#Virtual Phone Number System

[techinfotrends]

Optimizing E-Commerce Operations: Key Strategies for Integrating a Virtual Phone Number System

[voiptap]

Compare and Choose the Best VoIP Provider

Find the Perfect VoIP Provider for Your Needs

[dialingersoftware]

Virtual Phone System for Freelancers

The phone system for freelancers for any independent professional gives them easy access to their business. Independent consultants, programmers, and designers may benefit greatly from a state-of-the-art Android- or Apple-based virtual phone dialer for freelancers. Each of your clients needs absolute attention, and with Dialinger, phone calls, clients, and communication in all its forms can be managed with ease, all in one place, conveniently and professionally.

What Is a Virtual Phone System for Freelancers?

A virtual phone system for freelancers is a cloud-powered communication solution that enables you to make and receive calls using the internet without relying on traditional landlines or hardware. With features like call routing, voicemail, call forwarding, and IVR, freelancers can present themselves as organized professionals even if they’re working solo from a café or co-working space.

This system works across multiple devices, so you can stay connected from anywhere. Whether you’re handling international clients or juggling multiple projects, a virtual phone system helps you streamline client communication and stay productive.

Why is Dialinger trusted by freelancers?

No Hardware Required: Dialinger enables instant installation of a business phone system without the clutter of desk phones or cables, which can be done in minutes.

Complete Portability: As each Dialinger system is mobile, users can work from home, on holiday, or in co-working spaces.

Data Security: With the use of end-to-end encryption and data security protocols, Dialinger maintains user privacy during their conversations.

Global Reach: Make international calls to clients all over the world without being charged exorbitantly for international calls, regardless of their time zone.

Support When You Need It: Our support team is always ready to assist with quick onboarding, setup, or troubleshooting.

What Services Do Freelancers Get with Dialinger?

With Dialinger, ease of communication for freelancers is taken to another level. Apart from calling, it allows you to send voice messages either to specific clients or bulk clients as well. Services include:

Local & Toll-Free Virtual Phone Numbers Provide international services with ease using local country codes, region codes, and custom number dialers.

IVR (Interactive Voice Response) Dialinger provides freelancers with custom call set-up flows that greet and guide your clients before they even speak to you.

Voicemail & Call Recording Efficiently save and organize project feedback, inquiries, and notes with integrated voicemail features and recorded calls that can be retrieved at any time.

Bulk SMS Capability Advanced smart auto-reply aids save time, send bulk messages with ease, and schedule reminders, messages, project updates, and marketing texts at once.

Smart Auto-Reply & Call Scheduling A professional looks ahead and notifies clients of unavailability times (such as lunch or working sessions).

Freelance Smarter with Dialinger’s Phone System

Working freelancers should harness opportunities presented by each incoming call. Every call dialed, whether a follow-up or a new client inquiry, is a prospective opportunity. Gain trust and optimize your brand with seamless Dialingers ’phone systems that offer unmatched professionalism and flexibility while working from anywhere. Streamlined communication makes you appear more professional with the Dialinger phone system, aiding in remote work flexibility.

There’s no longer a need to balance a dozen apps or to personally use phone numbers for business purposes. Communicate with clients, customers, or colleagues seamlessly over a single app, and Dialinger will wow them for you. Whether you’re casually freelancing on the side or working full-time, every freelancer requires a reliable digital partner with expert communication skills.

[stevesmith1050609]

[devils-yui]

Reposting this from a friend bc I think it is VERY important to know of this, and for immigrants, and other possible victims of the ICE Raids happening right now

Here’s to also a very huge edit, from the list of very helpful people who have been reblogging and providing more info.

I’m not as well informed but I will be relaying the information and tagging each person who added onto this post:

@onthedriftinthetardis -

The phone number in the first photo is ONLY for Orange County, California!

Look up your local ACLU affiliate here

@6feetunderwater -

It always makes me nervous to see a reporting phone number passed around without any links to verify it, so the number in the first pic can be found on the site for the Orange County Rapid Response Network, which is "an interconnected system of non-profit and grassroots organizations, civil rights attorneys, law school clinics, and individuals working together to respond to dehumanizing immigration enforcement activities and policies in Orange County"

@geekerypeekery -

The second warrant is not fake, but is an administrative rather than judicial warrant, and has no constitutional authority to bypass Fourth Amendment protections - in other words, it does not entitle the bearer to enter and search your home. It simply authorizes agents of the issuing department to contact you. Always ask to see the warrant before opening your door!

In addition to the ACLU links, try contacting the National Immigration Law Center https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Warrants-Subpoenas-Facts.pdf

@american-anger -

The phone number listed here is specific to Orange County in California, but you can look up other California counties here:

CALIFORNIA RAPID RESPONSE NETWORKS

@beaniebaneenie -

Unpleasant reminder: within 100 miles of the border (which is home to 200 million people and virtually all major cities in the US), ICE does not need a warrant to enter your home, your car, to search anything, or even to arrest you.

You are not automatically safe just because they don't have a real warrant.

The best and safest thing you can do is learn to have escape routes- quick ways to get out of the house or area you're in if you find out ICE or CBP are around. Those of us who do have documentation? Time for us to step the fuck up.

Film any interaction. Every interaction. If you're able, step into the conversation and be a Karen/Kyle- weaponize your privilege for Good. If you get asked about people? Use positive but vague statements so you a) cannot be caught in a lie, and b) do not give any information away.

"I don't know them that well, but I don't tend to socialize much. They seem great to me."

"I can't remember the last time I saw them."

"Maybe they speak another language, I can't remember details. But I picked up Duolingo during the pandemic and tons of other people did too."

"I'm not sure."

"I'm sorry, I can't help you."

Even if you're somewhere the 100-mile Exception doesn't apply and a warrant is in fact needed? I don't expect ICE and CBP to play by the rules for long, if at all. I fully expect this to get ugly, and fast.

Cheeto has already declared an emergency of national security at the border, and is mobilizing the military to have jurisdiction over a huge swath of the country. It's essentially tantamount to martial law. And it's only been four days.

Gear up for a long, hard fight. This is gonna be a marathon, not a sprint.

— I am leaving all of this as an edit because on the off chance someone does find the posts that have these people specifically reblogging, I don’t want it to be too late. So I’m comprising it all here

Here are a few other people’s reblogs I thought were important:

Thank you @onthedriftinthetardis @6feetunderwater @geekerypeekery @american-anger @beaniebaneenie @bunnychiffon @dubiouslynamed @trisockatops @witchy-disaster for contributing and helping me make this a more well-informed post. Thank you so much

[a1routes]

Top Cloud-Based PBX Solutions: How to Choose the Right One for Your Business Needs

In the modern business world, communication is the cornerstone of success. Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, having the right communication system in place is crucial for both internal collaboration and customer interaction. Cloud-based PBX solutions are fast becoming the preferred choice for businesses of all sizes due to their flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. If your business is considering a switch to a cloud-based system, you’re on the right track. At A1 Routes, we specialize in providing high-quality cloud-based PBX solutions that can be tailored to your company’s specific needs.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to choose the right cloud-based PBX solution for your business, ensuring it aligns with your communication requirements, growth plans, and budget.

What Are Cloud-Based PBX Solutions?

A cloud-based PBX solution (Private Branch Exchange) allows businesses to manage their phone systems over the internet rather than relying on traditional phone lines. These systems are hosted on remote servers, meaning there’s no need for costly on-site hardware or maintenance. Cloud PBX systems provide businesses with a more scalable, flexible, and reliable communication solution compared to traditional phone systems.

How to Choose the Right Cloud-Based PBX Solution for Your Business

Assess Your Business Needs

Before diving into the various cloud-based PBX solutions available, it’s essential to assess your business’s communication needs. Consider factors such as:

The size of your team and the number of phone lines required.

The geographic locations of your employees (local, national, or global).

The need for advanced features like call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, auto-attendants, or integration with customer relationship management (CRM) systems.

The importance of mobile flexibility and remote work capabilities.

At A1 Routes, we understand that each business has unique communication requirements. We offer customized cloud-based solutions that can be scaled to fit your specific needs, whether you're operating from TC Energy Center, 700 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002, USA, or expanding globally.

Consider Reliability and Uptime

When choosing a cloud-based PBX solution, reliability should be a top priority. Downtime or poor call quality can have a significant impact on customer satisfaction and business operations. Make sure that the provider offers a high uptime guarantee, typically 99.9%, to ensure minimal disruptions.

At A1 Routes, we provide enterprise-grade cloud-based PBX solutions with robust infrastructure, ensuring you get reliable and consistent service. Our systems are hosted on secure, redundant servers, offering peace of mind knowing your communication system will be up and running whenever you need it.

Evaluate Scalability and Flexibility

As your business grows, so will your communication needs. One of the biggest advantages of cloud-based PBX solutions is their scalability. A good cloud PBX system should allow you to easily add or remove phone lines, extensions, and features as needed.

Whether you're adding employees, expanding into new locations, or increasing your call volume, a cloud-based solution should be able to scale with your business. Look for a provider that offers flexible pricing and packages to accommodate growth without requiring significant upfront investment.

Check for Key Features and Integrations

Different cloud-based PBX solutions come with varying features. When choosing a system, make sure it includes the features your business needs to stay efficient and competitive. Key features to look for include:

Call forwarding, call routing, and auto-attendants.

Voicemail-to-email and call recording.

Advanced analytics and reporting tools.

Integration with other business systems, such as CRM, email, and messaging apps.

Additionally, make sure the solution supports both VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and traditional landline connections if necessary. At A1 Routes, we offer feature-rich cloud-based PBX solutions with robust integration capabilities, allowing businesses to create a truly seamless communication experience.

Cost-Effectiveness and Value for Money

Cost is always an important factor when choosing a cloud-based PBX solution, but it’s essential to focus on value for money rather than just the price. While traditional phone systems can involve significant upfront costs for hardware and installation, cloud PBX systems typically operate on a subscription basis, which can be more affordable and flexible.

Consider the overall value of the solution, including the features, reliability, and scalability it offers. With A1 Routes, businesses can enjoy cost-effective solutions without sacrificing quality. We offer competitive pricing for our cloud-based PBX services, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to access high-end communication solutions.

Customer Support and Service

Lastly, consider the level of customer support the provider offers. A reliable support team is essential for troubleshooting issues, assisting with setup, and providing ongoing maintenance and updates.

At A1 Routes, we offer excellent customer support to all our clients. Our team is available to assist with any issues and provide personalized support as needed, ensuring your cloud-based PBX solution is running smoothly at all times.

Why Choose A1 Routes for Your Cloud-Based PBX Solutions?

At A1 Routes, we provide businesses in Houston, TX, and beyond with top-tier cloud-based PBX solutions that are tailored to their unique needs. Whether you’re looking for a flexible system to support remote work, advanced features to improve customer experience, or a scalable solution to accommodate future growth, we have you covered.

Get Started Today

Choosing the right cloud-based PBX solution is a crucial step in improving your business’s communication infrastructure. Contact A1 Routes today at 1-347-809-3866 to learn more about how our cloud-based PBX solutions can help you enhance communication, reduce costs, and scale your business. Let us help you find the perfect solution for your business needs!

[luv4arinn]

Bayverse!Donnie headcanons bc his my bbg

Okay, lol, I really needed to let all of this out and just vomit all the ideas I’ve been hoarding about this man. I love him. I’ve adored him ever since the 2012 series, and that made me realize—I definitely have a thing for nerds. And glasses. Dear god.

I hope you guys like this!! Do you think I should do the same for the other brothers? Or maybe for the other characters? (I wouldn’t mind taking the risk and making headcanons like this for Rocksteady, hehe.)

Alright, bye!!

warnings: sfw & nsfw ( but not so explicit?) :p

- He’s a genius with confidence… until he isn’t.

Donnie is incredibly self-assured when it comes to his intellect and skills. He knows his worth and never doubts his ability to solve problems. Jumping out of a plane without a parachute? Easy. Hacking government security systems? A piece of cake. But confessing his feelings to you? That’s a whole different challenge.

This is where his anxious side kicks in. His brain, used to solving any equation, completely short-circuits when it comes to emotions. What if he misinterprets your signals? What if he ruins the friendship? What if you like someone else? Sure, he can design an exoskeleton in less than 24 hours, but love is a field where variables don’t always make sense.

If you think you can hide something from him, think again. Donnie notices everything. From the slight shift in your expression when you’re tired to the pattern of songs you repeat when you’re feeling down. (And no, he absolutely did not hack your Spotify, ahem—)

- That’s why, when you start falling for him, he already knows. In fact, he probably figured it out before you did.

He won’t tell you right away. Inside his head, there’s a storm of chaotic thoughts, organizing themselves into an ultra-detailed data table with every relevant piece of information. Give him a few days, and once his mind has fully processed everything, he’ll come back to you as a renewed Donnie—determined, confident, and ready to make you his.

- Donnie doesn’t just plan things; he breaks them down into a thousand strategies of action. His trash bin is living proof of the number of ideas he discards and reworks over and over.

Gifts? He’s not the type to grab something generic at the last minute. His gifts are so deeply personalized that they’ll make you feel like he knows you better than you know yourself.

Example: If you ever casually mentioned that you’d love to learn to play an instrument, he’ll build one for you—customized with enhancements. If you said you love the stars, he’ll create an interactive star map with the exact alignment of the sky on the day you were born.

Your birthdays, anniversaries, and any special dates are planned years in advance. It doesn’t matter if you’re not officially together yet—he already has ideas saved for when you are.

- Romance in his brain is an equation far too complex.

Donnie isn’t clumsy because he lacks intelligence; it’s because his brain moves too fast. His emotions and logic are in constant conflict, creating an ongoing battle between Confident Donnie and Nervous Donnie.

You’ll see him go from saying something with complete confidence to, “Uh, well… what I meant to say is… no, wait, forget it—” and then getting frustrated with himself because that definitely wasn’t what he had in mind.

But when he manages to organize his thoughts, he’s one of the most direct people you’ll ever meet. Once he crosses the mental line of “I’m doing this,” there’s no turning back.

- Gifts

He doesn’t believe in generic presents. Everything he gives you has a specific purpose. A bracelet that’s actually a disguised tracker (“For safety. Just for safety.”), or a stuffed animal that can record voice messages.

One day, you wake up and find a new app on your phone with your name on it. You open it, and it’s a virtual assistant designed specifically for you, complete with personalized reminders for the little things Donnie knows you always forget.

- Once he has you, you are his priority.

Once Donnie accepts his feelings and takes the step to be with you, he becomes the most devoted boyfriend.

He’s not excessively clingy or jealous like Raph, but his love is obvious in the time and effort he invests in you.

No matter how many projects he’s juggling, if you truly need his attention, he’ll give it to you without hesitation.

- Donnie needs physical contact, but his intellectual pride won’t let him admit it outright. Instead, he prefers to justify it with overly precise scientific explanations.

“Well, you see… my body temperature tends to drop faster than that of the average human, so it’s biologically beneficial for me to share contact with an external heat source.”

Translation: “Hug me. Now.”

If you confront him with something like, “Why don’t you just say you want cuddles?” he’ll turn bright red and start stammering, scrambling for excuses.

Don’t listen. Just climb onto him.

- Donnie can plan everything, but he cannot predict your spontaneous displays of affection.

If you surprise him with a kiss, his brain completely shuts down for 3-5 seconds before he can process it.

Unexpected gestures—hugging him from behind while he’s working, cupping his face in your hands, or kissing his cheek out of nowhere—leave him frozen, recalculating.

Sometimes, his first reflex is to adjust his glasses, only to realize that they have nothing to do with the fact that his vision just blurred from sheer shock.

NSFW

- He’s patient… but only to a point. Donnie will never pressure you. He’ll wait as long as you need, always making sure you feel safe and comfortable.

However… he’s already undressed you with his eyes a million times.

His mind is a machine of ideas and theories, and when it comes to you, he has imagined everything. Everything.

He tells himself he can be rational and controlled… but if you take too long, his thoughts will become a little more persistent.

- He’s not innocent. Don’t even think it for a second.

He may seem shy or awkward about relationships, but when it comes to this, his mind is a laboratory of hypotheses he’s dying to test.

He has analyzed you with surgical precision. He knows exactly how you blush, how you react to certain touches, which words make you tremble.

Do not underestimate him. He has read, he has researched, he has learned.

But nothing compares to the real thing. With you.

When he finally has you in his hands, his brain short-circuits.

No matter how many times he imagined this moment, nothing could have prepared him for the feeling of your skin beneath his fingers.

His jaw clenches, he exhales sharply, and his pupils dilate as if he’s just been electrocuted.

His entire expression changes—from his usual nervousness to something darker, more intense, starving.

- He becomes obsessive about memorizing every single reaction of yours.

He’s analytical. He will learn what you love and make sure to do it better every single time.

Eye contact and sounds. His drug.

Look at him. Don’t look away. Don’t ignore him.

If you dare to hold his gaze while he’s above you, he will completely lose himself in you.

Your voice, your moans, your gasps—they ruin him.

He needs you vocal. He needs to know he’s doing a good job.

If you get shy and try to cover your mouth, he will ask (or demand) that you don’t.

Kinky? Oh, absolutely.

Donnie lives to experiment. It’s in his nature.

Positions? All of them. But his favorites are the ones where you are on top of him.

He loves being dominated.

After spending his entire life controlling every aspect of his world, it’s a relief for his mind to surrender completely to you.

“Set the pace, beautiful. I’m in your hands.”

Toys? Oh, yes.

You can be sure he has researched every single thing about them.

But he won’t settle for the ones that already exist. No.

He will build his own. Upgraded. With precisely calibrated speeds and optimized materials.

“This one has five vibration levels, but if we increase the frequency by 15%, we could—”

May God help you if you walk into his lab at the wrong time.

May God help his brothers if they ever find out.

Dedicated and obsessed with you.

Donnie doesn’t do anything halfway. If he gives himself to you, it’s completely.

No matter how much time passes, he will always give his all to make you feel incredible.

He’s not a casual lover.

He is yours. And you are his.

“You are my greatest discovery.”

[vigilante-3073]

Would you agree to write being on House’s team, they’re in a relationship (not secretive but not public. Maybe Cuddy and Wilson know?) anyway, reader is sick on and off and house constantly bugs her and makes fun of her, telling her she’s weak or to go home before she infects everyone and after a few days of that reader snaps and yells at him that she’s not sick she’s pregnant. Maybe house replies “mine I hope” or something like that that makes reader even more pissed at him

Sorry for the long ramble

Petri Dish

Gregory House x Doctor Female Reader

Summary: Doctor Y/N L/N was a valued member of Doctor House's team. Only problem, she was constantly sick with an illness of her own.

TW: Illness/sickness, treatments, boss/employee relationship, inter-office relationships, age gap, rude comments, vomiting, mention of needles and sex.

Y/N and House had been seeing each other romantically for almost a year. They hadn't intended to keep it a secret, but Y/N struggled with the idea of people finding out and casting judgement. There was almost a thirteen year age difference between them and the obvious boss/employee relationship would only make things more complicated.

Cuddy and Wilson were aware, but the couple chose to keep things discreet when they were working.

Y/N was a Rheumatologist with a subspecialty in Infectious Disease, she dealt with autoimmune diseases and diseases of the joints, muscle, tendons, ligaments and skeleton. House considered her to be a valuable member of his team, but her immune system had never been very reliable.

Y/N was always sick.

She caught absolutely every illness in the book. Infections, colds, tonsillitis, flus, pneumonia, and bronchitis were only some of the illnesses that she dealt with.

It seemed like she recovered from one illness and rolled right into the next. House thought that Y/N was like the human equivalent of the clear gel in the bottom of a petri dish, growing every bacteria that touched her into a monstrous illness.

She tried her best to work through her sickness and most of the time she could, but every illness seemed to hit her harder than it hit others.

Y/N was self conscious of her susceptibility to illness, she felt like it made her job difficult and she hated letting House down.

House lived to tease her about it, but he never judged her for it. He knew that their hours often meant that his staff burned the candle at both ends.

House slowly began to cut back on Y/N's hours, allowing her to get home for at least three hours of sleep a night. He deemed it a matter of public safety, when she didn't sleep, she got sick. The team seemed to buy it, but he could tell that there was underlying suspicion.

House knew that their suspicions would continue unless he focused on the issue. His solution was to begin calling his sweet girlfriend 'petri dish.'

Y/N absolutely hated the nickname, but kept quiet because there was no way to tell him to stop without drawing attention to their relationship.

House made his way down the hallway, stepping into his conference room and shrugging off his jacket. Cameron, Foreman and Chase sat at the table as they looked through the patient files.

"Where's Y/N?" House asked.

"She's out sick," Foreman answered, eyes focused on the paperwork in front of him.

"How sick? Spilling her guts or coughing up a lung?" House asked.

"I didn't ask," Foreman stated.

House moved over to the desk, picking up the handset and dialing Y/N's number.

"House, don't call her. She's sick, leave it alone," Cameron said.

He held up a finger, waiting as the line rang before Y/N picked up the phone.

"Where are you?" House asked.

"At home... I'm sick," Y/N replied, her voice was hoarse and virtually nonexistent. He planned on going to check on her after work, but he needed to focus on his case.

"Fine. Rest up, petri dish. Don't need you infecting the community," House said, hanging up the phone.

"That was rude," Cameron said.

"No, what's rude is what we're about to do," House said, grabbing his coat and putting it back on.

...

Y/N was sitting on the couch in her pyjamas as she watched television. A small trash can full of used tissues was placed on the floor beside her, a half-empty tissue box and a bag of lozenges sat on the coffee table beside her.

Y/N looked over as someone knocked on the door, she stood up and tossed her blanket aside. She shuffled across the living room before unlocking the door and opening it.

"No... Why?" Y/N mumbled.

House, Cameron, Chase and Foreman were standing in the hallway outside her apartment. House passed his cane to Cameron, he placed one of his hands on the back of Y/N's neck while pressing his other palm to her forehead.

"What are you doing?" Y/N asked, he pulled away.

"You have a fever," He said, hands cupping her jaw as he palpated her lymph nodes.

"And swollen lymph nodes," House added. He grabbed his cane from Cameron, stepping around Y/N and moving into her apartment.

Chase, Foreman and Cameron lingered awkwardly on her doorstep. Y/N sighed and stepped out of the way, allowing them to enter her apartment.

"Put the board over there," House said, gesturing with his cane.

Chase carried the white board into her apartment and set it up in front of her television. Chase tossed the marker to House before sitting down in the armchair. Foreman leaned on the wall, crossing his arms as he watched House write out the list of symptoms.

"I got you a tea... I'm really sorry that we're barging in on you like this," Cameron said.

"Oh, she's fine. Just a mean case of the sniffles," House said.

Cameron shot him a look, "She's sick," She stated. Cameron sat down beside Y/N, setting her purse on the ground by her feet.

"She's always sick," House replied.

Cameron opened her mouth to argue before Y/N cut her off, "Thanks, Cameron," Y/N said, taking the warm beverage from her friend. Y/N sat down on the couch, dragging her blanket across her lap as she took a sip of her drink.

"Tell me what I'm looking at," Y/N said.

They went through the differential with Y/N's contributions and settled on three possibilities. Y/N was exhausted by the end of it, leaning back against the couch as she struggled to stay awake.

"Take the car and go do your tests. I'll take a cab back," House said, tossing his keys to Foreman.

"You sure?" Foreman asked.

House shrugged, "Just don't sell it to one of your homies," He said.

Foreman shot him a look before tucking the keys into his pocket, "See you at work, Y/N," He said.

"See you then," Y/N nodded, Foreman made his way out into the hallway.

Chase folded up the board, carrying it out of the apartment with a polite nod to Y/N.

Cameron stood up, "Feel better," She said.

"Will do," Y/N replied.

The door closed as Cameron stepped out, leaving House and Y/N alone in her apartment. House reached out and pressed the back of his hand to her forehead, checking her temperature again.

Y/N hummed, eyes drifting shut at the cool temperature of his skin. He stepped away from her wordlessly, moving down the hallway and into her bathroom.

House returned, gently nudging Y/N as he sat down beside her. She lifted her head, looking up to find him holding out a few pills and a glass of water.

"Tylenol for the fever. Drink all the water," He said.

Y/N took the pills from his hand, placing them in her mouth and swallowing them with a sip of water. She held the glass in her hands, thumbs brushing across the condensation on the cup.

"I don't like that nickname," She admitted.

"What? Petri dish? It's a cute little pet name," He said.

"I don't like it," Y/N said.

He nodded, "I'll stop using it," House said.

"Thank you," She replied, taking another sip of her water.

"I'll make you some lunch, then you can sleep, alright?" He questioned, Y/N nodded.

House made her some soup, getting her settled in her bed with another glass of water before he returned to the hospital. If the team had any questions about why he had stayed behind, they didn't ask.

...

Y/N read through the patient file, eyes flitting over the information as she thought of possible causes. House wrote the symptoms on the board before turning to the group of doctors gathered around the table.

The differential started and ideas were thrown around quickly, added to or eliminated before they formed a plan of action.

Y/N suddenly raised a hand to her mouth as bile rose up in her throat. She stood from her chair quickly, covering her mouth with her hand as she rushed across the room.

Y/N fell to her knees in front of the trash can, barely managing to pull her hair out of her face before she got sick.

"Guessing that we're not a fan of that idea," House said.

Cameron stood up, moving over to the sink quickly and filling up a glass of cold water. She grabbed a napkin from the dispenser before moving over to her friend.

"Here," Cameron said softly, passing her the cup as she stepped behind her and pulled her hair back. Cameron clipped her hair up in a simple twist, hand settling on her back.

"Are you okay? Is there anything else I can get you?" Cameron asked, Y/N shook her head.

"I'm fine," She muttered.

House turned to Foreman and Chase, "Secondary differential. Nausea, vomiting and increased irritability," House listed.

"Spending any amount of time with you," Cameron said, anger clearly evident in her tone.

"Ouch, any other ideas?" House asked.

"Pregnancy," Chase offered softly.

"It's mine, right?" House asked, Y/N shot him an enraged look.

"Wait, did you two sleep together?" Foreman questioned.

Y/N looked down with a huff, avoiding eye contact with her coworkers.

"My god, it's true, isn't it?" Chase asked.

"Seriously? He calls you 'petri dish'," Cameron said.

"It's a pet name," House replied with a shrug.

"A pet name that I hate," Y/N muttered, the nauseous feeling returning with full force. She set the glass down on the floor as she gagged, vomiting into the trash can again.

"Wait, are you actually pregnant?" Chase asked.

Y/N sniffled, wiping her mouth before picking up the glass again. She rinsed the acidic taste from her mouth, spitting a small amount of water into the trash can.

"I don't know," Y/N mumbled.

"Any other guesses?" House asked.

"The flu," Chase offered.

"We're not helping you with this. Take care of your girlfriend while we take care of the patient," Foreman said, standing from his chair and making his way out of the room.

"I can stay if you want me to," Cameron offered.

"I'll be okay," Y/N said.

Cameron stood up, walking out of the conference room with Chase following closely behind her.

House grabbed a chair from the table, setting it down in front of Y/N and sitting down. She shifted to sit with her back leaned against the desk, her legs stretched out across the floor in front of her.

Y/N sniffled again, wiping the tears from her cheeks before settling her hands in her lap, "I asked you not to tell them," Y/N stated.

"They were bound to find out eventually," House shrugged. He reached into his blazer, pulling out a pack of gum and offering a stick to her.

"Thanks," Y/N mumbled, unwrapping the stick. She put the gum into her mouth and began chewing it, "I can't believe you told my coworkers that we're sleeping together," Y/N muttered, tossing the gum wrapper into the trash can.

"Chase and Cameron are sleeping together. This is a safe space for inter-office boning," House said.

"They're sleeping together?" Y/N asked.

"Yeah, I caught them in the janitors closet last week. Thought I should stake my claim before Foreman got any funny ideas," House said.

"I seriously doubt that there are many men lining up to date me, especially with a nickname like 'petri dish'," Y/N smiled, crossing her ankles.

House watched her for a moment, "Do you think that you're pregnant?" House asked.

Y/N shrugged, "I don't know. Haven't really thought about it," She said.

House stood up, making his way out into the hallway. He stepped over to one of the med carts, unlocking it before pulling out a vial of anti-nausea medication, a syringe and a wipe.

He drew up the medication, switching out the needle before returning to the conference room. House sat down in the chair in front of her, setting the syringe on the edge of the desk.

"Give me your arm," He said, tearing open the wipe.

Y/N shrugged off her lab coat, lifting her sleeve and allowing him to clean her skin before injecting her with the medication.

She grimaced, "Sorry," He muttered, wiping the spot and discarding the needle.

"I'll drive you home," House offered, standing up and holding out his hand to her.

Y/N took his hand, standing up from the floor and brushing the dirt from her clothes. House took her coat off the hook, holding it up for her. Y/N slipped her arms into the sleeves, allowing him to lift it up onto her shoulders.

House put his own coat on before he walked her out to his car and drove her home, escorting her up to her apartment.

Y/N slipped into the bathroom for a shower while House watched a tv show in her bed. Y/N emerged from the bathroom, clothed in a pair of pyjamas with damp hair.

"House," She called softly, he looked over at her.

Y/N made her way over to the bed, sitting on the edge beside him as she held out the plastic stick. He looked down at it, sitting up when he realized that she was holding a positive pregnancy test.

"You said you hadn't thought about it," House said.

"I lied," Y/N said with a soft smile.

"At least I don't have to worry about you being contagious," House said, cupping her cheek and pressing his lips to her's.

[junebugsarchive]

hellooo🥺🥺🥺 first off, ive been continuing manager kim and really surprised when i see their writings from ur page, oh my god theyre such a hidden gem since its rare AND so good😭♡ we surely needs more of those man fict💖💖 oh and and andd, may i req for fluuf goo x reader? The one where their first date becomes bad/ruined but then they still make the best of it~~ hehe. Thank u sm have a nice dayy💛💛💛

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 . goo kim

𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐍, 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋 𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐎? / 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓��𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓 . . . ♡

summary: all it took was one glance at the bleach-blonde man you passed by in the mall to know he was the one. but will the two of you push past any adversary, the hardest one being namely the first-date-gone-wrong?

pairing: goo kim / kim joon goo x reader

details: no trigger warnings (first time in forever) . all dividers used are from @cafekitsune, pictures from pinterest !

a/n: hey hos did yall miss me >.< i missed yall so much pls shower this with love haha... sorry for the long wait, had a lot going on in my life and zero motivation to write </3 thank you for requesting, i love my mans handsome sprinkled with a shit ton of crazy ♡ enjoy!

the first time you saw goo, you immediately thought, wow this charmingly goofy-looking idiot needs to be mine.

and it worked. you were a bold woman after all; it was 2024, men were disappointments when it came to making the first move. you had went up to him, smiling prettily as you held ur mobile phone up, asking him for his number, surprised at how widely the blonde man had beamed and immediately pushed his coffee towards his disgruntled looking partner wearing sunglasses (it was a mall, who wears sunglasses indoors?), quickly typing his number into your contacts and saving it as 'goo (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡'. you were almost amused at how there seemed to be a virtual puppy tail wagging vigorously behind the blonde as he hands you back your phone with a radiant smile on his face.

and when the two of you hit off through numerous texts, goo finally popped the question – "go on a date w me?" you said yes of course, but anxious to show off your good points, you insisted on planning the entire thing, even going as far to arrange the date tomorrow.

and goo, being the absolute gentleman he was, immediately said okay and stepped back to allow you to take the lead. perhaps you should have asked for his help, though, because the entirety of last night you were frazzled, practically fighting with the staff on the other line to get a table for lunch with the blonde, and planning out your itinerary for the whole day.

and now, you could barely keep your eyes open, placing heavy foundation underneath your eyes to hide your dark eyebags, and after you had sluggishly gotten ready, you were horribly, embarrassingly late. to the own date you arranged.

when you reached the agreed venue, you were mortified to find goo already waiting patiently, in a jacket that looked suspiciously expensive, and looking as fresh as paint.

"hi," you say breathlessly, smiling at him as you walk up to the man. "sorry i'm late."

goo's previously passive face lights up into a smile, and you are instantly reminded of how he looks like a puppy once more. "don't worry about it," he reassures you, holding his arm out like a gentleman. "shall we?"

you smile and loop your arm around his, making your way to the restaurant you had told him the two of you would be going to, attempting to squash your nerves. he was a nice guy, clearly. what could go wrong?

"i'm sorry, your reservation isn't showing up in our system." your face turns pale and your eyes widen in embarrassment as you stare at the waitress, who looked a little irritated by you. granted, the restaurant was bustling with people.

"that's impossible," you splutter, acutely aware of goo quietly observing you by your side. god, this was so embarrassing! "i called the restaurant last night and got a reservation for two at 1pm." you scroll through your chat logs and show her the number you had called.

the waitress nearly rolls her eyes at you as she impatiently explains, "we have multiple locations throughout seoul. you called the one in the far west, and this is the east. now if you would excuse me, i have customers to attend to." with that, she walks away, leaving you frazzled by your own mistake.

a loud growl from goo's stomach makes your eyes flicker to him as he grins at you, unabashed. "sorry." he says, eyes softening as he adds in a lower voice, "hey, it's an honest mistake. don't worry about it, okay? how about we just go to amother restaurant before doing whatever you had planned?"

"are you sure?" you ask uncertaintly. "i feel really bad for making such a stupid mistake though."

"yeah," he grins at you lightly, and the sincerity on his face makes you smile back. "i'm craving tteokbokki anyways."

your smile grows wider and you confidently take the lead. "i know just the place."

you were kind of regretting your decision now. not that it was goo's fault; you probably should have thought the place you were bringing him through before taking him here. the man was still an absolute gentleman and didn't complain, but you saw his nose wrinkle slightly when you stepped into the cheap-looking place, cringing a little when his prada shoes accidentally kicked against a trashbag in the corner.

you felt ashamed of yourself for bringing a first date to such a poorly kept place as this. but you honestly thought the tteok was good, and the aunty who served them was a kind soul you were familiar with.

the two of you sat in silence at the counter after you ordered two plates of tteokbokki, the air awkward around you.

"i'm sorry, is this too poor for you?" you finally break the silence, not beating around the bush as you stared down at the interesting wooden table, not daring to meet the blonde's gaze.

you could feel his stare boring into your hunched form, and you glanced up, unable to decipher his gaze.

"hm? whaddya mean?" goo asks, smiling warmly at you. staring at his attractive face, you feel your cheeks grow hotteras you tuck your hair behind your ear.

"it's just that you look rich," you explain, the smell of fresh tteok wafting up your nose. "so this kind of place probably doesn't suit your tastes. ah, i should've brought you to a more expensive restaurant, right? i apologize." you smile bitterly. you briefly recall all your previous first dates that have gone wrong, and you quietly wonder if you just had a curse with men.

a large, warm hand lands on yours and you blink up at the suddenly solemn blonde man. "don't say that," goo says in an uncharacteristically serious tone. "i mean, we all make mistakes, right? it's the restaurant's fault. yeah, it's definitely the restaurant's fault." he nods to himself, posing in a thinking position with his thumb and index finger forming a 'v' below his chin, other arm propped against his hip.

you crack a smile, slightly startled as he whips around with a mischievous smile on his face as he gives you a wink and delivers the cheesiest line known to mankind.

"besides, i'm willing to go anywhere as long as i'm with you." your eyes widen as you stare at him in silence, and for the first time in his life goo falters, before you throw your head back, letting out a pure, breathless laugh. and goo smiles in relief, watching you with warmth in his gaze.

"alright, mr. romantic," you chuckle, wiping a tear. "that was so corny." goo'd face falls into one of mock offense and he pokes your side, his tone lightly accusing. "you take that back!"

you burst into peals of laughter as you struggle to fight the larger man off as his hands continuously assault your ribs. "wait— i'm sorry!" you wheeze out your laughter, but the man is relentless in his attacks, and his smile only grows wicked as his attacks increase tenfold and you nearly shriek.

behind, in the kitchen, the old lady smiles fondly as she listens to your laughter, recalling the number of times you've come into her shop. of all the times you've came to her, drunk, angry, happy or sad, this has been the brightest she's seen you with a man.

EXTRA: "jagi~" a creepy voice sings from the door, and the blood drains from goo's face as he slowly drops gun to the floor, a chill creeping down his spine as he neevously looks to the doorway. you smile, eyes drifting towards the broken vase you'd bought a month ago, now lying on the floor in broken pieces, then to the newly refurbished sofa, which soft, cotton insides have spilled out from scratches, and to the coffee table, a crack split down the middle.

"hello, darling." goo says meekly, and nearly shrieking as you suddenly drop your bag, pouncing on him as you tugged his ear harshly.

"dammit goo, i just bought a new coffee table. NEW!" you yell in his face. "do you have ANY idea how much it cost me and how much i had to convince the landlord a gangster wasn't living in my house???" goo opened his mouth ready to say that hypothetically, he was sort of a gangster, but another dirty look from you made him wither down.

"hello, gun." you smile sweetly, mood a complete 360 as you turned to the japanese man, who, likewise, greeted you respectfully with a bow of his head. "do you want some tea? i just got a batch of tea leaves imported from japan." he nods, and you smile wider.

"clean this up." you practically throw your boyfriend onto the ground as you turn to the kitchen. "when i come back with the tea, this place better be spotless."

gun watches in amusement as his friendly rival gets up from the ground, whining about his swollen ear. "aren't you going to help?" he pouts, and gun smirks gleefully. "no."

"dick." goo grumbles, but freezes when your voice echoes from the kitchen, "i heard that!" gun snickers, and goo shoots him a scowl, mouthing 'fuck you' as he bends down to pick up the broken vase pieces.

"you missed one." gun points out unhelpfully, inwardly cackling in glee as he watches the poor blonde glare at him, unable to do anything but shuffle forward to scoop the piece up, shuffling to the dustbin to place the shards inside.

thank you for giving goo this woman. gun silently thanks the heavens as he secretly takes his phone out to film the bleach blonde, all domesticated and demure, sweeping the floor and wiping off bloodstains.

[graychrissy]

🌊Digital Detox + Egyptians lucid dreaming method 🌊

Idk what to put on the title of this post so I wrote digital detox and I have copy pasted the main lines.

In the ancient Egypt the Egyptians use to have lucid dreaming alot and it was extremely easy for for them not just Egyptians but it was also mention ancient Indian scriptures.

You’re probably wondering ‘what’s the secret’? The real problem is often NOT your technique. It’s actually another issue that no amount of techniques, articles, reality checks, supplements or uncomfortable masks is going to fix. It’s your ‘inner game’. Specifically, your subconscious motivation and reward circuits, and ‘dopamine cycle’. Travel in your mind for a second, to ancient Egypt.

There were no smart phones, internet connections, computer animated action movies or virtual reality headsets.

Your brain back then would have produced a healthy amount of dopamine as a reward for pretty basic things like eating, working, exploring, and taking some time to relax or meditate

Now our average attention spans are literally less than 7 SECONDS. It’s probably a lot lower than that, and It’s declining every single year with the rise of new, highly addictive and stimulating social media apps and platforms. When was the last time you meditated for over 90 minutes? Have you ever? I’m not saying you have to do that to lucid dream, but this sort of practice was very common 5000 years ago. In fact, it was weird NOT to do that. And herein lies the main problem.

Your brain is ‘fried’ with an overly stimulated dopamine pathway. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that stimulates the feeling of WANTING to keep doing something. It’s the reason you keep scrolling through Instagram, or keep refreshing your Facebook feed to see if there are any new comments or notifications. But it’s also the SUBCONSCIOUS reason you aren’t able to lucid dream easily. In the last decade especially, there have been billions of dollars spent by big tech to essentially ‘addict you’ to their platforms. Why? Money. The more time and energy you spend on platforms like that, the more money they make. So the task has been given to artificial intelligence. The AIs often just get trained and told a few basic things: 1: Get people to spend more time on the platform 2: Get people to keep coming BACK to the platform as often as possible The ‘AI’ pays almost NO attention to what that would do to your mental health, attention span, motivation, emotions, or really anything else. Much LESS attention is paid to the effect it has on your ability to focus, or do things like, say, lucid dream. Now, the ‘dopamine cycle’ is one part of the problem, but it’s actually pretty easy to fix. There are several little pieces to what I call the ‘modern brain puzzle’. Things that just weren’t a problem 5000 years ago. You can see some of this playing out in children today. On average, children or people under the age of 15, find it MUCH easier to lucid dream than adults do. It’s because at that age, their dopamine system has not been damaged too much. This is of course changing now, as more and more children are having access to smartphones, but it’s an interesting point. In fact not only does the dopamine problem affect your ability to lucid dream, it also affects your ability to WANT to lucid dream (consciously and subconsciously). Specifically I’m talking about your motivation and focus. And you guessed it, there’s your number one cause of problems when trying to meditate, practice techniques like the WILD, or recall your dreams.

After reading this paragraph or stanza whatever,I noticed something,as a kid I had lucid dreams alot with just putting intentions.

My first lucid dream was at around 7-8 years old,and I was sinking when I realised I was dream and I tried controlling my dream and even succeeded,and I was probably there for about 10 minutes playing with underwater creatures and mermaids.

And till 7 grade I use to have alot of lucid dreams but after that I was allowed to use phone and so I was always invested in phone like all the time. By the way lucid dream was pretty normal for me and I pretty much forgot about it and never really paid attention to lucid dreaming. And then I rarely had any lucid dreams, probably 4 times ever since 8 grade and I've noticed every time I lucid dream it's always whenever I don't use any social media.

In 9 grade my phone was taken again because my mother noticed my social media addiction. And after few months I again start to lucid dream for fun easily and effortlessly but during COVID I was again allowed to have my phone and then a new laptop so now my life was revolving around social media again and for the past few year I only lucid dream whenever I don't get to use my phone more then 2 days.

Idk bout y'all but I wasn't allowed to use phones or laptop till 8th grade so the only thing I knew was TV which I only watched after coming home so like my mind was most of the te bored because I didn't had anything to keep it entertain which made it easy for me to observe around looking for things to do.

So how can you reverse the ‘dopamine problem’ and several of the other issues modern life has created? By the way: This is NOT about destroying your phone and going back to live in a cave. There are actually several powerful habits you can install, that will let you KEEP using your phone, laptop etc, but without these harmful effects. Here’s the simple solution to more lucid dreams: 1. Reverse engineer your life and remove distractions, manipulation, ‘dopamine hijacking’ and harmful blue light exposure from your daily routine (along with some other ‘problem patterns’) 2. Get inside your subconscious brain and rewire yourself to WANT to practice lucid dreaming, and to effortlessly do reality checks at the right time, without even trying 3. Learn powerful ‘all day awareness’ and ‘lucid living’ techniques that give your brain superpowers in the fight 4. On top of THAT foundation, learn the most effective techniques and concepts, use our tools to stay motivated, and experience lucid mastery within 14 days. Let’s dive a little bit deeper: First, you have to ‘reverse engineer’ the problem. This can be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing, but we’ve laid everything out step by step for you. If dopamine addiction is part of the problem, we have to break that addiction first. Then comes your mindset, and your motivation pathways. You need to actually feel GOOD when you practice these things. I see so many people saying they’re struggling to remember to do reality checks, or they just don’t want to wake up at ‘weird times’ to practice. Don’t worry, you won’t have to. It will feel good, and you’ll ENJOY practicing these things. Next, your subconscious mind. It’s SO important to fix your internal beliefs about lucid dreaming, because the chances are you have ‘internal blocks’ about becoming lucid. They’re easy to pick up, but a bit harder to ‘unlearn’. The system shows you how to ‘unlearn’ them, and install new, powerful and self affirming beliefs into your mind. This gives your brain lots more motivation to keep trying. Now, one of the most common things I hear people say is that they can’t REMEMBER to keep doing reality checks. It’s linked to the dopamine problem we mentioned earlier, but it’s also connected to a few other psychological principles that we’ll get onto. We’ll give you a new framework to ENJOY reality checks, remember them without any annoying reminders, and actually get them to SHOW UP in your dreams, 9 out of 10 times. And then finally, we’ll build the most effective techniques, methods and concepts on top of that new, strong foundation. Of course, I’m simplifying this here, but that’s the outline.

Here are some videos that may help.

If you want to know more about it or get the steps to lucid dream you can buy the book or go through a long step to get it for free but the procedure is very long and probably only for Iphone user.

You find some good articles ways to do the 'reverse dopamine' thingy.(I donot trust my research on this topic cuz I got confuse)

You may use Adambja's tape to reprogram your subconscious and this hacking the matrix tape the comments under the video was so good and I found this tape on someone's success story. You can use this two tapes to reprogram your subconscious and of course psych-k.

This is pretty much all you need digital detox,observing your surroundings and subconscious reprogramming to change your belief or assumptions.

And this will make you even more motivated that you are working on your goals as many of us have the access of devices it's hard for us to keep up with all this method and it's not like we are always busy if we are we wouldn't be scrolling through Tumblr and Pinterest all the time. If you read the the copy pasted part you'll see what I mean.

Edit: I forgot to mention it 🥲 if we follow do this we CAN HAVE lucid dream everyday.

Egyptians lucid dreaming tea

This will be quick,so I went to my aunt's place with my mother and my aunt's ran out of tea powder/leaves so she used her daughter's blue lotus tea and after getting home I took a nap and I HAD A FOKING LUCID DREAM,so basically I didn't knew that it was the tea until I was doing some research on LD and found out that in ancient Egypt they use Blue Lotus tea and I found some review about it on YouTube and people had very vivid dreams aswell. This tea basically put you in REM which y'all probably know about.

But I don't like tea😐,so if anyone have interest you can try I honestly want to but my hate for tea is on top on the list of top 5 things I hate,you can find them online people even use Blue Lotus in vape😐not encourageling y'all to smoke but if anyone does you can.

[mariacallous]

Nighat Dad grew up in a conservative family in Jhang, in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The threat of early marriage hung over her childhood like a cloud. But despite their traditional values, Dad’s parents were determined that all their children get an education, and they moved the family to Karachi so she could complete her bachelor’s degree. “I never really thought I would work, because I was never taught that we could work and be independent,” she says. “We always needed permission to do anything.”

Dad thought a master’s in law might delay the inevitable betrothal, but soon after she completed the course, she found out her parents had arranged a marriage for her. She didn’t mind her new life of domestic chores in a household she describes as “lower-middle class”—that is, until the abuse started. “That’s when my legal education reminded me that this was wrong,” she says. “Our laws, our constitution, everything protects me, so why was I facing this? Why was I tolerating it?”

With her family’s backing, Dad left her husband and filed for divorce. But after years of domestic violence and abuse and with no experience of working, she struggled with a lack of confidence. “I had no idea that women who are divorced and have a child face such difficulties in a society like ours,” she says. When her ex-husband filed a custody case for their 2-month-old baby, Dad wasn’t sure how she would pay for a lawyer. That’s when her father reminded her that she was a lawyer too.

Dad used her degree to win custody of her only child. In the process, she realized how many women in Pakistan were facing years of violence and systemic injustice. But the thing that bothered her most was the digital divide.

Before her marriage, Dad’s family never allowed her access to her own cell phone, and when she finally did get one, her husband would use it as a surveillance tool—keeping track of who she called and who was texting her. She had an escape tool in her hand, but she couldn’t use it. “Going through that by myself made me realize how quickly technology is evolving, and how it’s creating virtual spaces for marginalized communities that might not have access to physical ones,” she says. “Facing those restrictions made me understand just how crucial it is to challenge societal norms and structures around women's access to technology and the internet, so they can use it as freely as men.”

In 2012, Dad established the Digital Rights Foundation, an NGO that aims to address the digital divide and fight online abuse of women and other gender minorities in Pakistan. She began by helping women who reached out to the organization, providing advice on digital safety and emotional and mental support. In 2016—the same year Pakistan finally passed legislation against online crimes—Dad and her team launched a cyber-harassment helpline. Since 2016, it has addressed more than 16,000 complaints from across the country. “Sometimes, the police would give our phone numbers to victims seeking reliable help,” she says.

The DRF’s in-house legal team offers pro bono advice and helps women file and follow-up complaints against their abusers. “In many cases, we were successful in actually getting the perpetrator arrested and taken to trial,” Dad says. In October 2021, the DRF’s legal team helped journalist Asma Shirazi win a landmark case in the Islamabad High Court against broadcaster ARY News, after she became the target of a coordinated troll campaign which was exacerbated by a false story aired on the channel.

“If an organization like the DRF had existed when I was facing my own issues, I would have felt so much more supported—knowing there was someone to guide me legally and help me navigate the complexities,” she says. “My abuse started with surveillance, and if I had someone to talk to back then, I might have avoided the deep depression that followed. I might not have ended up in such a miserable situation.”

Today, Dad and the DRF are helping to steer global conversations about tech policy reform. She recently joined the United Nations’ AI Advisory Board, and was a founder member of Meta’s Oversight Board, which acts as an independent platform for people to appeal decisions made by the social media giant. “The emerging tech space is mostly driven by big Western companies and governments, leaving out civil society NGOs from the Global South,” she says. “This puts us far behind in global AI governance, always playing catch-up in a fast-moving world. If we’re not part of the conversation, the gap just keeps widening. It’s about reminding the powerful that they can’t win this race alone—they have a responsibility to include the rest of the world, especially those without the same resources.”

[thefearofcod]

if you’re the kind of person who gets Phone Anxiety but still wants to help, I’m sharing the script I’ve been using when I call my Congress creatures! This one is for the whole Musk Thing, but it’s pretty adaptable.

“Hi, my name is [full name], I’m a resident and voting constituent of [state], my zip code is [zip], my phone number is [complete phone number]. I am calling to request that [senator] call for immediate investigations into the activities of Elon Musk and Musk-associated "team members" in and outside of Department of Government Efficiency whose reckless actions and total disregard for the law and common sense are putting national security at risk in a way that directly threatens your and your constituents' personal safety.

Actions taken by Musk and those in Musk's orbit are creating vulnerabilities in federal computer systems that can and will be exploited.

Information systems used by members of Congress and their staff are at risk via improper access to and use of General Services Administration systems.

China, Iran and Russia, already known for anti-US cyberattacks, in addition to hostile non-state actors, will exploit this and are no doubt already attempting to do so.

Vital infrastructure our federal government relies on to manage funds and resources and to coordinate and conduct virtually all its activities, including officials' confidential communications and emergency management, is at extreme risk.

This is obviously dangerous, and cannot continue. Again, I request that [senator] call for immediate investigations into the actions of Elon Musk. Thank you.”

A lot of it is cribbed from this really good post, which also has information about finding who to call! Most of these people have multiple phone numbers, so you should call all of them and leave the same message.

also, if you really don't want to risk talking to a person, just call outside of business hours! on a weekend, or at 3 am or something!

[mightyflamethrower]

A panel of experts testified to the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday that Chinese companies mining for “green” energy minerals throughout Africa – particularly in resource-rich countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), are creating a “catastrophic and unacceptable” situation for locals.

The experts urged American officials to act to contain the malignant Chinese influence destroying an entire generation of African children and the environment in which they live, stressing that the minerals in question – cobalt, lithium, tantalum, and copper, among others – are pivotal to any high-tech economy.

The hearing, hosted by the Subcommittee on Africa and chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), occurred as the nation of Zambia struggles to address the virtual death of the Kafue River, drowned in toxic residue when a dam holding the residue, created through Chinese copper mining activities, collapsed. Among the specific environmental threats mentioned at the hearing were the threat to the endangered okapi and the destruction of entire communities, displaced by companies looking to mine the land and polluted to the point that no one can safely return.

In addition to environmental disasters, the growing presence of exploitative Chinese companies in the DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere has brought with it growing rates of child slavery as children as young as eight are forced into mines with no protective equipment, greatly endangering their lives. Furthermore, the mineral wealth and corruption is also fueling chaotic guerrilla warfare, particularly in the DRC, where rival militias regularly commit atrocities for control of the mines and violence has been exacerbated by Rwandan intervention. As of February, the death toll of the ongoing DRC conflict is estimated to be in the high thousands and the United Nations has documented a large number of instances of the use of rape as a weapon of war.

The issue of child slavery in the mines featured prominently during the hearing. Sasha Lezhnev, a senior policy adviser with the Sentry, stated that, in the DRC alone, “there are an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 child miners … working at mines that send cobalt and copper to Chinese crude refiners.”

“I have witnessed the horrors of child soldiers and child miners as young as eight years old at mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” Lezhnev shared, “as well as the warlords and corrupt companies and officials making money from this system of exploitation—all in the name of getting us cheaper smart phones, jewelry, and electric vehicles (EVs). This has got to stop.”

“We see cases of child and forced labor—averaging 40,000 children–digging cobalt for Chinese buyers without adequate protective equipment and payment,” Joseph Mulala Nguramo of the Atlantic Council Scowcroft and Freedom and Prosperity Center told the subcommittee. “Some of these children are under 10 years old—leaving them exposed to toxic substances—causing serious health and environmental problems, per Amnesty International investigations.” . Nguramo described the situation of those children, as well as the lives of locals in areas affected by Chinese mines generally, as “catastrophic and unacceptable.”

In the DRC, ongoing civil unrest and an unmitigated humanitarian crisis are largely due to China’s ruthless and irresponsible grip on the country’s natural resources,” Nguramo testified. “Controlling almost 90% of the Congo Mining Sector, China has failed to use its economic and financial power to defend and promote the Rule of Law, Freedom, and Quality Governance. But China has, instead, mastered strategies to take advantage of a country in chaos—often bribing government officials to acquire Mining concessions.”

The experts testified that China had spent over $10 billion buying up mines in Africa, benefitting the most so far in Zambia, the DRC, and Zimbabwe, though the Communist Party has significantly expanded its influence elsewhere in the continent, as well. The founder of the due diligence firm Accountable Africa, Thierry Dongala, noted that widespread corruption in local governments enables this colonialism and pointed to the example of Niger to show that African governments can rapidly expel offending Chinese companies if they choose to. Niger, currently under military coup regime that calls itself the “National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland,” reportedly expelled Chinese oil executives from the country in mid-March and shut down a Chinese-owned hotel for allegedly engaging in “discriminatory practices.”

“The recent case of Niger expelling Chinese management shows that when African countries get serious about their moral sovereignty in their extractive industries, Chinese actors are often the first to lose,” Dongala observed.

Dongala noted that local populations are well aware of the evil that illicit, slave-driven mining brings to their land, recalling that the pastor who married him to his wife conducted a “sudden sanctification prayer” to cleanse their wedding bands of evil energy, a product of their provenance, when he noticed they appeared to be made of real gold. He recommended close cooperation with locals in affected countries to track and shut down theft, slavery, and other abuses.

“We’ve been monitoring the school attendance levels, that data is very valuable because we know that if we start to see the school attendance levels drops, we have to find where these kids are going,” he said of his firm. “The local school principal , the local fishers union, the mothers of the children,” he suggested, could be critical allies.

Rep. Smith, chairing the hearing, noted that China’s dominance of the mining industry there, in addition to facilitating unspeakable human rights and environmental atrocities, put America at a disadvantage given the importance of the minerals in question in technology.

“The reliance on China for these critical minerals is a clear vulnerability,” he emphasized in his opening remarks. “The greatest beneficiaries of this system—China’s state-owned mining companies—remain silent, refusing to confront an undeniable reality: from dirt to battery, from cobalt to cars, the entire supply chain is built on violence, exploitation, and corruption,” he continued. “This must change—and the time for change is now.”

Rep. Smith recently reintroduced the COBALT Supply Chain Act, a bill that would, in its own words, “ensure that goods made using or containing cobalt refined in the People’s Republic of China do not enter the United States market under the presumption that the cobalt is extracted or processed with the use of child and forced labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” Rep. Smith first introduced a version of the bill in 2023.

Progressives don't care about REAL slaves living today. Just remember that EV you're driving was built at the expense of 10 little African kids whose future was stolen in order to make the battery.

[horsethoughts]

Blog Post #3! Due 2/13/25

Why do we refer to data collection and profiling as “progressive” despite its tendency to be biased against Black Americans and other POC? (Question based on Benjamin’s “Race After Technology” and Noble’s “Algorithms of Oppression”)

Technology, as put by Benjamin (2019), has a perceived “cloak of objectivity.” The tools, algorithms, and forms of data collection used in our reality are regarded as objective since they cannot “see” race. Technology as a whole, in my opinion, is often seen as universal and for everyone. Many people see phones, search engines, and other “tech” as tech without human involvement. Most people, including me, don’t think beyond what technology does for us—it just does, and we don’t question how it was made, who made it, and what biases might be embedded in the “cool, advanced, and innovative” new ais, virtual assistants, and search engines.

California gang database—why does law enforcement keep inaccurate databases that are difficult to change and easy to add onto? (Question Based on Benjamin’s “Race After Technology” and YJC report)

Gang databases, like the one featured in the report, seem to have a larger purpose in surveilling POC, namely Latino communities. The databases’ flawed design is effective for upholding inaccurate narratives of Latino and Black involvement in gang activity. The recording methods, which make it easy for these populations to be put in the database, inflates the true number of people with gang involvement. While a shot in the dark, I additionally think the “ease” provided by the broadness of the gang database is something that is seen as beneficial to the prison industry. I’m not entirely sure how it works, but I would assume that the number of people there to arrest/detain from the database boosts private prisons. The YJC report states that these databases are “widely used without evaluating their cost effectiveness or effectiveness in increasing community safety.” the database’s purpose is less about community safety and more about control over narratives and individuals.

How does the digital divide myth that POC, particularly Black Americans, are less interested in the internet still linger today? How is this idea of the digital divide reflected in social media? (Question based on Everett’s “The Revolution Will be Digitized”)

In Everett’s work (2002), she discusses the sphere of “cyberspace” often being associated with whiteness, with white users seen as the dominant demographic for technology and the internet. While this work was written about earlier internet use, I still see this pattern on social media. Specifically, I see this in the artist community on various social media sites such as  Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr. Something I’ve noticed is how often people are “surprised” to learn a particular artist/creator is Black if they’ve previously never disclosed it through being faceless or simply not stating this. I would say that this idea of the digital divide still persists because of our perception of internet/social media use. In my example of Black creators, the “surprise” in them being Black most likely comes from the assumption that they would be white. This is created from the “facelessness” associated with the internet.

In “Algorithms of Oppression,” Noble writes on racist Google Search results and Google’s position that it is “not responsible for its algorithm.” Then who is “responsible”? Can any one person/entity be held responsible for flawed algorithms? (Question based on Noble’s “Algorithms of Oppression”)

While I don’t think any entity can be responsible for such flawed algorithms, that only points to a more significant issue in their structure. Noble (2018) writes that “racism and sexism are part of the architecture and language of technology.”; algorithms and technology are based on flawed human ideas and prejudices and then reflect those prejudices. This makes it important to question and not solely rely on these systems. Responsibility, in this case, comes with doubting the system and checking it twice to see if the information it presents is accurate and unbiased. Google’s responsibility for changing the search results falls on them because they trusted the algorithm to be unbiased, which was false. Works Cited:

Noble, S. U. (2018). Algorithms of oppression: How search engines reinforce racism. New York University Press.

Benjamin, R. (2019). Race after technology: Abolitionist tools for the new Jim code. Polity.

Everett, A. (2002). The Revolution Will Be Digitized: Afrocentricity and the Digital Public Sphere. 

Youth Justice Coalition (2012). Tracked and trapped. Youth of color, gang databases, and gang injunctions. https://youthjusticela.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/TrackedandTrapped.pdf