#Effective Business Environment Assignments | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

literaryvein-reblogs · 9 months ago

Text

Writing Notes: Procrastination

All writers have been there.

You’ve had a week to complete a project; now it’s the last day before the deadline, and you still haven’t started. You know you need to get to work, and you know that time is of the essence; yet even as you watch the clock tick, tick, ticking away the minutes until your work is due, you just can’t seem to sit down and do it.

Why does this happen, and what can you do to escape it?

The good news is that researchers and professionals (who also experience the temptation to procrastinate) have analyzed the reasons why people put things off and developed solutions to help.

By understanding why we procrastinate, we are better able to apply effective solutions that help us avoid putting off writing and manage our time in general.

Why Do People Procrastinate?

FEAR

Fear is one of the strongest human emotions, and it is fear that can hold us back from taking action on our work, especially when it comes to writing.

Different types of fear can keep us from reaching our goals, such as writing or other assignments.

Here are a few types:

Fear of failure

Fear of losing autonomy (control over the work)

Fear of being alone

Being aware of these fears and acknowledging them helps decrease their power to make us procrastinate.

PERFECTIONISM

We all want our final submissions to be the best they can be, but sometimes our desire for perfection gets in the way of our ability to produce something.

If we can’t write that perfect essay, we’d rather just not write at all.

It may appear more comforting to write a mediocre paper believing we could have written a better one if we had started earlier, than to plan ahead and risk winding up with a paper that is still imperfect.

However, like many parts of daily life, writing can be complex.

Rather than aiming for a perfect, final product, focus on possible paths and steps to get there.

TOO BUSY

Sometimes, it’s not that we are fearful or over-critical, but we are simply too busy.

We have jobs, children, and other obligations that take up a majority of our time.

At the end of a long, busy day, it is easy to put off an assignment until tomorrow.

Busy lives mean we deserve to take breaks; however, this is also a reason to plan ahead for off-days.

DISSATISFACTION WITH WRITING & REVISING

Revising a first draft can be one of the most difficult parts of writing.

When we read our own writing and encounter imperfections, it is easy to become discouraged and avoid moving forward.

By procrastinating, we try to ensure we will not have to face the uncomfortable task of revising.

While revising can be uncomfortable, there are some strategies below to help make this process easier.

What Can You Do About It?

TAKE STOCK: Why Are You Procrastinating?

The first step towards working on your procrastination habits is to identify why you are putting things off in the first place.

Think about the reasons described above, and see if any of them apply to you.

Consider your overall work and writing habits, and go from there.

EVALUATE YOUR ENVIRONMENT

If you’re already struggling with procrastination, one goal is to find a place where you are most likely to actually work.

A noisy computer lab or an apartment where your roommate is watching TV at top volume may not be the best places to write.

Try to find a place where you can clear your mind from distractions and focus, but where you are also comfortable and at ease.

However, be sure not to spend an excessive amount of time trying to create the perfect work environment.

As procrastinators, we may risk spending all day trying to find the perfect writing place and not actually do any writing, so remember your objectives when evaluating the environment.

ASK FOR HELP

As with any other problem you may experience in life, there is no shame in reaching out for help with your procrastination.

Talk to your professor, classmates, or friends about the issues you are having.

Visit your university's Writing Center, and talk with a consultant, as all of us have likely had issues with procrastination in our work.

The goal is to have someone hold you accountable, almost like a sponsor.

Identify what steps you need to take to get an assignment done, and ask them to check up on you to hold you to it.

SET GOALS & REWARDS

It may seem obvious, but setting goals can be a productive means of avoiding procrastination.

However, be careful not to be overly ambitious when planning goals; trying to get too much done at once could be one reason for procrastination.

Instead, set smaller, more incremental goals.

For instance, tell yourself that today, if you do nothing else, you will complete the Works Cited section of your paper or finish your introduction.

You can also incentivize your writing by rewarding yourself for goals met, such as a favorite candy, funny video, or walk with a friend.

If you don’t want to commit to any one section of the paper, tell yourself that you’ll write at least two hundred words, one paragraph, or for three, separate, thirty-minute sessions.

Goals such as these are easily attainable and will help you start working without overwhelming you.

THINK ABOUT YOUR WRITING PROCESS

You may not think you have a “writing process,” but you do.

Everyone does, and each person’s style may differ from another’s.

Consider what you usually do first when writing a paper.

Maybe you start at the beginning, writing your introduction, then the body, then the conclusion, or maybe you outline and then start in the middle.

Maybe you like music, ambient noise, or silence.

You might prefer working in the morning or in the evening.

Think about whether a process is working for you, and don’t be afraid to try something new.

WORK ON WHAT YOU CAN

We often feel pressured, when we sit down to work on an assignment, to finish it all at once.

This can backfire and keep us from working at all. Instead, try looking at any amount of work you complete for what it is: progress.

Even if you only write one sentence, that is one more sentence than what you had before.

WORK ON REVISIONS

If you get stuck in a certain area of your paper, take a break from that section and look over the rest of the paper.

Carefully search for any ambiguities or anything you might want to add, remove, or revisit.

This may not seem like progress, but it will help you improve your paper while giving you a break from the part on which you’re stuck.

CONSIDER YOUR "BLANK TIMES"

Think about your schedule, and work on making what is known as an “unschedule.”

This involves mapping out all the things you already spend time on, rather than writing down what you need to do, like with a regular schedule.

After you have done this, look for blank spaces.

With these blank spaces, plan out a writing schedule using your set goals.

Also, remember it is natural to have off-days.

When these happen, adjust your schedule to avoid last-minute delays.

NOTE: As you work on your procrastination, keep in mind that overcoming or mitigating this issue is similar to writing itself: a process that takes time and effort. Don’t expect to break a procrastination habit overnight. Rather, just like writing, work on it a little at a time, as much as you can, and don’t give up.

Source ⚜ Writing Notes & References

73 notes · View notes

haitang-blossoms · 1 year ago

Text

On Differential Methods, Politics, & Intimacy for Early Novel!Cezhou (haitang-blossoms' Qiang Jin Jiu meta)

Note: This analysis goes up to Chapter 42 which is where I had read up to before Lianyin's fantranslation was taken down due to official English licensing by Seven Seas. This is also the source of my quoted screenshots of the novel.

The way both Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye weaponise perceived incompetence (through fabricated images of "grateful helplessness" and "devil-may-care hedonism" respectively) is so compelling and really serves to flesh out the realities of the environment they are forced to navigate.

It is a recurring narrative motif that both Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye are "beasts" trapped and restrained by the political system of Qudu. However, the difference in social position and status between them is key to why they choose the masks that they do.

Shen Zechuan, both as a by-proxy-traitor to the nation and as the son of a dancer, has always had to keep his head down and not act beyond his station. Thus, it is perfectly natural that he operates within this expected framework: both to survive in the hostile political landscape as well as to conceal his own intentions and moves within the shadows.

Xiao Chiye, on the other hand, was born into relative power. While the Xiao Clan of Libei was never in the favour of the Empress Dowager, they are nonetheless a reputable cavalry with a hereditary title. Xiao Chiye, as the second son, has both less direct political influence as well as responsibility than his father (the prince) or his elder brother (the next-in-line). This is how he is so easily made a "bargaining chip" and assigned to what seems to be a hopelessly dead-end job in order to keep a metaphorical "leash" on any rebellious intent that Libei may harbour. Given his wealth and inevitable position of being constantly in the public eye, the easiest way to cover up the target on Xiao Chiye's back is to present himself as a frivolous hedonist who is too busy chasing after liquor and bed-partners to pose a real threat to the established power dynamics of the capital.

The difference between their methods can also be observed in the way that their preferences are perceived by others:

Xiao Chiye presents himself as genial: he loves to drink, he is sociable enough to go out with friends frequently etc. However, as seen in the quote above, Xiao Chiye's "friendliness" is actually quite distant in that even the people who think they know him well are unaware of his true preferences. Yet he conducts himself in such a manner that they would not even think to ponder such things. It is a very effective approach for gathering intel: make the other party assume you are giving away much more about yourself than you are, opening the door for them to carelessly overshare from a sense of fabricated comradery.

Shen Zechuan is the opposite: going along with how he is forced to constantly humble himself and downplay his abilities, his preferences have to be presented as equally accommodating to the will of others. There are many instances where he seemingly goes along with others, secretly gritting his teeth the whole way, in order to "soften" them up to be played into his hand later.

And this goes into my next point:

Even though Shen Zechuan has an image of seductiveness, his entire method revolves around NOT having openly expressed desires because that would only serve as a vulnerability. Xiao Chiye, by contrast, predicates his mask around devil-may-care hedonism.

In this way, desire is both much more familiar to Xiao Chiye as well as easier to integrate into his established reputation than for Shen Zechuan.

This is key to why Xiao Chiye is the first to accept his feelings and why he is much more comfortable with unabashedly expressing them. Thus, I think the differences in how Cezhou present themselves and the contrasting methods they use to stay ahead in their environment have bearing not only on the political games of their world but also on their relationship and how they relate themselves to each other.

#Qiang Jin Jiu #Ballad of Sword and Wine #Tang Jiuqing #Cezhou #Xiao Chiye #Xiao Ce'an #Shen Zechuan #Shen Lanzhou #my meta #my post #analysis #Qiang Jin Jiu spoilers #spoilers

111 notes · View notes

sjsmith56 · 24 days ago

Text

The Duality of Nature, Chapter 3 - Return

Summary: The Avengers go to Norway to destroy the Cerberus site but a strange beam incapacitates everyone except Bucky. When the facility explodes he is injured but manages to evacuate the team. After surgery back at the compound it becomes obvious that something is seriously wrong.

Length: 5.2K

Characters: Bucky, Carol, the Avengers, Fury, Noelle, Winter.

Warnings: Mission goes wrong.

Author notes: The description of medical treatment is movie medicine, folks. I did my best but if there are errors or omissions, I’m sorry. Cliffhanger.

<<Chapter 2

Bucky set the course while everyone else busied themselves doing more preparatory work; Sam and Shaun monitored the onboard computers for any updates, while Peter, Kate and Yelena checked the comms pieces and timers for the explosives which would be transferred by portal shortly after their arrival. Dr. Strange and Tony's remote-controlled suit would arrive with the explosives. The decision had been made to use a portal sparingly, not wanting to introduce any excessive energy ripples into the environment of the lab that could interfere with their operations. Scott and Hope were going over some intelligence on their iPad. Thor slept. Carol Danvers acted as co-pilot for this trip, looking over at Bucky.

"Your daughter has sure grown," she said. "Looks just like her mom."

He smiled. "She does take after Noelle," he agreed. "Has my eyes, though. She's quite the kid. Thor wants her to begin training but we want her to be a kid for as long as possible."

"You like being a family man?"

"Love it," he answered. "Avoided even thinking of it before the war, decided during the war that it might not be so bad, then never got the chance until I met Noelle out of the blue."

"I'm happy for you," said Carol. "Does Winnie have abilities?"

"Yeah, she does." He shrugged. "We encourage her to be active like any other kid, but she's already given us a few scares, like jumping from the top of the playground equipment when she was two. She took to swimming like a fish. Already wants to be an Avenger." He looked over at Carol. "I'm good with that. What kept you away so long this time?"

"Hunting renegade Skrull terrorists," she replied. "After what happened here Fury asked me to keep looking for others. Found a few but it wasn't easy. For so long the Kree made it seem like they were all like that but most just want a quiet place to live in peace."

"Don't we all," he replied, then he got a message from Air Traffic Control and activated the mike on his headset. "Roger New York. Avengers aircraft Quebec Mike zero one, acknowledging transfer to Gander Domestic ACC." He switched frequencies and listened for the controller to confirm his position. When it came, he acknowledged them. "Roger Gander. Avengers aircraft Quebec Mike zero one, maintaining assigned course and frequency."

"You want to take a break until we transfer to Shanwick Oceanic?" she asked.

"Sure," he replied. "Didn't get a lot of sleep last night." He noticed her grinning. "It wasn't all that. Too many variables on this mission kept me awake. Had to leave for the couch because I was so restless. I could use some shuteye."

"Go ahead," she said. "If anything comes up, I'll wake you."

With a nod he went over to Sam, advising him that he was going to sleep for a bit. Heading to the back of the quinjet, he pressed a button that popped out a handle and pulled out a bunk. Slipping his jacket and boots off, he laid on the bunk, turned off the overhead light and began some deep breathing, listening to the hum of the aircraft, reading somewhere that it was the equivalent of pink noise, a frequency that should have a calming effect on listeners. It must have worked because when he was awakened, they were under the control of Bodø Oceanic OCA out of northern Norway, less than an hour from their target. He quickly put his boots and jacket on then headed to the pilot's seat, grimacing a little at Carol.

"You should have woken me sooner," he said.

"You needed the sleep," she replied. "The flight was all by the book. I didn't mind."

She updated him on their position then turned control of the quinjet back to him. Sam had already advised HQ of their position and the final preparations of the explosives were being made, prior to sending them through the portal. Just before they landed Sam took another look at the latest satellite readings for any sign of the portal, but nothing was showing up. They landed some distance away from the entrance into the site then everyone assembled their weapons, and each took a number of timers, while Bucky and Carol completed the landing checklist. Bucky then fastened his holsters and inserted his weapons as Carol went out to do a quick recon before they all left the quinjet.

"Everyone miked up?" he asked, receiving their responses in his earpiece. "Carol? What's it like out there?"

"Quiet," she replied. "I don't like this, but we don't have much choice, do we?"

"Nope," answered Sam. He contacted HQ. "Ready for portal insertion. Locate those explosives far away from the quinjet. Don't want them going up and taking out our transport." Acknowledgement came and they watched as a portal formed outside, closer to the entrance of the facility. "Okay, you all know your duties. Carol, Tony, and Strange will monitor the airspace, with Thor at the entrance. The rest of us will take an assortment of charges and place them, then set the timers. Mapping of your assigned section is on your wrist piece. As soon as you're done, come out. Let's go."

The explosives came through the portal by magic, accompanied by Dr. Strange and the Ironman suit, under Tony's remote control. They joined Carol in the sky while the others went to the pallet, noting that their names were on the assorted cases that contained the devices. With Bucky on point and Thor guarding the entrance they entered the facility and raced to their assigned coordinates, setting the charges, then the timers, all of them rigged to go on a signal when the final charge was set by Captain Marvel in the portal. By then they were all to be inside the quinjet, ready for a quick take off. Strange and the Ironman suit were to be back at HQ through another magic portal.

Everything seemed to be going well, as one by one the team members laid the charges and returned to the outside, gathering at the quinjet. Just before Bucky, as the first one in and the last one out, signalled that he was approaching the exit, it all changed. The portal opened above them, visible to Tony first as he was monitoring in the long-range infrared frequency they had discovered. Then the cold started bleeding through, causing the Ironman suit to start malfunctioning. Dr. Strange found out he couldn't handle the temperatures, lowering himself and Tony's suit to the ground where it was warmer, while Carol ventured into the portal to send the explosives, setting the timer and advising everyone to leave. Just as she did that a multi-beam of energy came through as if targeting every individual out there, doing exactly what Joaquin had described; batting them away as if they were flies. Bucky came out of the facility to the scene of everyone on the ground, including Carol, which surprised him as she was virtually invulnerable. Not having been hit by the beam he picked Thor up first, as he was closest, carrying him to the quinjet, somehow avoiding notice of whoever was controlling the beam. Carol was next then he dragged everyone else onboard. Returning for Tony's suit, he had carried it to the ramp, where his luck ran out as he was hit by a glancing blow of the beam, unable to avoid it completely. At that moment, the explosives in the portal went off, followed by those in the facility, and he was caught in the blast wave which lifted him up, then throwing him hard against the side of the ramp. Dazed, he didn't move for a moment before he came around, finished dragging the suit up the ramp, raised it and stumbled to the pilot's seat.

"Emergency takeoff," he mumbled, placing his right hand on the security readout. "Authorization, Barnes, Sergeant James Buchanan ...."

Friday requested the rest of the authorization code but didn't get it as Bucky had passed out and no one else had responded as they were all out as well. Taking a scan to confirm that and noting the addition of Ironman's suit and the presence of Dr. Strange, the AI instituted its own emergency evacuation procedure and took off. The AI made several attempts to initiate communications with HQ, but it wasn't until the aircraft was almost out of Norwegian airspace before it was able to relay the emergency to air traffic control, receiving priority to return to base. It had been 23 hours hours since they left the Avengers base on the mission.

Avengers compound

"What do you mean you've lost contact?" asked Joaquin, who was in the control room with the support staff, monitoring communications. "Bring up the satellites, include the long-range infrared images." As he saw the evidence of the portal opening, then the signs of the explosive charges going off as planned he watched the replay, before noticing the quinjet transponder had moved away from the site. "Contact all the Air Traffic Control agencies for their return flight path. Notify them of the possibility of an emergency evacuation. You better contact Fury as well. This is above my pay grade."

Fury arrived by portal within minutes and watched the displays closely as Joaquin and Tony filled him in on what they had seen. By all indicators the explosives had done their job, destroying the facility and at least had closed the portal, hopefully destroying it. Joaquin also briefed the director on what happened to him previously at the site.

"Let's get all available satellites monitoring that infrared frequency for the reemergence of that portal at any other location," said Fury to the technician on duty. Then he watched the quinjet transponder move from Norwegian airspace into the Scottish ACC airspace. A Scottish accented voice came on. "Avengers HQ, Scottish ACC has received an emergency evacuation request from the aircraft Quebec Mike zero one's AI. How do you want to proceed?"

"Roger, Scotland. Can you give them priority to cross the Atlantic?" asked Fury. "The AI only takes control if there is no one physically able to fly the aircraft."

"Roger, we can do that," said the man's voice. There was a pause. "Confirmed with the AI that all passengers are unconscious and will require medical attention, but all are alive. It updated the passenger list which has been emailed to your contact. The AI also indicated that its multiple attempts to contact you directly have been unsuccessful. Will be flying top speed, with ETA of 2.5 hours. We have advised Shanwick Oceanic, Gander Domestic and New York ATC to continue priority emergency evacuation status of aircraft Quebec Mike zero one. Good luck, Avengers."

"Roger that, Scotland. Thank you for your assistance."

Fury turned to the other two. "We better notify medical, all staff on alert. Just medical, no one else yet."

"Even Noelle and Dawn?" asked Joaquin, referencing Bucky and Sam's wives who were both nurses.

The man in black would have normally glared at anyone who questioned an order, but he also knew he better talk to the two women first. He grimaced slightly at the flyer.

"I'll alert them personally," he said, turning around and leaving the control room. "Friday, locate Noelle Barnes and Dawn Wilson."

"Both women are in their quarters," replied the female voice. "They should be walking their children to play school within moments then reporting for duty in the medical centre."

"Advise Dr. Banner that both women will be delayed and possibly not reporting for duty," he said. "Do not let them leave the play school hallway until I get there. Friday, keep me updated on the quinjet flight."

There was no acknowledgement of any of his requests, but he knew they would be done. As he strode towards the family services wing of the compound, he could see several people hugging their children. Standing back, he watched as Noelle and Dawn arrived, both of them affectionately hugging their children then waving goodbye at them. He stepped forward blocking their path.

"Director Fury," stated Dawn Wilson, smiling. "We don't see you here often."

Noelle read the look on his face instantly. "What's happened?"

"Come with me," he said. "I'd rather do this in private, but they're both alive according to the AI."

Slipping into a nearby office he pressed the control to close and lock the door, then faced the two women who stood in front of him.

"At this point I'm not sure exactly what has happened," he said. "By all the satellite images we have studied so far, the mission went off the way it should, but Scottish air traffic control received communication from the quinjet's AI that it was requesting emergency evacuation priority as all passengers were unconscious. The passenger list included Dr. Strange and the Iron Man suit. They were to have returned by portal, so something went wrong, and they ended up on the quinjet. We were advised to have medical on alert. ETA is 2.5 hours. Since both of your husbands are on that flight, I'm leaving it to you whether you want to be there in your capacity as experienced medical professionals or if you would rather wait as a spouse and let the assigned medical staff deal with whatever is coming."

The two women looked at each other then fixed him with a firm gaze. "We're reporting for duty," said Noelle. "We'll make sure we're assigned to other crew. We've both been there before with family members."

"Very well," he replied, with a stern nod. "I'll let you go. If it gets too hard, you'll be relieved of duty."

They both acknowledged him, and he unlocked the door, watching them leave. All they could do was wait. Neither woman said anything as they quickly strode to the medical centre. Bruce nodded to them as they entered, then drew everyone together.

"All I know so far is that everyone is unconscious, and Friday is flying the quinjet home at top speed," he said. "Considering that Falcon sustained an injury at the same site from an energy beam I am assuming that a similar incident happened. We're looking at broken limbs, possible internal injuries, head injuries, and because of exposure to a cold source with a temperature of absolute zero, possible hypothermia. Let's prep for all contingencies. I'll coordinate triage at the landing site while Helen is in charge up here."

Both women dove into their duties, assembling a cart of supplies to cover the injuries specified by Bruce. Neither said anything to anyone but they could feel the eyes of their co-workers on them, as it was known they were married to Barnes and Wilson. When they had a moment, they called the daycare, advising them they may be delayed picking up their children at the end of the day. Then they waited for anything to come down the line, both of them doing their best to tamp down their worries over their husbands.

Inside the quinjet, 1 hour later

Carol groaned, slowly opening her eyes, then realized she was in the quinjet, and they were in flight. Looking around at the others she realized that she was the only one awake. Tentatively moving her arms and legs she confirmed she had no injuries then stood up, feeling dizzy at first. As she breathed deeply to get her bearings back, she spoke to the AI.

"Friday, what happened?"

"An energy beam from the dimensional portal incapacitated all crew members except one," said the AI. "Sergeant Barnes was still inside the facility when the beam erupted. He carried everyone inside the quinjet and was in the process of bringing in the Ironman suit when he received a glancing blow by the beam, then again from the blast of the explosion at the target site. Although it dazed him, he completed his task and was able to request emergency evacuation before passing out."

"Are we in contact with HQ?" asked Carol.

"Negative, although I have acquired contact with all Air Traffic Control agencies on our flight path. We have received emergency clearance for the entire flight back to the compound." The AI paused for a moment. "If you wish to administer first aid, I am fully capable of continuing to operate the aircraft."

"Do that," said Carol, getting businesslike.

She went to where the first aid kit was, satisfied when she saw there was a portable diagnostic unit, as well as an assortment of sedatives and stimulants, splints, bandages, and neck braces. Starting with Thor she set the unit to the normal settings for an Asgardian, confirming he had no physical injuries other than being unconscious. Peter was next to him, and she reset the unit for enhanced human, found some internal injuries, a bruised lung and kidney, as well as a hairline fracture of his jaw. Quickly she printed a slip with the details of his condition off the unit and attached it to his suit, assuming a triage team would be in place when they landed. There was a broken arm, suffered by Kate, but surprisingly the majority of the others so far had only bruising, superficial cuts, and sprains. Other than the fact everyone else was still out, they had come through it pretty unscathed. She was surprised to see Dr. Strange, but it appeared his cloak had protected him as he had no injuries other than being unconscious. Then she reached Bucky.

"Shit," she said, when she saw the readings indicating a brain bleed, as well as a broken right shoulder, several broken ribs, and a punctured lung. "Bucky? Can you hear me?"

She tapped his cheek, then pinched the back of his right hand to check his pain stimulus response but there was nothing and she printed out the slip that identified him as priority. Being hesitant to even try treating his injuries she instead went for the backboard and used her abilities, which thankfully still worked, to levitate him while she slid the board under his body. Gingerly, she attached a collar to keep his head steady then strapped him on the board. When she finished, she glanced over at Thor, who had started moving.

"Thor," she said, moving closer and tapping his cheek. "Wake up, big guy. I need you."

"Father, were we the victors?" He mumbled some more then opened his eyes and slowly focused on Carol. "Danvers, what happened?"

"Same thing that happened to Joaquin by what Friday tells me," she said. "You have no injuries, but I need you to monitor Peter. He has a bruised lung and kidney. Keep him from moving around. There should be another backboard you can load him on. Just be careful you don't do more damage." She looked over at Bucky. "Apparently, he carried us all in then was hurt himself. He's in rough shape."

Thor smiled slightly and nodded. "He has always been worthy of our trust," he said, with admiration. "I will take care of young Peter."

"Captain Marvel, I have reestablished communications with Avengers HQ," said Friday. "Do you wish to respond?"

"Yes, put me through," said Carol. "Avengers HQ, do you hear me? It's Carol."

"Roger, Carol," said Joaquin, sounding relieved. "We've been trying ever since we lost contact. What's your status?"

"So far, only myself and Thor are conscious, neither of us have other injuries," she said. "I've already done preliminary triage, identifying Bucky, and Peter as priorities, followed by Kate with a broken arm. Everyone else is just banged up, with cuts and bruises. Was our objective achieved?"

"So far, it appears the link has been destroyed but we are monitoring all available satellites for other incursions," said Joaquin.

"Fury here," said another voice, and Carol smirked, not surprised he was there. "How bad are the injuries?"

"Bucky has a brain bleed, broken right shoulder, several broken ribs and a punctured lung. Friday said he was thrown by the blast wave, but he still managed to get us all onboard and start the emergency evacuation then the AI took over when he passed out. Peter has a hairline fracture of the jaw, bruised lung and kidney. Kate has the broken arm. Everyone else is just banged up but they're all still unconscious."

"Okay, your ETA at this point is 10 minutes," said Fury. "We'll let medical evacuate everyone. I still want you and Thor to get checked out then we'll talk. Fury out."

She sat back, satisfied that she had done all that she could but until Dr. Strange looked into the past and saw exactly what happened they were still as clueless about that portal as they had been. Returning to Bucky's side she monitored his vital signs, letting Friday land the quinjet. When the ramp came down the triage team came up, picking Bucky up first and carrying the backboard down to the waiting gurney where Bruce read the triage note. He looked back at Carol, smiled and gave her a thumbs up for thinking of doing this part of his job first. Then Bucky was wheeled away, and they came for Peter next. He was also wheeled away. Carol and Thor moved down the ramp, leaving more room for the others to be lifted onto gurneys and wheeled in after Bruce gave them the once over. Finally, it was just him and those two.

"Fury wants you two to be checked out quickly," he said. "I can do it in the elevator on the way up. Since you're both enhanced, I'm guessing you're okay. Let's start with you Carol, tell me everything. You shouldn't have been affected by anything."

She recounted her last memory before waking up on the floor of the quinjet, of being lightheaded when she woke up then recounting what Friday told her, before she began treating the injured. Then he turned to Thor who told him what he remembered, except Carol mentioned what he said when he first started stirring.

"I must have been dreaming of a battle fighting at my father's side," he said. "I don't remember thinking of any of it or of saying it. Very strange."

"Okay, I'm good with declaring you both released from medical," said Bruce. "But let me know immediately if you experience anything out of the ordinary and I mean anything."

The elevator to the medical floor opened to a scene of organized chaos where everyone was intent on treating the patient in their care. Carol and Thor stayed at the entrance to the medical centre, not wanting to add to the scene then she nudged Thor, gesturing to where Noelle and Dawn were treating their patients, while trying not to look over at their husbands. He gave her a grim smile.

"They are good wives," he said. "Both men chose well."

Bruce joined Helen who was bent over Bucky, checking all of his vitals before sending him for an MRI to determine the extent of the brain bleed. She had already inserted a tube into his chest to treat the punctured lung.

"I have a neurosurgeon on notice for immediate surgery," she said, in a low voice, trying not to alarm Noelle. "But we'll need to use a portal to get him there. If Bucky's already sustained significant brain damage, there might not be much he can do."

"That's why you need me," said a voice nearby and Dr. Strange joined the pair, still looking a little pale but alright otherwise. "I can do the surgery. I'm still certified. They'll treat him as a normal human, but we know his enhanced abilities gives him a better chance than most people." He looked over at Noelle briefly. "He's already been unconscious for several hours. I can stop time in the operating room, time I can use to treat him and fix the damage. Get him to the MRI then straight to the surgical suite. You still have a neurosurgical package in storage?"

Bruce nodded. "Alright, I'll get the OR ready," he said. "Know any residents or OR nurses that you can work with?"

Strange smiled his enigmatic smile. "Leave that to me. Just get the imaging done."

Twenty minutes later Strange and Dr. Nicodemus West were scrubbing up to perform surgery on Bucky. Two neurosurgical nurses had already scrubbed and were preparing the super soldier for the procedure while an anesthesiologist who had monitored Bucky before agreed to do it again, although this was going to be a slightly different situation. Strange explained to West how he had already stopped time on the brain bleed and that Barnes, as an enhanced human had great regenerative abilities. The MRI imaging was being displayed as they scrubbed.

"Why me, Stephen?" asked West. "I know you've never thought of me as a capable surgeon."

"On the contrary," replied Strange. "Your shortcomings were because you were trying to compete with me. Since I no longer need the thrill of performing exemplary work to prove my superiority you have allowed your own abilities to excel." He stopped and looked at West in a conciliatory fashion. "I have faith in our combined skills to save Barnes' life."

West sniffed, understanding that was the closest to an admission of confidence he was ever going to get from Dr. Stephen Strange. One of the medical centre nurses met them with sanitized towels to dry their hands while another helped them gown up. As they entered the OR both surgeons acknowledged the others as they approached the operating table where Bucky's head was elevated and a spot on his skull already shaved.

"Begin the music," said Strange.

Outside the operating room, the sounds of jazz reached where Nick Fury, Bruce Banner and Helen Cho were observing the craniotomy surgery. When the piece of Bucky's skull was removed and placed in a tray Fury left and headed towards a waiting area where several of the Avengers who had been released were waiting. They were all sitting with Noelle who had been relieved of duty after she finished treating Scott Lang.

"It's started," he said. "It's going to be a while. What about your daughter?"

"Dawn Wilson has picked her up and will look after her until I have something to tell her," stated Noelle. "Are you staying?"

"Yes," he replied. "I'll stay if you wish me to stay."

She nodded and Fury took a seat. He did take his cell phone out to monitor other situations, occasionally texting something. More of the Avengers came to wait but no one talked. Instead, they all sat silently although Thor started to fidget. After some time of becoming more agitated he finally stood up and kneeled on one knee before Noelle, taking one of her hands in his.

"I'm sorry, I must do something," he said. "It is difficult for me to wait in silence. Buck is a strong man and a worthy one. He will come through this. I am sure of it."

"Thank you for waiting," she smiled. "Go do whatever you must." She looked at the others. "Please, don't feel you have to stay with me. As soon as I hear anything I will pass it on."

Several of the others stood up then came over to hug Noelle, leaving reluctantly. She truly didn't mind as most of them hadn't even changed out of their tactical gear and likely needed a shower and some food. Fury, Sam, and Joaquin stayed, along with Yelena, who held hands with Joaquin. Carol returned a short time later with donuts and coffee, then sat down with the others. As the surgery neared the 5-hour mark Bruce and Helen appeared in the waiting area.

"It's done," said Bruce. "Dr. Strange is just removing the time spell and checking to make sure the sutures hold."

A few moments later there was yelling and Dr. West, the anesthesiologist and the nurses came running out. The others stood up, with Noelle wanting to go in immediately, but Fury looked to Sam, who held her in place. Fury then gestured to Carol to go with him, finding Strange on the floor, wrapped securely in his cloak except for his one hand which was keeping Bucky floating in the air. He was immobilized but his face was full of anger as he struggled to free himself from the spell.

"What the hell?" said Fury, looking from Bucky to Strange.

"As soon as I removed the time spell, he awakened but he wasn't Bucky," said the doctor. "He ripped his IV out and was trying to get away. He was speaking in Russian."

Fury looked closely at Bucky who stopped struggling when he noticed the director. It was an eerie sensation for the director to look into the dark eyes of Bucky Barnes but instead of seeing the usual recognition from the man, saw something he hadn't seen since 2014.

"Soldat, speak English," said Fury, in Russian, already dreading what may have happened.

"Fury, Nicholas J., targeted for elimination on March 14, 2014," said the Soldier, in a deep, almost monotone voice. "Target eluded first attempt. Second attempt was thought to be successful, but it was revealed that the target survived." He noticed Carol. "Danvers, Carol Susan Jane, code name Captain Marvel, human-Kree hybrid." The others came in and he identified Joaquin and Yelena in a similar manner, then Noelle pushed her way in, and he stopped speaking for a moment when he saw her, staring at her intensely instead. When he resumed speaking, his manner was more like Bucky's. "Noelle Belanger Barnes, married to James Buchanan Barnes, June 1, 2024. Mother of his daughter, Winnie Sarah Barnes, born March 17, 2025."

"What's happened to him?" asked Noelle, her face clouded by fear. "Why is he talking like that?"

Sam was behind her, drawing the Soldier's notice. "Wilson, Samuel Thomas, code name Captain America, present during elimination attempt on Rogers, Steven and Romanoff, Natasha, targeted under previous code name Falcon during launch of Project Insight ...." His voice trailed off as he looked at Noelle again. This time his voice was anxious. "Where's Winnie?"

"Soldier, what was your mission?" asked Fury. The Soldier still stared at Noelle, so he repeated it in Russian. "Soldat, what was your mission?"

He slowly turned his gaze towards Fury. "Set and detonate charges at site of suspected Cerberus lab, protect Avengers team, return team safely to headquarters," he said, as if he was repeating it by memory.

"Mission report," ordered the director.

"Site destroyed; beam of unknown origin was directed at team members, incapacitating them, requiring immediate evacuation. The Asset lost consciousness until awakening in medical lab. The Asset panicked, assuming recapture by HYDRA. The team, are they safe?"

"Everyone came back in the quinjet," said Sam. "You saved everyone."

"No, there is one casualty," said the Soldier. "He isn't there anymore. The Asset failed the last requirement of the mission."

Noelle came closer to him. "Who is the casualty?" she pleaded. "Please tell me."

He blinked his eyes several times, then licked his lips, displaying anxiety. "Barnes, James Buchanan, Sergeant. Birthdate, March 10, 1917. Previous code name, Winter Soldier. Current code name, White Wolf."

Chapter 4>>

Series Masterlist

Please support the author by commenting or reblogging.

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes fanfiction #buckybarnes original female character #james buchanan barnes fanfiction #winter soldier fanfiction #soft winter soldier #vibranium universe

10 notes · View notes

theconstitutionisgayculture · 3 months ago

Text

That's great, but how does this work when federal contractors and universities with massive federal grant dollars are still following a racialist and, in some cases, racist agenda? Trump's executive order, as it turns out, is much more than an attack on DEI in government; it is a declaration of war against DEI anywhere. Federal contractors must certify they do not adhere to DEI as a condition of holding contracts. (iv) The head of each agency shall include in every contract or grant award: (A) A term requiring the contractual counterparty or grant recipient to agree that its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code; and (B) A term requiring such counterparty or recipient to certify that it does not operate any programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws. Further into the executive order, you find this assignment given to the federal bureaucracy. (b) To further inform and advise me so that my Administration may formulate appropriate and effective civil-rights policy, the Attorney General, within 120 days of this order, in consultation with the heads of relevant agencies and in coordination with the Director of OMB, shall submit a report to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy containing recommendations for enforcing Federal civil-rights laws and taking other appropriate measures to encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI. The report shall contain a proposed strategic enforcement plan identifying:

(i) Key sectors of concern within each agency’s jurisdiction; (ii) The most egregious and discriminatory DEI practitioners in each sector of concern; (iii) A plan of specific steps or measures to deter DEI programs or principles (whether specifically denominated “DEI” or otherwise) that constitute illegal discrimination or preferences. As a part of this plan, each agency shall identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigations of publicly traded corporations, large non-profit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of 500 million dollars or more, State and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars; (iv) Other strategies to encourage the private sector to end illegal DEI discrimination and preferences and comply with all Federal civil-rights laws; (v) Litigation that would be potentially appropriate for Federal lawsuits, intervention, or statements of interest; and (vi) Potential regulatory action and sub-regulatory guidance.

Read that carefully. Trump anticipates targeting DEI for civil rights violations. He also requires "each agency shall identify up to nine potential civil compliance investigations of publicly traded corporations, large non-profit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of 500 million dollars or more, State and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars." When you consider the number of federal agencies, this is nothing less than an all-out effort to eradicate DEI. Couple this with a changed legal environment (Affirmative Action Has a Very Rough, No Good Day at the Supreme Court – RedState), and there is a real possibility that businesses, universities, and non-profits will have to choose between DEI and federal funds.

About damn time.

13 notes · View notes

pardy-dardy · 4 months ago

Text

BtWoD: From the Cockroach's Mouth

just like the last post, this is me looking to expand upon the Samsa, since they kinda got shafted when it comes to the development department before V5 came around. :) they are funny bugs OC below the cut!!

“From the Cockroach’s Mouth,” a report by Electrum Wire, Beat Auspice, House Frugilex.

A couple moons back I found a lead on the Gaian Samsa, courtesy of a wiretapped company phone in Prague. From there, me and my Pack were able to suss out which Samsa was being targeted, where they’d be, and how to interfere. Suffice to say, we took out more than a couple Fomori that day, and earned ourselves some one-on-one time with the Samsa. For the sake of maintaining her privacy, she asked that we didn’t write or record her name, but she DID give us a list of half a dozen contacts we could seek out.

This report aims to fill in some of the holes in our knowledge about the Samsa through the use of primary sources (albeit with the information summarized).

“Where were the Samsa all this time?” Little tip for anyone else being assigned to the Samsa— don’t ask them this fucking question, it makes them think you’re a cop (or worse, an Ananasi). Everyone had the same story here. The Samsa had effectively been spiritually severed from the remainder of their forms, thanks to some shit the Ananasi did back when they were slaughtering the rest of the bugs. They claim that they were around this whole time, and that nobody bothered to notice. There was one who claimed that she’d been able to contact the Anurana in smaller ways before they all “woke up,” and that everyone just wasn’t trying hard enough. We looked into this, and found that there was evidence that Samsa kinfolk have a similar, but incredibly faint spiritual resonance. It’d be damn near impossible to detect unless you were looking for it, ‘cause it gets lost in the spiritual static of the rest of the world easily.

“How did the Samsa all ‘wake up’?” Out of all the roaches we interviewed, only one of them was of a mystic lean. He said that he “doesn’t quite know for sure, but it might’ve had something to do with the moon landing, the turn of the millennium, and the interference from Pentex all at once.” Take it with a grain of salt, folks. They’re still looking into it for themselves, and we might need a couple Packs out there to help’em out.

“Are the Ananasi still hunting you?” We got a solid “no” out of everyone we interviewed here. Seems like the spiders want it to be water under the bridge, actually. Some reported that they’d had visits from them to talk “business,” but none of them wanted to elaborate on what that shit meant. This could also use some more investigation.

“Are you able to connect with other Samsa?” Again, this one got us looks from everyone we interviewed. Establish some closer relations before digging in with this question. Regardless, they all admitted to being highly organized in urban environments. They move the way the spiders do through technology, and one Samsa can keep close with another so long as they’ve got a flip phone or radio. Some of them gave us the impression that it’d always been this way, but others kept asking whether we were cops or not, so we didn’t get much else out of’em.

“What is the ‘Glass Dance’?” Again, this was a question only the mystic of the bunch could give us anything on. All he said was “you play the game your way, we’ll play it ours,” so we have to assume that it’s a term they use for their operations. Reports of the term being used come primarily from younger Samsa anyways, so maybe it’s an example of them being tight-lipped? Needs more insight for sure.

“What is your relationship with Pentex?” Everyone spit on the floor when we mentioned the name, so that’s a good sign. There weren’t any who claimed heritage from the company’s experiments, but that doesn’t rule out the possibility. None of them had anything nice to say, and none of them said anything in particular about their plans to us. I plan on continuing correspondence with a few individuals from this assignment to dig further.

#oc #wod #btwod #cod #werewolf the apocalypse #samsa #corax

7 notes · View notes

lightaflametoburnmethrough · 2 months ago

Text

YunaAki Moments Collection: Chapter 11

✨🤍 HAPPY WHITE DAY 🤍✨

I’m actually glad I didn’t try to squeeze in this post for Kaito’s bday (since I was busy finishing his bday fic) cuz now I have something to post for today!

Started this analysis series on Valentine’s Day with Akiho and following it up on White Day with Kaito. It strangely fits cuz in Japan, mostly women buy chocolates on February 14th while White Day, March 14th, is the reciprocal holiday so men return the favor by buying gifts for the women they received chocolates from.

また縁か？ Hahaha, my good friend is always at work when I am 😂

So! Let’s get started on this chapter cuz it is longer than the previous one to accomodate Kaito’s long legs 🤣

lol, how Kaito makes his first appearance in the manga (and anime) will always be funny to me cuz he looks like he’s emerging out of the shadows from another realm when in reality, he’s been standing behind Akiho the entire time 😂

It’s also like he’s being introduced on stage. There is a focus in the center already but another spotlight turns on to bring your attention to a new presence to the left and gets brighter the more he comes into view.

His introduction really highlights that this is where the plot more or less officially starts.

Because the driving force of the story actually lies with Kaito since he’s the one with the goal. He’s the one who has plan on how to reach his objective and he’s about to engage with the MacGuffin that’s needed in order for his plan to succeed.

But before all those complications begin, he simply greets their guests in that unassuming, unfailingly polite and professional way he’s trained himself to be towards everything.

Most people won’t have the chance to encounter a real butler (again, funny cuz this is only a façade, his real job is something else entirely) so the closest experience to this would probably be interacting with a maître d’ at a high class restaurant.

“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for coming today, I will do my best to make sure you have an enjoyable time.”

He really does try to give off those “I’m just a servant, please don’t mind me” vibes as much as possible and it might’ve worked…

If it weren’t for the fact that he and Akiho have a history together. Which, as shown in this panel, has been established from the get-go by Akiho herself.

“I’ve been troubling Kaito-san ever since I was little…”

“小さいころから” translates to “since I was little”. And seeing how far back that really goes in later chapters and how there have been no changes in personnel since they first met, yea, they have known each other for quite a long time now.

Meaning, Kaito can’t just be any servant. Nobody is called “just a (so-and-so)” when they’ve stuck together for that long.

He is Akiho’s personal attendant and should at least be acknowledged with that sort of significance in respect to the length of time he’s been with her.

But there’s another issue we have to address.

It’s Akiho’s wording.

Here, she uses very negative words to describe herself again.

“ご迷惑” = “to inconvenience”

Just like in chapter 9 where she uses “面倒みて” (“took the trouble to”), Akiho continues to see herself as the “burden” in their relationship.

Even though they both know Kaito’s been assigned with this task of looking after her so she isn’t a burden at all. Taking care of her is his job.

Yet she keeps putting herself down as if “it’d be a lot easier on him if I didn’t exist”.

Does she really believe that? No, of course not. She’s already come a long way (in many senses of the phrase) from the depressing environment she was raised in with Kaito’s help during all those years they’ve lived together.

However, bad habits die hard especially if they stem from horrible trauma.

It means Akiho has not completely overcome the pain her clan had afflicted on her. She’s still carrying those scars and they’re out in plain view. In the form of her own words and displays of lasting psychological effects rather than signs of physical abuse.

Kaito is very aware of this. Of course he is. He’s known Akiho for years and even before they met, he knew what her clan had put her through with their inhumane magical experiment and the insults they hurled at her within earshot.

So he made it his mission to not only save her life but to help her unlearn the mindset she got from their mistreatment.

He can’t undo the damage they caused but he can prove to her that they’re wrong, one step at a time.

And it starts with his words that gently contradicts Akiho’s.

For example, in this panel when he introduces himself, he says:

I take care of Akiho-san’s personal matters.

The key words here are “take care of” (お世話).

“お世話” is just what it means and just how it sounds.

It’s neutral. It’s stating the facts.

He takes care of Akiho. He cooks for her, he cleans the house she leaves in, maybe he even helps her fill out forms for school or whatever. That sort of stuff.

There’s nothing positive or negative about what he does but compared to how Akiho spoke about herself just a minute ago, it already tells us something about his character.

It shows that Kaito’s definitely not the same as the people who have no problem with hurting her because they view her as something less for not having magic.

And Kaito further proves he’s good, further proves he’s on Akiho’s side by what he does next.

He walks closer to her and leans down in order to quietly correct her statement:

You have never once caused me any trouble, Akiho-san.

This. This is the part where I knew I would never turn my eyes or my heart away from these two for anything else.

Because Kaito didn’t have to tell her this now, right in front of their guests.

He could’ve pulled Akiho aside or told this to her later and it would’ve had the same effect. He could’ve said this to her after the girls had left that day because that would keep the line in check between how he acts professionally (in front of strangers) vs how he acts more personally (in front of Akiho).

But no, Kaito decided that he has to tell Akiho immediately. So he does it in a way that blurs the line of professionalism for just a moment without alarming anyone.

He’s respectful first. He welcomes the girls warmly into their home because they’re Akiho’s friends so naturally, he would want them to have fun while visiting today.

Ok, he gave a proper greeting. Done!

Next, he goes to attend to Akiho.

Akiho is all smiles. In fact, she’s too busy being happy about having visitors over to really care or notice that she’s gone and needlessly criticized herself again.

And that’s exactly why Kaito has to correct her right away.

This became a bad habit because no one told her otherwise and will stay a bad habit if no one bothers to change it.

Akiho has always had low self-esteem. She’s gotten so used to being disdained by her kinsmen that she adopted their opinions as the truth to treat herself the same way. Even if she wanted to improve or change, she must’ve been afraid to do so because she was always expecting someone to call her “useless” no matter what she did.

So Kaito tried to pave the path for her and encouraged her to look at herself differently.

Whenever she says "I'm inconveniencing others", he'd reply "no, you're not a nuisance". Whenever she says she's clumsy, too shy or just not capable of doing anything, he'd respond "that's not true at all" and proceed to list all things she is good at, how much she's accomplished and how much more she will go on to achieve.

He's supportive of her and does his best to reinforce her belief in herself. What's more, he does all of this in a manner that isn't forceful but gentle. Because he understands (at least concerning her thoughts about herself) that a person's perspective can only change on their own terms, if they want themselves to.

To do that, they need a environment where they know they won't be judged. They need to feel safe first before coming out of their own shell.

And Kaito tries very hard to provide that for Akiho. He wants her to know that it's alright to be herself, to accept herself as nothing less than the wonderful person that she is and to know that she doesn't have to answer to anyone's expectations except her own. He wants her to leave the painful past that no longer matters behind so that she can finally heal from it. So that she will never talk down about herself ever again.

It's incredibly difficult to do, considering how deep her emotional wounds goes. And even more so while they're keeping within the boundaries that must be observed between them ("master and servant").

But the fact that Kaito has always been tirelessly reassuring Akiho and is still continuing to validate Akiho's worth as her own person whenever he sees the chance to…it really goes to show much he cares about her.

To the point where he would even break that line of professionalism just to put her heart at ease, to keep her from backtracking on all the progress she's made for herself so far.

Yea…this is what made it clear to me from Day 1.

That there was no way Kaito could be bad since he was willing to do whatever he could to protect Akiho from all her worst enemies: the evil magicians who wanted to use her and also, herself.

That was a bit heavy so let’s move back to the brighter side of the road.

By that I mean, Akiho’s adorable blushing face! キャー❣️❣️ 😆 💕

Oh, Kaito has really gone and shot that arrow 💘 straight through the little Queen’s heart without realizing it 😂 I mean, look at them! He’s already moving on to the next step of today’s itinerary while she needs a moment to remember how to breathe, lol

But it’s no surprise why that got her heart all ドキドキ-ing 💓 like mad.

After all, Kaito knows exactly what to say when Akiho needs to hear it the most.

Sure, a compliment about her looks or abilities might generate a similar response. But remember that Akiho doesn’t do well with direct praise. She automatically rejects it because she’s still suffering from low self-esteem so she can’t readily believe anything that good about herself yet.

But when someone (namely the guy she’s in love with) makes her insecurities vanish with just a few words of reassurance?

*snaps fingers* 🫰❣️

Yep! He’s the DA ONE alright. Who else knows what she’s been through and has done that for her? Who else could do that for her? Nobody but him.

Him!

He’s THE ONLY ONE~🎶 ONLY ONE~🎶 🎤😫💕

Moving along, we are now at Act 2 of YunaAki in this chapter.

Look at Akiho! She’s so cute! 😆 💕 This must make her so ecstatic cuz she never had friends over before.

But since it is the first time this has ever happened for her, she’s also got a case of nerves.

See those sweat drops above her head in the panel on the left? Yea, I’m surprised I never noticed them until now. IIRC in the anime, it wasn’t shown either so I guess there’s that distinction between the two mediums. Where the manga makes everything look cuter with more beady-eyed chibis, the anime just lets them look normal.

On the other hand, while the manga art manages to show it well enough despite being limited to only black and white, the anime does have an advantage in lighting because it can use more colors to illustrate the setting. And that’s important to this observation about YunaAki as well. But I’ll talk about it more when I review the anime episodes since it doesn’t really fit in well with this post.

Anyways, back to Akiho. She’s happy that her guests find her home pleasant (yay! they like it here! 😄) but is still a little nervous cuz ahhh, how do you respond to that?? What do you say in a situation like this? She’s not sure cuz once again, she's never had friends her age to hang out with before.

Fortunately, Kaito comes in with the tea cart, ready to serve refreshments and saving her from needing to say anything.

“Relief” isn’t the right word to use in the panel on the right but it seems his presence does help clear away the sweats above Akiho’s head.

So I like to believe that having him near helps calm her down. Or at the very least, it helps distract her from what makes her restless.

And I’d say Kaito does a very good job of distracting not just Akiho but anyone with an appreciation for skill.

Cuz look at how meticulously he prepares their tea! Warming the cups beforehand and timing the brew. He is an expert at it! 😊✨

He does everything with such care and precision even though he doesn’t have to. The job that was assigned to him by the magicians was to monitor the artifact, not entertain Akiho (and her friends).

But he does it anyway. Instead of just bringing in the tea and letting the girls handle the drinks by themselves, he goes the full yard to pour it for them hot and fresh from the pot. He serves them a proper afternoon tea, he shows them proper hospitality.

He even went as far as preparing cake to pair with the tea! 😃✨

And really, for something that looks as aesthetically pleasing as it is amazing to taste…

(bruh, even the resident ojousama was surprised that this didn’t come from a bakery)

You know Kaito must have spent a lot of time in the kitchen perfecting every aspect of it. Not just this cake but all those bento boxes he made and all the cooking he did for Akiho as well.

He wasn’t required to but he found a reason to. He did it so that it would make Akiho smile. He did it so it would please her friends which would then make Akiho smile.

Aww~ 🥹❤️

Then in this panel, their reactions to Sakura’s embarrassment are pretty much identical.

In the anime, only Kaito’s expression was shown but he didn’t look nearly as confused as he does here alongside Akiho.

Going by their expressions, it’s almost like they’re thinking the same thing:

“Eh? What was that?”

“Is she okay?”

“Are these the sounds they make in Japan?”

Yea? 😅

Maybe this wasn’t intentional but there is some truth to it that people’s mannerisms and behaviors rub off on each other the longer they’ve been in each other’s company.

So this would be another indication of the length of time Akiho and Kaito have been together as well. They have similar sights because they’ve already shared a lot of experiences while traveling together.

Moving along, when Kaito clarifies that he was the one who made the cake, Akiho starts nodding so proudly at him while her face is sporting a full-on blush.

Like she wants to say “Yep, that’s my Kaito-san, alright! He’s so cool and amazing, isn’t he? Mhm mhm mhm!” nodnodnodnodnod 🙂‍↕️😄💖

It’s so precious how she wants to show him off 🤭 but it leads into something a little sad about the next few panels.

As I mentioned before in the chapter 9 post, when it comes to other people, Akiho is so quick to applaud them for their talents and virtues. Meanwhile, she acts like she’s highly allergic if anyone tries to point out her good qualities.

She is very similar to Kaito in that regard, who is afraid to accept love because he doesn’t believe he deserves it.

Except he deflects differently than Akiho does. Akiho would shake her head and loudly refuse compliments with her whole body. On the other hand, Kaito’s more calm about it. Maneuvering his way around the gratitude and awe he receives before downplaying himself and hiding behind his duties.

Like here, when Akiho explains with so much happiness in her expression that Kaito always makes her sweets, cooks for her and prepares her bento boxes by his own hand. This impresses the girls because yes, who wouldn’t think it was awesome that Akiho is so well taken care of?

But he replies with a modest “いいえ” (“not at all”) and says this damn line…

It is my job, after all.

This line. This line is probably one of the many banes of my existence.

Not just because of how infuriating it sounds but, after years of watching and rereading this scene over and over, I realize there are actually layers to what Kaito meant when he said these words.

On a first impression, our reaction to this line would be like Akiho’s.

Disappointment.

Because her feelings for Kaito are so obvious and she so openly appreciates all the kindness he’s shown her only for him to answer back with “I’m just doing my job”.

Making us think there’s no deeper reason for it, that this is what he’s being paid to do, that he doesn’t have any special feelings for her.

Except that couldn’t be more wrong. Oh so very, very, very wrong.

Now that the story has concluded and we know the entire truth about why Kaito did what he did, the word “job” takes on a whole other meaning.

And in order to understand what that meaning is, you have to put yourself in Kaito’s shoes.

When you hear “job”, you think of his occupation, his employment.

But when he says “my job”, it’s his shield and his motive.

He uses his job as Akiho’s attendant to block out questions about himself. To keep anyone from digging further into him because what lies behind that perfect customer service smile is his guilt.

The guilt of saying the wrong thing (“like a blank book”) and unwittingly gave the idea to those magicians to implant the artifact in Akiho. The horror of realizing that an innocent little girl was going to lose her soul, her life, because she had no powers so those monsters determined she could only exist as a container for their greed.

Kaito couldn’t allow that happen so he took responsibility to get Akiho out of there. Away from them as far as possible. Not just across countries to a place where those magicians can’t reach her but to be rid of the influence they had over her as well.

That’s why he’s always, always, always telling her not to think so lowly of herself. Why he’s doing all these “extra” things to keep Akiho’s spirits up and make her smile. And saying my job this, my job so that she would never learn the truth that could potentially destroy her and let the artifact take over.

What everybody thought he meant by “my job” was “just taking care of things for Akiho”.

What Akiho’s clan and the Association thought he was going to do as his job was “make sure the artifact comes to completion for us”.

But what Kaito sees as his job, his most important task above everything else, is to make sure Akiho gets the quality of life she couldn’t get in that toxic world she was born into.

“It is my job (my responsibility to treat her well. To let her know that she should be treated well. To protect her and make sure she’s freed from her abusers once and for all. To ensure she will be safe from harm and live a long life and grow up healthy and normal. I want Akiho-san to receive all the happiness she deserves and I will do everything within my power, give everything I have, so that nothing stands in the way of that. Otherwise…how else am I going to make it up to her for all the suffering that I caused?”

…but you didn’t, Kaito.

He wasn't the one who did all those terrible things to her and yet he still gave so much so Akiho could truly have a life to live...

<— Previous: Chapter 9

Next: Chapter 13 —>

#f*ck I'm crying again #sorry for ending the post like this #i don’t think there will ever be a time when I’m not emotional over them #but i’m glad i’m looking back on it now and writing this all out #i think it does something for me too #shinomoto akiho #yuna d. kaito #yunaaki #akiyuna #yunaaki moments collection {manga}#🕰️🌾#🌾🕰️

2 notes · View notes

riinzler · 1 year ago

Note

Rinzler headcanons? (Leaving this open to gush about anything you want.)

i’m gonna use this opportunity to talk abt rinzler’s dynamic with the black guards/other occupation personnel and how security programs differ from other program types 👍

despite primarily being isolated simply by the nature of his job and his general reputation, rinzler does semi regularly interact with other programs working under clu (much to his annoyance and their fear lmao). being clu’s right hand gives rinzler a considerable task list beyond being just clu’s bodyguard, being in the games, and hunting down clu’s enemies. he still does security work while also helping strategize troop movements when asked and generally making things run as smoothly as they can for any upcoming plans.

i say all that to mean that he isn’t exclusively a one man show all the time as much as he’d like to be. things between him and the programs in the occupation are very strained to put it nicely but there’s an understanding there that if he needs you to do something he will tell you, and he doesn’t work with programs who aren’t higher ranking within their sector. if you aren’t the boss he has no business with you. the blackguards are a little different because dyson is the head of them and is usually stationed in argon, so the ones we see in legacy, (ESPECIALLY around clu) are guards hand picked by rinzler to be clu’s security team. they aren’t always around as rinzler is clu’s only full time guard and the only one allowed with him into certain areas tho

the fact that rinzler picks guards for specific assignments has lead to certain blackguards trying to directly interact with rinzler to try to get into his good graces which he…..doesn’t appreciate. he is IMMUNE to flattery 🖐 it was more of an issue when rinzler was told he had to select a team of guards to go with him on certain security jobs because a bunch of programs wanted a spot but there was never any real chance for them tbh b/c by the time clu put his foot down on rinzler putting together team he already had programs in mind.

rinz ended up picking reeve nord and klax (trons team from uprising) as they were actually the only security programs in the candidates lists and already had skill sets he was looking for. he trained em extensively and now brings them with him when he needs (is required) to bring backup

the thing is abt security programs, esp for more specialized ones like rinzler and dyson, is that the way they connect to the system and the ppl around them is intrinsically different then other types of programs. rinzler is particular is noteworthy for having a very different connection to the grid, both because he was made by alan and because he’s from the encom system. it’s not that they are more connected to the grid and more that they are connected to an aspect of it that other programs aren’t, hince how they are able to scan for footsteps and preform deeper scans of both programs and environments at all. (i do think non security programs can scan each other, but it’s very very surface level in comparison) security programs can also track programs by code signature, but it’s a difficult process that also involves the security program already being familiar with who their trying to track

to a degree it also effects their senses, as shown by dyson being able to sus beck out in that one ep. i imagine both dyson and rinzler have very very good hearing, something that’s both a blessing and a curse. for rinzler it’s main drawback is that he’s already a very light sleeper and being able to hear things that well when your trying to get some sleep means he’s constantly being woken up, which isn’t help by the other security protocols he has.

rinzler has security protocols that are unique to him (at least in some capacity) courtesy of his repurposing, flynn, and once again just by the nature of him being from a dif system. the main one and the one that other security programs also have to an extent is that he’s never truly fully offline, some part of his system is always running in the background and scanning for proximity alerts so he can’t be snuck up on when he’s asleep. rinzler’s system is just a bit more hyperactive about it by the nature of him Being The Way He Is.

similarly to that if rinzler gets injured while out and about the same section of his system that preforms those scans is able to ‘take over’ and lead him back to clu via clu’s code signature for repair. if clu can’t be found for whatever reason it’ll default to the next program in his internal hierarchy. it’s like sleepwalking more or less, with him going straight towards his destination and only pausing if someone comes close enough for him to need to defend himself. memories between him being injured to being reactivated are fuzzy at best, with rinzler not really being able to recall things because he wasn’t really online/aware during the trip. just as an example yk that scene in legacy where qurroa loses her arm and goes offline?? for rinzler it wouldn’t have been taken him out completely, as an aspect of his self preservation protocols he has regeneration (to a degree) that would’ve kept the wound from getting worse until he found clu/someone to repair him

#asks #hcs #klax #reeve #nord #dyson #tronblr #tldr rinz doesn’t deal w small fry and hand picked his security team #bullshiting my way through this as someone w no programming knowledge #i need to make a post explaining what i mean when i refer to a programs system #but its basically their subconscious mind/lower functions #and in rinzler’s case it’s able to ‘take over’ if his higher functions aren’t active ie if he’s offline for whatever reason #it is still them though and is an integral part of programs it’s not like possession or anything #idk if that makes sense #wrote most of this before i went to bed

9 notes · View notes

jopriyu · 7 months ago

Text

"Building the Future: How 15-Minute Cities Can Transform India’s Urban Landscape"

India is fast emerging as a new land of opportunity, with many suggesting that the 21st century will witness a shift in the global order, placing India at the forefront. The government’s focus on infrastructure is a testament to this, as seen in the capital investment outlay of ₹11,11,111 crore in the 2024-25 budget—an impressive 11.1% increase from the previous year, making up 3.4% of the GDP. This substantial boost reflects the nation’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient future.

However, it’s hard to ignore the strain on our cities, which feel like they are bursting at the seams, inching closer to an infrastructural tipping point. Many of these cities, built during colonial times, lack the fundamental urban planning or modern mapping needed for today’s demands. While there is no magical solution to these deeply rooted issues, and India—being a land of unique needs and adaptations—will never find a one-size-fits-all answer, it is a country that embraces innovation and customizes it to its own needs. But I digress.

The purpose of this piece is not to assign blame but to highlight potential solutions. One solution that shines through is the concept of 15-minute cities. A 15-minute city is designed so that all essential services—schools, healthcare, parks, financial institutions—are no more than a 15-minute commute by road.

Imagine a world where your daily commute takes no longer than 15 minutes. It’s a vision that not only promises work-life balance but also offers a much-needed environmental reprieve, with reduced fuel consumption and fewer emissions. The benefits of such a model are numerous:

Reduced Traffic Congestion: With less reliance on cars, traffic eases, resulting in shorter commute times, improved well-being, and a healthier work-life balance.

Cleaner Environment: Fewer cars on the road mean lower air pollution, contributing significantly to combating climate change.

Health and Social Bonds: Walking and cycling are encouraged, boosting physical health and strengthening social ties within the community.

Thriving Local Businesses: As people stay closer to home, local businesses flourish with increased foot traffic, creating a vibrant neighborhood atmosphere. Economic activity spreads evenly across the city, breathing new life into shops and services beyond central hubs.

Easier Access to Services: Essential services like schools, healthcare, and groceries become easily accessible, fostering inclusivity and easing the strain on public transportation.

Fostering Inclusion: This model ensures that no matter where someone lives, they have access to the same opportunities, creating a more inclusive and equitable city.

Resilience in Crises: A decentralized structure, with services spread throughout, helps cities adapt more effectively to challenges like pandemics or natural disasters.

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) plays a pivotal role in bringing the 15-minute city concept to life. By mapping out urban areas and analyzing spatial data, GIS helps planners identify where essential services are lacking and where improvements can be made. It enables efficient zoning, optimal placement of resources, and real-time monitoring of traffic patterns or environmental impacts. In a country like India, where cities are complex and densely populated, GIS offers a smart, data-driven approach to designing walkable neighborhoods, ensuring that every community has access to the amenities they need.

Admittedly, there are challenges. Implementing this in densely populated areas can be complex, potentially leading to gentrification and rising property values, which could displace lower-income residents. Additionally, some might resist the shift from car-dependent lifestyles. There is also the concern of limited job diversity within such a localized area. Yet, with the rise of remote work, job opportunities are increasingly flexible and accessible, allowing this issue to be overcome.

In India, where close-knit families and social networks often span across neighborhoods, this connectivity remains intact even as local living is prioritized. By creating more livable, walkable spaces, the 15-minute city model champions sustainability and inclusivity while addressing the ever-evolving demands of urban life.

In conclusion, while no solution is without its challenges, the 15-minute city offers a pathway toward more balanced, resilient, and harmonious urban living. As India continues to rise, this model could be a blueprint for a future where well-being, community, and sustainability take center stage in our cities.

#15 minutes #15 minutes cities

6 notes · View notes

teamob11 · 4 months ago

Text

The Role of Workforce Productivity Insights in Shaping Future Workplaces

In the rapidly evolving business landscape, workforce productivity insight organizations face mounting pressure to boost workforce productivity while adapting to new technological advances, changing employee expectations, and shifting market demands. As companies strive to improve efficiency, the role of workforce productivity insights becomes crucial. By leveraging data-driven insights into employee performance, organizations can create smarter work environments, enhance employee satisfaction, and drive long-term success.

In this article, we will explore how workforce productivity insights are shaping future workplaces, the importance of these insights, and how workforce productivity software is playing a vital role in optimizing workforce performance.

Understanding Workforce Productivity Insights

Workforce productivity insights involve analyzing data about employee performance, time management, task completion, and engagement to uncover patterns that drive or hinder productivity. These insights offer managers and leaders a deep understanding of how effectively their teams are operating, providing them with the necessary tools to make informed decisions, allocate resources efficiently, and improve overall performance.

With the rise of data analytics and digital tools, organizations can now capture real-time data on employee activities, interactions, and work output. This information not only highlights areas of improvement but also identifies opportunities for enhancing the productivity of individual employees, teams, and the organization as a whole.

The Importance of Workforce Productivity Insights in the Modern Workplace

The future of work is heavily influenced by technology, and organizations are increasingly relying on data to drive their decisions. By harnessing workforce productivity insights, businesses can align their workforce strategies with broader organizational goals, ensuring that all efforts contribute to sustainable success. Here’s why workforce productivity insights are essential:

1. Enhanced Decision-Making

Workforce productivity insights enable managers to make data-driven decisions rather than relying on assumptions or outdated methods. By having access to accurate, real-time information, managers can identify which teams or employees are performing well and which may need additional support. This insight allows them to make more targeted decisions regarding resource allocation, task assignments, and training initiatives.

Moreover, these insights help identify trends or patterns that could indicate potential issues, such as employee disengagement or excessive workloads, allowing leaders to take corrective actions before problems escalate.

2. Improved Employee Engagement and Satisfaction

Employee engagement is one of the most significant drivers of workforce productivity. Workforce productivity insights help organizations understand what motivates employees, what challenges they face, and how their work environment impacts their performance. By analyzing this data, companies can tailor strategies that improve job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and increase engagement.

For example, if insights reveal that employees perform better when given autonomy or flexible work schedules, organizations can introduce policies that cater to these preferences. A more engaged workforce leads to higher productivity and improved overall results.

3. Increased Efficiency and Reduced Wastage

Workforce productivity insights offer organizations a clear view of how time is spent, which can be invaluable for identifying inefficiencies and minimizing wasted resources. When managers and teams have access to these insights, they can pinpoint tasks that take longer than necessary or processes that need improvement.

By optimizing workflows, eliminating redundant tasks, and automating repetitive processes, organizations can increase efficiency and improve overall productivity. This also allows employees to focus on high-value activities, leading to better performance and innovation.

The Role of Workforce Productivity Software

Workforce productivity software plays an integral role in capturing, analyzing, and utilizing productivity insights. These software solutions help organizations track performance metrics, monitor employee progress, and automate workflows. By implementing workforce productivity software, organizations can turn raw data into actionable insights that inform decision-making and drive performance.

Here are some ways workforce productivity software is contributing to shaping future workplaces:

1. Real-Time Performance Tracking

Workforce productivity software enables managers to track employee performance in real time. This means that managers can monitor how employees are spending their time and whether they are meeting set goals. These tools can measure key performance indicators (KPIs), project completion rates, and time management efficiency, allowing managers to intervene early when issues arise.

Real-time tracking also allows managers to provide instant feedback, ensuring that employees stay on track and maintain high levels of productivity. This feedback loop promotes continuous improvement and fosters a culture of accountability within teams.

2. Streamlined Collaboration and Communication

Workforce productivity software often includes communication and collaboration features that enhance teamwork, even in remote or hybrid work environments. Tools such as shared calendars, instant messaging, video conferencing, and document collaboration platforms enable teams to stay connected and aligned.

These tools not only streamline communication but also help eliminate misunderstandings, miscommunications, and delays that can hamper productivity. Effective collaboration is essential for achieving organizational goals, and workforce productivity software ensures that teams can work together seamlessly, regardless of location.

3. Automation of Repetitive Tasks

One of the primary benefits of workforce productivity software is its ability to automate routine and repetitive tasks. Whether it's scheduling meetings, sending reminders, or generating reports, automation frees up time for employees to focus on more strategic, value-adding work.

By automating administrative tasks, organizations can reduce human error, improve efficiency, and ensure that employees spend their time on activities that directly contribute to business growth. As a result, productivity increases, and employees are less likely to experience burnout from mundane, repetitive tasks.

4. Customizable Reporting and Analytics

Workforce productivity software typically includes robust reporting and analytics features, allowing managers to generate customizable reports on various aspects of employee performance. These reports provide insights into work trends, employee productivity patterns, and potential areas for improvement.

By using data to generate actionable insights, managers can develop more targeted strategies that address specific productivity challenges. Additionally, these reports help identify high-performing employees, enabling organizations to recognize and reward talent, which boosts morale and further drives productivity.

The Future of Workforce Productivity Insights

As technology continues to evolve, workforce productivity insights will play an even more critical role in shaping the workplace of the future. The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in workforce productivity software will provide even more granular insights into employee behavior, performance, and work habits. These technologies will enable organizations to predict performance trends, optimize team dynamics, and create personalized work experiences that maximize individual potential.

Moreover, as organizations embrace remote and hybrid work models, workforce productivity insights will be crucial for maintaining engagement, ensuring performance standards are met, and fostering collaboration. The future workplace will be highly data-driven, with insights enabling organizations to be more agile, adaptable, and responsive to changing conditions.

Conclusion

Workforce productivity insights are not just a luxury for modern organizations – they are a necessity. workforce productivity software As businesses navigate the complexities of the digital era, understanding how to measure, track, and improve workforce performance is critical to staying competitive. Workforce productivity software is an essential tool in this process, providing managers with the data they need to make informed decisions and optimize employee performance.

By leveraging these insights and tools, organizations can create a future workplace that fosters innovation, collaboration, and efficiency – a workplace where employees can thrive, and productivity soars.

#software #workforce

2 notes · View notes

busstalks · 8 months ago

Text

Best Business Software Tools in 2024

The right software tools can help increase productivity, draft operations more efficiently and promote company growth in today's high-paced business environment. Whether you are a start-up or an existing enterprise the following business software is necessary to improve different areas of your business.

1. Project Management: ClickUp

It is a feature-laden project manager that lets you handle tasks, projects, and workflows of all types. Its ease of use and user-friendly interface, complimented with diverse dashboards cater to audiences between small teams and large organizations. Task assignments, time tracking, goal setting, and collaboration options allow you to stop hopping between spreadsheets and emails so your projects are complete efficiently.

2. CRM–– Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM — Your Intelligent Customer Relationships Management System. Among other features, it has lead management, sales automation, and analytics to make sales performance improve on a consistent streamline both administrative aspect as well as customer satisfaction. Due to its integration capabilities with other Zoho products, as well as most third-party applications, It has become a flexible option for businesses that are ready to supercharge their customer relationship management.

3. Accounting: Zoho Books

Zoho Books- The Best Accounting Software for Business Owners Invoicing, expense tracking and financial reporting are some of its features. You can also rest assured that your taxes are being handled correctly and always have the latest view of your financial health to help you manage your finances better.

4. HR Management: monday. com HR

It is a complete human resources management software that helps companies to better structure their workforce. This system provides with facilities like employee on boarding, performance tracking, payroll management etc. With the platform's ease of use, UI simplicity, and automation capabilities in HR processes that would otherwise take hours away from key HR initiatives.

5. Payroll: OnPay

OnPay is an excellent payroll software for businesses of all sizes. It is a cloud payroll software for businesses that ensures complete compliance and automation of top-class payroll calculations, tax filings & employee payments. Additionally, OnPay provides HR and benefits management tools, effectively providing a full-fledged employee pay management solution.

6. Point-of-Sale (POS): eHopper

Versatile Point of Sale Software for Businesses Up To Mid-Sized It offers services like Inventory management, sales tracking and customer management. This makes eHopper a perfect choice for businesses that intend to simplify their sales operations using an affordable and intuitive POS system.

7. Inventory Management: Cin7

While there are plenty of other inventory management systems available, Cin7 stands out as one of the most popular options for small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) looking to get their stock levels, orders and supply chain operations under control. These functionalities consist of real-time inventory monitoring, order processing and e-commerce platform integration. With the powerful feature set of Cin7, businesses can keep inventory at an optimal level and fulfill customer demands to the hilt.

8. Website Builder: Weebly

Weebly is the website builder that you can also use to build your site or blog. It has lots of customizable templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and e-commerce ready to go. With Weebly, you can create a professional website even if you are a tech noob and give your business the relevant online visibility it needs.

9. Recruiting: ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter: Popular rated job search app for businesses on board. They provide hiring solutions through features like job posting candidates filtering and tracking the application. AI-powered matching from ZipRecruiter surfaces more relevant candidates to businesses faster.

10. VPN: NordVPN

It is a secure, encrypted VPN application that will make sure that you and your business stay safe as you work with the web. It provides features of encrypted connections, threat protection and global server access as well. In this way, It guarantees secure data in companies and privacy on internet.

Conclusion

The business software tools a company uses are very important to increase productivity and power growth. The above-mentioned tools are some of the best & flexible according to the fact which can assist businesses for any sized groups and help them attain their desired objectives. Implementing these tools in your operations can also help speed up processes and lead to higher customer satisfaction, as well as allow you to be on top of the competition.

#business #business growth #innovation #startup #entrepreneur #100 days of productivity #project management #sales #payroll #hr management #hr software #hr services #ai #artificial intelligence #technology #tech #techinnovation

3 notes · View notes

thetechempire · 6 months ago

Text

Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris: What It Means For IT Companies in India

When it comes to U.S. politics, Indian IT companies pay close attention, especially in races with heavyweights like former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Each candidate’s policies can have ripple effects, impacting everything from visa policies to foreign direct investment and trade partnerships. For India’s booming IT sector, this rivalry could shape the future in major ways, particularly around outsourcing, talent mobility, and international tech collaborations. Here’s what each candidate brings to the table and what it could mean for the Indian IT industry.

Donald Trump’s Policies and Their Potential Impact

Trump’s “America First” agenda in his previous term brought significant shifts to immigration and outsourcing policies. His administration’s stance leaned toward prioritizing American jobs and reducing dependency on foreign workers, which affected the H-1B visa system, a crucial pathway for many skilled Indian IT professionals to work in the United States.

Key Areas to Watch if Trump Returns to Power

H-1B Visa Reform: Under Trump, the H-1B visa process became more stringent, with increased scrutiny on applications and tightened eligibility criteria. The approach aimed to reduce the number of visas granted, thus limiting the talent flow from India to the U.S. If Trump were to return, he might push for more reforms that could make it harder for Indian IT companies to place skilled workers in the U.S. for long-term assignments.

Outsourcing Policies: Trump’s stance on outsourcing often pointed toward creating incentives for American companies to move jobs back to the U.S. Although a complete shutdown of outsourcing is unlikely, a renewed Trump presidency might include policies that create hurdles or add costs to IT companies operating in India to reduce offshoring.

Taxation and Trade Barriers: Trump previously aimed to negotiate trade deals that reduced the U.S. trade deficit. Indian IT firms could face higher tariffs or restrictions if they want to establish more U.S. partnerships or expand operations on American soil.

Potential Upside: Some experts argue that Trump’s pro-business mindset and regulatory reforms, such as tax cuts, could indirectly benefit Indian IT companies if they lead to economic growth. With more American firms thriving, there may still be demand for Indian IT services, albeit in a more restrictive environment.

Kamala Harris’s Approach and Potential Influence

As the daughter of Indian immigrants, Kamala Harris’s connection to India is often highlighted. Her political stance, generally aligned with Democratic ideals, has favored immigrant rights, inclusivity, and technological advancement. Harris’s policies could potentially be more favorable for Indian IT companies, especially regarding immigration and tech collaborations.

Key Areas to Watch if Harris Gains More Influence

Visa and Immigration Reform: Harris has shown consistent support for immigration reform that would protect skilled foreign workers, including those from India. Her stance could bring improvements to the H-1B program, possibly increasing quotas or reducing the administrative burden on Indian IT professionals. This would be a welcome shift, making it easier for Indian firms to deploy talent in the U.S.

Tech Collaborations and Bilateral Ties: Given Harris’s strong ties to India, she could prioritize policies that foster U.S.-India tech partnerships. This could mean better collaboration on AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing initiatives, offering Indian IT companies more opportunities to work alongside American firms on high-stakes projects.

Outsourcing Flexibility: Unlike Trump, Harris is less likely to advocate for aggressive curbs on outsourcing. While some regulations may still push companies to consider American workers first, it’s likely that Harris’s approach would be more balanced and encourage mutual growth, allowing Indian IT firms to continue serving U.S. clients without significant restrictions.

STEM Education and Training Initiatives: Harris may also introduce policies aimed at training and upskilling the American workforce. However, this approach could complement the Indian IT industry rather than limit it, as it could create avenues for partnerships in training programs or tech-driven education solutions.

Potential Upside: A Harris-led approach may result in more collaborative policies, boosting IT companies’ confidence in expanding U.S. operations. By maintaining a balanced approach to immigration and tech regulations, she could make it easier for Indian firms to both work in the U.S. and bring American investments back to India.

What This Means for Indian IT Companies

Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro rely heavily on their U.S. clientele, and visa restrictions can significantly impact how they operate. Here’s a summary of what IT firms should expect:

Talent Mobility: A Trump-led administration might restrict it, while Harris would likely enhance it.

Outsourcing Stability: Trump could discourage offshoring, whereas Harris might adopt a more relaxed stance.

Trade Relations: Trump’s trade policies could become more protectionist, while Harris might lean toward fostering partnerships.

Adaptations and Strategic Moves for Indian IT Firms

Regardless of who wins, Indian IT companies should prepare by adopting a flexible approach:

Diversifying Talent Locations: With potential visa issues on the horizon, companies can consider moving talent to other locations, such as Canada or even remote setups within India, to serve U.S. clients.

Increasing Local Hiring in the U.S.: To align with possible hiring preferences, Indian firms may continue to hire more U.S.-based talent and offer training to local employees.

Emphasizing Partnerships and Joint Ventures: Both political paths present opportunities for tech collaborations. Indian firms could look for joint ventures with U.S. companies, fostering a partnership approach that aligns with potential regulations.

Final Thoughts

The outcome of a Trump vs. Harris contest would have unique implications for the Indian IT industry. Trump’s focus on reducing dependency on foreign talent and protecting U.S. jobs could mean tighter visa regulations and fewer opportunities for Indian workers in the U.S. Harris, on the other hand, could be a gateway to a more balanced, globally-minded U.S. policy that emphasizes collaboration and growth.

Regardless of the outcome, Indian IT firms have shown resilience and adaptability, adjusting to regulatory changes while remaining global leaders in IT services.

#technology #tech news #tech world #donald trump #kamala harris #usa news #us politics #election 2024 #us elections

6 notes · View notes