#post-pandemic architecture

[asestimationsconsultants]

Adapting to Change | How a Construction Cost Estimating Service Reflects Post-Pandemic Architecture Trends

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped the world in many ways, and architecture and construction were no exception. As businesses, governments, and individuals adjusted to a new reality, architectural trends shifted to reflect the changing needs and priorities. The rise of remote work, health and wellness concerns, and sustainability considerations all influence post-pandemic architecture. For construction professionals, accurately predicting the costs associated with these evolving trends requires expertise and an adaptive approach. A construction cost estimating service plays a crucial role in translating these new architectural trends into budget forecasts that ensure projects align with both contemporary demands and financial realities.

Health and Wellness in Architecture

The post-pandemic world has heightened awareness around health, safety, and wellness, influencing design priorities in both residential and commercial buildings. Features such as improved ventilation, touchless systems, enhanced cleaning protocols, and biophilic design are now at the forefront of architectural planning. Incorporating these features requires more thoughtful material selection, specialized systems, and layout adjustments—all of which affect the overall cost.

A construction cost estimating service helps by:

Calculating costs for enhanced HVAC systems: Modern ventilation systems that improve air quality are now considered a necessity in many buildings. Estimators evaluate the costs of high-performance HVAC systems, including filtration and UV systems to sanitize the air.

Incorporating biophilic design features: The integration of natural elements like indoor plants, green walls, or natural lighting can increase construction costs. Estimators forecast the costs of implementing these sustainable design features, which enhance the occupant's health and well-being.

Factoring in touchless and smart systems: The demand for touchless technologies in elevators, faucets, doors, and lighting has surged. These systems can significantly impact the budget, and estimators need to evaluate both installation and long-term maintenance costs.

Flexibility and Adaptability in Building Design

The pandemic has shown that flexibility in design is more critical than ever. The future of work is likely to involve a hybrid model, with employees spending time both in the office and at home. As a result, buildings must be adaptable, with spaces that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing needs. This adaptability requires careful consideration of layout, movable walls, and multipurpose rooms.

A construction cost estimating service assists by:

Assessing costs for modular and flexible construction systems: The use of modular systems that allow for easy reconfiguration of interior spaces can be more expensive upfront, but they offer long-term flexibility. Estimators calculate the initial and potential long-term costs of these systems.

Evaluating the expense of adaptable spaces: Offices that can easily transform into collaborative spaces or quiet zones for remote work require specialized designs and finishes. Cost estimators provide insights into how these flexible spaces impact the overall budget.

Factoring in future-proofing elements: Buildings that are designed to adapt to new technology, office layouts, or residential trends require investments in infrastructure such as extra power outlets, robust Wi-Fi networks, and data cabling. Estimators calculate these future-proofing costs into the initial budget.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

The pandemic has increased focus on sustainability, with more individuals and businesses prioritizing environmental impact and energy efficiency. In the post-pandemic era, green building practices are no longer a luxury but an expectation. From net-zero energy buildings to the use of sustainable materials, the integration of sustainability into architecture affects the overall cost structure.

A construction cost estimating service can support these efforts by:

Estimating costs for energy-efficient technologies: Solar panels, energy-efficient windows, green roofs, and sustainable insulation are in high demand as part of eco-conscious building practices. Estimators ensure that the integration of these technologies is adequately budgeted.

Accounting for green certification processes: Many buildings aim to achieve certifications such as LEED or BREEAM. The requirements for these certifications may increase both direct costs and timeframes. Estimators factor these additional requirements into the budget.

Evaluating lifecycle cost benefits: While sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs may increase upfront costs, they often provide long-term savings through lower operational expenses. Estimators incorporate these lifecycle savings into the cost estimate, demonstrating both the immediate investment and the long-term financial benefits.

Changes in Residential Design

The pandemic has also affected the way residential spaces are designed. As more people worked and studied from home, the demand for dedicated home offices, larger living spaces, and outdoor areas increased. Homeowners are seeking spaces that enhance their quality of life and provide greater comfort, privacy, and connection to the outdoors.

A construction cost estimating service helps by:

Estimating the costs for home office and study spaces: Dedicated home offices or study spaces require additional design considerations such as soundproofing, technology integration, and proper lighting. Estimators calculate the costs associated with creating these spaces.

Factoring in outdoor living spaces: Outdoor areas such as patios, gardens, and outdoor kitchens have become essential. Estimators evaluate the costs of landscaping, outdoor furniture, and specialized features like fire pits, ensuring that the outdoor living space is fully integrated into the budget.

Evaluating the impact of larger floorplans: As more people seek larger homes to accommodate home offices and extended family, the costs of materials and labor can increase. Estimators adjust the budget based on changes in square footage and layout.

Conclusion

The post-pandemic era has brought about a new wave of architectural trends focused on health, flexibility, sustainability, and comfort. As architects and builders embrace these trends, construction cost estimating services play a crucial role in ensuring that projects meet both the design requirements and the budget constraints. From advanced HVAC systems to sustainable building materials and adaptable layouts, accurate cost estimations are key to successfully implementing these changes. As the world continues to adapt, construction professionals must remain agile and responsive to the evolving needs of the built environment, ensuring that both current and future construction projects reflect the demands of a post-pandemic society.

[mariacallous]

The so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is starting to put together a team to migrate the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) computer systems entirely off one of its oldest programming languages in a matter of months, potentially putting the integrity of the system—and the benefits on which tens of millions of Americans rely—at risk.

The project is being organized by Elon Musk lieutenant Steve Davis, multiple sources who were not given permission to talk to the media tell WIRED, and aims to migrate all SSA systems off COBOL, one of the first common business-oriented programming languages, and onto a more modern replacement like Java within a scheduled tight timeframe of a few months.

Under any circumstances, a migration of this size and scale would be a massive undertaking, experts tell WIRED, but the expedited deadline runs the risk of obstructing payments to the more than 65 million people in the US currently receiving Social Security benefits.

“Of course, one of the big risks is not underpayment or overpayment per se; [it’s also] not paying someone at all and not knowing about it. The invisible errors and omissions,” an SSA technologist tells WIRED.

The Social Security Administration did not immediately reply to WIRED’s request for comment.

SSA has been under increasing scrutiny from president Donald Trump’s administration. In February, Musk took aim at SSA, falsely claiming that the agency was rife with fraud. Specifically, Musk pointed to data he allegedly pulled from the system that showed 150-year-olds in the US were receiving benefits, something that isn’t actually happening. Over the last few weeks, following significant cuts to the agency by DOGE, SSA has suffered frequent website crashes and long wait times over the phone, The Washington Post reported this week.

This proposed migration isn’t the first time SSA has tried to move away from COBOL: In 2017, SSA announced a plan to receive hundreds of millions in funding to replace its core systems. The agency predicted that it would take around five years to modernize these systems. Because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the agency pivoted away from this work to focus on more public-facing projects.

Like many legacy government IT systems, SSA systems contain code written in COBOL, a programming language created in part in the 1950s by computing pioneer Grace Hopper. The Defense Department essentially pressured private industry to use COBOL soon after its creation, spurring widespread adoption and making it one of the most widely used languages for mainframes, or computer systems that process and store large amounts of data quickly, by the 1970s. (At least one DOD-related website praising Hopper's accomplishments is no longer active, likely following the Trump administration’s DEI purge of military acknowledgements.)

As recently as 2016, SSA’s infrastructure contained more than 60 million lines of code written in COBOL, with millions more written in other legacy coding languages, the agency’s Office of the Inspector General found. In fact, SSA’s core programmatic systems and architecture haven’t been “substantially” updated since the 1980s when the agency developed its own database system called MADAM, or the Master Data Access Method, which was written in COBOL and Assembler, according to SSA’s 2017 modernization plan.

SSA’s core “logic” is also written largely in COBOL. This is the code that issues social security numbers, manages payments, and even calculates the total amount beneficiaries should receive for different services, a former senior SSA technologist who worked in the office of the chief information officer says. Even minor changes could result in cascading failures across programs.

“If you weren't worried about a whole bunch of people not getting benefits or getting the wrong benefits, or getting the wrong entitlements, or having to wait ages, then sure go ahead,” says Dan Hon, principal of Very Little Gravitas, a technology strategy consultancy that helps government modernize services, about completing such a migration in a short timeframe.

It’s unclear when exactly the code migration would start. A recent document circulated amongst SSA staff laying out the agency’s priorities through May does not mention it, instead naming other priorities like terminating “non-essential contracts” and adopting artificial intelligence to “augment” administrative and technical writing.

Earlier this month, WIRED reported that at least 10 DOGE operatives were currently working within SSA, including a number of young and inexperienced engineers like Luke Farritor and Ethan Shaotran. At the time, sources told WIRED that the DOGE operatives would focus on how people identify themselves to access their benefits online.

Sources within SSA expect the project to begin in earnest once DOGE identifies and marks remaining beneficiaries as deceased and connecting disparate agency databases. In a Thursday morning court filing, an affidavit from SSA acting administrator Leland Dudek said that at least two DOGE operatives are currently working on a project formally called the “Are You Alive Project,” targeting what these operatives believe to be improper payments and fraud within the agency’s system by calling individual beneficiaries. The agency is currently battling for sweeping access to SSA’s systems in court to finish this work. (Again, 150-year-olds are not collecting social security benefits. That specific age was likely a quirk of COBOL. It doesn’t include a date type, so dates are often coded to a specific reference point—May 20, 1875, the date of an international standards-setting conference held in Paris, known as the Convention du Mètre.)

In order to migrate all COBOL code into a more modern language within a few months, DOGE would likely need to employ some form of generative artificial intelligence to help translate the millions of lines of code, sources tell WIRED. “DOGE thinks if they can say they got rid of all the COBOL in months, then their way is the right way, and we all just suck for not breaking shit,” says the SSA technologist.

DOGE would also need to develop tests to ensure the new system’s outputs match the previous one. It would be difficult to resolve all of the possible edge cases over the course of several years, let alone months, adds the SSA technologist.

“This is an environment that is held together with bail wire and duct tape,” the former senior SSA technologist working in the office of the chief information officer tells WIRED. “The leaders need to understand that they’re dealing with a house of cards or Jenga. If they start pulling pieces out, which they’ve already stated they’re doing, things can break.”

[plaest2k]

hey, im a young nz artist too and i like making comics/want to do something bigger when im older, and i think your stuff is genuinely so fucking cool. i love it so much. i was wondering how you pursued art after highschool, like did you go to art school? if so, where and what was that like, and if not, how’d you find the time to continue doing it? its always felt like my opportunities for a career in art specifically seem smaller living in nz, but idk your stuff inspires me to think otherwise. thank you :)

kia ora!!

thanks so much for asking, it's truly so flattering that a young nz artist would ask me for advice! <3 sadly i might not necessarily be the best person to ask...

First of all, it's been a loooooong time since i've been a young artist hahaha I'm 32. After high school, I studied architecture at university because, as you're probably aware, we don't really have art schools like our peers do overseas. But after studying for a few years, I had a major depressive episode and dropped out. After that, I ran away to Korea to teach english for a year before coming back to work in cafes for about 6 years. Back then I was pursuing a career in editorial illustration cause that's what all my favourite artists were doing but I didn't realise that it was a dying industry at the time and there weren't exactly lot of full-time professional artists here who could have warned me...

So after about 10 years of trying to piece together some kind of profession in illustration, I ended up looking for a tattoo apprenticeship which was looking pretty promising but my bosses turned out to be not-so-great people. I tried to keep tattooing on my own but that was around the time COVID hit which wasn't (and still isn't) great for a job that requires you meet face-to-face with a lot of people. So, since the pandemic began, I've just been subsisting off of jobseeker, chipping away at comics and the occasional illustration gig.

The whole experience had me perpetually burnt out for the past ~15 years and made me realise that art as a career really just shouldn't be a thing. Under capitalism, it requires either an embarrassing level of compromise, privilege or luck to pursue. All the household-name artists you know in NZ either come from privilege or got unbelievably lucky. I don't say this as a value judgment or anything, most of them are truly wonderful people, it's just what I've learned about them as colleagues who've worked together a few times over the years.

I don't fault anyone for wanting to pursue that, but if you want to make uncompromising art that makes you feel fulfilled, you can't stake your livelihood on it. Art is supposed to be a by-product of life well lived, not content to be sold.

It's why I'm making plans to go back to uni next year to switch careers into a cushy office job because, as you've observed, even if you still want to pursue this as a full-time career, opportunities for artists in Aotearoa is extremely limited.

Having said all that, there's still a lot of nuance to this whole thing that would take me too long to cover in a tumblr post, so if you'd like me to elaborate or anything or have more questions, you're more than welcome to contact me through my email: plaest2k@gmail.com!

And this offer extends to literally anyone who might be looking for advice or just wants to talk about art <3

Final thing: the thought of studying something else at college/ university and keeping your art as a hobby might sound bleak when you're young, but life is so much longer than you think. You might feel like you have limitless creativity and ideas at the moment but when it becomes your entire life, you burn through it all faster than you'd think. It's because you need fuel to inform what you make and you can't get that from just making art. Like I always say, art is a by-product of a life well lived; You need life-experiences; You need to love, hate, care, be hated and loved to make art and you can't do that if you're too busy to do any of that. Those 3 years you spend on a bachelors is nothing in comparison to a lifetime of staring at a blank page, agonizing over what to make next.

[justforbooks]

The ‘new world order’ of the past 35 years is being demolished before our eyes. This is how we must proceed

We have seen the conflict and tragedy that can follow when an old era collapses. Countries that believe in multilateralism must come together now

After a week that started with the worst financial volatility in recent history and ended with the most serious escalation so far of the China-US conflict, it is time to distinguish the tectonic shifts from the tremors. If nothing changes, the 2020s risks being remembered as this century’s devil’s decade – the term historians once used for the 1930s. It will be defined not just by seven million people who have died of Covid-19 and rising global poverty and inequality – but also by a dismembered Ukraine, a burnt-out Gaza and little-reported atrocities in Africa and Asia, each testimony to the violent displacement of a rules-based global order by a power-based one.

Indeed, before our eyes, every single pillar of the old order is under assault – not just free trade but the rule of law and the primacy we have long attached to human rights and democracy, the self-determination of peoples, and multilateral cooperation between nations, including the humanitarian and environmental responsibilities we once accepted as citizens of the world.

Power shifts are, of course, the stuff of history. Within the space of two centuries, four world orders have risen and fallen. The first two – the balance of power that emerged after the defeat of Napoleon in the early 19th century, and the post-1918 Treaty of Versailles system born after four dynastic empires collapsed – ultimately ended in the carnage of world wars. Then came the post-1945 architecture, led by the US and the United Nations; and, after 1990 with the breakup of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, what US president George HW Bush called a “new world order”.

Now, as the economic balance of power shifts eastwards and a new mercantilism takes root, what was once called the Washington consensus is no longer supported anywhere – least of all in Washington. Globalisation is now rejected by millions as a “free for all” that has not been fair to all. It is not open trade but the opposite – restrictions on trade – now being popularised as a nation’s route to prosperity.

President Trump’s tactical ploy has been to exploit the profound shifts that were already reshaping the world’s geopolitics: first, the yawning gap between the benefits that globalisation promised and what it delivered in people’s everyday lives, and so he has become the world’s leading anti-globalist. He also saw how, turbo-charged by social media blitzes landing nonstop via people’s phones, he could resurrect the “great man” theory of history – Putin, Xi, Erdoğan and Kim Jong-un having shown him that populist but dictatorial leaders could set the agenda.

But Trump’s sheer unpredictability foreshadows even greater danger ahead. “Let chaos reign and don’t rein in the chaos” seems to be the mantra, and while there may be a lingering hope that something like normal governance might resume soon, this can no longer be a rational basis for anyone’s future planning. Instead, with both the US and China taking risks in accelerating their confrontation to new levels, the question is whether we are descending towards a “one world, two systems” future, or simply the chaotic disorder that has characterised the history of most previous centuries – and whether there is now any chance of building a world order that could ever be stable and sustainable.

What’s clear after recent events is that the fourth global order cannot be restored. We are not only in a more protectionist era but are moving from a unipolar world where the US was the sole hegemonic power to one that has many more centres of decision-making power. But because we are also a more interconnected world, we are more vulnerable to crises – from pandemics and climate emergencies to financial contagion. All the more so because countries can, as we saw this week, weaponize that interdependence and the choke points it creates for their own advantage. So if we are to have anything approaching a values-based order we will have at some point to agree an updated global charter for our common future, something that builds on the Atlantic Charter of 1941 and the UN Charter of 1945, but is geared to a completely different century.

As William Beveridge said at that time: “A revolutionary moment in the world’s history is a time for revolutions, not for patching.” Over the past few days, calls for multilateral cooperation have come from the leaders of Spain, Brazil and South Africa, this year’s chairs of three global conferences: the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the 30th UN climate change conference and the G20. “As a collective we must now unite to enforce international law,” the Malaysian prime minister and Colombian and South African presidents have written. “The choice is stark: either we act together to enforce international law or we risk its collapse.”

All countries that believe in international cooperation should pledge that through a new multilateralism this generation will deliver global solutions to what are now inescapably global problems that cannot be resolved by nation states acting on their own or in bilateral deals alone. Second, as building blocks of that future, this collation of the willing should immediately engage in practical cooperation on urgent concerns for which no nation state-only answers are possible – global security, climate, health and humanitarian needs as well as the flow of trade. They should work to modernise the international institutions that deliver them.

And third, we should try to build a bridgehead to sceptics such as Trump by agreeing with him on the need for reciprocity and for fair burden-sharing between nations; and because this is a debt-laden world we should propose innovative and equitable ways to raise the resources needed to turn these commitments into action. By addressing the failures of the era of hyper-globalisation, we can all strive for a world that is not only open to trade but inclusive of all those who have been left behind.

Two hundred years ago, in similarly momentous times, a British leader called “a new world into existence to redress the balance of the old” , and the lesson of history is that any new order that endures has to be built on the solid rock of principle and not the shifting sands of expediency and the narrowest interpretation of national self-interests.

At the heart of the Atlantic Charter, the Roosevelt-inspired declaration of international cooperation, was a set of principles celebrating basic freedoms – against the use of force and protectionism, and for the self-determination of nations and national social contracts that would bridge the divide between rich and poor. Even if none of these goals are, as of now, championed by Trump, all is not lost: according to the US Global Leadership Coalition, 82% of Americans oppose isolationism, believing that the US is stronger when “engaged in the world”. And while the US can no longer lead a unipolar world by dictating to others, it can lead a multipolar world through persuasion.

Sadly, despite Keir Starmer’s valiant efforts, none of us can now guarantee that Ukraine – and its resources – will not be carved apart, emboldening autocrats everywhere. But we can set out the moral compass that will guide us and make us better prepared for the challenges ahead. We remain at risk of repeating the 1930s descent into global anarchy; but by nations acting together, we could create a 1940s moment as we start on the herculean task of constructing the fifth world order of modern times.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Andy Craig at The UnPopulist:

In 1801, when President John Adams peacefully accepted defeat and ceded power to the winner of the prior year’s election, his partisan opponent Thomas Jefferson, it established a model for how electoral contests, even sharply divided ones, would conclude in our burgeoning republic. It was, substantially, the first time anything like it had ever happened. Over time, as elections attracted novel challenges of various sorts—such as the 1876 presidential contest—Congress and the states passed new legislation, and sometimes constitutional amendments, and courts provided rulings that accumulated in more procedural certainty. For the most part, we got by without triggering very many electoral crises thanks to candidates of all political affiliations following longstanding norms. We can no longer take those norms for granted.

Donald Trump’s avowedly anti-democratic stance, in both the previous election and this one, isn’t grounded in serious arguments about flaws in our electoral processes, or fairly arguable legal disputes. He rejects the premise, root and branch, that voters should ultimately be able to go with someone else instead, and that his power should be checked in any way by the rule of law. He is not running for president, he is running for dictator. Trump and allies filed over 60 lawsuits in 9 different states after the 2020 election—none with any merit. When legal efforts weren’t leading anywhere, he resorted to fraud and then to violence. And if things don’t go his way on Nov. 5, he’s likely to attempt even more of the same. But we should resist treating his electoral challenges with a legitimacy they don’t possess. We shouldn’t normalize what is essentially a repudiation of our democracy, not a good-faith challenge to the accuracy of vote totals or our election processes. These are not just questions of law, with answers to be found in the Constitution and statutes and court rulings. They are an attack on our fundamental political philosophy as a nation, the principles of the Declaration of Independence.

Trump’s Election Claims Aren’t Genuine Legal Challenges

Today, largely in response to the turmoil following the 2020 election, the legal architecture around election disputes has become more robust. The Electoral Count Reform Act (ECRA), which passed with bipartisan support in 2022, tightened the procedures for certifying presidential results, ensuring that no vice president or rogue state officials can obstruct the will of the voters. Some states have also taken measures to shore up weak points in the administration and certification of their election results. But while the law has evolved, the fundamental reality hasn’t changed. No recount or post-election lawsuit is capable of flipping a presidential election unless the apparent margin of victory is razor-thin—as in, no more than a few hundred votes in a decisive swing state.

Of course, the arguments advanced in the aftermath of the 2020 election were completely spurious, both factually false and legally baseless. Voting machines did not alter the count. Trump’s claims of millions of illegal votes were made up out of thin air. Changes made to accommodate the pandemic were lawful, and upheld by the courts, and happened in states Trump won as much as those he lost. Nor did botched social media policies about Hunter Biden’s laptop affect the outcome, not that such a thing could be legally relevant anyway. State legislatures do not have the power to overturn presidential election results. Neither do governors and secretaries of state have the power to refuse certification. The fake electors scheme was completely bogus, and the conspirators who instigated the attempt knew it. The last-ditch litigation by Texas suing Pennsylvania and other swing states won by Biden was so frivolous the Supreme Court refused to even hear it. Mike Pence did not have the power to change the result, and neither did Congress under the circumstances. And yet, most of these same lies are being repeated now.

The groundwork being laid for Trump to overturn a defeat, if he is in fact defeated, is far more ambitious than any sincere dispute over a genuinely close outcome. These attempts cannot be reduced to mere creative lawyering, or trying to find the right legal loophole. Treating them as such, even in rebutting them, grants these schemes a patina of legitimacy they do not deserve. They are pure lawlessness. Like the attempt to overturn the last election, which Joe Biden won by tens of thousands of votes across multiple states, these plans are not pursuing any colorable legal theory. They are a criminal conspiracy—as one federal judge put it: “a coup in search of a legal theory.”

[...]

Recounts Adjust, They Don’t Overturn

Recounts exist to correct small errors, not to rewrite history. When every vote is recounted, slight adjustments are inevitable, but they are typically minor—a handful of votes here, a few miscategorized ballots there. In highly unusual cases, the final tally shifts by a few hundred votes, but even that is the upper limit. Often it’s less that; a recent statewide recount in Washington, where the candidates were initially separated by only 53 votes, ended up moving the margin by just two votes. The reality is that modern voting systems and election administration methods, despite their imperfections, are remarkably accurate. They are designed to withstand the occasional human error or technological hiccup without compromising the overall result. Even if a court finds evidence of localized errors or irregularities, the remedy is proportional to the scope of the problem. If some ballots are misread or reported incorrectly, the solution is to correct the mistake—not to invalidate thousands of legitimate votes. Legal challenges that aim to disqualify broad swaths of the electorate or overturn certified results require proof of systemic failures or outright fraud on an extraordinary scale.

[...]

The Myth of Widespread Fraud

Donald Trump and his allies, including X owner Elon Musk and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, have been busily pushing the idea that non-citizens are voting in large numbers and tipping elections. There is no evidence to support this claim, but that hasn’t stopped them from using it as a rallying cry. It is worth being blunt: the idea that there is widespread voter fraud going on is an utter myth. Exhaustive investigations by election officials, courts, journalists, and independent watchdogs have consistently found that improper voting happens at rates so low as to be statistically irrelevant. Georgia, for example, identified a small number of incorrect registrations, but could not identify a single non-citizen who’d actually cast a ballot. Even in the few cases where non-citizens or ineligible voters have cast ballots, the numbers are minuscule. Isolated instances, often the result of confusion rather than malice, and which involve members of both parties, are not sufficient to swing a presidential election. In the vast majority of elections, the margin of victory is measured in thousands of votes or more, far beyond the impact of any sporadic irregularities. In a system where more than 158 million votes were cast in 2020, a number likely to be greater this year, some errors are inevitable, and yet the number of provable cases is astonishingly few. But the purpose of these fraud claims is not to address a real problem; it is to provide a pretext for overturning accurate results. This narrative is not just about casting doubt on election outcomes, it is about laying the groundwork for rejecting the possibility of losing an election altogether. Trump’s playbook isn’t to prove fraud under any existing law—it is to create a cloud of suspicion, enough to justify extraordinary measures. The point is not to win by the rules, but to convince supporters that the election was stolen, regardless of the evidence, and that a possible Democratic victory can’t be legitimate.

Andy Craig writes in The UnPopulist that Donald Trump is likely to see another coup attempt if he loses to Kamala Harris.

[a-very-tired-jew]

Anti-intellectual/anti-Academia from activists

This post came across my dash and I want everyone to read it.

This rant about Israeli academia is very telling. What I see here is a person who has little to no understanding of research and development. Yes, many of the things that are produced by academics can be used for military purposes. But that mapping software? It's also used to map rivers, lakes, and wetlands. It's used to map out ranges of endangered species and plant populations. It's used for so much more than killing, and the lack of nuance with which this person writes is indicative of the overall anger and hate we see in Western Activists. Many of the research and technologies that will be delayed or halted due to the academic boycott of Israel that this person is cheering will have a global impact. All they can see is the violent application of science and academia, and while it has always been true that science has been exploited by politicians and the military, there is typically a non-violent and civilian application for it as well. I remember back during the pandemic that the Israeli research teams on the cutting edge and giving us rapid results and data to work with. I know of several people in Israel working on alternative animal agriculture feeds to reduce GHG emissions and biowaste. It's also important to note all the tankie buzzwords in this rant. "intellectual architecture for the bureaucratic class" might as well be a neon sign (the blog owner states they should read more Marx and is a communist btw). So we know that anything they say regarding Israel is just going to be full of malice and sprinkled with antisemitic conspiracies, but I'm also getting big anti-intellectualism vibes as well. Ever since the Khmer Rouge there's been a strong undertone of anti-intellectual, anti-academia, and anti-science to the tankie ideology, and I can't help but notice it here. So yes, go ahead and boycott Israeli academics, but it'll have a larger impact than you think, and not in the way you want. The vitriol and hatred people have is absolutely overwhelming and disheartening.

[trumpets0ng]

"Post 10 Facts About You"

I was tagged by @shesthespinstersimmer. Thanks for thinking of me! I never know what to put in these things so here goes nothing:

I am a trained artist, with a degree in Fine Arts. Though I can draw, paint, and sculpt, I don't do much of any now-a-days.

2. I used to build houses for my brother in Sim City. He was the one to put me on to The Sims, knowing that I had more of an interest in interiors than architecture.

3. I used to act a million years ago. My passion for theater has never subsided. Sometimes, I channel the skills I learned to create "character studies" into my stories. It helps to flesh out motives and personalities.

4. I recently became an Auntie and I'm thrilled!

5. IRL, I work in the interior design industry.

6. I used to run track in middle school. I was only drafted onto the team because my mom was friends with the coach. It slipped out that my distant cousin was an Olympic gold medalist. Turns out that talent was not hereditary 😂

7. I absolutely love dogs!

8. I was briefly a nanny for 3 separate families.

9. Pre-pandemic I was a prolific reader. It was something to do on my train commute. For some reason, I just can't get back into it.

10. I am the antithesis of a foodie. Food does not excite me... like, at all. I don't begrudge those who are, but do get annoyed when they think they can convert me. 🤷🏾‍♀️

I tag anyone who wants to play along! Feel free to join in!

[darkmaga-returns]

Trump accuses Biden’s advisors of treason. Report: Israel poised for Iran nuclear attack. Oil prices rise. Medvedev: Ukraine has ‘one last chance’. W.H.O. Adopts Pandemic Treaty.

Lioness of Judah Ministry

Trump accuses Biden’s advisors of treason

The US president has claimed that aides took advantage of his “cognitively impaired” predecessor

US President Donald Trump has accused senior aides to his predecessor of committing “treason at the highest level” by allegedly exploiting Joe Biden’s cognitive decline to implement unauthorized policies that he would never have supported himself. In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump claimed that Biden never advocated for open borders and that the surge in illegal immigration was orchestrated by staffers who effectively “stole” the presidency by taking control of the autopen – a device used to replicate a person’s signature.

Biden’s wife should be charged with ‘elder abuse’ – senior DOJ official

Jill Biden should face charges if she pushed her husband to run for the presidency despite knowing about his cancer, Leo Terrell says

Jill Biden should face ‘elder abuse’ charges if she pushed her husband Joe to run for the presidency despite knowing about his cancer, Donald Trump’s DOJ lawyer Leo Terrell has said. Last weekend, the former US president’s office revealed that he has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer. The announcement met with mixed reactions, with some offering condolences to Biden and his family, while others alleged the diagnosis had been long known but deliberately withheld from the public.

Biden Spox Discloses New Information on Joe Biden’s Last Test for Prostate Cancer After Trump Questions Why Diagnosis Wasn’t Revealed Earlier… and CNN Isn’t Even Buying It

On Tuesday a Biden spokesperson claimed Joe Biden’s last underwent a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, a common way to detect prostate cancer, back in 2014.

“President Biden’s last known PSA was in 2014. Prior to Friday, President Biden had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” a Biden spox said on Tuesday afternoon. Even CNN isn’t buying it. “He was President of the United States and didn’t get tested? I find this very surprising,” a CNN anchor said in disbelief.

Trump Unveils $175 Billion Plan For "Golden Dome" Missile Defense System

The Department of Defense has selected a design for President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative, Trump announced on May 20.

“I’m pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system that will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors,” Trump told reporters at the White House. In his first week in office, Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to devise a plan to implement his missile defense proposal. “It should be fully operational before the end of my term. So we'll have it done in about three years,” the president said. Trump said the plan the Department of Defense has selected should cost about $175 billion to complete.

Carney: Why I’m Not Concerned the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Raise the Debt

On Tuesday’s “Alex Marlow Show,” Breitbart News economics editor John Carney talked about the Republican tax and spending bill.

Carney stated that the total amount of debt isn’t the issue, it’s the interest rate on it that creates pressure and causes long-term issues. He added that even if tax cuts decrease revenue, they won’t cause interest rates to increase and that’s what we’ve seen over the past forty years where, even as the debt and deficit increased, interest rates didn’t until they were recently increased to deal with inflation.

Deutsche Bank warns that U.S. economy is experiencing ‘death by a thousand cuts’

The United States’ national debt has reached an unprecedented $36.2 trillion, sparking intensifying concern from economists and financial institutions.

The escalating debt burden has prompted warnings that the country’s long-standing fiscal credibility may be at risk, especially as growth in the economy may no longer be sufficient to sustain rising interest payments and public spending. One of the most significant recent developments came from Moody’s Investors Service, which downgraded the U.S. credit rating from Aaa to Aa1. This move reflects growing skepticism about America’s fiscal trajectory and its ability to manage its mounting debt. In its statement, Moody’s acknowledged the U.S.’s strong economic and financial institutions but concluded that these strengths “no longer fully counterbalance the decline in fiscal metrics.”

[irrolyphant]

Timothy Olyphant, 55, is an actor who starred in Deadwood, Live Free or Die Hard, and Justified. He will star in the FX miniseries Justified: City Primeval this fall and currently co-stars in the Max miniseries Full Circle. He spoke with Marc Myers before the actors strike.

TIMOTHY:

You couldn’t get me out of the pool when I was a kid. We lived next door to a swim and racket club in Modesto, Calif.

I began regular swim practice at age 6. My older brother, Andy, took to tennis, which probably helped us get along. We were competitive. Our younger brother, Matt, did a little bit of everything and eventually became a water-polo player.

I was born in Hawaii, but we moved to Modesto when I was 3. My dad, Bevan, worked for Del Monte and left to work at E&J Gallo Winery soon after we relocated to California. He started in bottling and worked his way up to vice president of production.

My mom, Katherine, was a full-time mom. She was the nurturing type. Whether I won or lost, she’d always talk about how well I competed or how beautiful a swimmer I was, never about whether I won or not. She’s very sweet and encouraging.

Just as I was starting high school, my parents divorced. After they split up, we quickly figured out who was responsible for what. For example, our dad didn’t really know how to do laundry or cook. If we were going over to his place, we’d probably be eating out.

When you’re young, any time your foundation gets rocked, it sets you back a bit. I’d been a good student when my parents were together, but there definitely was a dip after the divorce. I kind of saw what I could get away with and wound up just an okay student.

I wasn’t in school plays. I’m not sure I saw that side of me yet. Instead, I was at swim practice and hanging with my buddies. I also liked to draw a lot, which I suppose is how I expressed myself.

I was a solid swimmer in the Central Valley. I set a CIF SAC-Joaquin Section Record and wound up with an All America Swimming Certificate. By my senior year, I realized swimming was my ticket out of town and certainly the only way I’d get into a great university.

I worked hard. After USC saw the times I was posting, they called to recruit me for the team. When I flew out to USC on my recruit trip, I met with the dean of the architecture school. He said there was no way I could manage both the swim team’s practice schedule and the rigors of the architectural program.

I asked him about the art gallery downstairs. He said it was part of the fine-arts department. I didn’t even know you could get a degree in that. I met with the fine-arts dean and asked if I could be on the swim team. He said we’d work it out.

Majoring in fine arts for me was like winning the lottery. In high school, I’d get in trouble for drawing when I was supposed to be doing schoolwork. Now, in college, drawing was my schoolwork.

After my senior year, I left USC several electives shy of a degree and didn’t finish until the pandemic. But before I left, I met some drama majors who got me thinking about acting.

By then, my college girlfriend, Alexis, and I had married. We moved to Seal Beach, south of Los Angeles, where I coached swimming. To fulfill some of my electives I took an acting 101 class at UC Irvine. I had a ball. It was a language I understood immediately.

I read Stanislavsky’s and Sandy Meisner’s books on acting. I realized that it wasn’t a frivolous pursuit but a craft on par with how artists I admired approached painting and sculpture. I told Alexis I was thinking about pursuing acting rather than a master’s in fine art. She said, “Tim, just do something. Just pick one thing and do that.”

The guy who taught the intro class was a graduate student who recommended I study with Bill Esper at the Esper Studio in New York. Fortunately, Alexis’s dad lived there and let us move into his place.

My career has been many little steps—a lot of one step forward, two steps back. I’m not sure if there was any one role that really changed things, but landing the lead in “Justified,” in 2010, certainly helped things along.

Today, Alexis and I live in Los Angeles and have three grown kids. We moved in 15 years ago and love the house and neighborhood. I still draw and swim.

Breakfast is my favorite meal. I make steel-cut oatmeal in my rice cooker, which has a porridge setting. When I come home from swimming and have my oatmeal, I feel like I’m 8 again. And you know what? That feels pretty good.

—————

Timothy’s Digs:

Full Circle? I play Derek in the miniseries about a kidnapping gone awry and the family secrets exposed.

Blissful space? Sitting in a blue chair in the kitchen having coffee with my wife.

Cool buy? A painting by an artist I’ve admired for at least a decade or so.

Tennis? I play with my brother and oldest daughter. The fact that they play with me means the world.

Youngest daughter? Vivian. She’s an actress in the coming season of Justified: City Primeval.

[expirisims]

Updates Sims and Otherwise

This post will serve as an update on Pickerling Cove now that I've gotten in the mood to work on it again, but also on my life in general. I have been very fortunate to have been home with my LO since the pandemic, but that's all about to change! She'll be starting school three mornings a week in about a month from when I'm writing this. So, I'm going to be on the job hunt soon, though not full time by any means, we're still aiming to avoid paying extra childcare costs if possible.

In other news, you may remember I was wanting to start a separate tumblr and youtube channel for the doll crafts I do with my kiddo when we have time. Wellll...I started filming a project, but as luck would have it, my friend that I built St. Bernie for lost her job unexpectedly so I was doing a little babysitting for her. Then after that settled down my kiddo's closet...literally fell out of her closet... Don't ask...facepalm. Anywhooo...everything from her closet wound up in my craft/studio room and yeah...we just got it put back together in time for the end of summer. In other words, I have no idea if/when I'll get around to getting that up and running. However, as far as my book, I have finally decided that I want to pursue self-publishing. There is so much stacked against me for traditional publishing. I have joined a local Writer's Guild, and several members are published, so I'll hopefully get some good guidance!

But enough about my crazy life, enjoy the newest screenshots of Pickerling Cove!

The original world waaay back before I even dreamed up Thicket was Mount McSimley and it was inspired by the mountains of Colorado. Pickerling Cove doesn't have any one place that has inspired the vibe I'm going for, I find inspiration from architecture of places I've visited, google images, memories from trips as a child and even this mess which was supposed to resemble some drainage ditch areas in my own hometown (I know, romantic right?) Anyway, this is still giving me fits so I have a new solution in mind, but you won't see that for a while :)

I removed the distant terrain temporarily because I was worried about space. These early stages of world building always throw me off because the roads look so huge with virtually nothing else on the map! As you can see I had begun terrain painting before changing my mind and flattening most of the world out again. I am so happy I did though! Once I found all of those old builds it broke the barrier I was having with city planning. Fair warning it is the largest of the worlds I have made. It's still a medium map like Thicket, but there will be somewhere around 120 lots. I hate that, but it's virtually impossible to keep it below that and accommodate housing along with most of the community lot types available. I will need to do testing of course once it's built, but the city center will be fairly dense with more space between lots as you get into the "suburb" areas.

As you can see, I removed the lighthouse from the world proper and plan to place one on one of the "island" areas created by my typical mishmash of distant terrains!

Ignore the sunken road you can possibly see if you squint. I don't think it will be noticeable actually in game as this is off world...I don't THINK so.

Such a pain to work with the terrains on these smaller maps, but so worth it!

Some things I have taken into consideration for performance:

As I said, there will be around 120 lots, some complicated and large, many close together. Because of that I have planned for combined rabbit holes in a few cases. I also plan to use Bridgeport and Roaring Height's shells to give the illusion of a true city with varying height and a large population. Rabbit hole lots I build out won't be furnished. I know a lot of people like the realism of these being furnished, but it does add to unnecessary objects cluttering up the world size. I figure if people have powerful computers and want to fill out every building they can, but I want to keep it as accessible as possible especially since I am already using items from a store world and I know those aren't cheap. I'm placing trees last as typical. I find it helpful to place lots first and see where trees and rocks would look natural and good. While I have placed several rocks already, mostly in bluff areas, the trees will be last and I always try to stick to four species per chunk so they can be effectively grouped.

I can already tell you that likely every expansion and definitely Roaring Heights will be required. I'm also using casino objects from the Lucky Simoleon. Any other store content will be pretty inconsequential.

[walkswithmycamera]

Travel Plans 2025 = 4 in the Bag!

Well, we haven't wasted any time in the "Travel Planning Department" for the coming year.

We currently have 4 places in the bag as I write this, in the last few days of December 2024

Number 1: We couldn't wait for Trip Number 2 to arrive, so we sneaked this first one in a few days ago...

It's a destination we haven't returned to for almost 8 years. And as of today, 21 Feb 2025 - it's almost upon us. We depart in just a few days 👍

Trip Number 1 has now been completed.

Read here about our 7 Days in Malta.

And then, we did it again - travel trip Number 1 is shorter than we usually take, but we've gone and chosen to add an overnight stay in another accommodation, almost at the opposite end to the resort we're basing ourselves in.

It's a place we had a quick walk around just once when we hopped off a bus on the beachfront and thought "there's nothing here" so we walked up into the village/town (I'm still uncertain as to its official title) and had a little wander.

It's one of the resorts that tends to come up at the lower priced end of holiday offers if you sort the searches as Low to High and generally they are apartment stays.

However, we've chosen an accommodation which offers all of the character and architecture that we've come to love on this little island in the Med.

+++++++++++

Trip Number 2: was originally Trip Number 1, but hey, Travel is all about being flexible!

Going even further back in time, this is a trip to a destination we haven't visited for over 30 years!

Update: Trip 2 is completed, done and dusted.

Ten nights in Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote ES 🇪🇸

We stayed at the Parque Tropical Apts on C. Anzuela PDC, just a short uphill walk from the main promenade with its shops, bars and restaurants.

I still have to write the Lanzarote trip up, but there's the odd photo posted already...

+++++++++++

Trip Number 2a: Oops, yes we did squeeze another one in between.

This is actually Number 3 now, but my images were already numbered before we booked this one 😁

November seemed way too long to wait and there's no way we can rely on getting a Great British Summer.

So, we're making our way back to N. Africa to a new destination where our accommodation has some interesting features.

Update: I think I spoke too soon about our Summer, notoriously very mixed and allowing no real planning for outside activities in the UK. It's been pretty good since we returned from Lanzarote.

We head off to Morocco in July 2025 for what is now Trip Number 4.

+++++++++++

Trip Number 3 (now Number 4): Always a firm repeat favourite for a Winter Break, where we know there's always something to keep us occupied and of course, making new discoveries.

We took a bike ride through the mountains here, and were the last tour group before the Lockdown for the pandemic arrived in March 2020.

Do you know where we're heading on these trips?

Check the photos, see if you can work it out and drop a comment if you think you know!

[kae-luna]

//WIP Intro Post: Ultra Drive//

Art by Computerizer

//Title: Ultra Drive

//Progress: Writing early chapters, planning for whole (hopefully) series out of order

//Genres: Sci-fi, cyberpunk, dystopian, biopunk, post-apocalyptic, action, LGBTQIA2S+, drama, psychological

//Links: Wattpad | Tapas (Coming Soon)

//Rating: 16+ for violence, blood, possible gore, swearing, and suggestive content

//Content warnings: death, pandemic, sickness, bigotry in general???, war, fascism

//POV: Third person First person. AlexiKa's POV.

//Setting: In the city of Venicula on the island of Arasai and surrounding areas. Takes place in the future.

//Premise: AlexiKa's world was changed forever the day her family was forced to immigrate to the imperial city of Venicula after the Ebony Plague - caused by mysterious spores - infected her home town.

~(Continued under the cut)~

Now a young adult, she works as a courier (and secretly an anti-corporation activist). When going on a delivery for the all powerful Gaia Corporation, she accidentally uncovers dark secrets and ends up infected with the same Ebony Plague that haunted her hometown as a child. But when she survives the illness and instead develops superhuman abilities, she joins a mutant resistance group - who call themselves Ultras - to fight against the Veniculan Empire, the Gaia Corporation, and other mutants with immoral goals.

//Aesthetic: neon and pastel architecture, holograms, dyed hair, tech gear, infrastructure in derelict conditions, overgrown plants, eco-friendly technology

//Tropes + themes: anti-capitalism, equality, probably found family, female empowerment, globalization, super powers, POC characters, LGBTQIA2S+ characters

//Inspiration: Nausicaa of The Valley of The Wind, Ultraviolet (2006), Aeon Flux (show + movie), Alita: Battle Angel (movie, OVA, + manga), Ghost in The Shell (anime), Fallout (games), 86 (anime), The Last Of Us (games), Blade Runner, The Matrix, 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s in general, vaporwave art, the United States of 'Merica, Sims 4 eco lifestyle

//Characters:

AlexiKa: A young woman with fiery passion and an even more fiery temper, AlexiKa - AKA Lexi - fights for her family's survival in the rough city of Venicula. She hates authority and will gladly fight for you, despite the odds.

Yuki Raiden: Lexi's mom. Japanese. Super sweet and tries to keep the mood positive, even in dark times.

Alessandro: Lexi's dad. An Italian himbo who loves to tinker.

Ellie: Lexi's childhood friend. Super sweet, but a bit cheeky as well. Pacifist. They might have some gay tension.

Empress Vox: Rules the city of Venicula. Politician who does weird parasocial crap over VR/AR. Definitely a good person.

Donovan Vox: Brother of the Veniculan president. CEO of Gaia Corporation.

LaKellan Ramirez: Leader of the Ultra Resistance. Calm and may seem cold, but is actually just a bit awkward and emotionally constipated.

(More coming soon probably-)

//Tags: Ultra Drive, aesthetic, xxx, xxx, xxx...

//Tag list: @digital-chance

//Pinterest boards: Aesthetic inspo | Character inspo

//Playlists: Scenic/Chill - Used for imagining scenery and for calmer scenes.| Edgy - Lots of industrial, trip-hop, metal, and rock beats for angsty, intense, action scenes. Some songs may include explicit content.

//Changelogs:

1.0: Initial Post.

1.2: Added more tags. Added playlist. Added Pinterest board links.

[missellaneousworks]

So I finished Dragon Age: The Veilguard...

(Note: this is by no means a professional or complete review of the game, just some points I’m drabbling about after I concluded my first playthrough.)

Man, has it been a wild ride.  Overall, this was a very fun experience and I’m so glad I got to play this game.  I tried going into it blind and avoided as many spoilers as possible – which was a partial success and a partial failure (damn you untagged posts and TikTok edits). But I digress… 

Let’s go over the good stuff first – [SOME SPOILERS AHEAD]

I loved the chemistry between the companions.  Some companions got along better than others, some hit it off right off the bat, and others went from rivals to friends. It was a joy to watch these interactions happen throughout the game.  Most of the dialogue felt natural and engaging, with well-timed humor sprinkled in between the sentences as the comradery grew between Rook and companions.

The world and locations you visit are beautifully crafted. I rather like that they went back to more linear level designs, similar to Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2. Inquisition had a lot of versatility, but I would often find myself overwhelmed at times from the sheer amount of fetch quests (my least favorite kind). Because they minimized the “playing field area,” I believe that allowed the developers to pour their resources into the architecture of the landscape, as well as the combat system.

Speaking of which, the combat was one of my favorite features of this game.  The movements flow so nicely and the controls feel like each attack has some weight to them. Overall, very fun fights. I’d even argue playing the warrior class is even more fun than the mage class – though I would almost consider it scandalous since mage class is my favorite amongst the series. 

I’ve also noticed certain combat and gameplay mechanics that can also be found in the Mass Effect series.  It seems that the more games Bioware makes, they take the good mechanics that works and implement them in the other series. If that’s the case, I’m interested in what the next Mass Effect game will have that was shared with DAV.   

Now, for the critiques.

The writing.  I do genuinely love how the game is ascribed to build bonds with all of the companions.  It was good in certain areas, but unfortunately lacking in others. Not all of the companions got the same amount of treatment and care.  I cannot comment the same on the romances, since I have yet to play them all/watch video compilations. 

The most notable instances I pulled from my first playthrough wasTaash and Bellara.

Taash’s storyline had good emotional beats, but felt like it was rushed or underdeveloped, especially in the beginning.  Bellara’s development had a lot of potential but just fell short of making an incredible impact. It also felt like we had the same conversation with Bellara multiple times? Sort of? 

There were times the dialogue was outright awkward.  While the occasional awkwardness in text can be seen in all of the games, it felt more prevalent in Veilguard. I do recognize that a good chunk of the writing and development was done during the pandemic, and that sometimes it is hard to keep track of an entire storyline spanning 30+ hours of gameplay, so I can be a little more forgiving of the fact.  However, an additional comb through of the story line and to correct any plot holes was sorely needed.

There were also certain plot holes in the lore, or certain pieces of the lore that happened in earlier games were retconned.  The Antivan Crows, while a beloved and intriguing faction in Veilguard, was a bit of a head-scratcher for me, and the faint memories I have of their lore, through conversations the Warden can hold with Zevran in Dragon Age Origins. Granted, Origins took place 20 years ago, so many things could have happened in the lore that I may have missed or did not read up on–Dragon Age also has several light comics and novels published.  I also later learned that certain pieces of lore in the game only have proper context if you read the side/light novels.  Which is… not a good move for a video game series.  I support story mediums expanding past their original form, but if you do not include characters or direly important information IN THE GAME, it will be missed by the majority of your audience, which is not a good move.  

It was also a tad disappointing that only 3 major choices from Inquisition impacted the world building in Veilguard.  Granted, Veilguard takes place in northern Thedas, not Southern Thedas like the three previous games, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that certain previous actions from the South did not greatly effect the North. However, previous actions from the games effecting the timeline has always been an expected factor in all Dragon Age games which let players, myself included, disgruntled as it left our wonders and theories of the future of Southern Thedas on the wayside. Perhaps Bioware is now implementing the “rule of three,” where only 3 games at a time will be impacted by past decisions.

Throughout the course of the game you find multiple letters by one of Solas’s old comrades and friends, Felassan, and apart from scattles letters and at least one or two flashbacks, he’d have a greater impact within the game’s lore.  Right?  NOPE!  [SPOILERS!!!]  Solas killed him in the Dragon Age novel, The Masked Empire. And the game makes absolutely NO reference to that from what I could tell. 

Despite where the narrative failed at points, the bonds between the characters were the ultimate highlight of the writing.  I hope that for the next game, they will iron out the plot more thoroughly and not leave little lore tibbits to the media outside of the games, which is unfair to their franchise as well as their fans. Whatever may come, I do look forward to how Dragon Age will grow from here on out. 

Also… apparently there’s a secret ending to the game that may be teasing the new villain of the next game.  I don’t know HOW you get this ending, only saw a clip of it on TikTok.

[everythingnoahsebastian]

I’m only sending this anonymously bc I am a painter and come on here to share my work. I sell my work on here and do not want crazies on my page 🩷

My friends are BO fans too and people on Twitter have been talking about your blog.

Feel free to post this.

Noah is a kind person. Anyone who’s met him even for 2 minutes can tell you that!!!!!!!!

I met him several times at shows since 2018 before they blew up, talked to him a lot online during the pandemic and have had many conversations, AND I CAN PROVE IT. I’m not one of those crazies trying to ruin his reputation or making stuff up. We used to talk about art and just very innocent things. His personality is very pure and he is a true artist. He’s a flirt but he’s a guy who cares. He loves architecture and A24 films.

He does not deserve to be treated the way some people on here have been treating him :(

Thanks for sharing, hun! 🙂

Kinda surprising you mention my blog and X on the same sentence since not many people know me or my blog over there!

[bishwasdo]

What are the latest trends in the IT job market?

Introduction

The IT job market is changing quickly. This change is because of new technology, different employer needs, and more remote work.

For jobseekers, understanding these trends is crucial to positioning themselves as strong candidates in a highly competitive landscape.

This blog looks at the current IT job market. It offers insights into job trends and opportunities. You will also find practical strategies to improve your chances of getting your desired role.

Whether you’re in the midst of a job search or considering a career change, this guide will help you navigate the complexities of the job hunting process and secure employment in today’s market.

Section 1: Understanding the Current IT Job Market

Recent Trends in the IT Job Market

The IT sector is booming, with consistent demand for skilled professionals in various domains such as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to remote work, further expanding the demand for IT roles that support this transformation.

Employers are increasingly looking for candidates with expertise in AI, machine learning, and DevOps as these technologies drive business innovation.

According to industry reports, job opportunities in IT will continue to grow, with the most substantial demand focused on software development, data analysis, and cloud architecture.

It’s essential for jobseekers to stay updated on these trends to remain competitive and tailor their skills to current market needs.

Recruitment efforts have also become more digitized, with many companies adopting virtual hiring processes and online job fairs.

This creates both challenges and opportunities for job seekers to showcase their talents and secure interviews through online platforms.

NOTE: Visit Now

Remote Work and IT

The surge in remote work opportunities has transformed the job market. Many IT companies now offer fully remote or hybrid roles, which appeal to professionals seeking greater flexibility.

While remote work has increased access to job opportunities, it has also intensified competition, as companies can now hire from a global talent pool.

Section 2: Choosing the Right Keywords for Your IT Resume

Keyword Optimization: Why It Matters

With more employers using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes, it’s essential for jobseekers to optimize their resumes with relevant keywords.

These systems scan resumes for specific words related to the job description and only advance the most relevant applications.

To increase the chances of your resume making it through the initial screening, jobseekers must identify and incorporate the right keywords into their resumes.

When searching for jobs in IT, it’s important to tailor your resume for specific job titles and responsibilities. Keywords like “software engineer,” “cloud computing,” “data security,” and “DevOps” can make a huge difference.

By strategically using keywords that reflect your skills, experience, and the job requirements, you enhance your resume’s visibility to hiring managers and recruitment software.

Step-by-Step Keyword Selection Process

Analyze Job Descriptions: Look at several job postings for roles you’re interested in and identify recurring terms.

Incorporate Specific Terms: Include technical terms related to your field (e.g., Python, Kubernetes, cloud infrastructure).

Use Action Verbs: Keywords like “developed,” “designed,” or “implemented” help demonstrate your experience in a tangible way.

Test Your Resume: Use online tools to see how well your resume aligns with specific job postings and make adjustments as necessary.

Section 3: Customizing Your Resume for Each Job Application

Why Customization is Key

One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes, especially in the IT industry. Jobseekers who customize their resumes for each job application are more likely to catch the attention of recruiters. Tailoring your resume allows you to emphasize the specific skills and experiences that align with the job description, making you a stronger candidate. Employers want to see that you’ve taken the time to understand their needs and that your expertise matches what they are looking for.

Key Areas to Customize:

Summary Section: Write a targeted summary that highlights your qualifications and goals in relation to the specific job you’re applying for.

Skills Section: Highlight the most relevant skills for the position, paying close attention to the technical requirements listed in the job posting.

Experience Section: Adjust your work experience descriptions to emphasize the accomplishments and projects that are most relevant to the job.

Education & Certifications: If certain qualifications or certifications are required, make sure they are easy to spot on your resume.

NOTE: Read More

Section 4: Reviewing and Testing Your Optimized Resume

Proofreading for Perfection

Before submitting your resume, it’s critical to review it for accuracy, clarity, and relevance. Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or outdated information can reflect poorly on your professionalism.

Additionally, make sure your resume is easy to read and visually organized, with clear headings and bullet points. If possible, ask a peer or mentor in the IT field to review your resume for content accuracy and feedback.

Testing Your Resume with ATS Tools

After making your resume keyword-optimized, test it using online tools that simulate ATS systems. This allows you to see how well your resume aligns with specific job descriptions and identify areas for improvement.

Many tools will give you a match score, showing you how likely your resume is to pass an ATS scan. From here, you can fine-tune your resume to increase its chances of making it to the recruiter’s desk.

Section 5: Trends Shaping the Future of IT Recruitment

Embracing Digital Recruitment

Recruiting has undergone a significant shift towards digital platforms, with job fairs, interviews, and onboarding now frequently taking place online.

This transition means that jobseekers must be comfortable navigating virtual job fairs, remote interviews, and online assessments.

As IT jobs increasingly allow remote work, companies are also using technology-driven recruitment tools like AI for screening candidates.

Jobseekers should also leverage platforms like LinkedIn to increase visibility in the recruitment space. Keeping your LinkedIn profile updated, networking with industry professionals, and engaging in online discussions can all boost your chances of being noticed by recruiters.

Furthermore, participating in virtual job fairs or IT recruitment events provides direct access to recruiters and HR professionals, enhancing your job hunt.

FAQs

1. How important are keywords in IT resumes?

Keywords are essential in IT resumes because they ensure your resume passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which scans resumes for specific terms related to the job. Without the right keywords, your resume may not reach a human recruiter.

2. How often should I update my resume?

It’s a good idea to update your resume regularly, especially when you gain new skills or experience. Also, customize it for every job application to ensure it aligns with the job’s specific requirements.

3. What are the most in-demand IT jobs?

Some of the most in-demand IT jobs include software developers, cloud engineers, cybersecurity analysts, data scientists, and DevOps engineers.

4. How can I stand out in the current IT job market?

To stand out, jobseekers should focus on tailoring their resumes, building strong online profiles, networking, and keeping up-to-date with industry trends. Participation in online forums, attending webinars, and earning industry-relevant certifications can also enhance visibility.

Conclusion

The IT job market continues to offer exciting opportunities for jobseekers, driven by technological innovations and changing work patterns.

By staying informed about current trends, customizing your resume, using keywords effectively, and testing your optimized resume, you can improve your job search success.

Whether you are new to the IT field or an experienced professional, leveraging these strategies will help you navigate the competitive landscape and secure a job that aligns with your career goals.

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Sein’in-zukuri 静忍造り Etymology

Sein’in-zukuri 静忍造り is not a standard term in Japanese architecture or aesthetics, it is a specialized neologism created by the blog's author to convey specific meaning. We can break down the components of the term to better understand its etymology and meaning.

1. 静 (sei or shizu): This kanji means “quiet” or “calm.” It conveys a sense of tranquility or stillness, which is often associated with Japanese aesthetics and spiritual practices.

2. 忍 (nin): This kanji is commonly associated with endurance, patience, and perseverance. It can also mean “conceal” or “stealth,” famously used in the word 忍者 (ninja), though in this context, it relates to patience or inner strength.

3. 造り (zukuri): This suffix comes from the verb 造る (tsukuru), which means “to build” or “to construct.” In Japanese architecture, “-zukuri” refers to a style or method of building, as in 書院造り (Shoin-zukuri), which refers to a traditional style of Japanese residential architecture.

Thus Sein’in-zukuri 静忍造り is interpreted as “residential architectural design style characterized by quiet endurance or calm perseverance.”

Sein’in-zukuri 静忍造り is being used, applied and contextualized in the fields of architecture, design, and cultural studies in a new and specialized way, as a rhapsodical residential architectural design style that embodies the significative dwelling priorities shifts brought by the Covid19 pandemic emphasizing simplicity, tranquility, and resilience, embodying both aesthetic and philosophical qualities of calmness and patience.

Development

In considering Sein’in-zukuri 静忍造り a post-pandemic residential architectural interior design style, it is important to explore how historical architectural principles are integrated with modern demands, reflecting contemporary living needs and addressing key issues such as well-being, flexibility, and sustainability.

Architectural Features, Components, Elements, and Compositions of Sein’in-zukuri

Ma (間) - The Space Between:

Function: Emphasizes the importance of empty space, balancing functionality and mindfulness. It allows residents to experience calmness and tranquility in their living spaces.

Influence: Drawn from traditional Japanese aesthetics, Ma governs how spaces are laid out and interconnected to ensure a sense of flow, harmony, and psychological comfort.

2. Shōji (障子) and Fusuma (襖) - Sliding Panels and Doors:

Function: Act as flexible room dividers that allow for multifunctional spaces, enabling open-plan living or more privacy when needed. These elements help control light and ventilation.

Influence: Derived from traditional Japanese architecture, these features promote adaptability and flexibility within limited spaces, reflecting the need for home offices or hybrid spaces.

3. Engawa (縁側) - Transitional Space:

Function: A corridor or verandah-like space between the interior and exterior of the home. It serves as a liminal space that provides a connection to nature.

Influence: Historical homes often used Engawa to blend indoor and outdoor environments, allowing residents to engage with nature while sheltered. It holds new significance post-pandemic as a place of reflection and relaxation.

4. Tatami (畳) - Modular Flooring:

Function: Provides warmth and comfort while reinforcing the concept of modular living. Tatami mats serve as seating, lounging, or sleeping areas, and are flexible in terms of room layout.

Influence: Traditional tatami rooms were spaces of meditation and relaxation, and in modern applications, they promote simplicity and multifunctionality in small spaces.

5. Tokonoma (床の間) - Focal Display Niche:

Function: A focal point for displaying art, natural elements, or significant objects that inspire mindfulness and balance.

Influence: Traditional in both Shoin-zukuri and Sukiya-zukuri, the Tokonoma is a symbol of spiritual and aesthetic refinement. In a modern Sein’in-zukuri home, it serves as a space for introspection and personal expression.

6. Kanso (簡素) - Simplicity and Restraint:

Function: The overall composition of the space prioritizes simplicity, emphasizing essentialism. Each element is designed for practical use without excess decoration.

Influence: Rooted in the wabi-sabi and kanso concepts of traditional Japanese aesthetics, this restraint contributes to a minimalist yet purposeful design, avoiding unnecessary clutter.

7. Quiet Zones for Mindfulness:

Function: Specific areas dedicated to quiet reflection, relaxation, or meditation. These zones promote mental well-being, responding to post-pandemic awareness of mental health.

Influence: These spaces are reminiscent of Zen gardens or quiet areas in Buddhist temples, focusing on mental clarity, peace, and calm.

8. Natural Materials:

Function: Incorporation of materials such as wood, bamboo, paper, and stone to foster a connection with nature, improving indoor air quality and providing tactile warmth.

Influence: This is influenced by traditional Japanese architecture’s focus on natural elements, responding to modern concerns about sustainability and health-conscious design.

Influences of Sein’in-zukuri

Historical Zukuri Styles: Sein’in-zukuri is influenced by classical Japanese styles like Shoin-zukuri (focused on formal, scholarly living spaces) and Sukiya-zukuri (centered around aesthetics and simplicity). It also draws from Buddhist and Zen architectural principles that emphasize tranquility and endurance, key themes for post-pandemic living.

Wabi-Sabi and Shibumi: Wabi-sabi’s appreciation for imperfection and transience, alongside Shibumi's understated elegance, deeply inform the aesthetic and functional choices in Sein’in-zukuri. These concepts help cultivate serene living environments that embrace subtlety and resilience.

Modern Minimalism and Functionality: Post-pandemic design trends have emphasized flexible, adaptable spaces that can accommodate work-from-home lifestyles, increased time spent indoors, and multifunctional areas. Sein’in-zukuri integrates these priorities with a historical reverence for calm, resilient living spaces.

Cultural Context

In the post-pandemic world, there has been a heightened awareness of the importance of mental well-being, flexibility, and living in spaces that promote calmness and adaptability. The Sein’in-zukuri style responds to these cultural shifts by:

Adapting Japanese Traditional Aesthetics: By combining Japanese historical architectural elements with modern needs, the style encourages a lifestyle that is both resilient and mindful.

Emphasizing Mental and Physical Health: Through the use of natural materials, quiet spaces for reflection, and flexible living arrangements, it supports healthy living environments that balance work, relaxation, and personal space.

Responding to Spatial Challenges: In a world where many people continue to live and work in smaller, more compact urban settings, Sein’in-zukuri’s flexible and modular approach helps maximize space while maintaining an atmosphere of calm and purpose.

Significance in Today’s Architecture

Sein’in-zukuri could become significant in today’s architecture for several reasons:

Flexibility and Adaptability: It provides solutions for flexible and multifunctional living, addressing the need for home offices, communal family spaces, and personal retreats within the same residence.

Mental Health Focus: Incorporating quiet zones, spaces for mindfulness, and natural materials offers a holistic response to mental and emotional well-being, acknowledging the post-pandemic shift toward self-care and mindfulness in home design.

Sustainability and Nature Integration: The style’s use of natural materials and the integration of outdoor and indoor spaces speaks to the contemporary emphasis on sustainability and a desire to reconnect with nature, especially after long periods of isolation indoors.

Cultural Fusion: By combining ancient Japanese design principles with modern minimalism, Sein’in-zukuri fosters a bridge between traditional and contemporary living, suitable for a global audience seeking meaning and calm in their homes.

Overall, Sein’in-zukuri may represent a path forward for architectural design that not only accommodates practical needs but also elevates the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of its occupants.