#Maker Library Network

[madeleinejubileesaito]

Dictators, fascists, and oligarchs want us to believe that they are all-powerful and that we would be nothing without them. The reality is: They don’t create anything. We, the people, create EVERYTHING!

I made this poster for the Justseeds graphics library and it’s under a creative commons license and free to download and use! More details + download high-res files on my website: here.

Inspired by this passage from the Daniel Hunter article 10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won:

“It will be helpful to have a power analysis in our minds, specifically that’s known as the upside-down triangle. This tool was built to explain how power moves even under dictatorships.  The central tenet is that like an upside-down triangle, power can be unstable. It naturally topples over without anything supporting it. To prevent that, power relies on pillars of support to keep it upright. Casually, the left often focuses on pillars of support that include governments, media, corporations, shareholders and policy makers. Describing the pillars of support, Gene Sharp wrote: ‘By themselves, rulers cannot collect taxes, enforce repressive laws and regulations, keep trains running on time, prepare national budgets, direct traffic, manage ports, print money, repair roads, keep markets supplied with food, make steel, build rockets, train the police and army, issue postage stamps or even milk a cow. People provide these services to the ruler though a variety of organizations and institutions. If people would stop providing these skills, the ruler could not rule.’ Removing one pillar of support can often gain major, life-saving concessions. In response to Trump’s 2019 government shutdown, flight attendants prepared a national strike. Such a strike would ground planes across the country and a key transportation network. Within hours of announcing they were “mobilizing immediately” for a strike, Trump capitulated.”

[embodiedfutures]

nov 9 - nov 13 readings

hi! this is reaux (she/they)! as many of you know, BFP is slowly waking up and will be undergoing a full makeover in the coming months. in the mean time, to help get back into the pattern of posting and to continue to share resources, i want to start posting what i read each week!

without further ado, here is everything i've been learning from and engaging with so far just between last saturday night [nov 9, 2024] and right now [wednesday afternoon, nov 13, 2024]! i tried to post this on tiktok @/edgeofeden.17 (go check me out for cool political talks and reading recs!) with my reactions as well, but they said it violated community guidelines :(

journal article: The House on Bayou Road: Atlantic Creole Networks in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

wikipedia: Plaçage

wikipedia: Signare

paperback book: Africans In Colonial Louisiana: The Development of Afro-Creole Culture in the Eighteenth-Century

article: Why Is Gen Z So Sex-Negative?: A prehistory of the Puriteen.

article: Policy-makers must not look to the “Nordic model” for sex trade legislation

article: Sex workers face unique challenges when trying to unionize: Anti-sex work stigma and labor status create roadblocks in sex workers’ fight against the industry status quo

wikipedia: Decriminalization of sex work

short youtube video: "Decriminalization of sex work does not mean the decriminalization of human trafficking."

short youtube video: What About Legalization? Decriminalization is the only solution

short youtube video: Dis/Ability and Sex Work Decriminalization

short youtube video: "Helping people through police is inherently coercive." - Gilda Merlot

wikipedia: Page Act of 1875

essay: Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power by Audre Lorde

wikipedia: Erotic Capital

long youtube video: KATHERINE MCKITTRICK: Curiosities, Wonder, and Black Methodologies // 09.14.20

journal article: Black life is Not Ungeographic! Applying a Black Geographic Lens to Rural Education Research in the Black Belt

journal article: Black matters are spatial matters: Black geographies for the twenty-first century

journal article: Unspoken Grammar of Place: Anti-Blackness as a Spatial Imaginary in Education

short video: Chicago Works | Andrea Carlson: Shimmer on Horizons

zine: Evaluating What Skills You Can Bring to Radical Organizing

diagram + workbook?: The Social Change Ecosystem Map (2020)

essay: How to Build Language Justice

guide: Anti-Oppressive Facilitation for Democratic Process: Making Meetings Awesome for Everyone

radical resource library: Center for Liberatory Practice & Poetry

short essay: The Short Instructional Manifesto for Relationship Anarchy

essay/blog post: Access Intimacy: The Missing Link

i think that's everything? whew. let's see how i finish off the week! if you need PDFs for anything i didn't directly link, lmk and i'll find a way to get it to you. might upload it to my google drive or something!

--

topics: Louisiana Creole history + heritage, women of color + erotic capital, sex work decriminalization, Black geography, revolutionary organizing, language, relationship anarchy, disability, intimacy

[easternmind]

International standards being what they are, the majority of consoles created in or imported to Japan, including those targeting uniquely domestic audiences, employ names or acronyms based on the English language. For the sixty odd years that Japan has been producing electromechanic and electronic game systems there is but a literal handful of systems named in the Japanese language that, I'd wager, even the most seasoned players know little or nothing about. Your curiosity may be rewarded if you continue reading.

1982 - Contrary to what you may have heard or read, Tomy was the first Japanese toy company to develop a computer. Styled after the Texas Instruments TI-99/4 and manufactured by Matsushita, the Pyūta was purposely designed to sit on toy store shelf space as hinted at by its name, a childish diminutive of the word Konpyūtā.

1983 - John Ross's Mini-Arcade project was sold world over under the sweet-sounding name Vectrex. The Japanese distributor, Bandai, was not so enamoured with it. Believing that a Japanese name would do better at retail, it was commercialized as Kōsoku-Sen - The Lightspeed Ship!

1988 - Bandai's history as a console maker is quite unlike any other. Terebikko is a VHS-based gaming system that uses the TV audio output to play sound via its phone receiver and quiz players with multiple response questions. The console produces a sound output that informs the player if the answer was correct or not. Tapes include animated films starring Mario, Anpanman and the characters from Dragon Ball, some even fetching quite the high price at auctions these days.

1990 - Sharp is seldom given due recognition for creating some of Nintendo's finest and durable consoles. The Sūpā Famikon Naizou Terebi SF1 TV perfectly mirrors the concept of their 1983 C1 NES TV, in spite of the technological leap. Its Japanese name describes its built-in console function. Nintendo fanboys would pounce on me were I to snub it.

1995 - Further proof of Bandai's unorthodox approach to console design is found in their unsuccessful Denshi Manga Juku - lit. Electronic Manga Tutor. The first ever stylus-based console - once again, contrary to what many may yet hold to be true - some of the games in its miniscule library allowed the player to design and animate characters or scenes; while others presented a blank canvas for the user to draw the game's protagonist.

1996 - A retail development kit, but a console all the same, Sony's Netto Yarōze was an ambitious project resulting in dozens of homebrewed independent titles. The name matches its vision: a network of creators coming together to realize their individual game design aspirations. Of all the systems in its restricted category, it was by far the most successful.

Unreleased - It's a beautiful fact that the first arcade game and globally successful console had a Japanese word stamped on them - Atari. Mirai, meaning Future, is a prototype found in the mid-1990s, about which nothing can be said authoritatively apart it from being a cartridge-based system. Given the more or less overt resemblances to the Atari XEGS, it is possible that it was designed by Ira Velinsky, in which case it could date from the late 1980s. Though not a made-in-Japan product, its borrowing of a Japanese word makes its presence in this list mandatory.

[marigoldsandbluebonnets]

Stuff I’ve Scripted About the World

There is a comprehensive railway network and service across the United States and all over the world that is clean, frequent, reliable, affordable, passenger rail

Railway stations are easy to traverse, accessible, and filled with restaurants and shopping centers as well as being located well in cities

All public transport is beautiful, clean, comfortable, spacious, reliable, frequent, safe, and affordable

There is little to no air, sound, light, or chemical pollution

Things are made better and out of higher quality materials without planned obsolescence

Things are built to last

There is more unique beautiful architecture, clothing, food, and culture in different places

Places have more unique strong cultural identities with food, architecture, fashion, etc

The world is safer and cleaner

There are lots of native trees and wildflowers around cities and suburbs

There are clean, free, well maintained, beautiful public restrooms everywhere in cities and suburbs

There are clean, free, well maintained, beautiful water fountains and bottled water fillers everywhere in cities and suburbs

There are lots of clean, free or affordable, well maintained, beautiful third spaces like libraries, cafes, restaurants, bars, theaters, rec centers, maker spaces, parks, museums, etc

There is less crime and danger overall

There is less retail theft and unruly behavior

People don’t litter and the environment is clean

New York is similar to Amsterdam in cycling infrastructure and how it tackles cars

Biking pathways are safe, well built, separate from cars, clean, well maintained, well lit and tree lined, and are comprehensive across the world

There are protected bike lanes that are well maintained and have access to public transportation

There are bike sharing programs available as well as workplace showers

There is comprehensive bike parking around different areas and in cities having bike parking garages

There is very little stealing of bikes and they are always returned to their owners

Within many workplaces there are well made, beautiful, clean, well maintained bathrooms with showers

Unions are common among many fields and professions

Climate change and global warming are not an issue and temperatures are naturally cooler by 10 degrees Fahrenheit and this only improves agricultural productivity, harvests, and the environment with animals

Agriculture has less monocultures and more variety

There are more trees and different types of trees

Deforestation isn’t an issue

There are more fruits, vegetables, algae, spices, herbs, edible flowers, grains, nuts, seeds, fungi, and proteins

There is more access to unique new fruits, vegetables, algae, spices, herbs, edible flowers, grains, nuts, seeds, fungi, and proteins

It is easier to cultivate many mushrooms and other crops that are usually only foraged

Grocery stores have more interesting types of foods especially local produce and varieties

There are more small local grocery stores that sell curated products from the local areas

There are more small specialty grocery shops like cheese mongers, butchers, fishmongers, ice creameries, dairy creameries, chocolate shops, sweets shops, bakeries, spice shops, delis, coffee shops, tea shops, mushroom shops, ferment & vinegar stores, and fruit or vegetable markets with vegan versions of these shops as well

There’s a drastic decrease in the number of natural disasters

There is less war

Homelessness is not an issue and the government has proper housing

Etsy, Ren fairs, and Festivals are filled with unique handmade goods from small businesses and there is no dropshipping

There are more small unique businesses and restaurants everywhere

Society uses land a lot more efficiently

Website and book bans aren’t an issue

There isn’t an issue with species going extinct

We can reuse and recycle all trash

There is better sorting for waste and recycling

We compost almost all food waste

There is almost no pollution

There is very little textile pollution

Things are much more circular in the economy

Rivers and springs are clean

Trash is properly restored, reused, and recycled

Almost everything that goes for recycling gets recycled or reused

We can properly recycle clothes and separate textiles with multiple fibers

More clothes are high quality and made from natural materials

Everything is higher quality

There is no planned obsolescence, things are made to last

We utilize clean energy

There are proper social safety nets

There are bike lanes everywhere

Periods don’t exist for human women

Pregnancies are even safer

Babies have less of a chance of being born disabled

There is less robbery

AI is not overtaking the internet

AI imagery doesn’t overtake social media platforms like Pinterest, instagram, Reddit, ao3, YouTube, TikTok, etc

Art is more appreciated

Britain never left the EU through Brexit

There are much better, healthier, delicious, affordable vegan alternatives and options in stores and restaurants

Vegan options are more affordable

It is much easier to accommodate dietary restrictions

People have less allergies

There are less unhealthy highly processed foods

Medical treatments are extremely affordable and advanced

Scar treatments are much better

Everything is more accessible

We are able to have nice things, people don’t destroy the world unnecessarily

Tipping is not a requirement at places

People are all paid fairly and a living wage

Universities are affordable, accessible, beautiful, provide independence, and teach extremely well all over the world

People all over the world have access to education that is well made, factually accurate, and clean

Pinterest is a better platform where it doesn’t focus so much on shopping items and it doesn’t have a bunch of ai images and scams

Private Equity doesn’t buy everything and ruin it all

Gay marriage is legal around the world

[sara-did-not-find-a-cool-name]

The SOURCES

Hi everyone !

Last week, I introduced you to my research subject and today, I will talk to you about my secondary sources (I already talked about My primary sources in a previous post). 

On one hand, I choose 4 chapters of the Negus that I find relevant about my topic. The first one is “audiences” for Stevie Howie’s songs which need an “active ear” to be understood. The second one is “mediations” for the sharing process that involves meaning as we will see by working on Stevie Howie’s Instagram for example. The third one is “identities” and could be interesting to study because of Stevie Howie’s identity and experiences, to look at how he expresses those. Lastly, I will look at the chapter named “politics” for the strong messages that Stevie Howie is sharing with his audience through his songs as we saw through “Nameless”.

On the other hand, I found three secondary sources that could be interesting even if I have to dig further into them. The first one is a scientific revue of musicology named Allowing Myself Room To Speak: The Journey Of An Artist/Teacher by Dr. Stephanie A. Baer which seems to have informations I could use. We can find it into the GEMS revue (Gender, Education, Music and Society). The two others that I have to look into are : The sex revolts : gender, rebellion and rock’n’roll by Simon Reynolds (1995) ; The second sound : conversations on gender and music by Eckhardt Julia (2017). I choose the first book because the rock’n’roll genre is very important into  Stevie Howie’s work and I was thinking that the sexual theme was only found in his work whereas in reality it seems to be a recurent theme in rock’n’roll. For the second book, it gathers testimonies of people working into the music field and talking about the role of gender and sex. The summary of the book gave me a glimpse of the questions they ask: “Together, they address questions like: How do life circumstances find their way into music and sound art? How does music reflect historical and social structures? What does discrimination do, and how can we navigate around it? How to unlock networks? Is the under-representaiton of women and LGBTQ people in the field a symptom or a cause? Is art itself gendered? And can it reflect the gender of its maker? Is a different way of listening needed to more accurately understand those voices from outside the historical canon?”. It may not be relevant, but I think it is still important to look at the later to be sure to not miss good information. (But the book is at the Hear and is not available for the moment due to a move of the library :( )

Thank you for reading !

[beardedmrbean]

EU’s proposed Chat Control law has become a bone of contention between members of the bloc. First proposed by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in May 2022 as part of bloc’s push to combat child sexual abuse online, the framework of the bill has now come under fire, earning itself a derisive term “Chat Control”. 

France, Germany and Poland have particularly refused to accept a clause that allows for mass scanning of private messages by breaking end-to-end encryption. Some tech companies, along with trade associations, and privacy experts have all vehemently opposed the regulation. 

On the other hand, Interior Ministers of Spain and Ireland have supported the proposal. Separately, a network of organisations and individuals, advocating for children’s rights in Europe, have lashed out at EU leaders for failing to tackle child sexual abuse online. 

What are the concerns of those against the proposal?

Scanning end-to-end encrypted messages has remained a controversial issue. That’s because there is no way to do this without opening risky backdoors that can be accessed by third parties who can exploit the vulnerability, in turn ending the promise of end-to-end encryption.

Tech firms that treaded the encryption bypassing path have have often been made to retreat. In 2021, Apple announced NeuralHash, a feature that could automatically scan iCloud photo libraries of individual devices for child sexual abuse material, or CSAM. Employees and activist groups expressed concerns over the loss of privacy. A year later, Apple said it had abandoned the initiative. 

Another looming issue the iPhone maker recognised in the process was how authoritarian governments could potentially misuse the feature by using it as a tool to target individuals who oppose the regime.

Erik Neuenschwander, Director of user privacy and child safety at Apple, admitted this in a note saying, “It would […] inject the potential for a slippery slope of unintended consequences. Scanning for one type of content, for instance, opens the door for bulk surveillance and could create a desire to search other encrypted messaging systems across content types.” 

When brining in a similar clause through the UK’s Online Safety Bill, lawmakers attempted to make way for client-side scanning of private and encrypted messages. The proposal was postponed after receiving pushback from encrypted messaging app owners like WhatsApp and Signal. The duo threatened to leave the UK if such a law was passed. In its final stages, in September, 2023, the House of Lords considered the potential security threat that the clause would bring saying it would not implement scanning until it was “technically feasible.” 

What is the status of EU’s Chat Control law?

On June 30, a new draft of the proposal is set to be be reviewed. Legislators have now left the idea of scanning text messages and audio, and are instead targetting shared photos, videos and URLs with an adjustment to appease the naysayers. 

Another tweak in the making could be people’s consent in sharing material being scanned before being encrypted. But this compromise has been largely called out as a farcical one. A report by Euractiv which has been confirmed by internal documents show that if a user refuses the scanning, they will simply be blocked from sending or receiving images, videos and links hardly leaving them with a choice.

Despite these measures, EU’s enforcement of such regulations have seen exemptions to the rule. In November 2023, the European Commission reportedly published a proposal to amend the regulation on a temporary derogation of the E-Privacy Directive against CSAM. Under the regulation, specific online communications service providers were allowed to sift through or scan messages to detect, report and remove online child sexual abuse material or CSAM and content that solicits children. The regulation is set to expire in early August . The initial plan on the table was to simply extend this regulation for another three years. But, according to media reports, plans for further extensions were stalled in February this year.

Meredith Whittaker, President of Signal app called the measures to assuage concerns as “cosmetic”, and has signed a joint statement along with a group of over 60 other organisations like Mozilla, Proton, Surfshark and Tuta, voicing out her concerns. Whittaker has echoed her earlier warning saying Signal will leave the UK rather than undermine end-to-end encryption. 

A blog, co-authored by Riana Pfefferkorn, a research scholar at the Stanford Internet Observatory and Callum Voge, director of government affairs and advocacy at the Internet Society, notes, ”If government surveillance is a concern in an established democratic entity like the EU, what hope is there for beleaguered democracies like Turkey, India and Brazil, much less autocracies?”

[stevishabitat]

wodneswynn Hey, listen: We're not gonna get anywhere with this "socialism" stuff unless we can establish solidarity networks that provide. real, tangible aid. And I do mean "tangible" in the sense of "you can fill up a box with it."

Back in the old-timey days, when we didn't have things like a minimum wage or gov- ernment assistance, folks didn't think twice about paying union dues every month out of their meager paychecks. And in those days, when it was a regular, everyday occurrence for union people to get beat up or outright murdered for their union-ing, the unions still managed to win a lot of their fights. Reason for all that? The bigger part of them union dues I mentioned "went into a strike fund",

Time on a picket line means time off the clock. And as for me, in this economy, if I go a week without a check, my family don't eat. I go two weeks without a check, and we're homeless. And them's the brakes.

Rjenroses: In my community we started a co-op in order to, in part, purchase things with mass buying power (i.e, we can get things at wholesale if we order enough of them, so we can, for example, eat organic food for about what conventional costs a lot of the time.)

But we also set aside a little money each time we order, and that money helps pay for donation boxes... and the social network we created when we created the co-op means that if someone has a crisis, someone else probably has the answer. "This family just lost their job and can't afford to buy presents for their kids" may get a response of "Here are presents for every single family member" or it might end up with finding a job for the people looking for work, or both, because the co-op membership is diverse and represents a lot of people who are otherwise. very connected in the community.

When a part of town is out of power, it's usually possible to find a co-op member who can run for ice or bring a meal, or offer use of a washer/dryer for the evening.

We had one year where we were making donation meal boxes for a holiday, found out on the last delivery about a family in severe need, talked about it in the co-op group and ended up showing up at their house with not only a meal, but enough dry goods, paper towels, toilet paper, etc. for a month, plus a credit with the co-op for fresh fruits andveggies.

I cannot overstate the power of networking. in your community. This one started out. in a natural parenting group, but quickly spread beyond that, from college students to retirees. It's like a small town, only more open-minded. We started with about 20-30 families. There are now hundreds of people involved.

I had a trans kid land with me at one point and asked if anyone had size whatever clothes and within a few hours we had a box on my porch, within a couple days we had a bunch of things he needed.

The co-op keeps a lending library of tools and weirdly specific kitchen devices like an Æbleskiver pan, a food dehydrator, a capsule maker and a carpet cleaner. The kinds of things people need once or twice a year, but might not have the room to store.

We periodically do a buy of sensory toys and sensory bin supplies, for example, because we have a lot of autistic members and parents of autistic kids,I have bought socks from the co-op that were purple with unicorns farting rainbows on them. We recently got in Black History: flashcards and we've done a lot of Black Lives Matter and Hate Has No Home lawn signs. Pretty much if people want it and we can find it at wholesale, the co-op will order it.

It even spawned a side-business (more than one, actually, but this is the relevant one) of an online app for co-op managing, called http://managemy.coop so that other communities could take advantage of our experience and start out with an easier tool than the google spreadsheets we started out with.

Anyway... if you want to network within your community, this is a really, really good way of connecting with a broad cross-section of people.

nyshadidntbreakit: All that stuff about unions still applies, too. Unions have hardship funds. If you're a union member and you're broke, or you've been fired, or whatever, you can apply to the union for a grant to help you out. The binmen in Birmingham pulled off a months-long strike. recently thanks to the union paying their living costs. Unions force employers to pay decent pension contributions and have safe sick leave policies,

If you're employed, join your damn union!

solarpunk gnomes: You might check out http://www.transitionus .org/transition-towns too. They're trying to build resilient communities by getting neighbors to talk with each other about stuff.

[girderednerve]

As they advocate for a free public library system with politicians and policy makers, Free Libraries Network organizers continue to build community libraries on the ground as examples of the world they want. In Dibrugarh, a city of just over 150,000 in the northeast corner of Assam, trans rights activist and storyteller Rituparna Neog established the Chandraprabha Saikiani Feminist Library & Resource Centre as a library and community space. The brightly lit space features walls festooned with rainbow flags and shelves of books for patrons of all ages in a mix of languages including Hindi, English and Assamese. Library leaders also support Project Kitape Katha Koi, a community library that serves children in nearby Chenijan, Jorhat, among the region’s industrial tea plantations. “Within a free community library, we can sit together, we can exercise democratic values, have discussion and conversation, sharing of information, knowledge,” Rituparna told Truthout. “The free community library is a site of resistance.”

Grover sees free libraries in Assam and across India as part of a history of public library organizing in the country. “For the longest time, we have seen waves of library movements and individual and collective efforts to build a public library system in India,” says Grover. “Each time it gains momentum the ideas are filtered down, diluted and eventually buried, perhaps barring in Kerala, till they are unearthed again with a fresh set of demands for public libraries for the people. No matter the number of blows to the movements, the demand keeps resurfacing.”

For now, FLN activists and organizers are leaning into the library as a crucial institution in broader movements for social and political change, especially urgent as the extreme right continues to consolidate state power in the country. “Libraries are the people’s tools to educate, organize and agitate,” says Rao. “FLN recognizes the critical role of the library in listening and responding to the people’s struggles. The library must employ its resources, infrastructure and services to empower all.”

[happilyobsessing]

19 & 29 for Rook Codex prompts? :)

AH I am so pleased to receive these two codex prompts, thank you!

If anyone else would like to send me more Rook Codex Writing prompts, you can find the prompts here.

19. Inventory of personal belongings left behind when they left their faction.

A heart-achingly brief list written in Andarateia Cantori's hand.

One pair of taloned gloves, made of rough hide leather and everite; the talons are wickedly sharp and an inch and a half in length.

Two serrated-edge daggers; unsuitable for further use due to chipped obsidian blades.

A worn strap of black leather with two metal hooks at each side - is the metal coated with dried saliva?

Bloodstone caps for the front teeth, a set for both the upper and lower jaws. The caps have been shaped to resemble bear teeth, by the Maker!

The seal of the traitor, Emil Kortez. An ugly signet ring where talons clutch a purse of gold.

29. Something written to Rook post-game

A letter addressed to Weiler. Three weeks have passed since the defeat of the Evanuris and the deceptive binding of Solas to the Fade. Weiler finds the letter left on the library table.

Idiot:

I am pleased that I no longer have to remind you that Crows always finish the job. It was completed with none of the skills that I have tried to force through that skull of yours. As always, you were too brash and too impulsive, and left yourself far too open to attack. However, you finished the job and I suppose when the alternative was the destruction of our world I cannot fault you too much. You have reminded Thedas that - despite the clipping of our wings - Crows will always find a way to soar.

I understand that it is your intention to remain in the Crossroads and will be overseeing access to the Eluvian network. Remember, you are (and always will be) a de Riva first and foremost. If I hear that you are allowing that ass Nero and his incompetent brood priority through the Crossroads over your own family, the wrath of Elgar'nan will seem like an old man's grumbling when I hold you accountable.

And lastly, I am certain that I need not remind you of our fees for our services. As a client, you are contracted to pay in full by the end of the month. I look forward to receiving payment personally.

With my regards,

Viago de Riva (Fifth Talon)

Weiler grins as Emmrich reads the letter to her, but rips it out of his hands and tears it up after, swearing loudly "He fucking wants me to pay him? Who does he think he is, the bastard? I saved his life!" Emmrich just smiles fondly as she raves, her words lacking any real heat.

[cultofdionysusnet]

ℑ𝔫𝔦𝔱𝔦𝔲𝔪

in-i-ti-a-tion

/i niSHē'āSH(ə)n/

noun

the action of admitting someone into a secret or obscure society or group, typically with a ritual.

the action of beginning something

It's our first anniversary since the network launched and the fates are happy to introduce our permanent event. Whether you're a new member, you've been with us for a while, or you're looking to for a starter point to contribute to our library of fics written for our events, this event is for you!

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷Guidelinesˏˋ°•*⁀➷

🍷MUST INCLUDE an initiation of some kind and alcohol must be involved in some capacity (we are the cult of Dionysus, the god of wine after all)

🍷deadline: NONE! you can contribute to this event whenever the fancy strikes you!

🍷500 Minimum word count

🍷for our graphic's makers: some sort of picture of alcohol or drinking used within the graphics you make

🍷must be a member of our net to participate

🍷all network rules in regards to posting applies

🍷please use the hashtag #codn: permevent for all posts submitted for the event

⚠️The fates would just like to advise caution when mixing drinking with smut. The reader AND the member(s) involved must be sober enough to make informed decisions. Being drunk makes it harder to convey consent as alcohol affects the ability to communicate. TLDR: consent must be clear (not while drunk). Otherwise, it will be considered dubcon and thus inadmissible for the event⚠️

[careermantradotorg]

Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida: Shaping Future Business Leaders

Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida is quickly emerging as a leading institution for management education in India. Nestled in the vibrant city of Greater Noida, this business school is designed to provide students with a world-class education that combines academic rigor with practical experience. Whether you are aspiring to become a corporate leader, an entrepreneur, or a change-maker, Sparsh Global Business School offers the ideal platform to kick-start your journey.

Academic Excellence at Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida

Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida is committed to providing high-quality education through its industry-relevant curriculum. The programs are meticulously crafted to meet the demands of the modern business world, with a focus on innovation, strategic thinking, and leadership development. Offering a range of postgraduate programs, the institution emphasizes experiential learning, giving students the tools they need to succeed in today's competitive environment.

The faculty at Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida comprises industry veterans and academic experts who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. Their mentorship ensures that students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also apply them to real-world business challenges.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure and Campus Life

The campus of Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure that promotes learning, creativity, and collaboration. From modern classrooms to advanced technology labs and well-stocked libraries, every facility is designed to support a student's academic journey. The campus also boasts a vibrant atmosphere with clubs, events, and activities that foster personal development and networking.

Strong Industry Connections and Placement Support

One of the key highlights of Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida is its strong industry connections. The school collaborates with leading companies and organizations, providing students with ample internship and placement opportunities. These partnerships ensure that students gain hands-on experience, which is invaluable in preparing them for successful careers.

The dedicated placement cell at Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida works tirelessly to help students secure positions in top companies across various sectors. The institution's excellent track record in placements makes it a preferred choice for management aspirants.

Why Choose Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida?

Comprehensive Curriculum: The programs at Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida are designed to equip students with the latest skills and knowledge in business management.

Expert Faculty: The school’s faculty are leaders in their fields, offering students insights that bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Global Exposure: With international collaborations and a focus on global business trends, students at Sparsh Global Business School gain a global perspective that enhances their employability.

Vibrant Campus Life: Beyond academics, the institution offers a rich campus life with opportunities for extracurricular involvement, personal growth, and peer networking.

Conclusion

Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida is setting new benchmarks in business education with its cutting-edge curriculum, exceptional faculty, and strong focus on student success. For anyone looking to pursue a career in business, this institution offers the perfect blend of academic excellence, industry exposure, and personal development. If you aspire to be a leader in the business world, Sparsh Global Business School Greater Noida is the place to be.

[literaticat]

I was recently asked to do a panel event at a library in a neighboring county. The organizer said I could sell my books there, but when I inquired further she meant that literally, as they can't partner with any bookstores. I explained that as a trad pubbed author, selling my own books isn't something I can really do (at least not without a lot of weird financial/tax repercussions) and she said I could have people scan a QR code leading to my publisher's site to purchase and just provide them with book plates. I'm torn whether to do this event or not. On one hand, I'm sure it will be very fun, I do love supporting libraries, and I don't want to seem like a diva. On the other, I know that my time and energy are worth money, and I'd basically be doing this for free since I doubt I'll sell much via QR code. I am far enough into my career and successful enough that I'm not really interested in doing things just for the exposure. What would you recommend in this situation?

(ETA: sorry in advance, this came out lengthy, scroll to the bottom for my succinct answer if that's all you care about, OP!)

I think you have a good head on your shoulders, and it's smart to value your own time and energy. Yes, you should be paid for school visits and talks and that kind of thing, especially any that require travel, etc, UNLESS they are being sponsored by the publisher, like as part of an organized tour, and there will definitely be book sales, in which case, hey, you aren't going out of pocket and those can be QUITE good for sales.

But it is also a fact that sometimes, you will end up doing things for free, without remuneration and without a guarantee of huge sales, for any number of reasons: for charity, because you believe in the mission of whatever-it-is, for marketing/publicity purposes, or even just because it will be fun!

So you need to just do your own cost-benefit analysis. They'll do the QR code, which is nice, but you aren't guaranteed any sales, so let's say this event will definitely make you zero dollars. OK -- What are the Good Points vs Pain (in the Ass) Points?

For good points: Will it generate goodwill amongst your community or with people whose opinions you value? Is it for a charity or cause you believe in? Will there be potentially decision-makers there -- like librarians or teachers who might love your presentation and want to PAY you to participate in something later? Will it be FUN? Will there be other authors there that you want to meet / network with / hang out with / become besties with? How big a reach will this potentially have? (In other words - are we talking 5 people, or 500 people? Is it an event that might be covered by media? Because while you don't want to do things "just for exposure" when that exposure is dubious -- some great exposure wouldn't hurt!)

For PITA points: How much time will it take out of your life? (Include preparing for it, traveling to it, attending it, getting home, and decompressing from it)? Would it be costing you anything money-wise (gas money counts!)? Would it potentially take a toll on your health (mental health counts!)? Would you have to give up anything that would be MORE important to you in order to do it? (writing time, family obligations, time with your pets?) ETC.

The answers to these will be different from one situation to another, or even from person to person (after all, one person's "fun schmooze" thing is another person's "terrible chore"!) -- so weigh these options FOR YOU and see what you come up with.

Long story short:

It's good practice to say YES to anything that you can comfortably do to promote your book if you are getting paid for it or if the upsides outweigh the downsides.

But it's also healthy to have boundaries, and to say NO when that is not the case.

If you are going to say NO (again, a perfectly valid answer!), do so as early as possible, be extremely nice, and just say you are so sorry, you can't make it work, and best of luck with the event. DON'T frame it as "I only do PAID events" or anything like that -- that WILL make you sound like a diva from hell, even if that isn't the case! DON'T agree to it and then back out, because then you are putting them in the position of not having an event at all or having to scramble, ruining the thing they have spent time promoting, yadda yadda.

So in this case: If you haven't agreed to the event, and you decide the PITA points outweigh the good points, it's fine to decline. If you've already agreed to the event and it's happening soon, just suck it up and do it, lesson learned for next time.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

Tomorrow, (November 20), I'm at the Simsbury, CT Public Library at 7PM presenting my new novel The Lost Cause, a preapocalyptic tale of hope in the climate emergency.

#15yrsago Regulator to hear Bell Canada network throttling case https://web.archive.org/web/20090123005142/http://saveournet.ca/content/media-advisory-crtc-make-landmark-decision-internet-freedom

#15yrsago Apple to Mac owners: throw away your monitor if Hollywood says so https://web.archive.org/web/20081204010203/http://www.tuaw.com/2008/11/19/macbook-pro-users-getting-bitten-by-hdcp/

#15yrsago Liberation: a magical road-novel about America in collapse, Bradbury meets Kerouac https://memex.craphound.com/2008/11/19/liberation-a-magical-road-novel-about-america-in-collapse-bradbury-meets-kerouac/

#10yrsago Tropes vs Women in Video Games: Ms. Male Character https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYqYLfm1rWA

#10yrsago Vi Hart explains logarithms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-7tcTIrers

#10yrsago Jack Womack’s Random Acts of Senseless Violence: apocalypse in a young girl’s diary https://memex.craphound.com/2013/11/19/jack-womacks-random-acts-of-senseless-violence-apocalypse-in-a-young-girls-diary/

#10yrsago Complete meal cooking with a hotel coffee-maker https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/11/15/245442083/coffee-maker-cooking-brew-up-your-next-dinner

#5yrsago Concealed Carry scammers spent $2m on gunhumper scare-ads on Facebook during the 2018 midterms https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-ads-political-concealed-online/

#5yrsago Finns to Trump: We don’t rake our forests https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46256296

#5yrsago Apple’s CEO: tech regulation is “inevitable” https://www.marketwatch.com/story/apples-tim-cook-says-tech-regulation-inevitable-because-free-market-isnt-working-2018-11-18

#5yrsago Pope condemns the “wealthy few” who hoard the riches that “belongs to all” https://apnews.com/article/c183ed8b9269499ea0f537d9e8a9f2b6

#5yrsago Sheryl Sandberg’s fingerprints are all over every one of Facebook’s scandals https://newrepublic.com/article/152320/punctured-myth-sheryl-sandberg

#5yrsago How to use science fiction to teach tech ethics https://cfiesler.medium.com/the-black-mirror-writers-room-teaching-technology-ethics-through-speculation-f1a9e2deccf4

#5yrsago Insurer won’t pay murdered gunshot victim’s family because he didn’t disclose his high blood-sugar https://web.archive.org/web/20201108114908/https://www.news24.com/fin24/Companies/Financial-Services/momentum-we-rejected-r24m-life-insurance-claim-for-the-sake-of-our-other-clients-20181119

#5yrsago Trump’s FCC seems to have ended the practice of releasing its ISP speed-tests, leaving Americans in the dark about what they’re paying for https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/11/ajit-pai-isnt-saying-whether-isps-deliver-the-broadband-speeds-you-pay-for/

#5yrsago Ford CEO frankly admits that the car of the future is a surveillance device that you pay to spy on you https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2018/11/13/ford-motor-credit-data-new-revenue/1967077002/

[mollieblue]

Hey #labour, you should hire me to talk at you about how to actually fix Britain:

Terfs are the enemy, Trans folx are the people.

Small businesses need support on the ground level in order to foster amazing communities.

Invest in education to the point teachers are as paid well as their private peers or dare I say as well as an MP. I would say that if an MP describes their role as being vital, integral and essential to running the country, who receives a handsome tax paid salary with expenses paid with the public purse, why is it that other public sector roles are paid relatively below minimum wage? This applies to all public sector workers; civil servants, NHS staff, and teachers of all stripes. They are just as vital, integral, and essential to running the country, if not more so, than the openly profiteering geezers in Westminster.

Why is it that the rule makers are more important than those ensuring that the rules work? Those holding up society and holding it together are so sorely underpaid in this country that they are giving their lives to you at pittance so you can be okay. The NHS is a wonderful thing, and it breaks my heart that we don't fully fund it. The same goes for education, social services, community organisations, and libraries. These currently literally keep people existing at the bare minimum, but when fully funded and staffed, they transform lives for the better.

Equal pay for Equal work 》 Equal pay for Equal Importance. Ignore the 'we can't pay them the hundreds of thousands that MPs get' elephant in the room. I want you instead to imagine a world in which all public sector workers are paid the exact same amount regardless of hierarchy or public aspect they interact with. I'm no expert, but I reckon £86,584, the basic annual salary for a UK MP in 2023, would be an absolute god send to a junior doctor on roughly £38k. My partner practically works at minimum wage for 50 hours when you account for the marking, the planning, the organisation of your entire schedule to an impromptu meeting with angry parents and worrying about ofsted. It has worn them down, mostly because we can't have a social life, spending money on the theatre, in shops, on things that make us happy and human. We can't save, and we can't afford nice things. That fucking sucks. It wears a person out and throws them out of the system that's holding up the world.

Everyone I know is feeling like the above, regardless if they're private or public, freelance or salaried. One solution to help is basic universal income. Give everyone over 16 £500 & everyone over 18 £1000 each month for a year and see how awesome it would be in a year's time. I already know how much good that would do to me and everyone I know.

So pay everyone £12,000 a year and then pay all public sector workers the base salary of £86,000 rising in step with inflation. If the private sector can, in theory, pay whatever wages it wants, having a guarantee that your basics are paid will eliminate sooooo much stress. Rich folx can donate theirs, college kids can do interesting work at college because £500 buys a lot of art supplies and travel to museums, exhibitions, and events. Youth would have means to explore the nation before university or set up in an apprenticeship. Our elderly can use it to afford end of life care provisions or enrich their retirement or hell, just keep the lights on. Working folx would undoubtedly benefit the most and would probably like their jobs much more if they know things are covered.

To foot the bill, impose a commons tax on all privately owned land that fairly compensates the commons, ie, the UK public, back.

Make the North part of your game plan, rather than a foot note.

On a serious note; nationalise the railway system and expand the network. It is hell going east to west here, up to 3 hours to go 50 miles west and just 3 to get to London from Selby in North Yorkshire. How is this acceptable?

Invest in working class politicians to bring the reality of Britain back into government. Without our views or experiences on the table, why are we surprised when the Tories fuck us over again? If you want true, enthusiastic support from the British people, do not talk at us as if we're irresponsible children and actually engage with the very liberal and progressive discussions we have daily. Especially people under 40 - the older generation that pulled us out of the EU will be gone soon - you need to court and actually help out.

[oliver10th]

Maghni AIのクラファンについて

光と闇の企画とは直接関係ありませんが、Oliverに関する重大発表のためこちらでポストします。

※こちらは非公式の翻訳です。ご了承ください。※

No English version this time because it’s all in the website.

Maghni AIのクラファンが開始してわずか数日ですがゴール達成までめちゃくちゃ近いです。和訳し��興味のある日本の音声合成界隈に届けば幸いです。

Maghni AIとは

(ざっくりな翻訳)

40言語の言葉で歌えるエディタ。VocaTone(OliverとYohioloidの開発者)とMisbah Studiosで新たに作成されています。

エディタ自体は無料で、テスト用のライブラリは2つ用意される予定です。

ゴールに到達しなくともエディタの開発はリリースが遅れながらも続ける見込みだそうです。

2023/12/30更新:初期ログイン時、新ライブラリ認証時、さらに追加で約1ヶ月置きにインターネット接続が必要な仕組みになる予定(Discussionより)。対応OSはWindows、Linux、macOS。

支援プランの仕組み

支援額によってお礼品が増えるコース(Perks)と、単品で欲しいものを指定できるADDONがあります。Perksをメインで選んで追加でAddonを足しても良し、DL版の音源だけ、コミックだけが欲しい場合はAddonのみ指定するのも良しです。

送料があるものはそれぞれ記載してます。お礼品は全て2024/12配送見込みとなっています。

支援方法

直接indiegogo経由でクレジットカードを使った支援はもちろん可能で、別方法としてPayPalとAlipayで支援して手動で希望コースを指定できます。以下、ツイート参照。

2024/01/04 追加

支援の手順をポストとして書きました。

2024/02/10

支援は2024/07/31まで可能です。それ以降にグッズ系は入手できないと考えられるのでお気を付けください。

Perks お礼品(送料別途記載)

2024/02/10変更：IndieGogo側のアップデートが入り、サイトでは日本円で表示されるようになりました。実際の支援金額はサイトでご確認お願いします。

Small Supporter $5

Maghni AIの支援者としてクレジット記載

Aurum、Audine、Oliverの壁紙

Aurum Advocate $10

上記のお礼品

Aurum、Audine、Oliverのイラストの壁紙

Audine Aficionado $20

上記のお礼品

VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のコンセプトアートのPDFファイル

Oliver Enthusiast $35

上記のお礼品

Maghni AI支援者用Discordサーバーへの招待(サーバーはMaghni AI公開まで入場制限を設ける)2024/12/30更新:Discordは2024/10月に招待開始する予定です(Discussionタブより)

支援者限定ボイスサンプルのセット

Small Merch Bundle $40 (USA +$3、他+$10)

上記のお礼品

VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のカード、ブックマーク、シール

Large Merch Bundle $50 (USA +$8、他+$20)

上記のお礼品

VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)の缶バッジ

任意VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のキーホルダー1つ

同キャラのコンセプトアートとイラスト壁紙の印刷

Digital Voice Pick-One $125 (USA +$8、他+$20)

上記のお礼品

任意VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のライブラリ(DL版)

(キーホルダーと設定画のキャラは選択した音源で固定？他が欲しければお問い合わせすることをおすすめします)

Physical Voice Pick-One $200 (USA +$10、他+$30)

Large Merch Bundleのお礼品

任意VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のライブラリ(パッケージ版)

(キーホルダーと設定画のキャラは選択した音源で固定？他が欲しければお問い合わせすることをおすすめします)

Exclusive Oliver Bundle $250 (USA +$20、他+$40)

Physical Voice Pick-Oneのお礼品(ライブラリはOliver以外も選択可能)

Oliver風のメモ帳、オーナメント、アクリルスタンド、ピンズ

Oliver直筆のお礼の手紙

Completionist Bundle $750 (期間限定$500) (USA +$30、他+$60)

Physical Voice Pick-OneかExclusive Oliver Bundleのお礼品(Oliverにはコース限定と書いてたからこの項目の「上記同様」はどちらを指すか曖昧)

VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のライブラリ全3種(パッケージ版、限定のボックス付き)

クッション

VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のキーホルダー全3種

Maghni AIエディタ先行公開

Maghni Maker Deluxe $10000

あなたのMaghni AIのライブラリ開発

Addon Tiers 追加コンテンツ

ADDON - Custom Voice Sample $20

ボイスサンプルリクエスト(3言葉まで、英語に限定されているかはお問い合わせ必要)

ADDON - Digital Album Key $20

Maghni AIデモ楽曲のアルバム(デジタル版)

ADDON - Comic Booklet $35 (USA +$8、他+$15)

Olirondo印刷版

ADDON - Digital Voice Library $90

任意VocaToneキャラクター(Aurum、Audine、Oliver)のライブラリ(DL版)

Stretch Goals 追加ゴール・ストレッチゴール

$25000 初期ライブラリにデモ曲もう1つずつ追加 2024/01/13 ゴール達成しました！

$30000 初期ライブラリにパッケージイラストもう1種類ずつ追加 2024/02/10ゴール達成しました！

$35000 初期ライブラリにVoice Color(アペンドみたいなパラメータ)もう1つずつ追加 2024/02/10 ゴール達成しました！

$40000 初期ライブラリに対応言語もう1つずつ追加

$45000 Aurum、Audine、Oliverの3Dモデル作成

$50000 購入者指定のプロジェクト実施

今後のスケジュールについて

2023/12/30追加、2024/01/04修正

Q&Aの時間と毎月行う配信とその他サプライズ報告以外の予定は以下の通り。

2024/01/24: Oliver英語デモ音源公開、Aurum英語デモ音源公開

2024/02/24: Oliver英語デモ音源2公開、Audine音源再収録

2024/03/24: AurumとOliverのデモ音源公開、コース用のイラスト公開

2024/04/24: Audine英語デモ音源公開、エディタ安定調整

2024/05/24: Aurumスペイン語デモ音源公開、GabrielとGlassia音源収録

2024/06/24: Oliver Voice Colorデモ音源公開、パラメータ編集機能追加

2024/07/24: Audine中国語デモ音源公開、エディタを生配信で公開

2024/08/24: Oliver日本語デモ音源、エディタを生配信で公開

2024/09/24: Oliverフランス語デモ音源、オンライン環境構築完了

2024/10/24: シルエット公開、ベータ版サーバ公開

2024/11/24: ベータ版サーバ公開中、テスト音源の複数言語機能のデモ音源公開

2024/12/24: Maghni AIリリース、リリース記念配信

2024/02/10更新：ストレッチゴールとスケジュールの内容はお知らせが増えそうなので別の投稿で随時更新とします。

簡易辞書

Maghni AI マグニエーアイ。このクラファンで支援している歌唱用の音声合成ソフト。対応言語が既にすごいことになってる。

Maghnite マグナイト。Maghni AIのライブラリのこと。未確定要素が多いので全て翻訳していないが、あのライブラリが帰ってくる系の一言がいっぱいある。

Aurum オーラム。男声マグナイト。スチームパンクっぽいものに影響を受けている。

Audine オーディン。女声マグナイト。Aurumに対比してミライっぽいものに影響を受けている。

Oliver オリバー。男声マグナイト。衣装がボーカロイドの頃から新しくなった。

更新履歴

2023/12/29 初版作成。

2023/12/30 100%到達時に公開されたスケジュールを追加。FAQとDiscussionの一部情報を和訳して追加。

2024/01/04 支援手順へのリンクを追加。今後のスケジュールの元の画像に日付がついていたため日付を追加。（01/24の24を何故か年と勘違いしていました）

2024/01/13 ストレッチゴール達成を追記しました。

2024/02/10 今後のストレッチゴールとスケジュールに関する情報は別のポストで管理することを追記、Indiegogoの価格表示について追記、最終締め切りを追記。

[lytefoot]

If you didn't grow up using the public library--

Your first library card is typically free. You will need to prove that you live in the library's area, because they are funded by local taxes. If you have a driver's license or state ID with your address on it, you can use that. Otherwise, you can use a piece of mail that you received at your address. If you haven't received any mail, many libraries will mail you a postcard you can bring back when you get it to prove your address.

Having a library card will allow you to borrow books, and probably e-books for most libraries. If you want a book your library doesn't have, most libraries belong to a network of libraries, and they might be able to borrow your book from another library for you!

If you would like help finding a book, and learning how to find books in the library more generally, you can ask a librarian for help. Helping you learn how to use the library is part of their job!

Some libraries will also require a library card to use their computers, which have internet access; to use their printers and copiers; and to use other resources. Have a look around at your library or on their web site to see what other resources they might have! As an example, my library has a maker space with 3d printers, laser cutters, and other tech you can use for arts and crafts; study rooms you can reserve by the half-hour, for up to four hours a day; and a "library of things" which allows you to borrow things like sewing machines and professional-quality video cameras; and a library of children's toys!

Many, though not all, libraries will charge you a fee for:

Looking up your card number if you forget to bring the physical card with you.

A replacement library card, if you lose the card they gave you. Sometimes they'll give you one free replacement per some time interval (e.g. once a year), because sometimes things happen even if you're careful, or give free replacements to children but not to adults.

If you are late returning a book or other item, your library might charge you a late fee. The librarian will explain how the late fees work when you get your library card. (I have ADHD and often forget to return library items. This is one huge advantage of borrowing e-books, which return automatically when they're due!)

If you lose or damage a book or other item, you will probably need to pay for the library to replace them, so be careful with the things you borrow from the library.

Most libraries will charge you to print or copy on paper (though you can usually scan to a digital file for free).

Some libraries are working to further reduce fees. For example, my library has eliminated late fees--it turns out that libraries don't lose very much money by eliminating late fees, and often get more late items actually returned, plus late fees disproportionately impact exactly the people who need the library the most. My library also allows you to print a limited number of pages per day for free, and even provides some materials for the maker space at no charge!

By the way, kids and teens can get their own library cards. If you have kids, get them a library card and teach them how to use their library. Libraries differ on how old you have to be to check out books without your parents present, or to check out books from the adult section without your parents present. Some libraries will allow teens above a certain age to get a card without a parent as well--you can check your local library's web site to find out.