Hello guya! I am a physics student in my third year. I have a few weeks to find a company to do my intership but I have no idea where to look. My ideal situation would be a company in the Netherlands because that's where I am aiming to do my masters as well but I have no clue where to start looking. I went online but the subjects where so specific that it feels as if I would not be qualified to even applied. If you could give me a hand I would very much appreciate it!

Hello, I am a freshman computer science student and elected as the treasurer of my school organization which is a CS-related academics club. I have minimal experience and I don't really have any idea on how to be a treasurer, especially when it comes to tracking expenses, allocating funds, and paperwork-related tasks.
Can you give me some specific tips and advices how can I execute my role properly? As well as what can I expect from this role. Please help. Thank you!

Since the amount of flair options is a bit limited, I figured I go with this one? So sorry if it's the wrong one. But I need some advice and I figured the potatoes (and maybe even potato queen) know best. Also, this is probably going to be long (because speaking/typing coherently is not my forte), so I apologise in advance.
I'm (32F, probably adhd, maybe on the spectrum, idk if that matters; I am in the process of getting officially diagnosed or not) in northwestern Europe, but English is not my first language. As an adult, I've only been to 1 (christian) wedding (and bachelorette), for which I was present during the ceremony and the evening party. I didn't know about the formality at the municipality, but I didn't mind, it was quite chaotic anyway. I felt a little overdressed (my semi-asian/european noble upbringing is rather strict on formal attire for formal events; it's a long story) in my formal dress with tights and heels. I went out and handmade mr and mrs gifts, along with a home spa gift basket for each.
Now my second wedding as an adult is coming up in early July and this one is stressing me out. My friend (29?F), who I was classmates and secondary school friends with, instantly told me about the engagement, and subsequent wedding date when she could (more than 9 months in advance even I think). As a good friend, I instantly let my manager know I would be taking that day off for said wedding. She and I also discussed wedding dinner plans over lunch some time later. Now, we are not the closest (she is extremely busy with 2 jobs, their puppy and wedding planning), so I wasn't expecting to be included in any bachelorette or such. Months went by (without meeting and barely speaking because she's busy), and I had to ask her about the invitation, because I wasn't receiving one (I got scared I was no longer invited). She told me she had sent them out, but hadn't had the time to drop mine off, so I ended up receiving mine last month at the gym where we both go. Lo and behold: I'm only invited for the party at 8pm... In my experience (1 wedding as an adult and 3 as a child), weddings are an all-day thing. And from the way she discussed it with me, I thought that would be the case for me. Eventually, I mustered up the courage to casually ask about it, and turns out only 30 people are attending the ceremony, and like 80 (30+50) people are invited to the party. I'm not mad I guess, but it just feels weird to me. Apparently it can be a thing to do weddings like this, but I'm having a hard time getting comfy with that idea. It feels like I'll get to watch a first dance, grab a drink, and leave money. Which is probably a thinking error on my part.
The other problem with only being invited to the party, is that, other than the bride, I don't know anyone. She mentioned some people, and there might be 1 face I might remember from high school (we didn't hang out, but she hung out with the bride a lot). However, I have 2 default settings: confidently acting like I own the place or crying in a bathroom (especially with sensory overload; best case scenario for the last one is hiding in a corner playing on my phone). My friend is well off with her 2 jobs (and her fiance working), and besides her rather high-maintenance attitude for this wedding (and life in general a bit too; but I'm not close enough to have a super juicy bridezilla story), she seems to live life spending more than me. I don't care about that in general, since we can still do lunches together and chat (and I don't feel inferior in that at all), but her suggestion for me getting to know some people for the wedding was joining the bachelorette. However, she also semi-casually said it would be €100-€150 for everyone, without knowing what activity/activities is/are planned. As a student, I unfortunately cannot come up with that kinda money. So now I'm already getting worked up on how I might have a bad day during the wedding and just have a bad time for not knowing anyone.
And finally, along with the money issue, comes the feeling that I need to put a lot of money in an envelope as a gift, which I'm also uncomfortable with, because I feel I might/will be judged for a "low" amount since I can't afford €100+. I'd rather put a lot of time and effort into finding and making something to kinda "hide" the direct monetary value of the gift(s) and instead make it look like a more heartfelt and thoughtful one. This extends to what I think I need to wear. I feel I need to wear a €100+ gown/cocktail dress/etc. Which I am unable to find (since dresses are often too short for my liking, have long sleeves, casual/holiday, or are in white/red/black which I think are inappropriate colours), and the dresses I already have don't feel good enough to fit the "summer chic" dress code.
My mum suggested opting out, but I feel I can't disrespect my friend by being ungrateful by not going. My mum also said I must gift money (although she suggested like €25 since we are not thát close). All I know is that I'm confused and stressed out. I don't want to disrespect my friend, but I'm also desperately trying to find a way to mentally prepare for this wedding.
So: - How do I get comfortable being only a party guest (especially if I don't know anyone)? - What is the best way to go about the wedding gift? - Would it be okay to wear a (formal) dress I already own?
Sorry again if it's too long fellow potatoes, but the other wedding subreddits don't feel like the right place. I'm really at my wits' end. Please help a potato out! :(

Hello everyone, welcome to the third discussion about Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. Hope you studied hard this week, I sure did!

Summary

Previously, in Thinking Fast and Slow, we followed Kahneman and Amos’s academic bromance in the wonderful world of decision making and biases. Our two main characters model two kinds of behavior of the brain. System 1, always on, is the intuitive one, that makes continual judgments and assumptions. System 2 is the slower one, only called when necessary, that produces rational thinking, mathematical reasoning, and is awfully lazy. We learned that even specialists are really bad at intuitive statistics and apply the law of small numbers when they shouldn’t.
Chapter 11: Anchors When we are asked to consider a possible solution to an estimation problem (eg, did Gandhi die after 100 years old?), our answer will be close to this number, like it’s anchored to it. Even when the proposition is obviously unrelated, like with a rigged wheel of fortune. It has many consequences, like with real estate prices and every negotiation. If someone starts one with an absurd price, make a big fuss and stop it until a more reasonable offer.
Both systems cause this behavior. System 1 because of priming (unconscious influence of a previous information). System 2 makes us start at the anchor, and then adjust, often not enough.
Btw, here are the answers to the questions, it annoyed me that they weren’t in the book. Washington became president in 1789. Waters boils at around 70°C/160°F on top of the Everest. Gandhi died at 78 years old.
Chapter 12: Availability We learn about the availability bias. When we are asked to estimate the frequency of an event, our answer depends on how easily we can retrieve examples from our memory. The more dramatic and personal the example is, the more it works. Making people list examples increases the perceived frequency, except when you ask too much. Finding 12 examples of something is hard, and your brain will interpret the cognitive fatigue as a less frequent phenomenon.
Chapter 13: Availability, emotion and risk Our perception of risk is biased by availability and the affect heuristic. If you feel strongly about something negative, you will evaluate the risk as stronger. It’s especially true with very small risks such as terrorism, which our brain is really bad at evaluating (it’s either ignored or given too much weight). And a recent disaster in the news will make us renew our insurance policies. There is a very negative correlation between benefit and risk in the mind of people. This means that if a technology is perceived as highly useful, you will perceive it as less risky, and vice versa.
Kahneman then presents two philosophies about risk assessment and how it affects public policy. There can be availability cascades around public panics such as the Love Canal controversy, fed by media frenzy and politics. Slovic thinks that risk being not objective (it depends on what parameter we prioritize, such as lives or money), the perception of the citizens should never be ignored. Sunstein wants risk experts to rule, because public pressure make the biased lawmakers prioritize the use of tax money inefficiently. Kahneman wisely stays in the middle of this merciless academic scuffle.
Chapter 14: Tom W Tom W is a fictional university student invented by Kahnmos. The goal of the exercise is to guess his specialty. The subjects are told the proportion of the students in each specialty (the base rate, humanities being more probable than STEM), and sometimes a (dubious) psychological profile. He’s described as a nerdy asocial guy who likes bad puns, and if you’re judging him, remember you’re on reddit, so don’t throw any stone here. Most people, even specialists, will infer that Tom studies Computer Science, despite the probabilities given by the base rate, that mean it is more probable for him to study Humanities. It’s because this tells a better story (they choose representativeness instead of base rate. Even if the added information is dubious. Once again, if system 2 is activated (eg by frowning), people will get closer to the base rate.
Kahneman then gives us advice to discipline our faulty intuitions. You just have to use Bayes’s rule and multiply probabilities in your head! Easy. If you cannot do that, I’m sorry you’re an embarrassment to your family and country, but just remember to stay close to the base rate and question the quality of the evidence.
Chapter 15: Linda or less is more Linda is another fictional character created to make us feel bad. She’s described as a left-leaning politically engaged woman. What is more probable, that she’s a bank teller or a feminist bank teller? Most people will choose the second. The problem is that feminist bank tellers are a subset of bank tellers, so there’s less of them (all feminist bank tellers are bank tellers, whereas only some bank tellers are feminist). So it’s mathematically less probable. However, it’s more plausible, tells a causal story, so our System 1 likes it. It’s called conjuction fallacy.
Apparently, Linda caused another controversy in the field of psychology, but Kahneman doesn’t go into details, probably to protect his readers from the gruesome imagery.
Chapter 16 Causes trump statistics We go back to a Tom-like experiment, comparing base rate to other information. When the base rate is neutral, people don’t care about it. But when it is causal and tells a story, the brain will take it into account more. The story (here, it is that a company’s cab cause most of the accidents) creates a stereotype in our head. And in this case, stereotyping helps improving the accuracy of our intuitions.
The author then discusses how to teach psychology to students. He describes the help experiment, where people isolated in booths heard a stooge pretending to die. A minority of people went to help, because of the dilution of responsibility (”someone else can do it!”). When faced to this result, most students accept it but it doesn’t really change their views, in particular of themselves. However, when shown some individuals and their choices, their ideas really evolved. Once again, we suck at statistics and love to make stories from anecdotes. But now we can hack it?
Chapter 17 Regression to the mean Every performance has a random element. That means that if someone has an exceptionally good run, in sports for instance, their results will go down in the future. The opposite is also true. This is called regression to the mean and happens all the time when there is randomness involved. But our brains love causality and will invent a story around it. For instance, this air cadet performed better the second time because I yelled at him, not because of randomness catching up with his bad luck. That’s why we need control groups in every experiment, because many sick people will get better because of time and statistics.

Useful Links

• The Love Canal
• Alar Scare
• Bayesian statistics

You’ll find the questions below, feel free to add your own!

So I have skin issues(hyperpigmentation etc) and I'm a college student with considerable budget going to gym and diet so I cannot afford much.
Does anyone have any experience with government hospital dermats?

It's utterly baffling, downright infuriating even, to witness the absolute neglect from the dire economic realities plaguing India. We're hurtling towards an economic precipice, with savings plummeting to a 47-year low and household debt skyrocketing to record highs, yet all we hear from the ruling party is a cacophony of communal rhetoric and fear-mongering.
India's middle class, the backbone of its economy, is being squeezed dry, struggling to make ends meet amidst soaring inflation and dwindling job prospects. Household net financial savings have sharply fallen to a mere 5.3 per cent of GDP, a stark contrast to the long-run average of 7-7.5 per cent. Meanwhile, household debt levels have reached an alarming 40 per cent of GDP, burdening families with financial strain.
Food inflation has become a persistent nightmare, with essential items like tomatoes, potatoes, milk, chicken, eggs, and fish witnessing an alarming 8 per cent plus increase in prices. This relentless rise in the cost-of-living forces families to skimp on other essential expenditures, further exacerbating their financial woes.
Moreover, the job market is a bleak landscape for India's youth, Unemployment looms large, especially among young Indians aged 15 to 29, who account for a staggering 83 per cent of all unemployed individuals in the country. And even for those fortunate enough to secure employment, it often comes in the form of low-quality jobs in the informal sector, with stagnant or declining wages.
Add to this the dismal state of education, where 25 per cent of young students aged 14 to 18 in rural India struggle to read a standard two-level text fluently, and more than half grapple with basic division problems. Despite these glaring deficiencies, the government's budgetary allocation for education for the fiscal year 2024-25 was slashed by 7 per cent, with the higher education sector bearing the brunt of a 16 per cent cut in spending.
And yet, despite these undeniable facts painting a grim picture of the middle-class plight, the politicians continue to deflect attention from the issues at hand.
Sources:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/on-the-fall-in-household-savings/article68092017.ece
2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/indias-retail-inflation-eases-slightly-in-april-surge-in-food-prices-continues-101715604969287.html
3. https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/young-indians-more-likely-to-be-jobless-if-they-are-educated-ilo-data-124032900038_1.html
4. https://indianexpress.com/article/education/over-half-of-rural-youth-struggle-with-basic-division-problems-and-time-calculation-aser-2023-9113201/
5. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/budget/ministry-of-educations-budget-slashed-by-7-per-cent/article67800990.ece

This is a crossover fanfiction between original fiction titles: Nature of Predators by SpacePaladin15 and The Last Angel by Proximal Flame respectively. All credit and rights reserved goes to them for making such amazing science fiction settings that I wanted to put this together.
You can read The Last Angel here: Be warned, it's decently long, and at its third installment so far. I highly suggest reading it before reading this, or this story will not make sense.

Otherwise, enjoy the story! Thanks again to u/jesterra54 and u/skais01 for beta and checking of work!
First Prev Next (soon)
Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic
Date [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136
The reveal of the Arxur's assistance of Earth was a unsettling, but mostly overlooked note to add to the headlines filling news sites today on Venlil Prime.
UNKNOWN SHIP DEVASTATES FEDERATION FLEET ABOVE EARTH, HUMANITY LIVES
While the ship wasn't currently unknown to us, given the UN's report, General Kam had advised that it would be better left unspoken of what capabilities we did know, so as to not worry the populace. "Leave causing panic to the humans" he said. But I heard the worries and anxious rumors throughout both social media and verbal conversations...
"That ship destroyed an ENTIRE fleet!?"
"Oh Protector, please tell me its not an Arxur vessel..."
"Why don't we know more?"
I couldn't help but feel for my people. I came to disagree with Kam's advice more and more, as I wished desperately to allay their fears of it being an Arxur superweapon, or that it was going to destroy us soon, or other similar worries.
Are you so sure yourself, Tarva? Even the UN government is scared of it, and it supposedly was made by a future Humanity...
I tried not to focus on that pang of paranoia. I just hoped soon enough the UN would make a statement on the Nemesis already. As I accompanied Noah to the UN's remembrance speech today, I did my best to scan for the feelings worn on peoples faces. The Venlil were unsettled as before, but the human refugees were an odder story altogether.
They were devastated, and scared as well as us Venlil were. But on top of it, I could see a common face worn of confusion. The information disambiguation hadn't made its way to Venlil Prime like it had Earth, and as such they were as much in the dark as the public here was. I could only imagine their uncertainty, knowing their race was likely saved by something they had no idea about.
Noah spoke out of nowhere. "I feel for the refugees here. Forced to an unfamiliar place, so unofficially hostile to them, and now they learn of Nemesis like this? I'd be as confused as them in their place." He checked his suit, attending to shift it so slightly as to make him look better in it. "I also can't imagine your opponents didn't run the whole ball with their existence here, too. Are we taxing you harshly, Tarva?"
I gripped his hand tighter. "No, Noah. While there are those that want you off-planet, I will not let them kick you off. I'll fight for you, no matter the cost."
"Seems like anywhere we go, we cause a fight some way or another. Pops always said space was our ticket to a better future, yet all we seem to cause is trouble for merely existing."
"Noah, its not your people's fault we're afraid of you. The Arxur are to blame for that, and we're at fault for holding it against you. What happened to Earth was not your doing, you tried your best, and it just was not convincing enough for millennia of cultural momentum."
He smiled at that, a muted, but still genuine smile. "Thank you Tarva. I'm glad you see the best in us, even when we don't."
I continued to scan the crowd, looking for the sight of Meier. He always seemed alight in diplomacy whenever he was around, it was a strength of his, outshining the room like that. I could only hope he was doing okay in the current state of Earth. The last time we talked, he seemed very tired, very...frustrated with everything.
But I was glad to see him in some his element soon after, amongst a group of dignitaries from other Federation species. He seemed to be listening to a Mazic diplomat, one I remembered by the name of Cupo. Sadly, however, despite Meier's attempt, it seems the conversation was not on a good track.
"-they're a menace to the rest of the galaxy, and you just let them in, not so soon after this ship blindsided an entire Federation fleet out of nowhere!?"
Meier dejectedly sighed. "Cupo, I thought I already told you, when the Arxur showed up, we had no capability to tell them to take a hike. They were ten-thousand strong and we barely managed several hundred ships left. That they even engaged in dialogue rather than just subjugation was a surprise to me."
"That doesn't make much sense either, Elias Meier. Since when do the Arxur play merciful? You're not telling us something here, and it curls my trunk in knots. How can we trust you when you can't even give us the details on what that ship is, or why the Arxur even showed up in its stead?"
The Mazic was not interested in Meier's friendly act, not giving any room for benefit of the doubt. The other diplomats crowded around began to mumble in agreement, as Meier stood there, formulating some response.
"What we do know about the ship and the Arxur, we'll clear up publically later in this event. But neither were expected by us, you have to believe me. Humanity is just as confused as you all are on the results of that battle, and-"
Cupo interrupted this time, clearly not willing to hear an explanation out. "You're running out of trust, Human. We think you ought to be given a chance; as the empathy studies show, you're not the Arxur. But associating with them as you are, with little transparency is not doing you favors with us, and if you want further association with us, you'd best cut ties with those monsters sooner, rather than later." The Mazic's ears hung in displeasure, and I could sense the nervousness in Meier as he stood down one of the races in the room far bigger than he was. Whether Cupo knew it or not, Meier was intimidated by his presence, and was trying to keep it cool to some degree. "We'll at most help with the Gojid refugees at the moment, as they've suffered both of your kind, but beyond that, consider it on hold until that problem is resolved."
They walked away, and some of the alien crowd amongst them followed. The only ones still sticking around seemed to be a Yotul diplomat, a Nevok, and a Fissan. The latter two stuck obviously to discuss more trade details, seeking to cut the other off from Earth to a degree in hopes of exploiting the system, but the Yotul was a surprise. I didn't even realize they had sent one this way.
Given the relatively new uplift of their world, I didn't imagine the Yotul having much stake or spread throughout the galaxy, so how did humanity...?
Meier turned to him. "Ah...Ambassador Laulo, I'm sorry you had to see that. We're...not doing so hot in the grand scheme of things, and some relations are boiling over as a result."
Laulo enthusiastically shook his head in denial. "No, it's okay! I understand the feeling of that persecution, even if it's for a different reason. Feels like the galaxy kicking you while you're already down."
"I appreciate any help we can get in regards to this. You're one of the very few races left that's pledged some sense of unconditional aid. I promise, with all I have in my power, I'll try and return the favor-Tarva!" Elias noticed my presence at last. "I...uh, how long have you been standing there?..."
"Long enough to hear most of it. I'm sorry the more neutral species aren't helping any, Meier. But that's not why I'm here, specifically. We need to talk about the human refugees."
Meier looked at me funny with that statement, as if he wasn't expecting something out of me. "I see...I hope it's not anything too bad, is it?"
I silently cringed at the exact words. Noah filled in the details in my stead. "Meier, the refugees here are seeing images of Earth, of those not too horribly in shock to do anything, there's been an uptick in suicides...a massive uptick. They aren't aware of the full story, due to the Venlil government's reluctance to publish the report sent here publicly. This remembrance speech better give the people here a semblance of peace, of stability, because there's an extreme lack of morale left in the camps."
Meier grimaced and scanned the crowd, glancing at the humans that were here. I assume he too could see how dejected many were, how many seemed at the end of their rope, coming here for the slightest hint of hope left in their lives at the news. They would need some good news, or there was a chance some wouldn't be here tomorrow.
I felt for them. They didn't deserve this, and our intentional censor of the details, so that Meier could deliver the news likely didn't help with the rates.
"I get that Noah. I really do. What happened at Earth was a tragedy, and the death toll is nearly 800 million. You could likely gather a group of ten or so humans from anywhere, and one of them lost someone close to them. I'll...do my best to raise their spirits, there's plenty to talk about here. The alien diplomats just aren't making this easy..." Meier gestured to the clearly forming bloc of neutral species dignitaries that gathered in the room. They did not seem to want to talk further on any support of Earth until some demands were met, mostly on why things were kept so information-blackout heavy at first. The speech would have to be twofold, at raising human refugees' spirits, and at convincing some of the touchy species to support Earth.
His work was cut out for him.
"Did you wish for any assistance on that front, Meier?" Noah offered. His kindness shone through even in the depths of despair that wore
itself on humanity currently. His soul was purely sweet and kind, regardless of his predator disposition, I so deeply respected that about him.
They began to talk shop, Noah mentioning his current experiences with human refugees upon Venlil Prime, and what topics Meier ought to add on and hit on in his speech. As rushed of advice as it was, Meier seemed determined to fit it in somehow, but I knew he had a silver tongue, his capability to navigate and convince was downright bewildering, present company excepted of course. Nothing would get those species over his diet anytime soon, so I could only hope he could appeal to their empathy as another sentient in this case.
I believed in them. If anyone could turn the state of the galaxy around, it would be these two.
Memory transcription subject: Dorian Abder, Commons Member of Parliament
Date [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136
I sat on my desk, watching out the window of my office at the Westminster Palace, reminiscing on the sad scene outside. Another body under cloth cover, wheeled out on a stretcher from a home surrounded by paramedics. Another swept up in despair, seeing the state of our beautiful planet, of our populace, so brutally scarred, enough to take their own life.
How many was it, so far? Nearly a half-percent suicide rate for every hundred thousand in England? More than eight times the highest resting rate in our entire history. And we were hardly hit in comparison to the rest of the world...how are they doing if it's this bad here?
I leaned back in my chair, back cracking in old age, forcing myself away from the scene outside. I tried to not think about it, just tried to focus again on my work. On the coordination efforts with the UN, the Arxur, and any other races seeking to help. But it was a mountain of work ahead, a peak of papers I could barely see myself climbing in an entire week, let alone the mere day it was handed down here.
We've all lost someone. Not a single soul hasn't been touched by the Federation's bombing.
I thought about how the targeting of cities took. How they focused so heavily on Africa and Asia, the most booming corridors of population on Earth. How they erased 78 cities from existence before their fleet was devastated by The Sword. They weren't aiming to cripple humanity, on industrial depots and power plants, but to exterminate us. They aimed for the most populated cities first, before taking potshots at what remained.
Being put to the death by The Sword serves them right, they deserved judgement by that blade for what they had done.
Or, rather, the Nemesis, as reports had given us. A human ship, but not quite our humanity. A time traveler conveniently sent here by accident, saving us from extinction. An AI piloted ship that sought now to reunite with Earth having defended us. Given what remained of our Guardian Angel, I sought to do everything I could to make their welcome home a celebration, for they defended humanity in our darkest hour.
I recalled my journeys around the globe as a younger man. How my endless wanderlust took me to every corner of the globe in the wake of the Satellite Wars. How the global power vacuum led to so much relief efforts, as the less-touched nations finally had room to breathe, the canopy of carefully controlled superpowers no longer eating up their light needed to grow. How African countries like South Africa and Niger found themselves expanding to match the designation of First World. How beautiful the Seychelles were to see in person.
How my volunteering in the UN's Unfurled Umbrella Initiatives after the Treaty of Shanghai took me to the partially collapsed countries amidst Asia. How Tokyo, despite its immense infrastructure failure, dragged itself back to a powerhouse of a city, as Japan built for itself after so long. How China's government reformed into a Republic after the post-war coups, and how Taiwan finally opened its heart more to them for it. How Beijing found itself all the stronger for adversity.
How the South and Central Americas found themselves no longer under the impressive hand of the United States' geopolitical influence. How the first Diaspora vessels took off from Argentina, seeking to establish a government sentenced only to the annals of history on Earth upon the distant surfaces of Mars. How they were so determined to prove the world wrong on its presuppositions of how a place should be ruled, free of the influence of bullying countries. And how their dream led to the now Martian Collective.
I thought of all the other places the UN took me. Of Cairo, and its deep connection to our most prominent civilization of the ancient past. Of Istanbul, to see the beauty of mixing Christian and Islamic influence over centuries of swapping hands. Of the stunning ports of Singapore, an industrial powerhouse of a nation, so tightly packed into one single city. Of the stunning silver forest of skyscrapers that was New York City, still kicking even after the devastation of the Satellite Wars. Mumbai, Baghdad, Lagos, Mogadishu, Guadalajara, Rio De Janeiro, Berlin. How I drank in all the beauty and magnificent history and culture of the world, and was all the fuller a person for it. These and so many more.
I thought of the honey farmer I met by the Saigon River; how Châu Được's family had kept the traditional job going for so long, and divinely sweet their harvest was they shared with me. I thought of Dari Qazi, how the humble Afghani-borne man had found himself at the forefront of a secular revolution in Pakistan, reaching unrivaled progress not seen since the 1980's. I remembered the ambitious young woman in Monterrey, Mexico, who talked to me of her dreams to build spaceships for the Diaspora program, how she wished dearly she could leave a mark on history, and how now her name was on the finest rockets of the age.
All gone. Dust on the wind. Atomized debris now. Their homes, their families, their history gone, according to reports of which cities have evaporated to bedrock.
Thousands of years of history, erased in moments by antimatter over Rome. Los Angeles was reduced to the basin it was built on those long years ago in America. Cape Town's hard fought for progress from humble beginnings to the most populous and prosperous city in all of Africa, wiped from the record in an instant. Seven-hundred and eighty million dead in the span of an hour.
All those years spent, traveling around the world, drinking in the sights, to know they will never return. To know they are gone and buried, snuffed out by a bloody cruel universe, filled with utterly contemptible aliens. A deep voice spoke inside me on a loop, constantly asking an enraging question.
"Did it all mean nothing to you, Dorian?"
There was only one answer I considered giving to that accusation. To the monsters that took so many lives and homes from humanity, merely for having the gall to eat differently. What answered back blistered with hatred, yet kept frigidly focused.
"It meant everything to me."
Something clicked inside; the Federation wouldn't get away with this. We deserved justice. I rustled through my desk drawers, looking for old contacts from my political days. The stacks of papers on my desk could wait, this was more important. I needed to make some calls. Humanity deserved better, and I knew just how we could get it. But it would require a far more coordinated effort than just me. No, it needed a movement.
The galaxy will hear us. One way or another, we deserve justice. And we have just the circumstances to deliver it...
Memory transcription subject: Governor Tarva of the Venlil Republic
Date [standardized human time]: October 22, 2136
"-the sting of these days will someday pass. Maybe not in the near future, maybe not even in our lifetime, but we will one day no longer feel his pain, this suffering. Until that day comes, we will not go gently into that dark night, we will live on, mourn our dead, defend those still living, and make humanity known to the galaxy that it will not roll over when faced with such hostility. To those who support us even now, I thank you deeply to the core, and ask for a moment of silence to those lost both above and on Earth...to those who would stand with the Federation, who did so cruelly act upon us, we urge you to reconsider, and turn away, for we bring not a olive branch, but a sword. Those species governments that did this will not get away with this, and those who stood aside and watched...either choose a side, or be labeled on one for your inaction. Thank you."
Meier finished his speech with that, and some applause was heard from human refugees amidst the crowd, but a majority remained mostly quiet, in remembrance of the lives lost. A good majority of the dignitaries from the Federation neutral races had already left by this point, so the pointed message at the end likely missed them personally, even if they listen in later. It was a good speech, but it felt...infused with something that was clearly not Meier's normal calm. It was like seeing a side I had never seen with him before, not rant-angry, but mad nevertheless, hidden behind a veneer of diplomatic politeness.
Noah put it in terms I thought best as Meier walked off stage. "You're a bit more of a firebrand than I thought Meier, but nevertheless a good speech! I'm glad you tied in what advice I could give for the refugees here so smoothly."
Meier smiled at that, a cathartic smile that spoke of being proud of what he delivered just a moment ago. I could only imagine he was aching with tension over the pain of so much loss of life, it was only fair that he be angry at the galaxy at large for it, and make it heard.
"Thank you, Noah. I sincerely mean every word of it. The Federation must not escape scot-free for what they have done, and already now at home we're preparing to bring the fight back to them." He looked at me. "We'll...obviously not go as far as the Federation did, but I speak for everyone in that humanity is not happy, and it shows. Even the refugees that came here looking a mere instant from giving up seem a bit resolved now to that goal. I just wish more were on our side to start...I never wanted war, but the galaxy's forcing it."
"I'm so sorry, Meier. My deepest sympathies for how the galaxy has treated you and yours. Despite the hiccups recently, I guarantee we'll still remain close allies; humanity deserves nothing less."
The remainder of the species in the remembrance assembly started to funnel out; it was mostly just humans and Venlil at this point, but a few stuck around. The Yotul ambassador, Laulo, was an obvious one amongst the stragglers, clearly meaning to talk with Meier and us further. As the room became more and more empty he walked over to us once again.
"Meier! Your speech was wonderful, full of spice and vigor, yet calming all the same. It was like a call to arms while smoking spiritwood. The Federation stragglers hopefully will reconsider!"
I felt a little weirded out by his choice of focus in the speech on The Federation, rather than humanity, but I responded in Meier's stead positively: "Yes, Meier's an expert in political and social matters. Anyways, what did you want? You seem to be just hanging around, waiting for a moment here."
"Ah...yes, about that..." Ambassador Laulo nervously tugged at his uniform. "I was sent here initially just in good faith for humanity, as we knew what it must've felt like for the Federation to bully you so immensely. But this second visit, to the gala itself...we actually want to propose something to Humanity and the Venlil, but I wanted to wait for Federation sympathizing eyes and ears to be far away from here first."
He looked somewhat desperate, but resolved. "We're planning on breaking off from the Federation. Their influence on our planet is awful, given what they've done to us during the uplift. They seek to repress our culture, they constantly call us backward, and primitive, hardly capable of thinking for our own in this galaxy. We're tired of it, but we still are partially relying on their technological development to get to this point, and we don't have a proper fleet made. Your space is closest to ours, and we hoped-"
Meier finished "-that'd we begin our war fronting towards Leirn first? Free your people from the Federation? I'll gladly bring it up with our military advisors. You helped us, we help you back."
Laulo sighed in relief at that, a huge weight taken off their shoulders. "T-thank you. Thank you so much for this. Leirn has sought to be free of their grasp ever since we learned their intentions were not pure. You've been the first species to actually care to some degree, and were our only hope out of this mess."
"Don't thank us just yet. If you'd like to get in contact with our military, I can set you up with some Generals and your government as a liason for the war. You can coordinate anything on your side of the bargain to us through them, and make this smoother." Meier handed him a card, and waved over a human attendant of his to Laulo. She talked with him as the two walked away, and Meier remained.
Noah turned to me, a warm hand scruffing my fur. "I know the state of things doesn't look too great, love, but it could be so much worse. We'll make due with what we can get, and hopefully the galaxy will be a better place for it. Don't worry, all will be well someday."
I believed him. Who wouldn't believe in humanity?
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Hey there, I'm looking to apply for 2025 admission into a masters program, but my research interest is fairly interdisciplinary so I can fit in a few different programs. Ideally, I'd get into Women and Gender Studies because it seems to be the most interdisciplinary on its own and there's a faculty member who I'd love to be my advisor, but I have no idea how likely it is for me to get in. Does anyone know, anecdotally or statistically, what admission rates are like? I want to avoid applying for more programs than I need to so the people recommending me don't get annoyed lol especially since you can't reuse the same letter with the recommendation system at UofT
My GPA right now is equivalent to about an A-, but I hear that GPA isn't very important for this program? Also, the other possible programs are social work, sociology, and drama, theatre, and performance studies.
I'd also really appreciate if there's any grad students/alumni who'd be willing to chat with me! Thank you!

Hello guys I’m currently a system engineer working for a defense contractor. My problem right now is that I do not enjoyed my job one bit. I think the job is monotonous and I hate everything about it. I am applying for other positions but I haven’t heard anything back yet.
My issue is that I am also going back to school for a master degree in electrical and computer engineering. Right now I am paying out of my own pocket but my company can reimburse the tuition back to me. However if I accept this I need to stay with them for 2 more years from the day I receive the money.
Is it a good idea to accept it? Or continue to pay for master degree myself in case i find more interest opportunities that make me want to jump?
I also have student loans that I want to take care of as well.

How many of the 337 million people in the US are MAGA? How are the MAGA people distributed throughout the country? What would it take to unwrap their hold in the grassroots?
I know the idea of people moving to swing states, establishing residency, and voting isn't practical, but how much inconvenience is our democracy worth?
Go where your vote means something. It really is the ultimate sacrifice to uproot yourself and be horribly inconvenienced, and it would take only about 100,000 people to do this. People from solidly blue blue states and solidly red states will not have their votes missed. Students graduating from college in 2024 can put down roots in these swing states.
Is it possible for an organization to provide grants to people looking to move? If donors are willing to spend tens of millions of dollars on alternative candidates, maybe spend money to get people to where it actually matters.

I came across this West Area Plan that was approved last spring. It's full of cool ideas, but is the city really going to put their money where their mouth is? Are there any actual budgeted plans for park improvements or new bike lanes within the next few years? The idea of a rejuvenated downtown Barnum sounds pretty great, but have all they really done is rezoned? I imagine it will require private investment in new businesses there for that to really get off the ground.
https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Community-Planning-and-Development/Planning/Neighborhood-Planning/West-Area-Plan

Alright, I imagine this post is kind of unique for this sub, so stay with me.
I am a high school government teacher, working to train an AI to work as a sort of "expert witness" during the Oral Arguments portion of a Supreme Court simulation. That's to say that I'm loading an AI with reliable sources on Supreme Court Cases, and instructing it to pull exclusively from that information, as my students inquire about details of the case. The AI will search these records, identify the information they need, and present it in layman's terms.
I've had a really easy time finding court opinions and loading those in, but I've found they're really lacking specifics, and tend to just generate responses that reiterate the decision of the court. I would like to find some like, massive, extremely thorough files, so when my students ask things like "what was the difference in funding between schools in San Antonio vs Rodriguez?", it will actually provide them with numbers and data.
I assumed this would be public information and crazy easy to crack open...but then I remembered that I don't have a law degree, and have like, a passable understanding of what I'm really looking for.
Is anyone aware of the resources I would want to plug into this AI and where I might find them?
Thanks for your help!

I’m so over looking for a job as a college student in downtown Chicago. I’ve sent out countless applications and I’ve only gotten 3 interviews. One I never heard back from, one that turned me down for lack of formal experience (Despite being listed as a job that required no experience, and offering an interview even though my resume literally said my only experience has been volunteer work), and one that went well but ultimately the other candidates were more suited for the position than me. I’m just so sick of this, not to mention I know people who quit their jobs every time something goes wrong and are able to find new ones pretty much immediately, yet I can’t even get a chance. I’m almost positive it’s the lack of experience. I have no criminal record. I’ve never been evicted. I literally have no idea what else it could be and I don’t know what to do about it to give myself a better chance. What do these folks who’ve had such good luck landing jobs have that I don’t?

Hey Redditors,
Investing has long been seen as the realm of the wealthy and financially savvy, but in today's world, it's becoming more accessible to people from all walks of life. With the rise of online trading platforms, commission-free trading, and an abundance of educational resources, investors are taking control of their financial futures like never before.
Here are some key trends and insights shaping the world of investors right now:

1. Retail Investor Revolution: The democratization of investing has empowered retail investors to participate in the stock market with greater ease and affordability. Platforms like Robinhood, Webull, and others have lowered barriers to entry, allowing individuals to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, and even cryptocurrencies with just a few taps on their smartphones.
2. Social Investing and Community Collaboration: Social media platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Discord have become hubs for investors to share ideas, discuss market trends, and collaborate on investment strategies. The rise of online communities such as WallStreetBets has demonstrated the power of collective action and grassroots movements in influencing market behavior.
3. Education and Financial Literacy: As investing becomes more accessible, there's a growing emphasis on education and financial literacy. Investors are seeking out resources, courses, and workshops to deepen their understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and risk management. Financial literacy initiatives are crucial for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their money.
4. Impact Investing and Sustainability: Investors are increasingly prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their investment decisions. Impact investing, which aims to generate positive social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns, is gaining momentum as investors align their values with their investment portfolios.
5. Technological Innovation and AI: Advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, are transforming the investment landscape. AI-powered algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to identify investment opportunities, optimize portfolios, and manage risk more effectively. These technologies are reshaping traditional investment strategies and paving the way for more personalized and data-driven approaches.

In this era of democratized investing, individuals have unprecedented opportunities to take control of their financial futures, participate in the stock market, and build wealth over time. However, it's essential to approach investing with caution, conduct thorough research, and seek guidance from trusted sources to navigate the complexities of financial markets responsibly.
What are your thoughts on the evolving landscape of investing? Share your experiences, strategies, and insights in the comments below. Let's continue the conversation and empower each other to achieve our financial goals! 💰📈

I am a student about to graduate from university with a degree in economics. I gained an interest in statistics throughout my time in university by taking classes such as econometrics and working with regression analysis.
I am fascinated by the field of data science and the endless possibilities within it. However, I have no idea where to get started and have no experience with programming languages. Through looking at jobs I have concluded that knowledge of Python, JavaScript, SQL, R is required to land an entry-level or internship position at any firm which is what I am looking for.
Working on a MacBook, what programming language would be best to learn first to create a solid foundation for my career in data science and data analytics.
​

Hello everyone, I am an engineering student, I live in Bogotá and I am 25 years old. I'm a virgin and I've only had one relationship in my entire life (and it wasn't a very good one). I suffer from OCD, Depression, Anxiety, dissociation and ADD. I'm a little desperate because the truth is I've never felt good about myself in my life and since I fell on the FAP it's gotten worse. I am very insecure about myself and the truth is I feel very bad. I tried to leave the FAP for a long time, the most I managed was for approximately 1 year (but then I had a girlfriend and she left me and I fell again). From a very young age my older brothers made me feel bad about myself, and they made fun of me and made me cry in multiple ways (not that I want to victimize myself but something that I believe deep down made me feel the way I feel). Since that moment of a year I have tried to quit multiple times, it lasted a month, two three and even 6 but I relapsed.
I have sought professional help but nothing (within the psychological support offered by the university, it is not very good, I currently do not have health insurance), I have also sought religious help but it has not been a good result either.
I am in the last semesters of engineering, but I don't have a job (I do unpaid internships, I am in a national research institute, but they don't pay me either and in all the jobs they painted me money as work and well I can't leave them because well if I don't get They cannot pay me for my internship and the opportunity to enter the institute is possible but I don't know why they are far away with me); Sometimes I play soccer, also sometimes I practice calisthenics (the problem is that due to depression I quit being honest or because of the conditions of the university I am overloaded and I am always tired or unmotivated, and now with the internships the institute and the university I can't find the time), I also do photography but like all the above I am not constant, I try to discipline myself but nothing.
I feel like a parasite in my home and since I can't help financially with anything, I feel bad because my brother blames what he gives. That really stresses me out and I relapse into the FAP.
I don't want to victimize myself or sound like someone who has nothing or who doesn't know that there are lives much more complex than mine (that hurts me more to know that there are things much more complex and difficult and I can't get out of that loop of thoughts), But even though I know all this and try to stop seeing things as so bleak and value what I do more, I can't get out of it.
I don't know what to really do, my thoughts are already taking on ideas that are somewhat dark for my integrity, and I had to find some way to say this both to vent (because I don't tell this to anyone, I always put on masks so as not to be vulnerable) and Well because I'm already desperate.

Hey , as the title suggests , I am a final year IT engineering student from a state government engineering college and i recently got placed as a QA engineer , but some of my friends and relatives doesn't have high regard for QA roles some even said it's not worth it
What should I do , will I regret starting as a QA engineering , i would love some expert suggestions from people who are in the industry

The entire point of keeping Canada British was to ensure we had our head of state as a monarch chosen by God. That is why Canada was created to be a country with Christianity within the structures of the public institutions of the country. Multiculturalism is a natural result of being a Christian country where the freedom of conscience given by Christ is placed within the structures of government. That is why Christianity must be given a special place within the structures of our country. Canada simply cannot function as it was created to without giving special privilege to Christianity and placing it above ideologies of all others. That’s where our freedoms come from.
A lot of people have watched a lot of American television and do not understand their own country. They do not know what it means to be a Canadian from our history, founding, structures, purpose, and head of state. They are IGNORANT of how to be Canadian.
There is also a great misunderstanding of the purpose of the British empire and how it functioned. The British empire was explicitly Christian. In the late 1800s 90% of the British population went to church weekly and near 100% understood the monarch was chosen by God. When people dismiss the idea of Canada being created to be Christian by saying it was created to keep Canada British, boy do they miss the point! The reason to keep it British was to keep it with Christian government- not the Freemason government we see and saw in the United States!
I am Canadian. I am NOT American.
This is historical fact. This is truth.
God bless our fair dominion of Canada and God save the King!!

Hey Reddit! Long-time lurker, first-time poster here, so bear with me!
I’m reaching out to see if anyone here has experience in the Australian construction industry, particularly those who have moved into property development. I'm wrapping up my final year at a G08 Uni in Sydney, studying construction management and property, and I’ve got just one term left before graduation. My current average WAM is sitting at around 89 including one subject where I received 100/100.
A bit about me: I'm in my late 20s and a mature-age student with a previous five-year career in data analytics and related fields in the corporate world. I migrated to Australia alone about ten years ago with basic English skills and got a late start in my professional career. Despite these challenges, I've always been driven to advance and make the most of my circumstances.
So, I’ve shifted gears to construction and have been working as a cadet with a well-known tier 2 builder since last year. I've had rotations in site management and site engineering and received great feedback. Now, I'm in contracts admin, which I thought was my ultimate career path I wanted to focus on , but it’s been rough.
The guy above me in contracts admin is making life tough—constantly criticising me in front of the team, keeping me out of important emails, and just generally blocking my growth. It's got to the point where coming to work is a drag. Plus, the work itself isn’t as fulfilling as I hoped. I miss the networking, the meetings, the kind of work where I can produce a report, build spreadsheets and give presentations—more my style than the daily grind of quotes and contracts.
So, I’m thinking of moving into property development. I like the idea of handling a project from start to finish, from land acquisition to OC and it seems like it could be a better fit for my skills and interests. There are a bunch of grad roles opening up in July with some top-tier developers, and I’m gearing up to apply—doing my research, prepping for interviews, even taking some elocution lessons to sharpen my interview skills.
Here’s where I need your advice:

1. Quitting the Cadetship: Is it a bad idea to leave my current cadetship in July to focus on landing a development role? I’m pretty burned out and could use a break before jumping back in. My only concern is when(if) I make it to the final stage of the in-person interview, it may show I did not show commitment to the cadetship.
2. Sticking it Out: Should I just stick it out until at least September(when the final interview stage is expected to take place) to show I can commit, even though the toxicity is really wearing on me?
3. Fit for Development: Given my background and skills, do you think I’d do well in a development role at a major company? It’s likely to be a competitive and high-pressure environment, but I’m ready for the challenge.

Thanks for reading through my novel here! I usually keep to myself about work stuff, but this situation has been increasingly tough to handle. Any advice or insights would be massively appreciated!
Cheers and have a good one!

After seven film productions, including the Oscar-nominated 2023 live-action short The After, Lawmen: Bass Reeves is just the beginning of Yoruba Saxon’s foray into the television space. The production company has recently signed a first-look deal with Apple TV+, which Oyelowo sought after working on Silo and seeing the autonomy they gave series’ creator Graham Yost. “The amazing thing about Apple is that they know what they know and they know what they don’t,” he says. “They know what good business looks like, but they’re still young when it comes to being creators of content, and that means that their partnerships with creatives are true.”
Their first collaboration, Government Cheese, is already in the works and Oyelowo says they are off to a “very robust and fruitful” start. “Our show follows a Black family in the valley in the late ’60s trying to get their own piece of the American dream while eating government cheese.” The title comes from the term for processed cheese provided as government subsidized food for people dependent on welfare or food stamps, “a lot of them Black and brown people… It’s a parabolic, absurdist, surreal comedy and the title hints at that.”
In a time where many legacy studios are relying heavily on maintaining their old IP, Oyelowo says he is “incredibly excited” to have the first-look deal at Apple. “The great thing about Apple is that an Apple original is actually a very real thing. A lot of the time it’s an original idea because they don’t have a library to rely on. They don’t have all this IP to continue to mine, and that’s incredibly exciting for a creative person who likes to color outside the lines of what we’ve already done or already seen.”
Full report: https://deadline.com/2024/05/david-oyelowo-lawmen-bass-reeves-yoruba-saxon-mansa-1235916476/

I’m in the second semester of Computer Engineering/IT. It’s really complicated to explain the specific major because it’s new and if I were to explain it, it would be a mix of Computer Engineering and IT (Bachelor of Engineering). I started in the winter semester of 2023 and right now I’m struggling big time.

1. Subjects. Last semester it was Mathematics A, Physics 1, Programming 1, Introduction to IT and Technical English. Out of all of them I passed Intro and Technical English. I feel like I don’t understand a single thing from Math A and Programming 1. Physics 1 was relatively easy to understand and hard to study/ do the tasks, but it was understandable. Mathematics A was a complete disaster where I absolutely have no idea what’s going on. With Programming A it’s a bit different. Programming “hello world” for the first time was a moment of happiness for me but Programming isn’t just coding it’s learning about algorithmic thinking and problem solving, which I highly struggle with. This semester I have Mathematics B, Mathematics C, Programming B, Physics B, Electrotechnical Basics, Algorithms and Data-structures. After the few first weeks I just started to skip out on the lessons, because I would sit there and not understand anything. The major consists of 7 semesters, each having 6 subjects. I’ve been told that that’s too much but people but they having majored in engineering (social studies and so on) so I’m not sure if what they’re saying can be applied here.
   
2. The lack of basic knowledge I lack basic knowledge in programming, mathematics and physics. I’m not talking about high school math and physics. I’m talking about college level. I never realised how high school classes didn’t teach us properly until I reached university/ college and realised this is the just top of the ice berg. Like I said, I lack problem solving through algorithmic thinking which is the bases of this major (or what was taught in the first semester).
   
3. Possible retaking first semester subjects Right now I think the best course of action is to repeat first semester subjects and truly pay attention 100% this time. The problem is that I have no idea what to do this semester because it literally just started. Is it normal to just skip a semester or barely come to lectures/seminars because of this reason? I literally understand nothing so what’s the point of sitting there and possibly bothering people?
   
4. Not understanding how to study Engineering isn’t like other majors from what I hear. Or forced you to teach yourself how to study and how to study specific things. I recently watched a video trying to explain why CEOs are predominantly (former) engineers and everyone tackled it down to: a. Learning how to study; b. Knowing how to problem solve. I’ve established that I lack the problem solving skills right now and I’ll admit I have no idea how to (self) study. I came fresh out of high school where teachers are not only responsible for you and your academics but also responsible for educating you on certain topics. When you don’t understand it’s repeated and repeated and repeated over and over again. University is mostly self study. Do I know how to do that? No. Am I trying? I am. But trying is not enough when results are not showing. I have concentration problems (not ADHD or anything). I’m easily distracted ESPECIALLY when I have no idea what’s going on. I’ll eventually tune out the lecture and scroll on Reddit or something.
   
5. Burnout Yeah, I barely even started and I’m burnt out. People around me aren’t though. They can all already program in C, C++ and Python (what we covered in those two semesters/ what we’re covering and learning right now) as well as Java(script) and more. They’re ace-ing all their tests and while they struggle with exams they’re at every lecture and fully concentrated. It’s embarrassing trying to continue with their pace especially with group work. Literally yesterday we handed in an assignment where I was the “incompetent partner that did NOTHING” and I could feel my partner had enough of this bullshit and even called me out on it, which felt humiliating.
   

Is this a sub for crying engineering students that just started out? I have no idea. Am I just using this to vent and rant? Absolutely. I’m asking for help as well. Or as much as internet strangers are willing to do. I have no idea how to study. I have no idea how to concentrate. I still really want this. I want to finish my bachelor of engineering. I want this, that and the other thing. And I know I can find the motivation to continue if I just knew I’m not throwing away the next years of my life to not graduate at all in the end. I’m just stuck.
Has anyone been through this? Has anyone else experienced this? Can anyone please give me at least a tip on ONE subject not just everything just ONE THING.