#upsurge 60

[upsurgecomic]

[upsurge-esp]

Volveremos el lunes! Tened un buen fin de semana!

[astralnymphh]

thinking abt jackson!ellie/high!ellie who always invites u over to her garage–shed–house–agglomeration 2 smoke some good stuff, and it always ends up in a makeout sesh with her horny ass. literally begs to strap you in doggystyle, but you know damn well her brain cannot coordinate a perfect thrust, so you make her hot–seat you and she's constantly trynna pump her cock into you and it always slides out from your pussy, n you go, "babe, just relax I got you–" but she slurrs a low whine, "i wanna fuck you, hmphh– i can, i can do it.." piqueing with fuss and continuously trying to grab her flopped dick and lining it at your entrance– only to bunt your thigh and prod it into the chub multiple times, grumbling, "why isn't it going– in?" cause her eyes are bleary as a misty vale. you snstch the silicone girth from her hold and hoist it to your core, bottoming your hips down on it thinking you'll be able to just take it smoothly from there, till, she swathes your waist in her lanky arms and starts power–pumping into you. moist slaps echo and splatter pre–cum across both of your groins, and planate moans turn jittery and waily, practically. "uuhhh– uh uh, yeah– baby, fuck.." grizzles her, face stuffed in your warm sternum. that girl is mean on your cervix when she suddenly upsurges with a bucking into you, cockhead punching on that wall. she just pinches her brows together, forming grooves between them, tugging her upper lip up, and husking drowsy eyes where those cute lashes of hers cast little orange rays across her optics– of course. kayyyy i kinda like writing for high!ellie now ౨ৎ

time to look at what I can answer from my 60+ asks 😭😭

[burins]

trick or treat! -blorb

another little snippet! this was originally the start of the clark POV to mission parameters and then i realized that if i continued the fic like this it was a) going to be so so depressing and b) it was going to be a real challenge to get clark to the place he actually is in mission parameters.

Clark was seven, the first and only time he saw his father cry. He hadn’t been able to sleep, and so he’d snuck down into the kitchen to get a glass of milk and see if he could stand in the kitchen doorway and make out the tail end of one of the late night shows Ma and Pa stayed up for. Only Ma and Pa weren’t in the living room. A puddle of golden light was spilling from the kitchen doorway, and Clark thought he’d be in trouble for being out of bed, but neither of his parents noticed him. Ma’s hand was on Pa’s shoulder, rubbing small circles into the worn fabric at his collar. Pa had his face buried in his hands. There was a pile of papers on the table. “Well, maybe we can take out another loan,” Ma was saying, in the soft soothing voice she used when Clark had a nightmare. “Just to get us through the year.” “There are no more loans,” Pa was saying, muffled through his fingers. “I talked to [name] at the bank last week. They’re going to start taking the land if we can’t make payments. Martha, we have to seriously talk about--” And then Clark was fleeing back up the stairs, but up the stairs was no good, because his hearing was getting better and better every day, and he could still hear the low, desperate drone of his father’s voice, the words he did not yet understand-- mortgage, interest rate, loan term-- and the tone he did.

the long backstory to this is that while doing some background reading for mission parameters i realized that if i set it when i set it (roughly the mid-2000s) Clark would have been growing up during the height of the 1980s midwestern farm crisis, which is a hell of a time to be an alien kid in Kansas. 300,000 farmers defaulted on their loans! a number of banks failed completely! and so you have Clark growing up in this environment where a) everyone over 60 still remembers the great depression and b) everyone he knows is being absolutely screwed over by the banks. because agriculture runs on credit-- you need credit to buy equipment and supplies and seeds, and then you pay it off at the harvest. or you can leverage the value of your land. except that in the 80s the farming land bubble that had ballooned in the 70s completely collapsed, and lots of farmers saw the value of their land crater. so they've mortgaged their property to get capital to farm, and now their property isn't worth shit, and also interest rates are peaking at 21% on these loans. AND there were two droughts that decade, plus the price of grain dropped because of an export embargo on the USSR. just a whole shit deck stacked against you if you're a farmer. (as a side note this also led to an upsurge in right-wing white extremism and xenophobia in rural areas of the country as well as a corresponding surge in progressive and left-wing organizing.)

this is a lot of infodumping to say. oops! i made a guy with serious economic trauma and then i paired him with a billionaire! and i tried to wrangle with that a bit in mission parameters but it's uh. well! it sure is a thing!

we have long passed the point at which this is a "little snippet" but i do think Clark growing up in a community where his friends at school were losing their homes and moving to cities would have really shaped his sense of justice. and i'm attached to the idea that Ma and Pa were doing their best to help their neighbors and modeling that for Clark.

[berniesrevolution]

CATALYST JOURNAL

While the uptick in strike activity in 2021 is heartening, its influence should not be exaggerated. The number and extent of job actions was noticeable but still very small by historical standards, and union density continued to decline. A significant labor upsurge might be in the works, but it is not in evidence yet.

In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis spoke movingly of the workers keeping the world turning in dark times:

People who do not appear in newspaper and magazine headlines or on the latest television show, yet in these very days are surely shaping the decisive events of our history. Doctors, nurses, storekeepers and supermarket workers, cleaning personnel, caregivers, transport workers, men and women working to provide essential services and public safety, volunteers, priests, men and women religious, and so very many others. They understood that no one is saved alone.1

These workers have done everything we’ve asked of them and more. They have been through hell, particularly those who have risked their health and well-being to care for the sick, educate the young, feed the hungry, and deliver the things the rest of us need to get through this period of grinding uncertainty. Employers, politicians, and talking heads have lauded them as essential workers, but the stark gap between the praise and the grim realities of working life in the United States — which was already miserable for millions before the pandemic — have pushed many to the breaking point. Indeed, record numbers of American workers have quit their jobs in what the media has dubbed the Great Resignation. According to the US Labor Department, 4.5 million workers voluntarily left their jobs in November 2021. The number of monthly quits has exceeded three million since August 2020, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.2 Job switchers span the employment ladder, but turnover has been largely concentrated in the low-wage service sector, where workers are taking advantage of the very tight labor market to get a better deal for themselves. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, workers with high school diplomas are currently enjoying a faster rate of wage growth than workers with bachelor’s degrees, a remarkable situation that has not occurred in decades.3

Worker discontent is not only finding expression in the form of quitting and job switching. In 2021, we witnessed a modest increase in the frequency and visibility of collective action in the workplace. Tens of thousands of workers, union and nonunion alike, challenged employers through protests and strikes across sectors and in many different geographical regions. Workers in health care and social assistance, education, and transportation and warehousing led the way, but they were joined by workers in hotels and food services, manufacturing, and other industries. Protests and strikes tended to be concentrated in states where labor is relatively stronger, namely California, New York, and Illinois, but some states with low union density, like North Carolina, saw an uptick in labor action, too. Pay increases were easily the most common demand, but health and safety, staffing, and COVID-19 protocols were high on the agenda as well.

The year 2021 was less a strike wave than a strike ripple, and it has not yet resulted in any appreciable increase in unionization. A few trends stand out. The first is that labor protest and strike action were heavily concentrated among unionized groups of workers. Unionized groups of workers accounted for nearly 95% of all estimated participants in labor protests and more than 98% of all estimated participants in strikes. The second is that protests and strikes were concentrated by industry — namely health care and education, which together accounted for roughly 60% of all labor actions. Finally, protests and strikes were heavily concentrated geographically. Just three states with relatively high levels of union density — California, New York, and Illinois — accounted for more than half the total estimated participants in protests and strikes. In short, collective workplace action is by and large taking place where organized labor still retains residual sources of strength. In this context, spreading protest and strike action beyond its current industrial and regional confines depends on unionization in new places.

Conditions conducive to labor action — rising inflation, pandemic-related pressures, and a tight labor market — are likely to persist into 2022, and the Biden administration’s National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has been meaningfully supportive of worker organizing. US labor is probably not on the verge of a historic breakthrough, but in this context, workers may have an opportunity to make modest material and organizational gains.

Making new organizational gains is critical to the fortunes of the labor movement and the reviving US left. The vast majority of the workers involved in strikes and labor protests last year were already members of unions, not unorganized workers looking to unionize. This is why it is so concerning that last year’s uptick in labor action occurred amid a further decline in union density in 2021. The overall rate of union membership stands at 10.3% of the total labor force, while the total number of union members, just over fourteen million in 2021, continues its long decline.4 While some have argued that treating union density as the key measure of labor’s strength is a mistake, it seems clear that, at least in the US context, where union density and union coverage almost entirely overlap, it does provide an effective measurement of working-class power.5

Boosting the level of union density should therefore be among the leading priorities of progressives and socialists in the United States. As the power resources school of welfare state scholars has long argued, the relative strength of the labor movement and its affiliated political parties has been the single most important factor shaping welfare state development over time and across countries. Here in the United States, where we have never had a nationwide social democratic party aligned with a strong labor movement, the weakness of working-class organization is clearly reflected in the fragmentation and stinginess of our welfare state. The state-level wave of attacks on organized labor that began in 2010 have made it that much harder for unions to defend working-class interests and reduce inequality. But the fact that they were able to meaningfully mitigate the growth of inequality, even during the period of neoliberal retrenchment, shows that rebuilding the labor movement needs to be a chief priority of any progressive political agenda.6 The Biden administration’s pro-union stance suggests it understands this. But if it’s unable to act decisively to boost union membership, all the pro-union rhetoric it can muster will ultimately amount to little.

TRACKING LABOR ACTION

Researchers at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) began documenting strikes and labor protests in late 2020. Their ILR Labor Action Tracker provides a database of workplace conflict across the United States, based on information collected from government sources, news reports, organizational press releases, and social media. It counts both strikes and labor protests as “events” but distinguishes between the two. The major distinction between strikes and labor protests, according to this methodology, is whether the workers involved in the event stopped work. If they did, the event is defined as a strike; if they did not, it is defined as a labor protest. The Labor Action Tracker also collects data on a number of additional variables, including employer, labor organization (if applicable), local labor organization (if applicable), industry, approximate number of participants, worker demands, and more.7

ACTION TYPES

In 2021, there were 786 events with 257,086 estimated participants.8 Over 60% of the events were labor protests, while less than 40% were strikes (there was one recorded lockout). Roughly one-third of the estimated number of workers participated in labor protests, while roughly two-thirds participated in strikes. Further, the average number of estimated workers per labor protest (188) was significantly smaller than the average number of estimated workers per strike (553, see Table 1 for details).

DURATION

Neither labor protests nor strikes tended to last very long, which tracks with the generally sharp decline in strike duration in recent decades.9 Labor protests in particular were very short affairs. Of the labor protests with a start and end date, 96% lasted for just one day or less. Strikes also tended to have a short duration, but they typically did not end as quickly as protests. Of the strikes with a start and end date, one-third lasted for one day or less. Roughly two-thirds of strikes (68%) ended within a week, and over 90% ended within thirty days. One strike stands out for its unusually long duration: a 701-day strike by United Auto Workers (UAW) members against a metallurgical company in Pennsylvania, which began in September 2019 and ended in August 2021.

INDUSTRIES

An informed observer will not be surprised by which industries saw the largest number of labor action events (Table 2). The leading two industries by far were health care and social assistance and education, which are both highly unionized and have been subjected to enormous pressures during the pandemic. Together, they accounted for nearly 40% of the total labor protests and strikes. These industries also comprised over 60% of the overall number of estimated labor action participants — health care with 41.5% of the estimated participants, education with 18.8%. The overrepresentation of health care and education workers becomes even starker when we compare this to their employment shares in the overall labor force. In 2020, these two industries accounted for 16.3% of total nonfarm employment — health care with a 13.8% share and education with 2.3%.10 Put another way, the share of health care workers in 2021 labor actions was roughly three times larger than their share in the nonfarm labor force, while the share of education workers was more than eight times as large.

These two pace-setting industries were followed by a second tier of industries including transportation and warehousing, accommodation and food services, and manufacturing. It is not surprising to see these listed among the most turbulent industries, as they contain a mix of highly unionized employers and nonunion employers that have become a major focus of labor organizing activity, namely Amazon — the most frequently targeted employer, with twelve total labor actions — which was the target of twice as many labor actions as McDonald’s, the second-most targeted employer.

The industrial distribution of labor protests generally follows the overall distribution of labor action, with the notable exception of manufacturing, which saw far more strikes than protests. While the health care industry did not experience the largest number of strikes, it accounts for more than half of estimated strike participants (53%). Workers in education (12.4%) and manufacturing (16%) also accounted for outsize shares of the estimated number of participants.

(Continue Reading)

[crossdreamers]

New Norwegian survey shows strong support for queer and transgender people

Over 70% of Norwegian women think it is OK to share a locker room with a transgender person.  

Over 60% support gay, lesbian and bisexual people, while some 50 percent express support for transgender people. The support for queer people is increasing. That is not bad, the current anti-LGBT activism considered.

In the article linked to below I argue that in many countries the current upsurge in anti-LGBT and transphobic activism has not created more hostility towards queer and trans people in the population at large.

Homophobic and transphobic activism creates a lot of noise and a lot of suffering, but  in many countries it is not changing the underlying trend towards greater acceptance of those queer.

Go to: New Norwegian survey shows increased public support for LGBTQ+ people, trans people included

Photo by Tjook

[whatisonthemoon]

Thoughts on Dying for the People

Yesterday, 53 years ago, on December 4, 1969, Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party, was drugged and executed in his sleep during a raid on his apartment. He was 21 years old. Those who executed him were a unit from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, who coordinated with both the Chicago Police Department and the FBI (COINTELPRO). Fellow Panther Mark Clark was executed in the same night-time attack, and four others were injured, including Hampton’s pregnant partner. Who was Fred Hampton? In his short life, Hampton was able to ideologically and politically sharpen the Panthers throughout the country, and built up Chicago Panthers into a force to be reckoned with. He was already organizing breakfasts for children in his neighborhood at 10 years old, and provided him with experiences and skills that enriched his later Panther organizing, which included a free breakfast program for children. He remained an organizer throughout high school, as well as a leading student, with honors and varsity letters. In 1966, he began to increasingly identify US imperialism as the enemy of all working people. It was around this time that he encountered the Panthers and began to work with the community supervision program, which sought to patrol the police and hold them accountable for their violence. Within two or three years, he had managed to organize a nonaggression pact among Chicago's major gangs, campaigned against sexism and male chauvinism in the Black Panther Party, and began to lead the Party in Illinois.

Not only did his work lift up the Panthers, but all anti-imperialists who were seeking to unite for the end of US imperialism. He was the principal organizer of the original Rainbow Coalition, a multi-cultural, multi-national coalition of anti-racist, anti-imperialist organizations such as the Young Patriots, Young Lords, Brown Berets, American Indian Movement, Red Guard Party, Students for a Democratic Sociality, Rising Up Angry, Mothers and Others, and others.  Hampton, like Malcolm X, was one of the greatest revolutionaries who lived in the US through the twentieth century. He was known for loving and serving the working class, his disciplined practice, thoughtful leadership, and sharp analysis. Hamptons are a rarity, which is why already at 18/19 years old, the FBI began surveilling Hampton and attempted to sabotage his work and relationships. He was one of countless organizers and activists in the U.S. who have been surveilled, targeted, and/or executed by their own government.  As soon as the news of Hampton’s death began to circulate, thousands of panthers, allies and supporters pilgrimaged from all over the country to Chicago.

Dying for the people

I used to be willing to die for my sexual purity, and for True Father, and for the cause of protecting Korea from communism. For some time after leaving the Moonies, I thought dying for a cause was the mindset of a cultist. Over time, I’ve come to recognize that many live, and are willing to die, for a cause because they have realized there is no other choice. Studying the church’s history, and US history, made this clear to me. Understanding what the third world experiences under the boot(s) of imperialism of all stripes (US, Japanese, British, Chinese, French, etc.).

This particular George Jackson speaks to what I’m driving what:

"Settle your quarrels, come together, understand the reality of our situation, understand that fascism is already here, that people are already dying who could be saved, that generations more will live poor butchered half-lives if you fail to act. Do what must be done, discover your humanity and your love in revolution."

Unification Church and Counterinsurgency

The Unification Church’s support from the US government undoubtedly had something to do with the upsurge of revolutionary politics in the U.S. in the 60s and 70s. There are many reasons why people got involved with the church, as varying techniques and forms of “heavenly deception” were used throughout the church centers, but for many American young adults who joined the Moonies at this time, the church offered a path that was explicitly not the worn-out capitalist American Dream. For many of them, too, it took weeks, months even, to begin to realize they were in fact joining a religious organization.

For the generation emerging out of the Vietnam War, and yet remaining in a world in the midst of anti-colonial uprisings and revolutionary movements seizing power, “the movement” spoke to the dreams, hopes, and weariness of a generation that longed for peace, meaning, and some sense of grounding. The US was experiencing radical social change, with the youth making what seemed to be extreme statements about sex, government, politics, gender, and religion. Even for those who were apolitical, the shifting values of their generation left many feeling unanchored and unable to discern the world. The Moonies spoke to that sense. This new faith and movement led hundreds of Moonies and CARP members to cooperate with the FBI on a COINTELPRO-like program to sabotage the organizing of anti-imperialist activists in solidarity with El Salvador. Even after the USSR and China went down the capitalist road, and many post-colonial countries went down the path of semi-colonialism, we remain in a world with shifting values, where revolutionary organizations and ideas are now re-emerging, growing, and in many places taking hold of the people’s hearts, such as among millions of workers and peasants in India, the Philippines, Brazil, Turkey, etc. And just as this was true back in the 60s and 70s, so is the trend of the US government murdering activists and organizers, principally among Black youth. A number of grassroots organizers in the Black Liberation Movement have gone missing or had mysterious deaths since the Ferguson uprising. The U.S. also continues supports efforts to repress social movements and eliminate activists throughout the world, including in the Philippines, where thousands have been killed for being suspected communists by arms paid by the US tax dollars and created by a UC-owned weapons company, SNT Motiv/S&T Motiv. The Moonies were a vital force in post-Marcos Philippine counterinsurgency planning, as the ones who organized conferences between Philippine military leaders and politicians, Philippine cultural figures and celebrities, CIA, US generals, and other leaders and “experts,” to figure out how to suppress the Communist threat of the New People’s Army. Same problems

Our problems remain the same. The Philippine government is still ruthlessly chopping up activists, claiming them as NPA. The US government is still funding the murder of communists. The Unification “movement” remains a tool of counterinsurgency. There have been major defeats of the people in the US in the past 50-60 years, as there have been globally, but the path toward victory zigzags, as mistakes are made, new conditions arise, and lessons are learned. The people always come back to the realization that they must fight in order to win. As capitalism in its highest stage, which is imperialism, grows increasingly more unstable, it will also grow increasingly more violent, especially as the climate crises becomes even more prevalent. The working and colonized people of the world will not take this forever, and in order to survive, they will have to unite and fight to defeat imperialism. As they have before, again and again, and as they are even now, the people will continually rise up towards the final victory: a classless, stateless world free of imperialist domination and war and capitalist exploitation. As conditions worsen, more and more will see that such a future is worth living and dying for.

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

If you want to know more about this, look to the revolutionary movement in the Philippines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEJ3u5btITY

[gfablogs]

GFA World Is Building Wells in Africa

Africa is facing severe water scarcity, so building wells in Africa is becoming increasingly important. Water scarcity is an alarming reality where the demand for water surpasses available supply, driving water sources to unsustainable limits.[1] This pressing issue is particularly pronounced in Africa, where one out of every three individuals grapples with water scarcity, a number that continues to surge.[2]

The central driver behind this crisis is overexploitation, a fact emphasized in a 2018 report revealing that over 60 percent of South Africa’s rivers are currently overexploited.[3] Lake Chad, once a flourishing freshwater body in Africa, has seen a drastic 90 percent reduction in its size since the 1960s due to unchecked overuse. This widespread overexploitation phenomenon is primarily fueled by two key factors: rapid population growth and escalating urbanization. Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is expanding at an annual rate of 2.7 percent, more than double the rates observed in Latin America and South Asia.[4]

A striking occurrence in 2018 saw 21 out of the world’s 30 fastest-growing cities situated in Africa. This trend is epitomized by places such as Bamako, Mali, and Cameroon, which have witnessed exponential growth. However, this population surge results in amplified demands, including heightened food requirements, accelerated urbanization, and an upsurge in industrial activities. All of these pursuits necessitate a reliable water supply, a resource that remains scarce. Paradoxically, the quest for sustenance and development clashes with the scarcity of water, exacerbating the cycle of overexploitation.

Amidst escalating water scarcity, 319 million sub-Saharan Africans grapple with securing water for their families.[5] Their daily routine centers on a crucial walk to fetch water for essential needs like cooking, cleaning, and bathing. This daily walk usually falls to women and children—especially girls. They walk an average of 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) a day to retrieve water, which consumes many hours, and some must walk much farther than that.[6] When the weather is dry, it’s harder for kids to get to school or for women to work since they must wait longer at the water hole or walk further distances to find water. Often, the water they do find is contaminated, leading to many illnesses, causing more missed school and work and pulling families deeper into the cycle of poverty.[7]

Click here, to read more about this article.

Click here, to read more blogs in Gospel for Asia.Net

[egomoneyac]

11/3/24 — 15:35 — SW: 82 — CW: 67.5 — GW: 55-60

The Final Act

Officially the last, final period of my bachelor’s degree. The last 2.5 months before my goal weight ’deadline’. Everything is closing in. It’s like the last two minutes of a hockey game.

I have started to notice muscles in my arms and legs that I haven’t felt before. The leaner I get the sexier I feel. The leaner I get the more I feel like the real me. I look at older photos of myself, heavier, and don’t even recognize who I’m looking at. Fat feels foreign to me. Yet it’s always been present.

My self-confidence is inversely proportional to my fat percentage. The lower this, the higher that, vice versa.

I’ve decided to embrace the vain, embrace the embarrassing. I miss the beginner’s delusion—the deluded, ridiculously inflated self-confidence, all built on a foundation of a narrow world view.. My self-esteem hasn’t had a similar upsurge since. Subjective reality is more fun.

[amitypatna]

Attain professional skills from the top BCA college in Patna

The advancement in the digital world has escalated the need for professionals who can manage the technical aspects of computer applications. Given the increasing requirement for technical professionals, the Bachelor of Computer Applications program is witnessing an upsurge in enrollments. Amity University Patna is one of the best academic institutions in India where students can enroll and create promising job opportunities. This top BCA college in Patna makes it easy for students to attain the core concepts, and practical knowledge about a particular course in no time. 

Amity University Patna Bachelor of Computer Applications Course Details 

The major concepts in the BCA course include data structure, computer organization, and programming. At Amity University Patna, students can learn about the concepts of these disciplines in detail and ameliorate their theoretical and practical understanding of this subject. Two major programs are offered at Amity University Patna, that you can choose from as per your requirement in this Bachelor of Computer Applications College in Bihar:

BCA (Honors/Research)- The Bachelor of Computer Application (Hons/Research) is a course with a duration of 4 years. It is a full-time program and is available at the Patna campus of Amity University. 

Eligibility: Interested candidate must have 50% marks in class 12th with Mathematics/Computer Science/ Informatics/Multimedia and Web Technology/ Data Management Applications/ Web Applications/Information Technology 

BCA + MCA (Dual Degree)- Along with an Honors Research program, the Amity University Patna also offers a dual degree program for Computer Applications enthusiasts. The BCA + MCA is a degree with a duration of 5 years in the best BCA College in Bihar.

Eligibility: Interested candidates must have a minimum of 50% marks in class 12th with Computer Science/ Informatics/ Multimedia and Web Technology/ Data Management Applications/Mathematics/Web Applications/Information Technology 

In addition to the graduate-level Computer Applications program, there are also full-time Masters degrees, PG Diploma degrees, and Ph.D in Computer Applications. Students can choose any of these programs and improve their chances of career advancement in no time. 

Key features of Amity- the top BCA college in Patna

Amity University Patna emphasizes not only delivering academic excellence but also an atmosphere where students are nurtured and well-prepared for the upcoming challenges of the professional world. This top BCA college in Patna, never fails to attract young minds with its top-notch services and academic record. Let’s take a look at the amenities that Amity University Patna offers to its students:

World-class infrastructure

Industry-centered teaching methodology

Offers over 200 programs in around 60 diverse subjects

Computer Labs

Printing Facilities 

WiFi facility

Air-conditioned classrooms

Spacious conference rooms

Elaborate libraries

Active Corporate Resource Centre for placement opportunities

Amity University’s features and services have made it possible for it to become the best BCA college in Bihar. Students from across the country who aspire to establish a career in the field of Computer Applications must consider studying at Amity University Patna. With the vibrant and cordial atmosphere, well-furnished classrooms, and qualified teaching professionals, students can rely on this academic institute for higher education. 

Furthermore, if you are inclined towards a computer applications course, then Amity- the top BCA college in Patna, could be your one-stop destination for pursuing this course for higher education. Visit https://amity.edu/Bihar/ for further details about this university, BCA programs here and the admission information. 

Source: https://sites.google.com/view/top-bca-college-in-patna/home?authuser=2

[upsurgecomic]

We'll come back on Monday!

[upsurge-esp]

[scientificinquirer-blog]

DAILY DOSE: Some scientists publish a paper every 5 days and that's a massive red flag; Surprising baby T-Rex diets revealed.

HOW DO YOU SPELL FRAUD? The recent upsurge in researchers publishing over 60 papers annually, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Thailand, has raised concerns about research integrity. A study led by John Ioannidis from Stanford University, examining data from the Scopus database, found a significant increase in ‘extremely productive’ authors since 2016, especially in fields like clinical…

[bestarion]

The Benefits Of Outsourcing Software Development

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, software development plays a pivotal role in the success of businesses across industries. Whether it’s creating a mobile app, a complex web application, or refining existing software, the demand for skilled software developers continues to grow. However, many companies grapple with the challenges of balancing budgets, sourcing top-notch talent, and meeting stringent project deadlines. In response to these challenges, outsourcing software development services have emerged as a strategic solution. 

In recent years, the tech industry has witnessed a significant upsurge in the number of companies choosing to outsource either a portion of their business processes or their entire software development projects. This trend is driven by the numerous advantages that outsourcing offers, appealing to both small enterprises and global corporations alike. According to Statista, the revenue generated from software development outsourcing is expected to reach $460.1 billion by 2023 and is projected to grow to $777.70 billion by 2028, boasting an impressive annual growth rate of 11.07% (CAGR 2023 – 2028).

For those who may be hesitant to embrace this trend or consider it as an option, this article helps explore the compelling reasons behind the widespread adoption of offshore software development, shedding light on the multitude of benefits it offers to businesses of all sizes.

14 Key Reasons Why Companies Outsource Software Development

1. Cost Efficiency

One of the most compelling reasons to outsource software development is cost efficiency. Building an in-house development team entails substantial expenditures, including salaries, benefits, office space, and equipment. In some scenarios, offshore software development can yield an impressive reduction in overall expenses, ranging from 30% to 60%, in contrast to traditional approaches. This substantial cost reduction is a result of economizing across various facets of your software project.

On the other hand, outsourcing allows companies to access global talent at competitive rates. Outsourcing destinations like India, Ukraine, and Vietnam offer highly skilled developers at a fraction of the cost compared to hiring locally in developed countries. Take, for instance, Vietnam, which stands out as one of the most cost-effective countries for software development outsourcing services. In Vietnam, developers typically charge an average rate ranging from $20 to $50 per hour. When businesses opt for outsourcing to Vietnam, they can achieve remarkable cost reductions of up to 60% compared to the rates prevailing in the United States.

Moreover, outsourcing eliminates the need for companies to invest in the latest technology and infrastructure. The outsourcing partner bears these expenses, allowing the client company to allocate its resources more efficiently. This cost-effectiveness enables businesses to divert funds towards other critical areas such as marketing, research, and innovation.

Read more: Top 10 Software Development Companies in Viet Nam 2023

2. Access to a Global Talent Pool

The shortage of skilled software developers is a persistent challenge for companies worldwide. Outsourcing transcends geographical boundaries, providing access to a vast talent pool. Companies can handpick developers with specific expertise and experience tailored to their project requirements.

Furthermore, outsourcing partners often employ diverse teams with varied skill sets, enabling businesses to tap into a broader spectrum of technical knowledge and creativity. This diversity can result in innovative solutions that may not have been possible with an in-house team.

3. Faster Time-to-Market

In today’s competitive business landscape, speed is often the key to success. Outsourcing accelerates software development processes, allowing companies to bring their products and services to market more quickly. Experienced outsourcing partners are well-versed in industry best practices, development methodologies, and project management techniques. They can swiftly adapt to changing requirements and streamline development cycles.

Additionally, outsourcing software development allows companies to scale their development teams up or down as needed, ensuring flexibility in meeting tight deadlines or responding to shifting project demands.

4. Focus on Core Competencies

Outsourcing non-core functions like software development enables businesses to concentrate on their core competencies. This strategic focus can lead to improved efficiency and innovation in areas directly related to the company’s mission and objectives.

For example, a healthcare provider can outsource software development to ensure their medical records system functions seamlessly, allowing them to concentrate on delivering quality patient care. Similarly, an e-commerce company can outsource website development, enabling them to focus on enhancing the user experience and expanding their product offerings.

5. Risk Mitigation

Mitigating risks is a crucial aspect of business management. When companies outsource software development, they share project risks with their outsourcing partners. These partners assume responsibility for meeting project deadlines, maintaining software quality, and managing development risks.

Additionally, outsourcing provides companies with the opportunity to work with established and experienced development firms that have a proven track record. This reduces the likelihood of project failures and costly setbacks, as experienced outsourcing software development partners are well-equipped to navigate challenges and ensure project success.

Read more: 6 Biggest Problems of Outsourcing Software Development

6. Scalability

The ability to scale up or down quickly in response to changing business needs is a significant advantage of outsourcing. Whether a company is launching a new product, expanding into new markets, or simply adjusting to fluctuations in demand, outsourcing software development partners can adapt their development teams accordingly.

This scalability ensures that companies can efficiently allocate resources without the time-consuming process of hiring and onboarding new employees or downsizing an in-house team during lean periods.

7. Access to the Latest Technologies

Staying up-to-date with the latest technologies is vital in the software development landscape. Outsourcing software companies are often at the forefront of technology trends and advancements. By partnering with these firms, companies gain access to cutting-edge tools, frameworks, and development methodologies.

Furthermore, outsourcing software development partners typically invest in training and development for their teams to keep their skills current. This ensures that the software developed is not only cost-effective but also utilizes the most advanced technologies available.

8. 24/7 Development Cycle

Global outsourcing allows for a 24/7 development cycle, where work continues around the clock. While one team is wrapping up their workday, another team in a different time zone can pick up where they left off. This continuous development cycle significantly reduces project turnaround times.

This approach can be especially beneficial for businesses serving international markets or those with tight project deadlines. It ensures that progress is made every hour of the day, ultimately expediting project delivery.

9. Enhanced Focus on Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is a critical aspect of software development. Ensuring that software functions as intended and is free of defects is essential for customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Outsourcing software development partners often have dedicated quality assurance teams that rigorously test and validate software, helping to identify and rectify issues early in the development process.

Additionally, many outsourcing firms follow established quality assurance standards, such as ISO 9001 or CMMI, further ensuring the delivery of high-quality software.

10. Enhanced Security Measures

Security is a paramount concern in today’s digital age. Businesses must safeguard their intellectual property, customer data, and sensitive information. Leading outsourcing partners recognize the importance of robust security measures and invest in cybersecurity to protect their clients’ assets.

These partners often comply with international security standards and regulations, such as ISO 27001, and implement stringent data protection practices. They also stay informed about emerging cybersecurity threats and employ best practices to mitigate risks.

11. Compliance and Regulatory Expertise

Navigating complex regulatory environments can be a daunting task for companies, particularly those operating in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, or pharmaceuticals. Outsourcing partners often have a deep understanding of industry-specific regulations and compliance requirements.

By partnering with experienced outsourcing firms, companies can ensure that their software solutions adhere to all relevant regulations, reducing the risk of compliance violations and associated penalties.

12. Flexibility in Engagement Models

Outsourcing offers flexibility in engagement models, allowing companies to choose the most suitable arrangement for their specific needs. Common engagement models include:

Fixed-price contracts: Suitable for well-defined projects with clear requirements.

Time and materials contracts: Ideal for projects with evolving or uncertain requirements.

Dedicated development teams: Offers extended support and ongoing development for complex projects.

Hybrid models: Combines elements of multiple engagement models to meet unique project requirements.

This flexibility ensures that companies can tailor their outsourcing arrangements to align with their project scope, budget, and timeline.

Read more: Staff Augmentation vs IT Project Outsourcing: Pros, Cons & Differences

13. Access to Industry Expertise

Outsourcing partners often have extensive experience in specific industries, such as healthcare, finance, e-commerce, or manufacturing. This industry expertise can be invaluable when developing software solutions tailored to the unique requirements and challenges of a particular sector.

Partnering with an outsourcing firm that understands the nuances of an industry can result in more effective and relevant software solutions.

14. Enhanced Project Management

Effective project management is crucial for the success of any software development project. Outsourcing software partners typically employ experienced project managers who oversee all aspects of the development process, from requirements gathering to delivery.

These project managers use proven methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum, to ensure that projects are delivered on time and within scope. They also provide regular progress reports and facilitate communication between development teams and clients.

Read more: A Quick Guide to Managing Outsourced Software Development

Conclusion

Outsourcing software development has evolved into a strategic imperative for businesses seeking to thrive in the digital age. Its myriad advantages, including cost efficiency, access to global talent, faster time-to-market, and risk mitigation, make it a compelling choice for companies of all sizes and industries. Moreover, outsourcing offers flexibility, scalability, and access to the latest technologies, enabling businesses to remain competitive and innovative.

As the global software development outsourcing market continues to grow and adapt, companies must carefully evaluate their outsourcing options and choose partners that align with their specific needs and objectives. By embracing outsourcing as a strategic tool, businesses can harness the full potential of software development to drive growth, innovation, and success in the dynamic and ever-evolving technology landscape.

Read more: Top 6 Tips To Succeed in Outsourcing Software Development

Whatever Your Reason for Outsourcing Software, BESTARION Can Help.

Bestarion is a subsidiary company of Larion – a leading outsourcing company in Vietnam with 20 years of experience bringing innovative ITO & BPO Solutions to clients worldwide. Bestarion consistently applied the most advanced technologies to build and deliver scalable, high-performance software development solutions to meet their customers’ business challenges in committed time and quality assurance.

With more than 150+ well-trained and experienced staff, they have delivered 215+ projects for global clients. They also have expertise in many industries, including Healthcare, Fintech, E-Commerce, Supply Chain, Banking, Education… It’s great that 95% of the customers they served are satisfied with their service.

When you cooperate with Bestarion outsourcing software development company, you’ll benefit from our 20+ years of experience in software outsourcing. Our engineers are located in the heart of Vietnam’s IT sector, in Ho Chi Minh City. As evidenced by their strong client retention record, our talented and experienced teams are capable of working on any software development project you may require. Please take a look around the site to learn more about our services and technology solutions

[marketingyts]

For SK Hynix Inc., the South Korean chipmaker that saw its value rise by an astonishing 24 billion dollars in 2023 has been an exciting journey. However, the rising technological conflict between the United States with China poses a threat to this spectacular upsurge. Based on a new Bloomberg story, tensions brought on by this geopolitical dispute are jeopardizing SK Hynix’s chances for the future.

As a significant vendor for tech giants Apple Inc. as well as Nvidia Corp., SK Hynix had benefited from the surge in artificial intelligence that had been taking place this year. By the finish of August, the price of the business’s stock had increased by over 60 percent thanks to the favorable market circumstances.

[lanshengic]

Summary of 2023 Q2 financial reports of many major chip manufacturers (3)

【Lansheng Technology Information】Recently, major chip manufacturers have successively announced their Q2 financial reports for this year. Lansheng Technology has sorted out the Q2 revenue of TI, ST, NXP, AMD, Renesas and other chip manufacturers. Perhaps we can learn about the status of the chip industry. Current status and development prospects in the second half of the year.

1. According to Broadcom’s latest financial report, Broadcom’s fiscal year 2023 Q2 (as of April 30, 2023) revenue was US$8.733 billion, a year-on-year increase of 8%, and net profit was US$3.481 billion, a year-on-year increase of 34%. Among them, Broadcom's chip business revenue was US$6.81 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year, exceeding market expectations.

Benefiting from the upsurge in AI demand, the revenue growth rate of Broadcom’s AI-related chip business is accelerating, and it is expected to double this year, accounting for more than 25% of its overall revenue.

Looking ahead, Broadcom expects Q3 revenue in fiscal year 2023 (as of July 30, 2023) to reach US$8.85 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%, exceeding analysts' consensus forecast of US$8.76 billion.

2. Intel's Q2 revenue in 2023 will be US$12.948 billion, a year-on-year decrease of 15%, and its net profit will be US$1.473 billion. The net loss in the same period last year was US$454 million, turning losses into profits.

From the perspective of various departments, Intel's wafer foundry business revenue reached 232 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 307%. Intel's CEO said part of the revenue growth in the foundry business comes from advanced packaging.

3. Samsung’s Q2 comprehensive revenue in 2023 will be 60 trillion won, a decrease of 5.9% month-on-month and a year-on-year decrease of 22.2%. It's just that its decline has improved compared to Q1.

Benefiting from strong demand for AI, Samsung's DRAM shipments were higher than expected in the previous quarter. Samsung said that the performance of the memory chip business has improved from the previous quarter and will focus on HBM and DDR5 products.

4. Vishay's Q2 revenue in 2023 will be US$892.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 3.31%, and its net profit will be US$95 million, a year-on-year decrease of 15.44%. In the downturn of the semiconductor market, this performance has exceeded market expectations.

At present, the lead time of most of Vishay's products is improving, but the passive parts of CRW series still need a long lead time. In the passive field, Vishay has launched two new fixed-gain infrared sensor modules TSSP93038DF1PZA and TSSP93038SS1ZA.

Compared with previous high-sensitivity fixed-gain infrared sensor modules, these two modules reduce the cost and improve the stability of outdoor sensor applications.

Lansheng Technology Limited, which is a spot stock distributor of many well-known brands, we have price advantage of the first-hand spot channel, and have technical supports. 

Our main brands: STMicroelectronics, Toshiba, Microchip, Vishay, Marvell, ON Semiconductor, AOS, DIODES, Murata, Samsung, Hyundai/Hynix, Xilinx, Micron, Infinone, Texas Instruments, ADI, Maxim Integrated, NXP, etc

To learn more about our products, services, and capabilities, please visit our website at http://www.lanshengic.com