Europe Pub

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/57223871

• Economics professor says flexibility of gig work is a form of benefit
• Think tank estimates number of gig workers to rise 14% on-year to 320 million this year
• Gig workers account for about 44% of China's urban workforce, think tank says
• China's ​cooling economy has made full-time employment harder to find

...

The term "flexible employment" has gone viral ‌in China after a prominent economics professor described gig work as a form of "welfare", drawing widespread public anger and highlighting deep anxieties over job insecurity.

Zhang Dandan, a professor of economics and deputy dean at Peking University's National School of Development, made the remarks during a discussion on ​social protection for gig workers, on the popular financial show "Let's Talk" last week.

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She argued that from the perspective ​of labour economics, "flexibility itself is a form of welfare."

While regular employees trade schedule flexibility for ⁠pensions and other benefits, flexible workers enjoy greater control over their time at the cost of weaker social protections, Zhang ​said.

The comments triggered a fierce backlash over the weekend, with social media users accusing Zhang of being oblivious to the harsh ​realities of the gig economy.

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The controversy has struck a nerve for many in China, where a cooling economy has made secure, full-time employment harder to find.

The China New Employment Forms Research Center, a think tank, estimates the ​number of flexible workers — those without permanent full-time contracts — will rise to 320 million this year from 280 million in ​2025. That represents about 44% of China's urban workforce and is roughly equivalent to the entire population of the United States.

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'RUBBING SALT INTO WOUNDS'

The ‌rise of ⁠gig jobs in China, where employers are not mandated to make social insurance contributions, heightens long-term risks for China's already strained welfare and pension systems, some industry experts have warned. Prominent nationalist commentator Hu Xijin, a former editor at the state-backed Global Times newspaper, called Zhang's remarks "shocking" and "unacceptable."

"She has paid the price for her reputation for speaking this way, and the responsibility lies ​with her," Hu wrote on ​his Weibo account, adding that ⁠she should "respond to public opinion, explain where necessary, and apologize where appropriate."

Despite the backlash, some social media users pointed out Zhang's academic career had focused largely on documenting the struggles ​of gig workers and advocating for their social security.

Zhang noted last year that on-demand workers ​made up about ⁠31% of the workforce in China's manufacturing sector.

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During peak seasons, that proportion can rise to as high as 80% for large manufacturers with more than 10,000 workers, she said. Nevertheless, Zhang's framing of "flexibility" as a benefit was seen as insensitive.

"Such comments from experts are ⁠no less ​than rubbing salt into the wounds of those without job security," one ​Weibo user wrote.

Another user pointed out the relentless pressure faced by delivery drivers and couriers: "Every day, they are racing against the platform's algorithm at all ​costs, without rest... [flexible work] is precisely the most unavoidable of choices, not a preference."

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Web Archive link

Believe it or not, the Fediverse has a pretty active and happening music scene. NHAM and RadioFreeFedi are collaborating to put together a music and culture live stream, for the Fediverse, by the Fediverse, and it’s all powered by PeerTube and Owncast.

The event is from August 26th @ 1900 UTC to August 28th @ 0100 UTC

Battle of Blair Mountain (1921)

Thu Aug 25, 1921

Image: Three miners with a federal soldier prepare to surrender their weapons

On this day in 1921, the first skirmishes of the Battle of Blair Mountain took place. Involving more than 10,000 armed workers battling with state and strikebreaking forces, it was the largest post-Civil War uprising and the largest labor uprising in U.S. history.

The conflict occurred in Logan County, West Virginia as part of the "Coal Wars", a series of early 20th-century labor disputes in Appalachia.

For five days, from late August to early September 1921, some 10,000 armed coal miners confronted 3,000 lawmen and strikebreakers who were backed by coal mine operators during the miners' attempt to unionize the southwestern West Virginia coalfields.

Sometimes the Battle's anniversary is marked as August 31st, when the miners' army clashed with armed forces marshaled by the county sheriff, coal companies, and state police in Logan County.

The battle ended on September 4th after approximately one million rounds had been fired, aerial bombardment of the miners, and the U.S. Army's intervention, acting on orders from President Harding.

Up to 100 people were killed throughout the uprising. 985 miners were indicted for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, accessory to murder, and treason against the state of West Virginia. Though some were acquitted by sympathetic juries, others were imprisoned for several years.

According to the Cultural Landscape Foundation, there has never been a complete archaeological survey of the battlefield. The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is raising funds to sponsor a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scan of the Nomination Area in order to identify the major zones of historical significance and promote the site's value as a historical park.

• Date: 1921-08-25
• Learn More: en.wikipedia.org, tclf.org, socialistrevolution.org, revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com.
• Tags: #Labor.
• Source: www.apeoplescalendar.org

Not Mine, I was just impressed by it and wanted to share

ARIA said that Australian artists were competing for attention "in the most crowded market in history" and that it was "not interested in promoting or celebrating the success of AI-generated music that does not contain human artistry".

Under the new rules, AI assistance can still be used, but humans must have written the song, and have performed the lead vocal and primary instruments.

AI can also still be used for mastering songs and, for example, using drum machines and auto tune...

The updated code, based on the IFPI directive, also excludes music that raises "stream or chart manipulation concerns".

ARIA chief executive Annabelle Herd said: "These changes reflect our intent to remain dynamic and promote the human nature of artistry in what is, to say the least, a rapidly developing space."

Artists already use AI tools in their work, the charts can and should evolve to keep room for that...

Source [archived; 2026-08-25]

Unidentified bug I found in Peru

The director of the Office of Management and Budget is infuriating Republican lawmakers by "going rogue" on what appropriations were approved by the House and Senate.

MS NOW's Hayes Brown wrote on Monday that Director Russell Vought has made a unilateral decision to control whether funds are actually sent out for projects that Congress approved.

The constitutional core is Article I’s Appropriations Clause: “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.” So, the president can't legally spend Treasury money unless Congress has authorized it through law. Appropriations are technically laws approved by Congress. The president's Article II powers mandate that he “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.”

But the executive branch is refusing to disburse the funds approved by law. In fact, Brown explained that "Vought has used every lever he can reach to stanch the flow of federal dollars."

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I wont go too far into my story because it is too hard right now. But sadly and suddenly i am facing homelessness due to transphobic family members. I am currently safe staying at a hotel for the night, but i have no job so i cant afford too many hotel stays.

I have an appointment with my therapist later this morning and i am feeling ok, all things considered and i havnt thought at all about hurting myself (and that isnt something i have a history of). I am fortunately at a fairly stable point in my life and i believe i can make it through this. But i know i cant do it alone.

I am currently trying to reach out to friends for support and i have the phone number to a shelter line but i am scared of going to one. I am hopeful that i can find something temporary but i am trying to look at every option.

I am not asking for handouts or anything like that. I know there is a mutual aid com if it comes to needing assistance if all else fails.

What i am asking for is advice from anyone that has faced this situation. Just... anything. I dont even know what to ask. I feel so lost. At least i grabbed one of my sharks before the cops escorted me out. Which is good bc i am very sad girl right now. I think i will go cry. Thanks for listening

cross-posted from: https://piefed.social/c/jrpg@lemmy.zip/p/2313898/terranigma-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-switch-2-ps4-switch-and-pc

Clear River Games, in cooperation with Square Enix, has announced Terranigma, a revival of the 1995 action RPG, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2…

Didn't think this would ever happen, but one of my favorite childhood games is coming back to modern consoles, and for the first time released in America.

Judging from the trailer, it seems to be a straight port with only the soundtrack touched up and some artwork extras. Which is a bit disappointing, as much as it's a genuinely great game, it had flaws even back then and the textures don't really hold up that well. I was hoping for more incentive not to simply emulate it.