#successful long and short term problem solving

[trainsinanime]

I've seen a number of people worried and concerned about this language on Ao3s current "agree to these terms of service" page. The short version is:

Don't worry. This isn't anything bad. Checking that box just means you forgive them for being US American.

Long version: This text makes perfect sense if you're familiar with the issues around GDPR and in particular the uncertainty about Privacy Shield and SCCs after Schrems II. But I suspect most people aren't, so let's get into it, with the caveat that this is a Eurocentric (and in particular EU centric) view of this.

The basic outline is that Europeans in the EU have a right to privacy under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), an EU directive (let's simplify things and call it an EU law) that regulates how various entities, including companies and the government, may acquire, store and process data about you.

The list of what counts as data about you is enormous. It includes things like your name and birthday, but also your email address, your computers IP address, user names, whatever. If an advertiser could want it, it's on the list.

The general rule is that they can't, unless you give explicit permission, or it's for one of a number of enumerated reasons (not all of which are as clear as would be desirable, but that's another topic). You have a right to request a copy of the data, you have a right to force them to delete their data and so on. It's not quite on the level of constitutional rights, but it is a pretty big deal.

In contrast, the US, home of most of the world's internet companies, has no such right at a federal level. If someone has your data, it is fundamentally theirs. American police, FBI, CIA and so on also have far more rights to request your data than the ones in Europe.

So how can an American website provide services to persons in the EU? Well… Honestly, there's an argument to be made that they can't.

US websites can promise in their terms and conditions that they will keep your data as safe as a European site would. In fact, they have to, unless they start specifically excluding Europeans. The EU even provides Standard Contract Clauses (SCCs) that they can use for this.

However, e.g. Facebook's T&Cs can't bind the US government. Facebook can't promise that it'll keep your data as secure as it is in the EU even if they wanted to (which they absolutely don't), because the US government can get to it easily, and EU citizens can't even sue the US government over it.

Despite the importance that US companies have in Europe, this is not a theoretical concern at all. There have been two successive international agreements between the US and the EU about this, and both were struck down by the EU court as being in violation of EU law, in the Schrems I and Schrems II decisions (named after Max Schrems, an Austrian privacy activist who sued in both cases).

A third international agreement is currently being prepared, and in the meantime the previous agreement (known as "Privacy Shield") remains tentatively in place. The problem is that the US government does not want to offer EU citizens equivalent protection as they have under EU law; they don't even want to offer US citizens these protections. They just love spying on foreigners too much. The previous agreements tried to hide that under flowery language, but couldn't actually solve it. It's unclear and in my opinion unlikely that they'll manage to get a version that survives judicial review this time. Max Schrems is waiting.

So what is a site like Ao3 to do? They're arguably not part of the problem, Max Schrems keeps suing Meta, not the OTW, but they are subject to the rules because they process stuff like your email address.

Their solution is this checkbox. You agree that they can process your data even though they're in the US, and they can't guarantee you that the US government won't spy on you in ways that would be illegal for the government of e.g. Belgium. Is that legal under EU law? …probably as legal as fan fiction in general, I suppose, which is to say let's hope nobody sues to try and find out.

But what's important is that nothing changed, just the language. Ao3 has always stored your user name and email address on servers in the US, subject to whatever the FBI, CIA, NSA and FRA may want to do it. They're just making it more clear now.

[maximumzombiecreator]

I've seen a lot of posts recently where people say they can't find players to play non-5e TTRPGs with. As someone who moves countries every few years, I've had to rebuild my roster of local TTRPG players from scratch a number of times. Here's how I do it.

Caveats first: while I've done this in small cities, I have always done it in cities. If you're in, like, a rural environment, you might just not have enough interested people around. You can always do it online in that case. I'm not really going to cover finding players online, except to say you should probably look for communities for the specific system you want to play. Most of them are enthusiastically looking for new participants. Especially game masters.

Okay, first things first, you gotta find people. I generally find I get better results if the search is location first. That is, rather than using city-wide or regional Looking For Group type internet groups, I look for physical locations that host gaming groups. Local game stores, public libraries, gaming cafes/bars, etc.

Being location first helps avoid some common bad behaviours. Online LFG groups often have a few shitty people hanging around who can't find long term groups because they're shitty. They'll jump at the opportunity to join new groups where people don't know them, because everyone else knows better than to game with them. But location-based groups are better at filtering this. Someone who harasses people at an LGS can be banned from the store, but decentralized online groups struggle to handle these situations in my personal experience.

Being location first also solves the next problem, which is giving you a location to play. Eventually, when I have a long term group, I'll host games in my home. But there needs to be a level of trust before that feels safe, and we're looking for randoms, so for now we need a public gaming venue. If, for whatever reason, there aren't dedicated gaming spaces where you can do this, I've had the most success gaming in cafes or restaurants during off peak hours. I've run a bunch of games in restaurants from, like, 2pm-5pm on a Saturday, and as long as you're buying drinks and some snacks or something, and being polite and non-disruptive, it's typically not too hard to get permission.

Now, if that local group has enough interest in a non-5e system that I'm interested in running, I'll happily do that, and it's pretty free from there. Most people who are willing to play one other system will gladly try others if they find they like playing with you. But even in big cities, I feel it's pretty often the case that postings for local games of other systems don't wind up actually finding successful groups.

So, here is the bit where, unfortunately, finding people to play non-5e games with involves playing some 5e. Community groups are always looking for more GMs to run games, so I will set out to run a number of short 5e adventures, each with different groups. These are typically oneshots that I have the option of extending for another 1 or 2 sessions.

I always run adventures that I've written myself for these, because I want my particular GMing style to really come through. Looking for players is a two way street. I'm looking for people I like GMing for, but I'm also looking to make sure they know what they're getting. Especially if I'm going to ask them to play a system they've never tried, they should know that there's going to be something they enjoy. So, these short adventures are full of the types of silly but sincere NPCs I tend to run, the open-ended scenarios I prefer, the tropes I favour, etc. If someone isn't going to enjoy playing with me, I want them to know it from this adventure.

I structure the adventures to give me a lot of flexibility in terms of how long they run. They're nearly always mysteries, but with some active component to the mystery, so that if things drag or dawdle I can have the villain show up and force a final confrontation. They're also structured to have a natural "next thing." You find and defeat the villain, but there's an implied next villain you'll be going after. That way, if the group is working well and I want to continue, it's easy to present the option to the group. But if I'm not interested in continuing with the group, the next thing can just serve as an "and the adventures continue" implied epilogue, and the game still feels complete.

I don't like players just bringing their own character sheet to the table. Someone who brings a disruptive character can ruin a session without me getting much useful information out of it, other than that I don't want to play with that person. And if it ruins the experience for the other players, I'm often out the opportunity to game with those people, through neither of our faults. I've experimented with both asking players to submit their characters in advance or making them choose between a collection of premade characters. The former is a good check for whether people will put in a basic amount of effort and follow instructions, but it can dissuade people who are just looking to dip their toes into playing for the first time. The latter can turn off players who are into crunchy games and are excited about character building. As a result, I'll usually choose the approach based on what non-5e system I'm currently most excited about running. Do I want to get together a group for a rules-light game? Premade characters it is. Looking to run some PF2e? Please submit your character sheet in advance. Some locations also do more drop-in based games, in which case it's premades all day.

As I'm running the game, I'm observing the players. There's a simple vibe check, obviously. Do I like playing with this person? But I'm also looking at how they play. What are they here for, what's exciting them? Are they struggling with finding optimal turns in combat, or do they like mastering a system? Are they curious about the world, or do they glaze over when the spotlight isn't on them? Do they light up in dialogue scenes? Do they want to try crazy things outside of their on-sheet abilities? Remember, later, I'm going to try to persuade this person to try to play a game they've never played before. I need to know what specifically is going to excite them.

I have (always with permission) recorded sessions before to go over in making these choices, but honestly even just a few small reminder notes will help me unravel things later. If a session goes well, I'll ask at the end for people to give me their contact information if they'd be interested in playing again. Non-committal, at their comfort, and it doesn't single out people that I don't want to play with. I can always just not call them. Usually I find I'm interested in playing again with a little more than half of the players I meet this way. In my experience, it's fairly rare for a player to say they're not interested in playing again, TTRPGs rule and there's a DM shortage.

What I usually do is keep running these until I have enough people in mind to run something else, even if it isn't the system I'm most excited about. Probably it would be better to spend more time in this starter phase building up more connections, but after running like 4-5 5e adventures, I'm usually more than ready to run anything else, and if I have to shelve my Lancer ideas because I've mostly found crunch-averse players, I'm usually fine with that.

So, next comes the invites. Now, most players I meet this way will eventually be open to playing most games, but listen: you can put people well out of their comfort zone for their third TTRPG, but you gotta be real careful with their second. Most of the time, the game I'm inviting people to will be their first real exposure to a non-5e TTRPG. If they don't like it, they will run back to the safety of 5e and you will never get them out of it again. So I am very careful in picking the right system for the players I am inviting.

Whatever the new system I want to run is, I will set up a pilot session for it. I am very clear to players that I will teach them the system at the session, they do not need to know it in advance. Eventually, when I have a reliable group of TTRPG people to play with, I'll expect them to be able to pick up systems without a ton of help, but for players that are only used to the complexity of 5e, the idea of learning a new system is daunting. I rehearse the teaching of the game session. It's the only thing for TTRPGs I ever rehearse, but I want to know down pat how I'm going to quickly teach a new system and make it feel approachable and non-threatening. I'm also very clear that this will be a single session, with the possibility of turning into a campaign if we like it. All of this is structured to feel very safe. No initial learning required, no long term commitment, with a GM you already know you like.

But even as safe as that is, you still have to pitch the system. Why should the player be excited about playing this new game? Don't go all TTRPG nerd on them and explain all the details of the system, or use a bunch of jargon. Give them one or two things to be excited about with short, detailed anecdotes to back them up.

"We're going to be playing Blades in the Dark. It's a game where you play a gang of criminals in a haunted, steampunk dystopia. Every session you'll do heists, but instead of meticulously planning them, you start right in the action, and when you need to have planned for something, you can do a flashback scene to explain your preparation. One group I ran this for got busted by guards during an early heist, but used a flashback to create a scene where they had gotten a buddy of theirs a job as one of the guards, and he helped them out of the situation. And for some reason they fell in love with this bumbling goof I improvised to be the buddy, and then on a bunch of future jobs they kept using flashbacks to get him jobs wherever they were robbing. So this one idiot was just a de-facto crew member who worked a dozen different inside jobs despite being about as sharp as an eraser. And eventually they fucked up and got him killed, but they brought him back as a ghost, because you can do that in Blades in the Dark."

I find using a specific example of play really helps get peoples' imaginations going, which is what is going to help them say yes. And that example is tailored to what I know that player vibes with, what it is I think that makes them a good fit for this game.

The last detail about the invites is that I'm telling them, not asking them. It is not, "Hey, are you interested in playing this new game?" It's "I'm going to be running this new game. If you're interested in playing, please let me know what times work for you." If you're asking, you're going to get some "well but can it be 5e?" If you're telling, then they can choose to learn a new game in order to keep playing TTRPGs with a GM they know they like, or they can choose not to play at all.

Once you get enough yesses for a game, you run it, and then from there you're on your own. I think those are basically just friends you have at that point, and I'm not gonna tell you how to have friends.

Hopefully at least one person finds all that useful!

[misticatarot]

🌙 What You’re Not Seeing Yet – Extended Tarot Reading

Pick an Image (1-2-3)

1) 🔄 Eight of Pentacles (Reversed)

❓ “What am I working for—and why?”

This card reveals a truth that may be hard to admit: you’re putting in effort, showing up, doing the work... but it may not actually be aligned with who you are. There’s a chance you’ve been following a path because it seemed right, or safe, or expected—rather than because it truly feels yours.

What you’re not seeing yet is that hard work isn’t always meaningful work. Sometimes, we end up investing our time and energy into building someone else’s idea of success, chasing rewards that don't really nourish us. The reversed Eight of Pentacles advises you to let go of what you are currently doing. All attempts to move forward will not lead to success. In the chosen area, you will not be able to grow or understand new things. You must quickly decide to abandon your goals. If you don't stop, there is a high risk of losing yourself and being disappointed by life.

🔹 Reflection prompt:

“If I stopped doing this—would I feel relieved or guilty?” "What is the meaning of my actions?"

There’s no shame in letting go of something that no longer supports your growth. Walking away isn’t always quitting. Sometimes, it’s the most self-honoring choice you can make.

2) ⚖️ Two of Pentacles (Upright)

❓ “How can I hold it all together—without losing myself?”

You’re balancing a lot right now—tasks, feelings, relationships, expectations. And on the surface, it might look like you’re managing. But deep down, are you thriving or just surviving?

This card reminds you that balance isn't the same as harmony. Sometimes, it’s just controlled chaos.

What you're not seeing yet is that not everything deserves to be kept in motion. Some things you're holding onto might be draining you more than supporting you.

🔹 Reflection prompt:

“What part of this is for me, and what part is just to keep others happy?” “Where am I sacrificing myself just to keep things from falling apart?” "Where is my center?" "How can I avoid losing my balance?"

True balance doesn’t mean juggling everything. It means choosing wisely where to place your energy. You’re allowed to drop the things that no longer serve your center. To solve the problem, you need to take many factors into account. You must try to combine different processes, take care of yourself and others. One process completely depends on another. If something is overlooked, the entire system could collapse.

3) ✨ Knight of Pentacles (Upright)

❓ “Where am I going—and what am I willing to give in return?”

This card speaks to your potential, your long-term vision, and your ability to build something lasting and grounded.The Knight of Pentacles is steady, focused, and patient. He doesn’t rush—but he always moves forward.

What you're not seeing yet is how much power there is in slow, intentional progress. You don’t need to hustle to prove your worth. You just need to keep showing up—with care.

But there’s a warning too: don’t get stuck in overthinking, and don’t try to skip steps out of impatience. Both hesitation and haste can sabotage your journey.

This road will not be short, but in the end it will lead to a well-deserved reward. The Knight of Pentacles card warns of the danger of stopping, or conversely, of rushing. To reach a new peak, you need to study and work even harder, and gain practical experience. Now is the best time to realize all the possibilities and talents of the seeker. If you take on a task that is too small or too large, there is a high risk of failure.

🔹 Reflection prompt:

“Am I respecting my natural pace—or trying to push or shrink myself to fit someone else’s timeline?” "What do I want to achieve?"

This card tells you: your efforts matter, even when no one sees them. The road may be long—but if it’s aligned with your truth, it will be worth every step. You need to find a middle way and avoid going to extremes. In this sense, the card symbolizes a confident movement toward high goals.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash Photo by Jessica Smith on Unsplash Photo by Dave Ruck on Unsplash

[toniko]

Disaster Management Bureau = Lesser of 2 evils ?

thoughts on work themes of gsgw

uhh let’s say up to c194, that’s when I last read

by the way, it’s really funny how the title’s legitimacy is kept even with the change of setting anywho

oh but honestly as workplaces (even beyond what they deal with) both Daydream & Disaster Management Bureau are representative of abusive and high burnout type workplaces

Let’s look past the morality aspects of what both institutions are trying to accomplish for a bit and look at employee human rights

Daydream is one step away from a black company ((it’s a Japanese term) black company = a company abusive to just short of illegal/basically is/sweatshop esque) (No isn’t it???). There’s an ever amount of abusive superiors. Director Ho. Go Youngeun for example, though it was described briefly, had a boss that seemed openly dismissive of her & ditched her and that seems to the standard rather than the sweet Team D Kim Soleum experiences. I don’t think I need to give more examples. Existence of the finishing teams, it’s a real human rights case. Work is obviously not rewarding and overtime is comically bad when you’re stuck in a ghost story for a few days.

However, the notable thing about Daydream is that good performance seriously gets you somewhere in the company & the employee benefits are legitimate. Housing… honestly a neat, company covered, close to work apartment. And since it’s a pharmaceutical company, health is rather well covered. Don’t forget that high base salary, the reputation of working at a famous company… There’s such an extreme amount of things you can buy with points, it’s the ultimate high risk high reward trade off.

Disaster Management Bureau is the perfect place to send upstanding people who want to help and support people so they get overworked and underpaid. It’s amazing that Kim Soleum who had enough to spend hundreds of millions of won on the alien store. And if I am to recall, Disaster Management Bureau work is so, so frequent. Especially since there’s a reduced number of teams at this point (reason = death!) and you can imagine why Soleum ran into Agent Bronze so often. Forgive me for doing 0 citation ever on these, I type these on a phone to unload fandom thoughts & not to write academic essays, if I’m wrong about how much he works please 🙏 comment or anything else for that matter.

And absolutely no disrespect, but Disaster Management Bureau ghost stories are real spontaneous. There’s a reason why the stories aren’t ranked within the Disaster Management logs. They just respond to most calls and there’s (checks scribbles on hand) three whole rescue teams right now? Is that right? Kim Soleum joined a currently 2 person team? You’re sending a newbie to a place where agents went missing already? Let’s hire more people and have more professional guides… If Daydream wasn’t as deeply corrupt as it is and swapped to saving civilians while collecting the solution, then I would believe them to be ridiculously successful in doing so. (Well that’s just a what-if, I don’t think it’s actually feasible to happen at all). Anyway, it’s difficult. When I see the sullen faces of the agents who lost their coworkers and work such long hours at crazy call requests earning a meager salary… yes this is the principle of society isn’t it? A good person who wants to work at a public institution doing good deeds, help & save people have less personal benefits than working at a private company with scummy ethics!

Doesn’t the government prey on the goodwill of people to solve ghost stories and operate using a trolley problem? The general public is kept safe one step at a time at the sacrifice of the wellbeing & lives of a couple of good people. So while it’s inherently socially upright to work for the Disaster Management Bureau, it’s also a lifetime employment to sacrifice for the people.

It all sucks really.

[novlr]

Do you have tips on writing a character who hasn't eaten in a while?

Hunger is more than a mere rumble in the belly; it is a powerful human experience that intertwines emotion with the physical, influencing a character’s actions and shaping their decisions. Whether it is the gnawing emptiness of a missed meal or the desperate ache of long-term deprivation, hunger can be a compelling force in storytelling.

Behaviour

Persistent thoughts of food

Increased irritability or lack of focus

Hoarding behaviours

Overprotective around food

Frequently visit places where food can be obtained

Partake in activities that distract from hunger

Eager to accept food-related invitations or tasks

Unusually willing to consume foods they normally wouldn’t

A gradual decline in energy or enthusiasm

Show obsessive behaviours

Interactions

Easily agitated in social situations

Conversations frequently divert back to topics of food

Bartering or trading items of value for food

Impatient when waiting for food in group settings

Feel shame or embarrassment when their hunger is noticed

Increased generosity when they have food, knowing what it’s like to be without

Reluctance to share food or an obsession with equal portions

Withdraw from social interactions to avoid exposing their hunger

Probe others for information about potential food sources

Relationships could be strained or strengthened through the sharing or withholding of food

Body language

Slumped or listless posture due to low energy

Stomach clutching or other physical manifestations of hunger

Fidgety, restless movements or a loss of coordination

Fixation with watching others eat or staring at food

Slow, lethargic response to stimuli unrelated to food

Exhibit rapid eating behaviours when food is available

Frequently licking lips in anticipation of eating

Increased response to food-related stimuli, like smelling food from afar

Distracted gaze, as if looking for food opportunities

Display physical signs of malnutrition, such as physical weakness, hair loss or sallow skin

Attitude

Pessimistic or short-tempered

Single-mindedness focus that prioritises food

Impolite or a lack of social graces

Increased risk-taking behaviour through desperation

Manipulative

Fluctuating moods

Sense of hopelessness

Heightened sense of gratitude for any food received

A less discerning perspective on what is considered ‘edible’

Reevaluating personal values and priorities

Positive story outcomes

Lead to resourcefulness and problem-solving skills

Strengthening of relationships through shared experiences of scarcity

Hunger may catalyse a character’s personal growth or shift in perspective

Lead to communities coming together to support each other

Characters might discover new talents or skills in their quest to find food

Act as a motivator for a character to overcome obstacles

May lead to intense moments of satisfaction or relief when resolved

Build an appreciation for the simple things in life, including basic sustenance

Show how hunger can become a catalyst for social or political change.

Can be the driving force behind a character’s ultimate success story.

Negative story outcomes

Chronic hunger can lead to physical and mental health decline

May push characters to commit acts they would normally consider immoral

Show the breakdown of social order or relationships

Result in a character’s loss of dignity or self-respect

Can have a debilitating effect on a character’s ability to achieve their goals

Character development might take a dark turn, showing a descent into obsession or madness

Tragic endings, such as starvation or conflict over resources

Expose societal inequities and drive wedges between groups

Illustrate the loss of innocence, as characters are forced to confront harsh realities

An insurmountable barrier, leading to unfulfilled potential or unfinished journeys

Helpful adjectives

Ravenous

Starving

Famished

Hollow-stomached

Craving

Unfulfilled

Pining

Empty

Desperate

Gut-wrenching

Aching

Parched

Gaunt

Gnawing

Consuming emptiness

Insatiable

Malnourished

[carionto]

Alone with ourselves

(elaborating on the last sentence from here)

When we slipped away, or Vanished as the rest of the galaxy called it, most of Humanity didn't know what we were in for. Very few people knew of exactly what the plan was, most were told some BS about kicking the aliens' dumb "barrier" out, creating a force field, teleporting them away, whatever was most convincing to whoever happened to be in charge in each country and union.

Of course, one of the better ways to keep what we were actually doing was letting the truth spread among the lies, because really? Interdimensional travel? Most of the scientists working on actually making it happen didn't believe their own numbers and successful test results, but it worked.

Chaos.

What happens in places where a lot truly believe in a Hell, or Afterlife, or whatever else, and then the stars, the Moon, and the Sun just... disappear.

Utter, bloody, indescribable madness is what happens. And when the sky is still blue, you still feel the rays of sun hitting your skin, and the glow of moonlight still shines your way at night, well, that kind of lack of sense is enough to turn a lot of sensible people to the scriptures.

Truth don't matter at such a time. In fact, the truth tells everyone we lied to everyone.

We were hoping to get Humanity sorted and ready to take the stage against the aliens, maybe alongside if they would acknowledge as and show some respect, in just over a century.

It took that long to restore some degree of a civilization that can actually do real science. We overestimated ourselves, but we got back on track and then some.

Now, we could finally start to understand what it meant, in practical terms, to isolate Earth from the rest of the Universe. True nothingness beyond what we brought with us. We always pondered whether we were alone in the Universe, hoping we weren't, dreading we were.

Now there was nothing but us, nowhere to point our wandering gaze, no destination to set, no unknowns to discover. All we could do was look at each other, and we all know how that tends to go. Suffice to say, that 12.3 billion we slipped back in with should've been thrice that, but we can't help ourselves.

In a way, I guess that's good. Our nature meant we always had someone to one-up, and even when most of us managed to be buddy-buddy for a while, our imagination of what awaited us back kept things... well, progress demands sacrifice.

On one hand, learning how to make miniature suns, but not how to turn one off properly, did solve that whole rising sea levels problem. On the other, creating a 200km crater in the Pacific Ocean made for some... interesting weather.

However, all that now very exposed and partly-processed ore from the mantle made for some very good space ship building material. Just had to survive a few hundred super volcanoes and, you know, everyone suddenly being an environmentalist. Plus another collapse of civilization, but we went over that already.

To cut it short, Humanity always perseveres. We're like cockroaches, except with guns and opinions.

[hanafubukki]

Heeey, I have another Ruggie thought. Based on reader being Leona's younger sister aka a princess. She wants to help people but because long term solutions aren't easy and she's doesn't really have power, so she only does typical charity. And, ya know....Ruggie and the financial stuff... while he won't pass up free stuff, I imagine there'd still be a feeling of "This stuff doesn't help the overall picture, you know. Do you think you're solving all our problems just by donating this small thing?" And of course we know it won't solve things, but at the same time- just take the help! And if he needs a reason why they won't need to pay us back, just say it's because we're selfish and makes us feel better to give this even though it does nothing for them long term. Helps ease our royal guilty conscience.

But reader starts making her charity kinda....abnormal. As in she finds a building in the slums and fixes it up qs a community house for impoverished children. She has beds brought in and some extra clothes and daily necessities so this can be a refuge for if/when they need it. And she makes sure there's a living/dining room, where she has a big, low table where she loves to put out food and let the children serve themselves and sit among them as they have a moment of relief of having shelter and not worrying about food for that night- the atmosphere friendly and cozy as all the children are smiling, and so are you, and Ruggie happens to pass by one of the large windows and looks in to see that scene...(and years later reader will have like, half/unofficially renounced her position of princess (aka shes a normal person now but.... still has access to her family and their assets and can still use that for leverage lol) as she marries Ruggie and continues supporting the slum kids and slowly expanding it to teens and adults and finding ways to set the kids up for success)

I know it's lame but *shrug*

Hello Anonie 🌺🌷💞

This was so cute!!

I can understand Ruggie’s frustrations about “short term” solutions and royalty, but at least they tried. And some help is better than no help. I can imagine growing up the way he has, his main worry was giving unnecessary hope to the kids and community.

He’s been through so much and worked hard to provide for the community. It probably hurts him to see them get hurt by people with empty promises.

But he’s always had hope with Leona and now with you through actions.

Also, imagine how that courting went? Ruggie is now Leona’s brother in law, that’s the funniest part to me 😂💞

And it’s easier, in a way, to give more support to the slums because of his new status too. Even though the title was renounced, can’t have someone of royal blood or family living in poor conditions.

I imagine this gives the leeway for more funds to go to the slums too.

This was cute Anonie 💞💞 thank you for sending this in. 🌺💞

[goldenhickeyss]

The (ephimeral) success of solo projects on Chapter 2

I wanted to write a post about chapter 2 and Jimin, the "sabotages"... but I don't know if I'm able to sort out the facts and my ideas or judgements about them properly. Nothing is clear to me yet.

There are days when a part of me believes that something is going on with Jimin and Hybe (or BH, I don't know which). But there's another part, the rational part, the part that works as an economist for 20 years, that knows that it doesn't make much sense for a for-profit company to boycott one of its most valuable assets.

In the Executive Boards, and in financial planning, decisions are made on the basis of economical evidence, which is always provided by current numbers (or estimates), not by the heart. Maybe even in the case of BTS there is some sense of fairness, I would say, at the outset. And not an asymmetric distribution according to profit projections.

In the trade-off I find myself in, I would like to share the following thoughts:

- I have recently realised that Chapter 2 is not the chapter of their solo career. It is the chapter of their solo work, which is slightly different.

- Most of them has a short time to promote their work. The average has been a "several weeks" window.

- Their success is therefore somewhat short-lived or ephimeral. It appears and within weeks it seems to fade away, eclipsed by the next in line. The nex king of "k-..."

- There is no intention of promoting a structured solo career, because 1) BTS have said (a million times) that they will be back in 2025, and 2) if we are to take them at their word, the boys will all be joining the military before the end of 2023.

- So, there is no long-term vision to support "some" and not "others".

- The support is focused on a specific work. The only exception to a more continuous commitment has been Suga and his tour.

- Everyone has their budget, their schedule, their activities for the year...

- And yes, there can be different intensities of promotional activities, depending on the defined strategy or budget or goal or whatever (we don't know the whole story because the company doesn't explain anything to us). There is a rumour that some have even put their money into some activities. But I don't know how true that is.

- And I think they all have a say in the design of their promotions, even if they don't design them themselves.

So then....I can't take the agency away from any of them.

They are the best advocates or defenders within the company. And if one of them had less influence, which I doubt, the others would not remain silent without solving the problem. Or how do we think a commitment from the 7 of them to the 7 of them is achieved to keep BTS as a unified group? There are no weak links in this group. And if there were, I wouldn't bet my money that Jimin is one of them.

Once again, there are things that I can't explain and I'd like to know what's going on (the lack of restocking, the split of Spotify streaming, the deletion of sales...). But if there really have been damaging mistakes or strategies for any of them, I hope that when the next contract comes up for renewal, they will sort it out very thoroughly. Cause this cant happen anymore.

To tell you the truth, I blame the company for many things, and one of them - as serious as their lack of planning - is their lack of communication with the fans. BeautifulPeach has talked about this in some of her posts.

At some point in its growth, Hybe became too big to fail, or whatever, and forgot about certain corporate social responsibility obligations. One of them is to talk to its most important stakeholders: the customers, i.e. the fans. And addressing some of their concerns.

Investors are important in listed companies, but customers are important too. Always.

And if they don't see it that way and continue to despise the fans (clients) in that way, then at the end “future is not gonna be ok”.

And yes, I know that K-pop is controversial. It's clear that they can't deal with every rumour, every silly trend that comes out every day on twitter, ships, solos demands, etc. But there are things that they can deal with. And some of the Jimin's events when Face happened are one of them.

A bit of transparency would be appreciated. I expect it, actually, at some point (maybe when this chapter ends).

Maybe there will be things that could be explained as commercial strategy (do they want us to buy Face instead of the single LC, for example? And that's why they're not stocking it again?). But they might also be telling us about certain difficulties. Or about certain forecasting mistakes. Or how they learned from some of them. I'm pretty sure they learned a lot from Jimin's Face era.

I don't think I will be able to judge everything that has happened until at least the end of this year, when all the solo works have been completed/released.

And I'll have to keep listening to Bongo to see if he still talks about how they are more interested in being a company that has groups rather than individual singers. Maybe that is why it seems there's a ceiling to individual success. There is nothing better than capping success with time limitation of activities ("Let's see if that makes the fans forget what solo members are capable of")

And even then, there will be differences between all of them. Quite a lot.

But we will also have to consider that they are different artists with different goals, sensibilities, objectives and situations (let's not forget that JK himself, who now seems quite greedy, has admitted that he needed and enjoyed his free time and Seven had to come along to give him a boost). So we should be careful with the comparison too.

Perhaps Jin will end up getting the most promotions when he comes out, considering how little time he has had. Poor Jin…😔 He had to wait until the end of the year to enlist, despite the bad weather, to give us the Busan concert. It was a commitment to BTS, but it was a short of individual sacrifice too… you know..they do these things for BTS.

I would also like to listen to them (yes, it's a bit ambitious on my part, but I would like to listen to Jimin and his feelings, at the end of this year... will he open up to us?)

In conclusion, I would say that if we are BTS fans and want to remain so, and if we believe in the boys' words .... I would advise us to enjoy every moment they give us for their limited time. Every campaign, every song, every vlive... and try to find an atmosphere of caution given the situation we are in.

And by that I mean that we should also be able to read that we are in the age of solos and akages. All the information about grievances or leaks that comes out usuarlly comes from the same places.

And I'm not saying it's FALSE! Nor do I mean to belittle it! Just that sometimes we should take into account the intentions behind. And before we react, let's consider the source and the context. Look at what happened to the RNX journalist we all spent almost a day reporting on for a bad translation. Or look at how, in less than two weeks, two CCTV vids of Jimin shopping with a friend (one of them clearly with Saeon) suddenly appeared just as it became known that he was going to NY with JK.

Anyway, I will be a bit cautious for now. There are still a few months until the end of the year. A lot can still happen.

Jimin could came back again to us with sth as amazing as Like Crazy. Or even better, an album.

I miss Jimin and want to see him shine again and talking to us.

And I miss jikook……arrrggg

[appleceoleadershipstyles]

[Apple,Inc.] Leadership Styles

[Juaneishia]

What makes a leader strategic and innovative? There are components that allow a leader to take over the skills of being strategic and innovative. To have the inclination for long-term success, competitive advantage, problem-solving mindset, adaptability to change, and passion for impact, personal growth, etc. What makes a leader possess dysfunctional behavior? The ingredients are insecurity, ego, greed, inability to delegate, the list is endless but not satisfactory for the company or the employees. As we dive into the different leadership traits of the CEOs of Apple, we will learn the dos and don’ts of being a leader. You will be able to identify what type of leader you want to be for your business or personal growth based on the styles that were depicted by each CEO. Using strategies and innovation will cause challenges to arise; this is normal. “Strategic thinkers question the status quo. They challenge their own and others’ assumptions and encourage divergent points of view. Only after careful reflection and examination of a problem through many lenses do they take decisive action. This requires patience, courage, and an open mind. (Schoemaker, Krupp, Howland, 2013). Dysfunctional leadership is very unprofessional. “Unprofessional behavior can cause discomfort among team members, and it can undermine the leader’s credibility and authority.” (Blog).

Apple, Inc.

Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne as a partnership, Apple started in the garage of the Jobs family home. Apple would move over the next half century to become one of the largest and most successful tech companies in the world. The first product developed by Jobs and Wozniak was the Apple I computer and according to Wikipedia (2020) was “sold as a motherboard with CPU, RAM, and basic textual-video chips—a base kit concept which was not yet marketed as a complete personal computer.” In 1977, after creating the Apple I computer, Apple became an incorporated company in Cupertino, California. By the time apple had become an incorporation, Wayne had sold his shares back to Jobs and Wozniak. (Richardson, 2023).

After several product successes in 1977, including Apple II and MacIntosh computers, Apple faced trouble in the market. Wintel offered lower-priced PC clones that were operated on Intel software systems. Through this trouble, Apple was faced with bankruptcy. During the challenge of facing bankruptcy, Jobs repaired the failed operating system’s issues and developed new products including iPod, iMac, iPhone, and iPad allowing the company to perform a complete 360 by 1978. (2020).

Apple, after its start, went through a few short-term CEO’s. While the more prominent leaders remain to be Jobs, Wozniak, and Tim Cook, a collaborative modern-aged leader, it is important to acknowledge the role that others had played and how it affected the company and its vision. (2023).

Today, Apple has evolved to offer full-service technology in many varieties. Apple technology now includes headwear, watches, Augmented Reality (AR), streaming and subscription services, music, and more (2025). Apple has effectively adapted to the demand of the consumer through a technological revolution.

References

Schoemaker, P J. H. Krupp, S. Howland, S. (2013, January -February) Strategic Leadership: The Essential Skills. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2013/01/strategic-leadership-the-esssential-skills

Blog. The Top 5 Dysfunctional Behaviors That Leaders Should Avoid. Lolly Daskal. https://www.lollydaskal.com/leadership/the-top-5-dysfunctional-behaviors-that-leaders-should-avoid/

Wikipedia. (2024). Apple Inc. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.

‌ Richardson, A. (2023). The founding of Apple Computer, Inc. Library of Congress. https://guides.loc.gov/this-month-in-business-history/april/apple-computer-founded

Muse, T. (2023, November 27). Apple’s CEO History. Www.historyoasis.com. https://www.historyoasis.com/post/apple-ceo-history

Apple. (2025). Apple. https://www.apple.com/

[wuxiaphoenix]

Worldbuilding: Succession Problems

AKA one of the reasons the United States started as, and remains, one of the weirdest countries in the world.

Long story short: When you have a power structure with someone in charge, who takes over from that person in charge, when, and how?

For as long as there have been humans, we’ve been trying out different answers to those questions. Most of those answers have involved inheriting the position; either direct descent, or the most direct descent the culture recognizes. For example, in matrilineal groups the most closely related heir to a guy is not his own son, but his sister’s son.

(No, matrilineal does not mean matriarchal. It only means the culture recognizes that it’s really hard to miss who gave birth to a child, while who fathered the child might be a matter of dispute.)

The problem with inheriting a position... well, there are plenty of problems. First, the kid might not have the combination of smarts and personality that made his (and it’s usually his) predecessor effective. Second, if war, death, accidents, or assassination attempts happen, the kid might not be old enough to take over. This tends to lead to regents, and we have all kinds of stories and histories about how that goes. Tokugawa Ieyasu was supposed to be one of the regents for the Toyotomi heir. That ended badly.

Third... well. What if there’s more than one potential heir? Yeah that gets messy real fast. Just look at the whole history of the Ottoman Empire with the sons of the harem. I mean, if you want to. Being stuck in that court as a noble hostage is what gave Vlad Dracula his charming personality, which should be enough warning for anyone.

Fourth, what if there’s no potential heir? Various Chinese empires tried to short-circuit political dealings and court infighting by making officials eunuchs, so they had no heirs to gather power for. That... did not work either. Historically, it seems to have made the infighting even more vicious and the bureaucracy ever more entrenched. There are multiple reasons most of those dynasties tend to end with burning the official books (and often the officials) of the previous regime.

We’ve tried other ways. Councils, town meetings, democracy... that last one, if it’s direct democracy, is incredibly dangerous. The majority gets what it wants, and that is not good if you’re in the minority and have... well, anything. It’s a bare breath away from mob rule, and that turns deadly very easily.

The only thing that seems to work, most of the time, is creating offices that people do not hold for life, where the majority of people affected by that office choose whoever’s going to hold that office.

This doesn’t cut down on the politics, the wheeling and dealing, or the potential for backstabbing. What it does do is take the lethal pressure off. You know going in that you’ll only hold that office for X number of years. And then you can leave, and no one will kill you because you’re not in power anymore. On the flipside, if someone beats you at the polls? You don’t haul off and order him assassinated. You just wait. And lay groundwork for another run when his term’s up.

Weird. Unheard of. Absolutely not what our still-geared-toward-tribal-life instincts expect. A democratic republic is very, very hard to pull off. And messy, even when it works. Maybe especially when it works.

How do cultures in your world solve the succession problem?

[itsclydebitches]

Team RWBY getting introduced to the multiverse by a team of superheroes who've been fighting God-like beings for years and not asking for any help against Salem after establishing that she's apparently laying waste to the rest of Remnant and Vacuo is the last remaining hope is just... Typical, I guess.

I feel like that highlights how unintentionally selfish the writing makes the team out to be. Again: unintentionally because though the story is clearly aiming for a heroic perspective, lack of development and world-building like this ensures that falls flat. I haven't watched the movies yet, but we saw a more complex version of this in the Atlas arc where the group was more concerned with what was morally easy for them (save people) than grappling with the difficult choice that might help everyone in the long-run (lose people to maintain/win the war). It's a hard thing for a lot of fans to even pick up on because the knee-jerk response is, "How can saving people be bad?" and... it's not, but RWBY keeps presenting moral quandaries where the "best" outcome is both subjective and unlikely to come about through traditionally heroic means. Same thing with the Ever After. Team RWBY wants to leave the world they've been cast into so they can get back to saving people. That's good! Totally good. How could that in any way be bad? Well, because staying there, if only for a short period, means they may learn information that will assist them in defeating Salem. Lose another (metaphorical) battle to potentially win the war. Make a sacrifice to protect the majority. The go-to response for why they didn't hang around and question the Blacksmith is that they had to get back to help, but that short-term help is always what's prioritized. The immediate help. The easiest help to give without taking risks or making a hard call. Now, why go through the difficulty of acquiring inter-dimensional allies and attempting to figure out the logistics of them saving your world when you can just fix the immediate problems (defeating the one-off baddie, getting back home) and return to your regular saving people gig? That's a fantastic gig that indeed makes you look good... except when it's no longer enough to solve the problem and your preferred means, no matter how heroic on paper, are acting as a hindrance to your success.

Obviously in the realm of tie-in movies there are writing considerations too like, "These superheroes aren't actually a part of the canon proper, so they can't just swoop in to save the day" but that doesn't mean the writers can't craft a hand-wavy scenario for why that help is denied. The point is to have the heroes try to find that solution. Let the girls try to defend Mantle, try to help Ironwood keep the Relics safe, try to get the Blacksmith to fix things, try to ally with superheroes to win the war, and if the story doesn't want those to function as solutions it can come up with reasons why it didn't work/someone refused. But continually the team makes these terrible choices that don't forward their primary goal and the audience is left to try and justify that with very unpersuasive excuses.

[arcanareads]

How does Azriel currently see Elain and Gwyn? How will he see them in the future? How does Azriel currently see himself, and how will he see himself in the future? What would canon Elriel look like? What about canon Gwynriel?

The cards and I thank you for your questions!

Since there are so many sideways cards, I want to remind you that the way I interpret them is that either both the upright and reversed are the answer, or only one is and there are just too many possibilities/variables to get a clear response.

Tilted cards, I interpret the same as sideways cards. However, the favored direction is the most likely outcome.

How does Azriel currently see Elain: strength sideways

How will he see her in the future: ace of wands sideways

How does Azriel currently see Gwyn: 3 of wands tilted/favoring upright

How will he see her in the future: queen of swords reversed, 7 of pentacles tilted/favoring upright

How does Azriel currently see himself: 5 of wands, 7 of wands

How will he see himself in the future: 3 of swords tilted/favoring reversed

What would canon Elriel look like: ace of swords reversed

What would canon Gwynriel look like: 6 of swords sideways, 2 of cups sideways, 9 of swords sideways

Strength sideways: upright, this card suggests you will have an experience that requires you to summon the power that comes only from exercising inner peace and freeing yourself from the influences of ego and fear

Reversed, this card that you are not in control of your emotions and that your motives are fear or ego based. Ask yourself if your strength comes from power or force

Ace of wands sideways: upright, this card indicates that you are on the right path and opportunities for success are laid out before you. A symbol of a fresh start and new beginnings that are divinely guided

Reversed this card indicates that a roadblock is getting in your way. It is time to reflect on whether your journey is off track because of an external issue, like too many responsibilities, or if the problem is internal, such as a lack of genuine desire

3 of wands tilted, favoring upright: this card suggests looking for a new beginning or opportunity in your life. A message that now is the time to go after your dreams. The journey to reach them may be vast, but so long as you continue moving forward with faith, you will get there

Reversed, this card indicates a setback. A plan may have been well executed in your mind, but in reality, an unforseen snag or some bad luck has gotten in your way. This may be a sign that your heart isn't in the journey

Queen of swords reversed: this card represents someone who is unapologetic, cold-hearted, and short tempered. They let emotions cloud their judgment and, as a result, may risk losing respect

7 of pentacles tilted, favoring upright: this card encourages you to consider the long term when investing your time and energy. Though quick, short-term gains may be had, they will not last. Only through hard work and planning will you discover the lasting benefits of your work

Reversed this card indicates that despite the hard work and energy you are putting into a project, the results may not be what you expected. Trust your instincts and cut your losses if you are not satisfied with the results you are seeing

5 of wands: this card suggests that, out of a friendly debate, progress will be made to move a project forward. It may denote a meeting of various groups coming together to solve a problem

7 of wands: a reminder that although you've made it, don't become complacent because there will always be others who believe your position should be theirs. This card asks that you remain self-confident and have courage when facing challenges. It won't be easy being at the top, but you've earned the right to be there

3 of swords tilted, favoring reversed: upright this card represents a time of sadness and loss. However, without the bad, we would never appreciate the good. There is no avoiding the sadness this card brings, but it also offers a valuable life lesson that is essential for growth. This card encourages you to take steps to learn how to heal your heart and soul

Reversed, this card is a sign that despite the passage of time, you are finding it difficult to let go of a painful situation or are maybe holding onto an old grudge. Take stock of your feelings and ask yourself which ones are preventing you from living or loving

Ace of swords reversed: this card suggests that you are having a hard time completing a project due to a lack of vision

6 of swords sideways: upright, this card indicates it is time to cut your losses and start anew. This decision will not come easily and there may be feelings of regret but once the journey is complete, you will see that the sacrifice was worth it. Focus on the new opportunities instead of the loss

Reversed, this card indicates that you are reluctant and unprepared to commit to change. You may be holding onto past habits that will not let you fully move on

2 of cups sideways: upright, this card represents a new romantic relationship or may foretell of a robust and confident business relationship. Either way, this pair will be well balanced and equally satisfied, sharing a unified vision. A representation of a karmic connection.

Reversed, this card indicates that you are finding it difficult to agree with your partner, and there may be a power imbalance that has caused resentment

9 of swords sideways: upright, this card suggests that worry consumes you. There is an issue at hand that needs addressing and inaction has manifested itself in the form of fear or anxiety. A reminder that your fear or concern can potentially manifest into reality

Reversed this card signals that you are getting worked up over nothing and may risk losing sight of what's most important to you. Focus your energy on the here and now rather than what may or may not happen in the future

[monroeszabkaii]

JOHNNY LAWRENCE - CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Part Two

────────────

Picturing a life with a replaceable father came with unearthed emotions. Although, Johnnyʼs birth father absconded, his own witness of events; a verbal rembrandt spiel inside his mind, the concept of a new father figure in his life felt unnatural. The bitterness and trepidation was unyielding.

Tying the knot solidified Sid’s presence. His heels firmly dug into the abode, just like the claws that clung to Johnnyʼs mother. It is a statement that leaves room for realistic interpretation.

He couldn't help but feel the surge of emotions bubbling to the surface.

Laura, his mother, simply moved on and just allowed another gentleman to pick up the loose threads his birth father left unfastened. She let him into their lives, his prestigious hold in society and between them behind closed doors a strong yet unwelcoming factor. Sid would toss money at them from all angles, assuming that it would fix the issue; fix Johnny.

The donations perceived by Johnny as charity flooded and shaped their lives. He came from a newfound place of wealth, dealt with a better upbringing in terms of financial status. To outsiders that life appeared flawless. Beneath the exterior often painted by societal belief that being cushty came with little to no struggle. That fell short.

Sid threw money at every obstacle insisting it would solve all of life's problems. Granted, money troubles became less apparent than a mere fleeting concern. But what did burn a hole in their pocket wasn't the fulfilment Johnny ever desired.

He longed for acceptance, unconditional love and importantly nurturing.

Acceptance came in fits and starts, the majority of it only apparent when Laura twisted Sid’s arm to play less harshly. Johnny, as much as he was young by age, picked up on the deceit and facade. His stepfather barely harbored enough love for him. In his eyes, Johnny was a troubled kid, jumping from one interest to the next, burning holes in his pocket and racking up a mountain of supposed debt.

In truth, each and every activity Johnny felt drawn to came from a place of wanting to feel something. He wanted to feel something other than disregard and numbness. Johnny wanted a chance for someone to believe in him, see his successes as an attribute that continued to peak. And in reflection, Johnny would do exactly that, fleeting from one thing to another. His mindset would shift and when given a chance to pursue a hobby or interest, it felt like a dead cert; until it shifted again.

There appeared to be an undertone of indecisiveness, Johnny unable to commit to something and see it through. His interest dwindled and although to outsiders it appeared fleeting and as though he was merely a kid that couldn't make up his mind, Johnny truthfully could not fathom who he happened to be. Flitting from one thing to the next became a continuous cycle of finding a fix of positive reinforcement. Johnny needed to feel a wave of identity, lost within the undisclosed trauma and acknowledgment of emotions.

It was a tangled mess of interests, the most prominent one an impact that Johnny hadn't felt before:

“Old School Karate.”

Discipline became second nature just like the rest of the spiel that became drummed into him. Then the literality of it tainted the world around him, filling Johnny's glass only halfway. His teacher, better referred to in those circumstances as a ‘Sensei’ oozed authority in every sense of the word. The harshness and boldness of the words he spoke, became tinged with importance. It laced around the syllables and heightened the need for obligation from those before him that stood in line.

Acceptance. Johnny found this within the four walls that became induced with teenagers that pushed their anger into fighting beyond boundaries they ever thought necessary or capable of. Though its embodiment, the driving force between the needs Johnny desired and longed for in the depths and weaving of charisma, confidence and charm was his Sensei; Kreese.

The hold knew little to no boundaries. Johnny was utterly captivated. John Kreese expressed belief on more than one occasion. It was fuelled with acceptance, care and understanding. The territory was foreign and yet, welcoming. Johnny felt heard and seen. His ability to thrive and bathe in the acceptance only drove him to become blindsided by the reality of the situation.

It was no fault of their own. Kreese battled his own emotional turmoil and redirected it in the only way he truly knew how. All while, Johnny happened to be craving the things John was offering to him on a plate; the buffet was endless.

Unconditional love became woven into Johnny's actions. His mistakes on the mat came with consequences as a given, but Kreese soon put those worries to bed with an overturn of verbal beliefs. It rectified the unbalance in Johnny's mind and in turn obliterated any lingering doubts. Kreese turned the occasion on its head, providing Johnny with all that he needed. Their dynamic, one that satisfied each other's unmet needs.

Nurturing came in the pushing of striving to succeed. Putting Johnny to the test derived from a place of love, belief and ultimately comfort. Kreese was plaguing him with all Johnny desired and longed for. It wasn't necessarily conscious for neither parties, yet it only cemented their importance to each other.

Johnny became a son in the eyes of John Kreese. And that is all he ever wanted, a father figure to aid in navigating his life, offering support without question and in turn fatherly love that seemed to know no boundaries.

It was ultimately unconditional.

At least primarily.

[collapsedsquid]

1. Emphasize long-term thinking: Yudkowsky is known for his advocacy of long-term thinking and existential risk mitigation. Lesson: In business, focusing on long-term goals and sustainability rather than short-term gains can lead to better decision-making and more enduring success. Consider the long-term implications of your actions, investments, and strategies. 2. Foster a culture of learning and intellectual curiosity: Yudkowsky promotes intellectual rigor, continuous learning, and rational thinking. Lesson: In business, cultivating a culture that encourages learning, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity can foster innovation, adaptability, and problem-solving. Encourage your employees to seek knowledge, challenge assumptions, and embrace a growth mindset. 3. Embrace interdisciplinary approaches: Yudkowsky's work spans multiple disciplines, including cognitive science, philosophy, and computer science. Lesson: In business, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives and embracing diverse skill sets can lead to innovative solutions, fresh insights, and a competitive edge. Encourage collaboration across different fields and encourage employees with diverse backgrounds and expertise. 4. Communicate effectively: Yudkowsky is known for his clear and concise writing style and his ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Lesson: In business, strong communication skills are essential. Develop the ability to articulate your vision, ideas, and strategies clearly to stakeholders, customers, and employees. Effective communication fosters trust, alignment, and collaboration. 5. Embrace rational decision-making: Yudkowsky is an advocate for rationality and systematic decision-making. Lesson: In business, applying rational decision-making frameworks, basing decisions on data and evidence, and minimizing cognitive biases can lead to better outcomes. Embrace critical thinking, employ analytical tools, and encourage a culture of reasoned decision-making.

[riyasabubacker]

How to Use Content Marketing to Build Brand Authority

In today’s crowded digital space, trust is the ultimate currency. Consumers no longer respond to generic adsthey seek brands they can trust and learn from. That’s why building brand authority is essential, and one of the most powerful ways to achieve it is through content marketing.

As a digital marketing freelancer in Dubai, I’ve worked with businesses of all sizes to help them build credibility, attract leads, and grow through powerful content strategies. If you want to stand out and become a trusted expert in your field, here’s how content marketing can help you do just that.

What Is Brand Authority?

Brand authority means being recognized as a credible and trustworthy expert in your niche. It’s what sets you apart and makes customers choose your brand over competitors even if you’re new or more expensive.

With strong brand authority, you can:

Boost your search engine rankings organically

Earn customer loyalty and referrals

Get valuable backlinks and media attention

Increase conversions with less resistance

Why Content Marketing Builds Brand Authority

Unlike traditional advertising, content marketing is about adding value, not just selling. It educates your audience, solves their problems, and demonstrates your expertise earning trust naturally over time.

As a digital marketing freelancer in Dubai, I’ve seen firsthand how consistent, high quality content helps brands build lasting connections and drive results without depending solely on paid campaigns.

7 Ways to Build Brand Authority Through Content Marketing

1. Understand Your Audience Deeply

Begin by knowing your audience. What are their biggest challenges? What solutions are they searching for in Dubai’s market? Tools like Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, and social listening can help uncover these insights.

2. Create Evergreen, Helpful Content

Focus on content that delivers long-term value:

How-to guides

Frequently asked questions

Practical tutorials

Industry analysis

Example: A blog like “How Local SEO Helps Dubai Cafes Increase Foot Traffic” offers direct, helpful value that builds trust.

3. Optimize Your Content for SEO

To increase visibility, use the right keywords like digital marketing freelancer in Dubai and digital marketing services in Dubai naturally throughout your content.

Don’t forget to optimize:

Page titles & meta descriptions

Headings (H1, H2)

Image alt tags

Internal and external links

4. Showcase Real Results with Case Studies

Trust is built through proof. Share data-driven results and client success stories to reinforce your authority.

Example: “How I Helped a Dubai-Based Startup Grow Website Traffic by 250% in 6 Months.”

5. Publish Consistently Across Channels

Authority grows with consistent visibility. Use platforms like:

Medium (for long-form content)

LinkedIn (for B2B credibility)

Instagram (for quick insights and storytelling)

YouTube or podcasts (for authority and reach)

6. Collaborate With Industry Experts

Partner with local influencers, freelancers, or thought leaders. Guest posts, co-branded webinars, or podcast interviews can elevate your reputation within the Dubai market.

7. Repurpose and Distribute Your Content

Maximize the value of every piece of content:

Turn blog posts into LinkedIn carousels

Reuse tips for Instagram Reels

Expand articles into email sequences

Record short podcast episodes

This multiplies your reach across channels and reinforces your expertise.

Final Thoughts

Building brand authority doesn’t happen overnight. It takes consistency, strategy, and real value. But with content marketing, any business big or small can earn the trust of its audience.

As a digital marketing freelancer in Dubai, I specialize in helping brands grow through purposeful, data-backed content strategies. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, building authority is key to long-term success.

Ready to Build Your Brand Authority?

Let’s design a content strategy that positions you as the expert your audience is searching for. Contact me today to explore how digital marketing services in Dubai can grow your business.

[fideliaa]

Blueprint for Scaling Social Innovations Across Borders

1: Ideas That Spark a Global Shift

Every major movement begins with a simple idea. But for an idea to grow, it needs people, structure, and urgency.

Think about what happens when access to educational technology reaches underserved communities. A rural classroom gets access to digital lessons. A student in a conflict zone learns coding. A teacher in a remote village connects to global resources. This is not just progress it’s momentum.

To break that cycle:

Share your idea in public forums.

Partner with others who share your vision.

Build support from grassroots communities first.

Document your progress with real-world results.

Global change doesn’t start with global attention. It starts with local wins.

Ask yourself:

Is your idea solving a problem people face every day?

Can it be adopted by others without major resources?

Have you told the story in a way people understand?

Recognition accelerates reach. Awards like the Global Impact Award offer more than a spotlight. They offer a platform. They attract allies. They build credibility in circles that matter.

Your bold idea has value. The world won’t know until you show it, test it, and grow it. You don’t need millions to start. You need clarity, purpose, and action.

2: Turning Action Into Evidence

Bold ideas fail without proof. Even the best intentions fall flat if no one sees results. To gain support, show outcomes. Start with one place. One school. One street. Measure the change. Keep your methods simple and repeatable.

Focus on:

Who is impacted?

What improves over time?

How can others do the same?

If you introduce a clean water solution, track usage before and after. If your project helps students read better, measure their scores. If your goal is better access to health services, record the difference in patient visits. People want results they can see and trust. Use local data. Avoid jargon. Focus on daily life impact.

Here’s how to do it:

Interview those affected.

Capture short videos or photos.

Collect feedback in simple forms.

Turn success stories into short reports.

One strong case study builds more trust than a polished pitch deck. You don’t need a perfect model. You need honest progress. Real impact spreads when it’s visible.

Ask yourself:

Can someone with no background in your field understand your results?

Have you shown both wins and lessons?

Is your idea improving lives in a way others can copy?

This is how ideas become movements. You plant results, not just dreams. Don’t just believe in your work. Show it works. Let the results speak louder than the pitch.

3: Building Support That Lasts

Movements need more than attention. They need support that sticks. You can’t scale alone. You need people partners, advocates, and local leaders. They bring your idea to life in new places. Start by building strong local relationships.

Listen before acting.

Respect local customs.

Work with people, not over them.

These steps build trust. Trust leads to buy-in. Buy in leads to action. Avoid short-term helpers. Find those who see the long game. A donor may give once. A true supporter invests time and influence.

Ask:

Who benefits if your idea succeeds?

Who can open doors you can’t reach?

Who shares your goals, even if their work looks different?

Supporters don’t always look like you expect. A local teacher. A small-town mayor. A young volunteer with energy and drive. Share your mission clearly. Be specific. Show how they can help.

Offer something back:

Skills training.

Community recognition.

Shared leadership roles.

That’s how you move from project to movement. People need to feel ownership. It must be their win too. Support grows when people feel included. Use town halls. Run open calls for feedback. Let others shape the future of the idea. Every bold idea gets tested. Your network will help you through it.

4: From Local Story to Global Signal

Your idea starts local but it doesn’t have to stay that way. The next step is sharing your story widely. It’s not about hype. It’s about clarity, truth, and results. People outside your community won’t know the full context. Keep your story clear and simple.

Focus on:

What problem did you solve?

Who did it help?

What changed?

Use everyday language. Avoid big promises. Let your work speak.

Share your story across formats:

Short blog posts

Social media updates

Photo essays

Videos under two minutes

Each story adds to your signal. Each platform carries your idea further. Repetition builds memory. Tell your story often, not just once.

Ask yourself:

Can a reader in another country understand your message?

Does your content answer real questions?

Have you made it easy to share?

When stories are clear, others pass them on. That’s when a spark becomes a signal. That’s when your idea starts to grow beyond borders. Use platforms already trusted in your field. Collaborate with local press. Reach out to aligned global publications. Don’t wait for attention go earn it.

5: Staying Focused in a Crowded Space

Good ideas face noise. The world is full of causes, claims, and calls to action. So how do you stay seen and heard? First, stay focused. Don’t try to solve everything. Pick one issue and go deep

People remember:

Clear missions

Simple goals

Consistent messages

Avoid drifting. If your mission is access to clean water, don’t jump to school lunches next month. Stay rooted.

Your audience needs to trust your direction.

Clarity builds trust.

Second, keep your message short. Use simple phrases. Repeat your core goal often.

Third, track feedback. Pay attention to how people respond. Ask:

What part of your message gets shared?

What questions come up the most?

What words confuse your audience?

Use these answers to adjust. Sharpen your story, not your volume. Don’t chase trends. Stick to your truth. Movements that last are built on steady work. Your progress may feel slow. That’s okay. Stay visible. Stay steady.

Over time, people notice the ones who keep showing up. You don’t need to be loud to lead. You need to be clear, honest, and present. Are you sharing the same message today that you did last year? If not, ask yourself why. Then return to the core.

6: Money That Matches the Mission

Funding matters but not all money helps your mission. When bold ideas grow, money often follows. But taking the wrong kind can cause more harm than good.

Ask first:

Does this funder share your values?

Will they respect your methods?

Are their goals long-term?

Never chase money that shifts your purpose. Stay mission-first.

Ethical investment gives you space to grow without changing who you are. Look for backers who care about more than returns.

Signs of the right kind of support:

Patience with outcomes

Respect for local leadership

Transparency in terms

Avoid strings that silence your voice or steer your path.

It’s okay to walk away from offers that don’t feel right. Growth built on shaky ground won’t last.

Also, consider:

Crowdfunding from people who believe in your work

Community grants with flexible use

Revenue models that support your mission over time

Keep your financial records clear. Track where every dollar goes. Trust builds when you show your numbers. The Global Impact Award often celebrates work backed by strong, honest funding. Judges don’t just ask what you’ve done. They ask how you got there.

Money isn’t just fuel it’s direction. Every funder shapes your path. Ask yourself today: Is your funding helping your idea go further or pulling it off course? Choose wisely. Your mission depends on it.

7: Design for Simple Replication

If your idea can’t be repeated, it can’t grow into a movement. Success isn’t just doing something good once. It’s building something others can use. Again and again. In different places. Under different conditions. So design with simplicity in mind.

Ask:

Can someone else follow your steps?

Are your tools easy to access?

Do people need special training to start?

If your project needs rare equipment or expert skills, others may not pick it up.

Make it easy to copy:

Write clear guides

Create short how-to videos

Offer starter kits

Use open-source tools when possible

Share mistakes as well as wins. Help others avoid what didn’t work for you. Build a community where people can ask questions and share updates. Use simple platforms like WhatsApp groups, newsletters, or message boards.

A good sign of a repeatable idea:

Others try it without you present

They adapt it to local needs

They stay engaged after launch

The Global Impact Award often honors ideas that scale without heavy resources. These ideas move on their own because others believe in them. You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to leave a trail people can follow. If yes, your idea is ready for the world.

8: Turning Users Into Leaders

The people who benefit from your idea can become the ones who lead it.

That’s how movements grow from the inside out.

Start by shifting your mindset:

You’re not the only expert.

You don’t need to lead forever.

You win when others take ownership.

Ask:

Who’s already using your idea well?

Who speaks up in your meetings?

Who’s solving problems without being told?

These are your future leaders.

Train them:

Keep instructions simple.

Use local languages.

Offer chances to lead small parts first.

Let people make the idea their own. That might mean changes. That’s good. Local leaders know what works where they live. Don’t expect perfection. Expect learning.

Make space for feedback:

What feels confusing?

What would they do differently?

What do they need more of?

Stay in touch but don’t stay in charge. Step back when others are ready. Be available. Be supportive. But let them lead. Movements fail when they rely on one voice. They grow when that voice becomes many.

Ask yourself: Who’s ready to lead next?

Your movement gets stronger every time someone else picks up the torch. Let it happen.

9: Building Trust That Lasts

A bold idea without trust fades fast. People won’t support what they don’t believe in. They won’t stay with what feels unclear. Trust is built slowly and lost in a moment.

You earn it by:

Showing up when you say you will

Admitting mistakes quickly

Keeping your message steady

Never overpromise. Don’t say you’ll reach a thousand if you’re still helping ten. Stay honest about your scale and stage.

Be transparent:

Share numbers even the small ones

Show how funds are used

Talk openly about what you’re still learning

Engage often:

Ask for feedback in open forums

Answer messages within a day or two

Let critics speak then respond with respect

Trust grows through action, not talk. Protect people’s privacy. Handle data with care. Don’t exploit stories to win attention. Let your impact speak for you. Keep showing results, even small ones.

Ask yourself:

Would people trust you if they lost everything?

Do you keep your promises when no one’s watching?

Trust is the true measure of your movement’s future. Without it, you’re just noise. With it, your idea can travel far. Build slow. Stay clear. Let others believe because they’ve seen it for themselves.

10: Partnering With Purpose

You can’t grow alone. But the wrong partners can hold you back.

Before you say yes to any partnership, ask:

Do they respect your mission?

Are they trusted by your audience?

Will they add value or just visibility?

Never partner just for reach. Pick people and groups that help you go deeper, not just wider.

Look for:

Shared goals

Mutual respect

Clear roles

Set boundaries early:

Who does what?

How will decisions be made?

What happens if things go wrong?

Write it down. Keep it simple. Avoid confusion later.

Good partnerships:

Bring new skills

Reach new audiences

Share the workload

Bad ones:

Drain your time

Distract your team

Shift your direction

You don’t need dozens of partners. You need a few good ones who believe in what you’re building.

The Global Impact Award has recognized many winners who worked side-by-side with small local groups quiet allies who knew the people and the problems better than anyone.

Ask yourself:

Is this partner helping your mission go further?

Or are they just adding their name to yours?

Say no when it’s not right. Say yes when it’s real.

The right partnership feels like progress not pressure. Make each one count.