#.NET Core implementation

[probablyasocialecologist]

After nearly 15 years, Uber claims it’s finally turned an annual profit. Between 2014 and 2023, the company set over $31 billion on fire in its quest to drive taxi companies out of business and build a global monopoly. It failed on both fronts, but in the meantime it built an organization that can wield significant power over transportation — and that’s exactly how it got to last week’s milestone. Uber turned a net profit of nearly $1.9 billion in 2023, but what few of the headlines will tell you is that over $1.6 billion of it came from unrealized gains from its holdings in companies like Aurora and Didi. Basically, the value of those shares are up, so on paper it looks like Uber’s core business made a lot more money than it actually did. Whether the companies are really worth that much is another question entirely — but that doesn’t matter to Uber. At least it’s not using the much more deceptive “adjusted EBITDA” metric it spent years getting the media to treat as an accurate picture of its finances. Don’t be fooled into thinking the supposed innovation Uber was meant to deliver is finally bearing fruit. The profit it’s reporting is purely due to exploitative business practices where the worker and consumer are squeezed to serve investors — and technology is the tool to do it. This is the moment CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has been working toward for years, and the plan he’s trying to implement to cement the company’s position should have us all concerned about the future of how we get around and how we work.

[...]

Uber didn’t become a global player in transportation because it wielded technology to more efficiently deliver services to the public. The tens of billions of dollars it lost over the past decade went into undercutting taxis on price and drawing drivers to its service — including some taxi drivers — by promising good wages, only to cut them once the competition posed by taxis had been eroded and consumers had gotten used to turning to the Uber app instead of calling or hailing a cab. As transport analyst Hubert Horan outlined, for-hire rides are not a service that can take advantage of economies of scale like a software or logistics company, meaning just because you deliver more rides doesn’t mean the per-ride cost gets significantly cheaper. Uber actually created a less cost-efficient model because it forces drivers to use their own vehicles and buy their own insurance instead of having a fleet of similar vehicles covered by fleet insurance. Plus, it has a ton of costs your average taxi company doesn’t: a high-paid tech workforce, expensive headquarters scattered around the world, and outrageously compensated executive management like Khosrowshahi, just to name a few. How did Uber cut costs then? By systematically going after the workers that deliver its service. More recently, it took advantage of the cost-of-living crisis to keep them on board in the same way it exploited workers left behind by the financial crisis in the years after its initial launch. Its only real innovation is finding new ways to exploit labor.

[nihilisticlinguistics]

oooh, the way Philtrum and her crew are dealing with the broken magic in the exact way the imperial core reacts to the idea that in a decolonized and anticapitalist world, we (the imperial core) wouldn't have the nigh-limitless power and access we currently enjoy

because that power and access is predicated on withholding it from the majority of people

and breaking magic (read: capitalism and imperialism) is a net good in ethical terms but is really fucking hard to implement in practical terms bc you have to fully revise your ideas about how the world works and its a complete and unfamiliar 180 from the status quo

[kaffykathy]

Sometimes I look at Lancer's core book and just think about how lacking it is in significant details for all the factions, like who is the current leaders of Union, to founders and owners of the many corporate entities.

I know that doesn't sound like exciting lore to anyone, but for Union, there's no one like the Camerons from Battletech or the Karl Franz from Warhammer Fantasy. And I can see that it was probably purposely implemented like this for the reason that these entities are bigger than the identities that lead them, and that's why when a name like Johnathan Harrison pops up along sith a small blurb of who he is, we start to realize his significance and why Harrison Armory is the way it is. He was basically a fascistic General from Seccomm that fled and made his own Union how he saw fit, and his clones still live up to his legacy to the current setting of Lancer.

At the same time, Union doesn't have any of that. There's no lore about some, or any politician of government in the Core Book at least other than the seats and chairs that they fill. The reason for this is to give the players the ability to make their own interpretations with the world, but it's really saying something when your big government super power claiming to be in a utopian golden age doesn't have a face to its actual organization.

(Side note: if anyone ever tells you that their realm is a Utopia, you should be taking that the same way that someone says that a ship is 'Unsinkable'. Sorry to burst your bubble Pilot NET, but some of you really need to read between the lines about this. Especially with how much of a bureaucratic nightmare DoJ HR is.)

I know that it's very much the case that Massif press could have done this intentionally to show in the Lancer setting that the sum is bigger and more significant than all the parts added together. The world of the setting is too big to care too much about one individual or planet without weeding in a reason why in most cases because unless you're playing a mission book like Solstice Rain, you probably wouldn't be visiting any of the planets or people brought up in the first place. But the thing is, to me, is that this really makes Lancer less lively than I think it should. When I read about the Albatross, I wanna know about their heroes and significant feats and journeys. I could just play and Albatross, but having record of the daily life at the perspective of a nomadic Lancer would have been told so much more than I think the actual descriptions give.

It's why I love the blurb of text on the Sisyphus NHP. It builds a character, tells a narrative, and humanizes this being most probably would only be used to get a better roll. It also implies how cycling actually works for an NHP and the significance to it. And from all this, we can see that Sisyphus knows that his fate is to be cycled and die over and over again. Something barely given full page and it's just text on equipment.

And yet we don't have anything like that for the bigger picture. We don't know that the leaders of Union generally feel or think about the world surrounding us. We don't have a set uniform for Union or any other of the major players. And as a person who was fascinated with historical things like what soldiers wore during the battle of waterloo, or what camo patterns did a certain tank use, I feel like it's a significant diservice to not give us official uniforms and outfits for Union.

Imagine what cultural reflections that could have impacted the clothing an officer would wear.

I don't know, Lancer really likes to skim on the actually interesting descriptions, but I still love it. It's just that it really doesn't give me enough reason to care about things like Cradle or the Solar System in its current timeline. There is a lot of telling, and not showing in the lore for me, but they don't even tell things that historical nuts like me might be interested in.

[is-the-battlemech-cool-or-not]

Third League Royals: A Guide to Building Standardized nuSLDF BattleMechs

"Third League Royal" is a term coined for refitted and modernized BattleMechs deployed by the Star League Defense Force (SLDF) of the Third Star League from 3151 onward, in the Touchdown AU.

These upgraded designs follow strict formatting guidelines to ensure interoperability, survivability, and networked warfare efficiency in the modern battlefield.

This guide outlines how to construct a Third League Royal using MegaMekLab (MML), with a focus on out-of-universe implementation.

Core Features of a Third League Royal:

1. Mixed Clan Techbase (Unofficial Rules Enabled):

All Third League Royals must use the Mixed Clan techbase.

The Unofficial Tech Level must be enabled in MML to permit these configurations.

Furthermore, under the Tech Progression tab in Options, you must enable "ignore intro/extinct years for Unofficial Tech Level units"

2. Nova CEWS or Equivalent EW Suite:

All standard Third League Royals mount the Nova Combined Electronic Warfare Suite. Usually placed in the head slot, unless:

a) The 'Mech has a traditional head-mounted system that takes priority.

and/or

b) A Small Command Console cockpit is in use.

Exceptions:

Recon or command-focused 'Mechs may instead mount:

a) Clan ECM Suite (fluffed as "Archangel ECM").

and/or

b) Clan Active Probe (fluffed as "Wolfhound Active Probe").

3. Small Cockpits & Command Consoles:

All units use Small Cockpit technology.

Command variants use the Small Command Console Cockpit.

Ensure the cockpit is armored via the Assign Criticals tab in MML.

4. Armored Cowl Equipment:

All designs must mount an Armored Cowl in the head.

Must be armored via the Assign Criticals tab.

5. Clan-Tech Modernization of Legacy Loadouts:

Loadouts should (but do not have to) resemble previous variants of the 'Mech.

Upgrade to Clan equipment wherever appropriate:

IS Medium Lasers → Clan ER Medium Lasers.

IS Gauss Rifle → Clan Gauss Rifle or HAG.

LRM/SRM systems → Clan ATM or Streak launchers.

6. IS Composite Structure:

Must be selected under Structure.

7. Clan Double Heat Sinks:

Exclusively use Clan Double Heat Sinks.

Install as many as the design allows to minimize heat buildup (see below for Quirks that will effect the final number).

8. Supercharger Optimization:

Optional but recommended for weight efficiency:

Downgrade engine rating by one step.

Add a Supercharger to restore original speed.

Example: 300-rated engine → 285-rated + Supercharger.

9. Quirks:

a) Add the following universal Quirks (in addition to any original ones):

Battle Computer (replaces Command Mek Quirk if present on base model)

Combat Computer (+4 sunk per turn on top of normal heat sinks - not shown in MML UI, total heat/heat sunk must be manually calculated)

Cowl

Easy to Pilot

Extended Torso Twist

Improved Communications

Improved Sensors

Multi-Trac

Variable Range Targeting

b) If Jump Jets are present, add:

Reinforced Legs

c) Weapon and AMS Quirks:

i) All weapons (energy, ballistic, missile) must have:

Accurate Weapon

Improved Cooling Jacket (reduces individual weapon heat by one - not shown in MML UI, total heat/heat sunk must be manually calculated)

ii) All AMS types must have:

Directional Torso Mounted Weapon

d) Negative Quirks of the original design should be removed unless given a compelling lore reason.

10) Additional Design Notes:

a) Armor Allocation: Prioritize maximum armor where weight allows, using Clan Ferro-Fibrous or Ferro-Lamellor if possible.

b) CASE II: Highly recommended for Clan ammo-fed weaponry.

c) Head Slot Limitations: If both Nova CEWS and Command Console are needed, prioritize the Command Console and shift Nova to an alternate location.

The Third League Royal format creates a high-performance, standardized set of BattleMechs optimized for 32nd-century mixed-technology, survival-focused, network-centric warfare. By following this guide in MegaMekLab, players can build compliant 'Mechs that reflect the Third Star League's vision of a modern, networked military. Whether deploying a reimagined Atlas or a revitalized Shadow Hawk, your 'Mech will carry the legacy of the Star League forward—into the next era of warfare.

[annelidist]

my one strongly held opinion on the core mechanical template for souls games is that the weapon upgrade system is a massive net negative in every game it appears in, less as a matter of implementation (though most implementations of it are also bad) and moreso because of how strongly it disincentivises using more than like four weapons over the course of a given playthrough. it's just not worth the fuckin upgrade materials to use a proper variety of weapons cause everything you find or buy is at +0 and by the time you get hold of it you probably need your shit at like +6 to make a dent in level-appropriate enemies

[notwiselybuttoowell]

The meeting was always going to be difficult given that it requires reaching decisions by consensus among nearly 200 governments, a process described by energy secretary Ed Miliband as playing “198-dimensional chess”. And in focusing on this issue of finance, the first Cop to do so, it was addressing the thorniest issue of all.

But this was made worse by incompetent leadership from fossil-fuel-rich Azerbaijan, which opened proceedings by calling oil and gas a “gift of God”. And it was bedevilled by obstructionist tactics from Saudi Arabia and weakening political will in industrialised countries, even as evidence builds that the climate crisis could be escalating out of control.

Records for soaring air and ocean temperatures, and for vanishing sea ice at both poles, are being broken by enormous margins. Last month a group of the world’s most respected climate scientists concluded that the world is “stepping into a critical and unpredictable new phase of the climate crisis”, putting it “on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster”.

It is hurtling towards permanently exceeding the internationally agreed 1.5C guardrail against catastrophe. Five tipping points that threaten to plunge the world into a more hostile climate will be triggered at that point, said the scientists – and 11 more lie beyond it.

Yet emissions continue to increase while government engagement withers. Even before Trump’s victory, EU countries had been scaling back environmental action. And Germany, France, Australia and Canada may soon elect more climate-sceptic governments too.

Britain, increasingly a climate leader, is an exception, announcing a pioneering new emissions target at Cop29, where both Miliband and Keir Starmer made a big impact. But longstanding political consensus is fracturing, with Kemi Badenoch calling herself a “net zero sceptic” even though more than three-quarters of Tory voters support a net zero target.

At Baku, as in countries around the world, the politics largely trumped the science. Take climate finance. It is authoritatively estimated that developing countries will need some $2.4tn (£1.84tn) a year. They are expected to meet nearly half of that themselves, leaving $1.3tn to come from the rich world. Most of that is expected to flow from business and “innovative sources” such as taxes on aviation and shipping, leaving a core to be provided by more prosperous country governments.

There is more disappointment over failure to endorse a landmark agreement at last year’s Cop to “transition away from fossil fuels”. After a determined Saudi bid to kill it, the final text only refers to it in a roundabout way, and the issue has effectively been shelved for a year. But Baku did agree on long-controversial rules for carbon trading that finally complete the implementation of the Paris agreement.

As in previous Cops, the most constructive developments occurred outside the formal negotiations. Britain announced £239m of new funding to help countries preserve forests. Mexico U-turned on its position as the last holdout against net zero in the G20. And Indonesia, the world’s eighth biggest CO2 polluter, unexpectedly pledged to phase out fossil-fuel power generation.

More significantly still, a coalition of more than 30 nations – including the UK and the EU – jointly promised to adopt tougher measures consistent with meeting the 1.5C target. They were inspired by a new report by the international Rhodium Group which concluded that such steps could reduce the temperature rise from the expected 2.7C to 1.4C by 2100.

This is important as, under the Paris agreement, all countries must make new commitments next year, when the coalition hopes others will follow its lead. The US was expected to join them but ducked out after Trump’s election – a sign of things to come.

The US president-elect will not shut down climate negotiations despite his intentions to leave the Paris agreement. Nor might he make much difference to US decarbonisation. Most of the Biden adminstration’s clean energy investments are in Republican-voting areas, which don’t want to lose them. And despite Trump’s pledge to “drill, baby, drill”, fossil fuel companies already have excess capacity and don’t plan to increase it. But his stance will make it harder to accelerate action that is needed to avoid disaster.

Everything depends on how the rest of the world responds, both at next year’s Cop in Brazil and in pursuing other ways of combatting climate crisis, the most effective of which would be to agree a mandatory treaty to slash emissions of methane, now seen as the fastest way to reduce global warming. If political will continues to wane, we will regret it bitterly – not just for our children, but for ourselves.

[critical-skeptic]

Under QMAGA's Eye

Project 2025 is an audacious attempt by the conservative extreme right to solidify and expand their grip on American governance, driven by an alarming obsession with reshaping the country into a dystopian vision reminiscent of Gilead from "The Handmaid's Tale." This initiative is not just a policy blueprint; it is a manifesto that reveals the radical ambitions of a movement hell-bent on dismantling the progress made over decades in favor of a regressive, authoritarian future.

At its core, Project 2025 aims to entrench a conservative agenda through a comprehensive policy guide, a personnel database, training programs, and a detailed 180-day playbook designed to enact swift and sweeping changes. This project, spearheaded by The Heritage Foundation, underscores a chilling strategy to fill key government positions with ideologically aligned individuals who will faithfully execute its regressive policies from day one of a new conservative administration.

The Parallels to Gilead

The policy prescriptions outlined in Project 2025 are disturbingly similar to the totalitarian regime depicted in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale." The proposed measures to eliminate terms like "abortion" and "reproductive rights" from federal policies and the reinstatement of the Comstock Act to restrict mail-order abortions reveal a deep-seated desire to control women's bodies and reproductive choices. This is not just about policy; it's about rolling back fundamental rights and reducing women to state-controlled vessels, much like the Handmaids in Gilead.

Moreover, the call to defund Planned Parenthood and penalize providers of reproductive health services through Medicaid restructuring highlights a deliberate effort to dismantle the healthcare safety net that many rely on. The emphasis on "fertility awareness-based" contraception methods and the removal of condoms from preventative health guidelines further underscore an agenda that is more about ideological purity than public health.

The Authoritarian Blueprint

Project 2025's vision extends beyond social issues to a broader authoritarian restructuring of the government. The playbook for the first 180 days includes plans to dismantle the so-called "deep state" by purging perceived enemies within federal agencies and replacing them with loyalists. This is eerily reminiscent of purges seen in authoritarian regimes, where dissent is crushed, and only the faithful are allowed to wield power.

This project is not just about winning elections; it's about creating an environment where the conservative agenda can be implemented unchallenged. The training programs and personnel database aim to build a cadre of ideologically pure administrators who will implement these policies without question. This is a clear attempt to bypass the checks and balances that are fundamental to American democracy.

The Trump Factor

A second term for Donald Trump, especially under the guidance of Project 2025, would be catastrophic. In his first term, Trump was often seen as an unpredictable and chaotic leader, but this time, he would have a meticulously crafted blueprint and a network of loyalists ready to execute his vision. The country's current polarized state, combined with the advanced propaganda tools already in place, would make it much easier for Trump to push through his agenda with minimal resistance.

The international stage is also more destabilized now, and Trump's return would likely exacerbate global tensions. His administration's disregard for diplomatic norms and alliances would further isolate the United States, making it a rogue actor in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Call to Action

The stakes could not be higher. Project 2025 represents a clear and present danger to the principles of democracy, equality, and human rights. It is a call to arms for those who believe in a progressive, inclusive future to recognize the seriousness of this threat and mobilize against it. The potential for a second Trump term, empowered by this blueprint, would not just be a repeat of the past; it would be an acceleration towards a dystopian future where the most regressive elements of society hold sway.

In conclusion, Project 2025 is more than a conservative playbook; it is a radical manifesto with the potential to reshape America into a nightmarish vision of authoritarian control and social regression. The time to act is now, before this dark vision becomes a reality.

[sixpennydame]

You're Not a Hunter, You're a Gatherer

It seems that every writer moot I have is feeling some kind of burn-out right now. I read an amazing post today from Sarah Gottesdiener of The Moon Studio that I think every writer/artist/creative needs to hear:

Many of us are taught to be creators in a way that mimics punishment and productivity culture. To push, force, and maybe even flagellate ourselves into making work.

(Then when it comes to sharing work publicly, it’s another little punishment party going full blast inside, amirite?)

This is a capitalist, patriarchal, hierarchal way of doing things.

To hunt down our innocent ideas and wrangle them in between our bloody, iron grip hands feels like abuse.

To contort our process, our work, and maybe even ourselves so that we might create work that we *think* will get us: paid, laid, loved, and accepted. (Which are all branches of the same gorgeous tree of belonging and security. May we all experience these freely!)

You are not a hunter. Exhausting yourself by chasing down the next innocent idea like that will solve your problems when it only feeds the loop of insecurity and lack. When you operate in hunter mode, deep in a dopamine deficiency, relying on the next big kill to satiate the gaping void inside, nothing you do will ever be enough.

You are a gatherer. Everything you need is a stones throw, or a right click, or a meditation, or a conversation away. Everything you create is a conversation with the world, and it is infinite. Because source is infinite. Ideas are infinite, and form is infinite. Deep exhale.

​ The hunter mentality, complete with spears and endless bloodshed, can live inside of our processes. Ursula K. LeGuin suggests a different approach, the Carrier Bag Method. The first tool was a net, a vessel. Thousands of years ago our ancient ancestors foraged, gathered, carried the life force of abundance back to their homes, and were nourished. This process required curiosity, patience, and an ability to use what already existed on the land they inhabited.

​ Your creations are meant to be friends, stewards of your ideas, companions to others’ fruits, and in conversation with the greater world.

When you create from that space, it’s much easier to get ideas, have a process that is delightful, and share your work with ease.

Here’s an overview of one of the creative processes that works for me. ​ 1. Everything I create is for me, first. What excites me, or interests me, or will force to grow, learn, or implement different behaviors? That is my starting point. ​

2. Structure proceeds flow. Creativity needs containers. Create core intentions and fun rules. Outlines, lists, schedules all help to provide a base, an anchor, some scaffolding. ​

3. Use the Carrier Bag Method whenever possible. Live life. Look around. Gather. A conversation, an insight on a walk, a podcast episode, a shade of the sky: anything and all things can be inspiration. Anything that sparks insight can be fertilizer for creative projects. Never start from a blank page of life. ​

4. Program the subconscious to be the master creator. Know how you ask Siri to set timers, look up information, and help you out? That’s what your subconscious is…but for, like, your intuitive creations and messages. Tell your subconscious you need to write that book, that social media message, that report, or that newsletter by a certain time in a certain way in a certain way and watch what happens.

[udonlawyers]

Thailand Permanent Residency

Thailand's permanent residency (PR) framework originates from the 1927 Alien Registration Act, with major reforms occurring in:

1950 Immigration Act (established modern categories)

1979 Immigration Act (current statutory basis)

2008 Nationality Act amendments (tightened naturalization pathways)

1.2 Jurisdictional Authorities

Primary Oversight: Ministry of Interior (Section 37 Immigration Act)

Implementation: Immigration Bureau (Division 1, Section 3)

Adjudication: Special Committee chaired by Permanent Secretary for Interior

1.3 Relevant International Obligations

While Thailand maintains strict immigration controls, certain bilateral agreements influence PR considerations:

ASEAN agreements on skilled labor mobility

US-Thai Treaty of Amity (limited PR implications)

Japan-Thai Economic Partnership (special professional categories)

2. Eligibility Matrix

2.2 Qualitative Assessments

Character Evaluation:

Police clearance from all countries of residence

Neighborhood certification (conduct verification)

Employer/associate testimonials

Integration Metrics:

Thai language proficiency (CEFR A1 minimum)

Cultural knowledge exam (80% pass mark)

Community participation evidence

3. Procedural Architecture

3.1 Document Preparation Protocol

Core Documentation:

Visa History: Certified copies of all visas + entry stamps

Financial Evidence:

Bank statements (6 months, certified)

Tax records (RD.90 forms)

Investment certificates (BOI/SEC approved)

Supporting Materials:

Property Documents: Chanote + household registration

Employment Verification:

Work permits (all versions)

Social fund records

Company financials (for business owners)

4. Financial and Tax Considerations

4.1 Cost Structure Analysis

Official Fees:

Application fee: THB 7,600

Approval fee: THB 191,400

Alien book: THB 800 (annual)

Re-entry permit: THB 3,800 (single), THB 9,800 (multiple)

Unofficial Costs:

Document procurement: THB 15,000-50,000

Legal representation: THB 100,000-500,000

Expediting services: Market rate THB 200,000+

4.2 Tax Implications

Pre-PR: Only Thai-sourced income taxable

Post-PR: Worldwide income potentially taxable (if remitted)

Wealth Tax: None currently, but property transfer taxes apply

5. Rights and Privileges

5.2 Occupational Restrictions

Registered Profession Requirement: Must work in field specified at application

Business Ownership: Permitted but requires MOI notification

Government Employment: Prohibited without special approval

6. Judicial and Administrative Review

6.1 Appeal Process

Rejection Appeals: 30 days to file with Immigration Commission

Judicial Review: Available at Administrative Court

Success Rates: <15% for appeals, <5% for judicial review

6.2 PR Revocation

Grounds include:

Criminal conviction (1+ year sentence)

Tax evasion findings

Extended overseas absence (5+ years)

National security concerns

7. Strategic Application Approaches

7.1 Category Optimization

Employment Track: Ideal for corporate executives (minimum THB 150k salary preferred)

Investment Route: Best for property developers (BOI projects favored)

Family Path: Most reliable for long-term married couples (10+ years marriage ideal)

7.2 Document Enhancement Strategies

Tax Augmentation: Voluntary additional tax payments to demonstrate commitment

Community Engagement: Documented volunteer work with registered charities

Language Certification: Official CU-TFL test scores preferred over immigration exam

8. Comparative Regional Analysis

8.2 Global Benchmarks

Processing Time: Thailand (3-5 yrs) vs Canada (1.5 yrs)

Cost: Thailand (~6K)vsUK( 6K)vsUK( 3K)

Success Rate: Thailand (8%) vs Australia (25%)

9. Emerging Trends and Reforms

9.1 Digital Transformation

E-Application Pilot: Limited testing in Bangkok

Blockchain Verification: For document authentication

Automated Background Checks: Integration with INTERPOL databases

9.2 Policy Shifts

Talent-Centric Quotas: Increasing STEM professional allocations

Retirement PR Pathway: Under consideration for high-net-worth retirees

Dual Citizenship Tolerance: Parliamentary study underway

10. Practical Challenges and Solutions

10.1 Common Obstacles

Document Procurement: Especially for older visa records

Bureaucratic Delays: Particularly at verification stage

Exam Preparation: Lack of standardized study materials

10.2 Mitigation Strategies

Early Retention: Engage immigration lawyer at least 2 years pre-application

Parallel Processing: Initiate document requests simultaneously

Mock Examinations: Utilize private language schools for test prep

11. Longitudinal Case Studies

11.1 Successful Applications

Tech Executive: Approved in 3.5 years via employment track

THB 250k monthly salary

Certified Thai language proficiency

BOI-company sponsorship

Investor: Approved in 4 years via property route

THB 25M Bangkok condo portfolio

Additional THB 5M government bonds

Documented charity contributions

11.2 Rejection Analysis

Common Factors:

Inconsistent tax payments (78% of failed cases)

Language test failures (62%)

Suspicious financial patterns (45%)

12. Future Outlook

12.1 Projected Reforms

Points-Based System: Under consideration (2026 target)

Premium Processing: THB 500k+ for expedited review

Regional PR Options: Special economic zone programs

12.2 Demographic Impacts

Current PR holder demographics:

Chinese: 32%

Japanese: 18%

Western: 22%

Other Asian: 28%

13. Conclusion: Strategic Imperatives

Thailand's PR system remains: ✔ Highly exclusive (0.03% approval rate) ✔ Process-intensive (1000+ document pages typical) ✔ Discretionary in nature (despite codified rules)

Critical success factors:

Early preparation (3-5 year horizon)

Comprehensive documentation

Professional guidance

Financial commitment

The program continues evolving toward:

Greater transparency in decision-making

Enhanced digital infrastructure

Strategic alignment with economic development goals

Prospective applicants should monitor:

Annual quota announcements (December)

Ministerial regulation changes

Judicial rulings on PR-related cases

[itssovero]

11. Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc (Ubi Soft Paris, 2003)

Watch my playthrough of this game here!

The second and last proper 3D Rayman adventure we've seen in 22 years, this installment features some solid platforming, a few unique (if a bit underutilized) combat mechanics, a satisfying new scoring system, and an edgier tone than its predecessors.

Gameplay-wise, this is still more or less the Rayman you know from Rayman 2: The Great Escape, but with a few new mechanics. Combat returns to the original Rayman's two-fist projectile system, but with a 3D twist; not only can Rayman literally throw a punch, he can also arc them left and right horizontally while strafing to circumvent enemy defenses. It's a great mechanic at its core, but its implementation is clunky due to the requirement to be moving in the direction you wish to arc your punch, and surprisingly few enemy types and object interactions make compelling use of it.

Supplementing the combat and platforming both is the new "laser detergent" system in which you can equip a timed power-up from stationary points in each level, temporarily enabling Rayman to do things like gradually electrocute enemies and swing from hanging hooks, deploy guided missiles, or knock enemies off stilts and retract tall platforms. Some types are more fun than others, but generally it's a neat way to add some dynamism to the gameplay.

This goes hand in hand with an additional layer known as COMBO MODE, an excellent addition to the gameplay which adds a score attack element to landing hits on enemies and picking up the game's collectable jewels; doing these things in quick succession nets you scaling additional point yields which factor into a ranking at the end of each of the linear stages (each of which have a "par score" of sorts to shoot for). Tagging power-up cans also doubles points earned throughout that power-up's duration. High scores in individual levels contribute to a game-wide cumulative score, and meeting certain total score thresholds unlocks a smattering of minigames. This simple addition adds an engaging new layer to the gameplay, as it encourages the player to consider how to chain actions together and the order in which to perform them. As it's implemented, I feel that the game could stand to feature more ways in which to keep these combos going, and the fact that some secret point caches (in the form of small creatures you need to either focus on in first-person mode or slowly sneak up on) require you to slow down enough for your combo to time out feels kind of counterintuitive to the design, but it's a fascinating system for a platformer nonetheless. Honestly, a lot more games in the platforming space should feature something like this.

Aesthetically, the game continues with the mystical runic aesthetic of Rayman 2, but with the antagonistic hoodlums' presence adding an additional layer of splintery wood and ramshackle structures I can only half-jokingly describe as "outhousepunk". The overall tone of the game leans far more into raunchy comedy than scenic whimsy, and whether this is a good thing or not will differ from person to person. Personally, I think it has its moments, but a handful of contemporary pop culture references stick out like a sore thumb and really date the experience. That said, the ramblings of Billy West in his performance as Murfy the flying tutorial frog and his spiel about "cahmbo mode" in the game's opening chapter have permanently wormed their way into my braincase over the years.

Rayman 3 is a bit of a mixed bag, but it's still got enough charm and interesting ideas to make for a good time. That said, there's a lot of untapped potential in its combat and combo mode mechanics, and more than two decades later, I still long for a new, more polished 3D Rayman title which iterates on these systems further. With Ubisoft reportedly having begun the exploration phase for a new Rayman project in 2023, perhaps Murfy's tongue-in-cheek promise of a proper "Rayman 4" will actually come true in the next handful of years.

[mariacallous]

I'm going to preface this by saying that I am sharing this only because I think it's interesting and thought-provoking and not because I agree entirely with the author's points - I think it's at best a clumsy attempt to make an argument sound better to the people currently in power, using the DEI revocation as a starting point, and I think it's Gertrude overegging the pudding if that's the case. At worst the author genuinely believes everything fully and is part of the problem we're facing now.

I do think, though, the core issue is sound - too many positions, particularly in foreign policy, international development, and national security - are closed off from a lot of people who would otherwise do really well there, which is a problem in terms of government staffing and quality and also harms the US.

Thomas Jefferson envisioned an American society in which the most talented people—rather than the richest and most well connected—shaped and implemented policy. To Jefferson, the United States should be a meritocracy, unburdened by the aristocratic ways of old Europe.

Unfortunately, leadership of today’s public institutions—especially national security agencies—fail to reflect Jefferson’s ideal of a natural aristocracy. Instead, advancement within today’s institutions is largely determined by whether a candidate attended one of the expensive feeder schools along the northeastern D.C.-Boston corridor. Securing national security jobs and building professional networks needed to stay informed about openings, enhance resumes, and excel in interviews is often tied to socioeconomic advantages. Students from privileged backgrounds benefit from financial support and parental safety nets, easing their transition to Washington for internships and early careers. Most students from working-class families opt out, limiting socioeconomic and geographic representation in national security agencies.

Misguided approaches to diversity that hyper-focus on race, ethnicity, gender, and visible differences have done more to divide and weaken U.S. institutions than to unite and strengthen them. These efforts, meant to address past injustices, instead harmed current and future generations of Americans by fostering hypocrisy through discrimination, lowering standards of excellence, and stifling dialogue. At the same time, public faith in government is at an all-time low. And based on the 2024 election results, Americans feel it’s time for a change.

To secure public trust and excellence in the federal workforce, President Trump rightly ended diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across the federal government. Authentic representation of America and its interests is best achieved by leveraging the underutilized and undervalued talent found in America’s forgotten communities: individuals from working-class families. Now, it is time to rebuild these institutions.

Building upon decades of bipartisan congressional investment in federal TRIO programs—grants awarded to institutions with experience serving disadvantaged youth—the Trump administration should ensure national security institutions represent all of America by taking support for first-generation students and graduates to the next level in the national security and industrial base. Elevating these initiatives within the national security and industrial base is vital to fostering innovation, expanding opportunity, and safeguarding our nation’s future.

Bringing more talent from working-class communities into the national security establishment and diplomatic service would make those institutions more responsive to the concerns of most Americans: the working class, which represents 62 percent of the U.S. workforce, and is more racially and ethnically diverse than ever. Nearly half are women; 8 percent have disabilities.

The United States faces powerful foreign adversaries across the Atlantic and Pacific, emboldened by asymmetric capabilities, economic coercion, and growing militaries. And, at the same time, the activities of drug cartels disproportionately affect individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Despite its commitment to diversity, the U.S. State Department lacks a database to track hiring and retention based on geographic or socioeconomic factors, focusing instead on sex, race, ethnicity, and, recently, disability. In an organization, typically, what gets measured gets managed and supported with the leadership’s attention and organizational resources. This had the effect of marginalizing individuals from rural and low-income backgrounds, further compounded by DEI policies that overlook or fail to address the barriers to socioeconomic and geographic retention.

Since 2021, DEI policy—deeply embedded in U.S. national security agencies—has shaped personnel practices and foreign policy across the federal government. However, even before the Biden-Harris administration, advocates of this approach heavily influenced personnel practices and foreign policy, resulting in elites building DEI initiatives on a largely untested foundation. During my 15-plus years serving in seven roles at the State Department, I observed concerning patterns of prejudiced behavior among senior career officials. Some used veiled accusations of racism or sexism to intimidate peers and subordinates into compliance with DEI policies.

Indeed, demonstrating the advancement of DEI policy has even become a requirement for promotion in the U.S. Foreign Service. In 2022, the State Department of State required DEI to be everyone’s responsibility, according to department officials. The aim appeared to ensure the department “looks like America.” This definition of diversity is coded language used to exclude certain individuals. It’s time to move beyond the popular yet superficial phrase as a standard for diversity. At best, it’s a marketing tactic that perpetuates outdated stereotypes; at worst, it reinforces visible biases about the appearance of marginalized communities.

Today, these policies face increasing legal, social, and political challenges. Without significant course corrections, many agencies, including the State Department, risk becoming entangled in lawsuits, hindering their ability to focus attention and finite resources on developing U.S. foreign policy.

Addressing prejudices that disproportionately favor certain underserved groups, while utilizing comprehensive and accurate data to uncover representation gaps, is essential to better understanding workforce demographics.

Such a strategy must establish critical connections between national security, educational opportunities, and geographic integration. Specifically, we need to recognize the strategic value of the United States’ more than 8 million first-generation college students and graduates, who bring genuine openness to new ideas and unconventional solutions into government, disrupting staffing cartels and breaking the monopolies perpetuating outdated approaches.

This group is made up of students whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree. Their families typically earn an average of $41,000 annually, meaning many come from working-class backgrounds. Data suggests these students pursue public service careers; 21 percent of first-generation graduates work in government, and 62 percent of first-generation college students are veterans. Nevertheless, many barriers—such as educational costs—prevent first-generation graduates from fully participating in the public workforce. Closing the 35-point graduation gap between them and their peers by addressing these barriers would yield 4 million more professionals who are prepared to address the United States’ economic and security challenges. First-generation college students and graduates bring unique experiences to national security, rooted in connections to forgotten communities and life experiences that align with the global majority, and enhancing strategy, policy, and communication with foreign audiences.

Additionally, their resilience, grit, and economic backgrounds challenge the homogeneity of traditional thinking, offering fresh perspectives essential for addressing complex domestic and transnational challenges. As examples of U.S. perseverance, ingenuity, and upward mobility our democracy fosters, they represent patriotic Ambassadors of the American Dream at home and abroad.

To bring more members of this group into the national security establishment the administration should first target TRIO-hosting universities and community colleges for recruitment.

It should also recruit from colleges recognized for excellence in enrolling first-generation college students and helping them succeed, such as the schools in the FirstGen Forward network and those that have received Colorado’s first generation-serving campus designation. Together, FirstGen Forward and the designated institutions serve more than 2 million first-generation college students who will graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure the United States in an increasingly complex threat environment.

Allowing agencies to use direct-hire authority for first-generation candidates in mission-critical roles and redesignating existing fellowship options for first-generation graduates entering federal service enhances their ability to attract, retain, and elevate Americans from untapped talent pools. Transforming unused federal office space from the pre-pre-World War II-era into housing for first-generation college interns through a public-private partnership would be practical repurposing of these underutilized federal assets. To improve retention, a federal mentorship network could pair first-generation professionals with senior employees across government agencies; this is cost-neutral.

Moreover, we need greater socioeconomic and geographic representation in critical defense industries. Offering tax incentives to private firms who recruit, educate, and train first-generation graduates will foster social mobility in communities hurt by globalization. Instead of relying on foreign workers, investing in homegrown first-generation talent through private-funded scholarships, paid internships, vocational training, apprenticeships, skills certification, and job placement can drive the United States’ industrial transformation. This could enhance any plan to bring big manufacturing back into the communities that previous administrations have left behind. Fellowship programs for first-generation graduates or wage subsidies for professionals would further boost hiring of American workers in this critical sector.

Lastly, we should audit current staffing of national security agencies to understand which geographic communities—urban or rural—and economic strata lack representation in these institutions. Agencies should collect and share this data, and Congress should require federal agencies to submit plans to boost first-generation workforce representation and disseminate this data to educators, recruiters, and policymakers from the federal, state, and local levels. Establishing state-level national security liaisons, embedded within governors’ offices and staffed by experts from national security agencies, would enhance understanding of the global threat environment and help identify and counter disinformation efforts by foreign adversaries seeking to exploit and stoke U.S. domestic political tensions.

To take on the many challenges facing the United States, there needs to be fewer elites and more federal employees from forgotten working-class communities in its national security agencies. Youth from institutions such as College of the Ozarks, Colorado State University, and Tennessee State University would heed this call to serve the United States in the diplomatic arena, on the battlefield, and even in cyberspace. By enhancing socioeconomic representation, we can build a greater connection between the government and the communities experiencing today’s greatest economic hardships.

[wpwebsitefix]

The Significance of Regular Maintenance for Your WordPress Site

WordPress stands as one of the leading content management platforms, driving millions of websites across the globe. Its flexibility, scalability, and ease of use make it a go-to platform for businesses, bloggers, and eCommerce stores. Much like a car needs routine maintenance to run smoothly, your WordPress site demands regular care to maintain peak performance, strong security, and a seamless user experience.

Why Regular Maintenance Matters

Improved Website Security

Frequent updates to the WordPress core, plugins, and themes safeguard your site against security risks. Neglecting updates can leave your site exposed to hackers, malware, and data breaches.

Enhanced Performance and Speed

A sluggish website can deter visitors and harm your visibility in search engine results Regular maintenance involves optimizing your site’s performance by clearing cache, minimizing scripts, and addressing server-related issues. These steps ensure a seamless and fast browsing experience for visitors.

Better SEO Rankings

Search engines like Google prioritize websites that are fast, secure, and free of errors. Maintenance activities such as fixing broken links, updating content, and optimizing images can improve your site's SEO, helping you rank higher in search results.

User Experience (UX) Improvement

Old themes, malfunctioning links, and sluggish pages can annoy visitors and increase bounce rates. Consistent upkeep guarantees your site remains user-friendly, with operational features, seamless navigation, and compelling content.

Key Aspects of WordPress Maintenance

WordPress consistently publishes updates to enhance performance and address security vulnerabilities. Maintaining up-to-date core, plugins, and themes is vital for reducing risks and ensuring flawless compatibility.

Backups: Your Safety Net

A dependable backup system allows you to swiftly recover your site in the event of accidental data loss, failed updates, or cyber threats. Implement regular backups to safeguard your information and reduce the chance of downtime."

Database Optimization

Over time, your WordPress database may gather clutter like spam comments, redundant post revisions, and obsolete records. Streamlining your database boosts site performance and frees up valuable storage space.

Security Checks

Use security plugins to monitor your site for malware, unauthorized logins, and other potential threats. Regular scans and firewall settings can safeguard your site from harmful attacks.

Broken Link Fixes

Broken links harm user experience and SEO. Conduct regular checks to identify and fix these issues, ensuring a smooth browsing journey for your visitors.

Content Review and Update

Consistently evaluate your content for relevance, correctness, and audience interaction.. Refreshing outdated blog posts or removing irrelevant information ensures your site remains current and beneficial to visitors."

Performance Testing

Test your site’s speed and responsiveness across different devices and browsers. Platforms like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix offer valuable insights to pinpoint opportunities for optimization.

Consequences of Skipping Maintenance

Failing to maintain your WordPress site can lead to serious repercussions:

Increased Downtime: Neglected sites are more prone to crashes, especially after updates.

Loss of Traffic and Revenue: Security breaches or slow loading times can deter visitors, affecting both traffic and sales.

SEO Penalties: Issues like broken links or outdated content can harm your search engine rankings.

Higher Repair Costs: Fixing a neglected site can be more expensive than regular upkeep.

DIY vs. Professional Maintenance

Tips for Regular WordPress Maintenance

Schedule weekly or monthly maintenance tasks.

Use reliable tools and plugins for backups, security, and performance optimization.

Monitor your site's uptime and analytics to identify potential issues early.

Optimize your WordPress site with image compression, responsive design, lazy loading, modern formats, and metadata cleanup. Get expert help at wpwebsitefix.com.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

David R. Lurie at Public Notice:

During his 2016 campaign, Donald Trump aimed nearly as much rhetorical ire at the Bush family as he did at Hillary Clinton. He assured working class voters his presidency would mark a sharp break with past GOP policies.

Yet Trump’s first — and only — major legislative achievement was to follow in the footsteps of George W. Bush’s first term by enacting massive tax cuts for the richest Americans. That gift to the wealthy proved to be a fiscal disaster for the nation and a political disaster for Trump and his party, ushering in a series of electoral losses for the GOP beginning with the 2018 midterms. Now, as Trump plans his second term in the White House, he’s preparing to follow Bush’s example once again. He and his billionaire cronies are making increasingly strong signals that he’ll begin his second term by attacking Social Security (and potentially Medicare), this time mirroring a political disaster that Bush brought upon the GOP during his second term. It is difficult to imagine a more politically foolhardy target than Social Security and Medicare. Yet, for decades, GOP politicians have been as tempted to attack these extraordinarily popular and successful elements of the social safety net as moths are to fly into flames. The “populist” Republicans of the Trump era are no different — a reality that portends great risk to Americans, but also huge political opportunities for Democrats.

The long history of GOP attacks on Social Security

From the outset, FDR’s enactment of a US version of Social Security — derived from similar, but often broader, safety net programs implemented in Western Europe — was vigorously opposed by GOP leaders, who (for good reason) feared it would create a permanent foundation of support for government “interference” in the economy. In order to undo the legacy of FDR’s New Deal, GOP leaders recognized they would ultimately have to launch a successful attack on Social Security. The fact that Social Security successfully addressed what had appeared to be the permanent scourge of poverty among the elderly only deepened the ire of many in the GOP, given that it increased support for Democrats. The next several Republican presidents — including Eisenhower and his vice president, Richard Nixon — believed that GOP efforts to attack the nation’s core entitlement programs, which under LBJ grew to include the hugely successful Medicare program, would be politically suicidal.

These “establishment” Republicans were, however, reviled by many on the right of their party, including followers of Barry Goldwater. They refused to give up their dream of vanquishing Social Security, and with it the purportedly evil federal government institutions that had grown since the 1930s. Indeed, soon after being elected in 1980, former Goldwater sidekick Ronald Reagan — who had once famously called for Social Security to be made “voluntary” — implemented the first of what would prove to be habitual GOP attacks on Social Security. In 1981, Reagan proposed dramatic cuts to Social Security, claiming that he was trying to “save” the program. His proposal faced immediate backlash, particularly from retired and soon to be retired voters who formed a key portion of the his coalition. The president beat a hasty retreat, as did congressional Republicans, who soon realized they would pay a high political price if they joined Reagan in gutting the program. Reagan did succeed in enacting far more modest, but still substantial, cutbacks in Social Security with the support of Democrats — under the cover of a commission led by the then highly respected Alan Greenspan — based on the proposition they were “bolstering” it. This gave rise to an enduring view among many on the right that they could dupe Democrats to join them in cutting holes in the social safety net in the guise of trying to save it — a premise some “good government” types regrettably encouraged.

George W. Bush, like Trump, focused his first term economic program on fiscally unsound tax cuts for the rich. But after winning reelection, Bush began his second term with a declaration that he had obtained “political capital.” He chose to spend it with another attack upon Social Security. In 2005, Bush announced his support for a “privatization” scheme inspired by the “voluntary” Social Security proposal favored by Goldwater and the young Reagan. He then embarked on a full-fledged campaign in support of his effort to gut Social Security, giving speech after speech in which he declared that the nation should be prepared to make “tough” decisions. Bush likely expected that a substantial number of “fiscally moderate” Democrats would support his program, or at least parts of it. But Democrats had learned their lesson from past GOP assaults on Social Security and overwhelmingly resisted Bush’s proposal. Bush’s plan flamed out even more spectacularly than had Reagan’s 1981 initiative. The debacle paved the way for W’s political unraveling, beginning with huge Democratic victories in the 2006 midterms and the victory of Barack Obama two years later. Nonetheless, the desire to undermine Social Security remained powerful among GOP leaders. For example, during a debate with Joe Biden, Mitt Romney’s then running mate Paul Ryan registered his emphatic support for Social Security “privatization,” asserting that Bush’s deeply unpopular plan should have been implemented.

“Everything is on the table”

During all three of his presidential campaigns, Trump distanced himself from efforts to gut Social Security — sort of. As with so many topics, however, he has not been particularly concerned with consistency. In March of this year, Trump let slip on CNBC that he just might be convinced to go after the social safety net, stating, “There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements in terms of cutting.” He then went on a marginally coherent “weave,” thereby managing to avoid addressing the implications of his statement. But his remark now appears to have been extraordinarily significant. Soon after winning the election, Trump tasked Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and their pseudo government agency titled “DOGE” (after a crypto currency that had been started as a joke) with cutting as much as $2 trillion of annual spending from the federal budget. Ramaswamy initially appeared to deny that Social Security would be touched, asserting that “program integrity” would be DOGE’s sole focus, and adding that changes in benefits would be a matter for Congress to decide. Yet, for two reasons, there was far less to that assurance than meets to eye. First, it has always been the case that Congress will have to vote in favor of any proposal to gut entitlement programs. That is because Social Security and Medicare comprise “mandatory” spending, which is compelled by statute. And secondly, as a matter of financial fact, the kind of drastic austerity measures that Trump’s cronies are proposing will necessarily involve massive cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or both.

[...] Sooner rather than later, Trump seems likely to emulate George W. Bush — a former president he mocks with glee — by proposing cuts to Social Security and possibly Medicare too. His proposal will be met by much enthusiasm from GOP legislators and wealthy donors. But then the backlash will arrive, and the massive snowball Trump and his cronies sent down the hill will run them over. It is, however, up to Democrats to carefully prepare for what comes next, and — when the opportunity presents itself — to do everything they can to maximize the backlash and ensure Republicans once again pay the highest possible price for attacking a cornerstone of post-New Deal America. This will not be a time for compromise, or for sober-minded “good government” types to express agreement with the need for “reform.” If Democrats play their cards right, the defeat of yet another GOP assault on key elements of the safety net for older Americans could be the beginning of a broader collapse of the Trump effort to “remake government” to serve his authoritarian ambitions.

The Republican trifecta in the upcoming Congress are making the same foolish mistake they made after the 2004 elections: mounting efforts to privatize Social Security.

Such a move was the beginning of their downfall that led to massive losses in 2006 and 2008 for the GOP.

[elsa16744]

Why is ESG Intelligence Important to Companies? 

Human activities burden Earth’s biosphere, but ESG criteria can ensure that industries optimize their operations to reduce their adverse impact on ecological and socio-economic integrity. Investors have utilized the related business intelligence to screen stocks of ethical enterprises. Consumers want to avoid brands that employ child labor. This post will elaborate on why ESG intelligence has become important to companies. 

What is ESG Intelligence? 

ESG, or environmental, social, and governance, is an investment guidance and business performance auditing approach. It assesses how a commercial organization treats its stakeholders and consumes natural resources. At its core, you will discover statistical metrics from a sustainability perspective. So, ESG data providers gather and process data for compliance ratings and reports. 

Managers, investors, and government officers can understand a company’s impact on its workers, regional community, and biosphere before engaging in stock buying or business mergers. Since attracting investors and complying with regulatory guidelines is vital for modern corporations, ESG intelligence professionals have witnessed a rise in year-on-year demand. 

Simultaneously, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and financial institutions expect a business to work toward accomplishing the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Given these dynamics, leaders require data-driven insights to enhance their compliance ratings. 

Components of ESG Intelligence 

The environmental considerations rate a firm based on waste disposal, plastic reduction, carbon emissions risks, pollution control, and biodiversity preservation. Other metrics include renewable energy adoption, green technology, and water consumption. 

Likewise, the social impact assessments check whether a company has an adequate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy. Preventing workplace toxicity and eradicating child labor practices are often integral to the social reporting head of ESG services. 

Corporate governance concerns discouraging bribes and similar corruptive activities. Moreover, an organization must implement solid cybersecurity measures to mitigate corporate espionage and ransomware threats. Accounting transparency matters too. 

Why is ESG Intelligence Important to Companies? 

Reason 1 – Risk Management 

All three pillars of ESG reports, environmental, social, and governance, enable business owners to reduce their company’s exposure to the following risks. 

High greenhouse (GHG) emissions will attract regulatory penalties under pollution reduction directives. Besides, a commercial project can take longer if vital resources like water become polluted. Thankfully, the environmental pillar helps companies comply with the laws governing these situations. 

A toxic and discriminatory workplace environment often harms employees’ productivity, collaboration, creativity, and leadership skill development. Therefore, inefficiencies like reporting delays or emotional exhaustion can slow a project’s progress. ESG’s social metrics will mitigate the highlighted risks resulting from human behavior and multi-generational presumptions. 

Insurance fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, preferential treatment, hiding conflicts of interest, and corporate espionage are the governance risks you must address as soon as possible. These problems introduce accounting inconsistencies and data theft issues. You will also receive penalties according to your regional laws if data leaks or insider trading happens. 

Reason 2 – Investor Relations (IR) 

Transparent disclosures can make or break the relationship between corporate leaders and investors. With the help of ESG intelligence, it becomes easier to make qualitative and manipulation-free “financial materiality” reports. Therefore, managers can successfully execute the deal negotiations with little to no resistance. 

You want to retain the present investors and attract more patrons to raise funds. These resources will help you to augment your company’s expansion and market penetration. However, nourishing mutually beneficial investor relations is easier said than done. 

For example, some sustainability investors will prioritize enterprises with an ESG score of above 80. Others will refuse to engage with your brand if one of the suppliers has documented records of employing child labor. Instead of being unaware of these issues, you can identify them and mitigate the associated risks using ESG intelligence and insights. 

Reason 3 – Consumer Demand 

Consider the following cases. 

Customers wanted plastic-free product packaging, and e-commerce platforms listened to their demand. And today’s direct home deliveries contribute to public awareness of how petroleum-derived synthetic coating materials threaten the environment. 

The availability of recharging facilities and rising gas prices have made electric vehicles (EVs) more attractive to consumers. Previously, the demand for EVs had existed only in the metropolitan areas. However, the EV industry expects continuous growth as electricity reaches more semi-urban and rural regions. 

Businesses and investors care about consumer demand. Remember, they cannot force consumers into buying a product or service. And a healthy competitive industry has at least three players. Therefore, customers can choose which branded items they want to consume. 

Consumer demand is one of the driving factors that made ESG intelligence crucial in many industries. If nobody was searching for electric vehicles on the web or everybody had demanded plastic packaging, businesses would never switch their attitudes toward the concerns discussed above. 

Conclusion 

Data governance has become a popular topic due to the privacy laws in the EU, the US, Brazil, and other nations. Meanwhile, child labor is still prevalent in specific developing and underdeveloped regions. Also, the climate crisis has endangered the future of agricultural occupations. 

Deforestation, illiteracy, carbon emissions, identity theft, insider trading, discrimination, on-site accidents, corruption, and gender gap threaten the well-being of future generations. The world requires immediate and coordinated actions to resolve these issues. 

Therefore, ESG intelligence is important to companies, consumers, investors, and governments. Properly acquiring and analyzing it is possible if these stakeholders leverage the right tools, relevant benchmarks, and expert data partners. 

[sunflowergem]

6 and 3 and 19 for the tav asks?

Many thanks for the asks, sorry this took a while to answer. Had to think about a lot of these, especially for the new character

3. What would their character quest be titled? Why?

🌻 Sunflower Sol Anima

🩸 Valora Sangin Scales

6. How would the player go about meeting them in Act 1? What is their introduction?

🌻 Sunflower would be found right before the interaction with the raiders that are outside the temple in the first part of the game. She's trying to get them to help look for survivors and they have no interest in that. She tries to be diplomatic but they obviously aren't interested in not considering the personalities in the game. The player character would have the choice of like siding with her and trying to support her which would automatically net you some approval points. Attacking the bandits which wouldn't get you approval but she would join the fight on your side, she only is able to buff the player and has a very basic attack that she would not use unless it's a last resort, and then you'd be able to talk with her afterwards. Or you could go full evil and attack her along with the bandits. She'd probably be very easy to take out to be honest. She could also be taken out during the fight so like there's several ways to lose her as a companion before she even joins.

🩸 Valora you can encounter her if you find her at the top of the hill just outside the Grove entrance. The part with like the little wooden structure to look over stuff and like old Harper things. If you don't find her yourself, she will come into camp on your first or second night depending on how much of the map you've already gone to. According to her, she's been watching you for a while and is impressed with how you're conducting yourself. She'll ask to join the camp and offer her services as a sorcerer. She'll also very quickly reveal that she has a tadpole obviously so that the group knows that she's in the same boat as them.

19. What is their MBTI Type?

I pulled the blurbs from the Myers and Briggs website. It's a pretty solid encapsulation. INFJ is just pulled from my own results from when I took the test since she's based off of me. Although considering her storyline it definitely fits. I had to think about what Velora would be. I ended up going through each of the letters and thinking which one she would be represented by. It's funny, she's almost exactly opposite of Sunflower, but I honestly didn't plan for that. Gotta love the thematic consistency though.

🌻 Sunflower INFJ (The advocate)

Seek meaning and connection in ideas, relationships, and material possessions. Want to understand what motivates people and are insightful about others. Conscientious and committed to their firm values. Develop a clear vision about how best to serve the common good. Organized and decisive in implementing their vision.

🩸 Valora ISTP (The virtuoso)

Tolerant and flexible, quiet observers until a problem appears, then act quickly to find workable solutions. Analyze what makes things work and readily get through large amounts of data to isolate the core of practical problems. Interested in cause and effect, organize facts using logical principles, value efficiency.

[govindhtech]

Intel VTune Profiler For Data Parallel Python Applications

Intel VTune Profiler tutorial

This brief tutorial will show you how to use Intel VTune Profiler to profile the performance of a Python application using the NumPy and Numba example applications.

Analysing Performance in Applications and Systems

For HPC, cloud, IoT, media, storage, and other applications, Intel VTune Profiler optimises system performance, application performance, and system configuration.

Optimise the performance of the entire application not just the accelerated part using the CPU, GPU, and FPGA.

Profile SYCL, C, C++, C#, Fortran, OpenCL code, Python, Google Go, Java,.NET, Assembly, or any combination of languages can be multilingual.

Application or System: Obtain detailed results mapped to source code or coarse-grained system data for a longer time period.

Power: Maximise efficiency without resorting to thermal or power-related throttling.

VTune platform profiler

It has following Features.

Optimisation of Algorithms

Find your code’s “hot spots,” or the sections that take the longest.

Use Flame Graph to see hot code routes and the amount of time spent in each function and with its callees.

Bottlenecks in Microarchitecture and Memory

Use microarchitecture exploration analysis to pinpoint the major hardware problems affecting your application’s performance.

Identify memory-access-related concerns, such as cache misses and difficulty with high bandwidth.

Inductors and XPUs

Improve data transfers and GPU offload schema for SYCL, OpenCL, Microsoft DirectX, or OpenMP offload code. Determine which GPU kernels take the longest to optimise further.

Examine GPU-bound programs for inefficient kernel algorithms or microarchitectural restrictions that may be causing performance problems.

Examine FPGA utilisation and the interactions between CPU and FPGA.

Technical summary: Determine the most time-consuming operations that are executing on the neural processing unit (NPU) and learn how much data is exchanged between the NPU and DDR memory.

In parallelism

Check the threading efficiency of the code. Determine which threading problems are affecting performance.

Examine compute-intensive or throughput HPC programs to determine how well they utilise memory, vectorisation, and the CPU.

Interface and Platform

Find the points in I/O-intensive applications where performance is stalled. Examine the hardware’s ability to handle I/O traffic produced by integrated accelerators or external PCIe devices.

Use System Overview to get a detailed overview of short-term workloads.

Multiple Nodes

Describe the performance characteristics of workloads involving OpenMP and large-scale message passing interfaces (MPI).

Determine any scalability problems and receive suggestions for a thorough investigation.

Intel VTune Profiler

To improve Python performance while using Intel systems, install and utilise the Intel Distribution for Python and Data Parallel Extensions for Python with your applications.

Configure your Python-using VTune Profiler setup.

To find performance issues and areas for improvement, profile three distinct Python application implementations. The pairwise distance calculation algorithm commonly used in machine learning and data analytics will be demonstrated in this article using the NumPy example.

The following packages are used by the three distinct implementations.

Numpy Optimised for Intel

NumPy’s Data Parallel Extension

Extensions for Numba on GPU with Data Parallelism

Python’s NumPy and Data Parallel Extension

By providing optimised heterogeneous computing, Intel Distribution for Python and Intel Data Parallel Extension for Python offer a fantastic and straightforward approach to develop high-performance machine learning (ML) and scientific applications.

Added to the Python Intel Distribution is:

Scalability on PCs, powerful servers, and laptops utilising every CPU core available.

Assistance with the most recent Intel CPU instruction sets.

Accelerating core numerical and machine learning packages with libraries such as the Intel oneAPI Math Kernel Library (oneMKL) and Intel oneAPI Data Analytics Library (oneDAL) allows for near-native performance.

Tools for optimising Python code into instructions with more productivity.

Important Python bindings to help your Python project integrate Intel native tools more easily.

Three core packages make up the Data Parallel Extensions for Python:

The NumPy Data Parallel Extensions (dpnp)

Data Parallel Extensions for Numba, aka numba_dpex

Tensor data structure support, device selection, data allocation on devices, and user-defined data parallel extensions for Python are all provided by the dpctl (Data Parallel Control library).

It is best to obtain insights with comprehensive source code level analysis into compute and memory bottlenecks in order to promptly identify and resolve unanticipated performance difficulties in Machine Learning (ML),  Artificial Intelligence ( AI), and other scientific workloads. This may be done with Python-based ML and AI programs as well as C/C++ code using Intel VTune Profiler. The methods for profiling these kinds of Python apps are the main topic of this paper.

Using highly optimised Intel Optimised Numpy and Data Parallel Extension for Python libraries, developers can replace the source lines causing performance loss with the help of Intel VTune Profiler, a sophisticated tool.

Setting up and Installing

1. Install Intel Distribution for Python

2. Create a Python Virtual Environment

   python -m venv pyenv

   pyenv\Scripts\activate

3. Install Python packages

   pip install numpy

   pip install dpnp

   pip install numba

   pip install numba-dpex

   pip install pyitt

Make Use of Reference Configuration

The hardware and software components used for the reference example code we use are:

Software Components:

dpnp 0.14.0+189.gfcddad2474

mkl-fft 1.3.8

mkl-random 1.2.4

mkl-service 2.4.0

mkl-umath 0.1.1

numba 0.59.0

numba-dpex 0.21.4

numpy 1.26.4

pyitt 1.1.0

Operating System:

Linux, Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS

CPU:

Intel Xeon Platinum 8480+

GPU:

Intel Data Center GPU Max 1550

The Example Application for NumPy

Intel will demonstrate how to use Intel VTune Profiler and its Intel Instrumentation and Tracing Technology (ITT) API to optimise a NumPy application step-by-step. The pairwise distance application, a well-liked approach in fields including biology, high performance computing (HPC), machine learning, and geographic data analytics, will be used in this article.

Summary

The three stages of optimisation that we will discuss in this post are summarised as follows:

Step 1: Examining the Intel Optimised Numpy Pairwise Distance Implementation: Here, we’ll attempt to comprehend the obstacles affecting the NumPy implementation’s performance.

Step 2: Profiling Data Parallel Extension for Pairwise Distance NumPy Implementation: We intend to examine the implementation and see whether there is a performance disparity.

Step 3: Profiling Data Parallel Extension for Pairwise Distance Implementation on Numba GPU: Analysing the numba-dpex implementation’s GPU performance

Boost Your Python NumPy Application

Intel has shown how to quickly discover compute and memory bottlenecks in a Python application using Intel VTune Profiler.

Intel VTune Profiler aids in identifying bottlenecks’ root causes and strategies for enhancing application performance.

It can assist in mapping the main bottleneck jobs to the source code/assembly level and displaying the related CPU/GPU time.

Even more comprehensive, developer-friendly profiling results can be obtained by using the Instrumentation and Tracing API (ITT APIs).

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