#ad campaigning service provider in us

[inthisuproar]

Was going to write this as a reply to something but realized it needed its own post.

The tl;dr is that, from the looks of it, Automattic absolutely has every intention of turning Tumblr into a marketing media platform.

I work for a marketing company. I build websites.

Specifically, I build websites on Wordpress.org, which is operated by the Wordpress Foundation.

The Wordpress Foundation is the non-profit counterpart to the for-profit company Automattic.

Automattic, as we know, is the company that currently owns Tumblr.

Now, the thing about Wordpress.org (not to be confused with Wordpress.com) is that it's very, VERY popular amongst small businesses. Not only can you build a fully-customizable website with relative ease, you can also add an online shop using another Automattic product: Woocommerce.

Not too long ago, I noticed a new feature was added to Woocommerce: A button next to each Woocommerce product which allows you to Blaze them to Tumblr right from the comfort of your dashboard:

This is what I get when I click that little "Blaze" button...

As someone who understands these tools, I understand the potential implications of these features:

The Blaze feature is basically an up-and-coming ad campaign system that's directly integrated with Woocommerce websites, which I think is the first ad marketing system of its kind. You don't have to log into a social media account to advertise your products, use a second-party integration, or even pay another service to manage your social media ads. It's all baked right into your business's website.

THIS is their planned money-maker, folks, not the rainbow checkmarks or crab armies. And the reason why Automattic would do this kind of thing is simple: Businesses are wealthier than individuals. By implementing a B2B service, Automattic can make more money off of Tumblr than user subscriptions and shoelaces will ever provide.

It's all the same song and dance. Businesses can now shove more ads into your face in a new, convenient fashion. It'll be ads that don't look like ads disguised amongst ads that do look like ads, just like it is with Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and literally every other marketing media service that calls itself a "social" media.

(Tumblr's new video feature? My guess is that it's there to prepare for video-format Blaze campaigns. Influencer-style videos are the only kind of ad format Gen-Z is receptive to, which is why you're suddenly seeing videos on every platform.)

All they really gotta do now is make Tumblr look appealing to the normies so they can draw in a userbase that isn't trying to escape the onslaught of commercialism that plagues other sites.

Tumblr is one of the last true social medias we have; a place where content is made purely for the sake of talking about it. But given the writing on the wall...I doubt it'll stay that way.

[gentlebeardsbarngrill]

01/20/2024 Crew Recap

TLDR; David Jenkins Message on IG; How you can help; Contacting Netflix, Prime, AppleTV; General Guidelines for Wooing Networks; New Hashtags; UK Crew Updates; Petition/Fundraiser Status; Articles; Extras; Rhys' Stiddy

=== Chaos Dad's Message ===

David Jenkins messaged us FRIENDS and gave us a new heading to steer the ship for the crew. Truly an amazing and sweet message, and helping give @renewasacrew a good place to start on new networks.

== How you can help ==

So based on Chaos Dad's tweet, what the folks over at @renewasacrew have recommended is we focus our efforts on Netflix, AmazonStudios, and Apple TV. We'll be polite menacing but also doing some more specific wooing this time so please see below for more information.

= Reach out to Netflix =

You can reach out to Netflix Here.

= Reach out to Apple TV =

You can reach out to apple tv by going here.

= Amazon Prime: Thank you @mermaid-stede for this write up: =

1) if you have an Amazon account, go to My Stuff > Settings > Help & Feedback > Provide Feedback

2) If you don't, write here

3) might as well try their customer service 888 280-4331, using the same strategy from above (though you might need an Amazon account)

4) and here's an email! complaints@amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com: AIV Website Feedback Form

DIGPRJSURVEY.AMAZON.COM

You can see more of their write ups here

=New Hashtags=

#AdoptOurCrew #RenewAsACrew #SaveOFMD

Things to remember:

Only Message 1 of the 3 networks at once. We are wooing them, they want to be enticed, not included in a crowd. If you are reaching out to one, make sure to reach out to all three (just separately)

Be Polite, this is a bit of a different strategy from max, we WANT these people to pick us up, we're not grumpy at them.

Yes you can use season 3 and beyond, use the same terminology David Jenkins did.

More specific info from folks regarding the things to remember:

=== UK Crew ===

Great job everyone! Your efforts made a difference! Thanks for the update @lamentus1!

Something else to mention for our UK and International Friends that are reaching out via social networks or email/phone:

=Daily Engagement Reminder!=

Our Flag Means Death Wikipedia Page

Google Search for Our Flag Means Death

Google UK Search for Our Flag Means Death

Our Flag Means Death IMDB

=== Petition / Fundraiser Status ===

Petition: ALMOST at 75K!

Renew as a Crew - Benefiting Rainbow Youth is fully funded at $17K!

OFFP Care for Gaza - HITS $10K!!!! Great job all!

=== New Articles ===

Fans Declare War Against Warner Bros., Light Up Times Square for Beloved Show

Our Flag Means Death’s Renewal Campaign Lands Times Square Billboard

=== Other Stuff ===

Some BTS from Vico's IG reels

=Wanna help out our fellow cancelees?=

Sign the Petition for Rap Sh!t!

-------------------------------------------------------------

So Dad's message kind of blew everything else out of the water today, there were some sightings of various crew on the web but most of them were reactions to David's reel so I figured it probably wasn't worth adding today. Thank you as usual to the @renewasacrew team, and @TheCozyPirate for all their steering and insight and helping make these pivots possible each day!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Side note: I saw a lot of really great stuff today-- people focused more on action with the renewal and starting to discuss fun things more and more, less dealing with trolls. I hope that means you all are getting some rest and avoiding some of the crazy shit going on.

Seriously, you're doing amazing. David sees it, the cast sees it, the crew sees it, we all see it. You should all feel super proud of yourself for all the hard work you're doing, whether it's just enjoying the show, being active in the renewal efforts, or just being you.

Please continue to make art, and fics, and goofy memes, and silly videos, and everything. Your creativity is so inspiring and fun and it keeps us all sane! (Also please share them with me I love them.)

On that note, here's Rhys grabbing one of those Stiddies.

Gif courtesy of ofmd-ann's post here

[apoemaday]

What Women Deserve

by Sonya Renee Taylor

Culturally-diversified biracial girl with a small diamond nose ring and a pretty smile poses besides the words “Women Deserve Better”. and I almost let her non-threatening grin begin to infiltrate my psyche until I read the unlikely small print at the bottom of the ad: Sponsored by the US Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities and the Knights of Columbus On a bus in a city with a population of 553,000, 4 teenage mothers on the bus with me, 1 Latina woman with 3 children under 3 and no signs of a daddy. One sixteen-year-old black girl standing in 22-degree weather with only a sweater a book bag and a bassinet, with an infant that ain’t even four weeks yet tell me that Yes… Women do deserve better. Women deserve better than public transportation rhetoric from the same people who won’t give that teenage mother a ride to the next transit. Won’t let you talk to their kids about safer sex Have never had to listen as the door SLAMS behind the man who adamantly says, “That shit” ain’t his leaving her to wonder how she’ll raise this kid. Women deserve better than the 300 dollars TANF and AFC will provide that family of three or the 6 dollar an hour job at KFC with no benefits for her new baby or the college degree she may never see because you can’t have infants at the university Women deserve better than lip service paid for by politicians who have no alternatives to abortion though I am sure right this moment one of their seventeen-year-old daughters is sitting in a clinic lobby sobbing quietly and anonymously praying parents don’t find out or will be waiting for mom to pick her up because research shows that out-of-wedlock childbirth doesn’t look good on political polls and Daddy ain’t having that. Women deserve better than backwards governmental policies that don’t want to pay for welfare for kids or healthcare for kids or childcare for kids Don’t want to pay living wages to working mothers, Don’t want to make men who only want to be last night’s lovers responsible for the semen they lay. Flat out don’t want to pay for SHIT but want to control the woman who’s having it. Acting outraged at abortion. Well I’m outraged that they want us to believe that they believe that women deserve better. The Vatican won’t prosecute pedophile priests But I decide I’m not ready for motherhood and it’s condemnation for me These are the same people who won’t support national condom distribution to prevent teenage pregnancy. But women deserve better. Women deserve better than back-alley surgeries that leave our wombs barren and empty. Deserve better than organizations bearing the name of land-stealing racist rapists funding million dollar campaigns on subway trains with no money to give these women while balding middle-aged white men tell us what to do with our bodies while they wage wars and kill other people’s babies So maybe women deserve better than propaganda and lies to get into office Propaganda and lies to get into panties to get out of court to get out of paying child support Get the hell out of our decisions and give us back our voice Women do deserve better Women deserve choice

[wanderingaldecaldo]

I've been posting Ros and Val without any context or backstory because my brain has been going brrrrrrrr too much to write anything proper besides drabbles, and a couple of unrelated oneshots. I'm still figuring out their story but I've discovered some of the major beats and wanted to get it down for my future self, as well as anyone who's following along at home.

Their story follows PL fairly closely with a few places where I took some creative license. Val and Ros hook up at the safe house, and it takes Reed a little longer to get everything organized, giving them a few days together in Dogtown before Ros is spirited back to D.C.

Lemme just wipe off your cheek real quick...

Val needs family. She doesn't know it, but that's why she gravitated to Jackie and Lupe. It's why she calls Panam for help in her canon. Rosalind represents family in a different way. She's the mother who knows what's best, who cares about "her" people, and Val doesn't realize how much she needs that attachment. Several times during the rescue, Ros displays affection and concern for her—when the building collapses before the Chimera fight, during the Relic malfunction—and combined with the mission to keep her safe, it triggers something deep inside V, a loyalty that she doesn't understand.

Rosalind, on the other hand, just lost a lot of crucial advisors. While we don't know who was on board aside from So Mi, we can guess that there were high ranking staffers, such as communications, security, and campaign, plus her own personal assistant and Secret Service agent. She has no one. She is vulnerable with V, admitting that she doesn't know what to do, that she has no one; and V's response is to remind her that she's there, and she's determined to get her out of the situation. Loyalty is something Ros values highly, and here is this merc tasked with saving her, but who sees the situation as more than just another gig; who has become personally invested in protecting her. It's intoxicating to have someone who's unflinchingly loyal to you, and who has seen the real you.

Once they reach the safe house, things escalate because of the mix of all those emotions, plus all the adrenaline and endorphins from the escape. It becomes more than just a hookup, but because of their situations (Ros's, let's be real), they both know it's an untenable relationship. Their time is bittersweet because of that knowledge.

Just squint a little and the Dogtown apartment isn't that bad!

Continued after the cut...

Later after the events of PL, they stay in touch, and there is affection between them still. Ros reaches out by text for fashion advice on the magazine shoot. They both agree that V isn't the right person for the job, but Ros knows she'll at least be honest. Later the acting campaign manager thinks having Ros take photos with the merc who saved her life in Dogtown would be good ad material, so Ros recruits V to the photo shoot.

Note: add at least one eagle for the "real" patriots

V uses the photo shoot to her advantage and successfully lobbies for the dinner date Rosalind promised. They have it that evening at Embers, as it's easy to secure for VIPs. Ros wants to know what V expects, because surely she can't think there is hope for a real relationship; but V wants whatever she can have. At this point, she knows she's crazy about Rosalind, while Ros is in denial herself over how much she cares about V.

“Where do you think this will go, V?” Rosalind's voice is soft and melodic. She doesn’t know, doesn’t care. She needs something, will take anything. “Hopin’ the first stop is my bedroom,” V says and gives her cockiest grin, but it quickly fades. “After that? Kinda up to you, yeah?”

They spend the night together and Ros decides to give it a try. They officially start seeing each other, but in secret and only when Ros has reason to visit NC. The new mayor provides a good excuse, so Ros visits under cover of extending diplomatic ties, and providing an opportunity for date night with her merc.

It's good to have powerful friends, like the new mayor of Night City.

After a few months of this, they slip up and the media catch wind that the President is spending time with the merc who saved her life in Dogtown. The campaign manager wants to use the media frenzy by spinning it as Rosalind recruiting V as her personal bodyguard, while still encouraging theories about their secret romantic relationship so the screamsheets will go crazy over it.

Eventually people are gonna notice when AF1 keeps showing up in NC airspace.

At that point V is ready to upend her life for Ros. She agrees to the plan and moves to D.C. The media eats it all up, and suddenly the only thing the NUS cares about is whether the President and her merc are fucking (they are). Eventually they transition to openly dating, and the President's approval rating shoots up by having a partner who humanizes her and makes her more likeable.

[milkboydotnet]

MANILA — A month after his abduction, surfaced environment defender Francisco “Eco” Dangla III detailed his harrowing experience at the Commission on Human Rights, on April 26.

Dangla and fellow activist Axielle “Jak” Tiong were mauled into a van by armed men on March 24 in barangay Polo, San Carlos, Pangasinan. Later on, the two activists would be found on March 28, after more than 600 individuals and international and local organizations campaigned for their immediate release.

Their abductors are still at large, prompting the activists to seek sanctuary.

Dangla believes that their abductors are state agents, due to the build up of harassment incidents prior to the abduction.

In fact, Dangla had been tagged as a “terrorist” and “threat” by State forces. This is according to the 2019 presentation of the Regional Peace and Order Council of Region 1.

“Since 2014, I have been a victim of several forms of harassment, intimidation, vilification, and threat in different chapters of my service to the people and the environment,” he said in Filipino.

The harrowing ordeal

Dangla said that on the day of the abduction, the unidentified men pointed their guns at them, pushing them to submission.

“When we arrived at a place, which looked like a safe house, they said that our lives were at their hands. We cannot do anything. They threatened to kill us,” Eco recalled.

He also added that the abductors threatened to burn and bulldoze them. “They released a cobra. We also heard a sound similar to the bulldozer. They said that they would burn us, that they would put us under the wheels of the bulldozer. Later on, I would smell burning plastic and wheels,” Eco said in Filipino.

There were moments when both Dangla and Tiong felt hopeless in the three days of distress. Dangla said, “I told myself, maybe it’s time. Maybe they would kill us now. But until the end, I still tried to explain our environmental initiatives, until they got angry at us.”

“They tried to give us an ultimatum. They do not want to hear our explanation about the environment. Instead, they asked us about people, about names we do not know, because they wanted to connect us to CPP-NPA,” he said.

It also came to the point that the abductors also threatened their families. “We experienced an unimaginable intimidation and threat to my life through physical and psychological torture. Worse, they threatened the lives of our loved ones, and my family,” he said.

Dangla said that prior to their abduction, he and Tiong suffered from multiple cases of red-tagging and harassment, stemming from their advocacy work. They are both convenors of the Pangasinan People’s Strike for Environment (PPSE), a local grassroots network of environmental advocates.

Overwhelming support and solidarity

The environment activists were released before the sunrise of March 28. They were blindfolded prior to their release so they were not able to identify the trail of place. Dangla even thought that the abductors would dispose of them during that time.

“When we were surfaced, I saw the overwhelming support of environment groups, churches, and individuals. From there, I felt that despite the strength of our enemy, if we fight in unison, we can achieve victories,” Dangla said.

He expressed his deepest gratitude to all the organizations and individuals who campaigned for their release. Barangay Polo residents also provided support to their parents.

“Without the quick response and campaign of various groups and sectors, including the church in the national and international scope, maybe our abductors would not release us,” he said.

Speaking at the same press conference, Jonila Castro, another surfaced environmental activist who has been fighting against the reclamation projects in Manila Bay, expressed support.to Dangla.

Castro and her fellow activist Jhed Tamano, were abducted on September 4, 2023. Weeks later, they were presented as fake surrenderees by the NTF-ELCAC, only for the two activists to expose the violence they suffered.

She also highlighted that instead of committing or being oblivious to the rampant human rights violations, the government should address the problems caused by climate change such as El Niño.

Castro is now the advocacy officer for water and reclamation of the Kalikasan People’s Network for Environment (PNE). She echoed Dangla’s sentiments that the abductions are used to silence environmental defenders and activists opposing destructive projects.

“These abductions are part of a larger pattern of natural resource plunder by foreign corporations, often with government and military support. Activists opposing these projects and defending local community rights are viewed as obstacles to profit-making and are therefore the target for intimidation, harassment, and violence,” she said.

Continuing the fight against destructive environmental projects

As convenors of the PPSE, Dangla said that they are at the forefront of opposing destructive mining projects.

Among these projects is the 10,000 hectares of black sand off-shore mining in the Lingayen Gulf. This will cover the towns of Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, and Dagupan, which seek to extract 25 million of magnetite sand yearly for 25 years.

According the government data from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), around 28,000 fisherfolk are dependent on the gulf for their livelihood. The project could also affect the biodiversity and ecosystems in the area, according to a BFAR aquaculturist.

In addition to this, Executive Order 130 (EO 130) by former President Rodrigo Duterte, which sought to lift the moratorium on mineral agreements, prompt the surge of applications.

“Around 84,000 hectares of lands are at stake due to the Executive Order,” Dangla said.

They are also opposing the plan of the local government to build six nuclear power plants. In 2023, PPSE reported that the LGU is encouraging community members to sign a statement of community acceptance for the projects.

Despite the harrowing violence that they experienced, Dangla vows to continue the fight. “My plan is to continue and maybe we will still plan how we move seamlessly, but my will is firm to continue the fight.”

According to the human rights group Karapatan Central Luzon, the number of surfaced activists is five (5), but there 14 defenders still missing. Three of them are from Central Luzon: Steve Abua, Diodicto Minzo, and Joey Torres.

full article: https://www.bulatlat.com/2024/04/26/despite-suffering-torture-environmental-defenders-continue-fight-against-destructive-projects/

[bizarrequazar]

GJ and ZZH Updates — May 12-18

previous week || all posts

This is part of a weekly series collecting updates from and relating to Gong Jun and Zhang Zhehan.

This post is not wholly comprehensive and is intended as an overview, links provided lead to further details. Dates are in accordance with China Standard Time, the organization is chronological. My own biases on some things are reflected here. Anything I include that is not concretely known is indicated as such, and you’re welcome to do your own research and draw your own conclusions as you see fit. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or additions. :)

[Glossary of names and terms] [Masterlist of my posts about the situation with Zhang Zhehan]

05-12 → Gong Jun reposted a post in memory of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Added caption: "I have never forgotten it in the past 16 years. Bless Wenchuan with everlasting life." The same was also reposted by his studio, added caption: "Remember the pain and pay tribute to the new life. May the world be well and the country and the people be safe."

→ Gong Jun's studio posted fourteen photos from Go Fighting! episode 4. Caption: "Unlocking the limited baby-raising day! The clown brother @ Gong Jun Simon battles wits and courage with the kid brother, slaying the whole audience~ 😎 Please look forward to more exciting things"

→ Go Fighting! episode 4 aired. [full ep with subs]

→ Gong Jun Outdoor Office posted three memes of him from the Go Fighting! episode.

05-13 → Za posted a commercial featuring Gong Jun. (1129 kadian)

→ The Instagram posted ten photos of "Zhang Zhehan" running.

→ PRSR posted a photo ad featuring Gong Jun.

05-14 → Nothing of note.

05-15 → Gong Jun posted a commercial he did for Messika, announcing himself as their new spokesperson. (1129 kadian) Caption: "Delighted to join forces with Parisian fine jewelry brand @ Messika. Please follow me to explore the charm of sliding diamonds and experience the 'new attitude of diamonds' together." He also posted this to his Instagram, caption: "Shine bright like a diamond." (originally in English)

→ Messika posted two photo ads [1] [2] featuring Gong Jun. (1129 kadian on the first)

→ The Instagram posted five photos of "Zhang Zhehan" running and two photos of feet, because Hewitt can't resist sharing his fetish.

05-16 → Gong Jun posted four photos from his ad campaign with Messika to his Xiao Hong Shu. Caption: "Ouch See you at Cannes, the next stop for work photos ✌️" One of these was also crossposted to both his and Messika's Instagrams.

→ One of the antis sued by Gong Jun is currently being restricted from high consumption (ie. not allowed to use first-class public services) for not complying with court orders. The anti in question had been running over 20 different accounts that he used to promote Zhang Sanjian and other associated people, and to harass and post malicious content about Gong Jun. No prior history of him being a Zhang Zhehan fan has been found, strongly suggesting that he was paid to run these accounts.

05-17 → Two photo ads Gong Jun did for Tissot were crossposted both both their Instagram and his.

→ The Instagram posted five photos of "Zhang Zhehan" and five of scenery.

→ Gong Jun attended the Cannes Film Festival, where he walked the red carpet for Kinds of Kindness. Fan Observation: At one point some fans in the audience yelled "Ba!" In videos, you can see Gong Jun smile and wave at them. 🥺

→ Jia Nailiang posted a silly douyin of himself and Gong Jun. Caption: "Why is our transition by clinking glasses different from others?"

→ Gong Jun posted nine photos of himself in Cannes. Caption: "Encounter with a widdle pubby." These were also posted to his Instagram, caption: "Wandering in Cannes. 🐶🐶🐶" (originally in English)

05-18 → Gong Jun's studio posted another six photos of him in Cannes. Caption: "A classic suit style paired with a unique hand-made corsage (feat. Children of the Stars), @ Gong Jun Simon's inspiration is unfettered, warm and healing, listening to the sound of every lonely universe turning."

→ L'Oreal posted a video of Gong Jun arriving in Cannes.

→ Za posted a promotional video spoken by Gong Jun. (1129 kadian)

→ Gong Jun's studio posted six photos of him in the red carpet at Cannes. Caption: "Red carpet moments! The beautiful southern France and the gentle breeze illuminate the character of the gentleman @ Gong Jun Simon."

→ Gong Jun's studio posted a behind the scenes video from the photoshoot at Cannes. Caption: "The beach? The market! @ Gong Jun Simon’s citywalk has its own ideas 😎"

Additional Reading: → The novel This Time It's Real by Ann Liang was discovered to include several mentions of Gong Jun, specifically in the context of him being an example of a beautiful man. → Something I'm able to include here because I'm late lol: It has been announced that Gong Jun's drama Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Red Moon Chapter will premiere on iQiyi on 05-23.

previous week || all posts

[istadris]

The King and the Imperator

Translation of this story ( @elitadream keep an eye out, there's more to come)

Or : when the universes of two short-stacked, moustachioed heroes collide, and their respective nemesis find a common ground.

*

The creature was towering over him.

An impressive feat on its own, given how Caesar was taller than most of his peers. What was most remarkable, however, was the creature itself: a curious hybrid between man, turtle and lizard, one that could breathe fire and break stones with its bare fists. Dragon, his mind kept suggesting, despite his best efforts to avoid dwelling on the ludicrous idea.

Even more interesting was the fact that the creature was smart enough to think, talk, and was, from what he had gathered, a king, a ruling leader.

Smart enough to bark a laugh in reaction to Caesar’s offer.

“So you wanna work for me? You?”

“An alliance is what I’m offering,” Caesar answered coldly, “as our goals seem to align for the time being.”

“An ‘alliance’ implies we both got something interesting to bring on the table. I have the biggest army in the world, the best magicians at my service, and I am the most powerful of my kingdom. What could a twiggy little thing like you offer me?”

“Many things, O king, but most of all what you are currently lacking: strategy.”

The creature snarled at the implied insult and stomped suddenly towards Caser, huge, sharp fangs bared in a vicious snarl. It took all of Caesar’s self-control to not reach for his sword; not that it would do much against the thick scales of his opponent.

“Watch your words, human. You’re a funny distraction for now, but you’re not that amusing.”

Yet as brutish and foul-tempered as this monster was, it was smart enough not to give in to his rage and listen to what Caesar had to say instead. So he stared back in the red eyes, standing tall and proud.

“You said it yourself: you lead the greatest army of this world, you dispose of vast resources…yet what of your conquests? How have you not yet bent this entire world to your rule?”

“Ha, because you think you can do better than ME?”

“‘Better’? I’m leaving this debate to philosophers. I only know I had no throne to claim by birth right, nor fortune or magic. And yet today I’m the master of an empire in all but in name; I am feared and respected by my citizens and foes alike as the conqueror of most of the known world. All who dared opposing me submitted to my armies or perished. Can you claim the same?”

Black smoke erupted from the creature’s nostrils in a low snort, the words clearly striking a chord, but not to the point of causing aggression for now. Caesar even dared to walk a few steps away from his interlocutor, his arms crossed behind his back as he took in the landscape surrounding them as he went on:

“Only one small village of indomitable Gauls still holds out against my troops. But unlike me, they have at their disposal a…magic providing them with incredible strength. Otherwise, they would have been wiped out a long time ago.”

Some of them might have cunning and ingenuity on their side as well…but Caesar didn’t need to mention that detail.

“Two of them, in particular, keep fooling my plans. A pesky duo made of a little runt and a tall bumbling fool following him around. From what I was told,” he added with a smirk in the direction of the king, “we share something in common in that aspect.”

“Might be. Get to the point.”

“It’s very simple,” Caesar said as he turned to face the monster. “You’re used to magic, and there's no doubt as to your strength: even with their powers, you would be quite the challenge to my enemies. As for yours…no matter how powerful they are, two men wouldn’t be able to fend off an organised campaign of my design against their kingdom. A little village where they can focus their effort, yes. An entire country? I beg to differ. This is my offer, mighty king: remove the last obstacles in the way to my hegemony, and I’ll make sure your army can defeat this kingdom standing up to you.”

“And why would your plans be more efficient than mine?”

“Because I have seen your troops in action…if I noticed such a lack of organisation in mine, my centurions would get the whip for such incompetence. A fickle chain of command outside of their king, battle plans relying on capricious and unstable elements, basic and repetitive tactics…”

He let out a small laugh.

“If I can’t do better, I can hardly imagine doing worse.”

“And let me guess,” the monster snarked in a honeyed tone, “I should give you free reign with MY army in MY kingdom.”

The smarmy smile turned into a cruel grimace as the king raised one of his paws, suddenly unsheathing knife-sharp claws and casually looking at them

“What if instead, I killed you and took as my own that army you’re so proud of, hm?”

“Then kill me now, instead of wasting my time,” Caesar shot back with a dismissive wave of his hand.

For the first time since their encounter, arrogance made way for surprise on his interlocutor’s face, but Caesar kept talking without giving a care:

“I thought I was dealing with a king able to see where his interests lie and seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but if I’m only facing some mindless, prideful beast, might as well spare me the headache and give me a quick death.”

Red eyes seemed to ignite before narrowing, focused on their prey.

“SO BE IT!!”

The creature suddenly lunged towards Caesar in a deafening roar, his throat blazing with the promise of fire.

And yet despite the danger, Caesar was…not reassured, but…calm. He had dealt with this kind of people before, brash, temperamental and straightforward; the monstrous king was not the kind to waste time over a decision, nor did he seem squeamish at dirtying his own hands in getting rid of a troublesome element.

Whether he lived or died, Caesar would find out very soon. So he remained impassive to the threat, intent on keeping his dignity until the very end.

For several seconds the monster glared at Caesar, teeth bared…until his snarl slowly turned into a fierce grin and he suddenly threw his head back, laughing loudly:

“GWAHAHAHA!! You got nerve, Twiggy, I’ll give you that!”

Caesar managed to let out the breath he had been holding despite himself without the king apparently noticing.

Said king turned his eyes again on Caesar:

“Are you sure you can get rid of these two pains in the rump?”

“Most certainly. But only if you can return the favour.”

The king snorted, looking more annoyed than insulted this time.

“Are all humans so annoying to deal with?” he grumbled, not waiting for Caesar’s answer before continuing, “but you’ve got a point: with how long these moustachioed menaces have been ruining my plans, I can’t let slip any chance to finally put them down. If you can give it to me…I can be very grateful.”

For the first time since the start of the negotiations, he was displaying a serious, dignified demeanour befitting a true king while staring down at Caesar no longer as a troublesome hindrance but as a potential ally.

“Give me absolute victory and I’ll offer you a conquest. What do you say?”

That’s what he had been after from the beginning…and yet Caesar took a moment before answering.

This was a land of madness. Bright colours, absurd landscapes, ridiculous creatures. But under their ridiculous appearance, these strange beings were as strong as resilient and they had magic. Power.

He had to bring but a sliver of that power back to Rome.

Caesar was also aware of taking a big risk. He was alone, away from his armies and his usual influence. He could see the limitless ambition of this beast of a king as it reflected his own, and he would need to make sure it didn’t include Caesar’s own empire. He would need to watch carefully his back less he found himself with a knife in it the second this prideful ally got what he wanted.

But he had not become the most powerful man of his world by playing it safe.

Alea jacta est, he decided as he held his hand out to conclude the deal.

He managed not to flinch when the large paw all but crushed his bones in the handshake.

However, he did stumble and collapsed to the ground at the thunderous slap on his back, the king’s laughter booming above him.

“You know what? I think we’re gonna make a great team.”      

[terraknight27]

The "Essential" mod for Minecraft: Java Edition collects your personal data and shares it with advertisers

"We also work with (or may in the future work with) analytics service providers, advertisers and ad agencies, and other vendors to provide them with information regarding traffic on the Platform, including pages viewed, content interacted with, and actions taken by Users when visiting the Platform; to serve advertisements on other web sites, within mobile apps and elsewhere online; and to provide us with information regarding the use of the Platform and the effectiveness of our advertisements and other marketing campaigns. Our service providers may collect certain information about your visits to, and activity on, the Platform as well as other websites or services, they may set and access their own tracking technologies on your device (including Cookies and Web Beacons), and they may use that information to show you targeted advertisements. Some of these parties may collect Personal Information when you visit the Platform or other online websites and services. We may also share certain non-Personal Information with these parties, in connection with the services they provide to us."

(as outlined in Section 5 of the Privacy Policy)

[pokemoncaretips]

The absol

General notes: The absol is something of a tragic pokemon. Burdened by superstition and fear, rumours have clouded over the fact that it is a genuinely lovely pokemon to care for and train. Smart, biddable and eager to please, absol deserve far more than they get. 

Despite their serious countenance and grim reputation, absol can be playful and curious, and according to some trainers, downright goofy at times.

General care: A carnivorous pokemon by nature, they do require a diet to match, whether you use the store bought meat eaters kibble or make your own. Though like all pokemon, they enjoy berries as treats. As mountain dwelling pokemon, they need a LOT of exercise to simulate the way wild absol are constantly roaming their territory. Congratulations on your new hiking hobby. Their horn is not, in fact, a horn, but rather is made up out of stiff cartilage, packed densely with nerve clusters. It is sensitive, and should be avoided while bathing. If it ever becomes damaged, take your absol to a pokemon centre immediately. We cannot discuss absol without talking about their capacity to detect disasters. You should quickly familiarize yourself with its normal behaviour and remain alert to changes. Though each absol is slightly different, the severity of the change can depend on what's coming and how bad it will be. If the absol is trying to leave a building and refuses to obey commands, you should leave immediately and advise others to follow suit. If it’s restless and pacing, start checking weather sites and other official channels in case of oncoming storms. If it sits down in place and begins to emit a piercing howl similar to an air raid siren, get under the nearest sturdy desk or table, as this strong, urgent signal often precedes sudden disasters like earthquakes.

Absol are excellent pokemon for people with anxiety disorders, schizophrenia or other severe mental health issues due to their clear, unambiguous signals of actual, real danger.

Care rating: Green.

Training: Absol are very good pokemon in terms of training, both for house rules and battling. As well, thanks to recent campaigning efforts, they have been finally added to the list of official service pokemon, with glowing results. As they are carnivorous, it is recommended to socialize them with smaller prey pokemon to ensure tragedy doesn’t strike. Training rating: Green.

Safety: Sadly, while I’d like to give these pokemon greens across the board, I would be incredibly negligent not to provide proper warning. Due to the constant superstitions around absol, both you and your pokemon may be at risk, particularly if you travel to rural areas. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is this:

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

It is:

Against the law to deny pokemon access to daycare unless they are on the list of pokemon presenting a physical threat to workers health. (Pokemon Daycare Regulatory Act, 1996) Against the law to deny access to pokemon centres. (Pokemon Healthcare Act, 1968) Against the law to deny a service pokemon access to buildings. (Service Pokemon Regulatory Act, 2023) I recommend keeping these and any other laws you think apply on a card in your wallet to bring out in case you encounter issues. Be aware of possible vigilantes and if possible, bring another pokemon with you as added safety. It’s sad to have to provide these warnings, especially for one of the few pokemon I would unreservedly trust enough to leave alone with children, but until more people understand these beautiful pokemon, such is life. Safety rating: Orange.

Overall ranking. A lovely pokemon with a bad reputation.

[computerknowledge27]

what is digital marketing ?

Digital marketing refers to the use of digital channels, platforms, and technologies to promote products, services, or brands to a target audience. Unlike traditional marketing methods that rely on offline channels such as print, television, or radio, digital marketing leverages online channels to reach and engage with consumers. The goal of digital marketing is to connect with the target audience in the right place and at the right time, driving brand awareness, customer acquisition, and retention.

Key components of digital marketing include:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing a website or content to rank higher in search engine results, improving visibility and organic (non-paid) traffic.

Content Marketing: Creating and distributing valuable, relevant content to attract and engage a target audience. This can include blog posts, videos, infographics, and more.

Social Media Marketing: Utilizing social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn) to promote products or services, interact with the audience, and build brand awareness.

Email Marketing: Sending targeted messages and promotional content to a group of people via email to nurture leads, build customer relationships, and encourage conversions.

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Running paid advertisements on search engines or social media platforms, with advertisers paying a fee each time their ad is clicked.

Affiliate Marketing: Partnering with other businesses or individuals to promote products or services, with commissions earned for every sale or lead generated through the affiliate's efforts.

Influencer Marketing: Collaborating with influencers or individuals with a significant following to promote products or services to their audience.

Online Public Relations (PR): Managing a brand's online reputation and relationships with the public through various digital channels.

Analytics and Data Analysis: Monitoring and analyzing data from digital marketing efforts to measure performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions for future campaigns.

Digital marketing provides businesses with the flexibility to target specific demographics, track and measure campaign performance, and adjust strategies in real-time. It has become an integral part of the overall marketing strategy for many organizations in today's digital age.

[mariacallous]

In 2019, other than the government of Vladimir Putin, Warren Buffett was the biggest funder of Sputnik News, the Russian disinformation website controlled by the Kremlin. It wasn’t that the legendary champion of American capitalism had an alter ego who woke up every morning wondering how he could help finance Vladimir Putin’s global propaganda network. It was because Geico, the giant American insurance company and subsidiary of Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, was the leading advertiser on the American version of Sputnik News’ global website network.

Nor was it because a marketing executive at Geico had decided that advertising on the Russian disinformation outlet was a good idea. That would have been especially unlikely, not only because of the Buffett connection, but also because Geico stands for Government Employees Insurance Company and has its roots dating to the 1930s, providing insurance to civilians and members of the military who worked for the American government, not its Russian adversary.

In fact, no one at Geico or its advertising agency had any idea its ads would appear on Sputnik, let alone what anti-American content would be displayed alongside the ads. How could they? Which person or army of people at Geico or its agency could have read 44,000 websites?

Geico’s ads had been placed through a programmatic advertising system that was invented in the late 1990s as the internet developed. It exploded beginning in the mid 2000s and is now the overwhelmingly dominant advertising medium. Programmatic algorithms, not people, decide where to place most of the ads we now see on websites, social media platforms, mobile devices, streaming television, and increasingly hear on podcasts. The numbers involved are mind-boggling. If Geico’s advertising campaign were typical of programmatic campaigns for broad-based consumer products and services, each of its ads would have been placed on an average of 44,000 websites, according to a study done for the leading trade association of big-brand advertisers.

Geico is hardly the only rock-solid American brand to be funding the Russians. During the same period that the insurance company’s ads appeared on Sputnik News, 196 other programmatic advertisers bought ads on the website, including Best Buy, E-Trade, and Progressive insurance. Sputnik News’ sister propaganda outlet, RT.com (it was once called Russia Today until someone in Moscow decided to camouflage its parentage), raked in ad revenue from Walmart, Amazon, PayPal, and Kroger, among others.

Every workday, approximately 2,500 people sit at desktops or laptops using these programmatic advertising algorithms to spend tens of millions of dollars an hour. They work at advertising agencies scattered around the world, or, in the case of some major companies, at their in-house advertising shops. Their titles might be “programmatic specialist,” “programmatic associate,” or “campaign manager.” What they have in common is that they are usually in their first jobs out of college. Although many work from home post-Covid, if they are in the office, they sit at carrels in large open spaces that resemble the trading floor of a stock brokerage.

[blueiskewl]

Roman Soldier’s 1,900-Year-Old Pay-Slip Uncovered in Masada

During excavations at Masada, archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities (IAA) uncovered a papyrus payslip dated to 72 BC belonging to a Roman soldier.

Masada is a rugged crag in the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea.  Herod, the first-century BCE Judean king best known for constructing Jerusalem’s Temple Mount complex, built a fortress and palace on the mountain.

Jewish rebels entrenched themselves at Masada a century later, from 66 to 74 CE, during the Jewish Revolt against Rome. A Roman army besieged the last holdouts nearly four years after the fall of Jerusalem.

The only historical account of the conflict is Josephus Flavius, who claims that the Jewish rebels all committed mass suicide before Roman troops stormed the battlements. However, archaeologists dispute that account’s historical accuracy.

The IAA discovered a detailed military paycheck (one of only three legionary paychecks discovered throughout the Roman Empire) issued to a Roman legionary soldier during the First Jewish-Roman War in AD 72. The paycheck is one of 14 Latin scrolls found at Masada by archaeologists – 13 of which was written on papyrus, and one on parchment paper.

Although the papyrus was damaged over time and therefore very fragmentary, it contains valuable information about the management of the Roman army and the status of the soldiers. The document provides a detailed summary of a Roman soldier’s salary over two pay periods (out of three he would receive annually), including the various deductions that he was charged. The army supplied the soldiers with basic equipment, but, as today, some soldiers chose to add and upgrade their equipment.

“This soldier’s paycheck included deductions for boots and a linen tunic, and even for barley fodder for his horse,” says Dr. Oren Ableman, senior curator-researcher at the Israel Antiquities Authority Dead Sea Scrolls Unit.

“Surprisingly, the details indicate that the deductions almost exceeded the soldier’s salary. Whilst this document provides only a glimpse into a single soldier’s expenses in a specific year, it is clear that in the light of the nature and risks of the job, the soldiers did not stay in the army only for the salary.

According to Dr. Ableman, “The soldiers may have been allowed to loot on military campaigns. Other possible suggestions arise from reviewing the different historical texts preserved in the Israel Antiquities Authority Dead Sea Scrolls Laboratory.

For example, a document discovered in the Cave of Letters in Nahal Hever from the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE) sheds some light on some side hustles Roman soldiers used to earn extra cash. This document is a loan deed signed between a Roman soldier and a Jewish resident, the soldier charging the resident with interest higher than was legal. This document reinforces the understanding that the Roman soldiers’ salaries may have been augmented by additional sources of income, making service in the Roman army far more lucrative.”

By Leman Altuntaş.

[rafaelsilvasource]

RAFAEL SILVA AND 250+ INFLUENTIAL FIGURES JOIN GLAAD AND HRC IN CALLING ON SOCIAL MEDIA CEOS TO PROTECT AGAINST ANTI-TRANS HATE

Rafael Silva has joined more than 250 LGBTQIA+ celebrities and allies in signing a letter addressed to Mark Zuckerberg (Meta Platforms, Inc.), Neal Mohan (YouTube/Alphabet Inc.), Shou Zi Chew (TikTok/ByteDance Ltd.), and Linda Yaccarino and Elon Musk (Twitter, Inc./X Corp) to stop the flow of anti-trans hate and malicious disinformation about trans healthcare on their platforms. 

GLAAD’s Press Release can be found here.

Read the full letter below:

June 27, 2023

To: Mark Zuckerberg, Meta Platforms, Inc. Neal Mohan, YouTube/Alphabet Inc. Shou Zi Chew, TikTok/ ByteDance Ltd. Linda Yaccarino and Elon Musk, Twitter, Inc./X Corp

As celebrities, influencers, and prominent public figures with significant followings on social media, we the undersigned are calling on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter to fulfill the promises you’ve made to transgender, nonbinary, gender non-conforming and all LGBTQ users in your terms of service. There has been a massive systemic failure to prohibit hate, harassment, and malicious anti-LGBTQ disinformation on your platforms and it must be addressed.

Dangerous posts (both content and ads) created and circulated by high-follower anti-LGBTQ hate accounts targeting transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people are thriving across your platforms, directly resulting in terrifying real-life [1] harm [2] including bomb threats [3] targeting children’s hospitals that offer healthcare for trans youth, and death threats [4] targeting care providers. [5] Such false and hate-driven widely circulated content on your platforms is even being cited by lawmakers advancing discriminatory legislation against trans people. [6] Targeted misgendering and deadnaming of trans and nonbinary people is a widespread mode of hate speech [7] across all platforms, utilized to bully and harass prominent public figures while simultaneously expressing hatred and contempt for trans and non-binary people in general. [8]

This disinformation and hate, inadequately moderated on your platforms, plays an outsized role in the sharp increase in real-world anti-transgender targeting and violence. [9] As documented by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2022, [10] this is particularly the case when it comes to the online extremists leading proactive coordinated campaigns of hate and lies about gender affirming healthcare for trans youth. [11] Despite the fact that every leading medical and psychological association affirms the safety and necessity of gender affirming healthcare for trans people, including youth, inflammatory disinformation falsely asserting that this healthcare is dangerous is allowed to fester on your platforms because it drives clicks and profit. Trans youth and their families and care providers are being endangered by your negligence, causing many families to flee their homes. [12]

Your policies and corresponding enforcement are inadequate when it comes to mitigating harmful and dangerous anti-LGBTQ content. You must urgently take action to protect trans and LGBTQ users on your platforms (including protecting us from over-enforcement and censorship).

We call for you to meet with community leaders and creators to hear about these real world harms that result from anti-trans content on your platforms — and to create and share plans for how you will address:

Content that spreads malicious lies and disinformation about medically necessary healthcare for transgender youth. As described above, such harmful content from high-follower hate-based accounts has resulted in extraordinary real-world harms. [13] Specific mitigations on such disinformation must be developed (for instance akin to election and COVID-19 mitigations and rules).

Accounts and postings that perpetuate anti-LGBTQ extremist hate [14] and disinformation, [15] in violation of platform policies, and which target trans and LGBTQ people, including baseless and malicious disinformation of LGBTQ people being threats to children (e.g. the anti-LGBTQ “groomer” conspiracy theory [16]). Such harmful and dangerous lies must be more effectively moderated and mitigated.

Dehumanizing, hateful attacks on prominent transgender public figures and influencers. Online attacks against LGBTQ organizations and individuals are on the rise. [17] A recent report from GLAAD, UltraViolet, Kairos, and the Women’s March shows that 60% of LGBTQ people feel harmed not only from direct harassment and hate, but from witnessing harassment against other LGBTQ community members such as celebrities and public figures. [18] Directing hate against LGBTQ public figures is a common vehicle for expressing general anti-LGBTQ bigotry. When your companies maintain policy loopholes that allow such hate, this perpetuates harm against entire communities.

Anti-transgender hate speech, including targeted misgendering, deadnaming, and hate-driven tropes. [19] For example, Media Matters, GLAAD and others have identified multiple YouTube videos — which have accumulated millions of views — that bully, harass, and misgender trans people. In each video, prominent anti-trans pundits use YouTube to demean, target, and misgender young people, their parents, and public figures [20] in videos saturated with blatant anti-trans rhetoric. These videos remain active despite these violations having been reported by Media Matters, GLAAD, and other organizations to YouTube.

We know that leading national organizations, including GLAAD, HRC, Media Matters for America, PFLAG, The Trevor Project, ADL, and others, share research and guidance with your companies and escalate violative content. And yet your mitigations remain woefully inadequate. The very content you profit from is in violation of your own terms of service, which assert that you do not allow hate speech. [21] 

True allies do not profit from anti-LGBTQ hate.

We speak together with one voice to demand that your companies create and enforce stronger content and ad policies to directly confront the content that is causing online and offline harm to transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people.

Sincerely,

Abby Wambach Adam Eli Aitch Alberto AJ Shively Alan Cumming Alejandra Caraballo Alejandra Ghersi Alex Clark Alexandra Gutierrez Alisa Ramirez Allie Leonard Allison Goldfrapp ALOK Vaid-Menon Alyssa May Gold Alyssa Milano Amber Ruffin Amber Tamblyn Amy Schumer Amy Landecker Andrew Polk Angelica Ross Annaleigh Ashford Antoni Porowski Aparna Brielle Arden Myrin Ariana Grande Arisce Wanzer Avan Jogia Barbie Ferreira Bella Ramsey Ben Barnes Benito Skinner Benj Pasek Bethany Cosentino Bethany Leavel Billy Eichner Billy Porter Bleta Rexha Bob the Drag Queen Bobby Berk Bonnie Milligan Brad Oscar Bradley Whitford Brandon Matthews Brendan Hines Bretman Rock Brian Smith Brigette Lundy-Paine Brittany Tomlinson Busy Philipps Caesar Samoya Camila Cabello Camille A Brown Cara Delevingne Chani Nicholas Chella Man Chelsea Handler Cheyenne Jackson Chris Perfetti Christa Miller Cleo Wade Colton Haynes Corey Jantzen Cynthia Erivo Cynthia McWilliams Cynthia Nixon Cyrus Veyssi D’Arcy Carden Dakota Fanning Dan Levy Darren Criss David Shatraw David Oulton Debra Messing Deepica Mutyala Demi Lovato Des McAnuff Devery Jacobs Diana Maria Riva Diane Guerrero Dylan Mulvaney Ed Droste Eddie Ndopu EJ Marcus Elegance Bratton Eliot Rahal Elle Fanning Elliot Page Emily Hampshire Emily V. Gordon Emma Hunton Erin Reed Estefania Pessoa FLETCHER Freddy Thomas Gabrielle Union-Wade Gigi Gorgeous Glennon Doyle Gottmik Grace Kuhlenschmidt Griffin Dunne Haley Baldwin Bieber Hannah Gadsby Harry Lambert Hayley Kiyoko Hilary Montez Ilana Glazer Indya Moore Isaac Mizrahi Jackie Bazan Jacob Tierney Jai Rodriguez Jameela Jamil James Blake James Scully James Vaughan Jamie Lee Curtis Janaya Khan Janelle Monáe Janet Hubert Jazz Jennings Jenna Lyons Jennifer Kerr Jeremy Fall Jessica Betts Jillian Mercado Jinkx Monsoon Joe DiPietro Jonathan Van Ness Jonathan Bennett Jonny Pierce Jordan Stenmark Jordan Firstman Jordan Roth JP Saxe Judd Apatow Justin Baldoni Justin Tranter Kal Penn Kamar de los Reyes Karamo Brown Kate Reinders Katherine LaNasa Kathryn Grody Kellie Overbey Kelly Devine Kendrick Sampson Kevin Harrington Kevin Cahoon Ki Griffin Kimber Elayne Sprawl Kimberly Drew Kristin Chenoweth Lachlan Watson Laith De La Cruz Laura Terruso Lauren Jauregui Laverne Cox Lena Dunham Lena Waithe Lena Hall Lilly Singh Lily Rabe Liv Hewson Liza Koshy Lola Tung Lorin Latarro Lovell Adams-Gray Lucky Bromhead Mae Martin Mae Whitman Maggie Boccella Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Mandy Patinkin Marc Jacobs Marc Kudisch Marieme Diop Martha Plimpton Matt Bernstein Matt McGorry Matt Walton Medalion Rahimi Meena Harris Megan Crabbe Michael D. Cohen Michaela Jaé Rodriguez Michelle Buteau Midori Francis Miriam Silverman Moj Mahdara Mona Chalabi Montego Glover Munroe Bergdorf Nate Wonder Nats Getty Neila Karassik Nicholas Ferroni Nico Carney Nico Santos Nico Tortorella Nicole Maines Niecy Nash-Betts Nik Dodani Ocean Vuong Olly Alexander Our Lady J Padma Lakshmi Patrick Stewart Patti LuPone Peppermint Phillip Picardi Phoebe Robinson Poorna Jagannathan Rachel Cargle Rafael Silva Ramy Youssef Randy Shulman Raquel Willis Richa Moorjani Rob Holysz Robert Horn Rory Dahl Rosario Dawson Rupi Kaur Sam Smith Sander Jennings Sandy Rustin Sara Bareilles Sara Ramirez Sarah Ramos Sasha Velour Scott Turner Schofield Shawn Mendes Shea Couleé Shea Diamond Sherri Saum Sinead Burke Solomon Hughes Stephen Kunken Susie Park T. Oliver Reid Taika Waititi Tan France Tatiana Maslany Tess Holliday Tiffany Namtu Tommy Dorfman Tracee Ellis Ross Travis Alabanza Tunde Adebimpe Vivek Shraya Wanda Sykes Warren Carlyle Wayne Cilento Wilson Cruz Yves Mathieu East Zoë Chao Zooey Deschanel

---

[1] ‘Frightening’ online transphobia has real-life consequences, advocates say [2] Doxxed Doctors, Library Bomb Threats, and Attacks on Pride Centers: A Week in Escalating Anti-LGBTQ Violence | The New Republic [3] FBI charges Massachusetts woman with Boston Children’s Hospital bomb threat [4] Far-Right Extremists Are Threatening to ‘Execute’ Doctors at a Children’s Hospital [5] The Far Right Is Calling for the Execution of Teachers and Doctors [6] Colorado Springs: Far-Right Influencers Made LGBTQ People Into Targets | Southern Poverty Law Center [7] The Relentless Misgendering of Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Health Secretary, Is Violence [8] Understanding Targeted Misgendering and Deadnaming as Hate Speech [9] Colorado Springs Shooting Follows Rise in Anti-LGBTQ Violence – Bloomberg [10] Online Harassment, Offline Violence – Human Rights Campaign Foundation [11] Everyone deserves quality medical care delivered without bias [12] Young Texas transgender activist leaving state because it’s ‘not safe for trans kids’ | kvue.com [13] Report details online harassment of trans health care providers [14] Progressive Texas Activist Exposes Terrifying Right-Wing TikTok Videos [15] DIGITAL HATE [16] Transphobic Influencers Are Driving a Violent Groomer Conspiracy | Decade of Hate [17] New Research: Hateful and Abusive Speech Towards LGBTQ+ Community Surging on Twitter Under Elon Musk [18] From URL to IRL: The Impact of social Media on People of Color, Women, and LGBTQ+ Communities – We Are UltraViolet [19] Will it take another death to stop the spread of anti-trans hate online [20] Zaya Wade female transformation Hodgetwins react; Kid Rock’s Incredible Response to Bud Light; LOL: Trans DUDE Breaks Women’s JEOPARDY Record [21] Facebook is making millions off Matt Walsh’s transphobic documentary

[athingofvikings]

A Thing Of Vikings Chapter 62: A Bringer Of New Things

Chapter 62: A Bringer Of New Things

The Byzantine Theme system (singular: thema) originated during the intense warfare facing the Byzantine Empire during the 600s AD.  The theme system was conceived of and designed to meet the logistical and manpower needs of the diminished Roman-Byzantine Army.  While the system evolved dramatically over the ensuing seven centuries until the final collapse of the Empire in the late 1300s AD, the general structure and concept was simple: each thema was (ideally) a singular district under the (equally ideally) unified military and civilian command of the local governing general (Strategos).  In that district, there were specific lands (stratiotika ktemata) that were under direct military rulership; these lands were used to provide for the upkeep of soldiers in the army. 

This created a group of soldier-farmers, the Strateia, who would work the stratiotika ktemata in time of peace, and join the army in times of war, or offer material and logistical support to the army directly (in contrast with the civilian farmers, the georgoi).  The status of Strateia was hereditary, and was intended to maintain the manpower and logistical needs of the Byzantine military in perpetuity.  Overall, the theme system was flexible and easily expanded; newly (re)captured lands could be granted to pensioners from the army, whose sons would then join military service.  There were other benefits as well to being part of the Strateia—exemption from certain taxes, and pay and state-sponsored material support for taking part in military campaigns and aiding in public works. 

The Theme system arguably reached its height under Emperor Basil II in the early 1000s, providing, provisioning, and manning a force of 110,000 men, the largest the Byzantine Army had reached in over five centuries.  It then quickly cratered, as Basil's land taxes and protectionary laws were undone by his immediate successors under pressure from the Dynatoi, the aristocratic magnate class.  Much of the stratiotika ktemata were acquired by the Dynatoi over the ensuing decades for their large-scale farming estates (latifundium), weakening the theme armies and their support.  By the beginning of the Dragon Era in the AD 1040s, the Byzantine Army could only muster 60,000 soldiers, with over 20% of those being foreign mercenaries. 

—Constantinople: The Child of Rome's Empire, Venice, Italy, 1725

AO3 Chapter Link

~~~

My Original Fiction | Original Fiction Patreon