#Efficient Property Value

[reitmonero]

How to Improve Your Home’s Value Before Applying for a Home Equity Loan

If you're considering applying for a home equity loan, boosting your home's value beforehand can help you secure better terms and get more out of your loan. Here's a practical guide to enhancing your home's value before you apply.

1. Boost Curb Appeal

Why It Matters: First impressions count. The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers and appraisers see, so making it look inviting can significantly impact its value.

How to Do It:

Landscaping: Trim bushes, mow the lawn, and plant flowers or shrubs. Even small improvements like weeding can make a difference.

Exterior Paint: Repainting your home’s exterior can freshen up its look. Choose neutral, appealing colors.

Front Door: A new, stylish front door can enhance the overall appearance of your home.

2. Upgrade Key Areas

Why It Matters: Certain areas of your home, such as the kitchen and bathroom, have a high return on investment when updated.

How to Do It:

Kitchen: Consider updating appliances, adding a fresh backsplash, or refinishing cabinets. Modern, energy-efficient appliances and stylish fixtures can make a big impact.

Bathroom: Simple updates like new fixtures, fresh tile, or a modern vanity can enhance the space.

3. Enhance Interior Features

Why It Matters: Modern and well-maintained interiors appeal to buyers and appraisers alike.

How to Do It:

Paint: A fresh coat of paint in neutral colors can make rooms feel clean and updated.

Flooring: Repair or replace worn-out carpets or outdated flooring. Hardwood or quality laminate flooring can be a good investment.

Lighting: Upgrading lighting fixtures to modern designs can brighten up spaces and make them feel more inviting.

4. Improve Energy Efficiency

Why It Matters: Energy-efficient homes are appealing due to the long-term cost savings they offer.

How to Do It:

Insulation: Ensure your home is well-insulated to improve energy efficiency.

Windows: Consider replacing old windows with energy-efficient models.

HVAC Systems: Upgrading to a newer, more efficient heating and cooling system can be a significant value booster.

5. Address Major Repairs

Why It Matters: Fixing major issues can prevent them from being deal-breakers during the loan approval process.

How to Do It:

Roof and Foundation: Ensure there are no leaks or cracks. Address any structural issues promptly.

Plumbing and Electrical: Repair any issues with plumbing or electrical systems. These are critical components that need to be in good working order.

6. Increase Square Footage

Why It Matters: More space generally increases a home’s value.

How to Do It:

Finish a Basement or Attic: Converting unused spaces into livable areas can significantly boost value.

Add a Room: If feasible, adding an extra room can enhance your home’s appeal.

7. Professional Appraisal

Why It Matters: Understanding your home’s current value can guide you in making improvements that will offer the best return on investment.

How to Do It:

Hire an Appraiser: Before making major improvements, consider getting a professional appraisal to understand which areas of your home would benefit most from upgrades.

Final Tips

Keep Receipts: Document all improvements and keep receipts, as they may help in demonstrating the value added.

Stay Within Budget: Prioritize changes that offer the best return on investment without overspending.

[eco-mixmaterialsincorporated]

This is where the concept of green building comes into play, offering a path towards more environmentally friendly and resource-efficient practices throughout a building’s lifecycle, from cement transport in Illinois to finishing touches. But there are some myths we have to dispel surrounding the concept of a green building.

[tapronlimited]

5 Undeniable Reasons Why A Wetroom Is An Excellent Bathroom Idea

The Tapron blog post "5 Undeniable Reasons Why A Wetroom Is An Excellent Bathroom Idea" advocates for the installation of wetrooms, highlighting their benefits such as exceptional accessibility, long-term value, efficient use of space, ease of cleaning, and design versatility. Wetrooms offer a practical solution for any bathroom, especially in smaller spaces, by improving functionality and aesthetic appeal. They are designed to be completely waterproof, making the space more versatile and reducing maintenance. For more insights on the advantages of converting to a wetroom, read the full article here.

[hsmagazine254]

Bright Ideas: Harnessing LED Lights in Construction

Illuminating Your Space, Saving Your Wallet Discover the innovative use of LED lights in construction, not only to illuminate spaces but also to significantly reduce monthly running costs, making your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Benefits of LED Lights in Construction 1. Energy Efficiency LED lights consume significantly less energy than traditional lighting options,…

[homeimprovementrefferal]

Embracing The Resurgence Of Metal Roofing

Embracing The Resurgence Of Metal Roofing - #homeimprovementreferral #Construction, #PopularPosts, #Roofing, #Tips - https://www.homeimprovementreferral.com/embracing-the-resurgence-of-metal-roofing-2023-07/

[ms-demeanor]

wait, are the health claims from bone broth bogus? (genuine/good faith question). i’ve always heard that it’s high in collagen, which supposedly is good for you and better if you get it ‘naturally’ like from bone broth. is that another thing that’s not actually true, or wildly exaggerated?

Bone broth has been eaten for centuries in various cultures because it is easy to digest and believed to have healing properties. Chicken broth is highly valued by some as a remedy for the flu. In more recent years it has been promoted to help symptoms from psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity. [7] Claims that it detoxifies the liver, improves digestion, reverses wrinkles, builds bones, and relieves join pain have led some marketing analysts to predict that the bone broth market will approach $3 billion by 2024. [8] In reality, bone broth contains only small amounts of minerals naturally found in bone including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, and copper. The amount of protein, obtained from the gelatin, varies from 5-10 grams per cup. There is some concern that bone broth contains toxic metals like lead. One small study found that bone broth made from chicken bones contained three times the lead as chicken broth made with the meat only. [7] However the amount of lead in the bone broth per serving was still less than half the amount permitted by the Environmental Protection Agency in drinking water. A different study found that bone broth, both homemade and commercially produced, contained low levels (<5% RDA) of calcium and magnesium as well as heavy metals like lead and cadmium. [9] The study noted that various factors can affect the amount of protein and minerals extracted in bone broth: the amount of acidity, cooking time, cooking temperature, and type of animal bone used. Therefore it is likely that the nutritional value of bone broths will vary widely.

(Source: https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/collagen/)

Your body makes collagen; eating collagen will put the things that make collagen into your body to make collagen with, but so will eating things that go into making collagen (amino acids, basically).

There's not good evidence that eating a ton of collagen or supplementing collagen improves your body's collagen production, and studies on collagen supplementation tend to be done by companies that make collagen supplements or produce expensive bone broth.

Basically if you're eating the 9 essential amino acids by consuming complete proteins (which can be done on any kind of diet, vegan or vegetarian or including meat - this is NOT one of those things your body relies on animal products to produce) your body is going to make collagen and it's going to have the amino acids handy to make collagen; consuming more collagen may mean that your body has more of those collagen-forming amino acids on hand, but it doesn't mean that your body is going to be any more efficient at producing collagen (and your body is going to become less efficient at producing collagen as you age).

But yeah bone broth health claims are primarily bogus. If you want more collagen in your diet for whatever reason, it's probably about as effective to eat jello as it is to eat bone broth but also more collagen in your diet likely isn't doing anything special.

[the-learning-hub]

Boosting Your Property Value: Tips and Tricks for Making Your Home More Attractive to Buyers

Boosting Your Property Value: Tips and Tricks for Making Your Home More Attractive to Buyers

Increasing the value of your property can be a daunting task, but with a little bit of know-how and a lot of elbow grease, you can turn your home into a profitable investment. Whether you’re looking to sell or simply want to improve the overall value of your property, there are a number of things you can do to make it more attractive to potential buyers. One of the most important things you can…

[astrocafecoffee]

Groom Persona chart Observation ✨

✨ For entertainment purposes only, enjoy ✨

~~~~~~~~~~~~~✨✨~~~~~~~~~~~~~

💖 1st house stellium in GPC means your fs maybe someone who is noticeable and stands out in social situations.

💖 5th house stellium in GPC means your fs could be an artist, musician, writer.

💖 7th house stellium in GPC means your fs could be attractive and socially adept, drawing others to them with their magnetic personality and charisma.

💖 Union (1585) in 1st house meaning meeting your fs while attending social events, gatherings, or parties where you can connect with new people/ professional connection/ shared interest.

💖 Union in 3rd house means you can meet your fs during short journeys or travels close to home.

💖 Union in 8th house means you may meet your fs in context where there is a shared investment and mutual dependency, such as through work, joint projects or shared social circles.

💖 Juno in Capricorn means your fs is known for their ambitious and goal oriented nature. They may be highly driven and motivated to achieve success in thier career, personal goals and relationships./ Could be famous too .

💖 Juno in Sagittarius means they can be a foreigner, philosophical and open minded.

💖 Juno in Taurus means your fs may prioritise creating a stable and secure home environment and may value financial stability within the relationship.

💖 Juno in leo means your fs may be confident, outgoing and enjoy being the center of the attention in social settings., Creative, generous, romantic.

💖 sun in 11th house means your fs is likely to possess a charismatic and Magnetic personality within their social circles ,may value friendship highly and their social network may play a significant role in shaping their identity and opportunities.

💖 Sun in 12th house means your fs may be introspective and contemplative with a rich inner world that is not always readily apparent to others.

💖 sun in 6th house means your fs may prefer predictable schedules and organized workflows that allows them to efficiently manage their time and responsibilities., Possess strong problem solving skills and an analytical mindset.

💖 Juno / groom/ Venus in Sagittarius or 21°/9° or in Aquarius or in 9th /12th house means a Foreign spouse.

💖 Venus in 5th - creativity, music/ art , your fs may have a strong desire for children or a nurturing instinct towards family life.

💖 Venus in 10th house - ambitious, successful, well liked , respected spouse.

💖 Fama in 1st / 7th house - could be famous spouse.

💖 POF in 4th house - fs may have a deep connection to their cultural background or family traditions., May have interest in real estate or property related work.

💖 leo rising means your fs may have a strong desire for recognition and appreciation.may carry themselves with Grace and poise projecting on air of authority and nobility.

💖 Virgo rising -Fs may be modest and humble , health conscious, possess a discerning eye and critical mind.

💖 Scorpio rising - fs may have mysterious allure and a penetrating gaze that leaves a lasting impression on those the encounter, have a rich inner world with complex emotions that run Deep.

💖 industria(389) in 3rd house - your fs career-

musicians, blogger, public relations, possess creative ideas, small business owner.

💖 industria in Libra - your fs career may be something with public relations or marketing, art or design, legal advocacy, or event planning.

💖 industria in Aquarius - you fs may be in technology or IT specialist, social activism , scientist or researcher, humanitarian work or international development.

💖 industria in Pisces - creative arts , healing arts , oceanography or marine conservation, healing arts , charity work.

💖 Industria in Aries - entrepreneur, may thrive in leadership roles , sales , marketing, or sports management.

💖 industria in Taurus - financial sector, buisness ownership, agriculture, horticulture, real estate, painting, sculpting or in music composition.

💖 industria in cancer -

Hospitality, home based business, psychotherapist, food blogger, art therapy.

💖 industria in gemini - social media influencer, journalist, writer, teaching profession, tour guide , hotel manager.

💖 industria in Scorpio -

- psychology and counseling, detectives, private investigator, forensic scientist ,holistic/ energy healer.

💖 Industria in Virgo - doctor, nurse , scientist, data analyst, , office manager, project coordinator, teachers, or instructors.

💖 industria in leo - actors , musicians, artist, brand ambassador, publicist, marketing manager.

💖 industria in Sagittarius - professors , researchers, journalist, media, philanthropy or in social justice advocacy.

💖 industria in Capricorn -

Buisness and management, politician, policy advisors , civil servants, lawyers, engineering, architect, judges.

💖 Northnode in 7th house suggests that your relationship with your fs may have karmic significance., Soulmate placement.

💖 Northnode in 3rd house means your fs may play a significant role in facilitating your growth and development in the areas of communication, intellect and learning.

💖 Karma conjunct ascendent/ descendant - karmic relationship.

💖 your fs may share similar placement like your groom pc. Example - if your sun in Aries in GPC, they could have sun in their 1st house or at 1°,13° or 25°.

💖 Groom conjunct vertex - fated/ predestined encounter with fs. They may have a profound impact on your life and personal growth. they may serve as a catalyst for important experiences, growth opportunities and transfermetive changes is in your life .your relationship with them maybe characterised by depth, intensity and sense of spiritual or emotional connection.

💖 Groom conjunct Venus -

The conjunction of groom and Venus indicates are strong attraction between you and your fs. there may be a magnetic pull or chemistry that draws you together, fueling feelings of romance ,passion and desire. your FS may possess qualities that you find irresistibly attractive both physically and emotionally.

💖 your fs may be drawn to individuals who embody the qualities associated with the seventh House lord for example-

* if the 7th house lord is sun then your fs may be attracted to individuals who support their ambitions, encourage their creativity and contribute positively to their self expression. they may be drawn to partners who are confident, self assured and have a strong sense of individuality.

* if 7th house lord is moon - your fs desires a partner who can meet there emotional needs and provide a sense of comfort and belonging. they are drawn to individuals who are empathetic, nurturing and emotionally supportive. emotional intimacy is a priority for them in the relationship.

* if the 7th house lord is Venus -

Your FS values relationships highly and seeks harmonious and loving partnership. they may prioritise finding a romantic partner who complements their own sense of beauty and aesthetics. partnership is Central to their sense of fulfillment and happiness.

* if the 7th house lord is mercury - your fs places a high value on mental simulation and intellectual compatibility in the relationships. they seek a partner who can engage them in stimulating conversations and share their interest and ideas.

*if the 7th house lord is mars - your fs may seek a partner who can match their level of energy and enthusiasm and they may be drawn to firey and spirited individuals. they thrive on excitement and adventure in their relationships.

* if the 7th house lord is saturn - your fs value tradition and stability in relationships. they may have traditional views on marriage and may seek partners who share their values and commitment to building a secured and enduring Union.

* if the 7th house lord is Jupiter - your fs seeks meaningful and enriching connections in their relationships. they may be drawn to partners who share their values and aspirations who can inspired them to expand their horizons and pursue their goals with confidence.

~~~~~~~~~~~✨✨~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading ~💫

-piko💖

[mindblowingscience]

For the first time, Stanford researchers have found a way to create and stabilize an extremely rare form of gold that has lost two negatively charged electrons, denoted Au2+. The material stabilizing this elusive version of the valued element is a halide perovskite—a class of crystalline materials that holds great promise for various applications including more-efficient solar cells, light sources, and electronics components. Surprisingly, the Au2+ perovskite is also quick and simple to make using off-the-shelf ingredients at room temperature. "It was a real surprise that we were able to synthesize a stable material containing Au2+—I didn't even believe it at first," said Hemamala Karunadasa, associate professor of chemistry at the Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences and senior author of the study published Aug. 28 in Nature Chemistry. "Creating this first-of-its-kind Au2+ perovskite is exciting. The gold atoms in the perovskite bear strong similarities to the copper atoms in high-temperature superconductors, and heavy atoms with unpaired electrons, like Au2+, show cool magnetic effects not seen in lighter atoms."

Continue Reading.

[sunsblogs]

CADECON - SİLVER

A roofing company in Richmond can provide a variety of services to ensure your roof is in top condition. One of such services is roof repair and maintenance. Regular maintenance can help extend the life of your roof and prevent costly repairs. A reputable roofing company can detect and fix problems like leaks, cracks, and missing shingles, ensuring your roof remains structurally sound and weatherproof. By investing in regular roof maintenance, homeowners can save money in the long run and eliminate the need to replace the entire roof. Where roof replacement or installation is necessary, a roofing company richmond can provide expert guidance and services. A professional roofing company will work closely with homeowners to determine the best roofing materials and styles to fit their needs and budget. Whether it's asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or shingles, a reputable roofing company can minimize disruption to the homeowner's daily routine by ensuring the new roof is installed correctly and efficiently. In addition to roof repair and replacement, a Richmond roofing company can also provide gutter repair and installation services. Gutters play a critical role in protecting a home's foundation and preventing water damage, making it imperative to keep them in good repair. A professional roofing company can evaluate the condition of your gutters and recommend any necessary repairs or replacements. They can also install new gutters, ensuring they integrate seamlessly into the roof system and effectively divert rainwater away from the home[3]. By investing in gutter repair and installation services, homeowners can protect their homes from water damage and preserve the value of their property[4]. You can visit our website for more information.

[astrologged]

Aldebaran in the houses

Aldebaran is a fixed star in astrology, one of the four Royal Stars of Persia and is considered one of the most fortunate stars in the sky.

In astrology, Aldebaran is associated with success, wealth, and honor. It is believed to bring good fortune, protection, and leadership abilities. However, it can also indicate a tendency towards aggression, violence, and stubbornness.

In a natal chart, the house placement of Aldebaran can indicate areas where a person may experience good fortune, success, or protection. It can also indicate areas where they may need to be mindful of their tendency towards aggression or stubbornness.

1st house:  They’re usually very confident and have a strong desire for success and recognition. They are often seen as leaders and have the potential to become very successful. They have a competitive and ambitious nature, with a drive to win and conquer. There may be a strong desire for recognition and respect, as well as a willingness to take risks and be a trailblazer.

2nd house: These individuals are likely to have financial success and wealth in their lives. They also place a lot of value on material possessions and may be inclined to take risks to attain them. This placement can indicate a love of luxury and comfort, as well as a strong connection to nature and the earth. There’s a steadfast determination to build and create something of lasting value, as well as a desire for stability and security.

3rd house: Are likely to be successful in fields related to communication such as writing, public speaking, or journalism. They also have a knack for networking and making connections that can help them achieve success. This placement can indicate a quick and agile mind, with an ability to adapt to changing circumstances. There’s a talent for communication, as well as a love of learning and exploration.

4th house: These individuals may come from a wealthy or successful family, or they may have a strong desire to create a stable and secure home environment. They may also have an interest in real estate or property. This placement can indicate a deep emotional sensitivity, with a strong attachment to home and family. There’s a nurturing and protective nature, as well as a desire to create a sense of security and stability for oneself and others.

5th house: Are likely to be very creative and have a passion for the arts. They may have a talent for music or acting, and they may enjoy being in the spotlight. This placement can indicate a charismatic and confident nature, with a love of drama and attention. There’s a strong desire for recognition and admiration, as well as a willingness to take risks and pursue one's passions.

6th house: May be successful in fields related to health or fitness, such as personal training or nutrition. They’re also be skilled at organizing and managing projects. This placement indicates a detail-oriented and analytical nature, with a desire for perfection and efficiency. There's a strong work ethic and a desire to be of service to others, as well as a need for order and structure.

7th house: They have success in business partnerships or may marry someone who is successful. They also have a talent for negotiating and resolving conflicts. This placement can indicate a love of beauty and harmony, as well as a strong sense of justice and fairness. There’s a desire for balance and cooperation in relationships, as well as a talent for diplomacy and negotiation.

8th house: They may be drawn to careers in finance or investments. They also have a strong interest in metaphysical or spiritual matters. This placement can indicate a deep and intense nature, with a strong willpower and desire for transformation. There's a talent for uncovering hidden truths and secrets, as well as a need for power and control.

9th house: These individuals may be successful in fields related to education or travel. They may also have a strong interest in philosophy or religion. This placement indicates a love of adventure and exploration, as well as a strong sense of optimism and faith. There's a desire for knowledge and understanding, as well as a willingness to take risks and pursue one's ideals.

10th house: These individuals are likely to have great success in their careers and may be well-respected in their field. They also have a desire for public recognition and prestige. This placement indicates a practical and disciplined nature, with a strong desire for achievement and success. There may be a talent for leadership and organization, as well as a need for structure and tradition.

11th house: These individuals have success in fields related to technology or social media. They also have a talent for bringing people together and creating communities. This placement indicates a love of freedom and individuality, as well as a strong sense of social justice and equality. There's a talent for innovation and originality, as well as a desire to bring about change and progress.

12th house: Have a hidden talent or gift that they are not yet aware of. They also have a desire to help others and may be drawn to careers in social work or counseling. This placement indicates a deep and mystical nature, with a strong connection to the spiritual realm. There may be a talent for creativity and imagination, as well as a need for compassion and empathy for others.

[bimboficationblues]

as that anon message you got shows, the term "liberal" gets hurled around a lot as an insult on the left. what would you say are the necessary and sufficient conditions to be a liberal? i think having a straight answer for this would help remedy this sort of behavior

not sure what anon you're referring to. regrettably I don't think you're going to get people to stop using terms in loose or disagreeable ways no matter what, it just is the nature of political terminology (definitionally up for contestation) and language in general. part of the difficulty here is that the same term gets used to describe a political system, an ideology or hegemonic worldview, and a form of political identification

but as far as necessary/sufficient conditions go I like Charles Mills' formulation:

an axiology: committed to individual freedom to pursue the Good, governance by 'consent', the guarantee of specific political and economic rights (non-exhaustive list)

a social ontology: equal moral persons who are atomized or individualized and whose individuality, particularly their self-interested pursuit of their own Good, makes a functional society

a theory of history: endless progress, the accumulation of knowledge and the application of it to advancing human well-being (though this can be more or less Panglossian)

and would add a couple of my own:

a political methodology that gives priority to reform and positive law

an economic worldview that emphasizes the efficiency of money and markets and affirms private property as a central right (often *the* central right)

my own sort of working definition of liberalism writ large is that it's a kind of aristocratic legalism which has a key value of "security" (this is inspired by the work of Geoff Mann and Mark Neocleous), an investment in predictable, consistent outcomes that also expresses itself as a fundamental anxiety about the tenuousness of these institutions and of "civilization" as a whole (an interesting point of overlap between Keynes and Hayek). that's what I kind of see as the throughline between the combination of money, markets, law, and reform.

I would say that the elements listed above which automatically send up the yellow flag, for me, are the political methodology and the theory of history - either a sort of blinkered optimism/false realism about the ability to endlessly patch up our existing institutions or someone who has bought into a kind of linear historical narrative of constant improvement

even though I am not a market socialist and think that is probably excessively "liberal" for my own tastes, I think it is plausible to hold that position without being a liberal, if that makes any sense (it may not). inversely, the axiology of freedom, universalism, &c., often get cited as exclusive to liberalism, but I really don't think they are and remain unpersuaded by the various factions (commie, lib, postcolonialist, and so on) that have argued otherwise. not that I think ideas of freedom, equality, etc. are above conceptual critique per se, but I think I wouldn't assume somebody is a lib because they truck in that language.

[inamindfarfaraway]

Hnnng dehumanisation in Spies are Forever. Curt's not a man, he's "property of the United States government". Tatiana wasn't a child, she was an “instrument of war”, a “killing machine". It’s particularly poignant that Barb calls Curt property of their government, a cog in the machine, because she knows that she’s in the same boat, and in fact socially inferior to him as both a woman and a support worker to his more prestigious career. She herself has always seen and valued him as a person and is constantly trying to make him reciprocate. But he initially views her as just a cool gadget dispenser. Technology appears to be her only means of asserting her worth and earning people’s attention, which might be why she’s working on a global information network, essentially the internet - the ultimate technological platform for human connection and collaboration. Cynthia is so committed to overcoming her human vulnerability in order to be the best tool her country could possibly ask for that she poisons herself every day to build up an immunity. One of the villains is a literal Nazi who uses a literal puppet. And the other is Owen.

Owen's evil vision is "turning everyone into a spy", aka property. Instruments for him to conduct. Creating a global surveillance network, because the internet has as much power to distance and isolate people as to unite them. The machine failed him when he was a cog in it, so he aims to replace it with a more efficient one and control it this time; he cannot comprehend any ethical improvement to or dismantling of the machine itself. His problem with spies is that they contaminate the ruthless political mechanisms with messy, fallible humanity... and vice versa. Agent Mega messed up the mission because he was human; Curt left his boyfriend for dead because he was a spy. You can’t be both. Person or tool. So Owen chooses the one that can’t be hurt. He willingly becomes a tool of CHIMERA, a living weapon. He kills and tortures hundreds of people, considers himself an actor in a story and others expendable characters, does everything he can to detach himself from ideas of personhood. “Who needs spies when a box in a room can do your job in seconds?" Humanity is worthless. Obsolete.

Except no, it isn't. Curt and his allies proves it. After the prologue, Curt simultaneously makes Owen’s mistake of binary thinking. First he wants to be purely a man, and an absolute wreck of one; then he wants to be purely the greatest spy ever, no sentimental weaknesses. But he can’t maintain that divide. He has to be both. The team win with their skills, training and expertise and by being human - social, irrational animals, working together, loving each for the sake of it, acting spontaneously. They aren’t tools that Owen can perfectly predict and manipulate. Curt surprises him. And Owen, for all his icy calculations and grand talk, cannot escape his humanity any more than he can destroy Curt’s, as his last scene makes painfully clear. He lowers his gun like a person. His voice breaks like one. He bleeds like one. Meanwhile, Barb is a genius engineer and Tatiana is a master assassin. You’d think that their climactic moment of triumph would demonstrate Barb’s amazing technology or Tatiana’s combat skills, but instead the focus is on them simply talking to each other and even Mrs Mega. Human connection and collaboration. Human error that doesn’t negate their victory. “You can break a computer box, but you can’t break the will of a man.” That’s what Curt is. Not property. A man. He is a gay, unemployed man; Barb is a woman in STEM; Tatiana is a female ex-KGB Russian immigrant; all in the United States of America in the 1960s, a very bad time and place to be all of those things. Yet they will survive. They are not alone and they will endure. Spies are forever because they are people.

And the narrative consistently emphasises that everybody is a person! It mocks the Nazis, obviously, but even then Baron von Nazi isn’t a one-dimensional monster, he has emotions and cognitive biases and a backstory and fondness for cheeseburgers. Sergio isn’t just an interchangeable criminal, he’s a devoted family man awkwardly trying to lighten his work atmosphere. Richard Big isn’t just a crass parody, he has moral principles. We hear all kind of characters’ thoughts and feelings: the Informant, Barb’s fellow scientists, the waiter at the casino, the guests at the gala. This affirmation that everyone has a inner life means that yes, anyone can be a spy.

[dailycharacteroption]

Conversion Corner: Starbound Species part 2

The Glitch

While yesterday the species in question blended two themes that went well together (plant people and tribal culture), today’s subject is an exercise in anachronistic duality.

Originally created by some forgotten culture, possibly the Ancients, the automatons that would come to be known as the Glitch were created as part of an advanced civilization simulation, with individual units meant to represent individuals in the simulation. However, due to a coding error in their programming, their development stopped at the medieval period, leaving the majority of them to act out a life of feudal pastoral farming. Even those that break away from their programming into full self-actualization still do often favor those aesthetics even when they wield more advanced arms and armor.

Despite being incredibly sophisticated sapient machines, the outer casing of most of these automatons is simplistic, clunky, even primitive, often evoking retro science fiction aesthetics (Some even have a fake synthetic “brain” in a glass dome), all of which clashes with their medieval attire and tools. Additionally, they do not farm for no reason, for they do eat, albeit to extract the methane as fuel from the digestive process rather than any nutritional value. Additionally, while they do not reproduce in the organic sense, a bonded pair of Glitches can enter a trance-like state and assemble a new member of their kind with factory-like speed and efficiency. Perhaps most perplexingly, their programming requires them to also harvest and prepare “medicine”, which seems effective when applied despite all logic indicating that it should not work. Perhaps to even awakened glitches, this placebo effect activates reserves of repairing nanites within themselves?

The personalities of these robots can vary a lot just like any other sapient, however, most are stuck in a medieval way of viewing things. What’s more, their mechanical voices and visages can make articulating emotion difficult. As such, they tend to preface their sentences with a word indicating their tone, similar to Mass Effects Elcor, or perhaps more of a direct reference to the character HK-47 from Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic.

I wasn’t able to glean if there is a unifying government among the glitch, but we do know that they have an agrarian medieval society, complete with serfs, barons, lords, and the like, and most are content to act out those roles. However, those that have evolved beyond that programming often leave to travel the stars to find purpose, though they are met with pity by their kin, who view this erratic behavior as a disruption to the careful cycle of their lives and society as a whole. Even still, such outcasts often gather in like-minded groups, possibly forming into approximations of knightly orders, for good or ill, though chivalry and honor are commonly valued traits across the entire glitch people.

Glitch

Ability Score Modifiers: +2 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Int

HP: 4

Size and Type: Glitches are Medium Constructs of the Glitch subtype. Unlike other constructs, they do have a Constitution score.

Archaic Arms: Glitches know how best to apply weapons of their limited tech level to gain maximum results. They gain a +1 to attack and damage rolls with analog weapons. Additionally, they do not take the damage penalty of weapons with the archaic property as long as they are proficient with the weapon.

Curiously Robotic: Glitches are immune to bleed, disease, death effects, poison, nonlethal damage, and sleep effects unless those effects specify they affect constructs. Glitches can be affected by effects or spells that normally target only humanoids, but receive a +4 racial bonus to saving throws against such effects. SROs must eat and drink and they must recharge their internal batteries by entering an off-line mode that is similar to sleep for 8 hours every day. SROs do not breathe or suffer the normal environmental effects of being in a vacuum.

Hardcoded Honor: A glitch gains a +2 bonus to Will saves against effects that would compel them to perform an action inimical to their beliefs.

Healing Circuit: In addition to being constructs and thus able to benefit from spells like make whole, Glitches count as living creatures for the purposes of magic healing effects that work on living creatures, though the number of Hit Points restored in such cases is halved. A character can use the Engineering skill to perform the tasks of the Medicine skill on Glitches, but they can also benefit from Medicine checks and medicinals. Glitches also heal naturally over time as living creatures do, and can benefit from magic or technology that can bring constructs back from the dead, as well as effects that normally can’t (such as raise dead).

That should do for today, but tomorrow we’ll look at something a little more… piscine.

[mitigatedchaos]

What are your thoughts on the Coase theorem?

Hold on...

Coase developed his theorem when considering the regulation of radio frequencies. Competing radio stations could use the same frequencies and would therefore interfere with each other's broadcasts. The problem faced by regulators was how to eliminate interference and allocate frequencies to radio stations efficiently. What Coase proposed in 1959[2] was that as long as property rights in these frequencies were well defined, it ultimately did not matter if adjacent radio stations interfered with each other by broadcasting in the same frequency band. Furthermore, it did not matter to whom the property rights were granted. His reasoning was that the station able to reap the higher economic gain from broadcasting would have an incentive to pay the other station not to interfere. In the absence of transaction costs, both stations would strike a mutually advantageous deal. It would not matter which station had the initial right to broadcast; eventually, the right to broadcast would end up with the party that was able to put it to the most highly valued use. Of course, the parties themselves would care who was granted the rights initially because this allocation would impact their wealth, but the result of who broadcasts would not change because the parties would trade to the outcome that was overall most efficient. This counterintuitive insight—that the initial imposition of legal entitlement is irrelevant because the parties will eventually reach the same result—is Coase's invariance thesis.

OK, sure, assuming that the wealth from the initial allocation of property rights does not alter subsequent performance, then if Radio Broadcaster A does a regular performance worth $100,000, and Radio Broadcaster B does a regular performance worth $10,000, then we would expect Radio Broadcaster A to just buy the rights from Radio Broadcaster B, assuming that B is willing to sell.

But-

Coase's main point, clarified in his article 'The Problem of Social Cost[1],' published in 1960 and cited when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1991, was that transaction costs, however, could not be neglected, and therefore, the initial allocation of property rights often mattered.

Ok, yeah.

Transaction costs are everywhere, and initial wealth allocations may have significant effects on production efficiency (e.g. from economies of scale, or a firm's ability to hire talent) resulting in path dependence. At the same time, a lot of economics is about rates (such as the rate at which a house breaks down), so we can still expect a flow of property rights depending on thresholds.

I would say that transaction costs are not uniform.

We should expect a "Coasean correction" to be more likely when transaction costs are a small percentage of the transaction, and less likely when transaction costs are a large percentage of the transaction.

Let's setup another scenario.

There is a town where the shipping cost of importing cheese is $1/lb. The outside market price for cheese is $2/lb. As such, imported cheese costs a total of $3/lb. The city offers a monopoly on local cheese-making to 3 firms: { A: $10 -> 1 lb, B: $2.50 -> 1 lb, C: $2.19 -> 1 lb }.

Firm A is much more likely to sell off the cheesemaking rights than either firm B or firm C, because it can't sell at the local market price ($3/lb). Because the difference in profit margins between B and C is smaller, the movement from B to C is more likely to be subject to other considerations rather than just cheesemaking efficiency, such as capital costs, verification costs, profits or risks compared to other industries, and so on.

We could imagine, for example, that the town has a tiny market where only 12 lbs of cheese is sold annually, so the difference is only $3.72. Would it take longer than 15 minutes to decide to enter the market? Alternatively, we could imagine that cheesemaking is a very capital-intensive industry, so it's not worth firm C building an entire second factory to compete after firm B builds the first one.

Another, more refined, normative conclusion also often discussed in law and economics is that government should create institutions that minimize transaction costs, so as to allow misallocations of resources to be corrected as cheaply as possible.

Government can increase production by reducing friction, certainly. Acting as an external (and more neutral) enforcer for property rights is actually one of the chief ways that they do so.

Overall, I would say that this argument feels more like it's meant to be deployed against people who argue that "we shouldn't establish property rights to the radio spectrum," because "the initial allocation is too difficult to determine and won't be perfect."

In his later writings, Coase himself expressed frustration that his theorem was often misunderstood. Some mistakenly understood the theorem to mean that markets would always achieve efficient results when transaction costs were low, when in reality his point was almost the exact opposite: because transaction costs are never zero, it cannot be assumed that any institutional arrangement will necessarily be efficient. Others have argued that because transaction costs are never zero it is always appropriate for a government to intervene and regulate, though Coase believed that economists and politicians "tended to over-estimate the advantages which come from governmental regulation."[9] What Coase actually argued is, that it is important to always compare alternative institutional arrangements to see which would come closest to "the unattainable ideal of the world of zero transaction costs."[10]

Uh-huh. "Guys, please stop flattening my theory."