#and then had one of the most fascinating and engaging media experiences ever as a result

[djuvlipen]

The reason why European politicians (or, tbh, any European) never cared to address violence against Romani women is because they are fascinated by it. We know they are fascinated by it because whenever they talk about Romani women, they constantly write and talk about killing us. You see it all the time in arts and literature. Violence against Romani women is seen as Romantic, is seen as artistic, is seen as a transcending experience. Notre-Dame de Paris is about a sixteen year-old girl identified as Romani who is sexually abused and burned at the stake by a white man, Claude Frollo. The only reason why murdering Esmeralda is seen as wrong is because she turned out to be white and having been stolen as a child by "Gypsies". Carmen is about a Gitana (Spanish Romani) woman who has dozens of male lovers and is eventually murdered by one of them. The murder is said to be motivated by passion and by Carmen's unwillingness to settle for one man. She is being punished for her sexuality and this is justified by the narrative by her behaviour. Gypsies are found near Heaven is a Yugoslav movie directed by a white man, in which it is the Romani man who murders the Romani woman for being too unruly and not giving herself to him. She is once again being punished by the white director, using the mediation of his Romani main character, for her freedom. Singoalla is a Swedish fairytale-like story turned into a French film in which the main character, a Romani woman called Singoalla, is once again murdered by her Romani ex-fiancee upon learning that his fiancee had had a (white) lover before him. Hijo de la Luna is a Spanish song that tells a tale of a Romani woman being murdered by her Romani husband who suspected she had been unfaithful. In those two latter instances, violence against Romani women is not portrayed as fundamentally wrong, as political issues to be engaged with, or as the result of hatred: as tales, they convey wonder and fantasy. Now, tales are often dark so I wouldn't have an issue with this if only violence against Romani women wasn't always dealt as if it were a fairytale or a Romantic story.

You could say that I am nitpicking and that I only came up with five examples. Two rebuttals: (1) there aren't many media portrayals of Romani women to start with, (2) all the examples I have taken are very popular stories from different European countries. Notre-Dame de Paris is one of Hugo's most popular novel and was adapted many times; Carmen is one of the most successful opera ever written; Singoalla started as a medieval legend that got adapted in a book, an opera and a movie; Gypsies are found near Heaven was the most attended movie in the USSR in 1976; Hijo de la Luna is one of Mecano's most successful song, and Mecano itself is the best-selling Spanish band worldwide. Everywhere the trend is the same: white European males fantasize about killing women, they think killing us is Romantic and tale-worthy. Granted, men generally fantasize about violence against all women all the time, but while media portrayal of violence against non-Romani women has been increasingly challenged by feminists, nothing has been done about media portrayal of violence against Romani women. No one ever called out those stories I've mentioned on the basis of their romanticization of violence against Romani women.

#Roma #femicide against romani women #original post

[theheightofdishonor]

2023 year in review: part one

It's close enough to the end of the year that i'm writing my year in review. I decided to do a part for shows that actually aired in 2023. (i may or may not do a second part of this for all the shows i've watched this year but even from an initial glance its a LOT, we'll see. )

From what I have noted, I watched 81 shows this year that finished airing in 2023.

Broken down by country, its

Thailand: 35

Korea: 18

China: 10

Japan: 10

Philippines: 4

Taiwan: 4

48 of these were BL and 16 were GL.

Even this is actually so many that I don't quite know how to even break it down so I guess i'll just go by country?

Thailand

Thailand just has such a large output of content that naturally, the quality also tends to vary wildly meaning this produced both some of my absolute favorites and some of my most beloved.

On the beloved side, Bed Friend, IFYLITA, Moonlight chicken,My school president, and surprisingly Midnight Museum. And on a slightly lower tier, Be My Favorite, Dirty Laundry, Enigma, Shadow, Only Friends, and Warp Effect.

Bed Friend reminded me almost of Tharntype? But like good. I think the execution was great and NetJames definitely has some of the best chemistry in a year chock full of good chemistry. They're great in Middleman's Love too.

I Feel You Linger In the Air is Tee Bundit at his absolute best. He's great at blending genres together. He incorporated horror brilliantly into simr and I love how he leaned into the historical and time travel aspects of this historical time travel romance. There was some really cool things with the directing and the acting from Nonkul and Bright was great too. Me finding out Nonkul was doing a bl was probably how everyone else reacted back when news broke that Nanon was doing BBS. He's one of my favorite actors.

Moonlight Chicken ofc is near perfect. I loved seeing older queer people in a romance with Jim and Wen and the contrast to Li Ming and Heart was great. Not to mention the family and social dynamics and the way the show addresses Beam and Jim's relationship. The only complaint I have is that the lack of physical intimacy between Jim and Wen in the middle portions of the show and near the end felt weird considering the content of the show but even then, it's a pretty minor complaint and everything else about the show is great.

My School President is definitely the one I was most engaged in fandom for. And the only one I was waking up early every morning to watch. (and i'd watch each episode like 2-3 times too). The social media/shipping stuff at the end was fumbled a little bit but I loved the parents in this show and the friend group and tinngun. I still can't believe Fourth and Gemini were like 17-18 when they filmed this. They're both excellent actors. Oh MSP also had the best Our Skyy episodes btw. I'll die on this hill.

Midnight Museum I'll discuss later on too but it was fun. I liked how intentional they were with the cameos where it purposefully gave the actors roles that were completely different from anything they've done before, especially with Tu, Bright, and Nanon. The worldbuilding was also fascinating. I know someone here was making a timeline for it and they mentioned it was a damn pain to figure out but like kinda in a fun way? The decision to make KathaDome a bromance is odd and I hate it and I hate the implications for gmmtv but other than that it was good.

Be My favorite was way better than I ever expected from Jittirain. I do have to say that my experience was marred by the fact that I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, just from my experience with her shows but it didn't which was a pleasant surprise. I liked how they handled Aye's character and Kawi's growth.

I didn't think I'd like Enigma because I don't like Win but it was good. The supernatural/horror genre mix won me over. Also Prim is in this and i'm very weak for her. Win was nowhere on her level but he was more tolerable than I expected. I'm annoyed that she's not going to be in season 2 though because she's the main character?? GMMTV needs to understand that the draw of this show is Prim and not Win.

Only Friends. What a divisive show. I went into this wanting mess and drama and with the aim of not having any other expectations and for the most part, I succeeded. This show brought out the best from everyone in the cast, like genuinely these were some of the best performances that any of these actors have done. Absolutely stellar. Storywise, it was pretty good and very unique in terms of thai bl and gmmtv until that last bit with Boston and Nick which felt malicious and just mean compared to the neutral lens that the show had been portraying the other characters with. Watching it was pretty fun though and again, most of the story was really good so I guess i'm allowing it some grace.

Shadow isn't a bl but it is queer and I appreciated most of what it was doing with the historical horror suspense elements. I think towards the end it definitely was way shakier and I don't understand why they made some of the decisions they made but I really liked the first 3/4 of the show. Fluke and Singto are obviously good too, even though they're both way too old at this point to still be playing high schoolers.

The Warp Effect had the distinct vibe of a PSA and Gigie and Fah should've dated but otherwise, it was a fun watch, I think. I liked Alex's character arc, I liked everyone's character arcs honestly. On my notes, I wrote that the ending was a bit flat so points off for that but it was good.

A lot of these are from GMMTV which when it was good, was incredible and when it was bad, I usually was decent at avoiding them completely

The worst offender from Thailand that I didn't avoid is Tee Bundit with the double hit of Step by Step and Show Me Love. I think people far more eloquent than me have written a lot about sbs so I won't say much but like I almost refrained from watching IFYLITA because of how hurt I was by sbs. And Show Me Love was just like offensively mediocre which hit worse at the time because I had just watched Something In My Room and IFYLITA beforehand and made the mistake of having expectations from Tee. In my defense, Tee's usually good at writing engaging characters and casting for good chemistry so I had no reason to believe he'd fail here.

Hmm what else. Oh actually, brief mention of Nanon's filmography this year since I checked out all of it and he tends to be so good even in mediocre shows that I can't help but be intrigued.

Hmm what else. Oh actually, brief mention of Nanon's filmography this year since I checked out all of it and he tends to be so good even in mediocre shows that I can't help but be intrigued. Dirty Laundry by JoJo was excellent. It was a little hard to get into because i'm not a fan of the genre but i loved it. Also Film and Nanon are a fun pair and I think they get better with every showing. UMG actually was mediocre despite the great cast and I want better from Nanon so I dropped it. Namtam and Milk's characters should lowkey have gotten together though. In Midnight Museum, Nanon's a side character (which i honestly forgot was something gmmtv let him do) but he fucking KILLED it. He played three roles here and all of them were new for him and you could tell the guy was having a blast. I can't say it's some of the best acting I've seen from him but that's only because when Nanon is good, he's always this good. Oh and also, Nanon and View in MM is the best chemistry he's ever had with a girl. Our Skyy, there's not a lot I'm willing to say publicly about all that but Nanon even at half-effort is still better than half of GMMTV's stable. The Jungle was a terrible mess but Nanon was so excellent in it that i'm still writing essays about Nannam and Nanfah months later. Nanon and Mild as a pair were also excellent and the only ones that made it out of this show unscathed. The rest as I said, is a mess but one that could've been somewhat redeemed by making Mix a vampire. (this might not make sense but like watch Mix's performance alright he's trying sooo hard to be shady and mysterious and they never let it go anywhere) My precious was a fairly run of the mill movie with excellent acting. As a plot I think it's a little thin for a show but i'm interested to see how they'll stretch it out. Hopefully the longer runtime means the friend group can be fleshed out a little bit more.

Korea

Well that ended up not being all that brief but moving on, I thought Korea would have more on a showing because I remembered watching a lot of kdramas but turns out most of the kdramas I watched were from previous years so, only 18. A very dramatic drop from Thailand's 35.

The best of these included The Eighth Sense, Our Dating Sim, and Welcome to the Lesbian Bar with Sing My Crush being ever so slightly underneath. I would rec Lesbian Bar to literally everyone, but especially those who enjoyed MLC. It's got that same queer family focus with the central relationship being this baby lesbian and her lesbian aunt. Out of the not queer stuff, My Perfect Stranger was an excellent time travel romance, The Glory Season 2 was better than all the other season twos that came out this year, and

If Korea produced anything too egregious this year (outside of Taxi Driver and Uncanny Counter's season 2s) I missed it. But out of the ones I watched, the most disappointing was A Shoulder To Cry On, followed rather distantly by Bump Up Business, both for very different reasons. I will say though that whatever is wrong with Tae Hyun in A Shoulder To Cry On is very appealing to me in the same way that Tae Joo from Where Your Eyes Linger was except like a weaker version.

China

I once thought i'd never touch a cdrama again but here I am, having watched 3 whole traditional length cdramas this year. The other 7 are almost all from the Legend of Yunze's catalog because I love their content. The best by leaps and bounds was Nu Er Hong by Legend of Yunze. I think it's my favorite out of everything they've made. The studio's really started to figure out their pacing and also this one was fairly dark and dark gl- dark anything really- is right up my alley. A flower for 3 lives and Seven Gods of Joy by the same studio had great concepts but shakier execution. Stepping outside of them, A league of noblemen was probably my favorite traditional cdrama but Mysterious Lotus Casebook was fun fandom-wise since people on tumblr were watching it.

I think the only show i'd classify as bad is probably My everlasting bride which I watched on a whim. Under a miscroscope started good and then ended boring so overall averages into mediocre. This wouldn't be a crime anywhere else but I expect good pacing from my cdramas.

Japan

I liked pretty much everything I watched from Japan this year so imma go with my worst off which was Jack O' Frost. This is more on me than on the show itself because the concept just squicked me out a lot more than I expected it to. Badly enough that i've blocked the tag.

On the best of, I don't even know if I can choose. Hmm, Bokura no micro na shuumatsu, Kimi ni wa todokanai, Kinou nani tabeta s2, both the My Beauitful Man installments, and Taikan Yoho. Ahhh, and Tokyo in April is... Welp well turns out I couldn't actually choose. This was pretty much everything I watched.

I didn't think I'd like Bokura no as much as I ended up liking it. And I don't know if I would've liked it as much if any other country had produced this show. But it was achy and wistful and I fell in love;.

Kimi ni wa todokanai though was hands down my favorite from Japan and I don't even like friends to lovers. It also helped that they, mostly Yamato reminded me a bit of Kageyama and Hinata. Like I know it's just common character archetypes but also, it's kagehina core, yeah? The bed scene where Yamato yeets Kakeru onto the bed was both hilarious and just well done. I liked the way Yamato wrestled with his desire.

I watched Kinou Nani Tabeta s2 just a couple days ago since I was waiting to binge it and i'm glad I wasn't watching this weekly because it would make everything else I watch weekly dull in comparison. Honestly would watch 100 seasons of this. It's perfect.

My Beautiful Man S2 and My Beautiful Man: Eternal were both solid. I think mbm s1 had tighter pacing but week to week, I enjoyed s2 more. For some reason I didn't write notes for either but I do remember liking both so.

Taikan Yoho. If not for the kghn vibes from kimi ni wa, this would be my favorite. Like their dynamic and just the layers of it and how it presents itself in the language of the show is just so tailored to my taste. I think I wanted just a little bit more from them, but what I got was excellent.

Philippines

I only watched four and somehow, it's perfectly split into 2 gls and 2 bls. I really do like pinoy stuff and the way they write relationships but I don't watch a lot of it because I don't know a lot of people who track it and also because most of it is on yt and i don't like the yt interface. But out of what I watched, the best was The Day I Loved You and Stand-In Love.

The Day I Loved You did a good job in handling the love triangle and Eli's illness. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending but it was still good.

Stand-In Love is about 2 best friends who are in a 'stand-in' relationship with each other where the straight one is helping the lesbian one learn how to court a girl but then they end up falling in love. It's like 20 minutes long, it's fucking adorable, very well done for the amount of time it had.

The other two things I watched was Tie the Not and Lei and Mar. Tie the Not is basically just pinoy Wedding Plan and I find that I don't care for the concept. Lei and Mar is a cute friends to lovers that for some reason ends in a car crash. Like it started out really cute and then bam, car crash out of absolutely nowhere. Just, why?

Taiwan

Kiseki: Dear to Me was fun and I liked the cameos. It was a funny experience for me though because I consumed a lot of this show via gifsets but I never actually read the synopsis and whatever the hell I thought this was about was decidedly not it.

Fall For You - it's tragic, it is but I laughed

Stay By My Side reminded me a bit of Hikaru No Go but I can't tell you why. It's more cute domestic fluff than plot but I watched it twice so clearly I didn't mind too much at the time. Plus, it has ghosts and i'm a sucker for supernatural stuff.

You are mine was a mess and I think I watched up til the penultimate episode. What is it with office bls this year?

#the real reason this is divided the way it is is because or else id only be talking about simr and girls love #idk how to tag because i certainly am not tagging all damn 81 things #thai ql #dramas #year in review #ill tag some of the shows i suppose just cuz idk what to tag #my school president #i feel you linger in the air #welcome to the lesbian bar #shadow the series #only friends the series #a shoulder to cry on #stay by my side #the day i loved you #be my favorite #nanon korapat

[anxiousprocrastinator]

The effect that Social Media and Reality TV has on each other

I'm back this week with another topic: reality television. Although I am aware that not everyone finds this type of TV programming to be "high quality" or "worth watching," I have always found it to be fascinating. Additionally, I think the fundamental tenet of this performance is the idea that viewers come to relax rather than with high standards for artistic ability. From there, television producers have had such a profound impact on contemporary culture that, in my judgement, no other area of the entertainment business could match.

              The wide genre of reality TV includes game documentaries, dating shows, makeover/lifestyle shows, and more.

reality sitcoms, talent competitions, court shows, docusoaps, and celebrity-based shows (Murray & Ouellette 2009). The shows are usually unscripted and depend on the participants' spontaneous conversations and interactions. Because people now find reality TV to be more entertaining and authentic, its appeal has increased dramatically in recent years.

·       Reality TV to social media immorality

There's always a certain allure to watching anarchy unfold on TV. There is a general consensus that, despite the fact that "Reality TV" is meant to be unscripted, it's actually a free-for-all where producers can dramatise events to generate interest in the program—and that requires well-known people to intervene. Additionally, people would want to talk about television drama clashes on social media. The gifs and videos captured from these scenes would not vanish with the show's conclusion; instead, they would continue to exist as common cultural allusions and audiovisual reactions that people use to convey their thoughts and emotions. Thus, even though television transmission is failing, there is an amazing method that when we talk about cultural effect, their “cheapest” genre is still thriving in values on the Internet, embedded into the way people express themselves online.

·       Public Discourse for reality TV

Big Brother is among the most recognisable reality TV programmes ever. One of the most well-known reality TV programmes, Big Brother, has a distinct charm that has kept viewers captivated for years. In essence, Big Brother is a societal experiment. It puts a diverse collection of people in a small area where they have to work out alliances, disputes, and relationships. The observation of human behaviour under duress draws viewers in. The show's catch is that it will be edited and aired on TV after being livestreamed nonstop. As a result, the show has a sizable fan base that is committed to discussing it on social media because there aren't any other venues where they can get feedback quite like this. The producers' approach has chosen for the show did incredibly well for them because as long as the contestants compete, the buzz about them would never falter, making their public presence and social media presence incredibly apparent.

              Reality TV has found its perfect method to stay alive. As long as it is chaotic enough for the Internet to create buzz, its content and discussions would be able leak into real life. This seamless integration between reality TV and social media has allowed for a constant cycle of engagement, as viewers eagerly share their opinions, theories, and reactions online. This symbiotic relationship ensures that the show remains relevant and captivating, ultimately solidifying its place in popular culture.

REFERENCE LIST

Denby, A 2021, ‘Toxicity and Femininity in Love Island: How Reality Dating Shows Perpetuate Sexist Attitudes Towards Women’, Frontiers in Sociology, vol. 6, viewed <https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2021.641216/full>.

Murray, S & Ouellette, L 2009, Reality TV : remaking television culture, New York ; London New York University Press Cop.

Rice, L 2022, ‘Broadcast Networks 2022: The Year Everyone Started To Wave The White Flag’, Deadline, viewed <https://deadline.com/2022/12/broadcast-networks-death-declining-ratings-streamers-1235203489/>.

#mda20009

[rainbow-nijisaki]

1, 9, and 17 for the ask game!

character(s) that first caught your eye/first favorite character?

When I first picked up the game, I really wanted to like Joshua! In all honesty, character vibes was a big factor in whether I engaged with media or not back then. And Joshua landed closest to what I typically looked for in a character (based solely on design vibes). Note I say closest, because back then my taste in characters was actually a little different than it is now.

What I got was...a surprise, to say the least.

I didn't like him immediately. I wanted to, but his, well...prickly nature was quite a bit different than what I was used to at the time. That said, as week 2 went on and I learned more of his story (fabricated or not), I was fascinated. By the time week 2 ended, this character I had wanted to like but wasn't sure if I would had so completely grown on me I was quite possibly obsessed. He single-handedly changed my taste in characters, design and personality. He's lived rent-free in my head ever since and quite possibly owns the place, since he seems to be the one making the rules on whether anyone else can stay, and for how long.

So yes, I admit I have trash taste in characters now, and it's very much his fault.

Over time, after many cycles of character analysis (and my own character arc that was...not all positive), I even came to find him quite a bit relatable...but this is redundant information, since that's literally question 17.

9. what platforms have you played twewy (and/or neo) on? if multiple, what’s your favorite?

For TWEWY, I've played it on the original DS, Solo on ipad, and Final on Switch. My fave, far and away, is the original - the game was really made for that system and it uses all the perks of the hardware with aplomb. I actually broke the A button on my DS lite playing TWEWY, haha. Being able to control both partners at once, with the old fusion star/cards system, not only feels great to play, it's also very nostalgic for me.

I do like Final for what it is though, if only because you can attempt to get the chaos of the original by playing solo multiplayer, and if not, the multiplayer in and of itself is fun if you have someone to play with. Being able to share the experience with someone else makes Final worthy imo.

NEO I played on Switch as well. I can't make comparisons because I haven't tried it on other platforms. I'm not much of a PC gamer and don't have a PS4.

17. what character(s) do you relate to the most?

TWEWY is full of relatable characters, so this list isn't going to be comprehensive. I think most of the playable cast is relatable in some way...but as this question says "the most," I'll try to narrow it down.

I think this would be more fun without context, so I'll say

with a side of

and a dash of

Have fun trying to diagnose my personality~

#answered ask game #strawberrah #yes I actually do find the main cast of NEO very relatable albeit all for different reasons #though it may also be that the first time I played NEO I had a much better understanding of myself and had gone through more #versus when I played the original #so first impressions may be a factor #twewy spoilers #time for a scan

[comfortunit]

literally just found you today thru those rants and 100%. ive talked about it with friends but we keep it to ourselves bc fandombrained people are so vitriolic & reactionary but you get it. fandoms as they are now are simply a function of capitalism and i wouldnt even say most are fans of the media they say they are but of the roving dudeslash fandom who NEED to see characters forced into their static cookiecutter trope pairing/mirroring themselves and fuckin or theyll die. fandoms in general also tend to be a cesspit of racism & terrible attitudes towards sex work despite their fascination with/fetishization of both race and sex work in general and its like the smaller the fandom is the more of a toxic microcosm of let people haaaaave funnnnn it becomes (idk why i wrote this i was just super surprised to see another mbd fan who was also a sex worker, hiii same hat i am waving to you from across the street)

i went off about this in a mutual's personal server even more than i posted/ranted about here on tumblr because it really pisses me off, especially when you visit low-rating reviews of any mbd book, extra especially fugitive telemetry (like "how Dare this author whose work i love give me a novella after a full-length novel release?!" it's so fucking ungrateful! and it demonstrates such a disgusting lack of basic reading comprehension).

here's one review i saw posted the month i picked up the book and happened to be using goodreads to track my progress at the time, for example:

out of ideas?! it's one of the more tonally different stories in the series. when i finished the book for myself, i came back to this review and i just did not know how someone could ever say something like this. did we even read the same book?! is she "out of ideas" or did she give people another short-form story that was packed with concise and exacting language, tackling a multifaceted web of brand new interactions that make murderbot's personhood that much more dimensional, and they turned their nose up at it because "ugh 🙄 why can't we just have more full-length novels full of stuff that i can pretend is evidence of my fantasy OTP ship being canon"? the idea that a story is "low-effort" to "produce" simply because it's short is such a fucking insult to writers who know anything about writing, especially short-form masters like martha wells. these books are raw concentrated emotion.

to use a food comparison, because i've been getting emotional about the bear recently, it's like comparing a family/holiday feast to an 8-course meal from a star-ranked restaurant. they are both incredibly valuable, in different ways. the novellas are basically 'the perfect bite', they are incredibly well-written, they're rounded stories about rounded characters. intricate, delicate, plated to perfection, and at the end you realize that you've had enough of these small courses (chapters) that it's like. wow, you realize how fulfilled you are; every 'level' engaged is maxed out... and a feast made to feed an entire family like the full-length novel(s) (since the next book is a full-length novel, too) is hearty, it's quantity from a quality-minded author, it's nourishing, it's fulfilling, it's going to get a lot of mileage from every character included. these are different experiences prepared by the same chef. trust that she's going to treat you well. you know?

but you don't let diners into the kitchen to make changes to the food everyone else is going to eat. i might be going a little far with the metaphor but i swear to fucking god if tor.com does the fanservice shit to mbd i'm going to lose my fucking mind.

but again. i have faith in martha wells, i have hope and i know she would never do that to us.

edit: oh my god where are my manners HI FELLOW SEX WORKER WHO LOVES THE MUDERBOT DIARIES! THANK YOU! HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY!

#writing long responses to long asks is how i process things shut up /lh /j

[corvidcrybaby]

On Y/N Fanfiction

so like as somebody who is still pretty new to the realm of fanfiction writing i decided to return to it by tackling a Y/N fic and doing so was honestly a very illuminating and rewarding writing experience if only because it shed a ton of light on the common issues with this form of fanfiction

as an academic thespian, interactive media and fiction has always fascinated me and Y/N fanfiction represents such a unique blending of elements that i honestly think some of the avant-garde playwrights would find very interesting. because like. okay. what is the goal of a Y/N fic? immersion and wish fulfillment, right? all fanfic is wish fulfillment somehow but then so is most art in general but that's neither here nor there - the fact one is meant to insert their actual name or a name of an OC makes it a unique level of collaboration between the writer and their audience.

and the general issue i find with many Y/N fics is that they simply do not capitalize on what makes Y/N fics potentially very engaging. the potential for meta commentary is boundless, yet if it's ever done, it's ham-fisted and very "winks at the audience" ish.

i find that the Y/N fics I respond best to often take what I call the Video Game Approach - the reader is viewing the world through a character's eyes of their own design, but video games are still built around certain concrete facts or assumptions that the player character would have. the biggest thing is that video game PC's are established in their setting, and have reasons to be there, which many Y/N fics simply lack.

thus, the challenge becomes, how can someone create an experience in a fic that is grounded enough to match the energy of an average person being part of the story they're inserted into (assuming that's what the reader and writer wants), while still fitting the scenario?

for my part, though she is no longer a Y/N character (there are meta commentary reasons for this that will become apparent as my current fic, Lesions of a Different Kind continues but shush, spoilers), in the Y/N fic I wrote for Hellsing, I opted to make the POV character a regular-ass Hellsing trooper. the reason being, this gives the rest of the cast a reason to be familiar with and have some modicum of care and respect for the reader insert character, while still decidedly grounding us in reality by having her be a grown-ass adult with her own opinions, agency, motivations and worries that a reasonable (if zany/neurodivergent) grown human woman might grapple with in a "supernatural paramilitary agency" setting. she's capable of fighting and holding her own just as anyone might - to take a page from the Halo Combat Evolved manual where they describe the Marines, "they're the best of the best of the best - but they're only human." she's used to her job fighting the undead, but it never stops being unnerving and "what the fuck is my job, dude, like, actually" - which I think any sane adult would question nonstop in a setting like this. I drew from the Wild Geese for inspiration, big time, and wondered what it would be like if one of them was followed more closely besides Pip as comic relief, etc.

That, I think, produced an interesting effect. I'd still like to fiddle around with Y/N fic more in the future and see what someone can do with it when you really put your nose to the grindstone and try to create something off the beaten path, because that's where i think the magic lies.

IDK fam my adderall kicked in for the day and i'm procrastinating studying for a work exam i just had to vomit this forth make of it what you will, i'm just a mad rambling scholar muttering to herself in the corner of a theatre building.

#fanfic writing #fanfic musings #it also helps that zemi is based on me and is very complicated as a person but is still missing several huge cornerstones of my personality #like she isn't a scholar or a thespian or a historian or an academic in the least #but she is still all of those things that make her her #very Death the Kid character design approach imo #hellsing fanfiction

[strawberrylolipap]

ICT, My Self, and the Society

Technological advancements prevailed throughout the years, especially during the 21st century. From texting using keypad phones to calls with real-time video capture, communication and connecting with people in different places have been made easier. During the pandemic, we have all stayed in our homes to prevent contracting the disease. Over the span of 2 years, ICT partook a huge part in satiating my curiosity, interests, and desire for connecting with people. By using social media, I have met amazing different people that share similar interests.

During the pandemic, I have taken an interest on certain subjects that I have not discovered before. Since finding information is easier, I have taught myself some basic things in psychology vio trustworthy websites. I have also collected some learning materials on different subjects such as a foreign language. ICT has helped me discover my passion for psychology.

Since I enjoy and love music, I have shared it with other people by joining public Discord servers, chatting, and performing on voice calls (karaoke voice chats to be specific). I have also gained confidence in performing and improved with my instruments due to the help of tips and friends online. It has been a wonderful experience–sharing music and experiences with fellow musicians in different parts of the world. I remember some of my musician friends online sending me their audio-only covers and original songs on Discord. My friends have also encouraged me to join a competition! It has been one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had online.

The image below is the first online competition I've participated in! I won in 2nd place and also got the People's Choice award. ✨✨✨

Not only did I meet talented and skilled musicians, but I also met great friends along the way! I have been surrounded by such diversity that I have been positively influenced and encouraged by people. By sharing opinions and feelings on different topics through chats, calls, videos, and other media, it has helped me shape my own perception and principles on matters. On my darkest times when I felt like no one cares or listens to me, my online friends have been present to offer me support and comfort, making me feel like I am not struggling alone. Some online friends also made me feel special by their fascinating and touching digital creations that are dedicated for me.

Here's an artwork made by my supportive bestie💖:

Overall, technology has helped me with my academic activities, entertainement, and engagement with other people. Doing things are more convenient by simply utilizing ICT tools to the fullest.

[quidfree]

I'm considering doing law at university. how was your experience? what sort of person do you need to be? I'm debating between law and philosophy, the latter I do genuinely enjoy. whereas law is lucrative and I believe fits my skill set. I'm really unsure

wow anon this is a tough one honestly. it’s hard to advise you without knowing you, and it’s hard because i don’t have all the answers either.

as someone in my early 20s really trying to figure out what kind of legal career i can stomach, and how to find a job that makes money but doesn’t make me dead inside, law certainly isn’t a magical shortcut to money and stability. it’s very broad, though, so there are many options- you just need to decide what you need from your career. if it’s money, go big corporate. if it’s work balance, go local full-service firm. if it’s conviction, accept you’ll not be making big bucks but work human rights or environment or defense attorney. for my part i can honestly say i haven’t made my mind up on that question yet.

that being said, though? in terms of studies, i really don’t regret studying law. as a subject i found it fascinating, and i learnt a lot about how society works, on all levels. it’s why i think about re-entering academia as a long-term goal. of course, i was lucky enough to attend a very good university, and to be predisposed to enjoying learning most things, but it’s still true. studying law is hard work, but for me at least it was rewarding. and it opens a lot of doors should you decide to turn elsewhere afterwards. it wasn’t my passion choice either, and if i hadn’t been thinking ahead i would probably have stuck to languages or media of some kind, but i was very engaged by my studies regardless. as a philosopher i think there’s a lot you could like about studying law- the underpinnings of society, the way the rules are made, etc. and there is also a philosophy of law, or at least i studied jurisprudence at my university as an elective.

on a final point, as to what person you need to be, i think i can lay your mind at ease a little, because despite stereotypes i met a wide range of people at university and made a lot of good friends in my subject who are all interesting and very different. maybe more opinionated and talkative than your average person, but honestly just people of all kinds. there are those insufferable types you’d expect, but i barely ever had to interact with them. law’s what you make of it, really.

best of luck with your choice, but do bear in mind that no choice is really final & finite. if one day you come to change your mind or regret your choice there is always the opportunity to shift direction, even if it is a much harder journey. you’re not obliged to stick to the plan you had as a teenager.

#qui parle #qui repond #anon #law #advice

[holisticpassport]

Why Paris Means So Much More

It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged. Mostly because I got so tired of the constant noise on the internet from everyone screaming ‘look at me, my life is worthy of attention’. I guess I got to the point where I learnt to stop telling everyone how great my life was and just started letting my life speak for itself. I still post photos, but my engagement and care about the social media world has dwindled. But I also realised something else.

  I used to write for other people—for my friends and family to know what was going on in my life. But my focus shifted to knowing that the people who cared the most were already aware  of my movements and checked in consistently. I write in a journal several times a week. The sanctity of privacy has become more valuable.

Having said that, I miss posting diary style posts. The good old days of Tumblr and Blogspot where SEO and affiliate marketing weren’t the goal. When sharing because my heart felt moved to was the point. When I wrote in my authentic voice and didn’t produce content to fit ‘my brand’s voice’.

  I went back home to California and Ohio this year. I hadn’t been back since I got married in 2017, and I had left a whole life in boxes in my mom’s garage. I’ve kept journals a majority of life, as young as eight years old.

  And when I had the opportunity to dive into those boxes, I knew I had very much put away my past and forgotten the little girl who’s dream in life was to be a writer. What constitutes being a writer? Simple: someone who writes.

  If we based it on monetary value/getting paid for what you do, people like Emily Dickenson wouldn’t be classified as a writer, and what a shame that would be. She knew who she was, what she loved, and she did it regardless of whether it brought her money or fame.

  I believe reading diaries to be one of the most incredibly insightful forms of literature, the most famous probably being Anne Frank’s. We dive into the mind of the human experience. A tiny book contains the universe manifested on paper. They capture not only an individuals’ emotions and personal perspective/experience, but depicts history through a lens that only one singular person can convey.

  As an (non professional) anthropologist, it was the most fascinating study to review my own mind and life, my growth and my history as I opened those boxes and pulled out scrap papers, notebooks, lists upon lists, lyrics, essays from high school and college on studying the thing I loved the most: literature.

I discovered a life plan list I had made at 15 (several lists in fact), and all of them included becoming a writer. Truthfully, I had shunned this dream after hearing a boyfriend’s family harshly criticize their cousin for choosing to study English in college, having the same dream as me. I felt shame and embarrassment at having obtained my AA in comparative literature and having nothing to show for in terms of a profession. 

And I wasn’t interested in doing copywriting or hustling to make money from a personal blog documenting my travels. It may not have given me a profession, but at the age of 30 I know what value that degree has given me.

  I was hit with nostalgia and remorse for ever forgetting this passion and this version of myself. Also on my life plan list (and every list I have ever made up to this day) has included one major dream: to spend two-three months in Paris studying the language, art, and having an apartment near the Eiffel Tower WITH A CAT.

  I have had this vision as long as I can remember. My mom got me Eiffel Tower posters, a house warming gift of an Eiffel Tower wine rack, and Parisian charms on a necklace. I took French in high school even though I lived in southern California and definitely sometimes regret not taking Spanish.

  And most recently I’ve discovered, out of everywhere in the world, I have the least amount of French DNA in my body. I am more African than I am French. So why this insane drive and love of francophone culture?

  I think on some spiritual level, I knew this vision was supposed to play a key moment in my life, was supposed to be a part of my story and an overarching theme throughout my journal writing for all of these years.

I went to France six years ago just for a week, but I can easily say it was the best week of my life. Booking a one-way ticket to Paris was a catapult to a journey I had no idea was waiting for me and would find me living on the other side of the planet married to a wonderful man.

  But it wasn’t easy getting there.

  I had the opportunity to go do something similar to my vision in Salzburg when I was offered an au pairing position for two girls for nine months. But I was with a partner who didn’t want me to go. I also turned down a full-ride scholarship to college to stay with him. Ultimately I wanted an unconventional life of travel, and his job was central to LA so we parted ways.

  I was offered another opportunity a few years later to au-pair for a little girl in Paris for six months. I was with a partner who didn’t want me to go. My values remained the same where I wanted a life of travel and felt like I was dragging my partner to want the same as we planned to teach in South Korea, but I knew his heart wasn’t in it and he wanted a cosy life. So we parted ways.

  Cam and I started housesitting in July of 2017. We vowed to spend a year doing this and seeing how we liked it. I loved it, but Cam was averse to so much upheaval and wanted stability/no chaos, and given a bit of tumultuous in his 20’s, it was completely valid.  

But, then came Covid. We spent all of Covid in lockdown in Australia not only within the first three years of our marriage but of our relationship. I found myself reeling as we bud heads on the notion of building a home vs. establishing a lifestyle of travel which was even more impossible because of Covid. I was drowning. It felt like my soul was ripping from the inside out as I thought I found myself in another partnership (this time a bit more permanent), where I felt like the bad guy for knowing intrinsically that I couldn’t be with someone who didn’t have the same values of travel as a lifestyle. I questioned my authentic self and thought maybe I was wrong for wanting these things.

When Covid lifted, Cam and I had a powerful aligning moment of saying to each other that if we didn’t leave now, we never would and we would end up resenting each other. So we sold 80% of our belongings, got a storage unit and first went to Mexico this year, then locked in housesits from April all the way through the rest of the year. We unloaded our storage into a five month sit to pair down even more in preparation for being able to housesit more broadly around the country, not just Melbourne.

  And as we’ve established this life, this chaotic but beautiful journey, I still felt sad. I had all but given up on my dream of going to Paris on my own for two months because what husband would be comfortable with their wife being away for that long? I wanted a partner for so long who would travel with me, and it seemed counterproductive to want to still go to Paris, a romantic, city without my husband.

  So I stopped writing it down in my manifestations journal believing it was never meant to be.

And two weeks later, a housesit on my platform popped up in Paris. An apartment in the 15th Arrondissement near the Eiffel Tower... for two months... with a cat.

  I screenshot it and sent it to Cam as a joke and said ‘I want this with every fibre of my being. What an absolute dream’ thinking nothing really of it other than that I was sure 50 people would apply for it immediately and since I wasn’t even in Europe, I’d never get it anyway.

  Cam’s response: Apply. Can’t hurt to try.

  I paused and thought ‘that’s true, I can just send a message and if I get it, figure out the logistics then.’

  After submitting it, I received a response the next day. I was the first to apply and she wanted to Zoom chat. Two days later, whilst on the zoom chat, she confirmed me for the sit while I was on my anniversary weekend away with Cam in Shepparton, where his and my relationship initially began from that first one-way trip to Paris in 2016.

What has ensued over the last month has been an unfathomable level of shock, courage, fear, and finally excitement. My initial reaction was gut wrenching anxiety to the point I almost thought my intuition was telling me I was going to die on the flight, don’t go. Like THAT much of a nauseating feeling.

  When I spoke to my therapist a week later, a flood work of emotions and tears came out. My brain couldn’t comprehend the scale of this. It couldn’t understand that for the first time, me leaving my partner to travel on my own wouldn’t result in a breakup. Even more fear came up about my worth being tied to my productivity and how I was actually terrified to do ‘nothing’, but just be.

  I’ve been a partner to someone since 12 years old. I have never once lived on my own except for one month in Jervis Bay, and it was the most spiritual, creative, growth-filled time of my life. But it was filled with difficult conversations being away from Cam in our first year of marriage/relationship and not knowing how to navigate separation anxiety.

  I’ve had a lot of financial insecurity in my life losing family homes, parents divorcing, and not leaving bad relationships for years because I felt I didn’t have anywhere else to go because I couldn’t afford it on my own. I have always had to be in survival mode since 15 years old, and it’s taken a massive toll on my health. So to go to Paris and not HAVE to work—to recognize that this didn’t happen all those times before because it was meant to happen at a time in my life when I could financially do it with the unending support of my partner who encouraged me to go—I’m forced to ask the questions:

who am I when my worth isn’t tied to my productivity? Who am I when I’m not in fight or flight mode? Who am I on my own, without a partner to factor in to my every choice and decision on a day to day basis?

  My therapist has made me see that I haven’t allowed myself to truly ‘play’ in many, many years. To sit in a park by myself and read with nowhere else to be and nothing/no one to pull me away. To ask ‘little Veronica’ what she would like to do and is she getting everything she needs. To re-parent myself and tell her she’s safe to play, not to worry about money or work or housing or a partner.

My tax refund covered my flight for the exact amount. I sold my camera, and Cam and I worked nearly seven days a week the last month to fund my trip with ample wiggle room. If I was single, I’m sure at some point I could have saved enough on my own to go to Paris. But knowing that my partner fully supports me—after so many times putting my dream on hold for men who wouldn’t do the same for me—I’m so insanely grateful.

  And our communication has gone from strength to strength with honesty, recognizing triggers and approaching with curiosity instead of defensiveness, holding space for all the emotions that came up for both of us in me taking this trip, discussing fears at length... all I can say is holy shit, don’t ever settle for a boy, get yourself a man.

  When I’ve told people over the last month that I’m going to Paris, they’re reaction is of course jealously and they say, “oh so you’re just going on holiday”. But it’s sooooo much more than that. There’s so much history behind it... my history. And I plan to write about this experience so that if someday my diaries are ever published long after I’m gone, maybe it’ll inspire someone. That’s all I ever aim to do in this life, is just inspire people to go after every single dream they have an never compromise on your authenticity and truth.

  To tick off this trip will be to complete a bucket list I made 22 years ago. And in doing so, it revives and allows that version of me to integrate into the woman and person I am becoming—with new goals and dreams to achieve that I am already creating with my partner. This season of life is nothing short of profound bliss.

#travel paris writerlife relationships

[bradney23]

Mike Enriquez

(Literary Journalism)

Mike Enriquez is a well-known character in the Philippine media sector, with a distinct voice and charismatic personality. With over four decades of experience, he has become a household name in the country, hosting some of the most popular radio and television shows.  

Enriquez was born March 1, 1951, in Manila, Philippines. He grew raised in a journalistic family, with his father a news presenter and his mother a newspaper columnist. It was only logical that Enriquez would follow in their footsteps and work in journalism. 

Enriquez's career began in the 1970s as a news writer for a local radio station. He quickly advanced through the ranks, becoming a news anchor before eventually hosting his own radio show. His unusual voice and engaging personality rapidly earned him a favorite among listeners, propelling him to the ranks of the nation's most popular radio broadcasters.  

Enriquez moved to television in the 1990s, where he hosted a number of news and current affairs programs. He became well-known for his insightful interviews and ability to connect with people from all backgrounds. His popularity grew, and he eventually became one of the most respected and trusted characters in the Philippine media sector. 

Despite his accomplishments, Enriquez remains humble and committed to his work. He is well-known for his rigorous preparation and attention to detail, and he constantly strives to offer his audience with accurate and relevant information. He is also recognized for his generosity and kindness, as he frequently goes out of his way to assist those in need.  

Enriquez's services to the Philippine media business have been acknowledged with various honors and medals. The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) recognized him with the Golden Dove Award for Lifetime Achievement in Radio in 2014. In 2016, he earned the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, one of the highest accolades bestowed upon government personnel in the Philippines. 

Today, Enriquez continues to host some of the Philippines' most popular radio and television programs. His voice and attitude are as unique and fascinating as ever, and he continues to inspire and influence future generations of journalists and media celebrities.  

In conclusion, Mike Enriquez is a great icon in the Philippine media sector. His contributions to journalism and television have had a lasting impact on the country's media landscape, and his legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations of media professionals. 

[jmg-digitalhistoryuta]

History Disrupted

Public Historian Jason Steinhauer had published History Disrupted, showcasing this new age of history where a plethora of both information and misinformation are accessible with a quick google search or even exhibited to our feed by various digital algorithms like a pie on a windowsill, ready for us consumers to take a bite. But what is on display, what goes viral, is not really curated for its accuracy and in some cases even quality.  Instead, information in the digital age is promoted by the algorithms for the “engagement” that information received, regardless of that engagement is even positive.  Steinhauer’s first example in his book of viral history was a YouTube video over the Civil War by Prager U, a right wing multi-million-dollar media company designed by Conservative radio hot Dennis Prager to become a leading authority of history over American Historians and College Academics and ‘counteract’ the ‘left-wing’ bias Prager U thinks they have (1-2).  After all those pesky facts have a liberal bias.  Even though Steinhauer noted that historians, journalists, and progressive activists have criticized Prager U’s Civil War video for the inaccuracy this example of e-history went viral and spread throughout the interwebs with millions of views (2).

The core of historic research and professional history is “expert-centric,” while fluid it is arguably hierarchical in its structure, where the virtue of what scholars write and learn is determined by other scholars, from the curators choosing display exhibits at museums to the Park Ranger Tour-guides at the park, but that hierarchy is designed to keep the integrity and discipline of historic research methods in place.  This is so the next scholars are just as disciplined in interpreting the past for their research (9).  Those creating e-history on the social web is not strained by the rules of academia, not all creators are trained by the same academic discipline and integrity for their historic presentations.  Nor is e-history regulated to their expertise, as stated Prager U has the one of the first videos on the U.S. Civil War for people to learn from online.  Because of this e-history is in this weird circle that can be better suited as entertainment.

The history that is both most accessible and desirable is really user centric instead of expert centric (35).  The electronic history is often regarded not as a part of scholarly history but an alternative to it, an alternative no matter how accurate and curated the history is presented.  In his sixth chapter Jason Steinhauer uses the example of Instagram account History Cool Kids, with uses photographs of the past that relied on human interests and engender emotion to drive engagement.  History Cool Kids had detailed captions and URLs from websites like NPR and History.com for more information on their posts, ranging from a Chinese diplomat who helped saved Jews in World War II to personal stories of soldiers from the Civil War, the intent from the creator Dain Lee was to create learning experiences that were fun to uncover and go against the learning principles that are placed on us in primary school (57-58).

Yet Steinhauer argued that the social web and e-history has opportunities for scholars to introduce their expertise into public spaces, to move away solely from an academic audience (116).  But more importantly what is regarded as history is ever changing with our technology, making the scholarly work from expertise more accessible and presentable is important to counteract against the rising misinformation presented throughout the world.  The next historic video to go viral might be fascinating narratively and emotionally visceral but the intent may be disingenuous and its creator not an academic expert but a conspiratorial nut.  So, before you click on that viral post, watch that presentable YouTube video, eat that American apple pie on the windowsill, remember, it might have hatch green chiles in it that are rotten to its core.

#history #Jason Steinhauer

[smm-panel-2022]

Increase Social Media Conversions by Maximizing Audience Engagement

In todays immediate-paced digital landscape, social media managers until the end of time wish militant ways to stay ahead of the competition and captivate their audiences.

One powerful conclusive that has emerged as a game-changer in social media dealing out is automation. With the right automation platform, such asProstSMM, social media managers can skyrocket their inclusion levels, make a get your hands on of sticking to of millions of people and convert more partners than ever by automatically personalizing their messages, boost cumulative rates and secure as soon as audiences around a deeper level.

This article will consider the further of automation in social media dealing out and how ProstSMMs automation feature can unlock the definite potential of personalized social media immersion.

Intelligent Automation: The unsigned weapon for inclusion

By leveraging automation, social media managers can appendix the most creative and fascinating social proceedings, which bring allocate support to tons of interactions, though ProstSMM replies automatically as if the social media team had 100x teammates, consequently creating a unique and tailored experience for their social audience..

This level of personalization resonates once audiences and significantly boosts cd rates. With ProstSMM, you can go following more simply raising conversion rates; you can make waves in the digital world.

Segmentation: Getting the right people at the right time

Have you ever felt later than you were shouting into the gulf taking into account your social media posts? ProstSMM's segmentation feature ensures that your messages come the right people at the right grow obsolete.

By segmenting your audience based upon demographics, interests or tricks, you can tailor your content to specific groups, increasing its relevance and impact.

Broadcasting: Leaving a mark

ProstSMM features a broadcasting feature, meaning social media managers are not just sending messages but starting conversations. You can initiate meaningful interactions that minister to relationships and cultivate brand allegiance by sending targeted adopt messages to specific audience segments.

Using a tool such as ProstSMM empowers you to make a lasting impact upon your audience, one conversation at a period.

Set-happening templates: Unleashing your creative genius

Using templates speeds taking place the process, anything youalmost performance, especially as soon as it comes to social media. But not each and every one templates are created equal.

ProstSMM's Superpower Posting Templates fracture the creativity bottleneck, enabling social media managers to create experiences, not just posts.

Noise eliminating: Keeping your posts troll-forgive

Trolls can be a significant nuisance upon social media, derailing meaningful conversations and ruination your brands reputation. They can even impersonate you or your brand and scam your potential customers, which is a entire quantity supplementary insipid ache in itself.

ProstSMMs Trollbusting Technology ensures that your posts remain tidy and your statement sure.

Scale-your-style customer responses: Building relationships that last

Responding to customer comments and promise at the forefront messages is crucial for building solid connections and fostering customer allegiance. ProstSMMs AI-powered Comment and DM responses take this to the adjacent level.

Commitment to data privacy

In todays digital landscape, data privacy is of utmost importance. ProstSMM recognizes this and ensures that you are in run of your social media data. With ProstSMM, you can have peace of mind knowing that your data and your devotees privacy are protected.

To conclude, its period to supercharge your social media presence and create some noise together.

Source

#smm #social marketing #cheap smm panel #< target audience #smm panel india #digital marketing #best smm panel #cheap seo packages #india smm panel #smm marketing #mature audiences only

[ludoarmy]

Uniting Players Around the World

Introduction

In the world of board games, there is one classic that has stood the test of time and continues to bring joy and excitement to people of all ages: Ludo. But have you ever heard of the "Ludo Army"? No, it's not a new game variant, but rather a global phenomenon that unites players from all walks of life. In this blog, we'll explore the fascinating world of the Ludo Army and how this beloved game has become a source of connection, competition, and camaraderie.

The Origins of Ludo

Before we dive into the Ludo Army, let's take a brief look at the history of Ludo. The game's roots can be traced back to ancient India, where it was known as "Pachisi." Pachisi was a game of strategy and luck, played on a cross-shaped board with dice and pieces. It was often played by royalty and nobility and was a favorite pastime in the Indian courts.

Ludo, as we know it today, is believed to have originated in England during the late 19th century. The game's name comes from the Latin word "ludo," which means "I play." Ludo soon gained popularity in other parts of the world, including Europe, and underwent various modifications, ultimately leading to the familiar square board with colored pieces and a dice.

The Birth of the Ludo Army

With the advent of digital technology, Ludo found a new life on smartphones and tablets. Mobile Ludo games became incredibly popular, especially in regions like South Asia, where the game had deep cultural roots. People from different backgrounds and age groups started playing Ludo on their devices, and this is where the concept of the Ludo Army began to emerge.

The Ludo Army is not an official organization or club; it's a community of passionate Ludo players who come together online to compete and connect. Social media platforms, gaming apps, and online forums have played a crucial role in fostering this sense of community. Players share their victories, strategies, and even their defeats, creating a vibrant ecosystem of Ludo enthusiasts.

Key Elements of the Ludo Army

Global Reach: The Ludo Army transcends geographical boundaries. Players from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and beyond have all joined the ranks of this global community. Ludo has become a universal language that brings people together.

Friendly Rivalry: While Ludo is undoubtedly a competitive game, the Ludo Army emphasizes friendly competition. Players often engage in good-natured banter and form online friendships with opponents, fostering a sense of unity.

Tournaments and Leagues: Within the Ludo Army, various online tournaments and leagues have sprung up. These events allow players to showcase their skills, win prizes, and gain recognition within the community.

Strategy Sharing: The Ludo Army isn't just about playing the game; it's also about mastering it. Players often share tips, tricks, and strategies to improve their gameplay and help others do the same.

Inclusivity: One of the most remarkable aspects of the Ludo Army is its inclusivity. Players of all ages, genders, and backgrounds are welcome, creating a diverse and welcoming space for all.

The Future of the Ludo Army

As technology continues to advance, it's likely that the Ludo Army will only grow in size and influence. Online multiplayer modes, virtual reality adaptations, and esports tournaments could further elevate the status of Ludo in the gaming world.

Conclusion

The Ludo Army is a testament to the power of a simple board game to bring people together, transcending borders and creating a global community. It's a reminder that, in a world often divided by differences, shared experiences like playing Ludo can unite us in fun, friendship, and competition. So, the next time you roll the dice and move your piece, remember that you're part of something bigger—the Ludo Army.

#ludo #ludo game #ludo army #dice game #board games

[thxnews]

How HubSpot Outgrew MIT to Transform Marketing Forever

  In 2006, two marketing enthusiasts, Brian Halligan, and Dharmesh Shah, met at MIT and felt frustrated with traditional marketing methods. They believed that a more human-centered approach was needed to attract and engage customers. Thus, HubSpot was born. Today, it is one of the most successful inbound marketing companies with a mission to help businesses grow. In this blog post, we will delve into the inspiring story of HubSpot, and how it evolved from a startup to a major player in the industry. Join us as we explore the journey of HubSpot and its impact on the world of marketing.  

The Early Days: How HubSpot was Founded

Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah met at MIT and were both fascinated by the concept of inbound marketing. Inbound marketing is a strategy that involves attracting potential customers through content creation, social media, and search engine optimization. The two recognized a need for a platform that would help companies with inbound marketing, and the idea for HubSpot was born. They started working on the platform in 2005, and by 2006, the first version of the software was launched. The early days of HubSpot were challenging, to say the least. The company struggled to gain traction in the beginning, and they had to get creative to get their name out there. They drove a yellow school bus around Boston, hosting events and conducting seminars to promote HubSpot. Their hard work paid off, and the company started to gain momentum. In 2007, HubSpot had its first big breakthrough, generating $255,000 in revenue. By 2008, they had raised $17 million in funding, and the company was on its way to becoming a major player in the marketing industry. HubSpot's growth continued to accelerate, with revenue reaching $15.6 million by 2010. As HubSpot continued to grow, it introduced new products and services to support its customers. In 2010, they acquired Oneforty, the Twitter app store founded by Laura Fitton. This acquisition helped HubSpot expand its reach and bring on new customers. The same year, HubSpot also introduced new software for personalizing websites for each visitor. This was a major breakthrough, allowing businesses to create a more personalized experience for their customers.  

The Inbound Marketing Revolution: The Rise of inbound marketing

In recent years, the shift towards inbound marketing strategies has been nothing short of a revolution in the world of marketing. From content marketing and search engine optimization to social media marketing and email marketing, businesses are utilizing inbound marketing tactics more than ever before. One company that has been at the forefront of this inbound marketing movement is HubSpot.  

The Shift Towards Inbound Marketing

Inbound marketing first became popular in the early 2000s, with the emergence of search engines such as Google. As more and more people started to use search engines to find information and products online, businesses quickly realized the importance of appearing at the top of search results pages. This sparked a wave of practices aimed at improving website rankings, such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media marketing, all of which are core elements of inbound marketing. The shift towards inbound marketing has only gained momentum since then, with more businesses realizing the power and effectiveness of this approach.   The Importance of HubSpot in Inbound Marketing HubSpot was founded in 2006 and quickly became one of the leading players in inbound marketing solutions. The company’s software platform is designed to streamline the entire inbound marketing process, from creating and publishing content to tracking and analyzing performance. With HubSpot, businesses can create effective inbound marketing campaigns that drive traffic, generate leads, and convert customers. HubSpot’s platform vastly improved the efficiency of inbound marketing, making it easier than ever for even small businesses to join the revolution.   HubSpot’s Growth and Success Since its founding, HubSpot has grown rapidly and attracted many high-profile customers, including Airbnb, Yammer, and Shopify. In 2014, HubSpot went public, with its IPO raising $125 million. The company’s success has been largely due to its ability to adapt to the changing needs of the inbound marketing landscape. For example, HubSpot has expanded its platform to include more integrations with other software tools, such as Salesforce and Shopify, making it easy for businesses to connect their inbound marketing efforts with other aspects of their business.   The Future of Inbound Marketing The rise of inbound marketing shows no signs of slowing down, with more businesses than ever before utilizing inbound marketing tactics in their marketing strategies. With the increasing importance of digital marketing and the continued growth of e-commerce, inbound marketing will only become more critical for businesses looking to succeed in the online marketplace. As for HubSpot, the company is continuing to innovate and develop new tools to help businesses achieve their inbound marketing goals.  

From CRM to Full Marketing Suite: HubSpot's product expansion

The evolution of HubSpot's product offerings began in 2012, when the company introduced its integrated marketing software platform. The platform combined various inbound marketing tools such as social media, blogging, email marketing, and analytics into one easy-to-use platform. The platform's aim was to help businesses attract, convert, close, and delight customers through a comprehensive set of marketing tools. This integration marked the beginning of HubSpot's journey as a full marketing suite service provider.   Adding More Products Over time, HubSpot has expanded on the components of its integrated marketing platform, adding new products such as HubSpot Sales and HubSpot Service to complete its CRM suite. These new products enabled businesses to manage their sales processes and track customer service inquiries alongside their marketing efforts, resulting in a more seamless customer experience overall.   Automation One of the most significant advances in HubSpot's expansion has been the development of its marketing automation capabilities. Through its Marketing Hub, HubSpot now offers a complete range of marketing automation tools, including everything from lead scoring to automatic email workflows and triggered messages. With these tools, businesses can effectively engage with prospects and nurture them into qualified leads by delivering the right messaging at the right time.   Marketing Performance Tools In addition to marketing automation, HubSpot has also expanded their offering to include many powerful tools for analyzing marketing performance. The Analytics Hub parent product allows users to track search engine optimization (SEO), social media engagement, email campaigns, and website performance all through customizable dashboards. This gives businesses a comprehensive view of their marketing efforts and data they can use to optimize future strategies.   Operations Hub Finally, HubSpot recently announced the launch of its Operations Hub, which has brought multiple back-office functions onto the platform. The Operations Hub includes functions such as account management, proposal management, and deal pipelines, which help customers align their sales processes with their business models more effectively.  

The History

From the start, HubSpot was focused on helping small businesses grow by providing tools and resources that were previously only accessible to bigger organizations. The company's first offering was a software solution that enabled businesses to create and manage their websites. In 2007, HubSpot generated a modest revenue of $255,000. However, determined to achieve success, the co-founders continued to innovate their products and services. By 2010, HubSpot's revenue had reached $15.6 million. The company introduced new software for personalizing web pages for each site visitor and launched an all-in-one marketing platform. This platform consolidated multiple marketing tools into one seamless interface, giving businesses more power and control over their campaigns. The rapid growth of HubSpot had caught the attention of investors, leading to a $32 million funding round which helped finance more acquisitions and expansion. In 2011, HubSpot acquired Oneforty, which was a Twitter app store founded by Laura Fitton. The purchase of Oneforty strengthened the company's social media marketing capabilities. HubSpot then expanded its offerings to include social media tools like monitoring, publishing, and lead generation. This move allowed businesses to monitor conversations around their brand and find new customers across social networks. HubSpot continued to grow rapidly, and by 2012, the company had over 8,000 customers in 56 countries and generated $52.5 million in revenue. HubSpot had even reached the milestone of becoming a public company by 2014, with an IPO that raised over $125 million. Over the years, HubSpot had gradually expanded its services and continued to make customer-centric solutions that put user experience first. The company had developed into a go-to solution for businesses looking to revolutionize their marketing strategies.  

Timeline of HubSpot

2006: - HubSpot is founded by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah with the goal of helping businesses grow through inbound marketing. - The company launches its first product, HubSpot Marketing Hub, a platform for managing and optimizing inbound marketing campaigns. 2007: - HubSpot introduces the concept of inbound marketing, emphasizing the creation of valuable content to attract and engage potential customers. - The company raises $5 million in funding and expands its customer base. 2009: - HubSpot launches HubSpot CRM, a free customer relationship management tool designed to integrate with its marketing platform. - The company introduces the concept of "all-in-one marketing software," providing a suite of tools for managing various aspects of inbound marketing. 2011: - HubSpot expands its product offering with the launch of HubSpot Sales, a sales automation and enablement platform. - The company surpasses 5,000 customers and raises an additional $32 million in funding. 2012: - HubSpot opens its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, to support its growing international customer base. - The company introduces HubSpot Academy, an online learning platform offering free inbound marketing and sales training courses. 2014: - HubSpot goes public with an initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "HUBS." - The company launches the HubSpot CRM Platform, allowing developers to build integrations and extensions for the HubSpot ecosystem. 2015: - HubSpot introduces the HubSpot Growth Stack, a bundled offering that combines its marketing, sales, and CRM products for comprehensive business growth. - The company expands its product line with the launch of HubSpot Sales Pro, a premium sales toolset. 2017: - HubSpot launches the HubSpot Service Hub, a customer service and support platform, expanding its offering beyond marketing and sales. - The company introduces the HubSpot Flywheel, a customer-centric model that emphasizes the importance of attracting, engaging, and delighting customers throughout their journey. 2018: - HubSpot acquires Motion AI, a chatbot and artificial intelligence platform, to enhance its conversational marketing capabilities. - The company introduces the HubSpot Ventures program, investing in startups and companies that align with its mission and vision. 2019: - HubSpot acquires PieSync, a data synchronization platform, to provide seamless data integration between various business applications. - The company expands its product offering with the launch of HubSpot CMS Hub, a content management system for building and managing websites. 2020: - HubSpot introduces the HubSpot App Marketplace, a centralized hub for discovering and installing integrations and apps from third-party developers. - The company launches Operations Hub, a platform for managing data, automating processes, and integrating systems. 2021: - HubSpot acquires The Hustle, a media company focused on business and tech news, to enhance its content and media capabilities. - The company introduces the HubSpot Investment Fund, investing in customer success and growth strategies for select HubSpot partners. 2022: - HubSpot expands its product offering with the launch of HubSpot Conversations, a unified inbox for managing customer communications across various channels. - The company introduces HubSpot CMS Hub Enterprise, providing advanced features and capabilities for large-scale website management. 2023 (up to the current date): - HubSpot continues to innovate its products and services, focusing on enhancing personalization, automation, and analytics capabilities, as well as expanding its global presence.  

Conclusion

HubSpot's story is a testament to the power of determination and innovation. The co-founders' vision of creating customer-centric solutions has brought about a revolution in marketing that has changed the entire industry. HubSpot's all-in-one marketing platform, personalization solutions, and social media tools have empowered businesses of all sizes to grow and reach new audiences. The company has demonstrated the power of inbound marketing and how it can change the game for businesses worldwide. As HubSpot continues to expand and innovate, we can expect even greater things from it in the future.   Sources: THX News, Wikipedia & Hubspot. Read the full article

#BrianHalligan #DharmeshShah #HubSpot #HubSpotCRM #HubSpotgrowth #HubSpotSales #HubSpotServiceHub #Inboundmarketing #Marketingautomation #Marketingrevolution

[mohammadgholami]

The History and Evolution of LinkedIn: From a Small Startup to a Global Professional Network, Why should we have an active account on LinkedIn?

In this episode , we delve into the fascinating history and evolution of LinkedIn, the world's largest professional networking platform. From its humble beginnings as a small startup in 2002 to its acquisition by Microsoft in 2016, we explore how LinkedIn has transformed the way professionals connect and do business online. Join me as we take a deep dive into the features, benefits, and future of this powerful platform.

hi this is mohammad Gholami and welcome to my #podcast. Today, we're going to take you on a journey through the history and evolution of this incredible platform so... don't forget to subscribe me.

LinkedIn was founded in 2002 by #ReidHoffman, an entrepreneur who had previously co-founded PayPal. The idea behind LinkedIn was simple yet powerful - to create a platform where professionals could connect with each other, share their experiences and expertise, and build their careers.

At first, LinkedIn was just a small startup with only a handful of employees. But it quickly gained popularity among professionals who saw the value in having an online presence that showcased their skills and experience.

In 2003, LinkedIn launched its first premium subscription service called "LinkedIn Premium," which allowed users to access additional features such as advanced search filters, expanded profile views, and more messaging capabilities.

Over the next few years, LinkedIn continued to grow rapidly as more professionals joined the platform. In 2008, it reached a major milestone when it surpassed 20 million members worldwide.

So what makes LinkedIn so unique compared to other social media platforms?

One of the key features that sets LinkedIn apart is its focus on professional networking. Unlike other social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter which are primarily used for personal connections or entertainment purposes, LinkedIn is designed specifically for professionals looking to build their careers or businesses.

Another unique feature of LinkedIn is its emphasis on user-generated content. Users can publish articles, share updates, and engage with other professionals in their industry. This has created a vibrant community of professionals who are constantly sharing their knowledge and expertise with each other.

****

Let's talk about the different types of accounts on LinkedIn.

There are three main types of accounts on LinkedIn - Basic, Premium, and Sales Navigator. Basic accounts are free and allow users to create a profile, connect with other professionals, and access basic search features.

Premium accounts offer additional features such as expanded search filters, more messaging capabilities, and access to LinkedIn Learning courses. There are several different levels of Premium accounts depending on the user's needs and budget.

Sales Navigator is a premium account designed specifically for sales professionals. It offers advanced lead generation tools, custom lead lists, and other features that help salespeople find new prospects and close more deals.

So how has LinkedIn evolved over the years?

One major milestone in LinkedIn's history was its IPO in 2011. The company went public with a valuation of $4.5 billion, making it one of the most successful tech IPOs at the time.

In 2016, #Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in one of the largest tech acquisitions ever. This acquisition has allowed LinkedIn to integrate more closely with Microsoft's suite of products such as Office 365 and Dynamics CRM.

LinkedIn has also continued to innovate by introducing new features such as video posts, native video ads, and AI-powered job recommendations. These features have helped make LinkedIn an even more powerful tool for professionals.

Why should we have an active account on LinkedIn? And how can we expand our connections on LinkedIn?

Having an active account on LinkedIn is crucial for professionals in any industry. It allows individuals to showcase their skills and experience, connect with others in their field, and stay up-to-date on industry news and trends. By regularly posting updates, sharing articles, and engaging with others on the platform, individuals can expand their network and establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. To expand connections on LinkedIn, individuals can join relevant groups, attend virtual events and webinars, and reach out to potential connections with personalized messages. It's important to remember that building a strong network takes time and effort, but the benefits of having a robust LinkedIn presence are well worth it.

Thank you for listening to this episode. If you want to connect with me and stay updated on my professional journey, please visit my LinkedIn page at Mohammad Qolami. My LinkedIn ID is: mohammadinet.

I would love for you to subscribe and join my network. Thank you again and goodbye!

#Youtube #linkedin #Startup

#LinkedInPremium

#youtube #linkedin

[ksfoxwald]

I just find my current fascination with the Babysitter's Club fascinating on a meta level because I would have absolutely hated these books as a proto-queer dragon-loving child (I would have gone absolutely feral over Wings of Fire, even more so than I am now).

But as an adult I'm like, these are a masterclass in character building and episodic storytelling (HP killed the chapter book, but that's it's own post). And the graphic novels are a masterclass in adapting media to other formats. And even though I can't relate to the actual story events - babysitting, crushes, engaging in girl culture - I can relate to the feelings. Being embarrassed, getting carried away, trying to fit it - those are pretty universal.

Actually, besides the clothes, not many details had to be updated from the 80s. Pretty much every book has at least one passage that goes "So-and-so is sooo fashionable; for example today she was wearing [the most bonkers 80s outfit you can imagine]"

A few other things that got adjusted:

When Kristy's mom is getting married it's a plot point that "oh no, we sold the house earlier than expected so now we have to hold the wedding earlier than expected, because we can't move in with each other before we're married!" The GN throws in a line about the stepdad's family being religious.

When Logan Bruno, the "boy babysitter" joins the club as an associate member, in the books he decides not to come to meetings because it throws off the vibe; they can't talk about girl things like bras if a boy is present (funnily enough, the only time anyone ever mentions a bra at a club meeting is when Logan is present). But now it's supposedly less weird for girls and boys to hang out in mixed gender groups, so they had to give him a schedule conflict.

Which! Is really interesting, actually, that writers would think a lone boy in a group of female friends wouldn't be weird. I know kids gender less now than they used to, but they still gender quite a bit. We still live in a heteronormative society, just one where kids know that gay people exist, and that means that interactions across gender are weird, especially among tweens. But kidlit keeps pushing for less gender. Every book (particularly fantasy) must have a Boy and a Girl protagonist, and they are each allowed a maximum of 1 line to express feelings about gender.

It might feel counterintuitive for a nonbinary/agender person to be arguing for more gender in kidlit, but I'm frustrated. Kidlit is trying to present a washed out image of gender, and for me, gender is and has always been painfully sharp. It is jarring to read books where Boy and Girl friendship pairings are the default while living in a world where single-gender friend groups are the norm. People not acknowledging gender actually does make it harder for me to be nonbinary, because they're still doing gender even if they're not talking about it, and then you have to be the one to bring it up, and then it's "why is everything about gender with you?" Ugh. Gender.

Groups vs. Pairs is another issue. I suppose it's simpler, particularly in fantasy, to have a pair of protagonists rather than keeping track of a large group. (Animorphs did it, though. Just sayin') BSC showcases some very intricate group dynamics, how some members are closer than others and some have recurring personality conflicts and how various circumstances change their relationships.

Gender, though. Strangely enough, that is part of why I'm so fixated on this series. Because these books are full of gender. These are girls being loudly and unabashedly girly, experimenting with ways to express that and navigating society's expectations of it. It's like cis people nowadays are afraid to talk about gender, because gender belongs to the transes, and they miss the deep, deep irony that they are the ones who make the most gender. Just. I don't know. I'm running out of brainpower here. Something something letting cis people gender hard actually frees trans people to gender hard as well?

Or maybe it's just the validation that girls were exactly as girly and alienating as I remember. I am out of brain. But between BSC and my Animorphs re-read, there's going to be a lot of retro kidlit on this blog for a while.

#fox reads #bsc