#Online Public Relations Assignment Help
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Online Harassment
Online harassment has become an increasingly pervasive issue, affecting individuals across all platforms. From subtle microaggressions to outright threats, harassment takes many forms, each with its own set of consequences. In this post, we'll break down the different types of online harassment, their impact, and what can be done to address them.
Important vocabulary: Misinformation is false or inaccurate information—getting the facts wrong. Disinformation is false information that deliberately intends to mislead—intentionally misstating the facts.
Let's start with what does not count as harassment:
What Doesn't Count as Harassment
Constructive Criticism: Offering feedback aimed at improving someone's work or behavior. For example, a manager providing an employee with feedback on how to improve their performance.
Disagreement or Debate: Engaging in a civil disagreement or discussion on a topic. For example, two colleagues having a heated but respectful debate about a work-related issue.
Enforcing Rules or Policies: Applying rules or policies in a consistent and fair manner. For example, a teacher enforcing classroom rules or a supervisor addressing attendance issues according to company policy.
Isolated Incidents: A single, non-repetitive instance of a comment or action that might be offensive but is not part of a pattern of behavior. For example, a colleague making an offhand remark that could be seen as rude but immediately apologizes.
Perceived Slights or Misunderstandings: Situations where an action or comment is misinterpreted or taken out of context. For example, someone feeling slighted because of a misunderstood joke that wasn’t meant to offend.
Friendly Banter or Jokes (If Mutual): Light-hearted exchanges that both parties understand and accept as non-offensive. For example, friends or close colleagues teasing each other in a way that both find funny and acceptable.
Normal Management Actions: Legitimate management actions taken in the course of business, like performance reviews, promotions, or disciplinary actions. For example, a supervisor assigning tasks based on job performance and business needs.
Cultural Differences: Actions or behaviors rooted in cultural norms that may be misunderstood but are not intended to be offensive. For example, a greeting or gesture that is customary in one culture but may seem strange or awkward in another.
Refusal of Unreasonable Requests: Declining a request that is not reasonable or within someone’s rights to refuse. For example, an employee refusing to work overtime that was not agreed upon in their contract.
Addressing Harassment: Communicating to someone that their behavior is harassing you, when it is true. This can help make the individual aware of the impact of their behavior, seek resolution, validate your experience, set boundaries, and follow legal or organizational procedures. For example, telling a coworker that their repeated comments about your appearance are making you uncomfortable and asking them to stop.
Now let's break down what does count as harassment:
Disinformation and Defamation of Character
Definition:
Disinformation: This refers to false information that is deliberately created and spread to deceive or mislead others. It’s often used to manipulate public opinion, discredit individuals, or cause confusion.
Slander: This involves making false spoken statements that damage someone’s reputation.
Libel: Libel is similar to slander but involves false statements made in a fixed medium, typically written or published online.
Defamation of Character: This is a broader term encompassing both slander and libel, referring to any false statement, whether spoken or written, that harms a person's reputation.
As Harassment:
Disinformation becomes harassment when it is used maliciously to harm an individual's reputation or cause them distress. This might involve spreading false rumors about someone’s actions or beliefs, or fabricating stories to discredit them.
Slander/Libel/Defamation become harassment when false statements are made with the intent to damage someone's character or standing in the community, leading to social, professional, or personal harm. This is particularly damaging when spread online, where false information can quickly reach a wide audience.
Examples:
Disinformation: A group creates and spreads a false narrative that a well-known activist has engaged in illegal activities, with the aim of discrediting their work and damaging their public image. The false information is shared widely across social media platforms, leading others to believe the activist is untrustworthy.
Slander: During a live podcast, a speaker falsely accuses a colleague of being involved in unethical business practices. Even though the accusation is baseless, listeners begin to question the colleague's integrity.
Libel: An online blog publishes an article falsely claiming that a local politician has been accepting bribes. The article spreads rapidly, causing the politician to face public scrutiny and potentially affecting their career.
Impact on the Victim:
Emotional Distress: The victim may experience anxiety, stress, and a sense of powerlessness as their reputation is attacked. This can lead to mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorders.
Social Isolation: As the false information spreads, the victim may find themselves ostracized by their community, friends, or professional network. They may be unfairly judged or treated differently by others who believe the falsehoods.
Professional Consequences: Defamation can result in job loss, damage to professional relationships, or loss of business opportunities, especially if the victim’s reputation is central to their work.
Financial Damage: The victim might incur legal costs in attempting to clear their name or experience a loss of income due to damaged reputation.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: In many jurisdictions, victims of defamation of character can pursue legal action against the perpetrator. They may sue for damages to compensate for the harm done to their reputation. However, these cases can be complex, requiring proof that the statements were false, made with malicious intent, and caused harm.
Platform Policies: Many social media platforms have guidelines against spreading false information and may take action by removing content or banning users who engage in such activities. However, enforcement can be inconsistent.
Ethical Implications: Even if legal action isn’t taken, spreading false information or engaging in defamation is ethically wrong and can have serious consequences for both the victim and society as a whole. It undermines trust in information sources and can contribute to a culture of misinformation and cynicism.
Disinformation and slander/libel can be deeply damaging, both personally and professionally, and are forms of harassment that are taken seriously both legally and ethically.
Amplifying Disinformation and Slander
Definition:
Amplifying Disinformation: This refers to the act of spreading or sharing deliberately false or misleading information created by someone else. It involves reblogging, retweeting, sharing posts, or forwarding messages that contain disinformation, even if the person amplifying it isn’t the original creator.
Amplifying Slander: This involves spreading spoken false statements about someone that are damaging to their reputation. It often occurs in social interactions, such as sharing gossip or rumors.
Amplifying Libel: This is similar to amplifying slander but involves sharing written or published false information that harms someone’s reputation. It typically occurs on social media, blogs, or other written formats.
As Harassment:
Amplifying Disinformation becomes harassment when it is done with malicious intent or reckless disregard for the truth. By spreading false information, individuals contribute to the harm caused to the victim, including damage to their reputation, emotional distress, and social or professional consequences.
Amplifying Slander/Libel becomes harassment when the person sharing the information knows it is false or harmful but continues to spread it, thereby further damaging the victim’s reputation and standing. Even if the person amplifying the content isn't the original source, they are still participating in and perpetuating the harm.
Examples:
Amplifying Disinformation: After seeing a tweet that deliberately spreads a false narrative about a political figure being involved in a criminal activity, a user retweets it with a comment that suggests they believe it, spreading the disinformation to their followers. The false claim quickly gains traction, causing the political figure significant public backlash.
Amplifying Slander: During a group chat, one person repeats a false rumor they heard about a coworker being unfaithful. Even though the rumor is baseless and was created with malicious intent, it quickly spreads through the workplace, damaging the coworker’s reputation and personal relationships.
Amplifying Libel: A person shares an article on their Facebook page that falsely accuses a local business owner of engaging in fraudulent activities. Although they didn’t write the article, their act of sharing it contributes to the spread of the disinformation, leading to a decline in the business owner’s customer base.
Impact on the Victim:
Increased Harm: The more widely disinformation or slander is shared, the more damage it can cause. As the false information reaches a larger audience, the victim may face increased social ostracization, professional setbacks, or emotional distress.
Difficulty in Correcting the Record: Once disinformation or slander is amplified, it can be challenging for the victim to correct the falsehoods. The spread of false information can take on a life of its own, making it hard for the truth to prevail.
Reputational Damage: The victim may suffer long-term harm to their personal and professional reputation, which can affect their relationships, career, and social standing.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: Amplifying disinformation, slander, or libel can expose the person spreading the false information to legal liability, particularly if they knowingly shared it with the intent to cause harm. In some cases, they may be sued for defamation or held responsible for damages caused by the spread of false information.
Ethical Responsibility: Even if there is no legal liability, those who amplify false information have an ethical responsibility to verify the accuracy of what they share. Spreading disinformation or slander without regard for the truth is unethical and can contribute to a culture of harassment and mistrust.
Platform Policies: Social media platforms often have policies against the spread of disinformation and may take action against users who repeatedly amplify harmful content. This could include warnings, suspensions, or permanent bans.
Amplifying disinformation and slander is a serious issue that can cause significant harm to individuals and communities. Those who engage in this behavior, even if they aren’t the original creators of the content, play a crucial role in perpetuating the damage and may face legal and ethical consequences.
Cyberbullying
Definition:
Cyberbullying involves the use of digital platforms, such as social media, messaging apps, or online forums, to repeatedly target, intimidate, or belittle an individual. It is a form of bullying that occurs online and can include various forms of aggressive behavior.
As Harassment:
Cyberbullying becomes harassment when the behavior is intentional, repeated, and causes significant emotional distress or harm to the victim. It can involve sending threatening or abusive messages, spreading rumors, or using online platforms to isolate or degrade someone.
Examples:
Personal Attacks: A student repeatedly sends mean-spirited and threatening messages to a classmate through a messaging app. These messages include insults, threats of violence, and derogatory comments about the victim’s appearance and personal life.
Public Shaming: A group of people creates a social media page specifically to post embarrassing photos and make derogatory comments about an individual. The posts are shared widely, leading to public humiliation.
Spreading Rumors: An individual creates fake profiles to spread false and harmful rumors about someone, such as accusing them of dishonest or immoral behavior. This false information is shared across multiple platforms, damaging the victim’s reputation.
Impact on the Victim:
Emotional Distress: Victims of cyberbullying may experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The constant online attacks can lead to severe emotional distress and a sense of helplessness.
Social Isolation: The victim may withdraw from online and offline social interactions due to fear of further harassment. This isolation can lead to a decline in social support and relationships.
Academic and Professional Impact: For students, cyberbullying can lead to decreased academic performance and school avoidance. For adults, it can affect job performance and professional relationships.
Physical Effects: The stress and anxiety caused by cyberbullying can result in physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and a weakened immune system.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: Many jurisdictions have laws specifically targeting cyberbullying. Legal actions can include restraining orders, criminal charges for harassment or threats, and civil lawsuits for damages. Laws vary by location, so the availability and extent of legal recourse depend on local regulations.
Platform Policies: Social media platforms and online services often have policies against cyberbullying. Users who engage in such behavior may face account suspension, bans, or content removal. Reporting mechanisms are available for victims to report abusive behavior.
Ethical Implications: Cyberbullying is ethically unacceptable as it inflicts unnecessary harm and distress on individuals. It contributes to a toxic online environment and can have severe consequences for victims. Promoting respectful and positive online interactions is crucial for fostering a supportive digital community.
Cyberbullying is a serious issue with far-reaching effects on individuals’ mental health and well-being. Addressing it requires both legal action and ethical responsibility, with efforts focused on prevention, support for victims, and creating a safer online environment.
Doxxing
Definition:
Doxxing (or "doxing") is the act of publicly revealing or publishing private, sensitive, or personal information about an individual without their consent. This information might include details like home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and workplace locations. The term "doxx" originates from the word "documents," reflecting the sharing of documents or personal details.
As Harassment:
Doxxing becomes harassment when the intention is to harm, intimidate, or distress the individual whose information is being exposed. It can be used to provoke harassment from others, incite physical threats, or damage the victim's privacy and security.
Examples:
Public Exposure: An individual’s personal details, such as their home address and phone number, are posted on a public forum or social media site after a heated online argument. This leads to unwanted contact and harassment from strangers.
Threatening Behavior: An online user publishes sensitive information about a journalist who has been critical of certain groups. The journalist starts receiving threatening messages and is forced to take security precautions.
Intimidation Tactics: After a disagreement in a gaming community, a player’s real-life address and contact information are shared with the community, leading to in-person threats and harassment.
Impact on the Victim:
Safety and Security Risks: The victim may face threats of physical harm or stalking due to the exposure of their personal information. This can lead to a heightened sense of vulnerability and fear.
Emotional Distress: Victims often experience significant emotional stress, including anxiety, fear, and a sense of invasion of privacy. The knowledge that their personal information is publicly accessible can be deeply unsettling.
Social and Professional Consequences: The victim’s reputation can be damaged, leading to unwanted attention and negative interactions in their personal and professional life. They might experience social ostracism or job-related issues as a result of the doxxing.
Financial Impact: In extreme cases, victims may incur costs related to increased security measures, legal fees, or changes in their contact information.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: Many jurisdictions consider doxxing a criminal offense, particularly if it involves threats, harassment, or incitement to violence. Laws related to privacy, harassment, and cybercrime can be applied to address doxxing. Victims can often seek legal protection or file complaints with law enforcement.
Platform Policies: Social media platforms and online services typically have policies against doxxing. They may take action such as removing the offending content, suspending accounts, or providing support to affected users. However, enforcement can vary.
Ethical Implications: Doxxing is ethically problematic as it involves a deliberate invasion of privacy and can lead to severe consequences for the victim. It violates principles of respect and confidentiality and contributes to a hostile online environment.
Doxxing represents a serious breach of privacy and security, with the potential for significant harm to individuals. Addressing doxxing requires both legal measures and a strong ethical commitment to protecting personal information and respecting others’ privacy.
Stalking
Definition:
Stalking involves persistent and unwanted attention or surveillance of an individual that causes them to feel fear or distress. It can occur through various means, including physical following, digital monitoring, or repeated harassment through communication channels. The intent is often to intimidate or control the victim.
As Harassment:
Stalking becomes harassment when it is done with the intent to cause emotional or psychological harm, invade the victim’s privacy, or exert control over their actions. The behavior is characterized by its repetitive nature and the fear it instills in the victim.
Examples:
Physical Stalking: An individual repeatedly shows up at the victim’s home or workplace, waits for them outside, or follows them in public places despite being asked to stop.
Digital Stalking: A person continually monitors the victim’s online activities, sends frequent and unwanted messages or emails, tracks their location through social media check-ins, and creates fake profiles to gain more access.
Harassing Communication: The stalker sends numerous threatening or intrusive messages, calls, or letters, making the victim feel unsafe and overwhelmed. This can include persistent contact despite clear requests to cease communication.
Impact on the Victim:
Emotional Distress: Victims often experience high levels of anxiety, fear, and paranoia. The constant sense of being watched or followed can lead to severe emotional trauma and mental health issues, such as depression or panic attacks.
Social Isolation: Victims may withdraw from social activities or change their routines to avoid the stalker. They might also feel compelled to move or alter their personal lives significantly to ensure their safety.
Professional Disruption: Stalking can interfere with the victim’s work life, leading to decreased productivity, job dissatisfaction, or even job loss if the stalking occurs at their workplace or affects their professional reputation.
Physical Safety: In severe cases, stalking can lead to physical threats or attacks, putting the victim's safety and well-being at risk. This may necessitate physical security measures or legal protections.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: Many jurisdictions have specific laws against stalking, which can include criminal charges and restraining orders. These laws address both physical and digital stalking behaviors, providing legal avenues for victims to seek protection and hold perpetrators accountable.
Platform Policies: Social media platforms and online services often have policies against stalking and harassment. Victims can report stalking behavior to these platforms, which may take action such as banning the perpetrator or removing harmful content.
Ethical Implications: Stalking is ethically unacceptable as it infringes on an individual’s right to privacy and security. It represents a severe violation of personal boundaries and can cause lasting harm. Ethical behavior involves respecting others' personal space and ensuring that interactions remain consensual and respectful.
Stalking is a grave form of harassment that involves a persistent invasion of privacy and control over the victim’s life. Addressing it requires both legal intervention and ethical commitment to safeguarding individuals' personal safety and well-being.
Hate Speech
Definition:
Hate speech refers to any communication—whether verbal, written, or visual—that disparages or incites violence or hostility against an individual or group based on attributes such as race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It involves expressions that promote hatred or violence towards people based on these characteristics.
As Harassment:
Hate speech becomes harassment when it is used to target individuals or groups with the intent to demean, intimidate, or incite violence against them. It often creates a hostile environment and contributes to systemic discrimination and exclusion. The impact of hate speech can extend beyond the immediate target to affect entire communities.
Examples:
Social Media Posts: A user posts derogatory comments and slurs about a specific racial or religious group, encouraging others to join in and spread similar messages. These posts can lead to a climate of hostility and exclusion for members of the targeted group.
Online Forums: On a discussion board, members share and amplify content that advocates violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, including graphic threats and dehumanizing rhetoric. This can make LGBTQ+ users feel unsafe and unwelcome on the platform.
Hate Groups: Organized hate groups use websites and social media to recruit and spread propaganda that targets specific ethnic or religious groups. Their messages include misinformation, inflammatory statements, and calls for discriminatory actions.
Impact on the Victim:
Emotional Harm: Victims of hate speech often experience emotional and psychological distress, including feelings of fear, anxiety, and depression. They may feel dehumanized or marginalized.
Social Exclusion: Hate speech can lead to social ostracization and reduced participation in community or public activities. Victims may withdraw from online communities or public spaces to avoid hostility.
Physical Safety: In severe cases, hate speech can incite real-world violence or harassment against individuals or groups, leading to physical harm or threats. It can also contribute to a climate of fear and insecurity.
Community Impact: Hate speech can contribute to broader societal divisions and tensions, fostering environments where prejudice and discrimination are normalized.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: The legality of hate speech varies by jurisdiction. Some countries have specific laws that criminalize hate speech, while others protect freedom of speech more broadly, making legal action challenging. In regions with laws against hate speech, victims may have the option to report incidents to law enforcement or seek legal remedies.
Platform Policies: Many social media platforms have policies prohibiting hate speech and may take action by removing content, suspending accounts, or banning users who engage in such behavior. However, enforcement can be inconsistent, and some platforms may struggle to balance moderation with free speech considerations.
Ethical Implications: Hate speech is widely regarded as unethical because it promotes discrimination and intolerance. It undermines the principles of respect and equality, contributing to societal harm. Addressing hate speech requires a commitment to fostering inclusive and respectful communities, both online and offline.
Hate speech is a serious form of harassment with far-reaching effects on individuals and communities. Recognizing its impact and taking action to prevent and address it is crucial for promoting a more respectful and inclusive digital environment.
Trolling
Definition:
Trolling is the act of making deliberately provocative, offensive, or off-topic comments with the intention of eliciting strong emotional responses from others. It often involves disrupting conversations, creating conflicts, or stirring up controversy for amusement or to upset others.
As Harassment:
Trolling becomes harassment when the intent is to target specific individuals or groups with the purpose of causing emotional distress, confusion, or frustration. This involves consistently targeting someone with offensive or inflammatory comments, aiming to disrupt their online experience or provoke a reaction.
Examples:
Social Media Comments: A user repeatedly posts inflammatory or offensive comments on posts related to sensitive topics like mental health or personal identity. Their goal is to provoke arguments, upset the original poster, and attract attention to their own posts.
Forum Disruption: On an online forum focused on a specific hobby or interest, a troll deliberately posts off-topic or derogatory comments to derail discussions, causing frustration and confusion among regular members.
Live Stream Interference: During a live stream, a troll bombards the chat with spam, offensive messages, and provocative statements to distract the streamer and viewers, disrupting the content and conversation.
Impact on the Victim:
Emotional Distress: Victims may experience frustration, anger, and stress as a result of trolling. The constant need to address or ignore disruptive comments can be mentally exhausting.
Disruption of Conversations: Trolling can derail meaningful discussions and create a hostile environment, making it difficult for others to engage in productive or enjoyable conversations.
Reduced Participation: The presence of trolls can lead to decreased participation in online communities, as users may avoid engaging with platforms or topics where they have previously been targeted.
Psychological Impact: Persistent trolling can contribute to anxiety, depression, or feelings of helplessness, particularly if the troll’s comments are deeply personal or offensive.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: The legal response to trolling varies by jurisdiction and the nature of the trolling. While many forms of trolling do not constitute a criminal offense, behaviors that involve threats, harassment, or incitement to violence may be actionable under cybercrime or harassment laws.
Platform Policies: Most social media and online platforms have community guidelines that address trolling. They may take action such as removing offending content, suspending accounts, or banning users who engage in trolling behavior. Enforcement can vary, and some platforms struggle to effectively manage trolling.
Ethical Implications: Trolling is generally considered unethical because it aims to disrupt, harm, or manipulate others for personal amusement. It undermines respectful and constructive communication and can contribute to a negative online culture. Addressing trolling involves fostering a more respectful online environment and encouraging positive interactions.
Trolling is a form of online harassment that can have significant emotional and social impacts on individuals and communities. Recognizing and addressing trolling behavior is important for maintaining healthy and respectful online interactions.
Impersonation
Definition:
Impersonation involves creating or using a fake identity to deceive others into believing that you are someone else. This can include pretending to be a public figure, a private individual, or a professional entity. The goal is often to mislead or manipulate others for various purposes, including personal gain, harassment, or deception.
As Harassment:
Impersonation becomes harassment when it is used to target individuals with the intention of causing harm, spreading false information, or engaging in malicious activities. This might involve creating fake profiles or accounts to misrepresent someone or to exploit their identity for harmful purposes.
Examples:
Social Media Accounts: A user creates a fake social media profile pretending to be a well-known celebrity or public figure, using it to post misleading or harmful content that could damage the real person’s reputation.
Email Scams: An individual sends emails from an address that looks like it belongs to a trusted authority or organization (e.g., a company executive or a government official) to deceive recipients into providing sensitive information or making financial transactions.
Online Fraud: Someone impersonates a person in an online dating profile, using fake photos and personal details to manipulate or exploit other users emotionally or financially.
Impact on the Victim:
Reputation Damage: The victim may suffer from reputational harm if false or misleading information is spread using their identity, leading to confusion, mistrust, or negative perceptions among their audience or associates.
Emotional Distress: Being impersonated can lead to significant emotional distress, including anxiety, embarrassment, and frustration. The victim may feel violated and powerless, particularly if the impersonation is done in a malicious or humiliating way.
Professional Consequences: For public figures, professionals, or businesses, impersonation can lead to professional repercussions, including loss of business opportunities, legal issues, or damage to professional relationships.
Financial Impact: If impersonation involves fraud, the victim may suffer financial losses or be involved in lengthy and costly legal battles to address the situation.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: Many jurisdictions have laws against impersonation, including identity theft, fraud, and misrepresentation. Victims may have legal avenues to pursue, such as filing complaints with law enforcement or taking civil action to seek damages. The specifics of legal recourse vary depending on local laws and the nature of the impersonation.
Platform Policies: Social media and online platforms often have policies against impersonation. They may take actions such as verifying identities, removing fake accounts, or suspending users who engage in impersonation. Effective enforcement of these policies can be challenging, especially given the scale of online interactions.
Ethical Implications: Impersonation is generally considered unethical because it involves deception and manipulation. It undermines trust and can have serious consequences for individuals and organizations. Ethical behavior online includes respecting others' identities and avoiding deceptive practices.
Impersonation can be a serious form of online harassment with far-reaching effects on both individuals and organizations. Addressing and preventing impersonation involves understanding its impacts, pursuing legal remedies when necessary, and fostering ethical online behavior.
Spamming
Definition:
Spamming refers to the repeated, unsolicited sending of messages or content, often with the intent to overwhelm, disrupt communication, or promote something, usually in a commercial context. It can occur through email, social media, messaging platforms, or other digital channels.
As Harassment:
Spamming becomes harassment when it is used to intentionally annoy, intimidate, or overwhelm an individual or organization. This might involve flooding someone's inbox with unwanted messages, bombarding a social media profile with repetitive or abusive comments, or inundating forums with irrelevant or harmful content. The goal is often to disrupt normal communication or to cause distress.
Examples:
Email Spamming: A user receives hundreds of unsolicited promotional emails, some of which contain malicious links or phishing attempts. The volume of spam clutters their inbox and makes it difficult to manage legitimate communications.
Social Media Spamming: An individual’s social media account is flooded with repetitive comments or messages from the same user or group. These comments might be abusive, irrelevant, or aimed at disrupting the user’s ability to engage with others on the platform.
Forum Spamming: A user continuously posts irrelevant or disruptive messages in online forums or discussion boards, often to derail conversations, promote products, or harass other users.
Impact on the Victim:
Overwhelm and Stress: The victim may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of messages or content, leading to stress and frustration. Managing or filtering through spam can be time-consuming and mentally taxing.
Disruption of Communication: Spam can disrupt normal communication, making it difficult for the victim to focus on important messages or tasks. It can also crowd out legitimate content or conversations, reducing the effectiveness of communication platforms.
Privacy and Security Risks: Some spam messages may contain malicious links or attachments that can compromise the victim’s privacy or security, leading to potential data breaches or identity theft.
Financial Impact: For businesses, spamming can lead to loss of productivity, increased costs related to managing or mitigating spam, and potential damage to their reputation if customers are affected.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: Many jurisdictions have laws against spamming, especially when it involves malicious intent or financial fraud. For instance, the CAN-SPAM Act in the U.S. regulates commercial email and provides guidelines for managing spam. Victims of spam may also seek legal remedies for damages or file complaints with relevant authorities.
Platform Policies: Most digital platforms and services have policies against spamming. Violations can result in penalties such as account suspension, banning, or removal of the offending content.
Ethical Implications: Spamming is considered unethical as it disregards the recipient’s consent and aims to exploit or harass individuals. It disrupts normal communication practices and can contribute to a negative online experience for users.
Spamming, when used maliciously, can have significant negative impacts on individuals and organizations, and is addressed by legal frameworks and platform policies to protect users and maintain the integrity of digital communication.
Making Threats
Definition:
Threats to Harm Others: These are statements or actions that express an intention to cause physical harm or violence to another person. These threats can be explicit (directly stating the intention to harm) or implicit (suggesting harm or intimidation).
Threats to Harm Oneself: These are statements or actions that express a desire or intention to self-harm or commit suicide. Such threats may be made in distressing contexts and can indicate serious emotional or psychological issues.
As Harassment:
Threats to Harm Others: When threats are made to harm others, they can be a form of harassment if the intent is to intimidate, control, or manipulate the target. This can involve direct threats or veiled warnings intended to cause fear or distress. The impact can be significant, causing emotional and psychological trauma, and creating a sense of insecurity or danger for the victim.
Threats to Harm Oneself: Threats of self-harm can also be a form of harassment if they are used manipulatively or to provoke a response from others. In some cases, individuals may use threats of self-harm to exert control or to gain attention, which can create distress and concern among those who are aware of the threats.
Examples:
Threats to Harm Others:
Direct Threat: A user posts a message on social media stating, "I will come to your house and hurt you if you don’t stop talking about me." This explicit threat aims to intimidate the recipient.
Implicit Threat: An individual leaves a comment on a public forum suggesting, "People like you should be careful about what they say," followed by a vague reference to "consequences." This implies potential harm without explicit details.
Threats to Harm Oneself:
Direct Threat: A user posts on a social media platform saying, "I’m going to end my life tonight. I don’t see any way out." This expresses a clear intention to self-harm.
Implicit Threat: An individual frequently posts messages or updates about feeling hopeless and discusses self-destructive thoughts without explicitly stating their intent to self-harm, but hinting at severe distress.
Impact on the Victim:
Emotional and Psychological Trauma: For threats to harm others, victims may experience fear, anxiety, and a sense of vulnerability. The threat of violence can lead to psychological stress and trauma.
Behavioral Changes: Victims of threats may change their behavior to avoid potential harm, such as avoiding certain places or people, or taking additional precautions for their safety.
Distress and Concern: For threats of self-harm, friends, family, and others may experience significant emotional distress and concern, feeling helpless or anxious about the individual’s well-being.
Intervention and Support: Threats of self-harm often prompt intervention from mental health professionals or emergency services, which can be disruptive and may lead to involuntary treatment or hospitalization for the individual making the threats.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse:
Threats to Harm Others: Making threats of violence can be illegal in many jurisdictions. Victims can report these threats to law enforcement, who may investigate and take legal action if necessary. Criminal charges can be brought against individuals making credible threats of harm.
Threats to Harm Oneself: While threats of self-harm are not typically illegal, they often prompt intervention by mental health professionals and emergency services to ensure the individual’s safety. In some cases, these threats may lead to involuntary hospitalization or treatment if the person is deemed a danger to themselves.
Platform Policies: Many online platforms have policies against threats of violence and self-harm. Content that violates these policies may be removed, and users making such threats may be banned or suspended. Platforms often have mechanisms for reporting and addressing these issues.
Ethical Implications: Both types of threats raise serious ethical concerns. Making threats to harm others is fundamentally unethical and can have legal consequences. Threats of self-harm require sensitive handling, as they indicate significant distress and necessitate a compassionate response to address the underlying issues and provide appropriate support.
Threats, whether directed towards others or oneself, are serious and can have profound impacts on all involved. They are addressed through legal channels, platform policies, and ethical guidelines to protect individuals and provide necessary support.
Sexual Harassment
Definition:
Sexual Harassment: This is unwanted and unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or intimidating environment. It can occur in various forms, including physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct. Sexual harassment is often characterized by a power imbalance and can occur in both professional and personal contexts.
As Harassment:
Sexual Harassment becomes harassment when it involves making someone feel uncomfortable, threatened, or demeaned through sexual advances, comments, or behavior. This includes behavior that interferes with the victim’s ability to participate in work or social environments and can create an atmosphere of intimidation or hostility.
Examples:
Verbal Harassment: Making inappropriate or suggestive comments, jokes, or propositions about someone's body or sexual activities. For instance, repeatedly commenting on a colleague’s appearance or making unwelcome advances.
Physical Harassment: Unwanted physical contact, such as touching, groping, or brushing up against someone in a manner that makes them uncomfortable. This can also include gestures or displays of sexually explicit material.
Non-Verbal Harassment: Sending sexually suggestive messages, images, or using body language that implies sexual interest or intent. This includes persistent staring or creating an atmosphere with sexually explicit material.
Online Harassment: Sending unsolicited explicit messages or images through social media, email, or messaging platforms. This can also involve tagging someone in inappropriate content or making unwanted advances through digital communication.
Impact on the Victim:
Emotional Distress: Victims may experience a range of emotional responses, including anxiety, depression, and fear. The harassment can lead to a diminished sense of safety and self-worth.
Professional Consequences: In a workplace setting, sexual harassment can affect job performance, career progression, and workplace relationships. Victims may face challenges in their professional environment, such as being passed over for promotions or experiencing isolation from colleagues.
Social and Personal Impact: Harassment can lead to a loss of confidence, social withdrawal, and strained personal relationships. Victims might avoid certain places or situations to escape harassment or its reminders.
Physical Health: The stress and emotional impact of harassment can manifest physically, leading to issues such as sleep disturbances, headaches, or other stress-related health problems.
Legal and Ethical Considerations:
Legal Recourse: Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations against sexual harassment. Victims may have legal avenues to pursue claims, such as filing complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the U.S. or similar bodies in other countries. Legal action can result in compensation for damages, changes in workplace policies, or other remedies.
Platform Policies: Online platforms and workplaces typically have policies prohibiting sexual harassment. Violations can lead to account suspension, removal of content, or disciplinary actions against offenders. Reporting mechanisms are often available to address harassment claims.
Ethical Implications: Sexual harassment is a severe violation of ethical standards and personal boundaries. It undermines the dignity and rights of individuals and perpetuates a culture of inequality and fear. Ethical responses involve creating safe and respectful environments, actively addressing and preventing harassment, and supporting victims.
Sexual harassment is a serious issue with significant legal, ethical, and personal implications. Addressing it effectively requires a combination of legal action, supportive policies, and a commitment to creating respectful and safe environments for all individuals.
Understanding and addressing online harassment is crucial for fostering a safer and more respectful digital environment. From the deliberate spread of disinformation and defamation to the invasive impact of spamming and threats, each form of harassment has its own set of consequences that can deeply affect individuals and communities. Sexual harassment, in particular, represents a severe violation of personal dignity and can lead to significant emotional and professional harm.
By recognizing the different manifestations of harassment, from slander and libel to online threats and unwanted sexual advances, we can better equip ourselves to combat these issues effectively. Legal frameworks, platform policies, and ethical practices all play essential roles in addressing and mitigating harassment.
It is our collective responsibility to create and maintain environments—both online and offline—where individuals feel safe, respected, and heard. By staying informed, supporting victims, and holding perpetrators accountable, we can contribute to a more just and compassionate society. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and it is up to all of us to uphold these values in every interaction.
#alex talks#alex explains things#anti harassment#online safety#internet tips#internet things#internet safety#internet#online#online harassment#stop cyber bullying#cyber bullying#disinformation#defamation#doxxing#online stalking#impersonation#how the fuck do i tag this#yeah#safety#important#information#informative post#important information
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Hey, I have some questions regarding deific relationships. I really do love the idea of having a relationship with a god but I’m also terrified? Like, the idea of being watched by a deity kind of horrifies me. Do you not feel like your thoughts are unsafe? Like you never have privacy? What happens if you aren’t a good worshipper? Do you worry about upsetting them at all? Or fear their retribution?
Sorry if any of this is insensitive. I just wanted to understand your perspective.
-☂️
no, it’s completely alright!! :) (i have a tl;dr at the bottom in italics and bold in case this is too much to read, lol)
usually i try not to overthink it, but that’s easier said than done. i believe the gods are watching us, of course, but only in situations where they should be watching. like… no, Lord Apollo isn’t going to be watching me while i’m in the shower (that would be weird), but maybe if im talking about him with friends, he’ll be watching!! or if your deity is trying to see if you make the right choice (ex. if you see someone drop their money, do you try and quickly grab it and steal it before they notice [even if you don’t need the money] or do you return it?)
i also think the gods understand privacy just as much as we want them to. i’m sure they don’t want to watch us every second of our lives. they’ll respect your privacy, dw <33
as for being a good worshipper and worrying about messing up, don’t worry, you’re probably doing just fine. treat your deities well and they will treat you well. they understand that we’re only human, we’re bound to mess up. maybe if you stole something from someone, you’ll lose something (or something like that), but i believe that’s just karma. as long as you aren’t some psychotic killer, they aren’t gonna punish you. i swear.
and i don’t think there’s any specific way to be a “bad worshipper”. i mean, if you’re talking poorly about the gods, ruining their alters, being disrespectful towards them, or anything like that, then i would say you just have room to grow and learn. if you’re doing that all on purpose though… maybe you’re a bad worshipper. but i believe that anyone can learn and grow past their mistakes.
if you want to be better at worshipping the gods or your deity, you can always pray to them, research them, do devotional acts towards them, or even just think about them throughout the day. they only expect you to do your best.
if your best is getting all your missing school assignments done, that’s enough. if you’re best is taking a day off to take care of yourself, that’s enough. even if your best is just waking up, even if you can’t get out of bed, that’s enough. if it’s you’re best, it’s enough. that’s all they want from you. for you to be the best version of yourself that you can be.
(TL;DR: dw, you’ve got privacy. they want you to have privacy just as much as you want to have privacy. and i promise you’re doing great. if you’re even having thoughts about doubting whether you’re a good worshipper or not, you’re a good worshipper, because that means you care. and they won’t punish you. you’re human, they get that. do your best, be your best, and your deities will love you for it <33)
if you want more info from people who know more and are more experienced, i recommend checking these blogs out:
@atheneum-of-you has just recently made their helpol discord server public and they have a huge library of free online books related to hellenic polytheism and the gods. they also make tons of informative posts and updates!!
@hyakinthou-naos is a super cool temple and they just recently have launched their website!! i can’t recommend checking it out enough. it’s so helpful and so beautifully designed
@khaire-traveler has amazing posts about worshipping the gods and a super cool guide to worshipping so many deities discreetly. (i’m pretty sure they’re on hiatus currently)
@screeching-0wl is my favorite resource for info on the gods. their cheat sheets are amazing!! (they’re on hiatus)
these are just my personal recommendations!! (i hope this isn’t too much info and i’m not stressing you out!!) just remember, you don’t have to be perfect. and please, for the love of all things good, do not overwork yourself. i did that and then i had to take a break for most of the year. be better than me please lol
good luck !! <33
#yikes sorry for the info dump#i yap a lot i’m sorry#i like yapping when someone brings up my special interests (one of my special interests is my religion#clearly)#hellenic polythiest#hellenic worship#hellenic community#hellenic deities#helpol#hellenic pagan#hellenic polytheism#hellenic resources
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Did you have any thoughts, story-wise, on what Sandy herself thinks of all this and what her circumstances are? There are of course the inferences that can be made from that letter she got sent (and more specifically that it was turned over unopened) but is/was she in the public eye? Is she kept under close observation in case Constructor/Architect tries to approach her directly, and so on?
Oh I absolutely do have story thoughts about Sandy's opinions on everything. But the trouble with Sandy is--
————————————
Excerpts from recordings of meetings between the Architect and various associates.
————————————
CYBERSCOUT
--and, sorry, remind me why we care?
CONSTRUCTOR
We need to try to anticipate the general public objections to this. We won't be able to avoid them, not when we're going to be breaking so many laws. But we can at least anticipate them and get our own narrative out in advance.
HOBBES
I don't think you get the question. We're villains. Why are we tiptoeing around "public objections?"
CONSTRUCTOR
Because, this is ultimately for the public. We need to try and get out the word about how people are asking for our help, so people know we're responding to their needs. Besides, we can’t accomplish anything for the public without the public. Like Sandy said.
CYBERSCOUT
Who?
CONSTRUCTOR
My--nevermind. Anyway, as I said, let me try to figure things out with Lethe for a minute.
CYBERSCOUT
Alright, alright. I needed to head out anyway, just call me when you have an idea of what shit you want me to spread online.
(Shuffling, people leaving and closing the door behind them.)
CONSTRUCTOR
So you should have a better idea of what people are going to say to all of this. (Pause) Lethe?
LETHE
Sandy...? Cassandra White?
CONSTRUCTOR
You know her?! (Pause) Wait, then--what does she think about me now? Has she--
LETHE
Oh, u-uh no, sorry. I haven't--I never met her, never stood close enough to read her mind certainly. I-I wouldn't know what she thinks about you.
CONSTRUCTOR
...Oh.
LETHE
I just... heard a lot about her.
CONSTRUCTOR
...Funny. Not many people have.
LETHE
Yeaaaaah, um.
——————————
Blog post by Edward Katzenberger, journalist. Later removed and found on wayback.archive.org.
——————————
WHO IS CASSANDRA WHITE?
So, my long term followers all know about my hilariously derailed profile of Constructor assigned shortly before the stadium incident. I’ve kept you all abreast of the many, many delays related to high security super prisons and then my subject running off to start a supervillain career. Because of course, the second I get assigned this extremely exciting personality piece, Constructor becomes completely unreachable.
Alright, well, you might not believe me, but Constructor's manager/agent turned out to be even harder to reach.
At the time, I decided to take the "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold" approach and paint a portrait of Constructor based on the testimonies of coworkers, friends and family. I then found out that I could get testimonies from construction workers and urban planners about what the hero was like to work with (largely positive, if saddened by the recent turn of events) but nothing on what this incredibly beloved figure was like as a friend or family member.
The one thing I kept hearing from everyone was "Cassandra White would know more. The two of them seemed really close."
Now there was a problem: I couldn't find out who the fuck Cassandra White was.
———————————
BONFIRE
You got a--Oh, sorry. Working on something right now?
CONSTRUCTOR
Not work. I'm just-- (sounds of paper, flipping and folding it as Bonfire gets close) Just writing something.
BONFIRE
Writing...?
CONSTRUCTOR
Just scrawling out some thoughts, I guess.
LETHE
Mm. (Quiet) What are you both looking at me for?!
CONSTRUCTOR
What was that about?
LETHE
What was what about??
BONFIRE
Something about the writing...?
LETHE
Nothing! Nothing about the writing. I was just, I was making a noise. Thinking about something else, hahaha.
BONFIRE
.....What is it?
CONSTRUCTOR
Nothing! ... Lethe.
LETHE
I'm sorry! Don't be mad at me!
CONSTRUCTOR
I'm not mad! That was just--that was private.
BONFIRE
What was private?
LETHE AND CONSTRUCTOR
Nothing!
CONSTRUCTOR
(After a pause) ...I was just writing to Sandy again.
BONFIRE
(Irritated, sizzling noise) Ah, right. Sandy.
CONSTRUCTOR
See! This is why I didn't want to tell you.
BONFIRE
I don't see why you couldn't--
LETHE
Leaving! I'm leaving!
————————
It turns out Cassandra White was Constructor’s agent. I try to look her up online and? Nothing. No facebook profile, no personal website, not even a LinkedIn.
That has to be odd for someone who works in PR, right?
I do a little searching to find the agents of other superheroes. I contacted one, and got an interview. I've lost the thread of trying to piece together Constructor's life but I'm curious dammit. I mention the issue I've had with finding her anywhere. He nods his head while I explain the wild goose chase I've been on.
"Well, White is a whole other ballgame," he says. "She took her privacy seriously, and I'm also pretty sure she scrubbed a lot of her history. She was meticulous about records--knowing names in media, tech, and various public archives who could help you scrub a dumb tweet before it snowballed into a PR crisis for your client."
"You can get rid of internet records?"
"Well, not easily. And not after people realize they're important, that's for sure," he said. "I once told her things on the internet are forever. She said, 'No. If people pay attention, then they're forever. But if no one cares in the first place, then it never existed at all.'"
"So there was a process she used to make sure people's images stayed clean," I said, "And she used the same process to make herself a ghost?"
"I imagine so. I mean, she's retired from being an agent and has her fingers in all sorts of other pies these days. Businesses, investments, politics. Plus, I imagine becoming a billionaire or whatever has made her priorities shift."
Billionaire. I think I almost choked on my coffee. "You can become a billionaire from being a PR agent?"
"You can't," he said. "But White did."
—————————
DOC
--nd now that we got that patched up, this is the part where you tell my why the fuck the police caught you anyway.
CONSTRUCTOR
Uhh... Dunno. Not sure how they found me.
DOC
Where did they track you down?
CONSTRUCTOR
Um... I'm not feeling up for this conversation right now.
HOBBES
It was that new square in York XIV that looks like a Whole Foods staged a violent invasion.
DOC
....okay, is there a reason you decided to be wandering alone around in an area with shit ton of white moms ready to call the police on your ass?
CONSTRUCTOR
....Yeah, I was alone because I thought everyone here would tell me not to go. (Sigh) Look, I'm not gonna–
CYBERSCOUT
(poking head in) The Whole Foods place? Oy, isn't that where that old chick you're stalking has a house?
CONSTRUCTOR
I'm not--I was delivering a letter.
HOBBES
....wait a minute, I remember this. "Sandy" right? Your mom? The one who turned you into the FBI?
CONSTRUCTOR
She's not my mom. (Pause) And no, she turned in my letter--which she would have to, if she was being monitored. I thought if I--
CYBERSCOUT
Wasn't she also a racist? Wasn't that a whole fight you had with Bonfire?
HOBBES
(Judgmental) You act all woke and then you go and try to be friends a racist who lives in the Whole Foods district.
CONSTRUCTOR
She's not a--That's not what the fight--this is why I went alone!
———————
This conversation afforded me with a lot of more information which I am saving for a piece on the lives of superhero PR agents, which I am now utterly fascinated by. Regarding Cassandra White, the other significant info it afforded me was that Cassandra White does in fact have a twitter account that I missed in my earlier search.
I looked into it. It's the most inoffensive twitter account I've ever seen. It feels like it was generated on a factory belt. There is a headshot of an older white woman--Cassandra White herself, it seems--as the profile pic. She tweets very rarely herself, and instead seems to mostly retweet news updates and positive platitudes or quotes from historical figures. The tweets she does make are all of an extremely inoffensive liberal variety, with the spiciest being one gentle snipe at the Republican party.
There is one other hint of her personality on this twitter. It’s an unexpected photo from inside her home, one with a quick caption that says she regularly uses a whiteboard to write out her resolutions and thoughts, and that she finds the process to clarify her goals and values.
It reads:
IT WILL BE DONE QUIETLY. IT WILL BE DONE CIVILLY. IT WILL BE DONE RIGHT–OR IT WON’T BE DONE AT ALL.
—————————
CONSTRUCTOR
Alright, alright. We can talk more about this tomorrow but for now tell them no more death matches and any blood feuds need to be put on hold when they enter this fortress.
HOBBES
(Grunts) Pussy move.
CONSTRUCTOR
I don't care if it's a pussy move.
CYBERSCOUT
Ahem--what if I made the point that you're being culturally insensitive by imposing your mainstream standards of civility on a subculture of people, villains, who have their own values in how they deal with conflict, and--
CONSTRUCTOR
I know you bet on the fights and you're not changing my mind.
CYBERSCOUT
No fun. (sigh) Lethe, I TOLD you not to snitch on me!
LETHE
I didn't!
CONSTRUCTOR
Anyway, we can figure out a more long term solution for dealing with serious vendettas but for now--I'm tired. I have something else I need to work on. Tell them not to kill each other.
HOBBES
What are you writing that's more important than a potential deathmatch, anyway?
CONSTRUCTOR
Nothing. Just-- (Shuffling of papers) leave me to it for tonight. I don't want to set a precedent where I rush over every time someone wants to kill someone else, because given the personalities here that would mean never having any time.
CYBERSCOUT
Fiiiiiiiine.
(Grumbling and footsteps as people shuffle out, followed by writing noises.)
LETHE
Hey.
CONSTRUCTOR
What? (Pause) You know what I'm doing.
LETHE
The last time you tried to deliver something….
CONSTRUCTOR
I'll send someone else to deliver it.
(More scribbling. Deep breath.)
LETHE
I lied. I read her mind. She doesn't care about you.
(Writing stops. After a slight pause, there is the sound of paper crinkling and Lethe gasps and steps back.)
LETHE
Don’t be mad at me!
CONSTRUCTOR
(Deep, strained breath) I’m not mad. You're just wrong.
LETHE
I could literally read her mind!
CONSTRUCTOR
Okay, you're not wrong. You're lying.
LETHE
What? I'm not!
CONSTRUCTOR
(Fuming) You think I'm an idiot just because I haven't been calling you out on it? Everyone here knows you lie about what your powers show you whenever it suits your purposes.
LETHE
(Wobbly) I--I don't have a reason to lie about this!
CONSTRUCTOR
You don't have a reason that I know. But you are such a fucking liar. No one in the fortress trusts a thing you say, and you know it.
LETHE
Th-that's not--That's not relevant! Oh my god, you're literally never going to even consider this, a-are you? That she was just using you for the cut of your paycheck, making her fortune...
CONSTRUCTOR
I'm not going to re-evaluate a decade long perception of a loved one based on the words of a known liar, Lethe. Get out.
LETHE
But--
(Rumbling, cracking of the floor.)
CONSTRUCTOR
I said get out!
———————————
The twitter account confirms she exists and nothing else. I couldn't tell you what the woman thinks about anything. On a website people use to blast their opinions to the world at all hours, this one seems specifically built to deny the existence of any individual opinions or personality.
I scrolled all the way back to the time period during which Constructor would have had the big public meltdown at the stadium. I used the wayback machine to see if there were any deleted tweets, just in case she said anything in a fit of frustration or grief and deleted it.
But during the time where she would have been watching Constructor's breakdown, a time when everyone in the world had something to say about what Constructor had done--nothing.
Cassandra White, Constructor's closest person, had nothing to say about them at all.
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Online Songs - Chapter 1
Find me on wattpad + ao3!
Chapter 1: Must Have Done Something Right ~ 3k
With shaking hands, Daisy-Mae Denton walked into the Clear Creek High School Public Library.
What was usually a quaint, quiet space to read or sketch over her summer break was filled with the hustle and bustle of other students now that their first day had ended. The crisp smell of comfort and old paper swallowed entirely by the pungent scent of bodies, bodies, and more bodies.
Plenty of her fellow classmates had flooded the space, taking up the sage green couches she loved to curl up on as friend groups caught up, sitting on the floor between the endless rows of shelving while she tried to weave through to the non-fiction section, picking things up from their assigned spots and setting them down elsewhere just as she turned the corner down another row of books.
The history assignment she clutched should have been the main source of her anxiety, because a multi-page essay handed out on the first day was never a good sign, but in reality, that was the one thing keeping her together as she passed the others her age, keeping her eyes trained on her brown penny loafers for as long as it took to reach the 970s.
If 900 is History and Geography… And 970 is North American History… That makes United States History-
“Maisie! Duck!”
Just as her fingers reached out to trace the 973 call number at the spine of the first US history book, she processed the words and crouched as quickly as she could. A football spiraled right through the area where her head used to be in a perfect arc from one side of the long, four-tiered shelf to the other. Her heart began to painfully pound as the junior who threw it rushed past her, clad in his blue and silver varsity jacket.
Rory Jenkins. They’d been in the same classes together since elementary school.
Shoulders brushing in the narrow space when Daisy straightened herself upright once more, Rory hurried over to his receiver, who was laughing, “Nice one!”
Cheeks heating, Daisy gripped the paper in her hands tighter, hardly able to register what he’d said with all of the blood rushing to her ears.
He’s laughing at you.
The 973s filled her vision, allowing her to confirm her memory of the Dewey Decimal System as the first title about US history popped up. A book about World War Two; Way too late in the timeline. Mrs. Gruben had barely gotten through her introduction to the course and its extensive quarterly essay project before touching briefly on the settling of the first colony at Jamestown right as the bell rang.
Eyes flicking down the line until she found a title related to colonial times, Rory’s laughter filled her ears again. Her awkward duck couldn’t have been that funny. Neither was his mash-up of her first name.
When she turned to correct him, he and his friend were already at the opposite end of the long shelving, backs turned to her as their shoulders shook. One of the librarians at the help desk held a finger to her lips, shushing them as they walked by.
Though she wasn’t able to shake her feelings of unease, grabbing the first book that looked helpful did get Daisy back on track. She was here to get a jumpstart on her work after all.
Please use three primary sources, five secondary sources, and this YouTube documentary to construct your thesis, the student read from the sheet in her hand. Having the freedom to choose what documents and books to use was reassuring, she had no problem scouring the shelves for whatever she needed, and the original Jamestown site was only about an hour's drive away from her hometown of Chester, Virginia. Gathering the necessary sources would be no problem.
It was the printed-out YouTube link that scared her the most.
Neatly placing the assignment instructions on the book's cover and tucking it between her arm and hip, Daisy kept browsing, picking out any title that caught her eye. Checking out books on a desired topic was a snap, especially with such a nice, full library on Clear Creek’s campus; Her almost perfect memory of the building’s layout from a lifetime of visits with her Nana made it even easier.
Holding all the information she could between the lines of the texts as she stacked them up was reassuring. Everything she should need was filled into the bent, yellowing pages, perfectly spelled out for her and her needs. Far better than some silly online documentary she’d have to keep pausing and rewinding over and over again as she wrote down the facts she’d need in her notebook.
By the time she’d found an empty table and set her impressive stack down, most of the other students had trickled out. Silently, she thanked God she didn’t have to ask someone if she could take the seat next to them, that was always so embarrassing. Her watch read 3:30. Had she really been lost among the shelves for half an hour? Nana would be proud.
Besides, she wouldn’t be expected to be home until her Grandad returned from his art studio around 5… If she were there any sooner her older brother, Jay-Jay, would certainly pester her to help him whip up whatever recipe suited his wild whims. Cooking was his thing, certainly not hers, though she was always happy to partake in his impressive dishes.
So, for the time being, she grabbed her spiraled history notebook from the beige messenger bag leaning on the leg of the plastic chair she sat in, and opened the cover to the first book, Jamestown: A Legacy, and dove back in time.
At least, she tried to, but the keyboard of the computer in front of her was annoyingly large. When she allowed the book to fall completely open, the cover hit one of the keys and the bright blue screen flicked on, reflecting off the lens of her bronze-lined glasses.
Daisy wasn’t a technophobe, as her best friend Makana Aukai liked to call her, but she wasn’t all that fond of the way the computers had overtaken her beloved library over the years. Less space for her note-taking, and more space for a blindingly bright monitor in her face while she was trying to learn. The greatest civilizations in history had gotten along just fine without the internet, all the way from Mesopotamia to Ancient Egypt to the modern United States, so why couldn’t she?
Besides, it seemed like the models changed every year. No one had the time to keep learning how to use these new devices for information when the encyclopedia and reference books worked perfectly fine. Or they did when given the proper space to use them.
Her eyes flicked back to the assignment sheet. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to check out the documentary early now that the computer was awake. It’s not like she had a computer of her own to watch it on at home.
Slowly taking her index fingers to the keys, she typed out her student ID into the first box labeled username. White polish on her nails stood out starkly against the black of the keys.
Password was the stumper. Having set this account up two years ago at the beginning of her freshman year, she had no clue what she’d chosen to protect her account.
She typed out password, as that seemed the most logical choice. It’d be impossible to forget the word if it was right there on the screen. The box wiggled after she pressed the enter key.
A small pop-up filled her vision asking What street did you live on growing up?
Letter by letter she squeezed out Hilltop Avenue.
An image of the large white colonial her grandparents owned filled her vision, picturing the expansive green lawn and gorgeous forest surrounding it. The street Jay-Jay taught her to ride a bike on, the large open spaces they’d build leaf piles in when fall came.
Once that answer was accepted, another question appeared. What was the name of your first pet?
That was an easy one, Poppy.
Daisy’s aging calico was her first and only pet, given to her by her grandparents on her tenth birthday. Originally, Poppy had been a way for Daisy to learn about the responsibility of learning to care for another living being, but the other members of her family were just as obsessed with the cat as she was. Poppy’s toys littered their carpet, her food taking up a whole shelf in the fridge, and her fur clung to their clothing as tightly as their little cuddle bug did when everyone gathered in the study in the evenings to read together.
Also accepted, she was then prompted to change her password, once and for all picking password before she was brought to the desktop - An image of the front of her high school during the wintertime, snow blanketing the gorgeous brick buildings. Now, she had to get to YouTube, which she believed was easier said than done.
None of the icons on the left side of the screen looked like the company logo on the videos she’d seen Makana pull up. Awesome.
Internet Explorer looked promising, so she maneuvered the mouse in that direction and clicked on the blue and yellow icon, waiting to see what would happen. A small outline appeared around the picture, but beyond that, nothing, so she clicked it again. Once more, nothing.
So stupid, she thought to herself clicking on it over and over until something changed. Piece of junk!
A few moments later a larger box appeared in the middle of the screen, the pointer of the mouse icon turning into a spinning wheel for a few seconds before the Google search bar appeared on a white background. Now, this Daisy knew how to do. Whatever she put in the smaller bar under the logo would pull up just what she was looking for.
YouTube, her fingers managed, enter.
This time, an unfamiliar image pulled up in the box, and this was usually where Makana shone, picking out something to show her friend to try and “cure” her “internet aversion.” So far nothing she’d picked had made Daisy want to explore the platform any further, but now that she knew it housed history documentaries too, that might pique her interest far more than the poor excuse for sketch comedy Kana always pulled up.
The search bar was a little tougher to find this time, at the top of the tab instead of in the middle, and Daisy pulled the essay instruction sheet out and began to slowly copy the link Mrs. Gruben had added in. One by one, she read the letter out on the paper and meticulously searched for it on the keyboard. Why the letters weren’t in alphabetical order was beyond her, and it probably took her five minutes to struggle out every single letter, but eventually, she was confident enough to hit enter one more time and wait for the video to pull itself up.
Nightmare In Jamestown sounded awfully intriguing, especially given the sordid actions of the settlers against the Indigenous people who had called the land home long before their boats arrived, but that title didn’t show up on her screen.
Check Yes, Juliet - Kendall K popped up instead, causing her eyes to flicker up to the bar where she’d painstakingly typed out the long link. Apparently, she’d gotten something wrong and it had taken her to the wrong video.
Just as she was about to click away and try again, the small black box changed. In its place, a blond boy who looked about her age filled the screen. Beanie and flannel-clad, he sat on his bed, presumably in his bedroom with a brown guitar laid across his lap. Carefully, he adjusted the black and silver lightning bolt strap across his shoulders and cleared his throat.
“Hey, this is Kendall…” He appeared uncomfortable speaking to the camera, eyes flickering upward from the strings like he was looking right at Daisy.
Her chest tightened.
A few more seconds passed and Kendall cleared his throat, taking the pick clasped between his fingers to the strings and strumming out a quick chord. When he smiled, sheepish, two dimples cut into his cheeks. “My friends dared me to try this out - Here goes nothing.”
The video was loud, probably far louder than it should have been playing in a library, but she had no idea how to turn it down. However, the moment he began to sing the words, fingers flying across the fretboard like it was nothing, she wanted to make it even louder.
Kendall’s voice was beyond captivating, siren-like, she’d argue, and she found herself enthralled before he even hit the chorus. It was clear, yet sultry… Smooth, with a gruff edge. Daisy had never heard anything like it.
He kept looking in different directions as he sang, changing it up when he needed to take in more air or switch his strumming pace, but near the end, he looked back at the camera again and she swore he could see her on the other side of the screen, piercing swirls of green and flecks of yellow coming through even with the poor video quality. It didn’t help that he was singing what sounded like a love song…
Cute… She caught herself thinking, propping her chin in her hand as she leaned into the screen, as if it would give her a better view of him. The wall behind him boasted a handful of posters for people she’d never seen before and a bunch of pictures that were too small to make out. A few medals were tacked up by his headboard, and what looked like a hockey stick was propped up by the wooden frame.
Daisy couldn’t look away, attempting to decipher every pixel of the video she could to learn more about this boy with the beautiful voice. Which was, as she came to realize once he sang out a final, “Forever we’ll be, you and me…” completely irrational. Kendall had made this video to show off his musical prowess, not to be studied by some stranger.
Despite this, she quickly gripped the mouse and shook it over the video until the bar at the bottom appeared and she hit the two bars sitting next to each other. Slowly, she followed along the red line indicating the watch time and grabbed the circle at the end, pulling it back to the beginning and starting the video again. Makana did that at all the funny parts of her favorite videos to see them play over and over.
“Hey, this is Kendall…”
Watching the video again felt like the first time, though this time, she closed her eyes and focused on the lyrics, trying to remember all the parts of his face. And maybe, she imagined he was singing to her for a few seconds, before feeling her cheeks heat and shaking the thought out of her head. He certainly didn’t deserve to be ogled over as much as he deserved to be picked apart based on his bedroom.
But, the sweep of his blond hair into his eyes when he looked down at the strings had her head spinning. She couldn’t help her mind from wandering just slightly.
Besides, seeing him on the screen allowed her to skip the fear of meeting someone new and potentially embarrassing or humiliating herself like she normally did. Getting thrust into social situations against her will was at the top of the list of things Daisy hated, but at least this way, she could watch the video and admire Kendall’s talent judgment-free. It was halfway social, especially if she kept pretending the song was meant for her.
Though… I bet he’s sweet when the camera’s off too…
Daisy pulled at the neck of her brown sweater. The library was never this warm. Had someone turned the thermostat by the bathroom earlier as a prank?
When the song ended, she rewound it. Then again. The stack of history books towering beside her all but forgotten.
“Ms. Denton?” Someone behind her asked, and the girl practically jumped out of her skin. She didn’t even pause the video as she turned in the chair, looking at the older woman behind her. Ms. Peabody, one of Nana's friends, who was also the head of the library, stood over her. “Would you mind putting some headphones in if you’re going to watch something?”
The heat creeping up her face from embarrassment quickly turned into the fires of shame. “O-oh. Of course. Sorry… Sorry.”
Scrambling, her hands were trembling at the unexpected interaction before they stabilized themselves on the plastic mouse. Daisy paused the video as quickly as she could.
Headphones. Why didn’t you think of that? Ms. Peabody’s going to complain to Nana next time they see each other.
“Thank you, dear,” The older woman smiled, flipping one side of her cardigan over the other before she turned to walk away. A second later, she turned back. “Is that a friend of yours?”
Eyes widening, Daisy turned from Ms. Peabody’s intense gaze, only to find her line of sight locking with Kendall’s on the screen. Now she was back to flushing with embarrassment, dropping her view to her shaking hands. “No. I just… found this. I’ll turn it off. Sorry.”
“No? What a shame. He’s very handsome.”
Daisy was about to combust in her seat, heart leaping up and down her throat like the drop dower at the Chesterfield County Fair. Brain freezing, she was unable to come up with anything to say before Ms. Peabody smiled, crow's feet by her eyes crinkling before she headed back over in the direction of the help desk.
He was handsome. So handsome Daisy couldn’t breathe. What did that say about her?
This poor stranger, she chastised herself, about to click off the video, gather her books, and head home, before she noticed a section at the bottom of the video labeled Add a comment.
It didn’t appear as though anyone else had, which was shocking to her, considering his undisputable talent. No one had anything to say about the ease at which he played the guitar or his unique tone of voice? Not even one comment about his choice of song or how cute he looked in that beanie?
No… That last one wasn’t as relevant, but the thought swirled in Daisy’s mind regardless.
What a shame, I suppose I should change that.Lacing her fingers together, Daisy turned her palms outward, cracking them with eight satisfying pops. Swallowing thickly, she placed her index fingers on the keys and slowly began to piece her thoughts together.
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eee hi! welcome to the first chapter of online songs - i hope you enjoy! <3 be sure to check out my other works in the btr fandom too :) lmk what you think!!
#online songs fic#big time rush#kendall knight#james diamond#carlos garcia#logan mitchell#kendall schmidt#james maslow#logan henderson#carlos penavega
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Things I Learned in the Last Module and How I Will Apply it to this Project
The main things I learned in our last module on data analysis was to pay attention to everything, take note of everything, and absorb every piece of data. During our practice project, I learned it is important analyze data closely and broadly in order to generate a meaningful conclusion. For this assignment, I plan to use what I learned about collection and analyzation in the last module to help me with this larger, multi-account project. I will also be able to relate data to content decisions with this project by observing how Youtubers may incorporate data into their online publications.
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How Crypto Scam Recovery Services are Revolutionizing Cybersecurity
The rise of cryptocurrency has undeniably brought a wave of new opportunities, innovation, and financial freedom. However, with this growth, there has been a parallel surge in crypto-related scams. Hackers, fraudsters, and unscrupulous individuals have leveraged the anonymity and decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies to defraud investors. As the threat landscape grows, so too does the need for innovative solutions to combat these malicious activities. Enter the world of crypto scam recovery experts services — a rapidly growing industry that is revolutionizing cybersecurity and offering hope to individuals who fall victim to scams.
If you lost money due to crypto fraud or an Online Scam, don’t be a victim, fight back and retrieve your stolen funds. BitcoinScamWatch retrieve services can assist law firms and law enforcement to find and retrieve your funds. Visit https://bitcoinscamwatch.org/ and file a complaint. An agent will be assigned to you to assist you on the retrieve process.
The Surge of Crypto Scams
Cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin and Ethereum, have become mainstream in the past decade, attracting both legitimate investors and opportunistic fraudsters. Whether through phishing emails, Ponzi schemes, fake initial coin offerings (ICOs), or even more sophisticated ransomware attacks, crypto scams are becoming more prevalent and diverse.
One of the key attractions of cryptocurrencies for cybercriminals is their irreversibility. Unlike traditional financial transactions, once a cryptocurrency transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, it cannot be reversed. This makes it an ideal target for scammers who promise high returns on investments or fraudulent crypto exchanges that disappear with investors' funds. The anonymity of the blockchain also makes it incredibly difficult to trace perpetrators, further exacerbating the problem.
The Role of Crypto Scam Recovery Services
Crypto scam recovery services have emerged as a direct response to the rising tide of fraud in the cryptocurrency market. These specialized services are designed to help individuals and organizations recover funds lost to scams, fraudulent investments, or cybercrime. Recovery specialists typically employ a combination of forensic investigation, blockchain analysis, and legal expertise to trace stolen assets and pursue potential recovery routes.
Blockchain Forensics and Tracking
One of the most powerful tools that crypto scam recovery services have at their disposal is blockchain forensics. The blockchain is a public ledger that records every transaction made with a cryptocurrency. While transactions are pseudonymous, they are not entirely anonymous. With the right tools and expertise, recovery professionals can trace stolen funds through multiple addresses and exchanges, potentially identifying the criminal's trail.
Blockchain forensics allows recovery services to map out a scammer's transaction patterns and determine where the funds were moved after being stolen. By following the digital breadcrumbs left behind, recovery professionals can sometimes successfully retrieve assets, either by working with cryptocurrency exchanges or by leveraging law enforcement agencies if the case is severe enough.
Legal Support and Regulatory Navigation
As cryptocurrency scams often transcend borders, legal challenges play a critical role in the recovery process. Recovery services don’t just rely on technical expertise; they also work closely with legal teams that understand the complex regulatory landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies. With no centralized authority overseeing cryptocurrency transactions, recovering stolen funds can be a tricky process.
However, as more countries implement regulations to protect crypto investors, recovery services are increasingly able to leverage legal frameworks to their advantage. Legal experts can help file complaints with the appropriate regulatory bodies, collaborate with local authorities, or even initiate civil actions to hold scammers accountable. The involvement of legal professionals ensures that victims are not only seeking technical solutions but also taking steps to prevent future scams by promoting better regulatory standards.
Recovery Services: Preventing Future Scams
Another significant aspect of the crypto scam recovery services industry is its role in educating investors and reducing the likelihood of future scams. These services often provide consultations and educational resources to teach individuals how to recognize potential threats and avoid falling victim to scams in the first place.
For example, many recovery services offer advice on recognizing red flags in cryptocurrency offers, including promises of guaranteed returns, requests for upfront payments, or suspicious websites. By arming the public with knowledge, these services reduce the likelihood of new victims, which ultimately contributes to a healthier and safer cryptocurrency ecosystem.
The Future of Crypto Scam Recovery Services
As cryptocurrencies continue to gain adoption, the demand for scam recovery services is expected to grow. In the future, we can expect these services to evolve with advances in technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, which can automate parts of the tracking and recovery process. With the introduction of decentralized finance (DeFi), additional challenges will arise in terms of security, but also new opportunities for recovery professionals to tap into different blockchain networks.
Moreover, as governments around the world continue to regulate cryptocurrencies, a more structured framework for recovering stolen assets will emerge. This will likely provide greater support for scam victims and push for more transparent and secure crypto services, fostering a more trustworthy and safer crypto landscape.
Conclusion
Crypto scam recovery services are undeniably transforming the world of cybersecurity by providing an essential service in the fight against fraud. These services are not only recovering lost funds but also helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of the crypto world with greater security and confidence. As the industry continues to evolve, these services will remain a crucial part of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, helping to ensure that the promise of digital finance is realized without the shadows of cybercrime hanging over it.
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hey, it's nix! thanks for this wonderful event! for day 20, can you do number 30 from prompt 11? ⋆。ʚ🍓ɞ˚
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also, while i’m at it, i just wanna chat for a bit. i did mention to you before about being shy when it comes to public performances, but yesterday, i was assigned to work at a psychiatric institution for our related learning experience as a student nurse, and a patient & i bonded over our love for “don’t look back in anger” by oasis. she had asked me to play it on the piano in the main hall, and we ended up singing together. surprisingly, everyone, even other patients, joined in listening. i’m not sure how i feel about my clinical instructor and classmates discovering my musical ability 😂 (because i initially wanted keep a low profile and stay out of the spotlight), but playing for that patient helped me get more comfortable performing. now, every time i listen to that song, i think of her. it’s a small step, but i’m hoping to improve even more. i just know that sho-chan would be proud! haha
Hey Nix! It’s so nice to hear from you (especially since I needed to reach out to you anyway about an ask you sent in, just to clarify I don’t keep anyone’s match-up send in after it’s done, so I would really appreciate you resending that in, please and thank you!!) But onto the ask! I’m so, so glad that you and the others seemed to enjoy the event this time! The response I got for asks was amazing and it makes me really happy! Also, I loved hearing about your experience at the learning experience! You are right, Sho-chan would be so very, very proud of you! Heck, I (and I am sure the other readers) are very proud of you too! That’s an amazing thing you did, both overcoming a slight fear of public performances and making that patient’s day, as I am sure you did. Just as you think about her now listening to the song, I’m sure she’s always going to remember you when she hears the song now. As someone else who doesn’t really like to draw attention to themselves, I personally find what you did very inspiring 😊 Anyway, I’ll move onto answering the question you asked and again, thank you for sending in a question and for sharing such a lovely experience with me and the other readers!
What is your favourite thing to do?
As with everything else, I really do struggle to pick favourites. It’s hard to say ‘this one thing is better than anything else’ for me, because there’s so many things that bring me joy. Some of the things that really make me happy doing them are:
Of course, writing ranks pretty high up on this list. It’s therapeutic and fun to get out of my life for a bit and fall into characters and other worlds and on top of that, because of the nature of this particular blog, there’s a really pleasant social aspect to it that helps me feel like I’ve found my people, even if just online.
The library is my safe place and I visit it at least once a week. I love just browsing the stacks, taking the time to pick my ten books for the month, as well as talking and catching up with the librarian’s and their lives, plus any cool events the library is hosting in the upcoming weeks. On top of that, my library is really cool in that they do up mystery bags they sell where you get several used books in a particular genre, and I treat myself to one of those and some discounted coffee from a local coffee company when I go! I also love reading manga and books I already own. Again, falling into another world for a little bit – it’s the most wonderful escape.
I love crafting. I do diamond art and I sew, embroider, and cross-stitch. I recently got news that a friend is pregnant, so I’m working on a cross-stitched baby blanket top that I’ll quilt up for the couple and I enjoy zoning out and doing it.
I’m a house (architecture and interior design) nerd, I admit it. I love looking at the online listings and I have a couple of dorky friends who get together with me and we go to open houses within an hour or two of us. It’s fun to scope out houses and we have fun discussing how we’d change, fix up, and decorate the places after we act like nosey Nellies.
I also love getting outside. I’m a pretty big hiker and throwing on some music or a podcast and even just getting out for a couple hours on the nature trails is lovely.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene says Ukraine is sex trafficking kids & selling their organs
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) — who opposes U.S. funding to help Ukraine fight off Russia’s invasion — believes that Ukraine is sex trafficking children and harvesting their organs. It’s just the latest of many extreme conspiracy theories she has peddled. Standing on the U.S. Capitol steps on Tuesday, Greene live-streamed her 40-minute publicity stunt in which she stood nearby fellow protesters and said, “There is massive human trafficking in Ukraine. This is one of the most corrupt countries in the world…it’s a known country for child organ trafficking.” Related: Marjorie Taylor Greene shocks Lesley Stahl by saying Joe Biden supports pedophilia “They are not pedophiles!” Stahl said to Greene’s face. “Why would you say that?” Whether she realizes it or not, she’s repeating disinformation that Russian state operatives have used to try and divide Ukrainian allies, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Get the Daily Brief The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you: Subscribe to our Newsletter “The organ harvesting hoax was further amplified by Russian state media and ultimately seeped into English-language websites and platforms,” AP writer David Klepper wrote. “It can now be found on major platforms including Twitter and Telegram, where Russian forces are portrayed as the saviors of trafficking victims.” I’m on the steps of the Capitol letting every one of my colleagues know: NO FUNDING TO THE PROXY WAR IN UKRAINE! https://t.co/vAQVZvKrLN— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) September 26, 2023 Meidas Touch Media (MTM) points out that this is at least the second time she has spread this disinformation. In September, she told anti-LGBTQ+ broadcaster Charlie Kirk, “Ukraine is one of the worst countries on the Earth for child sex trafficking and they’re harvesting children’s organs over there.” MTM also points out that the Ukrainian child sex trafficking claim has long circulated amongst believers in the QAnon conspiracy theory. The FBI has deemed QAnon believers a domestic terrorist threat. Its believers suspect that a shadowy international child-trafficking ring — run by Satan-worshipping Democrats, Hollywood elites, and lizard-humanoids — sexually abuse and torture kids in order to extract an allegedly psychedelic, youth-rejuvenating chemical called adrenochrome from their victims’ pituitary glands. While human bodies do produce adrenochrome, it does not actually have any psychedelic or youth-rejuvenating effects. QAnon has been linked to death threats against LGBTQ+ politicians and their allies. QAnon believers have not partnered up with international organizations that actually work to prevent child trafficking. Building off of this hysteria, right-wingers like Greene have claimed that transgender people, LGBTQ+ people, their allies, and gender-affirming doctors want to “sexualize” children and “mutilate” their genitals through surgery, even though such surgeries aren’t conducted on trans children. In 2021, Greene was removed from all her House committee assignments for pushing conspiracy theories online, including ones that proclaimed that all school shootings are fake, that a plane never hit the Pentagon during the September 11 terrorist attacks, that California wildfires were started by a Jewish-owned space laser, and accusing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of slicing off a child’s face and wearing it. Greene was recently kicked out of the House’s far-right Freedom Caucus after referring to fellow Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) as a “little b**ch.” She has also previously called Biden a pedophile, described D.C. Pride as “Sodom and Gomorrah,” and called student-athletes “trans terrorists.” http://dlvr.it/Swgn30
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About me:
My name is not actually Will, I value online safety but I wanted to give you something to call me, so I went with my middle name instead.
I am diagnosed with PTSD, GAD, and hyperacusis. I have to wear AFO braces.
I have a 504 document to help me succeed in school as well as an elevator pass. My 504 states that:
I get printed copies of all my assignments
My tests are untimed
I am allowed the use of noise-cancelling headphones
I get a list of all assignments I am to turn in this week, at the beginning of the week
I am allowed a break when having a panic attack
I am allowed a break when the classroom is too loud
I am allowed to choose to take my standardized tests online or offline
I get extra breaks during standardized tests
I get time and a half on any timed standardized tests
I am allowed idividual testing on timed standardized tests
I attend a public high school in southern USA.
I intend to use this account to unoffically document all occurences regarding the school staff (and occasionally students) and my disabilities.
Absolutely anyone is welcome to follow this account and ask questions. If you need help with school stuff in relation to disability, please feel free to reach out to me, I'm delighted to help :)
#504 plan#disabled#living with ptsd#physically disabled#school system#american education system#ableist nonsense#disabled student#anxitey#afo#america
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Losing my marbles over this article
aparently something they're just glossing over as a cause (and brushed off in favor of smartphones because of course the blame is shifted onto the youth for adult's mistakes) is how the No Child Left Behind act has led to teachers simply not instructing highschoolers and middleschoolers how to read books.
"This development puzzled Dames until one day during the fall 2022 semester, when a first-year student came to his office hours to share how challenging she had found the early assignments. Lit Hum often requires students to read a book, sometimes a very long and dense one, in just a week or two. But the student told Dames that, at her public high school, she had never been required to read an entire book. She had been assigned excerpts, poetry, and news articles, but not a single book cover to cover."
Not a single book! If someone is reading YA novels they're going above and beyond because they're not even requiring a single book in some of these classes.
"It’s not just the frenetic pace; they struggle to attend to small details while keeping track of the overall plot." "Anthony Grafton, a Princeton historian, said his students arrive on campus with a narrower vocabulary and less understanding of language than they used to have. There are always students who “read insightfully and easily and write beautifully,” he said, “but they are now more exceptions.” Jack Chen, a Chinese-literature professor at the University of Virginia, finds his students “shutting down” when confronted with ideas they don’t understand; they’re less able to persist through a challenging text than they used to be. Daniel Shore, the chair of Georgetown’s English department, told me that his students have trouble staying focused on even a sonnet." "But middle- and high-school kids appear to be encountering fewer and fewer books in the classroom as well. For more than two decades, new educational initiatives such as No Child Left Behind and Common Core emphasized informational texts and standardized tests. Teachers at many schools shifted from books to short informational passages, followed by questions about the author’s main idea—mimicking the format of standardized reading-comprehension tests. Antero Garcia, a Stanford education professor, is completing his term as vice president of the National Council of Teachers of English and previously taught at a public school in Los Angeles. He told me that the new guidelines were intended to help students make clear arguments and synthesize texts. But 'in doing so, we’ve sacrificed young people’s ability to grapple with long-form texts in general.'" "Mike Szkolka, a teacher and an administrator who has spent almost two decades in Boston and New York schools, told me that excerpts have replaced books across grade levels." "'There’s no testing skill that can be related to … Can you sit down and read Tolstoy? ' he said. And if a skill is not easily measured, instructors and district leaders have little incentive to teach it. Carol Jago, a literacy expert who crisscrosses the country helping teachers design curricula, says that educators tell her they’ve stopped teaching the novels they’ve long revered, such as My Ántonia and Great Expectations. The pandemic, which scrambled syllabi and moved coursework online, accelerated the shift away from teaching complete works. In a recent EdWeek Research Center survey of about 300 third-to-eighth-grade educators, only 17 percent said they primarily teach whole texts. An additional 49 percent combine whole texts with anthologies and excerpts. But nearly a quarter of respondents said that books are no longer the center of their curricula. One public-high-school teacher in Illinois told me that she used to structure her classes around books but now focuses on skills, such as how to make good decisions. In a unit about leadership, students read parts of Homer’s Odyssey and supplement it with music, articles, and TED Talks. (She assured me that her students read at least two full texts each semester.) An Advanced Placement English Literature teacher in Atlanta told me that the class used to read 14 books each year. Now they’re down to six or seven."
look what captialism took from us smdh. Trying to make schools "streamlined" by forcing them to do arbitrary testing to get funding, and ruining the ONE thing that schools are supposed to always be good at: basic literacy.
It's not even about what kind of books they prefer (to me at least), it's about having never even getting the opportunity to read books in the literary canon at all. They can like where the sidewalk ends even- but they can't form an opinion on Jane Eyre if they've never even read the damn thing. (I haven't, but I've read the works of Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, etc that were popular with teachers when I was growing up. It's not the specific texts per se as it is depth of time period and subject matter.) For many of them, they won't even know some of these books exist without explicitly being given them, much less understand the historical contexts without guidance.
Like. Reading is a skill. No one enters the world knowing how to read a book. It is a skill that must be taught, and is often best taught in schools where they can go chapter by chapter with analysis and reflection using essays that can be graded for accuracy in a group with peers. And the result of this no longer being taught in gradeschool is that college educated adults will have the skills equivalent of highschoolers from a decade ago. It's no longer the case that college will just not net you a job- it will not even provide you an education on par with older college graduates. Kids are just too far behind.

Ppl on the other hellsite losing their minds over this in every imaginable direction lmao
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File: V/H/S/94 - Storm Drain
SCP#: AOR
Code Name: Raatma, the God of the Sewers / 475th Child of the Distortion
Object Class: Keter
Special Containment Procedures: Mobile Task Force Dionysus-1 “Fake News” is responsible for repurposing all broadcasting and media posts related to SCP-AOR is warped to be related to an online ARG rather than the cult surrounding SCP-AOR. Mobile Task Force Zeta-9 “Mole Rats” is responsible for finding all traces to SCP-AOR to one day contain it as well as killing off all cultists under its control.
Description: SCP-AOR is a humanoid ratlike creature with sickly pale yet dirty skin, elongated arms and legs, sharp clawlike nails, a stretched-out face with an elongated mouth, black eyes, and eight nipples on its chest rowed like a female rat. What biological gender SCP-AOR has is unknown nor is it known where SCP-AOR originated from. It has been speculated that SCP-AOR is perhaps a survivor of a previously destroyed Clan from Group of Interest: The Sarkic Cults. There is also evidence that SCP-AOR is another child of Entity of Interest: The Distortion. However there is no evidence to prove this due to the lack of DNA samples from SCP-AOR itself and that its physical appearance has no resemblance to any known Sarkite Clans both living and extinct.
SCP-AOR seems to be quite frail and often relies on others in order to keep itself safe and alive. It does this by secreting a disgustingly black and corrosive liquid from its mouth and having this liquid be poured or spat onto humans. Once the liquid makes contact the victim will either begin to melt painfully or be mentally changed. This seems to be some kind of mind altering Cognito Hazardous property that is touch and possibly smell based. As soon as the person is converted they will see SCP-AOR as a deity named “Raatma” and claim he is the reincarnation of Jesus or some other deity that must be helped in ascending to godhood.
Though it's rare it's very possible for victims of SCP-AOR that have been converted to spit out their own black liquid in hopes of both recruitment as well as “culling the unworthy” as they call it. It is unknown what exactly makes someone worthy of joining SCP-AOR’s cult or what makes them unworthy and needing to be culled. Testing with bodies of both worthy and unworthy have shown mixed results. It has even been shown that some “unworthy” victims were physically stronger or healthier than those chosen and the opposite was shown on a few occasions. It is believed that it's either some kind of biological roll of the dice or perhaps an unknown combination of genomes that causes a victim to be chosen. Unfortunately for now all we have is speculation, more research is required.
SCP-AOR was discovered in 2021 when a news reporter who was rescued from the sewers went back to live TV after a suspiciously quick recovery. She was originally acting normal during her broadcast until suddenly she spat black liquid on her co-anchor, killing him as he was “unworthy”. She then calmly and continued her broadcast as the rest of the crew ran out in fear, once she was done with her report she signed off normally with the added “hail Raatma” to her sentence. Afterwards the broadcast cut off into static with hidden text stating "you have done well my child, The Distortion" Afterwards the broadcast is abruptly cut off, nothing else is shown.
Because this was on live television Foundation Employed Artificial Intelligence were utilized to broadcast memory wiping memetic agents to erase the public memory of the incident. From then on MTF Dionysus-1 was assigned to erase and alter all public data on SCP-AOR while MTF Zeta-9 is responsible for finding and containing SCP-AOR. It is unknown how but SCP-AOR seems to know we are hunting it as it has always made sure to find ways to escape Zeta-9’s grasp, make false leads, and even create a few traps that nearly led to casualties. Administrative Staff are requesting the O5 Council send a more specialized and stronger MTF unit that can ensure SCP-AOR’s quick capture. The approval or denial of this request is still pending.
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SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub
#DZtheNerd#SCP: Horror Movie Files#SCP: HMF#SCP Foundation#SCP Fanfiction#SCP AU#SCP#SCP Fanmade#The Distortion#SCP MTF#SCP Mobile Task Force#Mobile Task Force Dionysus-1 “Fake News”#Mobile Task Force Zeta-9 “Mole Rats”#SCP-AOR#Keter#V/H/S#V/H/S/94#v/h/s series#Horror#Anthology#Paranormal
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How I Study Consistently While Working a 9–5 Full-Time Job
Balancing full-time work with consistent studying is no small feat. For most of us, working 40 hours a week drains energy, limits free time, and adds mental clutter that can make additional learning feel overwhelming. Yet, in an age where continuous learning is essential for growth—be it for a career switch, professional advancement, or personal enrichment—it’s a challenge many of us willingly take on.
Over the past two years, I’ve managed to maintain a consistent study routine alongside my 9–5 job. It hasn’t always been easy, and I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I’ve discovered strategies that have made a real difference. Here’s how I make it work—and how you can too.
Clarity of Purpose Everything starts with why. I realized early on that unless I had a strong and clear motivation to study, I would give up as soon as I got tired or distracted. My reasons were specific: I wanted to transition into a more technical role within my organization, and for that, I needed to improve my skills in data analysis and programming.
Whether your goal is to earn a certification, change careers, or simply learn something new, define your purpose clearly. Write it down. Make it visible. Refer to it when you’re tempted to slack off. Motivation may waver, but a clear purpose brings direction and consistency.
Time-Blocking and Planning Time is finite, and when you have only a few hours free each day, you need to be strategic. Every Sunday evening, I spend 15–20 minutes planning my week. I time-block all my key commitments: work hours, meals, gym sessions, and importantly, my study sessions.
My typical weekday looks like this:
6:30 am – 7:30 am: Study (quiet, focused morning time)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Work
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Review or light study (if energy allows)
I treat my study blocks like appointments. They are non-negotiable. By planning in advance, I avoid the trap of saying “I’ll study when I have time,” which we all know rarely happens.
The Power of Microlearning One of the key shifts I made was letting go of the idea that studying must be long and intense. I used to think I needed 2–3 hour blocks to make progress. Now, I’ve embraced microlearning—short, focused learning sessions that fit into small time pockets.
During lunch breaks, I watch a 15-minute course video. On my commute, I listen to subject-related podcasts or audiobooks. Before bed, I review flashcards or quiz myself on key concepts. These short bursts add up. Over time, they make a significant difference.
Choosing the Right Materials I wasted time in the past bouncing between books, courses, and YouTube videos. Now, I stick to a structured curriculum, whether it’s a well-reviewed online course, a certification syllabus, or a specific textbook. This reduces decision fatigue and ensures I’m not randomly skimming topics.
For example, when I was learning Python, I picked one comprehensive course and committed to completing it before exploring other resources. This helped me stay focused and track my progress.
Accountability Systems Studying alone can be isolating. To stay motivated, I created systems of accountability:
I joined online study groups.
I posted weekly progress updates on a private blog.
I set mini-deadlines, like completing a module every week.
Even if no one else was checking in on me, the act of making my goals public—even just to a small group—kept me moving forward.
Leveraging Weekends Weekends are gold. While I protect my time to relax and unwind, I also carve out 3–4 hours for deep study. I usually split this into two sessions—Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon. These blocks allow me to tackle more complex topics or complete assignments that require focused effort.
I don’t see weekends as “catch-up time,” but as an opportunity to get ahead, so that if my week gets busy, I don’t fall behind.
Self-Care and Sustainability Burnout is real. In the beginning, I pushed too hard—waking up at 5 am, studying late at night, and saying no to social plans. It backfired. I was exhausted and resentful.
Now, I take a sustainable approach:
I aim for consistency, not perfection.
I schedule breaks.
I prioritize sleep and exercise.
If I miss a study session, I don’t beat myself up—I adjust and continue.
Studying while working is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to build a routine you can maintain for months, even years.
Tracking Progress To stay motivated, I track my learning milestones. I use a simple spreadsheet to mark lessons completed, topics mastered, and practice scores. Seeing this visual progress is incredibly encouraging, especially when the goal still feels far away.
Every month, I review my progress and celebrate small wins—whether that’s completing a course, getting a certification, or solving a difficult problem. These mini-celebrations fuel long-term commitment.
Saying No This was hard but necessary. I had to learn to say “no” to distractions and non-essential commitments. I reduced screen time, limited social media, and made my goals known to friends and family, so they’d understand when I declined plans.
It’s not about being antisocial—it’s about being intentional. When you have limited time, you must guard your priorities fiercely.
Mindset Matters Lastly, I shifted my mindset. Instead of viewing study as a chore, I began to see it as an investment in my future self. I reminded myself that every hour I put in today increases my opportunities tomorrow. I stopped saying “I have to study” and started saying “I get to study.”
This small linguistic shift made a big psychological impact. It turned obligation into privilege.
Final Thoughts Balancing study with a full-time job is demanding, but it’s far from impossible. With the right strategies—clear goals, structured time, sustainable habits, and strong motivation—you can make meaningful progress without burning out.
If you’re on this journey, know that you’re not alone. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be consistent. Start small, stay focused, and trust the process. The time and energy you invest now will pay off in ways you can’t yet imagine.
And remember: your 9–5 may pay the bills, but your 6–9 can build your
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Week 12 - Finalised Reflective Statement
For this assignment, my photographic practice was influenced by the Trouble in Paradise exhibition at AUT, pushing me to create own my campaign with this theme in mind. I have always desired to become an artist, to study in a redeemed higher education institution and to be able to learn, furthering my practice. The very concept of being able to come to a university and study was a paradise, however, the tremendous tuition fees to go to a university made me question if it is even worth it, becoming the very problem in my paradise.
My campaign aims to bring attention to how we are all puppets to student debt. Student debt has been an ongoing issue for many people of all ages, all over the world, even through different periods of time. An article by Harvard Law School had a detailed report that shows a 169% increase in college costs from 1980 to 2020[1]. Alongside it increasing over the years, it also affects people's overall mental health. A CNBC article which was published in an American context had a survey of readers which had said that 53% of high-debt student loan borrowers had experienced depression, nine in ten borrowers had experienced huge levels of anxiety and one in fifteen burrowers had considered suicide, all due to their student loans[2]. Statistics found on the IRD website had shown that, the total number of borrowers had decreased 3.8% from December 2023 to December 2024[3]. Because of all these issues surrounding the cost of universities, people are missing the opportunity to be able to further their studies at all.
The objective of my campaign is to create a series of humour-manipulated conceptual images to capture the stress and dread centered around having student loans. By using humour within my imagery, it can bring to light the trouble within my paradise and can create more engagement. The idea of using humor instead of creating dark gritty imagery came from another photographic campaign. The Incredible, Rage-Inducing Inside Story of America’s Student Debt Machine, written by Ryann Liebenthal. It is an online journalistic magazine for Mother Jones, an American website, published in September/October 2018[4]. The photographs from this campaign were taken by Zach Gross, who is a portrait photographer, who incorporates his subject’s interior lives alongside their public identities. The imagery within this campaign was dark and gritty as the target audience for it were adults with federal loans, that they had gotten from attending university for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Now, since I am much younger than the intended target audience, the imagery wasn’t as impactful, and I contemplated how to portray this issue in a way that was impactful to my generation. The answer was by using humour, the reason for this is that I had conversations with other students about how they feel towards their student debt and often they said very funny remarks towards them, so making the series more light-hearted and funnier would work better with my target audience of university students who can feel "seen" by this project. As well as the education system so that they can see the turmoil student loans cause the students.
Duane Michals has been a significant influence on my work in this campaign. Michals is an American photographer best known for his photo sequences, using text to evoke emotion. Alongside that, he uses dark humour and double exposure in imagery as well. His usage of manipulations and use of dark humour helped push my imagery further, inspiring me to make it my own.
The methods used for this campaign were heavy manipulation. I used a model that was a classmate of mine who had given me her permission to photograph her and was aware and okay with the way I had planned to portray her. I combined and transformed the images of the model, a wooden doll, and other props to create humorous situations that were inspired by metaphors relating to student debt, such as comparing student debt to a bad marriage, physically weighing you down and being controlled by it like a puppet. By layering multiple images on each other and changing the contrast of the imagery and colour grading I created light-hearted photos. In all the photos I had chosen to keep the background rather simple to not take attention away from the focal point.
This campaign would be displayed in gallery spaces and websites such as Gagosian. The imagery could also be used within contemporary magazines that talk about the effects of student loans, pushing the situations towards the education system. It would also be displayed on large billboards and sidewalk posters to capture the attention of passersby. These would be placed in and around university to allow the students to pause of a moment to look at the imagery and have a laugh, sharing it further on social media.
One of the biggest challenges I had within this project was taking the actual imagery. I had planned all my shots and knew exactly how to manipulate them, however finding a model that would work with my concept was rather difficult. People that I had asked either did not want their image taken or did not want to be portrayed in that manner which is fine.
I have enjoyed this brief and am incredibly satisfied with the outcome of my campaign. The brief last year for this minor class was centered around manipulation, which I had a fond interest in. That inspired me to keep with the same technical style. I refined my photo manipulation skills further within this brief, and it allowed me to fully research the effects of student loans. Hopefully, soon, the outstanding costs of being able to attend university, and furthering our education will not make us puppets to our student debts.
[1] “The Practice: Debt Takes a Toll,” Center of the Legal Profession Harvard Law School, October 2023, https://clp.law.harvard.edu/knowledge-hub/magazine/issues/student-debt/debt-takes-a-toll/.
[2] Elizabeth Gravier, “Remind yourself of ‘what makes you happy’: Bloggers shares her advice about battling debt and depression,” CNBC, February 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/select/debt-and-mental-health/.
[3] “Statistics on student loan borrowers,” Inland Revenue, March 2025, https://www.ird.govt.nz/about-us/tax-statistics/statistics-on-the-student-loan-scheme/statistics-on-student-loan-borrowers.
[4] Ryann Liebenthal, “The Incredible, Rage-Inducing Inside Story of America’s Student Debt Machine,” Mother Jones, October 2018, https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/08/debt-student-loan-forgiveness-betsy-devos-education-department-fedloan/.
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How India’s Growing Startup Ecosystem is Fueling Demand for Investment Bankers
With more than 100 unicorns, thousands of funded ventures, and a thriving ecosystem of incubators, accelerators, and VC firms, the country has become one of the most exciting places for entrepreneurship. But as the number of startups grows, so does the need for smart, strategic financial guidance—and this is where investment bankers come in.
Whether it’s securing capital, preparing for IPOs, or handling mergers and acquisitions, investment bankers are becoming vital to the startup journey. And with technology making high-end financial training more accessible than ever, taking an online investment banking course is one of the smartest moves aspiring professionals can make today.
🚀 India’s Startup Boom: A Snapshot
India is now the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, after the U.S. and China. Some key highlights:
Over 1 lakh startups recognized by DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)
Sectors leading the charge: fintech, edtech, SaaS, agritech, healthtech, and climate tech
Government initiatives like Startup India, Fund of Funds for Startups, and Startup Accelerators of MeitY are boosting funding and mentorship support
A new wave of IPOs from startups like Zomato, Nykaa, Mamaearth, and Yatra is reshaping the Indian equity market
But these success stories aren’t just about brilliant ideas—they’re about financial strategy, valuation, structuring deals, and managing investor relations. That’s where investment bankers step in.
💼 Why Startups Need Investment Bankers
Contrary to popular belief, investment bankers don’t just work with massive corporations. They play a critical role in helping early-stage and growth-stage startups secure funding, scale strategically, and exit efficiently.
Key areas where investment bankers add value:
FundraisingHelping startups raise Series A, B, C and beyond by connecting them with the right investors and structuring term sheets.
ValuationAccurately valuing a fast-growing or pre-revenue company is complex. Investment bankers help with financial modeling and forecasting.
M&A AdvisoryStartups looking to acquire competitors, sell stakes, or merge with other players need professional guidance.
IPO PreparationFor startups ready to go public, bankers manage everything from regulatory compliance to investor roadshows.
Due DiligenceEnsuring that a startup’s financials, operations, and compliance are investor-ready.
This growing demand has led to a surge in professionals enrolling in an online investment banking course to enter this dynamic field.
🎓 Why Take an Online Investment Banking Course?
An online investment banking course allows students and working professionals to gain real-world financial skills at their own pace—while staying relevant to today’s fast-changing market.
Benefits of going online:
Flexibility: Learn from anywhere, anytime
Updated Curriculum: Courses often include trending topics like startup funding, venture capital, and fintech
Expert Faculty: Learn from top industry professionals who’ve worked with global banks and Indian unicorns
Live Projects: Apply your knowledge to real-world case studies, capstone projects, and financial modeling assignments
Placement Assistance: Many programs offer career services and interview prep for roles in investment banking, private equity, and venture capital
Whether you're in Delhi, Mumbai, or a Tier-2 city like Indore or Kochi, an online investment banking course makes it possible to build a career in one of the most elite areas of finance.
📈 Career Opportunities for Investment Bankers in the Startup Space
Thanks to India’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, there’s a rising demand for roles like:
Startup Fundraising Analyst
Private Equity Associate
M&A Consultant
Equity Research Analyst
IPO Strategy Manager
Venture Capital Analyst
Many startups are also building in-house finance teams with investment banking experience to help them scale faster and prepare for global expansion.
🌐 How Startups Are Partnering with Investment Bankers
Startups like Ola, Swiggy, Meesho, and Zepto have all worked with investment banking advisors to raise capital or prepare for IPOs. Boutique firms and global giants like Goldman Sachs, Avendus Capital, and JM Financial are increasingly active in India’s startup scene.
Even early-stage startups are hiring freelance or fractional CFOs and analysts trained through online investment banking courses, proving that the market values skill over pedigree.
🏁 Final Thoughts
India’s startup boom is more than a trend—it’s a movement that’s reshaping the nation’s economic future. As this ecosystem matures, the need for investment bankers will continue to grow.
Whether you’re a student, finance graduate, or working professional looking to pivot, enrolling in an online investment banking course is the smartest way to tap into this high-growth opportunity. You’ll gain practical, job-ready skills and become part of a new wave of finance professionals who are helping build the next generation of Indian unicorns.
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What is Page Rank?
Do you ever wonder how Google determines what websites show up first in search results? The solution is in one of the search engine giant’s earliest algorithms — PageRank. Created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin at Stanford University, PageRank changed the world when it comes to accessing information on the web.
What is PageRank? PageRank is a link analysis system employed by Google Search to rank web pages in its search engine results. It is named after Google co-founder Larry Page and assigns a weighted value (between 0 and 10) to every web page, indicating its relevance based on inbound links.
How It Works Consider the internet to be a collection of cities (web pages) linked by roads (hyperlinks). PageRank considers the possibility that more significant cities (web pages) tend to have more roads (links) coming from them.
Simplified explanation:
A page pointing to it by lots of high-quality pages gets a higher PageRank.
Links from a page with high PageRank are more important.
Internal linking within your site also contributes to spreading PageRank.
“PageRank is the core of Google’s technology. It capitalizes on the web’s singular democracy by leveraging its enormouse link structure as a measure of the value of any given page.” — Google
Why PageRank Still Matters Although Google now employs hundreds of ranking signals, PageRank is still a vital signal. Indeed, research indicates that:
More backlinks, even today, remain strongly associated with better rankings.
Authoritative sites with stable link profiles rule the top search rankings.
For a digital marketing agency in Tamilnadu , knowledge of PageRank can mean better SEO practices and improved client outcomes.
How to Increase Your PageRank: Practical Advice You can’t manually manipulate your PageRank ranking, but you can control it with intelligent SEO practices:
Get High-Quality Backlinks Ask authoritative sites for guest post opportunities.
Make linkable content (guides, statistics, infographics).
Get listed in industry roundups or directories.
Optimize Internal Linking Strategically link related blog articles and service pages.
Utilize descriptive anchor text for internal links.
Make sure to have a clear website architecture to pass PageRank effectively.
Need expert assistance? Working with adigital marketing agency in Tamilnadu can make your link-building process easy and enhance your rankings.
Real-World Example: Wikipedia’s PageRank Success Wikipedia tends to be one of the top results for most searches. Why?
It has millions of inbound links.
Its internal link structure is tightly knit.
It consistently provides high-quality, relevant content.
This makes Wikipedia a classic example of a high-PageRank website — and a model for SEO success.
Key Statistics to Know Backlinks remain one of the top 3 ranking factors in Google’s algorithm (Backlinko).
The average first-page result on Google has 3.8x more backlinks than those on the second page.
Google ceased showing public PageRank scores in 2016, but still applies it in the background.
As a means for companies to improve their online ranking, hiring a digital marketing agency in Tamilnadu provides access to the knowledge and experience necessary to acquire high-authority links.
Conclusion: Take the Next Step Toward Better Rankings PageRank might be an old algorithm, but its fundamentals are still at the root of the current web. Knowing and implementing these ideas can help you stay ahead of the game in your SEO approach.
Whether you’re building a personal website or a business, investing in link building, optimizing internal organization, and creating good content are a must.
Ready to Rank Higher? Want to achieve real results? Collaborate with a reliable digital marketing agency in Tamilnadu to audit your site, develop backlinks, and rank higher in search engines.
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