Hand fire magic, also known as pyrokinesis, is a form of magic that involves the manipulation and control of fire using one's hands. It is considered one of the most dangerous and powerful forms of magic due to its potential for destruction and the difficulty in mastering it. Practitioners of hand fire magic are able to summon and ignite fire with their bare hands, as well as shape and direct it according to their will. They can create fireballs, manipulate the size and intensity of flames, and even extinguish fires at will. This ability gives them a tremendous advantage in combat and can be used for offensive and defensive purposes. The origin of hand fire magic is not fully known, but it is believed to have been practiced by ancient civilizations and passed down through the generations.
The origin of hand fire magic is not fully known, but it is believed to have been practiced by ancient civilizations and passed down through the generations. Some legends even claim that certain individuals were born with the ability to control fire, making them natural pyrokinetics. However, mastering hand fire magic is no easy task.
5 charts that hint at what’s in store for construction in 2023
The industry will continue to face labor shortages, high materials costs and other headwinds, but infrastructure will be a bright spot.
Published Dec. 6, 2022 Julie Strupp Editor2022 brought skyrocketing inflation and interest rates, but contractors remained optimistic. ilkercelik via Getty Images
2022 has been a mixed bag for the U.S. construction industry.
This past year brought skyrocketing inflation and interest rates, but contractors remained optimistic despite the rocky economic conditions.
Inflation was a major concern in 2022, climbing to a 40-year high in June. It was fueled by ongoing supply chain snarls brought on by pandemic stresses as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, prices jumped on key construction materials such as cement, diesel and asphalt. The industry also continued to struggle to attract enough workers in an overall tight labor market.
On a more positive note, backlog remained strong — although that metric went negative in October for the first time in more than a year.
As the new year approaches, the big question on construction leaders’ minds is what’s in store for 2023. Top construction economists say much like in 2022, signals are mixed.
Here is a look at five key indicators and what they suggest for contractors in the year ahead.
Architecture billings’ positive streak ends
When architects are busy, contractors likely are, too. The Architecture Billing Index from the American Institute of Architects is an indicator of future nonresidential construction spending nine to 12 months down the line. Numbers above 50 on the ABI indicate an increase in billings.
The ABI remained positive in 2022 until October , when it took a sharp downward turn. That could indicate that recession fears and inflation have finally started to manifest in the industry, and may translate to a drop in available construction work in the latter end of next year.
Nonetheless, Associated Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu said the industry lag means construction will likely stay strong in the coming year regardless of economic conditions.
“For many contractors, 2023 does not stand to be the problematic year, it’s more likely to be in 2024 or 2025 if in fact the economy enters recession in 2023,” Basu said.
Construction backlog remains steady
ABC's member survey results measure the number of months of construction backlog.
New projects are a bellwether for contractor confidence. The industry’s backlog has remained positive over the past year but dipped in June and July and declined again in October from the previous month. It’s nonetheless 0.7 months higher than the year-ago period.
Backlog in the commercial and institutional category posted its largest monthly decline in October since July 2020, although infrastructure and heavy industrial projects still posted growth. The latter sectors are likely to remain bright spots in the coming years as federal funding is pumped into those sectors, according to Ken Simonson, chief economist at Associated General Contractors of America.
“I expect a big pickup in 2023 in infrastructure investment as money from the IIJA starts to be awarded and contractors get to work on those projects,” Simonson told Construction Dive. “Also continuing pickup in manufacturing construction, especially for semiconductor manufacturing plants; electric vehicle, battery, components, and battery charging manufacturing plants; and the beginning of alternative energy projects funded by tax credits and other incentives included in the Inflation Reduction Act .”
Material prices remain volatile
| Material | Volatility | Price index YOY % change | Lead times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat glass | Low | 8.2% | Increased |
| Lumber and plywood | Low | -26.9% | Stabilizing |
| Aluminum mill shapes | Low | 20.3% | Increased |
| Insulation materials | Low | 16.0% | Increased |
| Plastic construction products | Moderate | 27.0% | Increased |
| Steel mill products | Moderate | 22.4% | Stabilizing |
| Concrete products | Moderate | 13.5% | Increased |
| Gypsum products | High | 18.9% | Increased |
| #2 diesel fuel | High | 111.1% | N/A |
| Copper and brass mill shapes | High | 0% | Increased |
Inflation has plagued the industry and COVID-19 has continued to impact supply chains, causing materials prices to swing wildly. While lumber and plywood prices were a huge concern at the beginning of the year, that has since eased and cement and diesel costs are now giving contractors grief. That volatility makes it difficult for contractors to plan projects, and it has not been uniform across construction materials.
Simonson expects price hikes and shortages to ease for some products, and to remain volatile for others.
“Cement and concrete products are likely to have continuing shortages as the nation has not added any cement production since 2009 while demand is growing, particularly from infrastructure projects,” Simonson said.
Labor shortages continue
Construction employment has continued to rise in the past year. Retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics.Construction has increasingly struggled to attract enough workers, and upcoming federal spending promises to only strengthen demand . The multiple-year-long federal investment may also help workers view construction as a stable long-term career prospect and encourage them to get into the industry, Basu said.
Labor has been an ongoing challenge in the past year, and while Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed more construction jobs were filled and fewer workers quit in October , the number of open jobs ticked back up in November .
As the overall jobs market shows signs of weakening, the industry may be able to benefit from more people seeking work. Still, upcoming federal spending promises to keep demand for construction workers high. Simonson expects labor availability to remain the top challenge for most contractors, with high job opening rates and rising wages continuing into the new year.
Construction input costs rise
Optional Caption Retrieved from JLL on December 06, 2022Inflation, high wages and other price increases have cut into contractors’ bottom lines in 2022. In the past year input costs — that is, the prices of materials, labor and other project expenses — have not kept up with final costs of a project, or the amount billed to the owner. However, both indicators are trending in a positive direction for contractors.
The coming year will probably bring selective reductions in materials costs and supply chain bottlenecks, Simonson said, but despite some easing for builders, he still expects that construction input costs are likely to continue rising more than overall consumer prices. Happily for contractors, as bid prices tick up, that indicates owners are willing to pay more.
Though contractors’ profits are squeezed, they should be able to make projects pencil out, according to JLL.
“Though the input-bid spread will eventually be covered, recessionary fears are likely to slow the rate at which costs are passed on,” according to JLL’s 2022 H2 Outlook report . “However, the long duration of many projects — especially larger infrastructure and similar funded by the IIJA — are likely to provide sufficient opportunities for the market to maintain heightened activity levels even with more narrow margins.
On a more positive note, backlog remained strong — although that metric went negative in October for the first time in more than a year.
It requires a deep understanding of the elemental nature of fire and intense focus and concentration. Without proper control, fire can easily spiral out of control and cause harm to the practitioner and those around them. This is why training and discipline are essential for anyone seeking to master this form of magic. In addition to its destructive potential, hand fire magic also has practical applications. It can be used to light fires, cook food, and provide warmth in cold environments. It can also be employed for more artistic purposes, as some practitioners use it to create elaborate fire displays and performances. Just like any other form of magic, hand fire magic comes with its own risks and dangers. It should always be practiced responsibly and with caution. Furthermore, practitioners should be knowledgeable about fire safety protocols and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents and injuries. In conclusion, hand fire magic is a formidable and powerful form of magic that allows practitioners to control and manipulate fire with their hands. However, it requires great skill and discipline to master, and should always be practiced responsibly..
Reviews for "Unleashing the Extraordinary: Hand Fire Magic at its Finest"
1. Emily - 1 star:
I found "Hand Fire Magic" to be extremely disappointing. The premise seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. The writing style was also subpar, with a lot of grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. Overall, I would not recommend "Hand Fire Magic" to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.
2. Jason - 2 stars:
Although "Hand Fire Magic" had some promising elements, it ultimately failed to deliver. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of boredom interrupted by rushed action scenes. The world-building lacked detail and coherence, leaving me confused and unengaged. The dialogue was mostly cliché and lacked authenticity. While there were a few intriguing plot twists, they were overshadowed by the overall weaknesses of the book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars:
I had high hopes for "Hand Fire Magic," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The plot was predictable, and the romance felt forced and unrealistic. The protagonist lacked agency, often waiting for others to save her instead of taking action herself. The magic system was underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, I found "Hand Fire Magic" to be a forgettable and uninspiring read.
4. Michael - 1 star:
"Hand Fire Magic" was a complete waste of time. The writing was juvenile, filled with purple prose and excessive descriptions. The characters were shallow and unlikable, with no redeeming qualities. The plot lacked coherence and plausibility, making it difficult to invest in the story. Additionally, the book was riddled with editing errors, which further disrupted the reading experience. I would strongly advise avoiding "Hand Fire Magic" if you're looking for a well-crafted and enjoyable fantasy novel.
5. Rebecca - 2 stars:
I had high hopes for "Hand Fire Magic," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them. The pacing was slow, and the plot felt stagnant for a large part of the book. The protagonist was inconsistent in her actions and lacked clear motivations. The world-building was shallow, and the magic system was poorly explained. While there were moments of potential, they were overshadowed by the overall mediocrity of the story. All in all, "Hand Fire Magic" was a disappointing read that left me wanting more.