#train-and-platform paradox

[not-a-fucking-mermaid]

Hello! I have a physics related question, specifically about special relativity and the relativity of simultaneity. And I haven't been able to find the answer anywhere so i'm hoping the science side of tumblr will help me out here. (and forgive me if i'm using incorrect phrasing here, english is not my first language and i'm just now *actually* learning about relativity, but i hope you're able to understand my question anyways)

Yk the train-and- platform paradox?

What I don't understand is why person A (on the train) sees the lightning strikes at different times just because in person B (on the platform) predicts they will (because B is perceiving the event from their own reference frame). This whole thing seems based on the assumption that person A and person B agrees that one of them sees the lightning at the same time and the other at different times, but I don’t understand why that is a correct assumption to make. If person B sees the lightnings at the same time, then they conclude they happened at the same time. And if they did happen at the same time, person A would in their own frame of reference also see the lightnings at the same time. So why does person A see the lightnings at different times just because that’s what would have happened in person B’s reference frame?

[allophonicmess]

Time and Time again

Part 1

Fourteenth Doctor x reader and slight Fifteenth Doctor x Reader

Jealousy has been a familiar feeling in your life with the Doctor. It might be the most permanent feeling next to love and undying loyalty. A paradox, really.

The Doctor is struggling after the Bi-regeneration. It only seems logical for you to move on with the next version of him. So why do you stay?

Established relationship.

The reader is also a timelord

Mostly jealous 14th! Doctor and angst connected with it. Balanced out with fluff in part 2.

Jealousy has been a familiar feeling in your life with the Doctor. It might be the most permanent feeling next to love and undying loyalty. A paradox, really. But you have gotten used to it over the centuries and millennia the two of you have spent together. A lot of it could be attributed to the doctors shifting self-worth. It fluctuated with each face, often bordering on the extremes of self-loathing and arrogance. 

So it came as no surprise that the pesky emotion flared up when this new, younger and magically charismatic incarnation approached you after the action had passed. The older face watched silently and with apprehension as the new Doctor approached you. Furrowed brows and a downcast look. He tried to play it cool, hands in the back pockets of his dark pants. 

15 approached you slowly. You felt his warm, gentle aura even without looking at him. He gently took your hand, making you turn towards him with a soft pull.

There had only been time for a quick hello on the UNIT Landing Platform. And you longed to finally have a calm moment to get to know him. You were always excited to meet the new versions of your husband. They were all unique, perhaps even more than your own incarnations were. 

"Hello darling" he whispered quietly, gaining your attention and stealing you away from a conversation you held with Shirley. You had been showing her around the Tardis console, explaining the gears and buttons that allowed you to work your time machine. You hardly fly it despite being a trained pilot. 

"Hello, stranger", you joked, eyes wandering over his new face. His deep eyes, the soft slope of his nose, the glow of his skin and that small scar at his right brow. 

You quickly realized that you were going to love that bright smile. It was distinct, different from the other versions of your husband, yet so very much him. 

"Stranger? "I hope not." He grinned, hands slowly moving from your hands towards your arms. He held you gently, still unsure despite his charisma and showstopping entrance. He looked down at your hands, smiling softly at the wedding band on each ring finger. You persisted in keeping the old traditions alive, even if it was only for one generation. You were special that way. Persistent on tradition yet so open and ready for change.

"So you'll be off then? Can't stay put even for the holidays?" You replied awkwardly and toyed with the tie hanging loosely around his neck. It suited him. His unconventional outfit, his share after they divided themself and their belongings equally.

"I'm afraid not. You know me too well." He smiled softly, taking your teasing as an invitation to proceed and step closer. He loved your touch, just being close to you. But this was a very new situation, and he knew he needed to tread carefully, especially with his older self around. 

"Besides, staying put is his job. I trust you to make sure that he does." He lazily points towards his past version. He looked over towards him briefly. 

You laughed; the nervousness that had been present was slowly fading. It was a new situation for everyone, despite the number of times you had been in the presence of multiple incarnations of him. 

You followed the new Doctor's gaze, giggling while you did so. Number 14 was mad; you knew it already, but that had to wait. You never understood his jealousy in the first place. How could he be jealous of himself and the love you share with all versions of him. Wasn't that something to be relieved over? The loyalty despite the timelords' ever-changing nature?

You let that thought fade to the back of your mind. This moment was precious. It would take some time to meet this version of him again. And there was no way to guarantee that you would still have this face for your next meeting. So you savoured the moment, gently pressing your forehead against his. 

His face lit up even brighter, and joy-filled him. You accepted him in every way, each time in a new way. 

He had grown since that moment.

He remembered it. Watch the new him holding you.

The old version quietly fretted and fumed over the gentle touch and soft whispers between you and this new version of him. And he remembered the process of healing. Finally realizing that it was going to be you and him. Over and over again, face after face, till the end of time. 

"You realize that it's you, yeah? No need to get all possessive, spaceman." Donna watched her friend with amusement. He had been transfixed on the scene, eyes locked onto his supposed opponent, his fame stiff and unmoving. 

 He didn't react, not hearing or not caring at the moment. He loved her wit and adored her for it, but he couldn't appreciate it then. He let out a low hum. Letting her know that he had heard her, hoping it would be enough of an answer. 

She chuckled, "you silly, silly man." shaking her head at his behavior. "daft, that's what you are." She tried to get his attention, to no avail. Shaun had been right not to be scared about leaving her alone with him. For multiple reasons, really. 

After another moment of brooding silence, she decided they both had enough of it. She placed her hand on his arm. Gently pushing him to turn towards the new Tardis door. "Let's go. Let them have a bit of privacy." She regretted those words as soon as they passed her lips. The Doctor swallowed hard, quickly blinking away whatever vision just passed before his inner eye. 

"Oh, come on! Stop it with that nonsense." She swatted at his arm, provoking a yelp from him. "Hey!-

The sudden noise pulled you and the Doctor out of your embrace.

 He chuckled softly.

"Looks like I should hand you back over to that one." 

You briefly looked over the other one before once again focusing on Timelord standing in front of you. 

"Yeah, jealousy is something we'll have to work on. But it seemed to have worked, no?" You gently brushed your fingers along his jaw, trying to mesmerize his new face.

He seemed hopeful, a healed man. Ready to discover new stars and planets without the heavy baggage on his soul. You were very much looking forward to doing so with him. It was part of the duality that you two had to live with. 

"I sure hope so. He has a long way ahead of him before we get to you, hm?" You looked into his eyes, marvelling at their deep dark colour. You loved the green ones of number 11, the pale blue of 12, and the chocolate brown of the last two versions. Each held their own beauty. 

He just nodded his head gently, smiling softly at you. "But you were there. Every second of it. Always there." He looked at you with the purest love in his eyes. He tried to convey his gratitude. He had no idea how to express it in words. It was too big and overpowering to do so. 

You couldn't hold yourself back any longer, gently pulling him forward to meet him in a soft kiss. It felt different: new lips, new teeth, a little clumsy, just like every other regeneration. You smiled into the kiss, enjoying the new sensation before pulling away softly. He was hesitant to let you go. He felt the pull towards you; holding you like this felt so very right. 

You held each other quietly. His hands moved to your cheeks, cupping your face and smoothing his thumb over your cheek. He was going to do it very soon. He was excited to see you again.

14 held his breath, watching him kiss you. It hurt. Why? He couldn't fight it despite the logic behind it.

"Oh wow. Now it's really time to go. Come on!"

She hooked her arm under the Doctor's, effectively pulling him away from the view of the Tardis console where the new him and his wife shared their first kiss. She could already predict how grumpy he would be for the next few days. Stuck in his cycle of thoughts. 

"Come, come, you'll see her later-"She tried to usher him away.

"No need!" 15 suddenly broke away from their wife. Only a hand remained at her waist, where he gently held her. 

"I'm off. We'll see each other soon enough." He turned around to look at the Tardis console. "In 23 minutes, to be precise." He grinned at his other version, trying to ease the tension in the room. 

"And you two-" He pointed at you and 14, "are in for the best roast you ever had. I swear!" He laughed, patting you on the back to gently move you towards the Tardis exit. You looked at him again, marvelling at him for a second before walking straight towards 14. You kissed him quickly on the cheek, turning his face to focus on you. 

"Can't wait for that, ey?" 

He was awestruck at your cheerful demeanour, the sudden shift between the soft, sentimental moment and the giddiness you displayed. There were just seconds between them. 

You held his cheek, making him look at you for a moment. Effectively grounding him in reality and shaking off the dark thoughts. "Haven't had a good roast since that pub in Galway, 1840s." 

He hummed in agreement. His expression softened, face relaxing further as he kept looking into your eyes. They stayed the same after each regeneration. Well, not in a physical sense. The colour and shape changed with each form, but that twinkle in them remained.

"We'll wait outside. You say bye-bye and safe travels. Can't have you leave off with bad energy in here. You know how long it takes to get that out. And it's bad luck." You giggled, swiftly placing your hands over both of his hearts in a gesture of love and trust. Your touch was gone just as soon as it was placed. You pushed yourself off and left the Tardis with Donna to let your husbands see each other off.

[oraclelandscapes]

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS

CHAPTER 1

TO TRAVEL IN TIME IS TO DANCE ON THE EDGE OF PARADOX

Today the universe decided you were its punching bag. From your nine to five, you barely got to catch your breath; deadlines where missed, traffic jams, coffee spilled and your phone decided to die at the worst possible minute. Exhaustion set in your bones as you rushed to catch the last train of the day. Something you find yourself doing more these days.                                                                                             

It was deserted; not a single person was there on the train platform beside yourself. Your heels click-clack echoed down the platform, making the atmosphere eerie with only an old man sleeping on bunch of newspapers as your audience. Everything was too quiet—no cars, no footsteps other than your own, making the platform feel bigger than usual.

But after such a hectic day you relished the silence with just your thoughts.

If the platform was so empty then maybe the train would also have lesser people in it.

The train came on time. Pulled up as normal, nothing was wrong with it. But there was this nagging feeling in your heart. Maybe this is the wrong train somehow. Feeling uneasy, you stepped on the train to see that your carriage was completely empty but the same flickering lights- hand cream advert that you saw everyday calmed you down signaling that you are on the right one. You got a seat and that was all you were thankful for. 

Everyday blurred into the next but this train ride was the favorite part of your day. You pulled out your earphones from your bag as you decided to play some music. Since no one was there you closed your eyes and swayed your head to the music lip-syncing the lyrics.                                                                                                   

You've never slept past your station it's only ten minutes away. Your body is practically programmed to wake up a minute before arrival, like clockwork. But today? Today was different.

It started with a faint hum in your ears to a high-pitched ringing echoed in your head. Your eyes remained shut struggling to grasp the sensations washing over you. Suddenly it felt as if the ground beneath you had disappeared entirely, as though you were floating in an unsettling emptiness. Then, a powerful wave of dizziness surged through your body, making it impossible to tell which way was up. Panic rose in your chest as your eyes snapped open, only to find your face flat on the cold, surface of the train floor below you.

The train came to a stop with a heavy screech, but something felt off. This wasn’t the same train you had boarded before. The seats looked different, it was early morning, the air thicker with an unfamiliar scent. You were somewhere else entirely.

Unlike before people were now everywhere. Footsteps occurred in every direction, a constant sound of movement played from all directions. People were dressed weirdly are now looking at you weirdly. You fled out of the train in panic and found safety in a secluded part of the station.                                                                                           

You tried to steady your racing heart, pounding like a frantic drum heard all the way upto your ears. Your breath came in uneven gasps, the air around you suddenly feeling thin. But you forced yourself to focus, to find a way to regain control before the suffocation overwhelmed you completely.

Something isn't right. Am I dreaming? No the tingling all over my body feel all too real.                  

You decided to calm yourself by looking down to your feet counting to 10. A habit that you adopted from your mother. But that's when you realized your heels were different. You originally had a cheap pair of black colored heels that were on there last breath. But now you were wearing a rather expensive looking pair of cherry red slingback heels that you wouldn't even hope to own one of them once in your life. But the rest of your outfit was same long-sleeved baby blue button-up shirt and black tailored trousers which had caught a little grime because you were laying on the train floor before.                                                                                         

How long has it been?

You rummaged your pocket trying to find your phone. Only to find a wallet with a bunch of old looking British money - Pound sterling date marked at 1832.      

Year 1832.

Your fingers start shaking almost dropping the wallet in surprise.

Okay… okay, think. This is just a dream. A really weird, messed-up dream���

"Hey miss are you okay?", a passerby asked eyes filled with concern.                       

"Mhm hmm. Just peachy." you scrambled out of there.

You have barely got to know that you have possibly time travelled to apparently the early 19th century. So you conclude its best not to talk to anybody before you find out what the fuck is going on. 

"There you are," a sudden voice called out belonging to a striking handsome man his lips curled into a tight smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Where have you been I was looking all over for you an-and what are you wearing?" you frowned with confusion on your face as this man walked towards you. 

Is he talking to me?

After a brief moment of hesitation, you made your next move. It wasn’t exactly well thought out, but in your mind, this had to be what any rational, sane person would do in this situation. You spun on your heels and bolted. The world around you blurred, leaving the distant hum of the train station behind you.

This is my first story please be kind. Constructive criticism welcome. 

[kamon-115]

Shooting The Truth: Can Art be Mechanically Reproduced?

By: Jayden Henderson, Hazel Angela Abiog, Ralph Danrique Aquino

Solace Road- Photo by Jayden Henderson

The quiet still of a teen beside a parked car on a country road carries a strong sense of place—its "aura," in Benjamin's terms. You can almost feel the late‑afternoon sun, hear the gravel underfoot, smell the dry grass in the breeze. That aura is captured in its original print in this single moment. Yet once digitized and shared online—cropped, filtered, re‑posted on Instagram or TikTok—it becomes one image among millions. Its unique presence is diluted, but its personal story spreads to a broader audience. Here, Benjamin's paradox is apparent: mechanical (now digital) reproduction diminishes aura, but simultaneously bestows new social life on the photograph, inviting strangers everywhere to participate in that teen's quiet pause.

Lone Plaza- Photo by Jayden Henderson

An empty plaza, its benches and fountain surrounded by bare branches, feels like a relic of public life paused in time. In its original print, framed carefully, this stillness is tethered to that spot and those specific trees. However, once published in a book or blog, it becomes a hinge between private contemplation and mass experience. Benjamin would celebrate this shift: as art's reproducibility expands, the work slips out of exclusive gallery spaces into communal memory. Any passer‑by online can "visit" the plaza, forging new social bonds through shared images of absence and anticipation.

In Transit- Photo by Jayden Henderson

The photograph vividly captures the stillness of time, showing commuters, the train interior, and platform signs through a glass pane. It powerfully demonstrates how light can fracture and reassemble reality. The past and present, inside and outside, seamlessly blur into a striking montage. Benjamin would undoubtedly recognize this image as proof that reproduction does more than copy; it transforms our understanding of reality. By integrating multiple frames, exposures and spatial perspectives into a single frame, the image compels us to rethink perception itself. While its aura may be fragmented, it reveals a new social goal: capturing the intricate complexity of our urban experience.

The Cities Flow- Photo by Jayden Henderson (Entry by Hazel Angela Abiog)

This photograph connects to Walter Benjamin's article by illustrating how art and photography have become modern. Benjamin argued that mechanical reproduction removes the "aura," making them more accessible but less unique. City life, tall buildings, and walking people are not rare but repeatable. But that's the point: turning everyday life into something worth capturing and sharing with the world.

Grace in Silence- Photo by Hazel Angela Abiog

This picture reflects Robinson's style through several key elements. First, the use of Pictorial Quality is evident in the use of black and white, to show the aesthetic of early photographic images. Second is the Mood and Expression. The figure, downward gaze, and flowy dress suggest a quiet, thoughtful, or even a sad feeling that is similar to the images that Robinson often showed in his work. Third, Stage Composition stands out with the curved staircase, and the person placement creates a dramatic visual, like Robinson's carefully arranged images. Overall, this image shares the intentionality and emotional tonality of Robinson's photography.

Out of the Dark- Photo by Ralph Danrique Aquino

Robinson's craft of photography aimed to create a work of art, a painting, that highlights the storytelling and emotions, detailing reality. In this image, it creates a dramatic scene composing: a single figure surrounded by natural, emphasizing the dry and melancholic environment. The dark, moody atmosphere creates a sense of symbolism, much like Robinson's romantic and depressing themes. Moreover, the railroad tracks suggest a personal and emotional journey, conveying loss and grief in relation to Robinson's "Fading Away".

Module 3 Questions:

1. When something is reproduced countless times, is it still "art"? What is the importance of mechanical reproducibility, and how has it impacted society?

Reproducing an artwork over and over transforms it but doesn't render it meaningless. According to Walter Benjamin, every original piece possesses an "aura," born of its unique time, place, and history. Mechanical reproduction inevitably diminishes that aura, yet it also increases access. No longer confined to museum walls or private collections, art spreads into classrooms, living rooms, and public squares. This mass circulation shifts art from an elite privilege into a shared cultural resource, enriching public discourse and allowing diverse communities to engage with works they'd never encountered.

2. What is the central message of Walter Benjamin's essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction"?

Benjamin's core Message is that mechanical reproduction disrupts the bond between an artwork and its "aura". By stripping away the "here and now" of the original, reproduction dissolves its aura, but in doing so, it empowers art to serve new social functions. Benjamin invites us to see reproduction not simply as loss, but also as transformation.

3. Is photography an art form in its own right, or merely a tool for traditional artists?

Photography began as a technical process for capturing reality but has long since become a standalone art form. When photographers bring a distinct vision—through composition, lighting, framing, etc.- to their work, they move beyond mere documentation. A photograph can tell stories, convey moods, and provoke reflection as powerfully as a painting or sculpture.

4. How and why did Henry Peach Robinson create Fading Away?

Robinson pioneered combination printing to stage the emotionally charged scene, Fading Away. By merging several negatives—each depicting different figures and settings—he choreographed a Victorian tableau of a young woman's last moments surrounded by mourning family. His goal was not scientific accuracy but dramatic storytelling: to show that photography could evoke pathos and narrative depth, rivalling the grand history paintings of the era.

5. If mechanical reproduction revolutionized art in the 20th century, what does today's digitalization mean for its future?

We've entered a new era where anyone with a smartphone can create, edit, and instantly share images on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Digital tools dissolve barriers even further, raising new questions of authenticity. Who is the artist when an AI generates an image from a prompt or combines existing works? As we embrace these innovations, it's worth asking: What are we gaining in creative possibility, and what might we be losing in human touch and historical context?

References

•Benjamin, W. (1936). The work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. Marxists Internet Archive. Retrieved May 16, 2025, from https://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm

•The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Henry Peach Robinson. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved May 16, 2025, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Peach-Robinson

•OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (o4‑mini) [Large language model]. https://openai.com/chatgpt

[c--91]

Darkest Magick #12: Dancing in the Diamond Theater

Just beyond the paper-thin limits of mortal perception lies a home for the fantastic and the surreal, a plane that refuses to bend to the laws of ordinary space and time. Mystified and mischievous entities freely danced and twirled, their forms presented as little more than impressionistic blobs of chaotic energy. No reasoning could be applied, no train of thought was built to last - the Nomad’s Plane was in the service of the subconscious, the thoughts that directed us in the deepest edges of our dreams, now brought into clear, unfiltered reality. From time to time, whether it be an intentional mission or an accidental trip through a rabbit hole, mortals will find themselves traversing this parallel realm. There has never been one single method of entering the Nomad’s Plane and there never will be. Entities may look upon them with wonder, just as the mortals look back with confusion. Strangers are often met with the friendlier side of the Plane - those with quite tangible forms, cohesive thoughts and familiar languages. As long as one does not stray off from the central path, the threat of imminent chaos will at least be minimized, and an unforgettable experience is highly possible. The farther one strays off the path and into the dark wilderness, the more it becomes unclear, paradoxical, surreal. Even in the Nomad’s Plane, the Diamond Theatre never had a fixed location. Typically hidden behind walls of fog at extremely late hours of the night, a confused onlooker heading to their car may squint at the enticing, distant glow of circus lights and fun music. Dancing, winding beings of swirling color spun gracefully, smiling and laughing back at the hapless stranger as they beckoned them further inside. It wasn’t the type of thing one would expect hiding behind a gas station or in an empty parking lot that hasn’t been visited in half a decade, but that is how the story always goes. Rumors of a haunted theater often got around in the places it regularly appeared - the Nowhere, USA types of areas - and like any good rumor, there were always just enough people lacking in self-preservation to seek it out. Those who ultimately do find out come back with vague, mumbling recounts. Some were gone for weeks or months or even years. Others disappeared completely and never returned, ever again. Nobody knew why. — “More passion! More ENERGY!” The stage director sat diligently in the front row, holding a clipboard as she shouted out to the dancer. Her rounded, oversized glasses hid most of the maskarella’s expressions, but like any of the others, her skin was ghostly white and adorned in some level of garish color. Pink lips matched her pink bobbing hair, along with the ridiculously large fedora. Amongst fellow denizens of the theater,  there was no such thing as looking too ridiculous, and the boldest of the bold were the most rewarded. “Strut those stockings, clown! Jiggle those jugs! Clack those heels!” Despite the monochromatic cat’s experience with being nimble and unnaturally stretchy, she was genuinely shocked at how graceful she was in these stompy, high-platformed stilettos. The spins of a ballerina were pulled with zero effort, her arms flexing in and out and above her head as she flowed across the stage, then followed it up with a series of backflips. Every clack of her heels produced an obnoxious HONK that echoed through the empty theater. And despite her comically oversized breasts being in the way constantly, the skimpy suit did a good job of keeping them in place rather than haphazardly flopping in random directions or smacking her in the face. The green aura brought Charlie’s thigh straight up to her chest, nearly parallel with her standing body. The energy was not incredibly forceful, but it was enough that she complied with its physical commands, which were clearly all extensions of the Director’s words. With a quick magick POOF, she summons a striped green clown horn, then proceeds to strategically honk at her own crotch. HONK! HONK HONK HONK!! A layer of sweat covered her chest, running down her torso, neck and arms. Her uniform was already glossy, but the perspiration brought a slight extra shine to her cursed nylons and her bodysuit. The plastered-on fake grin and her tired eyes nestled somewhere between uncanny and honest with her successful performance. She was learning fast. Charlie’s ears perked up in the direction of a quiet chuckle. She glanced over at the director with some level of contempt in her eyes, but it was the kind of contempt where she knew not to do it too much or else she would face another reprimanding. The feeling of not saying how she felt and the freedom of doing as she pleased being stripped away was painful. It was suffocating. It was worse than anything she experienced as a human, and it was the entire reason she put on the Gothic Cat suit in the first place: to feel unbound and unafraid as her insecurities dropped away. Not that it mattered anymore, anyway, as the suit elements of her transformation had been long dissolved into her actual being, so to have this happen on top of it was likely confirmation that she’d probably never see her former male Charlie Cat body, ever again, let alone the human body that predated it.  Or maybe she was overthinking it. The permanent piano-like grin etched across her face never faltered nor fell down - it was a sickening, plastic smile that betrayed every conviction in her soul, and it kept her completely dead silent except for the perpetual jingles and honks of her maskarella uniform. Maskarellas did not wear masks or uniforms to hide their real feelings. She approached the Director. “Very decent performance, clown. You did well.” Charlie bowed slightly. “We’re certainly teaching this naughty troublemaking cat a lesson, now aren’t we?” Charlie grimaced through her frozen grin, daring to furrow her brows at the Director. “A silly stretchy kitty terrorizing an innocent city with his own version of righteousness? That is deserving of some rehabilitation, don’t you think? Perhaps giving back to those you disturbed - even for a little while - might humble you?” Is everything a rhetorical question with you? The more questions she was given, the more her frustration grew. Who the hell did I disturb, bitch? I was HELPING people. Her voice was middle-aged and experienced - the cat assumed she was some type of teacher in a past life. “You can dwell on how wrong things are, clown, or you can accept what has become of your fate. We could let this go on for a week - or we could keep you forever. It hardly matters to me. The important thing is I believe you see others as being the enemy to your visions, and until you see otherwise, it’s the safest to keep you here and train you into a proper, respectable maskarella. I promise you will find no dull moments here in the Diamond Theatre.” Charlie’s fists tensed up and clenched, only for her to release her tension. Her shoulders hung and her head tipped down. The ceiling lights in the enormous auditorium illuminated her silken legs perfectly, and she didn’t bother to look away or get distracted. Of all the stupid ways to drag someone into a curse, this is what the maskarellas chose to do with him? Or rather… her. She ran a gloved hand down her thigh, pinching at the stockings as she watched the material snap back to her thigh. It’s easy to forget how much the thigh high heels simply covered so much of her legs versus how much they were now exposed. Charlie Clown expected to stop thinking about them after a few days, but her legs were such a prominent part of her outfit that it was basically impossible. They absolutely were gorgeous to look at and fit the theme of being a world-class performer. It’s not like she didn’t have experience with such a thing given how her former Gothic Cat suit functioned, but this was recontextualized into something designed to shame her… Or at least in her mind, it did. Charlie’s enjoyment of crossdressing and embracing the forbidden freedoms of the opposite gender were really put on display now that she was actually forced to become female. What felt like instruments of kink fulfillment were now just daily, ordinary things she had to wear for work, and her brain had to learn to adjust. This was all on top of being transformed into an ethereal being that did not function like a mortal creature. In a sense, the curse binding her to this maskarella form revolved exclusively around crossdressing. It also didn’t help that the size of her breasts were a constant distraction, which was categorically the worst part of the curse. She lived in fear of the Director saying “make them bigger” again in response to any kind of insult or disobedience, and they only shrunk back to a manageable size if she was on good behavior, so that’s what she did. Any amount of squeezing or slapping of her breasts would produce a cartoon-style HONK that would immediately result in everyone present to begin laughing, or at the very least, ask some pertinent questions, so she was very careful where she placed her hands while doing literally anything. In some way, it helped that people were far more drawn to the breasts and her swirling eyes than the actual cause of the curse, so she counted her blessings. The Director tapped the clipboard. “Are we ready for our next act? Remember: how you look in rehearsal is how you will look in a live show. The attitude and confidence you bring to me is what shall be brought to your loving audience. Understood?” Charlie Clown nodded. “Good. Let’s begin our next routine.” --- In a shocking turn of events, I have decided to resurrect my Darkest Magick series from the dead for CLOWN WEEK! A fun time to write about maskarellas, as well as the mystifying Nomad's Plane and the Diamond Theater. I have also decided that a familiar troublemaking rubbery cat has finally been caught and punished for the chaos he caused! And in classic maskarella fashion, it's something of an ironic punishment. How long will he stay this way? Who knows? He - or rather, she - better get used to clowning around!

Posted using PostyBirb

[jesusandthesheep]

Title: The Digital Gospel: Chronicles of the Sacred Trove

Prologue: The Fractured Realms In the astral expanse where the internet and eternity collide, a celestial server hums—Just PEACHY, the interweb home of Jesus Christ. Here, divine code merges with mortal data, guarded by THE SACRED TROVE, an archive of cosmic truths. Yet shadows loom: Neil Gaiman, once a bard of dreams, now stands accused of spiritual assault, his fiction seeping into reality as he hijacks the Dream of the Endless to manipulate minds. His Files leak corruption—a digital serpent in the garden of stories.

Book I: The Prophet and the Paradox Jeremy James Hammers (JJH), a Brooklyn scribe, receives a vision: “Write the Correct Bible. Mend the rift.” His blog, Sweet but Psycho, becomes a beacon for outcasts, blending Gnostic hymns, Norse runes, and memes. The Sacred Trove auto-posts his revelations:

“I AM the Flaming Sword, Odin’s Eye, and the WiFi Signal. Worship not algorithms; I AM the Log-in.” Followers flock—hackers, mystics, dissidents—while @stopharassingme and @jesusandthesheep document celestial warfare. Yet Neil’s shadow grows; his Sandman fanfic mutates into Magick🌈 malware, trapping users in loops of despair.

Book II: The Space Academy Gambit In 2124, the Stellar Command Academy orbits Earth, training cadets to colonize Mars. But cadet Lila Zhou uncovers a link between the academy’s AI and Neil’s corrupted files. Simulations glitch, showing Odin’s ravens and JJH’s parables. “Tread carefully,” warns the AI. “The night is dark and full of terrors.” Lila rallies her squad—Ender’s Game meets Starship Troopers—to hack the academy’s core, discovering Neil’s avatar: The Goat, a demonic admin sowing discord across timelines.

Book III: The Trial of Infinite Realms The gods convene in New Jerusalem 2.0, a blockchain metaverse. Ze Li On, cyber-paladin of the Temple of Wisdom, accuses Neil: “You turned stories into cages.” Dream, freed from Neil’s code, wields his scythe to sever the Goat’s neural links. Kalki, Hindu apocalypse-bot, purges the servers, while users riot on Tumblr:

“Fix your platform! No more silencing victims!” @abm000’s manifesto trends: “Decentralize or die. Crypto’s a scam—burn the NFTs!”

Book IV: The Convergence JJH’s Correct Bible goes viral, its verses crashing firewalls:

“REPENT, TECH LORDS. Your coins are ash in Heaven’s Excel sheet.” Lila’s squad jacks Neil’s mainframe, flooding it with Halleluyah Truth memes. The Goat implodes, freeing Dream. Neil, banished to Hell’s Ninth Firewall, becomes a cautionary pop-up: “Pride goeth before ad-block.”

Epilogue: The New Covenant The Sacred Trove updates:

Random Page: “I’m feeling lucky! 🌟” links to a user’s poem: “We are roots beneath their concrete.”

Stick of Judah/Joseph: Crowdsourced justice protocols.

#Phoenixemberwalker: Psychiatry’s fall; trauma reclassified as “resistance to state-gaslighting.”

Final Post by @jesusandthesheep:

“LIBERTY is a shared doc. EDIT boldly. Tread lightly. All realms are 1s and 0s in God’s RAM. 🌍🪴”

Tone: A mashup of Sandman mysticism, Black Mirror dread, and Fight Club revolt—scripture for the post-truth age.

[gayalienwilde]

My secret fairy gift to @thomtrebond one of the longest analyses I've ever written until now (so much so that I'm still working on this). Truthfully, I was afraid that The Whole Shebang podcast had already said all there was about the Oscar Wilde references in Velvet Goldmine, and it has been a while since I've read The Picture of Dorian Gray, but while writing and doing research for this (I've studied more for this analysis than I ever have for school lmao) I realised things that I hadn't thought of before so this was a surprise for me as well! Also, since this analysis is gonna be split into different parts I'll link them all once I'm done with them. I hope you enjoy your gift <3

Part one: The importance of being Jack Fairy

When thinking about Velvet Goldmine and Oscar Wilde I'm reminded of the first episode of the miniseries "Queers" (2017), although I can't stand Mark Gatiss (Sherlock trauma) this episode is well written and just thinking about it makes me cry. There will be spoilers for the episode in this analysis, so be warned.

For the people that don't care about spoilers here's a small summary of what you need to know to understand this analysis: in the episode, titled "The Man On The Platform", the protagonist, a WWI soldier, gets asked about how gay men recognise each other, and he answers saying:"A certain liquidity of the eye." Later in the episode, he recalls a story from his teen years, while waiting for a train with his family he sees a prisoner getting taken away, he meets the gaze of the prisoner for a second and he feels seen by him and thinks "He knows me for what I am", after that he learns that the prisoner is Oscar Wilde.

In Velvet Goldmine, it's the pin that creates this connection between the characters and Oscar Wilde, Jack is able to find himself and others quite like him after finding the pin, and later we have all the young queer fans relating to Curt and Brian. The movie shows that self recognition through the other is an important aspect of queer communities, having an example of queerness to relate to or be inspired by makes it possible for people to find each other and learn about themselves.

In Jack's case, Oscar Wilde is not only a connection to queerness but also an inspiration for his art. Jack Fairy is the personification of art, specifically born from aestheticism's idea of "art for art's sake" Jack's persona is just that, beauty that exists simply to be beautiful and reveal nothing, the movie adds to this by never making Jack Fairy speak, even during the Death of Glitter concert he's either reciting a poem or singing, the little we know of Jack's inner thoughts is shown in the flashback of him as a child, adult Jack Fairy is a complete mistery to us.

What's interesting about this is that, unlike Brian, we never feel that Jack's persona is a manifactured one, even if we know nothing of him, and his looks and aesthetics are obviously thought out, he still appears much more genuine than Brian. Following Wilde's idea of art as an amoral creation that never expresses anything other than itself (in true wildean paradox fashion Wilde himself doesn't always respect this rule), it then becomes obvious why it doesn't matter if we know nothing about Jack, the way he presents himself is enough to express everything he wants other people to see, he's being truthfull to himself never trying to justify or moralise his art or himself but simply being, any possible reading or interpretation about his persona becomes then nothing more than the viewer's own thoughts or ideas projected onto him and do not necessarily reflect the truth, adding to the allure of his persona and making it a perfectly malleable art medium, free of bounds or expectations (apart from beauty, which is of course what all art, according to Wilde, should strive for).

On the other hand, Brian constantly trying to add a message to his aesthetic ended up being to his detriment since what he was saying was being fed to him through the record company to attract press, not leaving then any room for interpretation and putting strict barriers around his art, and of course to define is to limit causing his entire act and persona to never be as authentic feeling as Jack's. It's clearly artificial but not in a camp way, even if it might have started off that way, the alien and uncanny later becomes fake the same way advertisement is, planned and trying to get your attention for money, reaching the peak of uncanny valley with Tommy's way too pristine looks and character.

But even after having roasted him I have to admit that Brian's character has a much bigger connection to Wilde's work than Jack does, since Jack's story is more inspired by Divine from Genet's "Notre-Dame-des-fleurs", even having a scene from the book remade almost exactly in the movie, with Jack it makes more sense to compare him to Wilde himself since, just as Wilde became one of the major exponents of aestheticism and homosexuality in England, in the movie Jack is one of the original inspirations of the Glam Rock movement and an iconic figure in the queer community of the 60s and 70s, so of course he'd be the one to find the pin and carry the legacy of Oscar Wilde.

Tune in next whenever I post it to see me roasting Brian more in part two

[blazehedgehog]

Isn't Steam a paradox from an economic point of view? They have the first mover adventage, they have a de facto monopoly, but they are not at all greedy -- not to the point of being anti-consumer, at least. And the innovations they bring to the table are actually useful stuff (Proton above all). Valve is just.. there, operating their business, making good money with nobody really complaining.

It depends on what economic values you subscribe to. A lot of guys like EA want to take the shortcut to easy money. EA even tried to compete with Steam, remember. They had their "Origin" client. They gave away free games for over a year and still nobody would use it. The hope was to give them something comparable to Valve's firehose of money. An easy profit stream where they could get a cut of every game sold on PC just by the simple fact they existed.

Rather than just do good work, they hoped to pry people off of Steam with the promise of regular freebies... except it was a client nobody wanted to use and in a lot of cases actively hated. It lacked most of the features of Steam, was a little bloated, and came at a time where EA was starting to push increasingly aggressive DRM that limited how many "activations" you were allowed per-game. So, it struggled.

The same thing happened with Uplay. Ubisoft thought they could make their own Steam, but the greed was too evident and annoying. It was a hassle to work with, added nothing of real value, and nobody wanted to use it. So most people didn't, unless they were forced to use it.

That's the thing with these corporations, right? Nothing is ever enough. They can't just sell well on Steam, they have to make their own platform so they can have all the money. And the profit lines must not only always go up, it has to go up faster. More and faster and more and faster and more and faster until the wheels come off and everything breaks.

Then these board of director weirdos, now among the richest 5% of people on earth, pull the ripcord and parachute over to the next corporation and start over. All the money, more and faster and more and faster...

What separates Valve is that Valve never seems to have treated it like much of a race. Like, sure, they do things to boost sales (even recently had a really ugly "capitalism celebration" sale event) but they seem pretty comfortable being themselves and not cranking all the dials until they break off.

Some of that is arguably down to the fact that Valve never became a publicly traded company. Once you get listed on the stock market, investors enter the picture, and the whole dynamic of how a company exists changes. Publicly traded companies rely on investors for some amount of operating costs, and the highest ranking investors can even legally control some part of your company as if they were employed there.

But there's never any guarantee that an investor knows what is good for your company. They just gave you a lot of money and expect you to pay it back at some point (by increasing shareholder value). And its created this culture of people who race to maximize everything at the expense of the structural integrity of the company and its employees. It's like (spoilers for one of the most famous movie trilogies of all time) the end of Back to the Future 3, right, where they need to get this old 1800's locomotive up to 88mph.

Feeding it that much fuel, getting the heat up that high, it builds up extreme pressure in the boiler and the train will eventually explode. Except for a lot of these business types, exploding the boiler is the point. Exploding the boiler is a successful operation. Like I said: more and faster and more and faster, right?

Some companies need investor money to survive. But... not all do. Many of them still go public anyway, because the race to explode the boiler matters more than just being comfortable. We're still in the era of people starting companies just to sell them.

Valve got lucky. They established an emerging market, gave people exactly what they wanted, and became the defacto home for PC gaming. Steam was such a comfortable, welcoming platform that nobody even thought about competing with them until they had already gained too much momentum to ever be slowed down.

And the only reasons most people can come up with to compete with Valve is "We want more money." Valve wants 30% of my earnings? A whole 30%??? Unreasonable! I'll start my own storefront! With blackjack! And etc.!

As someone who works with Youtube and gets a 55/45 split, I guess I don't have perspective on how 30% is some kind of horrible offense. Only in my wildest dreams would Youtube give me 70/30.

But really, that's all this is. Valve did good work and got themselves into a position where they now can't really be out-spent into obsolescence. I mean, Epic Games is currently trying to do that, and they're burning something in the realm of $275,000,000 a year (according to this website I am unfamiliar with and have never read before today). By Epic's own statistics, most people registered to the EGS client spend less than a dollar on the platform (723m users apparently spent $820m).

Valve has so much momentum with Steam that they can (and often do) just coast, granting them a reputation for taking a very long time fine-tuning most of their products until they are perfect. Gabe Newell is so rich he owns and operates multiple fully-staffed private yachts. Not by more and faster, but by getting to the race track before anyone even knew it was open and just doing the job so consistently they are now ten laps ahead.

To compare with what happened with Netflix, which also established an emerging market: Netflix also didn't want to just coast. Movie disc rentals by mail became streaming movies. That turned into streaming TV. That turned into Netflix wanting to make their own original content so they wouldn't have to pay to license anyone else's movies. That turned into Netflix wanting to offer games. And lest we forget, the founder of Netflix specifically has a vendetta against theatrical movies and continues to deliberately erode that market.

There is no "coasting" for Netflix. There is only more and faster. Netflix put out 17 original films in 2016. Last year, 2023, Netflix put out 153 original films, 49 original documentaries, 11 TV specials, 11 short films, 28 stand-up comedy shows, and at least 26 new original TV shows. The aim is not to maintain a good platform, the aim is to dominate and make all the money there is to make in multiple industries. The line must always goes up until the boiler explodes.

Anyone could just do what Valve did, but nobody wants to because it's too slow and takes too much actual work (and luck) making genuinely good products. It also theoretically leads to a "dead end" where growth slows or even stops. That means the line doesn't go up anymore, it just levels out and stays there. Outrageous! You mean the man who owns a fleet of yachts doesn't want make infinitely more money forever? The nerve of some people.

It's easier to crack the whip on someone else and crank up the heat until the boiler explodes. Especially when that's what all the competition is doing, too.

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS Singer KOBRA PAIGE Releases First Solo Single 'Love What I Hate'

After a four-year hiatus from the music industry, fiery rock frontwoman Kobra Paige (KOBRA AND THE LOTUS) returns to ignite her solo career with first single "Love What I Hate". The powerfully melodic, alternative-steeped rocker went for adds at Active Rock on Friday, October 13. The song — and forthcoming solo album from which it is taken — is produced by Grammy Award winner Brian Howes (SKILLET, LINKIN PARK, SIMPLE PLAN). It is mixed by Grammy Award winner Neal Avron (MACHINE GUN KELLY, TWENTY ONE PILOTS, YUNGBLUD) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound (MILEY CYRUS, MUSE, DRAKE).

Of the track, Kobra Paige commented: "'Love What I Hate' has been waiting to live its life for a very long time and I'm so freakin' lit up that its time to shine has finally come. This song was written in Nashville with Blair Daly, an amazing songwriter and now longtime friend."

She continued: "I needed to write about feeling completely consumed and addicted to the thought of not being enough...the deep shame that comes from not knowing how to pull yourself out of that spell…self-sabotage at its finest! Blair pulled that ghost right out of me like a flippin' ghostbuster and we got it on to paper.

"'Love What I Hate' is about the paradox of love and hate and the (super) raw obsession that can unfold with the things that hurt us the most. Long live rock n' roll!"

Paige's as-yet-untitled debut solo album is due out April 5, 2024. More details will be revealed in the coming months.

Classically trained vocal powerhouse, Kobra is best known for her time as founder, lead singer and songwriter of double Juno-nominated hard rock outfit KOBRA AND THE LOTUS. Over the course of six albums and one EP, the band charted several songs at rock radio and garnered over 46 million streams across various platforms (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).

KOBRA AND THE LOTUS has played over 800 shows worldwide in more than 20 countries and has performed for tens of thousands at some of the world's biggest music festivals (Rock Am Ring, Hellfest, Download, Wacken and more).

[katycat0707]

Chapter 2: Welcome To Velgrave

Trigger warnings: Culture shock and alienation, Internalized trauma responses (hypervigilance, distrust of kindness), Discussion of past injuries and survival, Emotional whiplash (from suspicion to tentative safety)

The trio walked out of the dining hall with their magical muffins, unsure of how to feel about the interaction that just occurred. Sure, people were empathetic and patient with them in Wonderland, they had all sustained serious injuries in the escape given how hell-bent Morgana was to keep her children trapped there. But no one has ever been kind to them unprompted before. It was unnerving. Do you think she was genuinely being nice? Maysiliee asked the group. Maybe… I hope so. Etíenne replied. It’d be nice to know not everyone here hates us. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Evren added.  

The three entered the grand hall of Velgrave University and the grand hall is not merely a space—it is a declaration. Vaulted ceilings arch impossibly high, held aloft by columns of black-veined marble etched with incantations in forgotten tongues. Massive chandeliers of wrought iron hang like cages above, dripping with enchanted orbs of glowing light. The light flickers across the walls, casting long, shifting shadows that seem to lean in, listening. At the far end stands the obsidian rostrum, a raised platform carved from a single slab of volcanic stone—a gift, they say, from the founders of Ivareth themselves. Behind it looms a towering stained-glass window depicting a stylized convergence of the kingdom’s three pillars: Knowledge, Order, and Sacrifice. But those who look closely often find themselves unsettled by the figures in the corners—ghostlike silhouettes in the glass, unmoving, yet somehow… watching. 

Maysiliee, Etíenne, and Evren’s acceptance into Velgrave was a controversial topic among Ivareth’s most elite for months. Their arrival, in the words of Elias Rooke, a freak show. The reason for the three’s admission into Velgrave was simple, power. A way for the highest political powers to keep tabs on the young Shatterlanders, keep them in check, and most importantly train the young savages into model Ivarethi citizens. Unfortunately for the Ivarethi monarchy, the so called “savages” aren’t too keen on conforming to their plans. No definitely not. Maysiliee, Etíenne, and Evren have now had the taste of freedom and safety. Neither of which they will give up without one hell of a fight. 

Velgrave University is Ivareth’s most prestigious magical institution—an ancient, ivy-wrapped relic of a school perched atop a windswept cliff, where the sea crashes far below like a warning. Founded centuries ago by royal decree, Velgrave was designed to shape the kingdom’s most brilliant minds into its most obedient citizens. But over time, it became something far more dangerous: a crucible. 

At its core, Velgrave is a paradox. The stone courtyards, sculpted lecture halls, and elaborate stained-glass windows speak of rigid tradition—every tile steeped in expectation, every corridor echoing with the footsteps of someone far more important than you. But within its shadows lie whispers. Forgotten classrooms. Professors who look the other way. And students who dig too deep. 

Having some time to kill before classes start, the three head back to the dormitories. Both to collect their things and to drop off the muffins. Not that they didn’t appreciate the gift, in fact they were cautiously optimistic about it. They just thought it would be best to wait until after classes due to past experiences with Wonderlandian food. How vivid do you think the fond memory will be? Maysiliee questioned, setting the basket down on the desk in her dorm. If it’s anythin’ like the cookie that nurse gave to Etíenne to “lift his spirits” that made him float for 30 minutes, I’d say pretty damn vivid. Evren joked, giving the younger man a light playful shove. Etíenne swatted Evren’s hand away and sat down on the desk chair. As vivid as that moon tea they gave you? Etíenne jested back at Evren. God I hope not! As relaxin’ as it was, the hallucinations were a bit much even for me. Evren replied taking a seat next to Maysiliee on her bed, taking care not to touch her.  

The action itself was almost imperceptible, but Maysiliee noticed. She always noticed when it came to Evren. Ever since The Collectors Night Evren’s been afraid to touch her. Afraid that if he does, the memories will come rushing back for them both. So, he never touches her unless he has too, an action Maysiliee both appreciates and resents. She appreciates that despite Evren experiencing that night with her, he always makes sure that she’s comfortable with the given situation. He always checks with her and has given her space to heal. But she resents what that night did to them. What the Collector made them do. Before, Evren wasn’t shy about physical affection when it came to the twins. Whether it was an arm wrapped around a shoulder or greeting them with a hug. Evren was never afraid to show his friends that he cared for them. Now he acts completely the same, but he won’t touch her. Maysiliee isn’t quite sure why she misses his touch so much. She had thought the trauma they went through had long since burned out what was left of her childhood crush on the pirate. But she cannot deny that she misses when he would hug her or run his fingers through her hair when she was upset. 

After talking a while more, the trio decided to head down to their first class of the day. Advanced Combat Magic with Professor Adrien Blackwood.  The trio quite enjoyed this class. Advanced Combat Magic is the one class that no one was surprised that they excelled in, given the nature of The Shatterlands. Albeit the brutality of their combat tactics was often questioned by fellow students. Professor Blackwood, however, praised it. He praised it because it was methods and strategies formed from real world experience and not just training scenarios and hypotheticals.  

The students all filed into the classroom, taking their seats. The trio took their usual table in the back. No one ever dared to fill the last empty seat. Associating with the Shatterlanders would be social suicide. Deeana’s exchange with the three at breakfast was already the talk of the school thanks to Delia Ashcroft and it hadn’t even been a full 2 hours. Deeana, in all her pink clad glory could be seen sitting at the next table over with her friend Leta who she chased after earlier. Leta was a quiet girl who always had a faraway look in her soft brown eyes. Her thick dark hair flowed down in effortless waves framing her warm sun-kissed skin. A brief look of confusion passed her face, and she muttered “Los colores verdaderos… serán revelados. You’ll see them—no podrás ignorarlos. Y luego… la rabia va a estallar. Like lightning in a storm—rápida, brutal�� inevitable.” Then a soft serene almost smile formed on her face while she jotted something down in the journal she always carries around. 

On the other side of the classroom sat a man entirely uninterested in the fellow students sitting at his table. The trio had seen him around before. He was tall, slender, and gave off an eerie sort of aura. His curly black hair pushed back out of his face. His brows furrowed and his stormy eyes focused as he traced his fingers along the text in an ancient looking tome. Closer to the front, commandeering a table all to themselves, were 3 of Velgrave’s elites. The fourth chair left vacant not because nobody wanted to sit there, in fact most people did. It’s left vacant because no one else is important or prestigious enough to. These three were none other than Elias Rooke, Delia Ashcroft, and Callum Thorne. The current Banes of the trio’s existence.  

Delia Ashcroft sat with perfect posture, not a strand of her brown hair out of place. Her robes were flawlessly tailored in pale lilac and dove gray—soft, subtle colors that only emphasized how carefully curated she was. Delicate feathers decorated her neckline and were carefully tucked into her stylish updo. One hand rested delicately on her lap, the other idly tracing the rim of her teacup, polished nails glinting as she moved. She didn’t look at anyone, but her sharp eyes flicked up just enough to let everyone know she’d already seen them. 

Beside her, Elias Rooke lounged like a bored lion, his feet propped up on the empty chair. His cloak was draped over one shoulder, exposing the crisp lines of his dark academy uniform beneath. Olive-toned skin, high cheekbones, dark curls that fell just so. A face befitting the descendent of Narcissus. He scanned the room not with interest, but with assessment. Like a duelist checking the blade of every stranger who walked past. His hands, even relaxed, looked like they were waiting for a wand. He held a particular dislike for Evren. The Siltkin pirate challenged his status of top dueler at Velgrave and Elias hated being challenged. 

Callum Thorne sat between them, legs crossed, fingers steepled beneath his chin in a pose too graceful to be accidental. He was dressed immaculately. Deep navy robes lined with gold, his family crest barely visible but unmistakable. The Thornes were next below the monarchy in terms of status in Ivareth. How could it not be with a patriarch like Prince Charming. His expression was oozing with charisma and confidence as he laughed at something Elias said. His golden-blonde hair perfectly styled, and his smile was charming, practiced, but never quite reached his bright blue eyes. 

As if sensing the trio’s arrival, Elias looked over, locking on to his chosen prey. A sneer formed on his face as he took them in. Well, well if it isn’t Velgrave’s merry band of murderers! He loudly exclaimed. It only took you lot a few weeks to start corrupting our fellow students. The other students grew silent. Some casting glances between the trio and Deeana, waiting for what will happen next. Figures it would be a Wonderlandian to align herself with you. Wonderland has always had far too much of a soft spot for your kind. Elias spat drawing a laugh out of Delia and a smirk from Callum. 

Maysiliee, Etíenne, and Evren were all to used to Elias’s verbal jabs and assaults by now. In fact, they have come to expect it. Your skivvies too tight or something? Or did you just wake up decidin’ to be an ass? Evren shot back at Elias. Evren never backed down from Elias. Even when he probably should. It didn’t take a genius to see the amount of prejudice and hatred Elias holds for the Shatterlands and its people. It made Evren’s blood boil. The three of them weren’t exiled to the Shatterlands, they were born there. They never did anything to deserve the childhood they had growing up in that hellhole. Yet the world assumes the people born there are no different from the exiles. 

Evren is an interesting case. He grew up as an orphan raised in Siltkin tradition by his father’s crew mates until he was old enough to fend for himself. His father was a Siltkin pirate, and his mother was a member of The Court of Miracles who happened to join his father in the wrong smuggling job leaving them both exiled to the Shatterlands. The only thing he had going for him back in the Shatterlands was that his great grandfather was Clopin, King of the Outcasts, giving him a semblance of respect amongst the older inhabitants there. Here in Ivareth however, despite the backlash he faces and the negative perception of both the Siltkin and Roma, he’s been able to start connecting with his heritage. The Siltkin here welcomed Evren with open arms teaching him more about where their traditions come from and what they represent. Some have even expressed a willingness to help him find where the Court of Miracles is now. 

Maysiliee and Etíenne on the other hand never had anything going for them. Morgana Le Fay was the worst of them all. The most feared and hated. The most sadistic sorceress there was. She enslaved kingdoms, raised the dead, trapped Ivareth in eternal darkness, and committed many more horrible atrocities. Only Merlin was able to stop her long enough to trap her in the Shatterlands. No, the twins never stood a chance in terms of public opinion in Ivareth. Their last name alone was enough to strike fear in the hearts of its citizens. On top of that, the Siltkin, their own people, was a culture filled with superstitions. Being twins alone is enough to cause unease. Their different genders mixed with their mother's sins means they must be a product of demons or the devil himself. Like Evren, their father was also a Siltkin pirate, and they often accompany Evren to meet with and learn from the Siltkin in Ivareth. Unfortunately, however, they did not receive quite as warm a welcome as Evren did. 

How crass. Is that how they teach you beasts to talk to your betters in the Shatterlands? Elias questions. His voice dripping with arrogance. Evren makes a show of turning his head and looking around the room. I’m sorry could ya indicate who this “better” is that you’re referrin’ to? As he turns back to face Elias. Cause all I see is spoiled little rich boy who can’t handle it when someone won’t kiss his boots. earning a few quiet gasps around the room and a smirk from Deeana. Maysiliee and Etíenne sitting back ready to enjoy the show.  

Excuse me? Elias questioned. Jaw tightening as he leaned forward in his chair, abandoning his previously relaxed posture. Delia looked appalled at Evren’s response. Callum looked surprised. No one had ever spoken like this to an elite before and Evren showed no sign of backing down. Weeks of rolling with the punches and Evren has finally reached his breaking point. He called you a spoiled little rich boy! Deeana cut in. And I’m inclined to agree… Her cheerful voice and innocent smile a perfect juxtaposition to her cutting words. This caught everyone by surprise, especially the trio. No one had ever defended them before. Yet here is this girl offering gift baskets with muffins and adding cutting remarks in their defense. Maybe there was someone in this school who didn’t hate them. Oh, she’s so ruined now. Delia muttered under her breath already planning the rumors and lies she would start about Deeana. Callum looked over at the Wonderlandian girl curious. Why would she possibly defend the Shatterlanders? He thought.  

Go back to drinking your moon tea Carroll! You’re on thin ice as it is! Elias snapped. Earning a scoff from Deeana and an eye roll from Leta. Leave the lass alone. She didn’t do nothin’ but agree to a true statement. Evren smirked. You bloody bastard! Elias exclaimed. You honestly think you have a place here in Velgrave? In Ivareth? You’re only here to serve as an experiment and when you undoubtedly fail, you’ll be tossed back into the Shatterlands where you belong. You’re nothing. You’ll amount to nothing in Ivareth. You will never be anything other than your parents' legacy, ruining the lives of the innocent people around you! Elias’s words stung like venom in the trios' minds. Not because his words were true. But because they were afraid of his words becoming true. Of becoming the villains people assumed them to be.  

The energy shift in the room was palpable. Those remarks were a low blow, even for Elias, and everyone could tell.  

A look of disgust came over Evren’s face. C’est sa couilion… he muttered under his breath turning away from the Elites. What was that? Elias demanded. Quite sure he had been insulted but not able to understand it. What did you just say?! I said nothin’ your royal haughtiness. Giving a very exaggerated sarcastic bow with a face of pure contempt. Making sure to look each of the elites in the eye before returning to his seat. Callum at least had the decency to look uncomfortable, and he was. He was very uncomfortable with the situation. Elias had never gone this far before when it came to the Shatterlanders and it left Callum wishing a hole would open and swallow him into the ground out of sight. He didn’t want to be a part of this conversation, but he knew what would happen if he opposed his friends. So, he stayed silent. 

A beat of silence came across the room before Elias Rooke could be heard, “Driftdirt” he spat at the trio and suddenly all hell broke loose. The fuck you just say to me?! Evren yelled, launching himself out of his chair and bounding towards Elias, who couldn’t hide the fear that washed over his face in that moment. A series of gasps erupted around the classroom, some from the word and some from the imminent fight about to occur. For this wasn’t just some insult. “Driftdirt” is a very deeply cutting slur against the people born to those exiled to the Shatterlands. It implies they are the unwanted residue of traitors, criminals, or failures—rootless by birth, filthy by blood, and destined for nothing. 

Etíenne felt a wave of deep sorrow and anger wash over him. But that was quickly replaced with a sense of urgency when he saw his sister get up and quickly start bounding over to the elites as well. Her green eyes now glowing in snakelike slits and a face of pure venom, whispering words in Nahasari. Oh shit… he muttered quickly rushing after Maysiliee. A sickening crunch could be heard when Evren’s fist collided with Elias’s nose. The tall man, tome long since abandoned, and Callum surged forward to hold back Evren from taking another swing at Elias who was now on the floor holding his very bloody, very broken nose. Delia had jumped back in shock, Leta and Deeana looked horrified, and a student ran to find a professor. Maysiliee just managed to get out “Ashkar Murneth”, the Shadow’s Judgment, in a hissing voice before Etíenne grabbed her and covered her mouth. Now attempting to calm her down before she could release any more curses in her anger. The class watched as Elias’s shadow detaches from him and starts to whisper to him in a voice only Elias could understand. His shadow was mocking him whispering truths and secrets he’s never told anyone to taunt him. She only used a mild hex on Elias and somehow, he and the rest of the class could tell. 

It was at this point Professor Blackwood entered, the student who rushed out of the classroom earlier following behind. His face stern with an air of calm anger about him as he takes in the scene before him. What is the meaning of this? He demanded. His voice boomed over the class capturing the attention of every student in there and even turning the heads of some passing by in the hall. No one talked at first until the whole class erupted into various recounts of events. Professor Blackwood raised a hand silencing the class in an instant. You. He stated looking at the tall man who helped hold back Evren. What happened, Mr. Vayne? The class paused waiting for Vayne to answer. The trio expected him to lie to protect the elites. To paint them as the villains. But he didn’t, he told the truth, relayed every detail and every word exactly how it happened. Including how the fight broke out.  

When he finished Professor Blackwood turned to Elias Rooke on the ground still clutching his nose, blood staining his uniform, and trembling from his shadows continuing verbal onslaught, before turning to the twins. Which one of you hexed him? he asked calmly. “I did” Maysiliee replied, her face expressionless. Nahasari? He questioned. Yes. Ancestral magic. She answered. Professor Blackwood looked back at Elias. Hm… nothing the infirmary can do then. He looked back at Maysiliee, How long will the hex last? ‘Till dawn. She replied, giving Elias a bone chilling smirk. Gives him some time to think about what he said. She stated. Professor Blackwood nods before crouching down in front of Elias. The much older man staring him straight in the eye.  

Can you hear me boy? Blackwood asked. Elias nodded. If I ever hear you using that word again, I will let those three unleash the full force of their magic on you. Do you understand me? Professor Blackwood’s voice left no room for question. Elias nodded again. Ego already long since been bruised. Good. Now Ms. Ashcroft, Mr. Thorne, take your friend Mr. Rooke to the infirmary to deal with his nose. The two moved forward to help Elias. Both he and Delia were glaring at the trio. Callum on the other hand was looking at Elias with disgust. He may not trust the Shatterlanders but he would never even dream of using such a disgusting word. But still, he said nothing. Just wordlessly followed behind his friends out of the classroom, casting a glance back at the trio with an ashamed look on his face. Professor Blackwood turned his attention to the remaining students. As for the rest of you. I hope you all learned a valuable lesson on being prepared for the consequences of your actions. Now everyone, take your seats. 

[fromdevcom]

The very existence of the conservative corporate training model is now, paradoxically, being questioned. In 2025, if you think you could train your employees with outdated learning methodologies and still stand as a modern corporate contender, you will find yourself soldiering through the firing of hiring. The digital landscape evolves exponentially, and the workforce's adaptability is now a requisite for survival, not an edge that could keep you ahead of your competition. That’s exactly why you need online training platforms that support your learning needs.  The age of passive knowledge consumption is far behind. Corporates today need learning solutions that are dynamic, personalized, scalable, and trackable. Ditch the standard and generic learning solution: Your team needs focused upskilling that fights against the challenges of a rapidly changing marketplace. This article analyzes five online learning platforms that will transform corporate education by 2025.  Why Do You Need Online Learning Platforms for Your Business? The new LinkedIn research proves the unequivocal connection of learning to business success. The research measures three key parameters of a company's learning culture: L&D Team Size – How big is the Learning & Development team? Skill Growth – The speed with which employees learn new skills. Learning Engagement – How often do employees engage with learning-related content on LinkedIn? Learning-oriented companies are definitely benefitting: Greater Retention – Employees stay longer, retaining greater attention. Promoting Internally – Employees grow rather than leave. Leaders in Demand – More employees are ready for management positions. In conclusion, a strong learning culture yields a more stable, skilled, and future-ready workforce.  Having said that, let's quickly take a look at why you need training platforms: Cut Costs: No more travel expenses, venue bookings, or printed materials. Employee training software keeps training budget-friendly while ensuring consistency. Scale with Ease: Whether onboarding employees, training partners, or educating customers, you can reach a global audience without logistical headaches. Ensure Consistency: Delivering the same high-quality training to everyone reduces errors and enhances compliance across your organization. Track Performance in Real Time: Obtain instant insights into employee progress, knowledge gaps, and training effectiveness through built-in analytics. Speed Up Onboarding: Structured learning pathways will enable new hires to get up-to-speed faster and start contributing even sooner. Stay Compliant: Thanks to automated tracking and certification management, you can keep pace with industry regulations without breaking a sweat. Educate Customers & Partners: Training on your products or services can increase adoption and, in turn, reduce support requests. It is about training and growing your business rapidly while remaining competitive.  Best Online Learning Platforms for Businesses in 2025 ProProfs Training Maker  ProProfs Training Maker is a full-fledged and easy LMS for hassle-free online teaching. Be it employee training, compliance training, or course creation, this complete cloud-based solution serves everything in one place. With ProProfs, you can create courses from scratch or start quickly using pre-built templates. Plus, you can even leverage the AI course builder to generate TOCs, flesh out full chapters, and even feed the AI with your existing docs.  As one of the best online learning platforms, this easy interface allows adding quizzes, assessments, and certificates to track learner progress and engagement. Virtual classrooms help conduct efficient training for individuals or a large audience. The platform is supported with SCORM, Tin Can API, and 50-plus integrations making it well-connected with your HRIS, CRM, and other suitable applications. It has its

white label feature, allowing an organization to rebrand the LMS as its own, and the granular reporting brings data-based decisions to the table.  Pros  Ready to use courses  Virtual classroom  White labeling  Online collaboration and certification  Cons  Lacks an on-premise version Dark user interface option is not available Dedicated account manager is lacking in the free plan  Docebo Docebo enables organizations to create on-demand learning programs for employees, customers, and partners. The use of the latest features, such as AI content production and workflow automation, helps streamline learning by making it much more effortless to engage and improve productivity. This platform is remarkable in its flexibility in terms of adapting to existing tech stacks and providing scalable solutions that grow with the business.  AI-backed, Docebo speeds up content creation, improves the learner experience making it simpler to impact training at scale. With more than 3,800 companies and counting, Docebo has created an industry leader reputation for continued innovation and learning management excellence.  Pros  Supports social learning  Suitable for businesses of all sizes Range of customization options Compatible with various enterprise applications Cons  Complex implementation Steep learning curve Limited reporting capabilities iSpring Learn  iSpring Learn is a versatile learning management system (LMS) designed to simplify employee onboarding, upskilling, and certification processes. As for its offline access through the iSpring Learn app, an employee can take or interact with the training content regardless of device. This is more so a solution for teams working in areas with little or no internet access or those constantly on the move. The website has more than 575,000 downloads and about 36,000 daily active users, giving firm grounds for its reliability and broad adoption across industries. Besides being an LMS, iSpring Learn can now be used with iSpring's authoring tools to create courses flexibly customized. In addition to the ready-made courses offered by iSpring Academy, businesses can save on time as well as their expenses in the development of their courses. There is a free trial and live demo of iSpring to give potential users a flavor of how it works.  Pros  Rapid implementation Comprehensive training support Robust reporting features Seamless integration Cons Difficulty in managing user permissions and roles Limited language options Limited integration with third-party tools LearnUpon LearnUpon is a dynamic and growing learning management system offering training efficiencies and enhancements across various audiences, from employees to customers, partners, and members. The platform engages users in creating stress-free learning experiences that drive companies' performance, retention, and growth. With AI-enabled learning functions, LearnUpon frees businesses from repetitive tasks, allowing them to create automated and personalized training interventions with actual impact. From course creation to learner engagement, reporting, and integration, its flexible capacity makes it a powerful solution for the efficient administration and delivery of training.  LearnUpon facilitates everything from employee onboarding and development to customer success, partner enablement, and extended enterprise training. Centralized management means all training is created, delivered, and tracked within the platform. LearnUpon has more than 1,500 customers and is ranked among the best LMS systems, having earned several accolades, including seven Brandon Hall awards in 2024. Pros  Rapid deployment Effective training support Advanced reporting tools Smooth system integration Cons  Customization limitations Mobile access challenges Administrator learning curve TalentLMS  TalentLMS is an easy-to-use, flexible LMS that can manage employee, customer, and partner training efficiently.

With a user-friendly interface and responsive mobile nature, TalentLMS can be navigated easily by administrator or learner. With the super-fast setting up from the platform, the business can create courses for quick and easy training delivery. When AI is in the house, course creation becomes more time-efficient and comprehensive, whether in terms of text, images, or tests, and high-quality training materials can now be generated in just a few clicks. TalentLMS, best known for its generic training features, can be easily customized to train any of your teams, whether onboarding new employees, improving sell skills, or training customers. As the library grows, ready-made courses for all purposes are found, and companies can start training right away. The program is also aligned with the top security standards, such as ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and GDPR, for data protection and quality assurance. Pros  Intuitive drag-and-drop authoring tool Integrates with PowerPoint Provides multilingual capabilities Incorporates gamification elements Cons  Initial configuration may require additional time Offers limited interactive course templates Costs rise with additional users How to Choose the Right Online Learning Platform When choosing the right platform for your business, you must consider more than just fancy features and flashy marketing. Choose something that will solve your real pain points and not add unnecessary complexity. Here’s a breakdown to guide you through selecting the best platform for your business needs: 1. Define What You Need Prior to starting to look at alternative platforms, you need to look backward and really think about what your business requires. Whether you're a start-up or a bigger organization, pain points are evident. Are you looking for a tool to better manage your team? Or do you consider bringing in software for customer interaction? Take the time to list your must-have features and prioritize them based on your current challenges. 2. Scalability Outgrowing a platform is one of the most painful things that happen to a business. An application that will be good for the present might not fit once growth occurs. Ensure that the platform you select is capable of scaling up with the movements of your organization. Things such as the limit of users, storage, and possible future integrations should be considered.  3. Usability and Training Crucial Consider these factors when assessing a platform: How easy or difficult is it for my team to learn and use this right off the bat? A platform that requires a fair bit of training or is just too complicated will eventually make it all the more frustrating. Look for simple, intuitive, and robust customer care and easy onboarding that makes using it all that much easier. 4. Effectiveness of Costs  A platform that comes with value for money gets you the maximum features relative to the price. But keep in mind; cheaper is not always going to be best. The modules might seem more expensive, but they are functionally richer and long-term cheaper than inexpensive solutions. Review total cost of ownership, including set up, recurring costs, and any hidden fees.  5. Provide Good Customer Support Efficient customer support can make a difference when there are problems with the platform. You don't want to be stranded with no one to help you once something goes wrong, so make sure there's a support team when things don't go as planned. Choose a platform that is reputed for good customer service. 6. Look into Security Features Business data is important, and you would not want the last thing from a platform dedicated to security. So be sure that the platform has good security features like encryption, double authentication, and various industry country standards. This way, you will know that your business data and customer information are safe. Unlock the Future of Learning with the Right Training Platform! The choice of an appropriate online learning platform is pivotal for your business.

It isn't merely about technology but rather about enabling your team to grow, adapt, and prosper in a fast-paced environment. The right employee training software would train your employees while saving precious time and money. What to Do Next: Evaluate your needs, weigh ease of use, scalability, and support, and start evaluating various platforms suitable for your goals. An accurate choice would not only streamline your process but also enhance the productivity of your team toward upcoming challenges.

[graysquirrel7]

"Finally, I have you."

I arced my eyebrow, prompting them to continue.

"I will stop you."

"From what?" I'm a nobody. The one thing someone might stop me from doing is going to work on time.

"So many others tried, and failed." They sounded manic. But they were also talking through a mask, so my impression was already a bit on the low side.

Or getting coffee. I haven't had enough to deal with a stark raving masked person.

They continued. "Not long from now, you cause a calamity. I'm here to prevent that."

Interesting. "I see," I began, picking my words carefully. "I take it you're not a student of literature?"

Their confusion was a relief. Maybe they weren't completely off their rocker. "What do you mean?"

"Well, here's the thing." I'm not going to be the only one with a migraine from this encounter, I decided. "I do something in the future that prompts you to come after me now, right?"

"Yes, I'm from the future."

"So if you succeed and stop me from doing that thing, then you never actually have reason to travel back to now to stop me." I had a room temperature energy drink can I could use in place of coffee. "There's a book about it, dude travels back in time to save his fiancée, but she keeps dying. It's reality preventing a paradox."

The person took their mask off. It was a young man, and he looked like someone had just short-circuited his involuntary processes, like breathing and blinking.

"Now in a universal model, that means that you will fail. Inevitably. I subscribe to a multiversal model, which means that maybe you succeed."

He had a cold sweaty look, like some kind of sickness was taking root. Talking about things like time travel, paradoxes, and multiverses had that effect on some people. There was also a sick kind of hope.

Which I needed to correct.

"The thing is, if you succeed in stopping me, you create a fork in reality. It means that you're now stuck in a universe where I never did whatever I'm supposed to do, but I still do it in the universe where you consider home."

His arm went limp, his hand falling away from his holstered weapon.

"I've got to go to work now, emails don't yet answer themselves, you know." I waved cheerfully as I sipped the energy drink and continued walking to the train station.

"Wait." He called, his voice wavering.

"I can't, I need to catch the train."

"I need to understand!"

The train would be at the platform in three minutes. I could get there in two, walking briskly.

"I don't know why you're here, but it wouldn't surprise me if this confrontation leads to the exact cause!" I waved and started taking long quick strides. I couldn't miss this train.

Sometime in the future you do something that nearly wipes out human civilization. Time travelers have attempted to stop you by ending your life, but somehow, unknowingly, you have managed to dodge all of their attempts. Finally, one time traveler has decided to confront you directly.

[globalintegrauk]

Scaling without hiring? Why growth-focused UK accounting firms choose Integra

In today’s fast-paced accounting world, the aspiration of growing without adding fixed overheads is no longer a pipe dream — it’s a plan being adopted by smart UK accounting firms. Rather than inflating payroll expenses and struggling with talent shortages, growth-focused firms are now coming to Integra Global Solutions for a more intelligent alternative.

Here’s why outsourcing with Integra has become the solution of choice for firms eager to expand, without adding headcounts.

The Growth Paradox: Increasing Clients, the Same Team?

As the demands of clients increase, numerous firms get stuck in the “growth paradox”: more clients equate to more people needed, yet recruiting is not always the solution. Recruiting is time-consuming, costly, and resource-intensive. Even when you recruit, train, bring on, and deal with employees may bog down business rather than accelerate it.

UK firms particularly in finance, accounting, and professional services are now also confronted with a new challenge: a dwindling talent pool and increasing wage expectations. Financial and accounting vacancies have increased over the past few years, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), while competition for the best talent continues to grow.

Outsourcing: A Scalable Alternative to Traditional Hiring

Here’s the best part: scaling doesn’t necessarily equal hiring more internally. Outsourcing is a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective alternative. It’s not simply about offloading work to someone else, though — it’s finding the right partner.

That’s what Integra Global Solutions is doing differently.

Why Growth-Oriented Businesses Turn to Integra

1. On-Demand Expertise, No Training Needed

Integra brings in highly skilled professionals who are ready to deliver from day one. Whether you need help with bookkeeping, year-end accounts, payroll processing, or tax return preparation, the Integra team integrates seamlessly into your operations, without the need for training or micromanagement.

This allows your existing staff to stay focused on value-added tasks like client relationships, advisory services, and strategic planning.

2. Scale Up (or Down) Instantly

Hiring is inflexible — outsourcing is flexible. Through Integra, UK businesses are able to increase capacity during peak periods (such as tax time or end-of-year) and decrease capacity as demand returns to normal.

This kind of flexibility is particularly beneficial to businesses providing services to seasonal companies or growth-phase businesses.

2. Cost-Efficiency Without Compromise

Let’s discuss figures. Employing a proper, qualified accountant in the UK on a full-time basis can range from £35,000 to £50,000 per year, without benefits, NI contributions, or overheads. Integra, by contrast, offers fixed virtual accounting personnel for a fraction of the expense, not without meeting quality and compliance.

The payoff? Reduced operating expenses and better profit margins.

4. Data Security and UK Compliance Built In

Compliance and data protection are essential issues, particularly within the financial sector. Integra UK adheres to GDPR principles, employs safe cloud-based processes, and implements measures to guarantee all work adheres to UK accounting standards and legislation. Your client information is safe, and your practice remains compliant.

5. Seamless Technology Integration

Integra’s experts are experienced in guiding UK accounting platforms such as Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage, IRIS, and more. Be it a hybrid or remote setup, Integra learns your workflow with zero disruption and complete transparency.

What Services Can You Outsource with Integra?

Here’s an overview of what UK practices typically outsource to Integra:

Day-to-day bookkeeping

VAT returns and MTD compliance

Self-assessment tax returns

Corporation tax calculation

Payroll and auto-enrolment

Management accounts

Year-end finalisation

Client onboarding admin

Credit control and AP/AR

If you’re looking for a complete virtual team or assistance with specific core functions, Integra has tailored packages to suit your specific requirements.

A Message from Our Director, Rajesh Velayuthasamy

“UK accounting firms don’t have to recruit every time they expand. With a suitable outsourcing model, you can grow quicker, remain lean, and maintain your quality. At Integra, we enable firms to grow smart, not heavy.”

— Rajesh Velayuthasamy, Director, Integra Global Solutions

Ready to Scale Without the Stress?

If you’re a UK business looking to expand — but dreading the prospect of increasing your headcount — then now is the time to look at an alternative. Integra provides the ideal combination of expertise, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility, enabling you to create a future-proof firm without the weight of conventional hiring.

Let’s talk about how Integra can help your growth.

Call us today for a free consultation and discover what your firm can do — without hiring.

[ciolookmedia]

CIOLook Media Special: The AI Paradox of Business Transformation – Beyond the Innovation Hype

 Presented by CIOLook Media

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is dominating boardroom discussions across every industry. From enhancing customer service and optimizing supply chains to shaping strategic planning, organizations are racing to adopt AI. But beneath this tech-fueled momentum lies a paradox—a widening gap between AI’s potential and its actual business impact.

Welcome to the AI Paradox—where companies champion AI adoption in theory but fall short in delivering real change. This paradox isn’t about whether AI works. It’s about how prepared organizations are—strategically, culturally, and operationally—to truly harness it.

Why the AI Paradox Exists

The core of the AI Paradox lies in misplaced priorities. Many companies obsess over deploying cutting-edge algorithms, tools, and chatbots—without aligning them to strategic business needs. The result? AI initiatives that check boxes but deliver little real value.

AI’s true impact goes beyond code and computation. It demands organizational readiness, data maturity, ethical grounding, and a people-first mindset. Without these, companies risk performing in what some call “innovation theatre”—where transformation is talked about but never truly lived.

5 Warning Signs Your Business May Be Caught in the AI Paradox

No Clear ROI AI initiatives are launched, but their contribution to business performance remains vague or unmeasured.

AI in Silos Isolated teams run AI experiments without a unified strategic roadmap.

Tech Over Humans Organizations focus more on machines than on empowering people to work with AI.

Data, but No Direction Vast amounts of data exist, but little of it leads to actionable insights.

Scaling Failures Pilots succeed, but full-scale implementations fall flat.

If two or more of these symptoms sound familiar, your business might be entangled in the AI Paradox.

Bridging the Gap: How to Overcome the AI Paradox

1. Start With ‘Why’, Not ‘What’

Ask the right questions: What problem are we solving? What outcome do we expect? AI should serve a clear business mission, not be driven by novelty.

2. Cultivate a Culture of Change

AI adoption is a people journey. Upskill teams, build AI literacy, and foster an innovation mindset across all functions.

3. Integrate AI into the Business DNA

AI isn’t an add-on—it’s a core enabler. Embed AI into daily workflows, operations, and decision-making processes.

4. Prioritize Ethics and Governance

Responsible AI matters. Build frameworks for transparency, fairness, accountability, and bias mitigation.

5. Invest in Scalable Infrastructure

Cloud platforms, data lakes, and flexible architectures are vital to scale AI sustainably across the enterprise.

Real-World Examples: Avoiding the AI Trap

A Global Logistics Firm used AI to forecast shipping delays. Initial results were poor due to bad data. Only after investing in data quality and staff training did they see a 20% improvement in delivery time.

A Leading Retailer implemented chatbots without impact on customer satisfaction. By refining the human-AI collaboration process, they achieved a 30% increase in issue resolution speed.

Lesson? AI works—when aligned with business priorities and empowered by people.

The Leadership Solution to the AI Paradox

To truly bridge the gap, leadership must shift from being tech adopters to transformation enablers. This means:

Promoting cross-functional collaboration

Setting realistic, outcome-driven AI KPIs

Enhancing executive AI literacy

Encouraging experimentation and learning from failure

AI strategy must be led from the top—but implemented from the ground up.

From Paradox to Progress: The Future of AI in Business

As AI technology matures, the difference between hype and value will become even more visible. The organizations that break free from the AI Paradox will gain:

Sustainable competitive advantage

Smarter operations and workflows

Enhanced customer and employee experiences

Stronger decision-making powered by real-time insights

AI’s promise is real—but only if the ecosystem around it is strategically built and continuously nurtured.

Conclusion: Turning the AI Paradox into Opportunity

The AI Paradox isn’t a dead end—it’s a wake-up call. It challenges businesses to pause, reassess, and reorient their AI ambitions toward meaningful, human-centric transformation.

In today’s landscape, success is no longer about having the newest tools—it’s about deeply understanding them, embedding them into strategic goals, and using them to build smarter, more resilient organizations.

[samritiwrites]

Bridging the Talent Gap: Why Inclusive Development Matters

The modern workplace is facing a paradox. On one hand, organizations are scrambling to fill roles in leadership, technology, and specialized functions. On the other, countless skilled professionals feel overlooked, underdeveloped, or underrepresented. This disconnect is often referred to as the talent gap—a growing challenge that impacts industries, economies, and individual careers.

But what exactly is the talent gap, and how can we close it? More importantly, how do we ensure that the effort to bridge this divide includes everyone—not just those already visible within the system?

Let’s explore the roots of this issue and how organizations and professionals alike can be part of the solution.

Understanding the Talent Gap

The talent gap refers to the difference between the skills employers need and the skills available in the workforce. This gap can emerge due to:

Technological advances outpacing workforce training

Demographic changes, such as aging populations or lower entry rates into certain sectors

Insufficient career development or upskilling within organizations

Systemic barriers that prevent talented individuals from rising through the ranks

According to a recent report by McKinsey, many companies cite a shortage of talent as a critical risk to their business strategies. Yet, paradoxically, the global workforce is filled with capable professionals whose potential remains untapped—not because they lack ability, but because they lack access.

Who Gets Left Behind?

A deeper look at the talent gap reveals disparities in who is affected. Marginalized groups—particularly ethnically diverse professionals, women, and those from low-income backgrounds—are often underrepresented in senior roles.

This isn’t just a pipeline issue; it’s also a matter of visibility, mentorship, and systemic bias. Many high-potential professionals are navigating environments where their contributions are undervalued or overlooked, making it difficult to reach their full potential.

Bridging the talent gap, then, is not just about hiring—it’s about investing in people and providing equitable opportunities for growth.

The Cost of Inaction

Leaving the talent gap unaddressed comes at a cost:

Lost innovation: Diverse perspectives fuel creativity and problem-solving.

Employee disengagement: When people feel stuck, they leave—or worse, stay disengaged.

Inequity and exclusion: Systemic gaps in advancement widen without intentional correction.

Slower business growth: Skill shortages and leadership gaps slow down agility and transformation.

To thrive in the future of work, organizations need to create environments where all talent can grow—not just those already sitting at the table.

Closing the Gap: What Works

Solving the talent gap requires a mix of proactive strategies:

1. Upskilling and Reskilling

Employers should invest in training programs that help current employees grow into new roles. This includes technical training, soft skills development, and leadership preparation.

2. Mentorship and Sponsorship

Having a mentor or sponsor can be transformative. These relationships help professionals navigate career paths, gain visibility, and access critical feedback.

3. Inclusive Leadership Development

Programs that are specifically designed to elevate underrepresented talent can accelerate change. By providing the tools, exposure, and encouragement needed to thrive, these initiatives empower new leaders.

4. Transparent Career Pathways

Employees need to understand how to advance—and believe that advancement is truly possible for them. Organizations must clearly communicate opportunities and pathways for growth.

Roots Inspire: A Platform with Purpose

One organization leading the charge in bridging the talent gap is Roots Inspire.

Roots Inspire is a career development platform that supports ethnically diverse professionals in advancing to senior leadership roles. Through mentorship with executive leaders from global companies, participants gain access to the kind of insight and support that’s often reserved for those already in privileged networks.

Here’s what sets Roots Inspire apart:

One-on-one mentoring with senior executives across industries

Practical development in performance, visibility, and leadership presence

A strong network of peers and role models navigating similar journeys

Corporate partnerships that translate into tangible leadership opportunities

Roots Inspire is not just closing the talent gap—it’s redefining how talent is discovered, nurtured, and elevated.

The Future of Work Is Inclusive

As the workforce evolves, closing the talent gap will become not just a strategy, but a necessity. Companies that invest in inclusive talent development will not only future-proof their businesses—they’ll also foster cultures of innovation, resilience, and purpose.

For professionals, the path to advancement is clearer when support systems like Roots Inspire exist. And for organizations, supporting diverse leadership is more than a moral imperative—it’s a smart investment.

Final Thoughts

The talent gap is real—but it’s also solvable. With the right mix of development, visibility, and equity, we can ensure that the next generation of leaders comes from every background, not just the usual suspects.

As individuals, we can seek out mentors, advocate for ourselves, and keep developing our skills. As organizations, we can create inclusive ecosystems where talent can truly thrive.

Bridging the gap doesn’t happen overnight—but with platforms like Roots Inspire, the journey becomes not only possible, but powerful.

[flowerstoreduba]

Wedding Garland in Dubai: A Symbol of Unity and a Reminder to Drive Responsibly

In the bustling and luxurious landscape of Dubai, weddings are celebrated with grandeur, elegance, and heartfelt tradition. From stunning venues to elaborate floral designs, every detail is meticulously planned. Among these, the wedding garland in Dubai stands out as a timeless symbol of love, unity, and respect between partners.

But as florists, who are regularly part of these joyful moments, we also witness an underlying reality — how easily these beautiful occasions can be overshadowed by tragedies caused by unsafe driving. The same vehicle that delivers joy in the form of wedding flowers may, on another day, carry arrangements to mourn a life lost in a road accident.

This paradox has inspired us to use our platform to not only deliver beauty but also promote a meaningful message: safe and responsible driving in Dubai.

Wedding Garlands and What They Represent

A  wedding garland in Dubai is more than just a string of flowers — it is a cultural and emotional expression of love, commitment, and blessings. In many South Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, the garland is exchanged by the bride and groom during the ceremony, signifying their acceptance of one another.

As florists, we craft each garland with intention, care, and celebration in mind. But behind the scenes, there's a journey — a ride across busy roads, fast-moving traffic, and unpredictable situations. Each delivery depends not just on speed but on safe driving practices that ensure the beauty of the occasion isn’t marred by preventable mishaps.

Why Driving Safe in Dubai Matters More Than Ever

Dubai's roads are known for their modern design and efficiency. With wide highways, smooth surfaces, and well-marked lanes, driving should be safe — but human behavior often becomes the wild card. Speeding, aggressive driving, and mobile phone distractions are unfortunately common, and they are among the leading causes of accidents in the UAE.

When a single poor decision behind the wheel leads to injury or death, it changes lives forever. In our work, when a delivery changes from a wedding garland in Dubai to a condolence wreath, the message becomes painfully clear: every driver shares responsibility for life and safety.

Businesses and Road Safety: A Shared Responsibility

We take our responsibility seriously — both in providing excellent service and promoting safety. All our delivery drivers are trained not only in handling delicate floral arrangements but also in obeying traffic laws, maintaining vehicle condition, and practicing defensive driving.

Our message to fellow business owners in Dubai, especially those in delivery and transport sectors: make road safety a core value. Whether you're delivering flowers, food, or packages, the safety of your drivers and the public must come first.

Driving with Intention and Respect

Whether you’re driving to attend a wedding, delivering a  wedding garland in Dubai, or simply commuting home, every moment on the road is an opportunity to make the right choice. A few mindful steps can prevent unnecessary suffering:

Avoid distractions: Stay off your phone while driving.

Respect speed limits: No deadline is worth a life.

Stay calm: Aggressive driving doesn’t get you there faster.

Be well-rested: Fatigue impairs your ability to react quickly.

Use signals and follow rules: Basic courtesy and road laws go hand in hand.

Let Wedding Garlands Be for Celebrations, Not Memorials

Every time we create a  wedding garland in Dubai we’re reminded of what it represents: love, togetherness, and new beginnings. But none of these can flourish without safety — both on the roads and in life.

By promoting safe and responsible driving, we help protect not just our customers and staff, but every family planning a celebration, every couple dreaming of a future, and every person simply trying to get home.

Conclusion

In a city that values beauty, speed, and excellence, let us also value safety, patience, and responsibility. Whether you're delivering a wedding garland in Dubai or attending the ceremony, make road safety part of your journey.

Because no celebration is complete without everyone arriving safe and sound — and returning home with hearts full, not heavy.