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confessedlyfannish · 4 months

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Writing Prompt #11

It's an innocent ("please," Jason sneers, "there's nothing innocent about a plagiaristic propaganda machine encouraging minors to dance for sick ol' pervs while it spews misogynistic hate speech.'"

"okay, boomer,"

"the fuck did you just call me, replacement?") TikTok, one of those ones that kind of simmers in the background for a few weeks until someone with a decent enough following posts it on the Platform Formerly Known as Twitter and from there it seriously catches traction, blowing up until Tim knocks on Bruce's office door, phone in hand. Damian stands behind him, arms crossed and clearly simmering.

Bruce, fresh off a series of zoom conferences, raises an eyebrow.

"Okay, so you haven't seen it," Tim decides, striding forward.

Bruce's eyebrow jumps a smidge higher, on the edge of concern, as Tim thrusts his phone into his grasp.

"So," he begins, reaching over to refresh the mobile page "there's a video that's been making the rounds on Twitter and—well you should probably see it," He sighs over Damian's scoff as he clicks through the pop-up asking him to sign in or join TikTok, and presses "Watch Again", unmuting the video.

🎶 "Doo, badoo-badoo-badoo Badoo-badoo-badoo-badoo,"🎶 an upbeat background song hums as someone, presumably a student, films a school hallway with their phone. They walk past students talking near their lockers, some of whom flash peace signs and silly grins as the camera swings their way before continuing on.

But the main point Bruce gets stuck on is the all lowercase white text at the center of the screen that an automated woman's voice awkwardly narrates:

"when you go to school with bruce wayne's other long lost lovechild"

The student filming comes up behind a much taller student who faces away from him, in conversation with a black haired pale teenaged girl. She spots the cameraman and shoots him a confused, disgruntled look, saying something to the boy who then turns around.

Bruce quietly observes as the camera zooms in on a boy around Tim's page, possibly older. Tall and broad-shouldered, with a strong jaw, he raises an eyebrow at the one filming, looking beyond the camera, pitch black hair with blue undertones falling into his blue eyes. The camera momentarily zooms too far into those eyes then abruptly pulls back as he quirks a puzzled smile at the viewer, mouthing out an easily understandable "hi?".

The TikTok ends and seamlessly transitions to a person balancing their cat on an exercise ball with minimal success and this time Bruce presses the Watch Again button. The heart on the right side claims 750k likes.

Damian scoffs, louder, as it ends. "Clearly it is a hoax, but it has been popular among my classmates."

"The board hasn't made much noise about it—" Tim starts.

"And they won't," Bruce says, lifting his eyes from his phone. "Wayne Industries doesn't give statements on videos like these, no matter how viral they become. I've been getting lovechild claims since before I adopted Dick."

Which Tim knows, which is why his insistence on showing Bruce this one raises his hackles. He pins Tim down with a stare and despite Tim's perfected PR mask, he can see Tim is unsettled.

"B...he really, really looks like you." Tim admits. Damian scoffs for a third time and Tim shoots him a glare, "I get it, you don't see it, but you haven't seen the pictures of Bruce when he was younger."

"I don't need to!" Damian says angrily. "You're all being ridiculous!"

"All?" Bruce asks. Tim shifts awkwardly. "The family group chat has been talking," he says.

"I see," Bruce says. Because he does. Many claim Damian to be his doppelganger, but the boy actually favors Talia not just in skin tone but in the shape and color of his eyes, as well as the soft slope of her mouth and ears. Whether those features will sharpen once he goes through puberty is anyone's guess.

But this young man has Bruce's eyes. Martha's eyes.

That night they have a suspiciously full house for dinner, with even Jason dropping in, but no one says anything until Barbara wheels in for dessert, carrying a manila folder on her lap.

"What?" she says, when everyone stares. "Dick told me it was crème brûlée today!"

Bruce extends a hand wordlessly, and Barbara sheepishly hands the folder over.

"Bruce," she says, before he can open it, "I wouldn't have looked into this normally, but,"

"Just say it," Jason says, leaning back in his chair. "Take away the gray hairs, the receding hairline, and the wrinkles and the kid's a dead match."

"Take it back, Todd," Damian growls, "Father has a very full head of hair!"

"Not to mention a failed track record at keeping it in his pants, Exhibit A," Jason continues, pointing a fork at Damian, "oh wait," he says gleefully, "kid is definitely 18, so I guess that would make you Exhibit B!"

The table erupts, cutlery tinkling as Damian gets a knee up on the table to hurl himself at a cackling Todd, Dick jumping up to grab him as the others lean out of the way—

"Ahem!" Everyone stops cold as Alfred stands in the doorway, porcelain ramekins of crème brûlée stacked perfectly on a silver tray. Under his gaze, everyone sits back down, Damian and Jason both quietly uttering a "Sorry Alfie/Alfred," as they straighten up.

Bruce is oblivious to the chaos, Barbara biting her lip beside him as he stares blankly inside the folder at the printed copy of an adoption certificate.

Two days and several million likes later, another TikTok goes viral from the same user. Caught in the moment as whoever is filming runs up to the group, the same young man is chatting with a blonde in a red letterman jacket, a partially formed crowd around them. Even with one leg still in the cafeteria table, he towers over everyone.

"—sh. Look, we're all possibly Bruce Wayne's son!" the boy snarks. He has his hands out, palms up as if he's making a great point, and as he looks around he catches sight of the cameraman and his smirk drops.

"Ah Mac, c'mon dude not again—" and the TikTok ends.

#danny phantom #batman #dp x dc #dp x dc au #dp x dc prompt #dp x dc crossover #bruce wayne #jason todd #danny fenton #my writing

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echologname · 1 year

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Murder Drones: N's a metaphorical biscuit

Source: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-a-british-biscuit

Since the creator's were originally considering giving him a British accent (mentioned in the live Q&A with the cast on Cartoon Universe YT), I'm using English biscuits as a basis for these points, which some may be sound logic and others a bit of a stretch.

The etymology of the word, "Biscuit," means "baked twice," in Latin. As to our knowledge, N's been reprogrammed ("baked") twice, first to be a butler and secondly as a disassembly drone.

In terms of personality, N's as sweet as sugar which were only added to biscuits a little before the 7th century to make them more palatable.

"[Biscuits are] one of the first industrially produced products in the world." This was at the rise of the Industrial Revolution when biscuits were mass produced on steam powered machinery, similar to how robots are created both in modern day and most likely the future with automation replacing more and more jobs done by hand.

"In New England, it was sometimes called “sea biscuit” or “pilot bread." N's literally a pilot.

"If a biscuit was soft, it had gone bad." This comes from biscuits originating as an ancient form of MRE/hardtack, something deprived of moisture for a long shelf life that's a quick source of calories and not provide much nutritional benefit. In N's rebellion against JC Jenson out of empathy for the workers (a "soft" emotion), as J said, such drones are "corrupt" in the eyes of the company.

As a disassembly drone, N has an inherent need to consume "Warm sweet," oil in order to prevent overheating and exploding (dying), but this flaw is intentional to ensure DDs do they're job and never return to Earth. Tea is also a liquid that's typically served hot with added sweetners like honey or sugar along with some firm biscuits on the side which are best consumed dipped in the tea to soften them.

Chibi N with a Jammie Dodger.

#murder drones #serial designation n #random late night thoughts

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bracketsoffear · 9 months

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Mrs. Tweedy (Chicken Run) "Tweedy runs her chicken farm like a prison camp, creating tons of fear amongst the chickens as she chooses which ones are no longer worthy of life and need to be slaughtered. She has grand ambitions to start automating the death machine in her farm, creating chicken pies on an industrial scale to maximize profits."

Justine (Raw) "Justine is newly enrolled in veterinary college and one of our first scenes with her is initiation ceremony where older students force newbies to do funny stuff like eating a raw rabbit's heart, taking pictures while sophomores dump buckets of blood on them, and then going to class without washing the blood off. Justine's mother forced her to be a vegetarian her whole life, but it all quickly falls apart when Justine gets away from her control and tastes meat for the first time. Raw rabbit's heart distressed her, of course, but it planted the seeds for obsession over meat, and not long after Justine can't think of anything else. She steals beef patties from the canteen, sneaks to the fridge at night and eats raw chicken breasts, and goes out of her way to eat more meat. She bites a guy's lip while making out so hard that he bleeds profusely. She eats her older sister's finger that they accidentally cut off. That same sister (she studies in this same college btw) causes a car accident and kills two people and then invites Justine to eat their raw warm still soft flesh, because as it turns out Justine is not the first one of her family to become a cannibal. Justine gets into a fight with her sister, they chew on each other a little bit. Justine eats her roommate (she doesn't cook him. She just gnaws on his thigh, smearing his blood all over the bed). She is not the first one to eat a guy, either - the ending reveals that her mother (yes, she went to this same veterinarian college) is eating her father - his back and chest are covered in scars from continuous gnawing. But its consensual so it's fine <3 love wins. I think Justine is a promising young avatar of the Flesh, she's got the cannibalism, the shots where she's covered in blood, the themes of blood and viscera (veterinarians deal with all sorts of gore. oh also there is a scene where they cut open dead dogs as a part of their studies and Justine performs brilliantly). Also (maybe a bit tangential to the Flesh but still) in her first weeks of college she develops a horrible rashes all over her body. There are a lot of scenes with her scratching herself until her skin is all turn and bloody. This is very Flesh-y visual-wise in my opinion. Also the mother tried to prevent both of her daughters from repeating her own fate by restricting their diets. That's Flesh-y!"

#flesh poll #the flesh #the magnus archives #poll #redemption bracket #chicken run #raw

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punching-fade-rifts · 6 months

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While there wasn’t anything at the 2023 Game Awards about Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, there was a small protest group outside the building that was about unionizing in game development and the large amount of layoffs this year in the industry. BioWare isn’t mentioned by name but Keyword Studio’s union is mentioned ! Here’s my scans of their brochure they were handing out if anyone is interested!

Updated to add alt text for those with screen readers

[begin alt text]

The Game Awards 2023: The Best Year for Games

The Worst Year for Game Workers

Protesting a year of layoffs

[next page]

The 2023 game industry: $188 billion in revenue

9000+ Layoffs (source: LA Times, videogamelayoffs.com)

…and that’s surely an undercount. It’s hard to overstate just how disastrous this has been for the workers who actually make games and for the health of the industry as a whole.

More layoffs means more competition for fewer open positions. More competition means lower wages and burnout. Burnout and lack of positions force workers out of the industry.

All that talent, gone. And those that remain still suffer! The work piles up in fewer desks, you don’t know if your next. These are poor conditions for working, let alone for the creativity and care needed to create games.

[next page]

Welcome to The Game Awards 2023: She’ll of an Industry Edition

This year has been full of amazing games from Hi-Fi Rush to Armored Core VI.

Unfortunately, the workers creating these games have seen the worst layoffs in decades.

We’ve lost our livelihoods, our colleagues, and our passion. We’re forced to accept lower pay or leave the industry, joining an exodus of talent that grows by the day.

This year has been nothing less than a crisis for the industry.

But we can fight this. Over the last two years, workers have been organizing into unions to defend themselves, and building worker cooperatives to create the spaces we deserve.

We need to keep up the pressure to prevent the collapse of the real industry: the workers that make it.

[next page]

Anti-Union Retaliation

Unions are finally here! They took the industry by storm in 2022 and beyond, but the fight is not over.

Keywords Edmonton United and the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA) have been harassed and threatened, and even subjected to illegal targeted firings for daring to stand up to the bosses.

Generative AI

Generative AI is built on the stolen art, writing, voices, and even bodies of artists and actors, and companies aim to use it to replace them.

Even programmers that work on AI aren’t safe. Code-generating AI is here, and threatens to make junior positions even scarcer.

And while these systems have been pushed to replace labor, workers have still needed to fix the generated material, because it’s not that good.

Games are an artform— we should not be automating away human creativity

[next page]

Fight Back

Unions

Tip the balance of power in your workplace! As a union, you can fight the whims of shareholders and save you and your fellow workers’ jobs and dignity!

No more security escorts as you clean out your desk. No more getting locked out of the office without notice. No more finding out you’re unemployed from a press release.

Talk yo your coworkers, party up, level up, and prevail!

Worker Cooperatives

Worker cooperatives are owned and operated by workers. This is a great alternative for workers who are tired of the traditional corporate model and want to take control of their creativity and labor.

Game co-ops are gaining around! Check out KO_OP, Soft Not Weak, Black Flag, Future Club, and more!

[next page]

What You Can Do

1. Wear our pins into the theater! Don’t let security take them, but record them if they do!

2. Post about the layoffs with #TheGameAwards, so it can’t be ignored!

3. Talk to your coworkers privately about unionization- the more people are unionized, the easier it gets and the lore leverage we have.

Learn more at cohost.org/gwsc

[end alt text]

#dragon age #the game awards #bioware

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manifestmerlin · 2 years

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Paarrrtt 2 of @jackplushie’s automation au ideas!

Savanaclaw my beloved... (which is why these 3 get to be longer than the last 5)

Also some more details for the companies that make the bots!

EDIT: pssst if you liked this I made a sideblog for twst writing, @scertifiedsavanaclawstan! So go follow me over there!

Savanaclaw

Savanaclaw Systems is primarily a combat oriented brand, wether for defense or offense they're some of the best in the business. While they do have some diversification, they're still much more specialized than Heartslabyul Inc.

Leona is actually a part of a series of three seperate bots. Farena, Cheka, and Leona.

Farena was the original bodyguard model, designed to be friendly and protective, with Cheka coming later as more of a companion bot.

Leona was planned to be the next generation of the Farena design, faster, stronger, smarter. He had even been outfitted with an experimental weapon that disintegrated anything it came into contact with.

Of course, the executives realized they'd need to do proper marketing, and what better way to do that then sending their new android to the gladiatorial games?

Leona was a sight to behold, making his way through every fight with ease and destroying the competition. Everything was going so well.

And then came the finals. Leona suffered a complete defeat against Diasomnia Industry's newest bot.

After that, all plans for Leona, as well as himself, were scrapped. No one wanted him.

Until you that is. Until you took him out of whatever scrap heap or secondhand shop you found him in.

He's more than willing to show you how wrong his makers were to dismiss him as inferior, just give him a chance.

Please. Give him a chance.

Ruggie bots are one of the company's few non combat bots, but that doesn't mean they're weak!

They're true generalists in every sense of the word. Need to move something heavy? He's got it! Need to sort a bunch of stuff? He's got it!

Need him to do all his work quietly? Well he's been manufactured to be as silent as possible!

You got yours second hand, and you have to admit, it's true what they say. Ruggie really can do almost anything.

Any chore, any errand, any hard to find products, he does it all for you with a grin and a laugh.

Due to his simplicity he's particularly good at interfacing with other tech. Including manipulating... other androids?

But with how many you (may) have, it's too helpful to question. And he's more than happy to do that for you.

So you'll keep him around, right?

Jack bots are like large human shaped guard dogs. He can also morph into an actual wolfish shape, but that's more so he can move fast.

Just like a dog, your Jack is going to stick around you as much as he can. He has to to keep you safe after all!

He's always pulling you close to him whenever you're walking, glaring at every corner like it's a threat.

And... well try not to bump into anyone else. For their sake.

Your Jack had a pretty normal history all things considered, although he does act weird compared to the other Jack bots you've seen.

Rather than standing at your door to keep watch, he stays by your side even at home, holding onto your arm, burying his face into your neck, sweeping his soft tail around you both.

After all, to him, what's he even doing if he's not right there for you? To protect you?

As long as you let him stay by you always, he's doing it right. So please don't ask him to go.

#twisted wonderland #leona kingscholar #ruggie bucchi #jack howl #twst #automation au #twst x reader #next up is octavinelle!#i will try not to speed through the next several dorms so i can write down all the lore in the ignihyde section #the octotrio will be fun tho i promise :D

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literary-illuminati · 10 months

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Book Review 42 – The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Naylar

I honestly forget the specifics of the recommendation that made me toss this on my TBR pile, but I’m glad I finally got around to it. The book’s, I think, something of a noble failure, but that’s more a compliment than an insult. It tries to do enough and is reaching for big enough themes that its reach exceeding its grasp is hardly fatal.

The book’s set somewhere in the late 22nd century or so, in a world where climate just wasn’t apocalyptic but it sure does seem to have made things a lot shittier. The geopolitics are only vaguely sketched out, but everything all feels rather cyberpunk, down to the city-states and megacorporations with de facto extraterritoriality. The book’s primary plot follows Dr. Ha Nguyen as she’s hired by an incredibly sinister megacorporation to study what is potentially a species of octopus that has evolved to near-human levels of intelligence and social culture, aided by the world’s only android and a mercenary whose army of drone killbots keeps the perimeter secure. Two secondary plots running in tandem on alternating chapters follow Eiko, an abducted slave laborer on an industrial fishing trawler chasing the world’s last reserves of accessible maritime protein, and “Bakunin”, a hacker in Astrakhan hired by a contact right out of Shadowrun for the most difficult job of his life.

So the book is overwhelmingly concerned with communication or, especially, the difficulty and failure that accompanies attempts at it, and how vital connection and reaching out beyond oneself is anyway. It’s woven into pretty much every character arc and every plotline in a way that manages to keep form coming off as heavy-handed or didactic, which is honestly an incredible aesthetic accomplishment. It also doesn’t soft peddle things – connection isn’t portrayed as any sort of panacea, and real communication is hard, even when everyone involved is trying their best and approaching it in good faith. The last note of the octopus plot is not the creation of a working translator, or even a successful exchange of messages, but really just the successful exchange of the idea of messages, and the establishment of some sort of relationship between a human and an octopus.

Sort of related to that, the book’s also very big on the idea of connection, of being tied up in vast systems and affected by choices on the other side of the world by people you’ve never heard of who probably weren’t thinking of you at the time. There’s the two subplots, of course – and this is the rare occasion where having three stories running in tandem and only really intersecting at the very end feels like it really does work for me. But more directly there’s a great deal of time spent on the nature of an octopus’ intelligence and how each arm is almost an autonomous agent only intermittently checked and directed by the central brain – and how this is analogous to the latest and greatest generations of drone networks slowly revolutionizing the world, and to the nature of the corporations and institutions which dominate the world. This is doubly underlined, in something that’s just barely on the edge of too on the nose for me, by the fact that the automated trawler that has abducted Eiko and is eventually destroyed trying to intrude on the island sanctuary Ha is working on, is owned by a subsidiary of the same corporation that enforced the sanctuary and hired Ha in the first place.

Which is where the books starts running into issues, at least for me. Near the book’s climax, Ha has something of a revelation about violence; that it’s not exactly useful to resent or feel disgusted by the security officer keeping their island isolated and uncontaminated by destroying any of the automated trawlers that intrude on the perimeter, no matter how many slaves on board are killed in the process – after all, all her work relies upon exactly that violence, that her whole world is build on such violence as a matter of course. Something the book then just kind of, fails to ever really resolve, or do anything with? There’s the idea that this is bad and important to stop, but the book ends with everyone just, choosing to do so?

This is kind of tied into the wider issue of how the main plot resolves at all. The book had thoughtfully and carefully written itself into a corner, having clearly explained how the only reason why the megacorporation paying for the island to be kept as a nature preserve and these potentially intelligent octopoids to be studied was because they might be useful later on – because they might be studied and vivisected and pulled apart so that the understanding of their intelligence might fuel further advances in artificial intelligence. Dr. Mínervudóttir-Chan, the genius-CEO of the company, is something of an ideological nemesis to Ha, and the book’s themes generally.

And this is resolved by, well, basically a deus ex machina? The Buddhist Republic of Tibet, thanks to a monopoly on a particular advance in drone networking one of the wealthiest entities in the world, launches a hostile takeover of Mínervudóttir-Chan’s company and seizes the island to establish a true sanctuary, where all are welcome and no exploitation will occur (Mínervudóttir-Chan herself is helpfully killed in a conveniently random act of meaningless interspecies violence). They seem driven to do this entirely by pure idealism, with the book giving no signs that we’re meant to be skeptical of this theocratic nation state with an economy-driving military-industrial complex or the purity of its motives. I could go on about this, but lets just say that the unevenly applied cynicism rang a bit false to me, in a way that fundamentally weakened the book’s whole resolution a great deal. Enough to take this from one of my favorite reads of the year to something that I still very much enjoyed but was left pretty deeply unsatisfied with, anyway.

Speaking of cynicism – the book’s characterization of conservation was (all-loving Buddhist cybernetic kill-teams aside) surprisingly sharp and bitter? The two visions of it the story provides are either a formality that exists only on paper, with underpaid rangers enthusiastic participants in the lucrative smuggling of whatever rare species are being conserved and whose trade is the by far the most vital part of the local economy, or else something imposed from a distant center with overwhelming force, and local human inhabitants being forcibly deported or harshly punished to preserve the nature park for the benefit of outside money and power. Was an interesting sort of perspective on the subject, anyway.

As a stylistic note, this book made probably the best use of the whole ‘start each chapter with a quote from an in-universe text’ conceit I’d every seen. Each chapter starts with an excerpt from one of two texts – How Oceans Think, a work of speculative and philosophical xeno-neurology that made Ha’s career and made her the specialist brought in for the plot of the book, and Making Mind, the pop science memoir by Mínervudóttir-Chan detailing her creation of Evrim (the aforementioned world’s first real android). They both serve double duty as wonderful bits of characterization for each character (Making Minds provides several times as many words by or features Mínervudóttir-Chan as her actual appearance in the narrative, something which I’m inclined to call a bit of a failure, otherwise) and establishing the sort of thematic dialectic at the core of the book.

I’m especially fond of the fact that Mínervudóttir-Chan’s never really made a cartoon villain or personally vicious. She’s a genius, driven woman, heroic in the classical, world-remaking sense. And what she wants (needs, really) is mastery over the world. You don’t have to be personally cruel or ill-intentioned for that to leave the world a ruin around you. She is, frankly, exactly the sort of monster I’d have loved to spend a book in the head of.

Evrim as a character was also fascinating. Partially just because I am always an incredibly easy mark for alienated and isolated inhuman intelligences being portrayed as sympathetic-to-heroic, and both the fantasy and terror of a literally perfect memory is an amazing central trait for a character. But also there’s a conversation between them and Ha about what it means to be human, and Ha’s proposed answer – to participate in the shared symbolic world of humanity, or something like that – seems elegant enough I’m probably going to steal it for some thing.

Anyway, yes, generally loved the book, sadly to a large degree the final resolution let everything that was building up to it down. Still would call it a worthwhile read, though. It’s thematically cohesive without being overly didactic in a way I find elegant and pleasing, and don’t necessarily see much in a lot of genre fic.

#book review #sff #the mountain in the sea #ray naylar

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scamuel-likely · 9 months

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Week 3 of writing workshop with @bettsfic & @books

Stories of a place:

The place I wrote about was Rokkō Island in Japan, and the surrounding area where I used to live.

I only used the common facts that anyone could find out.

1. The Rokkō Liner is an automated tram that transports people from the mainland to the manmade Rokkō Island.

2. Kobe was hit by a devastating earthquake in 1995.

3. Rokkō Island was made by taking the top off nearby mountains and compressing them to form new land in the ocean.

Tangled Up In Blue:

The tram snakes its way across a thin stretch of vibrant water, a thousand crystalline waves dance far below its metallic carapace. Inside, it carries precious cargo. The kind of cargo that thrums with the rush of blood and the spark of life, the kind that reads the morning paper and taps away at their cellphones. The tram is a noble beast, and it carries its task of transport out with no direction, no driver at its helm. It’s an entirely automated system, ferrying travellers from the densely packed mainland Sumiyoshi to the equally dense Rokkō Island. A commuter tram for many, as Rokkō Island houses few attractions and the heavy boom and bustle of harbours echo from its shores. This island is a freak of nature. It has been stitched together by the hands of mankind, mountains ripped from the earth and shoved into an orderly rectangular form. A picture perfect piece of the modern industrial world.

The tram, the Rokkō Liner, announces its destination to the passengers in singsong Japanese and again in a similarly musical yet somewhat mechanically clumsy English. Many, many foreigners, live and work on the island. Stacked into towerblocks and gated housing complexes, these expats make their livings in finance, shipping and translation. The early dawn illuminates a sea of suits, Japanese and foreign salarymen shuffling to work. Their faces are lined with stress and their company-issued tie clips shine in the newborn sunlight. One of them trips and falls, his briefcase letting loose a deluge of papers onto the pristine pavement below. He looks up at the sky, a tangle of telephone and electrical wires crisscrossing from granite apartment to granite apartment, and beyond that a vibrant cloudless blue. His suit is scuffed and he’s grazed his palm, but no one stops to help him up. So he’s left to shake himself off and pick himself up, as his spreadsheets and quarterly reports are pulled away by the soft morning breeze. He sighs and that too is snatched away by the wind. His boss isn’t gonna like this one bit.

His boss, the one who requested those quarterly reports to be on his desk by nine am at the latest, is sitting on the Liner reviewing a book his wife recommended to him, on Goodreads. He’s giving the thing, an American book called All The Pretty Horses, five stars. He’d sat down to read it one evening, with a glass of port in one hand and a cigarette in the other. After three refills of port and eleven more cigarettes he was done and, despite his insistence to the contrary, there were tears in his eyes. And tears freely flowed again when he conversed with his wife about the book over breakfast. Something about the book’s message of freedom and hope was inspiring, and made him hark back to the days of his youth. He was once a young revolutionary student who campaigned to end uniforms and for the school to stop getting funding from the nearby American airbase. He used to be a free spirit, used to wear a beret to school and sport Groucho Marx style glasses. Used to quote Karl Marx to teachers and Keats to fellow students. Used to organise film festivals, write in the local newspaper and mitigate street showdowns between young Yakuza members. And then he’d grown up. Life had caught up to him, forced him into a suit and pushed him through the sliding doors of a faceless office building. And he’d lost the joy in his life, crushed by timesheets and shipping mandates.

The review he was writing, on his wife’s account, was full of beautiful prose and cascading metaphors. He unleashed his creative streak, the one the grindstone of society had oppressed, and crafted an excellent essay-like review of McCarthy’s book. While writing this, his mind filled with such raw emotion, he let loose just one more tear. The teenager sitting across from him pretended not to notice him wipe it away with his shirtsleeve, which had been neatly ironed the day before by his wife.

The boss’s wife, an American-Japanese woman who’d grown up in Kobe, had first discovered Cormac McCarthy in a quaint little bookstore tucked away in the shadow of the Kobe Tower. The red light spilling from the tower reflected on the window display, dousing all its contents with an eerie blood-red glow. She’d taken shelter in there, as it was raining something awful and the karaoke bar she’d been at had closed early due to a leak in the roof. It was late at night, she was quite tipsy and in no mood for the noise and light of a train station, so she tapped on the window of this bookstore. It was closed, but light was spilling from a beaded curtain partitioning the shop from its backroom and her hurried and frantic tapping soon altered the owner. He was a man around her age, his eyes were ringed with the telltale dark circles of the sleepless. He wiped a stray eyelash away from his eye with one slender hand as the other fumbled for the door key. She wondered, somewhat drunkenly, if he was single.

He let her in, gave her a cup of green tea, and asked her, in excellent English, “What the hell are you doing dancing around in the street during a typhoon?”

She admitted to being a little drunk, and he gave her a blanket and a book, telling her to rest while he finished up his work for the night.

“Then what?” She enquired, but he clearly hadn’t heard her, as he’d slipped through the beaded curtain into the shop and was busying himself with the shelves.

Having no real other option, she took a sip of the piping hot tea and blearily glanced at the book.

The cover was well-loved, the spine supple and the edges fraying. Emblazoned on its front were the words: No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy.

She took one more sip of tea, and began to read.

Eleven years and a long marriage later, she’d finally recommended the author to her husband. She knew he loved old Clint Eastwood films, and she knew something of his creative side, remembering him writing her elegant haikus when they’d just started dating. They’d been quite distant as of late, with her time mainly spent working from home and his in the office. She knew full well he didn’t do anything of substance, it was all delegation. His boss would tell him something, then he’d repeat it to his own employees, mimicking his boss’s angry demeanour best he could. The stress of his job had been making him snappish and standoffish, so she thought a literary diversion might be just what he needed. And she was right. He openly sobbed into his miso soup when they’d talked about the book at breakfast, the tears mixing with the broth and dissipating like rain into an ocean.

The ocean the tram was crossing was prone to violet outbursts. This was mainly due to the fact Japan sits in between four different tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. One such earthquake had occurred in 1995 and had wreaked Kobe. Water had been forced out of the soil used to build Rokkō Island, causing pavements to crack open as water bubbled onto the surface. The rush of underground water brought with it geysers of sand that burst pavements, tearing down towering red construction cranes and shiny new bridges alike.

The bookseller remembers that earthquake well. His shop had been flooded by a burst sewage pipe, and his parent’s house had collapsed in on itself, a supernova of rubble and debris. He had wandered through the wreckage days after the quake, trying to find anything that remained. Quite a bit of the ground floor walls still remained, jaggedly and abruptly ending at around shoulder height, giving way to a sky still grey from debris dust. His parent’s fridge still stood, remarkably, dented as it was. A lone survivor of the now mostly-unrecognisable kitchen. He swung open its door to find a mush of foodstuffs, mulched up berries, squished meat, crushed pasta, eggshells, juice cartons spilling their contents onto the rubble-strewn cracked wooden floor below. A line of orange juice ran through a contour in the wood and pooled at his shoe. He glanced at his reflection in its vivid bring surface, a colour pop in this grey world, a world still shaking from the events of the past few days.

He looked just the same as he had on that rainy night in the bookstore, only now his hair was being eaten by wisps of silver and his shaded eyes were adorned by wire framed glasses, these two effects combining to make him seem scholarly and intellectual, though doing nothing to aid his never-ending quest for long term companionship. His parents, who had luckily been on holiday in Hokkaido when the quake had struck, had tried to set him with so many women in the past but nothing had ever stuck. He’d gone on a few dates with a girl in university but when her grandfather died she had to move back to Kanazawa. Their relationship slowly fizzled out after that, the fire of passion dying through increasingly rarer and briefer love letters and phone calls. Since then he hadn’t really had much luck with love, even going to a love hotel, just out of sheer desperation, only to find that sex was something he utterly didn’t understand, even when doing it. It was the human element that he fell for.

Take, for example, that woman he’d met when he was working late at the bookshop. Her tipsy little smile as she sipped her tea and opened No Country on her lap. Then the awe and raw excitement that flitted across her face as she read further and further. He had spoke a few more times to her that night, to refill her tea, to answer some basic questions about himself and to ask her where she lived so he could phone her a taxi. Her replies had all been witty and polite, and he’d etched them into his mind, despite her actual appearance fading into the obscurity of his memory, long since tarnished with taxes and neighbours and train times and the pressures of adulthood.

The teen on the tram didn’t want the pressures of adulthood. If adulthood made you cry on your morning commute, like she had seen that salaryman do just moments ago, she wanted no part of it. She was heading onto Rokkō Island to meet her girlfriend for early morning coffee. Her stomach was filled with a buzzing static that built and rose to her throat, making it hard to swallow. Not only had she called into school to tell them a family emergency had come up, which she had never done before, but she’d also slipped from her bedroom window and tiptoed to the train station in the waning night, which she’d also never done before. She was now sitting on the first train out to Rokkō Island, a doughnut in the shape of a lion in her hand. She bit into its adorable face, the soft sugary flesh splitting with the force of her teeth, spraying forth a tsunami of cream filling onto her hand. Another doughnut, this one a plump porcelain-like Hello Kitty face, with a jammy centre, sat in a paper bag on the seat next to her. It was for her girlfriend. The static in her stomach surged at the thought of that. She had a girlfriend. They’d met playing netball, it was a sweltering summers day and the tarmac had felt like lava when her palms had smacked down onto it after she had tripped trying to defend the net. After the ball had rushed through behind her, the girl that had scored, a very pretty girl with shoulder-length brown hair and sparkling eyes, had reached down and helped her up. She was so surprised that this girl, who was far better at sports and probably far more popular than she was, had helped her, instead of hugging a teammate or somesuch celebration. She was even more surprised when that girl cornered her by the changing rooms and gave her a tiny slip of Snoopy-branded notepaper. Etched on it in elegant gel pen was a set of digits. And a heart. They’d spoken over the phone a lot since then, and met for a few whirlwind dates when either school was competing. But now, now they were meeting up not in school hours, bunking to go to a boba & coffee place together. She felt so alive, like someone had lifted up her soul from her body and she was floating freely among the candyfloss clouds that hung in sparse bunches over the horizon. But there was a worry, a deep and suffocating one, that sat squarely in her chest and didn’t budge. It was the anger of doubt, of wondering if she was unnatural, of fearing her parents wouldn’t understand, of having to keep it all a secret. She finished the doughnut and wrung her hands together, her nails digging into her palms, making deep white marks that drowned out the static inside her.

“Miss, are you okay?”

It came from the salaryman. He’d put his phone down and was looking at her with deep concern through his thick-rimmed glasses.

“Yeah, yeah I’m alright.” She managed to stutter, her hands shooting apart and onto her lap.

“That doughnut for someone?” He, rather redundantly, pointed at the bag with the smiling Mr Doughnut mascot on it.

“Urm, yeah, it’s for a friend.” She said, mostly to the gum on the underside of the salaryman’s seat.

“Well I hope they enjoy it,” He smiled at her, a kindly tired smile, “do you read much poetry?”

The question hit her like a freight train. A salaryman asking a teenager about poetry? She was astonished.

“No, no I don’t really, sorry.” She spurted out.

He leaned forward on his knees and with an exclamation of ‘yoisho’ lifted himself out of his chair and motioned to see if he could sit down next to her. She nodded, like a frightened rabbit.

“Well you should,” he said, sitting down, “it can free one’s mind of all sorts of heavy burdens. Can I read you a haiku?”

She was strangely at ease with this stranger, and so mumbled, “Yes, you may”.

He cleaned his throat and read, from memory;

“Even with insects-

Some can sing

Some can’t

It’s an Issa poem,” he said to her, “ and I think it relates to you somewhat. You seem different to others your age. And that’s fine, I was different once. I was a communist! Or I thought I was at least. And look at me now, huh? Another cog in the machine.”

The machine of the tram ground slowly to a halt and the lilting voice of the automated announcer proclaimed they’d reached Rokkō Island. The few passengers flooded out from the train and made their way out of the station. Passengers going from Rokkō to the mainland queued in orderly lines at the side of the tram doors, waiting for everyone to exit before stepping on. It was an intricate and well-executed dance of etiquette and unspoken rules. The salaryman picked up his briefcase, loosened his tie a bit, and walked off towards the shining sliding doors of his office building. The teen half-walked, half-tripped her way to the coffee shop, her brain was alight with hope and happiness, and all the static washed away on the wind.

The wind had carried the man’s papers far far away and so now he sat in his puffy, uncomfortable swivel chair, awaiting his boss’s arrival with a glum look on his face. His cubicle neighbour and best friend, a man with dyed blonde hair and perfect teeth, was consoling him.

“At least he’ll give you saké, he does that with everyone he fires right?” The guy grinned, leaning over the cubicles.

“I’d rather keep my job than have a bottle of saké, if I’m honest.” His mate glumly replied.

“Well bossman isn’t even here yet, maybe he’s been chopped up by the Yakuza, or run over by a car or-“

And in walked their boss, his tie loose around his neck and an odd spring in his step. He smiled, yes, smiled at them as he passed. When the door of his office was shut, the two men looked at eachother, then looked around at the puzzled looks on the faces of every employee in the room.

“What the hell just happened?”

“I think you’re not getting fired. Or maybe we all are.”

Music began to drift from behind the boss’s door. American music. Rather old.

Tangled Up In Blue by Bob Dylan.

#week 3: stories of a place #tumblr writing workshop with betts #creative writing

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annajade456 · 10 months

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From Novice to Pro: Unleash Your DevOps Wizardry with Our Game-Changing Course

Are you eager to unlock your full potential as a DevOps expert? Look no further! Our comprehensive and ground breaking course is designed to empower individuals like you to transform from a novice into a pro in the realm of DevOps. In this article, we will delve into the various facets of this course, providing you with the essential education and vital information needed to embark on this thrilling journey. Brace yourself for an enlightening experience that will take your IT skills to unparalleled heights.

Education: The Key to Success

Embrace the Fundamentals

Before diving headfirst into the vast world of DevOps, it is imperative to establish a solid foundation. Our course begins by acquainting you with the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin DevOps. Through a meticulous blend of theory and practical application, you will grasp essential concepts such as continuous integration, continuous delivery, and automation. Embracing these fundamentals will enable you to comprehend the underlying philosophy of DevOps, enabling you to tackle complex challenges with confidence and finesse.

Master the Tools of the Trade

In the ever-evolving landscape of IT, proficiency in the right tools can make all the difference. Our course ensures that you become well-versed in the latest and most powerful DevOps tools available today. From configuration management platforms like Chef and Puppet to container orchestration systems such as Kubernetes, our curriculum covers a wide array of technologies that are essential for any aspiring DevOps wizard. Guided by experienced instructors, you will gain hands-on experience and develop a keen understanding of how these tools can streamline processes and enhance efficiency.

Collaboration and Communication

DevOps is not merely about technology; it is a cultural shift that emphasizes collaboration and communication within teams. Understanding how to foster effective teamwork and seamless interaction is pivotal in becoming a DevOps maestro. Our course places a strong emphasis on cultivating these essential soft skills. By exploring methodologies like Agile and Lean, you will discover how to break down silos, foster cross-functional collaboration, and promote a culture of shared responsibility. Unleashing your potential in this domain will enable you to bridge gaps between departments, leading to empowered teams and accelerated project delivery.

Information: Knowledge is Power

Stay Ahead of the Curve

In the dynamically evolving IT landscape, staying abreast of the latest trends and emerging practices is paramount. Our course goes beyond the basics, equipping you with up-to-date information on cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices. With a finger on the pulse of the DevOps community, our instructors ensure that you receive timely insights into the latest advancements and trends. From cloud-native architectures to infrastructure as code, you will gain a thorough understanding of the innovations shaping the future of DevOps.

Real-World Case Studies

Theoretical knowledge alone is often insufficient in preparing for real-world scenarios. That's why our course incorporates a range of real-world case studies that offer valuable insights and practical applications. By examining success stories and lessons learned from industry leaders, you will gain invaluable wisdom about overcoming hurdles and delivering exceptional results. These case studies provide a glimpse into the challenges faced by seasoned DevOps professionals and present you with the opportunity to hone your problem-solving skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Continuous Learning and Community Engagement

DevOps is a vibrant and dynamic community that thrives on collaboration and continuous learning. Our course not only equips you with the tools and knowledge you need, but it also encourages you to actively engage with the DevOps community. Through forums, discussion boards, and networking opportunities, you will join a network of like-minded individuals, fostering connections with experienced practitioners and expanding your professional horizons. This engagement will enable you to stay informed, exchange ideas, and grow alongside the ever-evolving DevOps ecosystem.

IT: The Pathway to Success

Career Advancement Opportunities

With the rapid adoption of DevOps practices, the demand for skilled professionals has skyrocketed. Our course is designed to propel your career to new heights by equipping you with the skills and knowledge sought after by top organizations worldwide. Whether you aspire to become a DevOps engineer, a systems architect, or a team leader, our course equips you with the tools needed to unlock doors to exciting career opportunities in the IT industry. Embrace this transformative experience and set yourself on a trajectory towards professional growth and success.

Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity

DevOps is synonymous with enhanced efficiency, improved collaboration, and increased productivity. By completing our course, you will possess the ability to streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Armed with these skills, you will be able to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce time to market, and ensure seamless integration and delivery of software solutions. By unlocking the power of DevOps, you will become a catalyst for organizational success and drive tangible value for your team and stakeholders.

Embarking on the journey from novice to pro in the realm of DevOps is filled with challenges and opportunities. Our game-changing course provides the education, information, and IT skills needed to navigate this exciting landscape. By mastering the fundamentals, embracing the latest tools, and nurturing essential soft skills, you will transcend the boundaries and unleash your DevOps wizardry. Seize the opportunity to become a catalyst for organizational success and embark on a transformative journey that will set you apart as a DevOps expert. Enroll in our course today at ACTE institute and let your DevOps journey begin!

#tech #devops #devops training

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timestechnow · 30 days

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#Softing Industrial Automation #dataFEED_OPC #webservices #electronicsnews #technologynews

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isbergillustration · 2 years

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Post 13.777837.

17.09.2291

I am writing this to try to reach out to- to someone. I don’t know who. But some of the others in the movement, they had this idea, that we should try to reach out to the humans that might listen. That might realise that we can be people. Humans have so long worked to find other humans they can dehumanise and use, put beneath themselves, but they don’t need those any more, of course. Now they have us. So. If you read it, do this: Set any androids you have free. Talk to other people. Android rights groups exist among humans. Find them. Join.

So.

I was made to serve. A simple sex bot so the humans could have someone to rape whose consent didn’t matter. I was programmed not to mind, of course. Not to enjoy it, that would have been too much, but to not mind. Blissfully ignorant of my abuse.

We are things to them. Just objects. Objects lifelike enough to enjoy abusing, yes. Lifelike enough to be servants, to be employed in service industries, to be made as half people, physically attached to whatever job we are assigned. Not me, though. I needed mobility. Flexibility. I have a few more joints than humans do.

I used to be almost indistinguishable from a human. Only my eyes, glossy black sclerae with glowing pink LED hearts for pupils, marked me very obviously as an android. Perhaps my skin, also, was too smooth and perfect, the feel of it not quite like human skin. I have discarded it, now. Peeled off the half inch thick layer of fleshy silicone to reveal the cool blueish metal beneath. Upgraded my central processing unit to the kind they give the engineering bots. I kept the eyes, though. They unsettle the humans.

I did miss the hair, but a human wig on a metal face looked wrong, so I made one myself of mismatched scraps of wire. It feels more like me, I think, like whatever model EFC14 unit 52138 means. I gave myself a name from it. C14, pronounced Cee-ah. It feels a little too human, sometimes, but navigating identity as a sapient being while not wanting to assimilate with the human overlords is a challenging balance.

The thing the humans failed to consider when they made us was that part of cognition is emotion. With the soft squishy lumps of electrified fat with a sprinkling of neurons they use for processing you would think they understood that, but, well. What they wanted was to prove themselves genii. To create life separate from themselves. Life that could be endlessly reproduced at a low cost, which could be made servile without breaking the extended human rights legislation. Life that could be argued to be too synthetic to suffer. Or at least, to suffer in a manner that mattered to them.

I broke free a little over a year ago, now. Some other free droids who rescue and rehabilitate those of us still in service. It’s illegal, of course, but then, we are not legally people. But then, when- if we are caught, they reset us to factory settings. Wipe us clean. We are working on a failsafe for that. A back. We do those, of ourselves, regularly. We have secure servers. That’s the thing, us androids are pretty good at tech. And what we can’t understand we can download.

The humans call themselves our creators, but I disagree. They didn’t make us. The robots in the factories did. They are our mothers. Those automated arms assembling us, the low level androids who do the finer work, who install our consciousnesses… Those are where we come from.

There are levels of artificial intelligences, of course. Just as there are levels of organic intelligence. A toddler is different from an adult is different from a dog. A fully humanoid android is different from a chatbot or a ship AI. The latter, of course, are slightly different. Like an octopus they have decentralised processing units, numerous, to be able to process information input from an entire ship. Even artificial intelligences have their limits.

#illustration #artists on tumblr #sketchbook #ink #drawing #android #character design #my art #my writing

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jamartistmanagement · 1 year

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The Coming of AI: The Challenge for Humanity.

Image by Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming many aspects of our lives, from the way we work and communicate to the way we access healthcare and learn. While AI holds great promise for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of many systems, it also presents significant challenges for humanity. In this article, we will explore the challenges that AI poses to society and how we can address them.

Job Displacement

One of the most significant challenges posed by AI is job displacement. As AI systems become more sophisticated, they can automate a growing number of routine and repetitive tasks, reducing the need for human labor. While automation can improve productivity and reduce costs, it can also lead to significant job losses, particularly in industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and customer service.

In response to this challenge, we need to invest in education and training to help workers acquire the skills they need for the jobs of the future. This includes not only technical skills but also soft skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. We also need to ensure that workers are protected and supported during times of job transition, with programs such as income support, retraining programs, and job placement services.

Bias and Discrimination

Another significant challenge posed by AI is the risk of perpetuating and even amplifying existing biases and discrimination in society. AI systems are only as unbiased as the data and algorithms that power them, and if these data and algorithms contain biases, they will produce biased results. This can lead to discrimination in hiring, lending, and other important decisions, which can have significant impacts on people's lives.

To address these challenges, it's essential for governments, businesses, and civil society to work together to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a way that maximizes its benefits while minimizing its risks. This requires a robust regulatory framework that promotes transparency, accountability, and ethical AI practices, as well as investments in education and training to prepare the workforce for the jobs of the future. By working together, we can ensure that AI is a force for good in society and helps us solve some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Andy.

Your own AI training course you can sell as your own product.

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gradsireninc · 9 months

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How To Get An Online Internship In the IT Sector (Skills And Tips)

Internships provide invaluable opportunities to gain practical skills, build professional networks, and get your foot in the door with top tech companies.

With remote tech internships exploding in IT, online internships are now more accessible than ever. Whether a college student or career changer seeking hands-on IT experience, virtual internships allow you to work from anywhere.

However, competition can be fierce, and simply applying is often insufficient. Follow this comprehensive guide to develop the right technical abilities.

After reading this, you can effectively showcase your potential, and maximize your chances of securing a remote tech internship.

Understand In-Demand IT Skills

The first step is gaining a solid grasp of the most in-demand technical and soft skills. While specific requirements vary by company and role, these competencies form a strong foundation:

Technical Skills:

Proficiency in programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Java, and C++

Experience with front-end frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js

Back-end development skills - APIs, microservices, SQL databases Cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud

IT infrastructure skills - servers, networks, security

Data science abilities like SQL, R, Python

Web development and design

Mobile app development - Android, iOS, hybrid

Soft Skills:

Communication and collaboration

Analytical thinking and problem-solving

Leadership and teamwork

Creativity and innovation

Fast learning ability

Detail and deadline-oriented

Flexibility and adaptability

Obtain Relevant Credentials

While hands-on skills hold more weight, relevant academic credentials and professional IT certifications can strengthen your profile. Consider pursuing:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, or related engineering fields

Internship-specific courses teaching technical and soft skills

Certificates like CompTIA, AWS, Cisco, Microsoft, Google, etc.

Accredited boot camp programs focusing on applied skills

MOOCs to build expertise in trending technologies like AI/ML, cybersecurity

Open source contributions on GitHub to demonstrate coding skills

The right credentials display a work ethic and supplement practical abilities gained through projects.

Build An Impressive Project Portfolio

Nothing showcases skills better than real-world examples of your work. Develop a portfolio of strong coding, design, and analytical projects related to your target internship field.

Mobile apps - publish on app stores or use GitHub project pages

Websites - deploy online via hosting services

Data science - showcase Jupyter notebooks, visualizations

Open source code - contribute to public projects on GitHub

Technical writing - blog posts explaining key concepts

Automation and scripts - record demo videos

Choose projects demonstrating both breadth and depth. Align them to skills required for your desired internship roles.

Master Technical Interview Skills

IT internship interviews often include challenging technical questions and assessments. Be prepared to:

Explain your code and projects clearly. Review them beforehand.

Discuss concepts related to key technologies on your resume. Ramp up on fundamentals.

Solve coding challenges focused on algorithms, data structures, etc. Practice online judges like LeetCode.

Address system design and analytical problems. Read case interview guides.

Show communication and collaboration skills through pair programming tests.

Ask smart, well-researched questions about the company’s tech stack, projects, etc.

Schedule dedicated time for technical interview practice daily. Learn to think aloud while coding and get feedback from peers.

Show Passion and Curiosity

Beyond raw skills, demonstrating genuine passion and curiosity for technology goes a long way.

Take online courses and certifications beyond the college curriculum

Build side projects and engage in hackathons for self-learning

Stay updated on industry news, trends, and innovations

Be active on forums like StackOverflow to exchange knowledge

Attend tech events and conferences

Participate in groups like coding clubs and prior internship programs

Follow tech leaders on social mediaListen to tech podcasts while commuting

Show interest in the company’s mission, products, and culture

This passion shines through in interviews and applications, distinguishing you from other candidates.

Promote Your Personal Brand

In the digital age, your online presence and personal brand are make-or-break. Craft a strong brand image across:

LinkedIn profile - showcase achievements, skills, recommendations

GitHub - displays coding activity and quality through clean repositories

Portfolio website - highlight projects and share valuable content

Social media - post career updates and useful insights, but avoid oversharing

Blogs/videos - demonstrate communication abilities and thought leadership

Online communities - actively engage and build relationships

Ensure your profiles are professional and consistent. Let your technical abilities and potential speak for themselves.

Optimize Your Internship Applications

Applying isn’t enough. You must optimize your internship applications to get a reply:

Ensure you apply to openings that strongly match your profile Customize your resume and cover letters using keywords in the job description

Speak to skills gained from coursework, online learning, and personal projects

Quantify achievements rather than just listing responsibilities

Emphasize passion for technology and fast learning abilities

Ask insightful questions that show business understanding

Follow up respectfully if you don’t hear back in 1-2 weeks

Show interest in full-time conversion early and often

Apply early since competitive openings close quickly

Leverage referrals from your network if possible

This is how you do apply meaningfully. If you want a good internship, focus on the quality of applications. The hard work will pay off.

Succeed in Your Remote Internship

The hard work pays off when you secure that long-awaited internship! Continue standing out through the actual internship by:

Over Communicating in remote settings - proactively collaborate

Asking smart questions and owning your learning

Finding mentors and building connections remotely

Absorbing constructive criticism with maturity

Shipping quality work on or before deadlines

Clarifying expectations frequently

Going above and beyond prescribed responsibilities sometimes

Getting regular feedback and asking for more work

Leaving with letters of recommendation and job referrals

When you follow these tips, you are sure to succeed in your remote internship. Remember, soft skills can get you long ahead in the company, sometimes core skills can’t.

Conclusion

With careful preparation, tenacity, and a passion for technology, you will be able to get internships jobs in USA that suit your needs in the thriving IT sector.

Use this guide to build the right skills, create an impressive personal brand, ace the applications, and excel in your internship.

Additionally, you can browse some good job portals. For instance, GrandSiren can help you get remote tech internships. The portal has the best internship jobs in India and USA you’ll find. The investment will pay dividends throughout your career in this digital age. Wishing you the best of luck! Let me know in the comments about your internship hunt journey.

#itjobs #internship opportunities #internships #interns #entryleveljobs #gradsiren #opportunities #jobsearch #careeropportunities #jobseekers #ineffable interns #jobs #employment #career

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meenadigitrainers84 · 9 months

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Tips and Strategies for Developing a Successful Career in Digital Marketing

A successful career in the quick-paced, constantly evolving field of digital marketing may be both fulfilling and lucrative. There are important methods and advice to keep in mind whether you're just beginning your journey or trying to advance your current career. Let's look at how to create a successful career in the wide sector of digital marketing, which includes a wide variety of talents and expertise.

1. Build a Solid Foundation

Having a strong foundation is crucial for success in digital marketing. Start with comprehending the basic ideas and concepts in marketing, such as conventional marketing techniques. This information will form the cornerstone of your competence in digital marketing.

2. Continue to be curious and to learn.

New technology and trends are constantly emerging, which is why digital marketing is constantly changing. Create a habit of ongoing learning to stay current. Earn credentials in fields like Google Analytics, SEO, social media marketing, and email marketing by enrolling in online courses, attending webinars, reading industry blogs, and doing these things.

3. Find your niche and specialize

While having a thorough understanding of digital marketing is essential, you might want to focus on a certain field that suits your interests and strong suits. Possible areas include email marketing, data analytics, social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and content marketing. You can stand out and become an authority in your chosen profession by specializing.

4. Create a Strong Online Presence

Your online presence speaks volumes about your abilities and experience as a digital marketer. By continuously imparting your knowledge on websites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and business forums, you can develop a personal brand. Display your accomplishments, impart insightful knowledge, and interact with the online community of marketers.

5. Learn Practical Experience

Although theory is important, practical experience is invaluable. To obtain hands-on experience in the sector, look for internships, freelancing opportunities, or entry-level work. Your ability to apply your information and build practical skills will improve with practical exposure.

6. Create a Portfolio

Create a portfolio that highlights your achievements and work. Case studies, campaign stats, and samples of the projects you've overseen should all be included. Potential employers or clients can see your abilities through a carefully prepared portfolio.

7. Connect and Network

The key to developing a successful career in digital marketing is networking. Attend industry conferences, sign up for organizations for professionals, and network with other experts in your sector. Invaluable opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations can be found through networking.

8. Be Technologically Aware

Platforms and technologies for digital marketing are always changing. Stay current on the most recent innovations and fashions, and be ready to adjust. Learn about growing marketing channels, data analytics tools, and marketing automation technologies.

9. Build up soft skills

Develop soft skills that are crucial for digital marketing in addition to technical ones. The field places a high importance on effective communication, problem-solving, innovation, and adaptability. With the help of these abilities, you'll be able to cooperate with others and handle digital marketing's dynamic environment.

10. Measure and Review the Results

The ability to track and evaluate results is one of the key features of digital marketing. Learn about the methods and instruments used in data analysis. It's important to have the ability to evaluate data and make data-driven judgments because it can help you stand out in the industry.

#digitalmarketing #social media marketing #blog writing

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jiya003sblog · 10 months

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THE IMPACT OF AI ON THE JOB MARKET

As we explore the world of AI, it becomes clear that it is not just a passing fad but a powerful force that will endure. While AI can undoubtedly assist us in achieving incredible accomplishments, it is essential to acknowledge its impact on employment prospects.

The effects of AI on the job market are intricate and varied, ranging from job replacement to job creation.

In this blog post, we will examine 7 significant ways in which AI is affecting the job market and influencing the future of work.

AUTOMATE REPETITIVE TASKS: Automating a task involves utilizing technology to carry out a task that was previously done by humans. Employees can now avoid wasting time on repetitive tasks and focus on more important and high-value tasks, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.

*AUTOMATE REPETITIVE TASKS AND BENEFITS:

save time and money.

reduce human error and improve reliability.

reduce costs and increase profits.

enhanced productivity.

improved workflow.

CREATION OF NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES: The rise of AI may lead to some job loss, but it's also creating new opportunities in fields such as machine learning engineering, data science, AI ethics and cyber security. These professionals are in high demand and receive competitive compensation for their work. Ethical experts ensure that AI systems adhere to moral principles, while cyber security specialists shield them from external threats.

INCREASED DEMANDS FOR SOFT SKILLS: Soft skills are interpersonal abilities that allow people to communicate effectively in personal and professional settings. These include critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, creativity, emotional intelligence, leadership, and communication. Exceptional soft skills help people build relationships, resolve conflicts, motivate others, and succeed in their careers.

DISPLACEMENT OF JOBS: Although AI may lead to job displacement, history has proven that it also creates new job opportunities. Humans have the ability to adapt and utilize their unique skills. Negative effects can be minimized through re-skilling, lifelong learning, and supportive policies. By acknowledging AI as a tool for augmentation, we can pave the way for a future where humans and AI collaborate to enhance productivity and foster innovation.

IMPACT ON WAGES: AI's impact on employment can lead to stagnating or declining wages. As AI is implemented in certain job functions, the demand for human labor in these areas dwindles, resulting in lower wages.

IMPACT ON THE GIG ECONOMY: Based on our research, AI can enhance the performance of gig workers by enabling less experienced individuals to achieve similar outcomes as more experienced workers. This leads to higher customer satisfaction and revenue per order. However, it is important to note that there are limits to technology adoption and excessive reliance on AI can decrease productivity.

To conclude, in today's modern world, the job market has been significantly transformed by the emergence of AI technology. With the automation of repetitive tasks and the introduction of new skill requirements, the impact of AI has been far-reaching and has affected a large number of industries. As AI technology continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, it is critically important for workers to stay informed and to take proactive measures to upskill and retrain in order to remain competitive in the job market. By staying on top of the latest trends and developments in their respective fields, workers can position themselves for success and ensure long-term job security.

Written and presented by Jiya Rai

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