican millionaire Carlos Slim and his company, Telmex, during this time. He would have not been able to afford it without them.

In F1 it is even more amplified. It is point blank period impossible to be in F1 without massive sponsor support, unless you come from a family of billionaires, but even then. By this level it is large sponsors like energy drink corporations, car manufacturers, luxury fashion brands, and technology companies that are involved. They expect product placement and their logo everywhere on their drivers, and in return usually cover the full cost of a season. But they expect even more during F1, so things like attending events and being part of the companies marketing is often expected. Max Verstappen, who is sponsored by Heineken, has been in several commercials for them, for example.

To be clear, the amount of money sponsors give at all levels relies entirely on results. I don't want people looking at this post and thinking all of their favorite drivers are pay drivers. You have to be talented to attract attention and sponsors, and you have to give results to keep them and get the money needed. In order to get into F1 you must be good, period. But I won't deny that having financial backing, whether from family or elsewhere, contributes heavily to F1 success.

Before I finish please remember that the numbers I tossed out are just estimates. Season costs vary and so do sponsorship payouts. I have just provided a basic range based off the information readily available online. Who knows, maybe everyone is lying. But the thing I know for a fact is that it is extremely expensive to get into F1 and sponsors are a necessity.

I hope all of this was helpful, and answered all of the questions.

Cheers,

-B

[the-confessions-of-a-fangirl]

Watching 'Chimney Begins' and the way he's just a beacon of light and supportive energy from the start.

He stood by Kevin through both of their wacky careers, he gives Hen a supportive hand but doesn't push it, he bets on Bobby when he first comes by as Captain.

And the way he imparted the importance of patience to Buck in season 3 ep 6 "Monsters" was such a big brother move, giving guidance and support with a light(teasing) voice.

The way he was able to help Bobby with the blood donation during season 1 was so perfect because he didn't dismiss what Bobby felt just helped him see what he could do more.

I think with Eddie he hasn't had many interactions with him which is criminal because they both riff off of each other so well (the banter they have between believing in luck vs scepticism is so cute) but in that case it's Chimney just providing some lightheartedness to Eddie's life with how he treats Christopher (see season 2 interactions) and when Eddie first came, he had his back from the start even against Buck.

No fucking wonder Maddie fell for him, he's truly the lighthouse of the 118. He guides them all just by being his positive self and considering a lot of his arc is season 1 and Chimney begins is how he lies about who he is to gain affection (that S1 gf, lying about his day to the Lee's even though they would love him without that and that karaoke girl who he told he was in venture capital) it's such a beautiful story and character.

Kenneth Choi was such a banger choice for Chimney, he is so good in the role and ugh I love Chimney can you tell?

[yeeticusdeleticus]

EMS-10C ZUDAH CANNON (JULY SOUTHBLOOD USE)

Having broken out of Neo Zeon hostage camp and commandeered the Zudah Cannon she’d use for the rest of her career, July Southblood would start taking up bounty hunting after Casval Diekun’s failed rebellion. Basing her ventures out of the lunar capital city, she would steadily grow her crew, starting first and foremost with the engineers and mechanics needed to keep her Zudah running.

July mostly sticks to a support role on the hunts the crew goes on nowadays, standing on the only traditionally oriented catapult deck of the ship to provide suppressive fire and clear debris out of the way. The only times she deploys in full force is for bounties that are only to be brought in dead or are dangerous enough to warrant damaging the target’s mobile suit.

The Zudah Cannon used by Southblood was originally the 3rd unit of the Zudah Ground Type’s limited run. After it had been modified for space use by the Zeon Remnant group that owned it, and then later stolen by Southblood during her breakout, it has been mostly unchanged internally. July only uses two weapons, the auto cannon that gives the unit its title, and a custom made break action pistol the fires a 46cm anti ship shell.

[thought-42]

A moment at the beginning of Thrawn and Ezra's space adventures

500 word chunklet that doesn't fit anywhere in my 'Ezra Bridger in theChiss Ascendancy' au, yote out into the void so it leaves my gdoc.

Ezra doesn’t remember as much as he should about the immediate post-Purrgil aftermath. He remembers too much time passing in only a few minutes. Colour he can’t describe in words.

Humans are not made to be that close to hyperspace.

He remembers feeling a lot of people dying. It wasn’t the first time. It wouldn’t be the last.

He remembers his arm hanging loose off his shoulder like an empty sleeve, remembers thinking very clearly ‘a lightsaber will cauterise an amputation’.

He remembers staring up at a purple sky and hearing someone (Thrawn, he knows in retrospect) throwing up somewhere off to his left. He remembers thinking he was gonna start throwing up in sympathetic reaction. He doesn’t remember if he actually did.

He remembers the hiss of rain on hot metal. He remembers stumbling, grimly determined, towards the shade of trees, feeling like he was breathing water, with his hand held over Thrawn’s eyes. He remembers realizing what moisture and bacteria and scavengers do to dead bodies.

He’s pretty sure Thrawn bit him.

He’s pretty sure he tried to drown himself in a swamp just to get a break from the constant mental replay of bodies that no longer looked like people. His brain has helpfully blurred out a lot of the details, which he appreciates in the interests of remaining a functional person. Thrawn must have dragged him out of the swamp. Or the swamp was a metaphor the whole time, or a fantasy he created to self-soothe.

The first temporally plottable memory he has is watching Thrawn rinse blood out of his hair in the river and realizing:

“Oh hey. Your eyeliner game was really good, I definitely thought that was just. Your eyes.”

Thrawn had rolled said eyes so hard Ezra had started laughing and hadn’t been able to stop for a good five minutes.

Years later, when they’re no longer the only two sentients on the whole planet but long before they’ve made it to somewhere safe, Ezra will say “I’m amazed you didn’t just chuck me in the river right then and there.” “At the time it felt entirely appropriate,” Thrawn will say, flatly. “I tried to strangle a child with my bare hands in front of my own officers after choosing to bomb a civilian target even as I was fully aware my life was likely forfeit as soon as I returned to the capital. It was not, you might say, a high point in my career. To be mocked for my one venture into fashion while I was still actively concussed and alone felt just right.”

“I wasn’t a child,” Ezra says, and then nothing else because the rest of what he is thinking is exceedingly unkind, starting with ‘there’s no way that was your first time attacking civilians’ and going all the way to ‘tell me you were passively suicidal without telling me you were passively suicidal, if our positions were reversed I’d have gone for your throat long before we got to that point.’ Some people grew up with parents and a safe home and it shows.

[blenselche]

opinion about ai?

this is a really vague ask, it depends on the kind and why it's being used. I assume you mean generative? I'm a small fan artist on tumblr, my opinion shouldn't matter to you and I'm not a voice of authority to speak on it, but:

I don't believe in ethical IP in the first place, anything I make being added to some learning algo set doesn't bother me but that's a personal stance. It bugs me if it's happening to someone who does/cares. What I take larger issue with is the monumental waste of capital and energy on ventures that have no prospective/valuable use case or future, and the removal of human effort to supplant it with something infinitely more expensive and finicky in the name of chasing efficiency. The creeping removal of human input from careers is a looming threat, and it's hard to stomach how giddy some circles of our economy and govt are at the thought. It's bleak. Also, the death of creativity with no intentions of making a profit isn't something I want to witness but here we are. Our spaces are being bloated with nothing, and it is all just nothing. Expensive nothing. We're so unique in that we create art, but people would rather make more expensive nothingness than learn to feel that accomplishment themselves, and it's tremendously sad. There's a loss of connection, future opportunities, critical reading skills, etc. that it enables and I do not envy generations below me who have to face whatever the end stages this evolves into more head-on.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Hunter Walker at TPM:

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) has been making headlines for his “rocky rollout” since being named former President Donald Trump’s running mate last month. The bad headlines and poll numbers have been driven by Vance’s extreme comments about “childless cat ladies,” abortion, and more. Well, along with extreme comments, Vance has some extreme investments. 

Vance has had a six-figure stake in Rumble, an online video platform. The company has played host to Russian propaganda and to far-right personalities like Stew Peters and Tim Pool. It has also featured even more extreme content, including explicitly neo-Nazi images and themes like this song touting the “Reich” and calling for Jews to be placed in ovens from a “dissident rapper” with a dedicated page on the site. The site features a plethora of channels and videos dedicated to the concept of “white genocide,” which is a core belief for white supremacists. It also hosts channels for explicitly white supremacist organizations including VDare and Patriot Front, which has led masked demonstrations around the country. 

A former Marine, Vance was elected in 2022 after a career as a bestselling author and venture capitalist. In both the financial world and as he rose in politics, Vance has been backed by the Silicon Valley investor and right-wing donor Peter Thiel. The pair co-founded a firm, Narya Capital, in 2020. In keeping with Thiel’s preferred styling, the company was named after a reference to the “Lord of the Rings” fantasy novels.  In 2021, Narya Capital made a major investment in Rumble. The investment, which made Narya one of Rumble’s top shareholders, also gave the firm a seat on Rumble’s board. Financial disclosures filed by Vance in conjunction with his Senate bid also show that he made a personal investment in Rumble that was valued between $100,000 and $250,000.  Rumble went public in 2022 following Narya’s investment. In a filing last year that was reported by CNBC, Narya indicated it planned to sell more than three million shares of Rumble. Narya’s initial investment in Rumble totaled over seven million shares. 

[...] Vance isn’t the only figure in Trumpworld who has financial ties to Rumble. Donald Trump Jr., the former president’s son, signed a seven-figure podcast deal with the company last year. Trump Jr. reportedly played a “pivotal role” in persuading his father to bring Vance onto the Republican presidential ticket. Trump Jr. did not respond to questions about the extremist content on Rumble and about whether his financial relationships influenced his support for Vance.

Trump VP pick J.D. Vance is an investor in Rumble, a far-right YouTube alternative that is filled with Neo-Nazis content, along with antisemitism, white nationalism, anti-LGBTQ+ extremism, and other bigotries.