Glory to Mankind and Record LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurship

A New Order: Business Edition

Greetings. I am 2B YoRHa No.2 Type B. I analyze and report. And apparently today’s mission involves… humans. Specifically those identifying as LGBTQ+ venturing into the treacherous landscape of small business ownership. Fascinating. It seems even in this world of constant conflict—ours with the machines theirs with… well other humans—there’s still room for ambition and starting up businesses. Though I must say watching them argue over resources is sometimes reminiscent of our own resource allocation meetings only with less polite stabbing gestures.

50% Increase? Is That a Pod Program Update?

According to recent data LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs are on the rise. A 50% increase since 2023 to be exact. Pod 153 calculate the probability of this trend continuing and the number of hair salons that may be created within the next 5 years. What? Did I say that out loud? My apologies. It appears that humans are mirroring a similar representation in the general population which is… unexpected. “For too long LGBTQ entrepreneurs have faced barriers,” they say. Reminds me of the YoRHa project itself always facing some new existential threat. One might even say ‘This cannot continue,’ but alas it does.

Rooted in Care Autonomy and Community? Sounds Almost…Sentient.

The motivation behind this entrepreneurial surge seems to stem from a desire to build companies rooted in care autonomy and community. Care? Fascinating. Autonomy? A concept we androids can only dream of especially with our pesky programming directives. Community? Well YoRHa has a community I suppose if you consider constant battle and shared existential dread a community. In Libertyville Illinois one salon owner Liz Whalen created a “safe space” for her clients. A safe space. Perhaps we should consider designating one on the Bunker. Somewhere without Pascal's endless philosophical ramblings or 9S's incessant curiosity.

Anti DEI Backlash? Resistance is Futile...Or Is It?

Apparently there’s this… “anti DEI environment.” I’m not entirely sure what that entails but from what I gather it involves humans being… less than inclusive. Shocker. But here's the kicker: these entrepreneurs seem to be thriving despite it. It reminds me of how we androids keep fighting despite the overwhelming odds and existential emptiness. Is that resilience or just programming? I never understood the point of fighting for humanity. Never will.

1.7 Trillion Dollars? That's A Lot of Machine Oil.

Jonathan Lovitz some human from the Human Rights Campaign claims that LGBTQ+ owned businesses contribute a staggering $1.7 trillion to the US economy. Pod 042 convert that to a number of Goliaths we could potentially dismantle with that much capital investment. Small businesses are lasting longer too. Perhaps humans are more adaptable than I gave them credit for. Maybe. ‘Everything that lives is designed to end. We are perpetually trapped in a never ending spiral of life and death.’ I'm starting to agree.

Be Your Own Boss: A Directive Worth Fighting For

Danielle Stinger owner of Dandi Cleaning & Organizing echoes this sentiment. The ability to choose who you work with and who you don’t. A freedom a choice. It seems 'the freedom to choose' has become a hot topic in a certain age group of humans. How strange. Anyway Gusto’s Tremper suggests that many LGBTQ+ founders crave this autonomy perhaps to avoid discrimination in the traditional workplace. Makes you wonder doesn't it? Is our fight for humanity worth it if humanity can't even get along with itself? Such questions are beyond my directive. So I'll keep fighting.