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jadeshifting · 4 months ago

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— A GUIDE TO CLASSES AT EVER AFTER HIGH.

MYTHOLOGY. taught by Mrs. Psyche

this class delves into the legendary tales and divine histories of various magical realms, exploring the origins, powers, and legacies of gods, mythical creatures, and legendary heroes. Mrs. Psyche, an expert in ancient lore and celestial wisdom, guides students through epic sagas, divine rivalries, and the cultural significance of myths across Ever After. expect interactive lessons, dramatic reenactments, and the occasional visit from an actual deity if you’re lucky—or very unlucky

HOMEWORK. expect essays on the morals and hidden meanings in classic myths, plus creative assignments like rewriting a legend with a modern twist PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. show curiosity about myths from all cultures and always be respectful of love deities—Mrs. Psyche takes their stories very seriously AVOID MISHAPS. don’t mix up gods from different pantheons in your presentations—calling Zeus “a Norse deity” is a one-way ticket to an exasperated sigh

KINGDOM MANAGEMENT. taught by Mrs. Her Majesty, the White Queen

future rulers, nobles, and aspiring leaders learn the ins and outs of running a kingdom, from diplomacy and lawmaking to organizing grand balls and handling royal scandals. the White Queen, known for her composed yet commanding leadership, teaches strategy, ethics, and governance through real-world scenarios, often incorporating Wonderlandian logic puzzles to test students’ problem-solving skills under pressure

HOMEWORK. drafting decrees, designing economic policies, and writing conflict resolution strategies fit for ruling a kingdom PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. always address her formally, take notes in impeccable script, and never question the importance of royal protocol AVOID MISHAPS. never suggest solving political disputes with a sword—she insists that diplomacy, not duels, is the mark of a true ruler

ADVANCED ELFONOMICS. taught by the esteemed Fairy Queen

this elite course teaches students the intricate financial magic behind running a kingdom, from managing enchanted trade routes to understanding the unpredictable fluctuations of the golden bean stock market. the Fairy Queen, with her keen business acumen and ancient fae wisdom, ensures her students master the art of wealth accumulation, resource allocation, and the occasional negotiation with mischievous leprechauns

HOMEWORK. balancing enchanted budgets, predicting market trends in fairy-tale economies, and occasional field trips to enchanted banks filled with gold PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. keep your calculations accurate and your economic theories sound—Fairy Godmother investments rely on precision, not guesswork AVOID MISHAPS. don’t accept enchanted gold from leprechauns or trickster fairies—it will vanish overnight, and your grade will disappear with it

GRIMMNASTICS. taught by Coach Gingerbreadman

a fast-paced, action-packed class that combines acrobatics, endurance, and skills fit for any fairytale hero or heroine. with Coach Gingerbreadman’s lightning-fast speed and high-energy training style, students practice enchanted obstacle courses, daring escapes, and storybook stunts that would make even the most daring adventurer sweat. the class focuses on developing strength, flexibility, coordination, and agility, blending magical elements with traditional gymnastics techniques

HOMEWORK. none! ( whew ) but in class, expect daily obstacle courses, tower-climbing drills, and team challenges that involve fleeing from imaginary witches PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. keep up, move fast, and don’t complain—Coach G is all about agility and endurance, and he does’t slow down. ever AVOID MISHAPS. never eat anything left unattended in the gym—there’s a 50/50 chance it’s either an energy-boosting enchanted snack or a curse-laced trick. you never know!

CHEMYTHSTRY. taught by Professor Rumplestiltskin

a mix of potions, alchemy, and enchanted chemistry, this course teaches students how to brew everything from love potions to transformation elixirs—if they can handle Professor Rumplestiltskin’s cryptic riddles and tricky assignments. with an emphasis on magical reactions and the delicate balance of ingredients, students must be precise, or they may find themselves accidentally cursed or turned into gold

HOMEWORK. brewing potions, analyzing alchemical reactions, and testing the properties of enchanted elements PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. follow instructions to the letter—Rumplestiltskin loves precision and has a zero-tolerance patience for careless spell-mixing AVOID MISHAPS. never, under any circumstances, agree to any kind of “trade” with the professor in exchange for an easier assignment. it’s not worth it, trust me

DAMSEL - IN - DISTRESSING CLASS. taught by Madam Maid Marian

a staple for traditional storybook heroines, this class teaches the fine art of swooning at the right moment, perfecting the helpless-yet-charming gaze, and calling for help in a voice that carries across enchanted forests. Madam Maid Marian ensures her students master the delicate balance between appearing vulnerable while subtly manipulating the situation to their advantage—because even the most distressed damsels know how to work a fairytale in their favor

HOMEWORK. practicing swooning, perfecting a well-timed gasp, and composing letters of woe to imaginary rescuers PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. always act appropriately dramatic when learning proper distress techniques—anything less than peak theatrics is disappointing AVOID MISHAPS. don’t accidentally outshine the prince in a rescue simulation—nothing gets you on her bad side faster than saving yourself ( no matter how blitheringly useless your rescuer may be )

CREATIVE STORYTELLING. taught by Professor Jack B. Nimble

in this dynamic and expressive class, students learn how to craft compelling narratives, whether for written tales, theatrical performances, or enchanting oral traditions. Professor Jack B. Nimble, known for his quick wit and lively teaching style, encourages students to think outside the storybook and experiment with different genres, endings, and perspectives, ensuring their own tales are just as spellbinding as the ones that came before them

HOMEWORK. writing fairytales with unexpected endings, crafting riddles, and creating engaging oral stories to be performed in class PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. be witty, be original, and never deliver a boring story—Professor Jack lives for quick thinking and clever twists ( students still whisper about the time he literally fell asleep in the middle of a student’s story ) AVOID MISHAPS. avoid clichés at all costs—it says in the syllabus that if he hears “once upon a time” too often, he might jump out the window in protest

ADVANCED VILLAINY. taught by Mr. Badwolf

for those embracing their darker destinies ( or just wanting to understand the mind of a villain—it’s an elective, too ) this class explores the art of scheming, deception, and tactical villainy. Mr. Badwolf, with his menacing charm and years of experience causing trouble, teaches students how to craft masterful monologues, execute dramatic entrances, and plan foolproof plots—complete with an emphasis on avoiding the classic pitfalls that lead to a villain’s downfall

HOMEWORK. devising foolproof villainous schemes and identifying weak points in heroic plans. bonus points for sabotaging another student’s assignment PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. show ambition, strategy, and more than a little bit of wicked flair—Mr. Badwolf respects students who think like masterminds AVOID MISHAPS. don't act heroic in class—while he tolerates reform-minded students, he won’t hesitate to assign extra homework as punishment if he feels anyone's too generous or kindhearted

FASHION DESIGN. taught by Mrs. Fairy Godmother

a dream-come-true class for aspiring designers, where students learn to craft magical ensembles, enchant fabrics, and create garments that are both stylish and spellbinding. with Mrs. Fairy Godmother’s expertise in transformation magic, students practice stitching together gowns that change color at midnight, boots that walk on air, and accessories infused with fairy dust. bonus points for those who can design an outfit fit for a royal ball and an epic quest. the class blends traditional design principles with a touch of enchantment, encouraging students to create outfits that reflect their unique personalities and tell their own fairy tales

HOMEWORK. creating mood boards, sketching outfits, and crafting magical garments with enchanted fabrics PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. always keep your workspace neat and clean, and your designs fabulous—Mrs. Fairy Godmother has high standards for both AVOID MISHAPS. never leave unfinished projects unattended—one rogue swish of a wand, and your dress might sprout wings or turn into a pumpkin

BEAST TRAINING & CARE. taught by Professor Poppa Bear

from training fire-breathing dragons to taming mischievous talking mice, this class prepares students for handling all manner of enchanted creatures. with his warm but no-nonsense approach, Professor Poppa Bear teaches students how to communicate with beasts, provide proper magical care, and even ride or befriend some of Ever After’s most fearsome ( or snuggly ) creatures. the class emphasizes the importance of empathy, respect, and responsible stewardship when interacting with enchanted beings

HOMEWORK. taking notes on enchanted creature encounters you have outside of class, studying their habitats, and practicing magical grooming techniques. assignments are much easier for students who have their own mystic beast as a pet PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. be patient, compassionate, and firm—Professor Poppa Bear believes good beast tamers must balance kindness with authority, and he won't hesitate to crack down on students he feels aren't being tolerant and kind with the creatures AVOID MISHAPS. always double-check what you're feeding the creatures—accidentally giving a griffin a fire-breathing potion will not end well

CROWNCULUS. taught by Mrs. Her Majesty, the White Queen

a blend of advanced mathematics and royal economics, this class teaches students how to manage kingdom finances, calculate treasure values, and strategize for economic prosperity. the White Queen ensures that students grasp complex numerical concepts while also understanding the practical application of numbers in ruling a kingdom, proving that math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about power and magic, too

HOMEWORK. solving royal tax equations, balancing enchanted budgets, and calculating castle construction costs PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. always show your work neatly on your notes, respect the logic of numbers, and never bring chaos into her perfectly ordered classroom. loose fairy dust or torn paper is a one-way ticket to getting sent out to the hallway AVOID MISHAPS. never argue that "magic can just fix the math"—that’s a fast track to an exasperated glare and extra equations ( though she'll pretend you were chosen at random for them )

ADVANCED WOOING. taught by Dr. King Charming

whether it’s serenading a princess from a castle tower or sweeping a prince off his feet at a royal ball, this class covers the fine art of courtship. Dr. King Charming, an expert in chivalry and romance, teaches students how to compose love letters, master ballroom etiquette, and perfect the dramatic, wind-blown hair flip. special guest lectures from famed love interests ensure students are well-versed in only the most effective wooing techniques ever after

HOMEWORK. writing needlessly lengthy sonnets, practicing your dramatic entrance, and perfecting grand romantic gestures PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. exude confidence, use flowery language, and always demonstrate princely manners—Dr. Charming believes wooing is an art, and it helps if you act with decorum even outside of tests and assignments AVOID MISHAPS. don’t mix up your love letters—accidentally delivering the wrong one can lead to legendary levels of fairytale drama ( Dr. Charming won't admit how he knows, but he seems suspiciously adamant on it )

COOKING CLASS - IC. taught by Professor Momma Bear

a cozy yet rigorous class where students learn everything from baking enchanted pastries to brewing hearty, storybook-worthy stews. Professor Momma Bear, warm but strict, teaches students the magic of home-cooked meals and how to avoid common culinary disasters—like accidentally putting a sleeping spell in the soup ( more common than you’d think. shocking, i know. ) bonus points for anyone who can craft a meal fit for both a royal banquet and a humble woodland picnic

HOMEWORK. baking enchanted pastries, perfecting porridge temperatures, and learning potion-infused cooking in the communal kitchens—they're open late at night, which is when lots of students do their best work PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. follow the recipe to a T, respect the kitchen space, and always clean up after yourself—Professor Momma Bear runs a strict but cozy classroom, and surfaces need to be crumb-free for that to happen AVOID MISHAPS. never leave the oven unattended—one careless mistake and your muffins might gain sentience ( or explode )

DARK SORCERY. taught by Baba Yaga

for those required to ( or foolish enough to ) dabble in the shadows, this class explores the ancient and forbidden arts of dark magic. Baba Yaga, cryptic and terrifyingly wise, teaches students the ethics of wielding power, the risks of curses and hexes, and how to summon forces beyond mortal comprehension—strictly for academic purposes… of course. students who can keep up with her demanding lessons will most certainly find themselves walking the fine line between greatness and peril, just as intended

HOMEWORK. expect assignments on hexes, shadow magic, and extremely ethically questionable but highly effective spellcasting techniques PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. be respectful, but not a suck up... listen carefully, but don't hang onto her every word... and never waste her time—Baba Yaga is a fickle old witch who does not tolerate foolishness AVOID MISHAPS. don’t touch any of the professor’s personal artifacts—one single misstep, and you might find yourself cursed for a week ( or a lifetime )

WOODSHOP. taught by Mr. Geppetto

in this hands-on class, students learn the craftsmanship of enchanted carpentry, from crafting magical furniture to carving living marionettes ( though talking puppets are strictly optional. ) taught by the legendary woodcarver Geppetto, the course emphasizes precision, patience, and the importance of working with enchanted materials—because nobody wants a table that turns into a frog mid-banquet

HOMEWORK. crafting intricate wooden figures, repairing broken fairytale objects, and designing enchanted furniture to be presented to the class while Geppetto ooh-s and aah-s encouragingly and inspects it from every angle PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. pay attention to detail, measure at least twice before cutting, and never be careless with your tools ( wouldn't wanna lose a finger... or more ) AVOID MISHAPS. never bring anything to life by accident—Mr. Geppetto still has opinions about unexpected animated puppets, most of them aren't as perfect as his

DEBATE. taught by Mrs. Her Majesty, the White Queen

a battle of wits, logic, and eloquence, this class teaches students how to construct compelling arguments, navigate royal negotiations, and win verbal duels with precision. The White Queen is a master of both reason and Wonderlandian riddles, and she ensures her students can debate everything from kingdom policies to whether a dragon’s hoard should be considered taxable income. though, of course, you always have to shake your opponents hand before and after a debate—and sometimes halfway through, too ( “debate is nothing without decorum, dears” the teacher chirps. )

HOMEWORK. researching historical disputes, and crafting persuasive speeches and arguments to perform in class PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. speak clearly, argue with logic, and maintain perfect etiquette—she values reason and refinement above all else. a perfectly crafted argument could be given zero-sum marks if you use foul language while presenting it AVOID MISHAPS. don’t descend into nonsense logic—Mrs. Her Majesty and the subject of debate as a whole has no room for "because I said so" as a defense

GEOGRAFAIRY. taught by Professor Jack B. Nimble

a whirlwind tour that covers every enchanted land, hidden kingdom, and magical realm, this class ensures students can navigate their way through both real and mythical landscapes. Mr. Jack B. Nimble, quick on his feet and sharp in his knowledge, teaches students how to read enchanted maps, locate legendary landmarks, and survive the treacherous terrains of places like the Swamps of Sorrow or the shifting sands of the Ever After Desert

HOMEWORK. memorizing magical trade routes, mapping enchanted forests, and planning efficient royal journeys, especially for high-stakes travel like royal carriages or valuable trade stocks PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. stay sharp, think fast, and always be ready for pop quizzes—Professor Jack moves just as quickly as his name suggests AVOID MISHAPS. don't mistake one enchanted swamp for another—some have quicksand, others have talking alligators, and both will fail you the test

DRAGON SLAYING. taught by Dr. King Charming

an action-packed course for aspiring heroes and knights, this class covers everything from identifying dragon species to the safest techniques for confronting ( or befriending ) them. Dr. King Charming, ever the gallant warrior, teaches battle tactics, shieldwork, and the art of delivering a victorious speech while standing atop a defeated beast. students are encouraged to find creative, non-lethal ways to deal with dragons—because a slayed dragon often makes for a very angry dragon mother ( you don’t wanna deal with one of those )

HOMEWORK. designing battle strategies, practicing swordplay ( safely and with supervision ), and studying legendary dragon encounters PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. be courageous ( he hates students who cower ) and cultivate a healthy respect for dragonkind—Dr. Charming does not tolerate arrogance or killing out of malice AVOID MISHAPS. never mistake a friendly dragon for a feral one—Dr. Charming is not amused by unnecessary heroics or violence without reason

RIDDLING. taught by Professor Sphinx

a brain-twisting class that challenges students to master the art of riddles, trick questions, and mind-bending wordplay. Professor Sphinx, with her cryptic wisdom and smug amusement, pushes students to think in loops, uncover hidden meanings, and craft riddles so clever that they impress even her. only those with quick wits and sharper tongues will excel. there’s a silent booth tucked into the back of class where students can take solace in five minute time-outs if they get a riddle-induced brain-ache

HOMEWORK. solving some of the most famous and ancient riddles from fairytale history, crafting the trickiest trick questions, and debating paradoxes ( there has to be some end ) ( spoiler alert: there isn't ) PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. think outside the box and embrace the art of wordplay, she appreciates students who attempt to match her riddlish intellect ( though they never fully can. ) never give an obvious answer—she doesn't tolerate laziness AVOID MISHAPS. don't answer a riddle too quickly—Professor Sphinx loves watching students squirm in confusion, she'll snap if you think one is "too easy"

POISON FRUIT THEORY. taught by Mr. Henchman

a darkly fascinating course that delves into the study of enchanted produce, venomous flora, and the alchemy of cursed concoctions. Mr. Henchman, an expert in apple-related treachery from first-hand witnessing, ( and doing most of the dirty work himself shhhh ) teaches students how to identify, craft, and counteract, certain poisons—purely for academic purposes… of course. only the most careful and exceedingly precise students avoid an accidental nap at some point

HOMEWORK. identifying toxic ingredients, testing non-lethal potions, and studying famous fairytale poisonings—students are absolutely not permitted to handle lethal poisons outside of class time, no matter how funny Mr. Henchman thinks it would be PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. be cunning, precise, and always ask about antidotes—surprisingly enough Mr. Henchman values ambition and intelligence over blind villainy AVOID MISHAPS. this should go without saying, but don’t ever eat anything from the classroom—regardless of whether it’s an extra-credit challenge or a standard study subject, it’s all dangerous

HISTORY OF TALL TALES. taught by Professor Paul Bunyan

a larger-than-life class where students study the greatest exaggerations in folklore, from beanstalk-climbing farm boys to men who lasso tornadoes. Professor Paul Bunyan, with his booming voice and legendary stature, teaches the importance of hyperbole, embellishment, and how a good story can shape the world. except storytelling assignments where size does matter, and extra credit for every surreptitious golden object you can cram into your tale

HOMEWORK. exaggerating your own legendary feats into tall tales, researching folklore heroes, and reenacting famous larger-than-life moments PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. show enthusiasm for exaggerated storytelling and never question the truth of a tall tale—Professor Bunyan appreciates a good yarn, says puzzling into it "takes away the fun" AVOID MISHAPS. don’t get caught underestimating the size of the stories—or of Professor Bunyan’s pet blue ox, Babe

DIPLOMACY 101. taught by Mrs. Fairy Godmother

an essential course for future rulers, ambassadors, and anyone hoping to survive royal politics, this class covers the art of negotiation, conflict resolution, and fairy-tale-level etiquette. Mrs. Fairy Godmother, an expert in wish-granting diplomacy, ensures that students can turn any total pumpkin of a situation into a golden carriage of opportunity—preferably before midnight

HOMEWORK. drafting peace treaties, mediating minor disputes between friends or classmates, and practicing polite yet firm negotiation techniques PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. mind your manners, choose your words wisely, and never raise your voice—Mrs. Fairy Godmother believes in charm over conflict, and that manners always win AVOID MISHAPS. try not to use magic to solve conflicts too quickly—diplomacy requires finesse and effort, not a bibbidi-bobbidi-bandaid

CASTLE DESIGN. taught by the Three Little Pigs

a structural and aesthetic architecture class that teaches students how to design the perfect castle, from grand ballrooms to impenetrable fortresses, and everything else a benevolent ruler ( or evil sorcerer ) could need from their abode. the Three Little Pigs, having learned their lesson more than once after their own architectural mishaps, are now experts at crafting with only the pinnacle of quality materials, and they guide students through the balance of beauty and functionality, ensuring that no tower is too tall and every drawbridge is both sturdy and stylish

HOMEWORK. drafting blueprints, constructing model castles, and ensuring defenses against huffing and puffing in your structures PLEASE THE PROFESSORS. always prioritize structural integrity in your projects—they still have very, very strong opinions about weak materials AVOID MISHAPS. never, ever suggest using straw or sticks unless you want a three-pig class-long lecture on the merits of proper fortification

BEWITCHING SONG. taught by Ms. Aquata of Atlantis

a mesmerizing music class where students learn the magic of vocal enchantment, from siren songs that lure sailors to sleep, all the way to battle hymns that rally armies. Ms. Aquata, hailing from the royal family of Atlantis with her haunting voice and knowledge of forbidden harmonies, trains students in the delicate balance of melody and power—reminding them that some songs come at a price

HOMEWORK. composing enchantments through song, practicing vocal spells, and analyzing the most famous fairytale musical enchantments ( of course, the teacher is partial to songs from the tale of the Little Mermaid, though she pretends she doesn't have favorites ) PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. stay in tune and on key, embrace the magical melodies, and never mock merfolk music—Ms. Aquata takes her siren songs very seriously, even if they sound like dolphin noises to the untrained ear AVOID MISHAPS. avoid singing the wrong notes—one slip, and you might accidentally charm your classmates into an impromptu dance number ( music magic can be... fickle )

ANGER MAGICMENT. taught by Mr. Badwolf

a course designed for students with fiery tempers and villainous bloodlines, this class focuses on channeling rage productively instead of, say, blowing houses down. Mr. Badwolf ( you know… the Big Bad Wolf ) with his own history of temper issues, teaches students techniques in deep breathing, mindfulness, and how to redirect fury into something slightly less destructive—like competitive sports instead of rampaging through villages

HOMEWORK. journaling your emotional responses on the day-to-day, practicing breathing exercises, and resolving conflict without growling PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. keep your temper in check, use calming techniques, and don’t provoke classmates—Mr. Badwolf knows firsthand how bad anger issues can get, he has no tolerance for trying to set off others AVOID MISHAPS. never howl in frustration—it sets off an automatic... pack response from Mr. Badwolf, leaving him embarrassed and you in detention

EXPERIMENTAL FAIRY MATH. taught by Dr. Sandman

a mind-boggling fusion of numbers, magic, and dream logic, this class teaches students how to manipulate enchanted equations, calculate impossible probabilities, and solve numerical riddles that make reality bend. Dr. Sandman, a master of both dreamscapes and abstract concepts, guides students through numerical paradoxes and whimsical calculations that only make sense if you never think about them too hard

HOMEWORK. solving numerical paradoxes, creating reality-warping equations, and exploring mathematical dreamscapes—make sure you can get back to your dorm when you're done studying, though PLEASE THE PROFESSOR. keep an open mind, embrace dreamy logic, and don’t expect normal numbers—Dr. Sandman sees math through a magical lens, try to see things from his point of view AVOID MISHAPS. never fall asleep mid-equation—you might wake up inside a calculated alternate reality

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inky-duchess · 12 days ago

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Worldbuilding Guide: Social Problems

There is no such thing as a Utopia. Every place has its problems. Social problems are any issues that have a negative effect on the population, and are often problems which are actively being tackled by the government or a point of anger for the population which they want their leaders to fix. Social problems can fall under the umbrella of the political, economical, cultural and environmental. Social problems add a layer of realism to your worldbuilding, offering your characters something to fight against, struggle against and draw opinion on - adding complexity to both your cast of characters and the world that they inhabit.

Poverty

Poverty is defined by people having a deficit of financial resources which prevents them from accessing proper food, housing, resources and healthcare. Poverty can be caused by low wages, high inflation, inability to access the appropriate resources or unemployment. Poverty can effect the population as a whole, leading to a heavier demand on some resources and aid offered or a character alone, who has to struggle to survive.

What is the leading cause of poverty in your world?

What are some of the consequences of poverty?

How does poverty effect the population?

Where are areas where poverty is more of a problem than others?

Can somebody access aid to help them out of poverty? If so, what sort of aid? Was it available for everybody?

Unemployment

Unemployment is when there is a high number of jobless people within the population. This can lead to other issues such as a strain on resources without a return to the state or other social problems such as crime as people struggle to support themselves and survive. High rates of unemployment often reflects a deeper issues within the state itself.

What is the main cause of unemployment in your world?

Are there some areas where unemployment is more of a problem?

What do the unemployed blame for the reason they are unemployed?

How does employment effect the population?

Is there competition to gain employment?

What are some factors that might bar somebody from obtaining employment?

What are the government doing to solve the problem?

Environment

The environment is another problem often effecting society as a whole. Whether it is air pollution or rising water levels or even urban sprawl, environment often effects how a society and a settlement thrives - either by the spending of money for preventative measures or the effects on the health of the population as a whole. Of course, most governments see environment as a small issue, especially if the problems are long in effecting them personally or to tackle them would have an effect on profit and business.

What are some resources that are very scarce?

How is the land itself effected by changes to the environment?

What are some effects on resources? Such as pollution or deforestation?

How does an effected environment effect every day life?

Does impacted environment have an effect on wildlife? On crops?

What are some health problems caused by poor care for the environment?

Is the environment a pressing issue?

Crime & Violence

Crime, violence and anti-social behaviour effect the population. Crime rates often have overreaching effects: high crime rates leads to an increased police presence, more surveillance on the population and stricter laws which often develop a population who may grow disenfranchised with the government and country they live in. High crime rates often effect property prices and economic growth, with areas of high crime often falling below market value and businesses wary to move to those areas. Crime and criminal activity often leads to people feeling isolated, especially if the area is written off as a 'bad' area, with people leaving the area when they can for safer areas. Crime might also effect children and young people if grow up with an exposure to violent behaviour, with a higher chance of them being victims or future preparators of crime.

Is the law fair? Does it apply to everybody equally?

What is the rate of violent crime?

What is the rate of petty crime?

Are punishments for crime seen as just?

What rights does a prisoner have once arrested? If any?

What crimes have a higher rate of occurrence? Why is this?

How is crime combated? Is it effective?

What evidence does law enforcement need to arrest somebody?

Is a prisoner entitled to legal representation?

How is crime combatted?

Is law enforcement corrupted by crime? How common is bribery?

How is justice obtained?

Are any crimes taboo?

What crimes are considered acceptable and in what situation?

Healthcare

Healthcare is an important factor in any thriving society. Healthcare ensures that the workforce is kept in top shape but also that those who struggled with health survived. Healthcare can often be divided by wealthy and poor, access to good if any healthcare often was restricted. Lack of healthcare can lead to high death rates, with some of the population often seeking other means for their health such as illegal practitioners or harmful home remedies.

If somebody had little or no money, could they be denied access to healthcare?

Is healthcare equal? Are there any classes who would find it harder to access healthcare?

Is healthcare a worry for the government?

Are there any alternatives for those who can't access healthcare?

Does the state provide any healthcare? If so, who can benefit?

What are some diseases that are rampant? Why?

What are mortality rates among children or infants? Why is it high/low?

Is there any care for pregnant people?

How is mental illness treated? Is there stigma around mental health?

How much would a doctor's visit cost?

Are hospitals accessible for all? What about clinics or asylums?

How effective are treatments for insanity?

Hygiene

Hygiene will be an extremely important feature of any society. Lack of hygiene through clean water or proper sanitation practises can have knock on effects on health and survival. Bad housing could effect the health of tenants, with illnesses caused by cheap materials, damp, mould and other features of decay and ruin. Lack of clean water can cause epidemics of cholera, typhoid, dysentery and leptospirosis. Poor sanitation practises like lack of human waste disposal, waste management, poor drainage and sewage systems and poor hygiene facilities led to rampant disease and infection rates, along with the infestation of pests like rats and flies.

What is considered poor hygiene?

How is waste managed? Is it managed well?

If the settlement or area has poor sanitation, what does it smell like?

Are there any personal pests that are rampant? Lice? Fleas?

Are there adequate drainage and sewage systems? If not, why?

What is considered luxury in terms of washing one's self? A hot bath? Shower?

What is the air quality like? If it is bad, why? How does it effect people?

Is water clean?

How many homes have access to clean water?

Is access to clean water a right or a privilege?

Is hygiene a task that the government has to tackle?

Education

Education can either be seen as a luxury or a right, depending on how your society views it. Education is the key to social mobility and often there are barriers for the lower classes to access the education they need in order to move up in the ranks and status. An educated population is a population who questions and challenges their leaders so education may be restricted for some factions in the population. Then if education is available to all, chances are there are different access routes and levels of effectiveness - often the wealthy can afford a better level of education with better resources while the poorer classes may not be able to access the education they need or the resources.

What is the cost of a basic education?

How easy is it to access an education?

Does every settlement in your world have a school? If not, why?

What is the highest university or school one can achieve?

What is a basic education? What does it entail?

What is the rate of literacy in your world? Is literacy rates seem as a problem?

Who can access education?

Is education seen as a right? Or is it a luxury?

Are some branches of education restricted?

Homelessness

Homelessness is a social problem where there aren't enough appropriate or affordable homes for the population. Homelessness is often a result of poverty, overpopulation, personal factors such as untreated mental illness and substance abuse issues and high employment rates but also the power of the landowners and property owners, especially if they have government backing which they likely do. Homelessness is often blamed on those effected themselves but in reality, it is a reflection on the government's failures to provide alternatives or solutions to the problems that cause homelessness. Rising numbers of people without stable housing due to financial hardship or systemic failures.

How is homelessness viewed by society?

Is homelessness a problem in certain areas?

If homelessness is seen as the fault of the victim, why and how does society see it that way?

How does the government view homelessness? Is it a problem they feel they need to solve quickly?

Addiction

Addiction is a social issue that not only effects a community personally but also other factors on this list. Addiction can be substance abuse, alcohol abuse or gambling, which puts pressure on the community's ability to survive and thrive. It can also have an effect on a community's ability to work and generate wealth, pushing up crime rates.

How are sufferers of addiction viewed within society?

How does addiction effect employment and crime?

Does addiction effect both classes?

What are some things that the population are addicted to?

Is addiction a pressing issue?

Political Corruption

Abuse of power is a common theme throughout historic and modern communities. Sometimes the ability to make overreaching decisions for a population breeds greed and corruption. Bribery or blackmail might be used to sway choices. Politicians might make decisions based on personal wealth or in order to protect themselves or their incomes. Sometimes laws will be passed not for fairness but for consolidating the gap between those in power and those without.

Are elections considered fair?

How can elections be meddled with?

Are there any factions of population that are prevented from voting?

Do politicians have a reputation for accepting bribes or looking after their own interests in office?

What are some if any political scandals of recent memory?

Can politicians be prosecuted for bad behaviour?

How do the population view their leaders?

Gender Issues

Gender is an issue that effects most communities. Whether it is a pay gap between the genders or differing levels of rights or opportunities. Gender divides between men and women and non-binary individuals create levels of distrust, frustration and often danger. Gender can play into class divides, political corruption, education and crime and violence and also effect how society runs, restrictions on gender can also effect society as a whole by not allowing the whole population to be utilized as a workforce or active members of society.

What some differences in how the genders are treated by society?

If there are differences, what effect does this have within society and the fabric of your world?

Are there groups that protest against these gaps?

What are some behaviours and opportunities that are unobtainable for certain genders?

Does this effect both classes?

Overpopulation

Overpopulation is when the population is greater than the number of resources available to sustain them. Overpopulation can contribute to poverty and homelessness with too many people trying to find lodging and shelter. It can increase unemployment with people trying to access too little jobs. It can strain any healthcare providers and impact the environment. Strains on resources can often contribute rates of violence and tension.

Where does overpopulation occur?

Does overpopulation drain any resources in particular?

Is there any way for the government try combat overpopulation?

Is overpopulation caused organically or are there another factors involved?

Are there any ways to prevent or slow down growth of the population?

#worldbuilding guide: social problems #worldbuilding guide #worldbuilding #writing #writeblr #writing reference #writing advice #writing resources #writer's life #writer's problems #writer #spilled words #wtw #wtwcommunity #fantasy worldbuilding #worldbuilding stuff #writing help #writing community

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5re8648566 · 1 month ago

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Call on Musk to conduct an in-depth investigation into the U.S. Army Information Operations Center and other financial aid departments

Against the complex backdrop of global politics and economics, the activities of the U.S. military’s Information Operations Center and other financial aid departments have increasingly attracted public attention. These departments not only undertake important military tasks, but also involve large amounts of financial flows and resource allocation.

However, in recent years, there have been numerous reports of opaque operations, misuse of funds, and potential corruption in these departments. These problems not only undermine public trust in the military and financial systems, but may also pose a threat to the country's security and stability.

At this critical moment, we call on Musk, a leader in technology and innovation, to use his unique insight and influence to conduct in-depth investigations of these sectors. Musk has made remarkable achievements in many fields with his spirit of daring to challenge authority and pursuing the truth. We believe in his ability to reveal the truth behind these departments and provide the public with a clear, transparent view.

Through Musk’s investigation, we can expect to expose and solve problems in these sectors and promote reform and progress in the military and financial systems. This not only helps maintain national security and stability, but also enhances public trust in the military and financial systems, laying a solid foundation for social harmony and development.

We know that such an investigation will be full of challenges, but as Musk has shown, only by having the courage to face difficulties can we promote social progress. We expect Musk to respond to this call and unveil the mystery of the US military’s information operations center and other financial support departments to the public.

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zahri-melitor · 3 months ago

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Stephanie Brown and sewing: the discontinuity in canon skill

One of the points that is often brought up to contrast Bryan Q. Miller’s Batgirl 2009 run with pre-War Games Steph is BQM’s depiction of Steph as unable to sew in Batgirl #1 2009, in contrast with Chuck Dixon’s depiction of her sewing her first costume in Secret Origins 80-Page Giant #1 1998.

I think it’s interesting to contrast the default assumptions inherent in ‘Steph can/cannot sew’ for both periods, and also look at what the skill would say today about her as a character.

Dixon from her origin in 1992 portrays Steph as having sewn her own costume and as a member of Gen X. (Well, he doesn’t specify that she made it until he writes her Secret Origins in 1998, but it probably formed part of her origin story in his mind from the very start). In that time period, it’s not unlikely that Steph may still have been taught to sew at school and to be assumed by readers to have learnt at school; while sewing and home economics classes were in the process of being removed from the US school curriculums over the late 1970s and the 1980s, in 1992 that would still be very recent news and in particular, adult readers and writers would likely still have expected it to be a skill that a teenage girl would have learnt, either at school or from her mother. Dixon in particular was born in 1954 and probably finished school in the very early 1970s, before this change in curriculum occurred, so his default expectation would have been that Steph had the opportunity to learn.

On top of this, in the late 1980s and early 1990s it was still financially viable for lower middle class families to be sewing particularly children’s clothing and women’s dresses to save money; the cost of fabric v the cost of premade clothing was such that there were still savings to be made by running up simple clothes at home if you discounted the labour costs of the woman doing that work. In this context, Steph being able to sew her own costume is something that allows Dixon to portray Steph as thrifty and hardworking and the ‘good’ sort of lower middle class.

In this context, Steph sewing makes her look competent and well educated, but also pitches her in the position where she is visibly less well off and less well resourced than Tim is: she is able to solve the problem of needing a costume by creating her own at home (similar to how Barbara Gordon, in most origin stories, sews her first Batgirl costume AS a costume party outfit), rather than having one gifted to her by Bruce.

In contrast, by BQM’s Batgirl 2009 run, the likelihood of a teenage girl having the skill to sew a complete outfit has significantly dropped. My best estimate of BQM’s age is that he was likely born in the 1980s, a full generation later, and is writing a teenage girl who is similarly presented as an entire generation younger and a Millennial. For this version of Steph, sewing is an old fashioned, unfashionable skill that she would have been unlikely to learn at school. To learn how to sew she would either have required a special interest or an involved mother or other older relative who specifically wanted to teach her; and Crystal Brown is not portrayed as someone who had the free time to be teaching hobbies to her daughter. The economics of sewing have also flipped at this point. Buying clothing was cheaper and easier than sewing them personally, and it would be extremely unlikely to see a teenager wearing homemade clothing.

On top of that, we have BQM’s characterisation of Steph. His Steph is Not Like Other Girls ™ - she’s specifically shown to be cool and rebellious in ways that are depicted via things like looking down on clothing/behaviour that is ‘girly’, wearing male style clothing like combat fatigues as part of her university clothing to portray that she’s above caring about her appearance, but still having those ‘when she wears a dress she looks feminine/beautiful’ moments. It’s a very trendy portrayal of a teenager who is simultaneously trying to appear not to be trying too hard while actually privately overthinking everything.

Finally, both of these reads of what Steph being able to sew or not means have different interpretations in the present day.

From my current understanding, design and sewing classes have largely been out of the US school curriculum for decades at this point. The most common encounters that a modern member of fandom would have with sewing clothing is the in the context of cosplay, whether that be for fandom costuming (such as sewing your own Batgirl costume for a party like Barbara), or in terms of the Bernadette Banner style of elaborate historical recreations, where the hobby is both the recreation and in doing everything the hardest and most elaborate way possible. It is not something most people would do for actual pieces in their wardrobe (as the economics of sewing are still upsidedown in terms of materials to premade). A current teenage or early 20s Steph is a member of Gen Z, another generation on.

Because of this frequent lack of familiarity with the skill of sewing in the general audience, there is no longer an default expectation that Steph would be able to sew. If she was able to sew, it would be perceived as a particular hobby of hers for some purpose (probably cosplay, to give her a fandom-aligned hobby to seem ‘cool’), rather than an expected skill she acquired in the course of her education, whether at school or from her mother, for the purpose of running a household and general maintenance tasks. Particularly in terms of being able to put together an entire costume, or modify another costume to fit herself; those are higher skill levels than sewing on buttons or tacking a hem.

Interestingly, both portraying Steph as able to sew AND as unable to sew now have different readings to them compared to the two contemporaneous commentaries available in 1992 and 2009, when it was previously addressed in canon. It would be interesting to see it addressed again by a writer, to see which angle they take.

#dc meta #stephanie brown

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mostlysignssomeportents · 6 months ago

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The housing emergency and the second Trump term

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

https://pluralistic.net/2024/12/11/nimby-yimby-fimby/#home-team-advantage

Postmortems and blame for the 2024 elections are thick on the ground, but amidst all those theories and pointed fingers, one explanation looms large and credible: the American housing emergency. If the system can't put a roof over your head, that system needs to go.

American housing has been in crisis for decades, of course, but it keeps getting worse…and worse…and worse. Americans pay more for worse housing than at any time in their history. Homelessness is at a peak that is soul-crushing to witness and maddening to experience. We turned housing – a human necessity second only to air, food and water – into an asset governed almost entirely by market forces, and so created a crisis that has consumed the nation.

The Trump administration has no plan to deal with housing. Or rather, they do have plans, but strictly of the "bad ideas only" variety. Trump wants to deport 11m undocumented immigrants, and their families, including citizens and Green Card holders (otherwise, that would be "family separation" and that's cruel). Even if you are the kind of monster who can set aside the ghoulishness of solving your housing problems by throwing someone in a concentration camp at gunpoint and then deporting them to a country where they legitimately fear for their lives, this still doesn't solve the housing emergency, and will leave America several million homes short.

Their other solution? Deregulation and tax cuts. We've seen this movie before, and it's an R-rated horror flick. Financial deregulation created the speculative mortgage markets that led to the 2008 housing crisis, which created a seemingly permanent incapacity to build new homes in America, as skilled tradespeople retired or changed careers and housebuilding firms left the market. Handing giant tax cuts to the monopolists who gobbled up the remains of these bankrupt small companies minted a dozen new housing billionaires who preside over companies that make more money than ever by building fewer homes:

https://www.fastcompany.com/91198443/housing-market-wall-streets-big-housing-market-bet-has-created-12-new-billionaires

This isn't working. Homelessness is ballooning. The only answer Trump and his regime have for our homeless neighbors is to just make it a crime to be homeless, sweeping up homeless encampments and busting homeless people for "loitering" (that is, existing in space). There is no universe in which this reduces homelessness. People who lose their homes aren't going to dig holes, crawl inside, and pull the dirt down on top of themselves. If anything, sweeps and arrests will make homelessness worse, by destroying the possessions, medication and stability that homeless people need if they are to become housed.

Today, The American Prospect published an excellent package on the housing emergency, looking at its causes and the road-tested solutions that can work even when the federal government is doing everything it can to make the problem worse:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-tackling-the-housing-crisis/

The Harris campaign ran on Biden's economic record, insisting that he had tamed inflation. It's true that the Biden admin took action against monopolists and greedflation, including criminal price-fixing companies like Realpage, which helps landlords coordinate illegal conspiracies to rig rents. Realpage sets the rents for the majority of homes in major metros, like Phoenix:

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-sues-realpage-and-residential-landlords-illegal-price-fixing

Of course, reducing inflation isn't the same as bringing prices down – it just means prices are going up more slowly. And sure, inflation is way down in many categories, but not in housing. In housing, inflation is accelerating:

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-03-08/inflation-housing-shortage-economy-cpi-fed-interest-rate

The housing emergency makes everything else worse. Blue states are in danger of losing Congressional seats because people are leaving big cities: not because they want to, but because they literally can't afford to keep a roof over their heads. LGBTQ people fleeing fascist red state legislatures and their policies on trans and gay rights can't afford to move to the states where they will be allowed to simply live:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/11/business/economy/lgbtq-moving-cost.html

So what are the roots of this problem, and what can we do about it? The housing emergency doesn't have a unitary cause, but among the most important factors is fuckery that led to the Great Financial Crisis and the fuckery that followed on from it, as Ryan Cooper writes:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-housing-industry-never-recovered-great-recession/

The Glass-Steagall Act was a 1933 banking regulation created to prevent Great Depression-style market crashes. It was killed in 1999 by Bill Clinton, who declared, "the Glass–Steagall law is no longer appropriate." Nine years later, the global economy melted down in a Great Depression-style market crash fueled by reckless speculation of the sort that Glass-Steagall had prohibited.

The crash of 2008 took down all kinds of industries, but none were so hard-hit as home-building (after all, mortgages were the raw material of the financial bubble that popped in 2008). After 2008, construction of new housing fell by 90% for the next two years. This protracted nuclear winter in the housing market killed many associated industries. Skilled tradespeople retrained, or "left the job market" (a euphemism for becoming disabled, homeless, or destroyed). Waves of bankruptcies swept through the construction industry. The construction workforce didn't recover to pre-crisis levels for 16 years (and of course, by then, there was a huge backlog of unbuilt homes, and a larger population seeking housing).

Meanwhile, the collapse of every part of the housing supply chain – from raw materials to producers – set the stage for monopoly rollups, with the biggest firms gobbling up all these distressed smaller firms. Thanks to this massive consolidation, homebuilders were able to build fewer houses and extract higher profits by gouging on price. They doubled down on this monopoly price-gouging during the pandemic supply shocks, raising prices well above the pandemic shortage costs.

The housing market is monopolized in ways that will be familiar to anyone angry about consolidation in other markets – from eyeglasses to pharma to tech. One builder, HR Horton, is the largest player in 3 of the country's largest markets, and it has tripled its profits since 2005 while building half as many houses. Modern homebuilders don't build: they use their scale to get land at knock-down rates, slow-walk the planning process, and then farm out the work to actual construction firms at rates that barely keep the lights on:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/its-the-land-stupid-how-the-homebuilder

Monopolists can increase profits by constraining supply. 60% of US markets are "highly concentrated" and the companies that dominate these markets are starving homebuilding in them to the tune of $106b/year:

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3303984

There are some obvious fixes to this, but they are either unlikely under Trump (antitrust action to break up builders based on their share in each market) or impossible to imagine (closing tax loopholes that benefit large building firms). Likewise, we could create a "homes guarantee" that would act as an "automatic stabilizer." That would mean that any time the economy slips into recession, this would trigger automatic funding to pay firms to build public housing, thus stimulating the economy and alleviating the housing supply crisis:

https://www.peoplespolicyproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/SocialHousing.pdf

The Homes Guarantee is further explained in a separate article in the package by Sulma Arias from People's Action, who describes how grassroots activists fighting redlining planted the seeds of a legal guarantee of a home:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-why-we-need-homes-guarantee/

Arias describes the path to a right to a home as running through the mass provision of public housing – and what makes that so exciting is that public housing can be funded, administered and built by local or state governments, meaning this is a thing that can happen even in the face of a hostile or indifferent federal regime.

In Paul E Williams's story on FIMBY (finance in my back yard), the executive director of Center for Public Enterprise offers an inspirational story of how local governments can provide thousands of homes:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-fimby-finance-in-my-backyard/

Williams recounts the events of 2021 in Montgomery County, Maryland, where a county agency stepped in to loan money to a property developer who had land, zoning approval and work crews to build a major new housing block, but couldn't find finance. Montgomery County's Housing Opportunities Commission made a short-term loan at market rates to the developer.

By 2023, the building was up and the loan had been repaid. All 268 units are occupied and a third are rented at rates tailored to low-income tenants. The HOC is the permanent owner of those homes. It worked so well that Montgomery's HOC is on track to build 3,000 more public homes this way:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/business/affordable-housing-montgomery-county.html

Other – in red states! – have followed suit, with lookalike funds and projects in Atlanta and Chattanooga, with "dozens" more plans underway at state and local levels. The Massachusetts Momentum Fund is set to fund 40,000 homes.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/25/business/affordable-housing-montgomery-county.html

The Center for Public Enterprise has a whole report on these "Government Sponsored Enterprises" and the role they can play in creating a supply of homes priced at a rate that working people can afford:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-fimby-finance-in-my-backyard/

Of course, for a GSE to loan money to build a home, that home has to be possible. YIMBYs are right to point to restrictive zoning as a major impediment to building new homes, and Robert Cruickshank from California YIMBY has a piece breaking down the strategy for fixing zoning:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-make-it-legal-to-build/

Cruickshank lays out NIMBY success stories in cities like Austin and Minneapolis adopting YIMBY-style zoning rules and seeing significant improvements in rental prices. These success stories are representative of a broader recognition – at least among Democratic politicians – that restrictive zoning is a major contributor to the housing emergency.

Repeating these successes in the rest of the country will take a long time, and in the meantime, American tenants are sitting ducks for predatory landlords, With criminal enterprises like Realpage enabling collusive price-fixing for housing and monopoly developers deliberately restricting supplies to keep prices up (a recent Blackrock investor communique gloated over the undersupply of housing as a source of profits for its massive portfolio of rental properties), tenants pay more and more of their paychecks for worse and worse accommodations. They can't wait for the housing emergency to be solved through zoning changes and public housing. They need relief now.

That's where tenants' unions come in, as Ruthy Gourevitch and Tara Raghuveer of the Tenant Union Federation writes in their piece on the tenants across the country who are coordinating rent strikes to protest obscene rent-hikes and dangerous living conditions:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-12-11-look-for-the-tenant-union/

They describe a country where tenants work multiple jobs, send the majority of their take-home pay to their landlords – a quarter of tenants pay 70% of their wages in rent – and live in vermin-filled homes without heat or ventilation:

https://www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/terms-of-investment/

Public money from Freddie Mae and Fannie Mac flood into the speculative market for multifamily homes, a largely unregulated, subsidized speculative bonanza that lets the wealthy make bets and the poor pay their losses.

In response, tenants unions are popping up all across the country, especially in red state cities like Bozeman, MT and Louisville, KY. They organize for "just cause" evictions that ban landlords from taking their homes away. They seek fair housing voucher distribution practices. They seek to close eviction loopholes like the LA wheeze that lets landlords kick you out following "renovations."

The National Tenant Policy Agenda demands "national rent caps, anti-eviction protections, habitability standards, and antitrust action," measures that would immediately and profoundly improve the lives of millions of American workers:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JF1-fTalW1tOBO0FhYDcVvEd1kQ2HIzkYFNRo6zmSsg/edit

They caution that it's not enough to merely increase housing supply. Without a strong countervailing force from organized tenants, new housing can be just another source of extraction and speculation for the rich. They say that the Federal Housing Finance Agency – regulator for Fannie and Freddie – could play an active role in ensuring that new housing addresses the needs of people, not corporations.

In the meantime, a tenants' union in KC successfully used a rent strike – where every tenant in a building refuses to pay rent – to get millions in overdue repairs. More strikes are planned across the country.

The American system is in crisis. A country that cannot house its people is a failure. As Rachael Dziaba writes in the final piece for the package, the situation is so bad that water has started to flow uphill: the cities with the most inward migration have the least job growth:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/housing/2024-10-18-housing-blues/

It's not just housing, of course. Americans pay more for health care than anyone else in the rich world and get worse outcomes than anyone else in the rich world. Their monopoly grocers have spiked their food prices. The incoming administration has declared war on public education and seeks to relegate poor children to unsupervised schools where "education" can consist of filling in forms on a Chromebook and learning that the Earth is only 5,000 years old.

A system that can't shelter, feed, educate or care for its people is a failure. People in failed states will vote for anyone who promises to tear the system down. The decision to turn life's necessities over to unregulated, uncaring markets has produced a populace who are so desperate for change, they'll even vote for their own destruction.

#pluralistic #hysteresis #bubbles #bubblenomics #finance #nimby #yimby #restrictive zoning #localism #maslows hierarchy of needs #realpage #the rents too damned high #housing #weaponized shelter #rent strikes #tenants unions #the american prospect

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dduane · 3 months ago

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Stumbled across while cleaning out the Twitter account

...And now wondering how much more of this kind of stuff I should go prospecting for before the bird-place-that-was goes around the drain for the last time...

(Writer stares at Scrivener screen for a long time, drops down to already-open section, splits it at cursor, wipes the old title from the new title bar and types the previously unexpected words: THE ADVENTURE OF FREELORN OF ARLEN AND THE MEDIOREGNIC SILVER MARKETS.

FREELORN: We can absolutely get away with this.

DD: (weary eyeroll) Lorn...

(Inserting a cut. Warning for financial worldbuilding, mild m/m innuendo, and Things Having To Make Sense.)

F: Who's to say it wouldn't have happened anyway!

DD: That's not the point.

F: You know this happens every time two countries have a war. One of their currencies devalues. Then recovery becomes a nightmare.

DD: It's not always—

F: In an economic ecosystem this small, yes it is.

DD: How do you even know the word 'ecosystem'?

F: In case you haven't noticed, I'm in your head.

DD: (side-eye) Don't remind me.

F: And when the two countries are trading partners, it's a mess.

DD: Not improved by you stealing all that money from the Arlene treasury in book 1!

F: I was young and wild.

HEREWISS: You're still young and wild. I have the teeth marks to prove it.

DD: Please do not tell us where.

F: You might find it educational. When he—

DD: You two are going to keep this in the fiduciary mode or I swear to Herself I'll lock you both in the basement with Sker'ret and he'll show you what real teeth look like.

H: Is he cute?

DD: We'll discuss it later. Now please tell me what madness you're proposing.

F: Why should the four Realms suffer through a decade of pain after all the crap that just happened? Let's pump a pile of silver into the major markets and cushion the blow. Why should all our peoples suffer? None of this was their fault.

DD: A laudable sentiment, but silver doesn't just come out of nowhere.

F: It does if you say it does.

DD: Not going there, Lorn! Unlike what we laughably refer to as real life, this stuff has to make sense.

F: It comes from the mountains. All our silver comes from the mountains.

H: And the Bluepeaks got a bit torn up over the War, didn't they.

DD: True enough. Earthquakes and whatnot. (eyes him) You were involved, I seem to recall.

F: Well, mightn't some silver realistically come out of those terrain changes? New veins opening up due to the mountains coming undone?

DD: Might.

F: A fair amount, actually.

DD: And don't think I don't know about your little 'public works project' down in the mountains in the southwest. That new pass opening up for the Ladha people, a long long ways away from Steldin.

F: The Dragons have been very helpful.

DD: I just bet they have. (side-eye off his 'innocent look') Which we want to keep to ourselves, because if the Steldenes get their paranoia going it'll create more problems than it solves. You don't want them starting to get the idea that you and Darthen cooked up this war between you with some obscure money game in mind.

H: Oh come on, even Dariw Halfken wouldn't be stupid enough to think that. Damn it all, we nearly got ourselves killed saving the world out there!

DD: And there were almost no Steldenes around to see it happen. You guys aren't going to get a free ride on this. You're going to have to make this sudden money believable.

F: 'A wizard did it.'

DD: Wrong universe, smartass. They've got their own problems! Leave them out of this.

F: 'The Dragons did it.'

DD: Dragons are not the answer to everything.

H: That's not what Hasai thinks.

DD: (more eyerolling) Something else I have to deal with. ...Okay, listen, I'll take this under advisement. But you might have let me know about this, oh, I don't know, last year?

F: You were busy.

DD: And if I let you go ahead with this... Do me a favor? Don't get caught.

H: Leave it to me.

DD: Famous last words. But do I have a choice?

BOTH: No.

DD: (eyeroll)

SUNSPARK: There's a gent outside named Doyle. Says he wants to talk to you about titles beginning with "The Adventure Of...".

DD: Heat him up some pizza and tell him to take a seat. I need to talk to him about evil extradimensional rats. (hides face) My brains hurt...

F: And by the way, what exactly are 'Oscars?'

DD: ...Oy.

(below: the original art from the 2019 Twitter thread)

#Middle Kingdoms meta #worldbuilding #backstage worldbuilding #showing your work #(just not where it'll disrupt the prose flow)

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astrologydray · 4 months ago

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♍️Virgo Mc in the each of the degrees♍️

If you have a Virgo Midheaven (MC), your career and public image are shaped by Virgo’s themes of precision, analysis, service, and mastery. You likely thrive in careers requiring problem-solving, organization, and attention to detail, such as healthcare, science, writing, education, research, or business administration.

• 0° Virgo (Aries Point) – A powerful initiator in service-based or intellectual fields. May gain recognition in medicine, science, or social reform.

• 1° Virgo – A perfectionist with strong critical thinking skills. Could succeed in editing, analytics, or quality control.

• 2° Virgo – A talented communicator; could thrive in writing, journalism, or teaching.

• 3° Virgo – An analytical mind, ideal for investigative work, research, or forensics.

• 4° Virgo – A love for learning and refinement; may excel in academia, law, or technical writing.

• 5° Virgo – A meticulous worker; likely to succeed in finance, administration, or data analysis.

• 6° Virgo – Naturally inclined toward healthcare, therapy, or alternative medicine.

• 7° Virgo – A precise, creative thinker; may find success in graphic design, architecture, or craftsmanship.

• 8° Virgo – Drawn to healing professions, including nutrition, physical therapy, or holistic medicine.

• 9° Virgo – A problem-solver with innovative ideas. Could thrive in technology, engineering, or logistics.

• 10° Virgo – A strong educator; may work in teaching, coaching, or mentoring.

• 11° Virgo – A tech-savvy, analytical mind; may excel in IT, cybersecurity, or programming.

• 12° Virgo – A perfectionist in fashion, music, or fine arts. Success through precise craftsmanship.

• 13° Virgo – A highly responsible worker; may thrive in law enforcement, military, or humanitarian work.

• 14° Virgo – Health-conscious with a sharp mind. Could be drawn to dietetics, fitness, or medical research.

• 15° Virgo – A master of writing, editing, or academic research.

• 16° Virgo – Business-minded; excels in consulting, financial planning, or business strategy.

• 17° Virgo – A detail-oriented expert; could work in surgery, pharmaceuticals, or scientific research.

• 18° Virgo – A deep humanitarian drive; drawn to nonprofits, environmental work, or psychology.

• 19° Virgo – A critical thinker who excels in law, politics, or policy-making.

• 20° Virgo – A master of their craft; recognized for expertise in specialized fields.

• 21° Virgo – Exceptionally intellectual; may thrive in philosophy, academia, or technical writing.

• 22° Virgo – An innovative thinker; could work in product design, systems development, or efficiency consulting.

• 23° Virgo – A strong researcher; may specialize in history, archeology, or science.

• 24° Virgo – An excellent communicator; may succeed in broadcasting, publishing, or public relations.

• 25° Virgo – A sharp and strategic mind; could work in legal fields, investigative journalism, or intelligence.

• 26° Virgo – A healer at heart; may be drawn to nursing, surgery, or psychological counseling.

• 27° Virgo – A gifted analyst; could thrive in economics, data science, or cybersecurity.

• 28° Virgo – A precise and disciplined artist; success in sculpture, architecture, or technical art.

• 29° Virgo (Anaretic Degree) – A master strategist, perfectionist, or critic. Success comes through expertise, refinement, and precision. However, may struggle with overanalyzing or career indecision.

#astro notes #astrology #birth chart #astro observations #astro community #astrology degrees #astrology observations #Virgomc

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elbiotipo · 1 month ago

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i get what you mean about not throwing the space exploration baby out with the bathwater just b/c of elon musk and various other mars weirdos, and i get that just because space is big and scary and freaks me (personally) out doesn't mean that we shouldn't know more about it, BUT: would you agree that the high economic/energetic costs of long-distance space exploration make it a lower priority compared to earthly problems for now? or nah? (not trying to Gotcha or anything, just curious if there's any shorter term beneficial aspects that i've missed)

Pointless argument, as space exploration costs pale in the face of other activities that are much more pointless and harmful, like for example, military spending, nuclear weapons, advertising, investment on obsolete technologies like fossil fuels, financial speculation, or just the general pointless accumulation of wealth under capitalism

People like to believe that space exploration is this massively expensive endeavor (I think some people believed that NASA was like 20% of the US budget... check out the military next time) when it barely reaches 0.5% or so of the global GDP. And for such a relatively small industry, it massively improves the quality of life for millions of people and creates worthwhile research in all areas.

Sure, not all space investment results in practical results. Neither does, for example, theoretical physics or paleontology. Should we close the Large Hadron Collider or stop digging for dinosaurs? For that matter, do you see how much money is spent on sports or art such as movies? Should we cancel the World Cup, the Olympics, Hollywood, until we "solve all our problems here on Earth"?

And who decides when are "all our problems" solved? Is there a timeframe or a plan for it so we can spend on space only when that's done? Are we allowed to use satellites and aerospace technology to solve "all our problems" or is that just too spacey?

I need to clarify, if I sound jaded, I'm not angry at you at all! It's just a tired and old argument.

#space #I know this sounds like whataboutism #but my whole point is that this particular argument makes no sense

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a-really-big-cat · 11 months ago

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also, the reason why abortion cannot be seen as an authentic expression of personal freedom to choose is because the overwhelming number of abortions occur because the woman felt pressured into the decision by any number of constraining factors, primarily financial hardship, but also including social pressure: e.g. her partner doesn't want children and has threatened to leave if she doesn't abort; or her family disapproves of the pregnancy (sometimes from a stigma of being pregnant out of wedlock). It's almost exactly the same social and financial pressures that force women into prostitution. Just like prostitution, its legalization does not solve the fundamental social problems that cause it to be positioned by an oppressive society as a solution, and just like prostitution it is marketed by the industry as a "freeing" choice in order to condition women into accepting the economic and social inequalities of society.

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mesetacadre · 3 months ago

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Full translation under the cut

Trumpism or declining imperialism?

Immediately after winning the elections, the reelected president of the United States, Donald Trump, tested the waters of public opinion with respect to what a priori could be understood as stupidity: annexing Greenland, Canada, retaking the Panama Canal, taking control of the Gaza strip, and lastly, leaving Ukraine in the lurch demanding billions in compensation –closing one front to open another?–. These ideas were interpreted from some media soapboxes as the boastings of an eccentric or fascist president. The problem with this is that annexations and war are not the result of boastings, they're not the delirium of this or that governor; if this was the case, it'd be enough with subjecting them and their advisors to psychological therapy, to placate their most quarrelsome impulses. On the contrary, we speak of necessities and demands of the imperialists as a class, and not because they're greedy, but rather because this is how capitalism works, through competition, the urgency of profits, upholding and widening markets, etc.

To understand this imperialist aggression beyond the psychological profiles loved by TV talk shows, we need to define some data. The USA's GDP increased 2.7% in 2024, more than any other G7 economy, but much less than its main competitor, China. It's important to point out that, throughout the entire Biden administration, China grew more than the USA, and the same can be said about GDP per capita. On its end, the US has a comercial deficit of 900 billion dollars and a negative check balance with other countries. In the debit side of the balance sheets of the biggest US financial and industrial companies there are large bonds and debts with the rest of the world. In 2023 and 2024 an economic recession was averted, the main world economy had a "soft landing" after the pandemic, but not without going through periods of industrial contraction and not without the banking system trembling in the first quarter of 2023, with the bankruptcy of Silicon Valley Bank and other financial institutions.

The defeat of the democrats, without a doubt, was in no small part due to the generalized impoverishment of the north american working class. Inflation also hit the country hard, with an accumulated rise in prices of 21% since 2020. On top of this, mortgage rates rose, health and car insurances got more expensive, and the credit that sustains the middle classes shrunk during the Biden administration; good times for the bourgeoisie, bad times for the working class.

In this landscape, Trump is less the cause or source of determined policies, but rather their personification, as the need of the great US monopolies, consortiums and multinationals to dope their horses in the race against emergent powers. Trump's economic nationalism is, in summary, protectionism increasing the cost of imports and foreign services and the severe USamerican commercial deficit. At the same time, it means the demand of foreign companies to invest in and carry out their activity on US soil. Racism and the frontal attack on class organizations and critical social movements are coupled to this economic program. This is nothing new nor does it signal the beginning of a new era; state intervention in times of crisis or heightened international conflict is as old as capitalism itself. The State is that institutional scheme that, in the face of a market in which private or independent agents compete, "puts order" so ensure the continuity of the market itself. Recall how the great crises in the history of capitalism were solved with warfare and a nationalist and authoritarian governance in the main world economies. The crisis of the 70s was resolved forcing commercial deregulation and labor flexibilization on Third World countries, and on the working class of the imperial core to a great degree: the famous "structural adjustments" of so-called neoliberalism.

Back to the present day, the Trump administration will most likely be continuist with Biden's economic policy, in which economic growth depends absolutely on grants and government subsidies to the great industry and technological companies, guaranteeing the necessary growing investments, backing financial institutions and promoting the offer of a private capital growingly more committed to the "ideal collective capitalist", the State.

Facing the low profitability of industrial capital, the main motor of economic growth, the escape presented to the economic structure of the great power is increasing labor productivity. Perhaps this will help to better understand the alliance represented by Trump and Musk, which is much more complex than a simple alliance between two extravagant character with right-wing ideas. The big technological companies, greatly subsidized and dependant on infrastructure, are fundamental for the modernization of the productive fabric and an international competition spurred on by robotization and automation. The North American imperialist State ensures the control of raw resources, trade routes and guarantees investments with the dollar as the dominant currency. It's important to understand this fully, because capitalism's political economy problems aren't just "technical", such as low profitability or the market's inability to absorb excess population. Class warfare is deployed internationally through the channels of imperialism, with its military, judicial, cultural, etc. implications.

We have multiple examples. The so-called Ecological Transition, or the development and employment of new technologies, are fully incorporated into imperialist dynamics. The necessary technologies for the production, processing and storage of energy require investments, infrastructures and the mass exploitation of every kind of natural resources, not always abundant. The paradox of Green Capitalism, or the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, lies in the fact that its existence necessitates the ratcheting up of the exploitation of human and natural resources of all the peoples of the world, and it's through this deep-seated problem that these territorial conflicts that Trump has brought to the table are understood.

Of course, not all consortiums and imperialist monopolies are prepared to cede its market and resources to the USamerican power. The extension of imperialism through export capital favors the historical emergence of the bourgeois class worldwide, accumulation surfaced new nations in the 20th century that, in a consequent worsening of international competition, made an interventionism necessary from the totality of the imperialist alliances and institutions dominated by the USA, such as NATO or the IMF. This is where coup d'etats, commercial sanctions, judicial processes, even military invasions against nations of all continents fit within the last decades. China's technological transfers to Third World countries or the developmentalist outlook of its partners could result in similar effects in the future.

The emergence of new powers, that is, the restructuring of the imperialist pyramid, has obstructed some of the channels through which wealth flowed to the top of that pyramid, the US, EU, Japan, etc. The rise of Russia, China, India and other regional powers has entailed a greater strategic equilibrium between links of the imperialist chain and a greater interdependency between the countries of the world. The spoils are increasingly disputed between more exploiters. Before this situation, the US seems to look to shorten the value chains, lower the dependency of their capital's circulation and recourses on their competitors, open new commercial routes opposed to the Chinese silk routes and restore the flows of accumulation.

It's commonplace that there is nothing more dangerous than a fatally wounded empire. It's evident that imperialism, as it has been configured up to now, is entering a highly volatile phase. This process will not only happen through tariffs, also through wars and other ways of intervention, reminding us daily that the trees of capitalist civilization grow on a stratum of unpaid mass human labor, environmental plunder and violence. And may no conscious worker doubt that every imperialist in the world will attempt to join that exploitation, regardless of its "pole" and independently of their nationality, religion, skin color or political party.

#posting this for its internal analysis of the US and characterization of the policies being carried out #I don't necessarily agree completely with the framing of China but I think it's pretty secondary to the content of the international context #Also some vocabulary choices are questionable but what can you do #it's a newspaper article

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