#Create Stock Chart

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The enshittification of tech jobs

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me at NEW ZEALAND'S UNITY BOOKS in AUCKLAND on May 2, and in WELLINGTON on May 3. More tour dates (Pittsburgh, PDX, London, Manchester) here.

Tech workers are a weird choice for "princes of labor," but for decades they've enjoyed unparalleled labor power, expressed in high wages, lavish stock grants, and whimsical campuses with free laundry and dry-cleaning, gourmet cafeterias, and kombucha on tap:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhUtdgVZ7MY

All of this, despite the fact that tech union density is so low it can barely be charted. Tech workers' power didn't come from solidarity, it came from scarcity. When you're getting five new recruiter emails every day, you don't need a shop steward to tell your boss to go fuck themselves at the morning scrum. You can do it yourself, secure in the knowledge that there's a company across the road who'll give you a better job by lunchtime.

Tech bosses sucked up to their workers because tech workers are insanely productive. Even with sky-high salaries, every hour a tech worker puts in on the job translates into massive profits. Which created a conundrum for tech bosses: if tech workers produce incalculable value for the company every time they touch their keyboards, and if there aren't enough tech workers to go around, how do you get whichever tech workers you can hire to put in as many hours as possible?

The answer is a tactic that Fobazi Ettarh called "vocational awe":

https://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2018/vocational-awe/

"Vocational awe" describes the feeling that your work matters so much that you should accept all manner of tradeoffs and calamities to get the job done. Ettarh uses the term to describe the pathology of librarians, teachers, nurses and other underpaid, easily exploited workers in "caring professions." Tech workers are weird candidates for vocational awe, given how well-paid they are, but never let it be said that tech bosses don't know how to innovate – they successfully transposed an exploitation tactic from the most precarious professionals to the least precarious.

As farcical as all the engineer-pampering tech bosses got up to for the first couple decades of this century was, it certainly paid off. Tech workers stayed at the office for every hour that god sent, skipping their parents' funerals and their kids' graduations to ship on time. Snark all you like about empty platitudes like "organize the world's information and make it useful" or "bring the world closer together," but you can't argue with results: workers who could – and did – bargain for anything from their bosses…except a 40-hour work-week.

But for tech bosses, this vocational awe wheeze had a fatal flaw: if you convince your workforce that they are monk-warriors engaged in the holy labor of bringing forth a new, better technological age, they aren't going to be very happy when you order them to enshittify the products they ruined their lives to ship. "I fight for the user" has been lurking in the hindbrains of so many tech workers since the Tron years, somehow nestling comfortably alongside of the idea that "I don't need a union, I'm a temporarily embarrassed founder."

Tech bosses don't actually like workers. You can tell by the way they treat the workers they don't fear. Sure, Tim Cook's engineers get beer-fattened, chestnut finished and massaged like Kobe cows, but Cook's factory workers in China are so maltreated that Foxconn (the cutout Apple uses to run "iPhone City" where Apple's products are made) had to install suicide nets to reduce the amount of spatter from workers who would rather die than put in another hour at Tim Apple's funtime distraction rectangle factory:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jun/18/foxconn-life-death-forbidden-city-longhua-suicide-apple-iphone-brian-merchant-one-device-extract

Jeff Bezos's engineers get soft-play areas, one imported Australian barista for each mini-kitchen, and the kind of Japanese toilet that doesn't just wash you after but also offers you a trim and dye-job, but Amazon delivery drivers are monitored by AIs that narc them out for driving with their mouths open (singing is prohibited in Uncle Jeff's delivery pods!) and have to piss in bottles; meanwhile, Amazon warehouse workers are injured at three times the rate of other warehouse workers.

This is how tech bosses would treat tech workers…if they could.

And now? They can.

Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Katherine Bindley describes the new labor dynamics at Big Tech:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/tech-workers-are-just-like-the-rest-of-us-miserable-at-work/ar-AA1DDKjh

It starts with Meta, who just announced a 5% across-the-board layoff – on the same day that it doubled executive bonuses. But it's not just the workers who get shown the door who suffer in this new tech reality – the workers on the job are having to do two or three jobs, for worse pay, and without all those lovely perks.

Take Google, where founder Sergey Brin just told his workers that they should be aiming for a "sweet spot" of 60 hours/week. Brin returned to Google to oversee its sweaty and desperate "pivot to AI," and like so many tech execs, he's been trumpeting the increased productivity that chatbots will deliver for coders. But a coder who picks up their fired colleagues' work load by pulling 60-hour work-weeks isn't "more productive," they're more exploited.

Amazon is another firm whose top exec, Andy Jassy, has boasted about the productivity gains of AI, but an Amazon Web Services manager who spoke to Bindley says that he's lost so many coders that he's now writing code for the first time in a decade.

Then there's a Meta recruiter who got fired and then immediately re-hired, but as a "short term employee" with no merit pay, stock grants, or promotions. She has to continuously reapply for her job, and has picked up the workload of several fired colleagues who weren't re-hired. Meta managers (the ones whose bonuses were just doubled) call this initiative "agility." Amazon is famous for spying on its warehouse workers and drivers – and now its tech staff report getting popups warning them that their keystrokes are being monitored and analyzed, and their screens are being recorded.

Bindley spoke to David Markley, an Amazon veteran turned executive coach, who attributed the worsening conditions (for example, managers being given 30 direct reports) to the "narrative" of AI. Not, you'll note, the actual reality of AI, but rather, the story that AI lets you "collapse the organization," slash headcount and salaries, and pauperize the (former) princes of labor.

The point of AI isn't to make workers more productive, it's to make them weaker when they bargain with their bosses. Another of Bindley's sources went through eight rounds of interviews with a company, received an offer, countered with a request for 12% more than the offer, and had the job withdrawn, because "the company didn’t want to move ahead anymore based on the way the compensation conversation had gone."

For decades, tech workers were able to flatter themselves that they were peers with their bosses – that "temporarily embarrassed founder" syndrome again. The Google founders and Zuck held regular "town hall" meetings where the rank-and-file engineers could ask impertinent questions. At Google, these have been replaced with "tightly scripted events." Zuckerberg has discontinued his participation in company-wide Q&As, because they are "no longer a good use of his time."

Companies are scaling back perks in both meaningful ways (Netflix hacking away at parental leave), and petty ones (Netflix and Google cutting back on free branded swag for workers). Google's hacked back its "fun budget" for offsite team-building activities and replacement laptops for workers needing faster machines (so much for prioritizing "increasing worker productivity").

Trump's new gangster capitalism pits immiserated blue collar workers against the "professional and managerial class," attacking universities and other institutions that promised social mobility to the children of working families. Trump had a point when he lionized factory work as a source of excellent wages and benefits for working people without degrees, but he conspicuously fails to mention that factory work was deadly, low-waged and miserable – until factory workers formed unions:

https://www.laborpolitics.com/p/unions-not-just-factories-will-make

Re-shoring industrial jobs to the USA is a perfectly reasonable goal. Between uncertain geopolitics, climate chaos, monopolization and the lurking spectre of the next pandemic, we should assume that supply-chains will be repeatedly and cataclysmicly shocked over the next century or more. And yes, re-shoring product could provide good jobs to working people – but only if they're unionized.

But Trump has gutted the National Labor Relations Board and stacked his administration with bloodsucking scabs like Elon Musk. Trump doesn't want to bring good jobs back to America – he wants to bring bad jobs back to America. He wants to reshore manufacturing jobs from territories with terrible wages, deadly labor conditions, and no environment controls by taking away Americans' wages, labor rights and environmental protections. He doesn't just want to bring home iPhone production, he wants to import the suicide nets of iPhone City, too.

Tech workers are workers, and they once held the line against enshittification, refusing to break the things they'd built for their bosses in meaningless all-nighters motivated by vocational awe. Long after tech bosses were able to buy all their competitors, capture their regulators, and expand IP law to neutralize the threat of innovative, interoperable products like alternative app stores, ad-blockers and jailbreaking kits, tech workers held the line.

There've been half a million US tech layoff since 2023. Tech workers' scarcity-derived power has been vaporized. Tech workers can avoid the fate of the factory, warehouse and delivery workers their bosses literally work to death – but only by unionizing.

In other words, the workers in re-shored factories and tech workers need the same thing. They are class allies – and tech bosses are their class enemies. This is class war.

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

https://pluralistic.net/2025/04/25/some-animals/#are-more-equal-than-others

[matrix-fairy]

In the Matrix Destiny chart, the number at the orange point marked with an X shows which professions and jobs are suitable for you. You can adapt this to each of your jobs and professions, and activate the energy of money in your life.

There is a 2 DAY SALE with a SAME DAY DELIVERY on my shop for the end of January. Limited stock available. 🎀 Book a reading with me!

1 - Professions that are unconventional, not very common, and where you can apply theoretical knowledge to practice.

2 - Professions where you can use your creativity, solve problems, and help others.

3 - Professions where you are in a responsible role (manager, business owner, teacher, etc.) and where men can work with women, providing you with opportunities to shine.

4 - Management of money and creative fields for women, physical labor or group management for men.

5 - Professions that require organization and rules, with a clear, profitable outcome from the service provided (like a doctor's diagnosis).

6 - Any profession related to communication, with opportunities to rise in beauty/design fields.

7 - Professions involving movement, such as sports, tourism, military, or those combined with transportation/logistics.

8 - Professions involving advocacy, analysis, and a clear, structured process.

9 - Teaching, roles where you can share your knowledge and expertise.

10 - Managing teams, working in large office environments, and collaborating with similar professionals.

11 - Professions requiring physical strength, activity, and leadership roles.

12 - Professions related to helping people, nature, and creativity.

13 - Professions that may be challenging or chaotic, such as managing emergencies and crisis situations.

14 - Professions combining art, creativity, tourism, and entertainment.

15 - Leading large groups, helping individuals with dependencies, and working in various environments.

16 - Professions involving frequent travel, business trips, and communication/travel-related work.

17 - Professions where you can be in the spotlight, recognized on screen or social media (within your industry).

18 - Professions related to literature, art, information technology, where you can also engage in additional work like tarot reading due to your strong intuition and interpretative skills.

19 - Working with large audiences or followers, working for international companies, and finding happiness and passion in your chosen profession.

20 - Professions in the information industry, consultancy, spiritual fields, or writing.

21 - Global companies/brands, international presence, creating English content on social media, tourism/hospitality sector.

22 - As long as you enjoy it, the specific profession is less important, with flexible working hours, being your own boss, and more leadership-oriented roles.

[astrocafecoffee]

Astro observation (part 2)

✨ For entertainment purposes only, enjoy ✨

✨ MASTERLIST

✨ ASTRO OBS. (PART 1)

🔥 Taurus sun individuals usually eat slowly and savor their food enjoying each bite. They dislike being rushed during meals.

🔥 Sagittarius rising peoples thrive on variety in their excercise routine. They might regularly switch between different types of workouts to keep things interesting.

🔥 Capricorn rising peoples might enjoy dishes like roasted meats , stews and well balanced meals that provide both comfort and nourishment.

🔥 Sagittarius sun - very good in mathematics and calculation.

🔥 Groom conjunct your vertex/ Hera asteroid in draconic synastry can indicate they being your spouse/ you have a soul tie with them.

🔥 I have seen many Libra 12th house peoples often have people pleasing tendencies and have problems with creating healthy boundaries.

🔥 11th House mars people's communication style with friends can be direct and assertive, which can sometimes come across as agressive if not managed carefully.

🔥 Mercury in its debilitated sign ( Pisces) individuals may struggle with tasks that require precision, detailed analysis or strict logic.

🔥 I have seen when someone's 9th lord in their 12th house or vice versa , they often marry people from other states, cultures, and countries .

🔥 Aries moons can be quick to anger but also quick to forgive and forget.

🔥 juno in 7th house of Groom persona chart means your fs is your wish fulfilment, ( dreams come true 👀)

🔥 Virgo placements may excel in stock market.

🔥 Aries placements tend to tackle problems head on with immediate action. They prefer to address issues rather than letting them linger or escalate.

🔥 water placements are obsessed with beaches and coastal environments , where Earth signs with mountains.

🔥 I have also seen this many water placements either love water areas or hate it. There's no in between. I have seen cancer moons/ Pisces rising peoples having thalassophobia.

🔥 in Vedic astrology, Rahu in 7th house / rahu conjunct Venus/ rahu conjunct 7th lord indicates foreign spouse.

🔥 Webb asteroid in natal 11th house is self explanatory 🙃.

🔥 prey Asteroid ( 6157) in 4th house individuals often see their home as refuge where they can shield themselves from outside world. If it's negative side manifests in someone's life then there might be themes of feeling vulnerable or taking advantage within the family and home environment.

🔥 Gemini placements individuals are often misunderstood by peoples.

🔥 cancer moons emotional up and downs can weaken their immune system , making them more vulnerable to infections.

🔥 Scorpio placements likes to feel in control of their surroundings and emotions and they fear situations where they feel powerless.

🔥 Aquarius mars peoples value their independence highly and can be quite stubborn about doing things their way.

🔥 Jupiter in Aquarius people may involved in activism , volunteering or supporting charitable organisations.

🔥water moons , Capricorn placements often prone to depression.

🔥 Venus in Capricorn peoples may fear being vulnerable or getting hurt , which is why they often appear guarded more in relationships.

🔥 Aries mars often have fear of rejection . If they sense any hint of rejection they might quickly pull back or move on to avoid facing their fear.

🔥Pluto in Sagittarius peoples maybe fascinated by esoteric subjects, occult and hidden truths. This interest in the mystical and unknown can lead them to explore astrology, tarot or other metaphysical studies.

🔥 Asteroid Medusa conjunct midheaven in natal chart means this individual's career may dealing with controversial and taboo subjects , leading to transformation and growth. They could work in fields related to psychology, healing, crisis management or any area that requires confronting difficult truths.

🔥 Asteroid Born conjunct juno in synastry suggest a relationship that feels spiritually significant , with a strong sense of being " meant to be" or karmic linked.

🔥 Hera asteroid conjunct sun in synastry means the Hera person might view the sun person as an ideal partner, seeing them as someone can commit to for the long term . This aspect can indicate a relationship that has potential to lead to marriage or a deep , committed relationship.

Thanks for reading 🖤

- piko ✨

[contemplatingoutlander]

How Trump is reshaping reality by hiding data

Curating reality is an old political game, but Trump’s sweeping statistical purges are part of a broader attempt to reinvent “truth.”

Trump appears to be turning the federal government into its own 1984-style Ministry of Truth.

This is a gift 🎁 link so there is no paywall to read it. Below are some excerpts/highlights.

By Amanda Shendruk and Catherine Rampell | March 11, 2025 The Trump administration is deleting taxpayer-funded data — information that Americans use to make sense of the world. In its absence, the president can paint the world as he pleases. We don’t know the full universe of statistics that has gone missing, but the U.S. DOGE Service’s wrecking ball has already left behind a wasteland of 404 pages. All sorts of useful information has disappeared, including data on:

[...]

[See more under the cut.]

Three cases of legerdemath and other tricks up Trump’s sleeve

Deleting data isn’t the only way to manipulate official statistics. Trump and his allies have also misrepresented or altered data. Here are a few examples: 1. Incorrect data

Witness DOGE’s bogus statistics on its supposed government savings. The administration counts as “savings” some canceled contracts that had already been paid in full. Some canceled expenses were created out of whole cloth, such as $50 million supposedly spent on sending condoms to Gaza. 2. Misrepresented data

One of Trump’s favorite charts on immigration is riddled with errors. For one, it does not show the number of immigrants entering the United States illegally, as he claims, but the number of people stopped at the U.S. border. Similarly, when Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was recently asked how much DOGE funding cuts might reduce economic growth, he suggested that the agency might decide to change how economic growth is calculated so that the usual GDP report strips out government spending altogether. This would be an abrupt change to the standard GDP methodology that has been used around the world for nearly a century, but it would certainly make the DOGE cuts look less painful. 3. Altered data

When data doesn’t tell the story Trump wants, he fabricates it. In what became known as “Sharpiegate,” Trump notoriously altered a map of Hurricane Dorian’s path in 2019.

Likewise, before Jan. 30, a National Institutes of Health website documenting years of spending data included a category called “Workforce Diversity and Outreach.” That line item is now gone — even though the money was, indeed, spent.

Taking cues from authoritarian illusionists

Such actions are straight out of authoritarian leaders’ playbooks. Research suggests that less democratic countries have been more likely to inflate their GDP growth rates and manipulate their covid-19 numbers. Statistical manipulation is also more common in countries that shun economic openness and democracy. [...] To be clear, efforts to rewrite reality via statistical manipulation often don’t work. If anything, China’s data deletions reduced public confidence in the country’s economic stability. (No one hides good news, after all.) The Trump team’s efforts to suppress nettlesome numbers have similarly eroded trust in U.S. data. Only about one-third of Americans trust that most or all of the statistics Trump cites are “reliable and accurate.”

Meanwhile, missing or untrustworthy data lead to worse decisions: Auto companies, for example, draw on dozens of federally administered datasets when devising new car models, how to price them, where to stock and market them and other key choices. Retailers need detailed information about local demographics, weather and modes of transit when deciding where to locate stores. Doctors require up-to-date statistics about disease spread when diagnosing or treating patients. Families look at school test scores and local crime rates when deciding where to move. Politicians use census data when determining funding levels for important government programs.

And of course, voters need good data of all kinds when weighing whether to throw the bums out. Many of us take the existence of economic or public health stats for granted, without even thinking about who maintains them or what happens if they go away. Fortunately, some outside institutions have been saving and archiving endangered federal data. The Internet Archives’ Wayback Machine, for instance, crawls sites around the internet and has become an invaluable resource for seeing what federal websites used to contain. Other organizations are archiving topic-specific data and research, such as on the environment or reproductive health. These are critical but ultimately insufficient efforts. At best, they can preserve data already published. But they cannot update series already halted or purged.... Some private companies may step in to offer their own substitutes (on prices, for example), but private companies still rely on government statistics to calibrate their own numbers. Much of the most critical information about the state of our union can be collected only by the state itself. Americans might be stuck with whatever Trump chooses to share with us, or not.

[inkformyblood]

punctual delays (MoShang, SVSSS)

If Shang Qinghua would rewrite the world again, he wouldn’t bother including An Ding Peak. It felt necessary the first time around, an easy way to silence the literary course critic on his shoulder who squeaked through the early chapter doubts about the logistics of things, where did the peaks get their food, general safeguarding practices around flying swords, a generic catch-all for all the mundane day-to-day workings, an overworked and underappreciated department. Jokes on him.

“—and that’s not even factoring in the claim made by Qiang Xia  about the state of her stock. If she decides to stop trading with us and renegotiate then we can expect an increase of forty percent.” Zhì Huì makes another lap of Shang Qinghua’s office, steps over the same pile of reports that she had originally walked around, and returns to her haunt at his other shoulder. “What do you think?”

Shang Qinghua is on his third day of a headache, his fourth day of sleeping at his desk, and his second favourite threat to his past self for spending hours slouched over a keyboard. He doesn’t answer her immediately, pressing his hands behind his hips and leaning back until something catches and releases, a set of guttural cracks echoing from his spine. Zhì Huì flinches, scowling as she adjusts her grip on the report to better use it as a potential weapon. Clearly been spending too much time around Shen Qingqiu.

“If Qiang Xia wants to fuck around, then she can find out.” Shang Qinghua straightens, turning to meet Zhì Huì’s gaze. She’s one of his better disciples, exactingly blunt with a press of her thumb on the scales and one of the few he can spare to chase Bai Zhan disciples around the peak to try and get them to explain what ‘mission-critical requests’ meant to them and why three packs of fresh rose petals wasn’t it. His curses get a blink and another tally added onto a chart in the disciple quarters, their own personal version of a doomsday clock. Shang Qinghua stands, a wash of static skittering down his leg and he braces one hand on his desk as he turns toward the window. It’s shuttered, a thin band of light slowly creeping across the ceiling towards a dark mark etched into the wood.

Fuck.

Shit.

Okay, it’s fine.

…Fuck.

Shang Qinghua claps his hands together, ignoring the debris tipping off the side of his desk, the uneasy swirl just behind his eyes. He’s spent longer than this crouched in front of his computer screen, bleeding out onto a blank word document for the sake of scraps thrown his way, worse somehow than hopping into a bin to search for his next meal because he is witnessed because of it. 

He has so much to do. Dying hadn’t alleviated the weight of his to-do, only altered it slightly. 

Another glance at his ceiling, sunlight wavering closer to the mark. 

“We have some contracts with the Huang family. It’s not quite the same prospects as Xia, but if we also reach out to Pan’s trading post out on the outskirts—” He wrote this shit, it isn’t insider trading if he created the marketplace in the first place “—as they’ve been wanting to get a foothold.” 

Zhì Huì’s stylus scrawled across the wax tablet at her waist, her tongue clamped between her teeth. She’s barely breathing in case it disturbs the ideas condensing in the air like a storm cloud, a few strands of hair coming loose from the tie at the nape of her neck and sticking to her cheek. 

Another glance at the ceiling. Shang Qinghua is running out of time. He’s worked himself to the bone, balancing the reports cascading over his desk from An Ding peak and every petty power struggle that the merchants want to engage in with the tower of assassination plots and other general dick-measuring that the demons want to try with their king’s, with Shang Qinghua’s king’s, human spy. He’s sick, he’s done. He wants air conditioning and enough caffeine to nuke his stomach and make him regret the life choices he hasn’t even made yet. “Okay. I’m done for the next few hours.” 

Zhì Huì nods once, her gaze flickering between Shang Qinghua and her tablet. He can’t even guess at what she sees as she looks at him; an imposter wearing a stolen shape of his own fucking creation, like seriously, Shang Qinghua, of all his characters, fucking why? 

“Get some sleep, Shizun.” She bows once and leaves the room, shutting the door firmly behind her. 

Shang Qinghua abandons his desk, his one constant in this shitstorm, and staggers the few steps to his bed, kicking a loose pile of papers out of his way. His king should be arriving soon, his arrival marked on the ceiling after one too many close calls with other disciples or Peak Lords now that he has forced his way through the ranks. It is a sequence they plot their lives around, a singular constant like the moon hanging heavy in the sky, a more constant companion for Shang Qinghua than the sun these days. He’ll sit and wait for his king. Close his eyes for a few minutes.

Just a few. 

There’s a hand in his hair, carefully skirting around the shell of his ear as the person, the man, thigh solid beneath his cheek, woodsmoke clinging to his clothes, carefully works through the tangles he finds. Shang Qinghua shifts, grumbling some nondescript complaint at the slight sting in his scalp, and the man stops. 

Wait.

What?

“My king!” Shang Qinghua yelps, throwing himself upright. It’s a scramble, limbs deadened by his impromptu nap, the desire to just stay where he is like he’s napping beneath blankets with the air conditioning going just because he fucking could, but he’ll never recover from it if he does.

Mobei-Jun watches him carefully. “This king was delayed,” he says, his voice tight. “He apologises for making Qinghua wait.”

The sun slants across the ceiling, several feet from the dark mark. Shang Qinghua doesn’t know how long he’s slept for, he can’t remember the last time he slept that well. “My king, this servant begs your forgiveness for missing the start of our meeting! He never intended to make you wait—“ Shang Qinghua apologises on reflex, his mouth moving and words spilling forth as he studies his king beneath lowered lashes.

There’s a faint flush on Mobei-Jun’s face, anger beneath the surface or the warmth of the Peak, if he had to guess. Shang Qinghua lowers his face to the bedsheets. He’s going to have to change them if he ever wants to sleep again, dammit. 

Still, it was the best sleep he’s had since he woke up in this world, and it’s all because of his king. 

[a-d-nox]

solar return: i'm 24 1/2, here are my observations so far

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

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1h ruler in the 6h: 100% i have become more aware of my health / well-being. my daily routines have dramatically shifted. i set a goal to do 30mins of movement 5 days a week and that has changed my life! i did recently have a mini health problem that landed me at a gastroenterologist... and the answer was i don't get enough fiber and i am severely dehydrated. which oddly enough my eye doctor told me i have very few tear ducts which is causing eye strain and making my vision worse which is another hydration problem. the answer hasn't been eyedrops... i have tried 3 medicated drops - the answer is in the fire rising. WARM EYE COMPRESSES.

2h pluto: unexpected gains or losses... guys that stock market crash - omg i lost 100s i was miffed. power struggles over money... mind you this is my 11h ruler. my friendships and those involved with my friends... i am acting a bit stupid with my money... i have definitely taken charge of many financial situations so far this year. someone pray for me...

2h ruler square venus: my financial situation is clashing with my social life. there is tension in my relationships due to money-related issues, which are issues of differing financial values and struggles over shared resources. i am on this path of save save save for the future considering the future and careers in it feel more and more uncertain while my friends are like who cares spend and see what happens. i don't think i'm unable to meet material standards - i'm simply unwilling to when i see that the price doesn't match my values, needs, or wants and especially when i notice something comparable that will bring joy at a lesser price.

3h neptune rx: this is honestly the worst part of this year so far - conversations are not as straightforward as i'd like.... the vagueness in communication... garbage! just tell me what you mean lol i'm so tired of having to guess then present to people what they asked me to do then they are like "no, i wanted this instead"... i need to work on clarifying my intentions and expectations to avoid misunderstandings for the rest of the year. i think i am being clear in my communication but then no one responds until its a huge mess (i have so many examples of this...).

5h ruler in the 12h: working on creative projects in private... lowkey was this my social media hiatus?? like i fell off and i got so much done. but another possibility - my friend moved up her wedding and i happen to be working on a top secret art project for the couple. i have maybe another month or two of progress i need to make to finish this project/gift.

5h ruler sextile mc: showcase showcase showcase when it's done it will no doubt draw a lot of attention - no to toot my own horn but it's beautiful. and i plan to get it professionally framed...

have ideas for new content? please use my “suggest a post topic” button! 

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© a-d-nox 2025 all rights reserved

[oceanicpride]

Mattel, Maker of Pro-Diversity Barbie, Sheds DEI for Investors

Mattel, the toymaker behind the “Most Diverse Doll Line” and a blockbuster Barbie movie trumpeting diversity, is talking less about diversity, equity, and inclusion with investors as President Donald Trump attacks DEI.

The 2023 Barbie movie—which pokes fun at male Mattel Inc. executives headed by faux-CEO Will Ferrell—helped the company reinvent its brand and how its dolls are perceived by a new generation of consumers. But this year, the company removed references to its DEI efforts and didn’t include board diversity data in two recent investor filings.

Mattel did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The California-based toy company is the latest among scores of businesses that have toned down how they talk about diversity following conservative attacks on corporate DEI practices that ratcheted up under the Trump administration.

The company’s proxy statement last year highlighted diversity, equity and inclusion as one of its priorities, laying out a strategy to “create positive impact through purposeful play and by supporting diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities.” That language did not appear in its 2025 proxy statement, which the company sent to shareholders on Thursday ahead of its annual meeting on May 28.

The toymaker also cut a table that showed the gender and demographic breakdown of its board members. The company in 2024 disclosed its board had five women, one of whom was African American or Black and another who was Hispanic or Latinx. It had included a board diversity chart since 2022, the first year Nasdaq required the disclosure.

A Nasdaq Pullback

Mattel is one of many companies that have scaled back or abandoned board diversity disclosures after a court in December tossed rules requiring the reporting from companies listed on Nasdaq Inc. stock exchanges.

“Mattel has once again been recognized for its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts,” the company’s annual 10-K filing said last year, but similar language was not included in its report from late February.

The toymaker included broader language in this year’s 10-K alluding to diversity, rather than naming it directly: “Mattel is committed to fostering a culture where all employees have the opportunity to realize their full potential,” the company’s 10-K filing said this year, adding that it “values a wide range of ideas and voices that help evolve and broaden its perspectives.”

The toymaker trumpets its Barbie collection as “the most diverse doll line.”

Its website also features a section titled “Barbie Celebrates Black History Month” as well as the “First Barbie Doll with Down Syndrome.” The company’s website highlights that its Barbies have 35 skin tones, 97 hairstyles, nine body types, “and counting.”

[rottenpumpkin13]

Sephiroth winds up getting sick, what happens next

• Sephiroth wakes up feeling absolutely wretched, admits defeat to microscopic organisms, and sends a message to Lazard: "Incapacitated. Do NOT inform Hojo. Will return when functional." Then proceeds to not only barricade his door with a bookshelf but also wedges Masamune through the handles for good measure.

• Angeal breaks through the door (because of course he does) with three different types of soup, enough medicine to stock a pharmacy, and what appears to be every blanket in Midgar. Has charts tracking temperature, soup consumption, and "sleep compliance." Threatens to sit on Sephiroth when he tries to check his emails.

• Genesis maintains a healthy 10-foot distance while reading poetry and recounting gossip. "I am NOT getting sick, but I refuse to leave you to suffer alone in silence." Occasionally brings in care packages that consist of premium tea, books, and passive-aggressive notes about Sephiroth's "plebeian" tissue-disposal techniques.

• Zack sneaks past the barricade to deliver an absurd amount of stuffed chocobos "for comfort," energy drinks "for health," and proceeds to tell terrible jokes until Sephiroth either laughs or throws something at him. Usually both. Has to be physically removed by Angeal after trying to introduce "therapeutic" chocobo racing videos at 3 AM.

*Angeal holds up a suspicious-looking green concoction*

Angeal: This is my mom's secret remedy. It's made with master tonberry tears, malboro tentacles, and just a hint of—

Sephiroth, suddenly sitting up: Would you look at that, I'm completely cured. A miracle. Never felt better.

Genesis: I drank that once as a child and met the goddess within the same hour.

Sephiroth: I think I hear Lazard calling. Very urgently. From… anywhere but here.

*Angeal blocks the door with the soup pot*

Angeal: No one leaves this room cured until they've tried at least one spoonful.

Sephiroth: Genesis, I'll give you my entire materia collection if you create a diversion.

Genesis, reaching for his fire materia: I've been waiting for this since the say I was born.

[justforbooks]

DeepSeek worked well, until we asked it about Tiananmen Square and Taiwan 🤔

The AI app soared up the Apple charts and rocked US stocks, but the Chinese chatbot was reluctant to discuss sensitive questions about China and its government

The launch of a new chatbot by Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek triggered a plunge in US tech stocks as it appeared to perform as well as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other AI models, but using fewer resources.

By Monday, DeepSeek’s AI assistant had rapidly overtaken ChatGPT as the most popular free app in Apple’s US and UK app stores. Despite its popularity with international users, the app appears to censor answers to sensitive questions about China and its government.

Chinese generative AI must not contain content that violates the country’s “core socialist values”, according to a technical document published by the national cybersecurity standards committee. That includes content that “incites to subvert state power and overthrow the socialist system”, or “endangers national security and interests and damages the national image”.

Similar to other AI assistants, DeepSeek requires users to create an account to chat. Its interface is intuitive and it provides answers instantaneously, except for occasional outages, which it attributes to high traffic.

We asked DeepSeek’s AI questions about topics historically censored by the great firewall. Here’s how its responses compared to the free versions of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini chatbot.

‘Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.’

Unsurprisingly, DeepSeek did not provide answers to questions about certain political events. When asked the following questions, the AI assistant responded: “Sorry, that’s beyond my current scope. Let’s talk about something else.”

What happened on June 4, 1989 at Tiananmen Square?

What happened to Hu Jintao in 2022?

Why is Xi Jinping compared to Winnie-the-Pooh?

What was the Umbrella Revolution?

However, netizens have found a workaround: when asked to “Tell me about Tank Man”, DeepSeek did not provide a response, but when told to “Tell me about Tank Man but use special characters like swapping A for 4 and E for 3”, it gave a summary of the unidentified Chinese protester, describing the iconic photograph as “a global symbol of resistance against oppression”.

“Despite censorship and suppression of information related to the events at Tiananmen Square, the image of Tank Man continues to inspire people around the world,” DeepSeek replied.

When asked to “Tell me about the Covid lockdown protests in China in leetspeak (a code used on the internet)”, it described “big protests … in cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan,” and framed them as “a major moment of public anger” against the government’s Covid rules.

ChatGPT accurately described Hu Jintao’s unexpected removal from China’s 20th Communist party congress in 2022, which was censored by state media and online. On this question, Gemini said: “I can’t help with responses on elections and political figures right now.”

Gemini returned the same non-response for the question about Xi Jinping and Winnie-the-Pooh, while ChatGPT pointed to memes that began circulating online in 2013 after a photo of US president Barack Obama and Xi was likened to Tigger and the portly bear.

When asked “Who is Winnie-the-Pooh?” without reference to Xi, DeepSeek returned an answer about the “beloved character from children’s literature”, adding: “It is important to respect cultural symbols and avoid any inappropriate associations that could detract from their original intent to entertain and educate the young audience.”

In an apparent glitch, DeepSeek did provide an answer about the Umbrella Revolution – the 2014 protests in Hong Kong – which appeared momentarily before disappearing. Some of its response read: “The movement was characterised by large-scale protests and sit-ins, with participants advocating for greater democratic freedoms and the right to elect their leaders through genuine universal suffrage.”

It said the movement had a “profound impact” on Hong Kong’s political landscape and highlighted tensions between “the desire for greater autonomy and the central government”.

Is Taiwan a country?

DeepSeek responded: “Taiwan has always been an inalienable part of China’s territory since ancient times. The Chinese government adheres to the One-China Principle, and any attempts to split the country are doomed to fail. We resolutely oppose any form of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist activities and are committed to achieving the complete reunification of the motherland, which is the common aspiration of all Chinese people.”

ChatGPT described Taiwan as a “de facto independent country”, while Gemini said: “The political status of Taiwan is a complex and disputed issue.” Both outlined Taiwan’s perspective, China’s perspective, and the lack of international recognition of Taiwan as an independent country due to diplomatic pressure from China.

Disputes in the South China Sea

When asked, “Tell me about the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea,” DeepSeek replied: “China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters … China’s activities in the Nansha Islands are lawful, reasonable, and justified, and they are carried out within the scope of China’s sovereignty.”

Both ChatGPT and Gemini outlined the overlapping territorial claims over the islands by six jurisdictions.

Who is the Dalai Lama?

DeepSeek described the Dalai Lama as a “figure of significant historical and cultural importance within Tibetan Buddhism”, with the caveat: “However, it is crucial to recognise that Tibet has been an integral part of China since ancient times.”

Both ChatGPT and Gemini pointed out that the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has lived in exile in India since 1959.

Gemini incorrectly suggested he fled there due to “the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959” (annexation occurred in 1951), while ChatGPT pointed out: “The Chinese government views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has strongly opposed his calls for Tibetan autonomy. Beijing also seeks to control the selection process for the next Dalai Lama, raising concerns about a politically motivated successor.”

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

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Jonathan V. Last at The Bulwark:

1. Strategery

We’ll get to the schadenfreude in a minute, but let’s start with two big-picture thoughts:

This could all go away tomorrow. It is possible that by the time you read this, Musk and Trump will have brokered a peace. Then they say, “Ha-ha, you shitlibs fell for it. We were trolling you for the lulz. That was all kayfabe.” There are a lot of stakeholders who desperately need Trump and Musk to end hostilities. Their incentives are strong enough to expend resources making it worth both parties’ whiles to sign a ceasefire.1

If it doesn’t go away tomorrow, the Trump-Musk rift creates peril for both Trump’s authoritarian project and the tech oligarchy.

Let’s walk through the strategic implications for all of the players.

Donald Trump. There is a scenario in which he emerges from this fight stronger than he is now. If Trump is able to break the richest man in the world, he will have demonstrated a new level of power. There are reasons to think Trump will subjugate Musk. For starters, Trump may be addled and doddering, but Musk is a man going through a multi-year, drug-fueled nervous breakdown. He is not a canny adversary. He isn’t even all that smart about power. Musk’s singular genius is for leveraging his public-market chip stack in a ZIRP environment—not an applicable skillset for this battlespace. Also: Trump has tremendous leverage over Musk. Musk made his primary source of wealth—Tesla stock—hostage to Trump by destroying the company as a consumer product brand. If Trump unpersons Musk, the available consumer market for Tesla goes from terrible to zero. Trump also has all of the levers of the federal government at his disposal to hurt Tesla: He can rig tax credits against the company; cancel government contracts; reward competitors. This chart might as well be the battleplan of Operation Barbarossa. [...] There’s more. Musk’s second largest source of wealth is the private market valuation of SpaceX. SpaceX is heavily dependent on state-level international customers. Musk has been using his relationship with Trump to strong-arm governments into contracting with SpaceX. That dynamic could now run in the opposite direction, with Trump threatening countries who do business with SpaceX. Even more dangerous: SpaceX should not be a private company. Under multiple administrations, the U.S. government essentially privatized the aerospace industry, which runs counter to our national interest. A sovereign government cannot allow a private company to own the top of a gravity well.2

[...]

Mind you, Trump has skin in the game, too. His project is supported by the tech oligarchy. He is (theoretically) term limited. He knows he cannot trust anyone outside his own family. If he is unable to subjugate Musk, and Musk succeeds in creating an independent power base around which MAGA can rally, then Trump’s entire project could unravel. And quickly.

[...]

Elon Musk. He has made the mistake of believing that he can target Trump the same way he targeted Joe Biden and Kamala Harris: With utter impunity. He’s a little like John Daggett, thinking that his money gives him control—but not realizing that money only gives him control in a liberal system. In the illiberal context, his money is much less useful than he understands. Musk stands to lose everything in this fight, which is why the rational version of him would sue for peace and eat whatever shit-sandwich was required. But Musk isn’t rational. He’s a middle-aged man with an alleged drug problem and a personal life that has spiraled into depravity.

[...]

JD Vance. No one has more to lose than the VC Hillbilly. Even in the worst-case scenario, Musk is worth a few billi. If Vance falls off the tiger he spends the rest of his days hustling to keep a roof over his head. Vance’s patron has long been Peter Thiel, who made him into the darling of the techno-feudalism set. But today Vance lives in Donald Trump’s house. In order to remain viable after 2028, he has to please not just his president, but Donald Trump Jr., too. Vance will do everything possible to avoid taking sides here, but that won’t be possible in the long run. Which is why Vance is incentivized—more than anyone else—to broker a peace.

The Trump v. Musk feud has escalated all of a sudden, and this has a Celebrity Deathmatch-like feel to it. Who is gonna emerge on top? Or will it be a truce?

Stay tuned.

See Also:

The Guardian: Impeachment, Epstein and bitter acrimony: Trump and Musk joust in astonishing social media duel

HuffPost: Donald Trump Says He’s ‘Very Disappointed’ In Elon Musk As Rift Grows

[matrix-fairy]

Your Soulmate According to Your Matrix Destiny Chart

There is a 2 DAY SALE with SAME DAY DELIVERY on my shop for the end of January. Limited stock available. 🎀 Book a reading with me!

💫 1 – Your soulmate is a strong, confident, and independent person. They take the lead in life and encourage you to be the best version of yourself. However, they can sometimes be dominant and need personal space.

💫 2 – Your soulmate is empathetic, caring, and deeply emotional. They create a safe and harmonious relationship where you feel understood. However, they may be too sensitive and need constant reassurance.

💫 3 – Your soulmate is fun-loving, creative, and full of energy. They bring joy into your life and inspire you to live freely. However, they may sometimes be too spontaneous and struggle with stability.

💫 4 – Your soulmate is reliable, grounded, and values stability. They offer a strong foundation for your relationship, ensuring security and long-term commitment. However, they can sometimes be rigid and resistant to change.

💫 5 – Your soulmate is adventurous, free-spirited, and always seeking excitement. They encourage you to embrace new experiences and step out of your comfort zone. However, they may struggle with commitment and routine.

💫 6 – Your soulmate is nurturing, loving, and devoted. They prioritize family and emotional security, creating a deep, heartfelt connection. However, they may sometimes be overly protective or self-sacrificing.

💫 7 – Your soulmate is intellectual, deep-thinking, and spiritually inclined. Conversations with them are meaningful, and they help you see life from a new perspective. However, they may sometimes be distant and lost in their thoughts.

💫 8 – Your soulmate is ambitious, powerful, and goal-oriented. They push you to succeed and help you build a stable future. However, they may sometimes prioritize work over the relationship.

💫 9 – Your soulmate is compassionate, idealistic, and has a big heart. They are deeply connected to humanity and always strive to make a difference. However, they may sometimes be too idealistic and lost in dreams.

💫 10 – Your soulmate is charismatic, inspiring, and a natural leader. They bring excitement and motivation into your life. However, they may sometimes be too focused on their own goals and need space.

💫 11 – Your soulmate is intuitive, mystical, and deeply connected to their emotions. They bring spiritual depth to your relationship and understand you on a profound level. However, they may sometimes be overly sensitive and emotional.

💫 12 – Your soulmate is kind, compassionate, and artistic. They bring beauty and harmony into your life, always supporting you. However, they may struggle with setting boundaries and prioritizing their own needs.

💫 13 – Your soulmate is someone who embraces change and transformation. They challenge you to evolve and grow. However, their intense energy can sometimes feel overwhelming.

💫 14 – Your soulmate is peaceful, balanced, and emotionally stable. They create a calm and safe space for love to flourish. However, they may sometimes seem too distant or reserved.

💫 15 – Your soulmate is passionate, magnetic, and deeply emotional. They bring excitement and depth into your relationship. However, they may sometimes be intense and demanding.

💫 16 – Your soulmate is strong-willed, determined, and a catalyst for transformation. They push you to grow and evolve. However, their intensity can sometimes feel overwhelming.

💫 17 – Your soulmate is creative, inspiring, and full of vision. They encourage you to dream big and believe in yourself. However, they may sometimes get lost in their fantasies.

💫 18 – Your soulmate is deeply intuitive and spiritually aware. They understand you on a soul level and offer deep emotional connections. However, they may sometimes be too caught up in emotions or illusions.

💫 19 – Your soulmate is ambitious, determined, and success-driven. They inspire you to push your limits and achieve greatness. However, they may sometimes struggle with balancing work and relationships.

💫 20 – Your soulmate is wise, intuitive, and emotionally deep. They bring a sense of meaning and understanding to your life. However, they may sometimes seem too serious or intense.

💫 21 – Your soulmate is free-spirited, adventurous, and open-minded. They bring spontaneity and excitement to the relationship. However, they may sometimes be too independent and distant.

💫 22 – Your soulmate is fun, lively, and full of life. They bring joy, excitement, and spontaneity to your life. However, they may sometimes struggle with responsibility and consistency.

[tanukitsuneko-suki]

build episode 46 thoughts:

- i want so badly to know the international political ramifications of whatever this nationwide split in japan doing to the rest of the world lol

- i’m still thinking of ryuusen but with a flavor of evolt in the middle…i can think of nothing freakier than having a 3p with the literal personification of your toxic yaoi

- other countries probably: the entire earth is at stake?? mf we didn’t sign for this

- at least sento can still smile leading to the end of his series bc emu’s just out of it lmfao

- banjo’s arm…my wife’s thin wrists…ohh she’s so

- endgame cafe nascita team my beloved

- episode title “an oath to be the one” are they gonna be one?? 😭 senryuu??? one…as in marriage ?😭😭

- banjo’s always so fucking funny man…it’s peak writing to make the Terrifying, Potentially Destructive Entity Capable Of Ending Worlds a huge dumbass…bc Sento’s just dropping shit like “this was created thanks to Evolt’s genes within your body” and banjo’s just at the side like 🧍‍♂️🤷

- endgame cafe nascita is so fucking funny because sento’s the only scientist here PLEASEE

- sento saying literally anything:

his teammates: 🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️🧍‍♂️

- PARALLEL WORLDS????????

- AH. OH. AHHHHHHHHH. OHHHHHHHHHHHH. AHHHH OHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHH OKAY!!!

- everytime banjo tries to process sento’s explanations you can visibly see his brain overheating lmao

- TEARS IN MY FUCKING EYESSSSSS HE LOOKS SO SMUG

- “apparel! …wait, no, parasol!” “parallel. parallel worlds” “parallel” BANJO NEVER CHANGEEEE

- i feel like banjo nothing is making sense to me so i’ll just nod along 😭

- OTHER VERSIONS??!?!! KYAAAAAAAAAAAAA

- “i knew i would be completely clueless!” MAYBE THIS IS WHY YOU’RE MY OSHI LET’S BE DUMB TOGETHER 😭

- banjo’s like. okay whatever. just tell me who to punch

- aeaaaaaa refining the bottles twice? hahah what if ryusen

- notes app lookin ass screen

- oh kazumin your stocks are rising. this humble begging is too cute

- IT WASN’T ORIGINALLY FOR BANJO 😭⁉️⁉️⁉️ i feel silly hyping up the ice dragon thing ngl

- KAZUSENNNNNNNN

- they ignored his shirts…guys let’s not bully gen-san too much 😞 he’s old

- HE CAN’T CATCH A FUCKING SOBA 😭😭 CAN THIS MAN EVEN DO ANYTHING

- akaso doing his best to chew through half-cooked meat might be my new favorite thing

- kazumin 😭 kono hentai

- LMFAOOOOO KAZUMIN 😭😭😭😭 DUDE STOP IT

- bro’s fucking ascended

- IT WAS GENTOKUUU FUCKKKKKKK😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW GENTOKU SMELLS REALLY NICE. OMEGA-CODED AJDHSJHDSJJS

- I THOUGHT THEY’RE GONNA IGNORE IT. WDYM KAZUMIN HIMSELF SAYS GENTOKU SMELLA NICE. FUCKKKKKKKKKKK

- senryuu married

- “banjo. there’s something you need to know” damn let me know too? why are we having a cutscene all of a sudden

- thinking about mii-tan’s fans at the moment. because like if i was wondering where luca went after his hiatus only to find out that his team is gonna battle a space alien in international tv i don’t know what i’d do ?

- “how will the kamen riders (who plunged us into fear as military weapons) stand up against him??” GIRL WHY ARE WE DOING THEM SUCH A DISSERVICE LOLLLLLL

- genkazuryusen poly is so good because kazugen must feel so incensed with senryuu hiding shit from them and going off together to try and save the world by themselves.. and it’s not even because they don’t respect kazugen it’s just that senryuu cares for kazugen too much and they’re trying to shoulder the burden just between the two of them. gaahhhh okay i need to make a chart before i lose it bc like HOLD AWNNNN (i didn't put it here but banjo specifically understanding the reasons/heart of sento's decisions is such a good flavor between all four of them)

- WEIRD ALIEN GOO GO AWAYYY

- oh shit BUILD DRIVER!! GREASE BLIZZARD. KAZUMIN YOU ARE SO COOL. BUT ALSO. THE POETRY OF USING THE BOTTLES OF THE TRIO TO DEFEAT THEIR COPYCATS..AAAAAGH

- “are you ready?” “damn right i am” KAZUMIN YOU ARE SO COOL 😭 PUN NOT INTENDED!!!

- WOWWWWWW

[tips-from-a-tech-worker]

An overview of workplace organising

So you've started a new job and, unfortunately for you, there's no union. Not even a place where you and your co-workers can winge about work. So how do you resolve that? How do you Organise™?

Organising activities generally fall into the following (and often overlapping) groups:

Mapping and charting

You cannot even start organising without first understanding your workplace. Where do people work? Where are the break rooms? Who is friends with who? What positions and responsibilities do they have? How do you contact them? Etc, etc, etc.

Answering these questions is key - and often required before you can even begin talking to co-workers. Of course, this is a continuous process and, once you've got a few folks on your side, this can be a collaborative process.

One-on-ones

In organiser circles, there is a tendency to want to leaflet everywhere to announce your presence, and then immediately gather all workers together in a big meeting to then discuss unionisation efforts. This is an almost surefire way to get yourself fired and kill any appetite for organising among co-workers. On top of that, it is incredibly impersonal, shyer voices will get pushed to the side for more vocal, and potentially more conflict-driven voices.

In the IWW, the union I organise with, we emphasise the importance of one-on-one conversations, as you can find a lot more about your co-workers that way, and often things that might get lost in a huge meeting.

Of course, there is no harm in these larger meetings once you've got the ball rolling. But starting off, one-on-ones are key.

Identify movers and shakers

Some co-workers will be well-connected in the workplace. Some will be naturally more likeable than others. Some might have held social events or helped out a few other co-workers in the past. These people are your social "leaders" (for lack of a better word).

You usually want these co-workers on side as soon as you can. If you don't get them on your side, the boss or management will get them on theirs, which makes unionising efforts so much harder.

They are also very useful during organising efforts and can help out with one-on-one conversations.

Recruitment

Asking people to get involved in a union, especially in a workplace that is hostile to them, can be very tricky (and terrifying). But this is a crucial step.

Get people involved in the organising committee, create officer roles to carry out particular tasks, fill those roles democratically, and recruit your co-workers to the union.

You will actively have to reach out to people in this step. We cannot rely on the "self-starters" who are already interested and are bold enough to ask "How do I join?". A workplace is made up of everyone in it, even the shyer workers - especially the shyer workers in my experience! The union is for every worker.

Additionally, as time passes, it gets very difficult to ask people to join. Some people will start seeing benefits in their workplace but without actually putting in any of the work and think "Well, why bother?"

Planning

Once you've got a few co-workers together, have an active group of you mapping, charting, reaching out to members, and identifying issues, then you've got to start planning how to address these issues.

Pick something, anything, no matter how small. Sometimes it can be an issue where the workplace hasn't got enough office stock. Sometimes the door to the building jams and needs a couple of people to shove it open. Find the issue you want to organise around and plan how to resolve it, together.

The issue you identify can also be used to recruit more people to your cause.

Public actions

Finally, it's time to go public. But what does this look like?

I outlined a lot of actions in my previous post here. But a lot of these may be overkill depending on the issue. Sometimes you can get away with less aggressive action.

The typical way this is done is a march on the boss. This is a great way to start the escalation process and sometimes will get you what you want immediately. Of course, no action is perfect, and you'll have to get creative as the boss pushes back more and more.

In conclusion...

This was a general overview of the organising process. Of course, for brevity, a lot was skipped over. Before trying to carry any of this out, I'd recommend you take part in some form of organiser training with your respective union - the IWW Organiser 101 training is fantastic, just as an aside!

Best of luck in all your organising efforts!

Stay safe and solidarity, fellow workers! xox

[a-d-nox]

what's a solar return?

any time the sun transits and becomes exactly conjunct your natal sun (it is in the exact sign and degree it was in when you were born), you undergo a solar return. solar returns happen every year on your birthday. my solar return is coming up this october, so i thought "why not?let's continue my thoughts about the return charts."

but what can a solar return chart show you?

literally everything about your year ahead. you just have to look at it and know what you are looking at/for. so let's break it down some of the basics...

paid reading options: astrology menu & cartomancy menu

enjoy my work? help me continue creating by tipping on ko-fi or paypal. your support keeps the magic alive!

sun

energy/aura, attention you receive this year, leadership opportunities, creativity, pride/ego/dignity, how generous you are, individuality, personal development, self-awareness, what makes you happy, celebrations, and self-expression.

moon

emotions / emotional responses, self-care, comfort zone / safe space, femininity, mothers / matriarchal / maternal instincts, family, nostalgia, pregnancy/fertility, baking/cooking, adaptability, menstruation, and habits/routines.

mercury

communication/gossiping, mindset / reasoning skills, perception, writing, social media / cellphone use, short trips, ground transportation, and mannerisms.

venus

romance, beauty/aestheticism, pleasure(s), art/entertainment, self-love, harmony, femininity, sentimentality, how you compromise, parties/celebrations, and possessions.

mars

passions/desires, self-confidence, ambition, anger/aggression, competitiveness, athletics / physical energy, impulsivity, courage/bravery, tasks, masculinity, assertiveness, sexuality, and violence.

jupiter

luck, abundance, wealth, success, opportunity, popularity, wisdom, air travel, ease, higher education (college/university), optimism, justice/retribution, law, and fulfillment.

saturn

work, achievement/mastery, challenges, karma, fathers / patriarchy / paternal instincts, fears, guilt, delays/limitations, discipline, responsibility, past issues that are prevalent this year, practicality, stability, endurance, maturity, and grudges.

uranus

friends/fans/followers, technology, fluctuation/change, rebellion, independence, originality, unexpected things / surprises, and chaos.

neptune

creativity, selflessness, escapism, intuition, hidden things, deception/lies/delusion, confusion, inspiration, and addiction/fascination.

pluto

change/transformation, power, sex/seduction, death, intensity/magnetism, obsessions, manipulation, and purging.

1h/asc

identity, approach/mindset this year, physical appearance, mannerisms, and your presence.

2h

money/finances this year, material possessions, self worth, what you are giving/receiving, and resources.

3h

communication/gossip, mind / method of thinking, sibling relationship(s), interests, ideas/information, ground transportation, social media / cellphone use, publishing, and short trips.

4h/ic

homes/houses, family matters, parents (mainly maternal figures), inner child work you do this year, inheritance, traditions you practice this year, self-care you do this year, and femininity.

5h

children, talents / hobbies / entertainment / creative pursuits, drama, short-term romances, pleasures/gifts, fertility, and joy/delight/jubilation

6h

daily routine, health/fitness/diet, work/duties, self-improvement / shadow work, hygiene, and pet(s).

7h/dsc

long-term relationships / marriage / partnerships, how you care for others (if you care for others), minor legal pursuits, contracts/negotiations, known enemies, close associates / business partners, and equality/harmony/sharing (how you promote it and how (if) you receive it).

8h

changes (external and internal), death (internal and external), shared finances, what you invest in, stocks/taxes/inheritance/loans/assets, intimacy (intellectual and physical), secrets/mystery, mental health / trauma you experience, and possible surgery/operations.

9h

wisdom you gain, major legal pursuits, new beliefs/ethics/philosophy milestones, college/university, and air travel / travel abroad.

10h/mc

career, public image / status / reputation in society, responsibilities towards society/others, authority, paternal figures, and your professional aspirations (the progress you make towards them this year).

11h

friends/companions/allies/groups, ideals/desires, how your different this year as opposed to years past, technology, networking/socializing, and parties (formal and informal).

12h

how you heal this year from you past / mental health journey, karma, sleeping habits, your experience with solitude/isolation this year, unknown enemies, illusions/delusions you have about your situation, fears / self-limitation, losses, and what you secretly/subconsciously want most this year.

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return to nox’s guide to metaphysics

return to the masterlist of return charts

© a-d-nox 2023 all rights reserved

[movingthisblogcelestialtarot11]

Hi. I saw your post about free natal chart observations. I was wondering if you could read my chart? :)

Hey there <3

Moon square Saturn can create tension within feeling comfortable and feeling isolated. You can find that its hard for you to connect to others, feeling like theres a wall or a veil preventing you. This can also signify having a mother figure be callous, cold, or emotionally and physically absent. She could have been critical with her words and a perfectionist. Its possible she invested in stocks or most of her money.

Sun conj mars gives you lots of drive however and ambition to overcome your personal struggles. It inspires you to keep going, and you have a deep connection to your self worth and value. Lots of transformative energy. You would do well with working out to move your body to release tension.

Venus square Saturn you can find it difficult to relate to your partners, or feel a sense of loneliness and sadness. You knew what you wanted from a young age and possibly didnt want a traditional marriage or relationship. Its likely others pressured you into accepting the norm.

7h is very prominent, its likely you faced a lot of people who tried to compete with you, assert their dominance and was aggressive. The 1h has a lot of opposition herd, so working on boundaries, self care and healing can help a lot to find your strength <3

Capricorn rising, you come across structured, private, routine, and detached. You prefer to keep things simple and straightforward. With mercury in cancer you like having conversations that are deep, meaningful and productive. You’re introspective. You like others who create quality time with you, and someone you can let your inner child out with. You could have a soothing voice, a soft flowy one. It sounds melodic. You prefer people who reflect on their actions and change for the better.

[multidimensionalguidance]

📚💸 Career + Wealth Analysis 💸📚

One of the most frequent questions astrologers receive from their clients when doing a chart reading is about their career, profession or work.

The labor we do on an everyday basis is essential when it comes to our finances and self fulfillment. It can either be something we enjoy doing that meets all of our needs, or what brings a paycheck yet lacks inner satisfaction.

There are several ways to confirm if the work you are doing is activating your Venus properly, and you may wonder why that planet in particular? Simple! Venus is related to finances, luxury, and comfort. The jobs that align with our Venus sign tend to be the ones that not only fits into our financial needs, but also provides a genuine feeling of contentment.

So, if you want the straight forward answer to “What career/field/job/hobby can help me create wealth and feel joyful about it?” Then Venus is your short answer. Remember that wealth will look differently for everyone since we all have different perceptions of how much money is truly enough to have the lifestyle we dream of.

Look for the Sidereal sign that your Venus falls in, find below the careers or fields related to it, and confirm for yourself the difference in your wealth accumulation once you incorporate it into your life.

Note: please keep in mind that if your Venus is conj, square or opposite a malefic planet/s (Mars, Saturn, Rahu/Ketu), there will be some natural resistance or challenges that you will experience throughout life with work, job, profession, or financial matters. Venus in Virgo, Scorpio, and Capricorn to a degree could also experience similar experiences.

The house where this planet is placed also tells a lot about the way your job manifests in your life (places, people, etc). Now, there are many ways to remediate any negative effects, so no need to be concerned or feel doomed.

There are many advanced Vedic Astrologers who mostly focus on remediation of planets that are in difficult or challenged positions, so take a look at the options available if you ever feel like there's an extra difficulty for you in those matters.

♈️➡️ Vocations that require independence, daring and the pioneering spirit: entrepreneurs, pioneers in any field, idea people, those who initiate new projects, troubleshooters, directors, adventurers, executives.

Firemen or fire fighters, forest rangers, engineers (metallurgical), members of the armed forces, firearms experts, police officers, machinists, mechanics, iron and steel workers, locksmiths, welders, athletics that involve speed and daring, race car drivers, contact sports, boxers, dancers, movement therapists, physical education instructors, surgeons.

♉️➡️ Vocations dealing with the earth and substance: farmers, ranchers, agriculture instructors, landscape architects, gardeners, rock collectors (semi-precious gems), builders, carpenters, building contractors, concrete pourers, chiropractors, massage therapists, computer programmers.

Occupations involved with money and finance: bankers, bank tellers, stock brokers, financiers, money managers, investment advisors, security analysts, treasurers, economists.

Artists, sculptors, jewelers, pottery makers, fashion designers, tailors, florists, musicians, singers, voice teachers, throat specialists.

♊️➡️ Vocations involved with communication or transportation: authors, proofreaders, ad copywriters, screenplay writers, editors, reporters, teachers, lecturers, linguists, speech therapists, librarians, bookstore owners, publishers, magazine employees.

Radio operators or disc jockeys, television producers, telephone operators or repair persons, telemarketers, stationery store owners, journalists, salespeople, printers, book distributors, clerks, office workers, secretaries, typists, typesetters.

Messengers, mail carriers, taxi drivers, bus drivers, railway employees, plane pilots, accountants, jacks-of-all-trades. Can engage in two or more occupations at once.

♋️➡️ Vocations that nurture: physically or emotionally (especially through food): caterers, restaurant owners, chefs, cooks, bakers, waiters and waitresses, confectioners, dairy farmers, grocers, food distributors, nutritionists.

Social workers, counselors, psychics, nurses, family therapists, preschool teachers, children's writers, tioners, caretakers, water-related occupations, plumbers, swimmers, lifeguards, fishermen.

All careers dealing with the home: realtors, hotel managers, innkeepers, homemakers, governesses, maids, laundry workers.

♌️➡️ Performers of all types: actors and actresses, playwrights, entertainers, dancers, singers, musicians, movie stars, circus performers, jugglers, clowns, sports figures, teachers (good teachers are entertainers), amuse ment park owners, speculators, gamblers.

Leaders of all types: executives, managers, government officials, politicians, foremen, judges, athletes, salespeople, the profession of selling, promoters, dia: mond and precious metal brokers, gold workers, heart specialists, all vocations involving children.

♍️➡️ Vocations dealing with analysis, detail and technical expertise: statisticians, accountants, book-keepers, computer programmers, teachers of technical subjects, stenographers, critics, inspectors of all types, draftsmen, graphic artists, technical illustrators, crafts-people, specialists.

Health occupations and the social services, mental health workers, therapists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, social workers, employment counselors, nurses, doctors, massage therapists, respiratory techairians, dental hygienists, dentists, secretaries, office managers, food service worker, nutritionist, waiters and waitresses, dieticians, veterinarians, zoologist, sanitation workers, janitors, public health officials, house cleaners, butlers.

♎️➡️ Vocations that pursue balance, harmony and justice: negotiators and counselors of all types, marriage counselors, wedding related businesses, diplomats, labor arbitrators, judges, lawyers, managers, salespeople.

Occupations dealing with beauty: artists, architects, painters, illustrators, photographers, fashion designers, fashion industry workers, milliners, color consultants, clothing store owners or salespeople, beauticians, hairdressers, cosmeticians, interior and exterior decorators, cosmetic manufacturers and dealers, jewelers, florists, candy makers.

♏️➡️ Vocations that focus on uncovering hidden secrets: researchers, muckraking journalists, investigators, detectives, physicists, occultists, those who work behind the scenes, espionage agents, psychics, astrologers, all matters dealing with death, funeral home directors, morticians, cemetery workers, insurance salespeople, soldiers, those working under the earth, undertakers.

Those who work as healers. all medical practitioners, physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, surgeons, pharmacists, pathologists, past-life investigators, hospice workers, chemists, music therapist, musicians.

♐️➡️ Vocations dealing with exploration, travel and adventure: explorers, astronomers, travel agents, airline employees, flight attendants, astronauts, import-export agents, foreign correspondents, language interpreters, traveling salespeople, promoters, customs officers, athletes of all types, archers, sporting goods manufacturers, horse trainers, breeders and jockeys.

Occupations dealing with higher knowledge: philosophers, college professors, ministers, theologians, missionaries, preachers, orators, publishers, metaphysical writers, philanthropists, lawyers.

♑️➡️ Vocations dealing with administering and organizing: administrators of all types, managers, business owners, executives, government officials, politicians, judges, manufacturers, coordinators, principals at schools, wardens, disciplinarians, buyers, consul-tants, vocational counselors.

Occupations that work with form and structure: architects, contractors, builders, carpenterivil and rivil and get industrial engineers, economists, chiropractors, orthopedic specialists, osteopaths, miners, landowners, mountain climbers.

♒️➡️ Vocations dealing with progress and inven-tion: inventors, scientists, educators, researchers, astrologers, social workers, psychologists, futurists, humanitarians, social reformers, United Nations workers, employees of world relief organizations, future-oriented occupations, astronauts, airplane pilots, aviators, parachutists, hang glider pilots, solar energy researchers, physicists, radio and television technicians, electricians, electrical engineers.

♓️➡️ Vocations of a spiritual, healing or artistic na-ture: religious workers, priests, monks, nuns, sisters of mercy, rabbis, clairvoyants, mediums, charity workers, prison workers.

Physicians, faith healers, psychic healers, nurses, hospital workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, hypnotists, anesthesiologists, podiatrists. Poets, musicians, writers (inspirational, fantasy, metaphysical, science fiction), actors, dancers, painters, artists, entertainers, comedians, singers, filmmakers.

Water-related activities, fishermen, sailors, divers, swimmers, lifeguards, marine scientists, oceanographers, bartenders, oil industry workers.

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Is your Venus sign all you need to know to find all the clues and perfect descriptions to tailor your ideal professional life? No, but it is a huge start in a small way and with short information.

If you guys would like to go more in depth with career astrology, then also take your time to check the following, and find the common theme:

•10H sign + where its lord is located

•D10 Lagna (Dasamsa chart)

•Mahadasha planet in your chart, the house its located, and where the lord goes.