#what is mba finance

[kkmu01]

Excel in Healthcare Leadership: MBA in Hospital Management at KKMU

Embark on a transformative journey towards healthcare leadership with KKMU's MBA in Hospital Management program. Designed to equip aspiring leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic healthcare industry, this program offers a comprehensive curriculum, expert faculty, and practical experiences. Prepare to excel in healthcare administration, policy-making, and strategic management with KKMU's MBA in Hospital Management.

[banannabethchase]

There's no drama like poorly run HOA vs. disgruntled homeowners drama.

[monsterfactoryfanfic]

if I've learned anything from grad school it's to check your sources, and this has proven invaluable in the dozens of instances when I've had an MBA-type try to tell me something about finances or leadership. Case in point:

Firefox serves me clickbaity articles through Pocket, which is fine because I like Firefox. But sometimes an article makes me curious. I'm pretty anal about my finances, and I wondered if this article was, as I suspected, total horseshit, or could potentially benefit me and help me get my spending under control. So let's check the article in question.

It mostly seems like common sense. "...track expenses and income for at least a month before setting a budget...How much money do I have or earn? How much do I want to save?" Basic shit like that. But then I get to this section:

This sounds fucking made up to me. And thankfully, they've provided a source to their claim that "research has repeatedly shown" that writing things down changes behavior. First mistake. What research is this?

Forbes, naturally, my #1 source for absolute dogshit fart-sniffing financial schlock. Forbes is the type of website that guy from high school who constantly posts on linkedin trawls daily for little articles like this that make him feel better about refusing to pay for a decent package for his employees' healthcare (I'm from the United States, a barbaric, conflict-ridden country in the throes of civil unrest, so obsessed with violence that its warlords prioritize weapons over universal medical coverage. I digress). Forbes constantly posts shit like this, and I constantly spend my time at leadership seminars debunking poor consultants who get paid to read these claims credulously. Look at this highlighted text. Does it make sense to you that simply writing your financial goals down would result in a 10x increase in your income? Because if it does, let me make you an offer on this sick ass bridge.

Thankfully, Forbes also makes the mistake of citing their sources. Let's check to see where this hyperlink goes:

SidSavara. I've never heard of this site, but the About section tells me that Sid is "a technology leader who empowers teams to grow into their best selves. He is a life-long learner enjoys developing software, leading teams in delivering mission critical projects, playing guitar and watching football and basketball."

That doesn't mean anything. What are his LinkedIn credentials? With the caveat that anyone can lie on Linkedin, Mr. Savara appears to be a Software Engineer. Which is fine! I'm glad software engineers exist! But Sid's got nothing in his professional history which suggests he knows shit about finance. So I'm already pretty skeptical of his website, which is increasingly looking like a personal fart-huffing blog.

The article itself repeats the credulous claim made in the Forbes story earlier, but this time, provides no link for the 3% story. Mr. Savara is smarter than his colleages at Forbes, it's much wiser to just make shit up.

HOWEVER. I am not the first person to have followed this rabbit hole. Because at the very top of this article, there is a disclaimer.

Uh oh!

Sid's been called out before, and in the follow up to this article, he reveals the truth.

You can guess where this is going.

So to go back to the VERY beginning of this post, both Pocket/Good Housekeeping and Forbes failed to do even the most basic of research, taking the wild claim that writing down your budget may increase your income by 10x on good faith and the word of a(n admittedly honest about his shortcomings) software engineer.

Why did I spend 30 minutes to make a tumblr post about this? Mostly to show off how smart I am, but also to remind folks of just how flimsy any claim on the internet can be. Click those links, follow those sources, and when the sources stop linking, ask why.

[p0orbaby]

The Lion in the Jungle Shows No Shame

summary: you go into labour

warnings: some minor mention of contractions but that’s it

a/n: rich!reader is me; not the rich part, but the so over everyone part

word count: 1.7k

-

The boardroom at the training ground is frigid, an oppressive sort of sterile, painted in a corporate beige so calculatedly devoid of warmth it borders on offensive. The colour has clearly been chosen by a committee, signed off by no less than five department heads, all with the express goal of sapping any ounce of levity from the room. The walls bear only the club’s logo in gleaming gold, catching the light like a freshly polished trophy, austere and daunting. You’re seated at the head of the table in a chair meant to look sleek and modern but which you’ve always thought resembles a throne, albeit a minimalist, joyless one. You take pride in this spot, preferring the vantage point of a monarch observing her court, where each word, each glance can be read as an unspoken directive. A panel of finance officers sits to your left, expressionless and obedient, while the marketing strategists and department heads to your right wait, perched on the edge of their seats, eager to impress, or perhaps, not be dismissed. You’ve made your mind up on all of their fates already, but they don’t need to know that.

You sit back, legs crossed, and let your gaze drift to the person currently holding court—a sponsorship officer droning on about a potential partnership with an energy drink. The whole affair is tedious, but you feign interest, allowing only a flicker of annoyance to register as you twist the cap of your Montblanc in slow, deliberate turns, a small, repetitive comfort amidst the boredom. The sponsorship officer is yammering on about margins and high-profile market share. You nod, keeping your expression intentionally neutral, a carefully cultivated mask of polite detachment.

Nine months pregnant isn’t ideal, but that doesn’t mean anyone gets a pass. If you’re still here, they have no excuse for underperforming. You’ve kept every meeting, every review, every grueling evaluation on schedule, so there’s no room for them to slip up. Your presence is a reminder that leadership doesn’t come with compromises or concessions—not even now. Alexia might have opinions about it, but she knows better than to question your commitment. At least, that’s what you tell yourself.

Then, there’s a twinge—a faint prickling in your lower back. You tell yourself it’s nothing, just the sort of trivial discomfort you’ve brushed off for weeks now. You shift slightly, adjusting in your seat. Subtle, hardly noticeable. But someone—some unfortunate junior in marketing, possibly fresh out of his MBA programme and clearly untrained in discretion—glances over. He catches it, the flicker of discomfort. There’s the faintest suggestion of concern on his face, a furrowed brow, a hesitant question half-formed before he thinks better of it.

Good.

You meet his gaze and reward him with a smile—half genuine, mostly a warning. He gulps, as if he’s swallowed something sharp, and turns his attention back to his notes.

Then the pain intensifies, sharper this time. It tightens low and fierce, radiating like an overstretched muscle, and you have to will your expression to remain steady, blank, entirely unaffected. Your eyes fixate on the PowerPoint slide, as if by staring hard enough you can dissolve the discomfort into the soulless white glow of the projector. But no, it’s there, settling in like an uninvited guest who intends to stay.

The marketing intern glances up again. This time, he actually manages a look of pity. He’s hardly subtle about it. You almost laugh—almost—except the contraction twists hard enough to force you to hold your breath, and your fingers press a touch too hard against the table.

The finance officer drones on, oblivious, his voice a steady monotone against the quiet hum of the air conditioning. Someone in the corner clears their throat. The sound cuts through the room like a scalpel.

“Ma’am,” he says, hesitant, looking anywhere but at you. “If you’d like to take a break—”

You wave him off with a flick of your wrist. “I’m perfectly fine. Let’s keep this moving, please.” Your words are clipped, precise, the kind that leave no room for doubt. You feel the weight of the room’s collective discomfort settle around you, like fog gathering, thick and stifling. The intern looks at you again, wide-eyed, uncertain, and you catch his gaze with a look so cold he almost recoils.

“Of course,” he mumbles, fumbling with his laptop, frantically tapping keys as if the sheer speed of his typing will save him from your wrath.

The next contraction slams into you with a ferocity that makes your breath hitch. A sharper, hotter pain spirals down your spine, and you grip the edge of the table, harder this time. The finance officer is rambling about revenue share and high-growth potential, but his words are disintegrating, merging into the mechanical hum of the fluorescent lights overhead, until they’re nothing but a dull, meaningless drone.

“Ma’am?” The intern speaks again, tentatively. “Are you sure you’re… alright?”

You turn to him with a look that could shatter glass. “Do I look unwell to you?”

His face drains of colour. “No, of course not,” he stammers. “Just… checking”

There it is again, that shift. It’s slight but palpable, a crack in the air. Power slipping. The assistant to your left, normally so silent and obedient, dares to glance your way with what might be concern. Another staffer coughs, hiding his expression in a notebook, though you can see his eyes darting nervously across the table. They’re all shifting now, uncomfortable, glancing at each other in a silent exchange, a web of tension growing thicker with each stolen glance.

You grit your teeth, willing the pain to dissipate, willing them all to get back to their work and stop—just stop looking at you like you’re some fragile artefact about to shatter.

Then, your assistant, Julian, a man so dependable you’d have trusted him with your life savings, makes the first move. He stands, smoothing his tie, clearing his throat in a way that’s maddeningly self-assured. “I think we need to get someone,” he says, his voice gentle but insistent, like a fatherly reprimand. “Just… in case”

Your eyes narrow into slits. “Sit down,” you say, your voice a low, dangerous murmur. “Now”

He hesitates, and the silence stretches, taut as a wire. Then, inexplicably, he defies you. “I’m calling Alexia,” he says. His voice is barely above a whisper, but it cuts through the silence like a blade.

The shock is visceral, immediate. You can feel it rippling through the room, see it in the furtive glances darting across the table. You, the unassailable chief, suddenly vulnerable, and worse, defied. You hear murmurs, soft but unmissable, as if they’re collectively holding their breath, waiting for you to explode.

Alexia. Coming here. The idea sends a fresh wave of mortification rolling through you, sharper and hotter than any contraction. Alexia, with her bluntness, her inability to mince words. She’ll walk in here, she’ll see you, and she’ll say exactly what she’s thinking, in front of everyone.

The finance officer clears his throat again, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. “Maybe we should… reconvene another time?” He avoids your gaze, wisely. His voice is tentative, as though he’s testing the air for danger.

“Absolutely not,” you bite out, voice like ice. “We’re finishing this meeting. Right now”

But it’s too late. The tension is too thick, the unease in the room too palpable to ignore. You can feel their eyes on you, hesitant, searching, a quiet mutiny blooming under their skin, as though you’re something fragile, a rare beast they don’t quite know how to handle. You grip the edge of the table again, willing the pain to subside, to vanish, anything to regain control of the situation.

Then, the door swings open, and there she is: Alexia, in her training kit, her hair damp with sweat, her eyes blazing with a fury so palpable it sends a ripple of shock through the room. She locks eyes with you, her expression a lethal blend of exasperation and concern. The silence deepens, everyone watching with barely concealed curiosity.

“You’re still here,” she says, each word clipped and loaded, a statement more than a question. It lands like a slap.

You force a smile, though it’s tight and strained. “I’m fine”

She sweeps a gaze across the room, her eyes taking in the faces of your subordinates, each one frozen in various states of unease and fascination. When she looks back at you, her expression is a mix of incredulity and… pity. She almost smirks, as if to say, Look at you now.

“You’re in labour,” she says, loud enough for everyone to hear, her voice filled with a quiet, unmistakable fury. “And you’re… what? Leading a meeting?”

You can feel the weight of their stares, the barely-concealed smirks, the disbelief. You, their fearless leader, brought low, bossed around by your own spouse in front of them. You can already hear the whispers, the knowing chuckles that will ripple through the ranks for weeks, the stories that will morph and grow.

“I really don’t think this is necessary,” you manage, but your voice is weak, a mere shadow of its usual authority.

“Necessary?” Alexia repeats, crossing her arms. “You think it’s not necessary to go to the hospital when you’re about to give birth?”

Someone stifles a laugh—an intern, no less. You shoot him a look that promises retribution, but it’s lost amidst the pain that surges again, more intense, unrelenting. Then, Alexia’s arm is around you, firm yet gentle, steering you toward the door with a resolve that’s unyielding.

You give one last, desperate protest. “There’s no need to make a fuss. Really, I—”

“Enough,” she says, and her voice is a balm, a force, something that both steadies and infuriates you. Her arm around you is warm, grounding, and for a moment, your frustration melts, replaced by something softer, something you won’t allow yourself to name.

As Alexia guides you out, you catch a final glimpse of the boardroom, your staff looking back at you with expressions ranging from bemused pity to unspoken amusement. You know, with chilling certainty, that this will be the story of the month, if not the year. But with Alexia’s arm wrapped around you, her presence beside you, that irritation begins to fade.

The door closes, sealing you from their whispers, from their smirks. Just this once, you let it go.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Sympathy for the spammer

Catch me in Miami! I'll be at Books and Books in Coral Gables on Jan 22 at 8PM.

In any scam, any con, any hustle, the big winners are the people who supply the scammers – not the scammers themselves. The kids selling dope on the corner are making less than minimum wage, while the respectable crime-bosses who own the labs clean up. Desperate "retail investors" who buy shitcoins from Superbowl ads get skinned, while the MBA bros who issue the coins make millions (in real dollars, not crypto).

It's ever been thus. The California gold rush was a con, and nearly everyone who went west went broke. Famously, the only reliable way to cash out on the gold rush was to sell "picks and shovels" to the credulous, doomed and desperate. That's how Leland Stanford made his fortune, which he funneled into eugenics programs (and founding a university):

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/malcolm-harris/palo-alto/9780316592031/

That means that the people who try to con you are almost always getting conned themselves. Think of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) scams. My forthcoming novel The Bezzle opens with a baroque and improbable fast-food Ponzi in the town of Avalon on the island of Catalina, founded by the chicle monopolist William Wrigley Jr:

http://thebezzle.org

Wrigley found fast food declasse and banned it from the island, a rule that persists to this day. In The Bezzle, the forensic detective Martin Hench uncovers The Fry Guys, an MLM that flash-freezes contraband burgers and fries smuggled on-island from the mainland and sells them to islanders though an "affiliate marketing" scheme that is really about recruiting other affiliate markets to sell under you. As with every MLM, the value of the burgers and fries sold is dwarfed by the gigantic edifice of finance fraud built around it, with "points" being bought and sold for real cash, which is snaffled up and sucked out of the island by a greedy mainlander who is behind the scheme.

A "bezzle" is John Kenneth Galbraith's term for "the magic interval when a confidence trickster knows he has the money he has appropriated but the victim does not yet understand that he has lost it." In every scam, there's a period where everyone feels richer – but only the scammers are actually cleaning up. The wealth of the marks is illusory, but the longer the scammer can preserve the illusion, the more real money the marks will pump into the system.

MLMs are particularly ugly, because they target people who are shut out of economic opportunity – women, people of color, working people. These people necessarily rely on social ties for survival, looking after each others' kids, loaning each other money they can't afford, sharing what little they have when others have nothing.

It's this social cohesion that MLMs weaponize. Crypto "entrepreneurs" are encouraged to suck in their friends and family by telling them that they're "building Black wealth." Working women are exhorted to suck in their bffs by appealing to their sisterhood and the chance for "women to lift each other up."

The "sales people" trying to get you to buy crypto or leggings or supplements are engaged in predatory conduct that will make you financially and socially worse off, wrecking their communities' finances and shattering the mutual aid survival networks they rely on. But they're not getting rich on this – they're also being scammed:

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4686468

This really hit home for me in the mid-2000s, when I was still editing Boing Boing. We had a submission form where our readers could submit links for us to look at for inclusion on the blog, and it was overwhelmed by spam. We'd add all kinds of antispam to it, and still, we'd get floods of hundreds or even thousands of spam submissions to it.

One night, I was lying in my bed in London and watching these spams roll in. They were all for small businesses in the rustbelt, handyman services, lawn-care, odd jobs, that kind of thing. They were 10 million miles from the kind of thing we'd ever post about on Boing Boing. They were coming in so thickly that I literally couldn't finish downloading my email – the POP session was dropping before I could get all the mail in the spool. I had to ssh into my mail server and delete them by hand. It was maddening.

Frustrated and furious, I started calling the phone numbers associated with these small businesses, demanding an explanation. I assumed that they'd hired some kind of sleazy marketing service and I wanted to know who it was so I could give them a piece of my mind.

But what I discovered when I got through was much weirder. These people had all been laid off from factories that were shuttering due to globalization. As part of their termination packages, their bosses had offered them "retraining" via "courses" in founding their own businesses.

The "courses" were the precursors to the current era's rise-and-grind hustle-culture scams (again, the only people getting rich from that stuff are the people selling the courses – the "students" finish the course poorer). They promised these laid-off workers, who'd given their lives to their former employers before being discarded, that they just needed to pull themselves up by their own boostraps:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/10/declaration-of-interdependence/#solidarity-forever

After all, we had the internet now! There were so many new opportunities to be your own boss! The course came with a dreadful build-your-own-website service, complete with an overpriced domain sales portal, and a single form for submitting your new business to "thousands of search engines."

This was nearly 20 years ago, but even then, there was really only one search engine that mattered: Google. The "thousands of search engines" the scammers promised to submit these desperate peoples' websites to were just submission forms for directories, indexes, blogs, and mailing lists. The number of directories, indexes, blogs and mailing lists that would publish their submissions was either "zero" or "nearly zero." There was certainly no possibility that anyone at Boing Boing would ever press the wrong key and accidentally write a 500-word blog post about a leaf-raking service in a collapsing deindustrialized exurb in Kentucky or Ohio.

The people who were drowning me in spam weren't the scammers – they were the scammees.

But that's only half the story. Years later, I discovered how our submission form was getting included in this get-rich-quick's mass-submission system. It was a MLM! Coders in the former Soviet Union were getting work via darknet websites that promised them relative pittances for every submission form they reverse-engineered and submitted. The smart coders didn't crack the forms directly – they recruited other, less business-savvy coders to do that for them, and then often as not, ripped them off.

The scam economy runs on this kind of indirection, where scammees are turned into scammers, who flood useful and productive and nice spaces with useless dross that doesn't even make them any money. Take the submission queue at Clarkesworld, the great online science fiction magazine, which famously had to close after it was flooded with thousands of junk submission "written" by LLMs:

https://www.npr.org/2023/02/24/1159286436/ai-chatbot-chatgpt-magazine-clarkesworld-artificial-intelligence

There was a zero percent chance that Neil Clarke would accidentally accept one of these submissions. They were uniformly terrible. The people submitting these "stories" weren't frustrated sf writers who'd discovered a "life hack" that let them turn out more brilliant prose at scale.

They were scammers who'd been scammed into thinking that AIs were the key to a life of passive income, a 4-Hour Work-Week powered by an AI-based self-licking ice-cream cone:

https://pod.link/1651876897/episode/995c8a778ede17d2d7cff393e5203157

This is absolutely classic passive-income brainworms thinking. "I have a bot that can turn out plausible sentences. I will locate places where sentences can be exchanged for money, aim my bot at it, sit back, and count my winnings." It's MBA logic on meth: find a thing people pay for, then, without bothering to understand why they pay for that thing, find a way to generate something like it at scale and bombard them with it.

Con artists start by conning themselves, with the idea that "you can't con an honest man." But the factor that predicts whether someone is connable isn't their honesty – it's their desperation. The kid selling drugs on the corner, the mom desperately DMing her high-school friends to sell them leggings, the cousin who insists that you get in on their shitcoin – they're all doing it because the system is rigged against them, and getting worse every day.

These people reason – correctly – that all the people getting really rich are scamming. If Amazon can make $38b/year selling "ads" that push worse products that cost more to the top of their search results, why should the mere fact that an "opportunity" is obviously predatory and fraudulent disqualify it?

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/29/aethelred-the-unready/#not-one-penny-for-tribute

The quest for passive income is really the quest for a "greater fool," the economist's term for the person who relieves you of the useless crap you just overpaid for. It rots the mind, atomizes communities, shatters solidarity and breeds cynicism:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/24/passive-income/#swiss-cheese-security

The rise and rise of botshit cannot be separated from this phenomenon. The botshit in our search-results, our social media feeds, and our in-boxes isn't making money for the enshittifiers who send it – rather, they are being hustled by someone who's selling them the "picks and shovels" for the AI gold rush:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/03/botshit-generative-ai-imminent-threat-democracy

That's the true cost of all the automation-driven unemployment criti-hype: while we're nowhere near a place where bots can steal your job, we're certainly at the point where your boss can be suckered into firing you and replacing you with a bot that fails at doing your job:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/11/robots-stole-my-jerb/#computer-says-no

The manic "entrepreneurs" who've been stampeded into panic by the (correct) perception that the economy is a game of musical chairs where the number of chairs is decreasing at breakneck speed are easy marks for the Leland Stanfords of AI, who are creating generational wealth for themselves by promising that their bots will automate away all the tedious work that goes into creating value. Expect a lot more Amazon Marketplace products called "I'm sorry, I cannot fulfil this request as it goes against OpenAI use policy":

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/12/24036156/openai-policy-amazon-ai-listings

No one's going to buy these products, but the AI picks-and-shovels people will still reap a fortune from the attempt. And because history repeats itself, these newly minted billionaires are continuing Leland Stanford's love affair with eugenics:

https://www.truthdig.com/dig-series/eugenics/

The fact that AI spam doesn't pay is important to the fortunes of AI companies. Most high-value AI applications are very risk-intolerant (self-driving cars, radiology analysis, etc). An AI tool might help a human perform these tasks more accurately – by warning them of things that they've missed – but that's not how AI will turn a profit. There's no market for AI that makes your workers cost more but makes them better at their jobs:

https://locusmag.com/2023/12/commentary-cory-doctorow-what-kind-of-bubble-is-ai/

Plenty of people think that spam might be the elusive high-value, low-risk AI application. But that's just not true. The point of AI spam is to get clicks from people who are looking for better content. It's SEO. No one reads 2000 words of algorithm-pleasing LLM garbage over an omelette recipe and then subscribes to that site's feed.

And the omelette recipe generates pennies for the spammer that posted it. They are doing massive volume in order to make those pennies into dollars. You don't make money by posting one spam. If every spammer had to pay the actual recovery costs (energy, chillers, capital amortization, wages) for their query, every AI spam would lose (lots of) money.

Hustle culture and passive income are about turning other peoples' dollars into your dimes. It is a negative-sum activity, a net drain on society. Behind every seemingly successful "passive income" is a con artist who's getting rich by promising – but not delivering – that elusive passive income, and then blaming the victims for not hustling hard enough:

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/12/blueprint-trouble

I'm Kickstarting the audiobook for The Bezzle, the sequel to Red Team Blues, narrated by @wilwheaton! You can pre-order the audiobook and ebook, DRM free, as well as the hardcover, signed or unsigned. There's also bundles with Red Team Blues in ebook, audio or paperback.

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

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/15/passive-income-brainworms/#four-hour-work-week

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[eightyonekilograms]

There's yet another article on Hacker News right now about Boeing, and just like all the other HN articles about Boeing, the majority of the commenters are incandescent with rage that MBAs and finance types have taken a company once known for its engineering excellence and destroyed it.

This is what makes me sad about the "libertarian techbro" stuff from a lot of the left. Many tech types are fully aware of the problems with unrestrained capitalism, and probably would be on board with a feasible alternative, if it was effectively marketed to them. That they haven't done so yet is mostly because they are not swayed by how-dare-you-not-already-agree-with-us rhetoric, and that's the only rhetoric a lot of the contemporary left knows.

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

can u talk a little bit more about the svech babies all grown up? How do you picture them in the future? I’m so invested now 😭😍

yes yes!! i have a longer post somewhere in my drafts that i’ll have to find and tidy up, but a few thoughts!

evie figure skates and goes pretty far, professionally, before an injury takes her out and she retires from the sport except for recreationally. she coaches figure skating as an adult. she also ends up marrying a hockey player (a canes defenseman who she hates at first and then falls in love with)

alina plays tennis through college but never tries to go pro or anything like that. she, i think, is the most “academic” of the svech babies and gets an mba, works in finance and marries a sweet, nerd that has no idea what a carolina hurricane is

kira is the least athletic of the bunch and bounces from sport to sport and job to job after she graduates college. she’s the most creative of the svech kids and i can see her being a writer or going into marketing. she’s also more of a free spirt and low key does the kate hudson thing and never actually marries her long term fiance even though they have a couple of kids

dimitri and maks both play hockey professionally. d is a defenseman and m is a goalie. they play on the same team for a couple of years before an injury forces d to retire. he marries an espn rink-side reporter (he accidentally exposes their relationship live on air and she’s mortified) and maks ends up in a situationship with her cousin for a very long time before they have an accidental pregnancy - they co-parent and drift in and out of a relationship for years until suddenly they have like two or three kids and are like huh okay i guess we actually work well together and become “official” much to andrei and solnyshka’s relief

[ju-vondy]

A special invitation for Jason girlies who love to read...

I'm really thrilled to announce I finally got the A03 invitation and started uploading my fanfiction there! I want to invite you to read and leave your opinion please *shaking in nervousism language*

I couldn't help myself and uploaded 7 chapters already. I'm kinda afraid you guys may not like it, LOL, therefore I decided to put some thoughts about the protagonists here and if you do not identify with my way/pov of seeing them I strongly recommend that you don't read the fanfic because you will hate it.

Let's go?!

♏ JASON: I don't think he's THAT bad. I like to think that this "strong" personality of him is just a mask he puts on because he doesn't like/want to show people that, deep down... He's a vulnerable human being.

You know those Pitbull dogs? They're very gentle breed, but because of their size people think they're aggressive! I believe Jason is exactly like that: from afar, it seems like he's going to bite you... But if you just get close tender and gentle and pet his belly, he'll roll over asking for more love. (lmao)

I also like to think that Jason wasn't always so tough like this. In my head, at some point in his life... He was the kid who was bullied — not the one who bullied. So that's why he's like this today, a bit scatterbrained and cruel.

(Bullying victim 🤝🏻 Vowing to do worse to others when grown up)

I believe that CEO Jason is totally different from Family-Son-Brother Jason. (Yes, I think he has a younger brother*¹) We all act differently when we're at work VS with friends VS family, so why not, right?

It'll be so beautiful to see Candy breaking down all the barriers he built around his inner child MUHAHAHAHA this is so cliché, but I love it!

Headcanons facts I keep in my mind for him:

He was bullied throughout his entire pre-adolescence for being skinny, and also for the white streaks of hair on the sides of his head;

The tattoo on his arm is to cover a scar.

He started taking boxing lessons at 17 because he was tired of getting beaten up by classmates who teased him for being skinny.

He knows how to play the piano and appreciates Operas.

He speaks 4 languages.

He holds a degree in finance, with a specialization in public relations, and has an MBA in administration.

He enjoys a bit of BDSM, yes.

¹* the younger brother is the only person who makes Jason be, like, GOOD. Jason acts totally different when he's around his brother... As if he wants to set an example, you know? Now let's move on to...

♓ CANDY : A tender young woman who, after getting into trouble with Ioan, doesn't want anything to do with mixing work and romance anymore. She doesn't want anything to do with spoiled boys anymore and vowed to put them in their place if she ever came across one again. Sometimes she misses having someone to fulfill her desires, but being a one-night stand for someone is out of the question for her.

She hates casual encounters and wants to find someone for a true, deep and lasting connection. She's firm in her principles, but sometimes she doubts what to do. She constantly follows her heart instead of reason, and she knows she has to stop this stupid habit if she doesn't want to get hurt again.

She's kind, charismatic, and has a big sense of humor. She doesn't back down from Jason's provocations and responds to him in "style"! She's convicted

In the game, she's Ysaline, but for this fanfic, I'll use my OC, Candy who is a redhead and white just because yes ;-;

Headcanons about her:

When she was a child, she hated her name and insisted that everyone must call her "Mandy"

She knows how to speak 4 languages, including sign language.

She likes to sing.

She loves to draw.

Her mom has Latin origins.

She went to college when she was only eighteen years old.

She graduated in advertising, completed a postgraduate degree in information management, and later pursued a specialization in crisis management. She has an MBA in digital marketing. The girl LOVES to study and learn new thing lol (Latin families are kind of strict with that)

She is afraid of heights.

Now... Let's go to the context I imagined for the story. That is: some headcanon facts that I wanted to add to their past to make everything make more sense.

• Jason and Candy studied together, but they don't remember. (fact which will be explored around by the Chapter 10+-)

—> Jason used to tease Candy during class: he would take her pencil case and run away... Tie her shoelaces to the chair leg without her noticing... Tangle her hair, etc. (thinking they had a cat-and-mouse dynamic since childhood makes the whole thing funnier, hahaha)

• Their families were close when they were kids, but a tragedy happened and they lost contact.

—> Jason's father and Candy's father were on a small business trip when their car was brutally hit by a truck. Jason was with them, got seriously injured, and his forearm got a terrible scar (hence his tattoo).

—> Candy's father died instantly. Jason's father is in a coma till nowadays.

—> After the accident, Candy's mother (named Edith Beaumont, not Zahra Dolga) moved with her daughters back to their home country, getting closer to her parents again. Only years later did she return to Amoris, but she never bothered to look for the Mendals to reconnect.

• Everything Jason built was thinking of his father. How satisfied he would be when he woke up from the coma and found out that Jason had been successful as he had always planned... (fact will be explored by the Chapter 20+-)

—> After his father fell into a coma, Jason's uncle named Viktor - the vice-president in the time - took over the company leadership, and Jason had been groomed since childhood to work there. Eventually, Viktor's hunger for power got to his head, and he refused to integrate Jason into the board (after he graduated from college) using the excuse of his poor behavior. From then on, Jason was like, "Oh, so they think I'm the villain? Then I'll be the villain! I don't need this selfish family for anything SCREW THEM UP" and left his father's company only to invest in his own dream.

⚠️🚨SMUT WARNING 🚨⚠️

This fanfiction starts with fire already (but if it slow down after that). So, if you are the kind that don't like smut scenes... Well, good luck reading it. I tried to do something easy so everyone with all tastes could read but... Softness is not something I expect from JasonXCandy. So if you do not have experience with sex scenes maybe you'll find it... weird?

I don't know if you'll get it: I had to start right away with the tension between them finally blowing up. After all, isn't that what we want to see? All hell breaking loose? I'm a sassy reader/player. Of course I want CHAOS. There was no other way: whenever I thought about their story, I got bored having to tell everything from the beginning so my mind just said, '"Nah, start narrating 6 months after the start of the game (MCL) and it's all good. Start telling their story by the point they finally can't help and spend a night together*silence* *considering* But what if people don't lik- *sigh* YOU HAVE TO START THE STORY TELLING HOW THEY WOULD IGNITE TOGETHER, JULIANAAAA'"

⚠️🚨 Why did I decided to write? 🚨⚠️ I just finished playing ep. 3 and my mind started wondering that Beemoov would mess things up. I asked myself how I'd like things to happen between my candy and Jason. I didn't get a answer right away, but then the voice of my imagination whispered "So.... WHAT IF there's this crazy night they spend together, but therefore everything starts over slowly because, guess what? Jason doesn't remember a single thing."

And then I went like "YESSS babe give me that cliche, I'm into it!" and decided to create my own narrative following that ideia of "the night which would change everything about them". Based on that premise, I had to juggle a hundred things to make them able to spend time together after that and... Well, I hope you like the plot my crazy mind came up with!

🚨⚠️ Will there be cliches? 🚨⚠️

Sorry but it will.

🚨⚠️How their dynamic is going to happen? 🚨⚠️

A big blow, and then a slow-burn filled with a lot of tension though. * LAUGHS * And finally FIRE again.

The romance plot it is indeed enemies to lovers but I don't want to be that "I can't date Jason because OMG what my boss will think?" thing (._.) Well, Candy might have her insecurities but she's an adult, it is kind of dumb wasting her mind thinking like that. So don't expect you'll find here scenes like "He is our rival, it's sooo wrooong dAtInG HiM, Oooh what others will think? *~Cries in drama language~*"

It makes more sense if she is tempted/divided/doubtful because Jason is a Don Juan and she doesn't want to break her heart again. My Candy in particular doesn't like the thing of being one-night-stand. And thanks to Devon and Roy she thinks Jason is a bad bad and spoiled guy, so that's the reason she despises him and thinks she should stay away from him because he'll do no good to her............................. But in the same time: Jason *knows* how to do so well... And he's pretty. But she swore to reduce him to dust.... Hate was everything she felt since the beginning. She can't date someone she despises so much, can she? That's it: She hates him because of his despicable personality, it has nothing to do about Jason's being the "rival" from Devenementiel.

Now that you've made it this far and didn't give up on me yet, I bet you have everything you need to read this mesmerizing story if you want to. I'm loving writing about these two! The first chapter begins precisely at the event mentioned in the synopsis: they'll be at a masked ball, and from there, everything will unfold! Are you ready?

Click in the link below and enjoy!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/56514097

[williammontgomery15]

William Montgomery Cerf

Website: https://seaislenews.com/news/2024/mar/04/william-montgomery-cerf-explains-what-to-know-when/

Address: 200 Park Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10171

William Montgomery Cerf is a licensed investment banker currently serving as managing director and portfolio manager at Montclair Investment Partners, UBS Private Wealth Management. Monty Cerf graduated from Cornell University in 1979 with a B.A. in government, then went on to earn his MSC in politics at London School of Economics in 1981, then an MBA in finance from Yale School of Management in 1983. From there, William Montgomery Cerf worked at many investment firms, including JP Morgan, Bear Stearns, and Barclay. He has served on advisory boards for Montclair, Yale, and Cornell, and even served 1 year and 3 months in the Peace Corps. Mr. Cerf was awarded the Forbes/SHOOK Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in New York recognition in January 2019. Now William Montgomery Cerf and his team at UBS personalize solutions for the wealth management of select clients, helping to mitigate risk and maximize return.

finance #William Montgomery Cerf

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monty-cerf-05139/

[kkmu01]

Advance Your Career with an MBA at KKMU

Looking to elevate your career in business management? Discover the MBA program at KKMU, one of the top choices for aspiring business leaders. With a curriculum that blends academic rigor with real-world application, experienced faculty, and industry-focused training, KKMU prepares students for leadership roles in today's competitive business environment. Bookmark this page to explore how KKMU's MBA can be your gateway to success.

[careermantradotorg]

A Comprehensive Guide to ISB Hyderabad: India's Premier B-School

The Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad is one of the most prestigious business schools in India, recognized globally for its world-class curriculum, distinguished faculty, and vibrant campus life. Nestled in the financial capital of Telangana, ISB Hyderabad offers aspiring business leaders the opportunity to receive top-tier education in management and leadership. In this blog, we will dive deep into what makes ISB Hyderabad a leading destination for MBA aspirants across the world.

Why Choose ISB Hyderabad?

When it comes to selecting a business school, ISB Hyderabad stands out for its commitment to excellence in management education. Here's why it's a preferred choice for students:

1. Global Recognition and Rankings

ISB Hyderabad consistently ranks among the top business schools in India and globally. It has been featured in prestigious rankings like the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, solidifying its position as a premier B-school. The institution’s focus on innovation, research, and practical learning makes it a unique place for grooming future business leaders.

2. World-Class Faculty

One of the distinguishing features of ISB Hyderabad is its faculty, which comprises leading scholars and practitioners from around the world. Professors at ISB bring a mix of academic rigor and real-world business experience, offering students insights into the latest trends and challenges in global business.

3. International Collaborations

ISB Hyderabad has strategic collaborations with top international B-schools such as Kellogg School of Management, Wharton, and London Business School. These partnerships allow students to benefit from a global perspective, access to exchange programs, and collaborative research opportunities, enhancing the overall learning experience.

4. Diverse Student Community

The student body at ISB Hyderabad is a mix of professionals from various industries, backgrounds, and countries, fostering an enriching peer-learning environment. This diversity enhances discussions in the classroom and allows students to gain insights from a wide range of perspectives, preparing them to lead in a globalized business world.

Programs Offered at ISB Hyderabad

ISB Hyderabad offers a variety of programs that cater to the needs of professionals at different stages of their careers:

1. Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP)

The flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) at ISB Hyderabad is a one-year intensive MBA program designed for professionals looking to fast-track their careers. The program covers all key aspects of management, including leadership, strategy, marketing, finance, and operations. The curriculum is regularly updated to keep pace with the changing business environment, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the latest skills.

2. Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives (PGPMAX)

The PGPMAX is a unique offering for experienced professionals and senior executives. This part-time executive MBA program is designed for those who want to continue working while enhancing their leadership skills and knowledge.

3. Fellow Programme in Management (FPM)

For those interested in pursuing a career in academia or advanced research, the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) provides rigorous academic training. It is ISB’s equivalent to a Ph.D. and is recognized as one of the top doctoral programs in the country.

4. Executive Education Programs

ISB Hyderabad also offers a range of Executive Education Programs designed for working professionals who want to acquire new skills or upskill themselves in specific areas of business. These short-term courses help professionals stay ahead of the curve by learning from global experts.

ISB Hyderabad Campus and Facilities

The ISB Hyderabad campus is a perfect blend of modern infrastructure and natural beauty. Spread across 260 acres, the campus provides state-of-the-art facilities for students, including:

Library: The LRC (Learning Resource Center) has a vast collection of books, journals, and digital resources that support learning and research.

Student Housing: ISB offers on-campus accommodation that promotes a community environment, helping students build relationships with peers and faculty.

Sports Facilities: From tennis courts to a modern gymnasium, ISB Hyderabad offers a range of sports and fitness facilities to help students maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Placements and Career Opportunities

ISB Hyderabad has a robust placement process, with companies from around the world recruiting its graduates. The Placement Office at ISB helps students connect with top recruiters in various industries, such as consulting, finance, technology, and FMCG.

Some of the top companies that recruit from ISB Hyderabad include:

McKinsey & Company

Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Amazon

Google

Goldman Sachs

Graduates from ISB Hyderabad often go on to hold leadership positions in their respective fields, with many choosing to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

Alumni Network

The ISB Hyderabad alumni network is vast and spread across industries and geographies. With over 12,000 alumni, this global network provides students and graduates with invaluable networking opportunities, mentorship, and support in their professional journeys. Alumni frequently participate in on-campus events, share their experiences, and help current students with career guidance.

Admission Process

The admission process at ISB Hyderabad is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated on various criteria, including academic background, work experience, GMAT/GRE scores, and personal essays. Strong leadership potential and a desire to make an impact are critical aspects that ISB looks for in its candidates.

Key Admission Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Valid GMAT or GRE score

Minimum 2 years of full-time work experience

Leadership potential and strong interpersonal skills

Conclusion

ISB Hyderabad is a dream destination for many aspiring business leaders. With its exceptional faculty, diverse student body, and strong industry connections, it offers students a unique platform to develop their skills, network with industry leaders, and achieve their career goals. Whether you are a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, ISB Hyderabad has something to offer everyone who seeks to make an impact in the world of business.

If you're considering pursuing a world-class management education in India, ISB Hyderabad should definitely be at the top of your list.

[shuaflix]

i think i accidentally sent this ask to your other blog (forgive me bc i have no idea how this damn app works) but what do you think the svt members would choose as a college major?

omg i do see it in my inbox HAHAH but don’t worry about it at all !! 🤍🤍 i don’t blame you tumblr’s so confusing sometimes 🤧 also god i’m so bad at these types of headcanons bc some ppl choose the randomest majors sometimes HAHAH but i will try for u 🤲 also ik some of them already have degrees but this is just 4 shits n giggles

cheol: absolutely a business major i know he’s getting his mba after too

jeonghan: psychology! or political science i can see him going into law

joshua: biology slash pre-med

junhui: i feel like he would get in for architecture and then switch into history

hoshi: mechanical engineering 🔥 he hates it but he doesn’t mind bc he just joins hella clubs/orgs

wonwoo: i can either see wonwoo being a philosophy major or literature

jihoon: MUSIC. or…… i can also see him doing computer science and complaining about group projects like every other day

seokmin: theater. or environmental engineering Okay i see it

mingyu: im seeing two very different options for him……. nursing or finance (finance bro 🙁)

minghao: he is soooo fashion & design i can literally see him studying in italy. but also i can see him doing psychology

seungkwan: journalism or coms…… i believe this man was a news anchor in a past life (read: Boo Seungkwan’s Past Life Destiny)

vernon: i have no idea ngl he dropped out of middle school but i can kinda see him wanting bag and going for an engineering degree or totally opposite route and doing music

chan: education or child development omg i feel like he’d be such a good teacher and work rlly well with kids

[mostlysignssomeportents]

A business model for bankrupting the oil companies

Today (June 6), I’m on a Rightscon panel about interoperability.

Tomorrow (June 7), I’m keynoting the Re:publica conference in Berlin.

Thursday (June 8) at 8PM, I’m at Otherland Books in Berlin with my novel Red Team Blues.

When a giant company wrecks your life, what are you gonna do? They can afford more and better lawyers than you can, and they have people whose full time job is fighting off lawsuits — are you really gonna beat those people by pursuing your grievance as a side-hustle? Do you really wanna be a full-time, professional litigant?

For some people, the answer is yes: some people are angry enough, or sufficiently morally offended, to make suing a giant company their life’s mission. Sometimes, they succeed, and force companies to cough up gigantic sums of money. Obviously, this makes the plaintiff better off, but it can also make things better for the rest of us. Money talks and bullshit walks, and once it becomes clear that 300% of the profits from harming people will be sucked out of the company by a lawsuit, shareholders will revolt and force the company to clean up its act.

Shareholders don’t invest in companies that ruin our lives because they are committed to an ideology of cruelty. Ideology only gets you so far: the pursuit of profit incentivizes far worse conduct than mere sadism ever can:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/02/plunderers/#farbenizers

Incentives matter. Companies above a certain size become too big to fail and too big to jail. They capture their regulators and ensure that any damages the government extracts are less than their profits — a fine is a price.

Juries, on the other hand, can and do really whack a company for its bad conduct. They understand that incentives matter. They understand that a company that saves $1,000,001 by cutting back on workplace safety can’t be driven to improve its behavior by a fine of $1,000,000 after it kills a bunch of workers. If profit outstrips penalties, penalties aren’t effective.

A dirty $1m profit needs to be met with a $100m judgment. As the Untouchables MBA teaches us, this is just sound business: “They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPZ6eaL3S2E

But suing these giant companies is hard. They can tie you up in court for years — decades, even. They can outspend and outwait you. The more profits a company has racked up through its evil deeds, the more claims it can fend off. Incentives matter, so if you’re gonna commit corporate murder, you’d better do a lot of it to build up the cash needed to scare off your victims and their survivors.

However: the bigger a company is, the more cash it has, the more money there is to extract from it if you can prevail in court. If the company has genuinely injured you, and if you can mobilize the capital and resources to pursue it to final judgment, there’s a huge payoff at the end of the process — and a lesson for all the other companies contemplating their own course of action.

That’s the Voltaire MBA: “you have to execute an admiral from time to time, in order to encourage the others.”

For hundreds of years, rich, powerful people have observed their colleagues’ abuses and thought, “They only pull that shit on peasants — but if they did it to me, I could sue them for everything!”

This led to an obvious course of action: strike a bargain with the mutilated, ruined peasants to finance their suit against the toff that so abused them, in exchange for a (large) share of the proceeds. Medieval courts called this champerty; today, we call it litigation finance: investing in other peoples’ grievances against deep-pocketed monsters, in the expectation of reaping huge cash payouts.

On paper, litigation finance seems like a neat solution to a messy problem. The bigger a company is, the worse the abuses it commits — and the more it can be made to pay for its sins. The normal economics of litigation are turned upside-down: rather than avoiding the largest companies, you pursue them. This is the Willie Sutton MBA: “That’s where the money is.”

Litigation finance is a large and growing chunk of the finance sector. For about a decade, hedge funds and private equity have been bankrolling law-firms that represent people who’ve been mangled by corporations, keeping the money flowing through whatever delays and entanglements the target throws up:

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/magazine/should-you-be-allowed-to-invest-in-a-lawsuit.html?smid=tw-share

Litigation finance can be thought of as the no-win/no-fee “ambulance chaser” business on steroids. While a local lawyer can make a tidy living going after slip-and-falls and fender-benders, splitting the proceeds with their clients, a firm backed by a huge investment fund can do the same to companies with billions in the bank and hundreds of millions on the line.

Litigation finance is also closely related to impact litigation, which is when a nonprofit uses charitably raised funds to chase corporations and governments through the courts to establish precedents that overturn bad laws or pave the way for future judgments. Impact litigation can be thought of as the trailblazer for litigation finance: for-profit lawsuits are risk averse and stick to pursuing cases that have a high likelihood of eventually succeeding, while impact litigators are a kind of legal entrepreneur, advancing new, uncertain legal theories in the hopes of making new law. Once that law is created, litigation finance can drum up thousands of similarly situated plaintiffs and sue tons of companies on the same theory, citing the new precedent.

Litigation finance’s first big scores was going after med-tech and pharma companies. A lax regulatory environment allowed medical companies to market deadly products that maimed or killed people wholesale — think Vioxx, vaginal meshes or metal-on-metal hip replacements (a doc about this, The Bleeding Edge, will give you persistent nightmares):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bleeding_Edge

Suing the companies that killed your family or permanently disabled you is a slow and ugly process, but it’s a lot more certain than asking Congress to patch the loopholes the company that hurt you exploited, or hoping that a future President will appoint an agency head who gives a shit, and that the Senate will confirm them. And since money talks and bullshit walks, corporations that can’t pay dividends or do stock buybacks because they owe all their cash to their victims will suffer in the stock market, and their rivals will clean house and tread carefully.

Which brings me to the latest turn in litigation finance: climate litigation. As more and more money has sloshed into ESG funds that are supposed to make money by investing in ethical, climate-friendly businesses, the idea of suing giant oil companies and other wreckers has grown more attractive. 18 months ago, Businessweek covered the nascent-but-growing phenomenon:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/09/grievance-factory/#champerty

That growth has only continued. With more and larger ESG funds chasing returns, there’s a lot more money available to represent, say, poisoned indigenous people in the global south whose ancestral lands have been rendered an uninhabitable hellscape by a mining or petrochemical company. The returns from these cases aren’t correlated with wider economic trends: whether the market is up down, it makes no difference to the size of the judgment or settlement that is extracted in the end.

A new piece in the Financial Times by Camilla Hodgson does an excellent job rounding up the state of play in litigation finance, starting with the oil giant PTTEP paying $102m to 15,000 Indonesian farmers to settle claims stemming from a massive, ocean-killing oil spill in 2019:

https://www.ft.com/content/055ef9f4-5fb7-4746-bebd-7bfa00b20c82

The firm that financed the suit is Harbour Litigation Funding, and they paid for a lot of shoe-leather lawyering, sending reps on off-road motorbikes to each of the farmers’ plots to sign them up. The case cost more than $21m, and Harbour creamed $53.5m off the top of the settlement from PTTEP — about 40% of the total.

Those numbers are pretty compelling investment story: there aren’t a lot of opportunities to make a >100% return on a $21m investment in 15 years — let alone investments that let you claim to be bringing justice to poor farmers who’ve been abused by rapacious corporate murderers.

Other cases are still ongoing: mining giant BHP is facing a £36b class action case over the 2015 collapse of Brazil’s Fundão dam, which released poisoned mine-tailings into waterways serving millions of people. 700,000 plaintiffs are in the class, and the investors, Prisma Capital (Brazil) and North Wall Capital (UK) have already fronted £70m pursuing the case.

There is a vast inventory of cases like these, just lying around, waiting for someone to stake a claim. One barrier is that most of the world’s large law firms are conflicted out of pursuing these cases — they represent these same companies in other actions. But a new sector of specialized, un-conflicted firms is growing up, and tackling more and more of these cases.

These firms are chasing relatively easy claims, but there’s an even bigger fish out there, waiting to be caught: class actions against carbon-intensive companies, especially coal and oil companies, for their knowing contributions to the global climate emergency. These corporations are sitting on hundreds of billions of dollars, and they have inflicted trillions in harms. There’s gold in them thar wildfires.

The FT cites experts who predict a massive wave of litigation finance climate suits in the next 2–3 years, and notes an increasing tempo of shareholder motions demanding that big oil and mining companies disclose their litigation risks in their investor reports. This is a very compelling idea, a kaiju boss-fight in which we recruit monsters to fight other monsters. It’s such a fun idea that I actually wrote a novel about it, 2009’s Makers, in which corporate misconduct that has not yet reached the statute of limitations becomes the new oil, prompting a huge investment bubble:

https://craphound.com/category/makers/

But is the answer to a bad guy with a law firm a good guy with a law firm? There are certainly some ways this can go very wrong (many of which end up in Makers). Back in 2015, Cathy O’Neil published an excellent critique of litigation finance in the context of vaginal mesh cases:

https://mathbabe.org/2015/09/01/litigation-finance-a-terrible-idea/

O’Neill’s point is that incentives matter. The incentive for a litigation finance fund is to extract settlements, not win justice. Time and again, we’ve seen how a financial tactic can be severed from a societal strategy — like how GDP can be goosed to spectacular heights without improving national prosperity.

There’s even a name for this phenomenon: Goodhart’s Law: “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.” The finance sector is spookily good at decoupling positive societal outcomes from positive investor outcomes. The real answer to medical companies that mutilate women with vaginal meshes, or destroy the planet with CO2, is criminal sanctions and regulation, not private lawsuits.

That said, I think there’s a case for the one leading to the other. Right now, climate wreckers devote very large sums to preventing effective action on climate. Suborning regulators and politicians all over the world isn’t cheap. If we take away the money they’ve saved up for this project through stonking, eye-watering judgments, and if we convince the capital markets not to give them any more money lest it be immediately extracted to pay for more redress of a litany of grievances, then perhaps we can deprive them of the capacity of corrupt our political process.

One way to understand whether something is a genuine threat to a company’s power is to look at how viciously the company attacks it. If you doubt that unions could do good for workers, just take a peep at the all-out violent blitzes that Amazon and Starbucks mount in the face of union drives. I mean, imagine if the Democratic Party took unions half as seriously as the GOP!

The corporate lobby exhibits the same terror over plaintiff-side lawsuits as it does over unions. A massive, decades-long campaign to villify plaintiff-side lawyers has convinced many of us that corporations are the victims of the legal system, rather than its masters. The PR campaign is surprisingly effective, despite its reliance on lies about the “McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit” and other urban legends:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/12/hot-coffee/#mcgeico

Corporate plunderers are terrified of being dragged into court by their victims, and devote titanic amounts of blood and treasure into making it harder and harder to do so. On the “the more scared the are, the better” metric, litigation finance is a slam dunk.

But winning a case isn’t the same as getting a judgment or disciplining a firm. When Steven Donziger won a landmark judgment against Chevron on behalf of indigenous people whose lands and bodies had been permanently poisoned, the company struck back:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/02/free-steven-donziger/#free-donziger

Chevron bribed a judge in Ecuador to claim that Donziger had rigged the case, then brought a case in the US against Donziger for racketeering, judge-shopping to get judge Lewis A Kaplan on their case. Kaplan is a former tobacco industry lawyer who never met a corporate criminal he didn’t love, and when the SDNY prosecutor declined to press charges against Donziger because the case was absurd, Kaplan appointed a private lawyer — whose firm also acted for Chevron! — to act as prosecutor. The case against Donziger was obviously trumped up — the Ecuadoran judge who accused him of corruption later recanted and multiple countries’ Supreme Courts upheld the judgment Donziger won against Chevron. Nevertheless, Kaplan got Donziger locked up under house arrest for years, and even got him banged up in Riker’s for a time. Donziger’s lost his law license and his clients are still awaiting judgment.

This is the best law that money can buy, and Chevron has a lot of money. The massive expenditures needed to railroad Donizer were a pittance compared to the $9.5b judgment Chevron owed its victims in Ecuador.

The lesson of Donziger is that these companies won’t go genrly to their graves. They are enormously, unimaginably wealthy and act with the ruthlessness born of greed, which makes mere sadism pale by comparison. Litigation finance is exciting and promising, but it’s only a tactic — and it’s a tactic that’s always in danger of being turned against the goal it nominally serves. The people funding litigation finance don’t want to save the world — they just want to get rich. They can and will change sides if someone can make the business case for doing so.

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

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/06/thats-where-the-money-is/#champerty

[Image ID: A mirrored office tower bearing the Exxon logo. One face of the office tower is a graffiti-covered ATM. Before the tower is a giant pile of bricks of oversized US $100 bills in paper wrappers. The ATM screen depicts a smouldering Deep Water Horizon oil platform.]

Image:

Flying Logos (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Over_$1,000,000_dollars_in_USD_$100_bill_stacks.png

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

 — 

Joe Shlabotnik (modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/joeshlabotnik/2299501806/

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

[studymaterialanindita]

The Value of a BCA Degree: Is It Worth Pursuing?

In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and business, the Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree has emerged as a popular choice for students aiming to carve out a career in the IT sector. As technology continues to influence every aspect of our lives, the demand for skilled professionals in the field has never been higher. But is a BCA degree truly worth pursuing? Let’s explore the benefits and considerations to help you determine if this path aligns with your career goals.

What is a BCA Degree?

A Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) is a three-year undergraduate program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in computer science and applications. The curriculum typically covers programming languages, software development, database management, networking, and other core areas of IT. In addition to technical skills, BCA programs often include training in problem-solving and project management.

Benefits of Pursuing a BCA Degree

Foundation in IT Skills: The BCA program equips students with essential IT skills, including proficiency in programming languages like Java, C++, and Python. This foundation is crucial for any career in technology and prepares students for various technical roles.

Diverse Career Opportunities: Graduates of BCA programs can pursue a wide range of careers in IT and related fields. Job roles such as software developer, web developer, system analyst, and network administrator are just a few examples. Additionally, the skills gained from a BCA degree can also be applicable in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education.

Gateway to Advanced Studies: For those interested in further specialization, a BCA degree can serve as a stepping stone to advanced degrees such as a Master’s in Computer Applications (MCA) or a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). These advanced degrees can open doors to higher-level positions and increased earning potential.

Practical Experience: Many BCA programs emphasize practical experience through internships, projects, and industry collaborations. This hands-on approach helps students gain real-world experience, making them more attractive to potential employers.

Growing Demand for IT Professionals: The tech industry continues to expand globally, and the demand for skilled IT professionals is on the rise. A BCA degree can provide a competitive edge in a job market that increasingly values technological expertise.

Considerations Before Pursuing a BCA Degree

Cost and Duration: While a BCA degree is often less expensive than a four-year engineering degree, it’s still a financial commitment. It’s important to weigh the cost of tuition against the potential return on investment in terms of job opportunities and salary.

Job Market Saturation: In some regions, the job market for IT professionals can be competitive. It’s important to research local job markets and employment trends to ensure that there are sufficient opportunities available.

Interest in IT: A BCA degree requires a strong interest in technology and computer science. If you’re not passionate about these fields, you might find the coursework challenging and less engaging.

Long-Term Career Goals: Consider how a BCA degree aligns with your long-term career goals. If you aim to work in highly specialized or advanced IT roles, you may need additional qualifications or experience beyond a BCA degree.

Alternative Paths: There are various alternative paths to a career in IT, such as coding bootcamps, certifications, and online courses. These alternatives can sometimes offer a more flexible or cost-effective route to entering the tech industry.

RERF , while primarily known for its research on radiation exposure and health effects, is not directly related to educational institutions like BCA colleges. However, for students interested in a Best BCA college in Kolkata, the city offers several reputable options that provide a solid foundation in computer applications and technology. These colleges prepare students for diverse IT careers and often include advanced research opportunities in their curriculum. If you're looking to pursue a BCA in Kolkata, you'll find institutions that can equip you with the skills needed for a successful career in the tech industry.

Conclusion

The Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree offers a solid foundation in computer science and opens doors to numerous career opportunities in the technology sector. For those with a passion for IT and a desire to work in a rapidly growing field, the BCA degree can be a worthwhile investment. However, it's essential to consider your personal interests, career goals, and the job market in your area before making a decision. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can determine if a BCA degree aligns with your aspirations and offers the value you’re seeking in your educational and professional journey.

[racefortheironthrone]

Hey Steven, maybe you can help me with something I'm trying to articulate, but I'm not even sure is accurate, just seems like something I've observed, but I could be wrong.

So I've often heard about how the STEM fields are becoming more and more prioritized over the humanities in colleges, and that seems broadly true to me (though there's also other stuff that gets promoted over the humanities like business and law, it feels, though they might qualify as humanities, I don't know), and yet, in my opinion, it seems too broad, cause it seems less STEM and more TE, with the S and M put next to the humanities as fields you shouldn't bother with if you want a profitable career.

Technology and Engineering, it seems to me, are boosted over all else. I don't exactly see people saying get a job as an astronomer or a physicist or a biologist or a mathematician unless it's specifically to "contribute towards society in a profitable way (like, I hear geologists can get employed to help find new sources of fossil fuels, for example)," but meanwhile I hear people say, "just learn to code!" or get a degree in some engineering field or something like that. Basically, a focus on fields that contribute directly to someone making a profit instead of enriching society through the arts or through new discoveries. I don't know if what I said made any sense but I wonder your thoughts on all of it.

(Business I grant you, although a lot of that is due to employers subsidizing MBAs for their white collar workers. However, while Law used to be quite profitable for both parties, it's been in a bit of a demographic crisis for a few years now due to the fact that the number of legal jobs that pay well enough to afford law school tuition have declined massively and the number of people applying to law schools started to nosedive as well. Paul Campos, my colleague at Lawyers, Guns, and Money, has been on that beat for years.)

With regards to STEM, I think it is true that these things are pushed only in so far as they can be harnessed to the generation of profit. Technology and Engineering we agree on; these workers are highly prized by existing industries, they lend themselves well to both start-ups and spin-offs, and their work can be patented in ways that generate profit for both corporations and the university.

However, when it comes to Science, you need to remember that the "S" includes both applied and theoretical sides - and applied sciences look a lot like Technology and Engineering when it comes to industry demand for skilled workers, the potential for start-ups and spin-offs, and the profitability of patents. Think bio-medical, think bio-chemical, think Pharma, think materials and nano-tech and on and on. However, you are quite right when it comes to the theoretical sciences; you do that for the love of the game.

It is true that Mathematics is the most abstract, the most academic, and the hardest to monetize in the ways described above. However, as I learned from my union colleague who was in the Math department (who ironically went on to a career as a union organizer rather than attempt a career as a mathematician), there is one avenue for money-making with a Mathematics degree:

Finance.

I don't know whether this is still as true as when I was in grad school, but it used to be that Wall Street would throw very handsome salaries indeed at anyone with quant skills from any branch of STEM. (In fact, I remember complaints from some Engineering professors that industries that actually make stuff couldn't get enough engineers because they could make more money working for a hedge fund than actually engineering things.)

[liyinjustserved]

Tennis Blog - Introducing Me!

Hi everyone! My name is Liyin Zhu and I am a junior at the University of South Carolina. I'm a double major in Finance and Accounting, with a minor in Data Science and a concentration in Business Analytics. Not too sure what I want to do in the future, but I think the next step is going to grad school to get my MBA!

I have been playing tennis since I was about 7 years old. I played many, many tournaments in juniors (18 and under) and played on the varsity team at my high school for 6 years. Currently, I play #1 for the club tennis team here at USC, and play a lot of matches outside of school as well. I actually am playing a tournament right now and am going to go have lunch with my team after this post! Tennis is something I am incredibly passionate about, and I hope to cover all the ins and outs of tennis (and anything else you want to know) in this blog. I love this sport and I think it's such a great way to get some exercise in. It's one of those sports that you can continue even when you're 70 years old (or older!). My favorite professional player is Hsieh Su Wei, for many reasons, but mainly her unorthodox play style. Here's a youtube video by Tennis Advocate highlighting some of her best plays if anyone wants to check it out!

Glad to have you here!