#but its heavily commercialised here

[omcmedicalblog]

Tips to start a Medical Device Startup Company | OMC Medical Limited

Medical device startups play an essential role in revolutionizing patient care and improving quality of life. If you share our passion for innovation, starting a medical device company could prove rewarding yet challenging – this article offers comprehensive guidance to help get one started.

Tips to start a Medical Device Startup Company

1. Brainstorm an Engaging Idea:

Every successful medical device startup begins with an original idea. Start by researching the healthcare industry and identifying unmet needs or potential gaps in existing solutions; engaging healthcare providers, clinicians and patients for insights to gain further understanding;  engaging healthcare providers, clinicians/patients for insight.

Having this insight allows for creative problem-solving ideas which meet genuine needs while offering commercial viability potential.

2. Conduct Market Research:

Once your idea is developed, conduct extensive market research to gauge its viability. Consider factors like target market size and competition analysis; reimbursement policies consideration; pricing strategies investigation and market adoption factors as part of this analysis process.

Conducting such research will allow you to refine and assess the commercial potential of your idea while making more informed decisions in your startup journey.

3. Create an Effective and Diverse Team:

A strong and diverse team is critical to the success of any medical device startup. Bring on board experts with experience in product development, clinical research, marketing and finance; find individuals passionate about your mission with skills to overcome any hurdles; partner with advisors, consultants and industry professionals in order to leverage their knowledge and networks.

Establishing your product in multiple markets successfully relies heavily on finding an experienced regulatory partner who can collaborate on this endeavor.

4. Create a Prototype and Proof of Concept:

Give life to your vision by developing a prototype and proof of concept. This step involves translating engineering designs to functional prototypes and conducting preliminary tests – common challenges medical device startups encounter during this step include prioritizing features that set their product apart while iterating upon user, expert, and advisor feedback to refine its design according to user input received; additionally it’s wise to keep regulatory requirements front of mind to ensure compliance from day one.

5. Navigating the Regulatory Landscape:

Navigating and understanding the regulatory environment are integral parts of starting a medical device company, and OMC Medical’s team of regulatory affairs specialists can offer invaluable assistance here.

They know exactly what steps are necessary to gain regulatory clearance or approval for your medical device – their knowledge of FDA or CE marking requirements can help streamline this path, saving time and resources while ensuring compliance.

6. Secure Funding:

Producing a medical device from concept to commercialisation requires significant financial resources. In order to secure funding sources such as angel investors, venture capitalists, government grants and crowdfunding platforms – identify them beforehand by conducting due diligence processes with potential angel or venture investors before creating your pitch deck and business plan outlining market potential, competitive advantages and financial projections; develop relationships with prospective investors as you prepare for due diligence processes with them; seek guidance from experienced entrepreneurs or join incubator and accelerator programs offering funding options;

7. Establish a Go-to-Market Strategy:

Craft an inclusive go-to-market plan, covering marketing, sales and distribution channels. Create key opinion leaders as supporters for your product or service; employ digital marketing strategies or attend industry trade shows as means of increasing awareness while sparking interest; establish distribution channels to guarantee efficient product reach among target users.

8. Adopt Continuous Learning and Innovation:

For success in today’s ever-evolving medical device industry, cultivating a culture of continuous learning and innovation is paramount. Keep abreast of research findings, technological advancements, regulatory requirements and feedback from users and healthcare professionals on ways your product could be enhanced further; adjust accordingly in response to market dynamics and user needs in order to sustain growth over time.

Conclusion: Starting a medical device company requires innovation, persistence and careful strategic planning. By following these steps and drawing upon the experience and knowledge of industry experts, you can successfully navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry and develop groundbreaking medical devices that improve patient outcomes while contributing to expanding healthcare overall.

Finding an exciting medical device startup idea requires extensive research and investigation. Here are a few sources and methods that may help you uncover an impressive concept to move your vision forward:

Market Research:

Conduct market research to identify unfulfilled needs, gaps or challenges within the medical device industry. Assess current trends, emerging technologies and market dynamics while noting any areas where existing solutions fall short or innovative approaches could greatly enhance performance.

Market research tools available around the globe are invaluable resources for medical device startups. Here are a few commonly utilized ones:

 Statista: Statista is a user-friendly market research platform providing access to various statistics, market reports, industry studies on medical devices as well as consumer trends across numerous fields such as medicine.

 GlobalData is an industry leader in business intelligence and market research reports, offering in-depth analyses, forecasts and insights into the medical device industry – covering market trends, competitive landscape and emerging technologies.

 PHE Statistics: PHE provides regional-specific healthcare system NHS data platforms available worldwide.

 NHS Knowledge and Library Hub: Here you will find full-text versions of books, journal articles and access to NHS libraries of resources.

 PubMed: PubMed is an acclaimed database for biomedical literature research. With access to an expansive archive of research articles, clinical studies, and scientific publications related to medical devices, healthcare technologies and therapies – making it an indispensable source for keeping abreast of recent advancements in healthcare research and therapeutic advancement – PubMed can be used as an invaluable source for keeping abreast with recent innovations.

 IBISWorld: IBISWorld offers industry reports, market analyses and company profiles covering multiple industries – including medical devices. Their essays cover market trends, performance metrics and growth forecasts that provide invaluable market intelligence.

Google Trends: By using Google Trends, it is possible to gain an in-depth view of keyword popularity and search volume trends for medical device-related words or topics over time. With this tool at your disposal, it can provide valuable insights into market demand, consumer interest patterns and emerging trends relating to medical devices.

Euromonitor International: Euromonitor International offers market research reports and analyses across multiple industries, such as healthcare and medical devices. Their reports provide insight into market size, competitive landscape, consumer behaviour in various regions as well as regional differences.

 MedTech Innovator: MedTech Innovator is an international platform that presents medical device startups and provides insights into emerging technologies and innovations within the medical device industry. Additionally, this platform provides market trends, investor perspectives, networking events and networking opportunities.

These tools can assist you in gathering market data, industry trends and competitor analysis so you can make educated decisions regarding your medical device startup. Be sure to supplement them with primary research, expert interviews and validation from potential users for a complete understanding of the market.

1. Healthcare Professionals and Experts: For insights and perspectives from relevant healthcare professionals in providing healthcare and patient care services. These discussions may reveal what challenges healthcare professionals encounter when providing patient care services; their feedback could point out areas where medical devices could make significant impacts in real-life scenarios – sometimes direct action may be the key to success!

2. Addressing Patient Needs and Experiences: Pay close attention to patient needs and experiences by gathering stories, engaging with patient advocacy groups, conducting surveys or interviews and carefully listening for answers about challenges, limitations or ways medical devices could enhance quality of life or healthcare outcomes.

3. Solicit Feedback From Potential Users: Collect feedback from prospective users such as healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers and any other stakeholders involved with producing your medical device through interviews, focus groups or surveys in order to discover their pain points, preferences and desires for improved medical devices. Pay close attention as prospective users may provide invaluable feedback that can shape your idea while meeting end user requirements.

4. Technology and Innovation Hubs: Explore technology and innovation hubs such as startup incubators, accelerators or research centres dedicated to medical devices or healthcare. These hubs may offer resources, mentorship and networking opportunities with industry professionals and investors; engaging with these communities could open your mind up to new perspectives and foster creative problem-solving techniques.

5. Literature Review and Intellectual Property Analysis: When conducting a literature review related to medical devices, conduct an intensive analysis of all existing research, patents, scientific publications and intellectual property pertaining to them. This can provide insights into areas where significant advances have been made or where innovation may be necessary; intellectual property analysis also sheds light on untapped opportunities or possible areas for differentiation.

Keep in mind that coming up with an innovative idea requires research, creativity and industry knowledge. Be open to gathering varying viewpoints while validating your concepts through market research or feedback from others.

Create a Prototype and Proof of Concept

There are many companies that specialize in helping entrepreneurs and startups with prototype design. Their services range from consulting through prototyping – here are a few notable companies operating in this space:

1. IDEO: IDEO is an international design and innovation firm known for its human-centered design approach. Their services encompass product design, prototyping and designing strategy development as well as helping entrepreneurs create prototypes that align with user needs and market requirements.

2. Proto Labs: Proto Labs is a rapid prototyping and manufacturing service provider, offering 3D printing, CNC machining, injection molding and fast turnaround times to rapidly transform designs into functional prototypes.

3. Dragon Innovation: Dragon Innovation provides hardware startups with expert design, engineering and manufacturing support services from prototype design through mass production of their product development efforts.

4. Bresslergroup: Bressler group is a design and innovation consultancy, offering startups assistance in creating innovative product concepts and translating them to functional prototypes. Their specialty lies in user-centered design; furthermore they also offer industrial design engineering as well as prototyping expertise.

5. PCH International: PCH International is a product development and supply chain management firm that works with both startups and established brands alike, offering services like prototyping, manufacturing and logistics that help bring product ideas to fruition for startups.

6. Spark Innovations: Spark Innovations is a product design and development firm, specializing in turning ideas into prototypes and manufacturing-ready designs. Their services encompass industrial design, mechanical engineering, prototyping techniques and various other disciplines of study.

7. Altitude: Altitude is a design consultancy that assists startups with product design and development. They specialize in concept ideation, prototyping and user experience design services to produce engaging prototypes with functional capabilities that enable companies to test out their ideas with.

8. TTP (The Technology Partnership): TTP is an engineering and technology development firm offering product design, prototyping and manufacturing services for medical devices, consumer electronics and industrial products. Their teams boast extensive expertise across their various areas of specialization.

These companies specialize in working with startups, providing expertise, technical skills, and resources that can assist your prototype design from conception to realization. Selecting one that best meets your needs, budget, and project requirements is paramount.

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape

Navigating the regulatory environment when starting a medical device company is critical to its success. Adherence to regulatory requirements ensures patient safety, product efficacy and market access regardless of your launch location. Here are some key points for navigating this terrain:

1. Determine Applicable Regulations: Identify all regulatory bodies and laws relevant to medical devices in your target market, such as FDA in the U.S. regulating them under Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR or MDR) in Europe regulating them accordingly. Knowing which laws pertain directly to your device’s success is of utmost importance for its success.

2. Classify Your Device: Medical devices can be divided into various risk categories depending on their intended use and potential risks to patients, with each category determining regulatory requirements and levels of scrutiny for market approval. By classifying your device appropriately (Class I, II or III) you can better understand regulatory pathways, conformity assessment procedures and documentation requirements applicable.

3. Establish a Regulatory Strategy: From early in product development, create an in-depth regulatory strategy plan. This should include all steps and timelines necessary for regulatory compliance such as preclinical testing, clinical studies, quality management system implementation, regulatory submissions etc. Partner with experts or consultants to make sure your plan aligns with regulatory requirements.

4. Conduct Preclinical and Clinical Studies: Depending on the risk category of your device, preclinical and clinical studies may be required to demonstrate its safety and efficacy. Preclinical testing includes lab and animal models; while human participation testing occurs during clinical studies. Data generated during these studies provides regulatory submissions with evidence of your device’s safety and performance.

5. Quality Management System (QMS): Establish and implement an ISO 13485 compliant quality management system in order to comply with processes, design controls, manufacturing, post market surveillance requirements as well as regulatory standards imposed upon your processes and their system requirements – this ensures consistency, traceability and documentation throughout product life cycles.

6. Prepare Regulatory Submissions: Gather all necessary paperwork and create regulatory submissions for market approval, such as technical files, design dossiers, labelling information, risk analyses and clinical data. Ensure your documents comply with any specific requirements set by regulatory bodies in terms of format, content and process for submissions.

7. Post-Market Surveillance: Once regulatory clearance or approval is secured, establish post-market surveillance processes to track and report adverse events; conduct clinical follow-up studies post market; as well as create a vigilance system to track device’s ongoing safety and performance monitoring.

8. Keep Current on Regulatory Developments: As regulations for medical devices can change at an ever-increasing pace, stay abreast of any updates or revisions that might impact your device by engaging with industry associations or regulatory agencies as well as attending conferences or webinars to remain aware of new developments and ensure compliance.

Navigating the regulatory environment takes careful planning, strict adherence to standards and extensive knowledge of regulations affecting medical devices in your target market. Engaging regulatory specialists or consulting experts is invaluable when it comes to meeting compliance obligations, speeding approval processes and successfully bringing medical devices or services products or services to market.

Secure Funding:

As with anything, funding options for medical device startups vary across regions. Below are a few sources in Europe, the UK, Switzerland, USA, China and India,

Europe:

1. European Investment Fund (EIF): The EIF offers funding through various programs such as venture capital funds and equity investments to support innovative startups across Europe – specifically medical device industry startups.

2. Horizon Europe: This European Union program offers grants, loans and equity investments to promote research and innovation across various fields – such as healthcare and medical technology.

3. European Investment Bank (EIB): The EIB offers financing and investment support to European innovative companies such as medical device startups through venture capital funds and direct investments.

United Kingdom:

1. Innovate UK: As the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK provides funding opportunities to both early-stage and established medical device businesses through programs that support research, development, and commercialisation activities.

2. Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding is famous in the UK and is known to attract bigger investors in the pool of thousands of investors. Standing out here is difficult but right technology has raised millions through this platform.

Switzerland:

1. Swiss Innovation Agency (Innosuisse):

Innosuisse provides funding and support services to startups engaged in innovative projects within Switzerland, such as medical device startups. They offer grants, coaching sessions, as well as access to their network of experts and resources.

 United States:

1. National Institutes of Health (NIH): The NIH offers grants, contracts and funding opportunities for early stage and translational medical device research projects, including funding opportunities such as Small Business Innovation Research grants (SBIR) and Technology Transfer Research programs which assist startups creating innovative medical device products.

2. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA offers various loan programs, such as its 7(a) loan program that provides medical device startups with funding.

Medical device startups in these regions must research each funding source carefully and understand its eligibility criteria, application processes and terms in order to gain access to funds that could help their venture thrive. From local government agencies and incubators/accelerators/grant competitions all these sources could offer funding opportunities.

China:

1. China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) Funds: The NMPA provides grants and funding programs designed to facilitate developing and commercializing innovative medical devices in China, with an aim of encouraging domestic innovation while improving healthcare delivery systems in China.

 2. China Healthcare Investment Funds: Numerous investment funds specializing in healthcare and medical device industries exist within China, supported by government bodies to assist startups creating cutting-edge medical technologies and devices.

 3. Chinese Venture Capital Firms: China has an expansive venture capital ecosystem, with firms specialising in healthcare and medical technology investments offering funding, strategic advice and industry connections to medical device startups looking to break into Chinese market. These venture capital firms can be vital allies when venturing into new markets – be it medical device sales or distribution contracts in China.

 4. State and Local Government Programs: China has implemented funding programs designed to bolster local startups and foster innovation, including grants, subsidies and other forms of financial incentive to medical device companies located within their borders.

5. Partnerships With Chinese Companies: Medical device startups seeking funding and resources may benefit from entering strategic partnerships with established Chinese medical device manufacturers. Such relationships could take the form of licensing agreements, joint ventures or co-development initiatives that enable startups to capitalize on expertise provided by partners as well as distribution networks provided by partners.

It is crucial to recognize that successfully navigating China’s funding landscape requires local expertise and in-depth knowledge of market dynamics and regulations in China. Partnering with advisors, incubators or accelerators that specialize in healthcare funding opportunities could prove helpful in providing guidance.

China is an attractive location for medical device startups to find funding and expansion opportunities due to its expanding healthcare market and emphasis on innovation. To be successful at finding financing in this market, however, extensive research, due diligence and knowledge of local regulations must be performed prior to considering funding opportunities in China..

India provides various funding resources and programs to medical device startups. Here are a few:

1. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC): As a government organization, BIRAC offers various funding schemes for innovative projects within biotechnology and healthcare. Startups creating medical devices may want to consider applying for grants such as the Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG), Biotechnology Industry Partnership Programme (BIPP), or Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI).

2. Department of Science and Technology (DST)-Technology Development Board (TDB): The DST-TDB provides financial assistance through grants and soft loans for technology development and commercialisation, with medical device startups eligible for funding under either its Technology Development and Utilization Programme (TDUP) or Seed Support System (SSS).

3. Startup India: The Startup India initiative from the Government of India provides numerous benefits and support mechanisms for startups operating within medical device sector, including medical device companies. Startups may gain access to Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) schemes, tax exemptions, and ease of regulatory compliance.

4. Incubators and Accelerators: India boasts an increasing number of healthcare and medical technology incubators and accelerators that offer funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, access to infrastructure resources as well as funding – such as T-Hub, Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), Atal Incubation Centers (AICs).

5. Venture Capital and Angel Investors: India boasts an active venture capital and angel investor community which invests heavily in healthcare technology startups. Engaging with these investors can provide access to funding as well as the industry expertise essential to growing medical device companies.

6. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs): Indian public-sector PSUs can collaborate with startups to provide funding for innovative projects. Medical device startups could find partners such as Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), or Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

Medical device startups looking for funding opportunities in India’s diverse healthcare ecosystem must carefully research eligibility criteria, application processes and terms associated with each funding source or program before exploring possible avenues. Engaging with startup competitions, pitch events or networking forums could also open doors to investors that could open funding doors in this market.

Common sources:

Venture capitalists (VCs) and angel investors play key roles in funding startups and driving innovation across various industries – including medical device.

Venture capitalists (VCs) are professional investors that typically employ institutional funds in high-growth startups through venture capital firms. Operating through venture capital firms, VCs provide capital in exchange for equity or ownership stakes in startups in exchange for significant funding investments.

Before making their decisions on investments, venture capitalists conduct extensive due diligence analyses of market potential, growth potential assessment and potential risks of the startups they plan to invest in, to make informed investment decisions. Furthermore, venture capitalists offer strategic guidance, mentorship services, industry connections as well as access to their network which all help drive medical device startups forward!

Angel investors, on the other hand, are typically wealthy individuals who make early-stage startup investments. In contrast to venture capitalists, angel investors tend to be more flexible with their criteria and can provide funds at any point throughout a startup’s journey.

Angels tend to take higher risks by supporting promising ideas with passionate founders while providing financial support as well as mentorship and industry insights from previous endeavours. Angel investors play an essential role in kickstarting medical device startups and helping them gain traction in their respective markets.

Venture capitalists and angel investors offer medical device startups invaluable sources of funding and support, with venture capitalists being an especially invaluable source. Leveraging them can give startups access to capital, expertise, industry connections and guidance that helps navigate competitive landscapes, accelerate growth and secure long-term success.

Entrepreneurs must understand the differences in investment criteria for both types of investors in order to approach those most suitable for their startup’s stage of development and funding requirements.

Contact our expert team of consultants today and see how they can assist with specific support groups and agencies that offer funding solutions.

Adopt Continuous Learning and Innovation:

AI-Based Products: One of the primary concerns among startups today is creating trustful data sets for AI-powered products; numerous firms specialize in this process and can assist you with adding this capability into medical devices. Below are a few noteworthy firms:

1. IBM Watson Health: IBM Watson Health is a division of IBM that specializes in using AI and data analytics for healthcare purposes, offering solutions such as image analysis, genomic research, drug discovery processes and clinical decision support systems.

2. Google Health: Google Health employs AI technologies to develop innovative healthcare solutions, undertaking projects such as AI-powered diagnostic algorithms, natural language processing for medical records and predictive analytics for disease management.

3. Microsoft Healthcare: Microsoft Healthcare’s mission is to revolutionize healthcare with AI solutions. They offer tools, platforms, and services which enable developers to build and deploy AI applications within healthcare – as well as cloud infrastructure to speed deployment of these apps.

4. Arterys: Arterys offers AI-powered medical imaging solutions. Employing deep learning algorithms to analyze medical images and assist radiologists with diagnosing various conditions, Arterys’ platform enables faster and more accurate image analysis to facilitate early detection and treatment planning.

5. Aidoc: Aidoc is an AI-powered radiology solution provider. Their algorithms scan medical images quickly and efficiently to quickly recognize critical findings, helping radiologists streamline workflow while improving diagnostic accuracy.

6. BenevolentAI: It is an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) company that combines AI with scientific research in order to accelerate drug discovery and development. They utilize machine learning and data analytics tools in order to rapidly identify potential drug candidates and optimise treatment strategies quickly; providing services in oncology, neurology and rare disease areas among others.

7. Sensyne Health: Sensyne Health specialises in applying AI and clinical data analysis to advance patient care and medical research. They collaborate with healthcare providers and research organizations to design AI-powered solutions that enhance disease detection, patient monitoring, treatment outcomes and treatment success rates.

8. Imperial College London’s Faculty of Medicine conducts cutting-edge AI research for healthcare, working closely with industry partners and startups on AI technologies and algorithms that enhance diagnostics, drug discovery and personalized medicine.

9. Cambridge Medical Robotics: Cambridge Medical Robotics specialises in designing robotic systems for minimally invasive surgical procedures using cutting edge AI and machine learning technology to increase surgical precision, improve patient outcomes and accelerate recovery times.

10. PrecisionLife: PrecisionLife uses AI and machine learning techniques to analyze complex datasets and uncover unique insights for personalized medicine projects such as disease stratification, drug target identification and optimizing treatment strategies.

Before selecting an artificial intelligence (AI) development company, it’s crucial to assess their expertise, track record and experience within healthcare. Take into account their capacity for compliance with data privacy and regulatory issues as well as understanding of medical device manufacturing challenges. Partnering with an established AI firm will enable you to leverage cutting-edge technology while hasten development of your medical AI device.

Software-Based Products –

There are many solutions providers for IT support where  companies assist in the creation or development of software-based products or applications for yous, so as to guarantee optimal outcomes we suggest working with one or more of our recommended partners:

1. Blum Health’s Blum Connect offers an all-in-one solution for clinical application software development teams’ software development needs. Build or have your team build code and rules themselves.

2. Light-it offers comprehensive software development and security services from start to finish, while Google Health pioneered healthcare innovation with end-to-end solutions, cloud computing services, and security services.

3. Microsoft Healthcare – Provides premier healthcare solutions for developers through their cloud platform and custom software designs.

Contract Manufacturing Services for Healthcare Products: Numerous contract manufacturing services specialize in healthcare product production at scale. Such firms possess the expertise and infrastructure required for producing medical devices, pharmaceuticals and other items related to healthcare on an industrial scale – countries like UK, India, China have invested significantly in this area while DIT of these countries’ large-scale healthcare product production works closely with startups operating within this space.

Originally Published at: https://omcmedical.com/establish-a-medical-device-startup-company/

[melbournenewsvine]

Silicon Quantum Computing on building exemplar technology

You know it’s been a good year when the launch of a $130 million Series A capital raise is still not considered your biggest news. That’s the kind of year that Silicon Quantum Computer is having. Silicon Quantum Computing – Australia’s first quantum computing company – earlier this year unveiled the world’s first integrated circuit manufactured at the atomic scale, publishing a paper in Nature magazine demonstrating this. It’s one of many milestones and achievements of the five-year-old tech firm which has lofty goals to completely revolutionise computing and, in turn, our everyday lives. It comes with a simple motto: “quantum computing for the betterment of humankind.” Silicon Quantum Computing, which is led by 2018 Australian of the Year Professor Michelle Simmons, has been nominated in two categories of the 2022 InnovationAus Award for Excellence – for the Industry 4.0 award, and for the Manufacturing Innovation award. The winners will be announced at a Black-Tie soiree at The Cutaway venue at Barangaroo on November 17. You can secure your seat – or book a table – at this event by clicking here. Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) is part of a global race to bring a large-scale quantum computer into commercial production and aims to do so within the next decade. The company was launched in May 2017 with $83 million in seed capital funding from the Commonwealth Government, UNSW Sydney, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Telstra and the NSW Government. It was formed to commercialise foundational intellectual property from the Australian Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communications Technology, led by Professor Simmons and her colleagues Professor Sven Rogge, Andrew Dzurak and Andrea Morello. In its short life, SQC has achieved many world firsts, including the longest coherent times, highest fidelity qubits in a solid state, the ability to optically address single dopant atoms in silicon, the lowest noise silicon devices and the first two 2 qubit gate in silicon. The company now holds 94 granted patents from 32 different patent families, registered in several relevant global jurisdictions. When first embarking on quantum computing research, Professor Simmons decided to take a different approach to her rivals, working instead with atoms in silicon, the semiconductor used in manufacturing chips for 70 years. SQC now has a team of globally recognised quantum scientists and engineers, along with business practitioners, developing and commercialising unique atomic quantum processors out of its headquarters in Sydney. The company is zeroing in on partnerships and delivering the world’s first commercially useful quantum processor by 2028, with many milestones planned on the path towards this. First up is a demonstration of a prototype quantum computer in the next 18 months, and the closing of the $130 million Series A capital round. Professor Simmons, who is also the Scientia Professor of Quantum Physics at the University of NSW, formally took on the role of Silicon Quantum Computing CEO to undertake this process. The company has focused heavily on R&D, and invested more than $15 million into specialist equipment and inputs, such as scanning tunnelling microscopes, dilution fridges and electron beam lithography devices. Professor Simmons is driving the Australian quantum industry and has made active efforts to keep most of her company local. “We realised when we set up the company that we wanted to control as much of the manufacturing and process here in Australia,” she said recently. “When you’re developing hardware, you need to have the full supply chain here so you can develop it in-house.” Do you know more? Contact James Riley via Email. Source link Originally published at Melbourne News Vine

#Melbourne News Vine

[shaikhsanaaaa]

Home

Google defines home “as a place where one resides”. But really, is that all a home is? Over the past few years, I’ve come to realise that a home is so much more than just four walls. It’s not merely a place where we eat, sleep and live. Home is a feeling. An intangible, inexplicable feeling, which doesn’t just apply to brick and mortar structures, but to anything that gives you a sense of belonging.

If you’re here expecting an artistic, thought-provoking piece about homeliness, I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place. This piece isn’t filled with inspiring quotes or motivational words. In fact, it reads like a personal blog. But with this piece, I’m trying to make sense of the plethora of feelings that are burdening my mind and heart, and I know only one way of doing that: writing.

It is safe to say that my life turned topsy-turvy since I found out that I have to switch cities at the end of the year. It came as a shock, and for the longest time, I was in denial, absolutely refusing to believe that all the comfort I had grown used in Mumbai was suddenly being snatched away from me. Change isn’t pleasant; and most of the times, it’s unexpected. The thought of losing touch with this city that is beautiful in its own right, was a thought too heavy to bear.

Mumbai is one of India’s biggest and most commercialised cities, yet it has a way of warmly, slowly, and astonishingly making you fall in love with it. A realisation that hit me as I prepared myself to bid adieu to this glorious city was that parts of me had gotten accustomed to everything about it, even the long, tiresome and heavily crowded roads, the dusty air, the unceasing sounds, and the excruciating heat.

If there’s one thing that Mumbai has taught me, it’s that peace can be found anywhere, if you look hard enough for it; even in bustling, fast-moving and populous places. Mumbai is the city that never sleeps. It doesn’t stop, or slow for anyone. It pushes you right in the current, forcing you to carve your own way out. It outlives and outgrows you. But the joy of living in Mumbai is unrivalled. It’s an emotion you can never feel, unless you experience life in Mumbai. It sure has its flaws, but what doesn’t?

Mumbai is my home, and no matter where I am in this world, it always will be. Nostalgia will always hit me when i think or talk of this city, and in this very moment, as i sit in my empty bedroom, i realise more than ever, that you can take the girl out of Mumbai, but you can’t take Mumbai out of the girl.

#mumbai #nostalgia #teen writer #thoughts #ramblings #i miss home

[goh-is-cute]

ITS PANCAKE DAY WOOOO!!

Happy Shrove Tuesday!!

#shrove tuesday #pancake day #british thing #well actually #christian thing #but its heavily commercialised here #:) #still #have a nice day!

[ignitingwriting]

Igniting Writing ‘Illustration Inspiration’ Contest 2020, Submission by Lucy Wright

Entry inspired by the following illustrations:

First illustration by Martha Lightfoot (@martha__lightfoot on Instagram)

Second illustration by Robert Crowther

Third illustration by Jenni Desmond (@jennidesmond on Instagram - image from 'Migration', published by Bloomsbury)

The Butterfly Woods

There’s a rumour, you know, if you walk far east. Across fields and through plains. Through places unknown and untouched. That there is a place where the world is at your fingertips, where you can have it all. The Butterfly Woods.

Vijaya Galanos loved this rumour. Before the sunrise she’d sketch the leaves in her notebook and imagine what it would be like if she could sketch the woods. She was bullied for this. For being different. She let them and was berated with insults. The only thing that kept the light in her eyes was the idea that there was something more.

Then one day she put her pen down – thought about her life, how she’d spent it dreaming. There was nothing for her, but there might be something east. Against the will of the world she picked up what she needed, her book and pen – as well as money and food of course, Vijaya wasn’t an idiot – then walked out, walked out of everyone’s lives. No goodbyes, because if the Butterfly Woods were real, she was finding them.

She walked a long way.

The first landmark was the Opposite. This because rather than having a clearing in the woods there was a group of trees in a field.

The sun beat down heavily. As Vijaya reached the Opposite, it became obvious how commercialised this was. Being a landmark in the rumour made it a tourist attraction. People were selling souveniers for ridiculous prices.

“Would you like this necklace ma’am? £5.99!”

“Come get your refreshing water bottles!”

“Want to let everyone know? What better then a postcard?”

“I’ll take a waterbottle, please,” Vijaya smiled. She handed over cash and took a gulp. It was refreshing – she hadn’t drunk for ages.

“Going to find the Butterfly Woods?” the vendor asked.

“Like every other tourist that is here, probably,” Vijaya grinned.

“You never know, you might get lucky.”

“You’re a believer?”

“I wouldn’t call it that.”

“Then what would you?”

The vendor laughed. “More of a knowing. I love to imagine things; I even have this butterfly necklace.”

“That’s pretty.”

“Take it. On the cart.”

She was shocked, but happily took the necklace. It felt warm.

“What about you and this believer spirit?”

Vijaya thought for a moment. “I want to prove myself. The Woods seem like a good place for that, somewhere beautiful. Imagine how people would feel if I showed that to them.”

“They’d destroy it and commercialise like this place,” he replied shortly.

Vijaya stared at him for a few seconds. “Thanks for the water.”

She turned and walked off. His words rung in her head. Was it a good idea? She thought back to sights around the world. Humans could get greedy. In a place with the world at its fingertips, who knows what would happen.

Vijaya kept on walking through the lands, her mind abuzz with confusion on what to do. But something else about the man bugged her. He said that he knew. Not believed. The more she thought, the more she wondered if she’d hallucinated him. Nobody else was by the water stand, like it had been invisible.

That was when she halted, realising it had been days. Yet she’d never stopped to drink water, she had never looked up. When she did look up, she saw something. The full moon, covered in stars and the wind blowing. The animals bounding around and the stream trickling beside her.

A single butterfly flew across her face. She ran after it, laughing. Then it got a friend, then more friends, and more friends. Until butterflies were like a cloud, surrounding her. She laughed for the sheer joy of it. Suddenly, her necklace broke; the butterfly charm fell into her palm. She held it up. The butterflies parted, allowing her to see the stars, but something was different. A new constellation, in the shape of a butterfly. It aligned perfectly with her necklace when she tried.

A wood was in front of her. Vijaya didn’t know how it was there, but it was. Like a dream, she approached. Branches glistened, butterflies flitted around and somewhere she could hear singing. The Butterfly Woods.

She reached a clearing, with houses and a fire where children were singing. They looked up, the fire illuminating their friendly faces.

An adult exited a house; the water vendor.

“You?”

“I told you I knew.”

“I don’t understand. I’m from outside, now I can be happy and tell everyone!”

The vendor looked solemnly downwards. “I knew we wouldn’t stay hidden for long, at least someone like you gets the credit.”

Vijaya smiled. “Can I have a tour?”

The woods were angelic. Pristene waterfalls that crashed over rocks covered in moss. Birds chirped, their tiny wings beating. Clear air – the stars were available to see at any time, no obnoxious fog from cars. The children were the happiest. They played together, laughing, throwing sticks and drawing in the ground. Not one of them looked unhealthy. They seemed pure and innocent.

“I don’t understand,” Vijaya said eventually. “I thought that the world would be at your fingertips if you entered, but nothing here seems at all that powerful.”

“It’s powerful because the rumours made it powerful. Revealing something this well known is, well, powerful. People will know your name, it starts a whole new journey for you. Are you saying that isn’t powerful?”

Vijaya looked across, to the children playing at the stream. She imagined thousands of people rushing through the woods, cameras and builders. All for her and what she’s achieved. It would ruin these peoples’ lives just to make hers better. Vijaya Galanos sat down and thought, and finally came to a conclusion.

There’s a rumour you know, if you walk far east. Across fields and through plains. Through places unknown and untouched. That there is a place where the world is at your fingertips, where you can have it all. The Butterfly Woods. But that’s all it is. A rumour.

#igniting writing #teen writers #writing for teens #Children's illustration #illustrator #Illustration #illustration inspiration #creative writing #writing challenge #writing contest #writing competition #writing club #writing group

[femboy-gatekeepers]

Look up the song Mulherao by Cool Cavemen, or the lyrics alone.

“I'm a straight cross-dresser I don't see why I can't be both but I'm alone, I wanna get better I need a manly woman Looking for someone who wouldn't steal my earrings, my make-up and all my stockingsI'd like it if she said: "Move it! Get it? Move your ass and do it!" I'd make sure she'd be well fed, "Get up! Wake up! Clean the place I'm fed up!" I wanna cook spuds and meat Clean her face and wash her feet Pick her dirty clothes from the floor I'm the best house husband you ever sawShe would watch TV For all the soccer games and drinking beer, yelling at the referee And when the evening comes I'd wait for her in bed in my best lingerie, dance around a pole and I'd be sexyI'd like it if she said: "Move it! Get it? Move your ass and do it!" I'd make sure she'd be well fed, "Get up! Wake up! Clean the place I'm fed up!" But I am so alone right now Need someone but don't know how I am leaving to get more thrills Let's go to: Brasil!All these girls are too hot what a shame This country is so so lame What's this I hear? Here comes the parade What's this I see? My princess awaits me!”

it’s quite nice, anon! i mean i certainly appreciate lyrics that express a “role reversal” and a gnc relationship where the man plays the feminine role - otoh it seems as if its role reversing the toxic parts of it too? and implying that the “normal” things your average hetmale does (whcih are harmful and loveless) would be kept in the relationship and just swapped, which i dont think exactly should be encouraged. its a nice showing of role reversals and representation for that kind of relationship but i think it leans too heavily into misogynistic stereotypes just in reverse for me to fully appreciate it (the song itself is cool sounding as hell tho tbh, reminds me of a less commercialised chilli peppers, as a non funk fan)

#asks #rose #reflections

[addershade]

A Semi-Stuctured Rant on Antishipping, Fujoshi Culture and the monetization of Homosexuality in Japanese and American Media

Antishippers are homophobic and it's bothering me. But also so are fujoshis and that bothers me too

Part One: Antishippers

Where there sails a ship ship so to the antishippers let fly their flags. A common argument I see painted on the bows of their warships is 'This character hasnt been stated as gay yet don't ship them with them.'

This is such a problematic sentence I don't even know where to begin. The fact that people view the default state of sexuality as 'straight until declared gay' creates the stigma that being homosexual is in some way deviant or taboo.

As an example: nobody has a problem with Todoroki being shipped with Momo despite them having minimal character interaction and very little shared dialogue in the show. Yet because they have been seen together in one (1) episode it has even been assumed canon on the same level as Izuku and Ochako which it quite simply is not.

Compare this to Bakugo and Kirishima who have several scenes together, most in even more intimate settings than Todoroki and Momo (study date, walking home at sunset together, the money scene, the rescue, I could go on) yet since the creator has not OUTRIGHT stated that either of these two are gay they have been assumed straight. Antishippers never go after TodoMomo in the same way they do KiriBaku.

I've seen people go as far as to say it would never happen, the creator would never do something so radical as to include one (1) gay couple. Despite the already pretty strong LGBTQ+ presence in the show with characters like Tiger, Big Sis Magne and Toga. These three have their own problems (an issue for another time) but they are there and that's a big step forward that people like to forget about.

Also, is the concept of 'we don't get good gay representation in the media so we write our own' really such a hard thing to grasp? Because it shouldn't be. Gay representation in media is scarce and even if its there it might not be handled sensitively (cough cough banana fish cough) and people naturally would want to go out of their way to provide it for themselves. Because representation is important. Straight, cis, white men really wouldn't understand because they are represented in literally everything all the time so I geuss they can't really fathom not being able look at the main character and go 'it me.' Which is why they put up such a fuss about every single time a woman is cast as the lead role. In anything. But I digress.

My point is basically this: Characters with undefined sexualities are obviously going to draw people in and be used as a comfortable, familiar and interesting starting point to create someone you can resonate with on a deeper level. Especially if there's nothing contradicting your head canon. And even if there is, who cares? There's plenty of straight characters already, representation is not pie and also they aren't real people so thats an extra helping of 'it shouldn't bother you.'

Oh I forgot to mention this rant only extends to fictional character antishippers because I think shipping real people is icky and shouldn't happen regardless of sexuality.

Part Two: Fujoshi Culture

Yes there are straight gals and guys that fetishise it (the male version is a fudanshi at least get it right people) and that's gross and unforgivable please stop doing it.

I would argue however this epidemic is caused by the fact that media, eastern and western alike, refuses to normalise gay relationships. Which means they see it as this sick fetish thing and call it 'sinning.' The literal terms fudanshi and fujoshi are derogatory and paint enjoying 'yaoi' as a guilty pleasure, something to be ashamed of and ridiculed.

And I'd bet my bottom dollar that Japan would want to keep it that way because it does work to sell their mangas.

Nagisa really sums up the whole issue in 50 percent off here's the clip:

https://youtu.be/c_xwtbrXbZM

Part Three: Western Focus

I just want to point out how half hearted and overly subtle these relationships have to be, like you're sneaking it past the republicans like the producers dirty little secret.

Good examples from both sides are Bubbeline, KoraSami, All of Voltron and Literally Any Gay Man In Anime Except Yuri on Ice. Although Yuri on Ice is still pretty coy about admitting that their characters are in a gay relationship.

KoraSami, Bubbeline and Shiro x Shiro's flashback buddy are all western depictions. Being gay in western media is much less commercialised and much less marketable, which is why the main issue with all of these were the writers pushing for something that was then only really confirmed either in: a very heavily fought for kiss last episode or the love story told entirely in (two bros chilling in a hot tub style) flashbacks where said love interest dies in the same episode. None of these are good representation and I don't think I have to spell out why.

Anyway this is another video that sums it up better than I can

https://youtu.be/TOj4WfQPNlk

Part 4: The Bad, The Worse and the Ugly

tw: s*xual a*sault mentioned (part 5 is safe)

I'll be quick

Anime like Banana Fish and Black Butler really like to perpetuate the stereotype that gay men are only gay because they have been r*ped by sick, twisted older men.

As a gay man who has been s*xually a*ssulted in the way that they like to pretend defined my sexuality I can say that this is insulting, triggering and Never. Ever. Handled. Properly. Anime has some issues with sexuality as a whole but it really takes the cake when characters like Ash are abused in real time in the anime and then it's used to 'justify' their promiscuity with men moving forward.

Banana Fish in no way handles the sexual assault tactfully, no matter what people have said to me.

This is an extract I agree with heavily from a pretty well written article (Banana Fish spoilers) :

I mentioned earlier the finale sent an awful message to new viewers. Ash’s story was about survival so for him to easily give up, in the end, sent a horrible message to survivors of sexual violence because it not only told them a moment of vulnerability would get them killed, but the only way survivors could find any peace was through death. The fact that Ash gave up, told survivors they could never escape from their traumas and despite all their efforts, they would never be able to heal from their abusive circumstances.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thatnerdyboliviane.com/2019/01/21/banana-fish-a-bittersweet-experience/amp/

'Kill your gays' is a bad trope in any case but really was an especially poor choice here.

Part 5: Sex Sells and Gay Sex Advertises

I've mentioned above how manga and anime likes to package gay relationships into problematic little bundles and sell it to straight women as a curiosity or oddity. But I really think that it needs to be talked about more. Things shouldn't be more interesting to you just because they're gay, and fetishising minorities is never okay in any context.

I think it's important to note that really the attitudes in both Western and Japanese media are actually the exact same. That being, Gay people are 'others' and should at all costs be hidden away into corners. The only real difference is that Japan is known for selling that kind of content, lumping it in the same category as tentacle hentai and... I don't know any other categories but the point stands. Whereas western media tends to just sequester it into a corner and hope it gets past censorship boards and Karen's. Money is at the forefront of both of these descisions.

It's a real problem that both sides of the anime culture are so problematic. One side is way too into it and the other can't begin to process it.

Here's a video by the same person that covers basically the same ground that's concerning me so much.

https://youtu.be/t3FKlqDocQ4

Part 6: In conclusion

I feel like this is something that is worth being angry about. I'm just sick of how being gay is treated at the moment in anime, tv and film, and how it's being received by straight audiences. The LGBTQ+ community barely seems to get a real say half of the time because people are too busy being head over heels that the author confirmed in an interview that a character is bi or gay but never follows through with it in universe. Or when you try and create content for yourself and get criticised like you were supposed to be happy about what little representation you get in mainstream media. Like shows do the bare minimum and then we're supposed to be happy about it. But I ain't. And I don't think many other people are either.

TLDR:

Gay people being treated like a taboo little secret on both sides of the issue is insulting and gross and never leads to anything good.

#Youtube #Gay #Anime #Shipping #Antishipping #bubbeline #voltron #my hero academia #legend of korra #fujoshi #Fudanshi #queerbaiting #rant post #lgbt pride #lgbtq #lgbt rights #banana fish #ash lynx #Yaoi #Yuri #lesbian #gay #bi #transgender #queer

[fibonacciflower6]

Monotype

This reminds me of how it feels to be a woman of colour in SA.

And I am one of the luckier ones.

The recent and traumatic social history of South Africa is still in dire need of collective conscious healing. The collective consciousness is extremely harsh, negative, violent, aggressive and separated. It is hard to avoid these energies when participating in any social fields, as there is also very few consciousness movements, and the culture of apartheid has left the general society as very commercialised and there is little to interest in the fields of arts and culture.

Positive, healing art and interest in culture, the creative industries, consciousness and healing is one of the most powerful techniques of social upliftment. However, the art market in SA is practically non existant - and where it is, it is still heavily colonised. Art and culture spaces are still heavily racialised and closed to people of colour, meaning that speaking out on social issues from a disadvantaged perspective - leaves artists of colour exiled, excluded and unsupported within the art market. There is a lack of funding in all cultural arenas. Many South African artists have protested this culture, but with growing racial tensions, an increase in the 2nd highest rates of separation and inequality in the world, it is not a profitable or supported industry.

We find that artists who make relevant social art are doing it for the social passion rather than profits. As an artist attempting to work in positive arenas of social reform, I have found extreme isolation and rejection and disinterest in my work. I feel that my style of work, my soul language, will not be received in South Africa for some time. South Africa is an unsuitable environment for my art and dancing work, as a result of the social structures and traumatised social perspectives. I do not have enough social and community support in my work here. Unfortunately, creating darker art does not serve my own well being positively and easily leads me into depressive and melancholic phases.

It is essential, for my own wellbeing, career, and soul work, that I am able to make art about healing and love and find a suitable environment in which to do such. I have spent much of three years working on linking with similar artists and forming these communities but it is just not happening in SA and i feel my energy wasting to this effort. I have turned my energy towards finding a place and way to live out of SA and continue my work in a more accepting and nurturing environment.

I have been made aware, throughout this experience, of the limited access I have to leaving the country and working abroad with a South African passport. In combination with some of the highest costs of living in the world and the weakness of the Rand to other currencies, it has proven a challenge that is almost overwhelming at times, simply to make enough money to survive basically - before I can even begin saving money.

As a woman, I have found the working spaces extremely harsh and violent. No universities or workspaces make concessions for women who have menstrual difficulties - we are expected to perform as men. I have been told on numerous occasions, in every workspace, to shave my armpits, wear make up and tie up my hair and smile. I am not encouraged to own my beauty or rock natural - in these cases I have been removed.

Also, since the majority of wealth is still held by the beneficiaries of apartheid, I am expected to perform ‘whiteness’ in order to be accepted into workspaces. By people of all colours!

I understand that it will take much time for the consciousness to raise as the end of apartheid was so recently and all the social structures which upheld apartheid still exist and have not really been broken down yet - so i do not expect people to understand my social behaviour and consciousness.

I simply plan to move to a more nurturing and loving space. I have finally found a position as a waitress and do tattooing and modeling part time. None of these are my preferred work, yet they are the only options that have made themselves available to me and my current situation requires urgent funding so I have to do what I can for now.

I am hoping i make enough to buy a bed and pay my rent and deposit for the room i have found next month, and even more so hoping i will have enough for food. Saving to leave SA will be a long term stretch, with the weakness of the rand and the fact that I am not making so much at all in the first place.

I am quite upset to be wearing make up, using my body commercially, especially with so much creative ability and that I am well educated and qualified in the arts, but they are the only options i have right now other than corporate arenas which are definitely not within my energy or skills.

In the meantime I am studying for a TEFL course from december and researching ways and places to make a living out of SA that are accessible to me financially and as soon as possible.

I really hope i make the R7000 I need for the new place i want to move into from next month so that i can have a better home environment, than my present one, and have wifi and express my creativity and share a positive home environment. It seems a bit impossible to do in a week... but i have no choice but to keep going and hold onto faith. unfortunately my parents are both in arears and i have no alternatives for financial support.

Sometimes we go through hardship in life, and it reawakens us to the harder things in the world. I am using this opportunity to be humble, appreciate what I have and take note of ways to improve myself, and learn what things are not good for me and what to try avoid later in life. In these moments we should always turn to gratitude... even when things seem really dark, i hope that gratitude can water the seeds of positivity and positive attraction and manifestation.

At the beggining of November, i finally advanced into being able to easily get into Full Lotus position in Yoga. This is such an awesome achievement for me and I have been waiting for this for many years. Spiritually, the timing is great as it is the lotus that arises out of the mud - the idea that we can make it through hard times and emerge a beautiful and radiant flower - which i know i will.

my mercury is in Pushya - symbolised by the blue lotus flower and so the potential to heal through communication and expression is what I am hpoing to manifest and remaster. I have found that my intellect and ability to speak and write were much better when I was abroad and feels as though it is detriorating while I am stuck here. But surely anything is conquerable.

I am annoyed to be having to be a macho man, ‘I can do it’ vibes, while people prefer to watch and steer me on rather than just offer a helping hand or leg up, a favour which can easily be returned once i am back on my usual prosperous and abundant energy.

I identify this as the result of too much masculine or patriarchal energy - where the feminine is the mother and nurterer, sensitive and compassionate - people think its good to be hardcore and shit here. Everyone doing it for themselves - a total lack of the understanding of community and feminine energy that the world needs right now. The poisen of the western mind and world, operating from logic and trying to teach hard lessons and favouring independance - rather than working together as community, sharing resources and aid and moving forward together peacefully.

People want to see you in a boxing ring, getting fucked up by life and hurting each other to get to the top and be a victor. That’s how they want you to learn lessons, cos they feel if they struggled then you have to struggle too. This is cold and why our world is in inequality, divide, and war.

We do not heal from this. We should share and help each other wisely. Where I am strong and you are weak. let me share what i have to lift you up. Without expectation of making some return for helping another person ... because always the universe brings that generous energy back to you! So when my friend is homeless, i house her until she can get on her feet. Where my friend is broke, i can feed her until she has her own job. etc etc. These are the social ideals of community. These are the things that no one is willing to do anymore - and I had to experience being the person in need of community to have my eyes re-opened to the coldness of western contemprary culture.

The commercialisation of community taking place in festival arenas has also carried this energy - on the outside there is the facade of love and unity and helping one another to build better communities, yet on the inside, these are the people who have the most judgment and are the most elitist and exclusionary with who they allow into their worlds and who they will offer aid to.

This is the mistake in attitude I am seeing many people building communities doing as well. They are mirroring the attitude of ‘you can’t sit with us’ under the name of ‘world peace and unity’.

People can’t put their greed aside to help one another - even in love and relationships, clinging onto the weak, patriarchal ego of the hard teacher. In my case, this is no longer a teaching I need, having endured being cast out by my family and having to be a nomad from age 13 already.

I really miss the experience of backpacking, being with people who are totally happy to share space and who offer helping hands simply from the good inside of their being. I miss being able to be this person as well.

All i know is that as soon as i am well off again, i will forgive but still remember those ‘brothers and sisters’ who turned a blind eye to me when I was in need of community, and remember to always never try to be that person. That person who refuses to share and let go of self-entitlement, who prioritises the needs of the patriarchy before those of family and community, who is not there for a friend or lover when i know i have the means to be and that person has no one else to turn to.

The world is backwards, and its up to us to be better people and lovers guys, really. lets return to community, lets return to sharing and less ego, lets be better to each other and move away from the selfishness of the western mind which is only obsessed with climbing and conquering more land, more possessions, more money, more ego, more possessions. Ambition and drwams of empires - the typical patriarchal colonial conquest that fucked the whole world into war. This is weakness, this takes us further away from manifesting love. With love, all else comes true in the best way possible. With love, we all become better, work harder, achieve easier, and are able to give to each other constantly more and more, and recieve more and more. Love will never lead us astray. Go where love calls. Trust it.

I beg this of humanity. Come back into touch with the divine feminine, nature, community. This begins with showing kindness and compassion and helping one another. Remove the colonial ideas from your sense of community. Love and be free eternally!!

#prayforsouthafrica #prayers prayersforcompassion prayersfortrust laststraw

[izimbozada]

Imagine yourself waking up to this view 🌿 @beyazyunushotel 👩🏼‍🌾 “Postcard-perfect views and total privacy at this grown-up seaview hideaway” Beyaz Yunus (meaning ‘White Dolphin’) started life as a fish restaurant, before owner Mehmet turned it into an adults-only 7-room retreat in 2007. He, manager Mustafa and his team have been working together ever since. Driving through heavily commercialised Olu Deniz to get here, you worry that you must be in the wrong place, but keep going until you spot the azure blue gate a mile or so out of town. Behind it is a parallel universe of peace. @beyazyunushotel is built into a hillside, and its sea views are incredible; you instantly feel that guests here have stumbled upon a great secret. 🌿 Come for stunning scenery and tranquility, for lazy days and delicious dinners. The personalised service is amazing - nothing is too much trouble for the smiling, discreet staff - and everything feels very easy. You're a steep set of stairs from the beach (and a walk away from its famous Blue Lagoon), but the pool is beautiful; your biggest decision will be where to while away your days. Bring binoculars and a big book. 🎒Liked this place? Tag your partner you want to go with and say #letsgotogether 🙌🏻☺️ #oludeniz #turkey #mediterranean #kucukotellerbeyazyunus #smallhotels #retreats #pool (Oludeniz Beach) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw3kIU_hAOF/?igshid=epweolf2dkb4

#letsgotogether #oludeniz #turkey #mediterranean #kucukotellerbeyazyunus #smallhotels #retreats #pool

[russiancircles]

The Thin Air // Interview with Russian Circles

By Will Murphy

Ahead of shows at Dublin’s Whelan’s on Wednesday, March 22 and Belfast’s Empire Music Hall the following night, Will Murphy speaks to Brian Cook, bassist with Chicago instrumental masters Russian Circles about touring, politics, their latest album, the ideal audience, the craft of songwriting and more.

Hi, Brian. How’s the road been treating you? The next few months look pretty exciting in terms of venues and nations, is there anywhere that you’re all particularly looking forward to? What will you be listening to stave off the monotony of touring?

Touring has been good. We took care of our headlining U.S. dates last fall, and we divided Europe into two tours this time around just because there were so many cities we wanted to hit. We did Scandinavia and Eastern Europe back in October and November, which was pretty exhausting, but overall a great experience. Sometimes you get so accustomed to hitting the same places over and over again that it becomes easy to take things for granted, then you wind up playing a few shows in Romania and it serves as a reminder that we’re very fortunate to be able to do what we do. Now we’re out doing Western Europe and the UK, which is very familiar territory for us. Not as much of an adventure, but rewarding to be back in cities where we have friends and know the lay of the land. In terms of music, I’ve sort of reverted back to the old school touring listening habits. It used to be that you’d go on tour with a half dozen cassettes or a small book of CDs, then the iPod made it so that you toured with your entire music library and you’d never listen to the same album twice on a six-week tour. Now I’m back to traveling with just a few albums on my phone. I’ve been listening to a lot of Sun City Girls, Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk, Michael Rother, and Lungfish on my headphones. There has also been more than a few spins of the new Power Trip, Oranssi Pazuzu, and Rotting Christ albums in the van.

I remember seeing you when you were last in Dublin. What struck me was how unwilling you were to rush anything. Everything took exactly as long as it was going to take. It was a really ballsy move, and I’m wondering has it ever backfired horribly?

The bigger problem is not allowing enough time. Mike and I have so many changes and adjustments we have to do between songs—different tunings, different guitars, different pedal settings, different Taurus settings—and we do it all while bridging the songs with interludes. Plus, there’s the whole thing of trying to squeeze in a swig of beer and a toweling down of the face between all of that. We used to tour with these auxiliary delay pedals at the end of our chain that served zero purpose other than to silently notifying the rest of the band that we were ready to go into the next song. If the red light on Mike’s delay pedal was on, we knew he was ready. Same for me. The only problem is that sometimes one of us would forget to turn it on, and we’d stand there waiting for nothing until the guilty party remembered to stomp on the pedal.

Is there ever a frustration performing to an audience, given that so much intricate detail is lost when you port the songs to a live context? With that in mind, do you prefer to spend your time in studio constructing these mini epics or letting them loose on the audience night after night?

I’m not sure what the ideal audience would be. I remember Fugazi talking about how their anti-moshing stance grew to such mythical proportions that it seemed like people were afraid to dance at their concerts. I can empathize with that—I hate seeing violent dancing, but it also feels like a lot more work to play when people are totally stoic. The happy medium is when people are physically moving to the music but also respecting their neighbors. At this point, I try to look out into the audience as little as possible, because that happy medium is so difficult to achieve. As far as writing versus performing, they are both gratifying. I don’t think I’d be happy doing just one or the other. I love performing music live. Most of my love of other peoples’ music comes from watching it—or envisioning it—unfolding in real time. So the process of making a song happen in the present, in a very specific environment and with a select audience, is really magical. But if you don’t love the composition side of music, you should just stick to being in a tribute band.

You recorded a trio of albums with Brandon Curtis, each of which was absolutely stellar. Yet for last year’s Guidance, you opted to go with Kurt Ballou. What inspired this change? Was there ever a concern that Ballou might not bring out the same level of performance that Curtis helped to unleash? How hands-on was he during the recording?

Working with Brandon was amazing. We were really drawn to his ability to capture space and dimension with this work with Secret Machines. He’s also just an incredibly knowledgeable musician. He was good set of ears and a really good sounding board for those three records. We opted to go with Kurt Ballou on Guidance simply because we wanted to try something new, and we knew Kurt would share a lot of our musical reference points. Whenever you hire someone to produce a record there’s always that concern over their level of involvement, particularly if you come from a punk background. You don’t want some outside party compromising your vision and trying to make your songs appeal to a broader audience. But our songs tend to be so malleable and go through so many permutations that we have come to value having that set of fresh ears that can hear the different variations and have an unbiased opinion on what works and what doesn’t. In that respect, both Kurt and Brandon were amazing. I think Kurt tended to be a bit more focused on shaping tones while Brandon tended to have more ideas in terms of composition, but they both definitely made their mark on our albums. I can’t speak highly enough of either of them.

A number of groups who’ve recorded with Ballou have talked about Salem being a deeply unsettling town, given the commercialisation of its brutal history. Did any sense of this permeate the songwriting?

Salem is a strange place. It shuts down early. We would stop recording around 8pm just because dinner options after 9pm were virtually non-existence, which was an adjustments considering that we’re from Chicago and New York, where you can eat whatever you want at pretty much any hour of the night. But the witch trials weren’t really something that loomed in the back of our minds during our time there. The juxtaposition of the tourism trade and the public inebriate population was far more jarring.

Your songs feel so meticulously planned and crafted. How long do spend with a single song? How do you know when it is ready or, if it’s the kind that’ll never be perfect, when, if ever, do you throw your hands up and say “fuck it, it’s good enough”?

Some songs come together really quickly. Some songs are labored over for months and months, right up to and through the recording process. The album is bookended by two compositions that were crafted by individual members of the band and transformed into full-band songs with a minimal amount of effort. Then there are songs like Vorel that are transforming even as we play them over the course of this tour. We have to set deadlines for recording otherwise we’d tinker with songs forever. There’s an old lesson I learned in a painting class: every twenty minutes, step away from your work to reassess where you’re at. Inevitably, you’ll step away at some point and realize it’s done and any additional brush strokes are just detracting from the immediacy of the work. It’s a similar thing with songs in the studio sometimes. Every once and awhile you’ll hear a playback and realize that any additional changes or embellishments are just going to diminish the impact of the song.

Tracks like Afrika and Lisboa suggested a focus on geopolitics and a wider cultural sphere. What made you choose these subjects? What was it about the Portuguese capital that inspired you?

I was definitely drawn to political bands when I was younger. I liked topical punk bands. I liked ‘60s protest music. Basically, I just liked bands that obviously gave a shit about the world and expressed some capacity for empathy. I hated love songs. I hated songs about dancing, or partying, or money. Of course, being too topical can make your music a bit dated. I love punk music from the early ‘80s, but it’s a little distracting to hear bands ranting against Reagan and Thatcher. We’re not an overtly political band; there isn’t really a way for us to do that as an instrumental group, but I do like infusing our records with imagery that has some sort of historical or political context, just because it harkens back to a lot of the music I was obsessed with during my formative years. As far as specific song titles, they have very specific meaning to us personally, but we prefer to keep those meanings unclear to the general public. That said, we’ve already mentioned this before in other interviews so I guess I can say it again here, Lisboa was given its title simply because Mike began putting the song together during some downtime on tour in Portugal.

Memorial featured some spellbinding vocals, whereas with Guidance you opted for a purely instrumental approach. What was the reasoning behind this? Are there any plans to bring in vocals for the next release?

We dabbled with vocals on Memorial and Praise Be Man because they seemed like interesting experiments. We have no plans of making vocals a recurring part of our method, but that isn’t to say we won’t feel compelled to explore the option in the future. I enjoy the fact that we can draw heavily from the world of underground metal, but I don’t think borrowing from the vocal styles of those bands would do anything to enhance our music. If anything, I think it would be a distraction. I think being an instrumental band has allowed us a lot more stylistic fluidity, and that is far more important to us than having a lyrical component to our music.

There’s a lot of darkness in the world currently. Trump and Muslim ban, Aleppo, the continued success of Nickelback. How, if at all, does the current state of affairs affect your songwriting?

Well, Guidance is ultimately a reference to our collective uncertainty. For the three of us in the band, it literally referred to a lot of uncertainty in our personal lives, but we tried to extrapolate that to a general sense of apprehension towards the future for the sake of the album. In that sense, “guidance” can refer to the mistaken notion that there is some sort of benevolent leadership out there that has the public’s best interests in mind, or it can refer more generally to the allure of some overarching answer to all our problems. It’s all a carrot on a stick. So it goes.

Finally, given the foreboding and gloom that your work is shrouded in, where and how do you find the inspiration for the more delicate elements of the tracks?

Being that we don’t all live in the same city, we spend a lot of time writing independently. And while we all write with the idea of crafting songs that lend themselves to the darker and louder end of our spectrum, we don’t shut out any ideas that may come up. When you’re playing your instrument alone in your room, a lot of times the quieter and mellower stuff winds up sounding a lot more satisfying than the paired-down versions of the heavier stuff. For example, Asa was not meant to be a Russian Circles song, but those notes sounded good together and it turned into a little song, and I forwarded it along to the other guys in the band just because we have a pretty open sharing policy with our music. And it wound up being something that resonated with Mike and Dave. Overboard was actually two separate songs that were written completely independently by Mike and I and they just happened to fit together. So while we never deliberately set out to write those kinds of songs, sometimes they just happen.

Photos by Ryan Russell and Tomas Mladek 

(via The Thin Air)

#Sargent House #Russian Circles #The Thin Air #Brian Cook

[ericfruits]

A pharmaceutical firm bets big on a cancer drug

WHEN Ken Frazier, chief executive of Merck, an American pharmaceutical giant, started his job in 2011, he had a hard decision to make. The firm had promising new drugs—such as Januvia, for diabetes, and Gardasil, a vaccine against cervical cancer. But the pharma industry was struggling with dismal returns on R&D and investors were questioning if companies were overspending on science. Some surrendered and started buying in drugs instead. But Mr Frazier opted to carry on backing his labs and promised publicly to spend on R&D for the long term, not for the stockmarket’s immediate gratification.

An opportunity to implement the pledge soon arrived. Merck’s merger with another pharma firm, Schering-Plough, in 2009, had brought it an obscure new cancer drug. At first Merck’s scientists were unimpressed and relegated the drug to a list of assets to be licensed out. There was widespread scepticism at the time about whether drugs that attacked cancer using the immune system would work.

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Then the firm noticed that a rival, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), was having success in trials of immuno-oncology drugs, and it fired the starting gun on the drug MK-3475, as it was then known. Using an innovative trial design, the firm pushed the drug through testing as quickly as possible. It won status as a breakthrough drug worthy of speedier approval from the regulator in 2013. By 2014 Keytruda (pembrolizumab) had reached the market to treat advanced melanoma, beating BMS’s rival drug, Opdivo (nivolumab), by months. It sold well, reaching $1bn in cumulative sales by the second quarter of 2016. 

The real commercial prize, however, was lung cancer, from which the industry makes a lot of money. Here Merck made another crucial decision, which was to use a “biomarker”, a way of choosing the patients most likely physically to respond well, which increases the likelihood of a successful trial outcome. The downside of the approach is that, once approved, a drug can only be given to patients who have that marker—which will crimp sales.

That problem became clear as Merck and BMS chased a series of approvals for their drugs to be used in lung cancers—initially as a second treatment choice and then as a primary treatment. The limitation resulting from Keytruda’s need to test for a biomarker helped Opdivo outsell it. But a turnaround came when Keytruda showed in mid-2016 that it was effective in trials that used it as a first treatment on a common type of lung cancer. Meanwhile, Opdivo, not using a biomarker and tested on a broader population of patients, failed (the lack of a biomarker made it harder to show that it improved survival rates). 

In 2017 Keytruda’s sales almost tripled and surpassed $3.8bn. In the most recent quarter its sales nearly caught up with those of Opdivo. Merck’s fortunes now rely heavily on its wonder drug. Vamil Divan, an analyst at Credit Suisse, a bank, predicts that Keytruda sales will be about $10.7bn in 2030—not bad for a firm with annual revenues of $40bn. But the caveat is that this estimate lies in the middle of a whopping $4bn range of possible outcomes. The firm also does well in vaccines, making $6.5bn last year, and has a robust animal-health division. Yet sales of its cholesterol drugs, Zetia and Vytorin, have plunged thanks to competition from generics, while two lucrative diabetes medicines Januvia and Janumet, are likely to be threatened by newer medicines.

Keytruda has new competition. Firms such as Roche and AstraZeneca are also rushing to deliver their own versions of immuno-oncology agents. Moreover Merck’s keen focus on oncology, and on one drug in particular, makes analysts worry that the firm is not sufficiently diversified. Yet it is pushing on regardless. Last year it agreed to pay AstraZeneca, a British pharma firm, up to $8.5bn to develop and commercialise its cancer drug Lynparza (olaparib), which seems likely to work well alongside Keytruda. It also acquired an immuno-oncology biotech firm, Rigontec, in September for $554m. The company says it is creating “a pipeline within a product”, arguing that it is diversified but in many different types of cancer.

Merck’s confidence recalls the period when it was one of the most admired firms in America; the Apple or the Amazon of its day. Its innovation in cholesterol-lowering drugs and HIV medicines in the 1990s gave it a reputation as a company that made society, as well as people, better.

After the millennium it took a series of blows. In addition to patent expiries came the news that its drug Vioxx, used to treat osteoarthritis, also increased the risk of cardiovascular disease. These left it risk-averse for years. But under Mr Frazier, Merck appears to have regained its focus. Fighting cancer makes historic sense. Rising cancer rates, after all, are partly the result of lifespans extended by its earlier generations of blockbuster drugs.

This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline "Making Merck work"

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#IFTTT #Feedly

[maritimecyprus]

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(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) What if you could have the option of Fleet Information Sharing in only few seconds without the necessity of going onboard? What if the Port State Control (PSC) inspection, P&I or the flag annual safety inspection could be materialised at any time or the review of a ship’s records or data could be completed before the vessel arrives into port?

With tens of thousands of cargo vessels sailing across the world’s oceans every day, the safety of cargo and human lives at sea depends on the periodic surveying and inspection of vessels to ensure they are safe to sail. The increased use of coordinated and harmonised ship safety inspection efforts from keel laying and throughout a ship’s lifetime has profoundly impacted the shipping industry and increased safety standards.

The history of ship inspections

The principal authorities that inspect vessels and certify their safety include PSC, Flag Registries, Classification Societies and P&I Clubs.

The history of PSC can be traced back to the first International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea adopted in 1914, which already contained a provision necessitating the control of ships while in ports of Contracting Governments. In the decades that followed, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) continued to issue Assembly Resolutions that pertained to PSC making process well regulated.

Then, in 1978, the ‘Hague Memorandum’ between a number of maritime authorities in Western Europe was developed. Although it was primarily concerned with the enforcement of shipboard living and working conditions, its establishment represented a huge step taken towards the strengthening of ship safety maintenance through inspections and was later followed by other Memorandums of Understanding, notably the Paris MOU, concerning the safeguarding of ship safety through the inspection process.

The future of ship inspections

Like all global industries, shipping is expanding and evolving.

Increased volume of trade, new regulations and the expansion of existing regulations, and differences between PSC regimes have posed new challenges to the modern system of PSC.

The completion of ship inspections involves significant time and expenditure. Most audits require the different auditing parties to repeatedly review the same records and documentation, such as logbooks, drills, records of ship operations, expiry dates and validity of certificates etc. Seafarers are also required to be in attendance during audits and inspections, which places great demand on their time.

In an industry that is undergoing digital transformation while facing great pressures to optimise operations and reduce costs, traditional methods for vessel inspections are being challenged by digital alternatives that seek to reduce the time spent during physical inspectors, or to remove the need completely. Certain classifications societies are investing heavily in the use of drones for their surveys and the transition to digital certificates in replacement of paper certificates is taking place at an increasing rate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also challenged traditional vessel inspection methods due to restrictions around crew changes and inspector travel limitations to reduce the transmission of the virus between crew and those boarding vessels. On April 8, suspension of PSC inspections was announced by all 10 PSC regimes at a virtual summit hosted by the IMO. During the summit, the regimes agreed to a more targeted approach during COVID-19, to ensure the safety of their surveyors and inspectors. As such, PSC inspections were greatly reduced.

Flag states also found themselves in a tricky situation during the pandemic since their priority is to ensure vessels remain compliant and safe through annual inspections. They responded by providing extensions to inspections, in a similar way to PSC authorities.

During the pandemic there has been a greater reliance on remote surveys to protect crew and inspectors from spreading or contracting the virus. COVID-19 restrictions on inspections has definitely spurred an increased pivot towards digitalisation. Therefore, questions have arisen over whether this trend will continue, as well as over the effectiveness of remote surveys. Remote surveys and the use of digital documentation reduces inspector/surveyor time and also costs associated with their travel and accommodations. Forced into adopting a more remote way of working, could PSC authorities and flag states choose to adopt a more remote, digitalised and streamlined way of working going forward?

Time is money

Although the effectiveness of remote surveys and their limitations are being questioned, digital technologies that can help to reduce the time needed for vessel inspection procedures need to play a central role in the industry’s future.

“Time is money” – this is especially true for the shipping industry, because any day that a ship is not in transit, it is costing the shipowner money rather than making it.

What if the documents, records, expiry dates and other data such as work/rest hours required for a PSC inspection, or an flag annual safety inspection could be requested from the ship operator or manager for remote access by an inspector at any time or before the vessel arrives into port? Or what if previously requested ship records, data and documentation could be stored in a central database for easy access by inspectors at the next inspection, significantly reducing inspector time and cost and allowing for a greater number of inspections to be completed in the same time frame?

This is now a reality with the introduction of the ‘Fleet Information Sharing – F.I.SH.’ platform, developed by Prevention at Sea. The F.I.S.H platform was created through a project  that commenced in March 2018, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of RESTART 2016-2020 of the Cypriot Research and Innovation Foundation (Prot. No. ENTREPRISES/0916/0134) and endorsed by the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

‘Fleet Information Sharing- F.I.SH.’ is an online ship data repository designed to standardise, optimise and reduce time spent in the ship inspection process as well as ship records/data collection for review by third parties.

The aim of the platform is to enable the digitalisation of the ship inspection process by helping 3rd parties to securely share data, supporting the significant reduction of administrative time and costs. As such, the F.I.SH.’ platform provides an innovative solution for ship data exchange between Third-Party stakeholders such as Flag States, P&l clubs, Charterers and Port State Control, the Ship and the Ship Operator.

Following the initial project completion and the commercialisation of the F.I.S.H platform, and as part of their continued support for the technology, the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Shipping/Cyprus Ship Registry has expressed the willingness to use the F.I.S.H platform initially for their Flag Inspections and then, at a later stage, for PSC Inspections. Several other safety agencies and flag registries have also expressed an early interest in using the platform.

How does the F.I.S.H platform function?

Through the F.I.S.H platform, third parties are able to submit requests to the ship operator for online/remote ship data review or acquisition. Ship operators can review all of these requests and can grant or decline access to third parties, as well as assign access with functional (i.e. view only) or time restrictions. Once permission by the ship operator has been granted, the third party enquiring about the ship’s data/records will be able to access data and provide feedback to ship operators. This streamlines the ship inspection process and reduces the need for physical inspections.

The F.I.S.H platform allows ship operators and crew members to upload fleet data such as e-certificates, logbooks, ship records into a central and secure online system, as well as review and validate data that have been automatically acquired by other maritime electronic systems and platforms. As such, this platform is a key tool that supports the transition to remote inspection practices.

Ship documentation review can be completed remotely by the inspectors, allowing them to gain a clearer view of what to expect when they go onboard. This enables a detailed and systematic physical inspection of the ship with focus on more critical aspects such as the structural condition, maintenance, human element, etc. Obstacles such as remote port locations and weather conditions are no longer an issue, allowing the inspector to complete a remote inspection on ship’s data without necessary attendance; This also removes exposure of the inspector to risk.

Through F.I.SH., PSC inspectors can request access to ship data, review a ship’s data after acquiring access, provide feedback on the data reviewed, view inspection analytics and benchmarking, and view ship/fleet analytics and benchmarking.

For flag registries, annual flag state inspections are usually conducted by subcontractors are used worldwide. There can be a huge information disconnect here which results in the subcontractors asking the flag state for vessel records (which can be paper and electronic) which flag registries have already published, the subcontractor doesn’t know about. This adds complexity and time to the inspection process.

In response to disruptions caused by COVID-19, some flag registries have conducted remote annual safety inspections by exchanging controlled documents and sensitive records via emails. Therefore, it can be anticipated that more flag registries will move towards remote inspections and the need for a standardised and secured way to do so will rise.

F.I.SH. can be used as common data repository between flag registries and subcontractor inspectors conducting annual ship inspections. This would reduce the time spent by subcontractors locating documents for ships undergoing the annual flag registration inspection process and reduce time spent conducting physical inspections/reviews of documentation onboard. With F.I.SH., the flag registry can obtain a real-time picture of the ship’s records and status at any time.

The F.I.SH. platform:

Provides a secure communication channel between Third parties, the Ship and the Ship Operator

Manages data requests and facilitates the secure exchange of data between ship operators and third parties and subsequent storage of data on the cloud.

Reduces administrative burden and allows time for efficient physical inspection or removes the need for physical inspections completely.

Provides complete control to the ship operator, whether to grant access to the data requested.

Enables integration with various existing electronic systems used by shipping companies that maintain ship/fleet data (i.e. PMS/ERP, ε-ORB, RHManagεr, N.ε.ΜΟ)

The platform enables:

The online uploading of fleet data with offline use, allowing the app to be used under any conditions.

The utilisation of ship data digitalisation (e-certificates, electronic logbooks etc).

The management of certificates.

Remote access on ship data at any time or before ship’s arrival at port.

The evaluation of third party requests for remote access on ship data.

The review of ship data online via a secured permission process.

Ship and fleet validations.

Big data analytics and benchmarking.

F.I.SH. offers users significant administrative time and cost reductions:

Official ship’s records, data can be obtained within minutes.

Reduces operating costs associated with human error.

F.I.SH. offers users complete data Security:

All data uploaded to F.I.SH. is encrypted and secure.

Secured permission process to review ship data online.

Role based authorisation for data exchange.

Secure cloud storage.

Role based authorisation for data exchange.

Blockchain technology for data security.

F.I.SH. offers unlimited data exchange between multiple stakeholders:

Provision of a central platform for the request and upload/download of documents.

Remote access on ship data at any time or before ship’s arrival at port.

F.I.SH. offers unlimited data storage:

Store unlimited volumes of any kind of data (documents, images, videos) in the platform’s data reservoir.

  Contact the experts: Prevention at Sea

email: [email protected]

    Streamlining the ship inspection process (www.MaritimeCyprus.com) What if you could have the option of Fleet Information Sharing in only few seconds without the necessity of going onboard?

#Innovative Technology

[the-necessary-unnecessary]

Football teams are also heavily commercial endeavours even at the kid level her in the USA. You also have feeder clubs that have links to colleges so you know you'll get the Stanford scouts coming (they have the best women's program). So people pay above and beyond to get their kids onto those teams which means those teams know they can charge a lot because there is big demand for places. It's a shame but sadly its how it works in a lot of sports here.

commercialising over kids and their hobbies is just another big yikes from me. And yeah I guess the college feeders comes a bit more naturally when such big sports scholarships and programmes exist at universities (similar to how there’s still summer schools and private institutions you can go to here to increase your chances of getting into a great university but off academic merit only), but still sounds extremely over the top. A real big shame but I suppose it’s just treated as normal...

#the asks

[amandafoxy1]

I purposefully spent a good amount of my young life trying not to be too girly while still presenting and identifying  as a biological female.  During the time that I grew up I didn’t really know how to discuss or explore gender in a societal sense, I understood that I COULD be whatever I wanted to be and that I could aim high but had no idea how one could be COMFORTABLE living as a strong,  driven girl or a girl that wasn’t at all interested in the things that the media designated for me.  I couldn’t get my head around how my biological sex could ever be expected to shape and mould my everything and I was absolutely adamant that I would ‘save’ myself, make my own money and do whatever the bloody hell I pleased (as long as it was legal, I have always been respectfully anarchic which makes no sense at all unless you know me well). Anyway,  as a consequence I grew up feeling very detached from what one might call ‘the sisterhood’, even though I had (and still have) two sisters.  Being ‘one of the girls’ wasn’t something I aspired to, in fact it filled me with dread and that dream continued well into my adult life and especially into my business life.

Even now that I’m somewhat more comfortable in my woman-skin I am still  prickly about joining in women-only networking events as they still feel too much like an environment I’ll find alien given that, in my experience, I have quite different feelings and experiences of navigating the big ‘woman’ issues such as mothering, business, life, relationships. While that no longer makes me feel like there is something wrong with me, it still makes interactions with groups of women a little difficult and slightly uncomfortable  for me as inevitably I’m on a completely different emotional page to the bulk of them – see, I’m calling them ‘them’ like I’m not included…

But I still keep trying and that’s why I came along to this talk fest ‘All About Women’ on the weekend following International Womens day.

Women are an important part of my business and while not all of my customers are women, the majority of brands  I end up working with have women as their primary target.  As a cosmetic chemist I don’t have much say in how the formulations get marketed, typically the marketing part is done by the brand owner and is presented to me as a brief which I furnish with chemistry, perhaps (in fact often) suggesting actives and a strategy to help the product sing to that market.  To achieve this task the process of brief development and targeting reduces women down to a few key features, we FRAGMENT her into:

Her Skin

Her Aspirations

Her Self-Esteem

Her Lifestyle

‘Of course a good cosmetic chemist and brand owner will never lose sight of the big picture’ I hear you say but you’d be quite wrong there,  it’s more often than not that brand owners and the brief process strip away the whole in favour of perfecting the parts.

I remember having a conversation with a male chemist years ago who happened to let slip that he sometimes used to forget to actually try what he formulated out, especially the colour cosmetics.  I have to admit that there have been times when I’ve done that too, got so caught up in the game of stability, formula price, how the product looks and how it flows out of the packaging that I too have forgotten to wear it, I too had reduced the woman-dominant target audience to just a canvas on which to display my work. Shameful really!

I set up ‘Realize Beauty’ to remind me and the wider public that beauty deserves to be realised wherever it exists and by that I mean we should strive to deeply and clearly understand and take time to register beauty in all things and all people, to expand our understanding of what beauty is and how it is expressed in all its many guises.  In order to achieve that I feel it is important that we take the time to absorb and appreciate beauty as a whole first rather than approach it in a reductive, fragmented, objectified or commercialised way.  I set up this way to advocate for relationship building based on appreciation and love rather than on something transactional, I think that realising beauty takes time, open minds and a willingness to really see things for what they are, not just how you perceive them to be (although one could argue philosophically about what that means and whether it is ever possible to see things from other perspectives or without our own intrinsic bias).

The talk that I went to at the Opera House was on the ‘Me too’ movement which was interesting but somewhat frustrating for reasons that perhaps aren’t relevant here but nevertheless it was good to be out amongst interested and eager-to-learn women and men of all ages and demographics.  I took my husband, youngest daughter and exchange student along for the ride and I’m pretty sure we all got something positive out of the experience.

Here are some pictures:

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Reflecting on this with regards to how it relates to my business life I’m reminded to stay focused on respecting and realising beauty as a source of positive energy in the world.  The politics, legal constructs and societal expectations can all weigh heavily on us whoever we are and wherever we sit but at the end of the day if we focus on creating, appreciating, celebrating and empowering beauty wherever we see it we will be doing OK.  The world sometimes tells us that beauty is all fluff and bubbles but I’d say that’s wrong, it’s everything else that’s superfluous.

So I should just keep on keeping on then…

Amanda x

  All About Women – A Weekend of Talks I purposefully spent a good amount of my young life trying not to be too girly while still presenting and identifying  as a biological female.   971 more words

#beauty #international womens day #Realize Beauty #Women in Business