#Examples of transaction processing system

[galedekarios]

Dragon Age: Veilguard | The Ultimate Preview Summary

shinobi602 on twitter shared this amazing in-depth summary of all new information about the game that we have so far:

Coming to PS5, Xbox Series X and PC in Fall 2024

Consoles: Quality and Performance modes (60FPS)

Photo mode is confirmed

Fully offline single player, no EA account linking, no micro-transactions'

Play as a human, elf, dwarf, or Qunari

Choose your backstory, 6 factions to choose from when you create your character, all with "deep roots in Thedas": Antivan Crows, Grey Wardens, Shadow Dragons, Veil Jumpers, Lords of Fortune, The Mourne Watch

Each faction offers 3 distinct buffs each, like being able to hold an extra potion or do extra damage against certain enemies, and the odd reference in dialogue

You can customize your Inquisitor from Dragon Age: Inquisition in the character creator and "make a few key decisions that will impact how The Veilguard begins"

There are some "killer cameos" from past games that show up

Warrior Class: Use a sword and shield or two handed weapon to send enemies flying

Rogue Class: Utilizes quick movement and reflexes. You can wield a bow or dual swords with "powerful, precise strikes for lethal damage"

Mage Class: Use magic to incinerate, freeze, electrocute and crush. Some cast from afar, while others prefer close quarters combat

Each class also has 3 sub-specializations, such as duelist, saboteur, or veil ranger for the Rogue

Classes also have unique 'resource system's, for example, the Rogue has "momentum", which builds up as you land consecutive hits, and each will always have a ranged option

One Rogue momentum attack is a "hip fire" option we saw for the Rogue's bow, letting you pop off arrows from the waist

Another momentum attack for the Warrior lets you lob your shield at enemies

Quests are more handcrafted and mission based, curated with alternate paths, secrets to discover and optional content

There are also open ended explorable areas

Party size of 3 during combat, ala Mass Effect

Combat is focused on real-time action, dodge, parry, counter, "sophisticated animation canceling and branching", using risk-reward charge attacks designed to break enemy armor layers

Enemies have elemental weaknesses and resistances, and you can chain together elemental combos for extra damage

One example is a squadmate using a gravity well attack to suck enemies in, another slowing them down, and the player then unleashing a big AOE attack

You don't take direct control of companions like past Dragon Age games, but you can still pause and issues ability commands for you and your allies

There is a hub area for the player like Skyhold and the Normandy, called The Lighthouse

Companions can eventually start romancing other characters if you opt not to romance them

Each companion also has unique missions tied to them that play into the larger story

Nudity confirmed - romance scenes can get "a little spicy"

"Incredibly deep" character creator: 5 categories including: Lineage, Appearance, Class, Faction, Playstyle

Players can also choose different body sizes and shapes

Dozens of hairstyles to choose from, with "individual strands of hair rendered separately and reacting quite remarkably to in-game physics", pulled from EA Sports

Character creator lets you adjust the lighting so you can be sure your character looks good

The team wanted to balance the look of the game with both light and darkness. "When everything is dark, nothing really feels dark. For this one, we really wanted to build that contrast again."

Skill tree is "vast", you can also set up specific companions with certain kits, from tackling specific enemy types to being more of a supporting healer or flexible all-rounders

There are tarot cards you go through during the character creation process that will let you choose decisions from past games to implement into Veilguard

The team teases you may lose some characters during the story

[txttletale]

how do ml's reconcile with lenin going for a bigbrainhaver hierarchy which just so happened to place him at the tippy top? most of the things he's quoted for writing make a kind of sense in that longwinded academic philosopher way, but, like, russia went from having a revolution against monarchy to having a monarchy, essentially, and what folks do tends to align with their desires, yeah? wouldn't that make everything he said, idk, suspicious?

we reconcile with this because none of this is even remotely true. lenin did not 'happen to be placed at the tippy top' but was in fact elected by the soviets, who worked in a very simple electoral system by which workers and peasants would elect representatives to their local soviet, who as well as administering local services would also elect members to higher bodies. the quote unquote bigbrainhaver hierarchy system in question was as follows:

The sovereign body is in every case the Congress of Soviets. Each county sends its delegates. These are elected indirectly by the town and county Soviets which vote in proportion to population, following the ratio observed throughout, by which the voters in the town have five times the voting strength of the inhabitants of the villages, an advantage which may, as we saw, be in reality three to one. The Congress meets, as a rule, once a year, for about ten days. It is not, in the real sense of the word, the legislative body. It debates policy broadly, and passes resolutions which lay down the general principles to be followed in legislation. The atmosphere of its sittings is that of a great public demonstration. The Union Congress, for example, which has some fifteen hundred members, meets in the Moscow Opera House. The stage is occupied by the leaders and the heads of the administration, and speeches are apt to be big oratorical efforts. The real legislative body is the so-called Central Executive Committee (known as the C. I. K. and pronounced "tseek") . It meets more frequently than the Congress to which it is responsible-in the case of the Union, at least three times in the year-passes the Budget, receives the reports of the Commissars (ministers), and discusses international policy. It, in its turn, elects two standing bodies: (1) The Presidium of twenty-one members, which has the right to legislate in the intervals between the sittings of the superior assemblies, and also transacts some administrative work. (2) The Council of Peoples' Commissars. These correspond roughly to the Ministers or Secretaries of State in democratic countries and are the chiefs of the administration. Meeting as a Council, they have larger powers than any Cabinet, for they may pass emergency legislation and issue decrees which have all the force of legislation. Save in cases of urgency, however, their decrees and drafts of legislation must be ratified by the Executive Committee (C.I.K.). In another respect they differ from the European conception of a Minister. Each Commissar is in reality the chairman of a small board of colleagues, who are his advisers. These advisory boards, or collegia, meet very frequently (it may even be daily) to discuss current business, and any member of a board has the right to appeal to the whole Council of Commissars against a decision of the Commissar.

—H.N. Brailsford, How The Soviets Work (1927)

you might notice that the congresses of soviets were not directly elected -- this is because they were elected by local soviets, who were directly elected, in a process that many people have given first hand accounts of:

I have, while working in the Soviet Union, participated in an election. I, too, had a right to vote, as I was a working member of the community, and nationality and citizenship are no bar to electoral rights. The procedure was extremely simple. A general meeting of all the workers in our organisation was called by the trade union committee, candidates were discussed, and a vote was taken by show of hands. Anybody present had the right to propose a candidate, and the one who was elected was not personally a member of the Party. In considering the claims of the candidates their past activities were discussed, they themselves had to answer questions as to their qualifications, anybody could express an opinion, for or against them, and the basis of all the discussion was: What justification had the candidates to represent their comrades on the local Soviet. As far as the elections in the villages were concerned, these took place at open village meetings, all peasants of voting age, other than those who employed labour, having the right to vote and to stand for election. As in the towns, any organisation or individual could put forward candidates, anyone could ask the candidate questions, and anybody could support or oppose the candidature. It is usual for the Communist Party to put forward a candidate, trade unions and other organisations can also do so, and there is nothing to prevent the Party’s candidate from not being elected, if he has not sufficient prestige among the voters. In the towns the “ electoral district ” has hitherto consisted of a factory, or a group of small factories sufficient to form a constituency. But there was one section of the town population which has always had to vote geographically, since they did not work together in one organisation. This was the housewives. As a result, the housewives met separately in each district, had their own constituencies, and elected their own representatives to the Soviet. Here, too, vital interest has always been shown in the personality of every candidate. Why should this woman be elected ? What right had she to represent her fellow housewives on the local Soviet ? In the district next to my own at the last election the housewife who was elected was well known as an organiser of a communal dining-room in the district. This was the kind of person that the housewives wanted to represent them on the Soviet. Another candidate, a Communist, proposed by the local organisation of the Party, was turned down in her favour.

[...]

The election of delegates to the local Soviet is not the only function of voters in the Soviet Union. It is not a question here of various parties presenting candidates to the electorate, each with his own policy to offer. The Soviet electorate has to select a personality from its midst to represent it, and instruct this person in the policy which is to be followed when elected. At a Soviet election meeting, therefore, as much or more time may be spent on discussion of the instructions to the delegate as is spent on discussing the personality of the candidates. At the last election to the Soviets, in which I personally participated, we must have spent three or four times as much time on the working out of instructions as we did on the selection of our candidate. About three weeks before the election was to take place the trade union secretary in every department of our organisation was told by the committee that it was time to start to prepare our instructions to the delegate. Every worker was asked to make suggestions concerning policy which he felt should be brought to the notice of the new personnel of the Moscow Soviet. As a result, about forty proposals concerning the general government of Moscow were handed in from a group of about twenty people. We then held a meeting in our department at which we discussed the proposals, and adopted some and rejected others. We then handed our list of pro¬ posals to a commission, appointed by the trade union committee, and representing all the workers in our organisation. This Commission co-ordinated the pro¬ posals received, placed them in order according to the various departments of the Soviet, and this co-ordinated list was read at the election meeting itself, again discussed, and adopted in its final form.

—Pat Sloan, Soviet Democracy (1937)

Between the elections of 1931 and 1934, no less than 18 per cent of the city deputies and 37 per cent of village deputies were recalled, of whom only a relatively small number — 4 per cent of the total — were charged with serious abuse of power. The chief reasons for recall were inactivity — 37 per cent — and inefficiency — 21 per cent. If these figures indicate certain lacks in the quality of elected officials, they show considerable activity of the people in improving government. The electorate of the Peasants' Gazette, for example, consisted of some 1,500 employees, entitled to elect one deputy to the Moscow city soviet and two to the ward soviet. For more than a month before the election every department of the newspaper held meetings discussing both candidates and instructions. Forty-three suggested candidates and some 1,400 proposals for the work of the incoming government resulted from these meetings, which also elected committees to boil down and classify the instructions. These committees issued a special four-page newspaper for the 1,500 voters; it contained brief biographies of the forty-three candidates, an analysis of their capacities by the Communist Party organization of the Peasants' Gazette, and the "nakaz," or list of "people's instructions," classified by subject and the branch of government which they concerned. At the final election meeting of the Peasants* Gazette there was literally more than 100 per cent attendance, since some of the staff who for reasons of absence or illness had not been listed as prospective voters returned from sanatoria or from distant assignments to vote. The instructions issued by the electorate in this manner — 1,400 from the Peasants' Gazette and tens of thousands from Moscow citizens — became the first business of the incoming government.

—Anna Louise Strong, The New Soviet Constitution (1937)

does this mean that the soviet project was some utopian perfect system? no. there were flaws in the system like any other. it disenfranchised the rural peasantry (although not, i would like to add, to any extent greater or even equivalent to the extent to which the US electoral system disenfranchises the urban working class) -- the various tiers of indirect selection created a divide between the average worker and the highest tier of the executive -- and various elements of this fledgling system would calcify and bureaucratise over time in ways that obstructed worker's democracy. but saying that it was 'a monarchy' is founded in absolutely nothing except the most hysterical anticommunist propaganda and tedious orwellian liberal truisms.

even brailsford, in an account overall critical of the soviet system, had to admit:

Speaking broadly, the various organs of the system, from the Council of Commissars of the Union down to the sub-committees of a town Soviet, are handling the same problems. Whether one sits in the Kremlin at a meeting of the most august body of the whole Union, the "C.I.K.," or round a table in Vladimir with the working men who constitute its County Executive Committee, one hears exactly the same problems discussed. How, be-fore June arrives, shall we manage to reduce prices by ten percent? What growth can we show in the number of our spindles, or factories, and in the number of workers employed? When and how shall we make our final assault on the last relics of illiteracy? Or when shall we have room in our schools, even in the remotest village, for every child? Was it by good luck or good guidance that the number of typhus cases has dropped in a year by half? And, finally, how can we hasten the raising of clover seed, so that the peasants who, at last, thanks to our propaganda, are clamoring for it, may not be disappointed?

—H.N. Brailsford, How The Soviets Work (1927)

genuinely, i think you should take a moment and think about where you learned about the soviet union. have you read any serious historical work on the topic, even from non-communist or anti-communist sources? because even imperialist propagandists have to make a pretence at engaging with actual facts on the ground, something which you haven't done at all -- and yet you speak with astounding confidence. i recommend you read some serious books instead of animal farm and reflect on why you believe the things you believe and how you know the things you think you know.

[putschki1969]

Hi Sarah, thank you for everything you have done to the Kalafina fandom until now, you're an angel.

Is there a tutorial for joining Finction Junction Station fan club? I want to apply for the next year's Yuki Kajiura live ticket lotteries an I want to be sure to have a ticket since I'll travel from a very far Country. Thank you!

Hello there lovely anon!

I currently have no dedicated tutorial for Yuki's official fan club, FictionJunction Station. However, many years ago, I made a very detailed post about Kalafina's fan club "Harmony". That post was meant to help people navigate the site and register as member. Even though "Harmony" no longer exists, the basic steps described in my tutorial still apply to both Wakana's fan club "Botanical Land" as well as Yuki's fan club "FictionJunction Station". All these websites are designed by the same company, SKIYAKI, so the basic structure is the same.

Here are some main requirements before you start〈(•ˇ‿ˇ•)-→

Credit Card: They do accept overseas credit cards as payment option so you'll be fine with that

Japanese Address: Find a forwarding/proxy service that will arrange everything for you. There’s tenso.com for example. You can get a Japanese address on this page which you can then use to buy things at various websites. That address can also be used to become a fan club member. They will not do transactions for you (as in, buy stuff for you, apply at ticket lotteries), they simply provide an address, store your stuff in case you buy anything and later send it to you. All your stuff will be sent to that address and then they will ship it to you (you can choose from various shipping methods). Payment for goods is also possible via credit card so you can have the merch sent to your TENSO address as well. Then there are sites like www.sosjapan.jp which will do pretty much everything for you (including payments). They will register for you under your name. They will apply for lotteries/pre-order/buy tickets or merch for you. This may actually be a better option for you but that's something you'll have to decide.

Step 1. Get your SC ID. An account will be issued by acquiring an SC ID (it’s free to do that!) which is required to use the service of this site. Simply click on the “new registration” button and enter your e-mail address and a password. A confirmation e-mail will be sent, by clicking the link in the mail, the first part of the registration process is completed. After logging in with your SC ID, you can access “My Page”.

Step 2: Confirm your e-mail address. After you have confirmed your e-mail address you’ll receive another mail stating that the registration of your SC ID was completed. You may log in now with your mail address and password. Be aware that your registration process is not done yet. Next up you should go to “My Page” to enter all your information.

Step 3: Go to “My Page” to enter all your information. Regarding the name, just enter your name in Roman letters first and then in katakana (Google Translate can help you get a katakana version of your name). As for the address, the Japanese address system is quite complex and can seem intimidating at first glance but Tenso provides a few tips on how to enter it properly so be sure to check them out.

Step 4. Confirm the information and continue to the payment method. It’s super simple. You have the option to pay with credit cards which is really the only option that is of interest to us. Simply choose your credit card and enter all the important data. On the right you’ll see the details for your payment (admission fee + annual fee, no extra fees). There's also an option to enable an automatic renewal of your membership. Only possible if you are paying with credit card. Once your year is almost over, the yearly fee will automatically be transferred from your credit card. I guess this comes in quite handy if you are prone to forget things like that easily. Lastly, there’s a button to confirm the transaction and then I think you’ll be asked one last time to confirm all your data and THEN it’s DONE. You are officially a member! You’ll be transferred to a page stating that the process is finished and listing some of the important data. You’ll also receive an e-mail welcoming you to the fan club and summarising all your information (=> member number, expiration date, payment details, payment method)

Please also keep in mind that often, a fan club membership will not be enough to get concert tickets. Most fan clubs will use one of Japan's common ticketing services for their lotteries. With FJS it's usually Lawson Ticket or e+. It can be very difficult to register for these site since they require verification via SMS/phone call (Japanese phone numbers only!!) The payment for tickets is also pretty much impossible for overseas fans. If you are uncertain about any of this and not willing to jump through many hoops, I recommend you look into proxy services like SOSJapan (as mentioned above).

Good luck on everything! Hope you'll be able to attend one of the lives next summer. It's gonna be Yuki's 60th birthday in August so maybe they'll do something a little more special for it.

[myrfing]

hi!!! sorry this might be a bit of an odd ask, but i saw that you get some comms from the crepe site (the eating gif one is sooooo cute) and i wanted to ask what the process was like to use that site to order commissions? is knowledge of korean needed? is it like skeb where you can enter comm details in english and it auto translates it for the artist? thank you for your time!

HI not odd at all! I hope more people use crepe, there's many talented artists on there. There is no auto-translate like on skeb. I run everything through the DeepL translator or good old google translate. I also use the Simple Translate extension for Firefox to make this a lot easier. I have 0 knowledge of Korean so I like to double check back and forth & try to use simple, straightforward phrases. Thankfully the website is also designed pretty intuitively, it's just a lot double checking on my end :J...

I pay via stocking up on Points via Paypal and use that to pay artists. In short: you select a commission type from the artist's page, fill out and send in their request form (it seems to be customizable on their end so they differ between artists), and if they accept your commission, they will invoice you via the site's chat system. They will also likely ask any questions they have about your request in here. Once the site confirms your payment, then it's relayed to them to begin working on your commission. Some artists offer check sketch, etc., stages that are facilitated by the site in the same chat, some don't. When they finish, the site will notify you via email & that chat thread, you receive the file, review it, and confirm the completion. At that point, no changes can be made, and the transaction is complete.

Here's a shitty mspaint guide:

To sign up via email:

Follow this link. Enter your email and hit the link to send an authentication email.

2. In the email from crepe, hit the verify button.

3. Fill out your new credentials, then hit the create account button. You can review the terms & services via the subtitle link.

4. This next page asks you what your account is for. The left box = I'm here to commission artists. The right box = I'm here to take commissions as an artist. Make sure the left box is selected and hit next. (Text below informs you you can swap to an artist account later, and artists can commission from other artists)

5. It then scrolls you to the option to verify your identity. This lets you communicate via kakaotalk, adds a layer of security, and verifies your age for 18+ commissions, but unless you have some form of S. Korean ID, hit "I want to do it later". Then hit the "I don't want to verify now" option again on the confirmation popup. I'll add on to this post on how to verify via passport as an overseas user, but it's not necessary unless you want to get hole & pole commissions.

6. Account creation complete :~)! the button just takes you to the front page which displays random commissions you can browse.

To commission an artist:

I'll use the artist who did the snacking animation for me as an example! Say you find an artist you really like, and you go on their page. Here's an overview.

Let's say I click on the top one. It will take me to this page. Scroll down and review all the information and terms about this particular commission type. Artists will tell you what you get, what they will and won't draw, pricing caveats, what you're allowed to do with the commission, and whatever other pertinent info here.

2. Once you've reviewed everything, scroll back up and hit apply. The price is a range; artists will tend to charge more for high detail/addons!

3. You will be taken to their application form. Again, this is different for each artist, and you're gonna need to carefully fill it out case-by-case. Once you've filled out everything required, scroll all the way down and the submit button should no longer be greyed out. It's purple like all the buttons so far. Hit that, and it will show you your completed application and send it to the artist.

4. At this point, you wait for them to either accept or deny your commission. Here's an overview of your header bar menu, click on your icon to access it. You can check commission progress history, the application you submitted, and your messages here. Your messages are where you're going to be alerted if the artist accepts or not, it will have a notif mark. You can also stock up on points, but you can also do that when they invoice you.

5. Once the artist accepts, you'll get a message. It's in the messages where you'll deal with all communication and the procession of your commission. If you're not completing your steps (i.e. paying, checking the sketches) by hitting the purple buttons, the commission can't continue. These buttons will sometimes take you to different pages, i.e. charging points for the invoice, to the comm timeline page to receive your files and confirm steps...U Must play it by ear here and translate on your own because I'd need an ongoing commission to show you & I'm on ice soup week right now

But that's pretty much it! Some things:

I usually begin my applications with a blurb specifying I'm using a translator as an overseas customer in case they are not comfortable working with the language barrier or I start saying some crazy ass mistranslated shit to them. Ex: 안녕하세요! 저는 기계 번역을 사용하는 해외 고객입니다. 번역이 제대로 되지 않은 텍스트에 대해 사과드립니다. 해외 고객은 받지 않는지 알려주세요.

I tried asking if an artist takes tips once, but there's no built-in system for it and Paypal seems to be the only avenue for it, which I think the site disallows you from sharing (?) to keep transactions moderated by the site. They said "don't worry about it", but I dunno if this is universal

Try to not leave descriptions in your ref images, it's hard to read in your application. Enter it as text in the boxes.

I leave a review once per artist within a month, I am nooot sure about the etiquette about leaving multiple reviews. I don't think it would hurt but uhhh I haven't checked

"Omakase" = artist's choice for most of the image composition. You can still give refs of course and make a simple request, but this means you can't nitpick/have total control over what the artist draws.

"Water level" = NSFW 18+ stuff. I habe no idea what a better translation for the term is yahoo mario water level

👍 enjoy your beautofial art

[communist-ojou-sama]

Okay so I'm gonna go ahead and put a disclaimer up top that these are the ramblings of a dilettante that shouldn't be taken too seriously, but I think that people (understandably) frustrated with with the ICJ ruling and convinced it will have no material consequences should consider some things before they say that.

The first thing I want to remind everyone is that the west is far from invincible. Their rule is not iron-clad and their ability to enforce their will on the world is far from complete and is waning apace.

I think a lot about how in the process of the transition to late capitalism (as I personally define it), one consequence of the mass financialization of the economy is the pricing-out of most common consumer commodity-based manufacturing enterprise in favor of transactions that are most elastic in price, and how the result of that is a mass outflow of raw productive capacity from the imperial core to the global periphery.

If I can frame that in another way, and forgive me in framing this in very neutral terms, but it turns these countries from production-rich countries to production-poor countries with economies defined by the phenomenon of asset-price inflation.

The resulting global situation is that, similar to the assertion that Africa for example is rich because it's where the natural resources that facilitate the global economy are located, Mexico is rich. Vietnam is rich. Bangladesh is rich. These countries are awash in raw capacity to create goods that have a use value. What is the one thing that keeps them relatively cash-poor?

That is, the law. There's a bit of poetry in the idea that just as how within imperial core economies the most important economic instruments are legal contracts to either some percentage of a company's equity or its debt, what sustains its (nominal) riches over the global periphery is a legal regime of ownership that entitles them to the rights to all of the profits going on in these incredibly production-rich countries in the Global South.

It is absolutely correct to say that at the highest level, these legal regimes are enforced at the barrel of the gun, we've seen how too much refusal to to honor these laws by heads of state can lead to mass disinvestment and eventually coups d'état, and even now it would not be a good idea to say, seize the productive assets of a bunch of US firms.

However, and this is where the ICJ comes back in to my point, let's not think about the US. Let's think about, for example, the Netherlands or Belgium. These countries maintain fantastic financial wealth via contracts of ownership with countries in the global south but they are also small and geopolitically unimportant, with little in the way of individual military power.

For little countries like these, genuinely the Only thing that secures their ability to act as a parasite on the global productive economy is the strength of legitimacy that international law affords them, and the position of overwhelming power the west Once had, decades ago.

But the power and prestige of the West continues, as I said, to wane apace. it's too early to happen now but these less militaristic countries are aware of how exposed their assets are to simple seizure if over time international law comes to be seen as a joke.

As awful and condamnable as the current global system is, it is not total dictatorship. It is only able to perpetuate itself because the overwhelming majority of countries that are parties to it have buy in and because, albeit much more slowly than they could have under socialism, they have been able to make dents in their own poverty with it.

The exposure of the international law framework as having absolutely no legitimacy, as being a naked tool of domination of rich countries over poor countries has knock-on effects that stand to be incredibly dangerous to less militarily capable countries that rely on them for their economic structures. On a long-term scale, especially as these countries become richer and more geopolitically influential in their own right, they may well begin to pose the question: why Shouldn't I seize these french factories in my country? Why Shouldn't I seize this Belgian-owned diamond mine? Why Should I pay back this IMF loan, if the ICJ framework can't even compel the Zionist Enemy to end a genocide? And I promise you, this is a reality of which at least some people in those countries are highly cognizant and wary, so I'd wait and see a bit before being Too pessimistic.

[fuck-customers]

I think this might be the case at other stores, but I don't have enough work experience to really know.

Does anyone else's corporate/bosses/higher ups semi-regularly become extremely obsessed with "improving the numbers" of a certain thing and force all the employees to obsessively do X thing to improve X numbers and make their lives hell for a few months and then completely drop it? Lmao

I'll give you 2 examples that I can immediately think of.

A few years ago at a job, maybe 3 years ago, the managers/corporate/whoever were OBSESSED with our greeting numbers. Like when a customer walks in the door, they were on our ass to greet them and say "welcome to [store name]" or at least "hi, welcome in" or some kind of acknowledgement. (Personally I didn't find this TOO irritating, more mildly annoying, however it did cause me to have a weird pavlovian response to automatic doors to the point where I've accidentally said "hi welcome in" when I was a customer in other stores with doors that made the same sound lmao rip) And then after a few months, they just totally dropped it. I haven't been told to welcome anyone in, haven't even heard a peep about any greeting numbers in at least 2 years.

The current one is still ongoing, but is tapering off.

About 2 years ago, corporate or whoever the fuck decided that we absolutely needed to start harrassing our customers into handing over their personal information in the form of their email, and then after we got a new register system, their phone number, under the guise of a "rewards system" that didn't exist.

(Sorry, side tangent here- this one is SO shady. I've never been able to get a straight answer as to WHY we need to get the info from customers or WHAT benefit it would have for customers, you know, since they were rightfully asking why they should provide this information. I had a manager say it was a "rewards system" and then when I asked how the customers could earn points and how I could view their points to tell them how many points they had or how could I apply their reward to the transaction, backtracked and said there was no rewards. Bro what?? This manager would tell customers themselves this, minus the part about it all being a lie, of course, so customers would get pissed because they weren't getting discounts that didn't exist. And THEN after this "rewards system" bullshit blew up in his face, the manager said that the phone numbers were so in the rare event that a customer MIGHT want to return an item but lost their receipt, they could do a return through their phone number. But....we've ALWAYS been able to do no reciept returns...it just had to be a manager who processes the return...the manager who was lying to me about all of this shit...hmm...)

ANYWAY, managers were pretty rabid about the stupid ass phone numbers and what each employee's individual percentages were and would publicly shame employees with low percentages by posting everyone's scores in the breakroom and highlighting those with low scores and put a condescending note like "[name] and [name] need to try harder" or "too many numbers below 70%" or whatever. And it was all the managers would talk about: how many numbers you got, how to increase numbers, tactics for manipulating people into giving their personal info, etc. etc.

And then it started tapering off about 6 months ago and for the past month or so, I have not heard a single peep about phone numbers or percentages or scores or whatever.

So what the fuck was that all about? Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Is this common or is my workplace nuts?

I know with the companies I worked for they would hire an outside audit agency to come in and look at our metrics and if one was low (i.e. not greeting) they would focus on that until the next one would say we were not promoting the rewards program. Next time it was asking if they found everything.

I'm not saying every company is like that but three of the ones I worked for did that.

-Rodney

[tirumalesh-co]

GST Registration Consultants Madhapur

Comprehensive Guide to Goods and Services Tax (GST): Frequently Asked Questions Answered

 Introduction to Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a unified indirect tax system implemented in several countries to streamline the collection of tax on goods and services. GST aims to eliminate the cascading effect of taxes that existed under previous tax regimes, ensuring seamless input tax credits and a transparent taxation process. One of the common challenges faced by businesses and individuals alike is understanding the nuances of GST. This article addresses the most important frequently asked questions on GST, helping you clarify your doubts and optimize your tax compliance. GST Registration Consultants Madhapur

 What is GST and Why Was It Introduced?

Understanding the Concept of GST

GST is a destination-based tax that is levied on the supply of goods and services. It replaces a wide array of indirect taxes that previously existed, such as VAT, service tax, excise duty, and more. Under GST, every stage of the supply chain is taxed, but businesses can claim credits on the taxes they've paid, thus reducing the overall tax burden and fostering transparency.  GST Filing Services Madhapur

Objectives and Benefits of GST

The primary goals behind the introduction of GST are:

- Simplification of Tax Structure: Unifying multiple taxes under one umbrella.

- Elimination of Tax Cascading: Enabling input tax credits at each stage.

- Boosting Revenue Compliance: Through high transparency and easier processes.

- Encouraging Interstate Trade: By removing barriers linked to varied state taxes.

How is GST Structured?

Components of GST

GST in many countries, such as India, is categorized into three main components:

- CGST (Central GST): Levied by the central government on intra-state sales.

- SGST (State GST): Imposed by the state government on goods and services sold within the same state.

- IGST (Integrated GST): Charged on interstate sales and imports/exports.

This structure ensures fair revenue sharing between the central and state governments.

Who Needs to Register for GST?

GST Registration Criteria

- Turnover Threshold: Businesses that exceed the stipulated annual turnover limit (which may vary by jurisdiction) must register for GST.  Professional Tax Filing Madhapur

- Inter-State Suppliers: Entities involved in supplying goods or services across state lines need mandatory GST registration.

- E-Commerce Operators and Aggregators: Online marketplaces and certain service aggregators are also required to register.

- Casual and Non-Resident Taxpayers: Those making occasional transactions or operating from outside the country must register accordingly.

Steps for GST Registration

1. Online Application: Visit the official GST portal and complete the registration form.

2. Document Submission: Upload necessary documents like PAN, address proof, and identity proof.

3. Verification and Approval: Authorities verify documents and issue GSTIN upon successful approval.

What are the Different GST Slabs and Rates?

GST Tax Slabs

GST rates typically fall into different slabs, depending on the country’s policy and the type of goods/services:

- Exempted Goods/Services: 0% GST

- Lower Rate Goods/Services: 5%

- Standard Rate Goods/Services: 12% and 18%

- Luxury and Sin Goods/Services: 28% or higher

These rates vary by product category, with essential goods often taxed at lower rates and luxury items at higher rates.

How is GST Calculated?

GST Calculation Formula

GST can be calculated using the following formula:

GST Amount = (Original Price x GST Rate) / 100

Final Price = Original Price + GST Amount

For example, if a product price is $1,000 and the GST rate is 18%, the GST amount will be $180, and the consumer pays $1,180.

Input Tax Credit (ITC) Mechanism

One of the most significant features of GST is the input tax credit. It allows businesses to deduct the tax they've already paid on inputs (purchases) from their liability on outputs (sales). This mechanism ensures there is no tax-on-tax and reduces the overall cost for end consumers.

What is the Procedure for Filing GST Returns?

Timeline and Types of GST Returns

All registered businesses are required to file GST returns at periodic intervals (monthly, quarterly, or annually, based on their turnover and jurisdiction):

- GSTR-1: Details of outward supplies

- GSTR-2A/2B: Records of inward supplies (auto-populated)

- GSTR-3B: Summary return with payment of taxes

- Annual Return (GSTR-9): A comprehensive yearly summary

Filing returns accurately and on time is essential to avoid penalties.

How Are Exports and Imports Treated Under GST?

GST on Exports

Exports are generally treated as 'zero-rated supplies' under GST. This means the exporter is not taxed on exports and can claim refunds for taxes paid on inputs.

GST on Imports

Imports are regarded as interstate supplies and are subject to Integrated GST (IGST). Importers can claim input tax credits for the IGST paid, ensuring tax neutrality.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in GST Compliance

Frequent Errors and Their Solutions

- Incorrect GSTIN Usage: Always use the correct GST identification number for transactions.

- Delayed Return Filing: Timely filing avoids late fees and penalties.

- Mismatch in Invoice Details: Ensure supplier and recipient details are aligned.

- Not Claiming Input Tax Credit Properly: Cross-check that all eligible credits are claimed.

Being vigilant with documentation and staying updated with GST notifications helps maintain seamless compliance.

Recent Amendments and Updates in GST

Keeping Up with Changes

GST regulations are frequently updated to address changing business needs and policy objectives. Stay informed through official GST portals, regular tax workshops, and consultation with certified GST practitioners to ensure ongoing compliance.

Conclusion: Mastering GST for Business Success

Understanding Goods and Services Tax is vital for businesses looking to stay compliant, reduce tax burdens, and streamline operations. By being aware of GST registration, rates, return filing, and common pitfalls, you can optimize your business’s tax strategy and avoid unnecessary complications. Always seek professional advice for complex GST matters and keep updated with the latest GST trends to ensure your business remains on the right side of the law.

By addressing the most important FAQs on GST with clarity and depth, this guide aims to serve as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs, accountants, and anyone seeking a comprehensive overview of the GST regime. 

Tirumalesh & Co | Chartered Accountants offers expert Best CA Firms In Madhapur Get accurate, timely solutions from trusted professionals near you.

Call/What’s App – +91 84998 05550.

Location: https://bit.ly/42ljdS4

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[sincerelywitch]

Video Analysis: “Culture Shock ?? Orang Jepang Pertama Kali Keliling Pasar Indonesia Banget!! ft. Turah” in Terms of Ethnocentrism

By Charissa, Rahmadian, Alvina Regita

This video features the experience of Tomohiro Yamashita, a Japanese YouTuber, as he explores a traditional market in Indonesia for the first time, accompanied by Turah, an Indonesian YouTuber. In this video, Tomohiro's interactions with the environment, sounds, smells, and objects in the Indonesian market provide numerous opportunities for observation, particularly regarding the ethnocentric attitudes embedded within them, both conscious and unconscious. This analysis will draw on the definition of ethnocentrism as the tendency to use one's own culture as the standard for evaluating other cultures, often leading to the belief that one's own culture is superior. In this article, we will delve deeper into cultural expressions and interactions that reflect ethnocentrism.

How Ethnocentrism is Analyzed in This Video:

Reaction to Physical Environment (Cleanliness/Sanitation & Organization):

Observation: Throughout the video, Tomohiro shows facial expressions that often indicate amazement or slight discomfort with the market conditions. For example, as he walks between the stalls, he notices puddles of water, garbage scattered in the market area, as well as the disorganized arrangement of goods compared to Japanese shops or markets which are known to be very neat and clean.

Analysis of Ethnocentrism: This reaction can be classified as ethnocentrism because Japanese culture teaches very high standards of cleanliness, so that what he sees in Indonesian markets is automatically judged based on those standards. In the video, although it is not explicitly stated as “our culture is better,” the surprised or disgusted attitude may indicate that he considers his cultural standards as a universal benchmark, which is related to behaviors and values.

Reaction to typical smells/odors from the market:

Observation: Traditional Indonesian markets have a unique combination of aromas from spices, fish, vegetables, and sometimes even trash. In the video, Tomohiro is shown showing uncomfortable expressions, frowning, or even covering his nose when passing by certain areas.

Ethnocentrism Analysis: If negative reactions to smells arise, this can be interpreted as ethnocentrism. Japanese environments, especially shopping areas, tend to be more sterile and have subtle scents or fragrances. For Tomohiro, “normal” or “acceptable” smells are those that he is familiar with from his culture. When he is confronted with an unfamiliar scent, his negative reaction shows that he judges the scent based on his own cultural norms, which may deem it less “clean”. This reflects how cultural symbols (in this case, olfactory sensations) are interpreted through one's own cultural filters.

Comments on Prices and Bargaining System:

Observation: Japan has a very patent pricing system and haggling is rare. If Tomohiro expresses shock at the “ very cheap” prices or if he is confronted with the bargaining process (if there is such a moment) and reacts with confusion or strangeness, this is an important point that falls under ethnocentrism.

Ethnocentrism Analysis: The comment about prices being “ very cheap” may reflect ethnocentrism in terms of economic standards. The high cost of living in Japan makes Indonesian prices seem very low to Tomohiro, so he implicitly uses the Japanese price scale as a benchmark. His surprise or discomfort with bargaining, which is a common behavior in Indonesian traditional markets, suggests that he is comparing this trading system with the more structured and fixed-price system in Japan. This is an example of how behaviors and values related to economics and transactions are judged based on one's own cultural norms.

Facial Expressions and Non-verbal Body Language:

Observation: If you pay attention, Tomohiro’s facial expressions show rounded eyes, raised eyebrows, forehead wrinkles, or an awkward smile. Those expressions show when he tries unfamiliar foods, touches items, or interacts with sellers who use different communication styles. He also gives body languages such as slightly backing away, keeping the distance, or hand gestures that show confusion are valid. 

Ethnocentrism Analysis: These non-verbal cues often reflect uneasiness or implicit judgement. For example, he expresses disgust when trying a food he has never eaten before, not only because the taste is different but also because he compares it with what is considered “acceptable” or “good” in his culture. It can also be interpreted as the discomfort with direct interaction with the sellers, who may be very expressive compared to the Japanese communication style which is more formal and less physical. This is a clear indication of the values and behaviors associated with social interactions. 

Implicit Comparison in Language Used:

Observation: Turah may be useful for translating or providing context, but take note how Tomohiro often accidentally starts the sentences with “di Jepang…,” or “kalau di Jepang kami…” Instead, he might ask about the things that are still related to Japanese traditions like “Apakah disini juga ada…”

Ethnocentrism Analysis: The application of language use that constantly compares what he saw and experienced in Japan is an indication of ethnocentrism. Even though his intention may be just to share or try to understand it, he unconsciously places Japanese culture as the main reference point. These statements or comparisons show how he interprets new situations he encounters using his culture as a reference, reinforcing the idea that his culture is the standard. 

Conclusion:

The simplest form of ethnocentrism can be shown through several things, such as reactions to the physical environment (e.g. cleanliness). The facial reaction shown when smelling an odor can also be a sign, such as when Tomohiro showed an uncomfortable expression in a market in Indonesia because of the combination of odors. The expression of surprise that Tomohiro showed when he saw the prices in the Indonesian market were very cheap and negotiable. This is different from the Japanese market which has a fixed price. A face that shows rounded eyes, raised eyebrows, forehead wrinkles, or an awkward smile that shows a non-verbal expression of discomfort. The use of language that continuously compares Indonesia with Japan is also an indication of ethnocentrism because Tomohiro places Japan as a reference.

[omgmaxsmith-blog]

How Outsource Insurance Underwriting Services Improve Risk Assessment Accuracy

The importance of accurate underwriting in insurance has increased, helping to decrease risks, build trust among customers and keep operations efficient. Companies in the insurance industry are expected to give quick responses while still managing risks well. Utilizing outsource insurance underwriting has become popular, as it accurately measures risks at a lower cost.

As operating in the insurance sector becomes more demanding, firms are trying out operational models that combine speed and high quality. Using outsource insurance underwriting is an example of a plan that blends people’s capabilities, automation and using information. Outsourcing tasks helps insurers handle work better, offer more efficient services and check underwriting for errors. Now, it helps create consistent processes for underwriting, meet customer demands and follow regulations in various areas.

1. Better Risk Assessment Through Technology and Process Control

Outsourced underwriting providers use structured processes, digital platforms, and automated decision tools. These systems analyze large volumes of data, detect inconsistencies, and apply risk rules more consistently than manual reviews. As a result, underwriting becomes more reliable. According to a Deloitte study, 61% of insurers using outsourced models saw better accuracy in their underwriting decisions.

2. Access to Experienced Underwriting Talent

Outsourcing partners maintain trained underwriting teams across multiple insurance lines—life, health, property, and casualty. These professionals follow strict underwriting guidelines and undergo regular training. Their experience reduces decision errors, even with complex risk profiles. A McKinsey report noted that insurers working with external underwriters cut their average underwriting time by 35% and reduced rework by 28%.

3. Lower Operational Costs with Scalable Capacity

Hiring, training, and maintaining an internal underwriting team requires high ongoing investment. By outsourcing insurance underwriting, insurers shift to a flexible cost model. Service providers manage staffing, infrastructure, and compliance at scale. This helps insurers save money and adjust quickly to market demands—without slowing down operations or quality.

4. Stronger Compliance and Risk Control

Outsourced underwriting firms work under formal Service Level Agreements (SLAs). These contracts ensure that all activities follow regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, GDPR, and country-specific insurance laws. Outsourcing partners also maintain audit-ready documentation and track every transaction. PwC found that insurers using outsourced models improved audit readiness by 40% and reduced compliance issues by 25%.

5. Focus on Strategic Growth

By outsourcing routine underwriting tasks, insurers free up internal teams for higher-value work. This includes developing new products, improving customer experience, and expanding into new markets. Outsourcing removes time-consuming operational bottlenecks, helping insurers grow without increasing headcount.

Leading Outsource Insurance Underwriting Providers

Several recognized firms offer outsource insurance underwriting support at scale. These include EXL Service, Xceedance, Infosys BPM, and WNS Global Services. Outsourcing insurance underwriting is no longer just a cost-cutting move—it’s a way to improve accuracy, scale operations, and strengthen compliance. With the right partner, insurers can increase efficiency, reduce risk, and improve time-to-decision without sacrificing quality.

[quantvest]

"Tokenized Bitcoin Surpasses 172K BTC: The Future of Cross-Chain Utility"

Intro

Tokenized Bitcoin is making waves in the crypto world, and for a good reason. With over 172,000 BTC now in tokenized form, Bitcoin's utility is expanding across multiple blockchains. This trend is worth exploring, especially if you're new to the concepts of Bitcoin and decentralized finance (DeFi).

What it is

Tokenized Bitcoin refers to Bitcoin that exists on a different blockchain than its native one. For example, when Bitcoin is tokenized using the Ethereum network, it's known as Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC). This allows Bitcoin to be used in decentralized applications that are usually limited to the Ethereum blockchain.

Why it matters

This development is significant for both seasoned investors and beginners. It allows Bitcoin to interact with complex financial systems, like DeFi platforms, without needing direct transactions on the Bitcoin blockchain. The growing use of tokenized Bitcoin means wider access to financial services, like lending and borrowing, without traditional financial gatekeepers.

Examples or breakdown

Wrapped Bitcoin (wBTC): This is the most popular form of tokenized Bitcoin. It lets users participate in Ether-based DeFi projects, increasing Bitcoin's utility.

DeFi Loans: Using tokenized Bitcoin, you can lend your Bitcoin on a DeFi platform and earn interest, just like you would with a traditional savings account.

Token Swaps: You can swap tokenized Bitcoin for other crypto assets on decentralized exchanges, offering more flexibility compared to traditional trading platforms.

Smart Contracts: Tokenized Bitcoin can be used in Ethereum smart contracts, allowing automatic, enforceable agreements without needing middlemen.

Tips or how-to

Educate Yourself: Learn the basics of blockchain, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. Understanding these will make tokenized Bitcoin easier to grasp.

Explore DeFi Platforms: Platforms like Uniswap or Compound offer hands-on ways to see how tokenized Bitcoin can work for you.

Start Small: Consider initially trading small amounts of tokenized Bitcoin. This will help you understand the processes without significant risk.

Summary

Tokenized Bitcoin is a game-changer in the crypto landscape. By bridging Bitcoin with other blockchains, it opens up a new world of possibilities for investors. Whether you're looking to earn interest, engage in smart contracts, or simply diversify your crypto strategy, tokenized Bitcoin presents a promising avenue. As you venture into the world of crypto, consider exploring this growing segment to make the most of your digital assets.

[bnbbropool]

What is the Difference Between a Smart Contract and Blockchain?

In today's digital-first world, terms like blockchain and smart contract are often thrown around, especially in the context of cryptocurrency, decentralized finance (DeFi), and Web3. While these two concepts are closely related, they are not the same. If you’re confused about the difference between a smart contract and blockchain, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll break down both terms, explain how they relate, and highlight their unique roles in the world of digital technology.

1. Understanding the Basics: Blockchain vs Smart Contract

Before diving into the differences, let’s clarify what each term means.

A blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that stores data across a network of computers.

A smart contract is a self-executing program that runs on a blockchain and automatically enforces the terms of an agreement.

To put it simply, blockchain is the infrastructure, while smart contracts are applications that run on top of it.

2. What is a Blockchain?

A blockchain is a chain of blocks where each block contains data, a timestamp, and a cryptographic hash of the previous block. This structure makes the blockchain secure, transparent, and immutable.

The key features of blockchain include:

Decentralization – No single authority controls the network.

Transparency – Anyone can verify the data.

Security – Tampering with data is extremely difficult due to cryptographic encryption.

Consensus Mechanisms – Like Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS), which ensure agreement on the state of the network.

Blockchains are foundational technologies behind cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many others.

3. What is a Smart Contract?

A smart contract is a piece of code stored on a blockchain that automatically executes when certain predetermined conditions are met. Think of it as a digital vending machine: once you input the right conditions (like inserting a coin), you get the output (like a soda).

Smart contracts are:

Self-executing – They run automatically when conditions are met.

Immutable – Once deployed, they cannot be changed.

Transparent – Code is visible on the blockchain.

Trustless – They remove the need for intermediaries or third parties.

Smart contracts are most commonly used on platforms like Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano.

4. How Smart Contracts Operate on a Blockchain

Smart contracts are deployed on a blockchain, usually via a transaction. Once uploaded, they become part of the blockchain and can't be changed. Users interact with these contracts by sending transactions that trigger specific functions within the code.

For example, in a decentralized exchange (DEX), a smart contract might govern the process of swapping one cryptocurrency for another. The logic of that exchange—calculations, fees, security checks—is all written in the contract's code.

5. Real-World Applications of Blockchain

Blockchains are not limited to cryptocurrencies. Their properties make them ideal for various industries:

Finance – Fast, secure transactions without banks.

Supply Chain – Track goods transparently from origin to destination.

Healthcare – Secure and share patient data without compromising privacy.

Voting Systems – Transparent and tamper-proof elections.

Any situation that requires trust, security, and transparency can potentially benefit from blockchain technology.

6. Real-World Applications of Smart Contracts

Smart contracts shine when you need to automate and enforce agreements. Some notable use cases include:

DeFi (Decentralized Finance) – Lending, borrowing, and trading without banks.

NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) – Automatically transferring ownership of digital art.

Gaming – In-game assets with real-world value.

Insurance – Auto-triggered payouts when conditions (like flight delays) are met.

Legal Agreements – Automatically executed contracts based on input conditions.

They’re essentially programmable agreements that remove the need for middlemen.

7. Do Smart Contracts Need Blockchain?

Yes. Smart contracts depend entirely on blockchain technology. Without a blockchain, there's no decentralized, secure, and immutable platform for the smart contract to run on. The blockchain guarantees trust, while the smart contract executes the logic.

8. Which Came First: Blockchain or Smart Contract?

Blockchain came first. The first blockchain, Bitcoin, was introduced in 2009 by the anonymous figure Satoshi Nakamoto. Bitcoin’s blockchain didn’t support smart contracts in the way we know them today. It wasn’t until Ethereum launched in 2015 that smart contracts became programmable on a large scale.

Ethereum introduced the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), enabling developers to build decentralized applications using smart contracts written in Solidity.

9. Common Misconceptions

There are many misunderstandings around these technologies. Let’s clear a few up:

Misconception 1: Blockchain and smart contracts are the same.

Reality: They are separate components that work together.

Misconception 2: All blockchains support smart contracts.

Reality: Not all blockchains are smart contract-enabled. Bitcoin’s blockchain, for example, has limited scripting capabilities.

Misconception 3: Smart contracts are legally binding.

Reality: While they enforce logic, they may not hold legal standing in court unless specifically written to conform to legal standards.

10. Benefits of Using Blockchain and Smart Contracts Together

When used together, blockchain and smart contracts offer powerful advantages:

Security – Combined, they ensure secure automation of processes.

Efficiency – Remove delays caused by manual processing.

Cost Savings – Eliminate middlemen and reduce administrative overhead.

Trustless Interactions – Parties don't need to trust each other, only the code.

This combination is the backbone of decentralized applications (DApps) and the broader Web3 ecosystem.

11. Popular Platforms Supporting Smart Contracts

Several blockchain platforms support smart contracts, with varying degrees of complexity and performance:

Ethereum – The first and most widely used platform.

Solana – Known for speed and low fees.

Cardano – Emphasizes academic research and scalability.

Polkadot – Designed for interoperability.

Binance Smart Chain – Fast and cost-effective for DeFi apps.

Each platform has its own approach to security, scalability, and user experience.

12. The Future of Blockchain and Smart Contracts

The future looks incredibly promising. With the rise of AI, IoT, and 5G, the integration with blockchain and smart contracts could lead to fully automated systems that are transparent, efficient, and autonomous.

We may see:

Global trade systems are using smart contracts to automate customs and tariffs.

Self-driving cars using blockchain to negotiate road usage.

Smart cities are where infrastructure is governed by decentralized protocols.

These are not sci-fi ideas; they are already in development across various industries.

Conclusion: A Powerful Partnership

Understanding the difference between smart contracts and blockchain is essential in today's rapidly evolving digital world. While blockchain provides the secure, decentralized foundation, smart contracts bring it to life by enabling automation and trustless execution.

Think of blockchain as the stage, and smart contracts as the actors that perform on it. Separately, they're impressive. But together, they're revolutionary.

As technology continues to evolve, the synergy between blockchain and smart contracts will redefine industries, reshape economies, and unlock a new era of digital transformation.

[dailyanarchistposts]

B.6 But won’t decisions made by individuals with their own money be the best?

This question refers to an argument commonly used by capitalists to justify the fact that investment decisions are removed from public control under capitalism, with private investors making all the decisions. Clearly the assumption behind this argument is that individuals suddenly lose their intelligence when they get together and discuss their common interests. But surely, through debate, we can enrich our ideas by social interaction. In the marketplace we do not discuss but instead act as atomised individuals.

This issue involves the “Isolation Paradox,” according to which the very logic of individual decision-making is different from that of collective decision-making. An example is the “tyranny of small decisions.” Let us assume that in the soft drink industry some companies start to produce (cheaper) non-returnable bottles. The end result of this is that most, if not all, the companies making returnable bottles lose business and switch to non-returnables. Result? Increased waste and environmental destruction.

This is because market price fails to take into account social costs and benefits, indeed it mis-estimates them for both buyer/seller and to others not involved in the transaction. This is because, as Schumacher points out, the “strength of the idea of private enterprise lies in its terrifying simplicity. It suggests that the totality of life can be reduced to one aspect — profits...” [Small is Beautiful, p. 215] But life cannot be reduced to one aspect without impoverishing it and so capitalism “knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.”

Therefore the market promotes “the tyranny of small decisions” and this can have negative outcomes for those involved. The capitalist “solution” to this problem is no solution, namely to act after the event. Only after the decisions have been made and their effects felt can action be taken. But by then the damage has been done. Can suing a company really replace a fragile eco-system? In addition, the economic context has been significantly altered, because investment decisions are often difficult to unmake.

In other words, the operations of the market provide an unending source of examples for the argument that the aggregate results of the pursuit of private interest may well be collectively damaging. And as collectives are made up of individuals, that means damaging to the individuals involved. The remarkable ideological success of “free market” capitalism is to identify the anti-social choice with self-interest, so that any choice in the favour of the interests which we share collectively is treated as a piece of self-sacrifice. However, by atomising decision making, the market often actively works against the self-interest of the individuals that make it up.

Game theory is aware that the sum of rational choices do not automatically yield a rational group outcome. Indeed, it terms such situations as “collective action” problems. By not agreeing common standards, a “race to the bottom” can ensue in which a given society reaps choices that we as individuals really don’t want. The rational pursuit of individual self-interest leaves the group, and so most individuals, worse off. The problem is not bad individual judgement (far from it, the individual is the only person able to know what is best for them in a given situation). It is the absence of social discussion and remedies that compels people to make unbearable choices because the available menu presents no good options.

By not discussing the impact of their decisions with everyone who will be affected, the individuals in question have not made a better decision. Of course, under our present highly centralised statist and capitalist system, such a discussion would be impossible to implement, and its closest approximation — the election process — is too vast, bureaucratic and dominated by wealth to do much beyond passing a few toothless laws which are generally ignored when they hinder profits.

However, let’s consider what the situation would be like under libertarian socialism, where the local community assemblies discuss the question of returnable bottles along with the workforce. Here the function of specific interest groups (such as consumer co-operatives, ecology groups, workplace Research and Development action committees and so on) would play a critical role in producing information. Knowledge, as Bakunin, Kropotkin, etc. knew, is widely dispersed throughout society and the role of interested parties is essential in making it available to others. Based upon this information and the debate it provokes, the collective decision reached would most probably favour returnables over waste. This would be a better decision from a social and ecological point of view, and one that would benefit the individuals who discussed and agreed upon its effects on themselves and their society.

In other words, anarchists think we have to take an active part in creating the menu as well as picking options from it which reflect our individual tastes and interests.

It needs to be emphasised that such a system does not involve discussing and voting on everything under the sun, which would paralyse all activity. To the contrary, most decisions would be left to those interested (e.g. workers decide on administration and day-to-day decisions within the factory), the community decides upon policy (e.g. returnables over waste). Neither is it a case of electing people to decide for us, as the decentralised nature of the confederation of communities ensures that power lies in the hands of local people.

This process in no way implies that “society” decides what an individual is to consume. That, like all decisions affecting the individual only, is left entirely up to the person involved. Communal decision-making is for decisions that impact both the individual and society, allowing those affected by it to discuss it among themselves as equals, thus creating a rich social context within which individuals can act. This is an obvious improvement over the current system, where decisions that often profoundly alter people’s lives are left to the discretion of an elite class of managers and owners, who are supposed to “know best.”

There is, of course, the danger of “tyranny of the majority” in any democratic system, but in a direct libertarian democracy, this danger would be greatly reduced, for reasons discussed in section I.5.6 ( Won’t there be a danger of a “tyranny of the majority” under libertarian socialism?).

[bubblebuttgamez]

Dragon Age: Veilguard | The Ultimate Preview Summary ▪️Coming to PS5, Xbox Series X and PC in Fall 2024 ▪️Consoles: Quality and Performance modes (60FPS) ▪️Photo mode is confirmed ▪️Fully offline single player, no EA account linking, no micro-transactions' ▪️Play as a human, elf, dwarf, or Qunari ▪️Choose your backstory, 6 factions to choose from when you create your character, all with "deep roots in Thedas": Antivan Crows, Grey Wardens, Shadow Dragons, Veil Jumpers, Lords of Fortune, The Mourne Watch ▪️Each faction offers 3 distinct buffs each, like being able to hold an extra potion or do extra damage against certain enemies, and the odd reference in dialogue ▪️You can customize your Inquisitor from Dragon Age: Inquisition in the character creator and "make a few key decisions that will impact how The Veilguard begins" ▪️There are some "killer cameos" from past games that show up ▪️Warrior Class: Use a sword and shield or two handed weapon to send enemies flying ▪️Rogue Class: Utilizes quick movement and reflexes. You can wield a bow or dual swords with "powerful, precise strikes for lethal damage" ▪️Mage Class: Use magic to incinerate, freeze, electrocute and crush. Some cast from afar, while others prefer close quarters combat ▪️Each class also has 3 sub-specializations, such as duelist, saboteur, or veil ranger for the Rogue ▪️Classes also have unique 'resource system's, for example, the Rogue has "momentum", which builds up as you land consecutive hits, and each will always have a ranged option ▪️One Rogue momentum attack is a "hip fire" option we saw for the Rogue's bow, letting you pop off arrows from the waist ▪️Another momentum attack for the Warrior lets you lob your shield at enemies ▪️Quests are more handcrafted and mission based, curated with alternate paths, secrets to discover and optional content ▪️There are also open ended explorable areas ▪️Party size of 3 during combat, ala Mass Effect ▪️Combat is focused on real-time action, dodge, parry, counter, "sophisticated animation canceling and branching", using risk-reward charge attacks designed to break enemy armor layers ▪️Enemies have elemental weaknesses and resistances, and you can chain together elemental combos for extra damage ▪️One example is a squadmate using a gravity well attack to suck enemies in, another slowing them down, and the player then unleashing a big AOE attack ▪️You don't take direct control of companions like past Dragon Age games, but you can still pause and issues ability commands for you and your allies ▪️There is a hub area for the player like Skyhold and the Normandy, called The Lighthouse ▪️Companions can eventually start romancing other characters if you opt not to romance them Each companion also has unique missions tied to them that play into the larger story ▪️Nudity confirmed - romance scenes can get "a little spicy" ▪️"Incredibly deep" character creator: 5 categories including: Lineage, Appearance, Class, Faction, Playstyle ▪️Players can also choose different body sizes and shapes ▪️Dozens of hairstyles to choose from, with "individual strands of hair rendered separately and reacting quite remarkably to in-game physics", pulled from EA Sports ▪️Character creator lets you adjust the lighting so you can be sure your character looks good ▪️The team wanted to balance the look of the game with both light and darkness. "When everything is dark, nothing really feels dark. For this one, we really wanted to build that contrast again." ▪️Skill tree is "vast", you can also set up specific companions with certain kits, from tackling specific enemy types to being more of a supporting healer or flexible all-rounders ▪️There are tarot cards you go through during the character creation process that will let you choose decisions from past games to implement into Veilguard ▪️The team teases you may lose some characters during the story

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

June 17, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

JUN 18, 2024

Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) met for their fiftieth summit in Italy from June 13 to June 15. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States formed the G7 in 1975 as a forum for democracies with advanced economies to talk about political and economic issues. The European Union is also part of the forum, and this June, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky also attended.

This summit was a particularly fraught one. When it took office, the Biden-Harris administration, along with the State Department under Secretary of State Antony Blinken, set out to reshape global power structures not only in light of Trump’s attempt to abandon international alliances and replace them with transactional deals, but also in light of a larger change in international affairs. 

In a speech at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in September 2023, Blinken explained that the end of the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union had promised a new era of peace and stability, with more international cooperation and political freedom. But while that period did, in fact, lift more than a billion people out of poverty, eradicate deadly diseases, and create historic lows in conflicts between state actors, it also gave rise to authoritarians determined to overthrow the international rules-based order. 

At the same time, non-state actors—international corporations; non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, that provide services to hundreds of millions of people across the globe; terrorists who can inflict catastrophic harm; and transnational criminal organizations that traffic illegal drugs, weapons, and human beings—have growing influence.

Forging international cooperation has become more and more complex, Blinken explained, at the same time that global problems are growing: the climate crisis, food insecurity, mass migration and mass displacement of populations, as well as the potential for new pandemics. In the midst of all this pressure, “many countries are hedging their bets.” 

They have lost faith in the international economic order, as a handful of governments have distorted the markets to gain unfair advantage while technology and globalization have hollowed out communities and inequality has skyrocketed. “Between 1980 and 2020,” Blinken noted, “the richest .1 percent accumulated the same wealth as the poorest 50 percent.” Those who feel the system is unfair are exacerbating the other drivers of political polarization. 

These developments have undermined the post–Cold War political order, Blinken said. “One era is ending, a new one is beginning, and the decisions that we make now will shape the future for decades to come.”

In his inaugural address on January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden vowed to “repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.” Saying that “America’s alliances are our greatest asset” just weeks later at the State Department, the president and officers in the administration set out to rebuild alliances that had fallen into disrepair under Trump. They reinforced the international bodies that upheld a rules-based international order, bodies like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) organized in 1947 to stand against Soviet aggression and now a bulwark against Russian aggression. They began the process of rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization, both of which Trump had abandoned. 

Officials also worked to make international bodies more representative by, for example, welcoming into partnerships the African Union and Indonesia. They also broadened cooperation, as Blinken said, to “work with any country—including those with whom we disagree on important issues—so long as they want to deliver for their citizens, contribute to solving shared challenges, and uphold the international norms that we built together.”

At home, they worked to erase the “bright line” between foreign and domestic policy, investing in policies to bring jobs back to the U.S. both to restore the economic fairness they identified as important to democracy and to stabilize the supply chains that the pandemic had revealed to be a big national security threat. 

On April 28, 2021, in his first address to a joint session of Congress,  President Biden said he had told world leaders that “America is back.” But they responded: “[F]or how long?”  

That question was the backdrop to the G7 summit. Trump has said he will abandon international alliances, including NATO, in favor of a transactional foreign policy. He supports Russian president Vladimir Putin’s attempt to replace the rules-based international order with the idea that might makes right and that any strong country can grab the land of weaker states. 

Earlier this month, Biden used the occasion of the commemoration ceremonies around the 80th anniversary of D-Day to reinforce the international rules-based order and U.S. leadership in that system. On June 4, before Biden left for France, Massimo Calabresi published an interview with Biden in Time magazine in which Calabresi noted that the past 40 months have tested Biden’s vision. Russia reinvaded Ukraine in February 2022, and Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Putin is trying to create “an axis of autocrats,” as Calabresi puts it, including the leaders of China and Iran, the state that is backing the non-state actors Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis of Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon in order to destabilize Israel and the Arab states. China is threatening Taiwan. 

Calabresi pointed out that Biden has responded to these threats by shoring up NATO and welcoming to it Finland and Sweden, with their powerful militaries. His support has enabled Ukraine to decimate the Russian military, which has lost at least 87% of the 360,000 troops it had when it attacked Ukraine in February 2022, thus dramatically weakening a nation seen as a key foe in 2021. He has kept the war in Gaza from spreading into a regional conflict and has forced Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, although the Palestinian death toll has continued to mount as Netanyahu has backed devastating attacks on Gaza. Biden’s comprehensive deal in the Middle East—an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, a big increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, and an enduring end to the crisis with the security of both Israelis and Palestinians assured—has yet to materialize.

In Italy the leaders at the G7 summit stood firm behind Biden’s articulated vision, saying that the G7 “is grounded in a shared commitment to respect the U.N. Charter, promote international peace and security, and uphold the free and open rules-based international order.” On hot-button issues, the G7 backed Biden’s Middle East deal and support for Ukraine, agreeing to transfer $50 billion to Ukraine from the interest earned on Russian assets frozen in the European Union and elsewhere. 

The Biden administration announced additional economic sanctions to isolate Russia even more from the international financial system. At the summit, on June 13, 2024, Presidents Biden and Zelensky signed a ten-year bilateral security agreement that commits the U.S. to supporting Ukraine with a wide range of military assistance but, unlike the NATO membership Ukraine wants, does not require that the U.S. send troops. The agreement is legally binding, but it is not a treaty ratified by the Senate. If he is reelected, Trump could end the agreement.

Immediately after the G7 summit, world leaders met in Switzerland for the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, held on June 15 and 16. Ukraine called the summit in hopes of persuading major countries from the global south to join and isolate Russia, but the group had to be content with demonstrating their own support for Ukraine. Vice President Kamala Harris, who attended the summit, today posted: “The more than 90 nations that gathered at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine hold a diverse range of views on global challenges and opportunities. We don’t always agree. But when it comes to Putin’s unprovoked, unjustified war—there is unity and solidarity in support of Ukraine and international rules and norms.”

Earlier this month, Finnish software and methodologies company Check First released a report exposing “a large-scale, cross-country, multi-platform disinformation campaign designed to spread pro-Russian propaganda in the West, with clear indicators of foreign interference and information manipulation.” The primary goal of “Operation Overload” is to overwhelm newsrooms and fact-checkers and spread “the Kremlin’s political agenda.” 

Foreign affairs journalist Anne Applebaum told Bill Kristol of The Bulwark that China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea do not share an ideology, but “they do share a common interest, and the common interest is undermining…America, Europe, the liberal world, the democratic world.” They do this, she said, because the oppositions in their own countries are inspired by and use the democratic language of freedom and liberty and rights and rule of law, and leaders need to undermine that language to hold onto power. They also recognize that chaos and uncertainty give them business opportunities in the West. Disrupting democracies by feeding radicalism makes the democratic world lose its sense of community and solidarity.

When it does that, Applebaum notes, it loses its ability to stand up to autocrats. 

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[topwebhostingservice]

How Server Location Impacts Your Website

Choosing the right web hosting service is critical to the success of any online presence. Among the various factors to consider, server location stands out as a key element. Server Location refers to the geographic location of the data centre where your website’s files and data are stored. While it might seem like a technical detail, its influence on website speed, performance, and user satisfaction cannot be overstated.

Website Speed and Latency

The closer the server is to your website visitors, the lower the latency or delay in data transfer. For instance, if your server is located in Europe but your target audience is in Asia, the physical distance can cause delays in loading time. Faster websites not only create a better user experience but also encourage visitors to stay longer. Research shows that users are more likely to leave a site if it takes more than a few seconds to load, making server proximity critical for reducing bounce rates.

Boosting SEO Performance

Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a vital role in driving organic traffic to your website. Server location directly affects page load speed, which is a crucial ranking factor for search engines like Google. Additionally, if your website is targeting a specific region, having a server in that region can enhance its visibility in local search results. This geotargeting benefit can give your site a competitive edge in regional markets.

Enhancing User Experience

Modern internet users expect instant results when browsing websites. A server closer to your target audience ensures they can quickly access content, stream videos, or complete transactions without delays. A smooth user experience not only improves customer satisfaction but also increases the likelihood of conversions, whether it’s a sale, a subscription, or another desired action.

Meeting Legal and Compliance Requirements

Different regions have distinct laws and regulations regarding data storage and privacy. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union mandates strict control over the storage and processing of personal data. Hosting your website on a server in a compliant region helps you meet these legal requirements. This ensures your business avoids fines or legal complications while building trust with your users.

Data Security and Reliability

Server location also influences the security of your website. Data centers in certain regions are better equipped to handle threats, including cyberattacks and natural disasters. Locations with advanced cybersecurity infrastructure and disaster recovery systems provide an added layer of protection, ensuring your website remains operational even in adverse conditions.

Global Reach with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

If your website targets a global audience, relying on a single server may not be sufficient. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) can help bridge the gap by distributing copies of your website across multiple servers worldwide. This ensures faster delivery of content to users regardless of their location. CDNs optimize the user experience and help businesses scale efficiently.

Conclusion

The server location in web hosting is a fundamental factor that impacts the speed, accessibility, and reliability of your website. It influences user experience, search engine rankings, data security, and legal compliance. When choosing a web hosting service, prioritize server locations that align with your target audience and business goals. By making an informed decision, you can ensure a faster, safer, and more successful online presence for your website.

[digitalmarketing1225]

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Explaine

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm based on the concept of "objects," which represent real-world entities. Objects combine data (attributes) and functions (methods) into a single unit. OOP promotes code reusability, modularity, and scalability, making it a popular approach in modern software development.

Core Concepts of Object-Oriented Programming

Classes and Objects

Class: A blueprint or template for creating objects. It defines properties (attributes) and behaviors (methods).

Object: An instance of a class. Each object has unique data but follows the structure defined by its

Encapsulations

Encapsulation means bundling data (attributes) and methods that operate on that data within a class. It protects object properties by restricting direct access.

Access to attributes is controlled through getter and setter methods.Example: pythonCopyEditclass Person: def __init__(self, name): self.__name = name # Private attribute def get_name(self): return self.__name person = Person("Alice") print(person.get_name()) # Output: Alice

Inheritance

Inheritance allows a class (child) to inherit properties and methods from another class (parent). It promotes code reuse and hierarchical relationships.Example: pythonCopyEditclass Animal: def speak(self): print("Animal speaks") class Dog(Animal): def speak(self): print("Dog barks") dog = Dog() dog.speak() # Output: Dog barks

Polymorphism

Polymorphism allows methods to have multiple forms. It enables the same function to work with different object types.

Two common types:

Method Overriding (child class redefines parent method).

Method Overloading (same method name, different parameters – not natively supported in Python).Example: pythonCopyEditclass Bird: def sound(self): print("Bird chirps") class Cat: def sound(self): print("Cat meows") def make_sound(animal): animal.sound() make_sound(Bird()) # Output: Bird chirps make_sound(Cat()) # Output: Cat meows

Abstraction

Abstraction hides complex implementation details and shows only the essential features.

In Python, this is achieved using abstract classes and methods (via the abc module).Example: pythonCopyEditfrom abc import ABC, abstractmethod class Shape(ABC): @abstractmethod def area(self): pass class Circle(Shape): def __init__(self, radius): self.radius = radius def area(self): return 3.14 * self.radius * self.radius circle = Circle(5) print(circle.area()) # Output: 78.5

Advantages of Object-Oriented Programming

Code Reusability: Use inheritance to reduce code duplication.

Modularity: Organize code into separate classes, improving readability and maintenance.

Scalability: Easily extend and modify programs as they grow.

Data Security: Protect sensitive data using encapsulation.

Flexibility: Use polymorphism for adaptable and reusable methods.

Real-World Applications of OOP

Software Development: Used in large-scale applications like operating systems, web frameworks, and databases.

Game Development: Objects represent game entities like characters and environments.

Banking Systems: Manage customer accounts, transactions, and security.

E-commerce Platforms: Handle products, users, and payment processing.

Machine Learning: Implement models as objects for efficient training and prediction.

Conclusion

Object-Oriented Programming is a powerful paradigm that enhances software design by using objects, encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. It is widely used in various industries to build scalable, maintainable, and efficient applications. Understanding and applying OOP principles is essential for modern software development.

: pythonCopyEdit

class Car: def __init__(self, brand, model): self.brand = brand self.model = model def display_info(self): print(f"Car: {self.brand} {self.model}") my_car = Car("Toyota", "Camry") my_car.display_info() # Output: Car: Toyota Camry

Encapsulation