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mostlysignssomeportents · 2 years ago

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Saturday linkdump, part the sixth

On September 12 at 7pm, I'll be at Toronto's Another Story Bookshop with my new book The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation.

On September 14, I'm hosting the EFF Awards in San Francisco.

I usually write this blog 5-6 days/week, but every now and again, I take a break, and when I do, I get massive link backlogs of stuff I want to write about, but lack the time to address in depth. When that happens, I turn my Saturday edition into a linkdump. Today, I present the sixth in the series – here's the other five:

https://pluralistic.net/tag/linkdump/

Why was I offline and away from my blog? I went to the dirt rave. Yes, I was one of the 70,000+ people stuck in the mud at this year's Burning Man, and when I emailed my editor at the New York Times to say I might be late on the op-ed I was working on, she asked me to write about what this year's mud crisis meant:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/opinion/burning-man-flood-playa-climate-change.html

tl;dr:

Bad weather is normal at Burning Man (it's a feature, not a bug);

Mostly burners leapt to the occasion, which is what people almost always do in disaster situations;

This is the second Burning Man heavy weather year in a row;

The climate emergency is tipping the Black Rock Desert from "extremely challenging" to "impossible";

This isn't the last event, place and tradition that will have to be radically reconsidered in light of the climate emergency;

But now I'm home, in my hammock, with all the laundry done – just in time to leave again. I'm about to head back to my hometown of Toronto for a book launch. The Internet Con, my latest nonfiction (from Verso Books) came out last week, and I'll be appearing at Another Story Bookshop on Tuesday:

https://anotherstory.ca/events/29283

Internet Con is a "Big Tech disassembly manual." It explains how Big Tech got so big (lax anti-monopoly enforcement, which led to regulatory capture, which let Big Tech abuse our privacy, labor rights, and consumer rights), and how we can use interoperability so it's no longer Too Big to Fail, nor Too Big to Jail:

https://www.versobooks.com/products/3035-the-internet-con

You can read a long excerpt from the book in Wired, which lays out some of the shovel-ready legislative, regulatory and technical proposals that are the book's main purpose:

https://www.wired.com/story/the-internet-con-cory-doctorow-book-excerpt/

You can also hear me read the whole introduction and first chapter of the audiobook on my podcast:

https://craphound.com/internetcon/2023/08/01/the-internet-con-how-to-seize-the-means-of-computation-audiobook-outtake/

That comes from the audiobook, a DRM-free, independent edition that I financed, produced and narrated myself. You can get the audiobook everywhere except Audible, Apple Books, and Audiobooks.com, all of which have mandatory DRM policies. You can also get it direct from me:

https://transactions.sendowl.com/products/78992826/DEA0CE12/purchase

The DRM-free ebook is available everywhere ebooks are sold (Kobo, Kindle, Nook, etc), as well as in my own DRM-free ebook store:

https://transactions.sendowl.com/products/78992801/9C4FC2B8/purchase

Verso's books are sold in bookstores around the world; you can support your local bookseller by buying it through Bookshop:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-internet-con-how-to-seize-the-means-of-computation-cory-doctorow/18771891?ean=9781804291245

If you'd like a signed copy, there's stock at Book Soup:

https://www.booksoup.com/book/9781804291245

Now, it was inevitable that I would do a book event for Internet Con in Toronto – I've never had a bad event there, and I love my hometown – but the timing of this event was driven by a non-book-related factor. Talking Heads is appearing together at TIFF, to support the re-release of Stop Making Sense, the greatest concert film in human history:

https://pluralistic.net/StopMakingSense

People often ask me what my favorite book is, and I always tell them that you should never trust people who have one favorite book, as it inevitably turns out to be The Bible, The Fountainhead, or Mein Kampf. But while I don't have a favorite book, I have a clear and unambiguous favorite band.

If I was forced to listen to no music other than Talking Heads for the rest of my life, I would be perfectly happy. Ecstatic, even. Throw in David Byrne, Tom Tom Club and Casual Gods and I probably wouldn't even notice anything missing.

There's a running joke among my Burning Man campmates that whenever I'm in charge of the music, I'm just shuffling Talking Heads rarities, and whenever someone puts on anything else, I demand to know which Talking Heads album it came from. Which is all to say: I have tickets for the Talking Heads event at TIFF and I could *not be more excited.*

Continuing on the Canadian theme, one of the annual highlights of Canadian media is the Massey Lectures, a series of public lectures given around the country and rebroadcast on CBC. These are always great, but recent years have been superb – Ron Deibert's 2020 series was unmissable:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/11/10/dark-matter/#citizenlab

This year's Masseys are shaping up to be the GOAT. They're presented by Astra Taylor, an activist rock-and-roller turned documentary filmmaker who is one of the founders of the Debt Collective, fighting for student debt cancellation. Everything Astra does is amazing and her profile on CBC Ideas gives some background on the role that unschooling played in making her the powerful activist she is today:

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/astra-taylor-interview-2023-massey-lecturer-1.6959320

There's no question that things are messed up right now, but Astra and people like her shine out like beacons of hope. 17 years ago, self-described "democracy nut" Tom Stites gave one of the seminal lectures on the role news media play in democracy:

http://citmedia.org/blog/2006/07/03/guest-posting-is-media-performance-democracys-critical-issue/

17 years later – and from his perch as editor at the essential International Consortium of Investigative Journalists – Stites presents us a long-overdue, extremely pertinent followup: "Building Civic Energy is the Goal, Not Saving Old News Business Models":

https://banyanproject.coop/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Hope-College-speech-for-Banyan-website-1.pdf

Stites's intervention is extremely timely, because policymakers all over the world have made the mistake of thinking that Big Tech is stealing the news media's content, which is absolutely untrue. It is good, actually, to index news stories and let people discuss, quote from and link to news stories. News you're not allowed to talk about isn't news, it's a secret.

But Big Tech is stealing from news. They're not stealing content – they're stealing money. The Google/Apple duopoly rakes 30% off every subscription payment collected in an app. The Google/Meta duopoly rakes 51% out of every ad-dollar (and maintain that death-grip through creepy, privacy-invading surveillance ads). Meta and Twitter hold social media subscribers hostage, forcing publishers to pay to reach their own subscribers.

We don't want the news to be Big Tech's partners – we need them to be Big Tech's watchdogs. "Link taxes" and other profit-sharing arrangements between the media and tech cut against the civic energy Stites wants to build.

(You can read more about this – along with policy prescriptions for halting Big Tech's rent-extraction from the news – in "Saving the News From Big Tech," my EFF white-paper:)

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/04/saving-news-big-tech

If your spirits are lifted by stories of principled activists achieving important – and improbable – victories, you could do worse than to attend the EFF Awards on in San Francisco Sept 14 (I'm the emcee). This year, we're honoring Alexandra Elbakyan for her founding of Sci-Hub, the Library Freedom Project and the Signal Foundation:

https://www.eff.org/awards/effawards/2023

In more activist news: Mozilla produced a startling and astoundingly good – if demoralizing – report on the state of digital privacy and security in the automotive sector:

https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/its-official-cars-are-the-worst-product-category-we-have-ever-reviewed-for-privacy/

Entitled, "It’s Official: Cars Are the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy," the report reveals just how absolutely terrible the automotive sector is when it comes to privacy practices, collecting (and selling) (and giving away) information about your sex life, your geneology, your genetic characteristics, and your smell (no, seriously).

Their recommendations for which new car you should buy boil down to "don't buy a new car." I have been urging consumer research groups to release a report like this for a decade. There are whole categories of gadgets – like, say, "smart speakers" – that are unsafe at any speed. At a certain point, reviewers need to have the guts to say that every manufacturer in an entire sector is a dumpster fire and they should all be dragged in front of a firing squad – or at least a Congressional committee.

Cars, after all, are nightmares of privacy invasion and rent-extraction, the source of autoenshittification on a massive scale, a mobile form of technofeudalism:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/07/24/rent-to-pwn/#kitt-is-a-demon

The fact that cars score so badly on privacy is especially ironic given the campaign Big Car waged against the 2020 Massachusetts Right to Repair ballot initiative, in which car manufacturers held themselves out as the defenders of driver privacy from unscrupulous third parties who couldn't be trusted to handle the vast troves of data your car collects with every hour that God sends:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/09/03/rip-david-graeber/#rolling-surveillance-platforms

This is a familiar refrain: monopolists often claim that any check on their absolute authority over their users will expose those users to privacy risks. Apple has run a global ad-campaign claiming this, and while Apple does prevent Facebook from spying on iPhone owners, they also secretly spy on those customers in exactly the same way that Facebook used to, and lie about it:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

It turns out that giant companies just aren't good proxies for their customers' interests, and that the power they amass through monopolization shouldn't be counted on as a source of user safety. Monopolists won't reliably defend user privacy – that job belongs to democratically accountable regulators. That's an argument I developed in detail with Bennett Cyphers in our EFF white-paper "Privacy Without Monopoly":

https://www.eff.org/wp/interoperability-and-privacy

That is, rather than getting privacy by "voting with your wallet," you need to get it by voting with your ballot. "The market" is an election that you vote in with dollars, which means that the people with the most dollars always win. When there are zero cars on the market that are safe to drive, you can't vote with your wallet by buying a good one.

On a related subject, the DOJ Antitrust Division has brought the most important tech anti-monopoly case of the century, charging Google with monopolizing search:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/06/technology/modern-internet-first-monopoly-trial-us-google-dominance.html

Part of the DOJ case turns on the fact that Google goes to extraordinary lengths to keep you from every trying another search engine, paying out more than $45 billion every year to be the default search on every device, program and service you might use. In other words, Google spends entire Twitter's worth of dollars every year, lighting it on fire to keep you from finding out about rivals.

Google argues that this is fine, actually, because these are only defaults, and users can dig through their settings to change their search engine. Sure, Google – and the first 20 search results you serve are only defaults, and it wouldn't matter if you were ordered to put them ten screens down, because users could always scroll to see them.

But search defaults aren't the only way that Google locks in searchers – and then harms us by invading our privacy. Google's ubiquitous Chrome browser ties Google's search to Google's invasive, nonconsensual, total surveillance. Chrome turned 15 this year and Google made a huge PR splash out of the anniversary:

https://blog.google/products/chrome/google-chrome-new-features-redesign-2023/

But all that puffery conspicuously failed to mention that Google had quietly rolled out its long-discredited, new surveillance technology, FLOC, which it pretended to kill in 2021:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/22/ihor-kolomoisky/#not-that-competition

FLOC is back, rebranded as the Topics API: this is a system for spying on you so advertisers can target you. Google is spinning this as a privacy improvement because it might someday replace "third party cookies," one of the creepiest web surveillance systems.

But as Ron Amadeo writes for Ars Technica, Chrome is the last major browser to support third party cookies – both Safari and Firefox block them by default. So Google is basically saying, "We are going to improve your privacy by changing how we spy on you, even though all our competitors don't do this kind of spying at all":

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/09/googles-widely-opposed-ad-platform-the-privacy-sandbox-launches-in-chrome/

This kind of gaslighting, where Google pisses in all our mouths and tells us it's raining, is the hallmark of a decrepit, arrogant, crapulent monopolist that needs to be shattered in the courts. Kudos to the DoJ for doing the people's business here – and kudos to DoJ antitrust boss Jonathan Kanter for promising that he will not go into corporate law when he finishes his stint in government.

The DoJ isn't the only public agency that's serving the American people. The FCC just announced proceedings to force cybersecurity labels for "smart" devices:

https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-governmental-affairs/fcc-proposes-cybersecurity-labeling-program-smart-devices

This is long overdue, and it's a welcome action from the FCC, which was hamstrung for years because cowardly Democratic senators joined with homophobic, libelous Republicans in blocking confirmation hearings for the amazing Gigi Sohn:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/12/15/useful-idiotsuseful-idiots/#unrequited-love

After years of abuse, Sohn bowed out. Now, Anna Gomez has been confirmed to fill that fifth FCC chair, turning the FCC into a fully operational battle station:

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/senate-votes-approve-anna-gomez-5th-fcc-commissioner

The fact that there's all this great stuff going on in the administrative branch is easy to lose sight of amidst the circus of federal electoral politics, in which Donald Trump has retained his role as ringmaster and chief distractor.

Thankfully, we have expert Pantsless Emperor skewerers like Ruben Bolling around – his latest Tom the Dancing Bug revives his brilliant Calvin and Hobbes-inspired Trump gag:

https://boingboing.net/2023/09/06/tom-the-dancing-bug-a-calvinesque-and-hobbesian-look-at-taking-a-mug-shot.html

Well, that's me signing off for the weekend – I've got to pack for my flight to Toronto. If you're looking for more weekend fun, check out the trailer for Fractured Veil, the video game my old pal Chris DiBona has been working on for seven years and which is heading for Steam early access next month:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjNd3QQnENU

Just watch it. I mean. Wow.

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

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/09/nein-nein/#everything-is-miscellaneous

Image: Roel Schroeven (modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/roelschroeven/45413895

CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

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norazingrid · 1 year ago

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We need communism in the OSC

I know this sounds controversial, but I think that a communist approach to the community would do good for it.

I want communism because shit like "jacknjellify LLC" and "adamations Inc." should NOT exist.

The OSC is a community of creators, artists, creative minds, not pseudo-corporate slop that queerbait, scam, take advantage of the gullibility of the viewers (mostly MINORS. KIDS.) and get away with ableism, racism, transphobia, ZIONISM (YES, ZIONISM.) because a horde of brainless manchildren will defend them because they want their consumer product. These motherfuckers are turning what used to be a community of free creators into a cesspool of useless competition in which the ones who capitalize win and take advantage of their "popularity".

Jacknjellify and Adamations make THOUSANDS of dollars through their mediocre, ableist, queerbaity, soulless corporate shitty ass shows and low-quality merch that, by the way, is manufactured by exploited children in factories with POOR LIFE CONDITIONS. And that's also how it relates to the real-life horrors of capitalism.

What do most of OSC creators get from their shows? NOTHING. NOTHING. While these ableist greedy zionist leeches capitalize and exploit children, both in a psychological and physical way although indirectly, honest creators get NOTHING.

And don't get me started on the meetups. The meetups, the most soulless, corporate, CLASSIST thing that came out of this "OSC elite". Screening episodes to only a selected, privileged part of the community, episodes that 95% of the OSC have been waiting for months - no, YEARS. And screening them in only one country, ignoring how most of the OSC either cannot afford to buy tickets for a screening or lives on the totally different side of the earth. This is CLASSISM, by definition. This is why I also thank the leakers who gave us the episodes we've been waiting for that are being kept from the masses in favor of a privileged elite.

These companies are turning into Disney, and I do not say this with a positive connotation. The OSC is made of people, not consumers, and it's time everyone learns it. In a matter of years they're going to come after you, small creators who make a heartfelt show to get nothing in return, and you, viewers who yet do not realize these companies are taking your money and taking advantage of your gullibility.

We DO need communism in the OSC because class war is everywhere, even where you least expect it, even in a small Internet community. We DO need communism in the OSC because our art is not a tool of capitalism and it should not be used as such.

fuck communism I don’t want any talk about it, stop involving politic shit into the creators a lot of them have made it clear that they don’t support any of those stuff, did you just ignore how they fired Taylor from the team? 🙁 it’s not that big they’re just here to entertain us stop putting pressure on them. If you’re a communist get the fuck out of my blog immediately

#delete later

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beautifulpersonpeach · 2 years ago

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Sorry pls ignore my last ask BPP. Your point about Seven being the 'Dynamite' equivalent in solo era is a good one and explains the treatment it got. After the BB article I also now understand why BH dropped LC. If BB believed the LC record was 'tainted' with Chinese cash and BH never had that 'Dynamite' promotion plan for it, everything that's happened makes sense. But it still leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. I can't wash it out. Are we now at the mercy of BB's whims? Also don't you find the support for Seven excessive? Is the elimination of direct to consumer sales enough to explain that kind of support to keep it number 1? I'm just trying to understand how the company is thinking about things without victimizing the members. They all seem to be still working with purpose so I feel they don't feel shortchanged, but from the outside looking inside it doesn't feel fair.

Ask 2:

Hi BPP,

Re: bb article

1. Do you think there will be additional changes coming, making sales even less relevant for bb charts?

2. I absolutely hate that it is again Jimin that takes the brunt of all this bulshit, I really do. He doesnt deserve this at all. But he is strong, he will be OK. That being said, its making me really upset IRL, so I will have to do some me time.

3. I would be interested to know your outlook on BB as a whole when it comes to BTS and their future in US market (if you have talked about this pls refer me to the post)

My opinion is, that while BB is paramount when it comes to big awards season, eventually BB and the awards themselves serve as a kind of promotion, to validate the artist to their (potential) fanbase, keep them invested etc. BTS guys do all of that on their own, with their music, personalities and lyrics. So going forward, if they dont chart as much, dont win as much... It will not matter in the long run. Their fan base is so solid that I trully believe they will have no problem selling multiple stadium stops 25 years from now. Easily.

There will be a significant fandom fall off, when all the people who are here for bragging rights lose their interest. And that is a good thing... But the people who will stay, who love the guys for who they are and for their art, those whose love does not depend on how many grammy noms or BB H100 they recieve... These people will stay and buy the tickets. And their numbers will still be enourmous. Enviable. More than the majority of the western industry plants can only dream of.

Rant over. Have a good weekend

Ask 3:

The latest Billboard discussion is disheartening, but the NYT article description of U.S. conservatives aping the tactics of Swifties and BTS fans to get their nefarious messaging across is even more so. Have we opened the gate for the Trumpsters of the world?

I was struck by this partvof the original question to you"

'... figure out a way to truly determine which songs are most popular (whatever that even means anymore)....'

So, how can we ever know what is truly popular? Are fervent fans willing to devote time and resources to get their fave to the top really the best arbiters? Even if they number in the millions, we are still looking at support that is far deeper than it is wide.

I mean, better than the suits deciding, I guess? Or is it just another group--this one outside of the target country--imposing their agenda on the population? One has the goal of making money; the other of winning a fan war.

So, how do we ascertain what is truly popular with the much-vaunted GP? Or doesn't it matter?

***

I've said many times on this blog that I'm not a writer, and that English isn't my first language, so I suppose it's unsurprising that despite my efforts putting my thoughts to paper/Tumblr, I'm still unable to fully communicate it in a way people understand right away, to eliminate/answer a lot of questions that I believe should be clear to infer from what I've written before. So rather than write a massive post like before where my key points could get lost, I'll pick out key questions from your asks and give fairly brief answers to each one. I'll work my way from the top, down.

Hi Anon(s),

Select answers below:

"Also don't you find the support for Seven excessive? Is the elimination of direct to consumer sales enough to explain that kind of support to keep it number 1?"

I think the results speak for itself. Dynamite and the PET got what is easily the biggest support any BTS release had gotten to date at the time - all of it tailored to mirror how American labels promoted their tracks, *and* the fandom had D2C sales buttressing it as the primary support mechanism. Like, please read that sentence again and think about what it means. Sales are the easiest and most transparent way for the fandom to influence charts, and so was always preferred for ARMY. Even if you weren't in the fandom then, understand it's impossible to overstate how much D2C sales mattered. With that now out of the question, everything we're seeing for Seven for me feels like a given, especially after the Billboard article.

"Do you think there will be additional changes coming, making sales even less relevant for bb charts?"

Yes. But not 'less relevant' in a sense, more like differentiated and treated as its own thing, perhaps in a separate chart.

"I would be interested to know your outlook on BB as a whole when it comes to BTS and their future in US market (if you have talked about this pls refer me to the post)"

This probably requires its own post but the long-short of it is: just like Ticketmaster, Billboard is only one arm of one of the largest private monopolies in the US entertainment market - PMC, and as such they serve as gatekeepers of sorts. Their interest in BTS (and k-pop by extension) lies primarily in how they can profit off the group/fandom, which so far BigHit and ARMY have created very limited avenues for. BigHit's strategy until now has been to expand BTS's reach without relying on the PMC apparatus, using it only for select releases that are explicitly tailored for it e.g. Seven and PET. While I don't think this strategy will change dramatically, every change from BB is to force more compliance with their apparatus. BTS will continue facing handicaps from PMC so long as BigHit continues limiting how PMC can profit from BTS for each release. (This sentence makes sense in my head but if it's not clear, please let me know.)

"Have we opened the gate for the Trumpsters of the world?"

Well, yeah. But ARMYs can't take all the credit. After all, ARMYs are only doing what the Bey Hive and Swifties have been doing for almost a decade with none of the scrutiny. BTS, more than any other group, actually has the absolute numbers in demand and grassroots support to justify it as they're comparable to the afore-mentioned artists, proven by their concert showings not just in the US but worldwide, as far back as 2018. People only started paying attention to ARMYs' movements because BTS didn't look like the sorts of people they expected to see at the top of the charts. Everybody took notice, including a political faction in the US that in recent years has moved more aggressively into the entertainment sphere to influence culture, such as Ben Shapiro's entertainment empire, movies like Sound of Freedom topping box office charts, and conservative country singers pushing Reagan-esque talking points to the top of music charts. So it's basically the result of timing and opportunity.

"So, how can we ever know what is truly popular? Are fervent fans willing to devote time and resources to get their fave to the top really the best arbiters? ... how do we ascertain what is truly popular with the much-vaunted GP?"

I've talked about this before I think. You can find my views on it in my Masterlist, and I've linked the post here.

People sent in more asks on BB but I've since lost interest in this topic and will post my responses when I feel like it, much later, using the same format I've used to answer the asks above. The truth is that while I understand why many people feel like everything that's happened so far with Seven and Jimin is unfair, I think a lot of the discourse is awfully reductive, actually does a disservice to Jimin and BTS, and that there's a much bigger picture here that's more consistent with how BTS has operated for the last 10 years.

This is probably not the best analogy, but one way I think of BTS is like a Swiss army knife, with each member being a separate tool. And that at different points, in various markets, BigHit and BTS are testing various approaches to expand their reach while aiming to maintain the market share they've gotten so far. The group has always had projects they release that have more artistic merit and cache, versus projects made by all appearances to be purely for commercial purposes to expand the reach of the group. For example, consider how BigHit promoted Butter/Permission to Dance, compared to the BE album, or how Seven was created and promoted relative to Indigo. To go back in even further in previous years, I remember how BTS appeared to center Jimin in Blood, Sweat & Tears era to build out his and their presence in Korea, and Taehyung in DNA era where his and BTS's presence in China ballooned in 2017.

While in the solo era some people feel like every accomplishment remains solely with individual members, I feel everything serves only one purpose: to further establish the group. Because by BTS's own words, they all have their individual ambitions, they've always had that and each member is aggressively competitive on that note, but they've each all said that their priority remains the group. Not everybody likes that, not everybody believes them when they say it, but the good thing with BTS is that they plan in multi-year stints and time always reveals what the facts of the matter are. We're only one year into Chapter 2, and while certain parts of the fandom are treating their solo debut albums as the be all and end all, I don't think there's anything to suggest this perspective lines up with the reality of how BTS has behaved for the last 10 years. I could be wrong, but either way we're just going to have to wait and see. In the meantime, I believe there's significant artistic merit in what the guys are putting out in Chapter 2, that I hope isn't lost in the noise. The fandom should do a better job of bringing the attention back to this, rather than a tunnel-vision on performance metrics that only tell half of the story.

#bts #bts chapter 2 #bang pd #jimin #jungkook #jikook #namjoon #yoongi #hoseok #seokjin #taehyung #billboard #kpop #kpop industry #music industry #fandom behaviour

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celebritieswithemmab · 1 year ago

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Shaq can't stop endorsing (seemingly) random things

So what's the pattern?

Like many people, I saw this picture on my social media feed a few years back. The haunting image has stuck with me ever since.

The first time I saw the viral X (formerly known as Twitter) image, I thought it was fake. I assumed it to be the product of Photoshop and nothing more. After all, why would Shaq, a retired professional basketball player, be endorsing a pregnancy test? It has been a long time since I speculated on Shaq's bizarre endorsement but with the birth of this blog, I've been eager to talk about this subject. Shaq's bizarre endorsements range from, yes, pregnancy tests, to executive office seating. None of them seem to make any more sense than the others. So what exactly has Shaq endorsed (it's a lot) and why does it make sense to endorse these brands?

The majority of the time, if a celebrity is going to endorse something, there is a good chance it will have to do with clothing, beauty, or wellness. As celebrities are seen as rare, exclusive, and special, very rarely do you see celebrities endorsing everyday items for the common parts of our lives. If a celebrity endorses an alcohol brand we may buy it for our parties, or wear their makeup when we go out, but the gap between the lives of celebrities and our own is vast. We both may wear shoes and work out, but that's where a lot of the similarities end. Celebrities make for excellent brand endorsers because they have spent their lives specializing in a certain career many people never have the chance to access. This allows them to be perceived to hold a very certain skill set (like how Kim Kardashian, an influencer and reality TV star known for her curvy figure, owns a shape wear brand now valued at over $4 billion). Brands can use the image of celebrities to ad a layer of credibility to their product or service. Shaq first earned his fame on the court, and is no stranger to endorsements for sneakers or basketballs. Yet since his retirement, he has branched out to other unrelated topics.

To start off, Shaq owns more than 150 car washes, 17 Auntie Annie franchises, nine Papa John's franchises (also appearing in their advertising), and has bought and sold enough Five Guy locations to amount to 10% of the entire company.

And those are just some of the franchises he has owned. When it comes to what Shaq has endorsed, the brands are even more plentiful.

Heres a few of my favorite Shaq brand endorsements:

Pregnancy test

Sleep apnea mask

Epson printer cartridges

Executive office chair

Shaq also owns the celebrity likeness of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, David Beckham, and Julius Erving.

So how did Shaq become the celebrity that can seemingly endorse anything?

To understand that, you must first understand Shaq's personal brand. He appeals to men who are sports fans (specifically basketball). His audience is 75% male, and nearly half of these are aged 25-34. Shaq is brand-safe, and has faced little to no controversy throughout his career. He is incredibly recognizable. Standing at 7'1, it makes his likeness hard to miss (like in the above photo). His energy positions him as lively, youthful, and relatable. Despite his impressive investment portfolio valued at over $100 million, he still appears down-to-earth, and some of his band endorsements fuels this image (more on this later). These all appeal to his main demographic. Some things that stand out to male consumers are a good value proposition, logic, simplicity, and humor.

Imagine this: you are a male, 26 years old, and regularly keep up with sports. You're just beginning your corporate career in accounting and have big plans for your future. Your girlfriend just called you concerned that she missed her latest period. You work through your anxiety and head to the nearest corner store. Standing amongst pads, tampons, and pregnancy tests, you have no idea what to look for. You feel out of place, out of your element, and you can't stop spiraling about how your whole life could change. That's when you see the kind, familiar face of Shaquille O'Neal staring up at you from the box of a pregnancy test. You rejoyce in the presence of something known! Suddenly, the overwhelming array of products with their overwhelming array of promises doesn't seem innavigable anymore. The surprising and out-of-place endorsement is humorous and allows you, finally, to laugh. All of a sudden your serious situation turns silly and ironic. You quickly choose the Shaq pregnancy test, comforted by the knowledge that you get the gift of two free Shaq stickers with purchase.

The strange endorsements Shaq takes on allows the more mundane or scary parts of our lives to be turned into something of a comedy. We recognize the surprise of seeing Shaq, the 7'1 basketball star, endorsing an office chair, but when you're an office executive and your days are filled with excel files, something a bit unusual may be exactly what you need. Especially if your colleagues are sports fans, it would make an excellent conversation starter: I have Shaq's chair. A sleep apnea mask can become Shaq's sleep apnea mask. Your ice pack can become Shaq's ice pack. This means that these products are now seen as truthworthy, strong, long-lasting, valuable, and, most importantly, a bit funny.

#shaquille o'neal #shaq #marketing #endorsement #celebrities #icy hot #five guys #basketball #sports #entrepreneur #investment #celebrityblogger

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lonita · 16 years ago

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No Logo

Reading Infinite Jest for a book club.

Many of the sites linked in this post no longer exist, at least not in the form they did when this was first written.

No matter where I go, or what I look at, something in my surroundings will have been appropriated by branding of one kind or another. Hell, they even use crop circles to make brand logos. I also noticed when the last phone book came out, for example, that people were so desperate to use it for adspace/visibility, that a company name was stamped on the edges of the book itself.

I have a long list of adjec(exple)tives at the ready that detail precisely what I think of this sort of rampant branding, so I've got to be honest and tell you that when I saw this article over at Jason Kottke's blog, that talked about the Metro Transit Authority in New York selling naming rights to subway stops, my anti-branding nerve twitched like a caffeine addict denied access to the only Tim Hortons in town.

In Infinite Jest we have time designated by corporate sponsorship: years with names like "The Year of the Depend Adult Undergarment". Companies are so desperate to gain that extra inch of mindspace from consumers, that they buy time - literally. It might seem arbitrary and confusing, but so are the numerics of years really. They follow on from one number to the next numeric in line, but they are more or less an arbitrary choice started from an equally arbitrarily chosen point in human history.

This brand ubiquity, so dominating that not even the most avid troglodyte could escape from it, reminded me of Naomi Klein's No Logo, which, amongst so many other things, discusses the effects that this sort of globalisation has on human culture. It details, in specific, how some of the more well-known brands in the consumer world do not even make their own products anymore. These companies are merely names that buy the product from unnamed manufacturers; and, as the NY Times article says in regards to the subway stops, "Once upon a time, geographic relevance determined a station's name, but now, the authority says it is open to any naming agreements that can raise revenue for its transit system, including ones not directly tied to location."

Names no longer stand for anything but names.

I feel trapped by this globalisation of brand. I feel trapped in such a way that I cannot breath. Everything is being packaged, logoed, and shipped by a brand. (I once had to transcribe some conference speeches that dealt specifically with branding, and inspiring consumer confidence in a product by branding everything right down to the method of shipping.) I feel trapped by the idea that no matter what human creation comes to the fore, someone is going to brand it, corporatise it, turn it into some shiny Web 2.0 feature-pretty-fest that looks like community but is really just a thinly veiled attempt at homogeneity or population dumbdown. Remember, kids - a stupid populace is a controllable one.

If you're old enough you remember the plaid bondage-style gear that some of the old-skool punks would sport back in the day; stuff they picked up at junk shops, made themselves, stole, but in no fashion did they head down to the mall to purchase this gear from the local Wal-Mart. These days, you can. I saw a kid just a couple of weeks ago wearing what looked to be a very expensive pair of plaid trousers with punk slogans embroidered on them in shiny metallic lettering. Mommy did not knock that together for you during your early-80s Mohawk phase when you were heading out for a night's skanking to The Specials. (See, once upon a time skank was a dance popular amongst those into ska and two-tone music. It was not synonymous with "ho". And damn it, I could skank in a pair of Docs right along with the best of 'em.)

Everything can be packaged, and is being packaged, even the things that would have once railed against it with the most force.

The over-branding, the globalisation, the pre-packaging of human culture, in some quarters at least, is helping to create a very incapable populace, one that may not be capable of choosing even the simplest things for itself without a little nudge from the outside. If you think I'm overreacting, take a look at this. It looks like help, but it's someone else making choices for you. You could so easily slip some extremely pointed suggestions into the answer queue on that one.

Addendum:

Can't decide if this is another one of those sites that merely looks like help, but is just another way to coddle a lazy populace, or if it might have some useful purpose. Must say that it smells an awful lot like a quiz show lifeline.

Yet another site that might only look like help.

2025 05 24: For the record, I loathed Infinite Jest.

#journal #read

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nepawholesale · 7 months ago

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Why the Geek Bar Pulse X Disposable Vape Blinking?

Though the Geek Bar Pulse X disposable vape won many hearts due to its cool look and incredible performance, much like other e-vaporizers, users sometimes encounter an issue related to blinking. The common problem sometimes puzzles vapers when they are uninformed as to what this means. In this blog, we look at why your Geek Bar Pulse X disposable vape is blinking and provide practical solutions to fix the problem. We'll also talk about where to buy authentic products, such as NEPA Wholesale-a reliable distributor in the U.S.

Understanding the Blinking Light

The blinking light on a Geek Bar Pulse X disposable vape is not just an accident. It's actually an inbuilt feature to tell the user of certain conditions. The light is like a diagnostic tool, giving out necessary information about the status of the device. Let's dive into the most common reasons for this blinking behavior.

1. Low Battery

The most common reason for blinking light involves a low battery life. Although coming pre-charged, disposable vapes such as the Geek Bar Pulse X will eventually have its battery reduced by the continued use of the device. In many cases, when a battery is low, the light blinks a number of times to indicate replacement time.

Solution:

Unfortunately, disposable vapes are not rechargeable. If the blinking persists due to a low battery, your only option is to dispose of the device responsibly and purchase a new one.

2. E-Liquid Depletion

Another very common cause is an out-of-liquid condition. Since the Geek Bar Pulse X is designed to have a pre-specified number of puffs, running out of e-liquid is quite an indicative event that the device has reached the end of its life.

Solution:

This blinking light, when the e-liquid is finished, means the device is no longer operable. Just replace it with a new Geek Bar Pulse X and continue vaping.

3. Puff Limit Reached

The Pulse X Geek Bar has an already set count of puffs at which, if reached, the device blinks to indicate that it needs to be thrown away. This way, each device will provide constant quality and performance.

Solution:

When the blinking of the light indicates a reached puff limit, dispose of the vape in an eco-friendly manner and get a replacement from a trusted distributor.

4. Overuse or Overheating

If one vape nonstop, without letting it rest, overheating may occur. In such conditions, the Geek Bar Pulse X may blink, stopping work altogether to prevent further damage.

Solution:

Allow the device a couple of minutes to cool down before trying to use it. If the blinking issue continues showing up, that may be some other problem.

5. Defective Manufacturing or Malfunction

Although this is very rare, sometimes a blinking light can indicate a defect in manufacturing or malfunction. This could be due to a battery problem, some internal component issue, or another technical failure.

Solution:

In case of a suspected defect, check the warranty policy or contact the place of purchase for assistance. That is why buying from a good distributor will ensure authenticity and quality of the product, such as NEPA Wholesale.

6. Improper Storage

Problems may arise from storing your disposable vape in extreme temperatures. For example, extreme heat or cold will impact the battery performance and may make the device blink.

Solution:

Store your Geek Bar Pulse X in a cool, dry place. Keep it away from direct sunlight and freezing environments.

Why Choose NEPA Wholesale for Geek Bar Pulse X?

Authenticity and quality are not to be compromised when purchasing vaping products. NEPA Wholesale is a well-established and highly trusted distributor in the United States, offering a wide range of authentic products, including the Geek Bar Pulse X. Here's why NEPA Wholesale stands out as the go-to choice for many retailers and consumers:

Authenticity Guaranteed: NEPA Wholesale ensures all products are sourced directly from manufacturers, eliminating the risk of counterfeits.

Competitive Pricing: Without compromising its quality, it provides the wholesale price.

Product Range: From disposable vape to accessories, all can be provided by NEPA Wholesale.

Superb Customer Care: Their support team is committed to providing a hassle-free buying experience for their customers.

How to Make Your Disposable Vape Last Longer

While behind disposable vape lies the fact that they are convenient but limited to use, taking a few precautions can help you make the most out of your Geek Bar Pulse X:

Avoid Chain Vaping: Give a few seconds between each puff to avoid overheating.

Store Properly: Keep the device in a cool, dry place.

Inspect Before Use: The device should be in good condition upon purchase.

Purchase from Reputable Distributors: Buy products from trusted sellers such as NEPA Wholesale for quality assurance.

Conclusion

The blinking light on a Geek Bar Pulse X disposable vape is an important feature that can help users identify everything from a low battery to e-liquid depletion. Once you understand what the blinking means, you will be able to fix the problem quickly and go back to enjoying your vape. Keep in mind that choosing a reliable distributor like NEPA Wholesale ensures you receive authentic, high-quality products every time.

For all your vaping needs, trust NEPA Wholesale to deliver the best products at competitive prices. Whether you’re a retailer or a consumer, NEPA Wholesale is your go-to source for the Geek Bar Pulse X and other top-notch vaping products

#vape

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kiaaraagarwal · 10 months ago

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What Are The Major Perks Of Buying Coloured Hair Extensions?

If you also like some colour in your hair like me then virtual high-five to you! I get it if some people think getting your hair coloured is too much of a commitment to ask for. Still, trying different colours in hair is a dream for many women but they stop themselves from the fear of hair damage.

What if I tell you that you can try different colours in your hair without worrying about hair damage or long-term commitments? Sounds great, right? Yes, we are talking about coloured hair extensions. Today, we are here to talk about the major benefits of using coloured hair extensions in place of hair colours on your hair. So, let us discuss it further.

Benefits of Coloured Hair Extensions

The first advantage of using coloured hair extensions is their zero commitment. You buy them use them remove them, keep them for a long time with little maintenance and that is it. When you colour your hair then you have to wait until the colour gets fade and that will a long time. Plus, if you want to try something else then you cannot get it done until the previous colour is dark and shiny.

The second advantage of coloured hair extensions is their cost-effective factor over hair colouring. The process of hair colouring, especially when you get it done is very expensive and the extensions are any day cheaper than the whole process. Plus, you do not have to worry about their maintenance much. Your extensions will also be cheaper in terms of maintenance.

When you buy a hair extension then you can get rid of going to the salon to get a touch-up or buying maintenance products. Hair colouring involves a lot of expert involvement if you want to get it done properly. On the other hand, you can wear a hair extension on your own. You will not need an expert until you get a permanent hair extension installed in your hair. That process is still less time-consuming than hair colouring.

One more perk of coloured hair extensions is that zero hair damage. You are not applying a harmful chemical like bleach on your hair or even the chemical of hair colour is not getting applied when you use a hair extension. You can easily wear or remove extensions according to your convenience.

Conclusion

At the end of this blog, we can conclude that coloured hair extensions are a better choice than hair colour. At Hair Joy, you can find a variety of hair extensions such as clip in hair extensions, ponytail clutcher, and much more including coloured hair extensions in many different colours. To know more, please visit the website and learn more.

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indianbigbuddiestalk · 1 year ago

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Podcast with S. Jaishankar -External Affairs Minister of India - How India will Rise to the world's third largest Economy.

Full interview Read Blog Link - https://indianbigbuddies.blogspot.com/

Interviewer: one of the most laudable successes that you have achieved in the circles and in

For my audience, India's stand on Ukraine Russia war is very clear.

You Said that India will take our interest first and then bow down to anyone else and

we did not buckle down to any big super power, neither Russia nor the US, we did what we did best so if I Ask personally whose decision it was to take a stand, what was your decision, was it with the cabinet's decision or that it was PM Modi's decision.

My point is I'm asking this on social chatter and every buddy you meet

All the people you meet find it very correct. Finally, this bold form of New India is very much appreciated.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

The thing is that the oil we took from Russia, we could have taken it from Russia also, in any other ways. Have Said Something Could Have Done Something That Couldn't Have Been Maintainable, somewhere the world would digest and understand that second country like India should not do that. It also you know today we are a big country I mean we are the fifth largest economy and the most Popular Country we are looking at great future ahead so why living with fear.

Know You Can't Rise Without Being Clear and Third You Know I Was Very Confident If we explain to people, see, I still say this, these press people are behind me. Sometimes I fall into trouble when I sit with other governments and explain to them.

You know I tell them see you are the one who used to buy oil and gas from Russia.

What did you do if it was stopped or reduced? You went to the Gulf and after you went there

Before we used to go there, so you increased our prices and then you said that do not take it from anywhere else then you understand our position and if I tell you the opposite, if suppose we did not take gas and oil from Russia. We are among the top oil consumers importers in the world.

What would have happened to the energy markets, if the price of oil had increased all over the world, then we would have done you a favor in a way.

We have actually stabilized the market, now sit down and explain to them.

Logically they don't have an answer but I Feel you know

Even you talked about Ukraine and China

if China is on the border Trying to put pressure on, I think we should be straight with China that brother you do, what are you and if you do this there will be consequences so I feel it is important that you know.

Under Prime Minister Modi ji is Like a team we work we keep meeting we interact with each other there is a kind of a government.

You internalize the feeling automatically

I Express What Is Actually the Mood of The Country I Mean This Is This Was Not You Know Jaishankar Personal View I Think the Reason People Responded Was Everyone Said Yes Brother That's It should be said that this is what we think is logical for India.

You know this.

Interviewer: The question is that those who were talking about Russia and Ukraine, the weapons deal we had not performed as well as we had thought and Russia's focus has now become on making weapons for their war, right and at the same time, the Western World is providing weapons to Ukraine and is not able to support them very well. At the same time, they are also doing it on Gaza and amidst all this, China is increasing its capacity a lot in terms of weapons and Making the Military Power So what will be the foreign policy of India in such a situation and what can we do because at this time We cannot trust that Russia will support us because it is funding its own war, nor can we can trust Western countries because they are supporting two wars, Gaza and Ukraine, so what do you think India will do at this time?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) Trade has not completely stopped whether the defense trade is Western or Russian.

Their production is so big that they can even fight a war in some areas. I am sure you are right in saying that there are shortages in the areas, but the suggestion is that it is actually in Self-reliance to a country like India, if you, I tell you this, A country like India Can Send Mission to Moon and Mars.

You Can Make Weapon Of Course We Can Off Course we can You Know It Is Question of Leadership Vision Commitment I

I Am Convinced very much convinced This Is the Feeling of Prime Minister too And Frankly

The Whole Team Are Capable of Much More Than We Have done.

Interviewer: I was reading a story that when Pakistan killed 40 Indian soldiers of

India, we applied a zero-trade policy with Pakistan. But when China attacked and killed 20 soldiers of India the result is that today the trade between India and China is the highest at 126 billion dollars, of which India's deficit is around 100 billion.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

So, we fight with every enemy or not enemy is the right word with everyone who attacks us or disputes over something, we have a different way of dealing with it than we do with China.

Interviewer: Do we are a little afraid and bully because it is a bigger country.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) No see, it is not with particular China, there is one or the other way to handle things for every country. The natural way is different, the relationships are different, their capability is different so it's not the same every time.

If that was the case You Don't Need People Like Me. Countries would have been on autopilot, you would have taken out the book and then stepped in. If you drive it as per the manual, you will have to assess its strength.

Our Strengths Their Weaknesses Our Weaknesses What is its Other Results Side Effects

what you are saying? Let me explain it to you a little. See what has happened.

That in the last 30 years, China has become the center of manufacturing in the world.

If you look at the world's manufacturing’s unit it has gone from about nearly 30 percentage are made in China, what happens is that whatever you do, there are many supply chains which goes through China.

then suppose you said,

Like this has actually happened here in India reality, this is our situation during the time of Covid Pandemic.

When the pharmaceutical industry made its mark in the world, our pharma exports Which has suddenly started increasing, now if your pharma exports have started increasing then you will feel the need for this. Base material, API and bulk drug were required from somewhere, now this the case. State of the Economy The world's economy is such that the only place where you can get That is China, We’re in One Way Today Which is the challenge of trade with China which we have faced here for the last 30/40 years.

You are seeing the result of not preparing yourself. At one time we used the same API

We were very famous in API, we closed that industry and let it go to China.

In the 1990s and early 2000s we gave So What Happens Today and you see that there are some people here who say that we should not do manufacturing at all, so when we try to do they oppose it. Here, people accepted your argument on the basis of environment.

Economic progress has been hindered in different ways, making it slow today.

We say Make in India, what we call self-reliant India, or whatever it is, you will see it in a year.

You cannot suddenly change what has happened in the last 40 years in 5 years or even in a decade. It may take time but once you start doing it you will see the impact.

What you are seeing today as I say these are being made in India

Today Actually Our Exports Are higher than before

This China Dependence Is Actually Not Only India's Problem It Actually a Mean Look At even Country like America

America also became dependent on China means globally

Supply chain should not be connected to one center, it should be multiple sources and this is our try.

Interviewer: You know, while we are talking about China and India, I have a question.

The lists of financially smart countries like Africa

they get to know a little about the approach, like India's approach is that whenever India goes to a new country, Local enables, educates local people and enables local businesses.

and how can they run sustainably? What China does is very one-sided. Their idea is that they go there with Chinese workers and take Chinese workers there, they build their own infrastructure and, in some way, or the other, we trap another country in debt, then when Countries like Africa, like what has happened in many countries within Africa, where there are some issues of governance. Anyone can get their work done by force or by different means, so it is very difficult for those people.

It becomes easier to take the Chinese way instead of the Indian way like this.

What will be the strategy of India in comparison to other countries around it?

Are the allies like Africa that you talk about or with whom we have friendship, that they can turn into debt traps to big players like China?

Could India prevent them from drowning or getting trapped in the debt game because China is more powerful today economically and their pockets are also deeper than ours, they have more money too. How can India prevent this at time?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

We can absolutely do it and this is not the problem of only Africa if we look in our neighborhood, this is the danger within our neighborhood overall. It is also clearly visible since last years.

The solution is that we make ourself an option so that if there is a decision, they should feel that there are three-four options in the world, amongst one of which is India.

There may also be some westerns, so if you consider yourself a serious option you will definitely see that many countries are coming to you.

Once you give them that option, whatever settled leadership they feel they can go for

Who are a little experienced and who have had some bad experiences before?

If it has happened earlier then they will definitely recognize it, now in the last decade I have seen that Like you said in Africa, you have countries like Tanzania, see they have seen that development issue is a big one. The water projects that we are doing under "Jal Jeevan Mission" in India is the same. Capability and the same experience and the same technology that we offer in Africa also If they can do it then they feel that yes, we have seen that these people are doing it in their country. If they are doing it on a large scale, then they definitely have some kind of strength in it, so we should also approach them. Get benefited of it.

I am taking an example like their education. So, we wanted some Engineers in Africa

There is a lot of shortage of engineers in Africa, so they wanted their people to come to India and study at engineering colleges over here in India. We thought why not establish an engineering college there and we gave this challenge to IIT and IIT Madras has just given IIT Zanzibar. There are some countries which have established railways. They’ve looked at our rolling stocks, looked at our track laying capabilities, some have looked at IT, so I would say that if we have to become a credible option in the world, first we have to show it in the country, once we can show this in our country then can also impressed others because if that is only a paper solution

Suppose,

If I come to you and say sir, I can make a rocket for you will say ok, tell me how many rockets have you made? Where did you run it, how did it cost us?

The progress that is taking place in the country is not having any impact within the country.

There is a lot happening in the world these days whenever I go out and this especially

after Covid, the world is very interested in our digital progress.

The eye is on our digital progress and the reason is the same reason that we did it in our country.

It is said that at some place of the time there was a lot of leakages and corruption.

There used to be names in the accounts, I don't know how many were fake names, how much money used to go missing, you know, there is an infamous statement that one rupee coming out of Delhi becomes 10 paise by the time it reaches to the beneficiary, so this used to be like that in the 90s, we closed this by digital technologies.

People are in sync with one another; one thing is governance improvement that you need right now.

If I give an example in regards of Indian Passport I can say this from my own direct experience, there was a time I mean let me be very honest no one gives passport without bribe in this country you have to go to some officer and get Some Testimonial That Brother My Name Is this and so , You Know He Didn't Even Know You Still Would Give You That Piece Of Paper And In Between agents who had to pay and touts outside every passport office.

Today you go to Passport Seva Kendra and you see how clean it is just so it can be Good Governance Meaning More Honest Comments You Know Cutting Corruption It Can Also Efficient Government Governance: The same passport which used to take you six months, used to take you a year, now see you in two weeks or three weeks Last week "Bill Gates" was here you know I mean,

He comes he tells me every time he comes to India, he says you know my eyes are shocked I can't imagine the kind of things I See Out Here So You Feel

Interviewer: So, the Way We're Growing with Pace is the answer to overtake or prevent other countries because So Why I'm Asking You Think About What Happened to Pakistan right Pakistan technically got trapped in the Chinese debt trap and now it has become little bit threats for us also, then other countries will also slowly become threats if we do not take fast action. If we did not try to prevent fast then

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

NO, I do not think that way, people would have become much more woken up in a different way, People Today released that be careful, who is your friend and who wants to trap you to debt? It doesn't mean that you don't believe anything how good is the offer in such a situation. Just think a little, just like we give advice to our family members. Isn't it, if some offer is too good to be true brother, think twice before you take it.

is there any confusion?

So, I Would Say People Have Become more cautious now and they have seen where this debt story can take you and, in this people, have seen what happened in Sri Lanka You Know That Case. Across the World It made an Impact is that's the Lesson That We Had If You look, I can say after 2014 the today we are trying to be an option and increasingly in Many Cases We Are an Option but in the Decade Before That We Were Not. An option even in our own neighborhood and watch this port being built in by us in Hambantota.

We saw Gwadar port we saw Hambantota came up so it is important to be aware of it.

Important to be Competent It is important to have the record at home to be an option

abroad and today the difference is very Frankly

if in a few years I would be well into my fifth decade

In this but I can feel the world look at us very differently now

Interviewer: Yes, it's true, the people of India also started looking at it very differently.

so that that drives what you said will start first inside our own country not in terms of just infrastructure but also in terms of perspective and narrative I think the people of India will also believe this. It turns out that we are a very solid option and we are a good option for the neighbors nearby, there is a very old and famous Quote by Former President of Mexico

Benito Juárez "tragedy of Mexico is it's near America and very far away from God”. There is a very obvious sentiment that there are small countries which are near giant countries, like India is a giant country. There is a sentiment among the small countries around India that they blame their own problems on the bigger countries if anything was going on inside them, they would have said that this problem is happening because of a big country, just like there is a dirty water nearby, so how long can we live like this? Do we have any limit as to how long we can keep them doing this? Can we allow them to blame or by when will they take a decision, are there red lines or is there a joe and cross, we will not allow them to do so and if they ever cross the line, what action will we take?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) Yes, absolutely and see, it is like this.

Firstly, I absolutely agree with what you are saying and I am what we are We have made this policy Neighborhood First What Does Neighborhood First mean?

That if Whatever metrics your neighbors from you in terms of population or economy younger than you so don't expect that you'll make one move and he'll make one

It can't be one to one which means you are 10 times bigger than them so you know you have to make 10 moves for that one move so first of all we need to be generous we need to What they say is that we have a non-recipe principle that it should not be that you do.

Let me know, open my heart and do it, that is a kind of common sense and whatever the small country is.

As you said that sometimes they blame their problems on others. So, We Have to Deal with It Patiently Reasonably Now You Ask Me How Patient I Would to Say!

Very Patient You Ask Me While You Know Redline Look These Are Not Things You Say In

the Public You Know Those Are the Things You Have to Talk to Them and Make Them Reason to Think. It's a Question of Getting Them to Understand that these certain things are not in their interest you know finally what is we say is diplomacy even politics I would say what is it

Have to reason with people made them Convincible

Interviewer: But also like the incident just happened that our troops were evacuated from Maldives and it's more a little Chinese favor.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) See what comes in newspapers and press. Sometimes the reality is something else. It gets politics. Gives it a different color. I Say Look We'll I'm Confident We'll Find better solution.

Interviewer: You know there is a question I have many friends who are in UK Canada

India's relationship with Canada the Hindu diaspora there is now living in fear and is a small minority and they feel that they are not getting much support especially from India.

That where he is a Hindu, he can stand tall because he is quite became an extremist, whereas he is an Islamist, he is Khalistan. Due to which they are living in daily fear in front of them, don't let them stand.

So, in this situation how can we protect our minority because this Phobia is gradually increasing which was less three to four years ago and is now increasing. This is what I have been hearing from them. This is a matter of another country, so we cannot directly interfere in it, but what should we do so that this situation does not happen? Once it becomes neutralized, we will not be able to even interfere because the countries there are indirectly involved in our democracy.

If they are interfering then how can we neutralize this situation without interfering in their democracy?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) The first point you said is that it is another country, so it has its own limitations.

So, we have to keep that in mind the tussle set where our citizens or where the community of Indian origin comes from Naturally, we have relationship and interest so the first issue has to be How do you balance with the second issue then the third issue what is happening among them?

Balance Explained Communities Have to Find Their Balance. Beyond the point you know it can't be everything run out of Delhi and run out of India but where people are very extreme with extreme views and sometimes extremism reaches the level of violence and even advocacy of terrorism. It is very important to take a stand when we take a stand, we of course we take stand for our Country India but the same stand.... there also I give you Example of country like UK For Years You Know in the Name of Freedom of Speech License Was Given to Very Extremist Opinion and Even No People Were Allowed to Gather Outside Our High Commission Even Throw things that come to a high commission and we'd tell them look please distinguish between freedom of Speech and Misuse of Freedom of Speech.

This is not freedom this is misuse of freedom, second if you let all this happen late as Awesome Roles Are Rewarded You wouldn't want all this to happen in front of your high commission.

No, if a small thing happens here, everyone will immediately start jumping,

Keep at it like this you know life will be completely on your Terms Now Some Where I Think Discover a Situation Were Actually Something in Our High Commission and Took Down, the Indian Flag Act You Saw the Nomadic Reaction in This Country Now Yes, They Have One of Their Own Have tried taking corrective when they take immediate there is an effect of its in.

The community feels like it if it gives Seat Extremist Radicals People Urging Violence

against freedom of speech is going on with the given license when your freedom of speech

really accurately assess and say, but other than delay freedom speech cannot Lead to Violation of laws.

We say we are monitoring very carefully what happens in your Country we will judge whether we take action now or not take action both are revenge for us and how We judge our relationship very dependent on how you act in your country so we have dialogues and monitor them. Very Few Too Many Words Even Say This in Public You Know Do Not Confuse Freedom Speech With misuse of freedom of speech and the other thing I said you know we Have seen in recent time even threatening of those who threaten our people sometimes

Just like it happened in London, in Canada also you know there were smoke bombs thrown to our peoples and will not tolerate this we will take strict action.

Interviewer: You know one question comes to my mind about our foreign service.

Foreign services expansion plan. We have spent our entire life in this, so there is a question that how will we expand.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) Because of our foreign service right now if you look it is very simple right now. It is very difficult to have expansion because we are in a rectangular type of structure where our Diplomats are sure that he/she will become ambassador. Essence is not there now, it is not there now, it is not happening.

Any organization pyramid is like this. Organization should not give a short promotion on the day you give a short promotion you devalued the performance.

That our intake has increased and I would like the pyramid to keep increasing, the base to increase

Naturally if the base increases, then it will become rectangle. Better let us make this pyramid a fatter pyramid, the base should be bigger and it not come down to.

Whatever you said, I think it is also good for competition that we have that competition internally. People should feel that it is what it is, it is not your right to become ambassador.

So, if you are asking me why should we expand just this past year?

There has been expansion, about 20 expansions have happened we are also opening new embassies. We have opened in the Baltics, we have opened in Africa, some in Latin America

The direction in which we are going, I think, one is our embassies and

Our Foreign Service will definitely open the second time and its intake will increase from what it is till now. Highest Year We were around 20 years ago when I joined.

After that we came less, we became less in 1990, we became 10, 12 in 80s and 90s, it actually

Went down today we brought it up to the 40's but I feel we should go higher than this.

Interviewer: You say that your government has a narrative or a thinking that we are a global leader but US visa crisis. The world is a global workplace, look at it like if there is a person from India, he has the talent to go and work anywhere in the world.

Maybe India will stand for it, but when we go to get US visa, it is for six months to a year.

There is waiting and it is increasing and the waiting is gradually becoming more serious, so how does one who wants to go to US nowadays it became much tougher.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

I am very glad you asked this question let me tell you it is not only for work place even

Take it, you are a businessman or your relative or you are a student, everyone is affected by this. We Are Pushing the American System Very Hard and Not Only the American System Some Others Countries Also Have This Problem Saying Please You find ways of issuing this faster so that's why last year when PM went there

He also told that you know please look at opening more consulates.

The highest demanding cities was in Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. So, I Would See Practical Solution for What You Are Saying Is In those Countries Were We Have very heavy traffic from our side, because you see the traffic is very interesting so many are applying America.

But if can apply to UK also and Australia also, as many of our people go and settle there for work. Whether you keep citizenship or not is a different matter, but also the reverse problem.

Need more consulates there and faster processing time because they would also like to come to India vice-versa.

So, I Would Say There Would Be 9/10 Countries in the World Today You Know Where There are strong cases required for opening more consulates in India also and our consulates to their home country also putting more Counselors for faster Processing.

Sometimes we also underestimate ourselves Today Our Visa Processing is One of the Best in the World Because we have put most countries on E-Visa's online process.

Let's go to your particulars, someone checks from the database, if everything is fine in the database, then he gets it, so if you look. At the actual I mean it's a very strange situation that these developed countries which are far very digitally efficient than us but they delay the whole process.

This is this is unacceptable I'm Hopeful by continuously talking to them.

Much on my agenda and it's something I talk about even discuss it actually at my level

With You Know the British and The Germans and The Australians.

Interviewer: Is It Happening the New US Embassy Consulate Do We Have Any Confirmation It Will open in Bangalore or any cities.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) I don't know the exact date but yes! Bangalore will happen 100% Ahmedabad and both will happen absolutely I think they have the budget and we will Absolutely Speed It Up at our Interest

Interviewer: Okay we were talking about countries and you were telling about 10 countries where there is very heavy traffic, I want to flip the question.

Top 3 countries for export

And ask you that from the perspective of a foreign Minister, which countries that are the top three countries that you can tell in which one under You see a rated opportunity that Indians can start exporting because India has become very famous now, every small business everyone wants to become big by exporting and at this time If they are looking for opportunity, then many big MNCs have tapped the opportunity in big countries, so which ones are there? Which do you think are underrated countries where options can be explored?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) There is an opportunity, maybe people are not looking at it so carefully, there will be many countries where market purchasing from India. Buying Power is Strong Market Potential is Great but We Have to Make Bigger Effort because partly competition and Partly There Are Different Levels of Barriers Logistics One Than Will Be Some Countries Where We Have Not Developed the Market so the starting point is lower than the first category of countries but if you push. There is no resistance, the more we push the more market will be created.

First Category I Would Say Would Be Mostly Western Country We Are Late We Are Late in Good numbers but if you ask me, we will see the increase in growth and we will see it most of late, the commercial market has become a match in terms of purchasing power.

High Recognition of India, Growing Means, France, Germany, Europe, North America etc.

Then they be like Africa I would say even Latin America

Latin America has potential of buying from India they are buying in fact it is quite interesting not only they are buying even we are also buying.

Today Trade with Latin America is About 45 billion Dollars Every Year as You Know It

in many places. In some cases, first time as Indian foreign minister I went to the country but

Indian Business was there.

Business has gone Ahead Even Same Thing in Africa Because If You Will go to Africa there are Indian Business.

There is not a single country where there is no Indian community and their generality

as Indian Community the Position in the Society Even They Know How to Settle There and Make So I Feel the Second Category We Should Be Pushing Very Strong This Newer Market Than Their Places Were Actually the Market Barriers Are Very High You Know China.

China Is the Most Extreme Example.

I Just Came Yesterday Night From Korea and Japan and I Know I've Been Pushing Them Also saying that look you know given how much investment there is we are not seeing enough trade.

we know so and we should look at Market Barriers in This So in The in The Let Us Say Next 10 Year Perspective I Think We Should Really Push the Export because ultimately exports are employment and it is not just employment it is very competitive employment That you are making products at a globally competitive rate that means your efficiency and production is very good and we are very Confident Because Last Three Four Years our Export Performance Has Been Very Good You Know.

Interviewer: Now let's talk about Korea. The government of Korea does one thing specifically for the skin care and beauty market.

How is the Indian ministry promoting exports?

As Korean government asks business to come to them and government will export your product to the world, India Ministry does something like this where she invites Indian businesses and says that you give us good product and we will go and market it for you in the world.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) We will open barriers, we do a lot of trade promotions, we do. Events like trade fairs etc. are part of it. Yes, we invite people but just like in the past years we have been in this one district One Product That We've Tried to Show to People. If you give this message along with the product, it is yours.

It's heritage, its culture, it means there's a story with that product so it can be

Araku Coffee, You Know and It Can Be Tunchoi Silk.

When we were having our G-20 meetings, I thought we were giving the same thing, you know.

You Must Have a Story or I Got an Actually Tice Made From that product.

Tunchoi Banarasi Silk and Give It to Them and Give Them a Story Which Goes with It.

Today I Mean Marketing is everything. Even Governments Also Need to Be Good at Marketing You Know Because we have a Country story in fact, we have a civilization story that tells us a value story and a product activity story.

Interviewer: I'm very hopeful with this government in terms of marketing because you guys are really nailing it the way you have putting India's marketing

Build the narrative of India around So I was in the UN when I was 17 years old went to Vienna and it was 10 years ago, I used to meet friends from other countries, there were ambassadors from other countries and the people who looked at me the way they did. India and people from where I come from used to look at who will be versus when I talk to them today, their respect Level it's not 10X I think it's 50X in terms of their eyes as you. So, It's a Great Job

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) Look to Do and to Continue Doing task Because It's Never Ending, Two Things Are Required, One You have to Continuously Motivate Because Once You Motivate as I Said Many Things You Feel That I can't do it, but it's beyond my ability, but you can actually do it,

secondly, It also takes really hard work that you know now people finish production of the g20 we are ok but if you See like a back stage means you see G20 like what was happening in the Backstage of G20 enormous effort you put it in Also I see the achievements of what we do you know I have like a you know like few lines sometimes you need to say something even in your sleep so are my favorite lines...People Say Describe Change in India You Tell a Foreigner That We Build eight airport in a year, We build three metros every two years. We actually Build We Are Creating Two Colleges a Day You Know the 7000 New Colleges Have Opened

So, if you give you them numbers let's wake them up and say, okay I mean I could be trains the Numbers of Highways we Build 28 Km of Highway a Day You Know What's Incredible.

Interviewer: Recently Like Actually While Ago Also and You Keep Saying This That You Know PM Modi should not give him an external ministry?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) Apart from PM Modi, no one else is suitable for external ministry, at that level.

Kind of like I would say I thought there was a lot of out of the box thinking and I'm the reason

I understand that after 2014 and 2015 when Modi ji became the Prime Minister, I was the ambassador to the US, so I remember a lot. There was a big visit where these programs took place at Medicine Square Garden. I was there and I became the Foreign Secretary handed over the responsibility of Foreign Secretary for three years and I accompanied all of us in it.

I used to travel and that foreign secretary is a secretary who has a lot of relations with the PM.

Some dealings took place, after that I retired and went to corporate sector. I was at Tata Son's then I felt that If I agree, apart from Modi ji, I don't think anyone has this thinking in our politics. Apart from this I feel that no one else chooses me,

but let me tell you one more thing Apart from them, if anyone had offered me, I don't think I would have accepted this post.

Because see, as someone who has never done politics, I have seen a lot of politics, I have analyzed it. We did it because what diplomats do is that they study politics and other countries. Most of the time you will get some kind of

It's a big jump when you suddenly become a player instead of a commentator or analyst.

And you understand my nervousness at that time that you

Suddenly asking someone that please enter the field, you start playing now, we are here.

And I had faith beyond them that they would guide and support me in a way and take on that role. Because everyone is worried that if there is some new role then if I can't manage it.

What would happen if I could do it? Yes, if I had that feeling too, then I tell people. Only Modi ji would have chosen me and apart from Modi ji, I don't think I could have given my yes at that time.

Interviewer: In a recent podcast you said, that Indian politics often starts from New York and London.

way beyond it starts in India and many at times it happens that the politics of India was started somewhere else long before India. What does it mean? Why you said it like this?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

I said it because I was watching at that time and I think it still continues that

This is a globalized world and in this globalized world there is empty business.

If economics is not globalized, technology is not globalized, politics is also globalized, then the world is not globalized. I would say, as a global elite runs by big newspapers and big news media houses in a way, they decide the thinking of the world and what they think we will say.

The same thing will happen in the world now, despite what they say, if India something happens in a country like this, they protest against it and then what happens is that

For example, suppose it is election time, then they will say that you should vote for this party and not that party, they will say that democracy in India is in danger, they will say that we don't know, instability will come, there will be intolerance.

So and so forth, these are very sophisticated people, they have racked their brains over this.

Like if we they make an index, they will put you down somewhere, they will put you up somewhere, all of this. It’s kind of the only game so I thought I was seeing that

Those who did not get success in politics and whose arguments are accepted here

He had no traction, what do he do, he goes outside the country and he records in the same place. They are the ones who play there and they think that a good record can be bought by a record player. And if we take it to the locality then maybe we can start singing a variety from there. It has an echo chamber, so you must be seeing that in the last years This is a way of taking our politics out and inviting people from outside sir, you also come please comment on the state of my democracy India. This is happening in India, I am not saying that everything is 100% fine in the country, now we are all. Imperfect and democracy by nature as they say it is work in progress. Democracy cannot say that now we are 100% convinced that we have achieved everything. This is about anchoring people from outside, going out and anchoring, that's why I am on this.

Interviewer: correct me if I'm the color of some countries or some people who do not want India's significance to grow too fast and because of this they do politics outside and may be a narrative.

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

We try to create an image because of which we are growing in the way that we are. Attracting funds from the world, a global technology partnership with the world That affect if there is any power from outside, they don't want India to grow okay I understand okay there is competition in the world there is competition that's a Natural You Can Say Which are the countries that don't want Yes No See Ultimately there are about 200 countries in the world, finally when you say world affairs What is Excel? 200 countries Compete Everyone wants to be Ahead of everybody else you'll be a little ahead Don't think everybody else is clapping in the heart of hearts different I can understand people from outside Do these games which we were telling you, but my complaint is that People from India should not be encouraging it and invite negativity this is my problem. Whatever you say, absolutely in the country.

Say I have no issue with you know I mean I rarely know you when I go out and

I do a lot of meeting I tell people you are asking me this question in India and I will give a straight answer but don't take me outside the country and let the politics buzz me It seems it harms .What is the history of this Country History of This Country Were the Own People Some Times I'm Not Talking Now I am talking hundreds of years, it means there was a fight somewhere, you called someone from outside to set up and then he came back.

Interviewer: In one podcast you said that you as a human being are very complacent out of your competition decisions if you have a lot of competition, then in your current role, have you ever taken any decision out of competition in the last five years?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India)

Actually, it is not like today, Monday, I am more competitive I am worried, it's not me, it's Tuesday, what's in your mind?

Reflex So what happens is normally what happens I go out after the diplomacy that you try to make maximum friends, so you try to persuade people you put your hands around the shoulder like this you know get your work done but What happens is because there is competition and sometimes people put pressure on you.

Most of the deals that take place are hard negotiations that take place inside the room.

As you know there are different issues it can be business or economic issues and

It Can Be Technology Issues or Political Issues Now as You Talk About Border with China

There is tension in the border areas of China, I and my counterpart, the Chinese foreigner.

Minister is there, we negotiate, this happens, but what happens is that in between, people

They try to put pressure on you in some public forum and this is what you did the most.

They must have seen this habit of western media because they felt that right now the world

Number one issue in Ukraine and Russia is for the whole world from the perspective of Europe

It should be seen from the perspective of the Western World, their priority should also be our priority, so when you accept this

Don't do it when you say... no sorry excuse me I'm worried about oil price

You know look at my income level look at my public demand then start this

The Pressuring Game You Know the Pushing Game and That's Where Your Competence Sense Comes Up

Because you kind of spoil the game.

Interviewer: You know you just made a really good point in the middle you said that when you have to live among 200 countries, you will have to make a lot of friendships and this narrative of India is also being created now. India a friend of the world

That we are becoming world friends, we are global friends, we are friends of everyone

1Do you think there is a quote in Hindi, I personally am asking that there is a quote.

Do you think that what belongs to everyone belongs to no one?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) I don't believe that rather I will give you a second quote "Sabka Saath Sabka Vishwas"(everyone's support, everyone's trust) See it is such that you believe.

What you are saying is that what belongs to everyone belongs to no one, if what you are doing

It is not sincere in it; it means that you are doing something but you mean it from the heart.

If you are not doing it, then you are doing it to show that you are with everyone, but our efforts Which is in the last decade that we have given you the example I give you during the time of Covid.

Because the effect of Covid is still there, we understand that Covid is gone.

But I think the world is still struggling with Covid, its consequences and its effects.

It is still visible in different countries, now there are many countries which thought that we have no chance. If we don't get the vaccine, and we don't know about Covid. Even if the vaccine doesn't come even if it comes and goes, now they will feel that countries like India

Because firstly we are a developing country and secondly, we ourselves are not able to get our vaccination done at that time. We were doing this and then they also compared us with the developed countries and others like them. Countries like what is now North America, there were some countries whose population. If they purchased the vaccine eight times, if there were 10 crore people then they would have 80 crores.

The vaccine doses, they did not give those doses to any small neighboring country.

But whatever vaccine they got, it was from far away, from India, so I think right now that

A people who sees from their own experiences that when I am in trouble Who came at that time, who supported us, who did something for us and with everyone in it the number of people to be with and the second example I'll give you is the G20 that was going on

That I have been living for 20 years now I think it was 18 17 or 17 1820 and I myself

I have been on this for 10 years as Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister.

Once I was attending G-20 summit.

If you are a developing country, you have your own problems.

How do we present this to the world, we were the first people to do this, now Africans

Union, I have been watching for years that every year this topic used to come up in every G20.

At the end of the meeting, people said yes, we want to make African Union a membership.

If nothing happened then he would say ok, no problem, we will make it next time, this time Modi. Yes, I will not take the lead, I will write to people as you know, we should do as you know.

I seek your kink every buddy. Everyone had to agree, so see people see in diplomacy.

I would also say in politics Since TV is the time, even in the public country, if you are in our politics too See, I take public recognition, I am sincere, not whose promises, how much you have to pay.

One must trust and the same thing happens outside, so what I would have told the PM

I am sure that whatever we are saying today is Modi's guarantee, this is Modi's guarantee for the last 10 years. The world will believe that if you go to Africa, Africa thinks that it is actually true. Who was the President of the African Union, not just but the last one, he said that your guaranteed that we will do it and you have led up to it this is Modi's guarantee which is it is a world global Message It's Not Just an Indian Message.

Interviewer: We are trying to figure out the Indian Dream and it started from the fact that I personally feel that. Our entire audience also feels that earlier there was talk of a dream, American dream, it means that you are from any country.

Be it any caste, any color, any poverty background or financial background, everyone is from anywhere. If you come to America, you can go from zero to millionaire in one generation.

It's the American Dream. I think those Gun and roses days are the reality of the Indian Dream.

Now in India, there are so many opportunities from anywhere that you can come here in the same generation from any background. So, your life can change.

So, the question is what is the Indian Dream according to you?

S. Jaishankar: - (External Affairs Minister of India) Now just tired because I'm looking at some economic Projections Today, We're About to Reach a Half Trillion Dollars

In by 2047 the expectation is that we would be a 30 trillion Dollar and According to The Goldman Sachs. By 2075 we will be 52.5% we will be the second largest economy in the World Let Us Take Amrit Kaal 2075 Forget about 2077, in 2047, per capita income in India would be a$1000 Really Now From Today to Your Per Capita Income Is less than $3000 2600 something just think and it's only I'm giving this just as way of imagining because reality we can't You know in this way it is good to use the word dream because so many things are going to change or I'll Come You Know the Whole Idea of Quality of Life Will Change Necessity of Life Will Change So I Would Say You Know What is the Dream for You Naturally because my whole life has been spent on phone policy I will look at It's From What's Ours internationally

Position to me is a big dream that would be the big dream you know how do we make a

Passport More Powerful Not Only That You Know I’ll Tell You Very Interesting Thing Passport Powerful Because Some Times People Keep Using, I Told You the Index You Know Indexes Tables Are Game Ask Yourself the One You Say to Me in a Crisis Passport is more powerful I don't only look at it Where to get visa Where not to get

To Me Passport Is Powerful Nut Government Has the Commitment to Take You Out from Waiver It And believe me if you use an index you will go up many more positions in the passport Index It Would Be What Is Your Influence How Are You Regarded What is the Power of Your ideas because you will be a great

Power One Your Idea Counts Today It's Not Only the American Dream It Was What the

the Americans Actually Intellectually Dominate

So, the Power of Your Ideas is the Manner in Which People Are

Regarding and I think a lot of course naturally depends on how things go

Interview Podcast Channel Courtesy:- https://www.youtube.com/@rajshamani

#indian #riseofindia #podcasts

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harrisonsuzuki · 2 years ago

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Behind the Wheel: A Closer Look at Car Dealers and Buying Tips

Hello and welcome to our blog! We're so excited to have you here as we dive into the world of car dealership and offer some helpful tips for buying a car.

Whether you're a first-time car buyer or someone looking to upgrade their current ride, this blog post is here to provide you with a closer look at the car dealership experience and equip you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. So, let's buckle up and get started!

Understanding Car Dealerships:

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, it's important to have a clear understanding of what a car dealership is and its role in the car-buying process. In simple terms, a car dealership is a business that sells new or used cars to consumers. They act as the middleman between car manufacturers and buyers, providing a range of services such as sales, financing, and maintenance.

When it comes to car dealerships, there are generally three types: new car dealerships, used car dealerships, and certified pre-owned car dealerships. New car dealerships sell brand new vehicles directly from the manufacturer, offering the latest models and often providing additional services like warranty coverage.

Used car dealerships, on the other hand, specialise in selling pre-owned vehicles. These cars are typically trade-ins or purchases from auctions and can offer a more affordable option for buyers. Certified pre-owned car dealerships sell used vehicles that have gone through a rigorous inspection process and come with manufacturer-backed warranties, providing buyers with peace of mind.

While Melton car dealers offer a convenient one-stop-shop experience, it's important to consider both the pros and cons. On the positive side, dealerships typically have a wide selection of vehicles to choose from, often allowing you to test drive multiple options.

They also provide financing options, making it easier for buyers to secure a loan. However, dealerships can sometimes be associated with high-pressure sales tactics and higher prices compared to private sellers. It's important to be aware of both the benefits and drawbacks to make an informed decision.

Researching Before You Visit

Now that we have a better understanding of what car dealerships are, let's talk about the importance of conducting thorough research before setting foot into any dealership. Research is key to a successful car-buying experience, as it allows you to make informed decisions based on your specific needs and budget.

Start by researching different car models that suit your lifestyle and preferences. Consider factors such as fuel efficiency, safety features, and cargo space. Online resources such as car manufacturer websites and independent car review websites can provide valuable information about the latest models, their features, and reliability.

Price is another important factor to consider. Research the average price range for the car you're interested in, taking into account factors such as trim levels and optional features. Websites like Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds can provide you with estimated prices for new and used cars, allowing you to negotiate from an informed position.

In addition to researching car models and prices, it's also essential to research the reputation of different car dealerships. Look for customer reviews and ratings online, paying attention to both positive and negative feedback. Don't hesitate to ask friends or family for their recommendations as well. The insight from others who have had experience with specific dealerships can be invaluable in helping you make a decision.

Visiting a Car Dealership

Armed with your research, it's time to visit a car dealership. Walking into a dealership for the first time can be overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you can navigate the experience with confidence.

When you arrive at the dealership, expect to be greeted by a salesperson. They are there to assist you and answer any questions you may have. Take your time to explore the showroom and ask for assistance when needed. Don't rush into making a decision - take the time to thoroughly inspect the vehicles and ensure they meet your requirements.

It's important to be aware of common dealership tactics, such as upselling additional features or trying to push you towards a higher-priced model. Remember, you are in control of the buying process, and it's okay to say no if something doesn't align with your needs or budget. Be confident in asking questions about the car's history, maintenance records, and any warranties or guarantees offered.

One of the most crucial aspects of visiting a dealership is test driving the vehicles you're interested in. This allows you to get a feel for how the car handles and whether it meets your expectations. Take your time during the test drive and don't hesitate to ask the salesperson any questions that come to mind. It's your chance to experience the car firsthand and ensure it's the right fit for you.

Negotiating with Car Dealers

Negotiating with car dealerships can be intimidating, but with the right preparation, you can secure a fair deal. Before entering into negotiations, it's important to set a budget and know your trade-in value, if applicable.

Start by determining your budget based on your financial situation and the research you conducted earlier on car prices. This will give you a clear idea of how much you can afford to spend and will prevent you from overspending.

When it comes to negotiation, it's important to be firm but polite. Start by making a reasonable offer based on your research and budget. Be prepared for the salesperson to counteroffer, and don't be afraid to negotiate back and forth until you reach a price that works for both parties. Remember, it's okay to walk away if the deal doesn't meet your expectations.

Understanding Financing Options:

Financing is a critical aspect of the car-buying process, and understanding your options can save you money in the long run. Car dealerships typically offer various financing options, including loans and leasing.

If you're considering a loan, it's essential to understand key terms such as interest rates, down payments, and loan terms. Interest rates can significantly impact the total cost of the car over time, so it's important to negotiate for the best rate possible. A larger down payment can help lower your monthly payments, but ensure it's an amount you're comfortable with. Loan terms refer to the length of time you have to repay the loan, with longer terms resulting in lower monthly payments but potentially higher overall costs.

Leasing is another financing option to consider. With a lease, you essentially rent the car for a specified period. Monthly lease payments are typically lower than loan payments, but you don't own the car at the end of the lease term. Leasing can be a good option if you prefer driving a new car every few years and want lower monthly payments.

When comparing financing offers, it's important to consider the total cost of the loan or lease, including interest charges and any additional fees. Don't hesitate to shop around and compare offers from multiple sources, such as banks or credit unions, to ensure you're getting the best deal.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls:

As with any major purchase, there are common pitfalls to avoid when dealing with car dealerships. One of the biggest mistakes is rushing into a decision due to pressure from the salesperson or limited-time offers. Take your time, do your research, and don't let anyone rush you into making a decision you're not comfortable with.

Another common pitfall is not reading all documents carefully before signing any contracts. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions of the sale, financing agreement, or lease contract before putting your signature on the dotted line. If something doesn't seem right, don't hesitate to ask for clarification or seek legal advice.

Conclusion:

Congratulations! You've made it through our in-depth exploration of car dealerships and buying tips. By now, you should have a better understanding of what car dealerships are, how to research Melton car dealers before visiting, what to expect when visiting, how to negotiate, and how to navigate financing options. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently step into a car dealership and make an informed decision.

Remember, the key to a successful car-buying experience is preparedness. Take your time, do your research, ask questions, and don't be afraid to negotiate. With the right knowledge and approach, you can find the perfect car at a fair price.

#Melton car dealers

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anchorpackaging · 2 years ago

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3 Types Of Food Packaging Containers Every Food Business Owner Must Consider

If you are planning to start a restaurant or a food takeout business, this blog is for you. In the food business, the food packaging containers are as important as the food itself.

Your chefs can cook the best food in the world, but then it needs to be safely delivered to consumers. Cold or spilled food will not go well with customers, and your business may incur losses.

In this blog, we will talk about different types of food containers that you must consider as a new food business owner or a restaurant operator. We will also talk about one of the best to go container manufacturers that can help you deliver the best food containers.

What Qualifies as a Good Food Packaging Container?

A quality food packaging container is essential for maintaining food quality, improving customer satisfaction, and guaranteeing secure transit. The following are essential requirements for deeming a food packaging container "good":

Maintaining Freshness

Sealability: To keep the food fresh, the container's seal must be strong enough to stop spills, leaks, and moisture loss.

Airtight: Airtight containers preserve food flavors and textures by minimizing air exposure.

Proper Selection of Materials

Safety: Selectfood-grade materials that can be used to store different kinds of food without running the danger of contamination or chemical leaching.

Versatility: Food containers should be composed of materials that can hold a variety of foods, including those that are hot or cold, dry or wet, acidic or greasy.

Consumer Convenience

Simplicity: The food packaging container should be easy for customers to handle, open, and reseal.

Microwave-Friendly: The food packaging must be microwave-friendly so that customers can enjoy warm food at their convenience.

Eco-friendly and sustainable

Customers are more and more concerned about the environment and are opting to pay more for eco-friendly packaging products rather than foam-based or single-use plastic containers.

Different types of Food Containers Restaurant Operators Must Have

The type of food packaging container you choose depends on the type of food your restaurant serves. For example, a bakery may need cardboard boxes, a fries joint may need a clamshell 6″ Round Hinged Container and a fast food chain may require a 24 oz microwavable container. It all comes down to the type of food business. Here, we will talk about the most basic types of containers that you, as an operator, must have.

1. Hinged containers

Hinged containers are important because they provide customers with improved efficiency, convenience, and presentation. Let’s look at some of their advantages:

Customer Satisfaction: Food packaging and consumption are made easier with hinged containers. The hinged lid makes it simple for customers to open, access, and close the container without the need for additional utensils.

Secure Closure Mechanism: A hinged container's snap or latch closure system makes sure that the seal is tight. This is necessary to avoid spills, leaks, and possible contamination while transporting food while preserving its freshness and integrity.

Effective Takeout and To-Go Packaging: In the food service sector, hinged containers are frequently utilized for takeout and to-go orders. Their effective design makes it possible to package a range of food items, such as salads, burgers, and ready-to-eat meals, quickly and easily.

If you are interested in buying hinged containers, might we suggest this ‘6″ x 6″ Hinged Container’ by Anchor Packaging. These containers, manufactured using polypropylene (#5PP), are reusable and microwave-friendly, which promotes sustainability. The containers are also safe for both storing and delivering cold and hot food items.

2. Microwavable Deli Cups

Microwavable deli cups have become a versatile and practical alternative for businesses and customers in the ever-changing food packaging landscape. These creative containers allow a smooth transition from storage to reheating by combining the effectiveness of conventional deli cups with the extra bonus of being safe for microwave usage.

Because these deli cups are made of sturdy, heat-resistant materials—most commonly polypropylene—they maintain their structural integrity even when microwaved.

Tightly fitting lids on microwaveable deli cups guarantee a safe and spill-proof seal. This feature stops spills and leaks during transportation, storage, and reheating, in addition to maintaining the food's freshness.

These cups are versatile and come in different sizes, meaning you can use them to deliver various food items or even for supermarket food packaging. Here are some food items that can be safely delivered in a deli cup.

Soups

Broths

Salads

Fresh Fruits

Curry

Desserts (frozen yogurt, ice cream)

You can order a sample of this MicroLite® D24CR from Anchor Packaging. This is a 4.5″ round container, 24 oz., that is spill-free and microwavable. You can also find similar deli cups of different sizes along with all the features mentioned in detail on their website so that you can choose the size and quality that suits your requirements and budget.

3. Bowls

Bowls, hinged or unhinged, are another great option for a new fast food chain owner. These containers offer extreme versatility, delivering anything from fried chicken to gravies to even desserts.

Their well-designed shape ensures that the packaging does not move too much, and they can be very easily stored in bulk, which can free up space to store other essential goods.

If you are looking to buy bowls for your business, you must definitely check out this Safe Pinch® TE7032D 32-oz bowl. These bowls are made using sturdy RPET-recycled post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate #1 PET, which is completely safe for recycling. You can use these bowls to deliver both cold and hot food items, and these containers can also be stored in freezers. You can also order free samples to be sure of the quality you might receive.

Conclusion

Food packaging containers play an important role in any food delivery business. Takeout restaurants, cloud kitchens, and fast food chains all require good food packaging containers sooner rather than later to grow their businesses to the desired level. In this competitive food business, having a trusted go-to container manufacturer becomes essential, and we might just have the best fit for you. Anchor Packaging can become your friend in need with their quality food packaging products. They are one of the American giants in the food packaging industry and have maintained their strong position as trusted partners for several years. You can check out their website to learn about the different products they manufacture and the science that goes into designing them. Visit their website today.

#hot food packaging #fooddeliverypackagingsupplies

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nickgerlich · 2 years ago

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Nuke This

It is no secret that packaging has become the bane of our existence. Aside from fresh fruits and vegetables at the grocery, nearly everything we purchase has some level of packaging. And that packaging is there to protect the product, preserve freshness, and promote the brand. It is a necessary evil.

The problem, though, is all that trash left behind after we consume the product. Take a look at your local landfill, and you can see what I mean. It is quite literally—and sadly—a growing issue.

There is no lack of talk about sustainability, recycling, and all those noble pursuits. But putting those into practice has proven to be a non-starter at worst, or a lukewarm effort at best. In order to achieve the desired result, which is reducing waste and being environmentally responsible, it is going to take buy-in at all levels, and, I hate to say it, probably some governmental intervention.

Still, there are occasional efforts to effect change. Last summer whilst in Saskatchewan I had occasion to stop by a Starbucks for coffee and a bagel with avocado spread. The knife they included in the bag was made of bamboo, the result of federal legislation there banning certain single-use plastics. I rather liked it, because bamboo knives are not going to snap like plastic ones can.

And then there are straws, which some companies—once again, Starbucks—have vowed to replace with paper versions, not to mention an entire state, as in California. Still, such efforts are often met with snickers and ridicule from those who just aren’t having any of this. They couldn’t be bothered.

But here we are, and now one of the most popular food products of college students and the otherwise budget-challenged is making a major packaging change. Cup Noodles, the familiar serving of ramen in a variety of flavors, is replacing its styrofoam cup with one made of paper. The new cup will also be microwavable.

At this point you are probably thinking: “Whaaaaat? I’ve been microwaving these things for years.”

Yeah, it turns out that microwaving polystyrene, which is the technical name for Styrofoam, the trademarked brand of extruded polystyrene foam, or XPS, should never be microwaved. They can leach nasty chemicals that might cause cancer. You were living dangerously and didn’t even know it.

Reactions have been mixed. Hard-core packaging critics concede that, while this is a step in the right direction, we need to do so much more of this across the board. And then the usual court of cranky naysayers respond with their go-to emoji. You know. The laughing face. Because they really don’t have any words to add to the conversation.

The maker of Cup Noodles reports the change is the result of consumer demand, which may very well be true. Given that current college students are Gen-Zers and highly likely to have adopted an environmental mindset, this is believable.

It’s just that, industry-wide, sustainable food packaging has been very slow to gain traction, and equally slow to be adopted by consumers. Coca-Cola may boldly print “Recycle Me” on its cans, but in the end, it is up to us to do so.

And so it goes. Instead of waiting for companies to get on the sustainability train, we should be driving the locomotive. If we—meaning all of us—cared a little more, companies would respond. When it comes at us from the companies, some folks will feel like they are being forced to change. As we know all too well, change is a hard pill to swallow for many.

Good on Cup Noodles for making this change, and also saving future generations from possible cancer after nuking their dormitory dinner. But the impetus needs to come from us. I just can’t figure out how to convince the folks on the other side of the aisle. Apparently their short-term convenience is more important.

Dr “Feel Free To Microwave That Thought” Gerlich

Audio Blog

#marketing #styrofoam #Cup Noodles #packaging

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crookedkryptonitebeliever · 3 years ago

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Yandere Best Friend pt 2

tw: self harm, mentions of violence, general deranged yandere shenanigans, angst

ageless blogs n minors DNI blease tq <3

part 1 here

my masterlist

this sucks bros i broke my fucken leg and i cant move, my cast is so itchy and i cant scratch and i feel nasty cause i cant shower

feeling bads, so thats why i churned part 2 out faster thn usual , its shorter than before but just need some angsty comfort atm

as uaual many errors cause i did not proofreasd

enjoy i hope

You left the exam hall a couple hours later. To find out that your dad left a total of seven missed calls. You thought someone fucking died.

Of course, you called back. Preparing for the worst.

Your father picked up the phone, he explained that it was your friend. He had a mental breakdown because you weren't there for the opening of his dream restaurant. Eventually though, he calmed down enough to come back into the building to return the phone, eyes noticeably dull and tired, worse than before. He never stopped trembling.

The three of them sat down and talked.

Neither of your parents knew you stopped contacting him. They thought everything was fine, so your friend couldn't fault them for that.

Your parents trusted your friend, so they gave him your phone number and told him basic information about you now. Such as, the country you're studying in and the course.

You felt a pang of guilt, but you had to move on. You understood that he was busy, it would probably do no good for you to try and reach out to him. You would just ruin his plan and distract him too much. At least, that was what you thought.

Usually, he would call every day. But that turns to once every three days. Then once a week. Then never.

It's true that he would not miss a single day to send you a sweet message, a reminder to practice self care and that you're very dear to his heart. Which would be then followed by an update to his progress, it was stressful to read what he was going through and that was all he talked about. You felt like his personal diary, he stopped asking about how things were going for you.

Since it doesn't seem to bother him you weren't replying because he would send his texts when the entire world is asleep, you stopped opening his texts too.

You wanted to tell him in person that you're moving out to pursue your studies and you were granted a student loan. A crushing student loan. But... You believe his ten minutes of free time a week is better used for his sleep. Or even going to the bathroom perhaps.

A day passes by another and in the end, you moved on without him. Without telling him. It just always slips your mind every time you see him brisk walking towards his beat up car with a stack of metal trays in his arms. They must be extremely heavy, you could see the veins bulging out of his forearms and forehead.

It was hard to watch his cheeks get sunken in, his hair going back to its' matted, unhealthy state, dark bags forming under his constantly bloodshot eyes. He looked like he aged a decade older from all the stress and pressure. But... He is working towards his dream and you're happy for him. It was great that he finally achieved what he wanted, he deserved all of its glory for working his ass off like that.

You held no ill will towards him, but you grew apart. He was so consumed with work that the friendship suffered in silence, there were no more fun hangouts together at the mall, you don't get to eat his cooking anymore (you didn't want to burden him by buying a tray, he already has too much to do), no more fun conversations about the silliest shit. It was just... Bank loans, revenue, expenses, investors, employees, employers, credit score, mortgages, taxes etcetera. The urgency and distress was also rubbing off you too, there were nights you woke up in a cold sweat because you had a nightmare that your hypothetical restaurant failed and you went into debt.

So you thought, he needed his time. You shouldn't really interfere with anything you don't understand. Your friend is already nose deep in the real world, you're not even close to it yet and you're not ready for it yet either. Therefore, you took the route most young adults take after getting a high school diploma: getting a bachelor's degree in some field of study that you probably don't even like.

You trudged onwards to the direction of your hostel. You need to get ready for your shift, money is a little tight now and you don't want to burden your parents too much. They're already sending a lot of money to support your living.

If your friend knew you were working hard for some extra money, his heart would break. It would be devastating news to him, no doubt, he would at least have a dozen freakouts and breakdowns. But you don't know that, yet.

As expected, your friend eventually called you. It was later than expected; it took him a week before he called your new phone number himself. He needed to calm down and collect his thoughts, as he knew that he might just drive you away if he comes barreling in with passionate yelling and sobbing over the phone. Plus, he also needed to focus on his new restaurant too, he can't just abandon his lifelong dream like that. How else is he going to make enough money to provide for you? He can't take back the money and time he invested in this now, all he can do is keep going and find some compromise.

It was tempting to go M.I.A. and hastily book a plane ticket to wherever you're studying. He was deeply yearning for your presence, he was desperate, he was clawing his arms and decorating them with nasty scars in an attempt to keep the urge at bay. He was extremely miserable but he had to keep going, to build that wonderful, cushiony foundation for you and him to fall back onto.

Everything he does, he does it for you.

He was polite, kind and pleasant during the first phone call you both had in two years. Though, there was a noticeable twinge of hurt in his mildly wavering voice. He still sounded like he's happy and relieved to hear you again.

The call started off with a greeting, then some small talk, then finally to the meat of the call;

Why didn't you tell me? He asked. It seems like he was fighting back his tears.

You didn't answer right away, you don't know what to say.

You could tell him the truth that he was too busy with his endeavors and you just don't feel like interfering by burdening him with "unnecessary information". However, you think that might wound him deeply as you're somewhat blaming him for your own actions.

You could lie... and tell him what, exactly? Either way, it would hurt him even more and there is probably going to be some resentment.

So, you apologized. You kept your reasoning brief and simple; you needed to move on. You acknowledged that whatever you did wasn't very nice of you, but you still had to proceed and you thought that it would be better that you didn't tell him.

There was a moment of silence between the both of you.

On the other side of the call, your friend was wracking his brain, trying to comprehend what you just told him. It came across as you not wanting to do anything with him anymore because you feel unprioritized, unimportant, inferior. Guilt and remorse was eating him up, he is putting all the faults onto himself.

He spiraled downwards in that call, spewing nonsense and absurd promises to destroy everything he has ever worked for just to have you back in his arms. Deranged negotiations involving the idea of blinding, deafening, mutilating or doing some sort of bodily or mental harm to himself to prove something; prove that he puts you above everything else and also to punish himself for neglecting you.

It was horrifying to hear your dear friend babble about putting himself into financial ruin for the sake for your forgiveness. He spoke of his accomplishments and advancements as they were disposable, as if it held no value compared to you.

This isn't normal, far from it, Your friend devolved so much to the point he was making demented pledges to kill and maim your enemies for you, and only you. To eviscerate the ones you dislike and send videographic proof of it, to disembowel his business associates to show that they mean absolutely nothing to him. Mind you, he was talking about real, breathing, living humans.

It was hard to fully grasp the insanity in his now incoherent words, he was muttering apologies and self hatred. Promises of severe self harm was also common in his mad speech. At one point, religion and superstitions were thrown into the mix. But you could not understand what he was chanting about.

What the fuck are you talking about? Your friend didn't pick up on your distress... or words over his excessive tirade against himself.

Everything I do, I do it for you, and I would do anything and everything for you. I love you- You hung up.

You couldn't take a second more of that. It was really difficult to see this side of him. It hurts you too that he became like this, perhaps all the stress from building a business from the ground up fried his mind. Whatever it was, you knew that he is not good for you anymore.

You sent him a final text message telling him that you're not comfortable with him after that massive sanity slippage. You wished him luck and expressed your regrets that it had to turn out this way.

You didn't give him a chance to respond, you blocked him immediately on everything and went on with your day.

Whatever he said kept replaying in your head like a broken record. It was pure horror.

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talenlee · 2 years ago

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Towards a Cozier Internet

The number one priority of Google is keeping your attention on Google. This is not a controversial position, it’s not a conspiracy theory. The priority of the systems that relate to that create an intention towards things like a search engine, or gmail or whatever, are all just functions in the name of keeping your attention on Google. They want you looking at them so they can make sure your attention is where they can monetise it, through advertisers.

This command of attention is prime: even just being a trustworthy source of search information is secondary to the command of attention in the name of making money. I’ve talked about the form advertising takes, in that its job is not to sell you products, but to sell advertising to the people who buy advertising, and anything you do is incidental to that goal. This drive towards the retention of attention and serving the needs of advertisers is so all-consuming that Google literally does not care if people paying for their services use them for exploitative harm, like how in 2022, an advertiser made a malware fake version of widespread software package OBS. Google would happily put this above searches for OBS proper, because they paid for it.

Simply put: Google’s not great.

Neither is Twitter, a service I’ve been using pretty much constantly for nine years. In June, I’ll get a notification about my ten years on the site, even though based on the way the API is behaving, the last post I made to it was February 22, and that was something a blog software was handling. It was, for the latter part of its presence in my life, doing a very bad job of what I wanted it to do. What I wanted Twitter to do was give me an audience who I could direct to things I thought were cool; instead, it mostly became about screaming, and demanding why you weren’t also screaming.

I’ve stopped using them, sort of. I still use gmail addresses, because I’ve been using them for over a decade now, but I don’t use gmail’s web interface (and never really have). I’ve stopped opening twitter, and I don’t post on twitter. I eased out of twitter by checking it, occasionally, you know, seeing what my friends were tweeting about, see if I needed to check in on them. Then a bit more, a bit further along and what I saw people tweeting about was mostly about how bad twitter was, or how much This Guy Over Here Sucks.

It made it easier to stop paying attention.

The result of this is that the internet I’ve been using, mostly, is now the internet of things that replace those typical functions. Mastodon is part of it, and so is Cohost, smaller, more indie services. Particularly, one of the things that I have to deal with is a non-google search engine. This time, I’m using DuckDuckGo — which is really quite good!

, but,

And that’s the thing. Not going to pretend I’m not giving up a powerful search engine like this. If I want to, for example, reverse image search an artist? The Duckduckgo RIS isn’t as strong as the google one. It’s a bit clueless. It’s a bit confused about some things, and I think it doesn’t do a good job of telling famous people from random nobodies. If you search for names, it tends to look for a bunch of related names, as well, because – well, almost any given site with names on it has lots of names on it. It can be a bit weak in that regard.

And that means that my searches are a little slower. I don’t just get a first page of ‘probably what I want.’ I get a first page, where there’s a lot of ambiguity, but that ambiguity tends to feel reasonable. So let’s say for example I search up a short acronym, like, let’s say, BUD. Google has a history for me that figures I probably mean a Block Update Detector, and I’m looking into the history of Etho’s Lab, a youtuber I’ve followed for (goodness me) like twelve years. DuckDuckGo won’t prioritise that, so it’ll show me hey, that could mean this, or that, or the other, please be more specific if you want more specific results.

And that means that searches are much less immediate, but they’re also a little more thoughtful. Browse the first page, learn oh, right, I need to narrow this by putting in another term. Or I need to make sure it knows these two terms are linked, and it means that searches are a little more thoughtful.

It gets me thinking about the processes I get through on a daily basis. When do I need to do a dozen searches? When do I need to do things as quick as possible? Sometimes in class, sure (and now I think about it, it’s going to be funny if my students see me type in a search on DuckDuckGo, in the way of seeing a teacher with an off-brand soft drink or something), but largely, this pause, this care, means that when I’m searching the internet for something, I’m more likely to take a moment and be careful about what I’m hoping to see, rather than blurting a demand, then refining it.

It means I do fewer searches to get where I’m going, if I’m being thoughtful. If I’m taking my time.

It got me thinking about a simpler time of the internet, where you’d have a small grouping of tools for specific tasks. You didn’t have a big internet tube for getting movies and music and books, you’d have a single program you ran for music, and maybe an IRC channel of swapped information for anime, and another place for movies. It’s not like I’m saying convenience is bad, but it’s got me thinking about the ways that it’s okay to slow down, and be more deliberate.

Spend some time sorting your files, check your bookmarks. Get an RSS feed, and use it, go check things out in these divided ways. And do it because these divided up chunks of ways, the time between things, the time that slows me down, is stuff that reduces the tension. It makes me think more between things.

I’ve been thinking about what coziness feels like in the context of a digital space. What it means to try and replicate a pre-digital, disconnected but communally related space, in a digital connected space. And I think part of what gets me a little way there, is taking the time between things. Be willing to take a moment, be willing to breathe, be willing to care, and weirdly, part of that is about using a less convenient form of a thing.

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

#Media

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magicmetalblog · 3 years ago

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I’m still alive

I’ve started this as a side blog to post art and musings off my main comics tumblr.

I was making comics and for a few years but stopped because my life suddenly became very turbulent. My work-life balance has been a nightmare for the past few years but I’ve been gradually getting back into art-making.

Here’s a betta WIP I’ve been working on.

I’m thinking about documenting my trial and error journey to whatever form of artistic rehabilitation this has been. I’ve noticed that a lot of it has become reprogramming myself to fade old habits into new ones through a sort of gradual replacement process.

Learning to sit down and just do the thing has been a process. It’s strange because it used to be almost as though my life revolved around art-making in the past. What happened? Learning to be kind to myself in getting back to it has also been a process.

I’ve also been working on a larger-scale painting. Here it is in progress.

It’s a lot easier for me to be a consumer than a creator despite every fibre of my being pushing me to make things. I need to emote. I need to express. I’m overflowing with things I want to talk about, stores I want to tell, reactions, commentary, etc.

I’ve gotten a new digital imaging program. I was formally trained on Adobe programs but they decided to become landlords who charge monthly rent instead of letting you buy your software the way they used to. I pay to power my saw or sander but I don’t pay a monthly fee to rent them. I paid for my tools. This has been especially demoralizing because digital post-production is a part of my process. It’s been a tremendous hurdle in sharing my work. Learning how to use the new software is also a hurdle I’m learning to overcome. I keep sitting here thinking, “omg, am I old?? Please let this be because it’s completely backward and not because I’m becoming some Tech Grandparent.” I learn best by doing and by being able to ask questions. Forums make the uptake difficult. I’m working hard regardless. Again, the emphasis is being kind to myself.

I still have a job that has me working 60 hour weeks. Between generational poverty, student debt, and the cost of living, changing jobs isn’t feasible right now. The best I can do is find time when I can find time so that I can do what I need to do to take care of my mental health.

Twitter is collapsing right now and that was probably the catalyst I’ve needed. Social media is designed to be addictive. I like the idea of a slower internet.

#shutupalex #acrylic painting #betta #octopus #traditional media #self-care #self-compassion #kindness #art #traditional art #painting #adobe #comics #artist lifestyle #artist life #practie #work-life balance

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derangedhyena-delphinidae · 5 years ago

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numerous issues with “The Aftermath of Seaworld”

When I get time to do so (aka when I’m done with the documentary), I’m likely going to make a video version of this going into the details.

But for right now, I’ve made this. Both as a guideline for me and so everyone can begin to get an idea of the severity of issues involved.

Researching things is time-consuming and can be very difficult - believe me, I know. But I’m of the mind that if you’re making content with the intent of educating people, you have a responsibility to perform a certain level of due diligence. It IS okay to express uncertainty or doubt if you have it. It is NOT okay to confidently assert things that you do not know with certainty.

The video has an anticap slant, and I’m obviously not disagreeing on that front. But again: if you’re gonna go through the trouble of teaching people something. Bare minimum... please make sure it’s actually correct. *** 1) x ‘founded in 1964 and based out of Florida’ - ???? Seaworld definitively began on the west coast, in San Diego, CA. And given that the first park opened in early 1964… things came together before that. Uh? 2) x ‘four people founded Seaworld [...]’ For one… it wasn’t originally conceived as a restaurant, it was originally conceived as an underwater bar/lounge. Two… calling the four guys involved in founding the place “frat brothers” is fucking ridiculous and completely overlooks a) how each was actually involved and b) the overall significance of their contributions to the field as individuals. Hint: like it or not, they were important and did a lot!

3) x If one is going to bring up SWBGCF/rescues while talking about the literal founding of SW, it gives the impression that it’s been around for that duration. It hasn’t. It’s actually a bit unclear when SW started an organized rescue program, but the Fund itself and all that it did came about much later. The rescue information and how it’s presented is actually INCREDIBLY complex, nuanced, and has a fascinating history (from a “bad company behaving badly” perspective). Oversimplifying this, to this degree and in this misinformative way, does the facts of the situation an INCREDIBLE disservice.

4) x [assertive statement about what the name Shamu means] ….Uh actually there’s several explanations for the name Shamu, and the most likely one IMO seems to be the “she-namu” one, not the “friend of Namu” one(? What is this even based on.) 4b) It’s not quite clear if she’s saying “Namu was the first ever orca to be displayed and perform shows” or or Namu was the first to be displayed and, like Shamu, performed shows. Either way, Moby Doll was the first to truly be displayed to the public, not Namu.

5) x ‘Namu died after one year in captivity and you’d think that this might deter Seaworld from doing the same thing again…’ Seaworld truly had nothing to do with Namu. And they leased/took possession of Shamu before Namu died. ‘Again’? What?

6) x “Now, PETA paints a pretty disturbing picture…” [while showing Okura’s artwork] This video segment is, and this is putting it nicely, a pile of poorly-researched BULLSHIT. -Yes, PETA talks about Shamu’s capture, re: the harpooning of her mother. This Youtuber cannot apparently be arsed to look more than 1 Google search into this, as she proceeds to dismiss the information as potentially fabricated. There are two detailed accounts of Shamu’s capture that I’m aware of - in books - and though they have some slight conflicts, it’s absolutely NOT in doubt that the female who was very likely Shamu’s mother was 1) harpooned, 2) died from her injuries and 3) this had been done to make her easier to catch/locate because there was a fucking buoy attached to the harpoon. Which she dragged around for at least 24 hours prior dying. So maybe don’t dismiss that as PETA hysteria, maybe TRY to determine the truth of the matter, which would inform one that it is both true and completely horrifying. -In addition, Okura is an awesome individual who has worked very hard to create a variety of informative artwork for our cause. Okura is NOT associated with PETA and it’s borderline libel in my eyes to use their artwork in this dismissive manner when the primary sources of it can be easily identified online, with full explanations and everything. Do I take special offense to this because of the misuse of artwork? Absolutely. Artists get disrespected enough online. I’m tired of it. This kind of laziness IS NOT acceptable.

7) x ‘timeline is fuzzy about when Shamu died’ …………… it’s…. It’s really not … newspapers are pretty clear about it…..

8) x [complete and utter oversimplification of the lifespan issue, which is not acceptable for anything published in 2020. It just isn’t. If you’re going to bring it up like this, either do the legwork and get into the weeds or stay out.] 8b) [same for reproductive ages. sigh]

9) x if we’re going to talk about when Cornell was involved with Seaworld it’s very important to specify when Cornell was involved with Seaworld and not make it seem like it’s present tense.

10) x “both were rescued by Seaworld” - uh? no. Zero orcas have been rescued by Seaworld. Literally none. The infected-jaw orca was Sandy, whose story is complex and certainly does not involve Seaworld until much later. And many of the orcas in that time period had bullet wounds, often only identified post-mortem because they didn’t seem to hurt the animals much. Also, unflinchingly blending 70s captivity ethics with modern ones is also complete nonsense?

11) x [tilikum coming from sealand] inhales I am going to make an entire video centered on this fucking subject because it’s one of the single most profound arguments for Seaworld being garbage as assessed by US government agencies in the 90s yet everyone utterly fails to mention this. Why?!

12) x what on earth is this nonsense re: quoting a quote from Zimmerman’s article - which has already been removed from its original context, so the original context is not available - and then penalizing the quote for existing as if Zimmerman’s article were the context? That is offensively disingenuous. I honestly don’t know what the original context is, either - but it’s wildly inappropriate to act as if the Zimmerman article is.

13) x this is relatively minor but ‘Paul Sprong’? You literally have his name on the screen. And then mis-reading his age too? While asserting it from a static article published years ago? Effort? Where is it?

14) x ‘another trainer, Peter’ ….. Ken Peters….

15) [weirdly glossing over the widely-available list of orca-trainer injuries/aggressions, despite it being central to the point.] 16) x This pilot whale outrage certainly happened but it was pretty clearly Blackfish that started the cascade of woes for Seaworld. Who has ever asserted this?

17) if you’re gonna just rehash blackfish, tell people to go watch blackfish.

18) x I’ve already gone over the context issue with Seaworld calling out Howard’s statement in Blackfish here (point 23). Which is to say, IN CONTEXT in Blackfish it’s clear what Mr. Garrett is talking about but, divorced from that, it sounds incorrect. But this Youtuber AMPLIFIES the issue by doubling down on the assertion with “no record of a killer whale doing any harm to anyone in the wild.” The surfer event should always be mentioned. Yes, there’s absolutely room for doubt. But there’s also a clear demarcation between an accidental attack (eg mistaken identity, as was likely for the surfer) and intentional one (eg the incidents at marine parks.) Why do people kneecap themselves on this point 18b) please stop acting like Luna represents orcas in general.

19) x “Howard, for all of his research…” … while referring to David Duffus’ b-roll and statements. Uh. 20) x Apparently this Youtuber has single-handedly resolved the dorsal fin issue. You know, the thing that hasn’t been properly researched ever, that has been subject to a ton of debate, that isn’t 100% settled for a variety of reasons, and almost everyone talks about in terms of theories and likely possibilities. 21) x Alexis Martinez wasn’t “torn to shreds.” In a space where even moderate exaggerations are often penalized harshly by the opposition, this kind of blatant nonsense is not welcome. Plus, the reality’s bad enough… you don’t have to make anything up!

22) x *sighs. points at own webpage*

23) Talking about the shows stopping without acknowledging how that’s a bit of a farce is something else. In addition to apparently just flipping to buying what Seaworld’s selling re: its ‘improved image.’

*** Tl;dr video is so unrelentingly full of errors ranging from small to egregious it makes me seriously concerned for the veracity of the rest of this person’s content. The maker of the video provided a list of their sources in their video description, which I will have time to look through in detail later. The above is solely a response to the information they present IN THE VIDEO - which, is very important because let’s be real: a lot of people are not going to look at the list of sources. People don’t even do it when citing papers (no really, you’d be surprised, fml.) For anyone who wants to whinge that I haven’t linked or asserted any sources of my own for my claims… well, remember what I said about time-consuming and ‘I’m busy’? Yhea. Getting all of that together will be part of making a video. So if you want to shrug loudly at my list here… you can, that’s your prerogative, I’m happy to say I DGAF if that’s your takeaway.

What I hope, is that if there’s anything I’ve made clear over the While of running this blog, it’s that I don’t fuck around when it comes to sources and information and do my best to provide what information exists, all of it, not just cherrypicked bits and bobs. Anyways. Here’s step 0 at least. Please don’t share that video. Pretty please.

#seaworld #grumble

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