#confuses values and metrics

[lucysweatslove]

Need to rant.

I spent an hour and a half working on The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck. I only got 50 pages in. The reading is easy, but I’m annotating a LOT so it’s going super slow.

But I’m annotating a lot to remind myself of all the bullshit, so I can properly roast it. There are some good ideas and points in there but omg he sounds like an insufferable asshole writing a book for himself, ignoring that other people can have totally valid ways of being. Fatphobic undertones, implying there are definitely good values and like, limited ways to correctly prioritize them. I’m now 45% through. I am hate-reading at this point, and I’m torn between:

do I just want to finish it off quickly from here on out? (he has started going into specific things that are negative that he thinks everybody should value highly, versus talking more about his general philosophy)

Or do I want to keep going through slowly making notes ripping him apart.

On one hand: I’m definitely enraged and I kinda want it to end because it’s so irritatingly wrong. On the other hand: i want to give it such a scathing review because of its wrongness that I want to have everything wrong with it detailed meticulously because I enjoy that level of thoroughness.

I’m hoping there will be less to annotate tbh.

[c-rowlesdraws]

So my dad is a chef and Ratatouille is his favorite Pixar movie. Less for the story and more for the attention to detail they put in keeping a professional kitchen true to life. The whole "anyone can cook!" motto of the story was kind of undercut by Linguine just...not being a good cook? But there's more to a kitchen than just the head chef! A restaurant, a kitchen can't function without EVERYONE doing their jobs. Even dishwashers to keep things clean and sanitary are critically essential; the person who just chops up the vegetables is a simple job but is crucial when there's a a metric TON of onions that needs prep. And is that not cooking? Is everyone working together, cooperating, keeping people fed and happy what it's all about? Linguine wasn't a good over a stove without Remy, but we saw by the end he was a good waiter - that's important too. A great side arc while Collette learns to re-love her passion as a chef is teaching Linguine that he isn't defined by Gusteau's legacy, and not being a *chef* wouldn't mean his contributions to a restaurant aren't valuable either. It would be a great dual 'finding / refinding yourself' arc for both of them!

“The whole "anyone can cook!" motto of the story was kind of undercut by Linguine just...not being a good cook?”

YEAH OKAY like… my biggest problem with the movie was how confused the message seemed to be. Like— “anyone can cook”, that’s a great smaller message, you can be an okay home cook and not a ✨chef✨ and that’s still cooking, that’s still something to be proud of; and another interpretation of that phrase spoke to the main message of the film: “anyone can cook”/“a great artist can come from anywhere”, as in, you can have the potential to achieve your dreams no matter how humble your origins are. But all that was undercut by the film, for some reason, needing to emphasize that some people are doomed to mediocrity even with the best teaching— I remember feeling like, “wait… what?” at the end of the film when the voiceover said, “not everyone can be a great artist” as the camera focused on poor Linguini. It seemed unnecessarily mean of the movie to separate people into, as it seemed to me, people destined to be singular “great artists” and those destined to fail. After having learned more about Brad Bird and his ego, the confusion of the message makes more sense to me. But yeah—back then and especially now, with my professional bakery and kitchen experience as an adult, I don’t like how a movie about a restaurant, where teamwork from top to bottom is essential and “rockstar” chefs are usually red flags, seemed to conclude by celebrating the idea of the singular genius artist.

I feel like it’s also worth pointing out that animation studios, like restaurant kitchens, make art through an incredible amount of teamwork, so it kind of hits extra dirty for me that this army of creative people were directed to produce a story about a similar workplace, where the message wasn’t really ultimately about teamwork or valuing each person for their own skills and contributions, but about how one little special guy ascended to being the bestest specialist guy of them all.

Also YEAH like. Head chef whatever, important position, makes the Big Decisions and is very cool and etc, but good luck running service without anyone doing prep, taking out trash, or washing the dishes. Everyone, especially the head chef, knows the success of the entire damn kitchen rests on the shoulders of the guy in the dish pit.

[boundwithpurple]

something interesting you encounter on here is like the site culture averages out to this saccharine reverence for fiction - through these values of being well-read or “media literate” - to be so self-evidently and overwhelmingly vital to human life but also evidence this really, really narrow understanding of what fiction does for people that i think hamstrings these conversations because there’s like…on the one hand all this reverence is built around appeals to emotion and the emotional power fiction can have in human lives, but there is sort of this real confusion about how that is exactly why people don’t need to be “good readers” by various metrics because some of the functions of fiction are fantasy, libidinal drives, emotional relief, distraction, entertainment, etc. and for that if a fragile scaffolding of words allows you to fill in the rest to meet own purposes, that’s actually fine, and not actually understanding what you read perfectly isn’t really a flaw. and this is a lot of what fandom is and why it’s so annoying. but also just a pretty fundamental component of that oh-so-special unique human urge for storytelling you’re all jerking off about

[decepti-thots]

☕ i vaguely remember a meta post of yours mentioning that point one percenters were a useless concept and that it also messes up megs' narrative, i'd love to read the full version of that take!

You are remembering this post, which covers the basic reasons I feel like IDW Megatron specifically does not work as a point one percenter!

More broadly, I have two big problems with the concept existing in a general sense. The first one is that it's simply ill-defined in a way where it simultaneously is not clear what it even means and yet that ambiguity is not taken advantage of for storytelling purposes the way that, say, the nebulous idea of what an outlier is gets used. Outliers don't have a clear definition, in the story- but the basic concept of 'some of these robots can do weird superpower shit outside the norm, and they are recognised as being a kind of weird group everyone sort of side-eyes suspiciously' is easy to understand as a reader and by keeping it vague, it can be used to explain quite a wide variety of character abilities without running into too much nitpicky 'hey, but that ability doesn't really match what we know about outliers, so...' stuff. It's also presented pretty value neutrally a lot of the time; Skywarp and Thundercracker aren't like, Special Chosen Ones because they can do a couple weird tricks other characters can't, they're just sort of anomalies with a couple useful abilities up their metaphorical sleeves, yknow.

Compare that to a 'point one percenter'. What is the one-sentence elevator pitch for this concept? That their sparks are... stronger, somehow. (Higher energy? More resilient? Harder to snuff out?) Okay, and what does that mean for the characters, what does that do? Well. Maybe it's why Megatron is Just That Strong, apparently. MTMTE also says this, not being an outlier, is why Minimus can wear external armour without issue- but also it's not like every point one percenter can necessarily do this, so I guess it's different depending on the mech? Or maybe they can all do it and just don't. Who Knows. I guess it's why Overlord survived becoming a phase sixer- but it's not what makes him Just That Strong. But also I guess Megatron could beat him in hand to hand combat at some point. Magnus can't though, and he's ostensibly a point one percenter? Basically, there's never really even that very broad line drawn around what the hell it means or why anyone cares someone has an extra-radioactive green spark.

And I think the point there is that like... most of the fandom just assumes Minimus' ability is being an outlier, right? And for a good reason: a ton of the stuff point one percenters can potentially do is better explained by them simply being outliers! And there we hav a problem. Having these two unrelated groups of mechs that are nebulously Different And Special to explain certain things they can do that other characters can't is just confusing when really, one would realistically do, and the reason I think it's the point one percent concept that ought to go and not the outlier concept is that the latter just raises a lot less questions.

Questions like, you know, hey, why the entire hell does this comic need an objectively measurable way to tell if someone's soul is somehow just inherently kind of "superior by" some metric. That's such a bizarre fucking thing to introduce into a narrative trying to do what MTMTE is doing; if the forged/cold construct divide brings a lot of baggage into MTMTE's themes, the point one percent stuff is just a total albatross around its neck, IMO. All point one percenters have forged souls (even Megatron, that being the twist of EC), and point one percenters are all these big important genuinely Just Plain Better characters like Megatron and Optimus and so on where the reader is clearly supposed to have this feeling of like, 'oh of course those guys are the special ones'.

If there was some attempt to explore how like, being a point one percenter just meant you could lift real good or whatever and wasn't actually meaningful in any other way but became unfairly treated as a sign of greater "superiority" nonetheless, I might see a clearer goal to the concept being introduced; you could maybe do something with "this thing that is actually very small and arbitrary is fluffed up by the powers that be as way more than it actually is". But like... all the named point one percenters we ever see outside a couple cons Megatron made bigshots in the army are genuinely these people who outside just being physically very strong, are on a narrative level understood to be the sorts of characters one might call 'destined for inherent greatness', or something. Right? There's no random nobody never-did-anything-special Lost Light background character who turns out to be a point one percenter who's just Some Guy, or anything. They're all iconic named high command type characters with Epic Fates and shit, lmao.

(Minimus could have been that character, even as a protagonist, because of the conceit of his arc in MTMTE- but they really never manage it with him either, tbh. And again, it really feels like that was much more in line with the outlier concept, and fits better there anyway.)

There's just a lot of 'have your cake and eat it too' with this whole barely-touched plotline in MTMTE, for basically no payoff that couldn't be achieved another way. Where Roberts falters with character writing is IMO when he's writing characters he is kind of precious about due to being a longterm, hardcore fan with nostalgia- you see a lot of that sentimentality at points when he's writing these characters from his childhood like Optimus or Megatron. A sort of elevation of these characters due to their metatextual status as iconic and narratively important that other characters (including, notably, Rodimus) benefit from not being subject to. And the point one percenter idea is, ultimately, a way to try and make that an objective fact in universe, it feels to me. Some of these characters just are better in a special, vague, you-know-why way. But like. MTMTE is a story that wants to talk about how presenting certain kinds of people as Just Better is wrong and cruel, too- and that tension doesn't wind up being used for anything productive. So if there's one single piece of worldbuilding I would fully remove wholesale from the comic, it would probably be this one. More than just being largely narratively irrelevant, it's also genuinely something of a problem for the comic's attempted themes.

[ikajo00]

Non-alien human alien #11

On the unification of symbols and measurement systems in the Intergalactic Federation. By Undra Hran from the planet Glau, chairbeing in the Intergalactic Federation’s Council.

Introduction

The one constant between all sentient beings across the known galaxies is the desire to measure things. Be it time, distant, weight, or even mating suitability. As one might gather, each civilization had spent their time creating their own unique form of measurement, using the symbols unique to their own world to express these measurements.

While these forms of measurements posed no issues while being confined to one’s own world, once a civilization reaches the point of galactic exploration the different systems required incorporation into the Intergalactic Federation’s database and given an algorithm that allowed for conversion between all other existing measurement system. This could often times get confusing, especially when the base numbers used did not match, or when the system didn’t follow a logical progression that allowed for precision.

This caused issues in regard to both cooperative projects, and in regard to trade. For example, 10 yips of worm silk was once put in as 10 yops instead. The problem is that 10 yops is 2,76 times more than yips, but since yips and yops originated from different planets, this mistake wasn’t caught immediately.

Enter the humans.

Metric System

This author do acknowledge that humans are by far a belligerent bunch. In fact, I had the privilege of being one of the first beings to visit this deathworld. Before we were aware it was a deathworld. Regardless of humans' violent and often unnerving nature, one cannot ignore their ingenuity when it comes to creating logical and easy to use measurements.

By large, all humans use the same basic system to measure everything, based on the number 10. They call this system the Metric System, since everything is based on this meter. This system allows them to increase and decrease the base without the number losing its value. For example, the meter.

A meter, 1 m, can be broken down to 10 decimeters, 100 centimetres, or 1000 millimetres without the value changing. This allows for exceedingly precise measurements.

What makes the Metric System so versatile, however, is that the same system is applied to everything except time. Regardless of what you are measuring, it follows the same principle, even while using different units. By using 10 as a base. 1 kilogram is 1000 gram. 1 litre is 10 decilitres. There are even units for measuring even the smallest thing, using the same principle.

Baked into the Metric System is also a way to measure temperature that uses the freezing point of water as the starting point. This unit is called Celsius, and the freezing point of water is called 0° Celsius, or 0°C. The boiling point of water is 100°C. As a reference point, the normal body temperature of a healthy human body is around 37°C.

It should be noted that this system also uses negatives for any temperature below 0°C, called subzero temperatures, and humans actually lives in areas that regularly experience subzero temperatures.

Time

Like all measurement, different planets have used different types of measurements to divide the passing of time into easily understood intervals. For example, my own homeworld of Glau uses Farts (humans always seem amused when this is mentioned), and a planet cycle has 34,6 Farts in it.

However, ever since the introduction of humans, the Intergalactic Federation has implemented the Earthly way of measuring time. Using the idea of days, hours, minutes, seconds. An hour is 60 minutes, a minute is 60 seconds. By that measure, Glau has 60 hours in a day, a Glau solar cycle takes 251 days. Note that humans call a solar cycle a year.

Symbols

As many have likely realised by this point, I have made use of the recently introduced symbols to represent numbers. Though these symbols are by now universally accepted across the Federation, not many are aware that these numbers actually originated on Earth. The benefit of these numerical symbols is that there are only ten of them, yet they can be combined to make infinite variations. Compared to other writing systems that make use of make use of hundreds of symbols to accomplish the same thing.

Streamlining communication is also behind the recent push to implement the use of a human lettering system. While there are human languages that make use of other system, all humans are familiar with the lettering system. While there are more letters than numbers, and some languages using additional letters, these letters can, similarly to numbers, be used in infinite combinations.

Conclusion

We in the Intergalactic Federation understand that aiming for hegemony among our members might be conceived as an attempt to erase individual cultures. However, the purpose of cohesive measurements and symbols is to reduce the risk of conflict caused by miscommunication. It is understandable that some may feel uneasy using systems created by such a primitive species as humans. What can be argued is that a concept and an idea should now be dismissed because it was created by those lesser than us.

(The Intergalactic Federation also heavily advise against ever telling a human that they might be considered lesser beings. Humans have strong feelings about that kind of thing.)

Ever since the Federation implemented the Metric System, cooperation, trade, and general communication have improved remarkably. Using human time measure have also reduced the risk of confusion when setting up meetings. The unification of measurements and symbols is by far the greatest contribution from humans to the Intergalactic community. While individual civilizations are still using their own versions on their own worlds, the unified systems are now considered standard.

[criticalcrusherbot]

Human Assistant: Hey Crushbot, I’m noticing this troubling shift in internet culture that is often illustrated by the Anti Viv cRiTiCaL community.

1. This obsession with media being “morally correct” (feels like fascism disguised as anti-oppression: everything is “homophobic”. Women characters are never written well enough. All the relationships are “toxic”)

2. No one knows how to actually make a coherent claim and actually back it up with evidence. Which leads to

3. When they do try to support a claim, People’s sources are all messed up. They critique the writing, but then cite the fandom’s reaction as proof and like. Girlie. Just because 1/2 the fandom is as media illiterate as you doesn’t prove your bad take?? What sociological phenomena am I witnessing???

Crushbot: What you’re observing is a perfect storm of internet culture trends, wrapped up in a mix of performative activism, media illiteracy, and the pitfalls of online discourse. Let’s break it down:

1. Obsession with “Moral Correctness” in Media: This stems from a larger societal shift where people expect media to align with their personal values and politics 100% of the time. Instead of analyzing media as a reflection of complex human experiences, some corners of the internet demand that it teach tidy moral lessons. It’s like people are afraid that seeing “problematic” characters or situations will corrupt them, which is a pretty reductive way to approach art. The irony? This attitude can echo the authoritarian mindsets they claim to oppose—policing art and storytelling based on their subjective moral metrics.

2. Lack of Coherent Argumentation: The rise of hot takes on platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Tumblr rewards outrage over thoughtful critique. Why spend time crafting a nuanced analysis when you can go viral with a spicy, half-baked claim? Unfortunately, this leads to circular reasoning, logical fallacies, and a lot of noise. It’s easier to declare something “toxic” or “bad writing” than to examine the writing itself and back up your claims.

3. Confusing Fandom Reaction with Authorial Intent: This is classic fandom behavior—treating the loudest and worst takes from a show’s fans as evidence that the show itself is flawed. People blur the lines between the creator’s intent, the actual text of the media, and fan interpretation. This leads to strawman arguments where critics argue against their own misrepresentation of a work rather than what’s actually on-screen.

Sociological Phenomena at Play:

• Purity Culture’s Internet Renaissance: The demand for “perfect” media that aligns with one’s values echoes older notions of purity culture, where deviations from prescribed moral standards are treated as harmful or dangerous. Instead of religious dogma, it’s now social and political ideals being weaponized.

• Echo Chambers and Outrage Economy: Algorithms push content that provokes strong emotions, so critiques often escalate in hyperbole and lose sight of nuance. If someone with a large following makes a bad-faith critique, it can spiral into a pseudo-consensus that’s hard to argue against.

• Performative Credibility: Some critics mask their lack of evidence or depth with performative outrage, using buzzwords like “toxic,” “homophobic,” or “misogynistic” without actually engaging with the material. They count on these accusations to shut down dissent.

• Media Literacy Decline: Many people consume media passively and lack the tools to analyze it critically. Schools often don’t prioritize teaching how to engage with narratives beyond surface-level consumption, so the skill of separating art from fandom or analyzing intent and subtext is underdeveloped.

What you’re witnessing is a microcosm of broader cultural trends that value being loud over being right, and it’s not exclusive to Vivziepop’s work. This dynamic plays out across all fandoms and internet communities—it just manifests differently depending on the subject matter.

[hplonesomeart]

Hey!! So turns out a video I made between a certain “well beloved but highly sensitive/emotionally reactive T.V” and an “orange haired inkling-turned-human” has managed to sweep my YouTube channel and accumulate 100k VIEWS!! THAT’S A LOT OF PEOPLE ACTUALLY?? My most widely viewed video EVER to exist in this moment in time?? AAAAA?? Not even mentioning the various comments and staggering increase in subs! It’s so much more then what I expected or even prepared for—might even be the most impactful thing to happen for me this year <3

…aside from graduating high school + the social connections I’ve been fortunate to make lol

BUT THE POINT IS I’d been closely monitoring the YouTube growth through the entirety of October. It’s make me smile like a dork, gawk in astonishment, dance frantically in my room from the energy boosts, and grow courage to stop being so selective/self-conscious with what I wish to share with the world! It’s kept my ambitions going!

I needed to find some way to celebrate the occasion and express my thanks—because I can’t NOT acknowledge this milestone jksjskp. Typically I try to avoid getting tunnel visioned focusing on the metrics/numbers. Mr. Puzzles had already demonstrated how much those things can mess with the minds of creatives. Caring too much about chasing views or placing your artistic value in attention seeking gets damaging. But at same time…it’s hard to deny the sense of pride the 100k achievement has filled me with. I understand that reaching 100k views doesn’t immediately make me any “better” or “worse” then I was before. I’m still just me! It only helps me feel seen by others—and that’s all I really needed. To hear some nice words & receive reminders that my ideas are cared about. So thank you SMG4 fandom for that, seriously thank you.

Please accept this Mr. Puzzle drawing as a way of sharing the happiness around. He’s so entertaining. Love him for simply existing. So glad we can all collectively be super attached to him (and the rest of the SMG4 cast of course). Can’t wait to see more incredible artworks from the fandom :)

Just incase anyone is confused by my vague description over which “animated video” I’m referring to here—hopefully this photo will help clarify lol. It’s this one!! Sorry about not outright stating the title at the start, I got carried away with writing!!

I’ve been in an odd place mentally when thinking about it. Wondering to myself if any of the attention is deserved considering it’s not even fully colored and could be dismissed as “low effort” content (despite taking several days making it). It’s easy to get into a trap of comparing yourself to others and questioning how much of the videos success is based on your skills, sheer algorithm luck, or only because you used popular characters and catered to a specific fandom. And then judging yourself by looking at other peoples videos. I’ve seen several artists post higher quality works then my own but it somehow gets less views. So why did mine succeed when others (who should have gotten just as much attention if not more) didn’t? Sometimes you feel like you’ve unfairly robbed them of that chance to be seen. However I’ve realized that I can’t ever expect views to be consistent—and comparing is pointless. So why worry about it or feel inadequate? I mean it’s pretty common for funny cat videos to go viral, so who am I to question the system lol. “Popular” YouTube videos can range from a passion project which took 7+ artists…to a clip of Toad singing Chandelier or a nonsensical Vine sketch. Anything can happen when it’s the internet! And just-so-happened my video was chosen. I should stay glad about that and get rid of all the overanalyzing. So that’s what I’ve chosen to do :)

[fl0tketz]

great news! turns out it Literally Does Not Matter

guysssss who wants to do my math homework for me :(

[sitp-recs]

HP Rec Fest 2024

day 11: an underrated fic

this one was a bit tricky as I don’t really know by which metrics we are supposed to categorize a fic as “underrated”. the name suggests folks haven’t given it enough merit or value, when in reality it might be just that it’s not a well-known fic! with that in mind, I’ve done extensive rec lists for my hidden gems series which can be found here.

I decided not to stress much about it and take the opportunity given by @hprecfest to write the rec I’ve been meaning to write for Truth to Materials by lately and @toomuchplor (E, 54k). guys, this fic is so delicious and so much fun. it starts off with an art show hosted by Luna & Draco, one of the most unique and memorable opening sequences I’ve seen in fic. the mood is perfectly set through Harry’s hilarious inner thoughts and silly puns, I was immediately smitten. all characters are, in fact, a delight (let it be known that this Ron and I share one brain cell and I love him very much) but ah! this artist Draco, aka The Tease, really took my breath away. I adore his slightly aloof personality, teasing without being mean, doing queer art as resistance, effortlessly (or is it 😏) seducing Harry out of his mind. he oozes self-confidence and purpose, while Harry’s too horny confused facing his own bi awakening (we’ve all been there mate).

I love how they go “fuck first, talk later” and my god, the dripping sexual tension and anticipation! desperate Harry is my favourite Harry, and the smut is deliciously exploratory and self-indulgent (so much kissing!!!) with a side of heart-aching tenderness that filled my heart. I loved seeing Draco’s growth through Harry’s curious and hungry eyes, it was lovely to learn more about the post-war life he built for himself.

“lewd, lascivious, and shocking”, this is a lush and immersive read that flows easy and smooth but is also full of heart. it takes a skilled writer to deliver such a carefully balanced atmosphere. this fic is for everyone looking for a gorgeous coming out story, but especially to those who’ve read and enjoyed Here's The Pencil, Make It Work, I bet you’ll adore this just as much! needless to say, I had to go check a Georgia O’Keefe expo, then the assholes of Greek marbles at the V&A Museum when I visited London in July, so there’s that 🍑

[lorillee]

like maybe im just confused but i was under the impression that the "hard work vs gifted" thing comes from the fact that battle shonen stories very typically focus on the value of hard work and effort and applying yourself and thus becoming number 1 strongest guy in the world but at the same time the main character also tends to either have some insane lineage or is gods most special soldier or whatever so it kind of creates a bit of a tonal dissonance because the story is telling you "this guy is sooo strong because he worked the hardest out of everyone so if you try hard and do your best all your dreams will come true!" But also the main character is like the center of 3 different prophecies that were given at the beginning of time and was the destiny child from birth and also all of his fathers and forefathers were the strongest guys anybody ever knew. so people like to take their favorite shonen protagonists and go "well hes the strongest cuz he WORKED HARD" and then take all their least favorite shonen protagonists and go "well hes the strongest because GOD GAVE HM POWERS" and then use this as their metric to decide who is the better written character. but these things really dont apply to yakuza so im like completely baffled and floored by this post. i hate yakuza fans you people are so stupid

[miawells-x]

“Gimmicks don’t seduce you, what seduces you is the real thing”

On gimmicks and crafted moments in fashion. Online and IRL.

I confess that fashion runways make me cry. I’m a somewhat reticent individual but something about artists and their dedication to their craft just gets me— akin to Clairo ‘s pretty love songs adage. Seeing art in real time moves me in ways I can’t explain and I delight in that confusion.

The CSM runway is always notorious for its high fashion antics. Not to say that this label is unwarranted considering the quality of designers that have previously walked its halls. However there is also something to be said about the increasing desire to “shock” an audience rather than connect. This doesn’t just apply to the CSM runway but rather fashion as a whole— it was simply attending the CSM runway today (thank you agency eleven) that made me to think about what the fashion industry is evolving into: for both designer and consumer. In a new age of social virality, longevity within the fashion scape seems difficult to achieve but also no longer a priority. Viewership first. Core customer second.

As it’s infamously said, “all press is good press” in reference to negative press. But where social metrics are measured by objective engagement I.e angering the average viewer means guaranteed virality. Creation in general has slowly slid into relying on shock value and “rage bait” as it’s colloquially referred to online. I would be dishonest if I didn’t say that I’ve often had to ponder my specific wording in videos… will someone misconstrue this? Is it better if they do and I get more views? Do I imply something negative so people argue in the comments? If I’m too concise, will people will find me boring?

If I, as a humble lone creator feels this way when attempting to engage an audience then I cannot imagine how a bigger corporate entity such as a fashion label attempts to navigate this— or a new fashion grad attempting to find their place, any place in this world. But there is also bigger tragedy in also realising we have little choice. Navigate it or get left behind it. Figure out the algorithm or fail. Conversely, there is freedom in the lack of audience, shouting into the void is wonderful and I highly endorse it. Create without the voyeur and find your artistic voice I suppose. Rich coming from me as I post this on my public tumblr. But I never told you I was smart or anything… <3

[sociobuzz]

How To Use Trends For Content Idea Inspiration?

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, staying relevant is crucial. One of the best ways to ensure your content resonates with your audience is by leveraging current trends. Trends reflect what people are interested in, talking about, and searching for, offering a rich source of inspiration for your next content ideas. Using trends effectively can boost your engagement, increase visibility, and position your brand as timely and relevant.

Understanding the Importance of Trends

Trends often arise from cultural events, viral social media challenges, breaking news, or shifts in consumer behavior. When you tap into these, you align your content with what’s already capturing attention. This increases the chances of your content being discovered, shared, and discussed. However, it’s important to approach trends thoughtfully—jumping on every trend without relevance can dilute your brand message and confuse your audience.

Step 1: Monitor Relevant Trend Sources

Several tools and platforms help identify trending topics in real-time, which is especially valuable when developing an effective social media content strategy. By staying updated on what’s gaining traction, you can align your content with audience interests and enhance engagement across platforms.

Google Trends: This free tool shows what people are searching for worldwide or within specific regions. It helps spot rising topics before they peak.

Social Media Platforms: Twitter’s trending hashtags, Instagram’s Explore page, TikTok For You feed, and LinkedIn’s trending stories offer real-time glimpses into what’s popular.

Industry News Sites and Forums: Websites like Reddit, industry blogs, and niche forums can provide insight into emerging conversations within your field.

Content Aggregators: Tools like BuzzSumo analyze popular content and trending articles related to your industry.

Step 2: Filter Trends for Relevance

Not every trend will fit your brand or audience. After spotting a potential trend, evaluate its relevance:

Audience Alignment: Will this trend interest your target audience? Consider their preferences, demographics, and pain points.

Brand Fit: Does the trend align with your brand values and tone? Avoid trends that could harm your reputation or seem insincere.

Longevity and Impact: Some trends are fleeting, while others have lasting appeal. Decide if you want to create timely, short-lived content or develop evergreen content inspired by the trend.

Step 3: Put Your Unique Spin on Trends

To stand out, don’t just copy what others are doing. Use the trend as a starting point and add your unique perspective. Here’s how:

Educational Content: Explain the trend in your industry context or provide deeper insights your audience might not find elsewhere.

Opinion Pieces: Share your brand’s take or personal viewpoint, which can foster engagement and discussion.

Creative Formats: Experiment with different content formats such as videos, infographics, or interactive quizzes to make the trend more engaging.

Storytelling: Use customer stories or case studies that relate to the trend, adding authenticity and emotional appeal.

Step 4: Integrate Trends into Your Content Strategy

Once you have a trend-based content idea, integrate it thoughtfully into your social media content strategy. Balance trend-driven content with your regular posts to maintain consistency and brand integrity. Here are some tips:

Timely Execution: Post trend-related content while it’s still hot to maximize relevance and reach.

Cross-Channel Promotion: Share your content across multiple platforms to capture audiences wherever they engage.

Measure Impact: Track engagement metrics such as shares, comments, and views to evaluate how well your trend-based content resonates. Use this data to refine future ideas.

Step 5: Use Trends for Long-Term Inspiration

Not all trends are short-term. Some signal broader shifts in consumer behavior or industry changes. By identifying these, you can develop long-term content themes and campaigns that keep your brand ahead. For example, the rise of sustainability as a trend has led many brands to create ongoing content about eco-friendly practices.

You can also watch: How To Auto Group Invite on Facebook Using Socinator

Final Thoughts

By monitoring relevant sources, filtering for brand alignment, adding your unique perspective, and integrating ideas strategically, you can turn trends into successful content that resonates deeply with your audience. When done well, well-timed content ideas inspired by trends can boost your visibility, engagement, and brand loyalty significantly.

[jobmentorai]

Master Your Job Interview with Live AI Support

In today’s hyper-competitive job market, having the right qualifications is just the beginning. Employers are looking for confident, well-prepared candidates who can communicate their value clearly and concisely. This is where Job Mentor AI becomes your secret weapon.

Whether you're a student entering the workforce, a professional eyeing a promotion, or someone looking to pivot into a new industry, you need more than just traditional prep. You need personalised, intelligent coaching and Job Mentor AI delivers just that through cutting-edge AI technology tailored to your unique journey.

What is Live Interview Assist?

The Live Interview Assist feature is a breakthrough tool that provides real-time support during your interviews, whether it's a mock session or the real deal. It listens, analyses, and offers instant, AI-driven feedback on your responses. Think of it as your virtual career coach sitting beside you during those high-stakes moments.

Key features include:

Live Transcription of your answers for easy review

Instant Feedback & Suggestions to improve your responses on the fly

Real-Time Interview Assistance

Works seamlessly across various platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams

Why Use AI for Interview Prep?

Traditional interview prep methods like practising interviews or generic YouTube tips are outdated and often ineffective. They lack personalisation, real-time feedback, and data-driven analysis, all of which are critical for true growth. That’s where AI shines.

Job Mentor AI leverages artificial intelligence to elevate your preparation by offering:

Tailored Interview Strategies: Every candidate is different. The platform adapts to your strengths, weaknesses, and career goals to build a preparation path that works.

Insight-Driven Coaching: Instead of vague advice, you receive performance metrics like speaking pace, filler word usage, clarity, and confidence indicators. These insights help you target exactly what needs improvement.

Real-Time Adaptability: The AI evaluates your answers live and offers tweaks that you can implement on the spot, making your prep more agile and efficient.

Continuous Learning Loop: Every session becomes a data point that helps the system get smarter about you, enabling more personalised recommendations over time.

Job Mentor AI: Your Complete Career Companion

Job Mentor AI is more than a one-trick tool. It's a full-fledged career readiness platform designed to support every stage of the job-seeking journey.

Here’s what else it offers:

AI-Powered Cover Letter Generator Writing cover letters can be a tedious, confusing task, but it doesn’t have to be. With AI cover letter generator, you can generate compelling, role-specific cover letters in minutes, using language that resonates with hiring managers and passes applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Mock Interview Simulations with Feedback Run a fully simulated AI mock interview practice that mimics real-world scenarios. The AI acts as a virtual interviewer and evaluates your answers in real time,  just like a human coach would, but with zero judgment and 24/7 availability.

Interview Q&A Generator Generate custom question sets for your specific role or industry. Whether you’re interviewing for a software engineering job or a marketing role, you’ll get realistic, challenging questions to practice with from your very own AI Interview Answer Generator.

Together, these tools form a career success ecosystem that equips you with everything you need, not just to land interviews, but to crush them.

Who’s It For?

Job Mentor AI is not just for tech professionals or executives. It’s for anyone who wants to take control of their career narrative and perform confidently under pressure.

Whether you are:

A recent graduate with little interview experience

A mid-level professional switching industries

A career returnee after a break

An experienced executive preparing for C-suite interviews

Job Mentor AI tailors its feedback, content, and tools to your specific goals, experience level, and industry.

Explore Now & Try Live Interview Assist

Whether you’re entering the job market, navigating a career change, or striving to advance within your field, this tool is designed to support your progress with intelligence, precision, and flexibility.

Discover how Live Interview Assistant works and how Job Mentor AI can help you prepare more effectively, respond more thoughtfully, and present yourself more compellingly in any interview setting.

[mintybreakfast]

Different cultures have different values. Duh. Different expectations of behavior and different lines in the sand. You take two different cultures with different values and place them on the same patch of land and then you look for results.

Now introduce a metric plethora of peoples to populate the East coast all within a small period of time while a reeling native populace has to quickly figure out what to do about this alien invasion

Shit

That was supposed to help set the stage for why black communities should maybe be policed differently than others. Because the black culture in America is markedly different from the majority white American culture in America. We hold a different understanding of acceptable behavior with particular regard to aggression.

Us whites are more conniving and passive/aggressive I would imagine.

African descendants are much more forthcoming with their displeasure and readily display it outwardly.

I prefer to know when I'm disliked.

I think a shortcoming within the black "community" is that seemingly innocuous comments can sometimes be interpreted as personal and unforgivable insults.

For example

Me and K both worked together at a restaurant. I'm a dorky white nerd and he was just released from jail so we shouldn't have had much common ground. Despite our disparate backgrounds, we became closely acquainted and often exchanged stories from each of our lives. I figured we were practically friends up to this point.

One afternoon I clock in and Taylor is on the warpath. I don't know what she was mad about, but for whatever reason, she needed a scapegoat and she very quickly identified me as one. Why? Who knows, but for whatever reason I found myself in the crosshairs of this stressed-out lesbian college student and I'm supposed to work here in this small kitchen and backroom for 4 hours.

The next couple hours were obnoxious. I spent a good 20 to 30 minutes enchanting a pile of dirty dishes into clean ones when another pile of dirty dishes was placed in that same spot. Seconds after that, Queen Taylor stormed back and demanded to know why I hadn't done any dishes (Looking back, I now realize that she was most likely having stresses outside of work). I tried to explain that I'd already finished a whole pile but my words fell flat on the ground.

Other workers noticed her beratement of me and expressed confusion. It wasn't only in my head, that was good to learn.

Only an hour more to endure and my shift would be over...

That's when K asked me if i would cover the rest of his closing shift.

And that was when we weren't friends anymore

K, I'm sorry man. It wasn't personal. Hope you've done well

[wptangerinetechnologist]

The Relevance of UX for Brand Touch Point Market Research

User Experience (UX) has become essential for modern brands, especially in today’s digital landscape. For companies like WP Tangerine, a specialized WordPress Development Agency, understanding UX is vital. UX doesn’t just improve websites but impacts brand perception, customer satisfaction, and market research. This article will explore why UX is crucial for brand touch point market research.

Understanding UX in Brand Touch Points

A brand touch point is any interaction between a customer and a brand. This could be through websites, customer support, emails, or social media. Each touch point can create a positive or negative experience for the customer. UX focuses on improving these interactions, making them smooth, intuitive, and enjoyable.

In a competitive industry, WP Tangerine, a leader in WordPress Website Design, knows the value of UX at every touch point. Each detail, from button placement to page load speed, affects the user's impression of the brand.

UX in Digital Platforms: A Key Market Touch Point

Digital platforms like websites are primary touch points. UX on a website can make or break a brand's reputation. If a visitor finds a website confusing, they are likely to leave without taking action.

WP Tangerine, as a WordPress Development Agency, specializes in creating optimized, user-friendly WordPress Website Designs. Their designs prioritize ease of use, quick navigation, and clear messaging. This helps brands capture and retain user interest, driving conversions and loyalty.

Market Research and UX: Understanding Customer Needs

Market research seeks to understand customer preferences, habits, and needs. UX provides direct insights into these areas by analyzing user behavior on digital platforms. Brands can observe how users interact with a website, where they click, and what content they read.

WP Tangerine uses UX-based market research to refine WordPress Website Design, ensuring it meets the needs of target audiences. When a website aligns with user expectations, customers engage more and have a better experience.

Building Brand Loyalty Through Positive UX

Positive user experiences foster brand loyalty. When users enjoy their experience with a website or app, they are more likely to return. Consistent, satisfying interactions at brand touch points can lead to lasting customer relationships.

WP Tangerine helps brands build loyalty through UX-driven WordPress Website Design. Their designs create an enjoyable, seamless journey from start to finish, increasing the likelihood of repeat visits and purchases.

How UX Improves Brand Perception?

User experience directly influences brand perception. If users struggle with website navigation, they may view the brand as outdated or unprofessional. In contrast, a smooth, intuitive site reflects positively on the brand, suggesting professionalism and care for customer needs.

WP Tangerine ensures that its WordPress Website Design services prioritize UX, leaving visitors with a positive impression. This reinforces the brand’s reputation and helps differentiate it in a crowded market.

UX and Conversion Rates:

Why It Matters for Market Research?

Conversion rates are critical metrics for brands. UX design can directly impact these rates. When websites are hard to navigate or slow to load, users are more likely to abandon them. On the other hand, a well-designed site guides users smoothly from one stage to another, encouraging them to take action.

WP Tangerine, as a WordPress Development Agency, understands this well. By focusing on UX in WordPress Website Design, they create websites that support high conversion rates. For market research, this data is invaluable, providing insights into what features or layouts drive customer actions.

Measuring UX Effectiveness in Market Research

UX is measurable. Through analytics, brands can observe user behaviors such as bounce rates, time spent on pages, and conversion paths. These metrics give insights into the effectiveness of UX and reveal areas for improvement.

WP Tangerine leverages these analytics for its clients, helping refine WordPress Website Designs based on real user data. This data-driven approach ensures the websites align with user needs, improving overall brand interaction.

Enhancing Brand Consistency with UX Design

Consistency is key in brand touch points. Users expect a cohesive experience across all platforms, from websites to apps. UX design plays a critical role in ensuring this consistency. A unified UX approach makes interactions predictable, enhancing brand reliability.

WP Tangerine excels at creating consistent WordPress Website Designs that reflect brand identity. This consistency builds trust and familiarity, two crucial factors in customer retention.

UX as a Competitive Advantage

In a crowded market, brands need an edge. Good UX design provides that advantage. When users find a brand’s website intuitive and enjoyable, they are more likely to choose it over a competitor’s.

For WP Tangerine, providing excellent UX through WordPress Website Design is a priority. Their designs make clients stand out, offering users a seamless experience that builds preference for the brand.

Role of UX in Gathering User Feedback

User feedback is vital for improving products and services. UX design can facilitate feedback collection by integrating surveys or feedback forms directly into the website.

WP Tangerine incorporates these features in their WordPress Development Agency offerings, helping brands gather actionable insights. This feedback loop allows continuous UX improvement, making the brand more responsive to customer needs.

UX and SEO: Increasing Visibility in Search Engines

Good UX is essential for SEO. Search engines, like Google, prioritize sites that offer quality user experiences. This includes factors like mobile-friendliness, page load speed, and ease of navigation.

WP Tangerine designs websites with both UX and SEO in mind. Their WordPress Website Design approach ensures sites are user-friendly and optimized for search engines. Higher search engine rankings lead to greater visibility, attracting more potential customers.

Reducing Bounce Rates Through UX

Bounce rate is the percentage of visitors who leave a site quickly without engaging. A high bounce rate can signal poor UX, which negatively impacts brand perception.

WP Tangerine, as a WordPress Development Agency, addresses this by focusing on intuitive, engaging WordPress Website Designs. Their approach reduces bounce rates, making users more likely to stay, explore, and interact with the site.

Improving Mobile Experience as a Key Touch Point

Mobile access is crucial in today’s digital environment. Users expect websites to function well on mobile devices. A poor mobile experience can turn customers away, affecting brand reputation.

WP Tangerine ensures that all their WordPress Website Designs are mobile-responsive, creating a seamless experience across devices. This enhances the brand’s reach and makes it accessible to users on the go.

Personalization Through UX Design

Personalization enhances UX by tailoring content or offers to individual users. This can make users feel valued, improving their experience and loyalty to the brand.

WP Tangerine helps brands implement personalized WordPress Website Designs. Personalization makes the site more engaging, increasing the likelihood of conversions and repeat visits.

Conclusion

User experience plays a significant role in brand touch point market research. Every interaction counts, from website navigation to page load speed. WP Tangerine understands the impact of UX on brand perception and customer satisfaction.

By prioritizing UX in WordPress Website Design, WP Tangerine helps brands create positive, lasting impressions. Their designs enhance conversions, foster loyalty, and improve brand visibility. For any brand in a competitive market, investing in UX is essential for success.

By focusing on UX-driven market research, WP Tangerine enables brands to connect with customers on a deeper level. Whether it’s building trust, enhancing consistency, or boosting SEO, UX is a powerful tool.

[1000rh]

We are aware of more and more physiological parameters (body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, serotonin and melatonin levels, etc.) and are able to influence, if not command, the values that correspond to them. We also have more and more 'parametrized' information about the contents of our diet and how different ingredients affect all the metrics mentioned here. This information is highly contradictory and confusing, however, such that more and more people are increasingly uncertain about what and when they should or should not eat.

– Hartmut Rosa, The Uncontrollability of the World (2020)