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mostlysignssomeportents · 3 months

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Conspiratorialism and the epistemological crisis

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me next weekend (Mar 30/31) in ANAHEIM at WONDERCON, then in Boston with Randall "XKCD" Munroe! (Apr 11), then Providence (Apr 12), and beyond!

Last year, Ed Pierson was supposed to fly from Seattle to New Jersey on Alaska Airlines. He boarded his flight, but then he had an urgent discussion with the flight attendant, explaining that as a former senior Boeing engineer, he'd specifically requested that flight because the aircraft wasn't a 737 Max:

https://www.cnn.com/travel/boeing-737-max-passenger-boycott/index.html

But for operational reasons, Alaska had switched out the equipment on the flight and there he was on a 737 Max, about to travel cross-continent, and he didn't feel safe doing so. He demanded to be let off the flight. His bags were offloaded and he walked back up the jetbridge after telling the spooked flight attendant, "I can’t go into detail right now, but I wasn’t planning on flying the Max, and I want to get off the plane."

Boeing, of course, is a flying disaster that was years in the making. Its planes have been falling out of the sky since 2019. Floods of whistleblowers have come forward to say its aircraft are unsafe. Pierson's not the only Boeing employee to state – both on and off the record – that he wouldn't fly on a specific model of Boeing aircraft, or, in some cases any recent Boeing aircraft:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/22/anything-that-cant-go-on-forever/#will-eventually-stop

And yet, for years, Boeing's regulators have allowed the company to keep turning out planes that keep turning out lemons. This is a pretty frightening situation, to say the least. I'm not an aerospace engineer, I'm not an aircraft safety inspector, but every time I book a flight, I have to make a decision about whether to trust Boeing's assurances that I can safely board one of its planes without dying.

In an ideal world, I wouldn't even have to think about this. I'd be able to trust that publicly accountable regulators were on the job, making sure that airplanes were airworthy. "Caveat emptor" is no way to run a civilian aviation system.

But even though I don't have the specialized expertise needed to assess the airworthiness of Boeing planes, I do have the much more general expertise needed to assess the trustworthiness of Boeing's regulator. The FAA has spent years deferring to Boeing, allowing it to self-certify that its aircraft were safe. Even when these assurances led to the death of hundreds of people, the FAA continued to allow Boeing to mark its own homework:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8oCilY4szc

What's more, the FAA boss who presided over those hundreds of deaths was an ex-Boeing lobbyist, whom Trump subsequently appointed to run Boeing's oversight. He's not the only ex-insider who ended up a regulator, and there's plenty of ex-regulators now on Boeing's payroll:

https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/boeing-debacle-shows-need-to-investigate-trump-era-corruption/

You don't have to be an aviation expert to understand that companies have conflicts of interest when it comes to certifying their own products. "Market forces" aren't going to keep Boeing from shipping defective products, because the company's top brass are more worried about cashing out with this quarter's massive stock buybacks than they are about their successors' ability to manage the PR storm or Congressional hearings after their greed kills hundreds and hundreds of people.

You also don't have to be an aviation expert to understand that these conflicts persist even when a Boeing insider leaves the company to work for its regulators, or vice-versa. A regulator who anticipates a giant signing bonus from Boeing after their term in office, or a an ex-Boeing exec who holds millions in Boeing stock has an irreconcilable conflict of interest that will make it very hard – perhaps impossible – for them to hold the company to account when it trades safety for profit.

It's not just Boeing customers who feel justifiably anxious about trusting a system with such obvious conflicts of interest: Boeing's own executives, lobbyists and lawyers also refuse to participate in similarly flawed systems of oversight and conflict resolution. If Boeing was sued by its shareholders and the judge was also a pissed off Boeing shareholder, they would demand a recusal. If Boeing was looking for outside counsel to represent it in a liability suit brought by the family of one of its murder victims, they wouldn't hire the firm that was suing them – not even if that firm promised to be fair. If a Boeing executive's spouse sued for divorce, that exec wouldn't use the same lawyer as their soon-to-be-ex.

Sure, it takes specialized knowledge and training to be a lawyer, a judge, or an aircraft safety inspector. But anyone can look at the system those experts work in and spot its glaring defects. In other words, while acquiring expertise is hard, it's much easier to spot weaknesses in the process by which that expertise affects the world around us.

And therein lies the problem: aviation isn't the only technically complex, potentially lethal, and utterly, obviously untrustworthy system we all have to navigate. How about the building safety codes that governed the structure you're in right now? Plenty of people have blithely assumed that structural engineers carefully designed those standards, and that these standards were diligently upheld, only to discover in tragic, ghastly ways that this was wrong:

https://www.bbc.com/news/64568826

There are dozens – hundreds! – of life-or-death, highly technical questions you have to resolve every day just to survive. Should you trust the antilock braking firmware in your car? How about the food hygiene rules in the factories that produced the food in your shopping cart? Or the kitchen that made the pizza that was just delivered? Is your kid's school teaching them well, or will they grow up to be ignoramuses and thus economic roadkill?

Hell, even if I never get into another Boeing aircraft, I live in the approach path for Burbank airport, where Southwest lands 50+ Boeing flights every day. How can I be sure that the next Boeing 737 Max that falls out of the sky won't land on my roof?

This is the epistemological crisis we're living through today. Epistemology is the process by which we know things. The whole point of a transparent, democratically accountable process for expert technical deliberation is to resolve the epistemological challenge of making good choices about all of these life-or-death questions. Even the smartest person among us can't learn to evaluate all those questions, but we can all look at the process by which these questions are answered and draw conclusions about its soundness.

Is the process public? Are the people in charge of it forthright? Do they have conflicts of interest, and, if so, do they sit out any decision that gives even the appearance of impropriety? If new evidence comes to light – like, say, a horrific disaster – is there a way to re-open the process and change the rules?

The actual technical details might be a black box for us, opaque and indecipherable. But the box itself can be easily observed: is it made of sturdy material? Does it have sharp corners and clean lines? Or is it flimsy, irregular and torn? We don't have to know anything about the box's contents to conclude that we don't trust the box.

For example: we may not be experts in chemical engineering or water safety, but we can tell when a regulator is on the ball on these issues. Back in 2019, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection sought comment on its water safety regs. Dow Chemical – the largest corporation in the state's largest industry – filed comments arguing that WV should have lower standards for chemical contamination in its drinking water.

Now, I'm perfectly prepared to believe that there are safe levels of chemical runoff in the water supply. There's a lot of water in the water supply, after all, and "the dose makes the poison." What's more, I use the products whose manufacture results in that chemical waste. I want them to be made safely, but I do want them to be made – for one thing, the next time I have surgery, I want the anesthesiologist to start an IV with fresh, sterile plastic tubing.

And I'm not a chemist, let alone a water chemist. Neither am I a toxicologist. There are aspects of this debate I am totally unqualified to assess. Nevertheless, I think the WV process was a bad one, and here's why:

https://www.wvma.com/press/wvma-news/4244-wvma-statement-on-human-health-criteria-development

That's Dow's comment to the regulator (as proffered by its mouthpiece, the WV Manufacturers' Association, which it dominates). In that comment, Dow argues that West Virginians safely can absorb more poison than other Americans, because the people of West Virginia are fatter than other Americans, and so they have more tissue and thus a better ratio of poison to person than the typical American. But they don't stop there! They also say that West Virginians don't drink as much water as their out-of-state cousins, preferring to drink beer instead, so even if their water is more toxic, they'll be drinking less of it:

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2019/03/14/the-real-elitists-looking-down-on-trump-voters/

Even without any expertise in toxicology or water chemistry, I can tell that these are bullshit answers. The fact that the WV regulator accepted these comments tells me that they're not a good regulator. I was in WV last year to give a talk, and I didn't drink the tap water.

It's totally reasonable for non-experts to reject the conclusions of experts when the process by which those experts resolve their disagreements is obviously corrupt and irredeemably flawed. But some refusals carry higher costs – both for the refuseniks and the people around them – than my switching to bottled water when I was in Charleston.

Take vaccine denial (or "hesitancy"). Many people greeted the advent of an extremely rapid, high-tech covid vaccine with dread and mistrust. They argued that the pharma industry was dominated by corrupt, greedy corporations that routinely put their profits ahead of the public's safety, and that regulators, in Big Pharma's pocket, let them get away with mass murder.

The thing is, all that is true. Look, I've had five covid vaccinations, but not because I trust the pharma industry. I've had direct experience of how pharma sacrifices safety on greed's altar, and narrowly avoided harm myself. I have had chronic pain problems my whole life, and they've gotten worse every year. When my daughter was on the way, I decided this was going to get in the way of my ability to parent – I wanted to be able to carry her for long stretches! – and so I started aggressively pursuing the pain treatments I'd given up on many years before.

My journey led me to many specialists – physios, dieticians, rehab specialists, neurologists, surgeons – and I tried many, many therapies. Luckily, my wife had private insurance – we were in the UK then – and I could go to just about any doctor that seemed promising. That's how I found myself in the offices of a Harley Street quack, a prominent pain specialist, who had great news for me: it turned out that opioids were way safer than had previously been thought, and I could just take opioids every day and night for the rest of my life without any serious risk of addiction. It would be fine.

This sounded wrong to me. I'd lost several friends to overdoses, and watched others spiral into miserable lives as they struggled with addiction. So I "did my own research." Despite not having a background in chemistry, biology, neurology or pharmacology, I struggled through papers and read commentary and came to the conclusion that opioids weren't safe at all. Rather, corrupt billionaire pharma owners like the Sackler family had colluded with their regulators to risk the lives of millions by pushing falsified research that was finding publication in some of the most respected, peer-reviewed journals in the world.

I became an opioid denier, in other words.

I decided, based on my own research, that the experts were wrong, and that they were wrong for corrupt reasons, and that I couldn't trust their advice.

When anti-vaxxers decried the covid vaccines, they said things that were – in form at least – indistinguishable from the things I'd been saying 15 years earlier, when I decided to ignore my doctor's advice and throw away my medication on the grounds that it would probably harm me.

For me, faith in vaccines didn't come from a broad, newfound trust in the pharmaceutical system: rather, I judged that there was so much scrutiny on these new medications that it would overwhelm even pharma's ability to corruptly continue to sell a medication that they secretly knew to be harmful, as they'd done so many times before:

https://www.npr.org/2007/11/10/5470430/timeline-the-rise-and-fall-of-vioxx

But many of my peers had a different take on anti-vaxxers: for these friends and colleagues, anti-vaxxers were being foolish. Surprisingly, these people I'd long felt myself in broad agreement with began to defend the pharmaceutical system and its regulators. Once they saw that anti-vaxx was a wedge issue championed by right-wing culture war shitheads, they became not just pro-vaccine, but pro-pharma.

There's a name for this phenomenon: "schismogenesis." That's when you decide how you feel about an issue based on who supports it. Think of self-described "progressives" who became cheerleaders for the America's cruel, ruthless and lawless "intelligence community" when it seemed that US spooks were bent on Trump's ouster:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/12/18/schizmogenesis/

The fact that the FBI didn't like Trump didn't make them allies of progressive causes. This was and is the same entity that (among other things) tried to blackmail Martin Luther King, Jr into killing himself:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI%E2%80%93King_suicide_letter

But schismogenesis isn't merely a reactionary way of flip-flopping on issues based on reflexive enmity. It's actually a reasonable epistemological tactic: in a world where there are more issues you need to be clear on than you can possibly inform yourself about, you need some shortcuts. One shortcut – a shortcut that's failing – is to say, "Well, I'll provisionally believe whatever the expert system tells me is true." Another shortcut is, "I will provisionally disbelieve in whatever the people I know to act in bad faith are saying is true." That is, "schismogenesis."

Schismogenesis isn't a great tactic. It would be far better if we had a set of institutions we could all largely trust – if the black boxes where expert debate took place were sturdy, rectilinear and sharp-cornered.

But they're not. They're just not. Our regulatory process sucks. Corporate concentration makes it trivial for cartels to capture their regulators and steer them to conclusions that benefit corporate shareholders even if that means visiting enormous harm – even mass death – on the public:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/05/regulatory-capture/

No one hates Big Tech more than I do, but many of my co-belligerents in the war on Big Tech believe that the rise of conspiratorialism can be laid at tech platforms' feet. They say that Big Tech boasts of how good they are at algorithmically manipulating our beliefs, and attribute Qanons, flat earthers, and other outlandish conspiratorial cults to the misuse off those algorithms.

"We built a Big Data mind-control ray" is one of those extraordinary claims that requires extraordinary evidence. But the evidence for Big Tech's persuasion machines is very poor: mostly, it consists of tech platforms' own boasts to potential investors and customers for their advertising products. "We can change peoples' minds" has long been the boast of advertising companies, and it's clear that they can change the minds of customers for advertising.

Think of department store mogul John Wanamaker, who famously said "Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don't know which half." Today – thanks to commercial surveillance – we know that the true proportion of wasted advertising spending is more like 99.9%. Advertising agencies may be really good at convincing John Wanamaker and his successors, through prolonged, personal, intense selling – but that doesn't mean they're able to sell so efficiently to the rest of us with mass banner ads or spambots:

http://pluralistic.net/HowToDestroySurveillanceCapitalism

In other words, the fact that Facebook claims it is really good at persuasion doesn't mean that it's true. Just like the AI companies who claim their chatbots can do your job: they are much better at convincing your boss (who is insatiably horny for firing workers) than they are at actually producing an algorithm that can replace you. What's more, their profitability relies far more on convincing a rich, credulous business executive that their product works than it does on actually delivering a working product.

Now, I do think that Facebook and other tech giants play an important role in the rise of conspiratorial beliefs. However, that role isn't using algorithms to persuade people to mistrust our institutions. Rather Big Tech – like other corporate cartels – has so corrupted our regulatory system that they make trusting our institutions irrational.

Think of federal privacy law. The last time the US got a new federal consumer privacy law was in 1988, when Congress passed the Video Privacy Protection Act, a law that prohibits video store clerks from leaking your VHS rental history:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2008/07/why-vppa-protects-youtube-and-viacom-employees

It's been a minute. There are very obvious privacy concerns haunting Americans, related to those tech giants, and yet the closest Congress can come to doing something about it is to attempt the forced sale of the sole Chinese tech giant with a US footprint to a US company, to ensure that its rampant privacy violations are conducted by our fellow Americans, and to force Chinese spies to buy their surveillance data on millions of Americans in the lawless, reckless swamp of US data-brokerages:

https://www.npr.org/2024/03/14/1238435508/tiktok-ban-bill-congress-china

For millions of Americans – especially younger Americans – the failure to pass (or even introduce!) a federal privacy law proves that our institutions can't be trusted. They're right:

https://www.tiktok.com/@pearlmania500/video/7345961470548512043

Occam's Razor cautions us to seek the simplest explanation for the phenomena we see in the world around us. There's a much simpler explanation for why people believe conspiracy theories they encounter online than the idea that the one time Facebook is telling the truth is when they're boasting about how well their products work – especially given the undeniable fact that everyone else who ever claimed to have perfected mind-control was a fantasist or a liar, from Rasputin to MK-ULTRA to pick-up artists.

Maybe people believe in conspiracy theories because they have hundreds of life-or-death decisions to make every day, and the institutions that are supposed to make that possible keep proving that they can't be trusted. Nevertheless, those decisions have to be made, and so something needs to fill the epistemological void left by the manifest unsoundness of the black box where the decisions get made.

For many people – millions – the thing that fills the black box is conspiracy fantasies. It's true that tech makes finding these conspiracy fantasies easier than ever, and it's true that tech makes forming communities of conspiratorial belief easier, too. But the vulnerability to conspiratorialism that algorithms identify and target people based on isn't a function of Big Data. It's a function of corruption – of life in a world in which real conspiracies (to steal your wages, or let rich people escape the consequences of their crimes, or sacrifice your safety to protect large firms' profits) are everywhere.

Progressives – which is to say, the coalition of liberals and leftists, in which liberals are the senior partners and spokespeople who control the Overton Window – used to identify and decry these conspiracies. But as right wing "populists" declared their opposition to these conspiracies – when Trump damned free trade and the mainstream media as tools of the ruling class – progressives leaned into schismogenesis and declared their vocal support for these old enemies of progress.

This is the crux of Naomi Klein's brilliant 2023 book Doppelganger: that as the progressive coalition started supporting these unworthy and broken institutions, the right spun up "mirror world" versions of their critique, distorted versions that focus on scapegoating vulnerable groups rather than fighting unworthy institutions:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/05/not-that-naomi/#if-the-naomi-be-klein-youre-doing-just-fine

This is a long tradition in politics: hundreds of years ago, some leftists branded antisemitism "the socialism of fools." Rather than condemning the system's embrace of the finance sector and its wealthy beneficiaries, anti-semites blame a disfavored group of people – people who are just as likely as anyone to suffer under the system:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_is_the_socialism_of_fools

It's an ugly, shallow, cartoon version of socialism's measured and comprehensive analysis of how the class system actually works and why it's so harmful to everyone except a tiny elite. Literally cartoonish: the shadow-world version of socialism co-opts and simplifies the iconography of class struggle. And schismogenesis – "if the right likes this, I don't" – sends "progressive" scolds after anyone who dares to criticize finance as the crux of our world's problems as popularizing "antisemetic dog-whistles."

This is the problem with "horseshoe theory" – the idea that the far right and the far left bend all the way around to meet each other:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/26/horsehoe-crab/#substantive-disagreement

When the right criticizes pharma companies, they tell us to "do our own research" (e.g. ignore the systemic problems of people being forced to work under dangerous conditions during a pandemic while individually assessing conflicting claims about vaccine safety, ideally landing on buying "supplements" from a grifter). When the left criticizes pharma, it's to argue for universal access to medicine and vigorous public oversight of pharma companies. These aren't the same thing:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/05/25/the-other-shoe-drops/#quid-pro-quo

Long before opportunistic right wing politicians realized they could get mileage out of pointing at the terrifying epistemological crisis of trying to make good choices in an age of institutions that can't be trusted, the left was sounding the alarm. Conspiratorialism – the fracturing of our shared reality – is a serious problem, weakening our ability to respond effectively to endless disasters of the polycrisis.

But by blaming the problem of conspiratorialism on the credulity of believers (rather than the deserved disrepute of the institutions they have lost faith in) we adopt the logic of the right: "conspiratorialism is a problem of individuals believing wrong things," rather than "a system that makes wrong explanations credible – and a schismogenic insistence that these institutions are sound and trustworthy."

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/2024/03/25/black-boxes/#when-you-know-you-know

Image: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (modified) https://www.flickr.com/photos/nrcgov/15993154185/

meanwell-packaging.co.uk https://www.flickr.com/photos/195311218@N08/52159853896

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

#pluralistic #conspiratorialism #epistemology #epistemological crisis #mind control rays #opioid denial #vaccine denial #regulatory capture #boeing #corruption #inequality #monopoly #apple #dma #eu

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sarcasmandships · 1 year

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his! do you have any peterick fic recommendations? i've already read all your works on ao3 and i'm waiting desperately for updates so until then i need something to read because i feel like i've already read soooo many fics and i'm running out of material plz help :)

hiiii, im glad you like my fics and I'm sorry im terrible at updating i used to be so consistent but uni is just killing me with assignments rn! but i promise the restaurant au will get an update soon and im planning to edit death by a thousand cuts before i add to it again cos im just not really happy with the quality of it, but that will also be coming soon i promise!

anyways onto what you're really asking about; recommendations. im not sure if you're looking for smut or stories with plot so here's just a mix of things i've really liked ( i suck at bookmarking things so I've just searched through my history and there's deffos stuff i've missed im sorry)

Literally just read kick me in the face & ask me how my head feels by fkingdeathwish today - devoured this in a few hours and this fic made me like stories in first person. its so good and also has the best andy/joe/pete friendship dynamics i was smiling the whole time. but also features a lot of petekey tho which might not be ur thing

(smut) going down, down by @pyrchance - i read this the other day and its 10/10

Anything by snitchesandtalkers but some of my favourites are i've been checking my list, crooked love, making out inside crashed cars (smut), silver screen dream, the antidote to everything (except for me), we're friends when you're on your knees (not finished but still so so worth reading), amateur pornographers (smut obvs), a little less 16 candles (a little more bite me)

brutal love by @notastumph- this one is so good but like i also had to take a 5 min break between chapters cos the angst and heartbreak was getting to me so much (in the best way)

and i'll burn by jiksa - just read the tags first

the house on rosewood lane by scarredsodeep - this one is so fucking good, i don't even like horror and i was obsessed with this and couldn't stop reading

hey doctor, i'm certifiable by derridoid (smut) - so good and the ending made me laugh sm

husband on the payroll by das_verlorence-kind - what can i say, i love the fake relationship trope

also ive changed my plea to guilty by das_verlorence_kind - again just check the tags incase it’s not ur thing

accidents will happen by rusty76

again pretty much everything by @annoyingpetekey but some favourites are (i just wanna) get some, so pretty (when you're on your knees), and come on (and fuck me like you doubt me) - all smut

That Schrodinger guy made some really good points, you know? by @earlgreytea68

but i'm reflecting light by looks_a_scream - this one is deffos a favourite

the purgatory of my hips by auralcosm

edgar allan potato by emeralcitydowntowngirl - another absolute favourite, i have such a soft spot for soulmate AUs but I've never read one as good as this, again features a lot of petekey but it is all in the past

to take what i'm given with grace by likeasugarcube - their whole 'marriage of convience' series is amazing but this is the main fic and it is sooo good

anything by littlesnowpea but favourites include love in the middle of a firefight, but there's no preparing for this, and nobody wants to hear you sing about tragedy (pls read tags first tho)

december is for cynics by looks_a_scream - another favourite

secrets i don’t want to keep by perceived_nobility (although i think they’ve changed their name to invisible_man now) anyways this one is only accessible if you have an ao3 account but it is so so good an hurts in all the best ways, would advise paying attention to some of the tags tho

Also pretty much anything written by appleremix or vampyerika

Ok so I have like another 30+ pages in my history but this is already so long, so i hope you enjoy some of these assuming you haven't read them already!

#anon #fic recommendations #peterick

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malcolm-reeds-pineapple · 1 year

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It’s a new year! Here are some tips from a shithead adult for times of financial insecurity

Don’t do car loans. Save up and buy a beater in full

Be up front with your mechanic about your financial situation. Also on this point never go to a dealership for your mechanic needs. Go to some guy named Jerry who’s old enough to be your Grampa who’s certified to do state/provincial safeties. Those guys will know people for body work/glass work as well and usually have used tires laying around they can sell you for cheap

If you’ve got a bill that’s a little higher than you expected you’re gonna do two things. First thing you’re gonna do is go out and get a second job. Call centres are great for this because most of the time you’ve got a month of 9-5 above minimum wage paid training. Find out when your first sustantial pay from that job is gonna be and call whichever entity you owe money. Tell them to expect a payment the week after that substantial pay. This gives you time in case your payroll gets fucked up. Pay the bill as soon as you get the money on your account and then hand in your resignation for the job you took. It’s a labour shortage right now and you can take advantage of that.

Have a second bank account that’s bare bones. Most banks have a no-fee option that just houses money and comes with around 15 free transactions a month. Do not have any payments come out of this account. This is going to be your oopsie account if your other account gets overdrawn by a bill you forgot about. Put any amount you can afford to spare into this account every pay. This is a break in case of emergency fund for gas/food/meds that your hope should always be to never use. This is also good if you ever need to borrow money when you’re really up shit’s creek. The last thing you want is for the money you’ve been sent for survival to be sucked up by the void of an overdrawn bank account. This would be the time where I tell you that if you have auto deposit on for your etransfer you need to turn that shit off.

Put all bill payments on your phone calendar and have alerts the week before they come out and the day before they come out. Have the amount in the title of the event as well rounded up.

If you have a car, put 100 bucks away per month in a piggy bank or something. This way your safety for your car or any sort of vehicular issues will be less financially debilitating.

Pirate media/have a way of playing physical media. You can get DVDs at the thrift for pretty cheap and subscription services are fucking extortionate.

If you have any power over your work schedule at all, take a business day to be part of your weekend. I used to say that I worked at “my other job” on Mondays and Tuesdays so I could have those days off reliably. This is good for getting your unpleasant yet mandatory tasks done. Things like calling any sort of government offices, going to the doctor, the bank, etc. this will make planning those things a hell of a lot easier. Make sure to assert that you cannot work those days at all via something entirely made up but also important sounding (ie having another job, taking a made up relative to appointments)

Pick a bill that can be the first to go in financially insecure times. This is something that you can live without and won’t have a ton of fees and interest tacked on if you’re late. For me, mine is my phone bill. I can comfortably live without my phone and the late fees are usually manageable. On the other side of the coin, I cannot live without paying my car insurance as I need my car to get to work and a fine for driving without insurance is hefty and avoidable.

Find out where you get discounts based on your work, your insurance, your bank, that kind of thing. I know that at Shell stations in Canada you can use your CAA card to get money off per litre. Other things would be points cards. Again, in Canada your PC Optimum points (Grocery Baron In-Game Currency) can majorly add up over time and can make a huge difference in eating or not eating sometimes.

Keep in contact with your professional references. If you’re not in contact with professional references, have a couple friends you trust to be those professional references. Text them before you give their numbers away explaining what their position was and what company they worked for with you. If they ask you for references, chances are you’ve got the job anyway, the references are just a formality 9 times outta 10.

Avoid monetizing your hobbies. This will make that hobby a job and not a hobby and can end up making something you enjoy doing to unwind a burden.

On your resume, you’re only going to have jobs you left on good terms. Burn all the bridges you want, just don’t leave a paper trail. I’ve left jobs by simply disappearing to another province without so much as a text. The last thing you want is the hiring manager to call the place that presumed you dead asking about you. I don’t care if you learned valuable skills there, don’t put it on your resume if you left in a negative way.

Have reloadable gift cards to keep you accountable to budgets. As an example I’ll put 20$ on my Tim’s card per pay so my monkey brain has a fucking limit. I do the same for gas because I like driving around and listening to music but if I’ve only got 100$ per pay for gas, I will likely not speed run my carbon footprint like that.

It’s fucking rough out there dog this is just what I’ve been doing to try and keep myself sane. Feel free to add other things on cuz like fuck dude I’m open to suggestions

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vncglobal · 11 months

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Bookkeeping vs. Accounting: What is the Difference?

Bookkeeping and accounting are two essential functions that come into play when it comes to the management of financial records and the guaranteeing of a business's ability to operate without hiccups. There are substantial distinctions between the two, despite the fact that they are frequently used interchangeably with one another. In this blog post, we will discuss the fundamental distinctions between bookkeeping and accounting, as well as the contributions that each makes to the overall success of organisations operating in a variety of fields. VNC Global, a prominent bookkeeping services provider in Australia with more than a decade of expertise, is familiar with the complexities of these functions and is here to throw light on the distinctions.

The Essence of Bookkeeping:

The practice of maintaining accurate books and records is essential to any viable accounting system. It entails recording and organising in a methodical manner all of the financial transactions that have taken place. Bookkeepers are accountable for keeping records of a company's income and spending, accounts payable and receivable, along with other types of financial transactions, in a manner that is accurate and up to date. Their primary concern is making certain that all of the financial information is correctly recorded, categorised, and archived so that it can be accessed and analysed at a later time.

Key responsibilities of bookkeepers include:

Recording daily financial transactions

Maintaining general ledgers

Handling payroll processing

Managing bank reconciliations

Issuing and recording invoices

Monitoring accounts payable and receivable

Generating financial reports for management review

The Scope of Accounting:

On the other hand, accounting comprises a wider variety of operations related to financial management. It entails analysing, interpreting, and summarising the financial data that bookkeepers have recorded in the books. Accountants make use of this information in order to offer business owners and those in charge of decision-making important insights and strategic recommendations. Their knowledge is vital for ensuring that one may make well-informed judgements regarding one's finances and remain in accordance with applicable tax legislation.

Key responsibilities of accountants include:

Preparing financial statements like income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, etc.

Identify patterns and trends by analyzing the financial data

Providing financial advice and strategic planning

Conducting financial audits and ensuring compliance

Assisting in budgeting and forecasting

Tax planning and preparation

Skills and Qualifications:

Bookkeeping and accounting are two separate but related disciplines that demand distinct skill sets and qualifications. Bookkeepers often have extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of data input, and record keeping, and are conversant with accounting software. Although bookkeepers are not often required to have a formal degree, many do have certifications in their field, such as Xero or QuickBooks, to demonstrate their level of expertise.

On the other hand, it is common for employers to need accountants to have a higher degree of education in addition to certain professional certifications. The majority of accountants have degrees in accounting, finance, or other subjects linked to accounting, in addition to certificates like CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant). Because of their in-depth understanding of fundamental financial concepts and their extensive experience in this area, they are able to deliver useful financial insights and make strategic recommendations for the company.

Timeframe and Frequency:

In most cases, the responsibilities associated with bookkeeping are completed once per day or once per week. It is essential to keep financial records up to date in order to maintain accuracy and ensure that accounting processes proceed without a hitch. In contrast, accounting duties are more periodic in nature and are typically carried out on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, depending on the demands of the company and the regulations imposed by the regulatory authorities.

Focus on Compliance and Strategy:

The primary goals of bookkeeping are to keep accurate records and to adhere to the rules and regulations that govern the industry. It lays the framework for proper financial reporting by ensuring that the financial transactions of the company are correctly recorded and organised. On the other side, accounting places a strong emphasis on decision-making, in addition to strategic planning and financial analysis. Bookkeepers generate financial data, which accountants then analyse in order to assist firms in understanding their current financial health, locating areas in which they may improve, and making long-term growth plans.

Final Thoughts:

Even though bookkeeping and accounting are very closely tied to one another, they are used for very different things when it comes to the management of a company's finances. VNC Global, which is regarded among the best bookkeepers services provider in Australia, is aware of the significance of both roles in ensuring the continued prosperity and financial well-being of a wide range of business sectors. Bookkeepers play a crucial role in the recording and organisation of financial data, while accountants offer useful insights and strategic counsel based on the information provided by bookkeepers. Bookkeepers play a fundamental role in documenting and organising financial data.

It is essential for companies that want to optimise their financial operations and make educated decisions to have a solid understanding of the differences between bookkeeping and accounting. VNC Global is your reliable partner, providing outsourced bookkeeping services in Australia. Whether you require accurate record-keeping or extensive financial analysis, VNC Global can provide both. Get in touch with us as soon as possible to take the financial management of your company to new heights.

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dssoftware · 1 year

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Busy Accounting Software Services Near New Delhi :-

We are Busy Software Certified Partner- Ds Software Provide Best Busy Accounting Software for a costumer and give many facility for customer help to solve problems. Choose Your Best Busy Software Edition In many features and User use type like; Single , Dual , Multi User and Purchase. Ds Software are Solve your Query and Problem to choose best services to help your business and accounting level and gain your accounting business .Busy On Cloud it’s a solution for easy to use Busy from anywhere, anytime and from any devices with the help on just an internet connection Best Busy On Cloud Software Near New Delhi. Busy on Cloud it’s a solution for easy, economical, efficient and with securely to use Busy from anywhere, anytime and from any devices with the help on just an internet connection. Busy cloud accounting software, easy accounting software, top 10 accounting software, best payroll software, free billing software for small business, free billing software for retail shop, best invoicing, busy accounting software standard price, free online accounting, cloud based accounting, free accounting software for android, mobile accounting app,cloud accounting services.

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hbssolutionsind · 1 year

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Tally products and their specializations in India

Tally is one of the best business software providers with global references. Tally spearheaded the "codeless" account which has since revolutionized the accounting sector. Intending to offer an affordable, effective, and simple-to-use solution, Tally developed robust and customizable TallyPrime software then Download Tally Software.

Tally products have diversified features that help you to carry out many activities like managing Inventory, Sales, Point of Sales, Purchase, Manufacturing, Costing, Payroll, Branch Management, Accounting, and Finance in addition to functionalities such as excise, statutory processes, and many more.

Tally products offer exceptional security features useful for securing all your data and files. You have access to smooth connection with all your staff, at various branch locations, CA's, and at any time without leaving your position. All these make Tally products revered and the most preferred TallyPrime software.

One of the most important software from Tally is TallyPrime. This software is used by many businesses and since its release more than 2 decades; the software solution has been growing in leaps and bounds. Now, it has come to a stage where they have great performance software that meets the demands of all businesses whether small or big. The Tally product comes with different features, adds-on, tally modules, and personalized solutions for specific industries.

With such diversified functionalities, cost-effectiveness, and efficient customer support to answer all your queries and issues, TallyPrime comes with the following line of products for your use.

TallyPrime software:

This software solution is ideal for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that deal with trading, distribution, manufacturing, and service providers. This business software features key modules covering financial accounting and management, banking, inventory management, payroll, and statutory.

TallyPrime Server

This Tally product is designed to meet the needs of medium and large organizations in search of new ways to work efficiently. TallyPrime Server comes with an amazing design that makes your data protected and secured and at the same time, provides easy access from a single platform.

TallyPrime Auditor Edition

This is an auditing software solution solely designed to meet the needs of Chartered Accountants. With this software, you can easily deliver tax compliance and Audit services without leaving your office. This software will assist you to enhance your services and make you enjoy ease while achieving the optimum.

Tally.NET Subscription

This service comes with TallyPrime offering products update, data synchronization from many locations, remote access, and a variety of additional features that give a boost to your business performance.

Why Tally?

Tally believes in using the power of technology to help business owners work efficiently, and become better-off, so they can concentrate more on the important things in their business.

Tally delivers amazing flexibility in their product making it adaptable to different businesses and the way they work.

Tally rewards Certified Partners for their expertise with Tally products and their capacity to deliver outstanding customer service. Tally Certified Partners are completely prepared and ready to analyze your company needs, propose the best product, implement it, provide service and support, and even supply add-ons or solutions to tailor your user experience. In terms of automating your working practices, they function as your business consultants.

HBS Solutions is one of the best Tally partners that can help with Tally customization and handling. Every business has different needs and since the Tally products come with basic functionalities, there is a need to customize to suit your business needs. That is where you need the help of an expert.

HBS Solutions collaborates with their clients, to know how their business works, gain insight into their business operations, particular priorities, and procedures, and work on them. The team then determines the amount of demand that can be achieved by utilizing Tally's software basic functionality. If a gap exists, it is found and addressed for Tally Customization. In a nutshell, we ensure that the consumer benefits the most from Tally's features.

HBS Solutions have extensive expertise in implementing Enterprise business solutions available in the Tally enterprise framework. HBS Solutions provides comprehensive Tally solutions, including consulting, planning, development, execution, and training. We significantly increase our customers' performance by adopting an outstanding knowledge of business practices and executing them.

At HBS Solutions, we employ a precise technique that helps clients utilize Tally's features to the utmost and without draining their budget. Our service is cheap and yet effective. Our excellent performance at HBS Solutions is due to our ability to remain resilient, prompt customer support, a customer-focused approach, encouragement, and rewards for its staff, as well as its happy business partners.

At HBS Solutions, we employ a clear technique that enables clients to utilize Tally's advantages to the utmost extent and most economically. We are competent in all stages of Tally customization for any type of organization, Tally on Cloud solutions, Tally Training, and Tally Services.

HBS Solutions is dedicated to making things simpler, faster, and more accurate for you, regardless of whether you want TallyPrime setup or desire bespoke Tally integration. You may quickly do e-way billing with this TallyPrime software and obtain specialized Tally add-ons.

We are familiar with Tally and want to make sure that our clients are getting the best out of it too. The satisfaction of our customers is our priority and this is what is motivating us at HBS Solutions. Our team of experts is knowledgeable about the Tally world and has received training in how to treat clients politely. We can provide our customers with all the assistance they require to get the most out of their Tally installation because of our dedication and commitment to providing tailored and customized service.

Do you want to know more about how we can help you make the most of your Tally products, contact us today! As a certified Tally partner, we can assist you and respond to your questions via Remote Access.

Read more : Price Of Tally Software

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fstaccount123 · 27 days

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Navigating Tax/Vat Preparation and Bookkeeping Solutions in the UAE

At FST Accounting, we understand that tax preparation and bookkeeping aren't just checkboxes on your business to-do list. They're vital cogs in the wheel of your financial health and longevity. Our mission? To equip you with the savvy and strategies needed to not just comply with regulations, but to thrive financially, propelling your company toward growth and efficiency.

Let's Break It Down:

Tax Services: Picture us as your tax whisperers, guiding you through the maze of regulations with finesse. From nailing VAT compliance to crafting smart tax plans and filing spot-on returns, we've got your back.

Bookkeeping Solutions: Think of bookkeeping as the heartbeat of your financial operations. It's all about methodically logging and organizing your financial transactions. This clarity not only aids in decision-making but also keeps the regulators happy.

The Nuts and Bolts of Bookkeeping:

Step 1: We start by meticulously recording every transaction using top-notch accounting software tailored for the UAE market. Sales, purchases, expenses, payroll—you name it, we track it.

Step 2: Next, we sort and classify these records to whip up financial statements like balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow reports. It's like painting a clear picture of your financial landscape.

Payroll Management in the UAE:

Navigating UAE's labor laws can be a bit like tiptoeing through a minefield. That's where our payroll management services swoop in. We ensure your employees get paid accurately and on time, while also staying on the right side of the law.

Tax Accounting vs. Bookkeeping:

Bookkeeping lays the groundwork, recording every financial move. Tax accounting takes it a step further, handling the nitty-gritty of tax returns and compliance. Think of bookkeeping as the canvas and tax accounting as the masterpiece painted upon it.

Tax Accounting Methods:

In the UAE, we've got options. Accrual accounting vs. cash basis accounting—each with its own perks. Accrual accounting recognizes revenue and expenses as they're earned or incurred, while cash basis accounting sticks to cold, hard cash exchanges.

Small Business Accounting in the UAE:

Small businesses, rejoice! Our tailored accounting services are here to lighten your load. Say goodbye to financial headaches and hello to streamlined operations and growth opportunities.

When you partner with seasoned pros like us, you're not just getting accurate financial records. You're gaining peace of mind, knowing your financial ship is sailing smoothly toward success.

Ready to take the plunge? Let's chat about how we can steer your business toward financial prosperity.

Tagged: Bookkeeping solutions in UAE, Payroll management in UAE, Small business accounting in UAE

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sarahjonescpa · 1 year

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Description: We are a CPA Firm located in Conroe Texas, but are also licensed by the IRS in all 50 states. We are a boutique firm, specializing in advanced tax planning and providing massive value to our clients through our innovative strategies and services. We feel that each business owner should have a good CPA on their side. A CPA should not be seen as a "cost", but rather an investment in your tax planning and wealth management process. We offer a complimentary tax analysis to all potential and new clients. Tax planning is the foundation of all we do here at Sarah Jones CPA. Our Services Include: Accounting And Advisory Tax Preparation Tax Planning Business Consulting Wealth Advisory Services Insurance IRS Representation

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aaassociatellc · 1 year

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How to Find a Good Accountant for Your Business

Find Your Best Accounting Partner.

If you're a business owner in Dubai, UAE, you know that managing your finances is an essential part of your operations. It can be overwhelming to keep track of your financial transactions, taxes, and bookkeeping while running your business. Therefore, it's wise to have a competent accountant who can help you with your accounting needs. In this blog post, we will explore how to find a good accountant for your business and the benefits of working with accounting companies in Dubai.

1. Determine Your Accounting Needs

Before starting your search for an accountant, you need to define your accounting needs. Knowing what you require from an accountant will help you narrow down your search. Do you need someone to manage your taxes, bookkeeping, financial statements, or payroll? Do you want a full-time, part-time, or freelance accountant? Once you have answered these questions, you can proceed to the next step.

2. Ask for Recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good accountant is through recommendations from people you trust. You can ask your business associates, friends, family members, or even your lawyer or banker for referrals. They may have worked with an accountant in the past or know someone who has. Alternatively, you can search online for the best accounting firms in UAE or accounting services in Dubai, and check their reviews and ratings.

3. Check Their Qualifications and Credentials

When searching for an accountant, it's essential to check their qualifications and credentials. Look for someone who has a degree in accounting, finance, or business administration. You can also check if they are certified public accountants (CPAs) or chartered accountants (CAs). These designations indicate that the accountant has passed rigorous exams and meets the highest professional standards in the accounting industry.

4. Consider Their Experience and Specialization

Experience is critical when it comes to accounting. You want someone who has worked with businesses similar to yours, understands your industry, and has experience working with different auditing services in Dubai. You should also consider their specialization. Some accountants specialize in tax planning, while others focus on auditing or bookkeeping. Choose an accountant whose expertise aligns with your needs.

5. Assess Their Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A good accountant should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You may need someone who can explain complex accounting concepts in simple terms, listens to your concerns, and responds promptly to your inquiries. A good accountant should also be patient, reliable, and trustworthy. You'll be entrusting them with sensitive financial information, so it's crucial to choose someone you feel comfortable working with.

6. Ask About Their Fees

Before hiring an accountant, it's essential to understand their fee structure. Some accountants charge by the hour, while others charge a flat fee or a percentage of your revenue. Ask for an estimate of their fees and what services are included. You should also inquire about additional charges for services like tax preparation, payroll processing, or financial planning.

7. Schedule an Interview

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential accountants, schedule an interview with them. This is an opportunity to ask them questions and learn more about their services. You can also get a sense of their personality and work ethic. During the interview, ask about their experience, their approach to accounting, and how they can help you achieve your business goals.

8. Check Their References

Before hiring an accountant, ask for references from their previous clients. You can contact these clients to learn about their experience working with the accountant. Ask about their level of satisfaction, the quality of their work, and their communication skills. This information can help you make an informed decision when choosing an accountant.

Final Words

In summary, finding a good accountant is an essential step in managing your business finances. By following the steps outlined in this blog post and working with accounting companies in Dubai like A&A Associate LLC you can get the expert financial advice and support you need to succeed in the UAE market!

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austinturner · 2 years

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Bookkeeping VS. Accounting

Accounting and bookkeeping are frequently used interchangeably. Though bookkeeping and accounting are closely linked, there is a fine line between the two. Bookkeepers keep track of a company’s financial transactions on a daily basis. Accountants, on the other hand, are more involved with the big picture, they are in charge of interpreting, categorizing, evaluating, summarizing, and reporting financial data.

There are a lot of finer points involved with bookkeeping and accounting systems. A keen attention to detail is essential especially for the untrained eye. Accountants perform audits and estimates for future business needs.These expert professionals use the bookkeeper’s inputs to create financial statements. To add, they review and evaluate the financial information recorded by bookkeepers on a daily basis.

Since the two professions are related, bookkeepers and accountants frequently work together. Both of these roles require a lot of the same skills and abilities. However, there are some important differences, such as the work involved in each career and what is essential for success.

So if you are considering outsourcing an accounting or bookkeeping service in Los Angeles then here’s what you need to know about these two roles. Figure out which one your company needs.

What Is Accounting?

Accounting is also known as the language of business.

It is the systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and disseminating data about the financial transpiring within a business. Accounting helps determine a company’s financial position and present it to stakeholders. It also helps business owners in making short- and long-term development plans and decisions.

Accounting speaks for a company’s credibility to the target market with the purpose to provide a clear overview of financial statements to its stakeholders which include investors, lenders, employees, and the government.

The following are some common accounting tasks:

Provide data validation and analysis

Create reports, carry out audits, and put together financial records like tax returns, income statements, and balance sheets

Provide data for predictions, business trends, and expansion opportunities

Assist business owners to understand the effects of financial decisions

The accounting process generates reports that bring key aspects of your company’s finances together to provide you with a detailed picture of where your finances are, what they mean, what you can and must do about them, and where you can expect your company to be in the near future.

All CPAs are accountants. However, not all accountants are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). An accountant and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) are not the same things. Although both can prepare your tax returns, a CPA has a better understanding of tax laws and can represent you once audited by the IRS.

And What Is Bookkeeping?

Bookkeepers are in charge of maintaining the books and gathering data for accountants. Keeping information up to date and recording financial transactions are their main concerns. For instance, if you have a bookkeeper on the team, they will record transactions daily or once a week to make sure you have a chronological record of incoming and outgoing transactions.

The main objective of bookkeeping is to keep an accurate record of all financial transactions in a business. This data is used by companies to make major investment decisions.

Bookkeeping tasks includes the following:

Keep track of financial transactions

Post credits and debits on record

Create invoices

Make financial statements (balance sheet, cash flow statement, and income statement)

Keep and balance subsidiary accounts, general ledgers, and historical accounts

Complete payroll.

The size of the company and the volume of transactions processed daily, weekly, and monthly are common factors in determining how complicated a bookkeeping system is. Your company must consistently record all sales and purchases in the ledger, and some transactions require supporting documentation.

Bookkeeping is essential whether your business is big or small, a multinational corporation or an independent contractor. Bookkeeping helps create a budget. And with a budget, any business owner can more easily plan for future expenditures and investments. Additionally, bookkeeping also makes tax preparation easier.

The Bottom Line

Both bookkeeping and accounting are important for business success. While there are some similarities, there are also a number of significant differences.

While accounting provides a more in-depth interpretation and analysis of financial data, bookkeeping is focused on recording information and keeping the books up to date. The work done by bookkeepers paves the way for accountants, giving them the tools they need to create reports, submit tax returns, and provide incisive, personalized financial advice. In simple terms, bookkeepers prepare the data and lay the groundwork for accountants to proceed.

Accounting and bookkeeping are vital components of every business. For this reason, The Bookkeepers R Us team is composed of professional and qualified accountants providing the best and most affordable CPA and bookkeeping service in Los Angeles!

Expect our bookkeepers and accountants to evolve with the current market situation. We have the technical expertise to work with new systems and technologies.

Worried on how to manage your finances on your own? Get assistance from the best CPA firm in Los Angeles now!

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