#thus benefitting the people in power behind the scenes

[geekgirles]

I'm actually quite proud of Armand right now. Openly admitting to Amalia the reason their relationship was always strained was because he'd always been jealous of her and her relationship with their father is such a great character moment for him.

One thing season 4 is definitely delivering is some much needed depth and exploration of the Sadida Royal family. And I find myself fascinated (not only because Amalia is my favourite character and I have a soft spot for her people).

Personally, Armand is a character I have a lot of trouble having a clear stance on. I don't hate him, and it's true his motives become clear and even understandable once you give them some thought, it's just that Ankama does a wonderful job at making him both outwardly dislikable given his abrasive personality and some of his most questionable actions.

For example, season 3 Armand and season 4 Armand are almost like night and day. Maybe it is indeed that his new role as king has forced him to be more responsible and emotionally mature, but the vibes between L'assamblée and Falling Down are completely different.

In season 3 he just oozed contempt for his sister, and his actions towards her reeked of ulterior motives. The fact that Aurora has been described as manipulative (even her hairstyle is meant to hint at her true nature) and was purposely placed in between the two siblings as a visual nod to how she's keeping them apart doesn't help matters.

Which is another factor to take into account: Aurora's character and the role she plays in the siblings' deteriorating bond.

Even if so far she seems to genuinely love Armand, I really can't bring myself to trust Aurora. Not only because of all the behind-the-scenes facts I already mentioned, but because her actions are just sketchy and clearly veered to the betterment of the Osamodas rather than the Sadida.

First of all, her contempt for Amalia is genuine and she legitimately seems to be planning to send her away to keep her from interfering with her plans. After all, this is literally what she had to say about her sister-in-law:

"Ne vous en faîtes pas mon prince, nous finirons bien par redresser cette mauvaise herbe."

Translation: "Don't worry, my prince, we'll get this weed straightened out in the end."

(I haven't watched the English dub, so my apologies if the translation doesn't match the official version).

There's also the fact that, despite being the new Sadida Queen, her intentions in season 3 clearly laid in the benefit of her own kingdom, the Osamodas. Such is reflected in her choice of suitors for Amalia:

She intended for Amalia to marry Ashdur, her own cousin, thus, strengthening the Osamodas' hold over Sadida politics. In fact, it becomes quite clear Aurora's choice in suitors, only supported by Amalia implying back then her sister-in-law had already tried the same thing with her brothers, was much less about the future of the Sadida Kingdom and more about the Osamodas' sake.

After all, while arranged marriages between royal families isn't anything new, usually the sensible and even most strategic thing to do is for rulers to"spread" their children and marry them into different families around the world. That is exactly what Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabela of Castile did with their own children, they married them off to the royal families of England, Portugal, and Austria.

With that in mind, having both Sheran Sharm children marry Osamodas royalty just seems dumb, doesn't it? It all comes to show Aurora is more concerned over solidifying her power over the Sadida Kingdom than its actual well-being.

Which is why I'm still going to keep my guard up regarding her character until the season ends. After all, we still have 9 more episodes where everything can go up in flames.

But going back to Armand, even though he is in love with his wife, his treatment of Amalia in L'assamblée is leagues better than it was in season 3. Unlike most of his appearances and his interactions with his sister, where he kept treating her like a child who didn't know any better (what she just so happened to accuse him of when presented with Ashtur, as a matter of fact), here not only does he finally open up to his sister about his insecurities and his reasoning for his behaviour towards her, but he offers her support in the wake of their father's passing and even invites her to attend the assembly with him.

He is entrusting her with responsibilities befitting a queen, not a child.

Their relationship is finally healing.

As I said earlier, despite the undeniable depth behind his character, it's difficult to really side with Armand in plenty of occasions. Not only because of his difficult personality and flaws, but because it is so much easier to sympathise with Amalia.

And I'm not talking exclusively about the fact that, as one of the main characters, we've been by her side throughout everything, witnessing her true selfless, responsible, and brave self, but the fact that her position within her own family certainly tugs at our heartstrings.

Amalia is the youngest sibling, the princess. For all the sheltering and privileges that can get her, it also became her gilded cage. And for the most part, not even her family was a safe haven.

Queen Sheran Sharm died when Amalia was probably still a kid, whereas Armand was most likely already a teenager. As King Oakheart revealed back when he explained to Amalia it had been Armand who insisted they let her go, the queen's death shook their entire family, making the king and prince unintentionally turn their backs on Amalia during a time she needed as much affection as possible. And so, her royal duties became stifling, her royal upbringing unbearable. Thus is the reason for her wanderlust.

And then we have Armand's reason for not always being fair to her: jealousy. He resented her for being Oakheart's favourite, despite constantly going off to adventures while he remained in the kingdom by his side. Now, as I said, this was a great character moment for Armand, one that also belies his character development. However, it doesn't change the fact that, while easier to relate and sympathise with him, we still sympathise with Amalia more or have been doing so for far longer because we knew the effect this had had on her.

We all have been someone's scapegoat to their frustrations with a third person, we have all been treated unfairly by someone who, for whatever reason, couldn't solve their own issues with the person they had problems with in the first place and took it out on us. This is the crux of Armand and Amalia's strained relationship: for years, Armand took his frustrations and insecurities out on Amalia instead of having an honest conversation with their father.

That's why it's easier to sympathise with Amalia, because we know that, deep down, for all her flaws, she was never at fault for how their relationship turned out. Because we can understand her frustration and pain when, even with their dying father, Armand still chose to listen to his wife over her and try to marry her off instead of being there for each other when they both needed most. As Amalia called him out for before leaving with Yugo, he still chose politics over family. Everything involving Armand and Aurora is about politics.

But now that they are at least beginning to rebuild their relationship, I sincerely hope things get better for them. Unless their original intentions back in 2017 have changed, I seriously fear Ankama will still use Aurora to complicate things further between these two.

Please, Ankama, I'm literally begging you. They're all the family they each have left, don't let their relationship be ruined forever.

#wakfu #wakfu spoilers #wakfu season 4 #wakfu season 4 spoilers #un nouveau monde #a new world #l'assamblée #the assembly #wakfu analysis #wakfu season 3 #falling down #amalia sheran sharm #armand sheran sharm #king oakheart sheran sharm #aurora #wakfu aurora #ankama #osamodas #sadida

[brookheimer]

i feel very mixed on shiv's ending, particularly her choice to return to tom -- i think it makes sense from a thematic/character arc perspective and is a powerful yet devastating indictment of both shiv and the world that created her as well as showing that the cycle of abuse will always continue to cycle, that shiv will become her mother etc, but i also think it does not make sense from a character/internal logic perspective. it's a choice that makes sense from the writers, but not from shiv, not yet. it could've been a brilliant ending to her character, but is tainted for me by the less-than-ideal execution of it, which felt very rushed, making shiv's final submission to tom feel forced by the show rather than forced by the situation or honest to her character. the ending is not inherently misogynistic from the writers' side as i've seen some criticisms claim (it is a dark but real portrayal of misogyny within capitalist society and how it's internalized within the white women who end up at the hips of the CEOs who run it), but i do understand how it could feel that way. the show fails at building up to (and thus convincing us) that the version of shiv we currently know would so immediately subject herself to her mother's fate, so instead of it feeling like shiv's hand was forced by patriarchy to place herself into her worst nightmare, it instead feels like the show itself was the thing that forced shiv to take that route, which does leave a sour taste in the mouth. it doesn't feel like the result of a choice shiv would make or the impact of patriarchal society bearing down, it just feels rushed and thus wrong. shiv would've benefitted immensely from a few more episodes or even just a few scenes dedicated to teasing out her newfound willingness to subject herself to immense disrespect in order to remain close to power, but given that her entire character has always been defined by her inability to do just that unless forced to (which i don't think she was in this situation as she could've easily not waited in the car for tom, not put her hand in his, but she did), her return to tom feels hard to comprehend, and her near immediate submission to him hard to stomach.

(read more under the cut because jesus christ did this get long)

in my mind, at least, i've always understood shiv as being respect-driven rather than power-driven -- she wants power, yes, but more than anything she wants to be taken seriously and respected and seen as a legitimate player, and time and time again we've seen her blow up situations that would've been very advantageous long-term because she felt disrespected and needed to speak up and force people to take her seriously (which, ironically, typically results in the opposite). shiv's overarching goal is power, but her immediate necessity is always respect. her dignity is her number one priority at any given moment, even when it shouldn't be, even when it stops her from attaining the success and power she wants. i can kind of understand shiv going against kendall because of this -- she's always had a very, very narrow lens whenever she feels like she's being disrespected, and even though it is infinitely more humiliating for your (somewhat ex) husband to betray you and boot you out of the CEO position behind your back at the behest of your supposed closest ally (and for you to still vote for them after that!!!) than it is for you to magnanimously allow your brother to be CEO (which would publicly be seen as a choice, as telly etc said - sibs need to stand united behind one chosen CEO - rather than shiv being out of the loop and fucked to infinity), the narrowness of her vision upon seeing kendall about to win makes it impossible for her to think about that legitimately. it's not just jealousy, it's indignity: shiv feels she earned CEO through her machinations with mattson and feels genuinely sick seeing the loganified kendall grinning at the head of the table, hearing his "that's fucking right" and witnessing his cocky entitlement to the job that belonged to her. so, she does what she always does when she feels disrespected, when she feels her dignity is at stake, and impulsively blows everything to fuck, including her own best interests. that makes sense for shiv, at least somewhat -- i still think that as much as she wouldn't want ken as CEO she'd feel like at least w that outcome she'd be seen as a player and a deciding factor, whereas with mattson/tom she'd be viewed as a pathetic fucked-over nothing woman pawn etc (a situation of unparalleled indignity imo), but i can rationalize her choice to go against ken anyways as being part of the narrowed field of vision she always gets upon feeling disrespected by men in her life that makes it impossible for her to think strategically (and i guess even though the disrespect was greater and more humiliating from tom/mattson than ken, ken was the most recent most present and most lifelong source so that's all she could focus on; seeing him like logan was too much to bear). it's hard to imagine shiv publicly throwing her vote behind two men who publicly fucked her as humiliatingly as mattson and tom just did, even if the other option is kendall, but i think that's part of it -- it's fundamentally illogical, even from her disrespect-lens, because there's just something about kendall specifically being in charge that she's never been able to stomach. it's visceral and impulsive. it's not meant to make "sense." it's just what she feels she has to do to preserve her own dignity, even though it works directly against those same interests realistically. it wasn't executed very well, making it hard to entirely buy it given just how publicly humiliating the alternative is, but it can still be chalked up to her historically one-track-mind when it comes to indignity by the hands of kendall in particular. it's a last-ditch attempt for shiv to at least feel like she's maintaining her dignity, her self-respect, as counterintuitive as it actually is. it makes sense. i can stomach it.

again, shiv's fatal flaw (in logan's eyes and aside from her original sin of being a woman) has always, always been her inability to shut up and make the smart move in situations where she feels she's being disrespected or not taken seriously. if shiv stayed quiet during that dinner with the pierces, maybe she would've been logan's CEO, but no, she couldn't stop herself, she needed to feel she was being taken seriously, she burst out 'cmon, dad, just tell them it's going to be me.' she is unable to play it smart, to keep quiet, to win when winning means perceived disrespect. she's allergic to it. even on a personal level, she shoots herself in the foot constantly because of this: she is unable to let herself have the things she wants because she can't put herself in positions that open her up to disrespect and perceived inferiority. she can't be vulnerable because she needs to be respected. tom asks her if he could 'try to make love to her' in episode one of this season, and even though she clearly wants to, she says 'no, i don't think so, tom.' tom tells her he 'wants her, wants this' back in episode six, and even though she clearly wants that too, she draws back and says 'well then you shouldn't have betrayed me.' shiv is fundamentally incapable of allowing herself to remain in possibly advantageous situations when she feels at risk of being seen as lesser, of being disrespected, of being perceived as weak. that is her response to patriarchy. when patriarchal forces bear down, shiv is unable to grin and bare it -- she has a short fuse, a sharp tongue, and an inability to entertain even a second of being treated like The Woman, of being looked down upon, especially when it's for her gender. it's the one thing she cannot do, cannot let herself do, and it's why she fails to "win" over and over and over again. she shoots herself in the foot the second her patriarchy disrespect sensors tingle. she makes the wrong choice, the dumb choice, the one that makes her feel like she stood up for herself in the moment but ends up leaving her powerless and helpless in the end. that's the only explanation for why she chose to vote against kendall (the clearly better option for her long-term as she'd 1) be respected as part of the decision, as someone who helped choose the CEO rather than a Woman who got fucked over and had the door slammed in her face by her husband and close ally simply because she possessed a womb, and 2) probably be head of ATN or some other area of waystar, she'd have actual power within the company and be respected as a legitimate source of power rather than the CEO-to-be made CEO's humiliated wife -- if she was capable of making the smart, selfish choice in terms of power instead of having a hair-trigger reaction to gendered disrespect and cocky male superiority, she would have voted kendall. but she is not capable of doing that. she never has been. so she voted tom and mattson.

so what i still cannot for the life of me understand is what would compel this shiv, the one who cannot stomach indignity even when power's on the line, to immediately return to tom's side the second he beckons her, which is like five minutes after he becomes CEO (the job she was promised) by mattson (who gave it to tom instead of shiv because 'why get the baby lady if i can get the man who put the baby inside her?'). it makes perfect, cruel, devastating sense from a show perspective, and that's what most people are talking about, understandably. it's a devastating yet unavoidable, inevitable outcome. she's left with no other choice once she makes the decision against kendall, and patriarchy compels her to play the good wife to stay close to power. except, like... she does still have a choice. she does not have to go back to tom's car. she does not have to sit patiently waiting for him. she does not have to quietly congratulate him on his victory. she does not have to place her hand in his. these are all choices she made very voluntary. they're choices between maintaining her dignity and self-respect at the cost of future power versus maintaining the potential for future power at the cost of her dignity and self-respect -- the classic siobhan roy conundrum. she's been faced with it time and time again (even just five minutes prior with kendall) and she has never, not once, chosen the latter of her own volition. she hasn't been able to. that's her fatal flaw. maybe i could stomach her going back to tom if she didn't congratulate him, didn't place her hand in his when he expectantly held his out -- then some dignity would be preserved, maybe. but her complete and total submission for the sake of future power does not make sense with her lifelong inability to do just that. it makes sense that this would be her eventual endpoint, but we have seen nothing that implies shiv would so willingly subject herself to this feminine submission of wife and mother before person or source of power, to the complete and utter humiliation of being the quiet wife at the side of the man who knifed her in the back (and notably handed said knife by the man she thought her closest ally) in order to steal the job she fought for her entire life and, in her opinion, had earned. maybe she would come back to him eventually, for love or (more likely) for power, but it is incredibly hard to believe that shiv 'impulsive when faced with indignity' roy would be capable of immediately and publicly playing the role of the good wife after such intense and public humiliation at the hands of her husband.

really, the way i feel about the shiv ending is similar to how i feel about the daenerys ending -- unlike most people, i really wasn't that against the daenerys outcome. i thought it made a lot of sense and was interesting, devastating, and fascinating. i thought there had been a few signs all along and that that ending for her would make sense and be far more interesting than a Hooray ! Girlboss ! ending. however, it was poorly executed -- it was rushed. it did not make sense from where daenerys was at that point in the text. it could've worked, it could've worked brilliantly, but it needed more time to build and fester in order for her ultimate turn to feel earned rather than forced for the sake of the point the writers wanted to make. that's kind of how i feel about shiv. i get the ending and i don't think it's inherently bad or misogynistic or anything, but it feels like the writers saw the possibility for a shiv 'mommed' ending and immediately took it, with little regard to what actually made sense for shiv herself to do in that moment. outcome > character. that's frustrating for me particularly for succession because my like number one reason for adoring succession as much as i do is their consistent refusal to operate the way most media does (using the characters as instruments to achieve the plot/outcome the writers want), instead prioritizing following the characters themselves in a way that feels honest and real. it's character-driven, not plot or ending driven. i think that this fell by the wayside a few times in the latter half of this season simply because there was so much that needed to happen in such a short space of time (especially during the finale), but in my opinion, at least, the most egregious case is shiv. given more time, more development, more build-up, the last shot of her hand in tom's would've struck the chord the writers wanted it to -- and for some people, it did anyways! but for me, it rang out and fell nauseatingly flat. it felt hollow and wrong and unearned. shiv could end up becoming her mother, that feels entirely possible, but not in this particular sense, not yet. in what world would siobhan roy willingly choose to be seen as nothing more than a woman hanging off her husband's arm, especially when said husband had publicly humiliated her and ruined her entire life just five minutes prior? when, just five (metaphorical) minutes prior, she was the one poised to be CEO and everyone knew it? when now everyone will see her on tom's arm and whisper and gawk? she has become her worst fear, yes, but unlike kendall, it does not feel earned. it does not feel like she has actually become her worst fear. it feels like the show forced her to. not patriarchy or the situation or her own desire for power, but the show itself. that's what feels so shitty.

i wouldn't necessarily call the writing misogynistic as a result of this, as it's less a flaw of misogyny and more a flaw of bad, rushed writing that could happen to any character. it's the same as with daenerys -- although (somewhat unlike succession) there were many, many aspects of GoT's writing that were deeply misogynistic, especially in the last season (just look at fucking brienne), the core issue with the daenerys plotline is not one of misogyny but of time. they did not give daenerys the time needed to become the version of herself seen burning down the city. that could've easily been a focus of previous episodes, but it wasn't. they simply did not develop her enough for that turn to make sense yet. it could make sense, hypothetically, at some point down the line, but at that point it felt sudden, off-putting, and wrong. shiv could easily become her mother. that's been made evident especially regarding her relationship to pregnancy/children, love, and vulnerability (or the lack thereof). but for this ending to make sense, we would have needed to see signs of shiv imitating her mother's willingness to be relegated to the sidelines, to bring out the food while the men eat and make deals, in order to remain tangential to power. that is a concession shiv roy had never been willing to make prior to the last five minutes of the entire show. other signs of shiv imitating caroline or falling prey to patriarchal norms throughout the show are not enough to undo shiv's fundamental refusal to weather gender-related indignity even when doing so would benefit her. in my opinion, that's why the final five minutes of shiv's plotline were so unsatisfying.

shiv could become her mother, and her ending could be a devastating portrayal of the inability for even rich white women to escape their original sin of being a woman in a man's world, as well as a dark, ironic criticism of both women like shiv and the patriarchal world that breeds them into existence. but because the show did not develop shiv in this particular direction and because her entire character thus far has been defined by her self-destructive insistence on being respected at all costs, shiv's ending did not land the way it could've, or should've.

#WOOF okay this was long. not even gonna read it over bc if i do i'll never stop editing to it or adding to it and god knows no one needs tht #so if it's shit well. forgive me #but yeah this is just my take. i felt really unhappy w shiv's ending but didn't quite know why because the ending itself i can imagine bein #fine with but really i just feel very frustrated by the show writing over any agency she would normally have had in order to make their #point by the time the episode ended #honestly the more i think about it the more i feel this season should've had more episodes -- i think another season after this one would b #GREAT for me personally obviously but unnecessary for the show itself and possibly too much of a good thing #but at the same time the latter half of this season could really have benefitted from a little wiggle room and space to develop #so it wasn't just Sudden Mattson Likes Tom or Wait Did Mencken Disappear or Remember Roman's Sexuality or SHIV FUCKING SHIIIIV lolllll #ok. this is too long. post #succession #succession spoilers #long post #and i mean LONG #should i do a read more? i never know what the like courtesy is lmao #well . yall asked for it so here u go #shiv roy #succession meta #i guess #edit i did a read more this is disgusting LOLOL #100 #casey shut the fuck up about shiv roy

[clueless-fan-critic]

Nimona: Just Now Got Onto The Hype for This Movie

After my first viewing, the movie Nimona was a thrilling, fun adventure with so much love and passion behind it that it makes you want to root for the bad guy and antiheroes once again. This makes you question what side you should support or not. And I love that it makes that kind of statement in the film.

Based on the novel of the same name written by ND Stevenson, they built a story about what it means to be a hero or villain, even going to lengths of what one’s true self is in the face of adversity. There’s also a bonus of a gay couple being at odds with each other like any couple in media.

If you want to watch the most human film of 2023 staring a pink-haired shapeshifter, then let’s get into the deep stuff.

Freedom and Freethinking

Nimona is the character that embodies someone who’s comfortable with who they are, at least on the outside. However, Nimona desperately wants to belong in a world that doesn’t want them to exist. This can mean lots of things, especially being an allegory for being nonbinary or transgender, thus not conforming to society’s rigid expectations.

Ballister Blackheart is the black sheep of the society he was placed into, the outsider that doesn’t feel like they could belong. He was essentially molded into a role meant to change the status quo and was later branded a villain by the kingdom. Sure, he was framed for murder, but he was greatly disliked and mistrusted before for not being of a “noble” bloodline.

Ambrosius Goldenloin is more portrayed as the man stuck between duty and love as he slowly unravels from the changes to the status quo. He still remains loyal because of his status as the direct descendent of the founder to the kingdom. He benefits from the system he resides in unlike Ballister and tries to find a middle ground to what he wants and what is right for the system.

All the people in the kingdom are influenced by their belief that monsters are evil and slaying them is the only option, as well as being affected by the fear of an unknown world beyond the walls. While the people aren’t evil, they aren’t innocent victims either. They still benefit and follow the life built within the walls of their kingdom without questioning anything

Transformation

Each character undergoes some sort of transformation, whether shapeshifting or through emotional growth. Some can be considered good for them and much needed, while other parts are very, very bad for a lot of people. Ballister internally transforms from a warrior to a friend to a monster that can empathize with Nimona’s feelings of isolation. You can even argue that Nimona’s shapeshifting is a representation of being genderfluid and changing their appearance to feel like they’re free.

The Director’s transformation is more negative if anything. She essentially allows her own fears of losing security get the best of her to the point of letting innocent people die than see any other solutions.

What it Means to Be Human

I loved that it doesn’t shy away from making strong commentary on how people make judgements and are motivated by their belief of being right. Around the climax, Nimona transforms into a giant shadowy monster after experiencing all of the pain she’s endured and nearly took her own life because she believed she was a monster. This was a powerful scene because we can understand feeling like no one will love or accept you, but there’s that small act of kindness that brings you back from that darkness.

Now...

Nimona is a modern classic that deeply explores identity and transformation within their characters in a rich environment and complex themes. This film makes the audience reflect on their own views on what they consider different while understanding self-acceptance and challenging societal norms. It’s a must-see for anyone who feels like an outsider and wants to learn about self-love and freedom from rigid ideas of identity. All I can say is that I’m emotionally exhausted from the rollercoaster of feels that I’ve felt.

#nimona #ballister x ambrosius #ballister blackheart #ambrosius goldenloin #nd stevenson #netflix #nimona movie #eugene lee yang #chloe grace moretz #riz ahmed

[just-late-roman-republic-things]

The methods Augustus used to secure his grip on power (and avoid getting stabbed like Julius Caesar), according to Mary Beard:

Ensuring loyalty of the military. Augustus reworked the army's pay and pension system to align their interests with serving the emperor, rather than their field commander. He also avoided letting generals outside of his family hold commands for too long in the same area, to prevent them from building up a following like Caesar and Pompey had, and he phased out triumphs, so they wouldn't get as much public attention.

Strengthening the Senate...sort of. He made senatorial decrees law (rather than merely advisory), included roles for senators in the fledgling imperial bureaucracy, and made senatorial status hereditary. This last bit meant senatorial families no longer had to publicly campaign for office, which had become extremely expensive by Caesar's time, and they were very pleased not to have to pay for that anymore.

Art/public works/propaganda. With Augustus, they're all the same thing. Public infrastructure projects enabled him to portray himself as a servant of the people, rather than their master. Art was a medium of framing himself as pious and upholding tradition, rather than overturning it. These projects often did have genuine benefits for the public good, like fixing Rome's roads, sewers and wells, and this public benefit was part of how Augustus legitimized his regime: "See, the old system brought you civil war and hunger, but the princeps gets things done."

Lastly, military superiority. The Romans had always equated good generals with courage, honor and leadership ability. The ability to put down revolts and even extend the empire was critical not for keeping the Roman public cowed - Augustus kept very few troops in Italy itself - but to make people believe his government was capable and trustworthy. And even when Augustus wasn't personally leading the troops, he made sure everyone knew he was commander-in-chief, and thus ultimately deserved the credit (at least per Roman tradition).

Beard is right to point out each of these factors. But there's a few more I wish she'd mentioned:

Marcus Goddamn Agrippa. The best general of his generation (better than Caesar, in my opinion), fantastic administrator, public works manager, diplomat, orator and builder. Augustus simply could not have survived his first decade in politics without Agrippa's skills.

Maecenas, Livia, and other advisors. Augustus actively sought out smart people to compensate for areas he wasn't very good at (like military tactics). He was also good at finding people who were both competent, honest, and loyal.

People skills. I love the common characterization of Octavian as a cold, taciturn fish, but in real life he was actually very good at putting people at ease, making them feel valued, and cracked a lot of jokes (often making fun of himself). One of the reasons senators accepted his rule was that he still consulted them often behind the scenes, so they felt like they still had some input in the government. He appears to have been genuinely popular enough that people kept voting for him to be consul even when he wasn't running for office and told people to cut it out.

Rome had been devastated by twenty years of civil war. Innumerable senatorial families had been killed (including many by Augustus...), people had suffered multiple famines and plagues, and a whole generation had grown up without seeing what a functional republic looked like. A lot of the generational knowledge and senatorial cohesion necessary to run the government had been lost. And everyone, senators included, was traumatized and frightened of losing the apparent peace that Augustus had imposed. That's why people kept voting for him (and sometimes demanding he become dictator) even when he'd declined - they had lost faith in the Senate's ability to govern.

This isn't to excuse his erosion of the democratic process, of course. But I do think Robert Morstein-Marx is correct in attributing the death of the republic more to the twenty-year civil war after 49 BCE than to the actions of any specific individual.

#jlrrt reads #mary beard #spqr book #octavian #augustus caesar #ancient rome #jlrrt essays

[thezoe611]

A more playful question, not to be taken too seriously... Which Miraculous would match your characters from the Geronimo Series? Gosalyn, Darkwing, Negaduck, etc...

Oh! I like this one!! Let's see (and this is the opinion of a follower of the Geronimo Saga, not the author)…

Gosalyn -> Ladybug (it may seem obvious, since she is the main protagonist of the saga, but IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO THINK OF ONE FOR GOS. I was going to choose the Dragon one, but I decided to go with the one who has the power to create because Gos has a lot of ingenuity when it comes to fighting, and she sees things from different perspectives. She doesn't have a flat vision, but rather a dynamic and free one… and because of the matter of couples^^')

Darkwing Duck -> Butterfly (ok, ok, we all know that DW likes to be the center of attention, and that he doesn't like being behind the scenes, but the power of the butterfly allows him to turn people into warriors who will help him fight evil, making him the leader without any claims^^'… And because the miraculous is purple and the theme would suit him well^^')

Launchpad-> Turtle (we all know that LP is the one who protects everyone, right? He's a guardian)

Negaduck -> Peacock (why not the one with the cat? the one with destruction? Because he is DW's counterpart, so his powers should be similar, and the ability to create not warriors, but any being that benefits him for his evil purposes so that, one day, I can be the #1 villain, it seems good to me^^')

Max -> the Cat (it was difficult for me to choose next to Gosalyn's… but then I thought about the couples thing, so I think unanimously he must be the kitty^^')

Goofy -> Monkey (his power to "make things crazy" is perfect for Goof ^^ ')

(bonus) Timothy -> Mouse (and no, it's not because the boy is a mouse^^'. He is a kid, but his main interest is to protect and support Gosalyn. This miraculous allows him to divide and become small, but still maintaining the super strength of a hero. He would thus support Gos without being in danger…. Although if miraculouses existed, the redhead would not let her child use one and get into fights^^')

What do you think? Which ones would you choose?

#darkwing duck #gosalyn #gosalyn mallard #negaduck #drake mallard #quiverwing quack #launchpad mcquack #launchpad #goofy #max #oc #geronimoseries #geronimo #rebellingstagnationblog #miraculous ladybug

[erisweekofficial]

Today, we offer you an AO3 exclusive creator Flames and Shadows.

"Eris is a complex character only seen through the eyes of his enemies in canon. His motives and schemes are only revealed later in the series, so at first he seems to be a protege of his cruel father who actively enjoys inflicting pain and exults in others' misfortunes. As he gets more involved in the narrative, he's revealed to be working undercover, maneuvering behind the scenes to thwart his father. In that way he's not so different to how Rhys is portrayed from the Inner Circle's perspective, but without the benefit of a supportive found family, and without almost unlimited power to alter minds and memories, or just mist people who get in his way. To me that's more interesting, plus it explains why his options were so limited. What attracted me to him as a character was the little moments where his care for his mother shows through, and how he treats Nesta with respect, parlaying with her as an equal, which was a nice contrast to how others were treating her at that time. And I loved the way he just got up and brushed himself off after being attacked in front of everyone at the High Lord's summit and carries on as though nothing happened, while Azriel, who attacked him and supposedly "won" the fight, is the one who is visibly shaken. That's how he wins, by keeping everyone else off balance, staying in control and looking for the advantages where he can find them. There's still plenty of mystery about him which makes it fun to write fan fiction about him, so I can indulge in my own theories about what was really going on behind the scenes - like my conviction that he was deliberately holding back against Feyre and Lucien so that they could escape, that he provoked the fight at the summit so that it would look like he was enemies with the Night Court and thus cover up their new alliance, and that he knew all along about Mor's sexual orientation. I love that he's a warrior but leans on words and cleverness more than brute force, and I think his character has a lot of untapped potential."

I have not had to the opportunity to read the entirety of this fic but I what I love that is does is it mixes politics of romance and politics of the throne and blends wonderfully into an Azris centered fic.

...where Eris has a wing fetish.

Click here for A COURT OF FLAMES AND SHADOWS

#eris vanserra #pro eris vanserra #eris acotar #autumn court #acotar #high lord eris #autumn court heir #eris #erisweek2023 #azris #eris x azriel

[invested-in-your-future]

What's so different that you'd need to rewrite everything? Can you share some of it ???

Hm I can paraphrase some of the lore changes, for example, because otherwise it would take (even more) walls of text otherwise.

For example:

My take on Mistral is that its a bit of a weird kingdom in that its actually more like multiple kingdoms mashed together (as a meta way to solve the eastern inspired stuff clashing with obviously greek stuff).

It's essentially three pretty different countries that were kind of forced to come together out of necessity (since I am running full on with the idea of the importance of the towers) or fall alone. So you have Haven at the center of it all as a sort of newer location that is officially "the central city" pushed by Ozpin's influence, but really beyond it's position and the way the communications array and academy being there ties the kingdom together, the three regions all have their own defacto (way older) capital cities, power structure, myths and beliefs. So you have a sort of an EU situation where on the surface you have unified interests, but behind the scenes different aspects of it are locked in a power struggle on where they want the whole "Kingdom" to go and which parts of the continent they see as "true" Mistral.

One unifying aspect between three regions is that they all share the same creation myth and thus believe that Continent of Anima is where civilization itself began. Each of regions has their "patron god", which is essentially deified aspect of the creation myth tied to their capital city. Given, its unknown how much of the actual myth is based in truth, because passage of time tends to distort some things and embelish others (especially with V3 already establishing Ozpin is not beyond making certain truths stay buried), but the folklore behind it is a unifying aspect nonetheless. You don't need gods to be "real" to use them in plot in a sensible way. Just legends and myths scattered in time.

You have three different regions with different influential people with their views, then you have WF subset that operates in Mistral and how they are taking advantage of the situation and on top of that you have other factions that see the shaken status quo as a chance to "make it right". And with the Fall of Beacon and the whole communication array becoming worthless (running off the WoR line about how if one tower falls, all stop working), those conflicts and interests slowly grow larger. For example, there would absolutely be those who would feel the outcome of "Great War" has "wronged" them and who have been trying to push laws to "rein Faunus in". Fall of Beacon would obviously be the proof that the faunus are to not be trusted for them and a way to build more political capital in the kingdom.

Likewise with communication deteriorating, it makes for an easy way to use distorted or false information for your benefit. For example, it would absolutely be in WF's benefit to try to paint Fall of Beacon as an attempt by Vale and Atlas to eradicate the Faunus and WF under Adam "valiantly fighting back". Likewise some would more likely find it favorable to paint Atlas as invaders who brutally betrayed their valuable ally, Kingdom of Vale and are coming for Mistral next.

The thing about a status quo is that while comfortable, it also sort of works like a leash. And once there's no status quo, a lot of aspects that worked together would see that as a green light to act on their interests.

And in that kind of mix and match of ideas, politics and worldviews, you'd have huntsmen and the kinds of roles they would have to take there, which ties into exploring just what it means to be a huntsman and whether the idolized view of "Being the Hero that Fights Monsters" always holds up.

So that's the kind of Kingdom of Mistral that's used as the setting.

You'd still have next arc after V3 go to Mistral and you'd still have some characters ending up there (but for different reasons, for example the reason JNRR are going there are to give back Pyrrha's mementos to her family (because NO you ain't using them to make you some new gear) and Blake is going there because she ain't going to some trip to Menagerie and is resolved to hit Adam where it hurts the most), but with no gods, no relics, no Salem's Evil Council of Evil and with a different lore and set up for the Kingdom, the outcomes and what happen there would have to be very different.

For one, it wouldn't be just a forest walk and the focus would be different (for one, Ruby having an actual story arc focus and Neo playing a role as Mistral would be kind of primarily Ruby and Yang's story). Some parts would still make sense (for example Nora and Ren backstory which was mostly nearly perfect in V4-proper still), but a lot would go pretty differently (can you believe Neptune actually plays a role in plot and has a character arc?!)

Which in turn has domino effect on how one would redo everything after too and it kind of snowballs into an avalanche of very different outcomes.

#RWBY #RWBY meta stuff mine #Ruby Rose #rwde

[peppertaemint]

Why the tae/kook narrative promoted on YouTube is a dangerous conspiracy theory

The dominant narrative of TaeKook promoted widely on YouTube is a conspiracy theory. And I am going to show you why.

What are they? The belief that certain events or situations are secretly manipulated behind the scenes by powerful forces with negative intent. Conspiracy theories have these 6 things in common: 1. An alleged, secret plot. 2. A group of conspirators. 3. 'Evidence' that seems to support the conspiracy theory. 4. They falsely suggest that nothing happens by accident and that there are no coincidences; nothing is as it appears and everything is connected. 5. They divide the world into good or bad. 6. They scapegoat people and groups. Why do they flourish? They often appear as a logical explanation of events or situations which are difficult to understand and bring a false sense of control and agency. This need for clarity is heightened in times of uncertainty like the COVID-19 pandemic. How do they take root?

Conspiracy theories often start as a suspicion. They ask who is benefiting from the event or situation and thus identify the conspirators. Any ‘evidence’ is then forced to fit the theory. Once they have taken root, conspiracy theories can grow quickly. They are hard to refute because any person who tries is seen as being part of the conspiracy.

How does this relate to the "ship" Taehyung/Jungkook?

1. The alleged plot: Jungkook and Jimin engage in fan service / act like a couple to cover up Tae and Jungkook’s secret relationship.

2. Conspirators: Bit Hit record label; they want the relationship covered up by Jungkook and Jimin.

3. Evidence: Because gay couples are not accepted in SK, Big Hit would never promote a real couple. Therefore, Jungkook and Jimin are acting to prevent the real couple from being exposed. Also, BH are editing out nearly all Taekook interactions to cover up the relationship. A lack of evidence = more confirmation the theory is correct.

4. You can’t trust what you see. All footage is manipulated to downplay TaeKook interactions. Therefore, if you see very little happening between Tae and JK, it means that it’s all true—BH is editing everything out. Also, every interaction between JK and JM also confirms the theory that BH continues to promote them; therefore Taekook is real. There are no coincidences here; everything is orchestrated behind the scenes by shady record executives. In an attempt to show the world this evil plot is hiding their love for one another, Tae and JK constantly post symbols of their love in content (Bert and Ernie dolls, cacti, etc.) You must read between he lines to see the truth - nothing is as it appears on the surface.

5. Divide into good or bad: TaeKookers good, Jikookers bad. Taehyung good (victim) and Jimin bad and a home-wrecker (callous participant in plot to cover the relationship). Big Hit is bad because they are the evil plotters pulling all the strings.

6. Scapegoating: Jungkook. They see Jungkook as the bad boyfriend, and it’s all his fault because he participates in the plot and gets too close to Jimin. He constantly hurts Tae because of this. Often these shippers feel Tae deserves better, etc.

This is written simply because this issue is that straightforward. This YouTube narrative is a conspiracy theory, and it is divisive and harmful to the BTS army community. I hope when you encounter it you will use the ideas here to combat the conspiracy. Also, please remember this post is about this particular narrative - shipping TaeKook is fun and fine without harmful conspiracy theories. 💜

#bts shipping #bts taekook on youtube #bts #bts ships #shipping as conspiracy #this type of shipping conspiracy duplicates across fandoms #pptm vintage post #jikook #taekook

[genoartus-inactive]

Auros AU: The Magic System

A lot of lore about this AU has accumulated behind the scenes, and it is time to talk about the Magic System.

This is a shortened/cut down version as it can get complicated, so if you want to know more, I may make another one, but you can also just send me an ask about it or leave a comment.

First, some general terms:

Aurics are the people of the world Auros, just how mobians are of Mobius.

People who can use magic are called Magi, the singular is Magus

Talents are abilities separate from regular magic, they are special powers certain people are born with if born in an area with a lot of magic energy. Example: Silver in this AU has light and darkness magic, but his telekinesis is a talent.

Elemental Magic

Magic is a natural part of Auros, flowing through it like streams. There are 9 main magic types that a person can be born as, their umbrella term being elemental magic:

Fire

Water

Earth

Nature

Wind

Lightning

Ice

Darkness

Light

Usually, aurics are only born with one magic type which is the only elemental one they can naturally use, signified by a magic marking somewhere on their body, usually on the chest over their heart. It can be hidden through clothing as well as things like chest fur, though markings also appearing on said chest fur isn’t impossible. However, rarely 2 or more can happen, either right at birth, or by the magus developing another type somehow later in life.

The markings when magic is not in use are usually faint, sometimes even blending into the fur depending on the colors. They do start glowing when magic is used, or if the magus trains to constantly have them glow passively.

Color variations can also exist, such as light markings being pink or water being red. However, they are also rarer and have no other benefit than looking unique.

Talents do not make them glow.

Elemental magic is often seen as the “base” of the world, as it is what the streams are made of. Thus, being a base, there are also other types, practices and their umbrella terms who sprang from them, for example:

Sigil Magic

Blessings/Curses

Holy Magic

Potion Making

Alchemic Magic/Blood Magic

Demonic Pacts/Rituals

Basics

These listed types are more advanced forms of the basic elemental magic, and thus are far more complicated to master and control. But that doesn’t make elemental magic completely easy. It is easy to learn the basics for, but hard to master.

Elemental magic can be used in 2 ways.

Controlling what already exists (A water magus controlling river water)

Creating something of said type from thin air (A water magus creating water from thin air)

1 is easier than 2, since 2 requires a lot more energy and concentration.

With no energy, no magic can be used, and with no concentration, the magic is unstable and either too dangerous to control, or won’t last long.

Constructs

One of the most powerful spells which exist.

Constructs are beings created by magi from pure magic, in a shape of their choosing, who fight by their side as long as deemed needed, unless the magus’s energy is drained first by keeping them around, or their concentration breaks.

Well-experienced magi can create constructs which can rival a proper sentient being and keep them around for a long time, though in the end, constructs are still temporary nonetheless.

To concentrate magic, some seek enchanted objects, often weapons, to have a physical object to project the magic into, though it is not necessary to practice magic.

While the magic comes from the streams directly and thus can’t be exhausted, the energy used is the physical energy of the body, which is why using magic is draining on a magus. It is exhausting and using it is similar to, for example, doing sports.

The markings indicate what type the magus’s body can process and which stream they can tap into.

If a magus tries pushing past their exhaustion it can result in them falling unconscious at best, at worst they continue using magic and overcharge themself.

A magic overcharge can cause a painful burnout, resulting in wounds and the loss of all their magic abilities, if they don’t die from it. If this happens, the markings they were born with darken and lose their glow.

The loss of magic through an overcharge is irreversible.

Auric Burst

The Auric Burst is an Umbrella term for when an auric defies the limits of their body and instead of an overcharge acquires a new type of form, often boosting their magical abilities. Such forms are unique to every auric who gets them, though some are rather known, like the form the people of Parashia take.

(Basically, the Super Sonic form would count as an Auric Burst)

The more magic a person is exposed to and/or uses, the more their body is affected by it, and can result in the development of new traits. Such traits are typically observed in older magi. For example, an earth magus might develop more rock-like skin, and a fire magi might develop a higher than average body temperature.

These new traits can be as much of a blessing as they can be a curse, and they are stronger the more magic exposure there has been. In extreme cases they have resulted in monstrous mutations which have driven people to insanity, though those require an immensely high amount of exposure and are thus rare.

Residual Magic

When interacting with other people and objects, what is known as residual magic is released, which promptly binds to the interacted object or person, though people rarely if ever notice it happen.

Every magus born with a type naturally has the magic of said type coursing through them, so when living life, just as one leaves behind strands of hair or even just skin cells, they also leave behind a tiny bit of magic.

Usually, said left behind magic simply returns to the streams in Auros, however, if the magus interacted with someone, or something, beforehand, the chance is high at least some of this leftover magic decides to bind itself with said someone/something.

If the residual magic binds with objects, the magic can possibly form into “memories” within said object. For example, a suit of armor constantly worn by a soldier into battle accumulates residual magic over the years. The armor, during this time, forms “memories”: such as how its owner moved and fought, and what damage the armor sustained. If said armor is now animated, it will use these memories for movement, fighting style etc.

Magic Sensitivity

Both magi and non-magi have a certain level of magic sensitivity, though typically, magi have a higher one. Said sensitivity allows an auric to have a closer connection to the magic streams, being able to feel it, see it, smell it etc.

Aurics with high sensitivity take to magic and their practices a lot faster than other people, though a too high one can often lead to it working against the regular senses. For example, the eyes can be affected and while the auric can see magic clearly, their sight is worsened in terms of seeing regular things.

Familiars

Often people like to have an animal companion at their side, and familiars are such companions with an enchanted connection to their owner. Said enchantment can often give the familiar a boost in their natural magical abilities, and allow for example the animal to talk with their magus through a type of telepathy.

Familiars are basically microchipped pets, with which you know where they are, and it tells people this animal is owned by someone already. However, the enchantment is complicated, which is why it is performed by more advanced magi and other people have to pay a high sum to get one.

It is one of the reasons this enchantment is usually reserved for “pets with a purpose”, think seeing eye dogs, or emotional support animals.

However, this is not a hardened rule. Any pet can become a familiar if its owner can make it one and wants to. No animal is off limits, either.

It also doesn’t always have to be a regular animal. At times experienced magi make themselves familiars, either through life mimicking magic, or magitech.

However, this is sometimes frowned upon, because of the implications and techniques needed to mimic or create life.

Magic Hotspots

These so-called hot spots are the areas in the world where the magic gathers the most, basically the lakes where the rivers flow in and out of, and they frequently have one dominant type which flows through them.

Aurics born around such a hot spot are far more likely to be born with said dominant magic type, or magic in general.

Gems

If a hot spot is strong enough, a gem will start to grow there and act as a stabilizer/plug to keep the magic flow stable.

Such gems would be the chaos emeralds, the time stones and the phantom ruby, but because of different cultures they don't all share the same name. These gems should be left in the places they grew in because if removed, the magic there goes haywire and cause massive damage to both the environment and people living there. However, this hasn’t stopped people from taking them anyway, resulting in such catastrophes, and the person either overcharging themself or extremely mutating.

Still, these gems have shown that they can be used as great power sources, or be turned into artifacts, even using their mutating powers for good.

The Master Emerald

The biggest gem of these is the master emerald, who serves as a stabilizer for the kingdom Aetherus, which is built on top of the largest magic hot spot in the world. There, all types of magus can be born, though some areas of the kingdom may have more fire magi, while another has more nature magi. All in all, it is pretty balanced, though.

#auros au #sonic au #infodump #magic system

[adagencyappplcombine]

The Rise of Video Marketing: Strategies for Captivating Audiences

The digital era of short attention- spans has brought about a challenge for businesses to innovatively come up with technology platforms that will captivate and engage their target audiences. One of the marketing tools that is today's most well-known and has had success is video marketing. The medium of video possesses the power to transmit messages, cultivate emotions, and permanently influence users. Thus, brands nowadays benefit from using this powerful tool to connect with their customers on a higher level.

Grabbing Attention in Seconds

In a world with a shortage of time and an abundance of content options, capturing the attention of your audience is mission-critical. Video marketing is the best platform for this accomplishment. Videos are able to easily attract and hold viewers’ eyes in a short period of time because of their ‘visually dynamic’ and ‘interactive’ modes. Whether through a tremendous opening shot, attractive visuals, or a compelling storyline, videos can instantly engage the viewer and compel them to know more.

Evoking Emotions and Building Connections

The video can touch so many people and evoke very profound feelings and strong emotions. Through combining visuals, audio, music, and narrative strategies, they can build an environment that connects deeply with the audience's emotional state. What matters most in this case is the video`s ability to touch the core of the person's feelings by either making them laugh, stressed, sad, or excited. This is what makes a good video another strong player in the marketing industry.

Conveying Complex Messages with Clarity

Some other times, when you need to explain a complex idea or a product but only text or static images are available, you may find it hard to explain it. Video marketing is an effective tool that companies can use to simplify and clarify all of their statements. Videos leverage visual demonstrations, animations, and storytelling to achieve this goal. The content is broken down into digestible and entertaining pieces for the viewer through a visual demonstration. Through illustrating meaning, it goes beyond the level of simple understanding but gives the viewers an opportunity to remember the information better.

Enhancing Brand Authenticity and Trust

Shared authenticity and credibility are the key components of having mutually trustful relationships with customers. Video marketing gives a chance for brands to showcase their personalities, values, and people behind the scenes. Providing customers, employees, or testimonial videos for a business is a way it can humanize its brand and build trust at the same time. Authenticity is something that gets the attention of the target audience and helps them develop a deeper relationship with the brand.

Leveraging the Power of Social Media

A widespread number of social media platforms are used by users to watch and share their videos in huge numbers. Video marketing enables businesses to catch this wave and take advantage of the power of social media to connect with a larger audience. Therefore, marketers are no longer limited by traditional advertising platforms. Brands can do this by encouraging video sharing, improving reach organically, and also building communities through their videos.

Conclusion:

Apppl Combine, a forward-thinking marketing agency, recognizes the transformative impact of video marketing. We believe in telling compelling stories, optimizing for mobile consumption, embracing live streaming, utilizing different platforms, and prioritizing SEO for video content. Stay ahead of the curve, embrace the video revolution, and watch your brand’s online presence soar. Ready to elevate your brand through video marketing? Contact us now to explore how we can create captivating video campaigns tailored to your unique needs.

#advertisement #creative advertising #digitalmarketing #ad agency #apppl combine

[localcommercialcleaners]

Unsung Champions of Sanitation: Exploring the Advantages of Office Cleaning

Office cleaning personnel often operate in the shadows, but their contributions are integral to upholding a hygienic and efficient workplace. These behind-the-scenes heroes tirelessly work to ensure that offices maintain not only tidiness but also cleanliness and safety.

Enhanced Workforce Efficiency

A clean, well-organized workspace promotes increased employee productivity. When employees are spared from the distractions of clutter and dirt, they can focus more effectively on their tasks. Office cleaners guarantee spotless surfaces, well-maintained floors, and inviting common areas. A pristine office environment can inspire employees to perform at their best, resulting in heightened productivity levels.Office cleaners Brisbane are always ready to help out people at affordable prices.

Healthier Workplace Conditions

Preserving a sanitary office is vital for the health and well-being of employees. Office cleaners play a crucial role in minimizing the risk of illness by routinely disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, elevator buttons, and shared equipment. Brisbane office cleaners have been doing an outstanding work. A clean workspace aids in preventing the spread of germs, thereby reducing the number of sick days taken by employees. This not only benefits individual employees but also contributes to the overall well-being of the organization.

A Professional Image

The appearance of an office sends a powerful message about the company. A clean and well-maintained office projects professionalism to clients, partners, and visitors. It conveys competence and a commitment to detail, which can significantly influence trust-building and the securing of business deals. Brisbane office cleaning is indeed outstanding. Office cleaners are instrumental in preserving this positive image by ensuring that the premises consistently maintain their best appearance.

Time and Financial Savings

Hiring dedicated office cleaners allows employees to concentrate on their core duties instead of diverting their time to cleaning or office upkeep. This translates into cost savings as resources are not channeled into non-core tasks. Outsourcing cleaning services to professionals guarantees efficient work, employing the appropriate equipment and cleaning products, leading to a cost-effective solution.

Prolonging the Lifespan of Office Furnishings and Fixtures

Regular cleaning and maintenance contribute to extending the lifespan of office furniture and fixtures. Office cleaners apply suitable cleaning methods and products to keep furniture and fixtures in good condition, thus reducing the need for premature replacements and the associated expenses.

Office cleaners are the often-unacknowledged heroes of the contemporary workplace. Their impact extends far beyond simply maintaining an orderly desk or a spotless bathroom. They are indispensable in creating a healthy, productive, and professional work environment. Many people prefer this kind of services. By enlisting dedicated office cleaners or outsourcing cleaning services, organizations can reap the multitude of benefits that these professionals bring to the table. From heightened productivity and health advantages to financial savings and a positive corporate image, the value of office cleaners is indisputable. Recognizing their significance and investing in the cleanliness and hygiene of the workplace is a crucial step in fostering a thriving and productive work environment.

[naadbrahmaidli]

How Food Franchise in India Contribute to Local Economies

Beyond the delightful aroma and mouth-watering flavors, food has the power to shape economies, uplift communities, and create a tapestry of experiences that enriches the lives of people. In this blog, we explore the remarkable ways in which the food franchise in Pune serves as flavorful ventures that contribute significantly to local economies. From job creation to fostering entrepreneurship, food franchises play a pivotal role in driving economic growth while satisfying the appetites of consumers across the globe.

Job Creation and Employment Opportunities

Food franchises are a dynamic source of job creation, employing a diverse workforce that ranges from chefs and servers to managers and marketing professionals. As these franchises establish their presence in local communities, they provide employment opportunities that extend far beyond the kitchen. These jobs not only offer financial stability but also serve as stepping stones for career growth and professional development.

Supporting Local Suppliers and Producers

The food franchise in India has the unique ability to amplify the economic impact by supporting local suppliers and producers. By sourcing ingredients and produce from nearby farmers and vendors, franchises contribute to the growth of local agricultural economies. This symbiotic relationship creates a cycle of sustainability, where the success of food franchises is intertwined with the prosperity of local food producers.

Entrepreneurial Empowerment

The best idli franchise in India model offers a pathway to entrepreneurial empowerment for aspiring business owners. Individuals with a passion for food and a dream of entrepreneurship can join the ranks of food franchise owners, benefiting from established brand recognition, training, and support systems. This fosters a spirit of local entrepreneurship, driving economic diversification and innovation within communities.

Generating Revenue and Taxes

Food franchises generate substantial revenue, injecting a steady stream of capital into local economies. The ripple effect of this economic activity extends beyond the franchises themselves, benefiting neighboring businesses and contributing to municipal revenues through taxes. These funds are then reinvested in public services, infrastructure development, and community initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents.

Cultural and Culinary Tourism

Food franchises can become cultural landmarks that attract tourists and visitors, boosting local tourism and hospitality sectors. Culinary tourism, where travelers seek out authentic dining experiences, is on the rise. Food franchises that offer unique and regionally inspired dishes contribute to the creation of vibrant food scenes that draw visitors, thus stimulating economic growth in the local hospitality industry.

Strengthening Local Supply Chains

As food franchises expand their reach, they create opportunities for ancillary businesses and services. From food delivery platforms to packaging suppliers and marketing agencies, a network of businesses emerges to support the operations of food franchises. This collaborative ecosystem strengthens local supply chains and encourages the growth of diverse enterprises.

The food franchise in Pune is not just about serving delicious meals; they are catalysts for economic transformation and community development. Through job creation, support for local suppliers, entrepreneurial opportunities, revenue generation, and cultural enrichment, food franchises weave a tapestry of economic prosperity that benefits local economies and the people who call these communities home.

As we savor the flavors offered by food franchises, let us also appreciate the behind-the-scenes contributions they make to the economic vitality of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

Are you ready to make a difference in your community while satisfying your appetites?

Explore the rewarding world of food franchises and start your entrepreneurial journey today. Interested in joining the Naadbramha Idli franchise, the best idli franchise in India? Discover the opportunities with Naadbramha Idli and become a part of our flavorful venture that contributes to local economies and enriches lives.

#best idli franchise in India #food franchise in Pune

[newsblog12]

Building Brand Trust With Transparency: A Guide for Web Designers

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, trust has become a cornerstone in determining the success of brands. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into how web designers can harness transparency as a tool for fostering trust and fostering lasting connections with the audience. Let’s explore the facets of “Web Design Transparency” in detail.

1. Understanding the Power of Trust

Why Trust Matters

In a world filled with countless choices, trust serves as a differentiator that can make or break a brand. Trust not only fosters loyalty but also encourages customers to become advocates for your brand, amplifying positive word-of-mouth. It can indeed be a catalyst for sustainable growth.

Building Trust Through Design

Design is more than just visuals; it is a silent communicator. Every element in a web design, from color schemes to typography, holds the potential to convey your brand’s honesty and credibility. A well-thought-out design strategy can thus be a potent tool to build trust.

Transparency as a Trust Pillar

Being transparent is about being real. Brands that aren’t afraid to share their journey, including the ups and downs, foster a deeper connection with the audience. It portrays a picture of authenticity, making users more likely to trust your brand.

2. The Transparent Design Principle

Foundations of Transparent Design

Transparency in design is about clear communication and honesty. It encompasses user-friendly layouts, clear messaging, and an honest portrayal of your brand. This transparency builds a strong foundation that nurtures trust and reliability among users.

Benefits for Brands

Adopting transparent design principles isn’t just an ethical choice; it’s a smart business move. It can translate to higher user engagement, better conversion rates, and heightened customer loyalty, setting a positive spiral of growth in motion.

What Users Expect

Modern users crave authenticity and honesty. They are more inclined towards brands that offer a genuine look behind the scenes, are open to constructive criticism, and are willing to share their journey transparently.

3. Web Design Elements that Promote Transparency

Clear Navigation

A website with clear, intuitive navigation portrays respect for the users’ time and needs. It indicates that the brand is open and straightforward, without hidden agendas, fostering a smoother and trustworthy user experience.

Authentic Imagery

In an age where stock photos are ubiquitous, using original, high-quality images speaks volumes. It paints a genuine picture of your brand, showcasing the real people and stories behind it, fostering a deeper connection and trust with the audience.

Accessible Content

Making your content accessible means respecting and acknowledging every user. Be it a clearly explained privacy policy or easy-to-understand product descriptions, it encourages users to trust your brand, fostering a respectful relationship.

4. Using Testimonials and Reviews

The Social Proof Phenomenon

Social proof, manifested through testimonials and reviews, serves as a trust magnet. Featuring real customer reviews not only elevates your brand’s credibility but also forms a personal connection, humanising your brand in the process.

Handling Negative Feedback

Transparent handling of negative feedback is a testament to a brand’s honesty. Addressing issues openly, and working to rectify them, often enhances brand perception, showcasing it as authentic and customer-centric.

Integrating User-Generated Content

Incorporating user-generated content, such as reviews or photos, directly into the web design offers a genuine, unfiltered voice of the customer. This strategy not only brings fresh perspectives but also builds trust through authenticity.

5. The Role of Clear CTAs (Call-to-Action)

Purpose-Driven CTAs

Each Call-to-Action on your website should have a clear, honest purpose. Ensuring that CTAs don’t mislead users is vital in building and maintaining trust, facilitating a transparent and fruitful interaction between the brand and the user.

Designing for Clarity

CTAs should be designed to guide users organically through their journey, without being obtrusive. A well-designed CTA is not only visually pleasing but also straightforward, indicating the brand’s honest intentions and fostering trust.

Feedback Loops

Offering immediate feedback when users engage with a CTA reassures them and reinforces trust. It forms a transparent communication loop, letting users know their actions are acknowledged and valued.

6. Openness in Data Handling

### Privacy Policies in Plain Language

Providing clear summaries alongside legal jargons in privacy policies displays respect for users’ understanding and time. It reassures users that their data is safe, fostering a relationship grounded in trust and openness.

Visible Security Measures

Showcasing security measures such as badges and certificates on your website is an effective way to bolster trust. It reassures users that the brand values their privacy and security, fostering a sense of safety and reliability.

Clear Opt-ins and Opt-outs

Giving users clear options to control the data they share portrays a brand that respects user autonomy. It fosters trust, as users know exactly where they stand regarding their data privacy, promoting a transparent relationship.

7. Consistency Across All Platforms

### Unified Branding

Consistent visual and content strategy across all platforms conveys a unified brand image. It shows that the brand is organised and reliable, which forms a strong foundation for building trust with the audience.

### Reiteration of Core Values

Reiterating your core values across platforms not only solidifies your brand message but also reinforces trust. It shows that the brand stands firm on its principles, fostering a transparent and respectful relationship with the users.

### Maintaining Update

Parity

Ensuring that all platforms offer the same updates and features showcases a brand that is organised and values its users. It paints a picture of reliability and trustworthiness, essential for building brand loyalty.

8. Educating the User

Informative Content

Publishing content that educates the users about your products, services, or industry trends can be a massive trust booster. When users find value in what you offer, it solidifies your position as a reliable industry leader.

Workshops and Webinars

Organising educational workshops or webinars showcases your brand’s dedication to user growth. It allows for real-time interaction and knowledge sharing, cementing trust and fostering a community of loyal users.

E-Books and Guides

Offering in-depth e-books or guides on relevant topics positions your brand as a reservoir of knowledge. Users who derive value from these resources are more likely to trust and advocate for your brand, leading to organic growth.

9. Admitting Mistakes and Owning Up

The Power of Apology

A genuine apology, when things go south, can work wonders. By owning up to mistakes and ensuring they are rectified, brands can turn a potential PR crisis into a trust-building opportunity.

Seeking Feedback

Actively seeking and valuing feedback showcases a brand that is committed to growth and improvement. It fosters a cycle of open communication and mutual respect, leading to a stronger bond of trust with the audience.

Continuous Improvement

Brands that are open about their improvement efforts showcase an authentic growth mindset. By communicating the steps taken towards enhancement, it paints a picture of a brand that values user feedback and is always on the path of betterment.

10. Transparent Storytelling

The ‘About Us’ Page

The ‘About Us’ page isn’t just a placeholder. It’s an opportunity to share your brand’s history, challenges, victories, and core values. A well-curated ‘About Us’ section fosters a deeper connection, making the brand narrative more relatable and trustworthy.

Blogs and Articles

Regular content that offers insights, addresses concerns, or shares behind-the-scenes stories can build substantial trust. It gives the users a window into the brand’s world, making the brand narrative more human and relatable.

Visual Storytelling

Leveraging videos, infographics, or other visual content can communicate your brand’s story more effectively. Engaging visuals combined with authentic storytelling can strike a chord with the audience, fostering trust and brand loyalty.

11. Responsive and Transparent Customer Service

Accessible Contact Information

A brand that is easy to reach radiates reliability. Ensuring that users can effortlessly find ways to connect fosters trust and shows that the brand is open to communication, feedback, and assistance.

Chatbots with a Human Touch

While AI-driven chatbots are efficient, they need to be transparent. By providing clear communication and an easy switch to human representatives, brands can ensure that the users feel heard and valued.

Feedback Mechanisms

Incorporating mechanisms to collect user feedback and showcasing actions based on it is essential. A transparent feedback cycle not only fosters trust but also showcases the brand’s commitment to growth and user satisfaction.

12. Regular Updates and Open Communication

Changelog Publications

Publishing detailed changelogs is a transparent way to communicate continuous improvement. It reassures users that the brand is proactive, keeping them in the loop, and fostering a sense of involvement and trust.

Newsletters and Communication

Sending out regular updates about new features, upcoming changes, or global events displays a brand that is in sync with its user base. It keeps the communication channels open, fostering a sense of community and trust.

Open Forums

Creating platforms for users to share feedback, discuss, or even critique is a bold move. While it opens the brand to criticism, it also showcases unparalleled transparency, which can be a significant trust booster.

Conclusion:

In today’s digital realm, the trust factor is more crucial than ever. Web designers, by integrating transparency into their designs, have the power to architect trust. By showcasing authenticity, brands can forge lasting connections, ensuring sustainable growth and user loyalty.

This is an extended blog post that covers the points in detail. Depending on the platform’s design, additional visuals, infographics, or real-life examples can be included to enhance user engagement.

[sterlingtechnolabs]

Benefits and Perspectives of Artificial Intelligence in Software Development

The concept of automation was nothing more than a fantasy as close as three decades ago. However the dawn of the new century brought forward an array of opportunities and allowed people from different professions to expand their skill set and resources. A major contributor to this phenomenon has been AI or artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence has created quite a dominant presence in various fields such as engineering, content creation etc, but the one field where it has had the most influence has without a doubt been software development and engineering.

The mainstream notion that revolves around the presence of artificial intelligence in the software development industry is that it is a threat to human employment and will soon force software developers and engineers out of work, by a hostile takeover. While a lot of evidence has been presented to support the same argument, to blindly trust this notion and regard artificial intelligence and its influence as an ulterior threat would be extremely foolish. The threat, or if there is one, is extremely minor and yet to be realised, the benefits that developers cultivate from the practical day to day application of artificial intelligence while developing various web applications, software or mobile applications.

Artificial intelligence and it’s assistance to software developers

Increased speed and reduced development time

Starting off with the basics, we have reduced development time and an increased speed of production, an advantage which is not exclusive to the software development industry per se. A common notion associated with machines is that they are faster, relatively more efficient and simply better, which is true also. When it comes to software development, creating lengthy codes for an application becomes a tedious job for a developer who cannot fulfill it unless given sufficient time. Artificial intelligence on the other hand requires a tiny fraction of the time and can present a fully functional error free code within a couple of minutes at best and hours at worst, thus significantly reducing the development time required by engineers to create a complex application.

Enhanced user experience

A common misconception surrounding ai and the software development industry is that the former’s role is limited to development and behind the scenes tasks. When in reality, it is so much more. Artificial intelligence or AI powered chatbots provide users with a platform to communicate with a particular firm or company and express their concerns in an organised manner. Not only is it easier for grieving users who can expect quick responses and follow ups on their complaints but it is also more efficient for firms since they are able to store the data collected by these ai platforms to further improve their product.

Eliminates errors

Human made products and services are bound to have errors or mistakes, even if they are the most minute and insignificant. Machines made on the other hand have been known to be held synonymous with error free, perfect and pristine. The same can definitely be held true. Applications and output created using artificial intelligence are bound to be error free. This is obviously beneficial for developers and consumers alike because it kills two birds with one stone. Not only does it improve customer experience and provide them with pristine service quality but it also helps firms and developers retain clients.

These were the primary values that artificial intelligence adds to the software development industry. However to mistake these to be the only positive contributions of ai would be Naive and foolish.

Answering questions in your mind

Q1. Is it true that artificial intelligence has the power to replace human developers?

While artificial intelligence is known to constantly evolve and learn from its mistakes to improve, to think that it poses a threat of eliminating human participation in any industry with little to no repercussions would be foolish and simply far-fetched.

Q2. Is there much of a difference between applications developed by humans and those developed using Artificial intelligence?

Even the work of something as complex as artificial intelligence is overseen by an experienced developer to ensure that the software developed has elements indicating its holistic development. To discriminate between products developed by either of the two would not only be unfair but also nothing more than a missed opportunity for consumers and clients.

Q3. Why can’t we get artificial intelligence to build an application for us, why does one need to pay a developer to do the same?

Artificial intelligence is a concept which hasn’t been fully understood. It is believed that ai in today’s times is the answer to any and every question, and while it is mostly true most consumers forget that there is another side to the coin, which is knowing what questions to ask. Artificial intelligence is trained to take your word as is. If you are looking to get your hands on a quality output that incorporates every element you desire in your application you need to contact an experienced developer or a firm like sterling technolabs who ensure that the output produced is a balanced blend of human skills and artificial development.

Wrapping up

You can hate artificial intelligence or you can be all for it, but one thing that no one can deny is the fact that it is here to stay. The influence and chokehold that ai has on certain industries is only increasing. It is in times like these, it becomes important for professionals especially like software developers to understand how they can best utilise this technology in the favor of themselves and their clients.

#Artificial intelligence'

[lancasternvzholden]

5 Things to Appear for inside a Cosmetic Exercise Program

Facial workout is nothing to be able to be frightened of, thankfully, unlike a surgical intervention, exercising can provide startling benefits without the dangerous or intrusive tactics. This is natural, there's no pain in addition to best of just about all, it works.

Coming from seen the television stars, celebrities and even others who about a regular basis use surgeries, injection therapy that plump, shots that paralyze, lasers and even medical ( dental ) procedures to alter their aging deals with; whatever we aren't privy to are definitely the powering the scenes upsets and disappointments if these modalities drastically replace the appearance. Quite than enhancement, presently there is shock.

For anybody who have tried out the injections in addition to are sick and tired of typically the upkeep, you are going to specifically love using facial foundation exercise rather than fine needles. And, people who have had the eyes done, your current neck lipo'd and also endured a surgery face lift, facial exercise will function for you to be able to tighten and lift individuals facial features that seem to be loosening and shifting. Revisions by the doc will certainly become a point of the past.

So what determines which usually exercise program will job for you? Listed below are 5 things to be able to search for so of which you achieve the outcome you desire:

one. Visible results 2. Gloves 3. Time frame and convenience 4. Reputation 5. Never ever anything else to acquire

Visible results are really seen almost right away for the exercise will be performed. Some exercising programs promise but never do the trick; the user becomes irritated and disappointed convinced that only a major intervention is in their future. All those tiny facial muscle groups will lift plus plump up if they are exercised using isometric along with resistance contractions.

Safety gloves are used to anchor the facial muscles thus that a shrinkage can be performed. Without using attaching techniques movements are repetitive contortions, puckers and twists. These types of types of actions may accentuate existing wrinkles. When making use of the gloves your own thumbs and fingers isolate the muscle mass or sdwf, anchor the area in that case contract it.

Some ease are essential to learning a great exercise routine. Wasting only a several minutes once a day should be sufficient to thoroughly exercise your own facial muscles. Easy to master exercises ought to only require mere seconds to accomplish.

Reputation of the exercise program signifies the company will stand behind their very own products in support of desire the very top results for their own clients. Examine the Much better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce if you have any kind of questions or problems concerning the company's popularity.

Nothing else to get is important because once you find out the routine, the technology is yours forever. Unlike shots, surgery and these modalities that need upkeep and maintenance, facial exercise is effortless, the program is simple to learn plus the workouts will keep the face looking toned and even lifted.

Cynthia Rowland is widely recognized as being an expert inside all natural facial fitness with more than thirty years encounter in health as well as beauty related areas. She has made an appearance for the View, NBC 4, Fit TV SET, HGTV and additional popular shows. This specific author, speaker in addition to television personality is leading the mission to keep people looking vibrantly youthful through natural techniques without spending their own children's inheritance.

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!%20%3Ca%20href=

#Lifting facial

[lonely-dog-song]

The fight scene in They Live between the main character & Frank was SO LONG!!!!!!!!!!!!! my goodness

#it made me mad that they were fighting so much like WHY CANT THEY JUST TALK.... or at least beat each other up a LITTLE & then leave #but frank had his pride and the main character just wanted him to wear some glasses. #ALSO that was kind of the whole point..... people that can help each other are instead turned on each other & nothing gets done #thus benefitting the people in power behind the scenes #overall i did like the anti-capitalist message. maybe bc ive never watched a movie with such a message but it was much to think about #lonely dog speaks #also i dont think ive ever heard a single person talk about this movie or even mention it #but the ''im here to kick ass and chew bubblegum. and im all out of gum.'' IS FROM THIS MOVIE i used 2 see ppl parody that all the time #also i would see clothes that say OBEY on them is that also from this movie... idk. but if it is i would believe it #'obey' is such a weird slogan to have on a shirt..... especially out of context.... i am getting off topic