Lmst

Two fully #funded #PhD #studentships to support #research in #queer and #trans #healthcare and #creativity #Manchester https://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/funding/list-of-awards/queerandtranshealthcareandcreativitystudentships/

How to Protect Your Neighbors from ICE Terror

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59PYoMzgh0U

This video is my response to the murder of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, and my thoughts on how to protect one another in the face of state terror...

#Protection #StateTerror #Brutality #AlexPretti #Thugs #Evil #Funded #Fascism #Organize #CommunityDefense

Onehunga’s Beachcroft Residences owes lenders $71.7m, receivers say

CMT is the general partner of Beachcroft Apartments LP, which was also put into receivership due to its…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #717 #717m #according #almostfinished #beachcroft #disastrous #first #funded #just #lenders #million #NewZealand #NZ #onehungas #out #owed #owes #receivers #Report #residences #say #which
https://www.newsbeep.com/300343/

Every tech guy's journey:
1. Make a Notion doc
2. Call it a company
3. Get $2M in pre-seed
4. Realize it's just a calendar with vibes
5. Pivot to AI
6. Still a calendar
#startuplife #funded

Miersch highlighted income tax reform as a viable pathway to achieve this redistribution, suggesting that solutions are available if the political will exists H... https://news.osna.fm/?p=13957 | #news #burden #cuts #funded #shifting

Former German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has advocated for a significant restructuring of private pension provision in light of demographic shifts. Writ... https://news.osna.fm/?p=13010 | #news #funded #future #germanys #lindner

Naomi Rintoul-Hynes is looking to supervise a #funded #PhD on the #ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF #ARMED CONFLICT.

This PhD would be based at #Canterbury Christ Church University in #Kent, #UK. The scholarship includes a full fee waiver for 3 years and annual stipend of £20,780.

The scholarship will be open to UK Home Students from #Black, #Asian, #MixedHeritage and Other #MinoritisedEthnic Communities only.

If you fit these criteria, please email
naomi.rintoul-hynes@canterbury.ac.uk.

Just got home and … - FUNDED in 6 days!
The veil has been pierced, the ritual is complete. Thanks to everyone who answered the call and crossed the threshold with FIENDGAZER.
The Beyond acknowledges your devotion. The Gazers have gathered. Stretch goals soon - this is just the beginning…
From Tremor & Tony - grateful beyond words.
#TTRPG #HorrorRPG #KickstarterRPG #Funded #indierpg

Authorities in Mannheim have launched an investigation into 13 individuals linked to suspected fraudulent real estate transactions financed by Volksbank Konstan... https://news.osna.fm/?p=6984 | #news #bank #funded #germany #rocks

A year of funded FreeBSD development

https://www.daemonology.net/blog/2025-06-06-A-year-of-funded-FreeBSD.html

#HackerNews #FreeBSD #Development #Funded #Year #Innovation #OpenSource #Technology

Pros and Cons of #Funded #nextcloud https://www.semanarioregionaldenoticias.com/pros-and-cons-of-funded-next/

Another 3h to go for the #BillionairesAndGuillotines #BoardGame #CardGame on #kickstarter already #funded

> In Billionaires & Guillotines, players take on the role of 2-5 rival plutocrats vying to grab the wealth of the world before their actions trigger a revolution where they all lose… a lot more than their assets.

Hope you all find this as exciting as I do and chip it. The #FundingGoal is already reached!

#bringyourownguillotine

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/plutopress/billionaires-and-guillotines/description

#AbrahamLincoln: "#democracy is #government of the #people - by the #people - for the #people"

but #democracy is not perfect per default, it needs constant #reform to become better and better (not worse and worse how it was made by (#financial #taxavoiding #lobbyists and other #lobbyists = #corruption)

how to reform democracy? a #conversationwithai: #deepseek

<think>
Alright, I'm trying to figure out how to reform #democracy so that decisions are made faster and are more competent, while also reducing incompetence and corruption. This is a big question because democracy as it stands has a lot of #issues, but it's still considered one of the better systems out there <- read this?

First off, I know that one of the main problems with democracies is that #decisionmaking can be #slow, especially in #large #countries.

There are so many #checks and #balances that sometimes it feels like nothing gets done.

So maybe making decisions faster requires #streamlining some processes.

But how? Maybe reducing #bureaucracy or changing how legislation is passed?

Another issue is #incompetence. I've seen elected officials who don't seem to have the right skills or knowledge for their roles. <- this #AI has seen things!

How can we ensure that #leaders are actually #competent?

Perhaps through better #education #requirements, or maybe having #experts in certain fields advise them more #effectively.

#Corruption is another huge #Problem seems like #money plays a big role in #politics, which can lead to decisions that favor #donors over the people.

#Campaign #finance #reform might help here, but I'm not sure how feasible that is given current laws and court rulings, especially in places like the #US with #CitizensUnited.

#Voter #engagement is also a factor.

If more people participate, maybe there's more #accountability.

But getting people to vote when they feel their votes don't matter is tough.

Maybe changing voting systems, like ranked-choice voting, could make elections feel more representative and increase turnout.

I've heard about #sortition, where #random #citizens are #selected for #decisionmaking bodies.

That might bring in diverse perspectives and reduce corruption since the average person isn't as beholden to special interests.

But would people take it seriously? I'm not sure how effective that would be compared to elected officials.

#Technology could play a role too.

Maybe using #online #platforms for #participatory #budgeting or #policy #discussions.

It could make #government more #transparent and involve citizens more #directly.

However, there's the risk of #misinformation and #manipulation online.

#Term #limits are another idea.

They might prevent politicians from becoming too entrenched and corrupt, but they can also limit institutional knowledge and lead to a #revolvingdoor of #inexperienced #leaders.

#Anticorruption agencies seem necessary, but they need to be #independent and well #funded.

If they're controlled by the government, they won't be effective.

How do you ensure their independence?

#Media #literacy is important because if people are #better #informed, they can make #better #decisions at the #ballotbox.

But with so much #misinformation out there, improving media literacy is a big challenge.

I'm also thinking about proportional representation.

Maybe switching to a system where more parties have seats could lead to more diverse and representative governments, reducing gridlock.

But it might also make forming a government harder if no single party has a majority.

What about making voting mandatory?

It increases turnout but can also lead to people voting without being informed, which doesn't necessarily improve the quality of decisions.

Another thought is focusing on #local #governance.

If more decisions are made at the local level where people can be more involved and informed, it might lead to #better #outcomes #overall.

But not all issues can be handled locally; some require national or international coordination.

I'm also considering how #education plays into this.

Better #civic #education could make voters more informed and engaged.

It starts from a young age teaching about #government #structures, #roles, and the importance of #participation.

#Transparency is key too.

If governments are more open about their processes and decisions, trust might increase. Things like #FOIA requests in the U.S. help, but they can be slow and sometimes
incomplete.

#Incentivizing #good #governance through awards or recognition might motivate leaders to perform better, but it's not a sure fix for deeper systemic issues.

Encouraging #whistleblowers is important because they can expose #corruption before it becomes entrenched.

Protecting them legally would make others more willing to come forward.

Public-private partnerships could bring in expertise from the private sector, but there's a risk of corporate influence if not managed properly.

Inclusive decision-making ensures that all groups have a voice, which leads to more equitable policies.

It requires active efforts to involve marginalized communities.

Independent judiciaries are crucial because they can check the other branches and enforce laws against corruption.

But judicial appointments can be politicized, which undermines their independence.

Finally, cultural shifts towards valuing integrity over power might help reduce corruption. But changing a culture is slow and difficult, especially in large, diverse societies.

Putting all these thoughts together, it seems like reforming democracy requires a multi-faceted approach addressing both structural issues and cultural factors. It's not just about tweaking one part but making comprehensive changes that promote competence, transparency, and accountability while ensuring representation and reducing corruption.

</think>
Reforming democracy to enhance decision-making efficiency, competence, and reduce corruption involves a multifaceted approach that addresses both structural and cultural aspects of
governance. Here is an organized strategy based on the thought process:

### Structural Reforms
1. **Streamline Decision-Making Processes:**
- Reduce bureaucratic layers and adopt more agile legislative processes to accelerate decision-making without compromising thorough consideration.

2. **Campaign Finance Reform:**
- Implement strict regulations on campaign contributions and promote public financing of elections to diminish the influence of money in politics.

3. **Proportional Representation:**
- Introduce proportional representation systems to ensure diverse representation, which can lead to more inclusive and efficient governance.

4. **Term Limits:**
- Enact term limits for elected officials to prevent entrenchment, while ensuring mechanisms for knowledge retention and smooth transitions.

5. **Independent Anti-Corruption Agencies:**
- Establish independent bodies with strong investigative and prosecutorial powers to combat corruption effectively.

### Enhancing Competence
1. **Expert Advisory Bodies:**
- Integrate expert panels in decision-making processes to provide informed guidance on complex issues.

2. **Civic Education:**
- Improve education systems to foster informed voters through civic engagement and critical thinking skills.

3. **Sortition (Citizen Juries):**
- Experiment with sortition to involve diverse citizen perspectives, enhancing
representativeness and reducing corruption risks.

### Reducing Corruption
1. **Transparency Measures:**
- Increase government transparency through open data initiatives, accessible meetings, and robust freedom of information laws.

2. **Whistleblower Protection:**
- Strengthen legal protections for whistleblowers to encourage the exposure of corruption without fear of retribution.

3. **Judicial Independence:**
- Ensure the judiciary is independent and impartial, free from political influence, to uphold rule of law and check executive power.

### Voter Engagement and Participation
1. **Voting System Reforms:**
- Adopt ranked-choice voting and proportional representation to ensure votes count more meaningfully and increase voter satisfaction.

2. **Compulsory Voting:**
- Consider mandatory voting with incentives for informed voting, potentially reducing apathy and increasing political engagement.

3. **Participatory Budgeting:**
- Involve citizens in budget decisions through digital platforms to foster transparency and accountability.

### Technological Integration
1. **Digital Platforms:**
- Utilize technology for participatory governance, enabling real-time public input on policies and fostering informed discussions.

2. **Media Literacy Programs:**
- Launch initiatives to combat misinformation, promoting a better-informed electorate capable of discerning credible sources.

### Cultural Shifts
1. **Incentivizing Good Governance:**
- Recognize and reward ethical leadership through awards or public acknowledgment to promote integrity in governance.

2. **Cultural Values:**
- Foster societal norms that prioritize transparency, accountability, and integrity, encouraging leaders to adhere to high ethical standards.

### Conclusion
Reforming democracy requires a comprehensive approach that combines structural changes with cultural shifts. By streamlining processes, enhancing
competence through education and expertise, reducing corruption through transparency and independent oversight, and engaging citizens more
effectively, democracies can become more responsive, efficient, and just. This multifaceted strategy aims to rebuild trust in governance and ensure
decisions truly reflect the will of the people.

Introducing #Evo_2, a predictive and generative #genomic #AI for all domains of #life.

#evolution #diversity #OpenGenome2 #funded#by_NSF #funded_by_US

https://phys.org/news/2025-03-evo-generative-genomic-ai-domains.html

GOaL! Returned part One is getting printed! Funded in 9 hours!
Can we get to those question marks?

Join the crowd at http://kck.st/4h6uXNo

#comics #KickstarterComics #art #Kickstarter #horror #horrorcomics #funded

Tonight I read this excellent #Lemmy post
https://lemmings.world/post/21510510
regarding John Oliver's show night on the topic of "Facebook & Content Moderation".
https://youtu.be/nf7XHR3EVHo
#Meta #Facebook #ContentModeration #JohnOliver

The whole show is extremely informative about Meta, but being "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" there were quite a few f-bombs. Only watch the video if you really want the whole story and are not sensitive to the language. #fbomb #fbombs

John Oliver promoted this website:
"How to change your settings
to make yourself less valuable to Meta"
https://johnoliverwantsyourraterotica.com/
I have already followed the steps.

The show also briefly mentioned #Signal, #Mastodon, #Pixelfed, and #BlueSky as Meta alternatives. #MetaAlternatives
Personally I am on the #Fediverse with #GoToSocial (same protocol as Mastodon - #ActivityPub) and #PixelFed.
As well as Lemmy, #Telegram, and #Matrix.
If you want information on these networks just ask me.

Like some I am still on Meta: Facebook and #Instagram because it's where many of our friends, family, and colleagues are, and don't plan leaving... yet. In the meantime we can lessen our value to Meta and their advertisers.
None of the alternatives I use have #advertisers or #algorithms. It's all #community driven, #funded, and guided by #hashtags and other means.

#GazaProtests #Funded #Fun

"This Level of Absurdity‼️ #palestine #usa #uk #israel #politics #congress #canada #europe #lol" [ < 1min]
by BreezyPolitics

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4JRE7YABj0s

#CeaseFireNow #JailForNetanyahu #JailForGallant

oops, didnt follow my own rules;

#provenance
US weather service #funded as a #publicService by the citizens of the US.
and screen shot from windy.com, funded by paying for and watching ads

graphic art done in #inkscape, funded by FLOSS everywhere and the good people of the fediverse as a public good for all.

#weather #map #globalClimateChange #bombCyclone

#democracy is more than how we vote!